TITLE : Christmas In Colorado Springs .
AUTHOR: Telsia~Cha'ris
RATING: G
SUMMARY: A new doctor arrives at the base and Jack is ordered to take her in over Christmas.
THANKS: to Trillian for her proof reading and help.
DISCLAIMER: Stargate SG-1 and its characters are the property of Stargate (II) Productions, Showtime/Viacom, MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions, and Gekko Productions. This story is for entertainment purposes only and no money exchanged hands. No copyright infringement is intended. The original characters, situations, and story are the property of the author. This story may not be posted elsewhere without the consent of the author.
Christmas In Colorado Springs .
Dr Bekki Sutton walked nervously through the stark grey corridors, of the base, which was to be her new home. When she left Reading , England for a job in the States, she had no idea it would lead to this. She turned a corner and reached another dead end. She sighed in exasperation. A tall black man with some weird tattoo on his forehead exited through the door at the end of the corridor. A blonde woman and a dark haired man accompanied him. He looked kind of foreboding, but she couldn't walk these corridors all day. "Excuse me? I was heading for General Hammond's office. I think I took a wrong turn somewhere."
"Indeed you did. General Hammond's office is two floors below us," the black man told her.
Bekki looked confused. "Um, don't suppose you could show me the way back to the lift could you? I was supposed to be there 20 minutes ago. Not the best first impression I could make."
The blonde woman smiled. "I'll take you. Major Sam Carter. This is Jonas Quinn and Teal'c." Jonas smiled and Teal'c nodded.
"Bekki Sutton. The new base doctor. Or I was. Probably not for much longer."
"Doctor Warner's replacement?"
"I guess so."
Sam walked Bekki back to the lift and took her down to the correct level. "It's the room at the end of the corridor," she said.
"Thanks," Bekki replied. As she walked down the corridor, she could hear raised voices. The closer she got, the louder the voices got. Well one of them did.
Jack glared at Hammond . "It's Christmas General. Some of us have a life. For crying out loud. She's a medic. Can't Janet have her?"
"Doctor Fraiser is taking Cassie to Europe for Christmas. They leave this afternoon."
"So you think that just because I live alone, I can put up with the inconvenience of a houseguest, whom I have never met, over Christmas?"
"Colonel, she knows no one over here."
"Good point. She doesn't know me either! And you know how I feel about scientists and doctors."
"She is new in town, new to the base," Hammond persisted. "I just thought that you could show her round."
"Why should I pull babysitting duty?"
Hammond sighed. "Jack. It's Christmas. Season of goodwill. It's only for a few days until she gets her own accommodation sorted out."
"What's wrong with quarters on the base? No don't answer that. What's right with the quarters on the base?"
"We are having them all redecorated over the holiday. You know that."
"Okay. So why me?"
"I would have thought the answer to that was obvious Colonel. SG1 has downtime for the next two weeks. So does she. Right over Christmas and the New Year."
"So put her in a hotel."
"It's not up for debate Colonel."
Bekki stood outside listening to them discussing her. She felt annoyed that she couldn't make her own arrangements. It was times like this she was glad she wasn't military. She could disregard the order to stay with this guy if she felt like it. She pushed her short brown hair behind her ears and pushed her glasses back up her nose. She must find an optician, or whatever these yanks call them, and get them tightened. She raised her hand and knocked on the door. The argument behind it ceased.
"Come in."
Taking a deep breath, Bekki opened the door. The big bald chap behind the desk had to be General Hammond. The other man, tall, greying with brown eyes and pretty good looking to boot, eyed her curiously. The man behind the desk looked at her. "Yes?"
"Doctor Sutton, reporting as ordered Sir. Sorry I'm late. I got lost, took a wrong turn and ended up somewhere else entirely."
"That's quite all right. I'm General Hammond. Welcome to the SGC. Have you met Doctor Fraiser yet?"
"Yes Sir, briefly. She is going to fill me in properly before she leaves."
"Good. You are on what we call down time until the New Year. Unless there is an emergency in which case you may be called in."
"Down time?"
"Leave. This is Colonel O'Neill. He has agreed to put you up over the holidays. Until you can sort out some accommodation."
Jack held out his hand. “Colonel Jack O'Neill.”
