130

The Spirit of Giving

Jack was already in the mess hall. To his left was General Hammond, and to his right was the rest of his team with one empty seat between them.

"Where is she?" he inquired of no one in particular, and more than a bit irritably. "She said she'd be here, she just had to get one last quick check-up in medical. But she went there first thing in the morning."

"Calm down, Jack," Hammond advised. "I'm sure everything is just fine. Dr. Frasier would have contacted you right away if there were anything wrong. They probably just got talking and lost track of the time."

Without a word, Teal'c suddenly stood, watching the door, and soon, nearly everyone was following suit.

Evree felt a little uncomfortable at being the center of so much attention. She could tell that they were watching her, because she knew that Janet was deliberately lagging a few paces behind, having put some thought into Evree's grand entrance.

All conversation had stopped, and when she could spare attention to glance at him, O'Neill stood there with his jaw hanging open.

It was only a few yards across the room to join O'Neill and the others, but to Evree it felt like miles. Miles that she was walking on her own two feet. With crutches, to be sure, but no longer bound to a wheelchair.

Then, somewhere in the room, someone started clapping their hands, and it was contagious in the extreme. By the time she reached O'Neill, who swept her off her feet in an enthusiastic bear hug, the whole room was cheering.

&&&&&

"I really am supposed to be walking," Evree murmured as O'Neill carried her into the house. She didn't really sound as if she was complaining.

"Not on ice," Jack declared firmly, feeling a twinge of guilt. If he'd gotten around to throwing some salt down, there wouldn't be any ice on the path to the house. "Doc Frasier would probably skin me alive if I let you fall and break a leg or something."

"But the snow is very pretty," Evree remarked with a little shiver. She had never lived anywhere where it got cold enough to snow, and she still had the wonder of a child where it was concerned.

Jack, on the other hand, had seen enough of the stuff to sour his attitude towards it somewhat. "Tell you what, then. As soon as the doctor says you're one hundred percent, you can shovel the stuff."

"You don't shovel it," Evree pointed out. "You pay that nice boy to do it for you."

"Twenty bucks a pop and you think the little thief is nice," O'Neill sighed.

"O'Neill." He could tell from her expression that she was shifting gears again. "Janet said that my being able to walk would be your favorite present. Is it?"

"How can I tell when we haven't opened our presents yet?" he teased, then relented as her features started to go from hopeful to crestfallen. "All the money in the world wouldn't make me as happy as seeing you walk again, hon."

Evree's eyes got shiny. "Truly, O'Neill?"

"Truly," he repeated, then couldn't resist a time-stopping kiss.

&&&&&&&

Jack looked at the calendar, marked in Evree's precise, stilted printing. On the twenty-third, it said 'dinner with the Carters'. On Christmas eve it said 'afternoon with Janet and Cassandra' then 'dinner with Daniel and Teal'c'. He was almost afraid to look at the holiday proper for fear that she had something scheduled that day too. But so far the only words in the box marked twenty-five were the printed ones that proclaimed it to be Christmas day.

The thump of crutches heralded Evree's entrance.

"You've got us booked in pretty solid for the holidays, don't you, hon?" He went and put his arms around her before she could become defensive about the implied criticism. "You'll wear yourself out."

Evree sighed with relief at the last qualification. He was only being concerned for her, something that always gave her a warm glow. "And you had not informed me of any prior plans. Did you have prior plans, O'Neill?"

Yeah, Jack thought, but kept to himself. Sitting in his favorite chair with his feet up, maybe watching some t.v., and definitely some snuggling with his sweetie. In other words, taking it easy. "Not really," he sighed. He reminded himself that it was her first Christmas.

&&&&&

Dinner with the Carters turned out to be a bigger affair than Jack had counted on. Not just Sam and Jacob, but her brother and his family, not to mention what he thought were some assorted in-laws as well. The house had been full, noisy, and with several kids constantly underfoot.

O'Neill wondered how Evree would do around kids, but they all seemed to take to her instantly. Perhaps because she found it all as exciting as they did. And she didn't talk down to them either. Both she and they had seemed to be terribly disappointed when the evening was over.

Jack snuggled down beside Evree as they retired. "You smell like candy canes," he remarked. "Did you have a good time playing with the kids?"

