eight

Chapter 36
```````````

John went into the room where Stefano's cell was.

"Oh John, your finally here. So, what have you decided?"

"I will be back later, so you be ready."

"Don't worry, I will."

"I have to go, I don't want anyone to wonder where I am."

"Fine, I will see you later on today."

John shook his head and left the room. Stefano turned around and slammed
his fist into his hand.

"Yes! I will finally get my plan under way. And John, I will get you
away from Marlena and will have you once again. And then my darling
queen Marlena, will come to me, most willingly."

Stefano started to laugh.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*

Marlena looked around for John, and then she started to ask around to
see if anyone had seen him, but no one had. She went over to Roman and
put her hand on his arm.

"Hey Doc."

"Are you going in to see Carrie?"

"Yes, I was just waiting for Mike to come out."

They heard a door being open and saw Mike coming into the room. They
watched as he walked to the door and open it and leave.

"Hmm, Mike looks upset," said Roman.

"I am sure he has a few things on his mind."

"Yes, your probably right. Well, I better go in and see my daughter."

Marlena smiled and watched Roman walk towards the bride's room.

"Now, where is John?"

Then she noticed Kristen, standing over in a corner, looking around.
Marlena went over to her.

"What are you doing here?"

"I'm John's wife Marlena."

"No, your not!"

"Well, Roman thinks I am, so I should be here with my husband."

Marlena glared at Kristen and then moved closer to her.

"Let's take this outside. I don't want anyone to hear us."

Kristen looked at Marlena then walked towards the door as Marlena
followed. When they got outside they moved away from the doors, and
Marlena turned and glared at Kristen.

"I don't think Roman will care if your here or not!"

"Marlena, this is a wedding, John is invited, I am his wife, I should
be here after all with my husband, don't you think?"

Marlena felt the anger, as she looked at Kristen.

"John is not or never will be your husband."

"And your so sure of that? Marlena, you can't have the both of them,
unless, your planning to do what you did before, and hmm, sleep with the
both of them?"

Marlena's hand went across Kristen's face. Kristen put her hand up to
her cheek where Marlena had struck it. John was coming up the walkway
when he saw what was going on and ran over to the two of them.

"What is going on?"

Kristen rubbing her face looked at John.

"Oh, Marlena didn't like the truth."

Marlena looked at John.

"I'll be inside."

John watched Marlena walk away and then he looked at Kristen.

"And that was?"

"We would be together!"

"I don't think that was all of it."

"It doesn't matter, tell me, what are you doing about Stefano?"

"I'm going later, right after the wedding."

"Good, I will have everything ready if you tell me what you need,
since I am not welcome at this wedding."

John looked at Kristen with puzzlement on his face.

"Your not coming!"

"Yes, I am, I told Stefano, and he agreed. If you don't let me come,
I'll tell Abe everything. So, you have no choice."

John put his head down and then looked up at her.

"Okay, what choice do I have."

"None, now, tell me what you want me to do."

John explained what he needed and Kristen shook her head in agreement.

"I will see you at the station, I will be waiting out front."

"Fine, I have to go, you know it's bad enough that I have to break
Stefano out and betray a friend, but having you along is all I need."

"And I love you too!!"

Kristen leaned over and planted a kiss on John's lips and walked away.
John wiped his lips off and went into the church. Hope came out from
where she was standing, in shock, by what she had just heard."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Well punkin, here is the big moment. Are you ready?"

"Yes Dad. I am so glad that you are here for this wedding, and walking
me down the aisle."

"So am I sweetheart, so am I. I only have one regret, and that your
sister is hurt by all of this."

"Dad, I wanted to tell her the truth earlier, but we were told not to,
it may have done more damage than good. If her memory has returned, t
hen she still might try something."

"Well, no one has seen her here, so I don't think you have to worry."

There was a knock, and Marlena popped her head in.

"It's time."

"Okay Doc, we will be out in a minute."

She shook her head, and closed the door. Roman took Carrie's hand and
they went to the door.

"I love you punkin."

"I love you Dad."

"Let's go!"

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Hope went into the church, and looked around for John. He was sitting
with his kids.

"I'll talk to him after the wedding," she thought.

Carrie came out with Roman and Marlena went over to them.

"Are you okay Carrie?"

"I'm fine, let's go."

Marlena went to the entrance of the church, and started down the aisle.
She smiled at John, and the children and turned to look to the back of
the church when she reached the alter. Roman and Carrie appeared and
Austin looked at her. She smiled at him, and they started down the
aisle. Mike came inside and sat down. He watched as the love he had
found, walk down the aisle to another man. He wiped away a tear, and
looked up to watch. Sami quietly went inside the church. She didn't know
how she was going to stop this, but she had to come up with something
and fast.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Carrie reached the alter, and Roman put her hand into Austin's. He
lifted the veil, and kissed her. As Roman lowered the veil, she saw
Mike, sitting in the back. Roman sat down and the two turned toward Fr.
Jansen.

"We are here today, to witness this blessed union between Carrie Brady
and Austin Reed. Austin and Carrie, you have come here willingly to this
church to commit to each other?"

"Yes," said Austin.

Carrie looked at Austin, and then back to the priest.

"Carrie?" asked Fr. Jansen.

"Oh... yes."

Marlena started to sense that something was wrong.

"Austin do you take Carrie as your wife..."

"WAIT!"

"Carrie, what's wrong?" asked Austin.

She looked at him, and then over at Mike. Marlena went over to her.

"Sweetheart, are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm sorry, please go on."

"Austin, do you take Carrie as your wedded wife, to have and to hold,
from this day forward. In sickness and in health, for richer, for
poorer, to love, honor, cherish, for all the days of your lives?"

Austin looked at Carrie.

"I do!"

Father Jansen looked at Carrie.

"Carrie, do you take Austin..."

Carrie looked at Austin, the priest, and then lifted her veil.

"I........"

To be continued.......

Chris Lewitski
Feb 11/98
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Chapter 37
```````````

