From: Adrienne Subject: The Lazaurs Syndrome - ch. 7 Date: Fri, 11 Dec 1998 17:04:10 -0700 Here is chapter 7. Chapter 8 is also completed and up on my web site. I will need to edit it before sending it to the list, it is an NC-17 chapter. 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. (I hope that all cover's my a**). SPOILER: Nothing really. Story takes place after season 4. +++++++++ Chapter 7 - Set in stone Earth, Café Ricardo, 2244 Sarah Ericsson waited anxiously at the table she had picked near the front window of the Café Ricardo. She had gotten there nearly 10 minutes early. She smiled and knew how much that would make Lyta laugh. Her early, that seemed like an impossible task, but she had managed it. Sarah played with the napkin on the table and thought about Lyta. They had known each other going on seven months now and Sarah could not remember anyone, besides her brother Thomas, who excepted her as she was. Even in the 23rd, century there was still a lot of bigotry of all kinds. Sarah just couldn't and wouldn't change herself because of what other people thought. She was happy with herself. For the first time in her life, just really happy and content. She had finally found a place in Psi-Corps that she knew she could live with, a good friend in Lyta, and now maybe someone she could love. Anxiously, she watched the crowds walk by outside. Whey they had first tested her as a child she had been so scared. Sarah was seven when the Corps came to her home and said that she had to go with them. It wasn't so much that she had to leave her mother and father, they really hadn't been the greatest of parents anyway, it was leaving Tommy that really scared her. Tommy, three years older, had always protected her, kept her safe. They had tested him also, but he did not have any telepathic abilities. She had not been allowed to see her brother during her initial training, and it was only once she had been placed within the organization that she had been allowed to resume contact with him. Sarah remembered those first years with the Corps, she had not been happy. Even as a child she was not much of a conformist, and during those first years, the Corps worked very hard to break her of her individuality. They had succeeded, and for many years Sarah forgotten herself. But, as she matured, she was given more and more freedom. Went to work on other planets, saw other races, and the old Sarah started to creep back up. At first the Corp had tried to sensor her, but soon they just let her be. She guessed that as long as she was loyal to them and didn't hurt anybody, they would just leave her alone. Before Lyta, she had four other partners, all of whom had complained about her and had been reassigned. When she first meet Lyta, she didn't think she would last either, but she proved Sarah wrong. She realized Lyta needed her as much as she needed Lyta. They both just needed a friend, someone to confide in, someone to trust. Just then the door opened and in walked her dream. Talia saw Sarah smiling at her as she entered the Café, "Hello, Sarah." She went to the table. "Talia, hello," as she approached the table Sarah stood up and shook her hand, "so, how are you?" Talia took the seat opposite her and took the napkin from the table and put it on her lap, "very well, and how are you today, Sarah?" That voice just made her melt. Sarah put her elbows on the table, then leaned forward and rested her head in her hands. She looked into Talia's deep green eyes and got lost for a moment. She heard the waiter approach and, pulling her head out of her hands, she shyly looked towards him. "What can I get you two ladies." After they had finished ordering and the waiter had left, Sarah looked back up at Talia. She was waiting patiently. Again she said, "So, how are you Sarah?" Sarah, a little upset with herself, shook herself awake. "Oh, sorry Talia. I'm okay. It's been one of those days, you know. Lyta and I have been stuck in lecture after lecture all morning." At the mention of Lyta's name, Talia became a little more attentive. "Oh, and how is Miss Alexander doing? She seemed quite upset last night at not being able to hear Conrad's speech." This time it was Talia who started playing with her napkin. "She's okay. She was a little mad. I mean, we had managed to get ourselves into the dinner when we hadn't been invited, and then we were out. But she understands. She's a good friend." Sarah leaned back in her chair trying to relax herself. "She seems like a nice person." Just then the waiter returned with their drinks. "So, exactly what does she 'understand'?" Talia was amused as she saw the blush on the other woman's face. She reached down and picked up the teacup and took a slow sip. Sarah was concentrating on those lips. Thinking of exactly where she would like them to be next, when she answered, "Lyta understands me. That's all." Sarah had a wonderfully content smile on her face and Talia could not help but reciprocate. Talia put the cup down and smiled back. She could feel the lust that the girl had for her. She was not able to block it and probably didn't care too. Talia was no stranger to people thinking such things about her. For most of her life people seemed to admire her looks, although she had never really had that much confidence in herself. She did not know why people were attracted to her. She didn't think she was any better looking then most people. Actually she though Sarah was quite stunning with her dark complexion, hair and eyes and her small but well defined body. It just always amazed her when people showed her so much attention. But most people usually gave up pursuing her after awhile, and Talia had gotten a bit of a reputation as an ice queen. She didn't care though. She was happy that most people left her alone. She had been asked out several times during the conference and had turned everyone down. She didn't know why she said yes to Sarah, but she did and she was glad of it.
