See Prologue for Disclaimer.
Part 21 of 36
"Yes, I know him. Are you related to him?" Susan asked curiously.
"Not directly. I'm the fiancée of William, his brother. We wanted to marry, after he had returned from Arisia. I don't know whether you know it, but he has died then. After I had learned from his death, I have assumed his name."
"But what has that to do with Marcus? To the best of my knowledge, he has never told me something about you."
"He can't do that. He doesn't know of me. Will and I, we both wanted to surprise him with our wedding. He should meet me first after that. Will has shown me many photos of him. After his death I didn't accomplish it, to meet him. They looked too similarly."
"But why want you get in contact with him just now? It is a rather bad point in time."
"I have no other choice. My family is dead. I don't have many friends here. And I'm difficulty ill. There is no chance for a healing for me. The doctors don't believe that I will survive this year."
"What has that to do with Marcus?"
"Shortly after William had flown to Arisia, I have found out, that I was pregnant. We have a son, whom I have called after William. I have heard so much about Marcus that I know he is a good person and will care well for Little - Willie. Nothing others are left to me as to leave him in the care of his uncle."
"I'm sure, that Marcus will worry well about the boy, but there is still a small problem. Marcus isn't in the position to take care of a child in the moment."
"Is he on a mission? I know that he is exactly like William and I also a ranger. When will he be on the station again?"
"He is on the station. He lies in the MedLab. In the last battle against Earth he has been wounded and lies in coma. Our doctor says that he will wake up again, but we don't know, when that will be."
"Oh God. What should I do now? I don't have much more time and I'm too weak to look for somebody else. I can't leave Will here with the rangers."
"I make you an offer. What would you say if you come for some days to Babylon 5 and getting to know me somewhat better? I will take care of William until Marcus is in the position to do this task by him."
"Captain, that is a very nice offer, but I don't believe, that I can assume it. You have surely each quantity to do on the station and I can't leave simply my child with you. Does Marcus really know you?"
„I will hope that. Let us say that I'm his girlfriend, even if it has lasted somewhat long, until I accepted it."
„Okay, then I will assume your offer, but just because you and Marcus are so close. We will come with the next ship to the station. Thank you Captain."
Susan closed the connection and forgot over this news her plan to go to visit Stephen.
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"Hi, my treasure. I had just a very interesting conversation with an Emily Cole. Does this name say you something?" Susan wanted to examine, whether Emily had really said the truth.
"Emily Cole? No, I don't know somebody called so. Should I?"
"She was the fiancée of your brother and has a son with him. She wanted to ask you for a kindness."
"Will had a child? He has told me nothing at all of it. I'm an uncle?"
"William has known nothing about it."
"What did she want from me? Why does she get in contact with me now? Willie is since almost two years dead!"
"She would haven't endured your similarity. As far she has told me, she is mortally ill and will die soon. You should raise Little - William for her."
"But I can't. What have you told her?"
"I have invited her to visit me on Babylon 5, so that she can get to know me better. I will if it's okay with you pay attention to William, until you are in the position to do it. Then the little one can get used to me. Still I'm the girlfriend of his uncle."
„Thanks Susan, I will never forget you that."
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Two days later Emily and William Cole jr. arrived on the station. Susan had put her shift so, that she could be there at the arrival. Susan wore today neither her EarthForce uniform nor them of the Isban'Tho. Emily shouldn't be frightened by her status.
"Hello Emily, I'm Susan Ivanova."
"Captain, it's a pleasure, that you have invited us both."
Emily stepped from the ship into the waiting hall. In her arm a small boy slept, somewhat older than a year. He was cut his mother from the face; however he had green eyes, exactly like his uncle.
"Please call me Susan. Theoretical I'm no more in the military. I have graduated also from the ranger - training. Would you like, if I show you the station?"
"That would be very nice. I have never been here before. I must worry afterwards for a room Will and I can stay the next days."
"Don't worry about this. If you want, you can stay with me. My quarter is large enough for all of us and we get a better chance to get us known."
Susan showed them the station. On their way they met Delenn and John.
„Emily may I present you Entil'Zha Delenn and her husband President John Sheridan. Delenn, John this are Emily and William Cole. They are the relatives of Marcus brother. Actually they wanted to visit Marcus."
"Pleasure to meet you. I haven't known William very well, but I know his brother. He is a nice person." Delenn said.
"William and Marcus were rather equal as children, what Will has told me."
"Marcus would surely see you again, but he isn't in the position to see you." John said.
"I know, Susan has told me about his condition. I hope that he feels soon better and he has the chance, to see me."
"Sorry, John, Delenn, but we must go on. I assume, the flight was straining for the Little. What do you think, if I bring you in my quarter and you can rest there a bit?"
"Thanks, that's a good idea. I have observed not at all, how exhausts I'm."