"I have never been amongst small children before," Evree mused. "I found them quite enjoyable." She had something on her mind too, but wasn't sure how it would be received.

Even cuddled together in the dark, Jack could sense the shift in moods. "Is there something wrong, hon?"

"No, nothing wrong," Evree replied slowly. Then, suddenly, before she lost her nerve, she blurted out, "O'Neill, I should like for us to have a child. A human child, I mean."

O'Neill was taken completely by surprise, but once he thought about it for a couple of seconds, he was surprised that he should have been surprised. "You saw those kids on their best behavior for just a few hours," he commented. "A baby of your own is a twenty-four/seven deal. And if you think the surveillance is bad now, try to imagine it doubled, or maybe even tripled."

"Why? Because I would not be considered competent to take care of a baby?" Evree couldn't imagine another reason why there should be more surveillance on them if they started a family.

"Because you and I both have some very powerful, very dangerous enemies," O'Neill explained, thinking that maybe on this occasion, she was being deliberately dense. "And if we had a kid, he or she would be under almost constant threat of abduction, to use against us."

He felt the goosebumps rise on her skin. "That is horrible, O'Neill," she whispered. She was silent after that, but Jack could tell that she hadn't gone to sleep, she was way too tense for that.

"Evree, honey," O'Neill said softly. "I can tell that you're disappointed, but it really wouldn't be fair to the kid." He wasn't too cool on the idea himself. Having lost Charlie, he didn't think he could stand to have another kid. Especially not one that would be as much of a target as one from him and Evree. "I know it's not the same thing, but if we get the go-ahead on your idea of using your children to help cripples and the Tok'ra, I'll let you use my genetic material for it." It was, he felt, a major concession on his part.

"I shall have to think about it, O'Neill," she murmured softly. She managed not to start crying until after he had dropped off to sleep.

&&&&&&

Uncharacteristically, Evree was up before O'Neill, whose years in the military had made him a habitual early riser. He felt a stab of panic, thinking something must be wrong.

Instead, he found Evree sitting at the kitchen table, calmly drinking a cup of tea.

He nuked himself a cup of yesterday's coffee and joined her. "Are you all right? It's not like you to get up this early."

Evree smile warmly at him. "I could not sleep any longer," she replied. "I think it must be the excitement. Aren't you excited about Christmas, O'Neill?"

&&&&&&

The day passed quickly enough, though. O'Neill had felt a little outnumbered when they were at Dr. Frasier's. Or maybe redundant was a better word. Like there was some sort of running joke going on between the three females, and his Y chromosome prevented him from getting it.

Daniel and Teal'c had initially elected to spend the holidays together because they had no families to share them with. But Daniel had invited Jack and Evree to break things up a little bit. And then was glad he'd made plenty of food, as dinner for four became dinner for six.

Bra'tac and Rya'c had shown up completely unexpectedly.

"Things are quiet enough at the moment," Bra'tac had said. "And I understand this is a Tau'ri observance that places emphasis on families being together."

"In theory, anyway," Daniel muttered. But he really wasn't displeased at the extra guests. He did wonder, however, how they and Evree would get along.

When O'Neill realized they weren't the only guests, he nearly forgot about Evree as he rushed to greet the two Jaffa. Evree had heard of them, of course, but she wondered if they had heard of her, and if so, what they had heard.

It took a moment before Daniel realized a social faux pas had been committed. "Please, forgive my complete lack of manners," he said quietly. Not only was it an apology to those who deserved it, but a reminder to at least one other person that his manners hadn't been the best. "Evree, this is Master Bra'tac, he..,"

"I have heard of Master Bra'tac," Evree interrupted. "He is nearly a legend." She smiled at him as naturally as she could, but nerves caused her lips to tremble slightly.

Bra'tac had been skeptical enough when he had heard of a Goa'uld deserting from the ranks, but now, seeing Evree, and having heard from trusted friends on the subject, his suspicions were beginning to crumble. "I am unworthy of the honor you do me, my lady." He bowed deeply.

"No titles for me anymore, Master Bra'tac," Evree corrected softly. "Now, I am just Evree. At least, I am to my friends. I hope that someday I shall be able to count you among them."

