COMPOUNDED

The day came like it always did to Babylon 5: in a blaze of glory rising gently over the planet below. The lights from the night were doused slowly and it became apparent that life was waking on the station. A lone, flat, Centauri class freighter approached the station. It was the first of many for the day.

Inside the station, beings from a hundred systems moved through the main corridor and the cafes and diners within looking for the meal to break their fast. Minbari were the same as the other races and a petite pretty almost royally clad female of that race moved among the beings gathered to find both a meal and information. The female was an ambassador and if one got close, it was apparent that it was the ambassador Delenn. She moved with grace and strength, her head slightly cocked to one side as if listening to a voice or a beat that only she could hear. It was quite possible that she did hear something the rest of the races around her could not.

Her face was serious. However, Delenn smiled upon approaching Captain Sheridan. It was not often that she came across a warrior with a soulful heart, but this was what she saw, what she...felt...when she saw John Sheridan. Even with his apparent anger floating to the surface at the newspaper dispenser, she could see his heart shining. The grin widened as she distinctly heard his growl at the Universe Today issue dispenser.

"What do you mean you don't have information on the World Series? Call yourself a medium of the press, do you? Dammit." John's low, slightly accented voice carried through the area with some timbre. Where other sentient beings were backing away from him or avoiding him outright, the petite Minbari ambassador approached him.

"Captain Sheridan?"

The well-featured Earth Force officer turned to address the ambassador with a startled expression. His dark hair was combed back, high on his head and his hazel eyes held a flash of surprise and then...a more gentle expression that Delenn could not place. "Good morning, Ambassador."

Delenn inclined her head in a traditional Minbari greeting that seemed almost reverent to John. She waved her hand in a motion to indicate the dispenser in front of him. "Are you through?"

"I suppose I am, as it will not print the section that I want it to print." Sheridan landed a harsh hand slap to the metal. The exasperated look he gave it made the ambassador smile again.

"It is inanimate, Captain. It cannot feel the pain that you wish to inflict, but I'm sure if you keep assaulting it, you will make it learn. Although that might be considered a religious miracle for an object such as that." Delenn answered, schooling her features to that of sterness.

John withdrew his hand with a snort and a smile before turning and eyeing Delenn. "I see you have learned the art of sarcasm, Ambass-"

"Call me Delenn, please, John. If you keep calling me by my title, I have to continue to call you Captain against your wishes." Delenn pushed past Sheridan and moved in front of the dispenser. With a sure hand, she fed the old issue and received her new one equally as quickly. As she removed the newspaper, John leaned forward to gaze at the title and raised two eyebrows.

"What interest do you have in Boston, Delenn?"

Delenn could feel the heat rising in her cheeks and she lowered her face. She had not gotten used to this very human quality of being embarrassed. And for some reason, John Sheridan often brought out that feeling of heat. "I have heard Mr. Garibaldi often talking of his grandmother...I wanted to research this place called Boston."

"It's a nice city...right on the water...in Massachusetts." John commented, raising his paper to appear interested in the news he had chosen.

Delenn nodded knowingly. "You know this place?"

"I've been there a couple of times." John stated leaning back against the wall. He remained studiously impassive until Delenn laid her small hand on his arm. He lowered his paper to smile at her.

"If I buy you breakfast, John...will you tell me of it?" Delenn asked, knowing, instinctively, that John was waiting for just such an invitation.

"I'll buy my own, but if you will join me, I'll tell you what I know."

Delenn nodded slowly with a half grin. "Then...shall we?" she asked, holding out her arm.

John took her arm slowly and began to amble away, the small ambassador easily keeping up with his stride. **

Michael gazed at the monitor. Lyta Alexander sat slumped over the table, her light red hair brushing the table. She had not changed much since she had left B 5...a little older, a little more rough around the edges than before, but she was still the same telepath that had been here a year earlier. Garibaldi rubbed his chin and sighed. She had almost ruined Jeff; almost tore the command staff of the station apart. He had been angry with her then. But it had not been her fault, just the fault of the situation. Still....

He didn't like telepaths...well...almost all telepaths.

He liked Talia Winters well enough, considered her a friend. She had proven herself more human than most psi-corp personnel. And there was a shine in her eyes that showed honesty. He could deal with that.

"Mr. Garibaldi?"

Michael leaned back and stared at Stephen Franklin. The doctor raised his eyebrows and motioned with his head to the room. The security chief almost smiled at the relaxed pose that the doctor held. It was not often one saw that look on Stephen's face with the current situation of the influx of Narn refugees. "What do you have for me, Dr. Franklin?"

"Other than a splitting headache, not much. What do you know about our Miss Alexander?" Franklin turned his eyes to the red head that was now staring at them through the window. Michael returned her frank stare with one of his own.

"She was the commercial telepath stationed here before Talia. As far as I know, she was the only person to scan a Vorlon. She, uh...how do I put this...almost helped to frame Jeff for Ambassador Kosh's poisoning when the Vorlon first came on board. After that, she was only here for about two or three months and then she was transferred back to Earth. It was very strange, but then again, anything Earth dome does is strange."

"Do you believe this 'sleeper' story?" Franklin asked with a sigh.

Garibaldi turned to stare at the young Doctor. The raised eyebrow was all Stephen needed and he erupted into rough laughter. "Okay, Garibaldi, I forgot who I was talking to there for a moment."

"I believe a story only so far as I can throw it." Garibaldi answered, his face broken in a half-smile. The smile itself disappeared as he looked back at Lyta. "But for some reason, something is just tickling at me about this story...something seems right..."

"Are you sure that is not that burger you had for lunch, Mr. Garibaldi?" Stephen crossed his arms over his chest. "For what it is worth, I believe her too...but you know what that means for us."

"Yeah....hell." Michael answered, hanging his head as he braced his arms on the sill.

**

"So...all we have to do is allow Lyta to place the password in our heads...." John Sheridan moved across the room, his fisted hands hitting each other. "It doesn't seem too bad. Although, I don't like the question of my loyalties like this."

