"Five things which never happened to Elizabeth Lochley": Thing 3
Title: "Five things which never happened to Elizabeth Lochley"
Author:natoth
Pairing Starring: Elizabeth Lochley, Zoe, Marcus Cole
Rating: PG
From author: I believe, this story has been written under impression from "Space, Time, and the Incurable Romantic" by JMS, more precisely, it is a token of the protest against that plot which has been offered to us in that fic.
Thing 1. Thing 2. Also remember, it was thing which never happened to Lochley ^_^
2262
Lochley sat in her quarters, switching TV channels. But all of them aired that stupid comic duo - Rebo and Zooty. She grew more and more angry. Why was everybody so fond of these two grimacing deadnecks?!
Sheridan even dared to call this day "a really great day for B5" as Rebo and Zooty honoured the station with their visit. She snorted sarcastically. Noway!.. If this day proves great, then not because of this at all.
She frowned remembering a recent strange bargain with the Brakiri ambassador. She could never imagine that one day she'd have to sell part of the station. She wondered what else those aliens had in reserve. What other traditions would they bring to the station? If she continued obliging everyone, she'd blow out her brains!
And this odd hysterics of G'Kar's. The Narn, who'd been tolerant to the strangest customs of other alien races recently, now suddenly turned into a confirmed xenophobe.
Rebo and Zooty made another idiotic trick. What kind of comics are they? They are just banal circus actors!
Lochley changed the channel once more, all in vain. They were everywhere: Rebo and Zooty with their flat jokes.
She sighed heavily and took some papers she needed to read.
"I'm calm. I shouldn't pay attention to it." - she repeated to herself.
Suddenly Rebo and Zooty's babble alternated with stupid giggling ceased.
Then the lights went off.
“Damn!” - hissed Lochley and brought the link to her lips intending to contact technicians.
The room filled with a strange reddish shine.
“ What the hell is that? - Lochley muttered looking about. - Maintenance?”
The link kept silent. No connection.
“ Damn, damn, DAMN!” - Lochley pressed a button on the link once more, and then came up to the Babcom in hope to find it working.
But the internal communications device showed no signs of life either.
Having taken some troubles over it, Lochley kicked it in the end. Then she sat down in an armchair thinking what to do next.
That's when she heard some noise behind her. She turned back.
“Zoe?!” - she breathed out, unable to believe her eyes.
* * *
They sat talking. Lochley could barely fight back her tears while listening to her long dead friend. How often did she dream of such a chance, how many times did she talk to Zoe in her mind, lying sleepless in bed at night... Now, today her past, her awful past came to her again...
“ Geez, Lizzie, what'd you grow up to be? - Zoe laughed, trying to stir her up. - We had such fun, didn't we? Didn't we have such fun?”
Lizzie... Zoe used to call her just so. After her death, having enlisted in Earthforce Officer Training School, Lochley didn't allow anyone to herself like this. She asked her friends to use her full name, Elizabeth. Sheridan called her "Beth". But he had his own reasons: that was his sister's name as well. He said he'd call her "Beth" to avoid confusion. Lochley was only glad of such a coincidence...
“No. We were cold, sick, and we were hungry all the time. We did things to survive I've done my best to forget. We lived in that burned-out hotel. I was scared all the time my father would find me. No. It was bad.”
She told the truth. Recalling those days, she felt only abhorrence.
They talked for a while, and then Lochley remembered about her duties.
“Excuse me, Zoe, I have something to do. Sit here for a while, listen to the music, I’ll be fast…”
And she attempted to contact Garibaldi. Something was very wrong on the station; she had to find out what exactly, and quickly.
She battled with Babcom for some time, but then managed to get through to Garibaldi.
Having made the necessary instructions, Lochley turned to Zoe and… received a great shock again.
There stood an unknown man beside her. Zoe was examining him, amazed.
“Lizzie, is this your new boyfriend?” - she asked having slightly recovered from amazement.
The man was wearing Ranger’s attire and had a denn’bok in his hand.
“Where’s Susan?”- he asked. She could clearly hear British accent in his voice.
Lochley was on the verge of bursting out laughing hysterically. But she managed to brace herself.
