** Main Corridor USS Chimera ** Rangi hurried along the corridor leading to the gangway. She had an appointment with Dr.Wainwright in the Science Department on the Starbase and didnt want to be late. A tall figure, wearing 'off duty' clothes approached from the opposite direction and began to slow his fast walk as he drew near her. "Rangi!" he said giving her a smile. Deep in thought about Major Nejor and his problems, she had taken little notice of those she passed and looked up in surprise to hear her name.She came to a halt as she recognised the man. "Rob.." she said not returning the smile. "How are you?" he asked standing in front of her. "I'm fine..if you'll excuse me..I have an appointment on the base." and she made to move on. "Dont rush off.." he said in an even tone "I want to talk to you." She took a deep breath, glancing away from his face and back again. He gave another small smile. "I know...I said that before...but I do." "Rob..." she began "No fights Rangi...just a talk thats all." "I dont have the time." she said moving away but stopping as he side stepped in front of her. "Make time." he said reasonably "I'm not asking for long..." Rangi shook her head. "I have to be somewhere else and besides...I....I dont want to talk." "Look..I know it got a bit out of hand last time..but.." She gave him an exaggerated expression of surprise."You could say that." she said and immediately wished she hadnt as his smile faded. Rangi took a step backwards. His look was puzzled as a small laugh escaped him. He shook his head. "Why do you do that?" "What?" "Move away from me?...Rangi?" Her words sprang to his memory. "Do I scare you so much?" he asked in a quiet voice. She looked at him warily, her blue eyes troubled. "Do I ?" At a loss as to what to say, he turned as someone walked off the base towards them. He waited until they had passed by. "We have to sort things out." he began again. "I really have to go." she replied taking another back step but moving to one side. "I want to 'talk' to you." he stressed the word and half reached for her arm but immediately dropped his hand as he saw the response the action caused. He looked down at the floor, his expression one of disbelief. "Whats wrong with you?" he demanded. Rangi glanced behind her."Nothing...I told you...I have to go...someones waiting for me...." His mouth drew into a tight line. He nodded with certainty "The XO!" She met his eyes as she answered "No..its not." Rob jerked his head to see a group of high spirited science officers exiting the turbolift. He remet her gaze. "Rangi...I want 'two' minutes of your time...is that asking much?." his voice was low and intense. "We can never 'talk'..it always ends angrily.. I dont want it.." her voice was a loud whisper. "Tell me when you'll see me then!" he said through almost clenched teeth. "Not today." she answered stepping away as the group approached them."Some other time." Short of grabbing hold of her and forcing her to remain with him, there was nothing he could do to prevent her walking off behind the officers. He saw her glance back at him and follow them into the gangway entrance. His mood was such that had the XO been there, Rob would have laid him out cold. *** End Log *** Ltjg Rangi Summers CMO USS Chimera & Lt Rob Richards Ass ODA Comm. USS Chimera (npc by Rangi)