Melody and Ben Meet - The Element of Attraction and Trouble

Posted on Thu Aug 13th, 2026 @ 12:42am by Lieutenant Benjamin “Ben” Ashford & 1st Lieutenant Melody Hawthorn

9,711 words; about a 49 minute read

Mission: Mission 01 Shakedown Cruise
Location: Starbase 51
Timeline: Current

[ON:]




Benjamin "Ben" Ashford stood at the broad observation windows of the large space station, his strong athletic frame leaning forward a little as he took in the ships docked below. ... At five eleven with short brown hair that refused to stay neat and those bright blue eyes full of curiosity, he looked like the kind of guy who could fix anything but probably tripped over his own feet when he got too excited. He had just arrived from the USS Vanguard and was now staring at his new assignment, the USS Churchill, a sleek Sovereign-class beauty sitting proudly among the other vessels. This was going to be fun. He adjusted the very old headphones on his ears, the battered Sony Walkman in his pocket still spinning that Van Halen cassette, and gave the window a little wave at the ship like it could see him. "Hey there, Churchie," he muttered with a small grin.

He ran a hand through his messy hair and shifted his weight, the familiar weight of his beat up multi-tool at his side. ... His eyes stayed locked on the Churchill as the music in his headphones hit a good guitar solo. Without thinking, he did a tiny little air guitar move with one hand, then immediately stopped and glanced around to make sure nobody saw. A soft chuckle escaped him. Standing there in his uniform with that light beard and steady smile, he looked approachable, the type who would turn engineering into the best department on the ship because he actually enjoyed the chaos. The Van Halen riff kept playing and he hummed along a bit louder than he meant to, tapping the multi-tool against his leg in time with the beat. It made a ridiculous little rhythm that only he seemed to appreciate.

Excitement was bubbling up now. As the new Chief Engineer he couldn't wait to get his hands on the Churchill's systems and see what kind of trouble they could get into together. ... He had this way of making even the most complicated repairs feel like an adventure, and he was already imagining the fun of building a team that laughed as hard as they worked. The wait at the station wouldnt be long. Pretty soon he would be walking her decks, probably still wearing these old headphones when no one was looking, ready to make this big beautiful ship sing. It felt like the start of something really good.

Doctor Hawthorne had been booted out of the sickbay for now. Apparently she was a bit too much help for the crew of the starbase 13 staff on hand. Unable to check in on the Churchill yet Melody found herself adrift in the chaos that was the main promenade. People rushing, or strolling around to an fro. All but one she noticed.

Melody didn't mean to stare. At least that's what she told herself. She hadn't been so intrigued by anyone since she'd met doctor Gavin Ross back on the Tomcat.

She smiled watching him watch the ships. He appeared to be like her adrift in his own little bubble. Obviously he was listening to music. The way he moved to the rhythm even when he didn't mean to was obvious to her. Slowly she found herself inching closer. As she did she noted his hands. Rough, no stranger to work. Engineer perhaps? Or a rifleman? Or … no it was pointless to speculate.

She was only paces away. Melody found herself straightening her white doctor's uniform. Not the standard blues of the alpha quadrant standard. It had surprised her when it was issued to her. She checked it quickly to make sure it was clean. She smoothed back the honey colored hair let loose from its bun. The first impression was always the most important one. She wanted it to be a good one.

Finally she moved up next to him, closing those last steps to the window to peer out next to him. She turned sea foam green eyes with metallic gold spun into them upward to see his face now. He was young, she gleaned. She could also now catch bits of the music drifting from his curious looking ear pieces. Something heavy, but pleasantly rhythmic. She chewed her bottom lip softly as she strained to hear.

Ben felt the shift besides him before he even registered anything. He turned his head quick, his blue eyes landing on the woman now stood at the window. His messy brown hair was sticking up funny and a warm easy grin spread across his face. He didn't miss her watching him ... probably the air guitar or humming. A soft chuckle slipped out while he tugged one headphone away, letting Van

Halen riff spill out before turning the Walkman down.

"Hey," he said voice carrying enthusiasm that made briefings sound adventure. His gaze flicked over her white doctors uniform ... definitely not standard blues ... then to her sea foam eyes. "Sorry about the concert. These old cassettes hit different." He patted the Walkman, multi tool shifting as he turned toward her kinda fast.

"Ben," he offered extending rough hand from years of work ... callused palms and scars from repairs. "Just got in from the Vanguard. New Chief Engineer for gorgeous lady down there." He nodded at the ship real quick. "Been itching to get my hands on her systems. She have good bones. Can't wait to see what trouble we get into."

He shifted his weight, athletic frame leaning against the frame. The grin grew wider curiosity bright in his eyes. "You headed out with us?" The steady approachable smile stayed the kind that said he was happy talking ships as much as fixing them even when things got messy.

His energy was contagious. Melody had to fight the urge to bounce on her feet excitedly as she reached out a hand to shake his own. The moment she touched him she felt something strange. But a good kind of strange. “I.. I am Doctor Melody Hawthorne.” She replied her voice soft. She could not stop looking at his face. That smile, those eyes, her heart felt like it had hit warp three. It took effort to release the hand shake. “I . Umm..The Churchill, I'm also assigned to the Churchill, yes.” She stampers out. She smiled at him and couldn't help but smile. He was an engineer as well. She couldn't wait either to see just what sort of trouble they might get up to. “Are you busy… right now? Maybe we could get something together…to eat that is. If .. your not busy.” She stammered out. It was insane she was usually more articulate than this. Something about him though seemed to tie her tongue in ways it had never been before.

Ben felt the same strange, good spark when their hands touched. His bright blue eyes held hers, and he couldn’t help noticing how cute she looked — honey hair slipping loose from its bun, sea-foam eyes bright against that sharp white uniform. It hit him like good fortune: arriving on the station and meeting someone who already felt like she was supposed to be there.

