So Chaplain, what do you do?

Posted on 12 Feb 2015 @ 3:05am by Lieutenant Commander Amynta Markos & Verity Thorne

1,349 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Episode 07 - Sojourn
Location: USS Galileo - Intelligence Office, Deck 5
Timeline: MD-23, 14:00

ON:

Amynta stopped suddenly as she looked at the PADD. She had forgotten about Thorne. Thorne was this...person who did lots of things. Who she saw and noted, but she never connected him as being in her department. Only, he was. He was...well...he was the Chaplain. He was just...she stopped and she tapped her combadge. "Mr Thorne, can you come to my office when you have time? I believe we are in a dire need to catch up."

"On my way," Verity replied with mild surprise. It wasn't often that she spoke to him outside of department meetings. It made him wonder what could have happened on his way to her office, but...well, there was no point speculating. He pressed the chime and cleared his throat. Whatever it was, they could sort out.

"Enter," Amynta said, placing the pot of tea down. She looked at Verity before motioning to the seat. "Sit down..." she said and took a seat as well, watching him. "I have...come to the conclusion that I should pay more interest in what you do. I've been happy to let the other non-Intelligence people be. I have no idea about your job, no advice to offer on how to do it. Same with the diplomats. But I am still in charge of the department so...how are you?"

Verity blinked with surprise at her opening gambit, but smiled all the same as he moved to sit with her. "All things considered, I am well. I've been concerned about the crew after everything that's happened, but...they're getting over it."

"And is there anything I can do to....assist?" Amynta asked, watching him closely as she considered it, before reaching to pour the tea. It was something for her to at least...do.

His surprise grew at the offer. He had nothing against her, but he had never taken her for a...people person. He shook his head gently with a reassuring smile. "Time is doing its magic as always. And with shoreleave around the corner, well, I think it will do us all some good after some of the madness that went on during the mission."

"I agree," Amynta said and gave a weak nod, a small smile on her lips. "If anything just so that people can...blow some steam. Just loads of steam."

"I know. The walking dead...." Verity shook his head, lost in the thought for a moment, something that challenged many of the beliefs that had been instilled in him. He shook his head lightly, bringing himself back to the present. "I also run the activity groups as well, to keep people together and morale up. I also visit patients in sickbay, if I'm not intruding of course."

Markos watched him before nodding, looking down at that. They both knew she'd do a lot more harm than good 'helping out' there. "Well, the groups get nothing but praise, I hear," she said and met his eyes. "You seem...very busy. With the work you are making yourself."

"I prefer to keep busy," he admitted with a half smile, shaking his head slowly before glancing down. "It's good for the soul."

"Is it?" she asked, tilting her head as she watched him closely. "Or is it used to hide from yourself?"

Verity watched her with surprise, his breath catching at the turn. He gave a weak smile, holding her eyes. "Has this become a counselling session?"

"Hardly," she said and shook her head, taking a slow breath as she sat back. "But everyone's running away from something, covering something up. It's part of the very core of people. I won't...counsel you. But I can offer a drink and listen if you ever do find yourself in need of it."

"I'm used to being the one who does the listening," Verity laughed softly, looking down with a nod. "It keeps me busy. Keeps me occupied. Means I can...lend a hand. There's not as much chance for that out here."

Markos nodded as she held his eyes for a long moment before nodding. "Well, drink offer stands if you need to talk. Words flow better backed by good wine."

"I might take you up on it," he admitted, honestly. There weren't many people Verity could or would talk to about what was going on his head. He still saw people as his 'parishioners', people he was responsible for and was there to help, not to burden with his own anxieties.

"Good," Amynta said firmly, with a small smile pulling at her lips. "Because you seem to be one of the more level headed people here and I think my department needs that."

Verity couldn't help but laugh at that, shaking his head. "Well that's worrying," he teased lightly. "Not including yourself, of course...."

"Of course," Amynta said smoothly, watching him with a small smile. "But even I have some perspective issues on occasion. It's human. I know we're not meant to say it, but it is a damned human trait. Makes us difficult to kill."

A quirk of a smile came to Verity at that and he looked down with a soft chuckle. "For all of the new challenges that people have to cope with out here, witness and understand, accept and deal with....you know, most people still have most issues with the same basic things that have haunted us for centuries...families, love, relationships, pain, hurt, confusion, test of faith."

"Always something to doubt," she agreed before shaking her head. "Problem is, we never change. Same cycle every time. Emotions are hard to control, we are governed by them and our responses to them. Of course, you offer some sort of comfort to those experiencing that. Which always makes me think you belong in Counselling, not support. Support seems only to be supporting the negative things we physically encounter. Diplomats sort out their dances, their verbal sparring to achieve a goal. Whereas Intelligence supply the information necessary to get the upper hand. You? You comfort, you heal. You keep the faith and make sure those around you have someone to go to, someone who will listen. I do not envy you. You must have the patience of a Samurai. Or Saint."

"Oh no, I really don't," Verity laughed warmly at the idea, running his hands over his hair. "To be honest, I really don't mind where I am. I sort of work alone anyway. Not in a 'lone wolf' kind of way," he chuckled, shaking his head quickly. "Just, the kind of work I do is sort of independent in its very nature. I just....sort of get on with what I need to get on with, if that makes sense and suits you."

Amynta nodded weakly, watching him closely, tilting her head as she thought for a moment. "At least my hands-off approach about you worked then. You seem to be doing just fine without me sticking my nose into it."

"Not that you'd do any harm if you did," Verity added quickly with a soft laugh, hoping what he'd said before hadn't come out wrong or offensively.

"Oh, you never know," she said with a sly smile, watching Verity for a long moment. "Well...I think that should cover it all. Agreed?"

"Agreed," he nodded, taking that as his cue to stand, offering his hand across. "Thank you. For taking time out to speak with me."

She met his eyes with surprise at the thank you, before taking his hand. "It was surprisingly pleasant," she admitted and gave a small nod.

Verity shook it with warmth, smiling gently to her. "I like that. Perhaps I shall have that on my gravestone," he teased gently before leaving her to her work.

Amynta chuckled as she watched him leave, shaking her head weakly. She couldn't fault humour like that. She moved to sit down again, looking at her screen before starting work again.


OFF:

Lt. Commander Amynta Markos
Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Galileo

&

PO1 Verity Thorne
Chaplain
USS Galileo
[PNPC Blake]

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