#uss birmingham

[lonestarbattleship]

The tug Tooronga is guiding USS Birmingham (CL-62) to a berth in Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne, Australia, during a good will visit.

Photographed by Allan C. Green, on November 8, 1945.

SLV: H91.108/2429, H91.108/2421, H91.108/2419

Colorized by Alex Color Studio: link

[captain-price-unofficially]

Cleveland-class light cruiser USS Birmingham (CL-62), escorted by tugboats, in Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne, Australia, 1945.

[usafphantom2]

Where are all the Blackbirds? List of A-12’s and SR-71’s locations. A total of 50 of these high-flying, bullet-speed aircraft were

produced by the Lockheed “Skunk Works”, 12 were lost in

accidents.

Of the remaining 38, two were transferred to NASA for

high-altitude testing and 29 are on display for public viewing

around the USA and one at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford,

England.

M-21 #06940 Drone-carrying Blackbird on display at the

Museum of Flight, Boeing Field, Seattle, Washington.

Alabama:

A-12 #06930 - U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Huntsville, AL.

A-12 #06937 - Southern Museum of Flight, Birmingham, AL.

A-12 #06938 - USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park, Mobile, AL.

Arizona:

SR-71A #17951 - On display at the Pima Air Museum, Tucson, AZ.

California:

A-12 #06924 - Blackbird Airpark in Palmdale, CA.

A-12 #06927 - California Science Center in Los Angeles, CA.

California (Cont’d.):

A-12 #06933 - San Diego Aerospace Museum, in San Diego, CA.

SR-71A #17955 - AFFTC Museum, Edwards AFB, CA.

SR-71A #17960 - Castle Air Museum near Atwater, CA.

SR-71A #17963 - Beale AFB, CA.

SR-71A #17973 - Blackbird Airpark, Palmdale, CA.

SR-71A #17975 - March Field Museum, March AFB, CA.

SR-71A #17980 - NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center as #844.

Florida:

SR-71A #17959 - USAF Armament Museum, Eglin AFB, FL.

Georgia:

SR-71A #17958 - Museum of Aviation, Robins AFB, GA.

Kansas:

SR-71A #17961 - Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center, Hutchinson, KS.

Louisiana:

SR-71A #17967 - 8th Air Force Museum, Barksdale AFB, LA.

Michigan:

SR-71B #17956 - Kalamazoo Aviation History Museum in Kalamazoo, MI.

Nebraska:

SR-71A #17964 - Strategic Air and Space Museum, near Ashland, NE.

New York:

A-12 #06925 - USS Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum in the New York City

Harbor.

Ohio:

YF-12A #06935 - National Museum of the United States Air Force, Wright-Patterson

AFB, OH.

SR-71A #17976 - National Museum of the United States Air Force, Wright-Patterson

AFB, OH.

Oregon:

SR-71A #17971 - Evergreen Aviation Museum in McMinnville, OR.

Texas:

SR-71A #17979 - USAF History and Traditions Museum, Lackland AFB, TX.

Utah:

SR-71C #17981 - Hill Aerospace Museum, Hill AFB, UT.

Virginia:

A-12 #06931 - CIA Headquarters, Langley, VA

SR-71A #17968 - Science Museum of Virginia, Richmond, VA.

SR-71A #17972 - Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy

Center in Chantilly, VA.

Washington:

M-21 #06940 - Museum of Flight, Seattle, WA.

United Kingdom:

SR-71A #17962 - Imperial War Museum in Duxford, England.

@Habubrats71 via x

[holidayexpertz]

Alabama offers a unique blend of Southern charm, rich history, and diverse landscapes. From its picturesque Gulf Coast beaches to its vibrant cities and scenic countryside, this state is an ideal destination for vacationers. Whether you’re looking to stay in a cozy cabin, a luxury villa, a beachside condo, or a countryside cottage, Holidayexpertz provides a variety of vacation homes by owner in Alabama to suit your needs.

