The mission begins

Posted on Mon Oct 16th, 2023 @ 7:47am by Lieutenant Sky Jansen-Carey & Commander Antonia 'Tony" Stoffels

Mission: Lantea
Location: First Officer’s Office

With the Resolution underway again Sky had decided to drop by Tony’s Office, as much as she was on reduced duties due to her recovery and maternity leave she was already feeling fed up. Pausing outside the door she pressed the chime.

"Come!" tony called out a little frustrated. The mission was getting underway and she was stuck here with a mountain of paperwork to catch up on.

“Now that was a frustrated cry if I ever heard one” Sky grinned as she walked across to Tony’s desk. “I was feeling somewhat at a loss for what to do so I thought I’d see if you’d like a hand? Sounds like you could do with it.”

"I hate paperwork." Tony said. "I thought being chief counsellor was a lot of paperwork but as first officer I seem to have to sign off on it if someone farts on this ship."

Sky grinned. “Sounds about right. I’ll admit when I became a Counsellor I always hated the paperwork part, I guess we all do. It’d be one messy job if paperwork didn’t get filled out though.”

"I know, I know and I swear that I will do it but sometimes it just seems too much you know. I am all for good patient notes, but some things." She pointed at her computer and sighed. "Some things I just don't see the need for."

“Well think of the chaos if you didn’t have computer records and backups!” Sky grinned. “Complete and utter chaos if you lost any notes, or records.”

"That is true. Although when it comes to patients a lot is in my head. It is just that this is so boring. Being first officer is not glamorous most of the time." Tony muttered.

“Maybe not, but it’s still a prestigious position” Sky smiled. “Would you like me to help with any of that?”

"It is. I know and one day I want a command of my own." she looked at Sky. "You have time and it would not be stressful for you?"

“Stressful helping with files?” Sky shook her head. “Not at all. I have some of my own to go back to, but Kay is helping with the workload so I’m grateful for that.”

"How can you find paperwork not stressful." Tony muttered.

“Well it’s a part of my job, I keep rough notes during sessions then I transfer them as soon as I have a gap in my schedule. At present being on reduced hours is helping to keep the paperwork in order more easily.” Sky smiled. “I just have to figure out how to cope with twins and my job!”

"Let Kay help, she has got energy enough for several people." Tony smirked. "I don't make notes during sessions but always after."

“I find it easier just to make quick notes, so I don’t forget anything. Especially at the moment, baby brain you know!” She grinned. “Don’t worry I’m letting Kay help too.”

"Are you still worried about her?" Tony asked.

Sky nodded. “I will be until I know exactly what’s going on, something has Kay severely rattled and I want to know what that something is.”

"I do hope you find out. I really don't want her to be unhappy. Lately she has stopped really talking to me. I thought we were friends, sisters even."

Sky nodded. “She’s afraid that you’ll hate her, so she’s keeping her distance from you too. Plus you know her better than I do.”

"I could never hate Kay and she knows that." Tony grumbled. "Here is this some paperwork you could help me with? If so pull up a chair."

Sky nodded and pulled up a chair to sit by Tony. “I could get used to this, it reminds me of days at the Academy sitting at my desk going through work.”

"And even then I hated unnecessary paperwork." Tony really was not in a good mood.

“How’s about I get us both an ice-cream sundae?” Sky grinned. “Always cheers me up when I’m having a bad day.”

"Now that is the best idea I have heard all day." the XO managed a real smile now. "Sorry for being grumpy."

“No need to apologise!” Sky waved off Tony’s apology. “That’s the first time I’ve actually seen you in a mood recently. You never used to let me see your moods when you were treating me.”

"Of course not. Would you do that with a patient?" Then she grinned. "Well I think that is your proof that I think you are doing well."

Sky nodded. “Then I’m happy!” She massaged her back. “I just wish these two would stop leaning on my nerve endings! It hurts like hell, and I already feel like a space whale!”

"Oh dear." Tony said. "I don't know how you do it. I don't think I would ever want to have kids really. But that was what my mum said for a long time as well."

