Well folks, as it's getting near Christmas, and I didn't have a new Christmas story ready for this year, I thought I would resurrect an old one for you which hadn't been posted on here before. So, having picked one out, I've been giving it a good going over and correcting my mistakes (I may have missed some) as well as reworking it to a certain extent too. I have to apologise too, because unfortunately it wasn't a shippy fic when I originally wrote it, so this is keeping within the confines of a canon fic, sorry!
Thank you for all your reviews of the last story I posted, I always appreciate them, and I am getting near the stage to begin posting that 100th fic under my other pen-name, LetitiaRichards.
Hope you all enjoy this Christmas story.
Christmas Spirit.
By Lingren.
Category: Angst, Drama, Hurt/Comfort, Smarm.
Season: 8.
Spoilers: New Order.
Warnings: Sap. Because it's that time of year!
Summary: Jack steps in to put a stop to some bullies and gains some new friends as well as some enemies.
Disclaimer: I don't own Stargate SG-1. No copyright infringements intended. Just borrowing the characters for a little fun, fantasy and imagination.
Chapter 1 – T'was the Night Before Christmas
Christmas was never going to be the same forever after. Sg-1 was never going to be the same team either, particularly after Jack O'Neill's promotion to Brigadier General. Moving up a step on that ladder had put paid to all that, and as a result, Jack just wouldn't be the same either; not being part of the finest team of Stargate Command any more.
From now on, he was 'The Man'. And, as the new Commander of the SGC, the newly minted General O'Neill was the one onto whose shoulders the responsibility of the entire world rested, excluding Presidents, the Joint Chiefs, and the now Lieutenant General George Hammond of course. Except, they were still higher up the chain of command than Jack was. Though ultimately, it was as Brigadier General, that Jack would now make the decisions on a daily basis; the one who sent the cream of the US Forces to meet the most powerful enemy that man had ever known.
Add to the fact that apart from Jack's new position, all three members of SG-1 would not be celebrating the festive season with anyone in particular this year, let alone their ex-CO. The SGC's premier team was currently off-world, consulting with an alien nation in the hope of becoming allies against the Goa'uld.
The end result of this state of affairs, was that Jack O'Neill would be spending the Christmas holiday completely alone; something he was, for the most part, loath to do.
If his old team were actually here on Earth, then it would have been a foregone conclusion that despite his new exalted rank, he would still be a part of their 'family'; he'd be with his 'kids', as he'd often referred to them as such. After almost eight years it was only to be expected. For the last seven years they had been a force to be reckoned with. Proven time after time, that they deserved their reputation as the best team ever to set foot on an alien world.
It was Christmas Eve already and Jack stood in the briefing room, a solitary figure staring out of the window at the huge alien ring below; the Stargate. The gateway to other worlds; the doorway through which he watched his teams step into on a daily basis. At this moment the gate was idle, but he knew that state of affairs could change at any given moment. He never knew from one minute to the next what might to come through the artificial wormhole created by the Stargate, be it friend or foe. Celebration or annihilation; it could fall either way.
SG-1 wasn't the only team out there at this point in time. In all he had sent out three teams on missions, knowing full well that they would be missing the most precious time of the year for any family; Christmas. A holiday made for families, and he'd been the one to ruin it for at least 8 of the men and women under his command. There were going to be several disappointed children out there this year, and there was nothing he could do about it.
Jack sighed and glanced down at his watch. Time to go home. At least he could do that now. Not that there was anyone waiting for him there. He had no family; not now, at least no-one actually related to him. At one time there had been Charlie and Sara to go home to; but that was all in the past. He had nothing now, he'd squandered his chances, and it was far too late to change that state of affairs. By now he'd come to realise that he was evidently meant to be on his own. He'd lost the one opportunity left open for him earlier, that being a closer relationship with Sam Carter. Much to his consternation, she had Pete now, and any hope he had harboured about the two of them being together had flown right out of the window when that cop had appeared.
Listlessly, he grabbed his jacket from the leather chair where he'd dropped it earlier, and made his way to the Control room one last time to be sure everything was okay before he took his leave. The skeleton crew, he knew, would keep things running during his absence; so here was yet more staff who would be missing from the festivities they should be enjoying at home with their families. Such was the way of life for those who chose to serve their Country. Nothing new there, Jack reluctantly acknowledged.
"I'm off now Walter. Be sure to keep the chain on the door; don't want any unwelcome visitors while I'm away, and keep the light on for our own folks. You know where to reach me for anything. And I mean anything!" Jack quipped, trying to appear jovial for their sakes, though he was sure his little speech fell flat. His heart wasn't really in any little by-play tonight; his heart and soul was light years away somewhere across the galaxy with his 'kids'.
"Yes Sir, we will. Merry Christmas General," Harriman urged.
"Thanks," Jack answered automatically. The simple reply came without conscious thought. It was something he'd grown used to over the years. Everyone said it. It was the right thing to say. Even if it didn't mean anything to him anymore. "Yeah, you too."
"Yes Sir!" Walter responded. Even being on duty, they could still celebrate. The whole atmosphere in the SGC was different over the holidays; more relaxed for a start, though not enough to be taken by surprise by an enemy. And Harriman didn't mind being on duty tonight, really.
Jack slung his jacket over his shoulder and made for the elevator; his spirit at rock bottom, and for the first time in many years, he felt truly alone.