Carrie looked at Austin.

"I'm sorry, but I can't go through with this!"

Austin moved towards Carrie and touched her arm.

"Carrie, what's wrong? Why can't you continue with the wedding?"

Carrie turned around and looked at the people who had assembled to she
her marry Austin. She saw Mike looking at her, with a puzzling look on
his face, as the rest of the guests. Carrie turned and looked at Austin
again.

"I am truly sorry," and Carrie threw her flowers on the ground, and
ran down the aisle, and out of the church. Marlena went over to Austin.

"What's happened Austin?"

"I don't know, I am as surprised as you."

Sami sat smiling, glad that she didn't have to do anything to stop this
wedding.

"Thank you Carrie," she said softly.

Roman came over to the alter, and touched Marlena's arm.

"Doc, what's wrong with Carrie?"

"I don't know Roman, Austin doesn't know why she ran out of here."

Eric looked towards the back of the church, and first saw Mike get up
and go out just after Carrie ran out, then he saw his twin, sitting
there, smiling.

"I wonder if you had anything to do with this Sami?" he thought.

He went over to Austin and put his hand on his shoulder.

"Austin, I think that you better say something."

Austin turned around and looked at Eric.

"What am I supposed to say? I don't know what just happened here!"

Eric went over to his parents.

"Mom, I'm going to say something to everyone. Austin isn't really all
together."

"Sure sweetheart, go ahead."

Eric stood in the center of the alter, and cleared his throat.

"I'm sorry, but I don't think their will be a wedding. I'm really
sorry!"

Eric watched as people were talking amoungst themselves, and he then
turned around and saw Austin still standing there. Eric went over to
him.

"Hey man, don't you think you should go after Carrie and talk to her?"

"I don't know if she wants to talk to me, I...."

