<USS Avalon> "Arranging Dance Lessons"

"Arranging Dance Lessons"
Captain  Skyler & Marine Captain Adrian Phillips  


Having left engineering, Skyler felt lighter on her feet. The  impulsive hug 
from Tavi had been unexpected and had surprised her. Nonetheless,  she 
realized it was something she could get used too. Walking along the halls on  
her way 
back to the bridge she wasn't paying much attention. Before she realized  it 
she had "bumped" into something or someone.  


Adrian had just finished checking over the alternate security office  and had 
exited when he turned and felt a bump as a woman ran into him. She  seemed 
off in her own world but Adrian did make a note of the pips and smiled  down as 
he steadied the captain. "Whoa there ma'am, careful you don't run into a  wall 
next time or some such. No offense met and sorry I myself did not see you  
sooner to avoid the incident." 

He stepped back and offered a salute.  "Adrian Jackson Phillips, Captain of 
the Marines. It's a pleasure to meet you  Captain Skyler."  


"Uh, excuse me. I should have been paying more attention.  Thank you for your 
help." I can't believe I just made an idiot of  myself!!  Skyler returned the 
salute even though she wasn't  used to such formalities. "Ah, Captain 
Phillips, I've been meaning to talk to  you. I realize that this is not the 
best of 
circumstances in which to meet,  however if you care to walk with me perhaps we 
can make use of the time."  Thinking to herself she wondered if this man 
would be willing to teach Tavi her  "dance."  


Inwardly Adrian chuckled at the salute, needed a little more  upwards from 
the palm, but no matter. He focused his mind back on the  subject at hand, 
remembering from the bio that Skyler was part Betazed. "Of  course, I have a 
bit of 
spare time before I need to make another sweep through  and check on the 
marine transport ships. What is it that you wish to speak  about?"  


Never was one to salute, he probably thinks I am a dork  or something.  
"First of all I want to welcome you aboard the Avalon. I  must admit that this 
is 
the first time we have had a contingency of marines  aboard. Are your men 
getting squared away alright?"  


"Yes, now that both sides are getting past their own issues of  pride. I had 
a very long chat with my unit before we boarded this vessel and  explained to 
them the situation very clearly. Several of them who thought they  could get 
away with some things have been dealt with, but so far so good." He  added with 
a smile as they rounded a bend. "What is your perception of marines  Captain, 
if you don't mind me asking?"  


Walking along side with this man, Skyler wasn't so sure what her  perceptions 
were. "Well, to be honest I wasn't overly thrilled to hear that we  were 
getting marines to handle security instead of our regular fleet security. I  
still 
don't understand the need but I am not one to argue with Starfleet. If  they 
deem it to be the proper thing then so be it. I did have a slight run in  with 
one of your men. A Sergeant Walker I believe is his name. It wasn't  anything 
serious mind you, yet it didn't leave a great first impression. I'm sure in 
time everyone on board  will get used to the changes, including have marines 
aboard. As long as your men  can do what is expected of them, follow orders and 
not get into trouble I don't  forsee a problem." Skyler walked with her hands 
behind her back as they  continued down the hall. She wondered what this man 
would think of her odd  request.  


He nodded and chuckled out loud for a moment. "Yes, I have heard  some 
reports of Walker seeming a bit arrogant at times and I don't doubt that he  is 
a 
bit hurt from his lowering of rank from the transfer process and probably  
feels 
a bit of a need to prove himself, either that or just be bitter and act  
occasionally like a smart ass. With me he has been very professional, but I 
have  
yet to spend any off duty time with him and when we are working on-duty I 
expect  nothing else from any of my marines, regardless of rank or race." His 
hand 
 absently checked the phaser on his belt, always making sure after all, and 
then  spoke again. "I agree though that eventually everyone will fit in and 
this unit  hasn't failed me yet so I don't foresee them doing it here."  


Smiling Skyler nodded. "That's good to know Captain. I appreciate  your 
honesty. I hope that your men feel the same way. If you ever need anything  
don't 
hesitate to let me know. And speaking of needing something, I do have a  rather 
strange request to ask of you."  


"Unless it involves me taking a single squad into the gamma quadrant  it 
won't be too strange, or sitting down with every marine while they go through  
a 
counseling session I think we'll be alright. What is it?"  

"I don't know if  you are aware of it or not, but I currently have a 10 yr 
old girl living with  me. We found her hiding on the old Avalon and I have 
taken 
her under my wing so  to speak. Anyway, she has had to fend for herself for 
several yrs. You might as  well say for her entire life. She managed to elude 
anyone who was chasing her  however she has requested one thing of me. I 
thought that perhaps you or one of  your men would be the perfect person for 
the 
task."  Hesitating before continuing Skyler took a deep breath. "It  seems she 
wants to learn a "dance" that will allow her to protect herself from  anyone 
trying to hurt her. I am not exactly sure what kind of "dance" she is  talking 
about, although I am sure you would be able to figure it out."  

The marine paused for a  moment and looked at Skyler pensively for a second. 
Sounds like a girl with a  rough life, I can understand that. "Sure, I believe 
I can find some time  while we are transit to teach her a few things in 
self-defense. I was actually  doing to start department self-defense classes, 
make 
sure everyone remember's  their academy training days." 


"She has definitely had a rough life and I want to make sure  that she has 
the skills she needs to protect herself. She seems to think she  needs them but 
I don't think anyone on the ship is going to hurt her. I also  want her to be 
happy so that is why I am asking. She is a good kid and deserves  to be 
happy." I know she makes me happy!!  


.
Adrian  noted the joy that Skyler seemed to radiate with when she spoke of 
the little  girl and he smiled. "I have no doubt that no one onboard this ship 
will hurt  her, aside from being completely dishonorable they would also invoke 
your wrath.  I believe the little one would agree with me on this point that 
it's more of  something outside of the ship that will hurt her." His eyes 
became like steel as  he spoke for just a moment, almost emphasizing the point. 
His voice returned  almost to normal, though a hint of the earlier was still 
there. "Just send her  by to the main security offices whenever's she got a 
free 
moment and I'll see  what I can teach her."  


Skyler was beginning to feel like she could trust this man with  Tavi. There 
was something about him, something that made her think he knew what  Tavi had 
gone through. "I have a silly question Captain. Just what kind of  "dance" is 
she talking about?" She looked at him with a puzzled look on her  face.  


"It's hard to say, there are several different dance-style martial  arts." He 
shrugged. "It would depend on where she was, but we'll find out  whenever she 
wants to start her training."  


Nodding Skyler agreed. "That sounds like a plan. I must warn you, it  takes a 
little while for her to trust people. But I think you will do just fine  with 
her. I am trusting you to take care of her and not let her get hurt."  


Adrian just laughed inside. "Well no worries there Capt, the little  one will 
be just fine. Is there anything else you need? I need to getting over  to 
check on Delta Company's physical training programs and make sure they are  
being 
challenged enough."  


"I think that it is all. I will send her down to see you in the next  couple 
of days. Thank you for doing this. I really appreciate it. If you have  
nothing for me I guess we can call this meeting over." 

"I hope all  meetings are this informal, though hopefully they won't all 
start with us  running into each other." Adrian gave a smile as he saluted and 
turned down the  hallway towards the  lift.

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