So I am finally keeping a promise that made a long time ago… to post this chapter. I hope it has been worth the wait. I hope that you will leave feedback and let me know what you think. I appreciate all of the comments, and responses to my last post.
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CHAPTER 14
As alpha shift personnel began their responsibilities, both the Commander's and the Captain's absences were silently noted by all present. All began to wonder if the rumors in the mess hall were true: was the Commander missing? When the Captain arrived twenty minutes later, his appearance was wrinkled, unkempt, and unshaven. Grimly, they decided the rumors must be true. He passed the Command Center on his way to the Captain Station without speaking to or acknowledging any of the staff's quiet greetings, or salutes.
After enough time had passed for the Captain to review delta shift's report, his voice broke the uncomfortable silence that had encompassed C&C. "Lt. Commander Salavoy, please, report to my station."
Kate grimaced slightly before voiding all emotion from her face. Turning smartly from her station, she hesitantly approached his station. Lt. Corwin smiled encouragingly as she passed.
"Lt. Commander, alpha shift is yours for today," John stated as he acknowledged her presence. "If there is something you can't handle on your own, try me in my office first." He noted she slight nod indicating her acceptance of his order. "And Commander…" she paused at his gruffness. "Make sure that if you call me it is important… VERY IMPORTANT…" With that warning issued, he returned to his terminal.
His sharp dismissal stunned Kate for a few seconds before she snapped to attention, and replied smartly, "Yes, Sir!" When it became apparent he was not going to acknowledge her continued presence, she about faced, and returned to the C&C floor.
Once stepping to the Command station, the Lt. Commander quietly began to give the morning orders… just as Commander Ivanova had taught her. Having observed the look in the Captain's eyes, she knew the Commander was really missing. 'God, Susan! Please be alright…" she silently prayed to any deity who might be listening. Returning her thoughts to business at hand, she began to review the list of ships that were expected over the next few hours.
John looked up when he heard the swish of the C&C's doors as they opened, and noted Garibaldi's entrance. The security chief motioned as if to silently request a moment of his time. John nodded his approval.
"Michael," he grimly greeted.
Michael nodded as he handed the Captain a data crystal. "Captain… This is the results of the evidence or the lack of it from the Commander's quarters." He took a seat on the corner of the Captain's desk before continuing. "There weren't any unknown prints present in her quarters, the door, or the security lock. The lock was intact with no evidence of tampering attempted. After subduing Susan, the kidnapper must have used her Ident-card, to make the closely timed entrance and exit," he surmised. The word 'subdued' had hung in Michael throat, and he had trouble spitting it out.
Even the Captain had grimaced as if hit when Garibaldi said 'subdued'.
Handing the Captain a second crystal, Michael continued with his report. "This is the results from the abandoned cart. So far the team has found fifty different distinctive sets of fingerprints of multiple alien and human species, and counting. Zack is running them through our database but no interesting hits so far. Stephen's preliminary findings indicate the blood and hairs that were recovered at the site indicate a 'high probability match' to Susan's. The fibers found are a consistent match to those from an EarthForce uniform."
Retrieving an evidence envelope from his jacket pocket, he handed it to the Captain. "Recognize it?"
A Commander insignia bar glimmered within it. John turned the bag over, and read the engravings. It was one of a matched set he had given Susan the day her promotion notice crossed his desk. It had been one of the proudest moments in his life when she asked him to pin them on her for the first time. She told him that day that she considered him to be not only the best Captain that she had the honor to serve under, but also, to be family. He had felt the same about her.
Reluctantly, he returned the bag back to the security chief. "Yes, it is one of the ones I gave her," he quietly confirmed. "Michael, keep that one safe… I expect you to give it back to her." He didn't need to add 'once we find her'.
