1 It's the beard Chapter 8

(The week passes quickly & soon it is their final night. Susan dresses in a beautiful blue dress & her hair is loose.)

Marcus: I mean it. Any time you have a problem, day or night, I want you to call me. Or if you just want to talk.

Susan: Marcus, you've done more than enough, really.

Marcus: I warned you I'd cash in on all those favours someday. And this is what I want. (She sighs in mock frustration, but her eyes twinkle with repressed laughter.)

Susan: You won't shut up until I give in will you?

Marcus: Nope. Do you surrender?

Susan: Yes, ok. But if you tell anyone that it works I'll have to kill you. (They chuckle)

Marcus: Cross my heart. Nobody would believe it anyway.

Susan: I'm not the same person as when I left.

Marcus: In every important way you are. But now you're a Mum too.

Susan: I'm vulnerable in a way I've never felt before. If someone wants to get revenge on the station or me, Kim is an easy target.

Marcus: But she has you. And me too.

Susan: Uncle Marcus, on his great White Charger.

Marcus: White Star. (He corrects softly) I won't let anyone hurt you. Either of you. I promise.



(A few weeks later, Susan is back at work, side by side with Lockley. Kim is in day-care, and Marcus usually picks her up for a few hours in the afternoon. During a lull in C&C.)

Elizabeth: How's Kimberly?

Susan: Poor love has a cold.

Elizabeth: Is Marcus with her?

Susan: Not yet. He's working in Down Below, until 1400. She's in day-care. I don't like having to leave her there so long, but I have no choice.



(Meanwhile, at the day-care centre, Marcus comes in, the woman smiles in greeting )

Woman: Hi Marcus. (The smile doesn't reach his eyes)

Marcus: Hi. I'm here to pick up Kim.

Woman: Yes, the poor love is still sniffly.

Marcus: Can I go and get her?

Woman: Sure. You're half an hour early, is everything ok?

Marcus: I finished early.

Woman: Lucky guy. Sometimes I wish I could. (A child starts crying) Duty calls. (Marcus picks up Kim from the crib & she immediately starts crying.) I guess your charm doesn't always work. (Marcus exits without a word. The woman frowns slightly at his abnormal behaviour, before shrugging and returning to work)



(Half an hour later, Marcus enters the day-care centre.)

Woman: Hey Marcus, forget something?

Marcus: Hey Carol. Nah, I'm just here to pick up the Princess Kimberly.

Carol: You and your sense of humour.

Marcus: What do you mean?

Carol: You picked her up ½ an hour ago.

Marcus: Carol, half an hour ago I was in Brown 10.

Carol: But then who-

Marcus: Did you speak to this.. person?

Carol: Yes, he looked and sounded just like you. Is this another one of your infamous jokes Marcus?

Marcus: Half an hour?

Carol: Yes.

Marcus: Bugger! Can I use your comm?

Carol: Yes, bu-

Marcus: Cole to Allan

Zack: Go.

Marcus: Zack! It's Marcus. Someone impersonating me has kidnapped Kim from day-care, half an hour ago.

Zack: Marcus, I don't have time for another practical joke today, ok?

Marcus: Dammit Zack, this is no joke, I swear. I was in Down Below with about 20 witnesses.

Carol: When this person picked up Kim she started crying. I made some joke about your – his charm wearing off. But babies are always crabby when they are ill, so I didn't think anything of it. Yo- He didn't say much, I figured you'd just had a bad day.

Zack: Okay, I'm convinced, Marcus never shuts up.

Marcus: Can we concentrate here?