He gave her hand one gentle squeeze before letting go with a soft chuckle.

“Doctor Melody Hawthorne,” he said, voice kind and easy.

“That’s a really nice name. And hey—no need to be nervous.
You already caught me doing air guitar. We’re past the hard part.”

His grin widened, excitement clear. “I’d really like that. Sit down, grab something to eat, talk. I just got here and the first person I meet is also headed to the Churchill? Feels like fate.”

He tucked the headphones around his neck. “Your choice on where. I saw a spot that smelled like real food. Or we can wander until something calls to us.”

Ben rocked back on his heels, athletic frame relaxed, that steady smile never fading. “Lead on whenever you’re ready, Doc. I promise I’ll try not to hum the whole time.”

“I know a place.” Melody offered fighting the urge to reach out and grab him by the hand and pull him along. Instead she turned and began to lead him through the main through fair toward a little restaurant tucked away between two large un loading ports. The lighted sign blinked rhythmically either by design or just old age spelled out in fluorescent bright blue “DD’s” it smelled thickly of grease and meat, and other undertones of things fried or flame broiled.

Upon entering the place seemed almost completely deserted except for one dark haired woman at a far corner table who was dressed in Marine greens focused on the data pads in front of her.

“Sit anywhere you like.” Came a gruff male voice from behind the kitchen's doors. “Be out in a minute to help with yer orders.”

“Bar or booth?” Melody asked Ben.

Along the outer walls where booths of various sizes. Corner booths being obviously designed for larger parties, others more suited to 4 people at most. The bar had a dozen or so cupped stools spaced out for the illusion of privacy. The whole set up was done up in tones of dark green and wooden paneling. A jukebox, an honest to God jukebox was against the entry way wall. The floors looked unfinished. Bare and gray not matching the rest of the place.

Ben stepped into DD’s and the smell hit him right away. Thick grease, meat cooking hard on the grill… that sharp fried edge hanging in the air. Real food! His stomach gave a loud growl and he huffed a quiet laugh, rubbing the back of his neck.

The place felt lived-in. Dark wood paneling, those deep green tones everywhere. And right by the door sat an honest-to-god jukebox, glowing like it had been waiting for someone to notice it. He almost stopped walking just to stare at it… The universe was showing off!

He could still feel the spark from when they shook hands. It hadn’t gone anywhere... The tingle of touching Melody for the first time sent a shiver up Ben’s spine!

Every time he glanced at Melody it got a little stronger. The way her hair was sliping loose, those sea-foam eyes catching the light... And, Damn. She had this energy that made everything feel like it was moving faster, in a good way!

When she asked about seating he answered without thinking...

“Booth. Booth sounds perfect!!” He excitedly replied. He just wanted to sit with Melody. Right. Now!

Ben pointed toward one of the deeper ones along the wall. More room to actually talk. Less chance of yelling over whatever was sizzling back in the kitchen.

They slid in and he leaned forward a little, elbows on the table, that wide grin still stuck on his face. He couldn’t stop looking at her. Couldn’t stop feeling like this whole day had just shifted into something bigger than he expected.

He let out a small breath, still smiling, and tilted his head.
“Hey, I really wanna know about you. Like what brought you here? To the Churchill I mean... I just got in and I’m already stupid excited about the ship but you, I don’t know. I can already tell theres a story there and I kinda wanna hear all of it if your okay telling me?” Ashford was so curious. Again, the universe was literally showing off!!

Melody feasted on his presence. She was delighted that he had picked a secluded booth near the back. She wanted nothing more than to indulge in whatever magic was happening. Her whole body felt light and an energy she'd never known before was blazing through her veins like a wildfire. It was so extreme, so sudden. When Ben spoke though she felt her heart ache, I was like listening to some profound song meant just for her alone. She found that she couldn't stop staring at him. As though the very idea of forgetting any detail was a travesty. For a moment she wondered if she had gone mad. Then his words hit her more solidly and the cloud lifted a little. His question was innocent enough. The answer was complicated however.

She wondered how best to respond. Obviously the truth was the only way. She couldn't fathom lying to this man about anything.

“You see that woman over there?” Melody nodded towards the dark haired woman across the restaurant, her head still bowed over her work seemingly oblivious to Melody and Ben's arrival.

“I am here to watch over her.” Melody replied softly.

Somers had sent Melody along to protect Mathews from the ones that were hunting her and her daughter. Melody was here to hunt the hunters under Somers orders. It wasn't a glamorous job. But it was one she was more than qualified to do. Melody watched his face, wondering what he might be thinking at her words.

Ben’s gaze drifted to the counter, catching the dark haired woman without staring. The pieces clicked... she was here to protect the woman. Curiosity flared, questions crowding his mind, yet he kept the impulse leashed. If this was Starfleet Security... an identity case... pushing could ruin everything. Care and caution weren’t manners here; they were survival.

Still, beneath restraint something brighter kindled. The secrecy itself... the two of them in the back booth, Melody’s quiet watch on her charge, stakes humming beneath the clink of cutlery... sent a thrill through him. The air felt electric, charged with unseen dangers. He wanted to lean closer, to share her shadowed world.

His voice stayed low, steady. “I see her,” he murmured, meeting her eyes. “I hear what you’re not saying. Some watches are too important for open talk. I won’t make it harder for you or her. But if you need another pair of eyes that knows when to look away... or just someone to sit with... I’m right here.”

A faint spark of excitement flickered behind the caution... the secrecy already drawing him in deeper.

