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

Posted by Commander Janusz Korczak (Counselor) in Settlement of Disputes

Posted by Major General Charles Tenkiller (Vice Commandant, Colonial Customs and Defense Agency) in Settlement of Disputes
Posted by… suppressed (24) by the Post Ghost! 👻
<snip>
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

Korczak nodded slightly and said “While I do agree with your assessment, General… I think that that may be the best way forward.” He looked at Jal’na and said “What is your opinion, Lady Jal’na? As the injured party, you do have the legal leeway to allow for such to occur.”

Korczak, Mediator

Jal’na looked at Tenkiller with an unusual intensity. “I seem to recall, just yesterday morning a high ranking CCDA officer telling me ‘So? F^<k ‘em’ when I mentioned how everyone was watching what happened with this incident.” She leaned back in her seat and crossed her arms over her chest. “Maybe he was just blowing smoke to appease me?” Her brow went up in an amused expression.

“I would never joke about telling people to f&<k off, Lady Jal’na. I take my favorite pastime very seriously.’ Charles said flatly, but with a grin.

“I’d confirm with Yavia, but she won’t tell.” The Klingon woman laughed. Even having been spotted on the sidewalk with all of them watching, Yavia would admit to nothing.

“I am not going to deny her the right to visitors. I don’t have that authority. The police do. I have no problem with it,” she said to Korczak. Then turned back to Tenkiller, “In fact I’ll escort the General myself to the security ward and sign him in. I do not think you need to talk to her. You need to make her talk and then listen. I don’t envy you the task.”

Jal’na, Lady Duroc

“Yeah. I don’t either.” Tenkiller said and looked at Korczak. “Can we do it here, though? She’ll be less inclined to being defensive if she isn’t locked down.”

Tenkiller, CCDA

Korczak nodded and said “I can arrange that, I’m sure.” He looked at Jal’na and Urg. “If it is alright with the two of you, I will do that now. Lady Duroc, we can reconvene after lunch?”

Korczak, Mediator

This was not unexpected. The mediation was going to drag on much longer than Jal’na had anticipated. Not that she had expected it to go quickly. She had only retained one appointment for the day, it was much later in the evening. It was not one she was willing to pass on to someone else and she would not postpone it. “Yes, I’ll be available.” She stood up and set a hand on Tenkiller’s shoulder, “I wish you luck.”

Jal’na, Lady Duroc

Urg stood as well and nodded to Korczak and then to Tenkiller. He then looked at Jal’na. “Wife. Allow me the honor of escorting you to your office?” and he offered her his arm.

Urg, Lord Duroc

Jal’na looked up at him as she slipped her hand onto his arm. “As if I would deny you, Husband.” Oh the gossip fodder this would cause among the nursing staff. Jal’na went to the counseling offices alone but came out escorted by her husband. Usually such things made her amused, but today the penchant for gossip momentarily annoyed and angered her. It passed as quickly as it flared.

Jal’na, Lady Duroc

In the office, Charles looked at Korczak and said “Well, no time like the present. Can you have Abby brought here?”

Tenkiller

Korczak nodded and went to his desk. Pressing the comms, he said =/\= Commander Korczak to hospital security. Please have Ms. Abigail Tenkiller brought to my office. =/\=

Korczak, Mediator

=/\=We’ll bring her right away, Cmdr.=/\= A handful of minutes later the chime on his door was pressed. When the door opened, the officer waited for Abigail to go inside. He nodded to Korczak, stepped back and the door closed.

Sacred Heart Security

Bump

Abigail stepped in and saw Charles. She stopped and looked at him and then at Korczak. “So what now? Is it intervention time?” Charles took a deep breath and said “Hey Doc… can ya give us a bit? I’d like to talk with my sister, here.”

Tenkiller, CCDA

Korczak nodded once. “I believe that to be a very good idea.” He stood up and looked at Abigail. “Try to listen first, before getting angry. That is not to say you are not allowed to get angry… you absolutely are. But listen, and then decide what course you are going to take, hmm?” and he stepped outside and the door slid closed.

Korczak, Mediator

Abigail looked at Charles and said “So go on. Tell me how awful I am. How disappointed ya are. How I’m an embarrassment to-” and Charles stood up and hugged her. He crushed his older sister to his chest in a way that he hadn’t done since he was four and she pulled him out of the pond where he almost drowned. He held her tight to him for a long time in silence; and then, very quietly, he said “I’m sorry, Abby.”

