From kevinq@servtech.com Sun Aug 18 21:02:53 1996 Date: Sun, 18 Aug 1996 17:08:56 -0700 From: Shelly Quinn Subject: Secrets Delenn paced the length of her quarters for what must have been the hundredth time. But she couldn't sit still. The time of the Prophecy was upon them and so much had happened in so little time. The Shadows were among them or, at least, they had been. As of late they had been conspicously absent. Which was the reason why she had called Marcus to her quarters - to listen to her rant and rave. "I don't like it, Marcus. It's not like them." He stood propped against the wall, watching her. "I know, Delenn. But being unpredictable is part of their charm." An uncontrolled laugh bubbled out of Delenn. "That's one of the things I do so admire about you, Marcus. Your ability to simplify things." Delenn took a deep breath and forced herself to relax. For the first time since Marcus had arrived she took a good look at him, and she did not like what she saw. Marcus, as a rule, was a body in motion. Giving the impression of being fluid, even when standing still. But now he was too still, and far too pale. The whiteness of his skin shockingly apparent against the contrast of his dark beard. She stepped towards him, her eyes full of worry. "Marcus, are you all right?" "I'm fine." He took a step back, putting distance between them. "Why do you ask?" "You don't look yourself." Marcus grinned at her. "Oh...And how do I look?" Delenn followed his retreat until she had him boxed in a corner. "Ill..." she said simply, reaching out to touch his face. He was burning up. "Marcus...I'm calling Dr.Franklin." "No!" He grabbed her wrist. "He can't help me, Delenn." "What are you saying?" The look in his dark eyes frightened her. And in that moment Delenn knew that Marcus was gravely ill." Now that Delenn knew that he was sick, Marcus felt no need to keep up the pretence, so he led her over to the couch where he could sit down. "There's something I must show you." Carefully, he pulled up the sleeve of his tunic, baring his left arm. Delenn gasped when she saw the three inch slice across his inner forearm. Then she lifted her eyes to his and whispered one word, "Apagari." Marcus nodded. "Yes." "When?" "Last night." Marcus sighed and let his body sag into the back of the couch. But the relaxed posture was a mere illusion, for every muscle in his body was as tense as a tightly coiled spring. Delenn reached out and smoothed back his dark hair in a soothing caress. "They have not come for you yet." It was more a statement than a question. The fact that he was with her was an answer in itself. Marcus closed his eyes for a moment, accepting her touch. But only for a moment. He could not afford to relax his defenses. "Not yet," he replied. "It hasn't been twenty-four hours. Six more to go." "We have to let Captain Sheridan know what's happened. The security of Babylon 5 is at risk." "I know." Marcus admitted the truth reluctantly. He had hoped to keep it to himself, but he should have known how futile such hope was. Especially with Delenn. She saw more than most. "You're right. You must call him." Marcus tried to muster up one of his charming, carefree smiles, but he failed miserably. "Hurry, Delenn. There's not much time." Within fifteen minutes, Captain Sheridan and Commander Ivanova had joined them. Marcus showed them his arm. "Apagari," Sheridan repeated. "I've never heard of it." "Of them, Captain," Delenn corrected him gently. Marcus was on his feet again, not wanting Ivanova to see his weakness. Now he explained. "The Apagari are an elite group of warriors - for want of a better word. They have special skills, and they hand pick their comrades, if you will. They do so based upon the individuals particular talents." Ivanova was watching him closely. He was pale and agitated and it worried her more than she cared to admit. "And they chose you becaused you're a Ranger," she guessed. "More or less," Marcus allowed. "What other reason?" Sheridan prompted. Delenn answered him. "Marcus has a certain reputation amongst the Rangers. He's the best of the best - for many reasons. Suffice it to say that if he should be recruited by the Apagari, then Babylon 5 would be in great danger." Silently, Delenn chided herself for simplifying the truth. Ivanova shrugged. "So what's the problem? When the Apagari come for