===== Winter Ball/Mess Hall, USS Chimera ===== Part Two.... [Shane looked at Rangi confused about her reaction. Rangi was clearly not in her skin ... there was something on her mind ... omething heavy ... that made her acting strange. Some burden, some trouble. He looked in her blue eyes and asked not stopping to dance: "Milacik, I know that there is something not all right with you. What is it? Is it me or something I did or said?" ] She shook her head and stopped so suddenly that Shane continued dancing for two more steps on his own. "No..its not you...I'm sorry." She couldnt meet his eyes and the concern she saw there so looked down at the floor. "Its just this.." she said a moment later, indicating the satin dress with a sweep of her hand.She met his gaze again with troubled eyes. "You 'have' seen it before...I've only worn it once...it was the first time we had a dinner together...out first evening....and I thought you might....I hoped .." she stuttered to a stop, glanced down at the dress and sighed. Looking up at him again she said. "I hoped you would remember it...and the evening and I..." Ah" ... Shane finally understood why it was that important to Rangi. It was not uncommon that women do remember all the details of the first date. Place, time, clothes ... almost everything. And another not uncommon thing was that men ... dont. Shane luckily remembered that evening fairly well, but no more the exact time or what both of them wore at that evening. He stroked her chin gently and said: "I am sorry Rangi, I havent recognized its actually the same dress ... but what I said its true, you look VERY lovely and I love you very much" "Well I hoped we might relive it." She gave him a weak smile and felt foolish to hear her reason spoken aloud. A faint blush tinged her cheeks. "I know it sounds....over sentimental ... but you 'did' remember it ..you said so ... and you think it looks lovely...so its alright...I'm sorry." She looked away when she saw the beginnings of a smile. Shane started to smile: "Milacik, Aurora is light years away and the only 'restaurant' here is the mess hall, but I bet that I could conjure something nice for food in my quarters. What do would you think if I would invite you for a late dinner?" He looked around himself: "Its quite late, I think we might leave without anyone having a bad blood with us ..." Pleased that he didnt think her foolish she nodded. "I'd like that....I'd like it 'very' much." She squeezed his hand and breathed a sigh of relief. Following where he led, she held his hand as they weaved their way between the crowd.Once outside the mess hall she smiled at him. "I dont think many noticed us leaving.." she said "...and if they did...it doesnt matter." Once outside the busy mess hall, the world seemed to be FAR more quiet ... and private. No senior officers watching the romance of the ACO and the AXO ... no eager junior officers ... always waiting for their chance to do something to gain the ACOs favour .... just Rangi and him. He smiled a bit wicked at his beloved and asked innocently: "Is there something you would prefer for the late supper?" Rangi glanced at him and looked away, glanced back, saw the too innocent expression on his face and her chin trembled as it did when she tried not to laugh. Forcing herself to answer as though his question had indeed been innocent, she looked along the hallway infront of them and said: "Mmmmm...I dont know...something...." She met his eye and failing to hold the laughter replied " ..Spicy perhaps?" Raising an eyebrow, in an vulcan like manner, Shane wondered seemingly: "Spicy? I always thought you like it soft and tender .." Smiling he continued: "But your wish is my order Milacik, we might have it spicy tonight ..." He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it gently. Their eyes met as he kissed her fingers and an unspoken meaning passed between them. Rangi smiled and looked away.Together they began to walk hand in hand along the corridor. After a few steps Rangi freed her hand from Shanes and took hold of his arm instead, leaning close to him.He in turn freed himself and placed his arm around her shoulders. "Shane..." she began after thay had walked a short distance. "....there is something else that bothered me." Shane looked down at the lovely face. He loved this woman, that was sure. It was like a miracle that they two met that long ago on Aurora and stayed since that together. It was like blessing from whoever was watching over single fleeters. He pushed his finger on Rangi's lips. "Shhhhh ... no worries for today Milacik" Rangi looked into his face. "Alright.." she whispered and reached to touch his loved face."...it will keep then." *** End Log *** Commander Shane Guzman ACO USS Chimera & LtCmdr Rangi Summers CMO / AXO USS Chimera