Nick - follow up

Posted on Sun Oct 16th, 2022 @ 3:31pm by Lieutenant Sky Jansen-Carey & Commander Antonia 'Tony" Stoffels

Mission: The Lost Brother
Location: sickbay

Nick had waited impatiently for Sky to return after she talked to his grandfather. With nothing to do in his room while his every move was still being watched by a guard he was going a little stircrazy.

So he was very relieved when she returned. "How did it go? Can I talk to granddad now? And can I apologize to Ren? These stupid guards won't even talk to me."

Sky pulled up a seat offering a warm smile. “Your grandfather reassured me that he had nothing to do with the orders you signed. He wants you to be with him, he cares deeply for you. Before I can promise anything I have to speak to Tony. I need authorisation to call your grandfather again.”

"I knew granddad would never do something dishonorable. Tony is not the boss of me." He said flatly. "She has nothing to say over me, and she is not even a marine."

“I know she isn’t Nick, but Tony is your sister and she’s Exec of this ship. Plus we need to find out just who authorised that transfer you were duped into putting your mark to.” Sky sighed.

"Tony won't know that." Nick pointed out. "You will need to ask Drew if he lied. And then maybe uncle Wain can figure something out. He is good at that."

Sky nodded. “Perhaps.” She didn’t say that Wain had recently had a heart attack. “You asked to speak to Soran, I’ll have to try and convince him to come down and talk to you. He could help us with this mystery too.”

Nick looked down suddenly shy. "I did not mean what I said to him. I need to tell him that. But I know he hates me grandfather and that makes it difficult."

“To be honest your grandfather was very pleasant to talk to, he answered every question I had honestly, at least from what I could tell.” She offered a kind smile. “How’s about I give Soran a call now?”

"Yes, I would like that." Nick replied.

Nodding Sky tapped her comm badge. “Jansen to Soran, would you come to Nick’s room please?”

=^= I'm busy, Wagnor out.

Nick began to cry silently.

“Hold on Nick” Sky tapped her comm badge again. “Jansen to Soran, Commander I NEED you in Sickbay as soon as possible! Don’t make me involve Commander Stoffels, or the Captain. Jansen out.”

=^= I get there when I can, don't threaten me! Wagnor out.

Sky sighed. “Understood Commander.” She offered Nick a comforting gaze. “At least he didn’t say he wouldn’t come. I guess we just have to wait.”

Nick curcled up again into a tiny ball. "He will hate me forever now. I am so sorry, ma'am, I knew I was mean but somehow I could not stop the words coming out of my mouth. He's like my big brother and now he will hate me." The tears came again.

“He’s just angry Nick, he’ll cool down.” Sky offered an understanding smile. “Oh to hell with it!” She tapped her comm badge and requested an open channel to Nick’s grandfather. Motioning Nick to the computer screen in his room. “Dry your eyes, let’s talk with your grandfather.”

"Really?" He wiped his eyes and even managed a faint smile. "Won't Ren be mad at you if you do that? I don't want him mad at you as well, not for me."

“He probably will, but I believe your grandfather and right now you need this.” Sky tapped her comm badge. “Jansen to Stoffels, Commander I think we might need you in Sickbay very shortly.” With that she authorised the call to Nick’s grandfather.

"Ehrm right..." Tony said very puzzled. She had no clue waht the hell this was about but from the sound of it she had better get over there after she finished the one of her after action reports that was very nearly done.

*********

Wagnor was at his desk filling out reports and suddenly there was a notification on this computer. He cursed under his breath when he saw what it was. An unauthorized transmission from Sickbay entered his security code and blocked the transmission. Now he was really annoyed; this was going to cause him an hour's worth of paperwork and a possible inquiry.

"Wagnor Jenson; I'm on my way to your office, meet me there Wagner out." Soran said in calm even tone into the COMM. he had fire in his as he left his office.