you, you tell them thanks, but no thanks." Marcus smiled. "I'm afraid it's not that simple. I wish it were." He took a step towards Ivanova then gasped at the pain that ripped through his body. Sheridan caught him before he hit the floor. He lifted Marcus into his arms and gently laid him on the couch. Despite the layers of clothing that the Ranger wore, Sheridan could feel the burning heat of a fever. "Ivanova, call Dr. Franklin," he ordered. "Please...don't..." Marcus begged, pain making his breathing ragged. His eyes found Delenn who was kneeling beside him. "You know that he can't help me." Delenn nodded. "I do know," she said softly, as one hand stroked his hair. "But I think we should call him. The fever weakens you, Marcus. If Dr. Franklin can bring it down, perhaps it will help." It was a small hope, but it was all she had to offer him. Marcus saw her concern for him, glowing in her warm eyes and after a moment he nodded. "All right...Call him." Sheridan looked over at Ivanova, saw the way she was looking at Marcus, then tapped his Comlink to make the call himself. "Dr. Franklin this is Sheridan. I need you in Delenn's quarters stat." Franklin's voice came back. "What's up?" "Just bring your bag of goodies and get here. Now!" Dr. Franklin was stunned by Marcus' condition. He had seen the Ranger take on a bar full of patrons and come out with barely a scratch. But he had also seen him take a beating that would have felled Hercules, and walk away. The man seemed immune to pain, but now he was nearly incapacited by it. After a quick examination he gave his prognosis. "His temperature is 102, the cause of which escapes me because the cut on his arm is not infected. Which means I need to run some tests, so we have to get him to Medlab." "No," Marcus said firmly. Delenn agreed. "Do what you can do for him here, Dr. Franklin." Sheridan placed a hand on Franklin's shoulder. "Can you help him?" Franklin shrugged. "I can pump him full of antibiotics to bring the fever down. And I can give him a painkiller. A sedative might not be a bad idea either." Marcus laughed softly. "It's a good idea, Stephen. Only it won't help." The pain was getting worse and Marcus gritted his teeth. He had to be strong. ' Never show the enemy your weakness', he incanted silently. "Well it sure as hell can't hurt," Franklin countered sharply. He looked at the others and knew that they were keeping something from him. "Would someone like to tell me just what the hell is going on here?" To his ears it sounded more like an order than a request, which suited him just fine. Stephen was tired of being in the dark. Delenn looked at Marcus, who nodded, so she quickly brought Dr. Franklin up to date. He almost wished he hadn't asked. "Okay. So in about five hours the Apagari are going to come for you. My question is, what exactly does that mean? Come for you." Marcus looked at Delenn. "Tell them." She smiled at him, but she wanted to weep at the pain she saw glimmering in the depths of his dark eyes. If she could have taken the agony, or at least shared it's burden, she would have done so gladly. To the others she said, "When the Apagari mark their new recruits, they do so for a purpose. There is a drug on the blade that enters the bloodstream. That is what causes the agony. And it's level of intensity increases with the passing of each hour. Within twenty-four hours it becomes unbearable." Sheridan's eyes were on Marcus. In the past few minutes he had turned a shade paler. "I can see that," he whispered. Then he looked at Franklin. "Isn't there anything, anything at all you can do for him?" Franklin would have given anything to say yes. Marcus had a way of driving a person crazy with his incessantly cheerful nature, but for all that he considered the Ranger to be a friend. And right now his friend's pain was nearly tangible enough to be felt. "If I had him hooked up to a diagnostic scanner right now, his pain levels would register right off the scale." Stephen touched the Ranger's hand. "Your tolerance for pain has always been remarkable, Marcus. But I don't know how you can stand it. It would be driving any one of the rest of us insane by now." Marcus squeezed Franklin's hand for a moment, knowing how desperately his friend desired to help him, and also accepting that he could not. He wanted Stephen to accept it as well. "There