From: becki blumer Subject: Fan Fiction Submission: On Winds of Time part 8 Date: Sun, 03 Jan 1999 19:47:11 +0000 Meredith D. Holt beckihblumer@fuse.net On Winds of Time: What Was Warm, What is Cold Adult Warnings: Language and implied sex "On Winds of Time" part 8 by Meredith D. Holt Summary: Stephen Franklin and his wife, Elly, try to stop Bester from capturing the underground railroad operatives, while Garibaldi and Wesly work from their side. Aleia and the rouges try to convince Talia to help them. Hello, This is the eighth part of my alternate universe story, I'm hoping to finish it in the next few days. I'm sorry it took so long, but my friend Daniel, who hates B5 (the scandal of it! someone just had a heart attack.) was going to come over, but then it snowed so it all turned into a big mess! Thanks to Adam, Emily and Stephy Rose for beta reading, Kyri, Janis, and Ruth King for their compliments, and Eaty for listening. Any and all comments to beckihblumer@fuse.net. Love Always, Meredith Legal Disclaimer: All power and glory to JMS! He can have the money, and the glory, even my characters! I promise to put HIS back in more or less one piece, sort of, that is. Personal: I'm a nut. Crack! On Winds of Time by Meredith D. Holt beckihblumer@fuse.net Chapter 2: What Was Warm, What is Cold Part 8- Part A- A Trick of the Mind Part B- The Song that lives Forever Elly mentally wretched as an ugly, alien looking rat scampered past her nose. She lay stomach on the dirty deck of the worst part of down bellow. She couldn't say much for the decor. But she wasn't here for that, she was trying to save twenty rouges from the Psi Corps and not herself killed in the process. The rouges had taken a rash alternative, they had kidnapped Talia Winters in an attempt to bargain their way out. Wrong move. They had made Captain Sheridan a VERY angry man. Her husband was supposed to be meeting with John right now. It was Elly's job to watch for Bester, and send the signal when he came. she thought as a bug scuttled past. She quieted her mind and resumed waiting. Wes stroked the blonde/brown hair of his wife, Janice. She was sleeping beside him on the bed where they had been having a talk before, he let her sleep, she needed it. They had only been married about three months, and Wes knew that he loved this woman more then he ever thought possible. His link beeped on the bedside table. he thought wistfully as he reached for the offending item. "Wes here, go." he spoke softly, as not to wake his sleeping wife. "Its Garibaldi. Bester found out the location of the rouges, I have a feeling he is going to go on before us, and if he does, I know he'll kill them. I want you to tale him. He's in suite 1313 in red sector." Wes' superior informed him. "Got it. Anything else, Chief?" he asked. "Yeah, word is that Aleia found out that Bester was coming on station and she got really upset." Wes said, "She grabbed Sofie and Anakin and told them to come home and stay here until she said it was safe." "That's weird." Garibaldi commented, "Do you know where she is now?" "No clue. She told Rose to take the shop for a while. I have seen or heard from her in three hours." Wes informed him. "Alright." Garibaldi said wearily, "Get down here soon, Wes." "Got it, Chief." Wes said, slapping the link on his hand and reaching for his gray security jacket. Janice stirred, stretched and looked at him. "I thought we were going to have a quiet evening at home?" she said, but she already knew the answer. "Sorry, darlin'," Wes said, giving her a peek on the cheek, "but Michael's got a guy he wants me to tail. I gota go. Can you watch Sofie and Anakin until Aleia or Elly gets in?" he said as he hurried to jam his feet in his boots. Finally he holstered his gun. "Sure thing." Janice said, a sigh evident in her voice. But Wes was already out the door. She sat there a moment longer, savoring the last remnants of peace, snuggled into the soft sheets of the bed. She felt a soft pain in her abdomen, and gazed down at it, gently stroking it with her delicate fingers. Janice Lynn Bennet Holt-Stargate smiled. Aleia was NOT smiling at this exact moment in time. In fact, she was hunched over frowning as she bandaged the wounds of a young had been injured trying to assault Bester. The other men who had participated had been much luckier. This young man's leg was burnt all up the side. On the floor near by lay the unconscious form of Ms. Winters. Aleia couldn't say that she agreed with their kidnapping the woman, but it was a little late for that. A red dot flashed on the wall beside her. It was the signal from Elly that Franklin's meeting with the Captain had gone well he had agreed. Aleia smiled for the first time that day, at least something had gone right. Ms. Winters stirred and opened her eyes, and the other telepaths who weren't injured formed a vodo-like circle around. Aleia finished the bandage and went to join them. Wes followed Bester down to Brown 3. He seemed to listen to something, and then went to an area where on the wall the initials L.F. were spray painted on. He stood there for a long while, before turning and leaving. Perplexed, Wes waited five minutes, then went in himself. There sat all the rouges, packing, or talking quietly amongst themselves, in a corner he could see Captain Sheridan, Elly, Stephen, Aleia and Talia. "Aleia, what the hell are you doing here?" Wes hissed. The rouges aimed some of the weapons at him, but Aleia waved them off. "Its okay, he's my brother." Aleia explained, and Talia quickly left by another exit. "Wes, I was just helping the rouges get off B5 before Bester got them, that's all." "That's all." Wes said sarcastically. But he saw the looks Sheridan and Franklin shot him and backed off. "We'd better leave, dear." Elly spoke to her husband, "The family will wonder where we are." Stephen nodded his assent, and they left. John offered Aleia his arm, and she took it. As she left a small dark girl with ratty brown braids ran up to her and handed her a slip of flimsiplast. Aleia smiled and slipped it into her robe. Elly and Aleia relaxed on the couch that evening, glad that the ordeal was over. They smiled at each other as they silently ate their late night snacks, everyone else had gone to bed early. John had called them to say that he couldn't make dinner that night, so Aleia made the meal early so they could all get a good rest. The door chime rang, and Aleia got up to answer it. The door slid aside to reveal Susan Ivanova and Delenn. "Susan, Delenn, what can I do for you?" Aleia asked pleasantly, neither had been present at dinner. "Delenn, well..." Susan stumbled, as they came in, but Delenn took over. " "I have a, what is it, dinner date?, with Captain Sheridan tonight, and I was wondering if you could help me prepare for it. I wish to look..." here Delenn paused, "more human". Aleia smiled knowingly and Elly got up as well. "I think we can help you." Aleia said with a smile. Delenn had no idea so much was involved in human dressing, but according to Aleia, Elly and Susan, their could be a lot more. First, they instructed her to take a shower, and rub some gel they called 'shampoo' into her hair. Aleia found a dress she had made to sell at the store that might fit her, it was black with a low neckline and gold trim around the edges. Elly and Aleia had an argument over something called 'make up' but in the end Aleia won and they didn't use any. Susan did her hair, and Elly hunted for a necklace to go with the dress, finally settling on a copper medallion. Delenn had to admit, they had made her look very human, she might even like it. Delenn's date with Captain Sheridan went wonderfully, and Aleia was happy for them. She was busy preparing her own wedding. The details seemed to fall together toward the end, and during a quiet few weeks on the station, the command staff and the Holt-Stargate family prepared for a wedding of the most unusual sort. Susan and Elly had been getting Sofie dress for the past hour, and finally were able to turn their attention to the bride herself. Delenn had been helping Aleia from the start, and one couldn't say her labors had been fruitless. Aleia wore a white, medieval gown, with a high waistline. It was plain, unadorned white except for a double row of gold trim that ran parallel down the skirt. On the gold trim were 16 aquamarines sewn in. Susan had never seen a more beautiful dress, and Delenn had designed it herself. The bridesmaids, Susan, Delenn, Elly and Lyssa, had long sleeved gold dresses to compliment the bride beautifully. "Its custom," Susan began, "for the bride to have something old", here Aleia held up an aquamarine tear drop that had belonged to her mother, "something borrowed, and something blue." "I don't have anything blue or borrowed." Aleia stated. "Well, we do!" Elly said as she held up a gold clip and a blue garter. Aleia smiled at her sister, who handed her the garter and then fastened the clip so it held back a lock of Aleia's long hair. Tears pooled down the cheeks of the bride, as Delenn and Susan rushed to wipe them away. "You shouldn't be crying! Its the easiest thing you'll ever do!!!" Eleen exclaimed. Aleia's tears dissolved into laughter as she retorted; "Oh, and this from the girl who cried two hours before HER wedding." They had no more time, it was almost time for the ceremony to start, and Aleia didn't wish to be late. Gathering her skirts, Delenn, Susan and Elly, each in their matching purple gowns accompanied Aleia and Sofie to the lift. It was a strange set up, Sofie's mother was finally marrying her father, it was an odd notion. Kitty's flute preluded Aleia's entrance to the sanctuary, even as Lennier was beginning to believe he was going to have a nervous break down. "You'll be fine," John Sheridan, his best man assured him. Michael stood in the corner, glaring at the Minbari who was going to marry the woman he loved. Life wasn't very fair to some people, and Michael was one of them. Still, he put on a smile for Aleia as she entered the hall. Lennier gazed on her, and all his doubts and uncertainties fell away, and he knew that this was truly the calling for his heart. Aleia flashed a brave smile at him, her eyes bright with her love for him. Kitty began to play "The Old Rugged Cross" and soon, Alyssa and Janice, their voices carrying high, began to sing along with the flute, Soprano and Alto mixing together in a beautiful expression. Susan had thought it an odd song to play at a wedding, but Aleia had been adamant about it, saying it had been her mother's favorite hymn, and that it would make her feel like her mother was present. The two woman singing finished the chorus off with: "I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it someday for a crown..." as Sofie stopped dropping rose petals and moved to stand by Mary and Rose. The ceremony was a mingling of Christian, Minbari, Celtic and Irish traditions as only Aleia could have arranged. The whole thing left tears in the eyes of almost everyone, except for Michael. Oh, he was crying alright, but not for the same reason. He was loosing something he had held very dear to him, and for him this day would forever mark the silencing of dreams. He would never know when his heart broke into a million tiny pieces, so small he might never see some of them again, perhaps, it was when Aleia looked into her new husband's eyes and said; "I do." Aleia and Lennier had just finished dancing to the first song, and now the other couples were free to use the dance floor. John sat in his chair, near Garibaldi and Anakin, at the table Aleia affectionately referred to as the 'bachelors table". John watched Wes dancing with Delenn, whose lithe little body moved with grace he would have never expected. Near by, Stephen was whirling Elly about in flashes of color. "Why don't you go and dance with her?" Aleia asked from behind him. "Ah, I see, you can't have it that you got Stephen, Wes and Lennier married off, the rest of us must be as well. Aleia smiled, but in her eyes he saw it written plainly that she wasn't joking. Anakin got up to dance with Gerra, and Aleia walked away to dance with Lennier. The music pulled into a slow tune, one John recognized as the