Hello All! Hope you enjoy the update! It's a bit long and bit fluffy, but I thought it was a fun idea!

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Weir made Kai and all of AR-1 take a whole week off. John had tried to argue that everyone would be back on their feet in a couple days, but Beckett stepped in and claimed they all needed medical leave to ensure the enzyme was out of their systems. John tried to argue that he had never been exposed to the enzyme and in retaliation Beckett threatened to make it two weeks on the basis of exhaustion. John finally, if begrudgingly, recognized when he had been outmaneuvered, accepted the week and gave in.

After five days however everyone but McKay were climbing the walls. When Kai and Ronon began sparring three times per day John finally stepped in and decided everyone needed a field trip and to blow off some steam. He cleared it first with Weir before he rounded up Teyla and Ronon and sent them to get everyone else. Knowing she would take the most convincing John went to find Kai himself.

John checked her room first but when she wasn't there, the gym or in Zelenka's lab he headed for the jumper bay. He opened the door and wasn't surprised when he saw a pair of shapely legs sticking out from under one of the decommissioned jumpers. He allowed himself a moment to appreciate the view.

"You do know I can hear you right?" Kai called, her voice muffled.

John snorted, not at all embarrassed at being caught. "You do know we still have the rest of the weekend off, right?" John asked wryly.

Kai slid out from under the jumper a small smile tugging at her face. As usual she wore the jump suit tied off at the waist. The black, long sleeve athletic shirt hugged her body like a second skin and her scarf was tied down snug to her head. She lay on her back with her wrench set laying on her flat stomach. "What's a weekend?"

John made an impatient noise in the back of his throat and forced his eyes to stay glued to her face. He had been letting his mind wander far too much lately when it came to Kai. He was well aware his plan wasn't going to help matters, but he also didn't want to leave Kai out. It was inexplicably important to him that she come with, he just had to figure out the right way to approach the subject to get her to say yes.

John leaned casually against the side of the jumper. "You have two more days off and what are you doing with them?"

Kai motioned towards the jumper meaningfully. "I thought it would be a good opportunity to try some experimental repairs off the clock."

John made a strangled sound in his throat. "That's not a day off Zian."

Kai continued to stare up at him impassively in the alien way of hers that he found maddening. He wanted the smile back. There was no one here, it was just the two of them and she had shown emotion around him plenty of times. It bothered him when she reverted back to what they had taught her.

"Look," he said, trying a different approach. "Weir has given us leave to take a jumper. The team,
minus Rodney, some of the Athosian kids, and some other off-duties are all headed to this amazing bay for two whole days on the beach. What do you say?"

Kai frowned. She pressed her lips together thoughtfully. It didn't exactly sound like something she would enjoy, but the excitement shining out of Sheppard's eyes was impossible for her to refuse.

"Come on," John encouraged sensing Kai was wavering. "Back on that Wraith planet I promised I would teach you how to surf. I'm a man of my word."

Kai's face softened, thinking about their time surviving together on the Wraith planet. They had grown close and he had promised to teach her. She remembered the way his face had lit up when he spoke about surfing and the chance to see the side of him not consumed by The Colonel was too tempting to pass up.

Kai sighed dramatically, setting her tools aside. "Okay," she finally relented.

A crooked grin stretched across John's face and he pulled her to her feet. "Perfect! Get packed. We leave in 2 hours."

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Twenty minutes later Kai was standing in front of her bed trying to decide what to put in her backpack. She had personally never been to the beach before and she wasn't sure exactly what to bring. She was trying to decide how many knives were necessary for a trip to the beach.

Her door chimed. "Enter," she called distractedly.

The door slid open and Teyla entered, a warm smile on her face. "Are you nearly ready my friend?" She asked. She hesitated when she saw Kai standing over a huge inventory of knives laid out on her bed.

Kai nodded but she hadn't taken her eyes off the pile of knives.

Teyla stepped over with a frown. "Have I missed something?" She teased gently.

