Generations - Reunion

Author Note: This chapter is one that I realised had to be added after I had written the original chapter 4.

As usual, I wouldn’t be able to do this without the sterling work put in by my betas: Tiylaya, Tengu and Ivan Designer.

X0X0X0X0X0X0X0X0X

Anderson looked old, that was the first thought that Mark had as he walked into the sitting room of Anderson’s apartment the day after arriving back on Earth.

His second was disappointment that his team wasn’t there.

He allowed his gaze to wander around the small room. It was one he had never seen before, and he was surprised at how much of Anderson’s past was revealed by the photographs on display.

Most of them were of the G-Force team, as children, as adults. He tried to keep his face neutral as his eyes darted around, picking up on pictures that he didn’t recognise.

Seeing spaces where some had been removed.

His heart nearly broke when he saw a larger photograph of the whole team – the one taken at his and Princess wedding. He allowed his eyes to pause there, drinking in the faces of the people he loved most, like a thirsty man with a glass of water.

His fault. How could he have done that to them? How could he explain to them his reasons, and the subsequent consequences of his actions?

His eyes focused on the one woman in the picture. How could he explain to Lexa?

He frowned as he realised that Anderson was the only other occupant of the room. Why had he asked to see Mark alone?

Anderson looked at his foster son and was appalled at the changes he saw. Mark was still exceptionally good looking, the softness of the young man given character and maturity by age. His eyes, however, were haunted and filled with despair. His hair had some grey strands starting to show in it, and his face had the gaunt look that Anderson always associated with people who had given up on life. These were small changes that were never conveyed via telecom communications. Subtle changes that you had to see in person to realise.

Anderson wished that Mark had agreed to come home ten years ago, after he had been rescued. Then, perhaps some of those shocking changes wouldn’t have happened. He would have been healed in the loving embrace of his family.

Still, seeing this adopted son in the flesh after eighteen years was just what the older man needed.

“Mark.” Anderson’s voice was warm as he took the offered hand, his own left hand clapping the other man on the shoulder. “It’s wonderful to see you again.”

“Especially as it’s not long since nobody thought you’d see anyone again.” The voice was deeper, rougher than it had been, and Anderson could hear the pain in it.

“There is that. I can’t believe how long it’s taking me to pull back up.”

“Have the doctors said when you can go back to work?” It was small talk, but Mark didn’t want to have to answer the questions he knew Anderson had for him. He took the offered seat on the couch, Anderson sitting in an easy-chair opposite.

Surprisingly, Anderson looked straight at him when he answered. “That’s one of the reasons I wanted to see you today, Mark. The doctors have said that I won’t be going back – not if I want to keep on living.”

Mark was taken back. One of the foundation stones in his world was being rocked. He had thought that after some recuperation, Anderson would be back, snapping at them as Chief of Security. The thought that event wouldn’t take place was something that Mark had never even considered.

“Who’ll take your place? Who’s doing the job now?” Mark desperately wanted to know who he’d have to work with when he started going on missions with G-Force again. In his own mind he paused. Surely this wasn’t to tell him he wouldn’t be part of G-Force any longer? He hoped not. Being part of the team had been his lifeline during his years of recovery. If he was cut adrift from that stability, Mark knew that he’d slide back into the dark world he’d clawed his way out of.

“Princess has been standing in for me since my heart attack. She can’t keep doing it, though, not whilst heading up the G-Force programme as well. Particularly since she’s only just recovered from a fairly serious illness herself.”

“Princess ill?” Mark interrupted. “Is she okay now? What happened? She’s not... ”

“Calm down, Mark,” said Anderson raising a reassuring hand. She’s recovering now. In fact, the day you arrived was her first day back at work. She was very ill but fortunately it was fairly short lived – only a couple of weeks. You know Princess. She’d pushed herself too far and then picked up a bug and that was it. She’s still got to take it easy for a while, though. And that’s where you come in.”

“Me?” Hope swelled in Mark’s chest. This wasn’t heading towards a brush off. His heartbeat calmed and he allowed himself to focus again.

Anderson smiled. “You didn’t honestly think that I was going to let you settle into obscurity as an instructor at the Academy, did you?”

“Actually, I wanted to talk to you about that. I don’t want to teach at the academy. It was my father’s idea, not mine. I though that I’d have a go and try to re-start my air-courier business.” Mark wasn’t going to voice his one of his greatest wishes: to be back heading G-Force. He knew he could do it; the years he had spent training the young Rigan team had proven to him that he was still an effective Commander.

“No, Mark. I have something else in mind for you. You’ve been being trained for it all your life, actually.”

Mark brightened. “You’re going to re-activate me in G-Force?” Now it was out. The only thing he wanted more was reconciliation with his wife. He didn’t even consider that the option he’d voiced was nothing to do with the discussion.

“Oh, that’s already been done. By the way, you’ve done a nice job with your Rigan team. Princess and Jason were impressed with their skills, although Jason says they think too much.”

Mark laughed at that, a genuinely happy sound, and his face transformed with the laughter; echoes of the younger man in the sparkle of his eyes. “Jason would. But when did they see them? And why wasn’t I informed?”

“They were evaluated yesterday. Princess met them when they arrived. They’re starting training with the other teams now, and Princess intends to look at the whole program and start to settle some final line-ups.”

“Without me?”

“She’s the head of the G-Force program. It’s her prerogative.”

Mark’s mind was screaming that he was the Commander of G-Force. It was his job. He fought down his panic again before he spoke.

“Chief, you said you wanted me to do something. So far, it seems like Princess and Jason are doing everything that I could. What else is there for me to do?”

