DISCLAIMER: all characters belong to the rightful owners. My made up characters are my own creation. I don't claim to own the characters from Babylon 5, Crusade, Stargate SG1, Farscape, and Scarecrow and Mrs. King, nor do I make a profit from this story. This was written purely for my own entertainment and the entertainment of others. More disclaimers at end of story.
NOTE This is written a little different than most stories. You'll see why when you get into it. I could not think of any other way to write those certain parts
Shall We Dance?
White Star 22
Elena woke up with a start. She was still having that nightmare. She looked around and saw her husband sleeping beside her. She slowly got out of bed and walked to the bridge, not even bothering to change out of her nightgown. Sighing, she sat in the captain's chair and gently rubbed her stomach. It had been a week since she lost her baby and things weren't the same, and she was beginning to think that they never would be the same again.
She knew that Lee still blamed himself for the loss of their child and she couldn't help but blame herself too. She wiped a tear from her cheek as she thought of the last moment her son was alive. Only Elena knew what really happened before she lost the baby.
Hearing Lee walk on the bridge she turned to the window and quickly wiped her eyes. Lee knew she was still upset about the baby, but if he found out why he'd never forgive himself and Elena didn't want to lose the man she loved too.
"Elena?"
Elena turned in her chair and looked at him, "Right here Lee."
Lee walked over to her and placed his hands on her shoulders, "Everything ok, love?"
"Yeah, I'm fine sweetheart," Elena lied. "I was just checking the sensors."
"Well everything looks ok to me, so why don't you come back to bed," Lee said as he took her hand.
Elena stood and held Lee's hand as they walked back to the bedroom. Lee was sure there was something bothering her, but he knew better than to pressure her to talk about something before she was ready.
As Elena laid on her side, Lee sat on the bed and watched her. She pulled the blanket over her and he heard her whisper, "Lights, off." The lights cut off immediately and after his eyes adjusted to the dark he saw her back was still to him. He sighed as he laid back and starred at the ceiling. He could remember a time not that long ago when Elena said she couldn't sleep unless he was near. He glanced over at his wife and rolled on his side to stare at her back.
He wanted more than anything to put his arms around her and beg her to tell him what was wrong. For the past week they'd slept exactly how they were now, or at least that was how they stayed all night. Neither actually got much sleep. Elena laid awake starring into the dark thinking about her son, and when she did sleep she always had that nightmare and woke up sweating. Lee, on the other hand, starred at her back and tossed around trying to get at least some sleep. He'd ever been one to snuggle at night, but something about having Elena's arms around him and her head on his chest made him sleep easier. Maybe it was just the fact he knew she was close and safe, or maybe it was just the fact that he knew she slept like that because she loved him and always wanted to be by his side.
Elena knew Lee was tossing at night and she wanted to turn over and wrap her arms around him and snuggle against him, like she always did at night, but she was scared to face him. She was scared her eyes would tear and he'd see her crying and he'd know something was wrong, so she didn't move from her very uncomfortable position. Instead she closed her eyes and gave the engines a slight energy boost.
Interstellar Alliance Headquarters, Minbar
President John Sheridan stood on the balcony overlooking the city. He smiled, things at been peaceful for a week. No crisis, no council meetings, and no Teep Squad. He ran his hand through his hair thinking about the Squad. Things were too quite. Something had to be wrong and he dreaded finding out what it was. He hadn't seen Elena in three weeks, which was very unusual. Elena always dropped by to fill him in on the latest from the rim, or if nothing else just to scare the living day lights out of him from time to time. As much as he claimed to hate when she just teleported into his office, he actually didn't mind. Actually now he was missing her. She maybe a tad annoying at times, but at least she kept things interesting. Not to mention the fact that a certain 5 year old was missing his Auntie Lana.
David Sheridan was as spoiled as they come. He got what ever he wanted and the way he did it was his aunt. If John or Delenn said no to him all he had to do was run to Elena. She never turned him down on anything, and that didn't bother John a bit. He hated saying no to his son, but he knew Delenn would never let him hear the end of it if he didn't say "no" once in a while.
