Reason To Believe – By Sandra B

Picture Perfect

August 22, 1997. It was eleven years to the day since their first wedding ceremony. She could hardly believe it was real, that it was actually happening. The sun was rising slowly, the clouds parting to reveal a soft blue sky, a picture perfect day for a wedding. As she glanced at a photograph of that day so long ago, the telephone rang, “Good morning!” she answered with excitement, anticipating that it was her love who was calling.

“Hello beautiful… so are you ready to become Mrs. John Black?” said that charming voice she knew and loved so well.

She sighed joyfully, “John…. you know I am.. I missed your arms around me last night….. that bed was so cold and lonely without you next to me.”

He sighed in commiseration, “You think that was bad, this old hotel room was…. well, let’s just say I became reacquainted with late night television in Salem… and it leaves a lot to be desired.”

“Did you say desired?” she teased, knowing he had really missed her.

He groaned just before responding verbally, “Oh, Doc… don’t remind me… it’s such a long time until tonight… I don’t know how I’m ever going to hold out until I can take you in my arms and make mad, passionate love to you.”

“Now, who’s doing the reminding… Anyway, we’re going to be so busy we won’t have time to think of that.”

He laughed. “Speak for yourself, I always have time to think of that,” he said wishing they were together currently. “I can’t wait for the honeymoon to start. You’re gonna love it!”

“Oh.. you… please give me one more hint, John… I know I can guess it if you give me just one more clue,” she said in a little girly voice.

“Oh… alright… it’s a place out of history,” he said intriguingly.

Her love was making her so curious; driving her crazy was more like it. “History… our history or history in general?”

Loving having the upper hand, he said, “That’s all you’re getting, I’m sorry Doc…”

She was silent, thinking about the other clues he’d given her…. it was a place where most of the people sounded different, the weather would probably be fairly nice this time of year, it wasn’t too far away and it was a place out of history… “Hmm, we’re going to the East Coast…. Philadelphia, Boston… I love those cities… that has to be it, John.”

“Wrong…. ha ha ha! But… that was a pretty good guess… see you soon, Doc… I love you.”

“Did I ever tell you… I don’t like you when you’re gloating… it’s not very becoming, John…”

“Please… don’t talk like that to me, this day is going to be tough enough without you reminding me every chance you get.”

“Talk like… what? she began to ask, then caught his meaning, “John! You really do have a one track mind today… please… you are hardly a teenage boy with raging hormones.”

“No, but I play one on TV,” he said with a hearty chuckle..

“You’re incorrigible, you know that?” she said, a hint of exasperation in her tone.

John was in that place of giddy happiness and he was having so much fun teasing back and forth with his bride to be. So, he continued the playful banter, “Oh, man… another word I have to look up in the dictionary… you wanna save me the time, Doc?”

He was irresistible, but she really did need to get going. Shaking her had, she said simply, “Say goodbye and hang up now, John… I have a lot to do before the ceremony…”

“Goodbye and hang up now, John,” he said, still giggling. Then, he added a sincere, “I love you and I can hardly wait to see your gorgeous smiling face and that amazing body of yours dressed in wedding finery. Bye, Doc.”

“Goodbye my love… ” she said with a wistful sigh, a smile of anticipation on her face, thinking of how sexy he always looked in a tuxedo. “Mmm, and I can hardly wait to see your handsome smiling face.”

John hung up the phone to hear the sounds of his two groomsmen, clearing their throats, “What…” he said, seeing their knowing smiles.

“That’s the third time you’ve called her since yesterday afternoon; you’ll just have to wait, John… it’s only a few hours.”

John sighed again, saying as he stood up, “Oh.. I know… but a few hours too many for me. I can’t wait to get this show on the road so…”

Abe and Bo had both heard that a time or two. Bo finished it for him, “I know.. I know… you can’t wait to be alone with her… ” Sensing there was more to the frequent calls, Bo shared his conclusion, “John, we know it’s been a long and difficult road to get here, but the day has finally arrived. You’re getting married to the woman of your dreams. Try to relax and enjoy it, why don’t you?”

Abe accented the sentiment, guessing what the other concern might be, “Yes… John, security at the church and the reception hall is as tight as it can get. Nothing is going to spoil your day, I promise.”

Blowing out a long breath, John responded with a hint of worry in his tone, nonetheless feeling thankful to have friends who knew him so well, “I know… it’s just that… I don’t know… I have this feeling.. and this little voice in the back of my head that keeps telling me something is going to happen, that something is going to come along and snatch our happiness away again.”

Abe was firmer with him, saying, “Well, it isn’t. You and Marlena have worked through all the problems, you’ve overcome all the obstacles. Stefano and Peter are dead. Kristen has changed and she’s given you her blessing. Even Roman has finally accepted that the two of you are meant to be together and you’ve all reached your peace with the past. There is nothing and no one left to keep you apart or delay this ceremony. So please.. try to enjoy your wedding day, okay?”

Hearing it all spoken out loud, it was difficult to deny. With a sigh of relief, John nodded and replied more positively, “Okay… I guess you’re right guys. It’s just that there have been so many problems. But, we *have* overcome all the challenges in our path and here we are… still deeply in love and standing on the threshold of our hopes and dreams. Nothing can stop us now.” It was what he’d said directly following the ceremony the last time and he prayed he was right this time.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rico Escobar sat on the deck of his estate reviewing the surveillance reports and nursing a glass of Jose Cuervo, his Tequila of choice. “Well, well, well… so our man is about to tie the knot. And, so soon after trying to off himself by jumping from a bridge… I have to admit, this guy bounces back nicely. I think it’s just about time we burst his little bubble though, don’t you, Antonio?” he said taking pleasure in imagining the man back in that same place of despair. It would be sweet revenge for the trouble Black and his so-called brother had caused Rico’s business.

“Yea boss… but I think we should let him have his day… you know… let him make it to the mountain top so he knows exactly how far he’s fallen… ha ha ha!” the other man said, delighting in the misery they would soon cause.

Rico nodded, a wicked smile slowly creeping across his face. “Yes… yes, I like that… I like that very much. We’ll let him think he’s got the world at his feet, and then we’ll take it all away. It will be so much fun watching him suffer while his life falls apart. That should be the perfect payback for his hand in shutting down my Midwest Operations for two months.”

“What about Brady… are we finished with him?” asked the underling, wondering what the long range plans were.

His boss was pensive for a moment, then spoke uncertainly, “I’m not sure… but somehow he doesn’t interest me as much as Black does. He’s just a pretty rich boy playing cops and robbers… I don’t like it, I don’t like it at all. Let him play in someone else’s backyard, not mine!”

Realizing that the decision to focus on Black had been made subjectively, on a purely emotional level, the man’s subordinate, said it once again, “We’ll get him, boss… we’ll get him good.”

“Yes… we will…” he said, closing down those thoughts for the moment. Changing the subject, the Drug Lord asked for another progress report, “So, tell me about those two small time punks from Chicago, what are they doing now?”

“Well, as far as I know… they’re still on their way to Salem and they want payback too, but they ended up in some small town and they’re dead broke. They’re trying to get some money together to make the rest of the trip.”

“Can we use them?” Rico wanted to cover all the bases.

“I think so, it sounds like they’re the type who will do whatever we tell them, if they’re scared enough. We can probably get them to do all the dirty work, leaving no ties whatsoever to our operation. They’re still very hot though, and I think they want to *do him* the same way their brother was done.”

That kind of situation could get very messy and Rico was hesitant about involving them, “Yes… but will that fit in with our plans?” he asked, anticipating problems that might develop.

Antonio was noncommittal, saying, “It could… if we control how it goes down.”

Nodding, contemplating the larger focus as he spoke, Rico said, “You know… the more I think about it, the more I want him to know where the pain and suffering is coming from… but I want to make absolutely sure there is no proof of my involvement. He’ll know, but there won’t be anything he can do about it. That will be the best revenge. Bring them to me immediately. I want to evaluate the situation personally.”

“Yes sir, they’ll be here within the day,” Antonio replied confidently, as he began to make mental plans for snatching the two Neanderthal types. They would do whatever they were told, once they had some idea of whom they were dealing with. The small time thieves would be too petrified about being killed to have any other response. A little hush money thrown in would buy their silence should they be apprehended. Of course, if at any time it looked as though the caged birds might sing, they could always be snuffed out.

It was the perfect plan.

We Are Gathered Here Today

It was a cool day for August, the temperature in the low 80’s, the sky a light shade of blue, a few soft clouds to shield the guests from the usually harsh rays of the late Summer sun. John and Marlena and all the people who loved them were thanking the heavens. It was as if God had planned it that way. It was a great day for a wedding and an outdoor reception.

Saint Luke’s Catholic Church was all a bustle with purposeful activity. There were people scurrying in every direction placing flowers everywhere, violet lilacs and white lilies on nearly every surface, two large candelabras filled with white candles, flanking a single candle which was symbolic of the upcoming union of two hearts and souls in the state of holy matrimony. Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring was quietly playing in the background as the last minute details were being handled by the ample staff John had hired to make the perfect wedding come off as if there had been months of planning involved. In truth, it was a ceremony that had been forthcoming for years.

John smiled as he stood at the back of the sanctuary and watched his imaginings become reality. He wasn’t nervous anymore, the time for that emotion had long since come and gone. Now was the time for sheer joy, and he was loving every second of this special day. In just a few more minutes, he would be standing at the altar awaiting his bride’s graceful walk down the aisle to him.

The groom shut his eyes and took a deep breath as his mind took him back to more than a decade ago, when he was marrying her for the first time. They were so young then, loving each other so freely and openly, believing he was another man… and now, they were older and wiser, more mature, but oh so much in love. ‘Oh, Doc… I thought I knew about love then, but the truth is, I knew nothing….you’ve taught me so much,’ John muttered quietly, for it was a part of his handwritten vows…. He had to tell her everything she meant to him, how she’d changed his life in so many ways, how she warmed his heart and soothed his weary soul, how she lit up the darkest of nights and brightened his bluest days. There was so much he wanted to say to her, and he realized when he tried to put it to paper, that there would never be enough time to express what was in his heart for her. Still, he was compelled to try….

Glancing in the mirror one last time, Marlena sighed, her heart swelling with ever increasing joy. The flowing off white conventional wedding gown, the much more quiet headpiece, and the soft lines upon her face were minor differences to her, for this was a day she had waited so very long to see. The only thing that truly mattered was that their shared dream was about to come true. At last, she was to become Mrs. John Black. It was a scenario she had envisioned at least a thousand times, she mused, and now it was finally happening, thirteen years to the day from that first ceremony. This time, he went by a different name, but John was still the man she fell in love with, the man she gave her heart to all those years ago. Remembering his sweet tears, she found one or two of her own forming again, and she spoke fondly of that memory, ‘Oh, John… I can hardly believe it… in just a few minutes, we’re going to be married. At last, there is nothing and no one to stand in the way of our happiness. I’m so happy, honey… and I can’t wait until I hear ‘The Wedding March’ begin. I love you so.’

She was alone in the bride’s room, so what was that sound she heard… a shuffling noise, someone coming to give her one last hug and some well wishes, perhaps. Marlena turned to see who it might be…. but there was no one there. ‘I’m just a little jumpy, that’s all,’ she was telling herself as she fussed with her hair one last time. But, then she heard it again… Again, she turned and saw a hazy shadowy figure… She shuddered and her heart skipped a beat; She gasped when she saw that it was Stefano… She reacted instantly to what she saw, “No.. it can’t be…”

And then the impossible happened; he spoke to her, “Marlena… you know you will never be happy with him; it is not meant to be… I warn you, if you marry John Black, you will find that the path ahead is paved with pain and sorrow….”

Shaking her head, she argued with what she told herself was only an apparition, a ghost her mind brought to her because he had ruined her happiness so many times before. ‘No… you just… stop it! That’s not true and you know it! You’re dead, Stefano and you can’t hurt us anymore. Our love is more powerful than anything you or Kristen could ever do to come between us.’ She shut her eyes tight… and talked to herself, laboring to remain calm and rational. ‘When I open my eyes, you’ll be gone, Stefano… I’m only imagining you… you can’t hurt us any more…. we’ve beaten you. We’re free of your hold over us… there’s nothing you or anyone else can ever do to come between us.’

Marlena breathed a tremendous sigh of relief when she opened her eyes and scanned the room for the presence of that evil man. Thankfully, he was gone, just as she had been telling herself. It was just a carryover from all the pain he had caused her and so many people she loved, including her soon to be husband. “Oh, thank you, God, thank you so much… I knew there was nothing to worry about. Stefano is gone and he can’t hurt us anymore. Like John said, all our bad luck is over now. There are only good times ahead for us.”

In the background, there lurked an extra cameraman, who was saying softly, “I wouldn’t count on that, Doctor Evans. You have no idea what lies ahead and if you did… you would probably run from this church right now and never look back,” he concluded, based on his conversations with the number one Drug Lord in Columbia. Ricardo had big plans for John Black, the rich boy playing cops and robbers, and it wasn’t going to be pretty. ‘Let him have his day. In fact, l’m going to let him have his perfect honeymoon…. Let him think he’s got the world by the tail and then we’ll take it all away,’ the man remembered the boss saying. Preparing the camera for the ceremony, Tomas said with a wicked grin on his face, “Oh, it’s going to be so much fun to watch him fall. He’ll never know what hit him until it’s much too late.”

As they stood ready for the wedding to begin, Abe was observing closely for signs of nervousness in his best friend, but didn’t see any by this time. What he saw was more like the quiet confidence and faith in love that he had seen developing over the past few months, as well as a sense of peace and serenity in those deep blue eyes. “Hey, John… are you okay?” he asked, putting a hand on John’s right shoulder and taking a good look at his buddy. “You’re not nervous any more, are you?” he said, not needing an answer.

There was no hesitation… John looked Abe in the eye and answered firmly, “Nope, I’m not… I feel… great, Abe! I am SO ready for this.. I love her so much and I can’t wait to say my vows to her.”

“You actually wrote them, didn’t you…I think that’s…” The music had begun and Abe looked up, as did his two best friends. John was flanked by Abe on his right and Bo on his left. “Well, partner, here’s your chance to make your dreams come true.”

“Yea man…. There she is, John…the moment you’ve been waiting for is finally here…” Bo was saying with excitement for his adoptive brother, as the three men looked to the front of the church, watching the processional. John smiled eagerly as the music began… it was time, time to join his life with hers in the same way his heart and soul were already intertwined with those of the woman slowly coming toward him.

There was no question about it, Marlena was absolutely stunning, her dazzling beauty stirring sensations inside him that words could not describe. He was dizzy for a moment, just to gaze upon her smiling face, watching her as she gracefully glided down the aisle after the bridesmaids, Carrie and Sami, took their places, her traditional style cream colored wedding gown looking as if it were made for her. Bo and Abe put on hand on each shoulder to steady him… ‘Here we go, Doc… it’s finally going to happen, after all these years… I love you more than ever and I can’t wait to start our lives together,’ he was saying to her in his mind and with his moist blue eyes which gazed upon her so admiringly.

She smiled broadly and gave him an adorable wink. His heart turned to mush and he felt a little weak in the knees. In response, she mouthed the words, ” I love you.” As John lightly grasped her lovely hands and stared into her sparkling hazel eyes anticipating the moment of slipping the band of gold around her slender finger, it was he could do to listen to the Priest as he began the long awaited ceremony.

“We are gathered here today……..”

I do swear that I’ll always be there.

I’d give anything and everything, and I will always care.

Through weakness and strength, happiness and sorrow, for better, for worse….

I will love you, with every beat of my heart……..

The wedding was underway at last. John Black and Marlena Evans were finally going to become husband and wife again, something many people in Salem had waited a long time to have happen. Their friends and family were pleased to see them standing there looking so happy, so at peace with themselves and so very much in love with each other after all the hardships they endured to come to this moment. In less than an hour they would be officially joined in the state of holy matrimony.

From this moment life has begun

From this moment, you are the one

Right beside you is where I belong

From this moment on………

Standing there at the altar next to a beaming Carrie, Sami, who was distinctly unhappy with the situation at hand, was struggling with all her might not to become physically ill at the sight of her mother gazing so adoringly at the groom. Sami still resented John Black for destroying her perfect family.

That man had hurt her father in the worst way possible, and for that she believed he deserved her eternal condemnation. She was pretending to be pleased for her mother, but inside she was seething with anger at the two of them. She tried for awhile to move past it, at her father’s insistence, but her half hearted attempts at forgiving John failed, especially since she knew how miserable her father really was, despite the positive image he tried to project for his parents and his ex-wife’s benefit.

Sami could still see her father’s face as he told her that John and Marlena were going to be married after all. She knew that for a little while he held out hope for a reconciliation. Because of Eric’s accident on the night of their father’s return, Roman and Marlena spent a significant amount of time together. They had grown a lot closer, and for a brief time it seemed that maybe Marlena would break off her engagement to John and recommit to her former husband, who had returned to Salem a few months earlier, practically on the eve of the original date for the wedding.

Unfortunately, John found a way to come between them again. He ruined any chance of the former happening when he saw the other two kissing and went off the deep end, almost killing himself by jumping off the bridge over the Salem River. At least that’s what the rumor mill was reporting. Although Marlena saw it happen, all her mother would reveal about the incident was that John had been very upset over what he saw and was up on the bridge after having had too much to drink. He had subsequently taken a horrible fall, which they both claimed was an accident, not a suicide attempt. The injuries he suffered were serious and Marlena remained at his side throughout his recovery period. Apparently, that harrowing experience solidified the bond between them and her father was, once again, left out in the cold.

In Sami’s warped perspective on people and relationships, John purposely created the crisis and then took advantage of her mother’s goodness and empathy to force her to recommit to him. It was completely untrue, of course, but none of that mattered to Sami. She hated John Black and no matter what he did, she would always resent him and think of him as the man who ruined her life, even though he had lovingly raised the twins for several key years of their lives. Unlike her brother, who had grown closer to John during his recovery period and seemed to enjoy recalling those days, she pushed those memories out of her mind. Sami couldn’t allow herself to feel any tenderness toward him. There was simply no room for sentiments from the past. As she stared at the happy couple, the bitter part of her heart compelled her mind to keep working out scenarios to break them up again.

From this moment I have been blessed

I live only for your happiness

And for your love, I’d give my last breath

From this moment on….

Neither John nor Marlena even noticed the occasional smirk on her face during the ceremony. They were so in love with each other and their eyes were locked in an intoxicating lover’s glare, only able to see each other. They were happier, more fulfilled and more secure in their love than ever before in their lives, and they planned to enjoy every second of their long awaited wedding day.

For her part, Carrie was very happy for John and Marlena… their love gave her faith that things would work out for her with Austin, despite the current circumstances. Looking over at Sami, Carrie had to wonder if her sister had long since regained her memory but neglected to tell anyone because she wanted Austin to believe she was a different person, so she could take advantage of his goodness to stay close to him. There had been a few moments when Carrie had to wonder, but there was no solid evidence to be found thus far, so she let it go and tried to give her sister the benefit of the doubt. After all, Sami had accepted Marlena’s invitation to be in the wedding with Carrie. Who was to know? Maybe the transformation would be long lasting.

Roman Augustus Brady was supposed to be sitting beside his parents, but realized at the last minute that he couldn’t handle watching Marlena marry John Black. It just hurt too much. So much had changed between the three of them in recent months and he was genuinely pleased for them. He accepted that their love was meant to be and he was moving on with his life, but to see her standing there so lost in her lover’s eyes, oblivious to anything else around her, was too painful to observe and he had to leave. ‘Oh, Doc… I’d give anything if you could look at me that way again… anything,’ he muttered sadly under his breath as he lingered in the foyer and glanced back for a moment, just before he stepped outside into the courtyard.

Tomas was standing nearby filming, acting as if he were just another of the crew, but he was taking it all in. He picked up on what Roman was saying and he made it a point to let his boss in on everything he saw and heard. The reception should be one interesting place, he determined. Salem was a town with a lot of secrets and it might be fun to uncover a few of them while he was there.

Bo was paying attention to the ceremony in between glancing over at his lovely wife Hope… and smiling. She was almost ready to deliver their second child and she was positively glowing at this point. They were as happy as they had ever been… No, happier, he decided because they had true love and lost it, but by some miracle were allowed a second chance, in the same way as the couple preparing to speak the vows of forever. Bo was committed to doing anything he had to do to ensure that nothing ever came between them again. The man standing next to him at the altar played a part in their getting back together and for that his ‘little brother’ was more than thankful.