Top Vacation Rentals in Alabama Beachfront Villas on the Gulf Coast: Perfect for beach lovers, these vacation homes offer stunning ocean views, easy access to the beach, and luxury amenities, ideal for family vacations or romantic getaways. Mountain Cabins in North Alabama: Surrounded by forests and natural beauty, these secluded cabins are perfect for a peaceful retreat, offering outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, and boating. Luxury Condos in Birmingham: If you’re looking for an urban escape, choose a stylish condo in downtown Birmingham, close to restaurants, shopping, and top attractions. Countryside Cottages: Experience the charm of rural Alabama by staying in a cozy cottage, perfect for those who want a quiet escape with access to beautiful landscapes and local farms. Top Attractions of Alabama From historic landmarks to natural wonders, Alabama is full of exciting attractions for visitors. Whether you’re a history buff, nature enthusiast, or beach lover, Alabama offers something for everyone.

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Located along Alabama’s Gulf Coast, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are famous for their white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters. These coastal destinations are perfect for sunbathing, swimming, fishing, and water sports. Vacationers can also enjoy a variety of beachside restaurants, shops, and entertainment options.

Gulf State Park: A beautiful natural area with hiking and biking trails, a fishing pier, and a golf course. Dolphin Cruises: Take a boat tour and spot playful dolphins in their natural habitat.

U.S. Space & Rocket Center (Huntsville) One of the most popular attractions in Alabama, the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville showcases the history and future of space exploration. Visitors can explore interactive exhibits, see real rockets, and even participate in simulated space missions.

Space Camp: A fun and educational experience for kids and adults alike, where you can learn about space and astronaut training. Saturn V Rocket: Don’t miss the chance to see the Saturn V Rocket, one of the most famous rockets that took astronauts to the moon.

Birmingham Civil Rights Institute Alabama played a crucial role in the U.S. Civil Rights Movement, and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute offers a profound look into the struggle for equality. The museum features exhibits that highlight the history of the movement, including the events in Birmingham and across the South.

16th Street Baptist Church: Located near the Civil Rights Institute, this historic church was a key site in the Civil Rights Movement. Kelly Ingram Park: A nearby park with sculptures and monuments that commemorate the struggle for civil rights.

Mobile’s Historic District Founded in 1702, Mobile is one of the oldest cities in the United States, and its historic district is a beautiful blend of French, Spanish, and Creole architecture. Visitors can stroll through tree-lined streets, visit historic homes, and enjoy the vibrant culture of this Gulf Coast city.

USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park: A must-see attraction for history buffs, this park features the World War II battleship USS Alabama, as well as aircraft and military vehicles. Dauphin Street: The heart of Mobile’s historic downtown, where visitors can enjoy dining, shopping, and live entertainment.

Little River Canyon National Preserve Located in northeastern Alabama, Little River Canyon is one of the most stunning natural attractions in the state. The preserve offers hiking trails, waterfalls, and scenic overlooks, making it a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

Little River Falls: A beautiful waterfall that can be easily accessed from the main road. Canyon Rim Drive: A scenic drive that offers breathtaking views of the canyon and surrounding landscape.

Montgomery’s Historic Sites As the capital of Alabama, Montgomery is rich in history and offers several key attractions related to the Civil Rights Movement and Alabama’s role in U.S. history.

Rosa Parks Museum: Dedicated to the life and legacy of Rosa Parks, this museum tells the story of the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the fight for civil rights. Alabama State Capitol: A historic building where Jefferson Davis was inaugurated as the president of the Confederacy, and where the Selma to Montgomery marches ended in 1965.

Cheaha State Park Home to the highest point in Alabama, Cheaha Mountain, this state park offers breathtaking views, hiking trails, and opportunities for camping and picnicking. It’s a great spot for those who love the outdoors and want to explore Alabama’s natural beauty.

