Code of honor

Part 2

Neroon supported himself by leaning against the wall and waited for their tormentors to return to his cell. He fully expected them to torture him as well, even in spite of Johnson's orders, but as the door opened, he realized he was wrong. The Raiders dropped Marcus, who was only wearing trousers, unceremoniously onto the floor.

"We got you a little present, bastard," Mat spat and closed the door behind him.

Neroon cringed. Marcus' face was covered in blood and his chest was dark with bruises. "Damn cowards!" Hopefully he would one day get his hands on Mat and his partners in crime.

Slowly, he made his way over to Marcus and then sat down as his leg twisted away again. "Marcus, can you hear me? Marcus?"

Marcus stirred and managed to raise his head slightly. "D-ere's n-no p-pain..." he stuttered, still remembering Sech Turval's lessons.

Neroon drew in a deep breath and then carefully rolled Marcus onto his back. Marcus hissed; he was obviously in agony and moving him about was only aggravating his pain. Neroon wasn't surprised when he found that Marcus had lost consciousness again.

Studying Marcus' face, he quickly located the source of all the blood. A deep cut disfigured Marcus' cheek and Neroon tore off a piece of cloth from his coat to stop the bleeding. Next, he used his uninjured hand to examine the Ranger.

A dislocated shoulder... bruised or broken ribs and... I can feel the blood pooling in his stomach. Warm blood had gathered near Marcus' spleen and Neroon feared the Ranger was bleeding internally. If that was the case there was nothing he could do to help Marcus. He will die without medical attention.

Neroon concentrated on the little he could do to help alleviate Marcus' pain. He made sure the Ranger was resting comfortably and draped his coat over the motionless body. It's Marcus' coat... the one he gave me the first time he checked on me. By Valen, I hate being helpless.

He moved a little closer to Marcus, sharing his body heat. Blood still dripped from beneath the cloth and now flowed down his uniform. Marcus' breathing was labored and constantly growing worse. As a warrior he'd seen men die before and he knew instinctively that Marcus' time was very limited. The Ranger was dying.

///

"Neroon?" Against all odds, Marcus managed to open his eyes. They were still in the cell and he was leaning against Neroon. Neroon had even wrapped one arm around him and was trying to stop the bleeding where Mat had cut his face. Suddenly Marcus was very glad that he had tried to rescue Neroon, even if that attempt had backfired on them. It made him feel good that he'd tried to make a difference.

"Do not talk, rest." Neroon studied his charge and was alarmed to find that blood had appeared on Marcus' tongue. Yes, the Ranger was bleeding internally.

"I don't have much time left, Neroon," Marcus whispered, knowing his time had come. "There are worse ways to die. At least this time you didn't desert me." Neroon was taking care of him and that fact stunned him. "Does the offer to end my life still stand?"

"No."

"No?" In spite of his situation, Marcus chuckled. His stomach flared with pain and his eyes nearly popped from their sockets. Laughing was definitely a bad idea! "Why reconsider?"

Neroon really didn't want to reveal this, but Marcus was dying and deserved to know the truth. "You saved my life and my code of honor demands I protect you. Ending your life robs me of the possibility to repay my debt to you."

"Always a pragmatist, huh Neroon?" Marcus coughed sharply and wrapped his arms around his waist, trying to bite down the burning pain in his side and stomach. "So now you're sworn to protect me?" Another chuckle fled his lips and this time the pain didn't flare; he was getting worse. "I never knew someone who wanted to protect me, Neroon. Be glad I'm dying, saves you a lot of trouble."

Marcus closed his eyes again, relishing Neroon's body heat. "I release you from any obligation you feel towards me."

"It does not work that way," Neroon said firmly.

Marcus was getting ready for another round of argumentation, but suddenly the floor trembled fiercely. "What?"

Neroon cocked his head and tried to make sense of the commotion in the corridor. Several men were running, screaming and yelling in panic. "This can only mean one thing..."

"And what's that?" Marcus' eyes were closing again and a comfortable warmth was creeping up his legs.

