From: "Becki H. Blumer" Subject: Fan Fiction Submission: Whispers in a Distant Room, part 1 Date: Sat, 13 Mar 1999 23:45:01 +0000 Meredith D. Holt beckihblumer@fuse.net Whispers in a Distant Room Adult Warnings: None Hullo all, This is my latest off the wall story idea. I hope you like it. If you do, drop me a line at: beckihblumer@fuse.net. Thanks to skyler, Karin, Morgana and Adam for their help and compliments. Love Always, Meredith Legal Disclaimer: JMS knows all, sees all, made B5 up! Aside from the story idea itself, it's all his. Personal Disclaimer: I am an agent of chaos, with a big mouth and LOTS of emotional baggage. Whispers in a Distant Room by Meredith D. Holt beckihblumer@fuse.net Whispers in a Distant Room by Meredith D. Holt Part 1: First Impressions Tuzenor Minbar- December, 2281 Entil 'Za Susan Ivonava was not feeling well. This feeling was nothing knew, it came and went from time to time, on days when the young recruits came, or when she was watching a particularly good pike match. The feeling, she knew, came from Marcus. The small part of Marcus that lived in her heart, and sometimes prompted her gut instincts. At these times, she would go lay down, and usually, the feeling would pass. But not today, today the feeling persisted until it was almost nauseating. "Susan?" Alliance President Delenn touched her arm gently. Susan realized she'd been staring into space for five minutes, in the middle of the hallway. "Are you all right?" "I'm fine." she said evasively, running a hand through her gray/brown hair. She really wasn't fine. No, not one bit. "I think I'll go for a walk." she decided. With that, she whirled around and began quickly walking in the direction of her cloak, which was hanging on a peg by the door. "Susan...you have appointments...." Delenn began. The other woman turned on her quickly, rage rarely seen now evident on her face. "Then cancel them." Susan demanded, grabbing her long black cloak and disappearing from the room. Delenn followed her, shaking her head as she watching the other woman. Susan was not fine, and they both knew it. The cool wind nearly blew the hood away from Susan's face, but she pulled down closer, taking momentary comfort in the feel of the soft, crushed velvet. The sky above her was gray, its brightness hurting her eyes. Susan looked at the ground, not wishing to witness it's color. It reminded her too much of Marcus. Climbing the hill with steady footsteps, she reached the small crystal monument that marked the final resting place of the ranger Susan loved; Marcus. The bright red flowers that nestled around it waved in the breeze, giving it a tranquil and soothing quality. She sat down on the stone bench near by, looking at all that remained. "I don't know why, but I'm here." she spoke softly, bending to caress the letters that formed his name. "I guess I'm just missing you more then usual." she laughed, not a nice laugh, but a bitter laugh, one full of self hatred and remorse. She sat back on her haunches, gazing into the bright blue surface. "When I die, you, sir, are going to be my biggest regret. Not loving you when you deserved it. Damn it!" she was suddenly, violently angry, "Why did you die? I deserved it. Not you, never ever you." Then Susan stood, ready to leave, to face the appointments she had broken and the dignitaries she'd upset. But she turned, and looked into the shiny surface that reflected her own face. The reflection didn't quiet match, the sheen on the surface took away the frown lines and pout marks around her lips. "I really, sincerely want to make it right. But I can't now." And then she was gone. As Susan made her way down the hill, the ground beneath her began to shake. At first lightly, then violently. The force of it jarred her, and she tumbled painfully down the rocky hill. Falling, she landed hard at the bottom, up against a jagged out cropping of crystal. Susan struggled to get up, but her bruised body refused to move. Why was it getting so dark? ----- Babylon 5- May, 2261 The next thing she knew, the voice of Stephen Franklin could be heard. She strained to hear exactly what he was saying, but couldn't make it out. Her hands hurt from their grip on her hood, but she pulled out closer still. Groaning, she briefly wondered why the old doctor was there. How long had she been asleep, unconscious, whatever. "Hey. I think it's awake." Stephen said. She heard footsteps, and then a hand trying to pry away the hood. She pulled it down even further. "Can we see you?" he asked. "I can't make a proper examination with out taking a look." "Go away, Stephen," she