sid: (Holiday - Snow falling)
[personal profile] sid
This fic was written last year as a gift for [personal profile] delphia2000who is kindly permitting me to share it now with the rest of the world.  :-)

J/D first time, rated R, about 2600 words.


TOP SECRET SANTA

A shadowy figure crept through the cold Colorado night. A slumbering house was cautiously approached. A gloved hand stealthily opened the mailbox, and an envelope slid silently inside. As the figure turned to depart, a small gleam of white indicated amusement and satisfaction. The figure melted into the darkness.
 
~~~~
 
When the mailman arrived at the house the following afternoon, he found the envelope, and began to place it into his bag. Then he noticed that there was no stamp, and that it was addressed to the resident of the home. Curious, he looked at the return address, and laughed briefly. As he strolled away, he was whistling...
 
…right down Santa Claus lane…
 
~~~~
 
Jack O’Neill hung up his coat, and carried his mail into the kitchen. Laying it down on the table, he put a pot of water on the stove to boil, and got himself a beer from the refrigerator. He opened a jar of spaghetti sauce, and emptied it into a pan. Then he began chopping onion and garlic to sauté and add to the sauce. When he had gotten those started over a medium flame, he took a few minutes to sit down and go through his mail.
 
There were several obvious Christmas cards in the pile, but one in particular caught his attention. A red envelope, with no stamp, and no street address. He looked at the return address, and snorted. It read:
 
S. Claus
2005 Santa Claus Lane
North Pole
 
Jack jumped up to give the garlic and onions a quick stir, and turned back to the mysterious card. Smiling, he opened the envelope. The front of the card showed Santa and his sleigh flying through the night sky, nearly obscured by large snowflakes. He opened the card. There was a message, handwritten in block letters:
 
He loves you.
Your Secret Santa
 
Jack’s smile vanished, and his forehead creased. He stared at the card, his mind whirling, until the smell of nearly burned garlic roused him from his daze. Jack turned off the burners, and stood worriedly staring out the window. He had just lost his appetite.
 
~~~~
 
The next afternoon, at Cheyenne Mountain, Daniel Jackson received an email telling him that Jack O’Neill was sending him a holiday greeting. As he followed the instructions to pick up his e-card, Daniel was smiling in anticipation. He expected that it would be some sort of cartoon or animated joke. When the picture finally came up on his screen, his brow wrinkled in puzzlement.
 
It was a photograph of Jack, taken from the side. He was standing with his hands in his pockets, staring down somberly at the flames flickering in his fireplace. At least Daniel thought it was Jack’s own fireplace; the lighting was strange and it was difficult to make out details. There was a glare of reflected light along the edge of the picture. Could this shot have been taken through Jack’s window? He scrolled down, frowning, and read the caption under the picture:
 
All he wants for Christmas is you.
Your Secret Santa
 
Daniel’s mouth dropped open, and stayed that way until he became aware once again of where he was. He hastily closed the browser window. 
 
There was no way that Jack had sent him this card. So who had? And with what intention?
 
~~~~
 
Santa was not pleased. The two idiots in question did not appear to be responding appropriately. They not only had not gotten together, but they seemed to be actively avoiding each other. An unsatisfactory state of affairs.
 
One of Santa’s helpers undertook the next assignment.
 
~~~~
 
Jack walked into his office, and stopped short at the sight of the red envelope laying on his desk. He bit his lip, and approached it cautiously. It was addressed in block letters to Colonel Jonathan O’Neill. There was no return address. He grimaced. It could be from anybody; there was no reason to assume…
 
He opened the envelope. Santa was sitting in front of a roaring fire, checking off names on two lists. Naughty and nice. Santa was peering over the top of a pair of reading glasses, looking right at Jack. Who held his breath and opened up the card.
 
There was a small picture of Daniel taped inside the card. It looked like his ID badge picture. No, not quite. Daniel’s eyes were looking to the side, as if a noise had distracted him. This was a failed attempt, which had somehow escaped destruction.
 
Feeling uneasy, Jack read the block lettering that was beneath the picture:
 
Hey Stupid!
What are you waiting for?
Your Secret Santa
 
Crap! He wished he knew whether these cards were coming from friend or foe. Not that it mattered, really. Whether he was being set up, or encouraged, it made no difference.
 
Daniel was off-limits. Period.
 
But as he remembered the words that had been written on the first card, his head sank into his hands. Was there any possibility that they had been true? Could Daniel actually love him?
 
Jack slowly raised his head. Maybe he should talk to Daniel. He could show him the cards. He wouldn’t have to give anything away, he thought with a growing sense of excitement. Daniel’s reaction to the cards would tell him a lot.
 
He picked up the phone and dialed Daniel’s office.
 
