***Rangis Quarters * USS Chimera *** "Oh I can't 'believe' that!" Rangis laughter bubbled over and she leaned back in her chair looking at her father. He shrugged his shoulders, his expression one of exaggerated innocence which transformed into a wide smile. "I assure you..those were his exact words." Wes Summers laughed too, partly in the pleasure of seeing his daughter so relaxed and happy. She shook her head, put a hand to her forehead and dissolved into a fresh peal of laughter. Wes watched her, still chuckling himself at the anecdote he had related. It had been some weeks since they had had the opportunity to communicate in person. Though messages passed regularly between them, it was never the same for Wes as when seeing his daughter in front of him almost as if in person. He knew she monitored all the results of his treatment and knew that she worried over him more often and more seriously than she would ever have him know and these short times, when communication allowed it, were more precious to him than he could say. Rangi ran fingers beneath her eyes, where tears of laughter had spilled over. Her laughter subsided as she did so. They exchanged a warm smile. "I'm glad you've had such a good time." she told him. "...and that Greg seems to have his fathers skill in fishing" Her laughter broke through as Wes nodded soberly then grinned at his daughter. He shifted in his chair. "I'm glad to see you looking so well." he said, thinking about the last two messages he had received from her."You sounded very..harrassed..in your last message." he added. "...and you look tired Rangi...is this 'acting XO' thing getting too much for you?" She shook her head, her mood now matching his."No" she answered. Her lips lifted in a smile. "..Its alright..oh theres plenty of reading to do ofcourse..its all padd work...mountains of it!" Wes nodded slowly "Then what is it?" he asked and waited for the reply. She met the kind grey eyes and thought.. {How thin he's become...each time I see him he changes.} "It's nothing..." she said widening her smile. Her father gave her a doubtful look. "Then tell me." he said quietly. Rangi broke the gaze by dropping her eyes to the edge of the screen.She lifted them but looked to the side and not at her fathers inquiring face. To his right she could see a little of the room he was in. The patio doors stood wide open and through them she could see the bright sunny day outside. His sun chair was visible on the lawn, a straw hat, doubtless laid on the seat when he stood up, had fallen from the cushion to the grass. Colourful flowers swayed in a slight breeze. She knew that just hidden from view was a sundial. As a child it had fascinated her and she had stood watching the shadow move steadily between the marked minutes many many times. When she had been only a little taller than the sundial itself, she would beg: "Please tell me the words." and usually her mother would patiently oblige,repeating the poem that the child already knew by heart. Rangi wished herself there. "Dad?.......was my mother jealous?" The question, spoken softly in a thoughtful tone, took Wes by surprise. He met his daughters eyes as she shifted her gaze. "Jealous?...Helene?" he said incredulously. "Rangi...I never gave your mother cause to be jealous." "No no..." Rangi replied quickly. " I didnt mean that...I know you wouldnt." She saw her father frown. " I meant...was she ever.....uncertain of herself ." "Well...no." Wes tried to think of any instance when his wife might have displayed what his daughter asked. "I dont think she ever was..." Now he looked away and considered. Rangi waited. "Quite the opposite I would say." Wes replied after a few moments thought." I remember there 'was' a young man...a fellow student ...he paid alot of attention to your mother...I asked her about him and she told me she hadnt noticed him." Wes' thoughts ran on unspoken and ended with a small smile. He left his memories and looked back at his daughter. "Why are you asking moppet?...whats brought this on?" Rangi, having had time to reconsider the wisdom of the question, made light of it. "Oh..I just wondered...woman thing.....we were talking about...feelings and such...you know" Her father seemed unconvinced. "I just wondered if mother was ever.....whether I inherited..." Wes interrupted. "Your mother wasnt a jealous woman...Rangi..she never had cause to be...you're very like her...and I cant see you as a jealous type either." He paused and swallowed his better judgement. "Has this got anything to do with Guzman?" he asked. "Shane?...no...no ofcourse not." Rangi gave what she hoped was an amused smile. "He sends his regards to you." "Does he indeed!" Wes said now certain that the acting CO of Chimera was the root of the question. "Then please give him mine in return." he added. Rangi nodded but the smile she gave him faded. "I'm sorry Dad...but I have to go. I'm due on duty soon." "Ofcourse" Wes replied. "I understand...its been good talking to you again moppet...lets not leave it so long next time...if possible." Rangi smiled agreement. "Look after yourself wont you Dad?" "Certainly...and I know you'll hound me if I fail an appointment...not that I will" he added hastily. "Glad to hear it!" she said. "Enjoy the trip dad...and tell Greg I hope he remembers to let go of the fishing rod next time." Wes laughed. "Glad to.." he said and looked at his daughter lovingly. "Take care moppet. I love you." "I love you Dad." she replied softly and a moment later the image of her father disappeared, to be replaced by the standard screen logo. Wes leaned forward and switched off the terminal, already puzzling over Rangis question. He stood up and wandered outside into the warm afternoon, bending to pick up his hat from the grass and setteling it on his head. He sat down on the sunchair and gazed unseeingly at the flowers surrounding the sundial. {Whats he done now?} he thought to himself conjuring up a mental picture of Shane and his untamed hair. { ahhhh....but I would dearly like to talk to that young man.} Rangi, already showered, took only minutes to change into her fresh uniform. She tidied one or two things away in the main room, straightened a cushion, picked up her shoulder bag and left her quarters. She was reassured after seeing her father but, as was always the case, felt a deep regret that she was so far away from him. Thoughts of the waiting padd work in her office pulled her thoughts back to the present. {And theres that petty officer coming in for a check...what was his name? Williams I think..Barry?..no..Harry?...mmmm...Larry...no..Gary?} The door slid shut and the lift began to move. *** End Log *** LtCmdr Rangi Summers CMO/AXO USS Chimera & Wes Summers (npc)Rangi