Let the Sunshine In

Chapter 7 - On the Coast

San Francisco, Earth

Early May, 2264

Sarek

He rose from his meditation and consumed the breakfast that had been delivered to his rooms. Then he showered, shaved, brushed his teeth, and inspected himself. He could find no fault in his appearance, nothing that needed attention. He exercised regularly, so his body was firm and well muscled. His hair had been trimmed only a week ago, and lay smooth and flat upon his head, as was proper. His fingernails and toenails were properly trimmed. He nodded, it was sufficient. He went back into the bedroom and pulled briefs and a tee-shirt from his dresser. He sat down and pulled on his socks. And then he added a long-sleeved turtleneck before going to the closet and pulling out the hanging bag at the very end. He unsealed it and withdrew his riding leathers, kept here for his use while on Earth. He shook them out before stepping into the tight pants, tucking the hem of the turtleneck down in well before sealing the front. He went back to the closet for the short boots that went with the leathers, stepping into them and tugging to pull them up tight. Last was the jacket with the flap across the front that kept the wind from stealing in through the opening. He left the top of the seal open, the flap hanging down diagonally on his chest, and turned to tuck the small wallet into the hidden pocket, sealing it up. He was ready.

He descended down to the lower garage level, headed for the locked compartment where he stored his hoverbike when not in use. He wheeled it out into the main garage, retrieving one of the two helmets strapped on the back, checking the settings on the communicator. Satisfied that everything was working properly, he finished sealing his jacket and settled the helmet on his head, fastening the strap tightly. He pulled his gloves out of the jacket pocket and pulled them on his hands. And then he swung his leg over the bike and settled himself down, feeling contentment. He had not ridden this bike in over a year. It felt good to be back on it. And to have someone to ride with him. That had not been true for even longer. He touched the controls and felt the vibrations that told him that the motor had started correctly. And then he was rolling out of the garage, down the lane to the gate, where the gatekeeper saw him and opened the gate quickly. Once out onto the street, he checked the traffic and lifted up, into the air, quickly gaining the speed and altitude that he wanted. His spirits lifted as the wind whipped past him. He had missed this, indeed.

Elinor

When her alarm went off, she groggily stared at it, wondering why on Earth it was going off on Saturday morning. And then she remembered, and sat straight up. She was going riding on Sarek's hoverbike! She bounded out of bed and into the bathroom, showering quickly, blowing her hair dry. She wrapped herself in a thick terry robe, and went into her small kitchen, pulling a muffin and yoghurt out of the stasis unit. She warmed the muffin while she spooned up the yoghurt, and then pulled the pitcher of orange juice out of the stasis unit and poured a large glass to drink while she ate the muffin.

Back to the bathroom, brush teeth, brush hair, check underarms, add deodorant, check toenails, fingernails, eyebrows. Okay, time for clothes. She pulled open her underwear drawer and stood there, trying to decide. Finally she pulled out sensible cotton panties and a plain bra. She needed to be comfortable today, not sexy. After all, it wasn't like he was even going to see her underwear - not today. She opened the next drawer and pulled out a high-necked sweater, pulling it on over her head. Now to the closet. She found her flannel-lined jeans in the very back and pulled them on, jumping up and down just a bit to get them the last little bit up. And then she found her boots, in the tangle of shoes on the floor and sat down to pull them up, almost forgetting to put her socks on first. Back to the dresser again, and she fished about, finally finding the scarf she wanted, pulling her hair back from her face and tying the scarf about her head, knotting it at the base of her neck.

She checked the time. Good, she was doing well. Into the living area, to the small closet just at the end of the hall. She pulled out the hip-length leather jacket and slipped her arms in, sealing up the front, folding over the flap and sealing that as well. She was ready. She slipped her door wand into the inside pocket and sealed it well, and headed out the door. She stepped out the front door of her building just as Sarek settled the hoverbike down onto the street and pulled into the curved entrance drive. He pulled up even with her, reached behind him to retrieve the second helmet, checked something inside it, and then handed it to her. She carefully pulled it down over her hair, settling it carefully before fastening the strap.

"If you can hear me, please wave your hand." His voice came warm in her ears.

She grinned and waved her hand at him. She pulled her gloves out of her jacket pocket and pulled them on, and observed him nodding his head. And then she stepped closer and swung one leg up over the bike, his hand reaching out to steady her as she settled into the seat behind him.

"The handholds are at your sides, attached to the seat."

"I found them. I'm ready." Her heart beat just a bit faster. She was close enough to him that she could feel his body heat, even through the heavy clothing they were wearing. As she felt the bike accelerate, she leaned closer to him, hiding in his shadow, so that the wind would not buffet her so much. And then they were out of the entrance drive, onto the street. He turned his head from side to side, checking, and then they were rising into the air. She laughed, happy, as they leveled off and zoomed eastward.

Sarek

He heard her happy laugh and it echoed through him, delighting him. She enjoyed this. Tension he had not been aware of drained out. He headed straight for the coast, passing quickly over the inhabited areas and turning only when the waves were surging below them. He felt her lean very slightly to the side and assumed she was looking down at the water. Not fearful at all then, amazing. Her weight shifted again, slowly, so as not to disturb his concentration. She had done this before. He would not speculate when or with whom. She was with him now. That was sufficient. He examined that thought for a moment. Was he feeling territorial already? Very possibly. He dismissed the idea quickly, turning his concentration back on controlling the bike. They crossed the bay quickly, soaring over the mountains on the other side.

He could hear her quick catches of breath, her gasps of delight, and tilted the bike slightly as he curved around the side of a rock outcropping, delighting in her response. Amanda had ridden with him, but never as an eager participant. To her, the bike had been simply transportation. Elinor was thrilled and delighted with the ride, enjoying it for its own sake. This was not something he had experienced before, and he found that it filled some unknown need in him. He found other opportunities to tilt the bike, to skim very close to the ground, suddenly shooting out over open space, listening for her gasps, her cries of joy, her excitement. And then they reached the tall trees. With great daring, he began to weave in and out, zooming between trees at high speed. And behind him, she screamed in delight. His chest filled with something unexpected, something unanticipated - joy, delight, arousal. He had been correct. She was the one.