beyondantaresa

[beyondantaresa]

Silly Serenades

Word Count: 434

Y/N sat alone in her quarters, the soft hum of the ship the only sound accompanying her thoughts. It had been a long, exhausting day, and she found herself missing John Lamarr more than she cared to admit. He was away on a mission—routine, he had assured her—but the distance between them felt heavier tonight.

With a sigh, she reached for a book, trying to distract herself, when her communicator chimed with an incoming message. The small screen flashed John Lamarr – Private Message.

Curious, she pressed play.

The screen flickered to life, and there he was—John, sitting in what looked like his quarters, leaning back with his usual relaxed smirk. But there was something different in his eyes.

"Y/N, I know I’m supposed to be all about logic and coolness," he began, rubbing the back of his neck as if he were a little nervous. "But… I’m breaking all the rules for you."

She raised an eyebrow, waiting. Then, to her surprise, music started playing softly in the background—the unmistakable melody of "I Just Called to Say I Love You."

John grinned, almost sheepishly, before he started to sing along.

His voice was… well, not what one would call professional. He was slightly off-key, fumbling a lyric or two, but his enthusiasm was undeniable. He pointed at the screen dramatically during the chorus, emphasizing each word as if he were performing a grand serenade.

"I just called… to say I love you… I just called… to say how much I care…"

Y/N clapped a hand over her mouth, laughter bubbling up despite the lump forming in her throat.

John continued, completely committed now, closing his eyes as if he were the most passionate singer in the universe. He added an exaggerated, heartfelt "Ooooh, yeahhh", before finishing with a dramatic sigh.

Then, he looked directly at the camera, his expression softening.

"No flowers, no chocolates, just me… telling you the truth." A pause. Then, in a quieter voice, he added, "I love you, Y/N. Always."

The message ended.

Y/N sat there, staring at the screen, her heart full, her emotions tangled between laughter and something much deeper.

John Lamarr—the man who often cracked jokes, the man who sometimes pretended to be too cool for sentimental things—had just sent her a ridiculous, wonderful, completely unexpected love song.

Now, the question was… how would she respond?

Would she call him back and tease him mercilessly? Send a message in return—maybe her own off-key serenade? Or simply let him know, in no uncertain terms, that she felt exactly the same way?

[beyondantaresa]

Sorry!

Hi to any and all that have been reading my stories.

I am so sorry for the lack of uploading.

Fact is, I was diagnosed with heart failure recently and so I have been trying to deal with that and the fact that I am also doing a degree. Today is the first day I've even been well enough to do anything much.

I have however been writing. Just not posting.

I will keep posting but I would appreciate your understanding. I'm not disappearing on you all XD

Many Thanks,

Beyond Antares A

[beyondantaresa]

Movie Night

Part 4

Word Count: 948

The lights dimmed as you stepped into the holodeck, the scent of buttered popcorn wafting through the air. A classic movie marquee flickered above, displaying the words Now Showing: Whatever You Want.

Gordon walked beside you, holding two massive tubs of popcorn and flashing his signature grin. “Okay, I know it’s just the holodeck, but this place nailed the vibe. Smells like nostalgia and overpriced snacks.”

You couldn’t help but laugh. “You grabbed the biggest popcorn size, really?”

“Go big or go home,” he said with a shrug, leading the way toward the empty theatre. He glanced back at you, his grin softening slightly. “Besides, it’s our first official date. Gotta do it right.”

The word date sent a little flutter through your chest, but you pushed it aside, shaking your head at him. “Let’s see how this plays out before you start patting yourself on the back.”

The theatre was cosy, with plush red seats and a massive screen that stretched across the far wall. Gordon chose a spot dead centre and plopped down, balancing the popcorn on his lap. “So, what’s the movie? Action? Comedy? Rom-com?”

You smirked, settling into the seat beside him. “Pretty sure the simulator is waiting for us to decide. How about something classic?”

“Classic, huh?” Gordon tilted his head, pretending to think. “So… Space Minion 4: Return of the Space Lords?”

You rolled your eyes, snatching a handful of popcorn. “That’s not a classic. That’s just loud….and terrible.”

He leaned closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially. “Fine. How about something romantic? You know, since it’s a date.”

The teasing lilt in his voice made you laugh, but there was a flicker of sincerity in his expression that caught you off guard. “Ok,” you said, meeting his gaze. “Something romantic it is.”

The screen came to life, and the opening credits of an old black-and-white movie began to roll. Gordon leaned back, his shoulder brushing against yours.

“You know,” he said after a moment, his tone softer, “I wasn’t sure you’d actually go for this.”

“For what?” you asked, glancing at him.

He hesitated, then gave a small shrug. “This. Us. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m glad you did. I just… I didn’t think you’d ever see me as more than the guy who tells bad jokes and pilots the ship like it’s a racing game.”

You smiled, nudging him with your elbow. “Well, you’re still that guy. But you’re also the guy who knows how to make me laugh when I need it most. And maybe, just maybe, I don’t know…possibly, I kind of like that about you.”

He grinned, his confidence returning. “Yeah? Well, for the record, I kind of like you too. Just don’t tell the simulator. It’ll probably plan our wedding next.”

You laughed, shaking your head. “Deal. Now hush up and watch the movie.”

As the movie played, you felt his hand brush against yours on the armrest. He hesitated for a moment, then laced his fingers with yours. You didn’t pull away.

The simulator might have set the scene, but this time, the moment was entirely yours.

The movie ended with the perfect blend of humour and heart, leaving you both in great spirits as you left the holodeck. The simulated scent of popcorn and old film reels lingered in the air, but you barely noticed, too focused on Gordon’s animated retelling of his favourite parts.

“Ok, but that moment when the guy leapt off the balcony to confess his love?” Gordon said, his hands gesturing wildly as the two of you walked down the corridor. “Epic! If I ever have to make a grand romantic gesture, that’s how I’m doing it. Minus the sprained ankle, of course. Ouch much?”

You laughed, shaking your head. “Good to know you’ve been taking notes for your future dramatic declarations.”

“Hey, you never know when you’ll need ‘em,” he said with a grin, falling into step beside you. “Although, I gotta say, I think tonight went pretty well without any balcony jumping.”

“I agree,” you said, glancing at him. “It was… nice. Simple. Perfect, even.”

