"What do you mean that's not allowed?"
Sam listened to her interlocutor through the phone with growing anger. How could the man be so stupid? Not that she was gonna tell him that, even if it really wasn't her lack of desire to do so that stopped her. She closed her eyes as the guy patiently replied to her angry query and, realizing she was beaten, decided to just give up and hung up the phone. It *was* Christmas day after all, and she just wanted to go home, settle down and forget about the stupid-way-too-patient-and-calm-son-of-a-?
"Glad I'm not the one you were talking to."
Sam jumped at the sound of his voice and turned to find the Colonel standing in the doorway of her lab. "Sir!" She *was* surprised, he?d said he was going to go home as soon as he?d showered after SG-1's last mission, early that morning. "What are you doing here?"
A lopsided grin quirked up the Colonel?s lips as he entered more fully into the room. He shrugged as he leaned against her working bench, trying to get a glimpse of her computer screen to see what she was working on.... I thought you might need some company."
Sam narrowed her eyes suspiciously. He was usually so eager to have "vacations," it was weird to see him linger on base while he... apparently- had nothing to do.... Why?
"I'll wait here till you finish your stuff, then we'll go."
"Sir you don't have to do this, I?ll be fine, I just need to finish this up but I can't seem to get a hold of the people at the Pentagon to let me access one of their files."
"Seems to me like you don't have much of a choice then."
Sam finally met his eyes and slumped her shoulders. He was right, there was nothing more she could do here without Hammond?s help in getting her the sufficient clearance, and he was probably already partying with his granddaughters.... I guess you?re right?" She saved the last of her works and proceeded to turning the computer off.
"Besides," he added as he folded his arms across his chest. "nobody works on Christmas day."
Sam smiled, half amused half sarcastic, as she put her things together. "Really? Says who?"
"I do. It?s my Christmas Rule Number Two."
Okay, now she was amused. She stopped tidying her desk and looked up at him, an eyebrow playfully raised. O"h? What about last year? We all worked last year."
"Last year was different," he smiled. "it was one of those days we had to save the planet."
"Right," Sam agreed as she placed her laptop in its bag, getting ready to take it home with her.
"Why don't you leave that here?"
She met his eyes again, and began shaking her head. "I can't, I need to -"
He took the bag from her hands and settled it back on the desk. "No you don't. Come on, we're outta here." He began moving towards the exit and Sam watched him go, really unsure about what was going on. The Colonel was generally not a huge Christmas fan, and it was logical considering certain aspects of his past, but suddenly he was acting all eager and cheerful and for some reason it didn't sound right. At least not without an explanation. Oh well, she *was* due for some time at home and she wasn't about to complain about the Colonel's sudden desire to make her enjoy the holidays.
She was going to pick up the laptop again when he suddenly turned and raised a warning finger. "Ah! What did I just say? You leave that thing where it is and follow me."
Her fingers around the handle stopped moving and she glared, not sure if she was amused or just annoyed by his insistence.... Are you ordering me?" He raised an eyebrow at her slightly defying tone so she added a quick... sir."
"I wouldn't want it to come to that." His serious eyes lingered on her face for a few seconds and she was starting to feel uncomfortable when he seemed to suddenly admit defeat. "Look Carter, I realize you?re a workaholic, but why don't you just forget about it for a day or two? We could just hang out for a while, enjoy a holiday without having to save the world." He took a deep breath. "But if you really want to stay here by yourself and scold pentagon receptionists, it's your choice."
Sam bit her lips as she considered her options. In fact, the choice was way too easy and her reason was screaming at her to refuse. But on the other hand, a Christmas day with her friends and team would be a lot of fun, the sort of fun she hadn't had since Daniel had gone. Not mentioning the fact that spending time with the man before her in a very casual manner was tantalizing. Even bewitching. Her fingers let go of the bag handle and she smiled up at the Colonel who, suddenly realizing her choice, let a small smile appear on his face.
******
It had been harder than he'd thought to convince her to come with him. He'd figured she?d needed a break, but she hadn't seemed to *want* one. What had changed her mind, he didn't know. He'd tried every tactic; a cheerful invitation, a subtle threat, even being a hair away from ordering her to just drop the damn computer. But finally she'd accepted, and that's what mattered. Not what had changed her mind. Even if deep down he hoped... No. It didn't matter.
