After confirming with the computer on Dr. Egrel Choi’s location Aimee stood outside the door to his office. Pressing the door chime she patiently waited for his response. 

Egrel looked up from nursing a mug of tea in his office. He called out, “Enter…” The doors slid open with a gentle hiss, allowing Aimee inside. He offered her a gentle, kind smile as she entered, “I genuinely was not expecting you. Did you need any help with anything?” He tilted his head as he regarded her, his dark eyes looking at her with curiousity.

“Actually,” Aimee started, “I was hoping I could be of a service to you.”

Egrel blinked a few times, visibly surprised, “Oh! Oh? How so? I mean… sure?” He groaned and set his tea down and pressed his finger tips to his temples, “I meant how do you mean?” That still didn’t sound right, but it was close enough for him.

“Well, you’ve been through a traumatic experience recently.   I may not be a psychologists, but I am capable of listening.   And the second reason is that I wanted to follow up on your post surgery.  I  hoping you are doing well.”

Egrel rubbed his temples for a few more moments before picking up his tea again slowly, “Well enough as I can be. I’m still muddling through everything and trying to process everything.” He sighed and leaned back in his chair. He took a sip of tea before adding, “The telepathic attacks re-opened old wounds I thought were healed.”

“Your telepathic abilities should be returning. How is that coming along?” Aimee asked.

Egrel nodded, “They are, yes. Thank goodness for that. I don’t know what was more maddening. The attacks or the disturbing silence from the surgery. It was very jolting to have one of my senses gone for a while. Everyone seemed so…” He paused, considering on how to explain to a non-Betazoid, “Everyone seems so devoid of life and emotion to me without it.”

“I would imagine the silence would be maddening,” she observed. “You said that the attacks opened old wounds. Emotional trauma can be powerful.”

He looked silently away for a moment, not wanting to dump his trauma on her, “Yes, I was reliving all the deaths of my previous partners. There is more than is normal or sane.” He left it at that, intentionally vague but explaining.

Taking the hint she didn’t press him, “I can only imagine if I lost my husband what I may do. My mom lost a fiancé and a child before I was born.  You can tell it bothers her from time to time.”

Egrel he sighed softly and nodded, “Five. I lost five in five years. I am just so… tired of loss. I don’t think I can handle another. You think you are fine till something rips the old wounds open and it all comes pouring out. And those attacks ripped those wounds wide open.”

Aimee considered his comments,  “I would say you have a right to feel however you wish after that. If I came to you, and revealed that same information what would you say to me?”

Egrel frowned at his counselling being used against him. What a strange turn of events. He emitted a small sigh, “I’d ask about your support system and what steps you are doing to process and coping mechanisims.”

“Hmmm,” she replied. “Is that something you have done?”

An awkward silence lingered between the two as Egrel tried to come up with an answer. He sighed, “Admittedly, not as much. I’m really busy more often than not and there are very few who have clearences equal to or higher than me that I can actually talk to.” He purposefully stepped over coping mechanisims. 

“I think we are quickly moving from asking questions and listening to actually dispensing advise.  That’s a problem since I am not a counselor.   However,  at risk of violating some ethical code; I suggest you heed your own advice.  I am certain you have heard the phrase, ‘physician heal thyself’. I don’t know for a fact, but it stands to reason if you are an emotional wreck you are no help to anyone else.”

Egrel nodded slowly, “I am quite familiar with that phrase, yes. We’re often the worst patients, aren’t we?” He gave a wry smile and leaned back with a soft sigh, nodding, “I hear you and I understand. The only ones who can take these steps is me and me alone.” He did not quite agree with her last statement but he decided now was neither the time or place for such a debate

Aimee stood and gave Egrel a warm smile, “I am sure you will figure it out. You are medically fit for duty, as for mentally I’ll leave that in your more experienced and capable hands.” Turning she headed for the door.  As the doors slid open she paused,  “My husband and I were part of a covert ops team with Starfleet Intelligence. We both hold that top secret clearance,  and know what a burden that is.  I just hope for your sake you never saw or did some of the things we did to make it home.”

Egrel inclined his head slowly, “Thank you for the clearance, MacDonald, and checking in on me…” He paused for a moment to consider her words, nodding slightly, “I can’t say that I have. We all have our burdens.” He pulled out the iconic counselor’s line, “You know where to find me if you need to work through some of that. That goes for your husband as well.”

Aimee nodded, turned and retreated down the corridor. The closing doors marking a period to the end of that conversation.