DISCLAIMER AND AUTHOR'S NOTE: Babylon 5 and all related stuff is the legal property of Warner Bros., TNT, and Babylon Productions. No copyright infringement was intended in the writing of this fiction. All other characters that appear belong to me. This story cannot be sold or used for profit in any way. Copies may be made for private use only and must include this copyright notice and disclaimer. I wrote this story after reading Rebecca Hall's The Orpheus Journey on Pink Rabbit Subtext Zone. It is set after my story Dark Roses and is a sort of a sequel to it. Rebecca Hall had nothing to do with the writing of this story, which is being posted without her knowledge, and she may not agree with my variation on her theme. This story contains explicit love making between two women, so, if this kind of stuff is illegal in your gods forsaken place, if you're under 18 or if you find the notion of two women making it out offensive, then you're in the wrong place.
Thy Enemy, Thy Lover
By Kristjan Brezovnik
The door of the Captain's office door rang.
"Come! Ah, Commander Ivanova. I have a new assignment for you. From now on you will be chairing the Council meetings."
"Me?" the Commander asked, surprised.
"Yes. With all the trouble with the Shadows, I simply don't have the time to chair the meetings."
Ivanova rose her eyebrows.
"You mean they're giving you headaches and you're delegating responsibility?"
The Captain grinned.
"You could say that. Here," he said and gave her a chip. "All the information you need."
"When's the next meeting?"
"Tomorrow."
"Uh."
"That'll be... Oh, yes, the Psi Corps is sending us a telepath."
"What? Damn."
"You have a problem with that?"
"I hate the Psi Corps."
"I can't say I like them either, but orders came from the top."
Ivanova grunted.
"You don't understand, Sir. I can't even stand to look at their uniform without feeling sick and I'll resign this job before working with one of them."
The Captain rose his eyebrows, surprised.
"Are you serious?"
"Yes."
He took a deep breath and thought.
"Okay, then I'll make sure you have no contact with her."
"Thank you."
"Dismissed."
Ivanova left.
Commander Ivanova was busy making several reports when the door bell rang.
"Come! At ease, I'll be with you in a minute," she said without looking at the newcomer.
"I..." the newcomer started.
Ivanova looked at her, not recognizing the voice, and frowned.
"You're the telepath," she said.
"Yes. I..."
"Good, you may leave."
The telepath was confused.
"I..."
"I said leave. Now!"
The telepath was confused, but she left nonetheless.
Susan was having a headache. Again. The Council meeting was going nowhere. As usual. The Drazi delegates were arguing over some thing with Londo and Susan had no idea what it was. Lately she had no idea what was going on and she had stopped trying to calm the Council members down a while ago. The problem was that the Captain wanted to know what was going on and it was harder and harder to make things up.
Suddenly a Drazi pounded his fist on the table and Susan jerked. That's it, I've had it. She got up and left. The quarrel stopped for a moment as everybody watched her leave and resumed after she had left the room a few moments later.
Susan returned a couple of minutes later with a small weapon and the quarrel stopped. She sat down and put the weapon on the table. The delegates stared at her and the weapon for a few moments.
"What is that?" a Drazi delegate finally asked.
"A stunner."
"What is it for?"
"For stunning people."
There was some murmur.
"And why do you need it here?"
"To preserve my sanity," Susan explained. "Now, what were you two arguing about anyway?"
There was a short pause.
"Border patrols and import taxes."
"Oh. You may continue."
Another short pause and the arguing resumed. Susan took the stunner and pointed it in the general direction of the Drazi delegate. The man noticed and stopped arguing for a moment. Susan put the stunner away again, but the moment the Drazi raised his voice again, she picked it up again. The Drazi and the rest of the Council seemed to get the message and the meeting continued in a more civilized manner.
Talia came to the Conference Room as she was told, but the officer didn't let her in.
"I'm sorry, but you will have to wait for Commander Ivanova."
Talia was surprised, but she didn't say anything.
Susan came only a few moments later.
"You may enter," the guard said when she reached them and left.
Susan tried to ignore Talia and entered first. Talia followed her.
It was dark in the room.
"Lights," Susan said and the light flooded the room.
"Surprise!!"
Both women stopped, surprised.
"Okay," the Captain said, "one, two."
"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Susan and Talia, happy birthday to you!"
"Oh, guys, you shouldn't have," Susan said.
"You'd like that, wouldn't you," Sheridan said. "Anyway, I hope you don't mind that this will be a shared party since it is also Ms Winters' birthday today." Susan stiffed and glanced at Talia. "Okay, people, line up!" The officers obeyed. "Happy birthday, Susan," Sheridan congratulated his First officer and gave her a present.
"Thank you, John."
"Happy birthday, Talia," Sheridan moved on to the next birthday girl. "You seem confused."
"This is my first birthday party. I think."
Everybody looked at her, surprised.
"Your first?" Sheridan asked.
Talia nodded.
"Yes. The Psi Corps wasn't exactly a place for parties."
"Oh. Well, anyway, happy birthday. Here."
"Thank you," Talia said and followed Susan's example and opened the small package. "Wow, it's beautiful."
"It's a medallion," Sheridan explained. "May I?"
Talia handed him the medallion and he showed her how to open it.
"Oh, wow."
"You can put your picture inside or somebody else's."
"Oh."
The rest of the officers then congratulated the two birthday girls and gave them their gifts.
"Okay, cake time!" Sheridan finally announced.
The two women went to their respective cakes. They both counted the other one's number of candles and discovered that they were the same age.
"Okay, you have to make a wish and blow up the candles," Sheridan explained to Talia. "Oh, you don't tell us your wish, just think it."
Talia nodded. She knew exactly what she wished for and she was relieved that she didn't have to share it with the others. She watched Susan blow out her candles and then blew out her own, wishing that she and Susan might one day be together.
"Doctor Franklin."
Franklin turned.
"Ah, Ms Winters. What can I do for you?"
"I heard that Commander Ivanova has been hurt."
"Yes."
"How is she?"
"Just unconscious."
"Can I see her?"
"Uh, I'm afraid not. She gave me specific instructions not to let you or any other telepath near her when she is asleep or unconscious."
Talia bit her teeth.
"I see. Thank you."
"Doctor Franklin."
"Ah, Susan. What can I do for you?"
"I feel sick and nervous." Franklin rose his eyebrows and reached for his scanner. "You don't need that, I know why I feel sick and nervous, I just need something to calm me down."
"What do you mean?"
"I need to see the telepath so she can help me access the message that was implanted into my head."
"I see. Hm. I think I have something." Franklin fetched a hypospray. "This should calm you down a bit," he said, injecting the stuff.
"Thank you," Ivanova said and closed her eyes as the drug affected her system. "By the way, what is her name?"
"Talia Winters."
When Susan got to Talia's quarters, she took a deep breath and tried to remain calm. She rang the bell and soon the door opened.
"Commander," Talia said, astonished.
"I need your... help," Susan said.
"Ah, sure, come in." Susan entered. "Do you want something to drink?"
"No."
"What can I do for you?"
"I need you to help me access a message that was telepathically implanted into my head."
Talia gulped. She wanted to help her so much, but she was afraid that she might violate her private sphere.
"Okay," she said. "Sit down."
Susan sat on the couch. Talia got herself a chair and sat in front of her. She took off her gloves and reached for Susan's hands, but Susan pulled them away. Talia bit her teeth.
"I need to touch you," she said.
Susan bit her teeth and took a deep breath, trying to remain calm. She offered her hands to Talia and she took them. Talia felt the soft hands of the Commander and was very excited, but then she saw the look of disgust in Susan's eyes and all the joy was gone. She sighed.
"Okay, now close your eyes and concentrate." Susan obeyed. "Think about the message." Susan thought and Talia tried to ignore all other thoughts. "You have too much on your mind. Think of something pleasant and relax."
Susan tried. She thought about how it was to fly through space in the small fighter, all alone.
Talia felt that Susan had relaxed a bit and she soon found the message. It took her a few moments before she could decipher it. Finally she saw the face and heard the name. She wanted to get out of Susan's mind, but then she felt Susan's joy and she found herself in a fighter, flying alone through space. No, not alone, Susan was there. She merged with her and felt the rush of adrenaline through her body as she navigated the fighter through an asteroid belt. It was an incredible sensation.
Wow, she thought.
What?
