Duty and Desire
Posted on Tue Mar 11th, 2025 @ 3:26pm by Captain Malcom Llwyedd & Ensign Emilynn Dove
2,154 words; about a 11 minute read
Mission:
Shore Leave 1
Location: An unnamed island
[ON]
As a shadow swept across her sun-drenched lounger, Emilynn glanced up from the pages of her book. Standing above her, a man about her age loomed in the sunlight. His dark hair caught the light, adding to his casual yet striking appearance. "Excuse me," Emilynn said, her voice soft yet firm, "could you possibly step aside? You're blocking the sun." She offered a polite smile, hoping to ease the inconvenience.
“Of course, my apologies,” he said, his voice smooth and courteous. He glanced around before adding, “Is this lounger already occupied?” He gestured subtly towards the plush seat next to her, a hint of curiosity in his eyes.
“No,” Emilynn replied, turning her attention back to her book.
“Beautiful day, is it not?” He asked
“Yes, very nice,” she said simply.
“My name is Harrison Maxwell Bandini, but my friends call me Max,” he said, a friendly smile breaking across his face.
“It’s nice to meet you, Harrison,” she replied, her voice slightly hesitant. She shifted her gaze back to the pages of her book, feeling the weight of an unwanted conversation looming. The words on the page seemed to blur as her mind raced with the subtle dread of what was to come, hoping he would take the hint and let her return to her book in peace.
"Ah, indeed," he said, a hint of sarcasm lacing his voice as a smirk crept across his lips. "I see you've chosen a lighthearted book to indulge in during your leisurely escape by the sea. How utterly delightful!"
Emilynn shot him a sideways glance, her eyes briefly meeting his before returning to the pages. She offered a slight nod, wordlessly dismissing his jest, and attempted to immerse herself once more in her reading, the gentle lapping of waves providing a soothing backdrop to the moment.
“And you are?”
“I am what?” She questioned a little irritated by his contant questions.
“Yes, in most civilized conversations, when two individuals engage with one another, it is customary to exchange names as a form of introduction.”
Emilynn resisted the urge to roll her eyes. “Emilynn Dove.”
“Ah, that’s simply beautiful! I can’t help but wonder, do your parents not have a tradition of using middle names?”
“What?” She asked, confused by the odd question.
“A middle name is the name that comes between your given name and your surname. Do you have one?
“Well, yes, I just don’t typically state it.”
“Oh?, Is it dreadful?”
“No, it's not dreadful. What makes you think that? She asked the pitch in her voice a bit higher now.
“I just wondered. I mean, if you don’t want to share it.” He continued his long line of questioning.
“I never said I wouldn’t share it.” Emilynn defended.
“Then what exactly is it? He grinned.
“It’s Mackenzie.”
“Well, that is quite an unusual choice,” he remarked, arching an eyebrow as he studied her with a curious gaze. “A little unisex, if I may add.” Before Emilynn had the chance to reply, he pressed on, his voice smooth and confident. “It is truly my pleasure to make your acquaintance, Ms. Emilynn Mackenzie Dove.”
“Yes,” she replied softly, her eyes not leaving the pages of her book. She hoped that this would signal her desire for solitude.
“Isn’t shore leave supposed to be a time for relaxation and enjoyment?” he inquired, his voice laced with a touch of amusement as he leaned back in his lounger.
“How do you know I’m on shore leave?” she questioned, lowering her book and looking at him with a spark of curiosity flickering in her eyes.
“Ahh yes, well, I have to say I’ve encountered many of your kind in my travels.”
“Excuse me? My kind? What does that mean?” She demanded.
“Oh, pardon me, I meant no disrespect. It’s just easy to recognize the young new officers who struggle to enjoy themselves because they feel the need to constantly improve on one thing or another. It’s really quite tragic. Unfortunately, I think that after all those years at the academy, they’ve forgotten how to have fun.”
“I don’t need to brush up on anything, thank you very much. And I have no problem having fun,” she replied. However, she couldn't help but wonder if there was some truth to what he said. Still, she wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of knowing that.
He leaned over, extending his arm toward the book she cradled in her hands, his fingers gently moving it to catch a clearer glimpse of the cover. “Tactical analy…” he began reading.
She pulled the book away so he couldn’t finish reading the title and gave him an irritated look.
He grinned mischievously at her, a deep frown creasing his forehead. “Forgive me if I don’t share your enthusiasm,” he said, gesturing dramatically to their surroundings. “Take a look around. The breathtaking island sprawled before us, the sun warming our skin.” She saw how he momentarily glanced at her sitting there in her bikini. “And nature in all its glory. Yet here you are, buried in a book of all things.”
He paused, a hint of sarcasm lacing his voice now. “It might as well be the history of temporal mechanics you’re reading.” With a deep breath, he added, “Allow your mind a moment of respite. Have a drink, dip your toes in the crystal-clear water, and relish in the wonders around you. Enjoy yourself while you can; there will surely be plenty of time for reading later.” He looked to her for a reaction.
“I enjoy reading, thank you very much.” She said defiantly, unsure how else to respond to his remarks.
Indeed, I completely understand how challenging it can be for you to let go and truly relax.
“I can relax just fine.”
“Yes, yes. I’m sure.” He said, baiting her.
“I can.”
“Really?” he challenged, raising an eyebrow and crossing his arms defiantly. “I need to know—what was the very last thing you did that was fun?” His voice carried a mix of skepticism and curiosity, urging her to reveal more that he knew she was comfortable with.
