Between the Lines

Posted on 12 Feb 2015 @ 5:39am by Lieutenant Prudence Devin Ph.D. & Lieutenant JG Dorian West

1,364 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Episode 07 - Sojourn
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 4, Counselling Office
Timeline: MD 43 - 1200

ON:

Prudence Devin looked around her new office for a moment, taking it in. Well. It was an office. It was the best she had to say for it. And it was newly refurbished, which didn't surprise her at all considering the fact that the Galileo had been in dock. She walked along, touching the desk before sitting down, looking around. She wore the standard uniform today, her hair pinned up, the bare minimum of make-up. She was in control here. Eventually, she'd know people, get the different personalities and learn how to interact with them to get the best out of them. Eventually. But for now, she wanted to get to know her staff.

Dorian pressed the chime, waiting to be called before moving in, offering a small smile. "Lieutenant JG Dorian West...."

She stood, walking over to him and offering her hand. "Mr West," she said, giving him a small nod. "I'm Prudence Devin, it's a pleasure to meet you."

"And you," he smiled warmly as he shook her hand firmly. "I have been curious, I must admit," he chuckled.

"Have you now? And why is that?" she asked and motioned for him to take a seat, walking to the replicator. She replicated a teapot of green tea and two small Japanese mugs. In truth, she had her own set and preferred the real thing, but she was yet to unpack.

"You're my new boss....you could change my working life," he admitted bluntly, but with a smile, his eyes shining with it.

Pru chuckled as she carried the pot to the desk, putting it down. "I could. So perhaps this meeting is about why I should not?" she countered and got the cups before pouring the tea. "I read your psychological file. You are flagged to have counselling yourself. Have you scheduled one yet?"

"Ah...hm...." Dorian sat with her, clearing his throat as he shrugged lightly. "It's been busy settling in, you know?"

"Naturally," she said and sat down, watching him for a long moment. "However we must set an example to the crew."

Dorian sighed for a long moment before finally giving a slight nod. "Fair enough," he said quietly.

She nodded, holding his eyes for a long moment. "I know that it is difficult, turning the theories in on ourselves. Especially after trauma. I won't tell you that I understand what you have been through, Mr West, because it would be a lie. But as we both know, talking about things help. A lot. We will pencil in a session for later this week. But for now...how have you found the ship?"

"Good," the smile returned at the swift change of subject. "It's rather compact, but I like that. It means you can get a feel for it, if you know what I mean?"

"And the people," Devin said with a small nod. "You can observe better a patient's progress if you see them on a regular basis. On a big ship, it can be difficult. Also, you are able to see them out...socially, and can see how they are coping. For the worst cases, of course. The ones where you were never quite sure you did the right thing passing them in the first place."

Dorian chuckled softly at that as he glanced down, nodding gently. "I haven't had any problems so far."

"Good to hear," she said and sipped her tea, watching him closely for a long moment. "Do you perhaps have anything you'd like to ask me?"

Dorian shook his head with a small smile, sipping his tea gently. "Unless, of course, you think there is anything I should know?"

"Well, background always helps," Prudence said gently, holding his eyes for a long moment. "I've only been in the Fleet for the last...six years. I trained as a civilian and practiced as a civilian as well."

He watched with interest at that, letting out a soft breath. "Privately?"

"Naturally," she nodded as she held his eyes. "I was young and did not wish to be part of a large...establishment. So I went into University instead."

He smiled softly as he watched her. It meant she was intelligent and educated. Prim and proper maybe. The phrase came to mind. "Did you like it?"

"I enjoyed it," she said softly, her grey eyes softening with it. She smiled, easily as well, shaking her head. "Truly, I did. I'm a psychiatrist. I...enjoyed the training. Once you were thrown into it all though, it was a different world."

"Real," he chuckled, glancing down, almost abashed at the conversation.

She watched him for a long moment, shaking her head. "I think you will find Starfleet a far more real place than a university campus, Mr West."

He glanced to her, letting out a soft breath as he nodded. He was lucky to scrape into the Academy, he knew that. He wondered sometimes if he'd have been so lucky if he'd entered through counselling rather than security as he had trained in.

Prudence tilted her head, watching him before standing, taking a breath as she reached to pour more tea. "Whatever it is, I can assure you it is better out than in."

"Nothing," he assured with a warm smile. "I was just being intimidated by your grand education," he said lightly, but with a laugh, a real one.

She laughed at that, shaking her head. "Don't. It's...just different knowledge and different specialism...it is different. Not better."

"I used to be Security," he shrugged with a small smile, shaking his head. "But you know that."

"I do," she said softly, her eyes on his face as she sat down again. "And I think that it makes you unique. You can identify with a department where...psychological problems are often hidden."

Dorian nodded with understanding, holding her eyes before conceding with a soft chuckle. "As I do, you mean."

"That too, but that might just be your natural personality," she said lightly, smiling to him. "I will make sure you see a counsellor, you know. I refuse to let anyone on my staff be."

"Good to know," he said lightly, shaking his head with a soft chuckle. "Can I...request that it is you?"

"Yes," she said and gave a small nod. "In fact, I want to encourage everyone in the department to see me. To avoid...complications between counsellors."

"It makes sense, to me at least," he admitted softly, nodding as he held her eyes with a grateful smile.

Prudence studied him at the words before she smiled, nodding gently. "I understand," she said softly, meaning it. "And we will make this department work well."

Dorian nodded firmly before giving a smile. "My style can come across as casual, but, well, I keep a keen eye."

"Good. And because you have told me that is your style, I cannot accuse you of slacking," she said lightly, with a suddenly playful smile.

"Well, that too," he grinned, shaking his head quickly. "I won't get anything past you, will I."

"Not many have. And those that did were eventually found out and suitably punished," she said and finished her tea, holding his eyes. "The only thing I do not...tolerate...are lies. Even if the truth is awkward, I'd take it over lies. I cannot fix untruths."

"Same," he said quickly, watching her seriously as he nodded, the sincerity clear in his eyes. "It makes me angry, if I'm honest."

A small smile curled her lips at that and she nodded. "Me too, Mr West. Far more than I can explain..." she looked down, considering it. "This ship...has seen a lot of action. Far more than your average ship. I can imagine there being some good lies here."

"It can be a defensive reflex, or plain old denial," Dorian said softly, glancing down as he sighed gently.

"Yes, it can be. One that isn't...the best for mental health," Prudence admitted and sat down, studying him closely. "I think we will work well together."

OFF:

LT Prudence Devin
Chief Counsellor
USS Galileo

LT JG Dorian West
Counsellor
USS Galileo
[PNPC Blake]

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