Apparently, unbeknownst to Bo at the time, John had a couple of talks with Hope, hinting at what Bo couldn’t tell her, and she listened to the man whom she still considered to be her brother-in-law. Hope had subsequently given Bo a second chance and they were remarried a few months later, as originally planned, before the Smith Island fiasco. A short time later, she became pregnant and they were well on their way to a long and happy marriage. Now, it was John and Marlena’s turn to make their dreams come true. Bo vowed to do whatever he could to support them in that pursuit, even if it meant his relationship with his biological brother was strained upon occasion. Bo didn’t miss the fact that Roman walked out and left the wedding before it ever really got started. Though he believed what his brother said about having moved on and had seen a change in the way Roman looked at John, Bo had this nagging doubt about whether his brother was truly over Marlena. The fact that he couldn’t sit through the wedding was telling. As soon as it was over, Bo planned to find his brother and have a talk that was long overdue.

Lexie Carver was as happy as she could remember being for a long time as well. For quite awhile she grieved her father’s death and what it meant in terms of her own identity, but finally realized that he was the man everyone said he was, evil through and through, and that his choices had no bearing on her life. Now, he was gone and he couldn’t hurt anyone anymore. John and Marlena were finally free of his evil manipulations and they could find their happiness in each other the way they were always meant to do. It made Lexie’s heart swell with joy to see her husband standing next to John, his best friend, and share such a special day with him. She couldn’t begin to count the number of times Abe had come home after spending time with John, wishing there were something he could do to help the couple find their way back together. In fact, her husband seemed almost as excited as they were when it became clear that their reunion was permanent. John had been through so much pain to get to this moment and so had Marlena. It was heartwarming to see the smiles of elation on their faces, for it had been such a long time coming. This was a gathering of friends and family, united for at least this one moment, sharing their faith in true love. It was a glorious day indeed!

I give my hand to you with all my heart

Can’t wait to live my life with you, can’t wait to start……..

After what seemed like an eternal wait, it was time to say their vows. John cocked his head slightly to the right and gazed at his bride with an expression that took her breath away and made her weak in the knees. There was such tenderness, such total adoration and such intensity of love she could hardly believe it was real. “John,” she whispered softly, with tears of joy forming. Even the way she said his name made his heart fill with a nearly overpowering desire, an aching need to hold her in his arms and kiss her until she moaned with that same fiery desire they always shared.

You and I will never be apart

My dreams came true, because of you……

Seeing her tear up again, John reached out to wipe the moisture away with the pads of his thumbs, as he had so many times before. After a pause during which he stopped to gaze deeply into those moist hazel eyes he loved so much, John started in, “Marlena… I love you… and I am so.. amazed to be standing here, wiping away tears of joy from that beautiful face of yours. I keep wanting to pinch myself because I can hardly believe that this is real,that we’re finally here, getting married again.” John stopped speaking for a moment, and his voice was touched with only a hint of the emotions he was feeling inside, “Doc, for so long, all I could do was.. dream of you… and wonder if there would ever come a time when you would… look at me the way you’re looking at me right now. But pretty lady, here we are… after all this time, you still love me and you’re going to be my wife. In my book, that’s a miracle.” He was weeping softly by this point, but there was so much more to tell her.

From this moment as long as I live

I will love you, I promise you this

There is nothing I wouldn’t give

From this moment on…

Holding her hands in both of his, bringing them to his lips for a soft kiss, he continued, “Marlena… there is so much I want to say to you… that I don’t even know where to begin. You’ve taught me how to love and you’ve made my life complete… you’ve made me feel whole… and I never

thought that could happen unless I recovered my memories from the past. But, I was wrong about that… and so many other things. I don’t need to fill in the gaps, Marlena… because when I look in your shining eyes, I know who I am, and I know that right here.. with you… raising our children is where I’m meant to be, for the rest of my life. I’m not looking back any more, Doc. I’m moving on with the life that I’ve been given. I’ve been blessed with the gift of your love, Marlena…and I’m so grateful. I love you with all that I am and all that I ever hope to be. I always have and I always will.”

You’re the reason I believe in love

And you’re the answer to my prayers from up above…..

“Oh… honey… you make me so happy… I just love you so… ” she said through tears of bliss. To be so loved, so cherished was a true miracle. There had been so many times when she believed this day would never come, but at last it had, and she too felt the need to pinch herself to make sure it wasn’t just one of a thousand dreams she’d had before. “John, you talk to me… about what my love has done for you.. Well, you just don’t know… what your love… has done… for me.” It was a struggle not to cry, for the emotions were so powerful, so intense. “You are my… one true hero… my knight in shining armor.. you’ve always been there when I needed you. You risked your life, even your soul for me, over and over again… and you…touch my heart so, with your kindness, your gentle spirit…your unfailing ability to forgive.. When you’re holding me.. I know that I can face any challenge… I feel so safe and so secure and most of all, I feel so blessed to be loved by you.”

All we need is just the two of us

My dreams came true because of you……

She was starting to break down, but she had to retain control over her emotions so she could share her thoughts, “John, honey…. there were so many times when I thought I couldn’t go on… when I felt so lost.. and then… I would…hear you talking to me.. telling me to be strong… or I would feel your hand on my shoulder… and I would turn around… and you would look at me… and I knew… that I could get through anything as long as I had you near me. And now… all that pain is behind us. We’re here and we’re starting our new life together. I love you, John Black.. with all my heart, with all my mind and all my soul. We are forever, my love…”

From this moment as long as I live

I will love you, I promise you this

There is nothing I wouldn’t give…….

“For… ever,” he said in a passion filled whisper as he leaned in close, almost kissing her prematurely, her words touching his heart as well. Breathing deeply of her heavenly fragrance, it was all he could do to resist the extreme temptation to make love to her as only he could do. “Mmm… I can’t wait until we’re alone,” she said in response. He moaned his reply,

“Oh, Doc… I don’t know how much longer I can hold out. I want you so much,” he was saying with intensity, yet making sure his voice was barely audible.

From this moment

I will love you as long as I live……..

The Priest was clearing his throat as a warning… “With the exchanging of vows and the giving and receiving of rings,” he began rather loudly. Light chuckling was heard throughout the sanctuary as the need for his purposeful action was not lost on anyone. John and Marlena were beyond eager to hear the pronouncement. It was all they’d dreamed about for so very long and now it was almost time.

From this moment on……

“I now pronounce you, husband and wife. You may kiss the bride…”

John wasted no time, having taken her in his arms for a kiss that started gently, his tongue swirling inside her mouth, stirring her desire and taking her breath away. When it ended, she was captivated and dreamy eyed, “Oh my… yes you may…” she said.

Even the Priest laughed at the expression on her face, one of pure bliss, and the groom looked like he’d just had a taste of heaven, “Ladies and Gentlemen, I am exceedingly glad to present to you, Mister and Mrs. John Black.”

There was a tremendous round of applause and cries of joy for a couple most everyone loved and respected a great deal. In another moment, they were rushing down the aisle hand in hand, full of peace and joy. At long last, the moment they had been longing for had arrived and they were on the way to making their dreams come true.

“We did it, Doc…There’s no stopping us this time!” John exclaimed as they turned and looked back at all their friends and family gathered to celebrate their second union.

Filled with joy and feeling more content with her life and her choices than she could ever remember, Marlena beamed as she replied softly, “Yes we did, my love. We’ve been through so much to get to this day, and from now on I have to believe that there will only be peace and happiness for us and our family.”

From this moment on……..

On the Way to Paradise…

They were dancing at their wedding reception and it was almost too good to be true. John was relaxed and happy, a broad satisfied smile on his handsome face, his eyes sparkling with renewed joy as they glided around the ample dance floor. Therefore, it was the perfect. time to make another attempt to coax the secret out of him. Sliding her hand down over his backside, the bride said softly, “Okay, John… we’ve been married for two whole hours now… don’t I deserve just one tiny hint about where we’re going for the honeymoon?”

He waited for long enough to make her anxious and then said, his lips curled into a mischievous grin, “Alright.. the hint is.. I lied about the other hints I gave you…. Ha ha..” he teased, having a lot of fun with the whole subject.

“Oh, you… I can’t believe this… it’s the nineties and I have to be surprised… Shouldn’t I have a say in where we go to begin our lives together?”

He nodded, saying in agreement, “Mmm hmm… you do… and I’ve listened very carefully through the years and picked a place I knew you’d love.”

“Ooooh… John Black… did I ever tell you that you can be.. infuriating.”

“Yea, but I’m so dang cute that it makes up for it…” he said leaning in for a juicy kiss before dancing out of her grasp toward the punch bowl.

She followed, hoping her strategy of wearing him down would eventually work, “Oh… what am I gonna do with you?

“Well, I can think of quite a few things if you’re having trouble, Mrs. Black,” he said, taking her in his arms, then whispering one of them in her left ear.

“Oh my… I bet you would like that, honey… By the way, you can call me Mrs. Black as many times as you like, Mr. Black… I’ll never get tired of hearing it.”

“Yea… can you believe it… we’re finally husband and wife again, Doc.. I gotta say.. there were a few times when…”

She hushed him with a hand to his mouth, “I know.. me too.. but that’s all behind us now… We are together forever… Stefano and Peter are dead and Kristen has made her peace with what happened.”

Glancing at the far corner, her groom breathed a hefty sigh of relief, and said, “Yea… and even Roman.. has moved on… I have to tell you, when I found out he was starting to date again.. I was…”

She leaned in close and whispered, for decorum’s sake…Sami and Eric were nearby and though they’d accepted the reality of the situation they were still sensitive about their father. “Rejoicing maybe?”

He stifled a laugh.. not wanting to appear quite so obviously relieved by that turn of events. “Oh, you might say that.. yea… No, really, I’m happy for him, Doc.. I never had anything against him, you know…It’s just that…” He stopped talking, having noticed her attention had wandered for a moment.

“Yes.. I know… I’m happy for him too… I just hope she…” Her voice trailed off as she turned away slightly, watching the other couple step out on the dance floor.

“Marlena… “

His tone held just a hint of nervousness, to which she responded in mild admonishment, “John… I was just going to say that I hope she doesn’t hurt him… that’s all.”

Wiping his hand across his brown in a slight exaggerated manner, he blew out a breath and said, “Oh, whew… for a minute there I was worried you were going to take after Alice Horton and try to play matchmaker for your ex-husband.. What a relief.”

She punched him on the arm and was about to react quite strongly when she saw his sexy playful wink. “Did I ever tell you…”

“How good a kisser I am… yea… but I’ll give you another chance in just a second…” he said, immediately before doing just that, his lips devouring hers, his blue eyes so captivating she lost all train of thought. When the contact ended, they noticed that many pairs of eyes were upon them… and the glasses with clinking again, urging them on. John took full advantage of the spotlight to deepen the kiss, his tongue flickering inside the sweetness of her mouth, leaving them both breathless and wishing it were already time to slip away to find their private paradise for two.

“Oh my.. ” was all she could say when at last their lips parted company, to which the gathering of friend and family responded with a few giggles and a loud chorus of applause. John was beaming, feeling his heart swell with joy and peace indescribable. At last, they were together in love as husband and wife again, on the threshold of all their hopes and dreams.

As the commotion died down a little, the music was cued up again, for one final dance before the happy couple departed for their honeymoon. Abe stood in the middle of the dance floor with a microphone in his left hand, a glass of champagne in his right.. “Okay everybody, a final toast to the bride and groom. To John and Marlena… may today mark the beginning of true peace and fulfillment in your lives. And may your honeymoon be a time of growing ever closer in love… Bon Voyage my good friends…”

Shawn Brady joined in, wishing them all the best. All hard feelings had long since been resolved. “Here here… Congratulations John and Marlena… may you share a long and blessed life together…”

As the song began, John acted as if he were planning to sing along, maybe in replacement of the original crooner, taking the microphone from Abe. His friends winced in spite of the romantic nature of his gesture. Just as he was about to sing along with Nat King Cole, he grinned like a little boy, totally in his element and said, “Just kidding… I’d much rather dance with my wife than sing….” which elicited howls of laughter from everyone gathered round and the song began again, it’s sweet melody filling the air with romance.

I love you for sentimental reasons

I hope you do believe me…..

Marlena was still smiling, loving the chance to see her man so very happy… “John… you are having so much fun, aren’t you, my love?”

“Oh… yea… and why shouldn’t I… I’m only going to this wedding thing once… gotta take full advantage of it, don’t I?” he said his eyes twinkling, his body content to sway back and forth with her in the same spot.

I’ll give you my heart……

“I guess so…. Sure… just as long as you take advantage of me… oh say in about an hour or so…”

He pouted… “That long? I don’t think I can hold out…”

“Oh, shut up and dance with your wife, would you…. You know we’re only get to do this reception thing once… “

He nodded and did just that, twirling her around in a circle before continuing on with the tour he had planned. “You’re right… So, wife… would you care to dance with your groom… “For sentimental reasons…” he said, imitating Nat… “Sorry… couldn’t resist that…”

I love you

And you alone were meant for me

Please give your loving heart to me

And say we’ll never part…

“Come on…. Show me your dancing feet, baby..”

“You asked for it… you’ve got it, honey… ” he said and began to guide her ever so gently in time to the music, swiftly becoming lost in the misty hazel orbs that gazed so adoringly into his delighted eyes of blue.

“I love you so….” Marlena said, mesmerized by the melody and the way it felt to be in his arms, so safe, so secure, so completely right. Her heart and soul were at peace and she was gazing into the future with the man of her dreams. It was glorious and all of that emotion and all of those thoughts were embodied in the way she looked at him

“Absorbing the love she was broadcasting, John vowed to be worthy of her adoration and commitment, saying, with soft passion, “And, I love you, my beautiful lady… now and always.”

“Yes… we are forever… and today is just the beginning… ” Marlena said, elation marking her expression, as she glanced around at all their friends and family, enjoying the fact of sharing such an important day with all of them. She spotted her little boy and girl who were vainly struggling to imitate their parents.

She pointed and John saw them as well, smiling warmly in response to the heartwarming sight. And, then he responded to Marlena’s comments, “The beginning of forever… yea… I like that, Doc… that’s exactly what it is… I have the privilege of waking up with you every day and going to sleep with you every night… and the joy of raising those two little angels with you. I can’t tell you happy that makes me… how blessed I feel.”

Taking a step closer as they continued to glide almost effortlessly around the Penthouse Grill, she sighed and said, “Oh, I think I might know a little something about what that’s like. I feel so blessed too, my love… we’ve been given our second chance at love… and we’re going to make all our dreams come true.

“Yes we are, Doc… and that’s a fact… There’s just no stopping us now!” he said enthusiastically as he once again immersed himself in the heady rush of adrenaline that this wedding stirred within. It was a singularly marvelous sensation.

Marlena sighed with a feeling of inner serenity and allowed him to take her with him, wherever his mind decided to go at the moment, and wherever life might take them as they traveled along their way. “Oh, I’m so glad you’re mine…so glad,” she said to end the conversation in a fitting manner. John smiled and whispered softly in her ears the words to the song as the last stanza began……

I think of you every morning

I dream of you every night

Darling I’m never lonely

Whenever you’re in sight

I love you for sentimental reasons

I hope you do believe me

I’ve given you my heart…….

Honeymoon Bliss

At last, they were on their honeymoon, alone in a tropical paradise, the island of Santa Cruz in the Galapagos. The sun was just coming up over Tortuga Bay, painting the sky in a vast array of pastel hues, a glorious sight to John Black’s newlywed eyes, but it couldn’t come close to the vision of heaven lying in bed next to him. She was beauty personified and she was finally his wife, legally, morally and every other way there was to be married. And this time, it was forever. John sighed with satisfied joy as he watched her sleeping, her hair gently surrounding her perfect face, blanketing her in golden silk… ‘Oh, pretty lady… I can hardly believe this is real… after all these years it’s just you and me, together on our honeymoon…’ he said inside his mind as his eyes briefly took in their lush surroundings.

She smiled when his fingertips traced the outline of her jaw, tenderly brushing aside her hair and moaned quietly when his lips hovered over hers. He stayed that way for a moment or two before he touched his mouth to hers, hoping to awaken his sleeping beauty… “Mmm..” she said… “tastes so good..” It made him chuckle a bit, wondering if she were dreaming about the night before, in which they fed each other fruit and sprayed whipped cream on various body parts, having fun indulging in the sweet succulent taste of love.

When she didn’t awaken, he decided to let her sleep awhile. She had, after all been through quite a bit of stress in the past few months. It was only fair that she be allowed to catch up on her rest between hot dates with her new husband. After slipping into a pair of shorts, he wrote her a quick note and went out to the beach to walk along the shoreline, careful that the sliding door made as little sound as possible when he closed it behind him.

The water, he’d always loved the water… it brought peace to a sometimes troubled soul, but now there was no more inner turmoil. Watching as the waves crashed upon the sandy shore, John smiled, thankful that he was, in contrast, no longer churning inside. He was a man who had finally found the peace and serenity he’d been seeking for so long. John knew very little about who he was before he came to live in Salem, but that didn’t matter to him any longer. His identity in the present was what counted. He was John Black, a name he’d chosen to keep even after finding out he was an Alamain by birth, wealthy beyond his wildest imagination, yet happy to be working as a detective for the Salem PD. And much more importantly, he was husband to the most incredible woman in the world, and father to two terrific young children who adored him. At last, he was married and well on his way to living a relatively normal life with his family.

As he reviewed the events of the past year, John was amazed that he’d come so far so fast. He could still remember the despair that led him to contemplate, however briefly, jumping off the Salem River Bridge. It had been a serious emotional crisis and a turning point for him, a catalyst for significant change in his life and Marlena’s as well. With the benefit of some individual and couple’s therapy, both he and Marlena were able to confront and resolve the lingering issues stemming from the affair. It freed them from the heavy burden of their guilt, and their lives were entwined as they were truly meant to be. Life just couldn’t get any better for a man like John Black.

The ocean breezes caressed his skin and he smiled, savoring the comforting sensation. Sweet memories drifted by… their walk on the beach the night before…. making love behind the dunes in the early evening sun… thinking of how she glowed, her heart, soul, and body calling out her love to him.. Fact was, he was loving an angel… “Oh, Doc…that’s what you are to me… an angel in disguise.. my special angel.. to have and to hold….”

A slender pair of arms slipped around his waist as a soft voice tickled his ears, “And you are mine… my guardian angel, and my one true love… “

Turning to face her, he let out a quiet sigh and welcomed her to his day with a quick kiss, “Mmm… good morning… I was missing you already.. but you looked so peaceful I didn’t want to wake you.”

“You’re so good to me… happy honeymoon, Mr. Black,” she said, returning the kiss, then nuzzling his neck for a moment, savoring the closeness. It was still so hard to believe that they had overcome all the obstacles to their union and were actually on their long awaited honeymoon.

“Happy honeymoon to you too, Mrs. Black… Man, I love sayin’ that! he said, excitedly, his blue eyes sparkling as he drew back slightly to look at her face.

“Not as much as I love hearing it….” She said, holding out her ring hand in front of both of them, “Mrs. John Black… I’m finally your wife… it’s all so amazing and wonderful, John.”

Gazing intently into her hazel eyes, glimmering as the were in the morning sun, he replied in kind, his hands cupping her beautiful face, “Yes, it is… I’m so happy, Doc… so happy… and so in love with you, pretty lady.”

“So am I, honey… happier than I ever thought possible… “

For a moment, they watched the ocean, admiring the picturesque setting and enjoying the companionable silence… and then he shared a recent conclusion, “You know… I was thinking about something this morning… when I woke up… Doc.. do you remember how I used to say that if I got my past back… I would finally feel like a… whole person?”

“Yes… I remember…” she said, curious, especially when he paused.

He placed his hands upon her shoulders, almost distracted by how sexy she was in her cotton, off the shoulder sundress… but this was of utmost importance. “Well, I realized something, Doc… ever since we said the wedding vows. It finally happened for me, Marlena. Marrying you was what I really needed all along. Being with you this way… being loved by you… that makes me feel complete…I don’t need to know about my past anymore. And I’ve made a decision… I’m not going to give it another second of my time… because the life I have with you and the kids is all I want and all I’ll ever need.”

Tears filled her eyes and began to spill out, as she peered into the depths of his blue eyes, so sincere, and finally at peace in his soul. “Oh, John….I’m so happy for you, honey…” Cupping his handsome face with her gentle hands, she said in an emotion laden voice, “I hoped… no I.. prayed that it would be so… and I’m just so…glad for you.. and so.. very very much in love with you…” she finished passionately.

He was weeping softly, tears of joy… taking her in the strength and tenderness of his arms, holding her forever close to his heart, and breathing deeply of her heavenly scent. “And I am forever grateful to you… Marlena Evans-Black… I’ve found in you everything I ever dreamed, everything I ever hoped for…. everything wonderful that I ever could have imagined… I see it in your eyes when you look at me.”

“Oh, honey… I feel the same way about you… you’ve brought such joy and peace to my heart and soul. I feel so loved and so blessed to have you in my life… my husband.”

