*** Arboretum USS Chimera *** {Finally!} thought Shane after the end of his shift. Now he was really tired ... the role of an XO cost him more energy than he thought. He had sweept the ship from up to down twice this day, talked with almost all department heads and writen 3 reports ... and that demanded its price. But now he was wearing a smile as he headed towards the newly opened arboretum. It was the place Rangi and he agreed to meet after duty. Rangi had ended her shift, returned to her sparsley furnished quarters, showered and changed and now headed along the corridor towards the turbo lift smiling to herself. "Deck 11" she said as the doors closed. {At last I can have Shane to myself} she thought hugging herself with happiness. Shane stood in the entrance of the arboretum and looked around himself. The arboretum was quite small, even tiny in comparison to the one on the legendary Enterprise... but the Chimera was an Interpid class vessel and even the fact that it had one was almost a miracle. It was a miracle how the science staff managed to create such a nice place in that short time and with that limited supplies. Several different trees on his right and a small lake with bushes and water plants on his left. He could not see more from here, but he half expected to see a garden full of flowers in the back part of the arboretum. Turning his head from left to right, he was looking for Rangi. {{Theres even a water fall!}} she smiled as she approached the small stream at the point it ran over rocks into a still pool some six or seven feet below. She stood near the edge and looked down watching the cascade become still water. Seeing at first no-one, Shane continued with a slow walk around the room. At the back wall, he noticed someone standing and looking with interest at the water fall what was the highlight of the arboretum. It was a woman, a pretty and lovely woman, radiating an aura of happiness. It was Rangi. Walking quietly, Shane tried to approach her without her noticing him. Rangi leaned forward the better to see into the depths of the pool. She wondered if there were fish deep down.She saw her own reflection and smiled as another figure appeared in the ripples beside it. She turned and looked up."Sweetheart" she whispered and beamed a smile that was full of love and happiness. Shane didnt reply but hugged her gently and kissed on her lips. Only when their lips parted he whispered: "Milacik ... I am so glad you are here". He wanted to feel her entire body so he lifted her from the ground on his arms and smiled at her. "What would you say to a little bath with me my love?" and made a step closer to the lake. Rangi gripped him tight and gasped. "No!" She laughed shaking her head "Put me down." Shane grinned at her: "Right here?" he asked innocently pointing with his head down ... into the water. The final step took them just inside the lake. There was not much water there ... maybe some feet, but enough for having all cothes wet. She clung to him, trying to make herself as small and as far away from the water as she could be. "Go back!" she implored him "Shane...dont you'll drop me!!" Shane nibbled at her ear and whispered: "You always told me that you like water my love, dont you?". "Not in the middle of a park no!" she said still clinging to him like a limpet on a ship and twisting her head to avoid being nibbled. It was difficult to do and her movement made him stagger a step or two. With a soft laugh Shane resigned: "All right Milacik, please stop or we will both end in the water" he said and pretended stumbling over his own feet ... with Rangi in his arms ... he almost REALLY stumbled. She screwed her eyes tight shut and buried her head against his neck, expecting any moment to be plunged into cold water. Instead he dropped her not too gently , onto the grassy bank and sat down beside her. She grinned at him."Shane Guzman.." she began looking at him with a pretended threatening manner."What shall I do with you?" Shane could not hide a smile: "Love me all the time?" he asked innocently. He stroked her hair gently and kissed her lighty again. Sitting just behind her, he leaned his right hand around her back and asked: "How was your day love?" Tilting her head back to look at him she smiled and turned back to the pool."Oh not too bad...the environmental controls went mad and cooked a few things...but apart from that it was fine.What about you?" She bit her lip and asked quietly, already knowing the answer, "Did you have your medical check?" Rangi asked just that question Shane didnt want to speak about. But from the tone of her voice and the look she gave him, Shane realised that she was aware of Steve ... and most probably about the tension between the two men as well. What was strange was that she hadnt warned him whom he had to expect in Sickbay. Looking at her for a moment he replied: "It was ...lets say ... surprising. Guess whom I have met down there in your department? ... Steve DeSoto ..." Rangi sighed."I know" she said and twisted round to face him. "I was going to tell you but hadnt time. I had NO idea he was coming. Bob Jones was sent home and all I knew was that there would be a replacement. You could have knocked me down with a feather when Steve walked into my office." She looked at him trying to judge how he felt. "Aha" Shane said simply considering the whole thing. He thought about Rangi now ... and about the things Steve told him back on Aurora long ago about them both. Right, Rangi told him once what Steve means nothing to her ... but you know, a tiny worm of doubt is still present. {No ... she loves me} he thought {she would never hurt me ... never} he tried to convince himself. Rangi reached up and touched his face."Its not a problem is it?" she asked. "Steve was just as surprised to find me here. I gave him the chance of a transfer but he said he wanted to stay...he promised me he will work well with my team...and I think he will..sweetheart...is it a problem for you?" She felt a stab of fear. In the past she had hurt him so much because of Desoto. It gripped her whenever she thought of it. "Shane?" She was so pretty and lovely ... three months ago, now ... ever. An angel in human form, the fullfilling of his dreams. He would give her all his love, but sometimes he felt that she earned more then that. The familiar fear of her leaving him appeared for a moment. Still without saying a single word he leaned to her and hugged her gently. "No my love, Steve is no problem for me. If you think he will be all right ... I'll think the same." he whispered. He leaned a bit away .. so that he could see her eyes. "Rangi?", he started, "I just want you to know that all I want is you to be happy ... whatever" he said quietly. She was worth it ... she was worth everything ... "I am happy...more than happy.." she whispered."I want nothing more than to have you hold me close and tell me you love me. Thats all I want...nothing more than that." She reached towards him. Shane beamed a warm smile at her and held her close. "I love you Rangi Summers" he said smiling broadly. Stroking her gently he continued: "I am happy with you too my love ... and I wish it would never change" Moving a little to one side, she snuggled against him, her arms around him and her head agaist his shoulder. "When we were apart.." she told him.."..When i didnt know where you were or what you were doing...I used to lay awake at night sometimes and think of you...all the things you said to me...all the things we did...it was magic ..those times...and to be without you was...I dont know, theres no word to explain it. You mean the world to me...you know that dont you?" Shane hugged her again: "Thats very sweet from you my love. I dont want you to lay sleepless in the night or being unhappy for whatever reason ... I want you to fill my world and create a common world of us two. I can promise you that I'll be with you ... whatever will happen." He heard her sigh and she smiled, her head still against his shoulder. "What do you dream of?" she asked "tell me..." Shane remained silent for a minute: "A good question my love. I dream about many things ... but if you think about what I desire most, then its a woman I could make happy, home under the stars, work that I would love and a family that would give my life a real reason to live." He looked at Rangi and asked the same: "What about you my love?" Raising her head and meeting his gaze she smiled softly. "You know what I dream of.." she said. Shane smiled and kissed her forehead: "Its late and I am tired from the day, maybe you could spare the poor XO the thinking ... it hurts ..." "Hmmm...." she looked down at his hand holding hers and smiled. "My poor XO.." she said looking back at him "I could show you I suppose...to save you thinking..." *** End Log *** Lt Shane Guzman XO USS Chimera & Ltjg Rangi Summers CMO USS Chimera