From: Ruth King <101646.276@CompuServe.COM>
Subject: Eyes of Men Dreaming/1
Date: 12 Jan 97 15:59:26 EST

There are some people I would like to thank for their encouragement while I was
writing this; Julie, Les, Isis, Em, Rachel and Simon. Who have all contributed
in some way.




Eyes of Men Dreaming part 1
By  Ruth King
101646.276@compuserve.com


 Babylon 5 is copyright Warner Bros. & JMS etc.  This story is
 not intended to infringe on these copyrights. Please do not reproduce without
the prior consent of  the author.


The laughter could be heard right across the mess hall. Captain Sheridan
recognised his Security Chief's evil cackle. He closed his eyes briefly, it
meant that Susan Ivanova was not going to be in a good mood. She was on her feet
pointing at her breakfast;

" I am not eating that.,"

Garibaldi laughed again, " I'm nice enough to buy you breakfast and this is the
thanks I get."

" There's something wrong with it." 

" No there's not, now sit and eat."

" You eat it."

" OK." 

He happily swapped the trays. Ivanova sat down and picked up her fork.

" Wait !" She suddenly exclaimed.

" What now ?"

" That's what you wanted me to do."

" Ivanova I wanted my breakfast."

" Give me that back."

" No."

" So I was right."

" Have mine." Sheridan said sitting down to join them.

She looked at him suspiciously, trying to decide if the Captain was in on the
joke. Silently, Sheridan swapped her food for his own. Then he looked down at
what he was eating. Garibaldi's breakfast choices weren't usually desirable for
the rest of the species. As he suspected, cholesterol on a plate.  Well if it
kept Ivanova happy, he could disobey Dr. Franklin's instructions just this once.
What the Doctor couldn't see.....Sheridan had once  asked Garibaldi why he
deliberately set out to annoy Ivanova at breakfast. The volatile second in
command was never in a good mood in the morning and the last thing the Captain
would want to do was arouse her temper. Garibaldi obviously delighted in getting
a reaction out of her . The other man's explanation had been simple. If she was
mad at him she was easier on everyone else.  The way she was glaring at
Garibaldi now, Sheridan began to think there was something  to that theory. The
Captain was glad of the diversion. With the Shadows finally moving against them
he appreciated every possible distraction.

" Mr. Garibaldi I have something for you," Sheridan suddenly remembered.

" Sir ?"

Sheridan always got the feeling that Garibaldi's polite 'sir' was added on as an
afterthought. He would almost have preferred it if the other man didn't bother.
Pushing his musings to the back of his mind he handed Garibaldi the electronic
data pad.

" Excuse me, there's something I have to check on." The Chief finally muttered.

Garibaldi pushed his chair back and left the table. Sheridan gave Ivanova a
puzzled look.

*********************************************************************************


" Can I have a word with you sir ?" Garibaldi's voice made Sheridan look up from
his paperwork.

" Sure. "

" I've had news from Earth, via an old friend on Orion 4. The  message you gave
me this morning was him tryin' to get in touch."

" I assume its something serious ?"

" Its my mother. She's been sick for some time but  she's taken a turn for the
worse. Sir, this is  a hell of a lot to ask...given our situation and all....."

"....but you want to go to Earth ?"

" I know I'm takin' a risk but I'd never forgive myself if...if anything
happened."

" Michael, I don't know, it could jeopardise our whole operation."

" If it was Anna would you do any different ?" 

That struck home. Maybe it was a little below the belt but Garibaldi didn't want
to leave without his Captain's blessing.

" If I gave you a direct order would you stay here ? "

" You shouldn't have to ask me that....but yes I would."

" See what you can do about arranging some back up."

" Sir ?"

" Take someone with you."

Garibaldi smiled in relief as his sense of humour reasserted itself.

" One slight problem, I can count the number of people I would trust to watch my
back  on one hand.  I'd ask Zack but I need someone I can trust heading up
security. There's too many of the Nightwatch still floating around. "

" It will have to be one of us. I can't go and  Stephen won't want to leave Med.
Lab. You'll have to ask Susan."

" After this morning she wants to do me some serious personal damage."

"  We must reap the seeds we sow Mr. Garibaldi."

" You really should stop having these lessons from Ambassador Kosh sir."

The Captain leaned back in his chair after the other man had left. Ivanova was
the best person to send with Garibaldi, as Sheridan obviously couldn't go
himself. Having two Command Officers away from the station did cause him some
concern.....but it wasn't any different from the times both he and  Ivanova had
gone off on the White Star leaving Garibaldi in command. 

*********************************************************************************
**

Ivanova  took the opportunity of a quiet spell in C + C to lose herself in the
stars. Babylon 5 had given a collective sigh of relief when Bester had left.
Despite the fact that they now had an uneasy alliance with the Psicop, Ivanova
couldn't bring herself to place any measure of trust in the man. 'Damn you
Sheridan ' she thought. Facing Bester had been one of the most terrifying things
that she had ever done and then the bastard had  had the gall to speak about her
mother....Bester said they had the same eyes. It sent a shiver down Ivanova's
spine. It was almost as if the Psicop had known Sophie Ivanova. She should have
killed him all those months ago. What would the Captain have done if she had
blown the man's ship out of the sky ? It had been so close, half a second later
and he wouldn't have been able to stop her. Killing the Psicop had been
Garibaldi's suggestion, one that Ivanova had actually found herself
contemplating. They had a common reason for wanting Bester's head on a pole,
even if Garibaldi wasn't aware of the fact.

Talia Winters..... Bester had told them she was dead. No, Ivanova corrected
herself, Talia's soul had died here on Babylon 5, the psicorps had just
destroyed the woman's body. Ivanova had always nurtured the belief that some
part of Talia remained, that someday she would return. Three words from Bester
had destroyed that hope. The touch of another mind should have been a beautiful
moment but the Psicorps had twisted the memory into something vile. She couldn't
think of Talia without those feelings intruding. Ivanova hated what she was, now
more than ever.

Bester had been gone two days and she still couldn't get the anger out of  her
mind. Every time she picked up a stray emotion she had to fight the impulse to
run away and hide. Put her in a room with a telepath right now and she wouldn't
be responsible for her actions.

" Ivanova ?" A voice echoed from her link.

" What ?"

" Its Garibaldi. I was just wondering  if you wanted to come over to my place
for dinner ?"

In her present mood the idea of company wasn't really appealing, but neither was
the thought of being on her own.

" Made too much pasta again Michael ?"

" Yeah, one of these days I'll get it right."

" In that case I'll see you in ten."

Inexplicably she felt her mood lighten. Eating Garibaldi's cooking was far
preferable to anything the mess hall had to offer.

The fastidious neatness of Garibaldi's quarters always surprised her. Whatever
he was cooking smelt incredibly good, it made her realise how hungry she
actually was and that she had forgotten to eat lunch.

" Anyone else coming ?" She asked as he pulled out a chair for her.

" Not tonight, I needed to talk to you in private."

" Michael this is fabulous."

" Thanks."

" So what's up ?"

He pushed his own food round his plate for a few moments before replying,

" I have to go to Earth...its a family matter....Sheridan suggested that someone
watches my back. Would you come ?"

Earth, Earthdome, Psicorps. Ivanova dropped her fork with a clatter. The
connection was automatic despite the fact that Ivanova knew Garibaldi wouldn't
be going anywhere near the government headquarters. 

Garibaldi was looking at her with that disturbingly penetrating gaze, obviously
expecting a reply. 

" There's not to many people here I would trust to do the job, " He shrugged, "
But if you don't want to....?"

He turned his attention back to his meal, but she suspected that he too was
finding it tasteless. There was an understandable tension between them, she
searched for some way to break it. When push came to shove could she actually
live with herself if she let him down. Taking a deep breath she nodded,

" Okay, I'll do it."

Garibaldi grinned and squeezed her hand.

" Thanks, " He said, " And to show how much I appreciate this I'll go and get
dessert."

" Not chocolate fudge pie ? Michael I just have to look at that and it goes
straight to my hips."

" Wait and see." He teased.

Ivanova let herself laugh. Inside she was fuming. John Sheridan was going to pay
for this. How could he make such a suggestion, sending her within easy reach of
the Psicops ? So he hadn't made it an order, but he must have known that she
wouldn't be able to turn Garibaldi down. Ice water shower was only the
beginning.

*********************************************************************************
**

" I think I'm going to have to rescue Mr. Allen." Ivanova whispered to Sheridan
as the stood in the docking bay.

" How are you feeling ?" Sheridan asked her.

" Nervous." She admitted, " I didn't think it was that obvious. I don't know if
I'm scared we'll get caught or of what they've done to Earth."

Sheridan could only nod. Part of  him still didn't want to let them go. What
they had built here was more important than any one man's personal
concerns.....or was it ? For a moment he knew how Delenn had felt when she had
decided to keep certain information about the Shadows away from him. 

 "I'm going to be gone a week .....fortnight tops if everything goes according
to plan." Garibaldi was telling his yawning second in command.

" So you said ." Zack replied. Garibaldi had already been through this five
times.

" Am I boring you  Sergeant ?

" No Chief...but isn't it  time you  boarded the shuttle ?" 

 " Did I tell you we've got a bunch of new recruits arriving next week....?"

" Several times sir."

Garibaldi flashed his second an annoyed look which soon transformed itself to an
apologetic grin.

" Sorry Zack,"

" See you in a fortnight Chief."

" Be careful," Sheridan told them.

" We will." Ivanova smiled at him.

" Yeah we'll be back before you know it."

They walked up the ramp together without looking back. Two weeks was going to
seem like one hell of a long time.

*********************************************************************************
**

Earth. It was strange to return after all this time. It had to be at least five
years since he had walked on his native world. He felt slightly more comfortable
with himself than he had expected. Maybe he just had too many other things to
worry about. Sure there were some bad memories but the Michael Garibaldi  who
stared out of the shuttle's viewports was not the same man that had left so long
ago.  He was sober for a start.  Garibaldi wondered idly if it had been luck
that had led to his meeting with Jeff Sinclair or some twist of destiny. 'The
'cosmic sewing circle' strikes again'  He thought. 

" Are you going to sit there all day or shall we disembark ?" Ivanova's words
broke through his musings.

" Just thinking ." He replied, struggling out of his safety harness,  "You know
you look good as a blond." 

Ivanova ran her hand over the short wig. Fake ID's, disguises, it was like
something out of a bad movie. She raised an eyebrow and gave him a hard stare.

" Well hair doesn't suit you."

" I'll take that as a compliment. Lets grab the bags and get out of here."

" Maybe we could find some fresh coffee....."

" Yeah I know with fresh cream."

" Have I mentioned this before ?"

" Just a couple of hundred times."

She gave him a friendly punch on the arm. The light banter was putting them both
at ease. Garibaldi was obviously very worried. He was trying to hide the fact
behind a facade of humour but it didn't fool Ivanova for a second.  If nothing
else she was here as a friend to support him if anything did happen. She had
never forgotten his kindness when her father died, even if she hadn't been able
to acknowledge it at the time. Sometimes she thought that they both had a great
deal to learn when it came to letting another person get close. Ivanova often
wondered what had made him that way. Perhaps one day he might trust her enough
to tell.

They wandered out into the customs area, joining travellers from other flights.
There were plenty of military personnel around, and here and there a psicop
uniform. Ivanova felt herself  tense at the sight but there was no trace of a
scan. That was probably another reason that Sheridan had suggested she travel
with Garibaldi. The Captain seemed to be very sure of her abilities, Ivanova
wished that she didn't have doubts. As far as Garibaldi was concerned she was
simply here to watch his back, she wasn't sure how she could protect him against
a true telepath. Stray thoughts could betray them as easily as words.

*********************************************************************************
**

From: Ruth King <101646.276@CompuServe.COM>
Subject: Eyes of Men Dreaming/2
Date: 12 Jan 97 15:59:09 EST

Eyes of Men Dreaming part 2
By  Ruth King
101646.276@compuserve.com


 Babylon 5 is copyright Warner Bros. & JMS etc.  This story is
 not intended to infringe on these copyrights. Please do not reproduce without
the prior consent of  the author.






Rain washed gently from the sky as they made the short walk from the subway to
the hospital. It was a strange sensation for people so used to the seasonless
conditions of a space station. In fact Ivanova stood for a few seconds when they
got outside, her face upturned slightly.

" Why is it whenever I come to earth it rains ?"  Garibaldi grumbled.

" This is the first we've seen in two years,  don't you miss it ?"

" Nope."

" Some people have no romance in their souls."

" Some people are going to catch a cold."

They had landed  in the early hours of the morning having transferred from the
main spaceport in Geneva. It was now almost noon. ' So much for the efficiency
of martial law,' Ivanova thought to herself remembering the amount of time it
had taken them to get through customs and then to get Garibaldi's Centauri
ducats changed for commercial credits. Finally they'd had to battle with the
public transport system. It really made you appreciate living in a place where
the farthest point was a maximum of five miles away.  Garibaldi was leading the
way with the confidence of someone who had grown up on these streets whereas
Ivanova had completely lost any sense of direction. Her senses were stretched
almost to breaking point, the strain of being in an unknown place was beginning
to tell. There were troops on every corner, wearing full riot gear, PPG rifles
casually slung over their shoulders. The people......she couldn't describe it,
but it was the quietest, most orderly crowd she had ever seen. This wasn't
Earth, not the one she remembered. 

They turned up another side street to find themselves outside a crumbling
building, a relic from the last century. Ivanova didn't expect the inside to be
much better. Garibaldi crossed straight to the reception desk and was given
directions to the fourth floor.

Ivanova felt slightly redundant as she trailed after him. She understood his
eagerness but fatigue was starting to make her cranky. Eventually he paused
outside a door to knock on it quietly before pushing it open. 

" Mom ?" 

The woman in the bed looked up sharply. Ivanova hadn't quite known what she
expected Garibaldi's mother  to look like. She was surprised to see a tiny woman
with white hair and the blue eyes that her son had obviously inherited. 

" Michael ? Is that  you ?" The woman squinted at her son, before reaching for
her glasses.

" How you doin'  ?"

" So it takes a revolution for you to make time to see your mother. Did you get
your last food parcel ?  What have you done to your hair ? And for once in your
life stand up straight."

Garibaldi automatically straightened his shoulders, " I got a message from Uncle
Angelo, he said you were sick."

" He'd have been better to mind his own business. It was just a heart flutter.
Those idiot doctors won't let me go home. "

" I think it was a little more serious...."

" Aren't you going to introduce me to your lady friend ?"

" She's not my....aw hell. Mom this is  Susan Ivanova. .......Ivan.....Susan my
mother, Mary Garibaldi."

" Pleased to meet you dear. "

Ivanova stepped forward and kissed the old lady's cheek. Enjoying Garibaldi's
discomfort. 

" I've been waiting for Michael to bring a nice girl home. "

" Mom !" Garibaldi exclaimed, then looked nervously at he door. He was torn
between his need to be with his mother and his innate sense of caution. Mary
made the decision for him.

" Michael I know how dangerous it was for you to come here. Don't stay longer
than necessary."

" I'll be back tomorrow."

" Give you mother a kiss then."

Dutifully, Garibaldi did as requested, before quietly escorting Ivanova from the
room. Two people were waiting for them in the corridor, an older grey-haired
man, and a younger woman, about Ivanova's age. They greeted him with hugs.
Ivanova stood back a little, this was obviously a family moment.
It was brought home to her more forcefully when they started conversing in
Italian. She had never even considered the fact that Garibaldi could speak
anything other than Interlac. Suddenly Garibaldi broke off and beckoned her
over;

" Susan, My Uncle Angelo, my cousin Catherine."

" Pleased to meet you all," Ivanova replied.

 " I couldn't get the truth out of Mom. What do the doctor's say ?"

" They want to give her an artificial heart. " Angelo answered." Its a
relatively simple procedure."

" She's eighty-six !"

" Mary's one tough customer. "

" When ?"

" Tomorrow.  When are you leaving ?"

" Not until I'm sure she's all right."

" Got some place to stay ?"

" Not yet."

"Catherine take Susan and Michael back to the restaurant. They can have the
spare room up top."

*********************************************************************************
**

" How much longer are you goin' to be in there ?" Garibaldi rapped on the door
for the third time in fifteen minutes.

" Five minutes."

" That's what you said ten minutes ago."

" Patience."

" You spent two hours in the bath didn't you ?" Garibaldi's voice again.

Ivanova gave a guilty start. Maybe she shouldn't have taken quite so long , but
with Earth's abundant water supply it would have been criminal not to take the
opportunity.  The room they had been shown was comfortable enough, although
small compared to her quarters on Babylon 5. She had raised an eyebrow at the
fact that there was only one bed. Garibaldi had tried to explain to little
avail, they obviously though he was just being evasive. Still, he had gallantly
offered to sleep on the floor. Ivanova pushed the thoughts of sleep from her
mind. The restaurant had been closed in the evening since the institution of
Martial Law so Angelo had invited them to dinner.

" OK you can come in now." She shouted back.

