EPILOGUE - The Delicate Balance of In-Between
by Jimmy, June 2, 2001

"Beano, where do you think you're going?" Franklin asked patiently when he spotted his friend trying to climb out of her bed.

"Three steps, Stephen. I've been laid out for so long, I think I forgot how to walk."

"You have to take it easy, you know that."

"Bones are healed ..."

"Healing, you mean." Franklin interrupted quickly. "And we are still unsure about the rest of you."

"The rest of me is fine. You know that."

Franklin put down his folder, "This doesn't have anything to do with that Minbari named Lenann, does it?"

"What do you know about him?"

"Oh, just that I've been flooded with his calls, and the guy can't even speak English so I have no idea what in hell he's saying. If he keeps up Lennier is going to be on my payroll just so I can compensate him for abusing his translation skills."

Beano laughed outright, ignoring the pain drizzling down her body.

Franklin smiled and sat on the corner of her bed. "Want to tell me about it?"

"Promise you won't tell anyone else?"

"I promise."

Beano was only too glad to share her experience with her friend. Ever since Lennier explained to the doctor her first encounter with Lenann, she was bursting to talk to a human about it.

"I heard about love at first sight, but the Minbari really do have a way of going about it, don't they?" Franklin teased.

"I have no idea what it was to tell you the truth, and I'm not quite sure I can accept Lennier's explanation wholesale. But, it's intriguing. Don't you think?"

"Very, and you're still grounded."

"Rathenn's leaving in two days, Franklin. There are no guarantees I'm ever going to see Lenann again. It would be nice if I could say good-bye."

"And have your brain explode in the process?"

"I don't think it'll happen like that again. Come on, Franklin. Please?"

"Let me check your charts. If you remain stable for the next twenty-four hours, maybe under strict medical supervision, you can visit him. I still don't get why he can't come to Babylon 5."

"Neroon," Beano said darkly. "He thinks this whole thing's crap and won't stand for it."

"Even after what you went through?"

"Doesn't matter to the bonehead. He wants to make sure neither of us gets the chance to find out if this Recognition thing is genuine."

"Well, I guess it would be my civic duty to give the Warrior Caste an ulcer or two."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. Now get some sleep."

Only after making sure his friend was resting did Franklin leave her side to call Lennier. The Minbari aide, not to mention Delenn, was delighted with the idea of Quietbrook visiting Lenann before his departure. However, they faced heavy opposition once they made the proposal to Satai Rathenn and Satai Neroon.

Neroon glowered at the priest, refusing to dignify Quietbrook's request with an answer.

"Neroon, you cannot deny her entrance to my ship." Rathenn said in exasperation. "This is utterly ridiculous. Your behavior in this matter is unacceptable. I should not have consulted with you at all."

The priest turned to Lennier, "Tell the doctor I would be more than happy to have her visit Lenann on Yedor."

"I will agree on certain conditions, Rathenn." Neroon finally relented, realizing his wishes will be ignored altogether unless he changed his stance. "You have to agree we must proceed in this matter with extreme caution."

Rathenn did not like the glint in the warrior's eyes but had to ask. "What do you have in mind?"

* * * * * * * *


"You have got to be kidding," Beano said as she read the six-page terms of agreement. She looked at the shame-faced aide, "This is a joke, right?"

Lennier shook his head slowly. "No, the document is genuine."

"Lennier, are you telling me the only way I can see Lenann is if I sign this ... this ... thing?"

"Lenann has already agreed to it."

"I don't believe this." Beano paused for a moment, "This was Neroon's idea, wasn't it?"

"He had input, yes."

"Is it so bad?" Franklin asked. "What does it say exactly?"

"Well, the first term says I cannot touch Lenann."

"What?" Franklin said. "Give me that." He took the contract and read it. "This is incredible. Does Rathenn really expect Beano to sign this?"

Lennier nodded.

