Mind trap 9

Rating: PG for now

Disclaimer: All hail the Great Maker! JMS!

Pairing: I/M

Summary: When Marcus is captured instead of Garibaldi in "Z'ha'dum", what will happen?

(On the White Star, Susan is guarding Marcus' body, in silent contemplation. Lyta enters)

Lyta: Hi guys.

Susan: Hi. Shh!

Lyta: How are you both feeling?

Susan: I'm scared. He's asleep… and dreaming. (She taps her temple)

Lyta: Good dreams?

Susan: (Susan blushes) Intense.

Lyta: What are you worried about Susan?

Susan: Everything.

Lyta: Could you wake him up?

Susan: Give the poor guy a rest.

Lyta: They're that good huh?

Susan: Lyta! He's tired.

Lyta: To be blunt Susan, we need to split you two up, and soon.

Susan: Is there a problem?

Lyta: The longer we wait, the more painful it will be. And riskier.

Susan: Oh.

Lyta: You've become too dependant on each other in your minds. Wake him up.

Susan: Marcus. Wake up.

You called My Lady? Oh hello Lyta. Is it time?

Lyta: Yes. I don't think we can wait much longer.

Susan: What do I do?

Lyta: You… Susan needs to lie down and breathe deeply, relax and drop your walls.

Susan: And me?

Lyta: Marcus, perhaps a calming mantra would help.

Susan: Okay (Susan lays down, closes here eyes and breathes deeply.)

Lyta: Now, choose somewhere safe in your minds, a quiet place where you are at peace. An individual place.

Susan: My sofa.

The sleeping quarters on a White Star

What? On those death trap beds?

(chuckles) I got used to it.

Lyta: Don't start arguing again please?

Susan: We are not

Yes we are

Marcus?

Yes, my love?

Just until this is over, please stop it?

As you wish.

Lyta: OK. Imagine yourselves sitting together in the gardens, on a bench…(Lyta sighs heavily) Hold the candlelight until this is over okay? Thank you. Now, you are each going to stand up and leave the gardens. Good. Okay, Susan, start walking towards your quarters, your safe place. Marcus, you head for the docking bay, for a shuttle to take you over to a White Star. That's right. Keep going. Susan, relax, take a deep breath and sit down. Marcus, get aboard the shuttle, and sit in the passenger area. Understood? Excellent. (pause) Marcus, we are docking, if you will make your way to the sleeping quarters, lie down and relax. (Marcus' body takes a deep breath.) Susan? (Susan moans softly) it's okay.

Susan: Gone.

Lyta: it's still there. He's not going anywhere. Open your eyes Susan. (Susan obeys and her eyes move immediately to Marcus' prone body) Look at me. (She looks up hesitantly) How do you feel?

Susan: It's quieter. But not completely.

Lyta: I didn't want you both to go suddenly cold turkey. You have no blocks between you that's all.

Susan: He's back in his body?

Lyta: Yes. Just asleep. The procedure was a success. In a day or so I will let you put the blocks back up, until then, you'll just have to deal with the white noise. Something tells me you'll manage. (Marcus moans softly, Susan moves over to him and grasps his hand. Lyta exits)

Susan: Marcus? Hey, can you hear me?

Marcus: Loud and clear. Wow, that is what I call a head rush (He opens his eyes & grins as his eyes focus slowly on her face above him) But if I can wake up like this every morning, I'll be happy. Hello Beautiful.(she blushes)

Susan: Hello. Good to see you again, and hear you.

Marcus: I thought you said I talk too much?

Susan: Yep, but after a while you get used to it. It's… disturbing when you aren't around to babble.

Marcus: Susan, I've been babbling in your brain for almost a week?

Susan: Maybe I've missed the whole ensemble of you then?

Marcus: I've missed your eyes. (She grins mischievously)

Susan: Just my eyes? (He blushes)

Marcus: Well, Susan, I'm only human. And you are an absolutely gorgeous woman.

Susan: I'm glad you think so. And I won't hold any thoughts against you, as long as you allow me the same courtesy? Deal?

Marcus: Deal. (He raises her hand to kiss the back of it. She gasps as his tongue flicks out to taste her skin)

Susan: Ooh (He watches her closely, & she grins again) That tickles.

Marcus: So, the Iron Maiden of B5 is ticklish eh?

Susan: uh oh. I'm in trouble now.

Marcus: Oh big trouble! (He sits up carefully, bringing his lips inches from hers.) Hello.

Susan: Hi.

Marcus: Susan?

Susan: yes?

Marcus: Would it be okay if I kissed you?

Susan: Hmm? Dunno (she grins) Why don't you try it and find out?

Marcus: Yes ma'am

Susan: Please, don't call me –(she is cut off as he kisses her.) Mmmm.

Marcus: Okay, I won't call you Mmmm. (Susan smiles softly. He yawns) Sorry.

Susan: It's ok. We're both tired. It's been a long day. (she pushes him back to lie down.) Get some sleep.

Marcus: What about you? (His fingers run over her hand in lazy patterns)

Susan: I should go to the bridge. Check up on things.

Marcus: I'm sure they'd call you if there was a problem.

Susan: I'm not.

Marcus: okay.

Susan: I won't be long. (She kisses him softly. Then turns to go)

Marcus: Susan?

Susan: Yes?

Marcus: When we get back to the station, would you join me for dinner?

Susan: I'd like that.

(On the bridge, Lyta walks over to Susan.)

Lyta: Well, aren't you pleased with yourself. (Susan blushes, but can't stop the smile on her face)

Susan: I just wanted to thank you. It was weird having him up here.

Lyta: But not bad weird though?

Susan: I didn't say that.

Lyta: so, why are you up here?

Susan: He's asleep.

Lyta: Ahh. The age old complaint. He fell asleep.

Susan: I did tell him to. He needs it.

Lyta: And you need the space.

Susan: Am I that obvious? (Lyta nods) I need time.

Lyta: You need to talk to Marcus.

Susan: I don't know how to, without making it sound… like I don't l… like him.

Lyta: No Susan. You don't like him. You're in love with him. I know that, you know that. Lets not try to fool me okay? If you talk to Marcus, he will understand. He loves you so much, Susan, but he's just as scared as you are.

Susan: Scared? He wants to marry me! (The bridge goes silent, and even Lennier looks up grinning. Susan turns bright red in embarassment, before addressing the crew) Is there a problem here? (Everyone gets back to work, with the warning tone in her voice)

Lyta: He asked you?

Susan: No. Not as such. But this is Marcus, and it's there in his head.

Lyta: Susan, he's not responsible for that. He's an old fashioned romantic. Doesn't mean he's going to ask you tomorrow. And it doesn't mean he's not scared.