A Shrink and a Scientist Walk Into a room...

Posted on Sun Mar 26th, 2023 @ 10:58pm by Lieutenant Rowena "Rena" Campbell & Lieutenant S'Tera

1,568 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Short Treks
Location: Rena's Office/Medical
Timeline: Backdated post, evening time

ON:
Rena sat and waited for the Caitian to come meet her; she was the final appointment of her day, and then Rena could go home, eat her dinner, and get some sleep. She really needed to get out more but...well. No one ever INVITED her anywhere and it seemed odd to just invite herself along on the others' adventures. She replicated herself a cup of Jumja tea. The Bajoran tea was both sweet and spicy, and she liked it a lot. It didn't need anything else, it was that good! When S'tera would arrive, she would offer the woman something to drink, as well.

S'tera walked into the room. She liked Rena and was always happy to meet with her. Her tail flicked back and forth, "Hiya rena! How are you?" she asked the woman.

"Good afternoon!! I am well, thanks. Feel free to sit wherever is comfortable." Rena had forgotten to account for a tail. Whoops. "Can I get you something to drink or eat? Our meeting today won't be long; it's just your annual review, unless you have more you'd like to discuss. I am always here to talk to the crew, wether for mental health reasons or just for chitchat." She smiled.

S'tera fond a seat that was comfortable and sat down , tail and all. "Hot chocolate is always good, thanks. So, what have you been up to?" She watched as Rena walked to the replicator. Very nice view.

She nodded, and got one hot chocolate, and one hot tea. She returned with the drinks, and handed S'tera hers. "Oh, I am trying to wrap up all the senior staff mental health "fitness for duty" exams, which is why we're here today, isn't it?" She smiled. She was usually the one asking that. "How are YOU today??" S'tera was definitely a more calm person; between her and Rena, they were a good contrast to Max and Vi, and even Evelyn. "Are you finding your time here to be fulfilling?"

"Oh, I would say being with you can be very fulfilling dear Rena." She said with a twinkle in her eyes and a flick of her tail.

Rena was picking up...something. She couldn't quite place the feeling, though. "I am glad you're liking it. How are your interactions with the rest of the crew so far? Everyone friendly?" She meant the Captain and XO, specifically, but really everyone.

"Well, Max is ok most of the time. Xo seems ok. Haven't really interacted with him much. Aurora is great! I feel like we're best friends. Most of the crew are great people. They seem friendly. I am a friendly type myself. Especially with Ladies I find attractive." S'tera said.

Rena just nodded, but smiled. "Great. I am glad you're finding your time here to be good. How are you adjusting down in the labs? I don't know much about what you do; the Captain keeps me busy here in Medical." She hadn't gotten much time to walk around and observe the others. "You're a marine biologist, correct?? Do you study animals specifically?"

"Yes I am a marine biologist and yes I study animals. I love my work and this is a great place to work. Such diversity. It's wonderful." S'tera responded.

Rena nodded and smiled. "That sounds pretty interesting!!" It was kind of ironic, though, wasn't it? A Caitian studying sea life? She shook her head. "Alright, I have some questions I am required to ask by Starfleet. Do you feel generally happy and safe here?"

"Happy, yes. certainly. Safe, I would say relatively. It can be dangerous work. WE do our best to take all the right precautions so I'd say for the most part yes, we are safe."

Rena nodded. "I meant more like do you feel safe from danger from your crew? Or yourself? But!! It's good to know!!" She sipped her tea and continued.

"Do you find the Captain to be generally friendly? Does he believe in your abilities and the work you do?" She asked.

"Oh the rest of the crew is good. I don;t feel unsafe around any that I have met. Good people. As for being a danger to myself, no. I am fine in that respect. I am enjoying my life! It's a nice place! I have grown fond of one crew member especially as she is so very cute!" S'tera says.

Rena's face lit up at the news. "Oh!! That's so great! Everyone is falling in love here. It's almost magical. Do you want to tell me a bit more? You don't have to!! I only have a few more questions anyway. Then we'll be done, and you can go make moon eyes at your lady friend." Damn, what did the Romulans PUT in the water here? Love Potion #9?

Rena didn't seem to be getting it. "Well Rena, the thing is, I don;t have to go anywhere. The one I think is so cute, is you my dear!"

Rena nearly dropped her PADD. The normally unflustered woman blurted out the only thing that came to her mind. "Why?" She shook her head. "I mean...Wow. I am very flattered. Thank you. We should...um, talk about that more, but maybe not at a session. At dinner. Or something." She blushed, but recovered. That'll teach her to ask too many questions!

"Yes, dinner. Most definitely!" Now s'tera had the 'cat that ate the canary' look as she smiled at rena.

Rena smiled but nodded, nervously.

"Ok, well, moving on...Um...." crap, what was her next question? "Do you have a family history of medical or mental health disorders?" She felt like her soul had left her body and she was floating overhead. She didn't know if she necessarily believed in the Daughter of the 10th house, but if she WAS real, send her some damn strength to get through the last few minutes she had without panicking.

"That would be a no. Not that I'm aware of anyway. We're a pretty stable bunch! not in the last few generations anyway. we try to keep in good health. I assume you mean major medical disorders."

Rena nodded. "Yes, I did. That's great!!" Was it too rude to kick her out right now so that Rena could contact her mentor? Even Counselors needed counseling sometimes, after all. "Ok. What do you do to relieve stress?" She read the question off her PADD, grateful that they were prerecorded. Usually, she rephrased them so she didn't sound too stiff, but her brain wasn't working properly.

'Yes stress. This job can be stressful. I've found the physical exercise helps. My father taught me martial arts since I was little. When I am stressed, I generally find meditation and practicing my martial arts training helps me de-stress."

Rena nodded. "That's fantastic. Do you drink to excess or use illegal substances?" She didn't know of any but it was a required question. Someone at HQ was still living in the 2100's, obviously. "Also. What are your goals for the new mission?" She asked.

"No on both counts. I don't drink much and never use illegal substances. As for my Goals, well my long term goal is to get my Doctorate in marine Biology! This is just another step along the way. To study the marine life and their habits and learn what I can from them."

She nodded. "That is great. Excellent coping skills, then." She paused a moment to make a mark on her PADD before continuing. "That's so cool!! Is the whole planet full of water??" She realized she had no idea.

"I would say mostly Water. there is a good bit of land though. It's a nice planet. I like it here. The people are pretty cool. Aurora is great! I love working with her. She's very nice. I consider her a good friend."

Rena nodded, having, by now, mostly recovered from her earlier shock. "Great!! I am glad. I haven't spent that much time with her, but the time I have spent with her proves she's very nice indeed, and very good at her job but maybe a little too....wet behind the ears. It's hard to maintain an innocence out here, but she has managed." Rena noted.

S'tera chuckled. "Yep! That's Aurora alright! Sweet but smart."

"Do you have anything else you'd like for me to know before I pass on to the Captain that you are, indeed, fit for duty?"

"Oh I'm fit for duty and a whole lot more. Just let em know when you want to go to dinner and I promise you will have a good time!" S'tera.

Rena nodded. "I would agree. Let me pass this on to the Captain. We can do that dinner thing in..." she glanced at the clock on her computer, "an hour, if that works for you?" She'd need to finish a few things but it was no problem. "You're welcome to wait here or I can...meet you somewhere."

"Alright. Why don't I meet you at" she named a nice restaurant she knew on the station. "It will give me a chance to change into something much nicer." She said as her tail flicked back and forth excitedly. Her first date with Rena. This was so exciting for her.

Rena smiled and nodded. "Sounds perfect." She would hurry through her paperwork, and get changed.

:OFF

 

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