Let sleeping dogs lie "
By: Samantha Carter, Security Officer, [RNPC]
Patia Zoei, Chief Counselor, [PC]

Stardate: 58205.09 1845

Sam's bridge duty had ended and she made her way to Miranda's. She felt her stomach growl for food.

"Hey Sam, one of the crewmembers said as she exited the turbolift. You are interested in a poker game tonight?"

"I don't think so Jurgen, Sam answered. "I have the night shift."

"Okidokie, no problem perhaps next time," he said and waved as he ducked back into a Jeffries tube.

Sam smiled as she entered Miranda's, from the replicator she ordered a cheese sandwich and a glass of milk. Collecting the plate she let her eyes darted around as she looked at the crewmembers present.

Patia sat at her favourite table. As she watched the stars, she felt as though someone were watching. Slowly, she turned her head. Near the replicator stood one of the security officers. The woman looked like she needed a spot to sit and most of the restaurant was full. Slowly, she raised her hand and waved to her.

Sam saw Patia wave at her and slowly walked up to her. "Hello Ma'am, has this seat been taken?"

"No, it hasn't. You are welcome to it, if you like," Patia said, with a smile.

Gently Sam placed the plate on the table and sat down. "I believe we have not been formally introduced Ma'am. I'm Samantha Carter," Sam said softly.

"Patia Zoei," Patia answered, as she extended her hand across the table. "I work in the counseling department. It is a pleasure to meet you."

Sam took a bit from her sandwich and at the same time shook Patia's hand. Chewing her food, Sam said with her mouth full, "mmmniise to meet you mmmtooo." She quickly swallowed. "Sorry Ma'am but sometimes one have to eat quickly."

"So you are a counselor, what do you exactly do?" Sam asked questionalbly as she placed an elbow on the table and rested her head in her hand.

Patia leaned back against the seat and cradled her glass of tea in her hand. "It depends on the day, really. Most of the time, I speak with people about issues they are facing. Sometimes I file reports. Sometimes I coordinate activites for the crew. You are in Security, no?"

"Yes, I am. I used to be in Intell but now Security." Sam said with a little sigh.

"Why the sigh? And why did you leave Intell?" Patia asked.

"Why I sighed? Well I kinda miss the Intell department. Don't get me wrong I do enjoy Security it is never wrong to have some action and you get assigned to away missions. Meeting new people, finding solutions for difficult situations," Sam's eyes began to sparkle as she spoke about her job. "Yet Intell is about gathering information legally or illegaly, going undercover, playing someone you are not." Sam chuckled. "I guess I have seen too much of Agatha Christie."

"I can see where it would be very challenging, especially the undercover part. It would be very easy to assume the traits of the person you pretend to be, even when you are not on duty, so to speak. Or, at least it would be that way for me. I do not wish to speak for you on that point. Agatha Christie is one of my favorite authors. There is a program on the holodeck for her book, "When Sleeping Dogs Lie." You might like to try it some day." Patia smiled.

" Perhaps I will," Sam said smiling. "Don't you ever get bored listning to other peoples problems," Sam asked. "I mean I can't think of anything exiting happening during one of your sessions."

"No, I can't say I have ever been bored in a session. It isn't the type of excitement I am sure you experience in your day to day work life, but it has its own intensities. I am very honored to be allowed into people's lives and I hope I help them make a difference. For me, my vocation is very rewarding. How about you? Do you find Security as fulfilling as Intell?"

" Define fulfilling," Sam said as she leant back in her chair. "I am happy in my job, if you mean that. But sometimes I think I am capable of so much more. Kinda difficult to explain I guess."

"Fulfilling, for me, is having a job I love, feeling satisfaction in a job well done, and feeling I am in control of my own destiny within my responsibilities. I don't mean that I wouldn't be accountable to someone else, but I could grow because I pushed myself to learn more, expand my horizons more. Do you understand what I mean? I am not sure I am very clear with my explanation." Patia raised her eyebrow toward Sam.

"I understand, but how about you Ma'am," Sam asked. "Have you never considered doin' something else besides counseling?"

"Never, I love what I do. For me, it is the perfect job. Do you think you will ever get back to Intell?" Patia leaned forward as she spoke.

Sam brushed a strand of blond hair from her face before she answered. "Well I hope so if I am ever needed but the point is I do like both jobs, and maybe I will even be able to combine the two of them."

Sam paused and took a gulp of her milk.

"Do you think that that will be a good idea.? I am not sure if I should ask the Commander or the Captain about this. Perhaps Ms Jarvis does not want me to get back to Intell.

"Why wouldn't she? As Chief, it would be her responsibility to ensure you were maximizing your potential. I don't know her personally, but I would have no reason to think she wouldn't be that way with you."

"Perhaps I might just go and ask her." Sam responded.

"You know is it true between you and Chief Silvio." Sam asked softly.

"Is what true?" Patia tipped her head slightly, truly puzzled by the question.

"Well as a security officer you tend to be observant and you do notice certain things and to be honest the Chief seems to have a bit of a crush on you."

Patia chuckled. "Oh no, I don't think so. He is a nice man. I think he needs a friend to talk to, but I don't think he has any interest in me, outside of a friendship. I am a middle aged Betazid woman, who is way too involved in her career. I don't think I would be a good choice for anyone to get involved with at this point." Patia smiled slightly.

"Now, you are engaged to Lieutenant Atwood, correct?" Patia asked.

"I was but not anymore Ma'am." Sam said a bit sadly.

"I am sorry, I did not know that. I should not have brought it up." Patia apologized.

Sam shrugged. "He and I had a major disagreement, just before the riot started."

"You know Ma'am," Sam said, her voice became a little louder. "I have respect for my senior officer and if the order is right I will do it without any questions asked. But if it jeopardize against my judgement and if somebody starts pulling rank than I can not accept this. Besides I felt, how you say, smuthered." Sam stopped, her face became like stone no emotions were visuable.

"Then it is better for you to be out of the situation. I am sorry you are going through this right now." Patia smiled gently at Sam.

Sam shrugged again. "That is the beauty of being human, they bounce back up if things go not as planned. Anyway I don't need anybody else, I can take care of myself."

Sam's eyes became glassy as she remembered her childhood learning to defend herself.

"That is true, I have no doubt you can take care of yourself. It is nice when you can connect with another living, breathing person, though. You look like you would prefer to be independent." Patia's eyes narrowed slightly as she looked closely at Sam.

Sam's blue eyes locked with Patia's. "Yes but you also get hurt in the process and I............ Sam paused. "I promised my self never to get hurt again. Too much has happened in the past and to be honest it scarred me for life."

She paused. "I know where my shortcomings are and I would like to connect to another person but I also don't want to loose my independance. Does that make any sense?"

"Absolutely, it makes perfect sense." Patia nodded.

"But you also seem to be a very independant woman Ma'am," Sam said softly.

"Definitely, I have been on my own for a long time and I have to say I like it the way it is. I am not saying I wouldn't want someone in my life, because I would, but I am perfectly content living my life the way it is." Patia smiled slightly. "You know, if you ever need to chat about anything, my door is always open."

Sam bowed her head and opened her mouth to say something but then decided that this was neither the place nor the right time.

"Thanks Miss Zoei, I really appreciate that." Sam answered. "Well I gotta dash, you have a good day now."