Christmas Eve, Second Floor Common Room

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

Sam sat in the common room, idly flipping through channels. No specials were on, and there was only so long she could watch the Yule log. She sipped occasionally from a glass of red wine.

She was trying very, very hard not to think of her father.

Comments

[bridge-carson.livejournal.com]

"Sam!" Bridge said as he peered through the doorway into the Common Room, "been looking for you!"

He then ran off, only to return a minute later with two (http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/mugs/5d28/) packages (http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/mugs/3820/) wrapped in shiny green paper, which he hands to Sam.

"I know they're early. Or late, considering that I think everyone else has already given out their holiday gifts, but um, here!" he says brightly.

[can_be_more]

It's been really quiet, and Aeryn isn't used to that here, so when she finds Sam in the common room, it's a relief. She's also ignoring the plants still hanging from the ceiling, because that still makes no sense to her.

"Hi," Aeryn says, taking a seat.

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

"Bridge! Hi!" Sam smiled up at him from her chair. "I forgot you were going to be here. How's your night going?"

[janet_fraiser]

Janet yawned and walked tiredly into the common room.

"I'm bored," she said. Sam looked like she was trying not to be depressed, so Janet decided to avoid talking about it and go for distraction instead. "Do we want to get drunk or to watch TV?"

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

"Hey, Aeryn," Sam said, gesturing with her glass. She was actually relieved to see someone who wouldn't attach any special significance to the day. "How're you doing?"

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

Sam smiled. "Can't we do both?"

[can_be_more]

Aeryn shrugs one shoulder. "Pretty bored, actually. How are you?"

[bridge-carson.livejournal.com]

"Pretty good! Except for the part where things are like, eerily quiet," he makes a face. "Open your presents!"

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

"About the same. Want some wine?"

[janet_fraiser]

Janet grinned. "Good point. Got another glass?"

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, hang on, in my room." She went to 231, then came back with a few more glasses, another bottle of wine, and a corkscrew.

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

Sam opened her presents and grinned when she recognized the chemical formula on the mug. "Wow, thanks! These are great."

[can_be_more]

"I'm okay," she says, shaking her head. "If I get too bored I may head back to the gym. I don't see that being a good combination."

[bridge-carson.livejournal.com]

"You're welcome!" Bridge says, then tilts his head and peers at Sam thoughtfully. "You okay?"

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

She threw the remote on the table. "Yeah, I'm fine."

[bridge-carson.livejournal.com]

"Janet!" Bridge says with a cheerful wave before bouncing off the couch and returning moments later with an oddly-shaped package containing an assortment of these (http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/plush/6708/). "Here!"

[bridge-carson.livejournal.com]

Bridge bites his lip as he looks at Sam. "'Kay, just checkin'."

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

"And you? Any plans for your time off? Thanks again for fixing my CD player, by the way."

[janet_fraiser]

"Plushie microbes!" exclaimed Janet, who then started naming them off without looking at the tags. "I have one for you." She got up and went into her room, coming out with a small, wrapped package and handing it to him. "Thanks for the microbes."

She tossed one at Sam and then picked up her wine glass to take a drink.

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

"No, probably not," Sam said, considering the other girl, "although I can't imagine anything would throw you that off your stride."

[cantgetnorelief.livejournal.com]

Sometimes living next door to the common room had its disadvantages, but there were advantages too; as, for instance, getting early notice of a fun gathering starting up, just on account of the voices.

Anders, being rather clueless about technical matters, decided to let Cally have a few minutes to tinker with the fifty million new tools she'd gotten for Christmas presents, and headed over to the common room with a tray of cupcakes, grinning when he saw Sam, Bridge, Janet, and Aeryn there.

"Hey, guys! Merry day-before-Christmas!"

[bridge-carson.livejournal.com]

"Was thinkin' of maybe going into town one day to visit Earl. I mean, I'm sure Professor Ted is a nice dude, but giraffes are social creatures," he says solemnly. "And no problem," he grins. He considers saying more about the CD player, maybe asking if Sam had noticed anything strange about it, but then thinks better of it.

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

Sam caught the gift and began examining it. "Hang on a second, I've got your gift in my room."

She left (again) and came back with three boxes.

[can_be_more]

"It's possible," Aeryn admits. "Though against the vastly inferior human race, it's hard to tell." She smiles teasingly. Because even Aeryn has good moods every now and then.

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

Sam grinned and leaned forward to get a cupcake, then stopped in mid-reach and eyed him skeptically. "Did you make these?"