This is the end, folks. Thanks from Jackie for the great reviews. I'm afraid that's it for her 'nice' fics. I'll post a big long hurt/comfort one next - if Jackie agrees. Do you want it? Let her know.
Flatkatsi
Christmas is for Sharing - part five
It was a rather quiet party that made the journey home. Jack didn't feel particularly sad or anything, just thoughtful, and he was grateful that Jonas was quiet -- for a change.
He pulled up to his driveway and with a sigh turned off his engine. The hot metal was ticking slowly as it cooled, breaking the silence.
A sudden thought struck him that although they'd apparently enjoyed the day, he didn't want them upset by it or thinking they were being pressurised into doing something.
"Erm, you kids are okay, aren't you? About today I mean, only I …"
Teal'c opened the door to the truck and climbed down. "Today was most enjoyable, O'Neill, and the only thing I regret is not knowing in advance so that I could bring them a gift myself and learn something of their language."
"Sorry, I just didn't want you to feel you had to do something like that. I just wanted you all to be natural."
Sam grinned. "I think that's a tall order for two aliens, sir," she said playfully, "But, yes, I agree with Teal'c, and I personally would like to visit again … soon."
Jack grinned at his team and Jonas put a hand on Jack's shoulder. "Will you teach me soon, so I can talk to Sydney?"
Jack sighed and shook his head. "Only the basics. It's more fun learning from someone with a hearing disability. They can't tell when you cuss, providing you're not facing them at the time."
They got out of the truck to join Teal'c and made their way into the house. Jack gave Sam a sudden grin.
"What?" she asked, wrinkling her nose a little, wondering if she had a smudge on it or something.
"Well, I think we've cracked it with a girl for Jonas. He won't get on Sydney's nerves with his chatter."
Sam laughed, and shook her head. "That'll be until he learns to sign, then she doesn't stand a chance."
Jack threw his head back and laughed.
They passed the rest of the day in a pleasant lazy manner. By early evening Jonas had lost his quiet mood and soon had Jack's head ringing with his constant talking. They'd eaten and were nursing drinks. The Kelownan was drinking the large brandy Jack had given him as though it might evaporate from the glass if he wasn't quick enough, despite Teal'c warning him to be cautious. The Jaffa had many times seen Daniel Jackson suffer the morning after when O'Neill had plied him with drink.
"When do we get to open our first present?" asked Jonas, for the third time since they'd sat down.
"Later," said Jack.
"But it's later now," whined Jonas.
"Jonas, how do you fancy checking that all the bulbs are working on next door's roof?" asked Jack suddenly, his face perfectly straight.
Jonas had already begun to rise, anxious to please the Colonel who had done so much for him this holiday when Teal'c put out a restraining arm to his friend.
"Jonas Quinn, I believe O'Neill is joking."
Jonas squinted at the Colonel's solemn face. "Really? You're joking?" he asked with such a lost little expression that Jack did the unthinkable. He caved.
"Sorry, Jonas … yeah, I was joking."
Jonas gave Jack a huge grin. "That's nice, Colonel. I know now you do like me. It's a friendship thing to play a joke. Sam told me."
He snatched his glass up and raised it up in an impromptu toast as he had seen many people do in the world of television.
"Here's to my friends, my family. Thank you, Colonel, for a lovely holiday. This is something I will never forget, and thank you for today. I never realised before just what it would mean having no hearing -- to be born like that -- and how great those children are despite their problems, but most of all I loved what it felt like to bring happiness, even if it's only for a short time to others and I would like to be counted in as a friend who helps out all year and not just at Christmas."
Everyone looked at Jonas in amazement as the Kelownan then shut up, downed the remainder of his drink in one gulp and sat down, the beaming smile on his face shining out in the room.
For once Jack was at a loss for words -- sarcastic or otherwise. He gazed at the alien with a peculiar look on his face. Was he turning soft? Damn Jonas, he actually felt touched by the man's words.
Sam felt like applauding Jonas. She knew from Jack's stunned silence that the man had had an effect on him – just what effect she wasn't totally sure of yet.
Teal'c merely clasped his hand on his friend's shoulder and rose.
"I believe, O'Neill, that this would be a good time to open one of our presents."
Sam laughed as Jonas scrambled to his feet and rushed over to the tree, begging to be the one to pick a present out for each of them.
Jack shook his head with a grin and joined his team on the floor around the tree.
"Okay. Do we open them all together or one at a time or …"
"We can open them as you pick them, Jonas," said Jack quietly, the grin not leaving his face as he watched his team's enjoyment, and in particular Jonas's.
Jonas scrambled around the tree, until he found what he was looking for and with a huge smile handed the first gift to Teal'c.
Teal'c took the present with a bow of thanks to Jonas and examined the label. "To Teal'c, from Jonas. Merry Christmas," he intoned solemnly.
Jonas watched anxiously, leaning closer and closer as Teal'c began examining the wrapping paper, then shaking it and then listening.
