Posted by Civilian Jal’na of House Duroc (Head of Physical Therapy - Sacred Heart Hospital) in Settlement of Disputes

Posted by Major General Charles Tenkiller (Vice Commandant, Colonial Customs and Defense Agency) in Settlement of Disputes

(snip)

Sharah moved to a chair and sat. “So, I had the dubious task of seeing to Abigail after she was brought in. No one else would go near her for all her attitude. Anyway, I ended up requesting a consult.” Sharah didn’t give details, and Jal’na didn’t expect any. “In the end I was requested to ask if you would be willing to attempt to resolve these events through mediation. Cmdr Janusz Korczak has offered to act as mediator. He has pior experience and is impartial. Or someone else could be chosen if you are amiable to it.”

Lt. Cmdr. Fayth, SFCMO

Jal’na stared at Sharah a long time in tense silence. Gratefulness and stability flowed over her as well as unsubstantiated rage and belittlement. She didn’t want to mediate, she wanted to bash that woman’s face in and crack several ribs while she was at it.

Sharah didn’t flinch, but the quick switch in emotions was abnormal for Jal’na. Was she truly under that much stress? Perhaps she should speak to Helaky about giving her some extended time off.

No, no she did not. Jal’na was used to her temper but it had never been bloodthirsty before. The other morning she had been delayed by a very brief and simple request that she had been happy to grant. But realizing she had been delayed had made her see red. She had almost hit Grul in the head when she threw a container out of pure rage. People were wondering if Urg’s insaneness was contagious. Well, Jal’na wasn’t hearing voices of gods so it wasn’t that.

Sharah waited, watching the other woman calmly. Jal’na’s angry was upsetting because it was so unlike her, but under it all was the seep caring that made her who she was.

“I have heard of Korczak though I have not met him yet.” She smirked slightly. “You did that, Sharah. Before you we were lucky if we knew the name of the CMO to make a request. We never knew who was whom, who to ask what, or what assets we had if we pooled together.” Finally she nodded. “I think I would like to try mediation if Abigail is open to it. It is certainly not a special favor. Many such personal disputes are resolved this way. I… I do not know if that will stop the police from pressing charges.”

Jal’na, Lady Duroc

“That is not for you to decide. She broke a law, there are consequences. I will introduce you to Korczak.” Sharah tapped her combadge, =/\=Fayth to Korczak. Lady Duroc would like to meet you. Are you available?=/\=

Lt. Cmdr. Fayth, SFCMO

=/\= Indeed. I am on my way. =/\= the oddly accented voice said.

A few minutes later the door slid open to reveal an wholly nondescript human man in a Star Fleet uniform and wearing glasses. He nodded to Sharah and then looked at Lady Duroc and gave her a slight bow. “Lady Jal’na, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am Commander Janusz Korczak. I trust my summons was a result of Dr. Fayth’s giving you my proposal?” he asked and pushed the glasses slightly up the bridge of his nose.

Korczak, Counselor

Sharah gave Korczak a nod as she headed for the door. She also gave him a slightly concerned look. Jal’na was not really herself. She looked back. “Jal’na, I’ll see you after morning rounds.” Then she left.

Lt. Cmdr. Fayth, SFCMO

Standing to great the man, Jal’na waved to Sharah and turned to the interesting but very plain human man across from her. “Jal’na, just Jal’na please.” She offered her hand and then a chair. “Yes, it is. She said you suggested mediation.”

Jal’na, Lady Duroc

Korczak took a seat and crossed his legs at the knee, setting his hands in his lap. “Indeed. I have spoken to Ms. Tenkiller for some time, and I believe mediation would be a far more effective means of resolution than pursuing criminal charges. That being said, if the results of the mediation are not acceptable to both of you, then criminal charges can always be pursued. But I do not believe that the heinousness of this act being based on something so ugly as racism is the entire truth. And while I have never taken the side of such an abhorrent belief system, I do feel in Ms. Tenkiller’s case that the motivation is a symptom of a much deeper issue. I also find it somewhat odd that such an ugly perspective could be fostered in the environment that she lives in.” He shook his head and leaned forward slightly. “No, in her case I believe that she never intended to attack you, Jal’na. Nor do I believe that she is actually racist. I believe her mind has manifested that excuse to give her an avenue to lash out. She has a rage inside her that has had no outlet for a very long time, perhaps ever.” and he looked at Jal’na intently for a few moments, as if studying her. “Can you imagine what it would be like to try and contain such emotions? Or how difficult it would be to get control of them once they had broken through that control?”

