CH 128

When they reached Jack truck, they got in after the bag was in the back and Jack started up the truck. He left it running for a minute before they left to head into town. On the way Sam turn the heater up and she got a tape cassette out of her bag and put it in and turn it on

"I hope you like this Jack"

"What is it?"

"Listen" then he heard what Sam tape the day before and smiled.

By the time they reach the mall and find a car park, Sam stops the tape and turns to Jack. When he turned to her as he undid his seat belt and leaned over and gave her a kiss.

"Sam thanks for taping it for me"

"Your welcome, I knew you would love the Christmas song"

"Thanks" he gave her a kiss once again

"Shall we, I'm starving"

"I bet you are," she said smiling back.

They get out and Jack locks the doors before they walk into the mall holding hands. They went and got some lunch at a café, there were a lot of Christmas shoppers around and it was lunchtime.

"Jack I'll find us a table while you get us some lunch"

"Good idea"

Jack walked up and got a tray while Sam looked around and saw a family just leaving the table, so she walked over and sat down. She sorted out the two trays and put them aside just as a worker walked over and cleaned down the table and took the trays away.

When Jack walked over with a tray in hand to where Sam is and sat down. When Sam saw all there was, were two slices of cake and cup of hot chocolate and another was coffee, she looked up at him. Jack knew what she was going to ask.

"I order burger and fries for us both"

"Sounds good to me" Jack smile

"I got you fish burger with the sauce you love so much and me I got a steak and onion burger"

"Ok so how was the mission?"

"Close call a couple of them were… well if I didn't have these cool powers, things would have been a lot worse"

"So you save the guys lives?"

"Yes"

"My hero" Jack chuckled at her comment.

"You're my hero Sam" he held onto her hand

"I know, who knows you might get a promotion"

"Who knows Sam, who knows" they drink their drinks while waiting

"What have you been doing since you've been home?"

"Keeping busy, and I've been shopping, got you your Christmas present"

"Oh goody, well I got you a Christmas present as well it was home well hidden" he said smiling.

"Ok, oh General Ryan called to remind us about this weekend coming" Jack frond

"What on this weekend?"

"Christmas party at the White House"

"Oh that, I suppose I'll try and book a hotel room for the weekend"

"Already taken care of, General Ryan took care of the bookings two months ago when he found out the date of the party"

"Ok, we should thank him"

"I already taken care of that"

"Oh so where are we staying at?"

"We are staying at the 'park Hyatt' hotel and I called yesterday morning and book in the spa tub and spa treatment for us on Saturday so when we do show up at the White House, we would look good" Jack smile

"Sounds like you got everything sorted out"

"Yep and I've made some phone calls about a wedding coordinator and I found one who came highly recommended"

"Who?"

"Lisa Johnson"

"What can you tell me about her?"

"Well she started her own wedding coordinating business seven months ago when she did her brother's wedding in Denver and when the guests loved what she did. They book her to do their weddings five of the girls that were from the dorm, their brothers or sister got her in to take care of their weddings for them. They show me photos of what she has done and I was impressed so I called her and she would like to meet us when we are all free. I told her that you were away and didn't know when you will return, she said it was ok she knows what it like, she taken care of other couples who grooms are air force officers"

"So when would you like to see her?"

"How about tomorrow, I'll give her a call when we get home"

"Sure" they talked for a few minutes when a worker walked over with their lunch.

They thank her before walking away to clean up a table. They talk while enjoying their lunch and afterwards, Jack got up and got them another drink, when he returned they both had their drinks while enjoying their slice of cake.

After they finished they left to go to the rest rooms then they met each other outside, then they did some shopping for a couple of hours before they left to head back to the truck.

Once their shopping was in the back, they got in and left to head to the supermarket where they got some groceries for home. Once paid for, they headed on home where Jack was looking forward to seeing home and spending a few days with Sam before they had to fly out to Washington.

When they did get home, they took everything inside where it was warm. Sam was in the kitchen putting the groceries away while Jack went up stairs to his bedroom. When finish he walk down stairs when he saw some thing that caught his eye.

He walked into the foliar and looked around the walls. He smiled where he saw tinsel everywhere and a big sign saying 'merry Christmas and happy New Year' on the wall so when they answered the door people could see it straight away. He also notices mistletoe above the doorways.

When he finished looking around he walked into the living room and was shocked to see a fifteen foot tree in the corner of the living room, with a lot of decorations on it. There was tinsel and other decorations around the room. He even saw two Christmas stockings on the mantelpiece with their names on them. He looked around then he slightly jumped when the Christmas lights turned on, he turned around and saw Sam in the doorway.

"Well what do you think?"

"Sam was this a surprise you were talking about?"

"Yep"

"Sam I love it, you done a fanatic job" Sam walk over to him with a smile on her face

"Well I'm please you loved it Jack"

"Same here" he pulled her into his arms and they both kiss and hug

"You know" Sam moved back so she could look at him

"Have you done the family room?"

"No we can do that next year… together"

"I would like that"

"Same here" then he gave her a kiss.

"You know I can just picture you, me and a house full of kids running around enjoying themselves on Christmas day"

"Yeah with the rest of our family showing up, now that would be a wonderful day"

"Yes it would be alright" then the phone rings.

"I'll get it" Sam said, then she walk over to the wet bar and pick up the phone

"Hello… yes he here" then she pulls the phone away

"Jack it the colonel for you" he walk over and took the phone out of Sam hand

"Thanks" then he put the phone to his ear

"O'Neill… yes sir… this Friday" he look at Sam, she could hear everything, she gave Jack a nod

"Yes sir, we can make it… yes sir… thanks for calling" then he hung up

"Sam when are we leaving for Washington?"

