<USS Avalon> "Out With the Old, In with the New"

"Out With the Old, In with the New"
Stardate 06.07:07
 
Captain Skyler and Sr. Lieutenant Moreya
 

Standing on the bridge the view of the Avalon-B was still as  breathtaking as 
it was when she first saw it. Skyler was torn. Without the  Admiral there it 
was up to her to decide what to do. Should she blow up the old  ship or should 
she just leave it adrift? Standing there with her hands crossed  behind her 
back she looked pensive. Her thoughts were a jumble and a mess. It  didn't help 
that she had just finished reading a note from Tery. 

The note essentially stated that Tery had been called away due to a family  
problem. She had left immediately without even saying good-bye to Skyler.  ~ 
How could she just up and leave without saying anything to me? I  don't 
understand at all. ~ 

She could feel all eyes on her as  she stared at the screen. She had a 
decision to make yet she didn't feel  confident enough to make it herself. She 
had 
too many feelings fluctuating  through her mind. Perhaps that shielding of the 
room suggested by Talea would be  a good idea after all. Turning she looked at 
the science officer behind her.  

~Oh Moreya, what do I do about anything? ~ "Lieutenant  Moreya would you 
please join me down here for a moment." I don't think I can do  this alone and 
I 
am alone again. Before I even had the chance to be with anyone.  ~ 
 
The Science Officer turned and crossed the bridge to the commander's  chair.  
"Yes, Captain?" she said.  It was clear to her that Skyler was  deeply 
troubled, and it didn't take a telepath to know why. 

Feeling Moreya next to her again reminded her of her feelings for the woman  
as well as their past encounters. Yet she trusted this woman with her life and 
 most importantly she trusted her judgment. "Thank you for joining me. I have 
a  rather overwhelming decision to make and I would like your input on the 
matter.  I have to decide whether or not to destroy the Avalon-B or let her 
remain  adrift. Since the Admiral is not here I am ultimately responsible for 
this 
 decision." In the back of her mind she knew what she had to do...she just 
hated  having to do it. 

Moreya's answer came without hesitation.   "If it is not practical to tow the 
Avalon-B to the nearest Starfleet base, then  you must destroy it," she said. 
 "Not only is there the question of it  being a hazard to navigation, but it 
would be exceedingly unwise to leave it for  any salvagers or tech vultures to 
find.  Clearly, they already know it is  here." 

"You are right of course. It's just that it seems like I  am ordering the 
destruction of the only home I have known in a very long time.  It seems that 
my 
life began on that ship. Yet it is just a pile of metal and  circuits. Nothing 
that can't be replaced." ~ Or can it? ~  

"It is only natural to feel an attachment to things, and to  places.  They 
help create our identity.  But I believe humans have a  saying, 'home is where 
you make it.' You may never exactly replace an old home,  but you can and will 
build a new one." 

~That my friend is  easier said than done. Especially now. ~ "Again you are 
right my friend.  Please stand by my side as I do something I never thought I 
would have to do."  

Turning to look at James she nodded. "Lieutenant lock forward  torpedo's and 
phaser's on the Avalon-B. Prepare to fire on my mark." 

James looked at Skyler and nodded knowing what was going to happen next. He  
too didn't want to see the ship destroyed but knew it was the right thing.  

"Lyta take us a fair distance away from the B so we don't incur  any damage 
from the explosion." 

Lyta merely nodded her head and  input the commands to withdraw the C to a 
safe distance. 

Moreya  retreated to the science station and set the Avalon-C's sensors to 
record the  event.  Even in her death, the Avalon-B could provide useful 
information  for her sister ship.  She worked with one eye on Skyler -- she was 
certain  that it was more than just the loss of the Avalon-B which was 
troubling 
her  friend.  

Taking a deep breath Skyler activated the ship wide  comm. "Attention all 
crew. This is Captain Skyler. In a few moments we will be  moving to a safe 
distance in order not to incur damage as we destroy the Avalon  B. I know that 
some 
of you did not serve on the B so this may not be as  emotional for you as it 
will be for those who have spent the last few years  aboard her. She has 
served Starfleet well and I cannot allow scavengers to raid  her for parts. She 
deserves better than that." 