"The Ingata finally launched her attack. My men are coming for me." Neroon considered his next move. "I will make sure you are comfortable and then I will try to draw attention to our cell. Hopefully, Berem, my second in command, will head for the holding cells." He laid Marcus down on the floor, tucked the coat around him and brushed back some bloody hair from Marcus' face. "You can't give up now."

"I don't know... if I have any... fight left," Marcus mumbled, dozing off as the warmth took away the pain in his abdomen and side.

Neroon recognized the signs of impending death and vowed to rescue the Ranger. He would not allow Marcus to die before he'd repaid his debt.

Struggling, he got to his feet and walked over to the cell door. Taking stock of his injuries, he realized he felt better, stronger. Now that the drugs were almost gone from his system, he was healing faster. Neroon banged against the door, calling Berem's name.

///

Several minutes later, Minbari warriors appeared in the corridor and Neroon called out in Vik, letting them know they'd found their Alyt. Within seconds, his crew forced the door open and Neroon stormed outside. Berem, a rather young warrior, caught him when he almost stumbled over his broken leg.

"What is our situation, Berem?" Neroon headed down the corridor, eager on exacting his revenge on Mat and Captain Johnson.

Berem composted himself again. He'd expected to find his Alyt wounded, but seeing the bandages, he realized Neroon had sustained more injuries than he had thought. His Alyt should head for the medical facility, but he knew better than to mention this. Neroon would glare at him and then dismiss his words. "We are still trying to take the command centre."

"Give me a Denn'bok!" Neroon demanded and Berem placed a pike in his hand. Neroon fastened it to his belt and made his way to the command centre. He'd forgotten about his injuries, and as long as he used the wall to support him, he could walk unaided.

His men were still fighting the Raiders, but were winning the battle. Several Raiders had already been captured and were now taken to their own holding cells for lock up.

"Alyt Neroon!" An elderly warrior walked up to his leader. "Their leader wants to talk to you."

So Captain Johnson wanted to negotiate? Neroon grinned. "Tell him to surrender or he will lose his life." The warrior nodded his head once and left. Several minutes later he returned. "The human surrenders."

"Bring him before me." Neroon sat down in the pilot's chair and waited for Johnson to make his appearance. "Berem? I want to leave this vessel as quickly as possible."

"A shuttle is already waiting to take you onboard the Ingata," Berem replied, pleased that his Alyt wasn't badly injured after all.

Johnson appeared. Two Minbari warriors held his arms in place behind his back and pushed him down to his knees.

"We meet again, but this time the tables are turned," Neroon said smugly. "Berem, take him onboard the Ingata and lock him up. I want him to stand trial later." He didn't know yet if he'd sentence Johnson himself or let the humans on Babylon 5 deal with the Raider. Fortunately, he didn't have to decide right now.

"Berem? We will now return to the Ingata. Make sure the Raiders are locked up and lay in a course that will take this vessel to Babylon 5. Delenn and Sheridan can deal with their own." Neroon got to his feet again and swayed. He brushed off Berem's hand when his second in command tried to steady him. Finally, he was going back to the Ingata, which would take him home to Minbar.

///

Marcus no longer registered the voices and sounds around him. The warmth had reached his chest and was taking away the pain. Death has finally come for me... it's a gentle master.

///

Neroon sighed, lying down on his own, familiar, sleeping platform. His personal physician would soon arrive to examine him and he relished having a moment to himself. He should probably check with their medical staff to see how Marcus was doing. "Computer, establish a connection with Sansara." Sansara was the medical officer in charge.

A moment later, the physician's face appeared on screen. "Alyt Neroon."

"Report."

"We suffered only minimal casualties. Two warriors died due to their injuries. Everyone else will make a full recovery. Right now, we are treating nine crewmembers."

"What about the human?" Neroon asked impatiently. He sat up, cursing the vertigo that overwhelmed him.

"What human, Alyt?"

Neroon suddenly began to sweat profusely. "The human in my cell!"

Berem appeared next to the physician. "Alyt, you ordered them locked up on their ship. Except for their leader who's in a cell, we did not take any humans onboard." The look on Berem's face showed his surprise.

Neroon cursed privately. He should have given the order explicitly. "Berem, prepare the shuttle again. We are returning to the Raiders' vessel and I want a physician to accompany us."

