*** Holodeck 8 * SB Bragg *** Wes watched his daughter pick her way up the grassy bank,her sandals swinging from one hand,the other pushing back her hair. She glanced up at him, beamed a quick smile and continued to make her way towards him carefully avoiding the odd thistle that was hidden by the long grass. Standing up from his seat on a fallen log, he asked.."Water's cold?" "Very!" she replied and smiled at him again. She took his former place and leaned forward to fasten the straps of her sandalls around her slender ankles. "It was freezing" she informed him "....but really good. I like paddling " she added standing up and smoothing her skirt, wet in places from her recent excursion into the stream."...but don't tell them in sickbay!" He chuckled, thinking how happy and relaxed she seemed and glad that she still enjoyed such childish pleasures. Rangi gave a long contented sigh, glancing at the countryside around them, then remeeting his gaze asked.. "Right...I suppose we should go back?" He gave a nod of assent but stood for a moment looking at the slim figure in front of him,treasuring the moment and experiencing a feeling of pride that she was his daughter. Sensing that his mood had changed,Rangi stepped to his side. "This has been lovely hasnt it?" she asked and moved forward to hug her father. "Its been perfect" he answered gruffly, returning the hug and Rangi blinked back tears that sprang to her eyes,as her tanned cheek felt the familiar roughness of his jacket, too aware that such times were coming to an end. Wes patted his hand on her shoulder in a gesture of comfort, for his part thinking that she was more vunerable than she would ever admit...and that Guzman was a fool. Next moment, she forced herself to smile at him and said. "Come on then." He noticed the overbright eyes, but said nothing. They began to retrace their steps and Wes wondered how best to broach the subject that he wanted to discuss. "So..." he began, after they had walked a few steps. "...you're still settled on Chimera then?" Rangi looked at him, a little surprised at the question. "Yes." she answered simply. "Is this really all you want?" he asked, not looking at her but studying the path ahead. Rangi recognised the tone and wondered what he was leading up to. "A CMO of a small sickbay?..on an Intrepid Class ship?...you're happy with that?" This time he looked at her. "Yes I am." she replied honestly. "Mmmm..." It was a sound that spoke volumes. "Why do you ask?" she queried. He glanced at her. "Well...is that it?...thats the end? What happened to your plans? Are they shelved or are they buried?" {This is leading to Shane!} she thought, her intuition burning into overdrive. "Moppet...I know you joined StarFleet on a spur...to get away from, or to forget....that marine." he said quietly, referring to her ill fated relationship with an ODA Commander. "But I'd bet that after one tour of duty you'd have resigned...would have returned to your original plans...had it not been for Guzman." Rangi took a deep breath, her lips drawn in a tight line. "I'd like to know where its all leading." Wes added. "Why dont you like him?" she asked. There was no immediate reply. "I've told you before...dislike doesnt come into it. " he answered. " Guzman is a personable chap... young for such a responsible job..but...sensible...intelligent...extremely talented when it comes to tactical fields." "But?" Rangi prompted, knowing there was more. " How long have you known him now?" Wes asked. " Three?...four years?" "Almost four" Rangi answered quietly, her intuition doing somersaults. "Four years is a long time." Wes said reasonably. "I'm wondering where its all leading." He looked at her troubled face." Is it going somewhere or are you just content to let it drift?" "Surely drifting is preferable to rushing into things isn't it?" she responded sounding slightly defensive. "Ofcourse. " Wes said " ..If you're drifting the right way." They walked on in silence, Wes letting his suggestion sink in, Rangi feeling uneasy at the way the conversation was turning. "I've been here a few days." he said, apparantly changing the subject. He stepped wide of her to avoid a low branch. She moved the other way and a few seconds passed before they were side by side again. "I was in one of the cafes and couldnt help but overhear a conversation at a nearby table.It took me a while to realize who they were talking about...and I tell you Rangi...I wasnt best pleased to learn it was daughter and her....boyfriend." "I'm not interested in gossip dad" Rangi said, her tone decidedly chilly."...and I thought you took no notice either." "I dont." he replied and caught her eye when she ventured a glance. She immediatley felt about half her age. "But it got me thinking.." he continued, now getting into his flow. "Guzmans onto a good thing.He can in fact, go trotting along the corridor from his own quaters.. whenever he has the mind to...and a few doors away,he will find a pretty and very attractive young woman who will welcome him with open arms." Rangi attempted to speak but was stopped without a word by her fathers expression. "There's no commitment Rangi. He might tell you he loves you...that you're everything he ever dreamed of plus some...but he doesnt even acknowledge a relationship with you to his own crew.Is he content to have your name banded about like some....well...is that what you want?...a total lack of commitment?" "Dad......" Rangi said, " Shane and I....we........there isnt a 'need' for any...'commitment'..." Rangis words trailed off. { I knew it!!} Wes thought { He hasnt said a word to her about their future. Ha!!...he doesnt even plan one.} A certain AMO sprang to his mind. {Why..} he told himself. {.....there are men on that ship who wouldnt hold back if they were in Guzmans place.} "Rangi" he said quietly, not wanting to prolong the moment that threatened to spoil their precious time together. "If you are content with this, thats all well and good. But...your plans for a career...a family..." The word hung in the air. Rangi knew that her father asked out of concern for her happiness. She knew he didnt intend to be unkind or to drive a wedge between Shane and herself. She knew that his reason for pressuring her was not only concern for her own happiness but also because he knew his time was running out and for his own peace of mind he wanted to know that she was settled and happy. But all the same, his words had gone deep, coming as they did on the heels of Shanes apparant relief that there would be no change in their relationship. She pushed back her unformed doubts and raised her head to see her fathers concerned face looking at her. She folded her arm into his. "I understand what you're saying." she told him gently. "..but really...theres no need to worry. I'm perfectly happy. I 'am' where I want to be." Wes looked at her, unconvinced by her reassurance. "Then if thats the case...theres nothing more to say" he said at length and smiled at her a little sadly. They walked down to the small stony path, collecting their picnic basket on the way. "This has been a lovely time Dad." she said, and reached up to kiss his cheek. *** End Log *** LtCmdr Rangi Summers CMO & Wes Summers (npc) Rangi