Turning to look  again at James he nodded that all was ready. "Lieutenant 
fire at will."  

As the torpedo's and phasers shot out from the Avalon C a small  tear fell 
from Skyler's eye. She watched as the torpedo's and phasers hit the B  with 
exact precision. The explosion lit up the entire view screen with it's  
brilliance. It only took but a few moments for the ship to explode leaving  
nothing but 
memories. With the ship destroyed Skyler stood and looked at the  blank 
screen. It was as if she was stunned and couldn't move. Too much was  happening 
at 
once. Too many changes. 

Talking mostly too herself,  yet loud enough that others were sure to hear 
she remarked, "Now that that is  done it is time to move on." The question was 
to where. With the Admiral no  where to be found she really had no idea what 
was to lay ahead of them. "Lyta,  set a course for the nearest Starbase. I 
believe we have some prisoners to drop  off. Mr. Henderson you have the 
bridge." 

Turning sharply on her  heels she made her way past the science officer, whom 
she knew would soon follow  and walked to her office. Once inside she sat 
down on the sofa and tried to make  sense of everything that had happened. Tery 
leaving. Her sister leaving. Georgia  leaving and finally the destruction of 
the Avalon-B. 

A few  minutes later the door chime rang. 

Without standing she simply  replied, "Enter." She knew it would be Moreya. 
The one person who always seemed  to be there when she was needed.
 
And indeed it was the Deltan standing there.  "You called for me, I  think," 
she said. 
 
"You always seem to know when I need to talk to you. I suppose I did call  
for you in some subtle way. I don't know what to do with myself right now. I  
just destroyed the Avalon-B, Tery is gone and didn't even say good-bye. I don't 
 
know what I am doing wrong. I am in love with someone who doesn't return the  
feelings and the one who did has just left with no notice at all. I just 
don't  understand." 

Getting up Skyler walked over to the replicator and  got a cup of Moreya's 
favorite tea and a glass of water for herself. Returning  to her seat she 
handed 
the tea to Moreya, her hand lingering on Moreya's.
 
Moreya blinked slowly as she listened to Skyler, and silently drank in the  
touch of her friend's hand.  When she did speak, it was slowly, struggling  to 
choose words carefully.  "I don't know why Tery had to leave, but I am  
certain it was not anything you did.  More than likely, I suspect, she  could 
not 
bring herself to say good-bye -- sometimes, to acknowledge that you  are 
parting 
from the one you love is a prospect far worse than actually just  going.  As 
for being in love with someone who does not return the feelings  -- who would 
that be, if I may ask?"
 
Looking at Moreya just brought the feelings to the surface. "I think we  both 
know who I am talking about Moreya. We both know it is you. I know you have  
feelings for me but are unsure of what they are at this time. That is as  
confusing for me as it is for you." 
 
The puzzled expression on Moreya's face deepened into hurt.  "Did I  not say, 
only two or three days ago, that I loved you?  I admit I cannot  tell you 
exactly how -- I can't even tell myself that yet.  I'm sorry for  that."
 
"I don't mean to cause you pain or to hurt you. That is the last thing I  
would ever want to do.  If I could be with anyone for the rest of my life I  
will 
admit it would be you. You are everything I am looking for or would want in  
a partner." Setting her drink down Skyler stood and moved over to Moreya and 
sat  down next to her. ~You are so beautiful you take my breath away. ~  

"I am probably about to make the biggest mistake of my life but I  hope I am 
wrong." Placing her hands on Moreya's face she gently turned the  Deltans face 
until they were looking at each other. "Moreya, I love you and I  can't do 
anything about it. I have always loved you and always will." Without  
hesitating 
Skyler leaned in and gently kissed Moreya. The taste of her lips was  more 
than anything she expected, it was breathtaking. She pulled back and looked  at 
Moreya. "I probably shouldn't have done that and I am sorry. But I won't  and 
can't deny that I would do it again in a heartbeat."
 
"If you would do it again without question, then don't waste your time  being 
sorry," Moreya said softly. "Know this.  One way or another, I will  always 
be with you.  I cannot, will not, ever be exactly what you expect --  that is 
who I am.  But if you love me as I am, then I am content."  

