<USS Avalon> "A New Family"

"A New  Family"
 Capt. Skyler and Tavi
    
  
 
 
Tavi had been fascinated by the Bridge of  the USS Avalon.  She had tried -- 
very hard -- not to stand in front of the  consoles sounding out the words she 
was trying to read.  The screens that  showed views or schematics were 
easier.  Tavi could figure out what the  words said just by following the lines 
of a 
diagram.  The one that showed  the main and standby power flows was 
especially enthralling.  She could  almost feel where there were little bumps 
and 
glitches in the systems,  just by watching the blips move over the grid.
 
But as wonderful as that visit to the Bridge  had been, having her own place 
in Skyler's quarters was even more  amazing.  It was just a little 
sleeping-room, barely more than a nook with  a sliding door, furnished with a 
single bed 
and some storage space for  the things Tavi didn't have yet.  And shelves to 
keep things on in plain  sight!  Almost reverently, Tavi set her nearly-empty 
duffle on the  bed.  She had never had an actual bed all to herself.   Ever.  
When she was little, she'd shared what bedding was available with  the other 
kids.  And since she'd left the gang, she'd mostly slept on hard  decking, with 
a pillow of whatever spare clothing she had  scrounged.
 
She turned huge dark eyes to look up at  Skyler, who was watching her.
 
It had been thrilling to say the least,  watching Tavi looking around the 
bridge. Skyler had never felt that way before  and she wasn't sure what to make 
of it. After the tour of the bridge they had  returned to their quarters. Never 
having had to make room for anyone,  let alone a 10 yr. old girl, Skyler 
hadn't been sure what she would need. She  made as much room as possible for 
Tavi 
and hoped it was enough.
 
Smiling Skyler looked at Tavi. "So, does it  meet your standards or is there 
something you would like to change? I know it's  not that big, but hopefully 
in time we can get something bigger. I hope  everything is okay with you? I 
didn't really know exactly what your preferences  were. We can change anything 
you don't like. Just let me know."
 
Tavi would need things, but those could be  replicated. Skyler hoped that the 
young girl would think of this as her home and  not just a temporary place. 
"Oh I forgot one thing. Welcome home  Tavi."
 
Tavi was momentarily speechless.  After  a pause, she realized that this 
little room must have been Skyler's in-quarters  office, and had been converted 
for her use.  She opened her mouth to say  something, but shook her head and 
closed it again.  "It's good," she said,  inadequately.  It was really much 
better than good.  Better than  better, even.  She never would have dreamed of 
having a room all to  herself, before Skyler came along and started making 
amazing 
promises.  But  her smile made up for her lack of words.
 
"Well, I'm glad you approve. You also can  use the shower anytime you feel 
like. Just make sure to put your dirty clothes  and towel in the reclamation 
unit. Speaking of clothes, I think we need to get  you some."
 
Skyler turned and made her way out into the  living area walking over to her 
desk. She reached out and took the little box  that was on the desk and turned 
to face Tavi. In the box was a communicator just  like Skyler's but only in a 
smaller size that would fit Tavi. She had already  had it programmed so that 
Tavi could reach her in case of emergency or if she  needed to call for 
medical help. She could always change the settings  later.
 
Holding the box in her hand she held it out  to Tavi. "This is for you. Only 
you. Hope you like it."
 
Now Tavi really didn't know what to  say.  Comm badges -- any kind of IDs -- 
were for kids who belonged  to someone.  It was almost too much for the little 
girl who had never had a  dependable adult in her life.  Even when she was a 
baby -- Mama had just  been one of the big kids, not really a grownup herself. 
 "Thank you," Tavi  whispered as she fastened the badge to the fabric of her 
jumpsuit.  She was  happy, so why was she choking up and starting to cry?!
 
Skyler wasn't sure what was going on. She  had thought the comm badge would 
make Tavi happy. Instead she was  crying.
 
"What's wrong Tavi? Don't you like it? I can  always get you something else. 
Just tell me. I want you to feel like this  is your place as much as it is 
mine. What can I do?"
 
Where is Georgia when I need her? How do  I make this girl happy?
 
"I'm happy," Tavi tried to reassure  her.  But then, why couldn't she stop 
crying?  "I'm sorry," she  sobbed.  "I don't want to cry and make you feel bad. 
 
I -- I --"   Finally she just broke down and sobbed.
 
If Tavi had been older and more experienced  in dealing with people, she 
might have understood that strong emotion, even  happy emotion, could overwhelm 
her to the point of tears.  But she didn't  understand, she could only fold in 
on herself, knees to chest, and  cry.
 
Skyler sat down next to Tavi and  opened  her mind hoping against hope to 
find out what was going on. She  could sense an overwhelming sense of confusion 
along with  happiness.
 
~She's never had anyone who cared  about her or who even thought to try and 
make her happy. She doesn't understand  what to do with the emotion. She thinks 
that she is making me feel bad because  she is sooooo.....happy she doesn't 
know how to deal with  it.~
 
Pulling Tavi close to her and holding her  tight, Skyler whispered, 
"Everything is going to be just fine. I know you  are not hurting  me or trying 
to make 
me feel bad. All these new feelings  are a lot to handle at one time. But 
that's what you have me for. I am going to  be here to take care of you, and 
you 
are going to take care of me. You and me,  sweetie. We are going to be a 
family. In a family you can tell me anything that  you want without fear of me 
sending you away. You are stuck with me for better  or worse."
 
She held Tavi and just let her cry.  Unbeknownst to Tavi there were a few 
tears falling down Skyler's face. ~I  don't know how you did it kid, but I am 
beginning to feel like I love you as my  own child and want to protect you. How 
do I explain it to  you?~
 
Sobs fading away to quietude, the child who  had never had anyone curled 
trustingly against her newfound  protector.

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