It’s Never Too Late – By Ms. Goldie

Chapter 1

Marlena had been searching for John for the past half hour. She finds him in the viewing room next to Tony’s casket. His posture tells a story, dejected, lost. He’s given up, and her heart breaks for him. When he needs her the most Kristen is nowhere to be found. After the positive test for gunpowder residue, she’d quietly walked away, leaving John to realize she was gone only when he turned around. Marlena could admit that the evidence was incriminating. If she hadn’t known John as well as she did, she might even believe it; however, Marlena knew with every part of her heart and her soul that John was not a murderer, and no amount of evidence could ever convince her otherwise. From across the room, she faintly heard John’s voice. It resonated of sorrow and dejection, as he quietly questioned himself, “I know the evidence looks bad, but Kristen knows me. She knows I would never kill Tony. Why does she have any doubt?”

Marlena approached him, treading softly across the antique parquet floor. She reached out to him, running her fingers along his back, and over his shoulder. The look on his face when he turned to her, caused tears to form in her eyes. She had never stopped loving him. She would admit only to herself that she was still in love with him. She was surprised no one else seemed to guess, since she had been alone for the better part of two years. His soul was reflected in his eyes and what she saw was hurt. Kristen not having faith in him, when she was the one, out of everyone in his life, who should have the most faith in him, that was a hurt that went deep. One large, fat, tear fell from his eye and trailed down his cheek as he stood there looking down at Marlena. Using her thumb to wipe it away, she stepped closer to him and whispered, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry Peter is being so unreasonable. I wish he would give Abe more time to investigate this.”

“He won’t,” John told her with a look of reluctant acceptance.

She studied his face, and she saw the lingering hurt and betrayal there. She said to him softly, placing her small hand on his arm, “That isn’t the cause of the pain I see in your eyes, though.”

John looked into Marlena’s face and felt so many emotions. They almost overwhelmed him. He remembered telling Jack a few days earlier not to dwell on a love that you can’t have, yet when he looked into her face, tipped up to his, he got lost for a moment. Turning away from Marlena, he said, “She said she loves me, but at the time when I needed her the most…when I needed her to believe in me, she…walked away.”

“John, I’m so sorry.”

“How can she doubt me?” he asked her, turning back to face her.

Marlena was angry. She was angry that when John needed the love and support that Kristen could offer him, she wasn’t there, and as much as Marlena wanted to give her a piece of her mind…she found herself swallowing back her anger and making an attempt to comfort John, because she loved him. “I don’t think that it is doubt. I think…I think she’s just confused. She watched a man die. A man she’d loved,” Marlena explained.

“She didn’t love him. He betrayed her. He betrayed their vows by being deceitful. That’s why she left him,” he said.

“But not without a sense of guilt. She must have felt some guilt at not being able to sustain the vows she made to love him forever, and Peter is so determined to arrest and convict you, she’s being pulled in so many directions. No wonder, she’s confus—” Marlena tried explaining until John cut her off in frustration.

“—Doc, Doc, Doc, I appreciate you trying to soften the blow, I do…I loved her…and I believed in her, and I wanted to believe that she loved me with equal strength, but the fact is, she has doubts about my innocence. So now, I’m just gonna go through this thing alone…”

Marlena was instantly taken aback. Stepping so close to him, she could feel the heat of his body, she reached up, lightly touching his jaw and turning his face to her, saying, “Oh no. No, you’re not. Not alone. You won’t go through this alone. I’ll be right beside you. But we’ve gotta get busy. We’ve gotta find out where all of the evidence is coming from.”

“The only thing I can figure is somebody’s trying to frame me.”

“Then, they’re being very thorough.”

“Doc, I’ve got a very bad feeling about all of this. A very bad feeling.”

“John, whatever you need from me. Whatever you want me to do, I’ll do it, but I need you to know…I believe you. There is not a doubt in my mind that that you’re innocent,” Marlena told him.

John reached his hand around the nape of her neck, threading his fingers through her hair and pulling her body forward into him. He buried his nose in her hair, breathing in the lilac scent of her shampoo, and holding onto her tightly, murmuring, “I don’t know what I do without you.”

Running her nose along his neck and kissing him softly, before resting her cheek on his chest, she replied, “You’ll never have to find out.”

Chapter 2

John answered the knock on his door to find Micky and Abe standing there. Letting them enter, Micky said, “John, I really don’t want to bother you with this right now, but I think it requires discussion. If you’re arrested, and with Peter now the prosecutor we can safely assume that an arrest will be forthcoming, we need to figure out who is going to be making decisions for you while you’re incarcerated.”

John sighed loudly, running his fingers through his hair, “I know, Micky. G-d, I know. I’ve been going over it in my head for the last hour.”

“There are a couple options. You can give someone Power of Attorney…or you can get married, which would give Kristen the right to make decisions,” Micky explained quickly.

“I’ve been thinking about it Micky, but it’s more complicated than that. I’ve got Brady to think about, and with the way things have been going…this might not go my way.”

“John, man, we’re going to figure this out. We will,” Abe tried to say, but John held up his hand stopping him.

“Peter wants me tried, convicted, and executed within the month Abe. He’s not going to give us any more time,” John said with frustration. He paused for a moment glancing out the window, when his eye caught Marlena walking along the sidewalk trailing her fingers through the snow at the top of the brick wall beside her. The light of the morning sun on her face made her seem angelic. To John, she was angelic. Turning to face Abe and Micky, John said, as he grabbed his coat and rushed from the room, “Let me handle some stuff, and meet me in front of the pub in three hours…bring Lexie and Maggie.”

A few minutes later John approached Marlena near the bench in the park. “Hey, Doc,” John said softly in her ear from behind her.

“Oh! My G-d, John! You scared me!” she said laughing, and smacking at his arm. “What are you doing out here?”

“I could ask you the same thing,” he replied smiling at her. 

Marlena regarded him for a moment, before deicing to be honest with him. The last thing John needed in his life right now was dishonesty. “I’m so worried…about you, about Brady and Belle…I’m scared. For all of us, but especially for you,” Marlena told him. “Peter being the special prosecutor? It’s such an obvious conflict of interest. I can’t begin to wrap my head around it…so I went for a walk.”

“That’s what I needed to talk to you about. You have any plans this afternoon?”

“Not unless you count my hot date with my newest medical journal.”

“Now that sounds exciting. Come back to my room with me instead. I’m much more exciting, and I was hoping to discuss something with you,” John said grabbing her hand, and pulling her towards the pub.

Marlena reveled in the feel of John’s fingers laced in hers, as he pulled her along, shivers coursing through her entire body. Marlena hoped he attributed it to the cold, and not the fact that he was touching her, and she was following him back to his room. 

Once they reached John’s room, he became uncharacteristically quiet. Marlena watched him in silence as he walked to the window, looking down on the street below, and began talking, “I don’t feel good about this, Doc. I’m trying to stay positive, but since I’ve come to Aremid…I’m having memories of Maison Blanche. I’m hearing the voice of a woman…the same woman I remembered when we were there. I don’t understand how any of that is tied to Aremid,” John said turning to face her. “I’ve never been here…at least I think I haven’t been here, but then how would I know, right? It’s just, all of this…what if it doesn’t go my way?”

“John, we’re going to figure this out. We can fight this,” she said approaching him.

“Doc, you can’t promise me that. No one can…and Peter? He’s going to do everything he can to see me convicted. Where does that leave Brady?” he asked her with a note of fear in his voice.  He paused for a long moment, looking into her eyes, and said softly, “I want you to adopt him.”

Marlena was starting to get scared about the way he was talking. It was as if he’d given up already, before they even started. This was so unlike John, so out of character. “John, you’re scaring me,” she whispered, running her fingers along his jawline.

“I want Belle and Brady raised together, Doc.”

“Nothing is going to happen to you. You are not going to prison. You are innocent,” Marlena told him, but John didn’t respond, he only gazed on her with the saddest expression.

“What? Do you know something? John…do you think you’re going to be convicted of Tony’s murder?”

“Calm down, Doc. Nothing’s happened,” John said.

“You’re talking about making sure Belle and Brady are raised together. You’re asking me to adopt Brady! You’re behaving as if you’re convicted already!”

“I need to go into this knowing he’s taken care of!” John shouted. “Please, Doc!”

Marlena starts to cry as John pulls her into his arms, running his hands over her back in a soothing manner. After holding each other in silence for several minutes, John finally whispers, “I want you to marry me, Doc.”

A sharp flutter of her heart causes her to stop breathing for an instant. Marlena pulls back from him slightly, looking up at him, and whispers, “What?”

“I want you to marry me,” he says again. He’s not sure of how she’s going to react, but his heart is pounding out of his chest. He didn’t realize until that moment, how badly he wanted this.

“I’m confused, John,” she said stepping back. “Yesterday you were with Kristen. You were planning to marry her—”

“—I know, but I’m scared, Doc. I don’t trust anyone else to handle my power of attorney, to keep Brady safe, and raise him with Belle…no one but you…”

She watches his eyes fill with tears, and it hurts her heart to see him so upset. She knows he loves Kristen, and Kristen essentially broke his heart when she walked out. Marlena reaches out, and wipes the tears from his eyes with her thumbs. Marrying John, when he loves someone else, might break her heart all over again, but she would do it…because she loved him. “Okay,” she said on a whisper.

“Okay?”

“Yes,” she said. “You’re my best friend, John. You’re my whole heart, and if you want this…if you’re asking me to do this, for your peace of mind, then the answer is yes.”

It was for more than his peace of mind, but he couldn’t bring himself to say it out loud. When their affair had ended two years earlier, the fallout had damaged her family, ruined her marriage, made her vulnerable to possession. His love for her had nearly destroyed her, so he held himself back from saying what he really felt, instead saying, “You’re my whole heart, too, Doc.”

Chapter 3

Abe watched as John and Marlena said their wedding vows at Saint Michael’s chapel in Aremid. The ceremony was simple, no flowers, no fancy clothes…no wedding dress, but in the three hours John had asked for, he had managed to get a license, a priest, an unexpected bride, and wedding rings. Watching them now, Abe was struck by the obvious bond, and love they had for one another, although he knew, they each kept that to themselves. Abe was concerned that John had an aura of sadness wrapped around him, almost as if he had given up, and decided he was going to be convicted. The evidence against John was extensive, but the people who knew, and loved him, were convinced that he didn’t do it. 

When Father Fisher told John he could kiss the bride, he looked at Marlena for a moment, then he leaned forward, and kissed her. He’d meant for it to be short, almost perfunctory; however, the taste of her pulled him in. Marlena’s mouth was like coming home, and without thought his tongue swept in, and he was so hungry for her, that one of his arms wrapped around her waist pulling her closer, while the other threaded through her hair gripping tightly and causing a pleasurable pain to shoot through her. The small moan that came from her urged him on, as he changed the angle of his head, and kissed her again. It was only when Micky cleared his throat that Marlena pulled back, and stared at him, breathless. Her eyes were half-lidded, and her lips were puffy. He wanted her…badly, and from the way she was looking at him, it was definitely reciprocated. John just smirked at her with a small smile, while reaching for her hand and threading his fingers through hers.

It was decided, by the six of them, to keep the wedding a secret, for several reasons. John wasn’t completely convinced that Stefano did have amnesia, and thought he might be faking. If that were the case, Marlena being so close to him put her in danger, and if John was locked up, he couldn’t protect her. If Stefano knew they were married, it might be cause for him to try another kidnapping attempt. Another reason was Kristen, even though she no longer believed in him, or had faith in him, he certainly didn’t want to hurt her, and his marriage to Marlena would hurt her. While John’s reasoning about Kristen bothered her, Marlena had her own reason for keeping quiet for awhile…Sami. Her relationship with Sami was still fractured and she was trying to rebuild it. Marlena wasn’t sure, but her marriage to John could upset Sami, and undo whatever progress she’d made with her. Abe thought that if the wedding were announced it could cause more negative media on the case, since John had been engaged to the wife of the deceased just one day prior. 

Marlena followed John back to his room at the pub, where he gently removed her ring and placed both of their wedding rings in a drawstring, velvet bag, and tucked them away in a drawer. Marlena slowly rubbed her finger over where the ring had been, and remembered John’s kiss in the chapel. Neither one of them had mentioned love, but one thing was certain, the attraction was still there. She’d felt as if his kiss would consume her, and when he’d laced his fingers through her hair, and tightened his grip, a thrill, followed by a pulsing ache began in her center. She’d wanted him so much, that she’d moaned into his mouth. 

John watched Marlena touching her finger where her wedding ring had been. Earlier, when he mentioned their marriage hurting Kristen, he saw sadness in Marlena’s eyes. It had been fleeting, but it was there. They hadn’t discussed their feelings for each other when he had asked her to marry him earlier. He had held back, mostly out of fear that she didn’t feel the same. John loved her. He knew he did, and he had thought she saw them as only friends. They had stuck firmly to the friend zone since her marriage to Roman ended because of their affair. Both of them afraid to cross that line again because of the fall-out they experienced the first time. John assumed she wanted to stay there, but now, after the kiss in the chapel, he wasn’t so sure. He quietly walked up behind her, and wrapped his arms around her shoulders, pulling her body back into his. His face nuzzled into her hair, almost of its own volition. He heard Marlena’s sharp intake of breath, and felt her body stiffen. Releasing her, and stepping around her body, he faced her, tipping her chin up so he could look into her eyes, because he thought…he was pretty sure…she still had feelings for him that far exceeded friendship. “Doc?” John asked her.

“Hmmm?” she replied, almost a whisper. Her heart was racing so fast she could feel her own pulse beating in her neck.

John was almost undone by what he saw. Her face, her eyes, her half parted lips, and the way her tongue darted out quickly to wet them…he knew, she wanted him, and it blew his mind. How had he not known this, when it was so evident to him right now? “I want to kiss you again,” he told her, running the pad of his thumb over her bottom lip, causing her to gasp again.

Words escaped her. She was so turned on right now, she thought she might come just from the sound of his voice, or the feel of his finger across her mouth. Staring up at him, she nodded her head slowly in affirmation. John remembered another time when she had looked at him like like, nodding her head in assent. They’d ended up on a conference table in Titan Publishing. Leaning towards her, he wrapped his arm around her waist pulling her closer, and whispered softly, over her lips, “Come here, Doc.” 

