Disclaimer: I don't own Stargate Atlantis or the characters. This is written purely for fun.
"What do you think?" Lorne asked at the end of his briefing to John and Woolsey.
"I think this is exactly what we need. It will boost morale. Good suggestion Lorne." John said.
"I concur." Woolsey said. "After everything that we have gone through, this should provide a bit of normalcy.
"Thank you sirs." Lorne replied before confessing. "But I see two problems though."
"Only two?" Woolsey asked.
"Especially as Wraith and bad luck count." John said.
"I actually meant problems unique to this." Lorne said.
"Even then, only two?" John said.
"Two major problems." Lorne clarified.
"Which are?" Woolsey said.
"I think this would have the biggest impact if we kept it a secret until the last minute."
"I agree." Woolsey said. "What's the problem?"
"For a people working on a top secret project, people round here are terrible at keeping secrets."
"I see your point." Woolsey said.
"But you have a solution?" John guessed.
"A select team who will organise everything. All their off-world missions will be in support of this task. But as far as the logs go they are conducting normal missions. They will go to the planet logged in the system then dial straight out."
"That is a huge breach in protocol." Woolsey said. "But I will allow it for two weeks only."
"Who is on this team?" John asked.
"Well my team already know about it, so they make sense." Lorne said.
"Agreed. Who else?" John asked.
"We need the kitchen."
"I agree." John said.
"And then we need, Sterling, Kane, Townsend, Hopley and Flatman."
"Why?" John asked.
"They each bring something unique."
"Okay. And the second problem?" John said.
"How we get people there? I mean there are some people in this city who seem to be shying away from off world missions. I think they need this the most."
"You are referring to a certain doctor?" Woolsey guessed.
"Yes, but she isn't the only one."
"You sort out the planning, I'll deal with compliance." John said.
"May I remind you this is meant to be a morale building activity?" Woolsey said. "No need to make it sound so sinister."
-00-
Two weeks later ….
"Ronon, get the doc. Don't take no for an answer." John ordered as he stood by the gate with Woolsey.
"Okay." Ronon said heading off to the infirmary.
"Should you have caveated that a little?" Woolsey asked.
"What do you mean?"
"Ronon can be a little literal at times."
"He's bringing the doc from the infirmary what is there to misinterpret? Okay, thinking about it, I can see how it could go wrong, but it won't." John said. "Probably. I mean it is like two minutes from here to the infirmary."
"As much as I appreciate optimism, I feel that the head of the military on Atlantis should be grounded by reality not optimism." Woolsey said.
"It'll be fine." John said just as they heard screams from down the corridor.
"Put me down." Jennifer protested from somewhere down the corridor.
"You were saying." Woolsey said to John.
"At least he didn't stun her." John countered as Ronon entered the control room carrying Jennifer over his shoulder.
"Will you put me down!" She demanded.
As Ronon reached John he set Jennifer down and John ended up facing a red faced doctor. Although he wasn't sure if the red face was due to embarrassment or anger.
"Sorry doc, I may have been ambiguous in my request." John said.
"No you weren't." Ronon shrugged.
"What is going on?" Jennifer asked.
"A very special off world trip." John said.
"Why not just tell me there was a mission?"
"In hindsight that would have been easier." John agreed.
"Albeit a lie." Woolsey said.
"But we could have made it a mission." John said.
"Is this a mission or not? Because I was in the middle of something." Jennifer said.
"Sorry doc, we need you off world." John said. "And you will need these." He said handing her a thick coat, gloves and a hat.
"Do I need my medical kit?"
"No. Probably not. Well I hope not."
"What does that mean?"
"Your luck can be a little suspect. But I am sure it will be fine. And Ronon will be your escort." John said. Seeing Jennifer not moving he added. "If you would prefer Ronon carries you that can be arranged."
"I can walk." Jennifer said doing up the thick coat before stepping through the gate.
-00-
"Hey doc." Lorne smiled when Jennifer stepped through the gate.
"What's going on?" Jennifer asked.
"You'll see. This way." Lorne said leading Jennifer through the snowy landscape until Jennifer found herself looking at a makeshift, snow covered Christmas village with a large tree, draped with flashing lights, in the middle.
"Welcome to the Pegasus Wonderland." Lorne grinned.
"I don't get it." Ronon said. "People from Earth get excited about weird stuff."
"It's not weird." Jennifer said.
"It's trees and snow." Ronon pointed out.
"I know right." Jennifer said smiling.
"We have put in as many things as we could in the time available. Here is a guide." Lorne said handing Jennifer a piece of paper. "May I suggest you start over there where we have the ice rink."
"You have an ice rink?" Jennifer asked eyes wide.
"And skates." Lorne confirmed.