Susan brought Will and Emily into her quarter and showed her, where she would find everything necessary.
"Make yourself at home. Unfortunately I have once more to go away, but I come immediately back. I have put the BabCom so, that it records all news, so you don't need to worry about it. You find something to eat in the refrigerator."
Susan left the both alone and progressed on the way to Stephen.
"Stephen, I must ask you for a favour!"
"What's the matter, Susan?"
„Today I have gotten visit of a woman, who will soon die. I think she will visit in the next few days Marcus. Can you examinant her perhaps inconspicuously?"
"I will try it. How does the person be called?"
"Her name is Emily Cole. She was the fiancée of Marcus' brother."
Susan went back with a detour to Lennier to her quarter. She had taken some work form the minbari she wanted to settle as long as Emily and William rested. When she went in her bedroom, she saw Emily lying on her bed, with William in her arm. However the small didn't appear to be really tired. Susan took the child carefully from the bed so his mother could sleep.
"Well my small. I hope you are a fine boy. You must know, I don't have much experience with children, but I will do my best, so you will have a happy childhood with your uncle."
The small didn't appear to be particularly interest in a conversation with Susan and fell asleep in her arms.
"Great Susan, so much to the theme work." she said.
Susan sat carefully on the sofa because she didn't want to wake Will and took a stack of papers she slowly looked through. Will doesn't seem to be disturbed in his nap by her work. Few moments later Susan was also asleep...
Susan was woken by noises in her kitchen. She felt something heavy and warm on her shoulder. She remembered that the child had fallen asleep at her work.
"I didn't want to wake you, Susan!"
"No fear. Really I wanted not to sleep at all. I wanted to work a bit. That happens to me frequently in the last time. I believe I haven't yet got used again to the rhythm of the station. Some weeks ago I was still on Minbar."
"I have allowed me, to cook something to eat. I didn't know, what you like, therefore have made I something simple."
"Thanks, that's very nice. I believe it is already very long ago, since somebody has cooked for me. The last time was a breakfast of Marcus."
"You must love him very much."
„Yes I do. But it has lasted very long, until I could concede it. Our friends have even made bets, whether we become a couple." Susan told her.
"Really?"
"Yes, most have bet against it, only Delenn not. You must know I had the reputation not to be especially nice. Especially to Marcus. But that has changed through him. Through him I have come to the rangers."
"It appears to run in the family."
"Marcus and I, we have also good connections to the Entil'Zha's. Jeffrey Sinclair was a good friend of me."
"And it seems that you know Entil'Zha Delenn also well."
"I was at her wedding and John is a good friend of me. She has let her powers played, so that I could participate in the training. Actually I should wait up to the beginning of the next one. They had feared that I wouldn't make up the remainder. However owing to Marcus' help, I have completed the training a week formerly as the others."
"I have met William at the education. We were assigned always as adversaries and I was always worse than he. Ultimately he had offered me private training lessons and there we have fallen in love for each other. William should persuade Marcus to join the rangers, as he had travelled to Arisia. It was a direct order from Entil'Zha Sinclair."
"I'm sorry about what has happened with William. He would have been surely a wonderful father. You must have suffered awfully. I know how much Marcus still suffers today."
"The thought of our child has helped me, to survive the loss. I had to be strong for the baby. A baby demands a whole quantity of one. You don't have children?" Emily asked.
"No, I have none. And I have also never thought about it, that I want to have some. I have joined very early EarthForce and that was my whole life. But I know that Marcus loves children and want to have surely some. And if I examine the small here, I will think perhaps once more about my outlook. He is such an angel."
"Yes, he is quite reserved today. I assume it's because of the long flight and the unaccustomed environment. Otherwise he is rather lively. He begins just to crawl. Never is he there, where you have seen him the last time."
Susan had to laugh. Thereby Will was awaken and began to scream vigorously.
"I think, he is hungry. Do you want to feed him?"
Susan didn't want, however Emily persuaded her to it. It was fun. Will had everywhere something from his pulp, only not in his stomach. Susan didn't also look much better.
„You have made that well, Susan." Emily tried to cheer her up.
"Good? Don't you see how the small and I look?"
"Oh, that is normally with him. He makes from his feeding always a game. You get used to it and besides that he can soon eat alone. I have accustomed him already that he takes some soft matters but he gets first his remaining teeth."
"Good to know. First I will take a shower. After that you can make the small ready. I assume however, that he will go to bed in next time?"
„Normally he would be that already long. But with the whole excitement."
"Your both can sleep in tomorrow. I have early shift on the bridge, but we can spend the rest of the day together. There is still much on the station you must see. My only appointment tomorrow is in the MedLab, but you can accompany me. Perhaps you want to visit Marcus?"
"Yes, I think, I'm now ready to see him."
Susan went to shower. After that Emily made William ready for bed and went likewise to bed.