Bald Rock Trail: A short, accessible trail that leads to stunning views from Bald Rock. Cheaha Lake: A peaceful lake where visitors can swim, fish, or relax by the water. Why Choose Holidayexpertz for Alabama Vacation Rentals by Owner? Holidayexpertz offers a wide range of vacation rentals by owner across Alabama, from beachside villas to mountain cabins. Here’s why choosing a rental through Holidayexpertz can enhance your vacation:

No Booking or Service Fees: Save money by booking directly with the owner, avoiding extra fees that come with traditional booking platforms. Variety of Options: Whether you’re looking for a cozy cottage, a luxury villa, or a modern condo, Holidayexpertz has the perfect vacation rental to fit your needs. Personalized Experiences: By renting directly from owners, you get local insights and personalized recommendations to make your stay unforgettable. Flexibility: With a vacation rental, you have the flexibility to cook your own meals, enjoy more space, and create a home-like experience. Book Your Alabama Vacation Today From the vibrant culture of Birmingham and Montgomery to the tranquil beaches of Gulf Shores and the natural beauty of Cheaha State Park, Alabama is a diverse and exciting destination for travelers. Whether you’re planning a family vacation, a romantic getaway, or a solo adventure, Holidayexpertz offers the best selection of vacation homes by owner in Alabama. Book your stay today and start exploring the heart of the South! https://www.holidayexpertz.com/

[brookstonalmanac]

Events 5.22 (after 1920)

1926 – Chiang Kai-shek replaces the communists in Kuomintang China. 1927 – Near Xining, China, an 8.3 magnitude earthquake causes 200,000 deaths in one of the world's most destructive earthquakes. 1939 – World War II: Germany and Italy sign the Pact of Steel. 1941 – During the Anglo-Iraqi War, British troops take Fallujah. 1942 – Mexico enters the Second World War on the side of the Allies. 1943 – Joseph Stalin disbands the Comintern. 1947 – Cold War: The Truman Doctrine goes into effect, aiding Turkey and Greece. 1957 – South Africa's government approves of racial separation in universities. 1958 – The 1958 riots in Ceylon become a watershed in the race relations of various ethnic communities of Sri Lanka. The total deaths are estimated at 300, mostly Tamils. 1960 – The Great Chilean earthquake, measuring 9.5 on the moment magnitude scale, hits southern Chile, becoming the most powerful earthquake ever recorded. 1964 – U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson launches his Great Society program. 1967 – Egypt closes the Straits of Tiran to Israeli shipping. 1967 – L'Innovation department store in Brussels, Belgium, burns down, resulting in 323 dead or missing and 150 injured, the most devastating fire in Belgian history. 1968 – The nuclear-powered submarine USS Scorpion sinks with 99 men aboard, 400 miles southwest of the Azores. 1969 – Apollo 10's Lunar Module flies within 8.4 nautical miles (16 km) of the Moon's surface. 1972 – Ceylon adopts a new constitution, becoming a republic and changing its name to Sri Lanka. 1972 – Over 400 women in Derry, Northern Ireland attack the offices of Sinn Féin following the shooting by the Irish Republican Army of a young British soldier on leave. 1987 – Hashimpura massacre occurs in Meerut, India. 1987 – First ever Rugby World Cup kicks off with New Zealand playing Italy at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand. 1990 – North and South Yemen are unified to create the Republic of Yemen. 1992 – Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Slovenia join the United Nations. 1994 – A worldwide trade embargo against Haiti goes into effect to punish its military rulers for not reinstating the country's ousted elected leader, Jean-Bertrand Aristide. 1996 – The Burmese military regime jails 71 supporters of Aung San Suu Kyi in a bid to block a pro-democracy meeting. 1998 – A U.S. federal judge rules that U.S. Secret Service agents can be compelled to testify before a grand jury concerning the Lewinsky scandal involving President Bill Clinton. 2000 – In Sri Lanka, over 150 Tamil rebels are killed over two days of fighting for control in Jaffna. 2002 – Civil rights movement: A jury in Birmingham, Alabama, convicts former Ku Klux Klan member Bobby Frank Cherry of the 1963 murder of four girls in the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing. 2010 – Air India Express Flight 812, a Boeing 737 crashes over a cliff upon landing at Mangalore, India, killing 158 of 166 people on board, becoming the deadliest crash involving a Boeing 737 until the crash of Lion Air Flight 610. 2010 – Inter Milan beat Bayern Munich 2–0 in the UEFA Champions League final in Madrid, Spain to become the first, and so far only, Italian team to win the historic treble (Serie A, Coppa Italia, Champions League). 2011 – An EF5 tornado strikes Joplin, Missouri, killing 158 people and wreaking $2.8 billion in damages, the costliest and seventh-deadliest single tornado in U.S. history. 2012 – Tokyo Skytree opens to the public. It is the tallest tower in the world (634 m), and the second tallest man-made structure on Earth after Burj Khalifa (829.8 m). 2014 – An explosion occurs in Ürümqi, capital of China's far-western Xinjiang region, resulting in at least 43 deaths and 91 injuries. 2015 – The Republic of Ireland becomes the first nation in the world to utilise a public referendum to legalise gay marriage. 2017 – Twenty-two people are killed at an Ariana Grande concert in the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing.