Teyla was very fond of Kai and had been both surprised and pleased to hear the Mortii would be joining them. Kai had been working to integrate herself into the community but it was slow going and she rarely spent any social time with even John, Ronon or herself outside of the gym or the occasional meal.

"I just want to be prepared," Kai said and she picked up two of the smaller knives sliding them into the folds of her clothes where they immediately disappeared as if by magic. "I've never been to the beach before."

"Well..." Teyla said thoughtfully. "I haven't either, but I don't believe it requires us to be quite so...heavily armed..." she dragged off with a teasing but kind smile.

Kai glanced up at her and snorted. Teyla was wearing a soft two piece outfit the exposed more skin than it covered. The sheer fabric of the skirt flowed around her whimsically. Kai couldn't imagine herself in something so feminine. She smoothed her hands self-consciously down her thighs. She was wearing her leather pants and a long-sleeved black shirt. Her scarf was wound around her head intricately in a more casual style, but that was as feminine as she ever got.

Kai frowned when she noticed Teyla was carrying two bags.

"Ah," Teyla said when Kai's eyes landed on the bag. "This is for you," She said holding out the smaller of the two bags to Kai.

Kai opened the bag frowning. She pulled out two pieces of clothing. One was a long sleeved rash guard, and the other was a matching pair of boy shorts. Kai frowned down at the items. The fabric was silky, but the bottoms looked like they would barely cover more than underwear.

"They are called a swimsuit," Teyla said with a pleased grin. "It seems some were ordered from earth along with other clothing necessities. I believe this one should suit your preferences?" Teyla asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Is this not the traditional style?" Kai asked looking at the long sleeves appreciatively.

Teyla shook her head and reached into her backpack pulling out small triangles of fabric. "There were several styles to choose from. Your's is the more conservative of the ones ordered."

The material was dark blue, almost black. In fact the color reminded her of the scarf Sheppard had bought her. A small private smile crossed her features. She had a pretty good idea of who had ordered it. Although she couldn't imagine herself wearing it. Kai turned to tuck her new clothing into her own backpack, wondering if it was too late to back out.

Teyla immediately noticed Kai's discomfort. "After I gave that to you the Colonel also wanted me to let you know that so many people have decided to join us that we will require the use of two jumpers, and you're the only other pilot. He said if you decline then the..." an amused smile quirked Teyla's lips. "...Athosian children will not be able to enjoy the wonders of the beach."

Kai scowled, "He said that?" She asked, wondering if Sheppard had somehow known she would want to back out.

This was somehow turning into a much larger social endeavor than Kai was comfortable with. She normally avoided things like movie night and the large group dinners. She didn't fit in with most people on Atlantis and did her best to avoid them so she wouldn't make them uncomfortable. John however seemed determined to make sure she couldn't back out of this one.

Kai and Teyla walked down to the jumper bay together. It was busier than Kai expected. Filled with Athosians and off duty Atlantis personnel all packing their stuff into the two jumpers. John was directing people into Jumper One with Teyla while Kai stepped over to Jumper Two with Ronon. She was pleased to note that Ronon's gun was still on his hip and she spotted a couple of knives as well. Despite Teyla's words, she wasn't the only one to think being armed was necessary. Ronon took her bag and tucked it up in the cargo netting above them.

Once she got everyone settled in her jumper she moved to the front and sat down in the pilots seat. She started up the jumper and her comm activated.

"Everyone buckled up?" John's voice came through her ear piece.

She snorted. "Yeah they are...running over capacity though."

"Yeah well, I think the jumpers can handle it. We're not even planning on breaking orbit."

Kai's fingers ran over the controls. She wasn't fully paying attention to the computer. She had just looked over both jumpers that morning. It worried her a little that they were over capacity for people, but John was right, they weren't breaking atmosphere so they shouldn't have to worry about the life support being overwhelmed. "Couldn't find a second pilot, huh?"

John's laugh was rich through the comm and made her insides squirm. "Couldn't have you backing out of the fun now could I?"

"So you decided to send Teyla to kidnap me?" she teased back as she ran the preflight check.

"Kidnapping is such an ugly word," John replied flippantly.

"What word would you use?" she asked.

