I See, I See (Judy/Stryker)

[Judith Eastman]

[Judy's Office, Starbase Columbus]

It was another one of those days in Judyworld. A succession of patients, each of whom she tried to help (and each of whom left their mark on her), came through Judy's office. For each, Judy took a frenzy of notes, which she filed into a series of binders hidden in the work side of her office, behind the beaded curtain. Some regular patients had massive files, while others only had a few pages of notes. All were handwritten in black or blue ink, except for a few that got written in pencil. Judy hated PADDs.

Now, Judy sat on one of her couches, her reading glasses perched high on her prominent nose. She reviewed the file of her latest patient, a physically massive young engineer by the name of Sven Aune, while a plate of cookies spread its pleasant aroma from the coffee table to the rest of the room.

[Stryker]

Sven took a deep breath. A hulking mass of muscle, the young engineer could easily compete as a pro in the IFBB. He wasn't in his usual gold identify unifor as he had been order to take a leave of absence. So he wore civies. And for him, that meant a tight forming white tank top, a pair of blue jeans and a pair of work boots. His heart thudded in his chest, and he really didn't want to be here. He knew he had social issues but really, counseling? The last thing he wanted to do was talk about his "feelings"

He passed into through the threshold, and was greeted with the sweet aroma of freashly baked cookies, inviting couch and atmosphere. He stood there, averting his eyes, not making eye contact, awkwardly standing there waiting for instructions.

[Judith Eastman]

[Judy's Office]

The sheer bulk of the muscular young man in front of Judy would have sent a chill down a less disciplined spine. However, here was a tough woman who'd stared down a Q, given it the Jersey salute, and then compared it to an oyster's naughty bits. She wasn't exactly prone to fear. Moreover, she saw almost everyone who came into her office like a child, or perhaps a grandchild (she was already arguing with Lawrence over naming the first grandbaby).

"Ah! You must be Sven!" she exclaimed warmly as she stood up to greet him. "I'm Judy, or Dr. Eastman, as the brass insist on calling me. It's a pleasure to meet you."
From Judy's tone, it was clear that she heavily preferred the familiar first-name basis over the formal title.

[Stryker]

[Judy's World]

Sven awkwardly extended a hand to shake, and that was the only time he made eye contact, and even then, he averted his blue eyes quickly.

His arms and chest were covered in tattoos and he became interested in anything around the room but her.

"Dr. Eastman" he said, "nice to meet you."

[Judith Eastman]

[Judy's Office]

Judy continued to smile, restraining her frustration at the patient's use of her title and his lack of eye contact. She'd danced this dance before, and she knew all the moves. Being in her 50s, she'd danced so many of these social dances, across so many professions, that it really grew tiresome at times. Still, she pretended aptly.

"Please, call me Judy," she answered. "I don't care for titles."
After a brief, firm shake, she motioned for her guest to sit down on one of the comfy couches.
"Can I get you anything to drink? And could I interest you in a cookie?" she offered, in her usual, maternal way.

[Stryker]

[Judy's World]

Sven nodded. "Uh, tea would be fine." he said, looking at the couch. "Should I sit, or?"

He was nervous, and it showed in his mannerisms. And as much as the large man tried to control it, his hands trembled slightly, and his heart thudded in his chest. He looked down, interested in his boots.

[Judith Eastman]

[Judy's Office]

"Yes, of course, sit down. Make yourself at home," Judy encouraged the nervous engineer. "I'll make you some tea right away."
Perhaps, a little later, she'd try to get some chardonnay out of her cabinet and into his system, but for now, she had to play mom until it worked.

Judy filled her kettle with water, and returned to the couch.
"Replicated drinks just don't have enough character, if you ask me," she explained.

She assumed an open posture and looked at the patient.
"Before we get started, do you have any questions you want to ask me?" Judy asked, patiently. Her mouth was in a slight smile, complementing her greying blonde hair to present a soft, motherly image.

[Stryker]

[Judy's office]

The counselor had an opinion about replicated drinks and the large man didn't really know how to respond. He typically didn't share his opinion. After, it didn't really matter in the end anyway. He wasn't important enough.

"I suppose." He mumbled to his feet.

She then asked if he had any questions, and he waged an internal war. Should he ask.

He took a breath, "Yes, is this really necessary?" Taking a seat upon the couch. It groaned in protest supporting his weight.

[Judith Eastman]

[Judy's Office]

The smile left Judy's face, as she turned to a neutral expression. The question was rather insulting, though she tried not to show it.

"You're actually the first person to ask that question," she told him. "Yes, it is necessary, so say the brass."

Judy picked up a cookie and took a bite. This was a fresh batch, so it was still nice and soft. After swallowing, she looked at Stryker.

"Any more questions or remarks before we get started?"

[Stryker]

[Judy's Office]

Sven sat his tea upon the coffee table, without taking a sip. He placed his hands in his lap, figgeting his fingers, the thick muscular triceps and forearms rolling under the tattooed skin.

"How long will this take?"

[Judith Eastman]

[Judy's Office]

"As long as we need," Judy answered calmly, hoping that would deter him from more of these sorts of questions. "The soone we start, the sooner we'll finish."

Judy now got up to the kettle, which was boiling.

"Now, we're going to have a conversation. That's really all it is - a conversation. No inkblots, I promise," Judy said as she examined her tea bags.
"Do you have any preferences, tea-wise?"

[Stryker]

[Judy's office]

Sven continued to look at his figeting hands. She asked if he had a preference of tea. He did, of course, but answered with a non-committal "Not really. So what are we going to talk about."

[Judith Eastman]

[Judy's Office]

"You sure?" Judy asked. "I'm more of a coffeeholic than a tea person, so I can't really choose for you. I have some redbush tea, a few baggies of Tarkalean tea, and some earl grey. You'll have to choose."

Judy looked at the nervous, silent giant of an engineer on her couch. He definitely needed some soothing, and tea would have to do in the absence of booze.
"I've been told Tarkalean tea is very calming, if that's what you're after," she suggested, hoping to plant the notion in his head and still putting off the question.

[Stryker]

 [Judy's Office]

Sven took a quick glance at the counselor. Her trick worked and he fell for it.

"Tarkalen is fine." he said. "So, how does this work, you asked me questions, I answer and we can get on with our lives?"

[Judith Eastman]

[Judy's Office]

"Tarkalean, then," Judy answered as she placed the correct teabag in the mug and poured some hot water. The mug in question was a souvenir from a trip to New Berlin, way back in the late 60s.
For herself, she had some Turkish coffee in a small espresso cup, which she set down on a saucer in front of her.

"That's the worst-case scenario," Judy answered Sven's question. "The best-case scenario is the one in which we carry a conversation, and we both come out of that with some new understanding. That way, it doesn't feel like a courtroom."

Judy sat down, took a sip, and then looked at Sven.
"I noticed you seem a little tense," she remarked, hoping to start a conversation.