San Luis Peak

Posted on Tue Nov 8th, 2022 @ 2:15pm by Captain Samuel Woolheater & Consul Andrinn Orin

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Earth - Colorado - On the trail to San Luis Peak
Timeline: After the Lalor/Richardson wedding - the next day
8177 words - 16.4 OF Standard Post Measure

[ON:]

It was still early. Samuel hadn’t gotten much sleep. He lay awake, not quite yet ready to get up. In just a few minutes he would get up. He was looking forward to going hiking today with Andrinn. His mind wandered and he thought of Emily. He slid his feet out of bed and to the floor and sat on the edge of the bed. He was quiet and then said, “I miss you, Em; I will always love you. But I still have living to do. And maybe I have a friend too. I want to find out.”

Emily sat down on the bed next to him. She rested her head on his shoulder, he could still imagine the smell of her hair. She said, “Live your life Sam. Know that I will always love you.”

He opened his eyes to an empty bed. He rose to his feet and got dressed. As he got dressed, he could hear Matins, the morning prayers coming from the ships chapel. As a marine honor guard and as an officer and as an officer in charge of marines that had died, Sam remembered the times he had the duty to be an honor guard at a farewell service for the dearly departed. He recognized the tune, ‘St. David’ in the common meter set to a familiar text. He flashed back to the service just earlier this year.

O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.

Samuel remembered being at the church. A great old stone church. It was filled with standing room only. The marine was human, and this is what the family wanted. Sam was the service member’s commanding officer and the duty fell to him. The words came back to him as the congregation sang the hymn. The honor detail performed their duty with military precision.

What an awful day that had been. Yet he remembered that the family had changed the music from the standard ‘St. Anne’ in e-flat minor, to ‘St. David’ in E-flat major. And there was a difference. It was by no means ‘happy’. It was no less respectful and reverential. And the hymn text was the same as with the older tune. There were still copious tears; but they were not darkened. There was still the bitter taste of loss; but it was embraced by love that would not die. There was resolve and strength that all around the borders and in every margin and bar of music, lay hope, imbued with life. Parents proud of their marine and that he had died for such a noble cause as the Federation.

As Sam listened to the same tune again, so many months ago now, he felt Emily near him, and he longed to hold her and be held by her. He remembered, folding the flag of the United Federation of Planets as the strong voices of that young man’s family and friends said goodbye for the last time. The honor guard carefully folded that flag as prescribed with perfect military timing. The rifleman handed the UFP flag to Samuel and he took possession of it.

Sam took the flag and with precise steps he stood facing the mother of the fallen marine, surrounded by the family. In that moment, he saw Emily again. He closed his eyes and fought back tears. He was both reliving a real memory and using it to bury the woman he loved and never got to bury or say goodbye to.

Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
Bears all its sons away;
They fly forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the opening day.

Sam remembered holding the United Federation of Planets flag waist high, folded and then leaning into the fallen marine’s mother. He solemnly presented the flag to her. She put her hands on Woolheater’s white-gloved hand and did her best to look him in the eye. Tears ran down her cheeks, so did the father and Sam had to take a moment, so his voice wouldn’t crack.

He looked at the mother and said, solemnly, reverently, “On behalf of the President of the United Federation of Planets, the Starfleet Marine Corps, and a grateful Federation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one’s honorable and faithful service.”

===

Now, standing in his room alone, Sam had the funeral, even if all he got was in his mind’s eye, for Emily Hope. Sam could hear those strong, loving voices singing the final verse. He heard it from the ship’s chapel, he heard it from many months ago when he did that young marine’s funeral.

“Oh…. Emm. Goodbye Emily.” Sam’s eyes were wet. Matins was over. A new day was begun. Whatever else the past may be; it is the past. And when he had shed his tears for her and for all the marines he had that awful duty, yet the privilege of it too. He took a cloth and dried his eyes. Packed what was needed and slung the backpack over his shoulder and onto his back. He wore hiking boots, long pants, and button up flannel. He made his way to Andrinn’s quarters and feeling like a catharsis had helped, he pressed the door chime. It was 0500 hours.


---Consul Andrinn Orin's Quarters---

Andrinn had laid awake in his own quarters since the previous night. The liquor that was served at the wedding was rather strong and Andrinn had drunk quite a bit more than he thought. But, the liquor allowed for Andrinn to think about his own past, including the previous host of Orin and those that Andrinn loved before this point.

Andrinn had a complicated past. Not that he wanted it, but it was thrust upon Andrinn at a young age.

Andrinn was the product of parents from two different worlds in the time before the UFP. Back on Trill, when Andrinn was a younger man, Andrinn and his family weren't welcomed on Trill like people would be today. That made it even harder when Andrinn finally figured out that he was gay.

