From: Adrienne M Hefter Subject: The Lazarus Syndrome, ch.1 Date: Mon, 05 Oct 1998 18:50:35 -0700 Hello. This is my first posting to the group. Hope you enjoy the story. DISCLAIMER: Babylon 5, characters, names, and all related indicia are trademarks of Time Warner Entertainment Co., LP. (c)1994-98 Time Warner Entertainment Co. SPOILER: Nothing really. Story takes place after season 4. +++++++++ C h a p t e r 1 - A touch from the grave Earth, Geneva, Hotel LaRue. 25 November 2261, 01:00 EST. Susan sat up in bed. Tonight was turning out to be no different then every other night. She couldn't sleep. The dreams were constantly haunting. Being back on Earth for some reason made the dreams more intense, more vivid. Most of the time she dreamed about her mother. How all the good times had been darkened by the Psi-Corps. Then she would dream about her. It even hurt to say her name. She didn't know why the dreams of her mother always lead to the memories of Talia, well actually she did know why she just wished that they wouldn't go in that direction. And if the memories of her mother and Talia failed to wake her, there were always the memories of the war and Marcus. There was always something that managing to creep into her slumber and frighten her awake. The war was over. Commander Susan Ivanova had been promoted to Captain and had one foot out the door for her new assignment when 'they' told her she would have to wait. And so she had been stuck, stuck in this hotel in Geneva for nearly two weeks without anything to do. Not knowing what her fate was and starting to get very pissed off. She got up from the bed and went to the window. Removing the few items she had placed on the small table when she had arrived, she sat on the table huddling close to the window. Susan pulled her legs close to her chest and hugging herself with what little strength she had left. She squeezed her eyes closed as tight as she squeezed her legs. She was trying to make the last, and most painful memory disappear from her mind. She turned her head and starred out into the darkness. The beautiful city of Geneva lay before her, but all she could see was the darkness that emanated from the alley across the street. Captain Susan Ivanova fell into a trance and fell deeper into herself. On the other side of the street, below the window and hidden in the darkness of a broken doorway, the girl watched cautiously. She could feel the pain and the loss. She could feel the tears forced back by the woman. Wanting so much to reach out and touch her. To make her feel safe. To tell her she was not alone. But it was impossible. It was neither the time nor the place for contact. The girl sank further back into the door behind her. She was so focused on watching the other woman that she did not sense the danger that was coming towards her. Susan starred blankly into the dark ally when something suddenly caught her eye. She let go of her legs, swept the slumber from her eyes and waited. The girl sensed the change. An uncharacteristic mistake, she stepped into the light. At that moment the men came towards her. "Remi, don't you move" the taller of the two men shouted at her. His menacing tone backed up by his large imposing body. Susan saw the men and heard them call the name before she saw the girl. And she felt something, something unmistakable, fear. But the fear did not come from the girl who was being chased, but from the men trying to capture her. The girl ran and the men quickly followed. Before she could even think about what she was doing, Susan was out the door and down the stairs in pursuit. Remi ran as fast as she could, through alleyways and over fences and cars. She knew they would catch her, it was the plan. But she had to make it look good. She felt the two men coming closer, ducking behind a car she ran into a narrow street. Then she felt something else; something that made her smile and she knew it was time to stop. Turning into an alley that lead to nowhere, Remi ran until she could go no further. The footsteps of the men slowed and then stopped. "Remi, this was stupid," the tall man spoke again. He sounded disappointed. The other man, shorter and a bit heavier, was trying to suck in as much air as his small razor lips would allow, "What the hell are you trying to pull you little shit." The spit of exhaustion escaping with ever word. Remi laughed, and the short man slapped her. "That's enough Pilzman. Conrad will be pissed if you hurt his little pet." Jankins reached his hand up to the face of the girl they had been tracking for the last 3 months. Touched the cheek, now red from the slap, and softly rubbed it. "We can't have the Psi-Corps prized possession being damaged can we." Jankins reach down and kissed the girls reddened cheek. At the entrance to the alley, hidden behind a stack of boxes, Susan watched the scene unfold. She was fascinated but what she saw. The two men were obviously Psi-Corp. They did not even try to hind the badges that they wore on their lapels. The entire chase scene had seemed a futile exercise. If they were Psi-Corps why didn't they just use their telepathic abilities to stop the girl. And now the taller man rubbed the girl's face then leaned in and kissed her. And the girl smiled, smiled at Susan. It was the weirdest sensation, like she wanted Susan to experience it all. Just then a light came on it a room near Susan. The shorter man, started by the light, turned around and saw her. Susan tried to run, but he was too quick. He grabbed at her mind and she fell to the ground grasping her head in pain. "No don't hurt her." The girl screamed and ran towards her. Susan felt the pain in her mind release itself. The girl put her hands on Susan's, taking them from her face. "I'm sorry. I didn't want you to get hurt," the girl said as the two men came to her. Grabbing her and pulling her away from Susan. A car pulled up and in an instant they were gone. Susan lay on the ground for the longest time. The face of the girl still fresh, her touch so familiar, her eyes reminding her of something, of someone. The girl had said she was sorry, but it was something else that made Susan sit there on the ground not knowing what to do, the girl knew her name. "I'm sorry Suzotchka." The name her mother had called her. Susan just sat stunned. Laying on the dirty ground, for the first time in her life, not knowing what to do. After what seemed like an eternity, Susan finally made her way back to her hotel room. She felt so lost, so alone. She stood in the middle of the room and just stared at herself in the mirror. She looked as bad as she felt, drawn and dirty. The small dark haired man crept up to the door. His dark eyes focussed on the door and the person inside. He was quite pleased with himself. The night's events had gone well. After almost 8 months on the run they had finally gotten their little rouge back and now he was about to have a little bit of fun. With his right hand he removed the glove from his left and placed it on the door. He concentrated on the woman inside. And smiled. It hit her like a knife. The images slicing through her mind. Her mother, Ganya, Talia, all those who she had love and who were now lost to her. It was the image of Talia that hurt the most. That day, after finding out she had been a plant put there by the Psi-Corps. That day in Talia's quarters when Susan had gone to see if there was anything left of the person she had love. Had given everything over to. That beautiful seductive voice, so cruel. "All the things you wanted to hear to get her close to you." The touch and the look in her eyes. Her eyes staring blankly back at Susan. That image, those words over and over were all she could see. Susan screamed and fell to the floor. In a semi-conscious state she heard the door open. The footsteps came to her. Susan looked into the eyes of the devil. The man she hated. The man she had come so close to almost blowing out of the sky. "Captain Ivanova, so nice to see you again." Bester maniacal little smile was the last thing Susan saw before she passed out. ++++ to be continued in, fighting the dragon. peccath@geocities.com From: Adrienne M Hefter Subject: The Lazarus Syndrome, ch.2 The Lazarus Syndrome, ch.1 Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1998 12:31:18 -0700 Hello all. Sorry for the delay and thanx for all the feedback. DISCLAIMER: in chapter 1. SPOILER: Nothing really. Story takes place after season 4. ++++++++++ Chapter 2 - Fighting the dragon Mars Colony, Bureau 13, Cell B4. 