Part II
Rain Check
He laughed, there were still some human phrases that she did not yet understand. "A rain check is like an IOU."
"I ......O......U....."? Another questioning glance.
"Yes, it's ah well when you ....... Well a rain check is when you don't have the time to do something, or you are sick or something, so you get a "rain check" and pick up where you left off, so to speak, at another time". Her face was clearly puzzled.
"John, I understand what it means to reschedule or postpone something, but what does rain have to do with us needing to resume our duties now and continue this.........". With that statement she reached up and brought his mouth to hers. Her lips started at the corner of his mouth and moved over his lips her tongue gliding along his lower lip, pressing against it. Knowing better, he opened his mouth to her anyway and their tongues met and tangled till they both needed more air. ".........later," she breathed.
"Delenn, you are not playing fair." He was flustered and trying to get some distance from her. After all, they were still newly weds and had waited a long time before becoming intimate; it was difficult some times to maintain their professional decorum just now when all they wanted was to be with each other, with no one else around. Sheridan was thinking to himself that after all, he was only human. "Ah, wha.....what was the question?" She laughed.
"We were discussing rain checks and IOU's."
"Oh, yeah right. Well it had to do with rain because in earth history some things that would have taken place outside would have to be postponed because it would be raining."
"Oh." Her expression told him that she understood but still didn't really understand. "It is not raining now John." She smiled flirtatiously. He somehow felt as though the collar of his shirt was becoming tighter. "And what is an IOU?" He cleared his throat.
"Well .......ah......an IOU is when, say for instance, I owed you something that I couldn't deliver right now, so I would write out a piece of paper that said I owed you whatever, and that I agreed to deliver at a stated time. Then I would put my signature to the paper and give it to you to hold as proof of the agreement, and you present the IOU and I'm supposed to come across with the goods." She smiled at him a little wickedly.
"Well, Mister. President, since you refuse to "deliver" now, I will give you a rain check if you will give me an IOU. And I hope you realize the seriousness of being indebted to one of the most influential ambassadors in the Alliance." He grinned and moved closer to her again. He tilted his head and raised his right hand as if swearing an oath.
"Oh trust me, Ambassador, I realize the enormity of the diplomatic ramifications if I were to not honor this debt. And may I say I have never been more happily indebted to anyone." He bent his head for a brief kiss this time, knowing better than to press fate too closely.
"Rain check." As always, she repeated a new phrase to begin to incorporate it into her repertoire. "By all means then, Mr. President, you may have your rain check, when I get my IOU." Her face then grew serious. "But now I am going to talk to Mr. Allen about your security detail." She kept her hand in his, her eyes locked with his, as long as possible as she moved away from him and left the room.
He shook his head. She was ............she was more than all of his words could define, and he thanked the universe for bringing her into his life. He would not have been nor would he continue to be, able to walk the path that he walked, without her strength, courage and support. The role that life had handed to him, and that he had accepted, was a very heavy one indeed, as was hers. They both needed the person that the other one was, to continue to walk the path that was shaping a galaxy, and the future.
Sheridan triggered his link. "Sheridan to C&C."
"C&C, go ahead Mister President."
He still always was expecting to hear Captain at the other end of their sentences; it took him a minute to respond.
"Yes, patch me through to Mr. Allen."
"Yes, sir."
Sheridan heard Zach's voice--------"Security."
"Zach, it's me, I want a guard stationed outside my office until further notice, or until we get this guy. The detail goes where I go, at least until after the ceremony this afternoon."
"Ah, yes.......yes, sir." Zach's voice sounded startled and unbelieving.
Was he really that predictable, he thought to himself. "Yeah, I know Zach, but I promised someone, besides it is the smart thing to do, and sometimes....... well sometimes, she outranks me." His voice had a laugh in it.
Zach looked up, his mouth open, as he saw Ambassador Delenn standing in front of his desk with a small slightly triumphant smile on her face. She had walked into his office just in time to hear Sheridan's last sentence.
"Any leads yet, Zach?" Zach's attention was drawn back to his link.
"No sir, but every available person is working on it, and we are working out the details for securing the ceremony as we speak."
"Good, but don't go overboard, Zach .........." Zach looked at Delenn to see the smile leave her face, her mouth opened to interrupt Sheridan in protest.