Standing in front of  the mirror she had her back to the door, so she watched
Garibaldi's reflection as he came in. The Security Chief flushed slightly when
he saw her and he seemed to be having trouble with his collar.

" Don't you like this dress ?" She teased. 

" Where did you get it ?"

" Catherine lent it to me. I didn't bring anything with me that was suitable.
You haven't answered my question. ?"

" Its very......distracting."

" Would it bother you too much to finish zipping me into it ?"

" Glad to know I'm useful for something."

He came up behind her, brushing her long hair over her shoulder. It felt like
strands of silk running through his fingers.  He finished fastening the dress.
Garibaldi wasn't going to tell her, but she looked wonderful. The simple
straight dress was of a shade that exactly matched her eyes, emphasising their
beauty.  Those eyes were looking at him, challenging him to do or say something
inappropriate. Turning away from the mirror she brushed a speck of  fluff from
his shoulder, he swallowed heavily. 

" Not bad." She smiled, " So are you ready for dinner with the in-laws ?"

" Ivanova.....! This is going to be enough of an embarrassment."

" Susan...I hate it when you call me Ivanova. "

She wasn't about to stop teasing him. The best thing to do was ignore it
but....He looked into her eyes, they were dancing with laughter. Was it really
so funny ? He moved away from her and sat down heavily on the bed. Maybe she was
doing it to take his mind off his mother's condition, whatever her reasons the
joke was starting to loose its appeal. 

Ivanova noticed his change in demeanour immediately.  She felt a little guilty,
this wasn't really the time to pay him back for annoying her at breakfast. He
must be really worried if he was letting her to get to him. Garibaldi obviously
cared deeply about his family, even if  he didn't get to see them very often.
'You're just jealous, Susan' ,she told herself, 'Just because he's got what you
never had'.

He wanted to say something witty and amusing to break the intensity of the
moment but all he managed was;

" Can't put it off any longer I guess.....Lets go."

*********************************************************************************
**
 
"They're trying to decide how much juice to put in the lemon zabaglione."
Catherine translated. The two women sat at the table in the empty restaurant.
Garibaldi had been unable to resist the urge to interfere in the kitchen.
Ivanova smiled fondly as she could hear the two men arguing. She felt
comfortable with these people, the same way she did in Garibaldi's company. It
had got to that agreeable stage in the evening. She had been well-fed and was
pleasantly drunk. 

" So how long has your father owned this place ?" Ivanova asked.

" Five years, Dad set this up after injury forced him to retire from the force.
"

" Another Garibaldi cop ?"

" 'Fraid so. Even I couldn't escape the curse.....that is until the Martial Law
declaration put enforcement in the hands of EarthForce." 

There was a brief silence. Ivanova could feel the other woman's resentment, 

" Why do I get the feeling that this hasn't been the wonderful institution ISN
would like us to believe ?"

" Sure they've cut crime but they've cut away something else too. In some ways I
wish I was out where you are. At least I might feel like I could do something. "

" Its not all sunshine and roses. None of use really like what we are having to
do.......You're very close to Michael. "

"Yes.... Since Uncle Alfredo died. He spent a lot of time with us after the war.
He doesn't visit much now, although we've had more messages since he started
working on B5. We have trouble convincing him that whatever happens he always
has a home to come back to, people that care about him. "

Ivanova was about to ask more but the men returned. Garibaldi had a grin on his
face....He had obviously won the argument. Like the rest of the meal, dessert
was delicious but she found herself yawning towards then end. 

" I'm sorry, " She apologised, " I'm going to have to get some sleep. "

Garibaldi watched her as she made her way through the empty tables. Tonight was
going to be....difficult. 

" She's a nice girl Michael." Angelo told him, " Keep hold of her."

Garibaldi opened his mouth to protest again but was interrupted by a bleep from
the viewscreen in the corner of the room. Angelo and Catherine exchanged a
puzzled glance. It was late for anyone to call, the hospital was foremost in
their thoughts. Angelo  got up to answer the signal. 

" I need to speak to Michael Garibaldi." The young woman spoke as soon as the
screen was activated.

" Haven't seen him." Angelo replied.

" Damn you. I know he's there. His life's in danger."

" Its OK...I know her." Michael stood beside his uncle, " Hello Lianna."

" Michael,  you have to get out of  there and I mean now. "

" How did you know I was here ? What the hells going on  ?"

" We got word you had left B5 two days ago. They need a link to Sheridan so now
you're on Earth you won't be allowed to leave. "

" Why Lianna ? What have they got over you ?" 

" I'm in so deep that there's no way I'll ever be able to claw my way back out.
I'll delay them as long as possible."

She shut off communication and he stood starring at the screen. He didn't like
the way she had spoken to him, torn, distracted. Maybe part of him still saw her
as the little girl who used to run home to show her schoolwork to 'Uncle Mike'.
He had wondered how far her affiliation to the President actually went, now he
knew that she was up to her neck. He didn't like to think of Frank's daughter
being associated with the enemy, but she was an adult now and he hoped she knew
what she was doing. 
After all that had happened between them it had been Frank's little girl who had
fallen.  If  her father had still been alive......The buried guilt flashed back
for a brief painful moment. A hand on his arm wrenched him back to the present.

" The authorities have traced me here." He told his Uncle urgently, " Is there
anywhere you and Catherine can go without being caught for breaking the curfew
?"

" Yes...I suppose, but Michael ?"

" You haven't seen me....I broke in here while you were away, you'll think of
something. Go Now !"

Angelo bundled his still protesting daughter into her coat.

"There's a PPG in the kitchen, " She yelled over her shoulder.

" Thanks....tell Mom I won't be able to make it tomorrow."

*********************************************************************************
**

" Get your things together ." Garibaldi ordered as he came into the room.
Ivanova didn't argue. There were times when she knew it was wise to obey his
orders. 

" Michael what happened ?" She asked as she pulled on her clothes. 

"Later, we have to move....." He replied over his shoulder. This was no time for
modesty but he kept his back to her.

There were footsteps in the corridor. A fist crashed into the door.

" Hell, security." Garibaldi swore, " So much for the delay, think you can climb
out of the window ?"

She nodded. Garibaldi threw the window open, they were on the first floor but
the drop to the ground was still daunting. The rain had made the brickwork
slippery and Ivanova nearly fell as she climbed onto the ledge.  She edged her
way slowly along to give Garibaldi room to stand beside her. He never got the
chance. The men outside the door  had grown tired of knocking. The door
splintered inwards and Ivanova heard the sound of the window slam shut. Raised
voices followed, one of them clearly Garibaldi's. It was silenced. 'Damn you
Michael, ' She thought to herself, shutting her out here where she couldn't help
him.  She risked a look through the glass.  Garibaldi was sprawled on the floor,
conscious but only just.  His hands were being restrained behind his back and an
officer was reading him his rights. 

" Michael Alfredo Garibaldi you have been found guilty of high treason, you have
the right to remain silent....."

" What about the other one sir ?" The officer was asking. 

Garibaldi managed to raise his head and look at Lianna. Pained eyes met his own.
Imperceptibly she nodded, acknowledging his silent plea.

" She's obviously not here. Keep a guard here in case she comes back." Lianna
Kemmer crossed to the window and closed the curtains.

They pulled him to his feet as a black suited figure entered the room. Fear
started within him. They'd known he was here, known he was coming. Deliberately
Garibaldi tried to calm himself. Strong emotion would only make the Psicop's job
easier. His thoughts returned to Ivanova, he hoped that she had been able to get
away. Was she somewhere close ? Another Psicop laughing at her ? He had a sudden
image of her body. Lifeless, twisted, cold. 


*********************************************************************************
**

The irony of  Susan Ivanova's situation was not lost on her as she used the
drainpipe  to aid her descent to the ground. ' Come on Susan,' She told herself,
'Remember what you always say about Russians and impossible situations.' At
least she had had the sense to put her normal clothes back on. Her credit chip
and fake ID were in the pocket of her jacket.

Lianna  had given her the chance to escape but Ivanova couldn't be sure why.
She had doubts that it was out of the goodness of the other woman's heart.
Whatever Major Kemmer's 30 pieces of silver had been it was a price too high as
far as the unforgiving Russian was concerned. She sneezed three times in quick
succession. A head cold was all that she needed. Garibaldi had been
right....then again he so often was. Depression rolled over her once more. She
couldn't stay here, couldn't bring any more danger to Garibaldi's family. They
would probably suffer for helping  them once. She would have to find somewhere
to hide until daylight. Right now she was breaking curfew and no one would open
their doors.

To her surprise a ground car  turned into the silent street and stopped. Ivanova
almost told the occupant to keep driving. 

" Get in, you don't want to be out on a night like this. Your things are in the
back."

" Why are you doing this ? First you turn us in and now your here helping me."

Kemmer didn't reply for a few moments as she  concentrated on the road. 

" I'm not doing this for you. Michael  made me promise. I had a chance to speak
to him before they took him away. For what its worth I didn't want it to be him
but sometimes I have to do things......"

" There was no choice ? Is that what you're trying to say."

" They have my son, Commander and whatever you might think of me there was no
choice between his life and Michael's."

Ivanova didn't reply, maybe she had judged this woman unfairly.

" Where are you taking me ?"

" Somewhere you can stay the rest of the night, then you're on your own."

" Thanks.......What about Garibaldi's family ?"

" They'll be OK, as long as you don't try to contact them."

" And Michael ?"

" Go back to Babylon 5 Commander. You can't help him."


From: Ruth King <101646.276@CompuServe.COM>
Subject: Eyes Of Men Dreaming/3
Date: 13 Jan 97 16:22:48 EST


Eyes of Men Dreaming part 3
By  Ruth King
101646.276@compuserve.com


 Babylon 5 is copyright Warner Bros. & JMS etc.  This story is
 not intended to infringe on these copyrights. Please do not reproduce without
the prior consent of  the author.





There were still places in this town where you could get by without an ID...if
you had enough credits. Lianna had driven her to the New York equivalent of
Down Below and a  flea pit of a hotel. Ivanova had stayed there until morning
when she had immediately headed for the airport. She knew that she had been
followed. They were going to make sure that she left like a good little girl.
However, she had been hanging around with Garibaldi long enough to learn
something about being sneaky. The man had watched her pass through customs, sit
in the departure lounge but hadn't followed when the flight had been called. The
plane took off but Susan Ivanova wasn't on it. She'd taken a left when the rest
of the passengers had taken a right. They'd boarded the plane while Ivanova
found herself on the tarmac. It was then a relatively simple matter to make her
way back to the city. She had managed to find somewhere habitable to stay and
the  next two days had been spent trying to gather information. Public sources
were next to useless, the Ministry of Peace had seen that the citizens of  Earth
were kept in blissful ignorance. She had expected some media coverage. Had
Garibaldi  been Court-martialled ? Executed ? Surely the government would
publicise the event as a triumph against the enemy forces. 

She had then turned to less conventional sources, only to find that the men she
spoke to expected her to offer something more than money. They had reconsidered
after a couple of broken arms.....then refused to talk at all. She cursed her
own naivete. The truth was that Ivanova knew precisely nothing about Garibaldi's
whereabouts. Her chances of finding out were small but she was damned if she
returned to Babylon 5 without definite information.

It had been three days but Susan approached the hospital cautiously. She needed
to let Garibaldi's family know what had happened and this was the only way she
felt she could contact them. Sooner or later one of them would visit....That was
assuming his mother's condition hadn't fatally deteriorated. How the hell was
she going to tell his mother ? She  considered trying to avoid the subject, but
didn't rate her chances of success. Maybe she could just leave a note.

She kept her head down as she entered the building, and hurried straight
upstairs. No one stopped her. 

Luck was with Ivanova, Mary Garibaldi was asleep when the Commander quietly
pushed open the door. 
She looked pale and drawn as if , until recently, pain had been a constant
companion. Ivanova lingered for a moment, reassured by the other woman's even
breathing. 

" The doctors say she'll be fine."

Ivanova jumped, she was getting careless, either that or Catherine Garibaldi had
come out of the bathroom silently. Placing a finger over her lips Catherine led
the other woman into the bathroom and shut the door.

" I'm surprised to see you here." Catherine continued, " I thought it would be
too dangerous. Where's Michael ?"

"He's been arrested." Ivanova replied.

" God no."

" That's why I'm here I wanted you to know."

"Is there anything I can do ?"

" I don't think so. I have no idea where he is or what they've done to him...."

Ivanova felt herself choking up, but continued, her voice taking on an icy tone
as she tried to hide her feelings.  " They haven't spoken to you ?"

" No."

" If you do hear anything contact Captain Sheridan on Babylon 5 and he'll pass
on the information. I must go now."

" Susan...."

Ivanova pretended not to hear the other woman's call. She had done her duty and
now it was time to get as far away as possible. Catherine caught her arm,

" You'll need help. "

" I can't..."

" He's my flesh and blood you can't deny me this. You're a stranger here.
Earth's different since the military took over, if you don't understand their
rules you can't possibly hope to remain undetected. I'm a cop...I have access to
information that might help. Dammit I want to feel like I'm doing something."

Trust no one.....Ivanova tried to tell herself but desperation was starting to
set in.   She tried to imagine the Station without Garibaldi and didn't like the
notion.  If she didn't accept Catherine's help she would have to go back to
Babylon 5....Which would please Sheridan no end. Was it fair to balance the
future of the Station on the life of one man ? Somehow Ivanova felt that
without Garibaldi the Station had no future.

*********************************************************************************
**
" Dammit John they've got him, you know it and I know it. "

Sheridan could feel his EO's wrath, despite the fact they were separated by
several light years. The link was fuzzy, then again the public channels always
were. Sheridan was surprised that she had managed to get through.

" Susan I've tried to contact the relevant authorities....."

" Have already found him guilty and shipped him away to who knows where. Since
when did we believe anything they tell us ? "

"This runs deeper than that and you know it. There's no way I can go in there,
guns blazing without destroying a great deal more than one man. We make a stand
now and we wipe out everything we've built here. "

" That's bullshit."

" Susan, if I had to give up Morden, you can let Michael go."

" And just leave him here ?"

" Yes. We've lost one good man, we can't afford to lose  you too. I'll make a
few enquiraries and see if  I can do anything else through official channels."

" What about unofficial ones ?"

" I'll pray you don't get caught. "

" Thank you sir."

" Keep in touch."

Sheridan's  fist crashed into his desk as the screen darkened. He should never
have let them go. Feeling guilty was not going to help, he kept telling himself.
He picked up a convenient heavy  object and threw it across the room. It made a
satisfying dent in the bulkhead.

*********************************************************************************
**

Sheridan's walk to the Station House was an automatic reflex, Zack Allen needed
to be informed. The Captain didn't want to accept what had happened, if he did
that he was confirming the fact that Garibaldi wasn't coming back.

Zack was waiting when Sheridan arrived. 

" Captain, " Zack acknowledged, " Come to have a look at the new recruits ?"

" There's been a problem." The Captain began.

" Is everything OK with the Chief ?"  Zack asked immediately.

" He's not coming back Zack, "

" What ? You're kidding right ?"

"He's been arrested "

" So what are we goin' to do about it ?"

" Nothing.....There's nothing we can do. Commander Ivanova has remained on Earth
but  its doubtful that she will be able to help Mr. Garibaldi."

" Sir....... "

" You'll have to take over as Head of  Security "

" Yes Sir."

There was nothing else to say. Zack sank down in the nearest chair after the
Captain had left. The task of informing the rest of the Security staff  had been
left to him. Moral, already low after the secession from Earth would take a nose
dive. When it came down to it the Chief had been a damn good CO. Yes he pushed
them hard but you  always got the feeling that he was on your side. He looked
after his men. 

" Sergeant ?"

" Yeah ?" Zack looked up into the boyish face of Officer Dave Wood.  He looked
about twenty five although his records clearly stated that he was in his mid
thirties.  Something about the mop of light brown curly hair and the wide grin.
Wood's boundless enthusiasm was always a little hard to live with.

" Welcome back Mr. Wood....How was the patrol ?"

" Same old space, same old stars. I brought the training schedules." 

" Thanks. How they lookin' ?"

"Not bad, don't match up to the Narn but what can we do, we're only
human.......Something wrong ?"

" Bad news....."

*********************************************************************************
**

From: Ruth King <101646.276@CompuServe.COM>
Subject: Eyes of Men Dreaming/4
Date: 13 Jan 97 16:22:37 EST


Eyes of Men Dreaming part 4
By  Ruth King
101646.276@compuserve.com


 Babylon 5 is copyright Warner Bros. & JMS etc.  This story is
 not intended to infringe on these copyrights. Please do not reproduce without
the prior consent of  the author.


He hated this place.

Where had he been before ?

Couldn't remember.

Pain, confusion.

This room had been his home for....how long ?  

He didn't know.

He had to remember, had to remember or.....

The result was always the same...violence, restraint but he couldn't give up,
the answers were close....seductively elusive, destroying his days, haunting his
dreams. 

It was dark here, secure. He sat alone, a prisoner in the sparsely furnished
room. The sun had set some time ago and moonlight flooded through the barred
windows. He huddled closer to the wall, somehow afraid of the moon's friendly
glow. Light. When the lights came on bad things happened, people came. People
came and hurt him.