are ways - techniques- that I've learned that make the pain... bearable." He looked at Sheridan, met and held the cool eyes. "But I'm ...afraid...that it won't be for much ...longer." Sheridan nodded his understanding. "So if the Apagari come to you. What then?" Delenn replied. "They will offer him the antidote." Her eyes glimmered with unshed tears. "If he accepts it, then he will be lost to us." Ivanova found that possibility to be unacceptable. "I don't understand. Why?" She looked at Marcus from her place of refuge across the room. He accepted her need to keep her distance, although he regretted it as well. "The antidote is addictive in itself. Once taken all control is lost. I would become a Zombie. Completely under the influence of the Apagari - for life." He could not fully explain the significance of that. "And what if you refuse the antidote?" Sheridan asked. "What happens then? Would they kill you?" "No. As a rule they let the individual live. The effects of the original drug are said to last for seven days." Ivanova was horrified at the thought. "Seven days of agony! That's inhumane." Delenn nodded. "Yes. It is." "Then what?" Sheridan asked. "You'd be back to normal?" "I don't know," Marcus replied. He felt vulnerable lying down so he pushed himself upright and attempted to stand. Franklin's hand of his shoulder stopped him. "No one's lasted that long. Most recruits give in after the twenty- four hours." Delenn sat down beside him and took his hand. She wanted to share her strength with him. "One Minbari lasted for three days, Captain. But he was put in restraints." Sheridan didn't want to ask, but the question tumbled out. "Then what happened?" "He broke free and killed himself." Ivanova gasped then clamped a hand over her mouth. She wished that this was all just a bad dream. She also wished that she was the one holding Marcus' hand. Marcus looked at Sheridan with a calmness in his eyes - an acceptance - that he knew would be a bit unnerving. But Marcus had long ago learned not to avoid the truth. From the moment of his Brother's death he had vowed never to turn his back on it again. "Captain...I have reason to believe that I will be an exception." "In what way?" Sheridan countered, with undisguised curiosity. "I do not think that the Apagari will allow me to refuse the Antidote." "Why?" Marcus shrugged. "I can't explain. And the reasons don't matter. We simply cannot allow that to happen. If they should reach me I will attempt to kill myself." Sheridan reacted to that statement as if he had been sucker punched. "Now wait a minute, Marcus." "Let me finish," the Ranger begged. "It is vitally important that should I fail in my attempt to kill myself, then one of you must do it." "Forget it!" Sheridan realized that he was shouting and he took a deep breath to calm himself before continuing more quietly. "That's not acceptable, Marcus." Delenn went to him and touched his arm. "You must listen to him, John." Ivanova couldn't remain silent any longer. "I can't believe you agree with him, Ambassador." She had to resist the urge to shake some sense, or reason, into Delenn. "There is so much that you do not know." Delenn smiled at them sadly. "But you must believe me-" she gestured to Marcus, " - believe us. There is no other choice." Sheridan stared into her beautiful eyes. "There has to be." He was begging her to agree with him. "There isn't." Marcus' voice cut the, tension- filled, moment of silence like a whip. "I wish there were." His eyes glanced over at Ivanova then fluttered away. "You have to understand that I have certain - talents - that were I to come under the control of the Apagari, then I would be the deadliest weapon that you have ever seen." Franklin found that hard to swallow. "Come on, Marcus. You trying to compete with the Shadows?" Marcus didn't smile. "Suffice it to say that I would become the means to destroy Babylon 5." Sheridan knelt down beside him. Delenn had told him that Marcus was special from the moment the Ranger had arrived on Babylon 5. And he believed her. But he also needed to understand. "Tell me how," he requested. Marcus shook his head. "I can't," he said simply. "What about you, Delenn?" Sheridan looked up at her. "Can you tell me?" She could not meet his eyes. "No, John. You must accept what we tell you and let it go at that." He couldn't do