Hey guys, this is silly I know.  Here, let me explain.  It all started with a
 dream, an immensely ridiculous vision (hey, doesn’t everything start that 
way?)  Then, I told it to a friend, and we added onto it.  It started out a
wfully sweet, and romantic, but then, got out of hand.  So now I present to 
the judges of the I&M Challenge this innocent little morsel of a story, made 
for a good laugh.  Can you tell I’m stalling?

Now please read the legalese.  

The Babylon 5 universe belongs to Joe Michael Straczynski, Babylonian 
Productions, and Warner Bros. Studios.  This story was written solely for 
the purpose of personal pleasure, and the pleasure of those who read it.  I 
have made no profit off of it.  No copyright infringement is intended.  The 
story itself is however, for all intents and purposes my own.  Please do not 
tamper with it.  If you wish to post this story anywhere else, please feel 
free to do so, but I would ask that you leave it in it’s original format.  
Also please keep this note attached.

Can you tell I’m still stalling?

Overtime
By: Christina Jarrett, and Amy Dyrbye

	Susan Ivanova stood at her post in C&C.  She knew that her shift was 
over, but right now, she had nothing better to do, besides, with all the 
recent chaos, she felt that it would be best for her to stay.   She was tired, that much she knew, tired, 
worn-out, and overworked, but not sleepy, so why go to bed?  She just stood 
there, looking out at the stars, silently hoping that everything would turn 
out all right in the end.  She didn’t notice when the doors to C&C opened, 
letting in yet another person.  She was too busy watching Lennier talk to 
Corwin about the Alliance fleet, and ignoring the dirty looks all of her 
officers where giving her.  After all, she couldn’t blame them, she was 
officially off duty, and cranky as hell.

	The new entry walked slowly around the room when Ivanova turned back 
to the starscape.  As he walked up behind her, he silently prepared himself 
for the attack he knew he was about to receive.  Placing his hands on her 
hips, he pulled her back against him, barely noticing the way her whole body 
tensed at the touch.  Then wrapping his arms around her waist he whispered, 
"You know Susan, your shift ended over an hour ago."

	Leaning back into him she thought, <He wants to play like that, well 
I’ll let him play.>  She hissed in return, "Marcus, my work habits are none 
of your concern."

	"Yes they are.  Now go home and get some rest," he started to use his hold on her to pull her slightly towards the exit.  He half expected her to hit him, very hard, what he got instead was completely unexpected.

	She turned around, fighting his hold on her the entire way, then, catching him off guard, she kissed him, full on the lips.  His eyes widened, but she continued aggressively, until he finally just gave in.  Tangling her hands in his hair she deepened the kiss, embracing him hungrily as he moved his hands across her back.  For a few minutes the world revolved solely around them.

	Then as everyone in C&C realized what was going on, one astonished technician dropping his coffee on the deck hollered, "Way to go Commander!"  A fatal mistake.

	Stepping slightly away from Marcus, Ivanova turned to the twenty-two year old.  "Shut up and get back to work now.  I said now as in before I throw you in the brig for insubordination!"  then as the young lady busied herself at her console, Ivanova returned to a dumbfounded Marcus. She hated being interrupted….  Taking his face in her hands she kissed him again, this time not bothering to turn away when the staff started applauding the little show.  

            After a minute he moved his arms from his sides.  Placing one around the small of her back, and the other on her neck, under her tight braid, he pulled her in closer, once again the passionate kiss deepened.  He was content, despite the audience, it was still her, in his arms, and they were kissing each other senseless.  Yes, he could forget about the onlookers for now.  

            Then after what seemed like an eternity she pulled back, and they sagged slightly against each other.  Finally she spoke, her voice heavy, and forced, "So you still want me too go home?"

            He laughed gently at her question.  He had dreamed of something 
like this for so long, though this exact sequence of events had never come to
 mind.  How could he say what he wanted to, it wasn’t for public ears?  
Deciding what to do he spoke to her in Minbari, hoping she would understand 
the meaning of what he was saying.  "Nu rhan kel amiss any yon toura.  Nu 
san felani en eleez meh drohn."  

           "Your words are unfair to the burden of your heart?  All you can 
think to tell me is some old greeting?" she looked at him, surprised by his 
words.  She had in all honesty understood very little of what he had said, 
if any.  

           A laugh from across the room startled them both.  Lennier was 
standing there, smiling like an idiot, beside a very pale Corwin.  He just 
stared at them, hands folded in front of him serenely.  Corwin spoke first, 
stuttering a lot, "he.. he said that to.. to.. her  and got a..  a away with 
it?"  He was staring dumfounded at Lennier.

           "That is what I told you.  And yes it would appear so Lieutenant," 
Lennier turned towards the young man.  

           Marcus cursed himself silently for saying that in front of the 
Minbari.  Susan on the other hand got curious and walking up to them, hand 
in hand with Marcus, he followed, albeit reluctantly.  Approaching them she 
asked, "What did he really say?"

           Lennier answered her, "He simply stated that he has been waiting 
for so long for this, then he called you ‘Love’"  He spoke softly, knowing 
the value humans put on privacy.  "Then he said that you are the most 
beautiful woman that he has ever met."
 
            "You mean he never said, ‘My words are inadequate to the burden 
of my heart’?" she looked at the blushing man behind her.  

            It was time for him to end this, he shot a dirty look Lennier and 
Corwin before briskly pulling Susan away, into yet another kiss.  <That should 
keep her quiet,>he smiled to himself as she returned it.  After a few long 
moments he pulled away and whispered, "So you ready to go?"

            She smiled at him, and pulling at his hand quite quickly led him 
out.  "Of course."  

            As they left, they barely heard the audible sigh of relief from 
the staff as the cranky commander left.  And just before the tube doors shut 
they heard a few comments thrown casually about the crew.

           "Now there goes one lucky man."  

            "Wonder what they’ll be doing tonight?"

            The pair laughed as the transport lurched into motion.   Then, 
they happily fell back into each other’s arms… What would they be doing 
tonight?  The thought was banished by yet another passionate kiss, and frenzy 
of emotion.