Eric couldn't believe the reaction he was getting from Austin. He looked
at him, then put his hands up in the air.

"Oh hell," and turned and went down the aisle to go out of the church.

John got up and went over to Marlena, who was still standing with Roman.

"What is going on?"

Marlena turned and looked at John, the joy in her eyes, moved closer to
him.

"We don't know. I'm going out to talk to Carrie."

"Yeah Doc, she probably will open up to you, on what happened here
today," said Roman.

"I'll be back," and Marlena placed her flowers down and left the
church also.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*

"CARRIE, WAIT!" yelled Mike, as he ran after her. "What is going on?
he said as he reached her.

She turned around and he saw the tears running down her face.

"Oh Mike, please, take me away from here. I can't face anyone right
now, please!"

Eric was running towards them.

"Carrie, what's wrong? What happened in their?"

"Eric, I just can't do it. I can't marry Austin!"

"Why?"

"Please Eric, I don't want to talk about it right now. I just want to
get out of here!"

Marlena came over to the group.

"Carrie!"

"Please Marlena, I don't want to talk right now! Mike!"

"Okay Carrie, my car's over there."

"Where are you going Carrie?"

"Marlena, I'll call you."

Mike took Carrie's arm and they walked towards h is car. Eric moved
closer to his mother, and put his arm around her.

"Don't worry Mom, it will be okay!"

Marlena looked at Eric.

"How do you know that?"

"Carrie's just got things to sort, and she needs the time to do that.
And I think that the person she is with will help her."

"Mike?"

"Yep, I think he's the reason why this wedding didn't take place."

Marlena looked at Eric.

"You know something more, don't you?"

"Mom, Mike had a talk with Carrie last night, about this wedding,
asking her not to rush into it."

"He did?"

"Yep, and this morning, flowers arrived, with a note saying 'I'm
sorry'. Maybe that got Carrie thinking."

Sami was standing behind the bushes, listening, and was smiling.

"Could our little talk have something to do with this also."

"Let's give her the time Mom."

Marlena shook her head in agreement.

"We better go in and explain this to the family," said Marlena. "Eric,
we have to tell Austin something."

"We'll tell him Carrie has left, and she will contact him, that's all
we can say!"

Marlena nodded in agreement, and they both went back inside. Sami came
out from behind the bushes.

"Yes, I guess I did have a small hand in stopping this wedding."

Sami went into the church, to see what would be happening next.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*

John looked at his watch, noting it was getting late, and he had to get
his plan in motion. He knew that Marlena would need him now, along with
Carrie, but this was his only chance to get Stefano out! Roman's health
was the most important thing right now. They couldn't go on with their
lives until Roman was well. He saw Marlena with Eric, go over to Roman
and the family, talking to them, and then over to Austin. John waited
impatiently for Marlena to be alone. He saw her move towards Eric. When
she glanced in his direction, he nodded his head in the direction of the
doors leading outside. Marlena nodded and John left the church.

*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~

Sami walked up to Austin, who still was standing at the alter,
dumbfounded. As Sami approached him, Kate took Sami by the arm, from
stopping her to reach Austin. She pulled her over to the side.

"What are you doing?"

"I am going over to see how Austin is?"

"How he is, he's heartbroken! He doesn't understand what happened, as
I can't either."

"Kate, I told you, Carrie and Austin will never marry, and believe it
or not, I had nothing to do with this little surprise."

Sami gave a smile to Kate, and then walked away.

*~*~**~*~~**~*~*~*~*~~*

"I'm just going out to talk to John, to see if he can take the
children home."

"Marlena, why don't you all come over to the pub. I haven't seen them
for awhile," said Caroline.

"I'll see how they are, this is usually around the time Belle naps."

"Yes, your right, maybe tomorrow?"

"Yes, that would be fine, if you will excuse me."

Marlena walked away and Roman watch her leave.

"You alright son?" asked Shawn.