He stopped in front of your quarters, his expression softening. “Perfect, huh? I’ll take that. Especially since I was worried, I’d blow it halfway through.”

“Blow it? Gordon, you made me laugh so hard I almost choked on popcorn. That’s got to count for something.”

He chuckled, scratching the back of his neck. “Yeah, I guess I do have that going for me.”

The two of you lingered for a moment, the air between you charged with an unspoken energy. Gordon shifted slightly, his usual confidence giving way to a rare hint of nervousness.

“Well,” he said, his voice quieter now, “I should probably let you get some rest. Work day tomorrow and all that.”

“Right,” you said softly, though you didn’t move to open the door.

He hesitated for a second longer before stepping closer. “Goodnight, then,” he said, his voice warm.

Before you could respond, he took his chance, leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to the corner of your mouth. It was quick, almost shy, but it sent your heart racing faster than warp all the same.

As he pulled back, his grin returned, a little crooked and but very endearing. “Perfect first date,” he mumbled, his tone teasing but sincere.

You smiled, feeling a warmth spread through you. “Yeah. Perfect.”

He gave you one last playful salute before turning to walk down the corridor. As you watched him go, you found yourself already looking forward to the next time the two of you found yourselves tangled up in whatever crazy scenario life—or the simulator—had in store.

Previous

Next

[beyondantaresa]

The Amusement Park

Part 3

Word Count: 936

You believed that the saying went something like this: “Fool me once, same on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.” So why exactly did it seem that a possible continuation of that quote could have been “Fool me thrice, I’m a masochist.” Just how and why exactly had you allowed Gordon to lure you back to the simulator a third week in a row?

The air was thick with the smell of popcorn and cotton candy, and the cheerful sounds of carnival music and laughter echoed all around. You stood in front of a brightly lit carousel, staring at the flashing lights and spinning rides with an exhausted sigh.

“An amusement park,” you muttered, shaking your head. “Why am I not surprised? At this point, I should just assume the holodeck is trying to humiliate us.”

Gordon stood beside you, hands in his pockets, his face a mixture of amusement and discomfort. You always seemed to dislike whenever you were stuck here…with him. “I mean, maybe it’s not random,” he said after a moment, glancing sideways at you.

You turned to him, narrowing your eyes. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

He shrugged, rocking back on his heels. “I don’t know. Maybe someone’s trying to set us up?”

Your brows shot up, and you crossed your arms. “Set us up? And why would anyone be doing that? Do you… like me or something, Malloy?”

For a moment, he didn’t answer, his usual easy grin faltering as he rubbed the back of his neck. Then, surprising you, he met your gaze and said, “Maybe I do. Maybe you like me too. Otherwise, why do you keep coming in here with me?”

The words hung in the air, the park’s noises fading into the background as you stared at him. His expression was hesitant but sincere, his usual playful demeanour replaced with something more vulnerable.

You blinked, caught off guard. “What… what are you saying?”

He chuckled nervously, shoving his hands deeper into his pockets. “I’m saying… maybe I’ve been trying to figure this whole thing out for a while. And maybe the simulator isn’t the only one pushing us together?”

Your heart raced as his words sunk in, and you took a step closer, narrowing the gap between you. “So what, you’ve been waiting for the perfect glitch to make your move Malloy?”

“Pretty much yeah,” he said with a grin that was more sheepish than smug. “Figured if I messed up, I could just blame it on the program.”

You couldn’t help but laugh at his honesty, shaking your head. “You’re ridiculous.”

“Ridiculous is my middle name,” he said, his grin widening. Then, softer, he added, “But I’m serious. What do you think? About us?”

You paused, your teasing tone fading as you looked at him. “I think… maybe I’ve been waiting for you to figure it out too. I don’t know.” You said shyly.

His smile softened, and for a moment, the chaos of the amusement park around you seemed to fade away. “Well,” he said, offering you his hand, “guess the simulator isn’t all bad, huh?”

You hesitated for only a second before taking his hand, a small smile tugging at your lips. “Fine. But if the holodeck puts us in a wedding chapel next, I’m out.”

“Deal,” he snorted, tugging you toward the Ferris wheel. “But for now, how about we enjoy the ride?”

As the two of you walked through the blinking lights and cheerful chaos, hand in hand, you couldn’t help but feel like the holodeck might have been onto something all along.

From the dimly lit observation room, John LaMarr leaned casually against the console, a smug grin spreading across his face. His fingers tapped lazily on the edge of the panel as he watched the holodeck feed. On the screen, Gordon and you were heading toward the Ferris wheel, laughing and talking like the awkward tension of moments before had evaporated.

“Smooth, Gordon. Real smooth. Didn’t even need all those zips.” John muttered to himself, crossing his arms.

He couldn’t help but feel a little proud. It had taken some creativity—and a bit of careful tinkering with the simulator’s code—but his plan had worked perfectly. The random “glitches” he’d programmed over the past few weeks had been subtle enough to go unnoticed by the engineering team but just obvious enough to keep throwing the two of you into increasingly ridiculous romantic scenarios.

He leaned closer to the screen as Gordon playfully nudged your arm, earning a laugh -and was that a blush - from you. John smirked. “Man, I’m good.”

He’d known for a while that Gordon had feelings for you, even if his friend refused to admit it outright. And it didn’t take a genius to see the way you looked at Gordon when you thought no one was paying attention. But knowing Gordon, he’d have danced around the issue forever if someone didn’t give him a push.

And John LaMarr was nothing if not the ultimate wingman.

As the two of you boarded the Ferris wheel, John straightened up, rubbing his hands together like a mastermind revelling in his success. “All right, lovebirds,” he said to himself. “I’ve done my part. The rest is up to you.”

With one last satisfied glance at the screen, he powered down the feed and strolled out of the observation room, whistling a cheerful tune. He’d probably have to keep quiet about his role in all this—at least for now.

But presently? He could bask in the knowledge that he’d just earned himself the ultimate wingman bragging rights.

Previous

Next

[beyondantaresa]

10 posts!

[beyondantaresa]

The Lake House

Part 2

Word Count: 646

You should have known better. After the last malfunction, you vowed to stay clear of the environmental simulator until the glitches were fixed. But here you were again Standing in the middle of an idyllic lakeside scene, complete with a quaint wooden house, a sparkling Blue Lake, and the warm golden glow of a setting sun.

