The Edge of Freedom #61"
By: Teilani Dane, Chief Medical Officer, [PC]
Patia Zoie
, Counselor
, [NPC]
Stardate: 58204.14 1730
Zoei leaned forward in her chair. Her right hand spanned her lower back, fingers massaging the knots of tension bunching around her spine.Slowly she worked the pressure points, pain easing slowing from her body. As the ship moved closer into the danger zone, this would surely get worse.
Glancing quickly at her Padd, she took notice of the next name on her appointment calendar. Dr Teilani Dane was coming in for a follow up appointment. If the stress level was high in the counseling arena, there was no doubt it was off the charts in Sick Bay.
Reaching her fingers toward the ceiling, Zoei rose gingerly from her chair. A few more slow stretches and her back cracked into position. Long strides carried her quickly across her office. "Ice water, very tall, and a slice of lemon" Zoei said, her voice raspy. It had been a long day of sessions.
The ice water slid down her throat, cooling the enflamed membranes. The zest of the lemon tingled across her tongue and the citrus smell tickled her nose.
Glancing at her chronometer, she realized 10 minutes has passed in her reverie. Time to get back to work, Dr. Dane was due to be here in 15 minutes. Barring an emergency in sick bay, Dr. Dane would most likely be arriving any minute. It was nice to deal with someone who felt it was important to be punctual.
Halfway back to her desk, the doorbell chimed. Turning on her heel, Zoei called "Enter." Dr. Dane stood in the doorway. Her brow appeared To be furrowed in a way Zoei hadn't seen before. Stress, personal or work, Was levying a heavy toll on the doctor.
"Good evening Counselor, thanks for seeing me on such a short notice, Teilani said.
"Any time, Red, you know my door is always open."
Teilani walked over to the couch and tried to make her self comfortable. It was no use, she was to agitated and started passing up and down the office. Finally she stood still, wearingly looking out of the window.
"You didn't say what you wanted to meet with me regarding. What is on your mind?"
" You know Patia, you do not mind if I call you by your first name do you"? Teilani asked.
"That is fine."
"As you know I took the Oath of Hipocrates to help everybody, whether it is friend or foe, anybody who is in need of medical attention. But I am afraid that because of what has happened in the past I might not be able to maintain my objectivity towards the enemy".
"That is a valid fear, Red. You had a tough go of it with them."
Finally Teilani sank into a chair, hiding her head in her hands, mumbling, "I becomes more difficult each day to control the hatred towards the Federation, Cardassians etc." "To be honest I do not know what I will do if they bring in a wounded Cardassian or a Starfleet crew". "Will I help them or? Do I need to say more."
Teilani looked up at Patia, "Help me, counselor".
"First, what do you want the outcome of this session to be?"
Teilani was so agitated that she snarled at Patia, I don't know, you are the counselor here, you tell me!
Zoei leaned back in her chair. Eyes narrowing slightly, she waited in silence for the doctor's next action.
She stood up again and started passing round the office again. Again she stopped at the window, her face became blank, her eyes seemed to stare in a distance, trying to fight off the upcoming panic.
"I'm sorry Patia, Teilani said, I should not have shouted at you, it's not your fault. Its just that I need a focus point, something to hold on too in this upcoming crisis" .
"I am a too good a doctor to let anybody die, whether he is a Cardassian or not, I could not live with myself knowing that I let someone die even though I could have saved him.
"So you know, Doctor Dane, although I am the counselor, as the patient, you are the most important person in this room. Some of the questions I ask you may seem silly, but the best way for you to reach peace is for you to attain it yourself. I am here to help you with the journey, but I cannot be the dictator of the directions you take. Teilani nodded she knew Patia was right, and it was wrong of her to snap at the counselor.
Now, have you had a focus point you have used in the past?" Patia asked.
"Teilani looked at Patia and smiled, as a matter a fact I had, she suddenly remembered."When I had to cramp for my medical exams and had the feeling that I could not make it, I went to a park near my dorm. Everyday there was this monk rearranging the pebbles near the lake. I asked him one time if he did not got tired of doing that every day. No he said, if you look at the way each pebble lies on the ground, and as you can see they are all the same, same colour, same size no exeptions and you focus on that, than one day you may reach enlightenment." He handed me a pebble that day, but I must have lost it cause I have never seen it anymore.
"So if you ask me about a focus point, I must admit that this white pebble got me through my exams".
Teilani sat back down on a chair, her face softened, the frown on her forehead disappeared. "Silly isn't it the effect a white pebble can have.
"Not silly at all, Red. If I had an industrial replicator, I would help you get a replacement. Allow me to make a suggestion. Since you know the white pebble worked for you, as a focus point, I would suggest you either ask Silvio to assist you with replicating one, or survey your quarters. What small object brings you a feeling of peace? Is there a picture, souvenir, small remembrance? If there is, you might not need a new pebble.
"All my personal belongings were destroyed during the attack on the Kittyhawk, so I have nothing left, Patia", Teilani replied.
"My mistake, Doctor. I apologize for my inconsideration."
Suddenly the chirping to Teilani's combadge interrupted them. "Doctor, please report to sickbay". "On my way", Teilani responded.
Teilani stood up and walked to the door and as she turned around she said, "I will follow your advice Patia, I will go and ask Silvio if he can replicate a pebble for me, thanks for hearing me out, and again, I am sorry I shouted to you". "No hard feelings I hope?".
"No hard feelings, Doctor. Come back any time."
Zoei watched the doctor stride purposefully from the room before turning to her computer to begin dictating her notes.