Chapter Two
Ford lay on his bed, a huge grin on his face as he continued jotting down all the ideas he had come up with, he was onto his third page already and was thinking up more as he went along. Hearing a knock at the door he looked up from his pad and then quickly finished jotting something down and went over to the door, opening it to face Sheppard. "Sir?" He said as he straightened and saluted.
"Lieutenant" Sheppard responded with a grin. "At ease" He added.
"Thank-you, sir" Ford responded as he relaxed and smiled back.
"Been looking for you everywhere Ford!" Sheppard explained as he entered into the room more. "Weir, told me that I had to help you out with the Christmas ideas you've got" He continued.
"Oh" Ford responded. "Well sir, I have a list of ideas" He said as he walked back over to his bed and picked up the note pad, ripping off the three pages that his list covered he handed it over to Sheppard.
"Ford!" Sheppard said as he was handed the pages. "This is your list?" He asked looking back at Ford and waving the papers slightly, receiving a nod she looked back at the papers. "This is some brainstorming kid" He said as he started reading through the list.
"Sorry sir, I was just in such a festive mood they all just came to me" Ford said smiling across as Sheppard read through the pages.
"A scarecrow?" Sheppard asked as he read one of Ford's ideas and arched a eyebrow as he looked up and across at him.
Ford laughed slightly. "Well sir, I don't see any snow around here to make a snowman and well there's plenty of sticks around we could use" He explained to the Major. "A scarecrow came to mine and well, snowmen are all part of Christmas sir" He continued, smiling as he did so.
"Not on the other side of the world they aren't," Sheppard stated plainly. "Its summer in places like Australia, this time of year."
"Well sir, it was just an idea, and I thought maybe the Athosian children might like to make them," Ford suggested.
"Maybe," Sheppard said as he went back to reading over the list.
"Nice drawings," Sheppard informed as he turned over the page and saw that there were little diagrams drawn on the back of the page.
"Well I just wanted you to have an idea, sir," he said hiding his slight embarrassment.
Sheppard quickly finished reading the rest of the list. "Well you've got some good idea's Ford; don't know if they'll all be possible though," he said as he smiled to the Lieutenant.
"Thank-you, sir," Ford stated proudly. "And I know, but they are all just ideas currently," he added still smiling.
"Right well… I say lets get to work," Sheppard said. "After we go show Dr. Weir your list… so she can authorise what needs to be done," he added and then walked back across to the door.
"Yes, sir" Ford said as he followed after him, grabbing his cap off the table on his way and sticking it firmly on his head.
Weir was still out on the balcony, breathing in the fresh air as she thought of home, Earth and Simon, she wondering what he was doing, how he was doing, whether he was happy. She wondered and hoped that he would have a good, fun Christmas. She wished that she could go home and see her family as she always had at Christmas time. Sighing she moved away from the edge and took a seat in one of the chairs that had been placed out there. Closing her eyes she let the wind blow in her face, bringing the smell of the sea with it and he remembered back to a year when she had been on vacation in Australia and how different it had been to spend a Christmas there, not having the cold and all the snow, she remembered how she had spent the day with the family she had been staying with, they went down and spent the day at the beach, making snowmen out of sand was an experience, although the entire thing was, everything about it was just so different to what she had been used to.
Opening her eyes she smiled at the memory as she once again looked around at the magnificent city where she now lived. Things were never going to be 'usual' again, so much had changed, and she knew that this Christmas, as the one in Australia had been, it will be a new experience and probably one that they would need some getting used to, if they survived longer than just the one Christmas.
Sighing again she then heard the door open and turned to see who it was just as Sheppard and Ford walked out onto the balcony, Sheppard carrying a few pieces of paper in his hand. "Enjoying the moment Elizabeth?" Sheppard asked as a smile crossed his face.
"Yeah!" Weir said smiling back at him as she got up from the chair. "John, Aiden, what can I help you with?" She asked as she took a few steps in their direction.
"Well, Ford has made a list of all his ideas and I thought you might wanna have look," Sheppard said as he stepped closer to her and handed across Ford's list to her.
Weir's eyebrow rose as she took the list. "This is your list Lieutenant?" She asked half shocked.
"Yes, ma'am," Ford responded.
"Wow…" Weir stated as she started reading over it. "You've got some great idea's," she stated as she finished reading. "I can authorise you to do almost all of them except, this one…" She explained and then turned the sheet over and pointed to one of the ideas scribbled down. "I'm sorry I just can't allow it," she continued.
Ford's face dropped slightly, "I understand ma'am," he said. "I didn't think you'd allow them all anyway," he added and smiled again.
"So you agree with most of them?" Sheppard asked slightly surprised.
"Yes, I do… most of them," Weir responded.
"Even the Scarecrow one?" Sheppard asked.
"Yes!" Weir replied. "That was actually one of the best ideas I read," he replied and Ford blushed slightly.