"I woke Mr. Tudor a few hours ago," Michael continued. He noticed from the blank look on the Captain's face that he didn't recognize the name. "Damon Tudor… owns DAILY MOMENTS…the place the roses were supposed to have came from." He paused until he saw the Captain understood what he was referring to. 'God, he looks as tired as I feel.' "Anyway, he didn't sell anyone any type of flowers for the Commander. Well, it seems his shipment didn't arrive last week. He thinks his nephew has been shorting his shipments, and then selling them on the side to make a few extra bucks. It, also, seems that he had to give his nephew money to replace his delivery uniforms. I showed Damon the secure-cam data on the delivery man but he didn't recognize him."
For the first time in many flustrating hours, John finally felt renewed hope. "Well, lets get everyone looking for this nephew. Did his uncle know where we might find him?" Standing he ran his hand through his mussed hair in an attempt to straighten it. He began to mentally prioritize what he wanted security teams to do first.
Michael held up his hands to slow the Captain's progress. He saw the hope as it flared in the Captain's eye. 'Some days, I REALLY hate this job!'' Clearing his throat, he began. "Lou, and I went in search of Jean Bennett- the nephew. We started with his quarters, and found him dead… two shots to the head."
John sank back into his chair. Since Susan's disappearance, he had felt such a weight resting squarely on his shoulders. He was the only "family" she had left, and by God, he wasn't going to fail her in her hour of need. Glancing up, he saw the same resolve reflecting back at him from Garibaldi. Unconsciously, he ran his hand through his hair once again. "Any idea who?"
"Oh, I'm sure it's the same person, or persons that took the Commander." Michael sank back down on the desk. "I have the teams searching the room for clues, and Stephen is performing an autopsy as we speak, but I don't' expect him to find much." He felt so frustrated. He seemed to be two steps behind whoever this was. "Whoever orchestrated this is good… damn good." Suddenly, he felt just so tired. It had been forty-eight hours since he had last slept. Day before yesterday, he had been on a stakeout. Then as he had headed for his quarters, he had run into Ms. Winters, and the rest was history. Other than coffee, and an occasional glass of ice water, he couldn't remember when he had last eaten. Squaring his shoulders, he looked at the Captain, and noted the droop of his shoulders as well.
Captain Sheridan stopped, and really looked at his security chief. What he saw was a man pushed beyond exhaustion. He found he also felt as bad as Garibaldi looked. His eyes felt like they had sand from Mars in them. "Michael…" he paused until their eyes met. "…we aren't going to do Susan any good if we are too tired to even think straight. With fatigue clogging our minds, we both could end up missing something… and it could be something very important. I'm ordering the both of us to get a shower, a shave, a hot meal, and three hours of sleep. I'll meet you in my office at say…"
Michael's protest died on his lips as he took in the Captain's resolve, and furthermore, he didn't appear to be in the mood to take "no" for an answer. He nodded his agreement.
'Michael must be beyond tired,' John thought at Michael's silent agreement. "…1130, and we'll see where we are then."
Shrugging his shoulders, Michael replied, "Alright, but you have to bring the coffee… real coffee, none of that fake stuff."
John good naturally laughed as he clapped his hand on Garibaldi's shoulder. "You've got a deal, Michael, you've got a deal." Both men exited C&C.
Once again Talia found herself somewhere that wasn't her bedroom. It seemed like just moments ago, her head was hitting her pillow as she sought more sleep. She found that she was in the cold, darken, little room that she had "dream visited" earlier with Susan. The spotlight remained directed at the Commander, but now all of the brunette's clothes lay in tattered ruins around her revealing all of her natural beauty for Talia to drink in. The blonde telepath was so stunned that for several seconds she forgot to breathe.
'Absolute perfection,' crossed her mind as desire flooded her entire being before settling as a warm heat inside her.
Slowly, she walked to Susan's side. Reaching out, she was once again able to remove the Commander's blindfold, and gag as well as the new strap that was holding Susan's face pressed against the table, but none of the other restraints would fall away at her touch like the others had done.
Susan blinked several times against the blinding glare as her eyes tried to adjust, and then a shadow moved between her and the light. As her vision cleared she found Talia before her dressed in a vision of white. When she tried to reach out to her, she found she was unable to move them. Glancing around, she found her wrists and ankles were still tightly chained to the table she lay upon. The telepath began to stroke her cheek, but made no move to do any thing more. The touch was warm… soothing. Susan began to wonder once again if this Talia was just another dream.
