Dinner and Some Drinking

Posted on Thu Jun 26th, 2025 @ 12:14am by Lieutenant Commander Bonnie "Bon-Bon" Durnell & Commander Dean House

3,418 words; about a 17 minute read

Mission: Character Development
Location: Earth - Washington DC
Timeline: Pre-Lost in Space

Thankfully Dean was able to procure his car and get it transported to the family house. If they were going to do it, they might as well do it right. Standing outside waiting on Bonnie, Dean had gotten into the pristine black 1967 Chevrolet 4-door Impala after lovingly running his hand along the hood.

Starting it up and letting her purr. He knew exactly where he was going to take her.

Bonnie ran inside, picked a jacket out of the hall closet and spun it around and over her shoulders. At least she would be covered and comfortable while still wearing her Momma's dress. After changing her heels out for a matching pair of sneakers, for comfort, she dashed out of the front door once more only to be stopped in her tracks at the site of Dean behind the steering console of an antique.

Inching up to the side she leaned in, her cleavage on full display, "What is it with you ancient artifacts?" She asked with utmost curiosity. In truth, he appeared to be an excited child, happy with his choice of rides. Unwilling to dash his child-like charm, she started looking for a handle or latch to open the door.

Of course, his eyes went right to her cleavage. It was breasts in pretty much full view, why wouldn't he? He was a breast man after all. Also long legs. Giving a wait a moment while she tried to find the handle. Finally, after a chortle, he motioned under the door window. "Silver latch, pull up and then pull towards yourself. As for your question, why not? Aren't these things cool?"

She stepped back, lifted the handle and the door swung slowly open, making a metallic creaking sound. She was half expecting it to open itself. Once open she slid into the seat on the passenger side and made a concerted effort to close said door. It closed with a slam and an audible "oof."

Taking a look around the stark plain interior and then looking at Dean's face she returned his 'cool' with a smile and pity "Yeah, sure, cool." Once again he had somehow managed to get her into a metal death trap for the second time in one day. "So, um, how do you make it go?" This vehicle wasn't her particular slice of History. All that she knew was that it ran on petrol and created greenhouse emissions.

"Seat belt," motioning, even though he didn't have his on at the moment. Watcher her still a moment. Dean turned the car off and held up the key. Inserted it again and cranked the engine up. Bonnie should at least appreciate the Engineering, that and the purr. "There's a combustion in the engine that ignites from spark plugs. Then the gas fuels said engine and is connected to this pedal down here at my feel to make it go vroom."

"Vroom huh?" She did enjoy the simple engineering and the hum of the engine. It created a steady level of vibration in her seat. "Please tell me you didn't steal this from the museum like we did the plane?" She was desperately wanting to avoid another encounter with the law. She reached over her shoulder and pulled at the strap, only to have it stop short. Then she released it and tried again, it stopped even sooner. Growing frustrated she tugged three more times in quick succession before giving up and looking at Dean in defeat.

"Here," Dean leaned a little bit and guided her hands so she'd let up on the belt and gave it some slack. "You're pulling it too hard, to quickly. It's a safety feature. If we were to get in a wreck, which we are not going to, because I know my girl. It will stop you from slamming into the dashboard." Letting go once there was the slack needed for Bonnie to pull it down the rest of the way and hook it up.

The buckle clicked with a satisfying sound even as Bonnie felt flush and warm from Dean's gentle touch. She absently brushed several locks of her curly hair behind her left ear before realizing she was grinning like some sappy school-girl. "You're girl?" She questioned his use of gendering the vehicle. "Does she have a name?" It wasn't a shuttle but was close.

Once Bonnie was secure, he did not showboat, which she probably figured he was going to do. Instead, Dean pulled out slowly to get on the backroad to head to the interstate. From there they could start heading towards town. "She does have a name. Baby."

