Umm….when my muse hit, I didn't intend for this to be a Christmas piece, but there it is anyway. This is just for fun, not episode related in anyway. Hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: Don't own, don't make any money from my "borrowing" of these beloved characters.

Elizabeth stalled at the threshold to the conference room. A quick survey of the room revealed almost everyone was present and engaged in conversation with one another. There was one notable exception. Elizabeth wasn't surprised. John had mastered avoidance as if it were an art to be crafted and the thought of planning a holiday party had probably set off an internal alarm warning him away from the emotional intimacy, even if it was of the friendship variety.

Elizabeth gazed around the room and smiled at the people assembled before her. She'd be the first to admit she understood why John was dragging his feet. They'd all passed the point of being merely friends a long time ago. Along the way they had become part of something almost more powerful than family. They'd chosen this and it was their blood, sweat and tears that allowed their very survival. It was a very precious thing they had found in these relationships they had constructed and she treasured it more than she could ever hope to explain.

But these were things she never allowed her thoughts to linger upon, knowing she made decisions that put them at risk every time she approved a mission sending them into the field. Although she hated to admit it, there was always one who wrenched her heart with worry above all others. Maybe it was better he wasn't here. The Christmas spirit was definitely breaching her emotional defenses.

Teyla's warm voice rang out as Elizabeth finally entered the room. "Dr. Weir, good morning. Colonel Sheppard said to tell you he would be late. Apparently he is bringing back a present for you, for our party."

"Well that's…different." Elizabeth felt slightly off kilter. The idea of John bringing back something for a party he'd normally take great pleasure in avoiding, that was just-

"Something must be wrong with him. For John, that's not different, that's just…." McKay's voice was fraught was an earnest worry. "That's just…."

"Weird." Ronon said flatly.

Elizabeth's lips pressed together and she slipped into her seat. Their fears were echoing her own. But clearly this concern was silly. They were all jumping to conclusions. It would be a fitting gesture for John to try harder to participate for the crew. It had been a tough year and the crew's spirits had never been lower. They were all long overdue a chance to indulge in a little fun.

"Well, I think it's just lovely." Carson's melodious voice chimed in. "It's like the Scrooge finding the Christmas spirit."

"Who's the Scrooge?" Ronon asked.

"I'll let John explain later." Elizabeth said. John always had a masculine, if childish, edge to explaining all pop culture references that seemed to resonate with Ronon somehow better than when other's attempted to explain.

Elizabeth's smile returned as she looked upon Ronon and Teya, realizing they were only here to support their team. Christmas wasn't a holiday in the Pegasus galaxy, but it seemed important to them. They all wanted to resurrect the spirits of the crew by ensuring that this Christmas was not forgotten.

"So are we starting? My time is important people." McKay tapped impatiently at the table.

Elizabeth pinched the bridge of her nose, praying for patience. "All right then. Why don't we get started with music, who wants to be in charge of that? "

"Ah, Lt. Cadman has offered her services in that area." Carson said as a soft shade of red graced his cheeks.

"Just that area?" McKay said smarmily under his breath.

"Rodney." Elizabeth admonished, trying to think of an effective punishment him for teasing poor Carson. "You will be in charge of forming the clean up committee."

"Hey, that's not fair, I-"

"That leaves food and decorations." Elizabeth ignored McKay's protest, thoughtfully tapping her pen to her cheek.

"My people would be honored if you would allow us to provide the meal. We would like to thank you for your constant kindness and protection." Teyla said.

"Teyla, that's too much to ask." Elizabeth was wary. This thank you gesture could easily become a burden to the Athosians.

"It would be our pleasure. The harvest was plentiful this year, a great success. In fact, they have been preparing since I mentioned the party. They offered, I did not ask them to do so."

"Well if you are sure, please convey to them it is the crew of Atlantis who would be honored." Elizabeth felt foolish as she blinked rapidly forcing the tears to dissipate from her eyes. If living in the Pegasus galaxy had taught her anything, it was the value of the little things and this gesture was no small feat. Her crew was numerous and had insatiable appetites, but that was a fact Teyla well knew. "But I can't allow them to provide the entire meal. I'll leave it to you to coordinate with our kitchen staff."

Teyla nodded towards Elizabeth, seeming pleased with the compromise.

"So that leaves decorations. I guess I'll take ownership of that." Elizabeth rose to her feet, thinking of the spacious area where the party would take place in. "Let me know if you or any of your team members would like to assist."

"Volunteering for duty." A familiar husky voice dusted against her ear. Strong arms breezed around her waist pulling Elizabeth backward against his chest. His hands laced upon her stomach as Elizabeth stood there stunned beyond belief. John pressed a soft kiss onto her cheek and gently released her.

His breath against her neck and ear sent delicious tingles running down her back. His embrace and kiss had affected her more than she'd like to admit. It was hard enough to deny the desire the she felt for him on a normal day. This... was obviously not going to be a normal day, if there truly was such a thing in the Pegasus Galaxy.

Her eyes stretched wide with surprise and she noted the equally shocked expressions on the crew before her. She should say something, she considered, but what exactly? She'd no idea what had prompted that behavior from him and she was probably failing miserably at trying to conceal the fact she enjoyed it...a lot.

"Teyla reminded me of a planet we'd been too, uninhabited but it had great trees." John still stood just behind her. "This is just a little guy, we've got more still in the jumper bay."

She turned cautiously and found John indicating proudly towards the five foot tall tree leaning against the doorway. Elizabeth was surprisingly elated at the sight of the tree. It was practically identical to the evergreens on Earth. She loved it and John had said there were more. She found it hard to believe he'd spent his morning schlepping through the woods to do this for her. For the party, she corrected herself.