Bra'tac felt a smile break out despite his reservations. He was most curious about the renegade queen, but the introductions were not yet complete.

"This is my son, Rya'c," Teal'c stated.

"How do you do, Rya'c?" Evree held out her hand, and the young Jaffa took it a little gingerly. She looked at Teal'c's beaming face. "You must be very proud of him."

"I am," Teal'c replied, simply.

"You are Goa'uld?" Rya'c burst out undiplomatically.

"And you are Jaffa," Evree pointed out. "It would seem that neither of us is behaving in the manner expected of us." The remark brought smiles to most of those present. Evree had been leaning solely on one crutch, to free a hand for her greetings, but as she tried to adjust so she could move again, she became unbalanced and started to fall.

Bra'tac caught her, but it was O'Neill who held her until she was steady again.

"Are you all right, hon?" Evree saw nothing in his face but concern for her well-being.

"I am fine, O'Neill," she replied reassuringly. "I merely put weight on that side and didn't have it properly braced." She sighed. "Happy as I am to be out of the wheelchair, I shall be happier still when I need no artificial aids."

"May I make so bold as to ask why a Goa'uld would need such at all?" It was a question that had been on Bra'tac's mind ever since Evree had arrived. But seeing how solicitous O'Neill was about her welfare had added weight to Evree's side of the scales.

Jack had been occupied seeing her onto the sofa comfortably, then sat down beside her, and arm draped casually, but possessively around her shoulders. But he didn't say anything, it was her story to tell.

Evree wriggled back into the comfort of him a moment before she began. "Draylea, my original host.., died." She sniffed and blinked her eyes several times, but managed not to cry. "This body the Tau'ri found to be host to me has been dormant for some years. The muscles were nearly useless from the inactivity. And with no access to a sarcophagus, I have to regain its strength the hard way." She suddenly turned to O'Neill and said something she had told no one. "Draylea wanted to go, O'Neill. She said she was tired, and that I needed a new host for my new life." Then, a tear did trickle down her cheek. "I miss her." She buried her face in his shoulder.

"Whoever heard of a Goa'uld who formed a bond with their host?" Bra'tac murmured reflectively. He was finding Evree to be full of surprises.

"Who indeed?" Teal'c responded to his mentor. "She is not like other Goa'uld." But even though he knew that Evree had ample cause for tears, he did not care to see her cry, especially on what was supposed to be a happy occasion. He went and fetched a package from beneath Daniel's tiny tree and knelt in front of Evree. "This is for you."

"For me?" Evree gave on last sniffle and got herself under control. She looked at the gaily wrapped package in her hands with something akin to awe.

"Open it," Teal'c urged gently. He had had to put more thought into a gift for Evree than all the rest of SG-1 put together.

Evree started to carefully coax the tape away from the paper. Jack sighed. He should have known. "Just rip the wrapping paper," he commanded softly. "The paper isn't the gift. The gift is inside."

Evree looked at Teal'c, after all, it was his gift. He nodded and Evree tore the paper and opened the small box within, and pulled out the metal object contained therein, eyes wide, jaws agape.

"It's.., it's a warrior's badge," she murmured. "The mark that a Jaffa has proved himself in battle."

"You have earned it," Teal'c stated. "Even though you no longer have the battle scars to prove it." He began to get up, but was halted when Evree leaned over to throw her arms around him.

"Well, that's going to be a hard act to follow," Daniel muttered, mostly to himself, but Evree heard him.

"Daniel, I shall like whatever you have gotten me," she declared, releasing Teal'c. "Because, as you say here, it is the thought that counts, and whatever it is, it will be a token of our friendship."

Daniel grabbed a tissue and blew his nose loudly. "Damned allergies," he mumbled, fooling no one. "So, do we open the rest of the presents now, or eat first?"

&&&&&&

Jack snuck out of bed early on Christmas morning. It wasn't too hard, Evree was very much out of it. She hadn't even made it home last night, but had crashed on the way back.

First, he started a fire in the fireplace. A nice, romantic touch, and he figured if he got it going now, it could take care of itself by the time he was ready for that 'romantic touch'. He grinned to himself. The underside of the tree was starting to look a little naked, since their gifts for everyone but themselves had already been distributed.