He remembered a place, thousands of people, friends, a woman. He didn't know
what she looked like, or what her name had been, but she had been
beautiful.....so beautiful. Sometimes he would almost catch a glimpse of  her in
his mind, a flash of  blue eyes. 

There was pain Trying to remember always hurt. He altered his position again,
curling up, face to the wall. Sleep, he had to sleep, maybe in the
morning.......

*********************************************************************************
* 

" He may not recognise you," 

Voices.....he stirred, eager to listen. 

" For his own sanity he must remember things for himself." 

" Why ?" 

A woman's voice, low, concerned. 

" He can no longer recall which memories are his own. We are treating him but
the path to recovery is long and difficult. To be honest the chances aren't
good" 

" Recovery....What are you talking about ? "  Irritation had seeped into her
voice.

The door opened. He pulled himself to an upright position facing those who
entered. A  doctor, two women. One of the women captured his attention.. She had
hair that was midway between brown and red. It fell past her shoulders in soft
waves, making him want to reach out and touch it. Her eyes were very
blue.....the colour of his dreams. A look of  horror transformed her attractive
features as she saw him. She made a move towards him but the doctor put a hand
out to stop her. 

" Its not advisable. He has been known to become violent." He warned.

" Is that why you've got him in a straight jacket ?" The second woman spoke
again..

" Its for his own protection." 

" Get your hands off me." The one who was held by the doctor hissed.

She snatched her arm away from the doctor's grasp. 

He couldn't stop himself flinching as she came towards him, a whimper escaping
his throat. She halted a few steps away, reaching out towards him, 

" Don't you know me ?" She asked quietly.

He stared at her. There was pain in her eyes, tears marring the perfect blue. 

" I'm sorry, " The doctor said, " But there really isn't anything that you can
do. His mind....just isn't there anymore." 

" Please say something. You must know who I am."  She was pleading with him, but
all he could do was stare back. He wanted to touch her, stop the tears. Bound as
he was he could do nothing.
The doctor took her arm and started to guide her out of the room. He watched
her, wanting to remember, wanting to say something that would bring her back.. 

" Dushenkanyia ?" He whispered. A single word. Where had it come from ? Which
tortured part of his memory ? It didn't matter, the woman stopped and turned
towards him. He closed his eyes crying out with the pain that one word had
brought. 

" Its time for his medication," The doctor explained, pushing both visitors out
of the room, 

" But he said....." The woman protested.

" Nothing comprehensible I'm afraid. We'll keep you informed." 

Three orderlies entered the room. One with the syringe, the other two to hold
him down. It didn't stop him fighting, even though he knew that he was going to
lose.  The syringe hissed home, stealing his consciousness and who knew what
else. The woman who had visited him, somehow he knew that she was important and
he didn't want  to forget...not again. 

*********************************************************************************
*

" We've got to get him out of there Catherine." Susan Ivanova protested as soon
as they had left the hospital grounds. 

" Absolutely." She agreed. In the time they had been looking for Michael this
was a close as she had ever seen Susan to being hysterical. In her eyes she
could see the scars of what Susan  had seen. It was crazy. Catherine was
reacting to Susan's distress, pushing her own away.  Michael was her cousin, why
wasn't she more upset. 'You're a good cop,' she told herself, ' Good cops don't
show any emotion...' At least that's what Uncle Alfredo had always said. What a
great role model, only way he could show his son any affection was by cooking
Bagna Cauda.  She had sometimes wondered why Michael had been so devoted to his
father, but she had never understood the relationship between Michael and
Alfredo Garibaldi. Catherine had similar difficulty in comprehending the bond
between Susan and Michael. Were they lovers as first impressions had seemed to
imply ? For some reason  Catherine didn't think so but their relationship seemed
to go well beyond the limits of friendship.

" What have they done to him ?" Susan's voice sounded almost child like.

" Some kind of drug induced trauma I think. " The calm voice of reason.

" If it is...will he be OK ?"

" I don't know.."

Susan  hugged herself, " Which brings us back to my first point. "

" And as soon as possible. ........What was that word he  used ?"

" It means 'Little Song'. My father used to call me that. Michael was there when
he died and heard our last conversation. Poppa hadn't used that name in years,
no one else on the Station knew apart from.......I don't want to lose my best
friend."

Catherine dropped the subject. Why that name ? Why Susan ? Were all questions
that  could be answered later. It had been four weeks since they had started
their search. They had found Michael Garibaldi but in a way Catherine  wished
that they  hadn't. Death would have been preferable to what they had witnessed
today.

*********************************************************************************


It was dark when he came to. Another day gone, sometimes they blurred into
insignificance. Not this time. He remembered the visitor, if only he knew who
she was. A sound. He tensed. Again. The lock releasing itself. The door opened
slowly. A torch flashed around the room, dazzling him with its brilliance.  The
figure behind it came towards him. 

" Michael ," A whisper, her voice, his name. 

" Yes, " He managed to reply, unused to forming words.

" Who am I Michael ?" 

" I don't know." 

" You have to trust me, I'm not going to hurt you." 

" Are you going to help me ?" 

" Yes, but you have to do exactly what I say." 

He nodded, the torch light was enough for him to pick out her smile. She came
closer, 

" Now I'm going to get this off you." 

She reached for the straps of  the jacket, quickly and deftly dealing with the
buckles. It felt strange to be released. He moved his arms, relishing the
freedom, but she didn't give him time to enjoy it. She took his hand, meaning to
lead him from the room. He stopped, 

" Who are you ?" He asked. 

" My name is Susan. Now we have to go." 

The corridors were dimly lit. He stumbled along behind her wondering why there
was no one else around. Cries could be heard from a few of the rooms they passed
but no one came to investigate. They came to a lift, it took them down several
floors, arriving in a large room with glass doors. A desk stretched across one
wall but there was no one seated at it. He could just make out a pair of feet
sticking out  beneath. 

" What did you do to them ?"

" Don't worry they're just unconscious."

She led him towards the doors. Beyond he could see the outside world. He
hesitated as the cool night air caressed his face. She coaxed him onwards, down
the stairs. Every step became more difficult as the panic built within him.
Outside, he was outside, he wasn't supposed to be here. This was where bad
things happened. Fear, so much fear. It was incapacitating, he couldn't move.
She seemed to sense it and squeezed his hand, talking to him gently.

" I'm here, Michael, nothing is going to hurt you."

She slipped her arm around his waist, comforting. He took a few more steps and
halted again. An alarm sounded from deep within the building. It was no good, he
couldn't do it. He wanted to be back in his room, he would be safer there.

" You don't want to go back do you ?" She hissed urgently.

" No."

" Then come with me."

" No."

" Michael, you have to or they're going to take you back inside and I'll never
get you out again."
She pulled at him slightly, but he couldn't decide. 

" Don't want to be outside, Susan."

" Its all right you won't be for very long. Hold onto me. Let me help you."

Arms tightly wrapped around her he stumbled down the path towards the waiting
ground car.

******************************************************************************



From: Ruth King <101646.276@CompuServe.COM>
Subject: Eyes of Men Dreaming/5
Date: 14 Jan 97 17:22:03 EST


Eyes of Men Dreaming part 5
By  Ruth King
101646.276@compuserve.com


 Babylon 5 is copyright Warner Bros. & JMS etc.  This story is
 not intended to infringe on these copyrights. Please do not reproduce without
the prior consent of  the author.




Michael awoke feeling better than he had done for a long, long time. The bed was
soft beneath him, the pillow moulding itself to the contours of his head.  He
rolled over and stretched. There were no restraints, which momentarily surprised
him. He opened his eyes and sat up. The room was not familiar. A double bed,  a
wardrobe. A door stood open opposite. He could only imagine that the
woman...Susan, was waiting for him on the other side. He swung his legs over the
edge of the bed and climbed, rather unsteadily to his feet. His clothes were
hung neatly over a chair. He pulled on the trousers and made his way to the
other room. 

".....Not good I'm afraid. I don't know what they did to him in there," Susan
was speaking quietly to someone on the screen at the far end of the room. "I'm
sorry but we had to get him out."

" I'm sure you did the right thing. The only problem will be getting back to
B5."

" I know. The authorities will be on the lookout....We may have to take a
roundabout route,"

" Stay put for the time being and I'll see what I can do this end to help out. "

" Thanks John but I'm not sure how safe we are staying on Earth."

" If you have to come back  I'll clear you through."

She became aware of  Michael standing hesitantly in the doorway. Turning she
smiled. Michael came into the room, fascinated by what he could see on the
screen. A boyish, handsome face, framed by light brown hair. 

" Michael, its good to see you." 

" I don't know you." Michael replied suspiciously.

Susan and John shared a worried glance, the smile faded from Sheridan's face,

" Keep me informed, Sheridan out."

The screen went blank. Smiling again, Susan took Michael's hand and led him to
the couch. 

" How about breakfast ?" She asked.

Michael nodded absently, before saying, " Coffee ?"

" No, no coffee I'm afraid...."

" But you like coffee."

Genuine joy spread over her face. Michael decided that he liked her better when
she looked like that. He was glad that he had made her happy.

" That's right Michael. What....what else do you remember ?"

" I don't know."

He concentrated, tried to think back. Waves of pain convulsed through his body,
forcing him to cry out. Michael screamed, unaware of Susan's arms around him,
her voice whispering gently. This time there were no men with syringes to take
away the pain, send him into the welcome arms of unconsciousness. Suddenly
feeling her presence he clung onto her with desperation. His strength failing,
all he could do was sob softly. Susan held him for a very long time. The pain
lessened, faded, leaving him weak and trembling. 

" I'm sorry," She whispered, " I didn't mean for that to happen."

Michael could see that she was upset, there were tears on her face. He reached
out a hand and wiped them away.

" You must still be tired, get some more rest."

Something was wrong but Michael didn't know how to correct it so he did as he
was told. As he climbed back into bed he could hear her crying. It was his
fault, he had made her sad. Why didn't she take him back ? This time it had hurt
so much that he wanted to be relieved of the pain. He wouldn't fight
anymore....no he would be good, so they could help him...take it all away.  Then
Susan wouldn't cry anymore. He pulled the quilt round himself, trying to block
out the sound. 

" I'm sorry Michael, " Her voice said softly, " That won't happen again."

The was a dip in the mattress as she sat beside him, he gladly settled himself
into the warmth of her arms.

" Sleep," She whispered.

*********************************************************************************
**

He awoke, and looked down at the woman who shared the bed with him. She was
fully clothed and fast asleep. Susan, he had remembered her name. And she
was....no his mind was a blank.. Careful not to wake her he got to his feet and
made his way to the bathroom. He looked in the mirror. His own reflection was
strange to him. He rubbed his face ruefully....he was going to have to do
something about the growth of  hair.  That was something, he knew he didn't
normally wear a beard. He hesitated to search his mind for other clues. The edge
of pain was close and he didn't want to push himself past it.....too scared ?
Damn right. 

Where had he come from ? All he could recall was a place with bars on the
windows. Prison ? No, they had had him restrained....fed him with drugs.  Was he
insane ? He didn't feel  mad. He felt surprisingly lucid considering the
circumstances.

No point in dwelling on the matter. What he needed to do was find out exactly
where he was and decide what his plan of action should be. First he was going to
have a shower....by the smell he  realised that he couldn't have washed for
quite a while. He stripped off  his clothes and stepped under the running water,
not caring about the temperature. God the water felt good, but hogging the
shower was not going to make him popular. He wrapped a towel round himself and
went back into the bedroom.

 Susan was still curled up asleep. For a moment he considered getting back in
beside her but something warned him that wasn't a good idea.  He started to
search the room, finding some clean clothes hanging in the wardrobe. By their
size they couldn't belong to Susan so he put them on, along with a pair of boots
that were lying on the floor. Susan slept on. 

He was hungry but there was nothing around to eat.  Was there any reason he
shouldn't go out and get something ? It was that or starve.....he didn't want to
wake Susan. The room outside was not empty. The other woman sat there, studying
some documents. She rose to her feet when she saw Michael. He smiled nervously,

" Is there anything to eat ?" He asked bluntly. 

" Sure," She replied.

He wanted to ask 'who are you ?' but was worried that she might be offended. 

" I'm Catherine, by the way." She said as she handed him a cinnamon danish and a
cup of coffee.

He smiled again. It was so difficult to know what to say, how he was supposed to
act.  He didn't feel comfortable with this woman, not the way he did with Susan.
Unconsciously he backed away from her.

Catherine didn't try to stop him. It was horrible, seeing him this way. She
didn't know what to do, how to speak to him. She had looked up to Michael ever
since she had been a child. During her teenage years she'd had a terrible crush
on her older cousin.  She knew about many of the things he had been through,
shouldn't that make her more understanding ? Maybe that was part of the problem.
It had been years since Michael had been truly comfortable around his family and
this was manifesting itself now. He was still hiding from them. He trusted Susan
more because he linked her with Babylon 5. Somehow, being assigned to the
Station  had forced Michael to face himself and stop running away. 

Going back into the bedroom Michael waved the coffee under Susan's nose. The
smell permeated her subconscious and her eyelids fluttered open. She then sat
bolt upright.

" Michael where did you get that ?"

" Catherine gave it to me. Don't you want it ?" He started to take it away.

She took the cup  from him, " If you can annoy me at breakfast you must be
feeling better."

For a second panic flashed through his eyes but she smiled and he realised that
she wasn't angry with him. She was just glad that he seemed to be so much more
in control. " So what do you remember ?" She asked, hesitating slightly, she
didn't want to spark off another adverse reaction . He just shrugged his
shoulders,

" Odd things. I knew you liked coffee but not your name. I can remember being
locked up but nothing 
before that. "

The distress he was showing was no longer  caused by the pain that had gripped
him previously.  He was quite rational, annoyed with himself, frustrated. Susan
pushed him a little further;

" How about other  friends, what can you recall about them  ?"

" There was a woman. I used to dream about her. She was......I don't know, I
can't recall her face."
Susan turned away from him. Something he had said had said had upset her,
maybe......hope sprung up within him.

" Susan...that woman.....was it you ?" He asked eagerly, desperately trying to
put the pieces back together again.

She shook her head, " No, I'm sorry Michael. "

Michael inhaled sharply, tears coming to his eyes. Susan placed a hand over his.
He didn't say anything for a long time. The thought of the woman he loved had
kept him alive. Made him hold on to that last thread of sanity. That's why they
had never quite broken him because somehow he had known that someone was waiting
for him, someone cared. 

" Thanks," He managed to say.

" What for ?"

" For not lying to me. You could have just said things to make me feel better."

" I would never do that Michael."

" I know....somehow, I know. "


For a moment Susan wished that she could have answered his question in the
affirmative. It might have helped him. How could she explain that all they had
ever been was close friends ? Then a shameful thought crossed her mind.  Maybe
he was thinking of her ? That last night, before they'd gone down for dinner,
she'd seen the look in his eyes as she'd teased him. Could Garibaldi have some
kind of feelings for her ? Sure they'd spent some time together, joked around
alot, but that was it. Damn, if he'd felt that way why hadn't he ever said
anything ? 'Besides he was infatuated with Talia ', she told herself, then,
 ' Well done Susan, you really know how to set yourself up for a guilt trip.' It
had to be the telepath he was thinking about....had to be.

*********************************************************************************
**



From: Ruth King <101646.276@CompuServe.COM>
Subject: Eyes of Men Dreaming Part 6
Date: 20 Jan 97 17:04:22 EST




Eyes of Men Dreaming part 6
By  Ruth King
101646.276@compuserve.com


 Babylon 5 is copyright Warner Bros. & JMS etc.  This story is
 not intended to infringe on these copyrights. Please do not reproduce without
the prior consent of  the author.



Catherine Garibaldi had been busy during the past four days as she arranged
transport back to B5. From Mars they would go to Proxima and from there home. As
long as the fake identification got them through customs. There was little else
she could do now apart from watch and pray.

On first impression Catherine would never have thought Susan Ivanova capable of
the gentleness and patience that was apparent in the way she had treated sick
man. She  remembered looking in on them the previous night, when they were both
asleep, arms about one another. She  was watching them now, walking a few steps
ahead. Their hands were entwined, as their bodies had been the night before.

They had left the hotel earlier that morning. Despite his improvement Susan
could sense that Michael was on the edge of panic as they  left the building and
stepped into the bright sunlight. He suppressed it well, but Susan could feel
the fight that was going on within him. She squeezed his hand. He seemed to be
surprised at the gesture.

" I'm going to be fine." He reassured her. The sixth sense that had always told
him when she needed comfort was obviously still working.

For some reason Susan didn't feel  encouraged by the characteristic inquiry. She
found his current condition too distressing. The man was so much like her
friend, yet the experiences that had made him that way were missing.   

*********************************************************************************
**

The spaceport was crowded. Tourists mostly, a few EarthForce personnel.

" This is it.," Susan whispered, " Let's hope these ID's work."