27 November 2261, 07:30 EST. The cold was the first thing she felt. The cold of the steel underneath her. Susan rolled from her side to her back trying to assess her situation. She was just beginning to get a clear picture of the cell she was in when the noise of the door opening startled her. As quickly as she could, she scurried to the corner of the wall that the door was on. Susan jammed herself into the corner and pulled her legs up as a shield. The door slide open. The legs of the woman who entered were all that Susan saw. She stared at the feet as they stopped a moment in the doorway, then obviously finding her, moved in her direction. Susan closed her eyes, afraid of what she knew was going to be before her. The woman bent down, she softly touched Susan's face. "Susan", the voice was so inviting. The hand on her face. Susan burned inside. "Please", the pleading, sounding urgent and desperate. Slowly she opened her eyes. Susan knew what she saw, but did not want to believe her eyes. There before her, touching her so lovingly, just like that last night, pleading so clear in her eyes, the woman she loved. The woman she loved with all her heart and soul and who had betrayed her so completely. "Talia", it was just a whisper. But it was enough to make the woman before her cry. "Oh, Susan". Talia took her hand away and looked down at the floor between them. "No." was all Susan could get out before the hands came towards her. The injecting worked quickly. She was unconscious. "Talia", the weak voice of Captain Susan Ivanova went unheard by the two men as they dragging her down the long gray corridor. "Put her in room 12," said a voice from behind her. The two men followed the other man's directions and the door to room 12 quietly open. The room was as bare as her cell had been, except for the chair that stood alone in the center of the room. As the drug began to ware off, Susan become more alert. She struggled with the two men holding her. "Strap her in", again the voice from behind her spoke. She was regaining more of her strength, but it was not enough. The two men dragged her to the center of the room and roughly held her into the chair. First her ankles where strapped down. Then the strap around her legs, just below her knees. Next her wrists were bound to the chair. Then a strap around her chest and arms firmly pinning her to the metal structure. Next, a strap was tightened around her throat. And with the last strap place around her forehead, Susan could not keep her fear in check any longer. Susan tried to move. She could not. Her head was held firmly in place and she could not move it left or right, nor up or down. Just straight-ahead. Once she was fastened securely, the two guards left the room, but the door remained open. Susan tried to assess the situation as best she could. She knew who had her, Psi-Corps. "Bester!" The thought of that little man angrily reminding her of how she had gotten here. Reading her fear and angry without any resistance the voice boomed, "Yes. Mr. Bester. It was very kind of him to bring you to me." The man came finally came to stand in front of her so she could see her tormentor. He was a tall man, 6'4" by her guess, in his mid-sixties, slim and fit. The man was dressed in all black, his white hair and glasses cleverly hiding the dark evil eyes. The man moved towards her. It was the next figure that came through the door that drew her attention away from the man in front of her. She was so different then she had looked before. Also dressed in all black. Her silky blond hair, usually flowing around her shoulders, now held back in a ponytail. Talia walked to the right of the chair turned towards the man and waited quietly. Conrad watched the scene intently. Watched Ivanova's reaction as Talia moved to her position. He was very please with himself. He had never thought that Susan Ivanova would be the one that his agent would get close to. It had been a bonus that it had been her. He smiled as Susan strained her eyes to see Talia. Susan looked at her as hard as she could. She was different, so different then earlier in the other cell. Talia looked so thin and pale, which Susan did not think was possible since Talia was fairly pale to begin with. The dark circles were so pronounced underneath those beautiful green eyes. A strand of hair, loose from its bound, fell in front of her eyes. Talia starred straight ahead. Not looking at the man or at Susan. She was silent. Susan felt like screaming. "So, Miss Ivanova, it is a pleasure to finally meet you." The man's voice drew her back to the situation. "At first I was not please that Bester had brought you in, but now," the man took his eyes from Susan and looked towards Talia. Susan followed his gaze. "Now I am quite pleased indeed." "What the hell do you want." The old fire inside of her bubbling up, bringing her confidence. Conrad smiled. She was just like her mother. "Well Captain. We want you. I have always wanted you." Susan let the words sink in. What they hell did that mean. They have always wanted me. He had always wanted me. "I am a Captain in Earth Force. Do you really think that the military is going to just let me go with searching." Susan tried to express more importance in herself then she knew she had. "Oh, I am sure we can get around Earth Force and the Government. We still have pleanty of friends out there willing to do our bidding." Conrad moved back behind her. She heard him moving some kind of equiptment towards her. He stopped and come back to face her. "But how rude of me, I have not introduced myself. I am James Conrad. It is a please to finally meet you Susan Ivanova, daughter of Sophie Ivanov." The mention of her mother's name really pissed her off, but she held her composure. "Well it's not a pleasure to meet you, you bastard." Conrad smiled again. Oh she was so much like how her mother had been. How Sophie had been in the beginning when he had discovered her. Abruptly Talia moved behind the chair. >From the corner of her eye Susan could see the metal apparatus that was brought near her head. It was steel and had what looked like two scorpion stingers on either end. Talia placed the stingers on either side of Susan's head. The apparatus awaited its target. She felt the cold hands of Talia hold the metal 'stingers' on her temples. Just as she was about to protest, the thin metal needles came out quickly from the stingers and were pierced deeply into her brain. Susan screamed from the pain. "Well Susan Ivanova, let's see what we can find out about that mind of yours." Conrad pulled a small remote from his front pocket, and pressed a button. The pain was so intense Susan did not know if she should scream or cry, but all she did know was that she was still awake. And everything about her, her past, her pain and joy, it all was there. It was there for Conrad to see. Her eyes were wide open and she starred at his smiling face. "Yes, so much like you mother."
Susan heard the thud before she was able to focus on the situation. Conrad was gone. The metal needles still deep inside her mind, but the pain had stopped. "Be quiet." A red haired young man said to her as he came towards her. To her left Susan could see the lifeless body of Talia, unconscious. Someone was behind her, removing the probe from her mind. "Hurry up, he could be back at any moment." The red haired boy spoke again, softly as he moved towards her to start removing the bindings. Whoever was behind her did not answer. The boy came to her left hand and was in the process of removing the binding when a hand from behind Susan stopped him. "Wait", the soft female voice said calmly. "What do you mean wait. Which one, damit. Which one." The boy was getting desperate. His voice becoming louder. "Crispin. Take Talia to the shuttle." And with that the boy moved away from Susan. Bent down and picked up Talia and without looking back headed out of the cell. The binding on her left hand was loose enough for her to get her hand out. Quickly she reached over to try and release her other hand, but she was not quick enough. The hand from behind grabbed her. Susan struggled fiercely, but she had no strength. It was easy for the other person to re-bind her hand. The girl leaned near her ear still keeping her hand on Susan's, "I'm sorry Susan". The voice. Susan knew that voice. The girl from the alley. Just then another figure came into the room. "Damit Remi, let's go." The handsome young man stood impatiently in the doorway. He was tall and muscular. His dark hair and light eyes ruffled and searched the area widely. "We can't take them both, please Remi. I know it was a hard decision, but it has been made and we must leave. Now!" The young man came into the room and grabbed the girls' hand from Susan's. Susan looked into his eyes. She got the strangest sensation. He was afraid, but not of the situation, of the girl. Just like the men in the alley. Jasper grabbed Remi and pulled her out the door. As they were about to leave Remi turned around one last time. "I promised mother" and with that last word she was gone and once again Susan was alone. Only a few minuets had passed when Susan heard the alarm go off. She was in turmoil. So happy because she knew Talia was safe, she did not know how she knew that but she felt it, and terrified that she was left there. 