“Well that’s something you’ll decide on in time” Sky smiled. “I’ve always wanted to have kids, I guess that makes all the difference.”

"It's pretty academic as I don't think I will try a relationship again. And I certainly would not want to raise a child alone."

Sky nodded understandingly. “I guess I can see your point there.”

"Workaholic me." Tony grinned trying to make it into a joke but inside she did feel a little sad.

“Hey...don’t give up yet” Sky smiled warmly. “Besides you’ve got two little terrors right here that will be needing a babysitter at some point!” She grinned playfully.

"Well that I can do. I like being the fun aunt and then dropping the terrors off at the end of the day."

Sky grinned. “Well that could be sooner rather than later, the twins are feeling pretty squashed in here so it wouldn’t surprise me if Rutherford suggests an early delivery by Caesarean. I was reading that happens in some cases.

"Would you be ok with that?" Tony asked.

Sky paused and gave Tony a momentary blank look. “To be honest I haven’t really thought about it. I’ll admit the idea of giving birth absolutely terrifies me! But on the other hand it’s all part of the experience of being a mother, bringing new life into the universe.” She paused. “I guess if it has to happen then so be it, provided Xavier agrees.”

"I think this has to be your decision, it's your body." Tony said. "You can talk it through with your therapist if you like." She smiled.

Sky nodded and smiled. “I quite like talking to my friend about it actually.”

"That I can do as well." Tony said. "Has Rutherford given a reason?"

“I haven’t spoken to him yet, I was just going from what I’ve read in various literature. In some cases if twins are of a good size, and struggling for room, or the mother’s health requires it, a Caesarean might be required. Given I already had one miscarriage I’m more at risk than most.”

"True but I would not start worrying before you talk to him. And be honest about your fears when you do. He is the best person to help you right now."

Sky nodded. “Of course, I trust Rutherford he’s seen me at my worst just as you have. I have nothing to hide from either of you.”

"That's good. I like that. You would be amazed how many therapists can't when it comes to them." Tony knew she was a horrible patient herself.

“Well you saw me rocking back and forth on the spot, staring at blank walls.” Sky grinned. “It’s easier now, at least I can sleep without waking up screaming every night.”

"You did not see me at my best when I was being poisoned." Tony shot back. "Try to keep control as much as you can, you decide what you want and don't want, not the guys. Unless there is a sound medical reason for it."

Sky nodded. “You’re right, it’s my choice I just want to involve Xavier and Tal as much as I can. In the long run it’s my body.”

"How is Tal, to be honest I have not seen too much of her lately." Odd really as she had been counselling both Sky and Xavier pretty intensely.

Sky smiled. “Tal has been finding interaction with the crew outside of work, difficult. She’s found that the crew don’t feel at ease around her, mainly due to her towering size & penchant for not wearing many clothes. I’m aiming to help her adjust, she wants to be able to interact more easily.”

"would she want to work with me?" Tony asked. There must be a reason why she had kept her distance. They had a rocky start but Tony thought things were ok between the two of them now.

“I don’t see why not” Sky smiled. “The two of you have to work together anyway, as the XO you work with all the crew.”

"Yes. Maybe she is mad at me for my beliefs. I know we will never see eye to eye but I have gone out of my way to be kind to her."

“I don’t think Tal is mad at you at all.” Sky offered a warm smile. “Why don’t you come over for dinner with us one evening?”

"That is a nice idea." Tony agreed. "I have not socialized much lately."

“Then it’s a date!” Sky smiled warmly. “I’ll arrange it once Xavier is free.”

"Nice. I hope that for once everything will go smoothy during a mission."

Sky nodded in agreement. “I, for one, definitely don’t need anything going wrong. No disasters, and no nasty surprises.” She grinned.

"Nope please not. This ship can do with some normalcy for a change."

“Agreed” Sky nodded and smiled. “Anyway let’s get back to these files and get them cleared for you.”

"Yeah." Tony heaved a theatrical sigh.

{OFF}