I've been working on this storyline for a little while, but have been busy at college. This has been floating around on my blog for a while now.

Disclaimer(s): I don't own Stargate Sg-1 or anything ELSE mentioned in the story.

The vacation package deals looked fantastic; tiki bars, grass skirts, beach sunsets, and a tired Samantha Carter looked at them with envy. Ever since she had graduated from the academy, Sam had been saving for her own dream vacation, but her allegiance to the SGC was hampering her every chance at peace, and the stress kept building up. Her recent break up with Pete; there went that engagement ring. Her father's death; Mark and Jacob had just seen eye-to-eye.

At that point, Sam had been drawn away from her spiral that would have ended with a mental breakdown of her emotions; she was always so close of completing the cycle. There was Daniel's sudden death and ascension and Jack's second encounter with the Ancient repository of knowledge; these almost sent her down the hole she was digging herself. Her 'good little soldier' mindset was the all that saved her, but she was afraid that it wouldn't save her from a triple punch.

Flipping the page, Sam noticed a scene that held a quiet bungalow with a hammock, complete with Tahitian feel: it was covered with bamboo, fake leaves, was on the beach, and it was where Sam wanted to be right now. Making her first small sound of a content sigh, Sam kept flipping through the pages and fell upon a Hawaii set location. Day dreaming took over and Sam barely heard the sound of boots behind her when a voice sprung her trained mind into action.

"So, whatcha doin', Carter?" a familiar voice asked and Sam jumped slightly, knocking her CO in the chin.

"Sir, I'm so sorry!" she said and realized Jack had been looking over her shoulder. Rubbing his chin, O'Neill peered at Carter curiously and spotted the vacation brochure, but not before he saw the gadget that littered her computer screen.

"You know Carter, that looks almost as interesting as that doo-hickey that SG-12 brought back from 991." Jack nodded towards the computer monitor.

"Sorry, sir, my mind is about one device away from exploding, so I decided to try and settle it by looking for a vacation spot to go to during our two weeks leave."

The Conspicuous Jack O'Neill eyebrow shot up. "You? Vacation? Wow..."

"I just... well... I need a break to clear my head."

"I know what you mean."

"Are you going to Minnesota?"

"Nah, I'm going to hang around here; Daniel needs to go car shopping!" Jack sat on the empty stool next to Sam.

"He mentioned that. The poor Cavalier has had it coming for a while now."

"He's going to the Ford lot across town."

"Fords? They're more trouble than they're worth, sir."

"I'm offended, Carter." Jack crossed his arms, "my truck has been no trouble at all!"

"There's always the exception to the rule." Carter smiled, looking from the screen to Jack, "You and General Hammond are going to be the only ones who know where I'm going."

"And why would that be necessary?"

"I don't want someone calling me to verify calculations and trying to get me to fix their mistakes. Especially Felger; he might follow me. I want to go to Cancun, lie in my hammock and feel the sunshine on my face."

"Good point." Jack checked his watch, "Wanna get some lunch? I'm starving."

"Sure," Carter turned off the monitor as Jack got up, wincing. "You okay?"

"Knee's been acting up. Nothing more than usual. Come on, pie and Jell-O wait."

Sam slid off the stool, her boots making a small thud as she nearly lost her balance. The lab door shut behind them as they walked side-by-side down the hall, Jack's hand on her back.

So whatcha think? Review, and remember suggestions are always noted.