Here is the next chapter… Hope you enjoy and would enjoy some feedback…. It has been few and far between and I wonder if it is just something I need to stop, and try some other story line….
CHAPTER 8
At a glance, Susan noted it was 0200. The night was just too quiet. She had decided to try and catch up on some paperwork. For the last twenty minutes, she had read and reread the same report, but she still couldn't have told anyone what she had just read. She sighed in frustration. Her mind kept wandering back to the earlier part of her day.
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It had been such a good day. Talia had taken her to lunch, and they had laughed and joked throughout the meal.
"Thanks for lunch," Susan said as Talia settled the tab. "It was delicious." Susan was pleasantly stuffed.
"Your welcome," Talia replied as she stood, and preceded Susan out of the restaurant. The Zocalo was busy, but not excessively crowded.
"So, what is next on your agenda, Ms. Winters?" Susan had started to take Talia's hand when she noted Lou standing across the way watching them. She dropped her hand back to her side. She turned her gaze so that she could look more fully at Talia instead.
"Well…" Talia began, "How about a stroll around the Zocalo? I need to walk some of that meal off. Besides, we need to get you some things to supplement the "liquid diet" your kitchen seems to suggest you have been on."
Susan tried to look indignant as she planted her hands on her hips. "I haven't been on a "liquid diet"."
Talia raised one eyebrow, and just looked at her skeptically as a wicked smile crossed Talia's lips.
Susan laughed at her look. "Actually, it's just easier to eat at the mess hall, or order in rather than to cook for one. I'm Russian…" She paused before continuing as if that explained everything, "and I learned to cook for a lot of people and that seems to be the only way I can do it. Old habit, I guess." She gave as an excuse. She leaned close and slyly whispered, "Now, maybe, I can have a reason to cook?"
Susan's words warmed Talia's heart, and slight blush colored her cheeks. Talia's smile changed to a loving one. "Any time you want, Commander… Any time you want." Talia wanted to kiss Susan, but she realized the setting they were in, and was unsure if Susan was ready for a public display of affection. Instead, she bumped her shoulder against Susan's teasingly. "Come on, let's get those staples."
Susan had seen the look in Talia's eyes, and knew she wanted to kiss her. Amazingly enough, she found herself disappointed when Talia backed off. If someone had even thought about kissing her just a few days ago, she would have been embarrassed because they were in a public place. Oh well! There is time for kissing later, Susan promised herself.
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The rest of the afternoon had passed pleasantly. They had shopped for the staples and made arrangements for their delivery later that afternoon. They had then wandered around and window shopped for a few hours before returning to her quarters. The deliveryman was waiting for them. After everything had been put away, Talia had insisted Susan needed to get some rest, and she had to do some research for her appointments for the next day.
Unbeknownst to Susan, she began to smile as she remembered the rest of their time together. She had insisted on walking Talia to her quarters. Susan had sensed more than saw the security personnel that had trailed behind them. Wanting to say goodnight properly and without an audience, she coaxed Talia in to letting her in for a few moments. She felt warmth rising to her cheeks as the memories of their parting kisses. When the need for air forced them to part, Talia had laughingly pushed her away, and ordered her to leave. Susan knew Talia was right. She had only a few hours until she had to report to work, and she didn't want to rush anything. With a kiss to the top of Talia's head, Susan had left.
The rest of the on duty staff had noticed the Commander's mood from the moment she had stepped onto the command deck. She had actually been pleasant to the off going shift. When she had begun to smile at her desk for no apparent reason, it had been the last straw. They began a whispered conversation among themselves about their observations and decided that they didn't care what had caused this new and improved Commander, but they were willing to do anything to keep her that way.
The last few times the Commander had worked the delta shift it had not gone well. For that reason, none of them had looked forward to this week, but so far, she had not even growled at anyone. They noted her humming to herself, had greeted each of them pleasantly when they spoke to her, and she now smiled. There must be a God, and He was smiling on them.
Susan shook herself out of her reverie and tried once again to read the report she had before her. The rest of the shift passed quietly, and if possible to believe, pleasantly.
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At 0600, the day began for the station as early ships began to arrive, and request docking bays. An hour later, she reported off to the Captain, and left. She found Michael waiting for her outside the C&C's doors.
"Good morning, Michael," Susan said as she walked passed him. She was not surprised to see him. He must be her security detail for the day, Susan thought.
He fell into step with her as he replied, "Morning, Commander. You seem almost… chipper." Michael reached out to touch her forehead. This couldn't possibly be Susan… The Susan- he knew and loved- hated working delta shift.
