Chapter sixteen.
"Those two are going to kill each other," Sheridan stated to his smiling wife as the doors closed behind Sech Turval and Marcus.
"You consider those two bad!" Delenn exclaimed grimacing as the words triggered long forgotten memories. "Never, Ever go into a room that contains them and Sech Durhan, if you wish to retain your sanity.
I have only been present once with them and I took an oath never to do it again."
"That bad?"
"John it was…insane," she stated with a shudder at the memory. "Marcus was being Marcus. Turval was retaliating with that cutting wit of his and Durhan was probably wishing he had knocked Marcus out during their sparring session."
"I have to say I was rather taken back by Turvals attitude to Marcus. After all he did pull a fast one during a mission." Sheridan declared chuckling at his spouse's words as he pulled his petite love into his arms as they retook their seats on the sofa.
"Hmm. I think if it was anyone else Turvals attitude would be a bit different. Marcus was one of his best students during training and he does grow on you…"Delenn said now smiling as she cuddled into his warmth.
"So does fungi…"Sheridan quipped, stroking her dark hair.
"But I think Sech Turval and Sech Durhan took their lead from Sinclair's respect and affection for him," Delenn theorised softly. She wasn't surprised anymore by the pang of pain she felt when talking about Jeffery Sinclair. He had become her first human friend and had taught her so much about the volatile race. And a lot about herself too.
She still missed his calm voice and warped sense of fun.
I wonder if that's where Marcus got it from?she wondered.
"It was pretty evident on the return from B4 that those too were pretty tight. Marcus was really cut up by Sinclair's decision to go back," Sheridan said sombrely remembering the incident so clearly.
For a few moments a comfortable silence held the room each lost in their own thoughts.
Then Delenn sat up and began to speak.
"I did not find out until a few months ago how deep that bond really was." She announced softly her hands now clasped on her lap.
"What do you mean?" Sheridan queried wondering what was about to hit him. The Minbari thought and acted according to ancient traditions that even now he sometimes fell over in his daily life married to Delenn.
It wasn t anyone's fault it was just life.
"About two months ago I was brought a box from the Sanctuary. Inside it was a journal…Sinclair's journal. I read it… in it he talks about his life on Babylon five, about his worries upon taking on the leadership of the Rangers and about Marcus past. He was very worried about Marcus survival in the beginning…"
"I'm not surprised," Sheridan interjected his face showing his empathy at the sorrow that had invaded the younger mans life. " I have read his file…traumatic."
"I agree. Sinclair is very open about his concerns, which surprised me. Not that he cared. He was always a caring man…But that he would document it in this way," Delenn explained frowning at the thought.
"Obviously he wanted you to read it. Wanted you to know about this part of his life, about his friendship with Marcus for some reason."Sheridan replied seriously. He hadn't known Jeffery Sinclair that well so could only guess at the complex mans reasons.
Delenn nodded her head slowly in agreement, then began to speak again.
"But why now? Why after Marcus was dead?"
"Who knows? I'm not sure anyone had a chance of deciphering Sinclair's thinking. But you can be sure it will have some purpose.
What else was in there?" he queried hoping the contents might trigger some thoughts about why it appeared now.
"At the beginning of a section about Marcus he talks about Marcus health and his fears. Then he goes on about how much he values Marcus opinions and friendship. When he assigned him to Zagros he talks about how hard it was to let him go…so soon after loosing Catherine." Delenn added sadly. She shivered remembering how she had felt when John had been lost. She wouldn't wish that on anyone.
"Later on there was another section about how the Rangers had told him about his boy's accomplishments here on Babylon 5. But it was just before B4 that he finally confirms how strong his feelings for Marcus are."
"Well don't stop there, Delenn?" Sheridan cried wondering about her silence.
"He basically states that Marcus is the son he never had. And prays that his going will not cause his boy too much pain." Delenn revealed grasping her husbands hand tight. "He seriously thought about not going, or even taking Marcus with him. But he was worried that that would have had detrimental effects in our time."
Sheridan was amazed and it showed. He had seen how friendly the two men had been within the constraints of their rank within the Rangers. But he had obviously not caught the underlying bond between them.
"Well now we know he was correct. Marcus being on B5 altered a lot of life's…But why haven't you mentioned this before Delenn?" he eventually asked confused by her silence.