"Okay, so what is her name?" Bonnie asked, obliviously thinking he had just called her Baby instead of the car. She looked at him with curiosity as he casually and manually controlled the car by manipulating the wheel in front of him and the petals at his feet. She had seen cars, mostly in history books, but ancient cars were a far cry different from the vehicles used now.

Dean's lips pursed a little bit, probably going on the same idea that Bonnie had thought, that he was calling her 'Baby.' "That's her name, Baby." Smiling to her, pulling off onto I-95 once they got to the on ramp, heading for DC directly.

"Oh." Her smile faded as she faced forward, weighing whether it would have been nice to have Dean call her baby. Silence passed inside the car for several minutes before she suddenly blurted out, "So... where are we going to eat? I know a number of places my Papa used to take us to. I'm thinking seafood, or maybe, something meaty."

Bonnie could have been called baby, if he had wanted to, but then again, there was that almost weird...are we friends thing and at the same time there was that interest part in there as well. So he didn't really know which way to go with it. Either way, maybe it would slip out later. There was also, his term of utter endearment for her that he has used more than once. Giving a side glance to her, "Well throw out some of those, though I also was thinking Ben's Chili Bowl."

"Ben's? That place has been open f-o-r-e-v-e-r. Great Chili dogs though, ooh and they have these malted milkshakes." She gushed. In fact she had grown up in the area and had visited a number of familiar venues in and around D.C. Though it wasn't the Capitol town it was before the third world war, more like a historical museum honoring the history of what it once was.

"Well, I guess that's where we are going. Nothing can stop those chili dogs, Baby." This time, the 'Baby' was directed at Bonnie. Slamming on the gas pedal, fish tailing slightly to cut down an off ramp, then kicking drift to the left. Slamming on the brakes right in the perfect spot out front. Letting the girl idle for a moment before turning her off.

Dean got out and walked around to open the car door for Bonnie, offering his hand. "Our Cornucopia of messiness awaits, milady."

She rotated her feet, keeping her legs together for modesty sake, then placed her hand in his. "Thank you sir." She smiled and nodded to show her approval before allowing him to pull her up and out of the vehicle. "Bit fancy for chili-dogs, but do not stop being chivalrous." She added even as she rocked sideways on the edge of her sneakers.

"I believe I can do that, and you deserve it." Dean smiled to her as she was helped out of the car. Though, giving a curious look at her rocking a little like she was. It was cute.

They entered the rustic diner, Bonnie first. She locked eyes with the man behind the counter and waved jovially, "Hey Frankie, been a while." Then she spotted a booth with no patrons and slipped into one side.

Frankie's eyes refused to blink until he reached over and rang a bell mounted on the wall. There was a plaque underneath with the name Bon-Bon-Bell inscribed. Suddenly, several things happened like routine. Several waitresses appeared from the back and began to clear all metal utensils, glasses and other breakable items from the various tables.

In a matter of moments, the diner had become Bonnie-proofed as one does their house around infants. Plastic cutlery and plastic glasses now stood tall. Napkin dispensers were replaced with a small stack of napkins while cleaning bots indicated they were ready and actively monitoring.

Bonnie, was either oblivious to the changes, or so used to them that she simply hummed lightly while peering at her menu. "Ooh, the three-way sounds good. Think I'll skip the onions this time."

Dean watched the 'warning' set up go into effect, shaking his head a moment. He knew her clumsy mishaps were there but damn. It was evident on his face he wanted to say something to them. Just taking a breath. "What's the three-way, or are you just hinting at what we're going to do later." Trying to lighten the mood. Also using the console at the table, which was a choice instead of one of the waiters or waitresses, to order them some alcoholic drinks instead of something more normal.

Her eyes said, behave in all caps, but she replied, "Oh, um, Chili, spaghetti and topped with cheddar cheese. The 4-way adds onions or beans, which I'm not sure I want if we intend to do anything fun later." She narrowed her focus, "I'm still in suspense as to what that is by the way." Her feet were wiggling happily under the table.

