Son of the Force
Susan walked to the Captain's quarter's and rang the bell, her face somewhat worried and somber. She held Andre by the hand and a bag of his belongings in the other hand for his first weekend with his father. The child too was worried, for the next two days he would be with a virtual stranger. He clutched his bear in his arms. The door opened. It was John, in civilian clothes, grinning in excitement at the time he would have with his son, nervous at the same time, at how he would do. He quickly ushered them inside, and knelt in front of Andre. " Hey, how are you? Do you know who I am?"
The child nodded. " Papa." John smiled, he was going to say 'Dad' but whatever. The sentiment was the same. And hearing the words from the child's lips filled him with warmth. John took his son by the hand and lead him to the sofa, the child looking to Susan for approval and when it came followed his father. Delenn came forth and took the bag from Susan, a bit uncomfortable in this recent situation with her fiance's son. As they lived together, she would be present nearly all the time. John had offered to ask Delenn to remain in her quarters when the issue of the child visiting came up, but Susan had declined, not wanting to make it an issue with Delenn. Both women were nervous in the other's company. It was the first time they had seen each other since Andre's arrival. Delenn, playing the hostess led Susan to the other sofa and offered her a drink which she declined. For several seconds both sat stiffly. Finally, Delenn broke the ice, " We will take good care of him."
Susan stared at her and nodded, " I know," then ventured, " Are you all right with this?"
" Yes, I never thought I was the first to be with John. I am pleased he has a child, especially since the chances of us having a child are slim, perhaps... perhaps you would allow me to care for him as well, I have no child."
" Of course Delenn I am glad you are all right with this and I would be honored to have help raise my son.. our son. " she said nodding to include Delenn and John, both women smiling towards the father and son, any uneasiness between them gone as the two discussed the merits of baseball, ( John's favorite sport) and cricket ( Andre's favorite sport) comparing and contrasting them. Both women shook their heads, neither interested in sports. Susan rose then and interrupted the sports conversation long enough to kiss her son, who then became uncomfortable and needed reassurance, wave slightly and leave, intending to return to her quarters and drink herself to sleep. She made it all the way to her quarters, before changing her mind, and showering and changing her clothes, headed to a small restaurant where she knew Michael, Stephen and Marcus where at the time.
The three men were in a small restaurant talking amongst themselves, about to order. Stephen was saying, " I cannot believe that we were in a cell, in serious danger and you pick that moment, of all time to start talking about Susan."
" I can't help it, she was what I was thinking about."
" She is what you are always thinking about." Michael replied. The three laughed, enjoying their friendship. Suddenly he stopped and looked up, Marcus and Stephen followed his gaze. Susan had entered. She wore another of her exotic outfits, a burgundy colored tight silk blouse with a Chinese collar and sleeves, and a matching long skirt with slits to her lower thighs. Her matching heels clicked, her lips were painted the same color and her hair was partially bound with a jeweled clip that matched as well. She spotted them and smiled coming towards them. She reached them, and greeted them, which was met by a hearty reply from Michael and Stephen. Marcus just stared, unable to say anything. To their surprise she seated herself next to him, leaning very close and smiled directly at him. The waiter came and she further surprised them by not ordering the alcohol she had intended to consume earlier that evening, but a coke with ice. The men ordered similarly and gave dinner orders as well. Two hours later, it was nearly 23 hundred. Michael and Stephen rose to go. As Susan too followed them, Marcus stopped her, offering to walk her home, fully expecting her to reject, was astonished when she accepted. He took her arm and led her through the door.
On the way, they stopped for a walk in the gardens. Walking around a bit, they came to a bench where they both sat. " How's Andre?"
" Fine, with John and Delenn."
" He will be fine. Rather strong personality, a bit like you, I like him."
" I am glad."
" You seem upset."
" I guess I am just a bit hurt that he and John got along so well, that he didn't need me at all."
" Of course he needs you. He came all the way here looking for you."
" Yes." she agreed then changed the subject, " Tonight was fun."
" I am glad you thought so," Marcus said before hesitating, " because I wanted to ask if perhaps you would like to repeat it, this time alone?" fully expecting to be thrown out of an airlock right about now.
" I would like that." she said genuinely.
Marcus nearly gasped. The woman was full of surprised today. " That is great." They rose and he walked her the rest of the way home.