that, and they both knew it. "You know what his - talents- are. Don't you?" "I do." Delenn would never lie to him. "Marcus felt that I should know. But I am the only one." She didn't add that not even Lennier knew. And she had few secrets from her aide. Marcus interjected. "If I survive then, someday, you all will know." That was a promise he willingly made for knew he could keep it.. Delenn could see that he was fast losing his control over the pain. "Lennier and I will stay with Marcus - here. We will watch over him." Sheridan nodded. "I'll assign Garibaldi as guard. I think the fewer people who know about this, the better." "Agreed." Delenn walked him to the door where they were joined by Ivanova and Franklin. The doctor shook his head. "The antibiotics I gave him should help the fever. Call me if you need me." Franklin took Ivanova's arm and guided her out the door. He knew how much Marcus cared about her and he was beginning to believe that the feelings were mutual. He would walk her back to her quarters and offer a mild sedative. Even though he knew she would refuse it. Sheridan took Delenn's delicate hands in his. "I don't want to lose Marcus." She nodded. "Neither do I. He is our light among the Shadows." "Care to explain that?" "No." Delenn freed her hands and pushed him gently out the door. "Goodnight John," she said firmly as the door whoosed closed. Garibaldi stood by the door, watching Delenn and Lennier stand vigil over Marcus. He had thought that the Captain had been exaggerating when he had told him about the Apagari, and the pain that Marcus was suffering. But one look at the Ranger and he could see that it was true. Just watching him battle to control the pain made Garibaldi hurt. Especially since the countdown was on. Five minutes to midnight. Michael didn't know how Marcus could stand it, but the young Ranger sat in a chair without making a sound. His eyes were glazed with pain, yet focused. Without warning, Marcus jumped to his feet. "They're here," he whispered. He knew because he could feel them. "Show time." Garibaldi drew his lasergun and moved to the side of the door. He was prepared to take out the first man - or whatever- that crossed the threshold. Lennier and Delenn moved to stand guard beside Marcus. They were battle- ready. Delenn wished that Marcus would wait in the other room and let them face the Apagari without him, but she knew that he would not leave them. This was his fight, and he believed that it was his place to protect her. There was no sound from outside the door. No footfalls. But Marcus knew that the Apagari were there. He braced himself for an attack, although he knew that they would not risk hurting him. But he had no such qualms about them. Pain rippled through his body, and it felt as if the blood that flowed through his veins were white-hot flames, but Marcus focused inward. The power of his mind took control of his body and, for the moment, he was able to delegate the pain to a place that could not touch him. But the moment would be brief. Garibaldi hit the light switch, plunging them into total darkness, just seconds before the first of the Apagari stepped into the room. Insinctively he fired and he knew he made a direct hit when he heard the body fall. That's when he clicked the lights back on to see Delenn and Lennier battling another man while the third - a veritable giant - wrestled with Marcus. The Goliath was trying to grab the Ranger, but Marcus was not cooperating. Using his Minbari staff, the Ranger brought the giant to his knees. Garibaldi ran forward to make certain the guy stayed down, but he felt himself grabbed from behind. The guy he had blasted had him in a chokehold. Marcus knew that his friends were no match for the Apagari, so he was prepared to end the battle. From a pocket he pulled out a handful of fine, white crystals - like sand - and he threw it in the giants face, blinding him. Then he went for the man grappling with Lennier and Delenn. He hooked his thumb around the man's windpipe and pressed his other fingers into the nerves at the base of the skull. The Apagari dropped like a stone. Then Marcus faced the one holding Garibaldi. "Your comrades have fallen!" he snarled. "You have failed. Retreat or die. I have the power." Garibaldi was stunned when he was suddenly released. The Apagari ran to the giant, guiding him