John walked back inside and sat at his desk. He tried to read over his reports, but he kept thinking about Elena. She'd never been gone this long and he hadn't seen any of the other members of the Teep Squad either. Sighing, he stood and walked over to his COM link. Pressing the button he lifted it to his mouth, "Get me Captain Lochley at Babylon 5."
He waited a few moments and then his COM beep and he pressed the button. Captain Elizabeth Lochley appeared on the screen, "Mr. President, what can I do for you?"
"Captain I was just wondering if you'd seen Elena lately, or any of the Squad for that matter."
"No sir, why?"
"I haven't heard from any of them in almost three weeks."
"And that's a bad thing?" Lochley asked. "Sorry sir," she added when Sheridan gave her his 'this is not the time' look.
"I'm worried Captain. Elena always pops in to keep me informed or to visit David. It's not like her to be gone this long. So either she and the others are in trouble or they done something they don't want me to know about."
"I understand sir. I'll see if any one on the station has heard from the Squad and I'll inform you the moment I hear anything."
"Thank you Captain. Sheridan out." He pressed his link and sat back at his desk.
No sooner had he sat down than two people appeared in front of him. He didn't even jump this time, in fact he sighed with relief at seeing Elena and Lee. "Hi John." Elena said. It wasn't here usual greeting and it was far from her usual peppy tone.
"Where the devil have you been?" John demanded as he stood and walked over to her, "I haven't heard from you in almost three weeks. I was beginning to think something had happened to you."
"Sorry John," Elena said as she looked at the floor, "Things got a little hectic back on Earth."
John noticed the change in her behavior and walked over to her, "Hey is everything ok?"
"Yeah, just fine John."
John looked at Lee who motioned with his eyes for John to step outside with him. John nodded and looked back to Elena. "Well since you're here why don't you go visit David? He's been missing you like crazy."
Elena tried hard not to cry but she felt it coming and teleported quickly before John and Lee saw her tears. John looked at Lee, "Alright what's going on?"
"John that was the worse thing you could have said at this point," Lee stated as he ran his fingers through his hair.
"What?"
"John, Elena and I…" he sighed. There was no easy way to say it, "Elena and I just lost our child."
"Child? Whoa wait a minute. When did Elena have a baby?"
"She didn't John. She had a miscarriage last week. She hasn't been the same since then. I talked her into coming to the future to visit you thinking getting her back in space and back to work might help. You know make her see there's reason to move on and forget, but I forgot all about David." Lee explained.
"And my telling her that he was missing her just brought it all back." John sat down and sighed. "We better go talk to her."
"No, best thing to do is let her be. Trust me trying to get her to talk when she'd not ready to, is the worst thing we could do."
John nodded and Lee began telling John everything that he and Elena had gone through the last few weeks.
White Star 22
Elena sat on her bed hugging a pillow. She knew she couldn't hide in her room forever. While John and Lee couldn't get to her, Kath could. It wouldn't be long before she tracked her down and forced her to tell her everything. There was no refusing Kath, after all if she didn't tell her Kath could just scan her and get the information from her mind anyway.
Wiping her face with a warm, wet, cloth, Elena stood and tried to pull herself together. She changed into her uniform and teleport back to John's office.
She wasn't surprised to find Kath, and Jack had already arrived and were sitting in John's office with Lee. Looking around, Elena spotted Kath's brother, John Crichton, and his wife Aeryn. "Wanna talk about it Captain?" Kath asked.
Elena sighed, she and Kath both knew that in the future she was just a Captain and technically couldn't order Elena to do anything, but being Kath was the more powerful of the two telepaths, Elena still followed her orders just like she would at Stargate Command. "No Kath. What I'd like to do is get back to work. Where's John?"
"Right here," Crichton stated.
"Other John," Elena explained. "I'm sure he's got a mission for me or something that needs blowing up."
"Sheridan stepped outside for a moment. He'll be right back," Kath stated. "So might as well just sit down and talk to us Captain."
