<USS Avalon> "Dancing"

Dancing
by Captain Keith Ketchum and Petty Officer Vevay Davis

Sickly butterflies with razor-blade tipped wings flew formation around her
stomach as she stood in front of Ketchum's quarters. Vevay pressed the chime
and waited to be called in.  Maybe this was a bad idea, she thought. A
really bad idea.

Ketchum was sitting in his quarters, reading a book, this time it was 'Dr.
Jekyll and Mr. Hyde'. As he read the stars streaked silently by outside.
Something caused him to look up, but nothing was there. As he went back to
reading, the chime rang. Looking at the chronometer, he raised his brow and
called out, "Enter."

Straightening her uniform, she marched in. She smiled at the captain,
blushing furiously as she realized that she hadn't seen him since she'd
received the flowers. "Sorry for disturbing your evening, sir."

"Ah, Ms. Davis, you're out and about late this evening." He planned to try
to be personable and not yell and throw her out this time. "Come in, can I
get you anything to drink? Please sit also. Did you like the flowers?"

"Coffee, black and sweet please, sir." She perched herself on the edge of
his sofa. "And yes, thank you for the flowers, they are lovely. Our office
looks a bit like a florist but we all appreciate them very much."

Walking to the replicator, he ordered and brought back a fresh hot tea for
himself and a coffee for Vevay. "So what is the pleasure of your visit this
evening?" Taking a seat himself, and putting the bookmark in the book and
closing it. He turned his attention to Vevay.

Looking up into his eyes, she suddenly couldn't tell him. "Just to say thank
you for the flowers. As I said, they are gorgeous. The notes said to come
see you, so here I am."

"Ah, yes, so they did. I also wanted to apologize for the other evening, I'm
sure my actions were well... rude."

Smiling despite herself, she said, "Yeah, they were a little. But then mine
weren't exactly the politest in the universe."

Nodding, "Can we start over? Keith Ketchum", offering his hand.

Taking his hand, she grinned. "Vevay Davis, but my friends call me V or
Vev."

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, V", kissing the back of her hand.

Her heart fluttered with his gesture. When he released her hand, she tried
not to giggle, knowing it would make her sound like a complete fool. Looking
around for something to talk about, she saw the book. "What are you
reading?"

"Ah, yes, Robert Louis Stevenson's 'Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde'", he noted as
he pointed to the book, "I am just about finished."

"I think I read that at school, it was good from what I remember. Do you
read lots?"  Coz I kind of don't and that would make me really dull to you,
she thought with a little sadness.

"Not a lot, but as often as I can. I also like to sing, but rarely get to do
that around here." Looking into her eyes, "And what do you like to do in
your spare time?"

She smiled as she considered her answer. "Singing is good, though I'm not
all that good at it. I work out a lot, boxing, running, swimming, rock
climbing, that kind of thing. And..." she suddenly blushed, "and I like to
dance."

"All those are very active", he smiled, "especially the dancing. Though
there are not too many people on the ship that I would feel comfortable
dancing with."

"Dancing is the most beautiful expression for the human body to make. It
makes us glow, makes even the clumsiest person graceful. Our lives become
special, attractive and radiant, when we dance." She shot to her feet and
closed the distance between them. "Come dance with me."

"But there is no music, Ms. Davis... err V," now he was nervous.

"We don't need music." She offered him her hand. "If you want to that is..."

"Well, it would be easier to dance with music," standing, "But we shall
dance."

His hands were soft as she called out for the computer to play something
slow and gentle. They waltzed a little and idly chatted, their movements a
soft under-current. "Why do you not dance often?"

"No one to really dance with, and it wouldn't be proper, and usually we're
too busy to do this."

"Proper? Why isn't it proper?"

"I am the Captain, after all and wouldn't want rumors started about me and
one of my crew. But I will say, the freedom with you is something else,
since you are not under my command," smiling.

"Free is good." Their feet stepped in time. The reason she'd come suddenly
hit her again. "About your command..."

"What about it?"

"They... they want to take it away from you." There, she'd said it. Dropping
his hand, she stepped back from him, looking away. "The evidence that is
being collected will not save you, it will incriminate you, I'm so sorry."
She turned away and headed to the door.

The words stunned him for a moment. Shaking the feeling off, he turned to
her, "Stop. What do they know? Can you tell me that?"

"I can." She didn't turn around, explaining the details they had uncovered
but staring at the door. Her whole career flowed down the plughole as she
watched and listened to herself tell him everything. "You will be court
marshaled and more than likely found guilty. I am sorry."

"Those records were to have been sealed," he referred to his son. "I knew it
was a mistake not disclosing that, but she wanted it that way." He turned
towards the windows and looked out. "I let my emotions get the best of me in
a tough situation." While still looking out into space, "You do know that by
telling me, that you may have ruined your career?"

"Yes," she said. "I could not allow this to continue. I could not justify it
in my mind any longer." She finally looked over at him. "I have discovered
that I am not exactly cut out for JAG, I really don't want this career any
longer. Not if it means crucifying a man for doing what he knew to be
right."

"What ever is to happen, will happen to my career. Though, what ever has
been said in these last few moments was not said. I will not disclose the
information that you have provided me to anyone. I will not allow this to
ruin another's career." He paused, turned around, and looked at her, "I will
take your request for a transfer under advisement, perhaps something in the
security forces?"

"Transfer? I... that is, I was in the military police so Security would
work. I wasn't asking for a transfer. And I don't want you to protect me.
Why are you doing this?"

"You said that you weren't cut out for JAG. And I thought that this would
get you out from there. If you didn't want me to protect you, then I will
withdraw the idea for a transfer. But I will not disclose the information
that you provided."

"But why are you trying to? What have I ever done to deserve such loyalty
from you?"

Shrugging, "I just have the ability to transfer you. And you have danced
with me," winking.

Finally smiling, Vevay nodded. "I would appreciate a transfer if you would
be willing to have me on your ship."

"I would not have offered, Ms. Davis, if I didn't. I will see what we can do
for you."

"Thank you. Although this does mean that we won't be dancing again."

"Well, it would limit that, I would say. But we'll see."

Walking over to him, she kissed his cheek once. "You are a very sweet man,
Keith Ketchum."

"As you are a very sweet woman, Vevay," kissing her cheek in return.

Blushing furiously, she started stuttering. Finally taking a deep breath to
still her babbling, she said, "I... I mean, that is, thank you." She cocked
her head to one side and looked up at him. "I'm not really that sweet, you
know."

"I understand." Keith backed away. Somehow he knew that nothing would come
of the relationship beyond friendship. "I'm sure you're ready to turn in.
Thank you for the dance."

"Keith, remember, everyone deserves the chance to fly. Everyone has the
chance to make it work." She turned towards the door and headed out, once
she was in the corridor, "Goodnight, Captain, and thank you."

"Quite welcome, Ms. Davis, I'll see what we can do about that transfer", and
with that the doors slid shut.

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