"Talia… thank God, you found me. Hurry… untie me. Whoever did this to me may be back any moment." When Talia made no movement towards the restraints, Susan added encouragingly. "Talia… hurry, please!!!"
Susan watched as Talia's face began to crumble, and tears began to trickle down her face. Susan had to strain to hear the softly spoken words that feel from her mouth.
"Susan… I'm so sorry… but this is nothing more than a… dream…" The tears flowed in earnestly now. Sobbing, she laid her head against the Commander's shoulder. "I've just wanted to find you so bad…" Talia said between sobs. "Why does this have to be a dream?!?" Talia began to sob in earnest, and lost any grip she had on her emotions.
The sobbing vision that rested against her broke the Commander's heart. Once again, Susan strained hard against her restraints, but it was all for naught. The restraints steadfastly held. She wanted so badly to scream in frustration, but she was afraid it would draw the wrong kind of attention, or worse this was just a figment of her imagination, and would disappear, leaving her all alone once again. She shuttered at that thought.
At this very moment, all she wanted to do was to gather this Talia who was lying against her into her arms, and comfort her, maintaining a tight hold… forever if she would let her. Without thinking about the consequences, Susan did the only thing she could. She mentally reached out and touched Talia's mind just as her mother had done when Susan needed comfort. It was a whispery kind of touch with more emotion than any spoken words could have provided.
Several minutes passed before her efforts seemed to calm the sobbing woman beside her. Reluctantly, she pulled back her mental touch. She hoped – no prayed – she had done the right thing.
As she calmed, Talia still felt the quiet mental touch that had helped to calm her emotional outburst. She heard and then felt the touch fade from her mind. At that moment, two things dawned on her: where that comfort must have come from… and that this span of time was much more than just a dream. Quickly, she sat up, wiping the moisture that clouded her vision, and tried to pull herself together. The touch… it had to have come from Susan. 'Susan had mentally reached out to me!!!'
Looking away from the woman who lay beside her, she quietly asked, "You're a latent telepath, aren't you?"
The longer the blonde went without looking at her, the more apprehensive Susan felt. This was not how she had planned on telling Talia her "secret", but she knew there was no going back now. But she also knew seeing Talia's revulsion to her, and her admission would shatter her fragile heart.
Susan turned her head away from her love as she closed her eyes. "Yes…" she softly whispered.
Even though she expected no other answer, Talia was still stunned when it was given a voice. Still, the answer was the only thing that made sense… now. The bristling away from her, the fear of being scanned, the pulling away beyond their kissing…it all made perfect sense. When her gaze returned to the restrained beauty, she found that Susan had turned her head away from her, and had moved as far away from her as her restraints allowed. She didn't need to use her talent to sense Susan's tension and withdrawal from her.
Firmly, she grasped Susan's chin in the palm of her hand, and forced her face to turn towards her. Patiently, she waited until Susan opened her eyes, and raised her gaze to meet hers. "Commander Susan Katrina Ivanova, I love you… and that means ALL parts that are you. AND I would NEVER do anything to break our love… or your TRUST in me… in us. I am honored that you took such a risk to tell me your 'secret', my beloved, just so that you could try to comfort me. This 'revelation' just makes me love you that much more."
She watched as many emotions crossed the brunette's face, and noticed the exact moment when her words had finally sunk in to a believable level. Up to this point, the telepath had thought she had witnessed all of the Commander's smiles, but she had been wrong… in fact, she had been very wrong. The million-watt smile seemed to start deep within her soul, enveloping her entire being before flowing out into the world around her. It was an angelic smile… a smile of love. It would have smitten her if she weren't already head over heels in love.
