Teal'c pressed his back against the wall, hiding behind a column as he waited for the appropriate time to act. Across the hall, Colonel Mitchell held up a hand, fisted to request silence. Teal'c returned his attention to listening for any threat to the secrecy of their mission. The timing must be exact, and one wrong move could give away their intent.
A hapless woman, perhaps a scientist, stumbled across their position. Mitchell pulled her out of the middle of the corridor, glancing over his shoulder. "Jackson," he whispered loudly.
Daniel Jackson appeared and escorted the startled woman away before returning to his position. And Teal'c kept watch. Eventually, he began to doubt the validity of their intelligence. Still, Mitchell had not given the signal to abandon his post, and he would remain still until that signal was given.
More time passed. Mitchell obviously became frustrated with waiting and stuck his head out of his own hiding place. He quickly pulled back as their quarry came into view. He gave Teal'c a quick nod. Teal'c dipped his chin once before taking a deep breath and nearly whispering, "Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way."
He recalled the first time he'd ever heard that song. Colonel Mitchell had brought a CD to the SGC for Christmas, and Teal'c had wondered about the attraction of jingle bells. Then, Mitchell took everyone to his family farm in Kansas for a sleigh ride. While Teal'c had traveled much faster and in much better conditions, he took great joy in the icy cold wind on his face and the bells jingling from the horse's harness. From that moment on, he always associated the sound of jingle bells with Christmas celebrations.
Now, however, he gladly used the song to draw the attention of the team's prey. Down the corridor, Colonel Carter stopped and cocked her head to one side, listening. Teal'c smiled and sang, "Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh."
Carter turned around, a frown firmly in place. Teal'c had deliberately lowered his voice just enough to tease her hearing. She began walking back toward them.
Teal'c raised his voice ever so slightly. "Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way." Behind him, Daniel Jackson shushed Vala as she apparently squirmed in her hiding place.
As Carter took another step, he sang, "Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh."
Vala couldn't take it any longer. She jumped out of her hiding place, pigtails flying. "Hey!"
Samantha Carter stared in shock. "Vala?"
Teal'c smiled and stepped out of hiding. "Colonel Carter, it is an honor to visit you on Atlantis."
"Teal'c?" Her smile grew wider.
Mitchell also appeared. "Hey, Sam. Miss us?"
By this time, Carter had begun to blink suspiciously wet eyes. Daniel, seeing her tears, walked over to her and wrapped her in a hug. "How ya been?"
"Good." Carter hugged each member of her previous team in turn. "What are you guys doing here?"
From behind her, O'Neill walked out from his own hiding spot. "Well, we were trying to surprise you, but Vala decided to spoil it."
Vala simply stuck out her tongue at him.
Carter straightened. "Sir. It's great to see you again."
"Carter." O'Neill sounded angry. He stood across from her and smiled in that sudden way of his. "Merry Christmas."
"Thank you, Sir."
"Carter?" O'Neill held out his arms. "Drop the 'Sir.'"
She laughed again and hugged the general, ignoring the stares from various Atlantis personnel. "Yes, Sir."
Teal'c smiled at her words. To Colonel Carter, O'Neill would likely always be "Sir." Teal'c knew she meant more to the general than either of them admitted, but they kept an aggravating professional distance between them. Many times, Teal'c had been tempted to simply lock them in a room together. For now, however, he'd settle for the happy laughter echoing off the walls around him.
Carter turned, seeing that he'd become lost in thought. She smiled at him. "Merry Christmas, Teal'c."
He nodded once with respect. "Indeed."
oOo
Author's Note: "Jingle Bells" was originally published as "One Horse Open Sleigh" in 1857 by James Lord Pierpont. Interestingly, this song was never intended to become a Christmas carol. It was penned around Thanksgiving and was so popular that people sang it again at Christmas. Composed in Medford, MA, the song was inspired by the town's then-popular sleigh races. (Wikipedia) As always, hope you enjoyed this little snapshot! ~lg
