New Counsellor...Who To Choose?

Posted on 27 Apr 2012 @ 2:26pm by Lieutenant Commander Pola Ni Dhuinn M.D. & Lieutenant JG Brayden White Ph.D.
Edited on on 02 May 2012 @ 6:59pm

2,518 words; about a 13 minute read

Mission: Episode 01 - Project Sienna
Location: Sickbay
Timeline: MD4 1600hours

[On]

Sitting at the desk in sickbay, Pola resisted the urge to lay her head in her hands and catch some sleep. It had been a late night last night with the ship's XO John. Laying her head back against the chair, the young Doctor found herself smiling as she recalled the dances they had shared. In all honesty, she was still getting over the shock that he was able to waltz so well...the XO wasn't a man you looked at and see instant grace and the relaxation required for the dance. Pola realised she'd probable seen a side of the man he didn't often let out.

Sighing, Pola pulled herself back to the files on her desk. Even though her shift was only starting now, Pola had already been here a number of hours following the issue with the engines earlier and the numerous people dropping in for medicals. The life of a Doctor as the saying went...the funny thing was there was no way she would give it up for the world. She had found a note left for her by Doctor Hilyer, due to her previous experience in psychology he had asked if she could take a look through the medical officers onboard and see if there would be someone suitable to cover as counsellor until a replacement for Dru could be found, even if she came around they felt it would be awhile before she would be fit enough to resume her duties.

Picking up a file she had managed to isolate, one Brayden White. He was a civilian Medical officer with previous experience in psychology. This seemed like a good opportunity for him to expand on his experience.

=^=Doctor Ni Dhuinn to Mr. White; Could you call by sickbay for a moment please?=^=

Brayden glanced down at his com badge, then stood up and walked from the Arboretum to Sickbay. "Lieutenant," he greeted her as he entered. He'd found here, as had been the case with his other Starfleet appointments, that being a civilian - despite his years of experience - tended to keep him out of the limelight of action unless there was a really serious medical issue that required all hands on deck. For the most part, he'd kept himself busy filing patient files that the doctors who were given significant hours didn't find the time to do. Which was fine by him, really. The patient files were fascinating. So many species and situations. "Need me for something?"

Smiling across at the man infront of her, Pola indicated that he should take a seat."Thank you for coming along so promptly Brayden. I hope that my use of Brayden is ok." Setting back in her chair, the woman crossed her legs and folded her arms in a relaxed stance. "How are you settling in? I understand you joined us from Starbase 234 so your just over 24hours onboard?"

"I prefer it, actually. Thanks." He took the indicated seat and leaned back, thoughtfully. "I understand you came on at the star base, too," he added, curiously. "So I could ask you the same question. So far? The ship's great. Small, I like that. Reminds me of my internship." He nodded slowly, thinking aloud, "I missed the excitement with the EMH; Betohta had shipped me off to replicate some kelotane to help with that burn victim. I hear that was pretty exciting." A less patient man might have been irritated by the casual use of his multiple degrees, but Brayden had long since gotten used to what being a civilian in the midst of Starfleet officers tended to mean. He glanced at his watch and cocked a brow at her, "Aren't you supposed to be off duty?"

"Oh now...off duty, what's that? Don't the teach us during internships that we have to live without sleep as we are on duty 24/7?" Pola laughed out loud and then grimaced as she realised she was starting to look a little foolish. Brayden was a good few years older then her, she should really be behaving abit more mature."Our burn victim Rothgra seems to be doing very well thankfully. He had one of his colleagues in earlier so he's being kept amused, and then he has the pretty nurses applying dermaline gel since we managed to take him off of the kelotane, I'd hope we'll be able to release him by tomorrow."

Realising she was going a little off topic, Pola restraightened her legs and leaned her arms down on the table."Sorry...get me talking about medicine and patients and you have difficult getting me to stop." Looking up at Brayden and smiling softy, the ACMO relined her thoughts in her head."I imagine your wondering why I've called you, I wanted to have a chat with you about your psychology training."

