From barigirl@geocities.com Tue Dec 2 20:36 MET 1997 Date: Tue, 22 Mar 1904 14:33:03 -0400 From: barigirl To: Nicola Grzeschik CC: Bari@geocities.com Subject: Father's Intuition Revised Part 1 Disclaimer: I do not own these characters. I am making no money from this endeavor other than to entertain and have fun. Fun is in short supply these days. Comments and virtual Marcus can be forwarded to: barigirl@geocities.com. No copyright infringement is intended on Patsy Cline's 'Crazy'. Just something to make the story a little more real. I just hope people are still listening to Ira Sullivan in the late 2200's. Mild spoilers for most of the 3rd and 4th season. Takes place sometime after the Shadow war. Father's Intuition by Bari Another damning round of NightWatch propaganda just hit Babylon 5, and John Sheridan was in the middle of it. Hell, he went from 'win win' to 'lose lose'in a matter of days. He wondered where the hell President Clark came up with all the crap ISN screamed out with every broadcast. Sheridan slapped the reports onto his desk and rubbed his head tiredly. The warm metallic feeling of his wedding ring brought him to a pleasant reverie. 'Marital bliss' was exactly how it sounded. With Delenn at his side, six months had passed very pleasantly. He loved hearing her soft breathing in the middle of the night, the gentle Minbari she spoke when she thought he was sleeping, the eclectic mix of knickknacks that decorated their quarters, her silken dresses lined up snuggly to his uniforms in the closet, the fragrance left on her pillow in the morning... Sheridan looked at the clock; 22:50 hours. Delenn was probably already asleep. He left his office ten minuets later. It was time to go home. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The sweat on her forehead had lessened along with the trembling and nausea. Delenn huddled under her blanket on the couch and hoped John would be home soon. Her lower abdomen was tender to touch, but she didn't feel any pain. After reading human female physiology, she believed herself to be carrying a child. The appointment with Dr. Franklin had confirmed her suspicion.... ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 10:36 hours: Med Lab "Well Ambassador, I have to agree that you're pregnant. Congratulations! Have you told the Captain yet?" Delenn scooted off the Med Lab table. "No, I wanted to make sure I was right before I told him." Doctor Franklin scribbled a note onto Delenn's file, and held out a container of pills. "That's a good idea. Look, I want you to take these. It's an Earth prescription for your morning sickness. Take one when you get up and one before you go to bed and it should get rid of your symptoms. Come back if you have any problems. Oh, and Ambassador, I'd like to schedule an ultra sound next week, just to see how far along you really are." Delenn gratefully took the pills and turned to leave. "Thank you, Doctor" she beamed happily, and left walking on air. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Delenn was startled out of her reminisce when John walked through the door. He bent down and kissed her lovingly. "Why aren't you sleeping?" he asked playfully. Her green eyes sparkled with his returned presence. "You weren't here. I was,'waiting up' for you. I believe people stay awake all night to see something important." John lifted her, blanket and all, and carried her to their bedroom. He sat her down on the bed and helped her into a nightgown. She seemed so fragile, like a china doll. He tucked her in, changed, and cuddled up to her. "John, I'd like to ask you something," she whispered. John listened attentively. "Anything." He replied. "Would you like to have lunch with me in the garden tomorrow?" "I think I could sneak away for awhile." replied her husband. "It's only a lunch break." Delenn shivered in anticipation. "Are you cold, Delenn?" his voice was concerned. "No, just tired. I love you, John," she whispered, her eyes closing to sleep. Sheridan rubbed his head against her bone crest and cradled her closer. They slept peacefully then, waiting for the morning to come. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The first dose of pills worked wonders on Delenn's morning sickness. John let her sleep in, because, or so he said in his note, she looked so beautiful asleep that he felt it would be cruel to wake her up. She smiled. He liked to use that excuse to let her catch up on some rest. But now, picnic basket in hand, she made her way to his office. Lennier had been good enough to acquire the items needed for such an occasion; Earth foods like sandwiches, salads, and orange juice. She pressed the button to his office and waited for his response. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Zack Allen rounded the corner near the Captain's office when he saw Ambassador Delenn waiting patiently in front of the door. "Ambassador! You shouldn't be here!" he stated. "Why not? Is there a problem?" she asked alarmed. Zack led her down a corridor and to a lift. "Let's just say Earth GOV just made a threat, and everything's about to hit the fan." Delenn wondered why humans had innumerable alternative phrases for the word'trouble'. "Then I should be in the war room." she sounded. Zack punched the command deck button. "We're on our way". ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Captain took his mark for the hologram message. "Residents and visitors of Babylon 5, this is Captain Sheridan. I am requesting that everyone please return to your quarters. Earth GOV has just sent a battalion through hyperspace towards Babylon 5. For everyone's personal safety, we advise for you to please stay in your quarters until you are notified to do otherwise. Security Staff will be posted in every sector to help anyone they can. Please remain calm. The best way to get through this is by keeping the situation under control. Thank you." Delenn saw him cut off the message as she stepped through the door. She walked briskly to him, looking for answers. "How long until they get here?" She asked. John placed an arm around her waist and escorted her to a ranger scout report. "They'll be there in about 20 minutes. It looks like I'll have to give you a rain check on lunch." his eyes gave her a faint glimmer of humor for a moment, but the depth of the situation immediately squelched any he had on reserve. "Do we know how many ships are coming?" John pointed to the hyperspace tracking screens. "Two battle ships, half dozen heavy cruisers..." Lieutenant Cowin cut him off abruptly. "Captain, they've stopped." Sheridan turned towards the younger man. "Stopped?" Cowin stood his ground. "Yes, sir, but they've released a battalion of Star Furies." The jumpgate opened, and the star furies swarmed around the station. A com channel opened. "Captain Sheridan, you are authorized to surrender