Merry Christmas Everyone by Dawn T

Merry Christmas Everyone
By Dawn T

Sam knocked on the lab door and waited for a summons. When no response came, she knocked again, and then turned the doorknob, opening the door slightly.

"Daniel?" she called, poking her head around the door.

A muffled voice answered from the back of the room. "Sam? I'm sorry, I didn't hear you knock. You…did knock, didn't you?"

"Yes, of course." Sam opened the door fully and stepped inside the lab. She moved around the central table and stopped in surprise when she saw Daniel sitting on the floor in the corner of the room, surrounded by gift wrap, tape, ribbon and a large pile of beautifully wrapped presents.

"Why are you doing this here?" she asked.

"It's just easier," he replied, pulling stray bits of tape and wrap from his body and hair. "If we're exchanging gifts at the base Christmas party this year."

"Oh. Yeah, I guess it does make sense."

Daniel stood up and Sam smiled as she spotted another piece of wrap clinging to the seat of his BDUs. She moved over to him and reached down to tug the wrap away.

Daniel jumped when Sam did this, until she showed him what she had removed. He then sat on a stool and looked intently up at Sam. "So, was there something you wanted?" he asked.

"Oh, yeah!" Sam sat on a stool opposite and smiled at him. "I wanted to ask you a favour, actually."

"What?"

"Well, have you ever heard about the NORAD Santa tracking program?"

Daniel's brow furrowed, and he shook his head. "No."

"Well, it's something that NORAD has been doing for nearly 50 years. They have a phone line set up, and local children can call in and get an update on Santa's progress."

Daniel's brows rose and a smile began to form on his lips.

"Don't laugh, Daniel, it's true. They even have their own website." Sam moved over to Daniel's computer. She tapped a few keys, connecting the terminal to the internet, and then tapped in a web address.

To Daniel's surprise, a home page appeared titled, `The Annual NORAD Tracks Santa Claus Website'. He peered at the information shown, his surprise at what he was seeing increasing.

Eventually he looked at Sam, pushed his glasses up on his nose, and said, "Wow! I had…no idea."

Sam smiled again and turned away from the computer screen. "Anyway, NORAD have been asking for volunteers to help out on the phone lines, and I thought it would be a fun thing to do. Just for a couple of hours. I was wondering if you'd come and help out too? Please?" Sam turned the full power of her blue eyes on him with a pleading puppy-dog expression.

Daniel squinted at Sam slightly, and glanced back at the computer. "Okay, why not? It'll be a nice way to get into the Christmas spirit."

Sam's expression didn't change.

"What?" Daniel asked.

"Well, I was kinda hoping you might help me persuade the Colonel and Teal'c to help out too."

Daniel's burst of laughter was no surprise to Sam.

"Jack? You want me to help you persuade Jack to help out with this?"

"Help out with what?" Sam and Daniel spun round to find Jack and Teal'c standing in the doorway to Daniel's lab.

Sam glanced at Daniel, and then back at her CO.

"Well, sir, I'm sure you're aware of the special project underway at NORAD at the moment," she said with a knowing look.

Jack looked at Sam blankly and shook his head slightly.

"Sir, it's the same project they run every year around this time."

Jack thought really hard to remember what Sam could be talking about. He looked round the lab, spotting the pile of presents, and discarded gift wrap in the corner. Okay, that meant Christmas. What would the geeks in NORAD be up to at Christmas?

He continued working his way round the room looking for clues. His eyes finally fell on the computer, where he saw the name NORAD and a large picture of Santa.

"Santa!" he said, looking at Sam and clicking his fingers. "They track Santa!"

"Yes, sir. They also operate a phone service so local kids can call and check on Santa's progress."

"Yeah, I remember now." What he didn't tell them was that his memory was of Charlie calling the number one Christmas Eve when he was about 7. He'd been so excited when the officer on the end of the line informed him that Santa was about 5 hours away from Colorado Springs. It had taken Jack and Sara so long to get Charlie tired enough that he would actually fall asleep. He had done so in Jack's arms, as they were sitting on the living room floor watching `It's A Wonderful Life' for the umpteenth time. He had carried his son up the stairs to bed, and tucked him in carefully, so as not to wake him. Sam's voice brought Jack back to the matter at hand.

"Well, sir, NORAD is asking for volunteers to help them out with the phone lines this year."

Sam knew Jack wasn't that dumb, and he would realise what she was asking him.

Jack frowned at Sam for a moment before he cottoned on.

"What, you want me to help? Oh no, Carter, no way!"

"Colonel, please?" Sam pleaded. "It's only for a couple of hours, and just think about how happy you'll be making all those kids. Telling them where Santa is, and when he'll reach their area." Sam paused, hoping that the Colonel would cave.

"Yes, Jack, help us out. Me and Sam are helping," Daniel said, shoving his hands into his pockets.

Jack remained tight-lipped.

"I will assist you, DanielJackson," Teal'c said, shifting his position slightly and clasping his hands behind his back.