Looking somewhat confused Skyler looked at Moreya. "Sometimes you  talk in 
riddles that I don't always understand. What do you mean by, "if I would  do it 
again without question, then don't waste your time being sorry?"  "I  would be 
sorry if it offended you or hurt you. Would I kiss you again...the  answer is 
yes without question. Do I expect anything from you in return.....I  know 
that you love me and that you think you cannot or will not be exactly what  I 
expect....however I don't expect anything. The only thing I expect is for you  
to 
be you. As you are. I love you as you are. Even if at times it drives me a  
little crazy. I would not ask you to change for me or for any reason. The way  
you are is what I love about you. I know that makes no sense but I don't know  
how else to explain it. I know you will always be with me. You are apart of 
me  and always will be." 
 
"Well, there you are then."  The Deltan smiled. "To my mind, sorry is  what 
you say, what you feel, when you wish you hadn't done something.  And  you 
haven't hurt or offended me.  So put your mind at ease, and don't be  sorry."

Taking Moreya's hand in hers, Skyler looked at the woman before her.  
"Moreya, you have been the one constant in my life. You are my best friend and  
confidant. You are everything to me, how do I explain how much you mean to me? 
I  
can't. Do I want a relationship with you? In all honesty.....yes. Can I accept  
that that is not how you feel? Yes, because I know that no matter what you 
will  still love me in your own way." Lifting Moreya's hands to her lips, 
Skyler 
 gently kissed them. "I know you cannot give me what I so desire. I also know 
I  am probably just making things worse. I can't help how I feel and I hope 
you  understand that." 

Getting up Skyler walked across her office and  stared at the stars in the 
view port as they passed by. How could she tell  Moreya how she really felt and 
would Moreya ever feel that same way toward her?  She knew in her heart that 
if not it would still be okay. She knew that to be a  fact. 
 
"Skyler, dear one ... I think before we go any further we should be clear  on 
what you mean by 'relationship.'  If you mean, one of sexual monogamy  
between the two of us ... then no, I don't think I can do that.  I'm not  built 
that 
way -- physically, emotionally or culturally.  If you mean a  fully-realized, 
adult relationship as Deltans see them -- as friends,  confidants, *and* 
lovers -- then that, dear Skyler, is what we already have."  

"I would never ask anything of you that you  couldn't do. Do we really have 
the type of relationship you say  we have? There was only the one time and yes 
I would love a relationship as  you describe. I can't explain why but I would 
accept any type of relationship  you would be willing to be in and be 
comfortable with. For some reason I  always find myself drawn to you no matter 
where I 
am or who I am with. Does that  make any sense at all?" She didn't dare move 
closer to the Deltan for fear  of what she might do. 

"Of course it does.  That is  the way of soul callings.  And yes, we have 
been lovers but once --  but then, how much chance has there been since then, 
eh?"  Moreya  allowed herself a brief flash of a mischievous smile.  "Besides, 
romantic  encounters are best handled the same way as little hurts: it's 
important not  to keep score.  Your place in my soul is quite secure.  Never  
doubt 
that." 

Walking over to where Moreya was sitting  Skyler stood in front of her and 
extended her hand. "Stay with me tonight.  In whatever way you are comfortable 
with. I don't want to be alone tonight, but  I will understand if you don't 
want to stay." 

Moreya took it  gently.  "Gladly.  Where shall we meet?  I'm afraid I am  
still on duty for a few more hours." 

"My quarter's after your  shift, if that meets with your approval. I still 
have some work to do as well my  friend. Thank you for everything you do for 
me. 
Doesn't seem very romantic  planning ahead for it. Shouldn't it just happen 
without having to plan it? Not  that I am complaining as I always enjoy your 
company in any form." 

"Planning can make things even more romantic, if you do it right," Moreya  
said, getting to her feet.  "Besides, you never know exactly what will  happen, 
do you?"  She flashed Skyler a quick smile and headed for the  door. 
 
Watching Moreya leave Skyler wondered to herself what the Deltan had up her  
sleeve. Whatever it was it was sure to prove interesting. 





************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.

Other related posts: