Analyze This!! (OPEN to all!)

[Dr. Roger Harrison]

0940
Roger's Office
Meropis Infirmary

Roger felt like he was making some headway. FINALLY today he was helping someone.

Well. I need a distraction because this job...it's really HARD. I don't think that people realize that. It's HARD to be me, it's WORK... He let her go on, feeling like she wasn't finished just yet. It's hard to keep this up, Doctor. I don't eat much, I have to exercise a lot, I am tired often, and sometimes-well, sometimes-I would rather just not shampoo my hair. But I have to. Because if I don't...well. Maybe I will just be Maggie the mediocre. I never did well in school, and the military was equally a failure. I was expected to marry well, and thus, no one bothered to teach me to take care of myself. What happens when I am an old woman, huh? What happens when my body isn't "hot" anymore, and my hair is grey, and I am close to a heart attack?? I think I need more than good looks to deal with life then, won't I? He inhaled as he thought about his words. How could he help soothe her? Like most men, tears scared him, but he'd seen them before.

Well. We reset your life. You say you were never taught...you can LEARN. It's not too late. You can still have a healthy, fulfilling life. And if sleeping around makes you happy, then it's OK. Usually, it's a way that people fill themselves-they're searching for a love they can't find elsewhere, but if it TRULY is what you like, then good. I am not convinced that the traditional marriage-and-family life is for everyone...maybe there IS no lid for your pot, you know? But on the chance that there is, maybe I can help you. Would you like that? He cocked his head to the side for a moment, and passed her some Kleenex. He went on.

This is a safe place, here. Not even the President is privy to what happens in this office, ok? You can say ANYTHING here. He hoped this would reassure her.

[Maggie Lefebvre]

0940
Roger's Office
Meropis Infirmary

Maggie was ready to leave. She was NOT having a good time. This whole morning did not go the way she'd planned it, and Maggie HATED when things didn't go her way. It made her feel impotent and out of control, which she REALLY hates.

Well. We reset your life. You say you were never taught...you can LEARN. It's not too late. You can still have a healthy, fulfilling life. And if sleeping around makes you happy, then it's OK. Usually, it's a way that people fill themselves-they're searching for a love they can't find elsewhere, but if it TRULY is what you like, then good. I am not convinced that the traditional marriage-and-family life is for everyone...maybe there IS no lid for your pot, you know? But on the chance that there is, maybe I can help you. Would you like that? Maggie rolled her eyes. Like that was going to work?! What was he, a witch doctor doing a little black magic?

I am doubtful that you would be the man to change me, Doc. She shook her head a little at her unintended double-entendre. The doctor continued.

This is a safe place, here. Not even the President is privy to what happens in this office, ok? You can say ANYTHING here. Maggie sighed, but nodded.

I know, I know. And you can't tell anyone unless I am going to kill myself or hurt someone else. I know all this. I don't think I'll be needing your services on this mission, but I appreciate your time, Doctor Harrison. She stood up then. The man had a poker face, but as he escorted her out, he encouraged her to think about it.

Tag: OPEN

[Dr. Roger Harrison]

0945
Roger's Office
Meropis

Roger listened to Maggie. She seemed suddenly resolved-he'd picked the wrong tack. Oh, well. That happened sometimes.

I am doubtful that you would be the man to change me, Doc. He made his face neutral, upset that she wouldn't give it a chance, but he DID realize that psych sessions weren't for everyone. Even the most "normal" people, though, usually benefitted from an outsider to bounce things off of. He could be that person for the whole team.

I know, I know. And you can't tell anyone unless I am going to kill myself or hurt someone else. I know all this. I don't think I'll be needing your services on this mission, but I appreciate your time, Doctor Harrison. Roger nodded as she stood up.

I understand, Ms. Lefevbre. But DO think about it, at any rate. Please send in the next person. He stood, and escorted her out of the door. Sometimes you had to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, and know when to walk away.

TAG: Open. Roger's office is now OPEN for the next victim patient.

[Dominic Evans]

0950
Roger's Office
Meropis

Captain Dominic Evans, Executive Officer of SM-1 off-world exploration team, a highly trained and highly experienced field intelligence operative for the United Kingdom's armed forces. Yet, here he was about to see a head-shrink on an alien planet three million light years from home. Oh man, he shook his head thinking to himself, where did things get so out of hand. He glanced up as he SM-1 team mate Maggie passed him on the way out of Doctor Roger Harrison's office, giving her a short yet affectionate smile. He felt her pain, since the traumatic events back on Earth, General Conway had ordered that the team all make at least some kind of contact with Doc Harrison for their own well-being and well, an order was an order.

