Who: Khan and Bo Where: Florence and Bo's place What: Movies When: Evening Status: Complete
He didn't like thinking about it, but given the time of year, there really wasn't much choice. On the plus side, Khan had never been much for the holidays, so unlike many who had fought with him, Christmas wasn't dampened. It was hard to dampen something that hadn't meant much to you previously.
Yet now? Now he was finding reasons to actually celebrate the holiday. While he would never be able to believe in some holy child born in a manger, he could believe in a season of giving and hope and peace. He could find comfort in the smile of a child and the warmth of a pair of arms. A lot had changed in the last year. The war lord may have been given the chance to make an appearance, but he hadn't taken over. His thirst for vengeance, his anger and hatred... It hadn't won.
And a lot of that had to to do with the little girl seated on the sofa beside him, bobbing her head along to some song about a reindeer. This really was a ridiculous movie, though he'd found most of the Christmas ones usually were. How was a creature that had been bullied and tormented all of his life expected to put all of that aside in order to step up and do an incredibly important task? That just wasn't human nature. Though he supposed maybe it could be reindeer nature. That didn't seem likely, though, even if reindeer could fly.
"Please tell me this isn't your favorite Christmas film," he all but pleaded, given it was the third they'd watched that evening. He couldn't decide which was worse. Flying reindeer or singing and dancing snowmen.
There was no question that Bo adored Khan. He was perhaps her favourite person in Lawrence, only close to being ousted from the top spot by Florence, who had become a second mother to her. But in the absence of her dad and Uncle Merrill, it was Khan who made her feel safe. Even when the scary demons and monsters were around she knew as long as he was with her nothing could happen. And she’d seen that before, too.
What she also adored right now was absolutely everything Christmas. The songs, the lights, the decorations. And Khan was being a grumpy face again. He made her giggle when he did that. Because he didn’t mean it. Not really. At least, that’s what she would say.
“No silly, Miracle on 34th street is the bestest one because she gets her Christmas wish!” But she did like this song. And dancing to it. Even if at the moment that was reduced to bouncing where she sat as she carefully with her small fingers threaded another loop of colourful paper on the end of the paper chain draping across her lap and to the floor. Once she was done she handed off several strips of paper to Khan. “You have to help ‘kay? It’s got to be extra long so it can go all the way around the room.” She gestured with her arms, indicating the expanse of the lounge they sat in.
Crafting wasn't a Khan thing, and yet when a five year-old handed you strips of paper and asked for your help, you folded said strips of paper into circles. He did so with a reluctant sigh and yet never once questioned it. When Bo asked for something, Bo got it. He couldn't explain it, it just was. He had the sinking feeling that Jacen and Tahiri's twins would be entirely too similar in that and he wasn't sure when he'd become someone who took orders from small children but somehow, he did.
"Then perhaps we should watch that one, as I'm finding the reindeer to be horrid bullies," he protested, turning his nose up. Honestly, there had to be some limit to how much animation one man was expected to watch. But Florence had needed to do Christmas shopping for Bo and he had agreed to spend the evening with her. It was as enjoyable for him as it was for her. He'd been spending a great deal of time with Molly as of late and he thought maybe they both needed the reminder that he was still around if she needed him.
"Have you thought of what you'd like for Christmas?" He hadn't. It was the time of year the Baubles usually came, but the prior year they'd come much later so it was difficult to tell.
She went back to concentrating on adding another circle to the end of her chain, smiling widely when he started to thread circles of paper together. He would make a chain and then she could add it to hers and there’d be a whole part of it that was just his and that was how it should be because she liked Khan having things that were just his. Because she liked Khan being happy.
“Uhmmmm…” She bit her lip thoughtfully, even after giggling at his expression when he said the reindeers were bullies. “Okay! But after this song because I like it.” Leaning forward she carefully set the end of the chain she’d been holding on the coffee table, before shuffling forwards and dropping her feet to the floor so she could go to the cupboard with the movies.
What she wanted for Christmas was a very big question for Bo. Because there were things she really, really, really wanted, like her dad and uncle and brother to show up. But then there were the things that would just be nice like maybe some more colouring pencils and paints and a new dress. And the hard part for the five year old was the burden of the knowledge that the first thing, the important thing, wasn’t anything she could see in her future.
“I want a purple dress,” she finally declared as she pulled the dvd case from the shelf. “With sparkles because I like sparkles. What do you want?” Only because he was Khan, she stopped the movie where it was even before the song had finished and put the new one in. When she got back to the couch she picked up the remote, climbing back up on to the cushion beside him.
Khan accepted what a compliment it was to stop the film in the middle of the penultimate song about Rudolph saving Christmas. But come on now. It was a ridiculous song! Even if it did have a catchy beat and he couldn't miss the little bouncey dance Bo did as she made her way to the DVD player. It didn't cease to amaze him how smart she was, expertly switching from one film to the other.