Waving his arms toward the tropical splendor that surrounded them, he spoke of the future, “And this is just the beginning, Doc… we have our whole lives ahead of us.. just you and me and the kids.”

That brought another smile to her gorgeous face… “Our family… at last.. we can raise them together… “

“Together forever…. ” he said, leaning in to plant a soft moist kiss on her awaiting lips. His left hand supported her neck while the right one touched her cheek as their mouths met, his tongue slipping effortlessly inside. A lingering caressing kiss left them breathless and starry eyed… mesmerized by the physical and emotional ecstasy of their joining.

Hand in hand, they walked along the shore, content in their hearts, enjoying the quiet solitude of their tropical island paradise. It was truly a dream come true… sharing honeymoon bliss.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was a perfect day to laze around on the veranda in a lounge chair, or down by the poolside of his Columbia mountaintop compound, playing with the ladies. However, relaxing was the last thing on the owner’s mind. Rico Escobar, a man who wanted to be in control of virtually every situation, hated waiting and he was fast running out of patience. Standing up and looking out the picture window at the long winding drive that led from the gatehouse toward the main entrance, he looked at his underling and demanded an answer the man could not give him. “Antonio, why haven’t we heard from Tomas? I grow weary….”

“I don’t know… but I’m sure he’ll at least call soon, boss…”

At the moment when he was about to pull out his cell phone and make a call himself, Rico glanced up at the sound of the door opening behind them. Before he knew it, the tape he’d been anxiously awaiting was flying through the air toward him…”Here you go boss… the video footage of Black’s wedding. You’ll never guess where his honeymoon is…”

“Oh, don’t tell me…” he started to guess, thinking it was somewhere nearby.. “The Yucatan?”

Tomas only smiled and nodded, seeing approval in the other man’s eyes… “No, even better… They’re in the Galapagos…. First stop, Santa Cruz…”

“Good work, Tomas…” Rico said grinning wickedly, popping the tape in the VCR.. ” it’ll come in handy when his life is in ruins… we’ll torture him with it… ha ha! After watching for a minute or two.. thinking about how delightful it would be to see the man’s face when it had all been taken away, he said something about the other issue… “Find out where they’re staying and be prepared to start the operation.”

“I can’t wait… in a few months he’ll be living inside his worst nightmare… Your plan is brilliant Jefe,” Antonio said, happy that this time he was going to be instrumental in destroying one of their enemies. It had taken so long for the boss, who was also his father, to trust him, and now he had his chance to prove himself more than worthy of that trust.

“Thank you… I am quite proud of it… the best part of it is, he’ll never see it coming. None of those arrogant norte americanos ever do… That’s the beauty of it.”

“Yes… and there will be no way out… He’s going to pay for what he did to our operation…for the rest of his miserable life…” Tomas chimed in, thinking of what they’d done to the DEA agents. They paid with their lives…their deaths were slow and painful, but this was even better, for the man would go on suffering for years to come.

And then Antonio said it too, “Yea… he’s going to pay like those two federales did… and then he has to keep on living…ha ha ha! I gotta hand it to you… you really know how to get em where it hurts the most.”

“That’s why I’m heading up the Cartel.. I’m more powerful than el Presidente of this little country we live in. I’m a take charge kind of hombre.. ha ha!” he said, laughing harshly, lighting up a cigar. Power was sexy and revenge was like an aphrodisiac.

“You got that right muchacho…eh.. All of Columbia es su reino!” said Tomas, his dark eyes smiling, raising a glass to his superior.

Leaning back and crossing his legs on the coffee table, he agreed with that assessment of the situation in his home country, “Ah, yes…. yes it is my kingdom, and by the time we’re finished with him… Black is going to wish to the gods that he’d never tried to knock me off the throne.”

Tomas was nodding his agreement, loving the mere anticipation of what was to come. If all went according to their elaborate plans, the pretty rich boy playing at cops and robbers was going to wish he’d stay and played corporate mind games instead of going down into the trenches and trying to fight the so-called, ‘War on Drugs.’ “To the cartel…..”

“To the Cartel!” repeated Rico, triumphantly, raising his glass high in the air. The flow of cocaine was slowly returning to near normal levels and it would soon be time to begin the first phase of his revenge. “So, then.. Antonio….my son… are you ready to start toying with him?”

“Yes… more than ready, father… I thought I’d let him have a day or two.. and then boom… it’s all going to start falling apart.”

Glancing again at the screen, Escobar sat back and watched the show for a moment or two…The couple was dancing… looking extremely happy and very much in love… “Ah.. yes.. marital bliss…too bad it’s so short lived these days… Let’s be generous… we’ll give him 72 hours… and then I want you to begin phase one.”

“Yes sir!” came the enthusiastic tandem reply. Both men were eager to please their superior in hopes that one day they would be considered true partners in the business, instead of lackeys.

Knowing what they sought, he gave out orders, “Tomas… I want you to take care of the boys from Chicago… I want to know what they’re made of.. whether or not they can be persuaded to play this my way. Bring them to me tomorrow afternoon…. If not…you will do what you must and make it clean.”

“Yes, sir!”

“And fix me another drink, would you?”

“Of course, boss… whatever you say…” Tomas answered, moving toward the bar to do as requested.

Turning to the other man, much younger, Rico asked about his progress, “Antonio, have you made contact with the man in the IAD office?”

“Yes… he’s in our pocket as we speak… it’s just as we thought.. he always believed that John Black was too good to be true and he wants to take him down… I think he’ll play along with us… especially when he realizes exactly who I’m representing….”

“Oh… this is going to be so good, my friends… so very sweet.”

“Let’s toast one to revenge…” said Tomas.. His superior laughed again, nodded his head and smiled with delight as he clinked the other men’s glasses. It was a day of celebration… Detective John Black’s whole world was about to come crashing down around him. Having seen only ten or fifteen minutes of the lavish wedding, it was clear from the images presented on film, that Black was a man at peace, a man who was as happy as he’d ever been in his whole life. He felt safe and secure, his guard was down, and therefore, he was about to be devastatingly blindsided.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

They were sitting on a bench… near the condo… staring out over the bay… a beautiful sight, when it suddenly occurred to the bride that there was an issue they hadn’t yet touched upon. Turning toward her husband Marlena said, “John… I need to ask you something… did you pick these islands because of their beauty and splendor, or was there another reason?”

John smiled and reached out to touch her face, the outstretched fingers of his right hand then threading her silky hair. “She’s so smart… she asks before he can even tell her… Yes, I picked them for their beauty and yes, there’s another reason…” He paused and glanced out at the ocean, wondering if it weren’t such a great idea, now that it was time to follow through with it… “I uh… I wanted to go back to San Cristobal, Doc..”

She sighed, cognizant that her intuition was accurate, as usual, “I wondered…. John, I can see that you’ve given this some serious thought… tell me about it.. “

He blew out a long breath and looked up at her compassionate gaze… She was a wonder; he could see that she wasn’t sure and yet she would stand beside him, if it were what he needed from her. “Okay, it’s sort of complicated, but basically it goes like this… All those years ago… we went to that island to find out what happened to you, and for me to prove to myself that I was Roman Brady. Instead… it brought an end to that life, and it became… the birthplace of John Black… a man without a past, and.. the end of what you and I shared…”

Just thinking of it brought tears to her eyes, for both of them, all the time apart and the immeasurable pain they’d suffered since that day. “Oh, honey… those are such painful memories.. why would you want to go back there?” she asked, taking his hands in hers as a gesture of comfort, seeing in his face that he was feeling some of that pain, even now.

His voice tremulous, he attempted to impart his thinking process, “Because, Marlena… I need to settle with it…once and for all. I need to…be there with you… and make a new memory… This might sound odd to you… but I need to…celebrate…in some strange way… the birth of that man, because… in the end…it was him that you loved.” Pointing to himself, he finished, passionately, “It was me, John Black, not Roman Brady that you wanted to share your life with.. does any of that make sense to you at all… cause I’ve been thinking about it for awhile now….” he added, uncertainly, narrowing his gaze to study her reaction.

The tears she’d held at bay began to fall as she shared her feelings, nodding her head with understanding as she spoke, “Oh, John… yes… yes it does make sense…. and you’re right… I wanted you to be Roman….for so long…. Because…it was you… that I loved… and if you.. were Roman Brady.. that meant I was free to love you…”

Taking her in his arms again, he was nodding too… “I know… I know, Doc…God, we sure have seen a lot since then, haven’t we?”

“Oh, yes…we’ve been through so much… but my love for you has only grown stronger… and deeper since that day…”

“And so has mine for you…. So what do you say…are you up for a little boat ride later on this afternoon?” he asked, ready to lighten the mood a bit.

“Of course I am, John…Don’t you know by now that I would follow you anywhere?”

“Anywhere?” he asked, his blue eyes suddenly twinkling with mischief, as if he were waiting for her to say just that.

She was nodding and smiling, waiting for him to take advantage of the opening… He said nothing more but winked seductively as he took her hand and led her to a secluded spot behind one of the dunes. When they arrived, he gestured and her eyes lit up at the sight. There was a blanket and a picnic basket, a bottle of wine chilling in a wooden bucket… even a portable radio…obviously brought along to help in setting the proper mood for romance. “Anywhere…my love… I’ll follow wherever you lead…I’d go to the ends of the earth and back again….if you asked me to…Mr. Black.”

“That’s nice to know… and the same goes for me, Mrs. Black…but if it’s all the same to you, I’d just as soon stay right here and make up for all that lost time…”

“Lost time… ” she said, repeating his words, not quite getting his point.

“Yea… just think how many times we would have made love if we were together all those years…. We’ve got *a lot* of catching up to do, Doc….”

The boyish grin on his adorably youthful face and the brightness of his eyes touched her heart like nothing else and she gave him the go ahead…. “Oh, my.. then we better get started, my love.”

Wasting no time, he wrapped his arms securely around her and did just that, capturing her mouth in a stirring kiss, his hands moving to disrobe her…exposing her barely covered skin…”Oh, I just love you so.. ” she muttered as he sent shivers up and down her spine with the light touch of his fingertips.

“All I want to do for the rest of my life is love you lady….forever and always…” he said, making circular motions on the tender mounds of flesh he loved so much, his only goal to please her and make her feel like the treasure she was to him.

“Always… ” she said as he took her down onto the soft blanket that lay beneath them. Lost in sensation, she let him have his way with her. As his tongue made magic inside her mouth, his hands created tingling electrical sensations all over her body, and she found herself moaning with pleasure. “Mmm… oh, John…”

His heart swelled with elation as she moved underneath him, her body nearly writhing with heated desire, his own throbbing need increasing as she placed her hands inside his shorts and began to massage him. Within a few moments of anxious growing need, John was inside her, and husband and wife were climbing toward the peak, their hearts beating faster and faster, their breathing ragged with the rush of lovemaking, as their flushed bodies moved in perfect harmony. “Oh, Marlena… I love you… I love you, I love you,” he whispered repeatedly, as they shared themselves in this total intimacy of mind, body and spirit.

It was pure honeymoon bliss.

Off the Beaten Path of Memory

The twin engine speed boat was gradually slowing to a stop along the far shore of the island of San Cristobal. It was so long ago but the memories were alarmingly fresh, renewed by talking about what happened shortly after Marlena’s return from a five year absence. That was another five years of time that were still a mystery to both of them, but they had agreed to let go of the past, both his and hers. This visit was the last journey they would make into years gone by, their focus squarely on their bright and shining future. “Well, here we are, Doc… you ready for a little… hike?” John said, hoping to coax a smile that he sensed he needed more than she did.

She nodded and tried to do just that, but said nothing. Spending a day traipsing through a jungle like area was not exactly in the game plan when she envisioned her honeymoon, but if it were what John needed to settle with his past once and for all, she was more than willing to do it.

Brushing her cheek with the back of his closed right hand, he peered into her eyes and asked her directly, “Marlena… are you sure about this? I mean if you really don’t…”

Putting her outstretched right forefinger to his lips, Marlena stopped him mid-sentence, “Hush… we talked about this, honey. I understand why you needed to come back here and I want to be here with you. We’re married now, and we vowed to share everything.”

“Including monster mosquitoes?” he teased as he climbed out of the boat and reached out a hand to assist her in doing the same.

“Yes, even those… I love you so much…. ” she said when they were both standing on the sandy shores.

Drawing her near, he expressed his own feelings with passion, “Oh, Doc…. the word love doesn’t begin to capture what I feel for you… You’re in my soul lady… and you have been since the first day I laid eyes on you.”

“Ditto… now let’s go before we get eaten alive…” she said slapping at some kind of pesky insect.

“Alright… then let’s do it,” he said taking her by the hand, leading her in the general direction of the abandoned buildings where he’d begun to have flashbacks of what had been done to him all those years ago. Only a slight shudder gave her a glimpse of his discomfort.

“Are you okay, John?”

“Yea… I’m fine… “

“You were remembering weren’t you?”

“Yea…. but it’s okay… I want to face it head on… and put it to rest, once and for all, Doc… ” he said continuing to walk.

“Alright… as long as you’re sure… then I can handle it too.”

They hiked in silence for awhile, listening to the cacophony of sounds. The buzzing and chirping, and singing of the birds were like a symphony of nature and it brought strange comfort to their wondering hearts and minds. Finally, after about an hour, they were in the vicinity of the buildings. As they neared the entrance, both of them felt nervous, as if they were about to encounter some ghosts of the past, apparitions they’d rather not face. Their eyes met, exchanging unspoken truths about that time of their lives, regrets that after so many years had finally been put to rest. They had overcome every obstacle which lay across the path to happiness with each other. “It’s been a long time….” John finally said to break the silence.

“Yes… and so much has happened since then…” she said with a sigh of mixed emotions.

He nodded and agreed, “Mmm.hmm.. some of it pretty awful….”

“And some of it wonderful… Do you have any regrets, John?”

Shaking his head, he replied without hesitation, “None that we haven’t talked about… all that counseling was…. hard… but good, Marlena..”

“Yes… it made us stronger to revisit the past, to confront our mistakes, didn’t it?”

“Mmmm hmm… one of them happened right here… I should have just let myself love you… Instead I let the fear control me and I pushed you away when I needed you the most.”

“I know… but I did the same thing at times… I was so afraid too… but you know something… I feel so grateful… I’ve had the privilege of loving two very wonderful men…. and our love is so much stronger now, and deeper than it’s ever been.”

That made him smile… “You’re right… so in the end, I don’t really have any regrets because everything that we’ve been through since we came here has brought us closer in the long run.”

“So… are we ready to go inside?”

He nodded, a jolt of nausea coursing through his body. Then he took the slender hand of his lovely bride and together they entered the battered concrete structure. They climbed down the steps into the cool darkness of the underground.

The second his eyes landed on the jail cell he trembled internally, a slight shudder of his shoulders tipping Marlena off about his reaction. As they moved cautiously toward the small prison, his mind took him back, flashing on several incidents of being locked behind bars… Maison Blanche, Aremid, Paris…. and this place.. The pace of his breathing increased, his heart started to race and he felt some of the same emotions: fear, helplessness, anxiety….

She could see what was happening and touched him on the shoulder to capture his attention and he jumped. “Oh.. oh, sorry… ” he said, laboring to shut down those emotions.

“It’s okay.. are you?”

Working to slow his breathing he nodded, saying, “Yea… I uh…. I was just… remembering what it’s like to be locked up…. held prisoner.”

“It’s horrible…. I remember too… of course my cage was a little nicer…. ” she said, qualifying her experience as compared to the brutality of his.

“Yea, but the feelings are the same…. being trapped, out of control… afraid.” He was looking into moist eyes and pulled her close, wrapping her in the protective strength of his arms. She nodded and let the tears flow for a moment or two… “You make me feel just the opposite when you hold me, John.. I feel safe and free… and fearless… “

Stroking her hair and rubbing her back, he assured her it would stay that way, “Good… that’s how I want you to feel, Doc… and I will always be there to love and protect you…. I’m not ever letting you out of my sight… “

“And, the Dimera’s are dead and buried. They can’t hurt us anymore,” she added, almost triumphantly.

“Nope…. that part of our lives is over…. and I know… I’ll never have to come back here again.. I just needed to see it…. that’s all. Now, let’s get out of here… “

“You’ll get no arguments from me,” she said with enthusiasm, as he took her hand to lead them back up into the light of day. There was one more stop to make, if it were still there that is.

They made their way through some very dense foliage to another important spot in their complicated history, a small grass hut in the middle of that island paradise. John remembered every inch of it and every moment of the time spent there. As they approached the simple dwelling, he slowed his pace, wondering if she recalled it as vividly as he did. When they stood outside the entrance, they stopped to contemplate the meaning of this moment. “Do you remember this place, Doc?”

“Yes… I’ll never forget it, John,” she said as the memories rushed to the front of her mind.

“I wondered… I won’t either. This was the true beginning to the last of my days as Roman Brady. I just…wanted to see it… to stand inside this place and remember, because like I said before, this is where the John Black that you know and love today was born. I stopped being Roman Brady the second you saw his face for the first time since you thought he died. Deep down inside…I think we both knew it.”

“Yes we did, ” she said breathing a heavy sigh, as they opened the door and stepped inside the weather beaten hut, not quite sure how she felt about that time. “I wanted you to be Roman… but I knew… and I also knew that I had to let you go… and return to Roman, because I… loved him first.”

It was a strange experience, but he knew what she meant by that comment, “Not because you loved him… more…”

Shaking her head, she affirmed that sentiment, “No… we’ve talked about this too, John… my heart was with you…. my mind told me I had to stay with Roman and I did love him… with all my heart… when I married him. I couldn’t just walk away from that…from what we shared… especially after what he’d been through. You had Isabella… so it seemed….”

He smiled wistfully, and nodded finishing the sentence, “Right… it seemed like the right thing to do at the time. Yea, I know… I thought the same thing.. even though I wanted to be Roman…. you can’t know how much I wanted to fight to keep that life… you, the kids, Mom and Pop, Bo, Kimmie, Kayla.. and the Cop Shop… You know how much I’ve missed that part of it…”

“So much you turned in your three piece suit, fancy lunches, and expense account for a badge and a patrol car..”

She made him smile… “Yea.. something like that… but all kidding aside, Doc.. I knew that I had to give him back his life… it wasn’t fair…I had it for almost seven years… “

Marlena was reaching out to touch his face, sharing an observation from all those years ago, “I always loved that about you… I knew that was part of it for you… you felt guilty for taking his place, didn’t you?”

He shrugged… “Yea… I did… more than I ever admitted to myself at the time, that’s for sure… I was so angry… focused on what I’d lost, but in my heart I knew I had to walk away, so he could get back what *he* lost for those seven years.”

“Just another thing I love about you, John Black….”

He grinned to look at her, the love she felt for him shining like a beacon of hope from her dazzling hazel eyes. She was one amazing woman and he loved her with every ounce of his soul. “Oh, Doc… I love everything about you… “

“And I love you, my handsome husband…..every.. single… solitary… part of you,” she said in a seductive whisper, her hands roving over some of her favorite places on his lean muscular body. “So what do you say we… find a.. secluded section of beach and I can show you how that works,” she said, speaking and moving suggestively as she sauntered toward the door of the hut….

John was enraptured, his breathing quickening in response to his aching desire, his mind’s eye fixed on the image of her body without clothes, in the throws of heated lovemaking…. “Oh yea…. I think that’s a… brilliant idea… ” he said, nearly breathless.

Tossing a girlish giggle over her slender shoulders, she stepped out into the sun, saying, “Well… then please follow me, my love…. “

“Anywhere…. I’ll follow you anywhere lady… ” he said, doing exactly that, wondering how he could hold off long enough to make it to the dunes.

“I was counting on that…. “

Blindsided

After their day long trip to San Cristobal, John was preparing to take a much needed hot shower when he heard a knock at the door of his hotel room. Thinking it was his bride having forgotten her key, he stepped out of the shower and hastily wrapped a towel around his waist, answering the door in his relative state of undress, hoping to convince her not to go on that solitary walk after all. “Hi honey… did you change your….”

That was all he could say before he found himself being manhandled, shoved down onto the bed, a knee in the middle of his back. His face buried in the pillows, unable to breathe without a struggle, his arms were held firmly behind his back as handcuffs were placed tightly around his wrists…

“John Black, you are under arrest for the crime of possession of an illegal substance… for the purposes of sales and distribution… “

He was incredulous, not to mention embarrassed, having been caught wearing only a towel. “What! No… it’s not true… I don’t have any…. ” He stopped mid-sentence as one of the Hispanic looking officers pulled a brick of a familiar white substance from his dresser drawer.. “drugs….” he finished, his voice flat, oddly devoid of the emotion which was there only seconds before. He was in shock… as the questions swirled around in his head. ‘How, why, who would have wanted to plant the cocaine on him?’

