“Well, at least one wedding turned out good John. It looks like Austin and Carrie won’t have to worry about Sami anymore.”, said Marlena.
It had been a really rough day learning that Sami was faking her amnesia. It was also horrible now that Roman knew the truth of John and Marlena’s relationship. Sami just had to ruin it for them.
“I agree with you Doc.”, said John as he held her in his arms. Marlena always felt safe in his arms. She loved how he was always there for her.
“Why did Sami have to tell Roman John? Now he is in worse condition than he was.”, said Marlena as she began to cry.
Then all of a sudden the phone rang. Marlena got out of John’s arms to answer it.
“Hello?” asked Marlena.
“Is this Marlena Evans?”, asked the person.
“Yes it is.”, she answered. She then looked at John.
“Miss Evans I’m Dr. Jones, and I’m sorry to inform you that Roman Brady has died.”, she said.
Marlena’s face went ghost white and then she dropped the phone to the floor. She then turned to John and said, “He’s dead John. He’s dead.” The tears just started to pour out of Marlena and John’s eyes both. John then went to Marlena and pulled her to him. There they stayed in each others arms, mourning over Roman’s death.
“Well Kristen, what do you want now?”, asked Stefano from his cell.
Kristen then went up to the window and said, “You better wipe that smile off your face cause your plan just blew up.”
“What?! What happened?!”, asked Stefano angrily.
Then Kristen said, “Sami showed up at Austin and Carrie’s wedding reception and told Roman that John and Marlena were together. He had a severe heart attack right on the spot.”
Stefano was furious. “Damn! Is he still alive?!”, asked Stefano impatiently.
Then Kristen replied, “No, he isn’t Stefano. Roman Brady is dead. There is no way you are gonna get out of here to take Marlena away! And there is no way I’m gonna get John back!”
“Marlena.”, cried Carrie. Marlena took Carrie in her arms and comforted her.
“Oh Marlena! How could Sami do it?! How could she?!”, cried Carrie.
Then Marlena replied with tears in her eyes, “I don’t know sweetie. I don’t know.”
Carrie then released herself from Marlena’s embrace. “She killed our father Marlena. She lead that heart attack on.”
“I know. And when I see her I’m gonna let her know it too. I wonder what this is doing to Eric though. He must be so heartbroken. I have to find him.”, said Marlena, looking around the hospital corridors incase he was there.
“He’s so sad Marlena. It’s hurting him most of all.”, said Carrie, trying to hold back her tears and sobs.
Then Marlena asked, “Where is Austin? Isn’t he here?”
“Yeah, he’s here. He just needed a break from all this tension. He just needs to be alone right now. After finding out Will isn’t his son and now my dad dead, it’s a lot to juggle in one day.”, said Carrie.
Marlena nodded. “John is talking with the doctor. Today has been a bad one Carrie. But at least you and Austin finally got married.”, said Marlena, trying to cheer Carrie up at least a little bit.
Carrie smiled a bit at that. But she was just to heartbroken over Roman’s death.
“Come on Carrie. Let’s go find your brother.”, said Marlena. Marlena then put her arm over Carrie’s shoulder and then they walked together to go find Eric.
“We just couldn’t save him Mr. Black, there was nothing we could do. Now if you will excuse me, I have other patients to tend to.” said Dr. Jones, and then he jogged away hurryingly.
John then sighed and sat down on one of the chairs and put his face in his hands.
“I’m sorry Roman. I’m sorry for what Sami did.”, said John sadly.
Then John felt someone touch him and he looked up.
“Doc. It’s you.” said John.
“Yeah.”, said Marlena. She sat down beside him and put her arm over his shoulders.
“So did you find Eric and Carrie?”, asked John.
Then Marlena replied sadly, “Yes I did. They’re devastated John. Eric especially. I’m just so mad at what Sami did. And I’m tired of this Kristen and Stefano charade!”
“Hello guys.” said a woman.
Marlena and John looked up and were shocked at who they saw.
“Kristen! What the hell are you doing here?!”, asked Marlena meanly.
Kristen said nicely, “I just wanted to come and pay my respects for Roman’s death.”
Marlena then jumped up and got right in her face and said, “You lying bitch! The only reason you came here for was to cause John and I trouble. And plus your little plan for getting Stefano out of jail back fired. So guess what Kristen, here’s a gift from me to you!”
Then Marlena slammed her fist right into Kristen’s face, sending her right down on the floor. Everyone from the hospital staff looked in shock. John then held Marlena in his arms while she cried.
Kristen got off the floor with a bloody lip and nose and stormed out of the hospital.
“Don’t worry Marlena. Stefano will get you, and I will have John!”, muttered Kristen as she headed back to the DiMera Mansion.
Chapter 2
Marlena and John stood together in the rain with the others mourning over Roman’s death. The funeral was nice, although nobody wished it would’ve had to happen. Marlena held on to John tight. She needed him now, probably more than she ever did. Even though she didn’t love Roman anymore, he was always in her thoughts.
Marlena didn’t even know the funeral service was finished until she heard someone screaming.
“I didn’t kill him! I didn’t kill my daddy!”, Sami screamed at everyone. Marlena and John were shocked to even see her there after what she did.
Marlena went up to Sami calmly and said, “After what you’ve done Samantha I think you should keep your mouth shut! You lead that heart attack on to your father! You have caused this family so much pain it hurts me to even think about it! You have a lot of growing up to do Samantha, cause if you don’t, you’re gonna be lost forever and no one is gonna be able to trust you!”
Sami looked at Marlena meanly. The way she looked at Marlena made Marlena’s eyes swell up with even more tears.
“If you’re gonna be like this Sami I suggest that you leave now.”, Marlena said.
Sami looked around at everyone. Everyone was so sad. Sami was just making things worse. So, without a word, Sami stormed away.
“So how does it feel Stefano? Knowing that you’ll have to spend the rest of your life in prison. Now that your plan didn’t go through you can say goodbye about gettin’ out of here, cause it ain’t gonna happen.”, said Kristen.
Stefano couldn’t stand being around her anymore. All she did was cut him down and try to belittle him because his plan with Roman didn’t work.
“Well Kristen. If you plan to be a little sarcastic bitch for the rest of your life, I won’t tell you my plans then.”, replied Stefano with a sly grin. He was playing chess as usual, which was getting on Kristen’s nerves.
Kristen’s eyes lit up though when she heard him say that. “What, you mean you got a plan already?! What is it?! Damn it tell me!!!”, raged Kristen while she slammed her fists on the bullet proof glass.
Stefano looked at her like she was severely stupid. “You think I’ll tell you my plans to get Marlena back after the way you have treated me!!!! You have wronged me Kristen Blake!!!! You have wronged me!!! And if I were you I’d be running like hell right now!!!”, screamed Stefano as he charged towards the glass.
Kristen jumped back in fear and ran. She was really frightened by Stefano that time.
When Stefano saw Kristen run he laughed to himself.
“Oh Kristen, my plan is so simple it would make your head spin!”, he said.
“Doc you need to relax.”, John said to Marlena. Marlena was making tea for herself and John back at the penthouse. Ever since the funeral she has been on edge.
“I know John. But if I sit down and relax all I will do is think of Roman, and how devilish Sami is.”, cried Marlena.
John then grabbed her in his arms and hugged her tenderly. Marlena welcomed the embrace. She loved it when he wrapped his arms around her, trying everything he could to make her feel better. Then John lowered his lips down to hers and kissed her tenderly. It was a long beautiful kiss between them. They haven’t been able to be this close since Roman returned in July.
When their lips came apart, all they could do was stare at each other.
“I missed this so much John. I couldn’t stand not being with you!”, she said.
John smiled as he caressed her cheek. Then, he kissed her again. And again. Then John swept her up into his arms and carried her to the stairs.
“Are you sure we should do this today?”, Marlena asked.
John smiled and said, “Doc, I have waited to long to be with you. I need to be with you.”
Marlena smiled back lovingly, and then he carried her up the stairs, and to the bedroom.
“Oh my goodness!”, cried Celeste.
Lexie looked in concern at her mother and asked, “Mom, what is it?”
