Delenn and John walked though blue sector towards Susan's room.
"She's going to be here, but don't expect her to be happy." Delenn told John quite frankly.
"I'm not going to do anything but thank her for saving your life. She won't know that I know it is her."
"It is her job. We're here." She gave him a look.
"I know, I know, but an excuse none the less, Delenn."
Susan's door chimed. She collapsed her pike and scanned beyond the door to see who it was. She would have cursed if she could have. John couldn't see her without her hood…where was it? She opened her mind feeling around for the fabric. There it was. After concentrating, she grabbed her cloak telekinetically and pulled it towards her. She walked towards the door to open it, as she placed on her hood.
Sorry for making you two wait. Come in, sit down if you'd like.
"Computer Lights, medium." Delenn commanded.
I didn't notice. Sorry.
"It is fine, Lexi. Where is Mari?" Delenn asked while looking for the young child.
She's asleep in the other room. She didn't get to much sleep last night.
"Lexi, I would like to thank you for yesterday."
Don't thank me, it is my job. She sent to him.
"I know, but you still acted superbly."
Thank you, Captain.
Susan felt a small prick in the back of her mind, an indescribable terror, slowly becoming bigger.
Absolute Pain.
Absolute Hopelessness.
Absolute Terror.
Ex.. excuse me.
Susan stood up from the couch quickly and made her way over to the small bedroom where Mari was sleeping, in obvious distress. Mari tossed and turned in her sleep, curling up as if to protect herself. John and Delenn- unsure of what was going on- followed. Susan ran her hand down the side of the bed, and then gently shook Mari awake. The small girl panicked , not sure exactly where she was, fought Susan off and scrambled against the steel wall, body tense, her mind scanning about her.
Get away from me! Mari broadcasted in a wide range, and everyone in the room heard it.
It's okay, Mari, it's okay. Mari it's Susan.
Mari's small frame relaxed and she started shaking slightly.
Susan? Her hand reached out towards Susan, but Susan didn't see it. Susan did feel her need for her to be there, and sat on the bed. Pulling Mari close, she enveloped the trembling child in a hug and repeated telepathically over and over that she was in fact okay, and that she was there.
After a few minutes she realized again that John and Delenn were still there.
I'm sorry, Mari does this sometimes. Go for now, I'll explain later.
"She called you, Susan. I heard it." John stated calmly.
Every part of Susan's body tensed, for a moment.
It is a nickname of mine. I apologize for her broadcasting like that.
"I don't think it is." John took a step closer to her.
Susan wanted to run. They couldn't see her like this, there was no way he could see her like this. She was quite aware she could place a suggestion in both of their minds, that Susan wasn't in actuality her name, but, that was even worse than lying to them. She just stayed silent.
Delenn spoke. "Susan…"
NO! Delenn… She sent the message privately.
"He knows now, Susan. We're your friends."
Mari had been silent, not moving and just listening to what was going on. She spoke to Susan You wanted them to know. It's okay…
I…
She stood up facing Delenn, and slowly removed the black hood from her face. Her eyes were shut, her mouth a grim line. She bit her lip slightly but stood tall not out of pride but out of defiance. Her brown hair was in a tight French braid, and the most prominent feature on her face stood out like an angry fire; a Psicorps symbol taking up almost the entirety of her left cheek.
Yes. John, it's me.
He stood there in silence, realization that this person was really Susan. So many things flooded back. She looked smaller without the Earth Force uniform, not as strong, but there was an undeniable fierceness about her.
"I'm so glad you're alive." It wasn't what he wanted to say, but words nonetheless. He stepped towards her to give her a hug, and she took a step back.
Please, don't touch me. She sounded calm, but there was something…
-*-***--Susan's Mind --***-*-
Silence. Total darkness added in with the deafening silence, physically and mentally. She has been laying there, the cold seeping into her skin. Then, suddenly she heard the click of of a lock and the door opening slowly. She fought all pain, and forced herself up into a sitting position, even though it made her want to retch. The drugs-whatever they had injected made her sick, and stopped all of her abilities. She didn't know who it was, but she could hear the steps coming toward her.
She scrambled backwards, until she was up against the cold metal wall. She wanted to look up, but she couldn't see him anyway.
"Hello. He grabbed her by the wrists and pulled her into a standing position. He legs were so weak; she could hardly support her own weight. Then, he brought his lips onto hers…
-**--***---***--
John stopped. "I won't. Susan, it's good to have you back."
She nodded, then added bitterly Though not the way I thought I'd be coming back. John, I don't want the others to know yet.
"Susan, we're your friends."
You didn't know me.
"I did. I knew."
I know you did. But Steven and Michael don't know, and I don't want them to know it is me yet.
"I can understand. But Susan?"
Yeah?
"They're your friends too and they've been waiting to be able to welcome you back home."
*-**--***---****----*****-----******------*****-----****----***---**--*-
Wow!! *blush* thank you all for the wonderful reviews I've received,
Believe it or not, they make me write a WHOLE lot faster -_-;;; and I did really
enjoying reading what you'd do to Bester. Please Keep reviewing, yall guys are great!! ^_^ Oh and, I'm sorry for this chapter being kinda…I
like it, but not much happened. Erp… surprises ahead @.@. Again, Thanks Thanks and
Thanks!!