“You were saying, Mister?”

He reacted powerfully, hoping they were reasonable men, his instincts telling him that what he said mattered very little. “That’s not mine, I swear it! Somebody must have planted that here… I’m a cop from the United States… check out my badge… it’s in the drawer of the bedside table… on the right.”

They only laughed as they hauled him to his feet to face them, the towel dropping to the floor, leaving him naked and vulnerable. “Si.. Senor.. that’s what all the Americanos say when we catch them…. I was framed….” mocked one of the local officers, looking him up and down. Then his voice hardened, “Now, put these on!” commanded the man, obviously the one in charge, shoving a pair of underwear and jeans into his hands, after removing the cuffs, making it clear that if he tried anything, John would be sorry for having made the attempt. That was not to mention the fact that the other two had their guns drawn and aimed directly at his head and torso.

A second man, larger, more muscular… stepped closer, leering at him suggestively. “After all… we can’t take you out of the hotel in only that little white towel or less… The press would say we mistreated you….now wouldn’t they?” the man replied sarcastically, as he placed both hands on the suspect’s bare chest allowing them to travel downward, lingering long enough to make his meaning felt. John labored to contain the emotions the man’s touch stirred within, and the fear of what might happen once they were away from the public eye. Before he could gather his thoughts and make a physical response, the Hispanic brute shoved him without warning, causing him to land hard on the bed, and smack the back of his head on the headboard.

“Hurry up!” the first one shouted as his soon to be prisoner groaned and took a moment to rub the sore spot before complying with the demand.

Damn! It was unbelievable… he was on his honeymoon, having a glorious time and suddenly he was being set up for something, arrested and on his way to being carted off to a South American prison. He’d heard stories…. and wondered how accurate they were. In less than a minute they were roughly removing him from the honeymoon suite still naked from the waist up, and bare footed. “Hey wait a minute… my wife… she won’t know what happened to me…” he said, stealing a glance out the large picture windows of the resort, searching for her along the shoreline behind them.

“She’ll know soon enough, Senor…. believe me, she’ll know… “

His tone was ominous…. John met the man’s dark eyes as they ushered him out the door and down the hallway, trying to discern his meaning…. Whatever it was, John Black knew he was in serious trouble. Whoever set him up knew exactly what they were doing, planning it perfectly, right down to the timing of his arrest.

The next two hours were so much like what it was to be Stefano’s prisoner that he almost felt as if he were back at Maison Blanche… They strip searched him… and all their concern about the press faded once he was safely inside the police headquarters. It wasn’t just a routine police search; it was done to intimidate and threaten the accused.

There were three men… he fought them off and they beat him down, with fists and vicious back handed slaps… Finally, after a great struggle they subdued him, divested him of his clothes and did a hands on search of his entire body and its orifices. It was degrading and humiliating… bordering on molestation. Once it was clear that he couldn’t avoid it, John endured the rough probing without uttering so much as a mere sound of protest… Almost as if it were a test and he’d passed it, they stopped short of the unimaginable and allowed him to get dressed in prison attire while they watched, laughing ominously as he struggled to don the garments after their savage beating.

He breathed a hesitant sigh of relief as they pushed him headlong into one of the cells, fully clothed. Unable to stop his forward momentum with his hands, which were cuffed again, he narrowly avoided colliding with the wall by turning an uncontrolled diving fall into a half roll. ‘Thank you, God… ‘ he said inside his mind, even as his already bruised back smacked hard against the far wall behind the lonely cot.

After he laid there for a few minutes, the emotions began to catch up with him, a mist of salty moisture born of terror forming behind his bruised and swollen eyes. Instinctively, John curled his body into a near fetal position to protect his beleaguered form as his new reality penetrated his defenses. If they changed their minds, there was nothing he could do… they had stun guns and if they wanted to…. No… he couldn’t allow himself to say the word… but he realized that no amount of resistance he offered could stop them. Something deep inside him crumbled in acknowledging that fact, a lump forming in his throat, even as his mind labored to convince him that their goal was only to scare him, to leave him wondering….

‘Oh, Doc..I hope you’ve called home by now and had some luck with the embassy…. then a horrified thought struck him. ‘What if they were lying when they arrested him and had never told her… what if she didn’t know where he was? Forcing down the nearly crushing sense of panic that threatened to consume him, John determined that all he could do now was try to survive and hope she would come to see him.

Marlena was frantic with worry, pacing up and down the length of the long corridors of the American Embassy… praying that he was alright. It was every tourist’s worst nightmare in reality. But a police detective from the United States in a South American prison, arrested on a narcotics charge was one of the worst scenarios possible. Once his wealth and social status were exposed, he would be symbolic of all the privilege and excesses of the “Norte Americanos,” who wanted to dabble in drugs without facing the consequences of their actions. She knew that much, and therefore regardless of the political posturing between government officials, John would be a target behind prison walls. Her imagination started to run wild… her fears starting to take over for all rational thought. Marlena’s response was to turn to the Lord above…. “Oh, Dear God… keep him safe, please… just keep him safe for me…. until we can get him out of there….”

Forty eight hours after his arrest during the fourth day of their honeymoon, after much negotiation, she was allowed to see him for a few minutes. He shuffled into the visitation room, his arms in iron cuffs in front of his body, his legs also shackled at the ankle to restrict movement. He was wearing a tattered olive drab jumpsuit; his head covered by a hat, the brim tilted down as was his head as he approached the chair across from hers. Her heart sank at the sight of him. He tried to hide his battered eyes and face, but she knew… “Oh, John….” was all she could say before bursting into tears, covering her mouth with both her hands.

“It’s okay….” he whispered, his mouth twisted into something akin to a weak smile that was somehow more like a grimace. Even knowing he was being watched, it was the best he could do… it hurt to smile.

“No… no, it’s *not* okay… they beat you didn’t they…. they beat you badly… and that’s why you’re wearing long sleeves and a hat.. isn’t it? So, that I can’t easily see the bruises?”

Hushing her with his eyes, he kept his voice low, “Doc… please… just let it go… you concentrate on getting me out of here and I’ll… handle this,” he answered, fighting to keep the pain of breathing from his face so she wouldn’t worry too much.

“John…it’s obvious they’re mistreating you…. I have to do something to protect you… “

“No…please don’t! Marlena… I know how this works…. you’ll only make it worse for me if you say something…. please…. just get Mickey and Abe down here… and get me out as soon as you can. I can handle this place… for a little awhile…”

She nodded, accepting that maybe he was right about it… and switched directions, seeking answers, “Why, John… who could have set this up and why would someone want to do this to you?”

He was bewildered, plagued for two days by the same questions, shaking his head as he replied uncertainly, “I don’t know, Doc… that’s why I want to talk to Abe.. maybe Bo too…. maybe they can help us figure it out.”

“I’ve already called them, they’re on their way…all three of them. ” He was nodding his head, trying to smile at the news, but she saw him double over to one side, obviously in pain from his injuries. “Oh…” he moaned softly, hoping the man behind him couldn’t hear it, thinking he might be punished for revealing any indication of his condition to someone in a position to report it.

“John… honey… you’re hurt… I have to do something to help you… it could be serious, John…. “

It took every bit of his concentration to force the pain from his eyes as he looked up at her, pasting some version of a reassuring smile on his face, even as his broken speech betrayed him. “No.. just…leave it alone, Doc… I’ll be alright… it’s just a bruised rib or two… really.”

“It’s more than that… I can see it in your eyes and you’re breathing so raggedly, John… there could be internal injuries… I’m going to the embassy about this…”

“No, Doc… don’t do that!”

He sounded panicked. She had to know the reason. “Why, John…. what are you hiding from me?” she said staring directly into his injured but insistent countenance.

“Nothing… I just…”

“What… you give me a reason or I’m leaving right now and I’m going to the embassy.. why don’t you want me to do that?” she demanded.

He sighed, wishing she didn’t need details, “Alright… it’s because I think this is… a very serious situation… and we have to be… cautious about who gets involved.”

“What are you saying, John?”

“I’m saying, don’t trust anyone except Mickey, Abe, Roman and Bo…”

“John… who do you think might have done this?”

He hesitated before telling her, not wanting to frighten her any more than necessary.. “I don’t know, Doc… but it could be related to the drug cartels…. we made some major busts.. broke the supply lines to the Midwest… look, I can’t talk about it now… I just need you to get those guys down here….fast.”

“Okay.. but you tell me… if they…hurt you again,” she said, observing him even more closely for signs and symptoms of serious injury.

He nodded, thankful she was so attentive and scared for her safety more than his own. If she knew how much danger they could be in, she would be overwhelmed, so maybe he shouldn’t tell her all of what he suspected, besides the fact that he couldn’t do a thing to protect her as long as he was locked up in this godforsaken place. For a moment, he watched her stand as if to go. They both knew she couldn’t leave him, not yet. “Doc… please…be.. careful, watch your back… and stay in the hotel as much as possible until Bo, Abe and Mickey get here, okay?”

Tears were beckoning once again. She was so afraid of what might happen to him, and he was more worried about her safety when he was the one in danger, held captive in this awful prison. ‘What a pair we are, my love,’ she was thinking just before answering, her voice tremulous with fear, her eyes brimming with worried tears, “Okay… but I don’t want you.. to forget for one minute… how much I love you, honey… I’m going to spend every waking moment trying to get you released… so don’t you give up… no matter what, you hold onto your faith…”

“I won’t give up, Doc… I’ll hold on to our love.. and that’ll keep me going.” The guard waved his hands, gesturing that the visit was over. She placed her right hand upon the plexi-glass screen and he tried to do the same but was unsuccessful because of the metal bands clamped tightly around his wrists. Both were in agony over not being able to touch each other… “Don’t worry…. I’ll be okay…” John said, trying to allay her fears with a much subdued version of his most confident smile.

She nodded, and watched him go; he was barely able to stand and walk. Her new husband had been brutally beaten… and who knew if they would feed him, let him get the rest he needed to recover, or give him even minimal pain medication for his injuries…. such basic human decency…. Marlena burst into tears to think of her groom being so terribly mistreated, while she stayed across town in a fancy, luxurious hotel. “Oh, John… be strong… and I’ll get you out of here… I promise, honey…”

John turned to look at her once last time, gazing deeply into her moist eyes, staring as if seeking to memorize the beauty of her face, mouthing the words, ‘I love you…’ as a light trickle of tears rolled down his swollen, bruise covered cheeks. She repeated them back to him, ‘I love you too…‘ and then he was gone from her sight, the guard ending their moment by hauling him away. ‘Oh, John.. how did this happen… and why? Why would someone want you to suffer this way?’

Never A Dull Moment

The tropical heat hit them like a wave, slamming them down, leaving the three men flushed and sweaty before they could even make it to the curbside from the airport’s front entrance. “Oh man.. Marlena wasn’t kidding when she said it was hot..” Bo said, wiping his brow.

“I wonder what it’s like for John….in that prison…” Abe said, doing the same.

Mickey and Abe winced just thinking of how sweltering it must be…and Mickey offered his theory “Much worse….. come on let’s get the car… we’ve got to talk to him right away… we have to find a way to get him out of there..”

Marlena just knew she couldn’t stand it another minute of this anxious worry, waiting for their friends to come and help her get him out of that horrible place, when at last she saw the rental car pulling up to the hotel. For some reason she sensed it was them and was pleasantly rewarded by the sight of Abe, Bo, and Mickey climbing out of the vehicle.

“Fancy hotel…. ” Bo said, gazing up at the huge white pillars of the front entrance of the ornate looking old building.

“Yes.. but they had only a few days…. I can’t believe this is even happening..” Abe lamented. John of all people, would never have anything to do with drugs, but how could they prove it?

“Yea… it’s like one of those movies you see on television… it’s so unreal.”

Mickey had seen signs of Bo’s hot headedness, and suddenly felt the need to caution him again, “But it *is* real… and we have to be careful how we approach this situation. You two can’t go charging around town making threats and demands, Bo… that will only make it worse for John.”

Bo did understand but it was frustrating beyond words, his heavy sigh an indication, “I know that, Mickey… it’s just so unfair… we all know he didn’t put those drugs in his room… and I’m going to find out who did…”

“I understand your outrage on John’s behalf, all I’m saying is that we have to tread lightly or they’re likely to put him away for a very long time…to use him as an example.”

Abe was nodding, trying to keep his cool as well, “Alright… we’ll take it slow….. but it won’t be easy… the last time I talked to Marlena was right before we left … she said they beat him up…. he tried to hide it but he was in a great deal of pain… she’s very worried about him.”

“Okay…. we’ll work toward making sure he’s safe before we do anything else…. I have some friends at the Embassy… “

“And if I’m not way off, I think an old buddy of mine from the Merchant Marines is on the force here…. came down a long time ago… maybe he can help watch out for John…..” Bo added, working at finding something to be hopeful about.

She couldn’t think of a more welcome sight except having John walk up those steps….. Marlena rushed out the door of her room, flew down four flights of stairs and caught them just as they were about to walk into the elevator…. “Oh thank God… you’re here!”

“Marlena……” exclaimed Abe, surprised by the speed at which she’d arrived in the hotel lobby.

“We don’t want to waste any time here, Marlena…so let’s get up to the room and go over everything that happened….”

“Oh Mickey….. it’s been a nightmare…..I’m so afraid for John…”

Putting an arm around her, he tried to reassure her, “I know…..and we’re going to do everything we can to get him out of there….”

“Yea, Marlena….. try not to worry too much… John can take care of himself….. and we’ll get him out….one way or another… ” Bo stated strongly, half prepared to break him out if necessary.

“Bo is right…. we’ll find out who set him up….. and Mickey will handle getting him released….” Abe added, trying to provide some encouragement, for himself as much as for Marlena.

Finally, they were up in the spacious suite sitting down on the couch and chairs and she was describing the couple’s waking nightmare….. “Well, it started when I went out for a walk on the beach. John was in the room taking a shower…”

An hour later, they were still hashing through possible explanations and Mickey was on the phone with some friends at the Embassy.

“Well, I still think it has to be Escobar…..this is just his style.. I want to go see John….” Bo declared, having had enough of idle speculation.

Abe rose at almost the same time, saying, “So do I… we have to find out what he’s thinking….”

Adding her two cents, Marlena shared her most prominent concern, ” And find a way to keep his spirits up…. they beat him up so badly…. the official story is he resisted their search…. and they used only the force necessary to subdue him… But I know they’re lying. If John fought back…. it’s because they were too rough with him from the beginning…”

There was rage beneath the surface of her words, a rage that might make it worse for John if she verbalized it in the wrong place at the wrong time. Mickey had to be the voice of reason in the midst of madness, “Marlena…I know this is very, very difficult for you…. but we have to try to work *with* these people, not against them…. please try to be patient…”

Tears began to form and her lips quivered as she recounted what she’d seen thus far, “Mickey….you didn’t see him… he was wearing a baseball cap and dark glasses.. so that I couldn’t… see the bruises… he could… hardly sit up in the chair when I went to visit him the first time… he’s… hurt.. and I don’t think they’re feeding him…not well anyway….” she added, to indicate that she didn’t think they’d actually starve him.

“Marlena… I know it looks bad… but listen to me….. we’re going to get him out….I’ve called in some specialists in this kind of situation, from Southern California… they should be here by tomorrow afternoon to consult with us…. it’s going to be alright, but we have to take it nice and easy.”

“Now you listen to me! My husband is completely innocent and I want him OUT of there!” she said, on the verge of either exploding with anger or collapsing with fear. She didn’t know which.

Mickey continued to remain calm in the face of her intense distress. ‘Someone had to,‘ he thought as he replied evenly, ” I understand that….I do… but if we go charging in there, making demands because we’re American citizens… I’m telling you… John will take the brunt of their anger. Is that what you want, Marlena?”

She collapsed on the couch, suddenly spent, the fear taking over for the moment. After a minute or so, she managed to stop the flow of tears and said, “No….I don’t… I’m just so afraid of what they’re doing to him…. and I’m worried that he’ll get sick… and there won’t be… anyone… to take care of him… while we sit here in this fancy hotel… and wait for some *diplomat* to make something happen.”

Bo knew just what she needed. Sitting down next to her, he put his right arm around her slender shoulders and gave her a pep talk, “Hey… now come on…. John’s not going to just lay down and die in there… he’s tough.. he’s a fighter… and so are you… you fought for your love… and you won… and now you’re going to win this fight too.”

It made her cry even harder, but it also brought out her dormant sense of toughness, “Oh, thank you, Bo… for reminding me… and you’re right… we are fighters… and we *will* win! We’re not going to let them put him in prison for something he didn’t do!”

“No, we’re not…. that will never happen..” Abe agreed strongly, hoping they could find some evidence to indicate John’s innocence and someone else’s guilt.

“And if we have to… we’re going to bust him out of there….” Bo said under his breath to Marlena and Abe, who only nodded in response. No sense in letting Mickey, who was back on the telephone again, in on what he was thinking.

Marlena nodded, as the tears fell from her worried eyes, grateful for true friends like these. “Thank you… thank you so much!” she whispered to them both, as they leaned in for a group hug, an embrace she needed more than she had realized.

Mickey’s voice broke up the moment. “Alright.. I’m going on over to the Embassy and I’ll meet you at the jail a little bit later on this afternoon. How does that sound?”

“It sounds fine… they did say I could come to see John every day, at least until the trial date is set. They usually let him come to the visitor’s room at one o’clock.”

They all looked at their watches… It was nearing 12:30….almost time to leave. “Marlena… is there anything you can tell us from the standpoint of the guards…. what they expect from visitors…”

She started to explain and they listened carefully, ” Well, there’s a plexi-glass partial wall in between the prisoners and the visitors and…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rattling the cage with his club, the Hispanic guard woke the man on the cot, “Levantarse Hombre!… you have some visitors coming… Tres…. must be your lucky day Gringo… “

“I do?” John said, struggling to sit up for the pain in his mid section, only partially successful for his efforts.

“Yes, your woman and two men.”

He breathed a sigh of relief. ‘Has to be Abe and Bo… Oh, thank God!’ If nothing else, he knew they would keep Marlena safe, his main concern, followed closely by his own survival.

The man unlocked the door and stepped up close to his bed, leaning down and looking menacingly into those eyes of blue that occasionally needed taming. “I trust that I don’t need to remind you of what will happen if you… tell them anything,” he said, unexpectedly brandishing the stun wand. Running it up and down the insides of John’s outstretched shackled legs, stopping near the groin area, pressing down lightly, was just enough to make his meaning clear.

“No…you don’t need to remind me,” John said quietly, hiding his reaction as best he could.

“Good…. because you know I’ve been protecting you from the worst of it, John… but if you betray me… things could change. There are men who find you… quite attractive, John… Americanos such as yourself are very popular in our prison system, if you catch my meaning….”

“Yes…I get it, ” he said, swallowing hard, forcing down the fear that beckoned.

“Senor Black… in my country, you are presumed guilty…. and if you or your family make it difficult for us with the government by claiming mistreatment, you are the one who will suffer for it. I hope you understand that very well.”

He was already beaten down from his last attempt at resistance, and too sick from the food and water to fight back much now. Falsely accused and probably on his way to a long jail sentence, resulting in prolonged, possibly brutal captivity, and there wasn’t a damn thing he could do about it. The panic threatened, his stomach fluttering wildly, but he managed to keep it from his face and his voice. Nodding appropriately, he said what the man expected to hear, ” I understand…”

“Now then.. what will you say to them when they ask you how you are being treated?” the guard asked specifically, again placing the stun wand strategically between his prisoner’s legs. John couldn’t stop himself from gasping quietly this time, nor completely suppress the slight shudder the move engendered.

Leaving the wand in place, the guard spoke to torment and intimidate, his malevolent tone a stark reminder of who had control over the situation, “You remember how it feels, don’t you, John….when you’re all wet…and the jolt hits you… “

The prisoner said nothing, his rapid breathing the only outward indication of his trepidation. “Answer me when I ask you a question!”

His reply was barely audible as his mind presented images of the times they’d shocked him for seemingly no reason at all. “Yes… I remember.”

The guard leaned in close, stared into his captive’s apprehensive eyes, and warned him, “Don’t you forget it for even one second when you’re out there talking to your friends… Now, tell me what you will say to them.”

John labored at sounding calm, working to slow his breathing down. “I’ll say that I’m fine… that I’m still trying to get used to the food, and that I’m… being treated like all the other….”

