OOC: This is before our current sim, presumably when we were still at Starbase.
IC:
Following her last appointment out, Janna dropped a PADD off on Cherry’s desk and with an inhale, headed back to her office, knowing full well Cherry would have more for her in due time. “You going to take a break soon?” Cherry called over her shoulder.

Janna stopped, glancing back, letting out a long sigh. “Probably.”
“Uh huh.”
She chuckled and shook her head, her blond curls swishing to and fro. “Don’t give me a hard time. I’m doing my best.”
“Shall I book you off between twelve and thirteen hundred so you can take one of those strange things called a lunch break?”
It was a losing battle and Janna knew this all too well. “Fine, book me off. I’ll even leave my office and go somewhere like the lounge. Satisfied?”
Cherry seemed to appraise Kingston deeply for a moment before nodding. “It’ll do. For now.”

With another chuckle, Janna disappeared into her office. Grabbing another coffee from the replicator, she sat behind her desk. “Computer, play musical playlist, Kingston-Beta-2.”

Soon the sounds of piano music floated through her space in the form of Lisz’s Consolations, namely S. 172: No. 3 in D-Flat Major. It was a mixed list of classical Terran music that she listed to on repeat, the two and a half hour playlist helping her to focus. Turning her attention to her screen, she set about working on her weekly report and scheduled team meetings for later in the week. This was her admin morning, so no appointments unless there were drop-ins, which she was always open to. Mental health issue and boarding evals did not always fit neatly into a schedule, though she often preferred the latter if they did book them ahead of time. It made her job a bit easier as she was one of those counsellors who preferred to have a chance to read through a file beforehand if she could. She didn’t like being caught unaware about something vital to a person’s life on the ship.

She worked. Time slipped away.

One report done and she was just about finished scheduling meetings when her console chimed. She had an incoming call. Frowning at the unexpected interruption, she noted that it was coming from the starbase. Pausing the music (in the middle of the Brandenburg Concerto No.3) and opening the channel, a familiar face grinned at her. =/\=Minha filha.=/\=

“Mãe! I wasn’t expecting to have a call for another few days. Is everything okay?”

Long wavy auburn hair framed the serious face of Joana Silva, Janna’s mama. Warm brown eyes gazed at her daughter and Joana leaned in, rested her weight on her arm on the desktop. =/\=Do I need a reason to call?”=/\=

Janna sighed. “Of course not, but we talk regularly, so I was worried that something had happened. Everyone is okay?”

Joana nodded. =/\=Everyone else is fine.=/\=
“Everyone except for?”
A soft smile touched Joana’s mouth. =/\=Your mom is worried about you after your last message.=/\= Janna opened her mouth to say something but found herself without words.
“Why?” Janna said with a frown.
=/\=I don’t know, because we both agree you’re clearly burnt out, stressed, and something else. And the fact that you haven’t been home in six years and avoid the conversation whenever we mention it.”
“It’s been wildly busy between intense missions, a lot of crew that needed post-mission therapy and now my promotion. What would you have me do, walk away and leave them to handle it on their own?
Joana’s gaze softened. =/\=Not at all. But you need to make time for yourself, and your family too. We matter as well, Janna.=/\=
“Of course you do! I never claimed otherwise.” Was she feeling defensive? Definitely.
=/\=Can you spare some time for me? Maybe lunch?=/\=

Leaning back, Janna frowned and then it clicked in her mind. The Starbase. “What are you doing on Starbase 157?”
=/\=Just passing through on my way to a conference on Betazed.=/\=
Janna laughed. “Just passing through? Nice try. Alpha E is closer to Betazed than I am. But I appreciate the effort.” She exhaled slowly. “Fine, lunch. Where?”
=/\=”Can I come aboard? I’d love to see where you live and work!=/\=
She grinned. “Why the hell not. I’ll pick you up at the airlock at Noon. I’ll get you visitor clearance to board on a temporary basis.”
=/\=Can’t wait! And darling?=/\=
“Yeah?”
=/\=You knew this was coming. Don’t try to deny it. You might have your doctorate, but I’ve been in this game longer than you. I got equal amounts of patience,=/\= she said with a wink, before the screen went blank.

Leaning back in her chair, Janna laughed. Pitting a psychologist against a long experienced social worker was one thing, but one whom knew all her childhood stories? Yeah, she was never going to win, even if somedays it might have seemed close.

[To be continued]…

~Janna Kingston, CNS