Part 3

Kristen repeated herself, attempting to present the most innocent and confused look she could muster. "Why Marlena, Is there something WRONG with it?"

John thought to himself... there must be something I can do. Marlena has obviously had too much to drink, she told me herself we couldn't let Roman know about us. She must overwhelmed. I guess I should cover for her... but how?

And he said the first thing that came to mind. "Oh Marlena, this isn't your ring... Its just similar. " then added to Roman "She probably thought this was the ring that she asked me to get cleaned for her today. But I just dropped that one off at the penthouse with Chelsea." Turning his attention to Marlena he added, "Sorry I know you wanted to wear that ring tonight but the jewelry shop closed early because of the holiday."

"John, You are such a good friend to Doc." Roman said. "Why knowing you were here to watch out for my girl the whole time I was away just lifts my spirits. To think I worried about her... I always had such a bad feeling that she was in trouble or upset (at which point John inwardly winced... she was UPSET and she was in DANGER... from the witch clinging to his arm right at that moment!) but now I know she had such good family and friends to look out for her."

"That's right partner... I just want Marlena to be happy" John added for Marlena's sake and looked up at her. And he realized her lovely face face was filled with hurt and rage... and she was directing it right toward HIM! She was mad at HIM!!!! After he had just made a huge sacrifice to keep Roman from finding out her slip up! He was shocked! For the first time in a while, John felt himself becoming annoyed and the woman he loved... sure he understood what she was going through, but DAMN why couldn't she understand that this was just as tough on him as it was for her... more so in some ways... he had to deal with Kristen at his side... pretending to be his loving wife...worse than that he had to pretend to love her! He watched Kristen slide Marlena's ring onto her finger... and she squealed in delight.

"Oh Marlena isn't it lovely. Have you ever seen sure a perfect diamond?" She purposely tormented Marlena with each word. Then she turned her attention on Roman and added playfully tapping at his arm..."When are you gonna get a rock like this for Marlena? Don't you think you've wasted enough time?" Roman simply grinned at Kristen, after the way he had felt last week holding Marlena's best friend in his arms, when she was so grateful to him for saving little Abbey...he didn't feel he should rush into things with Marlena. Not that such a classy lady like Laura Horton would want him...... but it wasn't fair to Marlena to ask her to marry him when he was having these thoughts about another woman.

Marlena continued to grow angrier and angrier. Sometimes life just is not fair she thought. That Bitch.... She tried to take the man I love... then take me away from my kids... then did everything in her power to ruin our happiness. She lies to Roman. She has Eric hating John. She's almost worse than her monster father... shes a demon in training! With that she picked up her next glass of champagne off a tray as a waiter wandered past her. She took a long swallow. Kristen and Roman continued to talk about some charity event next week. Her eyes and thoughts turned to John. He had the nerve to look angry at her. She looked at his hansom face and noticed the darkened look in his eyes. What was wrong with him... He gave Kristen HER engagement ring and then had the nerve to look angry! She took a deep breath and gathered her wits. Beginning to feel a bit tipsy and well beyond angry, she opened her mouth and put her foot right in it.

"So John, I think it was a wonderful idea to give Kristen that ring. Shows how much YOU CARE." she said. And figured THAT would get the point across. John looked speechless. He was hurt. This woman he wanted to give his heart and soul to had just told him that it was a GOOD idea to give her that ring... It had been the last thing in the world he had wanted to part with. Then insinuating that he didn't care.

He opened his mouth wanting to tell her how he really felt about giving Kristen the ring, and stopped. He couldn't. How could he open his mouth in front of Roman after he had sacrificed the ring into Kristens clutches. Instead he said "Marlena there is something about Belle I would like to discuss with you in private. Could we go out to the balcony." He kept his voice calm. He tried to take her arm but angry she yanked it from his grasp.

"Oh not now guys... Its only a minute to midnight!" Roman said.

"We will discuss it tonight though." John said. Kristen smiled wickedly.

"Oh... come on... It's New Years Eve... talk about children tomorrow." Kristen interrupted.

Around them people began to count down. And for the first time Marlena had an opening shot to get back at Kristen. Normally she wouldn't have used it, But Hey she thought ITS NEW YEARS EVE! and that bitch is about to kiss the man I love. So she reached for another glass of champagne and scored in Kristen's little game of insults.

"Now Kristen dear," Marlena began. "If YOU could have children, you would UNDERSTAND how even on such a festive evening, a man's and woman child is the MOST important thing to them." She drank down the entire glass of champagne and smiled right at her.

"That was uncalled for Marlena, and I think you've had far too much to drink." John said taking the empty glass out of her hand. But she just grabbed a new one off one of the seemingly endless trays.

Kristen looked angry for a moment then it was quickly replaced with happiness at sound of voices counting down midnight. "Oh John, it's OK. I know she had too much tonight. Come on they are down to few seconds... " And with that she loudly began to wave her noisemaker around and yell out the last second with the crowd.

Roman turned to Marlena and began to tear into her for what she said.

Johns head snapped toward Kristen in surprise when she yelled his name out. Kristen didn't waste a split second and planted a huge kiss right on his lips. Unable to pull back without letting Roman know how disgusted he was to be kissing her, he let Kristen kiss him.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! Marlena's mouth dropped open. HE WAS KISSING KRISTEN!!!!! Shock stiffened her spine. How could he.. she felt tears spring to her eyes... but she wouldn't let them fall. Her shock was interrupted by Roman. "DOC!" Her glass fell to the floor and shattered. Heads turned to look at her.

"What the hell is wrong with you tonight DOC!?" Roman demanded. What happened to the classy lady he once knew he wanted to ask. She was nothing like she used to be. He realized he was seeing her with new eyes. Did he really want to remarry this woman?

Marlena looked from Kristens gloating face, to Johns surprised face, to Romans angry face.

"Well? You gonna talk to me, Doc?" Roman demanded.

Not even caring just how drunk she had become, Marlena stood her tallest, pushed her hair back, and straightened her dress. She looked Roman in the eye.

"Roman, Drop dead." And with that she turned on her heel and headed straight for the elevator.