Chapter 1

This is mainly a Marcus and Susan story although it will have the other characters from Babylon 5 in it as well. It happens at the end of the 4th season and certain things may be different than what actually happened on the show. These characters belong to J. Michael Straczynski, and I am just borrowing them. The character of V'ko, V'kra, and V'ro are mine. No money is being made off this story.
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"Faster . . . we must go faster! We have got to get past the Jammers! Marcus's life depends on it!" How could you do this to yourself, Marcus? Franklin asked himself. What are you thinking?

Meanwhile on Babylon 5

Marcus looked into Susan's face as the alien machine took his energy and gave it to Susan. He could see her face start to relax from the lessening of the pain. Marcus laid his head down on her chest. He could feel himself growing weaker by the minute, but if this was the only way to save Susan then so be it. A few minutes later, he was unconscious.
Susan awoke to a pressure on her chest. She turned her head as much as she could and noticed Marcus laying on her it. She checked him for a pulse and found one, but it was weak and almost nonexistence. She looked down at her arm and noticed wires trailing from her arm to his. She raised her arm weakly and yanked at the wires. They came out of her arm slowly. Susan cried out in pain, but she knew if she didn't get it out, the machine would just keep taking Marcus' energy until he was dead. As the wires came loose the machine cut off automatically. Ivanova lay back exhausted and was instantly asleep.

A few hours later, she awoke to Stephen leaning over her. "Well, welcome back to the land of the living."
"Marcus? Is he. . ."
"No, as amazing as it seems, I think he'll live, but he wouldn't have if you hadn't pulled those wires out of your arm. You probably saved his life. It will be awhile before he's on his feet though."
"Good," said Susan weakly. "I'll give him a piece of my mind when he wakes up." Then she went silent, and Stephen left her to sleep.

Hours later, Susan awoke to the sound of somebody entering her room. She opened her eyes and saw Stephen coming towards her. "So, Stephen, will I live?"
"Yes, you will. That alien machine healed you to the point where we can do the rest."
"Can I see Marcus now?"
"You're still awfully weak. I don't want you to get out of bed."
"Please, Stephen," begged Ivanova. Susan begging impossible, thought Franklin. She must really be out of it. I've heard her angry, sad, happy, sarcastic and a lot of others but never desperate.
"All right I'll give you ten minutes, but I want you back in this bed, resting after that got it," demanded Franklin.
"All right, all right help me up," said Susan.
Franklin took her arm and helped her to his feet. Susan leaned on him, and they walked towards Marcus' room. They entered and Franklin helped Ivanova to a chair. Stephen helped her to sit down and then left. Ivanova just sat there, looking at him for a moment. Then she gently leaned down and kissed his forehead. Marcus opened his eyes and looked into Susan's face.
"Marcus, what in the hell did you think you were doing? Risking your life for me! Of all the stupid, idiotic, dumb, insane, crazy ideas, this was probably the craziest and the stupidest!"
"You're welcome," said Marcus weakly.
"Why, did you do it?" asked Susan. She thought she already knew the answer, but she wanted to hear him say it.
Marcus said nothing for a moment, trying to gather up his courage. Finally, he spoke, "Because I love you."
Susan just sat back stunned and stared at him for a minute. She spoke softly, "I love you to Marcus." After a few moments, she looked down at him and saw he was asleep. "I just admit my feelings to him, and he falls asleep! It figures." Susan got up and hobbled towards the door. She opened it and exited the room.
Franklin was waiting for her and took her arm as she started to wobble. "I was just about to come and get you. Now, you are to rest, got it? You are not to leave your bed until I say, got it okay?" replied Franklin.
"Yes, doctor," said Ivanova weakly.
As soon as Franklin escorted Ivanova back to bed, he headed towards the computer to make out a report when his link beeped.
"Yeah," said Franklin, tapping his link.
"The package is coming in repeat the package is coming in."
"I'll be there in five minutes," said Franklin.
As he got up to leave Medlab, Franklin headed towards the docking bay to meet Sheridan and Delenn as they exited their transport. As he neared the docking bay, he started to see banners and colorful streamers.
John and Delenn walked off the transport to clapping and find Michael and Stephen waiting for them. "Hang on, Hang on," said Garibaldi raising his hands for silence. "Welcome home," said Garibaldi, to a lot of loud clapping and cheering.
Sheridan just smiled politely and said, "This was your idea, wasn't it?"
"We figured you wanted to come back with as little fanfare as possible. Your usual low-key approach," said Franklin.
"But there's a time and a place for everything. And this is the time, and this is definitely the place for one hell of a party," said Garibaldi. Everybody cheered. "Mr. President, we have a lot to celebrate. Including and especially your marriage," said Garibaldi. "And you two just can't avoid it."
"If I can find some way to pay you back for this, I will," replied Sheridan. "Thank you," he said to the crowd. Then he and Delenn walked out of the docking bay.
The crowd laughed and cheered as they toss confetti at the happy couple.
"So, Doctor, who died?" asked Londo as he and G'Kar came up to the front of the crowd, from the ship.
"What are you talking about?" asked Franklin.
"Among my people, this is how we celebrate state funerals. Our marriage ceremonies are solemn, sober, moments of reflection, moments of regret, disagreement, arguments and mutual recrimination. Once you know it can't get any worse, you can relax and enjoy the marriage, but to start with something like this, it is a very bad sign for the future."
Franklin and Garibaldi both look at Londo like he was crazy turned and left.
"Was it something I said?" asked Londo to G'Kar.
"Perhaps it is everything you say," replied G'Kar as they too left, following Garibaldi and Franklin through the crowd.

