Memories

Posted on Tue Jun 1st, 2021 @ 10:09am by Samantha Prescott [ADMIN NPC] & Lieutenant Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen [Taylor]

Mission: Season 5: Episode 2: Operation Save Humanity
Location: Counseling
Timeline: MD4 10h00
1745 words - 3.5 OF Standard Post Measure

IC

Samantha dragged her feet into counseling. She was not one for it, even before her 4 year trip into the Mirror universe. On the wall were a list of counselors. She paused before it. Dressed as she was in jeans and a tee shirt, it was clear she was a civilian. And officers who walked past her glanced at her curiously.

She ran her fingers over the listing and paused. Her hand shook as she drew it back as if scalded. ~Breathe Sam~ She told herself. ~Breathe. It's not the same person.~ But telling herself that and seeing the name engraved on the list was not helping her. Her heart was pounding in her ears, she felt sick, and her chest hurt as she stared almost blankly at the name Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen. Her whole form shook and she stumbled back and hit the wall behind her. ~no, no~ her mind repeated. ~no no not again~.

Just then the doors opened and Savar stepped out and looked at her. His dark eyes fixing on hers, His gaze almost penetrating as he stood in front of her. His voice deep and melodic . "May I be of assistance?"

The voice pierced her head and she clamped her hands over her ears. and she looked away and shook her head. "No..no.. please... no..."she seemed to curl further into a ball as she sank to the floor.

Savar bent down beside her. His arms gently going to her sides as he helped her straighten up "Are you alright? Do I need to call Sickbay for you?" As he maneuvered her into his office and onto the couch.

She was struggling to speak. She shied away from him, as if she was expecting to be hit. "no.." she got out. "no doctor.."

Savar was silent as he observed her behavior finding it unusual to say the least. "As you wish. I shall refrain from calling for a doctor at this time. Miss ???"

"P-pre-prescott." Came from her as she wrapped her arms around herself. "S-Ss-Samantha P-p-prescott." inside she was screaming at herself to focus, well part of her was, the other was screaming at her to run. And to run fast.

"Avalon please identify Samantha Prescott." Savar asked the Elysium's AI. an instant later Avalon shimmered into existence.

"Samantha Prescott is the life partner of Commander Lovejoy." The AI replied succinctly.

"Thank you Avalon." Savar replied as the AI again shimmered out of existence.

"Miss Prescott. you seem to be in emotional ...distress. May I be of assistance to you?"

"Funny... you didn't care when you did this to me... well not you." she got out. "What was it? Scream, ... cry.. makes no... difference."

"Miss Prescott, you have me at a disadvantage." Savar remarked. "Would you care for a glass of tea or perhaps fruit juice to help you? Then we can continue."

"My file.. its in the system" Samantha said as she rubbed her upper arms. "S-sure... tea..."

Savar walked over to the replicator before turning back to Samantha. "Would prefer any specific blend of tea Miss Prescott?"

She shook her head. "no ... thank... you..." ~in and out, breathe~ she repeated mentally as she struggled to maintain her breathing.

He watched her for a moment before turning back to the replicator. "One glass of green tea." He spoke. An instant later the glass appeared. Taking it he walked back to Samantha. "I found green tea helps to calm the nerves." He walked back to his desk and sat down. "Allow me a moment to access and read your file Miss Prescott."

After a few moments of reading Savar looked up and over to Samantha. "I now and understand your reaction to me Miss Prescott. You were trapped in the mirror universe for four years and underwent slave training overseen by my duplicate. You have my sincere apologies. How may I be of assistance to you?"

"T-This is the second time... bad reaction. Garrett... suggested I come here." She sipped the tea. "I... had a.. reaction to Commander Taylor's wife."

"I see. You also dealt with Lia Taylor while trapped in the mirror universe and seeing this universe's Lia Taylor caused you an unpleasant reaction as well. Was your reaction that time the same as it was with seeing me?"

"n- no. My interactions were different with her."

"Please go on Miss Prescott." Savar spoke gently.

"Holmes was not... always around. Savar was. He was a perfectionist. Fail and... you would beg for death."

Savar steepled his hands in front of him as Samantha spoke. As she finished he spoke. "I see. I again apologize for my duplicates adherence to perfection. I myself am not so strict. I take it from your comment Miss Prescott you suffered at the hands of the other Savar?"

