See first chapter for disclaimer…
CHAPTER 3
Susan began to get nervous as she waited in her quarters for Talia. I can't believe I invited Psi Corps personnel to my quarters. What was I thinking? She glanced at the chrono display for the umpteenth time. It was still ten minutes before Talia was due to be here. There hadn't been a wait at the restaurant, and she had got home just a few minutes after they separated. She arranged the food on the table. She glanced at her uniform, and the chrono display. She decided she had time to change.
Opening her closet, she glanced at her clothes hanging before her as she tired to decide on something. She finally settled on a white button up shirt with wide cuffs, and black slacks with slits in the lower legs that showed glimpses of gray material with gold threads shot through it. It was one of her favorite outfits. She decided on a pair of black slip-ons. She stood before her mirror, and looked critically at her image. All the time in the gym had kept her fit; had helped her to stay trim. Since she still had a bit of a headache, she decided to let her hair down. Her chestnut locks were very heavy, and she could only stand them to be pulled up for so long. She had just finished brushing it out when the door chimed.
"Lights to sixty percent," she called as she lit the candles she had retrieved from the deep recesses of her kitchen cabinets. "Computer, music- Ivanova one. She had put several soothing songs that she liked on a data crystal years ago. Even with all the music she had liked over the years, this crystal still seemed to be one of her favorites. She looked around the room, being sure nothing appeared out of place.
Satisfied, she called out, "Come in!"
The door opened to reveal Ms. Winters. Susan noticed she had changed as well. Talia had changed into a dark crimson blouse, and black form-fitting pants. She was carrying a bottle of wine, and two glasses.
"Am I early?" She asked the first words that came to mind.
Talia was absolutely blown away by the beauty that stood before her. Susan had changed clothes, and had let her hair down. Desire's flames ignited within her. She had to look away to keep Susan from seeing her desire. Taking a deep breath she tamped down her feelings before she looked back at Susan. She had the greatest urge to run her hands through Susan's hair. As if drawn by an invisible force, she walked towards her, and stopped just a few inches from her. Susan had set the table, and two tapered candles burned in the center of the table. She had reached for Susan's hair before she realized that both of her hands were full.
Shaking her head, she mentally shook herself out of her daze. "I couldn't find what I wanted at the winery shoppe. But then I remembered I had a bottle in my quarters." She was babbling, and she knew it. "While there, I decided to get comfortable. Hope I'm not too late?"
"No, you're not late. Just in time." Susan murmured as she found her voice. She cleared her throat; suddenly she felt very parched. Ms. Winters- no, Talia- was utterly gorgeous. It was then she noticed Talia was without her Psi badge, and gloves. Legally, she was required to wear both no matter where she went outside her quarters. She had watched as she came near her, and for a moment Susan thought she was going to touch her. She held her breath waiting for it to happen… for Talia to make the first move. To let her know that the feelings she had been having were mutual. At the last minute, Susan watched as the telepath pulled back. Disappointment then doubt flood Susan's being. To cover-up, Susan reached for the bottle of wine.
She went to the kitchen to get the opener, and brought the bottle back to the table. "Please, sit, Ms. Winters."
Reaching the glasses to Susan, she sat at the table, "Please, I think if we are going to have dinner together that the least you could do is to call me, Talia," She smiled.
Susan's breath caught as she watched Talia smile… It was devastating. It lit Talia's face with such a glow and her eyes began to sparkle. Oh, God! Susan thought as she tore her gaze from Talia's. Get yourself under control, Commander. Susan poured the wine concentrating on keeping her hands from trembling, and set down at the table. "Then, please, call me, Susan."
"Fine. Well, let's see what you have for us?" Talia said as she started opening the cartons. "I'm starving."
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About an hour later, they had finished their meal, and moved to the couches in the living area. Throughout the meal they had kept up a lighthearted stream of conversation. Talia set down, pulled off her shoes, and tucked her feet underneath her. Susan joined her with some after dinner tea. She set the tray on the table between them. "Do you take cream, or sugar?" She asked as she filled the two cups.
"Both, please, one sugar," Talia replied. She accepted the offered cup and stirred it for a moment. Seeing a picture sitting on the nearby table, she nodded towards it, "Is that your family?'
As she looked at the picture Talia indicated, Susan smiled, "Yes, that's from a trip we took to the beach when I was seven." She picked it up, and handed it to Talia, "The young man is my brother, Ganya, my mother, Sophie, and my father, Andrei." Her smile widened as she chuckled. "I don't know if you can tell it or not, but Ganya has a black eye."
Talia looked closer at the photograph as Susan continued to speak.
