Z15

Defenders of the Earth: This Is Their Story

By Marzena

Plot: Season 4, Episode 44

Chapter 15: Merry Christmas

Leaning against the beautifully decorated window, Sheila held her glass of champagne but didn't drink. She just stood there, watching the soft fall of the snowflakes, carelessly dancing in the wind, brightening up Christmas night and covering up the lawn in their white and pure beauty. It almost made her smile. In moments like this, she loved being on earth, among humans, sharing their lives, being one of them. This was so beautiful and peaceful, and even though not everyone in the room was full of Christmas spirit, Sheila loved Christmas with all her heart. Especially this year, since she had two of her sisters with her to celebrate it with. After all, Christmas was a family festivity.

"This sucks," Aura said, coming up behind her, taking a big sip from her champagne. "I mean, we had this all planned out and what did we get in the end? Everyone bitching and complaining. Not that I'm very much surprised. Humans, you know. Always bitching about one thing or the other."

Facing her, Sheila mockingly lifted an eyebrow. "So that makes you very much human then, does it, Aura?" she grinned.

Aura stuck out her tongue at her, then placed herself next to Sheila, also looking out of the window. The snowflakes were still dancing in the wind.

"So this is what Christmas means to the Earthlings," Aura commented, emptying her glass. "Arguing and bickering. Hey, I'm not saying I'm not one for the occasional bitchiness. In fact, I love being bitchy. But, you know, you said that Christmas was something special, that it brings people together. Haven't seen much of it so far."

"Yeah, well ..." A bit disappointed herself, Sheila turned around to look at the rest of the Defenders. Kshin made a face because he had to get all dressed up for the occasion, Amy was sitting by herself, looking bored, LJ looked sad since his girlfriend's little brother was in the hospital, dying, and no Christmas miracle was going to save him. Rick and April had been talking about their past Christmas parties a lot, about what Dale did for Christmas and what Dale liked and what Dale would have done, which had nearly driven Sheila mad, because obviously, whatever she did could not compare to what the perfect Dale would have done. Flash was acting busy and kept telling everyone he wasn't in Christmas mood anyway, Phantom was barely around and Hadea didn't even seem to get what Christmas was all about. These people were just hopeless.

"See what I mean?" Aura said, shaking her head. "This is the most boring party I've ever been to. If there'd been Christmas on Mongo, it would have been a much more festive affair."

"And much more formal and elegant," Sheila replied. "Christmas is supposed to be about family. About coming together as a family."

"They're not my family. Neither are they your family, or Hadea's, for that matter," Aura stated matter-of-factly.

"We're living with them, so right now, they are our family. Family isn't just about blood, it's about love and friendship and caring and ..."

"Sheila, most of the time they hate us."

"True." Sighing, she put her glass down on the table. Aura was right. It had been foolish to imagine that Christmas would change anything. She was still the traitor, Hadea was still the villain and Aura was still the one no one trusted. Some things never changed.

"Well, at least you tried. And I got a new dress for the occasion so it wasn't a complete waste." Shrugging, Aura turned and walked over to where Hadea sat, probably complaining and telling her eldest sister about how all this sucked, too. And she was right. It did suck.

Still, the snow was beautiful to look at. And dinner had been delicious. And the Christmas decorations all around the house were pretty. It probably wasn't the way Dale Gordon would have done it, but it was the way Sheila had wanted to do it, and everybody who wanted something else should just do it themselves instead of complaining.

"Crappy weather."

Now, Flash was the last one she'd expected to come up to her for smalltalk, so she looked at him somewhat surprised. They were in one of their 'off' phases again, and she had long ago accepted the fact that it would never be like it was with him again. Too much had happened.

"Actually, I like the weather. It's perfect for Christmas. It's beautiful out there."

"It will be hell tomorrow on the streets. They've been talking about snowpocalypse all week long."

"Don't ruin my moment," she sighed. "I need to find something nice about this evening."

"Well, there were no complaints about dinner."

"Great. Next year, it's just dinner then. I won't bother with decorations and a fancy dress and trying to make nice conversation."

"Sheila, there's nothing wrong with the stuff you did. It's just … circumstances ..."

"I hate circumstances. In fact, I'm through with circumstances. This was supposed to bring everyone closer together. There was so much hate and bitching these past few weeks." Looking up, she gave him a stare. "And don't blame it entirely on Aura and Hadea. They're … difficult. But not everything is their fault."

"No, I suppose it isn't. Christmas is hard for Rick and April, because with Dale, it was always the most special occasion of the year. And yeah, it's hard for me too. I guess right now, everyone has some troubles. Everyone misses someone. You got them to sit at the same table for an hour. I think it's a good start."

"They hate everything and would have rather spend their Christmas Eve doing something else," she muttered, staring out of the window, watching the dancing snowflakes.

"No, they don't."

"What changed your attitude?" she asked, eyebrows raised. He'd been in a crappy mood all the time during the past week and he'd still been moody during dinner, barely saying one word.

"Realization. And the fact that both my kids weren't exactly happy shiny people today. And despite the fact that I don't feel like celebrating Christmas these days, I haven't forgotten the meaning of it. So your happy family Christmas thing worked. At least on me."

"And here I was thinking you'd be the last person I can win over with this," she answered with a smile.

"Guess I'm good with surprises then," he grinned, toasting her with his glass.

"You know what, I'm going to go see Kate and her family at the hospital," LJ suddenly interrupted, getting up from his seat. "Kate might want me to be around tonight. And I want to be there for her."

"Well, and there's that party I was invited to." Rick also got up. "I think I can still make it. Anyone want to come?"

April immediately got up, and suddenly, everyone seemed to have somewhere to be. Aura and Hadea left, too, probably thinking Sheila was crazy to obsess so much about tonight.

The room was empty soon. An empty champagne bottle and a few used glasses were standing here and there and the Christmas tree stood lovely decorated but lonely in it's corner.

"And I guess that's that then," Sheila sighed.

"Well, tomorrow's still Christmas, you know." Flash put his glass down as well and walked towards the door. As he reached it, he turned around, looking at her. She looked back inquiringly.

"Any plans for tonight?"

She was surprised, but in a nice way. If Christmas turned their 'off' into 'on' again, hell, then all her efforts had at least been worth something.

"What if I have?" she replied playfully.

"Cancel them," he grinned before turning around and walking out of the living room.

A big smile on her face, Sheila also left the room, not bothering to carry the empty glasses back into the kitchen. For once, someone else could take care of this. She had to get herself ready.

Aura came walking down the stairs and passed her sister in the hall. Shaking her head, she stopped when she saw the big smile on Sheila's face.

"For someone whose Christmas spirit just got ruined, you're in an awful good mood, sis," she remarked.

"Who says it's been ruined?" Giggling like a little girl, Sheila gave her sister a hug and then kept walking towards the stairs. "I say it just got boosted."

"You're weird," Aura commented.

"Yeah, love you too, Aura. Merry Christmas!"

Still smiling, Sheila walked up the stairs. Shame on those who missed out on Christmas. It was so worth it.

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Article

Author

Chapters

1: Death

April and the other Gordons face a tragedy.

2: Beautiful

Mandrake is reunited with a romantic interest.

3: Peace and Quiet