An unexpected punch to the gut stopped him mid-sentence, taking his breath from him completely and causing him to curl up in a protective ball, as much as was possible with the shackles. “No.. you will tell them that we are treating you well, better than you have a right to expect, since the drugs were found in your hotel room…”

“Those drugs were planted there… I didn’t..” Another harsh body blow, this time to his back in the area above his right kidney….where there were already deep bruises. “Oh….” he groaned, only once, the pain excruciating. He laid there in relative silence, choking back further sounds of suffering and trying to catch his breath. A voice in the back of his head told him he needed to be reasonable, ‘Resistance is futile at this point, John… just tell him what he wants to hear!’

The guard rose and stepped outside the cell, not quite closing the door, as he prepared to steal his prisoner’s hope, “I will say that you are not feeling up to a visit today….”

He was desperate to see his wife, aching for her mere presence. John didn’t want to beg, but he didn’t think he could stand not seeing her, “No…no, I’m okay…. I’m up to it… ” he managed to reply, between ragged breaths, “I’ll say.. exactly… what you want… please… just let me.. see them….”

The guard smiled wickedly and nodded with the satisfaction that he had accomplished his goal. At last, the defiant American seemed to have learned his place. “Good.. I’m pleased to see that we are… communicating so effectively now. I’ve enjoyed our little… chat.” His prisoner nodded his understanding, but didn’t say anything more, and the tormentor turned and left the man to recover his dignity before the visit took place.

When the sadistic bastard was gone, John coughed and gagged, groaning as he spit up some blood. Nevertheless, he was relieved and thankful for the upcoming visit. Without hope of seeing Marlena, John knew he wouldn’t survive. He was, however, determined to deal with the bastard when he’d adjusted to the heat and the diet and regained his strength. Yes, when the man thought his prisoner had given up on fighting back, that was when John would take him on, producing a vastly different outcome than the encounters thus far.

Thirty minutes later, he was being led into the visitor’s room, the shackles having been removed. He was bathed and clean shaven, his hair washed and combed, and he was wearing a clean, fairly new jumpsuit. He looked presentable.

Nevertheless, Marlena could see the dark circles underneath his eyes, the pain behind the pasted on smile and the dim, slightly defeated look in his eyes. No matter what John told them, she knew he was being terribly mistreated. Even the way he walked was an indication, as if he were struggling to maintain an erect posture in the face of pain that tempted him to lean to one side or the other. He was hurting, but he was hiding it, as if ordered to do so with the threat of more brutality if someone noticed his suffering.

“Hey… glad you guys could make it… guess you got my post cards, huh?” John said with a forced smile, as he gingerly lowered himself into a plastic chair directly in front of his wife and friends.

They looked at each other, puzzled.

“You know… wish you were here?”

They chuckled in spite of the obvious tension…. he was trying to make light… get them smiling.. maybe so they could talk about the real issues without arousing suspicions.

Abe asked the question John knew was coming, realizing he wasn’t at all convincing, “John.. tell me the truth… how are you being treated?”

Again, he tried to smile, to make his answer seem genuine, but it was difficult. Maybe they could do something….”Fine.. I’m fine… haven’t slept too well yet and my body’s still getting used to the food, you know… so I don’t look so good… but otherwise it’s okay… they’re treating me well, better than I have a right to expect… since the drugs were found in my room.”

It was a lie…. they all knew it, one he’d been threatened into telling and Marlena wouldn’t sit still for it. She leaned forward, whispering carefully.. “John…honey… you look like you’re in pain…. are they still beating you? Did they threaten you John… to make you say that?” He was shaking his head, sighing worriedly, as if warning her away from pursuing it, his eyes almost begging her, which only persuaded her she needed to do so. “Honey, we can help you…. we can make them stop.”

“No…. it’s okay.. really.. he said, trying to reassure her, even as his vision began to blur and the light headedness returned, the oppressive heat getting to him.

A few seconds later, the discussion was over. For whatever reason, his body couldn’t maintain status quo. John felt an extreme wave of nausea, one he couldn’t force down. In a matter of moments, bright red blood covered the plexi-glass wall that separated them and John had collapsed in a heap on the floor, his body going into convulsions.

Marlena leaped out her chair and screamed… “Oh, my God, John!”

Bo and Abe rushed out to demand medical attention for their friend and chaos ensued, guards scurrying about speaking rapidly in Spanish and Portuguese. After agonizingly long moments, Marlena was able to convince them she was a doctor and they let her into the area to help him. Cradling his head in her hands while he convulsed, and then holding his right hand in both of hers, when he stopped. It seemed an eternity before the South American version of paramedics arrived. At that point there was no room for argument. The prisoner was clearly in dire need of immediate medical attention and he would be transported to a regular hospital for treatment of his injuries. The guards had taken it too far this time and would face punishment for their actions. The Ecuadorian government assured the Americans that they would see to it, and that while awaiting trial, John would be transferred to a different prison, one known for gentler treatment of the inmates.

Sitting at his bedside weeping, while her husband slept, Marlena turned to Bo Brady and whispered. “Bo… I don’t want to wait and go through proper channels. I want you and Abe to get him out of here… before they.. take him to that other prison. John is completely innocent and I won’t stand by and watch them… beat him down like this… and break his spirit… the way that Stefano tried to do…. I want to take him home with me…to our children…”

Glancing down at the man he still loved as a brother, who looked surprisingly vulnerable, hooked up to all manner of IV’s and monitors, Bo soundlessly nodded his agreement. They would devise a plan and they would get him out. And they would all go home to Salem.

In the next instant, Mickey and Abe came bounding into the room with bright eyes and broad smiles, Mickey giving the good news, “You’ll never guess what happened! My contact at the Embassy just called. It seems that an overwrought hotel clerk in danger of losing his job has confessed to planting the drugs in John’s room! The charges have been dropped… and John is released from custody as of this minute. It’s over!”

Bo was shaking his head, slightly disoriented from the speed of the changes, a surprised smile spreading slowly across his face as a profound sense of relief began to set in. John was in fairly rough shape, but he would soon be on his way back to the States where he could get the best medical care available. And when he was recovered, John, Bo and Abe would work together to solve the mystery of the set up. There was only one thing Bo knew for certain. It sure as hell wasn’t any overwrought hotel clerk.

Focused only on the news of John’s freedom, Marlena burst into joyful tears and tilted her head toward the heavens, exclaiming her gratitude, “Oh thank you, Lord… thank you so much!”

Speedy Recovery

John could feel the rage rising, adrenaline pumping energy fueling his muscles, all primed and ready for the long awaited confrontation, “I’m going to mess you up, you Bastard!! I’m going to fuck you up but good!”

The man who had once been the proud torturer cowered in fear, raising his hands lamely, “No.. Senor… it was just my job.. I was only doing what I was ordered to do…”

His assailant stepped closer, prepared to rough the man up, at the very least. “Right… it wasn’t personal, just part of the job… no offense,” John said, mocking him.

Hoping the American with the dark hair and cobalt eyes was reasonable, he nodded his head, saying only one word, “Si…”

John was not in the mood for useless talk. He grabbed the man by his shirt collar and hoisted him off the ground, cutting to the chase, “Who set me up… if you want to live past the next five minutes, you’ll tell me!”

“I don’t know… I swear…. they told me nothing… just to mess with you… to rough you up and scare you.. that’s all.”

“Yea.. well, between the food and the water… and that damn wand of yours… you had me going… but as you can see… I’m *much* better now… and it’s your turn, Spic! ” he said with disdain, as that man had used the term Gringo in disgust.

“No, please… I swear it… I wasn’t going to let them take you… I was going to protect you… “

“Right… ” He shook his head and pummeled the man senseless… left him lying in a pool of blood, compliments of a shattered nose, as well as a handful of broken ribs and a concussion for good measure. He wanted to do more but there wasn’t time. They had to get back to Salem.

The woman dozing in a chair next to the bed awakened to the sound of rustling sheets… and looked over to find John fighting with the blanket and pillow….

Hurrying to his side, afraid he’d burst open some sutures, Marlena grasped his shoulders and shook him lightly. “Woah… honey… it’s okay… you’re dreaming.. wake up, John.. you’re just dreaming.”

His heart stopped, or it felt like it did… and his eyes flew open wide, searching his surroundings for clues as to his current reality. ‘Where in the hell was that sick excuse for a human being, prison guard he was beating the shit out of?’

Marlena was worried about what she saw. John was sweating, shaking slightly, his hands clenched into tight fists, and he wasn’t saying anything yet. “John.. honey… are you alright?”

“Yea.. I’m fine… ” he said, sounding disappointed, as the shadows of his nightly imaginings faded away.

“What on earth were you dreaming about?”

All the while he was wishing it were real, he lied to her, thinking.. correction, *knowing* without a doubt that she wouldn’t approve. “Uh.. nothing really.. I mean.. I can’t.. remember exactly… “

“Oh.. well you were really going at it with the pillow and blanket… Who was winning?”

“Oh, believe me Doc… I was winning… It was no contest.”

There was a hint of rage behind his smile. “John, is there something you’re not telling me?”

Shaking it off, he changed directions, trying to refocus his attention, “Nope.. just a fantasy I had… but it’s okay now.. Are you ready to go home?” he said, repositioning himself on the bed, not able to stop the groan or keep the grimace from appearing on his face. He wondered… shouldn’t that pain medicine be kicking in by now…. oh, well maybe in a few more minutes.

Seeing his discomfort, she gave him an out if he wanted it, “Only if you are… I mean that, John… if you’re still in a lot of pain, maybe we should wait.”

It was tempting. If he were a little further down the road to healing, he might be able to sneak off, follow the guard when he got off shift, and….. but no. The dream would have to do…. “No, I’m fine… believe me… home sounds better and better every day,” he finished with a warm smile.

Sighing with relief, she shared some of what she’d been through. “Good… you know you had me worried there for a couple of days… you were so ghostly pale, John…. I thought I was going to lose you… It wasn’t until yesterday that the color started to come back in your cheeks.”

He shrugged it off, not wanting to think about how close the bastard had put him to the grave. “Who me? Nah…. it’s like you always say, I’m much too stubborn to die.”

“Well then, thank God for stubbornness, honey!” she cried, just before leaning in for a full embrace, mindful of the bruises.

“Yep….so what do you say…. let’s get ready to leave, Doc… want to help me get dressed?”

“Sure…. as long as we take it nice and easy… ” she said, as the voice of caution she had to be where he was concerned, ever the one to do too much too soon.

Placing his hands around her, drawing her closer to him, he agreed whole-heartedly, feeling a slight buzz coming on, “Oh, that’s exactly what I had in mind, Doctor Marlena Evans-Black… I mean.. we are still on our honeymoon, aren’t we?” he said with a sly wink.

She had to laugh…. two days ago he almost died from the loss of blood and now he was ready to have sex in his hospital bed. “You, my dear boy, have *amazing* recuperative powers.”

“And *you* my dear, have an incredible healing effect on a guy… I’m so glad you’re all mine.”

She beamed, and cupped his face with her hands, saying, “So true… I am yours for all of time and beyond… my handsome, sweet, adorable, and oh so passionate husband….”

“And the same goes for you, Doc… my beautiful, incredibly sexy, wonderful, intelligent, supportive, beautiful, sexy…. ” he was running his hands up and down her slender arms, occasionally veering off toward the soft mounds that were her breasts.

“You said that.. “

“I know…. it bears repeating… get it… bares… repeating?” he said, toying with the thin strings that held her sundress in place at the shoulders. He flashed a sexy smile and gazed at her with those mischievous baby blues, a combination she couldn’t resist, even if she’d wanted to do so.

“John I do believe that you are getting loopy from the pain medications and it would be in very poor taste if I took advantage of you right now.”

His face fell and then he turned it around, shaking his head and arguing playfully, “Oh, no, Doc… I’m not loopy.. horny maybe, but definitely not loopy!”

‘Oh, this is going to be interesting,’ she thought, wondering how much medication he did have and when, because he was moving around more fluidly and he was definitely much more coltish than a man with his injuries should be for this point in the recovery curve. “Okay…but let me just… put the ‘do not disturb’ sign on the door and pull the privacy curtain… “

His move was sudden, his words anxious, as he took her by the arms, “Can’t wait… come here Doc… I’ve missed you baby.. I’ve *really* missed you!” he said with almost desperate intensity, pressing his moist lips on hers.

She nearly shrieked when he grabbed her. “Oh… John it was…. it was only..”

“Almost six days, Doc… that’s an *eternity* for a newlywed male… I’m sure there’s been research done on the subject… “

She laughed out loud, “Now I *know* you’re loopy…. if you’re mentioning research… “

“Yea… but I’m really cute when I’m drugged…. don’t you think?” he said excitedly, raising his eyebrows and grinning like a teenaged boy preparing for his first taste of romance.

“What am I going to do with you?”

He stared at her, his eyes full of playful lust… “Love me, baby…. just love me!” throwing his arms around her and planting another powerful kiss on her lips, his tongue swirling around hers very persuasively.

As they pulled back a little to catch their breath, her heart melted at the sight of him. All he wanted was her… his mind only on sharing himself in total intimacy with the woman he loved… “You’re in luck… that’s already been established, honey… “

“Ah… then you are going to get *lucky* a second time… “

Again, he caught her by surprise, moving swiftly to position himself on top, She gazed up at him, for the first time taking a good look at his pupils. “Oh… I wonder if you’ll remember me in the morning…. ” she teased.

He nodded and then stared directly at her, reassuring her unnecessarily, “Lady, I never forget a face… and definitely NOT a body like yours! “

Again, she was loving every minute of it, realizing he wouldn’t remember all of it, but also knowing that it didn’t really matter, as long as they were focused on pleasing each other. “Then by all means, lover, proceed.”

“Gladly….. ” he said, as his mouth moved closer and closer to hers, his hands roving all over her body, finding special pleasure spots that aroused her quickly. “Mmm.. oh, John…. “

They were well into it, their clothes mostly off, the flames of their mutual desire rising with each passing second, when John started to giggle and said, “Uh, Doc… before we go any further… I uh… have a confession to make.”

“Oh, and what is that, John?” she asked, merely curious, leaning back against the pillows.

“You were right… I *am* loopy… they just came in and gave me some pain medication a little while before you got here.”

With a quiet sigh, she said only, a soft smile on her face, “I know… “

Pleased with himself for being honest, he concluded his comments, “Okay… that’s all I wanted to say… ” She couldn’t hold back the laughter. He was being SO adorable and sweet… and so endearingly vulnerable it made her heart turn to melted butter.

And that was the last word spoken, the only sounds made thereafter were the soft moans of pleasure. The newly married lovers joined as was meant to be, their bodies entwined, their two hearts beating as one, and their spirits communicating at the level of the soul.

Home Sweet Salem

After settling John onto the plane, having given him a mild sedative, Marlena rose to head back to talk with the nurse they’d hired to take the trip with them. Her new husband was not completely out of the woods, but not wanting to stay in the country where he’d been mistreated any longer than absolutely necessary, John insisted on going home to Salem before the doctors recommended it.

She glanced back at him and let out a worried sigh when she noticed his color was off again. He was still rather pale and somewhat weak, having lost a considerable amount of blood due to internal injuries inflicted by the sadistic guards at the prison in which her new husband had been wrongfully incarcerated for several excruciatingly long days. That was not to mention the horrible food he’d been given and having to drink water which made him sick. Despite the adequate medical treatment, his stalwart constitution and his protestations to the contrary, Marlena knew that John was still in pretty rough shape.

While she was up, a stewardess came by and dropped a note on his lap, tucking it under the seatbelt, making sure she wasn’t seen. A few moments later, John began to stir, having caught a whiff of cologne…. “Doc…. Doc, are you here?”

Bo, who had just come on board, turned around to see what was going on, “Hey, big brother… she just went to stretch her legs….. what’s the problem?”

Only half awake, John muttered his reply, “I think…. someone was here…. smelled something…. “

Bo looked him over, noticing his ashen complexion… “John… hey man, you don’t look so good right now… how are you feeling?”

“Uh…tired… I’m just really tired….a little…dizzy maybe…. can you get Doc for me?”

Yea sure thing… I’ll be right back… you just sit tight, okay?” he said cheerfully. It was only when he passed by John’s aisle seat that he saw the note. John had already closed his eyes… so Bo gently reached in to take the small sheet of folded paper, and then opened it to read the message it contained:

Mr. Black,

We do hope you enjoyed your stay

in our state of the art correctional facility.

Count yourself lucky…. this time. We want

you to know that your experiences there were

just the beginning of your suffering. By the

time it’s all over, you will have lost everyone

and everything you hold dear. And then you

will die, slowly and painfully.

With a sigh, Bo whispered the obvious, “So, now we know…. it was Escobar, no doubt about it.” Bo glanced down at the sleeping man. No sense in waking him up to give him bad news. John would read the note soon enough, and right now what he most needed to do was heal.

Unfortunately, Marlena happened to come up at the moment he was re-folding the sheet of paper. “Bo, what is that? You look so serious.”

He tried unsuccessfully to pass it off as nothing, “Oh… it’s uh…. it’s just a little note I was making, that’s all..”

Marlena wasn’t fooled and called him on it, “You’re lying to me, Bo, please don’t try to protect me… what is it?”

She was sharp, he had to give her that, he was thinking as he let out a sigh before answering. “Alright, you’d have to know sooner or later anyway… it’s a threatening letter to John…. I would have told you both later, after we returned to Salem… I didn’t want to ruin John’s chance to rest or make you anxious on the flight home.”

Reaching out her right hand, Marlena asked him for it, “Let me see it… I can handle it, Bo…” She gasped when she read it, and wavered briefly, grasping the seat with her left hand. She’d been holding out hope that the whole thing had been just what appeared to be on the surface, a horrible misunderstanding and that upon their return to Salem, they could go on with their lives as normal and forget all about the unfortunate incident.

“Oh, Bo…. you and John were right, weren’t you? The arrest was set up by this Ricardo Escobar person?”

Looking around to ensure no one had overheard them, he leaned in and spoke in a near whisper, “Marlena, I wish I could say no… but I’m afraid this proves it. This nightmare is far from over.”

Suppressing her fear, she focused on her concern for John’s health. “Alright, I understand that, but please do me one favor… I don’t want John to know about this note, not until he’s stronger. If you have to talk to Abe about it, go ahead, but leave John out of it until he’s completely back on his feet.”

Imagining the man’s reaction to having something kept from him, Bo was hesitant, “Are you sure… you know John won’t like it.”

She nodded firmly. “I know that… but you can blame it on me…. I’m wearing my Doctor’s hat, Bo. If he knows about this… he’ll be on his way down to the station with the two of you the moment after we step off the plane, and that’s not what he needs. He left the hospital too soon as it is, and I won’t have him jeopardizing his health.”

Bo nodded in return and agreed with her take on the situation, “Okay… I understand that… I just hope *he’ll* understand when we finally do tell him.”

“He’ll just have to find a way…. well, we better sit down….. enjoy the flight, Bo.”

“I plan on it… I’m glad to be leaving for home too,” Bo said with a smile. It would feel good to be back on US soil.

“Oh, you can’t know how happy I’ll be to set foot in Salem, Bo… this wasn’t exactly the honeymoon we planned.”

His slight chuckle was involuntary… and she shared it. It was either that or cry.. and heaven knew she’d done enough of that before Abe, Bo and Mickey arrived. “Yea… well, maybe you’ll get another chance at one soon,” Bo said hopefully, taking her hands and giving them a light squeeze of affection.

“Maybe so… right now, I’ll settle for a little peace and quiet in our own home.”

He was nodding his head and then affirmed her statement, “I hear that…. see you soon, then…” he said as he turned and took his seat in the row in front of the newlywed couple who’d had precious little time to act like one.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Several hours later they were finally at home in Salem and everybody breathed a sigh of relief as they stepped off the plane and headed toward their awaiting vehicles. Maggie, Lexie, Hope, Shawn and Caroline were all there, pleased to greet them as they arrived.

“Welcome home….” was the collective shout heard as they disembarked, John bringing up the rear, Marlena at his side as he descended the stairs.

Shawn and Caroline came rushing toward him, almost bowling him over with their enthusiastic greeting, “Oh… John… we were so worried about you…. “

“Look at you, lad… what did they do to you in that hellhole of a prison?” Shawn said, outraged to see the partially healed cuts and bruises all over his son’s face, neck, and even his arms.

A hint of what he’d been through flashed in his eyes and then was gone as quick as it had appeared. Grateful for the concern nonetheless, John gave his father a faint smile and put that talk off, “Later, Pop… maybe I’ll tell you later. Right now.. I just…. want to enjoy being… home.”

Shawn and Caroline exchanged glances that hinted at unspoken worries to be discussed later, and then Shawn’s facial expression changed, and he extended an invitation. “You could say that again… are you up to coming back to the Pub for a wee bit? The little ones wanted to throw a Welcome Home party for all of you… we couldn’t turn them down they were so excited about it.”