She looked at the floor. "yes until I was trained."

Savar's only visible reaction was the closing of his eyes. "Was part of your training not to look at Savar?"

"Slaves do not look their betters in the eye." The words fell as if on remote. "And nor are they to ask why."

"Miss Prescott, if I may Samantha. You are not a slave nor am I your better. You may ask me anything. Please look at me." Savar asked her.

It took a lot for her to raise her head. Inside she was reminding herself of where she was and how far she had come in the past few months. These set backs were according to counselors, to be expected but then, they had not expected her to be in this situation again. She raised her head as she slowly placed the tea down on the coffee table.

"Very good Miss Prescott, thank you. I realize that was difficult but it will become easier and easier as time goes by. Now, is there anything you would like to ask me?" Savar inquired of her.

She shook her head. "No.... I.. sorry I lost it before." she got the words out in a rush.

"You have nothing to apologize for Miss Prescott. I am sorry my appearance caused you to have the reaction you did. It was most unfortunate."

"Was.. your voice." She got out. "Sounded the same. He... made it sound so plausible, so normal."

Savar nodded at her explanation. "Yes voice recognition is often used in in ....
rehabilitation." He answered slowly. "I can modulate my voice if that will make talking to me easier for you." He suggested.

"I.. no. I have to live with it. I cannot expect things to change just for me,"

"That is a very noble attitude and I am not suggesting you do. However in this situation I believe allowances can be made."

"I have been back for 6 months, I have gone through counseling. I... knew when.. i came here... what i would face..."

Savar nodded, "Then I commend you on your courage to face your demon. Tell me, am I as you expected Miss Prescott?"

She shook her head. "No. I was truthfully not expecting you. I came because Garrett told me to, and I was... humouring him."

Savar was silent as Sam spoke, after a few seconds, he replied. "I see and how is that working for you Miss Prescott? You humoring the Commander?"

"He is going to pay with a foot rub" she muttered "I had a melt down, that says it all right?"

"Indeed it does." Savar agreed. "However it appears the Commander was correct in telling you to come. Was he not?"

"Maybe but I am not telling him that. I wont hear the end of it." Sam grumbled.

"As you wish, He will hear nothing from me." Savar assured her. "Though I believe he will know nonetheless."

"Thing is with Garrett you should never tell him or let him know he is right. It inflates his ego." She smiled faintly as she spoke,

"Interesting. I shall remember that. Thank you for pointing that out Miss Prescott." Savar remarked.

"I have known him for years. And even being apart didn't really change him that much."

"I see. I would point out , you see the outside not the inside and the effect your disappearance had on him. However he loves you, to ask you to come here. So he cares for your well being is that not so?"

"Yes, I know he does. He and I have been together for years, we have a child together." Sam said "It was hard for both of us."

"I would say your relationship remains strong and that is good for both of you. You can draw strength from each other, help each other."

"He tries to help, I know that." She shrugged. "4 years cannot be undone in 6 months, I know that too."

"Very perceptive and correct. It will take the both of you working together to rediscover each other to complete your recovery." Savar pointed out.

Sam nodded and her hands linked. "if one can recover from that. The odds are against it"

"I believe with your strength and the Commander's aid you can recover and move on Miss Prescott."

"I hope so.' she said softly. "I do not want to keep breaking down."

"If I may be so bold. I would suggest we set up regular counseling sessions to monitor your progress and any problems you may encounter. "

"okay.." she sounded a bit defeated but she knew better than to argue. "Anything is better than a white walled room."

"No white wall room for you." Savar assured her. I think seeing each other once a month is sufficient. Does that meet with your approval Miss Prescott?"

Sam considered it. "Very well, that works."

"Excellent. If you feel the need or something comes up before our next appointment do not hesitate to contact me."

Samantha stood. "Thank you Counselor." she said with a small smile.

Savar stood as well. "Thank you Miss Prescott for having the strength to allow me to help you. Permit me to say, you are a most remarkable woman."

She flushed. "Well thank you. We shall see how this goes."

"Permit to quote a famous human whose words are most appropriate in this situation. The only thing you have to fear is fear itself. You will be fine Miss Prescott."

She inclined her head and left the office.

Watching Sam leave, Savar sat back down and muttered to himself. "A most remarkable woman." as he got back to work.