=/\= Begin Log =/\= Rangi leaned forward in her seat to watch the StarBase slip away. It hadn't been that long since she first arrived there but so much had happened in such a short time. Leaning back in her seat, she closed her eyes and sighed. {Another 'new beginning' } she thought and a smile grew on her face.{..and Shane is there...already.} Athena was always amazed by the number of people they could shove on a shuttle when they wanted them to get moving. Many thoughts flitted about her mind with everyone so close. She sat down in the first empty seat she saw and began to clear her mind of all thoughts. Some were easier to get rid of then others, but she had just about put herself in a place where there were no disturbances as they pulled away from the station and it grew smaller as the distance increased. {When did I last eat?} thought Rangi sitting up straighter in her seat. She glanced around and took a second look at a figure sitting opposite and a little to the front of her own seat. She leaned forward and back to see around other passengers and smiled to herself as she recognized the figure. She stood up and not without difficulty, made her way towards the counselor. "Hello again," she said smiling down at Athena "I'm going to get a drink...can I bring you anything?" Athena answered without opening her eyes. "No, I'll come with you." She opened her eyes and stood up in one smooth movement. She smiled at Rangi at least there was a familiar face among the many that she didn't know. Rangi led the way, squeezing past people and luggage. "Excuse us?"....."May we get past?"..."sorry!"...Finding a space at last, she turned and waited for Athena to emerge from the crush. "Why do people get so cross when they travel?" she asked with a smile and added "Are you hungry, thirsty or both?" Athena found her way and gave Rangi a shrug. "People of every species seem to get upset when traveling. Maybe its just too different from there routine." She sighed quietly as a large man jostled her. "Just thirsty, thanks." Rangi moved to the front of the queue at the replicater. "A glass or ice water," she ordered for herself and turning to Athena asked, "...and for you?" "Ice water is fine for me as well." She smiled as they waited for their order to appear. Taking a glass each they made their way to one of the viewing ports. Rangi sipped the icy cold water and looked out. "Its so beautiful isn't it?" she said quietly. "It never fails to.." She turned to Athena and smiled."...astonish me I was going to say." Athena let the icy liquid slide down her throat and hoped it would cool her off some. She smirked as she looked out of the view port, "There are many things that astonish me." {Like the human brain and other things as well.} Rangi followed her gaze and said nothing, drinking the cool water and 'losing' herself in the changing space outside. She was aware that Athena had spoken to her and turned to apologize. "I'm sorry...I was 'off in a dream' what did you say?" "Nothing important," she smiled. "I think I'll go back and fins a seat and see if I cant get some sleep before we get there." Rangi nodded "Good idea." She looked across to her own seat but saw it already taken. She shrugged. "I'll curl up here instead," she said indicating the viewing window and a narrow seat running its length. "Perhaps see you later." Athena nodded as she looked around. Her seat was full and the only other seat she saw was a spot further down but still near the view ports. Athena walked down to the seat and looked out the port as she cleared her mind to go to sleep. Rangi settled into the window seat, her back lodged into the corner between the window and the wall, her arms wrapped around her legs, chin on her knees, watching the stars passing. Her mind began to wander over recent days and, not for the first time, found herself trying to imagine the two women Shane had mentioned ... both of whom he had said he loved. It gave Rangi an uncomfortable feeling. She altered her position slightly. {And why does he think that Rob and I would ever be together again?} she wondered. {Why can't he trust what I tell him?} Rangi stood up and stepped a few paces to try to see where Athena had gone. "Are you asleep?" she asked quietly a moment later not wanting to wake her. "Athena?" Athena remained silent even though she heard the question, but at the sound of her name she answered, "No, I'm awake." She still kept her eyes closed though. She knew that she was far enough along in her relaxation exercises that if she opened her eyes right now they would seem transparent. "Is there something you want to talk about?" She let her eyes slowly open as she listened for Rangi's response. Rangi took a deep breath. "Not talk about exactly..no " she said slowly " I know you have patient confidentiality and so on...but I wondered...when you've spoken to Rob....does he ever....did he...." she stopped, looked away, decided to come right out with it and turning back asked "What did he say about me?" Athena could see and feel her concern. "I'm sorry," she patted the spot next to her for Rangi to sit down, "but, I really can't say." She thought for a moment, "Let's just say that he's had a change of heart." It was cryptic, but about all she could get away with everything considered. Her eyes held compassion and understanding for Rangi, and somehow gave nothing of herself. It was a quality that many found unsettling. Rangi smiled and sat down. "I know you couldn't answer that...neither would I in your place..I shouldn't have asked you." She paused and gave Athena a considering look. "Its just that...sometimes..I think .. that Shane ...well...he seems to think that Rob and I might..." She stood up, regretting ever broaching the subject. "Please forget I mentioned it," she said. "It doesn't matter." Athena smiled and tried to ease the doctor's mind a bit. "I've never got the feeling that you wanted to be around Rob. And, Rob isn't looking through rose colored glasses anymore. Does that help you a bit?" She paused a few moments and then continued, "Shane, will have to come to his own conclusions and I'm sure they'll be the right ones." Rangi didn't reply. { 'Rob has had a change of heart....isn't looking through rose coloured glasses any more.'} She wondered if Athena was the reason for this change. Resuming her place beside the counselor she said in a friendly voice, completely changing the subject.."So..I wonder what the Chimera holds for us." Athena didn't give any indication that she noticed the abrupt subject change. She closed her eyes and said, "Untold mysteries and fortune." =/\= End Log =/\= LtJg. Rangi Summers CMO USS Chimera & Lt. Athena Wellington Counselor USS Chimera