The port itself was making Michael  twitchy. Too many people, so many
distractions. Probably some buried instinct was telling him he should be with
the men in grey, securing something. Michael was looking more and more
uncomfortable as they crossed the concourse.

" What is it ?" Susan hissed.

" I don't know," Michael replied.

" Come on or we'll miss our flight."

Michael allowed himself to be led away. He kept looking backwards, as if he
could sense someone watching them. Susan gave him a dig in the ribs,

" Relax."

He took a deep breath, forcing the tension out of his body but he couldn't shake
the feeling. He was surprised that the others couldn't perceive anything. They
were being followed, he was damn sure of it.

" Flight WT6759 to Mars now departing from gate 96." A calm feminine voice
announced.

" Its that way. " Catherine  gestured. This was where she was leaving them,
there wasn't any way she could justify  going to Babylon 5 with them. She hugged
Michael goodbye, there was a confused response but he looked genuinely unhappy
to see her go. 

" Thankyou doesn't seem enough... .but I can't think of anything better so I'll
say it anyway." Susan said simply. The two women embraced briefly.

" Just let me know when he's OK." Catherine found herself replying.

She mentally kicked herself, it was unlikely that Michael was ever going to be
OK again.

*********************************************************************************
**

They stepped into the arrival area together. If  Susan had been expecting some
sign of recognition she was disappointed. Michael's hand sought her own as it
always did when he was nervous and scared. The last few days had been difficult.
As they got closer to Babylon 5 Michael had become introverted once 
more. It had been a struggle to get more than a few words out of him.  Again and
again she had to fight the impulse to get annoyed with him. No, it was herself
she was angry at for not understanding, not being able to help him. Now she had
dragged him back here to a place where people would expect him to be the man
they once knew and he wasn't ......not by a long shot.

Damn, the Captain was waiting for them, Dr. Franklin, Delenn, Marcus.....The
last thing Michael would want would be a reception committee.

" Welcome back, Susan......Michael." The Captain grinned.

At first Susan thought Michael was going to turn tail and run but he
straightened his shoulders and took the Captain's outstretched hand. A hesitant
pause fell over the group. Michael knew that he was expected to say something
but he couldn't. He shoved his hands into his pockets and looked at his feet
trying to hide his embarrassment. The Captain cleared his throat,

" You must be tired," He began, " but if you don't mind Dr. Franklin would like
to check you over before you go back to your quarters."

Michael looked across to Susan, who nodded. He had no choice but to follow the
Doctor. 

" He's still not OK is he ?" Sheridan said gently.

Susan shook her head, feeling tears start in her eyes. She felt acomforting hand
on her arm and just broke down. Her friends hurried her into an adjoining room,
away from the curious stares of on lookers.  All the emotions she had kept pent
up for so many days came flooding up. She had had to shield those feelings from
Michael. He had only seen her cry once and become so agitated that she hadn't
dared to upset him again. Now, back where she was safe, she was free to weep.

" I'll look after her." A voice whispered.

She didn't notice Delenn and Sheridan leave, all she could feel was Marcus' arms
about her. Several minutes passed before she had the strength to pull away.   

" I have to go and see how Michael is doing," She explained, embarassed by her
behaviour.

Her steps away from him were hurried, and Marcus found himself  frowning. Her
devotion was commendable but beneath it he could see the fire of obsession
kindling. 

*********************************************************************************
**

The room was warm, yet he shivered. The sheets were soaked with sweat. The pain
returned, dull at first, building as the hours passed. He wanted to scream but
only a whimper passed his lips. Where was Susan ? Had she left him here alone ?
He pushed back the covers and  tried to stand, but his legs buckled beneath him.
It hurt so much. 

" Michael !" It was Susan's voice, she was still here, "Michael what's wrong ?" 

" Hurts,"

" Ivanova to Franklin, Get to Garibaldi's quarters ASAP........Have you
remembered something else ?"

" Don't leave me."

She helped him back onto the bed, and climbed up beside him, taking him in her
arms. 

" I'm not going anywhere."

Her voice was calm, soothing, it helped the pain in his head. Stephen arrived
faster than  Susan anticipated, responding to the alarm on Michael's monitor. 

" What happened ?" The Doctor asked.

" I don't know, he says he's in some kind of pain."

Franklin ran his scanner over Michael.

" My previous examination showed that he'd been dosed with certain drugs. Near
as I can tell he's experiencing some kind of withdrawal."

" Can you give him something ?"

" I'd rather not, the last thing he needs is more drugs. Look this might take a
couple of days, I want to transfer him to Med. Lab."

" And isolate him again ? "

" I want him under constant supervision. "

" I'll stay with him."

" He does seem to react well to your presence......There's nothing I can do at
the moment. Call me if  there's any change."

*********************************************************************************
**

The aroma of  coffee was strong in the air of Garibaldi's quarters.  Susan
downed her third cup as if it were her lifeline. 

" Here you'd better have something to eat." Marcus handed her the sandwich he'd
brought. 

" Thanks." 

She hastily bit into it, her eyes continually moving to the sleeping figure on
the bed. In the past three days she hadn't moved from Michael's side, holding
him, talking to him, trying to help him. He had finally drifted off into a
peaceful sleep about half an hour ago, just before the Ranger had shown up.
Marcus knew that Sheridan hadn't been happy when Susan had requested further
leave of absence. There had been little point in arguing with her. She had that
'give me what I want or I'll resign' look in her eye. He would be even less
pleased if he saw the condition she was now in. Susan Ivanova was about two
steps away from exhaustion. 

" How is he ?" Marcus asked. 

" Stephen thinks he's coming out of it. A couple more days." 

Marcus paused, there was no easy way to say this, 

" And you ? " 

" I'll stay with him until then." 

" Do you think that's a good idea ? Susan you need a hot shower and at least
twenty four hours sleep." 

" I know but until Michael's better....." 

" You are not his nurse. You have to consider letting the medical staff take
care of him." 

" No way, he would think he was back in that damn institution." 

" Face it we don't know that Garibaldi is going to get better and you can't stay
by his side permanently. You have other duties." 

" Get out." 

" Susan you're being irrational," 

" I said leave." 

Susan raised her hand and Marcus braced himself for the slap, but it never came.
Instead she allowed her arm to fall back to her side. 

" I'm sorry Marcus. You're right but I can't help feeling responsible for him."

" If there's anything I can do, "

He reached out a cautious hand and patted her on the shoulder. There was no
response, her attention had returned to Michael.

After Marcus had left Susan returned to her seat by the bed. Michael still slept
peacefully, his features almost child-like. Was that what he had become to her ?
An infant to be tended and cared for ?  She was too weary to even try to answer
those questions. He whimpered quietly in his sleep, automatically Susan
stretched out her hand to quieten him.  Whatever, she couldn't leave him, not
now. She prepared to spend the night as she had spent the last three.  She
settled herself more comfortably in her chair, pulling a blanket round herself.

*********************************************************************************
**

" Good morning Stephen," Captain Sheridan called out to his Chief Medical
Officer. Stephen Franklin gave a grudging reply, Sheridan pretended to ignore
it. The Captain was in a much better frame of mind than he had been in quite a
while. The Shadow attacks seemed to have died down and relative peace reigned on
the Station. Mr. Garibaldi, although his memory was still impaired, was doing
well, Susan had been on duty for an entire fortnight and had completed the
Captain's outstanding paperwork.

Sheridan was tempted to make a crack about the obscene amount of unhealthy food
that threatened to overflow the Doctor's tray  but something about Franklin's
demeanour prevented any comment. It was early in the morning and the Station was
beginning to come to life. Hunger had driven the Captain to the Mess Hall. The
officers tended to eat there out of habit. There was no way that anyone could
really appreciate the cuisine.

" I think this place has finally given me food poisoning." He said by way of
explanation. 

" Something tells me that you wouldn't be the first." Sheridan replied. 

Franklin was now staring at his breakfast with a distinct lack of enthusiasm. He
pushed it away, reaching for his caff.

" What's up ?" The Captain continued after a pause.

" Phillps died this morning, I need to notify the next of kin. Captain you might
want to call in on Med. Lab." 

" Sure, what's the problem ?" 

" Not here." 

The habitual smile vanished from Sheridan's face, he nodded, " I'll be there as
soon as I 've finished breakfast." 

" As soon as possible," Franklin advised, " Captain we may have a medical
emergency." 

******************************************************************************




From: Ruth King <101646.276@CompuServe.COM>
Subject: Eyes of Men Dreaming/7
Date: 24 Jan 97 13:13:16 EST


Eyes of Men Dreaming part 7
By  Ruth King
101646.276@compuserve.com


 Babylon 5 is copyright Warner Bros. & JMS etc.  This story is
 not intended to infringe on these copyrights. Please do not reproduce without
the prior consent of  the author.



As soon as he entered the medical facilities Sheridan could see that Dr.
Franklin had not been exaggerating. The wards were full to capacity with humans.
That was the first thing that Sheridan noticed, not one of the alien races
appeared to be represented. He found the Doctor in the isolation lab., caught in
the action of pulling a  sheet over the face of the man on the table.  Franklin
spoke to the Captain via the intercom. 

" Houghton, " He gestured, " Another Security Guard." 

" Another fatality ?" 

" It took two weeks but whatever this is killed him." 

Franklin stripped off his surgical gown, throwing it down the recycling shoot
before he exited the chamber. 

" Have you managed to speak to Zack ?" 

" Yeah...he took it hard. " 

" Damn. How many now ?" 

" Twenty humans have been admitted to Med. Lab. over the  past twelve hours. I'd
estimate another  hundred who aren't sick enough yet. That's just the ones I
know about. Who knows how many may be suffering Down Below ? " 

More and more humans were falling ill. Now, a man had died and the Doctor
couldn't find a reason why. An epidemic in the enclosed environment of the Space
Station could easily wipe out the entire human population, assuming that it was
not transmutable  to the alien races. 

" What's your prognosis ?" Sheridan asked the doctor. 

" Unless I find a solution....these people are going to die." 

" Quarantine procedures ?" 

" Move those that are known to be affected to a quarantine area, we might have
to convert one of the cargo bays. I don't think that we need to seal off the
Station yet. If I can't get any results from the autopsy then its something that
you'll have to consider." 

" When will you have the results ?" 

" I'll start right away." 

Sheridan's silent sympathy was wasted on the Doctor who had already turned his
attention back to his patients. The initial symptoms had not been unlike a
common cold, however the patient eventually developed serious respiratory
problems that caused his condition to deteriorate rapidly. All Franklin had been
able to do was watch him struggling for his last breath. The Doctor suspected a
virus of some kind  but he had yet to identify a foreign organism, he only hoped
that the autopsy would prove to be revealing. 

*******************************************************************************

Dr. Franklin straightened up, massaging his back. He should be glad that he had
managed to complete the two autopsies in such a short space of time but all he
felt was weary. He gathered up his samples and left the isolation lab.  It was
late but he decided to take the samples to the lab. himself. Let the testing
begin as soon as possible. Captain Sheridan was expecting a full report. 

The analytical facilities were empty apart from the duty scientist. She shoved
her sandwich in a drawer and came out of her office when she heard the door
slide open. Franklin caught the distinctive smell of  bacon as he entered. His
stomach rumbled ominously. The Doctor wasn't the only one that looked  tired, if
he'd been ten minutes earlier he would have caught her dozing. 

" What can I do for you Doctor ?" She asked. 

" Umm...." Franklin searched his memory for her name. 

" Caroline " She supplied, " Caroline Fisher ," 

" Right, samples from autopsies 397/5 and 397/6. I need results ASAP." 

" It'll take me a couple of hours.....my partner didn't show up tonight." 

" Whenever." 

" Check back with me at 0400." 

The doctor just nodded and made for the door, " I appreciate this," he
remembered to add as he left. Caroline  just shook her head and sighed. She'd
thought that she was in for a quiet night. 

*********************************************************************************
**

He was walking down a darkened corridor, his senses alert, expecting trouble. A
movement before him, he drew his weapon. Three figures stepped out of  the
shadows. 

" I told you not to poke around in things that are too  big for you," The
leading man sneered.

" Its a little late for that," Garibaldi replied, "now up against the wall," 

" I  think not."

Garibaldi took a step forward. Pain exploded, the world went into slow motion as
he felt his knees buckle. The shot had come from behind. Who had fired it ?
Someone wanted to stop him getting to the Commander. A face grinning in a
reflective surface. He had to get up, he had to.......

Michael woke screaming. 

He scrambled out of bed and went immediately to the bathroom, straining to look
in the mirror. There it was, a livid scar on his lower back, just to the left of
his spine. He ran his fingers over the wound, old, healed but it was definitely
the result of  PPG fire, though quite how he knew that he wasn't sure.  He found
himself grinning as he went back into the other room. He activated the
communications system,

" Michael what is it ?" Susan replied sleepily.

" Can you get over here ?"

" Sure."

It was ten minutes before she let herself into his quarters. He spent the time
cursing that she was so far away. They hadn't really been separated since she
had found him. All he had had to do was reach out his hand. For some reason that
was no longer permitted here. What had she said ? 'People might get the wrong
idea.' 

" So what was so important it couldn't wait until morning. ?" She asked when he
grinned at her.
He turned his back to her, "

 Look," He pointed to the scar, " I was shot, wasn't  I ? "

" Yes but ?"

" I remember Susan, I remember."

Laughing he gave her a jubilant kiss on the cheek before throwing his arms
around her, she had no choice but to mirror his feelings. She returned the
embrace whole heartedly. Despite the consequences of his injuries and the
treachery of the man that had caused them she was happy that he a remembered
something about his life, however traumatic. The door signal sounded.

" What is this, put Ivanova in a really bad mood week, " She grumbled, as
Garibaldi released her, 

" Come in,"

Dr. Lillian Hobbs entered the room. She was breathing hard having exerted
herself getting to Michael's quarters.

" Dr. Hobbs ?" Susan  questioned.

"Mr. Garibaldi's  monitor went crazy. I thought there might be a problem." The
Doctor replied, giving the two other occupants of the room a hard look.

" No, he just remembered something and wanted to tell me about it....."

" In the middle of the night ? Commander could we talk a moment, in private."

" Of course."

Dr. Hobbs gestured to the corridor, Susan followed her, curiously.

" What is it ?" She asked.

" Commander don't you think your recent behaviour has been a
little...unprofessional."

" I don't understand."

" Mr. Garibaldi  is  a sick man, you won't be doing him any favours by getting
this involved with  him. He'll become too dependent on you, reducing his chances
of  functioning normally again."

" I have not been sleeping with Michael !"

" You seemed pretty friendly just now."

" Its as I said.......he was showing me the PPG scar. He remembered being shot
by Jack that's all."

Hobbs did not look convinced. Susan  could tell that the Doctor  didn't believe
her. Yes Michael seemed to have become attached to her but only because he
couldn't depend on anyone else. Judging by Dr. Hobbs'  behaviour the worry was
justified, Susan was convinced that they should treat Michael as they always
had, not as some mental patient. If they did that she might have well have left
him on Earth.

" I'm going to have to talk with the Captain," the Doctor  was saying,.

" About what ?"

" About Mr. Garibaldi's  future on Babylon 5."

" You can't do that. "

" I'm a Doctor I can and I will."

" I'll protest, and you can bet that Stephen will have something to say. "

" That wouldn't help, Dr. Franklin's too busy  at the moment so he passed
Garibaldi's case on to me. Commander....Susan can't you see your becoming to
emotionally attached. I know you feel sorry for him. I know you feel guilty for
leaving him, but you did what you had to. You are not responsible for his
condition. Now I'll give you a week. If there's no improvement, he'll be better
off with those who are trained to deal with this type of trauma."

Susan wanted to shout after the Doctor's retreating back but she was too
stunned. She stood outside his quarters not wanting to face the man inside. If
Hobbs did convince the Captain to send Michael away the was little Susan could
do about it. It wasn't that the Captain had been unsympathetic, he had tried to
go through channels but had been blocked at every opportunity. The unauthorised
approach had been the only one available and Susan had taken it. As she had
assured Michael earlier, he would have done the same for her. If Hobbs didn't
think Babylon 5 was the right place for Michael where would they send him ? Not
to Earth, that much was certain. The Minbari homeworld was a possibility but how
would Michael fare without the familiar things around him ? Even if  he didn't
find them familiar at present. With her help, maybe he could build on what he
had remembered this evening. Maybe he could prove himself before Sheridan made a
fateful decision. Her mind made up Susan  re-entered his quarters. Michael was
sitting in the couch, the elated expression having left his face.

" So what did the Doc. have to say about me ?" He was trying to sound
light-hearted.

" Nothing good," She replied, " If you don't show some improvement she's talking
about moving you somewhere else."

Pure panic started in his eyes.

" But I'm starting to remember things." He said.

" Don't you think I didn't say that ! " She snapped back.

" You could just tell me."

She looked at him, Hobbs had advised against it but right now she wouldn't give
two credits for the Doctor's opinion. 

" Please," he added, " Even if it doesn't jog my memory at least I might be able
to bluff my way through. 
I don't want to leave here  Susan. I don't want to leave you."

