Chapter 10
"Thank you, sweetheart. Thank you, Will. Now, this may be a bit confusing for you but you can ask about anything that you don't understand and I'll try to make this as easy as I can okay? This place you woke up in after the attack is not really the same place you were in before. Iona brought you here so that you could be safe. We all look like your parents but we are not really your parents," said John, awkwardly.
Will and DJ's eyes widened. Will turned around to look at his 'mother' carefully. DJ looked up at her sister in confusion.
John sighed. 'I could have handled that better,' was his first thought. Apparently dealing with children was harder than he'd ever assumed. But then how could you ever be prepared for these kinds of circumstances? This wasn't exactly a common phenomenon.
Susan felt Will's inquiring mind probe hers strongly. She briefly wondered how strong his abilities were. That issue warranted some investigation in the near future. Currently, she was busy dealing with the intensely confused emotions radiating from her 'son'.
"You're not Daddy?" asked DJ, in a soft, heartbroken voice. Her eyes were starting to fill with tears.
John felt his heart being wrenched painfully and he would do anything to take her hurt away. He wished desperately that he could recall his words. He didn't know how to answer her in the face of her tears. He stared back at her helplessly. He had no idea how to proceed and was utterly horrified that he had made DJ cry.
Marcus registered the plaintive question from the little girl that tore at his heart as well. However at that moment, he was more focused on Will who was clutching onto both of his 'parents' tightly and staring at them uncomprehendingly. Marcus was a man of many talents but currently he felt completely incapable of any coherent thought or action. He could not think beyond addressing the panic and betrayal etched on Will's little face.
"DJ, Will, listen to me," commanded Delenn with a calm but firm voice.
Iona looked at her gratefully. She was relieved that someone appeared to be taking control of the situation that seemed to be spiraling out of control. Being closely related to all of them, she was struggling under the onslaught of emotions assaulting her from every direction.
"Mommy?" asked DJ with a choked sob, looking at her.
Will also turned to stare at her with frightened eyes.
"DJ, Will, I need you to calm down and listen to me please," said Delenn with a formal air.
The two children instinctively responded to her direction. They were frightened and confused and in need of some sort of guidance.
"Come here please," ordered Delenn. She held out her arms to the two children. She had decided that it would be easier to draw their focus away from the other adults in the room who were now all also in a state of panic themselves. Comforting the children was the priority in this case.
They both obeyed. They walked towards her hesitantly. Delenn drew them both closer to herself. She let them stay standing up so that she would be able to address them at eye level as she stayed seated.
Delenn skillfully directed her gaze at each of them in turn as she started to try and explain the situation.
"The Shadow attack that you remember was very bad. The station was being destroyed. Your mothers and fathers loved you very much. I'm sure you both know that," said Delenn gravely.
DJ and Will nodded, still staring at her.
"So they made a very big and difficult decision to save you and your sister. Because they loved you so much, they sent you here to us. So that you can be safe from the Shadows. Can you understand that?" asked Delenn.
They were both silent but nodded in unison.
"The next part is a little harder for you. You see, the only place that they could send you was to another world that was like your own but not exactly the same," Delenn paused and looked at them carefully.
DJ bit her lip. Will was looking at Delenn searchingly with a slight frown as if weighing her words. He also glanced at DJ and reached over to grasp her hand in his.
Delenn let her words sink in and then continued, "We are in many ways the same people that your mothers and fathers are. But we are not your parents. We are a different version of the people who are your parents. This world is different in many ways even if it is the same in other ways."
Will's frown deepened. He gripped DJ's hand more firmly.
"So you look like DJ's mommy but you're not?" asked Will frankly.
"That is correct. But I am nearly the same as DJ's mother in many ways," said Delenn gently.
"Does that mean that you don't love me?" asked DJ timidly. That was the main question in her mind. Her world consisted of her family. She had always been very secure in their love. That was the only thing that was important to her.
Delenn kept her composure and debated briefly in her mind about what to say to the little girl.
"I do love you, DJ. And I know that John, the man you have been calling 'Daddy' loves you very much here too," answered Delenn steadily.
"What about me?" asked Will. There was a fear of rejection in his eyes. "Susan and Marcus," started Delenn but was interrupted.
"We love you, Will," stated Susan firmly. She held out her arms towards the little boy.
"I love you very much here and Marcus does as well," she told him.
Will looked at her uncertainly. He didn't move. He stood looking lost and forlorn.
Susan's heart ached at the look in his eyes. She did love him. She knew without a doubt that Marcus did as well. It didn't matter that he had only been here for four days. She loved him as if she had given birth to him. It scared her immensely but she had to deal with her own emotions later. Right now, she knew that it was extremely important that she put Will's needs first. The little boy's whole world had just come crashing down on him and he needed her.
Susan moved towards Will slowly and knelt close to where he stood by Delenn with her arms outstretched. She waited patiently. She knew that Will had to accept her by himself. From what she had learned of him, he was incredibly strong-willed for one so young. Apparently he had somehow inherited her fear of rejection.
Will looked at her and then at Marcus.
"Daddy?" he asked. He needed reassurance from Marcus himself as well. Will would not simply accept Susan's words.
"I love you, Will. Susan's right. I love you very, very much here even if I'm not quite the same person as your 'Daddy'. It's okay, little man. It will be okay," affirmed Marcus. He got down on his knees beside Susan.
Will thought for a while. Then he looked at DJ and subsequently at John Sheridan.
"Uncle John, do you love DJ?" asked Will protectively.
"Yes, I do, Will. I most certainly do. DJ, I love you just as if you are my own little girl. You both don't have to worry. We all love you and we'll do our best to take care of all of you," said John.
Will stared thoughtfully in turn at each person in the room and finally stepped away from Delenn. He released DJ's hand slowly and went towards Susan.