Jeff snorted and looked up from the datapad he held. "John..."

"You know what I mean, Sinclair," Sheridan stopped at the far side of the office. In his hand, he held the scanning device that Garibaldi had obtained. By circulating through the whole office, he could tell that there were no listening devices. He gave a thumbs up to Sinclair. "I know. But I have my loyalties, and I believe that they are correct...they just are not what others would determine to be..."

Jeff put down his floppy and stared at his contemporary. "We would be shot for our loyalties, John. Or at the very least, we would be court-marshaled. But we are loyal to our cause."

Sheridan turned quickly to stare at Sinclair. "Once and for all, Jeff..."

The Captain behind the desk held up his hand. "I am with you. I always have been. I am loyal to the ideals of Earth Force and to this station. Not to a pretender president...or to the sham that he calls a government." Jeff put his hand down flat and walked around the desk to approach his older friend. "I was angry at first when you brought this up to me...that you were testing to see where our loyalties lay..."

"Understatement, once again, Sinclair. I believe the direct quote was that I would burn in hell after you shoved me out some damned airlock. You were spitting nails. But you eventually saw that I was only trying to protect myself and what I was doing here." Sheridan glanced to the door out of the side of his eyes.

"And I am glad for this little 'cell' of resistance that we have set up here. I just wish there was a way that I could ensure the safety of every being on this station. If it ever comes out what is happening here, we will be putting everyone here in danger."

"I know that."

Sinclair nodded. "We should start drilling the fighters."

"Already planning on that, Sinclair....the teams are my worry. You just keep the station running. God knows, I wouldn't have the patience to do what you are." Sheridan turned completely. "Now...what are we doing about this Lyta...?"

Jeff smiled slightly. "She was just shot at...that lends credibility to her story. Mike has checked up as well as he can on her back story...it checks out. He actually believes her story."

"And you?" Sheridan had begun to have respect for Jeff's profound sense of honor and justice. Even if he were mortally wronged, the man adhered to a code of conduct and thought that the other Captain had not encountered in his entire time in Earth Force. The honesty that shone out of Jeff Sinclair's eyes affected him in an almost primal way...like it was feeding his basal brain waves and showing him there was no harm.

"I believe her." Sinclair said simply, his head resting back on his shoulders and his eyes closed. "If there is a traitor among us...we need to know and know now."

**

With a sigh, Susan leaned back from the desk and shook her head. "You aren't serious. Are you? You actually believe Alexander?"

Jeff smiled slightly as Garibaldi leaned over to side up to Ivanova. "Yes. At least I am."

"Get off it, Garibaldi, you are never serious...at least not when I ask." Ivanova raised an eyebrow and stared back at Michael from a distance of about four inches. She turned her head to meet Jeff's eyes and then Sheridan's. "And I suppose you two also believe this fish story..."

John put his hands behind his back and nodded slowly. "I always believe fish stories."

Sinclair rolled his eyes and also nodded to Susan. "I believe her as well."

"After all she did to you, Captain Sinclair...you believe her." Susan shook her head. "I suppose there is something to be said for forgiveness..."

Jeff sighed and nodded, his head moving slowly. "It was not her fault, Ivanova...she did what she had to do...I would have expected no less...doesn't mean that I liked the situation...but..." Jeff sighed. It had been almost three years ago. But the feeling of helplessness that he had felt then was near the surface once again. The flash in Susan's eyes told him that she could see that feeling in the way that he was acting. "It had to happen..."

"Well, I suppose it does not matter what I think of the situation...and I might believe her as well...but I will not allow her in my mind."

Sinclair raised an eyebrow and remained almost impassive and waited for a moment. He knew, instinctively, that Susan was not done. Mike had the same idea and met Jeff's eyes with a hidden grin contained within his own. They were not let down.

"I had my loyalties questioned last year, Captain...I refuse to have them questioned again. My loyalties are out for everyone to see...there is nothing hidden..." Susan appeared agitated, leaning forward on the seat. "I would disembowel anyone who would say otherwise."

Garibaldi nodded. "That is our Ivanova. No one says you are disloyal." He stated, turning and addressing Susan fully. "She said the personality is submerged, hidden...leveled so low that no one would know it was there...not even the affected person."

"And she would have to go into my mind...Garibaldi...you know how I react to that." Susan almost spat at Michael. "I might agree that she is telling the truth, Captain..." she turned and addressed Sinclair once again. "But I refuse to have her in my mind for any reason. I am within my rights to deny it...do I need to quote the regs to you?"

"No, you do not, Commander."

Ivanova's head jerked around to stare at Sinclair. Sheridan stood behind him, his hands folded behind his back. Garibaldi's hand landed on the chair next to her, but she only felt its presence not saw it. Susan opened her mouth to continue the speech only to see the chocolate depths swirling in Jeff's eyes. The sound of his voice had been harsh, the tone he used when there was no argument. Her mouth shut as quickly as she had opened it.

"She will put the password in your mind, Ivanova...as she will the rest of us. What is at stake here is more than your preferences, Commander."

Susan squinted at the tone. Jeff sighed and lowered the tone and decibel of his voice. "I know how you feel, Susan...I hate having anyone in my mind too, but we have to find out if someone is betraying us. And as these are extenuating circumstances, we will have to all do this. You know how the situation has changed and what is at stake if the information gets back to Psi Corp, or EarthForce or even Earth Dome."

Ivanova nodded and put her hand down on the arm of the chair, just grazing Garibaldi's hand.

"Then you know why we need to do this, Commander," Sheridan's baritone voice joined the conversation and Susan sighed. She knew. With a nod, she indicated that she did understand. But with the heaviest sigh, she stood.

"I know. I know. May I return to my duty?" She asked, her head held high. John squinted, but Jeff knew that this was Ivanova's method of wanting to mull an idea. He nodded and remained quiet. His second turned on her heel and walked through the door.

"Can someone please tell me what that reaction was all about?" Sheridan asked, coming around the desk to sit in the chair opposite Sinclair. "I mean...I like Ivanova...I like her style. But what brought all that about?"