Franklin got back to medlab a couple of hours later, and he went to check on his two patients. Susan was still asleep, but Marcus was awake as Franklin went to check on him. Franklin came and stood beside the bed, looking down on one of the worst patients that he had ever had the privilege of treating.
Marcus just looked at Stephen for a minute. "All right, Stephen. Out with it."
"Out with what?" asked Stephen innocently.
"Out with what you are thinking. I can tell on your face that you want to tell me something."
Finally, Franklin spoke. "Marcus, what the hell were you thinking?!" he shouted. "Every time I see you lately, you're severely injured almost to the point of dying. Can't I see you for once without you being hurt? Like for a walk or a conversation over a cup of coffee?"
Marcus looked at him for a minute and said nothing, waiting for Stephen to continue.
Stephen continued after a minute of silence. "Why did you do it, Marcus?"
Marcus said nothing for a moment. Then he whispered, "Because I love her. I thought I could never love anyone again, after what happened on the mining colony where I lived. But when I first saw Susan, I felt my heart start to come alive again." Stephen stared at him for a moment then turned to leave. Marcus then spoke. "Y'know, Stephen, maybe when I get out of here, perhaps we'll have that talk with a cup of coffee." Then his body surrendered itself to the soothing realm of unconsciousness.
Stephen smiled for a moment then left Marcus' room. As he came back into the main Medlab area, he saw John and Delenn enter. John came over to Stephen and asked, "How are they doing, Doctor?"
Stephen answered, "Susan will be fine. Marcus managed to heal her to the point where we can do the rest. She won't be on her feet for a while though."
"And Marcus?" asked Delenn softly.
Stephen looked at Delenn. "He'll be okay. If Susan hadn't yanked those wires out of her arm it would be a different story, and he would likely be dead by now."
Delenn nodded glad he was going to be okay. She had feared for his life. Then John asked, "Why did he do something so stupid, so harebrained – why did he do it?"
"I just got an explanation out of him before he passed out again. He said that he loves her," said Stephen. "And he could not let her die."
Sheridan let out a breath. "I have suspected something like this for some time now. He acts more annoying around her than anyone else," he replied. "Now if only Susan shared his feelings, we might be able to get them together."
Franklin just smiled. "I don't think that will be a problem. Susan has already been to see Marcus, I gave her ten minutes. She used that time yelling at him for his stupidity before I made her go back to bed. But before she left, I heard her say, "I love you, Marcus."
Sheridan smiled. "You eavesdropped on them, didn't you?"
"John, how could you accuse me such a thing? I'm a doctor and don't eavesdrop on my patients," said Stephen in an offended tone.
Sheridan smiled again, throwing up his hands in self-defense. "All right, all right, I withdraw the comment."
Then Stephen shrugged. "Of course, Susan was a little loud and I could hear them perfectly fine in the other room without having to eavesdrop on them. And let me tell you, Susan was yelling at the top of her voice. And she called him a lot of vile names from stupid to idiot to jerk."
"Well, can I see her, doctor?" asked Sheridan.
"Only for a minute, she's still weak and irritable. Be careful if you mention Marcus. She's in a bad mood when it concerns him."
John and Delenn went into Susan's room and stood watching her. Susan opened her eyes and looked up at them for a moment, not recognizing them at first. And then she said finally, "John . . . Delenn . . . it's nice to see you finally back."
John came to stand by her bed. He took her hand in his own and he said, "Susan, I'm glad to know that you're going to get better. It's hard to imagine C & C without Susan Ivanova."
Susan smiled weakly. "Thank you, John. It's good to be back, even though I'd like to kill the person who saved me if he wasn't so weak already. I've already yelled at him for being stupid. He should have let me die."
"The only reason that he did that was 'cause he cares about you," said John. "I've never seen a man more in love with anyone than Marcus is—except maybe me."
Susan looked at him for a moment. She started to say something then decided against it because technically he was still her commanding officer. She just lay back and looked at him. John stepped back and Delenn stepped forward. Delenn took Susan's hands in her own.
"Susan, I want to know that I consider you as a friend. I don't have many friends among my own people," said Delenn. "And I'm glad to know that you are going to be okay. When I heard you were hurt, heard that you might not recover, it was very hard on me. For a Minbari who considers a human a friend, that vow goes way beyond mere friendship. Sacrifice, for one that is a friend, one who is not of Minbari blood, is one meaning of the vow. Even sacrificing yourself for people; that is of a species different than your own is one that brings great courage or great cowardice. You have great courage my friend, but you are proud, too proud to ask for help. Marcus, in saving your life, did that for you, giving you; help when you wouldn't or couldn't ask for yourself. Marcus is a good man, Susan. Don't let him slip away. Don't be angry with him. He did it out of love. Don't shun him. He is the other half of your soul, the one that completes you. He is the perfect man for you, out of millions in the universe. In the end, I hope that together you both find eternal love." Then Delenn let go of Susan's hands and rejoined John, standing at his side.
Susan was stunned. She didn't know what to say, only laid back upon the bio-bed. By Delenn's side, John had tears in his eyes. "Delenn, that was beautiful," he whispered.
"I only told her the truth, John. I believed it was necessary," replied Delenn, "She must let go of her fears: Her fears of love, of people leaving her, of people betraying her. She must let go of all this or in the end, she will become a lonely person. A person, who has never known love or the joy of raising a child."
"Susan, we're going to go now. Are you going to be all right?" asked John.
Susan finally found her voice. "Yes, I'll be all right. Dr. Franklin will take care of me. Delenn—" she whispered as John and Delenn turned to leave.
"Yes, Susan?" asked Delenn.
"You have given me a lot to think about. Thank you."
Delenn smiled. "You're welcome. What are friends for?" Then Sheridan and Delenn left Susan alone in Medlab.

