The gravity of the situation was weighing heavily on John's mind. Susan and the baby were gone and Stefano had to be the responsible party. As he stood in the hallway waiting for Marlena to finish giving her statement, everything that was happening hit him like a ton of bricks and he felt genuine anguish not only for the level of Kristen's deception and his own blindness to it, but also for everything Doc had been through and Susan and the innocent child, a pawn in some sick plot to keep him from learning the truth. Hurry up Doc, I need you, he thought to himself as he fixed a cup of coffee, a look of despair upon his face. He heard some movement behind him, and thinking it was Marlena, turned only to see Kristen, being escorted by an officer. Their eyes met and John was not prepared for the emotions that seeing her there in handcuffs was causing him to feel. He couldn't face her right now. He didn't know what to say to her - not while his emotions were so raw, but Kristen read in his eyes pain and hurt just as he read guilt and shame in hers, but she also saw anger and betrayal and she looked away, unable to bare the thought of him hating her, as she continued down the hall. He watched her go wondering how she had come to this, then grabbed his coffee and went to Abe's office to see why it was taking Marlena so long. She was the only thing that could keep him together right now, in the face of the truth. Her truth, that she loved him and wanted to spend her life with him, was the only thing that made any sense in the whole entire mess and he needed to be near her. She gave him the strength he needed to get through this. It was going to be a long road but at least he knew he could trust her even in an intensely vulnerable moment, moments that he'd had enough of in this lifetime, when he could trust no one else and felt as if he never would again trust another living soul. She would be his saving grace now as she had been many times before and that was supreme comfort. Nothing could be so bad that they, together could not get through it.
He stood outside of Abe's office watching her tell him about everything she knew Kristen had done and he wished he could have been there for her all those months when she was suffering with a knowledge that she could not bring herself to tell him for the sake of a child that she'd found out was not really his at all. He wondered how she found the strength, not just to go on but to be who she was, a wonderful, compassionate and loving person, after everything she had been through in her life at the hands of the Dimera's, and he realized something he already knew, that they were in the same boat and they made it because that was the only way for people like them. They both loved life, with all it's sorrow and heartbreak, because without it there would be no joy and happiness, and it was that love that made them survivors. Suddenly he wanted to talk to Kristen. He felt that he had to talk to her before he left the police station and he hoped Abe would give him some time alone with her tonight. He had to have closure before he could start a life with Marlena and he wanted to start that life immediately and to do that he had to begin to put all of this behind him. He owed it to Marlena and Brady and Belle to get on with it. They had already wasted enough time and he wasn't going to waste any more and that meant dealing with this situation head on and working to get past it and that had to start now.
At the pier, Vivian and Ivan jumped when they heard a noise behind them. When they turned they were face to face with Stefano and their hearts sank. They had been hoping that he wouldn't show but no such luck.
"Good evening Vivian, Ivan." They just looked at him, a little frightened if the truth be told but they tried not to look it, or at least Vivian did.
"What can we do for you Stefano?" she asked.
"Ah I'm glad you asked. I need you to dig up Peter's grave and get rid of the body that's in there and then I need you to make it look like no one ever tried to dig it up and I need you to do it tonight."
"What!!??" Vivian exclaimed, incredulous.
"My dear, dear Vivian. You are to go and dig up Peter's grave. When you have finished you are to call a number that I am going to give you and someone will come and collect the coffin. Then you are going to make it look like no one was ever there. That might be a little tricky but I'm sure you'll not disappoint me. It is actually very simple. I'll even provide the shovels," he retorted and then handed her a slip of paper with a phone number on it.
Vivian was thinking to herself that he was a genius. She had just been contemplating jumping ship as soon as she'd gotten word that Marlena was free and Kristen on her way to jail, but if she agreed to do this, and she would agree, she really had no choice - after all this WAS Stefano Dimera, she'd be in too deep to turn herself or anyone else in.
"All right," she said flatly.
"Madame," Ivan started, shocked, but she cut him off.
"Ivan, shut up. We have no choice now do we?" He just looked at her long and hard and turned away feeling a bit faint, holding the back of his hand to his forehead. Stefano looked on with amusement flickering in his dark eyes.
"I'm glad you've agreed, " Stepfano smiled and then motioned with his hand for them to follow him.
Back at the police station John knocked on Abe's door and Abe motioned for him to come in. Marlena turned towards him as he entered and their eyes met and they smiled gently at each other as he moved over to put his arm around her. She leaned into his body and they stood like that while they talked to Abe.
"Finished here?" John asked.
"Yup," Abe said, "Unless there's more, Marlena?"
