"Computer, locate Ensign Mariner," Boimler said to a wall console.
"Ensign Mariner is in Holodeck 1," the cool female voice replied.
She had disappeared after dinner without telling anyone where she was going, which wasn't exactly abnormal for her, but she typically told Tendi or Boimler where she was off to, especially if she wanted them to be involved in whatever adventure she was cooking up.
But this time, Tendi was no help. Boimler set off to Holodeck 1, expecting to find Mariner battling 5 Klingons at once with her bare hands with the safeties off. But as the doors slid open, Boimler was hit with an ocean breeze.
He hesitantly stepped inside, worried now that he was interrupting something private. "Computer," he whispered, "identify personnel in Holodeck 1."
"Holodeck 1 is occupied by Ensign Beckett Mariner and Ensign Bradward Boimler."
"Computer, what program is running?" he asked.
"Aurora Borealis on Oceana Prime."
He nodded in recognition. He should have known she would escape to her favorite place in the galaxy (besides the warp core). He knew exactly where she would be; she'd brought him here once to watch a meteor shower.
The wind blew his hair as he quietly walked down the stairs from the boardwalk to the beach, Mariner coming into his view as he cleared the dunes. She was wrapped up in a blanket as she sat on the pink sand, watching the emerald waves lap against the shore. Bioluminescent sea creatures caused the waves to glow gently. The aurora borealis was shades of purple and blue and undulated in the sky.
He stopped beside her, not bothering to try to hide his footsteps. "Hi," he said, looking down at her.
"Hi," she replied, scooting over on her beach towel so that he could sit next to her.
Her vibes were definitely off; he could tell.
They sat in silence, watching the sky and the waves. Boimler noticed how her eyes sparkled in the low light and how little wisps of hair had escaped her ponytail and were swirling around her face. He didn't always have this pain in his heart, but he did during moments like this. His best friend was beautiful, even while scowling.
"So, do you want to tell me why you've been weird all day?" Boimler asked, breaking the silence.
"I know you left out a few of the details of what happened on the away mission," she said, her eyes burning a hole in his.
He held his hands up and stammered in defense, "I didn't leave them out, exactly… I downplayed them. I didn't want to hear an 'I told you so' because things didn't go as planned. I know you wanted to go on that mission and Ransom wouldn't let you."
Mariner crossed her arms. "Well, I told you so. I told you that you guys needed me on that mission. I'm the only one who has been to Argos III out of our group," she said dramatically.
"Would you feel better if I apologized?" Boimler smirked, nudging her with his shoulder.
"Yes. Yes, I would. And you have to replicate me some hot chocolate because I'm freezing," she demanded, slivers of her usual personality showing through.
"Why don't you just adjust the temperature?" Boimler laughed.
"It wouldn't be accurate," she replied matter-of-factly.
"Computer, one mug of cocoa, hot," Boimler said, a shimmering appearing in his hand as the mug formed. He handed her the mug and she smiled her signature smirk.
"Do you want to share my blanket?" she asked.
"Uh, yes, duh," he said, scooting closer to her.
She wrapped the blanket around his shoulders and settled in next to him to watch the waves, leaning her head on his shoulder. They had always been touchy with each other, never hesitating to hug or throw an arm around one another. But these moments were starting to feel a little different, especially after her midnight visit to sickbay.
Soon her hand was in his and he was rubbing his thumb on the back of her hand. Surely best friends didn't do this, she thought, practically laughing out loud.
"You know, I think you're mad at me because you missed me while I was gone," he said softly, and they both laughed.
"You still haven't apologized," she replied, lacing her fingers with his.
"I'm sorry that Ransom assigned me to a terrible mission. I'm sorry I was gone for 3 days and I'm sorry I got hurt and you were worried," he said, trying to keep a straight face.
She leaned back to give him a scowl as he tried not to laugh. It was typical of their relationship: always one step forward and one step back.
"You, sir, are a jerk. But you're my jerk. Apology accepted," she said, picking up her mug of cocoa, taking a sip, and setting it back down in the sand.
They sat in silence for another few minutes, her hand in his. "I saw Tendi and Rutherford playing footsie under the table this morning," Mariner blurted out.
"Sounds like they are a little more than best friends now," Boimler replied, still staring out at the waves while Mariner studied his face.
"Do best friends not play footsie under the table?" she asked, glancing at their intertwined fingers.
He turned to look at her with a small smirk. "Do best friends hold hands?"
She managed a poker face and looked at him feigning thoughtfulness. "You know, I've been asking myself that since I saw my best friend in sickbay last night."
"I guess you have a lucky best friend," Boimler replied with a genuine smile.
"No, I'm the lucky one," she said softly.