Chapter 2: Somebody's Watching Me
Enterprise looked down at her now empty plate, before looking back up at Belfast. "Was that all you wanted me to do?"
"If you'd let me, I'd like to accompany you today." Belfast dropped her head, waiting for Enterprise's answer.
"Well, I guess you could do that." When Belfast looked up, Enterprise had a faint pinkish-red hue to her cheeks as she blushed. Belfast softly giggled, enjoying seeing Enterprise in such a cute state.
"Is there anything you'd like to do specifically today?"
"Maybe just walk around the base?" Enterprise scratched at the back of her neck, somewhat awkwardly.
"If that's what you want to do, then please lead the way, Lady Enterprise." Belfast got up and walked around the table, gently taking Enterprise's hand as the warrior stood up.
"You don't have to do this, Belfast."
"Who says I didn't want to do this?" Belfast wrapped her arms around Enterprise's left arm, softly nuzzling against her arm as the two of them walked out into the daylight, leaving a group of stunned ships in their wake.
Enterprise had turned a bright red by the time they had walked down the stairs leading to the main street. While she didn't want to tell off Belfast, she was starting to get uncomfortable from all the looks the two were getting as they headed into the shopping district. Stopping at a local bookstore, Belfast let go of the carrier's arm as they entered.
Inside the bookstore, Enterprise spotted London, hurriedly running around the store with an ever growing stack of books, nearly blocking her face from view. Over by the right wall, Ingraham was busy looking through an issue of Popular Mechanics that had a massive flying boat on the front. Long Island was half asleep at a desk, seemingly a video game guide stuck underneath her.
"So uhm…" Enterprise felt something clogging her throat as she tried to finish her sentence.
"Is there something wrong Lady Enterprise?" Belfast put her forehead against Enterprise's, a concerned look on her face.
"It's nothing." Enterprise looked away, ashamed of herself.
"You can tell me when something's bothering you."
"Just… what book are you looking for?"
"Cookbooks. Especially if they have contents that a certain person enjoys."
"Oh, do I know this person?" Enterprise tried to play it off as something she didn't already know.
"Yeah, I think you know who this person is."
"Could you maybe describe them?"
"They're about the same height as me, with beautiful eyes and a stoic face all the time. She tends to hide away from others and doesn't listen to me sometimes, however. Overall, I feel lucky for knowing her." Belfast smiled warmly, before walking off towards one of the shelves. Enterprise was left starstruck, unable to comprehend what was going on inside her head. She walked over to Belfast, peeking over her shoulder to see what she had picked up.
It was a dirty white book, with large black text on the top and bottom, while a government looking building was sketched in the center. "It's the one I was looking for!" Belfast exclaimed, somewhat startling the girl behind her. She turned around, running her hand across Enterprise's face before walking towards the cashier.
"What is she trying to get at with me?" Enterprise thought to herself. She walked to the door, waiting until Belfast came before walking out into the street again. By now the sun had reached its peak, beating down on the two. "Shall we get something to eat?" Enterprise asked nervously.
"Look who's taking the initiative!" Belfast teased. "Of course I'd love to get something to eat with you." By this point Enterprise had been blushing for so long it felt like her face would be stuck like that permanently. Enterprise led her towards a local café, a pink sign with an ice cream cone on it was above the door as they entered.
"Is there something you'd uhm… like to get?"
Belfast giggled once more. "Could I get a small order of cream puffs with a cup of Darjeeling tea?"
"Is that all you want?"
"Yes, Lady Enterprise. That's all I want from you for now." Belfast walked off towards a table by the window, leaving her to contemplate the inflection left on what Belfast had said. Getting the order the two of them wanted, Enterprise walked over to the table Belfast was sitting at, and placed their order down on the table. Belfast beckoned with her hand for Enterprise to sit across from her as she started looking through their food and drinks. Enterprise had managed to get what Belfast had wanted, but had ordered something a bit stranger for herself.
"Enterprise, what is this?" Belfast held up a Lemon Danish.
"It's what you think it is? Is it surprising for you to see me ordering one?"
"Why yes, it is. Is this just because I'm around or because you actually want to eat something better for once?"
"It's uhm…" Enterprise looked away, the same throat clog had come back.
"Don't worry." Belfast whispered. "You don't need to be so nervous around me." Enterprise looked back at the cruiser, suddenly finding the girl right in front of her face.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm trying to help you learn something new. Even if you don't realize it's happening…"
End of Chapter 2