Blood Waltz, which was beautiful, despite its somber title. Delenn had just been escorted back to her seat, so he gathered his courage and walked over. "My I have this dance, Delenn?" he asked. "Why, of course Captain, I would love to." Delenn said as she rose and he took her hand. Time seemed to stand still as he and she found their rhythm and began to follow the steps John showed her. The heat of her body through the silk seemed so comfortable to his hand on her waist, that he was surprised by the feelings rushing through him. The spell was broken how ever, when he heard commotion behind him. Michael had stalked out into the middle of the floor and taken Aleia's hand, now whirling her about. He had interrupted the bride and groom! Things soon settled down, and they all began dancing again, but a clue had been laid, and one day, they would all look back and realize how obvious it was. Aleia brushed out her long hair, as Lennier looked about the room they would share as man and wife. It was odd to see his thing mixed amongst hers, but comforting all the same. His song crystal next to her statue of, what had she called it?, the Virgin Mary? A picture of his family next to a picture of hers. His things next to hers in the dresser. She finished and turned to him, her eyes bright with unshed tears. He gathered her up in his arms, and they, both new at love and all involved, shared themselves and finally came home. From: Becki H Blumer Subject: Fan Fiction Submission: On Winds of Time part 9 Date: Wed, 06 Jan 1999 22:24:03 +0000 Meredith D. Holt beckihblumer@fuse.net On Winds of Time- What was Warm, What is Cold Warnings: None "On Winds of Time" part 9, by Meredith D. Holt Hello, This is probably the last part of Chapter 2, because I am really eager to get to the third Chapter. Thank God for Snow days that get you off work! Anyway, thanks to Skyler Rose (Stephy's new name, she feels Stephy is to bland) Adam (no its not my fault) and Emily for their time in beta reading, and to the Artist formerly known as Carpet for her imput. Any questions, comments, or if you need parts 1-6 please feel free to email me at beckihblumer@fuse.net. Love Always, Meredith Legal disclaimer: Tomatoes are red, Lawsuits are blue, JMS owns all, ('cept Aleia, Wes, Elly, Sofie and the gang) Please DON'T Sue! Personal disclaimer; I have cabin fever, I'm also crazy any way, but this is really getting to me, so you've been warned!!!!! On Winds of Time by Meredith D. Holt beckihblumer@fuse.net Chapter 2: What Was Warm, What is Cold Part 9: Comes Death and Destruction (A Month after part 8) "Alllleeia!" a cry rang through the house. Aleia jolted up from bed, just as Lennier did. They quickly exchanged a look and then rushed to get their robes on. Aleia was the first one to the long room that the unmarried girls slept in. On the far right side, Starry lay in her bed, scrunched into a little ball with the sheets clutched in her fists. Mary, Lyssa, Kitty, Niki, Rose and Gerra were all up and gathered around her, their voices murmuring in confusion. Aleia knew what was happening, even as Elly and Stephen ran through the door. Stephen put in a call to med lab as Elly tried to calm the seventeen year-old soon to be mother. "Alright people!" Aleia said, taking charge, Mary, Kitty and the rest all looked up as Aleia began instructions: "Lyssa, I'm going to med lab with Elly and Stee, if Sofie wakes up and I'm not back, tell her where I went. Mary, if I'm not back by morning, please make breakfast. Gerra, make sure Anakin wakes up in time to leave with Kitty. Kitty, please tell him where I am and that I'll be back. Rose, take care of the store. Oh, and tell Wes and Jan what happened. Niki, please inform John and Susan that Starry is in labor." Aleia said, then rushed to find some clothes. She threw some on and was in the living room as soon as the med team came. She kissed her husband good-bye and ran out the door after Elly and Stephen. At 0300 hrs, October 24th 2259, after much labor and some difficulties, Star Klementine Busch gave birth to a 7 lbs. 8 ounce baby girl. She named her Anastacia Toddy. A few hours after Anastacia was born the command staff and the Holt-stargates dropped by to congratulate the mother. Wes, Janice, Kitty, Anakin and Susan were the first in. "Oh, she's adorable." cooed Janice as she rocked the small child with black hair and blue eyes. The baby's complexion was olive, just like her mother's, but it was her eyes that spoke of the father the child would never know. "You feeling alright?" Kitty asked Starry. "Yeah, I guess. It really idn't all that bad, after its over, I mean." Starry said as she laid back a bit. Everyone could tell she was tired, so no one stayed much longer. Aleia stayed with Starry all day, as the stream of visitors slowly came in. Delenn came by, to give a blessing to the baby, John suspiciously came five minutes after, as Delenn was ready to leave. Michael stopped by with a stuffed toy for the baby, one that resembled Daffy Duck, oddly enough. The rest of the family came by, and finally, Elly and Stephen were ready to have Starry moved back home. 2 weeks later, Starry was ready to go back to work as a dancer in the Dark Star. She had left it for two months and now felt that she was ready to re-enter that world. But Aleia made her promise not to sleep around anymore. Annie Stacie, as she came to be called, because Sofie could not properly pronounce Anastacia, was a bright child, who basked in the love of the entire family. Aleia allowed herself to believe that she might finally get a breather. The worst was yet to come. Susan came to them with the news one after noon in late November with the news. Aleia had just gotten home from the store, and Anakin was giving Sofie a bath. Elly and Stephen already knew the news which Susan carried, and were in med lab at work. Lennier was with Delenn, and probably also knew. "Yes?" Aleia asked as the door chime rang. "Its me, Susan. Aleia, its important." Susan said with urgency in her voice like Aleia had never heard. "Come." Aleia spoke and the door opened. Susan walked in and waited for the door to close. "What's wrong Susan? Is Lennier hurt?" "No." Susan said as she looked her friend straight in the eye. "Aleia, John just issued a quarantine on Babylon 5. The Markabs are all dying from some plague, and well, it might be contagious." Susan finished as tears streamed down her cheeks. 'Oh, God no." Aleia said softly and Susan embraced her friend. "I suggest that you get your family home and safe. The violence will start soon." Susan cautioned the other woman. "Yes, yes." Aleia said as she went to the closet and through on a cloak. She pulled the head down and yelled to Anakin: "Anakin! I have to go, watch Sofie 'till I get back!!!" Then she turned to Susan. "Thank you so much for telling me yourself, I know that this must be a very scary time." And with that the parted their separate ways, Susan back to the Captain's office, and Aleia to round up her family. Aleia and Lyssa led the rest of the group towards their quarters, when Aleia heard a cry from down the hall. Turning to Lyssa, she nodded for her to go on, and then turned down the hall toward the cry. A small Markab child was in the arms of its dead mother. Unafraid, Aleia bent down and dislodged it, cradling it close as if it were her own child. Cautiously, she headed toward where she had heard the Markabs were gathering for isolation. As she neared there, two Drosi and a Braquri stepped in her path. "Where do you go, human woman?" asked one of the Drosi. "That is none of your business." Aleia said bravely and moved to step around them. "Oh, but the child you hold in your arms is of the Markab, the people of death!" the Braquri commented harshly. Aleia felt a trickle of fear, but pushed it down. "LET ME PASS!" she said with command in her tone. "No, give us the child, then you may pass." said the other Drosi with authority and hatred. "NO!" Aleia said and moved to make a run, but one of them grabbed her. Then she heard a PPG fire up, it was Michael. "Let the girl go, NOW!" he told them with fire in his eyes. The Drosi moved, and Michael shot him. The two left exchanged glances, and let Aleia and the Markab baby go. Michael helped Aleia up off the ground. "Thanks," she said, dusting off her skirt with one hand and cradling the baby with another. "What are you doing out here, why aren't you home with Lennier?" Michael asked, an edge to his voice. "A. I haven't seen Lennier all day, and B. I was going home, but I heard this child crying and thought I should bring it to the isolation zone, since its mother is dead." Aleia told him coolly, and he knew he had offended her. "I'm sorry." he said as he walked along side her, on the way to the isolation zone. "It's all right," she began, but then, in the line for the isolation zone she saw Lennier, "Lennier, what are you doing here?" she asked as Michael handed the child to one of the female Markab. "Aleia, I am glad you are here," he said as he and Delenn stepped out of the line, "We are going to offer comfort to the sick." The look in his eyes told her that this was important to him, and made no move to argue, but tears welled up. Aleia knew that this could mean death for the man she loved. "I understand...." she started, but was then forced to choke back a sob. Lennier moved to enfold her in his embrace, rocking her slightly. "I promise to return." he told her softly as he buried his face in her long hair. She nodded and let him go, but as he left, he turned around to look back at her, and she began to cry... ------- Holt-stargate living room- 2263 Aleia smoothed Estara's black tuff of hair, life was so prescious. She had had 6 wonderful years with Lennier already, and four children to show for it. He and their eldest daughter, Cole, should be back soon. She thought back on all that had happened in 2259. Talia's personality death, Delenn and John's test from the inquisitor, the dinner's they had all shared, her wedding to Lennier. And Michael...she was happy for him now, he had bettered himself. Her gaze came to rest on Sofie...dearest Sofie. The child had more insight then anyone Aleia knew. She thought about the conversation they had had on New Year's Eve, 2259... ---------- Holt-stargate living room- New Year's Eve 2259 *What's your New Year's wish, Mere?* Sofie asked as she cuddled in her Mere's lap. Aleia stroked her hair as she replied; "I wish that next year be even better then this, and for the darkness to go away." she told her small daughter, who nodded knowingly. "And yours, Sofie?" * I want the darkness to go way, but I also want Aunt Susan to find some body that loves her, she's lonely.* Sofie informed her mother, in a small mind-voice. Aleia smiled down at her. She had a family, a great big, wonderful family. And God help them, they would make it through the next year. It was the end of the Earth year 2259, and 2260 loomed near, with new possibilities, hopes, dreams and fears, to be dashed, saved, and realized. The world can be a frightening place, but it isn't as frightening as it could be when you are surrounded by people who care. As Lennier came and joined Aleia and Sofie on the couch, they all took a moment for silence, to think on all that had come and gone, of friends they had lost, and ones they had gained. Life can be odd sometimes, frightening at others, but the wheel, and the cosmic balance knows where it is going. Aleia thought silently. And as the clock stoked midnight, and around the station cries of joy rang out from the many parties, and even in the depths of hyper space, shadow ships screamed, so no one but God heard the little reed voice ask; *Please bless Aunt Susan.