Beano retook the paper and turned to the second page. "The feet of the said participants must be on the floor throughout the meeting." She paused for a moment, "Why in hell are they worried about where my feet are going to be?"

"I don't think it's your feet they're concerned about," Franklin said sarcastically.

"And proper chaperons will be required throughout the transaction." Beano read the following line. "What chaperons?"

"That has yet to be determined." Lennier answered. "However, I believe Satai Rathenn will be in the room."

"This is a comedy quickly turning into a tragedy," Beano mumbled. "But Lenann agreed to these terms?"

"Yes, I will admit he was quite upset when he finished reading the requirements."

"Who wouldn't be?" Franklin said. "Beano? Are you really going to do this?"

"Do I have a choice?"

"Unfortunately, no." Lennier said.

She released her signature and gave the papers back to Lennier. "I swear that had to be the second most stupidest thing I've ever done in my life."

"What's the first?" Franklin asked.

"Following through with this charade."

* * * * * * * *


Less than a day later Beano found herself shuttled to Rathenn's war cruiser, still floating peacefully in space, resembling an angel fish encased in a suit of armor. Lennier checked the flyer's controls, studiously avoiding any conversation with his passenger. She looked nervous enough, no need to increase her anxiety.

As soon as they docked, Lennier quickly led her through the ship and into a room Beano could only describe as bare, if she felt charitable.

"Satai Rathenn will join you in a moment."

"Wait a minute, you're not going to stay?" Beano asked, panicking already.

"I am forbidden."

"Then who's going to speak for me?"

Lennier didn't answer and scooted out the room as fast he could. Beano felt dread settle over her person and began slowly pacing the room. The door opened and Rathenn entered followed closely by Neroon. Beano's eyes narrowed into angry slits when she saw the look of triumph on the warrior's face.

"I figured this had to be your doing."

"We will remain silent in order to not interfere with this meeting." Neroon said. "So, please, feel free to say whatever you wish to Captain Lenann."

"But we can't understand each other!"

"That is not my shortcoming, and thus, none of my concern."

"Did anybody ever tell you you're a jack ..."

The door opened again and Lenann entered. He bowed to Rathenn and Neroon then looked around expectantly. He frowned and turned to his teacher. Beano couldn't understand his question but she caught him mentioning Lennier's name. Whatever Rathenn's answer was, it seriously displeased his aide.

Lenann couldn't believe it. How could he communicate with her when he couldn't speak her language? He took a deep, meditative breath and turned to Quietbrook who looked every bit as upset as he felt.

Recognition dominated the room and the two fated for each other. It was gentler than before, but its power could not be denied. Beano felt her breath hitch and forced herself to breathe normally. He really did have the loveliest eyes, doe-brown and as tender as the first hint of spring. She knew instinctively he led a sheltered life and wondered how any creature could grow into adulthood and not be scarred by life's merciless cruelties.

Lenann saw the faded bruises coloring her throat and remembered what Lennier told him. He tried to imagine the physical pain she endured but could not and felt ashamed. He opened his mouth to say something, anything, but his voice failed. And his misery only increased.

Beano saw the look of frustration flash across the pale visage and smiled. She threw a defiant glance at Neroon and began talking.

"If I had my way, we'd be talking over candlelight in a nice, private restaurant, preferably in Florence.Instead, here we are. You, me, and the Minbari Morality Mob. Whoever says the universe can't take a joke has to see this. I'm Sabine Hakada Quietbrook by the way," She saw a flash of recognition in Lenann's eyes and realized he knew her full name. "I was born on Mars, but lived most of my life traveling among the stars. I come from a family of warriors, and because of that I'm the only one still left alive. You also must know I fought in The Earth-Minbari War, and have lost a few organs because of it. I also killed two of your kind, and I hope someday you'll understand I had no choice."

