The Counsellor is In

Posted on Tue Sep 8th, 2020 @ 6:15pm by Commander Samantha Howard & Commander Jonathan Grayson & Lieutenant Commander Estella Stratton
Edited on on Tue Sep 8th, 2020 @ 6:15pm

Mission: Tal Shiar
Location: Sickbay

Jon nodded at Sam’s well meaning words. “I’m glad some of them died. I just with Strith was one of them.” He admitted “And I make no apology for feeling this way. What they did to us was terrible on so many levels Sam and I thank you for your confidence in me. Rest assured my confidence in you has never wavered.”

“ I appreciate that” Sam replied, glad that they were talking about the difficult things. There would come a time when it wouldn’t be a struggle to talk about their experience. It was important that they did though.

“ Straith can go rot in hell, the double crossing son of a small canine” Sam spat “And Mr Labcoat can go join him. I should never have made that vaccine”

“Sam, you did what you had to.” Jon pointed out. “You're a wonderful person, full of integrity. Unfortunately you/we were dealing with double crossing deceitful bastards. I wish I could castrate them both for how they treated you.” He said hotly.

“ Castrate them? That’d be interesting to watch” She couldn’t help but giggle, it lightened the mood just a tad “ They’re both dead, well at least I think they are, they got their just deserts. Romulans I guess will always be romulans, double crossing and scheming. The Tal Shiar are the worst - sadly we found out the hard way”

“I’d sell tickets if I could.” Jon admitted. “I hope they are both dead. It serves them right and yes you are right Romulans will always be Romulans read that as untrustworthy bastards and yes we found out the hard way. But hopefully we learned from their deceitfulness not to be so trusting.”

“ We knew going in it was probably going to be a trap, it’s still our duty to go in through. If that virus had gotten out it could have been horrific” Sam’s mood sombered a little.

“Sam. I know, I know. Doesn’t make what happened any easier to accept or deal with.” Jon retorted. “We saved the galaxy. Yay us. Like they care or even know.” he found a bench and sat down, enjoying the view of the still lake and the surrounding trees.

“ Would it make it any less of a victory for the Federation if they all did know?” She challenged gently, settling down beside him. The lake was serene - too bad her mind wasn’t.

“No, of course not.” He agreed and grew quiet like her, his mind racing out of control and he was just hanging on. They had been humiliated, treated like slaves or worse.

“ I guess the other way of looking at it - what’s done and done, move on” She shrugged her shoulders at the concept “I don’t think I’m there on that one yet, too angry”

“Angry? I know I am and as much as I want Essie to help, I don’t want my anger to spill over to her. “Yes, it’s done but it isn’t over with not yet is it Sam?”

“ No it’s not” Sam admitted, struggling with her emotions. She hated being like this. She lived to be in control, that’s why she took up medicine - to be in control. This rattled her more than she cared to admit to anyone.

“So we need to take back control, I’m not sure how.” Jon told her. “Talking to you helps greatly. You were there, you know, you went through as well. I don’t like how I feel, unsure, edgy. Doubting myself, my abilities.”

“ I have no doubt in your abilities, you’re still one of the best Starfleet Officers I know. No Romulan can ever take that away from you” The words were truthful and full of respect.

A grateful smile appeared on Jon’s face. “Thank you Sam. I think you are a fantastic doctor and an even better friend.” His words like her were true and full of respect. He had never known just how good a doctor Sam was or friend until this mission but he knew now and he regretted the time lost.

“Dr Howard and Commander Grayson - please report to sickbay” The voice of Dr Perrim echoed through the holodeck, causing Sam’s face to drop. She didn’t want to go back there just yet, but if she was requested, she had to go. “ Shall we?” She asked Jon, and rose from the chair.

“Do we have to?” Jon protested meekly knowing they did. “I was just getting relaxed. Your 2IC has lousy timing. I’m definitely promoting him to Chief Bedpan Officer.” As he rose from the table to join Sam in the trek back to Sickbay.


Estella was slow to enter sickbay as she wasn’t sure what to expect.When Sam had extended the invitation she’d accepted, though the counselor sensed there would be something more than the general context. Which had been a bit vague, even for the good doctor. However, as she’d had to initiate full quarantine protocol, there was no doubt that there’d be certain risks. With the physical often came the mental.

The Tal Shiar being the experts that they were in the art of torture, there was no doubt in her mind that there would be some unease.Not that she’d let that stop her. If she was needed, well, she’d find a way. Though she wasn’t sure how yet to broach the subject of the events that had taken place on that away mission. While she had an idea of one she might take, she wasn’t sure. And there was another she could use too, that one though, she wanted to avoid if possible.



Sam entered sickbay, with Jon only a step behind her. She looked around for Dr Perrim and found him in her office with Estella. The penny dropped.

Jon saw Essie with Perrim. *Crap* He said silently not that he felt guilty or had anything to feel guilty over he just didn’t want to talk to Essie in Sickbay about the previous mission.

“ You rang?” Sam couldn’t help the slight mocking tone as she leant against the door of her office, announcing their presence.

Jon stood behind Sam and just silently waited to see what happened next. *Yep. Definitely promoting him to Chief Bedpan Officer.* He promised himself.

“Only to advise you that the counsellor was here to see you, your checkup this morning showed you are both recovering well, I will hand your care over to Estella, I believe she will be… busy” He excused himself and beat a hasty retreat from Jon’s gaze.

“Well, Essie’s here to see you Sam.” Jon bluffed as he began to back out the door. Just maybe he could get out of here without having to discuss the mission and his failure.

“ Me? You get your ass back in here soldier” Sam snapped, not wanting Jon to escape having to deal with the aftermath.

“Can’t hear you.” Jon replied with a smile as he inched closer to escaping the dreaded talk with Essie especially with Sam there as well.

tbc