'I promised mother,' her thoughts went back to the girl. Again, she did not get a good look at her, just like in the alley. But there was something, something familiar about the girl. Susan did not understand and just then the door opened again. And Susan braced herself for what might happen. "What the hell is going on." Conrad came into Susan's cell first but right behind him came that weasel Bester. "Well Sir, it seems your little pet has broken out of her cage again. Only this time she took some toys with her." Bester could not hind his enjoyment at the situation. He had never liked the girl, but for all the wrong reasons and he knew that. "Would you like to tell me how she escaped this time." Conrad was passing in front of Susan. It was almost like she did not even exist. "It seems Crispin and Jasper helped her." Again Bester told Conrad this news with the greatest of pleasure. "Jasper?" Conrad was in disbelief. "Not Jasper. Why would he do such a thing? Why would he betray me so completely." It was not really a question and Bester knew he better not answer, even though he was dying to. Conrad recovered himself, "I want them found and brought back, Alive. If necessary you can kill Crispin, but Bester" Conrad came to the smaller man, towering over him, "If the other three are harmed I will personally scramble your brains. Is that understood." Bester wasn't laughing anymore, "Yes sir." And with that he left. "Well Miss Ivanova, I am really surprised, but here you are." Susan did not understand what he was talking about. "Who would have believed she would choice Talia over you. That girl is such a mystery to me. A mystery and misery all in one." Conrad put his hand behind his back and rocked to and fro. He seemed almost pleased. Finally getting some of that old nerve back, Susan spoke. "Why would she choice me over Talia?" Conrad looked up at her and his face changed. He looked at her now so tenderly, so lovingly. Susan was really lost. "Because Susan, you are all she has left." And with that cryptic message Conrad turned on his hells and left. Bester was heading towards his office when he ran into his assistant. The short blond haired woman moved quickly to his side. "So, the animal has escaped one again. This is getting to be a real habit and a pain in the ass." Rodericks venomous voice almost made Bester quiver, almost. "What do you think Sir." Bester waited to answer as they went into his office. The door closed behind them and without turning around to face Roderick, Bester spoke. "I think she will go to Babylon 5." Roderick could not hid her surprise at that suggestion, "Sir, there is no way they would let Winters back onto that station." "Yes, but that is the only place they would be safe from us and Remi knows that. Sheridan will protect her and right now he is too powerful and we are too weak to fight. No, she will go to Babylon 5." Bester moved around his desk and sat down. "Captain Lockley has been assigned to Babylon 5, she was loyal during the war and I suppose we are about to see how loyal she still is." Bester smiled. "I do not know sir, Lockley and Sheridan." Bester waved his hand and dismissed his assistant. "Send a priority one fugitive message to Babylon 5. Give them descriptions of Remi, Locus and McCain and tell them they are to be apprehended and held for questioning by Psi-Corps. Tell them they are not to be harmed in any way. And that if they do get them to inform us immediately." He moved closer to his desk, placing his arms on the top. "Three sir?" Bester knew the question was coming from his assistant. "Just do what I tell you to Julianne." And she was dismissed. Bester turned towards his records. He pulled up the records of the two who helped Remi escape. Looking for something he could grasp onto. Crispin Locus. Age 24. P6. Assignment - Security detail, Bureau 13..... Jasper McCain. Age 33. P11. Assignment - Assistant to Director James Conrad...... Remington - no files available. Bester smiled again. Betrayed by not only your little pet but also your protege. This was turning into a very good day. ++++++++++ to be continued in, the comfort of strangers Adrienne | amh@mcgweb.com From: Adrienne M Hefter Subject: The Lazarus Syndrome, ch. 3 Date: Fri, 23 Oct 1998 13:39:40 -0700 Can anyone tell me if Sel works! How does she (umh hope that's correct) find the time to write Reunion. I stayed up to 3am last night catching up, anyway, I digress. DISCLAIMER: in chapter 1. SPOILER: Nothing really. Story takes place after season 4. ++++++++++ Chapter 3 - The comfort of strangers Narn Freighter K'Ton. 15 December 2261. For nearly two weeks the four of them had been hiding on one transport after another. Not really going anywhere, just trying to stay moving. Jasper was worried. The strain was really beginning to show on Remi. Things were not going well and he knew they had to find someplace safe. He turned away from the portal window and walked back to his companions. Crispin was sleeping, as he always did. Jasper then turned his attention to Talia. She was wrapped in a blanket lying on the floor. She was also sleeping; if that is was you could call it. It had been a very tough session and her skin looked gray and sweaty. She was dreaming, her eyes furiously moving back and forth underneath her closed eyelids. Remi was nowhere near the other three. She had found a box to sit on further into the hold of the ship. They had managed to 'convince' one of the dockworkers to let them into the hold of the carrier which was now heading towards Narn Space. Jasper quickly went to her and knelt down. She looked as if she was sleeping sitting up. He turned to leave. "I'm awake." Remi opened her tired eyes and reached out a hand for him. Taking it in her hers she held on to him. "Are you alright." His concern was evident and he did not feel like he needed to hide it from her. "I'm tired. It seems it was a lot easier putting it in then getting it out." Remi laughed softly. "I can't continue like this. We need to find someplace stable. All this running from one freighter to another is not allowing me the opportunity to get a good connection with her." Remi sat up straight and took both of Jasper's hands in hers. She looked him in the eyes, "Jasper, we need to go to Babylon 5." At first he did not really register what she had said, then it sunk in, "Are you crazy. They will never let her on that station." He really could not believe she had suggested it. "Jasper, we would be safe there. She would make sure of it." Remi emphasized she and Jasper did not know whom she was referring too. "Plus I can get Talia onto Babylon 5 without anyone knowing, as long as I have you and Crispin, I can do it." She sounded so confident, so convincing. Jasper knew he would not refuse her, he never could. He knew that whatever she was planning she could pull off. Jasper had not known what 'gifts' Remi had and he had never wanted to ask her about them. When he had first come to work for Conrad, almost 8 years ago, he was so full of himself. He was a P11 and all he wanted out of life was to go as far as he could up the ranks of the Psi-Corps. When he had gotten the coveted job of assistant to the Director of all of Psi-Corps, he could not believe his luck. He was on his way. Conrad was tough at first, but soon Jasper had proven himself. And as he worked with Conrad every once one is a while he would see her with him. Jasper did not know who she was and was afraid to ask at first. He would see her coming out of Conrad's office sometimes, early in the morning as he was heading for work. She was about 15 but looked younger, almost like someone who had never been allowed to grow up. Someone who had been kept a child, kept innocent. After working for Conrad for over a year Jasper had finally gotten his nerve up and asked who she was. Conrad's response was both unsatisfying and a warning. 