* From: Becki H Blumer Subject: Fan Fiction Submission: On Winds of Time part 10 Date: Wed, 06 Jan 1999 22:25:58 +0000 Meredith D. Holt beckihblumer@fuse.net On Winds of Time- I am Become Death No Adult Warnings "On Winds of Time" part 10 by Meredith D. Holt Hi, I'm sorry this part has been longer in coming then I planned, but my internet service keeps crashing. Anyway, this begins the third chapter of the story, and thus, the third season of the series, so be prepared. Thanks to Adam and Skyler Rose for their beta reading services, and to Ms. Deye, my writing coach. Also a thank you to Ms. West for explaining to me what volume is. Any and all comments, or if you need parts 1-6 or even any part of this story that you missed, let me know and I'll send you the part you are missing. Email me at beckihblumer@fuse.net. I could use the feedback. Enough blab, everybody knows I talk to much. Love Always, Meredith Legal Disclaimer: Tomatoes are red, Lawsuits are blue, JMS owns all, ('cept Aleia, Wes, Elly, Sofie and the gang) Please DON'T Sue! Personal Disclaimer: Most of you know the drill by now, but if you don't here's the clue. I-AM-NUTS- On Winds of Time by Meredith D. Holt beckihblumer@fuse.net Chapter 3- I am Become Death Part 10- The Answer to a Prayer Dr. Stephen Franklin's new year was starting out rough. Of course, there were the usual 'Post-New year's Eve' cases; the drunks and such. But now a mysterious young man had arrived, nearly dead, and no one knew where he came from. Elly said he looked like Prince Charming, and Stephen had given her a playful whack, reminding her she was married. As he turned from examining the pin the young man had worn, he dropped it as he realized the young man was gone. Odd New year indeed. Lennier and Aleia hurried after Delenn with their news. "Delenn!" Aleia called out for her to stop. "Yes?" she asked as they caught up with her. "Delenn, a man is wishing to meet with you. He sent this." Lennier said as he revealed a Ranger Pin. Delenn gasped, and looked from the Minbari to the human girl and sighed. "But however are we to talk to him, and get the Captain to talk to him with out drawing attention?" She asked. They all seemed to think on this. "We would need something in conspicuous." Lennier stated on the matter. Aleia's eyes lit up. "That's it!" she cried, as the others looked at her, "I'll send Sofie." Delenn smiled, yes, that would work. "I'll arrange a meeting with the command staff," Delenn said, "Lennier, inform him that we are sending a liaison to show him where to come." "Yes, Delenn." the other two said simultaneously, then smiled. Delenn chuckled and walked off, and Aleia went to get Sofie. A young, dark haired English looking man, stood gazing around the customs area, looking for the liaison Delenn was sending. Inside, he was almost crying for poor Drozac, a very dear friend of his who had died getting him to this place. He was so wrapped up in his own thoughts that he didn't see a small dark haired child in a blue dress run up to him. He was startled when he felt some one tug on his pant leg. A pair of dark eyes looked up at him. He looked down at the child, and then looked up, wondering where her mother was. She tugged again, and a little hand reached into a pocket and brought out a pin. HIS pin. THIS was his liaison? The little girl reached for his hand with her small one, and he heard a tiny reed voice in his mind. *Yes, I am your li-ason. Mere and Delenn say I'm a big girl. Come with me please.* He looked at her, eyes wide. "Alright..." he said as she scampered on tiny legs toward the lift. *Answer to a prayer, my prayer. Already, geez, God is fast.* she was speaking, almost to herself, as if she had forgotten that since she was holding his hand that he could hear her. He wondered what she meant. "What do you mean?" he asked her. *You'll see, see soon. Geez, wait till Anakin hears bout this!* she was once more talking to herself. It was a weird feeling, the little girl's voice in his head. "Can you talk out loud?" he asked, feeling like he was talking to a Minbari, or a Vorlon. *No, Mere says voice is damaged. Elly can't fix, Stephen can't fix, no body can fix it. I can sign language." she said, as if hoping this was satisfactory. "Oh, I'm sorry, I don't know sign language." he apologized to the child, then asked; "What's your name?" *Sofie. Well, actually, its really Sophia Ivy Holt-Stargate, but everyone calls me Sofie, or Sofs.* she informed him as she skipped out the lift and down the hallway of Blue 1. *Almost there. What's yours?* "Marcus Cole." he said as they rounded a bend. Then they were there. He saw a woman who was obviously Delenn, and a sandy haired commanding man, who were talking with a brown haired woman in a long Minbari looking robe. Also in the room was a man in a gray security uniform and..... she startled him with her baby blue eyes that looked right through him. She had long, shiny brown hair and beautiful smile. Words from a song his brother used to like to sing came to his mind; "When I saw you, when I saw you, I could not breathe, I fell so deep...I'd never be the same..." *Aunt Susan!" Sofie's little mind voice interrupted his thoughts as the small girl ran and leaped into the arms of the woman. She smiled and patted the girls head, then set her down. The child scampered over to the woman in the robe and pulled her towards the other woman as Delenn and the man joined them to greet Marcus. "Ranger Marcus Cole, it is a pleasure to meet you." Delenn spoke as she gave a small bow, and he returned her with an deeper one. "The pleasure is all mine." he informed her. "This is Captain Sheridan," Delenn said and two men shook hands," Mr. Garibaldi, I believe you have met Sofie." Delenn began to go on, but Marcus interrupted. "Yes, I was a little surprised." he stated. "Well," the woman in the robe said, "She was the most inconspicuous person here." then she thrust her hand forward, "Aleia Holt-Stargate/Chudomo." Marcus shook her hand and Delenn interceded once more. "And this is Commander Ivonava." "A pleasure to meet you." Marcus said, bowing to the beautiful woman. "Uh, thanks." Ivonava said, as Aleia and Sofie took their leave. The introductions over, they were ready to get down to business. Sofie turned to look back as her mother led her out of the room. Anakin wasn't going to believe this. The answer to the prayer. It had been a rewarding day, saving the Rangers of the colony from the Shadows, and John had proven himself well. As they all returned though, they knew they could use dinner at Aleia's and some relaxation. Susan was almost ready to bolt there, all the way from the White Star. Anything to get away from Marcus. It wasn't that he was bad or disgusting or anything, but he made her feel...odd. Still, she used all her strength and stood with Delenn, and John informing Mr. Endowi as to why they were gone. Not the real reason of course, but it would cover. As Endowi left, Marcus emerged from the shadows, and John thanked him once more. "Hey, John," Michael interrupted, "Aleia called about ten minutes ago, she said whenever you are ready." "Thank God, I'm starved." John said, making a beeline for the door. "John," Delenn said, in somewhat reproachful tone, "Shall we reward this ranger?" Then she smiled, and he did as well. But Susan know what was coming and cringed. "Would you care to join us for dinner?" John asked of the Ranger, who looked a might surprised. "Uh, sure." he said, and Delenn took his hand, and for some odd reason, he took Susan's. Susan asked. Marcus sat on the couch, stuffed. Susan was siting before the game table, playing Stratigo with Anakin. Suddenly, Susan stood up and declared; "I win!" "Mere, she's the only one who can beat me!" Anakin complained, good naturally. Sofie stretched from where she was curled up on Lennier's lap, near John and Delenn on the couch. "Marcus, why don't you play Susan?" Wesly asked. "Yeah." Mary piped up, "Lets see how Marcus plays." "Sure, uh, why not?" he asked with a smile and moved to sit at the game table. Sofie got closer to watch. And some where, God had to be smiling down on the youngest matchmaker ever. Later that evening, Aleia sat up in bed, panting from another nightmare. This one had been of a man drugging her, and tearing off her clothes...she shut down her mind fast. They had been becoming more and more violent. She stared at the clock and the surface began to wobble. her mind screamed, but it was far too late. *She was lying on the deck of a strange ship, heavily pregnant. A guards boot connected with her back and she let out a withering scream...and in reply he hit her again, this time near the baby. "NOOOOOO!" she cried out, as she felt fierce pain, and then vomited, plunging into the nice, peaceful abyss....* Shaking her head and almost vomiting for real, Aleia surfaced. She couldn't take this anymore, the visions were no longer pleasant, not a one of them. Quietly, she tip toed over to the vanity, and slipped a glass key into the key hole of the bottom most drawer, then hit a wooden button at the bottom. A small compartment popped up and she reached inside. Pulling the bottle of Metazine, she sighed in relief and opened it, taking three or four pills from it. "Aleia?" Lennier asked, sitting up in the dark. She quickly shoved the medicine back in the drawer and locked it. "Yes, dear?" she said, trying to keep her voice calm, as she began to feel sleepy from the medicine. "Come to bed, darling." he said softly, and she did, curling up in his arms as the darkness crept in.... and she tumbled.... fell... deep hole... and into the peace full darkness... No more visions... No more nightmares... No more nothing.... At least, for a while............ From: "Becki H. Blumer" Subject: Fan Fiction Submission: On Winds of Time part 11 Date: Wed, 13 Jan 1999 19:48:56 +0000 Meredith D. Holt beckihblumer@fuse.net On Winds of Time: I am Become Death part 11 Warnings: None "On Winds of Time" by Meredith D. Holt Hello, These parts should start to come more regularly now. I'm almost done!!!!! (Wow. Ohhhs, and Ahhs from the crowd.) Anyway, if any one is interested in the sequel "Heart of Darkness, Heart of Stone", please let me know, I need encouragement people! Do my stories really suck that much??? Any and all comments, questions and votes to beckihblumer@fuse.net. Love Always, Meredith Legal Disclaimer: Tomatoes are red, Lawsuits are blue, JMS owns all, ('cept Aleia, Wes, Elly, Sofie and the gang) Please DON'T Sue! (The Song; Inside Out is by Eve 6) Personal Disclaimer: Most of you know the drill by now, but if you don't here's the clue. I-AM-NUTS- On Winds of Time by Meredith D. Holt beckihblumer@fuse.net Chapter 3- I am Become Death Part 11- Come off the Ledge Though Marcus seemed to fit in, an air of darkness seemed to have settled on the station, and even the galaxy itself. But there was danger brewing closer to home, right under everyone's noses. Its name? Night Watch. "Hey, Wes!" Kris called out from the bar in Earhearts. Wes had lots of friends in the Security, but Kris Coomer had never been one of them. He Started over, and noticed that she was sitting with Zak, a good friend of his, and some other people with the Nightwatch patch on. He cringed a bit, he didn't like that organization. Still he came over with his drink and sat down. Kris took one look at the glass and asked what it was. "Hey, what are you drinking?" "Root Beer." Wes said, cautiously. He didn't like Kris much. "Oh, are you sure you don't want a Martini, or will your sister mind?" Reggy asked pointedly. "I answer to no body but me." he answered just as pointedly. "Hey, hey, hold it." Lynn said, standing up to stop a fight. As soon as she sat, Justin asked; "Wes, I didn't see you at the Night Watch meeting." Wes sighed inwardly, he didn't like where this conversation was going. "That's 'cause I don't belong to Night Watch." he replied evenly. The others gave him puzzled looks. "Are you afraid to join, or something?" Lynn asked, raising her brows as if HE was a perp. "No, I just don't like organizations like that." Wes said, his temper boiling. "You should join, I mean, 50 credits extra, and I hear you need them." Zak pointed out. "We are doing very fine, thank you." Wes answered tightly, "Look, I've got better things to do then tear up the constitution. I have a wife, who happens to be both pregnant, and waiting for me. Bye." Wes got up, and, sort of accidentally knocked the Root Beer on Kris and Reggie, and walked off as they turned angry eyes at his departing form. , the walls whispered, Aleia took a day off of the store to get some house work done, but the visions were pushing at her skull, hurting her brain. Sofie was down for a nap, and it would have been so easy to go in and get the Metazine. But she had promised herself it was only an emergency thing. So, she turned up the music louder, as the vocalist sang; I'd swallow my pride, I would choke on the rines, But the lack there of would leave empty inside, I would take my doubt, Turn it inside out, Find'n nothing but faith in noth'n, Wana put my tender, heart in a blender, watch it spin round into a beautiful oblivion. Finishing dusting, Aleia knew that she had find a way to channel her energy and the visions. Taking the drawing pad out of the coffee table drawer, along with some pastels, she flipped to an empty pad and broke the dam. *Lise screamed, and fell, falling into a pool of her own blood....the Psi Cop, the black necklace in Talia's hand.....