Suddenly the fighter was gone and she opened her eyes, startled.
"You bitch!!" Susan yelled, pushed Talia away and ran out of her quarters.
She staggered through the corridors, feeling sicker than she ever did in her entire life. No, there was on time that she felt worse, but it was so long ago. She was breathing heavily and tears ran down her cheeks.
It has been a while since Ivanova had told the Captain that she was going to see Talia and when the computer told him that she was in her quarters, he decided to pay her a visit. He rang the bell and a moment later the door opened. He entered and looked around. He noticed that the uniform was lying on the floor and that Susan was sitting on her bed, wrapped in a towel. She didn't look too good.
"Susan?" he asked, concerned. Susan looked at him and he saw that she was crying. "Are you all right?"
"No, I'm not."
"What happened?"
"I went to her and she accessed the message, but then she started to look around. If I see her again I'll probably kill her," she said angrily and ran her fingers through her hair.
"Susan..."
"I felt so dirty that I had to take a shower. I spent half an hour cleaning myself, but I can't remove the dirt that I feel in my head."
"I'm sorry. Did you find out who the spy is?"
"I don't know who he is, I was too intent on trying to stay relaxed."
"I see. Tell you what, why don't you take a couple of days off, okay?"
Susan nodded.
"Thank you."
The Captain smiled and left.
Nobody answered when he rang the bell of Talia's quarters.
"Computer, locate Talia Winters."
"Talia Winters is in her quarters."
The Captain rose his eyebrows and rang again. No response.
"Computer, open the door to this quarters, security override Sheridan alpha 9 7 enable."
"Security code accepted," the computer said and opened the door.
Sheridan entered and immediately noticed Talia. She was lying on the floor among the remains of a table and she was unconscious.
He kneeled beside her and checked her pulse. Then shook her.
"Ms Winters. Talia."
There was no response and he went to the bathroom and brought back a wet towel. He wetted her face and shook her again.
"Talia." Talia moaned. "Talia."
Talia slowly opened her eyes. She blinked a couple of times.
"Captain?" she asked, confused.
"Yes. How do you feel?"
"My head hurts."
Sheridan helped her sit up.
"What happened?"
Talia thought. She remembered the feeling of disgust just before Susan broke the contact and the look in her eyes before she pushed her away.
"I tripped," she lied.
Sheridan rose his eyebrows.
"I see. Do you know who the spy is?"
"Ah? Oh, yes. His name is Abraham Johnson."
"Thank you. Shall I take you to Sickbay?"
"No, thank you, I'll be fine."
"Good. Now, would you care to tell me why you looked around Commander Ivanova's mind?"
Talia tensed and looked down, ashamed.
"I'm sorry."
"You don't have to tell me that."
"She doesn't talk to me."
"I can't say I blame her."
Talia bit her teeth and fought hard to keep back the tears. Sheridan decided that she wasn't going to say anything else and left. When he was gone, Talia started to cry.
"I'm sorry, Susan," she whispered.
She had been crying for a while when she suddenly realized that Susan was a telepath. She was confused because all the telepaths she knew about were members of the Psi Corps and they loved the Psi Corps while Susan hated it.
Susan entered Sheridan's office.
"You wanted to see me?"
"Ah, yes, Susan. Some of the Council members have approached me. They say you're carrying a stunner to the meetings."
"Yes."
"You do?"
"Yes."
"How come? I mean they feel threatened."
"They should." Sheridan rose his eyebrows. "Look, I know it sounds weird, but they were driving me crazy. Every time I chaired a meeting, I had a headache. You'd be surprised how a simple stunner drastically improves their manners. The meetings are actually interesting now, not to mention that problems actually get solved."
"Still, they feel threatened."
"So do I! My sanity's at stake here and if preserving it means stunning a delegate or two, I'll stun them. I haven't so far and if they behave, I won't have to."
"Well, try not to intimidate them too much."
"Don't worry, I didn't have to touch the stunner for four sessions in a row."
Sheridan grinned.
"I'll tell them that as long as they behave, they've got nothing to fear."
"Thank you."
Susan came to the cargo hold where Garibaldi had summoned her.
"Garibaldi!"
"Computer lock the door."
Susan looked around and soon spotted Talia approaching from the crates. She stared at her with disgust for a few moment and then went to the door. They were locked.
"Computer unlock the door."
"Enter code."
Susan entered it.
"Code not accepted."
"Damn. Computer open the door, security override Ivanova theta 3 5 enable."
"Security code not accepted," the computer said.
"Damn," she cursed under her breath and reached for her communicator, but it wasn't there. She turned to Talia, angry. "Open this door. Now!"
"Susan, I..."
"Open this door!" Susan ordered and approached Talia.
"I just..."
Susan grabbed the telepath and pressed her to a crate.
"I said open the door."
"Not..."
Susan kicked her in the stomach with her knee and let her fall down. Talia was breathing heavily.
"Give me the code, you freak," Susan said, staring at Talia hatefully.
"No. I..."
Susan kicked her a couple of times and Talia curled up like a fetus. She was crying now.
"Susan..."
"The code!" Susan yelled and kicked her some more.
"Please," Talia begged, but Susan didn't listen to her and started kicking her in the head.
Talia soon passed out and Susan screamed, frustrated.
Susan was fiddling around the controls when she heard Talia speak up.
"87346512."
Susan turned, surprised, and then tried the code. It worked and the door opened.
"You'll pay for this, bitch," Susan said and left.
Talia started to cry.
Susan went straight to Sheridan.
"Captain, I need to speak to you."
Sheridan noticed that she was pretty upset and he nodded.
"Come," he said and they went to his office.
"I want you to get rid of Ms Winters," Susan said the moment the door closed behind her.
Sheridan turned, surprised.
"Why?"
"She locked me into a cargo hold and I had to kick the crap out of her before she told me the code."
"You beat up Ms Winters?" Sheridan asked, surprised.
"Yes and if she stays here much longer, I'll probably kill her."
Sheridan thought.
"Why don't you take the day off and I'll see what I can do."
Susan took a deep breath and nodded.
"Thank you, Sir," she said and left.
"Sheridan to Garibaldi."
"Garibaldi here."
"Find Ms Winters and confine her to her quarters."
"Sir?"
"Just do it."
"Yes, Sir."
"Sheridan out. Sheridan to Corwin."
"Corwin here."
"Get me High Command, someone as high as possible."
"Yes, Sir."
"Sheridan out."
Susan was just entering her quarters when a stunner beam hit her and she fell inside.
When she woke up she couldn't move. She opened her eyes and noticed that she was in her quarters, tied up to a chair, and she had a gag in her mouth. She looked around and noticed Talia. Her eyes shot deadly looks toward the telepath, who gulped.
Talia approached Susan and shyly caressed her.
"I don't care what you do to me later, but I need to know why you hate me," she said and took the gag out.
"I'll kill you, you bitch! Let me go! Now!!"
"Not until you tell me."
"What!?"
"Why you hate me so much."
"Why?" Susan laughed. "Because you tried to mind rape me and because you locked me up! Twice!!"
"But you hated me before."
"Oh, no, I didn't hate you, I hated what you represent."
Talia was confused.
"What do you mean?"
"You belong to the Psi Corps and they're a bunch of murderers."
"That's not true," Talia objected. "We help people."
"Masters help slaves, but only for as long as they obey. If they don't, they kill them."
"We have no slaves."
"Oh, no? You yourself are a slave."
"I am not."
Susan laughed.
"The best slaves are those who don't know that they are slaves."
"I am not a slave."
"Oh, yes, you are. Have you ever thought about leaving the Psi Corps?"
Talia was startled.
"Leaving the Psi Corps? No. They raised me."
"To be their slave. Do you know what would happen to you if you tried to leave them? They would kill you."
"No they wouldn't."
"Yes, they would. Tell me, has anyone ever left the Psi Corps?"
"No."
"Anyone tried?"
"No."
"And you say you're not a slave. They only tell you what you need to know to be a loyal member. If you started to doubt the Psi Corps, they would kill you."
"No, they wouldn't!"
"Why are we having this conversation anyway? It's like I'm talking to wall."
Talia thought. No one had ever doubted the Psi Corps, at least not anyone she heard of, but this woman, Susan, claims that they are monsters. She understood why she hated her, but she didn't quite understand why she hated the Psi Corps. She didn't want to believe that the Psi Corps was a bunch of murderers, but Susan did. She gulped and took a deep breath.
