As President Sheridan and Delenn sat down to dinner in the famous Fresh Air Restaurant memories of previous visits prompted conversations of their life's on the station during the shadow war.
Sheridan teased his beautiful mate about their first ever date there.
"You really did turn heads that night," he smiled remembering one of the men in a neighbouring table trying desperately to catch her eye. "I think it was your story about the Gok that kicked my heart back into life again that night," he continued softly kissing her pale hand.
"You really are an old romantic under all that military rhetoric," Delenn teased back. "Just as well the Ambassadors don't know that or we'd never get anything done."
"Very true," he sighed. "I must admit being back here feels good…Not that I don't love or life on Minbar, but…"
"John I understand completely. The last couple of months have been tiring for both of us, but being here has given us an unexpected breathing space." Delenn smiled back at her grinning spouse and thanked the Universe for him.
By the time Sheridan was drinking his black coffee and Delenn her Orcha juice the subject had turned to Excalibur and Susan Ivanova.
"I'm going to discuss the nuts and bolts of the mission with Chalenko tomorrow. Whatever the vultures on Mars think. She is still the Head of the Earth Alliance. I think she'll see the positive aspects of doing it my way," Sheridan stated quietly aware of the necessity to keep the matter under wraps for a little while longer. But in the half empty room with Zacks people and no doubt some invisible Rangers about, he was sure that they were quite secure.
He knew that Zack had hyped up the security all over the station after the incident with Marcus, just to be safe.
"Good. And have you thought over my proposal for the Executive Officer?" Delenn inquired formally, ready to defend her case if need be.
Sheridan smiled at the ready-for-action pose her body fell into
Back straight; Head erect, Hands clasped on lap and eyes fixed on the opposition. Or in this case me
He remembered back to seeing just that pose on the screen in C&C the day she had warned off the Clarke's ships from the bridge of the Whitestar. She was magnificent.
"As a matter of fact I have been giving it a lot of serious consideration," he began then paused watching his wife to see her reaction. But the Grey training she'd had made reading her near to impossible in this situation. "And after talking to our friend I think he could do it. I just hope that he can be ready in time, although I suppose he could join up with Ivanova on route…But I'd prefer it if he went onboard at Mars then Michael or I can deal with any hiccups."
Delenn said nothing just nodded her head and smiled beatifically,
It made Sheridan want to smile but he knew that they had discuss Ivanova.
"Delenn you do realise that Ivanovas reaction to all this and Marcus return is going to be pretty volatile…and how do we get Marcus up to date without her knowledge?" Sheridan tried to keep the grin off his face knowing that this was serious stuff. But the thought of getting away with something without Susan's knowledge was tempting…and bloody dangerous.
"I agree that it will be …interesting."
"Interesting!" he said amazed at her calm if crazy reply. "Delenn I really would like to continued to walk properly after all this…It is not funny Delenn that woman can cause serious damage when pissed off." He stated as Delenn continued to laugh. "Delenn I'm serious."
"I know you are my darling," she gasped between her husky giggles. "But John I am aware of something you obviously missed. Susan has already admitted her love for Marcus to three different people- Myself, Steven Franklin and most importantly herself.
She may be rather…annoyed to begin with, but I think after the first couple of months love will win," Delenn concluded.
Sheridan looked rather shocked, then said with an evil grin.
"Delenn if Susan Ivanova has admitted to you and Steven of her feelings then Cole will be lucky if he gets ten paces on that ship before she jumps him."
"John!"Delenn admonished.
"But seriously I don't think we should tell her just yet…God I really hate playing God, but if she knew she'd be here and she needs to be on Mars with Michael for now. And I could tell that Marcus isn't ready to see her just yet when he mentioned her this afternoon," he reasoned out loud.
"John! Marcus talked to you about Susan?" Delenn enquired slowly praying she'd heard right.
"Yes. He told me how glad he was that she'd got her dream, being the Captain of her own ship. But I got the feeling he wants to be back to normal before he sees…Delenn what is it?"
"John Marcus hasn't voluntarily spoken about Susan to anyone, except when he had just awoken." She explained thru her tears.
"Every time anyone mentions her, he freezes then totally ignores whatever has been said. Turval has told me that he has to pull every word and memory about her from him."
"Delenn I think it would be prudent to discuss this further in our own quarters," he announced frowning as he stood up to aid her from her chair.
"Of course," she replied gracefully rising and taking his strong arm to leave for their rooms.
Sheridan was rather quiet on their return journey to their quarters. Delenn knew the signs he was working out a tangled problem in his head. When he had wrestled it to his satisfaction and covered all his options then he would discuss it with her. But until then it was best to let him be
When they entered their rooms Delenn called for slightly dimmed lights and sat down on the plush red sofa.
She didn't have long to wait. He paced for a little bit then sat down beside her, his body language indicating that he was tense and rather upset by his thoughts.
"Delenn is Marcus aware that Susan doesn't know he's awake?" He questioned quietly hoping he was right about this as it could be remedied . the other options were not.
Delenn faced lost its colour. "I told him that she unavailable right now, but I would contact her as soon as possible. Oh In Valens name! He thinks I'm lying to protect him. That she's ignoring him. He believes she doesn't care…I'll go talk to him now," she cried standing once more.
