Run Away

Posted on Sat Nov 17th, 2018 @ 4:42am by Lieutenant Commander Angus Murphy

Mission: Run Afoul
Location: Holodeck 1
Timeline: Immediately prior to "Run of Luck"
1518 words - 3 OF Standard Post Measure

Since the Creoli had been aboard and the incident in Engineering that disabled warp drive for a few days, Murphy and Pat hadn't seen each other very much at all, both being busy with their respective duties. It was under the pretense of "taking a break" that Murphy had lured Pat to the holodeck. "I had something in mind," he told him as they stood together outside the doors. "But it's a little... uh... daring, maybe. If you're not comfortable we can do something else. I just thought we could unwind a bit." Murphy could barely contain a smile as he watched the younger man for reaction.

Not quite sure what to expect, Patrick simply nodded. He had to admit he was curious, since Murphy was being quite secretive about it all. "Daring how?" He asked, turning slightly to look at him, smiling encouragingly. "Unwinding is good though... I'm all for taking a little time to ourselves, especially if that means having you to myself for a while."

Murphy smiled impishly. "Okay then. Close your eyes and take my hand."

Knowing him well enough to trust him, Patrick reached out to take his hand and closed his eyes. "Don't let me walk into anything," he begged, despite his smile.

Warm and humid air enveloped them when they crossed the threshold into the holodeck; the air smelled and tasted salty with earthy undertones against the sterile starship environment they'd just left. "I'm not going to let you walk into anything," Murph promised as he led Pat a short distance over rocky, slightly uneven ground. "Okay. Open your eyes."

"The salt caverns of Ranoros," Murphy explained. A crystal clear pool of steaming, bio-illuminescent green-blue water sat in the middle of a dark rocky enclosure with walls that reflected back light like the glitter of starlight.

"Wow..." Patrick looked around, without letting go of the hand that still held his. "This is gorgeous," he breathed, "have you ever been to this place for real?" This was already beautiful but surely it did the real place no justice? Not that he knew, he wasn't a very traveled person after all, having spent years on a starbase without really going anywhere beyond his kitchen.

Murphy shook his head slightly, "No, but maybe some day," he replied softly as he started to take off his jacket and boots. "I thought we could... uh.. you know, skinny dip?"

For a second, Patrick simply stared at him, wondering if he had heard it right. "I don't see why not," he finally conceded, kneeling down to take off his own clothes. He took his time, feeling utterly self conscious as he did so. "It's warm water, isn't it?" he asked, shivering slightly as he walked towards the edge of the water.

"Like a giant hot tub," Murphy, derobed, came up behind and rested a hand on Pat's naked back before he stepped forward and into the shallow water and then stepped down into the depths of water as the bottom got quickly deeper. He turned and beckoned with open arms. "It's amazing."

Patrick wasn't far behind, closing his eyes briefly at the gentle touch. He waded into the warm water and sighed softly, walking into the open arms. Circling his own arms around the other's waist, he smiled. "That it is," he agreed," thank you for taking me here. This is absolutely amazing. I could get lost in just staring at the walls." He smiled, taking note of the sparkling reflections in his companions eyes. "Or you," he added softly, "it brings out some colour in your eyes."

Murphy spent a long moment looking deep into Patrick's eyes. "How is it possible that I'm falling so crazy in love with you?" he asked softly as his thumb caressed Pat's cheek.

"I don't know," the younger man answered softly, "does it help at all that I feel the same way?" He had never expected to develop feelings for someone again, especially not this soon. But deep down he knew Andy would want him to be happy, and right now he felt like the happiest man in the universe. He leaned into the touch, then leaned forward, touching his lips. "It feels right," he added slowly, "especially here, now...just us." He looked up. "This setting...I feel at peace, being here, with you. Does that make any sense at all?" He felt like he was rambling now.

