Dawson headed out of the turbo lift and made his way to Kastarak’s office. He hadn’t been there since his arrival on the Chernov for his psych eval. He was glad that his relationship with Kastarak had grown since then, as he hadn’t really started on the right foot with the Vulcan. But since then, they’d sparred, had meals and been on away teams together. He had started to open up to him and was getting Kas to open back up in return.

When he reached the door to the counselor’s office, he paused a moment noticing the fingers on his right hand were jittering. Q swallowed, thinking better get that under control before taking a deep breath and forcing his fingers to remain still. He knew that it was alright to be nervous. Expected even, given the captain’s news about Clarissa. And yet, he still couldn’t fight his upbringing, the strict control he was expected to have over his emotions. They called it control, but it was really suppression. He knew it was unhealthy and that he shouldn’t fight it, but he couldn’t always stop himself.

His fingers still, his body back under control, he rang the door chime. The mind commands the body and it obeys. The mind orders itself and meets resistance. Dawson knew all too well how true that was.

Lt. Q Dawson