The door was a-jar and Evans took his opportunity to make his way into the office, carefully shutting the door behind him. He smiled and greeted Roger, exchanging a handshake and some "how are you's" before settling down on the couch opposite the armchair. He poured himself a cup of water and took a sip as both men got themselves comfortable. The Doc gave him the standard speech about this all being confidential and then gently probed as to where Evans might want to start, he had a feeling he was about to surprise the man.

"Well Doc, I have something I need to get off my chest, if you don't mind..." Roger nodded and allowed him to continue, "Truth be told I had a very vivid dream the night before last. I mean, I don't usually remember my dreams after a few moments of being awake, and I was about to forget this one but within seconds it had burned itself into my memory. What's more is it doesn't have anything to do with Meropis, alien races, Earth invasions... It just doesn't make sense to me ya'know?" The Doc nodded and remained silent as Dominic rattled on, "I woke up at 7am, on my day off. And anybody who knows me will be able to vouch that I usually sleep in until at least 10am, having offered myself for the late patrols where possible. But with this I woke up instantly, like a kind of shock, sat straight up and bam, wide awake..."

He paused to take a sip of water, well aware he hadn't gotten to the point yet. Evans was building himself up, he almost needed to talk himself into recounting the nightmare and reassure himself that he wasn't just being stupid about this. What if it was something to worry about? Some hidden signal that should be nipped in the bud? He continued,
"The dream was... Well it was a nightmare. I was back on Earth, home. I was in bed with my wife and for some reason our dog wasn't about... Anyway, she wakes me as she hears a crash downstairs, everyone's worst fear right in their home? We have a whispered argument about who locked the front door. It gets us nowhere as we hear another crash. By now, I've gotta go and see what this is. I'm in my boxers only and in too much of a heightened state of alert to get changed, so I slowly creep out onto the landing and look downstairs..." He paused, Roger was being patient and allowing him time to get the story out.

"I err... I see this guy stood there in my living room looking around. It happened before, I was a cop and this guy started banging on my house window at midnight, but he never broke in, I called my co-workers in on him as a security threat. This was nothing like that to be honest, much worse... This guy had no weapon he was just, there... Anyway I turn on the light and challenge him, he calls out to me and starts getting angry, I can't remember any words just emotions coming off of him like a heat wave, they hit me. I realize I have mere moments to make a decision to save my life, I feel fear. Genuine fear." He paused to take a sip of water, "Roger, I fought a wraith hand-to-hand on Earth and I wasn't scared, just adrenaline pumped. But in this nightmare I felt the worst fear I've ever felt, like my emotion centre just went crazy out of whack and disabled me with it. Anyway, fight or flight right?" Doc nodded, encouraging him to round off the story, "I run at this guy and jump on him, he fights back. I throw him into the mirror smashing it, my Wife is scared and hides in our room. I grab the guy and slam him again into another wall. I punch him a few times then hold him face down on the floor. I panic, now what do I do? I can't let him go 'cos he'll kill me. I have no weapons, just me, in my boxers... Then this guy says his lawyer is on the way. A second guy opens my front door and starts to walk in, I have no idea how to defend myself now. I wake up."

Dominic leaned back on the sofa, he felt slightly out of breath having poured that all out at once. He understood from interview techniques that what he'd done was known in the profession as "vomiting" the information, when it is so difficult for the patient to get the story out that he blurts it all out at once then goes tight lipped for the rest of his life. Well, Evans was done talking. He looked at Doc Harrison, fear flashed across his eyes as he recalled the nightmare. He wanted help.

<Tag Dr. Roger Harrison>

[Dr. Roger Harrison]

0950
Roger's Office
Meropis

Roger immediately felt the shift in the air from Maggie's pluckiness to Evans's seriousness. Not that the young woman hadn't left a bit serious, but Roger was confident that she'd be sorted soon, and back to sleeping around in no time. He needent worry about her, of that he was sure. He greeted the man cordially, and offered him some water, before settling himself into his chair to have a listen. He prepared himself to take notes-the biggest note of which was to dictate a session for HIMSELF to send out into the universe, with the hopes it would reach his mentor back on Earth. But getting the words out would be enough-Roger took good care of himself, and was in little danger of having major emotional problems. His job got to him, sure, but he usually had a few rounds of expensive Burbon, a lot of sleep, and he was a new man.

