Barry rubbed his eyes as he pulled the covers off his bed. This Thursday, there would be no studying dead bodies and analyzing samples in the lab – or speeding around the city – for him. He walked over to the kitchen to have some cereal bars, thinking about what he told his superiors; that he was going off to a camping trip. He could imagine the laughter or utter disbelief from his colleagues if he told them that he was camping on another planet entirely. Just him, Hal Jordan, Carol Danvers, Jay Garrick, Alan Scott, and Jessica Drew, camping for about five days on the planet Xandar; headquarters to the fellow galactic peacekeeping organization known as the Nova Corps.

As he opened his pantry door and reached for two strawberry cereal bars, he felt a peck on his cheek. Iris West-Allen was by his side, dressed in a simple bedroom robe and slippers.

"Now, Barry, you listen to Hal and Carol about space traveling," Iris said, placing her hands firmly on her husband's shoulder. "This is only, what, the third planet you've been to?"

Barry chuckled. "Xandar will actually be the fourth planet I've been to."

"I'm sure Carol and especially Hal travel to three times as many planets in a week."

Barry looked his wife in the eye and said, "Babe, it's not me you have to worry about. It's Hal, Alan, and Carol that have me stressed."

Now Iris was the one chuckling. "Hal and Carol, I know of. Last time I saw them, it was painful that they wouldn't just kiss. But what's Alan's deal?'

When Iris asked that question, Barry thought back to all the times Alan and Hal would bicker and argue with one another. Carol would occasionally join in on Hal's side. Just imagining that…five days of dealing with them. At least Jay would be there, Barry thought. He was much better at speeding in and changing the subject before the arguments got too heated.

"We'll just have to see. If I don't make it back alive, it's probably because of those three. You take care! I've got to meet Hal and Jessica at a Walmart. In Coast City."

And so, Barry ran out the front door at speeds imperceptible for the human eye to see. Everything was a blur to him in super speed. Trees, plains, roads, cars, skyscrapers, barns, all of them were visible for just an instant to him. It wasn't long before he was weaving through the traffic outside Coast City. Seconds later, he was right outside the Walmart, with Hal and Jessica waiting there for him.

Both of them immediately bolted up at the sight of him.

"Barry, for the last time, don't sneak up on me like that!" Hal said, struggling for a moment to catch his breath.

"Sorry," Barry replied, uttering a small and snarky "fearless" under his breath.

Jessica motioned for the two men to follow her into the store. "Alright, let's get going. Carol's been blowing up my phone because we were due to meet her, Alan, and Jay a half hour ago."

As the entered the store, they saw that it was a slower day for Walmart, with not much foot traffic getting in their way. Jessica led the way, saying "I already looked up where the supplies we need for our trip are."

The shopping did not take long. It was only about a few minutes to get some coolers, fishing rods, snacks, and a new pair of camping boots for Barry. Before they knew it, they were walking over to the cashiers. Jessica and Barry both grabbed their wallets out of their pockets, ready to cover their share. Hal grabbed his…and chuckled nervously when he felt how light it was.

Barry raised an eyebrow over to Hal, who just shrugged while letting out a shit-eating grin.

Jessica was also rolling her eyes. "Yeah, sorry, this is partly why we were waiting for you. Because Mr. Broke over there is twenty bucks short."

Hal chuckled. "I, uh…I'd like to put it on my tab, Barry."

That tab was nearing fifty dollars about now. This latest purchase would push it over to seventy bucks exactly. Nevertheless, Barry pulled out the necessary cash to cover the rest of Hal's tent.

Barry felt a slap across his shoulder from Hal. "You're a real friend, Bar. No, wait – you're a super friend."

Jessica lowered her head, pressing onto her nose, while Barry leaned in to whisper, "Don't you ever say that out loud ever again."

Hal raised his hands up, a wide-mouthed grin splattered all across his face.

And so they paid up to the cashier and then they immediately headed for the exit.

"Okay, in my defense," Hal stated once he, Jessica, and Barry all left the Walmart and no one was around within earshot. "I'm in space well over half the time. And when I'm back on Earth, it's usually on Vanguard business, and being a superhero doesn't earn you that much cash. Unless your name ends in Wayne or Stark."