"Do you have any evidence?" she asked.
Susan was surprised, she hadn't expected that.
"Have you heard of Pask?"
"Pask? Yes."
"What were you told?"
"That unknown aliens destroyed our colony there."
"Did you know that only telepaths lived there?"
"Telepaths?"
"Yes. The colony was a Psi Corps research lab. The telepaths were gathered there and treated like animals. They were experimented on and many died. When they rebelled, the Psi Corps destroyed the entire colony."
"That's not true!"
"It is! I was there!"
Talia was shocked and confused, she didn't want to believe that, but she felt that Susan was telling her the truth. She gulped.
"May I... enter your mind and see it for myself?"
Susan was surprised. The thought of someone else in her head made her sick, but then she realized that it would probably destroy Talia if she saw the truth. She smiled, evilly.
"Yes, you may."
Talia was surprised and she gulped again. Then she got herself a chair and sat next to Susan. She hesitatingly touched Susan's forehead and concentrated.
She witnessed Susan's most intimate moments which were very rare and therefore so much more precious. She also witnessed the everyday life on Pask, the death of her friends and finally the destruction of the colony and the loneliness and fears of the aftermath.
She was shocked and broke the contact. What she just witnessed went against everything she believed in and worked for. She knew that the Psi Corps was conducting experiments, but she always believed that the subjects were always volunteers. She still felt the loneliness and the fears that Susan felt when the colonists were killed.
She slowly untied Susan's left hand, her hands shaking. As soon as Susan's hand was free, she pushed Talia away and untied the other hand and her legs.
"You're gonna pay for this, bitch," she told Talia, who was still lying on the floor, shaking. She took her communicator. "Ivanova to..."
Talia stunned her and slowly got up. She went to Susan and turned her on her back. She checked if she was hurt, but she wasn't. She sighed and caressed her.
"I'm sorry, Susan," she whispered, tears in her eyes.
Then she left.
When Susan woke up, Talia was gone. She moaned and got up. She felt dizzy for a moment, but it passed. She went to Sheridan.
"Susan?"
"If I see that bitch again, I'll kill her," Susan said furiously.
"What do you mean?"
"She stunned me and tied me to a chair."
"What?!"
"I suggest you arrest her, because I swear I'll kill her if I see her again."
Sheridan nodded.
"Sheridan to Garibaldi."
"Garibaldi here."
"Arrest Ms Winters."
"Sir?"
The astonishment was clear in his voice.
"Do it. I'll explain later."
"Yes, Sir."
"Sheridan out."
"Thank you, Sir."
Sheridan nodded.
"Oh, yes. I talked to High Command, but they refused to recall her."
"Then I resign."
"Susan!"
"I mean it, Sir!"
"Listen, why don't you take a couple of days off and I'll try to clear things up, okay?"
Susan considered.
"Okay."
"Good."
"Thank you, Sir."
Susan left.
Three days later Susan was just going back to her quarters after a lunch in one of the restaurants.
"Commander Ivanova!"
Ivanova stopped and turned around.
"Yes?" she asked the security guard.
"I believe this belongs to you," the woman said and gave Susan a medallion.
Susan found it familiar. It took her a few moments before she realized that it was Talia's. She opened it and dropped her jaw, astonished.
"Where... Where did you get it?"
"We were investigating who stabbed Ms Winters and we found this on one of the arrested."
Susan was surprised.
"She was stabbed?"
"Yes."
"When?"
"Two days ago."
"Where?"
"On Level 39."
"What was she doing there?"
"I don't know. Witnesses say she was trying to protect some children."
Susan was surprised.
"She was trying to protect them?"
"Yes, Ma'am."
Susan glanced at the two pictures inside. They were pictures of her. She was confused. Why would her enemy carry pictures of her in her medallion. She looked back at the officer.
"Keep that man arrested. He's probably the one that stabbed Ms Winters."
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Thank you. You may leave."
The woman nodded and left.
Susan looked at the medallion again. She hated Talia and she thought that Talia hated her, but apparently she didn't. She closed the medallion and went to Sickbay.
"Doctor Franklin."
"Ah, Commander. What can I do for you?"
"Ah," Susan started, feeling awkward, "I heard that Ms Winters was stabbed."
"Yes."
"How is she?"
"The knife barely missed her heart, but she'll live."
"Can I see her?"
Franklin was surprised, knowing their history.
"Yes. She's over there."
Susan looked and went to Talia's bed. She stared at the telepath for a while and then she hesitatingly took her hand, put the medallion in it and closed it. She stared at Talia for a few more moments and then she left.
They finally got to the landing site, but one of the shuttles was gone and its debris lay about a hundred meters away. So far there were no airborne attackers, only the ground troops, but they were getting into firing range. Suddenly Susan heard Talia scream. She looked back and saw her fall down. She fired at the troops a couple of times and continued running.
"Susan don't leave me!!" Talia called.
Susan looked back, surprised. This wasn't the cold the Psi Corps telepath calling, this was personal. She saw the pleading look in Talia's eyes and wanted to return, but then she saw the uniform and she changed her mind.
"Susan!!!"
Susan ran to the shuttle. She skipped the pre-flight check and engaged the engines. The scanners showed that two fighters were approaching fast. She took off and was about to fly away when she threw one final glance at Talia. She noticed that she was looking at the shuttle, like it was the most important thing in the world, more than her own life. Susan was confused. She decided to pick her up.
She turned the shuttle around, aimed her weapons at the ground troops and fired. The soldiers immediately took cover. Susan landed the shuttle between them and Talia and opened the door.
"Go!" she heard after a few long seconds.
She closed the door and took off. The two fighters were dangerously close now, but Susan managed to outmaneuver them. They were only meant to fight in the atmosphere and she knew that she will be safe as soon as they left the atmosphere. We will be safe, she thought and glanced at Talia.
"Thank you," Talia said, but Susan ignored her and concentrated on flying.
The two fighters were behind them now, but there were others approaching and they were meant to fight in space. She quickly plotted the course and tried to reach the jump point before she got blown out of space.
The fighters quickly caught up with her and started shooting. Susan tried to avoid being hit, but with so many fighters shooting at once, it was next to impossible.
When she finally jumped into the safety of hyperspace, their shields were gone. She relaxed, but then her console exploded and threw her out of the chair.
"Susan!"
Susan didn't respond.
Talia crawled to her and shook her.
"Susan. Talk to me."
Susan didn't respond. Talia checked her body, but she couldn't find anything wrong with her. She took off her jacked and put it under Susan's head. Then she looked around and tried to figure out where the emergency med kits were. She finally found one and took care of her side.
When she gathered enough strength, she went to the co-pilot's chair and sat. She looked at the controls, but she couldn't make sense of them. She sighed and returned to Susan, hoping that the station will notice the shuttle before it flies into a star or something.
She looked at the unconscious woman and hesitatingly caressed her.
"I'm sorry, Susan. For everything," she said. "I never wanted to hurt you, but I needed to know why you hated me. I want to help you, but you won't let me near you and now I've pushed you even farther away. I'm sorry." She paused and observed Susan for a while. "I love you."
Susan was in a coma. It was dark and she was frightened. She recalled the last time it was that dark, it was the day her family was wiped out by the Psi Corps. And then she heard a soft voice talking to her. She didn't understand what it was saying, but it was soothing and loving. She slowly started to understand what the voice was saying, it was an apology. She was confused. Finally, she heard the voice say that she was loved. This confused her even more, but she felt that she was safe and that she was not alone.
"Sir, I'm detecting an unidentified shuttle."
"Hail it."
"Yes, Sir... No response."
"Open..."
"I have just identified it, Sir! It's Commander Ivanova's."
"Ivanova's?"
"Yes, Sir."
"And where is the other shuttle?"
"I don't know."
"Damn," Sheridan cursed under his breath. He hoped that both women were okay.
"Sir, it appears that the shuttle has been damaged."
"Send two fighters to intercept it."
"Yes, Sir."
Suddenly the shuttle jerked. Talia looked through the window and saw two fighters. She was afraid for the moment, but then she recognized the insignia. Help, she thought, happy, and looked at Susan.
"We're safe now," she said and caressed her.
Suddenly something overhead blew. Talia looked up and saw that a large part of a console was about to fall down. She threw herself over Susan's body and screamed when the debris hit her.