"Oh, for cryin out loud, T, get the damn thing opened will ya!" cried Jack, when he could stand no more of Jonas's excited jiggling whilst he practically breathed down the Jaffa's neck.
Teal'c gave them a sudden smile before stripping the paper, and Jack gave the Jaffa an evil look.
Teal'c held the box up for them to see what it was – a compact electric shaver.
"It's rechargeable," said Jonas anxiously. "That way you can take it off world with you."
Teal'c gave Jonas a bow. "Thank you, Jonas Quinn. It is most welcome. It will save me the trouble of having to borrow Major Carter's when she is not looking."
Sam gave Teal'c a look of death and Jack burst out laughing until Sam turned the death glare on him instead.
Jonas scrambled back under the tree and handed a package to Sam.
"Thank you, Jonas." She glared at the Colonel as he gave a snort of laughter, again. "Okay … well, this is also from Jonas." She didn't hesitate and ripped the packaging off and produced a small box, which she began to examine.
"It's for your notes," said Jonas, unable to hold back any longer. "You're always scribbling stuff down on scraps of paper so I thought you could keep this in your pocket and make your notes that way. It'll link up with your laptop too."
"Thank you, Jonas, that's very thoughtful of you," said Sam and gave him a hug, which Jonas returned warmly, until he caught sight of Jack's glare. He hastily let go and scrambled around again, this time producing a large flat present.
Jack took it and paused a moment. "Should I read the label or what? Hey, there's a surprise, it's from you, Jonas."
Jonas beamed and urged Jack with just his eager expression to open it.
Jack was torn between keeping them waiting and … well, that meant he was waiting too … so he quickly opened it up.
Inside the wrapping was a plain white box. Curiously Jack opened the box … slowly though, still convinced something was going to jump out on him.
Inside was a book. In gold on the front it said "A collection of Friends".
Jack looked at Jonas briefly. His curiosity rose as he pulled the book out to reveal a photo album. Jack slowly opened it to find each page had a large good quality photo with a message on it. The first one was George Hammond, his rotund face beaming at Jack from the picture.
"Merry Christmas, Son. Be happy," was the message.
Jack swallowed harshly and turned the next page … to find Teal'c's solemn face along with a message of "Peace in our time, brother."
Jack couldn't look at the Jaffa. He kept his head down as he turned the page to find the face of his dreams looking at him, a small smile on her lips and a sparkle in her eyes. "If wishes could be," was the cryptic message and Jack cast Sam a quick look. She returned his gaze with an innocent expression before urging him to continue on.
The next one was of Janet. He laughed at her message and read it out loud. "Keep shining the butt for the needles, Jack."
Cassie's beautiful face shone out next. Jack mouthed the words to himself, but turned the page quickly with an embarrassed cough.
"What did Cassie say?" asked Sam curiously.
"You don't know?" He'd assumed that everyone had seen this before him.
"Nope, we only know our own messages. Jonas put this together all by himself. We didn't actually know a great deal about it other than it was for you," said Sam.
"Oh." Jack gave the man in question a smile and turned his attention back to the album, letting them read Cassie's message for themselves.
"Thank you for being there for me … as good as a real Dad any day if not better. Merry Christmas, all my love, Cassie." Sam read out the message, feeling the prick of tears threatening, knowing how much Cassie meant to him.
Jack turned the page and found various people, Ferretti included. Jack laughed at Ferretti's, but turned the page quickly before anyone could see that. There were just a few others … then one in particular … Daniel's … there was no message here, just Daniel's face smiling at the camera, his earnest expression said everything about peace that Jack ever needed to know. Jack touched the photo, his long fingers stroking the face of a lost friend before he quickly turned to the end.
The pictures that slipped down from the album had just been placed loosely inside and as Jack picked them up he almost dropped them again. The first one was of his Major … in civvies, posing … giving the camera a sexy pout, her hand fluffing her hair. Jack couldn't help the grin that threatened to split his face as he looked at the next one.
Sam craned her neck curiously and then literally screeched in shock.
"Jonas … I will murder you …" she threatened.
Jonas grinned from ear to ear as Sam tried to snatch the pictures from Jack.
"Colonel, they're not meant to be there. I was just messing about. It was when Jonas first got the camera and he said he needed practice … they were for fun …"
Jack said nothing. He fended the Major's arm off while he finished looking at them and then gave Jonas a huge shit eating grin.
"They're pretty good, Major. Looks like you missed your calling here … whew!" he drawled, hoping that Sam wouldn't rip him a new one for that remark. Hell it was Christmas … live and let live ? Ack … maybe … maybe not …
Sam made another lunge for the photos, but found herself flipped and rolled down before she could lay a hand on them.
"Ah, I think not … they are so mine now … my Christmas present from a friend." He laughed at her expression.
Sam gave the Colonel a smile that said 'eat shit and die!', and Jack laughed in the face of death as was his heroic wont … and got up quickly before she could damage him.
"Thanks, Jonas, but you know you've made a huge error with this," said Jack.
Jonas's smile faded. "Uh, I did?"
"Yeah, you missed someone out," continued Jack.