Berem saluted and left to carry out his Alyt's orders. Sansara however, stared at him in disbelief. "Alyt, you can't be serious! No human has ever set foot inside this medical facility!"

"If you don't want to treat him, send me someone who will!" Neroon terminated the connection and left his quarters. How could I forget about him? Marcus' words returned to him; "This time you didn't desert me."

"By Valen, you will survive, Ranger!"

///

Neroon signaled Berem to board the shuttle as well. The last person to join them was a young healer. Neroon arched an eyebrow, wondering if Sansara had sent him a student.

"My name is Vagn," the young Minbari said shyly. "Sansara sent me to help."

Neroon hoped this young Minbari possessed the necessary knowledge to help Marcus. "Sit down," he instructed and gave Berem the signal to take off. "Do you know how to treat a human's injuries?"

"That's why Sansara sent me," Vagn replied softly. "I studied their medical history, their research and Sansara wasn't too pleased when he found out I had abandoned my original studies."

Neroon felt relieved. "You will be responsible for a human called Marcus. He is Anla'Shok and was wounded when he tried to help me."

"Yes, Alyt." Vagn checked his medical supplies. "Can you tell me about his injuries?"

Neroon actually smiled. Yes, this young healer would do his best to save the Ranger. "Yes, I will tell you."

///

They arrived at the holding cells five minutes later and ignored the Raiders' curses. Neroon opened the door to his former cell and immediately headed for the still form beneath the dirty coat. "Marcus?" He prayed to Valen that he was in time. He'd never forgive himself if Marcus had died because of his negligence. "Vagn, help me!"

The young Minbari hurried over to Neroon's side while Berem guarded the door. "Is this the Ranger you mentioned?"

"Yes." Neroon gently removed the coat and checked for a pulse. "He is still alive, but his pulse is very weak." Stepping away from Marcus, he gave Vagn the space the healer needed to work on Marcus. "Berem, we will need the stretcher to carry Marcus to the shuttle."

Berem reached behind him and carried the stretcher into the cell. He shivered, recalling Neroon had been kept prisoner here. That his Alyt cared for the well being of a human surprised him, but if the human Ranger had really saved his Alyt's life it was true that Neroon was indebted to him and then his leader's actions made sense.

"Vagn?" Neroon was growing impatient, wondering how Marcus had managed to hang on to life this long. Valen, don't let him die!

Vagn's expression was worried when he locked eyes with Neroon. "This man is dying. We need to take him to the Raiders' medical facility. He won't survive being transported to the Ingata. I need to stabilize him here and now."

Neroon nodded his head. "Berem, where is their medical facility?"

"Near the command centre."

"Help me put him on the stretcher," Neroon commanded and signaled Vagn to step back. With Berem's help, they managed to put Marcus' motionless body on the stretcher and then carried him to the Raider's medical facility.

Vagn took control of the situation once Marcus was placed on an exam table. "Alyt, could you please run a scan to determine how strong his vital signs are? Berem, we need to undress the Ranger."

They worked methodically and Neroon was pleased to find that Vagn's touch was gentle when he examined Marcus' injuries. Vagn started two IV's, bandaged the ribs, and managed to set the dislocated shoulder. "Alyt, his spleen is ruptured and he requires surgery. Otherwise he will bleed to death."

"You want to operate here?" Neroon didn't feel comfortable with that idea. "You are the only healer here, Berem and I are warriors, and we barely have medical training."

"As long as you do as I tell you everything will be fine," Vagn promised. "I know how to perform this operation. Alyt, can I speak freely?"

"Yes," Neroon whispered, weighing their options.

"The Ranger will die if I don't operate now." Vagn hoped Neroon understood the seriousness of their situation. "He is bleeding to death."

"Do it," Neroon decided. "Berem and I will assist you."

Vagn nodded his head. "I can save his life..."

Neroon's gaze traveled from Vagn to Marcus. This young healer was their only chance.

///

Witnessing surgery shook Neroon more than he wanted the other two Minbari to know. Vagn had removed the ruptured spleen and the stitches would leave an ugly scar. Had they been onboard the Ingata Vagn could have used Minbari technology and no scar would have remained.

