It's a Christmas Thing!

By Sam I Am – PG-13 (can't honestly be any more than that)

Warnings: Sam/Jack (that's a warning for anyone who don't like that!)

Category: Sam/Jack Romance, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, friendship and a little bit of SG-1 Humour thrown in for good measure. (If there's anything I missed out someone tell me!)

Spoilers: Anything up to Fragile Balance

Time frame: Season 7 (After Fragile Balance)

Summary: When Sam and Jack met at the Briefing Room before the Abydos mission, neither realised it was not the first time…

Disclaimer: Stargate SG-1 and its characters are the property of Showtime / Viacom, MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions, and Gekko Productions. No copyright infringement is intended. No money is being made. The original characters, situations, and story are the property of the author. Not to be archived without permission. Lyrics from 'Lonely this Christmas' by Mud, 'Nature Boy' + 'The Christmas Song' by Nat King Cole and 'Angels' by Robbie Williams were used without permission (Sorry!) No Copyright intended, they just fit the story... and I LOVE Christmas Songs! If you want to archive my story TELL ME, or, to borrow a phrase from our beloved Colonel, I am SO gonna kick your ass!

Author's Notes: I wrote most of this last Christmas, but I couldn't finish it in time, so here it is at last! I really like this story and I hope you guys do too!

Dedications: To my Best Pal/Editor. I don't think I could ever tell you how great you've been these past four years I've known you! Also to my fellow Cast members in our Youth Theatre production of 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarves'! Love you guys!

Jingle Bells Jingle Bells… It's a Christmas Thing!

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Part Two

Sam woke in the middle of the night realising she really needed a drink of water. She climbed out of the camp bed and shivered slightly. She pulled her black woollen sweater on and then her jeans. As she stood up, she glanced at Janet and Cassie sharing the double bed and she quietly tiptoed out of the room.

She knew that Katie and Nathan were asleep in Jack's bedroom and that the guys had taken up the living room. She crept along the landing and managed to navigate her way down the stairs without making any floorboards creak.

As she passed the living room, she noticed Daniel and General Hammond sleeping on the couches and Teal'c sat on the floor in a deep state of Kel'no'reem.

She then noticed the armchair was empty except for a blanket. Where was Jack?

She tiptoed into the kitchen and grabbed herself a glass and filled it with water as quietly as she could. She leant against the work surface and sipped the water slowly. When she'd finished she placed the empty glass on the side, but something caught her eye. The outside light was on. Sam suddenly had a very good guess as to where Jack was hiding. She went back to the hallway and grabbed her jacket and boots. She pulled them on and quietly opened the back door. She closed it behind her, as she let out a misty sigh. The night's air was freezing and the grass was still no more than a blanket of white. Sam gave a small gasp when she noticed the clouds had passed over leaving the dark sky perfectly clear and starry.

She walked around to the ladder leading to the roof and began to climb not making a single noise. When she reached the top she gave a small smile when she saw Jack sat in a chair staring through a telescope. Jack went to adjust the telescope when he realised she was there and froze. The only thing that moved was his breath that escaped in a white plume like icy smoke as he exhaled slowly.

He turned to face her, as he murmured with worry, "What's the matter? Couldn't you sleep?"

"I was sleeping fine," she said quietly, "I needed a drink of water and I noticed you'd disappeared from the living room."

"Needed some time to think."

With that he went back to looking through his telescope at the sky and Sam realised that he obviously didn't want to talk about it. Like that was going to stop her!

Sam slowly approached and grabbing the spare chair that was on his roof she swept the snow from the seat with her frozen fingers and pulled it up beside him. She sat there for a long time, almost an hour in silence, just watching him and staring at the starry sky in equal intervals before asking, "Needed some time to think about what?"

Jack glanced at her surprised and then gave a small smile, meeting her question with one of his comical answers, "How much I relate to Ebenezer Scrooge!"

Sam laughed softly, "No, really."

His small smile disappeared as he said quietly staring out into the starry night's sky, "Trying to think what I've done right in my life to deserve… what I'm getting at the moment."

Sam looked at him in surprise, "You really don't know?"

He glanced at her momentarily before turning his attention back to the telescope, "All my life I've done some pretty horrible things and so as a result I lost my family. Nothing I could ever do will ever balance out all the disgusting things I've done, so why the hell do I have the best friends in the world? I mean, why isn't everyone in my house at this moment stone dead? That's all I deserve and yet it's not happened."

Sam looked at him shocked as she whispered, "You really believe that, don't you?"

"Yes." Jack said in a frustrated hiss as he pulled a hand through his hair.

Sam spoke softly, "Jack, look at me." He looked up at her and she stared into his eyes. He lowered them back to the snowy rooftop, as she said, "You're a good man and I know that. Why else did the Asguard choose you as their favourite human? Why else did that Retu 'Mother' tell her son to trust you only? Why else are you the hero of hundreds of people on hundreds of different planets? Why else are we the only Stargate team never to have lost a member? Why else did I…" She paused for a second as the words formed in her mind and her mouth hesitated to speak them. He looked up at her, his forehead creased with a slight frown, his dark eyes staring at her in surprise some how knowing but disbelieving what she was about to say. She let out another gentle sigh, cloudy water vapour forming for a second as she murmured, "Why else did I... fall in love with you?"

Jack's eyes widened in surprise as Sam snorted slightly as she whispered, "The moment I met you, stood on that stage in that ridiculous elf costume I knew that I had just met the man I was supposed to be with and it was only today that I realised I'd known that man for years and that somewhere in those years he had become irreplaceable and so important to me, that I'd rather die than lose him. How can the man you think you are, do all these things, Jack? Truth is he can't."

Jack just stared at her and then his eyes dropped to the floor, "You… I'm… I'm really that important to you?"

"Damn right," she said seriously.

Jack stared at her in disbelief and then a small smile came to his lips, "I really don't deserve you, Carter…" Sam went to speak, but Jack held up his hand, "No, I did hear your speech, but I don't know how on Earth someone as… beautiful, kind, intelligent, funny, brave, loyal, trustworthy and loving as you could possible love me…"

"Because you are all those things, Jack."

A smile appeared on the man's lips, "Beautiful?"

"Well, you're not going to win Miss World, but… yes, you are."

Jack sighed, "You've bet on a loser, Carter." Jack counted off on his fingers as he spoke, "Firstly, I'm almost a decade older than you…"

"I don't care," she said sincerely.

"OK," Jack said slightly taken aback by her prompt and sincere reply, "Secondly, I'm miserable and I often come home drunk out of my wits."

"I don't care."

"Thirdly, I'm totally unreliable and stubborn. I can't get through a day without having at least five arguments."

"I don't care."

"Fourthly, I'm an utter heartless bastard some of the time and I yell at people a lot…"

"Not true…"

Jack gave a small smile, "You missed something."

Sam smiled and said from the bottom of her heart, "And I don't care."

"Finally, we can't…"

Sam interrupted, her eyes becoming a soulful shade of sky blue, "Every day there is the chance one of us or maybe both of us are going to die. I've wasted almost every year of my life already. We can die so easily that if I care about certain regulations like I should then it will be too late. We've been through so much already." She sighed, "I've almost lost you more times that I care to remember and if I loose you for good I will never have had a chance at happiness," a sad smile came onto her face, "I'll never have that chance if you died."

Jack was shocked and just blinked. He whispered uncertainly, "Never?"

"Never."

"I… I don't know what to say." He snorted, "I don't know anything anymore."

"Do you love me?" She whispered almost frightened of the reply.

Jack was yet again taken aback, "What?"

She spoke again, her voice weak and trembling, "Do you love me?" Her hands her shaking slightly where they rested on her knees and her jaw was chattering ever so slightly although Jack knew it was nothing to do with the cold.

After a second he spoke with a soft smile, "More than you could know."

She stopped quivering and a wide smile came over her lips as she whispered, "Then you know something."

Jack nodded and they sat in silence again for a few moments, his eyes never leaving her. She was aware of his scrutiny, but continued to stare up at the constellations so beautifully defined in the deep blue heavens.

Jack spoke in a quiet whisper, Sam turning to glance at him, "I know something else as well. I… really want to kiss yo..."

Sam beat him to it, leaning over and placing a soft, short kiss on his lips. She pulled back for a second and whispered, "I'm glad you knew that one. Gave me an excuse."