[talesofthesecondcity]

READ THE LATEST BLOG...

B( o )( o )BIES.... talesofthesecondcity.com

#lgbtq🌈 #lgbt #lgbtbirmingham #birminghamlgbtq #gaybirmingham #birminghamgay #gaylifestyle #gaylife #gayagenda #hurststreet #gay #bi #lesbian #queer #gayscene #gayvillage #gayinstagram #gaystories #gayblogs #birmingham #birminghamuk #StarTrek #startrekthenextgeneration #superman #supermanmovie #MargotKidder #LoisLane

[casualazurlane]

USS BIRMINGHAM [X]

Artist: TBA

[lex-for-lexington]

“Sailors on board the light cruiser Birmingham (CL-62) spray water on fires on board the light carrier Princeton (CVL-23) after she was bombed by a Japanese aircraft off Leyte in the Philippine Islands.” 24 October 1944.

(National Naval Aviation Museum: NNAM.1996.488.057.001)

[poor-bloody-infantry]

USS Birmingham (CL-62) damage caused by a Kamikaze which struck the ship's deck just aft of her Number Two gun turret, during operations off Okinawa on 4 May 1945. Fifty-one of Birmingham's crew lost their lives and eighty-one were injured in this suicide attack. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the Collections of the Naval History and Heritage Command.Catalog #: NH 98129

[lonestarbattleship]

USS Birmingham (CL-62) tied a pier in Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne, Australia, circa November 8, 1945.

Note: the Curtiss SC-1 Seahawk on her port catapult. Her starboard catapult had been removed for weight savings and stability issues.

SLV: H91.108/2420, H91.108/2422

[butch-muppet]

allow me to talk abt a couple of my trek ocs for a hot second please .

these are lt atlas (left, orion, security chief) and cmdr t’caan (right, vulcan, first officer). atlas is Tiny and has Severe anger issues and t’caan is always trying to get her to chill tf out. they’re girlfriends and i love them

[captain-price-unofficially]

U.S. Marine Corps LVTs move toward Saipan as the heavy cruiser USS Indianapolis (CA-35) bombards the shore. Photo was taken from the light cruiser USS Birmingham (CL-62) 15 June 1944

[vintageoculus]

First airplane takeoff from a warship. Eugene Burton Ely flies his Curtiss pusher biplane from USS Birmingham (Scout Cruiser No. 2), in Hampton Roads, Virginia, during the afternoon of 14 November 1910. USS Roe (Destroyer No. 24), serving as plane guard, is visible in the background.  (via)

[mostly-history]

Fighter plane contrails over the Fast Carrier Task Force during the “Great Marianas Turkey Shoot”, the aerial part of the Battle of the Philippine Sea (June 19th, 1944).  This photo was taken on board the light cruiser USS Birmingham (CL-62), named for the city of Birmingham in Alabama.

[brookstonalmanac]

