A/N:

Despite how much I beg and stomp my feet, these amazing characters are not mine. They are merely taking a stroll with me. I'll have them home by teatime!

Many thanks to my wonderful Beta for all her help!

Chapter 1- Faith

"Ladies and Gentlemen, we will shortly begin our descent into Reagan National Airport. Please observe the fasten seatbelt signs and ensure your tables are stowed and your seats are in the upright positions."

Sam lifted the standard issue plastic glass to her lips and drank down the remainder of the amber liquid in her glass. Drinking at 16:00 was extremely uncharacteristic of her but this wasn't any ordinary day.

December 23rd was special.

It was THE day.

She looked around her, taking in her surroundings. People returning home for Christmas. Children with their parents, young couples, smiling grandparents. Stewardesses with Santa hats and flashing earrings. All full of the excitement of the upcoming holidays.

If she were 100% honest with herself, she couldn't quite believe thas she was doing this. She thought back to when she had answered the phone call and heard him casually ask her what her plans were for Christmas. Her heart had pounded against her rib cage so hard that she was sure he could hear it. She had tried desperately, to keep some measure of calm in her voice but failed miserably when a squeak of "Oh, nothing much" escaped her lips. She closed her eyes in embarrassment and she was quite certain that she could 'hear' him grinning.

"Check your email Sam," he had casually said, "your ticket is there."

The fact that he was officially no longer her C.O made her insides do things that she normally didn't allow.

He was no longer 'off limits Jack', a fact that everyone else seemed to also be aware of. This had been confirmed when she had requested an extra few days leave from General Landry. He had smiled a knowing smile, granted it immediately, and told her with a wink to 'enjoy herself and to say hi to Jack' for him.

She took one last look in the mirror of the ladies room and, adjusting her leather jacket a final time, walked out towards the arrivals hall.

'Have faith in yourself Sam, it'll be fine. It's just Jack. Just Jack, who you've loved for 8 years. Just Jack, who's on the other side of the arrivals hall waiting.'

Just Jack...

The moment she rounded the corner, a kaleidoscope of butterflies erupted in her belly. There he stood waiting for her, leaning against a pillar; handsome, gorgeous and sexy, wearing a pair of dark blue slacks and a black sweater. She allowed her eyes to travel from top to toe and back up again, and watched, as a slow smile appeared on his face.

"Drop it." He said, his dark eyes falling on her bag.

Jack took two steps towards her, and still looking into her eyes, uncurled her fingers from around the handles, allowing the bag to drop to the floor by her side.

"Hey," she said, her gaze firmly on her eyes.

"Hey yourself," he replied, his eyes falling momentarily to her lips.

He held his left hand aloft and they both looked up to were he was holding a small bunch of fresh mistletoe above them.

"Drop it," she said, repeating his earlier sentence, and smiling when his hand came down, the mistletoe falling forgotten at their feet. After all this time, they didn't really need mistletoe anyway.

Jacks gaze returned to her eyes, giving her one last moment to take a step back. When she didn't, he raised his hands and cupped her face, lowering his lips to hers.

Suddenly, silence descended and time seemed to momentarily stand still. Her fingers squeezed his waist where her hands had been resting and pulled him gently towards her.

She had waited eight long years for this moment, and man, oh, man, was it worth every single second. His lips were soft but strong as he kissed her, slowly and with such reverence that it took her breath away. All of her fears, all of her uncertainty disappeared. He broke off their kiss and leaned his forehead on hers.

"Not here." He said breathlessly, his eyes still closed. "I have plans for you. Let's go home."

Sam followed him, as she always had, knowing that this time though, it would lead not to danger, but to her future.