*********

Sky sighed as she looked towards Nick. “I’ll be back Nick, hang in there. One way or another I’m going to sort this!” She stood up to leave, heading out towards her office she practically bumped into Tony who was on her way into Sickbay. “Tony...would you come with me please?”

What the hell is going on?" Tony asked.

It wasn’t long before they both arrived at Sky’s office, walking in she wasn’t surprised to see Soran already there waiting for her.

"Commander, I need to speak to the lieutenant privately. That's why I asked her here, please step outside. I'll explain this to you in a moment." Soran's face and voice were neutral.

“It’s okay” Sky nodded to Tony. “Time for me to face the music.”

"Will someone tell me what the hell is going on please?" Tony grumbled.

"In a minute. Please step outside." He raised his voice slightly.

"Excuse me commander Wagnor, as XO of this ship I don't think this is an unreasonable request, especially not after Doctor Jansen requested my presence."

"If I have to do this under the eye of a superior officer I'll have to do things by the book, which could have her brought up on charges." Soran's frustration was showing, "now will you please trust me and step out of the room."

She counted till three still having no clue what was going on and trying to decide if she needed to act as XO, support Sky who was her friend, or Ren whom she loved. It was impossible. "You have five minutes commander." She said and stepped out.

Sky stood feeling like she owed Tony an apology, as well as an explanation. Her attention turned back to Soran. “Alright Commander, speak your mind.”

"You have messed up and put several people you care about into a really bad position. Nick's no contact order with Moxley wasn't a suggestion, it was an official order from Colonel Sorrel endorsed by General Stoffels. Freedom of communication is an important federation principle. So when I use the override code to block a transmission, People ranks over your fiance's head Start asking questions." Soran explained calmly but she could sense his tension.

"Moxley hates me and it's already threatened to damage my career over defying him." His frustration bled into his voice a little bit. "He didn't have anything he could actually use against me until now. Oh and I'm not in the therapy business but I'm really not sure how bullying and browbeating someone into a reconciliation is supposed to be effective."

Sky nodded her understanding. “I wasn’t overriding your concerns, but having spoken to Moxley myself he has assured me he had nothing to do with the PADD that Drew had Nick authorise. I was just trying to do what I feel is best for my patient.”

"You were and more importantly you've broken regulations that I have no way of not reporting. Whether Moxley had anything to do with what happened with Drew isn't the issue! Moxley is blinded by his pride and his actions have hurt your patient, his influence will hurt your patient. Moxley has had a vendetta against me for years that has nothing to do with Drew. You'd have known that if you'd bothered to ask me about it. So yes you totally overrold my concerns because you didn't even bother to find out what they were." Soran's voice was cold, but his eyes were on fire.

Sky nodded. “I’m...sorry Ren, you’re right. I let my judgement concerning Nick falter, but I’m still finding it hard to believe that Moxley would hurt Nick. He loves his grandson very much, from talking to him I’ve seen and felt it. Dare I say, he said you wouldn’t believe him.” She paused. “Do what you have to do, report me, at best I get a reprimand and at worst I lose my job! Either way I’ll be here as Counsellor, or as a civilian.”

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves, The laws you violated will only be enforced if Nick's parents press charges. So that just leaves the Starfleet regulations, which puts the Captain in a position I don't envy." Soran sighed. "As for Moxley I didn't say nor do I believe that he would ever intentionally hurt his family. He wants what's best for Nick but his pride won't allow him to see that that is not the Marine Corps. Mostly we'll try to get Nick back into the Corp. Do you believe that's a good idea?"

“Of course I don’t” Sky shook her head. “I’ve been trying to convince Moxley that it’s not in Nick’s best interest.”

"We should get Tony back in here," Soran sighed. "In the future if I ask to speak to you in your office, don't invite others."

Sky nodded. “My bad Commander.”

"Ok what the hell is happening here!" After cooling her heels in the hallway for five minutes, Tony's temper had not improved at all. "Commander, lieutenant, I want an explanation now!"