Garibaldi answered slowly. "Susan has always been adamant about not having anyone in her mind. I would not be the one to try it...she really would disembowel anyone that tried."

"That...I believe..." Sheridan answered. "But will she do it for us?"

Jeff turned his eyes to the door that his Commander had just left. "I hope so, John...I hope so."

**

Talia Winters rounded the corner in Green 5 and watched as Susan tried, in vain, to open her door. The night before with the young Commander had been fun, and inviting, but she knew that her welcome was worn out quickly. One did not need to be a telepath to tell that Ivanova was not used to having people near her, living with her. The term 'lone wolf' was embossed across her forehead and shouted from her very soul. And although, she was a sweet person in her heart, many would not come near her in an effort to avoid her brutal persona that she showed to the world.

"Susan?"

Ivanova's head whipped up quickly and her hair flowed, loose, over her shoulders. "Talia...hello."

"The environment in my quarters has been fixed and is almost back to normal." The telepath walked forward, her black gloved hands swinging at her side. "I was hoping to catch up with you and get my things out of your quarters; I don't have to be here tonight."

Susan nodded, but asked: "Are you sure? You are welcome."

"No, Susan...I really should get back to my own quarters...I have meetings to go to tomorrow and I need my rest." Talia's blond hair shone in the light of the corridor and Susan's eyes drifted up to watch the play of gold.

"Okay." Ivanova answered simply, moving into the interior of the room and off to the side to allow Talia passage. The blond pushed through and walked into the bedroom to pick up her satchel. With a grin she moved back into the main room to quip with her friend, only to see Susan holding a small Russian doll in her hand with a sad, sweet smile on her lips.

"What is it?" Talia asked, leaning on the doorstop. "What is it that troubles you...do you want to talk about it?"

Susan shook her head slowly, putting down the doll gently. "Yes...and no. There is one person that I need to talk to, Talia and no offense, you aren't that person. It is a secret that I have kept for many years. And it has put a lot of people that I care about in jeopardy."

"Then you should talk to that person." It was stated simply, plainly and yet with all the wisdom in the universe.

Susan smiled at the tone and sighed. "I just hope...that..." She walked forward, skirting around her chair. "That they won't stop...being my friends..."

"Everyone who works closely with you here, Susan, likes you. If they have taken the time to find the you under that bluster you put out for everyone, then they have seen the incredible, loyal woman that you can be." Talia stated, slinging the bag over her shoulder. "They would not abandon you. Call it a 'gut' feeling, but I think it will be okay."

Ivanova nodded, her hand falling to the samovar. "Thank you, Talia. For offering to talk amongst other things. Lunch tomorrow?"

"You bet. Just make sure that Michael can't find us. I swear that man is part blood hound." Winters moved to the door. "I will see you later, Susan. Go do what you have to, before it eats you up, or you lose your courage."

The laugh that followed Talia down the hall was not heard much outside of Ivanova's quarters. It rang like a church bell on a hill: clear and musical. Talia nodded with satisfaction at her ability to make her friend smile and continued on her way, her hips swinging slightly.

**

Sinclair was plowing through the hallway, his legs striding with all the grace and power of a stallion in a stampede. He had to get to his quarters and change and return to the Command and Control deck. Time was short and he always hated feeling like his life was run on a schedule that would level men greater than him. But he continued, if for nothing else but to thumb a mental nose at the Fates of the universe.

This Lyta mess had brought the whole situation with this resistance cell to the fore. If there was a traitor, then it would become imperative to bury information, sever more ties with more people than he could count on his fingers and would put the lives of everyone on that station at risk. His hands clenched as he turned the corner. He should have known better than to have followed his gut feelings in this matter.

What had he said to Carolyn all those years ago? 'Put me in a ship and set me out alone, that way if I get into trouble, I can fight my way out.'

It was never truer than now. His gut feeling had told him to do this: to join Sheridan in the camp against Clark. That it was for the good of the station and for the people that called it home. But if heavy Earth Force cruisers turned up to intercept and interrogate his crew, it would result in nothing less than a war. It would sacrifice everyone here. His friends, those that lived here, ambassadors, traders, workers...the list went on and on. He was putting everyone in danger with his involvement.

His hand whipped out and he pressed the controls for his room, walking in the door before it was opened completely. His jacket was off and his shirt half-way unbuttoned as he made it most of the way to his bedroom before he sensed he was not alone. With a strong pivot to the side, he turned and spied Ivanova on the couch.

She was quiet, solemn and looking almost forlorn. Her hair was down and the top buttons of her jacket was undone. He released the tension in his shoulders that had materialized at the intrusion. "Ivanova..."

"You should take care to set your security pass more often," Susan commented lowly, her head turned down.

"Or I should invite you over here less."

"That too." Susan nodded. "But every month or so to watch the 'game' as you and Garibaldi put it is not a lot."

Sinclair nodded and moved to sit next to her on the couch. It dipped slightly under his weight. Susan eyed him warily and sighed. "What is it?" He asked lowly, now that he had closeness on his side in the conversation.

"I need to tell you something."

"I gathered that much. But I have never seen you this uptight about a topic of conversation before, Susan." Sinclair raised his wrist to unbutton the wrist cuff. "Tell me."

"I thought I was ready to tell you this...." With a sideways glance at her commanding officer, she began slowly. "I can't have anyone in my mind, ever, Captain."

With a sigh, Sinclair sat back against the softness of the couch. This was an argument that he knew he would never win with her. However, for some reason, this time Susan seemed agitated, worried, at a loss. His hand rubbed tiredly at his eyes. "I understand..."

"No, you don't, Jeff."

His eyes opened and he stared at her. She met his gaze inch for inch and inclined her head as if coming to a decision. "I told you about my mother...didn't I? About the drugs and the tests and Psi-Corp? And about how she would touch my mind?"

Sinclair nodded silently.

"I didn't tell you that I could touch hers as well. That I could touch your mind now. Right here."