That's why Andrinn found it harder to love, as well. He was a hopeless romantic and when he found his first partner, it was truly a blessing. However, something that made it harder was that his first partner died in a shuttle accident back in the 21st century.

Then.....then, there was Ranul Orin. The second host of the Orin symbiant, who was the one who trained Andrinn in everything about being a host.

Ranul was very hard on Andrinn throughout his entire training and it was hard for Andrinn to understand why until Ranul died in an accident of his own. Then, the Orin symbiant was passed onto Andrinn and everything became clear as Andrinn became one with Orin.

Ranul was secretly in love with Andrinn, but due to the life he lived as a trainer and the family that he lived with, Ranul couldn't be truly open with himself. He kept that part of his life a secret until the very end and it transferred onto the next host, who happened to be Andrinn.

For someone who happened to be very open about his own sexuality, to gain a symbiant from a previous host who was very closeted about it was rather hard. As Andrinn rolled over in his bed, he thought about the various relationships that he had since he joined with Orin and it slowly started to make sense.

Andrinn was making up for what Ranul was missing out within life.

Could that be why a lot of his previous relationships failed so....epically? Could that be why Andrinn couldn't keep a steady relationship over the last few decades? Or was it that he was going to outlive all of them and Andrinn was afraid of losing them?

He wasn't sure, but Andrinn knew that he couldn't keep living in fear of what could be or what was.

Getting up out of bed, Andrinn got up and got a bag ready for the hike that him and Sam were about to have in a few hours. It was only 0430, but he was ready to beam down planetside and Andrinn was excited.

Heading down to Earth, he got an early start and it was still dark outside. Andrinn looked over a cliff and found that Earth was just as beautiful as he remembered it.

USS ELYSIUM - IN ORBIT

When no once answered, Sam had a bad feeling that he was being stood up. And he cursed under his breath, "Fffffff...fiddle-sticks!" He sighed. He was really looking forward to going hiking and it would have been so much better if there was someone to go with too. He ran his fingers through his short spikey hair and decided that Andrinn must have had something come up. And seriously, Andrinn was so hot that he thought that he probably met someone else anyway. Sam had missed a chance to make a friend.

He said, "Fuck it. I'm going anyway" as he walked towards the transporter room. He waited in line to use the transporter, there was a small queue here. And when it was his turn he asked to be beamed down to the trailhead for San Luis Peak. The transporter operator said, "Oh? One other guy already went down there earlier."

Sam asked what he looked like and the description matched Andrinn. He was beamed to the same location and took a good look around searching for him.

---San Luis Park---

Andrinn was sitting down near the beam down point and was looking through the trees as it was still dark outside. You could hear the owls hooting and other animals making various noises to ward off predators of the night. Hearing something familiar, Orin turned around to see a transporter beam releasing someone and he could tell instantly that it was Sam.

Walking over to Sam, Orin smiled and starting asking for forgiveness early on.

"Hey, I'm sorry for beaming down early, but I couldn't get to sleep last night. So, I decided to come down here and get a bit of an early look of the park down here before we began hiking. Forgive me?" Orin said with a half smile on his own face.

Relieved that he hadn't been stood up, Sam was all smiles. "Hey? There you are. Early bird gets the worm ay?" He offered to shake his hand. "Glad you could make it. It'll be dawn in about thirty-minutes or so? If we get to the trail marker by then, we'll be treated to an awesome sunrise over the eastern ridge. You got everything? Where's your camping gear?" Sam asked. He removed a flashlight from his backpack and turned it on to light the area.

Andrinn was wearing some hiking gear and had a small backpack on his shoulders. He didn't have a lot in there, but it wasn't nearly enough for him to actually camp out with.

Looking at Sam confused, Andrinn replied, "What do you mean? I brought all the essentials. Food, water, toiletries. Just the usual. Am I missing something?"

Sam tilted his head just a bit to the left, "You don't go on many hikes do you Consul?" He said as a smile crept into his lips. "It'll take us all day to get to the summit. Then we're going to admire the view. We'll start back but we won't make it halfway back before nightfall. Plus, I know a place just off of Dutch Creek. A place to camp. We're spending the night on the mountain Andrinn." Sam thought a moment and said, "Its OK. I've got enough for two persons. And this is Earth, not some far and away alien planet. It'll be fine. I got a tent and enough for both. Ready? Let's go?"

You could see the red creep into Andrinn's face and cheeks. He didn't realize that it would have taken that long to get up there and back, as Andrinn's experience on Earth was very limited. Looking over at the other man and seeing the slight smile creeping onto his lips, Andrinn smiled back and replied, "Yeah, I'm ready to head out, how about you?"