He stared at her again, this whole conversation being one surprise after another. He leant in again, his warm breath mingling with hers as he kissed her again. Her cold fingers moved to his face, the sensation of her fingertips brushing against his cheekbone causing him to shiver.

Without warning, Jack broke away and jumped up from his chair. Sam went to get up, but Jack motioned for her to stay, "Wait here. I have something for you."

Sam sat watching baffled as he grinned at her and climbed down the ladder.

About five minutes later he returned and Sam was glad to see he'd brought a blanket. He walked over and sat in the chair and passed her the other blanket. She pulled it around her as Jack stared at the floor.

He looked up although his eyes never quite met hers, "You know every year when I get you Christmas presents, well I usually buy them the day I give them to you because I'm always debating whether to give you your real Christmas present up until the last minute."

"What? Jack, I don't understand."

"Since the first Christmas I've known you, I've had a present wrapped up for you, but I never give it to you. I never ask you... Do you love me, Sam?"

"Yes… Jack, where are you going with this?"

He pulled a small circular box out of his pocket and placed it in her icy hands. His fingers remained enclosed over it for a few seconds as he stared at it. He then slowly removed his fingers from it and stood again. He stared into her eyes for a moment before dropping the gaze and murmuring, "I'm going back inside."

He almost ran to the ladder. Sam felt her heart wrench in her chest. She hissed desperately, "Jack! Wait!" But Jack didn't. He just left, not even glancing up at her as he climbed down the ladder.

Sam sat there in the growing light of dawn and glanced at the small present in her hands. It was wrapped in Christmas wrapping paper that was silver with sparkly silver snowflakes on it. Sam gently flipped it over and peeled the sticky tape off the bottom and unfolded the paper revealing a velvety feeling circular box. It was a dark red the colour of her cheeks as the blood rushed to her face. She felt her heart almost stop as she lifted the lid off the box.

Sam gasped as her eyes fell on the contents off the box, "Holy Hannah!"

The diamond twinkled like the fast fading stars in the pale light of the rising sun. The sun was not yet visible, but the sky was becoming bright as its light began to reach Colorado. The gold of the ring glinted slightly and Sam sat there in silence just staring at it for a long time.

Suddenly the white sun appeared on the horizon and sent its pale light over the snow-covered rooftops. The diamond shone brightly and in one swift movement Sam removed the eternity ring from its box and slipped it onto her ring finger. She let out a shuddery sigh of pleasure at what she'd done and then closed the box again and picked up the blanket.

She descended the ladder and switched off the outside light as she crept back into the still, sleeping house. She removed her boots that had fresh snow on their soles and then removed her jacket. As she walked past the living room she glanced inside and found two eyes staring back at her...

"Major Carter, why are you awake at this time in the morning?"

Sam whispered back to the man sat in the middle of the living room floor, "I went and got a drink in the middle of the night and fell asleep in the kitchen."

Teal'c's eyebrow rose, but he didn't comment. Instead he murmured, "Have you seen O'Neill? He seems to have vacated this room at some point during the night. I'm unsure of his whereabouts."

"Ah crap," Sam muttered realising Jack had done a runner. She hurriedly crept to the front door and looked outside. She groaned. The truck was gone and her bike along with it. That was obviously the Colonel's strategy!

"Damn you, Colonel! Anything happens to Mike and I'll kill you," she murmured and when she turned around Teal'c was stood in front of her. She jumped and hissed, "Teal'c! I wish you wouldn't do that!"

"I am sorry, Major Carter, but as O'Neill has absconded with both his vehicle and your motorcycle which you refer to as Mike," the Jaffa held up Daniel's car keys, dangling them before her tantalisingly, "I thought you would hold desire for these."

She bit her lip, "Do you think he'll mind?"

"I will keep him occupied."

Sam grinned and hugged Teal'c before diving to the floor and hurriedly pulled on her boots and jacket again.

Sam spoke in a hushed voice, "If you were Colonel O'Neill where is the last place you'd be?"

Teal'c spoke in a whisper, "I believe a museum, but none will be open at this time in the morning."

Sam nodded, "Good point," and then a small smile came to her lips, "He'd expect us to go to places where he'd never go, so he'll go somewhere where it's easy to find him. Somewhere he loves to go… I think I know where he is!"

Å

The rising sun was now fully visible, but low in the sky as Sam parked up Daniel's car next to Jack's truck. She stepped out and locked it as she walked up to the security guard. He let her through and she stepped into the elevator. She inserted her card into the slot and watched as the dial descended, her eyes falling to the ring on her finger as her thoughts trailed to Jack. This was probably the worst place in the world to discuss their… engagement, but she had a pretty good idea where on the base he'd be.

She walked along the corridor and finally reached the room. She stepped inside cautiously. Only a few airmen were in here and the one she was looking for was sat with his back to her, eating blue Jell-o.

A few people gave her small waves. Major Ferretti sat on the table to Jack's left and gave her a motion that said, 'Don't talk to him. I think he's in a bad mood.' She shook her head and gave him a look back that said, 'Don't worry.'

She slowed down as she approached the Colonel. Without a word she slowly sat down across from him. He continued to stare into his Jell-o as he muttered, "How did you find me?"

"I came to the one place I knew you'd expect people to find you in, seen as you'd expect them to go to the place you were least likely to be in."

"Reverse, reverse psychology." Jack said quietly, as the smile Sam expected to see on his face wasn't there. She realised he'd thought she'd found him to tell him 'no'! Because there were other airmen in the room, Sam wasn't just going to begin talking about it. She needed to be more subtle...

An idea popped into her scheming head. She got up slowly and bought her own bowl of blue Jell-o. She walked back over and clasped the fork in her left hand instead of her right. She made sure he could see the ring on her finger as she ate a mouthful of blue Jell-o.

His eyes were glued to her fingers for a moment before he looked up into her face, a look of disbelief on his face. She nodded slightly and then put another forkful of Jell-o in her mouth trying to stop the grin threatening to cover her mouth. He grinned with a look in his eyes that said he was so relieved that could quite easily make out with her across the table, but considering where they were... He hid the look as he said his voice breaking slightly, "So Carter, what are you wearing to Fraiser's party?"

"I've got this Christmas Elf costume," Jack chuckled knowingly at the mention of Mistletoe's outfit, "You?"

"I'm not sure. I'll talk to you later," he stood up, "But right now I've got to go back home."

"Why?"

"I've just remembered General Hammond's asleep on my couch, Daniel's asleep on my other couch, Teal'c's meditating in the middle of my living room, the Doc and Cassie are asleep in the spare room, Nathan and Katie are asleep in my room and my fiancée has probably woken up and is looking for me."

Ferretti almost spat out a mouthful of coffee, "Fiancée?"

"Is it really that hard to believe?" Jack asked flashing Sam an amused smile.

"No, Jack. It's just… sudden!"

"You're telling me," Jack said with a dazed grin, "I still can't believe she said 'Yes'! We haven't even slept together!"

Sam mouthed, 'Yet!'

Jack looked rather surprised, but hid it as Ferretti laughed, "Sounds like love, Jack. So, who's the lady?"

Jack tapped the side of his nose, then turned and walked away, as Sam pulled her sleeve over her hand hiding her fingers from view.

Ferretti turned to her, "Who do you think it is? I mean you are one of Jack's best friends. Surely…"

"I'm not going to tell you," she said teasingly.

Ferretti whined like a child, "Oh go on, Major."

"No," Sam said with a mischievous grin, "The Colonel obviously doesn't want you to know."

"Spoil sport."

Sam just nodded and stood up. Ferretti gave her a strange look, "Where are you going?"

"I was round the Colonel's last night as well. It was Teal'c who woke me and asked me to come with him and look for the Colonel. I really need to go home and get some sleep. I'm exhausted thanks to the Colonel. Trust him to go missing this early in the morning!"

Ferretti nodded, "Alright. See ya soon, Major. Have a nice Christmas."

"Yeah. You too."

Å

Jack sat in the lay-by and saw Daniel's car coming down the road towards him. It pulled into the lay-by, parking up behind him.

Jack opened the truck door and stepped out his feet crunching on the snow. He watched as Sam almost jumped out of Daniel's car and ran towards him. Jack swung her around hugging her tightly as she gave a delighted squeal. After a few seconds, she pulled back grinning, "I say 'Yes' although it'll be a long time until we can marry. I say 'Yes'." She stood in silence, Jack still holding her as she waited for him to say something. He didn't make a sound and just stared at her. Sam spoke uncertainly, "Jack, say something."

