John and Abe were driving towards the Dimera mansion at a fast clip, Abe behind the wheel. John remembered that Kristen had given Susan the night off and they didn't know where to find her. They decided to confront Kristen with what they had about Marlena's kidnapping and then act as if they were certain that she had hired Susan to have John Jr. by claiming to have already spoken to her and then hold the exhumation of Peter's grave over her head to let her know that they were serious about their belief that she was involved in Marlena's disappearance this time. They hoped she would confess everything but especially Marlena's location. John was dreading it because he wasn't quite sure how he could face her, knowing the lengths she had gone to and the fact that she had done such a good job of hiding her deceptions from him. He was angry at Doc too. He felt that she and Kristen had been pulling the strings in his life for a long time and he was just some puppet, blindly existing in a life that was not his choosing at all, but Doc he could forgive. She was trying to protect him and despite his anger, he knew the moment he saw her again, he wouldn't even be able to tell her he was ever mad at her, he wouldn't even require an apology from her for keeping him in the dark about Kristen so great was the power of her presence over him. All she had to do was walk into a room and nothing seemed that important. When she was near, anyone could read the peace that came over John and he wasn't a fool despite the fact that he felt like one, he knew it was there too - his features softened and his heart beat a little faster and his smile came more quickly. He was dreaming of her hand on his cheek, a gesture in and of itself that always took away any other thoughts but her, looking at him like a woman deeply and passionately in love, wanting with every ounce of his being to believe that she loved him, but still harboring some doubt that hinged on the fact that it was just too good to be true, that somehow he just didn't deserve to have a second chance at so much happiness in a life that had otherwise not been terribly kind. He knew he was a lucky man to have had Doc and Isabella, even Dianna but he didn't feel so lucky to have lost them all as if he was never meant to be happy for very long, as if he was only allowed to experience happiness long enough to know exactly what he was missing. He was trying to shake off that feeling by promising himself and Doc and God that if he could just have another chance with her it would be forever when Abe announced that they were almost there.
"John? Did you hear me? We're almost there."
"Yeah, yeah Abe I heard you."
"You okay?"
"Well let's see Doc is missing and I think my wife, oh wait she may not even be my wife, is responsible for that and I'm about to confront her with it. . ."
"I'm sorry John, stupid question."
"No, I've got to be okay. Doc is counting on me. I can do this if that's what you mean. I'm angry enough to do anything. I'm glad you're with me partner. I need you there. I've got to keep my cool."
"Here we are. You ready?"
"As ready as I'll ever be."
At Jen's house, Laura was fast asleep, safe in the knowledge that she'd delivered the information she'd remembered to John and that he was taking care of it. Lynn, on the other hand was pacing back and forth, wondering what she was going to do. If Laura wouldn't let her in the room, how was she going to give her the medication and how was she going to break the news to Kristen. She had to call her but she didn't want to. She decided to wait a little longer, maybe try once again to give Laura her pill and then she'd call.
Susan heard the door open and close downstairs. She jumped off the bed, put her Kristen teeth in and gave herself the once over in the mirror. She heard voices which alarmed her. Marlena called Kristen out of the bathroom.
"Kristen you don't want to miss this. John is home and Abe is with him." Kristen came running out as the two of them listened to John calling Kristen downstairs.
"Kristen, Kristen."
"Yes John," Susan called from upstairs.
"Could you come down here please. Abe and I want to talk to you."
Oh no, Susan thought. Dr. Evans was right. He does know. What am I going to do? This wasn't supposed to happen. She walked down the stairs with all the Kristen charm she had rehearsed and mastered.
"Hi darling. Is there news about Marlena? What's going on."
"Well, we were going to ask you the same thing."
"What do you mean honey?" Marlena and Kristen had to hand it to her. She was doing a very good job under the circumstances.
"Let's go in here and sit down, shall we?" Abe offered. John and Susan complied.
Once there, John looked at Abe uncertain on where to begin. This was harder than he thought it would be. Despite the evidence stacked up against her, he was still having a hard time believing that Kristen was capable of doing the things he was about to accuse him of. She looked worried and his gut reaction was to protect her but he knew he couldn't this time.
