EXETERRPG: (3 - 1008, 1014) MS - CO, Captain, Trip Williams & Lt JG Greta Smith

[Jaclyn Smith]

Mission: Murder on the Exeter Express

Day:03

Stardate: 2445.12.03

(USS Exeter  - Security Office - Lt Jg Greta Smith – 1008)

"Captain Williams to Lieutenant Greta Smith."

Rubbing her eyes, tired and emotionally strained, Greta tapped her
combadge, "Smith here."

"Please meet me in my ready room, asap."

"On my way." Greta replied

 Standing, she looked at the Ensign outside the office, "Be back as soon as
I can."

(USS Exeter – Ready Room– CO, Captain, Trip Williams & Lt jg Greta Smith –
1014)

Standing outside the door, Greta took a second. Taking a breath, she
pressed the panel outside to announce her presence and waited.

“Enter.” Trip said as Greta came in. “Please have a seat.”

Greta nodded and sat, her hands wringing together.

“Look, G, we’ve known each other a long time, so I’m not gonna beat around
the bush. I don’t like getting into my officer’s personal lives. But I’m
worried about Ire. I get what happened was traumatic. But this is a guy who
has walked away from more crashes than I can count with a shit eating grin
on his face. He’s mister happy go lucky. But he’s not smiling.”

She nodded, not knowing how to answer. A reluctance to betray the man she
loved.

“I’m asking you as his friend. He and I, man  we were the first two. Remae
tasked the two of us to rebuild the fighter wing before you, Ravok, or
Petrova even got there. He was the first friend I made on Mars that I
didn’t already know. Do you have anything for me, anything at all.”

"Sir, I can only answer what I know. He… whatever happened to him has
affected him. He… won't talk to me. Doesn't want me near him. He… won't
even come home. I can't…." She paused, took a breath. "I don't know what to
do."

“So then you haven’t heard?”

She shook her head, "I know that it must have been something bad for him to
not even talk to me."

“Look scuttlebut is that he had to confront a hologram of an evil version
of you and killed her. I haven’t gotten confirmation on it, but its the
rumor circling around.”

Looking up at him, Greta tried to find the words but her mind was blank.
The thought that Ire has been forced to do that. She opened her mouth to
speak and couldn't.

“Look, I’m worried about him. Maybe, maybe he needs some space. We can’t
get him or you some temporary quarters. Until he works it out.”

"He… said he didn't want to come home. I want to stay there. I want to be
ready for when he does come home."

“And well, our conversation, confirmed my gut feeling. We might need to
send him to Earth for evaluation, meaning he’ll be gone for awhile.”

She nodded, knowing it could happen. "I understand. " she replied softly.

“If that happens, because you are not his spouse, only his fiance, you are
not entitled to go with him. And depending on if Ravok asks for leave or
not, I might not be able to grant a request for leave if you decide to go
with him.”

"Yes sir."

“This is all speculative. I’m only telling you because we go way back.”

Nodding, Greta bit her lip again. "Sir… I want to do what's best for him
but… how do I help him? He won't come near me."

“Give him space. That’s the best I can come up with.”

She nodded. Her mind was full of images and understanding of why he had
reacted the way he did.

“You know what he told me today, when I asked him how he was. He said he
was fine, but he was so...lifeless. I think, space is what he needs. Which
sucks, I know. But it’s your call. We can accommodate as needed. But, my
gut feeling is to send him to Starfleet Medical for evaluation.”

"I can understand that, Sir. But, my feeling is sending him away may only
compound the problem. He… needs people around him that he knows and trusts.
If that's not me, then I will deal with that."

“I don;’t think thats the case. He trusts and love you. But how would you
feel if you had been forced to kill him.”

"I don't know. Truly, I can't imagine what he is dealing with."

“Look, sending him away will give him the specialists he needs. We have
good counselors, but the best are at Starfleet Medical. And its just an
evaluation, to see what care he might need. But this all depends on the
report from the counselor here.”

She nodded. "I know you're right. I know. I just wish I could help him. If
time by himself is what he needs, I'll wait."

“That’s a healthy attitude.”

"Sir, I know I have no right to ask this but… if he is going to be referred
to Starfleet medical…. Would you tell me?"

“Yes, but don’t let him know you know, until he tells you. If he doesn’t
then well...thats between you and him.”

"Understood."

“Look, why don’t you try and find him, let him know he can one of the guest
quarters on deck 3. 310 is open. Offer it to him, or say you’ll take it.
Dude looks like hell.”

"I'm sure I'm no picture right now. I must have… " she stopped, realised
that this was not a conversation for now. Taking a second, she looked at
her friend and continued, "I'll make sure he knows. Whether he will speak
to me or not, I will make sure he knows."

“Sounds good.” Trip paused. “Lieutenant. When was your last day off?”

"What's one of those? A day off…" she replied with a slight smile.

“End your shift early. And rest. See a counselor if you need it. Dismissed.”

Knowing better than to argue with I'm, Greta stood and nodded. As she
walked to the door, she paused, looked back and said, "Thankyou. " and left.

(Reply none)

(Posted by Jackie and Will)
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