Artemis: Family Session
Zack Fester
'Chief Petty Officer Sommers was heading from some officer's quarter up to an unused conference room near the top of the ship. As an enlisted engineer with some considerable experience, he was tasked with fixing minor problems all over the ship, and enjoyed his job.
As he waited for the turbolift, he noticed someone step up beside him. He eyed her. Lieutenant's pips. He gave her a quick nod. "Lieutenant." he acknowledged. Then another woman stepped up, on the other side of him. She had a marine's uniform on, an enlisted marine - he didn't have to acknowledge her rank. He wondered why she was here, but that was really none of his business. Then they started talking, ignoring him.'
“Joanna” Jennifer muttered as she took up a position waiting for the lift to arrive. Joanna let out a grunt and moved forward and pressed the button. “Button has already been pressed” she stated looking straight ahead.
“And I just pressed it again” Joanna responded. The silence that passed over the area was a harsh one. After a few minutes Jennifer spoke with the grace and kindness of a North American rattlesnake.
“I heard you did not get all your projects approved by Starfleet, I’m sorry that happened“ Joanna immediately spoke up and asked the same derisive undertone in her voice
“Yes apparently what I could research on my own with my own budget and own lab is limited when you go back to Starfleet because certain items are marked as hazardous on a starship or under review”
“Well guess that must be a bit of a hindrance for you...I mean all that time and research...down the toilet!” she mocked.
“Well of course it is and you're probably happy about that” the officer snapped while the enlisted woman just seemed to revel in this outburst. “Are you trying to set me off...what the hell is wrong with you!”
“It is way too easy..this time!” she spat then looked at her “Just like you always throw shade on me for everything!”
Sommers suddenly felt very very unsafe standing between the two women, where the hell was the damned turbo lift.
“You always do this..I can’t believe you did this...right down to you forcing me back into Starfleet to save your sorry ass!” The Marine spun and glared at her.
“Well if officers like you weren’t so damn corrupt” Joanna cut her off.
“Like me I am sorry but I didn’t decide to run away and join a gang of thieves in San Francisco when I felt like I wanted attention.”
Sommers could hear the ever growing conflict getting to a point where soon he would be pulled into it….he did not want to die his career was still so fresh with promise. The two were bickering so much that neither noticed the lift open. Taking advantage of the chaos he ducked in and quickly blurted out a deck number.
As the turbolift door shut both of them stared at one another.
“Now look what you caused!” they yelled in unison and proceeded to storm off to find another turbolift.
----------
Joanna reached the counselor's door first… Though she was a good 20 minutes late she helped the young Andorian would understand why. She straightened her uniform after her run and proceeded to knock on the bulkhead door, letting her know that she had arrived.
Thani had adjusted the layout of her office slightly, so as to make it a more welcoming atmosphere for what promised to be a fiery session. She had moved the two armchairs slightly so that they were facing her at an angle, and her chair was at the apex of a triangle formation. That way the two sisters wouldn’t be looking directly at each other, but instead at her, so that way she could act as a referee if needed.
“Enter.” They were both late, she knew that this would be no doubt the first of several joint sessions with the sisters. She smiled as Joanna walked in. “You know, the doors have a chime, you don’t need to knock.”
“Sorry about that old habit“ Joanna explained she entered. “It’s been a while since I was back on the starship I’ve been knocking on doors left and right, much to the amusement of a handful of Junior crewmembers.” She gracefully moved into the room glancing around letting out a sigh. She was the first one in which it did not surprise her. maybe it had to do with the door to the turbo lift seeming to slam shut and her sister’s face. “I tried to hold the lift for her but you know how fast those doors close“
Thani poured some tea into a cup and held it out to Joanna.
“Here. Your sister is on her way. You know, I will have it so the computer doesn’t let the pair of you into the same turbo lift at the same time. If you can;t even take a turbolift in peace, then we’re not going to have much luck in these sessions.”
She felt a little sting that seemed to be attached to that statement. True she and Jennifer never really got along but this was the first time they’ve actually been in a session together since Jennifer was in the rehabilitation program. Those had not ended very well either.
“What can I say we can get very heated at times, but of course you already know that… Tell me as my sister suggested getting me I believe the term is ‘laid’ to change my attitude on my life?“ She asked as she took a sip.
Thani raised an eyebrow at that.
“Sometimes that helps, more often than not, it doesn’t. But it all depends on what you want.” Thani was preparing another cup of tea.
