*** Shuttle Bay * USS Chimera *** Shane watched the shuttle with Bretam leaving the ship and thought about all the trouble and responsibility that was now lying on his shoulders. He only slowly realised that he just became the Acting Captain. And even when temporary only, till Bretam returns from his LOA, it was still something Shane didnt counted with.He looked at the PADD Bretam gave him. It contained a copy of his request for the LOA and the orders for Shane to take charge of the ship. He shook his head slightly, but the content of the PADD remained the same. Bretam was away ... he was left in charge. *CMO office* The door slid closed behind Scott and Steve and Rangi turned back to her work. A small smile lay on her lips as she skirted her desk and sat down on her chair. {That all went remarkably well!} she told herself, { ..I'm getting quite good at this!!} She lifted a padd from the top of the waiting pile and activated it. {Need a drink...} she thought, stood up and moved to the replicator. Indecision. {Juice or hot chocolate...juice?..no...yes..no....} She sighed "Apple juice...chilled" Shane walked aimlessly for several minutes, not sure what to do next. He had to inform the crew about Bretam's leave, but he was not sure how. He knew that every single member on board payed the General great respect and noone will be happy about him being away from the ship. Shane was not sure about the crew's reaction with him as acting Captain, especially some of the marine crew were never happy about the naval XO and now would be even less about the naval ACO. That was an issue that needed to be addressed soon and directly. But first Shane had to do what every officer in charge should so immediately after getting command ... appoint his second in command. The choice was clear. +TAPS+ Guzman to Summers. Rangi, please meet me in the Captain;s ready room in 10 minutes." "Rangi, sipping her cool drink, was mildly surprised by the call. She acknowledged it at once, wondering why she was summoned to the Ready Room.She checked the staff rota and put a call through to the AMO on duty. "I'll be in the Captains Ready Room if you need me." she said, waited for the answer then left her office, heading quickly for Sickbay exit. All was quiet on the Bridge when she arrived and seeing both the CO and XO chairs were unoccupied, thought that General Bretam needed to see the 2XO as well. She tapped lightly on the ready room door. Shane arrived at the Bridge wearing a somewhat troubled facial expression. LT. Foster was behind the OPs console as well and now looked with an unspoken question at the XO. He could not miss the information that the Captain's yacht left the ship ... with one Bajoran bio signature on board. There were no detective skills required to guess who was on board the yacht. Tactical, manned with 1LT. Acheson was sure aware about the yacht as well ... {I soon must tell the crew or rumours will spread like a fire soon} he thought. Shane said no word as he passed the mentioned officers and went inside the ready room. Not long after the XO, LtCmdr. Summers, ship's 2XO entered the Bridge and headed for the ready room. That could not be a coincidence. The Ready Room's door opened and Rangi went in. Shane looked at Rangi and stood from the chair he was sitting in. It was Bretam's chair ... and Shane felt quite uneasy there. "Hello Rangi, I am sorry to call you in such a haste, but there is something I need to tell you." He handed her the PADD with the orders to read. He turned backwards and looked through the window at the stars. Rangi was mystified and glancing quickly around the room for signs of the General, took the Padd and read it. She looked up at Shane and realized now why his tone had struck her as strange.She watched him for a moment as he stood staring out at the passing stars and walking slowly towards him, said quietly "Acting Captain?....Shane?...." and waited for him to turn around. Shane turned around, facing Rangi again. He looked in her grey eyes searching for her thoughts. From all the officers on board he called friends ... Rangi was the closest to him. She was the woman he loved and now seeked support from. He knew that without someone supporting him strongly ... his days as Acting CO would be very short. Rangi looked up at him and saw worry, fear,uncertainty in Shanes eyes. She understood what he was feeling, for who could relish such a sudden and dramatic appointment? Reaching for his hands, she clasped his fingers in her own, gently squeezing them in encouragement. "You'll do this well.." she told him in the same soft voice. "I trust you." Feeling her warm hands on his, Shane sighed in relief. He was not wrong, {Heavens be thank}, he could count with Rangi's support and trust. He gave her a small smile: "Thank you Rangi" he said, "I really appreciate it." He squeezed her hand and went on: "Thats so unexpecting ... and well, I am not sure if I am the right man here ...". "Ofcourse you are." she told him with a small answering smile. "Of 'course' you are...dont ever doubt that." She let