Celeste looked with a terrified expression and said, “I fear for Marlena darling! She is in grave danger!”
“Why mom? What’s wrong?!”, Lexie asked in a alarmed tone.
“It’s Stefano darling! He’s going to get her! I don’t know how darling, but he will! But he does it with someone’s help!”, cried Celeste.
Lexie frowned and asked, “Who mom?! Who’s gonna help Stefano get Marlena?!”
“I don’t know Alexandra, but I feel he does it with someone’s help!”, Celeste shrieked.
Lexie looked at her mom and wondered if there was any truth to what she was saying. Lexie decided she’d have to go find out from Stefano himself.
Chapter 3
“Stefano, I need to talk to you.”, Lexie said.
Stefano turned around, and was surprised to see Lexie standing there. “Lexie darling! You came to visit me! I knew you would eventually want to get to know your father.”, Stefano said surely.
“Yes, that’s part of the reason I’m here.”, Lexie admitted, “But I’m also here to ask you something? God I hope you aren’t!”
Stefano looked puzzled as he looked at her. “What do you hope I’m not gonna do?”, he asked curiously.
“Are you planning to get out of prison to whisk Marlena away?”, Lexie asked.
Stefano smiled at the idea. “Now what makes you think I’ll get out of here Lexie? No one will help me get out of here. There is no hope for me to even get close to Marlena.”, he replied.
Lexie hesitated for a moment and said, “Maybe…I..could…help you…”
Stefano looked at her in amazement. Lexie was actually willing to help him get out of prison!
“What?! Are you serious?!”, he asked.
“Yes, I am. But only on one condition. If you will leave Marlena alone.”, Lexie ordered.
Stefano thought in his mind how stupid Lexie actually was by saying that! But it was his ticket out of here, so he might as well lie.
“Of course I’ll leave Marlena alone Lexie. Just for you my lovely daughter, I will follow your order.”, Stefano said nicely.
Lexie nodded with a smile and ran off. Stefano laughed to himself.
“Oh Lexie, I knew you just couldn’t forget me.”, Stefano said to himself with a chuckle.
“Okay Belle and Brady, you, Maggie, and Mickey are gonna have a lot of fun today. Don’t forget to call me when you get there.”, Marlena reminded them.
“Okay mommy!”, they both said in unison.
Marlena then turned to Mickey and Maggie and thanked them for taking them on the trip with them.
“No problem Marlena. They’ll have fun camping with us up in Salem Camp. But we better get going before noon. It gets really crowded and we might not get the good tents.”, Mickey replied.
“Okay then. Well you guys have a fun time and don’t forget to call! And I love you guys!”, Marlena cried while they walked down the hall to the elevator.
Marlena then closed the door and went to sit down on the couch to drink her morning tea and to watch the news. John was upstairs sleeping like a baby and she didn’t have the heart to wake him up. But all Marlena could think of was Sami’s actions yesterday at Roman’s funeral. Marlena kept wondering how Sami could be so vicious and cruel.
Marlena then turned on the television to watch the morning news. She was suddenly shocked by what she was hearing:
“Late last night Stefano DiMera found his way out of the law’s clutches again! Somehow the criminal got someone to get the access code to open the door to his holding cell to set him free! There is no sign of DiMera or the unidentified person who helped him out.”
Marlena was in shock. How could Stefano get out?! How could he?! And with all that security there!
Then Marlena heard a loud bang and she screamed at what she saw!!
Chapter 4
“John! John! Honey wake up! Please wake up sweetie!”, Marlena said nervously as she tried to shake John out of dreamland. Then John’s eyes opened slowly and he gave Marlena the most beautiful smile.
“Oh Doc. It’s great to see your lovely face as soon as I wake up.”, John said.
Marlena smiled and said, “Me too John. I feel the same about you. But I have some bad news John.”
John looked at Marlena with a confused expression. “What’s wrong Doc? Tell me.”, John replied while he reached for Marlena’s hand.
Marlena’s eyes swelled up with tears and she choked out the words, “Stefano escaped out of jail John.”
John then sat up and said in disbelief, “What?!”
Marlena nodded. She knew now Stefano was gonna do everything in his power to break them up.
“Someone helped him John. They don’t know who yet.”, Marlena said. Marlena then got up off the bed and walked over to the window and said, “You know what he’s gonna do John. He’s gonna come after me. He’s gonna try and break us up like before.”
John then got up and went to her. He put his arms around her from behind and whispered into her ear, “We won’t let him win Doc. We have to stay strong. No one can ever take away the love we share for each other. No one.”
Marlena turned around and looked at him in the face and said, “That’s not all John. When Maggie and Mickey came to pick up Belle and Brady, I heard a big noise downstairs. What if it was him John? What if Stefano was in our house?!”
As Marlena began to cry John held her tight, and he never wanted to let her go. Marlena felt so secure in John’s arms, so safe. She never wanted him to let her go, fearing Stefano’s next move.
Then Marlena said in a low whisper, “John…I wannna marry you. I wanna marry you as soon as possible. I want to be married to you unless Stefano tries to pull anything.”
John then held her face in his hands and caressed her cheeks and said, “Okay. We’ll get married as soon as possible.”
Marlena then said, “No. I mean now John. Now that Stefano is out of jail I fear what he will do. We have to get married today.”
John looked at Marlena for a few moments and then smiled, and then her lips and his met in a passionate kiss.
Stefano walked around Salem Place cautiously in his disguise. He was lucky he didn’t get caught at Marlena and John’s earlier today!
“That was a close one, but next time, I will be successful Marlena. And it will be very soon.”, Stefano thought in his mind.
“Kate I’d like to thank you for letting me and John use your house to get married. St. Luke’s is way to booked for us to get married. Thanks.”, Marlena said to Kate.
Then Kate replied, “Hey, don’t think anything of it. I can understand why you and John wanna get married so quickly. And besides, that’s what friends are for anyways.”
Marlena smiled and then her and Kate hugged a nice friendly hug.
“Well, did you invite everyone you wanted to invite?”, Kate asked.
Marlena then sighed and said, “Yes. It took such a long time to call everyone. Mickey and Maggie decided they would come back for the wedding. They said they wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
Then Kate said, “Well, I guess we’re gonna all use the same gowns we were gonna use for the other wedding. Carrie and the others should be here anytime now.”
Marlena nodded and smiled. Her dreams were coming true. She would be marrying John later that day. It was on very short notice, but they didn’t want to take a chance with Stefano.
“I’ll take those rings there.”, John said to the jeweler. The jewler took the rings out of their cases to show to John. They were beautiful, normal gold bands. John smiled and thought of Marlena, and that they would finally be married in a few hours.
“So, it looks like you and Ms. Evans are gonna finally tie the not.”, the jeweler said.
John smiled and said, “Yep. At 3 pm the wedding will begin.”
“Oh my God.”, Stefano thought, “John’s gonna marry Marlena today!” Stefano was following John all over this morning in his disguise, and now he was hearing about the wedding.
“So where is it gonna be?”, asked the jeweler.
“Oh, we’re gonna get married at the Kiriakis estate. It’s kind of a last minute wedding so we couldn’t get into St. Luke’s.”, John said. “But thanks for helping with the rings. I gotta get going now. I don’t want my bride to have to wait for me.”
The jeweler laughed and said, “Okay John. See you around.” When John was out of the door the jeweler approached Stefano in disguise and asked, “Do you need help with anything?”
Stefano was still in shock. He had to do something before it was to late.
“No, I’ve changed my mind.”, Stefano replied blankly, and then he left.
Stefano was furious while walking out of Salem Place. He was so angry that he wanted to kill someone right there and now!
“You will not marry Marlena John! I am certain of that!”, Stefano roared as he jumped into his car, and within seconds, he was gone.
Chapter 5
“Oh, you look beautiful Marlena.”, Laura said to Marlena. Marlena got all dressed up back in her little, yellow wedding gown. Marlena was so happy.
“Thank you Laura. Thank you so much, for just being here and being my friend.”, Marlena said with tears in her eyes. Marlena and Laura then hugged a nice, friendly hug.
“I’m so glad you are going to be my matron of honor.”, Marlena replied.
