Relax

John felt uncomfortable as he tugged at her hem off his uniform, trying to straighten the cloth. There were so many people around, and it made him uneasy. Today had started out as a ceremony, awarding metals to his team for feats that felt like they'd happened ages ago. The new metal hung from his left breast, forgotten. It was just one more in a long career. As he saw it, no amount of awards would help them win the war.

"You need to relax." John looked over as Fred moved to his side. He seemed much more at ease then John felt. "There's no fight here, just a party."

"I don't see how having a party like this is a good idea. We need to be in the field, fighting the Covenant." John's gaze traveled over the crowd. "I don't feel comfortable out of armor."

Fred let out a long breath. "Look around at these people. They are relaxed, enjoying themselves. You and I know how bad the war is going. Events like this allow these people to be led to believe things are not that bad. It's all about moral."

John admitted that Fred was right. If the UNSC stopped events like this then civilians would realize how hard they were fighting, that things weren't going smoothly. Right now people needed to have confidence in the UNSC, or humanity might not stand a chance. "That still doesn't help me relax."

Fred smiled a bit. "Maybe they'll help you relax." Fred motioned to Linda and Kelly as they moved toward him and John. It had been quite a while since he'd seen the two women out of armor. They both wore clean pressed uniforms, though Kelly looked uncomfortable in the knee length skirt. He was sure she'd requested pants instead but had been denied. Personally he thought she looked better in the skirt, but he'd never let her know that.

"How are you two enjoying the evening?" Fred asked once the women reached them.

"I think this is the more boring than listening to a lecture about slip-space theory." The edge of Kelly's lips tugged down, a show of how unhappy she was at the moment. "At least we're better off then Will. A captain caught him and is telling him stories of naval battles."

Fred sighed. A Captain telling war stories was like torture to a Spartan. It was like slowly being bored to death. "I'll go rescue him." He moved off to find Will and the Captain to try to save the Spartan from possibly killing the Captain to get away.

Kelly moved over to stand at John's side. "Are you enjoying the evening?" John frowned a bit. She was teasing him, and he wasn't in the mood at the moment to be teased.

Linda glanced over at Kelly and John could swear the two women had a silent conversation in a fraction of a second. He had to guess it was some woman thing. He often found that the female Spartans seemed to have a separate set of signals and language that they used with each other. "I'm going to go see if that Lieutenant that's been watching me all night has the guts to talk to me." With that Linda left them.

"You need to try to relax." Kelly looked out at the crowd. "You're as rigged as if we were waiting for inspection by Chief Mendez." John tried to ignore her teasing. "It's a party, don't be so serious."

"I can't help it." John glanced over at Kelly. Her hair was freshly cut and she looked beautiful in her uniform. The cloth conformed to her body. Campaign ribbons covered a part of her left breast. It was almost identical to the ones on his own uniform. It reminded him that she'd always been at his side, his blue two. Even now as they stood at this party she was by his side.

"Why not?" Kelly raised an eyebrow just a bit. Anyone else wouldn't have noticed, but it was obvious to John.

"I just keep seeing threats. All the staff that's serving food and drinks. Every one of them could be a threat." John eyed the staff as they moved around. Looking around made him realize how many people were staring at them, or rather how many were staring at Kelly. He fought the urge to put an arm around her waist; making it known she was taken. "I don't like this crowd either."

Kelly motioned for him to follow her. John did, not questioning where she was taking him. Anywhere was better than the party. He followed her through empty hallways to a large room that was vacant of people. On one side a large screen showed the planet below.

"Why'd you bring me here?" John looked around the room. There was nothing here, though the music from the other room echoed from the speakers overhead.

"To get you away from all of that." Kelly motioned toward the party. "You may not be able to relax around that, but I know that you can with me." Kelly moved over to one of the chairs and sat down. John sat down across from her. "Relaxed yet?"

John shook his head as he studied the woman across form him. He could see the scars that combat had left on her over the years. Each a memory of the life and death situations they had faced together. Kelly sat comfortable, feeling no need to be proper around him. She looked confident, just the way she's always been. He remembered that second day of training when she'd threatened him. These days he was fairly sure she was the only woman that would threaten him. John couldn't keep his gaze from dropping as she crossed her legs and tried to tug down the fabric though it refused to cover her legs.

"I hate these damn things." Kelly scowled, still tugging at the cloth. He could see a slight blush on her cheeks. "I flash the room every time I cross my legs."

John's gaze traveled over her legs before rising back up to her face. "I don't mind you flashing me. It's not like I didn't see what's under that uniform when we showered earlier." Kelly blushed deeper. "And I like the skirt."

Kelly smirked a bit. "Oh, you like it do you?" John nodded. "Well I honestly don't mind flashing you. It's all the other men I mind."

John frowned. He hadn't thought of that. He hadn't even liked guys looking at her at the party. The idea of any of them being flashed by her sickened him a bit. "I'll see that you get a pair of pants for your uniform."

Kelly sat up, triumphant. "Thank you, and I promise to only wear this," she motioned to the skirt, "For you."

John smiled softly. He stood and moved across the space to stand before Kelly. She frowned, confused by the actions. "I'm relaxed."

Kelly raised an eyebrow. "And now you're propositioning me?" She didn't seem to believe it was something he would actually do.

John didn't understand what she meant. He held out a hand. "I am asking you for a dance."

Kelly looked disappointed. "Oh, that's not as dirty as I thought you were suggesting." She reached out and took his hand before she stood. "I'd love a dance."

John led her to the open area of the room and they took their places. He put his hands on her waist as she put hers on his shoulder. They started to move with the music. John had to admit that he'd never been his relaxed. He'd never really gotten to have a peaceful moment with Kelly like this since the war had started. Kelly leaned forward, letting her head rest on his chest. John closed his eyes and just enjoyed the moment.

They danced for what felt like hours until the music finally finished. They stood in the empty room for several minutes after the last song, not willing to break apart. There was a flash and a click and the two Spartans turned to see Linda standing with a camera.

Linda was grinning and walked off toward Fred who was standing in the hall. "I got out Christmas card for this year." A slightly evil smirk crossed her lips.