The Holiday Inspection

by sg-1fanintn

Season 4 of Atlantis. Colonel Samantha Carter is the CO of the Atlantis Expedition. This story assumes the intergalactic gate bridge between the Milky Way and Pegasus Galaxies is still intact. Just go with it.

This story contains a little angst and a whole lot of fluff! Written for samjackshipper93 for Shipmas 2008 at Gateworld. Enjoy it! Hope others do too!

Chapter 1: Notification

She was working at her desk when the technician, Chuck, came to her door. "Call from the SGC, Colonel Carter. General Landry would like to speak with you."

Sam followed the young man into the control room. Nearing the console, she looked up to see the unreadable visage of her commanding officer. "Good morning, General. What can I do for you?"

"Colonel, I wanted to let you know that the President and the IOA have requested an immediate inspection of Atlantis. Just routine. However, you should be prepared for the party to arrive later today. They may be with you for several days."

"Always glad to show people around Atlantis, sir," Sam smiled, but inside, she was somewhat concerned. It was December 23rd, and she had hoped her staff could back off protocol a bit for the holiday. With high-level visitors here, they would need to be on their toes instead.

She was shaken from her thoughts by Landry's next statement. "Very good, Colonel. I'll see you later today."

"You, sir? You're coming?"

Landry drew himself up and puffed out his chest in a gesture Sam could tell was for effect only. "This facility is part of my command, Colonel. Am I not welcome?"

Sam found herself caught in an awkward exchange. Smiling uncomfortably, she said, "Of course, you're always welcome, sir. I just didn't expect you to come yourself…especially so close to the holidays."

She could have sworn Landry was trying to stifle a laugh. "I understand, Colonel. But a change of scenery…and a chance to interact with people you don't normally see every day…helps develop a better understanding of the issues pertaining to the command. Wouldn't you agree?"

"Of course, sir. See you later today."

"Landry out."

The screen went snowy. Sam stood there momentarily, musing over her CO's somewhat odd behavior. She stared at the screen until she sensed several pairs of eyes on her. "Chuck, please call all the department heads and have them in my office in 20 minutes." Turning, she returned to her desk.

"Yes, ma'am."

S&J S&J S&J S&J S&J S&J S&J S&J S&J S&J S&J S&J S&J S&J

The meeting was over, and Sam was satisfied that everyone would be ready for the inspection. McKay had gone off about late notice and high-ranking dunderheads with nothing better to do, but she and Sheppard had calmed him down. Sam shook her head as she chuckled softly at McKay's unique personality. But since he loved to show off his work to others, she was certain he would be ready to enlighten their visitors.

Perhaps they could dazzle these folks enough that they would go home on Christmas Eve, and everyone would still get a breather. Sam ran over a mental checklist of everything that needed to be in order before the inspection team arrived. Labs clean and project synopses updated…check. Weapons caches inventoried…check. Technical systems and station infrastructure and appearance…check. Security reports…check. Outreach efforts and relations with native populations…oh yeah…she could talk about that all day.

She sighed and absently spun her chair around as she tried to determine if she had neglected to think of anything else that should be addressed. As she turned, her gaze landed on the photos on her credenza…those with whom she would not be able to spend the holiday. Daniel would have Vala. Teal'c was most likely on Chulack with Ry'ac and Ishta. Cassie was going to Florida with her college roommate. Dad…he was in her heart wherever she went.

Her eyes landed on the photo of her with Jack taken three years ago at the cabin in Minnesota. Of course, she would miss him most of all. Three Christmases as a couple, and this year, she was away from him again. But she would send him a message in the data burst today, and she expected one from him today or tomorrow. They knew they would be spending this Christmas apart, and had agreed to delay their own celebration until she was on leave next month. She was looking forward to that weekend.

As she continued to gaze at the photo, she tried to put herself back in the morning it was taken. She remembered the warmth of the sunshine, the quiet calm of the surroundings. But she felt butterflies in her stomach as she recalled the events of that trip. The night before the guys arrived, she and Jack had finally had "the talk," and had made a commitment to each other. They were still basking in the glow of their decision when the photo was taken the next day.

Looking at the picture, she felt a blush creep up her cheeks. How could anyone really look at that photo and not be able to see what had just happened between the people in it? It was certainly clear to her! The looks on their faces were so totally relaxed, so totally happy…so totally…blissful.

She and Jack had come to the cabin ahead of Daniel and Teal'c, and had a couple of days to themselves before the guys arrived. Their two friends had last minute "emergencies" that had delayed their arrival. However, she had always suspected their "emergencies" were actually well crafted excuses…and that they had pre-arranged the delayed arrival with Jack. She had asked Jack about it on several occasions, but he always smiled and quickly changed the subject…never denying…but never confirming…her suspicions. And that probably meant she was right, she grinned to herself.

Regardless…that weekend had been the start of a new life for her. And she would give anything to be with her husband now. Staring at his beloved face, bright with a well-satisfied grin, she thought how difficult this Christmas was going to be. They had both realized that, though, when they agreed she should accept this command. But the acknowledgement didn't make the empty spot in her heart any less empty.

She became aware of a noise behind her. "Sam….Sam…hell-oooo….SAM!" Whirling around to face the door, she saw McKay standing before her, looking highly impatient. "Well, good…I finally have your attention!" he said in a tone of mild annoyance. "Look at this," he said, placing his ever-present laptop on her desk. "The capacitors in the hydroponics lab are over-heated. That means they could give out at almost any time. And we have company coming."

"Do you have replacements?"

"Yes."

"Well, why don't you install them?"

"We're doing that now…but I thought you would want to know."

She suppressed a grin. "Thank you, Rodney. Good work."

"You're welcome, Sam." He paused. "Don't you think you should stop daydreaming and get ready for the inspectors to arrive?"

"I was mentally going over a list of things that needed to be done before the team arrives, and I had just satisfied myself that everything was in order."

"Ah," he replied, clearly not believing her. "All right, then." Without another word, he turned and left her office.

Shaking her head, she was getting up from her desk when she heard the familiar sound of the gate turning. "Incoming off-world activation!" she heard Chuck announce from the control room. "It's the SGC."

Sam headed out of her office and down the stairs toward the gate. Standing patiently at ease, she watched as the blue-green chevrons locked into place. After that came the familiar 'kawoosh' before the event horizon settled into a calm blue puddle. A moment later, General Landry walked through. And right behind him…was one General Jack O'Neill.

For a moment, Sam was taken aback. This was certainly unexpected! But oh, how good Jack looked! Resisting the urge to run up and throw her arms around him, she tried her best to stifle a smile as she turned instead to General Landry. Seeing the pleased look on his face, she was fairly certain she had just become part of a cleverly constructed plot. Inspection…sure. This was a token inspection, at best. Allowing nothing to show on her face, she saluted. "General Landry, General O'Neill…welcome to Atlantis."

She looked away as she saw a slow grin begin to spread across Jack's face.