The Fun Tour, Part 1

Posted on Sun Apr 28th, 2024 @ 11:17pm by Lieutenant JG Malcolm Beckett M.D. & Lieutenant Eirly Andersen

2,280 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: The Menagerie: side stories & mischief making
Location: Most of the Saucer Section
Timeline: Still First Contact Day

As the two left the forward lounge on Deck 10, Malcolm began to speak in his best tour guide voice. "Well, like most Galaxy Class starships, Deck 10 is a good place to start if you are looking to spend time with your fellow crewmates over a glass of synthehol or get a good bite to eat. Ten-Forward which we are just leaving, has been renamed 'Paddy's Lounge' here on this vessel by the manager, Sam Wynters. We'll slowly make our way toward the Aft Lounge, but there is plenty to see on the way."

Malcolm watched her as he talked, walking in a deliberately slow pace as they exited the bar, only making it a couple of steps as he spoke.

She giggled at his tour guide impression and matched the pace, "I like that Sam has taken the lounge and made it his own. He makes really good cocktails too! Have you ever had a Sex on the Beach before?"

Malcolm laughed. "It's not one that I usually order, but I think I've been asked to take a taste before. One of those sugary drinks right?" He asked to confirm.

Eirly nodded in reply, "Yep! From what I know, it's got vodka, peach schnapps, and orange and cranberry juice in it. Super sweet, super nice, and have enough of them and I feel like you'll be on the floor in no time!" Laughing again, she thought back to the last time she was able to have fun like this.

Malcolm smiled at how much fun Eirly seemed to be having. "Almost sounds like breakfast," Malcolm joked. "I keep it a little more simple than that. Whiskey or bourbon on the rocks. And I will agree, Sam does a pretty good job of makin' those as well."

"That seems simple enough to make, it's just whiskey or bourbon and ice, right?" She didn't have a clue about how to make drinks, except for maybe a packet coffee or a pot of tea. "So where on this ship is your favourite place to go?"

"You got it. Ice and a pour," Malcolm responded. "You know, I haven't really had time to find a favorite spot yet. They kept me pretty busy in the first mission, so I haven't had too much free time to walk about."

"Well now we have all the time that's left in today to have a look around, and who knows, we may even end up finding a place that's just ours." Maybe that was going too far, but she didn't care. She also realised that her arm was still linked through his and it just felt.... right, and comfortable too. "Imagine if all of these decks were painted in different colours that reflected what each level specialised in. Like a pale yellow for Security, or a light blue or teal for Medical or Science. How cool would that be?" Her eyes went wide with wondering what that would actually be like.

"There are a few murals on Decks 11 and 12, if you are into colorful walls," Malcolm remembered. He stole a quick glance at Eirly at his side, their arms still linked. When Charlotte had waved her over earlier in the night, he certainly hadn't imagined he'd be leaving the party with her.

Eirly thought back to the 'work tour' a few days prior and realized she'd seen one of those murals, "Oh yeah, you're right. I remember seeing one of those, it was actually rather pretty." She then looked back at him, "Are you okay? Everything all good?"

"I've got a beautiful woman on my arm, and we've just started on an evening stroll. I would say I'm doing better than okay. What made you ask that? Is something wrong?" Malcolm asked.

"Just checking in," She blushed in reply, used to being on her own for so long that she forgot what it was like to be called beautiful. "You know, I think we've both lucked out here, because you're pretty handsome yourself." Tonight was shaping up to be perfect.

"Oh, you think so?" Malcolm puffed his chest out in a show of playful pride. "I thought you just like my moves on the dance floor," he teased playfully.

"I think the dance moves are just an added bonus at this point," She laughed again and winked.

"Anything I can do to get a few extra brownie points as they like to say," Malcolm quipped. "So what else can I show you? Did you want to see a few more of the lounges or look into some quieter areas like the gardens and arboretums?" Malcolm looked over at Eirly as they walked along.

"That's completely up to you, I'm happy just walking at this stage, but somewhere that's quite and has dimmer lights would also be nice." She slid her arm out from his linked one and slid her hand into his without even thinking. "So tell me about you as we walk."

As Eirly's hand took his, Malcolm took the chance, or was it a hint, and interlocked his fingers with hers.

"About me, you say. Well I don't know there's much to tell. You know my sister's finishing up medical school. My father is a physician back home. I can't really say that I consider myself much of an officer to be honest with you," Malcolm admitted. "I'm here to treat patients, and advance medical research to the best of my ability, but you won't see me trying to make commander or anything like that."

"I'm much more interested in hearing about you," Malcolm said as he lead her to a turbolift. "Deck 6," he stated when they were inside. "Why don't you tell me about yourself?"

Eirly wondered where they were off to now, "Um, my father is a civilian surgeon and my mother is a botanist, my brothers I've already told you about." She was proud of her familial achievements. "I myself am a qualified baker, and as you know, I love dancing, but I also love painting and reading."

As the turbolift stopped at Deck 6 and they stepped out Eirly added, "One of my dreams is to go back home, open a little cafe that serves all of my baking and is covered in my own artwork. I think it'd be quite nice."

"That does sound lovely," Beckett agreed. "I'm sure there will be opportunities to display your talents here," Beckett said as he led her toward the upper level of the arboretum where a pathway went through the canopy of tree leaves.

"So why aren't you baking and painting professionally now?" Beckett asked. "Something specific bring you to Starfleet?"

