From julifolo@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu Tue Dec 24 22:13:01 1996 Date: Sun, 20 Oct 1996 02:52:34 -0500 (CDT) From: watkins julia k To: b5-creative@lists.best.com Subject: "Gotcha" (complete) Hello all! Chronologically, this is the fourth story in my John & Delenn series, but it was the first story written. I have made a few revisions, mostly for spelling. This is a complete "good parts" version of a longer story I didn't attempt to write because I didn't have a clear idea of what the crises might be that puts people's lives in danger. What happened after was the most important part of the story, anyway. Julie hopeless romantic =============== Standard disclaimers ================ "Gotcha" by Julie Watkins time: mid-way through an alternate 3rd season Ivanova watched Delenn's face as she stepped down and the whole of the docking area came into her view, and what she saw sent a quiver through her. The ambassador had been confident enough when she left but somewhere out there, in the middle of all-gone-wrong, she had said goodbye to home and kept going and now all was new again. It was a warm welcome feeling to be counted part of that dear home, but it also called up fear for the unknown future. Back to "normal"; blessed, chaotic "normal". How long were they going to be able to hold this war at bay? Sheridan was welcoming Delenn and Marcus back--a bit of comfortable ritual before they all scattered back to various duties. Ivanova was on the first turbo back with Sheridan and Delenn. As the doors closed Delenn fell against Sheridan and his arms enfolded her. "Don't scare me like that," he said into her hair. What Ivanova could hear of her response was barely verbal. The embrace held until the elevator began to slow. Delenn lifted one of Sheridan's hands to her lips as they parted. No one was on the other side of the opening doors but if there had been they would have noticed nothing unsual in the small but formal bows the captain and ambassador gave each other as she stepped off the elevator. "C & C," Sheridan said into the air and the elevator began to move again. "S-sir?" Ivanova managed. Sheridan saw the surprise on her face and realized his mistake. "And I thought you knew everything." "Well, sir, no," she answered. "Michael thinks you haven't yet and I said you'd never do such a thing." He grinned widely. "I must be better than I thought." "How long--" she asked as the elevator slowed. "Quite some time, actually," he said putting his work face back on as the doors opened. Ivanova tried to do likewise and she saw the shadow of a smile on Sheridan's face as they got back to the matters at hand. The gathering was somewhat impromptu and informal. Everyone was relived at Delenn's safe return. Garibaldi had taken his usual watchful position making sure no one out of the loop tried to happen in. Ivanova made a beeline, and pulled him aside. "We have to talk." "What's up?" "You're wrong." "What?" "Well, no. You're right, but you're also wrong." Garibaldi gave her a grumpy what's-the-point look. "'Yet' has already happened. In fact, 'yet' has apparently been happening on a regular basis." His eyes went wide. "The captain?" "And Delenn." "Hold on. Back up. How do you know?" "I owe you dinner. He was at dock when Marcus came back with her. Marcus was sheepish but defiant for having risked it and succeeding and I expected a mild dress-down, but the captain dodged the didn't-follow-orders speech and thanked him for taking the inititive on new information. "Then we took the turbo down from docking. Us three. I guess they thought I knew and got careless being so happy she hadn't died. They--" She waved her hands, unable to find adequate words. "Married people stuff. They disengaged before the doors opened and they were both total professional. Then he looked at my face and pulled a 'gotcha'. Michael, he is so pleased with himself." The "so" was dragged out an extra syllable. "I'm afraid he's going to spill the beans even further, laughing at us." "How long has this been going on?" "'Quite some time.'--That's a quote." "That's not possible. Look. I've been keeping track of him since that bomb, keeping him guarded. He's had no opportunity." "OK. 