Therapy & Gossip - Part III

Posted on Tue Jun 24th, 2025 @ 12:55am by Lieutenant Amanda Rose & Lieutenant Endymion Tox

1,320 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Preservation Instinct
Location: Counseling Office | USS Ontario

[PREVIOUSLY ON Therapy & Gossip...]

"No voice. They've heard mine. I mean I've sent voice messages. I mean I have a great voice, who wouldn't wanna listen." He laughed nervously. His habit of bad jokes came out when nervous or tired. After a pause he said, "I've asked but...I only get the response that it's important we stay anonymous. I think it's a ... Psychological thing. Every time feelings were involved or they loved someone or something they were hurt by them, from family to friends. I think if we met in person...and things worked out they worry that I would betray them or break their heart."

"I see," Amanda replied thoughtfully. "And yet you continue to wait for this person?"

[AND NOW THE CONCLUSION....]



He smiled. "Yeah. As I said stupid and hopeless but it is what it is. I know something has to change but...I just don't know how. On the up and up our messages have gotten more frequent. That only happens when our Ships are in the same system. That's been nice. It's...my daily addiction. Wake up read a message, write back, work, lunch, read a message, respond. Then home, read a message, respond. I have my evening and then read a message and respond. It's almost like having them here."

"That is exciting. How quickly are the messages coming now?" Nearly instantly, I'm certain, since they're on the same ship.

"Honestly several times a day but I have received responses within a few moments...I...I am afraid it's become an addiction. What happens when our ships move into different systems?"

"Then the messages will get less frequent," Amanda replied simply. "But what if you both accidentally got onto the same ship? That is a possibility, as well, no?"

He laughed. "One in like 4.4 billion. I doubt that I'm that lucky." He sighed. "But you are a romantic counselor."

"I am," she admitted. "But romance has never been good to me."

Tox's brow furrowed. "How come?" He paused. "I mean you're smart, funny, a romantic, and pretty. I don't see why. I'm a good judge of characters and you seem like a really cool person."

Amanda looked slightly down and away. "Very kind of you to say. However, every person I'm interested in always ends up with someone else. I've had two Captains end up with their XOs to start. That does not include the other few I've been interested in." She sighed heavily and looked back at Tox. "Plus, my thighs and butt, well.... A lot of men don't like the extra curves."

He snorted. "Those men are idiots. You look amazing and as far as the other thing...ugh that does sound frustrating BUT I fully believe that the world out there has someone special just for you and those were the universe's way of saying don't settle we've got someone special for you."

"Eh," Amanda replied with a small shrug. "At this point, I think I'm giving up. I'd rather help others with their love stories."

"Well, dear counselor. I don't allow people around me to give up. We will find the one! I promise you. I'll help."

"I'm pretty sure that your story is more compelling. I just have to come up with some good ideas so you can bring this person a bit more out of their shell."

He laughed. "Yes, well It's hard to do when I don't even know what ship they are on." He was just about to say something when the door chime rang.

Amanda apologized, "I'm sorry about this. If you don't mind, I can answer it and promptly shoo this person away. This is my time with you."

He laughed. "It's alright. It could be something urgent. My love has been stagnant for fifteen years and I can totally wait." He smiled at her. "Besides again. My stuff is not getting sorted out any time soon."


The door opened and Xavier walked in. He stopped short when he saw the Nurse there. "Apologies...I believe I am early." He looked awful, as if he hadn't slept in a few days.

Tox cringed. "Well flyboy you look....like ... er ...is your racoon eyeliner smudged?"

Xavier turned a frustrated gaze to the nurse. "Must you fill every silence with your annoying chittering. I was not even addressing you?" He turned, "I shall wait outside counselor. It seems you have your hands full. He requires much attention, I am glad he is coming to you for guidance."

Tox's eyes narrowed. "Why don't you ask her to vent me out an airlock like you suggested to the Captain on the shuttle ride here."

"I still stand by my suggestion." Xavier waved a hand. "I have no time for your blathering. I'll be outside."

Tox watched the door close behind Xavier and let out a frustrated sigh. "He's an absolute nightmare even though he is kind of...cute. Nightmare nonetheless."

Amanda watched the two interact. They fought like an old married couple. They had absolutely no idea that they were looking at each other's soulmate. There was no doubt that Xavier was an introvert and Tox could prattle like nobody else, but they were each other's matches. Yin and yang.

Giving Tox a Cheshire grin, maintaining composure so she would not laugh. "Why do you say that he's a nightmare?"

He sighed. "He's so.... I don't know calm, and cool, and repressed, and rule orientated. On the shuttle he kept telling me to stop fidgeting and allow everyone to enjoy the ride in silence." He sighed again. "I mean really! I bet that man irons his socks! Then I asked him about a shuttle link he created, my previous host being a pilot I'd never seen something like it and he kept telling me to not press the button! How can you say that and expect someone NOT to press it. I had to know what it was all about." Tox rubbed the back of his neck. "I got to admit it was...not so much fun when gravity inside the shuttle shut down and the damn thing did a rolley polley." He motioned his arms in a circle. "BUT it was fun was fun watching him panic a bit."

Grinning, he shook his head. "After he told the Captain to vent me out the airlock and she refused do you know what he did?"

"What did he do?" Amanda asked curiously, starting to understand why Xavier wanted to space Tox.

"He activated the seatbelts but I he had the seatbelt controls. I was forced to sit in the chair for three whole hours! What a grump...." He sighed. "But at least I got to study him a bit. He's so fun to rile up and soooooo easy to make blush." Tox laughed. "Well, I'm guessing our time is almost up. You know you are a pretty fun person Counselor. I really enjoyed talking with you."

"We can end for now," Amanda agreed. "Though, I don't know that I completed your evaluation." Tox has the attention span of a squirrel and speaks as much as one. Perhaps something to work on so that he and Xavier can actually connect more.

He grinned. "How about we have dessert after shift and you can finish your evaluation?"

"That's highly irregular," Amanda replied considering her options. "However, if it involves chocolate and ice cream, I might be willing to overlook that."

"All good things in life involve chocolate and ice cream." He laughed. "Well, I better let Flyboy in. He seemed in a tizzy." He stood. "Thanks counselor."

"Oh, I'm certain that something has him abuzz, but it is my job to listen and counsel where I can. It is no different with you, Tox."

====

Lieutenant Amanda Rose
Chief Counselor
USS Ontario

&

Lieutenant Endymion Tox (NPC)
Head Nurse
USS Ontario

 

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