Glad you liked it!

(grin)

Thanks a ZILLION for reviewing... (And reading of course!)

Sorry 'bout the slow update... MAJOR writers block.

Hope you like this chapter!

PLEASE READ: I am changing the name from 'Christmas Surprises' to 'Surprises'.


Dori was in a pair of aqua pajamas drinking hot chocolate when Sam entered the cabin shivering.

"Morning Carter!" Jack called from beside his daughter. "Whatcha doin' out there so early?"

Carter pushed the door closed then accepted the cup of coffee Daniel handed her. "I... fancied a walk."

Jack got the distinct impression his second-in-command was hiding something. She continued to smile innocently until Daniel passed her a plate of waffles and they all sat down at the table.

Dori said a quick prayer then they all dug in. As one, Jack and Sam sputtered as they took their first bite.

"What is it?" Daniel demanded. "Too salty?"

They nodded vigorously.

"I knew it said one teaspoon of salt," he moaned.

Dori raised an eyebrow. Her's tasted fine. She was about to say so when she caught Teal'c's small wink. Covering a smile, she continued to sip her chocolate.

The archeologist grabbed a fork and tasted them. He chewed for a moment then frowned. "Mine tastes fine."

The two military members shoved their plates at him. "Taste it," they challenged.

Daniel slowly cut a corner off and placed it in his mouth. His eyes widened. "Dey tafe nomwal Tam."

"What was that?" She asked raising an eyebrow.

He swallowed. "They taste normal Sam."

Dori giggled.

---

The archeologist was annoyed over the trick his friends had played on him but forgave them after Carter smiled at him and handed him a cup of coffee.

Dori finished her chocolate and spent the rest of the meal, narrowly observing Jack and Sam. Jack was aware of his daughter's scrutiny but chose to ignore it. He decided that, later, they would have to have a talk.

---

"NO!" the Colonel and the teenager cried.

Jack slowly stood up. "No?" he asked shocked.

Carter closed her eyes. "Sir, please."

"Yeah Dad," Dori agreed. "We've been watching 'The Simpson's' for hours."

"So?"

Carter sighed exasperated. "So... we'd like to watch something... different."

Dori nodded. "C'mon... PLEASE?"

Jack put on a mock annoyance face. "Fine," he rummaged through the cabinet. "Let's watch Dori's old favorite... ARTHUR!"

She groaned.

---

After lunch, Jack, unsuccessfully, attempted to get them all to try more of the Simpson's. Carter announced her intention to take a nap, which he would have possibly believed... except for the fact she had a laptop concealed in her backpack. Teal'c retired to his room to meditate and Daniel decided to join him- more out of dread of what Jack would suggest they do.

As soon as Carter was safely out of earshot, Dori asked quietly.

"Are you going to marry her Jack?"

Jack had expected the question- hoped she'd ask it actually. But as he was about to give his reply, a wave of emotion swept over him. He closed his eyes for a brief moment then focused on his daughter.

"No," he said quietly. "No."

"Why not?"

"We are both Air Force officers."

"So?"

Jack gave her a wan smile. "Let's just say it's forbidden."

"So you can't EVER marry her?" she pressed.

Jack thought of that cop Shanahan. Despite her words on the plane, she knew she... enjoyed herself with that man as Cassie called him with open disgust in her voice. Marriage he wasn't sure was something she had thought of but the cop obviously cared for her.

"No."

"No, you never CAN marry her?"

"I could marry her if I retired... but..."

"But she has a boyfriend." Dori finished.

"Yeah."

A look of satisfaction flitted across the girl's face before being replaced with a look of guilt. "Will you be ok?"

Jack nodded. "Yeah… I'll be fine."

"Do you love-"

"That's enough kid," he said almost sternly.

Dori nodded but she couldn't help but think that if Sam married the man on the phone… it would break her 'fathers' heart.

---

Carter closed her laptop and checked her cell-phone. Three messages were there.

"Hi Sam, this is Pete… give me a call if you have time."

