"Hi," answered Jack. "What are you doing here?" he asked.

"I was on my way to the airport, but I couldn't stop thinking about what you said. So here I am." answered Sam.

"Ah yes, well I seem to have that affect on people," said Jack with a smile as he took a sip of his beer. "You want to come in?" he asked as he stepped aside, allowing Sam to enter.

"Thank you," Sam said as she entered the cabin. "So this is the place you kept threatening to bring me to?" she continued as she placed her suitcase down and stepped into the living room walking towards the burning fire place.

"I don't think I threatened you, but yah this is the place," Jack said as he closed the door. "So, you were saying?"

Sam turned to face Jack, "you asked if I was running away and that when I figured it out I would know where to find you. Well you were right. After Janet died, I feared that anyone who got close to me I would lose. But last night when you kissed me, something changed. I was scared but at the same time I felt safe and happy for the first time in a long time."

"So what happened? Why did you shut me out?" asked Jack as he continued to stand by the door.

"I don't want to mess this up" she answered as she gestured her hands between the two of them. "I'm afraid that this, whatever this is, is too good to be true. I'm also afraid of what will happen when we return to reality."

"Then why are you here? To re-tell me what I already figured out. That your career is worth more than a chance at maybe being happy?" Jack yelled as he walked passed her towards the couch, where he sat down.

"No!" Sam yelled back, "It's the total opposite. Half way to the airport it occurred to me that yes my career is important to me, but it doesn't define me. It's been my focus for long that I've ignored what has always been in front of me."

"And what's that?" asked Jack not wanting to look at her.

"You" whispered Sam.

"What?" asked Jack as he turned to see Sam slowly approaching the couch.

"You" she said as she sat down beside him. "It's always been you. Since the first day we met and I challenged you to an arm wrestle, it's been you. But we've both been so focused on our careers and not breaking the regs, and fighting the threat to earth, that we've set ignored 'this'."

"So what now?" asked Jack.

Sam took the beer from Jack's hand and placed it on the coffee table, and then placed her hands in his, "I want this. I want us. My flight being re-routed to Minnesota, the freak snowstorm, us meeting in the pub, the amazing night we had. It was…."

"Fate" answered Jack before Sam could finish. "You know that when we get back to base we'll have to figure something out" he said.

"I know, but right now I don't want to think about it. I just want you to tell me that you want this too. And then hold me in your arms," Sam said as she moved closer to Jack

"Since the moment I first saw you," whispered Jack as he leaned closer into Sam so their lips were inches apart. "There is no going back if we do this you know" Jack continued.

"I don't want to go back, only forward" whispered Sam as she placed her lips on Jacks. Their tongues met, both using swift motion in their mouths.

"Merry Christmas Jack" whispered Sam as she slowly pulled back from Jack.

"Merry Christmas Sam" said Jack as he pulled her into his arms.

With her head resting on his shoulder, and his arms wrapped around her body, the two watched the blazing flames in the fireplace.

With the snow falling outside, it was indeed a Merry Christmas for both.

A/N: Thanks again for all the reviews. It's a short but sweet story. Who knows maybe the New Year will bring more happiness for our favorite couple.

Happy New Year everyone!