=/\= Begin Log =/\= Athena had gotten a few curious looks from the bridge crew but nothing else. There was a bit of reluctance to her query of where Shane was, not that she really needed to be told. The body language and covert stares were enough for her. She noticed a few people leaving the room where she was heading and took a deep breath as she entered. Ens. Dexter, who was manning tactical while LtJg. Motmans was at the senior staff meeting gave a questioning look to the officer behind the nearest console. He had been told incredible stories about the counselor, about her fights, escape attempts, bribery and far more. Honestly, LT. Wellington had been a common source for 'spicy' rumours since she left the ship. Shane was still sitting in the 'big' chair at the head of the conference table and thought about the ideas and suggestions he became from the senior staff. The meeting was just over and he expected to have at least a moment just for his own fears and hopes. But of course, someone had to disturb him ... like the conference lounge was a train station ... most probably an ensign with some freaking 'important' report. He looked up at the person entering the room and froze in astonishment. "Lt. Wellington reporting back to duty," she said as she stood looking at Shane. Her cool gaze never shifted and didn't give any indication that there should be any kind of surprise at seeing her. Her expression remained neutral and calm as she took in the feelings that tapped into her senses. This was really a surprise. From all the possible people that could walk through that door at the moment Athena Wellington, the ship's counselor was the least expected. Like a speed train flew the events connected with Athena's mysterious departure from the ship. The bits of things that really happened all the rumours he had heard ... all that made the appearance of Athena in that room probable like a Santa Claus hidden in a closet ... He could not hide his surprise, his eyes widened and his mouth was left slightly open for a second or two. He stared at the beautiful tall woman he met first at Aurora, which was once a superior officer to him and now was one of the crew senior officers. He said no word for a moment, but then hastily stood up from his chair and breathed out: "Athena ..." "Yes," she replied to her name as she waited for Shane to recover from his astonishment. She let her breath out slowly and took another in keeping herself calm as he continued to come to terms with the situation. Shane shook his head like proving that it was really her and not only some fatamorgana. But Athena stood really there, looking at him and (like he immediately realized) guessing him. He knew her for some time now and she was one of the few person which managed to surprise him again and again, but he recognized her pose where she was trying to appear neutral and tried to guess the other person for feelings and reactions. "I am very glad to see you Athena" he finally managed to say and offered his hand to the tall lady clad in teal uniform. He was really glad about that, that revealed the tiny smile on his lips and for the moment he forgot the mysterious (and most probably not fully legal) circumstances surrounding Athena's leaving. Athena extended her hand and gave Shane a small smile of her own. "How are things with you," she said. It was a light conversational question that she frequently asked him when she knew he needed to talk things out. She could feel his frustration and hoped that talking would help. She also hoped the familiar question would reassure him as well as make him forget her sudden appearance and anything else he might have heard. "Please take place" he said and pointed to a nearby seat. "Generally well, at the moment terrible" he replied her with the slightest grin on his face. He had still his head full of the meeting and the current ship's situation. The familiar face of the ship's counselor had just the effect as Athena (maybe) hoped. "Rangi is missing for several hours, Bretam insisted to lead an away team to the station and now they are missing as well. Freaking aliens popping up out of nowhere and mysterious alien artifacts installed on the ship. How would you take such a situation?" he asked suddenly. Athena thought about what he said and some of the things she had been sensing since arriving on the ship. She answered carefully, "I think you're managing quite well. If it were me I'd be concerned, frustrated and hopefully that the Captain would be back soon to take over so I could do my job." Athena cleared her throat a bit and they both got drinks as they chatted for a while longer about how insistent Keylor had been about going and other things. ===== Some time later ===== But not even all the joy at seeing Athena safe and sound back on the ship could over ride the fact that Shane was the XO. Now that the meeting pleasantries were over an ugly thought skipped in his mind. His facial expression went a bit more serious. He leaned a bit in Athena's direction and looked in her face. "Athena, can you please tell me how it really was with your leaving?" he asked, "I've heard many things but I would prefer to hear the truth directly from you" he continued. "I'm sure many colorful things have been said about me," she said as she thought about the highlights she would tell him. "Well, I left against doctor's orders and I