"Delenn its okay,hes sedated remember. We'll talk to him tomorrow."
"But what do I say?"she pondered trying to resist the temptation to go to Medlab anyway.
"WE say. We'll explain that Susan is preparing for a difficult mission and we haven't spoken to her yet. That should reassure him a little," He declared hopefully.
"I don't like lying to him John…Yes I know I started this, but …"
"Delenn for now he needs to be cocooned from the universe. He's making extraordinary progress. It is truly amazing; I really didn't believe that he had a chance in hell of returning to us whole. But he's proving us wrong, and a large part of that is he feels safe and cared for." Sheridan announced passionately. "I know that when I returned from that encounter with the Striebs I very much needed my friends around me. His situation is so much more complex …Delenn THATS why you received the journal now," he declared decisively as the thought struck.
"Sinclair knew that he would need an extensive support system to survive and progress through this healing time. He realised that you are the natural one to guide him, but you could only do that if you knew exactly what you were dealing with."
"That sounds remarkably like a Sinclair plan…I think your correct. It makes sense that Jeffery would only allow Marcus confidences and his own thoughts into the hands of someone he knew would not betray that trust." Delenn replied quietly after thinking it through thourghly, against what she knew about her old friend. "On another matter, I believe if we are going to tell Marcus about Susan then I think he needs to hear about Earth. I know he is aware that something is being kept from him."
"You think he is up to it?"he questioned remembering the flimsies of data he had shown Lochley and her horrified reaction to them
"Yes I do," she stated kindly knowing that this subject caused him a lot of pain. Delenn rose from the sofa holding her hand out to him. "Come on tomorrow is going to be a stressful day all round. Lets go to bed."
Sheridan didn't even think about resisting. "Lead the way," he encouraged.
"Marcus there are some things that we need to talk to you about," Sheridan began trying to keep his voice neautral and calm as he could.
They had planned to talk to the Ranger first thing that morning. But after discussing possible scenarios with Turval and Hobbs, they had rescheduled it to later after the Rangers first walking practice with crutches. Sheridan was glad they had looking at the smiling man resting in Medlab after shocking the hell out of everyones expectations. Hobbs was still grinning at the 3mins the Ranger had achieved before sensibly calling a halt.
Marcus senses had told him that people were holding back information from him, but if he was honest he really didn't mind. He rekoned that he could trust these people to decide what he needed to know for now. But looking at the tense faces surrounding his bed he knew that it wasn't good news.
Can I handle this? Obviously they think Im ready to. But am I really. Oh bollocks.
"Okay," he finally said watching both their expressions for a clue to what was coming. "Lets have it."
"There is no easy way…" Sheriden began.
"Sir. Just tell me," Marcus interrupted knowing his anxiousness was growing.
Sheridan stared at the younger man and realised what was happening.
"Okay Marcus…Susan has NOT been told of your recovery yet."
Marcus whole body froze as the words trickled into his mind.
Then he demanded loudly, "WHY?"
That one word carried so much fury and pain that both Delenn and Sheridan felt its force.
"That is wrapped up in the second thing I have to tell you," Sheridan continued wondering if he was doing the right thing in telling him this. "On the time and day your cryo-alarm sounded. Earth was under attack from some Dark servants called the Drahk. They didn't come at us with lasers or nukes…they surrounded the planet with satellites containing a Bio-Genetic Plague…"
"Oh God Susan was on Earth…" Marcus moaned acknowledging in that moment that the Universe really did hate him. He felt a sharp pain in his chest and tried to curl up into the fetal position. But he felt two strong hands pulling his hands away from his face and Delenns firm voice talking to him
"No Marcus Susan was out on the Rim when this happened. She was on the Valkyrie. She is safe." She assured him with a sad smile.
"Susan is safe," Sheridan verified. "I saw her on Mars hours before I left for here."
He watched as the younger man stared into his eyes searching for something that would prove they were telling the truth. He must have found it for he uncurled and muttered "Emotional Git," to himself.
Sheridan hesitated before going on but knew that know was the time so continued.
"Delenn has kept your resurrection secret to try and avoid incidents like yesterdays. originally only Corwin, Dr Hobbs, Zack and the old school staff knew who inhabited number three tube…"
"Old school?" Marcus grinned
"Yeah some bright sparks idea of a joke that didn't die. It refers to the staff in place during the Shadow war," Sheridan explained grinning himself. " To the newer staff you were just some patient. When we left Babylon we had your identity classified to avoid any problems. So when you woke up Hobbs contacted Delenn and set things in motion. I wasn't told of your return until after I had left Susan and Michael. And they haven't been informed." He paused giving the prone man time to soak up everything and formulate a reaction.
Much calmer than before Marcus repeated the one word. "Why?"
"Susan is in the middle of preparation for a difficult and urgent mission that will require every bit of her focus for now. I wish I could discuss it with you but for now it had to remain need to know." Sheridan concluded hoping it was enough for now.
"Im so sorry It didn't occur to me that you might think Susan…"Delenn began to explain.