"Ice skating?" Ronon asked. "Like blades of glory?"
"You've seen that?" Jennifer asked surprised.
"Big disappointment." Ronon said. "Thought it was about something else."
"I can imagine." Jennifer said.
"We also have carollers." Lorne went on.
"Wait you have a choir?"
"A group of carol singers." Lorne said. "And they are taking requests. And if you get hungry there are festive refreshments on the other side."
"How? Why?" Jennifer asked.
"We thought everyone needed a morale boost." Lorne said. "Anyway, I'll catch you later. Ronon, don't forget you are responsible for the doc's safety. Do whatever she wants. Except go home. She needs to have fun."
"So what do you want to do?" Ronon asked Jennifer.
"Ice skate."
"Umm-" Ronon said.
"What's wrong."
"I don't know how." He confessed.
"It's okay, I'll teach you." She said walking him over to the skates that were by the rink.
"Okay, put those on." Jennifer said handing Ronon the biggest skates she could find.
"Okay." He said looking suspiciously at the skates. Having put them on he unstably stood and held onto the side for support.
"You ready?" Jennifer asked.
"Sure." He said as Jennifer stepped onto the ice. Seeing how easily she was moving, he assumed it was easy and stepped onto the ice only to immediately fall on his back side.
"You probably want to go slow." Jennifer said helping him to his feet.
Once he was standing he started to move slightly before struggling for balance.
"Easy." Jennifer said as Ronon struggled to maintain his balance.
"How are you so good at this?" He asked as they skated round.
"My dad and I did this every year. It was kind of our thing."
"And you like this." He said concentrating on not falling.
"Of course I do, just gliding a long, not a care in the world." She said skating round him.
"Hmm, not sure it's my thing." He said starting to fall, causing Jennifer to grab his hand.
"I don't know, I can see you playing hockey." Jennifer said as she supported him.
"The one where they ram each other and fight?"
"I am not an expert on sports, but I think that probably covers a couple of sports." Jennifer said as she guided Ronon further onto the ice. As Ronon started to find his balance she released his hand and slid back slightly.
-00-
"What now?" Ronon asked when he was safely back in his own boots.
"Snowman."
"Sure." He said not sure what she was talking about.
"Let's go over here." Jennifer said leading him to a quite area full of snow. "This looks good, not to hard, not to wet."
"Science stuff?" Ronon guessed.
"Well if you asked Rodney I am sure he could tell you the science behind the perfect snowball. But most of humanity just like to wing it." She said as she started rolling a body.
"That I can do." He said copying what Jennifer was doing.
Having created what Jennifer thought was the perfect body she looked round and saw Ronon had created a much bigger ball.
"Okay, new plan, that's the base and this is the next layer. Can you lift this onto that?" She asked pointing to her ball. The question causing Ronon to shoot a look at Jennifer before lifting the large ball of snow and putting it on top of his one.
"Okay, now we need to decorate him. He needs arms and a face." She said. "Can you get some large sticks?"
"Sure." He said as she started to carve into the head.
As Ronon returned with the sticks his foot slipped on ice just before he got to Jennifer. Hearing him grunt in surprise Jennifer turned to face Ronon just as he lost his balance causing him to fall into Jennifer before they both fell into the snowman that disintegrated over and round them.
"You okay?" Ronon asked looking down at Jennifer who he was lying on top of.
"Yes." Jennifer squeaked as she turned red as Ronon stared into her eyes.
"Normally people make snowmen of just snow. They don't put themselves in the middle." Lorne said laughing from one side, causing Ronon to jump up.
"Funny." Jennifer said as Ronon helped her to her feet.
"You okay?" Ronon asked.
"Yeah, not sure about Frosty though."
"Who?"
"Frosty the snowman." Jennifer said looking at the now shapeless pile of snow.
"Fortunately there is hot chocolate and snacks." Lorne said
"Christmas Cookies?" Jennifer said excitedly.
"Yes."
"Food right?" Ronon asked.
"Yes food." Jennifer said as Lorne lead them over to the cookies.
"Good." Ronon said taking a cookie.
"Oh...gingerbread houses. Is that a competition?" Jennifer asked seeing the activity to the side.
"Yes." Lorne said.
"To see who can eat most?" Ronon asked hopefully.
"No." Lorne said. "Who can make the best house."
"Best house?" Ronon asked lost.
"Yes, you make a house out of the gingerbread and then decorate it. Best house wins." Jennifer explained.
"Gingerbread being food?" Ronon questioned.
"Yes food." Jennifer answered.
"Food you make into homes?" Ronon asked.
"Yes."
"You over complicate food." Ronon said.
"So what do you say, want to enter?" Lorne asked.