Bekki took it, noting how firm his grasp was. “Doctor Bekki Sutton.” She glanced up at him and suddenly found herself at sixes and sevens, swimming in the fathomless beauty of his eyes. She pulled herself together and swallowed. “Only if it is not too much of an inconvenience. I can always stay in a hotel.” She noticed he didn't even have the decency to blush as she said it.
“No it's fine. I was just telling the General how much I love houseguests. Now if you will excuse me General, I have a report to write before lunch. Doctor I am leaving at 1700 hours. I will meet you by the main gate. Assuming you find it that is. General.” He spun on his heel and left the room.
Hammond gestured to Bekki. “Sit down Doctor. You signed all the necessary papers?”
“Yes. In triplicate. Including the official secrets act.” She listened as Hammond explained the work they did here. About a Stargate and aliens and interplanetary travel. She half expected him to ask Scotty to beam them up to somewhere. Hammond broke off mid sentence as klaxons wailed. “Off world activation,” came a voice over the speakers. Hammond rose from his seat. “This is as good a time as any for you to see this.” He led the way to the control room. She noted the presence of the people she had met earlier, along with Colonel O'Neill, who still didn't seem pleased to see her. “This is SG1 - our flagship team. Major Carter, Teal'c and Jonas Quinn. This is Doctor Sutton.”
“We met earlier,” Sam said. “Hello again.”
“Hi,” Bekki said distractedly.
Her vision was directed through the glass. She watched in amazement. Below her was a huge room, much bigger than she could ever imagine. It was dominated at one end by a huge metal circle, which was spinning. It stopped and a large triangular piece shifted down and then back up with a clunking noise, and a light came on. “Chevron 6 encoded. Receiving Tok'ra IDC.”
“Open the iris.”
The massive metal central piece spun open. “Chevron 7 locked.”
As the vortex whooshed into the gate room, Bekki gasped and automatically took a step backwards. “Is it supposed to do that?”
“Yep,” Jack said dryly.
“What is it?”
“The Stargate,” Jack sighed. “That's kinda why this place is called Stargate Command.”
“Your doorway to other worlds?”
“That's right,” Jonas said, taking pity on her. Quite why Jack was so down on her when he hardly knew her he couldn't work out. A figure appeared through the gate and stood at the top of the ramp. “Dad!” Sam said and ran down into the gate room. The blue light that had filled the room disappeared as the gate shut down and Bekki watched the reunion between father and daughter.
The rest of SG1 joined them and Bekki felt suddenly alone. This was the first Christmas since the accident. Although it was almost a year now, the accident happening two days after Christmas. For the first time she regretted leaving England . At least in a hotel she could be alone with her memories and the grief they would bring. Instead she was to spend the holiday with a man who described her as an inconvenience. Hammond excused himself and returned to his duties. Left alone, Bekki wandered out of the control room and more by luck than judgement, found her way to the commissary.
She ate a lonely lunch and then managed to get lost trying to find the infirmary. When she got there, the afternoon proved interesting. Several members of a team known as SG5 were there, all suffering from burns. The like of which she had never seen before. Caused by a staff weapon - whatever one of those was. Doctor Fraiser then briefed her on the type of injuries she was likely to come across. Before she knew it, it was 1645 and time to leave. A skeleton staff was covering the base over the holiday, so she wouldn't be needed Fraiser assured her. No teams were off world and therefore no one was likely to come back injured. She found her locker - eventually - and hung her new white coat up. She pulled her bags out and put her coat on. Grabbing her bags she headed for the lift, only to get hopelessly lost again.
--- --- --- ---
Jack paced by the main entrance. He looked at his watch. 1725. Where was this woman? He could have sworn he told her 1700. Running footsteps made him turn. “Sorry Colonel,” the breathless figure told him. “I got lost.”
“Make a habit of it do you?” he said, not bothering to hide his annoyance. “Remind me to get you a map. We'll hit the traffic now. Is this all your stuff?”
Bekki nodded, afraid to say anything to annoy him further. Jack grabbed two of the bags and set off towards the car, Bekki running to keep up. He stowed the bags in the boot and looked at her standing by the passenger door. “Get in,” he told her brusquely. Bekki did so and struggled with the seat belt.