"Susan?" asked Marcus, staring down at her.
"Hi, Marcus," replied Susan, stretching out.
"So, you're finally up?" asked Marcus.
"Yeah, bruises and all," said Susan.
"Same here," Marcus let out a small laugh then hissed in pain as his body resisted the laughter.
"Marcus?"
"What, Susan?" he growled irritably. He didn't no couldn't face Susan yelling at him again.
"I love you, Marcus." Susan shyly glanced up at the tall, handsome Ranger.
"Susan?" Marcus squeaked. He had died, he thought, this was heaven, and Susan Ivanova was his sweet angel. . .
Susan gently raised her hand and stroked his face. "I meant it, Marcus. I love you. Sometimes, you're reckless and other times you're a stupid idiot. But you're my handsome knight in slightly tarnished armor, my stupid idiot. . ."
"Susan, it's the medication talking!" shouted Marcus.
Susan frowned and grabbed him by his neck. Then she merged her lips to his in a passionate kiss. After a few minutes of intense passion, they broke the kiss.
"You do love me!" replied Marcus in astonishment.
"Of course! It's not the medication. No medication could make me say what I didn't already feel. I don't know what made me resist you for so long. I knew that I had feelings for you. I just could never admit it, even to myself. Then Delenn and I had a little discussion, and she made me realize that I shouldn't let a man like you slip away. She said that we were soul mates." She could not believe she had just admitted she loved him. She loved him more then she had ever loved anyone. She knew he loved her. At first, she had been shocked when he had told her, but then she realized she loved him too. She didn't know when he had warmed his way into her heart, but it had opened slowly. Maybe it was all his kind thoughtful gestures or the way he always made her laugh, even when she didn't feel like laughing or the way he followed her around like a little lost puppy and annoyed the heck out of her. Whatever it was she loved him so much it hurt.
Marcus sat down heavily in a chair next to her bed. And Marcus said, "I should have gone to Delenn long ago if she was the one that made you see reason."
Susan laughed lightly and kissed him again. Marcus sighed in bliss until Stephen entered the room.
"Marcus, what are you doing out of bed?" demanded Stephen. "Do I have to keep my eye on you every minute?"
Marcus just sighed and rolled his eyes heavenward as if asking for divine intervention. "You sure do know how to ruin the mood, Stephen," said Marcus.
"You are going back to bed and if I catch you up again without permission, I will skin you alive!" said Franklin.
"But Stephen—" Marcus began.
"Bed Marcus, now!" said Stephen, pointing out the door.
"All right," Marcus sighed as he got up and left the room.
"You know, Stephen, you sure don't have any romance in your soul."
"Well, I'm sorry. I was just doing my job. Now you get some rest, you hear me?"
Susan didn't respond for she was fast asleep.