"Yes." Jennifer said happily.
-00-
"What?" Jennifer asked as she looked up from her decorating and saw Ronon was looking at her.
"Nothing." Ronon said.
"No, that look doesn't mean nothing."
"It's just that you look happy. You should smile more." Ronon said.
"There's not been a whole bunch to smile about recently." She countered.
"Things can always be worse." Ronon shrugged. As he applied some decoration to the house.
"What's that?" Jennifer asked.
"Gun. For defence." Ronon said.
"Then how will Santa get in?" Jennifer asked.
"The guy who travels all round your planet, going to every house, and leaves the presents that kids want?" Ronon asked.
"Yes."
"And he goes down your ..."
"Chimneys?"
"Yes." Jennifer confirmed.
"What if there isn't a chimney?"
"Well he's kind of magical so can get in anyway."
"Then why would a gun stop him?" Ronon asked.
"Fine, the gun can stay." Jennifer conceded.
-00-
"Are you making a gingerbread house?" John asked, his amusement obvious as he joined the pair.
"Best defended house there is." Ronon said proudly.
"That's an original use of candy canes." John commented.
"So when can we eat this?" Ronon asked.
"After the judging." John said.
"Which is?"
"In a couple of hours." John said. "But in the mean time I have a job for you, well both of you."
"What?"
"We need a tree for the City." John said. "And we'd like you to pick one." He said to Jennifer before looking at Ronon. "And you to cut it down." With that he handed Ronon an axe.
"Really?" Jennifer asked, eyes lighting up.
"Really." John smiled.
"Come on." She said grabbing Ronon's free hand and dragging him into the forest.
"Why is Jennifer dragging Ronon into the forest?" Teyla asked seeing them leave.
"To get a tree for the city." John said.
-00-
"What's wrong with this one?" Ronon asked as they passed yet another tree.
"Too listless."
"And that one?"
"Too pointy."
"And that one?"
"Not pointy enough." Jennifer said before coming to an abrupt halt. "There. That's it." She said before walking over to the one she had chosen.
"How is that one different from that one?" Ronon asked.
"Are you kidding?" Jennifer asked. "I thought you were meant to be the Galaxy's best tracker. Surely you can see that this one is more bushy at the bottom, and the green is that slightly deeper."
"Sure." Ronon said shaking his head. "So you want that one?"
"Yes." Jennifer said causing Ronon to draw his gun.
"Whoa. What are you doing?"
"Shooting it down."
"No no no. You have to cut it down." Jennifer said. "With the axe."
"Blaster is faster."
"And wrong. We aren't trying to kill the tree." Jennifer reminded him.
"You want it cut down." Ronon reminded her, before deciding it was best not to argue.
-00-
"You went to town on that one." John said as Ronon dragged the tree back to the Colonel.
"You don't like it?" Jennifer asked.
"No, it's fine." John smiled. "But you can carry it to the gate." He said looking at Ronon.
"I'll be back soon." He said to Jennifer.
"I'll get more hot chocolate." Jennifer said watching the pair disappear with the tree.
"Having fun?" Lorne asked as Jennifer collected the hot chocolate.
"I am. Thank you for arranging this."
"Well, who doesn't like Christmas?" Lorne asked.
"Not sure Ronon is fully invested yet."
"Well you still have a couple of hours before you have to head back to the city. Maybe a romantic stroll will help."
"Sure, wait what? What do you mean romantic stroll?"
"You know, walking through the snow in starlight, down to the mistletoe."
"I know what a romantic stroll is, but why would I go with Ronon and why would that help Ronon? Plus there isn't mistletoe in Pegasus."
"Doc, you act way too innocent." Lorne said. "But I don't believe it."
"What does that mean?" Jennifer asked
"Don't think I didn't see that almost kiss in the snowman." He added walking off as Jennifer turned bright red just as Ronon returned and handed her a cookie.
"Everything okay?" He asked.
"Um sure." Jennifer said taking the cookie.
"So what now?" He asked.
"I don't know." She said avoiding eye contact.
"Then can I choose?"
"Sure." She said causing Ronon to grab her hand and pull her towards what Lorne called Mistletoe walk. "So when I was carrying the tree back Sheppard told me about Mistletoe."
"You probably don't need to worry about that in Pegasus, pretty sure it doesn't grow here." Jennifer said.
"Lorne had some shipped." Ronon said.
"He did?" Jennifer asked. "How is that even allowed? I mean the bio diversity could cause huge problems. I can't believe anyone signed off on that." She listed before noticing Ronon had come to a stop. "What?" She asked turning.
In response Ronon looked up, where some very plastic looking mistletoe was hanging. Not giving her a chance to say anything else he leaned down and kissed her.
The End