"No, I think I've covered everything I know. Laura might be able to add more, but Lynn is definitely involved in all of this so we need to call Laura and warn her," she said.
"I'll call her tonight," Abe replied.
"Good. I want to see her but I want to see the children tonight. I want them to be with us. I'm worried about Stefano and what he might do. If he's taken Susan and the baby. . ." but she didn't want to think about it so she stopped.
"Don't worry Doc, I'm going to make sure nothing happens to you and the children," he looked at her and held her more firmly to emphasize his point. She just nodded with relief that she was under his protection again.
"Listen Abe, I want to talk to Kristen before we go," John added rather nonchalantly and Abe and Marlena's eyes met with concerned looks.
"John, I think maybe you should wait. Give it a little time," Abe replied rather firmly.
"No, no Abe," said Marlena, trying to find her words and separating herself from John as she continued, "No I think it would be a good idea. I really do, Abe. John's right, if he's ready to talk to her I think he should do it."
"Thank you Doc," John said quietly.
"Well I've had plenty of time to vent my feelings with her and you need to do it, the sooner the better. It will help. All of this is so new to you and so shocking, I'm sure. (Pause) I want to go see the children though. So why don't we get an officer to take me to the pub while you take care of what you need to do and then you can meet us there and we can go home."
"That sounds like music to my ears Doc." Everyone smiled.
"Then it's settled," Abe stated, "I'll get someone to take you Marlena, and John you'll have to wait a few minutes before I can get you in to see Kristen. I'll leave you two alone for a minute, " he offered and went out the door closing it behind him.
Marlena and John both started to talk at the same time, asking the same question and then answering it at the same time as well.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes."
They both sighed and chuckled lightly.
"I'm going to call Caroline. She probably has no idea I've been found and I want to make sure the children are awake so we can take them to the penthouse." She dialed the phone while John fiddled with some papers on Abe's desk.
"Caroline?"
"Marlena!!!" the woman shouted in excitement on the other end of the line.
"Yes it's me. I'm fine and I'm coming over to get the children. I'll explain everything when I get there."
"Where's John?" Caroline asked.
"He's right here with me. We are at the police station. He's got to take care of some business here but then he's going to come and get us at the pub. I miss my babies so much and I don't want to spend another second away from them."
"Okay, Dear. I'll keep them awake until you arrive. I'm so relieved you're all right. Thank God."
"Yes, thank God - and John. He found me tonight. I'll be there soon."
When she hung up Abe knocked and entered.
"Are you ready Marlena? We have a car waiting for you." Marlena looked at John, not certain that she was quite ready to leave him..
"You go on. I'm fine. I've got to do this." He turned to Abe. "Give us another second partner." Abe gave an understanding nod and closed the door.
"Doc. I'm going to make this right."
"I know."
"Come here." She did as she was told and he held her in his arms.
"I love you so much and I need you more than I have ever needed anyone," he whispered in her ear.
"I'm right here for you and I am not going anywhere. I'll be waiting for you at the pub and then we can start the process of putting our lives back together." She touched him tenderly and he felt like he could face anything as long as she was waiting for him on the other side.
"Be careful. I won't be long," he said and then they kissed very sweetly and then he touched his lips to her eyelid and then her cheek.
"I'll be careful. Take as much time as you need. Come on, walk me out."
In the graveyard, Vivian and Ivan were carefully removing the grass on top of Peter's grave so that they could put it back once the digging was done.
"I can't believe we are doing this, Madame."
"Neither can I Ivan but we don't have a choice. Be careful with that grass Ivan. If we screw this up Stefano will have our heads or worse, we could wind up in jail beside Kristen and John and Marlena will have our heads. I'm sure Marlena has told the police everything and they'll be looking for us."
"What if someone catches us here Madame?"
"Well Ivan if that happens, it's all over. But no one is going to catch us. Look Ivan just shut up and dig, and give me a sip of that whiskey. My nerves are shot."
Little did they know that a man was watching them from behind a bush near by and he was wondering what the hell was going on. He wanted to stick around and find out but if these two were in trouble with the Salem P.D. then he couldn't risk hanging around. He wasn't ready to reveal that he was back in town so he quietly disappeared into the shadows of the night.
Abe led John to the holding room and they walked in. Kristen was sitting in a chair and she looked up when they entered. Abe dismissed the officer that was assigned to Kristen and then he too left, leaving them alone. Kristen looked hopeful for a fraction of a second, but when her eyes met John, she knew she had lost him for good. No amount of redemption on her part would tear him away his precious Doc now. She did feel horrible that she'd stooped to such levels but she knew she'd do it again if given the chance and she wasn't ashamed. The silence that penetrated the room for those first few moments was deafening. John looked so wounded and betrayed and Kristen watched him, sickened that it had come down to this. She wished she were dead rather than endure hurting him like she had.
