<USS Avalon> Conversation and a Bit of Sweat by Cam Loyell & Ming Kabuki

***takes place before 'Stir Crazy'

Ming spent quite a few hours with Vilya on deck thirteen, simply talking.  He 
wanted to hold her hand, to comfort her, but the force field was in place as 
was the quarantine.  He was thoroughly Human and there was no way she would 
even let him contemplate sneaking in, if that were even possible, and therefore 
become contaminated.  He could tell there was something else on her mind, 
something she wasn't telling him, but she brushed off his concerns by telling 
him 
that it was only worry over her friends.  "Go to bed, Ming.  There's no use in 
you being uncomfortable, too," she'd finally told him.  He agreed to that 
rather reluctantly and left, wishing he could have at least kissed her good-bye.

When he returned to their quarters, there was a light blinking on the comm 
panel, indicating a waiting message.  It was, he saw, from a Camdell Loyen, the 
man in charge of physical therapy and rehabilitation, asking him to meet him 
in the gym.  Ah ha, Ming thought with a chuckle, here's where I get in trouble 
for breaking the equipment.  He wasn't tired enough to sleep and much too 
distracted to study.  Going to the gym to face the music seemed like a 
reasonable 
thing to do.

Still barefoot and in his exercise clothing, he made his way back to the gym 
and stepped inside.

Cam was just reattaching the last of the targets when he heard the doors 
open.  He looked up to see a human male come in, bare foot and in exercise 
gear.   
Cam thought he could sense a level of trepidation from him as the man 
approached him.  Cam sort of nodded, thinking that he was just here to work 
out.  

"Hello there."  Cam offered his hand.  Cam had always been an easy going guy. 
 Not really into the day to day work of career building that others were.  He 
was more concerned with doing the things he enjoyed.  Maintaining the ties he 
had built over the years with people.  Perhaps that was why he enjoyed 
Kaera's company so much.  They were similar in that.  

But there was a strange human male standing before him now.  Cam could sense 
a cauldron of emotion beneath the serene veneer he was presenting.  "I am Cam. 
 Are you here for the class?"  He checked the chrono behind him.  "It doesn't 
start for a few more minutes."  Cam was smiling.  His crisp white teeth 
contrasting against his light brown skin.

"Ah, no, I'm not here for the class," Ming replied with a soft snort of 
amusement, his blue eyes smiling.  He offered Cam a polite bow.  "Reverend 
Patrick 
Ming Kabuki but I signed in as Ming Kabuki when I was here earlier.  If you're 
the guy in charge here, I think I owe you an apology."

"No, no."  Cam started.  "I am not in charge here.  I suppose I tend to use 
this room as a part of my job more than any one else, but it is not mine."  Cam 
had returned the bow he was offered.  "But I am curious as to how the 
equipment offended you so."  He offered easily.  "Or did someone cause this 
reaction 
in you?"  He indicated the waste receptacles that held the broken targets and 
now the chips and dust from Cam's re-sanding and boning work on the stantions.

"Ah, okay," Ming said with a nod.  "The equipment itself didn't offend me 
either.  Although, I am used to much sterner stuff.  Back home, we have kendo 
sticks and target posts that are over five hundred years old.  They've survived 
countless generations of Kabuki family practices."  With a soft chuckle, he 
shook his head.  "Your equipment needs to be hand made to stand up to greater 
forces.  The reason your pieces didn't stand up was because they lack the 
Tamashii and the Toukon--the soul and fighting spirit--of a live maker.  Odd 
thing 
for someone of my training to say but it's true."

He offered Cam another smile.  "And, no--nobody caused this.  I'm just sick 
of waiting for my wife to get out of quarantine."

"Your wife is one of the group down on deck 13?" Cam said.  It came out as a 
question but both men seemed to know that it was not one.  Cam nodded with 
understanding.  "I suppose I can't really blame you then for all of this."  Cam 
chuckled with a smile.

He took in the man that called himself a Reverend.  There were not many of 
those any more Cam didn't think.  And some people even regarded them as not 
particularly useful.  He thought the concept interesting.  

"I'm sure they are going to be released fairly soon down there."  Cam tried 
to offer reassuringly.  "You said you are a Reverend.  There aren't too many of 
those any more, are there?"  Cam asked.

"I admit, there are a lot fewer of us then there were, say, three hundred 
years ago but we persist ins ticking around.  In fact, my oldest brother is 
similarly trained," Ming replied.  Then he nodded toward the equipment.  "In 
that, 
too, actually.  I don't know all those people down there very well but there 
are two things that I keep in mind.  One--they are my wife's ship mates and, 
therefore, a sort of family.  Two--they are living people and worthy of a 
blessing.  I'm glad you asked.  Most people think I'm nuts...except the 
Bajorans.  
Very lovely people..."

Cam nodded.  "I am seeing a Cardassian at the moment.  And personally, I 
never really believed that there was a Master Mechanic that began the universe 
or 
anything."  Cam offered not really meaning anything by it.  "Do you work out 
often, Reverend?"  He asked trying to change the subject to something that was 
a little more comfortable to him.

"Every day actually.  At least one full evolution of whatever style I'm into 
that day," Ming explained.  "Believe me, people don't expect that from my line 
of work but it's good for the soul and the body."

Cam nodded.  "I would be honored if you would join me.  I have always found 
it more invigorating to work out with someone else."  Cam was waiting somewhat 
expectantly for the response.  But he had a feeling it would be a yes.  So 
when it was, it was not really a surprise to him.

The two men spent the next 30 minutes working out together.  Cam was right.  
It was a most invigorating work out.  And when they were ready to depart, Cam 
offered two more invitations.  "You should go up to Sickbay.  Check on your 
wife.  I'm sure she would appreciate some company other than the med techs and 
nurses by now."  He smiled easily.  

"She's not in Sick Bay, my friend.  She's still in the quarantined area of 
deck thirteen.  She actually told me to leave and go to bed.  I may do that 
then 
go up to Sick Bay to visit the others," Ming replied, thinking he really 
should to do that.  Mac, Josh and Anna were up there.

"Once she has been released, the two of you should join Kaera and I for 
dinner some time.  I would very much enjoy meeting this Bajoran that my 
Librarian 
friend finds so interesting."  

Ming offered the man both a bow and a smile.  "I think she might like that.  
Good night, Cam."

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