Early in the morning Susan got up, to do her shift. She didn't have slept much in the night. To her luck it was quiet this morning. There were only some small fights, but Zack worried about it. Susan went in her office, to fill out some forms. During the remainder of the day she certainly wouldn't come to do it.
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"Susan, tell me everything about Emily and the small." Marcus demanded.
"Marcus, I have no time, I must work. But the both are very nice. The small is really sweet. You will like him. Perhaps I come this afternoon with both of them to the MedLab, therefore show you from your best side."
"I always do."
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Susan was woken by noises in her office. It was Commander Lochley.
"Commander? What are you doing here? I have thought your shift begins after mine has ended." Susan said astonishes.
"Captain, your shift is already since two hours over. I wanted to wake you, but you slept so firmly, that I haven't been successful."
"That's funny. Normally I'm an easy sleeper. But I must concede that I haven't gotten much sleep last night. My visit takes rather much on me."
"I have already heard of it. How long will they stay?"
"I don't know yet. But I promise you, that this won't occur once more, Commander."
"Don't worry about this. I'm very glad about your help and have nothing against it, if you make now and then a short nap. You provide good work."
"Thanks Commander. I will see about my guests now and go to bed early."
Susan left the room and progressed on the way to her quarter. William and Emily were already awake and had made breakfast. It was composed of scrambled eggs and bacon.
"Hmm, that smells delightful. Where have you obtained that? It must have cost a wealth?"
"Oh, we rangers have our ways!"
„Marcus has said that also. Have you slept well?" Susan inquired.
"Yes, as well as months no more."
The both women breakfasted together. After that Susan took a shower to awake fully and got dressed fresh. She decided against it to wear her dream- chancer - uniform. Instead she wore jeans and a sweater. Susan showed Emily the remaining station. They went to the gardens, where they met Lennier; who came just back from an encounter with Delenn.
"Good morning, Isban'Tho. Have you still some work from the temple I can settle for you. Delenn doesn't need my presence in next time."
"Good morning Lennier. I had no chance to examine my mail today, but should have I something, I will tell you. Thank you Lennier."
"Isban'Tho." He bowed to Susan and turned to Emily.
"Oh, Lennier may I present you Emily and William Cole jr. Emily was the fiancée of Marcus' brother. The small is Marcus' nephew. Emily this is Lennier, the personal aide of Entil'Zha Delenn. "
"Pleasure to meet you." Emily said and bowed so well it went with the child on the arm.
As Lennier had left, Emily asked curiously: "What does he mean with Isban'Tho?"
"Oh, that is an old expression of the minbari."
"I know, that it's minbari however not the meaning. Would you explain it me please?"
"Really I wanted to avoid it, but since you ask. I'm Isban'Tho, the leader of the dream-chancer. We are something similar like the rangers, only we work with other means. You can compare me with Delenn. We have the same tasks."
"Oh, you tell me that now, that you have such an important task. I would have never permitted to bother you with my problems. I'm sorry. We will leave the station with the next ship."
"Hey. I have invited you to spend some days with me and my offer to take care of Will still exists. Nothing can change something about it. I will divide my tasks so, that I have sufficiently time for the small. I keep my promise; if you still want that I worry about your son."
"I couldn't wish for a better person. You have a good character and can evade well with children."
"Thanks. Do you want to visit Marcus now?"
Together they went in the MedLab. Stephen was nowhere to be seen.
"What do you think if I take William and you can see Marcus in all quiet? Take all time you need. I will be in the office of the doctor. It is at the end of the passage."
"Thanks, Susan."
Susan went with the small in Stephen's office, where they met with the doctor.
"Hello Susan. Does it belong also to your task as Isban'Tho or is only an undesirable side-effect?" Stephen asked with a smile on the lips.
"Ha ha, very funny. This here is Mr. William Cole Jr. His mother is just with Marcus. If you can scan her please and say me, what she is missing."
Stephen went in Marcus' room and did like he scanned him; however the scanners were directed at the young woman next to his bed. She spoke with him about his brother and didn't notice Stephen's presence.
"Susan, the results are clear. I can do nothing for her. Perhaps she has still a month, perhaps somewhat longer. It's difficult to say."
"Thanks Stephen."
Susan played with William in Stephen's office, while Emily was with Marcus.
~ In Marcus sick-room ~
"Marcus, I wished, we would have met under other conditions, but I wouldn't simply have endured your close resemblance. It's still difficult for me. If I weren't sick, probably I would have never come to you. You wouldn't even have known that William had a son. He hasn't known it personally. I hope, you can forgive me and will take care lovingly of the small. He's a good child and your girlfriend appears to like him. She's a wonderful person. You can estimate yourself happily, to have somebody like her at your side."
Marcus heard everything Emily told him and he wanted to show her that he understood her. He tried to transfer something in her thoughts.
