Title: All I want for Christmas is You!
Author: HailDorothy
Spoilers: S7, S8
Pairing: Jack/Sam, Sam/Pete – sort of
Summary: AU. There's an old saying, "Never assume anything, coz it makes an ass out of you and me." Well our favorite couple, Jack and Sam are about to learn that hard lesson and the true reason for the Christmas season. Merry Christmas, SJ shippers!
Disclaimer: Stargate SG-1 never was and never will be mine. Darn! But hey, this little story belongs to me.
No beta: Put the blame for typos and other errors of judgment on me.
Feedback: The best present I could receive!

JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ

One honking snow and sleet storm slammed Colorado Springs. Jack hoped Carter's flight had lifted off before the weather shut down the airport. He'd been lucky to make it home without an accident. The roads were slick. Right now, he wished he'd stayed in the mountain. He could have hung with Reynolds and the skeleton crew of airmen and women working Christmas, just like the old days. It'd not be a bad time as some might think. Like Hammond, Jack made a point to deck the halls and that included plenty of Christmas fixings, and sweets while Christmas music played over the intercom.

Of course, he could call Hammond and pick up Cassandra tonight. He felt rejected that she hadn't called. Even when Janet was alive they always spent Christmas as a family. Jack's gaze settled on a photo of Charlie. His heart twisted tight and a tear warmed his cheek. Another reason he didn't want to be alone at Christmas. He'd spent too many Christmas' alone after Charlie died, miserable too boot. SG-1 changed that. But being the 'man' had dissolved those fun times as well. Who after all, wanted to spend Christmas with the 'man?' No one it seemed. At least Hammond had always had his family. Jack assumed he had family—that was until today. Did the promotion change him that much? He didn't think so, but something had definitely altered and not for the better.

Yup, home alone for Christmas, sucked. Daniel avoided Christmas like the plague, not because of religious beliefs, but because he always got melancholy about Sha're. But until now, he usually spent it with Jack. Instead, he went off world with Teal'c to visit Ishta, Ray'tac and his blushing bride, Kar'yn. Jack didn't blame Teal'c. For the first time since Jack had known the proud Jaffa, Teal'c had a reason to celebrate. He had his son back, not to mention a fiery daughter-in-law and a beautiful warrior woman who loved him. Jack was happy for the man.

And Carter . . . well, he wouldn't dwell. Nope, he'd sealed up that emotional baggage and compartmented into the dusty corner of O'Neill mental health vault. The woman he loved had flown to Denver to spend Christmas with Petra and his family. Nope, he wasn't going to dwell. In fact, he hoped she was happy as a clam . . . without him.

Jack's cell phone rang. He glanced at the caller I.D., wavered then answered. "O'Neill here."

"Hi, Jack," answered a soft sensuous voice.

"Hello, Agent Johnson." Jack sat upright in the sofa.

"So, it's back to formalities, huh?"

"Um, well," his skin heated from discomfort. "Look, Kerry, I thought I explained myself last week. You're beautiful, funny, kind and intelligent. I really like you. . ."

"But?" she challenged in her CIA monotone.

"It won't work. I've got issues."

"I think we already established that, Jack," she emphasized his last name.

"And yet you called me?" he tossed back.

"Because I'm attracted to Jack O'Neill the man not the General or his issues."

Jack shut his eyes and blew out his mouth. "And I'm flattered, really. But believe me the issues aren't going away."

"I know," she said firmly. "One of those issues is that there's someone else and I know who she is."

"Wow there! Let me reiterate I'm not involved with anyone, but I'm also not into the dating scene or—"

"Who said anything about dating? We tried twice and like you said, it was awkward for you. And I'm sorry I fell asleep at the opera."

"No, that was my fault. I should have asked before buying the tickets. The opera's not everyone's bag. Besides, I haven't dated since before my marriage and I'm—"

"So let's cut to the chase shall we?"

