New Years
A John/Marlena Story
by Heaven
heaven@home.com
Part 1

Marlena woke that morning with a huge headache. The morning sun burned her eyes and seemed to penetrate into her head. Very unused to this feeling she dragged herself out of the bed. She made her way to her bathroom and looked into the mirror.... and found a startling self looking back... She looked AWFUL!

She opened the medicine cabinet, took out two aspirin and promptly swallowed them with a cup of water. Still groggy she drew herself a bath. While the tub filled she set out her cream sweater and matching wool pants. When she returned, she shut off the water and settled into the tub. The hot water soothed away her aches and pains. It was blissful. The heat seemed to warm her muscles and draw all the soreness and stiffness from them. As her body relaxed so did her mind. She began to think about last night. Why did drink so much last night? I'm a psychiatrist...she thought to herself.... I should know better than anyone that it wouldn't make my problems go away. At the thought of her problems she winced. She had been a fool.... Unable to handle New Years eve... Watching Kristen paw John and simultaneously keeping Roman at arms length she had been under so much stress. No wonder she had forgotten to keep track of what she was drinking... If only Kristen hadn't kissed John at midnight... She had been furious.. Kristen had been goading her all night..even following her to the ladies room and saying Gee Marlena...I guess I better be the one John kisses at midnight...Wouldn't want Roman suspicious would we... She had stalked back out and went right up to John about to tell him what Kristen said when Roman had chosen that moment to come up behind her...

"Doc," he asked "What's wrong? Is something the matter?"

Unable to think of anything to say she tried to let her anger go and quietly replied "no....not a thing" all the while looking directly into Johns eyes. He stared back at her and finished the last sip of champagne...and asked the same thing of her...

"Are you sure?" John asked. With added concern and a note of softness he finished "You look a bit flushed. Are you feeling OK?" Roman looked at him with an odd look.

Putting his arm around her, he said "Come on to the balcony.. we will get you some air." But nothing seemed to break the mesmerizing look between her and John.....It began to feel uncomfortable for Roman.... Then Laura stepped between them...."Marlena.... could you come with me for a moment...there is uh... someone... I ...I want to introduce you to" she lied. And pulled her gently from the middle of the messy scene. Roman eyes were drawn to Laura. John's were on Marlena. As the two women stepped out to the balcony, John and Roman looked anxiously at each other....

Roman had the courage to speak first..." So..uh...John... Marlena has been acting a little strange lately ... Have you noticed...?"

John looked at him and Flatly replied "no" All the while his emotions did somersaults. He loved this man...his friend. He hated this man... the one who trampled his love for Marlena. He slid his hand into his pocket and felt the small velvet box that held Marlena ring. He wanted to hug him for living...he wanted to kill him himself. In the end nothing won out and he simply said "I think she's had too much...." referring to all that was going on behind Romans back.

Relieved Roman wholeheartedly agreed, "Oh I agree John. She should really quit with champagne while she's ahead...She can't always hold her liquor!" with that he launched into a tale of Marlena and too much champagne long ago before John had come to Salem.

Each word was painful to John...reminding him of the life she and Roman had shared before him.

"....and so I told her that she had too much. Only I didn't realize how much she had BEFORE I got there, And do you know what she did.... ?" John shook his head. "She gave me a kiss! Wow and what a kiss it was! We decided to head home from that party pretty quick! Nine months later we had Sami and Eric!" he laughed. Roman felt a bit awkward telling the story he used to tell so fondly. It was almost as if he was remembering another life. Another man's life. Another man's feelings. He no longer found the story so ... appropriate for his life? He ouldn't put his finger on it.

John, however, turned crimson. He opened his mouth intending to tell Roman just what was going on when Kristen's arms wrapped around him.

"Oh John what a cute story that was..." she purred...then added into his ear "I though you were about to punch him!"

He glared at her, his fury slowly dissipating at the pleading look she gave him. As much as he hated her for what she's done, he thought...and sighed...she is right.

As much as he wanted to he could not say a word.