His touch was gentle and loving. The kiss was brief, as if Sheridan didn't want to push her too hard. Still, Delenn felt as if her whole body was on fire. He pulled away, but didn't let go of her cheek.

"What have you done?" Delenn breathed, completely perplexed.

Sheridan looked at her amusedly: "Don't Minbari kiss?"

Now she had to giggle, which touched Sheridan even more.

She looked at him, blushing. "That's not what I mean. My... heart is burning."

She didn't know how else to put it. Sheridan couldn't help but give her a mischievous smile: "So you liked it?"

They had suddenly slipped into such a playful and relaxed atmosphere that Delenn felt completely safe. She tilted her head and looked playfully at the captain.

"I don't know. Kiss me again."

Now it was Sheridan who giggled, but only briefly, because then he pulled her toward him again and kissed her. This time the kiss was more passionate, and Delenn responded with equal passion. She had never felt this way before, and it was as if her body was reacting on its own. She let herself fall, and Sheridan was on top of her as they broke away from the kiss that had left them both breathless.

John Sheridan was lost. He knew it the moment he first kissed her. And now she lay here, in his arms, his own heart pounding uncontrollably. She was so delicate, so petite, and... she was Satai Delenn. He had no idea if he was even allowed to kiss her, he... as a human. And yet she had returned his kiss. She raised her hand and touched his cheek lovingly: "I liked it."

It was as if her words had lifted a weight from Sheridan's shoulders. He didn't dare kiss her again, distrusting his own feelings too much. She was still hurt, and she was still Delenn. He didn't want to mess this up.

His fingertips gently stroked her cheek, her lips. He wanted to capture this moment, to savor it. He hadn't thought he'd ever be able to feel this way, and the feeling almost frightened him. She seemed to sense his turmoil of emotions.

"Everything OK?"

"Mmh," he had to smile, then pulled her back into a sitting position, "let's go to bed."

She opened her mouth in surprise, and immediately he cleared his throat nervously: "Not... like that. It's late, and I'm not letting you walk back to your quarters alone in your condition. Come with me. I won't hurt you."

They had stood up, and Delenn had to admit she was still very unsteady on her feet. She had placed her hands against Sheridan's chest and was staring at him intensely.

"You would never hurt me," she whispered.

She knew. He wasn't the kind of man who would take advantage of anything. So she followed him into his bedroom and onto his bed. Surprised, she recognized her brooch lying on his nightstand. She had assumed he'd lost it in the tunnel system. Sheridan followed her gaze and seemed caught off guard: "I... wanted to give it back to you, but... then I wouldn't have had any reason to come see you. So I put it off."

The feeling in her heart swelled; she had no idea how she could endure this for any length of time without losing her mind, and it caught her so off guard that she could barely breathe. Sheridan pulled her onto the bed with him and carefully tucked her in. She turned toward him so that their noses were almost touching.

He wanted to say so much to her, but his emotions didn't fit into the words he knew. So he pulled her close into his arms, feeling her warmth and the joy of simply holding her. She snuggled up to him, enjoying his closeness, and her self-doubt and fear of rejection were forgotten. She couldn't yet put her feelings into words, but that didn't matter right now. Right now, she was happy in his arms.

"Good night, Delenn," he whispered.

"Good night,..." she stopped, irritated, which made Sheridan giggle.

"Maybe it's time you called me John."

She had to smile: "Good night, John."