"Yeah Pop, just fine."

Roman looked around and saw Sami over talking to Kate, and then Kate
walking away.

"There's your sister Eric."

Eric turned around and saw that Sami had sat down.

"I'll go over and see what she's doing here?"

"No, don't do that. Sami, come here peanut."

Sami looked over at her father, and then got up and walked towards him.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~

Marlena went outside, where John was waiting.

"Did you talk to Carrie?"

"No, she wants sometime."

"Yeah, I guess she would. Doc, listen, I have to leave."

"Leave? Where are you going?"

"I have some business to take care of."

"Business?"

"Yep, it's kinda important. I really have to go."

"I was going to ask you to take the children home."

"I'm sure that Susan won't mind doing it. Why don't you ask Mickey and
Maggie to drop them off at the penthouse?"

"Yes, I'm sure that they won't mind. Caroline wants us to go back to
the pub."

John took Marlena's hand, and lead her out of plain view. He put his
arms around her, and held her close.

"Doc, I want you to know, that I love you so very much, and will
always be in your life. I want you to know that whatever you learn about
me, don't believe it!"

Marlena looked at John.

"What do you mean, what are you saying?"

"Doc," as he put his hand up to her face, "I can't talk about it right
now, but please remember, I love you always!"

"I know that you love me, and you are in my heart, you never forget
that, but John... the way you are talking, it's starting to scare me.
You sound like you are going somewhere."

John hated himself at that very moment, because he had to lie to her.

"No Doc, I just wanted to let you know how I feel about you. With us
not being able to express our feelings in public, I just wanted to
reassure you that I love you so, and the kids. I just can't tell you
enough."

John brought his other hand up to Marlena's face and brought her face
close to his. He looked deeply into her eyes, the love filling his heart
with the love pouring out of her eyes. He brought his lips close to
her's and then slowly placed them on her's. She put her arms around him,
and he put his around her, bringing her close to him. The kiss was so
filled with passion, and at that very moment, John wanted so much to
make love to her, just one more time. He was savoring the moment,
wondering when the next time they would be together. He moved away from
her, and saw the tears on her face. He wiped them away and kissed her
again. He brought his mouth close to her ear and whispered softly;

"Doc, I have to go."

"Yes, I better go also, Roman is going to wonder and I have to talk to
Maggie and Mickey. I'll see you at home then?"

"Yes, at home."

John kissed Marlena one more time, and then walked away. Marlena stood
their, watching him leave.

*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*

Marlena walked back into the church, and saw Mickey talking to Susan.
Marlena went over to them and asked Mickey if he could take Susan and
the children home. Once that was arranged, Marlena went over to the
children, who where standing by Shawn-D.

"Hey there!"

"Mommy, isn't Carrie getting married?" asked Belle.

"No sweetie, not today. Listen, Uncle Mickey and Aunt Maggie are going
to take you home with Susan and Elvis, so say good-bye to
Shawn-Douglas."

Both of children gave Shawn-D a wave and Marlena took them over to
Mickey. She kissed them, and watched them leave. Marlena went over to
the family, and put her hand on Eric's shoulder.

"Where's Daddy?"

"He and Sami are having a little talk.Oh, there they are!"

"Sami is here?" asked Marlena.

"Yep," said Eric.

"Why?"

"I don't know, but believe me, I'm going to ask."

Roman and Sami joined everyone.

"Sweetie, what are you doing here?"

"Mom, I thought I should be here at my sister's wedding, I had to show
Carrie and Austin that I am a different person, I feel so horrible for
what I did to them in the past. But what happened?"

"We'll find out all in good time sweetie."

"Well, I say we get the heck out of here," said Roman.

"The children on their way home Marlena?"

"Yes, I thought it would be best."

"Where's John?" asked Roman.

"Oh, he had some business. I'm sure we will see him at the house."

Roman looked around.

"Haven't seen Kristen, did she come?"