Jack got in and put the keys in. He sighed and grabbed the belt buckle from her, his hand briefly touching hers, sending shivers down her spine. Jack rammed the buckle home and started the engine. Bekki looked out of the window at the darkness. It was obvious he didn't want to do this and she had no wish to stay where she was not wanted. Taking a deep breath she said, “Colonel, can you please just drop me off at the first hotel we pass.”
“Why?” Jack asked, taking his eyes off the traffic for an instant.
He did not want to admit that he had enjoyed the touch of her hand just now. Or how beautiful she was or how much he..... He stopped that thought right there. He didn't have the time or the inclination to get involved with anyone right now. He had waited three months before he had plucked up the courage to tell Laira how he felt; only to then find out it was too late. Maybe that was his trouble. Always too late. He hadn't told Sara how he felt until it was too late as well. He realised Bekki hadn't answered him and that annoyed him even more. “Why?” he repeated harshly. Was she deaf as well?
Bekki shook her head. He had to ask? “Because you have made it obvious you don't want the inconvenience of a houseguest over the holidays. Particularly a medic you don't know. I have no desire to stay where I am not wanted. Christmas is going to be hard enough this year without that as well.”
“Doctor I have been ordered to put you up over the holidays whether I like it or not.”
“Colonel. I am not in the military. I don't have to follow those orders. Take me to a hotel. Please.”
--- --- --- ---
Several hotels later, Bekki had to admit that she wasn't going to have a choice as to where she stayed. The phrase ‘no room at the inn' was very apt. They were all full and they didn't even have a stable out the back for her to sleep in. Jack watched her come out of yet another hotel, a dejected unwanted look on her face. She got back in the car, almost in tears but not wanting to show it. Jack watched her struggle with the seat belt again. He leaned across and did it for her. His hand briefly touching hers again, producing the same electrical effect it had before. On both of them. He pulled away from the hotel and out on to the main road. “Where to Doctor?” he asked.
Bekki shrugged. “I don't care at this point. The first park bench we pass will do.” She looked out of the window, pushing down her emotions.
Jack headed back towards his place. Almost there, he pulled over. “Won't be long,” he said. Bekki nodded. Assuming he was trying another hotel, she had almost said “Don't bother, just take me back to the base.” But she had messed him around enough for one day. He just wanted to get home. Home. Somewhere she no longer had. Not any more. Lost in thought, she didn't notice Jack tying a tree to the roof of the car. He got back in and started the engine. He looked across at her and realised how tired and sad she looked. “How about my place tonight and we try more hotels in the morning.”
“No point,” Bekki said listlessly. “No room at the inn. It is Christmas remember.”
“Then I guess neither of us have a choice. You'll have to stay at my place.”
They lapsed into silence, Jack giving his full attention to the roads. He finally turned into his place, the drive having taken two hours instead of thirty minutes. He parked the car and turned to Bekki. “We're here.”
She opened her eyes. “I'm sorry?” She had drifted off for a minute or two.
Jack sighed. “Nothing. Come on unless you want to stay in the car all night.” He got out and removing her bags, carried them onto the porch. He unlocked the front door and set them inside the hall. He flicked the light on and then turned to see where Bekki was.
She was still in the car. Jack shook his head. What was with this woman? He went back out to the car and pulled open the passenger seat. “Are you coming or what?” he said angrily. She looked at him, tears pricking her eyes. She wiped them away, annoyed that he had come back. “Yes I'm coming.” She struggled with the seat belt. “Or I would if I could undo this stupid belt!”
Jack leant across her and undid it. “There. Now can you find your way to the house without getting lost?”
“Probably.” Bekki grabbed her bag and got out of the car. Jack shut the door and locked it. Then he led the way into the house.
Bekki followed him. This was the last place she wanted to be. Why did he have to be so horrid? She knew she wasn't wanted; he didn't have to keep rubbing it in like this. For an instant she longed for an emergency at the base, so she could go back there. Jack gave her a swift tour of the house, and dumped her bags in the guestroom. He found some bed linen and tossed it on the bed, along with some towels. Then he looked at her. “I'm going out tonight. Feel free to order some take away or whatever.” He left, shutting the door behind him.