A few weeks later, Stephen cleared both of them from Medlab, and Marcus helped Susan to her quarters.
"Would you care to come in?" asked Susan.
"Sure," said Marcus. He kissed her gently. What started as a gentle kiss turned into an intense passionate, one that threatened to devour both with its, emotion.
"Hey, Ivanova!" shouted someone close to them.
Abruptly, they jerked away from each other and saw Michael Garibaldi standing in front of them, grinning.
"Well, aren't you two cute?"
"Garibaldi—" seethed Susan, giving him her most intense Ivanova stare ever.
"Hey, I just wanted those reports that you promised to give me! Don't shoot me with those stares, all right?" said Garibaldi.
Susan sighed. "All right let me get them for you."
"Why don't you just open the door? We'll all go in and I'll get them from you. Then I'll leave you and Marcus alone in your romantic little love nest."
"Okay," said Susan as she inputted the lock code. They entered and as they did, Susan said, "Lights, low."
"Surprise!" shouted a lot of voices.
Susan groaned and turned around. "John, I thought I told you—no surprises. I hate surprises!"
John Sheridan just smiled. "Sorry, Susan, but we thought you two deserved some fun after your adventures in Medlab so we organized a little party. We even got Michael to bring you."
Susan turned her deadly gaze on one, Michael Garibaldi.
"John, I told you that you shouldn't let me do it. I said that this was a suicide mission." Then Michael turned to Susan. "He forced me to do it. He threatened me with escorting Londo or even worse, Bester!"
Ivanova smiled. "It's; okay, Michael. I'm not mad! Though I could be no hard feelings." Then she punched Michael in the shoulder – hard!
"Oh," said Garibaldi rubbing his shoulder. "If it hurts that much and you're not mad, how much would it hurt if you were?"
"You don't want to know," said Susan, seriously.
Sheridan smiled. "So, let's get down to the party. So, Susan, now that you're out of Medlab I assume you're fit for duty?"
"Of course," she replied.
"Then as of this moment, Susan Ivanova, I promote you to captain and give you full command of Babylon 5."
Susan was stunned and she felt lightheaded. "John?"
John held out his hand to Susan and said, "You've been through a lot and you deserve it. Welcome aboard captain." Susan shook his hand still too stunned to speak. The party went into full swing after that and it was very late by the time Susan shooed them all out so she could get some sleep. "Goodnight, everyone, see you in the morning."

A few days later

Marcus was in a very happy mood as he strolled through the Zocalo. He was looking for a present for Susan. She had finally agreed to go on a date with him. He whistled as he walked past each stall looking. Marcus stopped as something caught his eye. He went over to look and saw something so breathtaking that he gasped. "You are interested perhaps?" asked the owner, noticing Marcus' gaze. The object was a necklace the chain of the thinnest gold. It had a beautiful blue jewel just the color of her eyes hanging from it.
"How much for that; necklace?" inquired Marcus. The owner quoted a price, causing Marcus to raise his eyebrow in astonishment, "That much? For me to pay that much it would have to be real gold and a real jewel. And I can tell you now that it isn't." The owner quoted another price and Marcus just shook his head and started to turn away.
"All right, All right 10 credits that's my final offer," said the man.
Marcus turned back towards the man and took out his credit chip, "I'll take it, but let me give you a piece of advice, don't ever try to cheat someone who has been trained in the art of Minbari pike fighting. Someone might not take it as kindly as I have and end up hurting you." Marcus took the necklace and disappeared into the crowd with a swirl of his cloak. He left the owner shaking and hoping he never saw the tall dark-haired man again. Marcus strode briskly towards his quarters, planning on taking a hot shower and changing clothes before he had to pick up Susan at her quarters.