'She is the future'. For some reason that really unnerved him. Maybe it was the way Conrad looked when he said it. So smug, like he was about to own the world and no one could stop him. And for the next 5 years Jasper did all her could to avoid the girl and then one-day she came to him, and everything changed. "Okay, I will find us a ship at the next stop." And that was all he said. Jasper pulled away from her and went back to his portal window. Remi leaned back against the cold steel wall and softly cried. ----------- "Captain." Chief of Security Zack Allen walked into the office unannounced. "What is it Chief." Her annoying tone went unnoticed. "We have a priority one message from Mars. Psi-Corps." Zack handed the new Captain the paper. Lockley took it and as she was reading the message Zack watched her. A lot had happened in the last month. The war with Clark had ended, Sheridan was President of some new Interstellar Alliance, Marcus was dead, and Ivanova was gone, replaced by Captain Lockley. He was not sure about her yet. She scared him a bit. "Very well Chief. Keep an eye out for them and if they show up inform the Psi-Corps." She handed him back the data sheet and dismissed him all in one motion. "Captain." Zack turned and left. She really did scare him. Captain Elizabeth Lockley was more annoyed with her situation then with her Chief of Security. Everything was turned upside down. Only a month ago she was fighting these people and now she was here as their commanding officer. She had decided to get a jump on her new assignment. The war was still fresh in her mind and although she was not scheduled to arrive at Babylon 5 till the new-year, hear she was. And it looked like things were getting off to a bad start. She hadn't really believed Sheridan when he had suggested she take over Babylon 5 operations. She had never remembered Sheridan as being either stupid or sadistic, but now she was wondering if he had gotten soft in his old age. And Psi-Corps, she had never trusted them, they were always up to something. Lockley shook her head then went back to work. ---------- President John Sheridan was in his quarters preparing for a meeting with the newly formed Alliance. A meeting he was not looking forward to. The door chimed. "Enter." Was all he said, not bothering to look up from his papers. "President." The familiar voice of his former Chief of Security now his head of Intelligence brought his attention up. "We have a problem." The door closed behind Michael Garibaldi and he went towards Sheridan. "I have just gotten word from EarthGov. Ivanova is missing." Garibaldi handed a data sheet to Sheridan. "What the hell do you mean missing. Where the hell is she." He took the sheet from Garibaldi. He was both mad and worried. When they had finally defeated Clark's forces and the new acting President of Earth, Susanna Luckenko, had been appoint; she had came to him in hopes of coming to some sort of compromise. Sheridan had agreed to resign, but he had made sure that all of those who had served with him had gotten amnesty. He knew the decision had angered a lot of people. Many of those still in power were loyal to the ideals that Clark had preached. And they were particularly upset about Susan. She had been second in command of the fight against Clark. And because of her work on the voice of the resistance, she had become a symbol of the resistance. She was almost as well known as he was. But what really seemed to piss them off, was that she had managed to destroy so many of the modified Omega class destroyers before almost being killed herself. Luckenko had tried to talk him into getting her to resign too. But Sheridan would not hear of it. Susan was a good officer, even if she did not really believe it herself. And he knew she would be needed to help protect the Earth when it was so venerable. And now she was missing. "What is going on Michael." "I don't know John. From what they have figured out. Someone smuggled her off Earth to Mars. My bet would be Psi-Corps. They were loyal to Clark and maybe they want to make her into some kind of puppet like they did with me and Talia." John could hear the anger still in Garibaldi's voice. He didn't realize how much Talia had meant to him. Garibaldi continued, "Since Mars's independence most of what is left of the Military forces have been forced to leave and I have heard that a lot of different organizations are setting up shop there. Plus we know that Psi-Corps had there secretive base there, Bureau 13." Garibaldi started pacing. "If those bastards have grabbed her I bet they have taken her there." Garibaldi was getting madder and madder as he remembered the past. Remembered what Bester had done to him. Made him betray his friends and the fight against Clark. What they had done to Talia. The thought that they could do something like that to Susan, "I'm gong to Mars." Sheridan knew that was a hard thing for Garibaldi to think about doing. To go back to a place which held such painful memories for him. But he also knew from his tone that he would not be talked out of it. "I agree. But be careful Michael. If Psi-Corps is still operating off of Mars then they will have no problem killing you and I need you here, understand." Michael nodded and turned to leave. Under his breath he said, "I'm going to kill that bastard." John did not say anything. He knew whom Michael was referring to. --------- "Are you two ready." Remi looked back at her companions. The two men were standing with Talia held up between them. Her arms draped over their shoulders while each of them held her steady with an arm around her waist. They had given her a sedative to make sure she stayed quiet. "We're ready. Are you?" The question came from Crispin. He was worried. He had heard all sorts of things about the powers that Remi had, about what she could do. But she was tired and this was a big station with a lot of people. He just could not imagine her being able to block everyone enough for them to get Talia through undetected. And what about security cameras, surely they would be able to detect and record them entering the station. He just wasn't holding out much hope that they would get away with this, but he had gone this far, he was not going to turn back now. "I can only do it with the help of both of you. You have to concentrate. You can not waiver from what I have told you. If you do they will know. Do you understand." Remi put a hand on Crispins' arm to calm him down. She knew Jasper did not need it. He was a P11, he could handle it, but Crispin was only a P6 and he would need all of his strength to pull this off. "Okay." Crispin turned to Jasper. "We're ready." Jasper nodded in agreement and they all left the freighter. The place was massive. She had heard about Babylon 5 but had never gotten the opportunity to visit. Actually she had never gotten the opportunity to visit anywhere. She had been born on Earth, but Mars was all she could remember. Remi took a deep breath, and then they walked into the promenade. "Identification Card." The security guard said unpassionetly. Remi handed the woman the false card that Jasper had made for her. "And what is the purpose of your visit." The security guard said as she checked the card. "Well, I guess I just wanted to see the place that freed Earth." Remi tried to sound as innocent as she could. The security guard looked up at her. She was perspiring heavily, the guard did not notice. "Welcome to Babylon 5. Enjoy your stay." She waved her on. "Identification Card." Jasper handed both his and Crispins' card to the woman. Remi stood just beyond the three of them. Leaned against a pillar and concentrated. The guard took the cards and examined them one by one. Remi concentrated on the scene. Lyta Alexander was heading back to her quarters. She bumped into someone in the corridor. "Hey watch it," they unidentified voice said as it passed away. "Sorry," was all she could weakly get out as the person drifted away. She had been in a daze. It seemed like the last