dodged starbase security, but I don't think it was a big priority to find me. I eventually stowed away on another ship and when it reached its destination I convinced an old man that I was on a secret mission and had to make it here." She paused for a few moments and then added with a wink, "And I left a trail of broken hearts behind me." Shane shook his head: "No, you didn't do that, did you?" he asked in disbelief. Athena didn't think what she had said was all that unbelievable after all she did leave out a couple of the other colorful things she did to find out where the Chimera had gone to. "Sure I did. Shane, do you really doubt it," she asked with innocence. Shane had a bit of a puzzled expression on his face. "How is it then possible for you being back here on the Chimera?" he asked, "If all is true what you have said, you should be most probably in some" he hesitated to say it ... "custody, or not?". He leaned a bit backwards into his chair awaiting Athena's reply. Sure, he knew that Athena was never too keen to follow all the fleet directions and protocols, but she never overstepped THE line ... {until now?} "Well, I think Lt. Richards said I should be in the brig and I'm sure he'd be happy to follow that order. If that's what you want," she said seriously. Her gaze never wavered and remained calm as she waited for his reply. She knew returning to the ship wouldn't be easy and she should be thankful it was Shane and not Keylor because that probably would be more difficult and definitely would have ended with her in the brig. Well, maybe not but it would be a bigger concern. Shane hadn't heard the name of 1LT. Richards for some time now and he was thankful of that. But with Athena back on the ship, it was quite probably that Richards name will be spoken more often once again. Just the thought that he wanted Athena in a brig cell tempted Shane to do just the opposite. {Allergic reaction?} he asked himself. Slowly Shane began to summarize all the facts Athena told him about the events around her leaving. If Shane should behave strictly according pure logic like LT. Storok for example, Athena would be already on her way for a nice little stay in the ship's brig. {Orders disrespect, attacking of an SF officer ...}. It was really quite surprising that there was no security team chasing her already ... She could tell that Shane was thinking things through and felt conflicted between a couple of his thoughts but she remained silent letting him take all the time he needed. His continued silence was beginning to make her feel a bit anxious. Quietly she asked, "Is there anything I can do to help?" She shivered as something tingled along her senses. As the officer in charge, Shane was supposed to decide quickly and with justice and act professionally while treating a fellow crewmember. {But to hell ... that's Bretam's job ... not mine} he thought. Noticing the shiver that ran through Athena's body he hesitated for a moment while realizing that Athena's telepathic abilities could be of great value in the current situation. Not replying to her question he asked back: "What is Athena? Do you sense something?" She shook her head slightly and said, "Every once in a while I sense that there is an extra being around. Sometimes it feels close, but yet still far away." She thought silently for a moment before she said, "I haven't been on board hardly long enough to pinpoint what it is yet." Shane nodded: "I understand" After a small pause he said: "I could really use your help here Athena. The situation is severe and I need all the help I can get. If you could help us to localize the aliens and even try to communicate with them, that would be of an extreme value. I know I am asking quite much so i wont order it ... its up to you to decide if you want to try it or not" "I don't believe I have ever not helped when called upon whether its been ordered or not," she replied feeling more comfortable than she had for a while. She felt like she was home and with family. Those familiar feelings prompted her to say, "And yes I am quite myself." Aye, you are right ... that was an old, silly and easy to guess trick ... but Shane's mind was blank enough to force him to use it. He wanted to know if it was really the Athena he knew ... a fellow crewmember always willing to help regardless the risk, or if Athena hasn't changed to the worse in her absence. As she passed his little test he smiled a bit: "Very well Athena, thank you. I can do that on a temporary basis only, but I'll grant you the position of the ship's counselor back. Until the Colonel says otherwise you won't be arrested and are back to active duty. But I have to inform him once he's back on the ship." He said. "I understand," she replied with a smile. With a broad smile he said: "Welcome back Athena". He stood up from his chair and said: "Please work with Science and tactical if needed" "I will If I need to, but maybe I should just let the crew get use to seeing me around for a little bit first." She smiled as she stood to go out the door. "As I've been told too often before:'Do what you know and whatever way you want, just make it work'" He smiled back and said: "See you later then" She gave a bright smile and replied, "Always," as she walked out the door. ===== End of log ===== LT. Athena Wellington Counselor USS Chimera & LtCmdr. Shane Guzman Executive Officer USS Chimera