" I considered it, but decided it would bring up old hurts, so I had it returned to the Sanctuary after I completed it," she responded finally turning to face him hoping he would understand her actions.
She was relived when she felt his embrace steal round her still trim form and pull her to him as she heard his whispered words.
"Still trying to protect everyone I see. But Delenn you cant do that. He is going to want answers and they are going to hurt. You can't prevent that. Its just not possible."
"I know," she replied softly. " But can you really blame me for trying?" she asked huskily as she thought of one such subject that would definitely hurt the Ranger.
She would have to tell him about the particulars of Lenniers death, and that was going to be hard. Even for one who had Grey training.
"Not at all, but you aren't in this alone Delenn. Let me do my part too"
He replied pressing a soft kiss on her forehead.
"Thank you John. I am so very glad that you are home," Delenn whispered tilting her face up to receive another kiss.
Chapter seventeen"Home. I have never heard you refer to Babylon that way before," Sheridan stated softly a little while later as they lay next to each other.
He watched as a soft smile graced her beautiful face.
"It is strange, it was not until Corwin welcomed me home that I consciously realised what my heart had always known. That Babylon five is home too." Delenn verified as she reluctantly rose and began to make herself presentable.
Sheridan smiled as she gathered together what she required. He loved these quiet times. For the last few months they had been so caught up in the needs of the alliance and the rangers, that together time had become so rare.
"I'm very glad that…"he began only to be interrupted by the beeping of the communications station.
Delenn smiled at his disgruntled expression, as she had told him so long ago it had just broken through the language barrier. She straightened her hair with her hands, and checked her robe as she re-entered the living area and accepted the message.
"Delenn I'm so sorry to encroach on your private time," the tired image of Zack Allen, B5s security chief apologised. "But I knew that you and the President would want to be informed ASAP. Firstly let me say NO ONE is hurt badly…"
"Zack what has occurred?" Delenn demanded, her body tensing.
"Three assailants made an attempt to get at Marcus and Turval in the garden…"
"WHAT?" yelled Sheridan as he entered the room pulling on a jumper. "Casualties?" he demanded furious at the situation.
"One of the Rangers assigned to Marcus was knocked unconscious before the attack. Turval has a nasty looking cut on the ribs as well as some bruising to his head area. Marcus was also stabbed. This time in the upper arm. Probably to stop him from using Turvals pile." Zack supplied concisely knowing from long experience that waffling would only intensify his former cos fury.
"The assailants?"
"All in the brig, and in lots of pain. Dr Hobbs gave them a once over, then said she would return with pain meds when she had treated her other patients. Tough lady that one," He reported grinning at the memory of the petite doctors moxy.
"So Marcus, Turval and the other Ranger are in Medlab 1?" Delenn said precisely her eyes still alight with harnessed anger.
"Yeah. Although Cole is trying everything he can think of to get out. Somethings just don't change," Zack responded with a grin.
Delenn nodded then exited the room without any comment.
"Thank you Zack. Sheridan out."
"Yes sir. Allen out."
Sheridan took a deep breath before turning to follow his wife. Her emotions usually took second place to her training. But he had a feeling that wouldn't be the case today as he heard Delenn muttering to herself as she quickly set herself to rights.
"They are not getting him…I'll apply to have them tried under Minbari Law that would shock them…"
Sheridan reach out to envelop the furious woman in an attempt to calm her. At first she brushed him off moving quickly about the room. But on his second try she gave in as the tears began.
"Why can they leave him alone?…Its been five years and still they want retribution…they want him dead…" she sobbed.
"I know darling. I know," He whispered into her hair a little worried by the intensity of her emotions. But put it down to the strangeness of the whole situation. "But Minbari citizen or not the Earth Alliance wont turn the attackers over to you. You know that don't you?"
Delenn took a deep breath and moved out a little from her husband's warm body. She knew this was a perfect opening to tell him of her actions. But was it the right time?
"What if he wasn't JUST a Minbari citizen?" She asked quietly staring into his eyes reading his feelings.
He returned the look and saw the determination to succeed, and a tiny fissure of fear.
Oh God What have you been up to?
"I don't understand Delenn what else would he be?"
Delenn pulled out of his arms and sat on the edge of their tumbled bed.
