Posted by Mar. Captain Malcolm “Astro” Dawkins (Flight Leader) in [Alt-Timeline] USS Chimera – Dawkins’s Quarters

Posted by Mar. Captain Eleanor “Iron Lady” Carnegie (Recon Squadron CO/Pilot) in [Alt-Timeline] USS Chimera – Dawkins’s Quarters

Posted by Commander Samantha Jean “Sam” Halloway (Executive Officer (Incoming)) in [Alt-Timeline] USS Chimera – Dawkins’s Quarters
Posted by… suppressed (9) by the Post Ghost! 👻
<snip>
Malcolm leaned a bit closer, his hand giving hers another squeeze as he smiled and said. “Let’s start with your fearless ability to come after any target you like. I wouldn’t mind being in the cross-hairs of a tongue that sharp from time to time.”

Dawkins, FL

Eleanor let go of the glass so that his hand was completely on hers, swallowing hard as he leaned closer. Her face was bright pink but she tried her best to act as if it was nothing.

His eyes locked on hers, Malcolm glided his thumb along the skin of her hand and without thinking moistened his lips.

“Oh really, now?” Carnegie said, leaning closer as well. “I grew up with two brothers. That pretty much taught me everything I know… if you want I could give you some private lessons…” The tone was heavily suggestive.

Carnegie, Recon Squadron CO

“Trust me honey, there ain’t nothin’ they taught you I’m interested in… though…” He smiled slyly. “… I can think of a few things I wouldn’t mind teaching you.” Another hand squeeze found him nearly face to face. His breathing heavier than he’d have liked but he was sure as hell not backing down now.

Dawkins, FL

Her mind was a turmoil of emotions. Another hand squeeze, another gasp, and her face was bright red again. And a chance to get back at Will. Without warning Eleanor closed the distance between them, softly kissing him in his lips.

Malcolm’s other hand found Eleanor’s knee under the table and as he leaned into the kiss, gave it a playful squeeze. He relished in the taste of her kiss and knew in that moment he had to get to know this girl better.

When they broke out she asked seductively. “And what would those things be?”

Carnegie, Recon Squadron CO

“Let’s just say…” He stole another, deeper kiss. His hand slightly above her knee. “… it’s not something I could show you here.”

Dawkins, FL

While the first kiss had been soft and tentative, the second one was refreshing. In a way, that was exactly what she had hoped for when she had decided to go to the lounge. Not to be kissing random members of the crew by the end of the night, but to find a way to cope and forget. And Malcolm seemed to be getting the job done.

Smiling the same smirk, Eleanor asked. “Why don’t you take me somewhere you can show me?”

Carnegie, Recon Squadron CO

To keep the near growl out of his voice took effort but he did it. The sly smile returning, Malcolm rose from his seat and walked to Eleanor’s side of the table. “Shall we dear?”

With a seductive look in her eyes, Eleanor held her hand out for him to help her out of her seat. And she walked with him out of the lounge.

As they walked out of the lounge, Malcolm rested his hand on the small of Eleanor’s back.

(Fade to Black)

Dawkins, FL

---

Eleanor slowly opened her eyes. The room was dark. She had the feeling that it was still the middle of the night and way too early for her to get up. Kicking herself mentally for not setting up her nightstand chronographer, she sat up on the bed. And then it hit her. The headache. It was as if a thousand bricks had just fallen on her head triggered by the simple action of her straightening her spine. God it hurt. She shouldn’t have drank so much during the evening.

Slowly, she stood up and walked to the bathroom. However, curiously enough, there was no bathroom in her room. Eleanor was sure she had seen it… maybe it wasn’t on the right side, but on the left side? Indeed, walking the other direction let her to the small bathroom in her quarters. She had literally spent a grand total of less than ten minutes in the room after her arrival, so maybe she just didn’t know the layout that well. Now that she thought about it, she could have turned on the lights.

