A Study of Earth Customs

Vala took a sip of eggnog and made a face. "It's too sweet," she complained. "You Tau'ri actually like this stuff?"

Daniel shrugged. "Lots of people do. It's kind of a tradition."

"You have some strange traditions."

The Gateroom was decked out for Christmas, with assorted pine-like alien greenery decorating the ramp and the edges of the observation window of the control room. Someone had smuggled in a small Earth-grown pine tree and set it up in the briefing room, decorations and all. The annual SGC Christmas party was in full swing, soldiers and scientists indistinguishable from each other in casual clothes.

Vala had never even considered that the Tau'ri might have festivals like this, considering their advanced civilization and its apparent lack of gods. "Daniel," she asked, "what is this Chriss-mast supposed to celebrate anyway?"

"Christmas is...well, complicated," he admitted. "It originally belonged to various ancient cultures, who celebrated the winter solstice for different reasons, usually festivals to honor their sun gods. Over time, the Christians � a monotheistic religious group � established a celebration of the Messiah's birth, essentially overwriting the old traditions."

Vala nodded, not quite sure what all that meant. "Who is the Messiah? Is he the old man in the red suit that I keep seeing depicted everywhere?"

Daniel gave a startled laugh. "Uh, no. That's Santa Claus. He's...well, kind of a fairytale told to young children. He's supposed to live up at the North Pole, and on Christmas he delivers toys to all the good children of the world using a sleigh pulled by flying reindeer. Parents wrap up presents and give them to their children, pretending the toys are from Santa instead of themselves."

"I see." She frowned and sipped at her eggnog again, wrinkling her nose at it. These Tau'ri are so complicated.

They were silent for a moment, watching Cameron attempt to rope a trio of personnel into singing Christmas carols with him. Teal'c stood to the side, looking solemn and intimidating despite the fluffy Santa hat on his head. Sam and Dr. Lee were deep in conversation on the far side of the ramp, and over the low laughter Vala could make out something horribly complicated-sounding and technical.

"There's barely even room to walk in here," Vala decided, discreetly abandoning her eggnog on top of one of the weapon emplacements at the base of the ramp. "I'm going up to look at the snow."

"I'll come with you," Daniel volunteered immediately. It wasn't until they were passing through the doorway that he realized why people had been mostly avoiding it. "Oh," he said, stopping to look up at the inconspicuous white berries and green leaves hidden amongst the alien boughs.

"Don't be trying to chicken out, Jackson!" Feretti laughed from his perch on the ramp railing. His call drew the attention of several others, and Vala felt her face growing hot without knowing why.

"Daniel?" she questioned under her breath. "Another of your traditions?"

He hesitated, then put his hands on her shoulders. "Don't worry. I think you'll like this one," he said, smiling. "It's right down your alley." His hands slid up to cup her face, and her eyes widened. Oh.

If anyone cheered or catcalled, Vala didn't hear them. The world was reduced to the feeling of Daniel's hands on her face, his lips on hers, her hands coming up to grab at his back, the pounding of her heart echoing his, and she wouldn't have even cared if the Doci himself came barging in.

Finally, Daniel pulled away, looking dazed. Vala was certain she was sporting a similar expression. "Wow," she said. "That was..."

"So much better than our first kiss," Daniel agreed.

Vala grinned wickedly. "Weren't we just leaving this party for some alone time?" She tugged on his arms, ignoring the chorus of wolf-whistles as they disappeared down the hallway.

I think I could get to like this holiday.