"When Captain Lockley challenged my right to care for Marcus. I said he was family…" She grimaced hearing his groan; "I know that I used the word family in the message to ISN years ago. But I didn't claim anyone as family, I just said we acted like a family."
"I remember vividly. I also remember the uproar it caused among your people…" he interjected sitting down beside her tense frame.
"This is different John…Marcus had no one and he needs someone now, and in the future. So I contacted my family and my clan to ask them to accept Marcus…" she revealed breathlessly, unsure of his reaction to her words.
"Accept him as What EXACTLY?" Sheridan asked wanting to be clear on every point before opening his mouth.
"As my foster-brother. My family have agreed. Now I am awaiting word from Frenil the head of our clan," she clarified quietly, not looking at him but at her hands clasped tightly on her lap.
Sheridan sat open-mouthed as her words sunk slowly into his consciousness. When it did he couldn't help but chuckle.
"Delenn you are totally incredible. Have you spoken to Marcus about this?"
"No I wanted everything in place before I did that." she explained hoping the chuckle was a good sign.
"Okay that's good. Number one you should have talked to me about this…"
"I know," she whispered wondering why she hadn't. This was a big decision, a family decision. Those they always made together.
"Okay. Second who else know of your actions?"
"Turval knows because I needed his help formulating my request, and probably Mieklor by now…"
"And what if Marcus doesn't want this honour?" Sheridan asked curious to hear her reply.
Delenn looked back at him totally confused by the question.
"Do not be silly John…Come on lets go see the patients," She said dragging at Sheridan's hand.
Ohboy! Marcus rest well you're going to need every bit of strength for whats coming your way. I hope youre ready for it.
He smiled as he followed his wife out of their quartersFoster brother in law! How would Marcus react to that one?
Chapter eighteenIn the end Doctor Hobbs got her own way and all three rangers were to be kept in medlab overnight. Sech Turval was grumbling louder than Marcus. A fact that delighted the now calm Delenn no end.
Zak Allen was already present when Delenn and Sheridan arrived asking some basic questions about the attack. He really didn't expect much, so it shocked him when Marcus told him whom the assailants were paid by.
"I noticed the same tattoo on two of their necks. It's small but recognisable. It belongs to one of the Corporations that the Home Guard did business with. About six maybe seven years ago I had a bit of a run in with some of their co-horts, so I expect they want payback. Stupid buggers!" he chuckled, then winced as a hit on his ribs made it known.
"Thanks Marcus that's saved me a few hours on the computer," Zack grinned at the rumpled ranger. "Well Cole at least we now know that you can still wield that stick of yours."
Marcus had to grin at the statement. It had felt so good to use the dennbok once more, although this one was Turvals.
"I'm very rusty, but the moves are instinctive. I really don't have to consider them at all. Although I know for a fact that Master Durhan would have had a stroke at my form."
"Hmm I don't know about that," Hobbs interjected. "But I would like to know how you controlled the pain?…don't give me that look Cole, just answer the question…I see beeps in your future Ranger." She threatened with a deadpan face.
"Mantras," Marcus mumbled definitely not wanting to be reattached to the mechanical monsters again.
"Mantras…I don't understand?"
"Rangers are taught in training about different methods for controlling pain. Mantras are one of them, which seems to work quite successfully for Humans." Turval explained from the raised bed beside Marcus.
"You'll need to tell me more about that another day. For now everyone out, these Rangers are going to have a little rest. CORRECT?" Lillian fixed each of her patients with a hard stare until she received an affirmative answer then left.
"Told you that she was a bossy boots!" Marcus announced closing his suddenly heavy eyes.
Did Lillian spike my pain-meds with sleeping ones too? Wouldn't put it past her.
"I think in this event I will have to agree with you," Turval responded noticing Marcus relaxed state. "But do you want to cross her?"
"Turval I may be a bit reckless, but I've be warned not to go back there before my time… My death wish is gone…He'd kick my ass if I disobeyed…" Marcus brokenly muttered before going to sleep.
Turval and the other Ranger smiled at the peaceful look on his face.
Marcus true face. Who warned you? Turval puzzled. Who would you not want to disobey? Entilzha Delenn? Sheridan?…Sinclair? I wonder why he hasn't mentioned this before?