FF Remember

[cperrins78]

This is what I had so far. I checked and I have a little more in rough draft. If I you like I will go over it and see if I can make something of it. Unless after reading this you have a few ideas to add to.

Christina


Talia walked away from the porthole, for over an hour the telepath was staring into the blackness of space. Her thoughts clouded with images of her long lost love. Memories of their life together, as brief as it was, always intensified around this time. It had been ten years to the day that Commander Susan Ivanova had died. Time still didn't ease the pain she felt in her heart.
Sighing heavily Talia made her way through the Zocalo.
"Oh, Susan I miss you so much." Talia felt the familiar twinge in her heart. Thinking of Susan usually brought her happiness and then incredible sadness at how alone she truly was now. Tears started to well up in her eyes, she wiped the back of her gloved hand across her eyes. She was going to try and be strong.
Talia felt a hand rest on her shoulder, she jumped slightly, not expecting the contact. She turned and came face to face with Mr. Garibaldi

"Good evening Talia, I reserved a table for us at the Fresh Air."
She quickly composed herself and smiled at Michael. Since Susan's death Michael has been there for her as friend. Talia thought back to her first days on Babylon 5 and the intense crush he had on her. He would follow her around like a love sick puppy. When he found out about her and Susan he was jealous at first but he eventually came around. Now she counted on his presence to help her get through the days without Susan.
Michael's eyes took in the lovely sight of the telepath. He could feel his heart speeding up, but that always happened when he was in her presence. They had become much closer since Ivanova died. He felt guilty at times, like he was betraying his best friend. But he wouldn't give up his friendship with Talia. She needed him now and there was no way he was going to abandon her. He was just glad that she turned to him for support.
Michael placed his hand on the small of Talia's back and they headed toward the restaurant. Talia was absolutely stunning tonight. Her hair was swept up , which left her creamy neck exposed. The black dress clung to her curves and the slit on the side showed just enough of her thigh. Michael decided the temperature had increased at least ten degrees. He started to sweat and panic thinking Talia could feel the emotions that were radiating off of him in waves. He chanced a quick glance at her and much to his relief she was lost in thought.

The trading vessel Pushkin, commanded by Irinia Kralik, approached the Epsilon sector. It's final destination being Babylon 5. Irinia got up from the captain's chair and stretched her long legs. Walking to the viewport she got her first glimpse of the station. A five mile long city in the stars awaited her. She was a long way from Promixa 3, where she and her father lived, and operated a very successful trading company. It was that said business that had brought her to the station. But that didn't mean she couldn't have a little a fun as well. A mischievous grin graced the stoic features of her face.

Irinia turned her head to the sound of the lift opening. A lone figure stepped from the turbolift. He was tall, with large black eyes, that peered into your soul. He glanced around the bridge, looking for the captain, their eyes locked and he made his way to her.

"Good evening Irinia, I see we have reached Babylon 5." Dimitri toned in his rich Russian accent.
Irinia smiled at her first officer. He was utterly devoted to her. It was difficult to find that level of devotion these days and she treasured it.

"Good evening Dimitri, yes we have finally arrived. I was beginning to get stir crazy."
A hearty laughed erupted deep within Dimitri's throat. "Oh Irinia we all know what happens when you get stir crazy."
She scowled at his remark, knowing what incident he was referring to. Damn him for bringing that up again. She would never live that night down. "For heaven's sake it's been three years, Dimitri. Aren't you ever going to stop torturing me about it?"
"Captain, we are receving a transmission from Babylon 5." Irinia was thankful for the interruption. She stepped around Dimitri and headed over to the captain's chair. "Put the message through."

"Trading vessel Pushkin, this is Command & Control please standby for docking assignment." A few seconds later the voice from C & C continued with it's instructions.
"Trading vessel Pushikin please report to docking bay 8, beacon alpha 6, you are cleared to dock."

"Affirmative, Baylon Control, trading vessel Pushikn out." Irinia felt pride swell in her chest at her well trained crew. She watched as her navagation officer manuvered the ship into it's docking assignment. Her ship was now under Babylon 5's control. Irinia turned towards her first officer.

