Lenann sighed and began counting again. It really was inexplicable. The Med Lab was paneled with squares that didn't match each other in color or shape. The unruly geometry of such a room could drive a patient mad if he examined it long enough.
Which was what he was exactly doing.
However, that aggravation was minor compared to the itching of his skin. Lenann squared his jaw, trying to push aside the incessant need to scratch from neck to toe. The humans could not have known he would be allergic to the material they use to clothe their patients. Neither the Warrior Caste nor the Worker Caste would suffer such a problem since they were long used to synthetic fiber. But, as a member of the Religious Caste, Lenann was accustomed only to pure, natural Minbari fabric that composed his wardrobe. He closed his eyes and took deep, meditative breaths in order to not rip off his dressing gown, his skin and the misshapen panels on the ceiling and walls.
The pained eyes opened once more to study his ruined uniform folded primly on a chair; a depressing reminder of his desire to become something greater than what he first thought the universe allotted for him. And Lenann almost managed to succeed until Fate decided to step in and give him a sound thrashing for being so bold.
When Delenn shattered The Grey Council for their lack of faith, she destroyed more than a 1000 years of tradition. She broke down the barriers that held back the Religious and Worker Caste from taking responsibilities long delegated to their warriors. Not that they had a choice. The Warrior Caste refused to take up the burden of fighting the Shadows, and thus it was left to the other two to fill the void.
Neither was prepared really, but they were eager, and Lenann was the eagerest of them all. Rathenn had trained him relentlessly, even allowing Lenann to participate in the Anla'shok and learn the ways of war, espionage, and fighting hand-to-hand with opponents who were determined to take a limb of his as trophy. After each day of such rigorous training, he would limp back to the shared sleeping quarters with more bruises than there were constellations. Nevertheless, he kept coming back, day following day. And he did this for one reason only.
He wanted to be worthy.
While returning to Minbari space from their first trip to Babylon 5, Rathenn told him about Quietbrook and her family of revered warriors including her mother, and how they all perished in the war. Lenann also learned that Quietbrook herself went to the Line, fully expecting to face her death but willing to do so in order to protect all she held dear. She was so young when she flew into that bloodbath. When Lenann was her equivalent age, it took him the entire day to remember two sets of prayers, only to forget them the very next morning. Hence, Lenann was determined to make sure she would consider him her equal and have spent every moment since their separation laboring towards that goal. Now, instead, he was her patient. Or he would consider himself so fortunate if she ever returned to Med Lab. Not even Doctor Franklin could locate Quietbrook and Lenann was getting impatient to see her. Even though he was covered in a rash; with his magnificent uniform cut into slivers; and physically incapacitated with a PPG wound that left a gaping hole on his side.
The Minbari sighed only as a Minbari can and continued to ruminate over the sequence of events that brought him back to Quietbrook's world. When Delenn asked Rathenn for his help after he abandoned The Grey Council to follow her, the priest was only too glad to donate his fleet of cruisers to the war effort. Lenann couldn't believe his fortune when Delenn told him she needed his support to protect Babylon 5. A request that became almost prophetic since they returned the moment Sheridan and his people were losing a ferocious battle against a fleet of Earthforce ships determined to wrench Babylon 5 away from them. The tyrant that now ruled Earth Dome wanted the space station and the people who dared to break away from his control.
Lenann allowed a smile to creep into his lips. Delenn was magnificent when she warned the attacking forces. Babylon 5 was under Minbari's protection, and unless they wanted to re-enact The Earth-Minbari War, it would be in their best interest to leave. Lenann heard some of his crew laugh softly as they watched the Earthforce ships turn heel and retreat into the relative safety of hyperspace.
After such a momentous event his pride was rather inflated. And pride was the one thing the universe deliberately sought out to destroy. He scheduled for a tour of Babylon 5 and fully expected to see Quietbrook when he disembarked. The newly anointed fleet captain took eleven steps out of his flyer when Delenn met him. He said her name and as soon the word fell from his lips, he was taken hostage alongside the Ambassador. Then he was used as a part of blackmail scheme by a crazed group of militant humans demanding that Babylon 5 be returned to Clark's control. That miserable situation quickly degenerated into a fight where he was promptly shot and trussed into a chair wounded and in shock.
