Sisters Under The Skin, part 11A: What the World Needs (NEW, B5, 11/14)

[vjs2259]

Sisters Under The Skin

Part Eleven: What the World Needs (in two parts, due to length)

Standard disclaimer applies; not my characters or settings or backgrounds. But they are my words.

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10/20/2261

Anna arrived at the station at midday, and went straight to C&C upon her arrival. She badgered the Security guard stationed at the entrance to the command center to let her pass. Stiff and straight, her fiery temper barely under control, she demanded to see the Commander, now, right away, and refused to tell her business. Finally she was ushered into the small room off the central area that served as John's secondary office. Susan Ivanova sat behind the desk, rapidly reading and signing a stack of papers and films and occasionally making notes on a tablet. Her uniform was clean and neat, every hair was in place, but Anna saw signs of strain in the lines on her face, which etched a path across the high forehead and along the sides of her mouth, lips pale behind a slash of Susan's usual dark lipstick. Anna waited only a moment before dropping her bag, leaning forward on the desk and launching into her story, laying out all her fears and suspicions and disjointed bits of information. Upon her arrival she'd asked for John and been told that he had left the station. She wanted, needed, desperately to know where he had gone.

“So, is he off on maneuvers with the White Star fleet, leading a strike against a squad of heavily-armed raiders, or doing anything a hell of a lot more safe than going after his father?” Anna's impetuous flow of words ended on a pleading note.

Susan hadn't spoken a word during the other woman's impassioned recital. “Are you finished?” she asked coldly. Then she sighed, rubbed her right temple, and gestured to the chair across the desk from her own seat. “Yes, he's gone to Mars to look for Ambassador Sheridan. And yes, it was at Garibaldi's instigation. We checked on Michael's story as best as we could. He hadn't been in contact with EarthGov, at least not directly, not that we could tell. I told John, hell, I begged him, not to go...maybe if Delenn had been here...” Susan broke off and flushed slightly. “Or you, of course. Someone who could talk some sense into the man.”

Anna sat silent in the padded chair, struck motionless with a sick doubt that John would have listened. True, she could have pulled out examples of when his impulsiveness had not ended well in the past, but she didn't know if it would have worked this time, not with all that had happened, and not with his father's life at stake. “All right,” she finally said, tamping down her fear, concentrating on what could be done. “What are you doing about it? Is someone following him in? The Rangers or someone?”

Susan's mouth tightened into a thin red line. “He insisted on no one going with him, or after him.”

“And you listened to him?” shot back Anna. Then she inhaled slowly, trying to maintain a modicum of calm. “I suppose you have to follow orders. What about Delenn? Does she know about this? She could send someone to back John up, or to bring him home.” She leaned forward eagerly. “Is she back yet? The last I heard she was about done on Minbar and was heading here as soon as she could get away.”

“Flight plan says she's due in today,” said Susan. The door behind Anna had opened while they were speaking, and a lieutenant in uniform was standing straight and still, but exuding anxiety and not concealing an urgent need to speak to his CO. Susan glanced from him to Anna, and said, “I have a lot to do, Dr. Sheridan. Would you excuse me?”

Anna knew a dismissal when she heard it, and left, cursing the time wasted in the brief and unproductive meeting with Ivanova. There had to be something that could be done; some way to subvert the trap that lay ahead of John on Mars. Damn Garibaldi and damn Clark and damn them all! In her past life, she'd always prided herself on staying out of politics. She'd work with any government or private agency that would help her add to Earth's knowledge of the galaxy. And there had been a more or less stable world government on Earth for as long as she could remember. Even through first contact, the wars, and close-fought elections; the government had retained credibility. Not any more, not for her.

Fuming as she walked, she kept circling back to her ineffectiveness. She'd uncovered no more than a handful of Shadow agents on Earth, although one at least was either Clark or his PsiCorp liaison. And really, how did that help? The Shadows were gone, the fight was between her fellow humans now. There was no alien threat, no alien menace to face. The threat now came from within; the threat wore the face of a friend. And after all her effort she had been too late. She had been too late to warn John.

Stifling her despair with the urgent need to act, she hastened towards Delenn's quarters, hoping that her friend was already there. The doorlock disengaged and the door slid open on her pronouncement of her name. Inside she found Lennier.