Jeff stared at her a moment until the words sunk in. Susan could tell the very moment it happened. It was as if a great chasm opened up in his chocolate eyes and let in the sun.

"I'm a latent telepath, Captain."

His gaze narrowed and then his eyes opened wide. His shoulders and back released whatever tension was holding him upright and he collapsed back completely with a stunned look. Susan sighed as she watched the transformation in her captain, her friend. It was like he was releasing all the steel strength that she associated with him. His eyes were boring through her, through her head, through her very skin. When she couldn't take the pressure any longer, she rose and walked to his art shelf in the corner of the sitting area.

It had been a hard decision that she had come to with this. But it was something that she had to do. If there had been the smallest chance of her being the 'sleeper', then she had to let Lyta in her mind. If she had the least chance of keeping Lyta out of her mind, she had to tell Jeff why she was being so adamant about that situation. To tell him why she would risk having everyone think she was the plant, the traitor. And to tell him why she was asking him to put his safety and career on the line.

"Ever since I could remember, my mother drilled three words into my head: Tell no one. She moved me around, one step ahead of Psi-corp, and taught me how to fool the tests. I have never been tested, I don't know what my abilities are, nor do I want to find out. I do not scan people. I pick up on strong emotions and can tell when someone is trying to scan me."

She remained turned away.

"I refuse to be pulled by Psi-corp. I will not go to jail. I will not receive drugs. I will not join Psi-corp. So, you see, Captain....Jeff....I can't allow anyone in my mind."

As she lifted her head, she saw Sinclair sitting forward on the couch, his hands in his lap. He lifted his chin and glanced at her for a moment. "I'm sorry, Susan."

"There is nothing you could do...I just wanted you to know my situation." Susan moved back to the low table in the front of the couch.

Jeff glanced at Susan as she collapsed to a seated position on the other side of the table. The year since they had decided to be friends had brought them closer together. Just seeing her walk into a room now, would bring a glow to him...a glow of someone knowing he was in the presence of someone whom he called friend and could trust implicitly.

"You couldn't have told me last year when the Colonel was here?" he asked quietly.

"No. I couldn't have. Captain, I barely could call you friend then. How could I have trusted you? I shouldn't be telling you now." Her eyes, when they raised to meet his were full of anguish and he was momentarily taken aback. "I have told no one, Jeff, not a single person about my ability. Only my mother and I knew...not even my father or brother. You, now, are the only other person then myself that knows. It has nothing to do with trust, either. It is....call it...self-preservation."

Jeff nodded slowly. "Susan..." he stated, rising slowly to his feet. With a grace that still surprised most around him, he moved around the table and sat down next to his friend.

"I know she says she is not with the corp, that she is running from them. But if there is even the smallest chance that she is still in the corp..."

"Then I would not let her in your mind, Ivanova."

"But how could you stop her, Jeff? It would put everyone in danger, you know that. Either way, this is a Catch 22 situation. I had to tell you or let Lyta find out when she went into my mind." Ivanova smiled a sardonic grin. "It seems that the further I go in life, the more Russian my existence becomes...a no win situation. My nightmares are always of watching my mother receive the drugs and when she raises her head, it is me there. That is what my life end will be...in a drug induced stupor that wipes all sensibility from my head." Her voice rose in pitch and a frown of anger crossed her face.

"Ivanova..."

"This is what I have avoided my whole life."

"Susan...listen to me."

Ivanova closed her mouth and turned to look at her Captain. His head was inclined forward and his eyes gazed back at her from that position. His face was calm and all of the lines were evened out. He looked concerned, yet peaceful. "Let me think on this...there must be something we can do otherwise to find out if you are clean. But I want to thank you..."

Susan lowered her head. "For what?"

"For trusting me with this information...I DO know what it means for you to tell me about this." Jeff lowered his hand to wrap around hers. "And I intend to keep it safe."

"Are you...shocked?"

"To say the least, yes. But I should have known you would have a card up your sleeve like this. And don't worry. I understand the need you have to conceal this from us, from me." Jeff smiled gently. "I guess someday soon, I'll return the favor and tell you more about me."

With a snort, Susan grinned. "You know...sometimes I don't know who I am anymore."

"I don't think any of us truly knows who are, Susan. I think it is the final mystery that eludes us and when we find it out...it is the end of our life. It is the search for that mystery that drives us. And it is a sign of some wisdom and maturity to realize that life is the journey not the destination."

Susan smiled and shook her head.

He sighed and released her hand to pull her close to him with one arm. She leaned into his chest and sighed. She could feel his acceptance of her. The care and worry that he had for her floated to the surface in his mind and she tapped into it slowly. The feelings flowed over her and she fell into his emotional and spiritual embrace as easily as she leaned against his chest.

"Yes, well..." he muttered. His mouth split in a grin and he tightened his arm. "I'll always be your friend, Ivanova. No matter what else happens in our lives, you can count on that."

Her hand wrapped around his forearm and she nodded. "The same here. As much as I hate to talk about anything with me, I feel lighter for telling you this."

"Sharing a burden," Jeff commented.

She answered him lowly. "Yes. I hate doing that."

"I would expect no less from you, Susan," he sighed. "Let's see what we can do about this. Together we can figure something out."

The comm on his hand chirped and he lifted his hand to answer it. Ivanova moved away from him and rose to her feet, straightening her uniform. Jeff's eyes followed her movement. That embrace had been the closest, physically, that they had been in the last year. And it had felt good. His caring for her had deepened and broadened into a true and honest friendship. And sometimes, he wished to exhibit the feelings in an embrace, a hand hold, a tug...something. But she appeared more accepting of humor and acceptance than of anything physical.

"Captain...Ambassador Delenn has left you and Captain Sheridan a message."

Susan turned and eyed him as he rose to stand next to her. "And what was the message, C and C?"

"Just one word: Now."

Jeff lifted met Susan's eyes and lifted an eyebrow. Ivanova met his eyes. "Understood." He disengaged his comm and moved forward to her. His hands landed on her shoulders and he turned her fully to face him. "Susan? Do you trust me?"

