Friends

Posted on Sun Jun 26th, 2022 @ 5:48am by Lieutenant Sky Jansen-Carey & Commander Antonia 'Tony" Stoffels

Mission: The Lost Brother
Location: Tony’s Quarters
Timeline: Current

With the possiblity of Tony going back on duty, Sky made for Tony’s quarters to talk. She’d promised she’d stop by after speaking to Soran, and she was going to keep that promise. Reaching the door she pressed the chime, and waited for permission to enter.

"Come!" tony called for the door to open.

Walking in Sky offered a polite smile. “Do you have a minute? You asked me to stop by after talking to Soran.”

"Of course, come in." Tony said. "Can I get you anything?"

“A ginger tea would be lovely, thank you.” Sky smiled. “I’m feeling a little queasy today, I think I’m finally getting to the start of morning sickness!”

"Coming right up. Say you would not happen to know if your boyfriend is still angry with me?"

“I don’t think he was ever really angry with you Tony.” Sky smiled warmly.

"You think? I have not heard from him. Oh god, I cursed him out."

Sky smiled. “Xavier knows you better than any of us Tony, I’m sure he knows you didn’t really mean it!”

"He knows me as his therapist. And he has never seen me lose my cool. Hell nobody has seen me like I was today. I still don't agree with his decision but the anger is gone now."

Sky nodded. “At least that means you won’t be losing your temper with me today” She offered a wry smile.

"I hope not to do that again ever either." Tony blushed. "I don't know what came over me."

“Your inherited temper is what came over you!” Sky grinned as Tony handed her the drink she’d asked for. Taking a moment to drink some of it.

"I could show you videos that subordinates made on the sly of my mum or granddad in a rage." She giggled.

“If your outburst is anything to go by then I think I’ve seen enough!” Sky grinned.

"Probably. But now tell me how it went with Ren?"

Actually it went pretty well.” Sky smiled warmly. “Ren and I talked about the nightmares. Also about a young woman he used to be close to, I saw her in his mind. He told me all about the background behind his Ren nickname.”

"And he let you use that name? It took me a while." She smiled. "I am so glad he is connecting to you. Because of his past he has trouble trusting people in our profession."

“As I said to Ren, I’ve seen what he’s fighting in those nightmares...” Sky paused. “The horrors he’s been through, and what he’s witnessed, it’s nit surprising he needs Counselling. To be honest it’s disturbing me too, so the counselling sessions will help us both.”

"and you will talk to me about them as well." Tony insisted. "Remember I have been his therapist so most of them are not new to me. We will have to be each other's therapist for a while. Not ideal, I know."

Sky nodded. “I’m happy with that. To be honest I’m not sure exactly how much information I’ve absorbed from Ren. I feel like I know him so much better now. I guess in a way it’s creeping me out! For want of a better term.”

"It should. This is not something you would want to repeat."

Sky shook her head. “No, it isn’t. It’s amazing he’s coped with those memories for so long, I’m not surprised Ren doesn’t like talking about it.”

"No he doesn't. We did some work when I was his therapist but then we both got reassigned and later we became friends. I know there is a lot more work to be done there, and I hope you will do it."

Sky nodded. “Of course I will, this whole experience will make me a better counsellor in the long run, especially where Ren is concerned.

"We learn from these experiences. But we have to process them. I have seen too many therapists burn out." Tony warned her.

Sky nodded in agreement. “That’s true. To be honest what I saw still disturbs me, how one person could go through that is beyond me! The horrors that Ren has witnessed, and been a part of, it’s just...” She shook her head. “Before you arrived at Ren’s Quarters that night I was curled up in the furthest corner of his bedroom I could find.”

"I am not surprised from what he told me over the years. And I have worked with trauma victims a lot in my career. Hell seen enough of it in my own family to last me a lifetime."

“I’ve never had to face anything like that” Sky sighed. “I just don’t want to let Ren down, or anyone else for that matter.”

"Be there for him. Let him talk. That is often the best you can do. And then you will talk to me."

Sky nodded. “I will, and thank you for helping me. I don’t like to worry Xavier, he has enough to worry about without worrying about me, and our baby.” She smiled warmly. “I lost one child, I’m not losing this one.”

"You are not. And I am here for you, always." Tony said firmly.

Sky nodded. “Thank you Tony, I like knowing I have you as my friend, I don’t ever want that to change.”

"Me neither. It will be good when we can be just friends and not each other's therapist as well."

Sky nodded. “Isn’t that the truth!” She grinned. “Anyway I’ll go get on with my reports.”

"Good. I will see you later.”

Nodding Sky headed on her way, happy that she had a friend like Tony to talk to.