"That almost sounds like a Cincinnati except it's a meat sauce not chili. They call it Cincinnati Chili, though, I really like it." Raising an eyebrow and just smiling, "We'll have to see." Thanking the waitress for bringing out their respective drinks.

She nodded at the waitress and sipped her drink Dean had ordered for her. The alcohol hit the back of her throat and she coughed, not expecting it to bite. "Are you trying to get me drunk and in bed?" Her cheeks flushed not knowing if that was his intent and now feeling embarrassed, she called him out so loudly in the small diner.

Dean took a drink of his own, "Well..I see what is on your mind." Tilting his head a little bit, "So that begs the question, is that how little you think of me, or is it just what's on your mind, as I mentioned?"

She frowned and pointed her finger at him, "My mind, but you... " She stammered, now wondering if he was gaslighting her or playing coy. "Of course, I don't think you'd try to do that. At least I would hope not, but you do have a dirty mind. And you are a man so I wouldn't put it past you to try." She took another sip absently, coughed as the burn slid down her throat.

"Most men are just like that." She continued once the burn was gone. "It's like their brains are wired for a good time and they would do whatever it takes to get laid. I mean, I know you're different, mostly, but you're still a male after all." She now felt put on the spot and sorry she had accused him. "Sorry, some women too, I guess."

Dean was quiet, letting her explain and or vent, just sipping on his drink. Though there was a curious smirk here and there as Bonnie did. Once she finally finished, he took a breath before saying anything. "Right..so you hold me in high regard that I'm not a typical male, or the stereotype at least, but I could be also."

Motioning for another drink, or two, since it was hard for him to get drunk or even buzzed. "You do realize, my dear Bonnie-kin that is still just a stereotype. I'm pretty sure I've made myself clear in that situation, or situations, that I am attracted to you, but the more important thing is that I respect you. I always have. Why do you think I put forth the effort to make sure, come hell or high water, that we or at least you, were able to be here today. On Earth, for your Father."

Dean tossed down that first redelivered drink as he held a finger up. Setting it down. "Before you say anything, no it was not out of obligation or some sense of that. I really care about you, Bonnie. I do."

She stared at him for a solid minute, not sure of what to say. No, it had not been clear to her that he was attracted. She have never picked up on any signs. Sure there was an innuendo here and a joke there, but never a definitive statement, until now. She now looked down at her drink awkwardly. "I, uh, I did not know." Her face contorted in a weird sort of way and she refused to look him in the eye.

Another minute passed, "I mean, I care about you too. I never meant... I mean I didn't mean to sound sexist." She downed her drink, her third was going down easier now. "Just, you know, at the Academy..." Her eyes rolled hard, "Boys were everywhere, always hands on, always offering to help me you... erm... me learn." She scoffed, "But I already knew then that I understood more than they."

She still wasn't looking at him directly as she continued, her eyes sort of darting here and there as she recalled her story. "First boy who had a crush on me, we dated for a week, Robert Murphy. Ended up in a medical ward for a week, I don't quite remember how but he was the first and most definitely not the last."

"The other kids never understood. Kids can be so cruel, the boys especially, were mean. By then I had already lost my mom, and Papa tried his best. He loved to travel." She scrunched up her brows, "But not like in a plane or anything, not like you." Her face returned to longing. "It wasn't until later when I realized I was the weird cog in everyone's oatmeal, or whatever. Love has always been; a distraction. Something that kept me from focusing on staying safe. Staying sane while my universe crashed around me."

She sighed and got more animated with her speech and her hands, "And then I met Cody who betray me, and Anna who introduced me to Sapphire who then left, and now you..." She paused as she thought harder about how she felt about Dean, sort of hoping he could fill in the blank for her.

Dean leaned back a little bit, not saying anything, because he was just letting Bonnie get it out. Obviously, unless it was to a professional, or someone else she trusted, she'd not told this to. That of which he wouldn't utter a word of to anyone. He shouldn't need to reassure her of that.

