Grief in Isolation is Excruciating

Posted on Thu Dec 2nd, 2021 @ 3:08am by Captain Maho Takahashi & Lieutenant Commander Brennyn Scott M.D.

1,385 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Handling the Fallout

***ON***

Brennyn Scott took a moment to smooth out her uniform before pressing the chime outside Commander Takahashi's office door. Scott wasn't someone overly concerned with rules and regulations personally, but she understood the importance of making a positive first impression. She was also mindful that to serve aboard a ship like Myogi, enforcing the rules and regulations expected of Starfleet members, she couldn't take the example she presented lightly. To Bree, what mattered most was the welfare of others, and she knew rules and regs could be imperfect, but she also knew she had to pick her battles. Day 1 was not that time.

"Enter." A feminine voice on the other side of the door called.

In response to the voice on the other side of the door, the doors hissed open and Brennyn strode through. Unsure of what she would find when she entered, Scott prepared herself to either stand at attention or enter confidently but a bit more relaxed.

The interior of the ready room was what one would typically expect on a Starfleet ship, with a desk facing the doors with two chairs placed in front of it. A wall behind the desk was lined with shelves, upon which many trinkets rested. A few of the notable trinkets on the shelves included a glazed plank of wood that looked like it had been feasted upon by termites before it had been sterilized and preserved, a dedication plaque from Utopia Planitia that read 'USS RISING SUN', a Parrises Squares bag, and a model of a yellow third generation Mazda RX-7 sports car. On another wall, out of Brennyn's immediate field of vision, hung a portrait of a bespectacled admiral; a clenched right fist placed over the location of his heart.

Standing behind the desk was a young brunette in a red uniform. Three rank pips adorned the right side of her chest, indicating her rank. Despite looking almost half Brennyn's age, the brunette's icy glare was one that commanded respect when in her presence. Her head hardly moved as Maho sized up the slightly taller, Auburn haired woman that had just entered her ready room.

"Lieutenant Scott, I presume?" Maho asked.

As Bree entered the office and waited to be spoken to, she briefly took in her immediate surroundings, making note of the plaque in particular, mentally tracing its potential significance. Other things she took in more quickly, forming hypotheses as to what they could say about the woman before her. Still, Brennyn was most interested in the flesh and blood human being in front of her, and so it didn't take long for Scott's eyes to settle on the room's other occupant. "Yes, ma'am, that is correct." Scott figured it was best to be formal to match the commander. Such mirroring would give her additional insight into the experienced woman before her.

"I take it you are settling in okay?" The brunette asked. "I understand the Myogi is a smaller ship, but she certainly has it where it counts."

Scott wanted to inquire further about what the other woman considered worth counting, but she resisted the impulse as this was not a psychological evaluation, although the counselor's curiosity couldn't always be limited to such circumstances. Of course, considering what she and the rest of the crew had been through, it was perhaps understandable that her focus would be on potentially offensive capability. "I am, thank you, ma'am," Scott replied. "It is different from where I came from, but it's also true that smaller ships can foster greater bonds, and that suits me well."

"You're not wrong in that aspect:" The brunette said, gesturing towards the portrait on the wall across from the desk. "The man who occupied this office before me held similar beliefs about the bonds of friendship and camaraderie: Starfleet officers, when they graduate into the Admiralty, tend to develop a mystique around them; and they come to be viewed as mythical, almost godlike creatures, sitting in gilded towers and giving orders to the fleets. But... He wasn't like that: He understood the importance of staying connected to the everyman, and that's why he was so loved:"

The brunette paused: A tear welled in her eye.

"He forged unbreakable bonds with his crew until the end." She further elaborated. "Including myself and a good friend of mine from the Academy. Recently, those bonds were tested: An evil witch tried her best to break them, but they held firm. I find that inspiring, but many disagree with me..."

The brunette stopped speaking again, unsure how to continue speaking: It was now becoming apparent that tears were falling from her eyes.

Scott would not have anticipated such a display of emotion just two short minutes into their introduction, but as a therapist and a Starfleet Officer she knew it was also important for her to expect the unexpected. Not wanting to be too presumptuous despite the vulnerable moment, Bree gestured to a chair positioned nearby as if to ask for permission to sit. If the Commander objected, Scott didn't take much time, if any, to notice. Instead, she sat, taking the opportunity to gather her thoughts before offering, "Grief is painful enough, but grief in isolation is excruciating. Perhaps I can help you and the rest of the crew over time lay down your burden."

"Thank you, Lieutenant." The brunette responded. "It's been a long time since we last had a permanent counselor on board, and I'm sure your services won't go unappreciated."

Bree was curious as to why the ship had been without a permanent counselor for so long, but she knew that would be a question for another time. For now, she wanted to assure the woman before her that just because she was in command, that didn't mean she was less of a priority than anyone else. "Nor will yours," Scott replied sincerely. "I know you have a lot on your plate and perhaps there's a part of you that believes you don't have time to sort through your grief, but I'd like you to know my door is always open, and if you're willing, I think there is a great deal of benefit when those in command lead by this particular example."

"Thank you, counselor:" The brunette reiterated. "It might take me a while to get all my thoughts in order, because a lot has happened recently for me to unpack, and I don't necessarily want to start with the hormones doing the talking either." She put a hand on her belly to subtly convey her condition. "But rest assured, I'm sure you will hear from me at some point in the coming days. After all, it is a long way from here to the Klingon Border."

Scott smiled. "The thought of a new baby coming into the universe always made her smile. She dealt with a great deal of sadness in her career, both medicine and counseling, but a pregnancy was something to celebrate. "Congratulations. Perhaps I can be of service in more ways than one… That is if it wouldn't be stepping on the toes of anyone in medical, of course."

"Counseling is Medical, is it not, Lieutenant?" The brunette asked rather curiously, wondering if there was something about the department that she was missing the memo on. "I'm sure you will have ample opportunities to assist me."

Bree realized she might not have been clear, so this time she chose her words more carefully. It seemed in her excitement she could be easily misunderstood. "In practice, we hardly make a distinction between mental and physical health anymore, and my training in both areas certainly illustrates how integrated the two areas actually are, but I'm afraid I was speaking more personally and perhaps selfishly. I just meant if there's anything I can do to contribute to your prenatal care, I would be happy to do it. I am required to keep my medical skills equally as sharp as my therapeutic skills, and I can't think of a more joyful task than helping to bring a healthy child into the universe."

"Of course." The brunette responded. "Either way, your services will be appreciated. As you were, Lieutenant."

Posting by

Commander Maho Takahashi
Commanding Officer

Lieutenant Brennyn Scott
Chief Counselor

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