NORAD Tracks Santa
By Teri
Ending #8 – part two: Santa Jack?
I can't believe that I first posted this story 10 years ago today. I hope that people are still enjoying this little Christmas tradition.
Daniel thought back. All of this started because of a little memo? It was so hard for him to believe it had been 10 years since he read the beginning lines of the memo "NORTH AMERICAN AEROSPACE DEFENSE COMMAND - NORAD CONFIRMS SANTA SLEIGH TEST FLIGHT. North Pole and NORAD officials have reached an unprecedented agreement allowing the men and women of NORAD to conduct a full-blown test flight with Santa and all nine reindeer on December 18, 2002. . . ." If he had never asked Jack about it. . . . If he had never joined Jack for Christmas Eve . . .IF. . . . .IF and IF.
He recalled spending Christmas Eve that year. Remembered Jack in that red Santa Suit coat handing loosely on him over his Air Force t-shirt and sweat pants. Remembered Jack's immortal words . . . "Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder, and Blitzen, can we please get this show on the road?" The last thing he remembered from that night was waking up on the couch with only a Candy Cane in his pocket as any proof the night happened at all. Jack of course denied the whole thing. Finally, he had decided it had all been a vivid dream. Of course, his time at the SGC should have taught him that things were never that simple. He soon figured that out again . . .
It was around Halloween (end of October) that following year that Daniel realized that Jack seemed to be getting his "five o'clock shadow" much earlier and heavier than he had in the past. Jack didn't seem to be bothered. Daniel would have sworn that Jack didn't even notice, if he hadn't started shaving several times a day.
By Veteran's Day (mid-November), Janet was concerned about how much weight Jack was putting on. Again, it didn't seem to faze Jack. He quietly expanded his wardrobe, mostly pants with elastic. He also seemed to be spending more time exercising. Although, Daniel noticed he seemed to spend more time on upper body strength and spent a lot of time practicing his repelling skills.
By Thanksgiving (near the end of November), Jack had gained a lot of weight and now sported a full beard that was as white as snow.
"Colonel O'Neill, do you have an explanation?" General Hammond asked in exasperation.
Jack only shrugged a little, "no, Sir."
"Go shave the beard son, it is not regulation."
"Shaved about 15 minutes ago, Sir."
General Hammond closed his eyes. Things had just been too quiet. He should have known. "Report to Dr. Frasier. SG-1 is on stand down until we know what is going on with you."
Jack reported to the infirmary. Janet reviewed what she had found 1) he couldn't keep his beard shaved, 2) he really had gained a lot of weight, and 3) he would pass up Blue Jell-O for a tall glass of milk. Janet couldn't find anything wrong with his blood work, except, well, she was sure it sort of smelt like sugar cookies, not that she told anyone but Daniel about that detail. Jack insisted he be allowed to go home for Thanksgiving. The General gave his permission, but encouraged SG-1 to keep an eye on him.
When Daniel arrived at Jack's house, he found Jack sitting in his living room, drinking eggnog, and reading a long parchment list (which appeared to be straight out of Hogwarts). He was wearing a red and green sweater and gold wire rim spectacles that looked like something from the last century.
"Ah, Jack, what are you doing?"
Jack looked up at Daniel, took off his spectacles, and replied with a knowing smile, "I was double checking this list."
"Huh?" Daniel asked not understanding.
"I was checking it twice."
"Jack, what are you talking about?" Daniel still didn't get it.
""It is not important Danny-boy. Hey, maybe you should just head home and get some sleep or you could even sack out in your room here." Jack gave Daniel a knowing look, "I know you haven't been sleeping well."
"How?" Daniel asked allowing the change in topic.
"Well, I know when you are sleeping and I know when you're awake. . . " Jack answered with a smile; a smile that was starting to annoy Daniel.
He just couldn't understand what was going on with his friend. "Yeah, I'll stay here in case you need me. I don't know how you know, but I haven't been sleeping well so I will turn in." Adding silently to himself that maybe he would understand Jack's answers better if he got some quality sleep.
Daniel walked into the guest room that had been dubbed "his room" and Jack went back to checking his list. . . George Hammond – Nice, Teal'c – Nice, Harry Mayborne – Naughty, Samantha Carter – Very nice. . .
In the morning when Daniel awoke, there was no sign of Jack or his parchment list. When Daniel called the base, hoping that Jack went in to the SGC without waking him, he found that Jack requested leave and would be back after Christmas.
After Jack vanished or at least he vanished in Daniel's mind, he kept hoping he would find out what happened to Jack. As Christmas approached, he started to think about last Christmas. He remembered his dream. Was it possible it wasn't a dream?
On Christmas Eve, Daniel found himself at Jack's house. Somehow it seemed only right that he spend Christmas at Jack's house. On the coffee table, he found a parchment. One that looked like a smaller version of what Jack had been reading over the Thanksgiving holiday. He didn't remember seeing the parchment there before.
He started to open it and it read "For Daniel to be read on Christmas Eve . . . The Night Before Christmas at Cheyenne Mountain
'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the base
Not an airman was stirring, not even what's-his-face;
The stockings were hung by the Stargate with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The SG teams were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of Asgard danced in their heads;
And Sam in her lab, and Jack in the mess,
They just settled down for a long night's rest,
When in the embarkation room there arose such a clatter,
Sgt. Harriman sprang from the desk to see what was the matter.
Away to the gate window he flew like a flash,
Staring at the occupants of the room without batting an eyelash.
The lights were adjusted economically, way down low
They gave the luster of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to his wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
Walter knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!
To the top of the Gate! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"
As Siler's tool like a wild hurricane fly,
Causing all the technicians to frown with a sigh,
So to the blast doors they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, he felt like a doof
Hearing prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
Daniel stopped as he read the line, because that is exactly what he thought he heard. Just like last year it sounded like someone was on Jack's rooftop observatory. Daniel ran outside just has he had last year when to his surprise. He saw a figure climbing down Jack's ladder. When the "intruder" reached the bottom Daniel studied him for a moment.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
His dark brown eyes - how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
Dressed all in red from his head to his toe,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
Daniel laughed when he saw him, in spite of himself
The golly old elf winked and Daniel shook himself, he realized that standing in front of him was none other than Colonel Jack O'Neill.
"Jack," Daniel smiled looking at him.
"Daniel," Jack replied with a smile.
"Jack?" Daniel more asked than stated.
"Daniel," Jack replied trying not to laugh.
"Jack!" Daniel tried once more.
This time Jack gave in, "Daniel, seems like I have an uninvited guess and at Christmas no less. . ."
Daniel shrugged, "so, uh, . . ." Daniel waved at Jack's appearance, "not a dream?"
"Nope."
"Nope? Don't you have something to say about this?'
"Yeah, got a really cool gig lined up for when I retire and you know I really have been enjoying the ice fishing."
"Jack!"
"So, you want to help out again this year?" Jack said as he patted Daniel on the back.
"Really?"
Jack offered him a candy-cane said and said "why not?"
Jack then turned to the reader "Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night!"
This little story hopes that you have had 10 wonderful Christmas seasons since
this story started and that each year after will be better than the last.
MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY HOLIDAYS, SAFE NEW YEAR
Teri 12/23/12