So they sat there talking. Discussing the negotiation they'd handled together on Proxima. They talked about the Psi-Corps and about their pasts. They talked about Lyta and Thomas and finally talked about Conrad. And during the entire time they were engrossed in one another, they did not notice the man. The man who stood semi-hidden in the doorway of the store across the street from the Café. The man who watched them intensely and who did not look happy. Colt took the communication device from his pocket. Why did he always get stuck telling Conrad the bad news. He waited, and the voice at the other end finally answered. "What is it, Colt," Conrad sounded annoyed. "Sir, I think we have a problem." And with that Colt left the two women together in the café. He definitely hated having to tell Conrad bad news.
They had talked almost two hours, just sitting there in the café. It was a very reluctant Talia who finally spoke up and said that she had to go. "I'm sorry Sarah, but I have to be at a meeting in 20 minutes." She took the napkin from her lap and put it on the table. Reaching in to her pocket for her credit chip, Sarah stopped her. "Don't you think about it. I will get it," she handed the waiter her card. Smiled at him and returned her gaze to Talia. "Do you really have to go." "I'm afraid so. Believe me I would much rather stay here and continue our conversation, but neither of us have that option." There was a sad tone in her voice. Talia got up from her chair, as did Sarah. "I know there are only a couple of days of the conference left, but maybe we could have dinner or something?" Sarah anxiously waited for Talia to respond. The waiter returned her credit chip. "I would like that, Sarah. How about tomorrow night, where would you like to meet?" Sarah tried to calm herself, "well, we could go to that new restaurant they opened a couple of weeks ago," she hesitated before continuing, "or you could come over to my place and I could cook you dinner." She went on before Talia had a chance to answer. "I am an excellent cook. Lyta could attest to that. And it would be nice to get away from all these people for a while, don't you think?" Sarah waived her hand towards all the people in the café. She didn't know if she would be more afraid if Talia said yes or no. "Umm," Talia thought about it a moment, really considering what she was about to do. What she wanted to do. "I think that is wonderful idea, Sarah." Talia thought again, "what about Lyta?" "Oh, I'm sure she'll have a date tomorrow." They both laughed, then Talia leaned over and kissed Sarah on the cheek. "Then I will see you tomorrow, around 7:30," and with that she left the café and walked away. Sarah thought she was going to pass out. She could not believe it. She kissed her, right here. For a moment she just stood there with a stupid smile on her face, then she remembered something. She quickly looked at her watch, "Dam it!" Sarah grabbed her stuff and ran out the door. She was going to be late for the lecture. Lyta was going to kill her. Sarah ran as fast as she could to the auditorium, smiling the entire way.
Lyta waited only this time she was not as mad as usual about Sarah's tardiness. She knew she was meeting with Talia and didn't want to begrudge her friend a good time. Actually, she wasn't too sure if Sarah was going to show up at all. Lyta decided to wait another ten minutes and then head into the auditorium. As she was starring at her feet she heard her name being called from the distance and knew it was Sarah. She looked up and almost laughed. Sarah was running, that in itself was a fun enough sight to see, but what really got Lyta was that stupid grin on her face. She just laughed and was happy, happy for her friend. Happy that it looked like things went well for her. Sarah was practically unable to stop herself and bumped roughly into Lyta. "Well, hello to you too," Lyta steadied her friend. "I take it she showed up." "Oh my god, Lyta, she is so wonderful. More wonderful than you can even imagine. She's smart, funny, kind and sexy and she laughs at my jokes. What more can one ask." Instead of their normal routine of running up the stairs they both just stood there. "And the most incredible thing happened, she kissed me." Sarah lifted her hand to her cheek, remembering the touch of Talia's lips. "And she's coming over for dinner tomorrow night, so you have to be out of there by 7:00 PM, got it!" she emphasized the last two words with a wag of her finger in Lyta's face. "And, just what the hell am I suppose to do tomorrow while you are wining and dinning your new 'girlfriend'" "Oh, I am sure you can think of something." They started up the stairs finally. "Hey, maybe you can give Derek a call and the two of you can go out." Lyta was apprehensive, "I don't know about that." It wasn't that she would mind going out with Derek, she actually liked him a lot and Sarah knew that, it's just that she was not too comfortable being the one doing the asking out. "Oh come on, Lyta. You like him, the guy obviously likes you. Just do it, ask him out," Sarah put her hands together and looked pleadingly up at Lyta, "Please, for me." She couldn't resist, "Okay, When I see him I'll ask him out." "Great, because there he is." Sarah pointed to the front door, and there stood Derek waiving at the two of them. Lyta groaned, then waived back.
