A glimmer of hope?

Posted on Sat May 14th, 2022 @ 3:34pm by Petty Officer 1st Class Amethyst Wyse & Ensign Zack Ravencroft

Mission: Jupiter Mystery
Location: Holodeck
Timeline: Following “The Misery of Suffering part 2”

{ Evening prior to the away team departure }

As the doors of the holodeck closed behind Shon and Callie, Amethyst offered Zack a warm smile.

“Would you mind if I watched you work out? If nothing else it’ll put Shon’s mind to rest that you’re not alone.”

Zack narrowed his eyes. "I do. I want you to take self-defense lessons. Yes, you are a woman and generally weaker than a man. But as a woman, that makes you perfect to make the attackers underestimate you. There are ways that with very little force you can subdue and deal with bigger and stronger opponents." He was going to all he could to make sure it wouldn't be as easy as before to get her harmed.

Amethyst gave Zack a considered look. “You’re still blaming yourself for me getting hurt by that shock collar.” She didn’t expect him to admit it. “Fine, teach me.”

He arched an eyebrow, "Who was the one who pushed them to stun you?" Zack asked as he walked up to a boxing dummy. "First, did you know there are several weak points that require very little force to control or disable someone?"

Amethyst shook her head. “No, I didn’t know that. I’m trained to heal not harm people.”

"Using that training, you could disable someone with ease. Using nerve clusters such as solar plexus, the inside of the thigh, the side of the biseps, even something as simple as putting pressure on the sensitive area between the nose and mouth. If you are harmed or incapacitated, you will no longer be able to support the group. Do you not agree with that? Being able to disarm or disable someone so you can get away."

Amethyst nodded. “I’d like to be able to defend myself better, not have to rely on others to get me out of trouble.”

"Excellent. Do you have any experience and do you work out? I will need to do a full muscle tone examination." Zack had slipped into his serious mode, he didn’t see anything other as a project to improve. Even if she would stand naked before him, he would only look at muscle groups. It was one of the ways he had stayed sane over the years, simply turning off all unneeded information. Granted, once he came out of it, his memory of what he has seen would still be there.

“I have my Starfleet defence training, I can handle a phaser but I was never much for hand to hand combat.” Amethyst shrugged her shoulders. “You can check my muscle tone if you want.”

"Computer, lock door." He ordered, the computer confirmed and he turned to walk to the center of the room. "That is a good start. Please strip so I can inspect your muscle groups."

Amethyst paused for a moment before doing as she was asked. Removing her clothing she stood in just her underwear waiting for him to ‘inspect her.’

Zack walked around her, inspecting her muscles. She didn't have any excess fat, she had very beautiful lines and he could see the potential to sculpt her body to the perfect her. Not that there was anything wrong with her now, but he wanted her to take pride of her hard work. His hands roamed over her body, feeling the muscles themselves. He finally came to her arms, he inspected the scars, he couldn’t tell if they left nerve damage but she didn't look like she was suffering from it. "You may dress again. Are you comfortable getting a baseline of your stamina and strength in those clothes?"

Amethyst had enjoyed the way Zack had touched her skin, but she didn’t let it show knowing it would make him uncomfortable. She nodded as she picked up her clothes and put them back on. “I guess so, they’re easy to move around in.”

"Use the treadmil, quick walk for twenty minutes, then light jog for as long as you can manage." He gestured to the machine. "Computer, unlock doors." He instructed once she was dressed. He had locked it for her privacy.

“Right now?” She wasn’t sure if he wanted her to start straight away or not.

"Yes. Make it with a 5 percent incine. I'll be doing my own while you do that."

“Okay” Amethyst nodded and stepped up onto the treadmill. “Computer... background music, 1980s disco.” She smiled as music started to play while she started her quick walk.

Zack had just started his own workout but when the music started he starred at her. Could he had found someone who had the same love for the music that he liked, disco wasn't his top pic, but it was absolutely enjoyable. He walked up to her, "change of plans." He said and held out his hand, "may I have a dance?" He could learn how flexible and how long she could dance to get a rough estimate of her stamina.

Amethyst smiled the warmest smile yet as she nodded and took Zack’s hand. “I’ll warn you now I’m not used to dancing with a partner.”

He smiled. "Lady Reece, this will be disco dancing. I will simply be dancing next to you. I will also get to see how flexible you are, not to mention figure out how long you can dance."

“How Long?” Amethyst grinned. “My dear Zach, I could quite willingly dance the night away!”

He arched an eyebrow at her. "Do you have the stamina to dance for that long?" That would be extraordinary if it was true. He wasn't much of a dancer, but because of his martial art training, he would easily be able to follow her lead.

“To be honest I’m not sure!” Amethyst grinned. “Let’s see how long I can last here, it’ll give us both some idea!”

The song changed to a more romantically themed one, Amethyst offered a smile as she held out her hand this time. “Would you feel comfortable dancing with a partner for this one?”

He arched an eyebrow at her. "Never knew that era disco music had a more slow song to it." he wondered if she knew about them, it was fascinating to learn new music that he hadn't heard before. "Since I invited you to this, how can I even say no?" he took her hand, pulled her close.

“I’ll admit it’s not one I’ve heard before but...” She held him close enjoying the moment of trust and fun between them. “Like I said I’m a bit rusty when it comes to dancing with someone.”

"Join the club, at least we can look silly together right?" he started off dancing with her.

Amethyst giggled as she tried not to tread all over Zack’s feet, fortunately she didn’t trip him up. “This is so much fun!”

He observed her as she moved, she was in respecteble shape. They were sweating nicely after a while. They danced for a good hour and a half when he stopped. "That is good, I have a good base line to work on."

Amethyst offered an almost disappointed nod. “Do we really have to stop? I haven’t had this much fun in a long time.”

He was back to his guarded self. "It was to let me see where you were in stamina and flexibility. I have gotten a good read. I think it's a good place to start, we can work on the theory another time."

Amethyst’s heart sank a little, her smile fading away with it. “Of course, I’ve taken up enough of your time anyway.”

"Time well spent. We are here to make sure you don't get as easily captured." he gestured to her arms. "Do they impede movement?"

Amethyst shook her head. “No, of course they don’t.”

He nodded, accepting her answer. "Very well. Thank you for the dance. It was... quite enjoyable." Zack started to pick up a small towel to get the worse of the sweat off his face.

Amethyst nodded. “I’m glad you enjoyed it, I did too. I’ll head off and leave you to it.”

"Want to work out tomorrow?"

Amethyst stopped in her tracks and looked back with a big smile. “I would love to.”

Her smile was easily the best thing he had ever seen. Not to mention it was because of him. "Good."

Amethyst nodded. “What time would you like me to be here?”

"After our shifts is a good time. That way we can burn off the rest of the enrgy and a nice shower is extra enjoyable." Zack said as he gathered his things.

Amethyst couldn’t help but read a future meaning into the shower comment but that was for if things between them moved on to that point. “I’ll be here, I’m looking forward to it already.”

"I'll see you then. I am going to make sure things are cleaned here."

Amethyst nodded and smiled warmly. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

"Til then." he started to clean up after himself.