David's Aunt

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot

John paced the deck at his parents home. It was after sunset, nearly nine now, and Susan and David were not back yet. He tried to remember where they had said they were going. He had absentmindedly listed to Susan tell him about going in to town, as they got dressed that morning, but he had no idea when they had left or when they would be back. He wondered what could be keeping them so long. It could be Susan's health, perhaps she had become ill, or fainted and had been unable to move or contact him. He wondered about her condition and berated himself for not having played closer attention.

He continued pacing. The evening was humid, yet bearable without the hot sun. His mother called the family in for dinner. Everyone gathered around the table, except him. His father came out with a worried look on his face and came to stand next to his son. , " They should have been back by now." John nodded and said nothing. David Sr. grasped his son's shoulder before urging him to come inside.

In a moment he complied. He turned his attention to the women. " Did Susan say when she would be back?"

Elizabeth sneered, " All I know is that she isn't around to make herself useful. I told her we were having company today and she ought to stay and help. What kind of daughter in law is she? She ought to do more for mother. Mother had to serve them her self. Now she has the whole household up in arms because Madame Vice President can't show up for dinner in time. We have waited for over an hour. What is it? Are we not good enough for the Russian princess?"

By now, he and his family knew of Susan's affluent background. He had never held it against her. Her character was in his opinion just fine, better then just about anyone he knew, he also knew that most of her money went to charity and that she took little for herself. He was irritated with his sister. He was no Garibaldi, but he knew something was wrong. He got up, " Something is wrong. I am going after them." He rose from the table and went upstairs to gather a few supplies, including a gun. When he came downstairs, his father was ready as well. " I am going with you." he told his son, and the two men walked at of the house towards town.

David watched in amazement. Aunt Susan rose slowly, as was her manner now. He rose with her and she pushed him back with a hand. The blond man entered and carefully closed the door behind him.

" What do you want?" she repeated and the man laughed.

" You know what I want. Disbandment of the Alliance, Alliance military to join Earth Force, and the handover of Earth enemies to us."

" You know I won't do that."

" I am afraid you will, once you have a chance to mull over the consequences." He pushed her into the wall, placed his arms on either side of her began to kiss her forcibly. She shoved him back and David watched the rage grow in his eyes. He hit her hard, so hard her head snapped to the side and her nose began to bleed as she fell back. He hit her again and grabbed her arm, twisting it until it broke and she fell to the ground. He kicked at her a few times before storming out, swearing obscenities at her.

She had fallen hard on her back. David screamed and rushed to her side. Her eyes were closed. Her face was ashen and her lips blue. She had fainted, David realized. He sat quietly next to her for what seemed like an eternity. Finally she woke, slowly and stiffly as if she wished she were still out. , " I'm all right." she said before he could ask.

" Who was that ?" David asked. She hesitated and he could tell she was trying to decide whether she was going to tell him or not.

" That was Malcolm Biggs. I went out with him once, a long time ago. After I transferred to the IO we broke up. Eight years later he came to Babylon 5, pretending to want to start something again. What he really wanted was my help in Home Guard. I helped captured him. I guess they let him out."

" What is Home Guard?"

" An anti alien organization. They work to promote Earth and Human Rights over Aliens."

" Humans may be the glue that hold us together, but they are also the most prejudiced. I never want to come back here again."

" I am sorry you feel so, but I can't say I blame you. I just wish you knew the Earth I did as a child, before the Corp. It is a beautiful place, and not all humans are so closed minded. Now you remember what I told you. Escape whenever you get the chance." He nodded and lay his head against her She wondered how long until they were noticed missing and how long until someone found them.

It was near midnight. John and David had slipped into the poorer section of town. John knew someone would know what had happened. So far he knew that the two had been shopping, that David had slipped away and Susan had followed. There had been an argument with some rough looking men, before they left with the men. That was in the after noon.

John saw a vendor who was looking at him curiously. On a hunch he approached the man and whispered his need to him. The man hesitated before John handed over 100 credits in cash. He pocketed the money before leaning in to whisper. Susan and David had been taken by Home Guard, who had made their presence heavy in the last few weeks. They had their headquarters in caverns outside of town. It was the direction the two had been taken. John motioned to David and the two rushed where the man pointed.

At dawn Susan heard a noise outside. She had fallen asleep in a horrible position. She nearly moaned as she sat up. The noise was clearly PPG firing. She shook David awake. He was disoriented and frightened by the noise. She didn't have enough time to explain. The noise was getting nearer. Then as suddenly as it started it stopped. Footsteps came near, someone opened the door. Susan prepared to fight, this was the best chance they would have to escape. There was no need though. John rushed in, lifting David in his arms and hugging him hard, before taking Susan's hand and lifting her up. He smiled sheepishly at her before saying, " We can leave tomorrow." She nodded.

They waited there with the four bound up men as David Sr. ran to inform the authorities. They were back in little over an hour. When everything was cleared up, they left for Mimbar.