NORAD Tracks Santa
By Teri

Ending #7: Telling Dr. Jackson

The other endings not quite right yet? How about this one? Another 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. How do you ask someone if they believe in Santa after admitting you were essentially snooping through their papers?

"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.

Jack looked at Daniel. This was Daniel Jackson, his associate, a member of his team, and most importantly, his friend. If Daniel was asking . . . .

"Jack?" Daniel asked once more.

"Yes, Daniel. I believe in Santa," Jack told him earnestly.

Daniel looked at Jack and started to shake his head, "sorry, Jack. Shouldn't be asking such a dumb question. I think I'll go get another cup of coffee." Daniel started to stand.

Jack grabbed his arm and pulled him back to his seat. "No Daniel, I am not joking. I believe in Santa."

Daniel just gaped at Jack. Was Jack joking, was he delusional, or did he really mean it? Could Santa be real?

Jack made a decision. He stood-up quickly and started to walk to the door. He turned to look at Daniel with an expression that said, "aren't you coming with me?"

Daniel looked back with a question on his face.

Jack responded with a "get over here now, Daniel" look.

Daniel followed Jack out of the mess hall, down the corridor, and into the elevator. Jack hit the button that would take them up into NORAD.

They walked out of the elevator, down another corridor, and in yet another elevator. Jack pulled a key out of his pocket. The key looked old fashioned, made of brass. He put the key into slot behind a panel marked 'Emergency'. The lights blinked for a moment and then Christmas music started to play.

Daniel listened for a moment. The song "Santa Baby" was coming to an end, when the announcer, said "you are listening to NORTH POLE Radio. It is 9 p.m. here at Santa's workshop, which means it is 2100 Zulu or 1400 Tango for those of you listening at NORAD. It is time for a milk and cookie break everyone! While you enjoy your break, we have a request for 'The Little Drummer Boy.'"

Daniel only gaped at Jack, who ignored him.

A moment later the elevator door opened. Daniel saw Walter sitting at a desk, clearly managing everything. Walter gave Jack a look. Jack just shrugged back at him

"Dr. Jackson," Walter got Daniel's attention, "you have to sign this non-disclosure form before you can go any further into this complex."

Daniel just signed. He didn't read it. He was too busy looking around. There were a myriad of people working. He heard dozens of languages and different style uniforms. He even saw . . . ELVES?

Jack smiled at the look on Daniel's face. "Yeah, it is busy around here. The operation is getting too big for the space they have here. The current plan is to shift the bulk of NORAD's operations to Peterson by 2006, so the tracking program can have the rest of the mountain. This program is nearly as secret as ours. So, the official reason for the move will be to reduce duplication of function between Cheyenne Mountain and Peterson."

Jack walked Daniel into the control room. Daniel could see dozens of tracking computers and other equipment. There were view screens and scanners. There were radar stations. The whole set-up looked like Mission Control in all of those space movies Cassie and Teal'c used to make him watch.

Daniel's attention was captured by the main screen. Sly Siler's voice was coming out from underneath a big red sleigh. Next to him was a man, clearly holding a big oversized wrench that Daniel knew belonged to Sly. The man was dressed as . . . SANTA. The real SANTA? In front of the screen in the room with him was Sam.

"Sergeant, we still aren't reading the signal. Try boosting the signal a little bit more," Sam directed.

"Okay, Major. Try it now," Sly replied.

"Got it," Sam smiled, "Good work!"

Daniel just stared at the screen. "I don't believe it."

"Well, I believe in you Daniel!" The man on the screen said with a smile. He then started to laugh and shake like a bowl full of jelly, before winking at Jack as the screen was deactivated.

"Daniel," Jack smiled and told Daniel. "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 (or the SGC), you track him."

Daniel still looked a little shock-y after his encounter. Jack decided he needed a little sugar. Jack finally handed Daniel a candy-cane as he dragged him out of the NORAD tracking center. He grabbed one for himself too, because he knew that Daniel would have a million and one questions once it all finally hit him. Santa was real.

Just a quick little Christmas Tale to wish you all

MERRY CHRISTMAS * HAPPY HOLIDAYS * SAFE NEW YEAR

Teri 12/23/09