She closed her eyes for a moment when she felt her head spin. "Sorry, still not over what happened back on Babylon 5. But Franklin tells me I'll live for a while longer, so maybe the universe has a sense of fairness along with humor. Who knows? I try not to think about things like that, it would keep me up at nights. But I hear the Minbari do nothing else but think those thoughts. So, either you understand the universe a great deal better than we do, or you're just plain crazy and don't know it yet. Either will do just fine with me. I hear you belong to the Religious Caste. I hope you don't practice celibacy because that really would ruin my day. Actually, that doesn't make sense. If everyone in the Religious Caste were celibate, you guys wouldn't survive a generation. Thank G-d you can't understand a word I'm saying, because otherwise, I'd be so embarrassed right about now, I'd run off. If I could run that is. Can't run, hope you don't mind, but I lost most of my right femur and my kneecap during the war, and the doctors could only perform so many miracles. I can walk fast, swim like a fish, and fly so three out of four isn't bad, is it?"

Lenann smiled; he couldn't understand a word but he could hear her heart. And it was deafening.

"Delenn tells me you are a telepath. That does make me nervous, but she says you would never do an unwanted scan so I guess it'll have to do. And you don't look like the type to intrude when you're not welcomed. Unlike another person in this room who shall remain nameless. I hope you had a good laugh when you signed that damn contract because I did. And laughter, when used properly, is the best weapon one could arm oneself with. Do you want me to tell you where I grew up? Oh, why not. It's not like I can recite Tennyson to you from memory."

Beano took out a small holo-projector from her trouser pocket and flashed it into space. A breathtaking image appeared. Neroon opened his mouth but a cutting look from Rathenn prevented him from speaking. So far, the two had not violated one clause in the agreement. Quietbrook pointed at the top of the cliff where a house sat.

"That's my home. I grew up on an island called Kauai. It's part of a collection of Islands called Hawaii. My mother's family lived there for nearly three hundred years, which might seem short to you but is quite long for us humans. When we were kids, my brothers and I used to wait at the top of the cliff until the sunrise. Then we would race down those wooden steps, trying to reach the beach before the sun was totally out. I was twelve when I outraced the sun. I should've been happy, but I wasn't. It was a life goal, and when I achieved it, I felt cheated. I don't think I had a goal as pure as that one since. I still have the house, and one day I'll take you there. I can't race the sun anymore, but you probably could. And afterwards, I'll teach you how to catch the best waves and ride the sea for miles. It's a beautiful place, Lenann, and it's been called home by the Hakadas for centuries. Someday, I would like to call it home too."

She turned off the projector and placed it on the floor. Lenann took it; his fist was clenched around the present so firmly he would find nail cuts in his palm after the meeting.

"That's all I'll say for now. No need to rush into things. I'll see you again. Even if I have to go to Minbar and rip apart your planet to find you."

Rathenn raised his right hand and placed it on his heart. He spoke to Lenann who bowed deeply to Beano. She mimicked his movement then followed Rathenn out the door. Before she left, Quietbrook threw a last look over her shoulders. Her face was etched with longing, with unsaid words and promises yet to be made and kept. Lenann felt his whole body react and knew with certainty he would see her again.

Neroon also caught Quietbrook's gaze and the impact was not lost on the warrior either. It was too ironic even for his taste. He had come to Babylon 5 thinking he would eventually end up with a mate. Instead, he was accused of murder, arrested, and nearly assassinated. While this youthful priest, who never stepped a foot on board the station, now had a female admirer willing to risk life and limb to see him again.

Lenann turned to the Star Rider and bowed deeply, "You have performed a great act of kindness. Thank you, Satai." Then left before Neroon could say a word of discouragement. Rathenn re-entered the room with a satisfied smile on his face.

"Remarkable, wasn't it?" Rathenn asked, knowing Neroon would not answer. "By the way, she returned this to me. She thought it was mine."

Rathenn handed over the contract box. Neroon snatched it from the proffered hand then dropped it in shock. He picked it up from the floor and firmly shook the trinket. It was empty.

 

End



back to neroon index | fanfic index