"Okay." He'd no idea what she wanted and took a drag of beer.

"Do you agree that there's physical attraction between us."

"Yeah, I guess."Coz, you're tall, slender and had a nice pair of twins like Carter. But hey, he wouldn't dwell.

"Jack, you're a single man and I'm a single woman, who wants to find out if you make love as well as you kiss."

He choked! Beer shot out his mouth and nose and he made a death rattle noise.

"Jack! Are you alright?"

"Er. . .huh . . .no . . .yes." He sputtered.

"Yes to my proposition?"

Jack stood and swiped beer from his shirt and sweat pants. "Wha-at?" he bellowed as he grabbed a tissue and cleaned his chin.

"I said. . . ."

"I heard, Kerry, and as much as I appreciate the offer, I must beg off."

"But we agreed that whatever happened between us wouldn't affect the job."

"We did." He cleared his throat and flopped back onto the sofa.

"Good."

Awkward silence hung between them.

"Kerry, I really need to um, go—pee. . ." He shoved to his bare feet and hurried toward the guest bathroom. The beer had gone right through him, must be an age thing.

"I take it that's a no?" she sounded wounded.

"Afraid so." He never assumed they'd get intimate, but then Jack didn't do well when beautiful available women hit on him. He felt confused, out of his comfort zone of one Samantha Carter. Man, she'd totally ruined him for other women. "Look, um, I've got a busy, busy Christmas schedule. So, I'll see you on base after the new year."

"Sure." She paused. "You have a wonderful Christmas, Jack. But if you get lonely, you've got my number."

Did she ever give up? "Okay, bye."

"Wait!" Kerry insisted.

"What?" he tried not to sound curt, but knew he did.

"Can we be honest?"

"Um, thought we were." He entered the guest bathroom then hesitated. Peeing and talking on the phone was rude. Not that he couldn't be rude. But, the only people he ever and talked to while he peed were Teal'c, Daniel and Carter. Jack froze. Oh, crap, he talks to Carter when he's in the head! Only married people did that, right?

"Jack, you there?"

"Yeah." He danced in place, still downloading how for seven plus years he'd had phone conversations with Carter while seated on the throne. He wondered if she'd done the same. Actually, that'd make him feel better. Of course all those times off world, one of them could be in the bushes while the other stood feet away acting and talking as if such types of conversation were natural. But he wasn't going to answer nature's call talking to a woman he'd dated twice and even worse, had to face on the job next week.

"Jack, I sense that no one has confronted you about your feelings for Colonel Carter."

"Careful." He lifted the toilet seat, lowered it and backed out of the bathroom.

"I'm not blind, Jack. I've watched you together. You're as comfortable as an old married couple, but passionate as newlyweds. I see how she looks at you when you're not aware and visa versa. There's one thing I don't understand."

"Just one?"

"Is the Air Force the only thing keeping you two apart? Rules and regulations? Cos if it is, you're making a very huge mistake."

"And you know what I should do."

"Retire."

"Again?"

"Don't get me wrong. You're considered invaluable to the program by the Pentagon, but the president has appointed a civilian to run the SGC before."

"Yeah."

"Just a thought."

"Are you finished?" He expelled air through his mouth as he pondered her advice.

"Now I am. Guess we are too. Have a good life, Jack."

"Yeah, you too, Kerry." He clicked the off button, looked at the phone and shook his head. Most men would think he was nuts, but then they weren't in love with another woman. Still, he deserved happiness right, even if temporal? Temporal, so wasn't to his liking. He must be showing his age, because he'd rather drink beer and watch the Simpsons, then have a casual affair with Kerry Johnson or any other woman for that matter. Well, he did have his Playboy magazine stash. Beggars can't be chooser, Jack.

No, he wanted the whole happily ever after deal or nothing at all. Besides, beer and Homer had become his best buds.

