<USS Avalon> Dinner Among Friends Revised Version

 
 
Dinner Among Friends
Michael Magee as played by Cmdr. Skyler and Ensign V'Tresh
 
V'Tresh sat in the back corner of the Chinese restaurant, looking over the  
exotic foods choices presented in the menu in an eager attempt to find a  
vegetarian dish. She was waiting on an old classmate and buddy of hers to show  
up, 
and, never being one with an excess of patience, she had decided to go ahead  
and look over the options for the evening. 
 
Not one who was particularly fond of Chinese, Magee had agreed to meet  
V'Tresh anyway. He didn't know when he would see his friend again. Walking in 
he  
looked all around until he spotted her sitting in a dark corner. Walking up he  
looked at her and asked, "Uh, excuse me, but is this seat taken?" 
 
She smiled and shook her head. "It's about time that you got in here. Have  a 
seat!" She slid one of the menus over towards his place at the table. "How 
are  you, Michael?" 
 

Taking his seat Magee sat down. "I'm doing okay and I am not that late. You  
just tend to be early." Taking the menu he perused it hoping to find something 
 American to eat. He really didn't think he could subside on fortune cookies. 
"So  my friend, what have you been up to since graduation?" 
 
She steepled her fingers. "I've been formally assigned to a ship. The  USS 
Avalon-C." She laughed. "You're looking at her newest science  officer." She 
sat 
back and waited for his reply. 
 
Magee placed his order of steak and potatoes with an order of salad on the  
side. "The Avalon huh? I hear that's a good ship. I wasn't aware they needed 
new  crew. Congratulations."
 
Nodding, she kept the smile on her face. "I'm looking forward to being  
aboard her." She turned and looked at his foot. "Steak and potatoes. That's  
certainly traditional Chinese cooking."
 
"You don't like my Chinese food then don't look at it. Something about egg  
drop soup doesn't appeal to me. When are you supposed to report to the Avalon?  
As for me I haven't gotten my assignment yet?" He started to frown at the  
thought of not being assigned to a ship yet. His grades hadn't been that bad. 
 
"Within a few weeks. I haven't been informed of the specifics yet." She  
shrugged. "I'll know soon enough." Taking a sip from the handleless teacup, she 
 
arched an eyebrow at her companion. "Hear anything about a posting for you,  
yet?" 
 
"No not yet. I am beginning to think that they lost my name in the pile of  
assignments. Either that or they don't think I am worthy enough to serve on a  
ship. I know I wasn't the smartest like some people I know." He looked at  
V'Tresh and smirked. 
 
"All I'm wondering right now is how I'll tell my mother." Her face suddenly  
became serious. "Wanted me to follow in her footsteps as a thinker... a  
philosopher." She leaned on her arm, rubbing her forehead. "Ought to go over  
like 
a ... what is the term? A lead balloon." 
 
"You a philosopher?! That's really funny V'Tresh. You're no more a  
philosopher than I am a Doctor." Magee took a sip of his drink and looked at 
his  
friend. "I'm sure she will understand. She only wants what is best for you.  
That's 
what parent's do, whether we like it or not." 
 
She laughed. "I guess some things are universal constants." Taking a  
spoonful of the egg-drop soup, she smiled. "It's easier when you aren't 
fighting  six 
generations of family tradition, I suppose."
 
Cutting into his juicy steak Magee listened to V'Tresh. He didn't have any  
family traditions to fight. He didn't even have a family. "Look at it like 
this.  At least you know she cares about you and only wants you to be happy. 
Give 
her  time, I am sure she will come around."
 
V'Tresh nodded. "Hopefully, she will." She looked back at the menu. "Up for  
dessert? I'm sure they have some 'normal' food that would fit your  palate."
 
Looking up from his steak, Magee stuck his tongue out at her. "Are you  
making fun of my tastes in food? I will have you know that there is nothing  
better 
than a good juicy steak to quench a hunger. However if you happen to have  
chocolate cake I'll be happy to help you eat it."
 
V'Tresh gave him a lopsided grin. "Make fun of you? I wouldn't think of  it." 
She looked at the last page of the menu. "You're in luck. They do indeed  
have chocolate cake."
 
She turned to the waiter. "One slice of chocolate cake and one baked  
Alaska." The waiter nodded, taking down the order before returning to the  
kitchen.
 
Taking a long pull on his beer Magee looked at V'Tresh, "At least you have  a 
posting, my luck they will make me assistant to the gardener."
 
She shook her head. "I doubt that they'd waste their resources on a posting  
such as that. Give it time, Magee."
 
"Hey, you never know I may have just the green thumb ole' Boothby needs. He  
is getting up in years ya know." Magee chuckled as he licked the chocolate 
from  his lips. 
 
"Boothby... what a character. I don't think there's any cadet that's been  
through there in the last thirty years whom he doesn't know or know of," 
V'Tresh 
 remarked as she took the last bite of the baked Alaska. An unbelievable 
flavor;  the chef had outdone himself. 
 
"I think he came with Starfleet when it was first originated all those  years 
ago. He has the wrinkles to go with it." Magee laughed harder than he had  in 
a long time. "Thanks for inviting me for dinner V'Tresh. I needed it. I'm  
sure you have things to do before you take off into the galaxy. I envy you." 
 
She sighed. "Don't worry about it, Magee. You'll get a posting, I'm  
certain." She reached out to shake his hand. "Stay in touch, eh?" 
 
Taking her hand in his, Magee leaned down and kissed it gently. "Take care  
my dear lady and don't let the big bad aliens get you."
 
She smiled again at his mock chivalry. "See you around the galaxy,  Magee."

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