month or so she had been walking around like a zombie. The Vorlons were gone. The war was over. Sheridan had used her and now really did not have much time for her. Lyta just felt used all around, by the Vorlons, Psi-Corps, Sheridan. She could not figure out what to do with herself. As she slowly came out of her sleepiness she felt something strange. She stood in the hallway and looked towards the security entrance. And then she saw her. Lyta knew right away that it was Talia. It was impossible. Why didn't the security guards arrest her and why did she look drugged? The two young men carrying her were concentrating hard. They were blocking the guards, but not just the guards everyone. That was impossible. They were not capable of it she just knew that. Remi felt Lyta before seeing her. Whipping around the post desperately searching out the other telepath and then spotting her. She knew her. Remi focused on the telepath and pushed. Lyta felt the dull pain in her mind instantly. The pain increased. The voices increased. Her block was disintegrating. Desperately trying to keep the voices out, Lyta searched for the source of her torment. And just as she saw her, the pain was gone. Everything was gone. Jasper and Crispin hurried to Remi trying not to attract attention. Jasper could see something was going on. He also felt the other telepath. "Remi," Jasper lightly touched her shoulder as not to break the connection. She just nodded at them not turning around. They began to walk away. As they were leaving Remi stopped a passerby. "Were does one go when they wish to disappear," she spoke softly. The man did not even seem to understand but she said, "Downbelow." And pointed. "Take her there I will catch up with you." Before Jasper had a chance to protest she was gone. Lyta Alexander found herself at the door to her quarters not really knowing how she had ended up there. She shrugged it off. She had been wandering around aimlessly most of the time these days. This time was no different. She went into her quarters. Kosh had made her get ride of everything. It had taken her almost a year to get her quarters looking and feeling comfortable, like a home. And then it was all gone because he wanted it that way. She headed to her bed. Dropped to her knees and laid her head on the bed and cried. Remi followed her nose, so to speak. Followed the reminence of what she had done. Of the breakdown of the other telepaths block. The woman had looked familiar and it took all of her strength to try and pull up the memories from the past. She stopped at the door and put her hand to it. It opened and cautiously she entered. The woman did not look up at her. Her head was buried in the bed. Remi went to her. Knelt down next to her and placed a hand on her head. "Lyta?" She was startled by the use of her name. Lyta Alexander looked up into the eyes of the past and screamed. ++++++++++ to be continued in, Visitations Adrienne | amh@mcgweb.com From: Adrienne M Hefter Subject: The Lazarus Syndrome - Ch. 4 Date: Sun, 25 Oct 1998 19:25:09 -0700 Okay, I'll be on my little journey tomorrow. The story gets going again when I get back. DISCLAIMER: Babylon 5, characters, names, and all related indicia are trademarks of Time Warner Entertainment Co., LP. (c)1994-98 Time Warner Entertainment Co. SPOILER: Nothing really. Story takes place after season 4. +++++++++ Chapter 4 - Visitations Earth, Psi-Corps Headquarters 2243 She had finally been given an assignment, something to do. Her internship with Psi-Cops had started almost 3 months ago and most of time she had been pushing papers around. She was getting board and now, she had been given something to do! The best part of the assignment was a free trip to Mars. And although she wasn't to jazzed about the job, a babysitting gig, what the hell. Lyta Alexander met up with her new partner Jung Tan as they headed to the office of the assistant director. Lyta sat down on a chair as Tan preoccupied himself with the secretary. They waited. Lyta was excited. She began chewing on her lower lip trying to figure out want kind of assignment this was going to be, 'babysitting job, um wonder who it could be.' Just then a door opening halfway down the hallway caught her attention. Lyta recognized right away the tall dark haired man who exited the door first, everyone knew who Conrad was. Then the little girl came out of the doorway. Conrad took her hand in his. Then the girl turned, looked at Lyta and smiled. Lyta smiled back and waved. The little girl giggled and covered her mouth with her free hand. 'Must be Conrad's daughter' She thought to herself. Although Lyta was sure Conrad did not have any children. The person who stood hidden in the doorway spoke with Conrad a moment longer. Conrad shook his head and then led the small girl by the hand towards the lift. They were gone and the door closed. Two minutes later Lyta and Tan were called into Assistant Director Salorez's office. Salorez was an average looking woman. Not tall nor short, fat nor skinny, not young nor old, just there. The kind of person that goes unnoticed in a crowd. She waved for Lyta and Jung to take the two seats in front of her desk and returned her attention to the papers in her hand. "Let me see, Mr. Tan I know of course," she turned and smiled at Jung. He smiled back, "and Miss Alexander, Lyta." Salorez looked back down on her desk at some papers that obviously were about Lyta. "Welcome both of you. Miss Alexander this is your first assignment with Psi-Cops and it should be an easy introduction for you. You have been placed with Mr. Tan, who although fairly new to the Psi-Cop ranks himself, knows the proper procedures to follow. I will make this quick and simple. You are to escort Remington from the research facility here on Earth to the Mars Colony. You will be met on your arrival at Mars by another team that will take Remington off of your hands. Is that clear enough." Salorez did not wait for an answer. She handed them each a data sheet with their schedule on it. "You will pick up the girl tomorrow morning at 06:00 hours. Any questions?" She did not expect any and was returning to the information on her desk when it came. "You mean the little girl who was just with Director Conrad," Lyta regretted the question as soon as she had said it. Salorez looked up at her and Tan rolled his eyes. Salorez' eyes were surprisingly dark, "Yes". That was all she said and Jung grabbed Lyta's arm and pulled them both out of the office. "Are trying to ruin both of our careers," Jung was pissed. He had worked hard to get into Psi-Cops and he wasn't going to let this, kid, ruin it for him. "Why did you question her. She hates to be questioned. Next time just keep your mouth shut." Jung walked away from her and Lyta stood in the middle of the hallway dazed.
The next morning Tan and Alexander waited outside the Psi-Corps research facility for the young girl to be delivered to them. Lyta was taken back slightly when she saw who was coming towards them. Director Conrad stepped though the misty glass doors and headed to the two young agents. He held something in his arms wrapped in a blanket. When he approached them, Lyta could see it was the little girl who had smiled at her the other day. She was drugged. Conrad nodded to them and turned to Lyta. He handed the little girl to her. Once she was securely in her arms, Conrad touched the girl's face and then covered it with the blanket. "The sedative will last for the entire trip. She should not wake or be woken up, do you understand." They both just nodded. "Good", then he turned and left. An hour later they were on the transport heading for Mars. They were the only ones on the shuttle, which seemed odd to Lyta. It was a private Psi-Corps shuttle, therefore no 'normals' would be on board, but the traffic to and from Earth to Mars was so heavy for the Psi-Corps, she just assumed that the shuttle would be full. Lyta looked down at the young girl lying in her lap. 