Korczak, Counselor

It was an odd sensation as the man studied her. She got the almost the same feeling when Urg did it. Then he would blurt out things she’d rather not have brought to light. She didn’t squirm or look away, she simply accepted the scrutiny. “I don’t have to imagine,” she said truthfully. “I know she didn’t intend to attack me. Or to be more specific she had no idea who I was, which is ironically refreshing, but we were an outlet for what was escaping. I’ve seen it before. In myself and in my patients.”

Jal’na, Lady Duroc

Korczak nodded silently and then said “I see. Then, perhaps, *that8 is the common ground you two can start with.” He took a breath and then said “Doctor, you will have a considerable advantage over Ms. Tenkiller during mediation. Not only are you in a more powerful position to make demands of her, you are also far more experienced in dealing with others. I only ask that you keep that in mind going forward. And speaking of going forward… when would you like to start? I can have Ms. Tenkiller ready any time you like. I recommend sooner rather than later, for reasons i can explain after the mediation is complete.”

Korczak, Counselor

“I agree sooner would be better. Any…” Jal’na paused and growled low in her throat. “I need at least 2 hours notice. Enough time to move my schedule and time for my guards” she didn’t manage to keep the growl out of her voice, “to check the location. I will not have them inside, but they will insist, and I would rather they be finished before Ms. Tenkiller arrives. There is no reason for her to be subjected to that.” Especially since she wasn’t sure how far her orders would be followed.

Jal’na, Lady Duroc

Korczak smiled slightly and said “We could do it here, if you prefer. I have an office here in the hospital. Security is already well established and it three floors up in the next wing. Would that be acceptable?”

Korczak, Counselor

Jal’na grinned, the tips of her pointed teeth showing. “That would be greatly appreciated. Thank you Cmdr Korczak. Let me know the exact time and I will make sure to have my schedule sufficiently cleared.”

Jal’na, Lady Duroc

“I will make the arrangements now.” Korczak said and stood up. “I will set everything for today at 4 pm.” He looked at Jal’na for a long moment again and then said “Eat something, and try and rest. This will be an… emotional… endeavor. Be ready for that. I will advise Ms. Tenkiller the same way.” He gave another short bow and then turned and walked from the room.

Korczak, Counselor / Mediator

Jal’na snarled with amusement after he left. Rest with her schedule? She spent the next hour moving around her final patients of the day. Some she was able to get another PT to fill in. Others she had to cancel. No one objected, in fact they had all heard about what had happened to her and told her to take off as much time as she needed.

She spent lunch with Yavia and Alice. Jal’na missed those times when she could just return to her tiny apartment, and the friends that were always around her. At 3:30 she ordered her guards to leave she had a private meeting. There was quite the heated argument, behind the closed door of her office. Her anger was boiling and not how she wished to arrive. It was G’enx, her youngest guard and a unique young man, who stepped in to difuse the situation. He had a knack of being atuned to his Lasy’s moods, and this was one time he didn’t thunk was worth pushing her. He reminded everyone she was staying at the hospital and she had a panic button. A compromise that Lord Duroc had approved for such occasions.

At exactly 4:00 she rapped her knuckles smartly at Korczak’s office.

Jal’na, Lady Duroc

Inside the office, Korczak and Abigail had waited in silence for the past ten minutes. The knock on the door caused Abigail to jump slightly and Koczak smiled at her. “Breathe, Ms. Tenkiller. You are not in any danger. I promise.” He looked at the door and said “Come in, please.” and the door slid open.

Jal’na stepped in, a confident woman usually, she was cautious but calm. Her eyes scanned the occupants and the room.

The room had the feel more of an old fashioned den or study than an office. It was lit in a more subdued manner than the rest of the hospital offices by wall mounted lights. Bookcases lined two walls and were filled with copies and originals of many texts on many different subjects and in more than a few languages. The desk was set against the opposite wall facing away from the corner, window to the left of a person seated at the desk and allowing for a large open space in the middle. Here there was a large couch and a few chairs, one chair which sat in front of and facing away from the desk where Korczak was now seated. A low table graced the middle of the area, and on it was a small bowl filled with softly glowing crystals. Pictures hung on the walls, some were even old photographs. Abigail sat in an overstuffed armchair and when Jal’na entered, tears welled up in her eyes and she looked down. Even without the ability of telepathy, her shame was palpable.