groaned. More footsteps, then she heard something that made her heart jump. "How's the mystery woman, Stephen?" Marcus. It was Marcus' voice, but how? "God, I'm dreaming, or delusion." she muttered. "Susan?" Marcus asked. "What?" Two voices spoke now. Oh, God. She'd gone insane, that had to be it. She felt another set of hands trying to pry the hood away. "No!" Susan said. She couldn't let him see her this way, even if it wasn't real. "Who are you? Can you at least tell us your name?" the voice that sounded like hers asked. "Just, go away." she begged them all. The stress was getting to her, and she was suddenly very, very, tired. The pair of hands tugging at the hood took advantage of that, pulling it back. Susan found herself looking up into the face of Marcus Cole. The shock was evident in his eyes when he looked on her. Her skin was still just as flawless, but her hair had grayed, being stark white at her temples. But the eyes where the same, the exact, bright shade of indigo. Susan took advantage of his shock and looked around the room. There was Stephen, looking much, much, younger then he had when she last saw him, and standing in the corner, her eyes full of shock, was none other then Susan herself. "How?" Stephen asked. He couldn't believe it, but there, on the med lab bed, sat Susan Ivonava. Marcus looked from her, to the younger Susan, then back again. His hands fell away from the hood immediately, and Susan pulled it back over her face, turning away, and wrapping the cloak tight around her. "Who are you?" Stephen asked. "Susan Ivonava." she answered as she began to weep. The tears poured down her face, soaked up in the soft cloak. "Are we really supposed to believe that?" the other her asked. "How would you like me to prove it?" she asked bitterly, in-between sobs. "Tell us something only Susan would know." Stephen asked, catching onto the other her's suspicion. "All right?" Susan said, pulling back the hood a bit, to look at Marcus. He looked healthy, and handsome, unlike the last time she had seen him, "Marcus is a virgin." The face of the man in front of her suddenly turn paler, and his eyes got wide and round. Then he blushed. Stephen started laughing. "Is that true, Susan?" he asked between chuckles. The younger version of her looked like she'd just been hit with a two by four. "Yes. It is." she said softly. "How can it be. You're, you're me?" The older Susan only turned away, crying harder. In amazement, the other Susan watched as Marcus put his arms around the huddled form. She turned in the embrace, clinging to him. In that instant she felt something fall away, the pain that she'd carried all those years healed in an instant by his gentle touch. Finally, she pulled away, brushed back the hood and began to wipe away her tears. "Well, I thought we had established the fact that I'm you a while back, but if you're still confused, that's okay." Susan laughed at the younger her, who seemed somewhat disturbed by Marcus' display of emotion. Then the older one began to laugh, mirth and self-reproach bubbling over. "I don't see what's so funny?" Marcus commented. She looked at him, and sobered a bit. "Don't you see?" she entreated him. "In a little while, I'll wake up. It will have been a dream. I probably just fell off one of those damned Minbari bed/traps. I'm treating this like it's real. It's not. I'll wake up, and you'll still be dead." She watched as Marcus turned a ghostly white shade, his eyes tearing up. But it was the younger her that asked; "Marcus will die?" From: "Becki H. Blumer" Subject: Fan Fiction Submission: Whispers in a Distant Room part 2 Date: Sun, 21 Mar 1999 20:53:19 +0000 Meredith D. Holt beckihblumer@fuse.net Whispers in a Distant Room Adult Warnings: None Hullo all, This is my latest off the wall story idea. I hope you like it. If you do, drop me a line at: beckihblumer@fuse.net. Thanks to skyler, Karin, Morgana and Adam for their help and compliments. Love Always, Meredith Legal Disclaimer: JMS knows all, sees all, made B5 up! Aside from the story idea itself, it's all his. Personal Disclaimer: I am an agent of chaos, with a big mouth and LOTS of emotional baggage. Whispers in a Distant Room by Meredith D. Holt beckihblumer@fuse.net Part 2- A Silent Downpour The older Susan put a hand to her mouth as if to retrieve the words she had just spoken. "No, no, am I really that stupid? My age must be getting to me!" she scorned herself. Stephen actually smiled a bit. "She's one hundred percent Susan, that's for sure." he commented. Marcus was still looking between the two of them with a somewhat baffled expression