"Riiight," Sheppard responded. "Scarecrow snowmen, it is," he said and both Weir and Ford laughed. "Well Ford thinks that the Athosian kids would enjoy making them so I suggest we can leave that task for them," he added.
"I think that's a great idea!" Weir stated and turned to Ford. "Well done Lieutenant" She said and then turned back to address both men. "I suggest that the two of you start getting to work on this ASAP," she ordered them. "Oh and I think that you should go to the Mainland and let the Athosians know what we are celebrating and that they are more then welcome to return to the city to join us in our festivities," she suggested to them. "And of course pick up Teyla as well," she added in as she smiled at them both.
"Sure Elizabeth," Sheppard replied and then turned around and walked back inside.
"Yes, ma'am," Ford said as he then went to turn and follow Sheppard.
"Lieutenant!" Weir called after him and then walked over to him. "Don't forget your list," she said handing it back to him. "And Aiden, you've got some really Great ideas here, I hope that you get them done."
"Thank-you ma'am," Ford replied. "Christmas has always been very important in my family," he said with a smile.
"Mine too," Weir said and the two of them made their way back inside.
"Good Luck, Lieutenant, Major," she said to Sheppard and Ford as she then turned and heading back into her office.
"What are you two up to?" McKay, who was still sat at the control panel, asked them and watched as they both spun around to face him at the sound of his voice.
"Nothing for you to worry about McKay," Sheppard stated firmly.
"Yeah right," McKay said. "Well whatever you're up too, I hope it doesn't involve me in any way" He added and then turned back to his computer screen and started typing away again.
"Oh it does!" Sheppard replied and he and Ford quickly made their way out of the room and heading up the stairs to the Puddle Jumper bay.
McKay just looked back up from the screen in time to see them disappear up the stairs. "What a pair," he said as he shook his head and then returned to his typing.
Entering the Puddle Jumper bay, Sheppard and Ford made their way to one of the ships, getting inside Sheppard went and sat in the pilot seat whilst Ford sat in the passenger seat next to it, as always. "So… to the Mainland!" Sheppard said as he started up the ship and opened the roof so they could fly out.
"Yes, sir," Ford replied and they took off through the roof and out into the skies of Atlantis. "It's a beautiful day, sir," Ford stated after a few minutes of silence.
"That it is Ford, don't think I've ever flown with the sky being so clear," he said as he looked out into the sky.
"Yeah," Ford said and looked out at the sky as well, the sun was very bright, but not too bright, it was definitely a beautiful day and a great day to plan Christmas events. Ford smiled as he once again thought about Christmas coming up. "I hope the weather stays this good until at least after Christmas," he stated still smiling.
"Who knows, the weather around here has a mind of its own, changes on us whenever it feels like," Sheppard said. "At least we haven't had any more storms," he commented as he remembered the storm they had had previously, when the Genii had gained control of the base. "That storm I can definitely wait another 20 years for," he added with a smile.
"Definitely," Ford replied continuing to smile.
The two men then fell into silence as they headed towards the mainland. "Approaching Mainland," Sheppard announced as they reached the island. Landing the Puddle Jumper just a little walk from the village they then exited the ship and started walking towards the Village.
"So… know what you're gonna tell these guys?" Sheppard asked Ford as he turned to face him.
"Uh, not really thought about it, sir." Ford responded. "Just that this is a joyous time where we come from and we offer them a chance to join us in our celebrating. Sound alright?" He asked looking back across at the Major.
"Sounds fine, Ford," Sheppard replied. "Lets hope they agree to help," Sheppard said. "With a list like yours it could take us ages," he added and Ford just rolled his eyes.
"Maybe we should talk to Teyla first, sir," Ford suggested. "Then she can talk to her people, they'll probably listen to her more."
"Maybe…" Sheppard said as they approached the village.
"Major Sheppard!" They heard a young boy yell as they entered the village area.
"Jinto!" Sheppard shouted back as the boy then ran up and hugged him.
"Hey Jinto" Ford said as the young Athosian pulled away from Sheppard.
"Lieutenant Ford," he said with a nod of his head. "Teyla is off with my father, he has gone to show her some of the newer crops we have planted," the young boy explained to them both as he took a step back from them.
"That's okay Jinto, we can wait," Sheppard said with a smile. "So how have you all been doing?" He asked and the young boy smiled.
Jinto turned to head back to the village, gesturing for them to follow him. "My father has been teaching me how to help with the crops," he explained as they walked. "He says I am doing a good job," the boy added as he looked over his shoulder at them and smiled.
"That's good to hear Jinto," Sheppard replied smiling back as they reached one of the Village huts. "Anyway Jinto, we have something we'd like to ask you and your people about," he continued. "But we will wait until your father and Teyla have returned."
"Okay" Jinto responded. "Would you like food while you wait?" He asked as he headed into the hut.
"No thanks Jinto," Ford said. "I just ate before we came," he added with a smile.