Events 2.12

1961 – The Soviet Union launches Venera 1 towards Venus. 1963 – Construction begins on the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri. 1963 – Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 705 crashes into the Everglades shortly after takeoff from Miami International Airport, killing all 45 people on board. 1965 – Malcolm X visits Smethwick near Birmingham following the racially-charged 1964 United Kingdom general election. 1968 – Phong Nhị and Phong Nhất massacre. 1974 – Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1970, is exiled from the Soviet Union. 1983 – One hundred women protest in Lahore, Pakistan against military dictator Zia-ul-Haq's proposed Law of Evidence. The women were tear-gassed, baton-charged and thrown into lock-up. The women were successful in repealing the law. 1988 – Cold War: The 1988 Black Sea bumping incident: The U.S. missile cruiser USS Yorktown (CG-48) is intentionally rammed by the Soviet frigate Bezzavetnyy in the Soviet territorial waters, while Yorktown claims innocent passage. 1990 – Carmen Lawrence becomes the first female Premier in Australian history when she becomes Premier of Western Australia. 1992 – The current Constitution of Mongolia comes into effect. 1993 – Two-year-old James Bulger is abducted from New Strand Shopping Centre by two ten-year-old boys, who later torture and murder him. 1994 – Four thieves break into the National Gallery of Norway and steal Edvard Munch's iconic painting The Scream. 1999 – United States President Bill Clinton is acquitted by the United States Senate in his impeachment trial. 2001 – NEAR Shoemaker spacecraft touches down in the "saddle" region of 433 Eros, becoming the first spacecraft to land on an asteroid. 2002 – The trial of Slobodan Milošević, the former President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, begins at the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in The Hague, Netherlands. He dies four years later before its conclusion. 2002 – An Iran Airtour Tupolev Tu-154 crashes in the mountains outside Khorramabad, Iran while descending for a landing at Khorramabad Airport, killing 119. 2004 – The city of San Francisco begins issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples in response to a directive from Mayor Gavin Newsom. 2009 – Colgan Air Flight 3407 crashes into a house in Clarence Center, New York while on approach to Buffalo Niagara International Airport, killing all on board and one on the ground. 2016 – Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill sign an Ecumenical Declaration in the first such meeting between leaders of the Catholic and Russian Orthodox Churches since their split in 1054. 2019 – The country known as the Republic of Macedonia renames itself the Republic of North Macedonia in accordance with the Prespa agreement, settling a long-standing naming dispute with Greece.

[joaquinwhorres]

Treacherous Waters (Leonard McCoy x Reader)

SUMMARY ››››› After finals at Starfleet Academy all of the cadets flock to local bars in search of a good time. Which is exactly where you meet Leonard McCoy. And you are more than willing to show him a good time with the understanding that come Saturday morning he'll be gone, and you'll never see him again. Which is exactly what happens...until five years later your starship has a massive failure and the only ship around to save you is the Enterprise.

WORD COUNT ››››› 3,072

WARNINGS ››››› Drinking and mentions of sexy times. 

A/N ››››› Sooooo originally this was just supposed to be a “dancing in a bar with Leonard McCoy” fic but then I got an idea and well, it’s this. 

Prefer OC’s? Read it on AO3.

Finals Week at Starfleet Academy was a glorious occasion.

Or perhaps, more accurately, the Friday evening after Finals Week at Starfleet Academy was a glorious occasion. Because the Friday night of Finals Week was when the beautiful, young, pent up cadets flooded the local bars in desperate search for some unbridled fun.

Which Y/N was more than happy to provide

"Kirk's here," Kiesh hissed, her fingers digging into Y/N's arm in her excitement. Y/N flinched, and Kiesh released her quickly, but was too distracted to mutter an apology, her gaze fixated on the near mythical figure of San Francisco nightlife.

The tales that followed Jim Kirk were outlandish and obscene and wholly captivating.

There was the story of his birth aboard the USS Kelvin minutes before his father saved the lives of everyone who'd been aboard the ship.

There was the story of how he'd earned his spot in the Academy by taking on three security Lieutenants in a fist fight and walking away with no more than a bloody nose.

And of course there were the stories of his romantic conquests. Although romantic was probably not the right word for it. Carnal, sensual, lustful, and erotic all seemed a bit more descriptive of what transpired between Jim Kirk and the girls of San Francisco.

And like any mythical figure, these tales were enough to warn off a good number of girls from falling into his sheets...while prompting others to search for him to either worship or conquer themselves.

Kiesh fell firmly in the later category. She was no Kirk acolyte, but he had become a point of fixation for her because he was what no other man had been to her--unattainable.

Y/N scanned the crowd for the golden haired casanova, but the bar was too packed. It was an ocean of voices and species and color, all flowing to the electric undercurrent that ran throughout the bar. Y/N's eyes caught on the blood red uniforms of cadets too eager to indulge their youth to waste any time by going home and changing clothes.

