getting back on board

Posted on Sun Aug 27th, 2023 @ 11:42pm by Commander Antonia 'Tony" Stoffels & Lieutenant Sky Jansen-Carey

Mission: Shoreleave
Location: Tony’s Quarters

Slight back post

Now they were back Sky headed to Tony’s Quarters to visit her friend, she’d seen Tony during her recovery, as a therapist and as a friend. She wasn’t even sure if Tony was onboard yet, but she pressed the door chime and waited to see if she got an answer.

Tony was still unpacking. Well in a way she was unpacking things mentally and physically. The last couple of months had been tough, really tough.

"Come!" She said preoccupied.

“Hi Tony” Sky smiled as she walked through the doors. “Anything I can lend you a hand with?”

She smiled now seeing her friend. "Should you be doing anything physical right now?"

“Physical, heavy stuff no, but I can help with light things” Sky grinned. “I know I kind of resemble a space shake right now but I like to be helpful.”

"Ok. You can help with unpacking my crates." Tony said. "I left it rather late to come onboard. But how was the honeymoon?" It would be a little difficult for her to switch back into the friend role.

“It was wonderful” Sky’s smile practically shone. “At first I thought being on the holodeck would mean interruption after interruption but fortunately we had no interruptions at all. It was nice just to let loose and enjoy myself! I couldn’t have done any of it without you helping us Tony, thank you so much!”

"that was my job and my pleasure. Now we can go back to being friends." On the base she had talked with a counsellor for a few sessions herself working through all that had happened to her and her family that last half year. And she had worked with the medical staff to get her health back to 100%.

Sky nodded. “I’m just glad we’re able to get back to working together again, you know how afraid I was that I wouldn’t be able to return as ship’s Counsellor. Admittedly I’m only on light duties until this pair decide to arrive.” She grinned as she rested her hand on her well rounded stomach. “Now just point where you want me to put things and I’ll do it.”

"If you can put some of the books on the shelf. Just one or two in one go. That would be great." This was one thing she liked, antique books. Next to a collection of antique weapons.

Sky picked up some photos smiling at the family photos she came across, she put them out in a nice arrangement including pictures she’d picked up of Tony & Soran. “These are lovely photos.”

"Yeah." Tony had to look away. Right now she could not look at him. Could not believe that Xavier thought Ren was dead. It could not be, it simply couldn't. "I will sort those later."

Sky noticed the lack of interest, but also the momentary pain and anger that Tony was doing her best to hide. “Okay I’ll leave them in the box for now.”

"Thank you." Tony said softly as she continued to unpack.

“You know if you need to talk..” Sky left the sentence open ended as she moved on to the next box that needed sorting.

"I know, Sky. But the transition feels a little weird to me. You and I did some very intense therapy over the last few months. It would not feel right yet for me to burden you."

Sky nodded. “Of course, but there is Kay she’s done a brilliant job of looking after everything while I’ve been away.”

Tony snorted. "With all due respect, I love Kay to bits but she is never going to be my therapist."

Sky held up her hands with a playful grin. “Fair enough, it was just a suggestion. You need someone to talk to, and if it’s not me or Kay, who is it going to be?”

She shrugged. "For now I guess nobody. I will manage, don't worry about me.”

“It’s my job to worry about you Tony, you know that” Sky offered a caring smile. “Besides you’re my friend as well as my therapist, and senior officer.”

"I would like to bottle it all up for a bit longer. If I let it out now it... well it's not a good idea. And you need to work on your own mental health like we discussed." She smiled. "Really I am fine."

Sky nodded, she knew by now not to argue with Tony. “My mental health is...well you know how my mental health is.” She offered Tony a smile, her dreams were still filled with odd nightmares but it was getting better.

Tony nodded. "You know what to do when the nightmares return." They had gone through exercises together and Tony had sat with her during some of the worst nights in the beginning. "And you know you can always call me. Any time day or night."

Sky nodded. “I know I can Tony, at least I know how to escape my fears now. To turn my nightmares into something I can control, instead of them controlling me.”

"Good."the other woman said while she worked. After a while she broke the silence. "I don't believe he is dead. He survived so much. Ren will turn up again some day."

“We can hope so” Sky nodded. “He saved my life, if it hadn’t been for Ren I don’t think I’d have survived, or at the very least I’d now be sitting in some padded cell.” She sighed. “I wanted to see Ichatha die, to watch him suffer as the life drained out of him..” She paused, it wasn’t like Sky to harbour dark thoughts about anyone.

"As I told you it is very normal to feel like that. Even if you are a pacifist." Tony smiled. "Actually it is very healthy." Tony walked over and gave Sky a hug.

Sky returned the hug, she needed it. “I know, but it just feels wrong to be that way. I don’t know if the woman who got into my head survived or not.”

"We could find out if you really need to know."

Sky leant back and gave Tony a thoughtful look. “I...don’t know Tony, I’m not sure if I can face that right now.”

"Then we let it lie." Tony said reassuring. "You are in control here."

Sky nodded. “Thank you my friend.” She looked around Tony’s room. “It’s taking shape in here now, what else would you like me to do?”

"Maybe we can relax for a bit now. I think I am done with decorating for today."

Sky smiled and nodded. “Sounds good to me, any chance to take the weight off my feet and back is a blessing.”

"Good. How about a spa hour on the holodeck?" Tony could really use that herself.

Sky nodded. “Now that sounds lovely! I’m sure Rutherford would approve of me taking the time to relax.”

"Let's go then." It would help them both to take their minds for a while.