It's that time of year again, so I thought a little holiday story was in order. And what better way to celebrate this season of peace and joy than with a good Jack Whumping story! This is a short team fic with no S/J planned – although my arm can always be twisted. I'll return to my other stories immediately – I just sometimes find that a short break helps reinvigorate me.

Oh – does it even need to be said at this late date? I don't own anything, nor do I make any money off of this. I do it for pure enjoyment and reviews, of course!

"So, when are you heading out Colonel?" Carter asked with a big smile.

God, he loved her smile, he thought, staring at her. It was only when she began to look uncomfortable that he realized he hadn't answered her. "Oh, sorry Major, I was thinking about something. I'm uh – heading out tomorrow."

"Are you driving, Sir?"

Damn, he should have known that his team would ask questions like this. "Uh, well, I thought about flying but you know – I hate to be without wheels!" There, he hadn't really lied, had he? It's not as if he said he was taking his car.

"Well, have a good time Colonel."

"You too Carter", he answered with a grin. "Have fun with your brother and his family."

"I will Sir, thank you and Merry Christmas!"

He watched as she walked away and sighed, wishing – no, don't go there O'Neill! With a deep breath he stood straight and turned towards his office. If he was lucky, he'd avoid Daniel and Teal'c before they had to leave.

The fact was, Sg1 had been given two weeks off for the holidays. The General had told them they all needed a break after all the stuff they'd had to deal with over the past few months. He couldn't disagree, he knew they all needed a break – it was just that he hated not working over the holidays.

He really hated them – all of them – but Christmas was the worst. Christmas, with all its music and decorations and food and gifts – was a time for families and he had none. Working, he could keep his mind off his loss. It was when he was home, alone, that everything came rushing back to haunt him.

So, he'd quietly approached the General and had asked to be assigned to another team while his was off. At first Hammond had refused, saying that Jack needed the time off as much as any of them. "Son", he'd said, "you're exhausted. You can't keep going like this without a break."

"I know Sir", he'd replied. "It's just - Sir, I'll take time off afterward, I swear – it's just-" He had trouble continuing. It was something he didn't talk about, something he didn't like to admit. When the General just looked puzzled he knew he'd have to explain.

"Sir, I – don't like the holidays. I'd rather work." There, maybe George would figure it out.

"But Jack, surely you'd like to spend time with friends or family?"

"No – I – Sir, it's a time for family and I-"

He could see the sudden understanding on George's face. What killed him, though, was the compassion he saw – something he hated and the reason he usually didn't say anything.

"Okay Jack, I'll arrange for you to go with Sg8. They're a man short since Lieutenant Hargrove got injured. They'll appreciate having you along."

"No, they probably won't Sir", he answered with a relieved grin. "Still, I'll try to be good. Can you assure Fredericks that he's to retain command? I'll just come along as an extra pair of hands. I don't want to interfere with his team."

"I'll tell him Jack – and thanks although I am going to make you take some time off you know?"

"No problem Sir, and thank you!"

So, all Jack had to do was to not let on to his team. He knew them too well. If they thought he was miserable, they'd end up being miserable too and he didn't want that for them. They deserved to be happy. He'd therefore spoken to Fredericks and asked him to keep quiet about it until after Sg1 had left the base.

He managed to wait until Teal'c was ready to step through the gate before seeing his friend. There was just enough time to say goodbye before Teal'c had to leave. Jack kind of thought he'd seen a look on his friend's face that indicated the man – or Jaffa – knew something was up but, oh well, it didn't really matter. Teal'c'd be on Chulak and wouldn't know anything until he returned and certainly wouldn't be able to say anything to the others.

Daniel was the tricky one. He always wanted to know everything and would keep at Jack like a flea on a dog until Jack gave in. There was no way the Colonel wanted to lie to his friend, but he also knew that if Daniel caught wind of what he was planning, he'd never hear the end of it. In fact, Daniel would probably insist on cancelling his own vacation to spend it with Jack.