“You're back!” said Anna eagerly. “Where's Delenn? I have to talk to her.” She paced around the combined living and kitchen space, darting glances at the bedroom. She dropped the small carryall she'd toted all the way from Earth. My life in one bag, she thought grimly. Then she thought again, what do I need to carry things around for? My memories, such as they are, my thoughts, my knowledge, are too big for a bag in any case.

“Delenn is in MedLab with Dr. Hobbs. She met us at the docking bay and insisted Delenn accompany her, on the Captain's orders. I came ahead to prepare her rooms.” He gestured around him with a slight ironic smile. “Not that any preparation is needed. Delenn brought little with her. She seldom does when we go home.” The smile faded briefly, “Perhaps that is because her home is here now.”

“Perhaps it is,” replied Anna, striving for a gentle tone although her heart was still racing. Lennier looked lost without Delenn in the foreground. “It's good to have a home. I've never had one of my own. I lived with my parents until they were killed, then my aunt and uncle, then I went away to college, moving from one rental unit to another. John and I never had a home. The closest place was probably John's parents' farm, where we first met.” Her voice caught, stumbled, and blurred, “That's gone now, too. They burned it to ashes, trying to get at John through his parents.”

“I am sorry,” replied Lennier sincerely.

“Was Delenn badly hurt on Minbar?” asked Anna. Lennier indicated that she should take a seat, so she did, hoping that it wasn't because he thought she would need one. “I heard a little about what happened from Senator Crosby. But Delenn said nothing in her letters.”

“She would not want to worry you,” replied Lennier. He was moving around the apartments, making slight adjustments to small sculptures and pieces of glass that didn't seem to need it. “She went into the fire to save our world.”

“And you pulled her out?” put in Anna. “I told Pat there was no real danger if you were there. That you wouldn't let anything happen to her.”

Lennier sat down abruptly, his face stricken. “I did nothing. Nothing but obey. It was her choice to enter and her choice to stay. It was Neroon who sacrificed himself to save her.”

“But why would you let her do such a thing, Lennier? I thought...” Anna stared at him, but her quick sympathy at his obvious agitation stopped the sentence short. In an attempt at comfort, she added, “All that matters is that she's okay. How long do you think she'll be in MedLab?”

Lennier's answer was cut short as the door opened and Delenn walked in. Anna jumped up but stood still, caught between joy and fear. Delenn walked swiftly over to Anna and embraced her. Anna hugged her back but let go when she felt her friend wince slightly at her touch.

“Are you all right? What did the doctor say?” Anna found herself distracted by Delenn's obvious discomfort.

“I am fine, as I just finished telling Dr. Hobbs, over and over, for the last thirty minutes.” Delenn laughed. She backed up a bit, just enough to get a good look at Anna. “But why are you here? I thought you were working with the Senator in the interests of Earth? Were you not content?” Warm concern flooded her voice. “Has something happened? Not that I am unhappy to see you, but...”

Anna choked on the confession of her most recent unsuccessful mission. “I came back to warn John, but I was too late.”

Delenn's face paled and set in careful lines. “I heard as soon as I arrived that he had already left.”

“It's a trap. They've been working on finding Pops for months, and now they have him, and they're going to use him to lure John into a trap. I'm certain of it. And it was Garibaldi, it had to be. Garibaldi told them, about the Tenasticin, about John's love for his father, he was the only one who knew all of it, even if he wasn't working for EarthGov directly, John will end up having who knows what done to him, they'll want him to talk, to recant...” Anna found herself babbling, in sheer relief at having someone to talk to who cared as much as she did, but her voice slowed as she saw the import of her words on Delenn. “I talked to Ivanova already, she said she couldn't do anything. Orders. But you can, can't you?”

Delenn was standing quite still, arms at her sides. She said, picking out the words in painful tones, “I, too, have my orders. John sent me a message before he left the station. I got it en route. He asked me to stay here, to assist Susan, even stand in for her if it came to that. To continue the work on our current projects. There are many events in progress at this moment, and the co-ordination is delicate, and difficult. My presence here is required.”

Anna felt her heart sink and rise like a car on a zero-g coaster. “So you can't do anything because it might jeopardize your plans. Of course the idiot is jeopardizing those plans himself by haring off after Pops. This is what happens when you marry a big goddamned hero!”