“Sure… we’d love that, wouldn’t we?” John said, his gaze focused on his bride and thinking she couldn’t possibly turn it down, or rather hoping she wouldn’t.

Somehow, everyone was looking at Marlena to decide. “Well… what’s the verdict, Doc?” he said, deciding that capitulating was easier than fighting her. Sometimes, just making it appear that he deferred to her judgement was all it took to swing things in his favor in situations like this one.

“Oh alright.. but just for a little while.. and then I need to get this guy home… he’s been through quite an ordeal, and despite his ability to make us all believe otherwise, he’s in considerable pain and he’s worn out.”

Trying to pass off her concern, he said, “Yea… yea…Doctors…. you know they’re always nagging you… did you take your pills, John… did you get enough sleep, John….” She stopped him with a wicked glare that said, ‘Watch it buster, you’re treading on very thin ice!’

He swallowed hard and changed his tune, “Uh… anyway… I uh.. better do what the lady doc says or I’ll never be able to go back on active duty for the Salem PD. Cause she’ll kill me.”

She smiled as she pointed to his ride, saying, “Right you are, John boy… now… get in this wheelchair before you fall down.”

“Yes Ma’am… ” he said with a mock salute that only made her smile even more broadly, while shaking her head in wonder.

They all laughed because they knew the teasing meant he was really doing fine and Marlena was just giving him a hard time. “John, I hope that you’re ready for some chowder and biscuits?” Caroline offered, wanting to change the subject to the pleasant time ahead. Welcome home parties were always so wonderful, and the food was such an important part of them.

His sigh was one of contentment as he nodded and replied softly, “Oh yea… it’s one thing I really missed when I was….” The memories played in his mind and he decided not to go there, finishing up with, “Well, let’s just say the food left something to be desired and leave it at that.”

“Okay let’s….go… ” The group separated and went to their cars, John and Marlena riding with Lexie and Abe, Bo and Hope riding with Shawn and Caroline, Maggie and Mickey in their own car.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As they opened the door to the Pub, there was a chorus of tiny voices singing out, “Mommy… Daddy… you’re home!” and seconds later they were engulfed in a flurry of welcome home hugs and kisses. There wasn’t much in the world that felt better.

“Hey, you guys…. we missed you so much!” John said as he drew back to look at them, suddenly struck like lightning with what had almost happened, the reality that he could have been kept away for a very long time on the false drug possession charge. It shook him up, he almost suppressed a shudder, and Marlena caught a look in his cobalt eyes that concerned her.

He passed it off with a faint smile, then silently mouthed the words, ‘I’m fine,’ to which she responded by putting an arm around him and saying, “I know… it’s good to be home, isn’t it?”

Letting out a sigh, he nodded saying, softly, “Yes….it is..”

Brady recalled the thing he’d first wanted to say, “We missed you so much Mommy and Daddy…. that’s why we’re throwing this big party for you… Do you like our decorations?” he asked pointing toward the brightly colored banners their grandparents hung up high above them.

“We colored them ourselves… did we do a good job?” Belle asked with a sweet hopeful smile, wanting in on the action.

Scanning the restaurant and seeing the evidence of their creative efforts everywhere, Marlena felt her heart fill with pride and joy. She replied with enthusiasm, so thankful for her two little angel babies, “Oh… yes.. you did a wonderful job… both of you…we love you so much..”

“Mommy’s right, we’re so proud of you two…and it’s really good to be back home,” John added, thinking how quickly they were growing up, and how lucky he was to have the privilege of raising them together with the woman who always held his heart. Truth be told, John knew he was the luckiest man on the planet to have ever been loved by a woman like Marlena Evans in the first place, and to have been given a second chance was nothing less than a miracle in the making.

“Did you have fun on your honeymoon?” Brady asked innocently, wondering why his Daddy didn’t look so good. His face and neck had dark spots that looked like the bruises he got when he fell on the playground.

Glancing toward Marlena for a moment, John wondered what she might want him to say. She gave him a look that said.. ‘whatever you’re comfortable with…’ John decided not to tell them anything, going down on one knee so he could look his boy in the eye, saying pleasantly, “Well, it was nice to have some time alone with Mommy…. but to tell you the truth… we’re really glad to be back home with you guys… so we can start our new life together.”

His bride winked at him… and added her two cents. “Daddy’s right… we couldn’t wait to see you two again.”

Having felt the same way Brady agreed, “Yea… it was a really long time you were gone away…”

‘Seemed like forever to me too kid…‘ John was thinking. In response to his son he simply said, “Well, we’re home now, Slugger and we’re going to be together forever…. the four of us.”

“Because we’re a family now, aren’t we!” Belle added, her excitement contagious.

“Oh… yes, sweety girl, yes we are….” said her mother with passion, tugging her little boy and girl into another warm embrace, as love and gratitude flowed through every part of her body. John noticed the tears in her eyes and leaned in to kiss her and wipe them away, his expression telling her he understood and had just been thinking the same thing. They were so fortunate to have found each other again. He whispered softly so only she could hear, “I love you so much, Doc, and I thank God every day that I have you and the kids in my life.”

The tingling sensation of his breath in her ears, made her shiver with the delight of anticipation and she spoke just as quietly, “And I love you so…” She waited until Shawn and Caroline were guiding the children off toward the food to add an invitation, “In fact, if you’re feeling up to it later, I’d like to show you how much I missed you while we were separated.”

His breath quickened at just the thought of being with her, “Oh, you can count on it, Marlena. I’m feeling just fine, lady… you have a real healing effect on a guy, do you remember?”

She giggled as the images played inside her mind, “Oh yes…I remember… I don’t think I’ll ever forget being together in that hospital bed…”

“Because I was good or because I was looped?” he said, watching her closely.

With a teasing kind of a smile, she said, “Both… you’re really sweet and sensitive when you’re under the influence… and so cute…”

His face scrunched up as he thought about that one for a moment, “Cute… Marlena, you thought I was.. cute?”

“Umm…. hmm…. in fact, John… you were adorable…. ” she said with a sly smile and a wink, nodding her head but not offering any details of their conversation.

‘First it was cute and now it’s adorable..’ “So… uh… what exactly did I.. say and do? Marlena… I didn’t.. embarrass myself, did I?” he asked her, somewhat nervously, searching her face for clues.

Her hazel eyes danced with laughter, but she said nothing further. She shrugged her shoulders as she turned and walked away toward the kitchen, knowing full well she had peaked his curiosity and that he was following her closely, in hopes she might tell him what he needed to know. ‘This night should prove to be fun,’ she was thinking, realizing she had him on the run.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Not quite two hours later, having eaten a good meal, they were standing around near the bar, laughing and joking when John saw the folded up piece of paper on the floor at the corner of the bar. Thinking it was just some discarded scrap, he reached down for it, happening to catch a glimpse of the name as he prepared to toss it out. In a matter of seconds he was calling out quietly but insistently, “Abe, Bo…could you two come over here for a second?”

Bo saw what he had in his hand and let out an apprehensive sigh. This was not going to be a fun conversation. Glancing at Abe, he nodded and took a couple of steps closer, joined by his friend, “Uh yea.. John, we can… “

“Explain… yea I’ll bet you can, Bo,” he said, glaring angrily at the two of them. “So…tell me..” he said as he sat down on one of the bar stools with his arms crossed in front of himself, hoping for a reasonable explanation.

Already on the defensive, Bo wasted no time in setting the man straight, “So, Marlena made me promise not to show that to you until you were… stronger.”

Holding the note in front of his brother’s face, John let his anger fly, “This is a direct threat, Bo.. to me… and to Doc and the kids… and besides that… it’s evidence… and you just slipped it into your pocket and hid it from me? Abe… how could you do that? ” Just as he was about to light into the two of them further, Marlena, who took one look at his face and knew what was up, approached them.

“John… don’t yell at them, I did make Bo promise me he wouldn’t show it to you. I’m sorry, but it was for your own good… I knew that if you had read that on the plane… you would have gone straight to the office to begin the investigation and I wanted you to get some rest first.”

Perturbed with her, John spoke angrily, “Marlena.. for your information, I’m fine… and I’m ready to go back to work… which I’m going to do right now!” he proclaimed boldly, planning to go directly to the Cop Shop.

Reaching out with her hand, she grasped his forearm, stalling his progress toward that objective, “Oh, John… honey, no…. you just went through quite a trauma…. and you need….”

He gently tugged his arm away as he cut her off, “Doc… I appreciate your concern I really do… but I’m perfectly capable of deciding how much rest and whatever else I need. I’m okay…. really..” he said confidently, as he jumped off the barstool and took a couple of steps toward the door, at which point he appeared to be hit by a wave of dizziness or weakness and faltered. He grabbed hold of a table to avoid falling down.

The three of them were at his side in a flash. “You were saying, John?” Bo interjected.

His grin was a sheepish one. “Okay… okay… so I may have… slightly under estimated my recovery time… now.. you gonna help me to sit down before I fall down, or are the three of you just going to stand there and gawk at me?” he asked, obviously chagrined.

They laughed and all was well, as Marlena and Abe flanked him while guiding him toward a booth where the four of them sat down together. It was decided for him. Any further analysis of the note could wait until morning.

Marlena, who simply couldn’t resist temptation, looked at Abe and said, “Should I say I told him so?”

He shook his head and chuckled as he replied, “Nah… I think he knows…. “

John breathed an exaggerated sigh of exasperation. “I’ll say it for you, Doc… yes, you told me so….I will go home and get some sleep and we’ll start on this tomorrow… Okay now, is everybody satisfied?” he said, gesturing with his hands to the others at the table with him.

She smiled and nodded before leaning in for a kiss, responding to his unspoken discomfort at having exposed his physical vulnerability, “Honey, even if you can’t walk all the way across the room by yourself, you’re still my hero…”

It did the trick. He grinned at her and said, “Aw shucks Ma’am… you’re making me blush…”

The others laughed and left the happy couple to their teasing banter and the occasional smooch. It was good to have them both home safe and sound, and John relatively well. That was all that really mattered.

Conflict of Interest

It was so nice to be back home, waking up in their own bed in the Penthouse. The sun was shining through the windows making soft shadows on the flowered cotton sheets, and it seemed that even the birds were chirping out a welcoming melody. Marlena allowed herself the luxury of waking up slowly, while watching her husband, who was still sleeping.

She couldn’t help but chuckle as memories from the night before came pleasantly to mind. John had wanted to make love and she was trying to accommodate his wishes.

Marlena was in the bathroom freshening up a bit while he undressed. When she came out, he was lying on his back, still wearing his pajama  bottoms. Or rather sort of wearing them anyway, obviously having fallen asleep halfway through the process. Instead of attempting to arouse him, as she would ordinarily do, she pulled the pants up around his waist and tucked him under the covers. After staring at him and admiring his bare chest for a moment or two, she kissed him on the cheek and turned off the light, content to snuggle up close to the man she loved. They were safe and sound in their own home and that was good enough for her.

Returning her attention to the present, she looked at him again.  Finally, she saw a hint of peace in the handsome features of his face.  No matter what her new husband said about being okay, and the incident already having been forgotten, she knew he’d been shaken by the experience. It was frightening to have their lives turned upside down in

a matter of minutes, not to mention the fact that John had been terribly mistreated while so wrongly incarcerated. His inability to fight back at the time had affected his confidence in his own physical strength and capability of protecting himself and those most precious to him.

In any case, being home was doing him good already, just as he worked so hard to convince her when the doctors recommended John stay in their hospital for another day or so. Deciding it was best not to argue when he had his mind set on it, she had reluctantly agreed. Now, she was glad she did. Slipping out of bed and putting on her robe, she decided to let him sleep as long as he could. God knew he needed it in order to recover properly from his harrowing ordeal.

While slowly descending the stairs, it was all Marlena could manage not to be overcome by emotion and collapse in terror when she unexpectedly heard her children screaming. There were no words to tell her what was upsetting them so, only the sounds of their shrieking to guide her. She held on tight to the railing until the shock abated and then rushed on down to see what was so alarming to them.

She reached the front door in a matter of seconds. The kids were holding an envelope and a series of pictures which had obviously been inside the large mailer. Scarcely able to believe her eyes at the terror depicted therein, she quickly snatched them out of Brady’s hands, saying, “Oh, my God…. give those to me, sweethearts…. they’re not for kids to see!”

They complied immediately, both little children hoping to banish the horrifying images from their fragile minds. Brady was trembling and his voice echoed his fear, “Mommy…. we’re sorry… I thought it was for me… and Belle.”

Hugging them tight to her body to provide comfort, she looked at the mailer more closely. The only words on the outside were the names Brady and Black. Her young son was reading it correctly from his perspective, but was inaccurate in his conclusion. Clearly it was meant for John Black and Bo Brady. The photographs were meant to serve as a reminder and a threat. However, the more she thought about it, even the fact that John and Marlena’s children would see it first was planned, the timing perfectly orchestrated. They were being watched.

“It’s alright honey, don’t worry…. it’s going to be okay… we’ll forget all about these pictures. Now, what can I get you two for breakfast, while you’re watching cartoons?” she asked them, hoping to get them to move on to something much more pleasant, and to replace the gruesome images with familiar happy ones.

By this time, John had managed to get himself out of bed and was standing at the top of the staircase, holding onto the railing, his body trembling for the effort it had taken to get that far on his own.

“Doc… I heard the kids screaming.. what’s wrong?”

“It’s okay, John…. please… stay right there… I’m going to put some cartoons on for the kids to watch and I’ll be right back. Please wait to come down until I can walk with you.”

He saw how shaky she was as a result of whatever had transpired, and started down before she could finish the sentence. She looked up at him again, his initial strength deteriorating rapidly as he reached the fifth step. He was wobbly at best, “John.. honey… no…. please stop.”

He stumbled, but miraculously avoided falling, grabbing hold of the railing and ending up sitting on a step about halfway down. His head was spinning, his stomach churning; therefore, he conceded her point. He needed her with him when he tackled the stairs. “Okay… I’ll wait right here, Doc… sorry if I scared you.”

Breathing a sigh of relief, she said, “You did…. honey, I’ll be back in a minute, and then we can talk.”

He nodded, realizing that his body was still recovering from his injuries and subsequent surgery to stop the internal bleeding that resulted. Still, it made him feel weak, and his disappointment with himself touched his voice, “Yea.. okay, I guess I’m not going anywhere.”

Five minutes later, he was sitting on the bottom step next to her and looking at the photographs that came in an envelope which had no markings on it, other than the two last names. The sender was immediately evident as he perused the contents. It was a series of pictures of the two slain DEA agents, clearly taken during their lingering tortuous deaths. They were sent as a message to John and his family.

“I’m really sorry the children ever had to see these, that you had to see them too. I’m so sorry, Marlena.”

“John, you’ve seen these before?” she asked, slightly unnerved that he seemed so matter of fact about it all.

Reluctantly, he told her the truth, which was that they were not a surprise, “Not these exact photos, no, but others just like them….yes.”

His new wife reacted powerfully to what he wasn’t saying, “John, these came from that Ricardo Escobar, didn’t they? He was sending you a message… John, this is what…” Her eyes were wide with terror as she became cognizant of the larger message, “Oh, my God… you knew, didn’t you? You’ve known all along that he was after you?”

John looked straight into her frightened eyes and said, “No… I knew he as angry, but I didn’t realize just how angry, not until the honeymoon. When I was set up to be arrested for possession…. that’s when I knew for sure what was happening. Marlena, for some reason I don’t begin to understand he seems to have fixated specifically on me. He wants revenge for the fact that his supply lines to the Midwest were broken when Bo

and I took down J.L. King.”

Holding the photographs out in front of the two of them, she asked him point blank, because she simply *had* to know the truth, “Are you telling me…. that you believe he plans on… doing this…. to you?”

He couldn’t say it, not to her, so he nodded and looked at her with a sincere apology written on his face.

“Oh my God…. the arrest, the beatings…. they really were just…. a warning… it was only the beginning, wasn’t it?”

Still he was silent, wishing for some way to take her fears and make them go away, but he couldn’t do that. They both knew better.

She demanded he tell her, “Answer me, John!”

Finally, he replied, wishing there were some way to spare her, but knowing he could not, “I’m so sorry, Marlena….but yes… I’m sure that

it’s just the beginning.”

“John, what are you going to do, what are *we* going to do?”

She was shivering with fear and he took her in the strength of his arms, hoping to provide some semblance of safety and security in the face of impending doom. “I’m going to buy the best in personal security personnel that money can buy, I’m going to pay them to stick to you and the kids like glue. And then I’m going to nail that Bastard and take down his whole stinking organization. That’s what I’m going to do. And you and the kids are going to be okay.”

She loved his protective side and his anger at injustice, his courage under fire, but this smacked of arrogant denial and foolishness. Drawing out of his embrace, she confronted their reality, “John… there are no guarantees and you know it! We were on our honeymoon, having a wonderful time, just the two of us. We were apart for less than half an hour before you were falsely accused, beaten up, and locked behind bars! For

God’s sake John.. hasn’t he made his point with you? We aren’t safe anywhere!”

It caused his blood to boil with fury just thinking about it, how he’d been caught completely off guard. John vowed it wouldn’t happen again. “Marlena… that was his turf, this is mine!”

“John.. this isn’t some game. This is your life we’re talking about… our lives and the safety of our children are stake here, and maybe even Bo, Hope and Shawn too.”

He stood up, leaving the photos laying at her feet, “I know that, but what do expect me to do… run scared? Lay down and die, what Doc?”

She sat there not saying anything for the longest time, so long that he wondered what she could possibly be thinking. At last, she tore her attention away from the photographs, and gazed up at him with an expression he hadn’t seen since Stefano Dimera died. She was crying, but she was in control when she replied to him, “John I want you to quit. I want you to turn in your badge and make a public statement about how you’ve realized what a dangerous profession it is… and that you find yourself wanting to spend more time with your family.”

He was shocked speechless. There were no words to describe how it made him feel to have her ask that of him. It had taken him a lot of years and some very painful self-examination to rediscover and reinvent himself in the aftermath of his loss of identity, his job, his family, which was followed so closely by the death of Isabella. She knew what he went through, and here she was asking him to give up a profession she realized meant everything to him.

John walked back and forth across the foyer, gathering his wits, determining the best way to respond to her concerns without bowing to her demands. In the end, he simply said it, “No… I’m sorry, Marlena… but I can’t do that. I won’t do that. I’m going to see this thing through until it’s over. There are two families out there… right now, hurting because those two agents were killed by this sick bastard. I’m gonna catch him, and I’m gonna put him away so it won’t happen to anybody else.”

She responded soberly to his assertion with a question, “What about us, John.. if he does the same thing to you? What happens to Belle and Brady and I, if he comes after you, decides to take you hostage and torture you to death. Isn’t that what these pictures mean? Where will WE be then, John?”

“Marlena… I promise you.. I won’t let that happen.”

The next thing he knew she was waving the photos in his face and nearly shouting at him, “I bet these two drug enforcement agents said the same thing to their wives when they left home on a plane. They came back in *body* bags, John! And I’m willing to bet that they couldn’t even have open caskets at the funerals because their bodies and their faces were so disfigured. Isn’t that right, Detective Black?” she said, as if she were an attorney cross examining a witness.

Even John had to suppress a shudder at that one. Nodding his head, he swallowed hard and answered honestly, “Yes… you’re right. Okay, it’s true, I can’t promise you. But, Marlena… this is what I *do* now! I made a commitment to it. I’m a cop, and a damned good one at that. It’s in my blood, Marlena and you’ve encouraged me to follow my heart on this thing all the way through. My heart tells me to stay with it.”

Now she was really angry. What about their marriage? “Oh, you’ve made a commitment to it… well what about your love and commitment to this family, to me? You said you would always put us first, John. I don’t see that happening right now. I see a man who is becoming obsessed with taking out the bad guys.”

Becoming animated, he was talking with his hands, a sure sign they were hitting on some very powerful themes, ones that could make or break the relationship. “Oh, come on, Doc… that’s not fair. This guy came after me, he’s the one making it personal. Well, it’s time I got a message to him too. John Black doesn’t give up so easily, John Black fights back!”

She shook her head incredulously, “Oh, my God… you should hear yourself, John! Now, you’re making it sound like a kid’s game. Two little boys playing cops and robbers in the back yard. Well, John Black, the brave and strong, proud policeman, I won’t stand for it. I won’t let our babies be caught up in the crossfire! I’m going to take them far away from Salem while you *boys* play this deadly game.”

“Marlena…wait.. what are you saying to me?” he demanded, his face filled with dismay as he grasped hold of her forearm to stop her from walking away from him. Was she issuing some sort of ultimatum? She snatched it back.

Crossing her arms in front of her body, she set herself for the argument of the century, “You heard me. I’m leaving and I’m taking the children with me!”