Babylon 5 on account of these charges: Treason, Attempted Secession..." Sheridan stood up to the screen. "Open a com channel to our fleet!" he ordered Cowin. "This is Captain Sheridan to Babylon 5 fleet. Do not engage the Earth GOV battalion unless you are provoked into doing so. Also, do not destroy any of those ships. I repeat, do not destroy any of those ships. Babylon 5 out." Sheridan turned to the bridge crew. "Send that same message to our star furies. This is something that's going to blow up in our face if we don't handle it with care. Cowin! Get Franklin and Med Lab ready for the wake." A thundering boom shook the station as the EA Star Furies advanced. As the battle ensued, Babylon 5 suffered no heavy damage. One by one, the enemy attackers were disabled and picked up. Delenn rested her back against a railing when another heavy missile rocked the bridge with disastrous effects. The side railing collapsed, causing some of the walling attached to fall with Delenn. She saw it happen in slow motion, and all she could think about was her baby before the sweet kiss of unconsciousness engulfed her. The bright lights of Med Lab assaulted her eyes. The pleasant warmth of unconciousness deteriorated into grimacing pain. Dr. Franklin was examining another patient when she awoke. "Well Ambassador, I just can't get you outta' here, can I?" Her dim smile turned into frenzied concern. "Please doctor, what about..." Franklin patted her shoulder comfortingly. "Your baby is just fine. Both of you were very lucky." Stephen activated his link. "How's the line outside?" he asked. "Still busy, sir. We're going to bust the seams of this place again." came the reply. "Oh, and doctor, the Captain wants to know how his wife is." Franklin chuckled in spite of his fatigue. "Send him in. He can take her away right now." ******************************************************************** Later on at home, John told her what happened. All the star fury pilots had been recovered with only minor injuries. There were, however, nine deaths reported from Babylon 5's pilots. Delenn listened intently as he explained what they were going to do. "We're going to ship them home on a Mars freighter and with that a pirated message to be broadcasted from it. That should knock back the EA for awhile." Delenn shifted her position on the bed to face her husband more. "How much time will we have?" John was taken back a bit, but he kissed her hand curiously and replied, "Well, about a month or two. Why?" Delenn brushed away her remaining shyness. "I was hoping this break would last for at least six months," she stated, as she led his hand to the place their youth lay enfolded within her. John looked at her perplexed for a moment, but then he smiled crazily and engulfed her in a huge hug. "Oh my God, Delenn! That's wonderful!" he exclaimed. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?" Delenn allowed him to move her into his lap before she continued. "I was going to tell you at lunch today, but we never had the chance." They kissed deeply, but after a few seconds elapsed, Sheridan's link went off. He groaned, but answered it objectively. "Sheridan, go." Ivanova's voice crooned impatiently. "Captain, the Mars freighter arrived and you have to record the message before it prepares to take on the pilots." He nodded disconcertingly. "Understood. I'm on my way. Sheridan out." Delenn burrowed closer as John settled her into bed again. "I'll be back in a little while." he sighed, tucking the sheets snugly around her shoulders. "There's a guard outside if you need anything." John hesitated leaving, burning her figure in his mind. "Go, John. I'll be fine." He grinned sheepishly, and left. ***************************************************************** 36 hours. He'd been up for at least that long. Susan Ivanova looked at the Captain again. He was drinking up damage, medical, and status reports like a marathon runner. Even she had to admit it; he was on a roll. "John, you look like an academy student cramming for exams. What's up? Is Delenn all right?" John looked up and slapped the reports down on his desk. "Yeah, she's fine. Sore, but fine." He sank into thought again, but Susan did not relent. "So, what's the problem?" John smiled then, the man who had the universe on his shoulders. "Delenn told me after her accident that she's pregnant." Susan beamed. "That's great!" Why aren't you ecstatic about this? This is the best news you've had in years!" "I'm worried for him, Susan. If and when he's born, what's he going to grow up in? A war? In a place where he can't see his own grandparents? He'll have to walk the same corridors that swarm with the dead and injured after a battle, and watch as the adults around him are consumed one by one to an ongoing conflict. I want him to see stars from the cornfield back home. I'd like to take him to a Yankees game or a hockey match. There's so much out there, and I can't meet him half way! Not to mention the fact he'll be viewed as a freak of nature. Ah hell....". The intensity of his voice dropped back into silence. Worry and fatigue crisscrossed his face. Susan, flinging her pessimism aside, stepped in. "John, you can't look at it like that, you just can't! The situation out here could change overnight! Maybe, by the time it's born, the resistance back home could shake up Earth GOV enough so we can win this war! Then it would be only a matter of time before can take the baby to see the Yankees lose." John cracked a smile. "This pep talk doesn't sound like it's coming from the Susan I know." Ivanova grinned with disbelief at her attitude. "Yeah, I can't imagine where all this is coming from either, and by the way, how do you know it's going to be a boy?" Sheridan pondered for a moment. "Call it 'Father's' intuition.'" His link beeped. "Sheridan, go." Dr. Franklin's authoritative voice filled the room. "Captain, all the Earth GOV pilots are on the freighter, and it's all set to go." John nodded his head approvingly. "Good work Stephen." Franklin swept away the congratulations and took charge. "Oh, and John, I know you've been awake for 36 hours and if your going to be alert when the freighter delivers our gift to Earth GOV, you should get some rest right now." Sheridan agreed. "I'll go get some rest. Sheridan out." **************************************************************** Delenn had slept during most of John's absence. She woke up, alone and disorientated, to sore muscles and an empty stomach. She made some tea, and watched the Mars freighter leave for earth. It would take nearly a week to get there. The door opened as her husband walked in. He suddenly felt foolish to have worried so inanely about what he had to offer as a parent. Delenn seemed so peaceful and calm about it. She smiled her sweet smile, and poured him a cup of tea. "I was