The disclaimer and other information can be found in part one.
Who do you serve?
Lennier opens one eye cautiously—the aches of sleeping against the bulkheads of cargo ships seeps back into his body. He glances down at Delenn—sleeping against his chest—he smiles at the beauty she still possesses even after so many years. He lets his love for her surface in the few moments of non—existent dawn, wondering how it has only grown stronger in the face of denial. Delenn wakes prematurely—her eyes focusing on a look vanished long ago.
"Good morning, Lennier."
"Delenn," he declines his head the best he can.
"Why are you here?"
His face masks with confusion and concern.
She sits up so she can more comfortably see his face, "You have always been here for me, Lennier, and I have never asked why."
"Come on you two—off before the dock workers get here."
Delenn hesitates before gathering her few belongings.
He inwardly breathes a sigh of relief—the truth has been kept secret for so long that to reveal it now would not seem right. Delenn has never before put that question into words—she has simply been grateful for his unwavering presence.
"Where are we going next?"
"We will rest here. I believe the Rangers have set up a base."
The stars of the Mordoc sector are said to shine brighter—somehow this made a Ranger base a requirement. Delenn knows that the stars only appear brighter because of an atmospheric condition, but she finds herself drawn to the perfectly defined spheres when sleep refuses to come—the irony of their clearness to her muddled thoughts reverberates.
Everything in her life had fit in its place before this journey: fighting the Shadows—saving Earth—the Alliance—the Rangers—John—David. It had simply been a plan that she had to find and follow. Now nothing is certain—except Lennier—and that confuses her.
It had been a blessing when the Grey Council had allowed him to remain on Babylon 5. She missed his service, but it had seemed selfish to hold him back—to let him continue to walk in her shadow even when she knew he would have done so until the end of time—now she wonders what she overlooked.
She needs to know why he would never leave. John had needed her, but destiny had put them together. Lennier has always been when she thought herself alone for no reason she can fathom.
I close me eyes and I see his face.
"Delenn?"
"Lennier—I was just looking at the stars," she covers quickly.
He nods in acknowledgement.
"In truth, I could not sleep. It is odd to sleep in a bed and alone."
"It has been several months."
They pause and watch the stars again.
"You did not answer my question this morning."
"Delenn…"
"It is alright, Lennier," she turns and reaches up to cup his cheek—their eyes lock—speaking all that has been left unsaid for decades, "Not all love is unrequited."
TBC
Thank you to all my loyal readers!