Two palms pressed into either side of Y/N's face as her roommate turned her attention away from the cadets, past groups of people wearing the colorful and patterned designs native to their home planet, and to the end of the neon purple bar. There, just visible between the bodies of two friends having a chugging contest, was Jim Kirk with his head thrown back laughing.

"He's gorgeous," Y/N murmured. She'd figured he had to be, but it was one thing to hear about Adonis and another thing completely to see him in person. Kiesh's hands fell from Y/N's head, allowing the other girl to turn back to her. "I'll see you tomorrow then?"

"I might not make it to breakfast." A coy smile curled Kiesh's lips up as she started off through the crowd, disappearing amongst the crowd.

Y/N followed her progress, watching the other girl choose a space at the bar directly in Kirk's line of sight, sliding into the chair and tossing her long purple hair over one shoulder to reveal the expanse of skin from her neck to her chest, and then below the crop top.

And then she waited.

Watching Kiesh work was a sight to behold. Each trap was delicately set, carefully tailored to the man she'd picked on that given night. She planned each movement--the way she walked, the angle of her body against the bar, the look she painted on her face--to snag men like a siren, luring them into her dangerous waters.

As much as she wanted to see this play out, Y/N had other more important things to accomplish.  Like finding her own catch for the night. And she wasn't going to do that by standing in one spot all night.

If Kiesh was a siren, then Y/N was a shark, moving constantly throughout the room in search of the perfect prey. She weaved in and out of small groups, eyes scanning the members therein. There were groups of friends laughing together, cadets challenging each other to drinking games, girls who like her and Kiesh came with one purpose in mind, and others who came to have a good time by themselves, cadets be damned.

But it wasn't until her fourth slow, methodical lap that she saw him. Or rather, she saw Kirk slap him on the back with a large grin before making his way over to where Kiesh leaned on her elbows. More than the broadness of his shoulders, the tussle of dark hair, and the deep red color of his uniform, it was the scowl he was shooting at Kirk's back that caught her attention and drew her across the bar to him as if smelling blood in the water.

"You look like a man who doesn't dance," Y/N said, folding her arms on the back of what was once Kirk's chair. It took him almost three seconds to realize that she was talking to him, and when he did, he lifted his eyebrows--the look an interesting combination of amusement and apprehension.

"Well, that's a first," he remarked. There was just a trace of an accent under his words that Y/N couldn't quite place.

"I highly doubt I'm the first person to notice," Y/N said, rocking on the balls of her feet. "Unless of course I'm wrong, and you're constantly barraged with requests to hit the dance floor."

He exhaled a laugh, the sound sailing past his lips, and into the glass he lifted up to his mouth. "You're not wrong," he said, taking a sip of his liquor and then placing it back down on the bar in front of him.

"Didn't think so. I rarely am."

He gave her a cautious look out of the corner of his eye as if still unsure where this conversation was going and why she was talking to him. As if people chatted up strangers in bars just to pass the time.

"So, since you don't dance, that begs the obvious question…what's a man like you doing in a place like this?"

He cracked a smile then, slowly tilting his head to look at her, really look at her, for the first time. "Shouldn't I be asking you that question?"

"Only if you subscribe to archaic 20th century gender norms," Y/N shrugged, smiling back at him. "Besides," she leaned closer, tipping her head towards his conspiratorially, and he shifted closer as well. "I don't think it's much of a mystery for me. I mean, look at our clothes."

His eyes wandered down to her deep V halter before seeming to realize he was still in his reds. "Fair point," he conceded, pulling back a little to take another sip of his drink.

"So?"

"A friend dragged me out," he admitted, eyes sliding back over to her. She raised both of her eyebrows as if she was surprised and didn't see Kirk abandoning him just five minutes ago.

"And left you to fend for yourself in a dive like this?" She shook her head as if scandalized by the idea. "You need better friends."

The cadet snorted and nodded his head. "You've got that right."

"Well, you're very lucky I found you before another girl did," Y/N said, a smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth.

"That so?"

She nodded. "They may try to take advantage of you in such a defenseless state. All alone by the bar nursing a...what is that, whiskey?"

"Bourbon, actually." His eyes sparkled with an intoxicating warmth similar to the liquor he was drinking.

Y/N rolled her eyes lightly. "Same thing."

"Only technically."

