Title: Twas the Night Before Christmas
Author: KellethMetheus
Spoilers: This story takes place some time after season 10.
Category: Drama
Summary: Jack arrives at the SGC for Christmas and things aren't as they should be.
Disclaimer: Not mine never will be not matter how much I wish it otherwise.
Warnings: None

challenge: Twelve days of Christmas Day 1: It's Christmas Eve and the team is expected back but only one returns.....

The gate started to spin and Jack got to his feet with anticipation. Sam and the team were coming home in time for Christmas Eve. He had come all the way from DC to join their yuletide celebrations only to find that they had all gone off-world to deal with a little problem.

He rubbed his hands together in anticipation as Walter called the chevrons. The wormhole blossomed out and settled into the calm puddle as he all waited and waited. One lone figure tumbled through the event horizon and rolled down the ramp, un-moving.

Everyone in the control room stared in shock as the gate shut off. Finally, Jack asked, "Where are the others?"

General Landry shrugged and picked up the phone. "Med team to the gateroom; we have an injured person here."

Hank had barely issued the order and Jack was down the stairs, approaching the prone figure on ramp. Turning them over, he caught sight of a familiar face. Standing quickly, he rounded on Hank who now stood at the bottom of the ramp. "Just what the hell is going on? What is Cassandra doing here?" He knew that she was offered a spot at the SGC when she graduated in May but what was she doing here now?

Hank was about to answer when Caroline Lam pushed her way into through the crowded gateroom. "Move please, I need to see the patient." She looked up at Jack. "You too, sir."

Jack hesitated for a moment. Cassie could have simply been asleep; she looked so peaceful. Moving aside to let Doctor Lam pass, he turned to Hank for answers.

The other General came closer. "Before you explode, Jack, Cassandra Fraiser is a fourth year Air Force cadet, who's been selected to join the program; you even approved it!"

Jack opened and closed his mouth. He knew she'd be here eventually but he hadn't expected to find her there now and hurt.

Landry continued, "She approached me a week or so ago. She had no plans for the holidays and so she's here on a trial basis over her winter break. She's trying to decide what course her career will take: Medschool or the SGC. This was supposed to be an easy mission. SG-1 were slated to visit PX4-741, a formerly Ori controlled planet, to renegotiate a new trade agreement for Naquada.

Jack nodded; he's seen the report about their recontact with with Earth and SG-1 had been there years before. The people were peaceful farmers. What could have gone wrong?

"General O'Neill, she's awake," Caroline called from the ramp.

Both men turned to find Cassie lying on a stretcher. Her eyes found Jack's. "Jack, I'm sorry. The Lucien Alliance grabbed us. The underestimated me and I was able to get away. I heard them mention kassa..."

She drifted off again, but Jack shook her gently. "Cass, what else can you tell us? Did you see where they were taken?"

Slowly, she opened her eyes. "They took SG-1 through the Stargate. If someone has a paper I can write out the address for you." She tried to sit up but Jack pushed her back down.

"Dr. Lam, give me that clipboard!" Jack asked holding out one hand while the other restrained Cassie from sitting up.

The doctor nodded as she handed it over. Jack held the board so Cassie could see it while she was lying down. Soon, seven glyphs covered the paper and Cassie relaxed into unconsciousness.

"I'm taking her to the infirmary now. You can see her when she wakes up," Caroline told Jack as she motioned to the orderlies to wheel out the gurney.

Jack watched her go wondering when his little girl had grown up and why he'd let her slip out of his life. It was only when he was left alone in the gateroom, he realized that he'd forgot to tell her he was proud of her.

0o0o0

Cassie woke slowly. At first she was unsure where she was and then the cement walls of the infirmary came into focus. She sat up quickly. "Sam-"

Jack caught her as she swayed. "They're all fine. Reynolds and SG-3 went in and brought them back for us. It seems Netan came back for round two, but everyone is home safe." He pulled the covers up around her just as he'd done when she was little. "What are your plans for Christmas?"

Cassie shrugged wondering why she felt so lost. She hadn't seen Jack since her high school graduation. "Didn't really have any. I was just planning to work here over the holidays."

Jack got to his feet. "Do you want to come to Sam's house? Join SG-1's festivities?" he asked as he kissed her forehead.

Cassie smiled. "I'd love that, thanks, Jack."

He turned and walked away a few paces and then turned. "Cassie, I'm so very proud of you, and Janet would be too. I'll pick you up in an hour when I grab Sam."

Cassie watched him go wiping the tears away, glad to be loved and to be a part of a family once more.