"More isn't always better, Zach, just get this guy so we can get on with business. I have a new Alliance to run, and this guy is getting in my way." His voice was hard and impatient now. "Sheridan out."
"Yes, sir." Zach responded reflexively, even though he knew that Sheridan had already terminated the conversation.
He looked at Delenn. "Ambassador, I assume you are here to help arrange for the security for the ceremony."
"Yes, Mr. Allen."
Zach started to say something but she interrupted him.
"And remember you heard him say that sometimes I outrank him. This is one of those times; are we absolutely, crystal, clear on this matter, Mr. Allen?" She emphasized, using a phrase she had often heard John use.
"Yes, Ambassador, crystal clear."
"Good, see to it that a guard is placed outside John's office and goes with him everywhere, and I do mean everywhere, until this man is caught.--" "-And, Mr. Allen, I want to be the one to brief the guard, as well as the security detail, and I will also be assigning a detail of rangers, as well."
"Ah...." He knew from the look on her face that he might as well just agree, she wasn't going to take no for an answer, and she would figure out some way to pull rank on him to see that it was done the way she wanted it. "Sure, Ambassador. I'll send the detail to you for briefing within the next 30 minutes."
"Thank you, Zach." She touched his arm, and her smile reflected her gratitude.
"Yes, ma'am."
Sheridan had worked in his office most of the remaining time before the ceremony; he hadn't really noticed the presence of security until he left for his quarters to shower and change . The guard followed him the whole way, staying a pace or two behind and saying nothing. Sheridan was reminded just why he hated this sort of thing. He was already inwardly seething at the necessity of having a guard with him by the time they reached his door. And he was starting to wish he could think of any way to change his mind, without his wife divorcing him immediately, or who knew, she might even resort to bodily harm if she was angry enough with him. When the guard started to follow him into his quarters, however, that was where he drew the line.
Sheridan held up a hand. "You can wait right outside the door here, that will be fine."
"But, sir, I had strict instructions not to leave you alone in any place, anywhere."
"Instructions from whom?" Sheridan asked.
"Ambassador Delenn, sir, she briefed me herself. She was very clear, sir." Sheridan wasn't sure, but he thought the guard's voice almost squeaked out of nervousness.
Sheridan could swear he saw beads of sweat forming on the security guard's face. He grinned a little. He could just about imagine the look that Delenn had given this guy when briefing him. He wouldn't want to be on the bad side of that look either. She was definitely being very thorough.
"Yes, well, you can wait right out here, and I will call you if I need anything."
"Sir, Ambassador Delenn was very specific, sir, she said not to leave you alone anywhere." His voice was sounding more and more nervous.
Sheridan was beginning to rub the back of his neck, a sure sign that he was beginning to get really aggravated. "Look, Thompson, I know the ambassador wanted someone with me at all times today, but there is only one entrance to my quarters, so if you're out here, nobody can get in there." Sheridan emphasized with his finger. "And I draw the line at needing someone to nursemaid me through a shower and change of clothing. You will wait out here while I prepare for the ceremony in there. Is that perfectly clear to you, Thompson?" Sheridan thought he heard the man gulp.
"Yes, Mr. President, perfectly clear, sir."
"Thank you."
Sheridan walked into his quarters, expelling a frustrated breath through pursed lips. He was getting more frustrated and angry with this whole turn of events. He hadn't even wanted this damned inauguration in the first place, but now was all but forced to go through with it, or make the Alliance appear weak and unprepared. Welcome to your new life, he thought to himself. He was removing his jacket and unbuttoning his shirt as he moved toward his bedroom. In an instant he froze, as he heard a noise from the bedroom. Odd the doors were closed, he knew he hadn't closed them when he had left this morning. He reached into the desk in the living room, and pulled out a PPG he kept for emergencies. As the president of the Alliance, he no longer wore a side arm; but he just didn't feel comfortable not having one around in case he needed it, especially after so many years of wearing one. He pressed the energy cap into the charged position. He walked quietly across the room,and silently slid open the bedroom doors. There was definitely someone moving around in the bathroom. Footsteps were moving closer to the door leading to the bedroom. Sheridan quickly crossed the bedroom and backed up against the far wall to the left of the bathroom door. He waited as the steps drew closer
Rain Check
He laughed, there were still some human phrases that she did not yet understand. "A rain check is like an IOU."
