Babylon5: The Short Stories
Page 14
There was some murmuring at this. "Either she takes my place," G'Kar said over the shuffling. "Or we leave Narn."
Jerrica looked up at him, and he looked down at the girl, his ... offspring, and then he winked. She tried not to laugh and turned around quickly.
The First Circle conferred quickly among themselves at the base of the amphitheater in a little huddle. They turned around and the Council representative spoke again. "Agreed."
The whole assembly was buzzing now, with a positive energy. G'Kar broke into a great grin and clasped his hands together in triumph.
Jerrica looked up at him again, quietly. "You see?" he said. "That was not so difficult, was it?"
She smiled at him, motioning to the notepad in her hand. "I'm writing it all down," she said, "to share one day with others."
G'Kar chuckled. "I know the impulse."
She started to climb down to where Na'Toth and Alisa were now standing. Then she remembered something.
"Oh, of course, that's right!" Jerrica said. Your book! I read your book in freshman literature class, Dad. It was pretty good ... for a first draft."
G'Kar gasped. He realized that for the first time in eight years, he was utterly speechless and to nothing less than a remark coming form his ... his ... he couldn't even say it.
Na'Toth approached with a grin and struck her chest with her fists in greeting."Hello, G'Kar. Welcome home," she said briskly.
"Na'Toth. Thank you for looking after my—" He stopped abruptly and shouted down at Jerrica. "First draft? What do you mean first draft?!!"
Na'Toth continued as if he had said nothing. "My job is to protect all that is yours. Even though you are no longer Ambassador and I am no longer your personal watch dog. I have developed a responsibility to your person."
G'Kar stared, listened, and pondered life. Alisa could feel that he was starting to feel oddly at home suddenly. And he chuckled as he started to ease in. He and Na'Toth started at Jerrica for a few moments, watching the young Narn talk with Alisa Beldon in excitement. Then, Na'Toth clapped G'Kar on the back twice, roughly, and he glanced back up with alarm.
"It's good to have you back ..."
She barked. "Dad."