'You must be someone special little one,' she said to herself as she stroked the girl's face and pushed her blonde hair from in front of her eyes. Jung was ignoring her. He had barely spoken to her at all and Lyta got the feeling like this partnership was not going to last. "Who do you think she is," she looked at the little girl trying to avoid the glare that she knew Jung would toss her way. "I don't know and I don't care. We are simply transporting her and that is all I need to know," Jung made a mental note to talk to his supervisor when they got back to be switched to another partner. Lyta was not going to let it go, she continued, "she was with Conrad yesterday and this morning. I know he doesn't have any kids but he was sure acting like she was his." Lyta knew Tan would not answer her and she was more talking to herself then him. "Who are you little one," this time she did not say it to herself. To her surprise the girl opened her eyes. Lyta quickly looked towards Tan. He was not there and must have gone up from with the pilot. Lyta looked back down, the girl smiled at her. "What are you doing awake," Lyta moved a little so the girl could lay flat on her back and look up at her. "I was dreaming of mommy and I woke up," her voice was so soft and sweet. She continued to just smile at Lyta. Lyta looked at the girl for the first time assessing what she saw. She was no more then 4 or 5 years old. Her dirty blonde hair with its natural wave was so soft as she ran it between her fingers. Her brown eyes deceptively hiding the sparkles of green that shown through. "Was it a nice dream," Lyta finally asked. "No, mommy had to go back to Suzotchka and I was crying because I didn't want her to go. But she said she had to, because Suzotchka needed her," a little tear swelled in the girls eye. Lyta pulled the girl up off of her lap and hugged her. Even though she was pretty young herself, just 17, she felt like such a grown up. She held the little girl tightly and the child fell back to sleep. It was then that Lyta realized she would probably not make it in the Psi-Cops, she just did not know how to stop questioning. And the Psi-Cops hated questions. Just then Tan returned. He hoped that she would have gotten the hint and would leave him alone. Lyta glared at him but did not say anything. She had made up her mind. She wanted to know what they were going to do with the girl. She put up her best block and tried not to broadcast the hatred that she felt.
They had finally arrived at the Mars Colony. Tan went towards Lyta to pick up the child. "I don't think so," Lyta said in the most menacing voice her young years could must up and wrapped the girl up in her arms. Tan backed away. Colt waited anxiously just beyond the docking bay doors for the package to arrive. He momentarily turned his attention to his partner of 8 months, Torquin, 'Man he is cool.' In the time he had known him, Colt had never seen Petr Torquin nervous or shaken. The two of them had started working directly under Conrad only a couple of weeks ago and the things they had seen. Colt had heard all sorts of rumors about the experiments that the director was conducting and they had intrigued him, but that was before he knew the whole truth. And now he just wanted to do his job and keep his mind in one piece. They were there to pick up Conrad's favorite 'pet' and Colt was always a little shaky when it came to the girl. He didn't want to screw anything up. As Lyta and Tan approached them, the shorter of the two men came forward to greet them, "So the package has arrived in one piece, excellent." The man reached out for the girl but Lyta pulled away. Tan rolled his eyes again. "What the hell are you doing. Give her to me." Colt was not happy and was ready to smack this impudent little tep in front of him when his partner stepped forward. "Let her bring the kid," Torquins tone was menacing and challenging. "I really don't think that is a good idea Petr," Lucian Colt turned toward his partner but knew he was going to loose. Petr Torquin always got his way. "I think that if she wants to see where we are taking the girl then we should let her. After all, she does want to be part of Psi-Cops right," again he stared at her, eyes challenging and frightening her. "I just want to make sure she gets to her final destination in one piece that's all," Lyta accusing them right back. "Excuse me you little..." Torquin stopped his partners words with a hand. "Lets go." And with that the four of them left the docking bay. It took another 45 minutes to get to their final destination. Lyta was not able to see where they had gone. The craft that they were in had no windows to look out of. Tan was sitting next to her and he was not happy, not at all. He knew where they were going and he did not like the place. It was a dark place. A place were bad things happened. A place that he did not want to end up in. He really was going to talk to his supervisor when he got back to Earth. As they were walking down into the underground facility the girl in her arms began to awaken. "Mommy," Remington said sleepily as she rubbed her eyes. "Here give her to me," this time Colt was not going to be disobeyed by this girl. He grabbed the child from her arms and put her on the ground. "How are you feeling Remi?" "I'm tired Mr. Colt," the girl steadied herself and took Lyta's hand. Lyta was surprised that the girl knew the man. They walked on. The group stopped at the end of a long narrow corridor. Director Conrad stands near a side door. "Well Mr. Colt, would you like to explain this to me," he directed his question at Colt but was looking at Lyta. He looked angry. "Uh, Director Conrad, I'm sorry she refused to let Remi go," Colt shuffled his feet nervously. "Really and what do you have to say in regards to this matter Mr. Torquin?" Conrad kept his eyes on Lyta. "She wanted to see," that was all he said to explain himself. Conrad was not satisfied but he left it alone. "Very well. This way," the group continued down the long hallway towards the door that stood at the end. They went inside. There was nothing in the dark gray steel room but a stainless steel bed. On that bed lay a young woman, unconscious. Remi let go of Lyta's hand and went to the other side of the bed. There was a stool near the bed and the girl climbed up on it. She stared at the woman and then looked up at Conrad. Conrad turned to the other four; "You may leave Mr. Tan." Tan had thought they had forgotten about him and was know very grateful to me dismissed. He did not want to be privy to whatever was going to happen. Colt and Torquin took up their positions, Colt at the food of the steel bed and Torquin at the head. Lyta backed up against the wall, trying to blend in. "Oh no Miss Alexander, come closure please. This is what you wanted to see," Conrad gestured for Lyta to come forward. She stood next to the imposing figure of her boss and looked down at the woman. She looked to be around the same age as herself, 17 or 18. She was beautiful. The girl had an elegance about her even in her sleep; a maturity that went beyond anything Lyta felt in herself. "What's her name," Remi said in that sweet innocent child voice. Her face moved closure the girl, then back up to Conrad, "What's her name Uncle Conrad." "Her name is Talia," Conrad was please with the child's interest. He had chosen the young telepath for a reason. He knew Remington would be fascinated by her. "Talia," the little girl repeated the name. She brought her tiny hand up and touched the pale face of the young woman. "Can I keep her Uncle Conrad." She asked the director, as if asking for a toy. "No you can not keep her," Conrad was very please with the girl. "But you keep mommy," the little brown eyes were wide with anticipation. "That is not the same. I do not keep mommy, she comes to me of her own free will," Conrad knew the child would not understand. "But you put mommy in bracklets too," the girl reached down to the hands of the young woman and played with the restraints. Lyta realized what the girl was saying and looked at Conrad in disbelif. He was smiling. "Do you remember the game I taught you," Conrad asked the girl. The child started playing with the young woman's hair, "Yes. Are we going to play it now" She ran her hand over the woman's face. "Yes, we are going to play it now," Conrad motioned for Colt to take Lyta. Colt grabbed Lyta and held her next to him. At the same time Torquin moved towards the young woman on the bed. "But it will hurt her," there was real concern in the little girl's voice. "I don't want to hurt her." Conrad waved his hand at Torquin and he waited. "Talia is broken. You are the only one who can fix her. I know that you might cause her some pain, but it must be done." He spoke softely ovbiously trying to calm the child who was getting more anxious. "She's broken? How come she is broken?" "She just is and