to his feet, then he tossed the other warrior over his shoulder before turning to face Marcus. "You will be ours, Ranger. We will return." As he spoke the warning, the lights flickered out, leaving them in darkness. By the time Garibaldi found the switch and clicked the light back on, the Apagari were gone. "How did he do that?" he questioned the room in general. No one answered. Delenn's main concern was Marcus. Even as she reached him he swayed on his feet and almost fell. "Sit down," she ordered, guiding him to the couch. When she touched his face she was alarmed by the heat of his skin. The fever would not kill him, but it told her that his body was breaking down fast. He would not have the strength needed to resist the pain. Marcus studied her through bleary eyes. "Are you all right?" "Fine." Delenn smoothed his long hair off his face. "Ever the Ranger, my dear friend. Here we were supposed to be protecting you, and you came to our rescue instead. I thank you." "They'll be back," Marcus said softly. Delenn nodded. "I know. You must rest now." She guided him to his feet then, with Lennier's help, led him to the bedroom. She alone knew what it had cost Marcus to face the Apagari. Garibaldi watched them go then returned to his post at the door. He didn't think that the Apagari would return again tonight, but he wasn't taken any chances. Another twenty-four hours passed by, and the Apagari were no where to be found. By now, Marcus had spent forty-eight hours in agony, and the pain level intensified steadily. Sheridan found it difficult to look at the Ranger, who no longer possessed the strength to stand. Delenn had called him, and the others, at Marcus' request, and they were gathered around his bedside. Marcus smiled at Franklin who was fussing over him. He knew his friend was frustrated by his inability to help him. "You must all listen to me," he said, meeting Sheridan's eyes. Compassion had darkened them to black. "I am afraid that I overestimated my tolerance level, Captain. I'm rapidly losing control. And when it is gone, I will belong to the Apagari." To admit this truth was hard for him. Garibaldi reached out to touch his shoulder then pulled back, suddenly fearful that it would hurt him further. He smiled reassuringly instead. "Don't worry, Marcus. We won't let that happen." "You won't be able to stop me, Michael." Marcus was desperate for them to understand. Yet how could they when he could not explain it to them. He hated secrets, yet this time they were neccessary. "I will go right through you to get to them." "Granted, you're one hell of a fighter, Marcus. I'll be the first to admit that." Garibaldi shrugged. "But you're going to be slightly outnumbered." Marcus closed his eyes and allowed a wave of pain to wash over him before he responded. "You don't understand. None of you. Physical strength won't matter." Ivanova had been keeping her distance again. Seeing Marcus in this condition was just too painful to bear. But she thought she understood what he was trying to say. "You mean your...talents?" "Yes..." he whispered, inordinately pleased that she understood. Sheridan sat down on the edge of the bed. "So what do you suggest we do, Marcus? Kill you now and get it over with?" He was finding his own tolerance level strained to the breaking point. Not being able to help Marcus was eating away at him. Delenn put her hand on Sheridan's shoulder. She wanted to help him...to hold him. But now was not the time. All she could offer now was a bit of hope. "There is one other possibility, John." "And that would be?" "A Lo'a'zhi. Death trance." Garibaldi chuckled. "You're kidding. Right?" Delenn did not smile. "I am not." Sheridan took her hand. "A death trance?" he repeated. "I don't understand." There was so much about her, and her race, that was a mystery to him. "Marcus would enter a state in which his lifeforce seperates from his body, reaching a level that simulates death. He would remain in this state for the remainder of the seven days. Then I will bring him out of it." Franklin had his doubts. "Have either of you ever done this before?" Marcus found that he could still muster a cocky grin. "Not exactly," he admitted. "But I have studied the practice, and I know that I can obtain it." "But are you certain you can come out of it?" "No. But if I should die...so be it. I will be free