Lenann thought he would pass through the Veil then, and quietly mourned the loss of ever seeing Quietbrook again. However, as soon as he thought the universe abandoned him, it returned full force. He and Delenn were rescued and the Minbari soon found himself in Med Lab where, to his chagrin, he was a prisoner once more.
Where was she? Two hours since his surgery and still no sign of her. Lenann finally allowed himself to fall asleep since rest was the only way he could relieve himself of the constant itching.
"Beano, thank G-d you're here." Franklin greeted his friend. "Where were you?"
"On patrol." She responded, "Right after Drake's forces left, I was put on sector reconnaissance to make sure they didn't suddenly become stupid and try to punch through the Minbari war cruisers. I didn't know anything about Delenn and Lenann until I checked in twenty minutes ago. Is he all right?"
"Yes, he's fine. You can see him but I don't think he's awake yet. The guy's gone through a lot since he came on Babylon 5."
"Was he shot?"
"Should've killed him, but he's Minbari and they're built to last."
Beano smiled at Franklin's morbid humor and quietly slipped into Lenann's room. He was resting on the traditional Minbari bed, looking remarkably healthy considering what he had recently endured. She couldn't figure out how they slept on anything that had 45 degree incline, but obviously he had no problems doing so. She took his uniform off the only chair in the room and brought it next to his bed so she could spend time with the patient.
After checking to make sure his vital signs were stable, Beano studied Lenann's face, remembering their last meeting in front of the Minbari Morality Mob. With hesitant but curious fingers she touched his forehead. It was true. The Minbari body did generate extraordinary amount of heat, and Lenann felt like he was on fire. If she didn't know any better, she thought he had succumbed to a fever. Her eyes caught something around his neck and she gently flipped the collar down to check the discoloration.
"Holy ..." She whispered. Beano stuck out her head into the main room of the Lab. "Stephen! Get in here!"
Franklin heard the urgency in his friend's voice and jogged into the room. She showed him the blisters appearing all over Lenann's neck.
"What the ..." Franklin cautiously checked the arms and legs. Lenann was covered with rising sores.
"What's going on?" Beano frantically asked.
"I'm guessing it's some sort of an allergic reaction to the gown. Damn, I had no idea."
"I'll get Lennier. He probably has something Lenann can wear." Beano said, her voice filled with worry and sympathetic pain.
"I'll start pumping anti-histamine into his IV. I managed to synthesize some for their race when Delenn volunteered for a study of mine."
Lenann woke up hours later to the sensation of cool, familiar fabric caressing his skin. And even more surprising to find the itching was gone. His eyes flew open and he examined his clothing to discover he was now wearing the proper Minbari robe. His eyes widened further when he saw Quietbrook's dark head resting on his bed. He didn't mind really that she had fallen asleep while tendering to his needs. She was with him now and that was all that mattered to him.
The Minbari decided at that moment the universe was good to him. As if sensing his newly discovered contentment, Quietbrook woke up. She saw him looking at her and smiled. Then she checked the monitors.
"You are doing fine, Lenann." She said more for her benefit than his.
"I am relieved."
Beano's mouth dropped open, "You can speak English?"
"Yes, I have been studying it since I saw you last."
"Now I really feel inadequate. I tried to learn Minbari, but all I've been capable of doing is butchering it."
"Minbari is a subtle language, doctor. And if you were trying to master the Religious Caste's dialect, you would have indeed suffered. It takes us years to learn to speak it properly ourselves."
"You're not trying to make me feel better, are you?"
"If the truth makes you feel better, then yes, I am trying."
"If I had known you came with Delenn I would have at least left a message. As it was, my ship was prepping in the cobra bay when your war cruisers jumped into the fray. After the Earthforce ships took off I had orders to patrol so I left. I didn't know what happened until I came back."
"You are piloting again?"
"I'm on temporary leave from Med Lab. And yes, I am back on the hot seat, literally. Starfury pilots are rare commodity on Babylon 5 nowadays. Especially since we seceded from Earth Alliance."
"I heard about the injustices the earth colonies suffered under President Clark's regime. My prayers go to you and your people."