Delenn smiled faintly at this, but her face remained pale. “I suppose it is one of the hazards,” she ventured.

Anna's cheeks burned as she recalled a ring in a drawer, and how close Delenn had come to being the wife in question. Forcing her voice into quieter tones, she returned to her main concern. “What are we going to do?”

“We will do the hardest thing in the world. We will wait.” Delenn put one hand out and took one of Anna's in her own. “Together.”

10/21/2261

Anna spent most of the next day attempting to arrange for a trip back to Mars. It wasn't going to be easy without the Rangers' help and she didn't think Delenn would approve. She had gone to MedLab to see if she could talk to Stephen but found he had left the station a couple of weeks ago. Dr. Hobbs hadn't given her any details except that he was gone. It seemed clear from the timing that it was important and something to do with John's 'project'. Anna figured Stephen was assisting with John's plan to liberate Earth. It infuriated her that John had put everything he had been working for at risk. He should have sent someone else to help his father. Garibaldi must have said John had to come himself. It was like a bad gangster vid. “Come quickly, and come alone.” She could even hear it said in Mr. Garibaldi's clipped tones.

After giving up on her attempts to get back off the station, at least for the moment, Anna returned to her shared quarters and puttered. She emptied and re-packed her carryall with clothes she'd left behind on the station when she had fled to Earth. They had all been laundered and hung carefully in the bedroom closet. John must have arranged for it, though it hurt Anna's heart hurt to see how he had arranged the storage with open space between his uniform and casual shirts and pants and her tailored jackets and fitted shirts, loose blouses and tunics, as though he had continued to mark their separation. Finishing her packing, she zipped the container closed and patted it. She wanted to be ready if one of her feelers bore fruit and she was able to get back to her home system. Stuffing her worn clothes into the hamper, she set the notice on the com for laundry pick-up and settled onto the couch in an attempt to read. Soon she fell asleep, exhausted and tormented by evil dreams and unanswerable questions.

Later that afternoon after she awoke unrefreshed, she found her steps taking her towards Delenn's quarters again. It was better than staying in John's quarters, where every item gave evidence of his presence, and where the silence she fled was not so loud as the silence of his absence. Besides, he had rotten taste in novels.

When Anna reached Delenn's quarters, she hit the door chime, spoke her name, and entered without waiting to see who was inside. Lennier and Delenn were in the dining area off the small kitchen. From their attitudes, a somewhat heated discussion had been going on. Lennier stood stiff, with both arms at his sides. Delenn was seated in a tall silver chair, hands flat on the table. A tube lay on its side on the table between them. There were also several folded slips of paper, thick in the center as if they held something within.

Anna wasn't sure what to say but her capacity for civil conversation was tapped out. “What's going on?” she demanded, looking from one Minbari to the other.

Lennier continued his stiff stance, edged almost with disapproval. Delenn tore away her glare and fastened a softer glance at Anna. “Nothing of importance. Lennier has duties that will take him away this evening. Perhaps you would join me for dinner?”

Lennier bowed to Anna and spoke over Delenn's head to her. “It is no trouble if you care to stay. I have already prepared Delenn's evening repast, and there is more than enough for two.” Observing Anna's glance at the materials on the table, he continued dogmatically. “Delenn has some medication prescribed by Dr. Hobbs. There is some evidence of infection, which the medication will address.” He glanced sideways at Delenn. “If it is taken, of course.”

Anna almost laughed at Lennier's subtle attempts to enlist her support, but his obvious concern forestalled her mirth. “I would certainly encourage Delenn to follow doctor's orders,” she said solemnly. “I look forward to dinner. I'm sure it will be enjoyable.” Lennier bowed again in acknowledgment of this courtesy, and walked swiftly towards the door.

Anna collapsed into the chair opposite Delenn. “What was that all about? You have an infection? I thought you had recovered from your injuries?” Looking closer at her friend, she noticed a sheen of perspiration on her forehead, where the dark bangs clung to damp skin.

“There was some fever earlier, but it has subsided. Dr. Hobbs worries excessively, a habit she seems to have inherited from her predecessor.” Delenn picked up a tall crystal glass of water and drained it. She touched the folded paper and a few white crystals leaked out of one end. “This is to forestall the possibility of infection.” She flicked the tube which rolled towards Anna. “This is for pain, to be applied as needed. It also will reduce any scarring.”

