by Bruce
---
Warning: This story presents two men in a romantic relationship. Read no
further if that offends you.
Archive: Permission is happily granted to Paris/Kim Slash Fic and PKElite
to archive this story. Other friendly folks may save a copy for their
individual enjoyment. Please do not archive elsewhere, nor repost without
permission from the author. Thank you.
Disclaimer: Paris & Kim and all things Star Trek belong to Paramount,
I don't make money on this stuff, and it's not meant as an
infringement on Viacom's copyrights.
Author's note: This just came to me today. It's two men joyfully
spending time together. I hope you'll find it a pleasant read.
Feedback: Constructive criticism and comments are welcome.
© 2/29/2000
---
The wind was exhilarating. It blew through Harry's dark hair, making
his scalp tingle and his face feel tight. The smell of fresh earth and
green pastureland filled his nostrils. The yellow sun warmed the air,
driving the few whipped-cream clouds across the sky.
Harry sang - or, rather, shouted - along with the radio. "Get your
motor running. . . head out on the highway. . ."
Tom joined in, matching Harry's volume. "Lookin' for
adventure. . . in whatever comes our way...." Tom engaged the clutch
and shifted into fourth gear. The Camaro sped down the asphalt road, the
wheat field becoming a blur in the windows.
For the last half hour, Lieutenant Paris had been instructing Ensign Kim
in the finer points of driving a 20th century automobile. He'd shown
his friend both the fun and the important parts, in particular how to use
a manual transmission car, steering, and basic maneuvering. Driving a car
was different from piloting a shuttle or starship.
Tom negotiated a turn to the left, and he and Harry slid a few centimeters
across the black leather bucket seats. Both were secured as well as
1960's lap belts could do. Harry grabbed the "oh, no" handle
above his door and grinned. Tom was obviously having a good time as the
road straightened out into a long stretch with no one else to be seen.
A dark line low to the ground and a regiment of telegraph poles seemed to
swoop in parallel to the them. Moments later, they were catching up to
something red.
"What's that?" asked Harry over the din of the motor, the
wind, and the road.
"One of the great joys of driving," shouted Tom, "is the
thrill of the chase. We're going to catch us a train!"
Harry shook his head, partly in acknowledgement of his friend's
enthusiasm, and partly because of the speed they were now doing - 85 miles
per hour, according to the speedometer. Vibrations were transferred from
the car to their bodies through the seats and their shoes.
Tom continued to accelerate, and after a few minutes they were pulling
alongside the caboose. The brakeman in the cupola looked down at the two
men in the car pacing his train. He smiled and waved. Harry became like a
kid, waving energetically, squirming in his seat to lean out the window.
Tom worried for a moment about the holodeck safety protocols, but he had
designed the driving program without many signs or other obstructions. His
glance traveled from the car's gauges to the road, to the mirrors, to
the road, and to his friend's back. Tom didn't know how Harry
could keep his eyes open in the incredible wind, but somehow he did. He
laughed to himself - if Harry stuck out his tongue, he'd be like an
overgrown puppy thrilled to be going for a ride. Tom gently grabbed
Harry's belt and the back of his jeans to pull him safely back into
the car. Harry didn't seem to notice; he continued to take in the
sensations.
The ca-lick ca-lack of the steel wheels of the train bumping over the
seams in the rails could barely be heard over the other sounds as the
Camaro began to pull ahead, passing boxcars and tank cars of varied
colors. Harry could see and smell the smoke in the air as they came closer
to the locomotive. He felt Tom tap his leg to get his attention. Harry
pulled his head back into the car and leaned over to listen.
"When we're even with the engine, do this," Tom instructed,
holding his right arm in an upright "L" shape and pumping it up
and down. Harry nodded and went back to the window. He could see the
driving rods and massive wheels through the steam exhaust. Within moments,
Harry was gesturing to the smiling fireman in the locomotive cab. The
fireman waved back and yelled something to the engineer. Moments later,
the train whistle was screaming across the countryside. Harry whooped and
thrust his fists in the air. Tom grinned again - beneath the billowing
white shirt, even Harry's back looked happy.
