Commander Rangi Summers Executive Officer USS Chimera NCC 96899-A - Lt Commander Samantha Palmer CONN Officer USS Chimera NCC 96899-A = Christmas Party Sally Schumann was beginning to show the effects of the five glasses of champagne she'd drunk and giggled almost non stop as she danced with CO. She found it extrememly funny that they were both dressed as Elves, though her own costume was in gold. Rangi grinned at Shane when he sent her a 'rescue me?' expression and would have helped him but someone touched her arm and she turned to see father christmas standing besdie her. "Great party" he said, and she recognised Scott's voice from behind the mass of white beard. "Yes isnt it?" she replied, turning to the AMO and leaving Shane to his fate." Can i get you another drink?" he asked. Samantha stirred in her chair and awoke to find Santa Clause standing next to her talking to the XO who was wearing a very tight suit. "Oh, I'm sorry," she interjected, not meaning to interrupt them. They both looked down to her. "I must have dozed off," she said, giving them a slightly lopsided smile. It was clear she was still less than sober. Scott and Rangi exchanged glances."I'm going to get drinks." he said to Samantha. "Can I bring you one too?" "Yes, please," Samantha replied. Rangi looked around for a chair, found one and moved it closer to Samantha's. "Are you ok?" she asked, seeing the slight flush on the commanders cheek and wondering if it was the effect of sleeping. alcohol or the incident with Lt Foster which caused it. "Yes, I'm wonderful!" Samantha assured her, having completely forgotten whatever it was Lt Foster had said to offend her. "I must say this is a wonderful party. My compliments to whomever arranged it. These soft chairs are just heavenly; so much in fact that I keep dozing off in them. Definitely the hour, not the company." Scott glanced at her with an amused expression on his face, having returned with the drinks. The chairs were just normal Starfleet issue seaters, and surely not as comfortable as she made them out to be. "Thank you" Rangi accepted her drink from Scott, watched him hand a second glass to Samantha and one to Mrs Claus who had joined the small group. "Merry christmas to us all" Rangi said raising her glass. "Merry Christmas!" Mercedes cheered, who had just returned from a rather limp dance with Hawk Versey. The alcohol had made her almost hyperactive, and she could hardly sit still while there was music playing. "Merry Christmas and good tidings for the new Chimera," Samantha said, raising her glass to Rangi's. Scott joined in and the four clinked their glasses together. Rangi glanced in Shane's direction, saw that he was persevering in a dance with sally and smiled at those near here. "Its like old times" she said then explained to samantha "..when i was CMO with these three." She felt a little awkward on Samnthas sake being the odd one out so made a move to include her more. "Would you like something to eat?" she asked " Theres loads of stuff here...we'll never eat it all." Scott stood up immediately. "I'll get it." he said..." be right back." "Get some Turkish Delight, please!" Mercedes called after him. "I just love Turkish Delight. It's so soft and sweet and delicious. Almost as delicious as chocolate. I hope he gets some chocolate too... I love the nutty ones. They are so crispy and crunchy. Speaking of crispy! Those pepperment ones are divine! Have you tried them, Rangi? No? You really should. I can eat a whole box all by myself..." She stopped babbling for a second to take a sip from her glass. "I also rather like Turkish Delight," Samantha added, quite surprised that anyone could talk so fast. "I would have liked to know the Chimera in the old days. My specialist position had me traveling from ship to base to ship; it's nice to be part of a family again." Scott's eyebrows rose in surprise, his eyes twinkled amusment over the whiskers and Rangi, recognising the signs of old shook her head and grinned at him."The old ship was like a family" Rangi agreed "...and hopefully this one will be too...with you a part of it." She smiled to Samantha beating back the feelings of slight distrust that still lingered now and then. "I like turkish delight too." she said, "though chocolate takes first place with me." She reached to the tray Scott had brought and selected a small icing covered muffin like concoction. "These are good." she said and offered it to Samantha on a small plate shaped like a snowflake. Scott studied the plate, his hand hovering over each cake