His tongue lapped over the seam of her lips, causing her to open her mouth further, and John dived in. When her fingers dug into his hair, pulling at it, and her fingernails raked over his scalp, he groaned out loud, roughly pulling her hips into his. His mouth traveled along her jawline, licking over her skin, and biting at her earlobe. The rough sounds of his breathing, caused Marlena to make her own sounds of need, her high pitched gasps breaking the quiet of the room. “John, oh G-d! John,” she panted in his ear. This was not just a kiss, this was an inferno, and she wanted to be destroyed. All of the dreams, and the fantasies from her mind, put together, could not equal the reality of actually being in his arms. She wanted him, all of him. Her arms wrapped around his waist, and began pulling at his shirt, releasing it from the waistband of his slacks. She moaned out loud when her palms finally ran over the warm skin of his lower back. His skin felt like it was on fire, with a fine sheen of sweat. Unable to hold herself back, her nails raked over his skin, as she said, “Please…please…”

John’s c*ck was throbbing painfully. He wanted Marlena like he had never wanted any other woman. With Marlena there was no restraint. Together they had a chemistry that was explosive. John pulled back, and looked at her, “Doc, I want you. I want you so—”

“—Yes,” was all she said. She knew what he was asking, he didn’t even need to finish saying it. She wanted him as badly, as he obviously wanted her. She’d wonder about where they were going from here tomorrow. Completely in the moment, Marlena pulled his mouth back down to hers, as she felt her body lifted up and slammed against the closet door. 

John pinned her arms above her head, his breathing coming in ragged pants, as he pushed the length of his body against hers. “Are you sure about this?” John rasped against her neck. “Because, I don’t think I can stop. I don’t want to stop. You do this to me, Doc. Only you…G-d! You make me f*cking crazy.”

“I don’t want you to stop. I don’t want you to—oh, G-d, John!” she gasped when she felt the bite of his teeth on her neck. Her body bucked against his. He refused to release her hands, holding her wrists tightly with one hand, while his other moved to unzip her dress. John released her arms long enough to let the dress drop to the floor, before he grabbed them again, and pinned them back over her head. He leaned back slightly to take in her body, clad in a white lace, thigh high stockings, and heels. He felt his c*ck surge once more in the tight confines of his pants. 

Desperate to touch her, to taste her, his fingers roughly pushed the lace of her panties aside, pushing into her p*ssy while his thumb rubbed roughly over her cl*t. John’s mouth absorbed the sounds of her cries, while his fingers rubbed over her g-spot, causing her to come on his hand. Pulling his hand back, he licked her essence off of his fingers, as she slumped against the door. She looked ravaged, and it turned him on even more. He did that to her, and he planned to do much more. 

John dropped her arms, moving quickly to remove his shirt and drop it carelessly to the floor, while Marlena reached out and unbuttoned his pants. They were both so desperate to come together. John reached for Marlena, kissing her deeply, wrapping both arms tightly around her waist, and lifted her to walk towards the bed. He stopped at the edge, gazing down at her, and said, “I’ve wanted this for so long. So f*cking long, Doc.” 

“Me too…” she said softly.

“I know we said our goodbyes, we hurt people with our affair, but believe me when I say this, I never stopped loving you. I put it in a box, I put it away, because it hurt too much. I forced myself to move on…but, three days ago—three days ago, I told Jack not to dwell on a love he couldn’t have, because it will just eat him up.” Both of his hands came up to frame her face, threading his fingers through her hair, and he told her, “You are that love, Doc. The love I couldn’t dwell on.”

“Make love to me,” she whispered. “Make love to your wife.”

“My wife,” John said smiling. “That makes me so f*cking happy, Doc.”

Marlena fell back onto the bed, pulling John down beside her. His hand wrapped around the nape of her neck and pulled her mouth to his, kissing her as if they would never come up for air, while his fingers gently smoothed over her shoulder and pushed her bra strap down. His mouth made its way down her jawline, and over her collarbone, eventually licking along the lace edge of her bra. Marlena’s hands pulled his head closer, as she gasped, “I want you…G-d, I want you so badly!”

John pulled her breast free, sucking deeply on her nipple. “I missed you so much,” he moaned between kisses, and licks along her body. Sliding his fingers into the waistband of her panties he pulled them down her long legs, and gazed upon her swollen p*ssy with such longing it caused Marlena’s center to clench, and she moaned out loud. John rolled onto his back, pulling her body atop his and, unable to wait any longer, swiftly entered her moist heat. 

Marlena leaned forward, grinding her hips into his in an attempt to seat him as deeply as possible, and bit at his neck in desperation. Both of his arms wrapped tightly around her waist, pinning her to him, while he lifted his hips and began to move within her frantically. “F*ck, Doc! Baby, you feel so good!” 

With her arms wrapped around his neck, and her face buried in his hair, she whispered, “I love you. I love you…I love you.” When they climaxed together it was the full reckoning of a soul that was torn apart, finally finding its other half, after years of separation. 

Chapter 4

Hours later, Marlena woke to the feel of John’s chest against her back, with his arm wrapped around her, and his fingers buried between her legs, slowly stroking over her cl*t.  John’s breath rushed over her ear, when he said, in a husky voice, “I want you again…I can’t get enough of you…”

She opened her legs to him, moaning softly. Her arm rising up, and around John’s neck, pulling his mouth to hers, while she whispered, “I’m yours…I always have been…”

Rolling her onto her back, John licked a path between her breasts, his lips finally latching onto her nipple, and sucking deeply. The pull of his mouth sent sensation to her center causing her muscles to clench, and roll in such a delicious manner, that she moaned deep in her throat. Marlena’s back arched up off of the bed as she cried out for more, her nails digging into his shoulders. John lifted her breast, licking along the underside before making his way to her navel, and rolling his tongue around it. “You are so perfect, Doc…so f*cking perfect,” he tells her, pinning her arms above her head, and staring down into her face. “Why did I ever let you go?” He murmured, licking her neck, and biting at the skin behind her ear. His tongue lapped over the seam of her lips, and she spread her legs wider, cradling his hips. “I should have fought for you…I love you, I have always, and will always, love you,” he told her, slowly sliding his c*ck along the wet folds of her pussy. 

“I have always loved you, even when I knew I shouldn’t,” she whispered before sweeping her tongue into his mouth. The feel of John’s naked body moving along hers, and his c*ck slipping over her cl*t, was driving her higher, and higher. She cried out breathlessly, “G-d! John, you feel so good!”

Sliding into her moist warmth, John and Marlena both groaned in ecstasy. John rolled his hips, pushing deeper, while Marlena wrapped her legs around his hips, and pulled his mouth back to hers, saying, “I love you…I love you so much…”

As they lay in each others arms later, John whispered, “I want the children here. Is that okay with you? I want to spend as much time with them as—”

“—we’ll bring the children, John…but not because you think you need to say goodbye. Understand? We’re going to figure this out, because you did not shoot Tony. You can’t give up. You can’t,” she told him.

~ ~ ~ ~

The next two days were a whirlwind of activity as John and Marlena did what they could to spend as much time as possible together, while not giving away their newfound love. John worried that once Peter had him arrested he wouldn’t be able to protect Marlena from Stefano, so keeping the marriage a secret was imperative. Maggie brought Brady and Belle to Aremid, and Marlena was shocked to see Sami walk into the pub with them. 

Sami came to Aremid for a couple reasons. One reason was because her life was a mess, and she needed her mother to help her sort it out. She was pregnant, and she hadn’t told anyone. She had no idea what to do, or who to turn to, and the two people she loved most in the world were in Aremid, so she went. Sami knew in her heart it was time to grow up. It was time to stop blaming other people for the chaos in her life, and figure it out, because in six months she was going to be a mother. It was time to forgive her mother, and John for loving each other. 

“Hi, Mom,” Sami said stepping into Marlena’s arms with tears in her eyes.

“Sami…oh, Sami, what’s wrong, baby?” Marlena asked her while holding her, and looking helplessly at John. 

“Doc, come on. Let’s take the kids upstairs, and sort this out,” John told her softly. 

John had moved them into adjoining rooms earlier, under the premise of spending more time with the children. Once the nanny got Belle and Brady settled in one room, John quietly entered the other to find Sami sobbing in her mother’s arms, and holding onto her like a lifeline. He sat down quietly on the bed beside her, and was shocked when Sami turned towards him, wrapping her arms around him, and cried, “I’m so sorry, Daddy! I’m so sorry!”

John looked at Marlena over Sami’s head to see, that she was just as surprised as he was was. “Hey, hey, honey, whatever it is we’ll figure it out,” he told her, while he softly rubbed his palm over her back.

“Sami, we can’t help you unless you talk to us,” Marlena said softly.

“I’m sorry. I got so angry…about the affair…and now I understand, maybe because I’m older. I don’t know, but I was so scared of losing someone else in my life,” she said, finally lifting her head, and looking at her mother. “You came home, after so long long, and we were so happy. But then Daddy wasn’t my dad anymore, and it was like he died too. When you had the affair, I was afraid I would lose Dad too…and I did. He left, didn’t he?”

“I know that hurt you. It hurt you badly, and John and I realize that what we did, how we went about it was wrong,” Marlena told her gently.

“But…but you loved each other, right? At least you loved each other,” Sami said.

“We did. We loved each other just as much as when we were married,” John told her.

“Do you still?”

Marlena looked at her daughter, and then looked at John, and said softly, “I do.”

“Yeah, we do, Punkin’.”

“I’m so lost, and scared all the time…I lash out at people in anger, but really, I’m just so scared,” Sami told them. “And, now…oh, G-d, now, I’m…” Marlena looked at John with a bewildered expression as Sami finally said on a whisper, “…I’m pregnant…”

“Sami, are you sure?” John asked her.

“Yes. I took three tests. I kept hoping the one I took before it was wrong, but they were all positive, and now I’m just so scared.”

“Have you told the father?” Marlena asked her.

“No, it wasn’t like he was my boyfriend or anything. What if he hates it? What if he hates me?”

“Who is it?” 

“Lucas. It’s Lucas,” she whispered.

“Roberts?”

Sami just nods her head slowly while looking at the floor. Marlena holds Sami’s face in her hands, and looks into her eyes, asking her, “What do you want to do?”

“I’m so scared, but I…I want my baby. I just don’t know how…I mean, I have to finish high school…and college. I can’t support a baby, but it’s my baby. I love it, Mom.”

“We’ll figure this out. We will…as a family. Okay? You, me, John, Belle, Brady, Eric, and Carrie…we’re a family, and you have us all,” Marlena said, wiping the tears off of Sami’s cheeks.

“John too?”

“Yeah, Punkin’, me too…we kind of have to tell you something, too,” John hedged. Marlena watched John as he prepared to drop the marriage bombshell on Sami, but she felt like Sami’s reaction would be much different now than it might have been a few years ago. “Your Mom and I, we…well, we got married a couple days ago.”

Sami looked up at them quickly, “Really? So, you’re-you’re my Dad again?”

“I am…if you want me.”

“I can’t lose you again, I can’t…” Sami said as she started sobbing again, and grabbed onto John. “Maybe now – maybe Eric will come home…” she whispered, “…because he left, well, he left when we lost you.”

Chapter 5

As soon as Peter received the official paperwork, appointing him special prosecutor, he had John arrested. Peter seemed almost happy about it, because he was convinced that John had murdered Tony, given the plethora of circumstantial evidence. Everyone that knew John, really knew John, understood that he wasn’t capable of cold blooded murder. None of that mattered to Peter, who saw one thing…vengeance. 

Sami sat quietly in the corner of the pub basement, near John’s cell, immersed in a GED study guide, taking notes, and humming to herself, while Marlena and John discussed his case. Sami found herself, now that she was older, paying attention to the dynamic between her mother and John. They finished each others sentence. They finished each others thoughts. There was a connection there that she had never been able to full appreciate as a child, and even though she was technically still a child, she found that being older gave her insight into the deep connection they obviously still shared. 

John said, “Okay, so we’ve gone over where everybody was at the time Tony was shot—”

“—and everybody in Aremid has an explanation for their whereabouts—” Marlena interjected.

“Yeah, everybody except me…” John told her.

“Okay, let’s take it again, from the time you and Tony fought,” Marlena said.

“All right…it was during the reception. Tony was goading me into a fight, Kristen backed him up, which made me angry, and then I said…I’d like to wipe Tony and Stefano right off the face of the earth,” John said with almost no emotion in his voice. He was exhausted, and they had gone over what happened so many times, in the hopes of discovering a new detail, something they might have missed, that he was beginning to feel hopeless. 

“—and that was at the reception?” Marlena asked him, touching his hand softly through the bars of his cell, to get his attention again.

“Yeah. Yeah, and I guess everybody heard me say it…”

“What happened next?”

“That was when I got that strange phone call, and the man said that Tony was with Father Francis the night Father Francis had his heart attack—you know, we could be able to trace that call,” John said. If they could trace the call and find out where it came from, maybe that would be the lead they needed, because right now, they had nothing.

“Alright good, what did you do after the phone call?”

John stood up, and started pacing his cell, finally looking at Marlena, and saying dejectedly, “I went looking for Tony…found him in the sitting room, confronted him with what I heard.”

“That’s the fight that everybody heard?” She asked him while scribbling furiously on a note pad.

“Yeah,” John said at barely a whisper. “I thought he was acting so strange, Doc. That’s when he pulled out the picture of Belle. I remember, I grabbed-I grabbed for it, and that’s when he scratched me,” he finished, showing her the three long scratches across the top of his hand.

“What was he doing with a picture of our daughter?” Marlena asked him, while looking up curiously.

“I’m convinced he was deliberately trying to provoke me.”

“You said to me…on the phone…he was trying to goad you into a fight,” Marlena recalled.

“Oh, Doc! If I would’ve hit him, I would’ve killed him, I was that mad! But I-I just left…”

“…and you went out the other door and down the back staircase—” she finished.

“—closest exit. I was out in the woods, that’s when Bo found me, and told me Tony was shot.”

“So the person who killed Tony, came in after you left—”

“—and used my gun to shoot him, yeah.”

“What about the gunpowder residue on your hands?”

“Well, Doc, that’s one thing I can’t figure out…whoever set this up, oh that was a neat package. You know, I can only think of one person who could pull this off…” he told her, sitting back down to face her.

“Who?” she asked him softly.

“The one man who hates me more than anybody in this world…Stefano DiMera.”

“Do you actually think that Stefano would kill his only natural son, just to blame you for it?” Marlena asked him incredulously.

“Stefano’s insane. We all know that.”

“No. Not the Stefano we know now.”

John scoffs, “I think that amnesia thing of his is just an act…you know the crimes he’s committed. He’s capable of anything.”

“Okay, let’s say he is faking the amnesia. Tony is still his son. He loves family more than anything in the whole world. He would never kill Tony. Not for any reason,” she told him adamantly. Sami had to admit that even though Stefano was obviously a nut case, he did seem to have some weird obsession with his children. She couldn’t imagine that he would kill Tony either…but what she did wonder…what if Tony killed himself? The DiMera’s were crazy, right? It could be possible. 