The road veered away from the tracks, and Tom slowed the car. Harry
plopped back onto his seat and excitedly turned to his friend. "That
was great! Now what?" They turned onto an unpaved road, and after
another minute's drive, Tom stopped the car at a set of crossbucks. A
wisp of smoke could just be made out, approaching over the rise.
Harry unbuckled, threw open the car door, and ran to the tracks.
"Hey, Har,be careful!" Harry's eyes were focused on where
the track vanished into the horizon, but he waved to Tom that he was okay.
He stopped into the ditch, one foot resting on the rocks of the track
ballast. When Tom was satisfied that Harry was safe, he relaxed. Stepping
out of the car, Tom pulled his T-shirt up and over his head, walked around
the front and sat on the hood, one foot hooked on the chrome bumper. The
sun felt warm on his bare chest and shoulders.
The headlight appeared, then the thick plume of black smoke and white
steam. With amazing suddenness, the train was roaring toward them, the
noise growing louder with each second. The whistle blasted a warning, and
Harry waved in acknowledgment. As Tom looked on, Harry was swallowed in
the smoke and steam for a moment, the engine thundering as it passed.
When the air cleared, Harry was transfixed, watching the train pass and then
recede. Tom was transfixed by the vision of Harry. He'd never seen him
have so much fun. When the caboose finally disappeared, Harry ran over to
Tom.
"Wow! That was incredible!" Harry was almost breathless. He
hopped onto the hood and slid next to Tom. "This has been a great
day. Thank you." Harry put an arm around his friend's shoulders
and looked across the green and gold fields. They sat there for several
minutes, enjoying the moment and being alone and together.
Soon, the shadows of late afternoon began to appear. "Well, Har, are
you ready to take her for a spin?" Tom asked, gesturing with a thumb
to the car.
Harry's response was to scramble into the driver's seat.
His first attempt resulted in a lurch that threw him and Tom violently
back against the seats. Harry smiled sheepishly and tried again. This
time, he was successful. Making a slow, wide turn, Harry steered the car
onto the highway again. Tom was impressed with how quickly Harry became
comfortable with driving a stick shift.
"It's like a dance," he explained to Tom as he accelerated
down the highway. "When the motor hits a high note, step on the
clutch and shift," Harry explained as he did exactly that.
Tom coached him some more on steering. "A car's different from a
ship. You have to make minute adjustments in the steering wheel due to
variations in the road and the alignment of the wheels. You can't just
point the car in the right direction and hold the wheel still."
Harry practiced his driving for several more miles, getting better with
each, while Tom took care of tuning the radio. The sky turned orange in
the west, and the clouds took on pink and gold highlights. Speeding along
the highway, the terrain gradually changed to rolling hills, then steeper
foothills. Tom directed Harry to a turn-off. Harry slowed the Camaro, and
pulled to a stop at a scenic overlook. Tom retrieved a picnic basket from
the trunk while Harry spread a blanket on the ground. They sat, nibbled on
cheese, crackers and fruit and sipped wine, saying very little, but taking
in the spectacular view. The Mamas and the Papas played quietly over the
radio:
"Each night before you go to bed, my baby. . ."
As the sun set, the temperature dropped. Tom pulled his T-shirt back on.
When he saw Harry shiver, he put his arm around his friend. Nuzzling his
ear, he whispered, "There's something else I need to show you
about automobile operations."
Harry looked up at his friend, puzzled.
"One of the other great joys of owning a car," explained Tom,
"is exploring the possibilities of the back seat."
Harry smirked, then elbowed Tom in the chest. "That sounds like a
nice end to a great day." Harry stood, held out his hand, and helped
Tom to his feet. With thirty minutes left in their holodeck session, they
piled into the back of the Camaro. It wasn't long before the windows
had fogged.
---
End
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