Posted by Mar. Captain Eleanor “Iron Lady” Carnegie (Recon Squadron CO/Pilot) in [Alt-Timeline] Date Night?

Posted by Mar. Captain Malcolm “Astro” Dawkins (Fighter Squadron CO/Pilot) in [Alt-Timeline] Date Night?

Posted by Mar. Captain Eleanor “Iron Lady” Carnegie (Recon Squadron CO/Pilot) in [Alt-Timeline] Date Night?
Posted by… suppressed (6) by the Post Ghost! 👻
<snip>
Malcolm smiled and couldn’t help but flex his arm a little as Eleanor’s hand found his elbow. “Actually, Halcyon’s Holo Suites have a sports package that let’s you go to games that have recently been played and give you the option to go without knowing the score. And…” He smiled down to her as they walked. “… My ‘Stros’ opened the season two weeks ago in Pittsburgh… so I thought we could catch a Pirates game. You can even get a jersey if ya’ want.” Dawkins winked as they walked, hoping the thoughtful planning impressed the little brunette on his arm.

Malcolm

Eleanor’s eyes widened as if she was a little girl who wanted an ice cream. “Are you serious!?” She held back the urge of jumping up and down, but her fingers dug into Malcolm’s arm forcing him to stop. “We’re watching the Pirates? At The Park? Oh my God!!!” Suddenly, her arms came flying around Malcolm’s neck with enough force to throw him down. Her lips crashed on his before he had the chance to say anything.

Though surprised, Malcolm relished in the kiss… his hands on the small of her back pulling her close. It was an incredible kiss that he didn’t want to end. The whole time, all Malcolm could think was that this night was off to a VERY good start!

Finally, with a wide smile on her face, Eleanor let the fighter pilot go, before saying excitedly. “I don’t need to get a jersey. I’ve got plenty. Wait here.” And with that, Carnegie ran down the hall they had just came in from.

For the first time, Malcolm stood… happily content in watching Eleanor’s butt bounce away from him as she ran back to her quarters. He walked slowly back toward her quarters, hoping that the closed distance would mean less time he had to spend without her.

It didn’t take five minutes for Eleanor to show back up, Pirates ball cap on and an old worn out baseball glove in her hand. Looking back at Malcolm, she said apologetically. “I haven’t been to a Pirates game in almost fifteen years. My brothers used to take me when I was a kid… Generally they left me alone in our parents’ box. Please take me to the regular crowd… I’ve always wanted to do that but never got the chance.”

Eleanor

Dawkins laughed. “I can’t even imagine! I had always wanted to see a game from a box… but Mom did good to get my sister and I tickets a couple times a year.” As they walked, he continued. “I mean, once I started Varsity in high school, we’d get to go to a few games and I even got to throw out a First Pitch after we took State my Senior Year.” He shrugged with a smile. “Joys of being the starting Pitcher I guess.”

“Oh wow!” Eleanor seemed genuinely impressed with Malcolm’s story. “You got to do more than I ever did!” She chuckled. “Well… we can do half and half if you want… half in whatever seats you have planned for us, half in a box… although I can tell you, it’s not that exciting. I usually just hung out alone because my brothers would leave me to do their ’thing’…” Carnegie added the air quotes “…with their dates or their friends and I was the little sister… it gets pretty lonely in there. I used to wish I could be cheering in the crowd.” She shrugged. “One time I even left… and couldn’t find my brothers at the end of the game… had to call dad’s shuttle pilot to come and get me. Andy and Tommy were grounded, mom was crying the whole time… and we never went to another game without an adult.”

Malcolm moved his right hand so Eleanor could see his shiny yet modest State Championship Baseball ring on his ring finger. “Only piece of real jewelry I’ve ever owned. Mom couldn’t afford both of us getting Class rings, so when we took State… I told her to get my little sister her’s… the school would get me… something… and they did. Pretty nice huh?”

Malcolm

It was gut punch. For the first time, Eleanor realized just how different Malcolm’s upbringing had been from hers. Not that Carnegie was used to having everything she wanted, but not being able to afford something had never been a problem for her. She took his hand and looked at the ring. “That’s beautiful.” Her tone was genuine. Looking back up into his eyes, Malcolm would be able to see a remnant of sympathy in her gaze.

