Jayme sat at her desk in her quarters, her temples pounding in time with her pulse, but it had little to do with the drinking that had taken place earlier in the evening to celebrate her promotion. She looked to the holograph of her father in uniform. She fought to find the words and get them on the screen and just before 0500, she was satisfied with the results she saved them to her buffer and had a hard copy printed and found and envelope and addressed it to her father. Jayme then moved into her sleeping chambers ditching her boots in a corner, her jacket she left draped over a chair, and she fell asleep face down on her bed.
At noon, Jayme woke to the steady beeping of her alarm. "All right, enough... I'm awake!" She looked over at the time and realized she'd forgotten to reset the damn thing. Rising, she made for the shower.
Kassia had just finished with a patient and was completing her report. Just as she put the final touches on it, she put it down and took a deep breath in. Finally she could relax for a moment. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath, held it to the count of ten and then exhaled. By the time she opened her eyes, she was refreshed and ready to continue with her day.
Jayme exited her quarters and walked down the corridor. She left Marine country with some reluctance but continued to walk around the rim to the lifts and rode to the level that housed Councilor Kassia's office.
Jayme paused outside the door, pulled her tunic into place, and checked the old fashioned paper envelope in her hand for damage and then pressed the actuator announcing her presence.
Kassia had just started reading another report when the sensor chimed.
"Enter," she said.
Immediately the doors slid open. She was a bit surprised to see Jayme. "Hello there," she replied with a smile.
Jayme moved into the room and looked around, then asked, "If you're busy, I could come back later?"
"Oh no, I'm not busy at all!" Kassia said, as she set down the report. "I was just reviewing something for later this week because my schedule is rather light for the rest of the day."
"Oh." Jayme saw the other women motion toward a chair across from her desk. "I'm fine. I just," Jayme frowned looking at her boots, "just was informed that I am going TDY and Colonel Tarik reminded me last night that I should leave a copy of my letter for 'Next of Kin' with someone. I thought you should be the one to hold it."
"Ah... " Kassia replied with a nod of understand. "I see... Of course I'll keep the letter for you." She was very serious.
Jayme handed the envelope across the desk. Once Kassia had the letter Jayme moved to Parade rest. Kassia took the envelope and looked at the name, Markus Alcon, Lt. Cmdr. (Ret)
Jayme cleared her throat and then with a shrug of shoulders added, "Will you continue the kickboxing classes for me? Vansen and Tigre will help when they are on station." At a loss for what else to mention Jayme just stood there waiting.
For a moment Kassia was stunned. She did know that she had picked up the kickboxing as easily as she had picked up everything she had been taught and knew the moves. It seemed a bit daunting, but then again, she always dealt with people... How much different would this really be, she thought. "All right, I'll take over the class for you." She looked at the letter again in her hand. "So this letter goes to your father if the worst should happen?" she inquired, trying to be casual, instead of clinical. She wanted to be a friend, not a therapist. She wanted to know what Jayme was feeling, as her friend...
"My father is my official Next of Kin contact. I don't feel like it's necessary." She paused and looked into the other woman's eyes, and finished, "But it's tradition still in the Corps." Jayme tried to smile as she could see her friends brow furl in worry. "Hey, I'm being sent to keep Lt. Shar's contacts going and to install an EMH unit. I should be replaced in short order what with my unit here shaping up and my studies to finish." Even to her own self it sounded like she was trying to convince herself.
"I might be able to take a peek into the future for you..." she offered, though she was hesitant. Almost afraid of what she might see. "We could possibly see what might happen... Get some forewarning and change things that perhaps we don't like...?"
"No, thank you!" The words were almost out of her mouth before Kassia had completed her sentence. "Lets not mess with or call attention to ourselves."
Kassia nodded. "I understand completely," she smiled. "I don't always see everything anyway," she laughed. "But... sometimes I like to know... Other times, its better now to know... I will be here if you ever want to talk... I'm here as your friend... Not your therapist..."
Jayme sat in the chair across from Kassia, her elbows on her knees and head in her hands. She took a deep breath and sat back in the chair, and started, "I need to confide in someone. I am so confused. I arrived on station with the soul intent of being a combat marine...then they shanghai me back into my medical studies and put me in to run the medical detachment, and now when I just start feeling like I have a handle on what I am doing they pull the rug so to speak out from under my feet."
Kassia got up and walked over to the replicator and ordered. "2 cups, chamomile tea--HOT." A moment later the two cups of tea materialized and she walked over and handed one to Jayme. "Relax and take a couple of sips of tea." Kassia took the other chair beside the other woman so they weren't separated by the desk. She watched and knew when the tea had eased the tension in her friend. "I knew you weren't happy with resuming your studies in medicine, but it's a talent we are reluctant to waste out here in the Briar Patch. As for your position in the Marine Corps--the Colonel is the best judge in making assignments. When you first got here and we talked you made a reference as to where the Corps sends you--you go. Like you had no choice."
Jayme nodded, and found her voice, "I have choices; but none of them are good for a long healthy career in the Corps."
"Like what?" Kassia asked.
With a sigh Jayme listed, "I could appeal to the General on the grounds I am not qualified. I could find a medical reason, or I could just plain screw up and get cashiered out of the service."
Kassia had been in the middle of taking a sip and with a surprised snort had to swallow quickly as the options sank in. "Wow. I see what you mean by not being good for your career." Kassia sighed and set her cup down and looked the other woman in the eyes, "And I know--it would take a lot to make Tarik change his mind or lose you to something stupid."
"I figured as much."
"Think about what you want out of your career in the Corps; not what your father or what you even think the Colonel wants out of you. But what you want? Decide what path you need to take to get what you want...you might even decide you want to be head of Star Fleet medical --but take this time and this assignment to look at your options and desires. Then when the time comes you can talk with the Colonel about your career."
"But..."
She didn't wait but cut the other woman off. "Jayme, you are not very far out of the Academy, have just been promoted, and now are being given a great deal of responsibility. You're scared." She saw the Jayme nod affirmative, and continued, "Marine, you have a job to do. Think about your career options. But go and do the best you can."
"Thank you, Kassia." Jayme stood and set her cup on the desk. "I am planning to teach the kickboxing class tonight. I will be leaving in the next 24 hrs. I'll give you guys the code to the music and technique files I use tonight at class. All three of you are great, and I'll be back as soon as I can. " Jayme turned and headed for the door.
"I know you'll be back soon," Kassia replied with certainty.
Jayme slipped though the door and headed back to her quarters to inspect and pack her gear for deployment.