At that moment a man approached them, a muscular older gentleman in a tank top and jeans covered by an oddly clean apron of thick white material. He set two large folded menus in front of them and some cutlery. He seemed to glare at them from under thick black brows with eyes that seemed to be a deep purple. “Whatcha want to drink?” He asked, his voice thick with an implacable accent. The large hands held a nub of a pencil and a little paper pad.

“Cherry coke with ice!” Melody responded instinctively she had become all but addicted to the homemade soda here and cherry was her most favorite. “And I want the Barty Burger with the potatoes fried.”

The man seemed to smirk at that. “Good ch’ues. Hein galla mechurp eh?” He motioned to Ben with the nub.

Melody shook her head, “Neda, Yenta cursu negetta pradree.” She turned to Ben then apologetically. “This is Berty De’volse he owns and runs this establishment. He was asking about who you were.”

Bert gave a tiny sort and shook his head but said nothing else.

“Berty this is my new friend for life Ben Ashford and he is new here so try not to scare him off like the rest of the customers.” Melody stated her smile never waning.

‘Padree eh? Mei corta cume passa.” Bert muttered under his breath. “Yoes need mei chue rechuren in eh minnet?” He asked Ben directly

Ben cocked his head to the right. He had literally no clue what the man with the purple eyes was saying to him. He taped at his side near his universal translator on his uniform. It was not working. “Oy…” He lent a slight grin. As he looked at the man and then to Melody. “I have. What she is having… Please. Root beer and ice.” Ben winked at Melody.

The cook seemed to understand english well enough, as he then jotted down on his pad his order alongside that of Melodies. He then took a turn and walked back to the Bar stopping to see if the long dark haired lady needed anything.

“Padree.” Ashford stated, looking at Melody. She had a sereneness, her long blonde hair, with highlights of a brunette almost… She was slim figured, yet looked like she was ready to step in to a fight with those eyes, that face that said underneath ‘try me.’ It only served to elevate her status in Ben’s eyes. The excitement, the energy of being around Melody made his hair rise and tingle on his body...

He had never met a woman like this before. “I think your friend there, the cook. He thinks I am a friend of yours?” Ben nodded. “I like that. I can work with that, definitely. And… Since my universal translator couldn’t pick out a word that our friend was speaking. What…” he rubbed at the side of his ear, “was he speaking? It sounds like a bit of a colloquial station language.” There was stations within the Federation and other locales where inhabitants of generations formed their own languages.

He asked a lot of questions and Melody liked that. “I don’t know what it's called. Some sort of patch work of Alpha and Beta quadrant languages. Berty is the longest resident here. Was the one who helped Starfleet set up the station back when it was just a floating colony. Or so he claims.” Melody glanced towards the kitchen and leaned closer to Ben and whispered softly for just him to hear. “I sometimes get the impression that he is not completely honest. Not in a malicious way, in a sorta playful way. Still it makes it hard to pin down any real information about him and his people.” She confessed.

“So this burger. I like a real good one. What did I just order, Melody?” Ben sat his elbows politely enough on the booth table. The sound of the back kitchen now coming to life, as their order was actually being hand made and hand cooked. This truely was an experience that Ben rarely had before… Again. The universe was showing off!!

“Well It is one of the only places on the station that uses real meat and that grows their own fruits and vegetables. So what you are about to experience is something that has never seen a replicator. However if you are squeamish I would suggest not asking about the meat until after you try it out.” Melody explained. “Maybe if Berty gets to like you well enough he might go show you his hydroponics garden on his ship. Just be careful he has like four daughters and five sons and if he likes you too much he might try to marry you off to one.” Her tone was serious. Her eyes were amused though.

The old diner on this far-flung desolate station felt like a hidden gem, real food sizzlin in the back instead of replicator mush, the kind of place where folks on layover could pretend the stars outside weren't so empty. Ben's stomach gave a loud growl as he sat across from Melody, still taken aback that he'd bumped into someone like her here of all spots before they both shipped out on the USS Churchill. Her long blonde hair with those brunette highlights caught the low lights just right and those eyes that said try me underneath made his hair tingle all over like he'd never met a woman who could make him this spunky and nervous at once. He was fallin for her already and it showed in how he leaned in too quick. "Your position on the USS Churchill sounds awesome and since were both headin out on her soon what do you do there on the ship? Do you got any family?" he asked excited and ready to eat, the words tumblin out dorky but honest.

Melody shook her head. “No family. Not really.” She replied. He was so cute. The way he talked, the way he looked. That messy dark hair of his and those blue eyes. She had always been a sucker for blue eyes. His eyes seemed to dazzle in the low light of the neon and fluorescent undertones of the room, keeping her captivated.

Bert came back and set the root beer with ice down in front of Ben with just a quiet nod and a half smile that made everything feel even more awkward in the best way. Ben reached for the glass but fumbled it a little, almost spillin as he caught it and rubbed the back of his neck with a sheepish cute grin. "Heh look at me the big dork who cant even grab a drink without lookin like a total space newbie in front of a pretty officer like you," he said, self deprecating and quirky, his face warm as he realized how obvious his crush was gettin.

Melody had nearly fumbled her own drink as Bert sat it down with a chuckle in front of her. Had Ben just called her pretty? Her mind took a moment of leave as her sould jumped over the moon in glee.

“Padree eh?” Bert said as he continued to chuckle, he headed back towards the kitchen, his bulking shoulders shaking as he went. This seemed to draw the attention of the dark haired woman who looked up to watch the lumbering man then to glance over at the two curiously before shaking her head and returning to her work.
Before he could add more his com chirped open with his sibling on the other end bein all bitchy and naggin about why he wasn't checking in yet. Ben cocked his head to the right. He had literally no clue what his sibling was saying to him. He taped at his side near his universal translator on his uniform. It was not working. “Oy…” He lent a slight grin. As he looked at Melody. He tapped it off fast to cut the com and refocused on her with that same dorky spark in his eyes, the kitchen comin alive behind them like the whole station was settin the stage for whatever came next on the Churchill. "Man Im starvin but this... this is better than any replicator meal. Try it with you... With us. I mean me. Try the food." he said the words stumblin out flustered and sweet as he fell a little harder right there.

