Title: Reminder
author: Cindy Ryan
notes and summary: See part one
'You looked beautiful tonight."Michael said softly as the fingers of his right hand tangled with Susan's curls.
He'd been dying to do that all through dinner. Now they were back in his quarters; naked in bed wrapped in each other's arms.
"You were quite handsome yourself."Susan said quietly as she ran a hand along his chest.
"Still humbled that Jeff asked me to be his best man."Michael commented as he rested his head against the pillow pulling Susan close.
"He thinks a lot of you."Susan replied as she kissed him. "As a friend and as security chief."
Garibaldi's link chirped and Michael cursed. He untangled his hand from Susan's hair and replied.
"Garbaldi; go."Michael answered.
"Sir, the prisoner you brought in as disappeared."
"What do you mean disappeared?"Michael demanded as he sat up.
"I don't know, Sir. He's just gone along with the two guys with him."Martinez explained anxiously.
"Alright, send out a station wide alert. I'll be right there."Michael said as he ended the com.
The dream ended and Michael woke. The dream had been strange a mixture of a memory and a dream. He and Susan had never gone back to his quarters after Sinclair's dinner. He'd been summoned at the meal, then shot in the back. Michael kept his eyes closed. He could still see her gorgeous in that blue dress with her hair down. Curls cascading past her shoulders. Michael wasn't sure if Jeff ever knew about Michael and Susan's involvement. They'd tried to play it casual that night but Michael hadn't been able to keep his eyes off of her. He'd been so happy and proud to have Susan by his side that night. The dream had been strange. He could almost still feel his fingers wrapped around those curls. Michael was grateful his eyes were still closed because he could feel the burn of tears. In that moment he realized he was in love with Susan Ivanova; had been for a long time. His brain and heart just hadn't made the connection until now.
Michael swore silently at his body that was betraying him. He was stuck in this bed while one of the most important people in his life needed him. God Susan...his imagination began working overtime running through scenarios of what could be happening to her. Images of her broken, bloodied form buried under rubble flashed by his mind's eye. Michael's good hand balled into a fist. If he got the chance Michael would tell her how he felt; consequences be damned. If he lost the friendship he did, but his gut was telling him he and Susan had a future. They just had to make it past this.
Susan hadn't heard from Sheridan in awhile. The only noise from above was digging equipment. Susan had ripped a piece of cloth from her shirt and made a makeshift bandage over her left arm. Best she could without any light to see by. Susan could still feel blood dripping which she knew wasn't a good sign. All she could do was wait and pray.
As she waited Susan thought of another time where that was all she could do. After Michael had been shot in the back. The attackers had taken his com link so he'd had to drag himself to the elevator and put himself in so he could reach someone who could help him. Or bring help to him.
Susan shuddered she still remembered receiving the call that Michael had been found. Sinclair had nearly torn the station apart looking for his missing friend. Susan could still see Jeff's expression when they'd reached the elevator and saw Michael's still and pale form. For a brief second Susan had thought they'd been too late. Then Stephen's team had arrived and whisked Michael away.
During the surgery Susan had stopped into Medlab not knowing what else to do. She had been still on duty with a million things needing her attention. Yet she'd been drawn there. Sinclair had been there and hadn't said a word. Just had offered his silent support. Susan had wondered then if her commanding officer had known of the relationship between her and Michael. She was sure he'd heard the rumors as everyone else had. Susan had almost told him that day. Her emotions and thoughts scattered and all over the place. She'd realized that day how much Michael was her anchor her touchstone. How much she relied on his presence if the world started to spin out of control.
Letting out a shuddering sigh Susan forced her mind to think of the good times. There were many filled with laughter. As she sifted through the memories it became clear to Susan that she was in love with Michael. Had been for awhile just had been too afraid to admit it even to herself. Susan knew she could risk losing him by telling how she felt. However, Susan knew that being trapped down here was a reminder there were no guarantees in life. Everything could be taken in an instant. Susan promised herself that when she saw Michael again they were going to have a long talk.
