(I last heard from Eleanor (aka Sorbeth) in April of 2000. She was on an .edu address, and I assume she moved once the school term was over ... but we never reconnected. I had this second story of hers sitting around, ready to post (had her permission and everything), but she vanished before the final check for typos was done. And the page she had of her own things also vanished... I've finally decided to just post the thing. At least that way, you all can still read it. If anyone out there has heard from the author recently (just to let me know she isn't long dead in a car crash or something), please, tell me? Thanks. - Gok)
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Have fun. This is a piece of Valentines Day fluff that I wrote after I had studied too long on Thermo. :) If there's something you like tell me about it; if there's something you don't like also tell me. Can't improve otherwise. :) This is the first story I've put up for people to see.Eleanor G.
Disclaimer: the song at the end is Barry Manilow's. All the characters are the Great Maker's. TNT can hop out an airlock. Enjoy.
'thoughts shown like this'
Lyta coughed hard a few times. The dust from the recently collapsed rock made it hard to breathe, or tell anything about where she was. 'Lyta why is it that you always have to put your neck on the line to protect people?' 'I suppose it could be worse. G'kar and I managed to get everyone out before the cave in. I know I was the last one, and from the way this blasted dust is glowing I must have gotten out.' Lyta stood waiting for her disoriented senses to settle themselves. 'Not so bad really, just one hell of a knock on the head. Ugh, this'll be one nasty headache though. I hope no one ran off the cliff face getting out of there, the edge of the trail has a nasty drop.'
"Why is it that all holy sights are at the top of a mountain or in some other out of the way place?" The telepath muttered to herself as the brick and gold toned dust began to settle. As Lyta looked out at the now clear view, she paled. Then she began to swear as she probed her own mind looking for some kind of telepathic interference. Psi Corps discovering, and staging an attack on her was the only logical explanation for what she was seeing. But there was no sort of interference. What she was seeing was real, but barring instant teleportation, was impossible.
The stark bare spires of wind and water worn rock were gone from what had been a deep chasm. The sheer trail up the cliff-face, the cavern, the dozen people that had been exploring the cavern with her and G'kar; everything was gone. Lyta swallowed. 'This should not be able to happen.' In it's place was an expanse of rolling green hills, dotted with trees, wild flowers, and a few small animals that were reminiscent of earth squirrels. There was the faint sound of birds singing in the distance.
"Where's a pair of ruby slippers when you need them?"
****
"Well, now. I was wondering when you'd show up."
Lyta spun, reaching for the P.P.G. that she'd had to leave at the customs gate. 'Not that I couldn't have just messed with the guard's head; but I couldn't do that. Why am I missing Zack? Not like I need a P.P.G. though.' The telepath was about to lash out telepathically at the person who had come up behind her; the closest thing to a rational source of her sudden transportation to another world.
She never quite got that far. Lyta Alexander took one look at the person behind her and fell to the ground.
Laughing.
Laughing so hard she had to use her gills, discreetly, to keep breathing. 'If this were a trap, I'd have to give whoever set it up some credit. I don't think anyone could keep a straight face seeing . . . '
"Are you finished yet?" The owner of the voice was a bit insulted.
'Why me?' Lyta swallowed, biting her lip to keep back even more laughter. But it was an effort. ' I think even Zack with his poker face would have trouble keeping a straight face seeing this.' "So what brings you to this end of the universe Garibaldi." Lyta was still having trouble keeping a straight face while seeing Michael Garibaldi, former head of security of Babylon 5, currently co- owner of Edgers industries wearing what amounted to a white loin cloth, a pair of fluffy white wings, and holding a bow and quiver in one hand while gnawing on a cigar.
The telepath couldn't help it, another fit of laughter racked through her.
Garibaldi puffed himself up indignantly. "I will have you know that I am not your Garibaldi; I am Cupid."
"And I thought I had problems."
"Which is why I'm here, or you're here, or . . . whatever." Garibaldi, or *Cupid* gave the telepath a hand up.
"Alright fine, I'll play along. So what problem of mine are you here about? The whole difficulty in getting rid of an oppressive government organization that's existed for centuries, or how about that no one ever gives me any respect, just to start listing things."
"How about that you refuse to have any thing to do with someone you love?" The man in the loincloth tapped Lyta squarely on her leather-vested chest.