"I think John said she wasn't feeling very well," said Marlena.

"Oh, well, let's get over to the pub, I could use some of that
chowder."

"And it's time for your meds Dad!"

"Yep, your right Eric."

"Come on," said Shawn, and they left the church.

*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~

Mike pulled up to a building, and got out of the car. He went around to
the passenger's side and opened it for Carrie. She got out and Mike
closed the door. He took her hand and they started to walk towards the
front door.

"Mike, where are we?"

"My apartment!"

"Your apartment? I thought you lived at Jenn's?"

"I stay there once and awhile, but I got this place, just after Jack
moved in. The house was kinda getting crowded. Come on, let's get
upstairs."

They went inside, go ton the elevator, and went up to the apartment.
Mike put a protective arm around Carrie when they got off. Mike took his
keys and unlocked the door, and Carrie went inside, and Mike followed.
Mike closed the door and put his keys down.

"Let me find something for you to change into."

Mike went into his bedroom, and opened a drawer. He pulled out a large
tee-shirt and some sweat pants, and laid them on the bed. He came out
and saw Carrie had removed her veil.

"I put some things on the bed."

"Thanks Mike. Could you undo the back of this dress?"

"Sure."

Mike walked over and unzipped the dress. She turned and looked at him
and then went into his bedroom. Mike went into the kitchen and took out
two wine glasses, then opened the fridge. He took out a bottle of wine,
opened it, picked up the glasses, grabbed the bottle and went out into
the living room. He poured some wine into the glasses and waited for
Carrie to come back out. He heard the door being opened, and got up, to
see Carrie walking out, only wearing the tee-shirt.

"I guess the pants were kinda big. I'll get my bathrobe for you."

Mike went into the bathroom and came out with it. He handed it to
Carrie, and she put it on.

"Thanks Mike."

"I got some wine, I figured you could use it. Come on, sit down."

Carrie moved towards the couch, and sat down. Mike sat beside her. He
handed her the glass, and she took it. Mike watched as she took a very
large drink from her glass, then she put it down. He saw the tears start
to fall from her eyes again.

"Carrie, you can't keep this in, you have to talk about it. Tell me
what happened to make you walk out on Austin?"

She looked at him, tears still falling down her face.

"The moment Fr.Jansen started to recite the vows, everything you said
to me last night started to go through my mind, but there were other
things also."

"What other things Carrie?"

"I started to question if I was in love with Austin, or was I just
marrying him because that's what was expected of me."

"Carrie, if I added to you being confused, because of how I feel for
you, I'm sorry."

"No Mike, you didn't add to my confusion. I realized seeing you
sitting in the church, that I do have feelings for you, and I knew I
couldn't marry Austin, feeling that way."

Mike took Carrie's hand and again her tears started to fall. He brought
her close to him, and put his arms around her.

"It's okay Carrie, it's going to be okay!"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*

John walked into the police station, and went down the hall to where
Stefano's special cell was. He walked in and found Kristen standing by
the window, with Stefano looking out at her.

"John, your here," said Kristen.

"Look, we have to do this now, before the guard comes back, and anyone
finds out what I'm doing."

"No one knows of our plans," said Stefano.

John walked over to the window and looked in.

"Yes, there is someone."

"Who?" said Kristen.

John looked at her.

"Hope!"

"How?"

"She overheard us!"

"Then we better get this plan underway," said Stefano.

John looked at Stefano.

"Old man, you better be telling me the truth. You better have a cure."

"John, I do!"

John moved over to the keypad, took out the paper, and punched in the
numbers. John heard a click and then he opened the door. Stefano stood
there, looking at him, smiling!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Hope walked into the pub, looking for John, but didn't see him. She saw
Abe standing with Roman, talking. Hope didn't want to do what she was
going to do, but Abe had to know. She went over to them.

"Excuse me Abe, but I need to talk to you."

"Okay Hope, sure."

"Can we go outside? It's important!"

