A/N: Ladygris got me to thinking about a series of one-shots centered on Christmas carols. I don't know if my muse will provide me with inspiration for more than a few, but here's the first one.

Merry Christmas to all the McKeller fans out there in FF-land.

~ Sandy ~

Take back the holly and mistletoe
Silver bells on string
If I wrote a letter to Santa Claus
I would ask for just one thing

I don't need sleigh rides in the snow
Don't want a Christmas that's blue
Take back the tinsel, stockings, and bows
'Cuz all I want for Christmas is you

All I Want for Christmas is You

Rodney entered his quarters and engaged the program that would halt the use of any entry code but his own. He booted up his personal workstation and opened the email from Jeannie. There were at least a dozen photos attached and he clicked through them one at a time, pausing only a second before going on to the next. That is until he came to photo number eight. He manipulated the image until he'd seen the object from every possible angle. It's perfect!

He hit reply and composed a message that included explicit instructions for the purchase and delivery of the object as well as a list of other supplies he needed.

"…and please make sure they get here on time or I am screwed." He signed it Love, Meredith and hit send. It would go out in three days with the next data burst to Earth. If everything worked out the way he planned…

The chime brought him out of his thoughts and he went to answer the door with a bounce to his step. "J-Jennifer."

"R-Rodney. Oh, I am so tired, honey. All I wanna do is take a hot shower, get into bed with you and not have to think about anything for at least eight hours." The medical doctor planted a quick kiss on his lips as she entered the room. "What's wrong with your door? My code didn't work."

"I-I, uh, don't know. I'll look at it, you know, tomorrow."

Jennifer gave him a long thoughtful look but didn't say anything though she sensed he was hiding something. "Please do."

He watched her kick off her shoes and toss her jacket on the dresser. She pulled pj's from the top right drawer and went into the bathroom leaving the door ajar. The shower came on and Rodney took the opportunity to change as well. He was sitting on the side of the bed pulling off his socks when Jennifer's voice called out.

"Rodney, please come wash my back."

Kicking off his boxers and pulling his T-shirt off over his head, he went into the bathroom and shut the door.

Christmas Eve Eve

Jennifer stood outside Rodney's quarters, did a quick hair check of her simple updo and her tinkling bell earrings. She brushed a hand down the front of her black and silver velvet knee-length dress, adjusted the spaghetti straps, switched the flat red and gold wrapped package tied with a gold ribbon to her left hand and opened the Christmas card he'd sent her. On the front was a cozy-looking home, a lighted Christmas tree in the front window, mother and father gazing out watching children playing in the snow. Inside he'd written:

You are cordially invited to a private Christmas party for two

2000 tonight at my place

Dress fancy!

She announced her presence, the door opened and her breath caught in her throat. He was wearing a dark suit, crisp white shirt and, to her surprise, a whimsical Santa Claus and Rudolph tie. His eyes traveled down to her strappy heels and back up to her face. She smiled. "Fancy enough?"

Rodney cleared his throat and stood back so she could enter. "Um, yeah. You look…wow!"

"I was going for 'you look nice' but I'll take wow." She tugged lightly on the tie and Rudolph's nose lit up. "And you look very handsome."

"Thanks. The, uh, tie was a gift from Madison and Jeannie a couple years ago. First time I've had a chance to wear it."

His tie wasn't the only surprise in store for her. From hidden speakers she could hear Christmas carols playing softly adding to the overall ambiance. In one corner stood a four-foot tree decorated with brightly colored ornaments, blinking twinkle lights and silver garland. Underneath the tree was a single package, too big for a ring but just the right size for a bracelet or necklace.

Jennifer looked around the room, her eyes wide in wonder, especially at a particular decoration that he'd managed to hang from the ceiling. When her eyes fell on his face again, the love he felt for her came through in his intense blue gaze.

"This is for you."