“The man, he’s-he’s a psychopath without a conscious,” John said with his voice rising in desperation. The thought of Marlena defending Stefano, or even spending time with him, scared him to no end.

“Yes, he was, and maybe he still is, but he would never hurt Tony,” Marlena insisted.

“All right then…who did?” John asked.

“Maybe he killed himself,” Sami said. Both John and Marlena turned suddenly to face her, with matching looks of shock on their face.

“Why would he do that?” John asked her.

“Ok, I was thinking about it…and he hated you right?” Sami said. “He hated you enough that you had already noticed his hostility towards you for weeks.”

“But enough to kill himself, just to frame John? Sami, that’s insane,” Marlena whispered.

“Aren’t most of the DiMera’s insane, Mom? I think it’s worth looking into. Abe should go back over the sitting room, where Tony died, again. Look at everything in there. Take things apart if he has too. All of Tony’s belongings should be looked at again, too. His medical records, too. We can’t just let this go, because I’ve been thinking about it a lot, and I know it sounds crazy, but what else do we have?” Sami said.

John looked at Sami in awe, saying to her, “You’re amazing. You know that, kid?” Turning to Marlena, he said, “Can we do that, Doc? Can we get access to Tony’s medical records? I’m desperate…we’re desperate, but my gut says that there is a ring of truth to what Sami’s suggesting. I mean maybe…just maybe…”

Kristen was frustrated, and angry. She knew she shouldn’t have walked out on John when they got the results of the gun power residue test, but since then, every time she came to see John, or try to speak with him, Marlena or Sami was in there with him. She needed to know if their relationship could survive this. Finally deciding that she couldn’t wait any longer, she opened the door to the basement and entered. All three heads turned to face her, with Sami’s holding a look of complete loathing. 

Marlena looked at John, “You have company.”

“Don’t go,” he told her, grabbing onto her hand.

“I have to. I’m going to find Abe and Micky…we’re going to get to work on Sami’s suggestion, because I think there’s some merit in it,” she whispered to him.

John reached his hand out, gently running his palm over her cheek, and smiling at her, “Okay.”

“We’ll be back at dinner time. You won’t have to eat alone,” she said. Staring into his eyes, she mouthed the words I love you to him, before turning and leaving the room with Sami trailing behind her.

Kristen watched John’s face while he quietly conversed with Marlena, and she felt herself  suffuse with anger and jealousy. She couldn’t understand how Marlena could so completely believe in John’s innocence, when all of the evidence pointed at him. Kristen loved John with her whole heart, but she couldn’t get over her doubt in his innocence. She approached John, saying softly, “I heard Marlena say something about Abe and Micky.”

John looked at her sadly, and said without any details, “She thinks we might have something that could help my case.”

“Well that’s good news. Maybe things aren’t as bleak as they seem right now—”

John cut her off, saying, “Oh, I don’t know about that Kristen. I would say bleak, pretty much describes the state of things right now.”

“I know you’re angry with me,” she said sadly.

“I’m not angry. I’m just so hurt, and disappointed,” he told her. 

“That’s why you didn’t want to see me.”

“I think it’s better. I don’t want either of us to be hurt anymore.”

Kristen came closer to the bars of his cell, pressing her face against them and wrapping her fingers tightly around them. She stared at him with tears in her eyes, and said, “I love you. All I can do is hope and pray that my love is strong enough to repair the damage I’ve done.”

John knew that the damage was beyond repair. There was nothing Kristen could ever do to fix it, and honestly, he wouldn’t want their relationship repaired. He looked at her and said softly, “I think you’d better go.”

“Oh please don’t do that. Don’t send me away. At least let me know that there’s still a chance.”

“You don’t trust me. You don’t believe in me.”

“I love you!” she said crying.

“Love doesn’t mean anything without trust. Isn’t that why you left Tony?”

“He deliberately deceived me,” she said. John just stared at her with a blank look, and she realized that she had done the same thing to him. She hadn’t believed in him, and she hadn’t trusted him. “I know! I know! I know! I know, you’ve only been completely honest with me—”

“Then why couldn’t you believe I didn’t do it!” he shouted at her.

Kristen stepped back at the harshness in his tone and the anger in his eyes, saying, “I wanted to, John! I know I was wrong, and I never should have doubted you.”

“But you did…and you still do, don’t you?”

“I’m not going to let you go. We have to find that trust and that faith again! Just tell me that you’ll try.”

“I can’t, Kristen. I won’t. You made your choice. I think you should go now,” he said with finality. 

“Is it because of Marlena? Your precious Doc?” Kristen asked him in a blind panic, her jealousy consuming her. “She believes in you completely. She has no doubt in your innocence…what, because she’s perfect? Well, I’m sorry I’m not perfect, but I do love you!”

“Marlena is not a topic I will discuss with you. This conversation is over. You can go now.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Marlena was walking through the park on her way back to see John, when she ran into Kristen. She was obviously upset, and had been crying. When she glanced up, and saw Marlena, rage crossed her face, as she said snidely, “You’re probably happy.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about Kristen,” Marlena responded calmly. 

“Marlena, you know how much I love John. How much I want to marry him. How much I want to have his children,” Kristen told her. 

Kristen’s words tore little holes in her soul, and caused doubt to creep in, making her wonder if John hadn’t moved on too quickly with her. Did he love Kristen more than he let on? Marlena asked her, “Do you still want that?”

“Do you know that I’ve never loved anyone as much as I love John?”

“Tony made you doubt him. Peter did, too.”

“No. No, actually it was you,” Kristen told her with accusation in her voice.

“What does that mean?”

“John swore to me that he didn’t kill Tony, but you see, he also swore to me that his relationship with you was over with…but I see the two of you, just huddled in your little whispered conversations…touching each other, embracing each other. The two of you are still in love!”

Marlena was caught off guard, but quickly said, “You could not be more wrong about my relationship with John.” She knew that no one could find out about her marriage to John, and she had to continue this conversation as such. 

“I know what I’ve seen.”

“I don’t know what you think you’ve seen, but our romantic relationship was over years ago,” Marlena stated matter of factly.

“I know. I know, that’s what John said too. But see, there was something I found a little disturbing,” Kristen said with a touch of snark.

“What’s that?”

“John called me Doc, one night, when we were in bed.”

Marlena’s heart soared. She knew that it must have hurt Kristen immensely, but for her, it meant that John was thinking of her, even when he wasn’t with her. Marlena asked Kristen, “Did he say why?”

“Yeah, he said it was an innocent mistake—”

“—then it was. Why don’t you believe him?”

“What about all the other times I’ve seen you together, since we’ve been in Aremid?”

“Kristen, I care about John! We have a child together! That bonds us together. When he was arrested for Tony’s murder I wanted to make sure that he knew I was here to care about him, and to support him.”

“Well, it doesn’t even matter at this point, does it? We’re done. He just told me as much. He also refused to discuss you at all, so I’ve got my answer on that front, don’t I?” Kristen said before she walked away. 

Chapter 6

Abe, and Micky met with Peter, and another officer outside of the sitting room where Tony was shot. Peter had insisted on being present, as well as having another officer there to “protect the integrity” of the crime scene. Abe had been slightly offended that his “integrity” had even been called into question, but considering it was Peter, Abe didn’t feel his opinions held much credence anyway. Peter’s distrust of anyone who sided with John seemed excessive, so much so that he actually believed that Abe or Micky might plant evidence to clear John. The room had been cordoned off since the night Tony died, and no one had been in there except for forensics, and crime scene investigators brought in by Peter, but as John’s lawyer, Micky had a right to examine the scene himself, with another officer…and he chose Abe Carver 

On first glance, everything seemed in order, but Abe had been a police officer, and a detective, for long enough to know that things were not always what they seemed. He began walking around the room lifting items to measure their weight, and to see if perhaps there might be things hidden under them, or behind them. Candle sticks, papers, lamps, and books were all subject to his scrutiny. Abe reached to grab a book off the side table, only to realize that the books were connected. They looked exactly like a set of books. Abe wasn’t sure why someone would have four books, with bookends attached, as a form of decoration. Why wouldn’t they just have actual books? “Micky, can you come here for a sec?” Abe said over his shoulder.

“Have you found something?” Micky asked him walking over.

“I think we should try, and get a closer look at this. It looks like books, but it’s a box. It’s hollow, but I’m not sure how it opens.”

“Could be spring loaded,” Micky mumbled. “Look for a seam where it might open. If we can find the seam, we might be able to pry it open.”

“Hey! We’re not going to be damaging things in my family’s home! Some of this stuff is antique!” Peter said emphatically, while stomping over to them.

“This is a crime scene, Peter,” Abe said with force, “and as such, the accused has the right  to know that all avenues were exhausted in an attempt to prove his innocence. You have gone over this room with investigators, and your only intention was to find evidence to prove John’s guilt. The fact that you were even appointed special prosecutor is already highly suspect, in my mind. We have the right, as his defense, to go over it again.”

Micky turns to the other officer in the room and says, “Deputy Helms, do you have a tool kit in the car outside…and some plastic bags?”

“I’ll just run out and get it,” Deputy Helms tells him, turning to leave the room. He had spent enough time following Peter around to realize that this case against John Black was one-sided at best. Peter Blake was doing everything in his power to prove that John was murderer, even going so far as to ignore evidence, or disregard evidence that might prove otherwise. He was happy that Abe and Micky had decided to give the room a once over on their own terms. When he returned with the tool kit, Micky reached for it, saying, “Thank you, Roger. We appreciate it.”

Abe had turned the box onto its back, and dug through the tools looking for something flat that he might be able to wedge into the seam running along the front of it. Micky was right, it was spring loaded. They would have to pull it open, and reset the mechanism, which would allow them to examine it more closely. 

While Abe fumbled with the box, Micky placed a piece of white cotton he’d found in the fireplace in a small plastic bag and sealed it. He wasn’t sure what it was, but it looked like the charred remains to a fingertip from a white cotton glove. Walking over to Abe he said, “I found this in the fireplace. I’d like forensics to take a look at it, if we could.” Just at the moment he finished speaking, the box popped open and Abe was able to reset the spring loaded mechanism inside. “Well, would you look at that!” Micky said with smug satisfaction.

“You’re right about that, partner,” Abe said as he gazed upon the item in front of them. “I wonder…” Abe turned to Peter suddenly, and said, “I want the gun. The nickel plated 45 that shot Tony, where is it?”

“That’s evidence! It’s already been sealed!” Peter exclaimed in an almost whiny, dejected voice.

“We have the right to view evidence!” Abe shouted at him. “Stop trying to hedge every possible gain we make in this case!”

“Roger, get the gun,” Peter said rudely. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Twenty minutes later, Abe was positioning the gun that shot Tony into the mechanism in the box. “Well, would you look at that!” Micky said in wonder, turning to glance at Peter. “I think the judge is going to find it exceedingly fascinating to learn that a box, posing as a set of books, has a mechanism inside specifically designed for a 45…the same weapon that shot Tony. I mean, look at the design, no other type of gun would even fit,” Micky finished, looking to Abe for confirmation.

Abe, thinking out loud, said, “You’re right about that, but how was it triggered…and who triggered it?”

“Could Tony have triggered it? Could it have been a suicide, the way Sami suggested?” Micky asked him. “Marlena said that Sami suggested that Tony had killed himself, and framed John. Did he hate John that much? At first, I thought the idea was farfetched, but this—”

“—my brother would never kill himself! That’s ridiculous! You’re following the suggestions of a seventeen year old child! Even the insinuation that he committed suicide, is an affront to his memory!” Peter yelled at Micky, interrupting his train of thought.

Completely ignoring Peter’s emotional outburst, Roger interjected, “If he triggered it himself, he’d have needed something that was small, and easily overlooked. Something that wouldn’t be suspicious. It would have been with him when we found him, after the shooting.”

Abe felt hope rise up in him, for the first time in weeks. He looked at Roger, and said excitedly, “Where’s Tony’s personal belongings?”

Roger turned to the box of evidence he had brought with him, and pulled out a plastic bag containing Tony’s wallet, a pen, and a photo of Kristen. “This was everything he had on him that night?” Abe asked him eyeing the bag with curiosity.

“Yes, that everything.”

“The pen,” Micky told Abe. “We need to take a closer look at that pen.”

Abe took the pen from the bag, and from a perfunctory glance it seemed like a standard, nondescript Cross pen, with a gold colored barrel. Abe reached for the notepad he always kept in his jacket pocket, and attempted to make some scribbles on the paper. “It doesn’t write. It doesn’t even seem to have a nib to write with,” Abe said as he started to turn the barrel counter clockwise. “Wait. Did you hear that click? Roger, do we have any blanks to fit a 45?”

“I do in the car, I’ll run and get them.”

“This is insane! My brother did not kill himself! Why would he do that? End his own life, to get back at John black…no one would do that!” Peter’s voice was steadily rising. His brother would never have killed himself. He knew that. Micky and Abe were trying to protect a murderer, and he was going to prove it, although he had to admit that this discovery definitely added an unfortunate wrinkle to his case against John. 

Roger returned with the blanks, and Abe loaded the gun, resettling it into the mechanism, and stepping back. “I need everyone to move to the side. We don’t know exactly how this thing works, so I’d like to be as safe as possible.”

When the area area in front of the table was cleared, Abe clicked the pen, triggering the mechanism. A loud pop resounded throughout the silent room, the gun was flipped forward onto the floor, and the box snapped shut with a snap. “Well, I’ll fucking be!” Abe said in awe. 

“I think we’ve just established reasonable doubt,” Micky said with a smirk.

Chapter 7

Marlena decided to go check on Stefano, since she hadn’t seen him for a couple of days. John’s theory that Stefano had faked, or was still currently, faking his amnesia had been rolling through her mind, and even her dreams, since he had mentioned it the other day. She was having nightmares about John being executed because of Stefano or Stefano kidnapping her again. Was it possible? Was Stefano so diabolical that he had fooled her for months? She wasn’t sure, but she knew she had to continue with the premise that he still had no memory of his past, because if he did, that made him exceedingly dangerous. As she approached the door to his room, she heard Celeste’s voice, “No, Stefano! Don’t do this!”

Stefano yelled at her, “Let go, Celeste!”

“This is wrong! That diary proves that John is innocent!” she pleaded with him. Marlena gasped slightly, and covered her mouth with her hand. 

“John may be innocent of pulling the trigger, but as far as I am concerned, he killed my son!” he told Celeste furiously. It was that statement, and the inflection in Stefano’s voice, that convinced Marlena that John had been right, Stefano did have his memory back. Not only that, but he had evidence, a diary, proving John’s innocence, and he was withholding it. 

“How can you say that?” Celeste demanded.

“Because, he destroyed Tony and Kristen’s marriage, that’s why!”

“No! Tony destroyed his marriage by betraying Kristen’s trust!” Celeste told him, trying to get him to see sense.