Now, it was Susan's turn to be stunned. Talia was a telepath first and for most. And as such, the telepath was required under the penalty of prison, torture, mind wipe, or even death to report any, and all discovered latent telepath to their superiors. She intently studied Talia's face, and the feelings she actually felt emanating from this beautiful vision beside her, but was unable to find any type of deception. Then, the rest of the words filled her thoughts. This woman had just said she loved her. She called me her beloved.
'Yes, I love you, silly,' echoed in her head, interrupting her reverie.
Susan's gaze snapped back and took in Talia's loving gaze. Talia nodded. Susan found herself returning the smile. "Talia Nicole Winters, you are the most beautiful being that I have ever had the privilege of knowing, and I love you will all that is within me."
Time seemed to stop, as Talia bent close. Their lips softly brushed against each other. As their lips touched so did their minds. At first, Susan resisted the touch, but as Talia maintained only a wisp of a touch, she felt her love relax; then she mentally shared the true depth of her feelings for this captive beauty. As she slightly retreated, she felt Susan's love flood her mind.
Susan wanted to do so much more than to share just a chaste kiss with her love. She wanted to share the joy she was feeling. She craved to stroke this beauty. The chains that held her arms rattled loudly as she tried to reach out to do just that.
"Damn," Susan mumbled against her soon to be lover's lips. Talia's smile widened against her lips. Susan yanked once again against the chains and groaned loudly in frustration.
This time Talia giggled.
"What's so funny?" Susan demanded as she pulled back to glare at the blonde.
Talia blushed under the intense scrutiny. Reaching out, she stroked a finger along the brunette's jawline as she lustily teased, "I was beginning to think that the only way I was going to have my way with you was to chain you to my bed…" Talia sobered immediately as she realized what she had just said given the situation. "I'm so sorry… this…" she waved at the bonds that imprisoned her beloved, "this is wasn't what I meant…" she choked out as tears filled her eyes. She turned away from Susan before the Commander saw her cry once again.
"Sweetheart, I know this," looking down at her restraints, "wasn't what you meant to happen…" Susan tried to comfort her dear heart with her words. Susan scooted as close as she could get to Talia. She bumped her hip against the telepath's as she tried to get her attention. "Nic, come lay beside me… please, beautiful Nic, before we both wake up…I want to feel your warmth around me…Please!"
Taking the sweet offer, the telepath wiped the recent tears from her cheeks before she curled around Susan, resting her head in the crux of her shoulder, draping an arm across her flat abdomen, and a leg over hers.
Susan felt that the blonde telepath was a perfect fit.
Silently, they both reveled in the feeling of comfort, and love that emanated from both of them.
Susan broke the silence first. "Talia, I wish this wasn't just… a dream." Her voice broke and her emotions choked off any other words.
Talia hand began to smoothly train her fingers along cool skin of the Commander's abdomen, feeling the muscles tighten beneath her touch. "Actually, Susan, I don't think it is JUST A DREAM! Earlier this evening when I discovered you were really gone…" she cringed as images from the evening filled her mind, but then she felt warm, soothing thoughts slipped into her mind, and began to wash away the painful ones.
Susan felt Talia's smile pressed against her shoulder before she felt warm lips press a kiss when the smile had been only moments before. Susan felt herself smile as well. She raised, bent towards the blonde head, and pressed a kiss against it.
She continued, "I tried to reach out to you. But all I got was a headache." She paused to form her next thoughts. 'I wonder???' To Susan she asked, "Susan, I have a question. Did you call out to me… Earlier before I came to you for the first time, did you call out to me?"
Susan began to blush, before she admitted, "With all my mind, Nic, I called and called then you were here, and then before I knew what was happening, you were gone again…" Sadness filled her as she remembered realizing Talia was gone, the restraints were back, and she was alone once again.