“I’m sorry…” She finally said. “I never realized… I can’t even imagine what must have been like for you growing up…”

Eleanor

Malcolm had honestly never really thought of his upbringing being a negative of sorts… just different. Shrugging his shoulders once more, he made a slightly indifferent facial expression and began in a flat tone. “Hell… it really wasn’t anything special nor that great. Single parent household… so mom worked a lot and was gone more than I think she liked when we were little. I don’t really remember my dad since I was…” He looked in thought for a moment. “… two, I guess, he bounced while my mom was still pregnant with Tori.” He snorted a soft laugh. “Mom was so pissed, she gave Tori her last name instead of dad’s.”

For a moment, Eleanor thought of a life with only her mother. She couldn’t even fathom what it would have been like…

“We did alright though.” He smiled warmly as he thought of his family. “With me getting into Starfleet, Tori got a fire under her ass to go to college and was accepted to the University of Houston’s School of Nursing. Wouldn’t ya know it, she became the youngest Director of Nursing at the hospital she was born at three months ago. Damn proud of that girl.” Malcolm beamed as they walked along the corridors.

“As you should.” Eleanor smiled. “She must be a hell of a young woman. I’m not surprised… with a brother like you.” She bumped him playfully with her elbow. “I mean it though. She’s very lucky.”

Suddenly, Dawkins stopped and opened a door. Eleanor would find herself back in the only familiar room to her on the ship as they stepped into Malcolm’s quarters. Offering her to go first the second the door closed behind him, Malcolm stripped off his polo and walked back to his bedroom… tossing the polo as he walked.

When Malcolm stripped off his polo, Eleanor was momentarily confused, wondering if they had skipped dinner and headed straight for dessert. For a guy that hadn’t taken advantage of her when slightly drunk, he sure seemed forward when sober. But as she watched Malcolm walk into his bedroom without expecting her to follow, she felt relieved.

A minute later he came out with a blue Astros jersey, wellworn glove and a beat up red & grey ballcap with an interlocked HC in the middle. With a smile, Dawkins winked. “If you’re wearing yours… I sure as hell am wearing mine!”

Malcolm

Elenor laughed. “Well, of course!” Leaning in as he stopped next to her, she stole another kiss. “Thank you. It hasn’t even really started, but this night is already feeling special.” She smiled brightly, waiting for him to lead the way out of his quarters.

Malcom didn’t need a hint. As Eleanor’s hand returned to his elbow, they were on their way.

As they went back to walking the Chimera’s corridors towards Halcyon, Eleanor spoke. “Your mom and sister seem to be really nice people.” She smiled. “Sometimes I wonder what it must be like to lead a normal life, you know. Not that my family is particularly… how should I say it… entitled. Despite dad’s job, mom and dad always made sure we had the most ‘normal’ experiences they could give us. And they never showered us with everything we ever wanted. The Carnegies seem to be known for giving away their money to charities and whatnot before they die… so we are expected to build our own as we go along. I’m actually the oddity in the family. Both Andy and Tommy have business degrees from Wharton, and are established in the sector.” Eleanor chuckled. “Mom almost had a heart attack when I told them I wanted to be a fighter pilot.” She paused for a second. It seemed a slightly sore subject. “Life is a funny thing.” She said bitterly before smiling back at Malcolm. “What made you join Starfleet in the first place?”

Eleanor

Malcolm scoffed. “Hell… just wanted to make a difference I guess. When you’re an inner city kid from Houston, you want out almost as much as wanting to see things get better.”

“Plus it being the Space City, and all?” Eleanor asked playfully. “I’ve been to the Space Center and the old NASA offices when I was a kid, but that was basically it… It seemed like a nice city… but I guess it’s different when you live in the place.”

“They’re great, always there for me. Mom would like you… my little sister, probably not so much!” Malcolm gave a full laugh as he patted Eleanor’s hand. “Ain’t no girl in the world good enough for Victoria Gammond’s big brother.” He then glanced down at Carnegie and winked. “Let’s just say she hasn’t always been fond of her brother’s choice in girls.”

Eleanor laughed with Malcolm. “Oh, don’t worry. Again, two big brothers here.” She said pointing to herself. “Believe me… I know.” She smiled. “If you ever meet them, thread carefully. Both with them and dad. Andy and Tommy would probably plan your murder, dad on the other hand would love you and never let you go… Having the chance to show a southern kid the exciting city of Pittsburgh? You might get out of there with a complete Steelers gear set.” Carnegie chuckled. “I do hope I get the chance to meet your sister and your mom sometime. They seem like really nice people.”