"Dimitri, you have the bridge, I'm going aboard Babylon 5 and check on our arrangements. Once everything is in order I'll make contact and the rest of the crew can come aboard." With an affirming nod Dimitri accepted his orders.

Before Irinia left the bridge, Dimitri had one final thing to say. "Try and behave yourself."
Irinia just growled in response and stormed off the bridge.

The customs and disembarkation area of Babylon 5 was bustiling with activity. Various species of aliens were coming and going. Bright lights with Welcome to Babylon 5 illuminated the way. Irinia made her way down the ramp, turning her head from side to side to take in her new surroundings. She could see the customs area and hear the security guard reminding new arrivals about having their identicards ready.
The line was pretty long and judging by the way the customs officer was moving, Irinia knew she was in for a long wait. Sighing heavily she pulled a map from her bag. She had been studying the layout of B5 for several days now and was still a little confused. She didn't want to be wandering around the station lost. This was an important business meeting and she felt honored that her father chose her to conduct it.

Irinia noticed only two more people were in line ahead of her. She glanced behind her and realized she was the last in line. Irinia put the map away and waited for her turn. Coming up to the customs officer she smiled and handed her identicard to him. He briefly glanced at her and took her identicard. Before putting her card in the scanner his head snapped up and he began staring at Irinia.

"Excuse me, Irinia strained to see his name plate, Officer Jenkins is there a problem?" The customs officer was completely speechless. He didn't hear the woman's question. All he could do was stare.

Irinia couldn't hold her temper any longer. "Hey knucklehead give me back my identicard." Irinia tried to grab her card from the mute customs officer. She took a few steps toward him, which seemed to wake him from his trance. Jenkins stepped backed when he saw her advancing towards him. Without thinking he placed his hand on his PPG holster, "Please step back Commander."

Irinia's brows knitted in confusion. "Did he just call me commander?" She quickly turned around to see if anyone else was behind her. When she turned back to Jenkins she noticed another officer had come to his aide. "Now I have double trouble", she groaned to herself. "This was supposed to be so simple. All he had to do was slide my card in the scanner and wave me on. But no he decided to go all crazy on me. Why me? Why do things like this happen. Suddenly an idea formed in Irinia's head. She began walking towards the officers to explain what she thought might be the problem.

Zack Allen was rounding the corner making his rounds near the customs area. He noticed a new arrival was giving the customs officer a bit of a hard time. He decided to see if he could defuse the situation.

"Officer Jenkins is there a problem here?" Zack took a quick glance at the woman who was approaching them. Then he looked at her identicard that Jenkins was holding. Before he even finished reading the info his head snapped up again to get a better look at her. "It can't be, he managed to choke out. If he didn't know any better he would have sworn that Commander Susan Ivanova was standing before them.






