Journey of Love

Chapter Fifteen

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Marcus and Neroon, or anyone else from

Babylon 5.

Authors notes: Rated R. Contains slash: two males in a romantic/sexual (although not explicit) relationship. If this offends you please turn back now.

If the formatting is screwed up please forgive me. I still haven't gotten the hang of it yet.

Sorry for the late update, next one should be out in the next few days.

There, hanging from manacles attached to the ceiling was Neroon, nearly unrecognizable as the arrogant warrior I met in Down Below. There was blood dripping off him from multiple lashes across his chest and shoulders as well as terribly discolored bruises near his ribs, making it difficult for Neroon to breathe. From the ashamed and distraught looks on Shakiri's men's faces this wasn't what they signed up for. After all, killing a Minbari for the good of the Caste is much different than torturing one for sport. At that particular point in time my attention was focused solely on the two occupants gathered in the center of the chamber, rather than the shamefaced guards.

"Get away from Neroon." I roared furiously at Shakiri as I closed the distance between us.

"What are you waiting for?" Shakiri asked his men angrily as they continued to stand immobile. "Attack them!"

Not one soldier did as he was ordered. They all held their position except to collapse their denn'bok and look at the ground. They made no move to attack as I strode into the chamber, nor when the rest of the Minbari followed me in.

"He is consorting with a human!" Screamed Shakiri gesturing behind him wildly. "Neroon will corrupt all of Minbar if he is allowed to lead the Caste."

I ignored the raving Minbari in the center of the cave when it became evident that even his own followers were no longer listening to the political zealot's propaganda. My first concern was with checking on Neroon's health. Upon reaching him I felt the desire to take him in my arms and soothe the pain. I did no such thing however and instead I conducted a purely professional assessment of his injuries. Running my hands cautiously over his body checking for broken bones and other ailments, I found three broken ribs and numerous other minor internal injuries. Overall, I figured he would be okay once he was treated and got a few days bed rest. As I was looking for the locking mechanism to unlock Neroon's restraints my attention was momentarily brought back to Shakiri as his ranting raised in volume. I quickly refocused on Neroon's predicament and soon found the button near the ground that released Neroon's arms. Once I got Neroon free his full weight collapsed nearly on top of me, and with my own injuries I could barely keep us vertical. I gently lay Neroon on the ground trying to place him in such a position so as not to exasperate his injuries. With my attention focused on Neroon, I was only listening to Shakiri with half an ear.

"Are you planning on shutting him up sometime today?" I asked Malinar distractedly while trying to figure out a way to get Neroon off the mountain without jostling him needlessly. I did not want to actually look at Shakiri because I figured if I did I might loose my temper, which was only being held in check as it was because I was so focused on Neroon's welfare. That changed however when Shakiri started speaking directly to me.

"It is quite unfortunate that Neroon was brought down so low by a human." Shakiri sneered. "He use to be the ultimate example for other Minbari warriors to emulate. Now he has been corrupted by his catamite and betrayed his people."

"You dare to accuse Neroon of betrayal." I snapped at Shakiri finally standing up from my position hovering protectively over Neroon. "Neroon is as loyal to his caste as any Minbari I have ever known.!" Without waiting for a response as I continued doggedly on. "You however, have betrayed your people," I spoke menacingly advancing on Shakiri who imperiously held his ground while looking at my contemptuously. "Betrayed your Caste, betrayed Neroon, and betrayed Valen's teachings."

"This is of no concern of yours, Human." Shakiri practically spat out as if it were a curse word. "It is a Minbari matter."

"Neroon is under my protection, that makes it my concern."

"In that case you are obviously incompetent because I very easily circumvented you when I grabbed Neroon from the temple grounds." Shakiri commented maliciously.



"Perhaps, but I am neither unconscious or poisoned this time around." I barked extending my denn'bok as Shakiri did the same. I was momentarily distracted by Neroon as he restlessly moaned. That distraction was all Shakiri needed to strike with impunity, although my quick glance at Neroon just fuelled my rage toward the Minbari.

The fight that followed was nothing like the fight between Malinar and myself earlier in the day, nor the sparring that Neroon and I would indulge in on occasion. There was no mutual respect between myself and Shakiri whatsoever, and we were both trying our best to incapacitate the other as painfully as possibly. I was fighting on pure adrenaline. As such, I was not up to my usual standards. Shakiri, a veteran warrior, took advantage of my weakened state and attacked relentlessly. While I had to concentrate purely on the physical conflict to keep from getting pummeled, Shakiri was taking the opportunity to taunt me unmercifully.

"What is the matter Marcus? Not feeling up to defending Neroon's honor?"

"Bugger off." I growled back in irritation.

"You two really compliment each other perfectly, you are both inferior warriors who I can easily obliterate."

That comment got me pissed off to the extent that I forced myself to ignore my injuries and concentrate on ending the fight decisively. I began to jab, thrust and strike at a fortuitously fast pace until my pike was moving in a blur of motion. Gradually I got more hits through his near-impregnable defenses and Shakiri was slowly weakening.

"Neroon could pummel you on any day of the week." I snarled while sweeping his feet out from under him. "The only way you could hope to best him is if you attack from behind, or have him restrained."

Shakiri was on his feet again and I continued the assault.

"You are an utter disgrace to the Warrior Caste."

"if you are attempting to frighten me little human, your methods are pitiful." Shakiri idly commented while blocking what would have been a devastating head shot.

"I don't particularly care if you are frightened or not." I replied evenly, keeping an inquisitive eye on the other Minbari watching us.

"A pity." Shakiri commented casually after striking my ribs on the already injured area. Not wanting to give Shakiri the satisfaction of seeing my hurt, I tried to keep the pain to myself, but I couldn't help the moan that escaped against my will. Shakiri merely smiled maliciously and continued to aim for my injured left side. "Neroon made a similar sound as I was whipping him."

Growling under my breath I attacked him with renewed vigor, using my rage to strike him forcefully again and again.

"You made two serious mistakes." I growled while striking him down behind his left knee causing him to fall to his knees, which I followed by an upper-cut to his chin. "First you didn't kill me when you had the chance and second, you hurt MY Minbari!"

While I was screaming that last sentence in his face my pike was on route to his bone crest which I hit with a sickening crack, causing Shakiri to collapse to the ground unconscious.

Holding my side tightly, in an effort to keep the pain down to a manageable level, I turned around to see all of the Minbari looking at me in varying degrees of shock. I didn't quite know what to think of the attention. Considering it was all I could currently do to remain on my feet now that the anger I was feeling had worn itself out, the others were the least of my worries. Upon seeing Neroon supported between Kobar and Maiko, although still unconscious but at least partially dressed, I breathed a huge sigh of relief.

"Let's get Neroon back to the Ingata's Infirmary." I said taking a stumbling step in their general direction only to be caught off guard by my vision spinning and my breath wheezing out of my lungs in shallow gasps. Before I could do more than grab my chest I collapsed and would have hit the ground had not Malinar caught me in his arms as I fell.