Who Counsels the Counselor?

[A Davis 0]

Who Counsels the Counselor?

A joint log with Amanda, Captain Chirakis, and special guest Schawnsee

 

As soon as Captain Chirakis entered sick bay, Amanda's heart jumped. She'd not seen the captain since the return of Aegean and Revenge. Of course Amanda was thankful that they had returned, but the mere presence of Captain Chirakis had always turned her into what she called 'a blithering idiot' and despite all her psychological training, Amanda knew not why.

 

So she had come to Dr. Schawnsee. Dear, dear Sandy, who shared her tea, who loved her scones, and in whom she knew she could confide at any time.

 

Dr Schawnsee felt a bit odd being the sounding board for the counselor but in her medical training she did have a bit of it in her background. All she had to do now was remember her P's and Q's as to what to say and not to say and WHEN to say it.

 

"I know what you mean by needing someone to talk to. Even we, as doctors, need someone else to do our exams, as you noticed. I'm surprised that the captain makes you so nervous. If you think about it, you and I are actually over her, as it's up to us if she remains on duty or not. If we say she's unfit, either medically or mentally, she has to step back. That should give you a bit of a relief, doesn't it?"

 

Amanda gave a small sigh. "Actually, no, it doesn't give me much relief," she said, her hands beginning to gesture as though she were struggling for words. "You see, she doesn't intimidate me in that way. Even with all my experience I've never quite come across someone like her and I can't put my finger on what it is exactly. I've worked with intelligence officers, with Bajorans, with refugees, with staunch warriors, but somehow... she's just different."

 

Schawnsee thought for a moment. "Can you give me an example? I mean in what way does she make you feel odd?"

 

"Well, to begin with she says little. I ask her a complicated question and she says, 'yes,' or 'no' - nothing else. Then she stares, like a tiger about to pounce. Frankly, I cannot read it and it's quite frightening." She stared at the floor a moment, then met Schawnsee's gaze. "Sandy, am I making too much of what should be a little thing?"

 

Schawnsee sat on the edge of her desk looking at her colleague's face and the worried expression on it. "I wouldn't say it's nothing. What I'm worried about is you."

 

Amanda pursed her lips and nodded. "I'm listening," she said with a sigh.

 

"Have you pulled her aside and spoken to her about any of this? I mean brought it up to her on how you feel about the situation and that it affects how you do your job?"

 

Amanda recoiled. "Oh, goodness gracious, no," she said, aghast, her Welsh accent thickening. "Ere ya tellin' me that perhaps I should?"

 

"If I remember my training correctly, you should face your troubles in the eye. I mean I would not say it as if it was coming from you but as if it was coming from a crewman. And you're worried about it." Sandy said as she gave a reassuring smile to her friend.

 

"Oh, my," Amanda replied after a minute, "of course I know you're right. And if the tables were turned I would say the same to you. It's just... oh dear... I'll have to find the right time of course, compose myself, and... well... just do it, won't I."

 

Sandy stood from the corner of her desk and walked over to Amanda and placed a hand on her shoulder. "That would be my suggestion. Like I said tell her as if it's a problem coming from another crewman and with doctor / patient confidentiality, she shouldn't bother with asking you whom it would be. If she does then just let her know you can't disclose who it is. If she doesn't understand that then she has other issues."

 

* * * * *

 

Several hours of pep-talking herself later, Amanda actually found herself in the turbolift on her way to the control tower, wondering if she'd gone daft to even think of such a thing. And yet, she couldn't deny that Dr. Schawnsee was correct: face your fears square on to overcome them. As the lift doors opened, Amanda steeled herself like a warrior ready for battle and stepped out.

 

"Well, hello, Dr. Davis," Lt Fischer called jauntily from his position at the operations console. "What brings you up here?"

 

Amanda liked Fischer. He always seemed jolly and welcoming. It relaxed her, if even a little bit. Usually. This time it just seemed to rub salt into the wound that hadn't even been inflicted yet.

 

"Hello, Lieutenant," she replied as she approached the console. "I'm here to see the captain. Is she... available?" She choked down a squeak.