Laura smiled and said, “The pleasure is all mine sweetie. But it’s a shame Carrie can’t be in the wedding.”
Marlena nodded. Carrie was on her way over to the wedding but ran into some trouble and had to stay home. It broke Marlena’s heart that Carrie wouldn’t be able to make it to the wedding.
“Yes, but we’re having it video taped so her and Austin will be able to see it.”, Marlena said, while fixing her hair.
“Well, I think I should let you go now so you can do your own little touch ups. I’ll go see if the groom will be ready soon.”, Laura said with a smile.
Marlena giggled a little and turned back to the mirror to finish up her hair.
“We will be husband and wife soon John. We will be together, married happily, for the rest of the days of our lives.”, Marlena said out loud with a warm smile that could warm up any place.
Marlena then saw the closet door opening slowly through the reflection in the mirror. Marlena put down her curling iron in aggravation and walked over to close it, but she gasped at what she saw there.
“She should be ready soon John. The last time I checked on her she was almost finished with fixing herself up.”, Laura said.
John was all ready, waiting for Marlena to start walking down the aisle, with Belle as the little flower girl. Kate’s reception area in her house was crowded with everyone they knew, and they all were getting a little antsy here to.
John looked worried, but then he brushed it off and said, “She probably just wants to look her best today.”
Laura nodded a bit, but couldn’t help but worry if something was wrong.
Then Eric said, “Laura, maybe you should go back and check on her. We don’t want to put anything past Stefano.”
Laura took Eric’s advice and started to head back to where Marlena was getting ready, until Sami barged in.
“You bastard!”, Sami raged as she marched to John, “You will not marry my mother! I will make sure to that! It’s enough you and her ruined my family, and now you want it to be a constant reminder to me! How dare you!” Then Sami slapped John right in the face.
Kate then walked up to Sami with fire in her eyes and said, “It’s enough you tried to ruin my son and Carrie’s life, but how dare you come in here and deny happiness to your mother and John!”
Sami then said, “Well Kate, you think you know it all don’t you, well guess what sweetie?! I’m gonna expose you for the lying, conniving witch you are!”
Kate shrunk back in fear, knowing that she set Sami off, and then Sami began her tale about Kate, and Laura forgot about Marlena, to hear the goods Sami had on Kate.
“Stefano! How did you get in here!”, Marlena said, with eyes wide open and her face white as snow. She was in shock. How could he get in here, she thought in her mind. How could he?
“Oh Marlena, I’ve come of course to stop this nonsense of a wedding between you and John. You will not marry him Marlena. You will not.”, Stefano said promisingly.
“No, you are dillusional! I will marry John today, and there is nothing you can do about it!”, Marlena declared angrily, and then she tried to run for the door, but Stefano yanked her arm and pulled her back. Then Marlena tried to scream and then Stefano grabbed her tight and put his hand over her mouth.
“Now if you scream Marlena, there is no telling what I may do. But I’ll tell you this. You will be mine Marlena. There is no other way about it. You will be mine.”, he said, scaring Marlena out of her wits. Then she from the corner of her eye a hypodermic needle in his hand. Marlena then tried to scream through his hand, but then she felt the sharp pain of the needle breaking into her skin, and then a few moments later, she was knocked out….
Chapter 6
Everyone was in shock after Sami exposed Kate. Everybody. Laura seemed the happiest though. She sat back there smiling away, thinking Kate deserved every bit of this.
John then walked up to Sami and said, “How dare you for coming in here and ruining my wedding Sami! How could you be so mean and heartless?!”
Sami then snapped back, “Well you sure hell didn’t think of my family when you were messing with my mother!” Sami glared at John and he glared back.
Then Sami turned to Kate and said, “Now that I’ve exposed you Kate, your children will hate you for what you did. I told you not to mess with me, but you played with the fire anyways.”
Laura was so happy over what Kate did. Now Kate would be an outcast in Salem! She was loving it! Then Marlena jumped back into her mind.
“Oh my goodness, I forgot to go check on Marlena.”, Laura thought in her mind. Then Laura walked out of the living room area and went to the stairs and headed up.
Stefano then swept Marlena off her feet and was ready to go out the door until it opened on it’s own. It was Laura!
Laura gasped at what she saw and fainted dead away. Stefano smiled in triumph. He didn’t even have to have a battle with Laura over Marlena!
“That’s one less problem to worry about Marlena. And since there is probably a ton of people down near the front staircase, we’ll take the backstairs.”, Stefano whispered, and then he headed to the backstairs.
After the situation with Sami cooled down, Kate ran off. She couldn’t bear to be around anyone now, after she was exposed.
As for John, he was so stressed out. Him and Marlena have had to many problems lately with Sami, Stefano, Kristen,…
But then John noticed that Laura wasn’t around. It’s been close to a half an hour since she’s gone up to see how Marlena was doing.
“I think I better go check on them.”, John thought in his mind. John leaped up the stairway and into the room where Marlena was getting ready. But all he saw was an unconscious Laura lying on the floor. John rushed over and tried to revive her.
Laura’s eyes then began to open slowly after a few minutes and she said, “John…it’s you.”
John nodded and said, “Yeah Laura, it’s me. Are you okay?”
Laura nodded and then the thought ran through her mind. Stefano, carrying Marlena in his arms. He obviously drugged her, she thought. Then Laura let out a piercing scream.
“It’s okay Laura! It’s okay! What’s wrong?! Where is Doc?!”, John asked while he tried to calm her down.
Then Laura said in a trembling voice, “He’s got her…Stefano’s got her!” Then she burst into tears.
John couldn’t believe it. His Marlena, taken by that vicious monster again?! John was not gonna let that maniac have her. Marlena is his life, and he’ll do everything in his power to find her.
John held Laura in his arms while she cried, and he himself cried, and he declared, “I will get you back my love. I promise that to you.”
“John….John….save me….”, Marlena mumbled, still under the influence of the drugs Stefano injected into her.
Stefano couldn’t help but stare at her. Then he thought in his mind, “Pretty soon Marlena, you won’t have John in your mind at all. It will be me, and only me.”
Stefano then went up into the cockpit of the plane to ask the pilot, “How much longer do you think it will take until we get there?”
Then the pilot replied, “Ah, maybe about 3 hours.”
Stefano then smiled. His plan was moving smoothly. Soon he would have Marlena so far away from Salem they wouldn’t even know the first place to look for her, especially John.
Chapter 7
John walked Laura down into the reception room where everyone was still sitting. Everyone looked in horror at Laura, for she was shaking all over and she was sweating bullets. John sat her down and sat with her for a moment, then he announced the news to everyone.
“Excuse everybody, but I have some terrible news to tell you.”, John said with tears in his eyes, “Stefano DiMera somehow got into this house and got Marlena.”
Everyone gasped at what John said and were immediately full of rage.
Then John added, “Laura went into shock over what she saw and she fainted. But now I have to go find her. I can’t sit here and pray for her to be safely returned to us. I have to go find her now.”
John then went up to Mickey and Maggie and said, “Mickey, Maggie, I know this is last minute, but could you please watch over Belle and Brady for me? I want nice and kind people to watch over them and you guys are the perfect people.”
Mickey and Maggie both took John into their arms, meaning that they would do it.
“Don’t worry about it John. We’ll watch over them. Just be careful while you are out searching for Marlena.”, Maggie said caringly.
John nodded, and then went to Belle and Brady, and told him he loved them. He then pulled them both into his arms and held them tight for a long time. Then, John disappeared out the front door.
Laura was a little bit calmer by then, and she turned to Jennifer and said, “I can’t let John go search for Marlena by himself Jenn. I have to help him find her!”
Then Laura jumped up from her chair and bolted for the front door, with Jenn chasing after her.
“Lexie, what is it you want to tell me?”, Abe asked Lexie.
Lexie couldn’t stand what she did for Stefano! She had to tell someone.
“Maybe Abe will understand.”, Lexie thought in her mind, and then she blurted out admittingly, “I did it Abe. I broke Stefano out of jail.”
“What?!”, Abe asked in astonishment.
Lexie nodded. She was truly sorry for what she did, but it did show that she did have Stefano in her.
