The Holiday Inspection

by sg-1fanintn

Chapter 4: Celebration

Author's Note: Sugar alert!

Christmas Eve had arrived in Atlantis. Sam noticed that darkness was approaching. General Landry had left for Earth several hours before. Staff had been recording holiday messages for family back home. The data burst was going out shortly, and the video messages would be delivered to the staffs' families tonight via email from the SGC. And today and tomorrow, messages emailed to the staff would arrive in data bursts from the SGC. She sighed. It wasn't as good as leave time for people to go home, but it was better than nothing.

With only one inspector still on-site, she had decided to revert to the original holiday work schedule she and the department heads had devised weeks before. Everyone was on downtime, with the exception of rotating skeleton crews in security, medical and communications. Of course, if any threat was detected, everyone was here, so people could be at their duty posts within moments.

Closing the folder in front of her, she decided she had done enough for the day. The Christmas Eve service would start soon. After that, turkey, ham and other traditional holiday fare from America and around the world would be served in the dining room, as the holiday celebration officially began.

She was just getting up from her desk when Jack appeared at her office door. "Ready to go to the service?" Gone were the dress blues he was wearing when he arrived the day before. Instead, he was wearing BDUs, his preferred on-base attire.

"I was just about to head to my quarters to get you."

"Well, I saved you the walk."

As she arrived at his side, he placed a quick kiss on her temple. "Jack!"

"Don't worry. I looked around first. No one was watching. And besides…it's Christmas."

She shook her head and smiled as she matched her steps to his. When they arrived at the hall set aside as a chapel, it was already filling with staff. Knowing she would be called on to say a few words, Sam led Jack to the front row, where the committee organizing the service had requested she sit. She marveled at how much it reminded her of a holiday service at home. Fragrant evergreen boughs had been brought to the city from the mainland and cut to the proper size. They lined the windows, and each was accented with a single white, chunky candle. In the glow they cast, the room really looked much more like a church than an ancient capital.

A large evergreen tree wrapped in hundreds (or was it thousands?) of white lights stood in the front of the room, on the right side. Its only ornaments were garlands of white berries that were native to this planet, and a lighted star requisitioned from Earth. All in all, it was a peaceful scene, and she was pleased with the effort the committee had made to ensure that the evening was special. She had heard the tree in the dining hall was even better, but she would have to wait until later to see it.

The service was traditional and non-traditional at the same time. Familiar carols rang through the hall, but not everyone sang them in English, creating an interesting mix of music and lyrics. With so many nationalities and denominations of faith represented throughout the expedition force, it was important to respect everyone's traditions. So, much of the service consisted of different staff members sharing traditions that were dear to them with their colleagues. At the end, Sam was called to the front to wish everyone well and lead those assembled in The Lord's Prayer. The service was closed by Jennifer Keller and three members of the medical staff, who sang Silent Night a capella in four-part harmony.

Everyone said the tree and other decorations in the dining room were the best ever. The towering fir reached up more than 40 feet as it flirted with the cathedral ceiling. Getting it from the mainland and into the station had required a crew of a dozen people and a strategic plan…but, Sam mused to herself, the pleasure it seemed to give everyone meant the effort was worth it. Bright multi-colored lights sparkled from every branch, and colored glass balls reflected and increased the effect of the light. Staff members were exchanging small gifts with friends, and the dinner was one of the most festive she had ever attended, anywhere. She and Jack mixed easily with the other revelers, and the evening passed amid laughter and stories from holidays celebrated at home.

It was late when Jack and Sam returned to her quarters. He was carrying a basket filled with small remembrances given to her by various members of the staff (although she had asked that no one get anything for her). "From the looks of this, they've accepted you, you know," he said. "But remember…you can't stay here forever."

"I know," she said, casting her jacket aside. "I'm enjoying the work, but I miss you."

Setting the basket down on a table, he walked over to where she was standing. Wrapping his arms around her, he caught her lips in a tender kiss that made her knees weak. She held him tightly, relishing the overwhelming joy his presence brought her. They stood silently in the embrace for several minutes, until he finally pulled back. "I have a present for you," he said.

"And I have one for you too. I was planning to give it to you on my next leave, but it's Christmas now." Walking over to her dresser, she opened the top drawer and pulled out a package. She held it out as she sat down next to him on the bed. "There aren't a lot of stores around here," she said softly. "But I hope you'll like it".

He grinned as he fumbled with the wrapping…and whistled as he uncovered a carved, highly polished box of dark reddish wood that looked a lot like cherry. "Wow," he whispered, turning it to admire the intricate carvings and fine workmanship. The hinges worked smoothly, and the graining of the piece matched perfectly. The lid featured swirling patterns, and in the center was a detailed carving of their cabin in Minnesota. He looked up at her. "Is it…?"

"It is," she beamed.

"Wow," he said again. "Where did this come from?"

"An artisan in a village not far from here. One of our teams found his shop on a visit a few months ago. The wood is cherry…well, not exactly…but close enough that no one would ever know the difference without a detailed lab analysis. And he said he could carve anything, so I decided to let him try this. I left him a photo, and I think he did a remarkable job. I'm so glad you like it."

"It's beautiful," he replied, leaning over to kiss her on the cheek.

"I thought if you could put your change, and your watch and your wedding ring in it at the end of each day, it would make you think of me," she said.

He took her hand. "Carter, I never stop thinking of you." Raising her hand to his lips, he gazed into her eyes and kissed her fingers. "And I'll do that…except for my wedding ring. I know you can't wear yours all the time, but," he paused briefly as if considering whether to continue, "I…uh….I don't take mine off. Haven't since you left for Atlantis."

She felt tears welling up in her eyes as she met his intense gaze. "Oh, for cryin' out loud, I didn't mean to make you cry!" he exclaimed. The expression on his face made her giggle instead as she wiped away the tears. He reached in a pocket to pull out a small box and handed it to her. "Well, as long as the waterworks are already going, open this."

She removed the bow and carefully peeled the tape from the wrapping paper, as Jack encouraged her to hurry. When she had dispensed with the wrappings, an aqua blue velveteen box sat in her hand. Opening it, she gasped at what lay inside: a star pendant on a chain. Its outline was shiny gold, with gently rounded points; the rest of its surface was covered in pave with diamonds. "Jack! It's beautiful!" she exclaimed, quickly pulling the star and its chain from the box and turning to get him to clasp it around her neck.

"Huh," I thought that would make you cry. Shows you what I know."

"You know a lot," she said, touching the gift that was now around her neck. "I'll wear it all the time under my uniform. And when I can't wear my wedding band, I'll keep it on the chain too." She stood up to admire the gift in the mirror, and smiled.

Coming up behind her, he slid his arms around her waist and began nuzzling her neck. She sighed, leaning back into him. "I have an idea," she murmured.

"So do I. Does yours involve shedding our clothes and lying on this bed?"

"As a matter of fact, it does."

"Hmmmm…sounds a lot like my idea." He nipped at her ear.

A shiver ran down her spine as she turned to face him and began undoing the buttons on his shirt. "I'm so glad you're here, Jack. As much as I expected to spend Christmas without you, I didn't want to."

"Me neither," he whispered. Pulling her into his arms, he gently lowered them both onto the bed. And as Christmas came to Atlantis, Jack and Sam were together…and all was well.

The End

Hope you liked it. A review would be a nice holiday gift! Love and happy holidays to all!