General Hammond stared at the projected image and made a silent vow. He would never, ever try to out wit Colonel O’Neill again. It just didn’t work and the kicker was that Jack really had nothing to do with his current predicament, (at least he was pretty sure he didn’t.) Nope, this sneaky plan that had done a one-eighty and bit him soundly in the ass could be blamed on one person and one person alone. Major General George Hammond.

It had all started innocently enough. At the beginning of December it had been decided that the small office on level eighteen that Doctor Jackson had been using since the Stargate program began, was too small to adequately accommodate the numerous artifacts brought back from off-world. The entire floor of level twenty-six was being renamed as the Department of Archaeology and Hammond had been checking on the progress of the relocation. Doctor Jackson had rounded the corner with an armful of statuettes. Flashing that shy smile of his, while carefully setting up the relics on a shelf, he’d asked if it were possible to have SG-1 taken off rotation from the week before Christmas until December twenty-seventh. Apparently Annika and he wanted to celebrate Christmas with their friends on Earth and not off-world.

When he’d asked why they wanted the week before Christmas, the archaeologist had shrugged, "With our track record, missions tend to take longer than the estimated time. I don’t want to risk it this year."

The general had readily agreed. It was the first time that anyone from SG-1 had asked for the holiday off. In the past all the Earth members of the team had become maudlin and had in fact requested missions that kept them off-world during the Yuletide season. Things had certainly changed in the last six months and he was grateful that the spirited psychic had been brought into their lives. Besides the obvious benefit of Annika’s visions, all of his flagship team were happier than he’d ever seen them. If they had found a life outside the tense world of the SGC, then all he could say was, "Halleluiah!"

Major Carter had knocked on his door not an hour later with Teal’c, and enquired if the colonel had spoken to him yet about the Christmas rotation. Clearly the civilians hadn’t had a chance to tell their teammates the request had already been approved. He’d repeated that he didn’t have a problem with the arrangement and the two had left with happy smiles. Well, Major Carter had worn the smile, but he was sure the Jaffa was jolly on the inside.

It was then that General Hammond spawned the wretched idea. It seemed that none of the team had had a chance to regroup, which meant in all likelihood the colonel was oblivious to the fact the down time had been approved. He’d eyed the growing stack of folders on the corner of his desk. They were the scientific reports of the discoveries made by SG teams other than SG-1. It was mandatory that all teams be briefed on them so they could keep an eye out off-world for the numerous plants, rocks, even a type of water, that held components that were unavailable on Earth. At the moment the general considered himself lucky if he could get SG-1, or more specifically Colonel O’Neill, to attend the briefings one day in a month. He was notorious for finding a convenient excuse of why he couldn’t be present. This situation opened up a golden opportunity.

So when the colonel sauntered into his office a couple of hours later, Hammond thought he’d had everything worked out.

"General, how about giving SG-1 Christmas week off for a change?" he’d asked flopping into the chair.

"It’ll depend on how the rotation falls." Hammond was quite proud of the serious tone he managed.

"Can’t you give it a little tweak, sir?" Jack seemed slightly taken aback that a ‘yes’ hadn’t been automatically given.

"It’s not that easy, Colonel."

"Sure it is. Just erase our names from the board."

The general pretended to consider the logistics. "To remove you from rotation would give you a week on base without any pre or post mission work. Just what exactly are you planning on doing?"

Jack casually waved his hand. "Same as we always do. Carter will tinker with one gadget or six. Teal’c will scare the new recruits into training harder. Daniel will be lost in his rocks. Annika will flit through the walls looking at auras and touching alien knick knacks…"

"And you, Colonel?"

"I’ll do what I always do."

"Which is?"

"Oh, you know, sir, avoid my office like the plague, bug Carter with stupid questions, sample the new menu in the mess hall…I hear they’re trying a new recipe that looks like turkey but tastes like cardboard, very nutritious…"

"So basically you’ll be doing nothing."

Jack shifted uncomfortably. "I wouldn’t put it quite like that, sir. I’ll find something to amuse myself. Something always comes up."