"We all have our limits, and that animal just found ours. We have declared our independence with Mars and Orion 7, and will remain so until President Clark and his hounds are brought to justice."
"Time of great change has come upon us all."
She nodded, "Yes, it has. But putting aside the universe and its fits for a moment, how's your life going?"
"There have been interesting developments."
"Care to share?"
"You really should rest, doctor."
"Call me Quietbrook and this is about as relaxed as I can get."
"If you insist." Lenann said, smiling. She saw through his teasing and cradled her head in her arms as he told of the latest happenings on the home front.
"I'm afraid Minbar is not faring much better than your world. Delenn has broken The Grey Council."
"What?" Beano asked, stunned. "What happened?"
"The Warrior Caste refused to take arms against the coming Shadow War. So, the Religious Caste and the Worker Caste have taken their stead. I will admit we are nowhere near their capability for warfare, but we are not afraid. We will not stand aside and witness the younger races fall under the onslaught. There will be a heavy price to pay once this is over, but even a greater one would have been asked if we ignored the war."
"Thank you for your help. We were desperate and you arrived just in time. If we lost, Clark's men would have arrested and executed us as soon as they could."
"Where Delenn points, I follow. She pointed here and I was only too glad to come."
Beano smiled then yawned. "Sorry."
"Rest. I will catch you if you fall."
Beano's eyes clouded with unwanted tears when he whispered those tender words. She blinked them away; she didn't want to distress Lenann in his present condition. Beano wordlessly accepted his offer and dreamt a dreamless sleep where no demons hunted her with their screaming, black ships. Lenann gently stroked the cropped hair as he watched her eyes close. She had cut it short since he saw her last, but the change was actually flattering. She also lost a worrisome amount of weight and he wondered if she was taking care of herself. He suspected her own welfare was the first thing Quietbrook was neglecting as burdens were placed on those narrow, too-frail human shoulders.
She is mine. Lenann accepted in burning silence as his fingers wove themselves through the brown strands. Beyond Recognition, beyond all my wildest imaginings, she has come to my side of her own free will. Will she stay? How can I make her stay?
His parents were told of her when they greeted his return to Minbar. At first they were horrified, but Satai Rathenn had done much to soothe their fears. He extolled Quietbrook's virtues. He also dropped the word Recognition as many times as it was grammatically possible. In the end, it was Lenann's mother who relented for both. Recognition was a powerful incentive to acquiesce to her son's wishes. So, after much praying and conversation, they gave him their blessing. Lenann never loved them more then at that moment when they released him to fulfill his destiny, and he hoped he would be able to pay them back for their understanding.
He heard her breath catch and wondered what she was dreaming. Lenann rested his palm on her left cheek and soon her breathing returned to normal. Lenann smiled in wonder. She looked unbelievably defenseless in her sleep. The smile faded as he realized she observed him while he slept earlier.
In Valen's Name ... she saw his true face!
The realization left him gaping. She could not know the significance of a female watching over her Minbari suitor during his sleep. But what if she did? What did that mean? It meant she had initiated a step towards solidifying her choice. Did he mind? No, of course not. He clawed through all sorts of blinding pain and indignities in order to stand by her side. But did she really prefer him above others who must have also sought out her affections? Even human males?
Lenann's head began aching and he had to stop himself from thinking thoughts that would leave him sleepless for days. Nevertheless, he couldn't abandon the idea that she really did prefer him and was willing to perform the ritual of seeking his true form. Then, another, more desperately pleasing thought sneaked up on him.
What if she wanted to find his pleasure center next?
He studied human notion of courtship from the data crystals Lennier had given him. As thorough as they were, the treatises were written by a priest whose passions had long abandoned him. So Lenann was left further confused as to what was appropriate and not concerning someone like Quietbrook. Having no choice Lenann decided to seek outside information regarding human behavior in romance and love. Some literary works answered a few questions but left him more puzzled in the end. He could not understand why every novel required the female character to have certain physical characteristics. It seemed unrealistic, not to mention unnaturally biased for the Minbari. It wasn't long afterwards he ditched the idea of learning about love through human romance novels and mined other sources for his curiosities.