"Really? Thanks." He took the package and placed it next to the one already under the tree. He turned back around and found she'd moved to stand under the sprig of mistletoe. She crooked her finger, giving him a mischievous smile. When he got close, her hands came to rest on his lapels. He put his hands on her waist as she reached up to kiss him.

Their lips moved together and though they both wanted to take it beyond the sweetness of this moment, they pulled apart. Rodney took her hand and led her to a small table set with real china, cloth napkins, crystal champagne flutes and white candles. A bottle was chilling in a bucket of ice on the dresser.

Rodney couldn't take his eyes off of the woman he loved. She was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen and thanked a God he'd once only half believed in that she loved him in return. He took both of her hands in his and urged her to sit. "Be, uh, fore we eat and stuff, I want to, um…you see, it's like this, uh…"

Jennifer's eyebrows came together over her nose. "Is something wrong?"

"No! No. I-I-In fact, everything's right. At least I hope it is. I love you and you love me, right?"

"Uh-huh." She knew he was trying to say something but had no idea what it could possibly be. All she could do was just let him say what he wanted to say in his own time and his own endearingly shy way. So, she was patient, sitting with both hands in her lap.

"I'm not doing this very well, am I?"

"Whatever it is, you can do it. I believe in you."

"Really?" At her nod he took a deep breath, his back straightened and his face changed. He once again became the confident and self-assured man she loved with all her heart.

He went to the tree and returned with a package wrapped in her favorite purple with a silver bow. "It won't actually be Christmas for a couple of days, but, well, I'd like you to open this now. Please." His voice changed, became timid again. "But if you'd rather not…"

"Of course." Jennifer slipped her thumb under the taped edge and peeled back the paper. The white box was plain giving nothing away as to the contents. She removed the top and inside was a silver heart-shaped box. "It's beautiful, Rodney."

He smiled tremulously at her. "Open it."

"Okay." Slipping her thumb into the groove, Jennifer worked the top off and set it aside. The interior was lined with black velvet and nestle within its folds was a platinum and diamond solitaire ring. "Rodney?" Her eyes were wide and unblinking as they slowly came up to meet his.

Dropping to one knee, Rodney plucked the ring from its resting place and took the left hand of the woman he loved. "Jennifer Rene Keller, most of my life has been spent working and looking for something, a missing piece to the puzzle. I didn't know what that something was until you came along. You have filled my life with joy, laughter, and so many other things, not the least of which is love. I never thought I could love someone as much as I do you." He slipped the ring on the third finger of her left hand. "Marry me."

Jennifer couldn't say a word. Nothing could get past the lump in her throat. They'd only been together a couple of months and yes, she had hoped that one day they'd get married but hadn't expected it to happen so soon. She thought about all the reasons she loved the man who was down on one knee, his bad knee at that, and gazing at her with loving and hopeful eyes.

"Rodney…" Pausing to organize and clarify her thoughts, she saw the light in his eyes dim at what he perceived as a prelude to turning him down. As he started to stand, she pulled her hand from his and framed his face, her palms resting on his cheeks keeping him in place. "Yes."

"Yes?"

Two drops of moisture welled up and made wet trails down her cheeks. "Yes. I will marry you."

"I…" Whatever he'd been about to say was lost as she pressed her lips to his and his arms went around her waist. "We'll tell our friends at the staff party tomorrow night but for now I want it to be just us." He eased away from his fiancée, cocking his head to the side.

"What…"

"Listen. I think it's going to be my favorite Christmas song for the rest of my life."

Jennifer smiled tenderly, rubbing her thumbs over his cheeks. "Mine, too, because you are all I have ever wanted for Christmas."

I don't need expensive things
They don't matter to me
All that I want, can't be found
Underneath the Christmas tree

You are the angel atop my tree
You are my dream come true
Santa can't bring me what I need

'Cuz all I want for Christmas is you!

Fini

A/N: I wasn't able to locate the name of the writer of the song but this version by Vince Vance and the Valiants is my favorite Christmas song. Lisa Layne has the most amazing voice.