"I ......O......U....."? Another questioning glance.
"Yes, it's ah well when you ....... Well a rain check is when you don't have the time to do something, or you are sick or something, so you get a "rain check" and pick up where you left off, so to speak, at another time". Her face was clearly puzzled.
"John, I understand what it means to reschedule or postpone something, but what does rain have to do with us needing to resume our duties now and continue this.........". With that statement she reached up and brought his mouth to hers. Her lips started at the corner of his mouth and moved over his lips her tongue gliding along his lower lip, pressing against it. Knowing better, he opened his mouth to her anyway and their tongues met and tangled till they both needed more air. ".........later," she breathed.
"Delenn, you are not playing fair." He was flustered and trying to get some distance from her. After all, they were still newly weds and had waited a long time before becoming intimate; it was difficult some times to maintain their professional decorum just now when all they wanted was to be with each other, with no one else around. Sheridan was thinking to himself that after all, he was only human. "Ah, wha.....what was the question?" She laughed.
"We were discussing rain checks and IOU's."
"Oh, yeah right. Well it had to do with rain because in earth history some things that would have taken place outside would have to be postponed because it would be raining."
"Oh." Her expression told him that she understood but still didn't really understand. "It is not raining now John." She smiled flirtatiously. He somehow felt as though the collar of his shirt was becoming tighter. "And what is an IOU?" He cleared his throat.
"Well .......ah......an IOU is when, say for instance, I owed you something that I couldn't deliver right now, so I would write out a piece of paper that said I owed you whatever, and that I agreed to deliver at a stated time. Then I would put my signature to the paper and give it to you to hold as proof of the agreement, and you present the IOU and I'm supposed to come across with the goods." She smiled at him a little wickedly.
"Well, Mister. President, since you refuse to "deliver" now, I will give you a rain check if you will give me an IOU. And I hope you realize the seriousness of being indebted to one of the most influential ambassadors in the Alliance." He grinned and moved closer to her again. He tilted his head and raised his right hand as if swearing an oath.
"Oh trust me, Ambassador, I realize the enormity of the diplomatic ramifications if I were to not honor this debt. And may I say I have never been more happily indebted to anyone." He bent his head for a brief kiss this time, knowing better than to press fate too closely.
"Rain check." As always, she repeated a new phrase to begin to incorporate it into her repertoire. "By all means then, Mr. President, you may have your rain check, when I get my IOU." Her face then grew serious. "But now I am going to talk to Mr. Allen about your security detail." She kept her hand in his, her eyes locked with his, as long as possible as she moved away from him and left the room.
He shook his head. She was ............she was more than all of his words could define, and he thanked the universe for bringing her into his life. He would not have been nor would he continue to be, able to walk the path that he walked, without her strength, courage and support. The role that life had handed to him, and that he had accepted, was a very heavy one indeed, as was hers. They both needed the person that the other one was, to continue to walk the path that was shaping a galaxy, and the future.
Sheridan triggered his link. "Sheridan to C&C."
"C&C, go ahead Mister President."
He still always was expecting to hear Captain at the other end of their sentences; it took him a minute to respond.
"Yes, patch me through to Mr. Allen."
"Yes, sir."
Sheridan heard Zach's voice--------"Security."
"Zach, it's me, I want a guard stationed outside my office until further notice, or until we get this guy. The detail goes where I go, at least until after the ceremony this afternoon."
"Ah, yes.......yes, sir." Zach's voice sounded startled and unbelieving.
Was he really that predictable, he thought to himself. "Yeah, I know Zach, but I promised someone, besides it is the smart thing to do, and sometimes....... well sometimes, she outranks me." His voice had a laugh in it.
Zach looked up, his mouth open, as he saw Ambassador Delenn standing in front of his desk with a small slightly triumphant smile on her face. She had walked into his office just in time to hear Sheridan's last sentence.
"Any leads yet, Zach?" Zach's attention was drawn back to his link.
"No sir, but every available person is working on it, and we are working out the details for securing the ceremony as we speak."
"Good, but don't go overboard, Zach .........." Zach looked at Delenn to see the smile leave her face, her mouth opened to interrupt Sheridan in protest.