“Scarring?” asked Anna with concern. “That sounds serious.” She picked up one of the papers and looked at the script along the side. “Take with...water?” She pointed at the last set of symbols. “I don't think it's water. What does it say? My Minbari is still pretty rudimentary.”

“You are learning my language?” Delenn flushed with pleasure. She indicated the accenting symbol before the last word on the paper. “It says to take with hot liquid, tea or coffee, broth perhaps. It is more effective that way I suppose. The doctor gave me one dose in Medlab this morning, and this one to take after the noon meal. Then two a day for three more days.” She shrugged, “The fever has broken in any case.”

“No harm in finishing the prescribed course though, is there?” said Anna, rising and entering the small kitchen area. She looked about and located what looked like a kettle, a stylized set of interlocking triangles made of bright silver metal, consisting of a base, a large container with a tight black lid, and a handle. Turning it around and around she found what looked like a plug that fit a slot in the wall behind where the kettle had been situated, just above the counter. Taking off the lid she filled the device with water and fitted it into the power outlet. Delenn had come up behind her and was taking down cups and a silver canister of tea from the cupboards. Anna took her by the shoulders and walked her back to the chair. “You should sit down. Whether you're over the fever or not, you've been through an ordeal. And John's recent antics certainly aren't helping.” She walked back over to pick up the cups. Her hands shook slightly, rattling them together.

Delenn sat in her chair, a surprised look on her face. Observing Anna's agitation, she said gently, “His 'antics' are not helping you either.”

“I'm all right,” said Anna without turning around. She bit her lips to stop them quivering, then gathered up the rest of the supplies and brought them to the table.

Delenn set out the service and poured the water into a squat and square silver pot, then added a few spoonfuls of silvery grey leaves. Anna leaned over and inhaled the fragrant vapor. “What is it?”

“Senn'tha,” replied Delenn. “It is calming, and opens the mind to new possibilities. It is a favorite of John's...” She broke off in confusion.

Anna opened the packet of medicine and emptied it into the cup in front of Delenn. “You can say his name in front of me. We both love him, that's the simple fact of the matter.” She pushed the cup lightly in Delenn's direction. “Drink up.”

Delenn obediently drank, and made a slight face. “It is a horrible tasting substance. Dr. Hobbs gave it to me in coffee this morning, which at least had the benefit of tasting even worse than the medication.”

Anna laughed and took a sip from her own cup. She made an approving sound. “This tea is quite unusual. I like it though. Best drink yours down so you can have some more, without the nasty additive.”

The two women sat quietly drinking tea for several more minutes. Finally the silence grew loud and both spoke at once, then both hastily apologized and all was quiet again.

Delenn took a moment to examine Anna's white taut face. A brave smile was perched on her friend's lips and Delenn appreciated the effort it must cost. She set down her cup and gestured towards the living room. “Come. Let us be more comfortable.” She placed the teapot and their cups on a silver tray and stood up, clutching the back of the chair to steady herself. Anna rose swiftly and picked up the tray, walked to the living room and put it down, then came back and put an arm around Delenn.

“Come on,” Anna said, and led Delenn to the sofa. She sat down next to her and leaned back into the cushions with an exhausted sigh. “Why is that doing nothing is so tiring?”

“Have you done nothing today?” asked Delenn.

Anna blushed. “I spent a good amount of the morning down on at the docks, checking on flights. Then I fell asleep reading.”

Delenn laid one hand on her arm as if to keep her in place. “You must not try to follow him. It is too dangerous.”

“I know, I know,” replied Anna. “But I need something to do. I feel like I've been doing nothing for months! Why did Lorien get so excited...well, excited for him...about my abilities when they've accomplished so little?”

Delenn tilted her head and examined Anna with curiosity. “What is it you feel you should be doing?”

“Something to help!” Anna replied with frustration, tucking one leg underneath her and turning on the sofa to face Delenn. She spoke quickly, gesticulating freely with both hands. “I don't know when I'll ever get back to my own work, so I thought I could help with John's and yours. It's my work too really, all of ours. We need to get our world back. And we need to educate the people at home in the reality of what has happened.”

“Of the larger war?” asked Delenn. “Do you think that is important?”