Bekki sat on the bed, the tears that had been so close all the way home finally appearing and flowing unrestrained. Jack stood on the other side of the door, listening to her cry. He debated going back in, but he was no good in situations like this. He never knew what to do or say. So he turned and went to shower and change before Sam got here to pick him up. Then he headed downstairs to decorate the tree. Bekki stayed in her room until she heard the front door close behind him. Then she got up and went into the bathroom and ran a bath. Afterwards she went back into her room and lay on the bed, unable to sleep. The memories too vivid for that.
It was late before she heard the front door open and Jack come back. She looked at her watch. 2.30am. She would be so tired tomorrow. Today, she corrected herself. Christmas Eve. How different to last year. Last year she had everything. This year nothing. The tears came again, only this time she slept afterwards.
--- --- --- ---
When she woke it was dull, so her first thought was that it was dawn. She glanced at her watch. 1130. 1130??? She jumped out of bed and pulled on her clothes. What must the Colonel think of her, sleeping in until this time? She went into the bathroom and splashed water on her face to wake herself up a bit. Then she dragged a brush through her hair. Going downstairs she heard voices in the kitchen. He had company. She glanced out of the hall window. It had snowed overnight. Several inches by the look of it. Two cars now sat on the driveway. She went into the kitchen. The rest of SG1 were sat round the table, along with the man who had come through the gate the previous day.
Jack looked round as the door opened. “Good morning Doctor,” he said. He pointedly looked at his watch. “Or should that be good afternoon?”
“You never said you had company Sir,” Sam said.
“All the hotels were full. She had to crash somewhere,” Jack shrugged. “She can't stay at the base for the same reason Teal'c and Jonas are bunking at your place. Coffee's on or there is tea in the cupboard if you prefer that.”
“Actually I thought I might go for a walk,” Bekki said. She didn't want to stay here any longer than she had to.
“You can't go out without breakfast,” Sam said. “It's minus five out there.”
Bekki shrugged. “Not hungry.”
“At least have some coffee then,” Sam insisted.
“No. Really. I don't know when I'll be back Colonel.” She turned and left the room. She put on her boots and coat and hat and shut the front door behind her. It was cold and crisp. The snow crunched beneath her feet. She was glad to get out. For some reason Colonel O'Neill didn't like her. It was a shame she didn't feel the same way. He made her go weak at the knees every time he looked at her. Even if it was as if she was something the cat had dragged in.
She wandered aimlessly along the road, not paying attention to where she was going. It began to snow again. A proper white Christmas she thought. She had never had one of those before, as the snow never came as far south as Reading . Okay so that isn't exactly true, but it tended to snow after Christmas, sometimes even in April. The snow filled her footprints, blotting out her tracks. She kept going, lost in thought, unaware of the growing dark. Her mind wandered back to last Christmas Eve. How they had gone for a walk along the river, ending up in the town centre. The trees were all alight with tinsel and lights. Carols being sung by a choir by the tree at the Victoria Memorial. The Salvation Army playing carols in Broad Street . Last minute shoppers thronging the Oracle and how they had to drink their coffee from McDonalds on the banks of the river as there was nowhere to sit.
Of course the little ones had thought it wonderful. “A Christmas picnic!” seven-year-old Adam had cried. Connie had agreed, but then she would. Four years younger than Adam, she always agreed with whatever he said or did. Her sister fussed over them, as any mother would. Trying to keep them away from the water's edge. This year would be so different. So many lives gone. The two little ones, her sister and brother-in-law and her parents. All gone thanks to a drunk driver. She herself had not escaped totally unscathed. She had been cut out of the wreckage of the people carrier by the fireman, with cuts and bruises and a severely broken leg. She had spent a month in hospital and then three months in rehab. Most days she wished she had died too. She had taken this job to make a clean start, to get away from all the memories. She had hoped to be on duty over Christmas and the New Year. Being so busy she wouldn't have time to think about all she had lost.
Jack looked out of the window. Still no sign of her and she had been gone three hours. It would be getting dark soon. He didn't want to admit how worried he was. Sam looked at him. “Sir, if you are that bothered why don't we go and look for her?”
“She is probably lost. Again. I have never known anyone who can get lost so easily.”
