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applecameronby SV
Archived by author's permission
Author's Notes: I daresay this is set in the same AU as "Hereafter, In a Better World", where Ivanova became Captain of B5.
If this doesn't seem like a REEEEEEAAAAAAAAAL familiar reference to a possible alternate future, don't read any further.
Spoilers of sorts through end of Season 4.
Premise: Somebody takes a shot at Delenn.
"Shampoo, Tea, or Me?",
by Sidra M. S. Vitale
"Delenn?" He was stooped, hesitantly, in the doorway.
"Yes?" Surprise etched across her half-human face. "May I help you?"
"Only by dying, Ambassador." The Minbari warrior rose his hand and fired.
Delenn was aware of a sharp gold light arcing toward her, a voice screaming, then silence.
"Delenn." It was a voice she knew. But not the one she expected. "Delenn."
She could feel her lips moving, and must have said something, but could only hear some portion of the response. "John's not here, Delenn. He's still on Minbar." Then something garbled. "Stephen says you'll be all right."
Good. She clutched at Ivanova's hand.
Cool human fingers stroked her brow. "Don't tell John." She demanded, whispering.
"I won't, Ambassador." But she was referring to the wrong thing. But perhaps not. Humans cared more about their....she couldn't think of the term, so tired, so tired, everything going gray. It came to her after Captain Ivanova left, after the coolness of her fingertips was only a memory: 'extramarital affairs', was the term.
Satisfied at her memory, Delenn slept.
Instead of fading into the memory of a few days past, of the new president leaving for Minbar, of the equally new captain pacing anxiously. Delenn offering the solace they both desired. Surprisingly, she fell instead into an earlier reminescence.
Ivanova as commander, instructing her patiently, after Delenn's transformation, in the art of caring for human hair.
She started with a description of what hair was, and how shampoos and conditioning treatments were used to cleanse and soften it. Susan had brought some of her own as samples for them to try. There was even a small bottle of something that smelled...particularly good to Delenn's nose.
"Why don't you let me, the first time?"
Delenn nodded assent.
They were in the cleansing room of Delenn's quarters. The Ambassador's new human form was wrapped in a warm robe, and Susan had removed her uniform jacket.
The room was a modified version of the human 'bathroom', with shallow basins and a tub that Delenn used mostly for storage. Her morning ablutions as a Minbari were very different than the humans'. However, she had asked Lennier to clean out the "bathtub" before the commander arrived.
"Do you have a chair we can use?"
"For what?" The ambassador was suddenly picturing strange rituals involving the empty tub and some --- "just for you to sit in, while I wash your hair".
"Oh. I see." The three syllables spoke volumes, and Ivanova laughed. Some tension in her released as she smiled. She pointed at the nearest basin. "You're going to sit in the chair, with your head in the sink, while I wash your hair."
"Oh. I see." And this time, she meant it.
A chair was fetched and Delenn seated herself in it. It was pleasing to see the commander smile.
It was even more pleasing, having the commander wash her hair. Obviously, she enjoyed it, as Ivanova began humming to herself as soon as water was running.
It was a fascinating and soothing experience. Susan Ivanova humming in her ear, the gentle music of the water, the warmth of that same water in her hair. Fingers stroking and massaging her scalp, exploring the half-ridge protruberance that had replaced Delenn's normal crest.
The Ambassador closed her eyes, and became slowly aware of the tactile experience of having one's hair washed.
And, finally, as the water, and warmth and white noise combined to relax her, Delenn exhaled completely, trusting the commander to take care of her.
There was a constant movement, Susan's body undulating next to her own, and Delenn found it highly appealing. This, she mused, must also be part of the hair experience. No wonder humans enjoyed doing this with one another.
"Commander."
"Hmmm-hmmmm." Was the only responce.
"Is grooming part of the human mating ritual?"
"OH." Ivanova looked startled, and Delenn launched an apology in return.
"I'm sorry, I merely thought what an enjoyable experience this must be for a couple. I did not mean to imply -- "
"It's all right, Ambassador, no implications taken."
Clearly she was not telling the truth, Ivanova's movements became more harsh. She slowed again, finally, and relaxed, as her hands cupped water and spilled it over Delenn's scalp.
They sighed with pleasure, in unison.
Delenn could smell a change in Ivanova as she got wet. The odor was still uniquely hers, yet different, all the same. Wet, and warm, and somehow....slippery.
Susan was applying something called a "conditioner", now, and the Minbari ambassador could feel her hair strands soaking up the mixture. She sighed again. Ivanova's chest was right by her face, and Delenn could smell the wet-Susan odor of her and the cloth of her shirt.
While they were waiting for the conditioner to 'finish': "What is the 'bathtub' used for, Commander?"