“They could have worked it out, but John pressured Kristen to leave Tony! He deserves to be punished!” Stefano roared back at her.

Marlena quickly stepped away from Stefano’s door, and rushed from the house. She had to find Abe and Micky. This was serious. This was beyond serious. Stefano had his memory back, and if he was involved in intentionally trying to get John convicted, then he most likely had Judge Walker in his pocket as well. Marlena had enough experience with Stefano over the years to know that he was incredibly devious. Now that she knew that Stefano had his memory back, she would always assume the worst.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

John smelled her perfume before he even looked up, and smiled to himself. Never, with anyone else in his life, had the mere presence of someone brought him as much joy as Marlena. “Hey, Doc. Sure didn’t expect to see you again tonight,” John said from his cot.

“I thought you might be a little anxious about the case,” she said to him, approaching his cell.

“Ah, it’s like I told Micky, I feel good about it. I feel—” John responded trying to sound unconcerned and nonchalant. He didn’t want to worry Marlena. She was worried enough about him, plus Brady and Belle, and everything going on with Sami. She had invited Kate and Lucas to Aremid for Christmas. She had a lot on her mind, and he didn’t want to add to that. 

She studied him closely for a moment, saying, “—you can fool Micky, but you can’t fool me.”

John have her a small chagrined, smirk, while rising from his sitting position, saying, “Nope. Can’t fool you, Doc. It’s only because you know me so well.”

“We’ve shared some very rough times together…” she said to him softly, as he approached her. 

“And some very fine times, too…” he told her running his thumb over her bottom lip.

Marlena shivered, and blushed slightly. “You’ve always been there for me,” she says, reaching for John’s hand, and threading her fingers through his. “You are anxious, aren’t you?”

“Well, now the trial’s about to start…yeah, I’m getting a little bit nervous. The evidence against me is strong. Yeah, it’s circumstantial, but there’s a lot of it.”

“We have the box, and the pen that was a trigger…”

“But is that enough, Doc? It was my gun, the gun powder residue was on my hand—“

“Micky’s got the subpoena for Tony’s medical records…and…” Marlena wasn’t sure if she should tell John what she had overheard outside Stefano’s room. She looks at him for a moment, trying to decide. John has been lied to so many times, and by so many people. Marlena couldn’t lie to him now.

“What?” John asked her, studying her face as her emotions played over it. His thumb was running softly over hers as they stood there, his face inches from hers. 

“I overheard something today,” she said lowering her voice. “I went to see Stefano, to check on him after the incident with the lightning, and—”

“Doc! I don’t want you around him! I don’t trust him—” John exclaimed pulling back, turning away, and acting agitated almost immediately. He ran his fingers through his hair roughly, and walked back towards her, reaching through the bars to gently push a strand of her hair off of her forehead. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m just so scared.”

Marlena quickly turned to look over her shoulder, making sure no one else was there, before saying, in low tones, “I know, I know. I know, John…I-I overheard him…and Celeste. He has evidence, evidence that you didn’t shoot Tony, and Celeste knows about it, too…and, I think, I think, he has his memory back,” she told him barely above a whisper.

“I knew it! Doc, stay away from him! Please!” John said reaching for her face with both hands to stare into her eyes. “I can’t worry about you, while I’m locked up in here!” he said in desperation.

“I left right away, John. I did. I went to look for Abe and Micky. They know. I told them. Micky’s leaving Aremid tonight to get Tony’s medical records from University Hospital. Abe’s going to try, and get a search warrant for the Blake House, but he wants to keep it as quiet as possible, so Stefano doesn’t run, or destroy the evidence. We’re going to figure this out,” she said softly. “We are.”

Deputy Helms poked his head in, saying, “Is everything alright? Do you need anything?”

“Hey Roger, could you let Doc in here for awhile?” John asked him.

“I’ll have to lock her in with you…” he responded.

“That’s fine. Officer Clarke did it the other day,” Marlena told him with a smile. “I’ll be fine.”

“Sure. Sure. I can do that. I’ll check back in say a half hour? An hour?” he asked them.

“An hour should be fine,” John said. “Oh, and Roger, I’m not up for any more visitors tonight, unless Abe Carver comes by.”

Roger unlocked John’s cell allowing Marlena to pass through, and secured the door once more, telling them, “I’ll check back in an hour.”

John’s arms wrapped around her almost as soon as she entered. He buried his face in her hair, inhaling deeply, and holding onto her tightly. “G-d, I missed you, woman,” he moaned into her hair.

Marlena started laughing softly, “John you see me every day, multiple times a day.”

“S’not the same,” he mumbled, rubbing his face in her neck, licking a line along the back of her ear. “S’definitely not the same,” he told her as his hands moved over her hips, pulling her closer, and cupping her butt. “Did I ever tell you how much I love your ass, Doc?”

“A few times,” she said laughing, and wrapping her arms around his neck. “Kiss me, Sailor.” Marlena pulled his mouth down to hers, and licked across the seam of his lips. 

John moaned into her mouth, walking her back against the wall. He licked his way over her neck, biting at her earlobe, before returning to her mouth, while his hands scrambled with the buttons on her blouse. He was desperate to get his hands on her skin. “G-d, Doc, I need you so bad,” he rasped into her mouth.

“John-John, someone could walk in…” she said, just as he bit the skin at the edge of her bra, finally working the clasp at the front free, and licking over her nipple. Marlena’s head fell back against the wall, as she moaned, “Oh, G-d…”

John’s hand had worked its way up under her skirt, and he managed to quickly slip her panties down over her legs. “You are so fucking wet for me, Doc,” he told her as his fingers pushed up inside her pussy. “I can’t wait to bury myself in you.”

“Do it, do it…oh! G-d…do it,” Marlena panted in his ear. She scrambled to get his pants unfastened, and she moaned out load as her hand wrapped around his length. She pulled at him, several long, lengthy strokes, before he pushed her hand aside, and lifted her leg over his arm.

“You ready, baby? This is going to be hard and fast,” he said, sliding into her moist heat.

“Yes, yes…”

Marlena felt deliciously constricted as his weight pushed against hers, while the wall was at her back. His hips pumped furiously, and every stroke pulled, and rubbed at her clit, bringing her closer to the edge. John kissed her mouth like a man starved. He mumbled against her lips, “I love you, Doc. G-d, I love you so much.”

“John. Oh…I’m coming, I’m coming,” she said as her forehead fell forward onto his shoulder, and her fingernails dug into the skin of his back, pulling him closer.

“Fuck! Me too, baby, me too…” he moaned, pushing in one last time as deep as he could go, and holding it. He was so overcome with sensation his legs almost collapsed beneath him.

They both held each other for a few moments, breathing heavily and reveling in their closeness. John finally pulled out, and slowly lowered her leg to the floor. Marlena touched his face gently, brushing her hand over his mouth in a gesture so familiar to him it made his heart ache with love for her, and she told him, “I love you too, John. You are my heart. My whole heart.”

Chapter 8

Micky was flying back to Aremid with copies of Tony’s medical records. He didn’t understand most of what Dr. Marvin had written, but after a conversation with the doctor, he knew enough to know that Tony’s diagnosis was terminal. Tony would have eventually died from the blood disease he had, and he was aware of it. Marlena would have a better understanding of the specifics, but based on what he knew, Micky understood that Tony’s fatal diagnosis and the pain he would suffer from it, could be cause enough to commit suicide. That, combined with the box, and the trigger pen, were certainly enough to cast doubt on John’s guilt…but was it enough?

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

“I don’t understand why you won’t approve a search warrant!” Abe fumed. “We have sufficient reason to search the home.” Judge Walker’s resistance was highly suspect in Abe’s mind. Marlena had mentioned that Stefano had his memory back and if that were the case, Judge Walker was already tainted.

“I disagree,” Judge Walker told him calmly. He had already been threatened by Stefano so many times he could recite them by heart. “You’ve not given me any reason to believe that there may be additional evidence. All you’ve provided me with is heresay.”

“Heresay! Are you serious? A respected doctor overhears an incriminating conversation, and you call that heresay?” Abe roared. “It’s not heresay! She was there! She heard them say there was evidence in that house that would prove John’s innocence!”

“I’m not granting the search warrant, Commander Carver. That’s the end of it,” Judge Walker told him firmly. “You’ll have to let it go.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Marlena sat beside John on the cot in his cell, while Micky sat across from them with a pen and paper, furiously scribbling as Marlena discussed the notes from Dr. Marvin, in Tony’s medical records. “He had acute myelofibrosis. It’s a blood disorder, a chronic form of leukemia. That’s a terminal diagnosis. He was going to die…it would have been slow, not an immediate death.”

“He hated me that much?” John whispered mostly to himself, as he sat there with his elbows on his knees, and his head resting in his hands. 

“It causes fatigue, and muscle weakness, severe anemia,” Marlena continued. “He would have gotten progressively more, and more ill, until he died from the disease.”

“Is it enough though?” John asked them. “Is it enough to establish doubt about my guilt?”

Abe entered the basement and saw the three of them gathered in John’s cell. “Roger told me you were all here,” Abe started, “and we’ve got a problem. Judge Walker won’t issue a search warrant for the Blake House. He refusing on the basis that Marlena’s statement is hearsay.”

“Hearsay?” Micky asked him. “She’s a witness! She heard the argument between Stefano and Celeste.”

“I think…well, I think, Marlena’s right. Stefano has already gotten to Judge Walker,” Abe finished reluctantly. “There can’t be any other reason to deny our request for a search warrant. He’s either being bribed…or threatened.”

“I’ve watched his face, and at times he seems sympathetic to John. I’m inclined to believe he’s being threatened,” Marlena said quietly.

“Well, how do we prove that? I mean this is getting deeper than what we can manage. If Stefano is controlling Judge Walker…what about the local sheriff?” John said in frustration. “We’re going to need help, because Stefano has more resources than we could ever hope for.”

“What about the ISA?” Abe said softly, as all eyes turned towards him.

“The ISA? Abe they’re as corrupt as Stefano!” John said in exasperation, rising from the cot to pace around his cell. “We can’t trust them!”

“But…we can trust Shane,” Marlena said. “We know we can trust him. He’s as close as family, and at this point…John, we don’t have a choice.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Later, after Abe and Micky left, Marlena sat tucked into John’s side on his cot with her legs curled up beside her. Her head laid against his shoulder, and she said quietly, “Lucy told me that there was a woman here to see you earlier. I assumed it was Kristen.”

“She was here. She was begging me to give her another chance. To try again. She kept saying she loved me. I sent her away,” he said. Sitting up slowly to face her, John continued, “You never doubted me, Doc. Not once.”

“Not once,” she repeated.

John sighed in frustration, “There’s got to be somebody out there that can help me, Doc. There’s got to be someone out there who can come up with the evidence that I need to clear myself.”

Marlena started to cry softly, wrapping her arms around his neck, and pulling him closer. “Hey. No tears. Come on, come on…” John said reaching to run the pads of his thumbs over her cheeks, and gently remove her tears.

“I believe so incredibly in your innocence, it never occurred to me that you’d be found guilty, but it happens all the time, doesn’t it?” she said, crying softly.

“I can’t tell you how grateful I am to have you as my best friend, my lover…and my wife,” John whispered over her lips, before kissing her softly.

“I will always be here for you,” she told him. “Always. Always.”

“I know that,” he replied between kisses. “In the deepest parts of my heart, I know that.”

They both turned to the door when they heard someone entering, some of the tension draining away when they realized it was Micky, followed by Deputy Helms. Micky had a huge smile on his face and started talking almost immediately, “Marlena, you’re still here! I’m glad. You can be the first to hear the news, along with John, of course.”

“What? There’s news?” she asked excitedly.

“Since Peter is in Salem, and can’t voice his objections, and Stefano is with him…I was able to convince the judge to let John out on bail,” Micky said.

“Bail?” John said in shock, as Marlena gasped in excitement. She immediately sat up and started looking for her shoes, while John continued to sit there staring at Micky in awe.

Roger begins to unlock the cell, smiling at John, and saying, “Merry Christmas, John.”

“You, uh, you can’t leave Aremid, but at least you won’t be cooped up in here,” Micky told John as he rose up from the cot, still in a state of obvious shock.

John reached for Marlena as she threw her arms around his neck, crying in relief, “The children will be so happy in the morning!” 

They walked together to exit the cell, and John reached for Micky, wrapping and arm around his shoulder and pulling him in for a hug, “Thank you, partner.”

“My pleasure. My pleasure, John. Let’s just hope that we can discover the truth about Tony’s murder,” Micky told him.

“You know, that would be the best Christmas present of all, wouldn’t it?” John told him, reaching for Marlena and pulling her close again. Looking at her with all of his love shining in his eyes, he told her, “Let’s go, baby, I want some snuggles.”

Marlena threw her head back laughing, and grabbed his hand, leading him out of the basement.

Chapter 9

“Does this dress look nice enough, Mom?” Sami said, exiting the bathroom after her shower. She was extremely nervous, and she had already vomited twice this morning. She’d met Kate before, since she and Lucas were best friends, but this was wholly different. She was about to announce to Lucas, and Kate, that he was going to be a father…making Kate a grandmother. At seventeen, and eighteen, respectively, this news might not go over well at all, but Sami loved this baby. Nothing would ever change that. She was young, she was unprepared, but the love she felt for the life growing within her womb was all encompassing. 

Marlena walked over to her daughter, and wrapped her arms around her, pulling her close, saying, “You look beautiful, Samantha Gene.”

“Where’s Daddy-I-I mean, John,” she said sheepishly.

“He took Brady and Belle to be with Maggie. He was hoping to be with us when Kate and Lucas arrive. He still thinks of you as his daughter,” Marlena told her, pushing a stand of hair behind Sami’s ear.

Sami looked down at the floor and whispered, “I still think of him as my Dad all the time.”

“Sami, that’s okay. We’re not telling people that John and I getting married, but he is your step father now, and he’s considered himself to be your father since he met you at 17 months old. John will always, always, be a father to you,” Marlena told her.

“It’s so confusing sometimes. The anger, and the fear…they all, they get mixed up and I don’t know how to act. My Dad, Roman, he left. He left because you and John had an affair. I was so angry, but when he left, I was even more angry,” Sami said looking up at her mother. “I was angrier when he left, and I took it out on you, but I was really mad at him. I needed him…and I had to deal with Alan raping me…and all my anger, and rage was redirected at you, and John…and Carrie…I’ve really hurt Carrie.”

“Always remember this Sami, before we feel anger, we feel something else. Whether the emotion is fear, or shame, or embarrassment…we feel another emotion first, then, and only then, do we feel anger. Most often, anger is a response of self protection. I don’t blame you for your emotions honey. We don’t control those, but we do control our response to our emotions.”

