PART 5

Marcus lay on his bed, alone in Isolab, quietly digesting all that Franklin had recently told him. Duncan was visiting old friends in Down Below and had told him that he would be back in a couple of hours.

The Ranger let out a sigh and tried to sort out his jumbled feelings. It appeared a lot had happened since his demise. He was pleased for Sheridan and Delenn, that much he knew for certain. He felt sorrow for his old friend Lennier and wondered where he was. Apparently no one had heard from him since he left. But Susan was a different matter altogether.

He'd been distressed when he'd heard how badly she'd taken his sacrifice. His only thought whilst carrying out the deed was that she would live, not about how it would affect her afterwards. And then, Franklin had shocked him more when he'd gone on to tell him about how she'd ordered the cryo and then used her promotion in an attempt to find a cure.

That shock had quickly turned to happiness at the thought that Susan might actually care for him. Just as quickly though, his joy turned to sadness when he decided that he was wrong and it could only mean that she felt guilty.

However, when he'd expressed his conclusion to Franklin, the doctor had angrily told him what a stupid person he was and that he'd better get that idea out of his head before the end of the week because Susan was coming back to Babylon 5 for the first time since it happened and the only thing that was bringing her there was the need to see him.

"I've been asking her to come back for a visit for eight months," Franklin had said, his voice raised. "So has Sheridan, even Delenn tried. But she stayed away because she didn't want to waste any of her duty time on leave." He paused, took a deep breath to calm down and added quietly, "Susan cares about you Marcus, probably more than any of us, including you, ever realised. These feelings haven't just appeared overnight because of what you did, they've always been there, she was just too afraid to commit."

The doctor stood up and stared down at Marcus. "You remember what that's like, right?" he asked pointedly before leaving the room.

Oh yes, Marcus remembered alright. How many times had he played games and hidden behind humour rather than tell Susan how he felt. Too many to count he acknowledged to himself.

Franklin's words echoed in his mind, "Susan cares about you, Marcus." A little flutter of hope rose in his chest and he started to smile, feeling suddenly happy. Now he was back, maybe he could change her caring to love.

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President John Sheridan strode along the corridor towards Medlab. He wasn't happy. He walked through the doors and a nurse looked at him in surprise. "President Sheridan, can I help you?" she asked.

"No," came the curt reply, as he started to walk about the room, looking around.

The nurse followed and tried again. "Are you looking for someone?"

Sheridan stopped suddenly by a window and his eyes widened in shock. "Oh my God. It is true," he muttered to himself.

Before he could walk into the Isolab, Franklin came out of his office and stopped in surprise. "John!" he exclaimed and followed the older man's gaze through the window. "Uh, can I help you?"

Sheridan turned and gave Franklin an angry look. "Yes, you can Stephen. Let's talk in your office shall we?"

The doctor nodded and gestured for Sheridan to go in first. As soon as the door slid shut, Sheridan turned on Franklin angrily. "What the hell is going on here, Stephen? Why wasn't I told about this? I've been hearing rumours all over the station about Marcus being raised from the dead, that's not the way I should have found out."

"We were going to tell you, but we weren't sure it would work and…"

"We? Who's we?" Sheridan interrupted with a frown.

Franklin sighed. "Susan and I."

"Susan?" Sheridan repeated in surprise. "Ivanova?"

"Yeah. Look, sit down and I'll explain everything," the doctor assured him.

Fifteen minutes later, Sheridan knew the whole story and had calmed down enough to ask, "Have you told Marcus what he's missed yet?"

"Yes, I filled him in earlier," Franklin replied. "He had difficulty taking everything in, especially about Lennier and Susan, so I decided to leave him alone for a while to….adjust."

Sheridan nodded. "Well, believe me, I can understand exactly how he feels. Lennier shocked me too and as for Susan," he paused, a look of amazement on his face. "I never realised she felt that strongly about him. I thought she left because she felt guilty."

Franklin smiled. "Marcus thought the same but I set him straight on that score. Susan cares about him a lot."

Sheridan smiled back. "So it seems."

Franklin picked up a syringe and moved over to the door. "You want to come see him now? I've got to give him his next injection."

"Sure," he nodded and got up, following the doctor outside. He watched him half fill the syringe. "What's in that exactly?" he asked.

"To be honest, I don't know 'exactly'," replied Franklin. "I mixed up a few common alkali's and then Duncan added some sort of blue crystal. He won't tell me what it was and I've only enough fluid for the injections. Nothing left over to test, not even a drop, I already checked."

They entered the room and Marcus turned his head to look at them. "President Sheridan, how nice to see you again," he greeted with a surprised smile. "Congratulations on your marriage to Delenn and the news of your baby. You must be very happy."

"I am and thank you Marcus," he replied, grinning. "It's good to have you back with us."

"Well, only part of me is back at the moment. I'm hoping Stephen has the means to awaken the rest of me soon."