"Oh." Susan flushed a little. "Well,...you immerse your body in warm water to clean it. There are also showers," continuing a little more matter-of-factly, "that produce a similar cleaning effect in less time. They're more efficient." She paused. "I don't know when the last time was I took a bath."
"Perhaps we should 'take a bath'." Delenn suggested.
Ivanova looked somewhat disconcerted. "Let's finish off your hair, first."
She ran more water into the basin, cupping and spilling the liquid over Delenn's hair, and was quickly humming again.
As she was almost done, Delenn spoke up again.
"Commander. I would like to try a 'bath'. If you'll guide me, of course."
At least Commander Ivanova gave in gracefully. "Of course, Ambassador."
Susan ran a final splash of water over Delenn's hair, then wrapped her head in something called a 'towel', and helped her sit back up.
Together, they dried her hair with the towel, Susan's fingers massaging deeply into the ambassador's scalp. By the time they were done, Delenn was almost moaning with pleasure.
She collected herself and stood to ask Ivanova to show her how to prepare a 'bath'.
It was quite simple, but did involve the running of much more water. The delightful smelling bottle Ivanova had brought with her contained something called 'bubble bath'.
Delenn removed her clothing and folded it neatly on the chair. Then, stepped cautiously into the water. She smiled.
By this time, Ivanova was thoroughly wet. This simply would not do.
"We Minbari do not have your...clothing taboo. Please, remove your wet garments and join me."
"Thank you." Again, she gave in gracefully. Stopped only for a moment to contact C&C and tell them she was still in the ambassador's quarters and would be there until further notice.
The commander stripped quickly and stepped into the tub. A smile crept across her features almost immediately as she relaxed into the water. Delenn smiled in return, and began to explore new territories.
"Is this part of the normal bathing ritual?"
"No."
Susan stroked her slowly and thoroughly, describing with her fingers all the places that could make a human shiver deliciously. "If you press this little button, here...." And smiled as Delenn began to shudder with pleasure.
Delenn performed the same for the commander, rubbing and massaging her own 'button' until Ivanova flushed pink and gasped, rocking her hips in the water. She tensed, emitted a soft cry, and relaxed.
They did not speak again until much later, as Susan was leaving.
"Thank you for the lesson, Commander."
"My pleasure, Ambassador. Please feel free to call on me again."
"I won't tell John. You just get better." Without realizing it, her fingers tightened in a light, massaging motion. "You just get better."
Archived by author's permission
Author's Notes: I daresay this is set in the same AU as "Hereafter, In a Better World", where Ivanova became Captain of B5.
If this doesn't seem like a REEEEEEAAAAAAAAAL familiar reference to a possible alternate future, don't read any further.
Spoilers of sorts through end of Season 4.
Premise: Somebody takes a shot at Delenn.
"Shampoo, Tea, or Me?",
by Sidra M. S. Vitale
"Delenn?" He was stooped, hesitantly, in the doorway.
"Yes?" Surprise etched across her half-human face. "May I help you?"
"Only by dying, Ambassador." The Minbari warrior rose his hand and fired.
Delenn was aware of a sharp gold light arcing toward her, a voice screaming, then silence.
"Delenn." It was a voice she knew. But not the one she expected. "Delenn."
She could feel her lips moving, and must have said something, but could only hear some portion of the response. "John's not here, Delenn. He's still on Minbar." Then something garbled. "Stephen says you'll be all right."
Good. She clutched at Ivanova's hand.
Cool human fingers stroked her brow. "Don't tell John." She demanded, whispering.
"I won't, Ambassador." But she was referring to the wrong thing. But perhaps not. Humans cared more about their....she couldn't think of the term, so tired, so tired, everything going gray. It came to her after Captain Ivanova left, after the coolness of her fingertips was only a memory: 'extramarital affairs', was the term.
Satisfied at her memory, Delenn slept.
Instead of fading into the memory of a few days past, of the new president leaving for Minbar, of the equally new captain pacing anxiously. Delenn offering the solace they both desired. Surprisingly, she fell instead into an earlier reminescence.
Ivanova as commander, instructing her patiently, after Delenn's transformation, in the art of caring for human hair.
She started with a description of what hair was, and how shampoos and conditioning treatments were used to cleanse and soften it. Susan had brought some of her own as samples for them to try. There was even a small bottle of something that smelled...particularly good to Delenn's nose.
"Why don't you let me, the first time?"
Delenn nodded assent.
They were in the cleansing room of Delenn's quarters. The Ambassador's new human form was wrapped in a warm robe, and Susan had removed her uniform jacket.
The room was a modified version of the human 'bathroom', with shallow basins and a tub that Delenn used mostly for storage. Her morning ablutions as a Minbari were very different than the humans'. However, she had asked Lennier to clean out the "bathtub" before the commander arrived.