go his hands and put her arms around him, hugging him in reassurance.Stepping back a second or two later she asked.."Where has the General gone?..what called him away so suddenly?..I dont understand." Taking a deep breath, Shane tried to put all his concerns back deep in his mind. He stroked Rangi's hair before replying: "To be honest I dont know exactly. He told me that some personal matters are in game. I think he spoke something about his family, but he gave out no details. He didnt say where is he going nor for how long". He glanced at the PADD and continued: "As far I remember rightly, he has family on Bajor so my best guess is that he is on the way there" "Right.." Rangi gave a slight nod of agreement. "Well..he might not be away too long then." She met Shanes eyes as he looked up from the padd and summoned a warmer smile. "This should be a time of congratulation. I know its a shock...but...you're a Captain now..even if only temporarily." Her smile widened. "I'm so proud you..it's a great moment.......isnt it?" she added willing him to agree. A warmer smile appeared on Shane's lips as well. Rangi was right ... and deep in his heart Shane knew it ... he 'wanted' to be the Captain. Maybe not that soon, but Shane was ambitious enough to grasp a chance when there was one. "Thank you Milacik" he said, "you are too kind as ever. I am really a happy man to have you on my side". An evilish fire appeared in his eyes as he went on: "But that means I need now an Acting XO ... anyone springs in your mind for that position?" Relief washed over her as she saw his expression change. Gone was the uncertainty, swept away with the smile he directed at her. Her own smile froze as she registered his words. {Acting XO?} She gave a small forced laugh, her smile widened for a second then died altogether. "Noooo...its doesnt.." she replied suspiciously. Shane laughed slightly and beamed a smile at his beloved: "Rangi my dear, you cant lie. Sure it does and its of course you. It was the General who appointed you as 2XO and I am more than happy with that decision. There are many capable officers on board, but I cant think of anyone else more suitable for that position than you.You did always very well as the chief medical officer and second executive officer and I have full confidence in you as acting executive officer. May it be only temporary, its a position that honours everyone holding it. I am sure, YOU will do great." Now it was Rangis turn to feel her stomach turn over.She looked at him doubtfully and gave a sickly smile. "Thankyou." she said, sounding unconvinced, and looked away. {Acting XO?...me!?...geeeez" She moistoned her lips and turned her face to Shane. "So.." she said trying to sound enthusiastic but not succeeding to any great degree. "....you and me....running a Starship...isnt that great?" Shane grinned at the obvious lack of enthusiasm of his beloved ... she looked like him 15 minutes ago, when Bretam told him about his leave. "If I would believe in such things, I would call it destiny MIlacik" he said. "So what would you suggest to do now my dear XO?" he asked teasingly. "Well...if I was a 'drinking' woman, I'd suggest a large glass of Romulan Ale....but seeing as I'm not..." she looked at him, a mischievious light in her eyes "...I would like to offer the captain a kiss." She grinned at him, though her trepidation wasnt far from the surface. "...and then you must tell the crew." she added seriously Shane beamed a warm smile at his beloved: "I think" he said and paused, "we will do VERY well as command team Milacik". He took a step closer to Rangi and kissed her passionately. "Mmmmm..." she murmured in approval and looked up into his eyes as he lessened his embrace slightly."I see this 'Captain' thing has had a remarkable effect. I'm beginning to hope the General might be away for some time." Shane grinned at Rangi and raised an eyebrow: "Hmmmm ... I hope there still will be some effect lasting even when the Bretam will become an another star in his collar and will be sitting in the CO's chair like a frog on a spring" "Ohhhhh... I hope so!..." she replied, running her finger across his cheek and along his jaw.She looked into his eyes for a long moment, then standing on tip toe reached to kiss his lips again. "I love you. " she told him softly, her lips still touching his and moved to lay her cheek against his shoulder, closing her eyes. {We'll face this together..} she thought and held him closely. "I love you too Milacik" he whispered to her ear. He hugged her one more time before saying: "We have to inform the senior crew now. I dont want rumours around the ship". Softly he get himself away from Rangi and tapped the Comm panel: "Lieutenant Foster, please summon all senior officers to the conference lounge in 30 minutes" Rangi ran her hands through her hair in an effort to tidy it.She met Shanes gaze and they exchanged a smile of mutual reassurance. ***End Log *** Commander Shane Guzman Executive Officer/Acting Commanding Officer USS Chimera & LtCmdr Rangi Summers CMO/2XO/ActingXO USS Chimera