Then John walked up and growled, “You did what?! How could you let that monster out Lexie?! How could you do it?! Huh?? How could you!!???”
Lexie was crying so hard by then she couldn’t talk. Abe was so hurt by this though. He couldn’t believe Lexie did this.
“I can’t believe you did this Lexie. I love you so much. I don’t know how you could release him.”, Abe said in disgust. Lexie then tried to touch him but Abe slid away from her.
Then Abe turned back to her and said, “You know I have no choice but to take you in Lexie. I have no choice.”
Lexie then went into panic and said, “I can’t go to jail Abe! I can’t!!!!”
Then John butted in and said meanly, “You should go to jail now Lexie because it’s your fault that the woman I love is being held captive by your father!!! Your father Lexie!!!”
Abe then got behind Lexie and put her in cuffs, and read her her rights.
Laura and Jenn stood back while watching the little scene. They were both disgusted by what Lexie did. Disgusted enough to want to go over and kick her face in.
“I can’t believe she let Stefano out. At least we know now that Lexie definitely has her father in her. She’s just like Peter and Kristen.”, Laura said.
Jennifer nodded and said, “I know mom. It’s enough that they are keeping Jack in jail, but now this. Marlena has been the biggest victim in all of this. The poor woman has been kidnapped by Stefano so much it makes me sick.”
Then Laura replied, “Yes, and that’s why I want to help John find Marlena. He can’t do this alone.”
Then Jennifer said, “Well if you are gonna help John find Marlena, then I’m gonna help too. Plus, Peter might be even with Stefano and Marlena wherever they are. We can bring down Stefano, Peter, Kristen, and even Lexie all at once.”
Laura nodded, and they both got in the car and followed John, Abe, and Lexie down to the police station.
Marlena was now fully sober since the drugs wore off. She sat in a leather chair, opposite of Stefano. Stefano kept smiling at her and staring also. All Marlena did was glare back at him coldly.
“Would you like a glass of brandy Marlena?”, Stefano asked, “We’ll be landing soon on my island, and tonight we will have a wonderful feast, celebrating our being together for the rest of our lives.”
Marlena laughed at what he said and said, “You are truly crazy Stefano. To think that I could ever love you, after all the terrible things you’ve done to my family?! You’re crazy!”
Stefano then snapped back, “I am not crazy Marlena. And I will prove to you that you love me and not that idiot John Black!”
Then Marlena roared while she stood in his face, “I will always love John Stefano! And only John! He will be the only man I love!”
Stefano laughed at her this time and said, “That’s what you think! Marlena, there is nothing for you in Salem. But you can have a life with me. You will find it in your heart that you truly do love me!”
Then Marlena ran over to the bottle of brandy and threw it at Stefano, and it went right past him and smashed right into the wall.
Stefano looked relieved that it didn’t hit him, and asked bitterly, “Why did you do that Marlena?!”
“Why?! WHY?! I’ll tell you WHY! It’s because you are keeping me away from the man I love, and you are keeping me away from my children. Especially my children! To keep a mother away from her children is very evil Stefano! And I will despise you forever for it!”, Marlena screamed.
Then the pilot said through the intercom, “Mr. DiMera, we’ll be landing in about 10 minutes.”
Then Stefano looked at Marlena with a grin on his face, “We’re almost there Marlena. And it will be where you spend the rest of your life at.”
Marlena had a look of sadness, anger, and fear on her face.
“Oh John, my love, you have to find me. You have to so we can spend the rest of our lives together.”, Marlena thought in her mind.
Then Marlena felt the tires coming out of the bottom of the plane, and she knew it was about to land.
Chapter 8
Marlena stepped out of the plane and all she could see was a vast ocean. Stefano picked a very small island for him and Marlena to spend their days. Marlena had to admit it was beautiful, but deep down it was a dungeon, keeping her and John apart.
Up on the little hill Marlena saw a huge mansion. It looked so old and run down! It looked like it would fall over anyday.
Stefano breathed in the nice salty air and then asked Marlena, “So how do you like it my love? Isn’t it gorgeous?”
Marlena said calmly while looking over the ocean, “It would be more gorgeous without you here Stefano. It would be better with John and I.”
Marlena grinned at him, and then turned her head away once more. She could tell Stefano was getting aggravated, and that’s what she wanted.
“Well, anyways, you better get used to it my queen of the night, because you shall never leave this place. Never.”, Stefano said, as if he were trying to frighten her.
But Marlena stood her ground and walked right up to him and spoke lightly, “I won’t be here forever. You see, I will be with John sooner than you think Stefano. He will find me.”
In anger, Stefano grabbed Marlena’s arm hard. Marlena screamed in pain. He was hurting her arm badly.
“Now listen to me damn it! You are not going anywhere! You hear me?! You will never leave this island, at least not without me. So you better stop dreaming Marlena!”, roared Stefano, and then he dragged her up the hill, to the mansion.
“John we really want to help you find Marlena. Marlena is a dear friend of ours, and we just need to help you.”, Laura said to John. John didn’t like the idea at first, but then he gave in.
“Oh alright. You both can come. But I have to ask you Jenn. Why do you want to leave Jack behind?”, John asked.
“John I am sure that if Peter is alive, he’ll be with Stefano. If we find Marlena, I mean when we find Marlena, then we will probably run into Peter along the way. Then we will have found Marlena and Jack would be set free from prison.”, Jenn said.
John nodded and said, “Okay. Well we got a police report that a plane took off from Salem Airport earlier today. The pilot said that it was heading down to somewhere near South America.”, John said.
Laura frowned and said, “Why would Stefano’s pilot actually tell someone where they were headed?! Is he stupid?!”
John shrugged and said, “I don’t know Laura. But if it was Stefano’s plane, then at least we know the area he took Doc.”
Then Abe walked in and said, “Okay John, let’s get going. Your plane is all fueled up and ready to go.”
“Okay partner. But we have some company.”, John informed him.
Abe looked confused and said, “Who?”
John turned back to Jenn and Laura and said, “Jenn and Laura are gonna help us look for Doc.”
Abe looked at John for a moment and then said, “Well okay then. But we gotta go now! We have to fly down to Miami and then we’ll land at the Bahamas! Let’s go!”
Then Abe, John, Laura, and Jenn were out of there.
Chapter 9
Marlena sneezed as soon as her and Stefano got inside the rundown mansion. When Marlena looked up she couldn’t believe what she saw. The place was so dark and creepy. It smelled of mildew and mold. It was horrible. But Marlena could see the beauty the mansion once held. The woodwork was gorgeous, and the grand staircase in the front room was gorgeous, but it was covered with dust and fungus.
“Of all places to take me Stefano! Why here?!”, Marlena hollered, and then she sneezed again. Stefano turned around and went to Marlena. He then put his arms around her. Marlena froze! She didn’t dare say anything, fearing what Stefano may do.
When he finally let go of her he said, “Oh Marlena. This was one of my mother’s homes. It’s close to 100 years old. It was very gorgeous at one time, and I intend on making it that way again. This place Marlena, is where we will spend the rest of our lives at.”
Marlena clenched her teeth while he said those horrible words. She knew she wouldn’t be there forever, for John, the man she loved, would end up finding her.
The plane ride was moving smoothly. It would be an hour and a half until they would land in Miami. Laura and Jennifer spoke to each other about certain things while John and Abe worked out their plans to find Marlena. Abe could tell John was getting frustrated. They didn’t even have a clue on to where Marlena was taken, but they knew it was somewhere in the Caribbean.
“John, how do you even know that Stefano has Marlena down in the Caribbean? Heck! Knowing Stefano he probably has Marlena back in Salem somewhere!”, Abe said.
John looked at Abe in the eye and said, “Abe I just have this gut feeling that Doc is somewhere down there. Sometimes I feel that my bond and Marlena’s is so powerful that we sense things about each other. I just have to follow my gut instinct Abe. I got to.”
Abe then smiled at John and patted him on the back and said, “Okay John. I understand.”
Laura then walked up to the guys and asked, “So, what’s the plan so far?”