" I don't want you to go either." She replied in a low voice.

" Then tell me. If you care at all, help. "

The man spoke with a desperation that Susan couldn't ignore. 

" Just telling you won't be enough," She whispered. 

" Look I just want to say something. I don't know how the 'real' Michael
Garibaldi felt about you, but just in case he doesn't say it when he gets
back......thanks for all you've done. You and he must really care about each
other, even if  he doesn't know it."

Reaching out a hand he touched her hair, it felt like strands of silk
running........He stopped. An image flashed into his mind. A blue dress, blue
eyes....

" Your hair....." He whispered. " I remember touching your hair."

Susan didn't manage to stifle the sob, of all the things he could have recalled
it was her stupid teasing.
Suddenly their roles were reversed as he put his arms round her in an awkward
attempt to offer comfort. It made it even more difficult to retain her
composure. 

" You can cry you know." He told her. " I know you don't like to in front of me
but I'd like to think you could....if you wanted to."

" I'm fine. " She sobbed, holding him tighter. He didn't say any more, just
stroked her hair, it felt like strands of silk running through his fingers.

*********************************************************************************


From: Ruth King <101646.276@CompuServe.COM>
Subject: Eyes of Men Dreaming/8
Date: 24 Jan 97 13:13:03 EST

Eyes of Men Dreaming part 8
By  Ruth King
101646.276@compuserve.com


 Babylon 5 is copyright Warner Bros. & JMS etc.  This story is
 not intended to infringe on these copyrights. Please do not reproduce without
the prior consent of  the author.




Caroline started her presentation with an ill-time yawn. She had been up all
night doing tests for Dr. Franklin again.  She went through her talk
automatically, despite the serious nature of the results. 

" Everything points to an unknown viral infection, " She finished, " We're
trying to isolate it now." 

" Will you be able to ?" The doctor asked. 

" Hopefully, then we can start taking it apart and finding out what makes it
tick." 

" How long ?" The Captain asked. 

" Impossible to tell at this stage," Franklin replied. 

Sheridan got to his feet and started to pace the room, as his mind went over the
implications of what Franklin had concluded. Something had slipped through the
quarantine procedures, which is possibly why the security guards had been
affected first. They had no idea when it had happened, for all he knew the
entire station could be affected by now. There might not be any hope for any of
them. There had been no reports of any unknown disease springing up on any of
the other human worlds so Sheridan had to assume that it had not left Babylon 5.


" We'll have to quarantine the station."  Ivanova  was saying. 

" Agreed, see to it Commander. Dr. Franklin, Ms Fisher carry on." 

The members of the room nodded solemnly as they rose to leave. Sheridan ran his
fingers through his hair. Delenn, he needed to talk to Delenn.

The Minbari Ambassador was in her quarters. She said nothing as John came
through the door, pouring him a cup of tea and sitting him on the couch. He
found himself wondering how she had known. 

" We are having to impose quarantine regulations. I thought I'd better let you
know personally."

She gave him a disbelieving look. He smiled sheepishly. That wasn't the reason
he had come to see her, but he was still trying to accustom himself  to the
understanding that was growing between them. Not that he'd ever needed an excuse
to visit but since Ivanova had surprised them.......

" I feel so helpless." He said, " I'm a soldier, not a scientist....all I can do
is sit by and watch my people die. I can't help remembering what happened to the
Markhabs."

Delenn shuddered, she had witnessed the extinction, heard the death wail of an
entire race.

" I'm sorry, I didn't mean to remind you of that."

" Do not apologise. Our sorrow is part of us John. I will pray that Dr. Franklin
finds a solution."


*********************************************************************************
**

After twelve hours on shift and another three spent compiling results Caroline
found herself unable to  return to her quarters There was just too much
adrenaline coursing through her system to even consider sleep. There was only
one cure for it....a trip to the Zocalo and a little therapeutic shopping.
She wandered aimlessly from stall to stall, spending a few credits here and
there before settling down for breakfast, or was it lunch ? She would be glad
when she was back on days again.

" Mind if I join you ?" A voice interrupted her musings. She looked up at Dave
Wood.

" Sure Dave, take a seat." She smiled at her friend.

" You look beat." 

" Don't even ask how many hours I've been awake."

" Tell me about it. I've just been briefed by Commander Ivanova about the
quarantine which means this place is going to go seriously crazy in about thirty
minutes......So do you know what's caused this yet ?"

" Seems to be some kind of new virus. Where its come from is anyone's guess
although with so many aliens hanging around  I'm surprised something like this
hasn't happened before."

" So do you think it was deliberate ?"

" What ? .....No ! Well....I suppose it's possible. "

" Its just, some of the alien species haven't been too happy with the way us
humans have been running things here since we seceded from Earth."

" Like who for instance ?"

" The Minbari."

" But they helped us."

" No.  Ambassador Delenn helped us without the consent of  her  government and I
don't think they were too pleased about it. Not that we needed them."

" Maybe they thought they could help us surrender ?"

" Look this is a security matter but I think I can trust you. Keep your eyes
open. This is a human problem and we don't really want the other races getting
involved."

*********************************************************************************
**

" Ms. Fisher ?" 

The woman jumped at the sound of the soft voice.

" Ambassador Delenn ?"

" You are busy...."

" No, I could do with a break."

What was the Minbari Ambassador doing here ? The stations alien populace were
rarely seen in this part of the Station. Caroline hastily moved a pile of papers
from a stool and invited the Ambassador to sit.

" What can I do for you Ambassador ?"

" The Captain has made me aware of  you difficulties. The Minbari have some
expertise in medicinal chemistry....I was wondering if I could offer you our
help."

Caroline felt a distinct flash of annoyance. Dave had been right, they couldn't
do anything around here without the Minbari rushing to the rescue. 

" Ambassador, human physiology is distinctly different from Minbari. Thanks for
your offer but I don't think you can help."

She turned back to her samples.

" Maybe equipment or..."

" No, thankyou we're just fine. If you'll excuse me I have to get back to work."

Delenn rose from her stool, hurt and confused. Sometimes she thought that she
would never get used to the affect Minbari had on many humans, her own change
hadn't helped matters. For a moment she had seen pure hatred on the woman's
face. There was so much bitterness,  and she understood the reasons why. She
tried to be considerate but there was occasion when she just wanted to scream in
frustration.  Maybe her people couldn't make a valid contribution but that was
no reason to turn her down out of hand.   Her mind's eye saw the Markhab child
once more. She had done all she could but they had still died.  Could the same
thing happen to the human population of Babylon 5.....to John. ? Maybe her offer
was made from the feelings of guilt. This was not healthy, she told herself. She
would go and see Dr. Franklin, maybe he would be a little more gracious.

*********************************************************************************
**

It had been two days since Franklin's report. Forty-eight hours in which the
situation had deteriorated rapidly. Captain Sheridan glanced round the table at
his Team. Ivanova, as efficient as ever, but Sheridan got the feeling that she
was more than a little distracted. Zack Allen, now  Security Chief was likely to
be a permanent feature.  Lieutenant Corwin, Officer Wood and Dr. Hobbs were also
in attendance. Sheridan had included them as a precaution. If any of the senior
officers became ill their seconds could find themselves facing rapid promotion
and it was essential that all were briefed.

" We're all here, lets begin." Sheridan said, " You are all aware of what's
happening here. Dr. Franklin has had all his people working round the clock
trying to get a handle on this and they think that they've finally found
something."

" Its a virus, and its definitely been genetically engineered." Franklin began,
" The spread of the disease points to a single release point, somewhere in Blue
Sector, the first cases were up here.  Its been moving fast so I can only
speculate. Seems it introduces an enzyme inhibitor which stops cells breaking up
proteins. These build up which kills the cell and eventually causes the death of
the patient."

" Forget the technobabble," Sheridan interrupted, " Is there some sort of remedy
?" 

" I'm coming to that. There is a chemical that is capable of preventing the
progression of the disease but its not a cure."

" Even so, have we got some ?"

" The good news is yes."

" And the bad news ?" Corwin asked, " There's always some bad news."

Sheridan couldn't stop himself thinking that the young man had been working with
Ivanova for far too long.

" The bad news is that it's addictive." Franklin continued.

" Have we all been affected by this virus ?" Wood wanted to know.

" I would say so."

Sheridan appeared to think for a moment, deciding on the best course of action.

" Ivanova, Corwin, get on to environmental, I want them to go over every inch of
the systems, find out where this could have been released. Mr. Allen, Mr. Wood
search the customs records I want to know how this thing could have got aboard.
I'm going to warn the other worlds, with the traffic that passes through this
Station it won't be too long before this shows up somewhere else."

With a nod he dismissed his officers. Franklin, however remained behind.

" You know what the effects of prescribing this will be ?" He asked.

" All too well. Only administer to those who are actually manifesting the
symptoms. The rest  of us will have to take our chances for now."

The Doctor acknowledged this comment grimly. It was what he had expected
Sheridan to say.

*********************************************************************************
**

Susan left the meeting accompanied by Dave Wood.  She wasn't really been in the
mood to talk but he chatted amiably all the way to the travel tube. 

" By the way, how's Mr. Garibaldi doing ?" He asked finally as they stepped onto
the lift.

" Very well. " Susan replied, " I think he's memory is actually starting to come
back."

" That's  really good news. Mr. Allen's a good CO an' all but he just isn't the
Chief."

" He's not likely to be back on duty for a while. Its going to be a slow
recovery."

" Tell him that we miss him."

" I will."

The young man left the tube on the security level while Susan carried on to C +
C.  She was tempted to delegate the task of  compiling the environmental report
to Corwin but her sense of duty got the better of her. The Captain was watching
her like a hawk. He hadn't said anything but she knew that he was concerned
about the effect Michael's illness was having. Any sign of neglected duties
would be another reason to send him away, assuming the quarantine was lifted in
the near future.  God help her she was actually pleased that there were no ships
leaving at present.  She had tried to convince herself that Sheridan wouldn't
agree  with the doctor's recommendation, but  it was a vain hope. There was the
nagging feeling that, if  Michael could be helped, he should leave.

As she had expected the Dome was empty, with no traffic there was little point
in the crew manning their stations.  Susan crossed to her console and contacted
the environmental people. She then settled down to read the reports filed over
the past month while the technicians manually went over the system. 
She tried to convince herself that she was concentrating on her task but her
mind continually wandered.  Finally she gave up and let herself stare out of the
viewport. 

" Can't you get Corwin to do this  ?" A voice asked.

" What ?" She jumped round to see the Captain standing behind her.

" No Sir, I'm fine....really."

" Then what have you discovered in the fifteen minutes you've been stargazing ?"

" Fifteen minutes ?"

" I counted. "

" I'm sorry sir it won't happen again."

" Susan, I thought we knew each other better than this. Its Michael isn't it ?"

" Yes. Look sir, I'm really trying not to let it interfere with my duties."

" I know that, which is why you're doing all this yourself. You don't have to
prove anything to me. Now delegate some of  it to Corwin."

" Aye sir......Sir Are you going to approve Dr. Hobbs' request ?"

" If its the right thing for Michael...... and for you, then yes I will . "

" You think I'm getting too attached ?"

" We've all noticed how this has affected you  He's a very lucky man to have a
friend like you but it may be time to let him have professional help. I've
spoken to Delenn. The Minbari will care for him if it becomes necessary. "

Susan turned back to the viewport. A weary reflection stared back. 'Is that me
?' She asked herself. 
The woman's eyes were dark and a thread of grey hair stood out at her temple.
Reaching up she savagely ripped it out. 

*********************************************************************************
**



From: Ruth King <101646.276@CompuServe.COM>
Subject: Eyes of Men Dreaming/9
Date: 27 Jan 97 14:16:51 EST

Eyes of Men Dreaming part 9
By  Ruth King
101646.276@compuserve.com


 Babylon 5 is copyright Warner Bros. & JMS etc.  This story is
 not intended to infringe on these copyrights. Please do not reproduce without
the prior consent of  the author.



Lunch was only moderately unappetising.  Michael lifted a forkful to his mouth
and then let it fall back onto the plate. He wasn't really that hungry, he was
eating to stop the boredom setting in. The Zocalo had become a familiar haunt
whilst Susan was on duty.  He enjoyed sitting and just watching the world pass
him by.  Today vague depression was threatening to overcome him again. There was
so much going on here, he desperately wanted to be part of it instead of an
impotent observer. Four days into the Doctor's  seven day limit and he still
hadn't recalled anything significant.  He might as well give up and pack his
bags.  

He got up to leave, accidentally jostling against a man as he did so. 

" Sorry." Michael apologised.

The man twisted round with something in his hand, Michael took a step backwards;

" All of you, hit the floor." The man screeched. The PPG twitched upwards as the
man fired a shot into 
the ceiling.

What the hell was happening here ? 

" And you ." The gun was pointed at Michael again.

" You don't want to shoot." Michael found himself  saying gently.

" Why the hell not  ? Haven't you heard we're all going to die anyway, locked in
this tin can. They won't let us out."

" Put the gun down."

" Not until they let me out of here. "

Taking two steps forward, Michael held out his hand. He could see the fear in
the other man's eyes. The fear that was driving him crazy.

" They've got to let me out, got to..."

" Give me the gun."

" Got to let me out."

"Come on, you don't want to hurt these people."

The man was still talking to himself, he hardly seemed aware of the crowd now.
Michael put his hand on the weapon, taking it into his grasp. From nowhere men
in grey appeared, grabbing the now unprotesting stranger.

" Thanks Chief, " One of  them was speaking to him, " Third nutcase we've had
today. Place has gone to hell since they quarantined us. Worse than the Markhab
thing."                   

" I'm sorry, " Michael found himself having to say, " I don't know......."

" No problem, Zack Allen . " Look we're goin' to need a statement. Would you
mind comin' back to the Station House ?"

Taking a deep breath Michael nodded. They hadn't let him near the security
section, which was, according to Susan, where he belonged. 

*********************************************************************************
**

" Nice office, " Michael commented as he looked around. 

" Should be Chief, " Zack replied, " Its yours."

Michael found himself grinning. He liked this other man. There was something
refreshing about his attitude. He wasn't falling over himself to be sympathetic
and  he used Chief as a term of respect and friendship not of  rank. 

" Truth is I couldn't tell you."

" You don't remember anything ?"

" Not that makes any sense. "

" Do you want to hang around for a bit  ? "

Michael grinned, anything was better than spending more time alone. The truth
was he was getting sick of the sight of his quarters. 

*********************************************************************************
**

The improvised ward was quiet. Beds stretched along its cavernous length and far
too many of them were occupied. Delenn surpressed a shudder as she passed the
duty nurse, answering the other woman's tired smile.  This wasn't the first time
the Ambassador had visited  the ward . Most of the patients wouldn't even
remember but it made Delenn feel like she was doing something to help. She moved
quietly between the beds, a smile, a comforting hand, a lullaby, it was all she
could do. 

" Delenn ?" An angry whisper echoed through the room. 

" Yes John." Delenn was puzzled, why was he angry with her ?

" What the hell are you doing here ?"

" I wanted to do something....."

" Not here."

He grabbed her arm and escorted her outside the bay doors.

" John let go of me." Delenn snapped.

" You can't go in there."

" I do not see why ?"

" Don't you get it, your part human now, you could die of this. Having contact
with these people will increase your chances."

" Then what are you doing here ?"

" I'm the Captain."

" I never though that you would make one rule for me and another for yourself."

He opened his mouth and closed it again. There were so many reasons why that he
couldn't even begin to tell her.

" Exactly, " She continued, " Now if you don't mind,"

She heard him walk away form her, the steps hesitant, unlike hisusual brisk
stride. She turned......

" John ?" Delenn shouted as she rushed forward. He crumpled in a heap in her
arms.

*********************************************************************************
**

"....The guy broke your arm in two places, but you didn't even slow down. Lucky
they surrendered pretty soon after."

" Lucky for us ?"

" For them."

" So let me get this straight I carried on fighting with a broken arm ? Am I
some kind of gung ho hero type ? Or just an idiot ?"

Zack laughed,  " Nah, you just knew we needed all the help we could get and
didn't see why an injury should get in your way. "

" I still say I'm nuts."

" Chief ?"  Both men looked round, but it was Zack Allen who got to his feet and
spoke to Officer Wood.

" Have you got those customs records ?"

The rest of  the conversation faded  from Michael's consciousness.  When other
faces had been those of strangers he knew this man and the thought terrified
him. 

" I've gotta go," Garibaldi mumbled, pushing past the other two men. He could
feel their curious glances but he couldn't wait to explain. The Captain, he had
to see Captain Sheridan and warn him. He found himself breaking into a run, the
panic building.  Damn, which way was it ? He should know these corridors but the
layout of certain sections were still strange.

" Mr Garibaldi ?"

Michael turned at the sound of his name. Wood was standing there, flanked by two
other security guards. They came towards him.  

" No !" he screamed, " Keep away from me."

" Hold him." Wood ordered.

Their grip was like fire. He struggled as much as he could but they held him
fast. 

" You're a dangerous man Mr. Garibaldi even without your memory." Wood
whispered, he then addressed the two other men, " You know what to do."