//Emily, don't worry. I will care well for your son I owe that my brother. Until I'm in the position to take care of him Susan will worry about him. We have many friends here, who participate surely in the care.//
Emily had the feeling, that she heard a voice in her head, which sounded much like William.
"Marcus, I hope, we have the chance to meet personally. There is still so much I want to tell you and what I would like to know about William. I hope you can forgive me, that I haven't come to you earlier. Now I'm awfully sorry. I think we would have been able to help ourselves mutually to live with the loss."
//There is nothing I would have to forgive you. I can understand you very well. I don't believe that I would have been so strong after the death of my love to locate the relatives, if they see themselves so similarly. And I know that there have been only some small differences between William and me. There is also still much I would like to know about Will too and there is also much, which I would like to tell you about him. I also hope, that I can do that personally.//
Emily was this a bit too strange. She left Marcus' room and progressed in search of Susan and her son.
"Susan, the station seems a bit strange to me." Emily said, as she entered the room.
"Why that?" Susan knew that here happened some remarkable things.
"As I was with Marcus, it seemed like somebody had spoken with me. But not with words much more in my thoughts. And it appeared always to fit on what I had said shortly before. The voice has sounded like William, but somehow not. I can't explain it."
Susan had to make every effort, not to laugh.
"I think, I can explain it you. It has to do something with the dream- chancer. I can't tell you much, but I can tell you, that Marcus is also an Amin'Sogan. He can penetrate exactly as I into the thinks of other."
"You are a telepath? That can't be. William would have told me this about his brother."
//Emily it's true. William could tell you nothing about this present of Marcus, because he didn't know it. Marcus is first since some weeks in the property of this ability.// sent Susan Emily in her thoughts.
"You say that Marcus has become completely sudden to a telepath. Don't you need a special gene to it?"
"Marcus has become a telepath because of me. He has saved my life and thereby my abilities must have transferred themselves also to him. In any case it has strengthened mine. Formerly I couldn't read thoughts or send personally some. I could also accomplish no scans, only block them. Because Marcus has saved my life, he lies now in coma. I would do everything if I could change something on it."
"Susan, I believe you. I feel how much you love him and that you are awful worried about him. Everything will become good again. What do you think if we eat something? I'm awful hungry."
Susan agreed and handed William to his mother. Together they went to ´Earhearts`. It was a comfortable evening. Ultimately they went in Susan's quarter, where they lay down.
In the next morning Susan was woken by noises from William's bed. She saw at her clock. It was shortly before seven o'clock. In an hour her shift began.
"Emily, I think William is hungry." Susan called in her bedroom, where Emily had spent the night. However she didn't react. Susan went in. Emily lay in her bed and looked completely peaceful. Normally she was immediately awake, if William screamed. Susan went to her and shook her softly. As she didn't react she shook her somewhat more but she still didn't react. Susan had the bad feeling that something wasn't correct and looked for her pulse. She found none. She took her ComLink and called Stephen. In the time until he came, Susan provided the child.
"Susan, where's the problem?" Stephen asked, as he entered Susan's rooms.
"It's Emily. She doesn't move and I can't find a pulse."
Stephen went in Susan's bedrooms and held his scanner over the woman. A moment later he came again in the living room.
„I'm sorry Susan, but she has died this evening. More can't I say at the moment."
"Thanks Stephen. Do you worry about everything further and tell me if you have the final result?" Susan asked.
"Yes, I will do Susan."
Stephen went again on the Medical station and caused an autopsy of Emily. Susan began to make herself ready for her shift however she remembered that she had to worry immediately about an infant. She could take William badly with on the bridge and leave him alone here she couldn't do also. She had only one idea, where she could house William.
"Delenn, excuse me that I disturb you already so early, but it's urgent."
"Susan, you don't disturb. What can I do for you?" the minbari asked.
"Emily has died this evening. I have now the whole responsibility for William. It doesn't matter to me, but I have a small problem."
"My condolence, Susan. How can I help you?"
"In few minutes my shift on the bridge begins. I can't take him with me and I can't leave him here."
"I understand. It would be a great honour to me, to pay attention to the small. So I can exercise already for our own. I think John will also be happy to see the small. Leave him on your way to work with us and get him back when you are finished."
"Thanks Delenn, I don't know what I would have done without you."
"Don't be too glad too soon. You can already plan that you can baby-sit for our small."
Susan laughed. Delenn developed slowly a human wit. She finished herself for work and put all necessary matters for William in a bag. Then she progressed on the way to her work. The work passed like in flight. However Susan was very worried whether William was well. Not, that she doubted Delenn's abilities, but she was still the first time alone with a human baby. And how would William endure it, if he saw his mother nowhere? In a quiet phase of her shift Susan went in her office and did some of the paper work. After s few minutes she was so tired, that she fell asleep.
What do you think so far? Please R&R.