In great distress, he stepped closer, narrowing his gaze and hoping to read her eyes, “You’re leaving me? But we just got married! We’re still newlyweds, Marlena you can’t mean this! I love you and I know that you love me too! How can you do this?”

She lowered her voice considerably when she saw his blue eyes begin to mist. “John… I didn’t say I wanted a dissolution or a divorce, did I? I said I’m leaving Salem. I’m going to my parents or some place else where I can keep the children safe from harm.”

That was some concession, and not an altogether bad idea. Still, he didn’t want to be alone and he said so, “No… no, please Doc… I need to be with my family… I swear to you… I’ll get the best security there is in the world!”

“No.. it’s not good enough, John. If you insist on continuing this battle… we’re all going to suffer, and you know it. I read that letter and I know what it means. This monster is a lot like Stefano was. He’s seeking vengeance and he’s planning to destroy you and everyone you love in the process. He’ll take his time about it, but he won’t stop until

you’re dead. “

Her husband of one week had no further retort. Marlena was right. What else was there to say about it? Realizing she would not relent he asked for details, if she had them, “When are you leaving?”

“As soon as possible.”

He sighed again, and then apologized for the fact that it was even necessary to contemplate a separation, for any reason, “I’m sorry, Doc.”

“So am I, John… believe me, so am I.” On that note, she turned and headed out toward the kitchen.

He watched her walk away. “You’re just as stubborn as I am, you know?” he called after, not wanting her to have the last word.

She didn’t turn around, but he could almost see her eyes dance as she responded in kind, “I know… now why don’t you come and have some breakfast with your family?”

He had to laugh at the incongruity of it. One second she was practically ready to rip his hair out at the roots, and the next she wanted to sit across the table from him eating Cheerios. “I’m coming, Doc… I’m coming,” he said, shaking his head in wonder. But it made his confidence increase. He had to believe that somehow, some way, they would work it out. Along with Abe and Bo, and presumably quite a few others, he would catch the bad guys and their marriage and family, perhaps a little worse for the wear, would survive the challenge this situation offered.

Vengeance Is Mine Sayeth the Drug Lord

The two yahoos from Chicago, by way of the rural south, were trying unsuccessfully to appear cool and collected as they stood on the rear terrace overlooking the Colombian mountains, but it was obvious to Ricardo Escobar and his men, Tomas and Antonio, that they were petrified. It seemed the two brothers were well aware of what could happen to them if they betrayed him in any way. That was good. It meant they would do exactly as they were told and nothing more.

He cleared his throat and they turned in unison. “So, am I to understand that the two of you have some plans for revenge against John Black?”

Bobby, the more confident of the Winston brothers, answered for them, “Yea… that dude got our little brother killed, man!”

“How unfortunate… may I ask what happened?” Rico said, feigning sympathy, gesturing for the two Americans to join him in sitting down.

They complied, somewhat reluctantly, still wondering if meeting with this drug cartel owner was a wise move. Not that they had been given any real choice in the matter. Looking briefly toward his brother, Bobby told the abbreviated version of the story, “Well, it goes like this. We were pulling a heist on a bank in Chicago… and this Black dude was there… he messed up everything for us, man… Tommy was hit, but he ended up being okay, and he was sent to prison. He uh…wasn’t real big and the guys doing hard time… well, they roughed him up… if you know what I mean.” Bobby averted his gaze, not wanting the man to see the guilt and the trace of shame he still felt about it all. He was the oldest and he was supposed to protect his little brothers, but he’d failed.

Wasting no time, Rico summed up the situation, his eyes indicating that although he wasn’t saying the words, he knew precisely what had happened, “They…. assaulted him repeatedly, he died, and you blame Black for it.”

“Yea, and now he has to PAY!” Bobby could feel the sadness and frustrated anger ready to boil over every time he talked about it.

“My brother and me, we got us some boys together and we’re gonna do him the same way….. real slow and painful like… he’s gonna know what’s coming for a long time,” said Jimmy while rubbing his hands together, eagerly anticipating the way they would make him suffer.

Rico waited for a moment or two to let them settle their emotions before he told them how it would go down. “Alright, then. As you already know, I happen to have very different reasons for wanting to… hurt John Black, and it is possible that our plans can coincide, but there’s just one important change. You have to leave him alive when you’re finished with him.”

Jimmy shot up out of the metal chair and argued, wanting the satisfaction of seeing the man snuffed out right in front of him. “No way… he has to die, the same way Tommy did!”

Remaining perfectly composed, Rico sipped at his tequila and presented his thoughts in a way he hoped might appeal to their more Neanderthal tastes. “Ah, but consider how much more he will suffer if he lives, Bobby and.. Jimmy, is it?” Escobar paused for effect as he began to expostulate, “Say you leave him in a place where he can be easily discovered, then make an anonymous call to tip off the police and the media. He’ll have to deal with the public humiliation and shame. Be sure he knows you’ll be watching him, and that if and when you want it to… it will happen again. And make him believe that his wife, or even his children could be next if he tries to come after you. He’ll be living in constant fear, especially for his family. That will be *much* worse than death for a man like John Black.”

Bobby was pretty easily convinced, “Yea… I like it… I really like that idea!”

“Me too, now that you put it that way… but when you’re all finished with the dude, can we have another shot at him?” Jimmy asked, still wanting to watch the life flow out of the man, just as the prisoners at the Illinois state pen had done with his younger brother.

“Perhaps arrangements could be made. If there’s anything left, I’ll consider it. In the mean time, this meeting never took place. Do I make myself perfectly clear?”

They nodded and replied simultaneously, a healthy amount of respect in their voices, “Yes, Sir, Mr. Escobar.”

“Good, now go on and have your fun. My men will help you set things up so that by the time you have him, he’ll be out of his head with fear. And don’t forget, we’ll be watching you. Don’t do anything you’ll regret.”

“We’ll lay low until we have our little party, then we’ll sit back to watch the real suffering begin.”

“It’s been a pleasure doing business with you. Oh, and please, give Black a message for me. Tell him that what you’re doing to him is nothing compared with what comes next.”

“That’s it?” they said, wondering exactly what the man had planned for the guy.

“Yes, that’s it….. just make sure he knows that there are more fun and games to follow.”

The two men looked at each other, nodded their heads and then Bobby said, “No problem.” And that was the end of it.

Rico laughed wickedly as he watched them go, raising his glass in a silent toast. It was perfect. Black would be suffering so badly that he wouldn’t even know what hit him when the next phase of the plan to destroy him was fully operational. He would be utterly blindsided, just as he had been during his honeymoon on The Galapagos Islands.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Marlena could hear him yell all the way downstairs in the kitchen, and found herself feeling grateful that the children were at the home of their unofficial grandparents for the night. With the growing tension between she and her husband, and the danger John was in while pursuing the vengeful leader of the most powerful Colombian drug cartel, Shawn and Caroline Brady’s offer had been a godsend.

“No, no…Oh God, please no!”

Frightened out of her mind and wondering what on earth could make him cry out that way, she raced up the stairs faster than she thought possible. He was supposed to be taking a quiet relaxing nap after a stakeout that had lasted much longer than he and Bo originally planned. John was on edge when he came home, which she had attributed to the usual–not enough sleep, too much coffee, and cramped quarters for several hours. Apparently, she was wrong in her assumption.

Bracing herself, she took a deep breath and went to his side, hoping to find a way to make him open up about whatever was on his mind that would cause him to have such a terrifying nightmare.

When he opened his eyes and looked at her, he knew it would be tough to deny her. She had this expression on her face that required no words. Marlena loved him, she was worried about him, and she would *not* take no for an answer. And, she was ready for her husband of four weeks to discount the significance of the state in which she’d found him.

“It was just a dream, Doc,” John said, sitting up slowly. He knew his protest was lame even as he made it. He was still trembling and his face was covered in a sheen of sweat, not to mention his rapid breathing. There was no sense in arguing that whatever it was about, this wasn’t the garden variety bad dream which faded almost immediately upon awakening.

“No, it was more than that. This has gone on long enough. You’ve been edgy for days now. Stop lying to me, John. Whatever is happening to you is affecting me too. Now, tell me or I’ll call Abe and Bo, and I’ll find a way to get it out of them.”

He raised his hands in surrender, and then wiped away the imaginary cobwebs along with a good portion of the sweat, before replying verbally. “Alright, I’ll tell you.”

“Thank you,” she said, sitting down cross legged on the bed, facing him.

It took him a few seconds to shake off the lingering effects of the dream. It was horrifyingly vivid. “Okay, the other day, Bo and I got this package in the mail. It was a video tape. The lab boys went over it with a fine tooth comb and turned up nothing. When they were finished we watched it.”

“Well, come on…. what was it about, John? It’s obvious that whatever it was has upset you.”

“Yea…I just hate telling you, Doc because I know you’ll only worry. ” She didn’t say anything except his name, her eyes broadcasting a strong desire to hear the story.

He nodded in acknowledgement, blew out a long breath, and launched into the tale, “Okay, it was about a vice cop and his best friend, who was also his partner. They found out about a drug ring and broke it up. They started to feel pretty good about what they’d accomplished when one of them was.. gang raped.”

“Oh, no… don’t tell me. It was set up by the drug dealer.”

A slight nod of his head was his only response. He couldn’t look at her, couldn’t bear the fear he knew was etched on her face.

Finally, she found the strength to ask the question for which she already knew the answer. “John, tell me the rest of it. What happened to the cop who was raped?”

His sigh gave her the emotional gist of it and then he told her so, “It destroyed his life. He couldn’t deal with it–started drinking. It ruined his marriage; he lost his job as a cop, and ended up killing himself with his own gun. His partner, who didn’t do much better with it, went after the dealer and took him out in a fire fight, then left the police force. That was how it ended.”

“Oh, John… “

He still wasn’t looking at her. There had to be more. She touched him on the arm in an attempt to make him look up. It didn’t work but she was insistent. “John… what else?”

Sometimes, the woman was like a dog with a bone; she wouldn’t let it go. Resigned to his fate, John told her, “Alright, there was a note included. It said that in real life the cop and his partner both die and the drug dealer keeps right on dealing.”

It was unthinkable, but still she tried to voice her fears, “Oh my God! It was Escobar and he’s… he’s planning to….”

John shook his head and turned to the opposite side of the bed to escape her intense scrutiny. Hoping she would believe him, he disagreed, “No, I don’t think so.. he’s just messing with my mind, Doc. That’s not his style. There’s no denying he’s into torturing his victims, but not like that.”

“John, just how naive do you think I am? For God sakes, if that was what you really believed, you wouldn’t have had a nightmare about it.”

He started to argue and she put up a hand to stop him, her emotions threatening to get the best of her. “Don’t even try to say that’s not what it was about! I know you too well. You were shaking, John.. and your face, your hair, they’re drenched with sweat. Honey, whether you want to admit it to me, or anybody else for that matter, deep inside you’re afraid he’s got the same thing planned for you.”

John rose from the bed, running his hands through the sweat soaked hair she’d just mentioned, letting out a long tired sigh as he walked about the bedroom. “Okay, you’re right. The thought has crossed my mind and yes, I dreamed about it.”

The reality of the danger they were in hit her hard. If he were being honest with her, than the threat was significant. “Oh, John… what are we going to do?” she asked, near the release of tears.

Finally, he met her gaze and strove to sound confidant, reassuring even, as he placed his hands upon her trembling shoulders. “You’re going to get on a plane, just like we’ve talked about and I’m going to take this bastard down. Between Bo and Abe, the FBI, and the DEA, we’re gonna nail him, Doc.”

“I wish I could be as sure of that as you would like me to think *you* are.”

He’d swear she could see right through him sometimes. For reasons John didn’t fully understand, it almost made him smile. “Hey, I’m just doing my best to keep you from worrying. They won’t get near me. We’re ready for him and his people.”

“John, for whatever reason, this… monster has zeroed in on you. I think you know he won’t let a few plain clothed police officers stop him.”

While his hands went to her face, gently brushing away some straggling tears with his outstretched fingertips, he spoke softly, “Doc, I know this is scaring you. And to be totally honest, I’m scared too, but I can’t let the fear stop me from doing my job. This is what I do now. I’m going after Escobar and his organization with everything I’ve got. Honey, with everybody working together, we *will* take him down, just like we did JL King.”

The phone rang in the middle of their conversation. “I’m sorry, Doc. I have to take this,” he said apologetically while reaching for the phone on the nightstand.

“Yea, Black here…”

“John, it’s me… “

“Hey Abe, what’s going on?”

“I don’t know how to tell you this, John. So, I’ll just say it. Escobar’s games… they’ve started.”

He waited until Marlena left the room to ask for details, glancing over his shoulder to ensure she wasn’t standing near the door listening. “What, just tell me what happened.”

“One of the guys from the sixth precinct, Baker… he was admitted to University Hospital half an hour ago.”

“Oh, no…” He found himself falling backward onto the bed, the energy beginning to drain out of him.

Abe didn’t hesitate. His friend had to know. “Yes, he was.. assaulted, John…. just like in the video. He’s real close to his partner, about your age, similar build, married with two kids about the same age as Belle and Brady.”

At first all John could do was shudder as he thought of what the man must be going through. Then it struck him, what Abe *wasn’t* saying to him, “Oh God…. there was a.. a note for me… wasn’t there?” John said, his voice thick with a mix of emotions.

His friend’s breathing pattern gave almost as much information as his reply, “It was pinned to his chest. All it said was, Dear John, you’re next.”

“What else, Abe… there’s something more you’re not telling me.”

Abe hedged a little, wanting it to wait until they were face to face, “John, why don’t you come on down to the station, and we can talk.”

Demanding an immediate answer, John said, “No, tell me now, Abe…”

“Alright, if you have to know now, I’ll tell you. They uh… they made a tape of it, John…. the voices are mechanically altered and the attackers’ faces are covered by masks so we can’t ID the perpetrators, but everything else is very clear.”

It was all so unreal and terrifying at the same time. They wanted him to know every detail of what they were planning to do to him, but John couldn’t let himself think about that. Not while another man suffered. “Oh my God! Baker, is he.. is he gonna make it, Abe?”

“I don’t know… it looks pretty bad from what I’ve been told. And his partner, Jacobs… he’s out for blood, John. He wants to talk to you. If you’re not down here inside of twenty minutes, he’s going to come knocking on your door.”

Thinking of Bo and how he would react, John replied with understanding, “I’ll bet he is… Damn, Abe… what am I gonna say to him? He’d be right to put the blame on me. No matter how you look at it, this happened because of me!”

“No, John… it’s not you, it’s him… It’s Escobar! He’s insane, buddy, and we’re gonna get him. Sooner or later we’re going to get him.”

Ready to hang up the phone and jump on a plane inside of five minutes, John stood up and vented his anger and frustration, “Yea, right… and how many people have to suffer before we do, Abe? I’m going down there… this is between him and me, and I’m gonna finish it.”

“No, you’re not, John. You’re not going anywhere.”

“The hell I’m not! You want to be the one to sit down and tell Baker’s wife why her husband was.. r.. raped?” It was all he could do to say the word out loud. “Because some sick f*** wants to mess with my head! I sure as hell don’t want anybody else to get hurt because of me. I’m gonna put an end to it, Abe. One way or the other.”

“John, you’re under police protection as of this moment. There’s a uniform outside your door as we speak, and one in the lobby. Two suits are outside the building, parked one block south.”

“Abe, you know damn well that if they want me, they won’t let that stop them. No, I’m putting Doc and the kids on a plane to her folks tonight and then I’m leaving for Bogota in the morning. I’m not playing by the rules anymore. I’m gonna get in his face.”

“No, John… I won’t let you do that. We have to take him down the right way, to put him away for the rest of his life. It’s called the law, John. There’s a reason we have a legal justice system and IT will determine his punishment.”

“Right, just like we did with Dimera? Abe, the only reason that bastard is out of our lives is because he and Peter killed each other. You and I both know that the system doesn’t apply to scum like that. Escobar buys his way out of it. He bribes and he threatens, and he gets what he wants, just like Dimera did. What he deserves is street justice, and I’m gonna make damn sure he gets it!”

Abe was angry now, realizing his friend was being completely irrational and needed shaking up. He wished they were in the same room instead of talking on the telephone. “Dammit, John. Think about this! You’d be risking everything. Your career, your marriage, your life. You want Marlena and the kids to spend the rest of their lives with you either in jail or dead? Is that what you want, John? Because that’s what’s going to happen if you try to take him on!”

He paused to let what he was saying sink in a bit. When John was quiet, he continued. “And let’s just imagine that you do get to him… say you even manage to take him out in some kind of fair fight and you come out clean for it. What do you think his people will do then? You think they’ll just let it go? John, you’ll be putting your friends and family in even more danger if you’re successful.”

The words were beginning to make sense. Abe was right. It was foolish to think that he could stop the man and his kind by fighting on the same level. John suddenly felt exhausted and plopped himself down on the bed for a moment, allowing his breathing to calm and his mind to clear slightly. With a heavy sigh, he agreed, “Yea…. okay, you’re right…. I’m sorry. I just feel so…bad about this. Baker doesn’t deserve to be caught up in all of this, this sick vendetta Escobar has against me. Dammit, why doesn’t he just come after me?”

“He will, but he wants to hurt you first, John… to make you sweat… and he wants you to do what you just threatened to do… to lose control and go off half cocked.”

His reply was barely audible, “I know… “

“What are you going to tell Marlena about all of this? She won’t leave if she knows what he has planned for you.”

“Yea.. I have to think of something quick… I don’t want her to know what’s really going on.”

“It’s too late, I heard part of your conversation, John.”

After a failed attempt at squelching his startle response, John whirled around to face her. She knew. It was in her eyes, her gaze unwavering. Damn! “Marlena… I uh… I didn’t hear you come back upstairs.”

She stood with her arms crossed in front of her and spoke resolutely, with practiced calm, “I realize that. Why don’t you tell Abe you’ll call him back.”

He shook his head to say no. “I have to go to the station right away, Doc… and I want you to go ahead and get ready to leave for Colorado… tonight.”

“No, John… I won’t leave here until you tell me everything.”

“Alright, that’s fair enough. You have a right to know. I’m going down to the Cop Shop for a little while. You get packed and ready and when I get back, I’ll sit down and tell you what I can before you go.”

She repeated his carefully uttered words in her mind, ‘..I’ll tell you what I can…’ and thought about confronting him, but then reconsidered. Rather than debate semantics with him, she nodded and walked soundlessly toward the closet to get the suitcases. The time for pushing John to tell her the whole story would come later on, when he was focused on talking to her, rather than on the case.

He turned his attention back to the caller. Abe had waited patiently for the expected goodbye, “I’ll see you in a few minutes, Abe. Thanks for calling.”

Without another word, John dragged himself off the bed and then forced himself to move, swiftly donning a clean shirt and pulling his boots on in record time. If he didn’t go right this instant, he thought he might never leave her side. John hated the idea of being separated from his wife and children, but they both knew it was necessary to ensure their safety.

Taking the stairs two at a time, he was on the first floor in a couple of seconds and heading out the door without looking back. And he chose to use the staircase rather than the elevator to get down to the front entrance, leaving the cop on duty wondering what the heck was going on. They hadn’t given him many details, just that he was to guard the front door of the Black Penthouse condominium and would be relieved in six hours.

Understandings

 

John made it to the precinct in twenty minutes flat, a record for him.  Matt Jacobs was already in Abe’s office, and from the looks of it he was  primed and ready to take his frustration about what had happened to his partner, out on somebody. ‘Namely me,’ John thought as he took a deep  breath and prepared to enter the room.

 

Abe almost winced as he saw his friend’s face appear at the door. He  said nothing, but Jacobs followed his gaze and turned around to see the  man he blamed for his best friend’s suffering. “You…. the pretty rich boy playing at cops and robbers!” Yelling, he lunged at John, “This is  all your fault, you son of a bitch!”

 

Putting his hands up to ward off any blows, John said, “Woah, wait a minute, where do you come off? I went through all the testing, just like  any other recruit in this department. I’ve proven myself.”

 

The man grabbed the collar of John’s leather jacket with both hands, “Oh yea, and the fact that your best friend is the Commander had nothing to  do with you making detective in less than six months!”

 

Abe had wanted to stay out of it, but that was going too far. John was about to hit the guy to get him to lay off. Stepping forcefully between  the two men, he strongly negated the implications, “No, it didn’t, Jacobs, and I’m telling you right now. You better get a handle on your anger or I’ll have you out on suspension. What happened to your partner isn’t John’s fault. There’s a sick monster out there by the name of  Ricardo Escobar and he’s the one to blame. Save your anger for him.”

 

The man let out a frustrated sigh and nodded his head at the same time he released his grip. “You’re right. I’m sorry, I’m just….” Not  knowing how to describe how he felt, his voice trailed off and he plopped himself down in one of the wooden chairs next to Abe’s desk.