 

"She sure is. I'll ring you in." A few taps on his console and he waved a hand toward the captain's office. "She'll meet you at the door. Enjoy." And he was back to work without missing a lick.

 

Enjoy? Oh, my....

 

Amanda straightened her skirt, assumed as professional a posture as she could, rehearsed the speech she had prepared for the umpteenth time, and fairly strode toward the door as it opened.

 

And there she stood. Captain Chirakis. Tall, imposing, and... smiling?

 

"Come in, Doctor. I've something to discuss with you," she said before looking to Fischer. "We're not to be disturbed, Lieutenant. Keep us safe."

 

"Sure thing, Cap'n," he shot back as the door closed.

 

And locked.

 

Amanda's heart nearly stopped and her feet froze as a cold chill went down her spine.

 

"Please, Doctor Davis. Come in, come in," the captain waved a hand that could hardly be ignored. It motioned Amanda into a grouping of easy chairs facing out of an alcove with a glorious view of the entire quadrant - or so it seemed to Amanda.

 

"Oh, thank you, Captain," Amanda managed. Placing one foot before the other, she walked with as much composure as she could, then settled into a chair well away from the captain.

 

Off to the side sat a buffet table that looked like it had been there in more gentile times, its graceful Queen Anne feet somewhat incongruous against the modern carpeting. Captain Chirakis stood with her back to Amanda and seemed to be bothering over something. Try as she might, Amanda could not see what it was, but the scene felt strangely familiar.

 

"You had something to discuss with me, Captain?"

 

"Yes, Doctor," said the captain, still fiddling with her back to Amanda. "Not exactly discuss, but I need your opinion. We received a shipment not long ago and the manifest listed something I believe you are familiar with?"

 

"A shipment? A shipment of what, Captain?"

 

"Tea, Doctor." The captain turned to face her. "A shipment of tea. Darjeeling, to be precise. It comes from earth. West Bengal, India, to be precise. I understand you are somewhat of a connoisseur."

 

Amanda was speechless. She fought to keep her mouth from dropping open.

 

After a moment, the captain's expression became concerned. "You do drink tea, do you not?"

 

"Oh. Yes. I do drink tea, Captain. It's just that I thought... I didn't realize... didn't know you..."

 

"...that I drink tea as well?" The captain gave a slight chuckle and Amanda blushed, feeling quite foolish.

 

"What is the Terran expression? 'Tea is drunk to forget the din of the world?' - or in this case the universe. I drink tea quite often to bring myself away from reality, Doctor. A habit cultivated during my association with certain diplomats. This tea, however, is one I've not tried before so I do need your expertise."

 

At that the captain poured a cup, then proceeded to fix it to Amanda's exact taste: one lump and a drip of milk. She gave it a stir, and handed it to Amanda.

 

"It's supposed to be the finest oolong. If you would do me the honor, I would like your opinion."

 

Honor? Opinion? Amanda stared for a moment, then took a sip as the captain settled herself in an easy chair opposite.

 

"Scone or shortbread?"

 

Amanda nearly spilled her tea. "B-beg your pardon?"

 

"Would you like a scone? Or shortbread?" Captain Chirakis repeated, bemused.

 

"Oh. Shortbread, please," she said, and at the press of a button a silver plate, on which sat several petticoats of shortbread, emerged from beneath the coffee table.

 

This scene continued for about an hour, she and the captain exchanging thoughts on the production of tea in China and India versus the various varieties that come from other planets. So the reader will not become as totally bored as Amanda was startled, suffice to say that Amanda left with an entirely different idea of the nature of the beast and quite satisfied that the shipment did contain some of the finest fresh oolong she'd ever had.

 

When the door to the medical suite opened, there stood Dr. Schawnsee, as though she had been awaiting her return.

 

Sandy looked up at the returning Dr Davis. She smiled at the face walking through the door. "Well? did you have that chat we talked about a bit ago? I see a smile on that face, something good happen?"

 

"Yes," said Amanda, looking quite bewildered. "We had tea."

Edited December 28, 2012 by A Davis