"John, I never wanted to hurt you like this. I love you so much. I just hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me someday for everything I've done."
John cut his eyes at her, rage apparent.
"Oh God," she continued. "I can't stand for you to look at me like that. What do you want? Why did you come here?"
"Why did I come here?" He spoke the words bitingly slowly and continued, "I came here for two reasons. The first is that I would like to apologize to you, not that that is easy in light - in light - of all this." he made wide sweeping motions with his hands and went on," I have not been fair to you, or myself or Doc," he lingered on his nickname for Marlena a little too long and Kristen felt physically ill.
"I lied to you. I love Marlena and I always will and if I had known she loved me to, I would have been with her, but make no mistake Kristen, I loved you too, the person I thought you were, and I was prepared to live out my life with you."
"If you couldn't be with Doc!" Kristen's contempt for the woman and the situation were apparent in her voice and the fact was not lost on John, but he didn't miss a beat.
"That's right. And that's why I'm apologizing. The only reason I was with you was because I didn't think I could be with her and I was in denial about that and it wasn't fair to anyone, but I did love you and my love was blind, which brings me to the second reason I'm here. I don't want you to continue on with your life with the delusion that what you've done was done out of love for me. I will not allow you to blame your feelings or Marlena or me for what you've done."
"I do love you John," Kristen cried but John put his hand up.
"I don't want to hear how you love me, Kristen because you don't know what love is. Someone who loves another person does not hide letters and lie about miscarriages and fake pregnancies, buy babies and conspire to take a person away from their children forever. Shall I continue?" Kristen shook her head no. John was in a rage now.
"You are despicable, no different than Stefano and I should have known you'd succumb to his influence eventually, but I really truly believed that you were different."
"I am different!" She was standing now. "I am different, I am." She was crying as she tried to convince them both that she wasn't evil.
"You WERE different but now you are just another DiMera, and if I never lay eyes on you again, it will be too soon." Kristen was sobbing now a pleading look on her face.
"I am leaving," John continued, "But I am warning you, if you try anything, anything at all with Marlena or the children or me, there will be hell to pay. You have done enough damage and I will not let you ruin our lives. I will kill you before I let that happen."
Kristen's eyes registered shock at the words he had just said which cut through her like a knife and she moaned audibly.
"You are pathetic," he added, "but somewhere in there Kristen, is a person that I loved very much, and if you are smart and you want to lead a happy life, you will do everything in your power to find her again. She was a lovely person and I will indeed miss her very much. The odds are definitely stacked against you, but you know that don't you? Look around you, look at Stefano, think of Tony, think of Peter. Do you think they are happy Kristen? You can't buy, rob or steal happiness and if that's what you want then you have to unlearn everything that DiMera has taught you about how to achieve that because he has no idea what that is. He is a sick and twisted, evil man Kristen and he is going to rot in hell, right alongside Tony when his time comes. These are the last words I will ever say to you, so take them to heart: if you can search out that woman, that woman who was pure of heart and spirit then you can have everything you've ever dreamed of having, everything except me because my heart belongs to someone else and it always will. So forget me, but find yourself Kristen. You are in there somewhere."
He went to the door opened it and walked out as Kristen watched. She wanted to tell him she was sorry, that she did love him but he was gone and she sat down and cried as a new officer came on duty to watch her.
"Mr. DiMera wanted me to tell you that he is going to take care of everything."
Kristen looked up stunned as she dried her eyes.
hen John arrived at the pub, relief registered in Marlena's eyes and the children ran and jumped into his arms. The man from the graveyard watched the scene with a smile on his face and tenderness in his eyes. He was glad she was happy and she looked happier than he had ever seen her look before. He hoped it would last and he was there to help make sure it would.
Caroline and Shawn walked out in the night air to see John, Marlena and the children off. When they were gone, the couple looked at each other and shook their heads with relief.
"Well, it is nice to see them so happy isn't it?"
"Yes indeed and safe," replied Shawn putting his arm around his wife and pulling her close.
"I guess we better close up shop."
"Yup, I guess we better." But when they turned to go inside their jaws dropped at who they saw standing in the doorway.
"Pop, Ma," Roman greeted, a grin on his face that spread from ear to ear.
"Oh dear God," Caroline exclaimed running to her son.
"Shh, now. Come on let's go inside where we can talk," and he opened the door and held it for his bewildered but nonetheless ecstatic parents who entered looking at him as if they were in a dream and any minute the alarm would go off and snap them out of it.
When the door was closed, Shawn looked at his son, "Thank God you're alive."
"Come, come sit down. Oh let me look at you, " Caroline added but then felt a tinge of anger, "You have got a lot of explaining to do young man."
Roman laughed and Shawn turned to him seriously, "That's right, you do. You've put your mother and your children and Marlena through the ringer young lad AND me. We thought surely you were dead and now look at you standing here." Shawn gave a laugh that came from the very pit of his belly and he embraced his son in a bear hug, slapping him firmly on his back and them pulling him out from him at arms length, "Just let me get a look at you."
"Well, if you two are through giving me the third degree, do you think I could get a little grub? I haven't eaten a decent meal in months." Both of his parents scurried behind the counter to fix their son a fine welcome home meal.
"I've got to go and disguise myself. I can't risk anyone coming in here and realizing who I am, but I wanted you to believe it was really me so I took it off. No one is to know I'm here okay? I'll explain everything. I wanted you to know because, well, because I sure did miss you and I need a place to stay."
"Roman what is going on?" Caroline asked.
"Ma, I'll explain everything as soon as I get this getup on," he held up a suitcase that was in his hand and turned and went upstairs to change. Caroline and Shawn looked at each other in concern and went on making him a plate of food, a meal fit for a king. He wasn't gone long and when he returned they looked at him and could not contain their laughter.
"Roman Augustus Brady, who in God's name are you supposed to be?" Shawn got out through his laughing.
"Why, I'm Mrs. Nellie Washburn, from Tennessee and I'm your new boarder," he stated in a surprisingly effective female southern voice. Caroline held her hand to her mouth, looking him up and down. He looked like an old woman and if she'd run into him on the street she would not have known him as her own son. They were still laughing when the bell on the door sounded and they all turned to see Marlena come in.
"Oh good, you're still up," she said as she entered hurriedly. "We got half way home and realized we'd forgotten Belle's bunny." She laughed and Roman's breath caught in his throat at the sound of it. He even went a little pale.
"Oh dear," Caroline said, not so much in reference to the forgotten bunny but to the fact that Roman and Marlena were only a foot away from each other. The mother, father and son exchanged glances and then looked back at Marlena.
"Oh, I'm sorry, in the excitement of the bunny, I've forgotten my manners," Marlena said with a good humored chuckle. She held out her hand to the stranger, "I'm Marlena Evans." Roman took her hand quickly and gently pressed it as a southern woman would and smiled. Marlena smiled back. Shawn rallied in Roman's silence.
"Marlena, this here is Nellie Washburn, an old friend of ours from Tennessee. She's going to be staying with us for a time."
"Oh how wonderful," Marlena replied. "It is very nice to meet you. I used to be Shawn and Caroline's daughter in law."
Caroline jumped in, patting Marlena on the arm, "Yes and we are still very close. Shall I go get the bunny?"
"Would you mind. You probably know exactly where it is and everyone's waiting in the car," Marlena said with another laugh.
Roman's heart was beating fast. What a fool he'd been to let her go when this is what she did to him by just being in the same room. His legs were like noodles and there was a noticeably awkward silence in the room. When she was happy she lit up a room and he couldn't take his eyes off of her
"So how long will you be in Salem Mrs. Washburn?" she asked.
Roman stumbled for a moment but remembering the importance of his mission found his voice, or rather Nellie's, "Call me Nellie dear. I have known Shawn and Caroline a long time and who knows I might just stay for good." Shawn looked horrified so he went to finish up the plate he was fixing for Roman. Marlena looked askance at Nellie. There was something vaguely familiar about the way she was looking at her. Roman sensed this vague recognition and turned from her, towards Shawn.
"Where is that food you're supposed to be fixing me, Shawn Brady. I am starving."
Luckily, at that moment Caroline came in. She saw the puzzled look on Marlena's face and came right over with her biggest smile and the bunny, snapping Marlena out of whatever familiar feeling she had. She shook her head as if to brush off a thought and took the bunny with a smile, kissed Caroline on the cheek and waved goodbye to Shawn and Nellie,, who was busy with a mouth full of food.
"Thank you. Belle can't live without her bunny. I'll see you again I hope," she said referring to Nellie.
"I'm sure you will dear. I'm planning on staying for a while," Nellie said and winked.
"Well goodnight," she said as she went to put her hand on the knob of the door. Nellie coughed and Marlena stopped dead in her tracks and turned around, a look of shock upon her face which quickly turned to anger.
