Barclay approached the dance studio with trepidation. Counselor Troi had prescribed social interaction to help him recover from his recent holo-addiction, but if he could take his pick from the fine arts, ballroom dancing wouldn't be it. However, Troi had said she had a "feeling" that he would excel at this course. He didn't see how. He was born with two left feet, a natural klutz. So the thought of dancing scared the crap out of him. He'd probably fail his first try.
He walked in the door. Several people were stretching and talking. He saw a chair in the corner and sat down. Everyone looked like they belonged here but him. He felt completely out of place. Dr. Crusher talked to Lieutenant Styles from Stellar Cartography. She saw Barclay and waved. He raised a hand in nervous acknowledgement.
Styles called the class to order. "Welcome to Dance 101. I'm Lieutenant Styles. It's good to see you all here. But we need to get one thing straight. This course is very rigorous and time-consuming. The most accomplished dancers put in countless hours to perfect their technique. But they also had a great passion for dance. If you can't find it in yourself to be passionate about this course or to express yourself deeply in this art, you don't belong in here. Only the best will survive in this room. Are there any questions?"
No one spoke. "Good," said Styles. "Before we begin, allow me to introduce my lovely assistants: Dr. Crusher, Hugh M'Benga, Lieutenant Kayleen Ricks and Ensign June Tempest."
Dr. Crusher and M'Benga nodded to the crowd. Ricks gave a friendly wave. Barclay couldn't see Ensign Tempest.
"Let's get started. Level 3 and 4 students can go to Ricks, Level 5 and 6 are with M'Benga, Level 2 is with Dr. Crusher, and if you've never danced in your life, see the Ensign. I'll monitor everyone's progress."
Barclay tentatively approached Ensign Tempest. She had her back turned to him. She had a long mane of black hair down her back and was dressed in tights and a leotard. The ensign turned around and Barclay stopped dead.
She was gorgeous.
Her eyes were a luminous green and captured the light whenever she moved. They sparkled with a joy for life but still somehow had a glimmer of innocence about them. She saw him and smiled. He nearly died.
"Hi. I'm Ensign Tempest." She stuck out her hand. Barclay shook it. "Who are you?"
"Li…Lieutenant B-Barclay."
"Nice to meet you. You can call me June, 'cause it looks like," she paused and scanned the room, "Yep, it looks like you're the only one on my level. I am to understand that you have never danced in your life?"
"Well…um, I danced with my mom when I was little…well…um, no I guess that doesn't count. No, I haven't."
She giggled. "Hey, it's a start. Now, I'm going to start you off with a simple boxstep. I want you to mirror my movements, ok?"
"Alright."
She stepped back with her right leg, then brought her legs together again. Barclay stepped forward with his left. She stepped to his right with her left leg, then the right leg joined it. Barclay followed with his right. She stepped forward with her right leg. He followed with his right.
"Left, Mr. Barclay."
"Yes, sorry."
She smiled. "It's ok."
He switched his legs. She stepped to his left with her right leg. Barclay followed suit with his left.
"See? Always use your outside leg. Now you try without me."
Barclay backed up a bit, then stepped forward with his outside leg, sideways with his outside leg, back with his inside leg, and back to his starting point with his outside leg. June corrected him and made him do it over and over again until he could do it without looking at his feet.
"Good! Now I want you to do it with me. Come here. Now, place your left hand in mine and your right on my waist."
"On your waist?"
"Yes. Come on, Barclay. Don't be shy!" She smiled encouragingly.
He did as she said. She placed her left hand on his shoulder. "I'll count us off. We'll go slow, allright?"
He nodded. "One, two, three, go, two, three."
They did the boxstep several times. Barclay finally stopped glancing at his shoes and looked into her beautiful eyes.
"That's right. Look into my eyes, not your feet, Barclay. Good!"
He made a few mistakes, but June was a good teacher. She covered for him if he got it wrong and praised him when he was right.
Finally the two hours were almost over. Barclay couldn't believe it. Dancing with June was so much fun!
Styles called for everyone's attention and dismissed the class. They would meet again the day after tomorrow.
Dr. Crusher had stolen glances over at Barclay and Tempest. They looked good together: a shy, lonely, but tall and buff diagnostics engineer with a shorter, friendly little ball of energy from the science labs. She walked over to them.
"From what I could tell in my few glances over here, you guys looked great together."
"Barclay is a good student. He never argues and listens to whatever I say," said June, and she and Crusher laughed. Barclay smiled shyly. "But really," said June in a more serious voice, "you did good today. I'll make a ballroom dancer out of you yet!"
Crusher said her farewells and left the studio. Most everyone was gone back to duty. Barclay turned back to June and opened his mouth. "Uh…was I really that good?"
"Yes. It takes a lot of concentration to dance. You did great for a beginner."
"Thanks."
June grabbed her bag. "I'm heading back to my quarters to take a shower. Walk with me?"
Barclay stuttered out an affirmative. They left.
He struck up his courage. "June, since I call you that…would you…would it be too much…if you would call me Reg?"
"Not at all, Reg. I like that name. Is it short for something?"
"Yes, it is. Short for Reginald, I mean."
She gasped, smiling. "That's a great name! It's so…noble-sounding, isn't it?"
"I guess so. I never really liked it that much. But I like it better than Endicott."
"Endicott?"
"My middle name."
"Who named you?"
"I was named after my father. Reginald Endicott Barclay III, that's me."
She laughed. "That's wonderful! I love it. I really do!"
"You're not just saying that, are you?"
She turned to look at him. "No. Reginald Barclay is a wonderful-sounding name. Has a ring to it. But I'll call you Reg from now on."
He noticed he was stuttering less around her. Perhaps it was her bubbly personality that put him at ease. Before he knew it, they were standing before her door. She turned to him.
"Well, I don't know about you, but you were a joy to teach. I expect you there the day after tomorrow, same time, same place. See you there?"
"Actually, I was wondering…are you, maybe, doing anything tomorrow? I thought that we could, you know…um…talk and have a drink or, um, if you don't want to, I can understand, I mean-"
She put her hand up to stop him. Then she smiled. "That sounds great! What time? I get off duty at 1500, do you meet in Ten Forward after that, like around 1530?"
"Sure, if you like."
"It's a date, Reg. I look forward to it. See you then."
She smiled and waved as she entered her quarters. Reg headed off to get ready for duty. As he walked, he pondered June.
She made him nervous, and yet she managed to make him more comfortable. He hardly stuttered when he talked to her, except when he was asking her on a date or meeting or whatever you want to call it. She was a great listener and an exceptional dance teacher. She was the most gorgeous creature he had ever laid eyes upon. She made him feel tingly and jumpy.
Barclay knew what was going on.
He was in love.