"So what's your plan?" She asked as they both waited for the elevator.
"What plan?"
"Well you must have a plan. I mean you didn't tear me away from my lab just like that right?"
Oops. He truly hadn't thought about anything. He had just acted on impulse because the thought of her spending her sole day off... and paid, dammit... alone and working on base was making his gut lurch and butt twitch. That and the fact that he didn't much want to feel alone himself. At least not this year. So he'd just gone to her lab and asked - okay, ordered - her to come with him.
"Well?How about I pick up the boys and meet at your place tonight?"
"My place?" She repeated, clearly surprised.
He shrugged and threw her a sideway glance. "Well yeah... why not? It'd make a welcome change." He suggested, placing his hands deep into his pockets. It *did* seem weird coming from him he realized, but he was really just improvising. The suspicious look she threw him made him wish the elevator would come sooner, so he pressed... hit... the button again. The truth was, however, that he wanted to enjoy the day, and being with Carter was a joyful, although bittersweet, way to achieve that.
She finally tore her scrutinizing gaze away from his face and shrugged, half a smile on her lips. "Whatever you say Colonel."
The door of the elevator finally opened and the ride up was made in silence, mostly because Jack could almost see the wheels turning in Carter's head wondering what was going on with him, because he was wondering just the same thing.
Carter's expression suddenly changed and her eyes widened. "I don't have to bake anything... right?" She looked very reluctant and Jack couldn't help but smile.
"Gee I hope not." He mumbled to himself but just loud enough for her to hear.
Her eyes narrowed, but her almost smile betrayed her amusement.... I heard that sir, thank you very much."
"Come on Carter, that was a joke. You don't have to cook anything, we'll bring some take out. We don't need to make of this a big thing. I just..." He shrugged, not sure he wanted to reveal too much more. But of course, she had other ideas, she couldn't just leave it at that, could she? Nope, it was out of her vocabulary, out of her ability, out of her-
"You just what?"
He shrugged again, going for the nonchalant style and detached attitude.... "You know, spend some time together...All of us, I mean. You know... hang out. For fun."
She nodded, and her eyes finally left his face as she put on her coat. Jack then realized that they *were* almost there. When the doors opened, she turned to face him and smiled.... "Sounds great Colonel."
Jack nodded, enthralled by her sincere expression and found himself unable to say anything but a quick... see you tonight? before they each signed out and made their way to their car.
***
Sam was in a near panic. Despite the fact that her only guests would be her best friends and, as well as she knew them, that they wouldn't want her to go to great lengths for them, she still felt like she had to make the evening memorable. Why? She didn't really know, but all she knew was that even if... thank God... she didn't need to bake, she still had to put her house in a Holiday mood. She wondered as she tidied up how some people found that relaxing, decorating and stuff. However, the more she was getting into it, the more she felt grateful to the Colonel for kind of imposing this on her. She knew it really hadn't been his intention, but she realized that without his insisting, she would probably still be on base, working her brains out for something that could easily wait for a couple of days.
She didn't have a tree, but decided to place candles, lights and other decorations around her house, even building a fire in the fireplace, hoping for a warm ambiance. It was already late when she suddenly remembered she was still wearing her BDUs, so she hurriedly jumped into the shower and put on a more suitable attire. Going for the comfortable, she opted for a simple dark suit.
She was trying to make her hair do what she wanted when the doorbell suddenly rang, making her jump out of her skin. After all the Colonel hadn't given an hour, and if she was honest with herself, she'd had expected him later. He usually mastered the... arrive late, leave early thing, but apparently he had other things in mind. Maybe because this year, it would only be the four of them, and not a whole room filled with people he didn't know, like the usual parties Hammond invited them to.
Sam ran down the stairs and opened the door with a smile.... "Hey!"
The Colonel was standing there, in the crisp cold air, a rather sheepish expression on his face, as if he was suddenly unsure about his idea for the evening.... "Hey Carter, I hope you don't mind me bringing some friends?" Teal'c and Jonas appeared behind him and Sam?s smile widened as she stood aside to let them in.