When his fingers touched her forehead, she stopped and looked at him. Then she did something he would have never predicted, she just smiled at him and waited for him to speak.
He cleared his throat, before speaking, "No fever… Sssooo, who are you and what have you done with Commander Susan Ivanova? The person who hates delta shift and never smiles before 1200."
Susan batted his hand away. "I'm fine, Mr. Garibaldi," she growled, but couldn't keep the frown to go with it. She laughed lightly. "Is it a crime that I am in a good mood?" Truth be told, Talia had called her and she was on her way to have breakfast with her before trying to get some sleep. She decided to change the subject. "Any more news as to when this security detail ends?"
Michael looked around and found that they were alone. The transport tube had arrived unoccupied. He waited for the doors to close before speaking. "We have turned Brown Sector and DownBelow upside down, but still no real clues. We did find where he had been living, but someone had got there before us and 'cleared out' any useful information. Zach agrees with me, though, that the snitches know something, but are too scared to give it up. I have been in touch with some of my contacts at Earth Central and Mars, but so far they haven't got back to me with any helpful information."
"Have you thought that there isn't anything to relate him to me and that is why you can't find anything?" She asked with her right eyebrow raised. She had thought about this during the slow hours last night, and she voiced her thoughts. "It could be he was here for someone else and awaited their arrival on the station, got sloppy, and was killed by- I don't know- a lurker." She was real tired of having people following her. It was cramping her budding relationship with Talia. She decided to reason with him. "Has your guys noticed anyone following me or trying to get to me at all?"
As much as he hated to admit it, other than when she had given him the slip, the detail had not seen anyone out of the ordinary paying too much attention to the Commander. He himself, however, had not been the observer since that 'incident'. He found that he was having a hard time dealing with the fact that the lady he had been infatuated with since she came on board the station was now involved with his best friend. He had carefully chosen the personnel assigned to the Commander's detail so that he could at least try to give them some privacy from gossipmongers. He knew that there were people who would use this news to try to hurt Susan and/ or Talia and he would not tolerate that. To be honest, he had never seen Susan this… happy. As he observed her this morning, he liked these changes, and grudgingly admitted if he had to lose Talia to someone, there would be no one better than Susan.
"Michael…" Susan asked when he had not answered her question.
"Sorry, Commander. No, there had been nothing to report," he answered as he pulled his thoughts back to the present conversation. He rubbed his head. "But that doesn't mean that someone hadn't been watching you… I want to continue the detail for at least until you complete your delta shifts," he paused. "Indulge me, Susan?"
Susan sighed loudly. She wanted the detail to end. It was a waste of resources that could be better used elsewhere on the station. She knew he was concerned and it was sweet but it was time to end. "Michael, it is time for this to end. I am fine." She points to her ankle where her PPG was secured. "I can protect myself, you know?"
He was not above playing the emotional card, especially when it came to those he considered to be his family. "Susan, I just want you to be safe…" He had no evidence but his gut, and his gut was telling him that she was in danger.
Susan was touched by his concern. It was a side of Michael Garibaldi that few people got to see and she felt privileged to be included in knowing this Michael Garibaldi. She considered him to be like a brother. She reached out and cupped his cheek with her hand. Softly, she said, "Michael, I will be okay. If anything else happens or I notice anything out of the ordinary, I promise I will let you know and you can start the security detail once again."
He held her gaze as he searched it for any deception on her part, and found none. Sighing, his shoulders slumped as he yielded- for now. "Okay, Susan but you call me if any thing happens. Promise?"
"Of course, Mr. Garibaldi, I promise you will be the first one that I call." She smiled her relief, and released the breath she hadn't realized she had been holding.
He decided to change the subject. He whispered quietly, "Are you happy?"
At first, she had thought about pretending that she had not understood what he was meaning but then she looked at him. She knew then that she would… could not lie to him. "Yes, Michael, for the first time in a long while, I can say I am happy."
As much as he didn't want to, he asked, "Is she?"
She paused as she considered her answer, "I think so, but you would really would have to ask her to be sure."
As the door opened, Michael stepped out. He paused and spoke quietly, "Just be happy, and don't hurt each other." The doors swished close, and continued to her destination.
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As soon as she chimed Talia's door, she heard her call out for her to enter. She was greeted by the smells of breakfast. She inhaled deeply and sighed. "Good morning, Ms. Winters."
"Good morning, Commander." Talia thought Susan looked tired. "How did your shift go?"
"It was quiet which I guess was a good thing." She again inhaled the smells that occupied the room. "Breakfast smells wonderful." Her stomach growled in agreement. She felt her cheek warm.
