A/N 1: Thank you so much for the kind guest reviews. I cannot respond personally to them but they are very much appreciated. Want to chat about the story or B5? Log in :) You don't have to be a writer to create an account here. I'd love to hear from you. But first, let's take a look at the next scenes.

Setting of next scene: episode 12 ("Sic Transit Vir") for obvious reasons. I know the writer postponed the first kiss for artistic reasons but come on … I'm just not buying it. So here's my take on this one!

He's done it. He's asked her out.

The quiet on the station is a rare thing now that everyone else is busy planning their next move, and John wants to take advantage of it while they still can. Delenn has been up and about for a few days now and they haven't spoken much since that night in Medlab 1. He finds he misses her and he's overjoyed that she has accepted his dinner invitation. He's receiving her at his quarters, not the restaurant, because he really wants to be alone with her this time; because things are different now. It's been a while since he has dated and Delenn isn't just an ordinary pretty girl. But he's ready to go for it again and make an effort for the dignified, classy Ambassador, who just happens to be a very sweet and sensitive woman underneath all of that formality. And he's made an effort. It will take him days to clean up his kitchen after this but he's actually managed to cook for her.

Delenn is touched. He is learning her language and now he has even learned how to cook Flarn. Or he has tried to. It doesn't actually taste very good but with some salt and pepper added, it is edible and she isn't going to say a word about it. It is nice to be in his company and she finds that the conversation flows easily; easier than she had expected after John's revelations in Medlab.

The attraction that had been growing between them has been put into words now, sort of, but somehow she is still a little nervous, as if tiny insects are fluttering around inside her belly. But they are relaxed over dinner and she is very much enjoying the reprieve from all the tension surrounding the conflicts they have been in.

And then a call comes in from security about an assault in progress, just one deck down from where they are. As expected, John can't stand by without doing something and he rushes out, telling Delenn he'll be right back. But he doesn't return. Instead, he calls her in his quarters from Medlab a while later to apologize. A Narn had tried to kill Vir and had nicked John's arm with a knife when he tried to stop him.

Why anyone would want to kill Vir is beyond her. He is the kindest, gentlest Centauri she has ever met. And apparently, he now has a woman in his life, who was there when he was attacked. But her main concern is John right now. He has told her that the cut is only superficial, but she decides to check up on him anyway the next morning. Somehow, she doesn't like how their date ended and she knows he is going back on duty soon, and so she goes to his quarters just before his work day starts.

John is trying to get his uniform on but his arm is giving him some trouble. He is pleasantly surprised when Delenn shows up at his door to see how he's doing. When she sees him struggle with the buttons of his uniform she insists on helping him, telling him that he is going to get himself killed one day if he keeps trying to break up every fight on the station. As she buttons him up, she remarks,

"I hear that when it happened, Vir was with a woman. Apparently they are to be married soon."

"So I understand. Must be the shortest courtship on record. She just got here yesterday."

He likes how close she's standing to him and he can't stop staring at her.

"Perhaps you should check the air recycling system," she tells him, looking up when she has finished buttoning him up, her hands lingering on his chest. "There may be, as you say, something in the air."

Their eyes lock once more and he smiles and takes her hands in his. They both know what's coming next and he tells her softly,

"Maybe there isn't that …"

He leans in then, wanting to kiss her more than anything, and she meets him halfway just when his Babcom monitor beeps and Ivanova pops up on the screen, calling him. They almost jump at the interruption and pull apart. The Commander apologizes immediately when she sees what she's just interrupted, but John tells her it's alright. Ivanova tells him he's needed in Londo's quarters straight away and there is an awkward moment when he looks at Delenn again. Would it be wrong if he just planted a kiss on her now, before he had to rush off again? He can't believe this just didn't happen but he doesn't know how to fix it because Delenn being Delenn, she's already retreating. He has to let her go for now, but he vows to kiss her for real before the day is over.

Delenn tries to focus on her work but is distracted when she and Lennier go over her day before her first appointment. When Lennier inquires if she is alright, she brushes him off but she makes a mental note to focus better from now. She does not want others to see that she has other things on her mind that have nothing to do with business. She needs to stop thinking about how badly she had wanted to kiss the Captain. She's never felt like this before and she feels a little lost. This isn't the time be distracted like this. She needs to pay attention to the reports the Rangers are bringing in and the progress the Minbari are making in building more ships for the coming war against the Shadows. She should not be thinking about what it would feel like to kiss John and to hold him close to her; to touch him and have him touch her in ways she has not been touched in many years. She has already watched him sleep once and has decided that that night on the White Star was the beginning of a ritual for them. She will explain it to him when the time comes, but she remembers his sleeping face and cannot help smiling slightly at the memory. He has nothing to worry about in this ritual, she knows this already.

When they walk to her first appointment, Delenn takes a deep breath and blows it out slowly. Focus, Delenn. Focus.

So, Susan Ivanova comedy. She deserves a spot here, since she's obviously on to them now. If you know the characters, I'm sure you can imagine this little scene while reading it. Enjoy!

Things with Vir have finally been sorted out. They know now that not he but his future wife Lyndisty had been the target of the Narn and his pouch brother and that instead of having Narns killed, he's been saving them. Unlike Lyndisty and her father. It looks like the woman that has been chosen to marry the kind Centauri isn't such a good match for him after all. John glances at Ivanova when they get off duty at last and before he can say anything, she puts up her hands in mock surrender.

"No more interruptions from me today, Captain. I promise."

John grins and shakes his head and Susan smirks at him. Just when he thinks that's all his Commander is going to say, Susan turns away mumbling,

"You lucky son of a ..."

"Sorry, what were you saying, Commander?" John asks her, wondering if he's interpreting her mumbling correctly.