The woman Jal’na saw in the room was a far cry from the hissing, curssing, wild banshee of their last encounter. Jal’na moved to a seat, making a triangle so they all could see each other clearly.

Korczak rose and said “Jal’na, thank you for agreeing to this mediation. For legal purposes, I must record what we discuss; but at anytime I can stop the recording and we can discuss any personal matters that arise for either of you. Such matters are protected by doctor-patient confidentiality. Are we agreed?” Abigail said nothing, but nodded even as she stared at the floor and tried not to break down in tears.

“Yes, thank you, Dr. for that consideration.” He did not have to provide that in this instance and she appreciated his care to both her and Abigail’s potential needs.

Korczak said =/\= Computer, begin recording. At sixteen hundred hours I, Doctor Janusz Korczak, hereby begin the civil mediation between Lady Jal’na of House Duroc and Oed V and Ms. Abigail Tenkiller of Earth. Mediation has been agreed to by both parties and any agreements here will be considered formal and legally binding to all parties involved. Mediation is to address the physical altercation between Ms. Tenkiller and Lady Jal’na last night. Are we all in agreement?” Abigail nodded and then said “Yes.” so softly as to be almost unheard.

Korczak, Mediator

“Yes, I agree.” Jal’na studied Abigail. Her practiced eye noticed the still healing deeper wounds her husband had inflicted on the girl. She was obviously ashamed, and perhaps frightened. Urg’s mental instability was a thing of living legend. There was no telling what Abigail had been told.

Jal’na, Lady Duroc

“Very well, let us begin.” Korczak said. “We will begin with Ms. Tenkiller. Now Abigail, do you agree or disagree that on the date in question you- unprovoked and with no prior knowledge of the other party- willfully and freely assaulted her with no provocation or no cause to believe that you were defending your self?” Abigail still did not look up but said very softly “I agree.” Korczak nodded and said “Very well. And do you agree or disagree that your actions were both unlawful and unjustified?’ Abigail took a deep breath and then sighed “I agree.” Korczak looked at Jal’na and said “Lady Jal’na. Do you accept that Ms. Tenkiller has admitted freely and of her own volition that she was your assailant, and that she knows that what she did was not caused by anything you said or did?”

Korczak, Mediator

Jal’na’s gaze diverted from Abigail to Korczak. She remembered their brief discussion in her office. She did not prolong Abigail’s discomfort by hesitating her answer. The shame she felt was obvious. “I do accept.”

Jal’na, Lady Duroc

Korczak nodded and said “Very well. As there is no dispute as to the event that brings us here, we will move on. Lady Jal’na, this is where you will have to give us a starting point. Are you seeking anything specific with regards to reparations? Ms. Tenkiller, what are you looking for with regards to a final outcome for you?” He produced two PaDDs and handed one to each woman. “Write down the end result you would like to see. Neither of you will see the other’s position. I will read both and work from there.”

Abigail took the PaDD and sat motionless for a long time before slowly and deliberately typing. A third PaDD next t Korczak chirped and he lifted it up and read; and his mouth opened slightly and his eyes widened just enough to indicate… surprise? Shock? Whatever it was, the look passed quickly and he looked at Jal’na and waited for her response.

Korczak, Mediator

Jal’na took the PaDD and began writing, then paused. What did she want? She wanted this to never have happened, but that was unrealistic. It had, so what outcome did she want?

I want peace with the family of my dearest friend. New friendship, and if not that understanding between us. I sincerely wish for Ms Tenkiller to find peace for her anger. I arrived on Oed the same way but I found a way to put it aside. I wish the same for her…

And to resolve this before my own temper gets the better of me.

Jal’na, Lady Duroc

Korczak read the response from Jal’na and smiled slightly. “Ladies, I am going to pause the recording. Computer, pause recording.’ and there was a chirp and Korczak leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers together. “Normally in these types of discussions, the mediator is careful not to allow either party to know what the other is really after. However I believe that in this circumstance, it would do both of you some good to understand the other. Abigail, I am going to show Lady Jal’na your response. Is that alright?” Abigail still had not looked up, but she nodded. Jal’na’s PaDD chirped and text appeared on the screen…

I don’t want her or her husband to hate my family. I don’t want my brother’s wife to have to choose between my brother and her friend. That isn’t fair to any of them. I don’t want her husband to hurt anyone else because of me, and I don’t want anyone else to suffer… especially Lady Jal’na or Sharah. I am the only one that should suffer for this.