"I don't know what you're talking about." She pulled away, stalked over to a few nearby rocks and began kicking them with her booted foot, they got some pretty good distance too. "Last I heard it wasn't all that good an idea to go and kill yourself when someone dies." The next rock almost made it across the field entirely.
Cupid gave a very Garibaldi like snort at that. "Your mean that twit, Byron. At least Bester is open about believing normal equals Neanderthal. That Byron was a real peace of work-"
"Shut up!" Lyta whirled angrily.
The bald man in the loincloth was unperturbed as he philosophically puffed on his cigar. "Well, what would you call someone who hunts out a person who is starved for a little affection, is completely vulnerable to manipulation, convinces her to walk away from the people who care about her, one of whom has done everything in his power to brighten her life. And then Byron has his nice martyrdom; when he ought to know that it would leave you alone, the cruelest thing he could do."
Lyta turned, unable to say anything. 'It pretty well sums it all up. Not how I would phrase it but . . . hell . . . it's pretty accurate. I loved him though.'
"Lyta, why did you love Byron. What was it about him that you loved so much?"
Lyta's vision swirled and suddenly she found herself in the Zocolo of a year ago, she could see herself talking, arguing, with Zack. She flinched as her former-self chewed Zack out, chewing out someone who did care about her because she couldn't chew out Sheridan. And now, a year later, she could see the agony her words caused in him. Lyta listened, unable to interfere, unable to stop things as Zack, stumbling over his own words tried to convince her that there was something suspicious about Byron. When he said that he wasn't jealous, her heart ripped open again. 'Why Zack, why did you have to lie to me? We both knew the truth, why did you lie? You know how important the truth is to me.' It was only now that she was able to see the absolute desperation in Zack as he pleaded with her to give him five minutes to convince her of what he was saying. "Zack . . . " The telepath tried to reach out to touch her friend's shoulder as the old Lyta turned and walked away from him.
Everything became a watery haze before she was able to touch his slumped shoulders.
****
"Why did you do that?" 'How did he do that?'
"Just making a point." Cupid held one arm behind Lyta as she staggered from the disorientation. "Yes or no, do you love Zack?"
"I . . . I can't, it doesn't matter how I feel. I can't feel that way about him." Lyta looked away, her voice hard. "Even *if* it wouldn't be futile now, even if he *didn't* hate me, it would never be able to work out."
"All right, when you were with Byron that night, was it because you loved him, or was it because you were trying to push Zack out of your heart?"
"That would be a ridiculous reason to sleep with someone."
"I never said I thought it was sensible." The winged Garibaldi puffed on his cigar thoughtfully. "What about when Zack was on the intercom, trying to convince you and anyone else to come out. Afterwards you didn't want Byron to touch you at all. Why?"
Lyta turned away. "I don't have to answer these questions."
"Not to me, maybe, but to yourself? You have to be honest with yourself Lyta, and you have to answer yourself these questions."
"I *can't* love Zack."
"Why not?" The voice was suddenly female. Lyta turned in surprise to see Susan Ivanova behind her.
"This is getting weirder and weirder. At least you have better taste, Susan." The Earthforce Captain was wearing a white toga, but still had the wings and bow that Garibaldi had. "Well it's still me, Cupid."
"Uh, huh. So what now?"
The newest incarnation of Cupid sat down on the grass next to where Lyta was still standing. After a moment the red head followed suit. "Do you know what day it is back on Earth?" At Lyta's puzzled look Ivanova continued. "It's the 14 of February, Valentine's day. Any idea what Zack is up to?"
Lyta rested her chin on folded arms. "A nice guy like Zack, He probably has a date with some nice non-terrorist woman."
"You would think so."
****
Lyta's vision swam disturbingly, and she found herself standing in a corridor of the station, it was near Zack's quarters, and the present head of security was approaching her and the winged semi- Ivanova. There was an attractive blond with him, and as they got closer Lyta could make out what was being said.
"I was thinking Zack; it's Valentine's Day, we're both single . . . Why not go out catch a movie and dinner, keep each other company."
"Come on Susan, I don't want to see this, things have hurt enough today as it is."
Ivanova put one hand on Lyta's shoulder reassuringly. "Just wait a moment."
"Listen Shara, it's not that I don't think you're pretty or anything . . . it's just . . ." Zack looked away, as usual having trouble finding the right thing to say. "It's just that I'm really not interested in dating right now."