He managed to get his hands on vids that allegedly explained human idea of love or so he was told. It took him less than a blink of an eye to realize whatever these vids were, they were not meant for Minbari consumption. He was also scared witless by what was happening on the screen and immediately disposed of the entire collection through the nearest airlock. After that embarrassing fiasco, Lenann surrendered any hope of understanding what human desires were. Until now.
Lenann sighed loudly. As long as she was with him, he would not find rest and though the fact should worry him, he felt pleased instead.
So, what was he to do if she wanted to find his pleasure center?
Sleep eluded him for a long, long time.
Lennier waited patiently while Dr. Quietbrook readied herself for the usual hectic day on Babylon 5. He really did not know why Lenann insisted that he explain the intricacies of Minbari culture and its mores, but he had no choice. The poor captain was still laid out in Med Lab, and there was certain crassness should Lenann be forced to explain the sensitive topic to his chosen mate.
Especially since the chosen mate did not know she was chosen. Yet.
"All right, Mr. Lennier. What can I do for you?"
She handed Lennier a cup of Minbari tea and the aide accepted the gift with genuine gratitude.
"Just that Ambassador Delenn and Captain Lenann wished for you to know what is to come."
Quietbrook frowned, "What is to come?"
"Yes. We ... she ... they are under the belief that you are taking your relationship with Captain Lenann seriously. Is this true?"
"I guess. I have to admit I'm somewhat nervous about the attention I've been receiving from the Minbari on Babylon 5 because of my status quo with Lenann."
"Do not fear. Their opinion on this matter is irrelevant. Captain Lenann has also told me you performed the Seeking Ritual and have stayed by his side after the required three nights."
"You're the third Minbari to tell me that. What is it?"
"It is a practice we Minbari hold very seriously in our culture. Should a female be interested in a male, she watches him while he sleeps." Lennier took a large sip of the tea. "Because when the male sleeps, his true face rises to the surface. If this face pleases the female, she invites herself to watch him for two more nights."
"And if she isn't pleased?"
"Then she can remove him from her circle of acquaintances. Even banish him from her life."
"That's rather harsh. Lennier, I'm a doctor. I volunteered for night duty to make sure nothing happened to Lenann. I wasn't planning to fulfill a ritual per se."
"But you did stay with him."
"Well, yes."
"And what you saw did not displease you."
"No, but he was sleeping. What could he possibly do to make me upset while he's asleep?"
"Then it does not matter. You have performed the ritual. Does this offend you in any way?"
"Only if it puts me in some trouble."
"It does not." Lennier took another sip of the hot tea. "Captain Lenann comes from a very religious, very honorable clan. Thus, he must follow all the rituals dictated by his caste, even though you are human. There is another reason why this issue must be resolved. He ... once was chosen by another Minbari female."
"What happened?" Beano did not hear this particular story, even from Lenann.
"She was quite favored by many who knew her and her clan. They met in The Telepath's Guild and everyone believed for a long time they would mate. Unfortunately, after spending one night with him, she declared him unsuitable and promptly sent him away. The entire experience scarred him, and he has been rather unwilling to face the same risks again."
"Poor sod, who was the witch?"
"None worth mentioning in my opinion. However, you can see what this means to Captain Lenann."
"Of course. The Minbari do have a thing for rituals, don't you?"
"Most definitely. It rules our lives and very well that it should. Our history has shown us what can happen if they don't."
"Understood. Tell whoever wants to know that I performed the ritual and found him more than satisfactory. Would that do?"
"That would do just fine. Thank you, doctor, for clearing up this confusion. We know the humans do not have something equivalent to our Seeking Ritual, but it means so much to us."
"Lennier ... you said something ... that there was only one other female in Lenann's life besides myself."
"Yes, but she rejected him very early on."
"So, are you telling me there has been none other in between?"
"No, he has dedicated his life to Temple once he left the Guild. There isn't enough time in the day to fulfill one's duty as an acolyte. To form a relationship during that time is almost impossible."
Beano felt anxiety seep into her bones. "So you're telling me he has never been with another female."
"I think I just said that, doctor."
"No, I mean he has never been with a female. At all."
Lennier suddenly understood what she was really asking. He answered hastily and with some indignity. "Of course not. He is Religious Caste. The warriors might violate the rules of mating and partner-seeking, but we certainly do not!"
