Delightfully Wicked

Posted on Wed Aug 5th, 2015 @ 11:38am by Ensign Eames Eldritch & Lieutenant Commander Ethan Chaparral MD

Mission: The New Sydney Fiasco
Location: Sickbay | Deck 12 | USS Hera
Timeline: After 'Very Good, Ma'am'

Ensign Eames Eldritch stepped out of the turbolift onto Deck 12, and nodded in the direction of an attractive female Argelian crewman as he made his way up the corridor towards Sickbay. The tall black-haired Betan moved with poise and purpose; his hands clasped behind his back as he walked. Eldritch reflected on his first meeting that day with his new CO, the Hera's captain, Enalia Telvan. Every first meeting was bound to have the odd rough spot that needed smoothing out, to be sure. Eldritch just hoped that he would be able to strike a rhythm with the unconventional Trill captain sooner, rather than later. All in all, though, an interesting start to things. As he came to stand in front of the Sickbay doors and awaited their parting to let him in, Ensign Eldritch wondered if this next visit with the Hera's CMO would prove as interesting.

Ethan had, had a busy day. There had been an argument that turned into a fight in the lounge and he's set a broken nose and treated two others for some minor cuts and abrasions. He'd had to use the osteoregenerator on one of the Simpson twins, the second time in three months and three crewman had come in for colds.

Now he was trying to relax. He was on his PAaD making wedding plans, well more specifically honeymoon plans. Risa, Paris or San Francisco it was kind of hard to determine and neither his mother, or his fiance were being much help. They were leaving the decision in his hands.

He looked up as the doors swished open. He sat the PAaD down and approached the younger looking Ensign, whom he didn't recognize. "Can I help you?" he asked.

"Good day, sir," replied the young Betan, a thin placid smile on his handsome face. "My name is Eldritch. One of the Hera's new crew members. Begging your pardon: I believe I am required to present myself to Sickbay for final medical clearance, before I can commence with my duties." Eldritch's stone-grey eyes glanced at the pips on the medical officer's teal-accented collar of the uniform. "Apologies, Commander, if I have interrupted anything terribly important?"

"No, not at all," Ethan replied, "just trying to make a decision on a honeymoon location. But I actually need a break. Why don't you climb on biobed five, its right behind you and to your right. And there's no need for formality Ensign, Ethan or Doctor will do."

"Thank you ... Doctor," nodded Eldritch, trying Chaparral's other title on for size. "Hopefully, this doesn't take up too much of your time."

Eldritch turned to watch Doctor Chaparral as he climbed atop the biobed and made himself comfortable. A good-looking young man, Eldritch opined. Human, by the look of him ... except for a certain something. The Betan ensign couldn't point to anything specific, but there was something in Ethan's clear, crystal-blue eyes -- something about the way he carried himself -- that made Eldritch wonder.

"You mentioned something about a honeymoon," said Eldritch, arching an eyebrow with a razor thin smile. "Does that mean congratulations are in order?"

Ethan gave the other man a smile that most definitely reached his eyes. "Well it isn't exactly new news, but yeah you could say that. Dylan Santiago and I are getting married.

If Ethan had been able to read minds, he would have been flattered that he was thought of as good looking. If he were single he would have at lest tried flirting with the Ensign who he found more than easy on the eyes. But that thought was quickly shoved to the side.

As he reached for a tricorder, he said, any injuries, or something that may have changed from your last physical?" he asked.

"Fortunately not, Doctor," answered Eldritch, his stone-grey eyes narrowing briefly as they regarded Ethan's medical tricorder. "I'm happy to report that I'm as fit as the proverbial fiddle." The Betan's eyes regarded Chaparral again as the medical officer went about his scan. After listening to the tricorder's chirping for a moment, Eldritch decided to ask his question.

"Forgive me for being so ... direct," the Ensign began, "but ... are you Human, doctor?"

Ethan chuckled slightly. "Half," he replied, "I'm also half Elasian and just to make things interesting my mother is on board."

"Ah, I see," nodded Eldritch. "You know, I've never met another person of Elasian descent before. In fact, the only thing I really know about Elasians ... involves that bit about being entranced by their tears." Something akin to devilish amusement appeared to play upon the Betan's slight grin. "I confess, I've always found the idea ... intriguing."

"What fascinates you about it?" he asked his grin twisting ever so slightly into a smirk.

"Oh, I don't know," sighed Eldritch, fixing Ethan with his gaze. "The idea of being enslaved by one's passions. Of losing one's self control. I suppose I find it all so ... delightfully wicked."