wondering when you would get home," she said as they kissed. "Who sent you to get some rest?" John sat down on the couch and sipped his tea. "Franklin told me to. Plus I wanted to see you. It s been over a day and a half since I saw you last." Delenn snuggled down beside him. "Has it been that long?" John set his cup down. "Just about. Time flies when you sleep. Besides, you need the rest. You're living for two now." He pulled his arms around her and reveling in the closeness of her. They sat in silence, watching the Mars Freighter disperse. "I hope this works, Delenn. So much is riding on what happens after that ship docks with Earth." ---------------------------------------------------------------------- "Well, let's take a look at what we have here.", said Dr. Franklin as he adjusted the ultra sound device upon Delenn's rounded abdomen. Both parents looked eagerly towards the screen as it flashed to life. Franklin panned up and down, and found something that surprised all of them. "Look, there are two fetuses." he pointed out. "Two?" Delenn croaked with disbelief. "Uh hum. Two. Four months along by the looks of 'em." John remembered his future conversation with Delenn on Centari Prime. She had told him David was safe, but what about the other baby? Cold fear clenched his heart, but his mind told him to look at the situation. Maybe the other baby was in a safe place. "Do you two think you can handle twins?" asked Franklin. Delenn smiled and looked at John. "Do we have much of a choice?" she joked. He kissed her swiftly and smiled back. "It doesn't look like it." Franklin saved the images to Delenn's file before shutting down the machine. "You look to be perfectly healthy, Delenn. I don't know much more than that. I don't have any files on half-minbari pregnancy." Delenn blushed and slid off the table. "Well, do you know what they are?" John piped in. "Boys? Girls? Both?" Franklin consulted his file pack. "We won't know for sure until a few more weeks. By the next ultra sound you should know what to shop for." John's link interrupted the moment. "Captain, the Mars freighter has arrived at Earth. Should I activate the message?" "Yes," he replied, "And be ready to receive the Mars feed response. I'd like to see how this whole thing will play out." ************************************************************** The people of earth were surprised when ISN went off line during their broadcast. They were even more surprised when the face of the outlaw Captain John Sheridan looked at them like a man on a mission. They watched in total awe as he explained the incident that was orchestrated by President Clark... "Citizens of Earth, by now, President Clark had been notified of a Mars Freighter orbiting Earth in route from Babylon 5. On this freighter, are all 125 pilots sent to Babylon 5 to be sacrificed in order to assure your support for Earth Dome. Just as President Clark lied to you about this incident, he also lied to you about President Santiago's death." The screen then flipped to the interrupted transmission intercepted by Ivanova and the Great Machine. People of all the nations watched in disbelief as their suspicions were confirmed and their rationalized world tumbled from grace. "I can only hope, that we have shown you the truth. But, there are deeper conspiracies buried in Earth GOV, that will unravel the very fabric of Earth order if they are revealed. Don't allow them to take your lives your freedom, and your children! This is John Sheridan, signing off." ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Chaos erupted. Citizens of earth rioted in the streets. The command crew watched as NightWatch executed the people wandering the streets randomly. The vid ended when a ten year old girl was shot in the back by a building guard for trying to escape from an enclosed execution area. Not a word was spoken. Franklin was the first to leave. Zack Allen followed him listlessly. Delenn looked at John. His eyes were shut pensively while his body slumped painfully into his supporting arms. He was in no condition to talk. She watched as Marcus and Susan left the conference together; Susan was obviously in distress. Delenn waited for one more moment, looked longingly at her husband, and left. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- John wasn't home until 01:30 the next morning. He shuffled into his quarters tiredly, and half expected Delenn to be dozing away on the couch; But she wasn't. He looked in their bedroom, the bed was empty. There was only one other place he could think of to look-the garden. It was silent in the garden. There were no visitors walking at this time of night, only the occasional squeak of a rattling pipe. Then, near the rock garden, he saw the glint of crimson silk protruding from the roots of a neighboring tree. As he stepped closer, he made out the faint sounds of distraught sobbing. He made his way to the far side of the tree, and saw his wife staring straight ahead and crying like a heart broken angel. John sat next to her, and gently pulled her into his embrace. They sat there for what seemed to be hours before John asked her what was wrong. Delenn cried for a few more minutes and then answered his question. "I was thinking of that little girl we saw on the vid today." she stated. "Why?" he prodded, waiting for some sort of morbid shoe to drop. "Because the doctor told me, I'm.. .I'm having a boy and a girl, John. When he told me, I thought of that little girl, and how she could have been 'our' daughter, and how I would have felt if she died and...", Delenn couldn't finish. This incident had shaken her to the core. John stopped her mouth with a kiss. She returned it cautiously, but her defenses melted as her body merged closer to his. He explained in caresses what he could not in words. Carefully, John picked up his wife, and carried her safely home. ****************************************************************** The next four months passed fairly uneventfully. President Clark reopened the direct passage to Babylon 5 to appease the seemingly hostile Earth Citizens. His propaganda campaign had screeched to a halt while the puppet network ISN held the lowest ratings in it's history. None of those outside intrusions could touch the two small lives on the ultra sound readout in Babylon 5's MedLab. "They're just fine, Ambassador" smiled Dr. Franklin. "In a few more months, you and John'll be busier than ever." Delenn smiled blissfully. Yes, they would be more work, but the children would also be a welcomed diversion. John was also busy, but not in many diplomatic ways. He positively doted on her! He bought a crib, but promised another would be forthcoming when the children got older. Boxes of clothing, books, bottles stuffed their cramped quarters. They had finally cleared away the mess when John received another box, this time from his sister. 