O Christmas Tree

Author: ShaViva

Rating: T

Season: Christmas Season 2/3 ... after they're all done with the Misbegotten human Wraith but before Lucius visits.

Summary: When Doctor Weir's request for a Christmas tree is granted, she decides that the inhabitants of the city should each provide something special to decorate it. For Elizabeth, Christmas trees carry many special memories - the ornament she hangs on the Atlantis tree symbolises the heart of them.

Classifications: General

Pairings: None specifically

Spoilers for: s306 'The Real World'

Disclaimer: I am unfortunately not associated in any way with the creators, owners, or producers of Stargate or any of its media franchises. All publicly recognizable characters, settings, equipment, etc are the property of whoever owns them. Any original characters, plot, settings, and anything else I made up are the property of me, the author. No copyright infringement is intended.

Copyright (c) 2010 ShaViva

Authors Note:

This is just a little story to celebrate another aspect of Christmas that is a personal favourite of mine – Christmas trees and in particular decorating them. Since it's my birthday today I thought I'd indulge myself by posting this!

This takes place just after the beginning of season 3. For the purposes of the story I have 'given' the SGC a ZPM so things can be sent to Atlantis without having to spend weeks on the Daedalus first. Oh, and I gave Chuck his actors's own last name - just because.

I hope you enjoy it!

"How often has the Christmas tree afforded me the greatest glee!" A variation based on the song by Ernst Anschütz

Elizabeth Weir stood at the railing overlooking the gate room, a small smile playing over her face. The previous weeks had been difficult – letting Wraith into the city, their eventual betrayal, and the rush to stop the Hive ship before it could get to Earth. She'd thought Atlantis had lost John, Rodney and Ronon ... that she had lost Atlantis because of the I.O.A. But luckily the Colonel and his team had made another miraculous return and soon after she'd been given the all clear to remain in charge of the expedition.

In light of those events Elizabeth had decided everyone was in need of a pick-me-up and a reminder of why they'd all fought so hard. Given the season it hadn't been difficult to choose something – a Christmas tree. As she watched Major Lorne directing his team in placing the enormous tree General O'Neill had sent through the Gate that morning, she felt her own spirits lifting. Even without decorations it was a symbol of home ... lush dark green pine, wide branches stretching out metres tapering to a point that would be perfect for a Christmas star or angel. She couldn't tell from where she stood but Weir was sure it would smell heavenly ... like pine and popcorn and candle wax, the scents of Christmas real and remembered.

"How does it look Ma'am?" Lorne called up from the floor below.

"It looks wonderful Major," Elizabeth replied, happy already at the results.

"We've secured it pretty firmly," Lorne commented, glancing back at the tree himself. "Should be okay for the duration."

"Thank you Major," Elizabeth smiled.

Yes, this was exactly what they all needed ... something to bring home closer, to their hearts if not in reality. Turning, Weir made her way back inside the control room and over to where Chuck sat manning his controls. "Give me a city-wide channel please Mr Campbell," she requested.

Chuck pressed a button and then looked up, giving her a nod.

"Can I have your attention please. This is Doctor Weir. Some of you may have already noticed the large Christmas tree now adorning the Gateroom – a gift to all of us from the SGC. I know that some of you are lucky enough to be going home to celebrate with your families this year and I wish you a wonderful holiday and a safe return to us. For everyone else I would urge you to make a Christmas for yourselves here, in Atlantis. To encourage everyone I would like to issue an invitation ... a request if you will.

Our tree isn't decorated but you can help to change that by each placing on the tree something dear to your heart ... something that reflects what this special season means to you. We're a multicultural city and our tree should reflect this, so please, share something from your own background even if you don't personally celebrate Christmas. The more contributions we get, the more complete our tree will look.

We're sending through the weekly report to the SGC tomorrow morning. If anyone would like to put in a request for something from home in support of our tree decorating efforts, I'd be happy to include it. Thank you ... I look forward to seeing all your contributions and hearing the stories behind them."

Motioning for Chuck to close the channel, Elizabeth stepped back.

"It's a good idea Ma'am," Chuck said respectfully.

"Thank you Mr Campbell. I trust you'll be contributing something."

