Waltz through Time: Chapter 9

A/N:Sorry its been a while, but I'm happy to announce that Hikari is now officially an SFA State University Lumberjack! HAH! I MADE IT! . So anyways, now our heroine is searching for a way to pull that disaster back together before something else comes and kicks around the pieces. Thanx for the support y'all, especially to Marie, Fondued Jicama, Talex Wyldcard, and "I'll Get There" (who ever you are, lol) for reviewing chapter 7! I hope you're enjoying it as much as I am.

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Chapter 8

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Ganya didn't understand. It had been going so well! She had finally managed to get the Captain and Marcus in the same room together and talk about the situation at hand, but something had gone terribly, terribly wrong. She had been waiting outside the garden entrance when the Captain had come rushing out alone, not even noticing Ganya in her haste to leave.

In Valen's name, how hard could it be?! Her parents had never acted so irrationally before and it was starting to get on Ganya's nerves. She'd known these people for sixteen years and she couldn't ever remember being so angry at them before now. But that was just it; she didn't know these people, not like they were here and now. They weren't her parents yet, and there was a decade and a half's worth of experience that would have changed them between now and Ganya's time.

"So what should I do then?" She asked the empty room of her quarters nearly a week later as she tried to use rational reasoning to get through. She hadn't vanished into nothingness yet. That was a good sign, but every so often she got a very hollow feeling, like her insides were tottering between being solid and non-existent, something she did not want to know the cause of.

"Well," Ganya voiced in answer to her own question. "I guess if I don't know these guys then I'm going to have to get to know them," She concluded rising from the bed enthusiastically and pulling on her boots hastily while hopping out the door, eager to begin again.

-- -- --

"You wanna wha'?" Zach Allen asked as Ganya trailed after him through the busy Zocalo later.

What are these people, deaf? She seethed to herself remembering to breathe deeply. The security Chief was the third person so far to ask her the same question in response to her own.

"I would like to know more about the Captain," She said airily. Pretending to be patient and unconcerned in an event such as preventing the nullification of your entire existence was an extreme feet and Ganya was rather pleased with her self for not raising any suspicions so far.

"Well, why don't you go talk to the Captain then?" Zach argued eyeing an alarmingly loud dispute between two Pac-ma-ras on the opposite side of the corridor.

"Because," Ganya tried to sound convincing and not as though she were horrified at the very thought, "She's rather busy at the moment I don't think it'd be healthy to disturb her with such trivia."

"Well then you should wait until she's free. Ivanova wouldn't be too happy if she heard you were poking around behind her back, Hey!" He suddenly shouted startling Ganya and a few others in the crowd as he hurried of to deal with some rule breaker or another.

"Well that went well," She grumbled under her breath as she wondered off to find someone else to speak with. She supposed it was high time she talked to Marcus again, though she hadn't been able to find him since the garden incident five days ago. She highly doubted that Ivanova would talk to her even if Ganya wanted her to. Every time they came with in a ten foot radius of each other the woman seemed to remember an important engagement elsewhere and hurried off in the opposite direction.

She'd already talked to a few of the medical staff including Lillian (whom she now remembered as Doctor Hobbs) who was confused as to who she was and why she was inquiring and ended up being called of to another mad-lab for one reason or another without giving up much info. Then she had run into a man in down below who mistook her for a full fledged ranger (something that made her smile cockily) and turned out to be one of Marcus' contacts. Lovely fellow, though he was a bit skittish.

And finally she had spoken to a woman with flaming red hair wearing the trade mark Psi-corp insignia and gloves. At first Ganya was weary of her only responding to her hello with a polite nod, but the woman was vaguely familiar and after she introduced herself as Lyta Alexander Ganya remembered her as a distant connection. She seemed on fairly friendly terms with both her parents and they had chatted for a bit, but after Lyta gave her a funny sideways glance as though trying to catch a hidden image of something Ganya had beat a hasty retreat. Even though she was far out of Psi-corps' reaches (or at least she was in her proper time and she hoped she was here) she was still terrified of them and didn't want anything remotely to do with them.

Ganya had been so engrossed in her thoughts that she ran straight into someone along a corridor without even noticing it. With lighting quick reflexes she grabbed hold of the person's arm to keep them from falling and was astonished to recognize who it was.

"Entil'Za," She stared blankly as Delenn smiled kindly back at her. She bowed jerkily, her brain suddenly working very slowly.

"Some one so young should not be so troubled," The Minbari woman said in her usual enchanting voice and Ganya blushed a little.

"Entil'Za?" Ganya finally asked, her brain straining to pick up speed again.

"Please, just Delenn, formalities can be quite tiring sometimes," She said with a hint of annoyance in her voice. Ganya nodded.