on his face. "Answer my question!" the younger version commanded tersely. The older Susan stood up, her legs swaying a bit. Marcus moved to help her, but she righted herself easily and smoothed the Ranger One Mantle, pin, and gray dress she wore beneath it before saying anything. "Was I really this annoying?" she asked of Stephen and Marcus. Stephen laughed and nodded. The younger Susan shot him daggers of death, but the older Susan responded; "I won't let her hurt you, Stephen." she laughed. The doctor looked a bit relieved. "I'd like to do an examination, you understand of course, and then I'll see about you getting some place to stay outside of med lab." he spoke. The older Susan nodded, then looked past him to see herself, shooting daggers. Stephen left the room to make a call, and Marcus moved closer. "How do I die?" he asked. He watched, amazed that the walls he knew so well didn't fly back into place, instead, her eyes softened and she reached up a hand to touch his cheek. It was a gentle, loving motion that completely stunned him. "You don't want to know. Please, just promise me...." Susan trailed off, unable to finish. Stephen choose that moment to re-enter. "I've set up some temporary quarters, all I need is to complete the examination and you're free to go. That is, keeping to your quarters." the doctor elaborated. "I understand. Having one Susan around is enough, any more would drive C&C insane." the older Susan laughed. ------ An hour later, Susan fell onto the soft, downy bed in the diplomatic suite. The quarters were nice, but the scent and memories of Babylon 5 were coming back full force. She had seen it blown to smithereens.... Susan shivered involuntarily. The thought in itself was horrid. Barely had she closed her eyes when the door chimed. Getting up, she called out; "Come." Marcus stood before her, entering quickly. Her breath caught in her throat and Susan had to force herself not to run and put her aching arms around him. "Hello. I'm sorry to bother you..." Marcus began, looking very uncomfortable with the situation, but Susan interrupted him. "You are never a bother, Marcus. No matter what SHE may say." the words where spoken softly. Like a caress. Taking a seat on the couch, Susan gestured for Marcus to follow her suit. He eyed her garb, as if speculating what HER future would be. "You're Ranger One." he stated. "Yes, Marcus. I wish I wasn't." Susan said softly. She no longer tried to resist the urge to touch him, she scooted closer and lay her head on his shoulder. Marcus looked at her, surprised. "What happened?" Marcus asked, tentivily reaching a hand up to stroke her fine hair. He expected her to pull away, but she didn't. Instead, Susan leaned in, towards his touch. It only made him more curious to figure out what had prompted this change in the woman he loved. "Do you really want to know?" Susan asked, her breath catching in her throat. She could change it all. The accident would never happen, Marcus would never die, she'd be free to love him and..... "Hullo? Any one home? You spaced out on me for a second." Marcus softly, pulling her back to reality. "I'm sorry." taking a deep breath, she continued, "I guess I should start at the beginning. I know what 'Nu'san filarni en alice mi druwn' means." She felt him tense at that instant. "And so does SHE. You're safe, she hasn't killed you yet, has she?" "No..." the Ranger gulped. "Actually, I was quite flattered. And the selection of words, the Minbari intimate tone, you don't mess around with that stuff Marcus. I know you meant it." "I did. You're still beautiful, you know that?" he asked softly, fingering the gray streaked hair. "No, I'm old and worn, living off life that isn't mine." she corrected him. "Where was I? Oh. We were on our way to Earth, to kicking President Clark out of office and taking back our home. But Nightwatch planted spies in our fleet, they knew where we were planning to mass at, and sent advanced destroyers ahead to intercept us. Some one spilled the beans though, so you and I went to surprise the ambush. I've never seen ships like that..." Marcus felt her stiffen in his arms, her hand slid into his and gripped it tightly, almost as if she were afraid he would disappear on her any moment, "They were made from Shadow Tech. Dirty, dark and horrifying," Susan continued. "You don't have to do this." Marcus told her, not wanting to see any pain in her eyes. He didn't understand that not even he could erase twenty years of regret and longing. "Yes, yes I do." she told him firmly. "I still remember what I told them. The right hand of vengeance...the