OoOoOoOoOoO
Last night Jack had drowned his misery in a few bottles of his favourite beer and a chaser of JackDaniels whiskey, which was the only Christmas spirit he was likely to find anywhere in his house this year. Christmas morning or not, he was paying the price for his misery the night before. His head felt fuzzy and he was more than just a little hung over, though he couldn't for the life of him recall drinking quite so much as the empty bottles were telling him. He hadn't meant to, honestly. It was just as well he hadn't received a call for help from the SGC last night, and was really hoping they wouldn't call him in today. There was no way he was in a fit state to take command if anything unexpected turned up. He couldn't even command his own hand to stop shaking right now.
With a sour taste in his mouth and a tongue which felt like it was wearing a mouldy fur coat, he collected the scattered empty bottles and dumped them into the recycling bin; quite disgusted with himself for the amount he'd found lying about. He swore there and then that he'd never drink so much again, and decided on taking a run to blow away the cobwebs shrouding his brain right now. Besides which, he could definitely do with some fresh air to get him feeling better, and once he got home he would have to open a few windows because the place actually smelt like a brewery.
With fresh air in mind, he got dressed in warm sweats and trainers, locked the door behind him and took off on a gentle jog to the park and back.
It was cold outside; bitterly cold, if he would only acknowledge it to himself. Deep snow hung about the streets, crisp, fresh and as yet mostly untouched by human feet at this hour of the day, especially as it was Christmas Day. The sun had barely peaked over the horizon as yet and its pink tinged rays lit the glittering snow with an eerie light. In silence he jogged along the streets, trying not to think too much about the past, and not at all about the bleak prospects of his future.
The deserted roads would soon give way to excitement later on; when the residential streets would be full of kids playing with their new toys while the dinner was prepared. He recalled his own childhood and remembered the days when practically every kid on his block received either a new bike, skis or skates and couldn't wait to try them out. Maybe today's kids were different, who knew. But even Charlie had to test out the bike when impatience got the better of him. Jack smiled at the memory; Charlie was out of the door before breakfast, and if Sara hadn't called him back indoors at that time, he'd have been out there in his pyjamas.
Jack took a leisurely jog around the park, feeling better as the minutes passed. He'd nodded a greeting to several people who'd passed him by as they walked their dogs, but other than that he met very few people which was more than okay with him.
The pathway wound round the bushes, meandering along amidst the dormant flowering ornamental shrubs on its way to join up with the street again. Jack slowed to nothing more than a quick walk, eager to get back home in the warm, but also needing to catch his breath for a moment or two. Getting old certainly had its disadvantages, and sitting behind a desk wasn't helping him either. His knees were already beginning to feel the effects of pounding the streets, but he didn't think Santa gave out new ones otherwise he'd have asked for a pair long before now.
Bending over slightly to rest his hands on his thighs while he gained his second wind, Jack could hear raised voices coming from around the next bend in the path and Jack couldn't help but listen in when one plaintive wail came from what sounded like a young child.
Jack could hear most of what was being said, and soon understood what was going on. From his position it sounded like a gang of bullies, probably teenagers, wanted to take the youngster's bike away from him. Anger and indignation rose up inside him and he cautiously edged around the corner, hoping to stop any altercation should it arise.
There was a young kid, a boy who was probably no older than eight or nine, desperately clinging onto what looked to be a brand new bike; and was obviously a Christmas present. Hanging onto the youngster and the bike, there was a gang of four scruffy youths who looked as if they could use a shower for a start. One of whom was trying to pull the kid's hands from his prized possession. None of them had noticed Jack's approach, which was exactly the way Jack wanted it to be.
"Sooo, what's goin' on here?" he asked, making his presence known with what Sam would refer to as his commander's voice. The same tone that had stopped grown men in mid flight, trembling with dread. Jack came to a stop, standing tall and pierced the youths with dark eyes that threatened any attempts to brush him aside.
"What's it to you old man?" one of the teenager's sneered, causing the others to snigger.
Jack addressed the young owner of the bike who had stopped crying in surprise, pulling the said bike away from the now lax hands of the older lad to stand to the side and slightly behind Jack.
"You know these guys?" Jack asked the young boy kindly, without taking his eyes from the gang.
The child shook his head, unable or unwilling to voice his fears, but managing a quick, "No sir."
"Okay," Jack sighed, keeping the bully pinned by his stern gaze, "I really don't think he wants to part with his bike, especially to bullies like you, so how about you just leave the kid alone, huh? Try picking on someone your own size for a change, or would that be too dangerous for you and your friends?"
"Who says I have to leave him alone?" the youth retorted, choosing to ignore the slight on his character.
"I say so," Jack replied calmly.
There was a ripple of laughter as the youths thought it was a good joke.
"Yeah? You and who's army Grandpa?"
"Air Force actually," Jack corrected him nonchalantly.
The look on the loud mouthed youth's face faltered for a moment before he regained his bravado. He didn't want to look like a coward in front of his mates. He stepped up to Jack, almost toe to toe, yet still only managed to reach Jack's shoulders, his eyes hardening as he stared into Jack's eyes.
Pulling himself up to his full height, Jack glared down at the youngster.
"I don't see anyone except you, old man. You wanna try somethin'?" the teenager threatened.
The lad made a quick move to punch his victim, but Jack parried the blow before it could reach its target. His grip on the boy's wrist was firm as he twisted the limb behind the lad's back, pulling it upwards with a quick jerk.
"I may be older, but I can handle anything you or your mates throw at me kid!" he growled.
The youth let out a howl of pain and tried to ease his discomfort by standing on his toes and leaning over.
Jack effortlessly pushed him towards the others while keeping an eye out for more trouble from the youths.
"What say you leave the kid alone in future?" Jack advised, hoping that they would make a tactical retreat. If not then he would have his hands full that was for sure. Four against one could be a problem.
TBC