"We saved his life, Alyt. Does that not please you?" Vagn was puzzled, seeing Neroon's expression. "His recovery will take several weeks, maybe even months, but he will recover."

Neroon looked at Marcus, who was still unconscious. Vagn had covered the Ranger's body with some blankets and Marcus finally looked warm and comfortable. "When can we transport him to the Ingata?" He didn't want to spend another minute here.

"Give him thirty minutes to stabilize," Vagn pleaded. "Humans are not as strong as we are. His injuries are still life threatening and his condition critical."

"Then we will stay a little longer," Neroon gave in. "Tell me more about his condition."

"I set his shoulder, but it will add to his pain for some time. Fortunately, his ribs are only bruised and not broken. His organs, especially his kidneys, are very tender. Then there is his head injury, which caused a severe concussion. He will require absolute rest for the first few weeks." Vagn's expression turned shy. "I could not help but notice that your injuries are still untreated. Maybe I can check on you while we are waiting?"

Neroon considered the request and knew it was the sensible thing to do. "You may examine me."

Vagn nodded his head and began his exam.

///

Neroon did feel better after Vagn had examined him and bandaged his wounds. Marcus had tried his best when taking care of him and Vagn even complimented the Ranger, who was still unconscious. Neroon accepted the compliment in Marcus' place.

A soft moan echoed through the room and Neroon got to his feet. Vagn had put a cast on his leg, which enabled him to walk unaided. "Marcus? Do you hear me?" Towering over the Ranger he closely observed Marcus' face.

Marcus' eyes fluttered, opened briefly and then closed again. "Marcus? Do you hear me?" Neroon tried again, watching Vagn who studied the Ranger's readings.

"I think it is safe to move him to the Ingata, but we will need the stretcher to carry him." Vagn looked at Berem. "Can you get it?"

Berem retrieved the stretcher and they secured Marcus to it.

"Alyt, can you hold this?" Vagn handed Neroon the IV bags. Neroon wasn't strong enough yet to carry the stretcher and Vagn hoped handling the IV bags would keep Neroon occupied.

Neroon nodded once and walked beside Marcus, as Berem and Vagn carried the wounded Ranger to the shuttle.

///

Sansara glared at his newest patient. "Alyt, you can't expect me to look after a human!"

Neroon stared at the healer. "I know you lost your family in the Earth-Minbari War, but..."

"It's true... I lost my father, wife, and son in that war..."

"But this human is Anla'Shok and he saved my life. He is worthy of your care." Neroon kept a close eye on both Sansara and Vagn.

"I do not know if I can care for him," Sansara admitted. "As a healer it is my duty to nurse him back to health, but as a son, husband and father... I can't forgive his race."

Neroon acknowledged Sansara's mixed feelings and turned to Vagn. "You will tend to his injuries while he is onboard the Ingata and you, Sansara, will supervise Vagn's work." In that way Sansara didn't have to deal with Marcus directly.

"As you wish, Alyt," Sansara said relieved.

"Now leave me and Marcus alone for a moment." Neroon waited until both men had left and then stood at Marcus' bed. The Ranger had been washed and then dressed in soft brown robes. He seemed peacefully asleep, but Neroon knew how deceiving looks could be. Immediately after their arrival at the Ingata Marcus had slipped into a coma.

"You are strong, Marcus. You impressed me in Down Below when we fought. Now you have to recover. I saved your life and we are even now. But still I feel indebted to you because I left you, a fellow warrior, to die in Down Below." Neroon felt at a loss. When Marcus had found him in the holding cell, he had never believed he would save the Ranger's life in return.

He stepped out of Marcus' room and walked up to Vagn. "Contact me the moment he regains consciousness."

"Yes, Alyt."

Satisfied that Marcus was in able hands, he left the medical facility and headed for his quarters to catch up on some sleep.

///

I'm dreaming... I know I'm dreaming... why else is Neroon kissing me? I don't know where we are. The room is almost empty, expect for a sleeping platform, which is horizontal. I'm resting on it, naked, and Neroon is next to me, kissing me passionately. His strong hands are moving over my body and settle down when they reach my nipples, pinching and rolling them between his fingertips. Then he leans in closer and his tongue circles my left nipple.