Melody was glad to see she wasn’t the only one having trouble articulating herself today. “Yeah, I am willing to try anything you want together.” She returned with equal enthusiasm.

The food came out two plates of still sizzling burgers with onions, tomato, shredded lettuce, and home made pickles, stacked on fresh homemade buns. The cheese was a soft blue color but smelled of cheddar. Bert set three squeeze bottles down as well, one red and was obviously ketchup, the other was a pale green, smelled of mixed peppers, and the last was a creamy white with a herb smell. On the side were cubed potatoes of red, white, and purple. Obviously sauteed in the special house flavored oils. They smelled deeply of garlic, butter, and seasonings.

Bert wiped his hand on his apron and looked at the table and the food and with a nod he turned without a word and left them to return to his kitchen.

“You have to try these first!” Melody, using her fork, picked up a piece of the potatoes and moved close to Ben. “You trust me?” She asked as she lifted the morsel to his lips. “If so, open up.”

Ben leaned in with that quirky little grin, eyes sparkling with foodie delight as he accepted the forkful. He chewed slowly, really tasting it, then let out a happy little sound.

"Mmm... these potatoes are unreal. Real garlic and butter, that perfect sauté on the red, white, and purple cubes. You can taste every bit of care Bert put into 'em. Not even in the same galaxy as replicator stuff."

He glanced at the rest of the plate, still smiling. "And those real homemade pickles on the burger? Actual crunch. Chef's out here spoiling us."

With a flirty little spark in his eyes, he picked up his own fork, speared a few of his potatoes, and held it out toward her playfully. "Your turn. I get to feed you back… I kinda enjoy this." He brought the fork closer, that dorky charm all over his face. "Open up for me."

The way he said it made her giggle and she leaned forward and opened her mouth for him eagerly taking every bit of what he had to offer her.

She was enjoying this too. More than she did with most people. Which was saying a lot because Melody liked people. All people. So what then was this deeper thing she was feeling with Ben? She didn’t know, but she wanted to find out.

He was so much fun. He was also so ruggedly handsome, and funny too. He was an engineer as well. It was as though the universe had plucked the most perfect person in existence and placed him here beside her. Such a connection already. They hardly knew each other and yet she felt as though she had known him forever. Her eyes danced over his features over and over again drinking in every detail.

Ben let out a soft warm chuckle as he watched her take the bite, his eyes lighting up at how she leaned in so eagerly. That little giggle hit him right in the chest—genuine and way to addictive for there first real meal together.
He pulled the fork back with a playful flourish, then grabbed his burger with both hands, taking a big satisfied bite. The real beef and those crunchy pickles made him hum happily around the mouthful. After swallowing, he wiped sauce from his mouth with the back of his hand, grinning like a kid.

“Alright Hawthorne, you’ve got me hooked already,” he said, voice low and teasing but full of real warmth. “Not just on Bert’s cooking, which is criminally good by the way… But on whatever this vibe is. Look at us sharing forks like we’ve known each other for years instead of... what, a couple shifts?”

“Oh but I think your wrong.” Melody said her tone was still light and playful. Yet her words carried some weight. “We have known eachother forever. We just hadn’t noticed until just now.” Because for her that was exactly how it felt.

He took another bite of burger, chewing while his gaze stayed soft on her. “Tell me something real quick while we got these plates. What’s one thing that always makes you’re day better no matter how chaotic the station gets? Cause right now sitting here with you? Its topping my list.”

Melody swallowed hard. Up until now she might have said singing. She could sing her way through a battlefield if she had too. Could sing away the blues. That was before though. Before she had met him and this strange wonderful thing seemed to have happened.

Ben gave her a lopsided hopeful smile that crinkled his eyes, and nudged his plate closer. “You’re turn to spill… or feed me another potato. Im not picky.”

Melody without missing a beat picked up a fork of spiced potatoes and even as she leaned in to offer it to him she spoke. “This. I don’t know what this is, but it's better than anything I have ever known. Including Berts cooking. Now open up.”

Ben leaned forward with that same eager spark in his bright blue eyes, opening his mouth to take the bite from her fork without a second of hesitation. He chewed slow, really tastin it... not even sure if it was potatoes or some kinda spiced up root thing from the station garden, but it tasted great nonetheless. Mostly, though he was lost in the moment... the way Melodys eyes stayed locked on him and how her words about this being better than anything made his chest feel all tight in the best way. "Yeah... this right here," Ashford said once he swallowed, voice warm and a little rough around the edges. "I don't know what this is either but it feels huge. Like maybe we really have known each other forever and just needed the right diner on the right station to notice."

Ben wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, still grinnin like a fool, then grabbed his own fork and loaded it with a few of those spiced cubes. Holding it out toward Melody he tilted his head, that messy brown hair fallin into his eyes a bit. "Your turn, beautiful... And hey... if we known each other forever then I guess I already know your gonna love these as much as I do. Open up."

The playful lilt in his tone didn't hide the real feeling underneath. Ben couldn't stop starin at her, couldnt stop wondering how hed gotten so lucky to meet someone who made protecting a stranger and eating real food and shipping out on a new Sovereign class all feel like part of the same adventure. "Whatever comes next on the Churchill... I got a feelin its gonna be one hell of a ride with you around, Melody…" He grinned stupidly, but infatuated.
“What ever comes next Ben, I am glad to know you will be there with me.” Melody said opening up she took the bite of potatoes with a satisfied and playful grin. She chewed and swallowed and then said without missing a beat.