"There's nothing to talk about Kath." Elena said slightly annoyed. She knew Kath was trying to slip into her mind and find out what it was that she was hiding, but Elena locked everything in a tight box and guarded it. Leave it alone, Kath Elena pathed her friend. I'll talk if and when I'm ready and not before.
Alright Elena, I'll leave it alone, for now. Kath pathed back.
Lee watched as Elena and Kath seemed to glare at each other. He was sure they were communicating telepathically and hoped Kath would find out what was bothering his wife. He stood and walked over to Elena and put his hands on her shoulders and started to whisper something to her, but before he could she pulled away and walked to the window. Not knowing what to do he just stood there and looked at her.
"Give her time Lee." Kath told him as she walked over to him. "She just needs time to heal."
Lee looked at her and pathed her a message, even though he knew Elena would most certainly hear it anyway. Did you find out what's bothering her?
No, Kath pathed back, She told me to leave it alone and I did, but I'll push her harder if she continues to keep it bottled up like this. It's not healthy for her to bottle everything up. Lee nodded and sat back down.
Just then John Sheridan walked back in. "Well I'm glad you decided to join us Captain," he said trying to act as if everything was normal. "I've got a mission for who ever wants it. The Brakiri have been complaining of attacks by the Drakh on one of their bases. I want…."
"I'll take care of it."
Everyone turned to look at Elena. "I haven't even told you the mission," John said.
"You said all I needed to hear. Attack, Drakh and Brakiri. All I need to know is which colony. I'll handle it from there."
"Its all here." John stated handing Elena a data crystal.
"We'll go with you." Lee stated.
"No. I'm going alone. I'll be back when the problem is taken care of." Elena teleported to her ship and jumped to hyperspace before any one could say a word or stop her.
"You going after her?" Sheridan asked Kath.
"No, she'll be fine. This is probably what she needs anyway. Let her kill things and blow a few ships up and she'll be fine." Kath explained.
"I hope you're right. I really hope you're right." Sheridan said as he sat at his desk.
Brakiri colony
Elena arrived in the middle of another attack and blew up all the ships. As she arrived she was unaware of the ship that had been waiting. Since it wasn't a Drakh ship she ignored it and teleport to the planet's surface and went after the Drakh
Elena: (fought the Drakh in hand to hand combat as she sang)
Every single night the same arrangement
I go out and fight the fight
Still, I always feel the strange estrangement
Nothing here is real,
Nothing here is right
I've been making shows of trading blows
Just hoping no one knows
That I've been
Going through the motions
Walking through the part
Nothing seems to penetrate my heart
I was always brave and kind of righteous
Now I find I'm wavering
If you lose a part of you you'll find this fight
Just doesn't mean a thing
(A Drakh got in a lucky punch and knocked her flat)
Drakh: She ain't got that swing
Elena: (Looked up at the Drakh annoyed)
Thanks for noticing
(jumped to her feet and knocked the Drakh out)
Drakh: (danced around trying to avoiding being hit)
She does pretty well with from hell
But lately, we can tell
That she's just
Going through the motions
Faking it somehow
She's not even half the girl she...
ow
Elena: Will I stay this way forever?
Sleepwalk through my life's endeavor
(found a brakiri tied up and waved her hand and the ropes flew off)
Brakiri: How can I repay?
Elena: Whatever
I don't want to be
Going through the motions
Losing all my drive
I can't even see
If this is really me
And I just wanna be
(slowly raised her hands above her head and as she did the remaining Drakh dropped dead)
Alive
Elena teleported back to her ship and sat in her chair. She felt much better after letting off a little steam, although the singing had surprised her, but she didn't mind. It actually made things even more exciting. Sighing, she leaned back in her chair and set a course for Minbar. Before she could jump to hyperspace someone hailed her.
"This is Captain Susan Ivanova to White Star ship. Please identify yourself."
Hitting her COM she answered the hail. "White Star 22 to Athena, Good to hear your voice Susan."
"Elena? Is that you?" Susan asked.
"Sure is. I'll be right over." And with that Elena teleported to the bridge of the Athena.
Several member of the crew jumped seeing the woman appear out of nowhere and some even grabbed their PPGs, but when they saw their Captain hug the woman they knew everything was alright and put their weapons away.
