Dealing With Issues

Posted on 29 Sep 2026 @ 7:44pm by Lieutenant JG Delainey Carlisle & Lieutenant JG Serran

1,951 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Episode 21 - Helix
Location: Counselor's office
Timeline: MD 8

The away mission had been successful, for the most part, and now the team was back on the ship.

Serran was in his quarters, trying to meditate, to no avail.

"You should go see Counselor Carlisle," Theo suggested. "She helped me last week when you were on your away mission. I bet she can help you. You know that, you just don't want to admit it, to let people see you. Really see you."

"That is not logical," Serran countered,

"But it's true."

Serran paused before continuing. "You were going to tell me something before everything happened. Do you want to talk about it now?"

"I want to talk about it, but later. First, I want you to go talk with her. As I said, she helped me figure some things out."

Serran let out a long breath, then nodded his head.

Ten minutes later, he had made his way to the Counselor's office.

Before sitting herself comfortably across from Serran, Delaney asked, “May I get you something from the replicator?” Having spoken to Theo the week before, she knew there was a possibility she would be seeing his father soon, and in fact, she had planned to reach out. That he would come to see her this soon was not something she would’ve predicted, however. She was glad he made the effort.

"I would take a chilled water," the Vulcan requested.

"I am sure that Theo discussed the death of my father. Did he not? Serran continued in a neutral tone,as though he were discussing the weather or the death of someone else's parent.

The water was easily retrieved, and as Delainey handed it to Serran and resumed her own seated position, she offered, "I think it would be best. If you were to ask Theo questions about what we talk about. You are, of course, entitled to know about his progress in our sessions as his guardian, but I promised Theo I wouldn’t share the specifics of what we talk about with anyone unless he is a danger to himself or others. I promise to keep what you and I discussed confidential as well.“

The Vulcan's left eyebrow quirked. "My question was a rhetorical one," he heard himself saying. I was not asking what you and he discussed. I trust him to tell me what he needs, what he wants to tell me. Unlike how my father treated me."

His body tensed after he made the last part of his comment. He didn't like opening up, never had, and he had just admitted something that he didn't think he ever should.

"I'm sorry, perhaps I should not have said that last part. But my relationship with my father was complicated and now my mother wants to attend the funeral and we are too far away for me to be there physically."

“No need to apologize. I know you were just trying to see if I was aware of your loss. I’m so sorry. I imagine not having a choice as to whether to be there is difficult,” Delainey replied.

"It is almost impossible to understand how difficult it is. I should be there. Not just virtually, not with a god... with a subspace delay, but be there. And I can't. I am supposed to deliver the eulogy, but I haven't even processed his death. How do I come up with the words to say?"

“I suppose that depends on whether you’re focused on saying the right things to please other people or whether you’re focused on sharing your point of view.“

Serran took a deep, centering breath, steepling his fingers together. "My concern is that my response will be inadequate regardless, or that my point of view will be considered disrespectful, or worse yet illogical."

"Other people's perspective is important to me, perhaps more than it should be. However, an even bigger concern is how I will perceive my own words and actions."

“So let’s start there,“ Carlisle answered. “How do you want to perceive your words and actions?“

Serran paused to consider her question. "I want to perceive my words and actions as someone who who lets logic guide him, but who doesn't allow it completely control him. Who cared for and understood his father. And loved him."

“That seems like a reasonable starting point,“ Carlisle answered. “Perhaps if you rule out the words that definitely don’t meet that criteria, you’ll get closer to words that fit better.“

He nodded, "That is a reasonable suggestion. Now, I just have to deal with my mother."

“How so?“ The counselor inquired.

"Her expectations," he said, I think she wants me to come home, even though that would be a difficult task. One that might mean my having to leave Starfleet. I'm not willing to do so."

"And there's more."

"I got a message from Finn. My ex. He's investigating Sorek's death as a possible homicide, or at least not from natural causes."

"And he wants to get back together."

Delainey kept her features inscrutable, but inside, she heard a noise akin to screeching brakes in her head. "Does the prospect of a homicide always put him in a romantic mood?"

Serran shook his head slowly from side to side. "I don't believe so. That is too much of a leap even for him."

"What I think is that he is doing his job in investigating my father's death. When it came to his duty, he was a stickler for the facts and always followed the evidence."

"I also think he is using that as a reason, an excuse more than likely, to get close to me again. Get me to trust him, to let him in, to think that this time he has really changed."

