On the beach - [Risa Day 4] - [Kirk, Nance, Spot (open)]

[original_fine]

[OOC - Anyone want a crack at him? I don't know who-all's free.]

Sometime after their conversation and nap, Spock had asked Jim and McCoy for the use of the cabin, and they'd complied. Part of him wanted to be there, desperately interested in both the subject covered and in seeing their counterparts, both of whom he had a considerable emotional

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[rn_chapel]

Armed with a towel, her swimsuit, and a trashy novel, Chapel picked her way across the sand until she found a nice spot where she could enjoy a pleasant view of the ocean. And any other pleasant view that might be on offer.

[original_fine]

[[OOC - Good work. Way to take the initiative!]]

The credits he'd "earned" on board the Enterprise (by the other Jim's good graces, and one had to wonder, some subterfuge) were more than enough to procure him a bathing suit. Which Jim took full advantage of when he finally had some free time.

He'd just had a refreshing dip in the ocean. It was odd, being this free, this out of uniform, this alone. Of course he was never alone; there was a constant tingle in his mind, the bond to Bones and Spock he was still adjusting to. At times it became distracting, confusing. But most of the time, it just felt like... togetherness. Like not being lonely. So far, he hadn't felt spied upon.

Though he might have been forgiven for that feeling, given how many eyes lingered as he emerged from the waves, golden and dripping and happy.

[rn_chapel]

The heroine and hero in the novel were having a fight because neither of them was willing to just talk about their problems. Chapel always found this stage in the trashy novel formula a little frustrating. Though the eventual make-up sex scene was usually worth it.

She set the book down and looked up, catching sight of a man emerging from the water who looked strangely familiar, though she couldn't quite place him.

Oh, of course - it was the other James Kirk.

When he turned in her direction, she smiled and waved cheerfully.

[original_fine]

Kirk grinned and waved, jogging over. He looked slightly younger without his clothes on, without the mantle of command. He was careful not to drip on her as he came to a stop.

"Enjoying shore leave?" he asked. If he knew Christine Chapel at all, she'd have had a hard time just relaxing.

[rn_chapel]

"Trying to," she said. "I ended up working a little bit, despite my best intentions. How about yourself?"

[original_fine]

He gestured towards the water. "Finally getting to enjoy it," he said. "But it's been relaxing, overall. Glad you're doing something recreational. But I'm interrupting."

[rn_chapel]

"Oh, no. I was taking a break from my book. When you want to grab the protagonists by the shoulders and shake them, it's usually time to do something else for a bit." She stretched, the joints of her neck and shoulders crackling audibly. "Though I think I might be about ready to enjoy a swim. How's the water?"

[original_fine]

Jim glanced at the book; he didn't recognize the title, but it looked like something he wasn't going to be familiar with.

"Beautiful," he said. "The perfect temperature, always." He paused, watching her for a moment. "Care to join me?"

It could mean anything or nothing; Jim would be equally at home with an invitation to beach volleyball or a beach group orgy, depending on what was likely to give the most delight.

[rn_chapel]

Chapel stood up and untied the cover-up she had been wearing over her bikini. "That sounds great. Though I should tell you, it's been a long time since I last went swimming - I'm probably just going to splash around in the shallows."

[original_fine]

Kirk grinned. It was strange, contemplating swimming with a younger version of one's head nurse, but not unpleasant. Especially considering the bikini.

"I'll take care of you," he assured her. "But the shallows are just fine." Instinctively, he held out his hand as he turned back towards the water.

[rn_chapel]

Chapel hesitated a moment. It was one thing to go swimming, but holding hands with the alternate universe double of one's commanding officer seemed like a breach of protocol somehow. Not that she could imagine that there was any kind of regulation covering such a situation.

Oh, whatever, she thought. We're on Risa.

She slipped her hand into his and followed him to the waterline.

[original_fine]

There were many degrees to hand-holding everything from helping a lady into a transport to the abandon of lovers swinging each other through public streets. This was more towards the former, a spontaneous gesture of the sort Jim made often without even thinking.

His exuberance carrying them along, he jogged to the water, entering with a splash and letting go to wade even further, beckoning to Christine.

[rn_chapel]

Laughing, Chapel splashed after him. The water was perfect. Just cool enough to be refreshing after relaxing in the sun, but not cold enough to cause a chill.

"This is gorgeous!" she said. "I didn't realize how much I missed the ocean."

[original_fine]

Jim laughed back. "I forget how much I miss shore leave," he said. So wrapped up in his work, his crew... not lately, no, but when was the last time he'd just... gone to the beach?

"Do you miss it? The... the land I, guess," he said.

[rn_chapel]

"I miss Earth sometimes. But I joined Starfleet in the first place to get off-planet and as far away as I could, at least for a while. I don't regret leaving."

[original_fine]

Jim didn't press any further--he wondered if Korby was involved, but that wasn't any of his business. This was the beach, and it was time for fun.

"Do you miss this?" he asked, and, without warning, splashed her.