Gordon stood beside you hands on his hips as he surveyed the scene. “Well, this is definitely a step up from that heart shaped nightmare.” he said, his voice tinged with amusement.

You groaned, pinching the bridge of your nose in annoyance. “I told you we should’ve waited until maintenance cleared the programme.”

“Hey, how was I supposed to know the simulator had a thing for romantic getaways?” he shot back, gesturing at the serene landscape. “At least it’s not trying to embarrass us this time. I mean, look at this. Lokk at that view.”

You followed his gaze reluctantly. The scene was undeniably beautiful, with the lake mirroring the blazing hues of the setting sun and a soft breeze rustling the nearby trees. The cozy setup of the lake house, with its open inviting porch and large windows, made it clear this wasn’t just some random nature program.

“Great,” you muttered bitterly. “We’re stuck in someone’s idea of a retirement house or honeymoon retreat. Take your pick!”

Gordon chuckled, stepping onto the porch and peeking through a window. “Wow, ok. It gets better. There’s a fireplace inside. And- I kid you not – two steaming mugs of hot chocolate waiting on the table.”

You sighed, crossing your arms as you walked up the steps. “Perfect. Just perfect. Did I mention how much I hate this place?”

“Don’t be like that,” he said leaning against the door with his usual grin.”Its not that bad. We could, you know, make the best of it.”

You raised an eyebrow. “Make the best of being trapped in a cliché romance movie? Gordon, I’m not Sandra Bullock and you aren’t Keanu Reeves.”

He raises a hand in defence “Hey! Don’t need to tell me that. Look, I mean, if we’re stuck here anyway, might as well enjoy the perks. Fishing, swimming…making smores by the fire? That doesn’t sound completely awful.”

You couldn’t help but huff out a laugh. “Only you Gordon. You’re unbelievable.”

“That’s why you keep me around, “he quipped, opening the door and bowing slightly. “Ladies first.”

Inside, the cozy atmosphere was almost enough to make you forget the frustration of being trapped. The fireplace crackled and the smell of pinewood filled the air. You tried to suppress the growing sense of comfort – this wasn’t real, and you weren’t about to let this damn simulator win.

“Okay,” you said, turning to him. “Since we don’t know how long we’re going to be stuck here, maybe you might be able to use some of that so-called charm and charisma of yours and romance the computer to get us out of here.”

“Or,” he said, sitting down on the overstuffed sofa. “We take a break and enjoy the moment. When is the last time either of us has been able to sit back and relax?”

You narrowed your eyes at him, but his easy-going smile made it hard to argue.

As the sun dipped lower over the lake, painting the room in warm hues, you had to admit – if you were going to be stuck here, there were worse people to be stuck with.

“Fine,” you said, sitting down across from him. “But don’t think this means I’m ok with this.”

“Of course not,” he said, raising his steaming mug in the air. “To simulator glitches and questionable company.”

 You rolled your eyes but clinked your mug with his. Deep down, you couldn’t deny that, frustrating as he could be, Gordon had made a way to make any situation, even this one…bearable. Maybe even fun.

Previous

[beyondantaresa]

You'd Miss Me

Word Count: 779

(A/N: Part 1 in a series i'm doing for Gordon because according to my analytics y'all like him a lot. I have to say I do like him too.)

The environmental simulator had been acting up for weeks, but neither of you had expected to be trapped in there, in a ridiculous romantic scenario. You stared at the flickering candlelight, the soft classical music playing in the background, and the ridiculously over -the-top heart-shaped decorations around the room.

Gordon leaned back in his chair, clearly uncomfortable, scratching at the back of his neck. “This is…cozy,” he muttered, glancing at the win glasses sitting in front of you.

“Cozy? You must mean painfully awkward,” you shot back, crossing your arms. “Seriously, what kind of glitch creates this? Who programmed this nonsense?”

He smirked, “I don't know but whoever did clearly thought we needed to spice up our lives. You know get out of our shells or whatever.”

“Yeah, well whoever it is should be reassigned to fixing plumbing issues,” You said dryly gesturing at the red roses covering the walls. “This is embarrassing.”

Gordon pick up the wine glass, swirling it theatrically. “I mean, it's not all bad. The wine looks real enough. When a toast to our impending doom?”

“No thank you.” You rolled your eyes. How about we toasted you figuring out how to override the programme so that we can get out of here?”

“hey, I'm a pilot, not an engineer,” He protested, leaning forward and grinning. “You'd probably have more luck than me. Speaking of which and very lucky for you I've got enough charming and charisma to get us through tough situations like this.”

“Right because charm and charisma is exactly what we need to hack the simulator,” you replied leaning back in your chair. “Maybe you can flirt with the computer until it let’s us out.”

“Not a bad idea,” Gordon said, grinning as he leaned towards the table centrepiece “Hey! Computer, you're looking pretty sleep today did you get an update or something? maybe lower those security protocols for me, huh?”

You couldn't help but laugh despite yourself.  “You’re ridiculous.”

“Ridiculous is what I do best,” he said with a wink. “But come on, admit it- you'd miss me if I wasn't here.”

“Miss the constant jokes and bad pick up lines? Definitely not.”

Gordon's expression softened for a moment, the usual humour in his eyes replaced with something harder to read. “You'd miss me,” he said quietly, almost like he was testing the waters.

The sudden serenity in his tone caught you off guard. You opened your mouth to respond, but before you could, the room shifted slightly. The environmental simulator stuttered, and for a brief moment, the romantic scene dissolved into static.

“Looks like we're almost out of here.” Gordon said, quickly retreating into his usual demeanour. “Guess the computer couldn't handle my charm after all.”

You shook your head, the tension of the moment slipping away “Lucky us.”

But as the scene finally disappeared and you step back into the real world, you couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted between you and Gordon- and you weren't sure how you felt about it.

“See? No need to panic, he said brushing imaginary dust of his sleeves. “Crisis averted, thanks to yours truly.”

You rolled your eyes stepping towards the exit. “Sure, Gordon. You totally saved the day by sitting there and flirting with the computer.”

“Hey, don’t knock it. That computer had hearts in its circuits for me,” he quit following you out into the corridor.

You smirked but didn't respond. The momentary quiet between you stretched uncomfortably and for once Gordon wasn't filling it with his usual banter.

Look he said finally his voice softer “I know that was…. weird. But hey, at least we got out alive, right? No harm, no foul.”