"Roman Brady!" she said in her most impassioned voice, causing everyone in the room to shrink a little.
"Well I guess I should have known I couldn't fool you Doc," Roman said in his own voice, standing and giving her his best smile. Marlena was not impressed. No one could make her as angry as he could and her eyes focused on him with a fire that he had seen before.
Meanwhile Abe had tried to call Laura to warn her about Lynn. When Jen went to get her, she realized that Laura was gone and so was Lynn. Abe was on his way over and he called John on the way. When the car phone rang, John picked it up quickly. Both of the children had fallen asleep while they were waiting for Doc. What was taking her so long he wondered.
"John Black," he said almost whispering, trying not to wake Belle and Brady.
"John, this is Abe. We've got a problem. Laura is gone and so is Lynn."
"Stefano?"
"I don't know what else to think. I've put double security on Kristen just in case he tries anything."
"Good idea."
"I'm worried about Marlena."
"You know she has been in the pub an awfully long time. I'm going to call. The kids are asleep so I can't leave them in the car unattended given the present state of affairs."
"I was on my way to Jen's but I'm going to swing by the pub on my way. We can decide what precautions we want to take when I get there."
"Allright partner." John hung-up and dialed the pub phone.
"Brady pub," Shawn answered.
"What's the hold up Shawn?" John asked.
"Oh, oh John. Hold on." Marlena broke her angered gaze from Roman and started to the phone which Shawn held, his hand over the receiver. Roman caught her arm as she passed.
"Don't say a word to him about this Marlena," he ordered which was not exactly the most tactful thing to do given her state of mind. She jerked her arm free and glared at him again.
"I am not going to lie to John, Roman." Suddenly it hit her that he was alive and her expression mellowed a little.
"Marlena please. I can explain."
"You always could," she replied still with an edge of resentment in her voice. He held up both his hands in surrender and she turned and took the phone from Shawn's hand.
"John, I'm sorry. I'm on my way out."
"Take your time. The children are asleep and Abe is on his way over and we've got to wait for him anyway."
"Oh, why's that?" she asked a little worried.
"Well it seems that Laura and Lynn are missing."
"Oh John, no." The tone in her voice caused everyone to look at her in concern.
"I can't leave the children out here alone. I just wanted to make sure you are okay."
"I'm fine,' she said looking at Roman, "I'll be out in a few minutes."
"Good, I miss you already," he teased.
"Not half as much as I miss you," she whispered, turning away from everyone else and leaning into the phone.
"Okay, well hurry up then."
"Yes sir!"
She hung up the phone and turned to Roman, Shawn and Caroline.
"It seems that Laura and her nurse are missing."
"Oh no," Caroline exclaimed.
"I'm afraid so. Stefano must have them," Marlena offered tears welling up in her eyes as she continued. "You know I just don't think I can take much more of this."
"Thank you for not saying anything to John, " he said.
She looked up at him distractedly. "Don't thank me yet. You've got some explaining to do. John is outside waiting for Abe so I've got a couple of minutes. Why don't you try to tell me something I haven't heard before and then maybe, maybe I'll let you off the hook."
Roman rolled his eyes at her, "Aren't you even just a little bit happy to see me?"
Her eyes really filled with tears. "How can you even ask me that? Of course I am but that doesn't mean you don't owe me one hell of an explanation. I can't even begin to tell you what I've been through these last few years, and your children. We all thought you were dead." The tears were falling now and he brushed one or two away with his thumb. She was waiting for an explanation and he wasn't sure he could give her one that she'd be understanding enough to keep from John.
As Abe pulled up next to John's car, a plane was taking off from Salem airport and it was carrying, Laura, Lynn, Susan, little Elvis, Stefano Dimera and Kristen Blake. If a person listened hard, they could hear his demonic laugh drifting through the skies. He would be back soon no doubt but for the moment a peace fell over Salem as he drifted out of it. Vivian and Ivan felt it even though they were still busy digging but they paused for a second as if they recognized that the air was a little easier to breath.
As if on cue, Abe's phone rang to inform him that Kristen Blake was no longer in custody. Somehow she'd gotten away and she must have had help from the inside. Following this news, Abe grabbed Brady and John grabbed Belle and they headed for the pub where Roman was very busy stumbling over his words as Marlena, not eager to make it easier for him, stood waiting for an explanation that would convince her not to tell John he was here. Shawn and Caroline looked up in shock when the foursome made their way through the door. The moment John looked at Marlena he knew something was wrong and he handed Belle to Caroline and made his way across the room to her.
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