* On the page where she was drawing, a picture of a black heart on a golden chain, laying against a gray deck came to form. *A dark cave, a black bowl with smooth stones in it. A red head girl picked them out, she too wore the necklace....* A picture of the girl appeared on the page. *An oriental woman, in a ranger uniform, disappearing, until she was noting but mist in the garden...* A rose on the ground. The agony and pain forced Aleia to drop the purple pastel she held, and it fell it the couch, its dust billowing a bit. Eleen May Holt-stargate Franklin had never been so scared in her life. She was in the restroom at Earhearts, and in a brown bag she held the test. She had become suspicious when she had started having mysterious mood swings and had begun gaining weight like crazy. It had been going on for the past four months, and now she had a suspicion. She sucked in a breath and entered the stall. She opened the bag and drew out an instrument of fate..... It was positive. Oh, God in heaven, it was positive. She felt like crying for joy. A baby. She wanted to rush to tell Stephen right away, but she was going to do Ultra Sound first. Med lab 4 would be basically be empty right now if she went. Hurrying, she got there in what she thought must be record time. Quickly, she set up the equipment and set the chair close so she could see better. The bluish picture appeared on the screen and she looked closely. There were two fetuses! The one closest was a girl....and so was the one in the back! She let out a happy sigh and heard a sound. Quickly, she flipped off the machine and turned. Stephen stood in the door way, leaning up against the door jam, with his arms crossed. "Would you mind explaining yourself, Dr. Holt-stargate?" he asked, brows raised, half joking, half serious. She looked straight into those dark, bottomless eyes she loved so much as she got up. Walking over to him, she slowly put her arms around his neck, and whispered in his ear; "I'm pregnant." He jerked back and looked at her, in surprise, then joy. "Pregnant?" he echoed, sounding kind of stupid. "Yes, with twins." she smiled at him. "Twins?!" he asked, his excitement growing. "Yes, Stephen, twins, both girls. I just did an Ultra Sound, now stop echoing me!" Stephen just whooped and swung her up into his arms, swinging her around the room. She laughed, and he hugged her close. "I'm gonna be a daddy!" he yelled. Aleia knew know it was too much, she was spiraling into the pain and she couldn't take it. She barely made it to the drawer, and pulled out the Metazine. *Mere, what are you doing?* Sofie stood in the door way, her big brown eyes questioning. "Oh, baby, Mere has to fix her visions so they won't hurt, this helps." Aleia said, softly as Sofie neared. *Oh, will you be okay?* Sofie asked as she hugged her Mere's leg. Aleia patted her head. "Sure, doll. But, lets not tell Pere or Anakin, okay? It will be our little secret." she suggested. Sofie seemed to hesitate a bit, but nodded, and Aleia sent her back to bed. She took two pills and curled up and on the bed, spiraling down to safety once more. Sofie came back in, and crawled in next to her mother. she prayed. The next few days were like a calm before a storm, everything seemed right as rain, but deep underneath, a storm was boiling, and it would take everyone's strength to stop it. But there was a lot wrong, aside from the larger issues. Something had to give, Something would. From: beckihblumer Subject: Fan Fiction Submission: On the Winds of Time part 12 Date: Mon, 18 Jan 1999 19:32:49 +0000 Meredith D. Holt beckihblumer@fuse.net On Winds of Time; I am Become Death Adult Warnings; Some smuching of the totally adultrious sort, some drugs "On Winds of Time" part 12 by Meredith D. Holt Yellow, Here's the next part of my on going story, which is set in an Alternate Universe, but not so alternate as to scare any body. If you haven't read the other eleven parts, don't hesitate to email me for them, I'll send them to you ASAP. Any questions or comments to beckihblumer@fuse.net. Love Always, Meredith. Legal Disclaimer: Everyone that you would regularly recognize as belonging in the Regular B5, belongs to the all powerful JMS. Any one else is mine, not that I wouldn't be open to JMS borrowing them. Personal Disclaimer; I am, by definition, a Hopeless, Irish Romantic, with an appetite for Chaos, spreading oddity for the hell of it. Hey, I'm snowed in, I've got nothing better to do. On Winds of Time by Meredith D. Holt beckihblumer@fuse.net Chapter 3- I am Become Death Part 12- Confession Day With the chaos that was beginning to reign on Earth after President Clark declared Marshal Law, Babylon 5 become the center of the Army of Light's efforts. John knew that it would only be a few more days until Clark sent the orders to Babylon 5, and he had very little time to move. Delenn had gone back to Minbar, to get some things out of the way, and he was feeling very much alone, especially since he was feeling like he was being watched. And he was, he very much was. Michael straightened his uniform as he always did, as he rang the door chime to the Holt-stargate apartment. He rang three times, no answer. He had a key, but he didn't like to use it, still he had a very bad feeling about this, so he shoved the card in the slot and the door slid open. He looked around a bit, no one was there. That fact didn't surprise him, he knew that Lyssa and Jan had take the kids to the garden, and everyone else was at work, but Aleia was supposed to be here. His gaze fell on the sofa. There she was, her thin form laying limp, covered only by the skimpy night gown she wore. Worried, Michael dashed over and checked her pulse, it was slower then it should be. "Aleia," he spoke softly in her ear. She moaned, but didn't move. "Aleia come on, ALEIA!" Michael was frantic now, shaking her body. Its Confession day, baby, baby.... She moaned, but she still lay there, like an abandoned rag doll. Finally, she opened her glassy eyes, and Michael knew something was really wrong. "Oh, Lennier...." she said, her speech was soft. He helped her up, and she leaned up against him, like he was the only link she had to the world. I know you haven't been all there, The feel of her body underneath the satin was intoxicating, as Michael supported her. Aleia wrapped her arms around Michael's neck, in a fetal attempt at standing, but her legs refused to support her body, and she collapsed against him. As she did this, Michael got a look at her body, and realized that she was bone thin. She raised her glassy eyes to look at him, and he knew that she was dying. Its confession day, Lover lady..... "Lennier, please..." she thought that he was her husband. His hold on her tightened as he tried to get her to the bed room. "Lennier....." she spoke again, she was weeping now. "Make it stop, make it, stop, stop." Finally, he got her into the bed, and laid her down with a gentle hand. Pulling up the covers around her, he made a move to go call med lab. There couldn't be much time, he had never seen Aleia like this. As he got up, her feeble hand reached up to stroke his face. He stooped where he was, the sensation running like an electric charge. What's wrong, love, you know I still care.... She raised her lips expectantly, an inch or so from his, and he connected them, for some reason he would never know. It was brief, she barely had the strength to move, but left his lips tingling as she collapsed back onto the bed. "Shit." he cried as he ran for the console. Stephen answered, his dark eyes looking frazzled. "Yes, Mr. Garibaldi?" he sounded rather annoyed. "Stephen, oh, god in heaven. Aleia is dying, there's something really wrong with her. She's thin as a bone, and she can't stand up, and her eyes are glazed over!" Michael cried out. Stephen's expression immediately changed. "I need a med team stat!" he yelled into med lab. "Where are you?" he asked. "I'm in Aleia's apartment, hurry!" Michael practically screamed at the doctor. "Be right there.." Stephen said as he terminated the link. Michael waited, fear in his heart and Aleia's misplaced kiss still on his lips. You hold my heart, Elly and Stephen ran with the med team to Aleia's apartment. Elly had tears rolling down her cheeks as she opened the door. Michael moved aside so they could get into the bedroom. "My God, what has she been taking!?" Stephen yelled. "Taking?" Elly asked as she and her husband carried Aleia to the stretcher, "Nothing that I know of." The med team wheeled Aleia to med lab as quick as they could, and hooked her up to a massive tangle of wires. Michael left a message for Alyssa, and went to med lab. He felt as if he should be with Aleia. In your dying hands, Lover Lady.... Around twenty minutes after Aleia had been taken to med lab, some one located Lennier and informed him of his wife's condition. Alyssa, Janice, Anakin and Sofie were already there, standing outside of the isolab. Sofie had tears running down her cheeks, as well as the tears that dripped on her hair from Anakin's eyes. He held his baby sister tight, worrying for his beloved mother as he rocked Sofie. "Anakin, in Valen's name....what happened?!" Lennier shouted as he ran into med lab like a bat out of hell. "She's been, Lennier..." Anakin began, but he choked on his tears and Janice had to explain. "Lennier, she's been taking metazine..it almost killed her. Mickey found her, and she was almost dead from it. Had he been twenty minutes late, she'd have been dead." Janice said, her dish water blonde hair hanging over her face. "In Valen's name....why would she.." Lennier began to ask, but then he remembered her visions, and how she used to faint from them. Aleia had said that they'd been getting better..... Lennier's thoughts were interrupted by the entrance of Elly and Stephen. Please don't die, My Lover Lady,.... "Lennier," Elly began, even as she gave him a hug. "Will she live?" he asked, tears rolling down his cheeks and dowsing Elly's hair. "Yes, Lennier, she will. In a few days, she should be well enough to be let out of med lab. "Oh, thank Valen!" Lennier rejoiced. "Can I see her?" "Of course." Confession Blues, baby, baby.... Lennier entered the door and took a seat next to where his wife lay amidst the tangle of wires. He took Aleia hand, stroking the soft palm, and she stirred. "Hi.." she smiled weakly, like a child that has broken the cookie jar. "Hi. How are you feeling?" he asked her. She reached a hand up to stroke his cheek. "A bit tired, but sort of fine." "Don't ever do that to me again, if you died, I'd die too." Lennier told her, the sincerity in his eyes unmistakable. "I promise." She said softly. Her eyes darted to the door, as they both heard a sound. There in the door way stood Michael, his eyes soft when they looked on Aleia, but hard as steel when he noticed Lennier. "Oh, well if it isn't the man who almost got our Ally killed." he sneered. Confession blues...Lover Lady.. "Michael..." Aleia started, but his tone was like a knife through her words. "No, Aleia, I'm not going to let you defend him." Michael sauntered over to tower above Lennier. "I don't se how you can say that its my fault. She made a mistake with the Metazine." Lennier shook his head. "Don't you see. Didn't you notice that something was wrong? That she was acting funny?" the heat of Michael's anger washed over the room. "Michael, I hid it. You know I'm good at it. Just leave it be. I have you to