We Put the Fun in Dysfunction
Posted on Mon Dec 25th, 2023 @ 8:33pm by Ensign Connor Turner & Ensign Millicent Ambrose
Edited on on Tue Dec 26th, 2023 @ 9:27pm
0 words; about a 1 minute read
Mission:
Episode 15 - The Evil That Lies Beneath
Location: Main Engineering - Deck 11 - USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD002 - 0700 hrs
Connor was not a confrontational person by nature. He was mild mannered and generally respectful. Then again, he did most everything he could to avoid most human interaction, especially with women. However, Ensign Paisley F'rar unsettled his very last nerve and finally, in a full meeting of Engineering, after she teased him one too many times, he called her a bint.
That action somehow did not get him a negative mark; however, it did get him reassigned to ops for a month. He could not understand why Paisley did not get any negative marks either. The Cajoran was a regular pain and a hothead. The counselor said that he acted properly. Marjani was glad that he stood up to her too. So why was he still punished?
Asking that question, he thought that he might address the question directly to Lieutenant Diari. His name was still listed on the manifest for engineering but noticeably missing was Ensign F'rar. If she was gone, could he not come back? With that thought in mind, he made his way to engineering prior to his duty shift with Ops.
There she was, Milly Ambrose observing and watching those who were at work at different stations. She also was evaluating the sensory devices. When it seemed that someone saw her watching them, Milly would turn slightly, feeling her cheeks warm up. She heard the door to engineering open and Milly looked to see who else had arrived. He was tall, definitely taller than she, and for some reason he looked sort of familiar. Was he in several of her classes in academy? For a moment she just came out and stared at the engineer who was wearing glasses.
Connor walked into engineering and saw the magenta hair of Milly first. He stopped in his tracks and gulped hard. This woman looked familiar but he could not place why. He had to wonder where she came from. He did not recall her in Engineering the last time that he was here and that was what? Only a few days ago? "Um," he said looking firmly at his feet rather than at Milly. "Uh, do, um, I well, um, know you?"
"I uh don't know if you know me. You look familiar, but um maybe you do. I don't know. How old are you and did you go to academy? Of course you have had to. Never mind. I'll just go back to my corner." She moved a few steps away then she whirled back around and asked abruptly "What's your name?" wait that wasn't polite. She decided to move away and head for a different portion of engineering.
Connor blinked several times, watching Milly's reaction. He analyzed it and as she moved away, he analyzed the situation and then wondered if she was attracted to him. After all, was that not how he would handle the situation with an attractive woman? Avoid her like the plague? However, that theory was thrown out the window when she whirred back to face him. He was most grateful that she was not attracted to him because he had a girlfriend.
But then she asked his name and then started to run away again. Oh, God! She is attracted to me! But I cannot not answer her! That would be rude! He called after her hesitantly, "Um, Connor. Ensign Connor Turner."
She stopped and peered around the corner at the man who answered her. "I'm Ensign Milly Ambrose. I think you and I were in some of the same classes." She then disappeared back around the corner. Feeling her heart racing, and some anxiety rising, Milly was starting to retreat a bit more. Why was she even talking to him? She had heard of someone who was really into computers. And Connor Turner had been brought up on several occasions in some form of gossip. Just because he talked to his computer. Milly didn't find that funny at all though.
Oh, God! Now what do I do? She must be attracted to me. There can be no other explanation. Maybe I should relieve her of any disillusions. He gulped hard. That meant more talking to her, but it was obvious that she wanted some more conversation.
Tentatively he walked towards her, "Um, did you have magenta hair at the Academy?" He tended not to remember anything that did not have anything to do with a computer, but there was a familiarity about her. Maybe he should just get to the bottom of it.
She was sort of cornered and Milly didn't want to make a scene. She had heard of Connor getting into it with someone else in engineering. Okay Milly, be brave. Talk with this person. She took a deep breath. "M-maybe we can go talk somewhere? I don't want anyone to be looking at me, don't want to cause any trouble."