 

John sat down on the edge of the desk and offered an apology of sorts, “I’m sorry too. I’m sorry we didn’t see this coming and warn people. I  thought he was only gunning for me. I never would have guessed he’d go after anybody else in the department.”

 

Finally a little calmer, Matt looked up into a sincere pair of eyes, and let him off the hook, “You had no way of knowing, John, really. I was  just upset and needed a place to blow off steam. You were a convenient excuse.”

 

Nodding his understanding, John asked about Charlie Baker, “So, how is he?”

 

“He’s hanging in there. It’s pretty bad, but they think he’s going to make it.”

 

“I hope so. How’s his wife, his family doing with it?”

 

“As well as can be expected. They’re glad he’s alive and going to recover, but horrified about what happened to him. They’re angry and  they want the guys who did it caught, pronto.”

 

Abe replied this time, “So do we, Matt, so do we.”

 

With a tired sigh, Jacobs inquired about the next move for the man Escobar really wanted to hurt. “So, are you heading to a safe house with  your family?”

 

John shook his head. “Nope. I’m sending my wife and kids out of town and then I’m going after him, no holds barred. I’m not going to let that  bastard run free while other people are suffering because of his sick vendetta against me.”

 

Realizing the man wasn’t just a rich guy who was playing out some childhood fantasy, Jacobs asked to be let in on whatever plans the  detective had for snaring the bastard who ordered the attack on Matt’s partner. “Look, I’m sorry I reacted the way I did. Can I work with you  on this thing? I know I can’t make things right for Charlie, but I can’t just sit around and wait either. I have to *do* something.”

 

Both men looked to the man in charge, who nodded in response and said, “Just make sure you remember to watch each other’s backs. This guy’s out for blood and he won’t be satisfied until he’s spilled yours, John.”

 

“Not if I spill his first,” John said, below the level of normal speech. He wanted it to be his finger, and no one else’s, on the trigger of the  gun that killed the Colombian drug lord. He wanted to watch the man die for his crimes against humanity, for what was done to Baker, and especially for the lives of two young DEA agents who were tortured to death less than a year earlier.

 

“John…. do we need to talk about this some more?” Abe probed, seeing something he didn’t like in his friend’s slightly hidden blue eyes.

 

“No, Abe… I understand what you want from me.”

 

“And?”

 

“And, I’ll follow the book on this one, Commander.” His tone was biting and Abe glared at him.

 

“See that you do, or some slick million dollar lawyer will get the guy off. That’s the last thing any of us want to see, right?”

 

“Right, boss,” John said with a tight nod, finally acknowledging the man’s authority over him, something he’d done rather grudgingly at times.

 

“Okay, now get out of here. I’ll talk to you both in the morning. And John, why don’t you call Bo and let him in on the fact that Jacobs has come on board.”

 

“Sure thing, Abe…. soon as I talk to Doc.”

 

“Doc?” Matt asked curiously.

 

“Oh, that’s my wife. She’s sort of….”

 

“Upset, worried, wants you to quit the job?”

 

He almost smiled. “Yea, that about sums it up.”

 

“So’s mine….. I gotta go calm her down. I’ll see you tomorrow morning then, right?”

 

“Right… try to catch some sleep if you can. This thing with Escobar is bound to get a hell of a lot worse before it gets any better.”

 

“I’ll do my best…. you do the same. And watch your back..”

 

“I will. Take care.”

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

It was late when he finally got in, and John found himself strangely thankful that the house was shrouded in silence. That meant he had a few moments of quiet contemplation. After resetting the alarm system, John kicked off his boots and padded in sock clad feet to the terrace. There was something comforting about peering down over the lake from above, something that soothed his nerves when he was on edge.

 

Lost in thought, he didn’t hear his wife of eight weeks come up behind him, but he felt her arms go around his waist. John sighed and leaned into her warm embrace. “Hey stranger…”

 

“Hey yourself.”

 

“I’m all packed. The plane leaves first thing in the morning.”

 

“Good, I’m glad you’re going to be safe. I’ll sleep better knowing you and the kids are a thousand miles away from here. I uh, I hired some private security by the way. No sense taking any chances,” he finished, turning to look at her, half preparing for a verbal sparring match.

 

“That’s fine with me. So, are you going to talk to me, John?”

 

The silence was long, but she’d trained herself to give people time to formulate their thoughts. She had the sense her husband needed that time too. Finally, he replied. “Yea… I just… well, I don’t want you to worry about me, Doc. I’ll be alright.”

 

“John…” His name was all she said, but her tone conveyed a depth of meaning which included her growing frustration with his protective secrecy.

 

“Alright. That call from Abe tonight… it was about another guy in the precinct. He was…” That was as far as he could go upon seeing the horror in her hazel eyes. Marlena was terrified for his safety.

 

“Raped… one of the men who works with you was raped?”

 

“Yes…..” He cast his gaze downward, hating to see her fear, which forced him to acknowledge the real danger he faced.

 

She could tell from the look on his face that there was more. “And?” she asked, working to keep her body from trembling.

 

“And…. there was a video tape made of it, and a note for me. All it said was, Dear John, you’re next.”

 

“Oh, my God!” He hands covered her mouth, a gesture signifying intense fear for what lay ahead for them. “What are we going to do, John?”

 

“You are going to Colorado with Belle and Brady just like we talked about. And, I’m going to take this bastard down.”

 

“No, I won’t leave you now, not with this threat hanging over your head. I won’t let you face this alone, John.”

 

“Marlena, listen to me. If I’m worried about you, I might make mistakes, and I can’t afford to do that with this guy. I need to be totally focused. Please try to understand.”

 

Seeing that he wasn’t going to budge, she relented, “Alright, I’ll go, but you call me, every night… no excuses. I’ll be worried sick about you.”

 

“It’s a deal, babe. I love you, Doc… more than you’ll ever know.”

 

“And I love you. John, getting on that plane is going to be one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do, you know that?”

 

Reaching out his arms, John pulled her close. “I do know that, because watching you get on it and fly away from here is going to be one of the toughest things I’ve ever had to do too. But it’s the only way to keep you and the kids out of harm’s way. And there’s nothing more important to me than that.”

 

“Don’t you know that I feel the same way about you?”

 

“Yea, that’s why I know we belong together,” he said, hoping to lighten the mood a bit.

 

She squeezed him a little tighter as she started to cry, “Oh, yes we do, John Black, yes we do. And don’t you ever forget that.”

 

“Not even for a second.”

 

They looked at each, a special kind of intensity in their eyes, communicating beyond the power of words. John leaned in close to wipe her tears away, using the tips of his outstretched fingers. And then with infinite tenderness he proceeded to kiss her mouth, cupping her face between his hands.

 

In a matter of seconds, he lifted her off her feet and was headed for the stairs. One last night of love before being separated.

 

Gently, he laid her on the bed, after closing the door with his foot. She gazed up at him through tear filled eyes, tears born of love and tears born of fear. How she needed him. “Oh, John… make love to me, hold me and don’t let go all night long.”

 

“You can count on it, pretty lady,” he said, taking off his shirt and then beginning on her blouse.

Wishing Time Would Stop

 

Marlena laid back on their bed and let him have his way with her, immersing herself completely in the intensely pleasurable bodily sensations stimulated by her expert lover. One minute he was caressing her skin like she was a china doll he might break, and then he was kneading the muscles of her backside in a way that made her body ache to

have him become one with her flesh.

 

“Oh, John… oh, I love you… I love you and I want to be with you like this forever,” she cried, sounding desperate to keep time from marching forward.

 

“You will, you will, Marlena, I promise you, we’ll always be together,” he whispered passionately, his own desire rising exponentially with each sigh and moan that escaped her lovely lips.

 

They spoke no more after that, enveloped by fiery passion that burned almost out of control, legs, arms, hands, and mouths doing a special kind of intimate dance in the dark of night. Without saying a word, their bodies knew what to do, where to touch, when to kiss, and when to draw back and gaze deeply into misty eyes, making sure to communicate the depth of emotion they shared. This was a night that had to stay with

them, had to sustain them over the long separation that was sure to follow with the dawning of a new day.

 

There was one particular moment during their nightlong lovefest, after they had shared their bodies to the point of exhaustion. It was a moment in which John stopped to look upon his lover’s face, to peer into amber pools and drink in her beauty and her love.

 

What he saw instead was a fear he never wanted to see again. A fear that *this* night would be their last, a fear that because of his need to track down a vile and murderous man, she would lose him to the dark side of humanity. He had seen that same look when he’d gone after Stefano Dimera, and had made a solemn vow never to be responsible for it being there again. It made him ache inside, wishing he could give her what she wanted most, yet knowing in his heart that he could not.

 

All he could do was attempt to reassure, though he knew as he said it that it would sound false. “Marlena, it’s going to be alright, there’s nothing to worry about. I’m going to be fine.”

 

She merely shook her head and wept at first. He waited for her to compose her thoughts, but she only continued the silent shedding of tears. With gentle hands, he cupped her cheeks and tenderly wiped away the dots of moisture with the pads of his thumbs, a gesture that merely started them flowing again.

 

‘If only it were that simple to eliminate the danger he’s facing,’ she thought before making a verbal reply. “John, you know that’s not true. Things can go wrong, the protection could break down and he could get to you. Like he got to those two DEA agents. John, I’m scared for you, for the children, for all of us. I’m SO scared and I don’t want to leave you! I don’t want to be separated from you!”

 

His left arm around her body, he used his right hand to tip her chin up so that she was looking at him again. “I know, Doc, I know that you’re scared. And if helps you to know it, so am I, but I can’t let the fear stop me. Can you please try to understand that?”

 

She was shaking her head again, but didn’t reply.

 

He tried another tack, speaking with intensity, “Marlena, this guy, Ricardo Escobar, he’s evil… he kills people who are little more than children with this white powder he makes. He forces the people of his own country to work like slaves, while he lives in splendor. I have to do whatever I can to stop him. It’s not just what I do for a living, Marlena, it’s who I *am* inside. I know you understand that, I *know* you do. “

 

Now, she was nodding her head and crying at the same time, torn between denying it and admitting the truth, which was that she did understand. She felt that same passion about her work. Being a psychiatrist was never just a profession for her, it was a calling, as police work was for John. “I do.. I do understand, but I HATE it! I hate this!”

 

Grasping her by the shoulders, he softened and finished his plea for her approval, “Honey, as hard as it is for us to decide to be apart right now, going after this man is what I have to do. It’s the right thing to do and we have to face that, together.”

 

She broke down. “I know, I know it is, John, but I want to stay here…. I want to be here for you when you come home at the end of an exhausting day, when you’re worn down and hungry.. and you need to have someone there to comfort you. I want to be that person, John.”

 

Caressing her wet cheek, he felt her pain and wanted to cave in, even as he denied her, his voice trembling with emotion, “Oh, and I *want* you to be that person, but it isn’t safe, Doc. Not for you and the kids, not even for me. I’d be worried sick about you all the time and it would distract me from the job, which could get me killed. Please, Marlena, go with me on this one. You *need* to be in a safe place, far away from here.”

 

Finally, she nodded her head, shedding a fresh round of tears. Then she shouted at him, “Alright, alright, I’ll go! But, so help me, God, if anything happens to you, John Black… I’m going to wring your neck!”

 

For some bizarre reason it made him laugh out loud. Then, despite her fear and her anger, she began to giggle, and pretty soon, they were both belly laughing.

 

When they regained control and the laughing was over, the lovemaking began once again. But for some reason, this time it wasn’t nearly so frantic. John worked his magic all over her body, in a sense worshipping her, letting the embers smolder for awhile and bringing on her pleasure slowly.

 

“Oh, John, how I love you….”

 

“I love you too, Marlena, more than anything or anyone ever in my life. You *are* my life and I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe. But I promise you here and now, when this is all over, if you really want me to give it up, I will. I’ll walk away and I’ll go back to running the companies.”

 

“You would do that, for me?”

 

He nodded and looked her straight in the eye. “If it’ll take that look of fear out of your pretty eyes, yes, I’ll do it. I love you that much, Doc.”

 

He touched her in so many ways. “Oh, John, you just.. you don’t know how much that means to me right now.”

 

“I have some idea, Marlena…. but we can talk about that later. I have some more loving to do tonight.”

 

She smiled and laid down on her back, her eyes never leaving his face. John leaned over her and with one hand grasped hold of both of her tiny ones. Holding his body up with the other arm, he set himself not quite on top of her as he flicked at her lips with this tongue, darting back and forth. She tilted her head back and he devoured her neck, lavishing her with soft moist kisses, moving slowly toward her mouth again.

 

“Oh, John… oh, I need you so.”

 

“I need you too, Doc… I need you more than you’ll ever know,” he said, just before he parted her lips and kissed her fervently. His tongue swirled and wrapped around hers, making her ache and moan with desire.

 

He laid down next to her and still holding her hands immobile, he caressed her naked skin, making soft circles as he moved closer and closer to her genitals. She bucked and writhed and he stopped her with his body, realizing she was nearing the summit of desire’s peak. Lying atop her, he swiftly melded with her, their bodies moving together in

perfect time as the flames of passion burned higher and higher.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Having left for the airport about an hour ahead of Marlena and the kids, John supervised every single move the flight crew made early that morning, making absolutely sure that every possible safety check was made and then made again. He hand picked the onboard flight crew to make sure that his best people were flying the plane. Just as the plane was fully fueled and ready for take off, he saw the cavalcade of police cruisers, running with just their parking lights. He smiled at the sight and at the same time felt a wave of sadness and apprehension flow over him. Marlena was leaving and so were the kids, at his request no less. It wasn’t really that he was having second thoughts, but he knew that saying goodbye to the three of them was going to be one of the hardest

things he’d ever have to do.

 

‘It’s for the best, John, you know that, so, do what you have to do and don’t dwell on the emotions. Trust your gut,’ he was saying to himself just as the cars pulled to a stop several yards away from the plane.

 

Marlena stepped out and then leaned back in to help the kids extricate themselves from their booster seats. It was sometimes quite a job. Then, taking a hand in each of hers, she walked with them toward the airplane that would carry them away from home for an indefinite period of time. The kids ran to him and gave him all their hugs and kisses, while she watched from a slight distance, laboring to control her emotions.

 

When she reached the spot in which her husband was standing, she merely looked at him and then entered the plane, allowing the children to move freely about for a few minutes before take off. When she was sure they were going to receive adequate supervision, she poked her head back out to see if John was still standing in the same place. He was, his head down as if in mourning.

 

Blowing out a discomfited sigh, and fighting back yet another rush of tears, she went down the short flight of stairs to speak with him, dreading the words of farewell they would soon utter. It had taken her an hour to compose herself when she awakened to find him already gone, a portent of the near future. He turned around as she neared him and she saw that there were tears in his blue eyes, tears that somehow belonged

to her as well.

 

“I’m sorry, Doc, I’m really sorry about all of this. I’m sorry I got us into this.”

 

She shook her head to negate the apology. “John, don’t do that to yourself. You’re only doing what you think is best for all of us, and I admire your commitment to catching the bad guys. I just wish it didn’t have to come at such a high price sometimes.”

 

“I do too, Marlena. And I meant what I said last night. I love you and I hate to see you hurting so much. I’ll give it up if that’s what you really want. “

 

Looking into his misty eyes and seeing his sincerity was enough to melt her heart. Taking his hands in hers, she said, “Honey, the fact that you’re willing to do that for me tells me how very much you love me and the children. It means a lot to me, and I won’t lie to you, I would rest easier knowing I didn’t have to worry about whether you were going to walk through the door at the end of each day. But, I wouldn’t want to see you as unhappy as you were before you went back on the force, John.”

 

He smiled at her, as if embarrassed that she knew him so very well. “Yea, I was kind of… tough to deal with there for awhile, wasn’t I?”

 

“That’s putting it mildly, John. You were angry, edgy all the time.”

 

“I was miserable. I hated wearing a suit and tie every day, Doc.”

 

That made her giggle and reminisce, “I remember how difficult it was getting you to climb into a tuxedo for the wedding, and how quickly you changed clothes after we left the reception.”

 

“And I remember how quickly I wanted to get you out of your wedding dress, bride of mine,” he said, planting a kiss on her unsuspecting lips. “I barely made i through the reception if you recall,” he added and then kissed her again, with more passion.

 

She swooned and said dreamily, “Oh, I remember too, honey…”

 

“I’m gonna *miss* you!” he said, his emotions getting the best of him. their last contact for several weeks, if not longer. His mind wouldn’t let him go farther than that. It was too much to take in.

 

“Oh, I’m going to miss you too, my love… so much!” she said, weeping softly at the thought of going to bed alone night after night, wondering if he was alright. “I love you.”

 

Caressing her cheeks and then stroking her silky golden tresses, he said, “I love you too, Doc, please don’t forget that. Please don’t forget that I’m doing this for you, for all of us. For our children, for everyone’s children.”

 

“I know you are and I won’t forget. Goodbye, John,” she said, placing a gentle hand on his left cheek for but a moment.

 

“Bye, Doc….” In an instant she was gone, and he watched her disappear inside the plane. He stayed until the plane began to taxi down the runway, preparing for take off. As a lone tear made its way down the length of his face, he waved one last time and then turned and walked toward the row of police vehicles that had brought his family to the airport a short while earlier.

 

Bo and Abe were there, having known he might need some words of wisdom or at least reassurance after the plane left for Colorado. John tried to find a smile as he approached them, but it was weak at best.

 

“You’re doing the right thing, Bro,” Bo said encouragingly.

 

“He’s right, John. After the threats you’ve received, it’s for the best if they’re not in Salem right now.”

 

John nodded, but had no reply at first. Glancing back toward the runway where the plane had been, he said, “I hope you’re right. I hope that having them leave is the best way to keep them safe. I couldn’t… bear it if anything happened to them because of my decision. She didn’t like it, guys, she didn’t like it one bit. I pushed her to agree.”

 

“John, don’t do this. Don’t second guess yourself. You’re doing what you have to do. Leave it at that or you’ll make yourself crazy,’ Bo offered.

 

With a weary nod of his head, he said, “Yea, I hear ya… so anyway, let’s go on back to the Cop Shop. I want to chase down some leads,” he added, wanting or maybe needing to get his mind off the pang of guilt mixed with fear that was churning in his gut.

 

“Sure thing, pal. We’ll all go together. What do you say?”

 

“Sure, that’d be great. Thanks for being here, guys, I really appreciate it.”

 

“No problem, buddy.”

 

“Yea, that’s what partners and friends are for, John. “

 

It was nice to see the man smile at that. “Yea, I guess that’s true. We have to stick together in times like these.”

 

The other two men nodded and clapped him on the back as a gesture of affection before turning around and moving in the direction of Abe’s car.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Two days later in Colombia:

 

The phone call came later than expected and he was angry before he ever picked it up. “You better have some good news for me!”

 

“Senor Escobar, I have been tracking his movements. He has sent his woman away with their children. He is alone now and ready for a fight.”

 

“Good, that shall make the victory all the sweeter. Now, tell me about his woman, where she is. You did have her followed, didn’t you?”

 

“I’m sorry, Sir, but she left before dawn on a private jet, there is no way to know for sure where she went.”

 

“Then do some background research on her. Find out where she might have gone.”

 

“Yes, Sir, Mr. Escobar, I won’t fail you.”

 

“See that you don’t,” Rico said with authority. “Or you will live to regret it.”

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Placing the phone on its stand, Rico turned to his two loyal underlings. “So, he thinks he can keep her safe if he stashes her away. What a fool he must think I am. I will show him that *he* is the fool!”

 

“How, Father?” Antonio asked.

 

“By taking her from her so called safe place. He expects a frontal assault. He’ll never see it coming. And once we have her, he’ll play the game our way.”

 

“Kidnapping? But, Father, after those two agents….”

 

“Are you questioning my judgement, son?” he asked, his dark eyes glaring at his offspring, almost daring him to say so.

 

“No, no Father, I am not. Forgive me for saying anything at all.”

 

“Good, now, I want you to follow up with the men who are doing this research and I want you to be involved in every phase of the plan to snatch her. Is that clear?”

 

“Yes, Sir, perfectly clear,” said both Antonio and Tomas at the same time.

 

Rico dismissed the boy with a wave of his hand, then gestured for the other man to stay.

 

The young man let out a battle weary sigh, then turned and walked away, knowing that was the end of it. There would be no further discussion. Once his father was set on a course, he only deviated from it when every conceivable alternative had been exhausted. ‘Oh, Father, I hope that this does not backfire on you. I fear that if this man is sufficiently provoked, he will truly become a formidable adversary, and you will not

like the final outcome of this war you’re waging against the Norte Americanos.’