last living thing they would ever see..." here she broke off in a bitter laugh, "I told them God sent me. We got them, oh, we got them. But during the battle, our White Star had collided with some debris. I was fatally injured when a beam fell on me." She heard him force down a sob. He always thought of her first. "I still don't know how you did it, but you pulled me out and got us to a life pod. You stayed with me, even when we got to the cruiser, you held my hand for three nights and two days, and you kept telling me it was going to be alright." Now she was crying, shaking hard and trying to finish through her tears. "Then, I guess I slipped into a coma, because the next thing I knew.... Marcus, you hacked through the system, discovered a machine that transfers life energy, and you gave your life....for mine..." She wasn't facing him, so she didn't see the look of utter sorrow on his face. But at least, she would live. But what would her life be like, knowing she was living on time that wasn't her own? He started to turn her so she was facing him, but she turned on him, angry and past all reason. "Damn you Marcus! You...stupid, idiot pike.....you didn't have to, I never would have asked....!!!" she broke off, pounding her fists against his chest in agony. He took her wrists in his hands, stopping her short. Out of the anger that had fed her attack, she slumped against him. Marcus gently wrapped his hands around her, pulling her closer. "I'm sorry. I....." he spoke softly. Looking up at him through tear filled eyes, her face held a kind of odd radiance. "We're not going to let that happen, Marcus," she told him in a firm voice, "Not this time..." end part 2 to be continued. From: "Becki H. Blumer" Subject: Fan Fiction Submission: Whispers in a Distant Room part 3 Date: Sat, 27 Mar 1999 16:05:02 +0000 Meredith D. Holt beckihblumer@fuse.net Whispers in a Distant Room Adult Warnings: None Hullo all, This is my latest off the wall story idea. I hope you like it. If you do, drop me a line at: beckihblumer@fuse.net. Thanks to skyler, Karin and Adam for their help and compliments. And a virtual Marcus to my beta reader, Peggy! Love Always, Meredith Legal Disclaimer: JMS knows all, sees all, made B5 up! Aside from the story idea itself, it's all his. Personal Disclaimer: I am an agent of chaos, with a big mouth and LOTS of emotional baggage. Whispers in a Distant Room by Meredith D. Holt beckihblumer@fuse.net ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Silver creeps the whims of fate, Giving you chances when it's too late, When you think it's too late, you learn it's too soon, Hearing whispers in a distant room. - Femon Crusifix, 'Whims of Fate' ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "What do you mean?" Marcus asked, searching her face for an answer. This new Susan was getting in the habit of astonishing him easily. She was so different then the headstrong, chew-ass Ivonava he knew, that it almost frightened him. But her gentle words and kind touch eased him into peace. For the first time in his life he felt like the thing he most wanted was finally in his gasp. "We are going to make her see how right you are for her." Susan told him earnestly. Fear leapt in Marcus' heart. "I don't think that's such a good idea, it'll make her very upset, not a sight I'd like to see." he stammered, forgetting for a moment who he was talking to. "Marcus, come on." she gave him a sly look, "How can we possibly fail? After all, I AM her. Older, a little wiser, but her none the less." "I don't know...." Marcus hesitated, and Susan cupped his chin in her hand, forcing him to look her in the eye. "You love her don't you?" she asked softly. "Of course, heart, mind, soul, body...." he trailed off, feeling a bit embarrassed. Standing up, Susan began to pace in the old, familiar way of hers. She turned to him quickly. "We have to do this soon, and NO MATTER WHAT, you have to keep her away from that bridge!" Marcus nodded mutely. Swallowing, Susan sat back down, cuddling up against him. She felt him stiffen momentarily, but then he relaxed. 