She watched as the door opened and a slightly flustered and out of breath Jennifer almost dragged herself into the room. She threw a glare over in Joanna’s direction then slowly lowered herself into an opposite chair stripping off her duty jacket and laying it over the back of the chair.
“Sorry I’m late but apparently turbo lift doors don’t seem to stay open as long as they used to”. She flexed her muscles as she rolled her neck. Not even in the room for a minute and she was already a raring for a fight.
Thani walked over and handed her a cup of tea, smiling warmly at her.
“Yeah, they are like that. But as I just said to your sister, and will say it to you as well, if you can’t even take a turbolift together, then I will instruct the computer not to let you both in the same lift at the same time.” Thani looked at the pair of them.
“Okay, so we’ll take the fact you are both twenty minutes late, into account, and we’ll start your session now. So, both of you sit down, be quiet and you will listen to me as I explain what is going to happen in these sessions. Is that clear?” Thani took her cup of tea and sat in her chair, crossed her legs and sipped at her tea as she stared at both the women in front of her.
The two stared at each other, Joanna sipped her tea then nodded in Thani’s direction.
“I think the rules would be...a good thing to go over don’t you little sister” she was surprised that she didn’t smirk as those words left her lips. Jenny looked at her with a small glare, almost daring her to talk back...she was not going to be baited...at least not verbally.
“Well then” she looked at Thani “Ok doc what's this entail?” she asked
Thani looked at them both and sipped her tea. She looked at them and then sat her tea down on the small table and folded her hands in her lap, she looked at both of them.
“First rule. No telepathy in my presence. From either of you. If I sense telepathy I will end the session and you will both be placed on report. This is non-negotiable. I want verbal communication only in this room. I want verbal agreements from both of you. Now.” The smaller Andorian women’s voice was hard as agate.
Jennifer looked at Thani then nodded while Joanna shifted uneasily. This put her at a major disadvantage. Her sister had all the gifts she had, nothing but her intelligence. She wanted to protest but Jenny shook her head.
“Suck it up buttercup...just listen to the doc…” she insisted. Joanna inwardly fumed as the smile grew on her sister’s face “What's wrong Jo?” she asked “Afraid that the doctor will see how much of this is your fault?” she jeered.
“That’s enough of that, stop it right now.” Thani’s tone was hard.
Joanna looked at Thani then nodded. “Yeah I agree not telepathic communication.” she stated
“Good, now we are getting somewhere.” Thani looked at the both of them. “Rule number two, no insulting each other, back handed or otherwise, is that clear.”
Joanna nodded then looked at Jennifer who looked like she had been slapped. This was going to be hard for both of them but probably worse for Jennifer.
“You do not know how hard this is going to be for us….I hope you know that.” she stated “But then again I don’t keep a severed head in my office as a constant companion.” Joanna covered her mouth to keep herself from laughing at the look that she knew as going to cross Thani’s face.
“Excuse me? What did I just say?” Thani’s tone turned harder.
“No Thani...that's true...I have a Borg skull in my lab...his name is Yoric...he was a Vorta” she explained “I think she just needed to get that out of her system.” Joanna explained hastily.
Thani frowned and looked at the pair of them.
“Alright. But no insults, I want your agreement, now.”
“Yes ma’am” they both said in unison. Joanna finished her tea and set the cup down on the table in front of her while her sister lounged back deeper into the chair. After a small silence Jennifer was the one to break it,
“Anything else Thani?” she asked
Thani looked at the pair of them and her tone turned a bit gentler.
“You two are going to have to work together for a while I feel, and these sessions are to help you grow past whatever hang ups are and differences. So, we will work on them together - one at a time - to see where the issues stem from, their history, and ways to ensure that you two don’t kill each other every time you see each other. So my final rule is this - until I say otherwise - no more nights on the drink. Agreed?”
Immediately Jennifer glared out at her sister then let out a sigh “Are you kidding me...just because she can’t hold her liquor...I can’t have a drink with the Marines anymore because of her.” Joanna let out a sigh then looked at her.
“I can’t believe I am saying this but honestly sis it is probably for the best right now” she admitted “We don’t need any more complications right now.” Jenny let out a sigh then shook her head.
“This is torture...but fine no pub crawls with the boys...or with sisters” she stated.
“I never said you can’t drink with your Marine friends, or with your science friends, I mean, no drinking with each other. Is that understood?” Thani looked at the pair of them. “I am sorry, should have said no drinking together.”