It was only then that she realized the Colonel had four boxes that smelled suspiciously like pizza, and that Jonas and Teal'c were each carrying a big box.
"What?s this?" Sam asked as they both put their boxes on the floor.
The Colonel opened his mouth, but Jonas beat him to it.... "Surprises?"
The Colonel shrugged and Sam shared his smile, although hers took a suspicious turn. She usually wasn't very keen about surprises? She frowned.... What kind of surprises?
Jonas opened his box and Sam realized it was filled with?tinsel. Great, just her luck. Despite her lack of enthusiasm at having the stuff all around her house, she tried to smile and look happy. After all, Jonas was new to this Christmas stuff, and it would be heartless to just tell him she really, *really* hated tinsel.
Jonas? smile broadened as he picked up a few of the shiny decorations and held them in front of him, his expression mirroring one of a child opening a present.
"Wow... thanks, Jonas. I'm touched, really." Suddenly slightly fearful, she bit her cheek and frowned.... What's in the other box?"
"A present for you Major Carter." Teal'c?s smiling voice surprised her. A present? For her?
"But I didn't get you guys anything, you shouldn't have?"
"Ah for cryin' out loud Carter," the colonel intervened as he got rid of his coat and took off his hat, revealing in the process very ruffled hair. "will you just accept the damn gift?"
Taken aback by his sudden outburst, she turned to the Jaffa with an apologetic smile.... "Thanks Teal'c."
"It is, in fact, from all of us Major Carter."
"Really?" She looked at each of them. Teal'c looked really pleased with himself, Jonas just down right happy and the Colonel?well it was hard to tell what he was feeling, but at least he was smiling.... Wow... thanks. I-I don't know what to say?" And it was true, she really didn't know how to tell these guys that they were what sustained her day after day.
"How about pepperoni or bacon?" The colonel asked and Sam was grateful to him for having the good habit of knowing exactly when to lighten the mood.
"Bacon."
****
Jack was enjoying himself. It had been too long since he?d spent a quiet evening with his buddies, and way too long since he?d actually laughed. But Teal'c?s, Carter's and yes, he admitted, Jonas' company was making him enjoy this Christmas day more than he thought possible after everything that had happened that year... Daniel, his encounter with Baal, Kanan. Of course, Carter's good wine might be helping, but Jack felt inexplicably... content.
As he sipped another mouthful of wine, his eyes fell on Carter, just like they had most of the supper. She looked great... as usual, but there was something different this time. Her hair? It was prettily tousled and remarkably shiny, but no, it wasn't it. Okay so her eyes seemed to shine as equally as her hair in the dim light of the candles she'd put on the table, but it wasn't that either. Her clothes? It felt good... damn good... to see her out of BDUs, but... no. It wasn't that either. Lost in his contemplations, he missed something funny Jonas had said, but Carter's laugh hit him like a truck. He so rarely heard her laugh these days. And then he realized. That was it. *That* was what made her look different; she was relaxed, and her work seemed completely (or almost completely) out of her mind. And she was happy, by the looks of it.
As if sensing his eyes on her she suddenly turned to him, a smile still on her face as she sobered from her laugh. Her eyes met his and he felt his heart skip a beat when they locked with his, sharing some kind of private moment too intense for Jack to have the time to acknowledge before it was gone. Way too quickly for his own taste, she tore her eyes away from his and turned back to the conversation, leaving Jack totally dumbstruck by such sudden openness. These kinds of moments - when something, an acknowledgement of feelings, maybe - these moments were so rare that Jack had no other choice but to hold on to them with all his heart.
"What is your opinion on this matter O'Neill?" Teal'c's voice brought him back to the conversation.
"I'm sorry, about what..."
"Sam wants to open her present now, what do you say?" Jonas told him and Jack smiled as he finished the contents of his glass.
"Sure, why not."
*****
Sam turned in her bed, unable to sleep. The Colonel had been right. It had been great to spend some time with her friends and just, hang out, as he'd said. She couldn't remember the last time she?d laughed so much and she felt great; happy, relaxed but kind of excited at the same time. She smiled at the thought of her gift.
A hammock.
Teal'c had given her a goddamn hammock.