As she settled back by his side, he curled into her, helping her to settle her already impressive chain across her lap safely. In comparison, he was rather slow at it, but they were coming along. It wasn't difficult, he supposed, just time consuming. Really, he didn't mind that. It got his mind off of more complicated things.
"I imagine this Santa man or Florence, one, can handle a purple dress with sparkles." He made a mental note to discuss the dress with Bo's guardian. Or he supposed he could attempt to find one. That would probably involve recruiting Molly for help. Dresses were beyond him.
"I have no idea what I'd like," he admitted. "I have everything I need." More than. All one required was food and shelter. He had that, and better food than he had expected due to dating someone who could actually cook. And companionship, something he hadn't had in hundreds of years... That he had plenty of. And it never got old. "I am going on a trip, apparently. Perhaps luggage."
Once she had the chain back in her hands she focused her attention on the movie long enough to hit play when it got to the movie. This one didn’t have any songs, but she could get Khan to watch another one with her later and ask him to dance with her then.
“Santa is good because he always knows,” she agreed matter of factly. “But Florence knows I like purple too.” She gave him a sidelong glance that looked far too out of place on her five year old face. “It doesn’t matter if you have everything you need it’s so you can get things you want as well.” Sometimes Khan didn’t know things he really should, and it was her job to remind him or no one else would.
“We could get you purple bags! Are you going on a trip with Molly?” She liked Molly, she was really nice. And anyone that was nice to Khan was good by Bo. Kirk was okay when he was being funny, but not when he was being mean to Khan. Because Khan was doing his best to change and no one was allowed to get in the way of that.
“I’m sure you’ll get loads of lovely things from both of them,” Khan reassured her, turning a portion of his attention to the film playing in front of him and the rest to the little girl by his side. He didn’t miss her look, and he certainly didn’t miss her words. Sometimes her overly perceptive nature could be a little unnerving, especially for someone who preferred to be as private as he did. It had certainly taken some getting used to. It didn’t change how he loved her, but it did make it a little more difficult to avoid subjects with her.
A small smile crossed his face at her suggestion. “Purple is your favorite color, Little One, not mine. I think in my case, they would have to be blue.” Though proper luggage seemed somewhat domestic. The few times he’d traveled since coming to Lawrence he’d thrown his belongings into a duffle bag. Actual luggage on an actual holiday, with a woman of all things? It was almost too strange to consider.
“I am,” he admitted, and despite himself, his cheeks turned a bit pink. Having an actual relationship with someone was still taking some time to adjust to. He was hardly a romantic at heart. But he tried. Molly was worth it. “I suppose I’ll need someone to watch Sprinkles and his family for me. Know anyone who might be willing?” They’d also have to find a ‘sitter’ for Annabelle and Evie. And when had he started looking at her pets as his, too? It was nearly too strange to consider. “I suppose we really should give his mate a name. She’s been running around without one for quite a while now.”
If the plot of this one meant so much to her, then he did intend to give it some thought. He didn't miss her words or her glance, though. Occasionally it was difficult having her be so overly perceptive. It didn't change how much he cared for her, but it did occasionally make things awkward.
"Purple is your favorite, Little One, not mine," he reminded her gently. Still, the corners of his lips turned up in a tiny smile. "I suppose in my case they should be blue." The thought of having proper luggage was still a shock to him, as many recent things in his life were. There was something domestic about it. The few times he'd traveled since arriving in Lawrence, he'd merely thrown his belongings in a duffle bag. Now there was a proper holiday to be had.
At her question, his cheeks turned pink and the once tough war hero ducked his head sheepishly. "I am," he admitted, trying to get a feel for her thoughts on the matter. He truly liked spending time with Molly, but Bo needed to understand it didn't change how he cared for her. "I'll need someone to watch Sprinkles and his family while I am gone. Do you know anyone who's interested?"
“Florence likes to spoil me I think,” she replied sounding far too mature. And then the moment was ruined when she continued, “But I don’t mind really.” She giggled like it was a secret. “Daddy told me that Santa always knew exactly where you are and what you want and that he goes alllll the way around the world in one night. So he must be magic. Or maybe he borrowed the Doctor’s blue box!” The idea suddenly and very excitingly occurred to her. Rose had explained how it travelled backwards and forwards and sideways in time, and Bo thought that was amazing even if she didn’t fully understand it.
She giggled again at the reminder about the colour. “Blue’s good. It suits you better than purple. I bet Florence and me could get you blue bags for Christmas. Or maybe Santa can know you need them and he’ll get some for you!” She smiled when he said he said he was going with Molly, leaning against his arm, the paper chain forgotten in favour of the movie and the conversation. “That’s good. Molly makes you smile on the inside too. I like her lots and she’s nice.”
