"Sheridan told me of your past." Delenn gave no sign of her emotions, but Lochley could see what kind of a conversation this was. State your boundaries, mark your territory. She was going to have to surrender before the battle even began. Damn.

"I'm glad," she said shortly, but it was clear she was not lying, and Delenn was taken aback. She said nothing, however. "I wanted you to know, but it wasn't my place to tell you. It was his."

"Thank you." Delenn actually smiled her gratitude. Perhaps this didn't have to end badly.

"I want you to know-- I didn't accept this post because of him. He needs a symbol of peace and cooperation, and of course, someone he can trust to watch his back so he doesn't have to. I need the time away from Earth, doing something I can be proud of without having to second-guess myself, my morals and the universe, in that order. This isn't about clinging on; it's about letting go."

Delenn smiled. "I understand about letting go, and I thank you for your explanation, although it was not necessary. But I wonder whether you have released as many of your burdens as you would like to think."

Psychology. Great. She could deal with psychology. "Look, Delenn, I know that you're trying to help, and I know that people around here like to go to you with their problems. But I don't need an oracle, and I don't need a counselor. I just need allies."

Delenn's brows arched. "Allies? Not friends?"

"I...don't know. I really don't know you, but I'm reasonably sure you won't put a knife through my chest. That's my definition of an ally."

Another arch look. "I was not speaking of myself, although I too would like to be your friend, in time."

Lochley knew her surprise showed on her face; Delenn's mouth was turning up at the corners. Damn damn DAMN. "If you'd seen the way our marriage ended, you'd never have said that, Delenn, I promise you. President Sheridan and I..."

"That is another thing," Delenn interrupted smoothly, "and it is the last question I shall ask you now, as John's wife. You address each other as strangers do, with perfect politeness. How is that possible after sharing a life bond?"

Aha. Something this too-wise being didn't know. Lochley felt very suddenly like an old woman. She let herself sink into the couch, and Delenn followed. "Delenn, we didn't have a marriage like you have a marriage. Everything we did and said was full of passion or rancor. We felt disconnected from reality, caught up in some kind of hurricane. We hung on to each other to keep from being blown away. But the winds died down, our feet hit the ground, and after that, there was nothing. The love got blown away when we weren't looking. We started calling each other by our military titles out of spite at first, and when we stopped hating each other, out of necessity. The only times I ever called him John were when I was in love with him."

Delenn took a few moments to absorb all of this, then said solemnly: "Now that you are colleagues once more, perhaps it is time to rethink old habits."

Lochley smiled, surprising herself. She didn't often smile genuinely, but Delenn seemed to inspire absolute sincerity. "You've got a strange way of looking at things, Delenn. But I'll think about it. I gotta tell you, I don't miss being married to him, but I miss hearing him call me Lizzie."

"Tell him that," Delenn murmured. Lochley nodded hesitantly.

"Maybe."

Delenn stood. Lochley had to hand it to the woman; she knew when to stay and when to go. "I shall see you later, Captain."

"Delenn." They each nodded their acknowledgement, Delenn bowed and the doors swished closed behind her. Sheridan ducked back behind the corner, but not before his wife spotted him.

"John! How could you?"

"Shhh, she's got ears like a bat. Come on." He grabbed her arm, pulling her away from Lochley's door, and several lucky passersby were treated to the rare sight of the poised Minbari Ambassador being dragged down a corridor by her husband while digging her heels in with all her might, looking like nothing more than a sulking child. When they reached their quarters, however, her demeanor quickly shifted as she gained control of herself once more.

"John, why did you eavesdrop on our conversation? It was private. You know she would die of mortification if she knew you had heard any of that."

"Yeah, that's why I didn't let her see me. Ok, ok," he gave in as her scowl deepened. "I saw you headed for her quarters. I got curious, and kind of scared that one of you might deck the other one at some point, so I followed you. I didn't really intend to listen, but you started talking about me. I couldn't help it. You saw what she's like. She talks to people the way she negotiates with terrorists. You don't get anything until you give a little, and even then she only lets you in with guns still drawn. Talking to her is like walking a tiny little path through barbed wire. You don't toe the line she wants you to, and you really regret it." His gaze grew wistful, and Delenn thought she saw some remorse as well. "It may not seem like it, but she really likes you, Delenn. Outside of giving orders and checking in with people, that conversation you just had is more than she says in a month."

"I think you know her defenses are just that, John; shields, not weapons. And that still does not excuse your actions." Delenn laid a hand on his arm. "If you wish to hear her, you need only listen. Rather than overhearing conversations not meant for you, try having one of your own. She will not make the first move. It is obvious even to me that she takes all of the blame for herself. She is angry at herself for being unable to extinguish the hope that the distance between you will lessen-- because she thinks it impossible."

"What? Why?"

Delenn sighed. "That I do not know. Even I cannot gain insight into the entirety of a person's soul on the basis of a two-minute conversation."

Sheridan did an exaggerated double-take. "Are you kidding? Are you saying I've discovered one of your limitations? Wow! It took over three years, but I finally did it."

Delenn smiled wryly. "Oh, be quiet. And stick to the point. All that I know for certain is that she is chained within her solitude, and you are the only one who can help her. Talk to her, John; let her know that she can trust you to do more than just 'watch her back.'"

Sheridan nodded, concern and a little fear clouding his expression. "I don't know if she'll let me, but I'll give it my best shot."

"Good. But you must do it whether she lets you or not. Trust me; any amount of persistence, welcome or otherwise, will be better than walking away."