“Wanna be Bunkies? I havent got assigned a bunkiey yet and your still new we can put in to share?” She wasn’t sure why she was offering she only knew it would be fun. “We could play cards, and cook together, and I know lots of stories so you would never be bored, We can have pillow fights, and I can play with your hair.” She reached out and ran her fingers through his mess of dark hair. “Whatta you think?”

Ben's eyes went wide as saucers and that goofy grin split his face so big it almost hurt. He dropped his fork with a clatter, heart thumpin like a warp core on overload, couldnt hardly believe what he just heard. Bunkies? With her? This day was gettin better by the second and he was already floatin.

... "Bunkies?! Melody you... you serious?! Oh man yes! A million times yes lets put in for it right now before they assign you somebody else! I aint never had a bunkie before but sharin quarters with you on the Churchill sounds like the best adventure yet... we could stay up way too late watchin old movies on the holoscreen... scary ones with jump scares from Earth archives and then kill the lights and tell our own scary stories bout ghost ships or creepy Borg remnants till we both get spooked and laugh it off... or we could break out that face paint kit from tactical and paint each others faces all wild like warriors or funny disguises... fake scars n mustaches n stuff then go pull pranks on the other ensigns... switch the salt n sugar labels in the mess or short sheet a bed or two... nothin thatd get us in real trouble but enough to keep everybody on their toes!"

He was leanin in so close now his voice sped up, words tumblin out between excited breaths and little laughs, more ideas spillin faster than he could sort em.
"...and yeah we could play cards like you said... or cook up weird experiments together on the replicator just to see what happens... have big pillow fights after a rough shift till the feathers fly everywhere and we collapse laughin... you playin with my hair while I tell you stuff from back home and you hit me with all them stories you know... build a giant blanket fort right in the middle of our quarters and call it our secret command post for plannin fake missions or just hidin from duty... sneak extra desserts at midnight for feasts... put on some old Earth tunes real low and try dancin even if we step on each others feet... or just sit by the viewport if we got one and make up new constellations while we talk about every crazy dream we got for the future... this is gonna be so much fun I dont even know how Im gonna sleep tonight thinkin bout it all! Whatta you think... you still wanna be bunkies with a guy this excited?!"

He sat back just a hair but that infatuated sparkle in his eyes didnt dim one bit, waitin on her like the whole ship depended on it.

Their excitement seemed to feed on a loop with each other. Food was forgotten and she got up. “Lets do it! Come on!” Melody said she had reached out to grasp his hand. Nothing else seemed to matter in that moment except getting things in order now.

Ben finished the last of his Universal Barty Burger with one hand, the other still loosly linked with Melodys under the edge of the table. The real meat, the crunch of homemade pickles, the garlic-butter potatoes... none of it tasted half as good as the quiet spark runnin between there fingures. Ben wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, that easy grin never leavin his face, and gave Melody knuckles one more soft squeze.

“Man… that was unreal,” he said, voice warm and a little rough. “Best meal Ive had in months. And the company?” He huffed a quiet laugh, blue eyes bright. “Yeah. Company wins. For sure, lets go get those forms.” He winked.

"Yes. Please. Let do." Melody could not believe this was happening. It was like an amazing dream, just a whirlwind of surreal connection. It was as though the stars had just aligned and she found herself in the presence of the most profoundly magnificent people she had ever met.

Ashford leaned back against the green vinyl, messy brown hair fallin into his eyes, the old earphones huggin his neck as he finally let go long enough to stand. The battered Walkman stayed silent in his pocket. Even Van Halen couldnt compete tonight.

- Twenty minutes later… -

The promenade lights of Starbase 51 glowed soft and low as Ben walked the outer gallery, the Churchills sleek hull gleamin below them like a promise. His athletic frame stayed close, the old earphones still huggin his neck with every easy step. That same restles itch had been buildin the whole walk... hotter now, insistent.

Ben glanced down at the space between them, heart thudidng a little harder. Without over thinkin it he reached out, rough engineers hand findin Melodys, and laced there fingers together propperly. Calluses against softer skin. Thumb strokin once across Melody knuckles like hed been waitin all night to do exactly this.

“There,” he murmured, voice low and steady, that open grin tuggin at his mouth. “Thats better. Been itchin to do that since the first potato.”

She smiled, "Since I first saw you doing air guitar..." she whispered softly. Her hand felt like it was plugged into a live wire, the feel of his warm callused hands playing over hers made her react in strange ways she had never felt before. Her chest felt tight but in a good way and her heart pounded like a drum hard and steady to the electric pulse that filled her with a tingling yearning she didn't fully understand yet. But she liked it.

Ashford kept walkin, kept holdin on, the stars wheelin past the big observation windows, already half-convinced the universe had set this whole night up just so he could hold her hand.

“You wanna keep walkin a little longer… or should we go file those bunkie forms before someone else snags you?” he asked with a grin.

"We should file the papers. After that we can go build ourselves one of those blanket forts if you wanna." She kept hold of his hand. It was as natural as breathing. It felt remarkably nice. She found herself leaning closer still her other arm reaching over while still in step, like a dance she adjusted to hug his arm to her for a moment.

She squeezed his hand gently. "So here's the deal. We file the bunkie request, we raid the replicators for snacks, build the greatest blanket fort Starfleet has ever accidentally authorized, and then..."

she pretended to think very hard.

"...we play cards until one of us loses, watch an old Earth movie, and if there's a thunderstorm simulation available..." she lowered her voice conspiratorially, "...we tell ghost stories." Her grin widened again. "And somewhere in there, Your teaching me air guitar. That's non-negotiable."

As they reached the administration offices, Melody slowed just enough to let Ben open the door for her, still refusing to let go of his hand. "Alright here we are... future bunkie." There wasn't the slightest hesitation in her voice.

