Back Post: Walkabout - Medical and Counseling

Posted on Tue Jan 23rd, 2024 @ 2:34pm by Lieutenant JG René Rouen & Ensign Sabine Rouen & Commander Naois Mercy MD & Lieutenant JG Toareth Rouen (née Darqa)

4,535 words; about a 23 minute read

Mission: Prelude: Getting Ready to Depart
Location: Medical Deck
Timeline: MD5, 0900-1000 hours

Sabine was in the outer office of the counseling division preparing the days scheduled appointments for Doctors Mercy when a pair of names scrolled passed her screen. She tapped her screen and did a double take. The computer had logged the boarding of new officers and crew and assigned initial in-processing interviews and physicals. She hadn't expected to see two names on the list. She rose from her desk and walked over to the Chief Counselor's office and pressed the chime button.

Taking his shift rotation in the counseling office this morning, rather than on the bridge, given his dual function as both XO and current chief counselor, Naois looked up when he heard the chime. Usually, patients with an appointment were informed to simply walk in. His door wouldn't open when in session anyway. "Come," he announced calmly.

Sabine entered the office, nervously tapping her PADD as she did. She looked at Naois with an expression that conveyed her worries. "Sir, I was reviewing the new arrival log to schedule initial assessment appointments and saw two names. I wanted to confirm with you before scheduling them. The first is René Rouen which I believe is my brother."

He studied her for a moment. "You seem concerned," he noted as he gestured for her to take a seat, "and yes, please do schedule them for their boarding assessment. You may want to alert Doctor Elyro as well, they are required a boarding physical as well."

Sabine nodded. "Of course sir." She opened her mouth to speak again, but couldn't find the words to express herself properly. It took her a moment to speak up again. "The other new officer, Toareth Darqa. She is...." Sabine, again, found herself at a loss for words.

"Someone you know?" Naois guessed though he could sense there was more to it. "Sit down," he told her, gesturing once again towards the chair, "you can speak freely in this office. What concerns you?"

Sabine sat down and took a deep breath. She told Naois of how René and Toareth had taken their cadet cruise together and grew close. She spoke of her meeting Toareth when the cruise was completed. How Toareth had come home with René for Christmas. He had been in love with her and the family took her into their home like she was part of the family. Then she disappeared on Christmas Eve.

René had assured everyone that it was due to a special medical research fellowship and that Toareth would return in several months and that they would stay in contact over subspace comms.

Sabine had a sad expression as she told the story. "Toareth never contacted René or sent any of us to relay a message to him. He was devastated and that was what motivated me to enlist in Starfleet. Now I see they are both going to be serving on the Britannic.... I don't know how I should react. Should I find René and warn him?"

He could easily sense her whirlwind of emotions, they were very strong. "He is your brother, the logical approach would be to inform him. However it is also possible that he already knows. Perhaps, you could approach her as well and enquire about her disappearance? She too could have logical reasons for not returning. Deep space assignments can take longer than expected, or perhaps she suffered an injury that prevented her from contacting him? The variables are infinite."

Naois cast her a kind smile as he gestured towards her. "What does your heart tell you to do?"

Sabine gave the question thought. She took a deep breath and released it in a soft sigh. Her courses in psychology had taught her not to project her own biases when evaluating a patient. "Talk to them both, but most importantly, listen to what Toareth has to say." She gave the PADD in her hand a slight waggle and looked at Naois. "Would...you mind if I sat in with you for their initial evaluations? Provided they have no objections."

Slowly, the counselor shook his head. "No. These sessions are confidential, and should not have a spectator. However..." he held up his hand to stall any prospect objections. "However, we could have a kind of, family session? Provided they agree to that. My office would function as a neutral space, of sorts. Is that agreeable?"

Sabine nodded her head as she rose to her feet. "Of course sir. I will schedule the appointments."

ONE HOUR LATER

Barely having her quarters situated and Toareth saw that she was due for an initial psych eval. Sure Starfleet regulations did not require initial psych evals unless it was for personnel going into dangerous or otherwise perilous situations. Never was it mandatory for standard ship personnel. Of course, the writers of the esteemed regulations had to throw in 'or at the commanding officer's discretion.' In this case, it was the captain's discretion that all department heads and their assistants get initial psych evals.

