See Part One for Disclaimers

The meeting was breaking up leaving just Ivanova, Captain Sheridan and Ambassador Delenn still seated at the conference table.  Garibaldi had been terse in his report.  Apart from the two victims retrieved the day before, there had been no sign of the missing Ranger.  Lips were being kept firmly closed in Down Below; not an unusual occurrence, but those who would normally help in a manhunt like this were suddenly not available.  He had concluded that he was 'pretty damn sure' Marcus Cole was being harboured in one of the Grey sectors but, unless he had the Captain's permission to search every home and shop, there was no way to prove it.  Sheridan had refused, much to his Chief Security officer's disgust.

"I wish I could put off this meeting.  It feels wrong somehow to be leaving here while Marcus is missing."  Delenn's quiet voice echoed the varying concerns in the room.

"I know, Delenn.  But this meeting has been arranged for a month or more, if you didn't attend now it could ruin our hopes for the Alliance."

She smiled perfunctorily.  "I know, it's just..."

"Susan will be your escort.  Garibaldi has picked half a dozen of his own men to go along, and you'll be in a White Star.  What could go wrong?"

"It's not the mission, John, it's Marcus.  I feel I should be here, if he needs me.  He answers to me on this station, I feel that I am deserting him in some way."

"If he turns up, Delenn, I promise he'll be looked after until you return.  You heard what Stephen said, by now he is probably in the latter stages of withdrawal and ready to bounce into our lives again in a day or two."

"Or he's dead."  Her bald statement took the two Earthforce officers by surprise.  "Minbari may not have the same abuse problems as humans but I do know what his condition may be and I have no illusions as to the outcome."  She did not explain that the previous night had been spent in researching the drug Doctor Franklin had named, and horrifying herself with some of the possible results of its abuse.  For the few hours before the meeting she had spent her time in front of her small altar, eyes fixed on the candle's glow as she prayed to Valen to keep her Ranger safe.

"Commander, I will see you at 0700 at docking bay 5.  Marcus' White Star will be ready for us to leave then."  She bowed slightly, leaving them to watch her departure with mixed feelings.

Sheridan's eyes followed the diminutive figure until she was out of sight, then turned his gaze to his second.  "You'll keep and eye open, Susan?  With Marcus out of the running I have a feeling that something is going to go down."

"You think someone got him out of the way on purpose?  But why?  He's visible enough, why not just shoot him or knife him in some dark alleyway.  Why this convoluted mess?"

"I don't know," he said slowly.  "I just have this feeling in my gut, and it's not indigestion."

***

As night approached, Marcus decided it was time to leave his hosts, but they would have none of it.  Discovering that he had been using the bed Maggie and her mother usually shared he had tried to insist that he return to his own quarters.

"Prove to me you can get there under your own steam young man and I'll let you go with pleasure."  Margaret stood defiantly in front of him, concern evident on her soft face.

Marcus began to stand, needing the support from both arms braced against the chair just to reach an upright position.  The world whirled around him and a soft oath slipped past his lips.  The effect of the aspirins had reduced his headache to bearable levels, but increased his lethargy to the point that he knew he could not make it down one corridor, let alone half way across the station.  He staggered slightly as he tried to make his way to the door.  Only Maggie's arm suddenly slipping round his waist kept him upright.  She tightened her hold as he stumbled again, her curves tucked against him with distracting effects.

"Okay, you win."  Sinking back into the chair.  "But tomorrow, I have to leave tomorrow.  Shaker is up to something out there, I need to stop him."

"Then rest tonight.  I'll make up the bed for you..."

But on that point he was insistent.  He would take the couch and Maggie and her mother would have their room back.  He had slept in places far less comfortable he assured them.  Seeing the spots of colour fly on his cheeks, indicating his rising temperature, Margaret touched her daughter's arm and indicated they should let him have his way.

Though Marcus felt exhausted the thought that his enemy still roamed Babylon 5 at will nagged at him, kept him tossing and turning through the night.  There was something going on that had passed him by, something of sufficient importance that Shaker would find a way on board the station.  That he was behind his drug induced nightmares he was finally beginning to accept.  To what purpose eluded him and found him awake at five in the morning.