When Susan finally woke up, a major headache welcomed her.
"Welcome back, Susan," Franklin said. "How do you feel?"
"I have a headache."
"I will get you something."
Susan moaned and then looked around. He noticed that Talia was lying on a bed next to hers and that she was more seriously wounded.
"What happened to her?" she asked Franklin when he returned.
"Some debris hit her," Franklin said and administered the medicine.
"Oh. How is she?"
"Nothing serious. She'll be out tomorrow."
"And me?"
"You can leave as soon as I complete the scan."
Susan took a deep breath and looked at the telepath. She looks so fragile, she thought and then shook her head to push away the strange thoughts.
She lay still until Franklin returned.
"You may go, Susan," he said and then turned to Talia.
Talia moaned as she was awoken.
"Ms Winters. How do you feel?" Franklin asked.
It took Talia a moment to comprehend what was going on. Then she looked around and Susan saw panic and concern in her eyes until they stopped on her. Then the worry was gone and Susan saw that Talia relaxed.
"I'm fine," Talia said.
"You will stay here for the night."
"Okay."
Franklin left to order some tests.
Susan stared at Talia, confused, not understanding the panic and the concern she saw in Talia's eyes.
"Are you in love with me?" Susan suddenly asked and froze, surprised that she asked that.
Talia looked at her, surprised and blushed. Susan saw in her eyes that she was and suddenly many things became much clearer. She realized that Talia didn't mean to hurt her. She understood what Talia wanted the first time she was in her head. She didn't want to violate her private sphere, she just wanted to experience some of the joy that she herself had been feeling. She wanted to be close to her, a part of her. And when Talia trapped her and then forced her to tell her why she hated her, she knew that it would make her hate Talia even more, but it was obviously important to Talia to know why she was being treated like trash.
And then Susan recalled the soft voice when she was in coma. It was Talia's, she realized, she was apologizing to her and she confessed her love. And she saved her life. Twice.
Susan suddenly realized just how much it must have hurt Talia when she was treated like dirt by someone she loved. She felt ashamed. She looked at Talia, but she had her eyes closed. She sighed and left.
The lift stopped and Susan was about to enter when she noticed that Talia was in it, obviously just coming from the Med Lab. She hesitated for a moment and then decided to enter.
"Level 3," she said.
The door closed and the lift moved. Susan noticed that Talia was nervous and she had a feeling that she wanted to say something, but was afraid to.
"Computer stop the lift." The lift stopped and Susan turned to Talia. "You want to say something?"
Talia looked at her surprised and then looked down, not sure how to begin. Susan patiently waited.
Finally, Talia looked up again.
"I'm sorry," she said quietly. "For everything."
Susan took a deep breath. She had expected an apology, but it still took her by surprise. She thought.
"So am I," she said. "I shouldn't have treated you the way I did."
"No, I understand. I would probably act just like you did. And besides, I nearly mind-raped you and the second time..."
Talia looked down, ashamed.
"I understand. You're in love with me and I was hurting you. I would probably also act like you did." Talia gulped, blushing. "I saw the pictures of me in your medallion." Talia looked up, surprised. "The security officer who brought it to me thought it was mine," Susan explained. "I knew it was yours and I shouldn't have opened it, but I wanted to know why she thought it was mine."
Talia didn't respond right away.
"You're a telepath," she finally said.
Susan tensed.
"How do you know?"
"From the first time. You sensed that I was scanning you. And the second time I had the feeling that you were hiding something from me."
"Oh." Susan took a deep breath. "Yes, I am," she admitted. "I have been hiding that all my life."
"Don't worry," Talia said, "I swear I won't tell anyone, especially not the Psi Corps."
Susan was a bit surprised.
"Thank you." Talia smiled shyly. "Listen," Susan continued after a short pause, "we have both hurt each other and we both know we shouldn't have. Why don't we start from the beginning?" She offered Talia her hand. "I'm Susan."
Talia accepted the hand.
"I'm Talia."
They both smiled and held hands for a bit longer than necessary. Susan was surprised that it didn't disturb her to touch a member of the Psi Corps. Finally, Talia broke the contact.
"Computer resume," Susan said and the lift moved.
Talia was staring at the mess that the bomb had made near her quarters, clutching at her medallion. The bomb wasn't meant for her, but if she had been sleeping in her quarters, she would probably be dead now. She had never been more afraid in her whole life, except after she had experienced Susan's childhood.
"Are you okay?" Susan interrupted her thoughts
Talia turned, surprised.
"Yes."
"I see your quarters are ruined."
"No, they're just damaged, but I'll have to sleep elsewhere for a couple of nights."
Susan took a deep breath. She had hated the telepath in the past, but now she felt drawn to her. She was an attractive woman, but it was more than looks and she couldn't explain it to herself.
"You can move in with me if you want," she offered.
Talia stared at her, surprised. She saw fear in Susan's eyes, but she wasn't quite sure if she was afraid of rejection or acceptation. She decided it was fear of rejection since Susan made the offer. She wanted to accept the offer so much, but she was afraid she might hurt Susan again and she didn't want that. Then she realized that she would hurt her if she didn't accept the offer. She sighed and decided to take the chance.
"Yes, I'd like that."
Susan's face brightened and the fear was gone.
"Great," she said. "Do you have anything you want to take with you?"
"No, my quarters are still off limits."
"Oh. Well, let's go to my quarters then."
"Okay."
Talia followed Susan a step behind and admired the lithe figure of the First officer.
"You were lucky you weren't sleeping," Susan said as they entered the lift.
"Yes."
"A late meeting?"
"Two."
"Huh. I hope they were less exhausting than mine. I got the Council to behave and talk in a more civilized manner, but they're still boring."
Talia smiled.
"I know what you mean."
They were quiet until they got to Susan's quarters.
"Have you eaten?" Susan asked.
"Yes."
"Okay. Oh, you can use my clothes until you get your own. Feel free to choose what you like."
"Thank you."
"Are you tired?"
"Yes."
"Wanna take a shower?"
"Yes."
"Then feel free to use it. The towels are in the bathroom."
"Aren't you going to take a shower?"
"Right now you need it more than I do. I'll wait."
"Thank you."
Susan smiled and Talia went to the bathroom.
When she returned, she was wrapped in a towel and was carrying her clothes. Susan felt shivers running down her spine when she looked at Talia's long legs. She wondered what else she was hiding under the towel and her heart started to beat faster.
Talia also stared at Susan, who was now wearing only her underwear. She looked great in clothes, but without them, at least most of them, she looked even better. She took a deep breath, trying to control her excitement.
"Where can I put my clothes?" she asked.
Susan jerked and blushed.
"On a chair." Talia put down her clothes. "I got you a pajama, but if you want something else, check the wardrobes."
"Thank you."
Susan went to the bathroom.
When she returned, she saw that Talia was lying on the couch, wearing the pajama. She stared at her for a moment and then went to her bed and dressed herself. She sat on her bed and thought. She felt nervous. She had dated several men and gone to bed with a couple, but never with a woman. And it wasn't just the fact that Talia was a woman that made her nervous, but also that she felt drawn to her much more strongly than to any man.
She wandered what it would be like to feel her soft skin and shook as the shivers ran through her body again. She took a deep breath and went to Talia.
"You don't have to sleep on the couch," she said, blushing, "the bed is wide enough for two."
Talia stared at her, surprised.
"You don't have to..." she started.
"But I want to," Susan interrupted her.
Talia sat up.
"Are you sure?" she asked.
Susan nodded.
"Yes."
Talia stared at her for a few moments and then got up. She wanted to touch Susan and make love to her, but she knew that Susan wasn't ready for that. She took a deep breath and followed Susan to bed.
Susan woke up in the morning, hearing someone calling her name. She opened her eyes and noticed that Talia was lying with her left leg and arm over her and moaning her name. She blushed, feeling awkward, but she didn't move so she wouldn't wake Talia up. It was a great feeling. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the closeness of Talia's body.
Suddenly the computer sounded the time alarm.
"The time is 0700."
Susan opened her eyes and looked at Talia.
When Talia noticed that she was half lying on Susan, she quickly rolled on her back, blushing.
"I'm sorry," she said when she gathered the courage to meet Susan's gaze.
Susan smiled.
"Don't be," she said.
