Journey of Love

Chapter Eighteen

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.

[……..] Denotes thoughts which is slightly changed from previous chapters.

Although Neroon was let out of the Infirmary later that same day, he visited me often over the next two days, keeping me company as I convalesced. The visits were anything but peaceful however.

"What do you mean you're waiting two more days to hold the Rite?" I asked when it became obvious that I would not be released that day, like the doctor previously thought. "God dammit, Neroon! You have waited too long already. If you wait much longer, you'll just give any discontent Anla'shoc a chance at disputing your right to leadership. You can't show any sign of weakness this close to the ceremony. I'm sure the delay has caused dissent as it is."

Rather than take my concerns seriously, Neroon seemingly ignored my comments looking vaguely amused. That did nothing but anger me further.

"We will wait until you can physically be at the ceremony. Any that have a problem with that can come speak directly to me, but I will not change my mind on this." Neroon asserted lifting his chin obstinately. "Besides," he continued quietly. "It would mean a great deal to me to have you in attendance."

Seeing how serious Neroon was looking at me, I reluctantly agreed, although I actually wanted to do the exact opposite.

"Very well." I answered. "Since you're so adamant about it."

Inwardly, I was busy hitting myself over the head with a rock.

[It's one thing to be friendly with an Alit, but quite another to fall in love with a Satai, and soon-to-be Caste Leader. Considering that I had just recently admitted to myself that I had loved the idiot, I had absolutely no idea how to act around him. The only thing I could come up with was to try to distance myself from him, so that he wouldn't be able to notice my change in feelings toward him, but the stubborn Minbari won't leave me alone.]

"Good." Neroon smiled, looking very much relieved. "I will send a dress uniform for you to wear the day after tomorrow. I am afraid I most-likely will not be able to see you much, if at all over the next two days since I have so many last-minute details to take care of. Being incapacitated the last few days has made me inexcusably behind in preparations as it is."

"Don't worry about it." I said rather enthusiastically. When Neroon still looked worried, I squeezed his hand reassuringly, before abruptly letting go, after catching what I was doing. "I'll see you at the ceremony if you can't get away before then."

"If you are sure…" Neroon said. "Then I will leave you in the doctor's capable hands. I still need to go over the various rituals with Shamar before the ceremony."

I could hardly stifle a groan.

"Just how long will the Right be?" I questioned calmly.

"Oh, only about nine hours standard earth time." Neroon answered guilelessly, although he looked as if he were trying not to laugh at my obvious discomfort.

"Nine hours?" I practically yelled.

"Is there a problem?" Neroon asked.

"No problem." I growled through clenched teeth. "You'd best get started then, that's a lot of memorizing, and we wouldn't want you to forget anything particularly important."

"That would be no way for a Caste Leader to behave." Neroon agreed totally missing the sarcasm. "Very well, I will see you then."

As he left me alone in the Infirmary I groaned aloud in despair.

"So much for avoiding him."

At least this would give me two days to get my unruly reactions to him under control. [I really am a glutton for punishment… In love with Neroon… DAMN!]