She was immediately sitting upright again when he mentioned someone looking after Sprinkles and his family. “Me! I can do it!”
Though Khan didn't believe in magic as a rule, it was difficult not to get caught up in his young friend's excitement. And admittedly, he had seen incredible things since being in this place. A part of him actually wished Kirk's Commander Spock would arrive just to watch him flounder at the illogical. "Perhaps Santa is actually of the same species as the Doctor," he teased gently.
He noticed her chain was now going ignored, but he'd been set on his task and wasn't giving it up. She wanted the room filled and he wasn't going to let her down. He did, however, shift so she had room to snuggle while he worked. "She...makes me happy," he agreed, regarding Molly. It was still taking some getting used to but he liked it. It was a new feeling, one that warmed him. "I'm glad you like her. She likes you, too. It helps me if the two of you get along." Though he hadn't entirely grasped why that mattered yet.
A smirk crossed his face. "Oh, are you sure? I wouldn't want to inconvenience you. As it is, Annabelle and Evie will be needing care as well. And we truly should name Sprinkles' mate if we're allowing her to stick around."
“Maybe!” She agreed, despite the fact that he was teasing. “Or maybe he’s just magic. Uncle Merrill said he’s magic.” And Uncle Merrill was smart. “He always knows exactly what everyone wants and he gets all the way around the world in one single night. That’s pretty clever. Even you couldn’t do that,” she teased him with a toothy grin.
“I like that she makes you happy and I like her because she’s nice and she’s really smart too and funny.” But the main thing was that Khan smiled more when Molly was there and Bo liked that.
“I’m sure! Florence can help me and we can look after them all and we’ll have lots of fun they can watch movies and eat sketti with me. Where are you going on your trip? Are you going somewhere warm or somewhere with snow?”
Her toothy grin was met with one of his smaller but equally pleased ones. "You are far too clever," he agreed with a nod. "I may be powerful but I do not have the magic required to travel the entire world in one night." He might if he stole that box of the Doctor's. But that was another him in another time so long ago. He wouldn't. Not now. The look of disappointment that would overtake Bo's small face was inspiration enough.
Her assessment of Molly was spot on and he couldn't help the coloring of his cheeks. When Bo described her, she sounded just shy of perfect. Only she hadn't mentioned how attractive she was, though he supposed a little girl wouldn't notice such things. Oh, he understood that to some, Molly wouldn't be considered conventionally pretty. But the dimple in her cheek, the shine of her hair, and the sparkle in her eyes all outdid the sorts of things that put women on magazine covers for him.
"Perhaps we should ask Florence before you decide for sure," Khan reminded her gently. Though he had the feeling that, even if she wouldn't be overly thrilled by animals overrunning the townhouse, she wouldn't say no. It was hard to tell Bo no when she got her hopes up. "And Sprinkles doesn't eat spaghetti. Though Evie does. Don't tell Molly." He placed a finger to his lips as if sharing a very important secret. "We'll be going somewhere cold. Well. Likely the same as here, but not a beach or anything. We're....returning to London, I suppose you could say."
“But I bet you could still know what people want easy. Do you know what you’re going to get Molly for Christmas? Do you already have something?” She bounced in place a little, excited at the prospect of discussing such a secret with him.
She watched him then, quietly, when his cheeks were tinged pink and he didn’t say anything, her head tilted slightly. She didn’t know exactly what he was thinking, but it was the feelings behind it she could tell. And it made her smile again.
“That’s okay we can make Sprinkles food he likes and then me and Evie can eat the Sketti. Florence makes the best sketti almost as good as Daddy’s but maybe not quite but you can’t tell her that, ‘kay?” She didn’t want to make Florence sad. “What’s in London? Is that where the big wheel is?”
Her question actually filled him with a bit of dread. The truth was, he'd agonized over what sort of gift to get Molly. They were clearly in a relationship but it was a new one and what sort of present conveyed that? That he cared deeply and was eager to explore things further but that they hadn't been together a very long time? "I'm afraid I don't know yet," he admitted. His funds were also somewhat limited unless he chose for them to be otherwise. He supposed he could pick up more complex work until after the holiday. "I was thinking jewelry. My research says you can almost never go wrong with jewelry." It was just finding the balance between serious and too serious.
"It'll be our secret," he agreed, nodding conspiratorially. Even though he hadn't had her fathers cooking so he couldn't compare. Anything he had eaten that she had cooked had certainly been satisfactory though, so Bo's father must have made some spectacular spaghetti.
How to describe London when he barely knew the current London himself? Other than what he had studied to play the part of Sherlock Holmes, he was relatively clueless. "Well. We're both from there, though two very different times. The London Eye...I suppose it does basically look like a large ferris wheel. And there are museums and castles. Perhaps one day I shall take you and you can see how real princesses live." Because in his eyes, she absolutely was a little princess.