of the Apagari, and Babylon 5 will be safe." Ivanova stepped forward. "I don't like it," she declared firmly. Garibaldi concurred. "Ditto for me." Franklin wasn't about to be left out. "I'm with them. It's too dangerous, Marcus." "The danger is mine to face," Marcus said softly. He looked at Sheridan. "As a Ranger I'm bound to protect Babylon 5." Sheridan nodded. "Yes. But..." Marcus stopped him with a glance. "No buts, Captain. It is my life. My choice." "Agreed." Sheridan looked at the others, could see their fear and disappointment. Marcus had wormed his way into all their hearts in a very short time. "Marcus is right," he declared firmly. "The choice has to be his. He's the one who has the most to lose." Garibaldi cleared his throat and changed the subject matter, if not the subject. "So what do we do about the Apagari? I don't like the idea of these guys running around looking for new recruits." Marcus shook his head. They won't. They came for me. And when they come again, you'll let them. You can capture them when they try to take me." "Use you for bait? I don't think so." Garabaldi dismissed the idea out of hand. "You're going to be helpless, pal. A sitting duck." "They won't want a dead recruit." Marcus looked at Ivanova, then looked away. He thought he saw tears in her eyes, but that was ridiculous. She wouldn't cry for him. "There will be three of them, as before. And you must kill them." Marcus quelled the protest that Sheridan was about to make with the wave of one hand. "You'll have no choice, Captain. Once they believe I'm dead, they'll kill you all without thought. And none of you have the skill to defeat them in battle." Garabaldi could confirm that. "He's right, Captain." Sheridan nodded. "We'll do what must be done." He reached for Marcus' hand and the Ranger gripped his like a vice- nearly crushing the bone. But Sheridan held on as he watched the wave of pain that spasmed through out Marcus' body. It left him even more shaken than the young Ranger. Marcus' breath was labored but he managed to speak. "I must...begin...the trance." "All right." Sheridan stood up and looked at Delenn. "You must leave now," she told them, gesturing towards the door. Ivanova found it hard to leave, yet harder still to stay. Marcus' pain had become unbearble for her as well. "How long will this take?" she asked Delenn. "A few minutes." Delenn touched her arm in a gesture of comfort. "I will call you back when it's done." They all piled out into the corridor then simply stood there. Waiting. No one said a word because there was nothing to say. And each was caught up in his, or her, own thoughts. Sheridan was remembering Marcus the first time they had met. How quietly determined he was, and how earnest. Garibaldi found himself replaying all the 'colorful ' jokes the Ranger had told him. Franklin was remembering the arrival of 'King Arthur', and how like Sir Lancelot Marcus had seemed. And Ivanova was remembering the White Star, and how he had shared with her the death of his brother. In that moment she had felt connected to Marcus in a way that could not be defined. She knew only that she did not want him to die. The door whooshed open and Delenn was standing there. "You can come back in." One by one they reentered the quarters. Marcus was lying as they had left him only now he was still - too still. And the face that had been ravaged by pain was now smooth. The face of a dark angel - beautiful, innocent and serene. Franklin checked for a pulse. "No heartbeat," he declared. Delenn understood their fear. It was tangible in the room. "Do not be fooled," she cautioned. "Marcus is still alive." Ivanova could no longer keep her distance. She moved to the side of the bed and took Marcus' hand. Softly, so only he could hear, she whispered, "Come back to us...to me." An hour later they reconvened in the conference room. Lennier remained behind to keep watch over Marcus. Sheridan stood at the head of the table, he was too wound up to sit, and he felt it would be 'uncaptainlike' for him to pace. He had to set a good example for the others to follow. "All right. Marcus has done his part, now it's up to us to do ours. Delenn believes that the Apagari will come for him tonight." "We'll be waiting for them," Garabaldi interjected. He was looking forward to another confrontation. And this time he would be ready