“Mark, you’ve slowed down. I would have thought you would have worked it out by now. Princess is only acting as Chief of Security. She doesn’t want the job, and only a madman would even consider Jason – by the way, he’s already told me in no uncertain terms what he’d do if I even tried to force him into it. That leaves you. I’ve always planned on you as my successor, just as Conway had trained me to be his.”

Mark felt his mouth open and he slumped in his chair. “Me? But, Chief, I can’t. I’m a security risk.” There. It was out. Mark took a deep breath before he continued. “You don’t know – can’t understand. What if ..,” Mark’s voice broke and he paused. “What if I fail? What if I relapse – or somebody recognises me. Can we take that risk?”

“I can’t see the risk, Mark. As for capability – there’s nobody more capable,” Anderson smiled. “Everything that you’ve done as Commander of G-Force and with the team on Riga has pushed you towards this role. I’ve spoken with the President and she agrees with me.”

“She doesn’t know what I’ve done over the past years, though. Do you think she\'d be as agreeable is she knew what she was appointing?\" Mark\'s voice was harsh and his eyes bored into those of his foster father. \"A barely-clean, drug-addicted prostitute? The press would have a field day.\"

Mark ran his hand through his hair – a gesture that those who knew him well would recognise as one of distress. Anderson moved to the sofa and sat next to him. He put a comforting hand on Mark’s shoulder.

“Actually, Mark, the President has seen the reports. She told me to tell you this: We’re appointing the man who is the Eagle, the Commander of G-Force, to the role. We are sure he will fulfil this in as exemplary manner as he filled his role as Eagle,” Anderson looked at the man before him. “The President’s a very canny woman. She was well able to read between the lines in the report, and said that if you could survive that, you can survive anything. And I believe that as well.”

“The reports – has Lexa... – has the Team seen them?”

“No. They know something of your ordeal, but, as you wished, I’m leaving it up to you to tell them in your own way. You’re right about doing that, Mark. It’s something that they need to hear from you personally. You may want to give some thought to telling Princess first, though. She can pave the way with the others. Especially Kye.”

Mark looked upset. “I’ve hurt them all so much. It’s all my fault.”

“No, Mark.” Anderson was sharp. “None of this is your fault. The blame rests completely with your father and I. Or rather, on me alone. I allowed Cronus to talk me into the mission in the first place. You were only doing what we coerced you into. The rest of G-Force will be upset – but they’ll understand once they know the whole story. But do talk to Princess first. Tell her everything – and let her help you edit it for the others. I think that there are some things that they won’t need to know – some things that would be too personal for you to share with them.”

Mark nodded. “Lexa, though. She has to know it all. I not only abandoned her as part of the team, but as my wife.” He buried his head in his hands and groaned. “What if she doesn’t forgive me? What will I do then?” he whispered. “How can I go on without her?”

He was openly sobbing now, and Anderson realised that this beloved son had a long way to go before he was fully healed. For the first time in more than twenty years, Anderson pulled him into an embrace. He wasn’t the Eagle. He wasn’t even the broken man before him.

Anderson held tightly the son he had raised; the boy who had been entrusted into his care so many years ago now, and gave what comfort he could.

Mark let himself go as he felt the loving embrace. He had almost forgotten what this sort of loving was like. The unconditional love of his family, so long absent, and, he knew, the final piece that would allow him to return from the hell he had been in.

His sobbing lessened, as Anderson’s words penetrated. They weren’t exactly what he wanted to hear, but the main message was clear.

“Princess loves you, Mark. Even after all these years, she still does. Once she knows the truth, she won’t see it as betrayal. Be aware, however, that she’s changed. We all have. Things aren’t as you left them.”

Mark raised his head and both men moved awkwardly apart, the brief moment of closeness gone.

“I know. It’s why I have to see her soon. I’ll go to her place tonight. Can you give me the address?”

Anderson rose and walked to the window, his movements slow. “I don’t think that would be wise, Commander. Your appointment as Chief of Security starts tomorrow. I’ll set up a meeting with Princess in the Security Offices and you can talk there.”

He turned around to face Mark, who had stood, his eyes blazing with a sudden anger. “Why shouldn’t I go and see my wife?” he asked softly.

“Trust me, Mark. Please.” Anderson met the gaze of the younger man before him, and, to his relief, Mark backed down. Anderson moved to the desk and took out a thick folder. “Some information you should have, including all Federation computer access codes. Use the rest of today and tonight to familiarise yourself with everything in there. As Chief of Security, you have access to every computer and every database in the Federation.” He handed the folder to Mark who took it and began to leaf through it.

Suddenly Mark looked up and grinned, and Anderson was gratified to again see the young man he had seen all those years ago flash into being. “As Eagle I had that, anyway.”

Anderson laughed. “But this time, it’s legitimate. You don’t have to get a certain Swan to hack for you.”

Mark looked outraged. “Are you saying that I’m not able to do my own hacking?”

“No – only that the Swan was faster and cleaner. Use the information Mark. Use it wisely. I’ll have Jenny call you with the time for your meeting with Princess.”

“Jenny?”

“Princess’ PA – and now yours too. The Security Chief, the Commander of G-Force and the Head of the G-Force programme all have their own Suite in the Conway Building. Jenny looks after you.”

“Ann?”

“I’ll let her and Tiny fill you in there. You’ve a lot to catch up on. I’m getting old, Mark. This heart attack has made me realise just how little time we have to live. That’s what I intend to do now – live.” He looked again at the folder in Mark’s hands, his voice insistent. “Use the information you’ve been given Mark. Don’t delay.”

Mark looked at the folder again. Anderson had been so insistent that he do this now. He looked at the older man.

“Do you have a computer I can use?”