John and Abe turned to her and John answered, “The truth Laura is that we don’t really know yet. We don’t even know where Doc is yet. But I have a strong feeling she is down there. I know she is.” Then John’s celluar phone rang. John reached for it and turned it on.
“Black here.”, John said into the phone matter of factly.
“Hello John. It’s Celeste.”, Celested replied lightly. John could sense tension from Celeste on the other side of the line.
“Hi Celeste. How are you? I’m sure you’ve heard about Lexie by now.”, John said.
Celeste sighed and said sadly, “Yes I’ve had, and so has all the radio station and television networks. She’s doomed John. Stefano got to her and influenced her. There is nothing I can do now for her.”
John said, “I’m sorry Celeste, but I’m very angry at her for letting Stefano out of jail. It’s her fault that he has Doc.”
“I know John. I know. But I am calling you for a real important reason.”, Celeste said.
“What for?”, John asked curiously.
Celeste then said, “I had a vision about where Stefano is holding Marlena. And I’m pretty sure it’s right.”
John’s eyes lit up and he asked her with eagerness, “Where does he have her Celeste? Tell me!”
“I had a vision that Stefano was holding her on his dead mother’s island in the Caribbean. Of all places to take her though. It’s been run down for years. But anyways, the island is just south of the Virgin Islands. It’s called Diamond Island, for it’s diamond shape. It’s very small and is about fifteen miles south west of the Rico, one of the many islands in the cluster of the Virgin Islands. So go. Find her John. But I sense danger along the way, so be extremely careful.”, said Celeste, and then she hung up.
Before John could say anything the other side of the phone was dead. John then hung up his phone and smiled.
“I was right partner. DiMera has her just south of the island Rico in the Virgin Islands.”, John said, and then he added, “Here I come Doc. I’ll have you away from that monster soon.”
Chapter 10
It was nine o’ clock pm when John’s plane landed in Miami. It’s been close to eight hours since DiMera kidnapped her. Now, at ten thirty pm, thoughts of Marlena kept running through John’s mind while they all ate dinner at a tiny diner down in the heart of the city. They all had to take a little break before they took off again.
“Partner I think we should be heading out now. I don’t want Doc to be with that madman any longer than she has to be.”, John said as he stood up from his chair.
Jennifer then added, “I agree John. I think we should all head on out of here.” Jenn then got up and stretched her arms and legs.
“Yeah. We should go.”, Laura said. She got up and walked to Jenn and they walked outside to wait for the guys.
“Okay John. Let’s get on out of here.”, Abe said. Then John, Laura, Abe, and Jenn all got a cab and headed back to the airport. By the time they got there it was eleven fifteen.
John talked with the pilot and he told John some bad news. “Mr. Black, I’m sorry to say this but a tropical storm is out over near the Virgin Islands. I don’t think we would be able to fly there tonight. It would be to risky, and deadly.”, he said warningly.
“Damn!”, John spat out. “I need to get Marlena! I can’t just sit around and wait for some storm to pass! We gotta go now!”
The pilot then shook his head and said to John, “I am not going to fly that plane and risk all of your lives and including mine. Besides, Stefano wouldn’t take Marlena anywhere in this weather. I’m sorry Mr. Black but I believe you should wait over night.”
John was frighteningly angry. He then stormed away to tell the others that they would not be leaving that night.
Marlena could hear the terential rains pounding on the roof from where she was sleeping. Stefano locked her in her bedroom for the night so Marlena couldn’t escape at all. But Marlena wouldn’t dare to due to the storm outside.
Outside her window Marlena could see large waves crashing down at the beach, and lightning flashing everywhere.
“I can’t take this anymore! I can’t!”, Marlena let out as she got out of the bed and ran to the door. Marlena then started to pound on the door. “Stefano! I know you can hear me! Let me out of here! Let me out!”, Marlena screamed while pounding on the door. But she got no answer. So she did it again. And again. And again. And again. Again, again, and again!!! Then all of a sudden the door flew open, and Stefano was standing there. Not just standing there, but he was stark naked!
Chapter 12
Marlena was so relieved that the storm was over as she ran across the island at nearly five in the morning. She just had to get off this island before sunrise! But how?!
“I got to get off this island, before Stefano finds me!”, Marlena said to herself, and then she continued to run to the beach.
“Stefano, Stefano! What happened!”
Stefano looked up at the person and said, “Don’t ask anything. Just get me my robe for now!”
Stefano then got up off the bed and went to the mirror. Marlena bit so hard into his nose that it looked like it popped a lot of blood vessels.
“Here you go.”, said the man walking back into the room.
“Thank you Peter.”, Stefano replied. Stefano put on his robe and went and sat down on the chair near the bedroom window.
Peter tried to avoid all of the glass on the floor and then just sat down on the bed.
“What happened?”, Peter asked.
“Marlena happened Peter! I tried to make love to her but she refused, so I got a little rough with her and she got away!”, Stefano hollered.
“Well why aren’t you going after her?!”, Peter asked.
Stefano looked at him like an idiot and said, “Peter I am in pain. I can’t go after her now. Plus, I’d be afraid I would kill her if I saw her now.”
Abe and Jennifer remained asleep on the flight to Rico Island. Laura and John stayed up and talked for awhile about what they were gonna do.
“When we get to Rico Island we’ll rent a boat and sail out to Diamond Island. Hopefully they are still there. I’m gonna make Stefano pay for this Laura. He will not get away with this again. It’s all my fault he has her.”, John said as he went to look out the porthole.
“It isn’t your fault that Stefano has Marlena. If it’s anyone’s fault it’s mine.”, Laura said with guilt.
John turned around and said, “No Laura. It isn’t your fault that you fainted. There was nothing you could do. I would never blame you for this.”
Laura had tears in her eyes when John said that to her. John and Laura then held each other for a long time.
“I’ve known Marlena since Jennifer was a baby John, and that’s close to twenty seven years. If I was a friend to her at all I shouldn’t of let myself react like that.”, Laura said while crying.
John said while they were comforting each other, “No Laura. It isn’t your fault. Really it is no one’s fault. But we owe it to Doc to find her and bring her home safely.”
Laura smiled and then they heard an explosion on the plane, and it woke Abe and Jenn up very quicky!
“What the hell was that?!”, John yelled. Then they all fell over when the plane started to fly downwards.
“How am I gonna get out of here?!”, Marlena asked herself in her mind, and then she said out loud, “Stefano’s boat!”
Marlena then started her journey to Stefano’s port, which was in eye distance from where she was.
Marlena was out of breath when she reached the port. She then ran down the pier and she could see Stefano’s little motor boat from there. Marlena jumped inside and was glad to see that Stefano left the keys in it!
“You are an idiot Stefano!”, Marlena said out loud, and then she turned the key, and the boat started. Then a few moments later Marlena looked at the fuel gauge and saw that there was a full gallon.
“Boy Stefano, you made this easy for me.”, Marlena said, and then she pushed up the gas bar (or whatever they are), and she sped off into the ocean.
Stefano heard the motor of his boat and he turned around and looked out the window.
“Oh my God! It’s Marlena! I gotta stop her!”, Stefano growled. Then he charged out of the room.
Chapter 13
Everyone slid downwards while the plane started it’s course down to the ground! Jennifer clinged to a chair that was bolted to the floor, but her grasp let go and she slid downwards and smashed right into the closet. Laura was knocked unconscious, and Abe and John struggled to keep from sliding like the others. Then, BANG!
They crashed….
Marlena sped as fast as she could away from the island. Then she started to hear these loud sirens blowing off. She looked back and screamed at what she saw! Stefano had a huge pack of men on get ready to get on jet skies and chase Marlena! Marlena knew it would be hard to hide since the sun was rising.
“What am I gonna do?! Damn it!”, screamed Marlena as she made the boat go to it’s full speed. She looked back and then saw that they were after her. There were at least thirty of them.
“You wanna play rough you bastard! Then we’ll play rough!”, Marlena shouted. She kept on as fast as she could, looking back to see if they were gaining on her. A lot of them were lacking speed, but there were a few that weren’t even six hundred feet from the boat!
