The Aftermath saga continued- I don't own any POI characters and any feedback is appreciated. In this adventure, an original character appears. Not my original character however. I'm grateful to Elev for graciously allowing me to incorporate a character she created into this story. Elev is an excellent writer, and if you haven't checked out any of her work, I encourage you to do so. You won't be disappointed.

"I really, really want to see the Grand Canyon." Gen looked at Root with those eyes- the ones she knew Root had a hard time saying no to.

"Please, Root, Shaw will agree if you ask her."

Root rolled her eyes (starting to act like Sameen) and smiled at Gen.

"She's going to say my 'recovery' is still ongoing and we would have to get Dr. Tillman's permission and blah, blah, blah….."

"Yeah, but you can convince her. She'll do anything for you. You've got her wrapped around your finger… and you know it."

"I don't have her 'wrapped around' anything Gen. She listens to me and seriously considers my input but no one tells Sam what to do if she doesn't think it's a good idea.

"If we're going to go on vacation, it has to be because she agrees with us that it's a good idea. I can think of a few good reasons, your homeschooling the most important. But without Shaw's enthusiastic support I don't want to even consider it."

"My enthusiastic support of what?" Shaw's appearance surprised the two as she had gone out to do some practice shooting less than ten minutes ago. "What are you two cooking up now?"

"Back so soon Sweetie? I thought you were going to shoot a few targets."

"Forgot my Nano was in our nightstand. So what's going on? Are you two conspiring to wreck my day again. Last week's trip to the mall was a nightmare and we're absolutely not repeating that adventure for awhile."

Gen put on her best pouty face. "I'm trying to convince Root to talk you into a vacation."

"Vacation from what? Neither of us have worked since we moved in and your schooling will follow us wherever we go. What are you thinking about?"

"We haven't gone anywhere except shopping and to the hospital since we came to live here. I want to see the Grand Canyon and it's less than six hours drive… well the way you guys drive at least.

"It could be a field trip. I could write a report on it when we get back. I really, really want to see it Shaw, pluheeaasee…."

"Those eyes only work on Root, Gen. And what about Root's rehab? We are supposed to take her twice a week for at least the next month. She might regress and we'd have to get Dr. Tillman's OK to….." she trailed off when she saw Root smirking and Gen laughing.

"What?"

"That's exactly what Root said you'd say. She also said she wouldn't agree unless you enthusiastically supported the idea. I think it could be a great learning experience- for all of us."

Root tilted her head in Gen's direction. "She has a point Sam- I've been in dozens of foreign countries but never to the Grand Canyon. Plus it would be fun to travel somewhere without it being for business." She followed that up with one of her trademark winks that never failed to give Shaw a lump in her throat.

The lamest wink I've ever seen (and just one of the reasons I love her).

Shaw cleared her throat and smiled. "I guess I'll call Dr. Tillman- you guys have had worse ideas."

As events were to prove, that wasn't necessarily accurate.