Well, that was one thing he wasn't going to let happen, he decided. Daniel needed this and he was going to go off thinking Jack was happy and had plans. The only problem was how to make that happen!

In the end, Jack was saved by an emergency. Sg3 came in hot and Jack had to help Hammond debrief the team. By the time he was done, Daniel was ready to leave for the airport.

"You sure you're okay Jack?" he asked as he gathered his things together.

"I'll be just fine Daniel! I've looked after myself for a very long time."

"I know that. I just meant are you all set for the holidays?"

"Yes, I'm all set. I have plans so don't worry. I promise I won't be alone and I won't be bored. Just go and have fun – and say hi to Catherine for me!"

"Okay." Daniel looked around one more time and then moved to the door. "Merry Christmas Jack. Have fun up in Minnesota!"

"Merry Christmas yourself Danny. Have a good one!"

There! He'd made it. All his teammates were gone and wouldn't be back for 2 whole weeks. He was heading out tomorrow on a 4 day mission and then Christmas would be over. He'd arranged to take the New Year's shift on base and give Hammond the night off to spend with his family. That meant he wouldn't have to suffer through that holiday either. He had everything planned out perfectly!

The next morning, early, he headed out with Sg8. The team leader, Major Anthony Fredericks, was a good officer who was respected by his team. Jack had never heard anything bad about the man, but found him to be completely humorless. The only time he'd really had anything to do with him had been during meetings with all the other team leaders. Although Fredericks had never said anything to him one way or the other, Jack always got the impression that the man despised him.

He figured the problem was that the Major was a 'by the book' officer. He'd done well, his whole career, following the rules to the letter! He'd seen some combat but nothing that required him to have to make tough decisions or to question his orders from above. Jack often wondered how he would do in a situation where there wasn't a manual, and where there were no clear cut answers. He prayed, for his team's sake, that he never had to find out.

He went out of his way to make it clear to Fredericks that he was coming along to help – not to take command. The Major had given him a sharp nod, but he could feel the resentment that oozed from the other officer. He sighed to himself, know that he'd be walking on egg shells the whole time they were away. Anything he did would be perceived as trying to take over – something he really didn't want. In fact, he was more than happy to have someone else give the orders for a change. The opportunity to not be the one with the ultimate responsibility was as good a rest as he figured he was going to get.

They arrived on the planet early in the morning. For once, the time on the planet corresponded almost exactly with the time they'd left earth. It always made it easier that way, and less tiring.

"Okay Beaton, you and Smith check the perimeter. You wait here O'Neill" Fredericks commanded as he took off to do his own check. Jack sighed again. Yup, this was going to be fun! He wouldn't be at all surprised if the man had him set up camp and do all the grunt work while they were here.

Once everything had been checked, the Major ordered them all to move out. He sent O'Neill out on point, probably because they were heading in through the jungle and he'd be responsible for clearing the path. He was beginning to think that Fredericks was something of an ass! Still, he'd asked for the mission, so there was no sense complaining.

They'd been travelling for well over three hours and Jack was soaked with sweat and his face and hands were full of scratches from the thick tropical brush. His arm was throbbing from the constant hacking with the machete. It was well past time for Fredericks to have called a break. Jack wondered if this was the usual way the man acted or if this was for his sake. He rather thought it was the latter!

He really wanted to ask to stop, to take a drink before he passed out, but he knew he wouldn't. The Major may have been trying to prove something, but Jack wasn't going to fall into his trap. Nope, he'd be a good little soldier and keep going until he dropped dead from exhaustion and dehydration.

"You gonna keep going forever O'Neill?" He heard some sniggers behind him and stopped and turned. Frederick and his team had stopped and put their packs down and were drinking from their canteens. He assumed he'd just missed the command – maybe he'd been thinking too hard – or maybe this was another one of Fredericks little 'jokes'.

"Nope", he answered shortly, putting his machete away. He reached for his canteen and took a long drink. He would like to have finished it, but they hadn't come to a fresh water source yet and he knew enough than to finish off all his water.