An hour later

Marcus rang Susan's door chime and it was answered immediately, "Enter." Marcus entered to see Susan in a blue dress that matched her eyes. Her hair was down and cascaded gently about her shoulders. She is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen, Marcus thought.
"Are you ready to go Susan?" asked Marcus.
"Yes," said Susan quietly, taking his arm and heading out the door. She was almost overwhelmed by her feeling for this man. Marcus looked at her worried at her pensive expression.
"You, okay?" asked Marcus, in a concerned tone.
"Huh? Oh, I'm fine Marcus just thinking," said Ivanova. She tried to smile up at the tall, thin Ranger, but it only came out as a half-smile.

A few minutes later

They arrived at the restaurant and Marcus gave his name. They were seated almost immediately and the waiter left them to look at the menu. The waiter came back and they ordered dinner. As they waited, they talked about small things, but Marcus could see that Susan was still distracted and he worried it might involve bad news for him. Dinner arrived and they both ate in silence as Ivanova tried to find the right words for what she had to say.
After dinner, Marcus took her home and Ivanova invited him in for a cup of coffee. Real coffee, not that fake stuff they called coffee on B5. As soon as it was percolating Susan sat down on the couch and gestured for Marcus to join her. She was silent for a moment as she tried to gather her thoughts, "Marcus. . ." Ivanova began, "There is something I've been meaning to tell you. Don't say anything just let me finish. It's going to be hard enough without you interrupting," she said as Marcus was about to say something. Marcus' mouth closed and he waited for Susan to speak. "Marcus I've been meaning to tell you for some time that I have not let anybody into my heart for a long time. Too much pain, too much suffering, but somehow, some way you wormed your way into my heart. I never thought when we were in Medlab that I would ever confess my love for you. I never thought I could love anybody again until you came along," Susan stopped looking up into his dark eyes seeing the love and compassion for her there.
For what seemed like an eternity, Marcus said nothing. Then he hugged Susan to him tightly kissing her soundly. Susan leaned into the kiss and in that moment of perfect eternity she never wanted to let; him go. Marcus broke the kiss slowly and looked into Susan's blue eyes seeing the love for him there.
"You're a very patient man and sometimes I don't know how or even why you put up with me."
"Because I love you," said Marcus kissing her again.
"Oh Marcus," said Susan softly, burying her head in his shoulder. Marcus stroked her hair gently and Susan sighed in pleasure from even that small touch. "Stay with me tonight please?"
"Are you sure?" asked Marcus.
"Yes," said Susan. Marcus lay down on the couch with Susan on top of him. Marcus sighed in contentment and just laid their watching her as she gradually fell asleep her head on his shoulder.

The next morning

Marcus awoke to the smell of coffee and noticed that he was lying on the couch all alone. He got up slowly realizing he felt more rested then he had in a long time. "Coffee?" asked Ivanova, as she came into the living area. "It's the real thing." She offered him a cup and he took it slowly. He knew this was an honor, for Ivanova hoarded her coffee jealously. He sipped it slowly and grimaced at the sour taste. He had always been more of a tea drinker himself. "Marcus. . ." Ivanova began. "I just wanted to say thank you. I should have admitted to myself long ago how much I needed someone to love in my life. Someone too care for me, to have a family with."
Marcus grinned and took another sip of coffee. "My pleasure, want to go out again tonight?"
"Sure, say around 7:00," suggested Ivanova.
"You got it, I'll see you at 7:00," said Marcus as he turned to leave. "Oh, I forgot to give you something last night." Marcus took a small box out of his pocket and handed it to her. She opened it and inside was a necklace.
"Why thank you Marcus it's beautiful," said Ivanova. "Now out, I need to get ready for work or I'll be late." Marcus left, feeling truly happy for the first time in a long time.

A few days later

Ivanova was just getting ready to leave to get ready for yet another date with Marcus when John Sheridan called her into his office. Susan entered the office to find Sheridan at his desk with Garibaldi standing beside him. "Mr. President you wanted to see me?"
"Yes, Susan, I just wanted to ask you how you've been doing. What's causing you to be in such a good mood?"
"What is this; a board of inquiry?" asked Susan smiling and laughing as she said it.
Garibaldi and Sheridan looked at each other in shock. Susan laughing, impossible.
"All right who are you and what have you done with Susan?" asked Garibaldi, only half joking.
"It's nothing really I've just decided to loosen up," said Susan.
"Susan Ivanova, captain of Babylon 5 and terror of C&C decides to loosen up? I don't believe it," said Garibaldi.
"If there is nothing else sir, may I go now?" said Susan, stiffly.
John looked at her for a moment then nodded. "Dismissed captain," said Sheridan. Susan got up and left and headed for the lift. Once inside and the doors closed Susan slumped back against the back of the lift and sighed in relief. That was to close. She knew sooner or later she would have to tell him about Marcus and her, if he didn't know already. Garibaldi had probably already informed him about that little scene in the hall outside her quarters. How could she have been so stupid?
"Marcus is doing wonders for her don't you think?" asked Garibaldi
"Yes, I've never seen her; this relaxed. Ever since I've known her, she's always been . . . Sheridan paused as if looking for the right word, "Uptight."
"I'm glad for them," said Garibaldi. "Now if Marcus; just doesn't do or say anything stupid so that Ivanova throws him out or against a wall for that matter."
"That's true Susan does have quite a temper. That's what makes her one of the best officers there is," said Sheridan. Garibaldi nodded and left.