*********************************************************************************
**

" In my view he's a security risk." Wood  said forcefully. " He shouldn't be
allowed to wander round the Station."

" He's a sick man. " Doctor Hobbs exclaimed, " What do you want me to do.  Lock
him up ?"

" Yes, confine him. He's a danger to himself and to others. I thought that's
what you wanted Doctor ?"

" I want him to get the correct treatment and incarceration isn't it. "

" So what do you suggest ?"  Susan  interrupted. She had let the argument go on
for far too long. 

" We can't help him here." Hobbs admitted.

" There are plenty of establishments on Earth...." Wood began.

" When I want your input Mr. Wood I'll ask for it." Susan snapped.  She was
short tempered and she knew it. The public face of  hope and cheerfulness was
beginning to crack around the edges.  John......he hadn't regained
consciousness. Delenn was distraught, Franklin couldn't find a solution and
Michael....
As far as she was concerned the discussion was pointless. They couldn't send
Michael away and she was dammed if she was going to order imprisonment,
especially after Zack Allen had given his report of  the earlier events. 

" We can't ship him anywhere but I agree he shouldn't be allowed out on his own.
I'll make sure he 
always has an escort."

" But...?" 

" That's enough Mr. Wood. Would that be satisfactory Doctor ?"

" For the time being." Hobbs agreed.

" Very well then.....Dismissed."

*********************************************************************************
**

A cool hand was caressing his forehead.

" Where am I ?"

" In Med. Lab. "

He tried to move but felt the familiar restrictions. 

" Get this damn thing off me !"

" I'm sorry Michael I can't do that."

He sank back on the bed, strangely resigned. 

" What happened. ?"

" According to Officer Wood you attacked him. I was hoping you could tell me
something different."

He opened his eyes and looked into Susan's.

" No, there were three of them. I knew him."

" Who ? Wood ?"

" Yes. "

" Of course you do. He's been one of your section heads for two years."

" No not from here. "

" Where them ?"

" I'm in a room, there's a man in black, a woman with blond hair and him."

" That's good, that's very good Michael. "

The effort had exhausted him. He closed his eyes again.

" Susan you have to help me. There's so many images running around my head.
Trust me I know that man, and some part of me knows where from, and what he's
doing here."

Susan looked thoughtful. There had to be a way to tap into Michael's memories.
With everything else that was going on she knew that she shouldn't give credence
to his ravings. Maybe he did know something important.  He had said 'trust me,'
and when Michael Garibaldi uttered those words she instinctively had to find a
way to obey. 

Then it came to her in a cold flash of stark reality. There was someone who
could help  him, and there was a way that she could do it. She felt her nails
digging into her hands as she tried to dismiss the idea. No she wasn't going to
do it, not for him, not for anyone.  Not even Sheridan could order her.....But
it wasn't his decision. Somehow, some way Garibaldi was linked to the events
that were unfolding on the Station. People were dying, John was dying,  maybe
they didn't have to if  Susan Ivanova could gather the courage. 

*********************************************************************************
**

Susan didn't go 'Down Below' very often. Each time she did she was always struck
by the poverty, the deprivation. To do her job she often had to close her eyes
to the problems of  Station life, trying not to be affected by what she saw was
another matter. 

She went into the bar where she had arranged to meet Marcus. To her relief he
was waiting for her.

" Thanks for coming." Susan smiled at him.

" Anytime, you know that. What is it Susan ?" He asked, Marcus had to admit to
being curious as to 
why she would want to meet him down here.

" I need something and probably the only person who can get it for me."

" Thanks for the vote of confidence, might help if I knew what It is ?"

" Dust."

" Susan !"

" Just one dose is all I need.......Don't look at me like that I'm not an
addict. I need it to help Michael."

" How will Dust help him ?"

" I can go into his mind, try and retrieve his memories."

" But using the drug to scan someone, the life experiences can't be controlled."

" I can,"

" How ?"

She was silent, for a few moments. Could she tell him ? Thinking about it she
decided he required an explanation.

" I have certain telepathic abilities," She said, " But I'm not powerful enough
to do a scan like this. The Dust will give me that power."

" But....can't your telepath friend to do it. ?"

" No, not with all the information Michael has in his mind. I still can't trust
her enough for that. It has to be me. If I don't Hobbs will send  him away and I
don't think he can cope with that."

" And you ?" He asked the question gently.

" I've lost too many people who are close to me, I'm not about to lose another."

There was pain in her voice. The last thing Marcus wanted to do was to cause
Susan unhappiness. If he didn't get her the drug she would find someone who
would. At least Marcus could be sure of his source, make certain she got good
material.  

" I'll do it . " He whispered, " I think your crazy but I'll do  it."

" Bring it round first thing tomorrow."

She left abruptly. Marcus ran his fingers through his long hair. He must be the
one out of his mind. Was there nothing he wouldn't do for this woman.

*********************************************************************************
**

Susan entered the room. They stared at each other. She'd never been so scared in
her life. It was almost debilitating. She spoke earnestly with the duty nurse
for a few moments before escorting Michael out of the room. He kept silent as
they returned to her quarters. Once inside she removed the restraints.

" So what's the plan ?" He asked.

She held up the vial of  white powder.

" What's that ?" He asked.

" Its...its a drug. Do you trust me Michael ?"

" Sure but...."

" When I take this I will be able to enter your mind, hopefully I can find
what's stopping you memories and remove the block. You have to understand that
you won't be able to keep any part of your life secret. If you've got anything
to hide I'll know about it."

" Is this dangerous....I  mean are you goin' to get hurt ?"

" I don't know. "

" Look its not worth the risk...."

" Too late,"

" Susan....No !"

Michael lunged towards her, but she swallowed the contents of the vial before he
could cross the distance between them.  He caught her hand, flesh touched flesh
and  the fire entered his soul.

*****************************************************************************


From: Ruth King <101646.276@CompuServe.COM>
Subject: Eyes of Men Dreaming/10
Date: 28 Jan 97 17:00:02 EST

This part is an indulgence. Doesn't do alot for the plot but who cares ?

Ruth K.


Eyes of Men Dreaming part 10
By  Ruth King
101646.276@compuserve.com


 Babylon 5 is copyright Warner Bros. & JMS etc.  This story is
 not intended to infringe on these copyrights. Please do not reproduce without
the prior consent of  the author.






" Susan....No !"

Michael lunged towards her, but she swallowed the contents of the vial before he
could cross the distance between them.  He caught her hand, flesh touched flesh
and  the fire entered his soul.

*********************************************************************************


FLASHBACK : WARZONE 8 2245

The Minbari sniper couldn't have been more than 16. She lay on the ground like a
discarded toy, my bullet buried deep within her breast. 

" She would have done the same to you ?" Someone was telling me.

" Dammit she's just a kid." I protested.

" They look younger than they actually are. She's probably in her twenties."

" Thirty-five at least, camouflage mud hides the wrinkles." Someone else joined
in. 

" Nice piece of shooting Garibaldi. This is probably the only chance you'll ever
get to see a Minbari warrior so take a good look. " The Sergeant was saying. I
couldn't listen, I couldn't look. I just stared at my boots. I wanted to get
back to base. A couple of drinks, find a warm bed for the night. For some reason
I glanced at her once more as we started to move away. I saw her move and
struggle to sit up, clasping at the hole in her chest. Instinctively I moved
back towards her. If she was still alive, maybe I could help her but  strong
arms held me back,

" She's still alive," I protested.

" Leave her Soldier," The Sergeant ordered, " We can't afford to take
prisoners,"

" We can't just leave her."

" We won't."

For some reason it disturbed me to think of anyone left out here, dying alone.
As they led me back to the rest of the squad, the Sergeant raised his gun. A
single shot rang out.

" Come on Mike." 

I turned to stare at my best friend, " She was just a kid Tom. I killed a kid,"

He clapped me on the shoulder as we moved off with the rest of the squad.  

Should have known something was up. Never find one of those Minbari scum on
their own. We walked right into it. I didn't know what was happening. I fired
blindly into the foliage, didn't have a chance of  hitting anything. Someone
screamed to my right...a very human noise. I didn't turn to look. I didn't want
to see one of my friends die.

			******************************

The bullet must have just grazed me. I came too with a mouth full of mud and a
splitting headache. The forest was silent. The Minbari were gone. I got slowly
and painfully to my feet. The silence unnerved me more than the battle had done
earlier. I wanted to weep for my fallen comrades......the Minbari girl I had
killed but good soldiers don't  cry. They make the best of any situation. I
picked up my gun......empty.  I looked for the radio, map, a compass, food,
water......all gone. The Minbari had known there was a survivor, they'd just
left me out here.

" Hey ! Mike !"

The sweetest sound, another human voice. 

" Give me a hand here."

" Tom.... thank God !"

" Help me up here, bastards shot my foot away. The others...?"

" All dead." 

There were no sterile dressings but I attempted to bandage his foot as well as I
could. The only thing we could do was try and walk back to base,  follow our own
tracks. I supported Tom but  the wound was becoming infected. We had to stop
while I rigged a stretcher. From then on I dragged him.

" This is definitely the right way Tom. We left a trail a blind man could
follow."

' You're doin' fine Mike'

" Don't know about that. Shootin' that sniper really freaked me out."

' Its good combat experience. '

" Yeah I know...more precious than water out here.  You want some more ?"

' It tastes like.....'

" Its all we got."

' I think I'll pass.'

" How long do you think we've been walking ?"

' 'bount six hours,'

" Hey I found them....Garibaldi an' Johnson."

Three figures materialised before us, quickly followed by half a dozen more. The
cavalry. The medics quickly took charge. They seemed overly concerned by the
fact that I'd been kissed by a bullet. The one that was bending over Tom looked
up suddenly.

" How long has he been dead ?" He asked.

" What ?"

" Looks like the poisoned foot took him out."

" I was just talking to him. Don't you know your job. Stay away from him." 

" Hey easy soldier."

" Tom stop fooling around. Open your eyes you dumb..."

" Get me a tranq....this ones going psycho."

I hardly felt the needle goin' in...I was too busy screaming.

*********************************************************************************
**
FLASHBACK : Io 2252

I noticed the woman when she entered the bar. For starters she was incredibly
beautiful. I frowned to myself when it became apparent that no one was about to
follow her in. This was not the type of place that a woman should frequent
alone, but by the look of her it wasn't the first bar  she had visited. I
recognised the signs. She was young, early twenties, not old enough to look
after herself, I decided. Red-brown hair fell to her shoulders, her plain
trousers and shirt did little to hide her obvious physical attributes. I turned
back to my drink, letting the coarse liquid burn its way down to my stomach.
Best if you didn't let it linger in the mouth for too long. 

It was nearly the end of the year but I didn't feel like celebrating. When had
it started to go wrong again ? After the war ? Yeah that was it.  Fighting had
given my life some kind of purpose, kept me sober. The years since it had ended
had been pure hell. I'd started drinking again, hoping to be able to purge the
memories, it hadn't helped. I still dreamed of blood. I'd  spurned offers of
psychological help. Now, getting drunk on Io I wondered if I shouldn't have
accepted. How different would my career have been if  I could have just accepted
the way things were on Europa ? If only I could have fitted in and not tried to
change the system. My best friend wouldn't have been murdered, alcohol wouldn't
have snared me Who knows I could have been C.W.O. by now ? But it hadn't
happened that way.  Michael Garibaldi couldn't just stand-by and accept
corruption. Damn, but I knew I was good at my job. If only I could stay off the
booze. First few weeks of a new posting were great, then something would happen
, I'd make a mistake  and make a bee-line for the nearest bar. OK maybe this
time I shouldn't have tried to arrest my CO, but the man had been pulling
illegal credit transactions.  There wasn't enough evidence to convict, he had
kept his job and I had been on the 
next shuttle to reassignment.

My glass was empty, I didn't remember finishing the drink. Standing carefully I
walked across to the bar to get another one. I took a good look at the woman
sitting there. It was getting to that stage in the evening. I could do with a
little company.  Unfortunately I wasn't the only one.  A particularly nasty
example of  humanity reached her side about the same time I did. The guy was
taller than me and about twice as wide. His lank blond hair fell past his
shoulders and the smell of rank sweat permeated the air. 

" Hey, sweetheart " The man touched her shoulder, the woman flinched away but he
held onto her firmly.  

" Let go," She said, her words slurred slightly. The man laughed, pulling her
from her  stool. She struggled with little affect. She looked around her but no
one appeared to be interested in what was going on. The barman was studiously
serving someone at the other end of the bar. The rest of the patrons were
suddenly  far too occupied with their own business. 

" I suggest you leave the lady alone ," I heard my own voice saying, my mind was
telling  me 'This one's built like a barn. Why the hell do you get yourself into
these things Michael ?' 

" Did I ask you to interrupt ?"

" No, but my mother never taught me any manners."

" Butt out, she's with me."

I realised that this guy wasn't going to respond to polite conversation or witty
repartee. There was only one way to deal with this kind and that was forcefully.
The man still had one hand on the woman's arm, fingers bruising the flesh, but
he had turned his body towards me, I aimed a kick directly at the man's groin.
He straightened up faster than I expected, I saw the glint of steel grasped in
his hand.  He came towards me, a knife drawn for a slashing blow. The booze was
makin' me slow. Throwing myself backwards I avoided the blade by the thickness
of a hair. The shock was enough to sober me up. 

I sank into a semi-crouch, my eyes locked on him, waiting for him to telegraph
his next move. Vaguely I heard the crowd round us, they were shouting
encouragement.  I couldn't afford to let them distract me. The man shouted and,
feinting with unexpected speed ducked past me. I felt the knife slice through my
flesh even as I tried to dodge out of the way. I darted in, making a grab for
his knife arm, but got a kick in the ribs for my pains. Frantically I rolled
away, attempting to get to my feet and meet his renewed charge. My position
saved me. He over reached his mark and staggered off-balance, allowing me to
take hold of his wrist and twist the knife from his grasp. Suddenly on even
terms I  managed to kick his legs from under him. Just to make sure I picked up
a handy bottle from the bar and smashed it over his head. 

I looked for the woman. She was standing at the edge of the crowd,

" You OK ?" I asked. She nodded.

" Hey !" It was the barman, 

" What ?" I snapped, but two bouncers were descending on me. I grabbed the
woman's hand and made for the exit.

Outside under the dome she turned to me,

" I suppose I should thank you."

" What do you mean suppose ? Unless you have a thing for pain and gorillas."

" And you weren't going to make me a similar proposition ?"

" Yeah, maybe I was but my lines are infinitely more amusing."

Her expresion softened, " You're hurt."

" Just a scratch." 

As intended that made her laugh.

" Do you live round here ?" She asked.

" I'm just passing through on my way to Ganymede. I'm staying a couple of blocks
away."

" Come on, I'll patch you up."

To be honest I was grateful. The hotel room wasn't much, if you sat on the bed
you could touch all four walls, but she didn't seem to notice. She cleaned and
dressed the wound quickly and efficiently. I took a shot of my emergency bourbon
to numb the pain.  She poured herself a drink and we sat together on the bed
drinking, slowly, silently.

" So who is he ?" I asked eventually.

She stared at me, there was fear in her face, more so than when the man had
grabbed her in the bar. 
Tears stood out in her eyes, she squeezed them shut. Worried, I put a
sympathetic arm round her shoulders. 

" My CO," She admitted, " He's been reassigned."

" How long have you been together ?"

" We're not together Dammit. He's married, devotedly so, but I didn't want him
to go without knowing how I felt. So last night I made him a proposition. He
turned me down."

" I see the problem."

" Oh he was very nice about it. I just feel so stupid, I thought......I thought
he felt the same way."

" So rather than face him again you came looking for someone like me ?"

" Yeah, but I couldn't even get that right. I had to run into a Boy Scout."

" Boy Scout I'm not, believe me. Come on I'll take you home."

*********************************************************************************
**

FLASHBACK : MILITARY PRISON 2253

I'd been in that hell hole three  months. EarthForce wasn't really concerned
with the welfare of its miscreants. We were scum and we knew it.  

" Hey Garibaldi, visitor. "

I looked at the guard puzzled. Who the hell could it be ? Family ? I told them I
didn't want to see them although I'm sure Mom still sent food parcels.  He
gestured, I followed him out of curiosity. 

" Hello Michael."

Damn but it was her, as beautiful as my memories. She was the reason I was here.
I didn't like to think of what she saw when she looked at me but her eyes were
glistening with tears.   Self-conciously I shrank away from her. She couldn't
see the scars my body bore, that ripped through my mind. It was all her fault.  

" I saw an old report, " She told me. " What did they charge you with ?"

" Assault." I admitted, " I pleaded self-defense, but no one would back me up.
The only witness I had and I didn't know her name."

" God I'm sorry. Look I've spoken to a few people. We can appeal. "

I wanted to laugh in her face but part of me could still feel hope. 

" Just tell me one thing ?"

" Yes ?"

" I'd like to know who I'm grateful to."