Joanna nodded then let out a sigh “That makes more sense...one of us is bound to get themselves too drunk to make decisions….more than likely you” she said looking to Jennifer. Jenny looked about ready to talk back but nodded.
“Seven out of ten times..yeah your right…” she admitted. She let out a sigh then looked over at Joanna and shook her head. “Ok doc let's get started..so do I talk first?” she asked “Or should we let Joanna talk first”
Thani looked at them both, sensing the agreement from both of them, she knew that this was the best that she was going to get with them for agreements on behaviour. Thani smiled and leaned back in her chair, looking at them both.
“Okay, that sounds doable. So, Joanna, let’s start with you. Why don’t you tell me where this all started from.”
Joanna immediately started. “ I would say the problems all started after our parents were… Taken“ she looked at Thani as she spoke, not noticing Jenny’s gaze. “I was a starfleet cadet then and as soon as we got brought back to my mothers relatives in Paris, I went back to starfleet.” She explained. “And after that Jennifer fell in with a bad crowd”
“The only reason I fell in with a bad crowd is because the only person who experienced the shit that I went through decided to run away back to Starfleet“ Jennifer snapped.
Thani held up her hand.
“Now Jennifer, we’re going to take turns. Joanna’s is starting, then you’ll get your turn.” Thani looked at Joanna. “Why do you think she ‘fell’ into a bad crowd?”
“Because the next time I saw her she had been living in California, been scared three time times and was involved in an organization of thieves” she stated “She ran away, never looked back and never once tried to reach out to any of us...we thought she was dead…” Jennifer snorted derision then looked away from her sister. “You find this amusing don’t you?” she hissed. Jennifer nodded.
“You mean me doing what you did to me at the time yes I did...in some cases I still do because they did the one thing you never did in our whole time together….they talked to me about what happened...helped me” she spat back. Now it was Joanna’s turn to strike back.
“You ungrateful brat name one time that I turned you away!” she demanded.
“Joanna, calm down. But Jennifer does have a point. When you returned home, you left her, in a sense, you abandoned her all over again. Now I don’t know the exact circumstances of your parents being taken, but coming straight back to Earth and going straight back to the Academy, well, that could be seen as abandoning your sister - a way of leaving just like your parents did - and this led to her acting out like you say she did.” Thani looked sternly at the both of them. “There are no good people, or bad people, or good excuses or bad excuses - for either of you here. You’ve both made choices, mistakes and possibly errors in judgement. But there is no blame to be portioned out here. I will not allow you Jennifer to blame Joanna for your mistakes. Just as I won’t let you, Joanna, to blame Jennifer for your current circumstances.”
Thani stared at the both of them, her gaze commanding, stern but also kind.
“There is obviously a lot to work on with you both. So, no more name calling, understand?”
“Yes” Jennifer spat then glared at her sister. Joanna returned the spiteful glare then seemed to shrink back in her seat, her hands going to her face. She did not like where the conversation was heading and started to think trying to remember. Had she cut her off...no...she would never do that. But she had and deep down she knew it was intentional...she had flipped a switch. “Joanna?” Her sister enquired “...Jo?” she did not respond, just looked at the palms of her hands then continued to stare at them. “Sorry Thani I need to break a rule really quick.” She felt the telepathic nudge just one word.
<Hey> She glanced up at the surprisingly concerned face of her sister...then at Thani and the tear stained palms of her hands.
“I….I’m sorry I got lost in the wilderness I think” she admitted.
Thani got up and got her a glass of water, handing it to her with a gentle smile.
“Getting lost in the wilderness huh? That’s something new. Here, drink up, take a deep breath and calm down.” Thani glanced at Jennifer. “And I’ll allow that rule break, this time.” Thani gave her a warm smile.
Joanna took a long sip for the glass and let out a long sigh. She looked at Jennifer then to Thani before she spoke again.
“Jennifer I know I was a terrible sister….I guess I still am” she admitted “And honestly I don’t remember you ever trying to contact me...I would never blow you off...would I?” she asked. Jennifer looked at her, still showing anger but it was cold anger….not hot.
“My final birthday with the family in Paris, the one thing I wanted from you was to talk...I was having nightmares about that day…” she explained “You refused instead trying to show me photos of a damned Comet” she explained. Joanna thought back and remembered that conversation...but not the anger.
“You never said….” she nodded then cut her off.
