Lesasaur at Large

Title: A Piece of Christmas Fluff

Words: around 1200

Pairing: Jack/Daniel pre-slash

Notes: Title says it all. Written for the December Challenge at AccDanCloset (because I needed a break from the other one found here A Christmas Miracle) although I cheated a little bit. Not beta’d for the same reason.

A Piece of Christmas Fluff


“So, Daniel, having a good time?”Jack asked as he retook his seat at SG-1’s table following his latest outing on the dance floor at the SGC’s annual Christmas Eve party.

Daniel nodded.

“YOU obviously are, sir,” Sam commented with a grin, as she returned with a round of drinks.

Jack made a show of appearing coy that was totally ruined as he made a grab for his drink. “Well, can I help it if everyone wants to dance with the most eligible bachelor here?” He glanced quickly at Teal’c. “No offence, big guy.”

Sam rolled her eyes in Daniel’s direction as she distributed the rest of the drinks, and Daniel grinned as he accepted his with quiet thanks.

“None taken, O’Neill,” Teal’c replied after he had also thanked Sam for the drink. “I myself have not lacked for dance partners.”

“Yes, I noticed…you party animal you,” Jack stated with a grin. “By the way, thanks, Carter.” He raised his glass in her direction. “You deserve a raise.”

Sam shot him a saccharine smile. "I've heard THAT before!" She then winked at Daniel before saying, “It’s a shame your leg’s still not a hundred percent, Daniel, or I’m sure you’d be giving both of these Romeos a run for their money!”

Daniel’s grin broadened.

“Hey, that’s not very nice, Carter,” Jack said with a mock glare. “Just because you’re a wall flower.”

Sam glared for real and opened her mouth to retort just as Colonel Reynolds approached and asked her to dance. With a triumphant look in Jack’s direction, she accepted and disappeared into the gyrating crowd.

Jack grinned. “‘Bout time she let her hair down a little.” He turned toward Daniel but before he could add anything else, Lieutenant Gibbons from SG-10 approached him, and after throwing a smug look in Teal’c’s direction and a wink in Daniel’s, he too, disappeared into the crowd.

“How IS your leg, Daniel Jackson?” Teal’c enquired politely.

“Actually, Teal’c, it’s good. The cane’s just for show, because I don’t feel like dancing with anyone, and it beats having to turn people down.”

Teal’c frowned. “And yet you appear to be having a good time, Daniel Jackson.”

“Oh, I am, Teal’c, believe me, and by the way, could we just keep that cane thing between ourselves?”

Teal’c inclined his head. “As you wish, Daniel Jackson.”

“Good,” Daniel said with a nodding smile. “Now, I’m perfectly fine here on my own, so…go find yourself a partner and get back out there.”

“Are you certain, Daniel Jackson?” The words were laced with barely suppressed anticipation.

Daniel laughed. “Positive! Go get ‘em, tiger.”

Teal’c practically bounded from the table and was soon out on the floor with a pretty blonde whom Daniel had seen around the infirmary although he didn’t know her name.

Daniel smiled happily, enjoying the music, watching his friends – the only family he had - having fun, and hugging his secret close.

A short while later, Sam returned and after she’d downed her drink, she looked at Daniel quizzically. “There’s something about you tonight, Daniel. I’ve never seen you looking so…well, happy.”

Daniel smiled at her. “I AM happy, Sam,” he admitted with complete honesty.

“So what’s the big occasion?”

Daniel shrugged in a non-committal way.

Sam’s expression suddenly changed. “You sly dog. You’ve got a date after this, haven’t you?”

Daniel raised his eyebrows slightly and continued to smile complacently.

“You HAVE,” she crowed triumphantly. “Who with? Come on, spill the beans.”

“Spill what beans?” Jack asked as he returned to the table, snatched up his drink and downed it as quickly as Sam had earlier.

“Daniel’s got himself a date after this.”

“He has?” Jack put down his glass and sank into his chair, looking at Daniel through narrowed eyes. “Anyone I know?”

Daniel remained silent and attempted to look coy.

“He’s not saying anything, sir.”

“Ye-ess, I can see that.”

“He’s obviously happy about it though because if you haven’t noticed, he’s been smiling all night.”

“And here’s me thought it was just our sparkling company,” Jack intoned dryly.

Daniel laughed. “It hasn’t been ALL bad,” he declared airily, “and the music’s been pretty good.”

Jack studied his face. “You’ve really got a date?” he asked seriously.

Daniel nodded.

Something flashed in Jack’s eyes too quickly for Daniel to interpret, and then Jack was smiling jovially. “Well then, since I brought you, I guess I’d better make sure you keep it.”

“There’s no rush…really,” Daniel assured as Jack pushed to his feet and grabbed his jacket off the back of his chair. “I don’t want to ruin your fun.”

Jack shook his head. “Honestly, I’ve had enough. It’s way past my bed time anyway.” He looked at Sam. “Say our goodbyes to Teal’c will you?”

She nodded. “See you after the break, sir. Have fun, Daniel,” she added in a tone laced with innuendo.

“Oh, I intend to!” Daniel replied and then made a show of using his cane as he walked beside Jack out of the room.

They travelled in silence up to the surface to where Jack’s truck awaited, and once they were both aboard, Jack turned to Daniel and said, “Which way?

Daniel began giving directions, and Jack followed them without question until they turned down a certain street. “This is my street,” he said in confusion.

“And that’s your house,” Daniel stated calmly. “If you wouldn’t mind pulling up in the driveway?”

Jack did as bid and after cutting the engine turned to look at Daniel through narrowed eyes. “What’s going on, Daniel? I thought you had a date?”

“I do,” Daniel stated with a nod, “but there’s something I have to do first.”

“Here?” Jack asked, clearly perplexed.

Daniel ignored the question in favor of opening the door of the truck and climbing out, deliberately leaving his cane behind.

Jack followed suit. “Hey, don’t you need your-” He broke off as Daniel started to walk up the drive-way without the hint of a limp. “Guess not.” He slammed the door of the truck and hurried up to the front door to where Daniel was waiting. “Daniel, what the hell’s going on?”

Daniel just looked expectantly at the door.

Jack shook his head in an annoyed fashion. “You are one strange guy, do you know that?”

Daniel inclined his head. “So I’ve been told.”

Jack frowned. He opened his mouth to speak again but Daniel forestalled him.

“Please, Jack,” he said softly.

Jack sighed heavily but nevertheless put his key in the lock, and when they were both safely inside, he turned to Daniel with his expression set. “NOW, do I get an explanation? What exactly do you have to do here at my place?”

“This,” Daniel replied, pulling from his pocket the piece of mistletoe he’d surreptitiously swiped at the party and holding it aloft. “Merry Christmas, Jack,” he said softly, putting all the feelings he’d been keeping secret for years on open display for the very first time.

Jack froze for an instant then looked from the mistletoe to Daniel’s face. He swallowed convulsively then stared directly into Daniel’s eyes. “How did you know?” he asked quietly.

“Does it matter?” Daniel asked in return.

A slow smile spread across Jack’s face. “Not in the least,” he declared airily, before accepting Daniel’s invitation with fervor!