The Captain and The Counselor

Posted on Tue Jan 18th, 2022 @ 12:45pm by Captain Devin Hadenbeer & Lieutenant Commander R'elle

2,916 words; about a 15 minute read

Mission: Into The Void
Location: Captain's Ready Room, The Lion's Heart
Timeline: Prior to Launch

"...you're not serious."

Admiral Kathryn Janeway's smile was analogous to a cat having captured a particularly tasty avian. She replied to Devin's incredulous statement with, "I have been known to tell a joke a time or two, Captain. But today I am quite serious."

Devin shot up out of her all-too-comfortable chair, she glared at the Admiral, "This is ridiculous!"

"On the contrary, Captain; your mental health is a concern here at Starfleet Command. And your little stunt in the holodeck does make me question your temper."

"I am an artist! I was venting my frustration on holograms!"

"I am not quite convinced that had that been a flesh and blood orchestra you would not have done the same thing, Captain. Your other erratic behavior gives me cause for concern as well. So, you will do as I instruct or I will find someone else to take command of Lionheart!"

"No!"

Janeway's eyebrow arched, "'No', Captain?" she inquired all too mildly.

Devin forced down any more objections, "I...understand, Admiral. I was simply...stating that no, it would not be necessary to replace me. I will do as you ask."

Janeway smiled, "Excellent. I look forward to the reports. Janeway out."

The second the Admiral's face disappeared from the desk screen Hadenbeer snatched up her cane and swung. The screen was torn from it's mount and went flying into the wall. The door chime sounded and Devin took a long moment to compose herself.

"Come!" she called out as she deliberately placed the cane on the desk...

The door opened to reveal a lovely Caitian female. The pips on her uniform marked her as a LT. cmdr. "Hello Captain." She said as she entered the room. "I am R'relle. the chief Councilor. Judging from the state of the screen, I would say this might be an opportune time for us to Talk." She said. She had heard the captain take her anger out on the screen. It was hard to miss, especially to Caitian ears which were much more sensitive than humans.

The captain obviously had issues. Issues which were her department. The captain, especially had to have good mental health. This Captain However, well she seemed to need R'relle's services quite badly, judging from the state of the Screen.

Devin stared at the Caitian for a full five seconds. The timing was...disturbingly on point, as if Janeway had been able to calculate how much time it would take for someone to make it to her ready room and had timed their conversation to the second. But Janeway would not have done that.

Would she?

"Fine," Devin said as she walked over to the corner were the display had come to rest, "I have spend an hour with you a week. Today you get five minutes," she picked up the display and frowned; it was perfectly intact. Damn Starfleet Engineers...

Hadenbeer's office was rather spartan, although the chair on the opposite side of the desk was almost decadent, with it's high back, head and neck rest, and arm rests festooned with buttons. There was a display of canes mounted in what looked like a wheel, there had to be forty or so. She spotted something on the floor, likely knocked off the desk. It was a small holo display, in it were rotating images of an attractive Betazoid woman in Starfleet uniform, the images ran from her being annoyed to amused...

R'relle silently took note of the image. It may not mean anything , then again she might be important to the captain. "Very well Captain. Why don't we lay down some ground rules. I expect 1 solid hour a week out of you. Not a few minutes here and there. This is important. and please be on time. Now I understand you are the Captain and may be pulled away in an emergency but if it can wait or be handled by someone else, I do ask that you do so. Now I know this won't be easy but I ask that you work with me. I believe you to be an excellent Captain who has been through a lot. I am here to help you. As captain we all depend on you and your mental health is critical to the well being of the ship! And if you want to know about me, well, check out the last year on the Columbia. You will understand I know what it is like to be on the receiving end of therapy."

"Captain, I ask that you try to work with me as I am on your side. I truly do want to help you. I respect you and, well I reviewed your service record. You have been through a lot. More than most people would be able to handle. Even the toughest person needs help now and then!" She said with a smile, her tail swishing behind her. It was hard to miss the captains agitation. Even her scent indicated her emotional state was upset.

As R'relle spoke Hadenbeer set the monitor on her desk. She spotted the holo imager on the floor and went over to pick it up. It almost seemed as if she had not heard what the counselor had been saying as she flipped through the images. She set the imager on the desk and regarded the counselor.

"Your office was converted into a storage room," the captain said, "I suppose someone is going to have to empty it out. I have no idea what happened the desk, couch and chairs. If you read my service record then you saw how much was redacted, so you really have no clue what you are getting yourself into."

Her jaw worked a moment, then she reluctantly added, "However, it appears I am stuck with you."

