=/\= Begin Log =/\= Athena walked out of her bedroom pulling her hair into a pony tail. After she had her hair pulled up; she bent over stretching some of the muscles in her legs as her nose touched her knees and her palms hit the floor. She stood up and then lunged forward first on one leg and then the other. She stretched her arms up toward the ceiling. As she was finishing up her warm up exercises the door chimed. Athena blew out a breath and went to answer the door. "Rangi, ...hello. Is there something I can do for you," Athena asked. {How do you say to a friend...'I really can't stand your company'? } Rangi asked herself as she approached the counselor's door. At the end of a long afternoon, she had returned to her quarters, showered and changed into comfortable clothes..a soft pink jumper and faded jeans. She had stared at her replicated supper and eaten not one bite of it, knowing that she had to see Athena. Professor Griffin had advised seeing a counselor and because there was only Athena in that post on board, Rangi had no choice. So eventually she steeled herself and made her way to Athena's quarters and with great determination to see an unpleasant task through, pressed the chime. The door was answered more quickly than Rangi had expected and the sight of Athena in form fitting black shorts and T-shirt stopped her from replying straight away. "Yes," she managed after a moment. "There's something I need to discuss with you. This is a professional visit." Athena stepped a side and motioned for Rangi to enter. "Since this is a professional visit would you prefer to sit here," she motioned to the living area, "or in my office," she questioned as she motioned to the adjoining door. Athena could sense that Rangi was tense. {Not unusual considering what was going on.} Athena could, however, sense that she wasn't Rangi's favorite person. {That's putting it nicely} she thought to herself. Actually what she was sensing ran along the lines of hatred; just not that strong. "I really don't mind." Rangi replied somewhat frostily, eager to be gone and not wanting to bother with the comfort of her visit. "Where ever," she added and waited for Athena to lead the way. Athena sat down in the chair near the sofa and motioned for Rangi to have a seat. "Shoot," Athena replied as she sensed that Rangi wanted to be anywhere else. Rangi looked around quickly and chose to sit at the side of the sofa opposite to Athena. She sat on the edge of the seat giving the impression that this wasn't going to be a long visit. Raising her chin, she took a deep breath and giving Athena a quick glance, transferred her attention to the window as she said, "You're aware of course that I've referred a number of crew to you..because of the pollen. Professor Griffin advised seeing a counselor as a possible insight to understanding the cause of...various effects. I too am experiencing a problem." Athena nodded as Rangi gave her explanation. "In talking with the cases you have referred there is usually some personal experience that has been related," Athena summarized. She gave Rangi a small smile and said, "We can start where ever you like. General conversation or you can just jump right in." Athena sat back ready to listen. Rangi swallowed back her first thought, closed her eyes for a moment then looked at Athena. "Although we are friends, " she began "...I have an almost overwhelming dislike of you. I know there is no rational reason for that...but its just the way I feel at the moment. I know its the pollen affecting me..and I try to tell myself that I'm being unreasonable with the thoughts I have....but I....don't trust you." Rangi's steady gaze didn't falter and she sat stiff as a board on the edge of her seat, hands folded in her lap, waiting for Athena's judgment. {Thank goodness what was in my head was true.} "Was there another woman in your past that gave you a reason not to trust her, Athena asked wondering if that was the true root of the problem. "What?" Rangi blinked and gave a short laugh, breaking the eye contact as she thought {...only three or four.} Her smile faded and she looked back at Athena's patient face. "I don't want to discuss the past, Athena." She said, "It's you I have the problem with!" Athena let the silence fill the room. She wasn't shocked at Rangi's response she had had that once or twice today too. She let out a calming breath and started, "Sometimes to help with the immediate problem we have to go back to the past." She waited a moment or two before adding, "And if I had to bet most of your problem with me involves Shane somehow." Athena watched Rangi's face for a bit. She watched how the CMO carefully kept her expressions neutral even if it was the last thing the counselor was sensing from the other woman. {You go straight to the point...perhaps I'm 'not' imagining it then...perhaps you 'are' trying to make an impression with him} Rangi thought. "Why would you say that?" she responded with a question of her own. "Rangi, I can sense your mood and it always turns darker when Shane and I are within ten feet of each other," she answered. Athena didn't wait for a reaction or an explanation before she asked, "Do you trust Shane or do you have to make yourself trust him?" Athena clarified her question by adding, "Do you find yourself think Shane isn't him or I could always trust Shane before." Athena sat still and let another uncomfortable silence fill the room. "Of course I trust him," Rangi said simply. "He's told me he thinks of you as a friend...nothing more." She glanced towards the door biting back the words that sprang to her lips. Remeeting Athena's eye she said carefully: "He explained about the rumours..when people said he spent hours here with you....and I believe him...why wouldn't I?" Athena kept her gaze steady and replied, "Maybe the better question is why don't you trust me? And don't blame it off on the pollen because based on everyone else I've seen there is something in their life that has triggered what they feel or see." Athena sat silent and waited for Rangi to answer. It took awhile for Rangi to reply but at length she answered honestly, "I don't know." Her blue grey eyes met Athena's and looked at her steadily. "We've been friends..I enjoyed your company. You've never done anything to suggest that I shouldn't trust you. But it just seems to me now that it's not the same." She looked at the arm of Athena's chair, a faint frown creasing between her eyes. "I see you look at Shane ....smile at him...touch his arm..." she remet Athena's eyes "...and it seems to me you want him for yourself." Athena still remained silent. {I don't want to bring this up.} She sighed and let the stillness settle in the air between her and Rangi. Finally she took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Rangi, You've had a trust issue since Rob. And if you can't trust me because of the pollen or rumors or whatever fine. But, trust Shane. I'll steer clear of him as much as possible if it helps in the short term but I am a member of the crew and I do have to work with him." Athena stood and opened the door, "I think we both have a lot to think about, but feel free to drop in again sometime." Athena stood by the door silent, but thinking. {If she doesn't trust me it probably won't matter what I say whether its as a friend or a professional. ::sigh:: I need that run now more than ever.} {She doesn't deny it!} Rangi stood up and walked to the door. "Thank you for your time," she said coldly and waited with slight impatience for the door to open. When it did she went straight out, turned left and set off for her own quarters. {If Professor Griffin thinks that helped then he's wrong!} she thought glumly and still smarting from what she considered Athena's curt dismissal, quickened her step as she headed for home. =/\= End Log =/\= LtCmdr. Rangi Summers CMO USS Chimera & Lt. Athena Wellington Counselor USS Chimera