Ivanova's ice blue eyes met his and held his gaze for a long time. Then with a steady expression and a serious gleam in her eyes, she sighed. At this close distance, she could smell his spicy male smell that often permeated the air around him. It was almost akin to her mother's herbal teas. His salt and pepper hair fell in a heavy wave off of his forehead and his eyes, normally appearing almost small in his face, were wide and large. Without a thought, she reached up to trace the line of his cheekbone. He was the embodiment of home and hearth: with warmth and caring and strength and all that came with it. Instinctively, she was drawn to it. Like a moth to flame, she thought.

He expected a speech, but all he heard was: "Yes."

"Then come with me. This situation will end very soon."

She moved her hand, allowing it to fall back to her side. The touch... it had felt...right. Maybe it was the feeling of protection and caring flowing from him that covered her mind like a blanket that affected her. She didn't know. She didn't know if it had existed previously either. She had never lowered her block nor had she reached out to his mind before. Regardless, she needed to regain her strength within herself, she thought and she raised her eyes back to his. "Okay, let's go." She agreed.

He nodded and started to rebutton his shirt. "So much for changing my clothes. Come on." Jeff allowed her to walk in front of him as they left his quarters. It struck him suddenly that Susan Ivanova had just opened to him...opened up in a way that was not business, but personal. Something that had only happened once before, but their friendship had made it more meaningful now. She had given him a gift. In her own, special, somewhat skewed way, she had reached out to him in the most profound way. He would not squander that gift. But in order for him to mull over what had just happened, he needed to deal with the problems of the station first.

They stepped to the lift tube as two commanding officers: straight and strong. Only this time, they walked very close.

**

John watched as Jeff strode into the room followed closely by Commander Ivanova. Susan appeared almost subdued, but as she lifted her head, he was hit with a pair of sapphire determined eyes. He resisted the urge to smile. This was one woman who would never let anyone get the upper hand on her. His face changed a little was Delenn walked into the room with Lyta Alexander in tow.

Delenn was a beautiful woman, he had decided weeks ago. The soft way that she wore her hair now, down and across her forehead, and the way that her clothes flowed on her frame.it was attractive and made him turn his head. And turning his head was something that he thought he was immune to after his last divorce. But her strength, her wisdom, her.well, hell, the way she just was herself.was enough to make him take notice. Delenn addressed Jeff in her lilting voice and then turned to bow to them. Her eyes met his and he inclined his head and winked back to her.

She blushed so prettily.

"Are you sure you don't want me to stay?" Delenn asked Lyta, turning her head away from John.

"I'll be fine, thank you, Delenn," Lyta answered in her alto voice.

Delenn nodded and backed toward the door. As she turned to walk away, she met John's eyes one more time and winked. The Captain had to restrain himself from laughing. She learned quick.

"So." Lyta turned and faced Jeff Sinclair and stared up at him. "Captain.it looks like you have decided to trust me."

Jeff nodded, adjusting his legs into a braced, wide position. "I do trust you, Lyta."

"That's good. I would have expected you, Captain Sinclair, to be the last one to trust me with our illustrious history." She answered, smiling gently. "I was hoping you would see past it."

"He has," Susan growled. "I haven't."

Garibaldi, sitting next to the Commander, turned with his eyebrows raised. "Ivanova, you surprise me. I was suppose to be the distrusting one around here."

Sinclair frowned at the response of both of his command officers. "I have seen past that episode, Miss Alexander. There are three sides to any story: my side, your side and the truth. You tried for the truth in that matter and I can only respect that. Now.let's get started. I insist that you have me undergo this process first."

"Are you sure, Captain?" Lyta leaned back and made complete eye contact with Jeff. She had known this officer for almost three years. She hoped, and prayed in her own way, that he was not the one that had been planted. The Vorlon's had much at stake with this human.

"I can't ask any of my crew to do this without undergoing it myself."

Lyta stared at him for a moment, reaching with her mind. She felt the power in his, the touch of a soul a millennia older than hers as it flowed through his mind. It was a place she would have loved to explore, but she simply dropped the password and backed out.

"Well.when do we get started?" Jeff's bass voice filled her ears and she smiled up at him. There was no change in him.

"You are clean.its already done," Lyta said.

He smiled gently. "Sheridan?"

"I suppose I should be next," John said, rising to stand next to Jeff. "But I hope you know that if I am truly the 'sleeper' then we are well and truly screwed."

Sinclair kept his face schooled and nodded. "And I reserve the right to push you out that airlock."

Sheridan snorted a laugh and folded his hands in front of him. "Do it, Miss Alexander."

"Already done, Captain Sheridan," Lyta answered, her eyes soft. "You are clean as well."

Sinclair nodded, releasing a breath. "Doctor?"

Stephen rose with a sigh and moved in front of Lyta. He was unsure of many things that happened on this station. His military upbringing had always mandated a sense of order in him. This station tested that. But this strange occurrence, he knew was needed. "Lay it on me, Lyta."

She laughed a small tinkling laugh. "Clean, Doctor."

"Well that is a relief," Stephen muttered under his breath.

Garibaldi sighed and removed his gun, handing it, butt first, to Susan. The Commander raised her eyebrows and took the weapon. Her head turned to find Jeff staring at her. She inhaled and sighed with some strength. She would be next.

The young telepath stared at Michael and dropped the password in his mind. Instantly, the Security Chief's eyes rolled back in his head and he appeared to choke on his own tongue. Susan reached out to catch his arm as she shouted for help. Stephen started across the room, his arms extended. But as he approached, Garibaldi stopped all movement and turned to Ivanova with a grin. "Gotcha."

Her slap was not light as Susan reached out to hit his body in any way she could: across his face. "Garibaldi.you are a dead man."

He grinned and rubbed his cheek with an open palm. "Oh come on, Commander. Where is your sense of humor?"

Susan groaned and collapsed back against the couch. It wasn't worth her strength. It was, however, worth Sinclair's. "Mr. Garibaldi, so help me God, if you ever do something like that again." he nearly shouted, swinging around to face his friend.