“Go faster! Go faster! Come on! We’re talking about my life here!”, Marlena screamed. But of course the boat didn’t go faster. Marlena didn’t know if she would out chase Stefano’s men, but so far she was in the lead.
“Oh Lord, please help me out of this. You have helped me with so much already. Please, oh please Lord, don’t let Stefano take me away from John and my children. I’m begging you Lord.”, Marlena prayed as she made the boat fly over the water. Then all of a sudden she heard an explosion! She turned around and saw the two men who jet skies that weren’t to far from her, on fire!
Marlena screamed, “Hurray! Thank you God! Thank you!” Then she flew off, away from Diamond Island.
John got up a few minutes after the crash. He was injured, but it wasn’t that bad. He looked around and was glad to see that the plane wasn’t blown apart, or they would all be dead. But he knew it was in bad enough condition that he wouldn’t be able to fly it.
Laura got hurt most of all. Her leg got twisted around when the plane landed on the island. Thank God they landed on the island! If they would’ve landed out in the ocean they surely would’ve been finished!
“You okay Laura? Is there anything else you need?”, John asked Laura. Laura was obviously in a lot of pain, but she just smiled it off, trying to remain brave.
“Don’t worry about me John. We have to worry about Marlena. All I gotta do is make a brace out of tree branches and I’ll be fine. And there is enough trees on this island.”, Laura said, and then she moaned because of the pain.
John wished he could do more for her but he couldn’t. The island seemed to have no one living on it, and that means no medical assistance.
“Okay then. Abe and I will go out and look for wood to make the brace. You and Jenn just stay here and relax. We’ll be back shortly.”, John said, then he walked over to Abe. He was sitting on the beach, looking over the clear water.
“Partner, we have to go find some wood so we can make a leg brace for Laura.”, John said. Abe looked very down, and John knew why. It was Lexie, and her betrayal. But John didn’t dare say anything about it. It would just cause tension and they didn’t need that right now.
“If it doesn’t bother you John, I just wanna stay here for a while.”, Abe said as he looked up at him. John smiled and patted his back.
“Sure. Just watch over the women. And don’t tell them about the pilot. They don’t need to know about it. They think he’s out looking for fresh water.”, John said.
Abe nodded. John then walked out into the forest.
Marlena looked back after a while of riding at full speed, and she could no longer see Diamond Island. But she could see an island up ahead. A small island with a tiny mountain on it.
“Looks like that will be where I’m staying for now.”, Marlena said, then she drove the boat up quite aways and landed right on the beach. Marlena jumped off the boat and smiled.
“Stefano can look all he wants but he won’t find me here. There are too many places to hide. He’ll never find me.”, Marlena said with a smile. She looked around at the beautiful forest and at the small mountain not that far away.
Then…flashbacks of John came into her mind. She recalled the day they revealed their love for each other, and the day Marlena finally got out of that damn room and exposed Kristen.
She remembered his warm embrace and his tender kisses. When they would make love passionately through the night. When they were playing with Belle and Brady. All these thoughts ran into her mind, and it killed not being able to be with them.
“We’ll be together again John. You’ll see.”, Marlena said with a smile, and then she walked into the forest.
“Mr. DiMera, I’m sorry that we didn’t catch her. But her boat was to fast for out jet skies.”, the jet ski leader said.
Stefano pounded his hand on his desk and shouted, “You have failed me man! I want you to find her! And if you don’t, then I will kill you! Don’t even think of running, cause I will find you!”
The man was sweating bullets and he just stood there, perfectly still.
“Well, what are you waiting for?! Move it you stupid ass!!! FIND HER!!!”, Stefano roared.
The man then jumped and ran out of Stefano’s office. Stefano then sat down in his chair and twiddled his pen in his hand.
“You won’t get far Marlena. And when I get you, you will pay for what you have done.”, Stefano said evilly.
Chapter 14
John laid down on the beach, thinking of how long they’ve been on the island so far. Four days! Four days wasted! Heck, they could’ve possibly gotten Marlena back and home by then!
John’s mood started to change for the worse on the island, so he kept some distance between him and the others. He didn’t want to lash out on them. They were kind enough to help him in the first place.
“I’m sorry I’ve failed you Doc. I am so sorry.”, John said, while he looked up at the starry sky. He wondered if he would ever see her again…if he would ever feel her soft skin with his hands…if he would ever kiss her again…if he would ever be intimate with her again. It was killing him not to be with her!!!! He needed her!! The children needed her!!!
Back at the camp, Laura sat by the fire, tending to her leg. She felt so bad for John and Marlena. Nothing but constant problems for them. But of course knew about troubles in relationships.
“Jennifer, it breaks my heart to see John like that. Oh I hope that damn Stefano rots in hell for all the terror he’s caused!”, Laura declared. Jennifer nodded in agreement as she laid down on the warm, soft sand.
“I know mom. Stefano, Peter, Kristen, and now Lexie have caused so much pain to everyone. They are always obsessed with people who do not want them. It makes me sick.”, Jennifer said, and then she yawned. She was exhausted. Then, Abe came up with a couple of jugs of water.
“Okay girls. I got us some fresh water from the spring back there. But now, I’m gonna hit the sack. This heat is really getting to me.”, Abe said. Then he put the jugs of water down and headed for the wrecked plane.
Jennifer fell asleep within minutes, but Laura remained awake, and went to go see John.
“Hey bud. You want any company?”, Laura asked. John looked up at her and smiled in agreement. Laura then sat down next to John, and for a couple of minutes they didn’t speak a word. They just stared over the rippling waves of the ocean.
“Laura, I’m sorry about this mess I got you into. I shouldn’t of let you and Jennifer come along.”, John said.
Laura shook her head in protest and replied, “No John. Don’t pin this on yourself. Jennifer and I came on our own free will. You didn’t make us. If we didn’t want to come, we wouldn’t of. So don’t blame yourself for anything that concerns us.”
John then nodded, and Laura saw tears swelling in his eyes.
“I just want her back Laura. That’s all. I just want her back.”, John cried. Laura then took John into her arms and comforted him.
“We’ll get out of here John. And when we do, we’ll get Marlena back.”, Laura said confidently as she held a crying John in her arms.
Marlena walked through the forest cautiously through the dark. Even after four days time, she didn’t want any chance of Stefano finding her. She wanted to remain in the deepest, darkest part of the forest.
“Stefano won’t find me here.”, Marlena said, “But for now, I guess I’ll get ready to rest.”
Marlena then began to pick up leaves and pulled up grass to make a little bed for herself for the night. She made it nice and fluffy. She then began to think of John…and the times they would just lay together and cuddle. Would she ever have that again? Would she ever be with John and her family again?
“I have to think positive.”, Marlena said to herself, “John will find me.”
Marlena then laid down on the bed of grass and leaves and then began to fell asleep. Then, Marlena felt this burning pinch on her leg. She let out a little scream and then she screamed even louder than she did the first time. A big scorpion was stinging her in the leg!
Marlena then panicked and grabbed a branch from nearby and pealed the poisonous creature off of her.
Marlena then got up and didn’t know what to do.
“I’m going to die! I’m going to die!”, Marlena thought in her mind, and then she began to run, while the poison started to take effect in her body.
Chapter 15
Marlena could hardly see as she stumbled through the forest. The poison was taking effect in her body rather quickly. She was already getting nauseated, already having blurry vision, and bad muscle coordination.
“I have….I have…I….gotta…get….he….help.”, Marlena said with a struggle, and then she moved on. But who would help her? The island is deserted!
Marlena walked on for about an another hundred feet until she fell right over. The poison was slowly taking over in her blood stream, and Marlena struggled to keep conscious.
Marlena then pushed out of her throat, “Help me! He….lp me…..” Then, Marlena’s head lowered to the ground, and she started to fall into the sleep of death.
The man looked up with a puzzled expression. Did he really hear someone else on the island?!
“No, I’m hearing things.”, the man said to himself, but then he thought for a second.
“What if there is a chance if there is someone else here on the island?! I better go check!”, the man said to himself. He walked out of his little hut made of leaves and branches and headed to the direction where he heard the noise.
