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 Commander Shara Calloway (Chief Intelligence Officer) in Rebuilding Bridges (Tag Calloway)
Posted by… suppressed (5) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

“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

“How would you feel about sessions of hypnotherapy, see if we can isolate what happened in your past and put your mind at ease, alternatively, there is always the concept of a Vulcan mind meld to take you back? I find it is common in patients with PTSD that exploring the trauma through memory recollection allows them to find peace with experiences from their past.”

-Lieutenant Patrick McMillan: Counsellor-

She almost shuddered. “Remembering isn’t the problem. And no mind melds. Telepathy is not an option with me, ever. Too many things that I can’t share.” Shara sighed. “Doctor Ryley was discussing changing my medication entirely since the antidepressant isn’t working anymore, even though I’ve had the dose increased twice. So I suppose if things aren’t working the way they are, I am… open to trying something new.” There, a concession.

~Shara Calloway, CIO

“In that case,” Paddy said, typing a note down on his PaDD, “Would you be open to the idea of bringing Doctor Ryley in on some of our meetings, so I can better liase with the medical team on our best approach?”

-Lieutenant Patrick McMillan: Counsellor-

Shara gave a half shrug. “Sure, why not?” Her gaze shifted to the other side of her (old) quarters. She’d move out fully soon enough, but she herself understood why she was reluctant. She would deal with it. Or Micah would. Either way, she was taking small steps.

~Shara Calloway, CIO

Following her gaze, Paddy added, “I could give you a hand shifting some of your things to your new quarters if you like?”

-Lieutenant Patrick McMillan: Counsellor-

Shara shrugged. “The stuff I need is already there. Mostly just using this as a second office.” She fell quiet for a moment. “I’m… not good about claiming space for myself. Used to having a bag packed in case I need to make a quick exit. I don’t really decorate because it tells people about you. Unless it was a part of my assignment to be someone, then I threw myself into that identity. That stuff is easy.”

Commander Calloway, CIO

“Do you find that you’ve had to alter your identity more than be yourself on missions?”

-Lieutenant Patrick McMillan: Counsellor-