*** CMO's Office * USS Chimera *** Athena sat in Rangi's office. She was shaking off the last remnants of her trance that linked her with the injured men. She looked a little pale yet but otherwise in good condition. Rangi entered the room to find Athena, eyes closed,sitting on a chair nearest the door. She gave a small smile as she went in and asked "How're you feeling?" thinking that the counselor looked very pale. "Fine," she said without openning her eyes. "How are your patients," Athena asked. Rangi walked to her desk and half sat on the edge of it, slightly to one side of Athena. "They're doing well. " she said "Jascar and Longser will be released tomorrow.Lt Richards will have to stay a while longer.He took more of the force than the others." Athena finally opened her eyes and that distant unreachable look was gone. She looked at Rangi and asked, "Is he resting more comfortably now?" Athena had to break the connection between her and Rob. She felt it only right to give him the privacy he had so desperately wanted. before she could feel his peace. Rangi answered.."Yes..he's had some pain but its better..and he's sleeping now." She wondered at the tone of Athenas voice when she had asked the question. "Athena?..may I ask you something?...How did you know Rob wanted to talk to me?" Athena knew that occasionaly her abilities made people a little leary so she tried to go for a logical response first. "He told me so the other day when we were talking," She said simply. Rangi nodded and looked down at her shoe."He's wanted to for some time." she said and meeting Athenas gaze added. "I think he said all he wanted to just now." Athena shifted in her chair a bit. It sometimes made her uncomfortable with how easily she got away with skimming the surface of the truth. She cleared her throat a little and noticed how dry it was. She was sure she had a glass of water in her hands before her connection. {Did I drop it?} She looked to see if it was sitting on the desk but not seeing it forced her to ask, "Did you happen to see where I set my ice water?" " Errr..no..." said Rangi looking around. "I'll get you another.She walked over to the replicator and requested the drink. As she waited Rangi said."He was asking for you..." "Who,"she asked already knowing the answer. Athena didn't meet Rangi's gaze but she didn't alter her face or body language in a way other than this being a normal day. Rangi handed Athena the glass and smiled, not fooled by her admirable display of innocence. "Rob....he said your name.." Athena nodded and took a couple of sips of the icy liquid letting it slide down her throat to dampen what seemed to be a desert. "I'll see him later after he's had some rest," she said matter of factly. She took a couple more sips as she watched Rangi over the edge of the glass. There was a faint smile about Rangis eyes and lips. "He'll be glad of that I'm sure." she said feeling convinced now that Athenas interest in the Lt was more than that of just counselor and patient. Athena took a couple more swallows of water and then put the glass down on the table. "Unless you need me to help out some more here, I think I'll get going. I have some work that I need to complete yet," Athena said. She then took a second or two to collect herself before she stood. The fact that she hadn't eaten anything in nearly 15 hours was not lost on her when she did this. "Sure you're alright?" Rangi asked seeing the slight 'sway' as Athena stood up. * Athena closed her eyes for a second and then opened them. "Yes, I guess I just get distracted by my work and such, because it just occurred to me that I haven't had anything to eat since the late lunch I had yesterday." Athena gave Rangi a small smile and then added, "Maybe I should get something to eat before I go back to work." Rangi smiled agreement.. "You should..definately...13..14 hours?, Thats not wise. Why dont you have a meal and come back later...to see Rob? He should be waking up in an hour or two I'd think." Athena gave a slight nod and then turned to go out of Rangi's office. She paused briefly as she went by Rob's bed and then out of the door to the Sickbay Rangi watched her go. {{You dont fool me!}} she thought to herself smiling and went in search of Shane. *** End Log *** Lt Athena Wellington Counseler USS Chimera & Ltjg Rangi Summers CMO USS Chimera