Dominic Evans, however, seemed to be in need of his skill, so Roger indicated for him to begin right away.

Whenever you're ready, Captain. Just try to keep in mind...this is a safe place. I won't tell anyone what you share with me, ok? He was starting to sound like a broken record, but not only was it protocol, it was also reassuring. There was never ONCE in Roger's career that he had to violate his patient's trust, and he wasn't going to start NOW.

Dominic spoke then, needing little encouragement.

Well Doc, I have something I need to get off my chest, if you don't mind...ruth be told I had a very vivid dream the night before last. I mean, I don't usually remember my dreams after a few moments of being awake, and I was about to forget this one but within seconds it had burned itself into my memory. What's more is it doesn't have anything to do with Meropis, alien races, Earth invasions... It just doesn't make sense to me ya'know?" Roger just nodded; no words were needed, he felt. I woke up at 7am, on my day off. And anybody who knows me will be able to vouch that I usually sleep in until at least 10am, having offered myself for the late patrols where possible. But with this I woke up instantly, like a kind of shock, sat straight up and bam, wide awake... Roger let the man be, he had a feeling that Dominic wasn't finished. Sure enough, he went on.

The dream was... Well it was a nightmare. I was back on Earth, home. I was in bed with my wife and for some reason our dog wasn't about... Anyway, she wakes me as she hears a crash downstairs, everyone's worst fear right in their home? We have a whispered argument about who locked the front door. It gets us nowhere as we hear another crash. By now, I've gotta go and see what this is. I'm in my boxers only and in too much of a heightened state of alert to get changed, so I slowly creep out onto the landing and look downstairs...I err... I see this guy stood there in my living room looking around. It happened before, I was a cop and this guy started banging on my house window at midnight, but he never broke in, I called my co-workers in on him as a security threat. This was nothing like that to be honest, much worse... This guy had no weapon he was just, there... Anyway I turn on the light and challenge him, he calls out to me and starts getting angry, I can't remember any words just emotions coming off of him like a heat wave, they hit me. I realize I have mere moments to make a decision to save my life, I feel fear. Genuine fear. At this, Roger made a couple of quick notes. Dominic opened his mouth, so Roger refrained from responding.

Roger, I fought a wraith hand-to-hand on Earth and I wasn't scared, just adrenaline pumped. But in this nightmare I felt the worst fear I've ever felt, like my emotion centre just went crazy out of whack and disabled me with it. Anyway, fight or flight right? Doc nodded, encouraging him to round off the storyI run at this guy and jump on him, he fights back. I throw him into the mirror smashing it, my Wife is scared and hides in our room. I grab the guy and slam him again into another wall. I punch him a few times then hold him face down on the floor. I panic, now what do I do? I can't let him go 'cos he'll kill me. I have no weapons, just me, in my boxers... Then this guy says his lawyer is on the way. A second guy opens my front door and starts to walk in, I have no idea how to defend myself now. I wake up. Roger exhaled, and organized his thoughts. Where would be the first place to begin?

I understand why that would be frightening. Sigmund Freud had a few ideas of what our dreams mean. I've taken, over the years, to the idea that they manifest differently in each person. What is so for one person isn't the same as it may be for you. That said, usually, our dreams reveal our deepest thoughts-our worst fears, or deepest desires, for example. When we dream of an intruder, it can signal that someone-or someTHING-has interrupted our way of doing something...that they've, in fact, intruded on our very LIVES. Look around here-every day, there is some new thing. An alien we've never met, or a killer deity, or even a team mate revealing something personal. It can shake us to our core-what we once knew to be true is no longer so. Likewise, to dream of a burgalry can mean that the intruder has violated you in some way-that they've hit the very core of your being, if not physically, then emotionally. He stopped, to give Dominic a few moments to process this. Fear is the third most accessible human emotion...only anger and hatred are first. It's interesting to me that it's the bad feelings that humans are conditioned to feel, isn't it?! Anyway...fear is, in my opinion, actually a GOOD emotion, insofar as that it's a wonderful motivator. We do many things in fear that we would not do otherwise. On the flip side, that can have poor consequences, but at least it's action, you know? He took another breath. There was something else. The fact that you mentioned a wife repeatedly speaks to me. Tell me about her. He smiled a little-another man with a wife. He could commisserate when he felt homesick. The fact that you felt fear for another person is a good thing, too. It means you have empathy, Mr. Evans. Empathy is what makes a man a man, and what makes a human NOT be a monster. Roger let that sink in while he sipped at his tea. This was going to be his most trying patient group yet, he just knew it.

