*** Sickbay * USS Chimera *** Athena had been to the seniors officers meeting and finally gotten a bite of something to eat. She walked into Sickbay and noticed it was very quiet, evidently this was a quiet part of the day. She quietly made her way to Robs bed without being noticed. She stood by the bed and watched him sleep for a couple of minutes before brushing some of his dark hair out of his face. He had slept a while but woken in pain. A nurse had administered some 'cocktail' or other which had eased it almost at once. Lying there in the silent room,he had gone over and over what Rangi had said to him and he knew, deep down, that what she had told him was true. But the thought that she would do so much, give up so much for Guzman, still burned into his mind. {{Why him?}} he had thought over and over before sleep had finally claimed him a second time. Now he began to wake, aware of gentle fingers touching his head. He frowned and opened his eyes. Athena gave him a small smile and put her hand back down at her side. "Hi," she said softly, "Are you feeling any better?" "Athena..." he said sounding a little surprised and pleased at the same time."What are you doing here?" He moved as if to sit up but drew in a sharp breath and stayed where he was. "Yes...alot better thanks." She gave him a wink, "Well, rumour has it you asked for me. but, I can always go if you'd rather sleep?" She gave him a smile that reached her eyes. "I'm glad to hear that you're feeling better." "No!..." He reached out and grabbed her arm. "No...I mean..dont go..unless you have to." He smiled up at her releasing her arm when he realised she wasnt going to rush off. Athena pushed her hair behind her ears as she said, "You seem to be more at peace with yourself." She let her fingers rest on the edge of his bed. "Do I?" he asked. "What makes you say that?" He gave her a puzzled look and then another smile. {{You're amazing}} he thought. {{You stand there and I feel...}} "What?" he asked her seeing a change in her expression. Athena closed her eyes and said, "Its nothing." She hadn't been prepared for his thoughts to come through so clearly. She blocked her mind to his thoughts and continued, "What did you want to see me about?" She was speaking in soft soothing tones. He kept his eyes on her face."I..I dont know !." he said with a surprised laugh ,realizing he really 'didnt' know. "I was a bit 'out of it' I think...but you were here...earlier?" As she opened her eyes, his smiled into them. "Yes, I was here helping with some restocking when you all arrived. I stayed and helped." She gave a bit of a shrug, "or at least I hope it was. I couldn't have done too badly; they didn't throw me out." He grinned at her."I'm sure you were essential." he said. Then, looking past her and turning his head in an effort to see other beds asked "Where's Pete and Severin?.. I dont see them..are they ok?" "They were in better shape than you, but I could go and check on them for you if you'd like," she offered. "Think they'll be out of here soon," she added watching to see his reaction and making sure he wasn't making himself too tired. He nodded "So long as they're ok...what was it?...what exploded?..the grenades?" A shadow crossed his face as another thought struck him but he could hardly bring himself to frame the words. "I'm sorry," she said, "I really haven't heard anything about it." She brushed his cheek briefly with her finger tips as if to brush the shadow away. She asked, "What's wrong?," as she let her finger tips fall back to the bed's edge. He glanced back up at her and gave a weak smile. "I was going to ask..how.." His eyes were fixed on hers and he had the feeling that she knew what he was going to say but wanted to hear it in words. "...How the XO is." he finished flatly. "He had some facial burns, but was able to be released after an hour or two of resting." Her hair finally breaking free of her ear fell forward and provided a small curtain to break their eye contact. Reaching up, he gently moved the hair away and remet her eyes.Saying nothing,the back of his fingers touched her cheek for a moment and he waited for her to speak. After a couple of minutes and feeling that she had kept him awake long enough she said, "I should go and let you get some rest." He tried to see what she was thinking by her expression, but it told him nothing. "I 'am' resting."he told her with a small smile."..and...seeing you here..." he didnt finish his words. She gave him an exasperated look and then a smile. "You know what I meant," she chided but didn't move away from his bed. "Is there anything I could get for you?" she asked, not wanting to leave but knowing that she had things she should do. He tried to think of something..anything.. to prolong her stay and frowned as he realized what he was doing. Pushing the thought aside he said "I could do with a drink." She smiled at him and said, "Well, if I bring you water; you won't drink it and I don't want to be joining you here for bringing you a beer." She paused for a few moments, "So, do you have any other suggestions?" "Well apart from having you sit by my bedside holding my hand like some 'Florence Nightingale'...no!!" he grinned at her. "It's nice of you to be here." he added seriously"I...appreciate it." Athena nodded and winked as she said "Wait right here." She walked over to a replicator and ordered two drinks that looked like orange juice. She carried them back to Rob's bed and sat in a nearby chair. She handed him his drink and took a sip of the screwdriver herself. She then laced her fingers with his and asked, "Hows this? I'll stay until your asleep, OK?" Rob looked suspiciously at the glass. {{Orange juice?}} he was horrified at the thought{{First ice water and now juice?}} He smiled at her "Thanks" took the glass, hesitated and took a tiny taste. He grinned, squeezing her fingers slightly."You're an asset to the nursing staff." he said and lay back on the pillows,feeling relaxed and as peaceful as she had suggested. Athena watched as Rob finished his 'juice' and then remained quiet as she finished hers while she held his hand. Several minutes later he was asleep and Athena careful unlaced her fingers and got rid of the incriminating glasses and then slipped out of sickbay as quietly as she had come in. She returned to her office and decided who she would start with to finish up her evaluations. Rob slept for a while. He woke when a nurse came to check on him. He was 'doing well' she told him and added that if he kept up his progress he ''would soon be fit enough to go back on duty.' {{Must drink 'juice' more often!}} he smiled to himself and eased his aching body to a more comfortable position. *** End Log *** Lt Athena Wellington Counselor USS Chimera & !st Lt Rob Richards Asst. ODA Commander USS Chimera (npc..Rangi)