Abby held very still, her eyes wide and her arms at her side. When he spoke, she had to think to make sure she heard him right. He’s SORRY?!? she thought. For what? Does he even know, or even really care? She took as deep a breath as she could with his arms around her and said “Sorry for what, huh?” There was an edge to her voice that she didn’t intend. Charles was quiet a while longer and then said, very simply and plainly, “The shadow we put you under. It ain’t right. You deserved better from us.. all of us… you deserved better from me.”

His words cut through her anger like a scalpel through flesh. They hurt to hear… but not because they hurt her, but because they lifted such a weight from her that her physical body couldn’t compensate and her knees buckled. Charles held her up and said “It’s okay, Abby… I got ya. I ain’t gonna let ya down. Promise.” It was only then that her tears began to flow and huge wracking sobs escaped her. She put her arms around Tenkiller and hugged him like she was clinging to him for life. They stood there for a few moments, and the very softly Tenkiller began to sing to his sister…

Livin’ on wings and wheels
In my mind or made of steel
If you ain’t running scared and rough
Then you ain’t running fast enough for me*

Behind the eight ball ain’t always a bad place to be
You can get out of anything with a dollar and a dream
When your back against the wall your fixed
But they can’t get you from your six, you know

Maybe holdin’ on to something hurts you more than lettin’ go
It hit ain’t hurtin’ maybe it ain’t workin’, it ain’t worth it no.
Maybe that rain that brings the thunder, will help put out the flames
Maybe the light at the end of the tunnel ain’t a train

Maybe holdin’ on to something hurts you more than lettin’ go
It it ain’t hurtin’ maybe it ain’t workin’, it ain’t worth it no.
Maybe that rain that brings the thunder, will help put out the flames
Maybe the light at the end of the tunnel ain’t a train
Maybe the light at the end of the tunnel ain’t a train

Abby laughed softly through the sobs and said “That ain’t no fair. You know I can’t carry tune in a bucket.” Tenkiller smiled and said “Yeah… but I can’t shoot like you can, so we’re even. And s#!t, Abby… that’s part’a my job.” and they both laughed. After a few minutes they parted and she wiped her eyes. She looked at him and said “I really screwed up, Skip. And.... and I’m scared.” and her eyes welled up and Charles hugged her again. “We’ll get through it, Abby… together. But we gotta get through it.” He let her go but kept his hands on her arms. “You ready?” She took a deep breathe and blew out her cheeks as she exhaled. “No… but let’s get it over with.” Tenkiller nodded and went to the door and came back in with Korczak. They all sat down and Charles said “Okay, Doc. If’n you’d call Lady Jal’na, I think Abby is ready.” and he looked at her and she took another deep breath and wiped her eyes. “Yeah. Let’s do it.”

Tenkillers (With special thanks to Cody Jinks, ‘Ain’t A Train’, https://youtu.be/IqDBu9FVVUY?feature=shared )

Korczak pressed the comms and said =/\= Dr. Jal’na, we are ready in my office when you are available. =/\=

Korczak, Mediator

Her response was immediate. =/\=I will be there shortly Doctor.=/\= Five minutes later Jal’na pressed the chime and entered. “General, Miss Tenkiller, Doctor.” She greeted and took a seat.

Jal’na, Lady Duroc

Korczak waited for everyone to be seated and then said “Lady Jal’na, thank you for returning to the mediation. Ms. Tenkiller and her brother had a talk earlier. I assume it was about this?”

Korczak, Mediator

Abigail nodded and General Tenkiller said “It was. And I think it may have allowed Abby to be more receptive to making amends and trying to salvage any kind of productive outcome that may arise from this.” Abbigail nodded and turned to face Jal’na fully. Gone was the anger… the rage… the spite. What addressed Jal’na now was an even-tempered and remorseful woman. “Lady Jal’na.” she began.

“I have no excuse or justification for my actions. I was hurt and angry and so very far from home and… and…” and her voice cracked as she continued., “… and I was terrified. My whole world has been turned inside-out. In the throes of all of that, I lashed out. And I am sorry I lashed out at you. Not because of your title or the size of your husband… but because I struck a most caring and compassionate woman. I will not ask you to let me off the hook for that I did. But I will say that I swear to you that it will never happen again.” Abby straightened up and then said “I am ready to accept whatever terms and conditions you decide are appropriate for restitution.”

