Teyla and Vala knocked on the door to Sam's hotel room at around 6:30PM. Sam quickly answered in bathrobe, her hair still wet from the shower.
"Come in," she said closing the door behind them. "I was just about to do my hair."
The ladies set about doing their hair and makeup. When they were done they looked at each other in the mirror.
"Well I think we'll surprise them with how we look," Vala said matter of factly.
"As do I," Teyla smiled.
They slipped on their dresses, matching shoes, and grabbed their purses. One last look in the mirror and they were out the door.
XXX
"What's taking them so long?" Ronan asked from a chair in the lobby. The rest of the Atlantis and SG-1 men either sat or stood in the general area. General Landry, Dr. Lam, and Sgt. Harriman stood near the door waiting.
"They're woman Ronan, they always take a long time to get dressed," John looked at him with a smile.
"And here they come," Cameron spotted them just as the elevator doors opened. He whistled.
The three women stepped out, smiled across the room, and began to walk over to the guys. Ronan, Radek, General Landry, and Dr. Lam stood up as they approached.
John turned to look and his mouth dropped open at the sight of Teyla in a beautiful royal blue gown. He'd never scene her look so beautiful before. "Wow!"
"Good evening gentlemen," Sam smiled.
"Col. Carter, Vala, Teyla you ladies look lovely," General Landry said.
"Thank you general."
"Teyla you look…" John was at a loss for words. She only smiled up at him.
"Yes, well can you go now?" Rodney asked annoyed.
Radek shook his head and steered Rodney towards the door. General Landry and some of the others followed them out to the two limos waiting for them: one for the SGC and another for Atlantis.
John continued to stare at Teyla for a few more moments.
"Is something wrong John?" Teyla asked.
"No. You look beautiful," he led her outside to the limo leaving SG-1 and Col. Cater alone in the lobby.
"As do you Col. Carter." Teal'c said to Sam.
"Thank you Teal'c. You boys don't look bad yourselves."
"Daniel, don't you have anything to say about my dress?" Vala pouted.
"It's very…you," he stammered.
"Is that all your going to say?" Vala nearly hit him. "I spent hours picking out the right dress."
Sam chuckled. "Don't believe her Daniel, she didn't spend that much time looking."
"Let's go people," Landry called from the door of the hotel.
The members of SG-1 got into their limo and Sam walked over to the one for Atlantis personnel.
"Uh, Colonel since you and I seem to be dateless…would you allow me to escort you?" Rodney nervously spat out the question.
Sam blinked, but before she could say anything General O'Neill walked up. "She's with me tonight Doctor."
"General," Sam smiled wide when she saw him. She took his arm and allowed herself to be led to his limo.
"Give it up Rodney," Radek shook his head as Rodney stepped into the limo, then slammed the door closed..
XXX
Before they sat down to traditional Christmas dinner, the President introduced them as his special guests. He was able to say that they did a great deal for the country without actually saying what it is they do. Then they had a delicious dinner prepared by the White House chef of turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, corn, and other vegetables eaten for Christmas in America.
Then it was time for the entertainment. A live band played while the guests were invited to dance in the ballroom. Ronan and Teal'c discussed the differences and similarities of their two cultures, Rodney was trying to impress a single woman, Jack talked to the joint chiefs, and the others stayed off to the side undetected for most of the evening.
Sam and Teyla we're standing in a corner when John approached them. "You know you ladies are standing under mistletoe?" he smirked.
Sam looked up and sighed at the sight.
"That means I owe you a kiss," he leaned down and kissed Teyla lightly.
"Don't even think about it Colonel."
"I wouldn't dream of it Ma'am." John said quickly.
The singer finished her current song "Santa Baby" and began to speak, "Ladies and Gentlemen next we have a request. This one is to Teyla from John." She smiled and the band began to play the opening notes.
Teyla looked from Sam to John not knowing what to say or do.
"Shall we dance?" John asked taking her arm. The two walked to the middle of the dance floor and began to sway to the music.
I don't want a lot for Christmas
There's just one thing I need
I don't care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
"This is one of my favorite Christmas songs," John whispered.
Teyla listen for a moment, "It…is a very interesting song."
"Listen to the lyrics," he instructed.
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is...
You
"Teyla, I love you more than anything." This caused Teyla to smile. "Which is why I want to ask you something." He paused then reached into his pocket and pulled out the small velvet box.
I don't want a lot for Christmas
There's just one thing I need
I don't care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I don't need to hang my stocking
There upon the fireplace
Santa Claus won't make me happy
With a toy on Christmas day
John opened the box and revealed the ring. Teyla just stared at it not sure what to say. It was unlike the jewelry of her people.
