A change of Watch

Posted on 24 Nov 2021 @ 11:48am by Lieutenant Cassandra Higgins-Stevens & Lieutenant Jeremy Ezio

Mission: Picking up the pieces
Location: Counseling Offices
904 words - 1.8 OF Standard Post Measure

ON

Today was an unusually quiet day. Jeremy actually found time to update patient records for a change, while he was on duty instead of having to do it in his private time when his children were sleeping. The Trill hybrid was so engrossed in the work that initially he hadn't heard the doors open and close. It was only when his sharp hearing picked up approaching footsteps, that he looked up.

"Oh... hello," he said by way of greeting, "what can I do for you?"

"Lieutenant Ezio?"
The arrival asked while taking a good look at the office setup that he had. It was practical, sparsely decorated but still had a comfortable feel about it. She wished she had the same grace but sadly her childhood in England had influenced her in such a way that her last therapy office had looked more like a country cottage than a place for mental wellbeing! Thus far her new office was shaping up to look very much the same.
"Lieutenant Cassie Higgins. The Captain has assigned me as Ships Counsellor... I thought I had best come and say hello!"

Relief washed over the hybrid's features at that announcement. "It took Starfleet long enough to send help," he exclaimed, "I've been rowing it alone since Lieutenant Keading left." He smiled as he stood and extended his hand towards her. "Jeremy Ezio," he introduced himself. "My parents decided on a Human name as I'm born on Earth, Ezio is my symbiont."

"They didn't send help as such... I was already assigned to the ship as a Nurse, but that is a long story for another time!" A gentle laugh colored her words through the latter part of her statement. "Bring me up to speed with the department... How did Lieutenant Keading divide up the workload and what are the priorities for us in regards to the crew's mental health... I'd best ask you as you have a clearer idea of that!"

"I tended to see to the junior staff, while True saw the senior staff, with a few exceptions. I believe the most prudent cases are the captain himself as True was his partner, the first officer who is very pregnant, and Doctor Syvar... the last one is a bit of an unusual case as he suffered at the hands of his wife's mirror counterpart..." Jeremy handed over a single PADD. "Here are the case files," he offered.

"My understanding is from the Captain himself, I will be mainly supporting with matters on the bridge and with Senior Officer so let's continue with your original setup. I will make time to have some patients within the crew, however... I don't want to not be in touch with them!"
How could she be a counselor and oversee the mental health of the crew if she wasn't seeing patients within the populace of the starship by and large, or that was her own opinion!
"One in particular... Lieutenant Stevens and his daughter, I will be overseeing their support!"

Jeremy nodded in agreement. "I do think you need to see Doctor Syvar, as he was seeing your predecessor and since he is married to the first officer. If there are any minors needing a counselor, then I will be able to see to them if you agree with that." The Trill hybrid smiled. "I have two young children myself. And with a vast array of prior hosts who had children too, I feel I'm suited to offer them assistance."

"Noted," she said making a mental note of what her assistant was saying. "I was aware there had been something with Doctor Syvar. I shall make time to see him in due course".

Again the hybrid nodded. "Do you have any further questions for me? Anything you'd to or need to know?"

"Not at the moment, just keep up the good work. I think most of my time in the coming days is going to be dominated by the larger situation... What with Lieutenant Stevens's daughter... The entire thing is just baffling. The Captain wants me to believe she is some form of Betazoid Goddess but I'm a woman of science and fact, not mystical mumbo jumbo!"
She needed someone to talk to about this and so far she had no one to really go to as they all seemed to believe what the Captain was saying.

"I'm not a religious person either," Jeremy admitted, "I just have a lot of ghosts floating around in my memories. I do believe religion can be a pillar of support, but as far as this goddess goes, I'm not entirely sure. Gods aren't real are they? Isn't it the whole purpose of a belief, that something can't be physically seen or touched?"

"My gut says no there are no gods but then again how would you explain the Q!"
She posed it as a statement rather than a question and allowed herself a moment to consider her own position on the matter. Ultimately it made no difference. "Well Lieutenant, thank you for seeing me. I won't keep you any longer and I have things to attend to on the bridge!"

The hybrid counselor smiled. "Of course ma'am," he answered, moving to get back to his desk. "I will be right here if you need anything from me."

END

Lieutenant Cassandra Higgins
Ships Counsellor - USS Andromeda

Lieutenant j.g. Jeremy Ezio
Counselor
pnpc Aidan