Oh, God! She really is into me. Well, best to dissuade her in quiet. The last time that I did anything publicly, I lost my position in engineering. "Um, uh, OK," Connor responded gulping hard. "Um, I don't want trouble either," he told her more certainly. "So, um, where do you want to, um, go?" Please tell me that this will not give me more of a reputation that I don't want.
She thought maybe the Jefferies tubes but that to her wasn't going to be a good thing. "Maybe the break room? I don't think it has too many people there." Milly put her hands in her pockets.
Connor heaved a sigh. That was not so private that Milly was hoping for an immediate romantic moment. "Um, that sounds, um, acceptable. Lead on."
With that, Milly led the way to the breakroom, her head slightly down, not looking to see if anyone was watching. When they arrived, there were just two people sitting down and drinking some coffee. Seeing that she and Connor were not alone, Milly's shoulders relaxed.
Connor also felt better knowing that they were both not alone. Politely, he asked her, "Um, would you, um, like me to, um, get you, um, something to drink?"
"Some Earl Grey tea please." Milly responded quietly, walking over to take a seat at one of the tables. She folded her hands in her lap, just to keep them still. Milly was feeling so nervous, she did need to try to overcome this problem. Luckily, she would be seeing Vura today. That seemed to give her some comfort.
Connor blinked twice when she asked for Earl Grey. That was one of his favorite teas. Had she been stalking him? He shook his head and reminded himself that it was a fairly popular tea. However, she did not look British, so that would be a slightly uncommon ask. Shrugging his shoulders, he went over to the replicator and replicated two earl grey teas and walked back to the table where Milly was. He placed a cup of tea before her and then another across the table from Milly before sitting in the seat across the table. "So, um, uh.... You wanted to, well, talk?"
Milly curled her hands around the cup, feeling the warmth course through her cold hands. She took comfort in that simple feeling. She looked at the steam rising from the tea, then Milly's eyes traveled up to where she looked into Connor's eyes. "I had streaks of magenta hair like what I have now. " She lowered her eyes back down as she lifted up her cup to her lips, taking an exploratory sip of it. Perfect temperature.
Connor bit his lower lip, recognizing that she was avoiding his gaze. She obviously had it bad for him and the fact that he did not remember what her hair was like or even who she was made it worse. In fairness to himself, if had any attraction to her, which he might have, he would have avoided looking at her like the plague. "I see," he replied, before taking a sip of his own. Bugger! I forgot the milk!
Trying to soothe Milly, he said, "I, um, well, was not, um, great about, well, socializing with anyone. Well, um, that's not completely true. There was my girlfriend, Holly Moore but we broke up recently. Does that help?" Connor! What are you saying? The way you said that makes it sound like you might be interested in her! You have a girlfriend! You will have to explain yourself!
"Well, I thought that you were someone who concentrated on your work. I mean c'mon, at times machinery is simpler to understand than people are," she stated, not looking back up to him. "I had spoken to Holly a few times, she was a nice person. I am sorry you aren't together anymore. Hopefully, you are still friends?" Milly asked bringing her cup back up to her lips. She paused, "I think I need a little bit of milk with this." Milly rose from the chair. "Do you want some?"
"Yes," Connor replied breathlessly. "Yes, I do. I completely forgot. I, well, did not know what to expect when you wanted to talk here. Computers are so much easier than people. Yes, Holly and I are still friends. She, uh, well, helped me ask out my new girlfriend when I, well, broke up with her the other day. Although, I think she thought we were broken up for about a year."
He shrugged helplessly. "Like I said, computers are easier to understand. How was I to know 'we'll try and arrange shore leave together' was breaking up?"
Milly brought over the small little pitcher which had milk in it and set it on the table between her and Connor. "Ah, you have a new girlfriend? I hope she treats you well. Come to think of it, Holly never struck me as someone who would steer you wrong, towards someone who would hurt you." She poured a little bit of milk in her tea and took a sip of it. "Just what was needed." Her voice was quiet. "You didn't know that, Holly had broken up with you?" Milly's eyes raised towards Connor's eyes.