Dawkins smile could even be heard in his voice. “Anywho… Mom’s been an LPN for the past twenty years. It ain’t glamorous but its good, honest work. Tori and I made it two-for-two being the first in our family with degrees.”

“Oh, really? That’s not just honest work. That’s… that’s truly helping people. All my mom does is planning social events for people she thinks are important.” Eleanor sighed. “She wanted me to follow in her footsteps.” The tone was exaggerated. “Yeah right. No, thank you. I wish she would do something that actually matters. Your mom seems amazing. Who brought to this universe two brilliant people.” Carnegie meant every word.

“As for ‘normal’ lives…” Malcolm smiled and chuckled. “… I never really knew anything different. So I wouldn’t know what to do having, ya know, ‘wealth’!” Then after a pause, he added. “But ya know, that’s a good way to be with your money. Mom always said that ya can’t take it with you when you’re gone, so I guess if ya spend your golden years making the worlds around you better than ya found it… have at it.” Eleanor could tell by his tone the seriousness of his convictions in what he was saying.

Eleanor smiled. “Yeah, I think that’s the best way to see it. Dad never allowed us to be spoiled. We always had to earn what we had to some degree. I mean… we had the comforts of having money but… I don’t really feel the need for it. Especially after moving down to California for high school… I intend to make my own future, no help required.”

“Future business moguls, no doubt… if they have a head like yours on their shoulders, they should do well.” Malcolm blushed a little at the comment and then asked. “Wait a tick… fighter pilot? Why’d Command stick you in the damn R2s…” He chuckled. “Sorry, the Recon Rangers?”

Malcolm

Eleanor smiled shyly. “Well, thank you. But they are the brains of the family. I just like flying.” She smiled as she squeezed Malcolm’s arm slightly. “Andy is in line to replace dad at Holloway Heavy Industries when he decides to retire, Tommy has his own business, making visual aids for colorblind people.”

As Malcolm’s question left his lips, Eleanor knew she had said too much. She smiled in embarrassment. “Recon requested me personally… It turns out I’m more useful there.” She lowered her head for a moment. Taking a deep breath she looked Malcolm in the eye as they kept on walking. “Remember the colorblind thing? My dad is colorblind and so is my brother. Hence why he chose to be in the industry. Well…” She said nervously. “Turns out I am too. Found out about it in high school, when I went for my night flying certification… and I couldn’t distinguish light signals. Turns out Starfleet doesn’t really care if you want to become a pilot. But they do care when it comes to what type of aircraft you want to fly. Recon wanted me the moment they read my Medical report, because colorblindness allows me to see things like green camouflage and the like. But I still went for my fighter training and qualified. Turns out Starfleet won’t let you fly them in combat. I mean… they do but you have to sign a big waiver basically saying that if you die it’s your fault. Which I did. And for my first deployment no one wanted me on their fighter squadron because I was a liability. Even after the waiver. So I went back and accepted Recon’s offer. It’s not too bad. I can still fly a Templar if I wanted to. I just can’t fly it as my job.” She paused for a moment. “Please don’t mock me…”

Eleanor

Dawkins stopped dead in his tracks, warm brown eyes looking down into a similar brown and with a raised eyebrow, a puzzled Malcolm said flatly. “Do what?!” He gently reached up and brushed a few stray hairs behind Eleanor’s left ear. “So… that explains the specs. Eleanor… I have no idea the kind of people you’ve had around in your past…” Malcolm sighed. “… but if anyone ever gives you a hard time about something you were literally born with…”His tone turned a bit more icy. “… trust when I say that I’ll have a few words with them.” Eleanor could feel both protection and admiration in the man’s gaze.

Eleanor’s heart beat faster in her chest. She had had her fair share of relationships in the past, but no man had looked at her in the protective way Malcolm was looking at her just now. She shrugged. “It’s okay. I had a hard time accepting the fact that I’m never going to be one of you guys but… I’m past it. My first deployment was… unconventional. Heard some things that I didn’t really want to but… Recon treats me well.”

“Eleanor… sweetheart…” He leaned down and gently kissed her, wrapping her in a soft embrace before letting the kiss break. “… you qualified as a damn Templar pilot, one of the hardest things to do in Starfleet. Just cause those dumb bastards are too chicken**** to let you fly, don’t mean for a single second you ain’t already one of us.” He kissed her once more, a quick ‘reminder’ kiss.