"Lieutenant Jensen tried to contact Lieutenant Stoffels' Grandfather in direct violation of the no contact order, I blocked the transmission." Soran explained, he turned to Sky. "Pro tip, when you’re breaking Starfleet regs and violating Federation law you really shouldn't get the XO involved."

Tony sighed. "Alright. Thank you commander." She turned to Sky. "Why did you you contact my granddad, Sky?" Her tone of voice was neutral.

“I’ve already privately spoken to your grandfather concerning Nick” She paused for a moment, “he’s assured me he had nothing to do with the transfer order Drew had Nick sign. Nick has been asking to speak to your grandfather. Nick believes the universe is against him, I just wanted to show my patient some compassion, and to be honest I believe your grandfather. He loves Nick.”

Tony turned to Ren. "Granddad loves Nick but as the rest of the family I am not sure his way is the best for Nicky right now. I do understand that you talked to him, it would have been prudent if you had cleared it with me first. But you did it to help my brother." She looked at Ren hoping he would drop the matter.

"I had to use my security code to block the transmission, A report must be filed. It will be reviewed by the brass, I don't think any of the parties involved will pursue charges. The captain will have to be informed of the situation.

"Ren really, must you?" Tony said. Then turned to Sky. "Does Nick know you talked to our granddad?"

Sky nodded. “He does, I told him I talked to your Granada’s to put his mind at rest.”

"The use of security codes on communications are monitored, a report is necessary. I will suggest that no further action be taken, but it's out of my hands." Soran sighed.

"Commander, counsellors are not like other officers, we make decisions for the good of our patients and that sometimes means breaking rules." As she had done on more than one occasion. "Lieutenant Jansen was doing her best for my brother, my family. I don't want her punished."

"Like I said it's out of my hands," Soran said. "All can do sight mitigating circumstances the end result isn't my decision. I know rules need to be broken sometimes, that doesn't mean there aren't consequences."

Tony grumbled, totally not happy with this. "May I speak up for Sky?"

Sky stood watching her friends before looking between the two. “Commander’s...I knew what I was doing, as such I’ll accept whatever punishment the Captain sees fit.”

"It will be up to the captain," Soran said.

Tony looked as if she was about to fight that decision. But for now she held her mouth shut.

“For what it’s worth I’m sorry I involved both of you in this.” Sky looked at Tony then at Soran. “Please don’t let this come between you, you’ve both been apart long enough.”

"We are both adults and professionals." Tony grumbled. "We will figure it out."

Soran kissed her on the cheek, "just doing my duty Commander"

It made her blush. He had never shown affection before while on duty. "Awww. You are too cute. But I am still going to have my say on the matter in the captain's office."

Sky grinned. “How’s about we adjourn for now? I’ll steer clear of Nick until after we’ve spoken with Xavier.”

"Alright. But will he be ok? He may be worried about you or expecting to talk to granddad?"

Sky sighed. “I promised Nick, he won’t want to see me again if I don’t keep that promise.”

"Oh gods what a mess." Tony sighed. "Granddad is the only one in the family he wants to talk to and he needs your support." She turned to Wagnor. "We have to find a way out of this Ren, for Nicky. And we need to do it fast."

"I'll go and talk to Nick before I chat with Moxley again," Soran said. "Go to the captain Tony and give him your perspective, that's what's good XO does."

"Right on it." Tony said. "I thought you did not want to talk to granddad though?"

"No, but after the message I sent he'll be calling me," Soran shook his head. I hope this will be a more civil conversation than our last one."

“Ren” Sky looked at Soran. “Just go easy on Nick, he wants to talk to you. All I ask is you give him a chance.”

"I take breaks I'm not a hard ass every day," he smiled.

"Thank you." Tony whispered.

Sky couldn’t help but grin. “If you don’t mind I need to go get something to eat, I haven’t managed to grab lunch yet today.”

{OFF}