"It really doesn't matter. I am sure that Susan has moved on with her life," Marcus interjected trying to stem the feeling of dispair that grew with each word.
What would she want with a freak like me? Shes got what she dreamed of her own command. I hope she is happy. Maybe she found somebody to sooth those hurts. Maybe shes married. Stop it you idiot! Your not going dowm that slippery slope again. You knowto well what it will do to you. Be happy shes still alive…
"Marcus you have never asked me where your Dennbok is," Delenns strange question halted his dark thoughts immediately.
"Whats that got to do with the price of tea?" Marcus replied sharply in his confusion at her words.
Sheridan smirked seeing the spark in his eyes at the mention of his beloved pike.
Shes got you, he crowed mentally.
"Do you want to know?"
"Yes," he finally admitted wondering exactly what was about to hit him about the head this time.
"Susan Ivanova has it. She came to me and requested it before you were put in Cryo," Delenn reported quietly.
"But what about…"
"She sat through each of the five rituals…" Delenn halted his questions before they formed.
"Susan requested it from you?" he questioned stunned by what he had thought he heard.
"Yes Marcus. She came and asked me for it," Delenn reiterated for the shocked man, with a loving smile gracing her serene face.
Sheridan grinned at the shit-eating smile that slowly took over the mans face. He surmised that this incident somehow gave him some hope about his chances of resurrecting a friendship or more with the volatile Russian.
Minbari and their rituals will be the death of me.
"So Im guessing that Steven doesn't know either?" Marcus asked after a moment, and noticed that Sheridan tensed back up again.
"No he doesn't…but…Im sorry Marcus but Steven was on Earth…" Sheridan told him somberly, his whole body screaming his pain at this fact. he may not live there anymore, but Earth was still home.
NO! NO! That's not right," Marcus cried forcing his body to obey his wishes and sit up. "You said this weapon was a plague. Is there a cure?"
"This plague is left over Shadow tech Marcus. At present there is no known cure, but we do have a five year window to create or find one," Sheridan explained hurriedly, then added, "The rangers are going to be right in the thick of this and we could use your unique abilities with us."
"Was that a subtle hint to get the finger out and work harder? " Marcus tried to quip while ignoring his thundering heart and noisy brain.
Oh bugger trust Steven to be in the middle of this. Probabley already watching the little critters under a scope. Damit you should have stayed here at least you would have had your friends around you. Right enough five years is enough time for even you to make new friends. I wonder what happened to Number one…Susan doesn't know. She asked for my pike. Wow!…Oh crap Ivanova plus a pike…my pike…Im dead meat…"
"Marcus what are you thinking?" Delenn finally asked after watching the changing expressions on his face.
"Just wondering how many condolence letters I have to catch up with. To apologise for Ivanovas use of MY pike," he muttered half seriously.
Sheridans warm laugh filled the small room. It was so good to hear the warped sense of humor once more
Give it a couple of months Sheridan and youll want to stick that pike somewhere to shut him up. But for now…
"None…so far anyway," he reported with a chuckle.
"So Ill be number one then how nice,"the other man replied sarcastically as he shut his eyes for a second. He knew that Ivanova was a warrior through and through , and had no doubt she had found a way to learn the basics of the pile. Which meant probale pain for him. JOY!
"Well maybe you should…how did you phrase it…get the finger out and face her before she goes on this mission," Dellen stated wondering just exactly what was making her husband smile like that.
"Just continue as you have been, and I may have a little project that you can help me with to relieve the tedium." Sheridan proposed with a near manical grin. "For the rest of the day though take it easy. The rangers outside will escort you back to the quarters when Hobbs releases you."
"Honestly Sir I would be fine in quarters of my own…" Marcus began.
"Marcus Cole be quiet," Delenn curtailed his planned arguments with one look. " No you are not staying on your own and that is final. No discussion."
Marcus recognised that look very well
I might as well try and push the Sphinx to Dublin. I would have more success there.
"Very well Entilzha," he said acknowledging defeat with a slight nod.
"Good. Then we will see you later," Delenn informed him giving his hand a squeeze as she prepared to take her leave.
"See you later Cole," Sheridan said jovially ushering his wife out of the room.
Marcus was now the only Ranger in Medlab. Turval and the other, had been discharged earlier. But Lillian Hobbs was taking no chances with Marcus health.
"Now my devious husband exactly what are you smiling so smugly about?" Delenn demanded as soon as they had exited out into the corridor.
"its nothing to worry about. In fact I think its a good omen for our enterprise." He smiled sown into the confused countance of his love. For all her knowledge of Human culture, he knew that she still fond Humans strange.
"John?"she moaned recognising the teasing light in his blue eyes. This was one of his peoples superstions. She had never got to the bottom of how they came to be. But every culture on Earth held some of these illogical things sacrosanct.
"Don't worry its not that bad," he laughed pulling her into his embrace as they walked gently back to their quarters. Both had things they had to attend to, but neither wanted to be hurried.
"Its just that Number One is another Earth term for Executive officer, it comes from our Naval traditions."
Delenn smiled at his answer and hugged his waist
"I think for once I will agree with your superstious mindset and take it as a good sign also."