OFF: Wow off in space already, even though it is just a trip around 
the corner. ;)

ON:

LOCATION: {Deck 8, My Quarters)

:: I wake up and decide to go ahead and try out my new espresso 
machine. ::

:: I walk in there to get it started, and then I remember, I don't 
have any coffee grounds. ::

Jade: "Computer, make a note, when we return to space dock, to order 
some coffee grounds, and amaretto to be transported to our ship from 
Earth."

Computer: "Acknowledged."

Jade: "Computer what time is it now?"

Computer: "Seven hundred hours."

Jade: "I need to get ready and get to the bridge, we are suppose to 
take a run around the block real fast."

:: I ran to my sleeping quarters, and sat down on my bed, I leaned 
over to smell the beautiful flower that CDR Ford had given me. Not 
many Orcas smell, but the Blue Orcas have a sweet smell similar to a 
honeysuckle. ::

:: I smile. ::

{Bridge}{Eight Hundred Hours}

Captain: "This is the Captain. I just want to say you have all been 
doing a great job getting the ship ready for her maiden voyage. It 
looks like we're ready to take a little shake down cruise. I know we 
still have some temporary crewmen on board, as not all of our key 
staff has reported in yet. We may have to stop along the way to pick 
up some of them, but Admiral Star and I think we should take the 
ship out to make sure she's ready. So, all hands to stations, and 
lets get under way."

:: He closes the intercom, and addresses the bridge crew. ::

McCloud: "Is everybody ready?"

:: A chorus of "Aye Sir" from the crew. ::

:: A few minutes later, we are out of space dock, ready to see what 
the Excalibur could do. You could feel the excitement on the 
Bridge. ::

Jade: "Captain, sir, may I be dismissed from the Bridge, I have a 
session at nine hundred hours, and I need to go to my office and 
prepare."

Captain: :: Looks at me. :: "Sure, Counselor, your dismissed."

Jade: "Thank you, Sir, please contact me, if you need for anything."

Captain: "Don't worry, Counselor, I will, so always be prepared!"

Jade: "I am _always_ prepared, and ready."

Captain: "Continue on to your office, Counselor, we have some stuff 
we need to get accomplised here on the Bridge."

:: I nod, and get on the turbolift, before the doors shut, I noticed 
that CDR Ford was staring at me, with a blushing smile. I smile back 
at him. ::

Jade: "Computer, Deck 22."

{Deck 22, Counselor's Office}

Jade: "Computer lights on, dim."

Computer: "Acknowledged."

:: I walk over to the replicator, to get my first cup of morning 
latte. ::

Jade: "Computer, double latte, hot." :: It materializes. ::

:: I sit down at my desk to my computer. ::

Jade: "Computer, please bring up Ingoldo's psychological files." :: 
Then I remember that they did have one on Ingoldo. ::

:: Door Chimes ::

Jade: "Enter."

Ingoldo: "I hope I am not late, Counselor."

Jade: "No, I believe your on time. Please, have a set on the sofa 
over there by the window."

Ingoldo: :: As he walks over to the sofa. :: "You really have a nice 
office Counselor, it feels very comfortable."

Jade: "I am glad you feel that way, that is what I was intending to 
accomplish, I find that it makes people feel more relaxed and able to 
open up to me easier."

Ingoldo: "Yes, it does Counselor." :: He sits on the sofa. ::

Jade: "Please, Ensign, I would like for you to lay down, and lets 
get started. I usually schedule my appointments for an hour, and 
they can go longer if I believe they need too, but usually an hour, 
and then we can see if we need more."

Ingoldo: "Yes, Counselor."

Jade: "Now, Ensign, what is that you needed to see me about."

Ingoldo: "I want to talk to you about the reaction I get from people 
due to the fact that I am betazoid and telepathic."

Jade: "And what reaction do you think you are getting, Ensign?"

Ingoldo: "They seem to run from me, they act like they do not want 
to be around me."

Jade: "Now, Ensign, I am sure that this is all in your imagination. 
I have read that you have learned to suppress your telepathic 
abilities, is this true?"

Ingoldo: "Yes, Counselor, but why do you think that it is in my 
imagination?"

Jade: "Well, Ensign, we have many betazoid individuals in Starfleet, 
we have all learned to adapt to them, just like we had to learn to 
adapt to having Klingons in Starfleet."

Ingoldo: "But Counselor, they run from me."

Jade: "Ensign, you are a handsome young man, very intelligent, and a 
wonderful asset to the Excalibur, I believe that people are not 
running from you, but that you are running from them."

Ingoldo: "Oh, no, Counselor. I am a very out-going man, all 
betazoids are."

Jade: "Being _out-going_ has nothing to do with your imagination of 
people trying to avoid you, I believe that by suppressing your 
Betazoid abilities, you have began to feel guilty for doing it. I 
think that your sub-conscience feels like your have abandoned your 
species or that you feel like you are embarrassed by being Betazoid."

Ingoldo: "Oh, no, Counselor, that can't be true, I am very proud to 
be Betazoid. I feel like I did the right thing by learning to 
suppress the ability."

Jade: "That might be true, but do this for me, everyday, set a time, 
when you are off-duty, to exercise your Betazoid abilities."

Ingoldo: "What do you think that will accomplish Counselor?"

Jade: "I believe that by doing this, you will learn to feel more 
comfortable around people, you will not feel like they are running 
from you, you will not feel the guilt."

Ingoldo: "But I don't feel guilt."

Jade: "I believe you do, and until you admit it, you cannot start 
the healing process, please Ensign, try it for one week, exercise 
your ability for an hour, everyday, then come back to me, and tell me 
how it went and how you feel."

Ingoldo: "For one week?"

Jade: "Yes, one week, and then we will go from there."

Ingoldo: "Fine, I will try it. But I have to admit Counselor, I 
believe you are wrong."

Jade: "You are not the first, and I doubt you will be last."

:: Ingoldo looks up at me, and smiles. ::

Jade: "Well, Ensign, I do believe your time is up, I want you to 
start your exercises this evening after your off-duty, I believe the 
best place to start would be your quarters, then we can build from 
there."

Ingoldo: "Yes, Counselor."

:: Ingoldo gets up and walks to the doors, he walks into the 
hallway, and turns back to me. ::

Ingoldo: "One week!"

Jade: "One week, an hour eachday when your off-duty, in your 
quarters."

Ingoldo: "Got it."

OFF: Hope that didn't sound too dumb! Happy Easter.

Ensign Crystal Jade
Ships Counselor
USS Excalibur, NCC-2997