“ Or have I mixed up the quarters? - stranger asked with the denn’bok. - Susan Ivanova lives here, doesn’t she?”
Lochley passed her hand over her forehead.
“I’m dreaming. This is another nightmare.” - she thought.
“It seems to me… I know you, - she said, - you are Marcus Cole, aren’t you? I’ve heard quite a lot about you, but I’ve never imagined we’d have a chance to meet…”
“It’s nice to hear that I’ve become so popular, but… I don’t understand anything…” - Marcus looked over Lochley’s quarters.
“It’s my quarters now, - Lochley answered. - Let me introduce myself: Captain Elizabeth Lochley, the current commander of Babylon 5.”
Marcus folded the denn’bok and slipped it into a pocket.
“ Now I’m absolutely confused. So where are Susan and Sheridan?”
“Would you like some tea, Marcus Cole? -Zoe said, bringing a tray with mugs from the kitchen. - It’s quite a long story, and you must be tired after the journey…”
Marcus nodded absently.
Lochley told him about the recent events on the station in a few words.
Marcus burst out laughing.
“Then, it means I’m dead?” - he asked, when Lochley finished her explanation.
“Well, not exactly, - Lochley shook her head. - Dr. Franklin put you in cryonic chamber in hope you’d be cured in the future…”
“Hmm… - Marcus frowned a little, reflecting on her words. - So, if today is the Day of the Dead, as you say, then… only the dead should come. You are dead, Zoe, aren’t you?”
“Yes, and it was very unpleasant,” - Zoe answered, growing serious for an instant.
Marcus was at a loss.
“So I can hardly be resurrected, - he said with a sad smile. - Franklin wasted his efforts, all for nothing…”
“Gee… - whispered Zoe, staring at Marcus. - I’ll be damned… and I didn’t even take dope today…”
Marcus laughed again.
“Then, Susan is alive? - he asked, when he coped with the fit of merriment. - And I’ve just mixed up quarters?”
“Looks like that, - Lochley nodded. - I’m afraid you’ll have to spend this night in my and Zoe’s company. Something incomprehensible is going on here. And it’s unlikely that you’ll manage to leave this room till morning.”
Marcus suddenly jumped up and hugged both of them.
“I’ll be just happy to!.. I did find out what I wanted! Susan is alive, and I gave my life not for nothing! The rest is unimportant… unimportant!”
At that moment Babcom chimed, and Lochley rushed to find out, how Mr. Garibaldi was getting on.
When she returned, Marcus and Zoe were talking lively, sipping the tea.
“We are discussing how to improve the current situation, - said Marcus. - One of the rangers’ rules and my own credo in life is: “There are no hopeless situations”. It’s a pity your friend has died - she’d prove to be a perfect Anla’shok. She gave me an excellent idea and I’m going to make it a reality. I’ll write Susan a letter since we didn’t have a chance to meet. Captain, I hope you'll be so kind to deliver this letter to the right person, if you have an opportunity? “
Lochley closed her eyes for a moment. She felt dizziness because of all this.
“Of course, Mr. Cole. I’ll pass your letter. On occasion. As soon as possible. Certainly!”
Zoe shrieked merrily and rummaged on the table.
“Do you have some paper, Lizzie? And a pen? We’ve decided not to entrust this message to electronics…”
Lochley noticed Zoe pulling some important document to herself and cried nervously.
“Not this one!!! The paper is in another place… Here… take this…”
The link beeped again, and Lochley jumped up.
“Captain Lochley? Your communication channel is open. It took 17 minutes. Good night.”
Lochley didn’t even have time to put a word, as Garibaldi broke the connection.
She sighed and dragged herself along to do her work.
Marcus took a pen and scratched his beard, bending over a sheet of paper.
Zoe was watching him closely…
* * *
Lochley walked along the station’s corridors, musing about the strange message, she’d just passed to Sheridan. It seemed like the destiny decided to made her its postman.
She entered her quarters. Without Zoe it looked so... sad. Yes... her friend could create a lively atmosphere.
Lochley thoughtfully fixed her gaze on the envelope lying on the shelf.