"There's nothing to say," Jack whispered pulling her into another ardent kiss.

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They drove back to Jack's house and parked up the cars quickly. Sam jumped out of Daniel's car and ran to the front door. Teal'c let her in and informed her with a whisper, "Daniel Jackson has not yet awoken." Jack followed her inside the silent house. Teal'c inclined his head, "O'Neill, I wish to enquire about your disappearance."

"It was another one of those complex Tau'ri things, Teal'c. Don't worry about it. I freaked out slightly."

"What is 'Freak out'?"

Jack shook his head, "Never mind."

Teal'c inclined his head as Sam removed her coat and boots and whispered, "I'll go back up to bed. Janet wakes up really early and she might be worrying slightly."

Jack just nodded as Teal'c wandered back into the living room. When Teal'c was out of sight he placed a kiss on her lips and whispered in her ear, "Sweet dreams."

"I don't think I could have any others." She whispered back as she walked back up the stairs, not making a single one creak. She crept into the spare room where she saw Janet awake and lying in the bed eyes open staring at the ceiling. Cassie was still sleeping peacefully.

She fixed Sam with a penetrating stare, "Where have you been?"

"I got a drink in the middle of the night and fell asleep in the kitchen. I woke up an hour or so ago. I walked passed the living room and Teal'c was awake. He asked me if I'd seen the Colonel and that he was missing. He wasn't on his roof and so Teal'c gave me Daniel's car keys and I went out looking for him. Found him in the commissary."

Janet nodded, though she didn't look entirely believing of Sam's explanation.

Sam whispered again, "Don't tell Daniel I took his car."

Janet smiled slightly, "My lips are sealed."

Sam yawned and pulled her jumper off and crawled back beneath the blankets of the camp bed. She snuggled and fell asleep almost immediately.

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Sam woke slowly as she felt lips brush her cheek. Her eyes opened and a smile pulled at her cheeks as she saw Jack O'Neill propped up on his elbow lying on the floor next to the camp bed. She smiled and looked around. The double bed Janet and Cassie had been in had clean sheets and the sun was high in the sky outside the window.

She looked at him confused as she held back a yawn, "What time is it?"

Jack stood up as he said, "1 o'clock. Katie told me to come wake you up. We're going to get a bite to eat and she wondered if you wanted to come."

Sam climbed out from the warm blankets and shivered slightly. Jack handed her her sweater as she said, "That's nice of her."

There was a frustrated call from downstairs, "Jack! Can you hold Nathan by his ankles? He won't sit down!"

Jack gave a small laugh and then said, "My expertise is needed. See you downstairs." He left with a smile firmly on his lips.

Sam shook her head fondly and made the camp bed up as best she could before making her way down stairs after her fiancé.

Katie was stood near the bottom of the stairs pulling her coat on, "Well, Good Afternoon Samantha!"

Sam gave a small smile, "Good Afternoon."

"Uh… Janet said you had a migraine," the woman looked at her worriedly, "Do you feel better now?"

"Much. Thanks," Sam said with a small smile.

Katie's smile came back as she said, "Well, we were going out for lunch and I thought you might like to come if your migraine had gone by the time we were going."

Sam nodded, "Well, I don't feel too hungry at the moment, but I'll join you anyway. It's either that or sit at home and do paperwork which is probably a bad idea."

"OK, then. Get on your coat and shoes." Katie gave a small laugh, "Jack's chasing Nathan around the garden trying to get his hands on him! He has shoes on, but no coat! I think Nathan's winning!"

Sam smiled, "I dunno. The Colonel's pretty fast. I think it's 50/50."

She sat on the bottom step of the stairs and pulled on her boots and leather jacket as an explosion of laughter came from the kitchen, the back door slamming open. Jack had the small boy in his arms, tickling him mercilessly, the child giggling shrilly as Jack laughed too.

Sam felt a small smile come to her lips as she saw how happy Jack was. He held the boy upside-down for a few seconds and then lowered him to the carpeted floor, swiftly and skilfully pulling Nathan's coat on as the boy writhed and laughed on the floor.

Jack then let the 7-year-old get up off the floor, Katie opening the front door and Nathan speeding right out, jumping up and down outside Katie's car like an excited puppy by a door who is desperate for a walk.

Katie laughed fondly and then turned to her older brother, "Sam said you'd win!"

Jack chuckled, panting slightly, "I almost didn't!"

Katie followed her son outside as Jack grabbed his own leather jacket, pulling it on as they all left the house.

Å

The meal had been lovely, sat in a cushioned booth in the cosy bar. Bright and cheerful Christmas songs had been playing quietly and there'd been a crackling fire in a rustic fireplace. The locals were in talking amongst themselves in a burble that made the place welcoming and friendly. They'd eaten steaks, laughed and talked and Sam had felt, sat next to the man she loved, that she was really his fiancée, not just his 2IC. She smiled to herself. She actually felt like part of his family, like she'd always been there.

Katie took Nathan to the toilets before they all left as Jack said quietly, "We'll meet you by the truck." Katie smiled, propelling her son forward, a firm but gentle hand pressed against the top of his back. Jack took the opportunity, "Come with me a sec."

Sam looked at him with a suspicious frown, her blue eyes narrowing slightly, "What are you up to, Jack O'Neill?"

He just grinned and took her hand, grabbing his coat. Sam grabbed her coat pulling it on as Jack began to pull her towards the exit, stopping a few feet from the door. Sam looked at him confused before he grasped her face in his hands and pulled her into a kiss. She heard the slightly drunken men around the bar let out a cheer as he kissed her lovingly.

After a moment, he pulled away, grinning smugly. She gave him a look of shock before he pointed above him to the sprig of mistletoe hanging from one of the timber beams. She shook her head rolling her eyes, "Honestly!"

He laughed and then took her hand leading her out of the door. Fresh snow had fallen whilst they'd been inside and it lay beautifully white and glistening slightly in the soft light from the doorway. It was chilly and Sam shivered slightly as they walked to his truck hand in hand. Sam savoured the warmth of his fingers as they both leant against the side of his truck.

After a second, Jack spoke quietly, "I've always wanted to do that..."

"Do what?"

Jack looked at her smiling ever so slightly, "Kiss you under mistletoe." He let out a small snort, "Every Christmas party we were ever both at I've considered just grabbing you and kissing you under mistletoe..."

The sound of the bar door opening, made them both release their grip on the others' hand as Nathan and Katie came trudging towards them, leaving footprints.

Nathan ran to them and jumped up into Jack's arms, hugging him tightly as the man held the boy as well. The child spoke, "Bye Uncle Jack!"

"See ya Nathan. Have a great Christmas."

The little boy nodded as Jack placed him back on the floor. Katie bent down to her son's level as she said, "Go get in the car, Sweetie."

The little boy nodded and waved at them as he ran to the black car parked.

Jack chuckled fondly and Sam knew how much he loved his nephew. Katie stood there for a moment before throwing her arms around Jack. She spoke gently, "You take care of yourself, OK? I don't want the phone call…" She pulled back and Sam could see that the woman's eyes were tearing slightly. She sniffed and wiped her eyes as she muttered, "Damn wind."

Jack smiled sadly and then said, "Don't worry. Nothing's going to happen to me," he turned to Sam, "Hey with Carter guarding my six I'll be fine."

The woman let out a small chuckle. Katie smiled as she turned to speak to Sam, "Bye Sam. It was nice meeting you."

"You too," Sam said as she smiled back at the woman.

The woman gave Jack a quick peck on the cheek and said, "See you soon?"

Jack smiled, "I promise. I'll give you a call."

She gave a small laugh, "Now that phone call I want." She smiled and began to walk to her car. As she climbed in she waved and said, "Bye Jack."

The little boy sat in the back seat yelled, "Bye Uncle Jack!" as Katie beeped the horn and the car drove out of the car park.

When the car was out of sight Jack spoke first, "Wanna lift home?"

"Sure. That'd be great."

They walked over to Jack's truck and both climbed in.

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They been driving for a while before Jack spoke, "I told Fraiser I wasn't going to her party."

Sam stared at him surprised as she exclaimed, "You what?"

"I said I was going to spend Christmas with Greg, Katie and Nathan."

"Why?" Sam asked absolutely flabbergasted by what he'd said.

"Because I don't want to go on my own."

