(Part two) ===== Four aces bar, Starbase Kinsi ===== The question took Rangi by surprise. She watched the cue strike the billiard ball with a sharp 'click' and waited until Martin straightened up from the shot before she answered. "We've known each other for nearly..three years now. I arrived on Aurora shortly after he did." Her grey eyes met Martins gaze directly. "I dont think I charmed him away from Athena. " she said with open honesty. "There was an instant attraction between us two." She paused for a moment, lifted her chin slightly and said quietly: "I love your brother very much........and he loves me." Martin seemed to be not so sure about that then Rangi, but he thought better of extending the subject. He knew from experience that women tend to hold on things they believe in ... and telling them otherways ... often does have little effect. Smiling his boy-ish way Martin said: "I always said that Shane is the more luckiy from us two" Rangis serious expression was replaced by a wide welcoming smile that for a moment lit her face with undisguised happiness.She glanced back at Martin and the smile faded. "Shanes here" she said. Martin looked at a distant point behind Rangi and then closed his eyes for a second, while taking a deep breath. {Of course} he thought, {just as it begins to be interesting the cavalery shows up}. Turning around his expression changed to the Polite Nr. 4 and he replied to Rangi: "Yup, there he is ... like a small graviton wagon but it seems that he has a gift for you." Rangi turned back to see Shane weaving his way towards them between the tables. Martins tone surprised her for it seemed to her that he somehow held dislike for his brother. {No..thats too harsh a word} she told herself, watching Shanes progress. He looked across the crowded room and caught her eye.She beamed a smile to him and the doubts Martin had raised sank back into the deepest corner of her mind. A broad smile appeared on Shane's face as he noticed Rangi next to the billiard table. She was pretty as always and Shane was eager to tell her about the quarters in the VIP area he graged out of the station's OPS and to give her the flower he's got from Secombe's. His smile lessened a bit as he noticed his brother Martin not too far away from her. Martin of course noticed the short glance Shane gave him and shook his head slightly in an innocent manner. Now was not the right time for any troubles ... at least till he had the nice quarters from Shane. Shane now turned his attention to Rangi and said: "Hello Rangi my love. I am glad you are back ... and as I see, there is company with you". Handing her the red flower he added: "A beautifull flower for a beautifull lady" Rangi accepted the offered flower with a smile. "Thankyou sweetheart." she whispered and reached up to kiss Shanes cheek. The flower was indeed beautiful. Rangi lifted it and bent her head to smell its perfume. "Thats wonderful!" she exclaimed. "I've never seen one of these before and its perfume is..." she sniffed again."..divine." Glancing at Martin and back to Shane she explained. "Martin and I have been trying a game of billiards. He won" she added with mock severity. Shane smiled at Rangi and asked pretending to be serious: "Hmmm ... what was the bet?" Turning to Martin he said: "I hope you havent played for a quiet dinner for two?" In his tone was something unusual ... maybe some sort of disgust? Or even warning? Martin smiled pretending to take it as a joke: "Dont worry brother, the one who is inviting Rangi to a meal is you ..." Though the replies were jokingly said it didnt take an expert to notice the undercurrent that passed between the brothers.Rangi looked from to the other then down at the flower she held. She lifted it to enjoy its perfume once more and linked her arm with Shane. "If I won I was to choose a prize" she explained. ".. but if your brother was the victor he wanted to know all about you and Chimera" Shane nodded and smiled with relief. Glancing at Rangi he asked: "SO ... I take it you told Martin all the spicy things that happened for the two years, didnt you?" Rangi dropped her gaze for a moment."We hadnt got that far" she said and looked at Shane with a soft smile touching her lips. Martin saw the battle as a loss and for this time he choosed an retreat. He gave the couple in front of him a warm smile and said: "All right you two love birds, time to go for me." He looked at the small chrono on his wrist and added: "Business calls ..." "We must try this again." Rangi said indicating the billiard table. "..But next time I might ask your brother to take my place." Martin nodded: "Its a deal. You against me Shane" Shane nodded back: "Like old times" Martin replied looking at Shane: "Exact" Waving to them he said: "See you soon" and left the bar with long and steady paces. Shane turned back to Rangi and said: "Again only mine ... arent you Commander?" A light grin appeared on his face. Rangi looked up into the face she loved, feeling the familiar warm glow of happiness as she did so. "You dont need to ask it." she replied. ===== End Log ===== Commander Shane Guzman XO USS Chimera & LtCmdr Rangi Summers CMO/2XO USS CHimera & Martin Guzman XO's brother (npc) Shane