Sheridan was not as subdued. "By God, I'll help you find your God, Garibaldi, personally."

"Guess this is not the time to suggest gathering around and singing Kumbaya." Garibaldi commented, smiling widely.

"Garibaldi." Sinclair warned, growling in the back of his throat. "This is not a time for joking around!"

Lyta moved toward Susan, her head shaking. She had known that Michael was kidding in his actions. In all her time off the station, Mr. Garibaldi had not changed, not in the least. He was still the joker. "Commander Ivanova?" she asked.

Susan rose and backed away from the couch and the telepath. It was inherent in her being to run, to flee the possibility of someone in her mind.

"Hey.I just thought that it was.you know.a way of lightening the mood." Garibaldi stated, his hands held wide.

"Hey.you thought wrong.shit..Garibaldi." Sheridan answered, moving to stand next to Sinclair. "If you had been the 'sleeper' plant, we would be up the creek without a hope or a paddle."

Lyta narrowed her gaze and centered on Ivanova as the young Commander came up against the wall next to the picture window. Susan sighed and tried to move to the side, but was stopped by the telepath's voice ringing low and loud in the room. "Commander? Why are you avoiding me?"

"Go to hell, Lyta, I'm not avoiding you for any other reason than I don't want anyone in my mind." Ivanova answered equally as lowly. She began to walk forward to pass the telepath but was stopped by Lyta's hand.

"Are you sure that is all it is, Ivanova? Not for any other.subconscious reason?" Alexander lifted and eyebrow and crossed her arms over her chest.

Susan rounded angrily, not realizing that the other argument in the room had ceased. Her voice sounded low and menacing in the room. "If it were subconscious, how could I be aware of its presence?"

She nodded to Lyta. "Do it, now.while I am willing. But only to leave the password and if I ever.ever.catch you in my mind at any other time, Ms. Alexander, I am sure your death will be painful."

Lyta stared at her. She was used to threats such as this, but what she was not used to was the feeling of another's mind pushing, forcibly, against hers. It took her a moment to register the fact that the mind pressing against hers was telepathic in nature. A block of hard, steel strength, years old.

Jeff only saw Susan and her wide, fearful eyes. Although she had made the choice to willingly to have Lyta in her mind, he still felt like he was letting her down by allowing it. He started to cross the room as he became aware of Susan's labored heavy breathing.

"She is blocking me," Lyta commented and rubbed her forehead.

Susan gasped for air and her eyes seemed almost to lose all light of life, growing dark as she stared at the telepath. Lyta could feel the cracks forming in the block and applied strength on her end. Soon there was a hole in the shield that she could insinuate her mind. The mind she touched through the hole was one of infinite promise and yet it had lived its life in the dark.

Jeff reached for Ivanova as she continued to gasp. His arm went around the side of her, trying to draw her out of the direct sight of the telepath. Susan did not even recognize his presence. "That's enough." He stated.

Lyta continued to stare and bore her mind into Susan's.she just needed a little more room.

Sinclair pulled Susan to his chest and blocked her completely from the line of sight. He used his body as a barrier. "I said, that's enough!" He yelled.

Garibaldi, Franklin and Sheridan, in their stance across the room, could only see the second of command leaning heavily into her commanding officer, but not particularly aware of his presence. Not a one of them wanted to intrude however. John felt as though he was watching a battle with no clear cut enemy or winner.

Lyta rubbed her forehead and sighed. Although it had been rough, it was apparent that the Commander was clean. She took a deep breath, and announced that to the room. Garibaldi breathed a sigh of relief and Sheridan laughed in a hearty way. The doctor frowned, however, as he met the eyes of the telepath. He realized what the others did not. Only a telepath could block another telepath from entering his or her mind.

Sinclair was busy. His arms and mind were full of his Commander, now gripping his arms for support. He didn't worry about secrets, only about her well-being. She was pale and shaking. Her eyes raised to his for a moment and he swore he was looking into her very soul.that it was laid bare in the ice blue depths. And then, a slow barrier descended and she took a deep breath. He steadied her and just kept her shielded until she had herself together.

"You all right?" he asked quietly, just for her ears.

"As much as I can be, I suppose, for having someone in my mind for the first time in almost twenty years." She answered back. "Thank you."

He turned after meeting her gaze and supported her for a moment as she came into view by the rest of their friends. Lyta grimaced and sighed. "I'm sorry, Ivanova. I didn't know."

"No one knew," Susan rasped out, her voice harsh. "But I suppose that secret is gone. Go to hell, Lyta."

"And no one else will know, Ivanova." Jeff snarled, his arm leaving Susan for the first time in several minutes. "Will they, Lyta?"

The commercial telepath knew that it was not a question, but rather an order of silence. She opened her mouth and Sinclair rumbled once again. "This will not leave this room. Am I understood? No one will repeat what just happened."

Lyta nodded. "I understand the need to hide, Susan. And I will not report you to anyone. But.likewise, Captain Sinclair, she should be trained somewhat with her abilities."

Susan shook her head violently and growled. "I will not be trained to read someone's mind or their emotions. That is their private place. I will not invade it. Am I clean?"

"Yes."

"Fine," she stared around at the others gathered and then, finally, to Sinclair. "May I be excused, Captain?"

He nodded slowly. "Under the condition that you check in with me in an hour, Commander."

All eyes followed her as she left the room.

"Well," Garibaldi began as the room descended into silence. "If we are all clean, then who is the plant?"

"Someone close to the nexus of power that is beyond the command staff." Franklin said, raising his hand to brush at his lip. "I can have my major surgeons come up to you, Lyta. And we could ask most of C and C to come forward."

"It would take hours," Sheridan commented. Sinclair nodded moving across the floor. He was interrupted in his pacing by the arrival of Talia Winters. The lithe blond moved into the room with her head held high. "Captain Sinclair, I have finally found the information on the."

As Talia's eyes met Lyta's, the redheaded telepath squinted and pushed her mind into the other telepath with a grunt and a sigh.