Tenkillers

Korczak held up a hand and said “Before we get to that…” and he looked at Jal’na. “Lady Jal’na, do you believe that the apology is sincere? And do you believe Ms. Tenkiller when she says that it was an isolated incident; not a pattern of- not to put too fine a point on it- racially motivated hatred?”

Korczak, Mediator

Jal’na stared at the woman, and only at Abigail for long silent minutes without blinking. One thing the interlude in her office reminded her of, was that she would do as her heart led, animated dead ancestors be d@mned. Then she looked at Korczak and Tenkiller and then at Abigail again. “I am satisfied. I believe you Ms Tenkiller. I got caught in the crossfire of your inner battle. I know something of how that is. The frustration and fear that leads to uncontrolled anger.” Abigail may not know it, but Tenkiller and Korczak would understand the significance of a Klingon admitting to fear. “I am not like most Klingons. I do not require nor want payment for bruised honor. And for that reason alone, I am glad that it was me and not someone else that became the temporary target of that battle.” Jal’na stared at her a moment longer. “Nothing I could demand of you, would be harder or more painful than having to bare the inner struggle and confession of wrong it required. However, if your heart so requires penance of you…” she looked at Tenkiller and back, “Then you should bare your struggle in its totality and stark truth to those that need to hear it, and let them help you make peace. Then, when you find someone who battles as you have, you help them.”

She reached out and took Abigails arm in grip that would not be stayed, but she did not hurt her. She removed a bracer from her arm, not the one Urg had placed upon her, and she slid it over Abigail’s arm and secured it. The crest of House Duroc was engraved on it along with a smaller symbol that identified Jal’na as Lady Duroc. She released Abigail and sat back. “This will mark you as a friend of House Duroc, specifically mine. You show this to anyone wearing our crest,” she tapped her medallion, “and they will give you aid without question. When you are ready, come to the embassy, you will be welcomed.”

Jal’na, Lady Duroc

Abigail stared at the band encircling her arm with a look of trepidation, fear, and relief. Tears welled up in her eyes and in a cracked voice said “I… I can’t… I don’t deserve-” and Genral Tenkiller cut her off. “You can and will. Klingons do not give gifts like that lightly. And to refuse it means Jal’na gets to kill ya.” and he looked at Jal’na and winked. Abigail grasped it with her other hand and held it to her chest. “No! No, I mean I am honored. And…” and she looked directly at Jal’na, the fire she had before starting to show in her gaze; except now it was a controlled burn, and fueled by a desire to do better. “And humbled. Thank you, Lady Jal’na. For your patience with me. I will make sure that anything I do from here on reflects well on your family and your House.” and then she looked at Charles. “And on ours.” Charles smiled at her and leaned in and bumped his shoulder into hers. “That’s a deal, Sis.” He looked at Jal’na and mouthed Thank you to her silently.

Tenkillers

Jal’na nodded slightly at Tenkiller. “I have no doubt that you can and will do honor to your family and mine, but more importantly to yourself. However,” she stared the woman down, “if you call me ‘Lady’ one more time, I will lose my temper. It’s Jal’na, or Dr. Jal’na if you must use a title.” She grinned a sharp toothed grin, but there was nothing but mirth to it.

Abigail inclined her head and said “Fine… Jal’na…” and then looked directly at her, “… but then you have to call me Abby.” Charles’ eyes went wide and he chuckled slightly in surprise. He looked at Jal’na and said “She only let’s family call her that. Last girl that called her ‘Abby’ in high school got new front teeth.” and he smiled and shook his head.

Korczak leaned back and set his hands in lap. He hadn’t expected that, but it was a remarkable outcome from such a situation. He looked at Abigail and said “Ms. Tenkiller, before we all leave today, I have a book you should take with you and read… several times. It is a chronicle of a Human explorer who crashed on Qo’nos long before the Klingon Empire was an ally of the Federation. He lived there for twenty years, and has remarkable insight into a very complex culture. I think it will do you good to know just how significant Lady Jal’na’s gesture actually is.” He then looked at Jal’na. “With that, I take it you do not wish to pursue further legal action against Ms. Tenkiller?”

Korczak, Mediator

Jal’na turned to Korczak. “No, I do not wish to pursue further legal action. I am assured a similar incident will not occur and that Miss Tenkiller is sincere in her admission of guilt. I am satisfied with the results of the mediation, Dr. Korczak.”

