Duty of Care
Posted on Sun Jun 28, 2026 @ 10:04pm by Lieutenant T'Lul & Commander Tayanita 'Tay' Lio'ven
1,038 words; about a 5 minute read
Mission:
Jubilee
Location: Sickbay, Deep Space 5
True to her thoughts, T'Lul made her way into sickbay. She knew who the CMO was, but they had not interacted more than in passing up until this moment. There had not been a logical reason to do so. Now, however, they had a reason to interact. Matilda needed an evaluation.
The Vulcan looked around for the Doctor, hoping that she would be readily available.
Tay emerged from the adjoining treatment bay with a PADD tucked against one forearm, her attention still on the last set of notes until she sensed someone waiting.
She looked up, and her expression softened into quiet welcome.
“Counsellor,” she said, crossing the room with unhurried ease. “Good timing. The universe has allowed me almost three whole minutes without someone injuring themselves in celebration of the comet.”
There was a small warmth in it, enough to ease the edge of Sickbay without making light of whatever had brought T’Lul there.
Tay set the PADD aside and gave the Vulcan her full attention.
“What can I do for you?”
"The comet celebration is a concern," T'Lul agreed. "As soon as security permits, I am going to do some training with them on group social dynamics to handle any larger issues. However, that is not why I am here. I have just had a crew member reveal to me a recent lack of sleep and exhaustion. I am concerned that this crew member may not be able to do their job sufficiently. Protocol demands that I report this to you and that you conduct an evaluation. I believe this crew member may need some mandatory rest and some sleep aids. The problem is likely short term."
Tay listened with the same quiet attention she gave patients, though her expression shifted slightly at the mention of protocol.
“That depends on how it was disclosed,” she said after a moment. “If a crew member came to you in confidence as their counsellor, I won’t ask you to simply give me their name. That trust matters, and I respect that.”
Her tone remained calm, but there was a firmness beneath it.
“But if you believe their condition may affect their ability to perform their duties safely, then it becomes a duty of care matter. Confidentiality does not vanish, but it does have limits when someone may be at risk.”
She folded her hands loosely in front of her.
“I cannot prescribe sleep aids, order mandatory rest, or make a fitness determination without seeing them. Exhaustion may be simple overwork. It may be psychological strain. It may be neurological, endocrine, medication-related, or half a dozen other things this station is currently very good at hiding beneath the word ‘festival’.”
A faint softness touched her eyes.
“And the fact that they chose to come to you first isn’t insignificant.”
Tay paused, giving the thought room.
“So. If you are able to disclose their identity under your professional judgement, I will conduct the evaluation properly and discreetly. If not, then ask them to come to Sickbay themselves, and reassure them this is simply a medical check, not a disciplinary matter.”
Her voice gentled, though the decision in it held.
“Until I’ve seen them myself, there’s only so much I can do. I don’t want to make decisions about someone I haven’t met, even if your concern is completely valid.”
"Which is why I came to you," the Vulcan counselor responded sagely. "You need to conduct the evaluation. There is a possibility that I may be overly cautious. Regardless, it was enough that I believed an evaluation might be necessary. Her name is Ensign Matilda Cromwell. I have disclosed as much as I can at this juncture. Should there be other concerns that develop in your investigation, or should she permit me to release more information, then do not hesitate to contact me."
Tay inclined her head slightly, accepting both the name and the boundary around it.
“Thank you, Counsellor,” she said. “You did the right thing bringing it here.”
There was no judgement in her voice. Only the quiet acknowledgement of one professional recognising another’s care, even when the path between privacy and safety was narrow.
“I’ll contact Ensign Cromwell and ask her to come in for an evaluation. Discreetly. Unless the situation changes, I’ll keep it framed as a routine medical concern rather than anything disciplinary.”
She reached for the PADD she had set aside, then paused before entering the note.
“If she speaks to you again before I see her, encourage her to come willingly. It is always easier to help someone who does not feel cornered.”
Tay looked back to T’Lul.
“And if you become more concerned, tell me. You do not need to wait for permission to be worried.”
A faint, warm softness touched her expression.
“We will take it from here.”
"I am Vulcan," T'Lul answered. "I do not worry. That is an emotion and as I am certain that you are aware, Vulcans do not experience such things," she replied definitively. "The information that I provided to you was based upon logical crew safety concerns. I can accept being wrong, if my conclusions were incorrect. It will only further my studies on emotions."
For a moment, Tay only looked at her.
Then the corner of her mouth softened, not quite a smile, but close enough to suggest she had heard more than the words.
“Of course,” she said gently. “Logical crew safety concerns.”
She picked up the PADD and entered the note with careful discretion, leaving the counsellor’s confidence intact and the medical trail clear enough to follow.
“If your conclusions are incorrect, then Ensign Cromwell will have had a precautionary medical evaluation and you will have gained more data. There are worse outcomes.”
Tay looked back to T’Lul, warmth still quiet in her expression.
“And if your conclusions are correct, then you may have prevented a small concern from becoming a larger one.”
She inclined her head.
“Thank you, Counsellor.”
T'Lul replied, "You are welcome. Please keep me informed as much as you are able."
Commander Tayanita Lio'ven
Chief Medical Officer
Deep Space 5
Lieutenant T'Lul
Chief Counselor
Deep Space Five
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