===== Temporary Sickbay, Cargo Bay 1 ===== Shane and his shadow walked slowly towards Cargo Bay One where Rangi and her staff set up the temporary sickbay. Shane was sure that Rangi wont be happy about the news that the original sickbay suffered severe damage and wont be operational for at least few days ... but there was little that could be done. Engines, shields and weapons were now priority. Entering the room, Shane turned slowly around, trying to locate his beloved. He came down here again cause the treatment he was due for and to have a little talk. He was very glad to see that Rangi was all right after the battle, but there was no time to speak to each other in private since the end of the battle. Rangi had to treat her patients and Shane had to treat the ship ... Rangi made her way towards the tall figure standing near the entrance to the 'sickbay' and was quite near before he noticed her. "You're back" she said simply and smiled to him feeling the familiar glow of happiness that the sight of him always generated. "How are you feeling?...any problems?" She glanced at the marine standing a pace away from Shane, wondering what he wanted."May I help you?" she asked him. Shane almost burst in laugh. Glancing over at the marine sergeant, Shane said: "Our dear Captain Walsh thinks I might be ambushed by some unnamed horrors, so he assigned the brave sergeant here as my bodyguard". The marine nodded: "Ma'am" Turning shortly in the marines direction he said: "Sergeant, I am sure you would like to have some coffee or something from the replicator on the other end of the cargo room ..." The marine looked again like wanting to protest, but he was always been told that orders are there to be obeyed ... especially from the 'old man'. And Shane was the 'grandpa' on the ship ... so the sergeant only nodded: "Sir, yes, sir". Following the marine with his look for a moment before looking back at Rangi, he said: "I am fine my love thank you. I just had a way nearby and thought about the 'appointment' you havent forgotten to remind me of" Rangi smiled up at him and gently laying a hand on his arm directed him towards a seat. "You dont really need a biobed." she told him, "...which is just as well..as we dont have any free!" Her smile faded as she glanced at the activity all around them. The battle had resulted in almost half the crew needing medical attention of some degree.Fifteen had suffered severe injury, three of them critically, one had died and fiftynine others had needed some form of treatment. A few had returned to duty, others would be fit to join them but the temporary sickbay was full to bursting. Rangi turned her head and met Shanes eyes."You read my report?...we lost Private Keene....." Her expression said it all. "Even if we'd been in sickbay." she added, referring to the damaged department on deck5 "...I doubt the outcome would have been different.....is there any news of that?" Shane nodded with clear sadness in his eyes. The private was the first officer that died with Shane commanding the ship ... and this thought made him feel quite ill. Still he had to ask himself if he couldnt handle the situation better ... and prevent the Romulans from attacking ... and thus save the life of the private. Yes, everyone entering Starfleet knew the risks ... but this knowledge didnt made it easier for Shane. "I've seen it" he said quietly, "We payed quite a high price during the battle. I still keep asking myself about the reason the Romulans attacked us ... and I see none. I cant dismiss the thought that Keene's death was useless, as well as every other injury ..." {He's blaming himself} she thought and waited until he sat on the seat nearest to them and taking a tricorder from a supplies shelf, moved beside him and prepeared to scan his injured arm. She paused and then crouched down so that she had to look up into his face.Blues eyes met brown. "If anyones to blame its me..us...here in this bay. We have charge of the injured..its our responsibility...ultimately mine...you can't blame yourself." Shane nodded and said quietly: "Thank you my love. I know you think so, but still I am responsible for everyone on board and I feel responsible for the battle." He looked in Rangi's eyes:"I am sure you did all what you could for the poor man, I know you are the best doctor I've ever met and your staff is elite as well." Sadness fell on Shane's face: "But its me who has to inform his parents, maybe a wife ..." They gazed at each other in silence, Shane wondering how he could soften the formal terms of the standard letter sent to a bereaved family and Rangi knowing