=/\= corridors and Tubroift =/\= Athena took a few steps away from the sickbay door and then her head swam a little bit. Scott had told her that might happen from time to time until she got some more rest, but she was hoping to make it back to her quarters before that happened. She leaned against the wall and took a deep breath. She rubbed her eyes and massaged her temples and slowly pushed herself away from the wall. {So far; so good.} Athena was able to take several more steps and was almost at the lift when she knew she was in trouble again. She stopped and swayed a bit as she took a calming breath. The lift doors slid open and Phil Barnes looked at her with surprise. "Counselor!..I was on my way to see you...hey...should you be out here?" He stepped forward and took hold of Athena's right arm, thinking for a moment that she was going to fall forwards. He looked towards Sickbay entrance, half expecting someone to come running out in search of the counselor. Athena sagged against Phil and said, "Yes, I'm supposed to be out here." {Do I disobey orders that much?} "I'm just trying to make it back to my quarters for the rest I'm supposed to be getting there," she continued with a small smile as she took on more of her own weight and started toward the lift. "I think you could do with a bit of help," he stated, taking a step back into the lift and watching Athena carefully. The doors slid shut. Athena looked up and gave Phil a small smirk as a thought of Rob ran through her head. She took the required steps into the lift with no trouble and leaned against the wall. "You don't quite have the same caveman approach as Rob would have," She said as the lift sped to the requested destination. "No...he was.." Phil didn't complete his idea of what Rob was, but smiled to himself then met Athena's eyes. "I was coming to see you," he told her "I heard about the events on the Warbird. How are you?" His interest to her well being was sincere and he looked at the fading bruises as he spoke. "Sore but I'll live," she replied. She was silent for a moment longer and then continued, "I kind of miss Rob's caveman tendencies at times like these." She smiled and went on as the doors slid open, "He would have literally swept me off my feet and carried me to my quarters, made sure I had everything I needed while complaining about the doctors on board." Phil grinned and nodded, remembering his old friends attitudes. "I might agree with him about the doctors " he said offering his arm for her to steady herself. " You seem a bit unsteady to be sent home on your own. Are you sure you're OK? I mean...did they tell you could go or did you tell them you were going?" "No, they told me I could go and they said I would be a little unsteady until I rested some more but that's all I need." She looked at the skeptical look on Phil's face and shook her head as it reminded her of one of Rob's looks. "... Really, a little more rest." "If you say so." he said mildly. They began to walk towards Athena's quarters, Phil noticing how much she leaned her weight on him form time to time. "When did you last eat?" he inquired. Athena paused trying to remember so that she could answer Phil's question. "Um.... Let's see.... nothing in Sickbay.... and nothing on the Warbird .... And Nothing while on Kzenti." She kept thinking backwards trying to remember the last time she ate or drank. She gave a small cough to clear the dryness that was settling in her throat. "That long!" he said and smiled kindly when she looked at him. " If you have no objection, I'll see you settled in your quarters and fix a meal for you...replicated only" he added hastily "..I'm no cook. But I'm thinking a bite to eat will make you feel a whole lot better and then the rest that the doctors ordered. What do you say?" "Sure," Athena agreed quickly so as to stop thinking. To think that hard had hurt her head quite a bit and she was feeling a little uneasy. "Good!" Phil said, pleased to think that she agreed. They approached her doorway and when Athena reached to tap in the access code, he thought she looked too pale for comfort. {Doctors!...sending her out like this?..ha...look at her...can't hardly stand up straight!} He smiled as Athena turned to him. =/\= Athena's quarters =/\= Athena gave him a small smile. "Made it," she said as she taped in the access code, "but you know I'm feeling a little .." {Geeeez!!} Phil saw the paleness of her complexion tinge delicately to green and with a swift movement steadied her half step. "Its ok...lets...lets..." he looked around desperately "Lets get you inside and sitting down...can you walk?...oh never mind!" and the next second, he hoisted her up in his arms and carried her quickly into her room where he deposited her on the nearest chair. "Thanks," escaped her lips on a whisper and her eyes drifted closed for a couple of seconds. With a few calming breaths her color returned. "I think that medicine may have been to strong for me on an empty stomach," she said with lots more gusto then she felt. Phil silently agreed and let out a sigh of disapproval. "What can I get you to eat?" he asked. "Crackers," she replied softly as she rested her head against the back of the chair. "Maybe some sweet hot tea," she added. {What else might calm one's stomach?} "Crackers...right. " he crossed to the replicator and ordered what she had requested, soon returning with a small tray. he set it on a low table and dragged it nearer her chair. "There you go" he said, pleased now to see her colour looked more natural than it had a few minutes before. Athena nibbled on a couple of crackers and sipped at her tea. When she was feeling better she asked, "Other than checking up on me, What else is on your mind?" Phil. sitting on the arm of the chair opposite Athenas,replied. " Nothing other than to see how you were." he replied. He had from time to time felt that it was almost a duty to keep an eye on her. Rob had been his friend for a long time and it was because of the attachment they had both shared for the man, that he felt he should ensure Athena was all right. "You're a good friend, Phil," Athena commented as she sensed his feelings. "Just out of curiosity Did I drive Rob crazy?" Phil laughed loudly, so surprised by the unexpected question. His broad smile faded as he looked at Athena."Crazy as in what way?" he asked. Athena sat thoughtful for a minute and then answered, "As in mentally challenging." Phil considered this, dropping his gaze to the rug before looking back at her."Yes...but not in a bad way. He liked the fact he couldn't say a hundred percent surely how you would react to any given thing." She smiled and then added, "I wasn't always sure about how he would react either." She paused a moment and then continued, "which I know sounds weird but..." She left her sentence unfinished as she drifted toward the past. She pushed the crackers aside and finished the rest of her tea before she looked back a Phil and some kind of understanding passed between them. He stood up. "We can talk about him whenever and as often as you like," he said quietly "But not here and now. You need to rest as the doctors told you to. You know where to find me," he smiled faintly at her. "OK?" "Yes, I think I could find you if I need you," Athena replied as she closed her eyes. "Thanks for coming to check on me. Maybe we could have lunch or dinner tomorrow," she asked. But before she heard his answer her breath had become slow and regular and she'd drifted off into sleep. "Maybe," he said and headed for the door. When almost there, he slowed and glanced back at her. With sudden decision, he opened the door nearest him and saw it was her counseling room. he closed it and tried the next one. He entered the room and reappeared a few seconds later, carrying the coverlet form her bed. Taking care not to wake her, he wrapped the material around her. Satisfied she was asleep, he left her. =/\= End Log =/\= Lt. Athena Wellington Counselor USS Chimera & Phil Barnes NPC ODA apb: Rangi