"I did?" said Jonas, frowning as he puzzled who could that be.
Jack moved over to the cabinet and fished in a drawer. Pulling out his own camera, he checked to see if there were still some shots left before he pointed it at Jonas.
"Yeah … you missed a friend … smile," said Jack.
The Kelownan gave Jack the biggest smile he'd ever seen, on a human that was, and Jack took the photo, then set it up to take a shot of all of them - together.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Much later they were vegetating on the furniture, watching a cartoon about Rudolf, when Jack got up stretching. He rose with his whiskey and quietly went outside onto the decking. The night air was cold and sweet with the promise of more snow in the air as he looked across the shadowed peaks in the distance. He raised his head up to the night sky and raised his glass in a toast to the heavens, bidding Charlie a Merry Christmas, as he usually did and then a toast to all his friends … those who had gone before him … and to Daniel … wherever he was …
Tonight, it didn't seem as sad as it usually was. Tonight held more the promise of a future. Tonight was just the first of hopefully many more Christmas's he could enjoy.
He tingled as he thought of Sam's face on the pictures … that message. One day he just might find out …
The door opened behind him, but he didn't need to turn to know just who had stepped out.
"Hi," she said softly as she stood beside him, leaning outwards against the rail.
"Hi, yourself," he replied with a smile, watching as she swirled the glass of Bailey's around before taking a drink. The creamy liquid clung to her lips before her tongue snaked out to vanish it quickly.
Jack took a hurried gulp of his whiskey, grateful for the slight burn that helped to distract him.
"Today was special. Thanks for sharing," she said suddenly.
"Glad you enjoyed it."
"It's so sad that most of those kids won't ever know their parents," said Sam suddenly, "At least I can remember my mom."
"They have some great substitutes though. Arnise is their mom, and I defy anyone to say otherwise." He smiled. "Seriously, they are luckier than a lot of deaf children. In some states they get shoved in ordinary orphanages with no proper help, isolated in their own worlds," he said sadly.
"That's awful. Little Bridget is beautiful. I know it must hurt you every time you leave her there."
"It did for a while, but there's no way I can be anything to her other than a friend … someone to play with, and hopefully as she grows, someone to visit. The authorities would never consider a single parent situation even if I did retire."
Sam gazed at him intently. He'd obviously been thinking about it a lot, possibly made enquiries even.
"You never cease to amaze me, Jack O'Neill," she commented suddenly.
Jack's eyebrow rose at her use of his name.
"Any more surprises or secrets tucked away?" she asked.
"No … not really," … 'Nothing you don't really already know if you think about it.'
Sam regarded his dark eyes. His breath was silhouetted in the cold air as he gazed back at her. She took a nervous gulp of her drink, but before she could remove the drops from her lips, he'd put up a hand and his finger gently traced the outline as he stepped closer to her -- almost touching her -- almost.
Sam's heart beat painfully loud in her breast. His eyes were dark and held a silent plea as his head moved closer still. Her eyes closed involuntarily and she moved her head towards his, waiting for the touch of his lips against hers.
The featherlike kiss was placed on her mouth, barely brushing. His tongue flicked against her mouth, tasting, pushing … before he dominated her mouth with a searing passionate kiss.
Sam's arms went up around him and all her energy went into returning the kiss with a passion that left them both breathless and needy.
Their lips parted and Jack sank his forehead against hers with a groan.
Sam's eyes flickered open, to see his eyes close, so close. The flare of passion in them surprised her with its intensity and she echoed his groan.
"What did you mean, Sam?" he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.
"Huh?" she asked, her brain still on meltdown with the kiss and his eyes.
"If wishes could be …that's what you put …"
"Oh, hmm," she cleared her throat and blinked softly as though trying to clear her mind, trying to focus. "When I was a little girl I used to make a wish at Christmas. When I was very small they always used to come true … thanks to mom and dad I suppose. Even as I got older they seemed to be good, until … well, one Christmas I wished for mom to be okay and she wasn't … so I stopped wishing …"
Jack pulled her closer, his eyes searching hers with a loving expression.
"Tonight, I wished again. I took the chance …" she began hesitantly, but gave him a heart stopping smile.
Jack gave her a little frown, a questioning look entering his eyes.
"And tonight, Jack … tonight, my wish came true."
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
THE END
I have very little hearing in one ear … and that can be such a pain at times and embarrassing when in a noisy environment … you miss out on such a lot of conversation and miss-hear a lot … can be funny at times – but, oh, so miserable at others – But there is no way I can imagine the loneliness and frustration and the tremendous disability that a silent world can be … imagine never to have heard the rain … the sea, the children laugh … hey, never to have heard that sexy voice of the world's sexiest man! (anyone reading this and asking who – then you are reading the wrong author, hon … not to mention suffer from extremely bad taste.)
I know only a little about sign language … a friend taught me some teensy bits years ago, Julie, god bless her … never forget her … but I also found out there is no international sign language and it can vary tremendously … so please forgive any ignorance I have shown with this subject … there was no disrespect intended anywhere … or to anyone.
Jackie
