Posted by Lieutenant Patrick ‘Paddy’ McMillan (CNS) in Rebuilding Bridges (Tag Calloway)

Posted by Commander Shara Calloway (Chief Intelligence Officer) in Rebuilding Bridges (Tag Calloway)

Posted by Lieutenant Patrick ‘Paddy’ McMillan (CNS) in Rebuilding Bridges (Tag Calloway)
Posted by… suppressed (3) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

Shara gestured to the chair at the desk. After all, these tiny quarters didn’t have a lot of space and there wasn’t exactly copious amounts of furniture. Shr remained standing, but she moved over to the wall and leaned on her side, facing McMillan.

~Shara Calloway, CIO

“Commander, I’d like to do whatever I can to rebuild that trust,” Paddy began, regaining some of his confidence, “I understand that this is going to be a rather long process, but I would really like to get our professional and personal relationship back on track. If you’d prefer, we can involve Agent Pikelsimer at every instance of this, or if you’d prefer to do this one on one, we can do.”

-Lieutenant Patrick McMillan: Counsellor-

She snorted but dropped her crossed arms if only to drape them across her body as she leaned against the wall. “I don’t need Micah to hold my hand while you and I talk. I’m a big girl now. He knows my issues better than anyone, better than even you, because while we haven’t lived the exact same one, we’ve been knee deep or buried in the same mire. He knows what that pain feels like and he knows how to talk to me when everything is spinning out of control and all I want to do is run away. I can talk to him about that stuff, but with you I worry I’ll come out either the same as I was or more harmed. I don’t trust people easily, Counsellor. That much should be clear to you. And given what I’ve just told you, why should I bother with this”-she gestured-“when I have him? I mean worse comes to worse if we make it out of this alive I can always call one of my other therapists. Intelligence does have their own staff, after all.”

~Shara Calloway, CIO

‘Commander,’ Paddy began in a measured tone, ‘We’re far from being able to contact Starfleet Intelligence; I understand that I may not be your favourite person aboard the Asimov, but I am still going to do whatever I can to help you, so if that means formal sessions that we record, or anything else that puts your mind at ease, then so be it.’

-Lieutenant Patrick McMillan: Counsellor-

Shara shook her head, moving off of the wall, away from him. There wasn’t a lot of room to pace but it didn’t matter. “You don’t get it! No one can put my mind at ease. Not you, not Micah. Micah and I can stave off the worst because we know the signs and he’s very aware of what I’m dealing with, but no one can reassure me that I’m going to come out of this mission intact. But I can’t walk away and let less skilled people flounder. You all need me, for better or worse. I can’t predict the future, but this is a lot like walking knowingly to your death. But it’s not my life, its my mind. And if you can’t recognize a person in distress when you see them, how the hell do you propose to help me?”

~Shara Calloway, CIO

“By letting you do your job, to the best of your ability; as long as you let me do mine,” Paddy was used to thinking on his feet in his field, and was intrigued to see how well this approach would work.

-Lieutenant Patrick McMillan: Counsellor-

“Then do your job!” She resented the exasperation, or perhaps just the need for it. Her hands shifted to her hips and she tipped her head upwards towards the ceiling, eyes closed. Then Shara just breathed.

In this same position, she sighed. “I have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder that was under control and then all my symptoms came back with a vengeance. When I mentioned not sleeping well during my boarding eval you mentioned discussing it with medical. Which I already had.” Shara blew out a breath, lowered her head and gazed at McMillan with wariness. “You’re young, Counsellor. That’s not an indictment, it’s a fact. Age does not always indicate experience, but our interactions have told me thus far that you’re not quite sure what to do with me, despite your personal experience with your father. And that’s okay! Not everyone has the skills to deal with every patient that comes through their door. Nor do I expect it. But you want to do your job and I’m not confident you know what to do with my circumstance. I would love for you to prove me wrong here, and I’m open to your ideas if you have them, but I’m not going to lie, I’m skeptical, and I think given the situation I’m allowed to be.”

~Shara Calloway, CIO