Lying with his eyes closed, his senses were still alert to every sound within the apartment.  From the tick of the old fashioned clock, the one thing the family had of any value, to the little noises emitted from the fridge in the tiny kitchen area.  So it was that he heard the soft sound of bare feet creep by his sleeping area the splash of water into a glass and the pad of feet returning.  Instead of passing him by though they stopped close to him.  He could hear the gently sigh of breathing and almost feel the scrutiny of eyes upon him.  He kept his eyes closed, not wanting to talk, not wanting to think, he only wanted to rest.

The stifled sound of sob shattered his resolve.  The footsteps were receding again, back toward the kitchen yet he could feel the distress in the air.  He sat up slowly; opening his eyes and letting them adjust to the gloom.  Maggie stood by the sink; he could just make out her form in the glow from the kitchen standby light.  She had both hands clasped against her mouth even as her shoulders heaved with the tears she was trying so desperately to stifle.  Should he?  Shouldn't he?  There really was no contest; he had never been able to pass someone in affliction without at least trying to help.  Pulling himself upright, he made his way unsteadily to her side.

"Maggie?" He kept his distance, not sure if she would welcome his interference.

She jumped, startled at his quiet approach.  Turning, her face streaked with tears, he saw her struggle to regain control and lose the battle.

"Oh, god, oh god."  Maggie's hands returned to her face as she turned from him.

Touching her arm gently he asked, "Can I get your mother?  Maggie, please, what's wrong."

She waved her hand in denial still trying to stifle the wracking sobs that shook her slender form.

He stepped close then, gathering her into his arms, his hand soothing on her hair rocking her as he would a child.  Maggie clung to him, her tears dripping onto his bare chest.

Finally she pulled herself together and lifted her head from his shoulder.  He released her at once and stepped back, giving her her space once more.

"I'm sorry, Marcus.  What you must think...  It just suddenly hit me, what could have happened to Syrea, what did happen to you.  If you hadn't been there, if you hadn't been who you are..."  her eyes filled with tears again.

"She's safe, Maggie.  I'm safe and we'll deal with Shaker.  I won't lie to you, things could get ugly, but I will protect you and your family.  You have done so much for me these last two days."

"Is anything wrong?" Margaret, having heard the sounds from the living room had joined them quietly.  Seeing her daughter's distress and Marcus' evident embarrassment she stepped in and put an arm around the younger woman's waist.

"Maggie, my dear, come back to bed.  Marcus, get some rest, I'll look after her."

He nodded, glad to relinquish his charge, emotional scenes were not his forte, and Maggie's sudden breakdown had rocked him a little.

The incident had, however, banished any thought of sleep from his mind and he settled himself back on the couch, turning on the babcom link and tuning in to ISN.  Bulletins passed him by eliciting nothing more than minor interest and then one small news item had his complete attention.  In the time since his interview with Delenn he had completely lost track of the days, now it was brought home to him.  The article was of no importance, but the date! Today, in less than two hours, Ambassador Delenn would leave the station for a secret meeting of the proposed Alliance.  He should have been in charge of that mission, his White Star was assigned for the job; everything began to click into place.  Shaker wanted something pretty big, something worth risking a run-in with Garibaldi and a life sentence.  And it had to be something Marcus was involved in, for now he was sure the man was behind his slow descent into madness.  The only dilemma now was his target, the White Star or the Ambassador -- or, Valen protect them, both!

Marcus dressed with what speed he could manage.  He dare not use the babcom system to relay a message.  For all he knew Shaker had someone on the C&C staff, or in Garibaldi's security team.  Better to be paranoid than sorry.  He would find Garibaldi first, or Susan, tell them what he suspected, but first he needed his weapon.  The loss of the denn'Bok from his side was strangely painful in this time of need.  He had been unaware how much a part of him it had become, as had the pin which normally adorned his breast.  Yes, first stop his quarters.

As the door swished to close, Maggie and her mother were still sitting on the edge of the bed talking.

"Does he know how you feel?"

Maggie shook her head.  "I'd not even spoken to him until yesterday.  He was just a customer at the bar, but...  well there was something about him, something that attracted me from the start.  I would watch him, night after night, and wonder.  I've made such an idiot of myself.  I thought I had it under control, and then I saw him lying there, that horrible wound on his face, the scars on him.  And he has done so much for us.  I couldn't bear it any longer, it just swept through me and I couldn't stop it.  I can't tell him; I couldn't bear it if he rejected me.  It's better this way, better for both of us."