Jal’na read it, and was careful not to laugh. That would offend Ms Tenkiller and that was not Jal’na’s intention. Her humor had returned though, and she determined she and Yavia needed to have a discussion later. ‘Wife?’ And she wasn’t invited to the wedding! That wasn’t important at the moment, but it was a break in the tension that Jal’na needed. She read Abigail’s words again, carefully, giving each sentence due consideration.

Korczak looked at Jal’na and said “Lady Jal’na. What are your thoughts to Ms. Tenkiller’s position?”

Korczak, Mediator

“That I am glad we have a similar goal, and that no one should suffer from a mistake if they are willing to learn from it.” She looked directly at Abigail as she spoke, even though the woman was still staring at the floor. “I say that from my own experience. I have learned and I have suffered.”

Jal’na, Lady Duroc

Abigail slowly looked up and at Jal’na. Her face was bright red as she tried to not break down, even as tears streamed down her face. “I am so sorry for what I did to you. Please know that I do not hate you.” The tears came more freely and her voice cracked as she spoke. “I… I do not believe the ugliness that came from me. And I am not saying this to try to get out of being help accountable. Whatever happens after this is justified. I just don’t want my actions to harm what Skip and Sharah and Yavia and you and your husband have. It was my fault. Not theirs. Please, Lady Jal’na… please do not let your husband hurt them. He can finish what he started with me. But please do not let him hurt them because of me.” The sincerity of the apology was perfectly clear… but was also slightly overshadowed by the outright fear that was in Abigail’s voice when she spoke of Lord Duroc. The fact she was willing to face him again was also a testament to the character of Tenkiller’s older sister. There was a long list of Klingons who would not willing step up to the insane Lord of House Duroc.

Korczak cleared his throat and said “Ms. Tenkiller, no part of this will require you to submit to any kind of harm, but your offer does have meaning.” and he looked at Jal’na. “Does it not, Lady Jal’na?”

Korczak / Abigail

Jal’na smiled, it was genuine, but it was still a Klingon smile. “It does. It carries great meaning, Ms. Tenkiller. But this is between us. Me and You. My husband has given his word to respect whatever decision I make, and he will not harm your family.”

Jal’na, Lady Duroc

Abigail looked at Jal’na with a pensive expression. “Does ge keep his word? I only ask because everyone keeps telling me how ‘lucky’ I am that I survived. That your husband is crazy. And that there would be no way he would let this slide without exacting some kind of ‘payment’.”

Abigail

Jal’na was glad her guards weren’t here. She was angry enough at the unintended insult. Her hands flexed on the arms of the chair. To be fair, Abigail wasn’t wrong in her apprehension. “My husband is insane, not the way people tend to speak of it though. But that is not all he is. When he gives his word, he keeps it. He is an honorable man. A massive, incredibly strong man. You are lucky, that in that moment he did not hurt you more severely.”

“I would like you to consider though, and I am not trying to poke the targ here, if you or your mother or sister had been attacked as I was, what would your father or brother have been capable of in that moment? So it also was in that moment for my husband.”

Jal’na, Lady Duroc

Abigail looked at Jal’na for a long moment, deep in thought. Then she said “My father would have intervened to protect us, but he would not have hurt anyone. He doesn’t believe in violence.” She held up a hand to quell any perceived slight. “That does not make him better than your husband, just different. As for my brother…” and great tears welled up in her brown eyes and rolled down her cheeks. “I… I don’t know what he is capable of. I don’t know him anymore.” She took a deep, ragged breath as she struggled to suppress the sobs of guilt, shame, and loss that threatened to overwhelm her. “But I believe he is more like your husband than he is like my father. A man of great honor who is capable of great harm. A man whose darker instincts are tempered by the ties he has established to the people around him…” and the sobs finally broke through as the core of her pain was put to words, “… and to the place he calls home.” She buried her face in her hands and her body shook as she cried silently. Korczak looked at her a moment and then looked at Jal’na. He nodded once at her and then stood and moved to stand next to her. He bent low and whispered to her “Your calling has always been to guide those who hurt through their pain, to help make them whole again. Keep that in mind.” and he walked past her and stepped out of the room.