Tag:Dominic Evans.

(Note: So Rog played dumb to the fact that there's no wife...)

[Dominic Evans]

0955
Roger's Office
Meropis

Finally, taking a breather, Dominic Evans allowed Roger to speak. His outpouring having been processed by the professional.
"I understand why that would be frightening. Sigmund Freud had a few ideas of what our dreams mean. I've taken, over the years, to the idea that they manifest differently in each person. What is so for one person isn't the same as it may be for you. That said, usually, our dreams reveal our deepest thoughts-our worst fears, or deepest desires, for example. When we dream of an intruder, it can signal that someone-or someTHING-has interrupted our way of doing something...that they've, in fact, intruded on our very LIVES. Look around here-every day, there is some new thing. An alien we've never met, or a killer deity, or even a team mate revealing something personal. It can shake us to our core-what we once knew to be true is no longer so. Likewise, to dream of a burglary can mean that the intruder has violated you in some way-that they've hit the very core of your being, if not physically, then emotionally."
Evans thought on that for moment, so one of the many things that has happened recently has disturbed him, but he just didn't know what it is. The Doc continued.

"Fear is the third most accessible human emotion...only anger and hatred are first. It's interesting to me that it's the bad feelings that humans are conditioned to feel, isn't it?! Anyway...fear is, in my opinion, actually a GOOD emotion, insofar as that it's a wonderful motivator. We do many things in fear that we would not do otherwise. On the flip side, that can have poor consequences, but at least it's action, you know?"
Okay... Where was Roger going with this?
"The fact that you mentioned a wife repeatedly speaks to me. Tell me about her." Evans paused, and frowned to himself, staring at the floor. He opened and closed his mouth a few times but couldn't get the words out. Roger continued.

"The fact that you felt fear for another person is a good thing, too. It means you have empathy, Mr. Evans. Empathy is what makes a man a man, and what makes a human NOT be a monster." He could whole-heartedly agree with that statement, but there was something burning now, something inside his head that didn't make any sense at all, less sense so then a circular device that was capable of dialing planets millions of light years away. He concentrated hard on his thoughts. Maggie? Eastlyn even? Who or what was so distracting to him. He felt Roger lean forward in anticipation of Evans words. Slowly and with a slight tremble in his voice, he lifted his head and spoke,
"I... I don't have a wife Doc..."
Or a family. Or any friends. He had nothing back on Earth, it had all fallen apart and forced him to absorb himself in his job, which Dom credited for his storming success and rise through the ranks. His obsession with being the best at everything he did had carried him to Meropis, the promised land so to speak, but now that he was here, what happened next? He felt empty... Not only did the thought that something intruding on his life was causing him such unknown anxiety concern him, but what kind of world was his mind creating. Who did he feel he had to protect? And why?

<Tag Dr. Roger Harrison>

[Dr. Roger Harrison]

0955
Roger's Office
Meropis

Roger was rather hoping that his stance on not having to rely on medication with his people would hold for this mission. He wasn't yet sure that Fiona would make it without a buffer, but the rest were conditioned for this. That did not make it OK, but it did make it easier. But maybe a little bit of antidepressant, just quietly slipped into the Meropis potable water supply would do the trick. He shook his head inwardly.

Dominic replied.

I... I don't have a wife Doc... Roger paused a moment. That was a new one on him. He rifled through his mental filo-fax for an answer that made sense. Finally, he nodded.

I see. Doubly alarming, then, right? But never fear. It's a stand in for another person, then. Tell me about your personal life-you needn't go into detail, but let's start with this past year...do you remember any sort of transgression that might reach the level of violation? Has anyone, for example, dug into your personnel file and brought something to light?! Roger was fishing for answers; he felt that it was a simple reason that these memories were being dug up for Captain Evans, but sometimes it took awhile to recognize one's triggers.