Part 21 of 36
"Yes, I know him. Are you related to him?" Susan asked curiously.
"Not directly. I'm the fiancée of William, his brother. We wanted to marry, after he had returned from Arisia. I don't know whether you know it, but he has died then. After I had learned from his death, I have assumed his name."
"But what has that to do with Marcus? To the best of my knowledge, he has never told me something about you."
"He can't do that. He doesn't know of me. Will and I, we both wanted to surprise him with our wedding. He should meet me first after that. Will has shown me many photos of him. After his death I didn't accomplish it, to meet him. They looked too similarly."
"But why want you get in contact with him just now? It is a rather bad point in time."
"I have no other choice. My family is dead. I don't have many friends here. And I'm difficulty ill. There is no chance for a healing for me. The doctors don't believe that I will survive this year."
"What has that to do with Marcus?"
"Shortly after William had flown to Arisia, I have found out, that I was pregnant. We have a son, whom I have called after William. I have heard so much about Marcus that I know he is a good person and will care well for Little - Willie. Nothing others are left to me as to leave him in the care of his uncle."
"I'm sure, that Marcus will worry well about the boy, but there is still a small problem. Marcus isn't in the position to take care of a child in the moment."
"Is he on a mission? I know that he is exactly like William and I also a ranger. When will he be on the station again?"
"He is on the station. He lies in the MedLab. In the last battle against Earth he has been wounded and lies in coma. Our doctor says that he will wake up again, but we don't know, when that will be."
"Oh God. What should I do now? I don't have much more time and I'm too weak to look for somebody else. I can't leave Will here with the rangers."
"I make you an offer. What would you say if you come for some days to Babylon 5 and getting to know me somewhat better? I will take care of William until Marcus is in the position to do this task by him."
"Captain, that is a very nice offer, but I don't believe, that I can assume it. You have surely each quantity to do on the station and I can't leave simply my child with you. Does Marcus really know you?"
„I will hope that. Let us say that I'm his girlfriend, even if it has lasted somewhat long, until I accepted it."
„Okay, then I will assume your offer, but just because you and Marcus are so close. We will come with the next ship to the station. Thank you Captain."
Susan closed the connection and forgot over this news her plan to go to visit Stephen.
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"Hi, my treasure. I had just a very interesting conversation with an Emily Cole. Does this name say you something?" Susan wanted to examine, whether Emily had really said the truth.
"Emily Cole? No, I don't know somebody called so. Should I?"
"She was the fiancée of your brother and has a son with him. She wanted to ask you for a kindness."
"Will had a child? He has told me nothing at all of it. I'm an uncle?"
"William has known nothing about it."
"What did she want from me? Why does she get in contact with me now? Willie is since almost two years dead!"
"She would haven't endured your similarity. As far she has told me, she is mortally ill and will die soon. You should raise Little - William for her."
"But I can't. What have you told her?"
"I have invited her to visit me on Babylon 5, so that she can get to know me better. I will if it's okay with you pay attention to William, until you are in the position to do it. Then the little one can get used to me. Still I'm the girlfriend of his uncle."
„Thanks Susan, I will never forget you that."
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Two days later Emily and William Cole jr. arrived on the station. Susan had put her shift so, that she could be there at the arrival. Susan wore today neither her EarthForce uniform nor them of the Isban'Tho. Emily shouldn't be frightened by her status.
"Hello Emily, I'm Susan Ivanova."
"Captain, it's a pleasure, that you have invited us both."
Emily stepped from the ship into the waiting hall. In her arm a small boy slept, somewhat older than a year. He was cut his mother from the face; however he had green eyes, exactly like his uncle.
"Please call me Susan. Theoretical I'm no more in the military. I have graduated also from the ranger - training. Would you like, if I show you the station?"
"That would be very nice. I have never been here before. I must worry afterwards for a room Will and I can stay the next days."
"Don't worry about this. If you want, you can stay with me. My quarter is large enough for all of us and we get a better chance to get us known."
Susan showed them the station. On their way they met Delenn and John.
„Emily may I present you Entil'Zha Delenn and her husband President John Sheridan. Delenn, John this are Emily and William Cole. They are the relatives of Marcus brother. Actually they wanted to visit Marcus."
"Pleasure to meet you. I haven't known William very well, but I know his brother. He is a nice person." Delenn said.
"William and Marcus were rather equal as children, what Will has told me."
"Marcus would surely see you again, but he isn't in the position to see you." John said.
"I know, Susan has told me about his condition. I hope that he feels soon better and he has the chance, to see me."
"Sorry, John, Delenn, but we must go on. I assume, the flight was straining for the Little. What do you think, if I bring you in my quarter and you can rest there a bit?"
"Thanks, that's a good idea. I have observed not at all, how exhausts I'm."
Susan brought Will and Emily into her quarter and showed her, where she would find everything necessary.