Anna stared. “Of course it's important. The oldest races in the galaxy devastated entire worlds in their proxy war. They killed who knows how many sentients. There's re-building to do, Earth can help, once they get their own house in order.”

“Will they want to help?” asked Delenn, leaning forward to pick up her cup. She cradled it in her hands, gazing into the liquid depths as if seeking answers therein.

“I...think so,” replied Anna hesitantly. “There's always been a strange mix of isolationism and expansionism in human culture. But yes, once the veil of xenophobia Clark has used to justify his own actions is pulled back, I think we'll want to be part of what you're building.”

“I hope so,” replied Delenn, swirling the tea in her cup. Biting her lip, she went on, “Without John I do not think it will happen. Susan may be able to take the fleet into battle and on to victory, but she does not have the status with your military or your people to carry them to the next step.”

“Which is...?” Anna questioned frankly. “I understand the need for secrecy as related to tactics, but what is the end game? What are you and John working towards?”

“An Alliance,” said Delenn, a fervent glow lighting her face. “An interstellar organization working for understanding and peace among all peoples.”

Anna whistled softly. “That's a dream all right.” Her eyes sparkled. “A dream worth fighting for.”

“I am glad you agree,” replied Delenn. Leaning forward, she pulled a folder of flimsies. “Let me show you some of our ideas.”

“Should you be showing me any of this?” Anna asked doubtfully. “I'm not bound by any command structure like Ivanova or vows like the Rangers.”

“I trust you,” said Delenn simply. “John trusted you. He loves you. That is enough.”

Anna smiled, a bit grimly, wondering at the acceptance she'd found in the other woman, when it was still up in the air whether her husband did trust her. Then she put her head next to Delenn's following her friend's enthusiastic gestures at the details outlined on the transparent files.

“When is Lennier returning?” Anna asked a few hours later as she stretched muscles taut with inaction, strangely reluctant to end the web of intimacy woven by their mutual revelations. Delenn was almost voiceless at this point, and was drinking cold tea to recover.

“I do not know,” replied Delenn, setting down the cup. “There is much to do, and Dr. Hobbs took up a great deal of my time today with her concerns.”

Anna smiled. “You are not a good patient.”

“On the contrary, I was quite patient.” Delenn answered with a crook of her lips.

“Besides,” laughed Anna. “I took up a good deal more of your time than the doctor. And for less reason.” Self-deprecation left her anxious, and she looked down at her hands, the up quickly at Delenn.

“This was time well spent,” answered Delenn with warm composure. She leaned forward and took Anna's hand between her own and pressed it lightly. “Time spent with a friend is always well spent.”

The entry chime sounded and the door opened with a swoosh as Lennier entered. He approached the table and bowed in the general direction of Anna and quite specifically at Delenn. As he made his report, carefully listing each person he had contacted, their requests and petitions, and the actions he had taken, Anna watched Delenn who listened attentively. Under her respectful demeanor Anna could see growing weariness. Finally Lennier stopped and patiently awaited further instruction.

Delenn gave him those further instructions and told him he could finish in the morning. Lennier shook his head and answered, “There will be more to do in the morning. I will finish this evening and report back.” He bowed to Anna. “I hope you enjoy the meal. I will return after you have eaten.”

Anna interrupted at this. “Save the report for the morning, Lennier. I think Delenn could use an early night.”

Lennier regarded Anna with surprise, then looked carefully at Delenn and reluctantly nodded. “I believe you are correct, Dr. Sheridan. I will retire after I complete my work.” He motioned towards the door. “If I might ask you something?”

Anna rose and followed him to the door. She glanced back at Delenn who was leaning her head into her palm, her eyes closed in seeming exhaustion. “What is it, Lennier?” she asked quietly.

“If you would, Dr. Sheridan, stay here tonight,” Lennier urged. “I do not like to leave her alone these days. There are memories and dreams, nightmares... of the Wheel.”

“I'll stay,” Anna said, laying one hand on Lennier's arm. “She took her medication; the next dose isn't due until morning. Go, and don't worry. You could use a good night's sleep too.”

Lennier looked at her hand, which she slowly removed, then made a deeper bow towards her than he had before. “You have my gratitude. I will see you both tomorrow.” And he made his exit, expending only one last, lingering look at his mentor.