in turn. "Mrs Claus...for you!" he said lifting a purple coloured one and beamed at Mercedes. Samantha took the small cake from Rangi and took a bite. "Oh, wonderful," she mumbled with her mouth full. "This reminds me of the wedding cake I sampled when Daniel and I was engaged." "Daniel?" Mercedes asked after tasting the purple confection. "My... late fiancé," she explained, suddenly realising that perhaps it wasn't that wise to have mentioned his name. Glancing at Rangi, a conversation that took place between them a few months ago on the USS Thorn made its way through her way hazy memory. "We were engaged several years ago... on the USS Hyperion, but he died in an unfortunate accident." Scott, with a hasty glance at Mercedes, said quietly "I'm sorry, that's a dreadful thing for you." Rangi too lost the happy mood as samanthas comment killed the fun filled atmosphere like foam smothering a fire. "I remember you telling me." she said, wishing she had never handed Samantha the cake. The sounds of music and laughter, singing and talking went on around them unhindered. It was a strange moment almost surreal, two Santa Claus a skisuited figure and the glittering snow queen, all looking at the crumbs on a plate and thinking about a long dead fiance. Scott was the first to move. he cleared his throat, offered his hand to mercedes and said.. "There are some presents left under the tree...shall we...." he looked at her hopefully. Mercedes was about to protest, but seeing the look on Scott's face she smiled demurely and took his hand. "We'll see you later," she said to the commanders. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to kill the mood," Samantha smiled, taking another chocolate. She was pleasantly surprised to find it filled with orange liquer. "It's ancient history anyway... these things happen. Speaking of which; I hope I'm not prying, but you and the green elf over there seem to make a very happy couple." Rangi was surprised by this reaction and wondered if Samantha was an extremely good actress to hide her true feelings or whether she was a heartless individual to dismiss the tragedy so easily. Deciding the first option was probably true, bearing in mind the conversation they had had before, Rangi looked at the green elf and back to samantha. "We are happy...yes" she said with a soft smile. "We've known each other a while now and..." she stopped, feeling herself treading on uncertain ground and not wanting to rub the fact in that she herself was with the man she loved. "Yes." she trailed off feebly and quickly took a sip from her glass. Samantha smiled slyly, recognising the look in Rangi's eyes as she same look she had before Daniel asked her to marry him. "Well, being happy is the most important part." She took her glass and raised it to Rangi. "And may it always stay that way. To the two of you." A moment's hesitation passed before rangi touched her glass to Samanthas. "Thankyou." she said quietly and sipped the liquid as samantha did the same. Thinking that a change of tack was needed, rangi said. "Thats a lovely outfit." "Thank you," Samantha replied, looking down at her dress. "It took me quite some time to replicate the pieces and put it all together, but I think the end result was quite satisfactory." She felt a yawn come over her and realised that it would probably be a good idea to seek out her bed. "I hope you don't mind, but I think I should say goodnight and get some sleep. I have to fly this ship tomorrow, after all." "Of course not" Rangi replied and stood up as Samantha did. "I'm glad you could come this evening. " she said and gave samantha a friendly smile. "Merry Christmas samantha." She regarded the woman for a moment, then leaned forward and in using the polite conventional gesture of freindship, touched her cheek to Samanthas. She stepped back. "We dont need a helmsman with a hangover" she said making a fun remark but thinking that christmas time was one of the worst to be alone. Samantha smiled at Rangi. "Thank you. Enjoy the rest of your evening, and I'll see you tomorrow then. Good night!" As she walked off, she smiled at Shane who was making his way towards Rangi. Samantha looked forward to her comfortable bed and a good night's rest; luckily her shift didn't start too early. Rangi turned to Shane as he appraoched her, seeing him also look after Samantha. "Is everything alright?" he asked. "Yes fine." Rangi replied."So...are you worn out dancing with the elf?" She smiled up at him but her mind was half with Samantha's comment about Daniel. =