"I think I'll have a brandy. Kristen would you like one? Abe?"
"I'm on duty partner."
"No thank you, " Susan replied.
"Very well, you won't mind if I fix a little something?"
No one said anything because he was already busy fixing himself a drink. When he was finished he turned to Susan until she felt uncomfortable enough to look away and sit down next to Abe. John took a sip of his brandy, letting the taste of it linger for a moment before he spoke.
"Kristen, today has been a very enlightening day in my life. I went over to Marlena's this morning hoping to find some information that might help me find her and you are not going to believe what I found."
"What's that honey? Do you know where she is?"
"No I don't but I'm thinking that you probably do." Susan's eyes grew wide but she didn't miss a beat.
"Now why would you think something like that?" she asked and then laughed as if it was the most ridiculous thing she'd ever heard.
"Let me see. Where should I begin."
Marlena was ecstatic and Kristen was mortified but neither woman spoke because they were busy watching the intense scene unfold before them.
"I discovered several things today. Shall I list them." Susan sat down, not answering, and John's anger was really starting to show.
"I know that you found the letter I wrote to Doc in Aremid and that you hid it from her. I know that you told Stefano what plane she was on. You were the only person that knew. I know that you lost our baby in Paris and that you hired Susan to have our child and pose as you. I have no idea how you pulled it off but you did, didn't you? We aren't even married are we?"
"Yes we are John. We are married and that baby upstairs is ours."
John set his brandy glass down heavily, a puzzled expression on his face. Abe stood up and looked at the woman that just spoke and then he looked at John who was looking at him.
"What did you just say?" Abe asked.
"Oh, oh no. I never meant for it to be like this. Oh no." They were looking at Kristen but the voice with which she spoke was that of Susan Banks.
"Susan?" John ventured, stunned.
"Oh John, I never meant for things to happen this way. It's just that that Kristen she is sooo very mean and those vampires and John you are MY husband. You married me and I think you are the most wonderful man in the world. I would never do anything to hurt you. I just thought if we had a chance to be together you'd forget about Kristen and Dr. Evans. . ."
She was talking so fast that nothing she said made any sense but when John heard Dr. Evans, he jumped in, grabbing Susan by the shoulders.
"Get a hold of yourself Susan. Do you know where Doc is?" She looked away and nodded her head.
"Well you have to tell us where she is Susan, " Abe implored and she nodded again but couldn't look at either of them. John shook her a little,
"Where is she Susan?"
"She's down in the dungeon with Kristen."
"The dungeon? Susan you aren't making any sense." Susan was crying now. Marlena was dancing in circles and Kristen was screaming obscenities at Susan through the TV screen.
"Come on, I'll show you. She was going to lock me in there, she and those vampires but I wouldn't let her. She got Dr. Evans and then I put her in there too. I promise I wasn't going to let that Stefano Dimera take Dr. Evans, no sir but she loves you and I couldn't have her messing things up, " she babbled as she led them down the steps of the basement, John and Abe looking at each other in disbelief. When they got to the bottom of the steps, Susan pointed at the wine rack.
"Well? If they are in there, open it." John said. Susan sulked over and removed the magic bottle of wine and the first thing John saw was the relieved look on Marlena's face. Abe rushed in the room and Marlena hugged him and then turned to Kristen who looked like a deer caught in the headlights of an 18 wheeler. John looked on still in disbelief.
"Well Kristen. It seems that the game is finally over and I'll see to it that you pay dearly for what you've put me and my family through and let's not forget about Laura and Jennifer and Jack and Abby." She stared at her for a long time before turning her knowing gaze to John. Abe was on his cell phone calling for back-up to make the arrest. Susan was trying to sneak up the steps but Marlena saw her out of the corner of her eye.
"Susan?" Susan turned.
"Susan I want you know that I am going to get you the help you need and I am going to see to it that you and Elvis are together."
"Dr. Evans I'm so sorry. You were such a good friend to me and I wasn't very nice to you at all, no I wasn't."