Ethan's grin widened, he couldn't help but feel fascinated by the other man, "Well there's nothing wrong with wicked. At least that kind of wicked," he said, restraining himself from moving any closer than he knew he should, even though there was just the slightest hint of temptation to do so.

"Well just so you know, I could cry buckets and you wouldn't be enslaved, except perhaps by my wit and charm. Seriously, it's only the women that can do that.

"I see," Eldritch nodded his understanding. "Well, I suppose that's probably for the best. Now, then ... back to the matter at hand. Do you think I'm ... fit enough to serve, Doctor?"

A myriad of thoughts passed through Ethan's mind, and he couldn't help but flirt just a bit more. Of course flirting is what had gotten him into a whole bunch of trouble, but he hardly thought he could be kidnapped and tortured a second time. And it was just flirting. It suddenly wouldn't amount to more than that.

With a hint of a smirk he said, "Well your readings are all normal and you look as if you are fit enough to serve under anyone. By the way, what position are you?"

"Didn't I mention?" asked the grey-eyed Betan, swinging his legs over the side of the biobed. "I am the new Yeoman. It would seem that I'll be ... serving directly under our dear Captain. Doing whatever she desires, I'm sure." Eldritch slid off of the biobed and came to stand up on his feet, probably closer to his good-looking half-Elasian doctor than was entirely necessary. "However, if I can ever be of any ... service ... to you, Doctor ... please don't hesitate to call."

Ethan's crystal blue eyes stared deeply into Eames slate grey ones, seeing something he couldn't quite place. He took a half step closer, coming into a dangerous no-man's land as he infiltrated the Ensign's personal space. He couldn't understand why, but he was flirting with doing the unthinkable. Then he shook his head minutely and took a step back, both mentally and physically.

In a serious tone he said, "How do you do that, how can you tempt to, well cross the line, when I barely know you?"

Eldritch blinked, and for a moment, the hungry look in his eye faded in a moment of clarity. His self-control was slipping ... again. First that business aboard the shuttle on the way here. Now here, with Dr. Chaparral in Sickbay. Eldritch stood up straight and clasped his hands behind his back, determined to rein himself back in.

"I apologize, Doctor," said the debonair Betan, as the thin plastic smile he wore somehow tightened. "I can sometimes get ... carried away. Believe me: I know all about temptation and 'crossing lines'." Eldritch wanted to say something about not intending any harm, about not meaning to flirt, to entice, to ensnare. But, he knew it would have been a lie, and just now, the ensign didn't trust himself to attempt such deception ... especially if the mask was beginning to slip. "Please, excuse me if I ... overstepped."

"It's as much my fault as it was yours. You are cute and I guess I was flattered, and a little tempted when you flirted back. But the last person I flirted with happened to be a very bad person who almost killed me. And that was before Dylan proposed.

So, if I wasn't in a relationship, a very serious relationship, then things would be different, but I love him and would never cheat on him. Thanks for understanding."

"Of course. No explanation necessary," nodded Eldritch, clasping his hands behind his back and arching an eyebrow. "Although, I'd be very interested in hearing more about this 'very bad person' you once knew. An intriguing conversation topic for another time, no doubt ... that is, if you were so inclined?"

Ethan, had, had, what he considered a momentary lapse in judgement in flirting with the Ensign, but he wouldn't make that same mistake again. He could talk with him again, in fact he would have to interact with him at some time, the Hera wasn't that big of a ship. Besides there had been a small anomaly on the tricorder. Well within normal range and it was probably nothing. Eames brain chemistry was just a tad off. It probably meant nothing, but Ethan planned to have a closer look just to make sure. Until then, he didn't want to concern the new officer.

"Sure, we can get together later, I'll tell you the whole story. Maybe even have you over to dinner so you can meet Dylan."

The thin slash that served as Eldritch's smile widened a bit at the prospect of meeting his new doctor's fiancee. Something playful glinted in the Betan's stone grey eyes as he considered the possibilities.

"Splendid," answered Eldritch. "I've got a 10 year-old bottle of Vulcan port wine that should loosen all our tongues quite nicely. Well, then. Now that I've been cleared medically, I should probably head out, sir. Still quite a bit to take care of on my first day. Until we meet again?"

Ethan held out his hand, "Yes until we meet again."

Eldritch took the handsome doctor's hand in his and shook it. After holding it for a touch long than was perhaps necessary, the young ensign clasped his hands behind his back turned and exited the Sickbay. His first day aboard the Hera was turning out to be very interesting, indeed.

---

A joint post by

Ensign Eames Eldritch
YEO
USS Hera

&

Lt. Commander Ethan Chaparral
CMO
USS Hera