'Dear John,' read the letter attached, 'Mom gave this doll to me when I was born. Grandma made it for her when she was a little girl. Who am I going to give it to when all I have are three boys? Tell her about it. Whisper the story in her ear when she first sees it. With any luck, I'll see her before she gets too old! Love, Liz'. She was a beautiful baby doll, about six months old, with curious blue eyes and fair china features. Delenn was fascinated. "Didn't you ever have a doll before?" asked John casually. "No," she whispered. "Minbari don't believe in toys. She looks so real John." Delenn held the doll against her chest and cautiously stroked the short auburn hair. "This is truly a marvelous gift. We should thank your sister." John wrapped his arms around his wife and the doll. "I already did. I thought she would do this. Now, you can practice holding a baby." Delenn knocked herself back into reality. "Is there anything more, doctor?" she asked. "Well," he deliberated, "I'd like to run a few more scans. Nothing much, just some updating to your file." She shook her head in agreement, and was promptly moved into another room. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- MedLab: 13:30 hours Dr. Franklin noticed a few straggling personnel walking through the room towards the system hub. Maybe the captain sent them for an inspection. "Excuse me," he tapped on their shoulders, "Can I help you?" The people turned around. They didn't look happy. Franklin sank to his knees as one man assaulted him with telepathic pain. "Where is Ambassador Delenn?" he asked hastily... Delenn felt strange. A nurse she had never seen before gave her a 'muscle relaxant' for what they were going to do. Two other men joined the nurse in preparing equipment. Delenn didn't like it; something was wrong. The nurse tied Delenn's arms and legs down, explaining it was just a precautionary measure for surgery. The word hit her like a ton of bricks. "Surgery?" she yelled at the top of her lungs. "WHY? WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?" The nurse sighed and hit Delenn up with more anesthesia. "We have orders, Ambassador." ****************************************************************** The Captain's Office: 13:40 hours John Sheridan was dozing. He had spent half the night rubbing his wife's back to help her fall sleep, but ended up needing the same comfort too. The dozing was pleasant. It was just himself and the universe, but the stars turned into a misty white room, and two small voices called out for his aid. "Daddy, help us!" they cried. John walked to a clear bubble, with two ten-year-old children trapped inside. Their bone crests and likeliness dumfounded him. His children. Sheridan reached out to touch the bubble, but as his hands came in contact with the fleshy material, a horrifying image fogged over his brain. The garish lights of a Med Lab room illuminated three disturbing figures performing some kind of operation on...the image was a fuzzy one. Focusing on the person held on the operating table, his heart spiraled straight down to his stomach when he realized Delenn was the person on the table. As quickly as it came, he was back with the twins, but now, a blackness was slowly engulfing the white room. "Help us Daddy! Please! Daddy! Daddy!" They were beating at the sides of the bubble pleading with tears streaming down their cheeks. "Daddy, Daddy, Please help!" Sheridan jolted out of his dream with a start. He slapped the link on his hand with fevered impatience. "Zack, this is Sheridan. Cut all power to Med Lab and get your team in there now!" ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Delenn was crying by now. The people had already succeeded in working through the first step of the procedure when the Med Lab power went out. Seconds later, Security personnel flooded the main chamber area. Zack cued the power back and rushed to Dr. Franklin. "Doc? Are you all right?" he asked. Franklin was wavering from his previous assault. He pointed to the telepath in the corner. "Get that one! He and his buddies tried to take over Med Lab." spat the doctor. Zack Allen looked confused. "Where are the rest of 'em?" Dr. Hobbs yelled from another room. "Security! Get in here quick! Dr. Franklin, we need a med team in here now!" Zack headed the security team to the juxtaposed room. Zack broke through the door and held his gun up to the three persons in the room with his team in tow. The false doctors dropped their tools immediately. Ambassador Delenn moaned weakly from the operating table. "Dear God..." whispered Zack. "Where the hell is that Med Team?!" he barked. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- John scrambled to Med Lab once the perpetuators of the incident were haled off to the brig. Dr. Hobbs was working on Delenn when he saw Franklin. "What the hell happened Stephen?" asked John. "What did they do?" Dr. Franklin was still a little drifty after his telepathic assault, but he had recovered enough to explain the situation. "They were performing a cesarean on your wife, John. For whom and why, you're just gonna' have to ask them." Sheridan was more concerned than pissed at the moment, he just wanted to check on his wife. Dr. Hobbs emerged from the room and headed to the Captain and Franklin. "Your wife is fine, Captain. They only made it through the first step. From all accounts, she should be up and around in about a week." "Can I see her?" asked John nervously. Dr. Hobbs nodded tiredly. "Go ahead. She told me she wanted to leave when you came, but I can't release her for another two days or so. Sorry." John shook her had thankfully then turned to find his wife. "Ah, Captain, how did you know what was going on?" asked Hobbs. Sheridan just smiled. "Call it 'Father's' intuition." ******************************************************************** Delenn had stopped crying when Dr. Hobbs and the Med team had assured her the children were out of danger. The doctors repaired the incisions, and gave Delenn a final dose of muscle relaxant before leaving her to rest. She fought the void of unconsciousness. Weakness would not stand in the way of her children's safety again. John appeared silently at her side. He ran his hand across her swollen abdomen. The scar of her assault was visible under the flimsy Med-Lab robe she wore. He bent down and held her gently. Delenn burst into tentative tears once again. Her red-lined eyes closed after a few minutes of sobbing. The arms clasped around his neck went slack after she succumbed to sleep. Sheridan stepped back towards an exit, when he turned to look at his love again. Delenn looked pale and tired with the added strain of the twins. Lennier had been needed for assistance in all her duties as En'til'zha. Marcus had been lending his presence at her side for the rest of