Tag:Dominic Evans

[Dominic Evans]

0957
Roger's Office
Meropis

Always the strategic analyzer, Dominic ran through a play-by-play of the current situation in his mind. So, the dream/nightmare was a representation of some kind of fear of angst, something intruding on his life. The fictional wife his mind created represented some sort of stand in according to the Doc,
"I see. Doubly alarming, then, right? But never fear. It's a stand in for another person, then. Tell me about your personal life-you needn't go into detail, but let's start with this past year... Do you remember any sort of transgression that might reach the level of violation? Has anyone, for example, dug into your personnel file and brought something to light?!"

He looked at the wall calender, it was just about coming up to the end of September 2010. Evans had to cast his mind back to September 2009 and everything that'd happened in between. A number of pivotal images flashed across his mind's eye, he began to reel them off.
"Well, given my field intelligence background Doc, my file has traditionally been kept on a need-to-see basis only and not handed around like some religious pamphlet. However, I'll play the game... Let me think back... I know the General will have had to look at my file, and the vetting team will have gotten what they need from it but not the whole thing, that all remains professional and doesn't really bother me all that much..."
His visions flashed back to that phone call, the flight over to Colorado, the most amazing month of his life involving his orientation into the Stargate program. Space ships, wormholes, aliens!? It took some sinking in but he remembered loving every minute of it.

"I remember coming on board right about the same time that The Sun Tzu landed back on Earth and was being rebuilt from the ground up. They took me to the dock-yards in China..." He thought again, was there something in that? Not likely. "I recall arriving here on Meropis... The drama of getting the city up and running. The alien attack on the base..." He paused, yes there was something. SM-1's first mission, "On Earth... Our first mission. One the plane flying from Colorado to Iraq. Major Eastlyn she... She leaned in to me and told me she'd read my file and that she was always there if I needed anything. I guess I was taken aback by it, I've never had a boss who actually cared about my well-being before. I... I don't know. I mean, she saved my life. And Maggie's. And Ahrima's. She put everybody else before herself." He still wasn't sure what to make of it or how it all connected to his dream, but he knew that the most important thing about this was to let it all out. His thoughts and feelings were safe with Dr. Roger Harrison.

[Dr. Roger Harrison]

0957
Roger's Office
Meropis

Roger could sense Evans's need for it to all make sense. Roger HOPED he could make that happen for him, but sometimes, the brain defied logic. Sometimes you dreamed things simply because your subconcious got bored and MADE you do it. But in this case, simple Freudian dream analysis seemed to be at play. Roger knew that the Captain's conditioning might not allow him to share everything, but hoped that his intelligence would override that.

Well, given my field intelligence background Doc, my file has traditionally been kept on a need-to-see basis only and not handed around like some religious pamphlet. However, I'll play the game... Let me think back... I know the General will have had to look at my file, and the vetting team will have gotten what they need from it but not the whole thing, that all remains professional and doesn't really bother me all that much... Roger paused the man, holding up a hand.

You were in intel?! Let's start there...has something happened in the past two years in that field that may be the cause of this alarm? Roger had full clearances, but his doctor's privelege kind of overrode that ANYWAY. Roger kept the secrets of the criminally insane, diplomats, and random people-what could the Stargate Program hold that he hand't heard yet?! Dom went on.

I remember coming on board right about the same time that The Sun Tzu landed back on Earth and was being rebuilt from the ground up. They took me to the dock-yards in China...I recall arriving here on Meropis... The drama of getting the city up and running. The alien attack on the base...On Earth... Our first mission. One the plane flying from Colorado to Iraq. Major Eastlyn she... She leaned in to me and told me she'd read my file and that she was always there if I needed anything. I guess I was taken aback by it, I've never had a boss who actually cared about my well-being before. I... I don't know. I mean, she saved my life. And Maggie's. And Ahrima's. She put everybody else before herself. Roger smiled. He cared about this woman-wether romantically or platonically, Roger couldn't tell, and it might not be important, but on the other hand-it just might be.

The alien attack...tell me, were you afraid then?! What about during the hostage thing on Earth?! The General mentioned it briefly, but I need you to tell me what YOU felt...when Miss Eastlyn was gone...how did it make you feel?! Roger didn't bother to mention that Maggie hadn't spoke of the mission...some people were good at compartmentalizing, and some were not. If you could redo anything this past year, what would you pick?

