OK, I know I said that it was complete before, but this popped into my head. It's my romantic streak coming out, and I fancied having a Christmas story. This is definately AU, but I'm enjoying playing.

Part 2.

Marcus pressed the remote activator for the security camera, then counted to three to allow the loop to kick in before rounding the corner.

With having to enter Susan’s quarters unnoticed so often, it had seemed prudent to hardwire a bypass into the hall camera. So far, security hadn’t noticed, and maintenance hadn’t needed to service the unit. He had programmed it to show thirty seconds of empty corridor, which was more than enough time to get the Commander’s door open. He barely needed fifteen since she had shared her access code with him.

Once inside, the lights came on automatically, and Marcus moved quickly. He didn’t really need to now that Susan knew all about the coffee drops, but being alone in her living quarters still felt ‘wrong’. He was invading the personal space of a very independent, and quite private, person. As much as he might have wanted to poke around, Marcus would never cross that boundary uninvited. It normally took less than a minute to cross to the small kitchen, leave the latest bag of coffee in the appropriate cupboard (he never left it out in the open), and then exit.

If everything went smoothly, then no one would ever know he had been there. So far, he had remained completely undetected, which was fine by him. If he was spotted, Marcus knew the rumour mill of B5 would have a field day. Not that he minded, but it would ruin Susan’s credibility, and that thought pained him a lot more than the fear of her wrath.

Not that he’d seen much of her wrath lately, at least not directed at him. Occasionally, she would bark at Marcus, for appearances sake, but there was always a glint of glee in her eyes when she did so. The few times they had found themselves alone, she had let slip a half smile which always brightened his day. In the company of anyone else though, they both had their masks up tight. Even at the Christmas get together last week, they had spent most of the time at opposite ends of the room.

Ever since the encounter in the transport tube, they had an agreement. Neither of them had spoken about it; they just knew. Whatever it was that was happening between them, it was to be kept a complete secret. Susan’s reasons for this were obvious, but Marcus had some of his own.

The Rangers was a very communal organisation; just about everything was considered as belonging to everybody else, and everybody knew about what everybody else was doing. Secrets, although not frowned upon, were not considered important in the Anla’shok. Ever since he had escaped with his life from Arisia, Marcus had never felt like he had had anything that was just his. This secret gift giving for Susan was his, and his alone. No one else knew about the secret; it belonged to him. He liked being the sole owner of something again.

Marcus opened the cupboard, put in the small bag of real coffee, then spotted the note with his name written on it. It was propped up against the coffee tin where he wouldn’t miss it.

He hesitated to open it. You could never know with Susan which way she would jump. Swallowing his fear, Marcus unfolded the paper.

Marcus,

This probably doesn’t make up for all the coffee and other things you’ve done for me in the past year. Every Wednesday, between the hours of 1600 and 1800, my quarters will be empty and fresh towels will be beside the shower. Enjoy the real water, just make sure you clear up after yourself!

Happy Christmas, Susan.

Marcus read the note twice, not quite sure how to take it. Susan had just given him permission to go into her bedroom, because that was where the bathroom was.

No, he still wouldn’t poke, he was only allowed to walk through. He might peek though.

He looked up at the glass frosted doors, tempted to peek now.

“Damn!” he said to himself, “It’s Thursday. I’m going to have to wait nearly a week.”