"Part of me wants to believe him. But I don't have myself to be concerned with. I've got a fifteen-year-old to think about. To protect. To parent."

"It's illogical for me to trust him again, and yet..."

"I don't know."

"Perhaps we can explore applying similar logic to a different problem," Carlisle suggested. "In your work, what steps would you take to determine whether a problem had actually been fully addressed?"

"Well, the first thing I would do is run a diagnostic. Then I would evaluate that diagnostic. If I were unable to decide or if I were unsure, then I would consult with my colleagues or the officer under my command. An extra set of eyes, if you will."

"How would that apply in this situation?"

"Well, a diagnostic gathers evidence to reach a conclusion, correct? So in this case, I would consider what evidence I would expect to see to support a conclusion that he has changed and can be trusted. Once I decided on what to look for, I'd see if I had sufficient data to consider if those criteria were met. If it isn't there, I'd consider what actions I'd ask of him to give myself space to draw a conclusion. Do you need him to give you more time before you make a decision? Do you want him to get counseling with you? Perhaps his response to your response will be informative as well."

Serran arched his left brow. "IF he were willing to go to couples counselling, I would give him another chance."

"Not immediately, he'd have to prove himself. He might be able to fool me; he's done it before, but it's harder to fool a professional."

"Could he say no to that idea, directly, or perhaps by trying to convince you it isn't necessary?" Carlisle speculated. She had an idea of the answer, but her goal was to get him to consider possibilities that were a dismissal of Serran's feelings disguised as love.

Serran paused for a moment before replying. "He might; that has been his pattern in the past. I won't be fooled this time, though. If he does attempt that, I will be ready, and it will show me he's not really serious."

"In the spirit of full exploration without judgment, tell me about the part of you that wants to believe Finn has changed. Perhaps if we better understand that part of you, we can figure out where you are vulnerable, even as much as you want to hold firm to your expectations?" Delainey knew resolve could be fleeting, especially when facing situations in which resolve had historically been fragile to begin with.

"Despite everything I've been through, everything he's done; the lying, the cheating, the...abuse, I still love him. I know that's not logical, but it's still true."

"I remember the good times. Especially the early years, before things started to fall apart. It's that part that gives me hope. I don't expect to go back to those times. That version of him and me is long gone."

"But maybe he's feeling something similar."

"If that version of the two of you is gone," Delainey hypothesized, "what is the version you want, assuming it was possible?" Carlisle understood how seductive the early memories of an abusive relationship could be, especially as time and distance from those memories increased. She also knew the possibility of reuniting and beginning a healthy, sustainable relationship depended upon both parties' willingness to work on the destructive patterns that came before.

"Something new. A relationship where he is honest with me... where we are honest with each other. And, he would have to understand that I'm not going to let things escalate. That at the first hint that he is retreating into his old patterns, he either agrees to counseling to work through those issues, or
I'm breaking things off."

"He is going to have to earn my trust, this time around."

“Would you ever consider making his participation in individual counseling a condition of even considering reconciliation?“It was a step in the right direction to hear such strong boundaries, but Carlisle couldn’t help but notice he was talking as if reconciliation, no matter how tentative, would be the first step. She wondered if that was by design.

"I hadn't thought about that, but that is an excellent idea. That will show me if he's really serious this time, and it will keep him honest."

“Given what you’ve already been through, I think it makes sense to be cautious,“ Carlisle agreed. “You expressed that you already feel that way, so this is just showing him you’re consistent.“

Soren nodded. "And reminding him that he needs to be."

Carlisle nodded. “Exactly. If he agrees, that’s a step in the right direction, but consistency also means sustained progress.”

"That is the primary issue in the past. He was quick to make promises, but he did not always execute those promises.”

“It sounds like this would be a good way forward, then. You could take the opportunity to assess his intentions without getting too emotionally invested.“

"I concur. One of the things I admire about you, Counselor, is your insight and ability to see what should be obvious, but often is not. At least to the people involved."

Carlisle smiled. “I appreciate the praise, but the truth is, it’s always easier to see the noses on other people's faces compared to our own. Counselors just get a lot more practice looking at others from a different perspective.“

Serran nodded. "Well, your aid is greatly appreciated regardless. I will reach out to my Ex and see if he is serious, or if this is all a ruse, a game."

"Sounds good. If you wish to meet with me once you talk to him, just let me know."

"I will, Counselor. Thank you again."

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