When Susan awoke, she stretched and said, "What time is it?"

"It's 10:30. Feeling better?"

"Oh much better. That cat nap sure hit the spot. I feel ready to take on the world," she chuckled.

"Well, how about we get you something to eat first?" Marcus smiled at her.

Susan ran her hand through her hair and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. "That sounds good. Then do I get my tour of the station?" she said smiling slightly.

"Absolutely. Wherever you want to go."

She got up off the couch and rummaged through her bag. "Just let me run a brush through this hair and I'll be all set."

"Take your time," he replied.

A few minutes later Susan emerged from the bathroom and said, "I'm ready. Where are we off to first?"

Walking out of his quarters Marcus said, "I thought you might like to eat at the Eclipse Cafe. The food isn't fancy, but you can get just about anything."

"Sounds good to me. I've been dying to try Minbari Flarn."
=
After arriving at the Eclipse Cafe and placing their orders, Marcus decided to make an attempt to get to know Susan better. After all, they were going to be spending quite a lot of time together and the better he knew her, the better he would be able to protect her.

"So why don't you tell me a little about yourself," Marcus began.

"You want the whole background or just the highlights?" Susan said as she smiled.

"Whatever you want to tell me."

"Well, I studied at the Institute Pasteur, Paris and at Harvard University."

Marcus was very impressed. "Those are very prestigious universities. What did you major in?"

"My major was xeno-biology with a minor in bio-chemistry."

"That must've been very hard. Those are both demanding subjects."

Susan laughed softly. "Yes, well ... for those 8 years I didn't really have much of a life. Which is okay because it's something I'm good at and it got me to where I am today. I enjoy what I do," she paused and then continued on. "But it does have it's drawbacks. Because of my age, not many people want to see my findings, or hear my theories." Sadly she added, "Even having two of my papers published didn't matter to the medical community. I've had to fight for everything."

Marcus was in awe. "You've been published? Twice? If you don't mind me asking, how old are you?"

"I just turned 31 last August. And don't make a big deal of it, but yes, I've been published twice. Once in The Journal of Xeno Medicine of Cambridge, Earth and once in the EMA Journal," she said, slightly embarrassed.

"That's very impressive. No wonder Delenn and President Sheridan want you to join the Alliance."

"I told them they would have my answer by the end of the week. That's why I came here. I wanted to see what I was getting myself into."

"A very wise decision," Marcus chuckled.

Susan smiled as she lifted a glass to her lips. "So now it's your turn. Tell me about yourself Marcus."

Marcus knew that this would be coming. After all, it was only fair. He decided to stick to the present and not bring up 'his' Susan or the surrounding events.

"Well, as you know, I'm a Ranger and I've only been back on the station for 2 days. I've been away on a mission to the Drazi homeworld."

"You've just come back from Zhabar?" Susan's interest was piqued.

Marcus nodded. "Yes. We found out that the Drazi have been supplying the Raiders with certain ... technology ... that the Drazi picked up from the ..."

Susan interrupted, "Drakh."

"How did you know?"

She leaned in closer to Marcus and whispered, "I bet you also found control pods?"

Marcus nodded.

"I know because I'm the one who told Delenn where she should look. She's one of the few people that actually do take my findings seriously. But anyway, I didn't mean to interrupt. Tell me more, how did you decide to become a Ranger?"

Marcus wasn't expecting that question. He wasn't sure if he was ready to reveal to a complete stranger one of his most intimate memories, but he wasn't about to lie. So he decided to keep it short and to the point. "My brother William was a Ranger. He died on Arisia and I promised him that I would pick up where he left off."

Susan shook her head. "I'm so sorry Marcus. I shouldn't have asked."

Slightly touching her arm he said, "It's alright. It really is." Marcus paused to take a sip of tea. "Do you have any siblings?"

Nodding Susan said, "I have a younger sister. She and my mom live on the Tranquility colony on the moon."

"And you're considering living on Babylon 5? That's pretty far for them to travel to see you."

"Believe me, they're not coming to see me anytime soon."

Marcus wasn't sure if he should push the subject, but felt that if he could help her with something he should try. But before he could begin, Susan interrupted him.

She looked down at her hands. "I haven't spoken to my family in years. It's easier that way."

