Author's Note:

This story was based on speculation about Endgame. It was written July 1997 before I had ever see Endgame. Now that I have, there are a few contradictions, but since this is an alternative universe, they are minor enough that it will only annoy the purists, but I can't imagine purists reading fan fic anyway. I did make a couple of adjustments so the introductory information would line up with the now known facts about Endgame.

Restoration

by Melian

Disclaimer: All the B5 characters in this story belong to JMS. I am only borrowing them for fun, not $. No infringement on the copyright intended.

Dedication: This story is for all of us who like to do mental rewrites when a story does not go in the direction we would like it to go.

Historical Note: This story takes place after Endgame.

Part 1

Dr. Stephen Franklin knew there was no hope. Commander Susan Ivanova had been sent back to Babylon 5 to die. He had been receiving reports on her condition while on the mission. She would not regain consciousness before she slipped away, but he had planned to sit with her through those final moments...if only he could get there in time. Now he knew he had to hurry, not just for Susan's sake, but because Marcus had hacked his way into the medical records about the alien healing machine. He hoped he would be on time to stop the tragedy. As the ship docked he received confirmation of his worst fears.

"Don't touch anything! I'll be right there!"

Stephen arrived in Medlab breathless from his long sprint. His staff quickly filled him in as they hurried to Medlab 2. The Medlab orderlies were sprawled unconscious on the floor. Dr Hobbs and the staff were attending to them.

"Oh dear God! Marcus, Marcus, can you hear me?"

Susan Ivanova groaned and opened her eyes at the sound of Stephen's voice. There wasn't a part of her body that didn't hurt. She looked toward Stephen and saw Marcus strapped into the machine. He was next to her, slumped over and pale as death. Susan's chest tightened and she felt like she couldn't breathe. She watched as Stephen and a technician removed Marcus and laid him on the floor. Stephen slapped on his comlink to summon help. Almost immediately two technicians arrived with a rolling bed and wheeled Marcus out to Medlab 3, with Stephen rushing after them.

Susan wasn't sure what this meant, but she was determined to find out. She forced herself off the bed and staggered in the direction of Medlab 3. As she entered the room she saw Stephen hovering over Marcus who was hooked up to life support.

"Can someone tell me what the hell is going on?" Susan demanded.

"Susan!...Well I guess this wasn't for nothing after all."

"What are you talking about, Stephen? What's happened?" Susan asked shakily.

"You'd better sit down in that chair over there. You shouldn't be walking around."

Susan limped over to the chair and sank down wearily. Stephen left Marcus and sat in the chair next to Susan.

"This isn't going to be easy to explain, Susan," Stephen began.

"Just give it to me straight, Stephen. The last thing I remember was that I felt I was dying."

"You were."

"Then how did I...Marcus!...The machine....Why the hell would he do a thing like that?"

"I thought it was pretty obvious. He loved you, Susan."

"That's impossible. He told me he was in love with someone else."

"Well, I don't know what he told you, I only know what I saw when I came into Medlab 2. He's given up his life energy to save your life. I've got him hooked to life support, but I can't resuscitate him. There isn't any brain activity, either. He's gone, Susan."

Susan felt as if she'd been punched in the stomach. When she spoke it was barely more than a whisper.

"What are you going to do now?"

"Since Marcus is a registered organ donor, I'm going to put the body in cryo until I can determine which people on the station and in the medical registry could benefit from his donation. His sacrifice will give life and hope to others besides you."

This was more than Susan could bear. She felt so helpless, and so angry. She flew into a rage of grief aimed at Stephen, President Clark, the machine, and especially Marcus. As Marcus' body lay quietly on the bed, she ranted and cursed at the top of her voice, drawing the attention of everyone in the corridor. In the middle of the tirade she began to laugh hysterically. When she started weeping, Stephen drew her into his arms and held her, speaking softly while stroking her hair. It was at this moment that Lyta walked in.

She looked a little nervous, but approaching Susan and Stephen she asked, "Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Not unless you can raise the dead," Susan replied bitterly.

Lyta looked over at Marcus' body so still on the bed. She felt drawn to the source of Susan's pain and sadness. She walked over to the bed removed her gloves, and absently pushed back a strand of Marcus' hair that had fallen over his face. She felt a strange sensation in her mind. In her Vorlon enhanced state she realized something that Stephen couldn't know.

"He's not completely gone, Stephen. I'm still getting a vague impression of his thoughts....it's almost like he's communicating from a distant place."

Susan rose from the chair and walked numbly to where Lyta stood. Lyta was holding Marcus' hand and concentrating very hard. Susan took Marcus' other hand, but it only felt like death to her. She knew Lyta was sincere, but it hardly seemed possible.

"He's drifting away from me. He doesn't seem to want to come back."

Susan leaned across the bed and threw her hands on top of Lyta's hands. Instantly she felt a strange sensation.

"Come back to me Marcus, come back" (come back)

At that moment she saw him. He was standing on a path he had been walking down. He turned in surprise and looked at her.

Susan ran down the path to Marcus. She was so happy she hugged him, then she hit him.

(What were you thinking, Cole? How could you leave me like that?)

(Susan, what are you doing here -- you should be on the station, getting well. I have to go, Susan. I can't stay any longer.)

(Why can't you stay, Marcus?)

(I don't have the strength.)

"He's definitely still here. Susan is communicating with him now," Lyta said quietly.

Stephen looked at Susan. Her eyes were closed, and she had a look of total concentration on her face. Stephen knew he couldn't keep Marcus on life support indefinitely. He had to make some decisions.

He was considering his choices when Lennier walked into Medlab 3. Lennier took in the unusual scene and approached Stephen.

"You have quite a crowd gathered in the corridor. Do you mind telling me what this is all about?"

Stephen explained as best he could the events that led up to this moment, along with Lyta's startling discovery.

"I'm not positive it will work, but I have an idea that may bring Marcus back."