Duck
by Annie
URL: http://www.area52hkh.net/asa/annie/duck.php
Summary: It's Christmas Eve and Daniel still has to collect the last of Jack's presents.
Daniel had just pulled up at the stoplights when his phone beeped to let him know he had a message. Glancing at the display he saw it was a text and, checking the lights were still on red, reached over and pressed a few buttons. A small grin found its way to his lips as he saw 'Jack's mobile' on the display, and as he pressed the button to show him the message the lights changed to green. Crossing the junction, Daniel pulled up at the first opportunity he got so he could read the message.
Daniel's grin turned into a smile as he realised that Christmas would start early and quickly typed his response.
Sending the message, Daniel put the phone back on the passenger seat and eased his Grand Cherokee back into the traffic. Everyone seemed to want to go in the same direction and Daniel decided that leaving it to Christmas Eve to pick up the last of Jack's presents had been a bad idea. It wasn't that he had been lazy, it was the fact he had been off world with SG9 on a mission and had returned to Earth only the previous day which had led to this last minute shopping expedition.
Glad he had already bought the rest of his presents, Daniel pulled into the car park and surprisingly found a space near the entrance to the store. Thinking that maybe his luck was changing, he got out just as the phone beeped again.
Heading into the building, Daniel saw that everyone who wasn't on the road was already in the shop crushing each other. "Just another day in Netu," he muttered under his breath as he headed towards the line at customer services. He had reached the counter, explained who he was and what he was here to collect when his phone beeped. Ignoring the not so subtle tutting from the man behind him, Daniel checked the message.
Daniel rolled his eyes and quickly sent back the message (_E=mc2_) whilst waiting for the assistant to return.
"Here you go Dr Jackson. Will there be anything else?"
"Thanks. Um, do you have gift-wrap? Any will do, we've run out at home," Daniel replied.
"There's some by the checkouts."
Some more tutting from behind prompted Daniel to pick up the package and say, "Thanks. Have a good Christmas," before moving off. Making his way along an aisle, he saw something that reminded him of Jack from SG1's last mission. Wondering why a sports store would be stocking such an item, he picked one up and had just reached the line for the checkout when he heard a beep.
Daniel had made it through the checkout and was fighting his way through the crowds on the way back to his car when Jack replied to his message. He waited till he was in the safety of his car before getting his phone out of his pocket.
Starting his car, he cranked up the heater and was forced to slowly inch his way out of the car park. As he made it to the slip road the snow the weathermen had been talking about all day started to fall. After switching on his windshield wipers Daniel turned on the CD player so he could enjoy the drive home.
I got the brains, he's got the looks,
He watches TV, I read my books,
He's in the slow lane but he don't care.
He's such a pretty face but boy he's got a head full of air
Twenty minutes later and Daniel was singing along to Airhead's Girls@Play when he was forced to a slow the car by the sheer volume of traffic in front of him. Checking the time, Daniel ejected the CD and flipped through the channels on the radio till he got to the one he wanted.
"It's twenty minutes past five and time for the traffic bulletin. Well folks, I'd give the Centrex Highway a miss if you can 'cause reports are coming in that a truck has skidded in the snow. The police say the tailbacks are already a mile long and increasing rapidly. Just what everyone needs on Christmas Eve eh? In town."
Daniel pushed the CD back in and listened as the music started up again. Picking up his phone he wearily sent a message to Jack.
Fifty minutes later and Daniel was tapping his hands on the steering wheel in time to the music when he saw something that made him smile. As he picked up the phone to send Jack a message it beeped.
Daniel made it past the accident site, glad to see that no one was hurt, and carefully made his way along the snowy road. Others weren't so careful as they sped past him trying to make up some of the lost time. Shaking his head at the stupidity of some drivers, Daniel was glad of 4 wheel drive when he saw the rear of a car in front of him slide in the snow.
'Please just let me make it home safely to Jack' he prayed.
Thankfully his prayers were answered as thirty minutes later he pulled into the driveway. He saw Janet and George's cars already parked up, a light dusting of snow covering both. Getting the bags and Jack's present out of the back, he locked the car and made his way to the front door as Cassie opened it.