He eyed the man sitting before him, keeping his tone stern. "I won’t have my flagship team twiddling their thumbs. If you want Christmas week off then I’ll set up the mandatory discovery briefings for SG-1 to attend."

Jack’s face fell and his voice was pained. "The entire week, General?"

"Yes, barring any emergencies." Hammond had to force his lips not to curl into a smile.

The colonel’s brow creased in thought, weighing up if a week of boredom was worth having the required days off. Eventually he nodded. "It’s a deal."

He’d bounced out of his office happy to have gotten what he’d wanted.

Hammond knew precisely when Jack had found out he’d been hoodwinked. His bellow had echoed from Doctor Jackson’s new office, which was quite a feat considering the thick layer of cement and steel between the general’s office and level twenty-six above. He’d listened to the colonel rant and rave at his fellow teammates about the importance of communication and that it was all their fault that they’d be stuck in meetings for a week. The other members of SG-1 found the whole thing quite funny, much to the disgust of their CO. Apparently Teal’c had reminded the colonel that the art of negotiation was Daniel Jackson’s job not O’Neill’s, and that in the future O’Neill wouldn’t be allowed to barter for anything regarding SG-1’s requirements.

There was one thing the general hadn’t counted on. As word spread across the base that Jack would finally be attending the briefings, the scientists had one by one cornered him, expressing their concern that the colonel would wheedle his way out of them once again. In exasperation Hammond had announced that he himself would also attend the meetings to stop any escape plan Jack may come up with.

And that was how General Hammond found himself three days before Christmas, sitting through hour after hour of lectures and reports, which he hadn’t really understood the first time around, trying to stay awake while Felger prattled on about tree sap. He found himself praying that the klaxons would wail announcing an unscheduled ’gate activation, that Thor would unexpectedly drop by, that the Goa’uld would attack, even that Senator Kinsey would show his smarmy face…anything at all, to escape this room with the endless slides and diagrams. Of course when he wanted something to happen, it never did. He hid a yawn. Well, like I said, I have no one to blame except myself.

A  A  A  A  A  A

Annika was bored out of her skull. There was a perfectly good reason she didn’t choose any extra science classes in school and had barely scraped through the prerequisite basic course. To her there was nothing more likely to send her off to sleep than someone droning on about the chemical makeup of…what is it this time? Oh, yeah, tree sap. For the passed hour all of SG-1 and General Hammond had been subjected to Felger explain in his irritating voice, the ‘miraculous’ properties of a particular plant sample brought back for analysis off-world. It was their third briefing since they’d reported in today and the fourth day of seemingly endless scientific techno babble. If anyone bothered to ask her, she could have summarized the whole thing in two sentences and short ones at that, plus a photo. This is the plant. Look for it. But no one had asked.

From the expressions on her teammates’ faces they were all struggling to pay attention. Even Daniel and Sam, who normally were fascinated by any scientific discovery, were finding it difficult to stay awake.

She leant over to whisper in Jack’s ear. "Do I really have to be here? Officially I’m still only a part-time member."

The colonel spoke out of the side of his mouth. "If I have to be here, you have to be here. Consider it part of your ongoing training."

Reluctantly Annika leant back into her seat muttering under her breath, "Thanks, but I don’t need lessons on how to be bored."

Jack pretended to scratch his nose to shield his mouth from the others. "You’re the one who wanted to be part of this stimulating world."

She shot him a dirty look but said nothing. Guess I’ll have to amuse myself…

She studied Daniel sitting opposite her. His eyes began to droop and Sam gave him a nudge. A brilliant idea to keep both Daniel and her awake popped into her head. ‘Accidentally’ she knocked her pen off the table. Bending over to pick it up, she quickly untied her boot and loosened the laces. She wiggled her foot out, being careful not to bump the table with her knee. Tentatively she stretched her leg out and ran her stockinged toes up his calf.