for them. Sheridan nodded. "Garabaldi, Dr. Franklin, Lennier and I will dispose of the Apagari. Delenn will watch over Marcus." "What about me, Captain?" Ivanova spoke up. "I need you in C and C, Susan. We can't all be away from our posts." Ivanova opened her mouth to protest then clamped it shut. "Yes, Sir," she replied, dutifully. "I'll leave now." Without a backward glance she swept out of the room. Delenn sighed. "She needs to feel useful. To feel as if she is helping Marcus." Sheridan echoed her sigh and rubbed his eyes. Pain throbbed behind them, like a thousand stabbing needle points. "I know. But if things don't go as planned I'd rather not have her there." Garabaldi seconded the notion. "Good idea, Captain. Besides, we need a second line of defense. And I guarentee that the Apagari will be fish food if Ivanova gets her hands on them." "Maybe she should be our first line of defense?" Franklin suggested, half seriously. He had a bad feeling about this whole thing. Especially about the Death trance. "Let's just focus on what we have to do," Sheridan interjected. "And let's do it right. Four and a half days later, Garabaldi entered Delenn's quarters. He wasn't surprised to see Ivanova there - Susan spent most of her free time at Marcus' side - and the others would be joining them shortly. They were counting down the minutes until Delenn would bring Marcus out of the Lo'a'chi. Five minutes to go. "How's he doing?" Garibaldi asked. Ivanova glared at him. "How do you think? He's the same. He doesn't move, doesn't breath...." She broke off and took a deep breath. "Sorry." "It's okay. I know it's creepy." "Michael, I've been meaning to ask. How did it go that night? You know, with the Apagari." Susan smiled uncomfortably. "I know that you defeated them. But how?" Garabaldi grinned, feeling deservedly smug. "Well, let's just say that for every Goliath there's a David." Ivanova frowned. "And what the hell does that mean?" "That an equalizer works wonders." Garabaldi didn't bother to explain that the equalizers he, the Captain, Franklin and Lenier had used were a particularly nasty alien ray pistol that he had bartered for Down below. The trader was someone Marcus had introduced him to awhile back, telling him that he might prove to be of use to him someday. And someday had come. Garabaldi reminded himself to thank Marcus when he woke up. Delenn swept into the room with Sheridan and Franklin on either side of her. "It's almost time, " she pronounced, shooing Ivanova and Garabaldi away from the bed. "Do you want us to leave?" Sheridan asked. "Not this time. It's a simple process to bring him out of the trance." Garabaldi looked at his watch. "Thirty seconds." They counted them down silently. As she whispered the number 'one', Delenn reached out with both hands. The right she placed at the center of Marcus' forehead- his third eye - the left palm she placed over his heart. Then she whispered three words and waited. No response. Delenn frowned. It should have worked. Perhaps she needed to concentrate harder. She took a deep breath then exhaled slowly, imagining her life's breath flowing into Marcus' body as she repeated the words " Dei Zha Lo'a'zhi." Ivanova watched Marcus' face, waiting for his eyes to open. She looked at Delenn. "Nothing's happening." It was an accusation. "I know." Delenn couldn't keep the fear out of her voice. "He should wake up. I don't understand..." she looked at Sheridan. Knowing he could do nothing to help her, yet needing him to try. He looked at Franklin. "Can you do anything?" Stephen had brought his 'goody bag' just in case. He removed an electrostimulator and, ripping open Marcus' tunic, placed it over his heart. With the push of a button he sent 200 hundred volts into the Ranger's body. Nothing. He tried 300. Still nothing. Garabaldi turned away. Unable to watch, not when he knew that it was already too late. "I'm sorry," Franklin said, after 400 volts brought no response. He looked at Sheridan, his eyes filled with sorrow. "He's gone..." In his heart he believed that Marcus had died four days ago when he'd entered the death trance. But he didn't share this thought with the others. It would only make things worse. "No..." Delenn whispered as tears rolled down her face. "He can't...He can't be gone." She felt Sheridan's arms around her and let him lead her away. Ivanova