She walked over to the display of canes, slipped the one from the desk into a slot, and turned the wheel so that she could grab a cerulean blue one with a silver head.

"Fancy a drink, counselor?" Hadenbeer inquired.

"Yes please captain. Double chai tea please. As for your record, yes much was redacted but reading between the lines I can get a general sense you have-"

Cane in hand, Hadenbeer strode to the door, it swooshed open and then closed behind her, leaving the counselor alone in the ready room.

"Well! Looks lie my time is up for today! Well Capt. Hadenbeer, I have a job to do and resit all you want but We will have our weekly sessions or Starfleet will know it!" R'relle said defiantly to the empty room. She turned to the replicator. "Tea double chai, hot please." she said and the cup with the tea appeared. she took the tea and headed back to her quarters-

Hadenbeer was on the bridge, waiting by one of the turbolifts.

"When I asked if you wanted a drink, counselor," the captain said, "I meant for you to follow me to the ship's pub."

She regarded the cup of tea, "They serve refreshment in The Lion's Heart; you do not have to bring your own."

"Apparently we had a misunderstanding Captain. I wasn't sure where we were going , You just walked out without telling me so I didn't know what was going on. I can send this back to the replicator, no problem. I am still new to the ship so am not familiar with everything." R'relle responded.

Hadenbeer made a noncommital sound as the turbolift doors opened, she said, "You can recycle that in the pub; they have a replicator there."

On the way there the captain's cane tapped the floor and R'relle's sensitive ears could pick up a faint humming coming from Hadenbeer's throat, as the doors opened she pulled a small PADD out from her tunic and one handed began manipulating it as she led the counselor down the hall to what appeared to be a pair of wooden doors the slid open for them. Inside was a very different environment, what appeared to be some ancient drinking establishment.

"We do not open until we are under way!" a deep voice noted from around the corner behind the bar. A very old human male dressed in black regarded the pair. He smiled at R'relle and said, "But for a guest of the captain I can make an exception. S.V. Jones, at your service. What can I get you?"

He eyed the tea, "Unless you are satisfied with what you have?"

"Mr. Jones. A pleasure. I'm the new Chief Counselor R'relle." She extended her hand as seemed to be the custom among humans. "As for drink, well an irish coffee would be very nice I think. "

The bartender's eyebrows rose slightly, then a touch more when he heard the request. He glanced at the captain who said, "Make that two, Mister Jones."

The bartender gave both women a nod and set about behind the bar making the drinks. The pub was set in the center of the deck so there were no windows, which meant a lot of attention was centered on a wall containing a mural depicting a collection of scenes. Some contained scenes of officers and crew in action, other of an Akira class in battle or over a planet, and some just seemed...strange. The wall still had a great deal of blank space to it and based on the appearance of the Lionheart-B in some scenes someone was still adding to it.

"There is a committee among the crew," Devin explained, "To determine if a mission is 'wall worthy'. Then if it is determined to be so the size of the entry is debated, and then finally Mister Jones determines if the work of art is suitable. I have no say in the matter."

She glanced at R'relle and smiled slightly, "It is his pub."

"Well, that is fair. It's his Pub, then it's his rules. I hope this mission gets on the wall Captain. I like this! Something like this can be great for crew morale. I admit stuff like this is fun for me to look at." R'relle said.

The smile faded, "Yes, well, much of this wall I would sooner forget."

"I'm sorry Captain. It sounds like some unpleasant memories are attached to a lot of the pictures.

Mister Jones placed two Irish Coffees on the bar, R'relle could tell from the aroma behind the counter there was a fresh pot of coffee which mean he had made the drinks by hand, not by replicator. Hadenbeer sat down, setting the cane on the bar before her, and cautiously sipped. She nodded in approval at the bartender then said to R'relle, "What, exactly, do you think is wrong with me? Or should I ask, what does Admiral Janeway think? I already have a bartender to tell my troubles to."

"With do respect to mr. Jones, a bartender is not a counselor. As for admiral Janeway, she threw out several theories. However, while the admiral is very good at what she does, she is not a counselor. I am. I will make up my own mind about you Captain. I can tell you have issues. However, I am confident that working together, we can clear some things up. Obviously it is not going to be easy. However, if you put the work in and I will as well. It does sound like you have a lot of bad memories floating around." The counselor said. "I really think it would help to talk about it!"

"Issues?" Hadenbeer echoed, "What issues could I possibly have?"

"You are irritable, eccentric, and have difficulty forming close personal bonds," Jones noted.