His question caught her off guard, a sudden jolt that pulled her thoughts in multiple directions all at once. She hadn’t anticipated such a direct inquiry, and as silence settled between them, she struggled to formulate a coherent response. Her hesitation lingered in the air, giving him the opportunity he had been silently craving. He leaned in closer, his expression a mix of satisfaction and anticipation, eager to seize the moment.
“Have dinner with me,” he said, a warm smile spreading across his face as he locked eyes with her. His note of invitation was accompanied by a subtle glint of satisfaction, suggesting he was pleased with the moment they were sharing.
“Dinner?” she repeated.
“Yes, dinner,” he explained. “You know, that daily ritual where people gather in the evening to share a meal to nourish themselves after a long day.” He said sarcastically.
“I’m fully aware of what dinner is,” she stated flatly, with an unimpressed expression.
“Yes, sadly, you probably rush through your meals so quickly that your taste buds scarcely have the chance to appreciate the flavors. You need to truly savor each bite, and it can be a very enjoyable experience.”
“Listen, I don’t know who..” she began.
“So, dinner?” He interrupted her with a sly grin, leaning in closer, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “I know a wonderful little restaurant overlooking the ocean. It’s just a short stroll from here—no more than a seven-minute walk. The menu is absolutely delectable, filled with dishes that are sure to entice your palate. What do you say, 1800 hours?”
“Wh..What? Wait. I never said I would have...” She started to protest before he interrupted her again.
“Alright, how about this?” he said, a spark of mischief dancing in his eyes. “I’ll make you an enticing deal. You can ask me any question from that book of yours, and if I manage to get it right, you’ll have to agree to spend the entire day by my side and have dinner with me tonight.” His expression was playful yet daring, as if he were issuing a challenge that he was eager to rise to and knew she couldn’t resist.
“And if you get it wrong?” She questioned.
“While I find it highly unlikely that such a situation would arise, should the remote chance happen, it would fall entirely within your capable hands to make that decision.” He smiled back at her.
“Any question I want?” she pressed, a glimmer of hope in her eyes as she considered this might finally be the moment she could shake off his relentless presence.
“Absolutely. If you must, make it two,” he conceded.
“Okay,” she said confidently, opening the book to a random page and coming up with a question for him. Without hesitation, he recited back almost verbatim what was written in the book. Emilynn blinked several times, her expression one of disbelief. “Wait. How did you…?”
“Fair is fair. Am I correct?” he asked, a playful grin spreading across his face as his eyes sparkled with mischief.
“But how did you? Are you telepathic? You read my mind?” She accused.
“No, no, there isn’t any telepathy at work here. I just knew the answer.”
“But how it was almost exactly what is written in the book.” She challenged.
“Yes, well, rule number one in any situation, whether in combat or otherwise, is to ‘know your opponent.’ I admit I have read that horrendous book before, and I have a bit of a photographic memory. Good for me, but bad for you; a deal is a deal. I suggest you start packing up your things. We have places to visit and fun activities to do, Ms. Mackenzie!”
Emilynn felt the warmth drain from her cheeks, leaving them stark and ghostly pale. A tingling sensation spread throughout her body, like a thousand tiny pins pricking her skin, and her mind raced in a chaotic swirl. She opened her mouth to protest, but the words caught in her throat, leaving her utterly speechless and disoriented.
He gently removed the book from her hands and placed it into the bag that sat next to her. Standing he reached out his hand to her to help her from the lounger. “Come now. Make haste. I have the most brilliant of ideas. You’re not afraid of heights, are you?” He questioned
“Heights? Uhh, no.” Emilynn stated, slowly rising from the lounger, bewildered by the turn of events.
“Oh good, we will have a splendid time. I’m certain of it.” He said cheerfully.
The days melted into one another, transforming a single day into a string of three. In those moments, she often found him to be insufferable, meddlesome, and an incessant source of irritation. Yet, in an unexpected turn of events, she realized that she hadn’t felt this relaxed in what seemed like ages. By the third night, the barriers she had carefully constructed had crumbled, and she surrendered to the moment, allowing him to kiss her. This kiss, while not her first, was undeniably different; she could count on one hand the number of times she had experienced such a thing.
As the fourth night neared its end, they had crossed yet another threshold, sharing a bed that felt both foreign and electrifying. It was as if he had cast a spell over her, erasing the layers of defenses she had painstakingly put in place over the years. Helpless to resist, she was entranced by his touch, which awakened feelings within her that she had long buried. It was exhilarating and terrifying at the same time, sparking a fire that frightened her deeply.
As her shoreleave neared its end, a complex surge of emotions washed over her. A blend of relief and bittersweet sadness enveloped her heart. The impending return to her routine life loomed before her, offering a sense of comfort tinged with a poignant nostalgia. Memories of the past few days danced in her mind, each one a vibrant hue against the grey of ordinary life. She could almost hear the gentle hum of daily existence that awaited her, a familiar tune that promised stability and predictability. Yet, the exhilarating freedom she had briefly tasted lingered like a haunting melody, evoking visions of spontaneous adventures and laughter shared under sunlit skies. The contrast between the wistful echoes of her leave and the embrace of her usual surroundings created a longing that tugged at her soul, reminding her of the delicate balance between duty and desire.
[OFF]
Ensign Emilynn Dove
Operations Officer
USS Firebird NCC-88298
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