You paused glancing at him. His casual green was still there, but there was something else beneath it – a vulnerability he rarely let show.

“Yeah,” you said, forcing a lightness into your tone. “No harm. Just mildly traumatised by all the heart-shaped nonsense.”

He laughed, the tension easing slightly.

As you walked away though, his words from earlier lingered in your mind. “You’d miss me.”

You shook your head, trying to dismiss the thought. It was Gordon. The guy who cracked jokes at inappropriate times and piloted the ship like he was playing a video game. The guy who could irritate you to no end but also make you laugh when you least expected it.

And despite the frustration of the whole incident, you couldn't deny it. If Gordon wasn't around, you would miss him.

The realisation hit you harder than you care to admit, and as you step into the turbo lift, you felt yourself smiling faintly. Maybe the environmental simulator wasn't entirely wrong.

Next

[beyondantaresa]

Ahhhh! I'm so excited for season 4. (Not five like it says in the video preview.) We have been waiting so long. Whoop whoop!

[beyondantaresa]

[beyondantaresa]

the t from james t kirk and the t from william t riker both stand for 'turned on'

[beyondantaresa]

Late Nights

Word Count: 1201

You were working late, the low hum of the Enterprise around you and the soft glow of the console lights illuminating your face and making the atmosphere feel almost peaceful. The last mission had been exhausting, but the data needed to be processed before the next one and who better than you, the operations officer to do it. After a few hours you were completely lost in your work. So much so that you barely heard the sound of approaching footsteps.

“Still here?” A voice breaks through the silence, and you blink slowly, your eyes refocusing on the room around you before they land on Captain Kirk standing in the doorway of your office, leaning casually against the frame.

You give a huff of amusement, grateful for the distraction, though his presence had always brought an unexpected flutter to your chest. " I could ask you the same thing, Captain."

He smirks, pushing off of the doorframe and walking into the room, his usual confident stride still present even when tired. “I was going to ask you if you needed a break but seeing how unbothered you seem to be by the late hours…maybe I should be the one taking the break.” His tone light. You quirk an eyebrow. “Oh, I’m exhausted. I’ve just been cursed with a face that doesn’t show it.” Jim lets out a laugh though there is a hint of concern behind it. “You’ve been working non-stop. Take a break. Don’t tell anyone I said this, but the Enterprise can survive without the log being submitted tonight.”

You feigned shock. “Really? No, I’m just trying to stay on top of things.” You see the slight furrow of his brow and sigh. “Don’t worry, I’m fine.”

Kirk raises an eyebrow and crosses his arms, clearly unconvinced. “Really? Fine? I know you well enough to know that’s not true. You look like you could use a meal and a good night’s sleep.” He placed a hand on the edge of your console, his voice softening just a little. “I’d like to make sure you’re ok.”

Your heart skips a beat at the sincerity in his words. His usual playful demeanour is still on display, but there’s a vulnerability in his eyes that you don’t often see.

“I’m honestly fine, I promise.” You insist, though you both know that was a lie if ever there was one.

 “How about I make sure you get something to eat atleast?” he offers. Kirk steps closer glancing at your work and back to you. “Its kind of an order Lieutenant. You can’t refuse.” He said jokingly.

You look at him for a moment, feeling that warmth that radiations off him in waves whenever he’s around. “I’m not sure I can refuse the, can I Captain?” you reply, a playful smile tugging at your lips.

His lips twitch into a smile, and he stands a little straighter, looking every bit the confident leader everyone knows. “You now,” he says as he pushes off the console “As Captain, I do happen to know all the best places to find food on the ship, hidden or not.” He said with a wink “You might want to take me up on my offer and back way from the work before I start replicating mystery meats from the replicator.”

You snort at his teasing and stand up to grab your jacket. “Alright, alright. Let’s go.”

He nods with a smile.

As you two walk out of the control room, there’s a comfortable silence between you, the shared understanding that even when the ship had been in chaos, moment like this- simple and easy- where you could count on each other, are what mattered.

The mess hall was quiet at this hour, a few of the skeleton crew roaming around but much of the crew were tucked away in bed preparing for another day.  Captain Kirk carried over a tray laden down with plates he called “the best lasagna that replicators could make.” And sets it down on the table. He takes a seat opposite you and grins as he dramatically gestures to the plates. “Behold, a feast fit for the most dedicated of weary star travellers such as ourselves.”

You raise an eyebrow, poking at the lasagne with your fork, “You sure? This doesn’t look better than those Lasagne heated up in that old Earth machine, you know a er…microwave.”

He laughs and leans back in his chair. “Hey, I promise it’s good. Have a little faith in me and Starfleet engineering. They put a lot of effort into the food replicators, or so I’m told.”

You hum in doubt, a smile dancing on your lips. Taking a tentative bite your eyes open wide in surprise. “So, it just looks bad. Okay, you win Captain. Not bad.”

He smirks and flicks his hand in victory as he watches you with a mischievous glint in his eyes. “See! I told you. And for the record, after hours it’s just Jim. When we’re off duty you can skip the formalities.”

“Jim, huh?” you reply, testing how it felt on your tongue. “I guess I can make that work. But only if you call me (Y/N) and promise to stop hovering over my work like a mother hen.”

He chuckles, his smile widening. “Me? Hovering? That’s called supervising, (Y/N). I’m just making sure my crew are taken care of.”

You nodded “Pretty sure you just wanted a partner in your midnight lasagna adventure.”

“Ok, you caught me,” he admits. “But in my defence, I needed the company, and I’ve always wanted to get to know you better. The stars can get a little lonely sometimes, don’t you think?”

There an unmistakable soft note in his voice that catches you off guard. For a moment, the playful banter is replaced to give way for something deeper. You look at him and see the weight of command that he carries everyday – responsibilities, decisions, and the isolation of being the one everyone relies on.

“Yeah,” you say quietly, putting down your fork and meeting his gaze. “They do. But that’s why we all have each other, right?”

His expression softens, the corner of his mouth tugging into a genuine smile. “Exactly. That’s what makes all this worth it.”

For a while, the two of you talk about nothing and everything – missions gone wrong, books, hobbies, the quirks of the crew. The barrier between captain and officer blur, leaving just two people sharing an unlikely company and sense of comfort in the endless expanse of space.