Ben held the door open with his free hand still not lettin go of Melody’s… The admin office was quiet except for soft terminal beeps. A yeoman looked up with a tired half smile.

“Evenin… What can I do for ya?”

Ben stepped closer messy brown hair fallin into his eyes. “Shared quarters request forms for the Churchill… Both of us just assigned… wantin to bunk together. Lieutenant Benjamin Ashford Chief Engineer and Doctor Melody Hawthorne.”

Meldoy waved playfully at the administrator. "Hello."

The yeoman pulled two PADDs and set one in front of each of them. “Fill these out both of you sign then I’ll route it.”

Ben took his own PADD and leaned a little against the counter while he started tapping in his details a little too fast… His free hand stayed loosely linked with Melody’s.

“Look at us fillin out official paperwork like kids sneakin dessert…” he muttered grinning. “Once this goes through we’re stuck with each other… No takin it back when I leave tools everywhere or hum Van Halen at three in the morning…”

He glanced at Melody blue eyes bright while still workin on his own form. “You still sure about this future bunkie thing…? I already got a dozen more ideas for the blanket fort and half of em involve midnight snacks and bad decisions…”

"Oh I am sure. I knew the moment I saw you that...." Her voice trailed off. She continued to fill out her paperwork with the ease of someone that had filled out so many reports in there life that it was simply second nature.

Ben finished his half and set the stylus down waiting while Melody worked on hers… When she finished signing her own he signed his with a little flourish and they both handed the PADDs over together.

“There… Official. No backsies.”

Her smile was radiant. "No backsies!" She agreed handing over her own PADD.

The yeoman scanned them and nodded. “Request logged. Confirmation should hit your PADDs within the hour.”

Ben let out a quiet whoop then ducked his head laughing. “Sorry… just real happy about this…”

He turned fully toward Melody still holdin on the old headphones bumpin his collarbone. “Forms are in… You wanna wait here or go raid the nearest replicator for fort supplies while we still can…? Extra pillows… weird station snacks… and I still owe you that air guitar lesson…”

Melody was over the moon. She had not expected her day to become so wonderful. Her being kicked out of the bases medbay had become a stroke of universal luck like nothing else.

His thumb stroked once more across Melody’s knuckles voice softer. “Lead the way bunkie… Wherever you wanna go next… I'm already there.”

"I am already where I want to be." Melody said softly. Her eyes drinking in his face again. He was so perfect. Weeks of dreading leaving the Tomcat, leaving her friends behind. It was worth it. in one perfect moment. of one perfect day, she had stumbled upon someone that felt like they were her missing piece. It was so sudden. so unexpected. She was certain, however. Her hand tightened around his. "Supplies for sure though."

Ben’s grin stretched wide as Melody’s words settled in. Supplies. Perfect. He rock on his heels once then pointed toward the Turbo lifts with a little flourish of his multi tool.

“Right this way bunkie. Regular replicators is fine for the basics but if we want the really good weird stuff we need the industrial units on deck twelve. Off limits to most personnel… luckily I spent three weeks last year debugging their control matrix and somehow the master code stucked in my head. Funny how that works…”

He led the way at a brisk walk the old headphones still looped around his neck bouncing with every step. The station corridors blurred past in soft lighting and the occasional passing crewman who gave them a second look. Ben keep talking the whole time voice full of that same restless energy.

“I keep thinking about how our brains already run the same program. You catch a joke mid flight I finish the punchline without thinking. Same with the serious stuff. You mention watching over someone and I just… get it. No long explanation needed. Feels like we already logged a hundred shifts together and just forget to put it in the log… You feel that too or am I just running hot on the bunkie high?”

Melody followed beside him, still holding onto that impossible smile that seemed determined to stay on her face all day. She watched him tap in the access code and reveal the industrial replicator room like he had just unlocked some legendary treasure vault.

She laughed softly. “Bunkie high?” she repeated, tilting her head as she looked at him. “Is that what we’re calling this?” She stepped closer, looking around at the massive replicator banks. “Because if so… I think I might already be experiencing symptoms.”

Her smile softened as she looked back at him. “You know what’s funny? A few hours ago I was absolutely terrified. I kept thinking about leaving the Tomcat, leaving my friends, starting over somewhere new.” She squeezed his hand gently. “And then somehow my first day here involves getting kicked out of sickbay, meeting the most energetic engineer I have ever encountered, and breaking into an industrial replicator room to build a blanket fort.”
She shook her head, laughing. “I’m starting to think the universe has a very strange sense of humor.” She looked toward the replicators. “Alright, bunkie. Show me what kind of trouble we can get into.”

The Turbo lift doors opened on deck twelve with a soft chime. Ben strode straight to a heavy industrial hatch marked AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY and tapped a rapid sequence into the recessed pad. It chirped twice then flash green. He gave the panel a little congratulatory pat.

“And we’re in. Behold the land of oversized odditys…”
Rows of heavy duty replicator banks stretched out under bright work lights. Ben rubbed his hands together like a kid turned loose in a tool shop.

“Alright first things first. We need fort infrastructure that will not collapse the second someone sneezes. Replicating a set of spring loaded support poles that extends with a ridiculous whoosh sound when you hit the activation stud. Also a pile of those self inflating pillows that hiss at you if you sit on them wrong. Instant comedy… Think the whoosh poles will scare the neighbors or should we go quieter? You take that bank over there and throw in whatever wild fort gear you want…”

Melody watched the first batch of fort supplies materialize, her eyes widening as the support poles expanded with an exaggerated whoosh.

She jumped slightly, then immediately started laughing. “Oh my goodness…” She picked up one of the poles, examining it like it was a serious piece of engineering equipment. “You’re right. These are absolutely necessary.” She glanced toward him. “Will they scare the neighbors?” She pretended to think about it. “Probably.”

