Time On My Hands
Posted on Sun Oct 25th, 2009 @ 1:52am by Lieutenant JG Drew O'Connell & Lieutenant Commander Kaylis Kirana
1,792 words; about a 9 minute read
Mission:
Shoreleave - Welcoming Old Friends and New
Location: Andicuri Bay, Aruba, Earth
Timeline: Current
Drew opened the door and swept out the last of the sand from the cabana. The oceanic night breeze blew through the small two bedroom apartment, refreshing the staleness which had accumulated during the day. He decided to leave the door open, the cool breeze was as welcome and refreshing as the shower he'd taken after his day on the beach.
Drew padded back inside, the cool tiled floors pressing hard against the soles of his bare feet. He'd expected Shalie to arrive at 8 pm, or 2000 hours be Starfleet time. Looking at the clock on the wall, he noted he still had a few minutes left. Passing through to the living room, Drew found the simple white, cotton shirt he'd chosen for the night and pulled it on, buttoning the front and rolling up the sleeves. He brushed back his hair, which had taken on a distinctly blond hue since spending so much time in the tropical sun.
Ian, who had always been quite blond, was even more so. He padded through the living room, pulling on his own light blue shirt. He searched around for the shoes he'd left somewhere and Drew smiled knowingly. "They're next to the couch...where you left them."
Ian lighted to the place he'd left his sneakers and quickly pulled them on. "So what are you doing tonight?" he asked his older brother.
"Just gonna stay around the house, maybe read a book on the porch. What are you doing?"
Ian smiled. "I have a date," he announced triumphantly.
Drew was slightly surprised but wouldn't press the matter for two reasons. One; Ian was sixteen years old and asking about his relationships and dates was both a touchy and uncomfortable situation. Two; he wanted Ian out before Shalie arrived for dinner. He was trying not to seem pushy when he commented, "Better get going, you'll be late."
Ian looked up, his eyes alight with excitement. He was surprised Drew hadn't pressed the matter about who he was dating, but he figured his older brother had met his friends on multiple occasions already. Instead of pressing the issue, he finished fiddling with his shoes and bolted out the door. "On my way," he yelled as he passed the threshold.
Drew collapsed into a chair. he had fewer than five minutes left and was simply relieved his brother had made it out the door. Pushing back that unruly lock of hair that always seemed to hang in his eyes, Drew sighed at having a minute to relax before the Orion she-devil and temptress arrived.
As if in response, a knock at the door sounded. Drew leaned back in the chair, gathering his thoughts before Shalie interrupted them all. He opened his eyes when he was done, slapped his thighs and walked to the open door. Shalie stood there in a black dress which was both classic and revealing. Breeze or not, Drew was suddenly hot again. With a cocky smile, he offered, "Come in."
Shalie bit her lip as she moved past Drew, brushing ever so slightly against him as she passed. His reaction to her made her smile. Her black dress she wore hugged her curves but flowed around her as she moved. It was her classic little black dress that she saved for nice occasions. She turned around to face Drew as she moved backwards through his living room. "So what do you have planned for us?" She looked Drew over as she spoke.
Drew smiled as he realized she was enjoying herself immensely. Her unwavering gaze told him she was 'checking him out', so in response, he turned in a full circle. "Like what you see?"" he asked. He hadn't particularly overdressed for the dinner, planning to stay in, but he was no slob either. He'd worn a new pair of khaki slacks and the white shirt simply for comfort. He was still shoeless, but didn't really see the point of wearing any as the house was tiled and everything outside was sand.
Shalie kind of half shrugged. "It isn't bad," she said sarcastically with a grin.
Realizing he hadn't answered her original question, Drew answered, "As to plans, dinner is grilled swordfish with roasted garlic potatoes and fresh vegetables from a nearby restaurant, not replicated. As to the rest, I guess we can see where it goes from there."
"That sounds wonderful" Shalie replied before turning to take a look around the small apartment. When she was finished she turned her attention back to Drew. "So how is it that we have the night to ourselves?"
Drew moved to the dining table with Shalie, pulling out her chair and pushing it in when she sat. It was more to prove that he could do it rather than out of manners or chivalry. "I had already planned to send Ian out but it seems fate and he had already made other plans. he has a date," he replied, hearing his own incredulity in his tone.