“I couldn’t, Auntie told me to be respectful...that you had an important job and I needed to respect your position….which was bullshit” she let out a sigh “then there was when I was locked up in the rehabilitation facility the first time...I reached out to you with my one phonecall...you refused to talk to me instead you judged me” Joanna knew that was a lie...she could hear it.
“Maybe but that was also the first time you contacted me and me asking why you were in custody was a fair question” she explained “Especially since it had been years since we spoke.”
Thani looked back and forth, the tension was still there, but it was a little more subdued.
“Yes, it was a fair question. But did you ask it as a question or as an accusation? That’s what I think might be the issue right here.”
“It was a question…” she stated “I was concerned...we thought you were in trouble” she admitted “Auntie was worried you had been hurt or worse..and when you reached out….well” she looked around unsure how to continue. “I was angry because we thought you were dead” Jennifer shook her head. “But I was relieved you were ok...I was glad that you were alive and hoped you would come home.
“Apparently not…” she stated “As when I was to be released it seems you rejected my petition to return to Paris!” Joanna glared at her.
“Bullshit show me proof of that...go on I dare you right now!” she spat back. Jennifer pulled a datapad from her jacket and activated it before handing it over to Thani
“This is a copy that was on file with the rehabilitation camp in California...notice my petition to return to Paris...whose signature was on it with the infosense on not letting me back into France.” she stated
Thani looked it over and wordlessly handed it to Joanna. They would need to work this out together.
Joanna looked at the form...her eyes were wide with shock. Jennifer reached out with her empathic sense then was knocked back by a wave of horror and confusion emanating from her sister…
“This signature...this isn't my signature…” she tried to explain “I didn’t even see this form...after we talked I spoke with Auntie….and then was forced to return to duty because of an accident….I told her to expect a contact from the Rehabilitation center.” she looked at her sister “Jenny I swear to god I have never seen this...and if I did the last thing I would do is write this…” Jennifer felt sick. She wanted to believe her but then though about the lack of communication from that point on.
Thani had a sudden flash of insight.
“Ah Jennifer, what sort of relationship did you have with your Aunt?”
Jennifer thought for a moment then shrugged.
“Not much of one really, she had her own kids to deal with...she didn’t like my dad when he came around.” she stated “He was very outgoing and well a Betazoid” she admitted then thought back to when she matured “When I started reading into people...there emotional spectrum it spooked her I think……” Joanna looked at her then spoke.
“Why…. she was ok with me and I’m part Betazoid” she asked. Jenny shrugged.
“You got none of the perks of the species...you're pretty much human with some alien blood mixed in...none of the fun traits.” she stated
Thani gave a slow nod.
“I think I understand now. Jennifer, to me, it’s obvious that your Aunt faked your sisters signature and acknowledgement of these requests. And Joanna, it’s also obvious to me that she favoured you over your sister. Perhaps she felt she was protecting you or something, I don’t know. But I think it’s safe to say Jennifer,” Thani looked at her, “That your sister never knowingly ignored your request. She honestly did not know about it.” Thani looked at them both. “Does that just about sum it up?”
“But why...why would she…” Jennifer shook her head “Regardless of that you never reached out to me until I was arrested again….and not for lack of trying” she explained “I reached out to you plenty of times but you never responded.” Joanna let out another sigh then started crying again. Jennifer let out a sigh then looked at Thani “Jo...you need to talk why not talk to me even when I reached out.”
“Because I was too far away….I was working I admit that...but I came back...when you were arrested a second time….” she admitted :”I took emergency leave to find you and bring you home...then they found you first...and I had to beg to get you arranged by that judge.”
Thani frowned slightly.
“Who found her first Joanna?”
“Starfleet security while they were in the process of raiding a warehouse for transportation” she explained “They found and arrested her...and I had to come to her aid” she explained
Thani frowned at this, this was all in the file she had been given as Jennifer’s Parole Officer, but there was something more here, something deeper. She glanced at Jennifer and then asked the question to both of them.
“Had either of you attempted to contact the other between these times? Did either of you get nothing, no replies, or anything other than dead air so to speak? Did either of you have contact with your Aunt or cousins during this period of time?” Thani asked gently. There was something deeper here, and she was beginning to get a picture of this Aunt of theirs that she didn’t much like. But she’d do some research on that once the session was over. Suddenly Thani was glad she cleared her calendar for the day, this was going to be a long session.