"Oh Elena its good to see you. Come let's go to my office." Susan said as she led Elena to her office. They entered and Susan closed the door behind them. 'Have a seat. Can I get you something? Coffee? Tea?"
Elena looked at Susan and shook her head as she sat down, "Has it been so long since we've seen each other that you've forgotten what I drink?"
Susan laughed, "Ah yes, the only officer in Earthforce that doesn't drink coffee," Susan replied as she poured a glass of Orcha for her friend. "So how have you been? I hear you're quite an important person in the Interstellar Alliance now."
"Well I do what I can. John handles most of it. I just do the dirty work when needed and try to avoid the politics."
Susan nodded and sat down at her desk, "How is John?"
"Doing fine. Probably worried about or mad me at the moment." Elena replied.
"Why is that?"
"It's a long story." Elena said before drinking her Orcha.
"Well I've got nothing but time."
Ship orbiting the Brakiri base
"Well, well my nano bots seem to be working," the hooded man said to himself, "Now they'll spread and soon my plan will be complete." He laughed as he stood and walked to the window. "By now that woman has infected most of the ship and soon they'll all start singing."
"My lord."
The hooded man turned to see his apprentice standing at the door. "What is it?"
"The sensors reading from that woman are quite interesting." He replied as he stared at the floor.
"How so?"
"She's a telepath, and a strong one."
"Perfect." The man said as he sat down and removed his hood revealing his baldhead. "Her telepathic abilities will make the nano bots spread quicker." He laughed evilly and his apprentice simply nodded.
The Athena
"So I came out here to handle the Drakh and let off a little steam." Elena explained.
"I assume the others tried to come with you." Susan stated.
"I left before they had a chance to stop me," Elena said sighing, "Susan there's something else. Something I haven't even told Lee." Elena didn't want to tell anyone yet but she knew she could trust Susan and she knew talking about it might help her get over what happened.
"What is it Elena?"
"Before I lost the baby…." Elena started. She stopped as she felt her eyes start to tear again.
Susan stood and knelt beside her friend, "Hey take it easy. If you're not ready to talk about this you don't have to."
Through her tears Elena said, "I have to tell someone, and I can't tell Lee. He already blames himself for what happened. He'd never forgive himself if he knew."
"If he knew what?"
Before I lost the baby I communicated with him." Elena said wiping her eyes.
"With the baby?"
"Yes. He knew I was his mother and knew his name. We formed a special bond that only strong telepaths can share."
"My god." Susan stood and sat in her chair. "So for you it wasn't just losing an unborn child.
Elena shook her head, "No it wasn't. And this is why Lee can never know. If he knew I had telepathically communicated with our son he'd just blame him self even more and I don't want to lose him, not like I lost my son." Elena tried to fight it but more tears fell from her eyes and she buried her head in her hands.
Susan rushed over and wrapped her arms around Elena. In all the years she had known Elena she had never seen her cry. Not even when they all thought John Sheridan was dead. She assumed later it was because Elena knew John was alright and that he'd be returning to Babylon 5, but now she began to think that wasn't the case. Perhaps Elena never showed emotion, and perhaps that's what made her a good officer, but then again that could be her major flaw as well.
"Its alright Elena. It's going to be alright. I'll keep this secret if you wish."
Elena forced herself to stop crying. She hated showing this much emotion in front of any one, but she knew Susan would keep her word and not say a word to Lee, and maybe if she had Susan's support she could avoid Kath and the others finding out. The last thing she wanted was the people she loved and worked with daily blaming themselves for something that no one could change. "Thanks Susan. I should probably get going the gang is expecting me back on Minbar soon. If I take too long Kath will come looking."
"Well we're actually heading that way ourselves." Susan stated, "Uh Elena could we travel with you. I mean could you…"
"Give your engines a boost so you travel as fast as I do?" Elena asked with a grin.
"Yeah."
"Sure. I'll be on my ship if you need me. Just jump to hyperspace with me and you'll be fine. Just make sure to tell your navigators not to try and gain control of things. Don't want them freaking out when they realize they are flying the ship."
