*** Sickbay USS Chimera *** Rangi switched off the padd and laid it gently aside.In plainly stated facts it had informed her how Lt Robert Richards Assitant ODA Commander of the USS Chimera had died.From a purely medical point of view it was fascinating, but from a personal point of view..... Rangi sighed and leaned back in her chair, putting her hands to her face, fingertips rubbing her eyes. She felt tired. Deciding that even an hour or two of sleep was what she needed, she stood up, straightened the waiting padds on her desk and headed for the door.Outside her office,everything was calm and Rangi continued on her way to the main entrance where one of the security team came to attention. "I'll escort you ma'am" he said stepping aside. "Thankyou..I'm going two decks up...to my quarters." "Yes ma'am." They began to walk along the corridor towards the turbolift, gradually catching up with two more security guards whose conversation became audible as they drew near. "And.....it was 'clinging'...know what I mean?" "I can imagine it!" came an amused reply. "...and when he asked if she wanted him to go inside her room...." There was a pause for effect. "She said?...." prompted the listener. "She said he could." "Oho...now thats what I call one of the benefits of being a senior officer." Rangi was aware her escort looked at her suddenly and when she turned her head to him he smiled weakly. The first marine gave a shake of his head and replied wistfully ;"Not for the likes of us huh?" "I thought she was seeing that ODA Lieutenant though..." Rangi switched her attention back to the couple in front. {Athena?} she queried {They're talking about her?} The marine shrugged."So they say...but she was standing there.....and...well,Catlin told me himself...Clinging....wet...." ===== Shane's quarters ===== Shane sat in his chair and tapped the table console and checked his to-do list. He skimmed through the daily routine duties, reports from engineering and sickbay and his own reports to the CO. Looking at one line he stopped and looked out the window. It was his report sent to Keylor ... about Athena. It was quite a shock for him as she came through the door ... like she was never away. And of course ... very Athena-like, she explained to Shane what happened to her and how she managed to get back. Taken strict professionally ... she was up for few nice weeks in a brig cell. Very luckily for Shane, he doesnt have to decide about her fate and thus test his friendship with her ... he left the final decission up for Keylor. Surely, it was a bit alibistic from Shane. He could and should decide what to do with her, but he took the backdoor of command and decided only on temporarily basis. He granted Athena her old position with no penalties or restrictions, under the condition that she will wait for the CO's final word. And there you go ... Shane wondered how will the CO decide and if the next time he will meet her ... the place will be one of the ship's brig cells. Again ... Shane had to wonder about the woman and about her influence on man ... {Inclusive myself} he thought. She was surely beautifull, had an innocent look of a young lady and she radiated an aura of desire ... {Shane sighed} Suddenly he sprung to his feet. {There's no time for that ...} he told himself ... trying to persuade himself. He fastly grabbed the first PADD and hurried out of his rooms. He knew he will meet someone that will need advice or is in trouble ... and his mind will be occupied with that problem ... instead of with Athena. ***Corridor near Sickbay*** Rangi frowned.Scotts words echoed into her mind.She had asked about rumours and he had agreed that there were some circulating around the ship.{'Its Shane?'} she had asked. He had been uncomfortable about the questions and had suggested that she ask the XO herself. {Now I see why!} she thought{This is what theyre saying...he's been to see Athena...and she met him at her door....like that?} The turbo lift door opened, the two marines continued on their way along the corrider while Rangi and her escort stepped inside.{Thats why Athena wouldnt look at me!...thats why she turned away!!} "Ma'am?" 2:38] <rangi> {Thats why Athena wouldnt look at me!...thats why she turned away!!} "Ma'am?" The escorts voice brought Rangi from her daydream. "Bridge!" she said coldly and the lift moved away. ==== Shane's Quiarters ==== Having little luck with his search for an unfortunate prey ... Shane decided to have a look at the Bridge. He knew that Keylor was not on Bridge duty and that there would be some LT. in charge there. Making up his mind, only minutes later he found himself stepping out the lift and looking around the Bridge. The LT. got the situation right and with a nod only he stood up from the CO's chair and made place for the XO to take over. Shane nodded back to him and slowly sat himself in the centre seat. He scratched himself and he could not get rid of one thought ... {Rangi}. *** Turbolift *** Rangis escort studied the floor of the lift. {Whats that expression?..'Hell has no fury?...like a woman...whats the word?