"Do you have a chair we can use?"
"For what?" The ambassador was suddenly picturing strange rituals involving the empty tub and some --- "just for you to sit in, while I wash your hair".
"Oh. I see." The three syllables spoke volumes, and Ivanova laughed. Some tension in her released as she smiled. She pointed at the nearest basin. "You're going to sit in the chair, with your head in the sink, while I wash your hair."
"Oh. I see." And this time, she meant it.
A chair was fetched and Delenn seated herself in it. It was pleasing to see the commander smile.
It was even more pleasing, having the commander wash her hair. Obviously, she enjoyed it, as Ivanova began humming to herself as soon as water was running.
It was a fascinating and soothing experience. Susan Ivanova humming in her ear, the gentle music of the water, the warmth of that same water in her hair. Fingers stroking and massaging her scalp, exploring the half-ridge protruberance that had replaced Delenn's normal crest.
The Ambassador closed her eyes, and became slowly aware of the tactile experience of having one's hair washed.
And, finally, as the water, and warmth and white noise combined to relax her, Delenn exhaled completely, trusting the commander to take care of her.
There was a constant movement, Susan's body undulating next to her own, and Delenn found it highly appealing. This, she mused, must also be part of the hair experience. No wonder humans enjoyed doing this with one another.
"Commander."
"Hmmm-hmmmm." Was the only responce.
"Is grooming part of the human mating ritual?"
"OH." Ivanova looked startled, and Delenn launched an apology in return.
"I'm sorry, I merely thought what an enjoyable experience this must be for a couple. I did not mean to imply -- "
"It's all right, Ambassador, no implications taken."
Clearly she was not telling the truth, Ivanova's movements became more harsh. She slowed again, finally, and relaxed, as her hands cupped water and spilled it over Delenn's scalp.
They sighed with pleasure, in unison.
Delenn could smell a change in Ivanova as she got wet. The odor was still uniquely hers, yet different, all the same. Wet, and warm, and somehow....slippery.
Susan was applying something called a "conditioner", now, and the Minbari ambassador could feel her hair strands soaking up the mixture. She sighed again. Ivanova's chest was right by her face, and Delenn could smell the wet-Susan odor of her and the cloth of her shirt.
While they were waiting for the conditioner to 'finish': "What is the 'bathtub' used for, Commander?"
"Oh." Susan flushed a little. "Well,...you immerse your body in warm water to clean it. There are also showers," continuing a little more matter-of-factly, "that produce a similar cleaning effect in less time. They're more efficient." She paused. "I don't know when the last time was I took a bath."
"Perhaps we should 'take a bath'." Delenn suggested.
Ivanova looked somewhat disconcerted. "Let's finish off your hair, first."
She ran more water into the basin, cupping and spilling the liquid over Delenn's hair, and was quickly humming again.
As she was almost done, Delenn spoke up again.
"Commander. I would like to try a 'bath'. If you'll guide me, of course."
At least Commander Ivanova gave in gracefully. "Of course, Ambassador."
Susan ran a final splash of water over Delenn's hair, then wrapped her head in something called a 'towel', and helped her sit back up.
Together, they dried her hair with the towel, Susan's fingers massaging deeply into the ambassador's scalp. By the time they were done, Delenn was almost moaning with pleasure.
She collected herself and stood to ask Ivanova to show her how to prepare a 'bath'.
It was quite simple, but did involve the running of much more water. The delightful smelling bottle Ivanova had brought with her contained something called 'bubble bath'.
Delenn removed her clothing and folded it neatly on the chair. Then, stepped cautiously into the water. She smiled.
By this time, Ivanova was thoroughly wet. This simply would not do.
"We Minbari do not have your...clothing taboo. Please, remove your wet garments and join me."
"Thank you." Again, she gave in gracefully. Stopped only for a moment to contact C&C and tell them she was still in the ambassador's quarters and would be there until further notice.
The commander stripped quickly and stepped into the tub. A smile crept across her features almost immediately as she relaxed into the water. Delenn smiled in return, and began to explore new territories.
"Is this part of the normal bathing ritual?"
"No."
Susan stroked her slowly and thoroughly, describing with her fingers all the places that could make a human shiver deliciously. "If you press this little button, here...." And smiled as Delenn began to shudder with pleasure.
Delenn performed the same for the commander, rubbing and massaging her own 'button' until Ivanova flushed pink and gasped, rocking her hips in the water. She tensed, emitted a soft cry, and relaxed.
They did not speak again until much later, as Susan was leaving.
"Thank you for the lesson, Commander."
"My pleasure, Ambassador. Please feel free to call on me again."
"I won't tell John. You just get better." Without realizing it, her fingers tightened in a light, massaging motion. "You just get better."