*********************************************************************************
**
FLASHBACK : MARS 2254

Mars. Why Mars I wasn't sure but it seemed like a good place to end up. Beer was
cheap and there were several old acquaintances I could call on in the hope of
work. Where else did I have to go ? I briefly thought of  my EarthForce uniform,
still folded neatly in my bag. Didn't know why I'd kept it, there was no way I
was going to re-enlist......Thirteen years was enough. No one actually believed
that I was quitting for good.  I told the woman on the release desk that I was
through. She'd just smiled at me. 
" You're not through son," She'd said, for some reason she reminded me of my
grandmother, " You're just on leave. It might be six days, six weeks or six
months but its just leave.....and that's all it is." I was determined not to go
back. No more dead-end assignments, no more asshole CO's. Finished.

*********************************************************************************
**

" Wake up, damn you !" She shouted at the sprawled figure. 

The white powder clung to her fingers. In horror she wiped them on the sleeve of
her shirt. The streaks stood out against the black fabric. She removed the
offending garment, flinging it into a corner. Fighting the impulse to be sick
she stumbled back to the bed. The man  still hadn't moved. He was alive but how
much damage had she done to his mind. Kneeling down she rested his head in her
lap, 

" Please don't do this to me." 

The tears ran down her face unchecked. He had wanted her to do it, begged her
but what use was the information if he didn't regain consciousness ? But how
could she leave him ? They had come so far together. A wave of nausea  swept
over her. She recognised the signs...steeling herself against another attack.

God no...the memories...his, hers...she couldn't tell . 

*********************************************************************************
**

FLASHBACK : EARTH 2260

I shut my eyes and shrunk away from the sunlight. I stood trying to remember who
I was, what I was doing there. When I opened my eyes the light still dazzled me.

" You'll catch your death out here at this time in the morning ?" A gentle voice
told me.

I ignored her. I wasn't cold, but she laid her hand gently on my arm and guided
me back inside. She took me to a room full of people. Dull-eyed, vacant staring
into space. I sat down in the chair I assumed that I had just vacated.  I looked
at the floor waiting for memories to return.  For a long time there was nothing.
The emotions, fear, hatred, what were they doing to me ? Why ? I had been
strapped to a table, they had been inside my head, despite all my efforts to
keep them out.

Then....then for a while it had all stopped and I had been brought here.  They
had done things to me Injections, questions, pills......not just to me, others.
There had been more people, some of  those in this room. I dug my fingernails
into my hands. There was something else. Something else I had to remember,
somewhere I had to be. A woman in a blue dress.

" Where am I ?" I managed to ask.

The nurse smiled at me gently, " Its time for you medication." 

She placed the pills in my mouth and put the cup to my lips. I sipped the water
and swallowed. The world blurred once more.

*********************************************************************************


There was a hedge that surrounded the building. No guards, no security. I took a
few steps forward. Abruptly I jerked myself  back, clutching my stomach. I
vomited noisily. No one could leave because no one could walk past the hedge. 

I had to get out.

That night I stopped taking the pills.

*********************************************************************************
**

The first time I threw up. The second time I knew what to expect and fought to
overcome the nausea and terror. The third time the same feelings had been
stimulated but they passed rapidly. 

'Soon' I thought as I made the journey for the last time. I may have more
violent reactions when I got outside but I was willing to take the chance and
fight against the conditioning. 

It was raining, cold and relentless. The woman in the blue dress was walking
with me......no, that was a  long time ago. I didn't know who she was or why she
haunted my dreams. 

Nothing happened as I walked onto the road, but no one had expected me to get
this far. 

*********************************************************************************
*

" Some kind of escaped nut." The man was saying, " Picked him up at the
Spaceport, kept on saying he needed to get somewhere. No money, no identicard,
so I asked him where he was goin' and how he planned to get there. He started
shouting . Took four of us to hold him down. He's certifiable but none of the
local hospitals want to claim him."

" I'll call in the psyche team. Get him committed ASAP."

" Best thing for him. Maybe they'll lock him up a little tighter next time."

*********************************************************************************
**

She hit the block hard, wrenching her back to reality. The bright lights burned
her eyes, her breathing  harsh and ragged, the sweat rolled down her back.

" Computer, what time is it ?" She asked.

" 0732,"

Three minutes, only three minutes. It was difficult to believe. She had managed
to control the images but only just. It wasn't enough, she was going to have to
go back in. Could she risk another dose ? She was starting to get the feeling
that there was a serious reason for this. Some piece of information buried so
deeply that he had buried everything else with it. She checked his pulse, weak,
but it was still there. She moved away to pour herself a glass of water. It was
becoming easier to breathe. There had to be some way for her to get closer and
make slipping into his mind easier. Kneeling back down  on the bed she started
to unbutton his shirt, slipping it from his back as she pushed him onto his
side. Then carefully she lay next to him, sliding one arm under his body and
bringing  the other over, wrapping herself around him. She rested her chin
against his shoulder. His body was fever hot, and she could feel where he had
lost weight, the outlines of his ribs stark beneath her fingers. Slowly the
tension drained out of  her body as she relaxed her mind. 

*********************************************************************************
**

FLASHBACK: UNKNOWN 2260

I screamed. I would not tell them. I screamed. I would not let them in. I
screamed.

*********************************************************************************
**

" INITIATING CYBERNET."

*********************************************************************************
**

A construction drone had recovered his body. By the look of things he'd been
dead before he'd hit the vacuum. 'Damn you Jeff,' I told myself. ' You had to be
the hero'. He'd made the decision to face that Icaran monster by himself. He
must have known that we'd have no choice but to depressurize the cargo bay.  I
should have been with him, no I should have taken his place., disabled him if
necessary.  

'You couldn't do it though. could you ? you're a coward Garibaldi and now your
best friend is dead.'

Too many people had died because of me. And what did I do about it ? I just ran
away. God I needed a drink. There was no reason not to. Jeff was gone, the
reason for my giving up in the first place. Without him I didn't see the point
anymore. Who else would care about me ?  I clutched his body to me and felt
tears. I wanted so much for him to move, to live. 

' Stop it !' I told myself, crying like some child. I had to get a drink and I
had to get it now. 

*********************************************************************************
**

" STOP. IMAGE INTERRUPT."

" ISOLATE HIM FURTHER"

" INITIATING SECONDARY."

*********************************************************************************
**

It was over. For the time being my mind was my own again. I wasn't sure how long
they had tried to scan me. When the pain had become too much and I had lost
consciousness I assumed that they had taken me to this cell. I'd come round
where I had fallen, just inside the door.  For a moment I could hear nothing . 

" Who's there ?" The voice was charged with fear.

" Susan ?" I called.

" Michael ? Oh thank God."

I followed the sound of her voice. She was hunched against the far wall. Despite
my efforts they had got her too. Lianna had promised that Susan would be safe.
Said she'd see to it personally. Why had I trusted her ? Had I really been naive
enough to think that one of us would be enough ? This was all my fault. I never
should have allowed Susan to come with me. How was Sheridan going to cope with
both of us gone ? 

" Are you OK ? What have they done...."

" Nothing and that's what scares me most of all."

Part of me was glad. I didn't want them to hurt her, couldn't bear to think of
what they might do to her  beauty. I could see her now, eyes dancing, standing
before me in that blue dress. God the things I'd wanted to do in that moment.

I felt her lean weakly against me, hearing my voice must have been some relief.

" Susan what is it ? "

There was something  that warned me. I gingerly put out a hand to touch her
wrist. It came away wet.

" There's only one way out Michael, only one way." She told me.

I tried to stop it but there was too much blood. She lost consciousness before I
could staunch the flow. I pulled her into my arms. There was nothing I could say
to help her, nothing I could do. I held her, there in the dark, until I could no
longer feel the fall and rise of her breasts, until the flesh began to grow
cold.

*********************************************************************************
**

"  STRANGE I THOUGHT YOUR REPORT HIGHLIGHTED MS. WINTERS ?"

" IT DID "

" THEN WHY ARE WE STIMULATING THESE THOUGHTS ?"

" I DON'T KNOW . THINGS CHANGE, ITS BEEN ALMOST A YEAR."

"TRY SOMETHING ELSE."

" INITIATING."

*********************************************************************************
**

I slammed the door of the room behind me, pressing close to listen. There were
no footsteps. They hadn't managed to track me. For the moment I was safe. I sank
down to the floor allowing myself to rest for a moment. The relief was short
lived however, I still had to get out of here.

The room was faintly illuminated, two computer screens casting a greenish light.
I moved further into the room. It was some kind of medical facility. An
Operating Room ? No. I shuddered there was a shrouded figure on the table.
Autopsy I told myself. I'd had to attend enough of them during my career. A lock
of blond hair had escaped the covering sheet. I moved closer. Unwillingly I
pulled the sheet back.
She looked as if she was sleeping. Her beauty unmarred by the ravages of death.
An old Earth fairy tail flashed into my mind. A kiss and she would wake up, fall
into the arms of her handsome prince. 
Bester had been telling the truth.  I ran a finger over her lips.

They'd taken away everything that she was, all her potential for the future. A
future I had wanted to be part of. Self-doubt washed over me. Why did I ever
think that she would care for me ? She was so far above me. After I'd lost Lise
I had thought I would never feel anything for anyone ever again and then Talia
Winters had walked into my life. Everyone thought it was lust at first sight but
I knew different. It was love, I'd just never been able to tell her. How do you
talk to someone like that ? I'd just fallen back on my old lines which she'd
treated with the disdain they'd deserved. Why was I even thinking about 
this   ? It was too late. It would always be too late.

" I love you." I whispered the words I had never had the chance, or the courage,
to say. 

*********************************************************************************
*

" THIS MAY WORK TO OUR ADVANTAGE."

" BOTH OF THEM ?"

" WHY NOT ?"

" INITIATING INTERACTIVE."

*********************************************************************************
**


" Why are you doing this ?" I yelled in words that did not reach the two lovers
before me. 

" Because we like you  Mr. Garibaldi. We want to help you.......Save you from
Sheridan, Delenn, the Vorlons."

" No !"

" You can have everything you ever wanted.....

" No," It was a whisper,

Suddenly I was in a brightly lit room. 

" Why should you help them ? They don't care what happens to you. Sheridan
doesn't trust you. Not the way Sinclair did. "

" That's not true."

" You can lie to yourself but not to me. He's isolating you from command. How
many times has he left you behind ? Jeff would never have done that. How many
times has he kept information from you ? Jeff never did that." 

" He's my  friend, they're all my friends."

" Friends betray  Someone like you should know that. Frank got himself killed,
Lise  wouldn't stay with you, Sheridan doesn't trust you, Ivanova had an affair
with the woman you loved, even Sinclair left you. We are your true friends
Michael, we are the ones who can help you."

He was speaking the truth, the terrible truth. No ! I wouldn't accept it. Maybe
we'd all done questionable things. I tried to hang onto that fact but the
whispers still invaded my mind. I thought of  Susan again. Remembering her
strength and courage.  The image of  her and Talia together flashed into my
head. It ddin't matter, I tried to tell myself, Talia was dead.  I had to fight
the feelings of betrayal, anything they could use against me. I tried to banish
Susan from my thoughts.

" Tell us what we need to know, help us regain control of Babylon 5. Think of
the service you will be doing to your people. You'll be a hero. We are your
friends."

I wanted to wrench myself free. I tried to concentrate.

" I have every confidence in Mr. Garibaldi senator." Jeff told the man.

" He's gone," The man repeated, " He left you.".

All the emotions flooded back, waking up and  finding Jeff wasn't there.

Sheridan took the gun away from me......

" Make enough for two...." Stephen grinned.

Susan......of all of them she was the one I had most reason to hate. The lines
were blurring. Susan's eyes  looked into mine. The clear blue reassuring me.  I
wanted so much to hate her but if I did that they would win. I had to forget my
feelings for Talia, purge them from my mind.

" Get out of my head !" I screamed at the man. But he wouldn't go, he was still
whispering though  I could no longer hear the words. Darkness hovered at the
edge of my mind, inviting me in. Safe oblivion I wouldn't have to listen any
more. Susan, think only onf Susan. She had been right, there was only one way
out. I surrendered, but not to him.

*********************************************************************************
**

They undid the straps that held me. I did not move. The blond woman ran a device
over my body.

" Well ?" The man snapped.

" He's alive but neural activity has been depressed. You burnt him out."

" Damn. He should have broken long before. You can never tell how the mundanes
are going to react." 

" What do we do with him now ?"

" Send him to the usual place."

" And if  they don't find him ?"

" Just make sure he's back on B5 within three weeks. "

" What about me ?" A third voice.

" Here's the serum, distribute it around our loyal followers, and make sure he
doesn't recall enough to warn anyone."

The yellow label stood out on the metallic container.  It was passed to the man
in the grey uniform.

*********************************************************************************
**

From: Ruth King <101646.276@CompuServe.COM>
Subject: Eyes Of Men Dreaming/11
Date: 31 Jan 97 13:22:46 EST

Eyes of Men Dreaming part 11
By  Ruth King
101646.276@compuserve.com


 Babylon 5 is copyright Warner Bros. & JMS etc.  This story is
 not intended to infringe on these copyrights. Please do not reproduce without
the prior consent of  the author.






Marcus was concerned, no it was more than that. He'd passed concerned a few
hours ago and was now downright worried. It had been twenty-four hours since he
had given Ivanova the Dust and she hadn't been seen since, for that matter
neither had Mr. Garibaldi. Surely she hadn't been stupid enough to use the drug
? It  was a vain hope, he'd seen the anxiety in her face. Unfortunately it put
him in rather a difficult position. What if she was in trouble ? In the end he
decided to see Dr. Franklin. It was a medical matter after all and he always had
the doctor's oath of confidentiality to fall back on.

The Doctor was not in the best of humour. He was looking disparagingly at a
liquid in a sample vial.
There was something slightly disappointing about a life-saving liquid that was
such an unhealthy shade of sludge brown. It should work, at least he hoped it
would. The molecular model said it should but he refused to pin all his hopes on
the output of a computer. It still needed testing on a live subject.

" Yes Marcus ?" Franklin hadn't looked up, but he seemed to know who was
standing behind him.

" Have you seen Ivanova today ?" The Ranger asked.

" What ? No. Why ? Don't tell me you finally asked her for a date and she stood
you up."

" I think she may be in trouble."

" All respect Marcus but I'm up to my ears here. You'd better see if Corwin
knows where she is."

" Its a medical matter.....a confidential medical matter."

He looked at the other man for the first time. " Perhaps you'd better explain."

Marcus explained.

" You did what ? "

" She would have gone to someone else if I didn't help her."

" OK whatever. Now where is she ?"

" In her quarters I think."

"Give me ten minutes to take this sample to the chemistry lab.."

" I'll meet you there."

*********************************************************************************
**

" Chief ?"

Allen looked up from his desk and smiled.

" Something I can do for you Mr. Wood   ?"

The man shuffled nervously.

" Just had a report about someone buying Dust."

" You sure ?"

" Yes sir. I thought you'd want to be informed."

" Thanks....look can you deal with it ? "

" Of course sir."

Wood came smartly to attention before leaving the office. Zack shook his head,
he wished the man wouldn't do that. Still Wood had turned out to be an
invaluable aid . When Garibaldi had originally handed over command it had been
for a couple of weeks. No problem as far as Zack had been concerned. Now it
looked like the job was going to be permanent.

*********************************************************************************
**

Caroline didn't look any happier with the sample than Franklin had. 

" You substituted the furan for a thiol group in the hetero ring. ?" She asked.

" Yes. The model said  that it should increase the activity. How did the other's
look."

" Not brilliant. The activity is there but at most we're just delaying the
inevitable. This series is also giving us one hell of a scale-up problem. There
are just too many impurities to get rid of. "

" Keep on it. "

" Yes sir."

This wasn't good. The death toll now stood at thirty, despite his efforts to
delay the affects of the disease. What was needed was the antibody, but no one
so far had shown any immunity. Damn, his ten minutes were almost up.  If  he was
much longer Marcus would break down the door to Ivanova's quarters. The doctor
broke into a run.

" I've signalled but there's was no answer." Marcus said frantically.

Franklin shoved his identicard into the reader, "Emergency Medical override." He
told the computer.
The door swung open obediently.

" Susan ?" Marcus shouted, pushing past Franklin. 

Ivanova was curled up on the bed next to Garibaldi. Marcus reached out to touch
her but she screamed as his fingertips brushed her shoulder. He glanced
anxiously at the doctor.

" She's dusted all right." Stephen sighed. " Damn, traumatic shock, compete lack
of consciousness, heart rate and respiration below normal.....Michael's
definitely the victim. Franklin to Med. Lab....Emergency team to Commander
Ivanova's quarters stat."

As Marcus backed away his eye fell on the glass vial still standing on the
bedside table. He picked it up and hurled it down the recycling shoot.

*********************************************************************************
**

Delenn had just managed to close her eyes when the commotion in the adjoining
room disturbed her. What was going on ? A woman was screaming, making enough
noise to wake the dead. Hopefully Delenn looked down at the Captain, but he
hadn't been disturbed. She  tenderly kissed his forehead before leaving  to find
out exactly what was occuring.  