thank for saving me, don't ruin your hero's party. Please?" she begged him with eyes and voice. Michael sighed and hug his head. Would she ever understand how much he loved her? Its confession day, baby, baby, I know you haven't been all there, Its confession day, Lover lady, What's wrong baby, you know I still care, Lover Lady, Baby, baby Confession blues, Lover lady, turn my world upside down, its confession day, baby, I'm not sure if I'm still on the ground, Lover Lady, Baby, baby. Confession Time, baby, baby, You hold my heart, In your dying hands, Lover lady, Your pain is tearing me apart, Please don't die, baby, My Lover Lady. Aleia slept in med lab, and Lennier held her hand. Sofie and Anakin stood watch over their beloved Mere, and some where, Sofie could have swore she heard the voice of a small woman with short brown hair saying. "Sarah took such good care of him, such good care of my baby." From: Becki H Blumer Subject: Fan Fiction Submission: On Winds of Time Date: Wed, 20 Jan 1999 19:47:17 +0000 Meredith D. holt beckihblumer@fuse.net On Winds of Time Warning: none "On Winds of Time" part 13 by Meredith D. Holt Yo Peoples, Hi! This is the next installment of my on going story, there will probably be at least two more parts to this chapter, and then two more chapters after that. I'm looking forward to finishing my saga, I've been writing it since September. Any who, thanks to my cousin Justin, and to Grant, for coming and visiting me. And to Adam, my inspiration and hope and to Skyler, my cohort and partner in crime. Any questions, comments, or if you need any of the previous parts of this story, email me at beckihblumer@fuse.net. Love Always, Meredith Legal Disclaimer: If it isn't nailed down, on fire, poisonous and or mentally destructive, it belongs to JMS (translation: everyone 'cept Aleia, Elly, Wes, Anakin, Sofie and the gang, as well as Ariana.) Personal Disclaimer: I am WEIRD On Winds of Time by Meredith D. Holt beckihblumer@fuse.net Chapter 3- I am Become Death Part 13- When It All Hits the Fan Section 1- All Life is a Dream Section 2- The Death of a Blossom, the Birth of Pain Section 1- All Life is a Dream Soft, bare feet felt the cool sensation of the stage, muscles stretched as kicked her leg seductively high. The deep blue silk, embroidered with soft black velvet touched her body in a very few places as the slow, erotic music flowed out from the band and onto the crowd in front of her. Star Busch loved to dance, this she knew as the little hand symbols in between her fingers clanged together in perfect time with the sway of her hips. No matter what happened, she would always love to do this, to drain her emotions out into the crowd through the movements of her body. This was what she had missed during her pregnancy with Annie Stacie, the sense of freedom. She finished her number and walked off stage to where Gerra sat, cradling a sleeping Annie Stacie in her arms. "Hey, Starry." Gerra whispered over the sleeping baby. Starry smiled at her younger cohort. Gerra was a nice kid, two years younger then nineteen year old Starry. As a dancer, Gerra was very good, but she had a tendency of going to far and making the guys want to bite. It wasn't a good idea to do that, Starry had learned that first hand, she had Annie Stacie to show for it. "Starry!" called a dark skinned human girl from the other side of the back stage area. "Hey, Sky." Starry said, taking in the costume the girl was wearing. "What do you think?" Sky asked. "I don know. It looks good, das all that matter." Starry said and helped Sky adjust her skirt. When she finished, Gerra handed her Annie Stacie, and Starry headed off towards the gardens with her daughter. Anakin slipped into the back entrance of the 'Dark Star' dance bar. On stage, he could see Sky dancing to a heated tune. He took a seat towards the front, it wasn't like he needed to hide, he was sixteen, after all. He watched Sky for a second, not really interested, and then he watched a tall black haired boy slip in beside him. "Hey, Anakin." he said as he took a sip of the martini he'd brought with him. "Hi, Bobby." Anakin turned his attention towards the owner's son. He and Bobby were pretty good friends, even though Bobby never understood Anakin's devotion to his Mere. Anakin knew sometimes understanding wasn't nessecary, espeacially since Anakin would never understand Bobby's love for the bottle. "Did you get it?" Anakin asked. "Sure thing, Kin, you know me." Bobby was a born smooth talked. "Yeah, I paid you a hell of a lot more then I should have." "Hey, what's five credits extra?" Bobby looked offended. "Another weeks allowance, you should have done it for free." Anakin pouted. "And miss a good chance to buy a good bottle of Centari Brivari?" "Yeah. Any way, can I see it?" "Sure thing." Bobby pulled out a small, black velvet box, and slid it towards his partner. Anakin took it and opened the lid. Inside was twisted silver ring with a small ruby set in it. "Great. Thanks, Bobby." he said, still looking at the ring. "Hey, don mention it." Bobby waved it off. Anakin had asked him to go buy the ring from his Mere's store, and Bobby had a feeling why Anakin didn't want her to know who was buying it. "So, is it for that Centari Chick?" "Maybe." "Oh comon, Kin, you know me. I won't tell, sides, she isn't too fond of me." "Yeah, I'd say that if she decked you off the stage, she isn't exactly friendly." Anakin muttered. He was about to say something, but Sky scammpered off stage, and a pair of shapely tan legs walked out on stage, not to say that the rest of her body wasn't nice. "Hey..." Bobby started. "Shh, shh...this is what I've been waiting for!" Anakin said. The band struck up on a slow, rhythmic piece, and Gerra devested herself of the thin coat she wore, revealing a skimpy, red gown. It was cut open in places, so you could see things like her shoulders, belly. The neckline practically revealed her lumnious breasts. Bobby watched the practically hypnotized Anakin, the boy had definatly fallen a few feet, if not a mile. "See ya, Kin." Bobby said and stalked off. "Are you sure you feel up to this, Aleia?" Michael asked for the fourty fifth time, but then, who was counting. "Yes, Michael, I-AM-FINE." Aleia said with exagerated patience. She didn't really feel as fine as she said she did, but it was okay. She HAD to be there to meet Ariana. Ariana St. Peters had been her best friend on Mars, working in the same department as Aleia had when she worked at the Mc Sally's deparment store. "So, how far do you and Ariana go back?" Michael intruded in her thoughts. "Oh, pretty far. I met her when I worked on Mars, she always loved to play with Anakin when she was on break." Aleia commented as they finally made it to the customs area, just as the transport 'Echo' docked. They stod there for a minute, less then compainionable silence stretching between them. A group of passengers were filing their way through customs, and amoung them was a woman with a thick, lacy veil over her face. Aleia recognized her immediatly. "Ariana!" The butterfly-like figure dashed over and was soon hugging Aleia as they both shrieked. Ariana pulled her veil back to reveal her stunning, delicate features. She had snowy skin, and deep black hair for a contrast, in fact, she looked oriental. That is, except for her eyes, which were a bright blue. "Aleia, it is SO good to see you again!" Ariana said. She had a bright smile to show for it. "You to, Ari!" Aleia said, they hugged again, and Michael cleared his throat. "Opps." aleia said, blushing. "Ariana, this is Michael Garibaldi, the Security Cheif for Babylon 5. Mickey, this is Ariana St. Peters, my oldest friend." "Its a pleasure to meet you, Michael." Ariana said. Her eyes were bright. "Pleasures all mine, Ari." Michael said, smiling. Ariana was beuatiful, that was for sure. "So, Ally, where's Anakin, I haven't seen him in forever?" Ariana asked as they began to walk back to the Holt-stargate's. "Actually, I have no idea. Kitty says he asked for the day off, and I assume he is in the garden's or something." Aleia laughed, but she knew where Anakin really was. Gerra finished her exotic dance, and the Dark Star was getting ready to close up for the slow time between Lunch and evening. Anakin practically ran up to the stage. Gerra swung her legs over the egde and sat. "Hey, Gerra." Anakin said with a smile. Gerra smiled back, suddenly very aware of the heat of the room. "Hi, Anakin. How'd I do?" she asked, his opinion was very important to her. "Great as always." Anakin asurred her, helping the Centari girl off the stage. "Hey, you wanna go some place for lunch?" "Sure, where?" "Oh, I'm thinking that Deli spot." "So, Michael, you doing anything tonight?" Ariana asked, while Aleia went to get the tea. "I was about to ask you that." Michael said softly, he was very, very aware of Ariana's small form clothed in the sparkling blue dress. "You want have dinner with me, tonight, at the Fresh Aire?" "Sure, love to." Doesn't love have a funny way of sneaking up on you? Or maybe, fate for that matter. The taste of sweet Centari Spoo in her mouth was welcome, she hadn't had it in SO long. But more then that, it was the small presure of Anakin's body against hers as they both leaned against the wall. They sat on the cross walk, high above the Zocolo, eating spoo and laughing like the teens they were. "Thanks so much Anakin." Gerra said softly. "For what?" "For treating me like a person, I mean, more then that." she said, averting her eyes. When she did this, Anakin slipped something on her finger. It was a small silver ring, with a tiny ruby in it. "I'm going to marry you some day, Gerra Desidi." Michael walked to Ariana's quarters almost in a state of an epilectic seazure. He wasn't all that sure of how he felt about Ariana, and he was very sure about how he felt towards Aleia. It felt almost as if he was betraying her, even if he knew that she didn't want him. Straightening his uniform, he rang the door bell. It took a minute, but the door swung open to reveal Ariana, her ebony hair cascading down, gracing the aquamarine gown she wore. Michael sucked in a breath. "Wow, you look great." he said, she smiled and took his arm, and they headed towards the lift. From: Becki H Blumer Subject: Fan Fiction Submission: On Winds of Time, part 13 sections 2-3 Date: Sun, 31 Jan 1999 19:49:52 +0000 Meredith D. Holt beckihblumer@fuse.net On Winds of Time Adult Warnings: Some Violence. "On Winds of Time" part 13: Sections 2-3 By Meredith D. Holt Hello, I know I haven't sent one of these in a while, but I got this huge writers block that wouldn't lift. I finally got it to go away, and this thing came out. This is a five or six hanky story, if you like Janice, Wes, or their unborn child, I would warn you to keep the hankies close by. Not to say that they die, or anything. Any way, thanks to Adam (DUH!) Skyler (DUH to the 5th power) and to Selena Phantoms and Hailey Elaine Cox, good friends of mine who came up this really weird way to get rid of my writers block, but at least it worked. Any and all Comments, Questions, and anything else to beckihblumer@fuse.net, and visit my Babylon 5 Fan fiction Bus Stop at http://expage.com/page/meredithb5. Love Always, Meredith D. Holt Legal Disclaimer: Part of the song; Fumbling Towards Ecstasy that is featured here is by Sara Mclaclan. Otherwise, if it isn't dying or on fire, it belongs to JMS. In other words, that's everything but the idea itself, and Aleia, Wes, Elly and the gang. Personal Disclaimer: I was not in a good mood when I wrote this. But then, I'm chaotic anyway. One Winds of Time by Meredith D. Holt beckihblumer@fuse.net Section 2- The Death of a Blossom, the Birth of Pain. John Sheridan sat in his office, as his fax machine blinked and began to print something. John knew what it was, it was the judge and jury of the entire station, and the key to the future, the mistakes of the past. Damn. Damn. Damn. We hold the world in the palm of our hands, and it only takes one man to make a star turn cold and die. John picked up the paper, and looked at it with disgust. Tapping his link, he bent to speak into it. "Sheridan to Ivonava." "Ivonava here" "Susan, we have a problem......." Michael Garibaldi's link beeped even as he lifted the fork full of pasta to his mouth. With an apologetic smile for Ariana, he put the fork back down and answered it. "Garibaldi, what?" he asked, peeved. In the next few moments, his anger would drain from his body as the Novocain news came through the link. "Michael, damn. 