"Nothing sir. Nothing whatsoever. Not a word. Now go on and uh … enjoy. Your uh … time off."

"Alright, I will."

"I bet."

"What?"

"I'm off to bed."

"Right. Me too."

"That's what I figured."

"Susan!"

"Sorry sir. Never mind me. I'll just be in my quarters. All alone. As always. Just me. Minding my own business. By myself. Goodnight."

John sighs and shakes his head once more as the Commander leaves the deck, and then he follows her out. He knows it's not easy being out here in space, away from family and other loved ones, and he knows he's very lucky to have found someone to share his life with right here, on the station. Ivanova is right about that.

It's getting late and he hopes Delenn won't mind him dropping by at this hour. But once again, he finds Lennier with her and it annoys him a little. Does he always have to be exactly where she is? Is he her aide day and night or something? He certainly hopes not. That might become very awkward.

Graceful as ever, Delenn sends Lennier away to his own quarters for the night, and John is relieved to know the young Minbari actually does have his own place to stay. Delenn assures John that they had already finished their work for the day and had just been discussing a few minor details about trade deals that can wait until morning.

"So tell me, what is it you have come to see me about?" she asks with a smile.

John grins and scratches his neck with a finger while he walks up to her.

"Well, I don't know about you, but I was getting pretty sick of being interrupted all the time. You're not expecting anyone else now, are you?"

"No. Not that I am aware of."

She smiles hesitantly and he hopes he's done the right thing, seeking her out again.

"How is your arm?" she asks, touching it lightly once they are standing almost toe to toe.

"It'll heal. I haven't overexerted myself, if that's what you're worried about."

"Good. Like you said, we should enjoy the calm while it lasts. It will give your arm the opportunity to heal."

"It will," John says softly. "And it will give us the opportunity to spend some more time together."

Delenn breathes out and her breath hits his chin. She's nervous and so is he but he knows what he wants. He reaches up and frames her face with his left hand, and when he runs his thumb over her cheekbone gently, Delenn closes her eyes. That's his cue and he moves in, brushing his lips over hers just once. She wraps her left arm around his waist and when he kisses her again, she kisses him back, moving her right hand to his neck to pull him closer to her. John moans softly when their bodies collide and he can't help himself when he wraps his arms around her to hold her even more tightly.

He is intoxicating and Delenn feels like someone has just shut off the gravity system. They are floating and breathing each other's air, neither of them wanting to end this first kiss between them. John is tender yet passionate and it feels like he is passing all of his own energy on to her. It flows through her veins, for her to return it to him and add her own while deepening their kiss.

When they finally break apart they're both out of breath and John leans his forehead against hers, his eyes closed. Delenn stares at his mouth and reaches up to touch his parted lips, that were kissing her so passionately only moments ago. He is warm and inviting and she feels herself longing for more of him. But her people have ways of doing things and she should not get carried away. It will not be easy though, especially knowing that Humans have less restraint when it comes to physical love. But John is regaining control of his senses and does not appear to have any plans to push her any further for the moment. She should not have expected anything else from him.

"Delenn …" he whispers.

"John."

"That was …"

He blows out a breath slowly and she giggles suddenly. She doesn't know why, but it helps to break the intimate spell they are under and John chuckles as well.

"Funny wasn't the word I was looking for, Ambassador," he tells her, trying to sound stern but he can't really get that wide grin off his face.

Delenn wraps her arms around his waist and locks her hands behind his back, keeping him securely attached to her, and he mirrors her actions. She looks up at him and tilts her head with a smile, and John realizes he's in big trouble now. Delenn the seductress is coming out to play and he has no doubt that she's a force to be reckoned with in this area too.

"Then what was the word you were looking for, Captain? I do hope it is a positive one. For your sake as much as mine."

She's overcome her insecurity and nerves very quickly and it's kind of unnerving for him. But two can play this game. He may be out of practice but he isn't completely helpless when it comes to flirting.

"And what if it's not? Or if I'm … undecided? Would there be … consequences?"

Delenn likes this little game they are playing. It makes the enormity of their decision to be a couple much lighter and something to enjoy instead of worry about in light of their histories and their current circumstances.

"If you are undecided, I suppose we should kiss again, so you can decide," she suggests.

"Nothing like a good old-fashioned experiment," John rumbles before dipping down to kiss the Ambassador again.

She hums and opens her mouth to him eagerly. She is as passionate kissing him as she is about the war and her own calling, and it's all he can do to keep up with her. His hands start to roam her body and he wishes she didn't wear these long, inaccessible gowns all the time. But maybe it's a good thing for now or he might push her too far too fast. Still, she doesn't stop him when he lets his hands skim the sides of her breasts and then pulls her hips tighter against his. Pressed up against him, she has to feel by now that she is affecting him greatly but he just can't help himself. Delenn just hums softly again, never breaking their heated kiss.

It isn't until they break apart again that she creates a little bit of space between their lower halves before looking up at him.

"Sorry, I eh …" John starts, but she silences him with one last small kiss.

"It's alright. It's … a compliment," she tells him softly.

"That it is, you can be sure of that," he agrees, rubbing her hips gently.

Delenn is trembling against him but she hasn't lost her wit, as he soon finds out.

"So, have you decided yet?" she asks him.

He laughs out loud at that and finally tells her,

"You're amazing Delenn. And I … I'm totally falling in love with you."

She rests her head on his shoulder and kisses his jaw, then smiles and tells him,

"That's good. Because I am totally falling in love with you too."

A/N 2: Alright, that's enough. Break it up, you two. There's a war coming. Get to it. Those few of you who are reading this, do let me know if this met your approval as a first kiss(es) instead of the one we finally got so many episodes later.