Talia's grip tightened as she felt her beloved's despair. Now it was her turn to willingly return the comfort she had received just a few minutes earlier. Once again she pressed her lips against Susan's skin. "There was a story I heard growing up with the Corps. I just thought it was a fairy tale. Nothing I would have ever believed. It said that when two telepaths truly love each other with both heart, and soul, that in times of distress they can telepathically reach out to each other, no matter what their talent was, nor the distance." She paused, rose up on her elbows, and brushed her lips tenderly along Susan's. "I guess we proved that the fairy tale is real after all." This time the kiss deepened and her tongue brushed against Susan's lips seeking entrance. She groaned when they parted and for the first time she sampled the essence that was Susan. She tasted wonderful. After a few moments of their tongues bantering for dominance, they separated breathless. Talia snuggled once again against Susan.
Silence once again enveloped them as both realized the depth of their feelings for the other. It had been something that Susan had been hiding from, and now she wondered why she had wasted so much time.
"Any time with you has not been a waste…it was time well spent," Talia answered the loud thoughts she heard echoing from Susan.
"Hey! Stay of my head," Susan admonished teasingly. It was going to take some time to get use to this.
"Then don't think them so loud," Talia answered saucily. Once again they shared a long, tender kiss.
"Any thoughts about who did this to you?" Talia asked. She looked once again at the chains that were keeping her beloved from her. "Or why? Or better yet, where are you now?" She continued to lazily stroke Susan. She just couldn't get enough of this beautiful, caring woman lying beside her.
It took a few moments for the Commander to organize her thoughts. "Well, there are at least two people involved. The first one snuck up behind me outside my quarters, and drugged me before I knew he was there. When I woke up some time afterwards, I was blindfolded, but still he somehow knew I was awake, and sedated me once again. Apparently, I awoke too early." She wryly added.
"The second one is the one who left me like this," Susan looked down in embarrassment at her naked and spread-eagled body.
The telepath sensed the shift in her beloved's feelings. "You have nothing to be embarrassed about, my love. When I saw you lying here, you took my breath away. You are absolutely amazing," she breathed against Susan's lips. It had started as a kiss of comfort but deepened when Susan opened her lips at the touch of Talia's teeth nipping her bottom lip. The need for oxygen finally forced them apart.
Settling back in her now favorite position, Talia tried to calm her racing heart, and ragged breaths. "What can you tell me about the second one?" Talia asked as causally as she could, blocking out all negative thoughts. She knew she needed as much information as possible to give Mr. Garibaldi if they were ever going to find her.
Staring up at the darken ceiling, Susan struggled to get her breathing and heart rate back under control as her addled brain tried to comprehend what Talia had just said. 'How does she do that? Act so calm? Wait until I'm free… then we'll see who is calm!' The Commander vowed. Sighing deeply, "What?!?"
Inwardly, Talia smiled. She was thrilled to see that she had such an effect on the usually unflappable Commander… as much as Susan had affected her. She would have to remember that tidbit of info for a later date. Drawing nonsensical patterns with her fingers along the muscles of the brunette's abdomen. She heard the quick intake of breath. "What can you tell me about the other person who did this to you?" she asked coyly.
The Commander reviewed what had happened while 'he' was in the room. "He seemed to know me…quite well as a matter of fact. He knew my full name; people are not supposed to know that. Remind me later how you found out my full name. Anyway, I didn't recognize his voice, and he didn't remove the blindfold. But…" she paused as she tried to find the right words to express what she had felt from him, "his laugh was so unnerving… but somehow, it was familiar." Looking down she found Talia staring intently up at her. "Does that make sense?"
Talia nodded. "Just like voices, laughs can be just as distinct. What else?"
"It sounded very forced, and very fake. I hate to admit it, but the tone of his voice sent a shiver down my spine." She didn't want to frighten Talia, but she had sensed that this man was capable of great evil. She turned her thoughts to whatever else Talia had asked her.
For the first time, Talia noted the finger-like bruises that stretched across Susan's left breast. She began to wonder if the 'man' had done those. From the apprehension she felt from Susan, she was sure it was him. She vowed he would pay for each and every one in kind. Susan speech brought her out of her reverie.
"From the sound of his steps, and height where his voice came from, he's is of medium height and weight. He was wearing that new cologne for human males, Heat… Corwin had it on the other day in C&C," she added. "No accent that I could detect…" her frustration was reflected on her face. "Damnit, he could be any male Human on the station."