Koczak / Abigail

Jal’na glared at the man. Yes that was why she was here and not at the court house pressing charges. But Korczak left, leaving her with the sobbing woman. She covered the growl of irritation by getting up and moving toward the replicator. She placed one of two glasses of water in front of Abigail, and then moved to the other side of the room to look out the window. Distance was a good barrier for her temper. “Change is inevitable Ms Tenkiller. Part of that is that we ourselves change, not just physically but our opinions, behavior, personality sometimes. I doubt you are the same woman as you were when your brother left home. Perhaps you should take the time to get to know who he is now. I am doing the same with my family. I have not seen them for a decade. We are all different now.”

Jal’na, Lady Duroc

Abigail looked up at Jal’na. “That’s where you’re wrong, Lady.” she said. “And maybe that’s the problem. My whole life, I’ve had to maintain the ways of my people. Had to learn, to study, to train… had to make sure that the Old Ways weren’t lost. A thousand years… five thousand. All of it I have had to absorb… and maybe drown in. I’m not allowed to change. But Skip? Skip can do whatever the f#<k he wants and it’s fine. Mary? Mary can bounce around between tradition and now anytime she wants to. But me? I’m expected to be… this. And if I stray from it? Everyone is disappointed in me. Oh, and they make it known, too. How selfish I am… how grateful I should be just to have the opportunity to be what they want.” She shook her head and looked back at the floor. “I’m just so angry. And… and… and it came out in that ugliness.” She looked up again and said “I’m sorry I hurt you. But Im more sorry for why I said I hurt you. I don’t hate you because you aren’t human.” and a single soft, dismissive, derisive snort of dark humor escaped her and she looked at the floor. “I wish I wasn’t. Then I wouldn’t be part of all of this.”

Abigail

Jal’na turned to look at her. She very much doubted that the angry woman lashing out with pent up hatred was the woman that Tenkiller knew when he left home. “I know how that feels. I wish I wasn’t Klingon. I love my culture, I am proud of our history, but no matter what I did, I fell short. Healers are not considered valuable in our society. So I left and came here.”

Jal’na, Lady Duroc

“Must be nice to be able to just up and leave.” Abigail said. “Like we ever had the resources for that. If we did, I’d have gone so far… so fast.” and she shook her head and chuckled. “But… when the strep took my two other brothers and sister… well… Ma and Pop said we all ‘had to stick together’. And not six months later they were all standing there waving bye to Skip as he gallavanted off to Star Fleet.” and she shook her head and gritted her teeth. “Never once… not ONCE… was that ever an option for me.” She looked up at Jal’na. “I’m glad you t least didn’t get stuck.”

Abigail

“Nice?” There was a depthless scorn and sarcasm held in that word. A deep rumble rolled out of her throat. “You made your choices, and I made mine. Neither were perfect Ms. Tenkiller, but they were choices. If your so jealous of your brother’s choices, go make some of your own.”

Jal’na, Lady Duroc

A swipe of her hand cleared the glass of water off the table and sent it flying across the room, shattering against the wall. She flew to her feet and leveled her eyes at the much larger woman. “CHOICES?!?!?” and she started laughing loudly. “CHOICES? You are just like the rest. You think it’s just ‘Oh Abby you just choose to do it and you can’. Says the woman who never had to worry about feeding her family. Never had to watch her siblings die from a treatable disease just because they weren’t a ‘priority’. Says the woman who has a giant and his army standing behind her. Oh yeah, I’ll just go make different choices when I barely graduated high school and have no funds.” She was breathing heavy and her fists were clenched and her teeth ground together.

She was positively Klingon.

She glared at Jal’na and then threw herself back in the chair. “You know what? Just call the cops and send me to the penal colony. Anything is better than all this sanctimonious posturing from that creep Korczak and everybody. You and I both know what this is all about. Everybody is doing all they can to show they did everything they could for the poor, angry woman who just can’t handle the pressure of such a place SOOOOO different from her home. Alas, she just couldn’t be reasoned with… so off to prison she goes.” She waved dismissively. “Just get on with it. I’m tired of people pretending like they actually give a crap about anything but protecting your guy’s good nature to this place.”