"Okay," Beano said, her voice squeaking. "That's all I wanted to know."
"Is ... is that a problem? In our culture that is almost always required ..."
"No, not a problem. Thanks for answering the question. Take care, Lennier."
Beano waited until the aide was gone from her room before allowing herself to fully accept what Lennier had revealed. That was one revelation she did not expect, and Beano, for the first time since Lenann had entered her life, became confused about the Minbari. Then her thoughts meandered to what he must be feeling right about then. It wasn't long before she was crippled with laughter. At least she had experience! Lenann must be laboring under intense delusions not only about their relationship, but the general needs of a human female.
Does he even know?
Beano fell out of the sofa, laughing even harder.
This could very well end in another Earth-Minbari War or open up a world I never experienced. Oh well, mom always said to find adventure where I can...
Beano managed to keep a straight face when she visited the Lab later that evening. Mercifully, Lennier had the common sense to keep private most of their conversation so Lenann was blissfully ignorant of what she had discovered about him. And because of what she now knew Beano approached their relationship with newfound tenderness and respect - a change Lenann became immediately aware of. The sudden shift in her attitude of treating him as a casual admirer to someone more serious made the Minbari suitor mistakenly believe the human was earnestly willing to consider him as life-mate.
That meant things could progress nicely to the next stage.
Which left him once again fumbling and thwarted because he did not know how to go about fulfilling the required rituals with a human. All fifty-three of them. One of them being spending the night together, and not just observing each other's faces. His unease only increased after he was released from medical care. That meant he no longer had an excuse for Quietbrook to come and see him and now he had to seek her independently, to actually court her as any suitor should.
This newfound problem was quickly resolved by Beano who took the first step. She gave him a tour of Babylon 5 and introduced him to the command staff. It took her many hours to properly answer his questions regarding the space station, but she never showed any impatience and seemed to appreciate his company no matter what the occasion was.
As he became more familiar with Quietbrook and her philosophy, he realized she saw him as Lenann first then as a Minbari. He himself could not differentiate her being a human and being Quietbrook, but somehow she was able to appreciate him for what he was, not what he represented. This became even more apparent when he invited her over to Yedor. While the Worker Caste was mainly ignored or unacknowledged by both the Religious and Warrior Caste, Quietbrook had little hesitation asking for their names, remembering them in the visits following thereafter. She never treated them with disrespect and never dismissed them as if they were inherently inferior. Something the Religious Caste did not do until they realized the Worker Caste was crucial in the war against the Shadows. This attitude quickly won her allies among the workers on Yedor and did much to improve Lenann's position with them.
Intrinsic value of self, compared against the whole. A philosophy foreign to the Minbari, yet Quietbrook practiced it without question and without passing judgment on those who did not, who could not do the same. She also suffered an innate inability to automatically cast another in a more degrading light because she valued life. Lenann soon found himself respecting her for this particular blindness, since the handicap awarded him a more intimate place in her heart. A position he had grown accustomed to in matter of hours. So much that every time she said her farewell he felt a part of him ache with longing. It wasn't some romantic notion of a lovesick youth, but a true, almost palpable sense of need that went unfulfilled until the moment he saw her again.
And when she went on patrol, the yearning was accompanied by real fear that she may never return. She sensed his worries and made efforts to contact him to tell him she was safe when her duties were over. One time he found his gunner asking for his presence in the tactical center but refused to explain why. Lenann had to laugh when he discovered the reason. She had returned from patrol and was teasing his cruiser with her Starfury. Dancing and weaving in and out of the front guns, even bouncing around the underbelly of the Yedor like a child would do with a ball. He also had to admit her control over her ship was formidable as he watched her performance on the holo-screen. It took some doing to make her Starfury perform so playfully, and Lenann wondered what she was capable of if armed with a real fighter.
These martial moments were accompanied by gentler times where he heard stories of her youth as she freely shared her past with him. He was invited to her quarters many times and Lenann never turned down an invitation. It was during the second of such visits that Lenann realized she was in her own way courting him - a phenomenon almost non-existent on Minbar as it was the male who was traditionally relegated to win his mate. He had to admit the idea flattered him, and the fact that she was far better at it than he was gave him hope that their relationship would not be lost due to his ineptitude and lack of finesse.
