Good Evening Robin

Posted on Sat Feb 1st, 2014 @ 8:46am by Lieutenant Commander Nicolao & Petty Officer 1st Class Drusilla Dupree

Mission: Breaking New Ground
Location: Counselor's Office

* * * Counselor’s Office * * *

Dru stood outside the doors to the outer office, hesitating. The day at the beach had been interesting….and different. It should have been relaxing but she’d felt, often during the day, that she was walking a fine line, being tested a little by Nico as to how far he could trust her. Counseling clients often did that but it went further in his case. He seemed to need company but didn’t seem entirely sure if he wanted it. She had to admit, however, that he was likeable in spite of himself. She also had to admit that her brain was glad of the rest from his constant Enaran effect. She wondered how Robin adjusted to that, given he’d worked with both Eli and Nico.

Now she had to report in to Robin and Nico’s question returned to her. What would she do if he asked her to keep something to herself? Perhaps it was time to lay that burning question at the feet of the Counselor, who was trained to deal with that sort of thing. Finally, she pressed the door panel and when the doors slid open, stepped inside.

Robin heard the doors from his office and poked his head out to see who had come to call. “Dru,” he said. “Everything go well? Did you have a good time?”

She paused, not expecting him be so johnny-on-the-spot. Noting with relief that the outer office was empty, she moved on in towards the inner door.

“Well, yes. It was interesting. In many ways. You have anyone in there?”

“No,” he said as he sat at the chair by her desk. “Not for another hour.”

“Good.” Dru didn’t sit. She felt the need to move as she relayed the details of their trip planetside. Moving first to the cabinet that covered the replicator, she ordered a glass of water. “Interesting in several ways, but it all started at Saturnalia. Which is where I found him when he flew out of here.”

“Saturnalia?” he asked, his eyebrows raised. “How did that go? I can see him doing well in a place like that but that’s purely based off of what I’ve read from his background file.” Of course, that wasn’t exactly the best way to judge someone, based on old mission profiles. He might be nothing like that when he’s out and dressed. Someone like Nick Marcinko, however, was exactly like he was from his missions. Robin wouldn’t be sure until he was able to actually have a meaningful session with Nicolao.

“Well,” Dru set the glass down in the portal window seat and wrung her fingers together as she turned back to face Robin. “It was the strangest thing. I’ve read, of course, of the Enaran effect but experiencing it is something else entirely. It all started when he suggested I have a drink...which turned into several.”

“Several?” He laughed. “Are you saying he managed to get you drunk?”

“Drunk doesn’t begin to cover it.” She smiled ruefully. “He suggested it as a means of coping with the rather overwhelming waves of emotion coming from him. That’s a bit tough to handle after a while. You’d know about that.”

“Hmmm,” he nodded. “Yes. So, did the drink help at all? And just how drunk were you?”

“Well, he did have to help me get out of Saturnalia, which involves something else I have to tell you. He decided it was a good time to hit the beach, he sent that message and we beamed down. I’ll admit the sun and the water were wonderful and a good balm for a hangover. Then things got interesting.” Dru moved over to a chair and flopped down in it.

His curiosity was piqued now. “Do tell, my dear. And don’t leave anything out.”

“So we were sitting in the sun at the beach. It was a long, involved conversation. I’m no counselor but it seems to me that he wants company, and needs it, but isn’t sure how to go about it. Too long in the field? Too suspicious of everyone around him?” Dru shook her head. “I don’t know.”

“Were you two able to get past that initial odd reaction to each other, or were you two at arm’s length the entire time?” he asked. “I’d really like to see some improvement there just because it could be an indicator of how he’ll deal with others he meets while here.”

“Speaking of that, he did tell me he’s found two people here he knows. He didn’t say who they were, however.” Dru rose and moved over to get a cup of coffee. “Funny you should say at arm’s length. Maybe not conversationally, but definite physically. He seems to have an aversion to being touched.”

Robin nodded. “Part of his Enaran physiology. I’m surprised he helped you out of the bar, to be quite honest. But even that is progress. If you had been anyone else he may have left you on your own.”

“I suspect that is true.” She returned to her seat and settled in. “There’s something you should know, though. I was very open with him over the fact that my observations of him would be reported back to you as something I see during my interactions with him may be important. I assured him that anything he and I discuss remains confidential, just as it does with you. He then asked me what I would do if he told me something and asked me not to tell you.”

“I can see him asking that. Having been in his line of work for so long it’s probably hard enough just to find someone to trust, and then having to constantly question if they would be able to keep certain conversations private.” He didn’t ask her what she said. He hoped she would say the right thing, but he also trusted her. Then again, if she wanted to tell him how the rest of the conversation went he was all ears.