~~~~
 
Daniel put down the phone gently, his heart pounding in his chest. He stared at the card that he had found laying on his desk when he returned to his office a minute earlier. It had come in a green envelope, with block lettering addressing it to Doctor Daniel Jackson.
 
The picture on the front of the card was a photograph of eight reindeer, more or less lined up and looking into the camera. There was more block lettering on the inside:
 
Wishes can come true at Christmas.
Go to him.
Your Secret Santa
 
He had just agreed to go to Jack’s house that evening. He couldn’t even remember why he was being invited. Holding the card in his hand, and hearing Jack’s voice in his ear, his brain had entered meltdown. What was happening?
 
Did wishes really, sometimes, come true?
 
~~~~
 
Sam came to see Jack in his office an hour before he planned to leave for the day. “Sir?”
 
“What is it, Carter?”
 
“I know it’s short notice, but I wondered if we could all get together for a team night? Christmas is almost here, and we’re going to run out of time.”
 
“You mean tonight?” Jack frowned.
 
Sam grimaced. “I know, I haven’t even checked with Daniel, but if you two are free…”
 
“Sorry,” Jack muttered. “Not tonight.”
 
“You have plans?” Sam enquired brightly. “That’s nice. I hope you have a good time.”
 
Jack surveyed her beaming face. “Thank you,” he said slowly. 
 
Sam’s smile broadened as she backed out of her C.O.’s office. “We’ll just have to arrange something else.” And she was gone, leaving Jack staring thoughtfully at his empty doorway.
 
~~~~
 
Increasingly nervous about the approaching evening, Daniel sought out Teal’c. 
 
“DanielJackson. Have you come to join me in kel’no’reem? “ Teal’c inquired, with a inviting smile.
 
“Yes,” Daniel replied. “If that’s okay?”
 
“You are always most welcome.” Teal’c bowed slightly and ushered Daniel into his room. The overhead lights were turned off, and about half of the dozens of candles scattered about were already lit. “Please be seated,” he told Daniel. 
 
Daniel lowered himself to the floor, already starting to feel some of the peace that he sought. The candlelight was soothing, the presence of his Jaffa friend was comforting. “I can’t stay long,” he told Teal’c. 
 
“You have plans,” Teal’c intoned, as he lit the last candles.
 
It wasn’t really a question, but Daniel felt impelled to answer. “Yes, I’m going over to Jack’s house in a little while.”
 
Teal’c slid to the floor, smiling slightly. “I am delighted to hear it.”
 
“You are?” Daniel asked, blinking.
 
“Indeed,” Teal’c responded. “O’Neill has seemed to me to be on edge recently. I am certain that your company will do him much good.” Teal’c assumed his normal position for meditation, and closed his eyes, effectively ending the conversation.
 
Daniel stared at him through narrowed eyes for a few moments, and then shook his head. He closed his own eyes, and began to breathe in unison with his friend.
 
~~~~
 
Jack showered, shaved, and dressed with care in anticipation of Daniel’s arrival. He loaded the CD player with Christmas music, and turned the volume down low. He opened a bottle of syrah, and left it to breathe on the kitchen counter, next to a pair of wine glasses. He placed the two red envelopes on the coffee table in the living room. He lit a fire in the fireplace. Then he paced. And worried.
 
Daniel showered, shaved, and dressed with care in preparation for his trip to Jack’s house. The eyes that he met in the mirror as he checked out his final appearance were both anxious and hopeful. He placed the green envelope into the inside pocket of his winter jacket. He picked up his keys and left, turning out the lights as he went out the door.
 
~~~~
 
“Hey, Daniel. Thanks for coming.”
 
Daniel shrugged out of his coat, and handed it over to Jack. “Um, thanks for inviting me,” he mumbled. He watched the coat disappear into the hall closet, very conscious of its contents. Jack gestured invitingly, and led the way into the kitchen. Once there, he proceeded to pour out the wine before handing the bottle to Daniel for inspection.
 
“I’ve never had this brand,” Daniel commented. He set down the bottle, and sniffed at the glass Jack handed him before taking a sip. “Nice,” he announced with a pleased smile.
 
“Let’s take it in the other room,” Jack suggested.
 