"No," he replied shaking his head and then pouring some milk in his tea. "And as to Marjani, well, we only just started dating a few days ago. We had our first real date and then Pioneer left, splitting us up." He sighed heavily. Did I read this all wrong? She seems happy that I have a girlfriend. I don't get it. Zhara? Marjani? Where are you! I need help!
Milly was starting to relax talking with Connor and sipping her tea. So far, he seemed like a nice guy. And nice that he has a girlfriend. He seems very happy, and that makes me happy. Wait, what am I doing! Gosh Milly don't let your guard down. But he is very nice, can't I just enjoy this moment? She broke contact with Connor's eyes and looked back down at the table.
Connor noticed Milly's eyes go down. Why is she looking down now? Wait! You've been looking at her! Are you making a friend? When was the last time that you said, "um"? He didn't know. With her being silent, he also did not know what the next thing he should do was, so he tried, "Um, so do you have a boyfriend?" he then quickly added, "or girlfriend? I, um, am, uh, sorry. Don't mean to sound like a bigot. Just, well, I have a girlfriend, so I thought...." He shook his head, realizing he was probably digging himself into a hole. "Oh, bother! Never mind. I'm sorry."
"Just take a deep breath and don't run," Milly uttered softly, her words almost imperceptible, her eyes closing for a moment. Those words were spoken to herself but not realizing she uttered them verbally. She then spoke a little bit louder for Connor to hear. "I don't have a boyfriend and you didn't sound like a bigot, I have dated women, but I am attracted to men, very much so." Oh gosh does it sound like I am hitting on him? Oh no no...I can't take it back.
Is she hitting on me or not? She answered my question but then there was that lengthy explanation. And she's telling me not to run. Why? What am I missing? Couldn't she just be a computer? I would understand that so much better. He took another sip of his tea, hoping that might help him figure out anything about this conversation. It did not. "Ah," he finally settled on non-committally. "So, um, you wanted to speak to me more privately." He blinked again and finally asked, "Why?"
Her hands began to tremble making the tea in the cup to ripple. She set the cup down. "I... I wanted to try to talk to you. And I don't have a boyfriend as I don't want one, nor a girlfriend as what I said, I was attracted to men. And I didn't want to run away from you, as someone may get the wrong impression that you did something wrong, when you didn't do anything and...." Oh gosh now what do I do?
Connor scratched his head and tried to compute this equation. She wanted to talk to him; however, she did not want a boyfriend. She did not want to run away from him. Why would he have the impression that he did anything wrong? Certainly he would have been confused, but he was completely confused now, too.
"Um, Milly, can you help me out here?" he asked, his voice wobbling from uncertainty. "Why did you want to specifically talk to, well, me? I'm nothing special. And, well, why would you run from me?" He chuckled lightly. "That's normally what I would do from a pretty woman." Bugger! Will she think that I just called her ugly? What is wrong with you, Connor James?
"I was trying not to be rude when I said wanted to talk with you. This is more of maybe figuring out... I don't know... Just what sort of working relationship we're going to be having? Back at Academy, I remember saying hello to you a few times. I think I made you nervous, you were so shy. And what would you have done out there, in engineering, if I just ran away because you were being nice and polite. Anyway, I may have taken up too much of your time as of now and I need to go back to work," Milly remarked.
"Working relationship?" Connor asked confused. "Right now, I'm in Ops. The Chief sent me there after, well, I, um...." His skin pinkened as he recalled his anger and telling Paisley she was a bint. "Let us just say it was unbecoming of me." He bent his head low. "I suppose I should be grateful that I did not get a reprimand in my file. It is hard enough for me as is to advance...." He shrugged apologetically, still not looking at Milly.
"I'll be back in about three and a half weeks," he continued, trying to cheer up. "Though, I was coming to talk to the Chief, hoping, well, that maybe, well, since the former.... Well, she's gone, that maybe...."
Connor sighed heavily before looking back at Milly. "Look, I'm not really good at the people thing. Computers are so much easier to understand. And, well, though I don't really fully understand you or much of your reactions, our time has not been unpleasant." Why not just call her boring? God, Connor, you're such a proper prat, aren't you? He pulled his hands up and shook them trying to indicate that was not what he meant.