Sam frowned confused, "You won't be alone. You'll be with…" Her voice trailed away. She sighed, "Oh."

"I don't think I could stick going to that party if all I was going to see is a load of gorgeous, single doctors trying to chat up my secret fiancée who no one can know about. I'd go nuts!"

Sam shook her head and held out her hand. She flashed him the ring with a smile, "No one will come within ten feet of me with one of these on my finger."

Jack gave a small smile, "Yeah."

He pulled up outside Sam's bungalow. He looked over at her. She was wearing that pensive frown she wore when she was thinking hard. He watched her for a minute before a devious smile came onto her lips and she looked at him, the mischievous look intensifying.

Jack spoke anxiously, "What? Oh no! I don't like that scheming glint in your eye!"

Sam gave a small smile, "Don't worry, Cinderella. You shall go to the ball."

Å

Jack pulled up outside Sam's bungalow at 6:30. He jumped out of the truck feeling like an absolute idiot. He rang her doorbell.

He heard a call from inside, "Come on in. Door's open."

Jack stepped into the kitchen to see Sam stood with her back faced to him. She was dressed in her elf costume and Jack couldn't help but think how ridiculously sexy she looked in it. Jack stepped over to her and kissed her neck gently.

She spoke without turning to face him, "Hey Jack. I was wondering when you'd show up."

Jack murmured, "You know I could have been anyone walking through your door."

Sam turned to face him, "If you were a burglar or a pervert you wouldn't have rung the doorbell." Jack gave a small chuckle. She took a step back and looked him up and down, "There are going to be so many Santas there. How am I going to know which one's you?"

Jack spoke in a flirting murmur, "Because I'll be the one smudging your lipstick!"

She giggled and then said, "You better not!"

Jack grinned, "Anyway… Mistletoe, aren't you forgetting those ears?"

She glared at him, but picked them up off the side and placed them over her own ears, as she said, "And you, Santa, need to put on your beard." Jack pulled the beard from his pocket and attached it to his face.

"That's a good disguise," Sam smiled and held out a small case, "No one will recognise you with baby blue eyes."

Jack groaned, "I can't believe I'm doing this."

"Hold still. You need to put these in," Sam said as she placed the box with contact lenses in, in Jack's hands.

He wandered off to her bathroom and came back with blue eyes, giving her the 'I am so gonna get you back for this' look. Sam pulled him closer so she could see his eyes properly. They were a very good colour. They didn't look fake and that was good.

She smiled, "You want to come and defend your fiancée from all of Janet's gorgeous, single doctor friends, don't you?"

"You bet," Jack spoke with a grin before adding, "Are you serious about not being able to talk?"

"Yes," Sam said seriously, "Remember you're my fiancé, Warren Reed from Chicago and you can't talk, only sign. You work in a school for children with disabilities. Deaf, dumb and blind children."

"Yeah, yeah," Jack sighed.

Sam spoke anxiously, "You do remember most of your sign language lessons from the Academy don't you?"

"Yes! I'm the best at sign! I have loads of awards for it!" Jack said slightly exasperated, "Can we go now?"

She smiled, "Yes. We'll both drive to your house. You hide your truck in your garage and then we'll go to Janet's."

Jack sighed, "Good plan."

"Ah ah! You can't speak!"

Jack glared and then signed 'Good plan.'

Sam smiled, "That's better."

'I hope this works.'

Sam spoke in answer, "You're worrying too much."

Å

Janet's street was filled with cars and Sam and Jack finally found a space. They hopped out of Sam's car and walked to the party.

"Warren, stop fidgeting. It'll be OK."

Jack immediately stopped twiddling his beard between his fingers and signed, 'How can you be so sure?'

Sam grinned, "Because it was me who thought of this plan instead of you."

Jack signed back, 'And Daniel told me I was patronizing!'

Sam laughed as they walked up Janet's drive. The chatter of many people and the sound of Christmassy music could be heard from outside and through the brightly lit window Sam could see lots of people in Christmas fancy dress in the middle of Janet's living room.

Sam knocked on the door and then said, "Put your arm around me or something."

Jack let out a small sigh and looped his arm around her slender waist. He then muttered in her ear, "The things I do for you."

Sam let a laugh as the door opened and the hostess appeared in the brightly lit doorway. Janet stood before them in a flowing white dress. On her head she had a hair band that had a golden tinsel halo attached to the top.

She grinned brightly, "Oh Sam! You look great!" Janet hugged her and then stared at the man by her best friend's shoulder, "And who's this?"

Sam spoke hinting to the woman, "This is my fiancé, Warren."

Janet spoke, trying not to look shocked, "Oh yes, I remember. Hello, I'm Janet. I'm pleased to meet you."

'Pleased to meet you too.' Jack signed in reply. Janet looked confused, but had obviously understood what he'd said.

Sam turned to him, as he signed, 'She does know sign language, right?'

Sam nodded, "Yes." Sam turned to Janet, "Can we come in? It's freezing!"

"Oh yes," Janet said stepping aside for her new guests to enter. She watched the couple step into the Santa filled room. Almost all the men were dressed as Santa. The women were all elves, angels and Mrs. Claus's. There were a few Ice queens amongst the women and a few reindeer and snowmen in the men.

Janet watched as Sam signed to her fiancé she was just going to talk to Janet and she'd be back in a minute. The man signed back, 'What am I going to do while you're gone? I can't just stand here!'

Sam gave a small chuckle and signed, 'You can talk to my friend, Daniel.' She pointed to the Santa with a slightly too large costume and a beard that kept falling down.

'Does he speak sign?'

Sam spoke sarcastically, "No!" She laughed gently, "Of course he does! I told you! He's a linguist!"

'Just checking. Don't want to embarrass myself in front of total strangers!'

The man walked over to Daniel as Sam came over to join Janet, "Hey."

"Hey," Janet replied slightly surprised.

Sam spoke a fake uncaring in her voice, "Is the Colonel here?"

Janet felt slightly angry that her friend was denying that she was desperately eager to discover if the Colonel had arrived. Probably so she could show off that accessory!

"No," Janet said, "He couldn't make it tonight."

Sam spoke slightly more worried, "Why not?"

"He's gone to stay with his sister's family over Christmas," Janet cleared her throat before she said, "Warren? Fiancé?"

Sam spoke slightly embarrassed, "I didn't mention it?"

"No!" Janet said with a laugh, "How long?"

"Well, I've known him years, but we only got engaged a few months ago."

"Sam, that's wonderful," Janet said with a smile, but it was false. She hugged her friend again and then pulled back and cleared her throat, "Uh… Sam… Why does he speak in sign?"

"He was born dumb. He can't speak at all."

Janet nodded and then looking over Sam's shoulder she saw something worrying. Sam looked at her confused as Janet pointed and said, "Look."

Sam looked up to see Jack signing to a rather mystified looking Daniel. Daniel signed back, signing every letter instead of words, 'I'm… knot very go-… goood at sigh lanuage'.

Sam groaned, "Oh dear lord. I better go help him. Daniel said he knew sign language!" She turned to look at Janet, "Talk to you later."

She walked over to Daniel and Teal'c grabbing a glass of white wine as she passed the table with the drinks on. She walked over as Daniel waved to her. She planted a kiss on Jack's cheek and then took a sip from the glass, "Hiya, Hon. Sure you don't want a drink?"

He looked at her slightly relieved as he shook his head and signed, 'I'll drive.'

She turned to Daniel and Teal'c as she said, "I see you met Daniel and Teal'c."

Jack signed with a frown, 'You said he could speak sign!'

Sam looked at him apologising as she signed back, 'I thought he could. Sorry!' She turned back to Daniel and Teal'c as she said, "Daniel and Teal'c, I'd like you to meet my fiancé, Warren."

Daniel nodded in shock, "Oh."

Sam spoke sadly as Jack placed an arm around her shoulders, "Warren can't speak, but he can hear, Daniel. You don't have to reply in sign."

Teal'c spoke, "Major Carter, if you are having trouble finding guests who are capable of speaking sign language, I am fluent in the tongue."

Daniel turned to him, shocked and annoyed, "What?"

"I learned how to speak the idiom when I first came to your planet and was not allowed to exit the base."

"Why didn't you say so?" Daniel said slightly angry. He turned back to Jack, "I'm sorry about earlier, Warren. I'm a little rusty on sign language."

Jack signed back, 'That's alright. I'm glad you tried.'

