Sam nearly screamed in frustration as the sun dipped toward the mountains, her second energy bar of the day in hand. She was losing light fast – not that it mattered, since she was getting nowhere, anyway. Behind her, the Colonel was building a fire, but she'd kept her back to him. Since the nightmare – and so, all day – she'd felt on edge, and she wasn't sure how much more compassion she could take from him.

Especially since there were only four hours 'til Christmas.

"Come eat," he called. She held the energy bar up over her shoulder in response and hoped that would fend him off, since misery and failure were already floating around at the bottom of her stomach and were threatening not to play well with anything else.

Her hopes were dashed when he settled on the ground next to her. "This isn't your fault, Carter."

"Thank you, sir. But I know that."

After a moment, he said, "Guess I didn't realize Christmas was such a big deal to you."

"It's not." She sighed. "I mean, it hasn't been. I mean, I didn't think it was, but... I guess I've never missed one before. Even in the Gulf, we did, y'know, something. What we could. They'd put up mistletoe as a joke. And they always served us a special dinner, and..."

Beside her, he nodded – he'd been there.

"And I think it's different with Cassie, too. I mean, as we grow up, I think we forget what it was like. How magical it was when we were little. But she's been so excited, and I just... I wanted to be there for her, y'know? I mean, it's not like she has a lot of family."

"And you know what it's like to miss family at Christmas."

The breath rushed from her lungs in a whoosh.

"Crap. I didn't mean... I mean, I meant Jacob. Growing up military. I wasn't..." He really hadn't meant to remind her of her mother's death. "Sorry, Carter."

It took her a moment to be sure she could respond without bursting into tears over the disappointment of it all. "It's okay, sir."

"Next time Daniel asks if he can drive, remember this moment and kick him in the shins."

Despite herself, she laughed. "That's what I get for being nice to him."

"Exactly!"

"No, really. I mean, I should be at home, and he should be the one stuck out here with you!" At his raised eyebrow, she added quickly, "Of course, you're, y'know, fine company. I mean, I-"

He took pity on her and the foot in her mouth. "I know what you mean. And I know you got the short end of the stick here." Before she could protest, he put a gentle hand on her arm. "But I didn't."

That couldn't mean what she thought it did, but he was giving her the warmest, sweetest smile. For the first time, she thought maybe – just maybe – this Christmas wouldn't be a total loss after all.