Toareth never had much need for counselors and oftentimes disliked them outright, sometimes to their faces. If this one decided to go entirely into shrink mode, then she was definitely going to have a few choice words with whomever it was. This was an initial psych eval; just a few standard questions, answer adequately then get out. Easy.

After dropping Gabrielle off at Sick Bay to meet the team, or have the team meet her, Toareth set off for the counseling office. She was already rehearsing answers to all the standard questions and did not see this taking more than 10 minutes. She was El-Aurian, a listener, and not one to be doing all the talking and being listened to. 10 minutes was about all Toar felt she could stomach.

She stood outside the door to the Counseling Office. No point chiming away her arrival as they were already expecting her. She stepped forward and the door slid open invitingly.

Sabine was at her work terminal cataloging patient files and looking over what she could of Toareth's recent assignments. Since her disappearance just before the war, everything in her record was redacted or simply not there. Toareth had definitely served, but that was all the information Sabine was able to get from the computer. She wanted to inquired about that when Toareth stepped into the reception/waiting area. She had been thinking about what she was going to say to Toar when she arrived. She stood up from the deck and opened her mouth to speak, but no words emerged. She was finally able to find her voice, but not anything she'd rehearsed in her head. "Good morning Doctor Darqa. I will let Commander Mercy know you're here."

In similar fashion, everything Toareth had rehearsed on her trek over suddenly vanished from her mind as she laid eyes on "Sa...Sabine."

"No need ensign. Please, come in doctor and make yourself comfortable." The counselor stood, but didn't offer his hand in greeting. "I am Doctor Naois Mercy, but in here you can just address me by my first name. How would you prefer to be addressed"

"Um..." she was still in shock over having, not two, but three Rouen's aboard the ship. And Sabine was apparently unaware of one of the Rouens, the younger one. "I...um...Toareth," she finally spoke a coherent word, "or Toar." She finally broke her eyes from Sabine and looked to Naois. "Some like to call me 'Old Girl.' But that comes with time." She looked back to Sabine. "How, uh...how long have...How are you?" It had been just as long since she had last seen Sabine as the last time she saw René.

Sabine wanted to be angry, she just couldn't bring herself to do it. She glanced at Naois for a moment before turning her gaze back to Toar. "I am well. Thank you for asking." She decided it would be best to follow Commander Mercy's advice and hear Toar out before making a judgment. "You should know. Renè has also been assigned to Britannic too."

"Yeah," Toareth started, "I just found out recently. Very recently. We...uh...well," she looked back and forth between Sabine and Naois, "...well there is so much catching up we need to do, but I am sure you did not call me here for that."

Naois watched the exchange before closing the door behind his guest after all, these conversations were confidential. "Please take a seat," he requested as he went to pour them some fragrant (non-citrus) tea. "I understand that you were in for a surprise upon your arrival here," he prompted as he handed her a cup, "I take it you were not informed of their presence upon arrival. How does this make you feel?"

And there it was: 'How does this make you feel?' She took the cup of tea graciously but inwardly, she was immediately thrown back into her desire to not be here. The head counselor wasted no time in getting into shrink mode. All that Toareth had rehearsed earlier came flooding back. That, and the desire to tell him what he wanted to hear so as to get out of this place and be done with this initial session as quickly as possible. With Sabine was separated from them in the previous room, Toareth had better control of her thoughts now that the surprise of Sabine's presence had passed. That, and checking a box; that is all Naois was doing after all. Checking a box indicating that he met with the Britannic's chief counselor. Toareth was all about helping them to check that box and move along.

