The BLTS Archive- Runaway by Trexphile (trxphile@cox.net) --- DISCLAIMER: The characters belong to Paramount, the lyrics belong to The Corrs, and the story is mine. December 1997 --- The transporter room was quiet. Even the transporter chief was gone, having followed the rest of the crew down to the surface. Picard stood and stared at the platform. The doors whooshed open and he turned expectantly. Beverly smiled at him as she crossed to the platform, stopping close to him. She was wearing civilian clothes, packed and prepared for shore leave. "Well," he said simply. "Well," she echoed back, smiling. "Are you ready?" She didn't reply, just patted the bag that rested against her hip. He looked at her for a long moment, ready to say it, knowing he never would. She raised an eyebrow, waiting. He turned away and moved to stand behind the transporter panel. She watched him as he adjusted the controls, then shifted the shoulder bag slightly and stepped up onto the platform. "Ready?" he asked. She nodded solemnly, her eyes a plea. He bent his head, unable to look at her anymore. "Energizing," he whispered and began the procedure. "Jean-Luc!" He paused, his heart stuttering at the sound of her voice. He looked up. She stepped down and walked to him, her hand outstretched. "Please. Come with me." He took her hand, clasping it over the gently glowing readouts of the panel. He smiled into her shining eyes. --- "Close the door." He did as she requested. His gaze scanned the room, taking it all in -- the ancient furnishings, the dark wood, the flowers, the unlit fireplace, the candles. The candles were everywhere, each one lit, creating its own little altar. The effect was magical, transporting them even farther from their century, farther from reality. He stepped farther into the room, searching for her. He saw a movement in the flickering light and her arm emerged, beckoning. He approached the wingbacked chair, slowly, illogically afraid that she would disappear into the shadows again and never return. He reached for her hand and sighed at its solidity, its warmth. He kneeled before her as he entwined her fingers in his. She reached out and touched his cheek, then brought his hand up to her lips and kissed it lightly. He closed his eyes, the soft touch of her lips bringing all his long suppressed emotions out in a warm rush. His fingers moved up along the slope of her cheek and her breathy sigh surged through him. She released his hand and, placing both hands on his shoulders, flowed from the chair to kneel with him, her body against his, her hands moving to his face. His hands found her waist, fitting perfectly, so naturally, against the curve of her hips. She leaned in and as her lips touched his, he knew that it had finally happened -- that now there was no turning back, that from this point on their lives would be forever changed. The kiss was sweet, heavy with promise. She pulled away just enough to whisper against his ear. "Make love to me, Jean-Luc." He pulled her down gently onto the handwoven rug before the cool hearth, the candlelight blessing them as it caressed their bodies. Above them the stars patiently awaited their return. --- He bent his head, unable to look at her anymore. "Energizing," he whispered and began the procedure. He finally brought his head up when the room quieted again. He stared at the spot on the platform where she had been, the bareness of it echoing the emptiness of his heart. He set the controls on the panel for a different destination, retrieved his bag and stepped onto the platform. --- The End --- Say it's true - there's nothing like me and you. You're not alone - tell me you feel it too. And I would run away, I would run away, yeah. I would run away I would run away with you. 'Cause I have fallen in love with you No never, I'm never gonna stop falling in love with you. Close the door. Lay down upon the floor. And by candlelight make love to me through the night. 'Cause I have run away I have run away, yeah I have run away I have run away with you. 'Cause I have fallen in love with you No never, I'm never gonna stop falling in love with you. And I would run away I would run away, yeah I would run away I would run away with you .... -- words and music by The Corrs ---