A/N: Cannon episodes do NOT happen in aired order in my world. Some are really great stories that I could build on with slightly different events or characters. Some that happen after Sam becomes the commander happen before and vice versa in my world.

This is set AFTER 'Qualifications' a previous fic of mine, not a necessary read to get this one, but some reference may be lost on you if you don't. Comes before E-Mails from Pegasus. I just had sooooo much fun with Qualifications that I couldn't help myself.

Disclaimer: I own nothing. If I did, Atlantis would still be on, SGU never have existed (sorry SGU fans), Elizabeth would not have died and Sam would be commander of the Hammond that would be permanently stationed at Atlantis and John would have hooked up with someone, most likely Sam.

Forced Vacation:

John was on his way to her lab. He had been forced yet again to vacation. That was twice in a year. He was super frustrated.

He had already been to see Landry, when he told him of his plan, the General just smiled in amusement and wished him luck. As he exited the door he swore he heard him say "I wouldn't be surprised if that boy land in the infirmary within the hour."

He was probably right.

…..

Maybe a little back story is in order...

John had returned to Atlantis to find McKay suffering from a parasite causing him to loose his mind. Rodney had nearly died from 'the second childhood'. He probably should have told her then, but he waited. When they had a mandatory off day, 'Sunday' which ended in two explosions, one killing Dr. Carson Beckett he decided it had been long enough.

He had nearly lost McKay and then did loose Carson. Loosing Carson served as a reminder that they faced death everyday, no matter what day that was. You just never knew when your ticket was pulled and your time was up.

The day after Carson died he found Elizabeth crying in her quarters. He had offered her comfort, sympathy, he knew what it was like to loose someone under his command. It was never easy, even worse when it was a friend.

As he held her tight and she sobbed on his shoulder until his shirt was soaked, he made the resolve to confess his feelings for her.

When she pulled away all apologetic and wiping tears, he made his move, quickly claiming her mouth with his.

He was overjoyed when she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed back, but after a moment she jerked back as if she had been stuck by lightening.

"I'm sorry, I... I don't know what I was thinking." She put a hand to her mouth and stood up.

"I kissed you, and I knew exactly what I was thinking." "I..." He swallowed hard, it shouldn't be this hard to say. "I care for you Elizabeth, a lot more than I'm supposed to."

She started at him stunned.

"Say something." His heart was racing and his mind was running at top speed with a million different thoughts.

"I don't know what to say about this, it's... it's inappropriate... I... I can't!" "I'm sorry John, this should never have happened." tears threatened to fall as she realized that her feelings for him were reciprocated and there was nothing they could do about it without one or both loosing their jobs.

"Elizabeth wait! Don't do this, I know you feel for me too, it's just... Carson's death proved to me we may not have as much time here as we would like and we are not as impervious as we think we are... If we wait, we may never be together." He was standing now just inches from her.

"But I'm the commander of this expedition, I cannot … I-I can't John."

"Why not?"

"Because I'm not ready to give this up, to give up Atlantis." "And, neither are you."

"I never said I was, but if it meant I got to be with you, I'd give it all up."

"You don't' really mean that. You are just in shock, we all are, Carson meant a lot to us all."

"This has nothing to do with that! Maybe it gave me the push I needed, but I've been trying to find a way to tell you for a very long time." "I'll quit if I have to, I don't want to spend everyday pining for you when your a few feet away, it's ridiculous that two people who love each other cannot be together." His voice was bitter. He thought of Sam and the fact she would never know love, she and O'Neill had given up their chance for their careers and he'd be damned if he was going to give up his happiness for a career, no mater how spectacular. He willingly put his life on the line for his career everyday, now he was willing to put that career on the line for love.

"While I appreciate that you're willing to sacrifice everything, I could never forgive myself if I was the catalyst for your removal as my 2IC or to be taken away from a place you love." "You've told me many times your life is here, that no where else fits you, and how we're all your family. No. I'm sorry, I just can't"

"Elizabeth, please." He sounded a little desperate and it was not a pleasant sound to his ears. His voice and expression softened into one of resignation, albeit temporary. "Just, just think on it ok?"

"I will, but I can tell you right now, my position on the matter won't change. I won't do that to us."

…...

The next day he was escorting Carson's body home. He and the entire entourage had been ordered to take two weeks vacation and had been ordered to stay away from Cheyenne Mountain and forbidden to go off world.

Rodney was going to Scotland with Carson, he felt responsible for his death and wanted to make sure he was with him the whole way.