"Of course Ma'am," Chuck smiled. "I've got just the thing."

"So do I," Elizabeth said quietly.

She waited until the city had shut down for the night, until the faint glow of the lights someone had already rigged for the tree were the only things illuminating the Gateroom.

Smiling, Elizabeth stepped up onto the small ladder provided and carefully attached her special keepsake to the tree ... in the centre, as high as she could reach so that she'd be able to see it from the control room if she looked closely enough. Stepping back down, she backed away a few paces, admiring the way the light glinted off the silver circling the face.

"That's very nice Ma'am," Major Lorne stepped from the shadows. Still dressed in his uniform he looked as military perfect as always, if a little tired.

"Please don't tell me you're still on duty Major," Elizabeth admonished.

"Ah ... okay," Evan agreed, a faint twinkle appearing in his eyes.

Weir sighed and then chuckled, understanding immediately that Evan was still on duty - his agreement about not confirming it rather than denying it.

"A watch Ma'am? I'm sure there's a story behind that ... if you don't mind my asking?" Lorne continued.

"It was my father's," Elizabeth shared, glancing up at the tree as if checking to make sure it was still there. Looking back to Evan she explained. "My Mom gave it to me before I left to come here ... she said he's always meant for me to have it." She smiled. "He loved Christmas, especially Christmas trees. Every year he'd make us trudge through the snow for hours looking for the perfect tree. Wouldn't be happy until we had it set up in the front room – lights, decorations, tinsel, the entire works." She sighed, her eyes back on that silver watch again as she remembered.

"You miss him," Lorne observed gently.

"Yes, especially at this time of year," Elizabeth agreed simply. "But I also remember him more at this time of year too – all the unique things he did, the quirks that made him special ... that made him my Dad. I like that."

Lorne nodded, respectful, instinctively understanding that a response wasn't required. It was one of the many things Elizabeth liked about the city's military second in command. He knew when to keep quiet, when to sit back and observe.

"And you Major?" Elizabeth shook off the hints of sadness. "Will we be seeing something from you gracing our tree?"

"Yes Ma'am," Lorne replied. "I ah ... I need a few days to organise it."

"Something from home?" Elizabeth frowned. "I haven't received a request from you yet ... you'll need to get something to me before we dial the SGC this morning."

"No, not something from home," Evan said evasively. Looking at the tree he redirected Elizabeth's attention. "I wonder who did the lights." They covered the tree, shimmering and sparkling a pure blue and silver light that felt warm and inviting, that urged a person to come closer to take a better look.

Elizabeth laughed. "Given how impressive they are, and the fact that they seem to represent at least half our supplies of Ancient control crystals, I'd guess either Doctor McKay or Doctor Zelenka."

"Maybe they colluded together," Lorne suggested. "That would really be a sign that the Christmas spirit has hit town."

"It would indeed," Weir agreed. Touching a hand to Lorne's shoulder she smiled. "Thank you for the conversation Major ... it was nice to have someone to share my contribution with. I'll look forward to seeing your offering in a few days."

"You're welcome, and ah – yes Ma'am," Lorne agreed, nodding.

Elizabeth watched him turn and leave her to her solitude. She took a few moments, looked one last time at her father's watch, and then turned and made her way back up the steps, through the control room and to her office. Dropping into her seat, she felt lost, until her eyes alighted on the photo of her parents that sat in pride of place on her desk. Picking it up Elizabeth touched a fond finger to the familiar face. "Merry Christmas Dad," she murmured lovingly.

"Merry Christmas Honey."

She smiled, hearing the echo of his voice in her mind, glad that she hadn't lost that, even after so many years.

Settling back, Elizabeth let her thoughts wander to other Christmases – not necessarily happier times, but definitely different – and to other Christmas trees. It was early days yet, but she had a feeling that this year's tree might just be the equal of all of them.

Authors Note:

"O Tannenbaum", or, in its English version, "O Christmas Tree", is a Christmas carol of German origin. The best known version was written in 1824 by the Leipzig organist, teacher and composer Ernst Anschütz. The melody is an old folk tune. The first known "Tannenbaum" song lyrics date back to 1550. (wikipedia).