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Hopeless, Shapeless, Dreamless, Nameless (10/10)
by Meredith Bronwen Mallory
mallorys-girl@cinci.rr.com
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"Erika," Michael asked, concerned, "What's wrong?"
"Psi Cops.. Talia... Bester.." the Ranger gasped, looking as though she might
be sick.
"What?" Susan gasped, "Talia?"
"Coming to..." whatever else Erika might have intended to say was drowned out
by the blast of a PPG. Bester, Talia, and six blood hounds entered, firing
like there was no tomorrow.
"Get down!" Marcus yelled. Susan didn't hesitate, but pulled out her PPG and
began to shoot. A blast connected with one of the hounds, and every telepath
in the room felt his death scream. Franklin was yelling into his link,
calling Security, and Michael had pulled out his own PPG, firing like a man
possessed.

One of the hounds made a moved for Erika, but, quick as a flash, the Ranger
had her pike extended and hit the man upside the head as hard as could. Shot
after shot fired until the air reeked of burning plasma, yet still they fought
on. Talia advanced on Susan, who had her back to the Psi Cop.
"I don't think so," Marcus said as he grabbed the woman from behind, holding
her inches from the ground and shaking her like a rag doll. He threw her to
the ground, where she lay still, and Marcus looked on her body with disgust.
Meanwhile, Bester took aim on one of the nurses unfortunate enough to get
caught in the conflict.
"Look out!" Erika cried. The nurse dove out of the way, but Bester had
already fired. He hit the woman standing behind her.... Carolyn. With a scream
the blonde fell to the ground with a thud, blood oozing from a chest wound.
"No!" Bester shouted, falling to his knees, suddenly oblivious to the
conflict as he gathered the fallen woman in his arms. Her brown eyes were
unfocused, tears pooling in her eyes and spilling over onto her cheeks, "No,
please don't die.." he cried, his gloved finger tracing the paths of the
tears, trying to wipe them from her face, "Carolyn, please don't leave me...
please," he begged, sitting there, holding, as the battle wore on around
them.

There he sat, the man that had ruined his life, the man that had screwed his
mind over so badly that if it hadn't been for Erika, who knew what would
have happened. Michael Garibaldi felt the freedom in his mind, Bester no
longer had any hold over him, Erika had removed the blocks. He was free and
now it was time to show Bester. Show him, once and for all. Most of the hounds
were dead, but Security had yet to arrive and, in fact, he'd probably be thanked
for ending that rat bastard's existence. The cool steel of the trigger
caressed his finger, and Michael pulled. The blast of plasma struck Bester
in the back, and the Psi Cop slumped over... dead. Michael had no idea how
long he stood there, because the next thing he knew, Erika was prying the
gun from his fingers.
"Michael," she asked, concern filling her brown eyes, "Michael, snap out of
it, he's dead... you can let go now," and he did, his fingers relaxed and she
took the gun, sitting it on the floor.
"Hey!" Zak Allen yelled as he and the rest of the cavalry arrived... late, as
usual, "What happened in here?"
"The Psi Corps decided to make an unannounced visit, wasn't that rude of
them?" Erika asked. Zak nodded, ordering his men to help with the body
clean up. Suddenly, Michael felt Erika grab his arm. Glancing over at her,
he saw her sway dangerously, and barely caught her as she fell.
"Erika," Michael worriedly checked for a pulse, resting one hand on her
shoulder. When he removed it, it was covered in blood, "Aw, hell. Doctor!
Hurry! Erika's been wounded!" The medics came, taking her from him.
"Don't worry, Michael," Stephen assured him, "She'll be fine." It struck
Michael right then and there... what would he do... if she wasn't fine?

------

    He was waiting for her when she finally escaped the clutches of Doctor
Franklin. They'd bandaged her shoulder nicely, and she'd been informed that
it would heal in a few weeks.
"Erika," Michael said as he pulled her close. Erika was startled, why should
he care what happened to her? "I was so worried," he said.
"Why?" she asked, confused.
"I realized... god, Erika, don't ever leave me," he said, stroking her hair as
he held her, "I realized I didn't know what I'd do with out you." The battle
ax Ranger looked into Michael's clear blue eyes and was taken aback by what
she saw there... he cared... he actually cared. Was that why it felt so good to
have him hold her, why nothing seemed to matter because she was in his arms.
Suddenly, this wasn't the impersonal little affair she had planned so
perfectly. Now it was messy, complicated. He cared, she cared... but she still
loved Lucky... right?
"Michael.." Erika started, gently pushing him away, "I can't promise you
that, I can't promise you anything..." she sobbed, turning away and running
from the room.
"Erika... wait!" Michael called out to her, but she was gone.

----

    "This has been some day," Marcus said absently. Susan turned in his arms
to look at him, her hand moving to caress his cheek. They sat on the couch
together, comfortable in each others' arms, happy at last.
"Yes, it has," she smiled, playing with a lock of his hair, " I missed you,
I kept looking for you, without even meaning to... it never felt like you were
dead."
"I'm sorry," he apologized, he hated to see her in pain, "I never wanted to
leave you. God, Susan... you're the one thing that has made my life worth
living," A tear slid down Susan's cheek at the sincerity of his words, but
he kissed it away, "No, Susan, no more tears, I think we've had enough of
them for one lifetime. Gently, Marcus kissed her, at first just lightly
brushing her lips with his. But she completed the connection, wrapping her
arms around him and throwing herself into the kiss. That kiss was a new
beginning... for both of them.

-------

    "You have four messages," monotone voice of Michael's computer informed
him when he came home that evening. He'd looked everywhere for Erika, but no
one had seen her. He was starting to worry, "One from President Sheridan,"
the computer carried on, "One from Zach Allen, one from Erika Browning..."
that caught Michael's attention.
"Computer," he ordered, "display message from Erika Browning." Erika's face
appeared on screen, she looked like she'd been crying.
"Hello Michael," she said softly, "I'm sorry I ran out on you earlier today,
I just needed to sort some things out," she paused, her eyes growing sad,
"I'm going away Michael, back to Mars. There are a few things I need to
clear up...," a smile came to her lips, lighting up her face, "earlier I said
I couldn't promise you anything, well, now I can. I'll be back, Michael,
I'll be back," the message ended, and Michael stared at the screen,  tears
in his eyes. He didn't know where the future would take him and Erika, but
he know one thing... She'd be back- one way or another.