'President' Clark just order Marshal law on Babylon 5, and he's ordered fire on the senate building. I need you up here, NOW!" John ordered. Michael was already up from the table. "Go to Aleia's quarters, Ariana, and don't leave, things are gonna get ugly out there." he advised her. Ariana nodded mutely. John, Michael, Susan, Eleen and Stephen stood before the A.I. screen listening to the instructions General Smits was giving them. John protested several times, but Smits only advice was to 'file it deep down where no one will find it' and 'respect the chain of command'. Eleen found no comfort in those words. Her hand uncosciencely went to her swollen abdomen in fear for the children dreaming inside. Stephen looked nervous, and as usual, Susan's expression was unreadable. The last was a bomb shell. "The President has put all Alien Security in the hands of Nightwatch." "The President has put all Alien Security in the hands of Nightwatch." Wes heard the Earth/Nightwatch liaison, Robert, inform the petty officers that had sold their souls for a stupid piece of fabric. He was hiding behind a console, listening to the supposed 'pep talk' from the power hungry Robert Nickson. Personally, Wes had heard better pep talks from his 4th grade teacher, who had been a manic depressive. "This is what we've been waiting for.." Robert continued. Wes thought. "A chance to serve the needs of Earth as only we can do." Robert went on to outline the things they had to do, and the people they need to 'catch'. "It is important that we arrest Ms. Holt-stargate, and Ambassador Delenn. Both of them are threats to Earth/Mimbari security. When Wes heard this, he gasped and fell forward, and the whole room full of traitors looked on him in astonishment. even as Robert was shouting orders to restrain him, Wes was running out the door and down the hall. He had to get a hold of Aleia and Delenn. And JANICE. Especially now. He ran down the hall at an alarming speed, pushing past the eclectic pedestrians as he made a move for the lift. Behind him, Kris, Justin, Lynn and Frank were chasing him, their PPG's ricocheting off the walls. He made it into the lift just in time. As the lift began to move, he input a security over ride procedure and entered Aleia's Cell phone number in his link. Aleia was at the store, tabulating the day's income with Rose. Sofie was playing on the floor when she looked up and informed her mother in a loud mind-voice: *Mere! There's lots a noisy! There lots a people out there, and they're scared!* Aleia looked outside. Chaos and commotion where prevailing in the Zocolo. She was about to go outside and see what was going on but her cell phone rang. She turned it on: "Yes?" she asked. "Ally, its Wes. The President has declared Marshal law on station and Nightwatch is taking over! They're coming to arrest you and Delenn! You need to get outa there and get home! HURRY!" Wes's panicking voice came over the phone, and Aleia could hear shouts and PPG shots. "Wes? What happened!?" She asked, fear rising in her own voice. "The Nightwatchies caught me, they're chasing me right now! Just never mind, get Janice and Delenn and GO!" Wes's panic was all Aleia needed to motivate her. "Thanks Wes. Live Free! I love you little bro." She told him. "Love you too, Big Sissy." Wes told her softly and he broke the contact. Aleia shoved the phone in her pocket and grabbed Sofie. "Rose! Close up the store, and hide in the back room. Don't come out until I call you!" Aleia ordered the confused red-head as she ran out the door, searching frantically for Janice or Delenn among the rioting crowd, and trying to keep an eye out for security at the same time. Then she saw a flash of pink and green robes near of the shops. Aleia ran towards it in a hurry. Sofie clung tight to her, gripping her hands in the soft silk of her Mere's gown. "Delenn!" Aleia hissed as she got closer. She saw the frightened face of the half human half Mimbari ambassador. "Aleia. Earth has..." Delenn trailed off as Aleia grabbed her hand. "I know, I know. Security has a warrant out for our arrest. We have to get out of here." Aleia and Delenn ran through the crowds, pushing and shoving, even as Sofie started balling in terror. Wesly Holt-stargate could remember only one time when he had even been as frightened as this. He had been nine years old at the time, the spring before he and Aleia disappeared. The bullies of the school play ground and had decided that they didn't like him, and cornered him at the top of a six foot high tower on the jungle jim. With five boys with big fists on one side and walls on all other three, the only way out had been to jump over the side. It had been very scary falling, and he had broken his leg in the process. This was worse. His leg wasn't the only part in danger, his whole life was, and as he crashed down the hall of red nineteen, his own heart was pound in his chest like a run away train. He vaulted around corners, and PPG blasts, trying to find some sort of safe haven...... Delenn was clearing people in front of Aleia so she and Sofie could get through. Kris, from across the Zocolo, saw the butterfly-like colors of Delenn and Aleia's robes, and moved forward, shock stick in hand. Just then, some one else called out to Aleia. "Ally!" Aleia turned her head to see Janice and Alyssa moving towards them as fast as they could considering the crowd. Janice had her hands over her enlarged belly, as if to protect the child with in as she and her sister moved toward Aleia and Delenn. And Kris did the same. Wes figured it would be easier to loose his pursuers if he was in the Zocolo, so he ran in and headed for Aleia's store. It was already closed, so he pounded on the door. No answer, so he used his code, and locked the door behind him. In the darkened, shadow strew store, he heard the sound of sniffles. As he went into the back room, and there was Rose, curled up and looking much like a frightened child afraid of monsters. Not entirely unreasonable, mind you. "Rosy?" he called into the grayness of the room. "Oh, Wes, I'm so glad to see you.." rose choked, and she and Wes huddled in the corner of the darkened store, and they prayed. Michael stalked down the hall from where he had just caused a scene in Security Central. It had been a systematic execution of trust and he was angry as hell. Then, as he rounded the corner, he saw a bunch of his officers, standing together. There were only about ten of them. "Chief!" Becky called out to him. She turned frightened brown eyes on him. "Becky, Yetes, Ida, Adam, Roy? What's going on?" he asked. "We didn't want to join, Chief. We're loyal to you." Ida told him with sincerity. Michael nodded, relieved. But soon, all relief left him. "Chief! They've got an arrest order out for Wes and his sister, and Ambassador Delenn." Roy informed Michael. His eyes widened. "Why!?" "Wes was caught eves dropping on the Nightwatch meeting, and well, you know about his sister and the Ambassador." Adam said. "Damn, I have find them." Michael began to leave. "No, Chief." Adam said, "The Captain is going to need you, Becky and I will go after them." the voice of reason poured from the boy's mouth. Michael nodded slowly and went to find the Captain. Becky and Adam dashed off for the Zocolo. They got there just in time to watch Kris approach Aleia and the Ambassador. "Ambassador!" Becky yelled. Too late. Kris had raised the shock stick at Aleia, who, holding Sofie tried to move the small screaming child out of the way. Delenn tried to move between the offending item and Sofie, but instead, it only served to mess up Kris' aim and she hit the heavily pregnant Janice instead. Screaming a cry filled with blood, like a hunted animal that falls to the ground in the silence of the forest, Janice fell, and Sofie, even in the state of hysteria she had buried her mind in, felt something snap. Filled with sudden rage, Adam shot forward and grabbed Kris by the collar, dropping her like a used rag doll to the hard gray deck. Alyssa was bent by her sister, trying to get her to move. "Come on, the Chief sent us to get you to your quarters!" Becky yelled at Aleia. Adam picked Janice up with little effort and they rushed toward Aleia's apartments. As they neared, Aleia heard distinctive sobs, and then realized she recognized the accent. It was Gerra. "Get them home!" she order Adam as she ran towards the sounds of Gerra's sobs. There the Centari girl was, her body hunched over the form of a young man.....ANAKIN. Aleia choked back a sob. "Oh, God no!" she screamed and ran to Gerra. "What happened?" Aleia asked as, with impossible strength that came from God only knows where, she lifted the body of her son and she and Gerra ran for home. "Some Nightwatchie came, and he said that I was, alien and bad. he tried to hurt me, and Anakin stopped him, but....he...got.." Gerra couldn't go on, weeping so she was. Michael and John left Zak's quarters knowing that they just might be able to win this. "I need you to put together a team of people you can trust, so we can beat this thing." John told him. Michael nodded. "You know who's gonna be at the top of my list." Michael told him. John just nodded and stalked off. Now all Garibaldi had to do was FIND Wesly G. Holt-Stargate. But he had a feeling as to where the young man would be. Aleia and Gerra put Anakin down on his bed in the back room, and Aleia rushed off to get some cloths to wipe him off with, a long with the first aid kit. Becky stayed with Gerra by Anakin's side, and Adam went to help Alyssa and Delenn with Janice. As quickly as possible, and a lot quicker thanks to all those nights helping Elly study for her medical exams, Aleia deduced that Anakin would be pretty much be fine, and started to rush off to help Janice. But then she turned and knelt by the bed, and whispered in the ear of the boy who called her Mere. "Come on, Logan, you can make it. You can do it." she told him. Aleia got up, and noticed that Gerra was merely starring down, twisting a silver ring on her finger. "Tell me he isn't going to die, Ally, please?" Gerra's accented voice pleaded with her fiancee's mother. "He will live, Gerra." Aleia told her. Then she swung her focus to the ring on Gerra's finger. She took the Centari girls hand and examined the ring. "He proposed to you, didn't he?" It wasn't as much a question as a statement. "Uhuh." Gerra said softly, eyes down cast in near fear. "Gerra, raise your eyes." Aleia admonished, "I would be proud to have you as my daughter in-law." She smiled and Gerra smiled back. Giving the girl a quick hug, Aleia ran off to help her sister-in-law. Wes heard the A.I. go on in the outer area of the store and then heard the voice of Michael Garibaldi. "Wesly, if you're there, I need you to get on up here to the Captain's office. Hurry." the Chief sounded worried, so, grabbing Rose's hand, Wesly unlocked the door and ran out into the Zocolo. Aleia shook the shoulders of her five year old daughter gently, then with more force. The child was still hysterical, and understandably so, for a telepath, especially one as strong as Sofie, nothing was worse then the noisy of a thousand angry minds, let alone the quarter of a million that were on Babylon 5. *COME ON SOFIE!" Aleia said as well as mind-spoke. Finally, the child stopped bawling and turned red-rimmed dark eyes on her mother. *Mere. My head hurts.* Sofie said with a tiny mind voice. Aleia nursed it as she might a little flame, taking on some of the little girl's pain herself. "I know, baby, I know. But this is important, for you Uncle Wes and Aunt Jan. We need you to see what is wrong with Janice." Aleia said softly. Sofie nodded mutely and scampered over to where Delenn was holding a cold cloth to Janice's forehead. Sofie climbed up on the bed and knelt near the woman who often helped her clean up and get ready for bed. She placed her small hands on Janice's bulging abdomen and closed her eyes. Then Janice screamed. *Baby comes. Mere, baby comes.