the pregnancy due to the unrest on Earth. He should have made Delenn take a leave from her obligations, but that decision would have broken her pride. She was taking double duty pressure because of her condition...and some sicko was trying to take advantage of that. It would not go away this time. As he left for his office, Sheridan taped his link to Zack Allen. "Yeah, Allen here", came the reply. "This is the Captain. Zack, I want those bastards who assaulted my wife taken to interrogation room three immediately." Cutting off his link to Zack, Sheridan contacted Ivanova. "Susan, get Marcus and Lyta Alexander to interrogation room three right away." Susan sounded puzzled. "Should I give them a reason?" she asked. John stopped for a moment, "Just tell them something happened to Delenn." ********************************************************************** The four conspirators sat stiffly in the interrogation room. Sheridan stayed somewhere near the back, trying to control his rage. Zack Allen badgered the group constantly, but unfortunately, none of them would speak. Lyta Alexander strode staunchly into the room. Marcus flanked in back of her, half expecting some sort of trouble to follow him in. Lyta stood right up close to the foreign telepath and wormed her way into his mind. "Tell me everything you know, or I'll flambe your mind from one side to the other!" The man convulsed in his chair; moaning and cursing simultaneously. "We were sent by Earth Gov to kidnap Ambassador Delenn's children." he spat. Sheridan pounced on the man like a cat on a mouse. "Why?" he asked, two seconds away from punching the guy's lights out. "President Clark wanted to hang something over your heads. Something to make you step down from power. He wanted you..all of you, to pay for the humiliation he has suffered..." The man passed out, hitting his head on the table with a satisfying thump. The other three prisoners shuttered visibly. "Who else was in on this?" demanded Sheridan. The woman piped up from the end of the table. "Psi-Corp. They backed President Clark in this mission." ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Delenn went into labor a little less than a week later. John was in a rather boring meeting when Dr. Franklin called him with the news. Twenty council members were left hanging (to dote around-delete) after the Captain bolted outthe door. Sheridan waited and supported Delenn for the entire 15 hours of labor. Their daughter was born first, followed shortly after by her brother. Forced out of their warm haven, both babies cried squalled lustily. Dr. Franklin handed Delenn's son into her arms, while another doctor offered Sheridan his daughter. , Delenn whispered in minbari, . John was having a problem trying to pacify his daughter. "Oh, little girl. Don't cry. You're in one piece. See?" he assured her, kissing her tiny hand. She opened her blue eyes to behold her father. Her wailing stopped, and John fell in love with the petite creature in his arms. "Do you have names for them?" asked a nurse. Delenn, her face pale and tired, offered a suggestion. "John, why don't we name him after your father?" Sheridan felt touched by the fact she remembered his father. "That's a wonderful name. But, don't you think we should name him after Zack Allen too? He caught....". Delenn made a face of self-reproach. "Of course! So, David Zachary Sheridan? Right?" "That sounds perfect." He replied. "Now, what about her?" John gestured to the fidgeting bundle in his arms. "I named David. You name her.", stated Delenn. John looked at his wife with a cautious expression. "There is a name I've always liked: Mara. It means 'bitter'." Delenn was confused. Sheridan read her face and tried to clear the crossed lines. "I think we won her after many bitter years." Delenn agreed. "Yes, so many deaths have been laid down before either one of them...", she stuttered off. "But she's a miracle. That's why I was hoping...would you mind if I named her Mara Delenn after you? Both of you have been my blessings." His wife felt stunned. Being the namesake of a child was quite an honor. John stared at her hopefully, waiting like an impatient kid on Christmas to get permission from his parents to open his presents. The uncertainty left his face as Delenn smiled. "I would be honored." ********************************************************************** From barigirl@geocities.com Tue Dec 2 22:55 MET 1997 Date: Tue, 22 Mar 1904 16:51:31 -0400 From: barigirl To: ":Nicola Grzeschik" CC: Bari Subject: Father's Intuition Part 2 In the weeks that followed their birth, Mara and David became immersed in the love and affection of the citizens and staff of Babylon 5. It was hard for Delenn to finish her work when a steady stream of visitors dropped by to see the children. John had to refuse ISN's numerous requests for an exclusive on the children. He wasn't about to let the miracle of their birth become tarnished by false accusations. "Captain," interrupted Ivonova, "The ship carrying Ambassador Delenn's mother is arriving shortly. Delenn wants to know if you'll be joining her in the shuttle bay." Sheridan got up from his desk and straightened out his uniform. "Tell her I'll meet her there." It didn't take him long to walk to the shuttle retrieval area. Most of the heavy traffic wouldn't hit till later in the day. He could spot them right off, his wife and Lennier coasting slowly through the crowd with both children. "Hi honey." Smiled Sheridan as he kissed his wife, "I got your message. Are you nervous?" Delenn exhaled deeply. "Very. I haven't seen my mother since I left the temple." Lennier handed Sheridan his daughter and bowed deeply to his mentor. "I have some errands to run Delenn. Please excuse me." He had walked less then two steps before Zack Allen and six other guards escorted the infamous Bester to the Captain. "Captain. How good it is to see you. I see your staff is on full alert. I know now I'm not exactly a favored guest." He glanced at both children, but it was Mara who caught his eye. "Let me congratulate you and your wife, Captain. You are very lucky to have two beautiful children." Bester went to touch Mara's head with his gloved hand, but Sheridan held his daughter tightly against his chest. "Take Mr. Bester to the brig. I'll deal with him later." Mara fussed; she didn't like being squished. Sheridan shifted his daughter to the other shoulder and gently patted her back. She settled down immediately. Her bootied feet squirmed comfortably back into a passive position. Delenn glanced with concern at her husband. This was not the mood she hoped he'd be in when her mother arrived. "John?" her voice wavered over the din of the crowd. Sheridan stood planted to the floor, gazing sullenly after Bester. "What the hell does he want?", John asked himself. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- smiled Delenn, bowing the best she could with David in her arms. John turned to see an elderly Minbari woman donned in white robes walking down the shuttle catwalk. replied Shalon, bowing in respective manner. "Captain" bowed Shalon. John managed a slight bow and a heavily accented reply, . Shalon answered him in English. "Thank you. I am pleased to finally meet my daughter's mate, and her children", she replied. With the pleasantries over, Shalon gestured to little David. He never minded being passed from person to person, so he simply blew a rasberry to his grandmother. , asked her mother, Delenn laughed gently and replied. The trio of adults gradually made their way back to command staff quarters. Shallon gazed over the contents of her daughter's living area. Minbari crystal chimes hung above John and Delenn's wedding picture while the couple's bookshelf contained a small diverse collection of Earth and minbari books; meditation candles stood erectly on the prayer table; the china baby doll sat comfortably in an antique rocking chair. It was a complete integration of both cultures. Neither one outweighing the other. asked Delenn, as she laid out the dinner plates. , Shalon replied confidently. She held David up in her arms and held his forehead to her own. Delenn watched the way her mother handled David. Shalon had left before Delenn turned a year old, but her daughter never imagined she could have a knack for children. Delenn looked at John changing Mara's nappy in the other room. He had finished the dirty deed and was spouting some sort of poem about 'little piggies.' Shalon noticed the skeptical antics of her son-in-law. asked Shalon. Delenn stifled a laugh. Shalon shook her head in disbelief. ,Delenn stated, Mother and daughter chuckled lightly. "What's so funny?" asked John lightheartedly, parading his daughter to Shalon. "Nothing," giggled Delenn innocently. "Somehow I don't believe that." He replied wryly. The Bab Com monitor beeped with a message from Zack Allen. "Yes?" asked Sheridan. "Sorry Cap, but Mr. Bester is insisting on a meeting, immediately." John looked around to his wife. Her face sunk at the news. He shot her a look of regret before returning to the screen. "Take him to my office, but ask Lyta to come too. I'll be there in ten minutes. Sheridan out." The screen went blank as Sheridan reverently held his daughter in his arms and kissed her fuzzy head. Mara just worked hard on grabbing the insignia pin on her father's uniform. "Please, not tonight John," pleaded Delenn. Sheridan kissed her longingly. "I'll be back soon," he assured her, placing Mara in her arms and kissing his wife again. He bowed to Shalon, and kissed David before leaving for his office. ********************************************************************* "All right Mr. Bester. What the hell do you want?" asked Sheridan as he strode into his office. Bester sat comfortably in an adjacent armchair looking quite pleased with himself. "I believe you have something that belongs to me; And then a few more *additional items * that belong to Earth Gov." The Captain sat behind this desk and flipped over the brig reports. "If I told you to take a flying leap off..." began Sheridan. "No, I wouldn't. I just want what I was sent here for. My agent and the others with him; that's not much to ask for." Sheridan thew the reports onto his desk in disgust. "It is for me. Do you have any idea what you little group of schemers tried to do?" Bester sat solemnly, yet thoughtfully, while the Captain fumed. Sheridan saw the apparent disregard for the ramifications of their delicate subject. His blue eyes cut Bester's body to shreds as he literally got in the face of his opponent. "The disagreements between Earth GOV, Psi-Corp, and Babylon 5 are purely political. The attacks and propaganda can be taken in stride, but when you decide to bring my very pregnant wife into one of your plots, it gets personal Mr. Bester. Personal. That is intolerable." Sheridan was close to smothering the Psi Agent, but the entrance of Lyta Alexander stopped him from inflicting any physical harm. "Ah, Lyta. I'm glad you could join us." Stated Bester calmly. "I wish I could say the same thing." She replied coolly. "Is there anyone else you'd like to invite to our little party, or must I continue to listen to your endless prattle, Captain?" "It's over when I say it's over! Don't forget what we're here for Bester!" stated the Captain. "Yes, I know. I want my people to leave with me. Where would you put them? You need some room in the brig, and besides, your league of Non-Aligned worlds would not agree on keeping your political prisoners for fear of respite from Earth Gov. Why don't you just let them go back to their home and families?" Bester casually mentioned. The ridges of Sheridan's face remained stone straight. "And me? What do I get out of it?" he asked, "Give me one good reason to let them go!" Bester robotically straightened. "I would be more kind to your daughter when the Corp recruits her." The Captain's body went into total shock. "What?" he rasped in disbelief. "Oh, come now Captain. I read her gift the moment I saw her in you arms." Bester stated as he rounded the desk to the Captain's sitting body. "Don't deny it. You've been having strange experiences, haven't you? Dreams with her talking to you, visions, behavioral habits maybe? You knew what was happening to you wife when my crew's plans flew into action. Intuition?" asked Bester, gazing sideways at his quarry, "I think not." Sheridan looked at Lyta questioning, his eyes full of fear and pain, "Is this true?" he asked. A single tear slipped from her eye and onto her cheek. She hated keeping that secret from her captain. But something inside her stifled her from mentioning it in his presence. "Yes." She whispered, "Mara is a telepath." Her heart sank at the admission. Bester strutted coolly around Sheridan's office. "Al first I couldn't understand why she had our gift, but then I thought; 'It's probably one of those quirky tricks of fate humanity has been peppered with. I can save her life, I'm the only one who can. Tell me Captain, did you like dissecting frogs or petting the class hamster when you were in school?" he asked with mock concern. "What the hell does that have to do with this?" retorted Sheridan coldly. "It makes all the difference. You see, instead of being dissected as a freak of nature, she'll be protected, educated, and observed as a wonderful deviation from the norm." Bester went in for the kill, standing tall and straight behind the Captain and keeping his voice barley audible above a whisper. "One day, Babylon 5 will come back to Earth GOV, with or without President Clark. And no matter what you try, Psi-Corp will still be in operation. One way or another your daughter will be inducted into us. Her state after