once you play the game I can fix her. Okay." Conrad was very pleased with himself. "You can fix her," Remi looked back down at the young woman. She reached down and kissed her on the forehead. Then she stepped off the stool. Torquin approached again and brought the hyposaringe up to the sleeping girl's neck. Remi positioned herself close to the blonde girl and waited. The drug began to work and slowly Talia woke up. She began to struggle. Her head searching the room. "What are you doing. Let me go" The fear in her voice made Lyta cry. "Now Remi," that was all Conrad said. The room went silent. The girl stopped struggling, then started screaming. Lyta tried to run but Colt held her in place. "You wanted to see," he said mocking her. Lyta looked at the girl. This little child who was tarring at the mind of the young blonde. Ripping it apart. The screams were unbearable and Lyta brought her hands up to her ears, trying to drown out not just the sound that she could hear but the sound reverberating in her mind. The sound of a telepaths mind being tortured. And then there was silence. Talia had stopped screaming, stopped moving and just laid there, her eyes wide open. Remi ran to up to her. Looked down into her eyes. "You'll fix her now, right?" she was crying. "What the hell did you do," Lyta thought she just screamed it in her mind but when Conrad glared at her, she knew she had said it out load. And then Remi really started crying. "Look what you have done. Take Remi out of here," Conrad spoke to Torquin. After they had left the room, Conrad turned towards Lyta. He came towards her and Lyta tried to escape. Colt held her firmly in place. Conrad slapped her. "Don't you ever scare her like that again. The child is the future. The future of us all." Lyta held her face and tried to rub out the sting and just stared at the two men. "So what are we going to do with her sir?" Colt waited for the answer he hoped for. He wanted so much to put his hands around this girl's throat and squeeze the life out of her. "Terminate her," Colt smiled at the answer he was hoping for from Conrad. He was about to lead Lyta out of the room when Conrad said, "Wait. No, I have a better idea." Conrad turned to the very disappointed Colt, "Stripe her memories and send her back to Earth. Notify Salorez to move her out of Psi-Cops and into commercial. I don't want to see her ever again." And with that Conrad left the room. "Damit damit damit. Well I guess it's your lucky day today Miss Alexander. Lets go," Colt pushed her out of the room.
Remi watched Lyta carefully on the bed. She knew it would be best just to leave her, to let her remember. They might need her help later and it would be best if she knew everything. Remi touched Lyta's face to make sure she was okay. Then the memories continued. ++++++++++ Adrienne | amh@mcgweb.com From: Adrienne M Hefter Subject: The Lazarus Syndrome - Ch. 5 Date: Wed, 04 Nov 1998 21:41:35 -0800 Hello all, back from my trip and the little gray cells are working double time. DISCLAIMER: BABYLON 5 characters and situations are the creations and copyrighted property of J. Michael Straczynski and Babylonian Productions. Babylon 5, characters, names, and all related indicia are also trademarks of Time Warner Entertainment Co., LP. (c)1994-98 Time Warner Entertainment Co. SPOILER: Nothing really. Story takes place after season 4. ++++++++++ Chapter 5 - Hollow paths Earth, 2244 It had been nearly 6 months since she had been reassigned to the commercial Corp and she had settled in nicely. Lyta Alexander could not remember why she had been transfer out of Psi-Cops, or had she asked for a transfer, all she knew was that she was happy. They had paired her with another young woman, slightly older then she was who had been working as a commercial tep for almost a 4 years. They were also roommates, and as Lyta stood at the bottom of the stairs to the great hall, she looked at her watch waiting for Sarah to arrived. She was getting upset. She hated to be late and Sarah always seemed to be late. As she saw her roommate, friend, and advisor running towards her, she just shook her head. "Sorry, sorry. I know I'm late. Lets get in there," Sarah grabbed Lyta's arm as they went up the stairs. Lyta had liked Sarah Ericsson from the start. She was much shorter then Lyta, with dark curly hair and big brown eyes. Sarah was very petit and most people thought she was quiet stunning. Lyta liked her because she made her laugh and she felt safe with Sarah, she didn't know why, but she did. Sarah also had such a great personality. She was warm and friendly and was also the life of the party. As they went into the large auditorium, Sarah stopped suddenly, "There she is. I can't believe it." Lyta searched in the direction that Sarah was looking. A short distance away from them, near the side aisle of seats was a group of people. There were around 7 or 8 of them and they all seemed to be standing around one young woman. She looked familiar but Lyta could not remember from where. "I totally can not believe it. She's right there," she shook Lyta's arm, "I'm mean right there. I have just got to meet her. God, she's so beautiful." Lyta looked at her roommate and smiled. Sarah was constantly in love with everyone and everything. It seemed every other week it was someone or something new. And this week it was some blonde she had meet the week before on Proxima III. They had worked together on some contract negotiation. "You should hear her speak Lyta. She has got the sexiest voice." Sarah leaned her head on the arm of her much taller companion. Then all of the sudden she jerked herself away. "Hey that's Peter Marshall over there. Come on we can get him to introduce us," before she could say anything they headed over to the group. "Hello Peter," Lyta laughed softely as Sarah tried to put on her best-sophisticated adult voice. It was not like she was a child or inexperienced. At 23 Sarah had seen a few planets in her time. It was just that she could not pull it off, she was a goofy giddy girl and most people knew it. "Hello Sarah, Peter nodded in Lyta's direction, "Lyta. What's going on?" The conversation of the three behind her made the young blonde woman turn around. And for the first time Lyta got a really good look at Sarah's latest obsession. She understood now why she was infatuated with her. The girl looked about the same age as Lyta. She was slightly taller then she was, slim but not too skinny. Her velvety blonde hair hung straight down around her shoulders, but it was the stunning green eyes that Lyta noticed the most. They were so warm, so inviting, so comforting. And when she spoke Lyta also realized what Sarah was talking about, "So Peter, are you going to introduce us to your friends." The voice was so sultry and deep. Like smooth silk wrapping around your body. "Oh, of course. Sarah Ericsson, Lyta Alexander, this is Talia Winters." Talia reached out her hand and shook first Lyta's and then Sarah's. When their hands meet Sarah let out a sigh. At first Lyta was mortified, but this elegant woman just smiled and turned to someone else who had asked her a question. Peter also returned to the conversation he had been interrupted from. "I can't believe it. I am so in love. What do you think of her Lyta," Sarah looked expectantly at Lyta. "She seems very nice." She knew her friend was not going to like that answer. "Very nice, what kind of an answer is that. She's wonderful in every way," her eyes glossing over. The lights in the auditorium flickered three times indicating that everyone should take their seats. Lyta had to lead Sarah by the arm away from the group to some seats in the rear of the auditorium. It was going to be another one of those boring talks on appropriate behavior of telepaths during negations between alien races. Lyta wanted to be near the closest exit just in case. The lights went dim and the talk began. Lyta glanced over in the direction that they had just come from; she was looking at her. Quickly Talia averted her eyes away and Lyta smiled.