"Hi sweetie, can you."
Cassie stepped forward and took the bag Daniel was holding out and said, "Hi Daniel, heard you had some fun getting here."
"Just a smidgen. Do me a favour and take that to Jack for me, he needs the paper."
"Sure, the others are in the living room," Cassie replied and hurried towards the kitchen.
Putting his remaining bag down, Daniel took off his coat and slipped Jack's present into the closet so he could sneak it upstairs without it being seen. After picking the bag up again, Daniel made his way to where the others where sitting laughing.
"Daniel, glad you got here safely."
"I am happy to see you Daniel Jackson."
"Good you finally got here son."
"Hi Daniel."
Smiling, Daniel once again put down his bag so he could give Sam and Janet a hug and said, "It's good to see you too." Pulling away, he greeted George and Teal'c just as Jack walked into the room saying, "Didn't think you were going to make it this side of the holidays."
"You're not that lucky. Where's the..."
Daniel smiled as Jack held out a mug of coffee, taking it gratefully. Sipping it, he let out a contented sigh as the caffeine worked its way into his system.
"Leave it alone Jack," Daniel said, taking enough time away from his coffee to slap the Colonel's hand as he reached for the bag.
"Aww Danny, you're no fun," Jack mumbled as he sat down on one of the sofas.
Daniel raised his eyebrows, picked up the bag with his spare hand and said, "I'll be back in five," as he headed towards the hall closet.
When he walked back into the living room ten minutes later, again via the hall closet, everyone was settled having a laugh and he queried, "So who's doing the honours then?"
They all looked at George who asked, "What?"
"I think you're the one dressed for the job George," Jack replied.
George sat in his Santa's outfit, a legacy of his visit to his grand daughters school earlier that afternoon.
"Well you're not sitting on my lap and I'm not at all that sure you've been a good boy this year."
"I've been perfectly well behaved, a model airman," Jack protested.
Laughter broke out at this statement and comments such as 'yeah right', 'in which alternative universe' and 'are we sure he's sane' could be heard.
George looked at Jack as he muttered about 'the lack of respect these days', and grinning Jack leaned back on the sofa.
"All right, if I'm sorting out the presents then I think I should have my helper handing them out," George said when things calmed down slightly, "After all, that's what Elves are for."
"Indeed," Teal'c intoned.
Nobody dared make fun of Teal'c, especially seeing he had stepped in at the last moment to help when the original volunteer backed out. He sat crossed legged wearing green tights, a red tunic and shorts, and black shoes with his green hat on the floor next to him. With great dignity, the former First Prime stood and made his way to George's side.
"I will not tolerate anyone pulling on my bells this time," he warned, his eyes twinkling.
Daniel crossed over to George, passed him a present and whispered something in his ear. Both men looked over at Jack who was too busy talking to Cassie to notice, then Daniel sat down to wait for the gifts to be distributed.
A short while later everyone had opened their presents, Cassie having a large pile in front of her. Even though she was now 17 people were still acting as if they were trying to catch up on the Christmases she missed.
"How did you manage to do this?" Jack asked as he held the stick. He already knew how much thought Daniel put into buying presents, but this gift was amazing.
"An old friend from college works for the Blackhawks. I sent him one of your spare sticks, he got the team to sign it and sent it back to me," Daniel explained.
"I didn't even realise it was missing. Thanks Danny, it's great."
"If that's everything how about we play some games," Janet suggested as Jack stood to clear away discarded wrappings.
"Well actually there's one present left and it's for Jack," George said. Passing the small package over, George sat back and waited to see what it was.
Opening it, Jack asked, "What's this for Daniel?"
"Thought you wanted one after the way you went on about it during our last mission," came the reply.
Sam laughed as she realised what Daniel was talking about which caused Jack to turn to her.
"Well you did keep saying 'duck' Sir."
Jack rolled his eyes and groaned as the rest of the group started to laugh. Putting the yellow rubber duck on the mantelpiece, Jack grinned at Daniel and asked, "Who's up for Twister?"
The End