Talia was surprised, but when she saw Susan smile, she also offered a shy smile.
It was a sunny day when Susan opened her eyes. She was lying naked on the beach and she was alone. She took a deep breath and stretched, purring with pleasure. She heard a moan and turned her head. She saw that it was Talia, lying naked next to her. She turned on her side and observed the luscious body of her lover. She caressed her hair and cheeks and slowly ran her fingers down her body. She stopped at the breasts, making eights around them. She took the nipples between her fingers and gently rubbed them until they became hard. Then she continued trailing her fingers until she got to the wet center between the gorgeous legs. Talia moaned and spread her legs enough for Susan to play with her pussy.
Susan caressed the hairy triangle and then caressed Talia's thighs. Talia moaned, arched her back and massaged her breasts. Susan kissed the blond woman on the forehead and then proceeded to the ear. She nibbled it for a few moments and then continued down the neck, past the shoulders and to the breasts. She grabbed both breasts and went straight for the nipples, sucking one and rubbing the other and vice versa.
Meanwhile Talia was fingering her pussy with one hand and her anus with the other, her lags spread wide apart. She moaned as Susan bit her nipples gently. Susan then trailed her tongue up her neck and they kissed vehemently. Susan lay between Talia's legs and kissed her way to the lower regions of Talia's body, kissing both nipples a temporary good-bye. She stopped briefly at the belly-button and then finally got to the pleasure center. She ran her fingers gently across Talia's pussy and she felt that it was throbbing in anticipation of further stimulation.
Susan heard Talia groan when she kissed her pussy. She licked her way down the thigh and calf of Talia's right leg. She licked the heel and the sole of the right foot and then concentrated on the toes. She licked them all together and then separately, one by one.
Talia, who was fingering her pussy again, moved her left leg between Susan's legs and teased Susan's pussy with her toes. Susan spread her pussy lips with her right hand and let Talia's toes deeper into her body. She massaged her own breasts with her left hand and then put Talia's right foot between them. She then took Talia's left foot and massaged her breasts with both feet. She lowered her head and nibbled on all ten toes, licking her own pussy juices off Talia's left foot toes.
Talia was slowly getting restless, striving for Susan's tongue in her pussy. Susan smiled wickedly and put Talia's right foot between her legs. She licked Talia's left heel, sole and toes and finally proceeded up the calf and the thigh until she reached the volcano of love ready to erupt. She spread Talia's legs wide apart and licked her fingers clean of her pussy juices. Then she spit on the anus and licked the saliva, pushing it into the anus with her tongue. Finally she licked her way to the pussy and ran her tongue across the length of the slit. Talia moaned and squeezed her breasts. Susan spread Talia's pussy lips and licked the pink flesh. Talia's body shuddered and Talia groaned.
"Oh, yes."
Susan pushed her tongue as deep into Talia's pussy as she could and then started sucking. In the meantime she inserted a finger into Talia's anus and another into her pussy. Talia arched her back from pleasure and buried her fingers into the warm sand.
Susan slowly inserted another finger and another. She pushed them in and out a couple of times and then took them out. She heard Talia protest and she offered her the wet fingers. Talia eagerly licked her own pussy juices, thinking of what will come next.
When the fingers were dry, Susan inserted all five of them into Talia's pussy. Talia groaned. Susan pushed deeper and deeper until her whole right hand was inside Talia. She pushed even deeper until her arm was inside Talia to her elbow. She moved it around and twisted it. Talia started thrashing around from the sheer pleasure. It didn't take her long to cum and her whole body became taut when she did. Susan felt Talia's muscles tighten around her arm and the juices flowing at high speed. She twisted her arm for a while longer and then pulled it out.
She climbed up Talia's body, licking Talia's pussy juices off her arm. They kissed passionately and then Susan offered her arm to Talia and together they licked it clean. Then they kissed again and Susan offered her breasts to Talia. Talia grabbed them and started licking and biting them gently. Susan supported herself with one hand and started rubbing her pussy with the other. Talia finally lowered her right hand and took over rubbing Susan's clit. Susan licked her hand clean and massaged the unattended breast.
After a while, Talia slid lower. Susan pulled herself higher and sat on Talia's face. Talia eagerly ate her lover's pussy while Susan massaged her breasts. Susan then squatted above Talia's head, spreading her legs a bit wider. Talia immediately used the free moving space and Susan shuddered.
Talia then pushed Susan to her knees and licked her from behind. Susan stepped on one foot, spreading her legs wider. She massaged her breasts when she suddenly felt Talia's saliva on her anus, immediately followed by her tongue and a finger. The finger was soon joined by another and another and with some effort Talia managed to insert all five. Susan screamed and buried her fingers into the sand. Talia pushed even deeper until her whole hand was inside her lover. With the other hand she kept fingering Susan. She used only one finger at first, but soon the other four followed until finally the whole hand was inside. Susan's body convulsed and she put her legs together, trapping Talia's hands inside her body.
When she finally got used to the feeling, she got on her knees again and let Talia do her work. Talia did and was soon rewarded by Susan's violent orgasm. She slowly pulled out her hand from Susan's anus and gently slapped Susan on the butt cheek a few times. Susan groaned and Talia slowly pulled out the other hand.
Susan lay down and turned around. Talia pulled herself higher and they kissed. Then Talia kissed both Susan's breasts and together they licked Talia's hands clean.
Talia then lay next to Susan, her right leg over her body. They kissed and hugged and finally fell asleep, exhausted and satisfied.
"The time is 0700."
Both Susan and Talia woke up, startled. They both quickly noticed that they were lying in a tight embrace, just like in the dream. Talia quickly broke the embrace, fearing she might have offended Susan. She was about to apologize, but Susan stopped her.
"Did you just dream what I did?" she asked.
"That we..." Talia hesitated.
"Made love," Susan finished for her.
Talia nodded, blushing.
"Yes."
"Wow, I've never shared a dream before. It felt so real and so good." She slipped her hand into her pajama pants and rubbed her pussy. "I'm soaking wet," she said. Talia blushed. "How about you."
Talia slipped her hand into her pajama pants and also rubbed her pussy, all the time looking straight into Susan's eyes.
"I'm wet," she reported.
Susan smiled and lay on her back, taking a couple of deep breaths. She closed her eyes and thought. The dream sex was so great, much better than any sex she had experienced so far. She wondered if it would be equally great in reality. She lay on her side again and looked into Talia's eyes. She started having feelings for her and she wanted her in spite of the fact that she was a member of the Psi Corps. That didn't matter now, she was drawn to her like a magnet.
"Have you ever been with a woman before?" she asked Talia after a while.
Talia blushed, surprised.
"No."
"How come you fell in love with me?"
Talia blushed even more.
"I don't know. I mean you look great and all, but it's more than that. I feel drawn to you like a magnet."
Susan smiled, remembering her own thoughts.
"I know what you mean," she said and searched for Talia's hand under the sheet.
When she found it, she gently squeezed it and caressed it with her thumb. She moved herself closer to Talia.
"You don't have to..." Talia started.
"But I want to," Susan interrupted her. "Do you?"
Talia felt shivers running down her spine.
"Yes," she whispered, desire clear in her voice.
Susan leaned closer and their lips soon started probing each other. Their tongues soon joined the lips and soon they were locked in a deep passionate kiss.
When they broke the kiss, Talia hesitatingly caressed Susan's cheek. Susan took her hand and kissed the gloved palm and each of the fingers. Then she bit the glove and pulled it off of Talia's hand. Then she kissed the naked palm and each of the fingers again. She trailed kisses across the palm and over the wrist. The sleeve slid up the arm and Susan trailed kisses up Talia's forearm. When she got to the elbow, she skipped the rest of the arm and continued with the neck.
Talia shuddered from excitement. Susan nibbled at her ear for a few moments before planting two kisses on Talia's nose and lips. She moved down to the chin and to the neck. In the meantime, her fingers found the buttons and unbuttoned the upper part of Talia's pajama. She gently pushed Talia on her back and opened the shirt, exposing Talia's soft breasts. She cupped them both and gave each nipple a kiss. Talia moaned from pleasure. Then Susan took the right breast into her mouth and sucked on it, giving Talia an example of what was to come. After that, she took care of the left breast before proceeding south, licking her way to the belly-button. She stopped there briefly, giving it a kiss and then continued on her journey, still rubbing Talia's nipples.