Sam's smile grew and he laughed. He put a had on Andrinn's shoulder and said, "No worries; this is going to be so much fun! I can't wait to get on the trail. I've been 'Jonesin' for a hike someplace other than the holodeck and in a place where they aren't trying to kill me." He grinned back at him very happy. "Set? Let's do it!"

Andrinn grabbed his back and followed Sam up to the summit of the peaks. Again, he wasn't sure where to go, where Sam did. Andrinn thought back to what Adele said and he didn't want to do anything to push Sam over any sort of edge. Comparatively, Andrinn had several lifetimes of experience under his belt, while Sam was living through his first, as well as Sam having lost someone he truly cared about not long enough.

Andrinn had lost his last true love a long time ago. He dated more after that first true love, but it hadn't loved them like he loved his first. Then, he found out that his Trill mentor loved him once he got the Orin symbiant. So many conflicting emotions, but it was also good to have someone like Sam to talk to about it all.

Looking up as they were walking, Andrinn heard Sam say something. Andrinn replied, "What did you just say?" Andrinn's face blushed a bit again.

Woolheater extended his arm to the view, "I said, wait till you see this?" He waited until Andrinn stood nearby to take a look at the view. They were about halfway up the San Luis ridge. To the east was the Gunnison National Forest and the La Garrita mountain range. Below them, clothed in yellow, white and gold wildflowers was a gentle slope, like an amphitheater, to the view before them. And the sun was just rising in the east. There were a couple of people here. Also admirers of the sunrise. The sky was all purple and violet, pink hues were forming and gradually, with each passing minute, the sun took the reigns of the day and Apollo's chariot once again began the daily race. "Now this...is worth getting up for ay?"

Orin hadn't been much for the outdoorsy type of stuff, either on Earth or back home on Trill. But, he had to admit that this was truly something to admire. He just sat back and let them admire the beauty of the sunrise before they were to move on up the rest of the peak.

As the sun peaked over the ridge of the peak across from their own, Orin just looked back at Sam for a moment before looking down at his own feet. All he could think about was how energized and at the same time, unenergized Sam seemed to be as they watched the sun beginning to rise.

Nudging his arm, Orin asked, "Hey, are you okay? You seem to be enjoying the sunrise, but there's something else on your mind, like you're back out in the void of space. What's going on?"

Sam didn't say anything for a long time. The time was passed in silence. A few times it looked like he would speak but something always stopped him. Be it a person passing or a person or people that were going to pass. Sam finally said, "Shall we continue on then? To the peak?"

They walked along quietly for a bit. The path grew wide and easy at this point and there weren't so many people. Soon, as they climbed, there were fewer people and soon after that, they hadn't seen anyone for thirty-minutes. Sam stopped at a clearing and took a drink of water. He unbuttoned his long sleeved shirt revealing muscled arms and wrapped it around his waist before picking up his back pack again. He offered the water to Andrinn.

Andrinn took the water and just starred up and down Sam's body, trying not to make it noticeable that he was doing just that. However, before he got too entrenched, he took the water from Sam's hand and just waited for the reply about his question.

Sam didn't look at Andrinn, his gaze either at the trees or the ground. "I want to talk about...it. My feelings...what's going on in my head. But its hard you know? I get all mixed up. I don't like dealing with feelings. They distract. They can kill you. But then, there's the rest of life you know? And...I don't know what to do with them? Its hard to talk about. And...you seem like a nice guy. It takes me a long time to trust somebody. Its nothing personal. I just...I don't know. I don't know why I feel like I can talk to you."

He sighed and continued, "The whole wedding was tough. For me. I was glad to be there for the Richardson's. Glad I could do that. Really. But yeah. I'm sorry Andy...it's just hard for me to...talk."

"Just don't let it all stay inside either. Believe me when I say that keeping it all bottled up doesn't help the fact that most species in the galaxy are sociable creatures. I'm here for you if you ever need to talk, but I know that I'm the newbie onboard. So, please forgive me if I'm being too forward or open or pushy," Andrinn said as he began rubbing the back of his neck and waited to see if Sam ever looked over at him.

Andrinn knew that he may or may not look, so he stopped rubbing his neck for a moment and walked over to rub Sam's shoulders. "If you ever need a friend onboard, just let me know and I'll be your man, okay?" Andrinn said before taking a few steps back.