'On an intensly not-so-regular basis' and Lennier is a saint." "Waitaminute. He let her go out there--" "Yes." "And he wouldn't let me volunteer." "He was right. We would have lost you. Marcus was damn lucky. I'd say the captain is very happy with Marcus right now." "But he went ape-shit when he seized Morden. How could he just stand by--" "Maybe I've been listening to your lectures, Mr. Garibaldi," Sheridan said softly as he joined the conversation, all smiles. "This is way hard to believe." Sheridan shook his head. "You didn't. Neither of you?" "What did you think we were thinking?" "I thought you knew but weren't saying anything. I'd been meaning to thank you for your understanding. It is a rather akward situation." "With all due respect, sir," Ivanova said. "You've shown much more discretion that I would have thought possible from you." "Thank you I think." He turned back to Garibaldi and the two locked eyes for a long moment until Garibaldi mirrored Sheridan's infectious grin. "Kinky," he muttered, and that got Sheridan to look down for a moment. "You need some R&R, Michael. I do believe you'd find it pleasureable." "Sorry, sir. I doubt I'll have the time." His voice turned exasperated. "You sure don't like to make it easy for a guy do you? I've got the military commander of the station--the defacto ambassador from Earth--in bed with the Minbari. Londo would have a fit. We do have treaties, sir. There are expectations. You're part of the government, dammit. The other representatives have a right to know where they stand." Sheridan's voice was suddenly cold. "Don't pull 'conflict of interest' on me. There is none. This is bigger than Earth or Minbar. Are you saying you want out?" "Woa." Garibaldi leaned back raising his hands palms out, "I'm not asking you to stop. I can see...that's impossible. But have a heart, man. I know you're on a mission from god and you don't take orders from anyone but I'm going to catch all kinds of hell if we don't keep up the pretense." "Agreed. Delenn and I are aware of our duties and we are taking care not to let our private feelings intrude." He took a deep breath and found his smile again, somewhat brittle. "Sorry." "So am I. I hate being an asshole but there are five dozen different ways this could get ugly. Not from doing anything deliberate but just because shit happens." "Point taken." He signed. "Very well, Michael, you've got another job. Keep an eye on me and tell me if I'm pushing too far. Hopefully I'll listen." "Promise?" "Promise." "Thanks." Sheridan paused, but he couldn't think of anything further to say. Nodding "goodby" he turned back to the center of the room. "Why me?" Garibaldi wondered and Ivanova shrugged. It was after hours later the next day, and Sheridan was still in his office. He was standing unusually still when Ivanova walked in, lost in thought. "Sir, can we talk?" she asked quietly. "Curiosity?" "Well, yes. You've been acting--I don't know. Have we done something wrong?" "I'm feeling unsure," he admitted. "I'm not used to that. I've been assuming I had your support. Have I gone too far?" "You were pretty hard on Michael." "I mean every word I said. This is too big to pretend EarthGov is calling the shots. I'm not talking about the cause. I'm talking about Delenn." He laughed a short laugh. "I was more expecting you to be a problem than Michael." "He hasn't seen the evidence. I don't understand. But I'm happy you're happy." "I don't understand either." "You were lonely?" "There are lots of lonely people on this station. Why her? Oh, hell, why me?" His voice almost broke with confusion. "I'm Starkiller for god's sake! Granted she wasn't a soldier, but there were hundreds of other prospects here. Why didn't I pick one of them? Why didn't I fall in love with you?" Ivanova looked away, embarrashed. "Sir, that would not have been appropriate." "Susan." He had to say the name twice before she would look back at him. "Neither was falling in love with the Minbari ambassador." Then he looked away before she did and her eyes followed his pacing. "You have to know we've talked about that. Our duties. But I couldn't deny my feelings and Delenn saw no reason not to accept what we were given. "'How long?' That's something I've been asking myself. The first time we kissed. The first time we-- That's such a cold way to define a relationship. I was ready to lay down my life for her long before I knew the reason why. I know I need her and she needs me. Or the memory. Whatever happens at least we know we haven't held back." "You frighten me when you talk like that." "These are frightening times. But I'm not afraid." "That's frightening." He nodded. "If it's that bad why aren't we doing anything?" Sheridan humpfed, but he got her meaning. "There's no safe place to send the civilians. All we can do is do what we can." He walked back to face her and wished he could give her a hug because it looked like she needed it. She seemed to read his intent and relaxed. "Congratulations." He looked at her, puzzled. "On your engagement," she explained. "Which doesn't have to be registered but can be celebrated. This is as far as you can go, isn't it? You can't get married until after this is done, if then, and only if you both survive." Sheridan nodded. "Excellent suggestion. I think Delenn would approve. We'll see if we can get Michael to lighten up." ==end==