"Neroon, what are you doing to me?" I can't hide my arousal. I'm rock hard and already leaking pre-ejaculate. His hands move down, and his fingers bury themselves in my pubic hair, playing with it.

"You grow hair at the most unexpected places," Neroon whispers seductively.

"Neroon, please..." I don't know what I'm begging for, but my cock demands attention and eventually release. Parting my legs, I pull Neroon on top of me and he accepts the invitation.

"So soft, yet so strong." Neroon licks down my abdomen and then blows at the tip of my erection.

"Please, Neroon, make me come..."

"So innocent, so... pure..."

Neroon kneels between my legs and stares at my body. He's making me blush. I reach out and wrap my arms around his waist, pulling him close again, but he resists.

"What do you want, Marcus? Want me to taste you? Lick you? Tease you? Want me inside you? What do you want?"

"You inside me..." Passion and lust take over and I buck against him, showing him my need. "Take me, claim me like you did before."

"Yes, beloved, you are mine..."

Neroon grins smugly and then claims my lips, bruising them. His hand reaches for the flask that contains some sort of lubricant and he coats his cock with the substance. Pulling my knees up to my chest, I present myself to him. "Please, Neroon..."

"Yes, beloved."

I gasp in surprise when he suddenly pushes inside, burying himself to the hilt in one go. The sensation is unexpected and I shiver all over my body at feeling the hot and hard rod inside my body. Neroon's way of making love is primal. He rarely bothers with foreplay and sometimes, like now, doesn't even stretch me. The pain is exquisite and I try to relax, try to accept him inside me.

"Is this what you want?" Neroon refrains from moving, keeping absolutely still.

The pressure inside me is building and I'm desperate for him to start thrusting. I curl my fingers around my fading erection, knowing he loves to watch when I touch myself.

"Yes, stroke yourself back to hardness..." Neroon finally thrusts, slowly.

I yelp at the sensation, knowing he's avoiding hitting my prostate... He doesn't want me to come yet. He places my legs over his shoulders, taking off some of the strain and I'm grateful he's a caring lover. "Harder? Please?"

Neroon smiles and leans in closer. His lips claim mine and his tongue parts my teeth. I love the part that's coming next. While devouring my mouth he builds a rhythm, thrusting faster and deeper. I pump myself wildly and then... "Neroon!" His cock brushes my prostate, almost making me come.

"Not yet, beloved..."

Neroon supports my legs and starts pounding into me. "Let go..." I whisper, knowing exactly what I want. I want him to lose control.

Neroon growls, bares his teeth and buries himself deep inside me.

"Yes, let go... let go of your control!" One more thrust, one more stroke pushes me over the edge and I spill my seed all over my hand. Neroon however hasn't come yet and I grow boneless, watching that passionate gleam in his eyes.

"Yes, more, Neroon... come, come inside me..." Neroon lasts long and I bite my lower lip, wondering how much longer I can take this pounding. Finally, a series of short, but violent thrusts signal his impending climax and I bite him hard, just beneath the collarbone. He roars, while coming inside me and stares at me with such intensity that I shiver.

"Yes, mine..."

Neroon collapses on top of me and I love feeling his weight pushing me down. Soothingly, I stroke his back. "Yes, I'm yours and you are mine, as it's supposed to be..."

Neroon lifts his head and grins at me. Bloody hell! He's growing hard again and he's still inside me!

"I'll claim you... again and again and again..."

///

"Neroon!" Marcus' eyes flashed open and he struggled, realizing something was restraining him. Looking about frantically, he found that he was attached to two IV's and a multitude of tubes and wires connected him to several monitors.

"Marcus, please calm down." Vagn immediately joined his patient.

"Who are you? What happened?" Suddenly, his energy left him and he sagged back into the pillows. Staring at the ceiling, he felt dizzy and confused.

Vagn briefly stepped outside and told one of the assistants to inform Neroon that the Ranger had woken up. Then he returned to his patient. "You are onboard the Ingata."