A conspiratorial grin spread across her face. “Should we do it anyway?” She placed the pole with the growing pile of supplies. “Yes. Definitely.” She moved toward her own replicator panel, her expression turning mischievous.

He started the first batch humming under his breath while the machinery hummed louder. A stack of bright blue poles and a mountain of pillows materialize with an exaggerated whoosh that made him jump then laugh at him self.

“Next… snack arsenal. Not regular snacks. Industrial grade. I am thinking those cube shaped ration bars that looks exactly like isolinear chips so we can pretend we are performing emergency computer repairs while eating. And a self-heating mug that only produces root beer if you yell the correct activation phrase in an engineering accent. Completely unnecessary. Completely perfect… Go on Melody punch in something ridiculous on your side too. I wanna see what chaos you cook up…”

"Lets now... Oh yes!" A mischievous gleam lit her eyes. "Tribble popcorn bowl. For every handful you eat two more pop up." Her fingers moved and the design was ready in seconds. Then it was added to the pile of their contraband. She kept working her fingers flying at what seemed like lightspeed over the controls. "Wrap core Brownies." She hit the final button and there sat a perfectly circular brownie with a glowing blue center. Melody proudly presented it to Ben “A scientifically accurate representation of the warp core. Only editable and more delicious.” She leaned closer. “I also added a coffee maker.” There was a pause. “For you.” Her smile softened. “Because my CO tells me engineering runs mostly on caffeine and questionable decisions.”

Ben keyed in the next sequence then glanced over with bright blue eyes full of mischief. “What do you think Melody… should we also grabs a pair of those voice modulator badges that make every order sound like a dramatic ship wide announcement? Or is that too much power for two bunkies to handles on day one… Your turn to hit the controls for real. Replicate whatever weird badge or gadget you think we need…”

Melody looked at the voice modulator badges and immediately looked far too interested. “Oh no.” She picked one up. “That is exactly the kind of power two people should absolutely not have.”

She turned it over in her hand. Then slowly smiled like a kid in a candy store. “Which means we obviously need them.” She activated one and spoke in the deepest, most dramatic voice she could manage.

“Attention all personnel. This is the Supreme Blanket Fort Command. Please report immediately for mandatory snack consumption.” She looked at Ben. A second later she started laughing. “Okay. I understand why Starfleet restricts these now.”

She placed two badges into the supplies. “One for you. One for me.” She pointed at him. “But I am warning you right now…” A playful look crossed her face. “I will most certainly abuse this responsibly.”

He waited just long enough for her answer then kept going fingers flying over the controls. “And one more. A small holo emitter that projects a tiny floating version of the Churchill so we can point at it during late night strategy sessions and pretend we are running the whole ship from our blanket fort. Complete with little sparking engines when we gets too excited… You replicate the next one. Surprise me with something just as ridiculous…”

The industrial banks whirred and clanked producing a growing pile of glorious nonsenses right there on the deck. Ben stepped back surveying the haul with pure satisfaction then turned toward Melody again that same easy grin lighting his face.

“Your turn to pick ridiculous things… replicate a whole lot of nonsense! What does our future command post needs that I have not thought of yet…”

Melody watched the tiny USS Churchill appear, then stared. Then she noticed the blanket cape. There was a moment of silence. Then she absolutely lost it. She laughed so hard she had to put a hand against the replicator for support. “Oh… oh that is perfect.”

She wiped at the corner of her eye. “You know, I think that might be my favorite thing we have made.” She watched the little ship drift around. “Because it’s not just a command post.” Her voice softened. “It’s ours.”

She looked over at him. “This whole thing is ridiculous.” A small smile. “But somehow when I am with you it feels like the most natural thing in the universe.”

Melody looked around at the growing mountain of supplies. The poles. The pillows. The snacks. The ridiculous gadgets. The tiny blanket-caped Churchill. She shook her head, smiling.

“Okay…” She placed her hands on her hips. “I admit it.” She looked at Ben. “You really are the most perfect person to build our completely necessary fort with.”

She picked up the little “I SURVIVED BEN’S IDEAS” badge and held it up. “I’m keeping this.”

A teasing grin. “Though I may need to make a matching one that says ‘I SURVIVED MELODY’S IDEAS’ because I have a feeling this is going to become a competition.”

She stepped closer, her expression becoming a little softer. “You know…We make a great team, you and I.”

Ben’s face lit up like a warp core hitting critical as Melody held up that little badge... his messy brown hair falling into his eyes while he stared at the pile of absolute nonsense they’d just created. He bounced once on the balls of his feet... multi tool tapping an excited rhythm against his thigh.

“Oh man… oh man... look at this haul!” He swept an arm toward the tribble popcorn bowl still gently multiplying itself in the corner. “Two more every handful? That’s not a snack Melody... that’s a self replicating tactical disaster waiting to happen and I am so here for it. We’re gonna wake up buried in popcorn and just call it a successful overnight stress test...”

He pointed next at the glowing warp core brownie... voice dropping into pure dorky awe. “And that. That is scientifically accurate engineering genius. Blue core... perfect symmetry… I’m gonna treat that thing like it’s the actual matter antimatter reaction chamber. One bite and I’ll probably start quoting warp theory at three in the morning just because I can. You made me a coffee maker too? Doc… that’s dangerous. You just guaranteed I will never sleep again and I’m not even mad about it...”

Melody laughed, the sound bright and utterly unrestrained. "I knew it..." She folded her arms with mock satisfaction. "The warp core brownie was the one that won you over."

She wandered over to inspect it herself, nodding approvingly.

"I even calibrated the blue frosting to glow just enough to be dramatic without violating basic food safety. That's what separates medical officers from engineers—we know where the acceptable level of radiation ends."

