Talia found herself sitting on one of the stone benches in the garden. The words that Susan had hurled at her cut to the bone. She knew the woman was hurting but damn did she have to be so cruel.

She had contacted Michael and asked him to meet her. She needed his help in finding Susan. She figured that she would turn to her surrogate family for help. She had a feeling that Susan was going to leave and never come back. That thought sent dread and fear through the telepath's body. She wasn't sure how she was going to convince her to stay but she had to try. She couldn't imagine knowing that Susan was out there somewhere and not with her.

Talia was getting antsy, she got up and began to pace while waiting for the security chief.

"Come on come on what is taking so long?"

Andrei was beyond thrilled at the events that were unfolding. He couldn't imagine going back to Proxima without his daughter. He had come to love her as his own. So when she showed up at his quarters he was elated.

She was resting on his sofa while he arranged for their departure.

The door chimed and Andrei just figured it was Dimitri. "Enter."

Michael Garabaldi and Talia stepped into the dimly lit quarters.

"Dimitri did you pack up all of Irinia's things? I want to leave here in five minutes."

He looked up and there was no Dimitri, just those pesky people from the station.

"Why are you here?"

Talia stepped further into the room looking for Susan, Michael was following close behind her. Andrei moved to block them from coming further into his quarters.

"I want both of you out of here now", he bellowed at them.

Irinia was ready to leave this place it was taking too long. She stepped out of the bedroom when she heard her father shouting.

Talia noticed her right away, "Susan please I need to speak with you."

Andrei stepped between the two women. "Can you please leave I know my daughter has made her intentions quite clear. We are leaving this station as soon as possible."

Talia's worst fears were just confirmed. Her lip began to tremble and she looked ready to pass out.

Seeing the telepath so distraught made Irinia want to reach out and comfort her. Knowing that she was the cause of her emotional state. She knew in her heart that she had feelings for this woman. Everything was just so complicated. She placed her hand on Andrei's shoulder. He turned to look at his daughter, "It's okay papa I will speak with her."

Irinia took hold of the telepath's elbow and guided her to her room so they could have some privacy. She didn't want to have an audience especially that nosy security chief.

Tears were streaming down the telepath's face.

"I know I must seem sad and pathetic. Practically throwing myself at you, but I don't care.

I know how it feels to be without you. I want you in my life, I need you. I don't care how I can have you. Being apart from you is unbearable.

I will settle for friends, just knowing I can see you and talk to you is enough for me."

Irinia was beside herself with emotions as she listened to Talia pour her heart out. She went to her and enveloped her in her arms. Talia clung to her, sobs racking her frame.

"Shhh, it's ok, she tried to soothe the distraught woman in her arms.

The warm embrace made Talia cry harder. Thoughts of loneliness and desperation filtered through her mind of Susan's departure.

"Hey now please stop crying. "Irinia was running her arms up and down trying to console her. Talia was starting to hyperventilate.

"Look at me you, you got to breathe. Come on do it with me, in and out." She got her a glass of water and guided her to the sofa. She lifted the glass to her lips. "That's it nice and easy."

The cool water felt good sliding down her sore throat. She hiccupped a few times. She took a few breaths and cleared her throat. She looked straight into blue stormy eyes.

"I'm a babbling mess but I know what I want. There is nothing left for me on this station. I want to go with you."

Irinia got up from the sofa, walked towards the viewport and just gazed at the stars. She kept facing the viewport composing her thoughts on what the telepath just revealed to her. She didn't want to go on hurting this woman.

"I am not Susan and I never will be her. I refuse to live a lie. Can you accept that, are you willing to live with that? Can you love me for who I am and not who you want me to be?

Tears were welling in her eyes, she tried to blink them away but they spilled down her cheeks.

Talia answered without hesitation, "Yes"

The stars streaming by seemed to calm Talia. She was on Andrei's ship headed to her new life on Proxima. Susan was sleeping soundly next to her.

She thought back to her meeting with Michael just before they headed to Andrei's quarters.

Talia was pacing the small area in the garden waiting for the security chief. A million different scenarios were racing through her mind. Finally she saw Michael making his way towards her.

"Do you know where Andrei Kralick's quarters are?"

"Hello to you too", he responded to her query.

'I don't have time for pleasantries we need to find Susan before she leaves the station or better yet I'll just go with her." The telepath continued talking not stopping for a breath or to explain anything to the confused security chief.

"The answers we need are on that planet. I can go there, gather info, be the inside man. There has to be a way to bring Susan back.."

"Are you crazy? There is no way I'm letting you go." He had enough of this one sided conversation.

Talia was incredulous with Michael's attitude. "Let's get one thing straight, I don't need any permission from you on any decision I make. I will be with Susan that's all that matters."

"Do you hear yourself, that woman doesn't believe she is your precious Susan."

As soon as those words left his mouth he instantly regretted them. He could see the rage in Talia's eyes.

Talia slapped Michael. "I'm so tired of your jealousy. Get it through your thick skull I will never be interested in a relationship with you." The telepath jabbed her finger into his chest at every word.

"I'm tired of having to go over this with you. We are friends and nothing more. We are wasting precious time here. Susan could be gone."

Michael just stared at the telepath, he couldn't believe she slapped him. But deep down he knew he deserved it.

Michael bowed his head in embarrassment. He knew he crossed a line. He sighed in defeat "What do you need from me?"

They quickly formulated a plan. "As soon as you are able contact me on this secure channel we will communicate only this way."

Susan stirred beside her interrupting her thoughts. Talia glanced at her sleeping face, she tightened her hold on her. That seemed to settle her down. Talia knew that she would stop at nothing to bring Susan back.