Kitty sat down on the couch in her new quarters and stared into the only container of her personal affects that she had opened thus far. She knew Starfleet was planning to keep her on this station for awhile as they had all her belongings packed and shipped with her. She didn't so much mind being here on this station. Any assignment where she could be useful was a good one . . . But it was this unpacking that was going to be difficult, she thought, as she gazed at a portrait of Zachary and Arianna, laying flat on the top of the pile in the opened container. It had been taken two months before their untimely deaths. As her eyes closed, she saw the surveillance footage of the shuttle as it exploded after shortly leaving Starbase 352, when her Ex has kidnapped her children and tried to leave with them. The image was ingrained into her mind. She opened her eyes, taking a deep breath. Lord, she needed a drink, she thought. But she wouldn't indulge. Not yet . . . She had that formal dinner that evening and she refused to let her personal life interfere with her job. Steeling herself, she picked up the portrait and stood, looking for a suitable place to hang it. Suddenly, she saw it. She would hang it right above a desolate counter, that was there for decoration. She also knew what she would put on that little counter - Zachary and Arianna's first stuffed animals. Each holding her children's favorite pacifier.
She placed the portrait on the wall and stood back for a moment. Before the tears could come, she went back to the opened container and pulled out the stuffed animals, and then the baby books she had kept of all their firsts . . . and so many other wonderful memories were recorded on those pages. Placing the books against the bulkhead with their front covers showing, yet just under the bottom of the portrait. She placed Zac's dog in front of his book and Arianna's kitten in front of hers.
Finally the tears came, as she looked at the beginnings of her shrine to her children. When they had died, they had taken her heart with them. She had never fully recovered.
Her sobs continued for a few more moments, and finally settled into the usual depression that followed. Taking a breath in, she looked at the still-full container. So many other things to unpack she thought . . . Favorite blankets, favorite toys, favorite books and games . . . more photos - including photo albums. She was old-fashioned about her photos. Her children use to love to look through the volumes of photos with her, seeing how they had grown and reliving special moments together.
Inside she raged at whatever gods existed that had allowed her children to be taken from her and had allowed her to live... Her gaze wandered to the scars on her wrists. Only a few more minutes and she would have joined her children in death ... If only...
Her thoughts were suddenly interrupted as the door sensor chimed. Quickly, she wiped the tears face, smoothed out her uniform and ran a hand through her brown hair.
"Enter," she called out.
As the door slid open, in walked a young woman with long, dark hair, green eyes and spots framing her face. She instantly recognized the woman from an hour before as she had exited the shuttle. Her name was Kassia, Kitty recalled. She was the Ship's Counselor. Captain Wallace wasted no time in having her evaluated, she thought.
"Hello, Commander," Kassia began with a soft smile touching her cheeks. "And no, the Captain didn't send me."
Kitty smiled in return, though no real emotion was present. "Too you're a telepath too . . ."
"Yes, very much so," Kassia replied, her green eyes shining brightly. "I came here because I felt your distress when you first exited the shuttle . . . I felt a similar distress as I approached your quarters."
Kitty sighed, went to her couch and sat down. "And I suppose you read my file . . ." She knew the answer before Kassia spoke.
"Yes," she replied, genuine concern in her eyes. "I want to help you . . . As it is, I am suppose to see you once a week."
"I know," Kitty replied, her green-brown eyes stared forward at nothing. "But you can't help me . . . No one can . . ."
Kassia wouldn't believe that. Everyone could be helped. But they had to want it first. She took a seat beside this lost woman and gazed at her.
"No one is beyond help, Kitara," she said.
Gently, she took Kitty's hand in her own and closed her eyes. She allowed visions to permeate her mind, along with the feelings attached. This woman, despite her lack of life, would find life, if she continued down her current path. As she opened her eyes, she met Kitty's curious stare.
"You can't hide from life . . . It will find you sooner or later. You are going to end up in a position of authority on this station. You'll make good friends and you are going to find love again . . . though I can't see who . . . But he's out there . . ."
With that Kitty laughed. "And what are you? Some sort of psychic?" she asked with disbelief lacing her voice.
Kassia smiled. "Now that you mention it . . . "
"Right . . ." Kitty replied, still not believing. "Tell me what's going to happen tonight then?"
"There are going to be questions about the current situation, and how your previous experience pertains," Kassia began with a smirk. She loved a challenge about her gifts. "You'll explain by saying that your negotiations in the Orion Sector four years ago raised similar concerns, particularly where military deployment and economic development are concerned, but the treaty you helped negotiate is still in effect there to the satisfaction of all parties. And . . ." she continued, "Razek hasn't been to one of these affairs before, so he'll seem a bit awkward. He'll forget to use the outside fork for the salad and instead will use the inside fork. Upon noticing this he'll become embarrassed, and Tarik will try to lighten the mood by making a joke about the matter. The soup will have to be sent back because an inattentive cook added Arcturian chili peppers instead of green beans. It will be entirely too spicy for nearly everyone!"
At that Kitty laughed. "I'll be definitely watch to see if this comes to pass! Of course, you could stage everything for my benefit . . ." she reasoned good-naturedly, still not believing the psychic thing.
"You're right, I could . . . Not that I would, but let me see what else comes to mind." Kassia closed her eyes and concentrated, allowing the evening to unfold in her mind. "Chocolate eclairs will be served for dessert. Carter will bite into hers but the cream will come squirting out the other side, nearly crossing the table and hitting you. In an attempt to clean up the mess, she'll accidentally spill her wine. In fact, the wine will form an almost heart-shaped pattern pointing toward Garek and staining the tablecloth." As her eyes opened, she smiled.
"Okay . . . that one might be difficult to stage . . . If all of these events happen, then maybe I'll believe you," Kitty replied.
"Oh, you'll believe me sooner or later," she replied, with a wink. "Anyway . . . I am supposing we should set up our first appointment together since we're both here. You like the beach, don't you?"
"Yeah," Kitty replied a bit puzzled.
Kassia nodded. "Okay then. Three days from now, meet me at Holo Pursuits at about 1400 hours, providing neither of us is called away for more pressing matters, and bring your swim suit."
"And this is a counseling session?" Kitty asked.
"There is nothing in the regulations that says we have to have the session in my office, and this will be a more relaxed atmosphere . . . It will be good for both of us!"
Kitty laughed again. "Okay . . . Sounds good," she finally relented.
Kassia smiled brightly and stood up. "Well, now I will leave you to get ready for tonight . . . " She stopped and looked at the photos on the walls and took a sharp intake of breath. She looked at Kitty one more time with a sympathetic smile and vanished out the door.
Kitty sat there, gazing after the woman who seemed to know everything. But did she, Kitty wondered. Welcome to Supply Base 901, she thought. At least it was a good greeting.