"I'll take care of them." Susan stated.
Elena nodded and teleport back to her ship. Susan sighed and stood. Quietly she pulled a photo from her desk. "I prayed no one else would ever go through the pain and sorrow I went through. Guess Elena wasn't that lucky." Gentle she touched the picture and wiped a tear from her eyes. "As long as I remember you you'll never be gone Marcus."
Susan: (set picture on desk and sat in her chair)
When I think back
On these times
And the dreams
We left behind
I'll be glad 'cause
I was blessed to get
To have you in my life
When I look back
On these days
I'll look and see your face
You were right there for me
(Stood and picked up picture and twirled around)
In my dreams
I'll always see you soar
Above the sky
In my heart
There always be a place
For you for all my life
I'll keep a part
Of you with me
And everywhere I am
There you'll be
(Walked into her bedroom with picture in hand)
Well you showed me
How it feels
To feel the sky
Within my reach
And I always
(Set the picture down and changed into her night gown)
Will remember all
The strength you
Gave to me
Your love made me
Make it through
Oh, I owe so much to you
You were right there for me
(Lit several candles around the room)
In my dreams
I'll always see you soar
Above the sky
In my heart
There always be a place
For you for all my life
I'll keep a part
Of you with me
And everywhere I am
There you'll be
(Picked up picture)
'Cause I always saw in you
My light, my strength
And I want to thank you
Now for all the ways
(Twirled around room)
You were right there for me
You were right there for me
For always
(Fell back on the bed)
In my dreams
I'll always see you soar
Above the sky
(Looked over and saw Marcus's Ranger badge on her table and picked it up)
In my heart
There always be a place
For you for all my life
I'll keep a part
Of you with me
And everywhere I am
There you'll be
(Gently kissed Marcus's photo and closed her eyes hugging the picture)
White Star 22
Elena sat in her room twirling her Den'bok, it help her relax. Something was wrong, terribly wrong. She could feel it, but it wasn't the usual danger feeling. She wasn't picking up on any near by threats and no one seemed to be calling out for help, but yet she still had this terrible feeling something was wrong.
Sighing, she stood and retracted her fighting pike and placed in back in her pocket. Teleporting to the bride, she saw the Athena was still with her. Pressing her COM link, she said, "Captain Stetson to Captain Ivanova."
"Ivanova here."
"Susan we're almost to Minbar. We should be jumping out of hyper space in ten minutes."
"That's great, because I think we have a problem," Susan stated.
"And that would be?"
"Well my everyone onboard, myself included, has for no reason started singing."
"What?" Elena asked. She couldn't believe it. She thought she was the only one that had started singing. "Did I hear you right?"
"If you think I said everyone was singing, then you heard right."
Elena closed the communications line and Teleported to the bridge of the Athena. Sure enough the crew was singing. She spotted Susan and rushed over to her and the two ran to Susan's office and closed the door. "Please tell me you can make this stop," Susan pleaded.
"You know Rangers don't lie Susan," Elena stated.
Susan sighed and paced around the room. "What are we going to do?"
"Well we're almost to Minbar, maybe Kath and the others have an idea." Elena suggested. Susan nodded and they monitored the rest of the crew for odd behavior. Nothing seemed to be wrong other than the fact people kept singing.
After twenty minutes Elena stood, "We're here. I'll be on my ship. Once we've jumped out of hyper space I'll teleport you and myself down to John's office."
"Alright," Susan said, "I'll be ready."
Elena teleported back to her ship and both White Star 22 and the Athena jumped from hyperspace. Susan watched from her window and just as she spotted Minbar she was teleported down to the planet's surface. She looked around to see an empty office. "Where is everyone?" she asked as she turned to Elena.
"Outside," Elena stated as she pointed out the window.
Susan turned and saw John Sheridan, Delenn Sheridan, Kath O'Neill, Jack O'Neill, John Crichton, Aeryn Sun Crichton, Rachel Wright, Jessica Stetson, and Lee Stetson outside watching young David Sheridan playing with his Gok, Fluffy. "So why did you teleport us in here if they are out there?"
