My first winter/holiday season fic. I know you are all eager to see more of Mexico, but I'm trying! I just finished the semester, so time is in abundance! Review, and feel free to PM or Email me about any of my fanfictions.

Disclaimer: I don't own Stargate SG-1, and no money was made for this story.

Baby, it's Cold

By Zi Marquise

A stillness as cold as the air and as deep as the snow that covered Colorado Springs halted all of the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Colonel Samantha Carter cursed audibly in the darkness as she tripped over her coffee table. She rubbed her arms, deciding that she should've worn another sweatshirt to bed. She fumbled through her "junk" drawer, looking for the candle lighter. She smiled inwardly as her hand fell on it, and she slammed the drawer shut.

After lighting a candle for the sheer purpose of being able to see, she decided to light her fireplace. She pressed the red button to light the pilot, but much to her dismay, she was the tiny spark of heat didn't come. Shit! She guessed the line must have frozen, or worse, she'd forgotten to turn the propane on. She'd have to dig through a foot and a half of snow just to get to the valve. And that was just providing that the handle hadn't frozen over.

Bang, bang, bang… someone was at Carter's front door. She cursed again, grabbing the throw from the couch and wrapping herself in it. She was careful to avoid falling over anything else. She opened the door quickly to reveal to shivering Jack O'Neill.

"Hey, Carter." O'Neill was in his cold weather gear, "may I come in?"

"Please." Carter ushered him in, hoping to preserve what little heat was left in her home.

"I don't have any power, and I know you have a fireplace, so I figured I'd pay you a visit." O'Neill pulled off his gloves and crammed them in his Carhartt© jacket.

"Well, it's not working. I didn't turn the propane on or the line's froze, so I'm in the same boat." She picked up the candle and disappeared into the kitchen.

"Where do you want me to leave my stuff?"

"Just leave them there on the tile. I'd offer to dry them for you, but you know." She answered.

"I figured you'd want the company." O'Neill eased into the seat. Carter appeared behind him with a couple of blankets.

"I think that you didn't want to be alone." Carter smiled warmly, "I'm honored to have you sitting here on my couch."

He gave her a side-glance, "I still find the cold unsettling." O'Neill said, his voice soft.

"I couldn't possibly understand." Carter took his hand in hers. "I hope to good of good use, helping this unsettling feeling. You did, after all, trudge a mile and a half through six inches of snow and cold wind to sit here with me."

"It wasn't all that bad. At least I'm not…." He breathed. "Anyway."

"You could've walked a half-mile to Daniel's. You wanted me."

"Truth is, while we're doing this honest thing, I find you, Samantha are the best at driving out unsettling feelings." Both knew the implications and ramifications of his honest statement

Carter chewed on her bottom lip, watching him. His face crumpled into a rueful grimace as the memories of being encased in ice flooded into his mind. Even though the Asgard freed his mind, the memories had returned. He was cold. He hated to be cold.

"Jack." Carter's eyes met his, "Just for today. Just for once. I want to unlock this." She wiggled her way to his side, laying her messy, blonde head on his shoulder. "I'm so tired Jack."

"Me too." O'Neill wrapped his arms around her. "Me too."