"Doctor." Woolsey said from Jennifer's office door.
"Mr Woolsey? What are you doing here? Is something wrong?"
"I hope not. We were just worried that you had not been seen much outside of the infirmary since the Daedalus left."
"We're still short staffed." Jennifer said.
"But Dr Beckett is still here."
"Still short staffed." Jennifer shrugged.
"So you're not hiding?"
"No, well maybe. Having spent days being completely ignored because no one could see me, it is still a little weird seeing everyone stare at me. Also half the city are treating me like I am suicidal and it is a little disconcerting and overwhelming."
"I can only imagine." Woolsey said sympathetically. "However, you still need to eat, so I am going to insist you accompany me to the Mess Hall."
"You never eat in the Mess Hall." Jennifer pointed out.
"That's not entirely accurate." Woolsey said. "I occasionally eat in the Mess Hall. And I always eat in the Mess Hall for special occasions, which tonight is."
"The Christmas party." Jennifer said.
"Yes. You, three marines and Clint, no, don't tell me, Chuck, are the only ones not in attendance."
"The rest of my team really wanted to go." Jennifer said.
"And you didn't?"
"Not into parties." Jennifer said. "It meant more to them."
"Regardless, seeing how everyone is at the party I think that it doesn't make sense you manning the infirmary. So I am here to take you to the party. You can keep your radio with you so you can attend any emergency. Although Dr Cole has already volunteered to be on standby, so there is no need to take your radio at all."
"She did?"
"Yes she did. So shall we?"
"Umm, okay." Jennifer said, guessing she wouldn't get away with staying in her office. Quickly locking her drawers she stood and moved towards Woolsey.
-00-
As they entered the Mess Hall Jennifer was stunned with how decorated it was, with everything from tinsel to lights.
"Wow, when did this happen. Is that a Christmas tree?" She asked seeing the huge tree in one of the corners.
"It is. And it has been up for days, which only makes me more concerned that you have been living in the infirmary." Woolsey said. "Have you actually eaten recently?"
"Yes. People keep bringing me trays of food in the infirmary, so I haven't needed to come here." Jennifer said, trying to put Woolsey at ease.
"Well that's good I think." Woolsey said as he led her towards SGA1.
"Hey doc." John smiled when he saw her approaching.
"Hi."
"Jennifer, I'm glad you could join us." Teyla said warmly.
"Although you did miss the movies." Lorne pointed out.
"Movies? What movies?" Jennifer asked.
"Classic Christmas films." John said.
"They were great." Ronon said causing Jennifer to frown as she tried to picture Ronon watching the Christmas classics.
"What exactly did you watch?" She asked.
"Die Hard." Ronon grinned.
"Die Hard?" Woolsey asked confused.
"Yeah, it has everything you need for a Christmas movie." John said. "Set at Christmas, good guy overcoming bad guy."
"And families being reunited." Lorne added earning a playful slap on the arm from Jennifer.
"What?" He asked.
"I expect that from him." Jennifer said nodding at Sheppard. "I expect better from you."
"Should I be offended by that?" John asked.
"Based on your surreal views on Christmas films I think it is time for me to bow out and do the rounds." Woolsey said. "I will see you all later."
"Time for us to go as well." Lorne said grabbing hold of Jennifer's hand.
"Go where?" Jennifer asked as the Major started to lead her away from the others.
"To dance."
"What? No. I don't dance."
"Live a little doc." He grinned.
"Relax Chewie, they are just friends." John said when he saw Ronon scowl at Lorne's retreating back.
-00-
"What did you do?" Jennifer asked as she sat next to John, who was all by himself.
"Ronon and Teyla went for food and Carson and Rodney are on the dance floor."
"Both of them?" Jennifer asked looking at the dance area.
"Apparently Carson has become quite the ladies man and Katie can be persuasive." John smiled.
"Rodney looks happy." Jennifer commented as she caught sight of the smiling physicist.
"Yes he does." John agreed. "You okay with them?"
"Why wouldn't I be?"
"He confessed that he made a declaration a while ago." John said, starting to feel uncomfortable about talking about personal issues.
"He did, but I told him I didn't think of him like that. I'm glad he's found someone."
"That's good." John said, before asking. "What happened to your dance partner?"
"He's finally got up the courage to ask Amanda to dance."
