A/N: For all of those last minute Christmas shoppers.
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Take 39: Christmas charms
Category for this take: Romance
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"This is great."
"I told ya!"
"I can't believe we didn't do this years ago."
"Yes, well, let's not dwell."
"Didn't that tape say there were no fish in your pond?"
"Close enough."
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"Daniel, Teal'c, come over here a minute."
"What is it, Sam?"
"I need some help with Jack. He won't give me any ideas for Christmas."
"That's because I don't need anything else. I finally got my girl for Christmas. I don't need anything else."
"Part of me feels like I should be offended by that 'my girl' comment, but that doesn't help me with your Christmas present."
"Sam, shouldn't your gift for Jack be a surprise?"
"It's not like I'm getting a surprise."
"You told her, Jack? I thought you of all people would be able to keep a secret."
"I didn't say anything."
"Jack knows what he better get me. That is if he knows what's good for him. Last year he broke the streak, so he better make up for it this year. I'm expecting four this year, Jack."
"Ok. I'm not following. Four what?"
"Four charms for my charm bracelet."
"I've never seen you wear a charm bracelet."
"Of course not. I wouldn't wear it on duty, and off-duty I couldn't get caught wearing a charm bracelet from my CO. Until now, because he's not my CO."
"It was from your Secret Santa, not your CO."
"Right, Jack. Like I didn't know it was you."
"So Sam, Jack has been secretly giving you charms for a charm bracelet?"
"For eight years...except for last year...although I guess that was my fault. Don't think that means I don't expect a make-up gift, Jack."
"Tell me about this bracelet, Sam."
"It's sterling silver. Each of the charms has a special meaning for us or our missions. The first year, he gave me the bracelet and three charms, not two. There was a pyramid, a flat ring, and a dress, for Abydos, the stargate, and Cassie."
"Santa gave you."
"Whatever, Jack. Stop interrupting."
"I remember the good old days when that would have been 'Stop interrupting, Sir.'"
"That was last week when you were my direct CO. Now, you're not, we're off duty, and oh yeah, we're married. So let me finish the story."
"Shutting up now."
"Jack, you are so whipped."
"Hey!"
"New rule, Daniel: when I shut down my husband, you are not allowed to taunt him."
"Or you'll what? No wait. I know better than to challenge you. What was I thinking? You're right, Sam."
"She always is Danny. Didn't you know that?"
"Jaaa-ck."
"Sorry Sam."
"Thank you. Stop smirking too. Ok. Where was I?"
"Year two."
"Thanks, Teal'c. The second year, he got me an icicle for Antarctica and a Xe'ls raven for my first command. Third year it was a mini timepiece for our trip to 1969 and an oak leaf for my promotion to major. Fourth year it was a heart for the za'tarc confession and disc engraved with 'Thera.' The next year, it was a computer, which I assume was a lame joke about my disembodiment into a computer and a sun, for blowing one up. After that it was an asteroid and a Prometheus. I still don't know how he had that one made. The seventh year was a race car, for the Kon Garat race and a moon, which I assume is for getting him lost on one. Last year, I was hoping for something like a caduceus for Janet and a chair for the one in Antarctica. It's probably best I didn't get them. It was too soon for us. But now I expect make-ups."
"Wow. I'm impressed, Jack."
"I do not know what you are talking about."
"Riiight. Sam, you are sure they are from Jack? I didn't know he was so...thoughtful."
"He was on the short list the first year. You were too because the individual charms weren't overly romantic. With the icicle, I figured it was Jack. With the heart and 'Thera', I knew it was Jack. The fact I didn't get charms last year absolutely confirmed it beyond all doubt."
"You're right, of course."
"Obviously I need help countering wonderful, thoughtful gifts like these. Counting this year and the make-up, I have nine years worth to make up for."
"You didn't give a Secret Santa to Jack?"
"No. I followed regulations. It's not like Jack's were really secret."
"We didn't know."
"But I knew. I just figured I would wait and make up for it. Now it is crunch time, and I need help."
"Do I need to be here for this conversation?"
"Just ignore us. Pretend we are talking about the anthropological origin of gift giving on planet P0X-000 and go back to fishing."
"P0..."
"Earth, Jack."
"Oh, ok. I'll just go back to fishing."
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A/N: What should Sam get Jack?
