"Cinematic Get-Together"

[Aidan Driscol 0]

"Cinematic Get-Together"

A joint log by Lieutenant Senior Grade Kairi Kassem and Lieutenant Junior Grade Aidan Driscol

 

Kairi was casually walking down the hall. She was making her way to Holodeck 3 where she would meet Aidan. After a short turbolift ride and walk down the hall, she arrived at her destination. Unfortunately it seemed she beat the science officer there.

 

Aidan hated to be late, well he wasn't exactly late, he still had 2 minutes, but he hated not being early. But he had been held up when getting ready because he wasn't able to find the shirt he wanted to wear. When he finally arrived at Holodeck 3 Kairi was already there. He didn't immediately approach her but looked at her from a bit of a distance. She was really good looking, and she had that sad air about her that must make many men feel like they had to take care of her. But he wasn't going to be fooled, like him, she was an Academy graduate and they could all take care of themselves. He finally walked over to her with a smile on his face.

 

The new Chief Engineer looked over as she saw Aidan approach. Kairi was wearing a light blue V-cut shirt, which showed her bellybutton. She also wore black, form fitting pants and sandals. Her hair, which she usually wore down, was pulled back into a ponytail held by a scrunchy. "Hi..." she said smiling. "I just arrived, so you don't have to worry about being late."

 

"Hey. I didn't get here before you, so you're right I don't have to worry about being late anymore, I already am." Aidan had decided for the classic white shirt and black trousers, he thought it'd be a night for movies, so he might just as well get dressed for the occasion. Unintentionally he compared Kairi to Lexia and he almost laughed out loud. The two women were nothing alike and he was glad about it, he was now in the mood for relaxed night and some fun. Not constant tiptoeing around potential landmines. "You look great."

 

Kairi blushed a little. "Thanks...You too..." It had been hard lately to keep her eyes off of the young science officer since her 'dinner date' with him the other night. Eventually her gaze left his and moved onto the door. "Well, I suppose we should go inside. Are you going to tell me what movie you picked? Or should I wait to get inside for you to lock me in?" She giggled a little.

 

Aidan laughed and thoroughly enjoyed how easy going Kairi was. "Oh, I have bigger plans for you actually." He grinned and waited how she'd take his, admittedly, rather bad joke.

 

She gave a fake expression of shock, "Oh really?"

 

"Yes really. Back at the academy me and my mates were really into 1970 to 2050 films and from that time I still have..." Aidan stepped into the Holodeck and waited for her to join.

 

Kairi followed inside. She was really getting curious now.

 

"Computer, display program Driscol 35 alpha." Around them a typical early 21st century cinema appeared, complete with a few other cinema goers, but not crowded, and of course with the best seats empty. The lights were still on and light chatter could be heard. A friend of his had programmed this for them at the academy, the films were interchangeable and the holocinemagoers would be quiet during the film. They could, of course, also be removed. But even though technically Aidan and Kairi were alone he didn't want to send the wrong message. "Voila."

 

"Wow..." she said as she walked into the theatre. "It's really lovely." Kairi suddenly gasped, grabbing Aidan gently by the arm. "Oh no! I forgot the snacks..." A frown emerged from her face.

 

"I'm glad you like it, and don't worry about the snacks." Aidan suddenly ran off out of the Holodeck and quickly stuck his head back in. "You didn't want to take the opportunity of snack grabbing for running away, did you?" He laughed and ran to the nearest replicator and got a big bucket of popcorn. Then he quickly returned to the Holodeck.

 

Kairi laughed as he ran back in. "You haven't quite given me a reason to run away yet." She reached up and snatched a few pieces of popcorn from the bucket and ate them. "Mmm..."

 

"Would you like a reason to run?" Aidan took a moment to catch his breath and wondered why there was no replicator right next to the holodeck. "Speaking of reason to run, what would you like to drink?" He wanted to slap himself for forgetting that, this wasn't exactly the perfect start to their evening, he hoped this wasn't a reason to run.

 

"Um...surprise me..." she said, hoping she wasn't going to regret it.

 

Aidan smiled and raised an eyebrow. "That means I can only lose, right?" Without waiting for an answer he dashed out again to the replicator and got a coke for himself and... he hesitated before ordering Kairi's drink.

 

Kairi walked around the theatre while Aidan was out. It was really nice, better than the one she had made once. She was anxious to know what movie he had picked for them to watch. Regardless of what it was, it was definitely nice to be going out.

 

The drinks took Aidan slightly longer, as he couldn't run back to the holodeck. When he returned he handed Kairi hers and looked at her, waiting for her to try. "Good or bad surprise?"

 

She took a sip of the cold drink. It was very bubbly and sweet, which tickled her nose. Kairi giggled a little as she looked up at Aidan. "What is it?"

 

"It's called coke, loads of sugar, not at all nutritional and very popular back then. Shall we go sit down then? I'm sorry, I should have lead you to our seats before." He felt stupid for his thoughtlessness. "What can I say, my only excuse is that I haven't gone out with a lady in ages." He lead her to their seats in the middle of the cinema and stood until she had sat down. After all he hadn't forgotten all of his manners.

 

Kairi took her seat, looking at the huge theatre screen. "It's alright. You don't have to make excuses. I'm still having a good time."

 

Aidan looked at Kairi and noticed with quite a bit of pride that she was impressed by the program. He leaned in a bit so she would be able to hear him when he lowered his voice. "This is nothing compared to the drive-in cinema." He grinned roguishly. "Those used to be very popular, too, although I hear the films were not a priority there."

 

"Drive-in? I think I've heard of those, but have never seen one." She seemed very innocent at the moment. "But why would you go to a theatre if you were not going to watch a movie?"

 

Aidan looked at her half disbelieving half amused. "I can't tell you, I actually want you to stay for the film, and I assure you, just the film. By the way," Aidan tried to change the topic quickly, he had made enough of a fool of himself for one night, "you said you wanted a comedy, and I picked something that's not exactly a classic or anything anybody remembers, but, as I said, me and my friends watched a lot of films back in the academy and we came across this one. It's called "Nothing to Lose", one of my favourites." He had decided against a romantic comedy.

 

Kairi smiled as she reached over, grabbing a handful of popcorn. "I trust you...for now..." she laughed as she ate some of the corn.

 

He grinned as he, too, took some of the popcorn. "Well, that's a start I suppose. Computer, start film." The light's dimmed and the chatter died down, Aidan leaned back and looked at the screen.

 

She sat back, watching the screen. Suddenly, out of character, Kairi leaned over to Aidan, giving him a friendly kiss on the cheek. "Thank you. I really needed this." She then returned her attention to the screen as the movie began.

 

Aidan was completely taken aback by this and looked at Kairi. " You... you are very welcome." He stammered.