Cookies and Cocco

Posted on Mon Oct 14th, 2019 @ 3:53pm by Lieutenant Aemilia "Millie" Stepanova & Commander Caressa Melanick

Mission: Side Stories
Location: Caressa's Quarters
Timeline: Current mission

The kids were off to school, Caressa picked the padd off the table and sent a message to the counselor. Maybe she did need to at least talk about the mission.

Millie's console pinged as she walked into her office. She had cleared her schedule for much of the next two days, and wasn't surprised that messages were already coming in. She ordered a cup of hot water from the replicator, made herself a cup of tea, and sat down at her desk. The first message was from Caressa. She sent a quick message in return, offering a couple of suggestions of times.

After her shower, she saw that Millie had answered. She chose a time that allowed her to stay in her quarters but before the kids arrived home.
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Caressa had replicated some chocolate chips cookies and some hot chocolate. She might as well be comfortable and have chocolate before the interrogation started. She thought to herself she really needed to change that attitude.

Millie rang the door chime to Caressa's quarters, a newly-warmed mug of tea in her hands. It was a "tea sort of day", especially knowing how many she was hoping to meet with that day from the medical staff.

"Come" as Millie entered she found Caressa dressed in jeans and a T-shirt. She was setting the plate of replicated cookies on the coffee table in the middle of the room. "Counselor, have a seat. I see you brought your own beverage. I hope you like chocolate chip cookies?" she motioned to Millie to take a seat." She then plopped onto the huge overstuffed chair and sunk into it. Reaching for a cookie and hot chocolate.

"Please, you know you can just call me Millie." She sat on another chair, tucking one leg under her and cradling her mug in her hands. "How are you doing?"

" I thought I was doing OK until this last mission. I woke up screaming from a nightmare last night. Scared the kids to death. They threatened to tell Henry. I thought I better get it in hand." Smiling then sipping her warm beverage.

The counselor nodded. "What do you remember from your dream?"

She shook her had a bit like she was trying to drive the cobwebs away. "Its a bit fuzzy. What I do remember is that I was processing the bodies, except that it was our crew, not them. " She shuttered a bit. "It was like a crew jigsaw puzzle as sick as it seems." Grabbing a cookie from the tray, like chocolate was a healing charm.

"It is a hard thing to wrap one's head around, da?" Millie nodded in solidarity.

Taking a bit of the cookie and using it in her hands to clarify her point. "Yes, it is. I read old reports of an place on earth called Area 51. They actually did that to the aliens that they found in the 1950's. Guess humans were not much better than the people on that planet." Sipping the hot chocolate.

Millie nodded. "And even more recent. Starfleet history is full of reports of encounters with unknown species in which our scientists performed experiments on life forms, not aware that they were experimenting on a life form." Millie sighed. "As hard as it is to stomach, I unfortunately can't say that we wouldn't have done the same, if we encountered an unknown species."

"That's a hard one for me to swallow. Technology is such, dismemberment is not even needed and should never be considered." Her face drawing tight, shoving in another cookie.

"Even our technology, as advanced as it is, can only detect what it actually knows." Millie took a long sip from her tea.

"I would never do that. Morally its just wrong on so many levels." Sipping her hot chocolate. " So what do I do?"

"It may take time." Millie said, gently. "For now, just talk openly with me about how you feel. Be understanding that others on your staff may not be handling the event as well." She tucked her other leg up under her. "As for your children, if you have the nightmares again, just let them know that it is a normal response to going through something hard, and that it's okay to talk about their nightmares with you."

"That seems a good step forward. They have been doing so well. I do not want any set backs for them. Although I am sure at some point, there will be some drama. Thanks for coming to listen." Passing her the plate of cookies.

Millie smiled, taking one of the cookies. "Have the children been adjusting well to live on the ship?"

"Better than expected. Edra helped me with a schedule. That has helped more than anything. They stay busy and focused, but having fun. They have a scheduled time with their Dad, so its just the three of them. Having siblings has been good for them too." taking a sip of cocoa. " I guess it could not have gone better"

"I am glad. The blending of families is never an easy thing." Millie took a nibble from the edge of the cookie. "Sometimes we see things like regressive behaviors, tantrums. But I am glad they are taking it well." She paused, remembering how Henry took the line of inquiry. "Sometimes, it brings up old memories or old pains with the adults, too. How are you doing with everything?"

"Well, there has been no regression and only the typical behaviors from children. Nothing that I haven't dealt with before. They are used to moving. The great outdoors is about the only thing they do not have. Millie, believe it or not, the three of us are fine. I have my moments like we all do, but I think for the most part we have put it behind us and are moving forward. I know that my hostility is gone. I have gotten over the fact that I was not the chosen one. Henry and I had our time." Sipping on the hot chocolate and dipping a cookie. "My choice in men is not stellar, so I am taking a break, focusing on the kids."

The Counselor gave a gentle smile. "I understand. I just know that all transitions can be difficult, especially with children. If you see any changes, or anything concerning, I'm more than happy to help."

"Thanks but I think we are doing well, but I will keep it in mind." finishing her hot chocolate and putting the cup down. "Oh geez! Look at the time. I don't mean to run you off but I have a shift coming up."

Millie nodded. "I may stop in, if it's alright with you, just to check on your team." She stood. "Thank you for the cookie."

" No problem, glad you liked them. Please do stop in. I know the crew would appreciate the support. Off to the shower for me! "

Caressa watched her leave her quarters with the familiar whoosh of the door.

Lieutenant Commander Caressa Melanick
Chief Medical Officer, USS Mercutio



Lieutenant JG Aemilia "Millie" Stepanova
Chief Counselor, USS Mercutio