Talk , it Does a Mind Good

Posted on Sat Apr 25th, 2020 @ 1:49am by Lieutenant Commander Alicia Kelea-Salik & Captain Gary Taylor

Mission: Season 3: Episode 4: Cause and Effect
Location: Alicia's Office
Timeline: After Departure
1119 words - 2.2 OF Standard Post Measure

Gary walked into the counselor's office. He didn't want to be here, thought it a waste of time but Phoenix had ordered him and the rest of the senior staff to have a counseling and medical session for the implant they were to receive. So now he stood there, waiting, wanting to get this this thing over with. So he came to talk.

Alicia smiled as she stepped out of her office and greeted Gary as he stood waiting to see her. “Commander, please come on in.” She motioned for him to take a seat. “Make yourself at home Sir, can I get you anything to drink?”

Gary moved to chair and sat down. "No, no thank you counselor, I'm fine. Thank you though." he answered as his eyes took in the room. The degrees on the wall, the carpet on the floor. The soft colors to make the room feeling inviting. It was nicely and professionally done.

“Please Commander, call me Alicia. In this room I’m your friend not just one of the ship’s Counsellors.” She smiled warmly. “Now question is...did you come here willingly or just because you were ordered to?”

"Thank you Alicia. Please call me Gary." He replied offering a smile of his own perhaps not as warm as hers but a smile nonetheless. He met her gaze directly, he had never been one to shy away from unpleasantness. "To be perfectly honest because I was ordered to." he replied without rancor.

“Thank you for being honest Gary” Alicia smiled warmly, she took a seat in a chair opposite. “I’m not here to dig up bad memories or anything like that, I’m simply here to help as are the rest of the Counselling staff. I know there are plenty of people who hate talking, you’re not the only one.”

Gary nodded, "Thank you for understanding Alicia. It's not personal I assure you. I just keep things bottled up and deal with them in my own way."

“I can understand that, but bottling things up can be unproductive and harmful in the long run.” Alicia looked at Gary understandingly. “It’s sometimes better to air your feelings, even if you don’t want an opinion in return.”

"Maybe." He admitted "But doing it my way has paid off so far."

“Fair enough” Alicia nodded. “So how are you getting along with the Captain? The two of you have to work closely together as command team. Do you work well together or do you have your disagreements?”

"We work well together." He said without further explanation. "If I have an objection I voice it in private. Never in front of the crew. On the bridge , we present a united front." He added.

“What about when you’re off the bridge?” She studied Gary carefully. “Are you friends?”

Gary considered his answer carefully. "I have the utmost respect and admiration for Phoenix Lalor. I like to think we're friends but we don't socialize"

Alicia nodded. "Do you socialise much at all?"

"We socialize at all the ship functions such as the Christmas party, award ceremonies." Gary answered.

“I was meaning you Gary, do you socialise or do you prefer not to?”

Gary sighed. "I'm a homebody, so no I don't socialize. However I'm not antisocial."

“That I’ve noticed” Alicia smiled. “Prior to my arrival here you were involved in a hostage situation. From what I understand it was a pretty harrowing ordeal, can you tell me about it?”

Gary was silent. he didn't want to dredge up the prison and the effects it had on those taken but he knew he'd have to or Alicia would say something or make a note about his refusal. "The Captain, Commanders Holmes and Qwyyn and myself were taken captive by rogue Romulans. Commander Qwyyn and myself were bound and stripped naked during our entire time at the prison. Commander Qwyyn was also tortured and humiliated by the Romulans in an attempt to break me. The Captain was tortured and chained as the Romulans tried to drown her for her refusal to give them any information. Commander Holmes was taken as a possession of the XO of the Romulan ship and made his plaything." Gary recalled his expression changing to one of haunted.

Alicia noted the change in Gary’s expression. “I can’t imagine what you must have all gone through, it wasn’t your fault that others were used against you. Though I can imagine it feels very much like it was your fault.”

"You're right you can't and you are also right that it does feel like my fault. Tate, that is Lt. Sullivan tells me the same thing that it wasn't my fault but it's hard to get past that feeling."

“I know it is” Alicia nodded and smiled. “As you’ve talked to Tate we’ll let it rest there for now, as long as you promise me you’ll speak to one of us if you need to.”

"I've already promised Tate that I would do so." Gary replied stoically.

“Excellent” Alicia grinned. “So is there anything you’d like to ask me?”

"How do you like the Elysium?" Gary inquired.

“I’m enjoying it.” Alicia smiled warmly. “I’ve made friends already and met my husband so I’m happy with that.”

"Congratulations." Gary replied honestly. "I'm very happy for you." and he was. "What department does your husband work in?"

“Actually this one!” Alicia smiled as she answered Gary’s question. “My husband is Lieutenant Commander Savar. Our Vulcan Counsellor.”

"Savar." Gary repeated. "Congratulations to you again. I bet you have some interesting dinner conversations."

“Only about ship business Sir, patient confidentiality comes first and foremost. We don’t discuss other people unless we’re consulting on the same person of course.” Alicia smiled. “Anyway, I believe that’s your evaluation done. I’m recommending you carry on with your sessions with Tate, but apart from that I’m happy to declare you fit for duty.

"I will Alicia, you can count on it. Thank you for making this enjoyable as well as declaring me fit for duty." Gary answered with a smile of his own.

“My pleasure Sir...Gary!” Alicia grinned.

Rising from his chair, Gary nodded, "Thank you again Alicia, I hope to see more of you and Savar in a social atmosphere."

“I’m sure you will Gary.” Alicia smiled warmly.

" I look forward to it." Gary answered with equal warmth.

“Thank you for coming to see me.” She signed off his report and put the PADD on the finished pile.

Gary nodded and smiled heading for the door and his appointment with medical.