Her grin widened. "And yes, I absolutely made you a coffee maker." She picked up one of the self-replenishing popcorn bowls, eyeing the steadily multiplying kernels with theatrical suspicion. "...Though I think your right, I may have created a monster with this."

She looked back at Ben, eyes sparkling. "Then again..." she shrugged. "...I've only known you a few hours, Chief. I've already concluded that enabling you is probably more fun than stopping you."

Ben snatched up one of the voice modulator badges... clipped it on... and immediately deepened his voice into the most ridiculous dramatic boom he could manage.

“Attention all personnel… this is Chief Engineer Ashford of the Supreme Blanket Fort Command. The tribble popcorn has achieved sentience. Recommend immediate snack consumption protocols. That is all.”

He broke character with a loud snort laugh... cheeks pink... then held the second badge out toward her with both hands like it was the most important piece of equipment in the quadrant.

“One for you... one for me. Fair warning… if you use that thing to order me to do a victory dance every time we finish a pillow fight... I will comply. Enthusiastically.
Probably trip over a whoosh pole while doing it...”

He stepped closer... blue eyes bright and still a little stunned that this whole day had even happened. They’d only met a few hours ago and somehow they were already bunkies with a mountain of contraband fort gear. The thought made his chest feel warm and floaty.

“We really do make a great team...” he said... quieter for a second... the grin soft but still full of that restless energy.

“Like… ridiculously good. I keep waiting for the part where this gets normal and it just… doesn’t. And I don’t want it to...”

Melody accepted the second voice badge, turning it over thoughtfully before clipping it onto her shirt. "Oh, don't worry..." she said with a playful smile. "The victory dances are absolutely going to become mandatory."

She reached over and gave his shoulder a gentle bump with her own. "And for the record... I don't want it to become normal either." Her smile softened, becoming quieter, more genuine.

"I spend so much of my life planning ahead, solving problems, fixing things before they break..." She glanced around the room at the glorious mess surrounding them.

"...Then I meet you, and somehow the best part of my day becomes building a blanket fort with a complete stranger." She laughed softly. "Well... former stranger." Meeting his eyes, she nodded once. "I think the reason this feels so easy is because we're not trying to impress each other." Her expression warmed. "We're just... being ourselves." And somehow, that felt wonderfully rare.

Then the practical engineer side kicked in hard. Ben clapped his hands once... spun toward the nearest industrial console... and started tapping with lightning speed.

“Alright... future bunkie… time to make this official cargo instead of two officers who definitely should not have access codes cargo. I’m tagging the entire pile... poles... pillows... tribble popcorn... warp brownies... coffee maker... voice badges... tiny Churchill... everything... as priority engineering stores for the USS Churchill. Destination: Starbase 51 loading and docking bays... hold seven. From there it gets transferred straight onto the ship as personal effects for shared quarters assignment Ashford Hawthorne...”

He finished the last entry with a flourish... then shot her a lopsided... completely unrepentant smile.

“By the time we step foot on Churchie... all of this chaos will already be waiting in our little bunk. Ready for blanket fort construction... midnight snack raids... and whatever other terrible ideas we invent between now and then...”

Ben rocked back on his heels... old headphones still draped around his neck... looking equal parts proud engineer and overexcited kid who’d just gotten away with the best heist of his life.

“So… you still good with sharing a tiny room with a guy who just weaponized popcorn and brownie science for the sole purpose of keeping you smiling?”

Melody pretended to consider the question with all the seriousness of a senior officer reviewing a tactical briefing. "Hmm..." She slowly looked over the growing inventory. "The evidence is concerning." She pointed at the popcorn. "Weaponized snacks." Then the brownies. "Questionably safe engineering-themed desserts." The tiny blanket-caped Churchill. "An alarming disregard for proper starship decorum."

Finally, she looked back at Ben. "And a chief engineer whose purpose is to make me smile…hmm." She let the silence linger just long enough before breaking into a warm smile. "I think I'll risk it."

Stepping beside him, she lightly hooked her arm through his. "Besides..." she said, giving his arm an affectionate squeeze, "every ship needs someone willing to fix the warp core..." She looked at their pile of supplies. "...and someone willing to remind the engineer that every blanket fort should include proper emergency medical provisions."

A mischievous glint appeared in her eyes. "I'm thinking cookies." She looked back at him with a grin that matched his own. "I have a feeling we're going to make that tiny room feel like home. If we haven’t already."

Ben’s face lit up at the cookies talk. He gave her arm a soft squeeze and laughed under his breath.

“Alright... time to get out of here before someone notices how much fun we’re having.”

He kept hold of her hand as they left the industrial bay and headed for the main concourse. The Churchill still gleamed below the big windows. Ben steered them toward an open replicator near a quiet cluster of tables.

“I can’t stop thinking about oatmeal chocolate chip... the chewy kind. Ever since we started replicating all that nonsense earlier my brain just locked onto them.” He tapped the panel. “Double batch... and two cold milks.”

Warm cookies and tall glasses appeared. Ben carried everything to a table by the viewport and sat, still grinning. He broke one cookie in half and held a piece out toward her.

“Here... still warm. Best kind.” He took a bite of his own and reached for the milk, eyes bright. “These are dangerous. I could live on these and coffee.”

He leaned back a little, headphones around his neck, and looked over at her while the station hummed quietly around them.

“A few hours ago I was just some guy staring at a ship. Now I’ve got warm cookies, milk, and the best bunkie request of my career already in the system... So what do you think of the first official snack of our shared quarters era...?”

He winked at her.

----

1st Lieutenant Melody Hawthorn
Marine medic
USS Churchill

&

Lt. Ben Ashford
Chief Engineering Officer
USS Churchill

 

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