Hi Everyone, Here's the next part - sorry it took so long but I was trying to get the whole story finished. Didn't happen unfortunately, so it's just this part for now.

CHAPTER 10

Ivanova slowly opened her eyes and looked around. Total darkness. Panic started to rise. 'So this is death,' she thought to herself fearfully. For she surely was dead. She remembered with clarity, being held down and injected with poison. And Jess. Jess had taken her place, her image, her life.

It was only when she moved her head slightly to one side that she realised that she had a hood covering her face. Automatically, she tried to raise her arm in order to move the offending fabric

Suddenly a wave of nausea came over her as her brain finally registered the foul stench that assailed her senses. Her eyes flew open and she peered into the darkness once more. This time, as she allowed her eyes to adjust more, she could just make out the stark metal walls that surrounded her. A dim glow seemed to be coming from the other side of the room she was in and she knew instinctively that it was the way out and that she had to reach it anyway she could.

Forcing her protesting and aching body to move, she managed to crawl slowly towards the the light. Beads of perspiration appeared on her brow as the effort of just moving began to take its toll after only a few feet. But to admit defeat was a trait Ivanova didn't possess and she pushed her self on, gritting her teeth against the pain in determination.

She reached the opening and collapsed onto her stomach, her breathing laboured. Closing her eyes, she decided to rest for a couple of minutes before trying to move again. Whatever they'd injected her with was strong but she was determined to be stronger.

As she lay there, she realised that the sound of her gasps for breath weren't the only things she could hear. A muffled, steady thud was coming from somewhere in front of her and she opened her eyes to see what it was. Feet. She could just make out someone approaching her, their footfalls making the steady sound that became clearer the nearer they got.

Fearing that it was her assailants again, Ivanova struggled to move back into the room but was too slow. The footsteps broke into a run , getting louder the nearer they came. She groaned in frustration and then silenced as the footsteps stopped and someone dropped to their knees beside her.

Gentle hands turned her over and she looked up into the face of young clean-shaven man. "My name's Samuel and you're going to be alright now, Miss," he told her in a reassuring tone.

Ivanova nodded weakly and then registered what the man was wearing. "You're a Ranger," she said, forcing the words out. "Marcus Cole...get me to, Marcus."

"I think a doctor…" Samuel tried to persuade but Ivanova grabbed hold of his robe and pulled herself into a sitting position.

"No. Help me to stand and then take me to Marcus Cole," she insisted forcibly, her strength gradually starting to come back to her.

The name of Marcus Cole made Samuel take another look at the woman in his arms and he suddenly realised who she was. Susan Ivanova; the woman that En'Til'Zha's right hand man had willingly given his life for. He'd heard enough stories to know she wasn't someone to be deterred and finally nodded in agreement. "Certainly, Captain," he replied. "I believe he went to meet En'Til'Zha when she docks."

"That's bay 16," Ivanova told him. "Come on, let's go."

Samuel pulled her up until she was standing then put his arm about her waist as he helped her walk towards the elevator that would lead them out of Down Below.

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Jess walked quickly away from the Zocalo silently fuming. She'd gone to meet with Carrington but had been greeted by the sight of him sitting at a table with Garibaldi seated opposite and a security man standing behind, holding a PPG against his temple.

Suspecting that it wouldn't take long before he talked, Jess knew she had to get a head start on Garibaldi before he found out why they were there.

Trying not to run, she headed in the direction of docking bay 16.

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Marcus walked into the docking bay area and immediately spotted Sheridan and Zack Allen, who were in deep conversation. He walked over to them and when Sheridan looked up and saw him, his frown turned into a smile.

"Marcus, glad to see you could make it." He glanced over the Ranger's shoulder to the empty area behind then looked back at him quizzically. "Where's Susan? I thought she'd want to be here to meet Delenn."

The Ranger stared at Sheridan for a moment before finally answering, "She was involved with something when I last saw her. I'm not sure if she's going to be able to make it."

Sheridan frowned and looked at Marcus' impassive face. He had a feeling something had happened between his two friends but knew by the Ranger's tone that he shouldn't pry. "Well, maybe we'll meet up with her later," was all he said before looking back towards the docking area from where Delenn would appear.

'I wouldn't count on it,' Marcus thought miserably to himself but remained silent. He didn't know why he hadn't just told the President what he'd seen. Maybe he thought that if he didn't actually say it out loud then it didn't happen. That thought almost made him smile. He knew he'd never forget what he'd seen and fervently wished Susan Ivanova had just left him dead.

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Delenn sighed with relief when her transport finally docked with Babylon 5. She'd had a long trip and wanted nothing more than to come home and have some quiet time with her husband in preparation for the birth of their baby.

The door opened to let the passenger's out but she let the majority of the bustle go by before standing up slowly and stretching her arms. Gathering up her belongings, she slowly made her way along the aisle and out of the ship.

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Jess entered bay 16 and glanced over at the three men who were standing away from the dwindling crowd. She walked over slowly not wanting to engage in any small talk lest she give herself away. She couldn't afford any slip ups now she was so near to achieving her goal.

As she approached, Sheridan saw her and smiled. "Susan, you made it," he commented in delight. "Marcus wasn't sure you'd be able to get away from what you were doing."

Jess smiled and glanced at the raven haired man who'd turned to look at her as soon as Sheridan had spoke. "Oh, I wouldn't miss this for the world," she responded. "Marcus should know that."

"Well you looked so busy when I last saw you, Susan, that I didn't think you'd be able to tear yourself away," Marcus retorted coldly.

Although she immediately bristled at his hostile tone, Jess decided not to rise to it on the chance that would upset her plans. "Well, obviously I could," she answered with forced cheerfulness. "Now, when does Delenn get in?" she asked, effectively closing the subject.

Marcus looked as though he wanted to say more but he suddenly seemed to remember that Sheridan and Zack were there. He obviously felt better of continuing his tirade because he moved over to lean against the wall and stayed silent, a sullen look on his face.

"She's due in about now," Sheridan supplied, still trying to work out what had happened between his two friends. Marcus' silent, but very evident anger, told him it was something serious and so Ivanova's casual dismissal seemed strange.

Oblivious to Sheridan's musings, Jess looked towards the exit, her hand wrapping around the cold, comforting feel of her PPG. Looking around she saw that the last of the shuttle's occupants were leaving the area. She glanced at the corridor entrance that lead to the Zocalo in dread. The longer Delenn took to alight from the shuttle, the stronger the chance was that her mission would be foiled.

Footsteps caused her to look back at the shuttle exit and an evil smile crossed her face as Delenn finally walked out into the waiting area. Sheridan immediately went over to his wife and engulfed her in a hug, obviously pleased that she was back.

Without a moment's hesitation, Jess drew her PPG and aimed it directly at the embracing couple.

END CHAPTER 10