she enters will be totally up to you. All you have to do now, is let my people go, and deny any reports confirming our little 'situation'. Fate doesn't always fall into your lap like this, Captain. I advise you to chose wisely." With that last remark, Bester left the room triumphantly. Weeping, Lyta excused herself and the Captain stared unconsciously into space, digesting one of the most complicated decisions of his life. ********************************************************************* Shalon had retired to Delenn's old quarters just after midnight. Lennier had been good enough to walk the aging Minbari woman to her rest so Delenn could wait for John. The twins last feeding was brief, to say the least. Delenn tucked her babies in without incident. She stood lovingly over their crib with her arms clutched against her chest for support. Watching her children was a unique sight. David and Mara slept with their heads together and bodies touching. Delenn envied her two small children, for she had never had a sibling to share life with. She also envied John. Mara had taken such a shine to her father. Her little eyes would dance with joy and she always woke up when he came home; no matter what hour he arrived. David just concentrated on eating, sleeping, and spitting. Her daughter's behavior puzzled Delenn. There was something more to Mara, she just couldn't quite put her finger on what it was. Delenn kissed and smoothed the twins' foreheads before heading to the couch. She made it as far as the bedroom doors when John walked in. He moved slowly through the dim room towards his wife, with only sorrow imprinted on his face. Something was wrong. Delenn held out her arms in welcome, but she never expected her strong husband to half fall into her arms with defeat on his heels. John grasped at the shoulders of her silken dress for a way out of this predicament. A muffled burble interrupted their embrace. Sheridan looked from Delenn's comforting frame to peer at the welcoming face of his very much awake daughter. Her eyes enchanted and beckoned him at the same time. Still embracing, husband and wife made their way to their infants' side. David lay fast asleep, but his sister was tizzing around. As John reached down tenderly to pick her up, Mara wiggled with even more intensity. She stopped after John kissed her cheek and cradled her tightly against his chest. His daughter. He knew of David even before he went to Za'Ha'Dum, but the petite girl child in his arms was a blessing beyond his wildest imaginings. "What is it ?" asked Delenn with concern. Two tears slipped from Sheridan's eyes and wove their way down his face. "The unthinkable." He whispered. Delenn watched John pacing with Mara from the bed. Something had obviously distressed him to the breaking point. It looked as if he was seeking reassurance from his daughter's presence. Delenn could be patient, and she knew John would be ready to talk when he was ready to do so. Then, he would tell her everything. "Delenn," The voice came from beside her. John kissed her as she snuggled into his awaiting arms. "Tell me John. Why are you so scared?" It poured out then, all of it. How Mara was a telepath and what Bester was planning to do with her. The bargain. Silence and denial in exchange for their daughter's safety. And even about what happened before; the vision of Delenn was still carrying Mara, foraged a link to John, and since her birth it had grown in strength. "I don't know what to do, Delenn." John whispered hours later. "Psi-Corp gets her either way we go. Mara'll be hunted as a rouge if she doesn't join up." Delenn pondered her own people's handling of telepaths after John spoke his piece. "On Minbar," she started "The casts train their telepaths to serve within society. They lead normal lives and have a regular place in the system. I have often wondered why humans have felt the need to exclude and control others around them. I...I think of Talia, and how she was so horribly exploited...I don't want anything like that to happen to Mara." John readjusted the covers around Delenn. She stopped his hands and held his face tenderly. "There is a minbari saying: 'The morning is wiser than the evening', so get some rest." ********************************************************************** Marcus couldn't sleep. His mind was racing a billion miles a minute. And it didn't make sense. Here he was, right smack dab in the middle of chaos, and he was aroused, a constant state of arousal that had been around for about a week. Marcus couldn't bring himself to blame Susan Ivanova, so he blamed himself and his raging hormones. 'Why don't you just tell her?' he asked himself. 'Take your own advice for God's sake!' He rounded the corner to command quarters and arrived at her door. Would she be awake? Marcus mindlessly reached out for the call button, but to his immense surprise, the good commander opened the door looking just as perturbed. "Marcus!" she exclaimed, "What the hell are you doing here?" Marcus did a double take and stuttered. "I couldn't sleep and I was just in the neighborhood so...here I am!" Susan glared peevishly at the ranger. "At three in the morning?" Marcus plastered into his hyperactive-happy-go-lucky mode. "Why not?" he quickly changed the subject, "Wanna' go for a walkabout? I could really use the company. And if you're worried about people seeing us together," he joked, "no one's out tonight." Marcus glanced down at the clinging black night robe she wore. "Damn she's gorgeous!' he thought. Susan noticed his glance was lingering at her night apparel, so she stepped back into her quarters. "Let me get dressed", she accepted, letting the door shut behind her. Marcus heaved a sigh. Her gown certainly didn't assuage his present state of mind. ******************************************************************** "Not talking about science or chemistry, what did you think the stars were made of?" asked Marcus. Susan glanced at the floor of the Zocalo. "When I was a kid, my father asked that same question." His interest quipped. "What did you say?" Marcus prodded. "Oh, that, stars were windows to heaven, and angels watched over us from there." She felt exposed and naked. Why had she told him that? Marcus saw his companion clam up. "That's lovely, he told her sincerely, "When did you stop believing that?" "Oh, when I was about...well, after my mother died, actually." A wave of pain hit her like the sea crashing on the shore. Marcus saw he had hit a sensitive nerve. His eyes shone through with sympathy. Ivanova fell into them. Deep. So deep she couldn't think anymore. Marcus tried to lighten her mood. "My father told me the stars were my dead ancestors and if I didn't do the right thing they'd punish my dreams." Susan chuckled. "I guess it was used as a behavior deterrent." Marcus shook his head