Barry raised his hand up while shaking his head. "Hal, don't worry about it. I promise."

"No time to apologize, boys," Jessica stated, as she pointed forward. "We were due to meet the others already. They're probably going to kill us."

And with that, they were off.

Carol tapped her ankle boots onto the ground, waiting atop a skyscraper alongside Alan and Jay. She and Jay both sported camping gear, but Alan looked like he was about to go to a wedding or a shareholders' meeting, as he was adorned in a black suit and tie. Hell, all he needed was some shades to wear at night and he could pass for a government agent. And he shook his head.

"Don't you guys know what time it is?" he barked out.

Carol groaned. "Don't tell me. It's 'vacation' time."

"Vacation time, yes. We should be heading to the planet of Xandar by now! I'd bet my ring that Hal is the reason why they haven't turned up yet!"

Jay raised his hand up, shaking his head. "You don't know Barry that well. He'd be late for the end of the universe."

Alan scoffed, eyeing Carol. "How does the Vanguard of Justice get away with this tardiness, anyway? Imagine if the Liberty Brigade showed up whenever we felt like it. Why, we'd be living in the United States of gold-durn Hydra!"

Jay stepped in between Alan and Carol, the latter of whom was now sporting quite the glare. "Alan Scott, you old crank. The Vanguard is as reliable as ever. It was them who felled Krieger and Hydra once and for all, if you recall correctly. And besides, don't try to rope Carol into this. I've never known someone to be as punctual as her."

When Jay finished, Carol felt a sinking feeling in her stomach. "Thank you, Jay. My father and brother would've sided with Alan just for the sake of it."

"Oh, no. Did you get into another fight with them, dear?"

Carol sighed deeply. "You could say that again. I work my ass off, both in the Air Force and as a superhero! Granted, they don't know I punch monsters and save the world, but still!"

Jay placed his hand on her shoulder. "You know you don't need their approval to validate the things you've done."

A smile crept onto Carol's face and she patted Jay's hand. "I know, I know. But it doesn't make them any less frustrating."

"This vacation should take your mind off that easily."

There was silence for a few more moments as the three of them just stood around, waiting for the other half of the group to finally show up. Most likely, Barry was the reason. Carol saw Alan in the corner of her eye, and she had a small burning feeling. Despite Barry being notorious for his constant lateness, Alan still tried to blame Hal. It was a small moment, but Carol had to wonder how Alan and Hal would get on during the trip.

"Alright, everyone, what's the hold up?" a familiar voice from behind stated. Sure enough, there was Hal. He used his power ring to create a bubble of energy around Barry and Jessica, and all three of them were suited up in their superhero outfits (even though they weren't heading into battle anytime soon).

Hal smirked. "I'm pretty sure reruns of I Love Lucy are done for the day."

Alan shook his fist. "What -? Why, we've been good to go since -"

Jay cleared his throat, and Alan didn't say another word. Carol lifted herself up in the air to levitate alongside Hal. Alan did the same, creating lines of green energy around Jay so that he could join them. And with that, the group of six could finally begin their vacation.

They sped through the Earth's skies, everything blurring by, before they finally left the atmosphere and headed into space.

Carol was by Hal's side, and he bore that familiar grin onto his face. That self-confident and self-assured, yet charming and almost mesmerizing grin. He led the way the entire time, his eyes focused straight forward. As Carol looked closer at Hal, she noticed something.

"Hey, Highball. Did you do something different with your hair?" Carol asked.

Hal returned the eye contact, staring at her for just a moment before it clicked within his mind. "Oh, yeah. I accidentally put in too much gel."

"Well, I like it. You should try putting in too much gel more often," Carol replied with. Then she smirked. "Now, you said the Nova Corps has forgiven you for the Kanjar Ro incident, but have they really? We better not get kicked off planet because you got even more reckless than usual."

"Okay, we don't talk about that and you know it!" Hal teased out, waving his hands around. "But, if you must know…Richard put in a good word with the World Mind, so we're good."