The two men settled on the couch in front of the roaring fire. For the first time Daniel became aware of the music that was emanating from Jack‘s CD player. He took a deep breath, and sipped at his wine. This was, or could be, romantic beyond words. He wished he hadn’t worn this sweater. He could feel sweat prickling under his arms. Nerves, plus the heat from the fire. He stole a glance at Jack, and frowned. Jack looked as tense as he felt. His nervousness increased.
 
Jack was tongue-tied. He really had nothing to say. All he could think of was the two envelopes that laid in front of them. He gulped a mouthful of wine, and wished it were something stronger. The First Noel was softly playing. He would wait until the song ended. Then…
 
The song ended.
 
Jack picked up the top envelope. Clearing his throat, he said, “I need to show you these.” He handed it to Daniel, who opened it and took out the card.
 
He loves you, Daniel read. Dazed, he carefully set the card down, and stood up. He headed for the entry hall.
 
Shocked and dismayed, Jack slowly rose. He heard the door to the coat closet open. His heart filled with pain. Silent Night played in the background. The door closed again, and Daniel came around the corner, and down the stairs, carrying a green envelope in his hand. Jack blinked in confusion.
 
Daniel extended the card towards Jack, who stared at it stupidly. Then he bent and picked up the other red envelope. They exchanged cards gingerly. Daniel broke into a grin as he read Santa’s admonition to Jack. Go to him, Jack read. He looked up into Daniel’s smiling face. “You came,” he said.
 
“Yes,” Daniel nodded. “Because the first card was true.” Jack’s face slowly lit with joy. “And I’m starting to think that the first part of my card was true, too.”
 
“I hope so,” Jack said with heartfelt sincerity. “If I have anything to say about it…”
 
Daniel’s kiss interrupted him. “I’m tired of just dreaming,” Daniel sighed. “This - this is….”
 
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear quietly filled the room. Jack and Daniel were done talking, for the time being.
 
Their first coupling, fully clothed, trousers unzipped, sprawled on the couch, was not a thing of beauty. It was desperate and awkward and rushed…in excelsis Deo…it was glorious.
 
Afterwards, flushed and sticky, Daniel sat up, and maneuvered away from Jack so that he could sit up, too. When Jack reached for his hand, Daniel beamed at him in happy disbelief. It‘s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year. Jack stood up and began to undress. Daniel just watched, smiling dopily.
 
Jack moved across to the fireplace, and sank down to the floor. Not looking at Daniel, he said, “Bring a couple of pillows with you, okay?” Daniel rose and stripped with shaking hands. Clutching the pillows, he went to his waiting lover. As he joined Jack on the floor, he felt a wave of shyness sweep over him. But then Jack’s arm came around him as they settled back on the pillows, and everything was right again. We Three Kings.
 
Jack caressed Daniel’s warm skin as he stared into the flames. Feeling a contentment in his heart that had been absent from his life for entirely too long, he pulled Daniel a little closer, and asked, “So, who do you think our Secret Santa is?”
 
“Well,” Daniel said, stroking Jack’s lightly furred chest with acute pleasure, “I had an interesting conversation with Teal’c tonight before I left the base.”
 
Jack turned his head towards his lover. “Teal’c?” he asked, making a face. “Secret Santa?”
 
Daniel frowned slightly. “I know, it doesn’t seem to fit. On the other hand, he’s certainly been on Earth long enough to have grasped the concept.”
 
“Grasped and adopted are two different things,” Jack objected.
 
Daniel turned his head to look at Jack. He saw the firelight dancing in the other man’s eyes, and his own eyelids lowered almost imperceptibly. “Okay,” he said softly, rising up onto one elbow. “You have a better suggestion I take it?” His hand raised up to touch Jack’s face gently.
 
Jack looked up at Daniel’s beloved face. “I think I got a vibe off of Carter earlier,” he said distractedly.
 
Daniel’s hand continued to caress Jack’s cheek. “That sounds more likely,” he agreed. “On the other hand…”
 
Jack grasped the hand that was touching his face, and planted a kiss in the palm. “They’re probably working together,” he murmured, eyes intent on Daniel’s mouth.
 
“Yeah,” Daniel breathed, before lowering his lips to meet Jack’s. Their arms and legs entwined as their bodies fit together with astonishing perfection. The glow of the fireplace lit their way towards ecstasy. The first frenzy past, they took their time getting there.
 
Neither man saw the face at the window.
 
Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus
 
The man at the window turned away, carefully zipping his trousers up. He’d been right about those two all along, he thought smugly. He knew they belonged together. Probably Jack’s undercover sting operation had set things back some. He’d always found that not much foundation business hard to believe. Too bad he hadn’t relied on his instincts more at the time. 
 
Oh, well. He was free, and he still had a few friends at the SGC that hadn’t been busted. Santa’s helpers had come through for him in this little top secret operation.
 
A gleam of white indicated Harry Maybourne’s amusement and satisfaction, before he disappeared into the cold, starry Colorado night.
 
 
THE END
MERRY CHRISTMAS from SID

(no subject)

Date: Dec. 6th, 2006 11:06 pm (UTC)
ext_3440: (Default)
From: [identity profile] tejas.livejournal.com
Oh, yeah! I love it! Nice to see Harry hanging around. ;-)

(no subject)

Date: Dec. 6th, 2006 11:49 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] juliabk.livejournal.com
Yeah, Harry always did have more good intentions than were strictly healthy for him. :-)

(no subject)

Date: Dec. 7th, 2006 02:06 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] starting-gate.livejournal.com
I'm glad I'm not the only one who likes to see Harry, in fic.

(It's about time you 'came out'. Newbie, hah.)

(no subject)

Date: Dec. 7th, 2006 03:02 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] juliabk.livejournal.com
PTHTHTHTHTTHTH! :-) Yeah, well. :-)

(no subject)

Date: Dec. 7th, 2006 03:27 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] starting-gate.livejournal.com
When I was young(er), I hysterically discovered, along with my best friend; that PTHTHTHTHTTHTH! was actually spelled: Plplplplplplplpl! (According to Archie comics.) We spent years actually 'speaking' it to each other--Pee ell pee ell pee ell--when it was called for.

Personally, I have been writing for almost, three whole months. So, thought I'd share that with teh 'newbie'. :)

*snort*

(no subject)

Date: Dec. 7th, 2006 03:37 am (UTC)
ext_3440: (Default)
From: [identity profile] tejas.livejournal.com
heheheh! Oh, that's just so sweet of you! :-)

Speaking of being a newbie, I really am having just *the* most terrible time with all those pictury icony thingys. ;-)

(I have *got* to get the hang of this changing personalities thing. ;-)

(no subject)

Date: Dec. 7th, 2006 04:12 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] starting-gate.livejournal.com
Anytime, darling! *g*

Oh! The icons. Steal from Ask Sid. She's got quite the deliciously pornographic collection. That's the biggest reason I upgraded to a paid account. :)

('Changing' personalities...split personalities... Kinky!) ;o

(no subject)

Date: Dec. 7th, 2006 04:25 am (UTC)
ext_3440: (Default)
From: [identity profile] tejas.livejournal.com
Oh, SIIIIiiiiiddddd!!!! :-) Porno pics! Whoo-hoo!!!

Yes, having a split personality can be a real pain. Hey, at least this won cool stuff! Not really sure how, but she did! :-)

(no subject)

Date: Dec. 7th, 2006 05:04 am (UTC)
ext_3440: (Default)
From: [identity profile] tejas.livejournal.com
Thank you, ma'am!

Oh! Banners on the profile page! What a great idea!

(no subject)

Date: Dec. 7th, 2006 05:05 am (UTC)
ext_3440: (Default)
From: [identity profile] tejas.livejournal.com
I just finished fixing my link list, too. Then I got all caught up rereading the Scruff Guide to the 'Gaterverse.:-) Scared the cats again, too. :-)

(no subject)

Date: Dec. 7th, 2006 12:09 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] green-grrl.livejournal.com
I was all filled with the "Aaaaw" and the "Yay!" and the "Cute!" But then you added The man at the window turned away, carefully zipping his trousers up. Eeeeeewww! Though his matchmaking was sweet... ;-)

Still, yay!

(no subject)

Date: Dec. 7th, 2006 02:54 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] green-grrl.livejournal.com
I love him as long as I don't have to see a) his penis, or b) him eating a hot dog. ;-)

(no subject)

Date: Dec. 7th, 2006 02:03 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] starting-gate.livejournal.com
*squeeing with glee*

Beautiful pacing, and a totally wonderful surprise. I have no idea why, but I love to see Harry appear in fic.

Adding to recs list, with extra ♥ squee!

I hope this is an annual tradition for you!

(no subject)

Date: Dec. 7th, 2006 02:30 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] whimsicalwhims.livejournal.com
OMG, it's Pervy!Santa Maybourne. Though it is kind of sweet how he decided to play matchmaker.

