Post 267: Time to Deal With the Issues

Stardate:70630.0100
Title: Time to deal with the Issues
Author: Dr. Ashlyn Trind
Scene: Seven
Time: Concurrent with "Seeing Ghosts"
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The report that Dr. Ashlyn Trind had sent to Starfleet this morning (with a copy also going to the acting CO of the USS Independence) had stated:

"I have made preliminary assessments of all crew members returning aboard the USS Independence from the emergency on Bajor. I have found they are currently fit to return to duty upon this brief, initial assessment.

However, I will be conducting a deeper psychological examination, and in-depth follow up on each crew member, beginning after the awards ceremony planned for this morning. I will start these assessments with the senior officers. Signed, Dr. Ashlyn Trind, Starfleet Medical."

As Ashlyn walked up behind her dear friend Lair Kellyn at the awards luncheon, she could not wait to see the look on her face. She had been watching the interaction between the mother and daughter about the consumption of too much sugar.

Ashlyn just had to giggle to herself about this discussion, as she remembered the all-nighters years ago, during which Lair and Ashlyn both consumed way too many hot fudge cream puff sundaes aboard this very same ship. How different it was when one became a mother.

Ashlyn didn't dare say a word to Arie about those little secrets yet. She would save them for when the child became much older and they could all sit together and have a girls' night out and Arie could say things like "Mother, really?" Ashlyn came back to the present and tapped Lair Kellyn on the shoulder. Lair's first response was to drop her plate of food.

As Ashlyn began to clean up the mess, the Bajoran looked on, stunned, as Ashlyn chatted to her happily.

"Ashlyn!" She responded at last, "How did you get here? It's been way too long, I just can't believe it!"

"Well I thought it was time I visited the woman for whom I was maid of honor. And may I add you don't look a day older? You look better! Motherhood has done you wonders."

"But surely you didn't come just to visit?" Kellyn asked. She knew the nature of Ashlyn's work, and dared to hope she might be here to help.

"Well, I am also here as support for your crew. Starfleet has sent me to help out for a bit because of the emergency on Bajor. They thought your crew may need a shot in the ol' psyche, especially after all they have been through down there." Ashlyn wanted to sound as light-hearted about it as she could when it came to describing her profession, so as to make people feel more comfortable.

Right then, Kellyn pulled Ashlyn aside and conveyed her worries about Commander Salvek, and how he seemed much more quiet and distant than he normally was, since he had gone down on the surface of Bajor.

She was very worried about him not mind melding with her, as in the past this had signified he was trying to protect her from something. At any rate, Ashlyn understood Lair's great concern.

She walked over to Salvek and hugged her old friend from behind as he stood looking out the view port.

"Guess who? I will give you a hint. It was about ten years ago. I stood next to the woman you love and I held her bouquet. Can you guess who I am? You already saw me for a bit planet side, But you were so tired you did not recognize me."

"From what you are telling me, I can make a series of deductions," Salvek began.

"Only one woman stood next to my wife on our wedding day, that has to be Ashlyn."

He turned around and saw her once again, but this time he looked much better, and rested. "I seem to remember you now Doctor. I am so sorry I did not remember you down on the planet. I sincerely apologize for that. It seems that I had much on my mind."

Ashlyn put her arms out to hug the Vulcan again, not caring about his usually stiff stance. Salvek surprised her with a little bit of a hug, and a pat on her back with his right hand.

"Now Commander, let's set that time up for our formal chat. When shall we meet for our session? I have talked to Vedek Jariel and it is fine with him if I borrow Lt. T'Ana's Japanese meditation garden for my sessions with the crew. It is very secluded and private and he assures me he is going to keep others away from that corner of the arboretum while I am using it. Now, don't even bother trying to argue with me because these are orders from Starfleet."

Ashlyn tried to keep it very light and tapped him on the arm repeatedly as she spoke. He looked down at her finger as she poked him, then back up at her at last.

"If that is the case, doctor, I can not argue the matter at all then, can I?" Salvek knew he could not get out of it. "Tomorrow morning then?"

"It's a date. I will contact you later with the exact time, I don't have my schedule on me."

"That would be acceptable, doctor." Salvek said in his lovable Vulcan voice.

With that Ashlyn sat down at the table where Arie and Kellyn now sat and listened to the music.

"Arie," Kellyn said, introducing her child to Ashlyn. "I would like you to meet my dear friend. She's more like my sister, really. This is Dr. Trind." Arie inclined her head very seriously and extended her hand toward the doctor, but Ashlyn had other ideas.

"Arie, I am your Auntie Ashlyn. I was in your parent's wedding! Would you like to go and dance with me?" Arie literally 'jumped' at the chance to dance! The two happily went out to the dance floor. Ashlyn started to spin the child around and flip her carefully over her arm.

As she moved around the dance floor, Trind caught the eye of a certain bartender. Especially since she was wearing a very swingy red dress, that sparkled under the lights. He wondered who the new and very shapely blonde Trill was from across the crowded room. He was most interested in getting to know this little blondie.

What Trick London didn't know was that with this blonde Trill, he'd get far more than he'd bargained for.

Dr Ashlyn Trind
On Special Assignment from Starfleet Medical