"Well," Toareth began, "After the Academy, I always felt that Starfleet was something of a home for me. And Starfleet personnel; my family members. The Dominion War put a damper on that for a couple of years and I had been longing to return to my home; to Starfleet. You see, I am El-Aurian and we lost our homeworld to the Borg long ago. So, home is very important to me. Sabine," she pointed back to the lounge, "and her family on Earth welcomed me invitingly into their home and as part of their family." Toareth leaned forward and thought dreamily, "Her brother, René, and I had become acquainted...well...lovers and he saw fit to introduce me to the family. It was all so special. But the Dominion War heated up and duty and obligations kept us apart for its duration. That and some communications blackout caused by the Dominion. I tried to make contact with René," she flashed a glance behind her, making sure Sabine had not secretly snuck in. Toareth lowered her voice regardless. "To let him know that he had become a father. I guess that Sabine aunt." Toareth looked down at her hands, her voice took on something of a sorrowful tone. "It was a difficult pregnancy. El-Aurians and humans. There have been too few hybridizations to know exactly what to expect. But I pulled through and gave birth. After the war, I wanted to get back to my family; to Starfleet and to try and find René; to build upon the family we started. I landed this position aboard the Britannic. I did not know René or Sabine were here as well. I guess the man upstairs provided answers to my prayers. I am reunited with my Starfleet family and," she thought briefly and smiled, "and with my own family. In short, I could not feel better."

And then it hit her; a pinch behind her right eye. And her eye flinched as a result. But that was about all this migraine was going to be. On the way to the counseling office Toareth had hit herself with a dose of phalmectin from the hypospray in her pocket. The hypospray had run out and had only sent forth what remained; not enough for a full dose but enough, she hoped, to keep this migraine at bay. The pinch became a slight ringing in her ear but the pain did not start. She was going to have to weather whatever else the migraine had in store as this session continued.

There was something, he sensed it as he watched her while nodding minutely at her mention of hybrids. His own parents has encountered issues too with his mother being Vulcan and his father Human. "Perhaps things are as they were meant to be," he suggested kindly, while not yet asking if she was alright, "do you believe in fate, lieutenant?"

As the migraine continued to twinge away, attempting to throw her train of thought off, she pondered which answer to his question would help end this session faster. "Yes," she said. "Well, no. Perhaps. I mean...I believe in providence. That is, of course, the act of getting what you need when you need it, even if you did not know you needed it, even if it comes as a complete surprise. Some like to define that as luck. I like to say 'providence.' So, in a sense, I guess I should say 'yes.' I do believe in that."

"Then you would accept that perhaps all of you being here was meant to happen? Circumstances kept you away, but perhaps you were meant to reunite. My late wife firmly believed in fate, that everything happens for a reason. I can believe that some things do, and I can see some logic in it." He watched her for a few seconds longer then grabbed a second PADD and made a note before handing it to her. "Give this to the chief medical officer when you are done here," he said, "I can sense your migraine with very little effort. And yes, I can write prescriptions... before you ask."

Toareth ready knew that it was all Lynch that landed her aboard this ship. No providence required, nor fate. She also knew, without even looking at the PADD, that, "I have already tried this. I do not need providence or fate to know this will not have any effect." She saw there was no longer any need to hide her migraine and pressed her palm against her forehead and massaged, which did as much good as whatever it was Naois had prescribed; absolutely nothing. "I have lived with this since the Enterprise Bravo rescue and no one has been able to find anything, provide an answer, or medication. Only phalmectin has had any real results. I took some of that before coming here so that..." so that she could hide it, "so that I would not, by chance, become debilitated on the floor "

She took her palm away from her forehead as the migraine subsided. "Otherwise, I feel great about being here. Everything is as it should be and I could not be happier." Toareth forced a smile toward Naois. She wanted to ask if they were done but better judgment kept her words silent.

"If you say so," Naois commented quietly. "You do know lieutenant that if you really do not wish to be here, you can just walk away? Talking to me is no requirement. Showing your face is, but this first meeting is basically just that...."

"...showing my face," Toareth finished his thought with a nod. "I understand. I do apologize, of course. Coming from a counseling background I am sure you understand that not everyone is always open and reticent to a counselor. I admit to not having much to do with counselors in my time. But...the war...having a child...these things can change a person. If I ever have anything I need to talk about..." she thought briefly and nodded as she silently listed off the laundry list of things she actually needed to talk about, "...I will certainly come see you first."

"When you are ready to," Naois reminded her, "feeling forced to come see me will not help you heal. What will help, is talking when you feel ready to."