When she got to the pants, she rubbed Talia's sex through the silk. Talia groaned from the new pleasure and shuddered. Susan grazed the silk between Talia's legs with her teeth for a while before she started to pull the pants off. Talia lifted her body just enough for Susan to pull the pants down to her knees. Susan then lifted Talia's legs high and licked the soft bun cupped between the long legs. She stopped for a moment to laugh as Talia squeaked from pleasure. She inserted a finger into Talia's love hole and dedicated her tongue to the other hole.
Talia took the pants off and slowly spread her legs as wide apart as she could and massaged her breasts, paying special attention to the nipples. Susan then inserted a finger into Talia's anus and started to lick Talia's love juices. She cleaned the mound before parting the lips and inserting her tongue inside. Talia shuddered from pleasure and arched her back.
Feeling extremely horny, Susan licked her way up to Talia's mouth and they kissed passionately. She then let Talia lick her way down her neck. Talia clenched her legs around Susan's body and her hand slipped into Susan's pajama to return the favor.
Susan gasped and kissed Talia again. Talia then unbuttoned Susan's shirt and cupped her breasts. She put Susan's left breast into her mouth and gently bit it. She did the same with the right breast and then her hand slipped into Susan's pants again.
"Wait," Susan said and took off her pants and shirt.
They kissed again and then Susan turned around for a sixty-nine, so that Talia could do to her what she would do to Talia. Susan quickly buried her head back between Talia's legs. Talia, on the other hand, first gently caressed the wet center of her lover and then licked her fingers. She slowly put out her tongue and experimentally licked Susan's wetness. She liked it and she gave it a bolder lick. Then she spread Susan's lips and slowly started to lick the pink flesh.
On the other end, Susan fervently licked Talia's pussy and fingered her anus at the same time. Talia decided to return the favor and inserted a finger into Susan's anus. She smiled as she heard Susan moan. She then inserted a finger into Susan's pussy and fingered it while she licked Susan's thighs. She felt Susan's muscles convulse around her finger and decided to add another. She was awarded with Susan's groan. She could feel that Susan would soon cum and she took the fingers out, licked them clean and continued to lick Susan's hole.
Susan felt that she was about to reach the climax and she started to lick Talia even faster. Just as her orgasm hit her, she cold feel Talia's body tense and shudder when she reached her own climax.
They remained lying still for a few moments, savoring the moment. Then Susan got off Talia, turned around and lay beside her. Talia turned on her side and they kissed.
"No!! Damn it!" Talia swore.
"What is it?" the Psi Corps officer in charge of her interrogation asked.
"Those were only her fantasies," Talia said, disgusted.
"Fantasies?"
"Yes, but they seemed more real than the actual memories. Commander Ivanova is not a telepath and she is... was not in love with Talia nor was she ever so hostile towards her."
"I see."
"I have no problems accessing other memories, but those connected with Commander Ivanova are so mixed with her fantasies that I can't always distinguish them."
"I see. Then we will do it for you."
Talia had a bad feeling about what was about to come, but she was a Psi Corps telepath and she obeyed.
Nearly two years had passed since Lyta Alexander exposed Talia as a traitor and ripped her from her heart and Susan still hoped that Talia's original personality wasn't completely destroyed as claimed by the programmed personality. She had asked the Mars Resistance to look out for her and if possible rescue her, but no word had come from Mars yet. And now Marcus, the second person she had cared greatly about, was dead.
She sighed and a tear ran down her cheek. She shook her head and tried to forget. She was a captain now, with her own ship. The crew seemed all right.
What is this galaxy coming to, she wondered as she put away the personnel files and started reviewing the latest tactical reports.
Suddenly her comm badge beeped.
"Ivanova."
"Sir, Captain... ah, President Sheridan has arrived."
"Understood."
Ivanova sighed again. She didn't feel like meeting Sheridan and she decided to stay in her quarters.
"Doctor Franklin, Ms Lyta Alexander wants to talk to you."
"Put her through."
"Yes, Sir."
Franklin went to a terminal.
"Doctor."
"Hello, Lyta. Where are you?"
"On a transport from Mars."
"What's up?"
"I need you to come to the ship. Alone."
"Why?"
"There's... someone you need to see."
"Someone?" Lyta didn't elaborate. "I'm on my way."
Franklin took his kit and left.
When he arrived to the ship, he noticed quite a few familiar faces from Mars.
"Doctor."
"Lyta. Where's the patient?"
"This way."
Franklin followed Lyta through the corridors until they got to an improvised cell.
"Is this really necessary?" Franklin asked.
"Yes," Lyta said and entered when the guard opened the door.
Franklin followed her and froze when he saw the patient.
"Talia."
"Yes."
"Where did you find her?"
"The Resistance found her on Mars and rescued her."
"Rescued?"
"That's what they say."
Franklin took his kit and approached the unconscious Talia.
"She's suffering from malnutrition and exhaustion. A good thing you gave her IV." He scanned on. "Well, she will survive. The body, that is. What's with the personality, I don't know."
"I'll get Commander Ivanova."
"Susan? Why?"
"She's the one who wanted her rescued."
"Susan?"
"Yes."
"Ah, what about the Psi Corps?"
"They don't know where she is. Only the guards, Number One, you and me know where she is."
"Oh." Franklin thought. "How long is this ship going to stay here?"
"Until we get her to safety."
"I see. Well, she can stay here. I'll provide some medicine to help her recover."
Lyta nodded.
"I'll get Commander Ivanova now."
"She's a captain now."
"Oh."
Lyta left.
Susan was still in her quarters and she was in an ever worse mood than before. She envied Sheridan and Delenn and she wished she never felt love for anyone ever again, because the objects of her affections had an unusual habit of dying. One way or another. She jerked as the door bell rang. She opened the door.
"Lyta?"
"Captain."
"What can I do for you?"
"Come with me. There's someone you wanted to see."
"Who?" Susan asked, confused.
"You'll see."
"Look, Lyta, I'm not in the mood for..."
"You wont be disappointed," Lyta interrupted her.
Susan sighed.
"Okay."
She got up, took her jacket and followed the telepath.
"Where are we going?" Susan asked when she saw that they weren't going the way she thought they would.
"To my ship."
"Oh."
Susan quietly followed Lyta to her ship and to the cell.
"Doctor?" Susan asked when she saw Franklin come out of the cell.
"Hello, Susan," Franklin said and turned to Lyta. "I'll come back later."
Lyta nodded.
"What's going on?" Susan asked, confused.
"You'll see. In there," Lyta said and entered the cell.
Susan followed her and froze when she saw the pale, ghost-like body of Talia strapped in a chair.
"Talia," she whispered. Her knees trembled and she would have fallen if Lyta hadn't caught her. She turned to the telepath. "Where did you find her?"
"The Resistance found her and rescued her."
Susan took a deep breath and slowly approached the unconscious Talia. She kneeled beside her. She took Talia's almost transparent hand into her own and caressed it. She had been searching for her for nearly two years and now that she found her she didn't quite know what to say to her, provided that the real Talia was still alive. She had no idea whether she was or not, but an inner feeling told her that she was. She had to be. It was as though Talia had returned from the dead. Almost.
She slowly turned to Lyta.
"Can you help her?"
"Help her? She a Psi Corps programmed personality, the real Talia is dead."
"And if she's not?"
"She was destroyed when the artificial personality took over."
"And if she managed to survive?"
"I don't see how."
"And if she found a way?"
Lyta thought.
"Still, I can't just intrude into other people's mind without their consent."
"Are you talking about the original personality or the artificial?" Lyta was confused. "Your rules apply to the original personalities," Susan continued, "this one was programmed. If the original personality is still alive, she can't reach you and give you her consent. Please, Lyta."
Lyta took a deep breath and thought. She understood how Susan felt. She would probably do the same thing if Number One was involved. She sighed, thinking of the charismatic leader of the Mars Resistance.
"Okay," she finally said.
"Thank you."
Lyta approached Talia. She took off her left glove and then Talia's right glove. She took her hand and concentrated.
She soon found herself within Talia's mind.
"You bitch!! You're gonna pay for what you did!"