* Sofie spoke, but then she closed her eyes and began to weep, laying her ear to Jan's convulsing tummy, and tears soaked into the fabric of Jan's dress. "What's wrong, Sofie/" Delenn asked, as the truth soaked into Aleia's mind. "No..." Aleia said and sat down to steady herself. "What?" Delenn asked. "The baby is dead, isn't it, Sofie?" Aleia asked. *Mere, why did the baby's light go out? WHY?* Sofie questioned. "Later." Aleia told the child. She looked to Adam with teary eyes. "Will you take Sofie and make sure she takes a nap?" "Sure thing, Ma'am." Adam said, and picked up the dark haired doll. Aleia turned to Janice and she and Delenn began to help deliver the baby that would never draw breath. Robert was giving the pep talk, again. Zak stood beside him, looking at the door nervously on occasion. As the rest of the officers fired up their PPG's, he took the plunge of fate and activated his link. "NOW!" he shouted. The door of the ready-room plummeted down and a few officers managed to get under the back door, along with Zak, even as it began to close as well. Wes and Rose stood outside and with methodicy, they stunned every one of them, one of which was Kris. He smiled at the Captain, who began to inform the captives as to the current state of affairs. It was a clever play on words, Wes had to admit. As soon as the Captain had finished, Susan, with her perpetual Russian pessimism, proceeded to inform him as to the dreariness of the situation. "You know this is only a temporary solution, as soon as President Clark finds out, he'll reissue the order personally." Susan stressed. "Well, it'll give the people back home a chance to straighten things out, or for Hague to pull off a coo." John looked on the bright side, if there even was one. "Well, there is one problem I see." Stephen intervened, "With all these people arrested it will cut our security forces in half." "Well," John smiled, "we have some help, for a change." And at his words, G'karr and about twenty Narns rounded the corner, looking as though they were reporting for duty. "You're kidding." Stephen stated. "He's not kidding." Elly, previously silent piped up. "Always plant a truth inside a lie, it makes it easier to swallow." John instructed Stephen. Susan and Garibaldi nodded. "This gonna make Londo really happy." Stephen said sarcastically. "Hell yeah." Elly smirked. Wes, Rose and Susan laughed. Janice hadn't stopped crying since Delenn and Aleia had delivered the still-born child an hour ago. Aleia took a soft fold of black silk and wrapped the dead boy in it. The baby only looked like it was sleeping. But its little heart did not beat life, and its lungs had never known the sweetness of air. Janice had buried her face in the pillows, and Delenn sat beside her, smoothing her hair and cooing softly. The lesson in human child birth had been eye-opening for Delenn, and Aleia knew this had been a heart wrenching experience for them all. Especially Sofie. Dearest little Sofie. The first person to straggle home to the Holt-stargate apartment was Lennier. Bruised and bloodied, but other wise fine, he slumped into Aleia's arms, claiming it had been 'an extremely odd' day. Aleia held him, trying to find comfort in his iron embrace. Then came Star and Annie Stacie. Apparently, they had taken shelter under the Dark Star stage with the other dancers. Med-lab called to say that Kitty was in for minor neck wounds and Mary had apparently crawled into the vents for protection. Of course, Niki had been safe in C&C. Then, Ariana rang the door bell, leaning on the arm of a kind Hyaco and struggling to stand on a broken leg. Aleia's house was a make shift medical ward. Then came Elly, Stephen, Rose and....the one person Aleia dreaded seeing today. Her own brother. He looked tired but triumphant. John, Michael and Susan accompanied him there to make sure everything was okay. Aleia, teary eyed and worn, offered them a seat and some tea. With bleary expressions, they thanked her and collapsed. Delenn, as weary as Aleia, staggered into the main room, and curled up in John's ever willing arms, crying softly. They all looked to Aleia for explanation. "Is Janice alright?" were the first words out of Wes's mouth. "After a fashion." Aleia croaked. Wes' eyes widened and Aleia began to cry. He pushed past his sister and into the room had shared with Janice for the past year and a half. There sat his wife, her beautiful golden-brown locks matted and wet. She was sobbing and clutching a small rag doll to her chest. And she was singing softly, so much that Wes had to strain to hear it: " All the fear had left me now, I'm not frightened any more, It's my heart that pounds beneath my flesh, Its my mouth that pushes out this breath. Companion to our demons, They will dance, And we will play, With chairs, candles, and cloths, Making darkness, in the day." Her voice wasn't pretty, it was just sad. Her eyes were transfixed on something on the opposite side of the room. The cradle. Wes looked over to it, and saw that there was a bundle of black silk inside, resting where the baby. Aleia put a hand on his shoulder. "What...what happened?" Wes asked, tears running down his cheeks, and he ran to take Janice into his arms. He rocked her back and forth and looked to his sister for explanation. "I caught up with Jan in the Zocolo, and Delenn was with us. That Kris girl, from Security...well, she tried to hit Sofie with a shock stick, but Delenn pushed us away, and... she hit Janice instead. The baby must have died instantly." Aleia cried. Delenn came in, holding in her arms the bundle of roses that Aleia had told her to get from the vase in her room. They moved to the cradle, but Wes stopped them, picking up the bundle of black silk and pulling part aside to see the face of his son, relaxed as though in sleep, but Wes knew the heart didn't beat with in the child's delicate rib cage. He set it back down, and almost like they were true sisters, Aleia and Delenn moved to sprinkle rose petals over the body of the dead boy. "We were going to name it Travis, Travis the THIRD." Wes said softly. "After Grandfather?" Aleia asked as she placed the rose petals in the shape of a cross. "Yeah." Wesly said. And then the sadness drained from him, and it was replaced by anger. ANGER at Kris. It was that bitch's fault his son had never taken air in his lungs, or opened his eyes to the world they lived in! Wes stalked into the main room. "Where is she?" he demanded of Michael. "Who?" Michael was confused. "Kris, that damned bitch!" Wes exclaimed. "She's in holding...." Michael started and Wes ran out of the room, in the direction Michael had indicated. "We have to catch him!" Aleia cried out. "Why?" "Kris, she killed his son, the baby. Janice had a still born, because Kris hit her with a shock stick!" "My God..." John started. Susan looked sick. Michael cased after his deranged officer and Aleia collapsed on the couch and didn't get up until the next morning. Can you blame her? Meanwhile, Wes ran down the hall at a break neck pace, and when he finally did reach holding, he pushed aside the guards and entered the cell where Kris sat, staring at the wall. He sauntered over and grabbed her by the collar. "You think you're GOD!?" He demanded roughly, "Huh?" "Wes, put me down!" she squealed. "No! You killed my son! MY SON! You had absolutely NO RIGHT! You can't decree who lives and dies! My SON never ever drew breath, he never opened his eyes! YOU KILLED HIM!" Wes screamed in the blonde woman's face. She kicked and tried to get down, when Michael came in. "Wes, put her down." he calmly commanded. "She killed my son, Michael." Wes stated. "Yeah, I know. Look, just wait, we'll get her spaced. That basically classifies as insubordination, since you are her superior officer. But THIS isn't helping. Look, I need you on your toes when Earth comes after us, not like this." Michael put a hand on Wes' should, and he dropped Kris like a toy a small child is bored with. As they turned to leave, Kris spat at Wes and shouted: "See you and your son in hell." Wes merely stalked out. As soon as he was in the lift however, he began to cry. Michael gave him a fatherly hug. "Its okay Wes. I know it doesn't make it any easier, but there will be other babies, and at least Kris didn't take your wife too. She's most import now. I know she'll be hurting, Janice will need you." Michael soothed. "Thanks, Chief." Wes said softly and walked home.....to Janice. Later that night, Susan sat with Sofie in the cubby hole she shared with Anakin. Lennier had carried Aleia into the bed along while ago, the utter pace of the day had finally gotten to his wife, and she hadn't woken up since she fell asleep after dinner. Delenn was camped out on a spare cot in the long room where the unmarried girls slept, due to the fear of a threat on her life. John and Michael had long staggered back to bed, and Ariana was sleeping on the couch in the main room. Sofie sat in her aunt's arms, leaning her small head of brown curls against Susan's night gown. *Aunt Susan?* Sofie asked softly. "Yes?" *Why did that lady blow out the baby's candle? Where did the candle go?* Sofie's tears almost filled up Susan's mind. "Kris was a bad woman, and there are lots of bad people out there. And as to the candle, the baby is in heaven now, and one day, all the good people go there, so you'll get to see him again. And you know what, everyday, when you wake up, he's gonna be watching over his cousin, and he's going to watch you grow up, and be a great star-explorer, and maybe meet a nice guy and marry, or maybe not. But what ever you decide to do with your life, that little boy in heaven is going to watch over you, he'll be your angel and he'll keep you safe. Okay?" Susan asked. Sofie nodded, and Susan could feel her brighten. She suddenly realized that she had never given a talk like this to a child. Before she'd met Anakin and Sofie, she'd never really wanted one, but now....now she ached to have a little girl or boy to curl up in her arms. She kind of wanted a child she could read to, and watch grow up. But it would never happen. Oh, well. She had Sofie, she was the child aunt, and that was enough. Susan forgot that Sofie could hear what she was thinking. The five year-old now renewed her vow to get Marcus and Susan married, so Aunt Susan could have a little boy and girl of her own. Then she could be their Aunt Sofie. The doorbell rang, interrupting their thoughts. Susan set Sofie on the bed and went to answer it. "Who could possibly be here at this time of night?" Susan wondered aloud. She came into the darkened main-room, careful not to wake Ariana up, and answered the door. It was Marcus, framed by the bright light of the hallway. "Allo, Susan." he said softly, his eyes tracing the outline of her form. "Marcus, what can I do for you?" Susan asked as she showed him in. "I just wanted to make sure you all were okay, that's all. Can't a bloke do that?" Marcus asked. "Well, must of us are fine...." Susan began to tell him of their long day. Neither of them noticed the little girl in her blue flannel nightgown padding behind the couch to listen. She smiled, and some where a little baby cherub angel named Travis smiled too, looking down on his cousin Sofie. Section 3- You Bleed Just to Know You're Alive Susan and Marcus talked into the wee hours of Babylon 5's sleep cycle, sipping their coffee and strangely, enjoying each other's company. Then Marcus noticed Susan looked really tired. "Maybe you should sleep, don't you have duty in the morning?" he asked softly as he took the cup of coffee from her hands. "Yeah, but not as early as usual." Susan said, but she was getting up, she took their cups and set them in the kitchen sink. "Thanks for stopping by, Marcus." she said softly. "Thanks for having me in." Marcus smiled. She was about to show him out, when something caught her eye. Curled up behind the couch, her tiny feet tucked into her flannel nightie, was Sofie. "Well, we have a stow away." Susan murmured with a laugh as she picked up the sleeping child, propping Sofie up against her shoulder. "Aww...guess she