Jack turned to glare at Teal'c, who raised an eyebrow at this response. "Are you ganging up on me, too? I thought you were my friend?"

"Indeed," Teal'c rumbled, a fleeting smile crossing his lips.

Jack glared at the Jaffa again. "Okay, Carter. I'll help out. But just a couple of hours, right?"

Sam stifled a grin and nodded her head. "Yes, sir, of course."

Jack turned and left the lab, Teal'c following close behind. As he left the room, Teal'c turned and smiled at Sam, before closing the lab door.

"Nice job, Teal'c," Daniel murmured. He looked at Sam, who was still grinning. "You and Teal'c fixed that whole conversation, didn't you?" he asked perceptively.

Sam cocked her head to one side and her grin broadened. "Maybe," she said enigmatically.

Sam arranged for the whole team to help NORAD on Christmas Eve. They met in town for breakfast before heading back to the mountain for 11am. Even though they had the highest security clearance for the SGC, NORAD had arranged temporary passes to their facility, located on the floors above the SGC.

Sam had brought festive Santa hats for them all to wear, to get them in the right mood. She handed them out in the elevator, on the way down to level 8, where NORAD reception was located.

Sam handed each team member a slightly different hat, before placing her own on her head. She pulled it on, and then tugged the bobble down so it hung by her right ear.

She looked up at the others, and was surprised to see that Teal'c was the only one wearing his heat. He had placed it at a rakish angle, with the tip of the hat hanging over his forehead. This was decorated with a small silver bell, which jingled lightly when Teal'c moved his head.

Sam smiled and looked at the others. They were both looking at the hats with horrified expressions.

"No way, Carter," Jack said handing the hat back to her. Sam refused to take it back, saying, "Come on, Colonel. You have to get in the Christmas spirit. Teal'c's wearing his."

Jack glanced at Teal'c and frowned again. He couldn't be beaten by Teal'c on this matter. He pulled the hat on his head rather roughly and the bobble on the end hit the back of his head. His hat was decorated with a large sprig of mistletoe, settled in the middle of his forehead. He raised his eyes to try and see what the obstruction was, but couldn't quite make it out. He pointed towards it and shot Carter a meaningful look.

She smiled and answered, "It's mistletoe, sir."

`Mistletoe?' he mouthed at her, touching the plant and feeling the berries.

Sam nodded, and suppressed another smile. Daniel was watching all this activity with a frown, turning the hat over and over in his hands. "Come on, Daniel," Sam urged, waving at his hat. "Put it on."

Daniel sighed and reluctantly put the hat on his head. Sam reached over and pulled it down further on his head, making sure that his decoration was located where it could be seen. She had stapled a large, multi-coloured gift ribbon onto the edge of the hat, and the ends of the ribbons dangled down over Daniel's forehead slightly. He frowned again at the tickling sensation he got, and reached up to scratch his head.

Sam grinned at the men, all of whom looked extremely uncomfortable, except Teal'c. "You guys look great. Very Christmassy!"

Both Jack and Daniel grunted at Sam, while Teal'c bowed his head in her direction. The elevator door opened at that point and the team exited the car.

They were met by two airmen, sitting at NORAD reception, with huge grins on their faces at the sight before them. Jack glared at the men, while Sam approached the desk to confirm their identities and reasons for being there. The airmen verified their security passes, and directed them to `Santa's' room.

Sam led her team members down the long corridors, following their instructions, but the room they wanted was actually very easy to find. It had been decorated with a large Christmas wreath, and spray snow spelling out `Santa's Grotto'.

Sam knocked on the door, and opened it before waiting for an answer. They were greeted by a room filled with computer screens and telephone, but decorated with gaily coloured streamers and ribbons attached to the ceiling and walls. Each computer terminal had a miniature Christmas tree standing on it, and a large plaque on the wall proclaimed `Merry Christmas', twinkling in tiny fairy lights.

"Major Carter!" a voice called from the back of the room. Sam squinted slightly to see who had called her. A dark haired man, wearing Captain's ID walked towards the door, his hand held out towards her.

"Captain Archer?" she inquired, shaking hands with the man.

He nodded, and then glanced at the others. "And, Colonel O'Neill, Dr Jackson, and Mr Mintz?" Each of them shook his hand, except `Murray', who bowed his head in acknowledgement.

Capt. Archer gave them a brief introduction to the other officers who were already taking calls from excited children, and then showed them to a bank of 4 desks, two on each side of the room. He showed them how to use the computer, which was only used for updates on Santa's position. The most important piece of equipment was the telephone.

"When you're all ready, I'll switch on these four phones, and you can start. The phone will ring twice, you'll answer, and ask the child where they are. We don't ask for names, but they will often tell you that off their own back. When they tell you where they are, type the location into the computer, and it will come back with the time till Santa arrives. Ok?" He looked at each person, waiting for a nod before smiling and finishing with, "Well, if you have any problems, just call, but you should be ok. And enjoy it, yeah?" He walked back down the room to his own desk.