As Jonas had cheerfully hung up tinsel everywhere around her house... and that meant *everywhere* she'd settled down with Teal'c and the Colonel in front of the fireplace to open the box. When she?d found out what it was, she thought it was the Colonel's not-so-subtle way to tell her to reduce her work time, but he'd shrugged and taken a sip of his beer.
"Don't look at me!" He'd said and she'd realized then that it really was Teal'c who'd had this idea. "Teal'c thought we could sling it in your lab... somewhere." He'd added.
"That'd be great, but... I don't think it's allowed."
"Oh come on Carter, we... especially you... practically live there. I'm sure no one would mind a little luxury on your part. Everybody knows that not even a tantalizing hammock could pull you from your computer."
She'd smiled. "Oh you'd be surprised."
"I like the sound of that." He'd replied playfully and Sam had been unable to resist meeting his gaze. She hadn't been surprised to find myriad emotions in his eyes; amusement, contentment, and she?d even thought she'd seen hunger as he'd locked his eyes with hers.
Just thinking about it made her want to crawl out of her skin and she felt her heart skip another beat. It felt good to know that the emotions were still there, even after all this time of denying, repressing and all that crap. But at least he still cared enough to let her know what he felt, and that meant more to her than anything he could ever say.
Finally giving up sleep, she stood and walked down the stairs silently. Jonas was sleeping in the guest room, Teal'c was somewhere kel'no'reem'ing and the Colonel was...
Sprawled across her hammock.
She stopped moving as she saw him, a smile finding its way to her lips. As the evening had gone on, they'd decided to sling the hammock in her living room, and they'd somehow found a place to hang it, and then, as it was really late, Sam had invited them to crash.
She approached silently and sat on the couch, taking the opportunity to watch him sleep. One of his legs was hanging over the floor as well as one of his arms. He looked so peaceful, just lying there that Sam couldn't help but let a watery smile appear on her face. Hugging her legs, she settled more comfortably into her couch and rested her chin on her knees.
God she loved him so much she could just sit there for hours just watching him and hoping that nothing ever hurts him again. He'd suffered enough for two lifetimes, more than anyone should ever have to, and she so wanted to be there for him, just like she'd wanted to help him after what happened to Daniel and then with the Tok'ra. He'd never actually said outright what had happened to him then, but Sam knew that, just the fact that he wasn't talking about it meant that it had been rough. Really rough. Fighting the urge to extend her arm and reach out to touch him, she hugged her legs more tightly.
Finally unable to resist, she stood and approached the hammock. Just standing there for a couple of minutes, she watched him sleep, a painful knot in her stomach. How she wished she could just touch him! Pushing aside any reasoning thoughts, she raised a tentative hand and touched his arm and, seeing no reaction from him, applied a little more pressure, being careful not to wake him. The heat emanating from his arm made her fingers tingle but she left them there, relishing the contact. Her eyes fell on his face and she knew without hesitation what she was going to do. And she also knew that nothing her reason could scream would stop her. Ever so slowly, she bent down her head and approached his, always watching for signs of awaking. When he didn't move, she leaned in closer and pressed a soft kiss on his lips. She stayed there for a couple of seconds, squeezing her eyes shot as she felt tears pricking behind her eyelids. The contact was sweet, but bitter in many ways and she wasn't sure how much longer she could keep on going like this.
When she pulled back and opened her watery eyes, she jumped back when she realized his were opened too, and watching her intensely. She stepped back quickly, suddenly horrified that he knew what she'd just done.
"Carter?" He was frowning now, and her name sounded like a question as much as an expression of surprise.
"I'm sorry Colonel, I..." With her eyes still watery, she sniffed and wiped her nose as she kept on moving back. God this was so embarrassing. Suddenly she felt like fleeing out of the room but her legs seemed to only be able to walk back. She had no other choice but to stop when the back of her knees hit the couch.
"No, Carter, wait" He was trying to sit, and she would have smiled at his struggle with the hammock hadn't the situation been so?shameful. Cursing to himself, he finally disentangled himself and managed to sit. And then his eyes seemed to lock on her. His face looked utterly surprised, amazed and completely confused. "Carter, did you just kiss me?"