"Make yourself at home. Unfortunately I have once more to go away, but I come immediately back. I have put the BabCom so, that it records all news, so you don't need to worry about it. You find something to eat in the refrigerator."
Susan left the both alone and progressed on the way to Stephen.
"Stephen, I must ask you for a favour!"
"What's the matter, Susan?"
„Today I have gotten visit of a woman, who will soon die. I think she will visit in the next few days Marcus. Can you examinant her perhaps inconspicuously?"
"I will try it. How does the person be called?"
"Her name is Emily Cole. She was the fiancée of Marcus' brother."
Susan went back with a detour to Lennier to her quarter. She had taken some work form the minbari she wanted to settle as long as Emily and William rested. When she went in her bedroom, she saw Emily lying on her bed, with William in her arm. However the small didn't appear to be really tired. Susan took the child carefully from the bed so his mother could sleep.
"Well my small. I hope you are a fine boy. You must know, I don't have much experience with children, but I will do my best, so you will have a happy childhood with your uncle."
The small didn't appear to be particularly interest in a conversation with Susan and fell asleep in her arms.
"Great Susan, so much to the theme work." she said.
Susan sat carefully on the sofa because she didn't want to wake Will and took a stack of papers she slowly looked through. Will doesn't seem to be disturbed in his nap by her work. Few moments later Susan was also asleep...
Susan was woken by noises in her kitchen. She felt something heavy and warm on her shoulder. She remembered that the child had fallen asleep at her work.
"I didn't want to wake you, Susan!"
"No fear. Really I wanted not to sleep at all. I wanted to work a bit. That happens to me frequently in the last time. I believe I haven't yet got used again to the rhythm of the station. Some weeks ago I was still on Minbar."
"I have allowed me, to cook something to eat. I didn't know, what you like, therefore have made I something simple."
"Thanks, that's very nice. I believe it is already very long ago, since somebody has cooked for me. The last time was a breakfast of Marcus."
"You must love him very much."
„Yes I do. But it has lasted very long, until I could concede it. Our friends have even made bets, whether we become a couple." Susan told her.
"Really?"
"Yes, most have bet against it, only Delenn not. You must know I had the reputation not to be especially nice. Especially to Marcus. But that has changed through him. Through him I have come to the rangers."
"It appears to run in the family."
"Marcus and I, we have also good connections to the Entil'Zha's. Jeffrey Sinclair was a good friend of me."
"And it seems that you know Entil'Zha Delenn also well."
"I was at her wedding and John is a good friend of me. She has let her powers played, so that I could participate in the training. Actually I should wait up to the beginning of the next one. They had feared that I wouldn't make up the remainder. However owing to Marcus' help, I have completed the training a week formerly as the others."
"I have met William at the education. We were assigned always as adversaries and I was always worse than he. Ultimately he had offered me private training lessons and there we have fallen in love for each other. William should persuade Marcus to join the rangers, as he had travelled to Arisia. It was a direct order from Entil'Zha Sinclair."
"I'm sorry about what has happened with William. He would have been surely a wonderful father. You must have suffered awfully. I know how much Marcus still suffers today."
"The thought of our child has helped me, to survive the loss. I had to be strong for the baby. A baby demands a whole quantity of one. You don't have children?" Emily asked.
"No, I have none. And I have also never thought about it, that I want to have some. I have joined very early EarthForce and that was my whole life. But I know that Marcus loves children and want to have surely some. And if I examine the small here, I will think perhaps once more about my outlook. He is such an angel."
"Yes, he is quite reserved today. I assume it's because of the long flight and the unaccustomed environment. Otherwise he is rather lively. He begins just to crawl. Never is he there, where you have seen him the last time."
Susan had to laugh. Thereby Will was awaken and began to scream vigorously.
"I think, he is hungry. Do you want to feed him?"
Susan didn't want, however Emily persuaded her to it. It was fun. Will had everywhere something from his pulp, only not in his stomach. Susan didn't also look much better.
„You have made that well, Susan." Emily tried to cheer her up.
"Good? Don't you see how the small and I look?"
"Oh, that is normally with him. He makes from his feeding always a game. You get used to it and besides that he can soon eat alone. I have accustomed him already that he takes some soft matters but he gets first his remaining teeth."
"Good to know. First I will take a shower. After that you can make the small ready. I assume however, that he will go to bed in next time?"
„Normally he would be that already long. But with the whole excitement."
"Your both can sleep in tomorrow. I have early shift on the bridge, but we can spend the rest of the day together. There is still much on the station you must see. My only appointment tomorrow is in the MedLab, but you can accompany me. Perhaps you want to visit Marcus?"
"Yes, I think, I'm now ready to see him."
Susan went to shower. After that Emily made William ready for bed and went likewise to bed.