By the time you finish your food, the fatigue is almost forgotten, replaced by warmth. As you stand to leave, Kirk – no Jim- grins up at you.

“Next time, I’ll get you to try some replicated chilli, I promise it’s even better.” He teases.

“We’ll see about that,” you reply, feeling lighter as you turn to make your way to your quarters. Something makes you stop though, and you turn to face the Captain once more. “I’m glad you forced me out of my office Jim, we should do this again some time.” With that you left. Behind you the sounds of him chuckling rang out in the quiet.   

[beyondantaresa]

Sweet Nicknames

(A/N: I'm British - more specifically I'm from England - but I have a friend that's a Scot and I just hope if she ever manages to find this, that she doesn't kill me for how I wrote the accent. I tried to make it as authentic to the country and character as possible.)

Word Count: 744

The day had been long. At least that’s how it had felt to you, and you were glad to finally be done with it. You made your way to the engine room to sit down there. Something about the room and its chief engineer always made you feel better. The warm hum of the warp core filled the space like a comforting heartbeat. Scotty was working on a panel, sleeves up, grease smudged on his hands. He glanced over his shoulders when you took a seat near him and gave you a lopsided grin.

“Ye look a wee bit tired there, lass” he said with his usual warmth. “Been overexerting yourself again, haven’t ye?”

You couldn’t help but smile at the familiar term of endearment. He always did that. Called you things like ‘lass’ and ‘darlin’, but today it hit you differently. Your cheeks warmed as you ducked your head to hide the blush that was slowly creeping up your neck to your ears.

Scotty noticed. Of course he did.

His hands stilled, and he tilted his head with a curious look on his face. “What’s this now? Yer blushin’, lass?”

You shook your head furiously, trying to ignore the fact that his noticing had made you blush even more. “It’s nothing. Just… you always call me that.”

“Aye,” he said scooting his wheelie chair closer to you. “I do. I’ve called ye that since the day we met. Thought you might’ve noticed by now.” His eyes twinkled as he leaned in slightly. “But seein’ ye blush like that – well now, that is a rare treat and quite a sight to behold.”

You laughed, rolling your eyes. “You’re honestly impossible.”

“Ach,” he chuckled, the sound pleasant and deep. “Maybe. But I cannae help it. Ye bring it out in me.”

“Ye bring out a lot more in me that I care tuh admit most days.” He muttered to himself, but you heard, and the blush returned full force.

There was a moment of comfortable silence before he spoke again, his voice more serious.

“Ye know, I dinnae call everyone lass or darlin’. Only the ones that matter.”

You being you couldn’t resist the little joke that had bubbled into your head.

“So, do you call Bones darlin’? I never noticed.”

“Oh eh! Stop that. Ye are terrible. I’m trying to be serious here.”

Your heart skipped a beat. “Oh.”

“Aye.” He reached out, gently taking your he and in his grease-streaked fingers. “And you, lass, matter more than all the dilithium crystals in the galaxy.”

“Well,” you said softly, squeezing his hand, “I suppose I’ll let you keep calling me that then.

Scotty grinned, his eyes warm with affection. “Good. I was hopin’ ye’d say that bonnie.”

For a moment he simply looked at you, his expression uncharacteristically tender. Then, with a mischievous glint in his eye, he added, “Though, now that I’ve seen how you react, I might need to call ye lass a bit more often.”

You rolled your eyes, but your smile betrayed you. “Terrible.”

“Me? Terrible?” he teased, laying his hand dramatically over his chest. “I’m just a humble engineer, doin’ my best to keep this ship – and you- I one piece.”

You laughed, “You make it sound like I’m a part of the Enterprise systems.”

“Aye,” he said with a nod, leaning forward with a grin. “Ye are, in a way. This ship wouldn’t feel the same without ye. I’d miss ye like I’d miss warp drive if ye weren’t here.”

Your heart swelled at his words. “That’s... the nicest and sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me.”

He gave you a soft smile, his gaze unwavering. “I only spoke the truth, darlin’. Your part of my world – and I’d like it to stay that way, if ye fancy that I mean.”

The hum of the warp core filled the quiet that followed. Scotty gently brushing his fingers over the back of your hand.

“So, what do you say lass?”

You smiled and leaned over to place a kiss on his cheek. “Of course, Monty. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”

He chuckled, and blushed himself. “Good. Because I’ve got a whole list of nicknames, I’ve been wantin’ to try out on ye.”

“Oh really? Like what?”

“Ach, ye’ll just have to wait and see.” He gave you a wink before pushing back to his console. “ But one thing’s for sure – Ye’ll always be my bonnie lass.”

[beyondantaresa]

The Cuddle Session Confession

Word Count: 857

The away mission had gone sideways.  You’d had been in the medbay with your aunt Claire when Captain Mercer had sent a message over the communication system to prepare for casualties.

Gordon was on that mission. You had first met him when he and Ed had come aboard after the last captain had retired. You had become fast friends but you had to admit that you held a little flame for the man.

You had wanted to stay in the med bay but your aunt had hurried you out so she could be ready.

Now you sat in your quarters waiting – waiting for any news on Gordon.

When the doorbell rang very late into the night you jumped up quickly and stumbled to the door.

You open the door to find the man himself standing there, still in uniform, his usual grin notably absent.

“Hey.” He mumbled

“Hey...You okay?”

He shrugs at that looking at both of your feet.

“Yeah, you know me. Always a pep in my step. Can’t keep Gordon Malloy down.”

It sounded flat. Hollow. You immediately wrap a hand around his wrist and gently pull him in to the room and gesture for him to sit down on the couch, he doesn’t argue

 As he sits, he runs a hand through his hair,looking more rattled the an you’ve ever seen him.

“What happened out there?”

“We almost didn’t make it back “

Your heart clenches, and you sit next to him, gently placing a hand on his leg and patting it.

“But you did.”

“Yeah but through share dumb luck.”

“What do you mean?”

He lifts up his head and looks you square in the eyes for a moment before looking back down at the hand still resting on his thigh. He started to play with your fingers.

“They were so tight on us. One more hit and that would have been it.”

There was a beat of silence as the weight of his words sink in. You could have been having a whole other night tonight. Crying over a man that didn’t even know that your sun rose and set in his smiles.