Tag:Dominic Evans

[Dominic Evans]

0958
Roger's Office
Meropis

It was a weird thing, the human brain, Dominic could literally feel himself shutting off by the minute. It wasn't anything the Doc was doing wrong, it was his pre-conditioning. In order to deal with some of the horrible things he'd had to see, deal with or experience, he'd had to bury it all mentally. Still, Roger teased it all out.
"The alien attack...tell me, were you afraid then?! What about during the hostage thing on Earth?! The General mentioned it briefly, but I need you to tell me what YOU felt... When Miss Eastlyn was gone...how did it make you feel?!" Evans shrugged and shook his head, he shifted uncomfortably on the couch. Words were starting to form, his mouth was moving, but he couldn't get anything out. The mental block was firing on all cylinders. Roger probed further,
"If you could redo anything this past year, what would you pick?" And there it was, the golden question. The doc had to know if he probed long and hard enough he'd get there in the end.

Evans lowered his head in thought, he lifted it slightly to gaze at Roger under his brow.
"Yes." He said, his voice having dropped a few octaves. The pause was agonizing, but Roger clearly new better than to poke and prod, just let it come out when it's ready. And boy did it come, "I wouldn't have come to Meropis." It felt like a breeze block had been lifted from his chest, he lifted his head slightly more, now able to make eye contact, "Life was so much simpler before. Before all this. Before aliens and space ships and being three million light years away from Earth. Don't get me wrong, I like an adventure, but this!? This is just crazy Doc. I have to take an extra five minutes each morning after I wake up to tell myself not to fly off the walls, to calm down, but you're in an unexplored galaxy where it seems that nearly everything wants to kill you." He laughed to himself, the nervous laugh that patients often do when confessing their worst fears, "I've made some friends here, don't get me wrong. Major Eastlyn, she is a really great friend. But every other day just seems to be filled with death and destruction, treading on eggshells. Should I really wake up, stare at the wall and think, 'Evans, don't get too attached, everybody you know could be dead within a matter of hours'. I know we're defending Earth from alien threats, I understand that but I don't..."

He sighed, the wall was trying to exert itself again and protect him from a complete meltdown, he managed to squeeze one last thought out there, "This place just doesn't make any sense. Long gone are the days where I woke up, angry that my neighbours were making too much noise too early, got myself dressed. I would go downstairs and have a cup of tea and some biscuits, maybe watch a recorded TV show from the night before. I'd check Twitter, check Facebook, take a look at TripAdvisor. If it was a day on I'd gear up and get myself to the office. A day off? Well I'd go and spend some time with my friend's falcons before kicking back on the games console letting out my frustrations. Or I'd spend a little time on the internet, typing up fantasy literature on a forum, just for the sheer fun of it." He smiled a little, the warm thoughts of home rushing through him, he wasn't home sick, he just missed the past. "I can never go back to that Rog. Not after knowing all this, I can't forget what I've seen out here. I will never forget it. Not one second of my journey as I put one foot in front of the other hand in hand with the rest of my team... I just don't know where I'm going, what's in front of me, and that's the scariest part of all." He leaned back on the couch once more. Evans felt like he was done here, he felt mentally exhausted. He needed Roger to pick him back up again so he could continue the fight for humanity's existence.

<Tag Dr. Roger Harrison>

[Dr. Roger Harrison]

1000 Hours
Roger's Office
Meropis

Dominic was doing well, all things considered. Roger was well aware that any reticence was TRAINED into him; it was not a part of the human brain to be skeptical, but it could be learned. So the fact that Dominic was being so open was something that Roger considered a personal success.

Yes...I wouldn't have come to Meropis. Roger suspected he might answer that way. He nodded before he began, measuring his words carefully. Not a single person on this team was stupid, and Roger knew that the intelligence level of these people meant that he had to use the right words.

I see. I suspected that that would be your answer...and I am concerned about that.... He let the man continue, though.

Life was so much simpler before. Before all this. Before aliens and space ships and being three million light years away from Earth. Don't get me wrong, I like an adventure, but this!? This is just crazy Doc. I have to take an extra five minutes each morning after I wake up to tell myself not to fly off the walls, to calm down, but you're in an unexplored galaxy where it seems that nearly everything wants to kill you. Roger raised an eyebrow.

But what if you DIDN'T force yourself to calm down? Would that necessarily be a bad thing? Sometimes, the best way to heal is to act out, so you can identify what is going on and then how to fix it.

Dominic went on.