Michael and Talia had been shown to their table quickly. They began studying their menus, a comfortable silence settled around them.
The beep from Michael's link broke the silence. Michael looked down in irritation at his link. He left strict orders not to be disturbed. Someone would pay for interrupting his evening with Talia. He looked at the telepath and apologized for the interruption. Talia smiled, reassuring him that it was ok. Michael excused himself from the table and made his way outside the restaurant. He activated his link with an irritated push of the button.
"Garibaldi here, this better be an emergency", he barked into the link.
"Chief", came the perplexed tone of his second in command, Zack Allen. "We have a situation down in customs that requires your attention."
Michael rolled his eyes, Zack could always be a bit dramatic.
"What is it Zack? I am really busy right now. Can't you handle this?
"Trust me chief you want to be here for this."
Michael could hear shouting over the link, someone wasn't a happy camper. He looked over at the table where Talia was still sitting, he sighed heavily he didn't want to leave her but duty calls. "I'll be down in a few minutes Zack, Garibaldi out".
Michael made his way back in to the restaurant, heading straight for Talia.
"I'm sorry Talia, but I have to cut our evening short. Would you like me to walk you to your quarters?"
"No Michael that won't be necessary. Talia was grateful for the interruption. She had thought about canceling with Michael several times this week but just couldn't bring herself to see his dejected face. All she really wanted to do was be alone and think of her love.
"Talia are you ok? I could easily call Zack and let him handle this himself."
Talia was touched by his concern. She began shaking her head. "That won't be necessary, I think I will take a stroll through the gardens before I turn in. I would just like to be alone with my thoughts, I hope you understand."
Taila moved closer to embrace the security chief and place a small kiss to his cheek. "Thank you for worrying Michael, you have been a great friend. I promise I will be okay.
The kiss on the cheek made him feel warm all over. When the telepath leaned in towards him, her scent filled his nostrils. He inhaled deeply, all coherent thought drained from his mind.
Talia pulled away and noticed the dreamy look on Michael's face. She knew that he still carried romantic feelings for her but he never acted on them. She hoped her display of friendly affection wasn't seen as something more.
Michael quickly recovered and wished Talia a goodnight. He made his way to the transport tube and called for the customs area. Michael leaned against the wall, thinking about the kiss that Talia gave him. He didn't want to read anything into that kiss but he couldn't help it. He knew Talia's heart belonged to Susan. But maybe just maybe she could open a small part for him. The transport stopped when it reached it's destination. Michael stepped off and headed towards the customs area.

Zack was still in shock after seeing what appeared to be Commander Ivanova. He could understand now what had Jenkins so rattled. He still held her identicard in his hand, he decided to read the info. "Let's see what we have here. Irinia Kralik. Irinia, is that Russian?, Zack looked to Jenkins for clarification. Jenkins just shrugged his shoulders. Irinia had approached the officers with a possible explanation for the mix up.
She cleared her throat to get their attention. Both men lifted their heads to look at Irinia. "Gentleman I believe I might have an answer to your problem. Both Zack and Jenkins just stared at her not saying a word. Irinia continued with her story, I think my first officer is playing some sort of trick on me. I think he might have altered my identicard somehow and that's why you thought I was this Commander Ivanova."
"Is she really serious Zack?" Jenkins questioned.
"Look, I'm sorry I lost my temper. She smiled trying to make the situation better. If you could please give me back my identicard, I will have this resolved quickly.
Zack mulled over what she just told him. He wasn't sure how to proceed in this endeavor. "If you'll excuse Ms. Kralik."
He walked to the beginning of the customs area and placed a call to Garibaldi.
"Ms. Kralik I've contacted the chief of security, please wait for him to arrive and take care of this matter."
"What is there to take care of?" she asked in an aggravated tone. Irinia had enough of this harassment. I haven't done anything wrong. You can't hold me here against my will."
"Please ma'am calm down, Mr. Garibaldi will be here shortly. Zack wished he would get here soon.
Irinia scowled at Zack and sat down on the bench a few feet away. "Will this nightmare ever end?" She closed her eyes and tried taking deep breaths to calm herself.
Zack was pacing back and forth the length of customs. He stole occasional glances at Irinia or was it Commander Ivanova. He couldn't wrap his mind around the situation. Her identicard looked authentic, maybe this was a true case of mistaken identity. He would let Garibaldi sort this one out, after all he was the chief.

Michael headed towards the customs area. It was deserted, accept for a woman who was sitting with her back towards him. Zack spotted Michael immediately and sighed in relief.

"Chief."
Michael turned towards his second in command's voice, the woman on the bench forgotten.
"Ok, Zack are you going to tell me what the hell is going on here?" Michael was in no mood for games.
"Chief, I think you should see for yourself. It would be to hard to put into words. Zack pointed towards the woman seated on the bench.
Michael looked to where Zack was pointing to. He snorted to himself, this is what got Zack all fired up, a woman. He started walking towards the woman and then abruptly stopped in mid stride. When the woman turned towards him and he got a glimpse of her face he knew why Zack was shaken.

Michael's heart stopped for a brief second. He shook his head to clear his vision, thinking perhaps he was hallucinating. When he opened his eyes the sight before him was the same. Walking towards him was his long lost friend, Susan Ivanova.