“I’m supposed to be one of the best pilots in the union. How I nearly let them-“

You feel your heart ache at his vulnerability. Without thinking, you pull him into a hug, resting his head on your chest, hoping that the sad beats of your heart at least offer some comfort, help ground him somehow. He melts into you and you run your hands through his hair soothingly.

“Enough, your the best damn pilot in the union. Not one of. Gordon, in life unexpected things happen  That doesn’t take away from your skill. You got everyone back in one piece. You came back in one piece. You don’t know how grateful I am for that. “

There’s  a long pause before he finally speaks again.

“I love you.”

“W-what?” you stutter, had you heard him right?

“I love you. That’s what I kept thinking as I was flying. That I love you and I never had the guts to say a thing.”

“I...I love you too.”

You can see the tension leave his body and if it’s possible you hug him even closer, and for the first time in what seems like forever, you hear him laugh- a soft, relieved and relaxed sound.

The next morning, Gordon was wakes up on your couch, still wrapped up next to you. He watches you sleep for a moment before gently brushing a strand of hair from your face.

“Yeah... I’m in love with you.”

You stir awake, smiling when you see him.

“Morning handsome.”

“Morning. Let me go get changed. I’ll be right back Maybe we can have breakfast together.”

You smile, that sounded perfect to you.

“Sure thing Malloy.”

After he left you shuffled to the bathroom and stared at your reflection. A big, almost painful smile permeantly fixed there. So Gordon coming back safe and telling you he loved you hadn’t been a dream. Good.

In the mess hall Gordon stood by a synthesiser trying to think of a meal he could bring back to your quarters.

“Dude, what are you doing. You’ve been standing here for five minutes.”

At that Gordon jumped. John looked at him with a raised eyebrow and crossed arms.

“Sorry man. I was just, I’m trying to think of what Y/N might want to eat”

Grinning John stepped forward.

“Why’s that? Something going on?”

He looked at Gordon’s clearly rushed casual clothing and smiled.

“Something go down?”

“What? No...Yes. We, kinda sorta said we love eachother and I was in her quarters last night and now I’m trying to bring back breakfast as a surprise and-“ Gordon rambled.

“Ohhhh. Who said it first.”

“I did.”

“Damn, I owe the captain an extra shift.”

“What do you mean?”

John grinned again and patted Gordon on the back.

“Man, the whole crew was just waiting for one of you to break and say it first. You were pretty obvious, to everyone but yourselves it seems.”

Laughing he walks away, And Gordon is left there stunned.

[beyondantaresa]

The Masks We Wear

Word Count: 1274

The Orville docked at outpost 84, she needed to collect some new crew members, drop off commander Newton and some get supplies to take on the newest mission. You were one of the new arrivals – an officer assigned to the engineering department. Normally you wouldn’t have been as excited as you were, but you had found out that one of your old friends, John LaMarr was onboard. The two of you had grown up on the same colony and had been good friends before he had left to go to the union academy. You had always thought that he was brilliant. He was a great friend and had an amazing mind. Always a kid that helped others but also liked to keep a low-profile. Often, cracking jokes to deflect attention away from himself.

The moment you see him in a hallway, your heart jumps. But the person that greets you is different from the one you know – more laid-back, more relaxed than the thoughtful and serious boy you had remembered all these years.

John! Never thought I’d see you again.”

John grins, his usual easy-going smile and his charm on full throttle. “Wow! Hey, it’s been a minute? How have you been? What are you doing here?”

“I’m assigned to engineering.”

“Well, damn. It’s good to see you. Guess you’re stuck with me again.”

“Guess I am.” You couldn’t help but smile, but something wasn’t exactly right about the John in front of you versus your memory of him. Something felt off. You know this John isn’t the full story and whilst you know that people do change, it didn’t sit right with you. You intended to find out why.

It doesn’t take a day for you to realise that John is hiding his intelligence. He defers to others, plays the fool and avoids taking credit for anything always letting people assume they had something to do with the idea he came up with.

One night, after the Orville encountered an anomaly, you cornered him in the mess hall.

“Why are you doing this?”!

John glances at you for awhile, confused. “Doing what?”

“Pretending you’re not the smartest person in the room.”

He sighs and slowly blinks at you. Clearly a bit irritated. “I’m not pretending. I just …don’t want to make a big deal out of it. I’m happy going to work, getting home and then falling asleep on the couch drunk. What’s the problem with that?”

“Come on, John. I know you. I remember the boy who aced every test and could write code better than most people in the union at age ten. You’re brilliant, but you’re hiding it. Why?”

He shrugs, now avoiding eye contact. “It’s easier this way.”

“Easier to be underestimated? To let people think you’re a slacker when you could be making a real difference. Especially now with this spacial anomaly?”

“People like a funny guy. They don’t like someone that’s to smart for his own good. Leave it alone.”

“That’s not true.”

John shakes his head. “Maybe in whatever dimension you’ve been living in up until now, but in the real world? People don’t want to be around someone who makes them look dumb.”

The conversation lingers in the air. You try to support John, but he keeps pushing you away. His insecurities run deep, and he’s convinced that being himself will only isolate him.

Then suddenly there’s no room for him to pretend. Kelly Grayson has put him in charge of the investigation of the anomaly, with Captain Mercer’s permission of course.

You find him in the the mess hall, nursing a drink and looking uncomfortable and out of place.

“You shouldn’t be worried. I know you’ll be great at leading us in Engineering. I know you can do -”

“Well, I don’t,” John snaps looking at you ,frustration clear in his eyes. “ Why do you care so much anyway? Why can’t you just let this go, huh?”

“Because I know who you really are. I’ve known since we were five. And it hurts to see you hiding away, wasting your potential.” You say sitting down. “I -I just want you to give it ago this once. We’re really in a jam here. And you might be the only one that can get us out of here. “

“There’s Isaac” he said bluntly.

“Yeah, that’s true. But Isaac is missing that uniquely human touch. I like to believe that the universe makes things for everyone, that only they can do. I think being Chief Engineer, at this point in time…that’s all you. At least try it out, please?”

His expressions falters. For a moment, you think he might open up – but instead, he gets up from the table.

“Well are you coming then?” He mumbles.

“Yes!” you reply, scurrying to your feet. He walks up to the replicator and asks for some gumdrops. You look on in curiosity. No idea why he was making the random order.

Sensing your curiosity, he looked over his shoulder toward you. “Gordon said it might help breaking the ice.”