Franklin was pleased to see Marcus was in a better mood and smirked, "On the contrary Marcus, I only have enough serum to bring back the top half of your body. And as your legs won't be able to carry you out of here, you're going to be condemned to your worst nightmare. A life in Medlab. Medlab gowns, Medlab beds, Medlab food….."

The Ranger groaned loudly. "No! Anything but the food, Stephen. How can you be so mean to someone in my incapacitated state. It's obvious you haven't had much chance to improve your bedside manner while I was gone. I'll have to remedy that when I'm back on my feet. I think two…no…make that three, good fights in Down Below should be enough to get you back up to speed."

Franklin sighed and turned to Sheridan, holding out the syringe. "You see how much is in this?" At Sheridan's nod, Franklin continued, "It took two full syringes just to get his mouth working."

Sheridan laughed out loud at the sound of Marcus' wounded cry over the last remark, then held up his hands to stop the row developing. "As much as I'd love to stay and listen to this, I have my own argument to get back to with the Drazi over trade embargo's." He turned to go, then paused to give Marcus an evil grin. "I can't wait to tell Delenn the good news. Boy, are you going to get an earful when she comes back on station. She was 'not' happy about what you did and now she's pregnant and her hormones are all over the place, her temper even scares me."

Marcus swallowed hard. "Ah….yes….well, naturally I look forward to seeing her again," the Ranger stammered, nervously. He groaned inwardly, imagining the lecture he was going to get when En'Til'Zha turned up. Not to mention all the meditation and rituals he would have to endure to 'cleanse' him after his rebirth.

Sheridan chuckled, bade the two men goodbye and left.

Franklin stood over Marcus and held up the syringe. "OK, turn your head to the side for me."

Marcus obeyed and the doctor administered the dose into his neck, then pulled out the scanner from his pocket. "Feel anything yet?" he asked after a few moments of checking the readings.

"My arms are tingling."

"Can you move them?" queried Franklin. Marcus grimaced with the effort of trying to lift his right arm then shook his head.

"Well, not to worry, give it some more time," the doctor advised. "I've got some reports to write up but if you get any pain or movement back then give me a call. I'll be in my office."

Franklin left Isolab and was almost at his office door when the sound of coughing caught his attention. Duncan had returned and was doubled over, leaning on a console, hacking uncontrollably. He rushed over and helped the man onto a bed.

"Thank you," Duncan finally managed to gasp out. "It seems to be worse today."

"You should get some rest," Franklin told him. "Going for long walks in Down Below isn't helping your condition."

"I had old friends to say goodbye to," the old man wheezed.

"I know," the doctor replied kindly. "But you should just lay here for a while now. Don't try to exert yourself anymore today."

Duncan shook his head and sat up. "No, I'm alright now. I want to sit and talk to Marcus while I still have time."

Franklin frowned but acquiesced and helped him to stand. "Have you told him yet?" he queried.

The old man shook his head again. "No. And I'm not going to."

"What?" Franklin exclaimed, incredulously. "He'd want to know Duncan, you should tell him."

"There's no need, doctor. Once you've given the last injection and I know he's well, I shall be leaving," he stated with a smile. "I don't see any reason for upsetting him unnecessarily."

Franklin raised his eyebrows dubiously. "Well, naturally it's your call but…."

"It's for the best," Duncan cut in firmly.

Franklin nodded and stood back to let the old man enter Isolab. He watched him sit down and start talking. The two men laughed and the doctor turned away to go into his office and make a start on his reports.

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The week passed and Marcus gradually gained the use of all his limbs. The day before Susan's arrival, Franklin allowed him to get up for the first time. He was shaky but relieved to know that he could walk, albeit slowly. His muscles still needed time to strengthen. He hardly slept that night and as soon as it was a reasonable time, 06.00hrs, he was on the comms unit asking Corwin if Susan's ship was on

schedule.

On the transport Ivanova heaved a sigh of relief as the transport finally docked at Babylon 5 three hours past it's scheduled arrival time. It had been a long week. The communications console had not been working and her link had been accidentally broken by Jess who had managed to somehow knock it off of Susan's hand and then tread on it. So, she had had no way to find out how things had gone.

Susan grabbed her bags and made her way to the exit to wait impatiently for the doors to open.

"We're actually here at last," came an excited voice from next to her.

Susan subdued her groan of annoyance and told herself once again that Jess was only young. She turned and gave the woman a vague smile before replying, "Well, I hope you enjoy your stay. Maybe I'll see you around."

"Oh, I hope so, Susan. It's been fun," she enthused.

"Yeah," replied Ivanova dryly. There was a loud clunking noise and then the exit doors opened. She quickly said goodbye before striding away, fervently hoping that she wouldn't see the woman or have to listen to her constant jabbering ever again.

Susan handed over her ID and once cleared, walked through onto the main part of the station. She stopped for a moment and looked around just letting the memories wash over her.

"The old place never changes," stated a deep voice from behind her, causing her to jump and turn in surprise.

"It's been a long time, Mr. President," she said, formally.

"Yes, it has, Captain," he replied with equal formality. Then he grinned and held his arms open to give her a hug. "You look well, Susan. How was your trip?" he asked, warmly.