Abigail

Jal’na snarled and it was a very dangerous sound then she said something in Klingon, but the sound alone was enough to make Urg flinch, then Jal’na spat on the floor. “You’re a coward.” Jal’na walked across the room and knelt, picking up the shards of glass with meticulous care. What she thought about doing with them was a bad idea. She stood and took them over to the replicator and disposed of them. Then she turned and faced the woman again.

“You don’t make a choice and just do it. You make a choice and you fight for it. Every day, every breath, every moment, you fight for it. Some days you fight just to turn the 10 steps back into just 3. Some days you just fight to get out of bed and take a breath. Sometimes you finally think the fight is over, and the whole universe is yanked from beneath your feet and you fight just to remember what you were fighting for. No one’s life is easy, Ms Tenkiller. You assume things about me because you don’t want to listen. You’re hurting and you’re angry. I’m there too, I know that seething blackness that pulls every ounce of energy from you. It defeats you, leaves you lonely, confused, and unsure of who you are. It leaves you without Hope.”

“You want to go to prison instead of mediation? You’re exhausted and done. I’ll tell Dr. Korczak, but I’ll be here tomorrow, ready to continue. Take tonight, think on it, and choose what you want for yourself. Then show up or not.” She picked up the PaDD Korczak gave her and then tossed it across the low table. Abigail could read what she wrote or not. It was her choice.

Jal’na stepped through the door and looked at Korczak, “She’d rather go to prison. I will return at whatever time you set to continue the mediation.”

Jal’na, Lady Duroc

Korczak was leaned against the wall, arms crossed on his chest. He nodded and said “Not at all unexpected. I do, however, appreciate your dedication to the process Doctor. I simply hope the process is not a wasted one.” He looked up at Jal’na and then asked “Do you think it futile?”

Korczak, Mediator

Jal’na glanced back through to the door. “No, but she is very angry and very hopeless. She thinks everyone has given up on her, and so she has given up as well. She has fire and spirit, but it is injured.”

Jal’na, Lady Duroc

Korczak nodded slightly and said “Indeed. I thought the same.” He looked thoughtful for a moment and then said “Well. Nothing more for today then. Tomorrow morning. Ten hundred hours work for you?”

Korczak, Mediator

Jal’na nodded, “Yes, I will be here then.” Jal’na left, returning to her office where she cleaned and treated her hand from where she had gripped some of the glass in her hand.

At 1000 the next morning she was ringing the chime on Korczak’s door.

Jal’na, Lady Duroc

The door slid open and Korczak was seated in his chair like he had been yesterday. “Doctor. Please… have a seat.” He was the only one in the room at the moment, but there was an additional piece of furniture in the room: a large wooden chair. “I thought that, before we bring in Abigail, we should get the perspective of some others who may be peripherally involved. Is that alright with you?” he asked.

Korczak, Mediator

Jal’na’s brow went up. “I am not opposed, but I feel uncomfortable with being privy to such perspectives without Ms Tenkiller being here to obtain the information as well. But,” she help up a hand, “I will defer to your judgement on that.”

Jal’na, Lady Duroc

Korczak smiled. “Your concern for her is admirable. But, when you see who is coming, I think you will understand why I chose this route.” The door chimed as if on cue…

Korczak, Mediator

The door chimed as if on cue and the door slid open to reveal a chest and shoulders… both of which were very familiar to Jal’na. It was her husband, who ducked below the door frame and stepped inside, followed by General Tenkiller. Urg looked at Jal’na and then at Korczak. “We are here as requested, Counselor.” he grumbled and moved the wooden chair over to Jal’na and he kissed her cheek. “My Lady.” and he gave her a semi-lecherous grin. “I do so love you in uniform.” he said as he sat down.

Urg, Lord Duroc

There was obvious affection between them. Though Jal’na wasn’t sure how she felt about them being there. “My heart,” she rumbled low her in her throat at him, “And yet you want me to cover it with armor.”

“You’re even hotter in armor.” Urg said and grinned at her.

“Your imagination can keep telling you that, I’m not wearing armor.” Jal’na chuckled and turned to Tenkiller.