wanted to ease drop." Marcus laughed as he brushed a stray curl off the sleeping face of the living doll. Susan looked up at him, and for a moment, their eyes met over the plain of dark curls, and they held that way. Then, it was over, and Marcus went to show himself out. But he stopped to watch Susan carry Sofie down the hall towards the bedroom, she looked positively charming with a child in her arms. Then he left, for he too needed his sleep. Tomorrow he would escort Delenn back to Mimbar. April 10th, 2260- the Day of Infinite Horror "We are about five hours from a crisis situation, people." Captain John Sheridan address the assemblage, which consisted of Susan, Michael, Eleen and Stephen. "The Alexander is hit, and she's coming here." "Well, we're screwed." Susan commented dryly. Elly rolled her eyes. "Every ship in Earth Force is after them for treason, they'll come here and shut us down." Eleen sighed. "We'll just have to deal with that later. I want you to rewire the com systems, shut it all down as soon as the Alexander gets here. Just leave an emergency channel open in case." John instructed Michael. He nodded. Stephen looked like he'd been hit by a two by four. "Right now, we have to be organized, General Hague will be here in five hours, and hell is riding in with him." They all nodded. A smallish oriental woman in a pale autumn yellow cat suit, stood before a portable A.I. in her rooms. The face of a pale young man with huge dark eyes spoke to her from the screen. She nodded every once in a while, making her choppy black hair swing. "I understand Nick. For Earth." she smiled. It wasn't a nice smile at all, it made her black eyes sparkle evilly. "Love ya, Nick." she said softly and reached to turn the A.I. off. "Love you too, Uriana." And she turned off the screen. Then she reached across the table for the PPG that lay there. "Watch out, Sheridan." she spoke with a witch like chant, "Here I come." Major Ryan was in the middle of briefing the command staff as to the situation with Earth, when his link beeped. "Major, we just intercepted a coded transmission from Earth Dome. They've started bombing Mars, repeat, they've started bombing mars. Jenna Fiaclo stood by the window of her house in Main dome Mars colony. Outside the dome, the Marsian sunset could be viewed. She cooed to little boy, Lucky, in her arms. The baby turned his stunning ice eyes on his mother, giggling and laughing. "Yeah, Lucky. Hi, little baby. Hi. Come on, time for beddy bye." Jenna cooed to her son. Lucky seamed to smile at her , but then he let out a horrific scream, like a torture victim. Jenna's brow furrowed in confusion. Taylor Franks flew his Thunder bolt over the Martian terrain, headed for Main-dome Mars colony. Over his com-system came the voice of a panicking resistance leader; "Please, don't shoot, we've go women and children down here!" he cried out in protest. Taylor was glad no one could see his face through his dark helmet, he was gritting his teeth in an effort NOT to cry. "Eagle one, you're clear for drop." came the voice of his superior officer. "God forgive me," Taylor muttered, and his pulled the trigger. Jenna saw the bright point of light forming against the dome, and the fear rose in her throat. Her wrapped her arms around her small son, using her body as a shield and the sound of the air sucking out of the dome could be heard. The second shot come, and exploded on contact. The last thing Jenna Fiaclo saw was the light of the blast reflected in her son's ice blue eyes. Then nothingness. Kitty and Mary stood with the rest of the crowd of people watching the ISN feed in the Zocolo. The pert female announcer was outlining the effects of Marshal Law, when a harried looking man interrupted her. "I'm sorry Jane, I'm sorry." he said, but Kitty guessed he really wasn't. "We've just gotten word that the colonies on Orian 4 and Promixa three are succeeding from Earth Alliance in protest to the illegal bombing of civilian targets on Mars. They're setting themselves up as independent colonies until such a time as President Clark is impeached. We have kept much from you. Clark doesn't want you to know..." he said. "Please, Rick, don't do this..." Jane interrupted him. But he continued anyway. "I'm going to tell you this NOW. I don't know how much longer we'll be able stay on the air. Armed forces are moving in on the ISN center here in Geneva..." outside, gun fire was becoming prevalent. "I..I can hear gun fire outside, up here on the fifteenth floor..." Rick looked about to break down. He seemed about to say something, but the building rocked. "GET DOWN!!!!!" he yelled, and the screen cut to static. "Captain, we intercepted a transmission to the Agrrippa and the Rhoenoak. They are coming to take over Babylon 5, arrest and detain its Captain and command staff, and but it under the direct authority of President Clark and the Nightwatch." Captain Sandra Hydoshi informed John. The world whirled around the man for a second.... "The other races won't stand for it." Susan said. "They can't do anything. All the major powers are distracted with their own wars." Ryan threw back. Ariana limped lightly on her leg as she and Gerra carried the provisions back to Aleia's. But as she rounded the corner, she caught a glimpse of a smallish woman in yellow. She knew that form. "Uriana." she whispered. "What?" Gerra asked. "Nothing." Ariana replied, handing the groceries to the Cenatri girl. "I'll be right back." With that she ran off. Ariana followed the form of her twin sister down the hall as the woman headed for the Captain's office. The Captain was about to open his mouth, when the sound of a PPG powering up was heard. He looked to the door way to see a woman standing there. "You are all under arrest." she stated. Michael looked at her, she looked just like Ariana. "Ariana?" he asked in surprise. The woman looked perplexed for a second. "Oh, no. Was that little wretch here, how odd." the woman said. Then she laughed. "I am Admiral Uriana St Peters, of the EAS Lucifer. And you, Captain Sheridan, are under arrest for failure to comply with orders and sedition." her voice bit hard. She started to walk forward, or seemed to, but then she fell hard on the deck. They looked up to se Ariana holding her hand up. "Hi." she said. "Who was that?" Susan asked. "My twin sister, she's married to Clark's nephew, Nick. I guess they sent her to take over." Ariana looked with disdain on Uriana's form, "I saw her in the hallway on her way here and figured she was up something." "Thank you." Sandra said. Ariana nodded, bowed and left. "Back to business then." Ryan said. "How long until they get here?" John questioned Sandra. "About six hours." she hung her head. "I should get back to my ship, be there when they get here. Do you want us to leave?" Ryan asked. "No. No," John said. Sandra and Ryan left, and the command staff all looked to John. A historic decision was about to be made. "I know that we wanted to avoid a head on confrontation with Earth, but this....if it were just us..." John fumbled. "So what will it be?" "Fight." Susan said with courage. "Fight." Michael stated. "Fight." Stephen let out reluctantly. Eleen's hand crept to hold Stephen's. "Fight." she said. "Fight." John said. Star was carrying Annie Stacie home when Kitty ran up to her. The tall merchant looked light she was in a state of shock. "Star! Starry!" Kitty cried out, "They took out ISN, and they say that there are ships coming! Ally wants us to come home quick and..." she trailed off as John Sheridan's form appeared before the Zocolo's occupants. He was annoucing their secesion from Earth, that was all Star caught, so shocked was she. They didn't even stay to hear it all, they ran home as fast as they could. Six hours later, all was hell. The starfurries flew from the cobra bays, meeting space and hostile fire as soon as they got out. Bursts of fire and plasma blasts flew in every direction and almost every one of them succeeded in hitting SOMETHING. And all around the station, the murmurs of minds frozen in fear could be heard. Screams of terror emanated from Aleia's quarters. The pain and fear on every side of Sofie's small mind was over powering her. She kicked and screamed, and Aleia tried to hold her, even Anakin tried to, but nothing helped. Aleia was afraid she'd drive herself insane. With one last idea, Aleia set the kicking child on her bed, then she and Lennier linked hands around their daughter. Sofie quieted, but her eyes glazed over and Aleia knew Sofie was elsewhere. Susan was concentrating on dodging hostile fire, when a shimmering form appeared standing in the small space between the seat and the wall. It was Sofie. "Sofie, what the hell..." Susan began, but the child merely watched out the portal. "Look out, Aunt Susan..." Sofie said softly and pointed to a certain ship, it hadn't fire yet, but Susan dodged and it fired. Susan's brow furrowed and she looked briefly at the child with her, deciding to trust her advice. The battle raged for hours, and the pain and fear of all the minds convinced Aleia to do something. With out a word, she grabbed a small PPG and left her husband to stare after her. She ran down the halls to Brown 3. There the firing of PPG's was deafening as the thuds of bodies hitting the deck. She felt sick to her stomach, but Ally could feel that the battle outside was almost over, and she crouched behind a small box and began to fire. "Collision Alert.." the modulated voice of Susan's starfurry. She didn't hear it, she was transfixed on the burning "Church hill". But Sofie did. "Aunt Susan! The other ship!" Sofie called out, and Susan saw the approaching form of the Aggripa. "Susan, eject! Susan!" John's voice came over the com link. "I can handle it!" Susan yelled as she tried to steer her ship. "No! Aunt Susan....you can't!" the girl at her side yelled. Susan took one look at the girl's face and knew it. So she ejected. While Delenn was scarring off the newest arrivals of the enemy, Aleia was in Brown 3, shooting off the last three caps of her PPG. Most people lay on the deck now, moaning their pain, or silent in death. The last person surrendered, and then Aleia saw Michael, laying on the deck. With a little cry, she rushed over to him. "Michael, Michael..." she shook him, taking an inventory of his wounds. Michael opened his eyes to see Aleia bent over him, confusion and fear marring her beauty. "Thank God." she said softly. Then Zak moved into his field of vision. Both of them helped him rise to his feet and wait for the med teams to arrive. Delenn was greeted by John and Michael when she finally boarded her home once more. John smiled at her, and they stepped aside to be by themselves. Marcus, who had accompanied Delenn to Mimbar, stopped to speak with Michael. "I've been trying to think of some way to tell you how much what you did meant to me. Thank you seems so inappropriate." John fumbled. Delenn smiled. "When I saw you, your beautiful face, I, that was the single most beautiful moment of my life." John said. This time, Delenn blushed. "This place is home, how could I desert as humans say, my partner." she spoke softly, her hand outstretched for him to shake. He did so, then raised her hand to his lips. "Excused me." Susan said. Aleia, Michael, Lennier, Marcus, Stephen, Elly stood before him, along with Susan, who was holding Sofie. "I thought you should know, Uriana broke out of holding, but I've got my best people on it." Michael said. John nodded. "I want you to see something." Susan said. Aleia's smile was bright as they all filed into the Zocolo. As John and Delenn stepped forward, a thunderous applause arose, to meet their ears like a monsoon. Whistles and shouts of 'hurray' could be heard as well. At last the battle was over, but not with out a large cost of life. The battle may have been won, but the war was far from over, and every one knew it. From the tiny babies in Elly stomach, only feeling as their mother felt, to John, to little Sofie with her nightmares of black spider ships. But they had won a victory for the light, pushing the darkness back a little more so. To everything there is a season, even for war....and in war the most unexpected things happen.