} He glanced up at the CMO standing opposite."I'm surely glad MY name isnt Guzman!} he thought and the lift came to a smooth stop. "Thankyou" Rangis tone was cold as a tomb. "Ma'am " he acknowledged and saw, as the doors slid shut, that Rangi lifted her chin and swept her eyes around the Bridge. Shane was of course no telepath ... but today ... at this moment he could swear he was feeling some vibes. Some bad vibes ... like a storm was coming his way and suddenly he was feeling like he was in deep trouble. Shane glanced around to see if anyone else was feeling like him ... but everyone else seemed to be occupied with their work only. No signs of vibes for anyone else. He knew this ship ... he knew this crew and he knew that the little 'adventure' in Athena's quarters will not pass unnoticed and that the 'rumour mill' will make it look like ten times what it really was. Normally, he would not care too much about rumours ... but this time he felt really a bit guilty and the fact that he has really locked away the sensor logs on Athena's quarters of that night made him feel even more uncomfortable. Shane jerked a bit as the lift's door swung open unexpectely. { THERE you are...} Rangi stepped forward,the welcoming smile she always had at the sight of Shane, was conspicuous by its absence.She subdued the tingle of happiness at the sight of his profile and walked towards him determindly, ignoring the other officer she passed. "Commander?...may I have a word with you?...Privately?" Shane's lips formed a smile as she recognized Rangi stepping out the lift but her cold facial expression managed to freeze the smile on his lips. Upon her question he thought confused: {Huh ... Commander? Since when she addresses me as Commander?} Shane looked around half expecting some flag officer standing there somewhere that would explain Rangi's formal words ... but there was of course noone. Slowly he stood up from the chair and replied calmly: "Sure Rangi, lets try the ready room?" he suggested. {Yes lets!} she thought but answered nothing, merely waiting for him to lead the way.She deliberately avoided looking at him as he walked past and followed three steps behind him to the readyroom. There was something very wrong! Shane could feel it like a dog can feel a cat miles away. He felt the storm coming and even when he didnt know why ... he didnt liked it at all. A faint hope of his was that there are just some duty matters the problem ... probably Rangi not liking to marines on her tail, but Rangi's ice cold manners hinted oterwise. "Please take a seat Rangi" he said and slowly went over to the opposite chair to gain some more seconds ... {He looks guilty!} The thought surprised her.Hearing or being told of rumours was one thing, seeing them confirmed was another. "Well?" she asked. "Well?" he asked really surprised. "What do you mean with well Rangi?" he asked. Standing there in front of him, Rangi resembled the ancient greek godness of Pallas Athena ... on her quest to help ... or to destroy her enemies. Rangi sat down with deliberate care, raised her eyes to meet his and answered his question with one of her own. "Do you have something to tell me?......about you...... and the counselor?" Shane could not hide the short feeling of fear in his eyes. {Jezus ... how does she know?} he asked himself. Shane replied not instantly ... first he gave Rangi a long look like considering his words carefully. {Hey ... there happened nothing ... there WAS nothing ... and she sure hasnt checked the logs} he persuaded himself. "What do you mean with me and the counselor?" he asked finally. All manner of emotions has flooded through her in the short trip in the turbolift....surprise...shock...confusion...disbelief...But now Rangi could see in his face all that she had dreaded. {Its true} she thought,with a grip of fear.{He HAS been seeing Athena...he's trying to hide it...pretending he doesnt know what I mean} She swallowed and took a deep breath. "Dont compound it Shane." she said quietly."You know what I mean.Its all over the ship.You...and Athena....in her nightdress..." The word caught in Rangis throat, making her pause for a moment. "Why couldnt you tell me?Why wait for me to find out this way?" Before he could reply she ploughed on."I always knew you were attracted to her Shane....always...from back on Aurora...but I never thought you'd do this to me." Angry tears sprang to her eyes. Shane leaned back in his seat in a defense position. As a former CTAC ... he know what an attack looks like. Here and now. He never thought he would have to face an attack from Rangi but there you go ... here and now. Crossing his hands on his chest he thought: {So ... she's heard something from someone. The guards? Most probably ... dammed marines!} His anger level striked up as well. He said a bit harder as he intended: "What do you mean with me and Athena? Attracted? You say that I've had something with her? How do you want to know, do you really want to know or are you here just to accuse me?" He gave her an angry look. {Nonsense!} he thought. *** End Log *** LtCmdr Shane Guxman XO USS Chimera & LtCmdr Rangi Summers 2XO/CMO USS Chimera