OUTSIDE THE COUNSELING SESSION OFFICE

Sabine was at the replicator getting a cup of herbal tea when the door to the Counseling foyer opened. She glanced over and gave a slight squeal of delight. She left her tea in the alcove and ran over to give the newcomer a hug. Her expression changed to one of concern as she stepped back.

René was surprised to see his sister in the counseling office. While he knew she had gotten a ship assignment after her commissioning, he had not been aware it was aboard the Britannic. One look at her expression and he knew that she knew. He gave her a reassuring smile. "It's okay truly, but I have something to tell you and...it might be best if you sit down for it."

Sabine's pondered for a moment as she took a seat. Considering finding out that her brother and his former almost fiancé were serving here on Britannic, there was little he could say that might surprise her.

René took a moment, spotting Sabine's steaming tea cup in the replicator alcove. He brought it to her and handed the cup and saucer to his sister. "I have something to tell you and...I am not exactly sure how to say it."

Sabine shrugged as she raised the cup to her lips and took a sip. "I doubt you could say anything that surprised me at this point...other than I am an aunt." She set the cup and saucer down on her desk and looked back up at Rene. His prolonged silence and facial expression said it all. She sat back in her chair heavily. "I'm an aunt." It wasn't a question.

René slowly nodded his head. "For a little over three years now." He tried to lighten the moment. "Surprise."

Sabine looked at her brother and just shook her head. This was going to change everything. Not just for those on the ship, but for the entire Rouen family. "You know that you have to call Mother and Father sooner or later and tell them."

René nodded. He could only hope his parents would take the news as well as Sabine

It took a few more minutes before the door opened and Toareth emerged. She saw both the older Rouens mingling and was quickly worrisome about what was said already and who felt how about it. "Rene." She looked between the two and decided humor was the best medicine. "You may be surprised to find out, Sabine is with us as well."

René looked from Toareth to Sabine and back to Toareth. He opted to respond in kind. "Sabine used to follow me everywhere growing up. Got to be quite annoying actually."

Sabine gave both of them a stern expression for a moment before joining in on the fun. She let a smile slip on to her face. "I wasn't following you dear brother. I was trying to get your best friend to notice me."

René shot a look at Sabine. "Laurant? He told me it annoyed him too."

Sabine allowed her smile to grow. "That didn't change after Collette's birthday party?"

René pondered the question for a moment. He remembered that Laurant's behavior towards Sabine had changed some what.

"I am missing something," said Toareth as she lowered into a vacant seat. "You both are speaking Federation Standard but I've not an idea of what you are saying."

Sabine glanced at Toareth and shrugged. "There's a game adolescents sometimes play at unsupervised parties called Seven Minutes of Heaven. Have you ever lost track of time while kissing someone?"

Toareth looked at René and recalled their first kiss; the time she kissed him aboard the Stardancer. "Yes, actually. It was not a party but we were unsupervised."

René sighed. "I really liked Laurant. Now I am going to have to go program the phaser banks for a barrage on his house." He turned to Naois. "I guess it's my turn now."

Naois nodded. "Please come in lieutenant," he invited, gesturing for the man to walk in.

René followed the Counselor into the session room.

Once René was in with the counselor and Toareth saw the door shut all the way she turned to Sabine. "Sabine, I...I assume René told you about Gabrielle."

Sabine took a deep breath and released it in a soft sigh. She gave a nod of her head. "He did and I do want to discuss that with you." She glanced at Naois' office door before returning her gaze to Toareth. "Now really isn't the time or place for that. We're all pretty busy with final preparations before departure. Perhaps tomorrow after we're underway."

Toareth nodded her agreement. "Yes. Later would be best. That war, it...it kept people apart. I suppose another day or so cannot hurt."

Sabine gave Toar one last nod and smile. "I am glad you made it through the war alright. I...hope things do work out for you and René...and Gabrielle, of course. I missed you too. You, in that one week prior to Christmas, became like a sister to me." She glanced at the office door and smirked. "You have even picked up René's annoying habit of using humor for deflecting."

