<USS Avalon> "Shaken, Not Stirred" Skyler, Woodward


Shaken, Not Stirred
Skyler, Woodward
2006:06:22

Skyler had left Georgia in sickbay after seeing Vevay and Melanie's baby.  She
would have stayed longer, but she didn't really feel all that enthused about
anything after hearing Georgia's news. Instead she planned to find a
quiet place
where she could contemplate all of the changes that were taking place.

Once she found a bar, she  made her way to the back and a lone table
with a view
of the door. For some reason, she always preferred to have a wall or some such
thing against her back. She didn't even pay attention when the bartender showed
up and offered to take her order.

"Just bring me something to take everything away."

"Anything in particular Commander?" replied the bartender.

"Rum and Coke is fine, and bring some pretzels or something with it."  As the
bartender dissappeared with her order, Skyler returned to her thoughts.

A few minutes later, another voice said, "This seat taken, Commander?"  She
looked up to see a human male, looking to be in his forties or so, standing
there with a tray of two drinks and a basket of food in one hand.  "I brought
you your drink as well as the snack, while I was at it."

"Does it look like it's taken?" Skyler's voice was a tad bit surly, since she
had come here to be alone.  "Is there something I can do for you or are you
going to stand there all day with my drinks and food? You can set them on the
table and when I need more I will order them."

She wasn't exactly in the mood for company and was hoping this person would get
the idea -- however something told her it wasn't going to happen.

Her visitor set the tray down, then took the chair on the other side.  "Heck of
a way to treat someone who was just trying to do a favor," he said,
although his
voice remained cheerful.  "I suppose you could tell me if you are indeed
Commander Skyler.  Although if that's too much trouble, I'll surely figure it
out later, on the Avalon."

"I am Commander Skyler and you are? I apologize for my attitude, but things are
not working out just as I had planned. I am not in the best of moods, if you
couldn't tell. Why are you looking for me, and what does this have to do with
the Avalon?"  Skyler took a glass, letting the liquid swirl around a bit before
she took a sip. It burned going down but at least it was a feeling she could
understand.

"Woodward, Bobby Woodward," he said.  "Wasn't necessarily looking for you, but
happened to spot you coming in.  I'm waiting for the Avalon, you see.  My new
job."  He shifted slightly in the chair, stretching out long legs.  He was
wearing casual clothes, including jeans and a leather jacket, and looked like
anything but a Starfleet officer.

Looking at the man across from her, Skyler couldn't really tell if he was
serious or not. What with the changes going on with Melanie and Georgia, not to
mention a brand new ship to deal with, she had too many thoughts
whirling around
in her head.

"I don't recall seeing your name on the crew manifest, Mr. Woodward. Exactly
what position are you taking on the Avalon?"

"Let me see ... what did they call it?  Cruise director?  Definitely not.
Recreation coordinator?  A bit closer, maybe."  He shot a glance across at
Skyler, and winked.

Skyler took another sip of her drink and noticed that she was beginning to
become intrigued by this man in the leather jacket. He seemed nice enough and
easy to talk to, which for her was not an easy task. For the life of
her though,
she couldn't figure out what kind of posting he had on the Avalon.

"Okay, the straight dope," he said with a grin.  "I'm going to be in charge of
the ship's main lounge.  As you've probably already guessed, I'm not
Starfleet.
Haven't been for quite a few years now.  Did quite a time with the Merchant
Marine, but after I lost my ship in the war, I decided it was time for
something
new.  So I'm working this post through the Federation USO."

"In charge of the main lounge? Interesting. I haven't even seen the new ship.
Didn't realize we had a main lounge. So, what are your plans for running it? I
don't usually go to the lounge but I might just have to change that. Curiosity
may just get the best of me."

"I haven't even seen it myself, so I don't know exactly what the physical space
looks like, but I have a lot of plans.  Of course we'll have the usual food and
drink -- looking forward to testing out what I've learned on that
account -- but
we'll also have games, music ... dancing, I hope.  'A world of things to divert
and delight,' that's my motto."

The waiter returned and set another drink in front of Skyler. Picking up the
glass she looked contemplatively at the swirling liquid. For a moment it was as
if she was alone with her thoughts and the rest of the world was
passing by. She
really didn't know what to think of those feelings. Frankly, at that point she
didn't really care.

"And of course, being the friendly neighborhood barkeep has another function,"
Woodward said thoughtfully, after watching Skyler for a minute or two.  "I've
been working on learning that skill too.  So if you ever need a
sympathetic ear,
you know where to go."

No longer looking at her drink but rather the new barkeep, Skyler was impressed
by his easygoing attitude. Not that she would tell him that. She wasn't sure if
she should take him up on his offer to talk or not. It was never easy
for her to
talk to anyone, let alone strangers.  "I will remember that," she told him,
"although I think you will find I am not the easiest person to get to
open up. I
have a tendancy to keep things to myself."

As Skyler was talking, a young ensign appeared, as if out of nowhere.
"Commander
Skyler?"

"Yes, I am Commander Skyler. What do you need, Ensign?"

The ensign was a tad on the nervous side and you could hear it in her voice. "I
have been sent by Captain Ketchum to give you a message. You are to report to
the Avalon C and meet him there."

"I see. Thank you for the message Ensign. You're free to go."  The
ensign nodded
her head and turned to walk out.

Woodward smiled as he watched the exchange, then got to his feet.  "Sounds like
you've got a fun job ahead.  I'm restraining myself from inviting
myself along --
but please let me know as soon as I can be allowed aboard?"  At
Skyler's nod, he
gave her a thumbs-up sign, turned and headed off into the crowd deeper
in the bar.

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