I've made some friends here, don't get me wrong. Major Eastlyn, she is a really great friend. But every other day just seems to be filled with death and destruction, treading on eggshells. Should I really wake up, stare at the wall and think, 'Evans, don't get too attached, everybody you know could be dead within a matter of hours'. I know we're defending Earth from alien threats, I understand that but I don't...This place just doesn't make any sense. Long gone are the days where I woke up, angry that my neighbours were making too much noise too early, got myself dressed. I would go downstairs and have a cup of tea and some biscuits, maybe watch a recorded TV show from the night before. I'd check Twitter, check Facebook, take a look at TripAdvisor. If it was a day on I'd gear up and get myself to the office. A day off? Well I'd go and spend some time with my friend's falcons before kicking back on the games console letting out my frustrations. Or I'd spend a little time on the internet, typing up fantasy literature on a forum, just for the sheer fun of it. Roger was beginning to form a treatment in his mind, so he didn't interrupt.

I can never go back to that Rog. Not after knowing all this, I can't forget what I've seen out here. I will never forget it. Not one second of my journey as I put one foot in front of the other hand in hand with the rest of my team... I just don't know where I'm going, what's in front of me, and that's the scariest part of all. Roger was ready.

You are absolutely right, Mr. Evans. It WILL never be the same, ever again. And words are shallow, but I know that you are strong enough to deal with it. If you're interested, there are some exercises we can do together, but...I want you to find an outlet here, on the Planet, somewhere. You mentioned video games, and Facebook. It's my understanding that Miss Maccafferty is working on a flight simulator for NASA whilst on her free time...mayhaps you can speak with her. Or even just some boxing matches in the gym. I need you to find SOMETHING that will distract you, even for a few minutes. Can you try that? As for the long term, I think you'd benefit from some ongoing appointments with me...nothing too set, maybe once a month for a short period of time. I think I would see if behavioral therapy might help you, otherwise, I am inclined to explore a temporary antidepressant. The things you've seen aren't OK, Captain, and it's not weakness to deal with them...that's how we separate the monsters from the men.... He sighed. He would, of course, need to actually make sure that medicines wouldn't disallow him to be on duty, but so far as he knew, it wouldn't. If you're not interested, I DO understand, but I DO think I can help you to at least understand things better. Would that be OK with you? It was always important to make sure the patient had a full knowledge and consent in a treatment plan, even if it WAS jsut talking.

He waited to see if Dominic had more. Roger had plenty of time, and would give each person as long as they needed.

Tag:Dominic Evans.

[Dominic Evans]

1003
Roger's Office
Meropis

Another tentative sip of water was consumed by the slightly on-edge Captain Evans. A vision flicked through his mind, one of these mornings he was just going to wake up, flip the bed over and walk out of his room. There wasn't any sort of 'inspection' out here so he could probably get away with it as well.
"You are absolutely right, Mr. Evans. It WILL never be the same, ever again. And words are shallow, but I know that you are strong enough to deal with it. If you're interested, there are some exercises we can do together, but...I want you to find an outlet here, on the Planet, somewhere. You mentioned video games, and Facebook. It's my understanding that Miss Maccafferty is working on a flight simulator for NASA whilst on her free time...mayhaps you can speak with her." Well that was starting to sound promising, something you could get a high score on and brag about for days, awesome!

"Or even just some boxing matches in the gym. I need you to find SOMETHING that will distract you, even for a few minutes. Can you try that? As for the long term, I think you'd benefit from some ongoing appointments with me..." Roger must have seen the slight drop in Evans' expression, "Nothing too set, maybe once a month for a short period of time. I think I would see if behavioral therapy might help you, otherwise, I am inclined to explore a temporary antidepressant. The things you've seen aren't OK, Captain, and it's not weakness to deal with them...that's how we separate the monsters from the men..." The hell with that, there was no way Captain Dominic Evans was going on anti-depressants, he'd rather face court martial than have his pride damaged by being reliant on a drug. But that last bit, what the Doctor just said, it intrigued him - 'separate the monsters from the men'. It meant more than the world to Dominic that Roger, a fully trained and qualified psychologist, didn't think he was a monster. He breathed a mental sigh of relief.