The archaeologist who had been trying to stifle a yawn was suddenly very alert. His eyes darted to hers as her foot continued its journey up over his knee and beyond. Annika refused to look at him, pretending to be focused on the scientist at the end of table. There was a shot of astonishment through their bond, which quickly turned to desire. Daniel casually adjusted his seat to close the gap between his body and the table. Playfully she tickled the length of his thigh and he slowly eased his legs apart.

When her big toe caressed the already growing bulge in his pants, Daniel let out an involuntary gasp, which he quickly covered up with a cough. The mounting heat oozing through him backfired into her and her own body started to get very, very warm.

She rubbed the ball of her foot against him and Daniel felt himself grow harder. Grabbing his coffee mug Daniel took a long gulp, managing to release a deep sigh into the cup.

"Everything alright, Doctor Jackson?" The general was grateful for the distraction.

"Er…yes, sir." Somehow he managed to make his voice sound normal, even though he felt like he was about to explode. Annika’s toes wiggled up the length of him, tauntingly circled the tip before dancing their way back down. His face miraculously revealed nothing about the antics going on beneath the table.

The CO looked disappointed.

Felger barely noticed the disruption, he kept going on and on and on.

Daniel sent her a covert glance and a small smile played on his lips. His legs snapped shut, trapping her foot between them as he continued to send waves of his desire through their invisible link. Annika tried to keep her face blank but she pushed the sleeves of her shirt up her elbows in a vain attempt to cool down the fire she’d started.

Jack, who’d been staring longingly at the open doorway, saw the general’s assistant walking down the hall. He bounded to his feet when he was in line with the door. "Lieutenant, you look like a man who has a very urgent message for the general."

The officer was startled. "Uh…not-"

"Sure you do!" Jack cut him off. He gripped his arm in a death grip and lowered his voice. "Rescue us…please," he begged.

Catching on the Lieutenant nodded at his boss. "Sir, the President is on the line for you."

The general jumped up. "Okay, people, let’s take a twenty minute break then reconvene." He was out the door like a shot.

Jack, Teal’c and Sam were hot on Hammond’s heels.

"Lieutenant, I’m recommending you for promotion to general," Jack called out over his shoulder, "four stars."

Daniel took a moment to pull out his shirt to help hide the evidence of his arousal and Annika jammed her boot back on.

They left the slightly bewildered scientist still rambling on about his tree sap.

The couple hurried down the corridor and headed for the stairwell. They had discovered a storeroom conveniently located a few doors from Daniel’s main office. From the amount of dust decorating the shelves it was clear that it hadn’t been used in quite a while. After a quick cleaning the lovers had made use of the private room a number of times during the last few weeks.

Making sure no one was watching they quickly ducked inside, barely managing to close the door before ravishing each other.

"You are one wicked lady," Daniel murmured hauling her to him, his lips blazing a trail of kisses across the nape of her neck.

"Thought it would be a fun way to keep awake," Annika grinned, already undoing the button and zip of his BDUs.

"You nearly drove me out of my mind." He hastily unzipped her trousers then tugged her shirt up, one hand tantalized her nipples through the lacy material of her bra while the other traveled down her belly.

She let out a low moan when his finger delved into her molten core. "We haven’t got much time…" A gasp escaped as he found her little nub, which was already aching with desire.

"Tell me about it," Daniel rasped, pressing his fully erect shaft against her while at the same time still stroking her.

Her breathing became slightly haggard as his finger caressed her steaming body into orgasm. Annika’s legs threatened to give way and he supported her with his free arm as the tumult of emotions rocked her body. His mouth descended on hers, masking the cry of ecstasy that rumbled deep within her throat.

After a second to catch her breath, Annika twisted so she faced the wall, resting her palms on the cool bricks. Taking her from behind was the easiest method, not to mention a rather pleasurable way, when they didn’t have the luxury of time to fully undress. Daniel wrapped one arm around her waist while guiding himself into her. She tilted her hips up and he buried himself as deep as he could, emitting a low moan when she tightened her inner muscles around him. Slowly to begin with then with increasing urgency he began to thrust into her. Feeling his own climax engulf him he bit back the loud groan that threatened to escape. He gushed into her, his body shuddering with the power of his release.