felt numb as she stared at Marcus' body. Then suddenly she felt angry. She stepped over to the bed and glared down at him. "How dare you die like this! Not like this." The anger was gone in a rush and Susan sank down on the side of the bed, her legs no longer able to support her. Gently she laid Marcus' hand in hers, wishing she could feel the strength of his long, slender fingers. "Your brother would be very disappointed in you, Marcus. He would have wanted you to fight...to live. But you didn't put up much of a fight, did you? Damn you...I wanted you to fight." Susan leaned over to brush a kiss across his lips but she screamed when his eyes flew open. "Stephen!" she cried. But he was all already there -all of them were- having heard her scream. "He's alive," Delenn whispered as she watched Marcus' body arch up off the bed as he gasped for air. His lungs inhaled deeply, then his body relaxed as he exhaled on a sigh. Franklin had his scanner out. "I'll be damned. All vital signs are normal," he pronounced. That was music to Sheridan's ears. He stepped forward. "Can you hear me, Marcus?" The Ranger nodded. "Loud...and clear, Captain." "How's the pain?" Franklin questioned, a smile threatening to split his face. "It's gone." Marcus made a move to sit up but several pairs of hand pushed him back down. Franklin shook a doctorly finger at him. "You need to rest, Marcus. And no arguments or I'll strap you down." Marcus knew he meant it so he kept still. He looked at Garabaldi. "What about the Apagari?" Michael grinned. "We got em. With your help." "Oh?" Marcus was more than a little curious at that cryptic remark. He was beginning to rub off on people. "I'll explain at a later date," Garabaldi promised. "I'll leave you to rest." Franklin nodded. "I'm with you. I've got rounds to make." To Marcus he said,"I'll be back to check on you later. And you'd better be here." Delenn took Sheridan's hand and she knew he understood the look she gave him. "We will leave you to rest as well," she said softly, reaching out to ruffle Marcus' hair. "Entowo' a ben," she whipered. It was a special nickname, like a human endearment. Marcus smiled at her. "Thank you, Delenn." Ivanova watched everyone leaving then realized she was still holding Marcus' hand. She stood up but he pulled her back down. Near death hadn't weakend him any. "I should go." "Please stay." Marcus made it a simple request. No begging, no strings. For a long moment Ivanova looked into his beautiful eyes, then she smiled. "If you like." Marcus nodded. "I like." Then, as hard as he tried to fight it, his eyes closed and sleep claimed him. Natural, healing sleep. "Sweet dreams, Marcus," Ivanova whispered. Then she leanded over and kissed him gently. The next day, despite Doctor's orders, Marcus joined them in the War room. After the meeting he, Delenn, Ivanova and Sheridan remained to talk. Sheridan was pleased to see the Ranger looking like his old self again. Young, vital and strong. And disconcertingly cheerful. No one looking at him now would guess at the agony he had suffered. Nor how close to death he had come. Now Sheridan wanted to appease his curiosity. "Marcus. You told us that if you survived, we would all learn about you...talents." Marcus nodded. "I did." "Care to share them with us now? Cause I admit, I'm curious." "It's neither the time, nor the place, Captain." Marcus offered an apologetic smile. "I'm afraid the time will come soon enough." Delenn touched Sheridan's arm. "You must be patient, John." He sighed. "I'm trying. I'm glad you came back to us, Marcus. We need you." He would have said more but Garabaldi buzzed him on his comlink. "Gotta go." Delenn touched Marcus' face. "We do indeed," she said softly - mysteriously. Then she smiled at both Marcus and Ivanova and left. Marcus looked at Susan. "What about you? Do you need me?" he asked boldy. Ivanova let her eyes glide over him slowly, taking measure of him from head to toe, and letting him know it. Then she smiled and said,"Consider it my secret, Marcus. When you tell me yours, I'll tell you mine." And so saying she glided out of the room. "Oh..." Marcus pressed one hand over his heart and whispered, "You'll be the first to know." He started out after her then paused and ammended, "Maybe." ut she screamed when his eyes flew open. "Stephen!" she cried^À \3^U§*BhH^A4 Ç.^Y^A