“Girls like jewelry,” she agreed readily, nodding. “You should get her a pretty sparkly bracelet. I bet she’d like that.” Bo liked her sparkly beads but she knew they weren’t for grown ups. But she’d seen plenty of grown ups like Florence and Rose wearing bracelets before. And it would be extra doubly special to Molly if Khan was the one to get it for her.
“I had sketti the night the aliens came. And it was good even though Daddy was sad he still made it good.” That had been the scariest part for Bo. If her Dad was scared and sad that meant she was too. Because he and Uncle Merrill always kept her safe but it was like he had lost his faith.
“I like castles.” Not that she’d ever been in one. But she’d watched her share of cartoons and movies that depicted them. “Can Florence come too? And Rose? Rose likes London I think.”
"I was actually considering a bracelet," he admitted, pleased he may have made the right choice. There was one he'd been eyeing. Simple and delicate but lovely. It didn't overly stand out, it wasn't gaudy, but it caught his eye. Much like Molly. "I think I may do that. And perhaps a book or two I know she's wanting." That would be a good start, he thought.
His face darkened at the mention of the aliens who had come to her home. She was so young to have dealt with all she had. If he had been there, no aliens would have bothered. He'd faced a battalion of Klingons, he could take whatever had been thrown at her and her small family. "I'm certain spaghetti making is a talent not lost on an alien invasion." Making light of the situation was the only way he knew to keep her spirits up.
Truthfully, Florence would be the more likely choice to take her. Or Rose in that box of hers. But he was honored to even be considered. "I don't see why not," he replied with a shrug. "We could all go. Make it a special trip. Perhaps for your next birthday."
“That sounds really good. She’ll like that. See? You’re good at this really.” She leaned back against his arm, picking up another strip of paper to work on her paper chain again. “I’m sure she’ll get you something you’ll think is perfect too.”
She nodded, glancing up at him. “It was good and Morgan had french toast and mashed potatoes. But Daddy was sad. It was okay though because we went in the basement.” And then Morgan had got sick and was going to die. Just like she’d dreamed. But it was Christmas and Bo didn’t want to think about that.
“We can all go and see museums and the big eye thing and go on the under the ground train that goes woosh! real fast!” She gestured with her arm to indicate a train speeding through a tunnel, as she’d imagined it must do.
He hadn't even thought of Molly giving him a gift. The idea seemed almost silly. Why would anyone give him anything? Yet he liked the general idea. It was up with getting gifts from Bo. And he wasn't sure why the comparison floored him so much.
Rarely did he know how to handle when she got so serious. Once she had told him he never treated her like she was little and he didn't intend to. But it was difficult, even with her added maturity, to not be wary of how much he said and did. He even had to be careful with how he felt around her due to her abilities of perception. So instead of letting his anger overtake him with a race of aliens he'd likely never meet, he merely rested a hand on the back of her head.
"Remind me to tell you about some of the ships we had back home. They'd make the train systems of London seem puny." Or perhaps he would ask Kirk to explain them. He captained one of the greats, after all, and it might go a long way to mending past wounds. It was the season for it, after all.
She could feel all his concern and caring through that simple touch. She always felt safe with him, but that just added to it. She wasn’t scared when Khan was here. Maybe it had started with him saving her. It was a bit beyond her ability to comprehend. She just knew with him there everything would be okay.
She looked up at him eagerly when he mentioned the ships. “Are they like the doctors blue box and go through time as well or are they just really big and fast?” The movie captured her attention at that point. “Look, see everyone thinks he’s just a nice old man but really he’s the real Santa and can make people get what they want.”
“I’m afraid our ships don’t have that ability,” he replied a bit wistfully. It would have been helpful, admittedly. Though he knew he would have used the power for the wrong reasons, in the eyes of most. He simply wanted to save his family, and he didn’t think that was such a terrible thing. He would have returned to the exact moment that they would have been arrested and taken off. Everyone he cared for in tow. But it was so easy to think that way now, looking back after all those years. “Time travel is nearly impossible in my world. Few have figured out how, and it involves… Well. Complicated space things.” He didn’t think a five year-old would have the attention span to listen to the physics involved with time travel. Particularly not when one of her favorite films was on.
There was no way he could break her heart and inform her that there was no such thing as a ‘real’ Santa. Besides, this was Lawrence. The Seal had brought stranger things than an old man able to travel the world and deliver gifts to every child in one night. Instead, he scooped her up, placing her in his lap and holding her close. There was something comforting about the warmth of a small child in his arms, especially one who trusted him so implicitly. “Then we should remind him to come see you, as you certainly deserve whatever you want.”