I'd just like to thank all of you that have stayed with me on this - it's turned out to be longer than I'd first imagined but I hope you've all enjoyed it J The next chapter will be the last…more of an epilogue really and I hope to post that within the next week or so. Once again, thanks for hanging on in there J

Onto…

PART 12

MedLab was a hive of activity. Franklin had tended to Sheridan's wound and was checking over Delenn to make sure that the shock of the days events hadn't unduly affected her or the baby.

Ivanova was still unconscious and lay on the bed, Marcus had gently placed her on after carrying her all the way from bay 16. Her right eye and bottom lip were slightly swollen and turning purple from the bruising she'd sustained in what must have been one hell of a fight. His eyes strayed in her direction every now and then as he, Sheridan and Zack listened to Garibaldi tell them what Carrington had confessed. Sheridan paled when he realised that Delenn been the intended target that day.

"They've hated the Minbari since the war and as Delenn's a…" he paused,"…well…a prominent leader for her race. They figured a high profile target like her would get their organisation noticed and they'd attract more people to it."

Garibaldi saw Sheridan's jaw clench at the information and was glad he hadn't told the older man the actual words Carrington had used. How did you tell a happily married man that certain people considered his wife a 'monstrosity'? How did you tell a prospective father that some people considered his unborn child an 'abomination that shouldn't be allowed'? The answer was simple…you didn't.

Zack's link beeped and a voice told the small group that they'd found the third member of the gang in Ivanova's room. "He's dead, Sir. Looks like a point blank PPG burn straight in the gut."

"OK, get him out of there and bring him up to MedLab," Zack instructed before signing off. He looked at the other three men. "Well, at least that's the last of them," he said in some relief.

"Until the next team comes here," Sheridan snapped angrily. "I don't want Delenn to know anything about this, OK?" he ordered, looking at each of the three men in turn. They nodded back solemnly and his eyes glittered angrily as he added, "And I want this organisation crushed. I don't care how, as long as it's done. Do I make myself clear?" Again, all three men nodded and the President took a deep breath as he tried to calm down. "Good."

A gentle hand touched his arm and he looked down into the beautiful face of his wife who had approached without warning. Sheridan looked to see if there was any sign of her having heard their conversation but she looked as serene as ever and he instantly relaxed. "Everything alright?" he asked with a touch of concern.

"Everything's fine," she replied with a smile.

He smiled back and covered her hand with his. "Do you want to go and get some rest?"

"Yes, I think that would be best, but I'd like to speak to Marcus first," she replied, looking at the Ranger.

"Of course." He released her hand and looked pointedly at Michael and Zack. They nodded and followed him across the to other side of MedLab where they continued their discussion.

Silence descended over the remaining two people. Marcus found that he was reluctant to meet her gaze but knew he had to bear the censure over his actions as was his due. The Minbari didn't look favourably on people taking their own lives, however noble the intent behind it may have been.

"Marcus," Delenn said softly, causing him to look up. She looked back at him with tear-filled, faintly shocked eyes. She reached out and touched his hand. "It really is you. I was certain that my eyes had tricked me earlier."

He shook his head in negation. "An old friend found a way to bring me back."

"I am glad," she replied sincerely.

Marcus bowed his head. "I'm sorry, Delenn. I know what I did was wrong but I couldn't let her die," he said contritely, the words suddenly pouring out of him. "I just couldn't stand by and watch her like…like…that. Not when I could do something about it." He raised his head again and looked at her pleadingly, hoping that she'd understand what had driven him to behave the way he had.

Delenn was silent for a few moments. Finally, she spoke. "I cannot condone what you did, Marcus, but I do understand why," she told him. "Have I not, myself, been willing to die for someone I loved?"

As her words sunk in, the Ranger started to smile. It was soon wiped out by her following sentence though. "Nevertheless, you will have to do many cleansing rituals to rid you of this offence, Marcus."

"Yes, Delenn," he mumbled.

"Come to me when you are quite well again and we'll get started."

"Yes, Delenn," he repeated morosely. Cleansing rituals were notorious for being long and extremely boring. Hours of remaining motionless and silent as you contemplated your actions over and over and over again.

Delenn smiled at his obvious unwillingness to perform the tasks she had yet to set but, if he were to continue as a Ranger they were necessary. "We must also talk about your future and what has happened during your time asleep," said with a hint of sadness.

