From: "Aubrey W. Adkins" Subject: Susan and Marcus Check Out Date: Mon, 19 Apr 1999 20:01:57 -0400 Susan and Marcus Check Out A shortie with Lyta, Susan and Marcus Criticism is welcomed. Without, it there can't be any improvement. Address criticisms to [xazqrten@norfolk.infi.net] All characters/places/persons not belonging to the writer are the sole properties of their owners, PTEN, WB, JMS, and will be turned over to the owners at the request of their agents. All other characters/places/persons are public domain. "What do you mean mom has been poisoned? Who gave it to her?" asked an angry Brian Cole. "It appears that is was dad. She has slipped into a coma and he is fading, too. They took enough to kill half-dozen men," replied his sister Nora. "Is there nothing the doctor can do? "I am sorry Brian, but the damage is done. Whether you like it or not, they have taken their fate into their hands. Maybe you should accept the reality that they are at the end of their lives and let them go," replied Nora. Brian stormed out of the room. Nora looked at her parents and was relieved that they were beyond Brian's interference. He had been overriding other family members and having his mother kept alive against their and their father's wishes. Dad had finally settled it, once and for all. The doctor had informed them that Susan and Marcus would probably not last until morning. They were in no pain, but they would never regain consciousness. This had been Marcus' desire. ****************************************************************************** The redheaded woman walked into the room adjacent to the room Susan and Marcus were lying. She was questioned by a young family member. She answered by telling them all to go to sleep, which they did. Entering the room where Susan and Marcus lay, the woman pulled a chair up between the beds and took their hands in hers. ****************************************************************************** Susan was standing watching the door open and looking intently at the white swirling light pattern that could be seen on the other side. It had a magnetic quality about it and she was slowly moving toward it. She was almost there when a sharp voice caused her to stop. "Don't you dare, Susan Cole!" came a sharp commanding voice. "You and that skinny hairball of a husband of yours have some unfinished business." Looking around Susan found Lyta standing a short distance away. She also noticed the door to the swirling light closing. "What are you doing here, Lyta? It is my time. I have lived a full life. Please don't interfere." "I would not stop things, even if I could. I am only going to delay them for a few moments. You are going to get to go through that doorway with someone else," she said softly. Then sharply, "Marcus get your skinny ass in here!" she continued. Marcus came through a previously unnoticed door and went to stand with Susan and hold her hand. "Susan. You look ravishing," stated Marcus. Looking at the dashing young man beside her, she responded, "You cut a fine figure yourself" Looking at her friend, "Lyta?" You are seeing your spirits the way you have always seen one another. "Why do you look young?" she asked. "This is me. I haven't aged a day in a long time. In reality, I am sitting between your beds holding both yours and his hands. I can only hold off the inevitable for a short time." "I am sure it will be long enough," said Marcus. "You both need to explain to your offspring just what you are doing and why. It will make it easier for them. She explained to Marcus just what had been done to revive him from the frozen state he had been in after he had saved Susan's life." As she finished Susan and Marcus became aware of their family standing across the room. Looking at the family members, Lyta said, "There are things to be said and time is short." What followed was a quick explanation of why they wanted to leave together and answering of family questions. Brian was angry, but finally had to accept that his parents' decision was theirs to make. Marcus had been in ill health for some time. The only thing keeping him going was caring for his invalid wife who was in much pain and agony most of the time, these last few months. He had been in pain as well, but had hidden it. Only their doctor knew what hell they had been enduring, because Brian kept refusing to allow nature to take its course. The family faded from view. "They will all remember this as a dream, but since they will all have had the same dream, some will believe it to be true," commented Lyta. "They will remember you going through the door together." "Lyta, how did I manage to live so long? What did you do to me?" asked Susan. "I pulled a sort of Lorien and gave you some of my life energy. I see you used it well." "We both thank you," they said in unison, as the doorway began to slowly open again. I am sorry guys, but it's time for you to go. Maybe we will meet again in some future universe. As they were stepping through the door, Susan got in the last word, "If it can be done, Lyta, you will find a way." The doorway closed and Susan and Marcus were gone. Lyta had tears brimming in her eyes and was thinking that she still didn't know what was on the other side of that damned door. ****************************************************************************** The next morning Susan and Marcus' family awoke to find their parents had indeed passed away during the night. All were taken by the fact that they all had fallen asleep and experienced the same dream the night before. They never figured out an explanation.. Tale End.