Sam sat down first, opening up the computer, which was already logged to the correct page. She watched the others do the same, knowing that they all were computer literate enough to have no trouble with the simple Java applet that gave them the information they would need. When she was sure they were all ready, she gestured to Captain Archer, who nodded and waved when their phones were on.

Immediately, each phone rang and they were all picked up.

"Hello, NORAD Santa Tracking."

"Hello? Can you tell me where Santa is?"

"I can. Where are you?"

"At home."

Daniel smiled and asked again. "No, where do you live, what town?"

The line went quiet, but Daniel could hear a little voice asking a question. The voice came back shortly saying, "Greensboro, Georgia."

"Ok, just let me check on that for you." Daniel typed the name and state into the computer. "Ok, Santa will be in your area in about 16 hours time."

"Thank you, sir," the childish voice said before banging the phone receiver back on the hook. Daniel smiled again, and prepared himself for the next call.

"Good morning, this is NORAD Santa Tracking."

"Hi, can you tell me when Santa's gonna get here?"

"Indeed. Tell me your location."

"I'm in Chicago."

"Ah. The Windy City. Santa Claus will approach your area in around 15 hours time. Ensure you are asleep, or he will not visit you."

"Ah…okay, er..thanks."

"You are most welcome."

"'Morning, Santa Tracking. What's your location?"

"Hello? I wanna know where Santa is."

Jack's gruff tone softened as he heard the little girl's voice, obviously tinged with fear at speaking to a stranger. "Ok, honey, can you tell me where you live?"

"Yes," the girl said emphatically, obviously a bit more confident now. "I live at 1217 East Cedar Road, Yellowtown, Indiana."

Jack smiled and tapped the details into his computer. "Ok, Santa's gonna be in your town in about 15 hours. You make sure you're fast asleep by then, ok?"

"I know. I'm going to bed early tonight, to make sure I'm asleep. If I wake up in the night, will Santa know?"

"Santa knows everything, sweetheart. But don't worry, you sound like a good girl to me. I'm sure you'll get something nice from Santa tonight."

A giggle on the end of the line broadened Jack's smile further, and a little voice whispered, "Thank you. Merry Christmas!"

"Merry Christmas!" Jack put his phone down, and glanced across at Daniel, who was sitting next to him. Daniel smiled fleetingly, then picked up his ringing phone. Jack's phone rang at the same time, and he picked it up, his spirit raised already.

Sam picked up her phone after the 2nd ring, and promptly pulled the receiver away from her ear. She had been greeted with an horrendous screaming sound. The noise died down slightly, and she eased closer to the earpiece. "Hello?" she said hesitantly.

"Hello?"

"This is NORAD's Santa Tracking Line. Can I help you?"

"Jordy, leave me alone!" The voice cried. "I'm sorry, ma'am, my brother is such a pain!"

Sam smiled. "I know how you feel. My brother was the same."

"Really? Wow. Hey, are you the people who can tell me when Santa's gonna be here?"

"Yes, I can tell you that. Where do you live?"

"Denver."

"Ookay." Sam brought up the details for Denver and gave the information to her caller. "Santa's gonna be here in about 12 hours."

"Thanks." The girl on the end of the line sighed. She then continued in a whisper, "It's not for me, I don't believe in Santa any more. But my brother's only 6, so we have to keep up the pretence for him. You know?"

Sam grinned. "I understand. You tell him I said he has to be fast asleep before Santa arrives, or he won't get any presents, okay?"

The girl giggled. "I will. Thank you, you're a nice lady."

"Thank you."

The time flew as the four members of SG-1 took phone call after phone call. Sam jumped when Captain Archer put his hand on her shoulder as she replaced the receiver following her final call. "Time's up, Major," he said cheerily.

"Thank you, Captain." Sam turned the computer screensaver on, and turned to face the others. Teal'c had also finished his last call and was looking at Sam with the closest he ever came to a grin, on his face.

She glanced over to see Daniel finishing up also, but the Colonel was still intent on his call. She shot Daniel a puzzled look, and he shrugged. It appeared that the Colonel, despite his earlier reluctance to help out, was actually enjoying himself.

His call finished, and Daniel said, "That's it, Jack, it's over."

Jack turned to look at the others, surprise evident on his face. "What, already?"

"Yes, sir," Sam confirmed, nodding her head.

"Oh." Jack seemed really disappointed. He gestured to Captain Archer to approach, and whispered to him intently. Captain Archer smiled, and nodded his head.

"What's going on, Jack?" Daniel asked.

"Nothing. But, I'm gonna stay a little longer. They're a bit short of volunteers."

Again, Sam stifled a grin. "That's really nice of you, sir. You're not going to stay too long, though, are you? Don't forget we're all going to Janet's for Christmas Eve dinner."

"I won't forget, Carter. Go on, you guys get going. I'll see you all later."

Teal'c rose and bowed his head to his friend. Sam and Daniel said their goodbyes, leaving Jack to spread more Christmas cheer than he could remember feeling in a long time, to children all over the country.