Hadenbeer glared at the bartender, "If I wanted your op-"

"She also barely sleeps. She steals in here in the wee hours and plays the piano over there." he nodded to a corner where a "baby grand" and stood were.

"It happens to be my piano! And I have to practice my scales!"

Jones smiled and pushed a small bowl of pretzels at the Captain, to R'relle he said, "Good luck."

Hadenbeer glared at Jones' back as he stole into an area behind the bar...

"Thank you so much Mr. Jones. I do appreciate your help." The man obviously cared for the Captain. A good friend knows when they need to speak up. "Now Captain, that is not healthy behavior. Now I know for sure you need help and I am the person to do it. Now playing the piano is a wonderful hobby, However insomnia is not healthy. You need your rest and need to be on top of your game as Captain." The captain was stubborn. That much is plain to see. However she had the backing of Admiral Janeway so at least the captain would come to the sessions. Eventually R'rele would get her talking and they would get the captain in proper mental health together.

"It is not a 'hobby', counselor," Hadenbeer snapped, "I have been playing the piano since I was three years old, I could read music by the time I was four and-"

The captain obviously bit back whatever she was about to say next. Taking what could be presumed to be a calming breath, she inquired with forced mildness, "Is provoking me a deliberate technique or is it that you know absolutely nothing about me?"

"Captain, It was not my intent to provoke you. It is obvious you feel very strongly about your music. It was not my intent to belittle it." This was worrisome. The captain was severely overreacting to this. Being passionate is one thing, but this, this was troublesome. She would note it and observe the captain.

"So...then that means you know absolutely nothing about me," she took a long sip of her Irish coffee and set it down, "Just as long as I understand that you are operating from a position of complete ignorance."

Leaving her drink behind, she walked over to the piano and opened up the key guard, then sat down on the bench and began going through her scales. Jones picked up Hadenbeer's drink and took a sip from it, then murmured to the counselor, "This is going well..."

"Well I will be patient Mr. Jones. Perhaps I just wounded her pride. This is going to take time. I know she'd rather I not be here but here we are." R'relle said

"Counselor, calling the captain's music a 'hobby' is about as insulting as, say, me implying all you do all day is listen to people whine and tell them it is all going to be better. We both know your job is more than that. Were you aware she recently earned a professorship in musical composition? I-"

"Are you talking about me over there?" Hadenbeer called out without pausing in running through her scales.

"Yes!" the bartender snapped.

"Yes, well, I am the most interesting person in the room."

Jones sighed, "Well, anyway, good luck, Counselor."

"Thank you Mr. Jones. I'll need it!" R'relle said So she sat and waited for the captain to finish playing.

Jones smiled when Hadenbeer came to slowly realize that R'relle wasn't going anywhere. He murmured quietly so only the counselor could hear, "A wise strategy. Heed my advice; do not apologize, just move on."

Hadenbeer replaced the key guard on the piano and turned. Grimacing, she said, "Now what?"

Jones said, "Why not talk about your childhood and your two abusive older brothers?"

"They were not...!" Hadenbeer paused, frowned. She crossed her legs as she stared thoughtfully at the wall.

"Or how much your sister in law hates you? Or the fact you have not been on a date in-"

Hadenbeer's head jerked around towards the bartender, "Jones!"

Jones winked at R'relle, "Never tell your bartender everything..."

Hadenbeer sighed and crossed her arms.

"Look, Counselor," she said, "It is obvious I am...not in the best frame of mind for this," she ignored the bartender's snort, "Perhaps we can start again, the day after we are under way? Perhaps by then I will have a better idea what I am willing..." she paused, began again, "What I need to talk about. And you might have a better idea what issues need to be addressed?"

"Of course Captain. I appreciate you working with me on this. The day after we get underway will be just fine. Thank you for meeting with me today. I have a little better of an understanding about the kind of person you are. That will help us both. " She looked over at the bartender, "Mr. Jones, it has been a pleasure sir. I look forward to seeing you again."

There was silence for five seconds after R'relle departed the pub.

"Janeway is forcing me to talk to her," Hadenbeer finally said, "It seems my...erratic behavior has finally proven too much.

"Perhaps talking to her will prove beneficial?" Jones replied after a moment.

"How can I confide in someone who reports my every thought and feeling back to the admiral, Jones? Sooner or later the counselor is going to push and start asking questions we can't answer. Not without..."

She sighed and bent forward, placing her face in her hands. At last she sat up and shrugged, "Hopefully it will be later rather than sooner. In the mean time I suppose I should start thinking about what trauma I am willing to discuss."

Jones smiled wryly, "Sad to say, you have a long list of options..."

 

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