Daniel looked kind of confused and Sam murmured, "He said 'That's alright. I'm glad you tried.'"

Daniel smiled, "Oh. Well, it's nice to meet you, Warren."

Janet joined them and said with a smile, "I see you've met Warren, Sam's fiancé. Daniel, can you give me a hand in the kitchen for a moment?"

"Sure," Daniel said trying to hide his eagerness to leave the conversation. He smiled, "Talk to you guys later."

Sam spoke to Teal'c, "Me and Warren are going to leave you too. If I remember correctly he owes me a few dances."

Teal'c inclined his head and said, "I shall go in search of another individual to converse with."

Sam grabbed Jack's hand and led him to the 'dance floor' where everyone was dancing. They'd barely stepped into the mass of dancing people when Jack took her into his arms.

Sam spoke, "This is hard for you, isn't it?"

She kept her arms around him as he moved his hands so she could see him sign, 'Ya think?'

She gave a small laugh and kissed him tenderly as she whispered, "At least this way I can do this."

Å

"Who is that guy, anyway?"

Janet looked at her friend dressed as Santa, as they stared out at the couple kissing tenderly on the dance floor.

"She just said he was her fiancé, Warren and that he was born dumb. Apparently she's known him for years and they've been engaged a few months."

Daniel looked confused as he murmured, "He looks familiar. I know I haven't met him before."

Janet nodded with a slight frown, "He is pretty familiar. Maybe he and Sam are really similar in personality. If she's known him years he's probably something to do with the Pentagon, but I don't think they'd let him work there. I'll ask Sam where he works."

Daniel nodded and then murmured, "You notice the ring?"

Janet nodded, "It definitely wasn't there yesterday at the Colonel's. That was my original theory."

Daniel frowned confused, "I'm sorry, what was your original theory?"

"That she'd brought this guy to spite the Colonel," she gave Daniel a meaningful look; "You know how crazy he is about her!"

Daniel nodded, "But if she wasn't wearing the ring at the Colonel's or any time he's present…"

"She's trying to spare his feelings," Janet sighed sadly, "And I was so sure she loved him. She practically told me so!" She stared at the couple again, Sam kissing the man ardently, "They look like they're in love. I mean, really in love."

Daniel sighed as well, "She can't be expected to wait around for the end of the war with Goa'uld. I think we all know we'll have to wait a while. She loves him, but she hasn't had a proper relationship for so long…"

Janet nodded sadly. A grin then came to her lips as she said, "Wanna dance?"

Daniel grinned, "Sure, Tinkerbell!"

She glared at him, "Very funny, Dr. Jackson! Maybe you won't be so eager to make witty remarks if I stick some huge, painful…" She glanced at the kitchen work surface and picked up a box, "… cocktail sticks in your arm!"

Daniel held his hands up defensively, "You win! Just don't use the cocktail sticks!"

Janet laughed as her and the archaeologist wandered over to the dance floor.

Å

"Hey, you want another drink?"

Jack shook his head slightly as he took her hand in his and pulled her over to the side, pushing through the crush of guests dancing to 'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree'. He whispered in her ear discretely, "I'm driving remember."

Sam couldn't help grinning at that. For one evening, they were really a couple and it thrilled her heart to bits. She kissed him, his hands resting on her hips for a second before she pulled away and walked towards the kitchen to get herself something to drink; Jack sitting down on the chairs at the edge of the 'dance-floor'.

As she entered the kitchen, she took a breath. There were 3 of Janet's young doctor friends in here and compared to the 40 or so people crushed into her living room it was much more spacious in her best friend's kitchen. She smiled slightly at the young men stood around in there as she looked around for the white wine and a glass.

"Here you go..."

Sam turned to the young doctor who held out a glass of white wine to her, the bottle in his other hand. He smiled at her pleasantly and she spoke over the blaring Christmas music, "Thanks."

"No problem," the guy said, smiling a white smile, "You wanna dance?"

She shook her head and jerked a thumb at the crowd in the living room, "My fiancé's in the other room."

The young doctor looked disappointed and moved back to his mates muttering something to them as Sam walked back into the living room, feeling rather guilty at refusing the kid a dance... the kid? He can't have been 5 years younger than her!

She shook her head. Except for her mention of a fiancé that conversation could've easily happened at a Junior High dance! She pushed through the crowd back towards Jack and sat down beside him, taking a few sips of her wine, having a rest from all the dancing.

They sat there for a while before Robbie Williams's voice began to flow from the speakers and everyone took their dancing partner and began to slowly rotate on the floor. Sam looked at Jack and he stood taking her hand and pulling her closer to him as they began to sway slowly in a small circle.

I sit and wait,
Does an angel contemplate my fate?
And do they know the places where we go when we're grey and old?
'Cos I have been told that salvation lets their wings unfold.
So when I'm lying in my bed,
Thoughts running through my head,
And I feel the love is dead,
I'm loving angels instead.

Jack thought over how true this statement was to him. Sam pressed her body closer to his giving him an honest smile warming him to no end. She was an angel. She kissed him gently and wrapped her arms around his neck. Jack smiled himself. She was his angel.

And through it all she offers me protection,
A lot of love and affection,
Whether I'm right or wrong.
And down the waterfall,
Wherever it may take me,
I know that life won't break me,
When I come to call.

She won't forsake me,
I'm loving angels instead.

Sam was shivering slightly and he looked at her…

When I'm feeling weak,
And my pain walks down a one way street,
I look above.

Her face suddenly looked pale and her smile was completely gone as she whispered, "Jack… I think…" She stumbled bumping into a couple dancing beside them both complaining. Jack gripped her arms tightly as she looked at him again before collapsing to the living room floor.

Jack immediately dropped down beside her and rolled her into the recovery position as a few people gasped and a woman gave a short scream of shock.

"Sam? Oh Christ! Move out of the way! Give her some room to breathe!"

Daniel came pushing through the crowd ordering people to move into the kitchen and dining room as Janet dropped down beside the woman out cold on the floor telling Teal'c to get her bag from upstairs.

In the corner, the CD player continued to play the song softly…

And down the waterfall,
Wherever it may take me,
I know that life won't break me,
When I come to call.

She won't forsake me,
I'm loving angels instead…

Å

Jack drove down the road. Sam was stretched out on the back seat obviously out cold. He was gonna kill whichever one of those doctor guys in there had slipped whatever the hell it was into her drink.

They'd been at the Doc's for a couple of hours. Janet had looked her over and said she was pretty sick, but she'd sleep it off although if she did get worse he must take her to the hospital. Janet had found Sam's drink and she hadn't drunk that much so she ought to be alright. Jack glanced in the back seat again. He saw a pair of confused blue eyes staring back at him. He spoke concerned, "You OK?"

She shook her head, "I feel kinda sick."

Jack just nodded and said, "We'll be home in a second."

"Home?" she whispered and Jack noticed a small smile on her face, before it was replaced with a grimace and the woman closed her eyes again.

Jack pulled down Sam's street and parked up outside her house. He would've taken her to his, but if Janet dropped by and Sam wasn't here she'd get rather suspicious. He jumped out of the driver's seat and jogged to the front door, opening it before he walked back to her car.

He opened her door slowly to find Sam was sat up. Her complexion had changed from sickly green to ghostly pale and Jack murmured, "We're here. Do you think you can walk?"

She looked at him as she whispered hoarsely, "I'll race you."

He smiled slightly as he looped an arm around her and gently helped her from the car. She swayed on her feet and clung onto him as she almost fell. They slowly inched a few steps forward before her legs wobbled beneath her again. Without a second thought, Jack bent and hooked her legs over his other arm. Sam didn't even complain about him carrying her into her house, which proved she felt unwell as he walked up the path to her front door. Jack tapped the closing door with his foot and stepped inside, carrying her straight through her house to her bedroom.

He gently laid her down and removed the green boots from her feet. He smiled slightly as he noticed the Santa Clause socks on her feet which Teal'c had bought for her a few Christmases ago.

She spoke dazedly as he pulled the patchwork quilt over her, "What happened?"

He spoke gently as he stroked her hair out of her face, "One of the Doctors must've put something in your drink. Janet says if she catches the culprit… well, they won't know what hit them. All I can say is it's something very unpleasant to do with cocktail sticks!"

Sam didn't reply and just kept her eyes closed for a few seconds.

Jack spoke worriedly, "You want me to phone the Doc?"

Sam gave him a wistful look, "You can't talk, remember."