"Easy, my love. You are doing the best you can." Talia moved so that she could wrap her arms around Susan. 'God, her beauty is such an elixir that I want to drink from everyday 'til the end of time…' Talia thought. Placing a brief kiss at the junction between Susan's neck and collarbone.
Talia heard Susan passionately groan, and sensed a frustration of a different kind coming from the Commander. Reluctantly, she pulled back before she started something neither of them was in a position to do anything about. She knew that she needed more information to give Captain Sheridan, and Mr. Garibaldi. In the deep recesses of her mind, she thought, 'Please, let me find her, before anything else happens…'
Forcefully, she pulled her thoughts back to the here and now. "Susan, I think you are right. I think that you are still on the Babylon 5. When I was here before, you said you thought you could hear ships slowing to come in to dock, and roaring back out. But I know that there are several…"
"Sixteen," Susan supplied.
"All right, sixteen to be exact," she smiled in spite of herself. "But they are scattered all over the station. Anything else distinct about where you are?"
Susan closed her eyes, and strained to see if she had missed recognizing any other noise, or sound. Then it dawned on her. Excitedly, she turned to Talia. "There is something else. I hear steam pumps kicking in and out at regular intervals. The pumps I am hearing are only located in the section of DownBelow underneath Docking Bays 3 and 4…" When she opened her eyes, all she saw was darkness. Talia was gone, and her restraints were firmly back in place. The realization that Talia might not have heard her last revelation overwhelmed her. Once again, the stoic Commander did something she hadn't done since she was a little girl. She began to cry.
1130 hours found the security chief in the outer office of Captain Sheridan. Michael nodded at Lt. Singer, the adjunct assigned to the Captain, as he passed. Singer returned the nod and raised a questioning eyebrow. Michael shook his head, and walked on.
The rest and the food had helped to clear his head, and even strengthen his resolve to find the Commander. Soon after he awoke, he met with Zack. So far no helpful information had been discovered while he slept. He had ordered Zack to work out a rotation schedule for everyone including himself to get some food and some rest. Zack had reluctantly agreed.
"Good morning, Michael," the Captain greeted as he filled a nearby cup with coffee, and handed it to the security chief. "Coffee as I promised." He motioned Michael towards a seat, as he returned to sit behind his desk. He noticed that Michael looked like he had actually slept. He, too, had felt well rested even if it had only been a few hours. He was now ready to get back at it and find his lost Commander.
"Thanks, Captain," Michael said as he took an appreciative sip. The coffee was indeed the genuine article…the perks of being Captain. He crooked up his right eyebrow at the taste. "It's great." He smiled his appreciation that the Captain had taken his 'assignment' so seriously. He took a seat in the chair that was indicated.
"Any good news?" John asked. He knew there wasn't. At the very least, Lt. Singer would have awakened him, but he still had to ask.
Michael's features darkened. "No, Sir. Between Mr. Lennier's contacts and mine, all of the departed ships and their cargo have been searched, and the passengers checked with no signs that the Commander had been aboard. All scheduled outgoing ship and cargo have been double and in some cases triple checked with no clues found. Lt. Commander Salavoy started clearing ships for departure two hours ago. Every snitch and basic low life on the station have been questioned, but no one is talking."
Leaning forward, he handed the Captain a data crystal. As Sheridan loaded it, Michael continued, "No useable evidence was found in Bennett's quarters. There is a list of what was discovered besides all of the garbage." When the Captain looked at him questioningly, he responded, "Don't ask!" He grimaced at the thought and wished he hadn't had to experience it for himself. "Anyway, the BabCom terminal had been wiped clean. Even the tech boys don't think that can recover anything that will be of any use."
