Visit to the shrink

Posted on Saturday 23 October 2021 @ 18:12 by Commander Caroline Miller

Mission: First Contact
Location: Counsellor’s office Deck 8
1196 words - 2.4 OF Standard Post Measure

On:

Walking along deck 8, Jack was looking for the counsellor’s office so he could get the standard transfer requirements out of the way and he could get to work. Finally finding the door he wanted, Jack adjusted the tool belt he had around his waist and tapped the door chime.

The door opened and Roger smiled. “Ahh my 3pm. Welcome Petty Officer MacGyver. How can I be of assistance?”

“I’m just here for the mandatory check up after transfers. So if you could just give me that tick, i can get out of your hair and back to work” Jack replied, as he found the whole process tedious especially when there were other things he could be doing”

"Oh no it doesn't quite work like that," Roger said simply. "To get that tick you actually have to talk. So please take a seat.

Giving a sigh, Jack stepped inside the office and made his way over to an empty chair, "fine"

"Tea?" Roger asked the other man.

"sure why not" Jack replied, taking out a small PADD from his belt and started looking through the list of maintenance jobs, "might as well eat something before end of shift today."

“Computer, a selection of biscuits please,” Roger smiled at the man. He hadn’t offered dinner but he couldn’t see the man hungry.

“So tell me about yourself,” Roger said placing the cups of tea and biscuits on the coffee table and taking a seat.

picking up the cup, Jack took a sip while he thought for a moment, "well, I'm a grease monkey with marine training."

"Another marine or marine background. We seem to be getting a big influx of you guys. So tell me about that. Why are you a fleeter now and not a marine?" he asked curious.

Jack gave a shrug, "I finished my run and decided to change to Engineering. I wanted a different challenge with less early mornings"

"Do you miss any of it?" Roger probed further.

"not really. I mean I'll always miss the people but i'm sure the engineers here will be just as fun" Jack replied as the thought of his old flame crossed his mind, "you've felt the same at some point right? leaving one posting for another"

“Of course. And us counsellors are always a lot of fun,” Roger said. “Except I'm the only one here right now. I'll acclimate.

So any family? Significant other?” he asked.

Jack shook his head, “nope. Parents died when I was 12 and my grandfather passed away a couple of years ago. I’m sure I’ve got cousins out there somewhere but I wouldn’t have a clue where”

"Would you want to find them? I might be able to help there," Roger asked.

Jack shrugged, “not really. I’ve never met them so clearly they’re not looking for me”

"How do you know they are not looking for you?" Roger asked. "They could be. They might be as clueless as you are as to finding you."

"i doubt that. My Starfleet career is mostly non-classified and so open to civilian search. Other then that, They had 6 years between when my parents died and when I joined the Marine Corp to try and make contact. so either they don't exist, didn't hear about a starship exploding in orbit or just don't care"

"Anything could have happened. I would encourage you to hold things in a more positive spin than they just don't care," Roger suggested.

"What are your aspirations going forward? If I was to ask you where you saw yourself in the next five years ... what's that look like?"

"in five years i'm gonna be crawling though a starship or starbase somewhere out there. Maybe as a Master Chief but you never know" Jack replied, sitting back in his chair a little, "Starfleet is my life ma'am, I'm happy where I am. So long as i've got a hyperspanner in my hand and something needs fixing, i'm content"

"Content alone?" Roger asked. "Or are you looking for friends and possibly a partner?"

“Of course I welcome friends and of course I’d love to find a partner eventually, but life in Starfleet doesn’t always allow for it” Jack said, probably thinking more of Marine Corp life then life in the fleet but to him he had a point, “When you get your transfer orders it’s not like you have many options. You either go or resign and as I’d like to keep my job, I go where I’m told. So I’ve never given a great deal of effort towards finding a life long partner as a long distance relationship doesn’t sound particularly appealing to me, and I wouldn’t want to become the route of someone else’s problems”

"But why would you though and how do you know a long distant relationship wouldn't work for you if it ended up being the case?" Roger asked. "You don't know unless you try."

"I haven't jumped out an airlock yet I know it'll kill me" Jack said with a sigh, "now that we've thrown witticisms at one another, why this interest in my love life? Surely Starfleet doesn't interest itself with the personal lives of it's officers. Are you eyeing me up counsellor?" he said with a playful smile.

"Would you like it if I was?" Roger countered not expecting those words to come out of his mouth.

Jack shrugged, "I don't mind, but I should let you know that I'm not into men, sorry"

“Well neither am I,” Roger found himself saying. “So that worked out just fine.

Right I’m going to approve you but on the proviso you get out and seem more of the ship and the people in it than just the areas and situations a grease monkey would be involved in. Effectively, I want you to get a social life and sort out a decent work/life balance.”

Jack gave an over exaggerated sigh, “well if I must” he said before giving a smile, “think I might go down to Marine county and see who I can out drink down there”

"Well please ensure you see other crew too. We do not wish a marine/fleet divide," Roger commented. Not surprised to see a former marine immediately jumping to wanting to be friends with the marines. He pressed a few things on his padd and then said. "You are cleared for duty."

Standing up from his chair, Jack gave a slight bow, “well, I’d say it’s been a pleasure, but I’d be Lying. Thanks for the chat but I hope I’m never in this office again. However if you ever want to catch up off duty some time, I’m sure you can find me in the mess hall. Just don’t bring your notebook, I’d rather not have everything I say psychoanalysed.”

"The only book I bring out with me is a black one Chief. Us Counselor's are more than just sounding boards," Roger informed him.

OFF:

Chief Petty Officer Johnathan ‘Jack’ MacGyver
Operations Specialist

Roger Bumble
Counselor