Problem Patient

Posted on Tue Oct 13th, 2020 @ 7:40pm by Lieutenant Rohan Read & Lieutenant JG Kara Quinn-Chaim

1,009 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Mission 3: Diplomacy, what’s that?
Location: Read’s Quarters

Kara was sitting in her office looking over some PADDs, she was officially still on maternity leave but she wanted to catch up and not get too far behind. She frowned as she picked up a PADD containing a psych evaluation of a new crew member. It seemed she was going to need to speak to the officer involved as soon as possible. She tapped her comm badge. =/\= Quinn-Chaim to Read, please report to my office. =/\=

Read frowned when he heard the summons. ”Lieutenant Read here. Who are you and where are you based?” He asked, his tone was curious.

"Lieutenant, my Name is Kara Quinn-Chaim and I'm the Chief Counsellor of this station." She paused to let the fact sink in. "Please report to my office at your earliest convenience, I need to see you."

Read rolled his eyes but was able to keep the groan from leaving his lips. Doctor Silik had obviously been in touch with Faltan’s counselling team about his background. ”Understood. Am I right in thinking that your based interest the medical hub?”

“That’s correct” Kara responded. “My Office is on Deck 4. If you have any trouble finding me the computer can direct you. I’ll see you when you get here.”

”Understood, ma’am. I’ll be there shortly.” Read replied before cutting the comm.

---

Rohan had underestimated how big the Station was. It had taken him a good ten minutes to get to the medical hub and that was at a brisk pace. He decided to take the turbolift rather than the stairs, he generally preferred the stairs to keep his fitness up but he also needed the energy to continue his day.

He finally approached the Lieutenant’s office door and pressed the door chime.

“Come in” Kara looked towards the door as it opened. “Lieutenant please come in” She smiled politely. “Feel free to use the replicator if you would like, and take a seat.”

Read gave the Lieutenant a quick nod before simply taking a seat. “Am I right in assuming that you’ll be taking over my mental well-being while assigned here?”

“You are indeed” Kara nodded. “That’s why I called you here. Your file just came across my desk and I thought it best to call you straight here.”

“I know my file is pretty intense but I’m honestly fine. If I need help I’ll ask for it.” Rohan replied.

“You’d definitely be the first to do so” Kara offered a smile. “Most people tend to avoid visiting the Counsellor in preference to sorting things themselves.”

It was true, he was lying to get out of talking with the Counselor. He yanked at his collar, “Alright, that’s probably a lie. But I just don’t want to talk about what I’ve seen...what I’ve done. I want to leave it exactly where it is and just move forward with my life.”

“That’s good but it’s not a good thing to try and hide away from your past, in time it will come back to haunt you.” Kara offered an understanding smile. “I’m not here to judge you or anything just to listen and do what I can to help you.”

’Who says it hasn’t already come back to haunt me?’ Rohan thought to himself. “I know, I’ve heard it a thousand times before from previous Counselor’s but there’s a reason why it says ‘won’t open up’ in that file of yours. I honestly, don’t want to scare you with the things I’ve seen and done in my career.”

"You're not going to scare me" Kara offered a smile. "If you don't want to open up that's your decision but if you're willing to give it a try I'll listen and I won't judge you that's a promise "

Rohan considered for words for a moment. He really did want to get what was on his chest, off and out in the open but something still held him back. This was a new assignment, one that he wasn’t fond of but he wanted to try and make it work. He didn’t want to be judged by what he’d done to protect his cover during deep undercover work for Starfleet Intelligence. “No,” he began. “I think it needs to stay with me.”

"Lieutenant trust me!" Kara offered an understanding smile. "If not now then later, you can't hide it away forever!"

She was probably right, but he wondered if he was up to the challenge. “I can assure, Counselor, I’m fine.” He simply replied, his tone polite but neutral.

Kara nodded. "Very well. I want to see you on a regular basis for a while. I think we'll start at every two weeks."

Read let out an audible sigh, “Is that really necessary?”

"It is indeed" Kara nodded. "Unless you'd prefer to be off duty instead."

Read had been threatened with suspension from duty many times since he’d returned from the Orion prison. His work was his life, although he couldn’t do field work any more he still wanted to play his part. He just didn’t want to wear the uncomfortable uniform. “Fine, two weeks it is.” He finally said.

“Excellent” Kara smiled warmly. “In that case I’ll sign you off for work and let you get on with your duties.”

Rohan hated this type of ball and chain being attached to him, the threat of it being taken away if he didn’t conform. “Thank you, Lieutenant. I’m guessing you’ll let me know when my next appointment will be?”

Kara nodded. “I’ll send you a reminder nearer the time.”

"Thank you." Rohan replied. "May I be dismissed?"

Kara nodded. “By all means.”

"Thank you.' Read said as he stood up, he quickly adjusted his uniform, including a quick yank at his collar before he made his exit.

 

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