"I prefer to think of it as being persuasive," John's voice dipped slightly as he said the word and Kai swallowed. She was just glad his hearing wasn't as good as hers through the comm or he would have heard her breath catch in her throat.

"Black mail," she grumbled fighting to keep face. Ronon glanced towards her with a frown and she shook her head at him. He shrugged and leaned back in his chair, waiting for her.

John laughed. "You'll thank me. Trust me." The comm pulsed and she recognized the sound of Sheppard switching over to the main channel. "This is jumper one, opening bay doors. The buses are loaded and the kids are ready for their field trip."

"Copy Jumper One this is Weir. Have a good time Colonel," Weir called back laughing.

"Roger that Atlantis. See you tomorrow night."

"Remember your sunscreen," Weir said affectionately. "...and John," Weir hesitated. "Try and stay out of trouble."

John scoffed offendedly. "You say that like we always find trouble."

"Are you saying you don't?" Weir challenged.

Kai could hear Sheppard's smile as he spoke. "I prefer to think of it as trouble finds us."

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Kai hated to admit it but John was absolutely right. The beach was gorgeous. When they arrived everyone got the tents set up while the kids ran down towards the water. Kai waited until every one else was done and changed in one of tents wrapping her towel around her waist to hide her pale legs.

She stepped out onto the beach, staring at the ocean in wonder. The sand was soft beneath her bare feet and the sun was incredibly warm against her skin. There was a warm breeze blowing off the water that tossed her hair around. She closed her eyes and just relished the feel of the sun and the breeze against her skin.

There was a loud peel of laughter and she opened her eyes to see Ronon carrying Teyla towards the water over one shoulder. He tossed her in and she laughed as she came up sputtering. Teyla shook her wet hair out of her face and threw water back at the large Satedan. In some ways Kai felt both incredibly at peace and jealous of her friends ability to let go and play together so freely.

Teyla kicked her legs propelling herself out into deeper water. Several of the kids laughed and joined the adults. Ronon was wearing a pair of soft shorts and he ran out of the water, charging the group of kids. He scooped up two in one arm and dragged them all into the water.

There was movement behind Kai and she recognized the sound of John. It wasn't just his movement, but also the way he breathed and the rhythm of his heart. She had never spent so much time with someone that she learned those things about them. It felt incredibly intimate in a way.

John stepped up next to her. He had a large board under one arm. Kai let herself glance at him out of the corner of her eye. He was wearing long shorts that went to his knees and was bare chested. His skin was tan and smooth from the time he had spent outside although his arms were darker than his chest. His dog tags tinkled quietly as he bent down to rest the board on the sand at his feet.

"So," he said conversationally. "You coming in?" he asked, jerking his chin towards the water.

Kai licked her lips as she stared out at the azure waves. She had spent a great deal of time watching the water from the balconies and windows of Atlantis, but she couldn't imagine moving among the waves.

"I-" she started to say and she shook her head, suddenly feeling shy. "I think I'll just watch."

John looked down at Kai. With the sun hitting her dark hair, deep red and mahogany shone within the dark waves. He wanted so badly to touch it. He swiped a hand over his mouth. "Well, if you decide you want to join us..." he dragged off and he flashed her a charming smile.

Kai sat down on the soft sand and watched as the others played and splashed in the water. They swam for hours, and enjoyed the easy freedom. When the sun started to set Ronon came in and built a fire on the beach near the tents. Teyla returned to the jumper, coming back with a large box of food for everyone to share.

The sun was going down when Kai looked out at the water. Every one else had come in, but John was sitting on his surf board, staring out at the sunset. The waves were quiet now and the board bobbed peacefully on the swells. There was a part of her that wished she could join him.

"Colonel!" Teyla's voice called across the water. "We are starting to roast the dogs!" She called loudly, pleased with herself.

John looked back over his shoulder and shook his head. "The hot dogs!" John called back indignantly. "They are hot dogs!" He corrected as he paddled in towards the beach.

There was laughter from both the Athosians and the Atlantis personnel.