"Me too" Sheppard replied.
"Okay," Jinto replied again and came back out from the hut. "Teyla and my father should not be too much longer," he stated and then gestured for them to take a seat at what looked like a burned out fireplace.
Just as they sat down Teyla and Halling walked out of the bushes surrounding the village.
"Major Sheppard, Lieutenant Ford" Halling said as they neared them.
"Halling," Sheppard said as he and Ford stood and walked over to greet them, Jinto following closely behind.
"Father," he said and hugged him.
"Jinto" Halling said as he hugged him back. "Teyla," Sheppard said with a nod of his head in her direction.
"Major," Teyla responded. "I did not think that you would return so quickly."
"Well Dr. Weir sent us to pick you up and we have an offer to make to your people," Sheppard responded and looked across at Ford who looked back smiling.
"You do?" She asked slightly confused.
"Yes, Ford's got some ideas and we thought maybe your people would like to join us," Sheppard responded and looked back at Ford and gestured him to tell her.
"Well Teyla," Ford started. "Back home, where we are from, this time of year is very joyous to us, it is a time when we get together and we celebrate life and the passing of another year," he informed then and paused for a moment. "We came here to ask if you and your people would like to join us back in Atlantis to celebrate?"
"We call it Christmas" Sheppard added with a smile as he looked at the slightly confused expressions on the three Athosians faces.
"Christmas?" Teyla asked.
"Yeah, Christmas, Chrimbo, Chrissie…" Sheppard said. "Basically it means the birth of Christ," he added.
"Christ?" Teyla half asked. "You mean your God?" She asked still slightly confused.
"Well," Sheppard started although had to think about how to respond. "Ah, yeah, On Earth we celebrate the birth of the son of God, Christ, that is what Christmas is about, the birth of Jesus," he said and seemed to confuse himself slightly.
"Right," Teyla said in response. "How do you wish us to celebrate it with you?" She said as she turned to Ford.
"Well, all you really have to do is be there, we are planning on cooking a great feast and having presents for everyone," Ford said smiling brightly. "You will also get to experience more of our religion, we celebrate by decorating and signing Christmas carols as well," he explained as he got more excited.
"I see," Teyla responded as she looked across at Halling who had an arm wrapped around Jinto's shoulders. "What do you think?" She asked them.
"It sounds fun," Jinto said in excitement. "Can I help decorate?" He asked.
"It is fun," Ford replied. "And sure you can" He replied and Jinto excitedly looked up at his father.
"It sounds like an interesting celebration," Halling said and then looked down at Jinto. "I believe that experiencing such a celebration would be of good benefit," he said smiling and Jinto hugged him again.
"Good, great," Ford said his smile growing. "Thanks," he said as he looked at them.
Teyla smiled, she had not seen the Lieutenant so excited before, not even when he was able to send that video message to his grandparents. "When do you wish this all happen?" She asked still smiling.
"Well the actually dinner and opening of presents will not happened until Christmas day, which is…" Sheppard said as he looked down at his watch.
"Eight days away!" Ford stated excitedly and then smiled across at Sheppard.
"Eight days" Sheppard said looking up and across at Ford before turning back to Teyla and the other two. "So we have that much time to get the Christmas decorations up and some presents," he said.
"We can make presents for your people if you wish, Major," Halling offered. "We take pride in the objects we make and we would be happy to make them for your people," he added smiling.
"Sure," Sheppard responded. "And in return, we will give you presents, as a change of culture," he said smiling.
"Sounds like a good plan," Ford said still smiling. "And Jinto, I have the perfect idea for what you and your friends could do," he said as he turned to the young boy.
"Yes?" He asked, still smiling and excited.
"Well, back home at this time of year, it is normally snowing, and when that happens most of the kids made Snowmen out of the snow, they use giant balls of snow and join them together to look like a person, using sticks as arms stones as buttons, eyes and mouths and carrots as noses," Ford explained. "But since there is no snow, I thought maybe we could use an alternative, maybe use sticks and make men out of them," he continued. "Think you could manage that?" He asked the boy, who smiled and nodded and then ran off to join another group of kids.
Halling watched Jinto run off and then turned back to the others. "Thank-you," he said smiling. "I am sure that they will do what you ask of them rather quickly."
"Looks like it," Sheppard said and gestured back to the group, which were now running off to collect sticks from the surrounding bushland. "Anyway, we have some stuff we have to do back on Atlantis, so we'll come by sometime tomorrow see how things are going," Sheppard said turning back to Halling, who nodded. "And you," he said gesturing to Teyla. "Have to come back with us" He said with a smile.
Teyla smiled back at him. "Very well" She said and then turned to Halling. "I will return tomorrow," she said and the two of them bowed heads and put there arms on each others shoulders.
"See you," Sheppard said as he Ford and Teyla turned and headed out of the village and back to where they had parked the Puddle Jumper.