The feast was followed by a roaring bonfire, John couldn't help but smile. He was stuffed from the food, and now there was time to relax around the fire. He had already started scheming for what to do for Christmas.

He briefly considered flying back to Atlantis to get a big red suit and use the jumper as his sleigh. He dismissed the idea, one because the jumper was too noisy, two because he didn't have a big red suit, though he was sure someone did.

Teyla came to sit next to him on the log. She smiled at him. "I trust you enjoyed the feat."

John stretched his legs and yawed. "I haven't eaten that well... in a very long time." He threw her a disarming grin.

It worked, Teyla blushed and turned towards the fire, the light casting shadows to hide her slightly reddish hue. "I should do something for my people."

"You thinking about Christmas presents?"

"Yes, I believe that at one time we had a holiday similar to it, but when we became nomads, we turned it into a simple celebration."

"That's a hard sacrifice to make." John said quietly.

She turned to him. "But thanks to you and Doctor Weir, we have a future again."

"So what did you have in mind?"

"Do we have enough chocolate for all the children? I know they enjoy it."

John quickly checked his pockets. "I didn't bring any with me."

"Would we have any in the jumper?"

John thought for a moment. "In the emergency supplies, as ironic as that sounds. How many?"

Teyla thought for a second. "Twenty."

"We're going to have to run back to Atlantis."

"Then we should go now."

John and Teyla made their excuses and walked back to the jumper.

XXX

"You can't possibly need two crates!" Rodney quipped, defending his precious substance.

"Come on Rodney, it's Christmas." John snapped his fingers in a very Rodney impression.

"The Daedalus is due back in three weeks Rodney." Elizabeth said. "They bring more every time they come."

Rodney looked like he was going to put up a fight, but instead he sighed. He motioned for them to take it, the stood next to Elizabeth. John grabbed one of the crates, while Teyla grabbed the other. He stopped just before leaving.

He turned to Rodney. "You wouldn't happen to know anyone who brought a Santa Claus outfit, do you?"

"No Colonel, why on Earth would anyone have that here?" Rodney snarked

"Just checking."

With that John and Teyla carried the crates to the transporter which they took to the jumper bay. The jumper was still open and powered up. John placed his and Teyla's crates in the back of the cockpit, not wanting to disturb the carefully arranged supplies.

He climbed into the pilot's seat and took off.

XXX

The Athosian bonfire was still roaring, but most of the Athosians had gone back to their homes for the night. John walked slowly, not wanting to get to the bonfire too quickly. His hand found Teyla's as they walked.

This time Teyla didn't pull her hand away as they entered the village. He wasn't about to pull away from the best thing that had ever happened to him. He stopped and sat down on one of the logs. Teyla sat next to him.

The night was getting cold. He stretched his legs to catch more of the fire. To his surprise, Teyla snuggled close to him, leaning on his shoulder. He nervously placed his arm around her.

He glanced across the bonfire and caught Halling's gaze for just a moment. He could've swore he saw Halling nod approvingly. He wasn't surprised, Halling was one of Teyla's strongest supporters among the Athosians, almost like family.

As he reflected on it, he'd gotten more than he ever wanted for Christmas. He was sure, without a doubt in his mind, that Teyla loved him. He made up his mind right then, he'd love her no matter what. No matter what obstacles blocked their relationship. The Air Force couldn't stop him.

He looked down at her, she was silently sleeping with her head against his chest. He smiled, they were the only ones still out around the fire. He nudged her awake.

She was only partially awake as he guided her to her cot in the back of Halling's tent. Once again, he caught a knowing gaze from Halling as he emerged. He smiled. "I'm just going to check on the jumper, then I'll be back."

Halling nodded as John walked out of the tent. He smiled, he was sure Halling knew what was going on, but not what was going to happen tonight. It was his, and Teyla's, secret. He took his time walking back to the jumper, knowing he had to wait until most of the Athosians were asleep.

He reached into the overhead rack in the jumper and pulled out a backpack. He emptied it of it's usual supplies, basic repair equipment and loaded it full of chocolate bars from the crates. He walked into the cockpit and pulled the life signs detector from the hidden compartment. While he was at it he might as well be sneaky.

He waited for an hour before setting off. The night was extremely crisp, rapidly getting cold. He could feel the snow crackle underneath his feet. It brought him back to Antarctica, which was a fond memory since coming to Atlantis. If he hadn't been assigned there then he wouldn't have come to this amazing place, met Teyla and all the incredible members of the expedition, and battle space aliens. All in all, life was good.

He paused outside the first tent and listened. It was quiet. He glanced down at the detector, three blips were inside it, none of them moving. He decided to take a risk and peek inside. The tent was dark. He reached into his backpack and pulled out a few chocolate bars and placed them on the table in the main area.

He ducked back outside and sighed, one down, a lot to go, but it was all worth it. He darted to the next tent.

XXX

He awoke to an astonished cry from Jinto. His cot was in the main area. He'd exhaustedly stuffed the empty backpack under it. He rolled off the cot and moaned, it had been a very late night and Jinto was up surprisingly early.

He scratched his head. "Jinto keep it down."
Jinto obviously couldn't as he rushed over, showing John one of the chocolate bars that had been left on the table. "But look, where did it come from?"
John smiled. "On my planet, there's this guy called Santa Claus, and he delivers presents to everyone. Looks like he made a stop in the Pegasus galaxy last night."

Jinto ran off to find his father. John smiled, hearing another child's astonished cry from somewhere in the village. He'd been successful. The Athosians had definitely had a very Merry Christmas.

He shook his head, trying to clear the fatigue. He glanced at his watch. He'd only slept four hours. He moaned and poked his head into Teyla's section of the tent. She was stretching, looking well rested. It was better than he was.

"Mourning Teyla."

She instantly snapped to alert. "John, did you..."

He smiled. "Yes I did, and I think it was a hit." He stepped into her section of the tent.

"Did I fall asleep on you?"
"Yeah, then I helped you walk here, but you weren't really awake."

Teyla nodded, an awkward silence permeating the air.

"I think this is when I say scoff the Air Force." John finally said after a few moments of silence.

"How bad can it be?" Teyla asked, knowing his answer would sweep her off her feet.

"Not as bad as not being with you." He said, drawing her into his arms and kissing her. "Merry Christmas Teyla."

A/N: Alright, Santa came to Pegasus so you can be sure he's coming tonight so get to bed and be good, and hopefully he won't leave you coal. Just kidding, Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays, whichever you prefer.