"Delenn, can I ask you a question?" Entil'Za smiled at her and Ganya felt she'd set herself up for this one.

"I believe you just did, but you may ask another if you wish." Ganya ginned, same old Delenn. Humor was apparently the first thing she'd picked up from her human counterpart.

"Do you know the Captain very well?" Delenn raised a hairless brow at this.

"We are friends, yes I think so." She replied looking thoughtful. "Why?"

"Do you think you could tell me a bit about her?" Ganya asked hopefully. Delenn smiled and gestured for her to follow as she continued down the hall in the direction she'd been headed before Ganya had nearly run her down.

"What would you like to know?" Delenn asked as they came to a stop in front of a door and she entered a key card into the slot opening the door with a soft hiss of machinery.

"Well…" Ganya considered her words carefully. "Is she a very forgiving person?" They entered the room and Ganya immediately felt at home among all the Minbari crystals, mobiles of tear shaped glass and the sweet fragrance of incense.

Delenn seemed to find this funny as she laughed softly before answering. "I suppose that depends. Is there a situation in particular you are speaking of?" Ganya shifted uncomfortable. She had the strangest feeling Delenn knew exactly what she was talking about.

"Well, supposing… hypothetically of course," Entil'Za nodded and smiled mirthfully. "Supposing someone turned up out of the blue and told you something about your future that you weren't expecting, something huge, like your role in a major historical event or…" She cast around for another analogy.

"Or your future offspring?" Delenn asked. Ganya stared rather stupidly at the woman for a moment.

"Or… or that," She stammered, "Anyways, supposing someone did that to the Captain, do you think she'd be angry with them? Would she accept what they told her?" Delenn considered it for a moment offering Ganya a place to sit as she herself sat down on a sofa adorned with metallic and pastel cushions and blankets.

"Well," Delenn finally sighed. "Captain Ivanova is a very strong person, but she is also very vulnerable. She has been hurt deeply in the past by those she loved and she has grown to expect little to no companionship in her life."

Ganya was surprised by this and frowned. "Vulnerable?" She asked. That wasn't a word she usually thought of when thinking of her mother, quite the contrary really.

"She is afraid of being close to people Ganya, and for good reason." Delenn explained softly.

"That's ridiculous!" Ganya interjected. "Why would someone turn love away just because it might not work out? What happened to 'Its better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all'?!"

Entil'Za smiled warmly at the young girl. "It's true that you should always love when the opportunity is given to you, but most people would rather be sure they are miserable than to take a chance and be happy." Ganya looked surprised. Delenn was so insightful she wondered how a single woman had become so intimate with universal truths like that.

"But I don't understand. A life without anyone to go home to at night and share it with isn't worth it," Ganya spoke softly trying to imagine not having her brother and sister to brag to or her parents to congratulate her on her work. Delenn smiled warmly and took Ganya's hand squeezing it gently.

"You have a very warm heart Ganya, maybe you should try to get her to listen to you. She may react better to you than she did to Marcus." Ganya nodded her head slowly thinking deeply on this. Then she realized what the other woman had said and she blushed.

"I didn't say that… it was a hypothetical question not…" She stammered trying to repair the damage, flustered.

Delenn began to laugh again until Ganya gave in with a heavy sigh. There was no denying it any more. Delenn was to sharp for it any ways. Then she remembered something.

"Speaking of Marcus, where is he? I've been looking for him for ages." Ganya said.

"Oh he left a few days ago on a mission, he's due to return tomorrow…"

"A mission," Ganya gasped, fear flooding her. "What kind of mission? Oh Valen he's gonna get himself killed…" She continued horrified until Delenn stopped her with a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"He will be fine. He is simply carrying information back home to Minbar for me." Ganya exhaled deeply slumping back in her seat. So he wasn't off doing something stupid… good.

"Yes, I understand your concern," Delenn replied, her voice slightly stern. "With his previous record of recklessness I worry about him sometimes too." Ganya laughed. How many times had her parents had that fight? Marcus was pretty loose cannon sometimes.

"So I should talk to the Captain myself?" Ganya asked skeptically, getting back on topic.

"Most likely," Delenn nodded. Oh boy Ganya thought as she thanked Entil'Za and left her company. Won't this be fun?!

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Ganya spent the entire walk to Ivanova's office convincing her self that this had to be done. If she didn't confront the Captain her self then there would never be any solution to the problem. So she took a deep calming breath, straightened out her shoulders, set her jaw in determination, marched into the office… and nearly tripped over her self. Ivanova wasn't even there!