"Friday morning, by the time we get to the hotel we are able to go to our rooms"

"Ok well it sure if good timing"

"I heard," she said smiling

"Well what would you like for dinner?"

"Food Jack"

"I know" they talk for the rest of the afternoon.

Jack cooks up some dinner for them both while they listen to some Christmas songs. After dinner they watched a Christmas movie then they went to bed for the night.

The next day Sam watches and takes photos of Jack building a snowman that made her laugh every time the head came off. They had a quiet day at home knowing the next day they were flying to Washington.

On Friday morning Jack and Sam showed up at Peterson air force base where a plane was waiting for them. Once they were aboard, they were in the air a few minutes later.

They talked till they got to Andrew air force base, when the plane landed; a limo was waiting to take them to their hotel. When they get there, they thank the driver before they walk in and up to the front desk.

Jack took care of the paperwork before they followed the bellboy up to their room. After the guy left, they both collapse on one of the beds

"So Sam what would you like to do after lunch?"

"After lunch, you got to get ready, remember"

"Yeah, I know, but after that?"

"Well let just wait and see shall we since we don't know how long the thing is going for"

"Good point"

"What did you have in mind?" Sam sat up and look at him

"Well I was thinking a movie and dinner"

"Sounds good to me" Jack pulled her down again and she snuggled up to his side.

"Next year sure is going to be busy for us"

"I know, but it will all work out"

"I know"

They were lost in their own thoughts till there was a knock on the door, so Jack got up to answer it while Sam got up and walked into the bathroom. When she walked out she smiled when she saw it was their lunch. Jack was putting it on the table when she walked over to see what it was.

It was vegetable soup with a bowl of crotons, fresh rolls and butter. There was also a pot of coffee for them also. They both sat down and enjoyed their lunch while talking. After lunch Jack got changed into his dress blues, Sam watched him the whole time. Once he was dress, he looks at Sam

"What?"

"Hot" Jack smile

"You think so?"

"Yes after all whenever you show up on campus in your dress blues, every female in the women dorm were practically drooling and they were jealous" she said smiling

"Ah, so shall we, we don't want to be late"

"Nope"

They both walk out of the room after Sam picks up her bag and Jack gets his cap and overcoat. They walked out to their waiting limo and got in, then they were on their way to meet the top brass and other air force officers.

When they got there twenty minutes later, they got out and thanked the driver before they walked up the steps and inside the building where it was warmer. After passing their coat bag and Jack cap over they walk down to where the other top brass is. When they got to the doorway and airmen stop Sam

"Sorry miss, air force personnel only"

"I am on the airforce"

"Airmen, stand a side"

"Sir I was order"

"Airmen, she is with the airforce" then the door open

"Captain, Sam, is they're a problem?"

"Sir this young girl say she air force"

"She is let her pass"

"Yes sir" he step a side and they walk past him

"Sorry if we were late General" Sam said

"No you're on time"

They walk in and walk along a corroder then through double doors and down the steps to see other air force personnel there. When they walk down the steps they walk over to one corner and look around seeing colonels and generals talking to each other.

"Jack have you notice that there is only colonels and generals here and no other officers" Jack look around then look at Sam

"Your right Sam" then they saw the chief of staff walk up to the pounamu

"Can I have everyone attention" everyone went quiet and look at the general

"I'm here to give an award to an airforce officer who risks his life to save everyone on his team and the people he helps rescue. Without further ado Captain O'Neill step ford"

Jack walked over and up the steps and stood at attention and saluted which the general did in return.

"Captain O'Neill it has been an honour and privilege to reward you the ' air force cross' for extraordinary heroism while in the line of duty" he pin the metal on Jack chest, once done

"And it has honour to promote you to major, con graduation Major O'Neill"

"Thank you sir"

The general changes the captain bars to gold oak leaves, once done they both salute and every one clap and smile at what Jack has just received. Then the general turned to everyone there.

"Major O'Neill is a fine officer and a true hero just like you finance Samantha Carter, whom is also here today, Sam, step ford"

Sam walked over and up the steps and stood next to Jack. Sam saw the shock look on most of their faces. Then the general turn to Jack and Sam

"That shock them" Sam giggle

"Yes sir" then he turned to everyone there.

"Samantha Carter will be joining the airforce in two years time at the rank of first lieutenant. If any of you got a problem with that I would like to know now"

"What about her training, it take years to train a cadet"

"May I general" Sam asked he step a side and Sam step ford

"I've done everything that a cadet is train to do plus much more and other question"

"What degrees have you got?" one asked

"I've got PHD in physics and biology, degree in computer science and next year I'll be getting my doctor degree in astrophysics" Every one was shock with what Sam just said

"What training have you got?"

"I'm level five in hand to hand, four times state Taekwondo and karate champion. Full qualified first aid instructor, full-qualified paramedic and full-qualified FAA and air force pilot. I'm also a fully qualified sniper" everyone was shocked with what Sam just said.

"What about survival training?" a colonel asked

"Been there done that, got the tee shirt" Jack and the chief of staff were smiling at Sam's answer. There was one question after another for the next ten minutes.

"Ok any other questions" Sam look around

"Ok now you all know what I'm capable of doing" then she turn and step over to where Jack and the general is

"Well sir is there anything else you need us here for?"

"No, your dismiss"

"Yes sir" Jack and the general saluted before they walked among the officers who congratulated him on his promotion and award.

Few minutes later they got their jackets on and Jack got his cap on and Sam was carrying her bag just before they walked outside after Jack called for a limo to take them back to the hotel.

When they returned back to their room, Jack got changed before they left to go to the mall to do some shopping. While in town they went to a restaurant for dinner where they celebrated Jack's promotion and award. Afterwards they went and saw a movie before returning back to their hotel room for the night.