Carnegie smiled softly. His words meant more to her than Malcolm would ever know. She trembled slightly against his chest. “No one ever made me feel that way…” She said. Her tone almost in a whisper. “Regardless of whether or not I qualified… if I was not actively flying them, I was not part of the family…”

“Recon got one hell of a pilot if a Tempie Jock was forced to rock one of those buckets….” He winked playfully. “… present company’s bird excluded, of course.”

“Ah.” Eleanor smirked. “You better be careful who you call bucket to. The Lady of Steel is very temperamental and she doesn’t like to be insulted.” She winked. “Thank you, though.” Carnegie blushed slightly. “I do my best.”

Malcolm found his right arm slipping around the small of Eleanor’s back as he started guiding them towards the transition tubes between the large starship and the enormous starbase. “Ya know…” His fingers unconsciously gliding back and forth where the side of Eleanor’s jeans met her side. “… if you ever want to take my bird up for a spin, just say the word. No contacts though…” He winked looking into her eyes once more. “… Mom’s worn’em for years, no matter how good… you can still see’em…” He grinned widely. “I hear they can cause… issues in high-G flight.”

A soft gasp escaped her lips as Eleanor felt his fingers on her skin. “I’d love to… if you wouldn’t mind. I miss it.” There was a wistful look on her face. “I miss the maneuverability… the sub-light speed…” She shook her head. “Thank you. I really appreciate it. And if you ever want to fly a Ranger… I can even go with you.” She smiled. “And no… no contacts. I tried that before and learnt my lesson. It hurt like hell and I ended up being very lucky.”

As he led them around a corner, the doors to the Holo Suites came into view. “Well hun… looks like we made it. Ready to grab a bite to eat and The Park then watch some baseball?” His warm, glowing smile lit the corridor.

“God, I was born ready!” Carnegie grinned.

Slipping in his card, Malcolm punched in his request and the doors opened. Once inside, he stole another kiss as he hit the Start Program button. At that moment, the inner doors opened onto the Roberto Clemente Bridge, packed with people heading to the game. With a chuckle, Malcolm glanced at Eleanor and said. “Welcome home Eleanor… I can at least say I went to my first Pirates game with a local!” On that note, the doors behind them closed… Malcolm took a deep breath and slid his hand into hers and started walking to the stadium.

Malcolm

Malcolm’s words barely registered in her mind. As the doors opened and the pair stepped in, Carnegie took a moment to take in the view. In front of them The Park, the place the Pirates had called home for so many years. Behind them, the familiar tall buildings of her hometown. Closing her eyes for a second she inhaled the familiar smells and took in the noise of the people walking for game day. When she felt Malcolm’s fingers intertwining with hers, Eleanor opened her eyes once more. She couldn’t believe what she was seeing. After so many years, it was almost as going back to her childhood memories, to the excitement of the days spent with her brothers… it was almost too much to bear.

For a kid that never got to travel much, Malcolm was surprised at the beauty of the day and the city from the vantage point of the bridge. As they walked, he took in the sights and sounds of a place he had never actually been with a smile. He looked down to Eleanor and smiled wider as he saw how excited she was.

Walking in beside Malcolm, she pulled him in closer, her hand squeezing his tightly. She walked mostly in silence, taking in the familiar views. Eleanor felt the excitement race through her heart and through her body, the energy in the air was electrifying. And even though she knew it was nothing more than a computer simulation, a small tear fell down from the corner of her eye.

When he saw the tear fall, he gave Carnegie’s hand another squeeze. “I’m glad you like it. Never know with these things how accurate they’ll be.” Malcolm said softly.

She couldn’t have asked for better company to walk the bridge than the current one. And then, faster than they knew it, the gates to The Park were ahead of them. Eleanor accelerated her step, the familiar terrain underneath her feet, almost pulling Malcolm with her. The bright yellow of the Roberto Clemente Bridge was always a color that she had been able to see. However, as soon as they crossed the gates, a sight that she was not expecting was in front of her, provided by the contact lenses she had forgotten she had on — the Pirates’s home field in full color.

Malcolm was happy to be pulled along and smiled at the joy Eleanor was getting from his planned little trip to the station.

For a split second, Eleanor thought the computer had rendered the colors wrong. But as soon as she realized exactly what she was seeing, Carnegie stopped abruptly. Her eyes wide in awe. Taking her free hand to cover her open mouth, she silently wept.