'Just do me a favor, before we start.....?" she ventured. "Anything." he murmured against her hair, which he had buried his face in. "Kiss me." she looked up at him, "Just once mind you, but I've waited all these years and I really think that...." Thoughts ceased and the world tipped. Marcus was kissing her! Marcus was kissing HER! It was the most mind-blowing, amazing, heavenly kiss Susan had ever participated in. Pretty soon, they ran out of air, and came back up. "Wow." he said as he leaned against her. She wrapped her arms around him lovingly, pulling him closer. All those years of waiting, thinking she'd never get the tiny thing she wanted....and finally Marcus had kissed her. "You alright?" Susan asked against his ear. "Fine. Better then usual, actually." he smirked. Susan Ivonava had kissed him! Him, being the annoying Marcus Cole, who was ordered to 'get lost' most of time. Granted, this was a different Susan, yet, sort of the same..... Hell, any Susan Ivonava kissing him was perfectly exceptable, and this had been a down right heavenly experience. Relaxing, they sat back and merely enjoyed each other's company. They hadn't even realized they had fallen asleep. ---------- *I do not need Marcus Cole, I do not need Marcus Cole, I DO *NOT* NEED MARCUS COLE!* That had been Susan's mantra all day in C&C. Her thoughts were troubled, and she could see Ltd. Corwin's reflection trembling behind her. Yes, she was probably scaring the hell out of C&C, but another, older her, had shown up and taken Marcus off some where. She had every right to be upset about that, right? It was just friendly concern, mind you. After all, she had no romantic feelings towards the guy....right? a small voice in the back of Susan's mind yelled at the top of its invisible lungs. *Really?* she thought. He'd said he was waiting for some one.... Susan really hated it when she started having personal epiphanies in public places. It was too embarrassing to be talking to herself. *Can't this wait?* *I really hate it when my subconscious makes decisions with out consulting me.* Susan thought. But the undeniable fact now lay before her. She DID love him, everything about him, from that stupid accent to his heroic actions, to that velvet tone his voice had carried when he told he liked four poster beds too. Well, if she did love him. the little voice added it's two cents worth. *Shut up.* Susan ordered it. So she did love the guy, stupid, headstrong, perfect adorable... unicorn that he was. And how could she possibly let her steal him away from herself? *Some days, living here is like living in the crossroads for the Twilight Zone.* From: "Becki H. Blumer" Subject: Fan Fiction Submission: Whispers in a Distant Room part 4 Date: Thu, 01 Apr 1999 11:14:49 +0000 Meredith D. Holt beckihblumer@fuse.net Whispers in a Distant Room Adult Warnings: None Hullo all, This is my latest off the wall story idea. I hope you like it. If you do, drop me a line at: beckihblumer@fuse.net. Thanks to Skyler, Karin and Adam for their help and compliments. And a virtual Marcus to my beta reader, Peggy! Love Always, Meredith Legal Disclaimer: JMS knows all, sees all, made B5 up! Aside from the story idea itself, it's all his. Personal Disclaimer: I am an agent of chaos, with a big mouth and LOTS of emotional baggage. Whispers in a Distant Room by Meredith D. Holt beckihblumer@fuse.net ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Silver creeps the whims of fate, Giving you chances when it's too late, When you think it's too late, you learn it's too soon, Hearing whispers in a distant room. - Femon Crusifix, 'Whims of Fate' ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Being the naturally suspicious type, and having been trained by Mr. Garibaldi, the new Security Chief, Zack Allen, had naturally put a security cam in the main room of the older Susan Ivonava's diplomatic quarters. Just to be on the safe side, in case she was a plant, or something. That fear was very understandable for Susan, after Talia.... The younger Susan sat at the main Security console, typing in her access code and watching the monitor as the footage came on screen. They had talked, man it was weird watching herself, she'd hit him for something, then cried.... Then they...KISSED? *Hold on there! I thought you said he loved me?* she asked the stupid voice. *He wouldn't, would he?* the other part of her responded. Susan was starting to wonder if she should talk to Stephen about this voice, surely it couldn't be healthy? Truth. Susan Ivonava was going to go down to those quarters and get some answers. She just hoped she liked what she got. --------- The older Susan was busy relaxing in Marcus arms when the door chime rang. "Yes?" she asked, rather annoyed that some one was interrupting these precious moments of pure bliss. "It's....the other Susan." the disembodied voice seemed rather annoyed as well, probably at having to identify herself that way. "Come." The older Susan said, before Marcus could do or say anything. There, framed in the now open door way, the light from the hallway streaming past her, stood the 'other Susan'. Stalking