“I told him that I would have to, but honestly Robin, what would I do? What would you do in my shoes? Would it depend on what it was? His case is complicated, anything could be relevant. I offered to be his friend within the limits we have in this situation, and you know what he said?” She paused, knowing that her next words might pain the counselor. “He said that even this way? It was more than he’d ever had in his life. I mean what the hell?” She realized she sounded a bit agitated and it surprised her. Maybe her emotions were still feeling the effects of his telepathy.

That definitely was a surprise. He had no idea that Nicolao had been raised with that sort of life. “Dru, you know that I trust you. I wouldn’t let you do these things if I didn’t.” He paused, taking a moment to inhale. “I know you’re not a Counselor, per se, but I think you’re just as good as one in your own right. I think you would tell me what I needed to know for his treatment and would know what you could keep in confidence for Nicolao without potentially endangering either of you.”

She frowned and shook her head. “I don’t know, Robin. There’s so much below the surface with him that it’s almost dizzying. We were there all day and the most I got was vague hints that led nowhere. How can you talk to someone for a whole day and yet he says nothing?”

“He’s been trained to do that, and has been doing it for so long it’s like second nature to him. But I’m sure he gleaned all kinds of information from you, whether you realize it or not.” An amused smile appeared. “Of course, there’s no telling what all you said when you were drunk!”

Dru let out a groan. “Don’t remind me. I think I told him he looked nice, which amused him since he likely already picked it out of my head.” She shifted in her seat, then sipped her coffee. “I know it was a rather unorthodox outing but he at least seems more comfortable with me. That’s worth something.”

He took her hand and patted it. “It most definitely is. I think you did very well, considering who our patient is. That being said,” he added as he stood, “I’d like you two to continue this sort of back and forth in addition to my sessions with him. Between us both we may be able to put a dent in this mystery that is Nicolao and possibly get him back where he wants to be.”

“I hope so but I wouldn’t venture a guess as to what he’ll do if you are successful. He seems to be unsure what he wants to do. Once you’ve escaped from that life, who’d want to go back? And there’s something, Robin..something he’s dancing around that he doesn’t want to look at. There was a hint there, but then he changed the subject.” Something Nich had said at Saturnalia tugged at her brain but wouldn’t rise to the surface. Damn alcohol.

He stopped to wonder what it could be but then replied, “We may discover it in due time,” he said. “Someone used to keeping secrets won’t just come out and hand them to you, even if it’s been ordered like this situation. It’ll take some work, but between us we’ll get it done.”

Dru nodded, her expression thoughtful. “I suppose so. I sent him home with directions to make use of his journal. Anything else you need before your next appointment?”

“No, that’ll be--oh, wait. Yes,” he said, digging into his desk. “This belongs to Nicolao. He left it last time. Could you please return it?”

She held out her hand and was awed by the brilliant blue stone Robin dropped onto her palm. “It’s beautiful. What is it?”

“Some sort of stone that he pulled out,” he replied, looking at it. “It was almost as if he wanted to be shot of it the way he dropped it and ran out.” Whatever it was, it wasn’t a normal stone. It almost seemed to be radiating with a life of its own.

“I’d say that’s strange, but no more so than anything else where Nico’s concerned. I’ll drop it off tomorrow.” Dru slipped the stone into the inside pocket of her uniform tunic. “I think my brain needs a rest from Nico’s cosmic waves for the rest of the day.”

He nodded. “Enarans are good like that. After a while, though, you can get used to it and keep your wits about you. It’ll just take time. But let’s steer clear of the getting drunk solution for a bit,” he said with a wink.

She rolled her eyes once more. “Never again, trust me.” She rose and carried her mug back to the replicator. “Do you want me to stay for this last client?”

“No, it’s not necessary. You haven’t had much time for yourself lately, so you can go ahead and call it a day.” He smiled as he walked back to her. “And thank you for spending time with him. I know it’s difficult, but I know you can handle it.”

“Sure. Despite the oddities, I think there’s a good guy in there somewhere. He’s just a little lost at the moment.” She stood and crossed to the door. “See you tomorrow Robin.”

“Have fun,” he said as she walked out. He still had some time before his next appointment and spent the time going over all she’d said about her outing with Nicolao. There was no doubt about it, he was going to be a tough nut to crack.

He reeled at that thought. “Good thing I didn’t say that aloud. Can’t have my patients hearing me calling them nuts.”

************

Lt. Cmdr. Robin Swift
The Nutcracker

PO2 Drusilla Dupree
Feeling The Current