“I love you, Mom! I love you so much, and I’ve been so horrible…and now I’m pregnant and you and Daddy…” Sami paused for a second when she realized she had called John ‘Daddy’ again, but then she said, “You and Daddy are being so supportive…when I don’t deserve it.”

“Love is not earned Sami. It’s freely given, and John, and I have loved you your whole life,” Marlena told her daughter while holding her face in her hands. “Now our baby, is going to have a baby. We won’t let you do this alone.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Marlena and Sami arrived downstairs to find John, with Kate and Lucas, already at a table tucked away in a more quiet corner of the room. As soon as he saw them, John waved them over, and he noticed the way Lucas’s eyes lit up when they landed on Sami. John was hoping, hoping very strongly, that this was a sign that the conversation wouldn’t go south. 

Kate reached out to embrace Marlena when she reached the table, “Marlena! How are you?”

“Things have been stressful, what with everything going on with John right now, but we’re handling it…as a family,” Marlena told her, settling into her chair.

“I was a little surprised you invited us here, honestly. Well, not surprised. Confused, I guess?” Kate said with barely concealed curiosity.

“I know it seems odd, but we need to discuss something, as it relates to Sami and Lucas, and I felt you coming here was the best way to do that.”

Kate looked quickly from Lucas to Sami. She knew Lucas was in love with Sami, that much was obvious from the way he spoke about her, and the amount of time they spent together. Lucas had insisted that Sami was his best friend, and when prompted by Kate, he denied anything more, but seeing them now…she wasn’t so sure. 

Kate watched as Sami leaned over, and whispered something in her sons ear. Lucas pulled back quickly, with a look of surprise, “Really?” 

Sami looked scared, and simply nodded her head, saying, “Yeah.”

Lucas reached for Sami’s hand, stroking his thumb over the top, and smiling at her with the biggest grin Kate had ever seen on him. He turned to look at his mother, saying softly, “We’re having a baby.”

“I think I figured that out,” she said with a small smile. She turned to Marlena, and said, “So, what’s the plan?”

Sami spoke instead, saying, “I’m keeping the baby. My Mom, and John are going to help me get my GED, so I can stay here in Aremid, while John proves he’s innocent. I have a lot of family to help me, once the baby is born, and I still plan to attend college.” She looked at Lucas, and said, “I’d like for you to be involved…you’re going to be a Daddy, Lucas, and I’d really like you to be around…if you want, but no matter what, I love this baby.”

“Kate, I know we’re going to be grandparents much sooner than we expected, but one thing I can promise,” John said, “Sami will be an excellent mother. She’s just getting an earlier start, and she needs everyone to rally around her, so she can be successful.”

“When are you due?” Kate asked Sami.

“Mom says, probably in June.” Sami looked at Lucas, and said, “I have a doctors appointment this afternoon…if you want to come.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Marlena, John, Abe, and Micky sat down with Shane Donovan later that afternoon to flesh out a plan to prove that Stefano was either bribing, or threatening Judge Walker. “The thing we need to do, and I can figure out the logistics of that, is bug the judge’s phone. I can’t get into Stefano’s place to bug his phone, but if your suspicions are correct Marlena, I won’t need to bug Stefano’s telephone, because I can catch him when he calls Judge Walker,” Shane said.

“Can you do that legally?” Micky asked. “Because there can be no cause for something to be thrown out later. John’s very life is at stake.”

“I’ll be sure to have the proper clearance. Things at the ISA have gotten much better since Tarrington was removed. Much better, indeed,” Shane said seriously. “It took forever to weed out all the bloody agents that were as corrupt as he was…but I feel like we’re at least back to some semblance of respectability.”

“Thank you so much, Shane. You don’t know how much this means to me,” John told him.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“Mom, you don’t look so good,” Sami said to Marlena as she left the bathroom for the second time that morning. 

She’d already vomited three times, and she still felt squeamish. “I don’t feel good,” Marlena told her daughter. “I must have caught a stomach bug or something. I might just need to lie down for awhile.”

“Where’s Dad?” Sami asked her.

“He took Belle, and Brady out to play in the snow for awhile,” Marlena answered her, yawning.

“Maybe you’re pregnant.”

“What?”

“Pregnant…you know, Mom, when you have a baby?” Sami said with her usual brand of teenage sarcasm.

Marlena started laughing, “Samantha Gene! I am 45 years old! You’re seventeen…”

“Mom? You could be though, right?” Sami said with a grin.

“I’m just sick…it’s a stomach bug…” Marlena said with much less conviction, as she tried to remember the date of her last cycle. It was nearly two months ago.

“I have a pregnancy test. I brought it with me, because I thought I might take another, and maybe it would be negative,” Sami said. “No need for it now, since I’ve been to the doctor and all.”

“Oh, my G-d,” Marlena said sitting down on the end of her bed. Sore breasts. Fatigue. Nausea. “Okay” she said submitting, as Sami ran into the adjoining room.

Marlena could hear her daughter chatting at her from the other room, “That would be so cool if you were. Our babies could grow up together, and you would be a grandma, and a mom at the same time!” 

Marlena moaned out loud. Sami returned with the test, handing it to her mother with a huge smile, and said, “Good luck!”

Marlena entered the restroom for the third time that morning, and closed the door behind her. While she went about taking the test, Sami continued to talk amiably from the other room, “Our babies could be best friends, Mom! We could dress them alike, and people might even think they’re twins!”

Sami looked up as the door opened, and John walked in holding Belle, and leading Brady by his hand. “Hey Sami. Where’s your Mom?” John asked her.

“In the bathroom taking a pregnancy test.”

“Samantha Gene Brady!” Marlena yelled from the bathroom.

“Sorry, Mom, but he asked,” Sami responded laughing, just as the bathroom door opened and Marlena walked out. The look on her face was pure shock, as the pregnancy test dangled from her limp fingers.

“Doc?” John said, setting Belle on the floor and approaching her slowly.

Marlena smiled at him sheepishly, and said, “We’re pregnant.”

Chapter 10

“Another one?” John said in awe, dropping to his knees in front of Marlena, and placing his hands on her stomach. His arms wrapped around her waist, and he laid his cheek against her, as he whispered to he belly, “Hey there little one, it’s your Daddy.”

“Oh, my G-d! Mom, this is so cool!” Sami gushed.

Marlena was still in shock. She’d gone from thinking she had a stomach virus to being pregnant in under a half hour. She looked to Sami, and said quietly, “Do you mind getting Brady and Belle ready for Maggie? She said she’d be by here to pick them up soon.”

“Yeah, c’mon Tink, let’s go get you and Brady ready for Maggie,” Sami said taking Belle’s hand, and looking around for Brady.

Marlena started laughing, and told Sami, “Check under the bed.” Brady immediately started laughing, and darted from under the bed, running into the other room.

Sami looked at her Mom’s bewildered face, and said, “I’ll take care of this. You and Dad need to talk.”

After Sami left the room, pulling the door shut behind her, Marlena started crying. “Doc, baby, don’t cry,” John said pulling her into his lap on the floor.

“Oh, G-d, John, I’m so scared. I’m forty five, and so stressed with everything about your case. This is the absolute worst timing, but-but…”

“Listen, Lady, we’ll figure this out, but I would never boo-hoo another baby with you,” John said wiping the tears from her face, and kissing her sweetly. “It’s okay to be scared. We can be scared together, but this baby, Doc…this baby is a gift from G-d, and we’ve gotta treat it as such.”

“I know, I know…I guess that explains why I’ve been so emotional lately, huh?” Marlena asked him with a smile. She was quiet for a moment, and then started laughing softly, saying, “I didn’t have sex for two years, and you get me pregnant right out of the gate.”

“That’s right, baby,” John said, as he licked along her neck, biting her gently behind her ear, Marlena’s soft moan giving him incentive to take it further. His hand slowly unfasten the belt on her robe and then move to cup her breasts, kneading them slowly.

“John…John, the kids…” Marlena moaned trying to be as quiet as possible.

“Sami wanted us to talk,” John said between kisses along her lips.

“This is not—oh!…talking,” Marlena said, as she gave in and began unbuttoning John’s plaid flannel shirt. Once she had it open, she ran her fingers over his chest, threading her fingers through the hair and raking her nails across his skin.

Within mere moments, John had his pants unfastened, and Marlena’s night gown pulled up over her hips. Her body straddled his lap, and he slowly lowered her down on his throbbing cock. “I love you, Doc. I love you so fucking much…” he moaned into her mouth.

She wraps her arms around his neck, slowly raising her body up, and down along his length, whispering in his ear, “You feel so good.”

Her excruciatingly slow pace is driving John, and she knows it. Marlena rolls her hips down on him over, and over again, before he finally lifts her body slightly, and begins pumping in, and out of her at a furious pace. Marlena hold him tightly burying her face in his neck, and says, “I love you, John. I love you so much.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Two days after Christmas Peter returned to Aremid, and was very unhappy to learn that John was out on bail. He immediately called for a hearing to revoke bail. John sat in the courtroom, next to Micky, with Marlena and Sami behind him, as he waited for the proceedings to start. Kristen had attempted to speak with him earlier, but he’d told her he had nothing to say. She now sat off to the side, occasionally trying to catch his eye, but his only focus right now was trying to stay out of jail, and his family.

Judge Walker entered, and sat, saying, “The purpose of this hearing is to determine whether or not to revoke the bail of John Black, who is charged with first degree murder in the death of Tony DiMera.” Judge Walker turned to Peter, “Mr. Blake, your arguments, please.”

“Your Honor, on his death bed, Anthony DiMera told a room full of witnesses that John Black had shot him. Mr. Black was subsequently arrested, and denied bail. On Christmas Eve, council for the defense prevailed upon another judge to release Mr. Black from custody. Now, he did so when I was out of town, and unable to argue against that release. Well, I’m here now, and on behalf of the people, as special prosecutor, I request that Mr. Black’s bail be revoked and that he be remanded to custody,” Peter said, while walking around the court room arrogantly. “Your Honor, based on the evidence gathered so far, John Black came to Aremid with a gun, he shot another DiMera with that gun, at point blank range, and in cold blood. Now, I submit to you, that if Mr. Black’s bail is not revoked, he will run from a sure and certain conviction he faces at trial…John Black will run for his life.”

“Thank you, Mr. Blake,” Judge Walker said, and then, looking at Micky, “Mr. Horton…”

“John Black is a very wealthy man, Your Honor, but he did not leave Aremid when his bail appeal request was granted because he wanted to stay here, and prove that he was innocent. Now, along with many others, I can testify to John Black’s character, his integrity, his kindness, his charity…I can testify to his deep religious faith, his love his children, his family, and his friends. Your Honor,” Micky says facing John, and looking at him, “he is not a man who runs from adversity, yet he is a man who will stand, and fight for what he believes is true, honest, and just. The prosecution has characterized John as a man with a devious mind, determined to run from prosecution…that characterization is not only unjust, it is absurd. Your Honor, John Black wants to focus his energy, and his efforts on discovering the true killer of Tony DiMera. We respectfully request that you grant him continuing freedom to do just that.” 

“Thank you, Mr. Horton,” Judge Walker said. “Will you stand, Mr. Black?” John rises from his seat. He has already mentally prepared himself to return to the basement cell in the pub. If Judge Walker is already in Stefano’s pocket, which they are fairly certain he is, then that would be the logical forgone conclusion. “I am very impressed by arguments on both sides. The risk that you will flee prosecution is small, but I am not prepared to take that risk. Bail is revoked. You will be remanded into custody immediately.”

“Daddy!” Sami cried.

John turned to face his daughter, and his wife with a look of sad resignation on his face. Sami hugged him tightly crying, while Marlena threaded her fingers through his, and said softly, “We thought this might happen.”

“Doc, I knew this would happen,” he told her. “I was prepared, and I was at least able to get Christmas with you and the kids. That’s what I wanted.”

“I love you,” Marlena said, barely above a whisper. “We’re going to figure this out, because you did not kill Tony.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Marlena had decided to go for a walk, before going to see John one last time for the night. She was excited to tell John that they had finally received word from Shane that he had gotten the clearance necessary to return to Aremid, and assist on the case. It was ultimately Shane taking the lead on another case, a case against Stefano DiMera, and trying to get evidence of corruption, that’s the only way the ISA would even get involved in a low level murder case, never mind that John Black had been an agent of theirs when he was known as Roman Brady. 

She was shocked, and initially frightened when she rounded the corner and encountered the infamous Woman in White. Many in Aremid thought her a ghost. Marlena had thought her a fabrication; however the person in front of her was very real. Marlena reached out to touch her, and the woman flinched back. “I don’t want to hurt you,” Marlena told her.

“You know Johnny. You’re Johnny’s wife, aren’t you?” She asked Marlena in a breathy voice.

“I know John, are you-are you talking about John?”

“Yes, Johnny. I want to help him,” she said. She turned, pointing at the Blake House, and said, “The dead man speaks.”

“The dead man speaks? Wait! Are you talking about the diary?”

“A diary. Yes. The dead man speaks,” she said.

“Stefano has the diary, but I don’t know how to get it,” Marlena said, getting excited. “Do you? Do you know how to get it?” The Woman in White nodded her head slowly in the affirmative. Marlena asked her, “Are you willing to help me? For Johnny?”

A noise sounded behind her, and Marlena turned to see a cat falling out of a garbage can. When she turned back, the Woman in White was gone.

Rushing into the pub basement, Marlena grabbed John’s hands through the bars of his cell, and said breathlessly, “I’ve met the Woman in White, and you won’t believe what she knows.”

Chapter 11

“You know buddy, there have been times in my life when I’ve felt completely helpless, but not as helpless as I feel right now,” Abe told John, as John finished dressing in his suit for court.

“Abraham, we have had investigations with one dead end after another, but as I recall, we always got our man,” John told him optimistically. “I can only hope we do this time as well.”

“Except Stefano, he’s the only one we couldn’t nail,” Abe muttered under his breath.

“Is there really not any way to take down his empire?” John asked Abe. “There has to be, otherwise the ISA wouldn’t even bother. I’ve just got to pin my hopes on that, Partner.”

“Well, if there is, I’m not getting any news from the front line, but you know the ISA. They aren’t going to show their hand at the beginning of the game. You know my guess is, that Stefano’s associates have managed to hold the fort, at least for awhile, but if Marlena is right…if he has his memory back, he’s already running things again, you can bet on it,” Abe said.

“There’s nothing in the pipeline that Tony’s death might have been a bid by a competitor to take over Stefano’s territory?”

“Nothing buddy, but we’re going to find the truth before this trial is over, John. I feel it in my bones,” Abe said with confidence.

“Yeah, that’s a fact. I appreciate your support, Abraham. I really do.”

