Ch. 52

(Atlantis, Ext.)

The rain came down like sheets. Nobody, not even Stacey, could see 2 feet in front of them. They had experienced rain before, of course. The Storm that hit Atlantis a year and a half ago was bad. But that was with lightning and wind.

This was just the rain. And nothing but rain. It began the night after SG-1 had arrived, 1 week ago and it hadn't stopped since. It didn't look like it was going to ease up either. Everyone in Atlantis was stuck inside the city.

(Atlantis, Sheppard-Grayson Quarters)

Stacey was doing her best to keep Adam from crawling outside. Until finally she called Rodney to disable the door control.

"There you go, Dr. Grayson," Rodney seemed strangely happy. Which was very out of character, indeed.

"Thanks, Rodney. Oh, no you don't!" Stacey said breathlessly, grabbing Adam, stopping him from getting into John's Off-world gear.

Rodney put his equipment away and began to leave.

"Rodney," Stacey called after him.

He turned around to face her.

"Yes?"

"What's up?"

"With what?" he asked.

"With you,"

"What's wrong with me?" By now Rodney has a look of utter confusion.

"You're happy," she told him slowly. "What's up?"

"Well --," Rodney stammered.

"Oh!" It took Stacey awhile to get it, but she did.

"What?"

"You're crush on Sam!"

"Well. Yes. You're right,"

"Rodney, you're gonna have to let it go. She's getting married to Daniel soon," Stacey told him.

"I know. I know," he said slowly. "Well, good afternoon, Doctor."

Rodney turned around quickly and left. Stacey turned to Adam and made a silly face. The toddler giggled and then wriggled from her hold as she tickled him.

(Atlantis, Kitchen)

It was finally Christmas Eve night. Stacey had offered to make a wonderful Christmas dinner. And, of course, everyone accepted her offer. Sam and Teal'c had offered to help in the kitchen that morning. As they cooked, Stacey could still hear the rain pounding against the glass windows and doors.

For dinner Stacey made a Pot Roast, Homemade Cream Corn, Homemade Bread, and Cranberry-Spinach Salad. And for dessert Teal'c made Strawberry Short Cake. The three stood back and breathed in deeply. Stacey turned to the other two and smiled.

"Teal'c, where'd you learn how to make Strawberry Short Cake?" Stacey asked.

"DanielJackson taught me during some downtime GeneralLaundry gave us," he told her.

"Yes, and almost burned down the house, if I remember correctly," Sam said, with a grin.

"I did not," Daniel said as he and John came in.

"Oh, no! He didn't!" Stacey roared with laughter.

"I only burned the cake and smoked out the house," Daniel defended himself. "Besides, I apologized didn't I?"

"Yes, you did," Sam said.

"Anyway, your cooking isn't any better," Daniel teased, smiling.

Sam stuck her tongue out at her fiancé playfully.

"Well, it's a good thing I put you on Salad duty then, huh?" Stacey said, grinning.

Teal'c suddenly tilted his head sideways a little.

"Teal'c? What's up?" Daniel asked.

"The rain has stopped," the Jaffa answered.

Stacey extended her feral hearing.

"He's right," she said slowly.

Stacey left the kitchen and went toward the glass doors. The doors slid open with a low hiss. She leaped onto the balcony and took a large deep breath of fresh ocean air. John turned to the three members of SG-1.

"Go. We'll keep an eye on dinner," Daniel told him.

"Thanks guys," Sheppard said with a nod.

To be continued . . .