Ganya made a screaming noise in the back of her throat pulling at her chestnut curls in frustration. Once she'd regain her composer she slapped the link on her hand and forced herself to speak. "Computer, locate Captain Ivanova."

Once she'd determined her location Ganya set off again to confront her mother. Strictly speaking Ganya wasn't allowed in C & C, but that didn't stop her from slipping past the security station and up the narrow hall. No one really seemed to be paying attention… Maybe I should suggest that security be hyped a little after this, she thought to herself as the doors to the command deck slid opened for her and she stepped in. No one even looked up at her as she strode to the forward catwalk where the Captain stood in front of the glass view port working at a console.

Whoa… Ganya thought looking out of the view port, her mouth slightly a-gap. The space outside was vast and unending, the stars glittering in a sea of black. Ganya stood for a moment admiring the view, but frowned when something caught her eye, like the glint off of something camouflaged when it moved through its hiding place. She had a funny feeling that something was watching her, but quickly shook if off, that's not the reason she was here.

The Captain still hadn't looked up to see who had entered so Ganya decided to declare her presence herself. "Now that's a view." Ivanova gave a visible start and swiveled around to give the young girl a death glair. Ganya had to remind herself not to back step at the look. Stand your ground, the old mantra echoed in her mind.

"What are you doing here?" the Captain seethed through gritted teeth and with out another word took Ganya by the arm and frog marched her out of C & C raising curious glances from the officers around them. Ganya felt like she was seven years old again and had embarrassed her mother in front of someone important as Ivanova led her down to the end of the hall and released her.

"I'm sorry," Ganya said rubbing her sore arm, "I tried your office but you weren't there. I need to talk to you."

"About what?" Susan snapped. She'd about had it with this girl and what she was trying to do.

Ganya was taken aback but her snippy tone, but was not prepared to back down. "Look, I know this is hard, but if you'll just listen…"

Ivanova wasn't going to have any of it, "No, you listen to me. I don't want to hear about this anymore. I don't want to know about you or the future or Marcus or anything else you have to say! I don't want you…" She didn't finish as another officer came down the hall from C & C. Ivanova stepped back so that the man could pass and when he was gone she turned back to Ganya.

The expression on the girl's face stated one thing and stated it very clearly. She was crushed. Ganya didn't make it a habit of crying in public but despite her best efforts salty hot tears were trailing down her face. There was a moment of thick silence before she could trust her voice again.

"I'm sorry I've been such a bother the last few weeks," She made every effort to steady her voice though it shook threateningly anyways. "I thought you'd understand." Susan opened her mouth to speak, but to late. Ganya turned on her heal and hurried off down the hall and out of sight.

Susan leaned against the wall after the girl was gone suddenly feeling very tired. She'd assumed that after the war ended things would be easier, but this was by far the most difficult situation Susan had ever faced, and it could only get worse before it got better.

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Michael Garibaldi stepped off of the transport and into the terminal on Babylon 5 with his new wife, Lise and her daughter, Taylor close behind. It was good to be back in the familiar surrounding again, even if it was only for a short business trip. It had been a hard haul from the near demise of Edgar's industry when its previous owner had been murdered to the semi-stable position they were now in and Michael, being the new co owner of the industry was escorting Lise to a meeting with other white-collar business associates to work out new alliances for the company.

He would be dropping in to say hello to all his old security pals and of course he would visit his friends, though he was slightly apprehensive. No matter how heart felt and sincere an apology was there would never be the same bond between the betrayer and the betrayed, even if said betrayer had done so unknowingly. Sheridan had already accepted his apologies and Michael was pretty sure Steven would too. Susan on the other hand…

Lise took his hand and Michael smiled, momentarily forgetting his troubles. The trio walked through customs and Garibaldi was greeted enthusiastically by the security guard working there. Then they entered the main corridor and got lost in the hustle and bustle. God it was good to be home.

Michael was jeered from his euphoria however by a sudden collision with someone else. He was surprised when the person, a teenaged girl with curly brown hair wearing Minbari style clothing looked up at him with tear-filled green eyes. Even more surprising was when the girl flung her arms around his middle (she wasn't tall enough to reach any further) and hugged him fiercely.

"Michael, who is this?" Lise asked supporting Taylor on one hip as she watched the two curiously. Before he could answer the girl looked up at him and spoke through her tears.

"I'm glad you're here Uncle Mike." Okay, Michael thought as he stood in the middle of the busy corridor with a stranger leached on to him. His old theory came back to him and he grimaced. There really never will be a normal day on Babylon 5.

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A/N: Yippy!! I just had to bring Garibaldi back into it! He's such a great character this story would be an insult if it didn't have him in it! Hope you're still enjoying and reviewing! Until next time, cheers!

HIKARi