PART 6

Adam raced after Jess and grabbed her arm, swinging her around to face him. "You never said anything about killing Ivanova when I agreed to do this," he ground out, angrily.

"We've come here to do a job," she retorted. "She'll be in the way and have to be terminated."

"I will not kill another human," he told her, adamantly.

Jess angrily shook off his hand then, without warning, pulled out a knife and held it to his throat. "You'll do as I say or I'll kill you too," she warned, vehemently.

"B…b..but, I thought you said you loved me," he whispered in shock. "You couldn't kill me if you feel like that."

Jess snorted derisively, "I've told lots of men that I love them. It's just a means to an end." She flicked a contemptuous over him. "So what's it to be, are you in?"

He swallowed and nodded, then felt the cold steel press against his neck momentarily before being taken away. Jess smiled cruelly, then kissed him slowly on the lips before turning and sauntering off.

As Jess turned her back on him, Adam closed his eyes feeling sick to the stomach and roughly wiped his hand along his mouth to try and get rid of the taste of her, before following slowly. Whatever Jess threatened to do to him, Adam vowed to himself that he'd make sure that Ivanova wouldn't die.

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Michael Garibaldi strolled through the Zocalo looking uninterestedly at the wares that were for sale from the various colourful stalls and shops. He came to a small café and sat down intending to have a drink.

While waiting to place his order, he glanced around at the never-ending throng of aliens and humans that were going about their business. His gazed suddenly stopped and narrowed as he spied a man standing next to one of the exit's opposite to were he sat.

He was tall and balding and Garibaldi recognised from somewhere. But where? He pursed his lips in concentration, trying to recall the man's name but nothing was forthcoming. He was about to look away when he noticed a young woman with short black hair approach the man by the exit. She was accompanied by a young man and they were all soon in deep conversation.

Uneasiness crept through him until the hairs on the back of his neck started to stand on end. Something was up. All his instincts screamed at him and he tapped his link.

"Zack Allen," came the voice.

"Zack, do me a favour will you?"

"Sure Chief, what's up?"

"Put a security camera to cover the exit opposite Jake's and record it."

"Opposite Jake's? No problem." In the office Zack pressed the appropriate buttons and leaned back in his chair looking at the trio on the screen. "Who are they?" he asked.

"Don't know," was the dry response. "I've just got a feeling. It's probably nothing. I recognise the older guy but can't remember his name."

"OK, I'll run a check on the computer. You coming over to see want it brings up?"

"Yeah, I'll be there in ten. Garibaldi out."

Michael got up slowly, his eyes never leaving the trio. Just as he took a step to leave, the balding man looked over and met his gaze. Garibaldi noticed the look of shock that appeared on the man's features which was quickly replaced by a dark flush that rose to encompass his entire face as anger started to set in.

The woman touched the other man's arm for attention. He looked back at her and said something which had all three of them turning to stare at Garibaldi. The woman's face was openly hostile, while the younger man looked strained. Michael dropped his eyes and walked away. When he glanced back, the three had gone.

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Marcus watched the Medlab door close with a smile. There were a few other staff left in the large room but they knew to make themselves as invisible as possible at Franklin's nod before he left.

The Ranger pulled back to look at Susan. She glanced up at his face, then looked over her shoulder self-consciously, only to turn back in surprise, her eyebrows raised in silent question

"They left a couple of seconds ago," he supplied. "My guess is, they were sick and tired of listening to me chatter all week and decided you could take the brunt of it for a while."

Susan gave a small smile, then took a step back to put some distance between them. Now she was here with him, she couldn't seem to say anything. Her hug for him had been spontaneous, but now over with, she felt awkward and uncomfortable. It was a feeling she'd never experienced in the Ranger's company before and it set her back a little. "I, uh......oh Marcus, there's so much I have to say to you but I just can't seem to get the words out," she revealed, with a nervous laugh.

"How about I start then?" he queried, softly. At her nod, he continued, "Stephen told me how upset you were after my……well, you know. And I just want to say that I'm very sorry my actions caused you pain, Susan. It was never my intention. You have to understand that I just couldn't let you die, not when there was something that I could do to prevent it. Can you ever forgive me?"