Shalie laughed lightly, "What is it about islands and romance?" She watched as Drew moved to take his seat. Her attention moved to the food. The beach had taken more out of her then she thought, she was famished. "So how is it you ended up in Aruba?" She asked with an inquisitive smile.
"A few things conspired to see me in Aruba, not the least of which were Ev and Ian." Drew shrugged as he sipped the drink before him. "Evelyn decided I was brooding after Captain Lange paid a visit to the farm armed with idle threats." Drew forked a bit of the fish into his mouth and chewed thoughtfully for a moment. After swallowing, Drew decided, "They were right, I suppose."
"She actually came to see you?" Shalie said with slight disbelief. She had been naive enough to think that Lange was just testing her. It didn't take long for Shalie to regret chiming in. She just hoped it wouldn't ruin the evening. "She's still after you I guess...."
Drew missed the implication in Shalie's comment. He shrugged. "So it would seem," he sighed. Deciding the topic was bringing him back to brooding introspection, he decided to change the subject. "I've heard," he started conspiratorially, "that the night swimming is better than the day..."
Shalie smiled as she took a bite of the amazing meal. She closed her eyes as the wonderful flavors filled her mouth. As she swallowed she turned her attention back to Drew. She watched Drew as he spoke, cocking her brow at the implication of going for a swim.
Drew knew that she hadn't brought a swimsuit under that black dress. Without replicators in the cabana, she wasn't going to get one either. He smirked, the crook of his mouth turned in wry amusement. "We could always go without."
Shalie took a sip of her drink, all the while keeping her eyes on Drew's. "Well..." she started, as she took a bite of the mashed potatoes. "...it is a lovely night...and I must admit I haven't gone swimming yet...I like my suit too much." She ended with a slight smirk.
"Well," Drew said before putting more fish in his mouth, "Dinner first, some wine on the deck and then a little fun." Drew lifted his glass to her.
------Later------
The beach was deserted as Shalie walked towards the water. She had a towel from the cabana wrapped around her as she moved across the beach. She glanced back at Drew with a devious smile before dropping the towel a few feet from the tide line and running into the water. She quickly dove until the waters surface. The water was still warm from the hot day and the sand felt gritty against her hand as it moved though her hair. She idly splashed around waiting for Drew's next move.
Drew and Shalie had walked along the silent beach, the sound of waves crashing into the shore rhythmically was relaxing in and of itself. They hadn't gotten far when she'd dropped her towel and run into the water. Drew watched for a minute as she playfully splashed the water, most of it in his direction, before pulling his shirt over his head and dropping his shorts in the sand. The night was anything but cold so it was surprising that the water was warmer than outside, but a welcome surprise. He too dove in, his head plunging beneath the waves. Making sure he didn't get out too far from the shore, Drew put his feet down on the silty ocean floor and stood in water up to his waist. Splashing back with more vigor than Shalie, he drenched her in great gulfing swaths of water. With a smile Shalie could see by the moonlight, Drew announced, "You did say I always win."
Shalie playfully glared at Drew as she used her salt covered hands to push the dripping water back from her face. She moved though the water the short distance to Drew. She kept her head just above the water. She smiled up at him, "Yeah, I did say that..." She admitted. Her movements were quick as she used her feet to sweep under him, pressing the palms of her hands into his shoulders, dunking him in the water.
Surprised, Drew plunged backward into the dark, for a moment the world melted away and he was in a silent sphere of salt water. Then the next wave broke, and the next. He abandoned the illusion and came to the surface. Moving close to Shalie, he spit the mouthful of water he'd purposely taken before surfacing at her. Drew pleaded with her, "Alright, you win...but just this once."
Moving just behind her, he pressed his body to hers, closed his eyes, and breathed. If the universe had chosen that moment to implode, he would have been content. Except that the universe had no intention of imploding at that moment...and he was surprised at the depth of his feelings, feelings he quickly worked to hide from Shalie. Instead, he whispered into her ear in a low tone, "I've had enough swimming for tonight but I can think of at least one other fun thing we can do."
The warm breath on her cold ear sent shivers down Shalie's spine. She turn to face him returning the favor and pressing herself against him. She didn't say anything, just marveled at the moment. It was amazing to her that the one person that drove her insane 90% of the time could give her moments like this. She kissed him as the ocean water pushed against them. "Mmmm...I am sure..."
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