"Baking and painting are mostly just hobbies at this stage, and owning a bakery or Cafe has significant financial risks, whereas Starfleet has the security of a career and all the benefits that go with it." She reached out to touch some of the leaves as they walked past them, "And plus, it's kind of a tradition to be in Starfleet too. What about yourself? What drew you to this wonderful life we're leading?"

"Well, I wanted to be a doctor. That part was easy. But life on Earth just seemed a little bit too easy, I didn't think I'd feel needed enough or that I was making a difference just setting up at home," Malcolm responded.

"As long as you've got the skills and you're dedicated to that career path, I reckon my father would've loved having you in his hospital." Eirly smiled again, "What kind of doctor would you have wanted to be? Like just a GP or be a specialist in a certain department?"

"If I were to have stayed on Earth you mean?" Malcolm seemed to think a moment. "Maybe inter-species pediatrics possibly. I dunna ken, I never really put much thought in it to be honest with you. I've been able to do so many different things with Starfleet, I wouldn't change it."

Malcolm led Eirly to a bench that looked down into a water feature on the main floor of the arboretum. "Did you want to enjoy the view for a bit?"

Eirly sat down on the bench and waited for Malcolm to sit with her, "This is absolutely beautiful, I would like to enjoy this for a bit, if that's okay?" She thought about everything Malcolm had said since they first met and realised she actually really liked him, like really liked him, and not in the silly school girl crush kind of way either.

She wasn't going to voice those thoughts though, because she had no clue about how he was feeling.

"I wouldn't have suggested it, if it weren't okay," he responded, winking at her as he sat down. "I haven't spent much time in the arboretum, but I'm glad it's here. Sometimes you just need a bit of nature."

"Oh yeah, absolutely agree 100% with you on that one." Eirly nodded. "When I was a kid, my brothers and I would constantly be in the forests and woods, playing around and fighting and learning different things. Now, I don't remember the last time I was in them."

Malcolm reached his arm around Eirly's shoulders as they sat there. "Aye, I have fond memories of being outside as a lad. Not many forests within walking distance, but there was something about bein' able to wander off with your friends away from the parents for a little while. The kids here dunna ken what they're missing."

Eirly leaned into him, enjoying the moment, "I remember having this one friend, Alice, and her and I would go out and walk around the streets without a care in the world, find a meadow to just wander through and it was the best feeling in the world. I never strayed too far though, for safety reasons." She often wondered what happened to Alice and what she was doing now.

"Are you more of a city lad or a country boy?" She tried her hand at the Scottish accent to mimic him but it mixed with her own and was just horrible, so she had to laugh.

Malcolm laughed along with her as she tried to mimic his accent. It was then that he noticed the laughter even in her eyes. "I can tell you haven't spent much time in Scotland." Still captivated by her eyes, Malcolm leaned in a little toward Eirly and his voice softened, "If we're ever get over that way we might have to change that."

He hovered there, in the space that they were sharing, unintentionally looking down at her lips then back up to her eyes. He wanted to kiss her, but he didn't want to make a move too soon that might make her uncomfortable.

Eirly bit the corner of her bottom lip while still smiling and saw what he was doing: the feeling was mutual after all! "I'd like that a lot," she said quietly before adding, "If you would also travel an extra two hours and see Denmark with me."

Malcolm broke his gaze, feeling like he might be staring. "Denmark? What's over there that you're looking to see?"

"Probably just my family, nothing too major.." She was slightly crestfallen because she thought for a moment that he was going to kiss her, but that was all good, maybe he was just as shy as her. "Only if you wanted to, I mean." Her last words applied to more than just seeing her family and she hoped he picked up on it.

"Aye," Malcolm said with a smile. "I guess I didn't think to ask where you're from. Denmark it is then," he replied. "Though, it might be a while before we're back in the Sol system again and I'd like to see you again sooner than that. Perhaps we should talk about whether you'd be up for a proper date later this week."

"Well, until we actually get back in the Sol system, there are always holodeck programs that can be used" Eirly sighed lightly and then shifted to make herself a bit more comfortable while still being able to look at him. "And of course you'll still see me around the ship from time to time, but I'd love to go on a proper date with you. Perhaps that show you mentioned earlier?

"Dinner and a movie then," Malcolm confirmed. "Does Friday or Saturday work?" He asked.

Eirly nodded, "Friday night works for me." Now she had to choose what to wear and hope it was appropriate for the evening. "Is there any particular dress code I should adhere to?"

Malcolm shook his head, "I can't think of anywhere on board that has a dress code. You should wear whatever is comfortable." Malcolm did not feel qualified to answer anymore questions about what to wear, so he hoped that answer was well enough.

"Oh good, I might just surprise you then!" Eirly replied with a mischievous grin before maneuvering to sit upright before standing up and moving over to one of the larger plants on display. She offered a hand out to Malcolm, "Do you want to continue the tour or spend some more time here?"

Malcolm retreated his arm as Eirly stood up to walk over to a plant, and couldn't help but admire her figure as she walked. "I like surprises," he commented as he stood up. We can continue the tour. Anything in particular you're looking to see?"

"You're the tour guide, remember?" Eirly replied coyly, smiling because she knew he was checking her out. "Could check out other things too.." She muttered under her breath so he hopefully wouldn't hear.

> > > The Tour Continues > > >

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