“Indeed, it was the greatest day in the history of the station...” - she muttered.
Author:natoth
Pairing Starring: Elizabeth Lochley, Zoe, Marcus Cole
Rating: PG
From author: I believe, this story has been written under impression from "Space, Time, and the Incurable Romantic" by JMS, more precisely, it is a token of the protest against that plot which has been offered to us in that fic.
Thing 1. Thing 2. Also remember, it was thing which never happened to Lochley ^_^
2262
Lochley sat in her quarters, switching TV channels. But all of them aired that stupid comic duo - Rebo and Zooty. She grew more and more angry. Why was everybody so fond of these two grimacing deadnecks?!
Sheridan even dared to call this day "a really great day for B5" as Rebo and Zooty honoured the station with their visit. She snorted sarcastically. Noway!.. If this day proves great, then not because of this at all.
She frowned remembering a recent strange bargain with the Brakiri ambassador. She could never imagine that one day she'd have to sell part of the station. She wondered what else those aliens had in reserve. What other traditions would they bring to the station? If she continued obliging everyone, she'd blow out her brains!
And this odd hysterics of G'Kar's. The Narn, who'd been tolerant to the strangest customs of other alien races recently, now suddenly turned into a confirmed xenophobe.
Rebo and Zooty made another idiotic trick. What kind of comics are they? They are just banal circus actors!
Lochley changed the channel once more, all in vain. They were everywhere: Rebo and Zooty with their flat jokes.
She sighed heavily and took some papers she needed to read.
"I'm calm. I shouldn't pay attention to it." - she repeated to herself.
Suddenly Rebo and Zooty's babble alternated with stupid giggling ceased.
Then the lights went off.
“Damn!” - hissed Lochley and brought the link to her lips intending to contact technicians.
The room filled with a strange reddish shine.
“ What the hell is that? - Lochley muttered looking about. - Maintenance?”
The link kept silent. No connection.
“ Damn, damn, DAMN!” - Lochley pressed a button on the link once more, and then came up to the Babcom in hope to find it working.
But the internal communications device showed no signs of life either.
Having taken some troubles over it, Lochley kicked it in the end. Then she sat down in an armchair thinking what to do next.
That's when she heard some noise behind her. She turned back.
“Zoe?!” - she breathed out, unable to believe her eyes.
* * *
They sat talking. Lochley could barely fight back her tears while listening to her long dead friend. How often did she dream of such a chance, how many times did she talk to Zoe in her mind, lying sleepless in bed at night... Now, today her past, her awful past came to her again...
“ Geez, Lizzie, what'd you grow up to be? - Zoe laughed, trying to stir her up. - We had such fun, didn't we? Didn't we have such fun?”
Lizzie... Zoe used to call her just so. After her death, having enlisted in Earthforce Officer Training School, Lochley didn't allow anyone to herself like this. She asked her friends to use her full name, Elizabeth. Sheridan called her "Beth". But he had his own reasons: that was his sister's name as well. He said he'd call her "Beth" to avoid confusion. Lochley was only glad of such a coincidence...
“No. We were cold, sick, and we were hungry all the time. We did things to survive I've done my best to forget. We lived in that burned-out hotel. I was scared all the time my father would find me. No. It was bad.”
She told the truth. Recalling those days, she felt only abhorrence.
They talked for a while, and then Lochley remembered about her duties.
“Excuse me, Zoe, I have something to do. Sit here for a while, listen to the music, I’ll be fast…”
And she attempted to contact Garibaldi. Something was very wrong on the station; she had to find out what exactly, and quickly.
She battled with Babcom for some time, but then managed to get through to Garibaldi.
Having made the necessary instructions, Lochley turned to Zoe and… received a great shock again.
There stood an unknown man beside her. Zoe was examining him, amazed.
“Lizzie, is this your new boyfriend?” - she asked having slightly recovered from amazement.
The man was wearing Ranger’s attire and had a denn’bok in his hand.
“Where’s Susan?”- he asked. She could clearly hear British accent in his voice.
Lochley was on the verge of bursting out laughing hysterically. But she managed to brace herself.