"Why?" Marcus' head lolled back and forth and he was wondering why he felt so miserable. "Hurts..."

"Where does it hurt?" Vagn quickly checked the readings, but didn't find anything alarming.

"My side..."

"We had to remove your spleen," Vagn explained. "You were bleeding internally."

Closing his eyes, Marcus tried to accept that Neroon had come back for him. And the dreams are back too.

"Does your head also hurt?" Vagn inquired.

"Yes... I've got a terrible headache."

"You suffered a concussion. Try to stay awake a little longer so I can run some tests on you?" Vagn started the first test, while keeping a close eye on Marcus. "You should not move about."

Marcus had figured that one out as well as his body cried out in pain when he tried to roll onto his left side.

"Your shoulder was dislocated and you suffered two bruised ribs. Your side will also continue to hurt for some days."

Marcus closed his eyes and wondered where Neroon was. Once more he'd been ready to die only to wake up in a medical facility. This was getting old.

"He is awake?" Neroon entered Marcus' room and headed for the platform.

"Yes, I'm awake," Marcus replied, listlessly.

"He is still disorientated and in a great deal of pain," Vagn said, informing his Alyt. "I will leave you alone for a moment, but then he has to rest." It would take the computer several minutes to run the tests and his presence wasn't required so he stepped out of the room.

"You were dying when we found you," Neroon said, studying the Ranger.

"Then you repaid your debt," Marcus whispered, feeling tense and uncomfortable at having Neroon this close after dreaming about the warrior.

"Not completely." Neroon's eyes traveled up and down the Ranger's body, recalling every injury Marcus had suffered. "I left you to die in Down Below. I should have killed you or tended to your wounds, that is the way of the warrior, not ignoring your needs. You were defeated and I... walked away."

Marcus managed a weak smile. "We're even, Neroon. Send me to Babylon 5 and I'll be out of your hair..."

Neroon raised an eyebrow. "You are not fit to be transferred to another vessel. You will still here for now." He expected Marcus to argue, but the Ranger remained quiet. "He is asleep again..." Neroon whispered, surprised.

"I have to ask you to leave now, Alyt. He needs rest." Vagn was back and acting in the best interest of his patient.

Neroon nodded his head. "Call me when I can visit him again."

Vagn inclined his head in conformation and watched Neroon leave. Then he returned to tend to the Ranger.

///

"Alyt? I hate to bother you, but..." Berem stood in the doorway, feeling uncomfortable because he had to disturb Neroon's sleep.

Neroon forced himself to wake up, rose from the platform and took his seat behind his desk. "Report."

"It is the crew, Alyt. They understand why you brought the leader of the Raiders onboard, but wonder about Marcus. They do not know he is a Ranger and saved your life, and it is causing problems."

"What kind of problems?"

"They want him off the Ingata."

Neroon rose from his chair. "Mutiny?"

"Not yet, Alyt. You are highly respected."

Neroon understood. The majority of his men had fought in the Earth-Minbari War and still hated the human race. "I want Marcus transferred to my personal quarters." He had already come up with a plan. "Make sure Vagn accompanies him."

"Yes, Alyt... but may I inquire why?" Berem didn't know what to make of Neroon's order.

"They won't dare touch him while he is in my private quarters."

"Alyt, forgive me for being blunt, but... have you chosen the Ranger as your mate?"

Neroon was grateful that his back was toward Berem. "What?"

"Your life mate?"

Neroon slowly turned around. "Why are you asking?"

"It would secure his position. No one would dare go against him... or you... I was wondering because you never had a life mate before and you seem extremely interested in this Ranger." Berem hoped he would survive Neroon's anger, which showed in the Minbari's eyes.

"My mate? My life mate?" Dazed, Neroon repeated the words.

"Yes." Berem decided to risk it all. "You seem to care about him and he saved your life. I think the crew would accept him as your mate once they know who he is and how he helped you. You'd also be setting the right example."

Neroon shook his head in disbelief. "You suggest I take him as my mate?"

"It would also strengthen the clan's position when it comes down to the Rangers, Alyt."

"I can't believe you suggested that!" Neroon paced in front of his desk. "He is human, Berem!"