"We had been at the beach since sunrise. I had spent the day building a sand castle: the walls, towers upon towers, the moat… all the things a seven year old thought a castle must have. Ganya had begun to play ball with some of the boys who were there on the beach. One thing let to another, and while trying to catch the ball, he ended up landing in the middle of my sand castle. He completely destroyed it. What wasn't destroyed with his landing, he destroyed getting up. He was four years older than me, but I lost my temper. I tackled him, and began pummeling any part of him that I could. By the time Dad separated us, I had given him the shiner. Dad was furious, and berated me for not acting like a little lady, but all Mom could do was laugh. Which, of course, only made Dad angrier." She laughed again at the remembered episode. "Believe me, you have never been yelled at until you hear a Russian do it... in Russian."
Talia loved to see Susan smile. Her smiles were truly a window to the real person Susan tried to keep hidden from everyone around her. Her smile gave glimpses only, and Talia wanted to see and know so much more. She could count on one hand number of times she had heard Susan laugh. Returning the smile, Talia asked, "Where is you family now?" she asked.
Susan sobered immediately, took the picture from Talia, and returned it to its place of honor. She looked off in the distance away from Talia. The smile disappeared, and the mask of Commander Ivanova came crashing into place. When she spoke, her voice was filled with such sadness. "They're all dead."
Talia wished she could pull those words back into her mouth. She could feel massive feelings of pain radiating from her. Talia, you are such a fool!!! She berated herself for not looking farther into Susan's profile for this kind of information. With concern, she apologized, "Susan, I'm… sorry." She paused hoping Susan would look at her. When she didn't, she continued, "I didn't know…"
Susan continued to speak in a monotone voice. It was as if she hadn't heard Talia, "… Ganya joined EarthForce as the Earth-Minbari War began. Dad wasn't happy about it. Dad was the traditional stoic Russian: you don't volunteer for anything, and you never leave the family behind. He died at the line. His body was never found. I joined EarthForce three days after Ganya's death. Dad and I lost touch with each other after that. He died a few months ago, complication of having surgery, or so my uncle said. He and I got to speak for a few minutes before he died." She paused and took a sip of her tea, but it just wasn't strong enough. She got up, and went to the kitchen. She poured a glass of vodka, took a large gulp, brought the bottle with her, and returned to the living room.
Talia had sat silently listening, but her heart was breaking for Susan and what life had dealt her so far in such a short lifetime. When Susan left the room, Talia wiped at the tears that were flooding her eyes. The thing that she would love to do is to gather Susan into her arms, and comfort her. She would love to scan Susan to see if she would accept the gesture, but she knew even a light touch to her mind would destroy this fledging friendship. With Susan sharing this part of her past with her, Talia felt that their friendship was changing this night- hopefully for the better. Silently, she sipped her tea, gave Susan the space she needed, and silently waited.
When Susan set down, she realized Talia was still there. She took another sip on the vodka, " Sorry, Talia, I… would you like something stronger to drink?"
"No, the tea is just fine," she refilled her cup, and went back to waiting. She noticed the tears shining in Susan's eyes, and her heart lurched. The urge to gather Susan in her arms, and try to wipe away the grief became overwhelming, but fear continued to hold her back. She grasped her hands tightly together to keep herself from reaching out, and waited.
"Talia…" Susan whispered as their gazes met, "I am so sorry for how I have treated you since you can to Babylon 5. I know you have heard that I don't like telepaths and the stories are true, but have you heard why?'
Talia shook her head. She sensed such grief, and something more. It must involve her mother.
Susan took another drink from her glass, which emptied it. She refilled it before speaking, "The reason is that the Corps killed my mother. She was a latent telepath. When she was discovered, she was given three choices: join Psi Corps and leave her family behind, go to prison, or take sleepers to suppress her abilities."
Another drink before continuing this story, Susan thought. Now that she had started, Susan wasn't sure if she could go on. She stared at the wall for a while, and then sighed. This was something she wanted to tell Talia. She really wanted to explain her previous behavior. She looked at Talia, and into her beautiful, blue eyes. She saw tears glistening within them. Since Ironheart's death, Talia had been… different. Susan had sensed it. Maybe, now, she would understand. It was important to Susan that Talia understood where she had come from. Sighing again, she looked away as she continued, "Every time they came to give her the medication, I could tell a little more of her died. We could all tell it, except Dad. Looking back on how he acted, I see now it had been his way to cope by pretending nothing had changed. When I was thirteen, she sent me to play at a neighbor's house. When Dad came home, he found her…" Susan voice cracked as tears began to slide down her cheeks.
Talia could not stand it anymore; she went and set beside Susan. She reached out, took one of Susan's hands, and with her free one, she began to wipe the tears away. She sent feelings of comfort, understanding, and support. No wonder she hates us! Talia's heart ached for her friend. We killed her mother. Since coming to Babylon 5, she had learned that things with the Corps were not as black and white as they led the telepaths to believe. There was something… evil- for a better word- within the Corps, and especially the Psi Cops.