The Doctor must have read something in Dom's expression, no wait, of COURSE he read something in Dom's expression, it was what the man got paid to do. He'd picked up on the anti-depressant thoughts and back tracked a little,
"If you're not interested, I DO understand, but I DO think I can help you to at least understand things better. Would that be OK with you?" Evans had a moment to ponder this, he at least felt a touch of relief coming in here after such a tumultuous mission back on Earth.
"Maybe another chat sometime can't hurt. I do feel a little better, like you've lifted a little of the weight I was carrying around so thanks Doc..." He began to stand extending a hand to shake Roger's, "But... No pills." He said flatly, making brief eye contact before Roger saw him out of the office and had a minute or two to consolidate his notes before his 10:10 appointment. He was silently thankful for the conversation, people back home paid top dollar for this kind of service. The two shook on it, Dom would stick to his word and return later that week for more of a chat. He'd resolved to himself to visit Roger at least once after every mission. After all, he needed to make sure the monster was separate from the man.

<Tag Dr. Roger Harrison>

[Dr. Roger Harrison]

1003
Roger's Office
Meropis

Roger watched the man carefully. He knew he'd thrown a lot at him, and sometimes, people just shut down when they came upon things that were difficult, or distasteful, or something they simply didn't WANT to do or comprehend. That was kind of what Roger expected from these people, due to their intensive military trainings. But Dom opened his mouth, and surprised him.

Maybe another chat sometime can't hurt. I do feel a little better, like you've lifted a little of the weight I was carrying around so thanks Doc...But... No pills. Since Dominic was very firm and sure in this, Roger nodded.

I can live with that. It's important to me that my patients are involved in their treatments; it's the only way it will work, so if that's what you wish, then I am OK with that. I trust that what you're expericing, though very present for the moment, isn't your normal state of being, so I think that that is Ok. I would prefer you to make an appointment with the Yeoman when you leave, but if you want to leave it open and come to me on your own, that's ok, too. I won't bother you about it, but it would make me feel better if we had something to look forward at. In the meantime, I have it on good authority that Miss Maccafferty is off duty; perhaps you can find her today. Good luck, sir. Since Dominic seemed to be finished, he saw no point in talking more...both had gotten something of it. He shook the man's hand, and then showed him out.

Thank you, Captain Evans. Please tell the next person to just come in... With a deep sigh, he turned back. He hoped he'd see the man again soon. Not TOO soon, mind, because Roger was going to need a day to recoup from all the horror he heard today...but no time to worry, here was his next patient.

Tag:Dominic Evans, @all!

[Blueberry Yagami]

1007
Roger's Office

Blueberry waited outside Harrison-sensei's office. She'd been here a long while far earlier then she should have been. If she had to be here anyway then she was going to make the most of it and watching the people change from coming to what they were going in was intriguing her. Of course she doubted anyone had noticed her sitting there for so long, she was practiced at being invisible and that was how she liked it. She didn't see why she had to deal with people, especially when they were beneath her. She watched as Captain Evans left far happier then he'd seemed going in. Just what was this shrink doing? Blueberry got up and moved into his office when she was called.

Blueberry took her seat quietly and looked around the office. It was kind of boring. Where were the posters? Had aliens not heard of anime? Magical girls and giant mechs needed to be plastered over these walls. Get some Shana, Haruhi and Lucky Star and it would be far more inviting. Blueberry heard her name and returned her gaze to the Doctor. She didn't say anything just stared at him. He'd know that she was listening, at least he would if outside had been anything to go on.

Tag; Dr. Roger Harrison

[Dr. Roger Harrison]

1007
Roger's Office 

Roger smiled as Blueberry Yagami came in. Her file was interesting; a JAXA data person, possibly with an Axis II personality disorder. He'd like to see if he couldn't officially diagnose her...though it might kick her OUT of the pool for civil service, but he'd see how she'd feel about at least knowing his opinion. He settled in across from her. 

Some water or tea? He offered. He also had coffee, but he was a tiny possessive of the coffee, so he wasn't going to offer it unless asked. Besides, coffee was bad for mental health...of this, he could write a book. He started. 

Miss Yagami, it's nice to see you. What I hope to achieve today is to see how you're coming along on this mission...if there's any crises you might have come upon, or if there's any pressing health concerns, or if you just need to chat, that's what today is for, ok? I am sure if you have had a psych eval before, but just so oyu know that whatever you tell me will remain confidential...I won't even tell the Creator, ok? He finished with his usual instructions before pausing to give Blue a chance to respond. He noticed her looking around the room, and smiled a little. He kept the walls bare; the only decorations were the tchotkes on the bookcase and desktop, a pile of toys he used for play therapy, and the photographs of his family. 

Kind of boring in here, isn't it? I suppose I should make some posters or something for the walls. What might YOU suggest? 

Tag:Blueberry Yagami.