Instantly, the Talia crumpled backwards. Garibaldi was nearest and caught the woman as she fell to the floor. "What the hell?!" As Talia fell in his arms, she grabbed his gun, swinging it around to shoot at Lyta. The younger woman twisted and dropped quickly.

Sinclair insinuated himself into the space between Lyta and Talia, putting his body around the telepath to prevent her being hit. Sheridan ran forward, wrestling the gun from Talia's grasp. Lyta simply looked up into Sinclair's eyes and said: "I don't believe it; it's her."

Sinclair's eyes widened. Behind him, he heard the damnable oath of all Psi-Corp trainees. It fell on his ears harshly and made his stomach turn. "Corp is father. Corp is mother. You are a dead woman. We will get you Lyta Alexander. We will find you and we will get you!" The voice was not even Talia's any longer. Without turning around, he lifted his chin.

"Get her out of here now. Put her under house arrest. Now! Move, Garibaldi!"

**

Franklin sighed as he poured himself another gin and tonic. God only knew how Garibaldi or Sinclair or Sheridan got this stuff on the station, but at this point in time, he was not going to ask. Nor was he going to remind them of the problems that alcohol could cause on one's physiology. He was just going to enjoy. Hell, he needed a drink. Talia Winters.unbelievable. As he turned from the table, he spied Garibaldi sitting on Sinclair's couch.

"I can't believe it either, Mike," he intoned. Sheridan raised his eyes from his glass and stared at both officers with a slight squint.

Garibaldi answered with a breathless quality. "Hey, I know what you mean. One more week and she would have been on the inside of our little cell here."

"And we would be standing here dead. We would be dead men walking." Sheridan answered quietly. His head shook from side to side. "God damn."

Mike sighed. "And it wasn't just that.I ACTUALLY trusted her. And that is saying something."

"Yes, it does. And so did I, Michael, so did I."

Susan's female voice was out of place in the very masculine aura of Sinclair's room. The men turned and gazed at the Commander as she stood at the far side of the room. Behind her, rising over her head, was Sinclair's visage. Both of their faces were tight and stretched, as if drawn physically by the situation. She nodded as she continued to address Michael. "I considered her a friend.a very good one."

Mike sighed and lowered his head. "Yeah.and I might have considered her more than that had time gone on." He raised his hand and ran it over his spiky hair.

"As much as we mourn her as a friend, we have to determine what she knew and what we can do about.minimizing the impact of that knowledge on us.and on this station." Sinclair's low voice rumbled. He walked forward, around Susan, to join Sheridan on the couch. The younger Captain's glass held the rich amber colored scotch and he held it with a casualness that became him. "What.did she know?"

Franklin put his glass down on the table next to the chair and sighed. "She knew about the underground railroad for the telepaths. She might tell now that the woman that we were friends with is gone. But." he lifted his head and looked to both Garibaldi and Sheridan, "the railroad is gone from here now. It would not matter. They already knew that it was going on before they came looking for it here."

Sheridan nodded with a wry grin. "True. She did not know about our little anti-Clark movement, that is for sure."

"She had no idea about the exact number or origin point of most of the more.colorful.traffic we have had through here, either." Garibaldi answered. "She knows about Ironheart. She knows that we know about.what did you call that program, Sheridan?"

"The Lazarus project.and yeah, they know we know." Sheridan shook his head. "So that is two strikes against them that we hold in our hands. Two strikes that they know we know about."

"It's like a large logic puzzle, all jumbled up." Susan sounded. She sat down on the floor in front of the table. "We know.they know.she knows.he knows.."

Sinclair grinned without looking up.

"Well everything that we know about them, could, conceivably, keep them from using anything that they know about us." Stephen answered. "Like a large blackmail ring."

"Or just a big gamble." Sinclair ground out. "I don't like gambling with the safety of this station. But what is done is done here.and I suppose, we just have to hang tight and wait to see what happens."

Sheridan shook his head as he put down his glass. "I think it will be okay, Sinclair. But, just in case, I'm going to get in touch with my contacts close to the Corp outpost in Geneva. See what I can hear."

Jeff nodded, turning to face Sheridan. "I'll be in touch with mine as well, on Mars, and see what I can find out."

Franklin grinned widely. "You wouldn't believe what I can find out through the grapevine. So.we should keep in touch about this, I suppose? Exchange information of sorts?"

"That sounds like a good idea. I just want that extra little.insurance.that my position or what I have done here was not breached." Sheridan answered. He put down his glass gently to look at Garibaldi. "You are quiet, Mike."

"I think I might have some other information on Talia that we can use.but I have to check it and get back with you," Garibaldi intoned, reaching to pull his lip with his fingers. He was replaying in his mind the conversation he had had with Talia months before about ambassador Kosh and information the Vorlon seemed to have been collecting on her.

"Good, Mike," Jeff stated. As he went to take a drink of his scotch, Garibaldi's comm beeped and he raised it to him mouth.

"Chief.there is a 405 in the Zocalo.we need you to come down."

Mike groaned and nodded. "On my way." As he lowered his hand, he looked around the room at his friends. Stephen appeared to be somewhat relaxed, sitting back against the cushions. His glass was half full and his hand lifted it to his mouth without a shake inherent in his grasp. Sheridan and Sinclair shared the couch between them, looking like brothers more than coworkers. Each glass was held with a hand resting between their legs. Susan sat at the edge of the table, her legs tucked neatly underneath. Each person was quiet, introspective, thoughtful. "I have to go, people."

Sheridan put down his glass, and rose to match Garibaldi as he rose from his seat. "I'll go with you and make my contacts. I'll see what I can get together."

Garibaldi was almost surprised to see Franklin rise with he and Sheridan. Stephen acknowledged the stare that Garibaldi gave him. "I have to check Lyta out one more time. She wishes to leave the station and I have to give her a clean bill of health. And, I need to put my ear down to hear any information as well."

Sinclair looked up and nodded. "I say we re-meet in a couple of days.to re-evaluate the position we have here. Sound good?"