"Look, um, I'm sorry. I don't mean to be a prat. I'm just, well, not very good at this, and well, I don't know.... I feel like, well, maybe we could chat more. I mean, well, I actually am able to look at you a tad. That's something."
"That is good, I hope. Um, maybe we can talk more at a later time. I think, uh that can happen. Maybe when you wish?" Milly's eyes widened. "I used to be better at this Connor, and I don't think you are a prat. It's me, and maybe that is the problem." Oh gosh I feel so awkward, he wants to talk to me. He can look at me, maybe it is because I am not looking at him all the time?
Connor tilted his head on an angle, trying to make sense of what Milly was saying. Why was she better and now she was bad at it? Usually that is not the way things happen. Probably something to talk about later. "I don't understand the problem but I don't think you told me it either. I suppose we could try to diagnose it at some point. Um, well, as to when, I don't really do much besides play computer games. I'll probably call Marjani to talk to her. Other than that, I'm free. So, um, any time, really."
Milly nodded. "Okay, and Marjani is the name of your girlfriend? Well thank you for the tea. And let's hope that you can come back to engineering. Sooner than later. "Milly rose from her seat, and finished off her tea. "Do you want me to leave the milk here for you?"
"Yes, Marjani Smith," Connor confirmed. He watched as Milly rose and then he did the same. It was not appropriate for him to be sitting when a woman rose. "You can leave it. I'll just dispose of everything when I finish. I, uh, am going to have to get my nerve up, again, now."
Milly paused and gave a good look at Connor for a long moment then she remarked, "Y-you will be able to do it. After all, you actually talked to me. If you can do that, then maybe you can get back to where you belong? Here in Engineering."
"Maybe," Connor replied hesitantly and hopefully. "Thank you, um, for your, um, faith. The Chief, um, well, she's, um, well, is more scary. That's not the right word. But, um, she makes me much more nervous."
"Well, why does she make you nervous? She's just a woman right? Oh, wait she is pretty, and that makes you nervous. Why does a pretty woman make you nervous?" Milly rather curious about that. "Do you feel attracted to them and it embarrasses you to feeling that way?"
"I don't know. Maybe. But there's more with, um, the Chief. She's, um, well, overt." He turned and looked away from Milly, trying not to turn several shades of red. "Probably the Betazoid in her...?" he offered.
"You find her sexy, especially since she is Chief of Engineering? And has brains besides beauty. And it is something that attracts you. And you are worried about her finding about your possible thoughts," Milly remarked quietly and seriously about what she was saying. She wasn't making fun of Connor either.
Connor blinked a few times. Wasn't Milly leaving a second ago? And yet she was still here, talking about his discomfort with his Chief. "Um, maybe? Uh, I don't think so. I don't know so. Besides, I'm pretty sure she does not like men from, um, what I, uh heard."
Milly gave a one shouldered shrug. "I haven't heard anything via the grapevine. It's not my business." She glanced around and realizing that she and Connor were alone now. She took in a breath. "Okay, she is professional, and will conduct herself that way as well. Now I am going to go. See you later." Milly turned around to head back out from the break room.
"It does not matter what her sexuality is either, but I learned on, well, that day...." And don't you know how hard it is to be one of the only men in this department? Everyone looks at me like a fresh piece of meat.
"A day that can be termed a difficult day." Milly said over her shoulder, slightly turning to regard Connor once more. I wish you luck, and hope that you can get back here." With a wave, Milly stepped out of the break room, and went to get a bit more work done. Connor seemed to be a nice guy. Could we be friends? Can we? Do I dare allow myself to do so? He was so nice though. She exhaled a troubled sigh went back to work.
Connor watched as Milly left, wondering regarding her wisdom and yet trying to find explanations for why she was so tentative with him. Deciding that it was a mystery that he would solve another time, he sat back down to finish his tea and to steel his nerves before talking to Lieutenant Diari.
A Joint Post By
Ensign Millicent Ambrose
Engineering Officer, USS Pioneer
Ensign Connor Turner
Computer Systems Specialist, USS Pioneer
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