Jack looked guilty, but then he always looked guilty. He’d always done or said something not quite ‘military’. At his side, Doctor Jackson was biting his bottom lip, looking anywhere but at the General. His occasional glances at the colonel were nothing new. He was the picture of innocence, like butter wouldn’t melt. Like hell.
Major Carter had joined her hands, linking her fingers on the table-top and was looking at the Head of the SGC with complete denial of all knowledge of anything it seemed. Teal’c was also watching Hammond, but of all of them, George could believe the Jaffa was innocent. What would he know of Christmas and tinsel?
“And what about the mistletoe?”
As well as the tinsel, a large sprig of mistletoe had been hung from the
top centre of the gate. The moment a wormhole was established, it would
be annihilated. Jack tried for dismissing the allegations that a member
of his team was responsible. “I think it looks… kinda festive.
Sir.”
Hammond fixed him with a patented stare. “I think it looks damn stupid,
Colonel.”
Daniel closed his eyes. He so wanted to laugh. Jack looked so innocent! Jack had helped him sneak in last night. And Sam! Sam had shut off the power for five minutes to ensure they weren’t fried by an incoming wormhole. Teal’c, he thought, was doing the best job of looking totally without blame, despite being the one who’d climbed the ladder and wrapped the highest pieces of tinsel, as well as attaching the mistletoe.
Jack had taken advantage of the seasonal berry. The moment it was up, he’d grabbed Daniel and pulled him into a tight embrace, claiming his mouth in a fierce, deep kiss. “I love you,” he’d spoken, a murmur into his Danny’s ear. “I will always love you.”
Daniel remembered that breath against his face, the words sworn to him,
the kiss that even now – just a memory – moved his blood downwards.
He looked up at the General, trying to think about anything but the man sitting
beside him. “Why would we do something like this?”
Hammond regarded him with suspicion. “Because. That’s usually
the only reason the four of you need.”
Jack surprised a giggle, then thought better of it and let it out. “It’s
Christmas, Sir. Time of goodwill toward men, women, Jaffa and aliens.
Peace on Earth, PJX677, PY666 and every other planet out there.”
“So you’re saying I should overlook this breach of protocol?”
Teal’c sat forward. “I was not aware there existed a protocol for the
seasonal decoration of a Stargate. Sir.”
They all stared at him. Jack still had trouble with Teal’c and humour,
the two just didn’t seem to fit together. Daniel and Sam couldn’t believe
he’d said it, and Hammond just had to let the smile curve his lips.
He loved these people, it was as simple as that. As an SGC team they
worked perfectly. Without them, the Earth would be fried. They
deserved a smile now and again.
“Okay, people. You’re on stand-down for Christmas. Have a good
one.”
Fin
23-12-00