May I have this dance?

Posted on Mon Apr 15th, 2024 @ 2:58am by Lieutenant JG Malcom Beckett M.D. & Lieutenant Eirly Andersen

1,479 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: The Menagerie: side stories & mischief making
Location: Paddy's Lounge (Ten-Forward)
Timeline: Following on from First Contact Day Party Part 2

Following on from First Contact Day Party Part 2

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Malcolm turned to Eirly, "What counted for fun at your old posting?"

"It really depended on what you were into as to what was available." Eirly nodded and consumed the last of her drink, which wasn't much. "I personally preferred the holodeck programs that were adventure based, otherwise there were a couple of dance parties, similar to this one."

"I haven't found many starships differ so much from one another really then. So did I hear you like to dance then?" Malcolm asked.

"You may have heard right..." Eirly said with a grin, "I love it. Been doing it for over half my life now... Did you want to go out dancing or something?" It was an innocent question, nothing behind it of note.

"Well, I was going to make you an offer, but now you've gone and intimidated me. I know some social dances, but I'm not winning any awards," Malcolm said giving Eirly a playful wink.

"I'd actually really like that, if you're serious and keen?" She replied with a smile and could feel the blush rising in her cheeks. "I didn't mean to intimidate you like that, and the night is still young too,"

As the music changed to a slower melody, Malcolm extended a hand to Eirly, "May I then?" he asked.

"Of course," She was still smiling as she gave her hand to him and they walked out onto the dance floor, her letting him lead. The music was a timeless classic that she was familiar with so she wouldn't be stepping on his toes at all.

"My mother made me take lessons when I was a lad," Malcolm confessed. "I didn't really learn to appreciate it until I got to high school and learned that it impressed the girls at dances. I still haven't told her that though," Malcolm confessed, a twinkle of laughter in his eye, before he sent Eirly out for a turn.

Eirly laughed as she came back in and said with a grin, "Did you manage to get the girl with it though?" She appreciated someone who took the time to learn a new skill. "Your mother sounds like a great woman so far."

"I'm sure it got me a date or two, nothing too serious. I was a 16 year old boy, going to Starfleet. Couldn't be tyin' myself down or anything." Malcolm told the story with a playful air. "What about you? How did you start dancing?"

Another laugh came from Eirly as she continued to dance with him, "My mother was the one who got me into ballet first, but she didn't mind if I didn't like it or wanted to do something else." Another spin followed before she had her hand back on his shoulder, "The dancer look was always a bonus but it never got the dates, surprisingly."

"They probably just knew that you were out of their league," Malcolm offered.

"Oh stop it," Eirly blushed in response, "Maybe. But the guys I fancied always happened to know my brother and he said no."

Malcolm decided it was a good time to show off a little something he learned back in the day, and sent her behind his back for a series of step turns. When he had her back in his arms again, "So you have a protective brother then. A menacing type?"

She found that impressive and smiled wide while remembering the footwork that went with the turns. Okay, maybe she had underestimated him, "Nah, not in the slightest. Kas is a sweetheart generally but can pack a punch when needed. If you like me, then you'll definitely like him." Eirly wasn't going to tell Malcolm exactly how much alike they were, "He's a Medical Officer too. Do you have any siblings?"

"Aye, my baby sister is just finishing up at Starfleet Medical this year. I guess I was a poor influence on her," Malcolm joked.

"Seems like we can't escape it then, huh, having siblings in the Medical department." Eirly laughed again. "Actually, I say that and my other two brothers are Security and Engineering too."

"Did your other two brothers like to run off the boys that you liked as well?" Malcom teased.

"Haha nah, they didn't care." Eirly shrugged, "As long as whoever it was treated me right, they were fine with them." The song picked up tempo a little bit and she adjusted accordingly. "Does your sister get along with your girlfriends?"

"She's four years younger. Anyone who'd let her tag along she was alright with," he said laughing. "Annoyed me back then, but I enjoy teasing her about it now."

Eirly smiled, "I always wanted a little sister to be friends with... I'm guessing there's no Mrs. Beckett in the picture then?" She smirked at him, hoping in a way that it was a no.

"For me no! Never been married," Malcolm responded. "What about yourself?"

She held her left hand out, "Can't say I'd look good with a giant diamond on this finger," then she placed it back on his shoulder. "And there's no tragic backstory either, so I'm as single as they come, unfortunately."

They kept dancing for a bit and she looked at him and said with a wicked grin, "I bet you any amount of money, that I'd be able to get you to fall in love with my cooking though."

Malcolm pretended to be deep in thought for a moment. "I'm not really seeing a way I lose this bet your proposing."

"What's your favourite food?" She asked, already thinking about what she can cook and/or bake for him.

"I'm really not a picky eater. If you're making it, I'm sure I'll love it. It's probably easier to tell you what I'm not a fan of then to try to come up with favorites. Just not really a fan of Klingon cuisine, or Ferengi either. Those aren't your specialties, are they?" He asked playfully.

Eirly rolled her eyes in response and laughed, "Well there goes that idea then! My speciality is baking and sweets. Simple Earth mains are always the best and most delicious, and I love a good soup!"

"Good hearty stews are a staple in Scotland in the winter. Makes me think of home," Malcolm said with a wistful look on his face. "We have a few family recipes that have been passed down, but I don't spend a lot of time cooking. It's better than the replicator, don't get me wrong. Just not something I put any effort into for just myself."

"If you gave me the recipe, I'd be more than happy to make it for you one night?" Eirly asked , then she realised what she said, "Um, wait, I didn't mean it to come out like that! That sounded like I just asked you out on a date! I'm sorry!" She had started rambling and she apologized, "I don't usually do that!" And now she'd gone red again, but for being embarrassed this time.

"That's too bad," Malcolm replied. "If you had just asked me on a date, I'd have to say that would have been one of the better things to happen to me in a while."

"Oh?" Eirly raised an eyebrow at his response and cleared her throat, "Okay then, Lieutenant Malcolm Beckett, would you like to go on a date with me some time?" Hopefully he actually said yes, otherwise she'd just die of embarrassment.

"I'd love to. I was going to have to ask you myself before the night was over anyway," Malcolm responded. "Perhaps I could take you to a show?"

"You pick the show and I'll make sure I'm ready for it." She blushed again, the turn of events since she walked into the lounge was crazy. "Did you maybe want to get out of here now and go somewhere quieter?"

Malcolm smiled as he sent Eirly out for a spin, bringing her back in, and dropping her into a dip. He held her there a brief moment before lifting her back up. "After you, then" Malcolm responded, gesturing toward the door.

Eirly giggled at the spin and dip. She was living it up in the moment as she exited the lounge with Malcolm with her arm linked through his. The light sensitivity on her eyes was eased as well. "Where would you like to go?"

"If you feel like taking a walk, I can show you around the ship a bit. When the senior staff was bringing you around they probably just took you to all the work stations and such. You might yet need a proper tour of all the recreational spots tucked away around the ship," Malcolm suggested.

"Lead on then, you can be my tour guide for the night!" She replied with a wide smile.

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