“Well, you’ve got Marlena’s support, too. I’m happy about that,” Abe said with a nostalgic smile. “You two always were great together, and she loves you so much. She hasn’t doubted you once, not once.”

“Can you keep an eye on her for me? While I’m in here?” John asked him.

“Yeah, I can do that. Lexie checks in with her too,” Abe told him, but he felt like there was more to John’s request, something he hadn’t said yet.

John paused for a moment before he continued, “Abe…Doc’s pregnant. We just found out a few days ago, and it’s early yet, she’s only about eight weeks along, we’re thinking, but with all of the stress of the trial, and Sami…plus, Marlena is worried about her age. She says there’s more complications if the mother is older.”

“Pregnant? Who knows about it?” Abe asked, immediately worried. Keeping the marriage from Stefano was hard enough, but depending on how long this trial dragged on, hiding a pregnancy would be much more difficult. 

“Me, Doc, Sami…you…that’s it for now,” John said. “But, soon, she’s going to need prenatal care. We’re wondering if we shouldn’t just come out with the news of the marriage, and hire a security detail?”

“Let’s hold off on that. There’s still time yet,” Abe said, looking at his watch. “Shane said he’d meet me here at noon to update us on his side of things.”

Fifteen minutes later Shane, John, and Abe were gathered around the small table in John’s cell, while Shane explained how things would proceed. “I’ve successfully placed the bug in Judge Walker’s office, and we’ve tested that it’s working. I’ve also got a tap on the phone line in his office. Obviously one incriminating conversation would be enough to help your case, John…but the ISA case is going to need more,” Shane told him apologetically. “That being said, we can’t jump on this Stefano thing immediately. I hope you understand.”

“I do. I honestly figured as much,” John told him. “I worked at the cop shop long enough to know how things work, and the ISA is even worse.”

Shane smirked and started laughing, “That it is, John. That it is.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Kristen watched John talk to Marlena and Sami outside the courthouse. Something was different, but she couldn’t figure out exactly what it was. John and Marlena were always huddled together having private little conversations, that wasn’t anything new. She watched with disgust as he reached forward, and swept a stray piece of Marlena’s hair behind her ear, his fingers lingering on her neck a little longer than necessary. What the actual fuck was going on? Kristen remembered the night that John called her ‘Doc’ when they were in bed together. He’d told her it was an innocent mistake, but was it? He loves her. He fucking loves her! Kristen was furious. That was why he’d written her off, and refused to have any further discussion about their future. He still wanted Marlena, and she obviously wasn’t doing anything to put him off. Kristen saw the way Marlena smiled at up at him. It was so G-d damned obvious. 

Sami hugged John tightly, saying, “I’m going to go take a seat inside. That way you and Mom can talk before you have to go in.”

John was acutely aware of Kristen’s scrutiny. He leaned closer to Marlena, whispering in her ear, “Kristen’s watching us like she’s doing a damned science experiment.”

Marlena threw her head back laughing, drawing attention from the people around her, and another scowl from Kristen. “I can’t believe you’re making jokes right now, John,” Marlena told him laughing again.

“Just keeping things light,” he says with a chuckle. “How are you feeling, Doc? Did you get sick this morning?”

Marlena smiled up at him softly, “No. I managed to keep my breakfast down this morning, thank you very much. John, I’m fine. Honestly. I don’t want you worrying about me.” She leaned in closer and whispered softly, “We’re fine.”

“Have you made a doctor’s appointment yet?” He asked quietly.

“I was thinking about asking Mike to be my doctor while I’m in Aremid. We don’t know who we can trust, aside from our small group, and I’m not willing to risk it right now. Mike is a dear friend, we know that. He’s proven that,” she whispered, remembering his dedication, and devotion to her recovery after the exorcism. 

“You’re right, Doc. I was worried about the idea of bringing a stranger in for your pre-natal care, too. We don’t know how far Stefano’s influence reaches. I’d trust Mike with my life. I have trusted him with yours before,” he said softly, thinking about the same event Marlena was pondering. John reached out, taking Marlena’s hand, threading their fingers together briefly before letting go. Kristen was still watching, and it was hard to keep himself from being too familiar with Marlena. 

“John, we’ve got to move inside now,” Deputy Helms said stepping closer, and looking apologetic.

Reaching out to squeeze Marlena’s hand one last time, John allowed Roger to lead him inside.

Marlena began to follow after John, when she felt her arm jerked roughly back. She turned to see Kristen’s enraged face, as she said, “What the actual fuck do you think you’re doing?”

Shaking her arm free of Kristen, Marlena looked at her with a bland expression. “I’m not sure exactly what you’re referring to, Kristen.”

“You and John,” she snarled.

“John is my dearest friend. I’ve told you that repeatedly. I have no control over your imaginings, Kristen,” Marlena said calmly, attempting to walk away, yet again.

“You bitch,” Kristen hissed under her breath. “You think I don’t know what you’re doing? John pushes me away, and you just swoop in to offer him all the love, and support he needs, right? Well, he loves me. Me. When this is all over he’ll forgive me…because he loves me.”

“Have you ever been professionally evaluated? You’re demonstrating traits of compulsion, and obsessive behavior that could be related to a personality disorder. It’s odd,” Marlena mused. “I’ve never noted that in you before, but I guess, under stress, it’s harder to hide things, isn’t it, Kristen?”

“I hate you,” Kristen said before going inside the courthouse.

“Definite personality disorder,” Marlena muttered to herself, walking slowly inside the courthouse. “Although, being raised by Stefano, I’m not surprised.”

Chapter 12

Shane answered the knock on the door to find Abe standing on the other side. “Hey, I got your message, buddy. I came as soon as I could,” Abe said entering the room.

“I’m glad you’re here, Abe. I want you to take a listen to this recording I got last night,” Shane told him excitedly. “I think this is going to make you, and John very happy.” Shane walked over to a table he had loaded with electronic equipment, and recording devices, quickly rewound a tape, and hit play. Abe listed to some static as first, and then he heard the unmistakable voice of one Stefano DiMera.

“You owe me, and it’s time to pay up,” Stefano said. “My son is dead, and I want John Black found guilty of murder!”

“I’ll do what I can, Mr. DiMera,” Judge Walker responded.

“You’ll do what I say, Judge. All the evidence points to John, anyway!”

“Perhaps, but I must look at the case closely, and I must tell you this, Mr. DiMera, if I find the evidence points to John Black’s innocence, I cannot find him guilty. It would look too suspicious,” Judge Walker told him.

“Not half as suspicious as the authorities will be when they hear the information that I have about you. Now, do I have to remind you that this wonderful life that you’ve built for yourself, with the mansion, and the good neighborhood, and the house at the beach, have all been paid for by my money.”

“That was a long time ago, Mr. DiMera.”

“A debt, is a debt. Everybody pays. I want John found guilty of murder. Do you hear me?” Stefano threatened him.

“Yes, Mr. DiMera, I hear you.”

“Good.”

Abe looked up with a grin so big Shane started laughing. “You know Abe, that was just one call, but I’m fairly certain that Judge Walker, and Stefano DiMera have a long complicated history.”

“I think you’re right, partner. I think you’re right,” Abe said, relieved that they were finally getting somewhere. Hopefully if they could prove corruption, plus add in the gun box, and the trigger pen, they might be able to get the entire case thrown out. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

John stood with Marlena next to the defense table as Micky finished writing some notes about the discussion he’d just had with John regarding his argument with Tony the night of the murder. Micky wanted to specifically bring up the fact that Tony had a photo of Belle that night, and used it to antagonize John. The photo had been dusted for fingerprints and a set of Tony’s were found on it. Micky had also gotten the lab report on the cotton glove portion he found in the fireplace of the sitting room, which was positive for gun powder residue. They were slowly gathering enough bits of evidence to at least be able to establish reasonable doubt. 

John leaned towards Marlena, whispering softly, “I miss you.”

“You do, huh?” she said smiling. “I’m here now.”

“Not what I meant, and you know it,” he growled. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m not getting sick anymore, that’s a relief,” she said quietly. “Although, I have developed quite a fondness for peanut butter on toast.”

“Peanut butter? Really?”

“Last night I dreamed that I was making toast, and while it was still hot, I spread peanut butter on it…so good…” she moaned.

“Doc, my G-d woman, you make peanut butter toast sound so fucking sexy.”

Marlena started laughing, just as Micky turned to them and told John the trial was getting ready to start. They were already a few days in, and while sitting in the courthouse for hours every day was exhausting, Marlena wouldn’t be anywhere else. She laced her fingers through John’s, giving his hand a quick squeeze before letting it go, and smiled at him one last time before he turned around to take his seat next to Micky. Marlena could feel someone staring at her and turned to see Kristen in the back of the courtroom. If looks could kill, Marlena knew she’d be dead. 

She turned back around and saw John watching Kristen with a worried expression on his face. Marlena leaned forward, touching his shoulder lightly, and saying, “Please don’t worry, John. Your focus needs to be on the trial. I can handle Kristen.”

“I don’t know, Doc. Something in her eyes worries me. I’ve never seen that type of hatred from her her before. Maybe I need to talk to her again,” he said.

“No. She’s upset that you’ve broken things off with her, and she’s jealous and angry with me for being here to support you. Nothing else.”

“Okay, for now. But could you do me a favor, and just stay away from her? It would make me feel a lot better,” John told her.

Kristen sat in her seat in the corner of the courtroom seething over the blatant flirting Marlena had just engaged in, with John. The woman must be desperate to go after a man who was already taken. Marlena had had her chance with John and she’d thrown him away. Marlena knew John was planning to marry her, and she still threw herself at him like a woman with no shame at all. Always wanting things that weren’t hers. Sure, John had told her that their relationship was over, but he didn’t really mean that. He was just angry at her because she had doubts about his innocence. When the trial was over, and he was released, he would forgive her. She knew he would, and in the meantime she had to figure out a way to keep Marlena’s sticky little fingers off her man.

“In the matter of The People versus John Black, the prosecution’s case will resume. Please call your next witness, Mr. Blake,” Judge Walker said.

“The prosecution calls, Dr. Marlena Evans,” Peter says.

Marlena rises slowly, looking at Peter with loathing, and approaches the witness stand. After swearing an oath to tell the truth, she takes her seat and waits. Peter seems unsure of himself, rattled, although Marlena has no idea why. He approaches, asking her, “Were you aware of John Black’s anger towards Tony DiMera?”

“I was aware they had arguments, yes, but I wouldn’t characterize that as anything more than two men who had disagreements,” Marlena replied.

“Move to strike, Your Honor, as being unresponsive,” Peter said looking at Judge Walker.

“You asked the question. Dr. Evans answered it. Mr. Blake, please proceed,” the judge told him.

Peter looked at Marlena for a moment, finally sighing deeply, and saying, “No further questions at this time.”

Marlena turns to Judge Walker, and says, “May I say something, Your Honor?”

“I object,” Peter said immediately. 

“Well, you know, Dr. Evans is an immanently qualified psychiatrist who has particular knowledge of this case, having been close to both the defendant, and the decedent.”

“Much closer to the defendant, Your Honor,” Peter says rather sullenly.

“Well, this court will hear what she has to say…oh, and the objection is overruled.”

“Thank you, Your Honor. Mr. Blake is right, I am closer to John, but I knew Tony as well.  But it’s John I want to talk about. John Black, the man. He is a man of substance, of caring, and of deep religious beliefs. He is incapable of hurting anybody. So, regardless of the accusations against him, or the evidence you may hear, I know he is innocent. He did not kill Tony. I don’t know who did, Your Honor, but it was not John Black,” Marlena said vehemently, staring at at John the whole time she spoke.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Marlena sat outside John’s cell, holding his hand through the bars, her fingers laced with his. They rarely had any alone time, and Peter was forbidding guests inside his cell anymore. John’s thumb was running softly over hers, when he said, “No one, in my whole life, has ever believed in me, or had as much faith in me, as you have, Doc. No one. I love you so much, Lady.”

“I love you,” Marlena said softly. “I always have. Nothing will change that. Nothing.”

“How did you like dinner?” he asked her with a smirk.

“Dinner was amazing,” she said throwing her head back, and laughing at him. They’s had a dinner of peanut butter toast, grapes, and chocolate milk. All of those things being Marlena’s current go to food choices. “I can’t believe you did that!”

“I want to be involved in every part of this, Doc, and if you want weird food combinations for dinner, I’ll eat them with you,” he promised. “What did you crave with the twins? Belle?”

“The twins were horrible. I would wake up at all hours of the night eating bell pepper slices dipped in ranch dressing. Just the thought of it now makes me ill, but at the time? It tasted like heaven. Belle, well, she had me craving a few things. Fruit Loops, and I don’t even really like breakfast cereal, and for some odd reason…edamame. I must have gone through five pounds of edamame. I remember eating them, and thinking they tasted like butter,” Marlena said with a smile. “Oh, and DJ…popsicles. Popsicles were so tasty. Don was running to the store every other day for a new box.”

“Are you sleeping okay?” John asks her.

“I am. John, honey, I’m eating right, I’m getting enough sleep, and Mike says everything looks, and sounds great. You can stop worrying.”

“As long as I’m locked in here, and Stefano DiMera is out there…I’m going to worry,” John said.

Chapter 13

They had just finished another grueling day in court, and the situation was beginning to look more and more bleak. Micky was afraid that, even with the evidence they had found, Stefano’s involvement and the massive amount of circumstantial evidence pointing at John as the shooter, would ultimately cause them to lose the case. Marlena was becoming more and more desperate to prove John’s innocence, while John seemed to be withdrawing. She was scared, and she had to do something, but what? 

John turned to face her after hanging up the pay phone, saying, “Victor’s legal team is going to look into the transcripts and see if there’s some technicality they could use if they need to overturn the verdict.”

“John, there hasn’t been a verdict. You’re acting as if you’ve already been convicted,” Marlena said. “Nobody’s giving up hope. None of us are. Listen to me, John,” she pleaded. “There is still time!”

“Not much, I’m afraid.”

“Don’t say that!” Marlena cried. John touched her face gently, and then pulled her close, holding her against him.

“We’re bound to get a break soon. Maybe another suspect,” Lexie said, frustrated. “Somebody has to know something!”

Marlena pulls back from John, with tears streaming down her face, and says with force, There is! The Woman in White!” John scoffs under his breath, afraid to hope for help from some illusive woman who hides in the shadows. “She believes in your innocence. She says that there’s proof in the Blake House. Something about ‘the dead man talking’!”

“Yeah, the old Woman in White. Doc, I think she’s really confused if she isn’t just crazy,” he said dejectedly.

“Well, maybe she is, but she’s very eager to help you!”

“Well, she’s worth checking out,” Lexie interjected. She could tell from John’s facial expression that he didn’t think this would pan out.

