Concerns

Posted on Sat Aug 24th, 2019 @ 8:21pm by Petty Officer, 1st Class T'Kal & Lieutenant Commander Charlotte Hudson

1,605 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Mission 2 - Love ORION Mistaken
Location: Deck 17, Security Office

Petty Officer T’Kal had never had the need to visit the security office before today. She had checked its location on a ship diagram. She didn’t have long. Doctor Sinclair had sent her for supplies. She might argue that it took longer than necessary. Maybe she helped someone with a minor injury in the supply room? She’d think of something to explain herself later. She hid her nervousness behind her cool Vulcan exterior as she strode into the office of the Chief Security Officer, who just also happened to be the First Officer.

She gently tapped the doorframe as the door slid open. “Pardon me, Commander. But...may I speak with you a moment?”

Looking up from the main desk, where she'd been going over the day's duty roster with one of the security officers, Bec raised an eyebrow at the Vulcan. "Sure, privately or out here?"

“Privately, please,” replied T’Kal. “It is of a rather sensitive nature.” She hoped that the XO would understand her meaning. After all, T’Kal should be bringing her concerns to Doctor Sinclair directly and not one step up the command chain.

Nodding, Bec waved for T'Kal to follow her into the office. She stepped behind the desk and waited for T'Kal to come in and the doors to close behind her. "Please, have a seat," she said indicating the two chairs opposite hers. "What do you need to talk to me about?"

The nurse took the offered seat and took a deep breath in. "Perhaps it is nothing, but if it is something, I would not want to have kept it to myself. Commander, I am concerned for the well being of Doctor Sinclair. Over the past three days, she has been acting strangely and I do not understand why."

"Hmmm..." Bec nearly grunted, but kept the sound contained in her throat, making a curious humming sound instead. "I, too, have noticed strange behaviour from Jane. And I assure you I am keeping an eye on her," she said then frowned and leaned forward. "But tell me, what have you noticed about the Doctor? And why do you find it strange?"

"First, it has to do with her mood," T'Kal began. "For the past month, she has been fluctuating in a state approaching depression. The songs she sang have been sad ones, and while always pleasant, a discerning observer could tell she hid some secret pain. Lately, however, she has become significantly more upbeat." Her eyes widened when she realized how that must have sounded. "Do not get me wrong, Commander. I wish her happiness. But the change has been so sudden as to defy understanding and raise concerns that something else is going on."

Bec shook her head slightly and hummed at the information T'Kal was giving. She'd noted some sad songs, but not a depressive state. Then again, she wasn't entirely focused on anyone lately, not with the nightmares. T'Kal continuing shook her out of her reverie.

"Furthermore," T'Kal continued, "she has snapped at more than one person in the past two days. A few crewmen who were spreading gossip. One referenced a recent Ticker Tape post that had her agitated. She actually told an Ensign who said something about our Orion guest to, and I quote, 'shut your fucking mouth'. Commander, prior to that, I had never heard her use such language."

"Interesting.... I've never heard her use such language either," Bec frowned and rubbed the back of her head. "This is puzzling. She seems to be getting more and more protective of the Orion woman. Something doesn't seem quite right to me about it, but then I don't really understand emotions and how they're triggered." She paused and looked at T'Kal. "I've already discussed with her and Cindy, removing her from 'guard' duty of Vivyra. I feel she is compromised in her ability to be objective in regards to the Orion woman's behaviour or actions."

“I agree, Commander,” T’Kal said. “There is one more thing that troubles me. You’re her friend, so you know she likes to sing. I mentioned the change in tone from sad songs to pleasant ones. But among them are some that give me cause for concern.” She shifted in her seat. “Perhaps you are familiar with this one?” She began to recite a lyric she heard. “Under my thumb / a Siamese cat of a girl / under my thumb / she’s the sweetest pet in the world / it’s down to me / the way she does just what she’s told, down to me / the change has come / she’s under my thumb. Commander, I believe Doctor Sinclair’s attraction to the Orion has become dangerous. She is possessive and obsessed.”

Frowning at the Rolling Stones song, Bec also shifted in her seat. "That... worries me," she said finally. "I didn't realize it was this bad... she seemed different, but normal when I spoke with her this morning." Her brow furrowed and she leaned forward a bit. "What would you like me to do? There are many options here. Simply watch her, remove her from duty, or have her confined to quarters until we sort out what is going on with her. Though, I think the latter two are a bit harsh for her being possessive in a relationship."

"I am not suggesting she be removed from duty or be confined," T'Kal answered. "Yet. But she should be watched, and carefully. If the situation changes you should be prepared to take the next step. And you cannot be prepared if you are unaware of the facts, so thank you for listening to me today." She took a deep breath, hoping that this possible betrayal of Jane was the correct course of action. "You are Chief of Security, Doctor Sinclair's direct superior, and her friend. Please help me to help her, Commander."

Bec wanted to say she was more than a friend, but two things stopped her. One, it wasn't appropriate; and two, she wasn't sure that would still be a thing. "As her friend and superior, I would always help her. Thank you for coming to me with this information. Knowing this, I have a better sense of what is going on. I'll make sure she is watched carefully and I promise I will do my best to help her."

"Thank you," T'Kal said with a nod. "I must return to sickbay. Please do not tell Doctor Sinclair I was here."

"I won't, but you should have a cover story in case she does find out you were visiting with me," Bec smiled. "After all, you did say you wanted to speak to me privately while in front of others. And try as I might, scuttlebutt still gets out of these offices. Though, knowing the rumours that spread about me, you'll probably hear that we had sex." A sly grin formed on her face.

T’Kal raised an eyebrow and gave a bemused look. “The rumour mill is a strange machine indeed, Commander,” she said. “But I believe I came in here to discuss an incident of security concern I witnessed.” She paused as she further considered the lie. “The two in the cabin next to mine argue quite loudly, and I was concerned it might grow violent. But for their privacy I could only speak with you.” She cocked her head sideways. “Why, did you think I came here to discuss something else?”

"Are you sure they're arguing? I thought one of your neighbours was a Klingon. They like to get rough," she teased. "And no, I didn't think you came in here for anything other than a security concern," she smiled. "And yes, the rumour mill is strange, then again, I've not helped my own image any." She stood and came around the desk, giving T'Kal a shrug and mischievous smile.

T’Kal stood to meet Bec. She prepared to say something witty, inspired by all the time she and her family spent with humans, until she realized something. “You and Jane have been together.” It wasn’t a question, but a statement of fact. She didn’t listen to the rumour mill or read the Ticker Tape, but the look in the First Officer’s eye, combined with her attempt at humour, said it all. T’Kal tried to hide her own feelings, but knew her eyes were not hiding her sadness.“I’m so sorry. I wish I had come with good tidings, and not concerns for her well being. I sincerely hope that I worry needlessly. But I don’t believe that’s the case.”

"Don't worry T'Kal... we weren't in a serious relationship, just casual sex. I've also been with Neza Glenn and Ayden Kennett. As I said, I haven't helped my own image," she smiled. "Though I do appreciate your concern, both for Jane and for possibly offending me. I already had some knowledge of the goings on with Jane, so was already concerned for her, and you just cemented my assumptions of the situation. Never feel bad for coming to me with concerns, no matter who it is!"

"Understood, Commander," T'Kal said with a short bow. "I am confident that with you looking out for her, our Chief Medical Officer will be fine, even if she isn't right now. With your permission, I will return to sickbay."

"Of course, I'll be around if you need anything else!" Bec said, waving her off, though she followed T'Kal out of her office. She stood near the security desk and waved the nurse off again.

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