The room was almost submerged in darkness. The window didn't get in, no moonlight. Actually, it couldn't. All evening the skies were overcast, and snowflakes were falling constantly on the already snow-covered ground. The only illumination was provided by a large Christmas tree that stood beside the fireplace. The light bulbs that were wrapped around it played a variety of colors. From red to green to blue and orange.

It was December 24. The day before Christmas and probably the best time of the year. The whole house was scented with cinnamon and apples. A few twigs of mistletoe hung over the living room door. A pleasant warmth spread through the room, coming from the fire in the fireplace. Sam sat in her chair, wrapped in a warm blanket, finally enjoying the atmosphere.

Over the past few years, Christmas has lost all meaning to her. Jacob was gone, and he had little opportunity to visit her during the holidays. So she spent most of it at work, completely shutting it out of her life. She tried not to think about the millions of people sitting by the Christmas tree or those having a delicious dinner. Instead, she locked herself in a laboratory and got completely lost in the world of science and numbers. She could stop thinking about her family, and the pain was a little less. But it all came back. A man came into her life and turned it upside down.

Finally, there was no longer just a working and friendly relationship between them. She loved him and he loved her. They knew it and tried to suppress it, but soon found it was of no use. Although it had been a long road of obstacles, prohibitions, and regulations, she had no regrets about following it a year ago. She knew it was the direction to go and stuck to it. Now she felt at home again. Not just a house with lots of different things, but a real home. Feeling safe, loving and family.

There was only one person for all these feelings. The one she had tried to earn respect from when they first met, though he had recently told her that there was no need at all. He respected her from the first moment she walked in the door. Jack O'Neill was the one who made her happy and completely content.
"What are you thinking?" He whispered suddenly beside her, reaching out to hold a cup full of hot, scented chocolate.
She smiled "Thank you," took it from him, and drank a little "I was thinking about home."
"Home?" He repeated the last word and sat down on the carpet in front of her, his back against her knees.
"What are you doing," she smiled, "you should think about your back and your knees."
He tilted his head back so that it rested in her lap "They're perfectly all right," he smiled, "Sam, do you feel at home?"

She did not immediately respond. Her free hand began to run through his already tousled hair. "Yes, Jack," she whispered after a moment "with you I found a home."
He raised his head, rolled, and knelt before her "I didn't think I'd hear it again."
She put the cup on the table, reached out and put her hands on his neck "I love you, Jack" she looked into his eyes and ran her fingers gently through his hair.
No words were needed. He moved closer so that his body was between her legs, his palms against the chair, and his lips on hers. Sam pulled him even closer. She wanted to be as close to him as possible. To feel his heart beating and just to be carried away by his presence, smell and pleasant warmth.

"Merry Christmas Sam" he smiled as they pulled away "I love you."
She stroked his cheek "Merry Christmas Jack."