<USS Avalon> "One Change At A Time"

"One Change At A Time"
Admiral Ketchum and Captain Skyler


After having Tavi released from the station sickbay, Skyler set her up in her 
temporary quarters on the station. She didn't want to bring her aboard the ship 
until she had talked to Keith. She still couldn't believe she was doing this, 
but she couldn't see just leaving the kid to fend for herself going from ship 
to ship, station to station. What kind of life was that?

Leaving Tavi in her quarter's, Skyler made her way back to the ship. She wasn't 
exactly sure what Keith was going to say, but she still needed to tell him. 
Each time she entered the new ship she felt as if she were entering a new life. 
Maybe she was. She made her way to the ready room and rang the chime. She 
didn't know what to expect but what ever it was she was ready for it. She hoped.

Keith was still sitting at his desk going over the multitude of PADDs. When the 
chime rang, he looked up, "Enter."  The doors parted and he saw Skyler, "Come 
in, care to assist on these PADDs?"  He smiled.

Walking in Skyler sat in a chair in front of Keith's desk. "Let me guess, those 
are all new crew transfer requests? Anyone exciting to look forward to?" 
Grabbing a PADD, Skyler absentmindedly skimmed through it. Her heart really 
wasn't in it, she had to tell the "Admiral" about Tavi.

Putting the PADD down she looked up at Keith, "Actually, if you have a minute, 
there is something I need to discuss with you." She waited to see what his 
response was going to be.

Laying the PADD on the desk, "Sure, what's up?"

Skyler took a deep breath before beginning. "It involves the stow away that was 
found along with the Chief Engineer on the old Avalon. It seems that she has 
been hiding out on the ship for sometime. Her name is Tavi, she is 10 yrs old 
and according to her she has no family. After talking to her and finding out 
more about her circumstances I offered her the chance to board the Avalon and 
to share my quarters."

Looking at Keith, Skyler couldn't read his reaction. But then, he was hard to 
read at times.

Keith just looked at Skyler for a moment, silent, and only blinking.  Finally, 
after what probably seemed to Skyler as an eternity, "Interesting. Are you sure 
that is what you want to do?"

Hesitating Skyler thought to herself, "Is this what I really want to do?"  
After a brief moment she looked her friend and Commanding officer in the eyes, 
"Yes, I think it is. She has no one, I have no one. It seems as it fate has 
brought us together. I know it won't be easy but I feel that deep inside it is 
the right thing to do. I hope that I have your blessing on this?"

Patiently she waited for him to answer. She knew he was having his own 
troubles, what with his son deserting the ship. If he wanted to talk about it, 
he would let her know. She knew he was not one to open up to just anyone. 
Although after all this time together she'd hoped that they were somewhat 
closer. She knew the pain of losing someone close to you all to well. She 
didn't wish it on anyone.

He looked deep into her eyes, "Very well. If that is what you want to do, I do 
not have any issues with it.  We should be at Izar for a couple more days, 
while the new crew arrives.  I hate to leave the Avalon-B out there this long, 
but I'm sure nothing has happened to it."

Nodding Skyler replied simply, "Yes, this is something I want to do.  Something 
I feel I need to do. As for the Avalon-B, if you like I would be more than 
willing to take a shuttle back and see how the ole' girl is holding up. It's 
kind of like saying good-bye to an old lover. She deserves more than to just 
drift in space. The choice is yours Admiral."

"Well, as soon as we get the crew aboard, we're going back to get our personal 
things.  Those crew that have transferred to other ships, will just get it via 
Federation Express."
 
"As you wish. If you have nothing further for me, I would like to go back to 
the station and find Tavi and bring her aboard. Kinda of get her settled and 
give us a little time to get more aquatinted."
 
God, I hope I am doing the right thing, both by Tavi and myself.
 
"Alright, Captain, go ahead.  I'll be here plugging away at these PADDS.  We 
have already arranged a new Chief Medical Officer, they should be joining us 
soon.  And a Tactical Officer should be coming aboard soon also.  So, best to 
get her aboard now, before we get so busy."

Nodding Skyler stood and turned to leave for the station. She needed to find 
Tavi and get her situated before the entire new crew came aboard. One change at 
a time.

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