Early in the morning Susan got up, to do her shift. She didn't have slept much in the night. To her luck it was quiet this morning. There were only some small fights, but Zack worried about it. Susan went in her office, to fill out some forms. During the remainder of the day she certainly wouldn't come to do it.
@@@@@
"Susan, tell me everything about Emily and the small." Marcus demanded.
"Marcus, I have no time, I must work. But the both are very nice. The small is really sweet. You will like him. Perhaps I come this afternoon with both of them to the MedLab, therefore show you from your best side."
"I always do."
@@@@@
Susan was woken by noises in her office. It was Commander Lochley.
"Commander? What are you doing here? I have thought your shift begins after mine has ended." Susan said astonishes.
"Captain, your shift is already since two hours over. I wanted to wake you, but you slept so firmly, that I haven't been successful."
"That's funny. Normally I'm an easy sleeper. But I must concede that I haven't gotten much sleep last night. My visit takes rather much on me."
"I have already heard of it. How long will they stay?"
"I don't know yet. But I promise you, that this won't occur once more, Commander."
"Don't worry about this. I'm very glad about your help and have nothing against it, if you make now and then a short nap. You provide good work."
"Thanks Commander. I will see about my guests now and go to bed early."
Susan left the room and progressed on the way to her quarter. William and Emily were already awake and had made breakfast. It was composed of scrambled eggs and bacon.
"Hmm, that smells delightful. Where have you obtained that? It must have cost a wealth?"
"Oh, we rangers have our ways!"
„Marcus has said that also. Have you slept well?" Susan inquired.
"Yes, as well as months no more."
The both women breakfasted together. After that Susan took a shower to awake fully and got dressed fresh. She decided against it to wear her dream- chancer - uniform. Instead she wore jeans and a sweater. Susan showed Emily the remaining station. They went to the gardens, where they met Lennier; who came just back from an encounter with Delenn.
"Good morning, Isban'Tho. Have you still some work from the temple I can settle for you. Delenn doesn't need my presence in next time."
"Good morning Lennier. I had no chance to examine my mail today, but should have I something, I will tell you. Thank you Lennier."
"Isban'Tho." He bowed to Susan and turned to Emily.
"Oh, Lennier may I present you Emily and William Cole jr. Emily was the fiancée of Marcus' brother. The small is Marcus' nephew. Emily this is Lennier, the personal aide of Entil'Zha Delenn. "
"Pleasure to meet you." Emily said and bowed so well it went with the child on the arm.
As Lennier had left, Emily asked curiously: "What does he mean with Isban'Tho?"
"Oh, that is an old expression of the minbari."
"I know, that it's minbari however not the meaning. Would you explain it me please?"
"Really I wanted to avoid it, but since you ask. I'm Isban'Tho, the leader of the dream-chancer. We are something similar like the rangers, only we work with other means. You can compare me with Delenn. We have the same tasks."
"Oh, you tell me that now, that you have such an important task. I would have never permitted to bother you with my problems. I'm sorry. We will leave the station with the next ship."
"Hey. I have invited you to spend some days with me and my offer to take care of Will still exists. Nothing can change something about it. I will divide my tasks so, that I have sufficiently time for the small. I keep my promise; if you still want that I worry about your son."
"I couldn't wish for a better person. You have a good character and can evade well with children."
"Thanks. Do you want to visit Marcus now?"
Together they went in the MedLab. Stephen was nowhere to be seen.
"What do you think if I take William and you can see Marcus in all quiet? Take all time you need. I will be in the office of the doctor. It is at the end of the passage."
"Thanks, Susan."
Susan went with the small in Stephen's office, where they met with the doctor.
"Hello Susan. Does it belong also to your task as Isban'Tho or is only an undesirable side-effect?" Stephen asked with a smile on the lips.
"Ha ha, very funny. This here is Mr. William Cole Jr. His mother is just with Marcus. If you can scan her please and say me, what she is missing."
Stephen went in Marcus' room and did like he scanned him; however the scanners were directed at the young woman next to his bed. She spoke with him about his brother and didn't notice Stephen's presence.
"Susan, the results are clear. I can do nothing for her. Perhaps she has still a month, perhaps somewhat longer. It's difficult to say."
"Thanks Stephen."
Susan played with William in Stephen's office, while Emily was with Marcus.
~ In Marcus sick-room ~
"Marcus, I wished, we would have met under other conditions, but I wouldn't simply have endured your close resemblance. It's still difficult for me. If I weren't sick, probably I would have never come to you. You wouldn't even have known that William had a son. He hasn't known it personally. I hope, you can forgive me and will take care lovingly of the small. He's a good child and your girlfriend appears to like him. She's a wonderful person. You can estimate yourself happily, to have somebody like her at your side."
Marcus heard everything Emily told him and he wanted to show her that he understood her. He tried to transfer something in her thoughts.