What will I do when I wish for her to share the first night with me?
That thought haunted him, hunted him and ruined every night of sleep ever since it crept into his consciousness. The savory promises it held for the Minbari could not be denied nor the fear that she might balk at the idea of sharing her bed with a member of another race. She might consider him a companion only and he had mistaken her friendship by placing a higher value on it than she did. The thought sent a pang into his heart every time his mind brush against it, but like most bittersweet pain, he could not leave it alone.
For a while Lenann considered never discussing his feelings until one evening when she kissed him goodnight. It was just a touch against his cheek but the fever that erupted afterwards kept him pacing in his room, muttering to himself. He knew humans treated physical contact with alarming lack of respect. So, did her kiss mean nothing to her? Or was it a signal for something greater? The following kisses from her didn't do much to answer his question, only to further deepen his quandary. Yet, he could not move himself to dissuade her from performing such an intimate act.
He also wondered if she was waiting for him to actually make the final move. But Lenann didn't have a clue as to how to approach the topic with any female, much less a human female without scaring her and panicking himself. And it didn't help him to know that her previous lover was Dr. Stephen Franklin, a close friend and superior officer. There was an old photograph of them together, scantily clad, standing in front of an awesome backdrop of sea and mountains. She explained it was taken during one of their holidays when she invited him to spend time with her in her homeland. He instinctively knew she had made an intimate relationship with another male, that didn't surprise him, but it didn't please him either to know the ex-mate was now on Babylon 5.
Hours, days were spent like this, with Lenann ricocheting between confusion and want, sometimes all at once, leaving him breathless and in need of answers. None of which were forthcoming because he dared not ask.
That all changed the moment Lenann discovered a fact he didn't want to acknowledge. She was having lunch with Franklin in the Zocalo, and the two were in close proximity to each other, with their head bent together in order to share the intense discussion in privacy. For a moment Lenann feared she had given up any hope on him and retreated to the more familiar territory of her heart. He quietly slipped away, unnoticed by either of them.
His lack of patience, lack of faith in himself, and the overwhelming desire to become her intimate, left him shaken. So much that he decided approach the topic when he met her later in the evening.
Beano knew he was distressed. Lenann usually felt like the ocean right after a hurricane had passed. However, from what she was able to surmise, he looked like he was turning into a full-scale Tsunami right before her eyes.
"What is it?" She finally asked, unable to take the suspense any longer.
Lenann looked at her, surprised. "What is what?"
"Whatever got you so preoccupied. Cough it up, because whatever it is, you're choking on it."
Lenann blinked twice, then looked away. "I was wondering ..."
"That's dangerous, especially for a Minbari."
Lenann smiled. She really did have quick wit and the impeccable timing to practice it without fear of retribution. "I was curious."
"And that's absolutely lethal for the rest of the universe. Are you sure you want to continue with this particular train of thought?"
The question hit him squarely on his chest, especially considering the topic he wished to address her with.
"I am certain, but I am not sure if you wish to."
"This concerns me then. How?"
He stopped walking and turned to her. "I wish for you to visit me in Yedor."
"Then we could discuss this subject ... there?" She asked, confused about his request.
"No," Lenann tried a more direct approach. "I wish for you to visit me in Yedor and spent the night there. With me. Together. The entire night."
"Alrighty."
Lenann frowned when he heard her single-worded answer. Alrighty? What does alrighty mean? He wracked his memory but could not remember the word. He knew the meaning of 'all' and 'right' but not the two combined and mutated into 'alrighty.'
Was that a yes? A no? Maybe or never? In Valen's name, sometimes I think the human language was designed to start wars!
"Are you sure, Lenann?"
The question surprised him. He didn't think she would be concerned about his own welfare in this as he was of hers.
"There is no need to rush, you know. I can wait."
She was giving him a way to retreat from his offer and suddenly he realized she was waiting for him to make the final move.
"I am sure. If you are."
"This is a big step for you, isn't it?"
"Only if you say yes." His eyes locked onto hers. "Say yes."