"Fine," she replied, returning his hug. "It just took too long."

He stared at her, nodding in understanding and when they broke apart, he motioned for one of the security guards to take her bags. They started to walk along the corridor. "He'll put them in your quarters while we go to Medlab. I assume you 'do' want to go there first," he queried, chuckling.

"It….it worked then?" she asked, hesitantly. "Marcus is….back?"

Sheridan reached out and squeezed her hand. "Yes, he's back, Susan," he confirmed. "And giving Stephen a hell of a time as usual."

**************

Jess watched Sheridan and Ivanova's reunion from across the hall and was joined by her two accomplices. She turned to the older man. "Paul, you follow the security guard. He's probably going to her quarters. Once you know where they are, wait for Adam and me in a place called the Zocalo. We'll find you."

Paul nodded and walked away, then Jess turned to the younger man. "We've got to go to a bar in Down Below called The Star. Our contact will be waiting for us," she informed him as they walked off in the opposite direction.

*************

On their way to Medlab, Susan was quiet as she half listened to Sheridan telling her about the Drazi trade problem and the latest news from Delenn. They reached the corridor that led to the medical facility and she suddenly came to a dead stop. Sheridan had walked on a couple of paces before he realised she wasn't with him.

He turned and walked back, then gently took hold of her arms. "Hey, are you OK?" he asked, concern clear on his face.

She nodded. "I…I think so. It's just….suddenly hit me that Marcus is alive," she admitted, a nervous smile tugging at her lips. "A thousand different feelings just slammed into me and took me by surprise, that's all."

Sheridan smiled comfortingly. "It's OK to be scared, Susan. I know I was when I told Delenn how I felt about her."

Surprised at Sheridan's perception, Ivanova's eyes widened as she looked back at her friend.

"Come on," he coaxed, dropping his hands from her shoulders and standing aside. "The poor guy has been counting the minutes until you arrived. I dread to think what chaos he's causing in Medlab. He must know you've docked by now, he's been plaguing Corwin by checking the transport schedules all day."

Susan couldn't help but smile, that sounded so like him. She took a deep breath and released it slowly. "Alright, let's go," she said, walking determinedly towards Medlab with Sheridan close behind. She walked in and looked around, her heart contracting and her breath catching in her throat as she saw Marcus with his back to her, bent over the comms console talking to what looked like a very

exasperated Corwin. Love flooded through her, warming every part of her body.

Franklin and Duncan were standing behind him and looked up at her entrance, a smile lighting both their faces. Susan put a finger to her mouth in a gesture of silence and they both nodded.

She took a couple of steps forward, listening to his conversation. "You're sure the ship has docked?" he was asking.

"Yes, Marcus. It came in half an hour ago," Corwin replied wearily.

"And Susan was definitely on it?" Marcus questioned.

"Yes, as I've already told you three times, security have her logged as on station," Corwin said, his tone indicating that his patience was wearing thin. "C and C out."

The screen went blank and Marcus let out a heavy sigh. "I don't think she's coming, Stephen," he said miserably. "I suppose I…."

He turned around and whatever he'd intended to say died on his lips as he saw Ivanova standing there. His mouth went dry as he drank in her appearance, his heart flip-flopping crazily, he stammered, "S..S..Su.."

"Susan," she supplied for him softly.

"Susan," he whispered back. Marcus took a step forward and stopped as he was suddenly assailed with doubts. What if Stephen was wrong and Susan didn't care for him. What if it 'was' just guilt. What if she just said, "Thanks for saving my life Marcus. Now I've done the same for you we don't have to see each other ever again." He looked down unsure of how to greet her. Should he shake hands, hug her….kiss her?

A couple of seconds later, Ivanova made up his mind for him when she walked over and flung her arms around him in a tight embrace, her face turned into his neck as she whispered, "I've missed you so much, Marcus."

"Oh Susan, I'm so glad you're here," he whispered back as he wrapped his arms around her and rested his head against hers, closing his eyes. When he opened them, they were watery and he looked over her shoulder at the three men who were standing quietly and witnessing the whole scene with huge grins plastered all over their faces.

He smiled at them and after a wink from Sheridan, a nod from Duncan and a thumbs up from Franklin they turned and left them on their own.

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Jess and Adam left the bar and walked along a dingy corridor heading towards the Zocalo.

"What did he give you?" Adam asked her curiously.

Jess opened up the package the contact had passed her and pulled out a flimsy piece of mesh. She held it up for him to see.

"What's that?" he queried, puzzled.

"A changeling net," she replied, smiling nastily.

Adam frowned as he recognised the name, "Aren't they dangerous?"

"Yes. But I won't be wearing it that long. I just need to get to Ivanova and then our mission will be easy."

"But what about the real Ivanova? You can't have her running around at the same time," Adam pointed out.

"I know," Jess replied dismissively and left him standing there in shock as she walked off saying, "That's why you and Paul will have to kill her."

END PART 5