He gave her a small smile, "I could speak in Morse Code."

She smiled slightly, "I'll be fine. Just give me a minute."

He nodded gently and murmured, "Do you need anything?"

"Can I have a glass of water, please? And, now I think about it, a bowl might be handy."

He nodded, "Sure. I'll be back in a sec."

Jack left the room and walked hurriedly to the kitchen. He'd spent many poker nights at Carter's house and subsequently knew where to find prescribed bowl and glass. He pulled a cooking basin from one of the cupboards and then filled a cup with water, before making his way back to Sam's room.

He placed the basin beside her bed and the glass of water on her bedside table. She stared at him as she whispered, "Thanks." She gave a small snort, "Bet this wasn't the way you wanted to see my bedroom!"

He laughed and grinned, "If I remember it was you who first suggested such things… in the Commissary of all places!"

She smiled slightly and then murmured, "Jack?"

"Yeah."

"Can you take these stupid ears off for me? They hurt like hell!"

He chuckled softly and removed the ears gently placing them on her bedside table. He perched on the edge of her bed as he murmured, "Anything else?"

"No thanks. I'm OK. Can you leave while I get into something else?"

Jack looked reluctant, "You sure you can stand OK? If you need a hand..."

Sam smiled fondly, "I'll be OK. Just give me a few minutes. I'll call you if I need help."

Jack nodded slightly and stepped out the room watching long enough to see her slide her legs from beneath the blanket and stare at the floor queasily for a few seconds before balancing precariously on her feet and grabbing the large shirt she was obviously going to use as a night shirt from the back of the comfy armchair sat in the room.

Jack looked away and leant against the wall. He glanced down at the padded, red velvet of his costume. He should get changed at some point too, but all his stuff was at his house.

Sam's voice was faint and quiet as she called his name, "Jack?"

He nearly bounded into the room. Sam was now clad in the black shirt that had a multicoloured whale on the front and said 'Save the Whales'. It was showing off a lot of leg and thigh, but unlike he usually would've done, Jack didn't even notice. Sam was seriously pale and trembling, clasping onto the back of the armchair for dear life.

He ran to her side just before she collapsed, catching her as her arms snagged his shoulders. He held her close trying to help her stand, but her legs were just too weak. He lifted her into his arms as she was completely out of it, probably about to faint. He placed her on the bed, lying on her side, so if she happened to throw up she wouldn't choke, and pulled the patchwork quilt back over her. Her eyes stared into his for a second before she passed out completely.

He sat in the armchair watching her for a few minutes. He guessed she'd be alright for now. She was out cold and by his reckoning she wouldn't wake for at least an hour. That gave him enough time to rush back to his place and get his stuff.

He stood up slowly and tip-toed quietly out of the room before running out to Sam's car and speeding to his house to pick up his stuff.

Å

As Jacob arrived outside his daughter's bungalow, he felt a wave of unease come over him. His father's intuition was telling him something. He'd visited Mark and his family for Christmas Eve and said he was going to visit Sam for Christmas. He glanced at the watch on his wrist that he'd been leant by George.

It was 2 am and there were lights on. Sam knew he was coming and that he would arrive at an obscene hour in the morning, but he had a key and she said she'd be in bed so he should just let himself in and go sleep in the spare room.

Jacob frowned still worried and stepped out of the car, closing the door without a sound and locking it before hurrying to the front door in silence. His many missions, both with the Tok'ra and not, had taught him stealth and now Jacob Carter was putting his skills to practise.

He slipped the key in the lock without a sound and opened the door with nothing but a slight creak. He stepped inside and closed it behind him as he heard voices coming from Sam's room. A male voice was talking.

Jacob felt blood rushing to his face. He should've stayed the night at Mark's! It was then he heard a gagging sound of someone throwing up quite violently. The male voice continued to whisper soothingly and Jacob felt curiosity get the better of him.

He moved silently through Sam's house towards her bedroom. Once there he peered through the crack in the door and it took all of his and Selmac's will to stop him from gasping.

Colonel O'Neill was perched on the edge of the bed, a bowl on his lap, as he gently stroked Sam's back. Her face was terribly pale and the retching sounds were enough to tell him she was very sick. Tears fell from her eyes as she finished retching. Jack placed the bowl and its vile contents away from her line of vision and gently lowered her back to the pillow.

He went to stand but she grabbed his arm, a look of fear in her watery eyes. He spoke softly, "Don't worry. I'm not going any place. I was going to get you a tissue."

After a second her hand fell back to the quilt and Jack hurried into the en suite, coming back with a toilet roll and dripping flannel.

He crouched beside her face and gently wiped it with the flannel and then dried her face and her continuous tears with the tissue. He spoke, his eyes full of worry and desperation to help her, "I'm sorry. I wish I could give you some painkillers, but the Doc has no idea what that guy slipped into your drink and I could be making it worse..."

"I know. It just hurts," she whispered, giving him a strained smile, trying to assure him not to worry.

Jack stroked some of her golden hair from her damp forehead, pressing his fingers on the skin gently, "You still feel cold?"

She shook her head, "I feel warmer now."

Jack nodded slightly relieved and gently removed the quilt for a second murmuring, "Where does it hurt?"

Sam pointed to her stomach and Jacob couldn't help but notice that she was wearing a slightly long shirt, but that it didn't cover her legs, at all.

Jacob observed the younger man as he stared at Sam thoughtfully as he murmured, "Does it feel like all your muscles are clenching?"

Sam just nodded as she let out a small sound of pain, obviously attempting to be brave in front of her CO. Jack placed the quilt back over her as he murmured, "Would you like a hot water bottle? I know both Sara and Katie used to use one when they..." Jack flushed awkwardly at the mention of 'girl stuff' as Sam nodded showing she knew what he meant, with a fond but miniscule smile as he shrugged, "Well, maybe it would help."

Jacob couldn't help but wonder... Sara and Katie?

Sam looked at him with a small smile as she whispered, "You're a genius, you know."

"Anyone finds out and you're a dead man... woman... dead woman..."

Sam gave a weak chuckle and murmured, "Hot water bottle is in the bathroom cabinet."

Jack nodded and rushed into the en suite. Jacob could hear water running and then the faucet switch off as Jack scurried back, fastening the stopper in the hot water bottle as he went. He spoke, as if thinking of something, "It'll burn you unless you have something to wrap it in."

"There's a t-shirt in that basket," Sam murmured watching him confused as he moved over to the washing basket with all her clothes she'd washed... yesterday before Jack arrived. Sam had only just realised it was 0230hrs. She continued to watch Jack confused as she murmured, "When did you change?"

"What?" Jack said equally confused as he handed her the hot water bottle, now wrapped in one of her t-shirts, "Oh. I went home and got some stuff. I assumed I'd probably have to stay here tonight."

Sam nodded before she murmured queasily, "Oh god, I think I'm gonna be sick again."

Jack hurried to her side, perched on the edge of the bed lifting the foul bowl onto his knees and rubbing her back as she leant over it.

After a few minutes she fell back to the pillow, having done nothing but heave for the entire time. Jack wiped her face with the flannel again as he shushed her soft crying.

After Sam had calmed down and was just breathing slowly, her eyelids seeming heavy, Jack glanced at the bowl, deciding he should go and clean it. He went to stand as Sam murmured, "Merry Christmas... Jack."

Jack looked at her confused and then glanced at the clock. It really was Christmas. Jack smiled slightly, "Merry Christmas, Sam."

She smiled at him weakly stifling a yawn, "Did you bring your presents?"

Jack shook his head, "No. I-I completely forgot it was Christmas." The man's admission was accompanied by a slight blush as he murmured, "I'll go... and... clean this. Back in a sec."

Jack hurried back into the en suite, closing the door gently behind him. Sam sighed softly as she murmured, "Jack? Forget Christmas? That's almost as good as Teal'c forgetting the cast list in Star Wars!"

She closed her eyes and then suddenly sat up as though she'd been scalded. She slapped a hand to her forehead as she swore extremely loudly. Jack sped back into the room, looking as though he was expecting Sam to be in dead heap on the floor, "What's wrong?"

Sam looked at him with wide eyes, "My Dad! He's coming here! Really soon! Oh, I completely forgot! He's going to be here really soon!"

"Jacob? He's coming here? What do you mean by really soon?"

