Joshua left sickbay and headed next door to the chief counseling office. It was time for lunch and he thought he would ask if Lieutenant JG Thanlink might want to join him. Their departments work closely together and he liked to have a good working relationship. It always seemed good to talk over some good food.

“Come in.” Thracia called out at the ringing of her door. She did not have anyone scheduled to see her but she believed in an open door. There were times when a person did not have time to make an appointment.

She had been about to hang a painting on the wall when she turned and saw Doctor Martin come in.

“Lieutenant Martin.” Thracia said in greeting. “Please come in and sit down.” She placed the painting against the wall.Man’s turned to walk over to where he stood.”

“Please, finish what you were doing.” Joshua said with a smile. “I was stopping by to ask if you’d like to grab lunch with me. I hate eating alone and thought maybe you might be feeling the same.”

“I would like that.” Thracia said. In all honesty she was fine whether she was alone or with someone. “I was just going to hang this painting. I finally finished it. I believe it shows a soothing and relaxed atmosphere for my patients.”

“Wait..” Joshua looked at the painting. “You did this.” He looked at the painting. It was of a field of flowers and a house in the distance. “This is incredible work!”

“It is just something I do in my spare time.” Thracia said dismissively. “When I attended the academy I went to the country once on break and the picture of that has been etched in my mind.”

“I have been looking for some pictures to hang in medical but it’s hard.” Joshua confessed. “I want to hit different cultures of those serving here.”

“Let’s go to lunch and discuss this.” Thracia murmured. “I might be able to assist you.”

They headed to the mess hall and got in line. Joshua took his plate of chicken Alfredo with garlic bread and waited for Thracia and they sat down.

“That was very thoughtful of Chef Andrea.” Thracia said as they sat down. “She made me a salad and used roots that are native to Andoria.” She was smiling widely as she looked at her salad.

“I noticed she tried to go the extra mile to care for all of us.” Joshua said with a nod. “It is good for morale among the crew.”

“Yes it is.” Thracia took a bite of her salad and ate for a moment then looked to Joshua. “So these paintings. How many are you thinking you would want?”

“I don’t know.” Joshua said, thinking for a moment. “One for my office and then a few in the patient’s area.”

“How about I come by and take a look.” Thracia said after a moment. “I will paint whatever you want but it will be helpful if I can see the placement are.”

“Wait a minute.” Joshua said a bit surprised. “I thought you were going to help me purchase some!”

“Oh no.” Thracia shook her head. “You would be stripped of your credits.” She smiled at him. “We are friends and colleagues. You would do the same for me.”

“I could pay you.” Joshua offered. He felt guilty, like he was taking advantage of her.

“I would consider it an honor to paint them at no cost to you.” Thracia continued. “I paint them for pleasure and gifts. Can we leave it at that?”

Joshua could tell this was important to her.  Perhaps it was just her way of extending the hand of friendship. “Thank you!” He said with a smile. “I really appreciate this.”

“Now you said pictures from different crew members’ home worlds.” Thracia said. “Would you be comfortable with me doing some research and finding suitable pictures of places on those planets that they would recognize and bring them uplifting thoughts.”

“That would be perfect.” Joshua nodded. He felt like Thracia was really seeing his vision. Joshua was glad he had stopped to ask her to eat lunch with him.

The two of them ate in silence for several minutes and then Thracia sat back and took a drink from her glass. “I would like to speak on our work relationship for a few moments if you do not mind.”

“Of course.” Joshua said with interest. He was curious what Lieutenant Thanlink had on her mind.

“In my experience it is helpful if we can stay informed with each other when necessary for our patients.” She quickly added. “Without violating anyone’s confidentiality.”

“That is a good idea.” Joshua said after a moment of thought. “We could meet weekly at first. Invite our assistant chiefs as well. It will

help our mentorship of their roles as they learn valuable tools from us.”

“I like that idea.” Thracia said with a nod. “I have an assistant now and it will also help for us to get to know one another.”

“I confess.” Joshua said with a relieved sigh. “I was concerned when we all first came on board. You never know who you will be assigned with.” He had worked with some counselors who preferred to stand apart from the physicians on board.

“Medical snobs.” Thracia grinned. “I have experienced them myself.” Her eyes met Joshua’s as she shook her head, her silver hair bouncing on her shoulders. She pushed it away from her blue skin. “What is the point of being in the business of caring for people if you are not willing to work for their greater good?”

“I wish I had answers for that.” Joshua said seriously. “I wonder at why the chose the profession but then I remind myself it is not right to judge others. We all have our own way of doing things.” Then he grinned. “I am just glad you and I think the same.”

Thracia nodded in agreement. “I am looking forward to serving together here.”

“I could use some dessert.” Joshua said suddenly. “I am afraid I have a sweet tooth. Can I grab you something.”

“I am not much into sweet foods.” Thracia said hesitantly. She thought for a moment.

“Yes, I will try this dessert.”

“They are cookies.” Joshua said with a grin. “Everyone likes cookies. I bet I make you a fan.”

Thracia watched as he headed back to the line thinking that she had been fortunate to be assigned here. As she looked around the room, she saw a male Andorian sitting among others. Thracia stared at him for a moment and his head turned his eyes capturing hers. It was a long moment when her gaze was interrupted.

“Thracia,” Joshua said for a second time. He looked across the room and sat down with a smile. “That is Lieutenant Junior Grade Sh’Vrenoth.” He informed her. “Our chief Helmsman.”

“I was not aware there was another Andorian on board is all.” Thracia said quickly, a little embarrassed. “It is a pleasant surprise. I have not run into many.”

Joshua could not imagine what it felt like to be the only one of his people on board. Everyone was friendly, treating each other the same but still it had to feel a bit lonely at times. “I’ll have to get you an introduction.” He said.

Thracia smiled at him. “Andorian women are quite forward in our society. When the situation arises we will meet or I may just end up seeking him out and making an introduction of my own.”

Joshua smiled at her words. “I think that is a good idea.” He took a bite of his cookie. They were salted caramel and he thought they were really good. “Well, you going to try your cookie?”

Thracia picked it up and looked at it for a moment. She broke off a small piece and put it in her mouth.

“It is sweet.” Thracia said after a moment.”Which normally I don’t care for but with the salty taste to it, I like it.” She grinned then. “I might want another.”

“I brought an extra.” Johsua said, his eyes lit up. “I thought you just might change your mind.” He handed her the second cookie. “The salty sweet taste is what I like about them.

“I agree.” Thracia nodded. “This has been an enjoyable lunch.” She looked across at Joshua. “I do have an appointment in thirty minutes I need to prepare for.”

“And I do as well.” Joshua nodded. “Also some of my staff need their turn to come and have something to eat.”

They got up and discarded their dishes and headed back towards the medical and counseling department. Joshua stopped outside her office. “You have a great rest of your day. I will send you a message with a time and date for our first meeting and then we can go from there.”

“I look forward to it.” Thracia murmured. She headed into her office, planning to hang up the painting and prepare for her session with a member of the crew.”