Eleanor

It took Malcolm a few moments to realize what was happening, his heart broke slightly for the girl by his side and he gently, lovingly wrapped her in his arms. “God…” He sighed as he held her tight. “… you’ve never seen this place in full color till today, have you hun?”

Malcolm

Eleanor shook her head. “Never…” She kept looking at the field over his shoulder. “I was fourteen the last time we came to a game… it was right before I moved to California… I found out I was colorblind two years later. It never occurred to me…” She seemed in shock. “The grass is so green… and the dirt so red… I would never have guessed…” Tears still silently crossed her cheeks.

Breaking the embrace, Carnegie wiped her eyes. “I’m sorry… sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming… I’m sorry you had to see that…” She smiled apologetically. “So… let’s grab some food and watch some baseball?” Her smile brightened.

Eleanor

Malcolm looked for a moment a bit scoldingly at Eleanor. “Listen Ellie…” A warm smile crossed his face as he kissed her forehead. “… please don’t ever apologize to me, of all people, for showing honest human emotion. I meant what I said in that I can’t even imagine the emotions that coursed through you just now. Understand sweetheart…” There was a glow in his eyes as he said the term of endearment. “… if I would have just had the experience you did, I’d be on my knees in tears. Trust me… I know me and on something like that…” Dawkins snickered to himself softly. “… I’m just a big’ol softie.”

Eleanor smiled. “Thank you.” There was a joyous glow in her eyes. “You know… Ellie is the nickname my brothers have always given me… Just thought it was funny you called me the same.”

Drying Eleanor’s eyes the best he could, Malcolm stepped to her side, wrapped an arm back around her… his thumb once again finding a little spot of skin on her side, and the couple walked along the stadium’s main promenade. “So, I hear there’s a great burger joint behind the left field wall. There’s a patio for diners with a great view of the field. Wanna eat there and we can watch the warms up before heading to our seats?” As he asked the question, he gently slid his hand into Eleanor’s back pocket.

Malcolm

Eleanor leaned against Malcolm as they walked, enjoying the intimacy. “Look at you, you did your research, huh?” She teased. “I never really ate anywhere around here… there was always food at my parents box.” Carnegie said matter of factly. “God, I would love to get a burger. I never have here.” She smiled. Suddenly, her breath caught slightly and her smile turned into a smirk as she felt Malcolm’s hand slide into her back pocket. “You know… my mother used to say ‘look with your eyes and not with your hands’. But just because it’s you, I think I’ll make an exception.” She winked.

Eleanor

Malcolm gave a playful squeeze of Eleanor’s tush as they continued to walk. “Good…” He smiled, looking forward. “… as I had no intention of removing it. Smart woman though. I must say, I’m a fan of the… genes… or is it the other jeans.” The snicker was soft but the smile unmistakable. “So..” Malcolm quipped as they approached the burger joint over the left field wall. “… patio seating, stadium side… I would assume?” He glanced down, brown eyes shimmered in the afternoon sun as his hand shifted just a bit deeper in her pocket.

Malcolm

Eleanor groaned and rolled her eyes. “You know what, I think I’m not making that exception after all.” She said with a smirk. “Again… newbie on the crowd side here, just take me where you think seating is best.” She smiled. “You’re the expert here, Captain Astros. Even if your team is not playing at home.” The name had all to do with the game and nothing to do with his call sign.

Malcolm groaned softly and rolled his eyes before moving on. “Let’s grab that table over there.” Dawkins motioned to a table against the wall of the stadium and just to the inside of the pole. “That looks like a great spot.” He said as they moved toward the table into a bit more sunlight. Looking down into Eleanor’s eyes, he smiled wider. “You like?”

Her gaze was lost momentarily on his, as the contacts allowed her to see the small shades of color that the afternoon light produced in Malcolm’s eyes. “Wow…” The word escaped her lips before she could stop it. “Your eyes… I had never seen anything like them…”

Eleanor

Eleanor learned in that moment, black guys can… in fact… blush. Closing his eyes, Malcolm looked away as he felt like his face was on fire. “Trust me Ellie…” He said as he turned his gaze back to hers. “… I’ve been thinking the same thing of yours since the moment I first looked into them in the lounge.” Malcolm slipped his hands to Ellie’s waist and kissed her. A slow, sweet kiss that made him unable to not pull her closer.

After the kiss, Malcolm pulled out a chair for her and waved the waiter over. “Cheese… or no cheese?” He asked beaming as he settled in his chair.

Malcolm