Sheridan took the glass of water from Delenn after she had taken the pill and placed it back in the kitchen. This time he sat directly next to the Minbari, so that their knees were almost touching.

"So, let me summarize this," he began with a serious expression. "You come here to apologize. Then we'll start over."

She looked at him, intimidated by the sudden proximity, but Sheridan continued undeterred.

"You apologize for being kidnapped by those bastards, right?"

"I…"

"And for being hurt by that bastard Cadir."

"No, I…"

"Then for bleeding all over my uniform."

"Captain…"

"For passing out in the tunnel and then kicking me in the genitals."

"What?" she looked at him in dismay, "I did what?"

Sheridan had to grin: "Okay, now that I think about it, that's actually worth an apology. But let's move on. Then you want to apologize for vomiting on my uniform and then for saving my life at the elevator. Do I understand all of that correctly?"

Delenn was speechless. She stared at Sheridan with her mouth open.

"Oh yeah, and for half-collapsing in my quarters just now because you think Painkillers are just placebos. I think I've pretty much summed up the excuse for everything that's happened."

Delenn lowered her head in shame, then felt Sheridan's touch on her chin:

"None of this is your fault, okay? You don't have to apologize for things like this."

"I don't want to apologize for saving your life," she said shyly.

"Well, I'm glad," joked Sheridan, then became serious, "what makes you think I detest you?"

Delenn knew she finally had to come clean. She looked straight at the captain: "You... barely talk to me. You're dismissive of me. You told your people you find me weird."

Now it was Sheridan who looked at her in shock: "How do you know that?"

"I heard it... on the Zócalo when you were talking to them. It's... okay. You're the Starkiller and I'm a Minbari. It must be bad for you..."

"Delenn," he interrupted her forcefully, "this time... I must apologize. I shouldn't have said that about you. It... isn't even true."

She looked at him questioningly, and Sheridan decided to go for it. There was no point in beating around the bush anymore.

"I don't find you weird. Quite the opposite. I just couldn't find a word to describe how I feel when... I'm around you."

"Around me?"

"It's hard for me to be around you because... Because I can barely think. I don't talk to you because I have trouble finding the words to say to you without embarrassing myself. Do you have any idea how beautiful you are?"

She was blushing, she knew it. He had taken her hands, and the warmth radiating from his touch warmed Delenn's heart.

"Did you even hear everything my people said on the Zócalo?"

She shook her head, which made Sheridan's mouth twitch up in amusement.

"Too bad. Garibaldi was right, I guess. I have a crush on the Minbari ambassador."

Delenn didn't understand. She looked at him in confusion: "You want me to be crushed?"

Sheridan stared at her perplexed, then laughed: "No. That's not what I meant. Language barrier."

He nervously ran his hand through his hair before looking back at her. "To have a crush is slang for having feelings for someone. Romantic feelings, Delenn."

"Oh," she looked at him with those otherworldly beautiful eyes, then lowered her gaze nervously, "I'm... sorry."

She couldn't imagine that John Sheridan could have romantic feelings for her, Delenn of the Minbari. She... was afraid to imagine it, because she knew only too well what her heart would say. She had understood it since the moment his dislike had hurt her.

"You're not supposed to apologize," he smiled, knowing full well that he couldn't get out of this. His heart was pounding too hard. Still, he wanted to be sure.

"Do you like me?"

She looked up in surprise. They were so close now that she could feel his breath on her face. Delenn decided to be honest. There was only one answer to that question. "Yes."

"Good," said Sheridan, "because... I don't want to apologize for that."

He leaned towards her, touched her cheek and kissed her.