The conference had gone on for nearly 3 days and there was another 4 days of lectures and seminars to go. Lyta was getting board with it all. She knew it was necessary, this is the way they were taught, but she just knew there were better things she could be doing with her time. Again she found herself waiting for Sarah. There was a small gathering and dinner being held that evening and Sarah were determined to get into it. Of course neither of them had been invited, but Sarah figured they could crash it some how. Lyta really didn't think it was a good idea, but somehow Sarah had gotten word that Talia was going to be there, so that is were they where going to be. Lyta had admitted that really wanted to go to the talk also. It wasn't because of this girl Sarah was infatuated with, it was because Director Conrad was going to be speaking and Lyta wanted to see what he was like. She finally saw Sarah running up to her. "Sorry. Sorry. I know. Let's go," Sarah shrugged off her tardiness and the two headed into the conference building. The hurried past the auditorium they had been in a couple of days ago and stopped at the end of the hall. "So, it's being held right down there," Sarah point to the open doors at the end of the corridor to their left. "We just have to figure out how to get in." A look of determination was on her face. Lyta remembered something, another entrance behind the stage. Grabbing Sarah she said, "come on. I think I know a way in." They went to the outside of the building and found the door, it was locked. "Well how the hell are we going to get in?" Sarah looked at Lyta with that 'how you going to do it smart ass' look on her faced "Knock!" and she did. A moment later someone came to the door, "What can I do for you two ladies," Lyta recognized the young man. His name was Derek something or other. They had talked a little bit during one of the more boring lectures a couple of days ago. "Derek, hi. It's Lyta remember," she saw the light of recognition shine in his eyes. "Of course, Lyta Alexander right. How are you doing?" Derek reached out his hand to shake hers. "Good, really good. Look my friend and I wanted to see the Director's speech. Is there any way possible you could let us in?" Lyta was trying to be a sweet as possible. Plus she kind of liked Derek. "Um, I don't know. This is a pretty tight room. Even if I can get you in, there would be no place for you two to sit during dinner," Derek turned around his mind trying to think of what he can do. It was Sarah who chimed in now. "Look we don't need to have dinner or a seat. If you could just get us in, we could find a quiet corner to stand around and just listen. Okay," Sarah wanted in so badly she put a hand on the guy's arm and started rubbing it. Both Lyta and Derek laughed. "Okay. Come on you two," Derek led them behind the stage area and to the opposite side of the room. There was a place just beyond were the guest table and chairs had been set up. It was behind a plant and near a curtain and he thought they could hide there. "Here it is. You can probably mingle for a while till this thing gets going and then come over here. There are suppose to be talks throughout the dinner so you probably wont get too board. All I have to say is if you get caught, I don't know either one of you," with that he smiled and left. "This is brilliant. Do you see her anywhere," Sarah was searching the room. It had begun to fill up pretty quickly and it was difficult to see through the groups of people standing around talking. As she was scanning the crowd Lyta though she recognized Director Conrad. He was standing with a group of about 15 other people. His back was to the same wall that Lyta and Sarah were against. It looked like a lively conversation. "Hey isn't that the Director," Lyta pointed and Sarah followed her finger. "Hey. I think that's him. He looks a lot older then I thought he would," she was scrutinizing the man when they both heard the laugh. It was unmistakable. That deep sultry voice. It was Talia. She was in the group with the Director. Before she could stop her friend, Sarah headed in the groups' direction. As she followed and the group shifted a bit, Lyta could finally see the owner of that laugh. Talia Winters stood to the Director's left, but it was someone else that caught her eye. A little girl clinging to Talia. Lyta had the strangest sensation of apprehension when she saw the child and stopped where she was. The girl was between the director and Talia; she looked to be around 6-years-old, if that. Her dirty blond hair pulled back in a ponytail with wisps of bangs hovering around her eyes. She was obviously very attached to Talia. She had both hands wrapped around the woman's waste, with her head resting on her hip. Talia had a drink in her left hand and kept her right hand on the upper back of the child, holding her firmly against her body. Her first thought was that it was her daughter, but that seemed impossible. Lyta knew know that Talia Winters was only a year older then she was, 19, and if the kid was 5 or so; Talia would have had to have been 14 when she was born, and that was impossible. Psi-Corps had strict rules against pregnancy before a telepath had fully developed their abilities. Most of the time people waited till they were 20 or so and by that time it was the Corp who chose who you would have a child with. Those who didn't wait were usually punished severely by the Corp. So Lyta knew it was impossible. Plus the child looked nothing like her. But yet it was there. Lyta felt it, that loving protectiveness that a parent has for their offspring. It was strange. The girl said something and Talia bent down to hear her. As the girl was talking Talia played with her hair and then kissed her on the forehead. She then said something to the Director, he took the drink she was holding and Talia and the girl headed out of the room. "Look she's leaving. Let's go," Sarah was on her way cutting through the room. Lyta had to rush to catch up to her. "Wait. If we leave now we are not going to be able to get back in." "Who cares. If we could see her outside maybe I could talk to her. Ask her out for coffee. Come on this is the perfect opportunity." And she was gone. Lyta did not want to leave. She knew she wouldn't be able to get back in and she really wanted to hear what the director had to say, but she knew she had to look out for Sarah. She was bound to get herself into trouble. She rushed down the hallway to find her friend. Lyta saw Sarah just as she was entering the bathroom. By the time she slammed through the door, Sarah was already talking to Talia. "... did you managed to get yourself invited to this thing," she batted her long dark eyelashes just before turning to face Lyta. "Hello," Talia said with an amused tone. Then she turned to one of the bathroom stalls, "Remi are you okay." "Ah," the tiny voice called back just as the door opened. She was startled for a moment. Looked at both the other two women and then rested her eyes on Lyta. "Remi darling, come here," Talia helped the little girl up to the sink to wash her hands, as she was doing that she introduced the girl to the other women. "Remi this is Sarah and Lyta." "Hello," the tiny voice unsure. Lyta thought she looked frightened. "Nice to meet you," Sarah broke the silence and continued her conversation with Talia. "So I was wondering. I mean since I wasn't invited and everything, if maybe we could meet for coffee tomorrow and you can tell me what the Directors 'master plan' is" she waved her hands in the air and made a silly face. The little girl relaxed a little and laughed. "I would like that Sarah. Shall we say Ricardo's around 2." She certainly did have the most wonderful voice, Lyta thought to herself as she watched the little girl sink backing into Talia and wrap her arms around her again. "Yes, that would be great. Great. Okay I will see you tomorrow," Sarah couldn't hide her giddiness anymore and Talia laughed softly. "Okay tomorrow then," as she turned to leave she picked up the girl and held her in her arms. The child clung to Talia wrapping both legs and arms around her. "It was nice to see you again Lyta." Then she left. "Oh my god. Oh my god. Pinch me. Tell me this is not a dream," Sarah was acting goofier then usually and put her head on Lyta's shoulder. "What's the big deal. It's only coffee," she was teasing her friend. "The big deal, my so called best friend, is that just about everyone, besides you of course, have asked her out over the last 3 days and she has turned them all down. I'm in like Flynn girly girly. You just wait and see." Oh she was very proud of herself indeed. "Well it better be worth it now that I am going to miss Conrad's talk," Lyta pulled away and left Sarah in the bathroom smiling. ++++++++++ Adrienne | amh@mcgweb.com