"Amanda?" John asked looking round trying to place the name with a face. "Oh, Dr Cole." He then looked back at Jennifer and said. "So, I'm not good at the whole emotion and people thing but I need you to do something for me."
"Okay."
"If things ever get really out of hand you talk to me." He said before quickly adding. "Or someone else if you prefer, just talk to someone."
"Things have never got that bad, but if they do I promise I will talk to someone." Jennifer assured him as a slightly breathless Carson joined them.
"What do you two think you're doing just sitting here?"
"I'm enjoying a quiet drink." John said. "We can't all be Casanova."
"And your excuse?" Carson asked looking at Jennifer.
"Just resting."
"Well you should be resting with your team, not hiding over here." He said. "Let's go." He added offering her his arm.
-00-
"What's up big guy?" John asked, noticing Ronon storm towards him before sitting down.
"Ronon has just had an interesting experience with Lieutenants Milton and Watson." Teyla said joining them.
"What type of experience?" John asked, concerned that Ronon was managing to simultaneously look angry, upset and uncomfortable.
Seeing Ronon wasn't going to forward any information Teyla said. "We were walking back over here when Ronon accidently walked into Lieutenant Milton. Ronon caught her before she fell over, however, when she had regained her balance she pointed to a plant above them and said something I didn't hear, before kissing Ronon." She explained causing John to laugh. "When Lieutenant Milton walked away Ronon stood there only for Lieutenant Watson to step towards him and kiss him." When John laughed louder Ronon glared at him causing the Colonel to say.
"Sorry buddy, thought you knew about mistletoe."
"Mistletoe?" Teyla asked.
"It's an Earth thing. If a couple are standing underneath mistletoe they are meant to kiss." John explained.
"Why?" Teyla questioned.
"No idea, it's just tradition."
"Your customs are most strange." Teyla said as John tried to keep his laughter in check.
"I have no interest in either of them." Ronon said.
"Well they clearly have an interest in you." John said.
"So it is acceptable for anyone to display their interest by kissing the other person under that plant?" Ronon asked sounding confused.
"Well, acceptable may be a bit strong in some cases." John said.
"How do I stop it happening?"
"Either don't stand anywhere near mistletoe or become attached."
"Attached to what?" Ronon asked confused.
"A person." John explained. "Show that you are not available."
Seeing Ronon's perplexed look Teyla said. "I think John is saying that if you were romantically involved with someone, others would not try to kiss you."
"Something happen?" Jennifer asked returning to the couch with a bowl of chips, noticing Ronon's annoyed expression.
"Just teaching Ronon some Earth traditions." John said before pointing to Jennifer's bowl and saying. "Gone for the healthy option there doc?"
"I take it you don't want any then?" Jennifer replied, leaning back and offering the bowl to Ronon.
"Wouldn't go that far." John said lunging over trying to grab some chips. The movement causing Jennifer to move away from him and she found herself leaning against Ronon.
"Sorry." She mumbled embarrassed.
"So what other strange traditions should we know about?" Teyla asked John, trying to save Jennifer from further embarrassment.
"Christmas traditions are not strange." John countered, before picking some unusual ones to tell Teyla about.
Ronon silently listened to the exchange watching Jennifer relax before finally starting to doze off. When she finally fell to sleep Ronon protectively wrapped his arm round her shoulder and let her head rest against his chest. John opened his mouth to speak, but the glare Ronon threw him made him reconsider.
-00-
"Is she okay?" Woolsey asked as he approached SGA1's corner and saw Jennifer on the couch, head resting against Ronon, fast asleep.
"Just tired." John said.
"How can she sleep with all the noise?" Woolsey asked.
"One of the hidden skills picked up in medical school." Carson explained. "You learn to sleep where you can when you can."
"I see. I think. Well I am going to call it a night."
"Good night." Teyla smiled as John glanced at his watch and said.
"Happy Christmas."
Looking down at his watch Woolsey raised a surprised eyebrow and replied. "Happy Christmas." Before leaving the group.
"You should probably wake the doc." John said. "She is on in a few hours."
"No need." Ronon said as he slid out from under Jennifer before picking her up and carrying her back to her quarters.
"Well that's going to get the rumour mill churning." Carson smiled as the pair the pair disappeared.
A/N: Thanks for reading. Final chapter up tomorrow.