Jack/Daniel holiday drabble

A SEASON EIGHT CHRISTMAS CAROL

 

Past:

 

Real camels for one, a real infant to adore for the other.

 

Future:

 

Daniel turned slowly in a circle. He recognized this place from MALP images, although the wreaths and colored lights were new. Atlantis. He’d finally come… his thrill faded. Emptiness filled him.

 

Jack surveyed the party. Had to be Washington, judging by the amount of brass and the high levels of insincerity. He glimpsed himself in a mirror: shiny new stars and a trapped expression. 

 

Present:

 

He sat up, swaying, blinking. The phone rang.  No Caller ID was necessary.  He reached for a new and better future.