“I’ve tried. I can’t find her,” Marlena said, looking from John to Lexie.

“One of the locals might know. His name is Logan Michaels. You’ve seen him at the pub. He has this stuffed parrot,” Lexie said excitedly.

John scoffs again, shaking his head, “The Parrot Man. Well, he always struck me as being crazy, too.”

“Yeah, well he’s a little eccentric, but he’s been in Aremid a long time, and he knows a lot!” Lexie said.

“Maybe he can help me find the Woman in White—” Marlena said.

“No, no, no, Doc! I don’t want you putting yourself in danger over this dammit!” John said getting more frustrated. Marlena had a way of putting herself in harms way when it came to the people she loved. He knew that from personal experience. 

“I don’t think she’s dangerous! Anything is worth a try!” she said, looking at him with pleading eyes.

John gave up on fighting her over this, and told her, touching her face gently, “Be careful.”

Marlena sighed in relief, throwing her arms around his neck, and hugging him tightly. She tipped her lips close to his ear, and whispered in a hurried manner, “I love you. I love you so much!” John watched as she and Lexie sped from the courthouse, with a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach.

“You know she’s just going to hurt you again,” Kristen sneered from behind John. “She did it before, and broke your heart.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Kristen,” John said turning around slowly to look at her. He’d never discussed his relationship with Marlena with Kristen, so anything she thought she knew was either based on heresay, or her own made up version of what happened.

“Marlena. She’s throwing herself at you. It’s obvious, she’s desperate, and she thinks we’re over,” she said.

“Kristen, we are over. I’ve already told you this,” John said, looking at her quizzically. Was she really that delusional? He had been clear with her.

“John, honey,” she said placing her hand on his arm, and stepping closer, “I know you’re hurt—”

“Kristen, stop. I don’t want there to be any confusion, so listen closely,” John said with force. “We are over. There is no future for us. We are done.”

Kristen stared at him blankly for a moment, as if she were confused, before saying, “I know you’re upset, but—”

“Please, stop. Don’t embarrass yourself further,” John told her. “Our relationship is over.”

Deputy Helms approached them, telling John, “It’s time to head back to the pub, John.”

“I’m ready,” John said turning from Kristen and walking away.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

“Wait! Wait!” Marlena screamed, chasing after the Woman in White and grabbing onto her. Marlena spun the woman around, telling her, “No! No, I won’t let you go! Not until you talk to me!”

The Woman in White is crying and gasping for air, as she panics and looks around for a way to get free of Marlena’s grasp, but Marlena holds firm. “Listen to me,” she says. “You told me that you could help John. That you knew of a diary, that could free him! I want to know how to find it.”

“I can’t!” she cried. “He’ll hurt me!”

Marlena was confused, and instantly worried for the woman. “Who’s going to hurt you?” she asked. “Who would ever hurt you?”

“Stefano!” the woman said sobbing. “Stefano will hurt me again!”

“If you help John, I won’t let Stefano hurt you. I promise you, but I have to help John. We have to help John!”

“I want to help Johnny, but I’m scared!”

“Is the diary still in the house?” Marlena asked her.

“Yes, the diary,” the woman said.

“Do you know where it is? Could you help me get it?” Marlena asked her.

“I’m scared!”

“I know you’re scared. I know, and I promise to keep you safe, but I have to get that diary! Will you help me?” Marlena pleaded. “Please?”

“Yes. I will help you…for Johnny,” she said quietly.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Abe, Micky, and Shane crowded around the recording equipment in Shane’s room listening as another call was answered in Judge Walkers office. As soon as Stefano began to speak the three of them looked at each other with smugness. This was what they needed, more of this.

“You are a difficult man to reach, Judge. Have you not gotten my messages?” Stefano said in a menacing tone.

“Stefano…” Judge Walker replied hesitantly.

“Or, perhaps you have been avoiding me? Oh, no, no, no, you would never do anything that stupid.”

“Look, I have a lot of work to do…what do you want?”

“To discuss the trial, of course, and I must tell you…it is very riveting. Naturally, I would love to be there in the courtroom, but, until I get permission from my doctor, and as soon as I do, I will be in the court. In a front, and center seat

“I have to go now,” Judge Walker said hurriedly.

“No. Not until you hear what I have to say!” Stefano demanded.

“I’m listening…”

“You owe me, Walker, and unless you want our former association made public, and unless you want to resign from the bench in disgrace, you will make sure that this trial has the outcome that I desire! You will make sure that John Black is found guilty, and sentenced to death.”

The men in the room for silent for several long moments after the phone call disconnected, each lost in their own set of thoughts. Abe spoke first, asking Shane, “Do you have enough now? Enough to nab Stefano and prove corruption? Because, Stefano is out for Blood. John’s blood!”

“I mean, come on, Shane!” Micky said in frustration. “How much more blatant does the conversation need to be?”

Chapter 14

Kristen followed Marlena when she saw her enter the stairwell to the basement where John’s cell was located in the pub. She had to know what was going on with them. She had a feeling that Marlena was taking advantage of John’s loneliness, and she was going to stop her, as soon as she figured out what their relationship was. She approached the door slowly, listening as John said to Marlena, “How are you feeling, Doc?”

“I’m good. I took a short nap. This little one is draining me,” she said with a chuckle. “Mike said everything is fine. He wants to do an amniocentesis at next week. He feels like I’ll be far enough along then to pose less risk to the pregnancy.”

“Aren’t those dangerous?” John asked her with concern in his voice.

“They’re fairly routine now. Don’t worry John, please. The baby, and I are fine,” Marlena told him softly.

“I still can’t believe you’re having my baby, Lady…and you married me,” John said in awe. “I am the luckiest man in the world, and when I get out of here we are going to spend the rest of our lives making up for lost time.”

Kristen races from the basement with tears streaming down her face. Marlena waited until John was alone, and vulnerable to slither into his bed. Now she’s pregnant. That was supposed to be my baby! Mine! Marlena had twisted John around her finger, and gotten him to marry her, and now they were having a baby. Kristen’s heart was breaking, and the only person she thought could help her, was her father. He may not remember raising her, but he was still attentive, and caring when she visited with him.

As she approached Stefano’s room, she heard him talking to someone, “My son was murdered! Is it so strange that I want justice? That maybe, I even demand it?” Kristen was immediately intrigued. Her father sounded like how he used to sound, before he lost his memory. “Mr. Black is not innocent, Judge Walker. He is guilty of many things, and he must pay the price…Oh, no. Not until you hear my instructions. Now, as much as Peter wants to convict John Black, he still has an achilles heel…his sister, Kristen. I want you to make sure, that when he calls her to the stand, that he holds nothing back. I want you to make sure that he asks her point blank, if she believes John killed Tony, because in her soul, she has many doubts. She will not be able to hide those doubts, and I want those doubts to come out in open court, even if you have to force them out of her! I want everything to work against John Black, do you understand me?”

Kristen threw open the door to Stefano’s room, and stood there, seething at the shocked look on his face. “Don’t bother, Father. John wants nothing to do with me,” she said throwing off her coat.

Stefano slowly hung up the phone, watching her face carefully, and wondering exactly how much she had overheard. He got his answer with her next phrase, “So there’s no sense trying to emotionally destroy me on the stand, to further your vendetta against John, is there?”

“Kristen, that was not what I intended. You misunderstood me,” Stefano started.

“Oh, I didn’t misunderstand,” she sneered. “I came here hoping that I could talk to you about John, and that conniving bitch, Marlena, only to find out you were planning to use me, as usual.”

“Kristen, John murdered Tony! You know that! I can see the doubt in your eyes,” her father said vehemently.

“It doesn’t even matter! I’ve lost him. I just found out he married her. He fucking married her, and she’s pregnant! I was supposed to marry John! I was supposed to have John’s baby, and that fucking whore waited until he was vulnerable, and hurt, to swoop in like a damn witch on a broom.”

“Marlena is pregnant? She married him?” Stefano said in low tones, a furious tremor simmering in his voice.

“Yes, she fucking stole my life!” Kristen raged.

“She’s mine!” Stefano roared. “How could I not be aware of this? I’ve been so caught up in this trial…I’ve lost focus.”

“Do you still want her?” Kristen asked Stefano.

He looked at his daughter, confused by the sudden gleam in her eye, and answered her slowly, “I do, and I will have her, because Marlena is mine…although the baby complicates matter considerably.”

“I want the baby. It should be my baby. She stole John from me, and that baby is rightfully mine,” she said in a menacing voice.

“Don’t be stupid! What are you planning, Kristen?”

“I’m going to tell John I’m pregnant,” she said excitedly.

“Kristen, don’t be an idiot! If you were pregnant, it would already be evident!”

“Okay, okay, you’re right. I would be showing already…New plan, you take Marlena, and I still want that baby. I can ‘adopt’ a baby. Once John thinks he’s lost Marlena, that she’s gone forever, I can pull him back in. I can be the single mom, and play on his sympathies, because he still loves me. I know he does. I just have to get him away from Marlena!”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Sami sat with Marlena and John for dinner. John was, of course, still in his cell, because of Peter’s absolute refusal to grant him bail, or even allow visitors inside his cell. Marlena and Sami had just finished eating, when Sami shyly handed John a photo from her ultrasound earlier in the day, with a small smile. “It’s a boy,” she said softly. “I’m due about three weeks before Mom.”

“A boy? You’re going to be a great mother Sami,” John told her. “When you were little you used to sing to your dolls, and change their clothes. You made me babysit them, and you pushed them in a little stroller. I can’t believe you’re having your own baby.”

“I’m scared. The thought of being a mom is scary. I wanted to let you know…you and mom, that I appreciate you, and I love you. I haven’t been all that fun to deal with over the last two years, and I’m sorry about that. You guys have shown me nothing but love, and I threw it back in your faces,” Sami said with regret. 

“I love you, Samantha. I have loved you since the first time your mother put you in my arms,” John said to her. “We’re a family, and we’re going to have our ups, and downs, for sure, but I will never stop loving you. Ever.”

Marlena reached out to wipe a stray tear off of her daughters cheek, saying, “John and I made mistakes, and we’re sorry for that. Our choices caused you a lot of unnecessary pain.”

“Dad left, because he was so upset about your affair. He left me, Eric, and Carrie. That caused me more pain than your affair did, but no matter how angry I was, no matter how much I pushed you guys away, or how many horrible things I said to you…both of you stayed, and you loved me,” Sami said softly. “That means the world to me.”

Chapter 15

The situation with John trial was looking dire. Shane could still not get clearance from the ISA to move forward on Stefano’s corruption case. The ISA was demanding that Shane get more evidence so the case was solid, which John understood since Stefano had managed to weasel out of almost every criminal charge he had ever been faced with. Marlena was becoming desperate. She had to do something, and, while she hadn’t told John exactly what her plan was, he knew she was planning something. He could tell. 

“Unless a miracle happens, I’m going to lose this case,” John told Marlena. “I’m not afraid to die, Doc, but to die for something I didn’t do…”

“You are not going to die! I can’t believe that G-d would let something that unjust happen to a good man like you,” she said forcefully. 

“I keep thinking about Belle, and Brady having to grow up without their father…and what about this new baby? Having to live their life never even knowing me?”

“Don’t you think that!” Marlena shouted. “And don’t you dare give up hope! This is not over. The verdict hasn’t even been read yet!”

“I’m just being realistic, Doc,” John told her, looking at her sadly. 

Marlena wasn’t sure about how he would react when she mentioned the Woman in White, but she had to show him that other people were rooting for him, that there might still be a way out of this. “John,” she said, “there still may be something that could end this.”

“You know of something that could prove my innocence?”

“I knew about it last night, but I didn’t want to say anything in front of Sami,” Marlena began carefully. 

John approached the heavy iron bars of his cell, looking at his wife with interest, “Say what?”

“I talked to the Woman in White again. I found her in a cave, in the woods.”

“In a cave, Doc?”

“It’s apparently one of her hiding places. I asked her to help me find the proof to your innocence,” Marlena said hopefully.

“And she refused?”

“No! She want’s to help you. She’s just so afraid…”

“Afraid of what?” John asked her. He wasn’t happy with the direction this conversation was taking. He felt like it was leading somewhere and he wouldn’t like the final destination.

“Afraid of…afraid of Stefano,” she said softly. 

“Stefano? How does she even know him?” John asked incredulously. 

“I don’t know, but she said that he had hurt her.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know, but John, she also said that Stefano has his memory back, which is what you thought from the beginning, and what I only just realized.”

John pulls back slightly, asking her, “Well how would she know something like that?”

“I don’t know! I don’t know, but if she’s right, and if there’s evidence in that house, and he knows about it, you could be freed,” Marlena said staring into his eyes. “I think I’m going to go see Stefano.”

“Oh, no, no, no! Don’t do that. It’s too dangerous,” John said quickly, reaching through the bars trying, unsuccessfully, to grab her. 

“He could provide the missing piece to the puzzle!”

“C’mon, c’mon, Doc! He just not going to admit to you that he’s got his memory back. Look at how you’ve responded to him, ever since he-he lost his memory, and became the new and improved Stefano! You, yourself, said that the two of you had become friends,” John said, desperate to keep her away from that man. 

“I know. We had,” she said softly, looking down at the floor. 

“Well, would you still be his friend, if you knew he was the same man you hated, and feared all those years?” he asked her, reaching out and tipping her face up to his. He had to get her to understand how dangerous Stefano was. Marlena had sacrificed herself to Stefano too many times, just to save him. He wasn’t even sure he was worth it, and now she was pregnant. She could not put herself and their baby in danger to try, and save him. 

“No—” she started.

John interrupts whatever she was about to say, “—and he knows that! He’s been obsessed with you, Doc!”

“I can handle that!” she says. Marlena knows that John is scared, for her, and the baby, but without him, what would their life be? She can’t imagine living without him, and she’s willing to do whatever needs to be done to ensure that he can be with her, and the children. John scoffs at her, shaking his head in frustration, as she continues, “Listen to me! You listen to me!” She reaches for his face, tipping it up so she can look directly in his face, “Time is running out! I can’t let you be convicted. I love you too much!”

John threads their fingers together, begging her, “Please, Doc! Please! I’m locked in here like and animal in cage, and if anything happens to you…Well, I-I wouldn’t handle that very well. Please, just stay away from Stefano.”

“Okay. Okay…for now,” she said slowly, noticing the fear written all over his face.

John reached out, grasping her upper arms tightly, “You listen to me, Doc! I need you to promise me that you’ll stay away from Stefano DiMera! If he’s got his memory back he’s a dangerous man!” 

Marlena turns from his forcefully, pushing her hair out of her face, and saying, “The Woman in White said that Stefano had proof of your innocence! I want that proof!” she yells loudly. 