Sam did look up at him, "Thanks man. I appreciate that. Really, I do." The sun felt good on Sam's bare skin. The cool air and the warm sunlight was refreshing. When Andrinn approached, at first, he didn't know why. Then, Andrinn touched his shoulders. Sam worked hard in the gym, mostly so that he could eat whatever the hell he wanted, but also because it relieved stress. And it was something that he could do and accomplish. So his muscled body looked good. His traps were well defined and solid. Sam's lats were meaty from years of exercise and rifle work. His delts were round and firm and his back muscles were solid. His abs, his 'cum gutters' were visible, the guy had a six-pack. His oblique muscles on either side of his abs were smooth and visible. His chest was matted with fur that was just the right amount. His belly button was an "inny" and his blond 'happy trail' disappeared into his boxers and pants.

It had been a long while since he had been touched at all in a tender way. And Andy had a touch that sent gooseflesh over his skin. Andrinn's fingertips knew how to trace each muscle and exactly where to massage and apply pressure. Sam said, "Mmm...thanks. That feels good."

Andrinn just smiled as he knew that Sam wasn't opening up and he knew that it could be a number of things. But, Andrinn was happy that he could be there for Sam if and when he needed him.

Andrinn stopped the shoulder rub and took a few steps back, thinking about a little bit of his own stuff, which caused him to go into a deep thought for a few moments. However, he caught himself before he got in too deep and just looked up at Sam with a soft smile without saying a word between them.

Sam noticed the far away look on Andrinn's face. He then realized that he had been really dumb. Really stupid and he felt embarrassed. Sam suddenly felt very self-conscious. He knew - but had forgotten - that Andrinn told him, told everyone that he was Gay. Sam was half-naked in front of him and he hadn't even thought about how that would be. He felt bad. He undid his shirt from his waist and he tried to cover his error by saying, "Well...I feel a lot cooler now. But maybe too cool you know?" He slipped into his long sleeve shirt and didn't want to make a scene. If he apologized to Andrinn; he realized he didn't even know what he was apologizing for. For being stupid? He didn't want Andrinn to find out that little fact too early.

Sam had always been a little on the touchy side about his intelligence. He knew that there were far more people smarter than him and he was fine with that. What he didn't like is when he made mistakes, or said things that illuminated to other people that he wasn't as smart. And he wanted to keep his new friend even though he knew that Andrinn would find out sooner rather than late that he was a dummy. But, until then, he could enjoy this time. He left the long-sleeved shirt untucked from his pants but he buttoned it up. He rolled the sleeves up and as he did these things he said, “We're almost a whole shadow now from far away.”

Andrinn walked back over and slipped his hand onto Sam's waist, rubbing it gently and he whispered, "No, I'm just stupid and I just didn't want to do anything that made you uncomfortable. You're freaking beautiful and I just didn't want to push anything onto you. I'm just stupid sometimes myself, if that makes sense?"

Andrinn just stood there, rubbing his hands along the waist of Sam without thinking about it much. He looked up and locked eyes with Sam, who had beautiful eyes. A little smile came across Andrinn's face as they just looked at one another.

Sam looked back at Andrinn, searching his face. Sam blushed in a most alluring way. And then an adorable smile came over him. It was gratifying and warm. It came from somewhere deep in the human heart. He had one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you may come across four or five times in life. It faced, or seemed to face, the whole external world for an instant and then concentrated on you with an irresistible prejudice in your favor. He held that gaze, that moment, that was like a drop of honey on an early fall morning. Slowly, turning it over and seeing Andrinn as a provocative, seductive and sexy man.

Then he laughed, so delightfully, just a single laugh. A deeply refreshing "Ha!". "You flatter me. And that will get you everywhere."

Andrinn couldn't help but smile back and let out a small laugh for himself. He bit his lower lip and just waited for something...anything to happen.

Touch, was it the milk of human kindness? How Sam hungered for it. He looked into those dark eyes and found them deep, yearning to be known, yearning also for connection. He lifted his hand to Aidann's face, and with his index finger, lightly traced the jaw line of his handsome face. He lightly touched the outer part of Andrinn's ear and traced all around the edge. Ending, back on the jawline and to Andrinn's dimple and then his lips. But he didn't kiss him.

Sam said, in the same quiet voice Andrinn had, "You don't make me uncomfortable. You're not stupid. There's things you don't know about me and you should know them. First. Before..." he didn't finish. The words were eluding him and simple desire and lust were taking hold. "Let's keep going? If you want? I'll tell you what I think you should know along the way?"

Shaking his head, Andrinn just smiled and replied, "Yeah, lets get out of here and head up the rest of the way. You ready?"

Andrinn took a few steps away and let Sam lead the way up the rest of the trail, as he knew where they were going.

