Disclaimer: I do not own Babylon 5 and I am not making any money by writing about it.
Title: The Journey Left Unfollowed
Author: Madelin Breaker
Pairings: Delenn/Lennier
Season: Set after series end
Spoilers: Anything's game
Rating: K
Status: Complete—five chapters
Archive: Sure, just let me know—also, at my website www. Tekcities. Com / thegeekyone
Feedback: Please
Summary: After Sheridan's death, Delenn feels lost in the wind. A former companion returns to guide her and fulfill what might have been—a fic in five questions.
AN: This is an alternate Universe fic. I have not actually seen the final episodes of Babylon 5 and I never could quite come to terms with Lennier's act of betrayal—somehow he has found a way into the soft part of my heart. I've set out to improve his destiny a bit. This fic is based upon five questions that are asked throughout the series.
Who are you?
"John," Delenn grasps, clutching his lifeless body.
They had been striding down the hallway together—to some destination Delenn would never remember. The confusion reaches her before the pain—he had been so healthy. They had long since ceased to believe in his limited time—but that been their failing.
"No—no," she pushes away the medical team that comes to help, "He is gone—it is what must be."
She dries her eyes—remembering that what had to be is done—the hole in her heart would remain whether she expresses it or not.
The healers stare at her, waiting for instructions.
"Take his body to be prepared," she orders firmly to their confused faces, "Do you dare defy my orders in this hour of grief?"
They hesitate briefly, but roll Sheridan away on a stretcher.
"Lennier!"
"I came as quickly as I could."
She steps into his waiting arms.
Lennier holds her as she sobs, allowing Delenn to let go of the pain she cannot reveal even to herself and entrusting it to him.
Lennier's face betrays his sense of discomfort when she cannot see it—the years not fading his love for her—or the fact that he is the one that always has to pick up the pieces.
She pulls back, "You will perform the Shal Ma' tah?"
"Of course, I would be honored," he nods obediently. He wonders how she cannot know what this does to him—forcing him to read the words of honor for a man he resented in life—a man necessary for the survival of the universe—but not in Lennier's mind.
"Good—good," she hesitates for a moment as though she notices something—and is confused by it, "Come, there is much to be done."
Lennier finds himself once again scurrying behind Delenn's footsteps—he does not long for those days again—ones spent in duty that is not understood.
Delenn drifts as Lennier recites the words of the cyclic nature of life—she has already released her grief—she finds no reason to dwell as tradition past—so much has been lost in her life because of the storing of pain.
Lennier touches her shoulder—bringing her back to the presence of the room, "We must leave now."
Sheridan's body will be taken to the catacombs of the most honored—in life having never quite made peace with Earth—it seems ironic that the one man once so hated by all Minbari will be buried among their heroes.
Delenn pauses as though to take one last look at her husband, but hurries forward—away from the past.
"Lennier, how long can you stay?"
"You have not heard?"
"Have not heard what?"
"Babylon 5 is being decommissioned—I am free as long as you need me."
Internally, he curses the nature of cycles complete.
"A great deal needs to be done."
"Of course," he had thought those days of urgency were over.
"I have a list of people I need you to find—they must get here as quickly as possible."
It takes Lennier a standard month to bring everyone to Minbar—not everyone happens to work on a station being decommissioned. Delenn is elusive during this time—something that Lennier has previously never experienced—before he always knew even when he was not permitted. Now, Delenn hurries with a purpose he does not understand.
"Lennier has arranged according to human tradition a wake in honor of my husband, but first we have much to discuss," she pauses to make sure that they are listening, "Prophecy has now been completed as far as Valen saw it. I feel that my part in this destiny is over."
"Delenn, you can't be serious. Just because Sinclair couldn't predict any further into the future doesn't mean that you aren't part of it," Susan exclaims just as outraged as she was twenty years ago.
"I am tired. I have given freely to see the Shadows vanquished and peace restored to the universe. I wish to rest now."
"Okay," Garibaldi acknowledges, fully understanding the need to retire from what this path has delivered, "What does that mean for us?'
"For some of you the journey is just beginning," Delenn smiles as she always does when she is about to offer grand inspiration.
"I don't understand what I'm doing here," Corwin interrupts.
Everyone gives his a clichéd look of annoyance as how dare he interrupt Delenn's message.
"Captain Corwin, you are probably least tired of us all—and much more confident than last we spoke."
"Yes, ma'am."
They laugh until Delenn continues.
"I will be resigning as President of the Alliance and it has already been decided that Captain Corwin will take my place. The Council is most pleased with your work aboard Babylon 5."
David opens his mouth, but nothing comes out.
"Just go along with whatever she says—it's easier that way."
"I would be honored."
"Good," she inclines her head, "Mr. Allan the Council, also, wishes to employ you—something about needing someone to handle the vast number of aliens arriving on Minbar with the Alliance now in popular favor."
"I think I can handle that."
"That leaves one person to finish what must be—a learned soul to guide the young. Susan, the Rangers have chosen you to be Ranger One."
"I…" but she cannot put into words the pain this ideas causes.
"Those that knew Marcus and fought with him against the Shadows are now the great teachers of the Rangers. Marcus spoke highly of you and they now seek that wisdom."
"Delenn, Marcus's impression of me was clouded at best."
"That does not change your actions," she smiles, "And running from destiny has never been your style."
"I thought you said that prophecy had been fulfilled," Stephen inquires, having as usual been completely left out of the loop even after all this time, "And what does Sinclair have to do with this?"
"The predictions of the one who was have been fulfilled—the foretellings of the one who will be have just begun."
Now none of them have any idea about what she is speaking.
"Sinclair is the one who was, I am the one who is, and John is the one who will be."
"Sinclair and Valen are one in the same."
"Stephen be glad that you've avoided the whole time travel concept—it makes your head spin on the best of days."
"So that's where the Commander went."
"Okay—I get the fact that Jeff went back to become the one who was—and you're still here—but how can John be the one who will be if he's dead."
"Let me guess, it's not him that will be, but wherever he sees the universe heading."
"Mr. Garibaldi, you have learned well."
He makes a "who me?" gesture.
"How do we know that this is what's really supposed to happen?"
"Do not mock what has brought us this far, Mr. Allan."
"What does the one who is do?"
"I make what will happen, happen—and that has been done. I must go now before too much is said. Always, remember in whose honor you serve."
And with that, she is gone.
"Delenn, are you alright?"
They sit in a garden—in a remote part of the world—both meditating on the change that has been finished—the tears rolling down Delenn's cheeks.
"I do not know who I am."
"You are Delenn."
"That is a name Lennier—have I not taught you more than that?"
"I meant it in a human sense—they have single words that would take us hundreds to explain."
"I'm not sure that I understand what you are saying, then."
Lennier smiles at the irony in that, "You have always been what prophecy has expected—each moment of your life weighed against the needs of the universe. Now you may be what ever Delenn wants—nothing more—nothing less."
"I do not know how to do that."
Lennier smiles again, "I will show you."
TBC
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