Knock, knock, whose there?

Posted on Tue Dec 17th, 2019 @ 5:20am by Lieutenant Commander Alicia Kelea-Salik & Captain Gary Taylor

Mission: Casperia Prime - A lesson in relaxation
Location: XO's Office
Timeline: MD2
1326 words - 2.7 OF Standard Post Measure

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Alicia headed for Commander Taylor's office, she usually went straight to the Captain but from previous experience it was sometimes preferred that new crew check-in with the First Officer upon arrival. Arriving outside Taylor's office she pressed the chime and waited.

In his officer, Gary heard his chime ring. Wondering who it could be, he called out "Enter!"

Walking into the office Alicia smiled as she reached the desk and handed over her transfer orders. "Lieutenant Alicia Kelea, Chief Counsellor reporting for duty Commander."

As the door hissed open Gary stood as a young woman dressed in medical teal entered. He accepted her orders, "Please have a seat Lieutenant. Can I get you anything to drink from the replicator?"

"A glass of cold water would be wonderful, thank you Commander." Alicia continued smiling politely as she took a seat and made herself comfortable.

"One glass of cold water coming right up." Gary replied as he moved to the replicator to fulfill the request. Moments later he was handing the glass to Alicia and moving to sit behind his desk. Once seated, he read over the PaDD. When finished he set it to one side and looked to Alicia. "Welcome to the Elysium Lieutenant. I hope you like it here. I think it's the best ship with the best crew and CO. However I am slightly biased." He said with a chuckle.

"Nothing wrong with that Commander, it's always nice to meet an Officer whose proud of his ship and crew. It gives a very good first impression of the ship and you Sir. I've been out of circulation for a couple of years so I'm kind of finding my space legs again." She picked up the glass and took a sip of the cold water, it was nice and refreshing. When she'd finished she placed the glass down again.

"Very kind of you to say." Gary answered. He had noticed that Alicia had been on personal leave the last two years but he wouldn't inquire for the simple reason it was personal and past experience had shown him it was usually for a traumatic reason. So whatever the Lieutenants reasons were they were safe with her as he wouldn't pry. " You couldn't have found a better ship to get your space legs Lieutenant. The Elysium crew is closely knitted and very much like a family. They have been through a great deal together."

"That's good to know Sir." Alicia nodded. "I'm not sure Starfleet are 100% satisfied that I'm ready to be back at work but I have to get back out into the universe sometime and now is that time." She was absentmindedly fiddling with the sleeves of her jacket as she spoke, she was in two minds as to whether she should get her scars removed now she was back at work.

Gary caught a glimpse of the scars at Alicia's wrists but didn't react or comment. It was her decision to decide if she wanted him to know or not. He made no judgment whatsoever. "We're exceptionally glad to have you. You have a first rate staff that I'm sure you'll discover once you meet and begin working with them."

"I'm looking forward to it Sir" Alicia paused. "Sir I... Should explain something." She looked down at her wrists. "I've spent the last two years getting over the loss of my soul mate and our baby. He was killed on away party duty, the shock caused me to have a miscarriage and as a result I tried to kill myself." She looked up again. "I kept the scars to remind me how precious life really is."

Gary leaned back in his chair. "I see." He replied before adding, "I'm glad to hear you say that Lieutenant. For life is indeed precious. Only one to a customer. You do the best you can and sometimes despite our best intentions and desires it doesn't work out the way we hoped and planned. In that case you dust yourself off and pick yourself back up and get back to living. It's not easy, trust me I know but it can be done and I think you should keep the scars to continue to remind you of that fact."

Alicia nodded and offered a smile. “That was the idea, I know it’s not what Kal would have wanted me to do. He’d have wanted me to move on so that’s what I’m doing, it’s time to get back to my life.”

Gary nodded, "I think that is a very wise statement and decision Lieutenant. Losing a loved one is a devastating and sometimes a crippling blow. Sometimes those left behind lose sight of what they have because they are so consumed by the loss of a loved one. However as I mentioned earlier the Elysium crew is very much like a family and if you avail yourself of their friendship and support, you'll be fine."

"I will, thank you Sir" Alicia nodded and smiled. "I had a quick glance at some of the personnel files on the way here but I don't tend to go by what files have to say. Call me unconventional but I prefer to make up my own mind on people not go by what I read. The Counselling department is very well staffed, I'm surprised that I'm the Chief given I'm not the highest ranking officer in the department."

"Good for you. Files don't tell you anything about the person." Gary answered, "I think you'll find you have an excellent group of counselors. Ensign Masters, just recently graduated from the shipboard academy. She's young, vibrant, eager to please and full of gusto. Lt. Hol was recently promoted and is an excellent counselor. She is able to get in touch with what her patient is feeling. Lt. Sullivan and Commander are Savar are both eminently qualified to be Chief Counselor but both would rather stay staff counselors and help patients than deal with the paperwork and red tape that comes with being chief."

"Now that I can understand!" Alicia grinned. "I wondered at first whether I should accept a position as Chief but I consider it an honour and it was something I wanted before I took my personal leave. I'm not going to walk in there and start ordering people around, they know their jobs and I'm going to let them get on with those jobs. Being half Betazoid it gives me a unique insight on emotions, something a lot of Counsellor's don't have."

"I think it is the prerogative of every officer to decide what is best for them. Naturally, for one to advance, you have to take certain steps. One of those is becoming a department chief." Gary answered with a grin.

“Indeed” Alicia nodded. “I guess I should be getting on with my duties. Does the Commander prefer new crew to check in with her or will my checking in with you suffice?”

"Checking in with me will cover you. However in the interest of being social. I would call upon the Captain just as a means to introduce yourself." Gary replied.

“Then that is what I will do.” Alicia smiled warmly. “It’s been nice talking to you Sir, thank you for being so understanding. I appreciate it.”

Gary rose from behind his desk, " The pleasure was mine. Stop in anytime. My door is always open." He extended his right hand, "Let me officially welcome you aboard the Elysium Alicia." He said using her first name. "I think your going to fit right in and do great."

Alicia stood and shook Gary’s hand. “Thank you Sir.” Letting his hand go she turned to leave and headed on her way.

"Thank you Lieutenant." Gary answered warmly as he watched turn to leave his office.

Leaving the office Alicia smiled to herself, this was starting to look like a good place to be.

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