=/\= Begin Log =/\= Athena walked through the corridors to the Conference room where dinner with Governor Smart had been set up. She decided to dress in civilian clothing rather than her uniform to put the Governor more at ease. She wore black dress slacks with stiletto sandals, a red silk shirt with 3/4 length sleeves that had bits of the material that hung to her wrist and a necklace with a ruby stone that laid just above her cleavage. The sleeves of her shirt left her shoulders bare. Athena took a deep breath and entered the room. Originally, Shane wasn't too happy about Athena's idea of inviting the governor of Tetris II for a meal. Governor Smart wasn't a pleasant person and the little talk the two men had a day ago was less then pleasing as well. But well, it looked like Athena put much weight on that meeting and Shane was up to do his old friend Athena a favor. Now were both men walking from the transporter room towards the nearest turbo lift. Shane was dressed again in the dress uniform, but this time without his ribbons and medals. Only the three golden pips suggested who he was. Smart was dressed traditionally and a little bit old fashioned. His diplomatic background was hardly to overlook, then he resembled much the look of Shane's brother Martin on the winter ball, who was a former diplomat as well. Shane welcomed the governor politely but still their last 'conversation' about the governor's son was to sense between the two man. Athena saw a table set for three and checked the dishes that sat waiting on a side table on warming trays. Everything looked to be just as she had specified. As the door hissed open, she placed a smile on her lips and turned around to find Shane entering with an older, bigger and balding version of Philip Smart. Glad that they've arrived at the conference room, Shane had to smile at the obvious effort Athena did put into the meal. She tried her best to make a good impression on the governor. If she really feared a complaint from his side or there was something else in her mind ... Shane didn't know. "Commander," she said in greeting to Shane. "Everything is ready unless either of you want to start with drinks," She asked. She noticed the spark in the other man's eyes and tried to ignore it although she sensed the interest that went along with it. Shane, ever the gentleman, did the introductions. Turning to Governor Smart, Shane introduced: "Governor, this is Lieutenant Wellington, the ship's counselor" Turning to Athena he said: "Counselor, please meet Mr. Smart, the Governor of the Tetris II colony." Shane watched as the governor shook Athena's hand and replied to her. "I'd like to start with a drink," the Governor replied. Shane nodded and waited for Athena to get they drinks. Shane had to admit that she looked very good again. Like it was impossible for her NOT to look very lovely. Shane wondered if she was doing that with intention or not. Athena ordered the requested drinks and passed them out. She took a sip of the sweet wine she had poured for herself and smiled politely. She was feeling a bit uncomfortable with the feelings that the governor was telegraphing. Taking a sip by himself, Shane looked from the governor to Athena and back again. Shane was by far a poor 'man/woman things' observer, but even he noticed that the governor showed a bit more interest in the pretty counselor then politeness dictated. Shane pointed with his hand to the table and said: "Lets sit down governor please and let us see what the counselor prepared for us" Athena sat across from the governor and let Shane sit in the seat that adjacent to each of them. When Athena lifted the lids to the warmed dishes, there were baked potatoes and steak with sautéed mushrooms. Each of them had a salad bowl that contain tossed salad with a Greek style dressing. The aroma of the food floated throughout the room. The trio ate in silence for a few minutes before Athena broached the subject of complaint. "Mr. Smart, I don't know why Philip thought he was treated as a child. I can assure you he was treated as courteously as you have been," Athena said with a small smile. The food was not bad, surely quite different from that Smart was used to eat on Tetris II, but it was no delicatesy. He waited for that counselor or Guzman to start talking about his son and the complaint he was preparing. He knew that that was the reason Guzman invited him for this meal. He looked at Athena and replied: "My son says otherwise and I tend to believe him. He was always responsible and there is no reason to think he's wrong" "Philip was the only ones that had a room to himself. Many of the other children had to share rooms," Athena went on trying to knock holes in Philip's story without having to tell the governor that his son was lecherous. This was what Smart was used to do .... negotiate. The counselor was arguing and trying to undermine the statements of his son. Smart was good enough to recognize the tactics and do his best to repeat his son's statements to make then 'more' truth. The idea that his son might be lying to him ... was just unacceptable. Shane followed the conversation silently. Shane was a diplomat enough by himself to see that Smart was not ready to accept any other version then his own. The stubbornness of that man made him growing displeased and the way Smart was looking at Athena made a certain anger growing within him. But till now he didn't interrupt the conversation ... "Well, only those who were older than 16 were allowed to attend the winter ball that we had on ship. After all small children wouldn't be allowed at such a fancy function," she added. Athena left half her plate uneaten as she felt that perhaps the dinner wasn't going as well as she hoped and she sense that Shane wasn't comfortable. Smart shook his head: "But its not a single deed that makes you feeling to be treated like a child. Its more the way you speak to one, handle one ... even command one. You don't need to command a young man like my son. He is responsible and knows how to behave. But obviously your counselor and those aiding you seemed to think my son is a 7 years old child. I doubt your skills as a person who should be able to recognize what's inside a man" Athena wondered if the governor knew about Betazoids. {If he only knew what I could see in his head.