Title: Christmas Chatter
Author: A. Karswyll
Fandom: Stargate SG-1
Rated: K
Words: 640
Characters: Jack O'Neill, Samantha Carter
Summary: Separated by their duty, Jack in D.C. and Sam in Nevada, they take a few minutes at the end of a long day to chat about Christmas.
AN: Written for GateWorld forum's Shipmas 2011.
Home from his day in the office, Lt. General Jack O’Neill settled into a late evening of The Simpson
reruns. He kept an anticipatory eye on the cordless phone placed
prominently beside the TV remote as he awaited a call from Nevada. Hammond
had docked at the BC-304 subterranean dry-docks today and the ship’s
commander had promised to call briefly as soon as she wrapped up her
duties for the day. The three hour time difference promised he would be
up ‘til midnight or later.
It was well after oh dark thirty when the phone rang. The caller
identification showed an unknown number but he knew the area code and
happily picked up the receiver. “O’Neill.”
“Hi.” Colonel Samantha Carter’s voice sounded tired but warm on the other end of the line.
“Hi,” Jack responded with the same warmth as he muted the TV show using
the remote. He did not need any background noise to keep him from
feeling alone when he had her voice in his ear. “Your day went okay?”
“Yeah, okay.”
“You sure? You don’t sound very sure.”
Sam gave a tired chuckle through the phone. “Just tired. Everything went well today. It just all took longer than expected.”
“Ah,” Jack grunted as he settled deeper into the cushions of his
recliner. He knew all about those days. “Well, chin up Sam. In a few
days your baby is Area 37’s to baby and you can be home for the end of
the holidays.”
“Sorry about missing Christmas Day,” Sam apologised.
“Hey, hey, don’t be sorry,” Jack chided. “These things happen and we
both know it. We’ll celebrate Christmas when you’re here even if it’s
really your birthday. The best present is having you home anyway.”
Sam’s voice caught on the other end of the line. When she was able to
speak, her voice caressing the words as she said, “Oh Jack.”
Jack cleared his throat of the emotions her voice invoked in him and
forged onward. “Anyway, Cassie’s has overstocked us on the essentials
already—homemade cookies and pies—and the bird is in the freezer just
waiting to be cooked. Besides, even though we aren’t spending Christmas
day together we will be bringing in the New Year together.”
“Yeah, I know, I just wish...” Sam sighed before deliberately lightening
her voice and asking, “That bird wouldn’t happen to be named, now would
it?”
“Sam,” Jack lightened his voice to match as he protested, “am I the sort of man that would feed you a turkey with a name?”
“Do you really want me to answer that Mr Doom and Gloom?” Sam dryly alluded to their last discussion about named turkeys.
“Nah,” Jack chuckled as he waved the question away with his free hand,
“better not. I do promise though, that our Christmas turkey has no
name.”
“Glad to hear that.” Sam approved before muffling a yawn.
“Christmas turkeys after all Sam, aren’t supposed to be named. Only
Thanksgiving turkeys get names.” Jack teased and smiled to himself as he
listened to Sam laugh softly in response to his humour.
“If you say so Jack.” Sam said in amusement before yawning again. “Well,
I hate to make you wait up so late and talk so little, but I’m really
beat.”
“You certainly sound like you’re beat. Well, goodnight Sam. See you soon.” Jack responded gently.
“Goodnight Jack. See you soon.” Sam muffled another yawn and hung up.
Jack hung up with a smile on his face. Their chat had been short but
sweet. Especially as they had not ended with ‘goodbye’ or ‘talk with you
later’ but ‘see you soon.’ And that was the very best way of all.
Rising from the recliner, he turned off the TV, and made his way to his
bed that would be lonely for only a few more days.
-FINISHED