Our last summer
Posted on Sun Aug 31st, 2025 @ 5:17am by Ensign Pearl Bijoux & Lieutenant Commander Johnathan "Jack" MacGyver
1,500 words; about a 8 minute read
Mission:
A Day In The Life
Location: Paris, Earth
On:
Materialising in the public transport terminal in the French city of Paris, Jack took in a deep breath as he took in the bustle. Stepping off the transporter pad, he held his hand out for Pearl. “Well, here we are”
Paris, she had only heard of it, and read as well about the place. Never did Pearl think she'd be coming here. And wait, it starting to dawn on her.
She took Jack's hand as she stepped down of the transporter pad, having a rather radiant smile. "This, this is where the story took place!" her eyes wide with wonder.
“Story? Have you been reading Victor Hugo?” Jack asked, a little surprised, and also assuming she ment the Hunchback of Notre Dame.
"Yes I have, do I get a chance to see Notre Dame?" Pearl's mind going directly to that book and the movie. "I truly loved that movie. " giving a smile.
“Well why don’t we head there now? Hit the highlights, Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel tower”
"This is amazing!" Pearl giving a bit of a leap into Jack's arms, giving him a resounding kiss. "This is more than what I have dreamed of!"
Jack couldn’t help but be drawn in by Pearl’s enthusiasm. While he didn’t think a quick trip to Paris was all that different from New York or London, he was glad Pearl was having the time of her life. “So, where to first?”
"Hmmnnn, Arc de Triomphe, lets go there first. Then Notre Dame and end at the top of the world well Paris wise. You know I've not really done any travelling upon Earth, It was just, well, where I went to boot camp, and did my training for the Marines. Anywhere else, nothing." Pearl gave a slightly embarrassed smile.
"You know, that's a real shame. Even when I was training in the outback in Australia, I still took some time to look around" Jack said as he started to direct them through the streets of Paris, skillfully navigating the ebb and flow of the crowds. "Why don't you make up a list of places you'd like to visit, like a bucket list"
"I shall do that. Speaking of your home, I would like to see where you grew up, walk along the paths you travelled." Pearl wished to find out more about Jack.
"I also am regretting I didn't go on the trips those that I trained with, asked me to go on. I was just caught up in my woes and just concentrating on training." A regretful frown appeared.
“Sure, maybe next time. For now, why don’t we enjoy Paris and take some time to relax before we have to get back” Jack said, wrapping his arm around her waist as they walked.
Pearl gave out a sigh of contentment as they walked along down the Parisian walk way, to where they were waiting for the signal to allow them to cross to the famous arch.
"This place is giving me goosebumps, being here in such a historical place. I feel-" she paused, a lump rising in her throat, it hitting Pearl just exactly where she was standing.
She continued, "I feel humbled as to what this place stands for, brave people who lost their lives in battle." after reading the plaque that was there.
Jack nodded, "Commissioned by Napoleon himself, completed by the kings of France. Held in place through three world wars. It's quite a humbling thought." he said, holding her close as they stood beneath the arch, taking it in. “You know, during Earth’s Second World War, the British empire dropped a massive French flag over this to inspire the French people”
Pearl looked towards Jack with surprise in her eyes, "I didn't know that! That is impressive." looking upwards imagining just how huge that flag had to be to cover this monument. "I'd be inspired seeing something like that."
She turned, leaning in for a kiss. "You are amazing, and now I am feeling the need to do a bit more studying to improve my knowledge. I have a whole lot of reading most definitely! Its time for me to get back to school." grinning ear to ear.
"Where would you like to go next? Its your turn to choose. I know that you're giving me the grand tour but, this is also your shore leave as well." Pearl caressing Jack's cheek.
“How about a nice stroll down Champs-Élysées to the Louve and then look for somewhere to eat?” Jack suggested, looking down at her.
"That sounds lovely." Pearl taking Jack's hand, "What do you think about going camping again? I have wanted to go camping at a place called Yellowstone Park. And what do you think about going horseback riding, sometime?"
Jack smiled, “horseback riding and camping? Sounds like quite the adventure. But. Yea that sounds nice. Maybe on our next shoreleave” he said, thinking it over. As they walked. An idea came to him. “Hey, after we’re done here. Would you like to see my home?”
"I would love to see your home." Pearl smiling up at Jack. "I'd invite you to see mine but it was out on the rim, out in the swamp lands of a back water planet, I think I mentioned that." her brow furrowing.
Jack nodded, “yea I think you did mention it. Maybe one day we’ll take a trip out there if you want to. Make a week of it”
"We could do that but, honestly I don't think I want to go there, I would possibly get into a major fight if I run into some people who made my family run." giving a frown.
Pulling Pearl to one side, Jack gave her a look of concern, “you didn’t tell me that. Are you on the run from someone?”
"I can't truthfullly say that I am, my dad, mom and my two siblings are. I got sent into my adopted uncle in order to keep me from being used a payment for my dad's debts. So I joined the marines at age 17. "
Her eyes widened "Oh my goodness, hmmmnnn I have someone I need to contact. the man who got me into the marines, and saved me."
“Hang on, back up a bit, you got sent away to protect you from your family debts? Why didn’t you tell me about any of this?” Jack asked, feeling a mix of confusion and concern. Could these people still be after her? What happened to her family? Are they ok? There was just to many questions.
"Holey Moley, I-I've not told you much about me at all." Pearl feeling shocked and awkward at having not done so.
"OKay, maybe we need to put this outing on hold and I can answer your questions. Hopefully I've not spoiled things." Pearl feeling concerned.
"Anyway, I was 16 going on 17, at the time dad had gotten into more debt with creditors who were in some ways worse than Ferengis. They were part of a group which had connection to the Orion syndicate. Dad was good at keeping me out of view until, I walked in at the wrong time. And that was when they saw me and decided I was needing to be part of the payment."
She looked earnestly into Jack's eyes.
"Mom came out with a weapon rather angry, and chased them out of the house. That was when Dad just grabbed the go bags, my younger siblings and Mom, made me hop onto a freighter and sent me off to a place where my adopted Uncle was stationed, he is a Marine. His name is Raul Perez, nickname Wolf. Guess Dad felt that would give me a fighting chance, instead of me becoming a slave."
“So where are they now? Are you still in contact with them?” Jack asked, already planning on looking them up.
Pearl shook her head, vigorously enough for her curls to bounce around.
"I have no idea where they are or what happened to them. My Uncle hasn't heard from them either." her shoulders slumped, "I would like to know what happened to them,"
Taking a breath in, Jack held it for a moment as he added a mental note to his mental cork board to look into Pearls family. Slowly releasing it, Jack pulled Pearl into a hug, “well it’s ok. I’m here for you and I’m not going anywhere. Come on, let’s head to my old home town. How’s that sound?”
"That sounds magnificent to me. You see, Jack you are my home my family. Besides my uncle, you are all that I have. And I guess that the reason why I've not really gotten close to anyone is I was afraid of them leaving." Pearl giving him a kiss,.
End:
Lieutenant Commander Johnathan ‘Jack’ MacGyver
Chief of Engineering
USS Orcrist
Ensign Pearl Bijoux
Security Officer
USS Orcrist
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