=====Bridge, USS Chimera ===== Shane nested himself in the CO's seat. Since the battle was over, he had little to do besides bothering everyone on the bridge about the status of the repairs. He found it impossible just to be sitting there quiet and waiting for others to do all the work. But ... Shane sighed, that was exactly what he was supposed to do. He knew that Bretam's crew was hand picked and everyone did his work with professionalism. Shane even realizes that with asking about the repairs all five minutes he only delayed the bridge crew from their task ... so he needed to stop that. He rose from his seat and turned to Foster. "Lieutenant" you have the bridge, I have a little look around the ship." He almost added that Foster should call him if anything happens ... but luckily he realized that Foster knew that ... and that there was no need to remind him on that. ===== Turbolift ===== Shane wasn't decided where to go ... but most probably the route - Cargo bay 1 - engineering - ODA Office. What concerned him quite a lot since the fight was over was Athena. Well, not only since the fight was over ... he thought about her and Rangi the past several days ... from the 'friendly meeting' the three of them had. On the one side he understood that maybe both woman felt odd talking about things like that, but on the other hand ... there were only the three of them present ... so why should both of them run away? Well, Rangi said she was still under the effect of the pollen and she was not trained for talks like that ... but Athena was an another case. She was 'supposed' to be of help in emotional situations like that and she was the first who left. Shane kept asking himself if it was the fact that she too was involved in the matter or something else ... ===== Cargo Bay 1 ===== Athena bit the inside of her lip to hold back the wince from the pain in her right side ribs. When the tinny taste of blood hit her tongue she knew she would have to have something done. She looked around hoping to avoid Shane since she felt he was questioning her abilities to do her job. Catching sight of Rangi she walked over to the other woman and whispered in the CMO's ear, "I need you to look at something." Rangi, busy restocking a medkit, was surprised to have someone whisper to her, for she had been deep in thought. She quickly turned her head, and seeing Athena thought the counselor must have noticed a problem with one of the patients. "What is it?" Rangi asked glancing around but seeing nothing to cause alarm. "Sorry to alarm you," Athena said as she noticed the way in which the doctor scanned the room. "Could we go someplace a bit private, Please," She asked. Rangi looked with suspicion at Athena. "I suppose so," she replied after a moment or two had passed. "Lets go over there," she indicated a quiet corner where supplies were stacked and the nearest patient was out of earshot. Athena remained silent until they were at the spot Rangi had indicated. "I need you to look at my ribs," she said indicating her right side. "I just didn't want Shane to know ...." Her words drifted off and the following ones were spoken very softly, "I just feel that Shane.... is already questioning my abilities to do my job ... or at least to do it in a professional manner." She ignored saying anything about their last meeting with Shane and finally continued. "Like I can't work with my patients." She sighed, "Like I don't do that on a daily basis." Rangi was puzzled. "I'm sure he doesn't think that," she said quietly and dropped her gaze to Athena's hand that clasped her ribcage. "What have you done," she asked and then raising her eyes to Athena's face stated. "You're in pain" "Some," Athena admitted. She lifted her shirt and revealed her ribs. Her whole side from the bottom edge of her bra to a couple inches above her waist was covered in deep purple and black and perhaps a touch of midnight blue. Athena ignored the gasp she heard and only shivered a little as Rangi ran her cool fingers over the area in inspection. "Where did you do this?" Rangi asked and before Athena had time to answer, stepped away for on e of the medkits she had been working with. Quickly returning she added. "Well?...how did it happen?" "One of the time when the ship was rocking around. Someone had called for help and I didn't think about it much." Athena sucked in a breath as Rangi touched at some of the bruising. Athena looked up at the ceiling to hid some of the pain she was holding with her breath. Rangi said nothing, but activated her tricorder and passed the scanner over the extensive bruising. "You have a cracked rib there," she said as she lowered the instrument and raised her eyes to Athena. "You should have said something before..its foolish to suffer pain needlessly." She looked around for an empty bed. "You need treatment...come on..." She stopped. "You really tolerated this because you thought Shane would be displeased if you were out of action?" Athena looked at Rangi a second and then looked away. "There were others who needed help more than me," she said matter-of-factly. Athena knew she really couldn't be out of commission when she was needed no matter what the injury to herself. Shane would need her not only as the counselor but with this being his first mission as a CO he would need a friend as well. "We need you in full health Athena," Rangi replied quietly, "Shane would say the same." They reached the vacant bed. "Here...let me help you." Rangi moved beside the counselor and stood ready to offer aid. "I Can manage," Athena responded, "but would you feel better it someone else treated me?" {I've waited this long a little longer won't hurt ....much.} Rangi looked quickly at Athena, surprised, even a little shocked that the question was asked. "No..." she replied "Not at all....I will deal with everything...unless...." she met Athena's eyes. "...unless YOU would prefer another doctor?" Shane was directed to were Rangi was in Cargo bay 1, where the emergency treating area was established and he decided to go there and have a look at the wounded crew. He tried to hide the thought from himself that he wanted to see Rangi as well. They've hardly spoken a word since the 'friendly meeting' and Shane missed his beloved a lot. But on the other hand he was a stubborn man ... and he didn't want to be the one who will break the ice ... As for Athena concering, Shane was by far not sure. Sure, she was one of the most experienced officers on board and the best counselor Shane ever met, but on the other hand, Shane knew Athena's nature and her past problems ... and it wasn't ENTIRELY unlikely that she had a problem as well. He noticed that Athena seemed to avoid him ... he was not sure about that, but the feeling was permanently present. Athena shook her head as Shane walked over and asked, "Is there a problem?" "No," Athena answered and let her shirt fall to her waist. "I'll just let you two talk a moment," she continued as she started to walk away. She flashed Rangi a smile through the pain of her quick movements. "I'll be back when your not so busy." Rangi, surprised to at Shane's sudden arrival glanced at him and saw his expression change as he looked at Athena. Quickly turning her head as Athena spoke, Rangi said "Wait!" She reached put her hand." That needs treatment...Shane and I.." she glanced back at the ACO "...can talk later...please..sit down." Athena had sensed some kind of deception on and off for a while and was still confused as to where it was coming from. "I'll be back for that," she relied and flashed Shane a quick smile as well. "You need treatment Athena," Rangi's tone was firm but when Athena merely raised her hand in a gesture of farewell, Rangi turned to the man at her side. "Shane?" she said clearly expecting him to order Athena to stay where she was. ===== End of log, part I ===== LtCmdr. Rangi Summers CMO/AXO USS Chimera & LT. Athena Wellington Counselor & Cmdr. Shane Guzman XO/ACO USS Chimera