A month later

Sheridan stuck his head out the door of his office and said, "Susan can I have a word with you in my office?"
"Yes, of course John," said Susan as she got up from her position at C&C and walked towards his office doors. "What can I do for you?" Susan asked as soon as the doors closed behind her.
"Susan, I have a mission for you. I want you to take one of the White Stars and head for the world of Vina. The people are called Vians they look mostly human except for a few differences. They have expressed an interest in joining in the Interstellar Alliance."
"And you want me to get them to sign on," said Susan rolling her eyes, remembering the Lumati.
"And I will be sending along Marcus to help you out," said John waiting for her response and he had a feeling he wasn't going to like it.
"What! Marcus is going to be joining me, but Mr. President!" exclaimed Susan. Although she was secretly pleased, she didn't let it show.
"I know how he can annoy you, but you need somebody who speaks Minbari and to protect you in case there is trouble," said Sheridan.
"What about Lennier?" Susan asked.
"He is busy and can't make it, so it is either Marcus or someone you do not know. I mean I; least you know Marcus and trust him to a certain extent," said John.
Susan sighed rubbing the bridge of her nose, "All right Marcus it is."

Awhile later, Susan headed for the docking bay and White Star One. Just as she was headed down a corridor someone ran to catch up with her. "Susan; wait up," called a voice.
Oh no, Susan groaned to herself, just what I need. I love him dearly, but he can be so annoying sometimes. Susan stopped and waited for Marcus to catch up then continued towards her destination. As they arrived Susan pulled Marcus off into a private corner, "Now Marcus while we are on this mission you are to behave yourself. No distracting me from my mission. No annoying me or mentioning our relationship," said Susan.
"In other words, don't even talk to you," said Marcus.
"You know what I mean. Oh, and one other thing, I love you." and with that she kissed him passionately. When she broke the kiss she went aboard without another word, leaving a shocked Marcus behind her.
"Well, what do you know she loves me," said Marcus as he hurried after her.
A few minutes later, they were both on the bridge of the White Star and were on their way. "Ivanova to C&C any last-minute instructions before we leave?"
"No except maybe an old Egyptian blessing and be careful, we do not know all that much about the Vians."
"Roger, see you when we get back Susan over and out. Marcus, tell them to head for Vina," said Susan not turning around to look at him as she gave the command. As Marcus translated her command Susan sat back and whispered the Egyptian prayer under her breath:

"May God stand between you and harm,
And all the empty places where you must walk."

She relaxed and became lost in thought.
Hers and Marcus' relationship was reaching a critical phase and she was almost afraid of the results. Sooner or later Marcus was going to ask the big question and she didn't know if she was going to accept or not. She knew she loved him, but did she love him enough to marry him, to settle down and have a family with? At this point she just didn't know.
Marcus approached her cautiously, having noticed she was lost in her own thoughts and from her expression he knew she was thinking about him. She was thoughtful one minute then she would smile then frown and as all these range of emotions flickered across her face, he knew she was fighting a mental battle that involved one of the biggest decisions of her life.
Hours later, Marcus finally spoke startling Ivanova out of her thoughts. "Susan, don't you think you should get some sleep? You've been up for almost twenty-four hours straight."
"And you are keeping tabs on how long I've been up?" asked Ivanova in an annoyed voice. She didn't look up as she spoke.
Marcus knew he was walking a tightrope so he responded carefully, "Susan you are going to be no good to anybody if you are asleep on your feet." Ivanova sighed knowing her was right. Besides she was tired.
"All right I'll go get some sleep, but wake me up at least an hour, before we get there." When Marcus nodded Ivanova said, "All right, see you in a few hours." Marcus was surprised she had given in so easily. She must really be bushed not to argue with me, Marcus thought.
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