Posted by Captain Molly Holloway (Chief Intelligence Officer) in Counselor’s Office – Molly Holloway

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Katie Nunn (Counselor) in Counselor’s Office – Molly Holloway

Posted by Ensign Charlie Bailey (Doctor) in Counselor’s Office – Molly Holloway
Posted by… suppressed (2) by the Post Ghost! 👻

<snip>

Katie’s body had moved forward as she spoke via the communicator, but now that the conversation was finished, she leaned back. They had a few moments before Bailey would make her way to her office and she spent those studying Holloway. Not in an aggressive way, of course, but in the mere curiosity she had of another human being and her foibles and strengths.

Lt Cmdr Nunn, CNS

Reaching for the small plush spaceship she had taken from the toy box earlier, Molly held it close to her body, almost as if somehow the object brought her a sense of security. She was aware of the counselor’s gaze on her, but she kept her eyes focused on her feet rather than on Nunn.

Charlie grabbed her medkit and headed for the counselor’s office, still a little curious as to the nature of the consultation. As she neared Nunn’s office, she instinctively straightened her uniform and pressed the door chime.

Dr Bailey

“Come in!” came the soft voice from within, smiling as the door opened to reveal Bailey. Glancing at the med kit, Katie laughed lightly and said, “I guess I should have been more specific about what kind of consult I needed.” Indicating the other woman in the room, she continued, “Captain Holloway and I needed your expertise to discuss some medication ideas to get her some rest, but I’ll let her get into the details.” She turned to look at Holloway expectantly.

Lt Cmdr Nunn, CNS

Molly smiled softly at Bailey as the doors opened to let her in, but silently let Nunn make the introductions.

Charlie grinned as she set her medkit down and shrugged her shoulders. “Well, I always like to be prepared!” she chuckled as she took a seat next to them. “There are several different treatments that we could try but why don’t you talk me through it a bit first and we can go from there?” she said warmly to Holloway, knowing that it was probably not easy for her to talk about.

Dr Bailey

Holloway glanced nervously at Nunn, before settling her gaze on the doctor. “Doctor Bailey.” Molly nodded sightly in way of greeting before starting. “Um… Commander Nunn and I were discussing some nightmares I have been experiencing for a while…” Why was she the one that needed to talk? Why couldn’t have Nunn explained the issue? It was already hard enough for her to open up to a counselor, let alone to a doctor, in front of said counselor… Molly cleared her throat. “… and… we– I was, uh… we…” she shook her head trying to figure out what pronoun to use “… were wondering what kind of medication would be available that I could take in order to make them go away…?”

Her hands tightened around the soft toy she was holding.

Capt. Holloway, CIO

Katie leaned back again on the sofa, studying the interaction between Holloway and Bailey. While not a telepath, she could certainly feel Holloway’s uncertainly and distaste of explaining the issue at hand to the doctor, but it would be far too easy for Katie to do it for her. A small grin quirked at her lips as she acknowledged that she was forcing Holloway to begin to ask for help in dealing with her demons.

Lt Cmdr Nunn, CNS

Charlie nodded sympathetically as Molly spoke, her anxiety obvious as she stumbled over her words. As Charlie took it in, she thought for a moment before speaking. “There are several treatments that could prove beneficial, some more drastic than others. You don’t have to go into any detail but are these nightmares linked to a previous trauma or are they more general than that?” she asked gently, trying not to make the Captain feel any more uncomfortable than she already was. She suspected they were linked to specific memories from the past but wanted to be sure before recommending treatment.

Dr Bailey

Katie listened attentively to Bailey’s words and felt a small wash of relief come over her. She had truly been the perfect selection to handle this delicate situation and she hoped that Holloway would be receptive to working with her. Her eyes flicked to the CIO, waiting to see if and how she would answer Bailey’s question.

Lt Cmdr Nunn, CNS

OOC: Sorry it has taken me so long to get back to this one! — Joana

IC:
The answer was obvious: they were connected to a previous trauma. However, acknowledging the fact would be making it real. It would be confessing that the stoic and tough officer she wanted to be was not so stoic or tough after all. Not in her mind anyway. It would be admitting she had a problem.

Molly knew she had issues. Mostly caused by the physical abuse she had suffered as a child. But she had found a way of using the handicaps she had gotten from it, and turning them into strengths that made her the officer she was today. Strengths that sometimes would get out of control, and that the stream of counselors in her life helped her keep in check.

Not the nightmares. The nightmares were a sign of weakness. Her whole life she had used the lack of love of her relationship with her father to fuel her resilience. To fuel a degree of emotional distance that kept her safe. When you are deeply hurt by those who love you, you won’t feel the pain induced by those who don’t. Over the years, her resilience was the only quality she was proud of in herself, and she made it the one thing that defined her.

And now, accepting the nightmares were caused by trauma, would be accepting she didn’t have the single quality that defined who she was.

After a long pause, Molly finally spoke. “What nightmares are not liked to previous traumas?” Her tone was steady and clear, but it was clear she was dodging the question while trying to convey some information on the subject.

Capt. Holloway, CIO

Charlie nodded at Molly’s reply, noting the controlled tone. “To some degree I suppose, I’m sure the counselor here would have more insight on that. What I mean though is are these abstract and fantastical or are you experiencing memories of the past?” she pressed a little harder. “I only ask as the treatment options differ depending on what you are experiencing…the more you can tell me, the better I can help you,” she added softly with a sympathetic smile.

Dr Bailey