As Delenn re-entered the living area she heard her husband state firmly, "No Marcus and that's final."
"What's final?" she enquired as she set the tea tray she had brought in, on the low wooden table.
"That Marcus is staying here with us, until Hobbs says he's one hundred percent," Sheridan answered.
Marcus shook his head as he grumbled; "You really want me around that long? That woman is worse than Steven, everything has to be check 3 or 4 times before she's satisfied. She really hates me."
Sheridan and Delenn both laughed unrestrainedly. If Marcus was complaining about Doctors then he was most definitely on his way back to normal.
"Its true," Marcus stated emphatically before lifting his cup of tea.
"Marcus! She is a very fine healer and you know it," Delenn announced trying to stop the giggles at his woe-begotten expression.
Marcus pulled a face seeing that he wasn't going to get his way.
"Well I just wish Corwin would hurry up and ask her out. That would get me some respite," he continued until Sheridan spluttered out his tea in a fit of coughing.
"CORWIN AND HOBBS?" he gasped in between.
Delenn laughed at her husband's flustered expression.
"Its seems Babylon has a new romance blooming."
"But Hobbs and Corwin," Sheridan reiterated in shock at this development.
At that point the door chime alerted them to a visitor outside.
"Probably my other slave driver come to take me away," Marcus quipped.
"Marcus Cole Behave," Delenn instructed happy at the rangers good mood. "Enter…Greetings Sech Turval," She declared as she offered him a respectful bow in greeting.
Turval returned it then turned as Marcus struggled to get to his feet and bow slightly to the old Minbari teacher.
"I was just mentioning you Sech Turval," Marcus announced with a truly mischievous grin.
The old Minbari had a rather serious demeanour, but Sheridan had learned over the years that the Minbari had a wicked, dry humour.
This time he just calmly asked, "And just what have you been calling me today, PUP."
PUP!Sheridans jaws suddenly ached from trying not to laugh at that, and from a quick glance he gathered that the Entilzha was fairing not much better.
"Nothing to heinous just a slave driver," Marcus informed Turval straight faced.
"How disappointing. You called me that yesterday Marcus. Please try to be a little original." The Minbari responded while his eyes gave away his laughter.
"Welcome Mr President, it is good to see you again," he said as he turned his wise old eyes onto the tall human as he bobbed his head in greeting.
Sheridan offered his own bow in respect.
"It is a pleasure to see you again Master Turval. So how has the PUP been doing?" he asked grinning at Marcus acute embarrassment.
"He is making satisfactory progress. We have managed to circumvent the Human male ego and make real progress. Between us; Dr Hobbs, Nietal and myself…"
"See I told you…they are ganging up on me," Marcus interjected darkly.
"…We believe if we continued at this rate for the next week then Marcus will be able to pass the basic fitness requirements." Turval concluded completely ignoring the ranger's outburst.
"That is good news…Marcus? Marcus what's wrong?" Delenn asked reaching for his arm. "Marcus talk to me."
"Its nothing," he declared cursing himself for not schooling his expression better.
"Marcus Cole don't you dare shut me out," Delenn declared angrily.
I will not allow you to hide this time. I should never have allowed you to repress your pain the last time. But we needed you so badly in the War that I put it off time and time again. Not this time Never again.
Marcus looked at his Entilzhas tense face.
Might as well come clean. She is not going to let this go. Her attitude toward me this time is very different. Probably just the shock of me coming home. But I have to admit I like it, not very macho I know, but I feel safe. And I need that for now. I'm not ready to fly solo yet.
" I just …I am unsure of what is going to happen then…I mean I'm five bloody years behind on history, technology…on life. Will I be allowed to sit the Circle rites? Will I be stationed here?" he blurted out the torrent of worries that inhabited the warrens of his brain without censer.
Turval smiled Very good, very good indeed.
"Marcus please sit down…you too Sech Turval. What happens next is solely in hands Marcus. I was going to talk to you about this later, but since you have asked…If you wish it you may begin your preparation for the Circle rites in four days time. Up until that time I want you to consider seriously if this is the path you wish to return to." Delenn told him trying to remain objective about the subject. She knew that it would hurt badly if he disappeared once again from her life. But it had to be his choice.
"As for the technology and history, you have always been a quick study so I wouldn't worry about it." Sheridan assured him. "Just break it down into manageable chunks and take it at you own pace."
Marcus looked at each of the special people sitting around him and wondered yet again how the---- he got to be so lucky.
"Thank you all," he said in a tone not often heard from the lips of Marcus Cole, the station clown. He was totally sincere and serious as he spoke, "I know that I've been a royal prat through all this, but I am truly grateful." He paused then focused on Delenn, "With all due respect Entilzha I don't need four days to consider may path. It has been on my mind since I woke up. I am a Ranger; it is as simple and complex as that. That is my path and this time I will walk it for me, not Willie.
Turval had watched Marcus closely as he spoke, and had felt very proud of his pupil. Is this what you saw deep within him Sinclair. This indomitable strength of spirit.
Entilzha Delenn had once again discarded her habitual calm and had the ranger in a hug.
Her marriage has definitely affected her behaviour Turval mused with a grin. The elder Minbari knew that Marcus words would have silenced Delenns own fears of Him disappearing again from their life's.
"Right Pup it is time we were going," He stated as he stood up and looked around the room. "Where is it?" he demanded quietly glaring at the Ranger.
"Cant I walk a little of the way?" Marcus whined pitifully.
"We will begin with the walking tomorrow. Today however we WILL use the chair."Turval announced decisively.
"Damnit I really hate that thing. Its nearly as bad as those bloody beeping monstrosities Hobbs keeps attaching to me…Okay its in the bedroom," he admitted seeing Turval wasn't going to back down.
"Very good," Turval muttered under his breath as he retrieved the offending object and settled Marcus in it.
"I feel like a ruddy toddler in a buggy," Marcus hissed as they exited the room after saying their goodbye to Sheridan and Delenn.
"Be good and I'll buy you a sweet treat," Turval announced clearly.
Marcus response was silenced by the closing doors, but Sheridan imagine it contained many curse words in various languages.