Annika leant back into him, savoring the warmth of his arms, while still feeling the last of his life force pulse within her. They took a precious few moments to slow their frantically beating hearts before reluctantly drawing apart.

They had just finished pulling up their BDUs when the sound of footsteps stopped outside the door. As the handle began to turn Annika automatically twisted her fingers and wrist, folding the air around them both, using the Nox trick to hide them from sight.

The door opened and a familiar couple snuck inside. As soon as it clicked shut the pair madly began shucking their clothes, kissing fervently.

Daniel and Annika exchanged panicked looks. What should they do? Reveal themselves to Jack and Sam and embarrass their friends or remain hidden and try not to watch or listen to the pair breaking the non-fraternization rule.

The decision was taken out of their hands when another set of steps halted outside the door. The half-undressed officers froze and their eyes locked on the door handle.

Quickly Annika gave another wrist flick and brought Jack and Sam into the fold.

"Psst," she hissed, to catch their attention.

The couple spun around with wild eyes when they saw their teammates.

Daniel beckoned them away from the door with one hand while holding a finger to his lips with the other.

Blushing bright red they silently scooted over to the wall beside them.

"I was supposed to do an inventory of all the storage rooms but I heard noises coming from inside there." They didn’t recognize the voice.

"What sort of noises?" That voice they all knew. A captain who was a stickler for the rules. If he searched the room and ‘bumped’ into the hidden team, he would run straight to General Hammond.

The two couples held their breath.

"The…er…kind of noises I didn’t really want to interrupt. Hopefully they’ve finished up by now."

Jack and Sam’s face had gone deathly pale. Presently if they were caught it could have serious consequences to their careers. Regardless of their flagship position, at the very least, one if not both, could be transferred out of the SGC.

Daniel gripped Annika’s hand and they both moved towards the door. For them it would only mean embarrassment and possibly a formal reprimand. They could handle that if it saved their friends. Annika kept Jack and Sam wrapped up in the fold of air.

As the door handle began to twist, the archaeologist yanked it open and the captain almost fell into the room.

"Oh, hello." The archaeologist didn’t need to feign embarrassment.

"Doctor Jackson, what were you doing in there?" The military man looked disappointed to see the civilian member of personnel.

Annika poked her head around Daniel’s shoulder. "Just helping out with the inventory."

The captain eyed the shelves behind them. "But the room is empty."

Daniel put on his best innocent face. "It was a very quick inventory."

"Is anyone else in there with you?" His tone was suspicious.

"Nope. We’re quite capable of counting to zero by ourselves." He opened the door fully to show the ‘empty’ room.

The two officers studied the archaeologist and the psychic who remained steadfastly blocking the entrance. The whole base knew that they were in a relationship. It wasn’t really a scoop to catch them having a nooky. He sighed, "Well, thanks for your assistance." They moved on to the next cupboard.

Daniel and Annika leaned into the door jam, patiently waiting for the snitches to get passed Daniel’s office. With a crook of a finger to the hiding couple to follow they nonchalantly walked down the hall. Annika could feel Sam close on her heels and knew that Jack was sticking just as close to Daniel. Once in the safety of his office Daniel drew the blinds and Annika released her grip.

Still blushing furiously the military officers shimmered into view.

"Thanks for that, Casper." Jack tried to maintain some dignity as he zipped up his pants.

"Anytime," she grinned. "I knew learning that trick would come in handy someday."

For a moment the four friends could only stare at each other then they cracked up.

"I guess we’ll have to find a new storage closet," Daniel sniggered, tucking in his shirt.

"I’ll say," Sam was hastily buckling her belt. "That place is busier than Grand Central Station."

"And just when were you going to reveal yourselves?" Jack demanded with a mock growl.

"Hey, we were there first!" Annika protested. "Haven’t you heard of knocking?"

There was a sharp rap on the office door.

"Nope, but clearly he has," Daniel grinned striding to the door. After a quick check to make sure his friends were decent he opened the door. The general’s assistant was waiting at the threshold. "Lieutenant, what can we do for you?"

"General Hammond would like to see Annika."