"It's okay Susan. It's not your fault but you need to stay here because the police are going to have to question you."
"I cain't go to jail Dr. Evans I cain't."
"Susan I'm going to help you. You aren't going to go to jail. You have to trust me okay. I want to help you and I will if you let me." Susan just nodded.
"Come back down here and we'll wait for the police to come. They'll just want to ask you a few questions and then we'll take care of you."
John heard her say "we'll" and when he looked at her she was looking at him and he saw in her eyes the same look he'd seen in his dream on the way home with Abe, the look of a woman who was deeply in love. He wanted to take her in his arms but Kristen came into view and he turned to her.
"I don't even know what to say to you, " he started. Kristen just downcast her eyes. She knew she was defeated and she didn't know what to say to him either. What she'd done could not be explained away by I love you, she knew that much. He was hurt just looking at her there and all her could do was shake his head. Abe herded everyone upstairs and two confused police officers read Kristen and Susan their rights while John got a coat for Susan to wear over her nightgown and robe. Marlena assured Susan that she would meet her at the police station and would take care of everything but Susan wasn't convinced and she didn't want to ride in the car with Kristen.
"I won't bite you Susan," Kristen mused.
"I'll take you to the station," Abe declared and Susan sneered at Kristen as the cops led her out of the house. She turned and looked at John and he looked at her but they said nothing to one another. He wanted to talk to her but he didn't want to do it now.
"John, Marlena, you'll come to the station soon."
"Yeah partner, we'll be there soon."
Abe led Susan out the door and John closed it behind him. When he turned around he was face to face with his precious Doc and her eyes were filled with all the love he wanted to find there. He couldn't help smiling at her and she couldn't help smiling back.
"I love you, " she said.
"Oh Doc, " he said going to her and holding her head in his hands, "I love you too." And then he hugged her, both parties relieved to be in the safe harbor of each other's arms. When they parted she looked at him with those teary doe eyes that melted his heart every time and he moved in tentatively for a kiss, breathing in the moment, both of them anticipating the release of the tension that had been building between them for such a long time - too long. She took him off guard gently by placing her hand at the back of his head and pulling him in for a kiss that he would never forget. They seemed to be holding on to each other for dear life and when they parted they only did so because they had to come up for air. She was so happy to be out of that room and it seemed at that moment all her dreams were going to come true, and she had no room for anger or hate or even regret. She was in fact giddy with happiness and despite John's shock in discovering Kristen, he had to admit that it was contagious. All he'd ever really wanted for as long as he could remember was standing right beside him and she was happy just to be there.
Lynn was still pacing at Jen's house trying to decide what to do, when she was grabbed from behind, a hand over her mouth, "Don't say a word Lynn, " warned the voice that she recognized as the grip he had on her was released. She turned and blurted out in a whisper, "Stefano," despite his warning. He just smiled and said hello.
"It seems we've got some problems Lynn. Laura is remembering far too much. In fact I think it's too late to do anything about it. If I know John Black as well as I think I do, he is on his way to the police station right now with MY lady of the night to stand by her side while she presses charges against Kristen. They'll be wanting to hear from Laura in the morning and we can't let that happen. I can handle the charges against Kristen from Marlena but with Susan and Laura mixed in the fray, Kristen doesn't have a chance. We have got to begin damage control immediately."
"And what do you suggest we do about Dr. Horton?" She didn't really want to know but she had to ask. The alternative to not helping Stefano was something she didn't care to contemplate. He smiled at her question. They were whispering, still in Lynn's room, and Stefano walked to her door, without a word, opened it and looked around to make sure that everyone was asleep. He closed it quietly and pulled a needle and syringe out of his jacket pocket and filled it with medicine in a vile from his coat.
"Her door is locked Stefano," Lynn quietly interjected.
"Gather your things Lynn and go downstairs. There is a van outside waiting. I'll need you to open the front door for me and then we are getting out of Salem for a while."
"I did not sign on for kidnapping Stefano."
