Sirens abruptly brought Libby back to reality. A long wooden table surrounded by black leather chairs supported her. Still disoriented, she lifted her head from the table and took in her surroundings. A star chart etched into a glass window separated an office from the main room, and a viewing window overlooked a massive metal ring. Everything seemed familiar. A red light was flashing overhead, accompanied by an ever irritating alarm. This meant something important, but Libby couldn't clear her mind of the dream. Countless nights she had relived those last moments with her family. She couldn't help but hate herself for being the only survivor of the crash, even three years later.
Finally her head began to clear and her horrible memories took a back seat to the problem at hand. The alarm. Something was happening at the SGC. Libby quickly stood up, instantly regretting the position she'd been sleeping in on the table. The briefing roomtable. She was heading down the flight of steps that led to the control room when a booming voice sounded over the intercom.
"Major Pierce to the control room immediately!"
Libby quickened her pace and within seconds she was standing in the aforementioned room. The hub of Stargate Command was relatively void of personnel, except for a few technicians in blue jump suits, the studious, attractive Daniel Jackson, and the ever dignified General Hammond in traditional Air Force attire. Libby briefly wondered why the SGC wasn't teeming with people, as was customary, before she remembered it was Christmas eve and that most of the staff was off for the holidays.
The General sighed in relief at the sight of Libby rushing down the stairs. "Major Pierce. Am I glad to see you. You're the only person here who is knowledgeable in all things Stargate. I need your expertise."
The General's faded southern drawl always brought a smile to Libby's face. "Yes, sir. How can I help?"
Hammond drew her toward a computer that was blinking 'Error. Iris Malfunction'. He pointed to the screen, his face troubled. "This is our problem, Major. The iris will not respond and SG-3 is due back from their mission any moment."
Libby took seat at the computer and began to type furiously on the keyboard. After a few moments she paused and growled at the monitor. She spun her chair around to face General Hammond. "Sir, what exactly happened? The computer's completely frozen. I have no control over the gate. Nothing."
"Sergeant Siler had just begun the weekly gate diagnostic check, and this popped up on the screen. When I tried to open the iris," he motioned to the palm scanner, "nothing happened."
Major Pierce sighed, "I was hoping we wouldn't have to do this, sir, but it looks like the only choice. We're going to have to completely shut down the system and reboot. It's going to take at least 10 minutes for the computers to come back online, sir. Of course that's only the computers, the entire system won't be up and running for…" she paused, silently calculating, "…Another hour. Two at the most."
"If that's what it takes, Major. Just get the system working again. I want my boys home ASAP." The general nodded to Libby and took his leave. In the doorway he turned as an afterthought. "Send for me when everything is back online."
Libby shouted over her shoulder, "Yes, sir.", and turned back to the computer to continue her work.
A few minutes in silence passed before Daniel Jackson slid his rolling chair over toward Libby to whisper a hello. Startled, she jumped, having completely forgotten other people where in the room. With a laugh at herself, she greeted the brown haired, blue eyed man, and returned her focus to the computer monitor.
"Hello, Daniel."
"Have a nice nap in the briefing room?" His voice was teasingly sarcastic.
Major Pierce smirked, "Yes, as a matter of fact I did." She looked around and raised her brow questioningly. "Hey, why aren't you off somewhere celebrating the holidays?"
"Well, l really don't have any family to celebrate with." Daniel murmured.
Libby stopped typing abruptly as a lump lodged itself in her throat. She had managed, for a moment, to forget why she herself had chosen to stay at the base this Christmas. All of her closest family members had died, just as Daniel's had. With an audible grunt she cleared her throat and looked to Daniel, trying to hide her sorrow.
"Same reason I'm here." With a half-hearted smile she tried to dive back into her work, but without warning was pulled into a warm hug. She apparently hadn't hidden her emotions well enough. Daniel softly rubbed her back as she silently began to cry. Eventually she calmed herself down enough to enjoy just a few more moments of comfort before pulling out of Daniel's embrace. "I'm sorry, Daniel. It's just so hard during the holidays. You'd think I would be able to handle it."
Daniel locked eyes with the Major and spoke softly. "Believe me. If anyone understands, it's me." He smiled and took Libby's hand in his. "I'm surprised you held on this long. In the past two years that you've worked here no one's seen you shed a tear. We were beginning to wonder if you were even human." This brought a smile to Libby's face.
"Yeah…well, it was a sin to show any emotion in my family. I guess that's what you get from a family full of robots. I mean generals." Daniel and Libby both smiled. There was something about the look in Daniel's eyes that made her drop his hand and face the computer once again. Daniel also returned to his work.
Libby wiped the remaining tears off her cheek and looked to the computer screen. The monitor now showed the gate idle screen, which meant everything was back online and working properly. Before summoning General Hammond she decided to test the iris herself. She placed her hand on the palm scanner and the iris opened instantly. Satisfied, she tapped the intercom button and requested General Hammond's presence. Just as he walked through the door, the alarm signaling an incoming wormhole sounded.
"It's SG-3, sir." Libby said as the computer recognized their IDC.
"Open the iris." the General rumbled.
"Gladly." Libby placed her hand on the scanner once more. A hum and a metal clang made her grin, and then SG-3 came strolling down the ramp.