Part 2

MEANWHILE....

The balcony doors opened and Laura and Marlena stepped out. The moment the closed Laura rounded on her. "Marlena.... How can you keep doing this to Roman?! He is the kindest, most generous man I have ever met... To think how you are treating him after all he did...saving my Jennifer and convincing the judge to let Jack free! That's not even mentioning how he pulled Abbey out of the burning circus tent! If you don't want the man stop stringing him along and let him get on with his life! I'm sure he could be happy with someone other than YOU!"

Marlena was speechless. She stared at her closest friend in shock. And at that moment it dawned on her... Laura was in love with her ex-husband!!! She looked at the rage on Laura face and for the first time that night she really felt like smiling. Laura... and Roman.... what a wonderful idea! Why Laura was everything Roman needed! And Marlena DID smile that time.

"I don't understand you..." Laura furiously replied "here I am telling you what a cruel thing you are doing and you SMILE at ME! What is this doing to you Marlena, I think you..."

Marlena quickly cut off her friend..."Oh, no Laura! You are totally right. I have no reason to keep the truth from Roman anymore. I only did it because he needed someone to love him so he would get better...have a reason to get better. My only mistake was letting him think the wrong person was in love with him..." she trailed off.

At the Laura's anger left her and she looked surprised. "Who else is in love with Roman?" she asked hesitantly, fearing some other woman would take a place at Romans side before she even got a chance.

Marlena smiled gently to her friend....if she was going to get Laura to admit her feelings she would have to be a little sneaky with her.

"Oh there is a woman I know. She is a brilliant psychiatrist... really...she's wonderful at what she does. She is a wonderful woman very loving and always wants the best for those she loves. I like her a great deal. Oh...She's a lovely lady too. Very classy. Why she and Roman could be perfect for each other. She lives right here in Salem." Marlena began to notice Laura becoming visibly upset. "Why Roman speaks so highly of her all the time. I think her could easily fall for her. If only you heard the nice things he has said about her. He said she was such a lovely woman and wonders why she prefers to stay alone. She is a grandmother like myself and he commented that she looks far too young to be a grandmother. Oh and he said she has so much class he feels nervous around her... It's funny I didn't think of it before!"

Laura felt the familiar feelings of inadequacy wash over her. She always felt like no would ever want her... when she was young two brothers had both loved her... but ever since that bitch Kate had an affair with Bill and had Lucas she never felt ... well... good enough for any man. Why would anyone want a grandmother...who had been in the nut house... when her own husband hadn't even wanted her... either husband actually... She tried to keep the emotion out of her voice and bravely attempted to smile. She sighed and tried to talk to Marlena about the man she was in love with..."So ...uh... do you think Roman might really have some interest in this woman? Who is she do I know her?" The tears of frustration were making her eyes water a bit, but pride wouldn't let them escape.

Marlena didn't miss the shimmer of tears in her friends eyes, and with that small display of emotion she knew how her friend felt. Her smile grew even brighter. This could be wonderful... If Roman did have more than friendly feelings toward her... which Marlena was more than inclined to believe... things could finally turn out much nicer than expected. "Oh Laura... its.. YOU!" Marlena gushed."I think Roman could fall for you!"

Laura started to protest then just stopped and looked out into the city. Everywhere people were partying, enjoying the night... and then she shook her head... "No, Roman would never want me... He thinks he has you." Then she whispered "Why would he even look twice....."

Marlena hugged her friend and told her, "I know Roman better than anyone.... and I know that there is more between you two than a casual friendship... And I will PROVE it to you!"

Back inside......

Kristen smiled at John and although he felt a twinge and gratefulness for her stopping him from swinging at his friend...he felt... nothing. And that surprised him. He felt nothing for her. How could he have loved her he wondered? When he had lost Doc it had hurt for so long... when he lost Isabella... that had hurt for a long time too... even Diana Colville had left a lasting impression... but when he saw Kristen there was nothing... no regret no pain no love...just at the bottom of his heart a little anger for abusing his love and .... pity. He looked down at her as she clung to his arm possessively, she was busy chattering with Roman about some meaningless thing he said to keep appearances. She was a very lovely woman but that where it ended. Underneath her skin there was nothing but icy coldness. She had no heart... he wondered if losing the baby in Paris had done that to her. Even as he studied her he realized it was like looking at a jewel... Lovely, bright, but cold, hard and unyielding, but underneath it all flawed.... She was like a flawed diamond. Like a perfect diamond with the black coal still inside. Blackness that absorbed the light from whatever goodness there had been... she was he realized with a sigh a true Dimira. He had been blind.

Kristen looked up at the man she wanted. His handsome face was looking down at her... studying her she realized.... Maybe he is remembering all the wonderful times they had! Or maybe he was thinking of her and the baby. Oh it almost didn't matter.... He was gazing at her and then he sighed...! He wasn't thinking about his precious Marlaaaaana she thought! Oh he was so beautiful... Tony had been sweet and kind and handsome till well he showed her what he was really like... but never had she ever seen such a beautiful man. Those blue eyes were looking at her. Dizzy with happiness she smiled her most loving smile at him...

Her saw her look up at him and smile. Repulsed he looked out toward the balcony and saw Marlena talking to Laura. He reached his hand into the pocket of his tux. One again he rubbed the small black velvet box that held the symbol of his love for Marlena. Her engagement ring... Why did she have to give it back to him! Why?! It should be on her finger. He should be married to her! Why couldn't Roman have come back a week, a day, an hour later! Then Kristen's lies couldn't have affected them. Then no one would hold the truth back. His hand clenched around the box...

"Hey John... what have you got in your pocket?" Roman asked. "I saw you looking at it earlier! Don't you think you should give it to the woman you love this year... There are only five minutes left buddy!"

"I haven't got anything Roman." John answered.

"Sure you do.. I saw it when you opened it. Mighty fine looking I might add!" He replied.

Realizing what was in his pocket , Kristen silently cheered... She KNEW he was carrying around that stupid engagement ring! It was like a dream! He practically had to give it to her now. Gotcha Marlena she thought. Not only do I get John tonight I get your ring!

"Oh John! Please let me see! Don't keep me in suspense Darling!" She begged of him.

John had no choice. He had to give it to her... He would just find a reason to take it back as soon as Roman looked away. Appearances he thought.... Marlena would want me to pretend.... and he removed the box from his pocket. Holding it gently he vowed to find an even more perfect diamond for Marlena. It wasn't fit to touch her skin after Kristen wearing it, nevermind the symbol of their love. He opened the box and there sat the diamond. He gazed at it a moment and he could almost imagine it turning to coal... at the Dimira touch.

Kristen grinned and reached for it... and at the same moment John began to say her name and looked up from the diamond to see before him Marlena. She was white as a ghost and her fair skin was a sharp contrast to her red dress.

"No you may not have that ring Kristen!" Marlena said quietly.

John's eyebrow shot up as if to ask her if she was sure she wanted to say that.

Roman looked dumbfounded.

Kristen just said "Oh really MARLENA? And why is that?!