"Stephen has filled me in on everything that I missed, but I'd like to hear from you exactly what happened with Lennier," he replied quietly, his own voice echoing her sadness.

She nodded and then sighed wearily. "Now, I must go and rest as I find I tire very easily at the moment," she told him with a contented smile.

Marcus smiled in return. "Of course. Belated congratulations on your marriage and your baby."

"Thank you. John and I are very happy. It is right." She glanced around and caught her husband's eye, gesturing that she wanted to leave. She turned back and formed the traditional Minbari triangle with her hands as she bowed to Marcus. "I have missed you, my friend," she told him warmly as she straightened.

Gladdened by her words, Marcus returned her gesture and replied, "And I you. It's good to be back, En'Til'Zha."

Sheridan joined them and put his arm around his wife. "Ready?" She nodded and, with one last smile in her friend's direction, they walked out of MedLab.

Marcus watched them go then walked over to Ivanova's bed. Franklin was running the scanner over her body and frowning at the readings. "Is something wrong, Stephen?" Marcus asked in concern.

Franklin glanced up at him and shook his head. "No, her readings are slowly coming back to normal. She should wake up soon. Her body just needed to recoup after the battering it took."

Marcus breathed a sigh of relief. He'd been started to worry that her surface injuries were far more worse than they looked.

"I also found traces of drugs in her system," the doctor continued.

"Drugs?" the Ranger repeated in shock.

"Oh, nothing that could kill her but enough to keep her out of action for a while," Franklin dismissed. "In effect she's just sleeping it off."

As if to emphasise that point, Ivanova began to stir. Marcus was at her side in an instant, taking her hand in his to let her know he was there. Her eyes flickered open and after a couple of seconds she looked around. A slight frown creased her brow, swiftly followed by anger and she suddenly tried to sit up. "Jess!" she exclaimed, looking wildly around.

The two men immediately grasped her shoulders and urged her to lie back down. "It's alright, Susan. Jess isn't here, she's dead," Marcus informed her.

"Dead?" she echoed.

"Yes. Mr. Garibaldi saved us both."

"Michael?" she questioned, trying to fight through the cotton wool that was her brain. She stopped struggling suddenly and looked straight at the Ranger. "What happened?"

Franklin hovered, constantly checking his scanner, as Marcus began to tell her what he knew. He explained what had happened in the docking bay and the reason the gang were there. He also told her how Jess had died and about Adam being found in her room.

When he finished, Susan began to fill in the blanks as best she could. Marcus showed anger as he heard how they'd overcome her and then injected her with what she was told was poison.

Franklin interrupted at this point and clarified her condition, explaining that the 'poison' she'd been injected with was, in fact, a strong drug designed to slow the system down until it gave every appearance of death.

"Someone was definitely on your side. Effectively you were in a coma and it was probably that same someone who injected you with the antidote," the doctor surmised. "Otherwise, you'd still be in a catatonic state. You were lucky."

Susan nodded, knowing the enormity of the statement. She was very lucky. With a slight shake of her head, she then continued her story…waking up in Down Below, Samuel coming to her aid, his death and the fight with Jess.

"She didn't beat me, you know, I just fainted," she told them, her frustration evident.

"Well, in your condition that was to be expected," Franklin piped up sardonically. "Your body shut down to get the rest it needed."

Ivanova snorted inelegantly. "It should have taken a number," she responded dryly.

Franklin gave her a wry smile then turned his head as a nurse came hurriedly up to him asking for his assistance. He excused himself and went to tend to the emergency.

Left alone, Susan looked at Marcus and let out a sigh. "Are you OK?" she asked as she reached for his hand.

Marcus smiled slightly. "Shouldn't I be asking you that?" he countered.

"I wasn't the one who had to chase someone I love knowing that I might have to kill them," she replied softly.

Her words bought back all the anguish he'd felt when the situation had been thrust upon him. "It wasn't easy," he allowed, frowning slightly. "And when Mr. Garibaldi shot her, even though I knew it wasn't really you, just seeing your face crumpling in pain like that…" he stopped abruptly, his eyes closing as he relived the memory.

He let out a shuddering breath and Susan immediately reached out to lay her hand along his cheek. His eyes automatically opened at her touch and she smiled. "It's alright, Marcus, I'm fine," she said. "Look, you can touch me, I'm here."