"No need to stop on my account. Nice to be talked to," Brayden said easily. "My psychology training. All right. Haven't been asked about that in a while. What do you want to know?"

Frowning slightly, Pola studied Brayden closer, "What do you mean nice to be talked to? Is there people causing you problems? Are you having a hard time fitting in?"

He laughed. "Not at all. No. I only meant I've basically been working since I came on board. Not too many opportunities to just sit and talk. Busy times." He grinned at her, "I appreciate the concern, though."

"Hum....good point. I've been so busy with work and medicals I've just realised I don't think i've had a chance to socialise either." Laughing gently, Pola eased back into her seat. She took her job seriously, and even though she was only ACMO, the people under her came to her with problems so she was protective over them also. Sometimes that protectiveness came forefront to who she generally was.

Making herself bring this back on topic, Pola smiled almost to herself, while looking at Brayden, "Right. The reason your here. Your background in psychology. I'm sure that you are aware by now that our Chief Counsellor, Lieutenant JG Drusilla McCarthy is...." Pausing for a moment, the young Doctor was uncertain how to phrase this. She usually remained clinical but having treated Drusilla herself and seen the waves of support for her she wasn't sure it was appropriate."She is currently in a coma which is partly medical induced by us, due to her breathing difficulties but partly seems to be from the injuries she suffered." Pola stopped for a moment to recompose herself, allowing Brayden to ask any questions he might have.

Brayden nodded, watching her. Of course, he knew about the Chief Counselor's condition. The whole ship knew. It was a damned shame; the woman had been so young and clearly cared for. Non-traumatic intra-axial hemorrhage - such big words for 'we have no idea'. It seemed incredible to him, even after all these years, that they were exploring space and the oceans and still hadn't quite worked out how bodies and brains worked. He sometimes wondered if they ever would. "Pola," he began quietly. "You know I'd love to help, but I'm not a neurosurgeon. Clinical psychology only works when the patient's awake and even then, it doesn't repair brain damage. I could go through the scans, of course, but... to be honest, I don't think there's anything more to be done except to wait and see. You relieved the intracranial pressure and put her in a healing coma. You did everything right." He reached across the desk and rested the weight of his hand on her arm. "You did everything right, and because of that she's got a sixty percent chance of recovery. She's lucky you were there."

Pola looked down at the hand on her arm and back up at the man before looking back down at the hand. She wasn't used to other people showing her care, as ACMO it was her job to care for her colleagues and be there support and as a Doctor is was her job to care for the patients and look after them. Of course she had friends, and of course she made friends easily but since she turned her back on men years ago, she wasn't used to unknown males showing her affection, even where it is intended as comfort.

Coughing to clear her throat, Pola allowed a smile to reform on her lips, hiding everything else before she looked back up at Brayden."Thank you for your kind words. I can already see I've made a right decision here. You've misunderstood me. The reason I need to speak with you is due to the fact that Drusilla never had any opportunity to recruit extra staff. Due to the low number of people onboard it seems it was never really a priority. This now means that we have no counsellor onboard and the soonest we can get one on board will be at least 2weeks. Doctor Hilyer asked me to see if we could find someone suitable to fill in for the time we have noone onboard, due to my own psychological background he felt maybe I would recognise someone best suited. I'd like to see if you would be willing to do it?"

"Oh! Oh..." Brayden leaned back, scraping his hands back through his hair as he thought it over. It would give him something to do, new people to talk to, get to know the crew, get him out of- "Would that mean you'd no longer need me in Sickbay?" he asked. "I'd be glad for the extra work, right, but we're short-handed in here as it is. How many cases was she handling long-term? Could I do both?"