"He is a Ranger and saved your life." Berem took a step back, seeing the furious expression in Neroon's eyes. "I apologize if I went too far, Alyt."

"Arrange for Marcus' transport to my quarters. Leave me now. I need to think!"

Berem quickly left Neroon's quarters to carry out his instructions.

///

Neroon was brooding. Although Berem's suggestion displeased him, accepting Marcus as his mate made a lot of sense. The warrior caste and the Rangers were already working together occasionally, but conflicts always drove them apart. Taking a Ranger as his mate, would bind the two groups closer together. It was certainly an option he had to think about.

"Alyt?" Berem appeared in the doorway. "The Ranger... in which room do you want him to stay?"

His personal quarters consisted of a number of rooms. "In my study."

Berem nodded and Neroon watched how they carried Marcus into the study. The Ranger was deeply asleep, but no longer in a coma. Then Vagn stepped inside and headed immediately for Neroon.

"Alyt, this will weaken his condition! He should not be moved at all!"

"Tend to him!" Neroon barked, a little harsher than he'd intended. "Leave me now!"

Vagn quickly backed away and followed his patient.

"Alyt?"

"Now what?" Irritated, Neroon faced Berem again.

"Delenn is trying to reach you."

Neroon sighed. Delenn... the one person he didn't want to talk to right now. "I will speak to her." The screen came online and Delenn's face appeared. She looked worried and tired.

"Greetings, Neroon."

"Greetings, Delenn." Neroon waited for her to start the conversation.

"I need you to confirm something for me." Delenn's stare was masked perfectly. "Is it true that Marcus Cole is onboard the Ingata?"

"Yes, he is onboard the Ingata."

"Why?" Now Delenn's mask showed some cracks.

Neroon registered her concern and wasn't surprised. After all, Marcus had saved her life. "He was critically wounded and his recovery will take weeks. Healers are looking after him and I assure you he is in the best hands."

"But you will let him go once he has recovered? Or is he your prisoner?"

"No prisoner, Delenn. He saved my life."

"He did what?"

"The Raiders had taken me prisoner and he helped me escape." Neroon conveniently forgot to mention that Marcus' plan had backfired. "I won't stop him when he wants to return to Babylon 5."

Pleased and relieved, Delenn nodded her head. "Can I talk to him?"

Neroon looked at Vagn who was standing in the doorway, shaking his head. "Marcus is resting right now, but I will ask him to contact you once he feels better."

"Thank you, Neroon."

"Delenn, one last question." Neroon cursed privately. He couldn't be seriously considering Berem's suggestion! "Does Marcus have a... mate?"

Delenn's eyes grew big, although she was trying to hide her surprise. "Not that I know of."

"Thank you for answering that question."

"Why do you want to know, Neroon?"

Neroon suddenly felt trapped. "I do not have a mate... and he seems acceptable."

"Neroon!" Delenn rose from the couch, in obvious confusion. "Marcus is human!"

Neroon shrugged his shoulders. "It would solidify our alliance."

"I can not believe you suggested that!" Delenn shook her head.

"Think about it, Delenn. He is a highly respected Ranger and I represent a large part of the warrior caste. Taking him as my mate would unit us."

"I will consider it..." Delenn said, still at a loss. "But do not proceed without my consent!"

"Delenn, Marcus is bedridden right now... We will have to wait if we want to continue with this plan." His words seemed to reassure her. "He is in good hands, Delenn."

"I will contact you shortly and then I want to talk to Marcus."

"That can be arranged." Neroon stared at the now black screen and wondered what he had gotten himself in to. If he took Marcus as his mate, it would be because of diplomatic matters and after the ceremony they'd go their separate ways. Marcus wasn't attracted to him and he... yes, he felt somewhat attracted to the Ranger, but those were feelings born out of protectiveness and guilt. They would have to discuss this soon, but first they both needed rest.

"Vagn, is he still asleep?"

"Yes, Alyt," Vagn replied softly. "I do not expect him to wake up within the next few hours."

"Then I will try to get some sleep as well." Neroon returned to his platform and closed his eyes. Years of training allowed him to fall instantly asleep.

Part 3