<snip>

“Stop…” Nathan said abruptly as he stared down Tenkiller, but there was a shift in his tone as he looked the man over. Nathan wasn’t here to counsel Tenkiller. That wasn’t the job that he was brought in here to do. Protecting a potential patient was always his first objective. Each setting was unique, single, group, couples. Right now though as he stood in front of Tenkiller it was clear there was more than what seemed under the surface for the man in front. This wasn’t about a potentially wrong term, least not entirely. There was far more under the surface it seemed as he squinted as he processed all the information that was provided to him.

“This more than just Nikko… which was what I was brought here for… but you,” Nathan said with a quiet tone as he thought on his words, the room had been heated and the moment had gotten to a boil for certain. “You, I get the feeling, have issues that stem from just some officer getting a little mouthy. Where does this come from?” Nathan asked as he wondered if perhaps this whole scene touched an unseen nerve. Something held deep in his heart as the man tried to work and toil with the ghosts of his past.

Nathan Harland, CNS

Tenkiller looked at him for a long moment… and then laughed out loud. “Oh good lord Doc… you are the most oblivious man I have ever had the the joy and misfortune to deal with. Yes… I have issues with terms that demean and insult people because of their race or species. Yes, that comes from a lifetime of being looked at weird and called those kind of names. Hell, Doc… you just now figuring that out?” and he laughed sone more, literally wiping tears from his eyes.

After a moment, he caught his breath and said “Look. You both should realized this little nugget a long time ago before this conversation got to where it was. And honestly… I should expected that you wouldn’t. Most humans have got past race…a few less have got past species. You two obviously dont have that… ‘experience’. Point taken. I shoulda taken that into account before flying off the handle. For that, I offer you both my apologies. Should not’a reacted so… well… with such a chip on my shoulder. That being said, you two need to have words with the man. And the CSO. You want to find out his intent? Prolly a good idea. I just dont want you two…” and a sarcastic grin came across his face as he said “… white-washing… the whole episode. As long as you guys can promise that dont happen, I’m fine.” and he looked directly at the Counselor. “Fair enough?”

Tenkiller, CoS

Jessica held up a finger, opening her mouth to respond when a rapid beeping sound echoed from her wrist. The Peach watch Aedan had bought her for her birthday was the only thing that ever seemed to keep her on time and where she needed to be. The saying Life is Peach when you can be Reached was lame marketing but it was catchy. Jessica tapped the screen turning it off.

“I have another meeting. I suggest we all get back to our perspective tasks. This place doesn’t run itself,” she stood up from her chair.

“Gentleman,” she nodded at them. Pausing a second she hoped her polite suggestion of getting back to work would separate the duo.

Lt Cmdr. Jessica Teller. Xo

Tenkiller stood and said simply “XO. Counselor.” with a nod to each.

Tenkiller, CoS