Walking to the sink, Carnegie washed her face, hoping that the difference in temperature made her headache go away. And then she spotted a toothbrush. She hadn’t opened her bags yet. She was sure. So how was a toothbrush — nothing like her own — on her sink? Also… was it shaving cream? There was a can of shaving cream… oh no.

Finally, the previous night’s events came rushing to her mind. The alcohol, the fighter pilot, the flirting… oh no… had they—? Eleanor, you’re better than this. Well… she wanted her revenge, it seems that she had had it. And regardless of the headache, she seemed to have had fun with it. Besides, the guy was cute. She was not going to complain. There was no point in waking him up now… besides, she really needed that headache gone. They would talk in the morning.

Walking back to bed, Eleanor laid back down, pulling the blankets up and snuggling in with the pillow she had been given. It didn’t take but a few moments and she was asleep.

Carnegie, Recon Squadron CO

Several hours later

Dawkins awoke to the soft sounds of his wrist chrono’s alarm going off. 0630… He thought as he silenced the alarm in his normal fashion. He went to roll over to grab his commbadge when his arm draped across an auburn-haired beauty laying next to him. She stayed… Malcolm smiled to himself. Bringing a girl back to his quarters so quickly really wasn’t his style. Furthermore… if his Momma ever found out, he was a dead man.

Giving her a gentle shake, Malcolm said softly. “Hey… Ellie… wake up babe. It’s morning.”

Malcolm

Eleanor stirred in her sleep, softly groaning in protest. Her headache was not completely gone, but her brain caught up faster this time.

Almost jumping in her place, Carnegie sat up on the bed pulling the sheets up to cover her chest before realizing she was wearing a shirt. A slightly oversized shirt she had never seen before… The yellowish tone of the block capital UH letters adorning its front making her realize that it was his shirt. Not hers. Wait… she had seen this shirt before… only the colors… her glasses! Where were her glasses? Her brother would kill her if she lost in the quarters of some random guy she had hooked up with. But before she could even look for them, her eyes met his.

Malcolm smiled a playful smile as she yanked the covers up. “Ya know… I think you’re cuter in that thing than I am.” He chuckled softly as he tried to get a bit of a smile out of Ellie.

“Dawkins!” Eleanor said slightly more forcefully than she had intended. At least she had gotten his name right. Right? She pulled the sheets closer to her chest even though it was pointless. “Look… I’m sorry…” She started. Her mind filling up with words faster than she could say them. She got up and started to pick up her clothes. Oh no… her bottoms… were what looked like a pair of his boxers… oh no…! “I… You’re cute. I really had a great time last night, but… I’m sorry. This is really not my style… I did it out of revenge for someone else. I’m sorry… but I really need to go now.” Eleanor smiled nervously. “Have you seen my glasses? I really need them.”

Eleanor

Sitting up in bed, Malcolm looked puzzled for a moment and then smiled softly. “Ellie… hun… your glasses are on the table by the couch where you left them. Though, I think you can see fine without them.”

“Ah… I told you. Style. Plus… Brother got them. Can’t lose them.” She smiled embarrassedly. Hopefully he wouldn’t find out exactly what they were for. A colorblind pilot? She’d never hear the end of it.

Then it hit him. “Ah… got it. Revenge huh… so making out on the couch till we both passed out is a revenge tactic.” He chided. “Not that I’m complaining… even drunk you’re a hell of a kisser.” Malcolm then gave a more sincere and warm smile. “But if you’re worried about anything else… don’t be. We didn’t… ya know… last night. I promise. There are still a few secrets left for me to… discover… and that’ll be when your cute little ass is sober.”

Malcolm

“Wait….” Eleanor stopped in her tracks and looked back up at Malcolm. “We didn’t? But… I’m wearing your clothes. Top and bottom… How…” She seemed momentarily confused. “What secrets are there left it I had to be naked to change clothes?”