They set quietly for a long time. When Susan realized she had stopped talking a long time ago, she looked up. She found Talia sitting beside her, and holding her hand. She looked at their clasped hands, and found it felt so right. She looked into Talia's blue eyes, and found them filled with many emotions: pain, understanding, and… love. "Talia, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have dumped all of this old history on you. I asked you here for a relaxing meal, and I end up needing a counseling session," she attempted to laugh but even to her ears it sounded fake.
"Susan, I am so sorry that we have taken so much from you," Talia said softly. "I wish I could make all of that pain go away." Talia stroked Susan's cheek before continuing, "I now understand why you have hated all telepaths."
"But, I told you this so I can say that over the last year, I have began to change that opinion. Especially, for a certain blonde telepath who took everything I had to dish out, and took it all without taking the bait." Susan lifted their clasped hands, and gently kissed Talia's hand. "Sorry, I was so… rude."
Talia was dumbfounded by the gesture. She had dreamed of this moment for so long, and now she was… speechless. "Susan, you have nothing to be sorry about. I just wish…" she paused not sure what to wish for, she had wished for this for so long, that she didn't know what else to ask for.
Susan nodded, and then released Talia's hand. She glanced at the chrono display. It was 0200. Had they been talking that long? She nodded towards it, "Talia, I had no idea it was this late. I am sorry…"
Talia interrupted, "I don't mind. You needed to talk, and I am honored that you felt comfortable enough to talk to me… to really talk to me." Talia stood, "Thanks for dinner, and we'll have to do this again soon?"
A touch on her hand stopped her, and she looked down. Susan had taken her hand once again.
"Talia, it is too late for you to be walking in the corridors. I'm going to Delta shift for a week to cover a hole in the schedule, so I planned on sleeping in this morning. Why don't you spend the night?"
"Are you sure?" Talia was torn. She wanted to stay, but she didn't want to do anything that might damage the new level of their friendship they had forged this evening. "I can go to…"
"I am sure," Susan answered, and stood. "I really don't want to be alone tonight." She walked towards the bedroom, and called over her shoulder, "Let's get you something to sleep in."
Talia happily followed Susan to the bedroom, and sat on the bed waiting for something to sleep in. Suddenly, she was feeling very tired, but very happy about where she was.
"Here we go," Susan turned, and handed her grey pajamas, and a robe. "Do you want the shower first?" She also handed her a toothbrush, and some other toiletries. She always kept extras on hand. It was a 'be prepared for anything' sort of thing she had since she joined EarthForce.
"Sure, thanks," Talia said as she walked into the bathroom. She closed the door, but then came right back out. "Is that a real shower?" she asked gleefully. She hadn't had a real shower since she had come to Babylon 5.
Susan smiled, "Yes, Talia, it is a real shower. A perk of command so to speak."
"Do you mind if I take my time?" She asked in breathless anticipation.
Susan laughed. She never thought she would see the prim and proper telepath act like a child with a new toy. "Sure!" She laughed at Talia's glee. "Take your time!" She was so glad she could do something that pleased the telepath so much.
Twenty minutes later, Talia walked into the darken room. She could see the lights were low in the living area, and out completely in the bedroom. She noticed Susan had changed into a pair of blue shorts, and matching shirt, and was stretched out on the bed. I wonder if she is asleep? She nearly jumped when Susan spoke.
"Did you enjoy yourself?" the voice from the dark called.
"Immensely," she nearly purred. "Sonic showers gets you clean, but it's just not the same."
"Agreed," she replied.
Talia started towards the living room.
"Where are you going?" Susan asked as she rose up on her elbows. While Talia was in the shower, she'd had time to think about this, and there was no reason why they couldn't sleep in her bed. It was more than big enough for two. After all they were both adults.
"I have an appointment at 1000. So, I'll sleep on the couch and I can leave without disturbing you," as she was dressing, Talia had thought about the sleeping arrangements as well.
"Talia, the couch is fine to sit on, and even lounge on, but take it from me, sleeping on it only leaves you aching in places you wouldn't think would be able to ache." Susan patted the bed beside her, "We are both adults, and my bed is more than big enough for two."
Talia wavered. She wasn't sure this was a good idea. It was too much like her dreams. But, if Susan thought it was okay; then she was game... she guessed. Arching her right eyebrow, she said, "Okay," and walked to the other side of the bed. Removing her robe, she draped it over the bottom of the bed. Lifting the covers, she crawled between the cool sheets.
"What time do you want to be up?" Susan asked.
Talia thought for a moment, "Make it for 0900. It will give me time to go to my quarters, and change."
"Computer, alarm at 0900. Suspend 0600 alarm until further notice." Susan called out.
"Acknowledged," the computer stated.
Susan looked at her, "Goodnight, Talia."
Talia smiled. She had never thought she would ever get this far into the Commander's quarters, let alone into her bed. "Goodnight, Susan."
They each rolled away from each other, and fell asleep soon afterwards.
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