His Sarcophagus

This is rated PG13 only. I am going against canon again. Mr Garibaldi never went crazy due
to PsiCorps. [ ] denotes thought. Enjoy
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His Sarcophagus part 5, conclusion

Two figures lay naked in bed watching the Vid Screen.
ISN NEWS FLASH........................................................
"This just in. Captain Susan Ivanova, commanding officer of the
Warlock class cruiser, Osiris, has requested and been granted
indefinite leave by EarthForce. In a statement released today, Captain
Ivanova has been quoted as saying 'I am totally burnt out. I fought in
2 wars, sustained near fatal injuries, and went directly back into
military service. The emotional and physical drain on me hace been
enormous. I cannot correctly serve as an EarthForce officer in this
condition.' A spokesman for EarthForce could not be reached for
comment."
"I'll just bet." Susan chuckled. She cuddled up closer to Marcus who
put his arms around her. "Well Ranger you did say we have an
assignment starting today. What is it?" Marcus looked into Susan's big
blue eyes. "I have a contact on Proxima 3 who
happens to know the location of a certain highly placed Alliance
official with a pain in his neck. Commonly known as a keeper. The
Rangers need confirmation so they can pass the location along to John.
We need to get that confirmation for Lennier to pass on."
Susan stretched. Arms above her head, very feline and sexy. "Well then
my dear Ranger we need to move our asses out of this bed now!!"
Marcus just nodded and smiled. She looked so very beautiful stretching
that way.
**********************************************************************
The mission was doomed from the start. Everything that could go wrong
did. Somehow they survived it. Just barely. After that it seemed every
mission had an unbelievable high risk factor, each more than the last.
Many nights found Susan and Marcus sleeping in a back alley somewhere.
Hungry and huddled together for warmth. Yet they were happy.
Somehow, they managed to find time between assignments to just be
together. Exploring their sexuality. Their increasing need for kinks.
Loving each other and being loved. Loving each other was second
nature. After 6 months together, Susan was shocked to discover the
reason why she was so tired all the time. She was pregnant! While she
was afraid, Marcus was a wreck. "This baby will be a crawling target.
We've made too many enemies. And I am supposed to be dead, remember?
How do you explain paternity?"
Susan was tearful and indignant. "are you telling me to abort?"
"NO. Of course not. Never." He held Susan tightly to comfort her.
"We need to go into hiding till the baby is born. Then I know of a
couple who will foster the child. They're ex-Rangers, and good
friends. The baby will be raised as ours, we can visit when we want,
and they will be her guardians. We must protect our little girl."
Susan smiled through her tears. "I know we have to do this. But...a
little girl? We don't know that yet. You want a girl?"
"Who looks like her mum. She must look like you. I demand it."
While packing their belongings up, a lone figure sneaked into the
house. He was armed with a large fully loaded PPG.
Shots rang out. Funny sounding buzzes that gave Susan a flesh wound.
But Marcus? Marcus jumped on Susan to shield her from the fire. In her
agony of worry, Susan let the gunman get away.
*********************************************************************
He lay dying on a BioBed in a small medical facility on Mars.
Garibaldi-Edgars Industries had many such "private" facilities.
Michael Garibaldi had moved heaven and earth for his friend Susan. The
best doctors and medical facilities. 4 weeks on the edge. And he was
dying anyway. Michael's heart broke to see Susan grieving yet again.
He had completed arrangements to get Ivanova off of Mars and back to
Earth to marcus' friends. He would never betray Susan's confidence. No
one else would know. And if she needed him, hell he was here.
Susan sat at Marcus' bedside and held his hand. Tears streamed down
her face. "How can you leave me again? What about the baby? What about
us? When do we get to have time for a future?"
Marcus smiled weakly. "I love you too. I will always be with you, as
you will be with me, I will carry you in my heart. You'll raise
our little girl to be brave and strong and honest like her mum. And
remember she looks like you or send her back." He tried to laugh but
hadn't the strength. His hand fell from hers. He was gone now. And
Susan stopped crying.
**********************************************************************
6 months later a heavily pregnant Susan Ivanova placed a call to Earth
Dome. Audio only. 'BEGIN TRANSMISSION'......
"General Reese, hello and thanks for taking time to speak with me."
"You have a request of me I believe."
"Yes. I am interested in resuming my duties as an EarthForce officer.
Although, I would prefer not to have a ship, or be stationed away. Is
there anything closer to home available?" Susan held her breath.
"No problem Captain. I have need of a Military Attache. Regular hours,
boring as hell, right here in Earth Dome. And I would need tomotomote
you to Major. Interested?"
Susan exhaled.
"Thank you General, I have some personal business to attend to but I
should be available to report in 6 weeks. Is that aggreeable?"
"Of course Captain. 6 weeks it is. And welcome home Major Ivanova."
"thank you sir."
TRANSMISSION ENDED...................................................
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2281. General Susan Ivanova received an invitation to attend John
Sheridan's farewell party on Minbar. Susan attended and grew sad and
wistful. She wished Marcus could be there with her. Or her sons.
Yes, that notoriously over achieving Ivanova had produced twin sons.
At just 52 years old, she was a General in EarthForce and the mother
of grown sons. She took solace from the fact that she was now
Anla'Shok'Na of the Rangers. A successful, retired General. And the
mother of sons who did her proud.
One son was the image of Susan's late brother Ganya, whom he was
named for. The other was his father all over again. Dark haired and
greened eyed since birth Susan named him for Marcus. The Cole twins
were raised by Marcus' friends as he requested. Susan could not have
asked for better for her boys. Duncan and Tessa McCleod of
Lincolnshire, England, were wonderful guardians and friends to Ganya
Andre and Marcus William. They raised the boys to be good young men.
Marcus would've been proud.
Both boys were to join the Rangers. They wanted to be like their dad.
With Susan now Ranger 1, she could be with her boys full time at last.
But Entil'Zha had to be told.
Delenn was not remotely surprised. She told only her son David, a
Ranger himself, and introduced him to the Cole twins. Only 10 months
apart in age they bonded instantly. At Delenn's request, and for their
own safety, Marcus and Ganya were using their mothers name Ivanov.
They were happy and looking forward to really getting to know their
mother.
,
Susan thought as she headed for the Ranger Compound in Tuzanor.
Training the Rangers was the future now, and she finally had time for
that future.