You almost snort at the idea. “Why don’t you just put on the same charm you do with the ladies on the ship?”

“Because I don’t want another trip to Commander Grayson’s office.”

You did laugh then.

He eventually steps up to the task and even though his approval of Yaphit’s idea had almost caused them all to be squashed beyond recognition, he made up for it by getting you all out of there with Captain Mercer.

After the Orville was safely out of 2D space, you find John in his quarters. He looks exhausted, but there’s a new determination in his eyes.

“You did it.”

John raises his head up from the pillow he had it resting on. “Barely.” He chuckles.

“No. Not barely. You stepped up. You proved to everyone – to yourself I hope – what you’re made of. Some pretty hardy stuff. I’m proud of you.”

He budges up to let you sit down on the couch also, rubbing his hand over his face.

“I’ve been scared. My whole life, I’ve feared what would happen if people saw the real me, that they wouldn’t want me around. You know how they used to treat me on the colony. When I was the class clown everyone liked me but the moment, I started showing how smart I was, when I corrected something Mr Teva that one summer? Pretty sure if he could have gotten away with pushing me down a ditch he would have.”

“John, Mr Teva was a jerk to everyone.” You said flatly “I hope you haven’t been letting him live in your mind rent free. In any case, your not that boy and this isn’t the colony. Everyone here? We see you. The real you and believe me, we like you whether you’re a brain box or you’re the class clown.”

“Do you?” he said, looking directly at you.

“I always have. And I always will.”

Nodding, he put his arm around you in a side hug.

“I’m glad you’re here.”

“So am I.”

John slowly begins embracing his new role as Lt.Commander. Taking on more responsibility and earning the respect of the crew. His relationship with you grows more too, built on trust and honesty.

One night, he pulls you aside.

“You know…if you hadn’t of given me the push I wouldn’t be where I am now.”

You shake your head. “You would’ve figured it out eventually.”  

He grins. “Hm, maybe. But having you by my side? It made more of a difference. Thank you.”

“No more hiding behind a mask?”

“No more hiding.”

[beyondantaresa]

I'm Not Kelly

Word Count: 2168

(A/N: I haven’t written fanfic in about 8 years give or take a year or two. Please be mindful of this when reading. I just love the Orville…well sci-fi in general and decided that I would pick back up writing to make sure my skill hadn’t been dulled. I’ve created this tumblr exclusively for my sci-fi fics and because I noticed the upsetting lack of Orville stories. Such a shame. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this. This is no.1 in an Ambassador series I plan to write)

You had always known that Kelly Grayson was a part of Ed’s story – a part that he hadn’t fully left behind. How could he, when they lived and worked on the same ship. They had a shared friendship group. There was really no reason for him to let go. You had seen it in the way that he spoke to her when you first came onboard the Orville, in the ways his mood shifted whenever her name came up, or in his eyes when she moved around a room, they were both in.

At first, you told yourself that it didn’t matter. Of course, after how things had ended with them, there was bound to be some residual emotions towards her; but then you had shaken your head at the thought. Ed Mercer was not a man who lived in the past. He had a job to do, a crew to lead. But the more time you spent with him, the more you saw that he was haunted by the ghost of a love that had never really ended. So, where did you stand in all of this.

The tension between you had been steadily building for weeks – a slow burn that neither of you had bothered to acknowledge. But when a diplomatic summit happened, Ed directly challenged your decision in front of the crew. As a Planetary Ambassador, it enraged you that your idea had been so quickly swept under a rug. After all you had gotten this role, not through nepotism but through hard work. You would not have said what you had through ignorance but rather experience. As a woman though it stung. The subtle little dig you felt that he had given you. You remained quiet for the rest of the meeting, silently stewing over your interaction.

When the meeting had finished and the rest of the crew had quickly vacated the room, having felt the thick tension in the air, you turned to Ed.

“What was that?” You demanded staring a hole into Ed’s head. He turned to look at you, pausing at the door.

“What are you talking about?”

“You undermined my decision, Ed. In front of your top officers!”

Ed raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms. He had no idea what you were talking about.  “I wasn’t undermining you. I was merely pointing out a risk in your plan. It’s my job to make sure that you and most importantly my crew don’t walk into a trap.”

“It’s my job to make sure this alliance holds together.”

Ed breaths in sharply, a little irritated that you don’t seem to understand his point of view.

“And what happens if it gets my crew killed?”

There’s a beat of silence as the two of you stare each other down. Stalemate. You’ve had your share of disagreements before, of course you had but this one feels different. It’s personal.

“This isn’t about the crew, is it?” you said, your voice lowering “It’s about Kelly.” Ed’s jaw tightens, though he doesn’t deny what you’ve questioned. You slowly take a step towards him.

“You’ve been acting different around me now that her and Cassius are over.”

“It has nothing to do with Kelly.” He denied.

“Really?” You say voice barely a whisper.

Ed looks away, his shoulders tense. In your neurotic state of mind, that’s all the confirmation you need. You’ve been patient, you’ve been understanding, for months damn it. But this- this cuts a little too deep. Even for your thick skin.

“I see the way you look at her.”

“Its not-“

You raise a hand to silence him. Taking a breath, you try to keep your voice steady, but your worried mind starts to tick over and the cracks are starting to show.

“I’ve stood by you through a lot. Ever since I came on board, I’ve always had your back. I’ve defended you to the admiralty, trusted you..and all this time, I’ve been fooling myself into thinking I wasn’t standing in someone else’s shadow.”

“It’s not like that.” Ed said softly.

“Then tell me what it’s like. Because from where I’m standing, it feels like you’re still holding a flame that you should have put out a long time ago.”

Finally, he meets your gaze, his expression unreadable to anyone but you. You can see the war inside him – the part of him that still aches for what he lost, and the part of him that wants to move forward. But he doesn’t know how.

“I’m not holding on to her.”

“Then why are you always looking at me like I’m seconds best?”

“That’s not fair.” He stuttered.

“No? I think it’s the most honest thing either of us has said.”

The silence is thick and painful Ed opens his mouth like he wants to say something, but no words come out. You shake your head, bitter creeping in.

“I’m not Kelly.”

He nods his head “I know that.”

“Do you? Because it feels like you compare us.”

“I’m not comparing-“

You cut him off again, running a hand through your hair.