She looked surprised then Daniel felt a flicker of realization through their bond. "I’ll be right down."

The lieutenant left and Annika made sure there were no tell tale signs of their recent assignation on her clothing.

"Hey," Jack called her back as she was about to leave. "Can you convince Hammond that the base is under attack to get us out of these Chinese torture sessions?"

"Sorry, I can’t lie, Jack," Annika chuckled.

"Not lying," Jack contradicted. "If I have to sit through one more of those things I’m telling you that I won’t be responsible for my actions. There’s only so much a man can take."

"In that case, sir," She gave a mock salute. "I’ll do my best."

A  A  A  A  A  A

Annika hesitantly knocked on the general’s door and entered when he beckoned her in. "You wanted to see me, sir?"

For a moment he studied the woman before him with a slightly bemused expression on his face then held out a piece of paper to her. "This directive just came from the Oval Office. It’s been marked attention to me…and to you."

"To me?" Sitting down, she scanned the memo and then her face lit up into a wide grin. "The High Council must have finished early."

"The President doesn’t know whether to be pleased that this violation has been discovered or concerned that it took a rank amateur just a few days to pick it up."

Annika shifted uncomfortably.

"You do realize that since its inception, the Protected Planet Treaty has been analyzed with a fine tooth comb by numerous experts and by the President himself?"

"With all due respect, sir, I had an added incentive. The experts and the President didn’t have two friends who could lose the jobs they love simply because they developed feelings for each other."

The general frowned. "You went looking for this?"

"Well…sort of," Annika admitted. "I’ve had it in the back of my mind for quite a while now," she shrugged. "I knew the standard military contract was airtight, so I kind of expanded my search parameters. I didn’t expect to find what I needed in the PPT."

"Has anyone mentioned that you are one stubborn lady?"

"Once or twice, sir."

"This," he gestured to the memo. "It comes into play on Christmas Day. I’m assuming you’ve had something to do with the date?"

Her head bobbed in an excited nod. "I made a request, figured it would be a great Christmas present for the base."

"Since you enjoy playing Santa, you can let your team know that I am giving them an early Christmas gift. You’re all officially on leave until December twenty-seventh, effective from ten minutes ago."

"Thank you, sir!" Her grin turned sly. "Your…er…plan kinda backfired, didn’t it?"

Hammond wasn’t really surprised that the psychic had figured that out. He pretended to look stern. "I can always rescind that leave."

"Oh, Gods, don’t do that! Jack would skin me alive." Annika jumped to her feet. "Forget I mentioned it." She gave him a bright smile. "Merry Christmas, General!"

His returning smile was warm. "Merry Christmas, Annika."

He watched as she tucked the paper into her pocket and practically skipped out of his office.

Stubborn. That was an adjective that described every member of his flagship team. He supposed that was why SG-1 survived against the odds. They were too mule-headed to give up. Hell, on a number of occasions even death hadn’t stopped them. And he was eternally grateful for that. Yes, they were stubborn, outspoken and defiant. But they had an ingrained sense of right and wrong that made them disobey direct orders because to them there was no other choice. They were wonderfully, sometimes infuriatingly, loyal to each other and their dedication to the Stargate and all it entailed was something General Hammond would never try to stop…no matter how many times they ignored, or altered as the case may be, the rules that didn’t suit them.

He glanced down at his copy of the memo in his hand. Persuasive. That was another word that summed up SG-1. Individually they could present convincing arguments to get what they wanted, but a united SG-1...well, let’s just say that he was thankful that they were the ‘good guys’. And it seemed that their newest member was no exception to twisting things to get what she wanted. He chuckled to himself as he reached to activate the intercom to his assistant. He would have loved to have seen the President’s face when Thor beamed into his office and told him the military non-fraternization clause violated the Protected Planets Treaty.

"Yes, General?" The lieutenant’s voice sounded tinny through the speaker.

"Write up a memo canceling the meetings for SG-1 set up for the next three days."

"Yes, sir."

Hammond relaxed back into his chair. Merry Christmas, SG-1.