Psych evaluation - Aurelia Taylor

Posted on Wed Mar 10th, 2021 @ 9:52pm by Lieutenant Commander Alicia Kelea-Salik & Lieutenant Commander Aurelia Taylor

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Chief Counsellor’s Office
1608 words - 3.2 OF Standard Post Measure

{ON}

Alicia was sitting comfortably in the chair that was normally reserved for her patients, a soft cushion behind her back and a small pile of PADDs on the nearby table within easy reach. According to her much reduced appointment schedule her next evaluation was Lia’s.

Walking along the corridor, Lia approached Alicia's office with more than a little trepidation. Psych evaluations had never been top of her to do list, she stood looking at the door and slowly reached for the chime and pressed it.

Alicia looked towards the door. “Come in Lia”

"Hi there, I'm here for my test", Lia entered and waited to see how this would play out.

Alicia smiled as Lia walked in. “Please make yourself at home.” She motioned to the comfy sofa. “Feel free to use the replicator if you’d like anything.”

"Thanks I'll just grab a coffee, how do I address you?" Lia picked up her coffee and headed for an empty chair, "Some councilor's like Christian names, others like rank".

“Feel free to call me Alicia” She smiled warmly.

Nodding as she picked up her coffee, Lia turned and sat down facing Alicia. "So Alicia, where do you want to start?"

“How’s about we start with how it feels to be Mrs. Taylor now?” Alicia smiled warmly. “How is married life?”

"What's it like being married? Well now lets see, it's like being set free if that makes any sense". Lia now kicked her shoes off and put her legs under her, making herself comfortable. "I hope you don't mind, but when I think of Gary I like being comfortable and relaxed. So different from my own home life. I think I trust people more now, and I'm a little more open with friends".

“That’s fine” Alicia smiled. “The whole idea of the soft furnishings is so you can make yourself at home. So you feel as though you’ve been set free, that married life has started a whole new chapter for you?”

Lia nodded, "I don't know if you've read my file, but my early home life wasn't exactly a bed of roses". She shifted slightly as the memory of her father surfaced in her mind, and the inaction of her mother to prevent what happened. "How much of my history are you aware of Alicia?"

“It’s all in your file but I haven’t read back any further than I’ve needed to. I only know what you’ve told me about you not being able to have children. You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.” Alicia offered a warm and friendly smile.

Looking down at the floor, Lia took a deep breath. "My father abused me when I was young, in fact he was responsible for my condition at not being able to have children". She raised her head to face Alicia, "My mother knew what was going on, but denied everything even when I became pregnant by my father". She took another deep breath, "So that's why I have trust problems, Gary is the first man I've trusted in my life. In fact it took him three years to gain that trust, so yeah being married is like being set free for me".

Alicia nodded. “That’s something you didn’t need to tell me Lia, I’m grateful that you trust me enough to talk about it though.” She offered a warm smile. “Enjoy your new found freedom, revel in it. You deserve to be happy.”

"You can't make any suggestions or offer any meaningful assistance without all the facts, so it's best to tell you so you can ask questions if you have any". Lia tried to sound dispassionate as she spoke, "But you know my opinion about having children, so trusting my new husband has to be my priority".

“Of course” Alicia nodded. “You have a good man in Gary, he loves you with all his heart and soul, that’s plain to see.”

Lia nodded, "That maybe true, but I can be hard work at times. I'm honest enough to admit that even to myself, I'm not sure what other people think of me in that respect". She placed her empty coffee cup onto the table, "Let me ask you, do you find me hard work at times?"

“You?” Alicia shook her head. “I can’t say that I do, at least no more than anyone else. You’re one of the strongest women I know.”

Shaking her head, Lia replied. "It's all show Alicia, inside I'm shaking like a leaf". She placed her feet back on the floor, "I learned quite quickly as a young girl, if you can project strength you opponent might think twice. It worked with my father but to my disadvantage, he took my show as a direct challenge to his authority. He beat me senseless". Lia glanced around the room, then continued. "But I noticed he wasn't so keen to take me on when I show strength, so in defiance I did it more. That's when the sexual abuse started, I had to work out how to handle that". She stopped and took a deep breath, "I never did find a way to stop it, so I joined Star Fleet Academy".

Alicia nodded. “I’m sorry Lia, that’s a horrible way to live. I know such abuse leaves a lasting distrust of men in general. I can’t comment on what it was that drove your father without actually knowing him but in your case you were right to get away from it. I take it Gary knows all about your history with your father?”

"Oh yeah, he does. We've had many little talks over the years, if my father was still alive I think Gary would kill him". Lia moved forwards a little, "I told him everything I thought he should know, and I gave him plenty of chances to end our relationship. But he's a stubborn man, and three years later we got married". She sat upright and paused, then continued. "Between my father and then the Romulans, Gary has had a rough time getting me to trust him. Add to that a miscarriage, and you can see just what we both went through to get here".

Alicia nodded. “I’d say the course of true love runs deep for the both of you. To come through all that and still be together, it sounds to me as though you’re both meant to be.” She smiled warmly.

Lia nodded, "Gary say's that a lot, he also say's he won't give up on us. But you know, I tend to take that with a pinch of salt. NOT that I don't believe him, just have a hang over of waiting for the punch line quite literally if you know what I mean". She looked at Alicia and then dipped her head, "I know Gary would never hurt me, he proved that when I had my masochistic problem. Even though he knew what I was doing to myself, he just couldn't bring himself to hurt me. So we ended up at DS9, and back at the door of Dr. Bashir". Lia stopped talking and looked back at Alicia, What would this woman make of her now? But Lia felt she needed to have this out in the open, no more hiding no more feeling ashamed.

“I think you’re both very brave and extremely strong. In fact you’re stronger together, in my opinion Gary is the man who balances the scales for you so-to-speak. He’s the one you need and in his case he wants to be the one to help you. Trust will come in time, don’t be afraid to show it.”

Nodding Lia simply glanced at Alicia, She slowly rose and brushed her uniform down. "Gary taught me to trust people, you in your own way helped in that process. I'm not going to say I will trust everyone, but at least I'll give them a chance". Lia moved towards the door, "I think I've taken enough of your time, and told you more than enough of my dark secrets. If you’re finished with me, I think I'd better get back to doing some work". She extended her hand, giving Alicia a cuddle might seem a little forward and she may not like it.

Alicia smiled and picked up on the queue that perhaps Lia would like a hug. She stood and stepped forward giving Lia a brief and gentle hug. “I hope I guessed correctly” she smiled as she stepped back. “I thought you’d appreciate a hug.”

As Alicia hugged her, Lia returned the unexpected gift and hugged Alicia. "I thought you Telepaths weren't allowed to use your abilities without telling people?" Lia was smiling as she spoke, she knew Alicia hadn't used any ability simply her own common sense. "Yeah, you guessed right. Thanks for the hug, I needed it". She glanced at the floor, "I wasn't sure how you would react after hearing my past, how I'm not this pure untouched flower of virtue I present to the outside world". Heading for the door, Lia stopped and turned to face Alicia. "I wasn't looking forward to this, and I'm still not happy about it. But you made it easier for me to talk, so thank you for that".

“My pleasure” Alicia smiled warmly. “Anytime you need a hug, you know where to find me!”

{OFF}

Commander Lia Taylor
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Elysium

Lt Commander Alicia Kelea-Salik
Chief Counsellor