The man walked through the area where he thought he heard the noise from. He then had to push bushes and branches out of the way so he could get through, since it was so overgrown. But when he got through, he was surprised at what he saw! A woman! A beautiful woman! But she looked deathly ill!
“Oh my God, I wasn’t hearing voices!”, the man said to himself. He then walked over to the woman and scooped her up into his arms, and carried her back to his hut.
The man lowered the woman down onto his bed and examined her to see what was wrong with her. He immediately saw what it was. He could tell by the pinch mark on her leg. She had been stung by a scorpion. He then checked her pulse to see what state she was in.
“Your pulse is week miss, but not for long.”, the man said, and then he went over to his little black bag and dug through it. He pulled out a hypodermic needle and an antibody to bring you back from a scorpion bite.
The man stuck the needle into the antibody and got it ready for injecting. He then went over to the woman, and pierced the needle into her upper arm, and injected the liquid in. Within a minutes time, the woman started to come to.
“Hurray. You’re gonna be okay.”, said the man as he smiled down at the beautiful woman. He had never seen such a beautiful woman in his life.
The woman then opened her eyes, and when she looked around she screamed with fright! The man tried to calm her but she was to rowdy for him to stop her!
“Who the hell are you?!”, the woman hollered.
The man gulped and said, “Ma’am. I found you in the forest…and you were sick….and I brought you here to get you better.”
The woman remained tense for a few moments, and then calmed down.
“Oh my God, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to flip out like that. It’s just waking up in a place I’ve never seen and having a man I’ve never met looking at me just kind of freaked me out after all I’ve been through.”, the woman said with a sigh.
The man smiled and said, “That’s okay. I heard you yelling in the forest, so I went to find you. And when I saw you there sick, I just had to help you.”
The woman smiled and said, “Thank you very much for saving my life. I don’t know how I could ever repay you. I’m Marlena Evans.” They shook hands, and it looked like Marlena wouldn’t be alone on the island after all.
Chapter 16
“So, what is your name? Where are you from?”, Marlena asked the mystery man. She thought he was very attractive. He stood at about six foot, had beautiful blonde hair, dark blue eyes, a good looking face, and was in very good shape.
The man smiled and said, “My name is Cory Carter. And I’m originally from Chicago, Illinois.” His face went down when he said that.
Marlena wondered how this man got to be on this island. She looked around the hut and noticed that it wasn’t that new.
“How long have you been out here?”, Marlena asked.
Cory looked at her uneasily and said, “I was forced to be here. I’ve been on this island for close to six years now. I don’t want to be here, but I have never been able to find a way off of it.”
Cory then turned and walked over to his little desk, and there were a bunch of pictures in frames on it.
“I had a life back in Chicago. But now it’s gone. It’s been gone for along time.”, Cory said with sadness.
“Were you married?”, Marlena asked curiously, “I don’t mean to pry.”
Cory smiled and said, “Yes, I was. But I haven’t been with her for close to eighteen years. We would’ve been married twenty seven years ago this year.”
Marlena couldn’t believe that he was that old! He didn’t even look a day over thirty five or thirty six! But other than that, she knew how he felt.
“I was a doctor in Chicago. I spent ten years in medical school and I was already married to Ashley for about five years. Things were going smooth until my half brother came to visit me. I haven’t seen him for years. I would’ve liked it better that way. He kept pestering Ashley for the longest time, and then, one day, he snuck into our house one night while was on call, and killed her and my children.”, Cory explained with a lot of emotion.
Marlena had tears in her eyes. It was horrible what happened to him.
“I’m so sorry.”, Marlena said to him.
He nodded and said, “My brother then left town and headed wherever we went. Him and I are totally different. We only share the same mother. His father was from somewhere over in Europe. I don’t know exactly where. But my mother and his father were together along time before I was born. Then, they had Stefano, and she left shortly after that, and left him with his father.”
Marlena said with shock, “You are Stefano DiMera’s brother?!”
Cory nodded and then said, “You said that like as if you know him or something.”
Then Marlena replied, “I’m sorry but yes I do. He’s been trying to “make me love him” for the last few years.”
“I haven’t seen him for the longest time. He left right after murdering my family, and then a few years ago, he came back and took me away, and tortured me for a few years in a dungeon, and then put me on this island. I haven’t seen him since. But I don’t know much that has ever happened with Stefano. I always kept my distance from him.”, Cory said.
Marlena then said, “Just like you Cory, he’s tried to steal my life away so many times. He practically destroyed mine and my first husband’s lives, and now he’s trying to keep me and the man I love and our children apart. Just so he can have me.”
Cory then walked to the door and looked out and then said, “I have tried to find a way out of here for the past seven years Marlena, and I have never found away. Stefano makes sure I never leave. But he never comes personally. He always sends someone to monitor me every now and then.”
Marlena then got up and went to him and said, “We are gonna find a way out of here Cory, you and me together. We can both have our lives back. But we have to act now, cause Stefano is out searching for me, and I don’t want to be caught.”
Cory looked at Marlena. He didn’t know what to say, after so many attempts to get off the island.
“Okay, let’s do it Marlena.”, Cory said confidently.
Marlena smiled and said, “Now let’s make our plan.”
Chapter 17
John woke up early the next morning to see the sun rise. It was now day five since the plane went down, and almost a week since Marlena’s disappearance. It was also a week ago today that Roman died.
“I’m sorry Roman for the pain I caused you.”, John said to himself as he looked over the ocean. John then felt his face and suddenly noticed he was growing a beard. He hadn’t shaved at all since the accident, but that was the least of his worries. What mattered to him was finding Marlena.
“I’ll find you Doc. I swear to God I will.”, John said to himself.
Marlena watched Cory fish in the ocean from the ocean out on Marlena’s boat. She smiled when she saw him catch a real big one.
“Way to go Cory!”, Marlena yelled across the ocean. He waved back to her with a smile.
Marlena thought in her mind how easy it could be to get to Rico Island on the boat, but she knew they wouldn’t make it. They would run out of fuel, and most of the fuel was already gone.
Marlena and Cory stayed awake all through the night, and they could not think of anyway to get off the island.
“There has got to be a way to get off of this island.”, Marlena said with frustration. Then she added, “But we gotta hurry soon, because Stefano is probably not that far behind from here.”
Stefano smiled when he looked through the binoculars. He saw what he exactly wanted to see.
“Ahhh, there is my precious Marlena.”, Stefano said. He then threw the binoculars down.
He then turned his binoculars the other direction and said disgustingly, “And there is my pathetic brother.”
Stefano then threw the binoculars down to the ground. Then he yelled to the driver of the boat, “Head to that island down there aways. That’s where she is.”
The driver of the little motor boat nodded and put the boat in full speed and headed towards the island.
Jennifer and Abe went into the forest to go get some more spring water for everyone to drink. John and Laura decided to go for a walk around the island, just to explore.
“John I want you to remain positive. We will find Marlena. You’ll see.”, Laura said to John.
John nodded and said, “I know Laura. But it’s just a matter of when till I find her. Now that we’re stuck on this damn island, we may never find her.”
Laura then stopped and scolded John. “Never say never John Black! You hear me? Don’t ever say it!”
John nodded and said, “I know Laura, but I—-Hey look! Is that what I think it is!” John pointed to what he saw and Laura turned to look and screamed for joy. She then hugged John.
“Yes it is John. Now let’s go!”, Laura said, and they ran to the thing they saw.
Marlena laid down on the beach, trying to recoop for the rest she lost the night before. She was so tired, but she still couldn’t stop thinking of John and the children.
Marlena had a flashback of when she returned to Salem after Stefano held her for all those years. When she first saw John, when she thought he was Roman, on the pier.
“I love you John…”, Marlena said lightly as she laid on the beach with her eyes closed.
Then Marlena heard hauntingly wicked familiar laugh. She opened her eyes and screamed in horror. It was Stefano!
Marlena got up and attempted to run, but Stefano was to quick and he grabbed her.
He then screamed at her, “Don’t ever, ever, ever try to escape from me again! Do you hear me?! Do you hear me?!?!”
Marlena then screamed and tried to get out of his evil clutch.
“John…HELP ME! OH GOD! HELP ME!”, cried Marlena, as Stefano held her painfully tight….