His voice had sounded more normal now, in tone anyway. His words still seemed a little surreal somehow. Elizabeth studied him closely, arching her eyebrow in a manner that normally rendered him nervous.

Now John just smiled cheekily upon her. "Actually Elizabeth, don't you worry about anything." He bent down and brushed her lips ever so slightly with his own, the sensations sending Elizabeth reeling. "I've got the decorations under control."

She was glad something was under control, because her emotions certainly were not. Her skin felt blistered from his touch and if he didn't stop touching her soon, she feared she'd lose her ability to speak.

As if reading her mind, John straightened and moved towards the tree. "Come on Ronon, I think it's time to introduce you to another great American film."

Before exiting the room, John turned back, locking eyes with Elizabeth. She'd never seen his intoxicating hazel eyes smoldering like they did at that moment. It was like he was staring at the last woman left on Earth...or Atlantis. Her knees threatened to buckle as she weakened under his heated stare.

John pointed at Elizabeth. "I'll see you later, beautiful."

John's gravelly voice made Elizabeth's chest swell. Her mouth opened softly in surprise and she could only watch silently as he turned on his heel dragging the tree along with him.

Ronon started after John, following the trail of something that looked strikingly similar to fallen pine needles. His questioning gaze settled pointedly upon her as he moved past. Elizabeth couldn't summon a single word; she only found the power to helplessly shrug and prayed it somehow indicated her complete and utter bewilderment. It was doubtful. She was fairly certain she hadn't managed to hide her bodies appreciative response to John's recently acquired temporary insanity.

She could hear John's fading voice as he and Ronon moved further down the corridor. "It's called A Christmas Story…."

Elizabeth turned slowly back the remaining crew members in the room. "Carson?"

"I told you!" McKay said.

"I'll check him. Unless…Elizabeth, I take it this is not how John behaves with you…in private?" Carson asked gently.

"God no Carson! There is nothing… we are not together."

But she would never have the ability to lie, to say there was nothing between them. She could no longer count the times their lips had brushed. Inevitably one of them would come to their senses, painfully leaving their footsteps heading towards separate quarters. She and John had fought against that with everything they had in them, leaving them nowhere near satiated, but somewhat satisfied with their deep, albeit bittersweet friendship.

"I rather enjoy seeing John so carefree. But I would caution you to tread gently with him Elizabeth." Teyla stepped closer. "If something is indeed causing him to behave this way, to feel a higher degree of happiness and love, I would anticipate that he would feel pain and rejection more intensely as well."

"She's right, Elizabeth. I'll go round him up, but until we get this all sorted it, perhaps it be easier if you just play along." Carson smiled as he gathered up his things. "Unless that would be too uncomfortable for you."

Damn it, he knew. Hell they all probably knew they were half in love with each other. Carson was asking her to cross a very slippery slope. Based on her reaction to their rather chaste kiss moments earlier, she was pretty sure she wouldn't make it out intact. "Carson, I think John would do best confined to the infirmary until we find out what's going on."

"Elizabeth, if I don't find anything, I can hardly keep the man there. What would I document in his chart? That he's infected with the Christmas spirit? He caught the love bug?"

Rodney started choking on the pastry he was polishing off. His face turned red as he wheezed in laughter. "Can I write up the report that would go back to Stargate Command? Love bug! This is unbelievable. Unbelievably funny rather."

Unbelievably bad, thought Elizabeth. She had been stretched to the limit with her denial as it was, but if she gave John free reign to touch her, kiss her, act as though he was with her... she wouldn't be able to keep him at arm's length for long.

She noticed Chuck teetering on a ladder outside the conference room door. "What are you doing?"

He ducked his head down lower and extended his hand. "Mistletoe. Colonel Sheppard left it with me to hang. Just got finished hanging one outside your office."

Elizabeth's panicked eyes darted back towards Carson. She'd have sworn he was trying not to laugh.

"Don't panic on me now, dear, you can do this. Actually, you two could have been together all along. The crew adores you both. Did you realize they watch you two like you are some bloody reality television show, holding their breaths just to catch a glimpse of that staring in each other's eyes bit that you do? Watching you two gives them something positive to think about for a change. Well, I'd best be off I'll let you know as soon as I've finished with him." Carson's form grew smaller as he walked away.

Elizabeth was dimly aware of Teyla leaving as well. Carson's words were still bouncing around inside her brain like an old school video game she used to be addicted to. What was Carson talking about, what bit with their eyes? And the crew. She'd forgotten the crew. She couldn't just play along, that would-

McKay was clearing his throat loudly. Elizabeth looked at him strangely, wondering when she'd taken the few footsteps leading her out of the conference room. Chuck was gone and McKay was nodding his head upwards. Elizabeth followed his eyes. Mistletoe! She turned back to Rodney, noting the expectant glimmer in his eyes.

"Sorry Rodney. If John has a contagion, he probably just passed it along to me." Elizabeth dryly pointed out.

McKay's backpedaling would have been endearing if Elizabeth hadn't been considering the validity of her excuse. She needed to be examined as well. With a heavy sign, she crossed the corridor to collect her laptop from her office. She'd need something to help distract her from John while she was stuck in the infirmary. She almost plowed into Caldwell as she emerged from her office. Great, just great. She'd forgotten the Daedalus was arriving with supplies that morning. Caldwell seemed to have a knack for impeccable timing. Just what she needed with John…well, with whatever was going on with him.

Caldwell's face contorted oddly, almost as if he needed to sneeze. Just as Elizabeth was about to step back into her office to grab some tissue, she realized he was attempting to draw her attention upward. Damn it! She growled softly as she pushed past him towards the transport. Mistletoe.

TBC….