After he answered nature's call and changed his beer stained clothes, Jack sat in the shadows of his undecorated living room. He didn't turn on the T.V. Instead, he sulked. Quite honestly, Jack didn't sulk well. Just ask Daniel or Teal'c. He tended to withdraw, become quiet and short-tempered.

Jack drained the warm beer and opened another, flicking the cap across the room to land on the fireplace hearth by the other two caps. For a moment he watched the fire, the yellow-white flames reminding him of Colonel Carter's golden hair. Suddenly, her million watt smile and brilliant grey-blue eyes flashed before him. He could almost hear her soft laughter, that infectious giggle that made him want her so much it hurt.

It'd been almost three months since she'd shown him the engagement ring. He could still hear the sound of the black jewel box snapping shut under the force of his hand and then Sam asking, "What about you? If things had been different . . .?"

"I wouldn't be here." Yep, that was the long and the short of it. He'd be long gone because they'd have been married and Jack would have retired to become a stay-at-home-dad raising their rug rats. If only, he sighed.

Later, Jack found out from Daniel that it'd taken Sam three weeks to answer Pete's proposal. Jack assumed his silent approval had turned the tide and she'd agreed to marry Pete. Not that he'd seen the ring on her finger, but he assumed she didn't want to loss the diamond off world. Actually, he'd heard zip from anyone let alone Carter about the upcoming wedding. He only knew that it was tentatively planned for spring.

Jack reached over, opened the lamp table drawer and pulled out a black jewelry box. He took a breath then snapped it ajar. A two carat dark emerald stone set atop a band of silver. It'd been five years since he'd obtained the emerald. Well, he assumed it was an emerald. He'd come across the beautiful green stone off world at an open market a few months after his infamous 100 days on Edora. He'd been guilt ridden that he'd slept with Laira. After he realized how hard Sam had worked to bring him home, he concluded what he'd been denying so long, that he was in love with Samantha Carter.

After he purchased the rough cut emerald for a case of candy bars, Jack recruited Teal'c's assistance. The former Jaffa found an off world jewel maker and two missions later, Jack had himself an engagement ring and a set of matching wedding bands.

Of course saving the world got in the way of Jack's futuristic romantic heart and then Sam got a life named Pete Shanahan. It'd been months of suffering on Jack's part, avoiding her whenever possible or feigning a glib smile or professional bravado whenever they talked or sat at the briefing room's conference table.

Back to the crummy Christmas. His first Christmas without Carter in his view or at arm length. He'd always figured she would wait for him, for them. She hadn't. And he didn't blame her one iota. Nope. Carter was engaged. His Samantha, the woman he'd loved forever had said yes to that control freak, Pete Shanahan. Crap!

What'd ya expect old man? That she'd wait forever? That's what you get for telling her to get a life. Yep, that's exactly what you deserve for not retiring. Hell, you knew when she came back from her near death experience on the Prometheus something had drastically changed. First off, she'd called you, Jack. Right then and there you should have dropped your macho CO façade and declared your love. But no, you had to rattle on about buying her a cake for crying out loud! Doh!

He revisited the wall they'd erected between themselves since that stupid Za'tarc detector test three years back. How had they gone from wannabe lovers to cool indifference?

Jack's house phone rang. He was in no mood to talk to anyone. His answering machine kicked in.

"Jack, it's George Hammond."

Jack lifted the receiver. "Sir?"

"Drop the sir, son. We're on downtime."

"Sure, George. Whatsup?"

"Well, I've bad news."

"Oh." His stomach hit the floor. "As in?"

"The girls and their mother have got the flu. And Cassandra is in the bathroom as we speak."

"But she got her influenza shot at the infirmary last month."

"Not that strain of flu, son."

"Crap."

"Yeah, that goes along with this twenty-four hour bug. Nasty strain that hits the lower G.I. track like a runaway locomotive."

"Are you okay, George?"

"For the time being. From what I've seen it comes without warning, so I figure I'm next."