They started up the trail again. Sam walked alongside Andrinn and was quiet at first, then he said, "Can I call you just...Andy? Andrinn sounds like...I don't know...like you're being scolded." Here he grinned broadly and handsomely, "Like, you got caught with your hand in the cookie jar or something?" he grinned.

"Yeah, you can call me Andy. Nobody has actually talked about any sort of nicknames before, so you're totally able to call me Andy," Orin replied, following up a little bit of tough terrain behind Sam.

He looked over at him, wanting to be closer to him. His strong hands and muscled arms and chest. Orin was a stud. And yes, Sam knew that he was moving too quickly.

"Andy? Do you know what it is I do? My job? But...do you know what it means?" Sam asked as they walked along the trail. San Luis Peak was an easy climb - not hard - and not too steep but had a stunning view. They were near the top now. Another ten minutes and they would be at the summit.

"Yeah, you're part of the Starfleet Marine Corps. A sniper, if I'm not mistaken. Why do you ask?" Orin asked, looking over at Sam before looking back at the area that climbed up to the summit.

As they walked, Sam said, "It can mean different things. Sometimes it means watching over the Platoon, 'overwatch'. Looking out for them. Sometimes it means scouting an area first for intel. Sometimes, it means doing a job. A job that sometimes means taking someone's life. Some people don't like that. But, and I never know when, sometimes I have to do that." There was a section here that required some climbing.

Andrinn just listened to Sam speak and could hear some of his inflections and inklings towards what he might've been aiming for. However, before Andrinn could reply to anything that Sam was saying, Andrinn realized that they were at the area that might need some extra climbing to get to the summit.

Smiling, Andrinn looked around as he watched Sam get certain gear out to help them climb up to the next little area. Andrinn got some of his own material out and the two men began climbing up to the summit. Yet, there was a part of the climb where Andrinn lost his footing and almost fell down. He was sitting there on his line when Sam came back down.

Sam offered Andy a hand up. Their eyes met again and Sam held his gaze. He helped him to his feet now that they were almost to the summit and said, "I just want you to know that sometimes I'll be gone for days, weeks...or longer. And that I don't have a choice. It's the mission." They continued walking, "But, I still want to be friends you know? I don't know how you feel about that?"

"Well, the good thing is that you're an amazing friend and I'd stay by your side, no matter where you were or how long you were away. You do know that I took the same oath that you took when you came into Starfleet? Even if it was slightly tweaked a little bit for the Marines? I want you to know that no matter what, you'll always be my friend and I don't care where you are, my dear Sam," Andrinn said with a small chuckle as they continued their way up to the summit.

Sam said, "I think you're the amazing friend."

SAN LUIS PEAK - SUMMIT 14,023 FEET (4,274M) ABOVE SEA LEVEL

The aluminum graphite sign read. There was light snow on the ground. And the rocks were shale, sharp edges grey and cold. It was August and the snow still, in the shady spots where the rock face cast a shadow, remained. It was chilly up here, but Sam seemed to love it. All around them were the other peaks. Puffy white clouds dotted the sky below them. The air was thinner up here, but no need for oxygen. They weren't that high. It was late summer and it was about high noon by the time Andy and Sam climbed up the summit. The climb was an easy one; Sam set his backpack down and pulled out two folding chairs. Little, triangular things that formed two little camp stools. Sam set the two chairs alongside one another. They faced north by northwest. The peaks ran that direction along the continental divide. He offered one of the camp stools to Andrinn and then got out some water and a protein bar, offering water and half of the bar to Andy.

They were alone on the summit and Samuel had picked the smoothest spot on which to sit and view the scenery. Sam said, "So...all that stuff we talked about on the way up here. You don't mind it? It doesn't bother you?" He turned his head and more straight in the camp stool and looked at Andy. "I guess...I'm just confused? I mean, you're a handsome guy. And you're this big, important member of the senior staff. You're the Chief Diplomatic Officer on a starship. I'm just trying to wrap my head around that. And everything feels so fast."

Staying silent as he listened to Sam, Andrinn slowly walked over to where he had set everything up and took the seat across from his traveling companion. He took the half of the protein bar and water, slowly taking everything in around them as he began to snack on everything.

Andrinn couldn't help but realize he was doing it again. He was jumping into something rather fast and Andrinn couldn't help but feel slightly stupid. Andrinn tugged at the back of his neck and began to rub it. After a few moments of awkward silence, Andrinn finally stopped rubbing his neck and looked over at Sam, saying, "Well, I feel a bit stupid. I've kind of fallen into my own trap, which is falling hard and fast for the cute guys on the ship. That's what my ex said anyways, and the ex before him to be quite honest."