//Emily, don't worry. I will care well for your son I owe that my brother. Until I'm in the position to take care of him Susan will worry about him. We have many friends here, who participate surely in the care.//
Emily had the feeling, that she heard a voice in her head, which sounded much like William.
"Marcus, I hope, we have the chance to meet personally. There is still so much I want to tell you and what I would like to know about William. I hope you can forgive me, that I haven't come to you earlier. Now I'm awfully sorry. I think we would have been able to help ourselves mutually to live with the loss."
//There is nothing I would have to forgive you. I can understand you very well. I don't believe that I would have been so strong after the death of my love to locate the relatives, if they see themselves so similarly. And I know that there have been only some small differences between William and me. There is also still much I would like to know about Will too and there is also much, which I would like to tell you about him. I also hope, that I can do that personally.//
Emily was this a bit too strange. She left Marcus' room and progressed in search of Susan and her son.
"Susan, the station seems a bit strange to me." Emily said, as she entered the room.
"Why that?" Susan knew that here happened some remarkable things.
"As I was with Marcus, it seemed like somebody had spoken with me. But not with words much more in my thoughts. And it appeared always to fit on what I had said shortly before. The voice has sounded like William, but somehow not. I can't explain it."
Susan had to make every effort, not to laugh.
"I think, I can explain it you. It has to do something with the dream- chancer. I can't tell you much, but I can tell you, that Marcus is also an Amin'Sogan. He can penetrate exactly as I into the thinks of other."
"You are a telepath? That can't be. William would have told me this about his brother."
//Emily it's true. William could tell you nothing about this present of Marcus, because he didn't know it. Marcus is first since some weeks in the property of this ability.// sent Susan Emily in her thoughts.
"You say that Marcus has become completely sudden to a telepath. Don't you need a special gene to it?"
"Marcus has become a telepath because of me. He has saved my life and thereby my abilities must have transferred themselves also to him. In any case it has strengthened mine. Formerly I couldn't read thoughts or send personally some. I could also accomplish no scans, only block them. Because Marcus has saved my life, he lies now in coma. I would do everything if I could change something on it."
"Susan, I believe you. I feel how much you love him and that you are awful worried about him. Everything will become good again. What do you think if we eat something? I'm awful hungry."
Susan agreed and handed William to his mother. Together they went to ´Earhearts`. It was a comfortable evening. Ultimately they went in Susan's quarter, where they lay down.
In the next morning Susan was woken by noises from William's bed. She saw at her clock. It was shortly before seven o'clock. In an hour her shift began.
"Emily, I think William is hungry." Susan called in her bedroom, where Emily had spent the night. However she didn't react. Susan went in. Emily lay in her bed and looked completely peaceful. Normally she was immediately awake, if William screamed. Susan went to her and shook her softly. As she didn't react she shook her somewhat more but she still didn't react. Susan had the bad feeling that something wasn't correct and looked for her pulse. She found none. She took her ComLink and called Stephen. In the time until he came, Susan provided the child.
"Susan, where's the problem?" Stephen asked, as he entered Susan's rooms.
"It's Emily. She doesn't move and I can't find a pulse."
Stephen went in Susan's bedrooms and held his scanner over the woman. A moment later he came again in the living room.
„I'm sorry Susan, but she has died this evening. More can't I say at the moment."
"Thanks Stephen. Do you worry about everything further and tell me if you have the final result?" Susan asked.
"Yes, I will do Susan."
Stephen went again on the Medical station and caused an autopsy of Emily. Susan began to make herself ready for her shift however she remembered that she had to worry immediately about an infant. She could take William badly with on the bridge and leave him alone here she couldn't do also. She had only one idea, where she could house William.
"Delenn, excuse me that I disturb you already so early, but it's urgent."
"Susan, you don't disturb. What can I do for you?" the minbari asked.
"Emily has died this evening. I have now the whole responsibility for William. It doesn't matter to me, but I have a small problem."
"My condolence, Susan. How can I help you?"
"In few minutes my shift on the bridge begins. I can't take him with me and I can't leave him here."
"I understand. It would be a great honour to me, to pay attention to the small. So I can exercise already for our own. I think John will also be happy to see the small. Leave him on your way to work with us and get him back when you are finished."
"Thanks Delenn, I don't know what I would have done without you."
"Don't be too glad too soon. You can already plan that you can baby-sit for our small."
Susan laughed. Delenn developed slowly a human wit. She finished herself for work and put all necessary matters for William in a bag. Then she progressed on the way to her work. The work passed like in flight. However Susan was very worried whether William was well. Not, that she doubted Delenn's abilities, but she was still the first time alone with a human baby. And how would William endure it, if he saw his mother nowhere? In a quiet phase of her shift Susan went in her office and did some of the paper work. After s few minutes she was so tired, that she fell asleep.
What do you think so far? Please R&R.
