First of Many

Posted on Fri Apr 4th, 2025 by Ashley Ortega & Lieutenant Choyi Zaimu & Lieutenant JG Alexandra Ortega

1,068 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: M02 - The Sixteenth Rule
Location: Counselor's Office, USS Hooke
Timeline: Present

Ashley's thoughts had been on her parents for at least the past month, she didn't think talking about it would change things. In fact, Ashley knew talking about it wouldn't change any of the facts, her parents were gone and there was nothing that could be done about that. Did she love her sister? Certainly, though there was that small part of her that had always felt as if Alex had abandoned her when Alex had left for Starfleet. She didn't believe anything would change that either, even sitting inside the office that belonged to the ship's Counselor.

This wasn't the first time Ashley had met with a counselor since the death of both parents. And she was certain it wouldn't be the last time either, even if this is what her sister referred to as a simple formality. The counselor on board simply wanted to get a gauge on how Ashley was doing. She didn't want to be on board the Hooke, that was how she was doing. She didn't want to talk to yet another person about her feelings.

What was done, was done.

That's what Ashley had told herself several times over and she would continue to tell herself that to the end of time if that were necessary. She didn't know what Counselor Choyi was going to tell her, and she certainly didn't care to know either. Ashley had several solid guesses about what was going to be said to her. It was going to be the typical, How does that make you feel stuff that every counselor had said to her since the event. Ashley had been numb, and maybe she was still numb to the death of her parents.

Alexandra looked at her kid sister, her ward, carefully. She was still trying to figure Ashley out because something deep had certainly changed. She couldn't quite place what it was, however, it was written all over the preteen's face. The last time Alex had spoken to anyone about this, they'd insisted that she not be surprised no matter what comes out. For all they knew, for all anyone knew, Ashley might blame Alex for the death of their parents.

Alex had tried to put herself into the shoes of her kid sister several times. Alex was hurting just as much, if not more so than what Ashley was. Or, at least that's how Alex felt about it anyway. It went much deeper than who had known their parents the longest. Alex was hurting deeper because her sister was hurting, that was it wasn't it? Alex couldn't invoke the emotions her sister was dealing with, but she could certainly invoke her own.

Alexandra was also terrified that she'd fail as a parent, she wasn't supposed to be a parent to her sister. She was supposed to be the big sister, and now she'd have to balance both roles. Ashley needed their parents and she needed her big sister, Alex knew this part just as well as she knew the other parts.

Several minutes had passed since the three of them had sat down, Zaimu was aware of that. She was trying to get a gauge on the two sisters before she spoke up. From the case file it looked like this was yet another counseling session for the two of them. This time was different though, this time Alex had taken full responsibility over her sister and Ashley had now been taken away from her friends.

Zaimu finally had chosen to speak to the two of them, "This first session is simply a formality, I'm sure you both know that. From what I've read this isn't your first experience with a counselor or psychologist. You've already been through the grief counseling part. So I would like to focus on the relationship the two of you share and the balance of that relationship. We'll do some individual sessions and some group sessions."

"I understand," Alex replied.

Ashley looked at her big sister before considering her own answer. She seriously didn't feel like they needed to do this, she didn't know what Alex was to her right now. Ashley didn't care to know what Alex was to her right now either, all she wanted to do was call her best friend and let her know that Ashley had gotten onto the ship. The counseling was pointless, "I understand Counselor." She finally said without looking at Zaimu.

Zaimu made a mental note about Ashley's behavior and hesitation. There was clearly a lot to unpack there, and it would have to be addressed at a later time. "Do either of you have any questions for me?"

Ashley had several questions, the first one being Why do I have to do this all over again? She chose to shake her head at once, "I have none." She answered after looking back in the direction of the counselor. As long as they didn't roll right into the first session Ashley would be happy. She didn't want to talk about her feelings today, and could even feel the surge of sarcasm that she had to swallow down several times.

Alexandra shook her head, "None yet Counselor." The Lieutenant answered. She then looked at her little sister, once more trying to figure out what was going through Ashley's mind. It was just too difficult for her to get a solid read on her kid sister sometimes. And this was certainly one of those times.

Zaimu nodded her head slowly then clapped her hands together. "All right I know the two of you are still trying to get settled in on the ship. So I'll leave you to that, we'll start our first individual session with Ashley after school tomorrow, then Alexandra and I will have an individual session a couple days later. I want to do individual first then after we've done a couple of those, then we'll start doing the group sessions between them."

Alexandra took that as a sign that they were dismissed, "Let's get a bite to eat Ashley." She said.

Ashley didn't think she was all that hungry, but the last thing she wanted was the counselor analyzing why she didn't want to eat with her big sister. "Okay," She answered. Ashley got up, she'd just have to call her best friend later in the afternoon after she'd eaten with her sister.

 

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