From 101646.276@compuserve.com Sun Aug 18 21:14:57 1996 Date: 13 Aug 96 16:25:20 EDT From: Ruth King <101646.276@compuserve.com> To: b5-creative@lists.best.com Subject: Goodbye, Old Friend Time to jump on the WWE bandwagon.....I've only just seen it so I think I'm allowed. Anyone who hasn't this contains spoilers for World Without End parts 1 & 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Goodbye, Old Friend By Ruth King 101646.276@compuserve.com Babylon 5 is copyright 1996 PTEN & Babylonian Productions. This story is not intended to infringe on these copyrights " Will you follow me into fire, into darkness, into death ?" Those were Delenn's words, but you wrote them. I remember them clearly. I remember everything. How did it end ? " Be not afraid for I am with you, till the end of time. And so it begins," You said. But that was 1000 years ago. I would have followed you but you didn't give me the chance. I would have died for you but you wouldn't let me. You never even let me say goodbye. We were friends. You turned my life around. When I think of what I gave up for you. The woman who could have been my wife, the child that could have been mine. I always wanted those things....I still do, but I chose to go with you. Why couldn't you give up your fear of losing me ? I could have made a difference, maybe now I never will. Its all your fault Jeff. You gave me back my life but took so much more. There were so many things we never discussed, like...like the fact that you were a brother to me. Didn't realise till you were gone and Sheridan had taken your place. I thought I could trust you to stick by me, but I guess I was wrong about that. I've been wrong about so many things. So what happens now ? Do I stay here with people I can no longer trust ? If not where do I go ? Will they let me leave ? I have no one here, no one anywhere, no purpose....no life. The gun, in my hand. The gun. The gun. Door signal. No, I want it to go away. It will be one of them, one who was allowed to follow. The door slides open. I don't look round. Maybe I should just blow my brains out there infront of them ? I think about it too long. A hand removes the gun from my grasp. She hands me a glass, I push it away, " No, can't....can't let go," " Michael, you need to. If this is the only way...." " Didn't you hear me ?" " I heard you but I trust you enough to take a drink.I think the circumstances warrant it." I take the glass, down the liquid in one. Don't know what it is. I ignore her. Perhaps she will go away. She doesn't. She takes my hand, holding it with fierce sympathy. " Did Sheridan send you ?" I ask. " No," She shakes her head, " I'm your friend, I was worried about you." " You let him do it." " Don't you think I would have stopped him, if I could ?" I don't know, I don't care. I just want to be left alone. She doesn't go away, but wraps her arms around me. I lean my head against the softness of her breasts. Meaning to stay a few seconds before telling her to leave. But somehow I don't want to move, the warmth of another body is intoxicating. Its been so long since anyone has held me like this. I want to cry, let the frustration out, but it scares me, so I remain silent. Somehow she knows what I'm feeling, she whispers, " Its OK Michael, you can let go now." " Why are you doing this ?" " Always the suspicious one...." I look up at her, trying to read her expression. She's smiling, beautiful....so damn beautiful. " I have to sleep." I say. " I'll be here when you wake." I stagger to the bed, crawling under the covers. When morning comes she is there to greet me. " I have something for you," She says, " I didn't think you would have wanted to see it last night," She hands me a book. Leather bound, old. I turn to the page marked and read, " ' Speak well of me now that I am gone. Find it in your heart to forgive me. For I did what was ordained, protect the past to save the future. My path ends here, yours in the stars. Live well, old friend. Die well, my trusted companion........' I don't understand." " The prophecies of Valen. Scholars could never work that part out....until now." I let her hold me once more, this time I shed tears. She cries with me.