Eleanor

“Two things…” Malcolm smiled and then snickered. “… boy, you northern girls are somethin’ else. Ellie honey…” He smiled a warm yet suggestive smile. “… one, you can get naked with a guy and not do it. Secondly, you weren’t… naked. I gave you something to sleep in and you changed in the bathroom.” Getting out of bed, Eleanor would see that… minus a shirt… Malcolm was still rather clothed, sporting a pair of black sweatpants with the Fighter Command crest on the right leg. “Maybe boys where you’re from are jerks that take advantage of girls… where I’m from… you pull that nonsense and either the girl is gonna whoop your ass or his momma will.”

Malcolm

Slowly, Eleanor realized what he was saying. She stopped, laying what she had gathered from her things on the foot of the bed. “So… we really didn’t do it?”

“Sure didn’t…” Malcolm smiled. “… I’m not a love’em and leave’em kinda guy anyway. Not my… style.” His smile grew as he settled on the foot of the bed beside her.

She couldn’t believe that a guy could be that respectful. However, she did remember the make out session… quite well, actually. So at least that part of the story matched. Sitting down, Eleanor turned to face him. “What is in it for you then? I… No one has ever done this for me. I mean… it’s not like I usually go around random guy’s beds… as I said… not my style. But… you could have easily have taken advantage of the situation… Most guys would anyway. I know my last boyfriend certainly did, although not in the same way…”

Eleanor

“Well…” Dawkins had a more sly grin. “… having spent half the night snugged up next to you, you certainly have my interests piqued for more… discoveries.” He winked playfully. “As for what’s in it for me… honestly… you’re a gorgeous girl I’d like to get to know better. What’s not to like about that!?” Looking into her eyes, Malcolm added. “I know that isn’t your style hun… you wouldn’t be here if I thought that was the case. Now…” He frowned slightly. “… as for this ex of yours. I don’t know who that loser is… but Captain Malcolm Dawkins, SFMC is happy to take on the job of wiping that jackass from your memory.” His smile was bright and genuine. “Just sayin’” He winked once more.

Malcolm

For the first time since both pilots had met, Eleanor’s face lit up with a genuine smile. Her cheeks turned a shade of pink. “Thank you for the offer, Captain. You’ve done a pretty good job so far.” She chuckled. She placed a hand on his leg and tapped it softly.

Settling his hand on top of hers, he gave it a loving squeeze. “Good to know, Captain.”

“I must say…” Carnegie continued after a pause. “… you have my curiosity piqued too Malcolm. You’re sweet… kind… not too bad looking.” She added a wink to her growing smirk, as her cheeks turned a brighter pink. “I thought all fighter pilots were obnoxious and arrogant and seemed to be compensating for something.” Her smirk was now fully on her face. “I don’t know whether or not you’re compensating for something but… you’re not what I expected.” She smiled warmly. “What do you say to staring this again, this time the right way?”

Eleanor

“Nah…” Malcolm laughed. “… not… all of us. Some of us are just regular guys who lucked out and got to fly for a living. Though, we do question the Bomber pilots’ motives from time to time.” He winked and slipped his arm around Eleanor’s back and gave her a gentle squeeze. “As for starting things up the right way… personally… a night of making out like crazy then waking up next to you is a hell’of’a good starting point, if ya ask me.” Dawkins’ smile was brilliant as he looked down into Ellie’s eyes. “At least from where I’m sitting.”

Malcolm

Eleanor laughed. “Bomber pilots just like to smash things… after all isn’t that what all Marines like to do? They just get to do it from the sky.” She joked.

Leaning into Malcom’s shoulder as his arm slipped around her, Eleanor seemed to have found at least some sort of peace. She chuckled again. “Well… I’ll give you that one. Although, how about we keep the alcohol to a minimum the next time? I’d actually like to enjoy the night and remember it all in one.” She smiled as she looked back into his eyes. “I could show you my bird… and we could crack open one of the nine packs of Double Juicy Fruit Gum that come with it.” She smiled raising an eyebrow in a playful questioning look. “And maybe in exchange you could let me pilot yours for a few hours on the weekend.” Eleanor said with a wink. “What do you say?”

Eleanor