"Technicalities are everything," she grinned. "Anyway, I'm willing to offer my protective services as a long time San Francisco resident to navigate these treacherous waters."

"You're from here?" he asked, genuine curiosity overtaking his features for the first time in their conversation. Y/N's smile turned a bit strained, but she nodded.

"Not quite. But I've been here for fifteen years. Just haven't figured out how to drop the accent," she shrugged.

"So are you from England then?" he asked, and she nodded.

"Next round's on me if you can guess where."

"Lon…" he started, and a grin grew across Y/N's face before he switched course. "Birmingham?"

She shook her head. "London."

"You tricked me," he accused lightly, his brow furrowing slightly but into more of mock offense and surprise at her cunning than anything else.

"You're highly suggestible," she shook her head, fighting to keep a smile down. "Which brings me back to the fact that you absolutely cannot remain alone in this bar tonight. It's far too dangerous for you."

"Guess I'll have to take you up on that offer then, darlin'." His smile was more subtle--apparently the fight to keep it off his face was going better for him.

"Y/N," she corrected, lifting her hand to offer it to him.

The man took it, his fingers surprisingly soft for a cadet. "Leonard," he answered.

Y/N let her hand linger in his, not pulling back until his grip loosened and his fingers trailed against hers to go back around his glass. She leaned her elbow on the back of the chair, placing her chin on top of her hand. "So Leonard," she asked. "Are you going to buy me a drink or am I working for free?"

He smirked, lifting a hand to call the bartender over as Y/N slid into the seat next to him, leaning her arms against the smooth chrome bar. The Tellarite bartender made his way over, and Leonard looked at Y/N.

"Well are you going to order or sit there staring at each other?" the bartender snapped. Leonard shot him a dirty look, and Y/N snorted.

"I'll have a Samarian Sunset on his tab," she ordered, pointing a finger at Leonard, and the man grunted. Leonard still looked rather displeased with the exchange but ordered himself another bourbon. The bartender walked away grumbling, and even Leonard looked rather grumpy.

"You know that's just his way of greeting right?" Y/N asked, pushing a lock of hair behind her ear. "Tellarites consider it polite to attempt to start an argument when meeting someone. If he wasn't mildly insulting I would have been majorly insulted."

"And I thought you were kidding about being a guide."

"I would never," Y/N said with mock indignation, placing a hand over her heart. "Leonard, I take my promise to you very seriously. I will be at your side all night."

"All night?" he repeated, raising an eyebrow with a smirk.

"All night," Y/N repeated with a nod, keeping her eyes locked on Leonard. He met her gaze with an intensity that made her stomach twist with delight.  And of course it was right then that bartender reappeared.

He placed a martini glass full of clear liquid in front of Y/N, and a rocks glass with amber liquor in front of Leonard before making a derisive noise in his throat and walking away. Leonard didn't seem to mind as much this time.

"Cheers," Y/N said, reaching forward with her glass, and Leonard clinked his against hers, lifting it to his lips. She watched intently as she swirled her own drink so that a luminescent gold wisp spiraled out, turning the clear liquor the color of a burning sun. He pulled the glass from his lips, and she returned her attention to her own drink, taking a slow sip before placing it back down on the bar.

"So, Leonard," Y/N let the name roll off her tongue teasingly. "Tell me about yourself. Where are you from? What are you studying?"

"I'm a medical student," he said, setting his own glass down. "And I'm from Georgia."

"Ooh, a doctor and a southern gentleman," Y/N teased, shimmying her shoulders. "My mother would be so proud of me."

"Who said I'm a gentleman?" he asked with raised eyebrows, leaning closer to her. Y/N's mouth fell open slightly before she caught herself, stopping her body from melting completely right there in the seat.

"Don't threaten me with a good time, Leonard," she quipped, taking a sip of her drink.

"If you didn't want a good time then why did you come over here?" he asked, and Y/N grinned at him.

"Because you look like a man who doesn't dance."

"Well darlin," Leonard started, his eyes sparkling with the slightest bit of mischief and a look on his face that was enough to make something delicious twist in the pit of Y/N's stomach. "The night's still young."

