The others from Atlantis had set up camp near a flowing river in a clearing. The tents weren't exactly luxurious, but they served their purpose. The water ran clear and refreshingly cool, and the plants thrived on its plentiful supply. Sheppard, once he had established his tent and belongings, ventured out around the camp. He found Dr. Carson Beckett and McKay discussing the toxicity of a native plant in their usual animated way and chose to move on. He didn't want to be called upon to tell the difference between a green plant with red-tipped leaves and a green plant with red-tipped leaves.

By evening, everyone had settled in and was, more or less, content. McKay couldn't keep himself from muttering a few grumbles about being refused with his request to stay and work on Atlantis, but even his sour mood couldn't hold up under the cheerfulness that quickly gathered. Ford had brought some marshmallows that his grandmother had sent him and Sheppard had reluctantly parted with some chocolate. Someone, who preferred to remain anonymous, had smuggled a package of graham crackers out of Bates' personal stash in the storeroom. In minutes, the group enjoyed toasted s'mores under the brilliant moonlight of the planet. Rodney tried to educate Dr. Zalenka in the ancient ways of marshmallow toasting, but the scientist liked his burned black. Kavanaugh sat outside the ring of merry toasters, sipping a cup of coffee bitterly. He had a pad of paper on his lap and was figuring some equation. Dr. Carson Beckett, walking by with a cup hot tea, shook his head. Dr. McKay refused to believe it, but he had a lot more in common with the unfriendly scientist than he thought. At least Sheppard had managed to pull McKay out of his pout. Ford landed a well-aimed s'more at the major in his lap. Startled, John jumped halfway off the supply crate that he was sitting on, spilling his cup of hot cocoa on himself.

"Ford!"

Dr. Weir joined the circle in time to break up what would have become a cocoa-slinging fight.

"Do I have to separate you two? Or are you going to try and get along?" she asked them, raising an eyebrow. "I'd hate to have to report that two members of SG-1 were suspended for brawling with hot chocolate."

Sheppard and Ford gave each other mock angry glares and sat back down. The evening wasn't ruined by the incident, and soon after, the Atlantis crew was involved in a raucous game of charades.

When all had settled down for the night, Sheppard lay on his back, staring up at the sky. The stars shone brilliantly in the dark sky, so many more than what would be visible from his back porch at home. There was no doubt about it- the view was definitely impressive. Why was it that he had never noticed how bright the stars could be until he was actually among them? He yawned and turned over in his sleeping bag. He was planning to enjoy this vacation to the utmost.

A late sleeper by nature, John Sheppard awoke the next morning when the sun was already far in its ascent into the blue sky. The camp was busy, but in a casual way. Some were exploring the near forest, while others had started on a hike through the woods, hoping to find a beautiful picnic spot. Dr. Zalenka and McKay were arguing about how to make proper coffee. All was right with the world.

He sipped his own coffee and bit into a granola bar. He gazed around, ears detecting every sound. Dr. Weir sat down beside him.

"This place is secure, John. You don't have to worry. We made sure that nothing would bother the shore leave, not this time."

"Yeah," he answered. "It's a great place..." His voice trailed off.

"But what?"

"It might just be me, but I can't help but think that a place this beautiful, this resourceful, this ideal, would be left uninhabited. It's amazing that there could be one place that the Wraith haven't touched."

"You just can't relax, can you?" Elizabeth prodded his shoulder. "Relax. That's an order."

"Yes, ma'am." John gave a casual salute and finished his cup of coffee.

"Dr. Weir?" A voice came from behind. "The water supply that we brought with us is running low."

Weir turned around and addressed the woman who was in charge of the rations.

"There's a stream just outside of the camp. We can use that for our supply as long as we use the filters. What about that crate of MRE's? Did you find it?"

With a parting nod to Sheppard, Weir set out to put the camp into order. The major strode away to see what he could occupy himself with.

Rodney McKay preferred his lab at Atlantis, but he decided that he could make do with what he had. He had brought a few of his notes and some of his equipment with him. Settling into a chair, he contented himself by having a handy cup of java nearby as he skimmed over his data. He hadn't understood his assistant's incredulous stare as he poured the coffee and took an experimental sip. What he didn't understand was that Sheppard had told her that he brewed his coffee with an old sock tossed in to give it flavor. After shaking off her surprised stare, he had retired to his tent. Time passed, and when the entrance of another person interrupted him, he had to pull himself away from the notes to look up.

"Ah, Sheppard."

"Enjoying your leave, McKay?"

"Quite." He cleared his throat and pushed the papers aside.

"Well, I thought this would make your day. Some of the people who went hiking this morning found something that might interest you." The major picked up a notebook and began leafing through it idly.

"Yes?"

"Oh, but I thought that you'd rather pour over your notes. That kind of thing wouldn't interest you anyway." Sheppard continued to flip the pages of the notebook aimlessly. McKay was getting impatient.

"What wouldn't interest me?"

"Oh, nothing. Just some Ancient ruins."

McKay jumped up from his chair and drew closer to the major.

"Where? Are there any artifacts?"

"I don't know about the artifacts, but the location will cost you something..." The major's eyes found a candy bar that was partially buried beneath a pile of notes.

McKay glared at Sheppard. He didn't want to give up his candy bar, but his impatience won out over the chocolate. Thrusting the chocolate into the major's hand, he said, "Fine! Now where is it?"

Satisfied with his prize and having annoyed McKay, Sheppard turned and pointed towards a faint path that trailed away through the trees outside the camp.

"Follow that path until you find something that looks like a rosebush covered with yellow paint-splatters, then turn left, and you're there in twenty paces."

Furious at the delay, Rodney wanted to say something biting back, but he couldn't think of anything. He resorted to grabbing his notebook and storming out of the tent.

Sheppard retreated with his candy and stashed it safely in his tent. He then took up a position near the river in the shade of a tall tree. Time off was really beginning to pay off, in more ways than one, he thought to himself. He watched the crystal water flow past, dazzled by the sparkle that the sun's rays set dancing on the surface. The serenity sunk in, and before long, he was dozing peacefully.