“What have you got against her anyway? You've been down on her ever since you first met her,” Jonas asked.
“She's British?”
“Colonel!” Sam said horrified. “That's like not liking Teal'c because he's a jaffa. Or Jonas because he's from Kelowna .”
Jack held his hands up. “I'm kidding Sam. Besides Teal'c and Jonas are different. I got ordered to put her up here over Christmas. Wasn't asked or even consulted. Just ordered. What if I had plans?”
“You do not,” Teal'c said.
“I know that, but what if I had? And speaking of plans, what are you guys up to tomorrow?”
“We are going over to Mark's. Assuming the roads are clear.”
“Ah!” Jack said. He had never got on with Sam's brother and that was why he obviously hadn't been invited. “So it looks like me and the Brit then. Assuming she finds her way back that is.” He changed the subject. “So Jonas. First snowfall eh?”
Jonas grinned and nodded. Jack grinned at Sam. “So you never played snowballs then?”
“Snowballs?” Jonas asked puzzled. “No.”
“So what are we waiting for?”
They all togged up and went outside into the snow. Where began the snowball fight to end all snowball fights. They all got very wet and laughed so much they forgot all track of time. Jonas coming off the worst, as he had never done it before. Jacob joining in and enjoying it as much as the others.
--- --- --- ---
Bekki stopped walking, suddenly realising it was dark. She looked around. She had no idea where she was or where she should be. She didn't even know the Colonel's address to ask directions back to his house. The house with the outside lights wouldn't work here either, as all the houses had lights! She didn't know the phone number of the base to ring them to ask either. How could she have been so stupid? She suddenly felt faint and sat down on the roadside.
Of course, she hadn't eaten or drunk anything since lunch at the base yesterday. And here she was lost. Again. Only this time it was a bit more serious than just lost on the base. She shivered. It was cold and the snow was falling heavily now. The wind was also beginning to pick up. Just a short rest and then she would head back the way she had come. At least she had stuck to the main road. Or she thought she had. She was so tired now. Her eyes closed and she fought to keep them open.
--- --- --- --- ---
Jack stood up. His concern having grown to a point where he wasn't going to bother to hide it. “Right that's it. I'm going to go find her.”
The others stood up. “Do you want a hand?” Jacob asked.
“Nah. You guys should be going anyway. Hopefully she will have stuck to the main road. Tell you what; just keep an eye out will you? Call if you find her.”
He put his coat on and gave the others theirs. “Thank you Sir. It's been a fun day.”
Sam and the others got into her car and drove off. Jack got into his and drove slowly in the
opposite direction. His eyes kept scanning the roadside, his mind wondering how far she could have got in the five hours she had been gone.
About six miles down the road he spotted something on the side of the road. He pulled over and got out of the car. He crossed over to where something lay partly buried under the falling snow. He cleared the snow away to reveal Bekki. “Doc!” he said. He shook her slightly. Bekki opened her eyes. “Colonel O'Neill?”
Jack scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the car. He sat her on the passenger seat and strapped her in. “I'm taking you to the hospital,” he told her.
Her eyes which had closed again snapped open. “No!”
“You need to be checked over by a doctor, Doctor. You could have hypothermia.” He looked at her concerned. Bekki began to shiver. “P-promise m-me. N-no h-hospital. P-please.”
Jack shrugged. “Don't you dare die on me overnight then.” He shut the car door and pulled out his phone. He pressed the speed dial button. “Carter? I found her. Oh stubborn. She is refusing to go to the hospital to be checked over.” He walked round the car and got in the drivers seat. “Semi-conscious I'd say. I know that. Okay. Speak to you then. Bye.”
He did a three point turn and headed back to his place. He parked as close to the house as possible. Glancing over at Bekki, he noticed she had her eyes closed. He shook her gently. “Wake up,” he said. Bekki opened her eyes and looked blearily at him. Jack got out of the car and went and unlocked the front door. Then he picked Bekki up and carried her inside, nudging all the doors shut as he passed them. He laid Bekki on the sofa and then took off his coat. He covered her with it and ran upstairs to the medicine cabinet. He pulled out the thermometer and ran back down the stairs.
