New Years Eve

By: Kay De'Vil

Fandom: War of the worlds

Rating: G

Archive: Yes

Warnings: None. Well 1 bad word but it's not a biggy

Disclaimer: Don't own them, would love to but man I couldn't afford to feed them. No copyright infringement intended, just for fun, no money being made out of the story.

By Kay De'Vil.

The members of the Blackwood Project silently gathered in the lounge, the time was quickly approaching midnight. Paul moved over to the drink's cabinet and began to pour everyone drinks ready to toast in the coming of the New Year. It had been a difficult year what with Major Kensington's death and the numerous near deaths encounters with the aliens, and Paul didn 't even want to go into the business with Katara just a few weeks before.

No with the coming of the New Year each held the hope of the end of the battle against the aliens, each wanted to end the war and return to normality.

Everyone was together this night, which was a rarity in itself for over the last few months none of the members of the project could remember a night they had spent together.

General Wilson had flown in with Captain Reese earlier in the day, each claiming they had legitimate reasons for being at the Cottage that day. Both soldiers stood in front of the fire watching as the members of the Blackwood project settled in.

Mrs Pennyworth was sat on the over stuffed couch with Debi and Suzanne, Debi having been allowed to remain up until after midnight to toast the coming New Year in with her family.

Norton sat in his electronic voice activated wheelchair known affectionately as Gertrude. Beside him sat in one of the high-backed chairs was Harrison his eyes locked upon the dancing flames of the log fire.

One by one Paul passed out the alcohol, as he passed Debi a glass he shot her a smile and winked for despite her mothers insistence that the child be given nothing stronger than lemonade Ironhorse had slipped a small shot of vodka into the lemonade. His smile grew to a grin when Debi tasted the drink her eyebrows raising at the unusual taste.

As they watch the TV they could see the crowds gathered at Times Square, only a few short minutes and the New Year would begin. "Hurry up Paul or your going to miss it" commented Harrison as he accepted a brandy from Ironhorse

"I won't miss it" commented Paul as he hurried back to the drink's cabinet to pour the last few drinks. Passing Mrs Pennyworth her Port and Lemon, he noticed the tears glistening in her eyes and understood the reason behind it. Major Kensington had always loved New Years, something Paul had discovered during his time with the couple whilst setting up the Cottage security all those years before. Placing his hand upon the older woman's shoulder he smiled down at her, as her eyes met his he tried to convey to her strength and understand. She smiled back and quickly wiped the tears from her eyes, when she nodded that she was all right he quickly turned and went back to the drink's cabinet.

Just as the reporter started on his breakdown of the events of the year in preparation for the countdown to the New Year, Paul handed Tony and General Wilson their drinks then quickly grabbed his own and sunk down into the high-backed chair that awaited him.

The warmth that radiated within the room was not only from the fire or the alcohol but also from the warmth of friendship that filled the room at that moment, they where together family and friends of choice. That meant more to each of them then they had the words to express.

A silence befell the room as the countdown began each member of the group counting down with the thousands of people who filled Times Square.

"TEN"

Paul looked at Suzanne and smiled; grateful to have a woman of her strength and compassion as someone he could call friend.

"NINE"

His eyes wandered over to Harrison and grinned, for all the man's faults he knew that Harrison was someone he could rely on, someone who could be counted on to pull his ass out of the fire.

"EIGHT"

Norton met Paul's gaze and smiled for despite all their differences a strong respect and admiration had been formed between the two men.

"SEVEN"

Debi raised her glass to Paul and grinned showing her love and affection for the soldier with that single glance.

"SIX"

Mrs Pennyworth reached across the divide between the couch and Paul's chair and took his hand within her own, holding it tightly. He smiled and returned her hold, for she was the woman who had come to be more like a mother to him than his own had ever been.

"FIVE"

His eyes wondered over to General Wilson, the man who had seen past the prejudice and encouraged him throughout his career.

"FOUR"

Tony stood leaning against the mantel, the newest member of the Blackwood but still a member he was the strength behind them all the man who ensured they had the tools needed to fight their battle.

"THREE"

Paul thought back over all that had happened in the past year, he felt his chest tighten at the thought of what might have happened had the aliens discovered their location. He thought of the man who was no longer with them of the man who had sacrificed himself to ensure the safety of Norton and Debi. Silently Paul raised his glass to Major Kensington.

"TWO"

He thought back to Katara and of how she had saved them from the aliens bringing them back from the dead so they could continue their fight against the aliens.

"ONE"

He thought of the family he had left behind when he joined the Army, but mostly he thought of the family he now had, a strange yet beautiful family that didn't simply accept him because he was blood, but accepted him for who he was and what he did.

As the fireworks exploded on the TV he looked to his family of choice and smiled, raising his glass he toasted not only the New Year but them for all their difference, for all their arguments, for all their tricks and jokes. He toasted them for their love and acceptance, for being who they where.

The END.... I guess