**** Starbase Kinsi **** The Flower Seller stood just inside the doorway of his shop, looking out through the assorted greenery that stood..or wilted..in the window.His fat beringed fingers played with the few coins in his hand as he watched the couple outside. The tall dark haired young man had walked in a few minutes before. Always eager to help a prospective customer (particularly one who obviously couldnt be anything other than an Officer of some standing) Secombe had muttered what passed (for him) as a polite opening gambit. "You want flowers?" he had demanded. The young man had responded with a frown, looking Secombe up and down, taking in the crumpled trousers,grubby shirt ..and unmistakable smell of alcohol. "Yes...I do" he had replied warily. Secombe had glanced outside to where a young woman stood beside two tan holdalls, watching the world pass by. "For her?" he asked, motioning with a tilt of his head towards the window. The customers frown had deepened, but before an answer was given, Secombe had moved away, reached out to a chipped and cracked vase and lifted out a long stemmed orange flower which he had held out wordlessly for inspection. {That's a weed!} the man had thought and had stepped back, hands raised in a gesture of 'Thankyou..I've seen enough and I'm leaving now' Secombe had tossed the flower aside."Not good enough?" he'd asked menacingly. "It was nice..." the man had replied glancing down and eyeing the broken stem "...but I wanted ...." he had paused meeting the flower sellers steely glare "...something...special" "Huh...special!.... Wait there" Secombe had left his customer standing open mouthed at the order and had made his way to the rear of his shop where he had bent down to a battered bucket and selected a small flower, partly opened and so beginning to display deep blue velvet-like petals curled around a centre of silver. The customer had watched Secombes return with a certain amount of distrust. "Phaedra Roseacia" The flower seller had explained holding the flower close in cupped hands."The .....'Giver of Dreams'" he'd added, bending the truth to fit the situation and slowly revealing the treasure he held. The young man stepped forward cautiously to see. "Smell it!" Secombe had commanded, raising the flower higher as his customer had leaned forward uncertainly. The dark haired man had sniffed, looked down at the flower and sniffed a second time, completely amazed at the exquisite perfume the little flower gave out. "Very rare" Secombe had said, hiding a satisfied smile and mentally dismissing the other twenty eight in the bucket. "How much does it cost?" the customer had asked. Secombe had named his price and the young man had laughed aloud. "Take it or leave it.." Secombe had replied with a shrug, turning away........ and clinching the deal. "No...wait...I'll take it!" An hour earlier Shane had greeted Rangi outside his quarters with a warm embrace, holding her close and kissing her hair. He had collected his slightly battered holdall and together they'd set off for the shuttle bay and their planned R&R. "Are you going to tell me about the surprise yet?" Rangi had asked innocently as they walked along side by side. Shane had adopted a teasing 'shocked' expression. "No Milacik...ofcourse not.....how would it be a surprise if I told you?" He had grinned down at her and tapped his finger on her nose. There had been quite a queue waiting for the shuttle. Achesons announcement had caught people by surprise and many who had planned to visit the station later, had decided to go at once. Eventually their turn arrived and Shane had stepped aboard offering Rangi a helping hand.He'd motioned her to find a place and followed her into the craft, taking her holdall along with his own and stowing them in the luggage compartment. Rangi had smiled at him when he finally took his seat beside her, reaching for her hand and clasping it in his own. The short journey had begun without incident and Rangi had watched Shane visibly relax in his seat, thinking that she was glad he had this chance to unwind.His treatment for an inner ear infection had confined him to sickbay for less than a day but in all that time, he had agitated to return to his duties. {But now we have our own time} she had thought, watching Shane close his eyes and smile to himself in happy anticipation. Now he exited the flower shop, beaming at her, pleased with what he had found. "For you sweetheart." he said softly, producing the beautiful flower. "ooooohhhhhhh" she murmured a moment later,smelling the divine scent."Its beautiful...thankyou." She smiled up into his eyes. "Let me fix it for you" Shane said and she tilted her head to one side. He attached the flower to her blouse with a gold pin the flower seller had (surprisingly) provided, concentrating on the task, pleased that Rangi was so happy. "There!" he stepped back returning her smile and touching her cheek with his fingertips.She turned her head and kissed them lightly. "Shall we go?" he asked. Rangi nodded "Yes please." she replied and bent to pick up her luggage. The flower seller turned back into the dim interior of his shop. {Pity they didnt stay outside longer....} he thought {...good for business} *** End Log *** LtCmdr Rangi Summers CMO/2XO USS Chimera & Secombe the Flower Seller (npc) Rangi & Commander Shane Guzman ( by Rangi this time :) )