in and breaking the moment, she stood before the sitting couple and demanded: "What the HELL is going on here!?" "Whatever do you mean?" The older version asked. "I mean, why are you....." there really wasn't any way to put it. What was she supposed to say; 'Why are you trying to seduce Marcus?' or 'He's mine, damn it, so get the hell away!' ? "I think I should be going now." Marcus, scooting the older Susan off his lap and making his way towards the door. "Oh, no. Mister Ranger Boy, you are going to stay here and explain yourself." the younger version stopped him in his tracks. "YOU!" the older exclaimed. "You think you know it all, don't you? I can't stand watching you parade around like your the Queen of All That. You think you're so tough, so chew ass that you have an excuse to be such a bitch and treat everyone around you like crap!? Well, little Miss Know It All, I have news for you, I am very, very, tempted to LET Marcus die, and then you'll be cut down to size! But I can't do that to me, and I don't have the heart to do that to you. I have endured twenty one years of longing and despair because I didn't listen to my heart! You know what? It's been screaming at me all these years, now, when it does me no good. Now, you have a second chance with the single most perfect man in the whole universe, and all you can do is waltz in here like some shrew?" The tirade had drained nearly all of Susan's energy and she swayed perilously. Marcus ran to her, barely making it before she fell. "Are you alright?" he asked, concern flooding from his voice and turning both Susans' insides to jelly. "Fine...I just...damn..so tired." the older Susan murmured, reaching up a hand to stroke Marcus' cheek. "Here, lets get you to the bed." Marcus said, lifting her slight form and carrying her towards the bed. He gently laid her down and covered her with the comforter. Brushing a strand of gray-brown hair from her face and tucking it behind her ear, he then left and went back out into the main room. But 'his' Susan was gone. From: "Becki H. Blumer" Subject: Fan Fiction Submissiom: Whispers in a Distant Room part 5 Date: Sat, 03 Apr 1999 15:35:20 +0000 Meredith D. Holt beckihblumer@fuse.net Whispers in a Distant Room Adult Warnings: None Hullo all, This is my latest off the wall story idea. I hope you like it. If you do, drop me a line at: beckihblumer@fuse.net. Thanks to Skyler, Karin and Adam for their help and compliments. And a virtual Marcus to my beta reader, Peggy! Love Always, Meredith Legal Disclaimer: JMS knows all, sees all, made B5 up! Aside from the story idea itself, it's all his. Personal Disclaimer: I am an agent of chaos, with a big mouth and LOTS of emotional baggage. Whispers in a Distant Room by Meredith D. Holt beckihblumer@fuse.net ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Silver creeps the whims of fate, Giving you chances when it's too late, When you think it's too late, you learn it's too soon, Hearing whispers in a distant room. - Femon Crusifix, 'Whims of Fate' ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Susan's mind surfaced from her dreamless sleep, and, eager to begin the day, she sat straight up and opened her eyes. Darkness. Complete, utter, and all encompassing darkness. Damn, her timing sucked. She lifted a hand to her gray hair, almost wanting to rip it out. She had known that her vison was going, even before John had died, but she hadn't expected it to go all at once! "Come on, Susan," she spoke to herself, " You can do this, your're a telepath, it can't be so hard to hide this." With unsteady legs, she stood, and managed to get to the bathroom with out incident. Combing her hair and getting dressed didn't present too much of a problem, but Susan had a feeling the real trick would be fooling Marcus. As if summoned by her thoughts, the door chime rang. "Who is it?" she asked, trying to make it to the couch before the door opened. "Marcus." she motioned for the door to open, and heard his footsteps getting closer. "Hello." she smiled. Despite her current situation, his prescence was still soothing. He sat down beside her, wrapping a strong arm around her waist pocessively. "Susan, is there something wrong?" he asked, "Last night...." "It happens sometimes." she snapped with out meaning to. Now he knew something was wrong. Without making a sound, Marcus waved a hand in front of her eyes. She didn't even blink. "Dear God." he let out a shuddering breath, "You....Susan, why didn't you tell me?" "Tell you what?" she pretended innocence. "You're..." he hesitated on the word, as if afraid to use it, "Blind." "Yes," she