Disclaimer: See chapter one
Holiday Lights
Chapter 2: Invitations
The War Room was the same as always, yet not. At five of the six places lay a card, sealed and headed. In the sixth seat sat Anla'shak Marcus Cole, watching the others file in. John and Delenn had come together. Michael was next with Susan and Stephen behind him. Mike lacked his usual arrogance, and didn't swing his legs on to the table. Nor did Susan sit on it. Instead they all sank into the chairs and waited to begin.
Noticing the invitations they each took them, without opening them, probably intending to do so at the end. That was fine Marcus decided, his eyes settling as usual on Susan, noticing every detail as the meeting began.
"There hasn't been an attack in 3 days," said Sheridan, opening the briefing. It went on for hours. The attack they were planning to take place in 5 days at the edge of Vorlon space where they believed the Shadows would try to attack. There were so many details. It was near midnight when they closed the meeting. "Anything else?" asked John as a way of a closer.
"Actually Captain, yes. If you would all open your envelopes," Marcus answered. Puzzled they all complied. They all looked up after reading their invitations, which went as followed: 'You are invited to a holiday get together on December 24th, at my quarters, 6 PM.'
John and Delenn accepted immediately. Stephen and Susan also accepted hesitantly. Michael, thoughtful, nodded as well, unenthusiastically. Marcus grinned delighted, ignoring the reluctance. He couldn't wait to make this happen.
As everyone filed out, Marcus called Susan back. Ignoring Michael's stare of protectiveness toward her, he asked, "Susan, join me for dinner?"
"I can't," she said. "I have to get down to Maintenance."
"It's 11:30, please. I need to talk to you about something."
Against her better judgment she said, "All right, let me get changed," as she headed to her quarters.
Ecstatic, Marcus responded, "I'll pick you up in half an hour."
Susan didn't respond, all ready out the door.
Holiday Lights
Chapter 2: Invitations
The War Room was the same as always, yet not. At five of the six places lay a card, sealed and headed. In the sixth seat sat Anla'shak Marcus Cole, watching the others file in. John and Delenn had come together. Michael was next with Susan and Stephen behind him. Mike lacked his usual arrogance, and didn't swing his legs on to the table. Nor did Susan sit on it. Instead they all sank into the chairs and waited to begin.
Noticing the invitations they each took them, without opening them, probably intending to do so at the end. That was fine Marcus decided, his eyes settling as usual on Susan, noticing every detail as the meeting began.
"There hasn't been an attack in 3 days," said Sheridan, opening the briefing. It went on for hours. The attack they were planning to take place in 5 days at the edge of Vorlon space where they believed the Shadows would try to attack. There were so many details. It was near midnight when they closed the meeting. "Anything else?" asked John as a way of a closer.
"Actually Captain, yes. If you would all open your envelopes," Marcus answered. Puzzled they all complied. They all looked up after reading their invitations, which went as followed: 'You are invited to a holiday get together on December 24th, at my quarters, 6 PM.'
John and Delenn accepted immediately. Stephen and Susan also accepted hesitantly. Michael, thoughtful, nodded as well, unenthusiastically. Marcus grinned delighted, ignoring the reluctance. He couldn't wait to make this happen.
As everyone filed out, Marcus called Susan back. Ignoring Michael's stare of protectiveness toward her, he asked, "Susan, join me for dinner?"
"I can't," she said. "I have to get down to Maintenance."
"It's 11:30, please. I need to talk to you about something."
Against her better judgment she said, "All right, let me get changed," as she headed to her quarters.
Ecstatic, Marcus responded, "I'll pick you up in half an hour."
Susan didn't respond, all ready out the door.