Abe nodded his head, and they both said their goodbyes to Roman and left
the pub. Marlena was talking to Laura, when she saw them leave the pub.
She told Laura she would be back in a minute, and decided to follow them
out. She saw them standing over in a corner, and decided to move closer,
so she could hear what they were saying.

*~~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~

"Abe, he's going to get Stefano out of his cell."

"Hope, he can't, he needs the code, and I'm the only one who has it,
and it's locked away!"

"Abe, I know he got it!"

"What?"

"He's not here, is he? Do you know where he is?"

"No, Marlena said he had some business he had to take care of."

Hope looked at Abe, and Abe knew what Hope was saying made some sense.
He became very angry.

"I can't believe that he would betray me like this."

"Abe, he wants to save Roman's life, if there's a cure, he will take
that risk, even if it means risking his life."

"You think it's a trap, don't you?"

"With Stefano involved, you never know?"

"Then we have to stop him!

"We should get over to the airport, head them off there," said Hope.

Then they both heard someone yelling;

"NO!"

They turned and saw Marlena standing there.

"NO! He wouldn't do that! John wouldn't let Stefano out, no, he can't
believe that Stefano knows of a cure. It's just an excuse to get out of
jail and get John out of Salem.

"Marlena, their is someone else involved in the plan," said Hope.

"Who?"

"Kristen," she said.

"Oh no, we have to go and stop him from doing this. He leaves with
those two, and I will never see him again."

Marlena started to run towards the parking lot, stopped, realizing that
John had taken the car. She turned and looked and Abe and Hope.

"We have to get to the airport! Please Abe! John gets on that plane,
and I have lost him forever!!"

Marlena, Abe and Hope ran to Abe's car.......