muttered, defeat crawling over her features, "I woke up this morning, I couldn't see one damn thing." She felt his arms wrap around her, holding her to him, and he buried his face in her hair. After a moment, she heard muffled sobs. Was he crying? "Marcus," Susan asked. "Why are you crying?" "I don't want you to leave me." he stated softly. "I'm not really here. Not if you stop her from dying." she tried to assure him. But fear clutched her own heart. She didn't want to die! Not now when she finally had peace and the one thing that she had ever wanted! ------------ The alcohol burned down his throat, and he quickly drank the whole glass, then filled it again. Marcus inched further into the shadows, not wanting any one to see him distraught and drinking. She was dying, he couldn't believe it. It felt like all of Susan was dying, 'his' and the other. He didn't want her to leave him, and it wasn't fair that the universe should take her away so soon..... And if what she said was right, that damn bastard would take both away as well. Why, why did everyone he loved die!? Especially Susan, she never deserved any of this. So, he'd sought out a bar and some beer, to alleviate his pain. But it didn't help, it only made the ache in his heart worse, only made him hear every conversation he'd ever had with her, over and over in his mind. "Marcus?" he was startled to hear her voice and slowly turned around to face 'his' Susan. She stood, hands on her hips, looking down at him with reproach and concern in her gaze. He'd meant to say 'yes', but it came out more like; "Yeeeesssss?" the alcohol must be having it's effect. Ugh, he felt awful already. "What are you doing?" she asked, taking a seat. "Drinking, wat does it look like....doing." he muttered. Damn, the room was spinning. Now he looked up at her, and she seemed to be outlined with radiance, even though Marcus knew it was the alcohol. Susan looked like an angel. Choking back a sob, he burned the image into his mind, he wanted to remember this, she looked so beautiful... "Marcus!" Susan shook him hard. She needed to get him out of here, they needed to talk. Grabbing his arm, she pulled him up and yanked him along behind her. "Where...going..damn dizzy." Marcus tried coherent speech, but it wasn't working for him. Shaking her head, Susan led him to her quarters. "I'll get you some coffee, and some oxy pills." Susan told him, motioning towards the couch. When she returned, she took the seat beside him, setting the mugs on the coffee table. "Marcus, look at me." she commanded, he raised his teary eyes to hers. "What's wrong?" "She's dying... Susan...dying." he muttered, eyes fixed on the vision before him. Realisation began to dawn on her, slowly. The older her, was dying! "I don't want her to leave me." Marcus said softly. He looked so lost and vulnerable, that Susan wrapped her arms around him, pressing his body closer to her own. She loved him, it was true. That was why she had been jealous, that was why she'd been upset. Stroking his hair, she felt his body begin to shake. "Shhh.." she murmured, "I'm here." Slowly, his sobs and shaking dissolved, and he relaxed. Susan didn't even notice that she too, had fallen asleep. From: "Becki H. Blumer" Subject: Fan Fiction Submission: Whispers in a Distant Room part 6 Date: Sat, 10 Apr 1999 11:52:52 +0000 Meredith D. Holt beckihblumer@fuse.net Whispers in a Distant Room Adult Warnings: None Hullo all, This is my latest off the wall story idea. I hope you like it. If you do, drop me a line at: beckihblumer@fuse.net. Thanks to Skyler, Karin and Adam for their help and compliments. And a virtual Marcus to my beta readers, Peggy and Lisa Marie! Love Always, Meredith Legal Disclaimer: JMS knows all, sees all, made B5 up! Aside from the story idea itself, it's all his. Personal Disclaimer: I am an agent of chaos, with a big mouth and LOTS of emotional baggage. Whispers in a Distant Room by Meredith D. Holt beckihblumer@fuse.net ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Silver creeps the whims of fate, Giving you chances when it's too late, When you think it's too late, you learn it's too soon, Hearing whispers in a distant room. - Femon Crusifix, 'Whims of Fate' ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ There was something warm and soft wrapped around him. Marcus struggled to awaken, but was met with the obstacle of his alcohol abused body. It took him a few minutes to open his eyes and discover that the warm, soft thing was Susan. Her arms encircled his neck, her legs were entwined with his own, and her breath played softly against