John, well John was pissed that this 'vacation' was ordered by Elizabeth as a means to keep him away, to "give them time to think". She had made it clear that she thought he was just in shock or had some form of PTSD and refused to talk about them. The way she seemed to brush the previous night off as if it had never happened had him questioning everything, from her feelings to his feelings... even as far threatening to kill the confidence that was his lifeline.

….

John walked into her lab to find her bent over another piece of equipment. She didn't need to look up to know who it was, she was aware he was on Earth and 'forbidden' from returning to Atlantis for two weeks short of disaster.

"Sorry John, no scheduled trips to Amazonian worlds any time soon." She smiled as she looked up at him.

"Good, because you're coming with me."

She stood and raised an eyebrow at him. "Oh really?"

"Yep."

"And where are we going?"

He grinned, "A trip to nowhere."

"I don't think so John, I have a lot to do here besides..."

She was cut off as they were beamed out of her lab and aboard the Daedalus, she had enough time to shoot him a death glare before they were beamed again, this time to an inconspicuous spot of the Denver airport parking lot.

"John! I told you I have work to do." She wasn't really all the angry, but she did have responsibilities.

"I already cleared it by Landry, how do you think I got the transportation here?"

She narrowed one eye at him but relented and strode off purposely toward the entrance. Inside a feeling of excitement started to well inside her. She could use a vacation, the spontaneity and the company also fueled her excitement.

…..

"Two first class tickets on your next plane out."

"Pardon me sir?"

"I'd like to get two first class tickets on your next plane out please."

"Next plane to where?" The woman behind the counter was thoroughly confused.

"Anywhere. Just wherever the next plane is headed. We're being spontaneous." He said winking at Carter who couldn't help but smile.

"Okaaay..." "Let see, allowing for time through security... the next plane out is to..."

John interrupted, "Don't tell us, we'll let it be a surprise." he handed her his credit card.

"Return flight?"

"No, we'll eventually end up back here but we have a couple weeks to see where planes take us."

"Ok, here you go, enjoy your flight." She had been working there for 3 years, not forever, but long enough to have seen some pretty strange requests, but that was the first time she had run into that situation. But she had to admit, it sounded like fun, adventurous and romantic. Now if only she could convince her husband it was a good idea...

…...

They had a few minutes to grab some magazines, gum and a change of clothes for Sam since she had been wearing BDU pants, combat boots and a long sleeved black shirt, SGC standard uniform. They found they found their gate and on the board next to it was their destination. Pennsylvania. Sam shrugged, "At least it's summer."

They boarded the plane and took their seats. It was roomy, not often did Sam get to fly first class, then again she really didn't fly commercial anymore either. Most of her flying was aboard the Daedalus or a like ship.

In the air they had a decent meal and talked softly over dumb articles in their respected magazines.

John pulled out his iPod and started clicking through the menu when he noticed Carter's glare.

"What?"

"At least you had enough warning to prepare for this little trip. I'd kill for my iPod right now. I downloaded some new music and a couple of movies just yesterday but hadn't had a chance to enjoy them yet."

"Here," He handed her one of his ear buds and put the other in his ear. They had to hold their heads together to see the screen on his iPod.. It was tiny but hey, it was something.

They were half way through '27 Dresses' when the drink cart came back around.

"Would either of you like anything?"

"Water." they said simultaneously.

The flight attendant smiled at them handing them each a chilled bottle of water. "You two have got to be the cutest couple I've seen in a while."

"Oh, we're..." Sam began but John cut her off.

"Thanks!" he said smiling.

She pushed her cart on and Sam turned to him. "Why did you say that?"

"You know we're not a couple, I know we're not a couple, but we look like it. And unless you want to spend the next 2 weeks informing everyone we're not and talking to them for an hour as to why..." His trademark sexy smile graced his face as he said, "Just go with it."

Sam tried not to smirk and hold her glare but it was pointless.

"Yeah, some hot chick in leather said that to me once." His smile could melt even the toughest of hearts.

Sam now giggled and tried to concentrate on the movie. It wasn't easy though. She liked John, maybe a little bit more than friends sometimes, and thinking about their impromptu make out session didn't help.

...

They landed in PA and walked outside.

"So what do we do now?"

"You're asking me? I didn't plan this little trip, in fact I was essentially kidnapped."

John just flashed her a grin and hailed a taxi.

They found a place where they could rent bikes and camping equipment that fit in the saddlebags and bought a map.

…..