Excellent fic. I'm glad that Jack and Daniel got each other for Christmas.

(no subject)

Date: Dec. 7th, 2006 04:01 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] msbeata.livejournal.com
Merry Christmas to you too!

Thank you and delphia2000 for sharing.

This had a Harry vibe to me. I kept hoping it would be him even though you tried to distract me with Sam and Teal'c.

And then I was thinking that Jack and/or Daniel should have had enough sense to cover the windows before they started making out. So now I assume they were rewarding Santa for his kind deed.

This was just what I needed tonight - light, fun, and Christmasy

(no subject)

Date: Dec. 7th, 2006 05:26 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] delphia2000.livejournal.com
You got that sneaky little pervert Harry just right. Send him over here so he doesn't have to go solo all the time. I'd be happy to lend him a hand. :oD There's nothing like a Harry Christmas.

(no subject)

Date: Jan. 2nd, 2007 01:58 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] secretbutterfly.livejournal.com
*snerk* I loved this and I wholeheartedly agree w/ enjoying it as long as I don't have to see Harry's pepe! lmfao@the word I used...I'm a little loopy at the moment...

(no subject)

Date: Feb. 1st, 2007 08:25 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] secretbutterfly.livejournal.com
Well, yes of course we would! He's just...it's not...the guy weirds me out sometimes, lol

(no subject)

Date: Dec. 7th, 2006 02:02 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] janedavitt.livejournal.com
Wicked, wicked Harry! But I guess it worked out in the end.... lovely, sweet holiday fic!

(no subject)

Date: Dec. 7th, 2006 10:11 pm (UTC)
ext_2877: Long-time default (Santa-hatted default)
From: [identity profile] blackbird-song.livejournal.com
I was so glad to discover that the pervy Santa was not Teal'c (could have joined them without my minding too, too much ;) ), Sam (way too weird perving in a Santa suit) or Hammond (would have shattered all my lovely illusions about him). That said, pervy Santa squick plus pervy Maybourne squick = pervilicious fic with enough bite to offset the delightful sweetness of the matchmaking. Well done!

Now, I wonder what old Harry's really up to, setting them up? I wonder if Sid will tell us in subsequent writing? Hmmm...

Thank you so much for writing this!

Catherine

(no subject)

Date: Dec. 8th, 2006 02:58 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] spacemonkeyphd2.livejournal.com
Awwww, so sweet, so sexy and yet in places (the end) so WRONG!!! Harry should not need to zip up his trousers, EEW. Harry does sneaky so well, it works wonders in the fic, though I must admit I'm not too keen on him in most things.

Wonderful story Sid, I now have a reason to like christmas. I'm an old romantic at heart and I love this kind of happy sappy stuff from time to time, even more if it has a few twists in it. :)

Thanks for sharing it. *sighs happily*

(no subject)

Date: Dec. 10th, 2006 11:22 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] spacemonkeyphd2.livejournal.com
LOL Keep writting like that huni and you can name yourself queen of anything you like!! ;)

As for the unzipping, um I refrain from answering that out of respect for your gender.

(no subject)

Date: Dec. 8th, 2006 10:36 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] yakkorat-fics.livejournal.com
Harry. Perfect. I never saw it coming.

Love,
Julie-Rae

(no subject)

Date: Dec. 9th, 2006 09:21 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] gaidheil1974.livejournal.com
*gushes incoherently AGAIN*

You know, I think you like me incoherent or something.

(no subject)

Date: Dec. 10th, 2006 06:44 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] burningchaos.livejournal.com
Oh I love that it as Harry...

(no subject)

Date: Dec. 10th, 2006 07:47 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] burningchaos.livejournal.com
How odd, but I received it nevertheless. I am a fan of Harry too. He is refreshing and amusing, I kinda miss him.

(no subject)

Date: Dec. 17th, 2006 12:42 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] lt-kitty.livejournal.com
That was certainly an unexpected ending!

(no subject)

Date: Dec. 22nd, 2013 07:44 am (UTC)
antares_dw: (jackdaniel1)
From: [personal profile] antares_dw
This is very cute! *bg* And the moment Santa wrote:
Hey Stupid!
What are you waiting for?
Your Secret Santa
I crossed Sam and Teal'c from my list. *lol* I love how you highlighted Daniel's and Jack's ... uhm ... acitivities with Christmas carols. Very nice!
And that Santa is carefully zipping his trousers in the end - perfect! And absolutely in character for him. *lol*

It made me smile the whole time. *g*

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