his cheek. It felt so very nice. He lay there, trying to control his ill body with the calming mantras the Minbari had taught him, so he was very startled when he heard Susan's voice. "Marcus, are you okay?" she asked softly. One look at his face told her this was not so. She moved away from him, and he instantly ran in the direction of the bathroom. Once there, he proceeded to dump the contents of his stomach out into the toilet. Susan was right behind him, holding back his hair, helping him out of his tunic and cloak. Slowly, the heaving stopped, and was replaced with the feeling that he was trying to vomit up his heart as well. He groaned in between gags, and Susan placed a hand to his abdomen to still his muscles. "You never know when to stop, do you?" she asked, smoothing his hair. "You know me." Marcus replied flippantly as he could, considering he was half-laying on her bathroom floor. Facing away from her, he didn't see the tender smile that played on Susan's lips. "Yes, I do know you. Here, why don't you clean up, and then we'll go see..." she paused, "Susan." Nodding, he turned away and she left him to his task. -------- The feeling in the pit of Susan's stomach grew with each step she took towards the diplomatic quarters that the older her occupied. Marcus looked a bit better, his complexion still a bit peeked. They walked down the hall in silence, each one filled with an unexplainable dread. "Susan?" Marcus asked into the relative darkness that enveloped her quarters. It wasn't like her to be still asleep at this hour. Tentatively, he opened the door to the bedroom, only to find her laying still on the bed, a few candles emitting a tranquil glow on her face. She was wearing her Ranger One mantel, her hands folded at her breast. But it was the sad little smile on her face that broke him. Marcus felt hot tears roll down his cheeks. Her chest didn't rise and fall, she wasn't breathing. "Marcus, is something wrong?" Susan asked from the other room. Coming to stand beside him, she put a hand on his shoulder. She wrapped her arms around him in a supportive gesture. She knew what had happened. The older her had died in her sleep. Wiping the tears from his face, Marcus notice two pieces of paper laying on the night stand. There was one for him and one for Susan. Handing the note to her, he read his own: Dearest Marcus, First off, I'm not gone, not if you stop the accident. Not if you tell her the truth. Cherish the moments Marcus, catch them as they fly. Remember, I will always love you. Forever Yours, Susan He looked up from the note to see Susan by the bed, gently blowing out the candles one by one. When that was done, she stood there, gazing at him. "I have to go on duty." she said, "We'll talk later." And then she was gone. ---------- They had avoided each other long enough, Marcus realized. Two weeks had passed, they'd given each other the room and time to heal, afraid to make the first move. He read the crinkled note for the fourteenth time that day, and knew that it was now or never. Time to pay the piper, and hope to dance a little longer with Susan. So, he got in touch with his contacts, and had them set up a little surprise for Susan. In the three hour period she'd been on duty, they'd worked utter magic, he'd seen it himself. Marcus only hoped Susan would like it. ---------- Susan walked into her quarters, fully prepared to collapse on her bed after a long day in C&C. But she stopped short once she saw what was there in. Her plain bed was replaced with a beautiful four poster. Draped in midnight blue velvet, the material was speckled with tiny sparkles. It looked like the redecorator had taken the sky itself to make the bed. Neatly hung on either side, were two beautiful wall hangings. The threads of royal golds, blues, and greens where woven together with amazing style. Moving closer, Susan examined them to find that both featured a unicorn. One sipping from a stream, and the other standing on a hill. That in itself told her exactly who the gift-giver was. Marcus. A tender smile played across her lips as she gazed on the dozens of roses that he had placed on the bed. Among them she found a note: Susan, This was as close as I could get to bringing you some sky. Please don't throw the roses at me this time. All my love, Marcus. A small gasp escaped her lips at the last four words. He loved her, he'd just admitted it. Smiling a small smile, Susan ran her fingers over the fabric, a wave of tenderness she'd thought long lost fell over her with staggering intensity. "Oh, Marcus." she sighed. A movement came from the shadows. "Yes?"