And Now for Something Completely Different
Christmas Special
By Ddoskocil
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So I felt so bad leaving everyone with a cliff hanger that I decided to write a little Christmas story full of cuteness. I guess you would have liked the next part of the regualar story, but...it's not done just yet. I promise it will up Saturday night or Sunday night. Anyway, enjoy this in the mean time. HAPPY HOLIDAYS to all!

BTW, this is a side story. It has nothing to do with the main story plot line. Erika is still nice and trapped in the chamber in the main story. ;)

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"Carson."

"Rodney."

"What the hell are you doing in my lab?"

"I just, um, thought you might have some Ancient bits you needed me to activate."

"Since when have you even volunteered to activate Ancient technology? What are you really doing?"

"I'm hiding."

"Who are you hiding from?"

"Erika."

"What? You're hiding from your girlfriend? Are you crazy, Carson? You have a beautiful girlfriend and you're hiding from her?"

"Aye. She wants me to do some nutty Christmas play."

"Oh, that Grinch thing. Yes, I agreed to help her out with that."

"You did?"

"And why wouldn't I help her. Erika's a lovely young woman and she said she needed my genius with some of the technical aspect of her show. Plus, she wanted me to narrate and I figured-what?"

"She charmed you into it."

"She did not. What does she want you to do in this play anyway?"

There was a brief pause. "The dog."

"What?"

"The-"

"Yes, I heard what you said. I meant why?"

"Well, you'd have to ask her that, wouldn't you? Can't I just hide here for a while, Rodney?"

"Fine. Just, stay over there and try not to touch anything."

---- ----

Erika wandered the halls, growing more frustrated by the minute. She growled and clenched her fists as she turned the corner. She checked the infirmary, the mess, the sleeping quarters, and control room. All showed no signs of the one person she was looking for: Carson. She was quickly running out of places to look for him.

On a whim, she ducked her head in Rodney's lab. "You seen Carson?"

"Beckett?" Rodney stammered out as he looked up. Erika smiled. Jackpot.

"Unless you know another Carson, then yes. You know the man: dark hair, dreamy blue-gray eyes, heart stopping smile, melting Scottish accent. Seen him?" she asked with a lift of an eyebrow and a tilt of the head. Rodney visibly swallowed. Erika tried to control her grin as she waltzed into the lab and leaned against Rodney's worktable.

"No, I haven't seen Carson," Rodney quickly replied as he cast his eyes back to his laptop. "I'm busy, Erika. Go bother someone else."

"If you see him, let me know."

"Why would I be lying to you, Captain?"

"I didn't say you were, Rodney. You're being very snippy. He's here, isn't he? Carson!" Erika called out as she walked around the room. "I know you're here."

There was a bang, a muffled curse, and then some device lit up. The room was suddenly filled with a high-pitched screech. Erika covered her ears with her hands and bent over. It was incredibly painful. She did a quick glance around her and saw Rodney and Carson doing the same. With slow movements, Erika made her way to the device. She thought her head might explode when she lifted and hand from her ear toward the device. It turned off when she touched it.

"Carson."

"No Erika."

"I haven't asked you anything yet."

"Aye, but you will. And the answer is no."

"Carson."

"No."

"Carson.

"...No."

---- ----

"How does she always get her way?" Rodney mused as he watched John and Carson play out a scene on the makeshift stage. He decided John was enjoying his role as the Grinch a little too much. And Carson looked miserable in those dog-ears with fake antlers on top. Rodney chuckled to himself.

"What do you mean?" Elizabeth asked as she watched with him.

"Carson refused to do this. I mean, he wanted no part in it. And now here he is," Rodney gestured to the stage, "playing the part of 'Max the dog'. How did she do that?"

Elizabeth smiled knowingly. "I'm on," she commented lightly before she entered the stage. Rodney frowned, but he followed her on stage to deliver his final lines.

---- ----

Erika sipped punch as people chatted around her. Carson stood by her side, his arms crossed over his chest. He was not speaking to her. Erika smiled into her cup.

"You did really good tonight."

"Oh don't go and coddle me, lass. I didn't even want to be out on that bloody stage. You forced me to do it."

"I didn't force you to do anything. Do you want to keep the ears?'

He turned around to glare at her.

"I'll take that as a 'no'." Erika reached up and caresses his check. "Thank you for doing that for me. And I promise, no more plays...until next year anyway."

"I will not be doing any more plays, Erika."

She just smiled and kissed him. "Merry Christmas."

"Happy Christmas."

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Back to our regularly scheduled story on Sunday. Happy Holidays.