"How much further do you want to go today?", he asked, after a few moments. Fredericks just looked at him, chewing his gum.

"I don't know O'Neill. I'll let you know when I decide."

Okay, it was official. The man was a jerk. O'Neill shrugged and went and sat down, leaning against a tree. He closed his eyes briefly, just wishing that the mission was over already.

"Let's get moving – unless you'd like to continue your nap O'Neill?" Major Fredericks asked sarcastically. Jack slowly opened his eyes and stared at the man until the Major turned away. He then got to his feet, feeling stiff and sore. Oh well, at least he'd gotten his point across. Thank God the man didn't outrank him!

This time it was Captain Smith who got the unlucky job of leading the way. Jack wanted to smirk, although he managed to keep from doing so – just! They were making much worse time with Smith in the lead than when he'd been hacking away at the undergrowth. He wondered what the dear Major was thinking.

They'd been travelling for what felt like days before Fredericks called a halt. It was late in the afternoon and they'd been walking for close to 10 hours. Unfortunately, they hadn't travelled that far since it took so long to move through the jungle.

"Let's get set up", the Major called. They all began to move around the small clearing, setting up tents, a fire pit and their make-shift latrine. Jack was quite surprised that Freddy hadn't given him that job to do.

He did end up fixing supper however, which wasn't too difficult since it consisted of their usual MRE's. Once everyone was eating things grew quiet. He figured he was putting a damper on conversation for, as much as Major Fredericks was still in command, they all knew that he was a Colonel and second in command of the SGC. That had to be intimidating.

"So, this any different than your missions with Sg1?", Fredericks asked after a few minutes of silence. So much for intimidation, thought Jack.

"Different people", he answered shortly. What the hell did the man want him to say?

"You think your people are better?" Crap – the man really was looking for trouble.

"Didn't say that", he answered shortly and calmly.

"No, you don't' need to. Everyone knows you guys think you're better than the rest of us!"

Jack looked at the three men in front of him and couldn't help but feel their resentment. Hell, this was worse than he'd thought. He wondered if this was a common attitude or if it was just this team? He was pretty sure that Fredericks must have been stirring up resentment amongst his team against Sg1, although it could be more pervasive than he knew. It's something he'd have to talk to Hammond about.

"We don't", he answered calmly. "Every team is different and each one has its strengths and weaknesses", he answered diplomatically.

"Yeah, right! I bet you don't think Major Carter has any weaknesses!" Beaton piped up after a few seconds. The others laughed.

That was it, thought Jack. "I suggest you keep your mouths shut about Major Carter", he said in an ominously quiet voice. "She's a better officer than all of you put together and has saved this planet – and your asses – more times than you know. If I hear anything disrespectful about her, or about any other member of the SGC I'll –"

"What O'Neill", Fredericks interrupted. "What'll you do?"

"I'll kick your ass and then I'll suggest you get moved to another assignment", he answered directly.

The Major stared at him, obviously debating whether to continue the argument or to let it go. For a while there he'd forgotten that O'Neill outranked him. Plus, the man was a favorite of the General. He knew he'd be foolish to antagonize him any more than he already had.

"I'm sure the Lieutenant didn't mean anything by it", he leaned back casually. "We're just foolin' around."

"Yeah, well don't – not about any member of my team you don't."

Nobody seemed to want to stay up after this last conversation so all of them except Smith, who was talking first watch, headed off to their tents.

By the time Jack lay back in his sleeping bag he was exhausted – and relieved. It had been a long day in more than one way and he was ready for some sleep.

Of course he'd been given the third watch – always the most difficult one. He really didn't care one way or another. This was turning into a crappy mission, but he'd survived a lot worse. He was debating whether or not he'd do anything about Sg8 though. He hated the thought that a team like this was part of the SGC. Still, he didn't think he'd say anything to Hammond. It smacked too much of 'telling tales'. Anyway, they seemed to do okay on their own. As long as they didn't interfere with other teams he guessed it didn't matter.

