meeting the boss

Posted on Mon Jan 9th, 2023 @ 9:12am by Lieutenant Sky Jansen-Carey & 1st Lieutenant Kayleigh London

Mission: Traitor amongst us?
Location: Sky's office

Kay had found the office of her new boss. In a way this was a demotion for her as she had been chief on the kumari although under the CMO. Gods she already missed her friend. And now she was here with her parents something she tried to avoid as well. Not that she did not love them to bits but they were parents and senior officers. To top everything off on coming here she found that Tony was seriously ill as well. Having grown up mostly together they regarded each other as sisters instead of friends. Right now the world was scary and confusing to say the least.

She hit the chime to Lt Jansen's office.

Sky was sitting feet up on the sofa catching up on some work. She looked towards the door as the chime rang. “Come in”

Kay walked in and straightened her uniform then came to attention in front of Sky. "1st Lieutenant Kayleigh London reporting for duty, ma'am." She said very formally.

Sky smiled. “Relax Lieutenant, I’m not military so you don’t need to stand to attention.” She motioned to a seat. “Please feel free to take a comfy chair, Apologies for the piles of PADDs I’m just...” She was going to say burying herself in work but stopped herself. “Going over files. You can call me Sky.”

"You are in starfleet right?" Kay asked not really understanding. "You are a superior officer. I am a marine, we are more by the book." She had not relaxed yet.

“I understand that Kay” Sky offered a warmer smile, she was definitely a London she had the touch shell and demeanour of one. “Please...sit” She motioned to the chairs again.

"Yes ma'am." Kay took a seat perching at the front of the seat so her back was straight.

Sky smiled. “Well that’s a start, so you’re our new Assistant Chief Counsellor. Tell me about you, what makes you a good counsellor?”

Kay cleared her throat. "You should know that I don't want to be a counsellor. I want to be a combat marine, ma'am. I was punished by my company commander into serving as a counsellor for a year because I was involved in too many bar brawls, fighting and drinking. But that was several months ago, I have bettered my life on the Kumari serving as a counsellor and being in a committed relationship. So maybe you could recommend I can serve as a combat marine again?" She hesitated. "I am a good psychiatrist though. Don't get me wrong. I do have compassion and as I have also seen combat I understand what our people have gone through from that point of view."

Sky gave Kay a surprised look. “Have you stopped to think that maybe bar brawls, fighting, and drinking aren’t what’s good for you? If being a marine is that important to you, then perhaps you should concentrate on the important aspects of it. Given your marine training you could make a speciality in being a marine psychologist, which is something I could arrange for you temporarily.”

"I know it is not good for me. I have changed my ways." Kay growled then checked herself. "Sorry ma'am. Life is a little stressful at the moment and I do miss not being able to drink and fight to relieve stress. I am here to support you as I hear you are overworked and you should work less."

Sky offered a resigned nod. “Seems I’ve been ‘burning the candle at both ends’ a little too often lately. Combine that with being pregnant, and I’m under orders to take it easy.” She sighed. “Stress I understand all too well. I almost lost Tony, our XO and my best friend. There was a point where I thought she’d never talk to me again.”

"Why not? You don't get on with her?" Kay was not sure if her new boss was aware how close a friend Tony was to her.

“Let’s just say I made a decision that she wasn’t very happy about.” Sky sighed. “I’m sorry I don’t mean to throw this at you on your first day.”

"Well it sounds like you are in need of a therapist." Kay said simply. "And I guess you can chose between me and my mother." She barely managed not to roll her eyes. 'Mum of course is perfect, but I am also a good listener. By the way, that does not sound like Tony. I do know her."

“I know” Sky offered a smile. “You’re right, I do need someone to talk to. I felt like I’d offended my best friend, and I was so worried she wouldn’t want to be my friend anymore. It sounds so stupid! Like some kiddies argument on a school playground.”

"Tony is not vindictive. She does not make friends easily but when she does, she does stick by them so I would not worry too much about whatever happened, ma'am."

Sky nodded. “Thank you, I guess I just needed to hear that from someone who knows Tony as well as you obviously do. To be honest there is something else I need to talk about, but it can wait until you’ve had a chance to settle in.”

"Oh that can wait. Besides you have made me curious. What is it?"

“Me worrying too much” Sky offered a brief smile. “I still blame myself for the baby I lost, long story short I’m in a relationship with a married couple, I’m engaged to Captain Carey. I was having a baby for him and his wife Talsi. The genetics of Talsi’s people meant that the baby wasn’t genetically mine, my body reacted it and I lost the baby.” She paused. “I still feel responsible, even though I know it wasn’t my fault. This baby is Xavier’s so part of both our genetics, so far all is going well I’m glad to say.”

Kay was totally surprised that her new boss told her so much personal information the fist time we met. "Ehr, I guess I am now offically your therapist then? And are you worrying because you are working so much?"

“Doctor Milton has already told me to slow down.” Sky paused. “I’m sorry maybe I shouldn’t have laid all this on you so soon, I don’t expect you to become my therapist, I just needed someone to talk to.”

"We all need a therapist right? Or are you seeing Tony. Or would you really prefer my mother?"

Sky smiled. “If you’re happy, then I’m happy to talk to you. Right now Tony isn’t in a state to help anyone. Besides she’s the Exec, and you are the Counsellor.”

"Yeah but I know she keeps her license active with a few patients. I can't believe Tony breaking like that. She was always the strong one, in any situation. Nothing seems to fase her. She is a little older than I am and I always leaned on her growing up."

Sky nodded. “I saw in your file that you know Tony’s family, it made sense that you’d know Tony too. All this has just been too much for her, she’s in a very fragile state right now.”

"Tony?" Kay could not believe it. "Tony is one of the strongest persons I know."

“She’s anything but right now, she might be glad to see you she certainly doesn’t want to see me.” Sky sighed. “Anyway, I’m sorry for offloading on you at our first meeting, I guess I didn’t realise how much I needed to talk.” She offered a brief smile. “So, while you’re here is there anything I can do for you?”

"She may have to see you." Kay said. "If you are her therapist she has to work with you. and I don't mind, I am used to people offloading." She grinned. "And if you can show me where I will be working that will be great. I am right as rain."

Sky gave Kay a curious look. “Are you? Truly?” She sat giving her a look that said it all. “I don’t think that’s entirely true, but I’m not going to force you to talk if you don’t want to.”

Kayleigh narrowed her eyes. "Isn't there a rule for betazoids to not look inside someone's mind without authorization, ma'am." Her tone got a lot colder.

“I didn’t look inside your mind Kayleigh, I can sense that you’re holding something back that’s all.” Sky offered an understanding gaze. “I’m not your enemy, I’m just here to help.”

"I have just met you. Unlike you I don't trust very easily." She had never opened up to a therapist in her life. "And I have been under stress with my dad and the assasinations. And Tasin, not knowing if he will walk again. He hasn't been bothering you has he?"

“Not at all” Sky shook her head. She doubted that was all that was bothering Kayleigh but right now wasn’t the best time to drag out whatever it was. “I appreciate you’re stressed, my apologies for dragging on like this. Your office is right next door, feel free to set it up however you like.”

"Thank you, ma'am. And just let me know which patients you wish to assign to me, then I will get right to work tomorrow."

Sky nodded. “Of course, I’ll have a list sent over for you. See which patients suit you.” She offered a smile. “If there’s anything you need feel free to ask.”

"I will. Thank you ma'am." Kay got up came to attention again and then left.

{OFF}