"Maybe..."

"No.  No, I've heard about the Rangers, they don't get into personal relationships.  Too much at stake.  He's never even looked at the women who are always around in the bar.  I thought once he might have someone, you know, someone special and I asked one of the security guys one night."

"And?"

Maggie hesitated.  "He said the only woman Marcus takes notice of is Commander Ivanova.  But they work together..."  Her voice trailed off.

"Talk to him in the morning, dear.  If you never talk it out, you'll never know.  And he seems like a nice boy."

Maggie gave a watery laugh.  "Tell that to the thugs who tried to touch Syrea."

***

Sheer willpower and bloody-mindedness kept him upright and moving through one never-ending corridor after another.  Traffic was light at that time of the morning, yet he kept as far from the danger spots as he could.  He was not stupid, nor did he underestimate his debility in any way, but this had to be done; it was his duty to serve and protect Delenn.  That thought burned in him, it had been so deeply indoctrinated into his beliefs that he had no choice but to act, no matter the cost.  Finally the welcome sight of a transport hoved into view and he stepped in with a sigh of relief.  Resting back against the cold wall he called his destination with some urgency.  Although it took only minutes to reach his part of the station, in his head each sixty seconds took him closer to a confrontation he knew he was in no shape to face.

"Come on, come on," he muttered under his breath, eyes glued to the counter by the door.  As the door opened he stepped quickly into home territory.  Hurrying best he could, he made for his door.

Even before he called for lights he knew something was wrong.  He hesitated just outside of the entrance, keeping his body clear of any possible shot from the dark interior, letting his senses search through the gloom, trying to pinpoint the source of his unease.  Nothing, no sound, no movement, gave any indication of trespass.  He called for lights then, full illumination in all areas, and made another visual sweep of his small rooms.  Although the place was tidy he immediately noted the missing items.  Memories of his last hours in this room recalled the pile of Ranger clothing, his pin and denn'Bok being placed on the bed, like some ritual pyre.  They were missing and he felt a coldness creep through him.  His searching gaze fell on the bare table, the empty space on his small shelves, everything that held meaning for him was gone.  Breathing suddenly became harder as anger swelled through him at the violation of his privacy, this rape of his personal space.  Long fingers clenched into fists at his side, the need to hit out almost overwhelmed him, taking a hasty step forward he smashed down with his right fist smack into the middle of the small table cracking the glass into tiny fragments.

"Shit!" he cursed as tiny shards flew in every direction.  The sudden surge of adrenaline that had fuelled his aggression fled as suddenly as it had arrived, leaving him breathing heavily and leaning against the nearby kitchen unit for support.  Susan, he had to find her.  As he called for the babcom unit he noticed the message indicator and opened the file with some trepidation.

"Marcus, if you get this message before we see you please understand that what we did was for your own safety."

Susan's concerned face looked at him from the small screen and his fingers reached for the image.  It had only been a matter of days and yet he had missed her, missed the prickly attitude, the little quirks that made her unique in his eyes.

"We believe that someone has been slipping you Trichloralheptamin, we found traces of it in some of your tea bags, in the candle, and maybe in other items as well, Stephen is going to analyse everything.  If they have access to your quarters then we believe you would rather we removed your Ranger items."  Her eyes were defiant as she made the pronouncement.

"We'll give everything to Delenn for safe keeping."

Marcus heard Stephen's voice coming from somewhere in the distance "Are you done yet?"

"Yes, just give me a minute."  She turned her gaze back to the screen, and he saw the frown descend on her brow.  "Marcus..."  she hesitated, "come back soon."  The vid stopped with an abruptness that did not surprise him.  Susan had never been one for sentimentality, and he found himself suddenly hopeful that finally she was feeling for him just a fraction of the emotion he experienced every time she was close.

"Computer, location of Commander Susan Ivanova."

"Commander Ivanova is currently in a meeting with Ambassador Delenn in the Ambassador's quarters."

***

Shaker stood in the dim recess waiting with what patience he could muster.  The last couple of days he had spent most of his time dodging Garibaldi's bloodhounds, each time they got a little closer.  The loss of his two henchmen had been a blow to his plans for Syrea, plans that for now would have to wait.  He knew where Maggie was; she would not run again, he would see to that.  For now he had more important fish to fry.

Conclusion

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