"Sounds like your hungry," Talia said with a laugh. She motioned to the table. "Sit and I will get you something before you starve to death. What do you want to drink? I have both orange and apple juice."
"Orange is fine," Susan replied as she sat back and admired Talia as she worked. She was dressed in a blue form-fitting dress with matching pumps. Susan noted her makeup and hair was already done. She is just gorgeous. She would make any rag look amazing just because it was on her body, she thought with a smile.
Soon, Talia joined her at the table with two plates filled with eggs, bacon, and toast. Talia brushed her lips with Susan's as she set one of the plates before her. When Susan reached out to pull her close for a proper kiss, Talia laughingly batted her hand away. "Eat first. My first meeting is in just under an hour."
Susan sighed and Talia laughed as she returned with the juice. She took the seat opposite Susan and began to eat.
"So, do you have a busy day today?" Susan inquired between bites. Everything tasted amazingly good by the way. Susan was pleased to find that Talia was a good cook, or at least she can cook breakfast.
Talia sighed. She got tired just thinking about her day. "I have two morning meetings that should go relatively simply, then an afternoon meeting that I am afraid that will be difficult. Ambassadors Mollari and G'Kar. Neither was forthcoming about the specifics of the meeting. So I have no idea how long it will last. Afterwards, I plan on coming home and treating the headache I know I will have." She grimaced at just the thought, but they were offering her a very good fee for the meeting.
Susan could sympathize with Talia and she wasn't telepathic… or at least, to the degree of Talia's abilities. Every meeting with the Ambassadors gave her headache… too much ego, too much testosterone; too much bluster. "Sorry," Susan said with a cringe, and empathy. Finishing the last bite on her plate, she said, "My compliments to the chef. Every thing was wonderful, Talia. Thank you for fixing breakfast."
"Your welcome, Susan," Talia replied as she felt her cheeks warming under such compliments. She could also feel Susan's satisfaction.
"Michael and I talked today…" Susan decided she needed to tell Talia about it.
Talia looked at her expectedly and waited.
"He wanted to know if we are happy," she quietly said as she broke her eye contact with Talia. She didn't want to know if Talia wasn't as happy as she was.
"Oh," Talia replied. She had noticed she had not met him on any of her recent transport tube trips but she had just thought he was… busy, or at least finally got the hint that she wasn't interested in anything but his friendship. "Was he terribly disappointed when you said 'yes'?" Talia could sense Susan sudden hesitation, and she sought to reassure her.
Susan's head whipped up and she sought out Talia's face. Talia returned it unwavering. Susan found the truth she sought there.
Slowly, Talia stood and came to stand beside Susan. She bent until her face was just a breath away from Susan's. She accented each of her words with a kiss. "Yes…(kiss)… I… (kiss)… am… (kiss)… very… (kiss)… happy…(kiss)…" she revealed, and held her breath as she looked into Susan's eyes. Her breath caught as she saw happiness, desire, and… love. She smiled briefly at this as Susan hands pulled Talia closer for a long, soul-searing kiss. When they broke apart, Talia rested her forehead against Susan's as she tried to get her swirling feelings and world under control.
Once she found her voice, Susan replied, "He told us to be happy."
Talia opened her eyes, caught sight of the chrono display, and groaned. She had to leave now to make her meeting on time. She straightened, and Susan whimpered at the loss of contact. Talia checked her appearance in nearby mirror and saw that she needed to only reapply her lipstick. She looked back at Susan. She had not moved nor had she opened her eyes. Talia stroked her cheek, and said, "Susan…" She waited for her to look at her.
At first, Susan eyes opened without seeing. It took a few moments for her to focus on Talia. "Hmm…"
"Honey, I have to go," Talia said with much regret. "I'll call you later?"
"Sure… later…" Susan mimicked. She must be more tired than she thought. She was having such a hard time organizing her thoughts.
Talia lightly kissed the top of Susan's head before leaving for the door. Turning back, she said, "I enjoyed breakfast. Lock up when you leave."
"Have a good day, Talia." Susan called after her retreating back. She rubbed her face trying to clear the cobwebs from her thoughts. What have I got myself into? thought Susan before she stood and cleared the table. Once she had cleaned the kitchen, Susan left for her quarters and hopefully some restful sleep.
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His patience seemed to be paying off. This morning he noticed that the security patrols were back to normal. Good… Now, for step two. And he walked away lost in thoughts and plans. So much to do, but so little time. If everything worked out, he would have the Commander very soon and this station will become but a distant memory.
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