"Well sir I?" She babbled, unable to find a rational explanation to her actions. "No, well yes."
"Sam?"
Sam? He never called her Sam anymore. Her head snapped up and her eyes met his, effectively succeeding in making her babbling stop.
He extended his hand towards her. "Come here."
"But sir, I?"
He cut her off. "I know whatcha thinking. And you think too much." With a little move of his fingers, he repeated his invitation and this time Sam didn't hesitate more than a few seconds before slowly walking back towards him. He was right, of course, she was always thinking too much. "Besides," he added when she was within his reach and his hand found hers, gently pulling her towards him, "Christmas rule number 2 clearly states that no member of a secret governmental or military team should be caught working on Christmas. And I do believe your last train of thoughts was about certain aspects of our work so; Good thing I got to you before you really thought too much."
Her blood pounding loudly in her ears, Sam managed a suddenly nervous smile. Unable to say anything, she looked into his eyes and followed them when he stood before her, tall and so sweetly menacing. Raising a tentative hand, she touched his chin, his cheek. He didn't move an inch, but she knew that he was so taut he could snap. But he didn't move and let her explore his features. Her fingers moved to the side of his face, than tangled in his short hair. He was still not moving, and Sam realized that he left her totally free to decide what to do with this moment. She could feel his eyes intensely ravaging her face, or closing when she touched a sensible spot, but he didn't move.
God she loved this man.
Without hesitation, her hand pressed against the back of his neck and with a tiny pressure gave him the hint he was waiting for. His lips descended on hers hungrily and she met him halfway, her knees getting weaker by the second. God she?d wanted this for so long! She pressed herself against him, moving her arms around his neck and hugging him tight. His arms around her waist tightened their grip too and, when the kiss ended on its own, she moved her head so she could rest it on his shoulder. They stayed that way for a while, holding on to each other as if their life depended on it, gently swaying and Jack's hand slowly caressing her hair.
After a few minutes Sam finally moved back so she could look at his face. He was smiling, which wasn't really surprising, but his eyes seemed to be darker than usual, and his gaze much more intense. Her hand slid along his arm, intertwining their fingers when they met, and moved a little further away. When she sat in her hammock he raised an eyebrow.
"It's about time I try my gift, don't you think?" She asked as she tugged on his hand to make him sit beside her.
?Damn right."
He lay back and Sam imitated him. At first trying not to lie too close to him, the gravity and the design of the hammock soon gave her no other choice than to roll close to him. Making herself comfortable, she snuggled next to him and rested her head on his chest, his hand automatically finding her hair.
"So you never told me. What's your Christmas rule number 1?" She asked softly, relishing in the feeling of the man beside her; the way he smelt, the way he felt, the way his hand caressed her hair or touched her arm...
"Ah. Number 1 is the most important of all. Everybody, with no exception, should hang mistletoe above their hammock."
Sam laughed and snuggled closer. "I agree."
Story Notes: EMAIL: amelieallard@hotmail.com
SPOILERS: Meridian, Abyss
DISCLAIMER: All publicly recognizable characters and places are the property of MGM, World Gekko Corp and Double Secret Productions. This piece of fan fiction was created for entertainment not monetary purposes and no infringement on copyrights or trademarks was intended. Previously unrecognized characters and places, and this story, are copyrighted to the author. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
AUTHOR?S NOTES: Here?s my take at the Christmas Challenge! I hope you like it, please let me know! And big thanks to Lola for betareading this for me :)
©Amélie Allard~dec 2002
SPOILERS: Meridian, Abyss
DISCLAIMER: All publicly recognizable characters and places are the property of MGM, World Gekko Corp and Double Secret Productions. This piece of fan fiction was created for entertainment not monetary purposes and no infringement on copyrights or trademarks was intended. Previously unrecognized characters and places, and this story, are copyrighted to the author. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
AUTHOR?S NOTES: Here?s my take at the Christmas Challenge! I hope you like it, please let me know! And big thanks to Lola for betareading this for me :)
©Amélie Allard~dec 2002
End Notes: Thanks for reading and Merry Christmas to all! :)
DISCLAIMER: All publicly recognisable characters, settings, etc, are the property of their respective owners. Any original characters and plots are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended. ... [ read more ]