Psyche eval

Posted on Fri Aug 8th, 2025 @ 9:33pm by Lieutenant Zara Kingston Ph.D. & Lieutenant Sky Jansen-Carey

Mission: Those who are left behind
Location: Counselor's office
Timeline: slight backpost

This was long overdue, but Zara found herself caught up in a lot of work and forming new friendships with people. She was standing outside the counselor's office before pressing the chime. Unlike most Starfleet officers, she didn't have an issue with counselors. They, after all, were social scientists like she was. Experts in psychology and xenology. They had more similarities than differences. She clicked the chime.

Sky was in her office even though she wasn’t officially back off of maternity leave, with the twins sleeping peacefully she looked towards the door unable to resist the temptation of answering. Opening the door she smiled warmly. “Hello Lieutenant, please come on in. I hope you don’t mind sleeping children being present?”

Zara stepped inside. "Oh, I'm sorry, lieutenant," she said as softly as she could. "Would you like me to come back at a different time?"

“It’s fine” Sky offered a warm smile. “To be honest I’m itching to get back to my duties, not that I want to be away from my babies, I just miss talking to people.” She motioned to the available seats. “Please take a seat.”

Zara sat down and crossed her legs. "Thank you," she said. "Counselor, I was hoping I could receive my psychological evaluation?"

“Wow! Someone who actually wants their evaluation” Sky grinned. “I appreciate you coming without having to be called or pestered about it. By all means.” She took a seat and picked up a PaDD to make notes. “Okay, so how are you settling in?”

She smiled. Psychology was essentially a social science in her eyes, and since she was a social scientist, Zara saw no reason to avoid the eval. She let out a sigh. “Well, for the most part I’ve enjoyed my time here. I’ll admit the work here is not as stimulating as it was back at the academy.”

Sky nodded and smiled. "Give it time, it maybe a little slow right now but that will no doubt change. The Academy lets you experience a whole host of things, it changes when you get aboard ship or station, sometimes for the worst but mostly for the better."

Zara nodded. “Well that’s good to hear.” She let out a sigh. “Besides that, I’ve met a few people aboard the Resolution.”

“That’s good” Sky smiled. “Being aboard a Starship is kind of like having an extended family, you’re all in close quarters for a long duration so it helps to be willing to spend time amongst others. It can be lonely if you cut yourself off and hide away in quarters all the time.”

Zara nodded, suddenly lost for words. "I'm not normally quiet," she said with an awkward chuckle. "I enjoy talking about myself and respect your position here as counselor." She resisted rolling her eyes at herself, realizing that was totally unnecessary to say. "Sorry, I don't know why I said that."

“Don’t worry about it” Sky grinned. “Lots of people feel uncomfortable in the presence of a Counsellor, whether that’s in an office or in public. Not that I’m saying you’re uncomfortable with my presence.”

She smiled. "I haven't had a psyche eval since I was at the academy," said Zara. "While I was at the Daystrom Institute, the faculty there didn't really have to do this as often as Starfleet field officers did. It's one of many regulations I'm still adjusting to."

Sky nodded. “Don’t worry I’ll make it easy on you. Is there anything you’d particularly like to bring to my attention? Any worries, or any problems?”

Zara let out a sigh and pinched the bridge of her nose. "There's this...guy."

“Ohh?” Sky smiled. “I take it you like him?”

She could feel herself smiling. "I do. I met him briefly after joining the crew. He's an interesting person. He's unfortunately in a line of work where a lot of people don't seem to like him, and sometimes I wonder if that'll impact the crew's view of me?"

“What does that matter? People should learn not to be so narrow minded, if you like him then I say go for it!” Sky grinned. “Trust me I understand how you feel, I’m Mrs Carey number 2, part of a 3 way relationship. It’s not something many people understand. If others don’t like it then that’s their business.”

"I suppose you're right." Zara let out a deep sigh. "Besides, my father would probably tell me some Klingon proverb about how I'm not suppose to worry what others think anyway."

“I think we all worry about what others think of us, even those who say they don’t” Sky offered. “We like to know that we’re well thought of by those around us. To be honest it’s your business, no one else’s.”

"Thank you for the encouragement, counselor," Zara said. "Well, besides discussing my love life, what else should I disclose in a psyche eval?"

“This is just a formality for me to make sure that you’re settling in, and that you’re doing okay. If there’s any problems, worries, or anything else that you feel you need to talk about then now is the time.” Sky smiled warmly. “So far I have no worries with your evaluation.”

"Well that's good to hear," she replied. "As of now, I don't have any other issues or problems."

Sky nodded. “That’s good to hear, just remember if you do have any issues in the future you can come and talk to me, or any of the Counselling staff.”

"I certainly will," Zara replied and stood to leave. "Thank you again, counselor."

“My pleasure Zara” Sky smiled warmly. It was time she and the twins were heading back anyway.

END