Carol had to wonder about that. In hindsight, it would be a bit odd to wait this long to ask such a question. But all she wanted to go was get under Hal's skin for just a small moment. Seeing him get all hilariously flustered and adorably defensive were the moments she lived for.

She shrugged it off. It was worth it, just for that small little moment.

Artificial wormholes and "jump points" established by the Green Lantern Corps throughout the cosmos turned what should've been a 20-million-year voyage into an hour-long trip.

Hal smiled as they came closer and closer to the coordinates for the Xandarian campsite. From what he could recall, his friend and Nova corpsman Richard Rider was off on the other side of the planet, and wouldn't be able to visit until shortly before the gang had to return to Earth. Soon, they were entering the Xandarian atmosphere, and it almost looked like a scene straight out of their home planet with the overwhelming amount of lush greenery. And it looked bright and sunny everywhere they could see.

…Except for the one place they had chosen as their campsite.

Hal sighed. Of course. Of course it was downright pouring on the exact spot of this Earth-sized planet that they had intended to camp at for the next few weeks. It couldn't have happened even a couple miles away. No, no. Right here.

Alan scowled. "Hal, for the love of God, you've got to improve your planning. Starting with doing a raincheck on our damn campsite!"

Carol scoffed. "Oh, relax. There's a reason meteorologists get so much crap over how wrong they can be."

Alan's ring began to glow, and he raised his arm high up into the air. "Nevertheless, it falls upon me to save the day."

He raised his head up. "Alright, ring, take us to the most lush and hospitable and clear-skyed forest on Xandar…"

And with that, everything turned a lime green for a moment, before they shifted to thick emerald leaves and trees scattered all across a tall, meadowy field. It almost looked exactly like a scene from Earth. Or, at least, it would. If not for the creature that bore a snakelike head and body, but had a hundred legs, and used its frog-like tongue to capture a neon-purple creature that had the head of a cricket, the tail of a scorpion, and the body and wings of a bumblebee.

"…now!" Alan finished.

In moments, they had arrived at their new Xandarian campsite for the weekend getaway.

Jay and Jessica wasted no time in walking over to a spot to set up everyone's tents, while Barry began speeding around the field to study the alien fauna. Alan made direct eye contact with Hal.

"It's been a few years since Abin Sur gave you that ring with his dying breath, Hal," he stated as he stepped away. "It's time to get your act together."

Hal groaned to himself. "You need to get your act together…" he repeated, mockingly.

"Hey, Hal," Barry stated as he sped over to his fellow Vanguardian. "Iris wants me to bring back a Xandarian rock for her. Now, a lot of these rocks look identical to those found on Earth. Do you know of any that are more unique?"

Hal pointed west. "There's some shiny purple-orange rocks about a thousand miles away. But I'd familiarize myself with the lay of the land before you go speeding around. Xandar may be very much like Earth, but in other ways…it's not."

Barry chuckled. "Right, right," he said, before zooming off.

For a few moments, as he walked over to the others, Hal thought of the last time he saw Iris. It was about two weeks. The three of them, and Carol, went to see Godzilla: King of the Monsters together. What a dumb movie, but what a fun time. Hal thought of some of the little moments between Barry and Iris thatday, from pecks on the cheek to the occasional flirty comment to some small moments of cuddle at the theatre. And he pictured himself doing that…with Carol.

His attention was now squarely on Carol, who was smirking while looking in the direction that Barry had gone. "Hal, do we need to keep an eye on our Barry? Iris isn't here to do it for us."

"No, no. He's a big boy."

"Fair enough. But be prepared, just in case," Carol noted, before following it up with a sigh. "He and Iris are both so cute," she said, rubbing her neck. "I've never been that interested in romance, but when I see them together, it almost makes me wish I had something like that."

Hal looked away. "Yeah. I know that feeling."

*Hey Hal, can you read me? It's John here. You got a second?*

Hal had to be prepared to fight this. To fight the urge to leap right into action, charging against some dastardly rogue or an alien conqueror. Whatever John was up to, Hal already wanted to be part of it.

Hal used his ring to pick up his fellow Lantern's signal. His ring projected an emerald hued image of John from its core.