Pulling her now free arm back, Pola folded just that arm across her abdomen."From reading through her notes, she was barely here a week and so has seen about one quater of the crew, of course alot of people came on when we docked at the Starbase whom she hasn't managed to see yet." Picking up a PADD on her desk, Pola pressed a few buttons."According to her notes there was 3crew members she had noted as needing active monitoring. One Lilou Peers who she noted as having confidence issues which need to be worked through. A Chauncey Remington, or Will in her notes, who has a number of phobias and an incident which occurred recently which she was worried about. She notes that he is coping well but she also notes she had another followup with him yesterday but there's no notes indicating how that went. The final person is Nazhzhalh. Seemingly he comes from a family where we has viewed as not very intelligent but here in Starfleet is intelligence is way above average. She was concerned about the fact he put himself down, feeling he wasn't intelligent but at the same time he is very outgoing and bubbly so she wished to just monitor him."

Looking up at Brayden, Pola handed him the PADD she had read from."Here's is a copy of all of her notes and files. I believe there is alot she didn't include but I think that that comes down to the fact often counsellors or told information they are asked not to repeat and the information isn't sever enough that it needs to be noted."

"It's hard to step in on treatment that's already in progress, but I'll see what I can do," he said, taking the PADD. "Didn't answer my question, though. Are you going to want me to stay on staff or transfer completely into mental health?"

"Ah!Sorry....have alot on my mind and very little sleep." Leaning over, Pola picked up a second PADD."Due to the fact you are the only counsellor onboard, with only me to fall back on and Doctor Hilyer, I would rather that you concentrate solely on the counselling aspect of the crew. I fell you will have your hands full with this as you've approx 75people to still get through. Should there be any emergencies then absolutely, I will call you back here to sickbay, we need to get physical injuries treated first and foremost."

Brayden nodded, skimming through the notes on the PADD. She hadn't written much down. Discretion, he understood, but... hell, maybe she had a better memory than he did. Ah, youth. "Right." So he'd take over until McCarthy was back on her feet or Ni Dhuinn selected a Starfleet counselor... and then what? He'd deal with it when it came up. The ACMO seemed to have a lot on her plate right now without worrying about future eventualities. "Guess I'll shuffle on over to the counselor's office and acquaint myself with the personnel files." He lifted the PADD, nodding at her, "Thanks for this, Pola."

Moving her hand to rest it lightly on Brayden's arm, Pola made eye contact with him."I mentioned this earlier and I'll mention it again Brayden. As your ACMO, I'm here if ever you need someone to talk to or if ever you are struggling or worried about anything. As I tell everyone, I can come across very giddy but don't under estimate what I can be like." Smiling lightly, the young Doctor squeezed her hand lightly.

He lifted his brows, grinning, "Well, now, first off - I'm not struggling or worried. Second, you don't come off too giddy at all. And third, I don't underestimate you." He winked at her. "Though, if you've got insecurities about how the kids are perceiving you," he lifted the PADD. "That's my job, now."

Taking away her hand, Pola sat back and laughed."I walked myself right into that didn't I." Shaking her head lightly, grinning across at Brayden."You'll realise I'm giddy once your patients start telling you they are worried about the sanity of the ship's ACMO." Laughing further, the young Doctor continued to shake her head."You'd better schedual me in for my psych eval now that you mention it. Can't have Doctor Hilyer, or even worse the XO, after me for not having it done. I knew I'd made the right choice with you Brayden."

"Let's hope," he agreed with a sideways smile. "I've got... nothing scheduled," he told her, looking at Drusilla's calendar. "A lot of space for walk-ins. When do you want to come in?"

"Leave it with me so. I'm on shift soon and I need to get Dru comfortable and do some followup checks on her aswell as look after crew medicals. How about I give you a shout at some stage, and see if your free?" Pola wasn't in anyway trying to put offf her psych eval, she just prioritised sickbay right now, especially after everything which had happened."I can tell you then what you missed when the EMH decided to freak out on us."

"As you say," he stood up. "I'll get to it, then."

--
[OFF]

Lieutenant JG Pola Ni Dhuinn
Assistant Chief Medical Officer
USS Galileo

Brayden White Ph.D. (pNPC Orexil)
Counselor/Medical Officer
USS Galileo

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