“Yes, you are. Maybe not on purpose, maybe not consciously, but every time you look at me, I can see it in your eyes. You’re still wondering if you made the right choice or if you should have waited it out. “

Ed steps closer, his expression painted and goes to rest a hand on your shoulder. “That’s not what this is about.”

“Then what is it about, Ed?”

He doesn’t answer and you wait for a while but when nothing happens, you sigh. “Whatever, Ed... I’m tired.”

With that you turn and walk out of the room. Ed looking at your retreating figure.

The fight in the corridor leaves you both raw and emotionally exposed. You haven’t spoken much since just a few clipped words here and there. The tension between you feels unbearable, and the crew can sense it. Even Kelly pulls Ed aside at one point.

“Whatever’s going on between you two...don’t let it fester. Life out here is unpredictable; you don’t know what can happen and you don’t want any regrets.”

But Ed ignores her, burying himself in work – you do the same. The unresolved tension lingers.

Then, the diplomatic summit arrives.

The Orville escorted you to the volatile diplomatic summit between two warring planets. The situation is delicate – both sides are on the verge of peace, but tensions were high. You insist on going into the negotiation room despite the risks. Peace between these planets could open up a whole new sector of space for the union.

It simple negotiations, the last leg of the race. You had worked tirelessly to bring both sides to the table, hoping to end centuries of conflict.

Ed didn’t want you to go down there and so despite the fact that he had barely spoken to you in the last week, he came down to the shuttle bay to plead with you.

“Let the envoys handle it,” he said pulling you to the side as he began to pace restlessly. “It’s too dangerous.”

“ I’ve got this, Mercer.” You insisted and he looked at you slightly hurt. The last time you had called him by his surname was before when Admiral Halsey had assigned you to the Orville. “This is my mission.”

Reluctantly, he agreed - but not without stationing extra security near the negotiation rooms.

The talks seemed to be going well. Everything progressing smoothly. You kept your focus on the leaders, ignoring the uneasy feeling in your chest. You hadn’t spoken to Ed since the fight, now that you had you snapped at him, it didn’t sit well with you. That’s not how you would normally behave. His absence had weighed heavily on your mind.

Then, out of nowhere an explosion hit.

The blast rocked the negotiation room, sending debris everywhere. Chaos erupted as guards rushed in to protect the delegates. Another explosion rocked the room and this time you blacked out for a few moments before coming to, ears ringing and a warm sensation trickling from your head and stomach. You couldn’t even feel your legs. Looking down, you realised you were trapped under some of the falling ceiling.

In the distance you could hear Talla, your best friend and chief of security, calling out for you. You reached your hand out but everything started to get hazy again. The last thing you heard was Talla screaming “Ambassador down!”

The feed to the Orville cut soon after.

Back on the Orville, the bridge was deathly silent.

“Someone get me a signal damn it!” Ed barked, his voice cracking with panic and fists white from clenching at his chair handles.

“I’m trying, Captain,” Gordon replied, his usual calm and joking demeanour faltering.

The Comms link flickered to life, revealing a scene of utter carnage. It was hard to see through the smoke and debris, what they could see was a room littered with rubble and bodies.

Then a message from Talla came through. She was coughing badly “Captain, we’re boarding the shuttle right now. Ask Dr Finn and her whole medical team to meet us in the shuttle bay. It’s...it’s pretty bad.” With that the line cut and Ed was immediately shouting orders, running faster than he ever had towards the shuttle bay.

Dr Finn worked tirelessly to save you, her team having taken on the task of saving and patching up the other injured crew, Ed could see the strain in her eyes. It would have been easier if you were fully human, but you were a hybrid and so her research banks on your particular anatomy weren’t all up to scratch, it didn’t help that in the past whenever she had asked you to do a full physical you had managed to bypass her.

You were getting paler by the minute, completely motionless, blood soaking through your clothes and sheets.

“Claire, how bad is it really?” Ed asked, his head low and voice trembling.

Claire didn’t look up, she didn’t have time to. “Severe. I just managed to stop the bleeding, but there’s internal damage still. Now we just wait to see if what I’ve done will be enough. I’ll be in my office. I need to record all her biodata.”

Ed sank down the wall he had huddled into, his entire body shaking. He hadn’t told you how and what he was actually thinking, he had never apologised. And now, no matter how good Dr Finn was, he might not get the chance to.

“Please,” he whispered rocking himself in self- comfort. “Don’t do this. Don’t leave me.”

Time blurred. He stayed there. Occasionally Claire, Talla, Gordon or even Kelly would come in to check on him and the situation. He barely paid them any mind. He just kept his eyes focused on you and replaying every interaction.

“I love you,” he whispered, his voice breaking. “I should have made that clear. I should have said it sooner and I should have fought you more to stay on the ship. It’s my fault. I’m so sorry.”

Hours later, you stirred.

Ed’s head snapped up, his heart pounding.

“You’re awake,” he said, stumbling up and towards you. Relief thick in his voice. “You scared the hell out of me. How do you feel?”

“Like I got hit but a shuttle over and over.” You croaked looking at him tiredly.

Ed let out a shaky laugh. “You scared the living daylights out of me.”

“What happened?! I know there was an explosion or two...is everyone alright?!”

“Trust you to worry about other people when your here on the medical table. There was an attack from a rebel group, you and a few others were hurting badly but Talla managed to get you out. Claire wasn’t sure if...” he trailed off, swallowing hard “she wasn’t sure what was going to happen...I-I thought I lost you.”

Your expression softened when you saw the tears old and new on his ruddy cheeks and you reached a hand out to grab his.

“ I’m still here.”

Ed squeezed your hand, his eyes searching yours. “I need to tell you something.”

“Hmm?”

“ I love you,” he said with a firmness and conviction that left no room for doubt. “I’m an idiot, I know. Holding on to the past. But it’s you. You’re it for me.”

You smiled, your eyes shining with tears. “Yes Captain.”

Your recovery was slow but steady. The crew noticed the change in both of you. How you both smiled more, how Ed’s eyes lit up when you walked into the room.

“So...when can I expect to be best man again?!” Gordon teased one day.

“Shut up, Malloy.”

Even Kelly pulled you aside in the mess hall.

“You make him better you know!” She said with a genuine smile. “Thank you.”

From that moment, there were no more ghosts, no more shadows to live in. Ed had made it clear who he chose, and it was you.