Summary: Although I love 'The Letter' and the way Mark left, I really wish there had been some kind of goodbye between Mark and Susan. And being a romantic at heart, and a huge Marsan fanatic, I decided to make one up! Please review…
Goodbye
Set at the end of 'Orion in the Sky'
"You set the tone, Carter," Mark said as he wandered away from the hospital.
Suddenly there was the sound of feet behind him. Mark turned to see Susan running after him.
"You're going," she said, bluntly. Mark nodded.
"Will you be back?"
Mark shook his head.
"You were going to leave without saying anything?" she asked. Mark opened his mouth, but no words came out. He didn't know what to say. Susan felt the tears start to fall, and she bent her head so that Mark wouldn't see. He dropped his bag and took Susan in his arms. They were both crying now.
"I'm sorry," he whispered into her ear. Eventually, they pulled apart.
"Mark…"
"Don't," Mark interrupted.
"No, I need to say this," Susan said, looking up at Mark. "When I left…I…I don't want you to think I didn't care…that I didn't love you."
"I know," replied Mark.
"I'm so sorry."
"For what?" Mark asked.
"I don't know…everything. For leaving. For hurting you. Everything." Susan replied.
"You don't have anything to apologise for. You did what you had to do, I got that. I'm just glad you became part of my life again."
"This is so hard," Susan said, as the tears began to roll again. "I don't want to say goodbye. I don't want to not see you ever again."
"Now you know why I couldn't face saying goodbye," said Mark, stroking her cheek to wipe away the tears. He took her in his arms again and held her close.
"I've gotta go," Mark whispered. Susan nodded.
"Goodbye, Mark."
"Goodbye, Susan."
Mark turned, and Susan stood watching him walk away.
"Mark!" Susan suddenly called, running up to him. "I love you."
Mark smiled. "I love you," he replied, and bent his head to kiss her. It was intense and full of emotion. They pulled apart and looked at each other. Mark took Susan's face in his hands and kissed her forehead, before continuing to walk away. As he reached the end of the road he turned back to look at her and smiled. Susan smiled back. Mark walked on, disappearing around the corner as an ambulance pulled in. Susan turned to help.
Life went on…
