=/\= Begin part 2 =/\= Her office was an almost impersonal place but here was different. He glanced around the living area which was decorated in various shades of blue. Athena asked him to excuse her for a few minutes and walked through to the bedroom. He watched her go then turned and sat in a comfortable arm chair, smiling to himself. He was no designer of rooms, had no interest in 'balance' and 'harmony' but just the same he knew a little. Rangi had lectured him often enough in the time they had been together, planning their home. So, it was that which caused the smile as he recognized the 'relaxation' of blue and the 'warmth' of the bedroom colors he glimpsed through the doorway. "The more red the color...the more passionate the nature," Rangi had told him. He wondered if in this case it was true. Athena went into her bedroom and freshened up a bit she returned to the living room wearing a simple red dress of a knit material. It hung in straight lines but away from her body. Unlike the workout clothes that looked like a second skin the dress seemed to be much more carefree. She smiled at Rob and asked, "Can I get you something to drink?" She headed toward the replicator to get herself some ice water. He looked her up and down smiling again at his recent thought. Nodding he said.."Sounds good...Athena...I didn't mean to upset you back there...like you said..an 'off day'." She was quiet as she ordered ice water for both of them. She carried them over to the coffee table setting one down in front of Rob and the other in front of her and then sat down on the sofa. "Don't worry about it," she finally said. She had left her hair down and a ringlet of hair fell into her face covering one of her eyes. Rob watched her sit and feeling that somehow he owed her more of an explanation and said quietly, "After that time on Aurora...you know...when Rangi fainted clean away? ..well, I saw her today. I was going to tell her.." he paused frowning at the glass of water in front of him. {What was I going to tell her?} he picked up the glass and took a swallow, grimacing at the taste of it. "I was going to tell her...that..." He looked at Athena and blurted out.."I was going to tell her that I know its finished and can't ever begin again." He dropped his gaze and concentrated on the table leg. "..But it didn't get said..." he added quietly. Athena knew how hard it was for him to say that to anyone. "Well, I think it did just get said," she quietly told him. She paused for a few minutes and then continued, "but if you really want Rangi to hear the words.... I can arrange a meeting in my office and you can tell her." She picked up her own glass and took several sips as she watched him carefully. He looked up at her quickly "With you, you mean?" he smiled and shook his head "No...I don't think so." The smile faded. He picked up his glass, thought better of it and replaced it on the table. "I'll tell her myself...sometime..." he took a deep breath and released it. "She's so....I don't know...defensive all the time." He met Athena's eyes. "It wasn't always this way.." Athena sighed softly, "I'm sure it wasn't always this way. And actually I only meant to be in the room when you both arrived, I can step in here while you both talk. It might allow Rangi to feel more at ease to know that someone is close and still give you the privacy you need to tell her what you need to tell her." Athena got up and moved to the door that was only a few feet from the sofa and opened it. "Wouldn't Rangi feel more comfortable if she knew I was on the other side of this door sitting on the sofa if called upon." She paused and brushed the hair out of her face before saying, "of course you'll be in there with that ink blot you hate so much." Athena paused for a bit and then pulled the door closed. She turned her back to him and concentrated on letting go of the stress that was starting to ache at the back of her neck. "I don't know...that makes it too....professional somehow. Its between me and her." He stood up and stepped towards Athena. "I told you about it..." he gave a slight laugh" I don't know why I told you about it!" He stood close behind a little to one side but unable to see her face properly. "Athena?" Athena turned her head to face him and her hair fell forward covering one eye again. She didn't say anything for a couple of minutes and then she said quietly, "I understand." Not only were the words out of her mouth quiet but they were cool and confident and very businesslike as though she was separating herself from what was going on around her. =/\= End part 2A =/\= Lt. Athena Wellington & 1Lt. Rob Richards apb LtJg. Rangi Summers