"I did pick that up from René, but I became proficient with it while working for Lynch. He...uh...well...that conversation can wait for later." She turned and started away. Toareth stopped, however, before exiting the office. She turned back to Sabine. "I did enjoy being part of the family...and hope we can be again." With that, Toareth smiled at Sabine made her exit.

Inside, Naois gestured for René to take a seat. "As I just reminded Lieutenant Toareth, this is a customary meeting. A courtesy, if you prefer, so that I will have a kind of baseline for future meetings." He offered a slight smile as he too sat down. "Assuming there will be future meetings," he added, almost knowingly.

Rene took the offered seat as he nodded his understanding. "Of course sir. What would you like to know about first?"

"It is not so much a what I would like to know but more a what would you like to share. Obviously I would like to know if the presence of your sibling and former partner are going to be an issue in carrying out your duties."

René shrugged. His duties aboard the Stardancer had not been impacted when Toar and he had started dating. "We don't serve in the same department. So not really a problem for me." He glanced at the door for a moment. "The only problem is that my sister and Toar, Doctor Darqa, serve in the same department."

"Not quite. Your sister serves counseling, Doctor Toareth serves in sickbay. They are two different departments. Here, counseling does not report to the chief medical officer, the chief counselor is his own department head. Or her, should a new chief be female. I do not intend to carry on a dual role indefinitely." He shifted in his seat to get more comfortable. "How do you feel, being reunited with your former partner, and discovering you have a child?"

René grew thoughtful as he pondered the question set to him. He had a lot on his plate and he was still trying to sort it all out. "A bit overwhelmed actually. I love Toareth. I suppose I have since serving together."

"Does she know this?" The counselor prompted, "that you still love her, I mean."

René thought back to the previous night. Seeing Toareth for the first time in years, meeting the daughter he never knew he'd had. It was a bit overwhelming, but the one thing he was sure of was the love he had for both of them. He half smiled at the thought of their (Toareth and his) kiss before leaving her quarters. "She knows."

"How do you intend to proceed now that you are reunited with your family?" The logical step, to him anyway, was to request family quarters, but he realized and acknowledged that not everyone operated under the same values as he did.

"My biggest concern is making a connection with my daughter." Rene thought for a moment before making a follow-up statement. "I also want to find out if Toar and I can reconnect. I...was planning on proposing to her when we first got our commissions, but first there was the war with the Klingon's followed by the Dominion War. I am not the same man anymore."

"No one who has seen war or other trauma is ever the same as they were before," Naois said quietly, "based on my observation, I have no doubt you will reconnect. You have a great deal of catching up to do "

René considered what Naois said. He gave a nod of his head. "I certainly hope so. I...still want to marry her. More so now what with Gabrielle."

"You need to address your current relationship with her first," Naois advised, "wanting to marry her because of a child is admirable but also extremely archaic. What if she does not wish to marry? Or pursue a further relationship?"

René was thoughtful for a moment. "We both still love one another, but I...we...maybe just me, doesn't know how to take the next step forward. I know that Counselors don't usually offer advice, just help those discover the best course of action and learn coping techniques to handle stress. I could use some advice though."

"Your best friend here is time," the counselor answered. "In terms of relationship advice I fear I am not the right person to talk to. I am a widower, I lost my wife several years ago and have not been on any date since. My focus has been on healing my own mind and raising my children."

René could not imagine what Naois must have gone through. The man was right. Time would be his best ally, René may not be as impulsive as he had once been, but he was still not a particularly patient person. "Thank you Commander. You have been more helpful than you know."

"That is somewhat the purpose of my profession," Naois smiled, "even if I cannot help you on how to continue your prospect relationship. Only you can decide how to proceed."

"True." René gave a curious expression to Naois. "Not to change the subject so much. Do you have enough for your initial evaluation. I still have one or two in-processing tasks to finish up this morning before getting on the watch bill rotation."

"I recommend to you, as I did to Miss Darqa to make an appointment for a family session. Not now, but in a few days." He gave a minute nod. "Yes, I have enough, and you have a lot to consider as well. Please, continue with your duties."

René stood up and with a nod walked to the office door. "Thank you for your time sir. I won't take up anymore of it." He stepped out, pausing long enough to hug his sister, before heading out.

 

RSS Feed