It wasn't just Teal'c and it wasn't just turkey. Standing by the door Jack was hard pressed to keep the smug smirk off his face as he watched the whole of SG-1 march into Sam's house. Judging by the expression on her face all the begging and, in some cases, threats had been worth it.

Besides, they had brought dinner.

Okay, so it had all come from the commissary at the SGC but it would stand a little reheating. Jack just wanted to give Sam the best Christmas possible.

"What do you want me to do with this?" Vala asked.

Jack jumped backwards and away from the mistletoe that she was holding over his head.

"Give me that," he snapped, taking the mistletoe away from her. Jack wasn't about to let other women start kissing him. Besides, Vala was just a bit scary. Daniel was in for a rough ride. Despite her flirtations with other men, she obviously had her sights set on the archaeologist.

"Daniel said it was traditional to bring gifts," Vala continued, handing something to Sam. From a distance, it looked like some kind of Goa'uld torture device.

"Vala," Sam exclaimed, "these are my hair straighteners!"

"We'll handle this," Jack intervened. "Why don't you go and get changed?"

"Changed?"

"It's on the bed."

He could tell she was confused… something that very rarely happened, but she did as he asked. Jack just hoped she'd be pleased. He gave her a few moments, before following her to the bedroom.

She was standing in the middle of the room, holding the dress close to her.

"How?" she asked.

"My Mom got the stain out and Thor got it dry again," he smiled. "He owed me a favour."

"And your Mom?"

"I had to promise that we'd go visit for New Years."

Sam laughed, no doubt finding it highly amusing that one of the most powerful men in the US Air Force was subject to his mother's orders.

"I'd like that," she said, much to Jack's relief.

Even though he'd warned her that Sam might already have plans, his Mom had been very excited to find out that he had someone special in his life again. As long as she wasn't knitting booties when they walked through the door… She seemed to think it was his manly duty to provide her with a few grandchildren. Not that he objected to the idea, but Jack knew it would be prudent to run the suggestion past Sam first.

"Is that mistletoe you have in your hand or are you just pleased to see me," Sam smiled, pulling him towards her.

"Sam…" he warned, very aware that they had guests.

"Let them wait," she said.