<USS Avalon> "Running the Gauntlet"

“Running the Gauntlet”
by Commander Javan Sierra
& Senior Lieutenant Caine Reilly McKinsley




Garrett stood leaning against his desk, arms crossed and a stern look crossing his face, or at least it would have been stern if he wasn't fighting a smile at his boss. She was standing there, trying to talk him into taking the delegate that was about to show up, for a walk, to get him out of her hair for a while and possibly be able to Caine some time with Commander Javan, who was reported to be escorting the delegate to her office. "Fine," Garrett finally said, chuckling lightly, "I'll take them for a walk, besides, I have those errands I still need to run for you that I haven't."

"Oh thank you," Caine said, relieved. She did not like the idea of someone coming into her office and breathing down her neck. "And like I said, I'll make it up to tomorrow with a huge chocolate cake." Both Caine and Garrett smiled at each other before moving to look busy for when Javan would show up.

"...and that's how our race began to deal with psychological problems that plagued society. Isolation was the key ingredient to the mix of course," the Ambassador on the Intricacies of the Mind - as the woman referred to herself - talked endlessly about her accomplishments and how the Rydyn civilization was way ahead of anything the Federation had ever seen. "Then again, you seem to use medication too damper the synapses. A typical 'rookie' mistake."

It was true that Javan had been toning her out since they first finished their opening pleasantries. It was just one loud drone. Either way, his mind had long since shifted to Caine and how he'd not seen her for nearly a week; then again, it was probably more. It was a relief to walk through the doors into the Counseling waiting room. "Ah, Mr. Stevens, please inform Ms. McKinsley of our arrival."

Nodding, Garrett stood and moved quickly into Caine's personal office, letting the door close behind him. He was only there for a few short moments before reappearing, this time followed closely by Caine.

"Ah, Ambassador, it's so nice to meet you," Caine said, silently thanking her parents for teaching her how to fake a very good smile, though it turned natural as her eyes fell onto Javan's handsome face. "I am Counselor McKinsley and this is my assistant Ensign Garrett Stevens," she said, gesturing to Garrett who was standing a small distance from them.

The Ambassador looked highly unamused and almost bothered, "Pleasure's yours, apparently. Now, am I to be observing your staff or your actual ability to deal with the minds of others? If I am to watch you tap information into a computer then I would consider you finding something else for me to do. Perhaps, if that is the case, then I could teach you a thing or two?"

Javan's eyes went to Caine's face, then to Garrett's, and then to the wall to hide a smirk that had been edging its way onto his face. The bluntness was commendable, though highly rude, and the woman must have had practice dealing with subordinates. Javan wanted to say something, but it wasn't his place - rumors from the security staff were that it seemed to be an overwhelming reaction to the delegation.

"Well, actually," Caine said, feeling a bit taken back by this woman's overly rude and superior attitude. "Ensign Stevens here has some rounds to make, checking up on some patients, making sure they are progressing fine, you know that sort of thing. I was thinking of inviting you to go along with him, I'm sure you would be bored here, seeing as all I will be doing is typing information into the computer." Feeling like she handled that well, Caine smiled for Garrett to step forward, which he did and smiled at the Ambassador.

She sighed, "very well."

A sigh escaped from Caine's lips as soon as the door was closed behind Garrett and the Ambassador. Smiling a truly genuine smile, Caine turned and faced Javan. "So Commander Javan, how is your head doing? Were you lucky enough to tune her out?" Caine asked, knowing how much Javan hated such diplomacy.

"I didn't catch anything other than her name, actually." He smirked and took her into a quick kiss and hug embrace before seating himself on the couch. "How are you doing down here?"

Caine moved and sat down next to him on the couch, "A little stressed but fairing okay. How are you guys up in security? I bet everyone is going insane by now."

"They all plan on going to the lounge when their shifts end and getting completely wasted and plastered. Given the company we have on board I can hardly blame them, you know? They're running us mad," Javan shook his head, "no respect, no kindness, no second glances. I can't wait until this ferrying assignment is over."

"You and me both. I luckily haven't had to deal to much with these people straight on. No, I get to deal with the stress that having these people on board is causing the crew. I swear, my appointment book has doubled in the past few days, I've had Garrett start to see more patients because I can't handle all of them." Caine leaned her head over against Javan's shoulder and sighed again, feeling some of the stress leave her body. "I will be very happy when this assignment is over."