"But didn't you Lynn? Whatever it takes, that's what you signed on for. We have one more stop and then we are going to disappear for a few months. Don't worry Lynn. I'll take good care of you and Dr. Horton. We will not be caught so you have nothing to worry about. Life with me will be a very comfortable affair. I know it will be to your liking. Now gather your things quickly and wait for me downstairs."
Lynn sighed and did as she was told. A few minutes after she got downstairs with her bag, Stefano came down the stairs with a sleeping Laura Horton in his arms. Lynn opened the front door and they got into a van complete with a mattress for the drugged Laura. With a wave of his hand, Stefano instructed the driver to take them to Kristen's.
At the DiMera mansion Marlena despite her happiness was worried about John. She knew that he would be brave and together for her, but she also knew that he had to be devastated by what he'd just discovered about Kristen no matter how happy he might be that she loved him and that there was nothing standing in the way now for them to finally be together, a family. Just the thought of it sent waves of relief down her body. Oh it was good to be out of that room and near the man she loved. She watched him as he fixed her a brandy.
"John?"
"Hmm?" he turned with her drink and handed it to her.
"You aren't having one?" He just nodded his head and brushed a stray hair behind her ear letting his hand rest on the side of her head.
"What a mess, huh?" She asked, her eyes filled with compassion. He nodded in the affirmative but couldn't take his eyes away from hers.
"God, you are beautiful Marlena." Her heart began to beat faster as it often did when he called her by her real name. She closed her eyes briefly letting the weight of her head rest on his hand. When she opened them, they were filling with tears again.
"I'm so sorry John. I feel so responsible for everything that's happened. I could have warned you about Kristen a long time ago. I could have told you that I love you with all my heart and none of this would have happened. I know you must be in a lot of pain. . ."
He cut her off by putting a finger to her lips very gently, tracing them slowly.
"I think we both tried to tell each other how we felt many times, we just always let something stop us. We both have felt so much guilt from the pain we caused with our affair Doc. We didn't want to hurt anymore people and look where it's gotten us."
They both offered one another half smiles and Marlena turned and took a sip of her brandy looking around the room.
"We can be together now," she was almost whispering as if she were saying it as a prayer.
"Yes we can and I want nothing more than to be with you Doc. . . ." he came up behind her and slipped his hands around her waist and she leaned into him relaxing her body against his while he continued, burying his face in her neck, "I love you so much and despite all of this, if it means we can be together, that's more than I ever dreamed was possible. We've been to hell and back and we just get closer and closer. This love was meant to be."
She turned around, putting her arms around his neck, careful not to spill her brandy on him. Her eyes were filled with passion and tenderness and complete trust. She was safe. Nothing could ever hurt her again. She was home.
"Yes it is, " she said and then they kissed very gently, brushing their lips against one another as John traced the outline of her jaw with his finger. They both knew that they had to go and deal with the matter at hand but neither of them wanted to so happy were they to be in each other's arms.
Just as their kissing was on the verge of heated passion, Alliana walked into the room. She had been reading a newspaper and so she did not see them until she was right on top of them.
"Oh, Mr. Black, Dr. Evans, I'm sorry," she stammered, a look of shock apparent on her face. John and Marlena broke apart quickly, feeling as if they'd been caught doing exactly what Alliana thought.
"Alliana," John blurted rubbing his forehead. She turned to walk out of the room but Marlena called her name and asked her to wait. She turned and John and Marlena looked at each other, not certain what to say but aware that she needed to be told what was going on.
"Alliana, please come and sit down. Mr. Black and I need to talk to you." She was reluctant. Kristen was her employer after all and she was loyal but she liked these two before her very much and she wanted to hear their explanation for what had just happened. They told her most of the story and asked her to stay and take care of the baby until they could arrange something for Susan. She agreed and John and Marlena out of the holding room, forcing her down the steps with her gun just as Marlena and John were on their way up the elevator. They were met in the hallway by Abe who had just discovered that the baby was gone. Looking around for Susan, they also realized that she was missing too. None of this was lost on Kristen who smiled in the realization that this affair was far from over. Stefano had arrived and it was better late than never.
Get your own Free Home Page