John noticed Kai was still sitting on the beach by herself. She had taken off the towel finally and sat on it. Her bare legs were pale against the dark blue of her swimsuit and he tried not to stare.

He climbed out of the water, rivers flowing down his chest and legs as he walked towards her. "Have you been in the water at all?"

Kai shook her head.

"Come on," he said holding his hand out to her.

Without thinking Kai took John's offered hand. His long fingers closed around her wrist and she let him pull her to her feet and into the water. Kai slowed and John looked back at her. Droplets of water were clinging to his thick dark eyelashes and hair and there was a hard nudge in Kai's chest. He was somehow so beautiful and yet incredibly masculine at the same time. Kai glanced down at their joined hands and peaked back self consciously at the others. She couldn't help feeling like they were doing something wrong.

"Kai?" John asked, staring down at her.

Kai turned back to him and with the water all around them it made his hazel eyes seem almost grey, like her own people's.

"I don't swim very well," Kai confessed self consciously.

John held her wrist in one hand, he hesitated. Kai didn't exactly look afraid, but maybe uncertain of herself. He smoothed his thumb over the soft skin on the inside of her wrist and her eyes flashed back down to where he was holding her.

Kai resisted the urge to shudder at the small movement, but it felt like electricity was building between them. She felt hyper aware of every movement John made. The water lapped at his waist and it was already almost to mid-chest on her. John balanced his board with one hand. The swells made it bob and move as though it had a mind of it's own.

His tone was so low tone no one else could hear him. "I won't put you in a bad spot." he promised and when she lifted her gaze to meet his she could not only see but also feel his sincerity burning through the telepathic link. "You'll be safe with me. Trust me," he added and there was a warmth that pulsed along the connection.

Kai felt something tighten in her chest and she found herself nodding before she twisted her hand in his grip so she was holding his wrist back. She let him gently tug her through the water until she stood right next to him. The cool water swirled all around them, but she was painfully aware of how close he was.

"Hold on to the board," he instructed her. Then he climbed up effortlessly. Once he was sitting on it, he reached down and pulled her up. John gently guided her so she was sitting in front of him, with her legs on either side in the water. Kai gripped the edges of the board with her fingers.

John lazily paddled them out into deeper water. The waves were small as the ocean calmed for the evening and the board cut through them easily. Kai was still tense in front of him and he wanted to reach out to her and reassure her. He had wanted to share this peace with her, not scare her.

John slowly stood up on the board and reached down gripping her hand. Her fingers locked around his and something primal tightened in John's chest. A painful knowledge that they somehow belonged to one another but it could never be the way he wanted between them.

"It's okay," he promised her again, his voice came out huskier than he wanted but she was so focused on keeping her balance she didn't seem to notice.

Kai followed his lead and let his guide her until she stood on the board in front of him. His hands touched the sides of her waist gently to steady her until she was sure of her balance. He almost released her, but her hands locked into his forearms, keeping his hands in place.

"Good," he said. "See," and he turned her gently so she was facing the setting sun, over head the double moons had risen.

Kai looked up at the sky with its splashes of pink and purple and sucked in a surprised breath. She had been so worried about the water she had missed the beauty of it. "John," she said breathlessly. "It's-" she stopped no words she knew could do it justice.

John's hands still encircled Kai's waist, he should not have done this. He knew that the second he had pulled her into the water, maybe even before. Maybe when he had gotten her that damn swim suit that molded to her body like a second skin. He was doing a piss poor job of keeping his distance and his feelings and actions today had been far beyond professional. But as he looked down at her as she stared at the sunset he couldn't bring himself to regret it. There was such a look of peace about her that he wanted to pull her against him and wrap himself in her tranquility.

She looked up at him. A broad grin still on her face but her smile stilled when she saw the look in his eyes. He should turn away and crack a joke, like he usually did, but he couldn't. Everything he felt for her was shining out of his eyes and he couldn't seem to stop himself, but somehow she didn't pull away.

Her hand that gripped his forearm tightened and he made a small noise in the back of his throat. "Kai-" he started to say. But he had allowed himself to be distracted and forgotten one of the most cardinal rules of the ocean. To never take your eyes off the waves.