"Interesting role for a Starfleet Intelligence ship to undertake, huh? Usually we're defending the universe against the scum and those hiding in the shadows - not babysitting envoys to the Federation," Javan ran a hand through her hair and then caressed the side of her face. "Something isn't right."

Caine just shrugged and enjoyed Javan's caresses. "Hmm, maybe they’re actually all spies and they’re on the ship to spy on us as well as get some information about us," she said, half meant in a joking manner. She didn't really know much about the people staying onboard the Avalon, nor what exactly they were doing there, she had been so run down with appointments after appointments that she felt she barely had time to breathe. "Why don't you look into it more? I mean, you are the Chief of Security, if you feel that uncomfortable, use your power and find out more about these people."

Javan smiled, "and how do you suppose I do that when they're observing our security protocols? I mean, it's the perfect distraction to watch everything we do under a veil of diplomacy. I can't do much more than speak to the Captain in private, but Flubb is just a hard guy to get alone. I'd have better chances discussing it with Skyler - and you know our history." He shook his head. What a pleasant situation they'd gotten themselves into. If things got bad, they'd get really bad really fast.

"Absolutely no way to get around them?" Caine asked, surprised to think about how bad this could be if what she had said was true. If absolutely nothing could happen on the ship without these people knowing about it, how was anything supposed to happen. Caine suddenly felt even worse for Javan, he was head of security, so he had all of this weighing down on him and she knew that she needed to do something for him.

"If there was, I would've found it already. I've looked. I hardly have any time alone to myself and my crew without one of 'them' lurking about or skulking around watching us for the slightest mistake. I had one of the observes critique a Lieutenant on his ability to properly modulate, clean, remodulate, and holster a handheld phaser," he stood and wanted to pace, but thought against it, "With our luck they'll be accepted and we'll have to ferry them back. I'll transfer, I swear."

Caine crossed her legs and looked at Javan, standing in the middle of the floor. "You need a night off," she said, smiling. "That is what you need, a night as far away from work as possible on a star ship. Why don't you come over tonight for dinner? Garrett had already agreed to watch Hannah for the night so that I could have a night of peace and quiet, so why don't you come over?" She said, standing and wrapping her arms around his waist, "I really think you just need a night to relax, then you'll feel better."

"You're letting Garrett watch Hannah?" He looked down at her, "are you crazy?"

Shrugging Caine moved away. "He's really good with her and she likes hanging out with him. Actually, lately I've been letting him watch her more often; work has been so busy that I haven't had enough time to be with her. So, since Garrett doesn't have as much as I do, I get him to watch her. You should see it, it's really very cute; why just the other day I walked into my quarters and Hannah had Garrett sitting on the floor in a pink bonnet drinking invisible tea with her and some stuffed animals." Caine laughed lightly to herself as she recalled that day. "Why do you think I shouldn't let him watch her?"

"The kid is an immature nuisance. We would never let Starfleet have someone like him in any position of power, it's not right," he smirked and walked to the window, "and he's sex-crazed. Savannah Eckstein won't shut her lips about all the passes he's made on her. Hannah goes to sleep at night and Garrett has a little bedroom party. That's a good environment. Then again, maybe I'm over-reacting."

"Well, what else do you suggest I do? There aren't many options open to me for a babysitter on this ship and I can't have her just sitting around, either here in the office or in my quarters all the time, the poor girl would go insane. As for sex-crazed and immature, yeah, but then again what guy isn't?" she asked, with a small wink at Javan, hoping to get a reaction from him.

"Ouch, and the perfect counter," Javan sat down again, "I hope I don't come off to people like that. I would like to think that I'm more refined and mature than that, but if I am then so be it. Whatever." He laughed at her knowing full well that she was right and that he was fighting a losing battle. However, it didn't change his opinion of her babysitting choice.

Caine laughed and looked Javan over for a moment, seeming to think hard about something. "Nah, I don't think you’re that bad, maybe just a little sex crazed and hardly immature at all," she said, still flirting with him lightly.

He rolled his eyes. "Well, the gigolo and the evil dictator will be returning shortly. Since I'd just absolutely love to hear her lecture on just how to waste the Federation's resources and time by standing around and talking, I should leave." He leaned over and kissed her slightly again, "I'll see you tonight for dinner?"

"Hmm, of course, I'll make your favorite tonight," Caine said before moving closer and kissing Javan back. She really had missed him, everything about him and was already starting to get excited about their night.

"Have a good time." With a wink, he was gone.

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