To be continued...
Chris Lewitski
Feb 16/98
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Chapter 38
```````````

John watched as Stefano walked out of the cell.

"We have to get out of here," said John.

"I have some clothes for you to change into Father."

"We can't do that here," said John. "Once we get out of here, and to
the plane, you can change there."

"Yes, fine, let's go."

The three of them left the room and made their way out of the police
station, out the back way, so no one would see them. They went to the
car and got in. Kristen started the car and drove it away.

"How did you get the code John?" asked Stefano.

"It doesn't matter Stefano."

"Does Marlena know about your plans?"

"No, and no one will know anything about this. By the time they
realize you are gone, we will be out of Salem. Why did you agree to let
Kristen come?"

"I had no choice, she said she would reveal our plan if I didn't
agree."

"And you believe her?"

"I would have John."

John looked at Kristen.

"I want you to know something, just because you are coming along,
doesn't mean you have a chance with me. I don't love you, anything I
felt for you is gone, after all what you have done."

Kristen smiled at John.

"Whatever you say John."

John looked out the window.

"We will be at the airport in a minute, the plane will be waiting for
us."

"Good! I will contact my people when we get on the plane and are in
the air."

"Yes, you do that! I want to get that cure, and then get back to
Salem."

"Yes, back to your precious Doc," said Kristen.

"To get back and save Roman's life."

"Are we there yet?" asked Stefano.

"Kristen, drive through those gates, that's where my plane is."

________________________________________________________________________

"How much further Abe?" asked Marlena.

"We're almost there. I can't believe that John would take this risk,
that he would do something like this," said Abe.

"He's desperate to help Roman get well," said Marlena.

"He doesn't want the Brady's to loose him again, as well as his
children," said Hope.

"I know Hope, but he has made the worse deal he could have made, a
deal with Stefano, the devil himself!" said Abe.

Hope leaned foreward and put her hand on Marlena's shoulder.

"We will get there in time Marlena, don't worry."

"I hope we do, Hope!"

"Abe, Bo would have done the samething as John, anything to help
Roman."

"But with Kristen going with them, my fear is that once John gets out
of Salem with those two, I will never see him again. She probably has
made some plan with Stefano to do something to John."

"I agree with Marlena," said Hope, "it would be the perfect time to
try and get John under their control. It would be Masion Blanche all
over again."

"Marlena, we are at the airport. Do you know where John has the
plane?" asked Abe.

"Drive up that way, yes, that's it, the gate up ahead."

"Look, there's a car parked," said Hope.

"Hurry Abe," said Marlena.

________________________________________________________________________

John, Stefano and Kristen were waiting in the hanger. Stefano had
changed his clothes while they were waiting.

"What is the hold up John?" asked Stefano.

"My pilot is just going over his check list. We might as well get
on...."

"JOHN....JOHN...." Marlena yelled as she ran into the hanger.

"Oh no!"

He turned around and saw her running towards him.

"How did you....?" then John saw Hope and Abe following her.

John hung his head down, knowing he was in terrible trouble. Marlena ran
over and put her arms around John.

"I can't let you do this!"

"Doc, I have no choice!"

"Yes, you do! Let Abe take that monster back to jail."

"Doc, I can't let him do that! He says he knows of a cure. Marlena, if
their is, Roman will live!"

"And if there's not, I may never see you again!"

"Marlena, I promise you, their is a cure, and I will take John to
where it is, and give it to him, so he can return back to Salem and give
it to Roman to save his life!"

Marlena turned around and glared at the man she hated most in the world.

"Your a liar! You are going to take John out of Salem, and you and
your demented daughter will make sure that he never returns!"

"Marlena, I am going to make sure that nothing happens to John," said
Kristen.

Marlena looked at Kristen.

"Kristen, I am supposed to be relieved that you are going to watch
over John, oh please!" said Marlena.

"Kristen, do you really think that we believe that," said Hope.

Kristen turned and looked at Hope.

"Who cares what you think."

Abe went over to John, and took his arm.

"I can't let you do this. First of all, your in very big trouble,
letting him out. Plus, you have betrayed our friendship."

"Abe, look, I'm sorry, but I have to do this. That man, back at the
manison, lying in that bed, I was him once, and each day that passes,
watching him die, I'm dying right along with him. I have to do this,
Abe, please understand!"

"Then, I'm going with you!"

"No, you have to stay here, in case. I need someone to watch over
Marlena and the kids."

"John, we have to leave," said Stefano.

Abe handed John a gun.

"You know that you will be a wanted man, once you leave here!"

"Yes, I know, but I have to help Roman."

John walked over to Marlena, and put his arms around her.

"I love you Doc, never forget that! I will be coming back, I promise!"

"NO! Don't promise me, I really will want to believe that you are
coming back to me, but, I can't trust those two evil people."

Marlena moved away from John, tears running down her face.

"I'll go with you! Yes! Then I can make sure your alright."

John looked at Marlena, wiping the tears from her face.

