There was a time and place for everything, and feeling homesick had no business creeping up outside the holidays. It was a deal Cressida had made with herself. Back when she first left Colludia and joined Starfleet – sort of like an annual allowance of complicated emotions, prolonged calls with close family, and long-distance travel.

Admittedly, the traveling part had decreased steadily over the years, and not actually happened ever since she’d transferred to Deep Space 17. But that wasn’t Cressida’s fault. Something always came up, and no one could fault her for not minding that it did.

She loved her work.
She did not love having to justify her life choices.

Unfortunately, that was precisely what she was doing.
Because those pesky feelings had crept up, most likely prompted by everyone around her talking about shore leave and visiting family. And, this time, Cressida didn’t have an excuse.

“It just…” Christopher stopped mid sentence, searching for the right words.
Evidently, he wasn’t finding them. “It seems wrong.”
He turned away from his sister and looked at the lake instead. It was pretty. A rich, sapphire-blue that mirrored the color of the sky above.

Cressida followed his gaze, not seeing any of it.
She was disappointed – and angry at herself for feeling that way.

Cressida hadn’t expected a ‘congratulations’ when she’d told Christopher that she was now leading a Task Force. But, deep down, she had hoped for it.
And she had hoped that the distance she’d kept over the past years would bridge their contrasting dreams and ideals.

“Some women find their life’s purpose outside of spawning offspring.” she said flatly. A well-practised ‘I don’t care’ that always worked with colleagues. Never with family.

Christopher glanced at her in disapproval.

“It’s not that I don’t like the kids.” Cressida retreated quickly. “But I like that they’re your kids. Let’s face it, I’d not be a great wife. Or mother. And it’s my choice.”

Her brother sighed dejectedly, once more turning away from her.

And for a moment, neither of them said anything. It was almost peaceful.

“I understand that. And I respect it.” Christopher said eventually.

“I’m sensing a but.” Cressida prompted, regretting it almost immediately.

“But I don’t like how it’s affecting the rest of the family.”

“What do you mean?”
And then, the penny dropped.

“Oh. This isn’t about me. It’s about Alcyone.”

Alcyone was one of her nieces. The one that had followed in Cressida’s footsteps, joined Starfleet, and missed her first Christmas.

“We are just… worried about her.” Christopher gave a half-hearted shrug.

“She’s fine.” Cressida reassured him. Probably.

Had she been a better person, and closer to her brother, she would have told him that Alcyone had left the Callisto and was traveling instead.

Christopher took a deep breath. “I spoke with Johanna.” he said. “You are still invited to join us for dinner, of course.”

“I didn’t know that was ever in question.” Cressida snapped. But of course it was if the wife had to discuss it.

Christopher raised a hand to calm her down. “Just don’t tell the kids.”

Cressida narrowed her eyes. “Don’t tell them what?”

“About….” Christopher looked at her. “Your career, the uniform in general. We don’t want them to get ideas.”

That did it.

“So everyone gets to share their achievements, and I… what, pretend to be a barkeeper somewhere?”

“No, but you-…”

“You know what. It’s fine, something’s come up anyway.” Cressida hissed and turned.

Her brother sighed and reached out for her. “You’re on shore leave. What could possibly have come up, Cress?”

Cressida scoffed. “That’s the benefit of commanding a Task Force. I can make something come up.”

And half an hour later, she was on her way to join the other captains on Casperia Prime. Where her accomplishments meant something. And where no one asked her to shut up about them.