At that moment a large wave caught the board broadside and flipped the two of them into the darkening water. It was a big enough wave it threw them apart and John lost his grip on Kai.

John's whole body tightened as fear gripped him. He kicked his way to the surface. He had promised her. He spun around and relief almost made him lightheaded when her dark head pop up sputtering water as she fought to stay afloat.

He kicked over to her and grabbed her arm, towing her against his chest. He encircled her with his arms and back floated them towards the board. It took him almost a full minute to realize she was laughing, not coughing. He looked down at her, she fit so snuggly against his bare chest he never wanted this moment to end. Her head was tipped back to the darkening sky as the water lapped around them. He cradled her against him and she laughed to the stars. The joy on her face made him chuckle too. It was impossible not to.

When they caught the board they each gripped the side of the board and laughed together. John was reminded of another night under the stars only this time they weren't drunk and they didn't have that excuse for the morning. Instead it was just them.

"I-" Kai said still chuckling, "I can't remember the last time I had so much fun," she confessed.

John smirked at her. In the water they were nose to nose. On the beach the sudden flash of light caught Kai's attention. "The others-" she started to say. When she looked back she could see Ronon adding logs to the roaring bonfire.

John wanted to tell her that he wished the others weren't here. That he wished they were alone, but he knew what would happen. They would kiss. He would hold her against him and he would never be able to let her go.

But their lives weren't like that. He was The Colonel first and foremost and above all else he could not fraternize with someone under his command, no matter how badly he wanted to. He would never put her in that position.

"We should get back," John agreed. Although the words were painful. Kai's confused look flickered with hurt for the briefest of seconds before she assumed absolute control of her emotions, and he hated himself for it. He did that.

He helped Kai climb onto the board and he kicked them in, keeping as much distance as possible between them.

When they were in shallow water the two of them stood. Kai glanced back at the setting sun and felt somehow like it was taking the magic of the evening with it. John had firmly drawn the lines back in place and she would respect it, regardless of how she felt. He was commander here, he couldn't consort with just anyone and certainly not with someone who wasn't human.

No matter what their feelings, she knew it would never work. Still, she wished she had the guts to kiss him, even just once to know what it felt like. She didn't count the kiss when he was under the influence of the retrovirus. She wanted to know what he felt and tasted like for real.

John carried his board onto the beach, slamming it down into the sand. When he looked back Kai was standing in the shallows, still watching the last of the sun disappear. He turned back to their bags and picked up her towel. He waded out to her. The water lapping at the backs of her knees. Without thinking he wrapped her towel around her shoulders to stop her shivering, she turned to him in surprise and he wished he hadn't done that when what he really wanted was to gather her against his chest.

"We should get back," John said lamely. His heart was thundering in his chest and he knew she must have been able to hear it. Fortunately she was too polite to point out what a fool he had made
of himself.

"I'll be right there," Kai promised. She needed a moment to herself.

John nodded and returned to the fire. He helped the kids roast their hotdogs and handed out the ketchup and mustard. Halfway through dinner Kai slipped out of the shadows fully dressed once more. She dropped down to sit cross legged in the sand beside Ronon. She leaned into the large Satedan who wrapped an easy arm around her and gave her a squeeze. John was happy for their friendship, but jealousy reared it's ugly head as he wished somehow he could be that open and comfortable with her.

It was late when everyone decided to climb into their tents. Both John and Ronon had intended to sleep out under the stars. It surprised John that when Teyla and kids headed into their tent, Kai chose to stay out near the fire.

Kai gathered a sleeping roll from the pile and moved back towards John and Ronon. She lay her blanket out nearer to John's and he didn't seem bothered despite the tension that had risen between them. She lay on her back and watched the stars as she listened to the comforting sound of John falling asleep. Just before she drifted off she felt a last comforting nudge in her chest.

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Total fluff, but I hope you thought it was fun. It bought me some time to think about the next adventure John and Kai will face together!
Thank you for your votes and comments! They mean so much to me and seriously keep this story going!!!