Jal’na, Lady Duroc

Tenkillers

Korczak nodded and said “Very well. I will formalize the agreement and send it to the proper authorities. You both may expect a call from the Justice Department to verify that you both agreed the mediation is final and binding.” He looked at Abigail and then Jal’na. “It may seem overkill, but if you both would like, together, to do a bit of counseling… I would provide you that opportunity. But it is not required.”

Korczak, Mediator

Jal’na smirked, amused. “I am not opposed to such if Abby would like. However, Dr. Korczak that may be more than either of you bargained for.” Especially if she was having a hormone driven rage filled day. She wanted to tell Tenkiller and Yavia and Sharah, the rest of the nurses, but her parents first. “Justice can contact me at their convince. Hopefully sooner rather than later so that Anby can go home to her family.”

Jal’na, Lady Duroc

Korczak waved his hand and said “She will go home within the next few hours.” and he looked intently at Jal’na for a moment and then smiled slightly and said “I’m sure that we can try and anticipate any unusual factors that are contributors to either of you experiencing feelings that may make one… ‘not onesself’.” and he looked at Abby. “You both have, after all, been through a traumatic experience. But processing that experience together is a rare gift. I will set an appointment and we can see how ot goes.”

Korczak, Counselor Again

Abby nodded as she still cradled the bracer against her. “I will be here, absolutely.” If an empath had been present, they could have told everyone that while Abby may appear to be relieved, her overriding emotion was gratitude… with a sense of awe directed at Jal’na. Charles looked around and then said “Well… I’m sorry that it happened, no doubt. But I am deeply appreciative of the generosity of Lady Duroc here today; and of the emotional ho esty of Abigail here.” He nodded at Korczak and said “Excellent work, Doc. Thank yiu for the assistance in resolving this.”

And then he grinned.

“Ok!” and he slapped his thighs. “Now we are gonna gave a party. Blow away all this pain and hurt and put on the universal balm of the soul: good friends, good food, good drinks, and good music.” He pointed a finger at Jal’na. “You and Urg, not ‘Lord and Lady Duroc’. My house. Tomorrow night. No excuses. Bring your appetites and dancin’ shoes.” He looked at Korczak. “Doc, if’n it ain’t a conflict of interest or sumthin’, y’all come along too. Bring a date if ya like.” He stood up and put his hand down to Abby, who took it and stood up. She bit her lip a second, and then came to a decision. She stepped forward and put her arms around the big Klingon woman and hugged her, her face in Hal’na’s shoulder. Soft enough so only the two women could hear, she said “I don’t deserve this, but you won’t regret it. I promise.” and she squeezed her shoulders and then stood up. On Jal’na’s shoulder there were two small wet spots, stained by tears of thanks and respect. General Tenkiller set his hand on Abigail’s shoulder and he said “C’mon, sis. I’ll take ya back to the Securiry Ward and stay with ya till they release you.” Abigail nodded, but her eyes stayed on Jal’na even as they walked out the door.

The Tenkillers

Korczak watched them leave and then looked at Jal’na. “I believe you have accomplished a rare feat, Doctor. You have made a true friend out of an enemy.” and he smiled. “I commend you on your patience and your generosity of spirit. I’m sure that was made even more difficult with the surge in hormones.” and his smile broadened. “Congratulations to you and Lord Duroc. juH DaSop. joHwI’. QeylIS Daghom’a’Daq je luqemlu’be’chugh. (May your House be strengthened. May your line be long. Kahless the Unmerciful guide and sustain you.)”

Korczak, Counselor

“qatlho’ (I thank you), Doctor. Urg and I are very happy.” She shook her head looking at the door where the Tenkillers left. “It wasn’t that hard to see that she was not fighting me. It does notbhurt my honor or pride to make sure she has the opportunity to learn and improve. Under normal circumstances I would not have bothered at all with the incident. I would have let the police decode if there was cause to charge for public disruption and gone about my day.” She sighed and looked at him. “Hormones make Klingon women dangerous, apparently even me. I do thank you Korczak for mediating for us.” She grinned, “I see why Sharah speak so highly of you.” She stood and offered her hand.

Jal’na, Lady Duroc

Korczak stood and looked up at Jal’na and smiled as he shook her hand. “It was my pleasure and my honor to assist. And compliments from Doctor Fayth are high praise, indeed. A more capable physician and genuinely good person I have yet to meet.” He let go of her hand and then walked with her to the door. “And apparently I will be seeing you tomorrow evening. I do not believe the General is one to allow an invitation to go unanswered.” and he chuckled.

Korczak, Counselor