Susan saw the pleading and contrition in his eyes, as well as the fear of what her answer might be. She nodded slowly and he let out an audible sigh of relief. "Thank you." He smiled and bowed his head in her direction. "Your turn?" he queried.

Susan swallowed and took a couple of steps to stand in front of him. She gazed into his wonderful green eyes for the longest time, then reached up and gently caressed his cheek. Her need to confirm he was real was overwhelming and suddenly she found the words were easy. "God, I can't believe you're actually standing in front of me again," she whispered in awe. Her voice shook as she continued, "I

was so worried that the serum wouldn't work and I'd lose you forever."

Marcus' mouth dropped open at her admission. "Really?" he questioned in a shocked, disbelieving tone. This was the last thing that he'd expected her to say.

"Really," she insisted. Tears started to well up in her eyes and not wanting him to see them, she wrapped her arms around him again, burying her face into his shoulder.

Puzzled, Marcus tried to lift her head to look at her but she resisted, just nuzzling further into his neck and holding him closer. Moments later, he was shaken to hear a couple of muffled sniffles. Without hesitation, he removed his right hand from her waist and rested it on the back of her head. Gently, he began to stroke her hair, his hold on her tightening when he heard the sniffles turn to harsh, racking sobs.

Eventually, her crying subsided and she moved out of his embrace, turning her back to him as she wiped her eyes. "I'm sorry. All the way here, I promised myself I wouldn't do that and now look at me, I must be a mess."

Marcus took Susan by the shoulders, turned her around and cupped her chin, gently lifting her bent head. He smiled tenderly as he studied her face. Her cheeks were streaked with tears, her nose was red and her eyes were puffy. "You are," he confirmed. His amusement turned to sincerity as he added, "And 'still' the most beautiful woman I've ever met."

Ivanova smiled tremulously at his softly spoken words. "Thank you."

He stared at her intently. She was so close, her eyes inviting, lips parted, all he had to do was lean forward and…..

The kiss was quick, his lips leaving hers before she barely had time to register what he'd done. Susan looked at him and realised he was trying to gauge her reaction. Whatever it was he thought he saw in her face however, couldn't have been good, because he suddenly appeared contrite, his mouth opening as though preparing to apologise.

Not wanting to hear it, she placed a finger over his mouth to silence him and smiled. His eyes widened in surprise and then closed involuntarily when she replaced her finger with her mouth.

Her lips moved over his coaxingly, demanding a response. He gave it willingly, moving his hands until they were cupping her face and tilting his head slightly to deepen the kiss. Her arms crept around his waist, urging him closer, as she opened her mouth in reply to the insistent brushing of his tongue against her lips. At her acquiescence, Marcus groaned and pushed one hand into her hair, the other

shifting across her shoulders, crushing her to him.

Susan felt a thrill of hot desire course through her body as his tongue sought out her own, drawing it forth into a slow, sensual, intimate battle. She strained against him, her body tightening in reaction as she felt the extent of his obvious arousal. Suddenly, he tore his lips from hers and she let out a moan of protest as he none too gently put her away from him.

"What's the matter?" she asked a little breathlessly, dragging open her eyes.

"I don't feel too good," he gasped, putting a hand to his head and swaying, perspiration showing clearly on his brow.

Susan looked at his ashen face in alarm. "Get on the bed," she ordered, helping him over. He lay down gratefully and shut his eyes, swallowing hard.

"Someone get Dr. Franklin now!" Susan yelled at the staff she knew were loitering somewhere within Medlab.

She looked back down at Marcus and saw he'd turned a deathly white. For a terrified minute she thought he was dead but then she saw his closed eyes flutter and realised that he was unconscious. Gently, she took his hand and felt the tremors that were starting to rack his body. With a worried frown, she laid her hand on his forehead. He didn't feel cold, but she called out for a thermo blanket anyway.

A nurse hurriedly brought one over and informed Susan that Franklin would be back any minute. Ivanova nodded mutely and gripped Marcus' hand tighter. Staring down at the man she loved so much, she silently prayed that Stephen would be quick because she wasn't going the lose Marcus a second time.

END PART 6