“We tried, or rather I tried” Joanna said looking at Jennifer “however once she was in boot on indoor yes she just stopped accepting my messages or my communications.” Jennifer let out a sigh of annoyance then looked over at her sister
“I felt if you didn’t want to speak to me back in the day why would you want to now, hell after Operation Stovokor you didn’t even come and visit me in the hospital...“ Joanna shook her head then looked at her.
“You don’t remember much after that do you, the blacking out“ Jennifer shot her a puzzled look “apparently one of the Klingons got you good enough that you didn’t realize the damage until you blacked out“ she explained “I was halfway to a big research project when I got the call and I dropped everything and came to see you….on your ship” this was news to Jennifer as she did not hear or remember any of it. “Unfortunately your ship's Captain was less than willing to let me anywhere near you at the time, I forced my way to medical to see you but you were in a coma, then your captain had me forcibly removed from your ship.” Jennifer raised an eyebrow at this.
“And why did the Captain of the Retribution have you removed…. I mean this has to be a good one because normally you were the goody two shoes“ Joanna looked at her sister and strangely enough a smile formed her face.
“Let’s just say striking officers runs in the family, the only reason I wasn’t locked up was the Vulcan took pity on me being too emotional.” She explained. Jennifer wanted to laugh but held it, she was more shocked than anything at this realization. “After that I was forced back onto my shuttle and sent back to the USS Red Dawn and placed under modified supervision.“
When she had mentioned that, Thani had grabbed her padd and quickly looked up the requisite information and then smiled at the two women.
“Well yes, it does seem hitting superior officers does run in the family.” Thani brought up the relevant report and handed it to Jennifer. “Here you go, all in black and white. She did come to see you.” Thani looked between them both. “So, from what I’m taking from this so far is there are a lot of miscommunications, interference in you two talking and you’ve both got a bit of a temper.” Thani’s warm smile softened the words. “That about sums it up so far?”
“I would say that’s a fair assessment, though I’m pretty sure she has a more hair trigger temper than I do“ Joanna stated. Jennifer snorted
“Says the woman who punched a Vulcan…”. Joanna looked at her sister then to Thani.
“Sorry but Vulcans are just so uppity, always claiming they’re better and smarter than all of us you can only listen to them so much before wanting to knock their blocks off. Also the Captain had a glass chin…”. She didn’t expect the laughter to come but it did and as soon as she started laughing her sister joined in. The laughter became intoxicating, Jennifer falling out of her chair curled up in the fetal position still laughing as she nearly fell to the chair.
Thani couldn't help but join in the laughter, but she did more to help Jennifer get back up onto her chair and smile at both women.
“There now, doesn’t that feel better than hitting an officer? Or sniping at each other?” Thani’s grin was warm, and infectious.
The two were still in fits of laughter as the both settled down and relaxed. Joanna hadn’t laughed with her sister in so long it felt wrong...but good. “As much as I would love to say Laughter is the best medicine...I doubt it will fix everything…” she admitted.
“It's a start” her sister chimed in. “But you can only do so much on the first day...I think we need to take a breather...and think about things….” she stated “Furthermore I think Auntie has some explaining to do.” Joanna nodded then looked at Thani.
“I think we need to call this session for now...before we go to far from Earth I need to make a few calls” she stated.
Thani nodded.
“I was about to suggest that. How about the same time tomorrow then ladies? And would you like me to be present for those calls?” she looked back and forth between the sisters.
Jennifer looked at her older sister and shook her head. “Unfortunately I can’t tomorrow”. She explained “I’m running in the bullpen for training purposes tomorrow, after that’s done I am more than likely going to be taking an ice bath or worst-case scenario it be in the infirmary”. Joanna shrugged at the statement which caught a little ire “ what when training for the day requires you to get into a ring with up to three or four other Marines and beat the crap out of each other, it can go wrong.“
“Fair enough I just got my research equipment back so I’m going to be a little busy tomorrow as well, but I will be at least contacting our aunt to see what exactly happened… If I have to call her again I would like you listening in Thani, but I think I need to do the first call on my own”
Thani nodded.
“Alright then. In that case, the day after tomorrow, same time. And you’ll let me know when you need me when you're making that call, okay?”
The pair nodded as they both stood up to leave. Jennifer was the first to the door. She opened it and stepped through. Joanna paused for a second expecting to close in her face….and was surprised when it stayed open and Jennifer waited for her. She glanced back at Thani and mouthed a simple “thank you” before walking out.
END