"Teyla, will you marry me?" John asked. "All I want for Christmas is you."
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you
You baby
Teyla looked up at John and then down at the rink, then back again. Her surprised look turned into a smile. "Yes John. I will marry you."
John slipped the ring onto Teyla's finger and kissed her. Several people had stopped dancing when they saw him pull out the ring box and turned to watch. They now smiled. John and Teyla continued to dance until the song ended, then joined their friends and co-workers for dessert.
"Congratulations Col. Sheppard, Ms. Emmagen," Teal'c bowed as he congratulated the two.
"Thank you Teal'c," Teyla smiled.
Sam gave Teyla a hug and whispered congratulations in her ear. She was happy for her friend, but the sadness and pain that she would never be able to be able to be with the man she loved began to get to her. She scanned the room looking for Gen. O'Neill, finally spotting him across the room talking to the Secretary of Defense.
"Don't worry; Teyla is still part of the team. I asked Col. Carter a few months ago if she could stay on the team if I asked her to marry me, and she said yes. Right Col?" John explained to the others.
Hearing her name called Sam turned back to her friends. "Right. You work well together. I wouldn't have it any other way," she smiled distantly. "If you will excuse me a moment."
When they nodded Sam turned and left, walking to a door that led to the rose garden.
Daniel watched her retreat with concern.
"Well, where is my present?" Vala interrupted his thoughts.
"Excuse me?"
"My present! Vala made a swing to hit him again. "I saw that bag from the jewelry store when we ran into you at the mall."
Daniel ducked out of the way. "Ah, that. You're going to have to wait 'til Christmas to get it."
"But that's so far away."
"It's only a day Vala."
She pouted causing Daniel and everyone else to laugh.
The conversation quickly turned to talk of when John and Teyla would have their wedding. Would it be in Atlantis or on Earth? Spring or Fall? Traditional Earth wedding, an Athosian one, or a combination of both?
"Howdy campers," Jack approached them with a smile.
"General: Enjoying the party?" Cameron asked the older man.
"Not really. Everyone wants to know how things are going at the SGC and Atlantis."
"With all due respect sir, you are the head of the program," Cameron said.
"Yes. I'm beginning to regret taking the job," Jack sarcastically responded.
"You do not like your job, General?" Teyla asked.
"It's not that I don't like running the program, I just hate the paperwork. I'd rather be out there with you guys again rather than stuck behind a desk all day. Besides there are other things I'd like to do but can't as long as I'm in charge." Everyone nodded as if they understood, but really only Teal'c and Daniel knew what he meant with his last statement. "By the way, you guys seen Sam?"
"Colonel Carter excused herself a few minutes ago, Generel," Radek answered.
"I believe she went to the garden," Teal'c smiled.
"Thanks." Jack walked away and towards the door to the garden. He looked out the glass doors and saw Sam sitting on a bench a few yards away. Taking a deep breath he opened the door and walked out into the snow-dusted garden.
XXX
Sam sat on a bench in the White House rose garden teary eyed and staring out into space. Jack quietly approached her.
"Sam?"
"General, I didn't here you coming," she chocked back tears as she stood.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine sir."
"One, we're off duty, call me Jack. And two, if you were fine you wouldn't be crying." Sam sighed and tried to turn away, but Jack put a hand on her shoulder to stop her. "I know you Sam, the only time I've seen you cry was when someone died. Something has to be bothering you."
"I'm just happy for John and Teyla," she lied.
"No, that's not it."
She pulled herself away and looked out over the snow covered garden.
"I…" her voice began to break, "I know we told each other how we felt when we went fishing with the Daniel and Teal'c, but it isn't enough anymore to just know. I want what they have."
Jack sighed in response.
"I want you to be able to put your arms around me and be with me with out having to worry about the regulations."
"We can." She turned back to him shocked.
"How? You are still my commanding officer, and you keep saying that you won't let me give up my job."
"That's because the program needs you. They don't need me."
"What is that supposed to mean?" she asked confused.
"I turned in my resignation yesterday," Sam's eyes widened.
"I'm sick of being the head of the program. I want to be with you," he raised a hand to her face and whipped away her tears. They stared at one another for a moment. Then Jack leaned down and kissed her. Sam wrapped her arms around his neck and deepened the kiss. Jack pulled her closer and ran his hand down her bare back. Despite the freezing weather and the snow that was slowly falling neither of them felt the least bit cold. They were completely lost in each other.