"Fine," The platinum blond approached a little closer to the security chief. "It doesn't have to be anything permanent. Maybe just a one time thing." When the woman, Shara reached out to touch Zack's arm Lyta felt like strangling her, and Zack became as pale as a sheet.
"Uh, really. I'm not interested. I have a lot of paperwork to catch up on, and I'm just not looking for any kind of relationship right now. Uh, good night." Zack nearly fled into his quarters.
Shara gave a hurumph and muttered something about men who couldn't drag themselves out of the past, before walking off.
"Ok, so Zack's married to his badge. What else is new?"
Ivanova took Lyta's hand and pulled her through the metal wall of Zack's quarters. Lyta was through before she had a chance to realize that it should be physically impossible. Zack's jacket was hanging over the back of a chair, and the rest of him was sitting on his couch. He looked heart broken.
"Allan, you are so pathetic. She has to hate you, she's light-years away, and was never even interested in you. Why don't you just get over her?" Zack threw himself onto his back, bouncing slightly on the couch. He reached over and picked up a small holo from the table. He smiled a sad, bittersweet smile as he lightly touched the image with his fingertip.
Lyta swallowed at the depth of tenderness, of the warmth that her former friend had directed at that image. She silently moved to kneel beside Zack so that she could see the picture. The telepath felt a tear run down her cheek as she saw herself and Zack leaning close together, a pepperoni and cheese pizza in front of them. In the picture Zack was just wiping off some sauce from the corner of her mouth. Lyta remembered when the camera had gone of a little too early, catching a image of tender caring, not just friendship.
"I miss you Lyta." His words were soft and full of tears unshed. He held the holo to his chest, over his heart. "I wish I could undo so much, all the things I never meant that came out so badly, all the things that hurt you." He sat up suddenly, wiping roughly at his eyes to fight back the tears, and looked down at the image. "If you were still willing to speak to me, actually wanted to hear from me, I'd send you something." Zack sighed. "But then the Corps could track you down by that, if I even knew where you were. And you hate me." Zack shut his eyes and it looked like he was swallowing back tears. "But you can never go back Allan, can never make it right." He put the holo-crystal back on the table, with a physical effort. Swallowed once, and whispered, "I still love you Lyta. Happy Valentine's Day, where ever you are." The Security Chief threw himself into the reports scattered about the table, in an effort to forget that today was a day for romance, and that the only woman he was interested in was in another part of the galaxy.
Lyta swallowed as she stood silently, absently wiping at a few stray tears.
Her vision flickered and wavered again, clearing to reveal the glade. "Are you done ripping apart my heart yet?"
"Lyta, just answer the question, do you love him? It's that simple." Ivanova's hand was on her shoulder now, her voice coaxing.
"It's not that easy, I was taught my whole life that love doesn't matter when it comes to a match, with anything long term anyway. If, if all I wanted with Zack was some fling, maybe I could, but . . . ."
"But?"
"But for someone to spend the rest of your life with, it should be another telepath, someone around your own strength, that way you don't wonder what they know about you." Lyta ran her hands through her hair. "God, that sounds so sick. But it's what I've been taught my whole life. I can't be with Zack, it doesn't matter how I feel or how he feels, it could never work. There's too much blood between telepaths and normals. And he'd realize sooner or later that I could scan anything I wanted from him, even though I'd never try to."
"You have so little faith in him?"
Lyta turned away, rubbing her head. "Its not that, it's just noone would ever give us any peace."
"So you'll keep yourself from being hurt by having a Corps standard relationship, and cutting yourself off from the man you love. Never mind that the one you're with is perfectly happy to manipulate you left right and sideways, because it's safer."
Lyta shut her eyes and nodded numbly. The bird song in the background became louder suddenly, mingled with wind-chimes and a kind of burble beep. Lyta's eyes opened wide as she turned in shock to see Kosh standing behind her.
'At least he isn't wearing that silly outfit . . . ' "I . . . what . . . KOSH!??! You, you're dead, you can't be here, you're gone."
The Vorlon burbled sadly. "Seeds planted bloom in rain."
"Oh, I . . . Lyta sighed. "I guess I had hoped you weren't all gone. Should have known better. Hell if you were still around, even a little, you would have stopped some of what happened with Ulkesh."
