*** Transporter Room * USS Chimera *** "Where is she?" Rangi asked. The transporter chief nodded towards a small figure sitting in the far corner of the transporter room. "They sent her back up...noone there to collect her.....then..just before you arrived ma'am...they called again to say her father was there...but they didnt seem none to happy to my mind." Rangi frowned. "Thankyou Chief...you were right to call me...I'll take her myself and see what's going on there." She walked over to the little girl and knelt down beside her. "Hello Leia." she said with a freindly smile. " '..Lo. Rangi...my daddys not there." "Yes I know" Rangi replied." I think he was a little late. I'll take you down again alright?" Leia nodded a happy smile and Rangi stood up taking the childs hand in her own. They moved to the transporter padd and as Leia glanced up at Rangi the chief activated the beam and the two faded from sight. *** Transporter room Tetris II *** # As he neared he smiled and then spoke "LtCmdr Summers" He tried to say but what came out sounded completely wrong "LooTentant Commorer Ummers" he said as he realized he had just a bit to much to drink # Leia let go of Rangis hand and ran towards the dishevelled looking figure with a happy squeal of "Daaaddyyyyyy" Rangis eyes were locked on the man who mumbled her name in a slurred fashion. "Commander...Birt?" she asked in unconcealed astonishment. Pete half smiled and squinted at Rangi and slowly nodded "Shhh noone is meant to know its a secret" He laughed..... The drink had taken hold by this point... Leia jumped up and down, holding onto her fathers sleeve. "Daddy Daddy I saw Father Christmas...I did.." The commander looked down at his child and Rangi thought: {What in heaven has brought him to this state?} "Commander?...are you alright?" she asked taking a slow step forward {He's drunk!...pie eyed!} Pete looked at Leia and smiled and nodded before turning back to Rangi "It Just Mister these days Fleet retired me again no suitable postings....so desk job or here so here I am" He slurred his words slightly but got the message across "I see." Rangi returned the smile Leia beamed at her and looked back to Pete."...and Leia is your little girl?" she asked, running her eyes again over the unkempt appearance of the man before her. Pete nodded and looked at Leia and smiled "She *hic* is" He manged to say. Rangi straightened up, her lips a line of displeasure. "Commander...you are drunk." she stated. Leia looked at her doubtfully and grasped her fathers hand. She scowled at Rangi. as as she added.."You're not in a fit condition to be in charge of that child." Pete looked at the Commander the smile from his face gone "WHO are you to tell me I'm unfit to look after my own child" He announced loud enough to alert the complex security officer who was walking by Rangis eyes shifted to the security guard who had paused and after a moment decided that he might be needed.She returned her attention to Pete. "Commander...you're drunk" she told him quietly as the guard stepped closer. "Everything ok here?" he asked suspiciously. Pete looked at the guard "NO this woman will not release my kid to me" He said The guard looked from one to the other and down at Leia who poked out her tongue and frowned horribly at him. "And who are you....er...Commander?" the guard asked Rangi looking at the insignia on her collar. "I'm LtCmdr Summers...the CMO of the USS Chimera....and acting XO of that ship." Rangi replied. " We have care of the children recently returned here but as you see, Leias father is in no fit condition to take charge of a child." The guard turned his head and looked at Pete. Pete looked at the Guard "I am not drunk" he tried to protest but it was clear that he was very much drunk and then the small hip flask fell from his jacket pocket.. Leia jumped forward and grabbed it, holding it up to her father and beaming happily at him.Rangi and the security guard exchanged glances. "I'm sorry sir...but I agree with the Commander...you're in no state to care for a little girl like this." He turned to Rangi..."A few hours in the brig will see him right ma'am...but what about her?" he tipped his head in Leias direction. Pete had just plain had enough now and looked at the security guard and then reached forwards to Leia and started to speak when the Security Officer put his hand on Pete's Shoulder.. The next thing the Officer knew he was looking up from the floor with Pete's foot on his chest "That's enough!!" Rangi stepped forward and siezed Petes arm.Leia burst into tears with a wail of fright. " Just what do you think you're doing?" Rangi asked Pete as quietly as she could yet with a commanders cutting tone. "It's alright poppet...dont cry..." she knelt to the child, placing a comforting arm around her.Glancing up at Pete she said nothing but her steely look spoke volumes. Pete looked at Rangi and then Leia before removing his foot from the fallen officers chest and with a sorry look about him The officer scrambled to his feet. "You're under arrest" he said pulling his phaser at the ready. " There's no need for that" Rangi said and made a snap decision." Please escort ...this gentleman... to the transporter pad...I'll take control of him on Chimera." The officer held his phaser pointed at Pete."Are you sure ma'am?" he asked slowly. " Yes...absolutely." Pete looked at the phaser and decided that for once he would do as he was told and followed Rangi to the Transporter and waited for Rangi and Leia. Rangi soke to the security officer."Please call Chimera...tell them security is needed in the transporter room and have them send Counselor Wellington to meet us. Tell her she has a little guest for a while longer." The security officer nodded and moved to the console. "Commander...."Rangi said turning to Pete " I dont know what's going on but Leia is Chimeras responsibility until she has a parent fit to take of her." Pete nodded slowly "Ok ok" he muttered as the transporter took hold and the Chimera appeared around him... *** End Log *** Commander Pete Birt (retired) StarFleet Reserves & LtCmdr Rangi Summers CMO/AXO USS Chimera & Leia Birt (npc) Rangi & unnamed security guard (npc) Rangi and Skippy