She remembered with a guilty pain that she had neglected to call him upon landing. She quickly checked the other messages (all from him) then dialed his number. He answered on the third ring.

"Shanahan."

She smiled. "Hey Pete."

"Sam!"

"Yeah… hey, I'm sorry about not calling you but I was-"

"Don't worry about it. I figured you were safe and that you were-"

"Busy," they both finished.

A brief silence reigned before Pete politely inquired about her friends. She gave a quick response then the silence took over.

"So when are you getting home?"

"The 27th," she said quickly. "We have work the next day."

"Ok. Have plans for the 29th?"

She winced. "Uh… actually I uh…"

"You do."

"Yeah."

"What are they?"

"I have a wedding to attend."

"Oh."

She sighed. "I'm sorry Pete."

There was an indistinct noise in the background. "Uh Sam, I gotta go."

'Ok."

"But… how would you feel about a vi-"

"SHANAHAN!" A voice yelled.

"Love ya Sam… bye!"

The line disconnected. "How would I feel about what?" she asked the phone.
It was silent and she slipped it back into her pocket.

"Ay yi yi…"

---

A violent torrent of rain prevented their plans of exploring the small town only a few miles away from his cabin. The rain lasted for the next two days, effectively keeping them indoors.

Dori's hostility had died down and she begrudgingly admitted that Sam was a fascinating- and kind- woman.

There were all gathered around the fireplace, roasting marshmallows and singing silly songs as invented by Daniel and Jack when a loud knock was heard on the door. Dori was at the door a minute later, still giggling.

"Hello?"

A voice that made Sam leap to her feet was heard asking. "Is Sam here?"

She hurried into the foyer where the girl stood staring at a person.

"Janet?" She gasped.

The doctor smiled. "Hi! The General-"

Another figure burst through the door and slammed it closed. "Aunt Sam!" It gasped. "What the hell did Jack do to irritate God like that?"

"Hey!" Jack protested entering the room followed by Daniel and Teal'c. "What are you doing here?"

The girl removed her jacket. "I cut classes…" She trailed off as her eyes took in the young teenager. "Holy Hannah…" She whispered. "Jack… you and Sam didn't-"

"No!" They both exploded.

Dori pushed herself away from the wall. "Dorothy Morgan O'Neill… you are?"

"Cassandra Fraiser," Cassie said holding out her hand. "Ok... I get the suspicious feeling I'm missing something… Dorothy O'Neill?"

"Her legal name is Dorothy Morgan," Jack corrected. "I'm Dori's guardian."

"You don't have any family," Cassie objected.

"I'm Jack's ex-wife's daughter," Dori said coolly.

The red head grinned. "Cool! How old are you?"

"14."

She nodded. "17 and ¾ for me…"

Dori couldn't help but grin at the energetic girl. "Are you staying?"

"Yep. At least until you guys leave."

Jack watched his daughter closely. Teal'c had mentioned his 'discussion' with Dori the night she had arrived so he knew his daughter was jealous of anything she perceived to be a threat to 'them'. To his surprise, she slowly loosened up and by the time they had settled down to eat their late supper, the two girls were chattering away like they had known each other all of their lives.

Sam and Janet discussed Christmas plans. The team had already opened their gifts from each other, as it wasn't practical to haul them through several states. Dori hadn't been expected though Jack had been planning on sending her gift (a portable CD player).

Daniel was trying to ignore the two teenagers who were discussing the 'hotness' of various movie stars. Teal'c devoted himself to his meal then remained quietly at the table until everyone else was finished.

Sleeping arrangements were promptly solved. Cassie and Dori would bunk together and Janet and Sam would share Jack's room. Jack's crack about everyone sleeping with their 'partners' was met with scowls and rolled eyes (plus a few 'Jack's'…).

Obediently they retired, unaware that tomorrow, their lives would change drastically.


I know, a terrible ending... very melodramatic.

I'm writing the next chapter and hopefully I can get it up soon. I have the entire plot written out... yay!

THANK-YOU WARMTEA FOR EDITING THIS!

Please review!