name = Vicky Garrigan
email = JTWP31c@prodigy.com
title = "GIRLS' NIGHT IN" or "The Big Set-Up"
warnings = none
story = (This takes place right after "Strange Relations" in the 5th season)

GIRLS' NIGHT IN

or 

The Big Set-Up



     When Captain Lochley heard her Babcom Unit beeping early in the morning, she expected the worst.  When she saw Delenn's face on the screen, she immediately came up with all sorts of awful things.
     "Come over to my quarters at 20:00 hours tonight," Delenn said. "Do *not* bring any men."
     "Why not?" Lochley asked.
     "We're going to have a... how should I put this.... a girls' night in. Lyta's coming, too."


     That night Delenn had to come up with some reason to get John to stay in his quarters, even though it was a night for hers.
     "There is a ritual," she lied. "After a certain number of days of marriage, it requires that we spend a night apart."
     "Didn't we already do that?"
     "We must after a certain number of days, which is now.  We skipped so many before marriage.  We must at least perform those that come after."
     John agreed and left.
     Less than a minute after he was gone, Lyta and Lochley arrived.
     "Why do I have to come?" Lochley asked. "You barely know me."
     "It's sort of a tradition," Lyta explained. "After Delenn's transformation, Ivanova thought Delenn might need some help understanding herself.  After Talia left, they stopped for a while, but when I came back to the station, they told me about it, and I started coming. Now with Ivanova gone-"
     "I have to come," Lochley finished.
     "Exactly."
     "So we're going to talk about guys behind their backs and that kind of stuff?"
     "Yes," Delenn replied, smiling.
     "Sounds like fun."


     "But looks aren't the only reason I'm attracted to Byron. He's willing to die for his people.  Maybe he's even a little TOO eager to die.  And he won't hurt anyone either. Which is both good and bad.  Zack won't stop telling me how dangerous he is. He obviously jealous."
     "I'm almost glad that Lennier is gone," Delenn said. "I'm afraid he might do something to John. He refused to admit it, but he was very jealous of him. So far, marriage has been working quite well. Did you know he hangs wet socks in the shower for good luck?"
     Lyta and Lochley laughed.
     "He didn't used to do that," Lochley said when she had calmed down somewhat. "I feel kind of out of place.  I don't really have a man in my life anymore."
     "What about Garibaldi?" Lyta asked.
     "He's taken," Lochley pointed out. "Right?"
     "Lise was...cheating on him," Delenn said.
     "How would you know?" Lochley asked.
     "I overhear many things. He chose his job over her before. After he spent all that time on Babylon 5, she thought it was happening again,and she decided not to wait for him anymore."
     "Besides," Lochley said. "I punched him and had him thrown in the brig, remember?"
     "He will forgive," Delenn said.
     "If I *ask* him," Lochley said. "I'm NOT going to do that. I was only doing my job. It was his fault."
     "Then he will understand."
     "WHY ARE YOU TRYING TO SET ME UP?!"
     "It's your own fault," Lyta said.
     "How?"
     "You complained."


     The next day, Lochley subconsciously avoided Garibaldi, and by noon she had all but forgotten what she may have felt for him the night before.
     While she was eating lunch, President Sheridan came up to her.
     "I haven't gotten any intelligence reports from Garibaldi lately," he told her. "Do you have any idea why?"
     "No," she answered, visibly uncomfortable. "How should I know?!"
     "Sorry," Sheridan apologized.  "I'm used to Ivanova, and she made it her business to know about *everything* that went on around here. I don't think she had any kind of life." Then he noticed how uncomfortable the captain was. "What's wrong? You're definitely not acting right."
     "I'm fine." She quickly left, leaving her lunch only half-finished.


     When Pesident Sheridan arrived at his quarters later that day, he had not found any kind of answer to either question he had asked Lochley.
     "Do you know what's wrong with Captain Lochley?" he asked Delenn. "She's acting really weird today."
     "No," Delenn answered.
     "I've asked Lieutenant Corwin, Doctor Franklin, Zack, and I'm not even sure who else, and nobody has any kind of answer. Anytime anyone mentions Garibaldi, she refuses to talk about him and leaves."
     Then Delenn finally put things together in her head. "Maybe she's afraid she-". Delenn decided to cut herself off before she said something she shouldn't.
     " 'Maybe she's' what?"
     "Never mind."


     Part 2 coming soon.

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