session

Posted on Thu Jan 29th, 2026 @ 1:03am by Captain Antonia 'Tony" Stoffels & Lieutenant JG Diana Morrison-Johnson

Mission: Those who are left behind
Location: Counseling Offices

When Toni read commander Vos' report at first she was not happy. She agreed with his assesment that she needed counselling on top of the counselling she had already and the supervision about the few patients she still saw herself. But she was very happy talking to Sky. Yet Vos had a point. There was a reason therapists and clients should not be friends. Being on a ship made that rule inhumane and impossible but Sky and she had become too close and she would follow his recommendations.

Since Kay was even closer to her than a friend, more like a little sister that left LT Morrison and Toni had made an appointment and was now seated in the waiting area until it was time for her appointment.

Diana had been waiting for her next appointment that was on her schedule. With many of the recent crew transfers coming from those who were involved in the Battle of Chintoka. The counselor found herself quite busy lately. But was surprised to see a request for counseling services coming across her desk regarding Commander Stoffels. Stepping out into the waiting room, she spotted Toni who right on time. "Commander come on in. How are you this morning?"

"I am well, counsellor." Toni said following her in.

"Can I get you anything to drink?"

"Tea is fine." She said as she sat down on the couch. "You don't have to try to put me at ease, I know how this works remember? Did you see the report commander Vos wrote? If not I can get you a copy. Now I do have a lot less time for this then I hoped when I made the appointment."

"I haven't received a report from Commander Vos," Morrison answered as she moved towards the replicator. "Is there anything in particular that I should be aware of Commander?"

"It's captain now actually." Toni blushed. 'I am in command of the Resolution. And I will make sure that you get a copy. But what he basically said is that it is not healthy for me to see Sky as we are such good friends. And on top of that I have been her therapist on occasion as well."

"I could see how he could make that argument. And congratulations Captain. How do you feel about the promotion?"

"Thank you. I feel confused, proud, scared, determined to succeed all at the same time." She smiled again. "You will keep that to yourself!"

"Your secret is safe with me," Diana replied with a smile. "But all those things you are experiencing are entirely natural. Commanding a crew, especially in wartime, is a big deal. But all your years of experience has prepared you for this moment."

"God I wish it was years." Then she stopped. If it had been Sky or some counsellor outside her chain of command she would have continued but she also did not want to undermine the woman's confidence in her. "Nevermind."

"No, say what's on your mind."

"That is a bit of a problem for me, counsellor. I am the captain I have to now be a pillar of strength for everyone. It would not do to show weakness." Now she started to understand why it had always been so hard to form a bond of trust with commanding officers when she was working as a therapist on ships.

"As you are well aware. Vulnerability doesn't take away from the strength of an individual," Diana reminded. "A moment of vulnerability can lead to increased strength. Starfleet Captain's are not exempt from that fact."

"I know that." Toni said. "But I also know therapists are humans with human frailties and fears. You have a pretty green command crew here with a new captain and first officer. Damn, I would be afraid." She ran her fingers through her hair to bring her heartbeat under control. This was absolutely not the time and place for a panic attack.

"Believe it or not. You have an excellent reputation with the crew. Yes, there will naturally be some concerns. We're at war with an enemy intent on destroying the Federation. People have a lot to be nervous about. But the fact that you're in tune with the feeling of your crew, says quite a bit."

"Oh." That did take her by surprise. "I did not know that." She thought that the feud between her and Price would have affected her standing with the crew.

"Don't sound so surprised, Captain."

"Well the last couple of weeks have not been easy for me, at times I wish I had acted differently and I was second guessing myself a lot, so yes, I am surprised." Toni said honestly.

"So what about this investigation that had you so thrown off?" the counselor inquired.

"I made a bad mistake when Price and I met but after that I tried to do better but whatever I did he turned things so it seemed like everything that happened was my fault." Her hands balled into fists, she was still so frustrated and angry with the unfair situation. "I even gave him more leeway than I would have others just to prove my goodwill and it was like talking to a brick wall. And he involved my family in this."

"And now he is completely out of the picture. Looks like you won. Unless I am missing something here?"

"Yeah you are. Don't you see, this is not a win. There are only losers here. A win would have been if we had somehow managed to work together for the good of the ship. I failed as a leader in making him see that I was no threat to him."

"When individuals have their own agenda's," the Lieutenant explained. "Its often difficult and almost impossible to convince them otherwise. Your actions over time will prove him wrong."

"I hope so for his sake. The anger in him, that is no way to live, you could see it was eating him alive. He needed trauma counselling really badly." Toni mused.

Diana couldn't help but to chuckle. "Perhaps you could make an official report of your own regarding his behavior. With the truama counseling recommendation."

"I certainly will as I have a current licence to practice." She sat back in her chair. "So will this do for our half yearly evaluation?"

"I think so. But how many sessions are you being recommended?"

Toni knew that she would never let a commanding officer who had confided what she just said get away with half yearly sessions but if Diana was that was fine with her. Everyone worked differently. "I will send you the report but I don't think it mentioned the number of sessions."

"I'll take a look at the report." Diana thought for a moment about the half yearly question. "Now that I think about it. Let's set up at least four more sessions. Not overly concerned, but I want you to check in and keep my updated through this transition."

Toni could not help but grin. "I honestly would have thought less of you if you haven't, so not a problem."

"So, when do you officially sit in the Captain's chair?"

"Today." Toni gave a nervous laugh. "At least it gives me very little time to get nervous about it."

"You'll be fine," Diana assured her new Captain. "Is this temporary or permanent?"

"The rank is permanent but I do hope the captain will come back. It is his ship." She said firmly.

"Well, in that case, if Captain Carey returns. Expect to possibly be offered a command on another ship."

"We'll see." Toni replied. That was something she really did not want to think about yet.

The Counselor knew that was an uncomfortable thought for Toni, but a possibility she would likely have to face at some point. "Also, I want you to remember that you will have a first officer. Whenever you decide to pick one. Delegate and ensure they are carrying the load of command. You have experience of a First Officer and know what the task truly entails. Being a Commanding Officer will take more than that,but having a First Officer and using them accordingly takes a huge weight off your shoulders."

She smiled. "Thank you, counsellor. I know and I will certainly use my first officer." No need to point out that the first officer would probably be even greener than she was.

"Well then, I'll let you get to it, Captain."

"Thank you, counsellor. I will keep up with my appointments."