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((Set this last Friday, this weekend))

With another glance at the weather forcast Pat tucked the last of the camping gear into his truck. He was worried that the predicted clearing of the persistent rain wouldn’t actually hold unlike this trip. They were saying there was actually going to be a heat wave but after the last several weeks he wasn’t entirely sure that would actually happen. Come rain or shine Fi and him would be out in the local state park enjoying nature and hopefully each other but he wasn’t a complete teenage boy where he only thought with what was in his pants. Pat knew that if the weather turned its fickle back on them their weekend would be ruined. No matter how romantic old movies made it seem being stuck in a small space while it was pouring down was only sexy when the small space was somewhere safe. Being trapped in a tent in a forest during a variable monsoon was not even remotely safe as far as the tall redhead was concerned. Even if all it did was rain lightly he wasn’t looking forward to spending the weekend soaked. It had taken too long to plan this particular get away for the weather to tank it. Between their jobs and their jobs it was just too damn hard to do real boyfriend-girlfriend things let alone going away for any stretch of time so this trip really was special to him and he truly was worried about how it would turn out. It was their first weekend away and his suggestion they go camping so he really didn’t want the weather to turn on them, causing them to pack up and go back home. It would just ******** suck if that happened.

Apparently his luck was holding for the time being since just about every weather station he could Google predicted clear skys; a heat wave with scattered showers ‘if they were lucky’. The showers would break the oppressive heat but even that is long shot. Not the best weather but better than flooding and storms, besides it wasn’t like they could change the date of the trip that easily. They both had jobs that made such moves impossible and with all the other obligations they had to dance around with it wasn’t going to happen, ever. One last check to make sure there wasn’t even a ‘if hell freezes over’ item missing from the stash of stuff under the heavy canvas tarp in the truck bed Pat closed the tailgate and climbed into the vehicle. It was past time to get the show on the road and first stop was Fiona’s place.

Couldn’t go on a romantic weekend without his girlfriend. Even as he turned the key in the ignition he once more made a wish to the universe in general, please, please, please let the weather hold. Spending a weekend trapped in a small space with the beautiful redhead wasn’t a bad thing, in fact it was probably on the top of his list of enjoyable times, but in a tent with rain would make what should be a romantic and fun weekend much less so. Besides he wanted to snuggle next to her in front of a campfire as they watched the stars drift overhead. It would be hard to do that if it was raining… or getting eaten by mosquitos. He did pack bug spray right?

Pat didn’t even waste any time after he parked the truck, he was out of the vehicle and walking towards Fiona as she settled against her door frame. As much as he wanted to nudge her inside and ‘persuade’ her to skip camping altogether he stopped right in front of her instead. With exaggerated care he caresses her cheek before cradling her head as he captured her lips with his own.

He didn’t touch her at any other point besides his one hand and his lips, even the kiss was surprisingly chaste as kisses went but that didn’t mean he didn’t put his all into it. All of his feelings, all of his desires, all of it. Finally after what was probably eons but was probably only a few moments Pat pulled away from the kiss to smile at Fi. “Hello Goddess.” His smile shifted to more of a smirk as he ‘corrected’ himself, “I mean ‘Hello gorgeous.’” The cheeky grin stayed on his face as he drifted away just a bit, “you ready to go or do you want some help packing?”

As much as he wanted to add ‘or unpacking’ to that question he didn’t. Days off together were rare enough that spending it on more carnal desires, while excessively enjoyable, wouldn’t be very kind. He wanted to show her a good time, be it dinner or movies or camping, not necessarily staying inside all the time.

It took him a moment to really understand what Fi had said because his first knee jerk response was ‘going inside’ rather than heading to the state park camping ground. “Oh, um… right,” He had to mentally yank his brain back on track after Fiona pulled him down for another kiss, a kiss that really made him wish that they were heading back inside. Once he made that mental switch it didn’t take long at all before he was securing her bag in the truck bed along with everything else before climbing into the vehicle himself. “So I got us a campground fairly close to the parking lot so we won’t have to hoof all the stuff very far. The place I really want to show you is a few hours hike into the park so I figure we get there and set up today then hike to the spot tomorrow.” He presented his plan as he pulled out of the driveway and started on their way.

“That work for you?” Honestly if Fi decided that they needed to camp further in or where ever Pat wasn’t too concerned. The camping spots might be a bit sparse but it shouldn’t be impossible to snag a different one, especially if she wanted to go further into the state park since most ‘campers’ don't really stray from the parking lot. He mostly just wanted to show her this beautiful clearing he had found that edged down to a small river that meandered through the park. There was a much larger clearing that one of the ranger’s had suggested a while back that he would love to take her too but it was at least a day’s hike in and this trip just wasn’t long enough to accommodate it.

Pat tossed her a grin and twined his fingers through hers, “I know.” He absently kissed the back of her hand as he focused on minovering them out of the city. “Your one of the strongest people I know. A little dirt and bugs won't be a problem at all.” He had to let Fi’s hand go as they merged onto the highway but as soon as they were free of the city traffic and well on their way to the state park, he absently sought out the physical connection once more. The drive wasn’t terribly long and it turned rather scenic once they were out of the heavily populated areas, it honestly made him wonder why they didn’t just drive like this more often. There was at least one lake well within ‘day trip’ standards of the city, maybe next time they could go up and see about renting a rowboat or something.

“If we ever both get more time we should see about going out west remind me to take you too Yellowstone National Park. I think you would love it.” There were also the smithsonians on their side of the country, just several hours away in the capital. It would almost be an extension of their first date since they met at the Destiny City museum. “It’s almost shocking to think it's been nearly three since that blind date.” He glanced over at her and grinned, “I definitely got the best ‘reward’ from that bet.” Who would have thought that losing a superbowl bet would have landed him at a blind date event… and with a girl he was crazy about.

“I didn’t mean it that way,” Pat winced Fi’s comment though it didn’t seem that she took offence to it since she gave him a kiss and also was glad they ended up on the blind date. “I’m glad too and you don’t have to rush to find someone. I would love more time with you, no doubt about it, but I don’t want you to stress yourself over it.” Pat shot her a glance before focusing on the road once more. His job wasn’t exactly one that gave him a lot of free time either. That's what made their time together so special.

“I can’t wait till we get to the state park, it will be great to spend the entire weekend without dealing with the city at all.” No work, no magic, no worries. Just them. Together.