JPL | LtJG Charlson & Noah Waterhouse | "In The Air There's A Feeling Of Christmas"

Posted on Fri Jan 9th, 2015 @ 11:36am by

1,438 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: A Spot To Kill

Lily was standing out on the balcony, just looking up at the stars, after the Christmas dinner. She had enjoyed herself, but had decided to step outside for some fresh air, before having to return to Earth Space dock shortly, she had a few things to attend to.

Noah walked out the door from his Gran'dad's study onto the balcony, and smiled as he found Lily. She'd slipped off without a word when everyone else had settled in to exchange presents under the tree, and Noah went looking for her as soon as he'd noticed because he had a gift for her.

"Pretty night, isn't it?" he asked quietly as he walked up behind her. A small white box in hand with curly pink and green ribbon on it.

"It's lovely, I prefer this than seeing the stars in space, they just look.....nicer I guess." Lily said. "Sorry, I came out here because since my parents left me, I've never really had a proper Christmas of exchanging presents." She said, slightly saddened.

"It's the twinkle from the atmosphere, that's what Dad tells me at least," he insisted, coming to a stop beside Lily. He held out the box to her.

"Thank you Noah, I really appreciate that," she said, withdrawing a small slender wrapped gift from her jacket pocket. It was wrapped in dark green glossy paper, and had a small bow at the top. "I got you something as well." She said, handing over the gift.

"Open yours first," he insisted with a grin, accepting the package she offered him. He considered the size and weight of her gift to him, resisting the urge to turn on his holographic goggles and take a peak inside.

Lily opened the box. Inside, laying on a cotton batting, was a Necklace. Platinum wire spirals, linked together by small hinges. Hanging from the middle spiral was a platinum chain with a couple of freshwater light pink pearls on the end. The ends had pink ribbon to match the pearls to tie it on. "Noah, it's lovely!"

"I can tie it on for you, if you like," he offered with a small smile, slipping his fingers under the seam of the wrapping paper on the box Lily had given him. A moment's care, and he had the tape loosened without tearing the paper. He neatly folded it, sticking the bow on top of his head, and sliding the paper into the back pocket of his black slacks. He opened the box, and paused a moment with an eyebrow raised. "Are these sable?" he asked as he brushed the cuff of his sweater back so he could fuss with his leather wrist cuff and turn on his goggles. He lifted the largest brush from the box, and eyed the writing on the handle, a corner of his lip twisting up as he noticed the custom engraving of his name on the opposite side from the brand, size, and type information about the brush. "I'd been meaning to pick up a set of these. Thank you." He quickly leaned forward to kiss her on the cheek as he laid the brush back in the box with its companions.

"I thought you'd like those!" Lily said, as she handed Noah the necklace and turned around.

"Sable's the best for watercolor, and it's a medium I'd been meaning to give another go," he explained, tucking his box of paint brushes into his back pocket, careful to orient it so that the brush end pointed upwards. He gently brushed Lily's hair to one side, reaching forward to either side of her neck. His fingers softly brushed along her skin as he wrapped the necklace around her, and tied the ribbon into a small bow in the back.

Noah's touch sent a small shiver down Lily's spine as he clipped the necklace on. When he'd finished, she lifted the pearls on the end up, to look at them. "It's really lovely Noah, thank you!" She said giving Noah a hug.

"I glad you like it," he returned, grinning at her as his arms found her waist instinctively. "You should pick what I paint with the brushes the first time. I'll even let you have the finished piece, if you like it."

"How long would it take to do a painting?" Lily asked.

"I depends on a lot of things, not the least of which is how quickly what I've learned of watercolor comes back to me when I sit down with the paints and paper," he explained. "Though size of the finished piece, the subject, and level of detail will also factor in. Did you have something in mind?" His head tilted slightly to the right as he looked down at Lily, his left eyebrow quirking slightly upwards, and a slight twist of amusement tugged at the corners of his lips.

"Well you could always do one of me, it'd be interesting to see how long it would take." Lily said, unsure of herself.

Noah's eyebrow rose higher, and he smirked as a mental image flitted through his head. He considered the woman in his arms, and the fact that she is an officer in starfleet, but the idea wouldn't go away. Still, something made him pause to voice it, and he wasn't sure why.

"Well, the traditional style of a portrait of a lovely lady like yourself requires a level of comfort between artist and model," Noah finally allowed.

"Elaborate?" Lily said, still slightly confused.

"Right then," Noah muttered softly with a smirk. "Let's just say, you're a little overdressed."

"Oh......right......sorry." Lily said, blushing, slightly embarrassed that she hadn't understood.

He chuckled softly as she blushed. "It's fine if you're not comfortable with it," he insisted.

"I don't know, I'd have to think about it, it's a lot to ask, and I still hardly know you." Lily said, still blushing.

Noah grinned wide at her. At the art Academy, he'd had his pick of models from the local bars, but there was something sweet and enticing about Lily's modesty. "It'd probably be better to reacquaint myself with watercolor with an easier subject than a portrait anyways," he insisted, intending to let her off the hook. He'd done plenty of portraits in oils, so the humanoid form was familiar enough to him.

Lily looked up at Noah. "What about a bowl of fruit. I hear they're quite easy to do? Or you could just surprise me!" She said, not knowing much about art, having never been an artist herself.

"I'll surprise you then," he agreed. In his head, he was already considering types of flowers he could arrange together to make a bouquet. Perhaps even give her the flowers and the painting together? On impulse he leaned down a little lay a soft kiss on her forehead. "Shall we rejoin the others?"

"I suppose we should, yeah." Lily said, blushing again.

"Good," he said as he drew back, pulling his arms from around her and catching her hand in his with one fluid motion. "Knowing Gram, she found something to stealth wrap for you when I forgot to warn her you were coming with me. They've probably noticed we're gone by now."

Typical Noah! Lily thought to herself. "Only you Noah!" She said, looking straight into the mans eyes.

"What?" He grinned wide at her, as he guided her towards the door inside. "I was busy making Christmas presents. Art doesn't make itself. And Gram don't mind none. Just wait until you get a look at the portrait of me and Pond I did for Gram and Gran'Dad, I talked Pond into putting on her dress whites, and I went fully formal with my pirate garb. Even fixed Pond's third pip after the party, in light of her promo last night." He held the door inside open.

"I look forward to seeing your artwork. And anyway, your grandparents didn't have to get me anything, I would have been fine watching you guys be happy. It's enough being invited over for Dinner at such short notice!" Lily said, not wanting to ask too much from her hosts.

"I know, but try and convince Gram of that," Noah insisted with a laugh.

"I really appreciate you having me though, otherwise I'd have been all alone on space dock somewhere." Lily said, following Noah back into the kitchen, and back to everyone else.

"No one should be alone on Christmas," Noah insisted, giving her hand a squeeze.

=/\= End Log =/\=

Lieutenant JG Lily Charlson
Security Officer
USS-Vindicator

Noah Waterhouse
Artist and Pastafarian Minister
The Pelican

 

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