"Now it's my turn to apologize to you. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."

She softly looked up at him; "It's okay. It's something I learned to live with a long time ago. You didn't do anything wrong. There's nothing to apologize for."
=
After they had finished eating, Marcus decided the best way to show her around the station was to start with one of the com center maps, describe the less undesirable areas, and then hope that she didn't want to see them in person.

"To begin with," Marcus started, "there are 5 'color' sections of the station: blue, red, green, grey and brown. Blue sector is where the folks we call the 'political officials' stay."

Susan laughed.

Marcus smiled at her. "It's where the Captain of Babylon 5 has her quarters, the second in command, etc. Even yours truly has his quarters there. Red is the business sector. It's where the Zocalo and the restaurants are. Green sector is where the Ambassadors stay. Grey sector is mainly the industrial area. And brown sector is, well, if you'll excuse my wording - slums and brothels."

"No wonder the President didn't want me staying there!"

Marcus smiled as he continued on. "There are 6 MedLabs. Two each in Blue, Green and Red sectors. The hydroponic gardens are here and here," he said pointing to the map. "And of course the Observation Dome, or what we call C and C is right here near the docking and cobra bays."

"C and C?" Susan asked.

"Command and Control."

Susan nodded. "Ah. Got it."

Turning to her he said, "So where would you like to begin your tour?"

"I'm torn between two places: MedLab and DownBelow."

Marcus was surprised when she said DownBelow. "Those are two completely different areas. Why do you want to see DownBelow?"

"Well, if I understand correctly, that is where your version of the homeless are."

"Yes, you are correct. But why would you want to go there?"

"Because those are the people who need help the most. That's why I became a doctor. I want to help people. I want to cure disease and make their lives a little better," Susan said with passion.

Her simple statement had touched Marcus' heart. Something he thought no other person would ever be able to do again. "Then that is where our tour will begin."

As they headed towards the transport tube Marcus said, "The only thing I ask is that you stay near me. Most of the station's crime occurs down there."
=
After stepping off the lift, Susan felt as if she walked into a completely different world. People were lying against the wall, huddled together for warmth. The distinct stench in the air was the unmistakable smell of poverty.

She turned to Marcus. "These poor people. Can't anyone do anything to help them?"

Marcus looked at her sadly as they continued walking. "Most of these people came to the station looking for new jobs and new lives. But when they ran out of money and couldn't find work, they ended up down here. Doing menial jobs for next to nothing; most of them getting into trouble with security for illegal activities."

Susan frowned. "There's got to be something we can do to help them. Get some kind of 'hand up' program going or, at the very least, get them some medical care."

"Well Stephen has a free clinic here. Unfortunately he can only operate it 2 or 3 days a week because of expenses."

"That's a start at least. But they need decent meals and the children need to attend school or they'll never break this cycle of poverty." Susan stopped and kneeled down next to a child that was no more than 3 years old.

Marcus was touched by the kindness Susan showed. He had no doubt that if this talented woman wanted to help people and change their lives for the better, she would. He thought that there should be more people like her in the world. Funny that. Marcus had only met her for the first time today and yet he felt as if he'd know her his whole life. He was starting to feel comfortable around her.

"Let's keep moving," he said to her as he extended his hand to her.

She looked up at him, their eyes briefly meeting. Briefly understanding. She took his hand and allowed him to help her up. Slowly they started walking again towards the market area.

"It starts to get crowded around here. Just stick close to me," Marcus said as he forged on ahead through the crowd.

They had walked for another minute or so when something in Susan's peripheral vision made her stop. She looked to her left and saw a child laying motionless on the floor down an adjacent corridor. Her instincts kicked as she moved towards the child, stopping suddenly realizing that she should tell Marcus where she was going. Although she had taken her eyes off of Marcus for one brief moment, she had already lost him in the rush of the crowd.

Pushing through people, Susan made her way over to the child. As soon as she crouched down and touched the child, the little girls eyes flew open; she sat up and ran away from Susan. "Wait!" Susan shouted. "I only want to help you!" But the girl had disappeared.

Dejectedly, Susan stood up and turned around, wanting to find Marcus. Instead she found 4 rather large looking men holding lead pipes, heading towards her.


END PT 3