“ Or have I mixed up the quarters? - stranger asked with the denn’bok. - Susan Ivanova lives here, doesn’t she?”
Lochley passed her hand over her forehead.
“I’m dreaming. This is another nightmare.” - she thought.
“It seems to me… I know you, - she said, - you are Marcus Cole, aren’t you? I’ve heard quite a lot about you, but I’ve never imagined we’d have a chance to meet…”
“It’s nice to hear that I’ve become so popular, but… I don’t understand anything…” - Marcus looked over Lochley’s quarters.
“It’s my quarters now, - Lochley answered. - Let me introduce myself: Captain Elizabeth Lochley, the current commander of Babylon 5.”
Marcus folded the denn’bok and slipped it into a pocket.
“ Now I’m absolutely confused. So where are Susan and Sheridan?”
“Would you like some tea, Marcus Cole? -Zoe said, bringing a tray with mugs from the kitchen. - It’s quite a long story, and you must be tired after the journey…”
Marcus nodded absently.
Lochley told him about the recent events on the station in a few words.
Marcus burst out laughing.
“Then, it means I’m dead?” - he asked, when Lochley finished her explanation.
“Well, not exactly, - Lochley shook her head. - Dr. Franklin put you in cryonic chamber in hope you’d be cured in the future…”
“Hmm… - Marcus frowned a little, reflecting on her words. - So, if today is the Day of the Dead, as you say, then… only the dead should come. You are dead, Zoe, aren’t you?”
“Yes, and it was very unpleasant,” - Zoe answered, growing serious for an instant.
Marcus was at a loss.
“So I can hardly be resurrected, - he said with a sad smile. - Franklin wasted his efforts, all for nothing…”
“Gee… - whispered Zoe, staring at Marcus. - I’ll be damned… and I didn’t even take dope today…”
Marcus laughed again.
“Then, Susan is alive? - he asked, when he coped with the fit of merriment. - And I’ve just mixed up quarters?”
“Looks like that, - Lochley nodded. - I’m afraid you’ll have to spend this night in my and Zoe’s company. Something incomprehensible is going on here. And it’s unlikely that you’ll manage to leave this room till morning.”
Marcus suddenly jumped up and hugged both of them.
“I’ll be just happy to!.. I did find out what I wanted! Susan is alive, and I gave my life not for nothing! The rest is unimportant… unimportant!”
At that moment Babcom chimed, and Lochley rushed to find out, how Mr. Garibaldi was getting on.
When she returned, Marcus and Zoe were talking lively, sipping the tea.
“We are discussing how to improve the current situation, - said Marcus. - One of the rangers’ rules and my own credo in life is: “There are no hopeless situations”. It’s a pity your friend has died - she’d prove to be a perfect Anla’shok. She gave me an excellent idea and I’m going to make it a reality. I’ll write Susan a letter since we didn’t have a chance to meet. Captain, I hope you'll be so kind to deliver this letter to the right person, if you have an opportunity? “
Lochley closed her eyes for a moment. She felt dizziness because of all this.
“Of course, Mr. Cole. I’ll pass your letter. On occasion. As soon as possible. Certainly!”
Zoe shrieked merrily and rummaged on the table.
“Do you have some paper, Lizzie? And a pen? We’ve decided not to entrust this message to electronics…”
Lochley noticed Zoe pulling some important document to herself and cried nervously.
“Not this one!!! The paper is in another place… Here… take this…”
The link beeped again, and Lochley jumped up.
“Captain Lochley? Your communication channel is open. It took 17 minutes. Good night.”
Lochley didn’t even have time to put a word, as Garibaldi broke the connection.
She sighed and dragged herself along to do her work.
Marcus took a pen and scratched his beard, bending over a sheet of paper.
Zoe was watching him closely…
* * *
Lochley walked along the station’s corridors, musing about the strange message, she’d just passed to Sheridan. It seemed like the destiny decided to made her its postman.
She entered her quarters. Without Zoe it looked so... sad. Yes... her friend could create a lively atmosphere.
Lochley thoughtfully fixed her gaze on the envelope lying on the shelf.
“Indeed, it was the greatest day in the history of the station...” - she muttered.