Stopping for a moment and realizing he was rambling, Andrinn took a few deep, slow breathes in before continuing. "You see, you're a beautiful person and I just broke up with my ex not too long ago. I think that I've been hurting for quite some time and I've just been going from one person to the next without thinking about their feeling as well. I'm sorry if I was a bit pushy the last few days or if I seemed overly excitable. Can you forgive me?" Andrinn asked, over-pleading a case he didn't know if he needed to make or not.

Sam noticed that Andrinn kept rubbing his neck and then he realized that maybe it was sore or tight. At first he was hesitant to touch him. Not because Andy wasn't attractive. He was. Sam just didn't want to confuse Andrinn or himself further until they had this sorted out. Sam came around anyway and said, "I'm going to massage your neck and shoulders OK? I'm not....you know....copping out a free feel or nothing OK? You seem tense is all."

Andrinn just nodded and took his hand off of his neck.

"Having an 'ex' is a mixed blessing isn't it?" Sam came around and rubbed his hands together to warm them up. He warmed his fingers and then he touched the muscled shoulders of Andrinn. The guy was tense and tight. "Sit down?" he said and gently pushed Andrinn onto the camp stool. Sam had better angles now to massage. He started along Andy's neck. The thick muscles along either side and like he was massaging dough for making bread, he worked Andrinn's tension out. Pressing firmly in some places and in others kneading the tissue until it was warm and relaxed. While he worked Sam joked and said, "OK, maybe I will cop a feel." He chuckled to relieve the tension.

Sam said, "I don't think you're stupid Andy. I'm just struggling to figure things out for myself too. I'm not good with my feelings. I feel so stupid when I talk about them. I don't know how to connect with them. Like right now, I don't know what to do. I think you're a good guy. And I can tell that you have a heart of gold. You're a good friend to a lot of people. You're good at your job or you wouldn't be here. But, I'm trying to figure you out man. And the only frame of reference is when I had...encounters...lets call them, with gay guys before. I like sex and I like having sex. It feels really good and that's usually all they want....I mean.....usually that's all we both want. So...the feeling is mutual and we're adults and we do what we want and y'know....it happens and when we're done its over. There isn't any more and we go our separate ways and that works. I'm just trying to figure out if that's what's going on here?"

"Have you ever done anything more with guys than just sex? Have you ever dated a guy before? What sorts of things have you done? How would you identify yourself?" Andrinn said, trying to pry into Sam's psyche a little bit more because Andrinn was trying to figure out more about Sam as well. He was an intriguing mind and person, and a good looking gentleman to boot.

Sam continued to massage Andrinn. The guy was a stud. Sam hadn't seen him in the gym so he wondered how the heck the guy was so buff n' studly.
"No, not really. I've been approached by gay guys in bars before. Sometimes a gay marine but I don't date those in my command. Its a conflict and I won't do that."

"I'm just trying to understand. I would like more too. I don't know that I'm gay. I don't mind it and fuck, I don't care what other people think. It's our own business what we do together or what people do in the bedroom. But, if you'll hear me out, I think you are more than just a one-night stand. I think? I'm trying to understand Andrinn. Handsome guys like you just don't come up and talk to guys like me. And....maybe I am gay? Maybe I'm bi-sexual? I like sex with girls too. They look pretty and smell nice. And....I guess this might as well come out now." He hesitated, "I'm not that smart. And I know it. I failed a couple of classes and the Marines were more....accommodating. Plus, I am good at shooting shit and that's what they needed. I just...maybe I am stupid and dumb. But I hate it when smart people point that out to my face. Usually, nobody stays around long enough to find out. One person did. My fiancé..."

"Your finance? Is this finance still around? God, if they are, I'm fucking stupid. See, I told you that I was dumb. Please tell me that I didn't do anything to split you guys up or that I'm didn't push you to do something," Andrinn said as he felt the other man's hands on his shoulders shift slightly. Andrinn was the type of person who couldn't take a hint sometimes, albeit earlier with Adele.

Sam stopped the massage but he didn't take his hands off of Andrinn. "Hey? Relax. She was killed nine months ago now. Maybe longer. Andy? I loved her. I was going to be discharged from the marines. Y'know? I was done. I wanted out. Emily, that's her name, Emily didn't want me to keep doing this job. And...she might have even been pregnant with our child? I don't know. She was coming to meet me at Titan and I was going to surprise her with my discharge all done. Then I figured we get married. But, that's not going to happen. She wanted to tell me something. I think it was a baby...but I'm not sure." Sam resumed the massage.

However, Andrinn was the type of guy that would jump into stuff like relationships and sex, as he mentioned earlier with Sam. He just felt like an idiot and while Sam said otherwise, Andrinn had a tough time believing it. So, Andrinn was hoping that he didn't do anything to step in between two people and their relationship.