The last person she expected to see was Susan Ivanova. Franklin had just managed
to get close enough to sedate her. A few seconds later and there was blessed
silence.

" What happened ?" She asked. 

Marcus looked guiltily at his feet.

" She's been taking Dust." A voice replied, " And she brought it from this man."

" Susan would never......You sure about this Mr. Wood ?"

" She was seen by my operatives Down Below."

" Marcus ."

" Yes I got it for her. " The Ranger admitted, " But there was a very good
reason."

He stopped. From what Susan had said it had been obvious that not many people
knew about her limited ability and Marcus wasn't about to break that confidence.
Not with so many eager ears listening in.

" Well ?" Delenn asked.

" Not here." Marcus told her.

" Very well. Doctor we'll be across the hall, let us know if anything happens."

" But ...!" Wood protested, " This man needs to be arrested and charged."

" Your dedication is commendable Officer but  Mr. Cole has Minbari citizenship.
He is therefore under my juristiction."

Delenn  escorted Marcus to an empty room. 

Rapidly Marcus repeated the story, carefully omitting the secret Ivanova had
revealed to him..  Delenn shook her head in disbelief.  Had Ivanova become
temporarily insane ? What information could Garibaldi possibly have had ? But if
he could help John ?

*********************************************************************************
**

" Oh God. I think I'm going to be sick." Ivanova exclaimed twelve hours later.

" Take it easy, " Marcus' voice told her, " Your system's been through quite a
shock."

" What happened ? How did I get here ?"

" I was worried about you and called Dr.Franklin.  It all rather got out of
hand."

" Is Michael OK ?"

" He was still out last I heard. It usually takes Dust victims a couple of days
to recover."

" We may not have a couple of days."

She swung her legs round and climbed off the bed.

" Where are you going ?"

" To see Franklin "

" I'll come with you."

" I think you've probably done enough."

" I was only trying to help." He called after her retreating back. 

Ivanova's head was reeling as she hurried towards Franklin's office. For a few
seconds she wasn't sure who she was.  The corridors looked different somehow, as
if seen through someone else's eyes, either that or she was still dreaming.
Every thought, every emotion, every experience that was Michael Garibaldi raged
within her mind.  The Infinite complexity of  someone else's life.  She closed
her eyes and saw a Minbari child bleeding to death, a run-down bar on Io, Mars,
Sinclair........herself.  Friends she had never known died before her eyes,
lovers left....a bottle was thrown to the ground as she screamed 'No More' . Her
eyes snapped open, and the familiar  Station swung back into place. Surely this
would die away soon, she prayed. Taking a deep breath she regained control of
herself f .

" Susan ? What the Hell ?" Franklin took her by the arm and led her to the
couch.

" You have to listen Stephen. That virus its EarthGov.....they're trying to
regain B5 and they'll kill us all to do it. There's an antitoxin Wood's got it,
he's one of them."

" How...?"

" Michael, I saw it in his mind. We were meant to find him and bring him back
here but we brought the virus too."

" But he's never had it."

" Yes he did. It just didn't kill him, you thought he was going through some
kind of withdrawal. If he had died we would have been suspicious. 

" But...."

" Find Officer Wood."

Sometimes you needed a brick to beat advice into Stephen Franklin's head. 

" Franklin to security, I want a system wide alert."

*********************************************************************************
**

Light touched his awareness. Some deep instinct told him to run away and hide
but he couldn't remember the reason why. He opened his eyes, blinking rapidly
against the painful glow. Medlab. That fact established he let his head fall
back on the pillow. The memories were returning, dim, surreal. For a moment it
was all there, every moment relived in startling definition. Colour, sound,
smell assaulted him.  Oh God, he wanted to run back to that dark quiet place and
forget again. 

" Michael !"

It was Ivanova's voice. He sensed her sitting beside him. Without thought he
flung himself into her arms. His fierce grip must have been hurting but she gave
no sign. She was his anchor, the touch of her, the smell of her. Calm, serene,
as she had been all those dreadful weeks. He wanted to lose himself in her eyes,
feel the soft skin against his own, his hands entangled in her hair. She must
have seen those thoughts.

She was stroking the back of his head. That was the first clear sensation he
had. Gentle fingers across the short, soft hair. He suddenly felt concern
welling up within him. Ivanova ? How had she been affected by their shared
experience ? The Dust user could be burnt out faster than any victim. He looked
up at her, the sapphire blue as beautiful as always. For a moment her eyes
reflected what she had seen, a revelation that he read in all its horror. She
knew it all now, everything he had ever thought, felt, dreamed. What sort of
judgement would she pass on the life experiences of  Michael Garibaldi ?

" How are you feeling ?" She asked gently.

He  pushed her away slightly, embarrassed by the blatant show of emotion. The
cynical, irreverent mask fell into place, 

" Like  my brain's been through the fusion reactor.You ?"

" Tired."

Ivanova frowned a little. He was suddenly finding her presence uncomfortable.
She wanted to hold him, as she had done so many times over the past few weeks,
but something about his expression made her move away. There was definite fear,
coupled with something that could have been revulsion. He hated what she had
done to him and, at that moment, she didn't like herself very much either.

 " Well look who's awake." Doctor Hobb's voice was not without condescension.
She ran a scanner over him.

" So what's the verdict ?" He did his best to sound light-hearted

" Your readings are almost back to normal. "

" Can I get out of here ?"

" I don't know about that....."

" I'm sorry Doctor but we need to speak to Doctor Franklin." Ivanova
interrupted.

" I want him back here as soon as you're finished."

*********************************************************************************
**

Garibaldi found it more difficult than he expected to face the other crew
members. The memory of what had happened to him was too fresh, making contact
with the others uncomfortable. He didn't want to be judged, just allowed to get
back to work.

" And Wood ?" He asked.

" They haven't found him yet." Ivanova reported.

" He had a serum to immunise those still loyal to the Earth administration. The
chances are he wouldn't risk destroying that until the surplus population was
out of the way. Has anything been found ?"

" Not in his quarters."

" Then he's got it with him."

" All the more reason for finding him. The death rate is accelerating. "

" Not necessarily." Franklin interrupted, " If Ivanova's right and Garibaldi's
already been infected he'll have immunity. I should be able to make a serum from
his blood. "

" Enough to immunise everyone ?" 

" Eventually. Those who have the immunity can be used to inoculate others until
the whole population have been treated. If  Wood has a supply it will speed up
the process."

" There's something I just thought of, he's proof that there's still a few of
the Nightwatch floating around and he could be our link to finding them. "
Garibaldi added." Now my guess is he's scared. He'll have holed up somewhere
waiting for his friends to get him out. Which they can't do at the moment. "

" Suggestions ?" Ivanova asked.

" Flush him out."

" Go on."

" The security codes haven't been changed so he'll be able to pick up anything
we care to broadcast. Why don't we tell him something he wants to hear ?"

" Like there's a ship on the way ?"

" Yeah. Make it a medical aid  convoy or somethin'. Then I send some of my guys
Down Below, so he thinks we're lookin' for him."

" What makes you think he isn't down there already ? Its a perfect place to
hide."

" No, someone would have snitched on him by now. It takes a certain skill to
live down there and blend in. He looks too much like a public school boy."

" Then what ?"

" We wait."

*********************************************************************************

From: Ruth King <101646.276@CompuServe.COM>
Subject: Eyes of Men Dreaming/12
Date: 31 Jan 97 13:22:05 EST


Eyes of Men Dreaming part 12
By  Ruth King
101646.276@compuserve.com


 Babylon 5 is copyright Warner Bros. & JMS etc.  This story is
 not intended to infringe on these copyrights. Please do not reproduce without
the prior consent of  the author.




The door signal rang out once, twice.....a third time in pure desperation.
Caroline climbed out of bed and pulled a gown around herself  to answer it. The
last person she expected to see was  Dave Wood. But this wasn't the cheerful,
friendly man that she was aquatinted with. His uniform jacket was gone, his
normally pristine hair unkempt. He darted through the open door,

" Close it now !" He snapped.

" Dave what is it ?" Caroline asked, fear creeping into her tone.

" They're after me."

" Who ?"

" Sheridan, Ivanova....They're trying to frame me. You've got to help me
Caroline."

" Yes...yes of course. What do you want me to do ?"

" My security clearance has been revoked. I need to get into the Med. Lab. Cold
store."

" Why ?"

" To clear my name and prove I'm not the traitor they think I am."

" I'll get dressed."

*********************************************************************************
**

" I really hate this." Garibaldi grumbled as Dr. Franklin inserted the needle.

" Relax, I'm only going to take a pint. Sit still"

" Sorry."

Garibaldi felt himself  flinch away from the sight of  the red liquid, draining
out of his arm. He was impatient to join the search but by the time he got out
of  Med. Lab. the others would have found the little creep. Part of  him craved
action but his duty had been to come here. It might give Delenn some peace of
mind but it wasn't doing anything for his own. 


" Michael," Franklin began. " I have to certify you fit for duty......"

" Not Dr. Hobbs ?"

" I will be speaking to Lillian about the way she handled your case."


" You're obviously leading up to somethin'. Spit it out Stephen."

" Physically you are fine but.......The psychological effects of  Dust are
analogous to those of rape. Michael are you listening to me ?"

" I asked her to do it."

" Yes I know but you couldn't have been fully aware of the consequences. How do
you feel about Susan now ?"

The other man was silent.

" Don't do this to yourself  Michael. Bottling up these feelings won't help."

" I don't know how I feel about her. That's as near to the truth as I can give
you. Stephen I need time to work these things out in my own mind then I might be
able to talk about it."

" Just remember that your friends are always here to listen and  Susan is still
one of them."

A sardonic smile touched the corners of Garibaldi's mouth. 

Satisfied Stephen didn't push the topic any further. The Doctor busied himself
removing the needle. He instructed Garibaldi to stay put and took the sample
into the Lab. to place some of it in the centrifuge and the rest into the cold
store.

" Hold it." The voice snapped as Franklin entered the room. He froze as
requested. 

" There's nothing for you here." The Doctor replied.

" I'll be the judge of that. Caroline pick up that dewar flask."

" What's in  it ?" She asked.

" Neat hiding place. So the cure has been right under our noses ?" Franklin
said.

Caroline turned to her companion in horror,

" You mean all those people died for nothing ?"

" They're not people they're traitors. Alien-loving scum."

" The hell they are."

" Shut up !"

He lashed out at her, striking her across the face. Franklin took a step forward
but Wood grabbed Caroline by her hair, she cried out.

" One step closer and I blow her brains out." He screamed over the noise
Caroline was making, " Tell them all, if  they try and stop me she's not the
only one that will die."

*********************************************************************************
*

Garibaldi heard the screams as they echoed down the corridor. Ignoring the
Doctor's instructions he made it out of  Med. Lab. In time to see Wood drag
Caroline into the Transport Tube.  

" Security this is Garibaldi re-rout Transport Tube 3A down to Blue 22, and get
a Team down there." He yelled into his link.

He cursed his own short-sightedness. Most of  the security teams were either
Down Below or  in the Docking Bay. With a hostage Wood could probably force his
way off the Station and Garibaldi wasn't about to make it easy by giving him
access to a ship. They needed that serum, and the information Wood had. Feeling
more than a little light-headed Garibaldi headed for the stairs. 

He only had to run down three levels but the Transport Tube still beat him to
it. Damn, the security team hadn't been any faster. A scream, quickly silenced
pierced the air. It came from the direction of....Core Shuttle.  It was 1700,
the station would be crowded and Wood was armed.  Garibaldi was running flat out
now. Then there were shots, three of them and people started pouring towards
him. His progress was impeded by the crowd as he entered the low gravity area.
He threw himself at the doors of the shuttle,

" Emergency close," The voice said. There was the flash of an energy weapon.
Garibaldi heard himself cry out as he felt pain shoot through his left leg. He
rolled, tried to get to his feet but his leg buckled beneath him.  He felt the
shuttle start to move.

" You can't get out of here Wood." Garibaldi  said.

" No but with two hostages I can do some serious negotiating. "

" They know where we are, give it up and I'll promise I'll go easy on you."
Garibaldi continued, he didn't see the boot that connected with the side of his
face. 

" Leave him alone." A female voice shrieked.

" Shut up." The words were icy, composed. A powerful backhand sent her sprawling
to the corner.

Wood dragged the woman up by her hair and dumped her next to the prone Security
Chief, covering them both with the PPG. Garibaldi pulled himself into a sitting
position and put an arm round the sobbing woman, his other hand pressed to his
leg, trying to stop the blood.

" Call Ivanova." Wood ordered.

" What do you want me to say ?" 

" Tell her that I want out of here, my life for yours."

" Garibaldi to Ivanova."

" Michael ! What's happening ?" The Commander's voice replied.

" Our friend wants to talk."

" Tell her !" Wood screamed.

" What does he want ?" Ivanova asked.

" Safe passage out of  here."

" No deal without the serum."

" You deserve to die. "

Garibaldi looked at Wood with amazement. Again the words had been spoken calmly.
He'd almost sounded rational. 

" Commander, give me five minutes.......then open again." Garibaldi ordered,
hoping that she  had understood.

" No more talking."

" Think about it. You have a way out of here." Garibaldi reasoned, " Take it.
They're using you......The same way they did me."

" You don't know anything." Wood shouted back., he pushed Caroline out of the
way and pulled Garibaldi to his feet. The pain almost made Garibaldi black out. 

"  You want to be the first one to go ?"

Garibaldi remained silent. If he could hold out long enough maybe Ivanova could
pull something off . There was to be no reasoning, this man was clearly
psychotic.   

" Answer me ! Do you want to live ?"

The Chief  looked at his former subordinate refusing to give the man any kind of
reaction. He was pushed back down to the ground.

" How about you ?" Wood turned back to Caroline. 

" No, please God no."

Wood smiled like a schoolboy as he reached for her. His touch was gentle, almost
tender. He drew her to her feet.

" I've always liked you Caroline, you know that don't you ?"

" Yes, Dave."

His grip turned to fire, and she screamed. 

" If you want to get off on torturing someone..." Garibaldi began.

The gun turned in Garibaldi's direction, his eyes met Caroline's  as she slowly
shook her head.  Wood's intentions were horrifically  clear. 'Come on Ivanova'
Garibaldi thought to himself.  The five minutes were almost up.
Three....Two....One.....The shuttle lurched to a halt and the doors slid open.

" Move." Garibaldi yelled to Caroline who pulled herself out of  Wood's grip.
Ignoring the agony that spread through his leg  Garibaldi pushed himself from
the floor, aiming directly for the other man. Even in the low gravity his body
weight was enough to push Wood towards the opening. Garibaldi caught the edge of
the door to stop himself, one hand still grasping Wood's arm. The man was
screaming as he dangled above the spinning  Station wall.

" Now its your turn creep." Garibaldi spat. " You can help us or die. The choice
is yours."

" No !"

" No you won't help, or no I shouldn't let you decorate the garden ? "

Again the personality underwent a dramatic change. The panic and fear left
Wood's face as he swung his other arm up, the PPG still clutched in his fingers.
As the shot was fired Garibaldi threw himself backwards, releasing the man. For
a moment there was silence, then he heard Caroline crying very quietly. 

*********************************************************************************
**

John knew that Delennn was at his side. Her unmistakable presence greeted him as
he floated back to consciousness. His name was the first words she whispered. 

" God Delenn, I...."

She smiled gently and placed a finger on his lips. There was no need for words
between them

" I had a dream," She whispered, " Valen spoke to me. He told me you were not
going to be in any danger, that you wouldn't succumb to the darkness."

*********************************************************************************
**

" How's your mother ?" She asked as he handed her the mug.

" Doing well......I think I finally managed to convince her that she wasn't
about to become a grandmother."

The silence fell between them. He didn't have to ask her what she was doing
here, why they were both awake.

" The Dreams," She shivered, " Do you ever get used to them ?"

" Not really," He replied. " But eventually you can sleep again....most nights."

His rest was still haunted but now she was with him. Always her, walking beside
him, blue eyes, blue dress. She drew closer and he put his  arm round her
shoulders.  

" I was worried you know,  that you might push me away. "

" Part of me wanted to but....... There's nothing to hide anymore, no more
secrets. I feel safe when I'm with you. "

He planted a tender kiss on her hair, the warmth of her body radiating through
his own. 

" She made me promise." 

" I know, but you have to stop denying what you are. They can't reach you, not
any more."

For all his sympathy he couldn't possibly know how it felt to push yourself into
someone elses mind. He had fought agaonst her, something she hadn't beeen
prepared for. Was that how it always felt ? Did tehy always resist ? Did it
always cause them pain ? Then there were the dreams. His nightmares invaded her
own sleep. The last remenant of a contact deeper than anything physical. 

" Don't ever leave me to face the dreams  alone."

" I can't make that promise, I don't have the strength. John, Delenn.....you all
do but not me. Not until this is over." 

He let the words fade away. Her position shifted slightly as she laid her head
on his chest. 

" Share your dreams, Michael Garibaldi.. " She whispered. " I'll walk with you."


END