Sam let out a shaky sob, "I don't remember what time! Oh Jack, everything's so blurry! I only remembered because I mentioned Christmas! I'm such an absolute wreck! Dad's going to go nuts! He'll think I was being irresponsible and getting pissed out of my brains!"

Jack walked closer perching on the bed and speaking soothingly, "No, because that's not what happened and anyone can see you're really ill, Sam." He pushed her gently but firmly back into the pillows as he murmured, "Now stop having kittens and calm down. I'll tell him."

"But what about Warren? What about Janet's party and those stupid Doctors? What about this?" Sam's hand shot from underneath the blankets so it was in a close proximity to Jack's eyes, "What on Earth are you going to say?"

It was then, from his vantage point Jacob noticed, the engagement ring glittering on Sam's finger. Jacob again restrained himself from gasping, with an awful lot of help from Selmac, and watched on in utter surprise as Jack took her hand and kissed the ring gently before placing it back down and murmuring, "I'll understand if you want to give it back, but I think..." Jack stared at her and Jacob could see love in the man's eyes as he said, "It's not as if we're sleeping together or anything and I know we won't do anything... completely unprofessional until one of us leaves the Air Force..."

"Or dies!" Sam said a note of sadness in her voice. She let out a trembling sigh as she murmured, "I told you all you needed to know. The fact that we're engaged doesn't change how we act in the field anyway because I've felt this way from day one and so have you apparently."

He gave a soft chuckle, "Apparently? Sam, I've had that ring since a week after Antarctica and I had no intention of giving to anyone but you, when the time came."

"The time came, Jack. I can't take this any mor..." Sam cut from her sentence clutching to her stomach as Jack face contorted with utter anxiety.

"Easy. Easy," he gently laid her back down on the pillow as he stroked her hair from her now closed eyes, "Sam? Sam? Are you OK?"

She opened her eyes again slowly as she murmured, "Remind Janet to give the guy who did this to me an extra stab from me..." she gave a soft gasp of pain, "...with an extremely well-sharpened cocktail stick."

"After I've beaten the daylights out of him," Jack said angrily though worry never leaving his face, "I'm calling the hospital..."

"Jack, I'm..."

"You are not fine, Samantha Louise Carter. Stop being so..."

"You think I'm being immature. Jack, honestly, I don't feel that..."

"Are you kidding me? You're in agony! Why don't you just...?"

"I am hearing you loud and clear, Jack O'Neill and I've heard every..."

"Listening and hearing every word I say are two completely..."

"They are not!"

Jack stared at her, his irritated frown turning into a small smile as he began to chuckle. She sniggered as well as Jacob looked at the couple in utter surprise and confusion.

They continued laughing as Selmac spoke to him in his head, 'They were arguing... and they knew precisely what the other was going to say...'

Jacob watched hushed the voice in his head as Jack murmured, "Neither of us even finished what we were saying, but I knew exactly what you were thinking..."

"And I'd say we were bickering..."

"That's it," Jack said gently, "It's all decided..."

Sam smiled at him falling back to the cushions behind her, the hand with her ring on slipping into his and gripping it tightly, "That mean that from now on I'm Mrs. Colonel?"

"As far as I'm concerned," Jack said with a smile before he squeezed her fingers gently and murmured, "Now get some sleep. You look deadbeat!"

"But what about my Dad...?"

Jack smiled, "I'll tell him the truth."

"All of it?" Sam looked shocked, "Shouldn't I be awake...?"

"No, not all of it. It's way too long a story anyway. I'll just tell him about what happened at Fraiser's party, though not about Warren. I might tell him about the cocktail sticks though!"

Sam smiled as he went to get up and she kept hold of his hand. She spoke sadly, "Jack?"

He looked at her and Jacob knew that in that look the couple had a silent conversation before Jack murmured, "I know, Sam. I know. I don't want to lose you either..."

"But there's a risk that every time we step through the gate... that only one of us, maybe neither of us, will be coming back." She stared at him with round blue eyes as she let go of his fingers and laid back into the pillows.

Jack tried to put on a smile, but it was quite obvious he was quite flustered by the topic their conversation had reached, "I'll go get ready for when Dad turns up, and don't worry, I'll handle everything. You need to get some rest. If you need me just call, OK?"

"Sure," Sam murmured.

Jack took a step forwards and placed a soft kiss on her lips, Sam not allowing him to pull away for a second, her hand moving to cup his neck. He pulled away after a moment as he whispered, "And don't think like that. I've lost too much already. Losing Daniel was the final straw and I promise I am never going to lose anyone who means that much to me again."

Sam swiped her fingers across her tearing eyes as she whispered, "You might not have a choice. I think fate has more to do with it than us."

Jack just nodded slowly and just stared into her watery eyes, kneeling down and swiftly pulling her into a hug. Her arms wound around his back holding him to her as he spoke, "Stuff fate! I made a promise and there is no way in Hell I'm going to break it."

Jacob realised he had to get out of here for the moment. Jack was going to get up soon and find him stood by Sam's door and Jacob had the distinct feeling he shouldn't have heard a single word of the conversation they had just had.

In fact, it was a lot more than a distinct feeling!

Å

"You want anything before I make some coffee for when Dad shows up?"

Sam smiled slightly, "Switch on my CD player and put Nat 'King' Cole in there for me."

Jack kissed her again gently before moving over to the stereo system in the corner, removing the CD in there and replacing it with the Nat 'King' Cole Christmas CD on Sam's dresser beside it. After a second, soft music began to spill into the room...

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire,

Jack Frost nipping at your nose,

Yuletide carols being sung by a choir,

And folks dressed up like Eskimos...

"Thanks," Sam whispered slightly hoarse, sinking into her pillows and pulling her duvet up closer around her neck.

Jack walked to the door, "You want me to turn the light off?"

"Yeah, but switch on the lamp."

Jack switched on the lamp in the corner walking back to the bedroom door and flicking the light switch as he murmured, "Try and get some sleep..."

"Wake me when 'White Christmas' comes on TV!"

Jack chuckled, "Alright. Night."

Sam yawned slightly, shifting onto her side and sighing softly, "Night Jack."

Å

Jack sat in Sam's living room ten minutes later, getting up slowly to reheat the water in the kettle. He scratched his head and passed Sam's bedroom, music still wafting out of the room...

...And while we spoke of many things, Fools and Kings, this he said to me.

The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return...

Then there was a scraping of keys in Sam's front door and Jack suddenly felt guilty, turning back the way he'd come, Jacob meeting him in the living room. Jack stopped dead, not even daring to breathe as Sam's father stared at him equally shocked. His remaining dark hair and his coat were dusted with snow.

Jacob frowned, finally finding his voice, "Jack? What are you doing here?"

Something about Jacob's tone confused Jack, but he continued, "It's a long story. Sit down; I'll make you some coffee."

...The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return...

It seemed the world was conspiring against him! He felt like he was going red and hurriedly turned back towards the kitchen. He pressed the button on the kettle to reheat the water and busied himself with getting out mugs and coffee.

"Jack?"

Jack jumped around to find Jacob stood in the doorway, watching him, almost with pity. Jack, feeling uncomfortable, turned around again and began to unload Sam's dishwasher, "Yeah Jacob."

"What's wrong with Sam?"

Jack made sure his eyes were completed averted as he said quietly, "One of the young doctors at Fraiser's Christmas party spiked her drink. Janet says it wasn't a lot and not that potent so Sam's just gonna be…"

"Sam?"

Jack froze. Inside his head he was yelling 'OhShitOhShitOhShitOhShitOhShit!' but he stayed silent. After a while, he just continued, "She's going to be sick for a day or so, but she's going to be fine after that."

Jacob spoke, slightly relieved, "Well that's good to hear."

The room plunged into silence as Jack focussed completely on making the coffee. When he'd finished, he passed Jacob his cup.

Jack cleared his throat and then after a second said, "When she collapsed, my heart stopped for a few seconds…"

Jacob looked up in shock as Jack began to rub the back of his neck as he did when he was feeling awkward. He glanced at Jacob to see the older man's reaction and when it wasn't rage he continued, "At least on the battle field I'd know why she'd fallen and perhaps a way to fix it, but…" He stopped rubbing his neck and leant back on the work surface, "At Fraiser's party, I didn't know what to do… She just collapsed…"

Jacob took a sip of his coffee and, with much prompting from Selmac, Jacob got straight to the point, "Are you in love with my daughter, Colonel?"

