Who: Jack and Vala What: Mistletoe Mayhem When: Backdated Where: Streets Rating: low
This was going to be an interesting Christmas. You’d think it’d be interesting because it was being spent in a weird ‘other dimension’ or whatever they were calling this place. No, it was simply because everyone would be here and be around to celebrate. The military didn’t exactly take a break for holidays and Teal’c was busy with the Jaffa… this would be the first time they really could celebrate. Sure, back when they had been SG1 they could ‘celebrate’ while on duty, but it wouldn’t be the same. Not to mention this year there was Six in the mix as well.
Jack was currently going over the mental list of things he was going to buy for the people in his life - Six was probably going to be spoiled, but he didn’t really consciously acknowledge why. Thankfully something happened before his mind went back to memories of when Charlie was alive at Christmas.
He had just turned the corner when he felt a pull - and actual pull - and suddenly he found himself flung forward. He saw Vala and had enough time to bring up his hands, though that didn’t really soften the blow when he bumped into her. Thankfully it hadn’t been at the speed or strength of a tackle… but now he found himself unreasonably close to Vala. “....Hello.”
–
“Well, hello there, General,” Vala said, giving him a wide, if confused, smile. She’d been out doing some last minute shopping for the holidays when he ran into her. Literally. There was something unusual about it, though she had no idea what that might be.
She moved her shopping bags from one hand to the other and tried to take a few steps away from Jack only to find that she was stuck in place. “Uh… what’s this?”
***
Well, the fact that Vala couldn’t move didn’t bode well. He looked behind her like maybe there was an answer there and then when there wasn’t, he looked behind himself. He tried a few times to step back himself before he exhaled. “No idea.” His eyes moved to the bags in her hands and he gestured to them with a hand. “Did you buy anything super interesting today?”
–
Shopping was one of Vala’s favorite things on Earth and she lit up when Jack asked her about her excursion. “Yes, I finished my holiday shopping,” she said. “Now I have to wrap all of the presents in festive paper so I can give them to my friends.” She still didn’t really understand the history of the holiday, but exchanging presents was something she was more than equipped to handle. “Do you want to see what I got for Daniel?” she asked, holding up a small, pink bag.
***
That wasn't really what he meant, but he didn't stop Vala from gushing. She had a lot of energy and who was he to damper it if they weren't in some sort of life or death situation… which they probably weren't.
He looked at the bag. "If it is lace, satin, or has clasps in any way, I don't want to know." He did not want to think about Vala and Daniel rolling around in bed.
"I'm more interested in why I can't exactly move out of your personal bubble."
--
A flash of disappointment crossed Vala’s face when Jack declined to see her purchases. That quickly turned to a frown when she realized that she also couldn’t move. “I… don’t know,” she said. “It seems I am unable to move as well.”
They hadn’t been hit with some kind of paralytic or anything, so why couldn’t they walk away from each other?
***
Jack went into soldier mode. It'd be a lie to say he wasn't happy when he had to do that occasionally here. Sure, he didn't want to have a huge war or something, but he also could use a little excitement from time to time.
He tried to move a few different ways before he looked up long enough to spot a mistletoe. He paused as he processed. "Oh for crying out loud." He dropped his gaze to Vala with a soft sigh. "Do you know what mistletoe is?" He paused. “Nevermind. Give me a kiss and we can both hopefully go on with our day.” Hopefully.
--
Vala’s eyes widened when Jack said to kiss him. “Why, General, what kind of lady do you think I am?” Luckily, she had watched plenty of Hallmark Christmas movies over the past couple of weeks and knew what mistletoe was. Following his gaze and spotting it above them, she realized what was going on. Oh Madison Valley. Never a dull moment.
Leaning forward, she aimed a kiss at his lips.
***
Jack was old and somehow mature enough not to make a face after the kiss. In truth, kissing Vala wasn't bad. It wasn't like she had bad breath or anything. It was just that he loved Sam and Vala was into Daniel and he wasn't about that foursome life.
The moment their lips touched, though, he felt the release of whatever was holding them in place. He took a step back and cleared his throat. "Well… that happened. And now I'm going to track down Sam while looking up every sixty seconds… enjoy your day Vala."