Rena and S'tera talk it over

Posted on Sat Sep 2nd, 2023 @ 7:27pm by Lieutenant S'Tera & Lieutenant Rowena "Rena" Campbell

1,859 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: First Contact
Location: Rena's home
Timeline: pre-launch

S'tera had to talk to Rena tonight. This whole join starfleet thing had thrown her for a loop. It was tempting but she had to know if Rena was coming along as well. She ah arranged to meet Rena at her place so they could talk in private. She rang the buzzer.

Rena opened the door quickly. "HI, come in," she said. She stepped aside to let the Caitian in. "You wanted to talk. Do you want something to eat or drink?" She was always going to caretake people-she was a counselor, it's what she did. No matter who it was. "Sit down. I have to tell you something, too."

"Yes please! Something to calm my nerves." she said as she came in. "Some things are going down, things I need to make you aware of. You may already be but I wanted to speak with you about it." she sat down. "I care for you Rena. A lot and I like being in a relationship with you."

Rena went to the replicator after she shut the door and got two teas. Two Uttaberry teas-a Betazed tea. She brought it to the couch for S'Tera.

"Me, too. Even though I am still...nervous. I like it." She said. "Do you want to go first, or should I?" She wanted to just blurt it out, but it's rude to do that.

S'tera sipped her tea. This stuff was really good. "Why don't you go first Rena." She suspected that Rena may have he same news she had but maybe not.

"Ok...well. The Captain came to me earlier today. They're reassigning him. To a starship. He's asked me to come along, and...I said yes. That I would. Still as Chief Counselor," she said. "BUT...I can still tell him no. They have plenty of time to find someone." She sighed. "I just...I don't want to leave YOU behind but...it's a good opportunity and I think...maybe you COULD come along as...my family. I don't know how that would work...." She trailed off.

S'tera breathed a sigh of relief. "That's more or less what I was going to tell you. I have been offered a position in Starfleet. Chief science office. I'd be a full Lt and be able to kind of commute back and forth using a remote drone that , well it's one of those where it's just like being there. I had to tell him I would think about it because I didn't want to leave you behind. Not when were just starting to get to know each other! You meant too much to me!"

Rena let out a breath. Thank goodness! It was going to work out. "Did you say yes?" She asked. "I know...it's a big step to join the Fleet. There's rules and stuff, but it's a fantastic opportunity! Either way, we'll be together, I guess!!" She smiled. "Me, too!! Oh, I thought it was going to be bad news!" She was really worried for a bit. "Oh, Chief Science Officer?! Fancy. Pretty soon, you'll outrank ME," she joked. She leaned over and kissed S'Tera's cheek.

S'tera blushed at the kiss. "I haven't said yes yet bot yeah it's not what I planned but life can throw curves at you. Now that know we can be together, I'll tell him tomorrow. Maybe i'm crazy but I think this is a great opportunity for me! Heck for us! I think this is the start of a great adventure."

"I am glad it worked out!"

"Me too!" she looked longingly into Rena's eyes! "I wouldn't do this if you weren't coming along too!"

Rena smiled. "Me, too. I told him that....I saw the Captain this morning for a quick session. I've been worried about him but he seems ok. Anyway. I told him that if we couldn't figure out how to make it so both of us could come along, that he needed to find a new Chief Counselor and I'd stay here or go back to HQ or something," she said. "I just...I want it work out between us." She said. She had finally learned to calm down around S'Tera and it was going well. "But...life on a Starship is going to be different than here. It's MUCH closer living...we won't have the same privacy and liberties that we do here. Which will be both good and bad. So just make sure you're absolutely certain," she said.

"Yes it will be an adjustment, that's for sure. Still, I think it's the right move. I think this is a tremendous opportunity. I admit, I'm nervous about it! However if you're there then it will help a lot. I think I'm as certain as I can be at this time!"

Rena smiled. "Good! Let's have some dinner. We can talk some more. What do you want?" She asked. "I am staying on as Chief Counselor," she said, "But I'll likely gain more staff-it is different than a base-more combat-type situations and we'll need at least one more person," she said.

"At least one more person! It is much different I would imagine! As for dinner, fish sounds real good tonight!"

Rena nodded. "Me, too!!" She crossed to the replicator and ordered two fish dinners-salmon and potatoes. She gave one to S'tera. "You will enjoy it, I know!"