Lyta turned and saw Talia coming at her. She concentrated, but the pure ferocity of Talia's attack still threw her back. Talia grabbed her neck and squeezed. Lyta hit her in the face and rolled away. Both opponents circled around each other. Lyta watched out for Talia's attack with one eye and looked for any sign of the original personality with the other. She immediately noticed a large black structure, but before she could take a closer look the artificial Talia attacked again. Lyta stepped aside, shoved Talia and ran to the strange structure. She touched it, but it was solid. She turned when she heard laughter from Talia.
"You can't get through that, no one can, not even the Psi Cops could."
Lyta concentrated and woke up.
She sat up.
"Well?" Susan asked eagerly.
"I think the original personality is still alive."
"I knew it!"
"The problem is that she is within a large black structure and I couldn't get to her."
"Trapped?"
Lyta shook her head.
"No, I think it's her defensive wall. The artificial Talia said that even the Psi Cops couldn't get through it."
"Maybe I can."
"You're not even a telepath."
"Maybe it's not about being a telepath." Lyta rose her eyebrows. "Can you get me inside her mind?"
"Yes."
"While you distract the artificial Talia, I can try and free the original."
Lyta thought and finally nodded.
"Sit down," she said and took off her other glove.
Susan did and Lyta took her hand.
Susan found herself in a long corridor.
"Come."
Susan turned, startled, and saw Lyta. She followed her and soon found herself in strange world.
"Well, well, if it isn't the object of my, pardon me, her desires." Susan didn't understand, so Talia explained. "She had fantasies about you, you know, and because of those fantasies they tortured me for nearly two years! Well, now I can destroy you both."
Talia attacked and Lyta threw herself under her feet. Susan looked around and noticed the black structure. She ran to it and stopped in front of it. She carefully touched it and her hand disappeared within. She pulled it out, surprised, and looked at it. She took a deep breath and stepped into the structure.
For a moment she lost orientation, but she quickly discovered that she was safe. She made a few more steps and found herself in a bright chamber. When her eyes adapted to the bright light, she noticed that someone was lying on the floor.
"Talia?" she asked and slowly approached the person.
The lying person stirred and Susan saw that it was Talia.
"Susan?" Talia whispered.
"Yes," Susan said and continued her approach.
Talia backed off, scarred.
"It's really me, Talia, you're on Babylon 5. Come with me."
"No. The artificial Talia is out there."
"Don't worry, Lyta is keeping her occupied."
"Lyta?"
Talia stiffed.
"Yes. Don't worry, she won't hurt you."
Talia hesitated.
"I'm scared," she said quietly.
Susan stepped closer and kneeled beside her. She took her hand and caressed it.
"Don't worry, I'm here," she said softly, but Talia still hesitated. "Come with me, Talia."
Talia looked into her eyes and finally sighed.
"Okay."
Susan smiled and helped her stand up. Talia took a deep breath and concentrated. The walls of her refuge slowly became transparent and finally disappeared.
They immediately saw the artificial Talia and Lyta fighting.
"There you are!" the artificial Talia screamed and attacked the original.
The original Talia stepped back and Susan rammed the artificial one.
"You bitch," the artificial Talia said and got up.
She was about to attack Susan again, but Lyta grabbed her from behind. She screamed and tried to free herself, but Lyta held her firmly.
"Talia, kill her!" Lyta called.
The original Talia slowly approached, Susan at her side. She stared at the artificial Talia.
"You don't have the guts, do you?" the artificial Talia said.
"It's not about guts," the original said, "I just wish we could coexist."
"We can."
"No, we can't. You were programmed to kill me."
"I can change."
"You can't."
The original Talia put her hands on the artificial Talia's head and concentrated. The artificial Talia started to scream and fought back, but without success. Slowly she faded out of existence and the screams stopped.
"She's gone," the original Talia said and the world around them changed. "Thank you."
"We'll see you out there," Lyta said.
Talia nodded and Lyta left. Susan hesitantly followed her.
Susan was the first to come out and Lyta was right behind her.
"We can wake her up," Susan said and took Talia's hand.
Lyta nodded.
"I'll call Doctor Franklin," she said and left.
Susan caressed Talia's hand.
"You'll be all right," she said softly. "I'll take care of you. I promise."
Then she unstrapped the telepath.
Lyta and Franklin soon returned.
"Everything okay?" Franklin asked.
"Yes, Doctor," Lyta said. "You can wake her up."
"Okay."
Franklin fetched a hypo and administered Talia a dose. A few moments later Talia opened her eyes. She blinked a couple of times before her vision focused.
"Doctor Franklin," she said and relaxed.
"Hello, Talia, welcome back."
Talia smiled and looked around.
"Doctor?" Susan asked.
"Well, physically she is suffering from malnutrition and exhaustion, emotionally I don't know."
"Can she leave the ship?"
"Yes, she can."
"Then I suggest that she moves into my quarters."
"Why?"
"Because the Psi Corps might send someone looking for her. I will make sure that she gets off the station, but until then she needs a place to stay. We can't give her her own quarters and she could use some company."
"Fine with me. Talia?"
Talia blushed. She wasn't ready for that, but she knew that Susan was right. She nodded.
"Wait here, I will get you a cloak," Lyta said and left.
When she returned, Franklin was still giving Talia lectures on food and way of life until she got better.
"And remember to relax," was Franklin's last order.
"I will, Doctor."
Talia got up and put on the cloak Lyta brought her.
"Come, I will distract the customs officers," Lyta said.
They left.
When they got to Susan's quarters, Talia took a deep breath. She remembered her fantasies and hoped that they would come true, but at the same time she was afraid that Susan didn't feel the same way about her.
Susan entered and Talia followed her.
"Are you tired?"
"Yes."
"Wanna take a shower?"
"Yes."
"Then feel free to use it. The towels are in the bathroom."
"Aren't you going to take a shower?"
"Right now you need it more than I do. I'll wait. Oh, leave the clothes in the bathroom. You can use mine until you get your own."
"Thank you."
Susan smiled and Talia went to the bathroom.
When she returned, she was wrapped in a towel. Susan felt shivers running down her spine when she looked at Talia's long legs. She was confused at her own reaction. She noticed that Talia was also staring at her. She looked down and when she noticed that she was in her underwear, she blushed.
Talia gulped. She looks great, she thought. She took a deep breath, trying to control her excitement.
"I got you a pajama, but if you want something else, check the wardrobes," Susan broke the silence.
"Thank you."
Susan went to the bathroom.
When she returned, she saw that Talia was lying on the couch, wearing the pajama. She stared at her for a moment and then went to her bed and dressed herself. She sat on her bed and thought. She felt nervous. They had shared the bed before, but somehow she felt that this time it would be different. She took a deep breath and went to Talia.
"You don't have to sleep on the couch," she said, "the bed is wide enough for two."
Talia stared at her, surprised.
"You don't have to..." she started.
"But I want to," Susan interrupted her.
Talia sat up.
"Are you sure?" she asked.
Susan nodded.
"Yes."
Talia stared at her for a few moments and then got up. She took a deep breath and started to walk. She was staggering and Susan supported her.
When they got to the bed, Susan covered Talia and then lay beside her.
When Susan woke up in the morning, she noticed that Talia was already awake.
"Good morning," she said.
"Good morning," Talia responded weekly.
"How do..." Susan started before she noticed that Talia looked awful. "Did you sleep at all last night?"
Talia shook her head.
"Why not?"
"I couldn't sleep. I was... afraid."
Susan wanted to ask her what she was afraid of, but then she remembered what Talia had been through.
"I see. Well, I suggest that you sleep now. I'll wake you up if you have a nightmare. Okay?"
"Okay."
Susan smiled and got up. She took fresh clothes from her closet and went to the bathroom. When she returned, Talia was already asleep. She smiled and prepared herself a breakfast.
A couple of hours later Doctor Franklin stopped by. When he saw Talia in Susan's bed, he only rose his eyebrows, but didn't comment.
"How is she?" he asked.
"She didn't sleep at night because she was afraid."
"Afraid? Oh, yes. Do you know when you will get her off the station?"
"Not yet. I'll take care of it when she wakes up. I'll tell you tomorrow or the day after."
"Okay. If there's anything wrong, let me know."
"I will."
"Good."
Franklin left.
Several hours later Susan was going through some reports.
"Susan!" she suddenly heard Talia scream.
She ran to her, but Talia was still asleep. She was confused for a moment, but then she saw that Talia was having a nightmare. She was shaking and murmuring something. Susan sat next to her and gently shook her.
