Return to my Nest

"Ice Breaker" part one

This is the start of a set of Alternate Universe stories that takes place right after my story 'Homecoming' finishes. I strongly recommend reading it first, to avoid getting lost.

*Emphasis marks*
[Indicates thoughts and telepathy]
Flashbacks are indented

~~~~

"May I come in?" He asked politely.

"Of course," Lyta replied, gesturing inwards, towards where the majority of the chairs were. "I'm - I'm glad you were able to come. I hadn't been sure that-" Her lightly trembling voice cut off suddenly.

Zack's face was compassionate as he regarded her, his eyes moving lightly over her form as he tried his best to memorize her appearance. He hadn't sat down yet.

[He's uneasy,] she could feel, [he's worried about not being welcome. Considering what I said in my message, why would he be worried about me being angry at his presence?] "Would you like anything? I have a pot of tea that hasn't been finished - or I can call for coffee, if you prefer. The real kind." [You sound like a fool! Where'd your dignity and presence go? . . . I left them back on Teep.]

Zack took a few seconds to reply, starting with a faint shake of his head. "Tea, please, straight. It'd probably be easier if we could talk undisturbed for a while."

She nodded, and walked over to the kitchenette. Even if Lyta hadn't been a telepath, and therefore able to sense his vague discomfort, she'd still have worried about his tone. Resisting the temptation to scan him, she instead let her shields thin enough to eavesdrop on whatever thoughts he might be broadcasting. The cups rattled in her hand a few heartbeats later. [*#!*@! He's not broadcasting thoughts - I forgot he's had training.]

While working with B5's security during the Shadow war, the long hours of heavy mental work had put a massive strain on her. She couldn't hide that fact anymore when she collapsed during a conversation, only regaining consciousness several hours later, in medlab. The combination of teaching other telepaths how to stop the shadows, and trying to fend off the nonstop mental broadcasting by the normals in security, added up over 20 hour days, every day, had built up to Lyta's then-breaking point.

As a result, Ivanova had ordered that the other telepaths who had fought shadows and survived to return take over the majority of the teaching, and Zack had stepped in to make sure she ate at least twice a day, and that she was escorted (usually by him) back to her quarters to sleep for at least 6 hours, and he had also come up with the suggestion that Lyta try to help security instead.

"In case some of the telepaths are working for some other agencies that might want to sabotage B5 with stolen information, you could teach members of security - or command and control - how to block scans. Ivanova can do that, right?"

Lyta had kept her mouth shut on the fact that Ivanova could only block scans because she was a latent telepath. Thinking frantically, she had stammered,"B - but I'm only a P5, you can't be an instructor unless you're a P10-"

"Lyta! Please, isn't there anything you *can* do? We need every chance we can get if we're to survive this!"

"I . . . I don't know if it will work - but I could try to teach you not to broadcast - it won't stop a deliberate scan, but they won't pick up any information - emotions, yes, there's no way to keep those inside - they wouldn't pick up any thoughts by accident - if I can teach it. I hope. I can't know for sure unless I try."

"You've got my permission to try, Lyta. On anyone who volunteers - starting with me."

"Thank you," he started conversationally. "Nice pad they gave you."

"I know. I can almost forget it's a cage sometimes, the gilding is so thick." Her voice was chirpy-sweet as she sat down across from him.

Zack's face twitched in a half-grin.

"But at least I know it's not paid for with taxes." At his querying look, she explained, "some of the cargo that was transferred to White Stars while the Sophocles was on her way here has already been purchased by the Alliance, and Delenn was kind enough to set each envoy member up with a ready account." Her tone of voice turned dry. "Among a few other things I don't agree with at all."

Zack took a sip of his tea and asked carefully, "such as?"

"Her 'request' to place guards on me like I was some wild animal too destructive to trust, even caged, is one." Lyta was on the borderline of starting to sulk. If she hadn't been so focused on glaring at her tea cup, she would have noticed the way his discomfort suddenly exponentiated upwards.

It took him a minute to find a response. "No . . . you wouldn't be comfortable if there was strangers about you. I can remember that much."

Lyta shook her head, no.

"So . . ." he casually asked, "How was your trip? I've decided not to entirely trust what the media is spewing."

"Long, mostly. Ivanova's ship needed additional repairs in flight, and her second was . . . a character. To be polite. But it only took a single meal for me to remember why I was never fond of earthforce rations. After so long at my home, I guess I was spoiled in regard to food. And a few other things. But I'll do all right here, and I promise you as a friend that I'll never step on the toes of anyone important, at least not on purpose. . . So. How was your trip? How's B5 doing? It's . . . been a while."

"A long while." Zack was smiling slightly now, his face had perked up a little at her mention of friendship. "B5 . . . well, as of a week ago, it was intact, and about as close to calm as it ever was. My trip was a bit dull. We had no problems shipwise, just work details that we tried to predict and solve."

Lyta let her expression show her puzzlement. " . . . a week ago?"

Zack nodded. "Delenn requested my presence on Minbar to talk with me personally, before my reassignment. If you include travel time, it took just over 7 days."

Slowly, Lyta put down her tea, her confidence level dropping in time with her cup. "Zack, would . . . would you have received a message sent to Babylon 5 - three days ago?"

"You haven't been away from technology so long as to forget how stellarcom works, have you?!"

"Please just answer the question," she retorted sharply.

"I haven't checked back for any messages since I left, so no. Pretty much everyone knew I'd be gone, at least for a while. Why?"

[Oh no. No no no . . . he doesn't know! But - then why is he here?!?] "Reassigned . . . to where?"

Zack shifted in his chair before he answered. "Ivanova said it would be easier for you to accept bodyguards if someone familiar was present to try to smooth your transition. I understand she said as much to you, too?"

[What does Susan have to do - with - oh no. NO!] "Zack, she doesn't - she didn't - it isn't you is it!?"

Fighting back a reserved sigh, he stood up and held out his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Governor."

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