too well how the parents and possibly a wife would feel. Shane shook his head: "Aside with such thoughts my love. There are 150 other crew we have to take care of, both of us on their own way." He shifted slightly on his seat and said: "No good news for you. Deck 5 is still out of commission and I need Engineering to take care about engines, shields and weapons first." She nodded, said : "Ofcourse" and smiled thinly. She scanned his arm and satisfied herself that nothing more needed to be done, then stood up and very gently laid her fingers on his head, tilting it a little so she could see the angry bruising. "I can deal with this..it wont take long." she said. "Yes, ma'am" he replied with a slight amusement in his voice. Rangi was called the "iron doctor" and even the most seasoned marines behaved like little sheeps while Rangi was in her kingdom/medical. The small protoplaser was effective and as it worked its 'magic' Rangi decided to raise a subject that had weighed heavily on her mind. She said quietly. "Shane?...I'm sorry. I shouldnt have been angry with you. I realize you tried to do your best with Athena and me.Its just that I didnt want to discuss what I see as personal business with anyone else." Shane looked up at Rangi a bit suprised about her speaking about this issue. Since their conversation a week ago they havent approached it and Shane didnt expect Rangi doing it now. Glad that she wasnt starting a word fight again Shane smiled a bit: "Its not your fault Rangi. Maybe I behaved foolish as well. All I wanted was to talk about it with all concerned. You and Athena used to be friends and it would be very pity if it would stop now." Shane paused before continuing: "You used to trust me Rangi, and I wanted to show you that you still can" Rangi studied the loved face in front of her, thinking that he looked so concerned, almost uncertain. She held the used protoplaser at her side and with her free hand, touched the faded bruising on his forehead with gentle fingers. "I know it." she said in hardly more than a whisper. A sudden movement at one of the nearest 'rest' places caught Rangi's attention. One of their patients tried to get off his 'bed' and he didnt want to listen to the nurses protests. Only the quick coming of Lieutenant Quiocho changed his mind and Mai managed to make the patient relax on his 'bed' again. Rangi looked back at Shane. "I 'will' talk to Athena..." she told him with a small smile of reassurance.."..and I need to talk to you too. I know its impossible now with all this going on but..... if we can find the time?...can we?" Shane touched her hand and squeezed it slighty like he always did when he wanted to reassure her. "That will really be difficult with the state of the ship, but you know I am always here for you." Beaming a small smile at his beloved he said: "It would really be a pity if you and Athena couldnt stay friends" Shane looked at his arm and back at Rangi again. "I need to go, do you clear me for duty doctor?" he asked with a smile. "Yes I do..but any problems and you must come back" she told him and returned his smile, glad that he had accepted her apology and that things would be discussed properly in good time. Stepping to one side as Shane stood up she asked : "Have you seen the ODA commander?....I'm waiting for an answer from him" Shane looked at her a bit puzzled: "Walsh? I think he was in the ODA office not long ago and he made the impression he's been released from here ..." Rangi shrugged helplessly. "He released himself. Obviously he wants to be in charge of his department and not confined to bed...but I just hope he doesnt put himself back to square one" "Released himself?" Shane asked again, "Well, Walsh is what one would call an archtyp of an marine and he thinks he can handle everything, but I bet thats 'almost' required in his position, but I think I will have a word with him about that. I need to speak with him anyway." He turned around like to leave, but he turned to Rangi once again: "In two hours you will please have a proper 8 hour long sleep" He grinned: "Thats an order Commander" "Aye Sir" she replied at once, trying to maintain a serious expression. He looked at the smile in her eyes and paused but when she said nothing more he began to move away. "Commander?" He glanced back and saw she begin to return his grin. "The same applies to you...CMO orders" she said. He smiled widely for moment,but whenhis 'shadow' appeared at his side he switched his smile off. Rangi watched them exit the bay. *** End Log *** Commander Shane Guzman ACO USS Chimera & LtCmdr Rangi Summers CMO/AXO USS Chimera