Beginning to Heal

Posted on Fri Jun 15th, 2018 @ 7:38am by Lieutenant Commander Amber Quinn & Captain Ka'Tock

991 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Cloud Surfing
Location: Counseling

ON

Amber arrived on time for her appointment with the counselor. She'd avoided the task for far too long because she didn't want to talk about Daniel or how she became First Officer of the Aurora.

But it was time to let go and move on. While it was still painful, she knew better than to continue to dwell on what might have been and let Daniel do what he thought was best for him and his career.

Ka'Tock had prepared the Tea and crumpets for the next meeting; he had straightened his uniform and stood near the desk with a PADD in hand finalizing notes of his last session and going over the bio of the Executive Officer, the Command Staff were his key responsibility and this woman the person he directly reported to. He gave a grin; it was always a pleasure to have sessions with the crew; it surprised him how much it helped with his own situation. Her sleeve gave him all the basic information from other sessions that are on record; nothing all that out of the ordinary from a counselor's point of view, until he came across the latest entry and he would keep that to himself as it was just routine. No need as this is her first time really talking with him and he wanted to get off on the correct footing.

The doors opened when the XO came to the door, Ka'Tock placed his padd on the desk and smiled .

Open Door Policy Commander Quinn, please come in and make yourself comfortable." He offered.

"Thank you." Amber glanced around the room and then took a seat opposite the doctor. "I guess it's time I come see you and get cleared."

Please have a seat." He offered a chair across a small coffee style table with Tea and crumpets on a silver tray. "It is good that you have come down for a bit of a chat; I was just preparing afternoon tea, care for some?"

Amber nodded and sat down. "Thank you, I would love some. I don't generally indulge in tea, but I appreciate the tradition."

Ka'Tock poured the tea for her and a cup of his own; showing the cream and sugar for her to sweeten to taste or not.

"How has your day been thus far?" He sat back with his tea. "I am hoping nothing really trying?" He opted for the light conversation while she prepared her tea.

Amber added both sugar and cream, taking her time while she considered her answer. "Today has been good. You take things as they come and try to make the best of them."

"Is that like 'going with the flow' as one might say?" Ka'Tock asked.

Amber smiled. "Something like that. It's moving forward knowing that things will get better eventually."

"That is helpful, a more positive rather than negative view does tend to make one functional." Ka'Tock complemented. "So long as one truly believes it will get better with time. Do you believe that or are you telling yourself that?"

"Oh, I believe it," Amber said. "I'm not going to let myself wallow in my misery. It will do me no good."

"Sounds like a good viewpoint." He grinned. "I have one thing I must ask of you though; please tell me something you don't want me to know; nothing classified, just something from within Amber Quinn herself?"

Amber laughed. "If I didn't want you to know, I wouldn't tell you. But there is something you should know as you'll have to deal with it in one way or another." She took a breath. "The captain and I used to be in a relationship. He broke it off because some admiral told him it would be bad for his career. He made me his First Officer as a consolation prize."

"How much did that hurt?" Ka'Tock asked. "It is rare that a consolation prize does the intended effect of lessening the loss, am I correct the same is true in this situation?"

"I was hurt and angry for a while," she said. "I don't want to command a starship. I like science." She shrugged. "I'm growing to like being a First Officer, but I have no aspirations to do more." She paused for a long moment. "And I'm beginning to heal from the breakup. I mean, why pine after someone who puts his career over you and always will?"

"Or Family obligations." Ka'Tock said he had hoped to himself. "You have a point in not expending emotional energy over someone who does not have your feelings in the forefront." Ka'Tock had some idea as his Imzadi had choose her family obligations on Betazed over Ka'Tock and the Adopted Son Mitah.

Amber raised an eyebrow. "Indeed. I guess we both have better things to look forward to." She wasn't going to ask, but by his comment, she could tell that he, too, had been hurt by someone he loved.

"Perhaps sometime in a more social setting I might be more prone to tell how I can empathize a bit with your situation." Ka'Tock said. You do sound as though you are on a more sound path to move on with your life; painful as it could seem, and that is always a positive."

"It is," she said. "Or it will be. Life is too short to spend it moping over a man who doesn't want me." Then she smiled. "I believe living well is the best revenge."

"I agree." Ka'Tock returned the smile. "You can come by for a chat any time you need." He added. "I would say we have covered enough for now, I would like to talk with you again though, if you do not mind?"

"I don't mind. I could use a friend right now," she said as she stood. "Thank you. See you later."


____
OFF

Lieutenant Commander Amber Quinn
Executive Officer

Lieutenant JG Ka'Tock
Chief Counselor

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