} "Well, I don't recall sending your son to his room or making him sit in a corner like I would younger children for rudeness," Athena started realizing that the Governor was going to be even less likely to believe that his beloved son should be rude. She stood as she continued, "If I was guilty of anything where your son was concerned, sir, it would be ignoring him when he was rude and presumptuous." Athena noticed the startled look that passed across both men's faces. "Perhaps I should hear from you, Mr. Smart, what your son found so displeasurable because I don't remember him complaining when I danced with him at the ball," Athena tried a different tack to see where that got her. It was at this moment Shane was called away for a few moments. The Governor moved closer to Athena; he was so close that she felt as though she were in a crowded room than by herself with one man. "I might need to dance with you myself to see if my son's complaints in that area were valid," Mr. Smart replied. Athena took a step away to create a bit of space between her and the other man. "I'm sorry, I don't think I can accommodate that request," she replied smoothly. Athena walked over to the one window in the room and looked out at space. {This man is a bad as his son maybe worse.} The governor watched Athena in silence as though he were weigh her words and not thinking about the woman herself. He took note of her creamy skin, the riotous loose curls that hung to her shoulders, her incredible blue eyes and the fact that she was curved in all the right places. When he spoke again he was at Athena's side. "It's beautiful isn't it," he asked. Athena nodded but remained silent. She was beginning to feel uncomfortable and wished Shane would return. Athena went to take a step away and then noticed that the governor was standing so close that any move she made would only bring them closer; not something she desired. "Athena...," Mr. Smart tested the sound of her name, "perhaps we could find out what the problem was by you have dinner with me and Philip tomorrow night on the planet?" "I'm sorry. I'm a bit busy tomorrow, Mr. Smart," she replied. Shane reentered the room quietly as the governor raised his hand and with a finger began to draw circles on Athena's bare shoulder. "Please, call me Ron," Mr. Smart responded. He pressed, "You have to eat sometime don't you." Athena shrugged his finger off her shoulder as that was the only thing she could do to create some space short of pushing the governor; a move she didn't consider to be very diplomatic. It was obvious that the governor didn't notice Shane returning to the conference hall and to Shane's surprise he was approaching Athena. Shane glanced at the governor but thought that he should take advantage of him not noticing Shane and so he remained quiet. Shane knew he didn't have to worry about Athena, that woman knew ways to keep men at bay ... {hopefully} Ron ignored the movement and started drawing circles on her shoulder again as if the movement would persuade the counselor to change her mind. He started making the circles bigger. "Mr. Smart..." she started. He cleared is throat and prompted, "Ron." Athena let out a small sigh, "Ron, could you stop doing that, please," she asked being what she felt to be more than diplomatic. Instead of stopping the circles got bigger and the governor's finger finally grazed the top of her breast. It was as though lightning shot through the room. Athena's hand came up and a resounding smack was heard in the room when her palm met the Governor's cheek. "It has become painfully obvious that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree," Athena said as she pushed past Mr. Smart and began to walk from the room. Shane couldn't see exactly what happened cause the couple was turned with their back to him, but it was obvious that Mr. Smart was using his hands the wrong way with Athena. Shane was surprised about the smack Athena gave the man, but when he saw the lickerish expression in Smart's face he understood finally. Smart looked like he was about to jump on Athena and prevent her from leaving but then he noticed Shane in the room. Shane raised his hand and said loudly: "That's enough Smart! Calm down or I will have you arrested sooner then you could say 'help'." Athena stopped a few inches from Shane and said, "Put the complaint in my record. I'd rather have it then pay the price to make it go away." She looked over her shoulder at the governor added, "It wouldn't be worth .......... And somehow I don't think it would be any fun either." She looked back at Shane and softly continued, "If you'll excuse me I have things to do." With her back straight and her body full of tension she headed back on her path out the door. Shane noded to Athena and replied: "Of course counselor." He then looked at the governor and added: "I dont think our guest will isist on that complain, will you?" he finished glancing over at Smart. =/\= End Log =/\= Lt. Athena Wellington Counselor USS Chimera & Cmdr. Shane Guzman XO/ACO USS Chimera