"Talia," she softly called. "Talia!"
Talia suddenly opened her eyes.
"Susan!" she said and kissed her on the lips. "You're alive."
She hugged the astonished Susan and cried. Susan was so surprised that she didn't react for a few moments. When she pulled herself together, she hugged Talia back and comforted her.
"It's all right, it was only a dream," she said softly. Talia sobbed for a while and then she calmed down. "Go back to sleep," Susan said and caressed her. Talia lay back and stared at Susan. "Sleep," Susan said and smiled.
Talia smiled back and closed her eyes. Susan held her hand until she felt that Talia was asleep. She observed the sleeping telepath for a while longer, thinking about the kiss. The artificial Talia had told her about the original Talia's fantasies and she had seen the way Talia reacted to her, but she thought that she was only imagining things and that the artificial Talia was lying. Apparently she wasn't.
Another couple of hours later Susan heard moans. She went to Talia, thinking she was having another nightmare, but when she got there, she saw that it was no nightmare. She was about to leave when she hear Talia mutter her name. She turned around and saw a blissful expression on Talia's face. She blushed as she realized that Talia was dreaming about her. From the look on her face it must have been an erotic dream.
She returned to the reports, but her thoughts kept returning to Talia. She pushed the reports away and leaned back in her chair. She took a deep breath and thought about her relationship with Talia. She had avoided contact with her in the beginning because Talia was a Psi Corps telepath and she hated the Psi Corps. Slowly she opened up to the blond woman and they became friends. It surprised her how hurt she was when she thought that the original Talia was dead. She had mourned after her for a whole week until she recalled Jason. She knew Jason did something to Talia and she hoped that that something helped Talia survive. She had immediately started to search for her, but it took her two years to get her back.
She sighed. She considered Talia a friend and she cared a great deal about her. Sure, she was attracted to her, but she never thought of her as a lover. She blushed as the word lover came to her mind. She recalled how she felt when she saw Talia wrapped in a towel and she also remembered the way Talia was looking at her. She shuddered at the thought of Talia's legs and, of course, the rest of her body. She gulped.
"Susan?"
Susan jerked and went to Talia.
"Good afternoon. You hungry?"
"Yes."
"Very or just a little?"
"Very."
"I'll make you a lunch. Oh, the clothes are in the closet. You can pick any one you like."
"Thank you."
Susan went to the kitchen and started preparing lunch.
When Talia got to the kitchen, she was already dressed up. Susan noticed that there was something on her mind.
"What's wrong?"
Talia jerked and gulped.
"Ah, did I... kiss you before?" she asked and blushed.
Susan also blushed.
"Yes," she confirmed.
Talia gulped again.
"I'm sorry. I..."
"It's okay," Susan said and smiled, blushing even more.
"It is?" Talia asked surprised.
"Yes."
"Oh."
They were quiet until Susan finished fixing lunch.
"Listen," Susan broke the silence, "I was thinking about asking Delenn to help you get off the station. Is that okay with you?"
Talia nodded.
"Yes."
"Okay. I'll call her."
She went to the computer terminal and entered the correct instructions. It was Lennier who answered.
"Captain."
"Hello, Lennier. Could you tell Delenn that I would like to talk to her sometime today?"
"I will."
"Good. Could you tell her to come to my quarters?"
"Yes."
"Thank you."
Lennier nodded and Susan broke the connection.
An hour later Delenn came and Talia hid in the bathroom.
"Hello, Delenn."
"Captain. Lennier said that you wanted to talk to me."
"Yes. I need your help. I need to get someone off the station and then to a safe place."
Delenn was confused.
"What is the problem?"
"Not many people know that that person is on the station and I'd like to keep it that way."
"Why? Is that person a criminal?"
"No, but she is wanted."
"Wanted?"
"Yes, by the Psi Corps."
"I see. May I ask who this person is?"
"Talia Winters."
"Ah, you finally found her."
"Yes."
"How is she?"
"Well, the original personality survived and we restored it again. I have to get her to a safe place so that the Psi Corps won't find her."
"I see."
"I was wondering if you could somehow get her off the station and maybe hide her on Minbar?
Delenn thought.
"In two days a delegation of the Worker Caste is arriving from Minbar. They will stay for two days. We will get her off when they leave. I will inform you if anything changes."
"Thank you."
Delenn smiled and bowed. Then she left.
"Thank you," Talia said when the door closed after Delenn.
Susan smiled.
"You're welcome."
"Ah, what did she mean when she said that you have finally found me?"
Susan gulped. She didn't want Talia to know that she had been looking for her, at least not yet. Unfortunately, she now had to tell her.
"A week after you were taken away I remembered Jason and I hoped that whatever he gave you was enough to survive. I started to look for you."
Talia was surprised. Not many people have cared for her that much.
"Thank you."
Susan nodded and tapped her comm badge.
"Ivanova."
"Ma'am, your ship has arrived."
"Tell them to take five days off."
"Ma'am?"
"You heard me. I don't want to see anyone for four days, not even my First officer."
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Your ship?" Talia asked.
"Yes, I was promoted and I requested a ship."
"You won't stay here?"
"No," Susan said.
Talia felt that something was not right. She could see pain in Susan's eyes.
"Does it have something to do with me?" she asked.
"No," Susan said and smiled.
Talia hesitated. She didn't want to intrude into Susan's private sphere, but she wanted to help her. She decided to take the risk.
"Do you want to talk to me?" she asked.
Susan quietly stared at the telepath, considering her offer.
"During a battle my ship was hit by a shrapnel from a destroyed ship and I was fatally wounded. Marcus found some machine and plugged us both in. His life force was transferred to me." Susan paused. "He give his life to save mine."
Talia was shocked.
"Who was he?" she asked, fearing the answer.
"He was a Ranger and he loved me. I found him annoying at times, but I really liked him, I just didn't realize how much until he died."
Talia gulped as her fears came true. Susan didn't have to be a full telepath to notice her disappointment. She smiled.
"What I felt for him or I might feel for any other man is different from what I feel for you," she said and stepped closer to the telepath. She caressed her and took her hands into her own. "You're much closer to me than anyone else has ever been, even my family. Even if I fall for a man someday, you're still the queen of my heart."
Talia trembled and hugged Susan.
"Thank you," she said with tears in her eyes.
"You're welcome," Susan said and caressed the blond hair.
Finally the day of parting came. Both Susan and Talia were nervous since the moment they woke up. Talia was quickly going over some texts on Minbar and Minbari customs and Susan was busy taking care of her own affairs. Finally, Lennier came.
"It is time," he said when Susan opened the door. "I brought the disguise."
Susan let him in and locked the door. Talia came out of the bathroom.
"Ms Winters," Lennier said and bowed.
"Hello, Lennier."
"We will disguise you as a Minbari. I will help you."
Lennier took the necessary stuff from his bag and started disguising Talia into a Minbari. He changed the color of her skin and disguised her head to look like that of a Minbari. Finally, Talia put on Minbari clothes and the disguise was complete.
"How do I look?" she asked when she saw the look in Susan's eyes.
"Like a true Minbari."
"Yes," Lennier nodded in agreement.
"Let's go to the bathroom," Susan said, "there's a mirror there."
Susan and Talia went to the bathroom and Lennier started to pack his bag.
"Well?" Susan asked.
"My own mother wouldn't recognize me."
Susan smiled. The both observed Talia's new image in the mirror for a while. Finally, Talia turned towards Susan.
"I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you too, Talia. But I promise that I'll visit you as often as I can, especially when John moves to his office on Minbar."
Talia smiled. Susan took her hands into her own.
"I love you, Talia."
"I love you too, Susan."
The stepped closer, their heads slowly approaching on another and finally their lips joined in a gentle kiss. When they broke the kiss, they lovingly stared at each other for a few more moments.
"We better go. Lennier is probably done packing his bag," Talia said.
Susan smiled.
"Yes."
Together they left the bathroom.
"Are you ready?" Lennier asked.
"Yes."
"Commander."
Susan went to the door and unlocked it. Then she looked outside.
"It's clear," she reported.
Lennier and Talia exited.
"Good bye, Susan."
"Good bye, Talia."
Talia followed Lennier and Susan stared after them until they disappeared behind a corner. Then she returned to her quarters and lay down. She sighed. She thought about Talia for a while and then decided to catch some sleep before taking over her ship.
The End