As the Captain flipped to the next digital page, "As expected, Bennett died from two shots to the head from a PPG fired at very close range. No one in the surrounding quarters heard anything around the time of the attack, so I am guessing some sort of silencer was used. He had to have known his assailant to let him or her get that close. Dr. Franklin estimated the time of death to less than an hour from when we found the body." He paused to take another sip from his cup as he tried to get his frustration under control. "Damnit, we were so close," to himself he admitted, 'Whomever this is, they are good… real good!!!'
John tried to absorb all that Garibaldi had reported. Steepling his fingers, John sat back lost in thought. Finally, he looked across at the security chief. "She must still be here, Michael."
"Agreed," Michael concurred. "Have you heard from Brother Theo?"
"No," John replied, frustration evident in his voice. "I attempted to call him just before you arrived. Brother Paul informed me that he was unavailable. All he would tell me was that I would be the first to be informed when they did have something."
Michael could sense the Captain's frustration and tried to calm him. "It will take some time for them to go through all of the data crystals we sent them, Captain. They are going through over a week's worth of data from hundreds of secure-cams. It would have taken my guys days to just scratch the surface. To be honest, I think they will do a better and faster job than any of us could have done," he begrudgingly admitted.
Staring back at him, John quietly sighed. "She doesn't have days, Michael."
"I know, Sir. Believe me, I know," he grimly replied. "I have as many men as possible doing a sector-by-sector search of the station starting from where we found the abandoned cart, and working outward. As we speak, Low is searching for Bennett's partner- Johnni Durango – to find out if Bennett said anything more to him besides sharing the credits."
Both sat in silence lost in their own thoughts as they finished their coffee. At last, Sheridan broke the silence. "Michael, I have a personal question." He paused before continuing. 'Should he invade the privacy of one of his officers as well as one of his best friends?'
Finally, his curiosity won out. "Who exactly was Susan's date last night?"
Michael inwardly grimaced, and tried hard not to squirm under the Captain's gaze. He had been waiting for this particular question ever since this situation begun. To be quiet honest, he was surprised Sheridan had taken this long to broach the subject. Unconsciously, he rubbed his face as well as his head as he tried to decide what to tell the Captain. No matter what he said someone was going to be pissed at him. The real question was whom did he want mad at him more… the Captain, or the Commander?
"I would like to hear the answer to that question myself," Dr. Franklin added as he walked into the room.
'No fair! The vultures are ganging up on me!!!' Michael thought sourly. Now he knew he could no longer avoid giving out some kind of information.
Staring intently into his nearly empty cup, he stated, "My understanding is that Susan was supposed to have dinner with Ms. Winters. She is the one who reported that she hadn't been able to get the Commander to answer her door. We went to the Commander's quarters, and the rest is history."
"Excuse me!" John exclaimed. "Since when does Susan associate any telepath…especially Ms. Winters?" Over the years, John learned quite quickly about Susan's hatred for the Corps., therefore, all telepaths. In particular, since Ms. Winters assignment to Babylon 5, he had witnessed several verbal altercations between the strongly opinionated women. Turning back to the men before him, "Michael, you've got to be kidding, Right?"
Stephen, on the other hand, had no problem believing the security chief. If he'd had any doubts, they had dissipated several hours ago when he had made his first visit to the telepath's quarters. And from his clinical observations, he would have to say that they were more than just "friendly acquaintances". He was more curious as to how long this relationship had been evolving to reach this point.
Michael, however, was determined to supply the least amount of information as possible. "It's my understanding, from Ms. Winters, that they had plans to go to dinner. They were going to celebrate her successful participation in the negotiations of the New Centauri – Narn Trade Route Agreement." He refilled his coffee, and took a few sips hoping for no more questions, but he also knew both men cared for the Commander. He knew there would be more.
The Captain nodded. According to Ambassador Mollari at the celebration party yesterday, Ms. Winters had been instrumental in the negotiations. "Any idea as to how long they have been 'friendly'?"
As long as he had known and served with his X-O, he could count on one hand the number of people Susan had dated… and never knew of her dating the same sex. Susan just didn't seem to be the type.
"I'm not sure…" Michael quietly replied.