Tenkiller nodded and smiled at Korczak. “Heya, Doc.” and then he looked at Jal’na. He walked over to her and gave her a hug. “Hey you. How you holdin’ up?” he asked, the concern in his voice genuine.

Tenkiller, CCDA

Jal’na returned the embrace. “It is a strained process, but I am well. How are you and your family? Have you spoken to your sister?”

Jal’na, Lady Duroc

Urg

“Family is hangin’ in. And naw… not going to until all this here stuff is done. Don’t want ta give anybody the idea that I’m influencing anything.” Charles said. He then went and sat down.

Tenkiller, CCDA

Jal’na understood, but she thought that if Tenkiller could get his sister to talk to him about what was really wrong, it would make a huge difference in how things proceeded.”

Koczak said “Thank you all for coming. I wanted to give Jal’na the opportunity to hear from the both of you where you satnbd with all of this before we continue with the mediation. Now, as I understand it, Dr. Fayth said that you and General Tenkiller have spoken already. Is that accurate, Doctor?” he asked Jal’na.

Korczak, Mediator

“Yes it is,” Jal’na confirmed. “We spoke briefly yesterday morning over comms.”

Jal’na, Lady Duroc

Tenkiller nodded and said “We did. I think… ast least I hope… it helped. And my stance hasn’t changed.” He looked at Urg. “Urg, I appreciate you not killin’ my sister. But I’m no stranger to violence. And I know for a fact that you coulda snapped her neck like a twig. And by all Klingon rights, you should have. And I told Jal’na that very thing yesterday. I also told her that I think you not doin’ it is part’a something else. So is it? Or did you just wanna hurt her first?”

Tenkiller

Urg looked at Tenkiller with an appraising look for a moment.. and then grinned. “That, my brother, is a conversation for another time and place.” He looked at Jal’na and took a breath, his face growing serious. “But I will tell you, wife, that I knew who she was when we saw her. I did not know what she was going to do. If I did, you know I would have intervened before you were injured.”

Jal’na gave him an equally serious look. “I never had any doubt that you would. Nor do I expect you to see the future.”

He looked back at Tenkiller. “And that is the reason I did not do as you claim I could. As my wife is fond of saying: violence begets violence. And I knew that her actions were not a testament to your House.” He took another deep breath and exhaled slowly. “But it did present an… opportunity… that House Duroc can and will make use of.”

Urg, Lord Duroc

Jal’na didn’t say a word. A woman’s path was in the balance and she was going to be used as an opportunityto be made use of. She didn’t doubt Urg’s intentions. The whole situation made her blood boil in rage, and Urg’s carefully worded statement just added to that feeling. And furthermore if he knew Abigail’s actions did not reflect on Tenkiller’s House why did they go through demanding his presence at the embassy over his sister’s actions. She admitted the dinner had been her idea, to prevent bloodshed with people she cared for. She hated (her fists clenched silently until she made them relax) Klingon politics.

Jal’na, Lady Duroc

Tenkiller’s eyes narrowed and he said “Yeah. I thought something like that.” He cast a glance at Koczak and then looked back at Urg. “A conversation for another time. Right now… what can we all do to help my sister?” He looked at Jal’na and said “I know you are furious right now. But I also know that you want to make this right. So what do you want to happen?”

Tenkiller

Jal’na almost bit through her tongue to stop from saying something rude to Tenkiller. Something she didn’t really mean, it was just her temper over the whole thing. She looked at Korczak thoughtfully for a moment. “My hands are a bit tied. Dr Korczak assured us both that whatever we said to him outside of the official mediation was covered by Dr/Patient privilege. Your sister said many things to me when he was out of the room, but I am a doctor and she knows it. I did not give her the same promise, but if she feels we were under the same privilege, I would hate to break that given she feels so incredibly isolated.”

“Your sister has no issue with me or Urg. We just happened get caught in the crossfire. She has issue with herself. I would like to see her find a way back, but I don’t know if that is possible. We ended yesterday because she said she’d rather go to prison than continue the pretense that we want to help her.”

Jal’na, Lady Duroc

Tenkiller shook his head and then said “Yeah… that sounds about right for Abby.” He took a deep breath, looked up at the ceiling and exhaled slowly. “I know this has a chance to go eight ways from sideways; but do y’all think I should talk to her? Optics from outside may look like I’m throwing my weight around, but at this point it’s gonna look like crap no matter what.”

Tenkiller