Taking a breath here and there between listening and the drinks, which obviously he had to consume many more than she did. One last breath before he reached and took both of her hands. "Bonnie, look at me." He wasn't going to say more until she did.

She smiled broadly, sparkles filled her eyes, which were now locked upon his. "Yes?" She replied innocently, the alcohol in her drink already starting to affect her focus.

Once Bonnie had focused on him, he spoke. Keeping the locked eyes, "You're always safe with me, and you're not a cog, or something to be looked down upon just because you're different. Hell, look at me. I'm weird as frak."

True, he was weird, but a different sort of weird. Not a bad weird, he had his moments. She knew he meant well, despite the lewd comments and always drinking her under the table. Would he ever learn? She giggled, "Thanks, you are pretty weird." She grinned before taking a bite of a steak fry dipped in ketchup. "So, where do we go from here?" She said, delivering a double-entendre.

Dean tilted his head a little bit for a moment, before his lips turned up into a long smirk, "Oh..I know where we're going from here; I am weird we established that." Finishing off what he'd gotten to eat and then just sipping at the whiskey in his glass..which now was his sixth one. Almost starting to feel it's effects.

She stared at his face, smirking as if he had just won a prize. He was always so vague yet always so confident in his decisions. She took her last bite, then downed the rest of her drink, a mistake as it burned going down. She then scooched to the edge of her seat, "Alright then, let's go."

She swung her legs out from under the table and stood up quickly, the alcohol rushed to her head. She took one step, then face planted onto the floor. There was an audible ooh from the onlookers and a whisper of 'is she okay, poor girl'. But when Bonnie rolled over and brushed the hair from her eyes there stood Dean, hand out to help her up.

"That looked like it hurt.." Referring to her last drink she dropped down quickly. "Oh you might want to.." Dean was going to warn her about standing up to quickly. Which obviously was to little to late.

Dean even tried to catch her first, but he hadn't stood up himself yet, so that complicated things. Being he had to stand up, also the table was in the way; that of which he wasn't going to just turn over to be able to get to Bonnie. Giving a death glare at the patrons, they had already been shitty over her, because of past history. That didn't have to sit well with him, and it didn't. His hand out, "I've still always got you."

She brushed the hair out of her face, which was flushed either from the drinking, the embarrassment, or the feelings she was currently feeling about Dean as he towered over her. She took his hand and allowed him to pull her tiny frame up and off the floor before stammering, "Thank you." It wasn't much, but she did appreciate that he was always around to pick her up after a fall. Of course, she was used to falling and also used to having to pick herself back up. But having someone to lend a hand was refreshing.

Bonnie gathered herself and turned for the door, oblivious to the barkeep who had walked up to Dean. "You be careful with that one, luck is not on her side. Last time she were here, I lost one of my eyebrows. He was pointing to his face where there were four eyes and 3 and a half eyebrows. "I mean it grew back, sure, but not without help. Don't say I didn't warn ya's."

She stopped at the door, turned with a bit of a dizzy twirl and called out, "You coming?"

"You're welcome," Dean held her hand for just a second longer after she was on her feet. He did say he always had her. In one way or another, even now. Turning to the barkeep. Giving a listen a moment. His demeanor clearly shifting from enjoyment to annoyance.

Stepping forward to the most open part of the establishment, "All of you! I am so sick of this when it concerns Bonnie." He knew this was probably, no, definitely would embarrass the crap out of her. It just had to be said, "So what if she's kind of clumsy. She's one of you, and deserves to be treated better than that. Not snickered about behind her back. You have what you do because of people like her and you take it, and them, and her for granted. The next person I find out about, talking shit about her, will answer to me and you won't like it."

As a show of him meaning business, when he said 'answer to me,' Dean had moved to pick up one of the napkin dispensers and closed his hand, effectively crushing it. Letting it drop as he moved over to Bonnie and kissed her cheek. "Yes, let's go."

TBC

 

RSS Feed