"I'm sorry. Tell Cassandra to take care, drink plenty of fluids and that I love her. Guess, we'll see how she's doing tomorrow morning." Jack felt bummed.

"I will. Got another call coming in, son. Goodnight."

"Yeah, goodnight, George."

Jack looked at the receiver then hung it up. That sucked! He no sooner settled back and taken another swig of beer when his cellphone rang. Probably Cassandra, the poor kid.

"Hey, babe, how ya doing?" He pressed the speaker.

"Sir?" She hesitated.

Whoops! He brought the receiver to his ear. "Carter?"

"Yes, sir. I'm sorry to disturb you, but my flight got canceled. I was driving home and skidded into a ditch a few blocks from you and . . ."

"You okay?" He sat upright with concern. "No broken bones, concussion—?"

"No, I'm fine, just stuck in two feet of ice glazed snow and wishing I'd stayed home."

That got Jack's attention.

"I called General Hammond, but the flu hit the family and . . ."

"Yeah, we just chatted. Chill, Carter. I'm on my way. I'll call from my cell for directions."

"Okay. Thanks and be careful. The roads are black ice. It's horrible out here, sir."

"Will do." Jack hung up, smiling. Maybe this wouldn't be such a bad Christmas after all.

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Carter's new Ford Mustang was buried past its rear bumper just off the freeway with dozens of other vehicles. The drive to her location had been an obstacle course. Cars slipped and slid in all six lanes. Jack felt as if he were in a fire storm of Jaffa. It took an hour to reach her and he was grateful she'd not been injured. Sam shared that her luggage had been checked in and was on the plane. Everything remained tied up in red tape. All she had was her carryon with an extra pair of unmentionables. Jack attempted to drive to her house that was less than ten minutes from his, but they hit three detours and rerouted traffic.

"Guess you're crashing at my place, Carter."

"Guess so." She smiled then gazed out the passenger's window at the angry night.

It took forty-five minutes to drive three flipping miles. Once home, Jack parked the truck in his garage. They'd no sooner clambered out of the ice covered vehicle, when Sam's cell chimed the theme song from Peter Pan. Jack felt relieved it wasn't, "We're off to see the Wizard."

"Hi," she answered too familiar for his liking. Sam smiled and mouthed, "Pete."

"Ah." Jack hedged a smile then opened the garage's house door into the kitchen. Sam followed talking to Pete.

"I told you all flights are cancelled. Don't you watch CNN?"

Jack imagined Pete sounded like one of those annoying adult voices on the Peanuts cartoons, "Blah, blah, blah . . ."

"I slid into a ditch. Yes, I called road service, but all the towing trucks are on emergency calls. And I wasn't about to sit in the car for hours. Thankfully, General O'Neill—"

Sam went silent. Jack switched on the kitchen's light then heard Sam snort. Her voice lowered, but Jack picked up most of her remarks.

"Oh, for crying out loud, will you settle down. I'm perfectly safe here. . . ."

"Blah, blah . . ."

"Pete, I told you I couldn't leave before today. I was off world all week and no, he can't use alien technology to transport me to your parent's house."

"Well, actually. . ." Jack said over his shoulder with a brow waggle.

Sam gently slugged him between the shoulder blades.

Cool. Just like old times. Still, whatever Pete said caused Sam's fair complexion to flare.

"Look, I don't need you carping about something I've no control over. Tell your family I'm truly sorry I missed Christmas and . . . No I'm not going back to the airport and wait on standby when I can do that here. I know I missed the six p.m. flight. You've no idea what it took to convince the airline that I had a reser— Hey, don't you dare suggest I . . ." Sam's voice pitched.

Jack decided to give her privacy. As he entered the dining room, he heard, "You want to believe I did this on purpose, fine! Oh, and Pete, Merry Christmas."

"Sweet!" Jack's right hand pumped the air.

"Sir, did you say something?" Carter called out.

"Nope."

TBC