The red headed woman sat on the grass and leaned back against the encounter suit. "You tricked me." Lyta poked the encounter suit, her voice hurt slightly. When the Vorlon burbled a quite contrite bubble, Lyta responded, "Well, ok. I suppose."
After a few moments the Vorlon cocked its head slightly, questioningly. Lyta sighed. "I love him." I love Zack so much it hurts to think about. But . . . I don't think we could ever have any kind of a future."
The Vorlon hummed philosophically, then twiddled softly. "You came to Homeworld, you returned from homeworld. Never before."
Lyta blinked, "I was the first?"
"First, last. All others taken. Love, courage."
"Hell, you have a point, if I can go charging into Vorlon space, when no one else has come back; I ought to be able to take a chance with my heart." Lyta stood wiping at a few stray tears. What I saw on the station when you looked like Ivanova, was that real, or not?"
"Yes." It was a smug confirmation.
Lyta just gave the encounter suit a withering look, and then smiled. "Well I'll just find out for myself, humm."
"The heart is unordered. Be happy. Do not slip on rice." Lyta laughed, and kissed the Vorlon's snout just as her vision became hazy again. 'My head hurts like crazy.'
****
When she opened her eyes, she felt a rough sheet against her body, and there was an antiseptic scent to the stark white room she found herself in. 'A White Star's medlab?' She felt warmth in her hand, and as she looked over she realized why. Her hand was being held by a man with short- cropped dark hair, warm gentle blue eyes, and a soft sandpapery voice that was tearfully repeating her name.
Lyta smiled softly as she felt him touch her forehead. The telepath reached out and gently, tenderly cupped his cheek in her palm. "Zack?" she gently traced his cheek with her fingers.
"I . . . I'll go Lyta. I'm probably the last person you'd want here. I just needed to know you were going to be ok." Zack stood, or started to anyhow.
"Don't." She swallowed silently. 'Why does this have to be so terrifying?' Weakly, the telepath whispered, "I think I'm supposed to be the idiot who walks away from someone who cares about them."
Zack sat down, still holding her hand. 'Does this mean she doesn't hate me?'
"I've missed you so much Zack. I . . . " She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, she could feel his tears on the fingers of her hand that was still resting on his cheek. 'I had courage and trust enough to go to the Vorlon homeworld and come back when no one else had. I can tell him how I feel.' Lyta opened her eyes and looked into her friend's. She smiled "I love you Zack."
****
G'kar leaned over to Doctor Franklin. "Is this normal human behavior?"
"When you're madly in love, haven't been able to admit it, haven't spoken for a year and a half, and one party's been hurt badly enough that the listed next of kin and the best doctor in fifty sectors have to come out . . ." Steven smiled, "yeah, it's normal."
"Will Lyta be alright?"
"She'll be fine now. In about a week she'll be recovered enough that you two can go on. Although with how well Zack covered the White Star's backtrail, it'll take the Corps a month to realize which way we were headed."
"I was not aware there was any romance between the two."
"Well considering how much those two are kissing, I'd have to say there is." 'I hope Zack remembers to mind her stitches; who am I kidding, a teddy bear would be more likely to hurt her.'
"What about Byron?"
"The human heart is pretty nuts, she may have loved Byron, and tried to ignore how she felt about Zack. It wouldn't be the first time something like that has happened. Although I have to admit, seeing her all but haul him into a lip-lock was a bit surprising." The tired doctor chuckled. "How about we get out of here before they realize there's an audience?"
"This sounds like a very wise idea Doctor."
~~~~
SOMEWHERE DOWN THE ROAD
Barry ManilowWe had the right love
At the wrong time Guess I always knew inside I wouldn't have you for a long timeThose dreams of yours
Are shining on distant shores And if they're calling you away I have no right to make you stayBut somewhere down the road
Our roads are gonna cross again It doesn't really matter when But somewhere down the road I know that heart of yours will come to see That you belong with meSometimes goodbyes are not forever
It doesn't matter if you're gone I still believe in us together I understand more than you think I can You have to go out on your own So you can find your way back homeBut somewhere down the road
Our roads are gonna cross again It doesn't really matter when But somewhere down the road I know that heart of yours will come to see That you belong with me Letting go is just another way to say I'll always love you soWe had the right love
At the wrong time Maybe we've only just begun Maybe the best is yet to comeCause somewhere down the road
Our roads are gonna cross again It doesn't really matter when But somewhere down the road I know that heart of yours will come to see That you belong with me