Marcus placed his hand over hers and smiled back, the pain lifting from his eyes. He leaned forward and tenderly placed his lips over hers, subjecting her to the sweetest kiss she'd ever experienced.

He pulled back and they gazed lovingly at each other until the spell was broken by Franklin's regret laden voice. "Marcus, I think you'd better come with me. Duncan's awake and he's asking for you."

The Ranger looked eagerly up at his friend but saw the sorrow in his eyes and his stomach dropped. The end was near. He smiled sadly at Ivanova, who offered a comforting smile back, and then followed the doctor over to the Isolab.

"I'll be out here if you need me," said Franklin.

Marcus nodded and entered the room. The old man looked frail but his eyes brightened as the Ranger walked over to the bed. He opened his mouth to speak but the oxygen mask hindered his actions so he reached up in order to take the mask away. Marcus gently stayed his attempts at moving and removed the mask from his friend's face himself.

"Thank you," Duncan rasped. He coughed a few times and then closed his eyes as he tried to catch his breath. "Marcus…you must…listen…to…me," he said opening his eyes again.

"Shhh, just rest, we can talk later," Marcus replied trying to calm his friend.

"No. I have…no more time," Duncan told him. "Must listen. The…Captain…poison...I heard people talking…Down Below…"

"It's alright Duncan," soothed the Ranger, hiding his surprise. "We know all about it. Everything's fine now. Susan's well. Stephen's just checked her over."

"He has?" questioned his friend.

"Yes," Marcus assured him. "Now please, just rest."

Duncan seemed to ease a little and Marcus glanced at the old man's pallor in concern. "I'm going to ask Stephen to get you something for the pain," he told the old man. "I'll be back in a minute."

He returned within seconds to find Duncan's breathing had become even more shallower. Marcus reached out to replace the oxygen mask but Duncan stopped him with a weak wave of his hand. "No, it's too late…for me, Marcus…but, there's something…I must say…first. "

The Ranger forced a smile for his friend. "Yes?"

"Marcus…you are…like a son to me," Duncan gasped out.

"Duncan, please…," Marcus began but, the old man cut him off.

"Let me…finish."

The Ranger nodded and felt tears gather in his eyes.

"You were…the only one who…ever treated me…like a human being…," he paused trying to catch his breath. "I want to thank…you…for being…my…friend."

"No," whispered Marcus unsteadily, "I want to thank you. You taught me a lot and I'll be forever grateful to you for helping me have this second chance."

"As long…as you use your…time well," he wheezed, "that's thanks…enough for me."

"I will," promised Marcus as tears began to roll down his cheeks.

Duncan saw them and frowned slightly. "No tears for me…my friend. I've had…a good life." He coughed weakly and, if it were possible, turned a shade paler, his breaths more laboured. "Take good care…of…the captain. She…loves you."

"I love her too," Marcus forced out, the lump in his throat making it hard for him to speak anymore.

"I know."

Pain sliced through Duncan's body and he let out a strangled moan. Marcus grabbed hold of his friend's hand and held on, offering as much comfort as he could. "Stephen will be here in a minute, just hold on, Duncan," he pleaded.

The old man smiled at Marcus as his breathing slowed and he closed his eyes, giving the Ranger's hand a gentle squeeze just before his final breath escaped and he died.

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

Franklin cursed and hurriedly walked back to Duncan's room. He'd taken longer than expected but now, finally, he had the painkiller ready for administration. He knew it wouldn't prolong Duncan's life but anything he could do to ease the old man's suffering, he'd do.

He entered his patient's room and, taking in the scene before him, knew he was too late. Marcus sat quietly by the bed staring at Duncan's now peaceful body, his hand still clasping his friends tightly.

Upset, the doctor moved forward and placed a consoling hand on the Ranger's shoulder. "I'm sorry, Marcus. I wish there was more I could've done."

"You did all you could, Stephen," Marcus responded quietly. "Duncan knew that and so do I."

Franklin let his hand drop and stood back as Marcus leaned forward and used his other hand to gently uncurl Duncan's fingers from his own. Once he was free, the Ranger stood and turned to the doctor. "I'd better tell Susan," he said sombrely. "I'll sort out the funeral arrangements with you later."

Franklin nodded and stood aside for the grief-stricken man to pass.

END PART 12