Sliding it under her arm, he covered her with the blanket from the back of the sofa. Then he went and put the kettle on to fill the hot water bottle Sam had suggested. The thermometer beeped and he read it - 96.2oF. Sighing in relief, he realised she didn't have hypothermia, even if it was a close thing. She was just very cold and probably in shock. He filled the hot water bottle and put it in her bed. Then he went back down the stairs and carried her back up them.
Half way up the stairs, Bekki's eyes opened. “Colonel O'Neill? Where am I?”
“Safe,” Jack told her. “Back at my place. You had us worried.”
“I got lost. Sorry.”
He smiled at her. “It's getting to be a habit.”
Bekki leaned into him, feeling safe with his strong arms around her. Safer than she had for a long time. He looked down at her. Having her in his arms seemed right somehow.
“Colonel?”
“Doctor?”
They both spoke at the same time and laughed. Reaching the top of the stairs he pushed the door open and laid her on the bed. “You first,” he told her. He took off her coat, shoes and hat and pulled the duvet back up over her. “Will you stop calling me Doctor? It makes me feel old.”
“If you stop calling me Colonel. I am not your commanding officer. We are not on duty now either. Bekki.”
“Okay. Jack.” She shivered suddenly. “I'm cold.”
Jack got another blanket and covered the bed with it. He sat with her until she drifted off to sleep. Watching her, he realised that he was deeply fond of this woman. If he was honest he had liked her from the moment she walked into Hammond 's office, hot and bothered and worried because she was late for a meeting. He regretted the way he had spoken to her and treated her. He was mad at Hammond and had taken his wrath out on her. Of course she wouldn't feel the same. He had blown any chance of that. He had been so horrid to her, and she had nearly died out there.
He wandered downstairs and sat by the fire, drink in hand. He had put a CD on, and carols played softly in the background. He must have dozed off, because he suddenly awoke to screams coming from upstairs. He charged up the stairs and into the guestroom. He gathered Bekki into his arms and held her, calming her down. He rocked her slowly, as he used to Charlie, murmuring to her until the sobs reduced enough for her to be able to talk. He listened as she told him about the accident and how everyone she ever cared about had been killed on the way to the pantomime just after Christmas last year.
Bekki then listened as he told her about Charlie dying and his marriage dying. Then he spoke about Daniel. His voice wavered and broke, as he had never spoken about how he felt about Daniel dying to anyone before. It was Bekki's turn to hold him as he cried. Comforting him as he gave in to the emotions he had buried for many weeks, months and years. Holding him, Bekki realised how right it felt to hold him.
Jack straightened. “Thank you,” he said. “I never opened up to anyone like that before.”
“Me either,” Bekki replied.
“I was so worried when you didn't come back. I thought I had driven you away by being so nasty. I wasn't mad at you, I was mad at Hammond . I could never dislike you. I am far too fond of...” he broke off realising what he was about to say.
Bekki looked away. Jack blushed, realising that he had said something he shouldn't and he had offended her. “I'm sorry,” he apologised as her shoulders started to shake. “I didn't mean to upset you. I just thought that....” he broke off again before he put his foot in his mouth one more time.
He reached out and turned her to face him. Instead of the tears he was expecting to see, Bekki was laughing. He looked at her aghast. “What? Here I am thinking I upset you and you're laughing at me?!”
Bekki forced down her laughter. “Jack. I fell in love with you the minute I saw you in General Hammond 's office. I loved the way your hand touched mine when you did the seatbelt. Why do you think I kept having problems with it?”
“You sly....Come here.” He pulled her into his arms and kissed her. Then standing up he said, “I think it's time I went to bed. I will see you in the morning. Night Bekki.”
“Night Jack.”
--- --- --- ---
The following morning Jack came downstairs to find Bekki curled up beneath the tree. He had spent most of the night thinking. If he was being honest with himself, he loved Bekki. He had never believed in love at first sight before. Well maybe with Laira, but that was in the past. Then he had left it too late before saying anything. He wasn't going to make the same mistake again. Only he had to be sure, had to hear it again before he would commit himself to anything. Then he would wait a couple of weeks, he didn't want to spoil it or rush things, or frighten her off. He sat next to her. “Morning.”
