Son of the Force
Susan stood in the docking area, holding her child by the hand. Her luggage had already been boarded, taken by Security Chief Garibaldi himself, as he begged her to stay. He, Stephen and Marcus were there to see her off. When she had resigned, Marcus had suggested she go to Minbar, where she could live near the Rangers. The idea was not half bad. She would stay in the Ranger compound at first. She had meant to stay in a hotel, but Marcus had insisted that his friends would not allow it. She would buy land and build a house. If enough workers were available, which would be difficult were she not Commander Ivanova of the Interstellar Alliance, she would have a beautiful house with in three or so months. On Earth it could have been quicker, but the Minbari did not take short cuts, it was something she liked about them. She could still help in the war effort and raise her child in peace. Besides, Marcus had hinted that he too would follow after the war.
Stephen and Michael both embraced her and the child, then stepped back a minute, giving Marcus a moment with her. There was a silence which she broke," Thank you for everything."
" You're Welcome" he replied giving her a genuine smile. There was much both would have liked to say, but her shuttle was boarding. She hugged him hard, before slowly letting go and walking into the gateway, still holding the boy by the arm.
John woke the day Susan was to leave. She had not told him herself. It had been a week since she had resigned. They had not spoken since. He missed her, she had been his best friend for so long, had stood by him through this whole mess. Perhaps she hadn't been so wrong. What he had done that day, when she had come to help him had been shameful. Yet she had never held it against him. Their son had been well cared for. John had done nothing for him. She had never asked anything of him, yet he had spoken despicably to her seven days ago. He felt ashamed. He looked at the clock, there was still time. He throw on some clothes and ran out the door.
He reached the bay and looked around desperately. Stephen, Michael and Marcus stood to one corner. He followed there gaze to where Susan was entering the gates, holding their son by the hand. He ran faster, civilians and officers recognizing him and parting for him, " Susan ," he screamed when it appeared he would not make it. She turned at the last second and saw him. She stopped as he ran to catch up, running into the gate where only ticket holders are allowed. No one stopped him. The entire security present was watching, hoping that this command team would not be split. Reaching her he pulled her into a hug, apologizing profusely. She returned the embrace, muttering soothingly, " I know, I know." in response. The final boarding call sounded and she turned to go, " Stay," he begged, holding her hand, even as she tried to pull it out, " We need you, I need you, we can't do this without you." she hesitated, then nodded and allowed him to pull her out of the boarding area. Michael, Stephen, Marcus and he ecstatic as Michael boarded to take her belongings, before hugging her one last time and taking Stephen by the arm dragged him away saying something about throwing a party.
John and Susan sat down on a bench. John took the moment to study his son before pulling him into an embrace. Sensing the two needed to talk, Marcus took Andre with him. "I am sorry." both blurted out and then laughed. " He is amazing." John said and Susan smiled a mother's smile in agreement. " I want to be a father to him." she hesitated and he understood her fear of losing him, " I don't want to take him from you, but I would like to spend some time with him."
Susan nodded. " This weekend?" she asked He agreed reassuring her once again, " Don't worry, you will still see him both days."
" All right" she consented and he smiled, as they both rose and he walked her to her quarters.