"Then it's a yes. Let me guess, there are rituals you have to prepare for, right?"
"Of course, we are always in need of rituals and prayers. Especially for this."
"When do I see you next?"
"Tomorrow evening?"
"I'll be there. I promise."
After Lenann left her, Beano slowly sank onto the floor until she was curled against the wall with her knees pressed to her chest. She didn't think it possible, but she was even more worried and exhilarated than he was regarding what was to come tomorrow.
Lenann gave strict instructions not to be disturbed in order to prepare for her visit. He also spent the day meditating, trying to understand where tonight will take him. He trusted her; that much was true. But he was unsure what she would feel after they had joined. That unknown in itself was enough for him to call the whole thing off. He didn't want to lose her, not after gaining her friendship and trust. To revert back to his solitary life after inviting another into its most intimate depth was unthinkable and unacceptable for Lenann.
The door chimed and he rushed to light the last prayer candle before turning off the main lights in his chambers. It opened to his command and she entered.
"Lenann." She said his name with a voice that vanquished all noise inside his mind. She wanted him. And everything would be well. Including tomorrow and all the tomorrows thereafter.
Beano took a deep breath of the heady incense permeating the air and wondered what he had been up to since yesterday. Then she heard someone cough and turned to her right to spot six Minbari priests standing in a tight group.
"I didn't know you were having a meeting," She was obviously flustered by the others' presence. "I'll come back later."
"No, they are here for the ritual."
Beano's head snapped towards him. "They're here for what?"
"For tonight."
"What are you talking about?"
"They are here for prayers and meditations on our behalf," Lenann explained, bewildered by the escalation of panic in her voice.
"Lenann ... what I had in mind isn't exactly a group exercise."
He smiled as he began understanding her confusion. "They will stay out here. We will be alone, in my inner chambers."
Beano shook her head, "No, no, that's not ... damn, I should've discussed this with you before I agreed. When you said prayers I thought you would be the one doing the praying."
Lenann had to laugh at her misconception. "And what will you do while I pray?"
Beano flushed darkly. "This is too confusing, even for me. I am liberal-minded as the next person, but sorry, I can't do this ... in front of priests ... no."
It looked like she was about to bolt out of his room and return to Babylon 5 if he didn't stop her.
"They do not interfere. They are here to ensure things go well. For both of us."
Quietbrook became quiet for a moment and studied the priests with intense interest. "Are they here to grade my performance?"
"No," He approached her slowly, fearing she really would take off before he could convince her otherwise. "They are here for prayers, for enlightenment ..."
"I don't want them enlightened, Lenann." She answered, nearly wailing. "I don't want them to have a revelation about ... this ... me during this!"
"This is how it is done in my world. It's tradition and an important one. You can respect that, yes?"
"As long as it's just between us ... Lenann, no." She shook her head firmly. "Sorry, I can't go through with tonight. Not with an audience outside the door."
"You will not know they are there." Lenann whispered, catching her attention with the power of his voice. "I promise."
She felt her fears fade quickly. When he put his will into it, the Minbari could convince her to believe in silly things. Like the statement he just uttered. Beano shook her head, more to remind herself of her dignity and the fact that what he asked was the impossible. His hands enfolded hers and he gently took her into his embrace.
"You promised." He whispered into her hair. "And I believed you. Will you deprive me of it now?"
"Lenann, when I said those words I thought we would be alone."
"And we will be."
"This isn't how it's done in my world."
"But it is in mine. And I want to make sure we perform the rituals properly so that no one may contest our relationship later. They are not here for the pleasure, Quietbrook. But to make sure what we are about to share is done in reverence. The pleasure will be ours, only. I swear."
"I can't."
"This means so much to me. Will you not do this one very important thing? For me?"
He felt her lean her head against his shoulder, and knew he was breaking through her fears with his pleas. "They are here to make sure we don't progress too far. They are not here to judge or condemn. We will be alone."
He felt her take a deep breath then ask, "How far is too far?"
Lenann laughed softly. "Stay and find out."
Before Beano could formulate another thought he deftly shuttled her into the inner chamber and closed the door behind them. He kept his word. She hadn't a clue there was anyone outside the bedroom after the first kiss.
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