Once the fire was crackling merrily, he went into the kitchen to fix breakfast. If Evree wasn't up by the time it was ready, he would go and get her. Someone else, he might have surprised with breakfast in bed, but being so recently confined to a hospital bed, he didn't think Evree would appreciate the gesture.

O'Neill pricked up his ears as he heard sounds from the bedroom announcing louder than words that Evree was up and about. He knew better than to go it and try to help her. She had made herself very clear on the subject of doing what she was able to do herself. Quite a step for someone who used to have people to do everything for her.

Breakfast was just about ready when Evree stumped into the kitchen.

"Good morning." He loved how she looked first thing in the morning, with her eyes still heavy from sleep. It occurred to him that that was something that hadn't changed with the new host. In fact, not really much of anything had. It was Evree he wanted. The host body was just what made it possible.

"Good morning, O'Neill." She smiled at him sleepily and tilted her head up for a kiss.

The kiss took a little longer than Jack had anticipated. When they finally came up for air, Evree remarked, "I believe that something is burning."

And so it was. Oh well, it was the last pancake of the batch. But it was so badly burned that it looked as though it had become one with the griddle. Sandblasting might not remove it.

"I refuse to let one burned pancake ruin my Christmas spirit," Jack stated, and was mildly surprised to find that he actually did have some of the holiday spirit going. It must be Evree's enthusiasm rubbing off on him.

"When do we open the presents?" Evree asked.

O'Neill laughed. "You're just like a little kid," he said fondly. "After breakfast. Okay?"

"All right," Evree agreed. She seemed to ponder something for a moment. "Am I really being childish?"

He set a plate in front of her and kissed the top of her head. "Childlike, not childish," he corrected.

"What precisely is the difference?" Evree inquired around a mouthful of food.

O'Neill had to think a moment himself, to figure out just how to word it. "Childish is behaving immaturely, or irresponsibly," he finally replied. "Childlike is more of an attitude, having a kid's enthusiasm, seeing everything like it's the first time."

Evree smiled warmly. "I am seeing it all for the first time, O'Neill," she reminded him. She took another bite. "This is very good. Much superior to the food in the mess hall."

"Don't spread it around," he joked. "It would ruin my reputation if people knew I could cook." Before she could question him, he added, "It looks like you're about done. Ready to open presents?"

There were three or four little presents each, and Daniel had been able to help Evree with those, but Evree was eager for the main event. "I wish you to open that one first, please." She pointed to the largest thing under the tree.

After the scant bit of information he'd been able to pry out of Daniel, O'Neill felt a certain amount of trepidation, but she was so excited, she was practically glowing. Her eyes were. Gearing himself up to give an academy award winning performance, Jack started ripping open wrapping paper.

"Wow, this is great," Jack commented with unfeigned delight. The sight of the box made his fingers positively itch for his fishing rod. "And Daniel said you thought of this all by yourself?"

"You really like it?" Evree flushed with pleasure that she had gotten it right. "Look inside, there is something else."

Jack looked. "A gift certificate," he murmured. He looked at Evree.

"I thought you might want more supplies, whatever they are for, to fill it," Evree explained. "This one is larger than the other. But I did not know what you might like. Daniel suggested the gift certificate, so that you could choose."

"I love it," O'Neill declared. "But it's your turn now." He fetched a much smaller package from under the tree, and tried not to hold his breath. He wanted her to like it as much as he liked his gift from her.

Evree was almost shaking with anticipation as she pulled the little velvet box free of its wrappings. When she opened it, she sat for what seemed to O'Neill a sizable piece of eternity, looking at it.

Inside the box was a gold chain from which hung a gold heart. Picked out in tiny, glittering stones on the heart were two cartouches. The ones that had been on Evree's note when she'd given herself up to Anubis. The ones for her name and his.

"Evree?" Jack really couldn't take the suspense any longer.

Evree raised her head, which caused the welling tears to trickle down, but he could see they were happy tears, so O'Neill gently took the necklace from her and fastened it around her neck, and then kissed her.

"I shall wear it always," Evree murmured huskily in his ear.

"Then you like it?" Jack teased. He could see that she did.

"I love it," she replied. "I love you, O'Neill."

"I love you too, hon," he replied. He gave her another, longer kiss. "Do you think you could see your way clear to calling me Jack?"