enthusiastically. "Yeah, well, I thought that just applied to night theme, so did all my naughty things during the day." Ivanova laughed again. "Do you still believe that?" she asked. "No," he replied, suddenly shy, "I believe they're candles for whoever have loved with their souls." Susan stood speechless, and started to walk away. "That's a nice sentiment, Marcus. I hope it's true..." She felt his warm hand capture her own. Susan turned, trembling, to the man who held her heart strings in an iron fist. "Marcus..."she started, closing her eyes to prevent the threatening tears from falling. He kissed her hand gently, "I've loved you since I've known you. Don't walk away from me. Please" he pleaded, supporting her trembling body with his arms. "What about the girl you were telling me about?" Her dream would end soon, her alarm would wake her up for another draining day. This couldn't be happening. Not to her. Marcus moved closer and kissed her forehead. "You are her. I love you, I love you so much." His voice hovered above a whisper. Her arms went around his neck, and the tears flowed freely down. She cried. For what? For the realization that someone, could care for her that way. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?" she asked, allowing him to brush the wetness from her eyes. Marcus grinned slightly. "I didn't want to scare you off. Would you've come running if I announced over Bab Com that I love you?" She laughed and pushed him playfully; ignoring the two security officers walking their nightly rounds just around the corner. Susan never noticed how near he was until it was too late to pull back and spoil the moment. Their lips met innocently; more of a confrontation then anything else. Marcus allowed her essence to flood his senses to the brim. Then, as naturally as they came together, the kiss stopped. "Walk ya' home?" Marcus offered extending his arm as an invitation. Susan nodded assuredly. "Yeah." She blushed, and held his hand all the way back to her quarters. ******************************************************************* His office had become a hateful place. It was more of a cell, now. Bester had again altered the effects of life on the station. But this time, it had been of a more personal tone. An infrequent visitor abruptly interrupted Sheridan's morose thoughts. "Captain Sheridan? I'm from the records office." Stated a prim young officer with long blond hair and a fresh face. "I was wondering if I may have a moment of your time?" She looked at her Captain. He looked so weighed down, as if something snared him. "Sure, what can I help you with?" he offered, gesturing for her to take a seat. "Well, I was just going over citizenship requirements, and I'm afraid I found a small inconsistency that requires your decision." Sheridan looked confused. "Excuse me?" The young officer handed her Captain a fairly large pile of forms. "Well sir, under Earth Dome law, children of different parental citizenships must decide citizenship between the two parents." A glimmer of hope arose in the captain's eyes. "Do you mean that my children can be Minbari or Earth Citizens?" The woman looked puzzled. "Yes. That's correct. The forms are right here." ********************************************************************** Bester's plan was going perfectly. Within a few hours, he would have everything in place. His crew would be released, he'd have a head up on Earth GOV, and he'd have God-like Sheridan on his knees, literally. He approached the Captain's office with an aura of good feeling. He wanted the fun to begin. Sheridan covertly plastered on his civil servant overtone when Bester arrived. He knew there wouldn't be many more times to piss his opponent off like this. Hell, with a twenty- year countdown, there wouldn't be much time for a lot of things. Bester took a seat in an adjoining chair, "Well Captain, what is your decision? I trust you've pondered the right answer." Sheridan stood mockingly still. "The answer is no." he replied sternly. Bester looked around the room, half expecting to see the dog tail sign of a joke. "I'm surprised at your answer, Captain. I was hoping you'd make the right answer. Now I see you hold no regard for your family..." He rose to leave, but John firmly pushed Bester back into his chair. "Nice try.. Don't you dare threaten me! Do you know where your crew is? They're on their way to Minbar to stand trial for assaulting my wife." Bester shook his head in disbelief. Sheridan continued, "And don't you even think of harming my daughter." The Captain's rage engulfed the room as he stalked the form of the insidious telepath. "What makes you think I can't?" taunted Bester. "Because," the Captain stated, "She's not in your jurisdiction." Bester's eyes widened in surprise realization. "What are you talking about?" "She's a Minbari citizen. You see, after Delenn and I married, everyone assumed she changed her citizenship. Including you. So after a nice officer in the records department noticed the inconsistency, I made arrangements for Mara to be bequeathed with her mother's citizenship." "What about your son?" asked the telepath, strangely quiet. "He'll decide when he gets older, but for now, he's also listed with Delenn. Now, Mr. Bester," Sheridan finished, "Get the hell off my station." ******************************************************************** Bester shuffled past the security officers of Babylon 5. Everything he had been working for had blown up disastrously in his face. Now, there were people to answer to. Zack Allen watched Bester board his shuttle to earth. He gloated internally. That rat bastard finally got his ass kicked somehow. It was the kind of moment he had wanted to see since his first encounter with Bester. Now, who could he thank for such a change? ******************************************************************** Delenn held her husband a bit tighter as they danced. This style of music intrigued her. 'Early County Music' was easy to dance to, and it had a better beat than the later form called 'Country Western'. She shoved her analytical brain out of the way and just concentrated on John. They were celebrating Bester's current defeat and the return to normalcy all at once. Needless to say, a few more drinks and Delenn would have John right where she wanted him, through the double doors to their bedroom. John glanced at his wife's lusting eyes and read her full intentions. "Well my love, let's go check on the twins." Delenn tried to sound disappointed. "Why?" she questioned. "Because, family business before marital pleasure, isn't that the way we agreed on sweetheart?", he smiled lustfully, "Besides, what are a few diaper changes between lovers?" She kissed her husband, giving him just a taste of things to come. "Well, when you put it that way, I guess I can trust you famous intuition." The End