Is it True...

Posted on Fri Feb 13th, 2026 @ 6:13pm by Lieutenant Commander Oscar McDonald MD & Lieutenant Commander Sabastian Walker

1,221 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Shore Leave - Starbase 1
Location: Sickbay

ON:

Sabastian entered the sickbay and found his way to McDonald's office. He gave a knock on the door frame of the opened door. "Doctor do you have a moment?"

Glancing up from his desk, McDonald was surprised to see who was addressing him. Since he came aboard Walker was not known for spontaneous visits to the medical bay. “I can spare a moment,” he nodded, “I am just waiting on the last of the medical staff returning before we depart.”

Leaning back in his seat he gestured for Walker to sit.

Sabastian walked in. "Thanks for seeing me. I have a few matters to discuss. First I'm...glad you are staying with the ship. I had heard rumors and the Captain confirmed you maybe leaving."

Muttering under his breath about gossip, McDonald shook his head in annoyance. “I’m staying because I am still CMO until I tender my resignation, which I won’t do until I know there is a suitable replacement. Don’t worry, I have an healthy shortlist in progress. Although you… honestly, I expected you would be celebrating my impending departure.”

"No. Of course not. I may disagree with officers on duty related issues but it's nothing personal to them. You are one of the to top doctors so when you are ready to move it will be a new chapter for you but perhaps, a darker one for the ship." He paused. Now, the second matter. Thank you for your assistance with Zai's repatriation. I do not think I could have handled that myself."

“No need, something I had to arrange all too often during my career,” McDonald lamented. “Thanks are not necessary.”

"Nevertheless my gratitude is great for your assistance." He paused. "I also came here for a personal reason."

“Not an uncommon occurrence in these parts,” the physician reminded him. “Well, what ails you Commander?”

"Actually it's with counseling. I have been temporarily relieved of my XO duties thanks to the counselor who believes that everyone is emotionally unstable and the Captain, being a by the book man took her recommendations to account. Frankly I do not trust Counselor Alexander and am requesting a Starfleet Video link session with someone at Starfleet Medical. I understand that the Counselor will need to clear me for duty but I am also requesting a verification by a second counselor Vulcan trained from Starfleet medical. I am half Vulcan and while the loss of my partner has affected me I can still do my job, despite what our good counselor thinks. Since she seems to believe a half Vulcan cannot separate emotions from duty. You are the head of medical and I understand this must be arranged through you."

McDonald leaned forward in his seat, his steely gaze locked on the man seated opposite. “I can make arrangements,” he confirmed, “although quite frankly, Commander, none of it is going to do you a damn bit of good if you keep hiding from the truth.”

He gave a nod and said, "I am not hiding from the truth doctor." He continued in a calm tone. "I am well aware of the fact that I lost the love of my life. I am reminded of that every day I enter Engineering which still bears his mark, every day that I enter my quarters which still has his scent. I am surviving and moving forward as best as I can. It does not affect my work in any way. Frankly I am giving myself until the end of this mission to clear myself back for full duty if not I will be seeking a position on another ship, one that is not a part of the counseling trial program. Despite my reservations about Counselor Alexander I have given a favorable review to the program itself. It is beneficial, as my report to Starfleet says but it requires a counselor who is familiar with more then one method of grieving. Vulcans and Humans, and Betazoids are not birds of a feather. I am part Vulcan and if we were to apply a Human lense to this you have what you call the 7 Stages of Grief which include shock, denial, anger, bargaining, depression, testing, and acceptance. As a Starfleet Officer I can assure you I am aware of my duties and I am well into the acceptance stage. As a Vulcan I am able to control my emotions better then most. I know myself and I will fight this. I will fight for myself if I must. I come to you as you are the head of the medical department but if the counselor cannot see through anything other then a Human lens I will go to Starfleet command and file a complaint if I must. Counseling is a very positive service if it helps and not hinders thus far, in my case, it is a hindrance to me performing my duties."

“This is not surviving,” McDonald observed sadly as he stood up from behind his desk. “I will make arrangements. One thing. Be honest. Be open to feeling and acknowledging what all that remarkable Vulcan self control is keeping locked away. Not for the sake of your career, or this crew, or for Zai. But for you. Sometimes, Commander, the healthy thing to do is lose control. You may be half Vulcan but you are also half Betazoid. You have the added complication of finding balance between the two.

I wish you luck,” he added. He was sure gonna need it… Oscar wondered how often the commander had recited that little speech he gave in the mirror. Long enough to believe it, perhaps too long to recognise some of the emotions so clearly described yet flat out denied. “Any medical complaints otherwise?”

Prior to the assignment of Lanna, he as CMO would have responsibility for the mental wellbeing of the crew. Which was perhaps why Rho had felt comfortable asking for him to take on this assignment. Yet he was still responsible for the health of the crew.

"No. I have been sleeping, perhaps too deeply." The lie that he'd perfected rolled off his lips. "I do have a heads up for you. The new science officer," A man who'd become the bane of Sabastian's existence with his similarities to Zai, "He's a hugger. You may wish to keep a knock out hypo on you at all times."

“Ah, yes,” McDonald sighed. “We met briefly in passing. He traumatised a visiting med student. We are having signs put up and I’ve authorised the use of force. We do not hug in my medical bay. The risk of cross contamination alone…. But for now I have more pressing concerns than Mr. Poe.”

"Indeed I have not been successful in avoiding him he is like what Humans call a bad penny." Sabastian stood. "Thank you for your time doctor."

McDonald nodded, “of course. But don’t go too far. Back here after shift, Commander. You may have a grasp of your emotions but you are a terrible liar. Even Vulcan’s need rest. It will not help you to be sleep deprived. That is one thing I am in a position to personally help with.”

His first urge to was to argue but instead he said, "Very well. Thank you doctor."

OFF:

 

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