NORAD Tracks Santa
By Teri

One Possible Ending:

Daniel walked into the mess hall and looked around, his eyes settling on Jack.

"Jack, you and I need to have a talk!" He began.

"Sure Danny, what's up?" Jack responded not really paying attention.

"Well, I...er. That is to say," Daniel couldn't figure out what to say now that he found him.

"Daniel," Jack said in a warning tone. He didn't feel like dealing with anything right now. He was tired and he a big couple of days coming up.

"Right, Jack do you believe in Santa Claus?" Daniel asked.

Jack's mouth dropped open for a moment as he looked at his friend. He tried to figure out why he would be asking that of him, now at this time of year.

"Jack?" Daniel asked again.

"Of course I do," Jack answered sarcastically. "You know that I am Irish and, therefore, part Leprechaun. It is sort of a reciprocal deal, we believe in Santa and the elves and they believe in us."

"I'm serious Jack," Daniel said as he sat down next to Jack.

"So am I," Jack answered.

"Jack, I read the memos on your desk. Are they for real?" Daniel asked.

"So, you saw them. What can I say?" Jack was at a loss. Santa was a well-kept military secret. Civilians weren't to know, but Danny wasn't exactly a typical civilian.

"Do you really believe in Santa?" Daniel pressed the issue.

Jack looked at Daniel and smiled. Well he has broken a lot of rules before, besides if he couldn't trust Daniel . . .

"Absolutely," Jack said thoughtfully. "I am going to reveal one of the most classified secrets our government has."

Jack leaned over and whispered in his ear, "Yes, Dr. Jackson. There is a Santa Claus." Jack grinned at the shock on his friend's face. "There's an expression in the Air Force. When you're born, you truly believe in Santa. When you're a teen, you don't. When you're an adult, you become Santa. And when you're assigned to NORAD, you track him."

Daniel just stared at his friend trying to decide if he was joking or serious.

PS: Closing statement by Jack was borrowed from the NORAD Tracking web site.

Just a quick little Christmas Tale to wish you all

MERRY CHRISTMAS HAPPY HOLIDAYS SAFE NEW YEAR

Teri 12/24/02 (Updated 6/12/04; 12/23/06)