The next morning the weather had turned and it was stormy and wet. Jack sighed, not relishing another long hike. Their mission was to check out some ruins about 20 kilometers from the gate but he really wondered if it was going to be worth it. They'd only made about 15 yesterday because of the brush and it would probably take them half a day to make the last five, especially in the torrential downpour that had hit them.

Once his tent was put away and he was finished putting all his supplies away, he swung his pack on his back and waited for the others. He couldn't help but smirk a bit when he thought about his team. Even Daniel, who wasn't a career soldier, was faster at getting going in the morning than these three!

"O'Neill, why don't you scout ahead and see what you can see since you're all ready?" O'Neill turned to the Major in surprise. He would never send any one of his people out alone on a new, unexplored planet, if there wasn't real need. Still, he would much rather be on his own then hanging around with this lot. God, he really missed his team.

"Yeah, okay. I'll radio in every 15 minutes. Let me know when you're ready to move out."

"We'll do that O'Neill", Fredericks said. His words weren't anything O'Neill could take exception to but his manner – Jack would definitely like to have this guy under his command for a while.

For the first while there was really nothing to see, especially through the continuing rain. The scenery was pretty much the same as it had been yesterday. Fortunately the rain slowed, and then stopped after about an hour. Just as he had decided that this mission was pretty much a bust, the trees opened up and he was in a clearing. He stopped, wishing that Daniel was here, because his archaeologist friend would have had a fit - of joy.

In front of Jack was the biggest temple – or palace – or something - he'd ever seen. It appeared to go on forever and was in amazing condition although, from the growth, it appeared as if it hadn't been in use for a long time. Still, it was a fascinating find, even for a man who proclaimed he was disinterested in these kinds of things.

"Oh Danny", he said softly, "I really wish you were here! You'd love this." Jack took a few steps closer, wondering what civilization created such a building. It was beautiful – the stone was light colored and the outside was full of carvings. The carvings themselves were lovely – intricate and finely detailed. He was pretty sure they were engravings of flowers and animals.

That was good, at least. He'd been to some places where the 'art work' showed scenes of destruction, war and torture. This looked like it was done by a more peaceful people – or at least by people who had a love of the beautiful.

He been walking around for a few moments, still in awe at the very magnitude of the building, when he realized it was a couple of minutes past time to radio in. With a sigh, knowing it would spoil his mood, he lifted the radio to his mouth and reported in.

There was no reply. He frowned and tried again. It had been working a moment ago, so why not now? Maybe the temple had something to do with it? He tried a third time but there was still no answer. With another sigh he knew he'd have to backtrack and find the others. He almost wondered if the Major was intentionally ignoring his signal but then dismissed that thought. As much as Fredericks was an ass, he wouldn't ignore proper procedure. He was a 'by the book' officer and would not lower himself to something so petty – and so potentially dangerous.

Jack took one more look around and was about to head back when he heard a noise. He glanced up, just in time to see a flock of birds take off from what looked like a tower window. It was a beautiful sight – he wondered what kind of birds they were. The next thing he knew, the ground underneath him had opened up and he went hurtling down.

The first shock of falling took his breath away but almost immediately he came to his senses and yelled, hoping that Fredericks and his men were close enough to hear him. The shout was cut off when he smashed into the sharp rocks along the side of the shaft. The pain immediately halted any ability to speak or even breathe. The next collision was with the back of his head against another sharp rock. The only good thing about that was it meant he was unconscious before he hit the ground – and therefore missed the bone crunching agony of the 30 foot drop. Hitting the walls had also slowed his descent, and although it caused damage of its own, it was ultimately what kept him from dying instantly as he impacted the hard ground.

As the broken and torn body of the Colonel lay deathly still at the bottom of the long shaft, the trap door above slowly swung closed. If someone had chanced by, at that moment, they would not have known that anyone had been in this place for many, many years. The birds over head settled back down, and the soft breeze continued to sigh around the brilliant white stones of the ancient temple.