Sam asked Andrinn to relax his neck some more by leaning back into Sam. "I'm...lonely too man. So, I get it. This is a big ship. And...you can be surrounded by people all day long. And still be the loneliest person in the room. I get it. I do. It sucks. I hate it. I feel like...I want to get to know you more than just for a quick lay or even just...fuck buddies. I think I want more. You say you don't mind dating a marine? Are you sure?"

"I've actually dated some Starfleet Marines before....back when it was the United Earth MACOs...I've actually dated a guy that was onboard the NX-06 Endeavor while Earth and the Romulans were fighting back in the 22nd century. So, I'm not opposed to dating a Marine, even in times of war," Andrinn said as he relaxed into Sam's hands as he worked his magic.

Sam gently turned Andrinn's head to the left and massaged the large, thick neck muscle. His fingers didn't press too firmly, he was very gentle. From Andy's collarbone all the way up to just behind his ear, Sam massaged. He could feel the tension start to fade. Gently turning Andy's head to the right, Sam massaged the other side of his neck in the same way. Not rushing through anything, he centered Andrinn's head and from the front massaged his traps and up to his temples. There, Sam gently, in small circles, massaged Andrinn's head and face. Moving from the sides of his head and down to his jaw. Sam massaged his jaw muscles which were tense too. Sam ended up lightly touching the front part of Andrinn's neck and throat area. Lightly he ran his fingers over his neck and back up to Andy's face and then his scalp.

Emily used to have that magic tough when she would touch Sam. And he remembered how much he loved that. He was trying to do the same for someone else. Andy was trying to be kind and thoughtful. And Sam recognized that this must be awkward for him too. Andy laid out his feelings and his intentions pretty clearly. Samuel found it difficult to do the same. And then he realized that he too was making mistakes from the past. He never told Emily, in one sitting, how he felt. She was kind enough to fill in the blanks. He was making the same mistakes again. By not revealing his feelings.

"Well...Andy...there is a long list of guys and girls that can tell you how much I suck at dating. I don't know what to say, or when to say it. If you want to give it a try then...yeah...I would too." Andrinn had thick, straight brown hair. Sam gently brushed it out of his eyes, back behind is ears. "Feel any better?"

Andrinn pulled Sam in behind him and wrapped his hands around Sam's broad arms as he thought about what to say next. As he took a deep breath in, Andrinn replied, "Well, can I tell you a secret. There's a long list of people I've dated that can say the same thing. While they might be guys, they can tell you that I absolutely suck at dating. It just sucks sometimes."

Sam nodded and they just sat there a bit. Enjoying the view of the mountains. Sam pointed out a few of the peaks he recognized. Some of the other "14'ers". They sat and talked for over an hour. Sam liked his company and he gradually more and more comfortable. Until, that smile of his, was back. And he reached for Andy's hand, "I know a place where we could go. Be...more private than the mountain top? It'll be a little warmer too. I've got the tent an a big enough sleeping bag. We can get there in a couple hours? Setup camp, you can see what MRE's taste like? Then we can build a campfire and lay out under the stars. How's that sound?"

Andrinn smiled as he replied, "That would be amazing! Lead the way, kind soldier!"

The two men began walking towards the campsite, where the two men would spend the night. Andrinn let Sam lead the way because he knew where they were going and Andrinn didn't. Andrinn was looking around at the various mountain tops, the vegetation and flowers that dotted the walkways, which had to be hardy because of how high up it was and the snow that laid on the ground in the shadows.

As they were walking towards their campsite, Andrinn said, "Well, I'm glad that you took us out on this hike and day out. It has been fun already!"

Same nodded and smiled, "For me too. Getting out of all of the tech...the filtered air, the replicators, the artificial light; it helps me feel better. So, this has been a good hike. A good day. Thank you for being a part of it." Sam reached out for Andy's hand and squeezed it as they walked a bit. In another hour they reached their campsite for the night.

DUTCH CREEK - WESTERN CANYON OF SAN LUIS PEAK

Samuel didn't quite have enough for two persons. Almost, but not quite. The camp stools were fine, there was just one tent. It was big enough for two though. And one sleeping bag and pillow. But, together, they made camp. Clearing a spot on the ground for a tent, gathering some wood for kindling and a small, carefully crafted fire, they made camp. Sam shared everything he had brought. MRE's (meal-ready-to-eat), a french coffee press and ground coffee. Sam found water in the creek and even though it was crystal clear, he purified it by boiling it and then adding a purification tab. Dissolved in the water and theh poured into a canteen with a filter, the water was made drinkable. Here up in the mountains, there probably wasn't a worry. But better safe than sorry. And Sam was rather a boy scout.