"I agree, Sinclair," Sheridan nodded, his earth accent strong. He stepped to the door and turned to wait for Michael and Stephen.

"Thanks for the drink, Jeff," Franklin stated, moving to join Sheridan.

"Thanks for the water," Garibaldi rejoined. "I gotta run." With that, the uniformed security chief ran out the door. The other two officers left behind him: one laughing, the other quiet. When they both had walked out the door and it had slid shut, Susan rose and grabbed the various glasses.

"I'll head out as well, Captain," she said lowly, her long hair brushing the table as she bent over to get the glasses. "But I wanted to thank you."

"For what, Ivanova? Your secret is out.although in a trusted group.it is still out. I didn't keep that from happening." Jeff kept his head down and his drink in hand. "And we have a telepath that knows a whole hell of a lot about my station. I don't like that. This whole situation.." He shook his head.

"But you did what you could about it. And that, whole situation, I appreciate. I can handle it among the likes of you." Susan sighed. She waited a moment and then continued after she heard his snorted laugh. "But I have to know.."

Sinclair raised his head and watched her as she placed the glasses in the kitchen. "Know what?"

"Does my being a telepath..does it change how you.perceive me?" Susan put down the glasses and moved out and around the bar towards the door. She was not sure if she was going to fly if he said it did, or if she would hide, but she felt better nearer to the door.

Sinclair seemed shocked by the question. He put down the glass gently and tilted his head to side, squinting at her. "Should it change how I perceive you?"

"No.at least.I don't think it should." Susan answered, her hands coming around to clasp in front of her. "Or maybe it should. People fear others that can read their minds, intercept their emotions.they feared my mother. Friends and family alike shunned her when it was found out that she was telepathic. Look." she sighed, swinging her arms wide. "I would not blame you or anyone else if you.well.if you fear me.but I have to say that I do not condone the invasion of anyone's privacy. I would not do it."

"I know, Ivanova.I know." Sinclair's deep voice held a twinge of feeling. "Have no doubt of that.you have too much honor to do otherwise. And fear you? I don't.but quite a few do.not for your telepathic abilities.more for your mouth and presence."

Her smile was genuine. "Good, it took me years to perfect that. But.Captain?"

"No, Susan. I do not perceive you differently. You are still my friend, still my second in command and still one of the best officers I have ever served with. You can rest easy about that."

She sighed and smiled even wider. "I had hoped that. What do you think the others..?"

"I think they will continue to accept you for who you are.not what you can do." Jeff pushed to his feet and faced her. "I will show you something, I think, that will alleviate your questions."

Ivanova gave him a sideways look and grimaced. "Is this something that is legal?"

"Perfectly with permission." Sinclair answered with a half smile. Susan laughed, not knowing how to answer what he had just said. When he got within a foot of her, he grabbed her hand and held it. "Look into my mind and see what I think.."

"Jeff."

"Just get a feeling from it, Susan," he said quietly. "I allow it. Go on."

"Jeff.I'm not trained."

"You touched your mother's mind, that is good enough for me.go on." He held her hand and looked into her eyes. "This way, you know how I truly think."

Susan narrowed her eyes and allowed her shield to drop a little. It was easier to drop it after the breech earlier that day. As she closed her eyes, the feeling of insecurity that she remembered from her childhood descended over her. Her mind reached out across the space and she felt suddenly surrounded and very small in the enormity of the universe. She was small and inconsequential. The only other mind around was Jeff's and she pressed against it, and entered it only on the surface. And there, in the warmth that was her friend, she found..

Peace.acceptance and caring so profound that she wanted to cry. Acceptance of her and all that she did. And caring for her without reservation and without reason.it just was. And all of this wrapped around her like a blanket.

Her eyes opened slowly to find his gaze centered on her. Its chocolate swirling depths were light and happy as she pulled herself away from the warmth and back to herself.

"Really?" she asked quietly.

"Really." He answered equally as quiet. "And I'm sure that all your friends feel the same way, Susan. And if they don't, they don't know you well enough. Does that allay your fears?"

She smiled and nodded, her head turning down. "It does."

His smile was warm and genuine as he looked at her downturned head. His hand still held hers and his thumb stroked her fingers for a moment. Then with a sigh, he released her hand to let if fall to her side. Susan looked up and smiled again. "Thank you, Jeff."

"You're welcome, Susan. Anytime." His voice, she knew, matched his mind.his soul.like it was an extension of him. Warm and.deep. "Just warn me if you go in there.okay?"

Her laugh was not forced and he joined it after a moment. With a curt nod, she turned and moved for the door. "Good night, Captain. See you on shift."

"Good night, Commander." Jeff intoned, watching her walk away. The door opened and she exited slowly and turned before the door slid shut. The last thing he saw before the portal slid shut was her eyes, alit and bright in the dim of the hallway. He swore he saw tears, but only let the door shut.

Susan sighed in the hallway, and turned to walk the length of the main hallway. Away from her quarters and towards the observation dome. She needed space, wide and open before her. She needed to examine what she had seen and felt and take it into herself. It had been as special as her mother's touch and yet distinctly different. Her feet quickened and soon she found herself running along the hallway, her hair whipping behind her. Free and fast. Toward the wide windows of the observation deck and the space visible from there. She ran toward it, but finally, not away from something.

**

Lyta Alexander stood in the Ambassador Kosh's quarters. The breather mask obscured most of her face, but her voice was still clear.

"I had to see you one more time." she said quietly.

Kosh's encounter suit opened, letting out light that rivaled a sun. But Lyta's eyes didn't hurt. The light was comforting rather than overpowering. Her eyes centered on the being as it rose out of its suit and bestowed on her a sight no other human had ever seen in its complete glory. The young telepath smiled and sighed. "Thank you."

"I will do as you requested and will return here as soon as I can, Ambassador Kosh."

The Vorlon returned to his suit and entered it slowly. With a nod, he acknowledged her. She turned quickly, moving out of the room. Her red hair swept across her back and she appeared sure of step and almost bouncy. She had a job to do.