John immediately began to talk. "Alright, here's the deal. The Guardians of the Galaxy have really, really screwed us over. Oa is absolutely seething over them being here. I'm with Guy, Kyle, Jessica, Simon, and Kilowog. We've got Gamora in custody and we're intercepting the rest at -"

Hal shook his head. "No, no, no. I don't want to hear it. I'm trying to enjoy myself, but if you describe this any more, I'm going to get involved. You know I will, you jerk. Don't ruin this for me."

John clenched his fists together, sighing while lifting his head up. "Oh, come on, Hal. You know how the Guardians of the Galaxy drive the Guardians of the Universe up a wall. And how they drive me up a wall. And how they drive everyone they meet up a wall. Especially that godforsaken raccoon."

"First of all," Hal responded, lifting his finger up. "Rocket isn't technically a raccoon. It's like how Xandarians and Kryptonians look exactly like humans. And secondly, I've been planning this for months. This is my vacation. And you're the best Lantern out there, aside from me. You can handle this!"

John shook his head. "Well, so that this doesn't feel completely insulting, you better hook up with Danvers at the end of this, okay?"

"I will disembowel you, John. Now listen, let me explain one more time -"

"Oh, I don't want to hear another excuse from you, Hal. You boast about how you fear nothing, yet you seem to fear the idea of confessing your feelings. Ferris, Cowgirl, Olivia…now, I'm going to take care of my mess, and when I do, I better hear good things about you and Danvers."

Then the Guardian of the Galaxy known as Gamora stepped into the hologram, fuming to the point where smoke was coming out from her ears. She snarled as she pointed her sword over towards John. "Alright, you, John! I actually respect you, unlike the rest of your Corps, so get your head out of your ass right now and -"

And with that, John's hologram disappeared. Hal sighed. From the corner of his eye, he saw Carol Danvers talking with Jessica and Barry. He noticed how her costume always showed off her athletic, incredibly fit physique. And then there was that chiseled jawline of hers that most people would kill someone to have. And then he flashbacked to when he first met her, at Ferris Air. She was just another face in the crowd at the time, being lectured by the bosses of the business just like everyone else. Albeit, her face gleamed more than any other. And she bore a physique not unlike what she had now, even before she became a superhero. Hal could only think of about three real conversations they had; all of them were during lunch hours, and all of them were about flight altitudes and the latest fighter jet models. It was that night in the bar, when they revealed their powers to one another, that changed everything.

His train of thought was put on hold when he felt a slap on the shoulder. It was Jessica, who laughed up into the air. "Hey, Hal, I just wanna say…don't let Alan get under your skin like that. He may have been kicking ass before our parents were even born, but you're capable all on your own."

He went over to take a look at Alan, who was still working on creating the tent that all six of them would be staying in. Barry and Carol walked over to Alan, asking him a question that Hal couldn't hear. But he could hear Alan loudly answer with, "I appreciate your offer to help, but I can handle this myself. It's got to be done in a certain way! And I may have trained to become an engineer 90 years ago, but I'm by no means rusty."

Then, as Jay was reading a newspaper, an orange lizard-like creature with bowl-shaped sprang from the undergrowth towards him.

"Don't worry! I gotcha!" Hal yelled as he used his ring to create a gigantic hand, one that punched the creature straight into the ground, rendering it unconscious. Hal chuckled to himself. It had looked harmless, but Xandar was not unlike Earth in that it had plenty of harmless-looking creatures that were no less dangerous.

Alan shook his head, letting out a deep sigh.

"Hal, you have a ring whose power is only limited by your imagination, you've had it for roughly six years now, and…still, you make giant hands?"

Hal rolled his eyes. "It's practical."

Jessica raised her arms up in the air, faking a smile. "All right, everyone, I believe the hot dogs are done. It's chowtime!"

Alan and Hal exchanged glances with one another, before walking over alongside Carol and the Flashes to enjoy some nice food. With a warm breeze in the air, a massive glowing lake close by, and lush greenery to relax in, this could be the perfect vacation.

Provided Hal didn't bash Alan's skull in with a gigantic green hand.