"How's this?" Sam asked Andy when he returned from gathering wood and kindling. Sam indicated to the tent. Inside, there was a battery powered lamp. He had used a camping mat and then the bag that the tent came in as a cushion under the tent.

Andrinn began helping clear the area around the campsite, where the two men would sleep for the evening. Andrinn smiled as him and Sam were clearing out the site and began pitching up the tent. As he heard Sam ask if everything around the campsite was alright, Andrinn's smile grew and replied, "Yeah, it looks great. I'm assuming this is how it's all supposed to look, as I'm going on your perfect setup instructions. How does it look for you?"

Sam, who as on his knees securing a line, got up and came over and looked at what Andy had done. He tested it by pulling on a peg and then another and they held fast. Sam nodded, "That's good. Nice and secure. You've got a good fire started. And it'll be dark soon. We'll be good here for the night. Want some coffee? I've got some MRE's we can eat. Lotta people don't like the taste, but they have everything you need. And I kinda like the taste. We can eat and then...if you want...just talk...look at the stars...see if we can spot the Elysium in orbit?" He said very satisfied.

"That....that sounds like fun...." Andrinn replied as he felt his cheeks starting to blush. He was glad that it was slowly getting dark and he could blame the blushing on the way the sun was hitting his cheeks and his mixed blood. He offered up his cup for some coffee and said, "Well, I've had worse than the MRE's that Starfleet sends out. You haven't had anything until you've had some of the old rations that Trill used to send out with their marines way back in the day. Now.....those things were disgusting."

Sam sniggered a laugh and smiled. He looked at Andrinn and was happy. And for the first time since Emily was killed, he wasn't haunted by loneliness. It was such a strange thing too. Loneliness. Because when Sam had to do an OP he would be on his own for days, weeks and sometimes months; he had been trained for that. He was good with that. But something about just knowing that someone 'out there' was his 'other half'; for some reason that was important. It cost mental energy thinking about it. The counselors, the mental health professionals said it was 'human' to want connection. and 'no man is an island'. Sam reached for the camping coffee pot and then for two collapsible mugs, He poured some nice coffee that smelled wonderful into the mugs and offered one to Andrinn. "Yeah, I hear you. Sometimes, you just have to eat whatever it is whether it tastes edible or not."

"Yeah, food is food, but sometimes, it's just not right," Andrinn said with a few stifled laughs himself and a few chuckles.

Sam fished into his camp pack and pulled out a few brown MRE's, "Let's see...chili. We have pot roast, meatloaf. Lasagna and chicken bake." He said smiling as he sat next to Andy by the fire.

"Surprise me," Andrinn said as he took a few sips of the coffee that Sam poured for him.

Sam's eyes narrowed as he tried to guess which one Andrinn would like. Of the choices in his hands, the meatloaf and the chicken bake were the safest. Sam said, "Meatloaf?" and offered it to Andrinn.

It was pleasantly warm tonight. The sunset in the west was visible from Dutch Creek and their campsite. The creek gently flowed into a large pool here. Surrounded by logs and large, rough stones, big enough to sit on. The water would be cool, but not freezing. Sam said, "Before we eat, do you want to take a dip in the pool? I feel a little sweaty and grimey. We can set these just on the edge of the coals and they'll soften and warm up."

Andrinn smiled and pointed to the creek. "Were you thinking we could go swimming over there?" Andrinn replied with a cheesy smirk on his face.

"Yeah. Why not? This camp is off the beaten path, I've been here a few times, by myself. With Emily...we never had unexpected guests. Other than the deer? You know what they say, it's bad to go in the water right after eating."

Andrinn rubbed his own stomach and laughed before saying, "What? Afraid of a few cramps or something? Also, tag. You're it!" Andrinn tapped Sam on the shoulder before running towards the encampment and the river that was nearby.

The fire was very low, the camp was safe. Andy took off running down the slight hill towards the river. Sam jumped up to follow him. Catching him at the water's edge. He grasped his shirt, pulled him closer. "What are we doing?" Sam said, "I feel...a connection with you. I don't know why? I feel...out of control. But I like it." Sam kissed him. Then, with a grin on his face, stepped back and unbuttoned his shirt.


=== SNIP === Director's Cut === ===Director's Cut === SNIP


The next morning, after camp was cleared, the fire fully out. The little bit of trash collected and the area returned to the way they found it, the guys packed their gear and left. The next two hours was sightseeing on the way down and back to where they started. They both beamed up to the ship together.

[OFF:]

Consul Andrinn Orinn
Signed off by Woolheater

&

Captain Samuel Woolheater
1st Platoon CO