Much to Jacob's surprise, Jack didn't jump or flinch. He didn't look up for a few seconds and then slowly his eyes rose from the floor to Jacob's face and then to the coffee he swirled slowly in his coffee mug. He opened his mouth to speak and then shut it again, repeating this process for a few minutes before he sighed loudly and muttered, "Screw it!" He looked straight up at Jacob and spoke solemnly, "Yes, Sir. I have been since the moment I first met her and I know I will be for as long as I'm still breathing." He straightened up and put his coffee mug down, "I'll understand if you want to bring me up for Court Marshall, Sir."

Jacob looked at the man, waiting patiently for the end of his career. Any other man and Jacob would've put the man up for Court Marshall years ago, but Jack O'Neill was not just some other man. He was truly in love with Sam and she was truly in love with him. Jacob, after hearing their previous conversation, knew that both valued their careers and their honour highly and that other than a few kisses and not-totally-within-the-regulations moments, they would not let their team, the SGC, the planet or each other down.

"If I Court Marshall you, Jack, I'd have to Court Marshall Sam as well."

This was when Jack jumped, "Oh no, Sir. Carter's not done anything." As an afterthought, Jack added hurriedly, "And neither have I!"

Jacob shook his head with a small smile, "Jack, I would never put you up for Court Marshall over this and putting my own daughter up would just be plain stupid." Jack seemed to relax slightly at those words, "I know you both have enough pride and intelligence not to do anything… stupid, but I also know that you two need each other." Jacob licked his bottom lip and took a sip of his coffee before he said, "And I know she loves you and from just now I know you feel the same way."

"Yes Sir," Jack said sincerely.

"So… Keep it discrete, O'Neill!"

Jack's smile was one of pure happiness for a moment and Jacob felt part of his heart ache for the man who had seen so much hardship in his life. Jacob's last sentence had made Jack the happiest man in the world for a brief second there and Jacob then knew that Sam was Jack's everything.

The smile was very brief and disappeared as Jack cleared his throat, "Carter said you'd be shattered, so the spare room's all set up for you if you need to get some rest…"

"Thanks. I'll think I'll go catch 40 winks…" Jacob placed the coffee mug on the side, "Merry Christmas, Kid."

Jack nodded, "Merry Christmas, Jake."

Sam leant back against the doorframe and smiled to herself. The two men she loved most in the world were at last getting on with each other and that meant more to her than anything else. Silently she crept back to her room, cradling a glass of water, sipping it thoughtfully as she replayed the scene over in her head and slipped into bed with a contented smile.

Å

Jack stirred the mug of tea distractedly as he worried about how the hell he was gonna explain all of this to Sam, not so much the fact she missed "White Christmas" but also the whole conversation that he had with Jacob last night.

"That's gonna get cold if you stir it too much." He looked up to see Sam smiling at him, but still very weary, wrapped in a snowman dressing gown that he recognised as being an old Christmas present from Daniel. She pulled it tighter around her as she walked over to the table and sat down beside him. Jack opened his mouth to speak, but Sam beat him to it.

"I know…"

"What…!" Jack looked up in surprise, with a slight look of confusion on his face, before realising that Sam was talking about Jacob and the whole 'Are you in love with my daughter, Colonel?' thing. He took a deep breath and looked away from her.

"Oh… Sam, look, I'm really sorry… it just all came out. I didn't mean to tell him everything about the feelings I've…"

"Jack, I don't care," she said sending him a loving smile, "In fact, I'm glad you told him. Dad can be seriously intimidating at the best of times, so rather you than me!"

"Well you could have least given me hand dealing with him, instead of eavesdropping on our conversation when you were supposed to be unconscio…"

Jack was cut off short as Sam leant across the table, grabbed onto his T-shirt and pulled him into a passionate kiss. When she finally released her hold on him, he collapsed back in the chair with a thoroughly stunned look on his face, which slowly crept into a huge grin as his senses returned to normal from their sudden overload.

He blinked at her as she gave him a small wink, "I thought I'd apologise."

"Now, I come to think of it, you do owe me quite a few apologies, Major!"

She let out a weak chuckle before shivering slightly, "It's cold in here!"

Jack nodded, but looked slightly anxious for her condition, "Perhaps you should go back to bed."

Sam stood up slowly, raising an eyebrow suggestively, "You trying to get me into bed, O'Neill!"

Jack laughed, blushing slightly, "Guess you're not tired, huh?" Sam shook her head slightly as Jack stood up as well, giving her his tea and then leading her through to the lounge. He sat her down on the couch, lifting her legs up so she took up the whole seat and murmured, "I'll be right back."

Sam watched Jack disappear curiously into her bedroom. When he returned he was half-carrying and half-dragging her duvet. He reached her and lifted the duvet so it draped over her before perching on the edge of the seat. He tenderly tucked her in before kissing her softly and murmuring, "Who ever said I wasn't trying to get you into bed!"

Sam giggled as Jack kissed her again. He slowly stood, breaking the kiss as he passed her the remote. He tidied up the living room slightly as he asked her, "You still feel sick or do you think you feel well enough to eat?"

"I don't feel sick, but I'm not hungry. Maybe later."

He gave her a small smile before grinning, "Guess that means it's time for presents!"

Sam shook her head at the big kid, a wide smile on her face. He moved over to her tiny and pathetic excuse for a Christmas tree, pulling out her presents from underneath. He snorted at the large mountain of booty Samantha Carter had acquired as he moved them over to her.

Although her face was taught and sleepy, her blue eyes were filled with happiness and love… for him. It made Jack's heart swell with almost disbelief. He couldn't believe she'd chosen him. He couldn't believe he was the one who was fixed with that gaze, that sparkling gaze in her eyes that reflected the twinkling white fairy lights on the Christmas tree.

Jack picked out a small, very badly wrapped present and handed it to Sam, a small smile on his lips. She turned it over and read the message that had been scribbled onto the paper…

'And may all your Christmases be white, all my love Jack xxx'

She glanced up at Jack with a slight frown on her face, pulled off the holly wrapping paper and a thin, rectangular box fell onto her lap.

"Jack, you didn't!"

"Of course I did. I had to seeing as you missed it last night!"

He took the case out of her hands, pushed the cassette into the video player and switched the TV on and sat back down on the sofa next to Sam, pulling her close and wrapping the duvet around the both of them.

Sam smiled up at the man she loved and snuggled down closer to him, resting her head on his chest as the overture to the musical started up.

Å

Jacob woke still bleary and looked puzzled at his surroundings for a few seconds while he found his bearings and remembered he was at Sam's. He pulled on a dressing gown and made his way to the kitchen in order to wake up properly with a strong dose of caffeine! He glanced in the living room on his way and Jack and Sam looked round at him, both greeting him with a 'Hi, Dad'. Jacob stumbled into the kitchen and opened a cupboard, pulling out the glass jar of coffee then suddenly stopping. He placed the jar on the side, looked back to the hallway and slowly made his way to the living room door. He looked in and stood silently for a moment as the familiar song played out from the TV speakers.

I'm dreaming of a White Christmas,

With every Christmas card I write.

May your days be merry and bright,

And may all your Christmases be White.

He watched as the man placed a kiss on his daughter's forehead and she hugged him tighter, before the scene before him finally clicked into place in his mind and he properly registered what was going on.

"So much for being discrete, Colonel."

Jack looked round, slightly shocked as he noticed Jacob watching them and gave his cheeky, crooked smile.

"Just couldn't help myself sir. Fancy watching the rest of the film with us?" Jack noticed the doubtful expression on Jacob's face and gave a laugh.

"Come on, Jake! It's a Christmas Thing!"

Jacob shook his head at the man as he collapsed in the arm chair. The two young people smiled at him from the couch, Sam looking much better in her father's mind.

It was the cheeky grin on Jack's face that made Jacob say with a sigh, "God forbid you ever become my son-in-law!"

The words did not have the desired affect. Jack's grin widened as he said quietly, "We'll see, Jacob. We'll see."

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Yet more Author's Notes: My first festive fanfic! Not bad really! Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed it. There will be more stories to come in the future, perhaps even another Christmas one. Hope everyone had a Happy New Year and that it has continued this far into the New Year! (My way of subtly apologising for the wait for this!) If you have any comments, please give me reviews! Thanks again for all your continuing support and an extra special thanks to my Best Pal/Editor who is the main reason this story was finished before NEXT Christmas! It means a lot to me. Sam x

Copyright (C) Sam I Am 2005