Matters of the heart

Posted on Wed Jun 15th, 2022 @ 12:31pm by Lieutenant Isabelle Raal & Lieutenant Marina Tanger

Mission: Shore Leave
Location: Counsellor’s Office
Timeline: 239606.10

Marina sat on the couch in the Counsellor’s office nervously fiddling with her fingers, last time she’d undergone any kind of psychological treatment was when she was with the Caliphate. It made her feel ill at ease, to say the least.

Returning from the replicator Isabelle brought over the drink Marina had opted for when she’d arrived. Placing it down on the table she offered a gentle smile. “You’re nervous, that I can understand. You’ve been through a lot Marina, the fact that you’re sat here at all says a lot for your strength of character, and how brave you are.”

Marina nodded. “Thank you Isabelle. I didn’t say thanks for your help after I lost my baby...” She paused. “I’ve lost so much, but I’ve gained just as much by finding Kasey. Right now my family ties with him, and finding Aurora, are the two things keeping me going.”

Isabelle nodded understandingly. “Of course, having a twin is a powerful connection especially for us Betazoids. As for your daughter, and your baby I totally understand your feelings of loss. I err...I lost my daughter at seven months pregnant.”

Marina gave Isabelle a shocked look. “I’m so sorry!”

“Thank you” Isabelle offered a smile. “Unlike you I tried what I thought was the easy way out, I tried to kill myself. I just couldn’t finish it. That’s what makes me a good Counsellor, plus helping others helps me. So...in that spirit, how are you feeling?”

Marina paused. “To be honest, I feel more...centred, thanks to Kasey helping me with my abilities.”

“But?...” Isabelle gave her a knowing look.

“I still have a part of me that’s...” Marina paused. “It feels like a hole, a deep dark hole that I can’t seem to fill. Between losing my baby, and with Aurora missing...and then there’s Ryan...”

Isabelle nodded. “The two of you were close?”

Marina nodded. “We were lovers while at the Academy. We were head over heels, but I had to leave in the middle of the night with no explanation, because of my assignment to infiltrate the Caliphate. I never saw him again until now.” She sighed. “I love him! I always have, always will, he’s happy with Commander Toran, and I’m happy for them.”

Isabelle offered an understanding smile as she paused to sip her drink. “Have the two of you spoken about this? About how you feel?”

Pausing to sip her own drink Marina nodded. “We have, but I daren’t go to that planet. If I go there my thoughts will be read, and I’ll have a copy of Ryan on my hands, along with Aurora! I can’t face that!”

Isabelle nodded. “If you believe that strongly that it would be detrimental to your wellbeing, then I’d recommend staying aboard. Just use the time in the holodeck instead, or do something else you enjoy.”

Marina took a deep breath. “I will, thank you. It’ll save Kasey having to babysit me while he’s trying to enjoy his own Shoreleave.”

“There’s that too!” Isabelle grinned. “I’m giving consideration to simply enjoying myself here onboard as well, though for me it wouldn’t be the test of resolve I need. I don’t like facing my demons, but if I have to then I will.”

“I don’t think anyone is ready for my demons” Marina shook her head, “Not even me. I have a lot of them to face, even Kasey would struggle to put those demons in their place. There are things I did during my training for the Caliphate that even I can’t imagine. For a while there I was lost, during the training when they used the medications, sleep deprivation, all manner of manipulation to make us strong, and loyal.”

“So, what broke you free of that?” Isabelle looked at Marina curiously.

“It was finding Kasey, something about him at the time...and coming face to face with Ryan as well.” Marina smiled. “They gave me something to grasp hold of, hope!”

Isabelle smiled warmly. “We all need Hope, and family. Love is something we find in time, maybe you’ll find someone new.”

“I hope so!” Marina smiled and nodded. “I don’t want to be alone for the rest of my life.”

Isabelle grinned. “Tell me about it! There’s plenty of time for us both yet.” She offered up a toast as she held up her glass. “To brighter futures!”

Marina picked up her glass. “Brighter futures!”

{OFF}

Lieutenant Isabelle Raal
Chief Counsellor
USS Leto

Lieutenant Marina Tanger
Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Leto