The First Step
Posted on Sun Jun 2nd, 2013 @ 10:27am by Commander Brian Ratchford & Lieutenant Commander Miranda Keller MD, MBBS
Mission:
Reindeer Games
Location: Various
Miranda was standing off to one side of the Promenade, waiting for Brian to arrive. She just came off duty and had changed from her uniform into a knee length black dress. It wasn't that she was impatient, but more that she was really nervous and wanted to get going sooner rather than later. it's been a few years, what if I mess it up? What if I make a fool of myself? I'll have to transfer to another posting she thought to herself, starting to pace back and forth a little, her nervous felling growing with every thought.
Brian exited the turbolift dressed in a loose tunic top accompanied by tan-coloured trousers and a pair of dark boots. It was hardly the classic simple elegance of the doctor's outfit, which had made several recurrences throughout the fashion years since its original appearance on Earth, but it was an outfit he had picked up during his recent stay on Cestus.
He found the doctor rather quickly and smiled at the sight. It had been a few months since his last date, and he would have hesitated to ask her out on the Vesta, whilst they were both members of the ship's senior staff. Now however their positions were very much different; he was assigned to the station only temporarily for the war games, and would only be her direct superior during their time out on the Jackal. "You look great," he said, the utterance automatic. "Shall we?" he asked, indicating the turbolift.
Miranda put on her best poker face smile to hide her nerves, "by all means, I'm looking forward to seeing this wonderful view I've heard so much about" she said, walking over to the turbolift. "You look quite handsome yourself. Who knew a scruffy looking lad like yourself could scrub up so well" she joked, smiling.
"You'd be surprised at what a bit of spit and polish can do," Brian responded, smirking. "Now then, let's see," he raised his finger in preparation in front of the screen that they were presented with in the turbolift, ready to select their destination. Since the Starbase had over two thousand decks, aside from the more notable locations, most of the turbolift destination controls were given via the panel rather than verbally. He touched the panel around the location of the station's lowest levels of shuttlebays, which he had learnt also included the station's captain's yacht in which Captain Gunning had recently travelled to Cestus, and the turbolift began its journey.
The turbolift was silent for the first few minuets, the only sound that could be heard was the whirr of the lift moving. Taking a quick breath, Miranda tried to break the ice, "So, any family?"
"No, not really," he said, instinctively closing up a little. Even Brian noticed this, and did his best to reverse his automatic reaction. "My mother died when I was little, and I've never been very close to my father. How about you?" He asked the last question a little too quickly in his mind's instant replay; eager to move off the topic of his own family.
"I'm happy to say both of my parents are alive and living on earth. I also have a younger sister who's currently assigned as the CMO for the USS Wolff" Miranda said, feeling Brian tense up. In an attempt to help him relax, she moved closer to him and took hold of his hand, "you're not used to talking like this are you?"
"No, it's just... it's not the easiest subject to talk about," Brian responded, suddenly aware of the remaining distance left in the turbolift until they reached their destination. "I'm sorry, but would you mind if we changed the subject?" He wasn't exactly off to a good start, and he had surprised himself by the level of discomfort he felt about talking about his father, even after all this time, and he was eager to move onto more pleasant topics of conversation.
Still feeling tent ion in him, Miranda tried to think of another subject to switch to. After a moment, all she could think of was, "What's the Jackal like?"
"A great little ship," Brian replied, instantly grateful for the new topic and genuinely happy to talk about his new temporary command. "The essential design is pretty much identical to my posting before the Vesta, but I've found that no two ships are ever exactly the same."
"So I'm guessing sickbay is quite small?" Miranda asked. She's never served on anything smaller than a Miranda class.
"Mmm," Brian responded, nodding. "Small ship, small sickbay. To be honest, I've heard most doctors assigned to a Defiant class complaining about it to be honest, but I sincerely doubt that there'll be much of a need to make use of it on this trip. We are only using simulated weapons, after all."
"And if something happens, if, say the Cardassians, or someone else attacks you'll need a medical officer" Miranda said, trying to make a point while still being friendly, "besides, isn't it better to have some eye candy around."
"Always," Brian said, with a smirk plastered onto his face as the turbolift doors opened. Looking away and out into the space ahead, he could immediately understand why the place had been recommended to him. The lighting was dim due to the station's automated power management processes, and there were large windows which curved outwards slightly as they moved up the outer bulkhead which provided a complete view out and below the station. "Speaking of which," he said playfully, as he indicated that she should head out towards the windows first.
Miranda was surprised by how beautiful the view was. From where they were, they could see not just the planet below, but the shuttles and freighters coming and going from the docking ports and shuttle bays. Standing close to the window, Miranda stammered as she tried to find the words.
"It's been a long time since I've had a view like this," Brian commented absently.
Turning around to face Brian, Miranda put her hands on her hips, "see something you like Commander?"
"A couple of things," Brian responded, his smirk turning cheeky as he watched her take the defiant stance. He couldn't help but notice just how great she looked in that dress with the impressive scenery behind her, almost backlighting her figure. "Eye candy indeed," he couldn't help but mumble under his breath.
"Eye candy, is that all you want?" Miranda asked, brushing her hair behind her ear.
"Eye candy is never the complete package," he said, gladly playing along with the banter. "A very nice bonus, but just one part of the greater goal."
Miranda raised an eyebrow, "Greater goal huh, and what exactly are you hoping to achieve?" She asked playfully, walking slowly towards him, "perhaps you intend to do something?"
"Perhaps I might," Brian said, standing absolutely still but smiling, as he looked down towards her as she moved closer to him, accentuating the height difference between them.
Looking up at him, Miranda smiled playfully, "well, what can I do to turn might into will?" She asked in almost a whisper as she slowly wrapped her arms around his waist
Wrapping his own arms around Miranda's waist, his own tone almost matched hers as he responded, "you're doing a pretty good job already," as he bent down to bring his lips to meet hers.
Miranda closed her eyes, enjoying the sensation. It had been a while since she'd been this close to someone, this vulnerable. After a moment, she pulled back a little and smiled, "wow, you're good"
"Right back at you," Brian responded, bending down for another kiss.
Lt. Commander Brian Ratchford
Visiting Starfleet Officer
&
Doctor Miranda Keller
Head Surgeon
Starbase 332