"No Doc! You have to stay here. I would be worried about you being in
the same company with him," as he pointed at Stefano.

Hope stepped forward.

"I'll go with you John!"

They both looked at her.

"NO!" said Kristen."Hope can't come with us. She's not a part of
this!"

Hope looked at Kristen.

"Why not Kristen, why is it okay for you to go?"

Hope looked again at John.

"I can keep an eye on those two, to make sure that we do make it back
to Salem, with a cure!"

John moved away from Marlena, and stood in front of Hope.

"Sorry Hope, but I can't let you risk your life, you have your son to
think about, and what would Bo say? He would be really upset to learn
that you are with me on this mission. No, I have to go on my own!"

Abe moved over to John.

"I think you should take Hope," said Abe."She's a good cop!"

"No Abe, I can't take Hope."

Stefano went over to them.

"Look, we must go. I'm sure they have discovered that I am gone. Say
your goodbyes, and let us get on the plane. Come Kristen, let's get on
the plane."

Kristen looked at Marlena, and smiled at her.

"Good bye Marlena."

As she walked toward the plane, she softly said aloud;

"Now I will have John alone, without your interference, from you
Marlena."

Marlena watched as Kristen left and then went over to John.

"No, please John, you can't leave me, we have made a commitment to
each other, to be together."

"Doc, we can't completely commit to each other if Roman is dying, and
I couldn't live with myself if there was a cure, and I didn't do
anything to get it. We both would have to live with that guilt, and I
know you, it would eat you up!"

Marlena put her head down, knowing he was right. He put his arms around
her, holding her close to him, knowing that he might not return form
this trip. He moved her away, and gently put his hands up to her face,
wiping away the tears, and then put his lips on hers, kissing her, then
he once again wrapped his arms around her, squeezing her, and whispering
softly to her;

"I have to go!"

He let her go, and she grabbed his arm, tears flowing, begging him.

"Oh John, please don't leave me! Please!"

John with pain and desperation in his eyes,looked at Abe. Abe walked
over to Marlena, took her by the shoulders.

"Let him go Marlena."

Marlena shook her head, and John ran towards the plane. Marlena broke
free and ran after him. Hope came out from the shadows and went over to
Marlena.

"Please tell Shawn-D that I love him and explain to Bo why. Tell him I
love him also! Tell Gran for me, I know she will understand why I am
doing this."

"Hope, no!"

"Marlena, I have to go!"

She nodded to Abe and took off towards the plane. Marlena watched as
John got on, and then he stopped and turned, blowing a kiss, and entered
the plane. Hope was right behind him, when they heard the sound of the
sirens. Abe walked over to Marlena.

"John isn't going to have much choice now, he will have to take Hope,"
said Abe. "Marlena, we h ave to get out of here! Come on!"

Marlena ran with Abe and then saw the door closing, the plane taxiing
down the runway.

________________________________________________________________________

John looked out the window, putting his hand on it, tears running down
his face.

"I'll be back Doc, I promise!"

Marlena put her hand up in the air, as she felt her heart breaking into
two.

"Come back to me John, you come back!"

________________________________________________________________________

Kristen watched John, disgusted by all of this emotional stuff for
Marlena. She thought that he never showed feelings like this for her,
when they were together, and it made her angry. But she was with him
now, and that was the important thing. She watched as he turned around,
wiping the tears away from his eyes. Hope was sitting by him, and
Kristen watched as her hand went on top of his. She saw that they were
talking, but it was very soft so she couldn't hear what they were saying

"You know, you would have been off this plane, but I didn't have time
to argue with you, as the police had arrived. You shouldn't be here, you
know that!"

"You should know that you would have lost in the end, I was not
getting off this plane, you need me. You need someone along, so a fast
one is not pulled on you, because their is no way that I trust those
two, so no matter how much you would have argued with me, I wouldn't
have gotten off!"

"You are so stubborn!"

"Yep, that's what Bo says about me all the time!'

"And speaking of Bo, he is going to be really upset when he finds out
that you are here with me."

"He won't, he'll understand!"

"Oh yeah, he'll understand!"

"Don't worry about Bo, John. We should be home before he get's back
from Rome."

________________________________________________________________________

Stefano went over to the phone and picked it up.

"What are you doing old man?"

"Calling my people, telling them we are on our way."

"Okay, tell them to have the cure ready, so all we have to do is
refuel the plane, and head back."

"Yes, fine, I will."

Stefano punched in some numbers and waited. Someone picked up the phone.

"Hello, it's me."

"Mr. DiMera! You are on your way?"

"Yes, how is everything?"

"Fine Mr. DiMera. Everything will be ready!"

"Good! See you in awhile!"

Stefano hung up the phone.

"Well, what did they say?"

"They are waiting for us to arrive."

"Good! Then we can get the cure, and get back home."

Stefano looked at John and smiled. Hope watched Stefano, and didn't like
the look he had on his face. She felt that he was up to something.....

To be continued.....

Chris Lewitski
Feb 26/98