“Morning.” Bekki reached out and took his hand shyly. “Did I dream last night or did you really kiss me?”
Jack kissed her again. “Nope. I thought I dreamt hearing you say you had fallen in love with me.”
“Nope. I was afraid maybe I had scared you off but I do love you Jack.”
“Good, because I am very fond of you Bekki. Those are words I never thought I would say again. But don‘t expect commitment overnight, because that‘s not me. The guestroom is yours for as long as you want it.”
“Thank you. That's the best Christmas present anyone ever gave me.”
“What? My guestroom?”
Bekki laughed and settled back against him. Jack wrapped his arms around her. “No. Being loved is the best present anyone could ever get. And telling people they are loved is the best present to give. Not just at Christmas either. You may not have said the words but that‘s fine. There is no rush. Just let it happen Jack. We have all the time in the world.”
Jack looked at her. “Wise and beautiful. Not bad for a medic.”
--- --- --- ---
The next two weeks they spent getting to know each other. Long walks in the snowy countryside hand in hand. More snowball fights. Long talks under the tree and in front of the open fire in the evenings. The rest of SG1 could see the growing relationship between Jack and Bekki and were pleased for them. Jack seemed more at peace with himself than he had been for a long time.
Two days before they were due back at the base, they sat as usual on the floor by the fire, entwined in each others arms. The wine bottle was open but neither had drunk much. Jack looked down at the figure leaning against him and knew without doubt that he loved her. “Bekki I need to talk to you.”
“Yes Jack?” Bekki answered, taking a sip of her wine.
She could guess what he was going to say and was afraid to hear it. She didn't want this time to end. The last two weeks had been wonderful - spending time with him, getting to know him. Feeling safe and secure once again. The anniversary of the accident she had cried and cried. He had held her, not saying anything, not needing to say anything - just letting her know that he was there for her. It was about to end, she realised, shuddering. Nothing this good ever lasted forever.
Jack felt the shudder go through her and tightened his grip. “What's wrong?”
“Nothing. What did you want to say?”
“The last two weeks. I...” he broke off, at a loss for words, not anticipating this would be so hard. “What I am trying to say...”
“It's okay. I know.”
“You know?” he said, not understanding why in that case, she sounded so sad.
“Yeah. I'll get a room on the base as from tomorrow until I can find somewhere more permanent...” She broke off as Jack started laughing. “What?” she demanded. “What?!”
Jack shook with laughter, unable to get the words out for a bit. “You silly girl. I don't want you to move out.”
“You don't?” Bekki said confused. “I don't get it. I thought...”
“Bekki,” Jack said slowly, turning her to face him. “I love you. Okay. I.Love.You.”
He leaned down and kissed her before she could say anything. She let him kiss her then pulled back and turned away.
Jack looked worried. Had he blown it? Had he scared her off or left it too late. He looked at her and turned her face towards him.
He was shocked to find tears down streaking her face. “Bekki love. What's wrong?” He pulled her towards him, feeling her tears soaking his shirt, and her heart racing against him. Bekki clung to him, screwing his shirt up in her fingers. He waited until the storm had passed then asked again. “What's wrong?”
“I thought you didn't want me around anymore,” Bekki said quietly. “Here I am, crying my eyes out because you said what I have wanted you to say for so long.”
Jack kissed her tears away. “I love you Bekki. And I want you to stay.”
Bekki smiled. “I'd like that. Thank you.”
“How about we rename the guestroom Bekki's room and go shopping tomorrow for your own bed linen and towels and things?”
“I'd like that a lot.”
--- --- --- ---
Downtime finished, Jack drove Bekki to the base for her first shift. Bekki had the usual trouble with the seat belt, but this time Jack found it funny rather than annoying. He walked her to the infirmary. “Now are you sure you can find your way to the commissary for lunch?” he asked.
“I think so. Why?”
“Because otherwise I might have to come and find you.”
“In that case I will be ready to get lost at 1300 hours.”
Jack kissed her. “Have a good morning love. See you later.”
Bekki hugged him. “Not if I see you first.”
They both set off for their duties with a heart filled with love for someone else. Christmas had worked its magic on them both and set them both on a path neither had expected.
The End.
© Telsia~Cha'ris Dec 2002