=/\= Athena's Quarters =/\= Athena sat in her living room enjoying a quite afternoon while she recoperated as they traveled back to USS Bragg. She was keeping her mind a blissfully blank. She was listening to some 20th century classical music. She was discovering how relaxing it could be. The top of the three boxes was beginning to slide to the right as Rangi approached the counselors quarters. Juggling her load as best she could, she slowed to a stop near the door, leaned one arm against the wall and transferred the weight to one hand, quickly letting go with the other, ringing the chime and hastily resuming her grip. Athena's gaze fell to the door and with a small sigh she got up and answered the door while the music continued to play in the background. She was a bit surprised to see Rangi standing there when the door slid open. The sound of the chime died away and Rangi took a deep breath as she waited. The fact that their friendship had become strained was, Rangi thought, her fault, though technically it hadn't been her choice. She had suffered effects from the pollen of Dorian Rose and this had manifested itself in making her suspicious of Athena's 'feelings' for Shane. Rangi had never experienced such bitter jealousy before but now that was past and she hoped to make amends. "Hi," Athena said. She motioned for Rangi to come in and asked, "Can I help You?" "I come with a peace offering" Rangi replied. She stepped inside the room and half turned to look back at Athena hoping to gauge the counselors reaction. Athena looked at the doctor and gave a small shrug before the doc turned to look at her. "I don't recall you needing to give me a peace offering," Athena responded kindly. Athena knew that things between them had been strained but she also understood that Rangi couldn't help it. It was that darn flower pollen. Rangi's hesitant expression broke into a smile. "OK then " she said, indicating that Athena take the top most box. " ...look on it as a favour...I need help to eat all this." Athena raised an eyebrow her curiosity peeked at what there could be to eat in the box. Athena took the box and looked it over. She sat down on the sofa and with the smile of a child began to rip the paper off the box. Rangi took a seat beside Athena. She lifted the second of the three boxes and set it carefully on the small side table, keeping the third and largest on her knee. She watched Athena remove the lid from her box and saw the expression as the counselor realized the contents were chocolates...her favorite type sitting two layers deep in their silver foil. Athena immediately picked a chocolate out of the box and popped it in her mouth and savored the flavor as she held the box towards Rangi. Rangi didn't hesitate for more than half a second. "Thank you" she said with a wide smile and selected her own favorite. She bit into it and murmured "Mmmmmm...delicious." She chewed for a moment then said:" But they're not all..In there is selection of chocolate drinks...and in here..." she lifted the lid from the box on her lap "....a chocolate gateaux of distinction. What do you think?" She part tilted the box so that Athena could see the contents. " I thought we could have chocolate afternoon...and put the worlds to rights." she added. "That sounds like a delectable idea," Athena grinned. She had a brief thought of eating too much baklava as a child and then added, "But we'll have to stop before we get sick. Rangi nodded seriously, met Athena's eyes and said "We'll just have to do our best then," and grinned back. She set the gateaux box beside the other on the table, careful not to let either fall. When she looked back at Athena her expression had changed. " Seriously...I want to apologize to you. I know it was the pollen effect.. .but I was unkind to you. It wasn't nice for you and I'm sorry." "I always understood," Athena replied warmly. She ignored how lonely it had made her feel at times and smiled as she chose one of the chocolatey drinks. "MMMmmm... minty," she added as she closed her eyes enjoying the euphoria that the chocolate was bringing. Rangi leaned back against the soft cushion and selected a second chocolate that she thought was strawberry flavour. It turned out to be orange but that didn't spoil the enjoyment. "How are things going," Athena asked with mild curiosity as she sighed with pleasure. She leaned forward and picked another chocolate and placed it in her mouth. She squished the soft chocolate between the roof of her mouth and her tongue and felt joy as the carmel flavoring oozed onto her tastebuds. "In general?..or do you mean with Shane and me?" Rangi asked. Her fingers hovered over the box then dipped down to retrieve another of her favorites. This time it 'was' strawberry. Rangi savoured the sweet taste. "Well... with you and Shane I guess but if you want to start with in general go ahead," Athena responded as watched Rangi's reaction. "Well...work wise everything's fine..." Rangi replied and looked into the chocolate box. She didn't make a selection. "My dad isn't so good. I'm hoping I can see him soon << Have a plan for this but not exactly sure yet so this sentence might alter>> I find it really difficult to keep a bright attitude for him. He does the same you know," she looked up at Athena." We each pretend for the others sake. Its so silly," she gave a small shake of her head. "It is funny the things we do for the ones we love," Athena said and then sat back as if consider something. Athena chose another chocolate and inspected it carefully before adding, "you know I'm glad you ended up with Shane. You are good for each other and the once kiss Shane and I shared was odd ... very odd. It just felt wrong." Athena's gaze was blank as she wait for Rangi's reaction. She bit into the chocolate and savored the strong vanilla flavor. "Felt wrong?" Rangi couldn't hide her surprise. "I mean...." she stopped, feeling uncertain now that they were talking about one of the reasons for Rangi's suspicions." Shane told me that he had kissed you," she said quietly."..and if I'm honest I have to say that I've never felt to bitterly jealous in my life." "Yes, I think so," Athena replied as she took the last bite of the vanilla flavored chocolate. "Do you mind me mentioning Rob?" Rangi asked quietly. "You know I would talk about him if you want to." She waited for Athena's reply thinking that it must be so difficult to be a counselor and have to listen to others problems all the time without an outlet for your own. Athena was looking over the box trying to decide what flavor to pick next. She hesitated momentarily at Rangi's question and then picked one. "I don't mind talking about Rob," she answered and took a bite of the candy. {Hmm... butter cream.} Rangi watched Athena's expression. It told her nothing. "Athena.... I like to think...except for the last little while...that we've become good friends. Losing Rob was hard for you...especially in the circumstances. You never talked about it and I didn't like to ask. But you know I would listen to you?" "But I have talked about Rob.... Phil and I have talked a couple of times." Athena smiled at Rangi. "But its nice to know I have others that I a talk to if I need to," Athena added absently as she looked over the chocolates. She sat back and took a calming breath as her stomach rolled at the thought of more chocolate. "That's good then." Rangi waited for Athena to look up and smiled. "Phil was a good friend to Rob. I'm glad you two can help each other over this then." Thinking that the mood had become too dark, Rangi leaned forward and picked up the gateaux box. " So....what are we going to do about this?" she asked. "Get a strong cup of coffee or tea and eat it..... maybe have a salad first," she questioned as she looked at Rangi with a consortial look. "Mmmmm......not sure about the salad" Rangi replied and grinned.