The night grew in both the amount of time passed and the amount of drinks finished. It was hard to state exactly how much of either had slipped away from the two of them as their glasses had been cleared a few times, but the world was just a bit lighter and hazier at the edges than was usual and the crowd slightly thinner than it had been when Y/N entered.

"Well, darlin'," Leonard's accent had grown heavier with the liquor, words dripping like molasses from his lips. "I should be gettin' back before curfew."

Y/N exhaled, the sound somewhere between a laugh and a sigh. "Leonard," she said slowly, dragging out the word. Her own accent adding a richness to her words that had been precise and sharp earlier in the evening. "I thought I made it quite clear that I wasn't leaving your side all night, so you can't go running off to the dorms on me now."

"Need me to walk you home?" he asked, pausing from putting on his coat to settle the tab.

"Such a southern gentleman," the words rolled like waves from her, her voice rising and falling as he lifted an eyebrow at the screen he was signing. "Yes, I require an accompaniment home," she mocked. "And then I need you to pick a side you want me on for the next part of our night: top or bottom."

Leonard's eyes darkened, pupils blown wide before grabbing her hand and leaving the bar behind.

The cab ride to her apartment was...restrained. The two of them sat shoulder to shoulder in the backseat, eyes focused ahead through the windshield. Even as Y/N's hand drifted from her own lap into his, venturing up his thigh, both of them remained focused on the passing San Francisco streets. Leonard's hand came on top of her own. "Just wait, darlin'," he said, his words dripping with the richness of molasses as he folded his hand around hers.

"It's not polite to make a lady wait," Y/N quipped, shooting him a look out of the corner of her eye.

He snorted but made no attempt at a retort, instead patiently holding her hand until the cab stopped. Y/N opened her door, dragging Leonard by the hand and towards her apartment building.

The ride on the elevator was just as restrained as the cab drive, only instead of the beautiful lights of downtown, the pair stared at their distorted reflection in the sleek chrome doors.

There was a hum in the elevator though. Inaudible, but she could feel it singing across her skin, radiating from each part of her body that touched Leonard's. She bit her lip, and could feel Leonard look down at her. She allowed her gaze to slide over to him, drifting up to his face, meeting his eyes, already dark and boring into hers.

He opened his mouth to say something, but the doors slid open, pulling their attention away from each other and out of the elevator.

The pair walked down the hallway, stopping outside of her door so she could punch in the code. It took two tries for her to get it before the door clicked and she pushed it open, revealing her dark apartment. Y/N ventured in first, turning to invite Leonard in, but she'd barely opened her mouth before her face was in his hands, and he was walking her back into the wall.

The light switch jammed into her shoulder blade, and she felt a bit off balance, but his lips moved over hers with such a ferocity, it pushed everything else from her mind. Instead, all she could focus on was the feeling of his lips against hers, the taste of the sharp tang of alcohol he'd been drinking all evening. He invaded her senses, making it impossible to think of anything other than pulling him closer to her.

Y/N wound her fingers into his hair, urging him nearer to her, which he did, stepping forward, and moving a hand from her face to her waist, pulling her flush against him. His other hand wandered down to her chest as his lips began a journey down the curve of her neck. "I don't usually do this type of thing," he murmured against her skin.

"Go home with--ah--a strange woman from the--fu--the bar?" Y/N panted, pushing her hips into his for a taste of the friction she needed.

He pulled himself away from her collarbone to look up at her with hooded eyes. "Exactly."

"You're missing out," Y/N grinned, chest heaving. "Now take off your clothes so I can prove it to you."

The rest of the evening passed in a blur of bare skin and desperate sounds and more pleasure than Y/N had gotten out of a night out in a while.

It almost made her sad to see him go in the morning. Almost.

But him leaving was always a part of her plan for Saturday morning. Whether it was before or after breakfast, he would walk out of her apartment, never to be seen again. Instead, he'd fade into a memory of lips trailing against skin, fingers tangling in hair, bed frame rattling into the wall.

At least that's what was supposed to happen.

She wasn't supposed to see him again.

And she especially wasn't supposed to see him in a starship's transporter room, rushing towards her as she pressed her hand into Kiesh's side, desperate to keep the blood inside of her friend's body and not spilling out onto the transporter pad. He wasn't supposed to be there. And neither was she.