…..

It was now night and they had ridden all day. It had been a beautiful ride, and each had plenty of time to think. Sam figured out a problem that she had spent months in frustration trying to solve. Maybe a bike ride was what she needed to clear her head and attack the problem with clarity. She'd have to try it more often. If nothing else, she would get a nice ride out of it!

John on the other hand had time to think and time to brood. He felt so rejected, and as the time went by his mood became darker and darker.

...

Their tent was set up and a fire glowed. They had a supper of 'just add water' stew which was far better than MRE's.

"You must never get tired of camping." Sam noted.

John had been staring into the fire in thought and looked up. "Actually, unlike SG1 we don't' do a lot of camping. The villagers usually put us up if we need to stay the night anywhere."

"Lucky you."

"Was camping a bad idea?"

"No, not at all. It's actually nice it's by choice for once. Besides, the company's not bad and there's no threat of ambush" She smiled sweetly. She really was enjoying the day.

John smiled almost sadly. "Glad the company's ok."

Sam was starting to worry. "You ok John? You've been awfully quiet tonight, a definite change from the adventurous spirit we started the day with."

John let out along exasperated sigh. "Not thrilled about being forced on vacation. The circumstances surrounding the order, are well... complicated."

"Finally make a move?"

"Yeah I did."

"I take it the feeling wasn't mutual."

John angrily tossed a stick into the fire. "yeah, well."

"I have to say I'm surprised. I've seen the way she looks at you."

"It's not that she doesn't feel for me. She's just not willing to risk it."

For Sam it sounded like deja vu.

"Maybe she'll come around in time."

"Maybe, but maybe by then we'll have missed our chance."

Sam got a hard look on her face, "Don't let the tragedy that's my life dishearten you John. No two people are the same and no two relationships are the same. Just because it didn't work for me, doesn't mean it won't for you." "I have faith love will find you when it's time."

He looked her in the eye, "Then what about you? Those are pretty words, but do you believe them? Or is it just something to cheer up a friend?"

Sam's smile was a little cold, "I never say never John. I may yet find love." "I gave up worrying about it a long time ago. If it was meant to be, it will be. Even as many times as we've screwed up the time line, it finds a way to set itself back on the right path." "Science tells us there's no such thing as destiny, life has taught me otherwise."

Maybe she was right. He decided to lighten the mood with a little teasing. "Oh, so it's all your fault! You messed with the time line and that's what's wrong with this whole messed up situation." He flashed her a smile and she smiled back before shoving him off the log he was perched on.

…..

The next morning was cold and drizzly. They ate breakfast then unfolded the map.

"You want to go anyplace special?"

Sam just shrugged and shook her head no.

"You like chocolate?"

"That's a dumb question, I'm a woman aren't I?"

John looked her up and down with blatant appreciation, smirked and said "Last time I looked!"

Sam threw a lazy punch in his direction that he deftly dodged. "Ok, ok, how about the Hershey factory?"

Thunder cracked overhead, the wind picked up and angry looking clouds chased the wind.

"Hmmm... Looks like it's going to be a wet ride." Sam replied.

"Well, the tent's dry, hopefully it'll blow over soon. Until then I have a travel chess board with those little magnetic pieces in my pack I picked up at the airport."

"Sounds great!"

…

They played chess all day and talked of everything but their failed relationships. Didn't really talk much about work either. Mostly chatted about their childhoods, both were similar. Mother's died when they were young, ambitious father's having their lives planned out for them and pulling strings only to be hit with the blow that their child wasn't interested in the life chosen for them. John proved himself to be a genius in his own right. He was so talented, the Math was just a bonus to his natural leadership and quick-thinking.

John was glad that Sam had gotten the chance to reconcile with her father and essentially saved his life, giving him back 5 years he had lost with his estranged children.

"I can't tell my father what it is I do, he has no clue. Besides, I don't think he wants to talk with me. Our parting words were not nice."

"Don't give up on him John. You may not be able to tell him, but you may be able to make him understand that you do important work and are happy with what you do. He just needs to hear it from you. I'm sure once he sees the excitement that I see in your eyes, I'm sure he'll come around, even if he won't understand what 'Deep Space Telemetry' is and how that relates to flying."

"We'll see." Silence surrounded them. Silence, "Hey, the rain stopped. Maybe I can get a fire going and cook us some dinner."

"Sounds great."

They spent the night in the same clearing, planning on returning the next day to the airport. Camping was fun and all, but there were more adventures to be had.

….