"It absolutely does." Murphy closed his eyes and kissed Pat softly and slowly. When he broke the kiss a few moments later, he stayed there, forehead-to-forehead and looking into Patrick's soul as he re-opened his eyes. "I just need to tell you something. Before you got here, I was in a really bad place. I felt like I was spiraling out of control-- or even like I wasn't in control of anything anymore."

"You don't owe me any explanation," Patrick whispered, "I understand." He cupped Murphy's face between his hands, looking him straight in the eyes. "I really do understand. I felt similar, but here, being with you, I feel something I haven't felt in quite some time. I'm happy Murph, being in your company makes me happy. It makes me feel all funny inside, and I haven't felt this way since..." He was going to say 'since I fell for Andy's but he swallowed the words down, not wanting to ruin the moment. "I love you Murph..."

Murphy felt like he was falling in love with Patrick and he felt love for Patrick, but did he love Patrick? Was he ready to say those three little words? It felt like a commitment and he wasn't sure he was ready for that. He pressed his lips against Patrick's again. He didn't know how to answer and it seemed like the only way to fill the awkward silence without immediately reciprocating. Eventually, he broke away and looked up and away into the glittery darkness. "I... I just need to go slow. Thank you for understanding that."

Leading him a little deeper into the water, Patrick just smiled as he drew the other man closer to him. "We'll go as slow as you need to," he promised, "and I'm perfectly fine with just being here with you." He gestured up, making drops of water fly as he raised his arm. "This beautiful setting.." he smiled, caressing his cheek. "the reflection they cause in your beautiful eyes..." He leaned closer. "No I don't mind slow, I'm good, I promise."

Murphy understood Pat's meaning and smiled more comfortably. Then he looked around again, still truly impressed at this place that he picked from the holodeck catalog. "It was either here or a massage parlor on Santoro VII. I hear the Santor can do amazing things with mud," he said, glancing back at Patrick and winking.

"I should think this is more romantic," Patrick chuckled, "though there's something to be said about mud wrestling..." A cheeky smile spread across his face. "Are we just going to be standing here or are we going to swim?"

"More romantic than a massage?" Murphy pushed himself out into deeper water and bobbed under the surface for a few seconds before popping up again several meters away, water streaming off his hair. "You've clearly not had any good massages," he chuckled and wiped his face with his hand.

"Clearly.." Patrick pushed off to swim after him. "I don't think I've ever had one, come to think of it."

"Well, I'm sure I can fix that situation," Murph laughed as he pulled himself up onto the rocky edge of the opposite side of the pool. "What do you say, O'Malley? Spend the night tonight and I'll make it worth your while."

Swimming up to the edge, Patrick smiled up. "If that's an invitation to spend the night with you, then that's a promise," he grinned, pulling himself up as well. "Ohh this is cold, out of the water..."

Murphy wrapped an arm around the shivering Patrick. Their bodies were warm where they touched. "Well, we could get dressed and go down there. Or we could raise the temperature in here on our own," he suggested conspiratorially as he leaned in to kiss Patrick's neck.

=^= "Ensign Shiavo to Lieutenant Murphy. You're needed on the bridge, sir." =^=

Patrick sighed, annoyance creeping across his face at the unwelcome interruption. "Getting dressed it is," he grumbled as he crawled up to his feet, water dripping down his wet body as he leaned down to pull Murph up too. "I'll wait for you in your quarters, if that's alright. Keep some dinner warm perhaps?"

Murphy grinned. "This shouldn't take long. Captain's behind schedule and we're finally ready to get moving. Stay up and wait for me."

Reaching for a magically appeared towel, Patrick grinned back at him. "I wouldnt dream of getting to sleep without you at my side. Don't worry I'll stay up. Better...I'll keep your spot warm." He leaned up to kiss him. "Go...I'll end the program."


Lieutenant Angus Murphy
Chief Engineer, USS Majestic

Patrick O'Malley
(Captain's) Chef
pnpc Lhaes