Irinia was trying her best to keep her temper in check. She was fighting a losing battle. The personnel she encountered so far were incompetent. How long did she have to wait for Chief of Security to arrive? She was going to file a formal complaint as soon as he arrived.
"Where the hell was that man?" Irinia began to shift in her seat, she turned around and saw a man coming down the corridor. She hoped he was the security chief. She got up from the bench and made her way to the man.

Michael decided to meet her halfway. A huge smile graced his face at seeing his best friend. Without realizing what he was doing he enveloped the woman in a bone crushing embrace. "Susan, is that you? Oh my God Susan you are alive. Where have you been all this time?"

Irinia was gasping for air and trying to get the man off her. "What else do I have to endure on this god forsaken space station?" She began squirming and trying to slip from his strong arms. "Get your paws off me", she shouted at him.
Michael pulled back to look at Susan with confusion etched on his face. "Come on Ivanova, there's nothing wrong with showing a little affection for someone you haven't seen in ten years." Michael chuckled to himself, but he could tell Susan was in no mood to joke around.

A low growl started in Irinia's throat. "I am not Susan Ivanova, you idiot. Now take your hands off me before I rip them off and beat you senseless with the bloody stumps."
Michael dropped his hands to his sides and took two steps away from the irate woman.
"Whoa, take it easy there." Zack magically appeared at Garibaldi's side. "See why I needed you here Chief."
Michael just glared at Zack and brought his attention back to Susan or whoever she was.

"Okay if you are not Susan Ivanova, then who are you and why do you look like her?"


Irinia screamed in frustration. Her face was turning a deep scarlet.

"As I told your second banana, I am Irinia Kralik from Proxima 3. I believe your goon still has my identicard."
Michael looked to Zack for confirmation. Zack just nodded his head and passed the identi scanner to Michael.
He absently scrolled through the information that appeared on the small screen. Everything Irinia said was true. Michael was just a little confused. All his instincts told him that the woman standing before him was indeed Susan. He decided to play along until he could investigate the situation further.

"Alright Ms. Kralik answer my second question, why do you look like Susan Ivanova?"
Irinia released a sigh before responding.
"Did it ever occur to you that Commander Ivanova looks like me?"

Both Michael and Zack looked at each other, sheepish expressions on their faces.

Zack shrugged his shoulders. "I didn't think of that Chief."
"Neither did I Zack", Michael responded softly.
Irinia's features softened with the whispered confessions. "Listen I understand that you miss your friend and maybe we share a resemblance but I assure you I am not her. In fact this is my first visit to Babylon 5. Hey do you have a picture of her? I'm very curious to see how similar we are."
Michael thought about the request and an idea formed in his head. "I can pull up her service record on the Bab Comm unit over there, follow me."
Michael began manipulating the comm unit. A few seconds later Susan's service record began scrolling across the screen. The image that came up was at least 15 years old. He motioned for Irinia to join him.

Irinia made her way to the bab comm unit, nervous butterflies in the pit of her stomach. She slowly approached the screen and gasped.
"Oh my", was all she could choke out. She could understand why she had such an effect on the gentlemen in her company.
"It's like looking into a mirror." Irinia was amazed at the uncanny resemblance Commander Ivanova had to her own face.
"You said she's been gone for ten years, what happened to her?"
A sad expression came over Michael's face. He took a deep breath to calm his nerves.
"It's been a mystery to us all." Michael paced a few steps before continuing.
"Susan had taken her starfury out on a regular patrol mission. Sometime later we received a partial distress signal from her. The transmission was badly garbled, we could only make out a few words."
The security chief had tears in his eyes as he contiuned his tale. "We tried to get a fix on her location but couldn't. It seemed no matter what we tried it failed. Several teams were sent out to search her last known coordinates. It was like she vanished into thin air.

[Capt'n Thump]

I remember reading this a while back. I liked the start of it then and still like it now. I wouldn't mind seeing the rough bit that you have. Like to see where you might have been going with this. Its been forever since I wrote with Talia/Susan. And I really need to start looking in here more often.