"More isn't always better, Zach, just get this guy so we can get on with business. I have a new Alliance to run, and this guy is getting in my way." His voice was hard and impatient now. "Sheridan out."
"Yes, sir." Zach responded reflexively, even though he knew that Sheridan had already terminated the conversation.
He looked at Delenn. "Ambassador, I assume you are here to help arrange for the security for the ceremony."
"Yes, Mr. Allen."
Zach started to say something but she interrupted him.
"And remember you heard him say that sometimes I outrank him. This is one of those times; are we absolutely, crystal, clear on this matter, Mr. Allen?" She emphasized, using a phrase she had often heard John use.
"Yes, Ambassador, crystal clear."
"Good, see to it that a guard is placed outside John's office and goes with him everywhere, and I do mean everywhere, until this man is caught.--" "-And, Mr. Allen, I want to be the one to brief the guard, as well as the security detail, and I will also be assigning a detail of rangers, as well."
"Ah...." He knew from the look on her face that he might as well just agree, she wasn't going to take no for an answer, and she would figure out some way to pull rank on him to see that it was done the way she wanted it. "Sure, Ambassador. I'll send the detail to you for briefing within the next 30 minutes."
"Thank you, Zach." She touched his arm, and her smile reflected her gratitude.
"Yes, ma'am."
Sheridan had worked in his office most of the remaining time before the ceremony; he hadn't really noticed the presence of security until he left for his quarters to shower and change . The guard followed him the whole way, staying a pace or two behind and saying nothing. Sheridan was reminded just why he hated this sort of thing. He was already inwardly seething at the necessity of having a guard with him by the time they reached his door. And he was starting to wish he could think of any way to change his mind, without his wife divorcing him immediately, or who knew, she might even resort to bodily harm if she was angry enough with him. When the guard started to follow him into his quarters, however, that was where he drew the line.
Sheridan held up a hand. "You can wait right outside the door here, that will be fine."
"But, sir, I had strict instructions not to leave you alone in any place, anywhere."
"Instructions from whom?" Sheridan asked.
"Ambassador Delenn, sir, she briefed me herself. She was very clear, sir." Sheridan wasn't sure, but he thought the guard's voice almost squeaked out of nervousness.
Sheridan could swear he saw beads of sweat forming on the security guard's face. He grinned a little. He could just about imagine the look that Delenn had given this guy when briefing him. He wouldn't want to be on the bad side of that look either. She was definitely being very thorough.
"Yes, well, you can wait right out here, and I will call you if I need anything."
"Sir, Ambassador Delenn was very specific, sir, she said not to leave you alone anywhere." His voice was sounding more and more nervous.
Sheridan was beginning to rub the back of his neck, a sure sign that he was beginning to get really aggravated. "Look, Thompson, I know the ambassador wanted someone with me at all times today, but there is only one entrance to my quarters, so if you're out here, nobody can get in there." Sheridan emphasized with his finger. "And I draw the line at needing someone to nursemaid me through a shower and change of clothing. You will wait out here while I prepare for the ceremony in there. Is that perfectly clear to you, Thompson?" Sheridan thought he heard the man gulp.
"Yes, Mr. President, perfectly clear, sir."
"Thank you."
Sheridan walked into his quarters, expelling a frustrated breath through pursed lips. He was getting more frustrated and angry with this whole turn of events. He hadn't even wanted this damned inauguration in the first place, but now was all but forced to go through with it, or make the Alliance appear weak and unprepared. Welcome to your new life, he thought to himself. He was removing his jacket and unbuttoning his shirt as he moved toward his bedroom. In an instant he froze, as he heard a noise from the bedroom. Odd the doors were closed, he knew he hadn't closed them when he had left this morning. He reached into the desk in the living room, and pulled out a PPG he kept for emergencies. As the president of the Alliance, he no longer wore a side arm; but he just didn't feel comfortable not having one around in case he needed it, especially after so many years of wearing one. He pressed the energy cap into the charged position. He walked quietly across the room,and silently slid open the bedroom doors. There was definitely someone moving around in the bathroom. Footsteps were moving closer to the door leading to the bedroom. Sheridan quickly crossed the bedroom and backed up against the far wall to the left of the bathroom door. He waited as the steps drew closer