Colt left the lift and was met by his partner halfway down the corridor. "So, what is the problem?" Torquin asked, in his usual monotone voice. "I would rather wait till we see Conrad. I really do not want to have to say this twice." The two stopped at the Director's door and waited for his secretary to buzz them trough. Conrad opened the door and motioned for them both to enter and be quiet. He pointed to the couch, then pointed for the men to follow him into another room. As Colt passed the couch her saw the familiar figure of the little girl asleep under her favorite blank. A blanket that Talia had given her a couple of months ago. He was not looking forward to this. The three went into the much smaller room. It had two chairs facing each other and nothing else. Torquin was about to close the door between the two offices when Conrad motioned for him to leave it. "I want to be able to see her if she wakes up." He then motioned for Colt to take one of the chairs and he sat in the other. Torquin remained next to the door, closer to the Director's chair. "So, Mr. Colt, what is this problem we have?" it was the same tone and question that Torquin had asked. "Well Sir, I think we might have a problem with Talia." At the mentioned of the young woman's name Conrad looked out the door to the little girl, making sure she was still asleep. "What kind of a problem?" "I followed her, as you instructed, and today she met another woman in a café at 14:00 hours. They talked for over two hours and when she was about to leave, Miss Winters leaned over and kissed the other woman." Colt waited for the Director's next question. "And why is this a problem Mr. Colt. Talia is an adult. If she wishes to have a relationship with this girl then she is entitled too." Conrad was getting kind of annoyed at this situation, and annoyed with Colt. For the last couple of months he had noticed a change in Colt's attitude towards Talia. He had become more possessive and took his detail as watcher more seriously than Conrad thought he should. He was infatuated with her... Conrad knew that. At first, he'd thought it would be useful, something he could manipulate, but it was turning into something else. It was more of a nuisance than anything. "Sir, don't get me wrong. If Talia wants to sleep with someone, you're right, that's her business, but I think it's more then that Sir. I got the feeling she really likes this girl. And you are the one who has always told me that Miss Winters must not be allowed to let her blocks down. And we both know, if it is something more then just a romp in the sack, then she will. And who knows what Ericcson will uncover." Conrad leaned back in his chair. Colt was right of course. It was still too soon. Talia was not ready for any kind of telepathic link that might occur. They had been very careful to keep people away from her. Conrad studied Talia's past carefully before finally choosing her. She had had only one lover in her short years, one of her instructors, what was his name... Ironheart. Other than him, she had been pretty much a loner who didn't let people get close to her. And since she had been under his watchful eye, the only sexual activities she'd had where of his making, to see how her blocks would hold up. She had not felt anything for those she had slept with, and the blocks had held nicely. But now, if she did care for this other woman, she just might let her shields down, letting the girl in, and that would not be good. Not for any of them. Conrad came forward again, "what do we know about this girl." "Her name is Sarah Ericcson. Age 23. She is rated a P-6, and she's been in commercial for five years. She's been a bit of a troublemaker and tends to do what she wants. She's loyal to the Corps though, and other than her sexual exploits, there really isn't much about her. Oh, there is one things that is very interesting, her roommate." Colt stopped a moment and looked at both Torquin and Conrad, "Her roommate is Lyta Alexander." Conrad got up and stomped over to the window. "Damn it" he turned back to Colt, "I guess I should have let you kill her when we had the chance." He looked out the window; "She's seen Talia though, and hasn't recognized her, so the sweep must have done the job. Still, it is one hell of a coincidence. So gentlemen, what do you suggest we do?" He wanted to hear what they thought. This would be good practice for them, for Torquin. Unknown to the men the little girl on the couch had awakened up from her slumber. When Remi heard Talia's name, she grabbed her blanket and pulled it closer to herself, wishing it was the real person. She listed to her Uncle Conrad talk about Talia, listen to them come to a decision, and closed her eyes hoping they did not notice that she had been listening. "Very well then, that is what we shall do. Colt, you said they are meeting tomorrow night at Ericsson's flat." "Yes sir." "Okay then, we will go there and, when the time is right, we will dispose of our problem." The three men came back into the main office and Colt and Torquin left. Conrad bent down near the couch and stoked Remi's face. He leaned over and kissed her check and then left the room. Remi quickly jumped off the couch and went to the window. She waited. When she saw the two men walking down below her, she concentrated, and took what she wanted from their minds. They walked on, not noticing that they had just been scanned. Quickly, she ran back to the couch and lay back down under the blanket. '752 Greenwich #12' that was all she needed. The child pretended to be asleep when Conrad came back into his office. ++++++++++ Next: Chapter 8 - Around and around they go The Portal of Slippage - http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Nebula/8469/writings.html Adrienne | peccath@geocities.com