"I have my reasons," Elena stated as she sat in John's chair.
Susan nodded and walked to the window. When Lee turned towards the window, Susan waved at him and motioned for him and the others to come inside.
Lee, who sensed his wife's return, waved to Susan and turned to Sheridan, "Elena's back."
John turned to the window and saw Susan. He waved to her and turned to the others. "Gang she's…" before he could finish they were all teleported inside. John looked around for Elena. He gave her an annoyed look when he spotted her in his chair. "I really hate it when you do that."
"It wasn't her," Kath stated.
John looked at Kath and shook his head. "Aright, I hate it when you do that." John then turned to Susan, "Good to see you Susan. How are things on the Rim?"
"They've been better," Susan stated.
John nodded and turned to Elena, "Now Elena what happened with the Brakiri?"
"They're safe and the Drakh are gone. We've got another problem though," Elena told him as she got out of his chair before he fussed.
"Now what?" John Crichton asked as he sat down beside his wife.
"Well everyone on the Athena and myself have been singing for no apparent reason," Elena explained.
"Singing?" Lee questioned.
"Yeah, it was weird," Susan stated. "I was in my room and suddenly I was dancing around and singing. I can't explain why. And my entire crew is doing it too."
"Well what's causing it?" Rachel asked.
John Sheridan: (sat at his desk)
I've got a theory
That it's the Drakh
A dancing Drakh!
No, something isn't right there
Jess: (walked over and stood beside his desk)
I've got a theory
Some kid is dreamin'
And we're all stuck inside
His wacky Broadway nightmare
Kath: (sat on the couch as the other stood and gathered around Sheridan's desk)
I've got a theory
We should work this out
All: It's getting eerie
What's this cheery singing all about?
John Crichton: (jumped up)
It could be PSI Corps
That Evil PSI Corps -
Which is ridiculous
'Cause PSI Corps's gone, they were persecuted
The Squad won the war, Love the Teeps
And women power and I'll be over here
Rachel: I've got a theory
It could be bunnies!
Susan: I've got a theory –
Rachel: (danced around and jumped up and down)
Bunnies aren't just cute
Like everybody supposes!
They got them hoppy legs
And twitchy little noses!
And what's with all the carrots?
What do they need such good eyesight for anyway?
Bunnies! bunnies!
It must be bunnies!!
(everyone looked at her with weird expressions)
...Or maybe midgets
Kath: (stood up and walked to Jess's side while Elena walked over to the window and looked out)
I've got a theory
We should work this fast
Kath, Susan & Sheridan: Because it clearly could get serious
Before it's passed
Jess: I've got a theory….
Elena: (turned from the window)
It doesn't matter,
What can't we face if we're together?
What's in this place that we can't weather?
Apocalypse? We've all been there
The same old trips why should we care
All (but Sheridan): What can't we do
If we get in it?
We're working through
Within a minute
Sheridan: (singing while others sang): What can't we face
If we're together?
All: We have to try
We'll pay the price
It's do or die
Sheridan: Hey, I've died twice!
All: (all stood together in center of office)
There's nothing we can't face!
Rachel: Except for bunnies...
"So what's causing this?" Elena asked.
"I thought it didn't matter?" Sheridan asked her.
"It doesn't, other than I need to know how to defeat or stop what ever it is," Elena explained.
Sheridan sighed, "You said you started singing for no reason at all?"
"Yeah," Elena stated, " I was beating up some Drakh and suddenly we started singing."
"We?" Lee questioned.
"Yeah I started singing and the Drakh started dancing and singing along. It was weird."
"And I started singing right after you left my quarters," Susan stated.
"Wait are you saying this is my fault?" Elena asked turning quickly to face Susan.
"No, no I'm not saying that at all. What I mean is…"
"What she means," Sheridan stated cutting Susan off, "is that if it started after coming in contact with someone who started singing before, then it could be a contagion of some short. If that's the case then you infected the Athena and both of you just infected everyone in this room." Everyone looked around at one another. It wasn't necessary to say it. They all knew what John was implying. "As of this moment everyone on the Athena and in this office is under quarantine."