"Thank you my dear!" She took a bite. "MMm!" she nodded. "This is good! real good honey! Hits the spot alright!" She took a sip of her iced tea. "I admit, still nervous about it, but if it means that I can be with you, I think it'll be a good thing!"

Rena smiled. "You're welcome!" She took a bite, and smiled again. It was good! "It will be great. I am sure you're nervous, but Culver wouldn't have asked-and the Fleet wouldn't have APPROVED it-if he felt like you couldn't handle it," she said.

S'tera had to smile at that. "Thanks my dear! I suppose your right. Just, going from civilian to starfleet is a big step, but I think this could be the right step for me. It sounds like it could be a great way to get my doctorate done."

Rena smiled. "Absolutely. And I am sure that Max will ensure that you get plenty of time to study and write your papers," she said. "And so will I," she said. She ate a bit more. "I am going to be seeing the new XO more frequently. Did you know that Starfleet can FORCE you into therapy?! Anyway, I can't say much, but that will be a lot. What I am saying is, we'll both have to help each other out for awhile."

"Well, not surprised that they can do that! They need their officers healthy, mentally and physically. Well I am very happy to support you Rena! You need me ,let me know. I will be there for you!"

Rena nodded. "I know. I believe that," she said. "I really do. I just...I think sometimes that FORCING someone into something that they don't want to do doesn't always work. She needs HELP but she needs to also WANT it and be open to it. I'll do my best, but....I am not sure."

"I know honey! I know it's hard to help someone if they don't want to be helped, however sometimes that's the only way to get started! Ultimately it's up to her! Shape up or get kicked out!"

Rena nodded. "Exactly!! I just hope I can help her," Rena said. "Her problems go back a LONG time and I think that she might need more intensive work than I am equipped for, and I don't think Max would be thrilled with me if I suggested pulling her into the Sickbay for a few days for medication and a deep reading," Rena said. "Thought it'd e the most ideal. I guess I'll have to do both, just more slow than I'd like." She said.

"Well, Max may not have a say in it especially if she's being ordered into it. I would think that makes it a priority and you as her councilor have the final say with how to treat her! It sounds like she really needs help badly and you are the one to help her. I doubt this will be a simple case. My guess is she has a lot of problems and it's going to take a while."

Rena nodded. "That's exactly it. Anyway. It won't happen until after the launch-just simply due to time constraints, but I really think she needs to be seen ASAP, BEFORE. I just hope that nothing terrible happens between then and now," she said. Rena had read Vila's files-the woman was hiding a pretty serious drinking problem, amongst other things.

S'tera nodded. "Well if anyone can get through to her, it's you Rena. Still it concerns me that she is the XO. If she has to be ordered into therapy, what does that say about her ability to command? Probably not an immediate danger but not sure I want her running things. Not sure I can trust her judgement. I guess time will tell!"

Rena smiled lightly. "People can be good leaders and still have personal issues. She seems to be able to separate the two. Still, I understand. I have read her file-her life wasn't easy. She lived through the Occupation of Bajor and other things. I think that she just needs to know that it's OK now and she's safe and fine." Rena said. "Trust me, the Captain has already said that if I feel that she is unable to do her job, I am to tell him right away, and I will. Max and I work well together." She would report her concerns immediately if she felt it was necessary. "Honestly, I am surprised that alcohol is the only thing she relies on to get through. If she had come out of that without ANY problems, that would be a BIG red flag," she said. "It shows she can feel things. She just doesn't go about it in a healthy way. Does that make sense?" She smiled again.

"Yeah guess it does. I can't imagine living through that! Most of us have had a pretty normal life compared to that! Still, if she can overcome her problems, well more power to her. I wish her the best! I hope she does. Honestly I wouldn't wish that kind of life on anyone! Well I will leave it in you capable and lovely hands. If anybody can straighten her out, you can! IN the meanwhile, let's enjoy the evening with each others company." she leaned over and kissed Rena.

Rena smiled and kissed her back. "It will all work out! It has to!" She said. She was always the optimist, even when things were bad. She had to be. She had to keep the hope that it would all be worth it in the end.

"I think so too darling! I think so too! We must think positive! I know it will work out!""

 

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