Chapter 18
Cory could see all that was taking place on the island. He was horrified to see what Stefano was doing.
“I gotta help her.”, Cory said to himself. Then in a split second, Cory dived off the boat and into the water.
Marlena tried to get herself out of Stefano’s grasp, but it was no use. He was to strong.
“Please, Stefano…let me go. I’m begging! Just let me go home!”, Marlena cried to him.
Stefano only frowned at Marlena and replied, “Your home is with me Marlena. You do not belong in Salem my dear. We both belong to each other, and this is where we are meant to be.”
“You’re sick! You’re dilussional!”, Marlena spat at him. She was fuming. She hated him so much for keeping her and John apart, and keeping her away from her children.
“You’ll see Marlena.”, Stefano said. Then he yelled to the driver of the boat, “Go and get my crazy brother! We’re taking him back to the island with us!”
The driver of the boat nodded his head in response and headed off to get Cory. Stefano then turned around at Marlena and stared at her.
“I see you have gotten to know my half brother Marlena. I never did get to know him much. He is close to fifteen years younger than I, and I was over in Italy with my father for most of my childhood.”, Stefano said, as he held Marlena tightly.
Marlena then said disgustingly, “It’s amazing how you could kill his family Stefano. How could you do that?”
Stefano sighed and said, “Marlena we don’t need to drag up the past. What happened between my brother and I does not concern you. That was long before I came to Salem.”
Then Marlena shot back ignorantly, “Well I think being away from you is the best thing that ever happened to Cory. He’s kind, handsome, caring, all the things you aren’t Stefano.”
Stefano laughed and said, “I admire your humor Marlena.”
“That was no humor! That’s the damn truth!”, Marlena hollered meanly.
Then Stefano’s meanstreak came back and he screamed, “Don’t try to piss me off again Marlena! Don’t do it!” Then Stefano whacked Marlena right across her face, and she went flying to the ground. Marlena moaned in pain as Stefano just stared at her with anger.
Laura and John stared in awe at what they saw. It was a rescue helicopter, and they were there obviously looking for John, Laura, Abe, and Jennifer.
Laura and John ran as fast as they could to the rescue helicopter. The man turned around and saw Laura and John running.
“There they are Jones.”, the rescue man said to the pilot, who was sitting inside the copter.
“Oh thank God! We’ve been saved!”, Laura said as her and John got the copter.
The rescue man came up to them and said, “You must be the people we’ve been looking for . Are you John Black?”
John nodded and said, “Yes. I am.”
The rescue man smiled and said, “Okay. You are the ones. My name is Dermott. We’ve been looking for you and your party on practically every island for the past week. Thank God we found you.”
“Yes. Thank God you did. But we have others with us. We’ll have to go get them.”, John said.
“Okay then.”, Dermott said. He then went to the pilot and explained that they were going to get the others, and then they would head home.
“I explained the strategy to him so we can go ahead now.”, Dermott said.
“Great.”, John said. They all then headed back to the camp to get Abe and Jenn.
“How could you hit me?! How dare you hit me again?!”, Marlena yelled at Stefano.
Stefano stared down at Marlena and said, “Shut up. If you knew what was good for you then you would shut your big ass mouth.”
Marlena took the threat seriously and shut up.
“AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!”, Cory yelled as he backed up on Stefano. Cory jumped on Stefano and made him collapse to the ground. Marlena ran back to watch from a distance, so she wouldn’t get caught in it. Cory sat on top of Stefano, choking him.
“I’m gonna kill you for destroying my family Stefano!”, Cory screamed at the top of his lungs.
Stefano tried to release himself from Cory, but he was to strong for him. Stefano’s face then started to turn purple, and then he was gone.
Cory then got off of Stefano, and ran over to Marlena.
“Are you okay?”, Cory asked Marlena. Marlena nodded.
“You were very brave there Cory. You saved me from that monster.”, Marlena said gratefully.
Cory smiled and said, “It’s over.” Marlena and Cory then embraced, knowing now, that the war with Stefano was finally over.
“Okay, now let’s get out of here.”, Cory said.
“Where are we going?”, Marlena asked in bewilderment.
“Stefano’s driver of his boat is somewhere out there, so we better hide for now.”, Cory said.
Marlena then said, “Good thinking.” They both turned around and Marlena screamed at what she saw. Stefano’s body disappeared!
Chapter 19
Everyone was so thrilled that they were finally rescued from that island. Now they would be able to start up the search for Marlena again.
“We’ll have to head back to Rico first before you start to look for Ms. Evans first. All your families are worried sick about you, and they would love to hear from you.”, Dermott said.
While John was looking out the window, down at the island and at his trashed plane, he said, “Okay. But let’s hurry. I wanna get Doc as soon as possible.”
Jennifer then said, “I’m gonna call Abby and Jack when we get to Rico. I want to put an end to their worries. Then we can all get back on track.”
“No. Jenn, Laura, Abe, you guys are not coming with me. I don’t want to put you guys through anymore danger than I already have.”, John protested.
Then Laura shot out, “Bull shit John! We’ve been with you this far, and we’re gonna stay with you all the way!”
“Laura. Please try and understand.”, John said.
Laura shook her head and said, “No John. I’m gonna help you find Marlena, we all are!”
John then said, “I give up. I know if I keep going on saying you can’t you’ll do it anyways. So okay then.”
Laura smiled in triumph, and sat back in her seat.
“Help me up!”, Marlena said to Cory. They decided to climb up a very tall tree for safety. Cory grabbed Marlena’s hand and helped her up.
“There you go.”, Cory said when Marlena made it. They both sat on the very large branch, scared out of their wits.
Marlena then said nervously, “Cory, this is just a little to high for me.” Cory then put his arm around Marlena to hold her.
“Don’t worry Marlena. I won’t let you fall. Besides, this is the safest place to hide from Stefano. There are so many leaves on this tree that Stefano wouldn’t even be able to see us.”, Cory said reassuringly.
Marlena finally nodded in agreement, but she hated being up there. They had to be at least eighty feet up.
Marlena then told Cory, “I’d be on my honeymoon right now, with John.”
Cory just sat there and listened.
“After years of being apart, we finally got what we wanted. Each other. But then Stefano pulled his tricks and he succeeded. Now I don’t have my family, or John.”, Marlena said sadly.
“You can’t think like that Marlena. You have to believe that you will be with John, and your children. You have to remain positive.”, Cory said.
“I know Cory, but John and I have been torn apart so many times! I’m starting to think that I will never be with him.”, Marlena said, with tears filling in her eyes.
“Marlena, I know what it is like. Stefano murdered my wife and children. I loved them all so much. Stefano just couldn’t be happy as long as I was happy. And now I can never be with them again. But Marlena, you have a chance to get the one you love.”, Cory said. He seemed a little jealous when he said it, but Marlena didn’t dare say anything.
“I suppose you’re right Cory. But the big question is, “when?””, Marlena said, and then she turned her head to look the other way to hide her tears from Cory.
John and the others spent a very short time on Rico, and were soon in the air again.
John and everyone sat in the back of the little tiny plane in silence. They knew soon that a major battle would be fought, and they all were a little afraid.
John then began to have flashbacks of him and Marlena……
He remembered when Marlena and him took the children to the mall to see Santa. Then, the elf made them kiss in the picture! John tried to keep it from being intimate, since he thought Marlena didn’t love him.
Then, he recalled that night when he was going to leave Salem, and Marlena came to see him off on the plane. One thing lead to another and they made love. It was beautiful, and magical.
Then, John felt someone shaking him and he came out of his daze.
“John? Are you okay?”, Laura asked him with concern.
John said, “Yeah I am. What’s up?”
Laura then said, “There is an island right out that window. Take a look.”
John looked out the window and saw the island, but then he noticed a boat floating out in the water, and someone driving a boat nearby.
“I think we should land there. That isn’t Diamond Island, but who else would be down at that damn island.”, John said.
“I agree John.”, Abe said. “Diamond Island isn’t even five miles from here. We should check out that island first.”
Laura and Jenn nodded, and then John said, “Okay, let’s go!”
The Jarlena Journal 