Stephen burst out laughing. "Come on Michael. What do you REALLY know?" When Michael didn't reply, he decided to continue to press for details. "You are the only person I know that knows everything that happens, or is about to happen on this station."
"Apparently, not everything…" Michael groused.
The three men fell silent at that statement, but Sheridan's and Franklin's expectant gazes remained centered squarely on Garibaldi.
"Fine," Michael grumbled under his breath. "All I know is that over the last several months, I have OCCASIONALLY noticed them sharing a drink at Earhart's. Last week, as I passed The Salad Bar I noticed they appeared to be having dinner."
"Well, I'll be damned," John quietly exclaimed as he sank back into his chair. 'Will wonders never cease?!?' he inwardly thought. This was quickly followed by a more shocking thought.
"Are they dating… as in couple dating?" He didn't realize he had given these words a voice until he saw the facial expression of the others.
"Well, Sir, only Susan can answer that for you. You'll just have to ask her as soon as I find her," Michael replied, filling his voice with finality. His intent gaze turned towards the physician. He just prayed that Stephen would keep his visits and obvious observations of the distraught telepath to himself. That whole Doctor – patient relationship and such.
Stephen felt the Chief's glare. He could tell Michael was trying his damnedest protect Susan's and Talia's privacy. If the telepath's distress, and the Chief's evasiveness were any indicator, he now had his answers anyway… "they" were more than friends. And he found that he was happy for them. What he didn't understand was why Garibaldi didn't want to share the happiness with Captain Sheridan, but he decided to bend to Garibaldi's silent request. He nodded slightly before returning his gaze back to the Captain.
When neither of his officers added any further enlightening information, John decided to push on further… for now. It would be one more thing to add to the list of things he was determined to discuss with his X-O once they found her. Clearing his throat drew their attention. "Well, gentlemen, it's past time to find the Commander. So where do we go from here?"
Before anyone could speak, the Chief's com-link beeped. Tapping it, he responded, "Garibaldi…"
"Chief, it's Lou. I think you need to get down here."
"Uh, Lou where are you?" The last thing Michael knew, Welch had been searching for Johnni Durango.
"Ms Winters' quarters… Nothing is wrong, but I need to talk to you for a minute…" When he got no response, he added, "as soon as you can." This was something he was not going to discuss over the com-link.
"I'll be there in five. Garibaldi out." He stood as he tapped the link closed. He could tell from the way both Sheridan and Franklin quickly stood that what Lou had said or more importantly what he hadn't said, his fellow officers wanted to go with him. He held up his hands as if to stop them. "Sir, Stephan… I will call you once I find out what Lou has to say. It mustn't be too important or he would have surely said so over the link."
"But, Michael…" Sheridan wasn't happy with the attitude of his security chief. After all, he was still the boss around here.
Michael decided to try and reason with the Captain. "Captain, we still don't know why the Commander was taken. Until we do, we have no idea if the Commander was their only target. For all we know, it could be a plot to take out the Command Staff then take over the station…" He paused a moment to let his words sink in. At least he hoped they would. "I need you to stay in places, like here in your office, where you can be protected." He hadn't told the Captain, but since Ivanova's disappearance, he had assigned a security team to discreetly follow the Captain, and to monitor all who came in contact with him. He had let Susan be taken- that was unforgivable- but he would be damned if he would lose anyone else. He truly hoped that Sheridan would for once listen to his advice.
His head knew his security chief was right, but his heart was having a hard time giving in. Hw was so tired of not doing something. Sighing loudly, he said down heavily. Running his hand through his hair, "Fine! I'll stay here," he replied unhappily. "But…"
"I'll call you as soon as I know something," Michael promised before he turned and left the office.
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That is it for now.
I am warning each of you now that Chapter 15 is roughly written, but I have suffered a very tragic loss. My mother, who has been ill for years but maintaining, suddenly passed quietly into the night. And for her, I was grateful that she went that way. Needless to say, any thing I am writing right now is very dark, and painful. But, I don't want that to be reflected within this story. Talia and Susan deserve better than that.