“What do you think he’s going to do? Hand it over to you?” John yells back at her.

Marlena sighs deeply, turning back to face him, “No, I don’t think that, but I think that proof is in his room, and I’ve got to find a way to get it without him being suspicious.”

“Your safety, Doc! That’s all I’m concerned about!” he said, reaching for her and grasping her face in his hands. “Your safety!”

Marlena’s tears start a burning path over her cheeks as she stares at him feeling lost and hopeless. “John, honey, please let me help you! The Woman in White wants to help you!”

“Doc, has she given you any proof that what she has can help you?”

“Well, not exactly, but she did say it was a diary in the house.”

“I think it’s a fantasy! I think it’s all-it’s all in her mind. How does she even know Stefano, anyway?” John said, turning away from Marlena and rubbing his hands over his face.

“I don’t know, but you know what? I believe her!” Marlena said, sobbing.

“John turned to face her, angry, scared, and frustrated all at once, “You believe her because you want to help me! But if she could save me, why hasn’t she done it before now?”

“Because, she’s so frightened of Stefano!”

“—or she’s playing mind games with you!”

“No, I don’t think so,” Marlena said shaking her head. “If I could just find that book!”

“If there is a book, and Stefano has it, you’re not going to get it! If he has anything that might clear me, he’s going to protect it with his life. He wants me dead, and if you get in his way he’s…Doc, stay away from him, please,” John begged her.

Marlena continued to cry, being overwhelmed by a sense of complete loss and helplessness. John ran his thumb over her cheek, gently wiping away her tears, as they stared at each other for long moments. John leaned forward, brushing his lips over her through the bars, saying softly, “There’s a few things that we need to discuss, Doc. Just…well, just in case. I have set up trust funds for the children.” Marlena inhaled deeply, shaking her head and stepping back from him. She turned away from him as she gasped for air, as John continued, “You’re the executor. Utilize the money anyway that you see fit.”

“No! No, John,” Marlena said, spinning to face him. “That is not what’s going to happen. It’s not. You’re going to be here for them. You’re going to help me raise them, and be the amazing father I know you are. I don’t want to talk about trust funds, or anything else!”

“Doc, we have too,” he said sadly.

“No, we don’t. I won’t. Because I’m going to get that diary,” she said, walking forward and kissing him soundly. “Tonight. I love you, John. With my heart and my soul. You are my whole heart,” she whispered, running her palm over his jaw, before she turned and walked out.

“Doc! Doc, no!” John screamed after her, as she fled the basement.

Chapter 16

The Woman in White was scared, as scared as she’d ever been in her life, but she had to help Johnny, or Stefano would insure that he was convicted, and killed. She led Marlena through the labyrinth of secret passages in the Blake House, finally coming to a hidden panel, and sliding it open slowly, looking for a sign that someone might be in the room. She had overheard Stefano’s plan for dinner with his children earlier, and she knew he would be gone a decent amount of time, but he had left earlier than she expected, and now she wasn’t sure about when he might return. That alone, ratcheted her fear up even higher.

Sliding the panel open completely, she entered the room, and said, pointing towards the chest of drawers, “I saw him place it in there.”

Marlena quickly went to the dresser, and began rummaging through the drawers, realizing very soon that it was no longer there. “Oh, G-d! It’s not here. Where could he have hidden it? Can you help me search?”

The Woman in White became even more scared. In order to help search, she would have to enter the room completely, rather than just hovering near the wall where the secret passage was, “Oh…I’m scared!”

Marlena approached her, grabbing her hand, and squeezing it, “Listen to me! This is for Johnny! We have to save him, and this is the only way!”

“For Johnny, it’s for Johnny…Stefano hurt Johnny,” she whispered.

“Yes, he did, and he wants to hurt him again,” Marlena told her hurriedly. “We have to find that book.”

They both re-entered the room, and began searching through stacks of books, shelving, and cabinets, when Marlena finally turned, and saw the bedside table. The door was slightly ajar, so she kneeled down, opening it, to discover a wooden box inside. Once she had her hands on the diary, she sighed in relief, crying out, “I’ve found it. Oh, thank G-d, I’ve found it!” Turning quickly, and rushing across the room to the Woman in White with a huge smile on her face she says, “We’ve found it! We have to get this to Abe Carver immediately!” 

The Woman in White’s eyes shifted to something, behind Marlena, and Marlena knew that someone was there. She shoved the diary towards the Woman in White, pushing her towards the open panel in the wall, and telling her in a rush, “Take it! Take it now! Please, for Johnny—” just as a wet cloth with ether was shoved over her mouth, and she slipped from consciousness.

The Woman in White ran. She sped through the passages, her mind screaming in fear, with the diary clutched to her chest like a lifeline. She had to find Abe Carver, or Johnny could die. It didn’t matter what could happen to her, Stefano had already ruined her life, and he had tried to destroy Johnny’s life. She had to do this.

Stefano entered his room to find Kristen trying to get Marlena’s body onto the bed. “What did you do? You idiot!” He roared at her.

“Take her. Take her, Father!” Kristen said with a frenzied look in her eyes. If she could get her father to take Marlena away, she could get John to love her again. She just needed Marlena out of the picture. 

“I’m not ready! My plan is not complete,” Stefano said, lifting Marlena’s prone body from the floor, and gently onto the bed. “What if you’ve hurt her baby? What did you use?”

“Ether. I stole it from Mike Horton’s medical bag this evening at the pub,” Kristen said carelessly. “I checked, she’ll be fine. Just please, take her away. I just want the baby.”

“Kristen, you are so stupid,” he told her.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Sami was enjoying her late night walk along the main street of Aremid. The light from the street lamps sparked off of the fresh snow creating a world of mystery, and intrigue. She needed this escape, from the stress of the turn her life had taken, and from her fear that her Daddy would be convicted. She rounded the corner, and heard crying from the tree line. Approaching slowly, she said softly, “Hello? Are you okay?”

She didn’t get a direct answer, all she heard was sobbing, and mumbled words, “Johnny! I have to do this for Johnny…but Stefano! Stefano will hurt me…Stefano hurt Johnny…the book…Marlena said I had to give it to Abe Carver…”

Sami pushed her way between two bushes, finally reaching the sobbing woman, and touching her shoulder gently, “I can help you…if you’re scared.” The woman turned to face her, and Sami knew immediately who she was. Her mother had talked about her. “You’re the Woman in White, aren’t you?” she asked.

“This book…to save Johnny…Marlena said…” she said between sobs. “But, I’m scared!”

“Who do we need to get the book to?” Sami asked her, reaching out to softly touch her arm. “Because, if this book can save my Dad, I’m going to help.”

“Johnny is your father?” The woman asked her, calming slightly.

“The best father there ever was,” Sami said, smiling at her in reassurance. “Give me the book. I promise, I’ll get it to my Uncle Abe. I promise.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Abe, Micky, and Shane were with John, as he continued to rant and rave over Marlena’s running off earlier. Abe had sent an officer out to look for her, and their fear was that she had done something impulsive in her fear over possibly losing John. 

John was frantic, pacing his cell like a caged lion, “She did this before! In Stockholm, when Orpheus nabbed her, and at Maison Blanche, when she tricked Stefano with seducing him! When she’s scared, and desperate, she gets impulsive. Who knows where she is, or what she’s even doing!” He was terrified of what could happen to her, if she continued to allow her emotions to rule her. 

All three of the men looked to the door, when a breathless Sami came rushing in. “You won’t believe what the Woman in White just gave me!” she said excitedly, shoving the diary towards Abe. “She said Mom told her to get it to you Uncle Abe.”

“Where is your Mother, Sami?” John asked her frantically, holding the cells bars in a death grip, and staring at her intently.

“I don’t know, she wasn’t with her,” Sami said, still breathless from her run. “I found her crying along the tree line, and she kept saying she was scared of Stefano, and Mom told her to get the diary to Abe.”

Abe was flipping through the diary, with a look of awe on his face, “Micky…oh my G-d, Shane! This is it! Listen to this, ‘I’m completely confident my plan to frame John for my murder will work. I’ve taken care of everything, right down to the last detail.’ John! This is Tony’s diary…”

“Can I see that?” Micky asked him reaching for the book, and flipping through it. “The box, the gun box! I don’t believe it…it says right here, ‘I’ve devised an innocuous looking device that will hold the gun, so that it can be triggered by remote control. I’ll position myself carefully, so the bullet will enter my chest. I’ll hold the pen in my hand. No one will ever suspect that the pen is the remote control. I hit the remote control. The gun fires. I fall to the floor, and the gun falls to the floor. It works perfectly. They will find me dying, and the gun not far from my body.’” Micky is in shock, as he looks at Sami, saying, “You’re a genius! I never would have guessed that Tony actually did kill himself, but with this, and the box, and the trigger pen…wow, just wow! John, do you know what this means?”

“I can get the hell out of here, and go look for Doc?” he said impatiently.

“I’m calling Peter and Judge Walker right now,” Micky said heading for the stairs, and handing the diary to Shane, “You’re going to want to see this.”

Shane looked at the diary closely, flipping through the pages slowly, “If this is, in fact, written by Tony…then this case is over, John. He’s detailed every aspect of how he planned to end his life, and frame you for the deed, all the way down to why he did it. He literally writes, ‘I overheard John telling Kristen that he still keeps a revolver in the loft. I found the gun. When I removed it from the box, I was careful not to smudge the fingerprints. This is perfect. John’s gun, with John’s fingerprints on it? Perfect.’”

“Are you fucking kidding me? Why the hell would he write it all down? What an arrogant bastard!” John was furious. They knew that Tony was dying, that was confirmed with his medical records, but to go so far, as to end his own life, and frame someone else for it? John felt like that took the DiMera ‘crazy’ to a whole new level. He looked at Abe and Shane, saying loudly, “Now when the hell do I get out of here. I have to go find Doc!”

Chapter 17

“Peter! Marlena’s missing, and I’m pretty sure your crazy father has her, so get me the fuck out of here!” John yelled as Peter slowly looked through Tony’s diary. 

“John, you expect me to believe that some woman dressed in white, a local myth, gave this diary to your seventeen year old daughter as she was walking down the street? I’m not sure I buy that,” Peter told him. “I’m going to have forensics experts look this over, dust it for prints, handwriting analysis.”

“Peter,” Micky said slowly, quickly losing patience with his refusal to concede that he could be wrong. “We have Tony’s medical records, which clearly state that he was dying of a blood disease, the box with the trigger mechanism, the trigger pen, Tony’s hatred of John was public knowledge, and now this diary. Plus, I just got the forensics report on the segment of a white cotton glove I found in the fireplace, in the sitting room. It had gun powder on it, and Tony’s DNA. Why are you so reluctant to admit that you might be wrong here?”

“Because, I know my brother, and he wouldn’t commit suicide!” Peter said.

“Even if he knew he was going to die painfully slow?” Abe interjected. “Knowing that you have a terminal illness can seriously impact mental health, Peter. Think about it. Look at the diary. On first glance, does it look like Tony’s handwriting?”

“I’ll admit, it looks like Tony’s handwriting,” Peter said carefully, but still refusing to admit anything.

“Can we just get John out on bail, then? Please?” Micky asked them, slowly looking between Peter and Judge Walker. “Because, if Stefano has her again, we don’t have much time.”

“I don’t see why John needs to be free to search for her, and possibly kill another member of my family,” Peter said haughtily. 

Micky, Abe, and Shane looked at each other, and then to John, who nodded once, before Shane said, “Look Peter. I’m an agent with the ISA, and I’m currently investigating your father for corruption. He has been obsessed with Marlena for years, this is not new information. You were at Maison Blanche, so you know what he is capable of. We happen to know that Marlena is a little over four months pregnant, and it is imperative that we find her immediately.”

“Pregnant?” Peter asked, looking confused.

John was losing his patience over the whole thing. If Stefano had Marlena, then trying to keep his marriage a secret was pointless. One of the main reasons for keeping it a secret was to keep Stefano away from her. John approached the bars of his cell, gripping them tightly, and nearly roared at Peter, “Can we stop debating this, and let me out of here, so I can look for my wife!”

Judge Walker had heard enough. There was enough evidence, in his mind, to create reasonable doubt, and he’d had enough dealings with Stefano to know that he was an incredibly dangerous man. If Stefano had Dr. Evans, and she was pregnant, that took precedence in his mind. Judge Walker stepped forward, with Deputy Helms behind him, and said, “I’ll approve bail, but I’m setting it at $100,000 dollars.”

“That’s fine! That’s fine, just get me the hell out of here, please,” John said impatiently, as Roger stepped forward to unlock his cell.

“John, I’ll handle the bail. You just go with Abe and Shane, and find Marlena,” Micky said. “I’m sure $100,000 isn’t much for you. I think, I remember you paying that much just to dance with her once, am I right?”

“That you are, partner,” John said with a smirk, stepping out of his cell. Looking to Abe and Shane, he said hurriedly, “Now let’s go find my Doc!”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

The Woman in White walked slowly through the secret passages of Blake House, her hands trembling as she approached the room where Stefano was staying. When she reached his room, she could hear his mumbled words, as she watched him through a small hole in the secret passage panel. Stefano was lying on the bed, behind Marlena’s prone body, softly touching her face, and whispering to her, “I love you my darling. Won’t you please wake up?”

“John?” she mumbled, turning her head away from Stefano’s large fingers. 

“No, Marlena. John is gone. You are mine now,” Stefano murmured, while kissing along her jaw.

The Woman in White remembered the years she had been held captive by Stefano. Her children were his hostages. Stefano used their very existence to keep her in line. He controlled her every move, what she ate, what she wore, even her daily contact with her children. Stefano made her want to die. She craved death like a lover, and eventually she’d almost succeeded. However, instead of the death she craved, she was left scarred, and alone, living her life in the shadows in Aremid. She was a literal living ghost. 

Her hand shook, as she slid the panel open, causing Stefano to look quickly towards the wall. She stepped out, gun in hand, and pointed it at his chest. Stefano scrambled from the bed, staring at her. “Who are you?” he asked her, fear lighting up his eyes.

“I’m surprised you haven’t figured it out,” she said slowly. “You left me for dead.”

“I don’t understand,” he said approaching her slowly, hoping to get close enough to the woman to take the gun from her hands.

“Don’t come any closer! You’ve destroyed my life. You’ve destroyed my children. I won’t allow you to hurt someone else,” she said, her voice shaking with fear, but she forced herself to go on. “I won’t allow you to hurt Marlena. She only wants to save Johnny.”

“Johnny?” Stefano repeated. Only one person in his life had ever referred to John Black as Johnny, but she was dead. Wasn’t she? “Who are you?”

“You haven’t guessed by now?” she asked him. “Maybe you need to see my face?” she said, as she tore the cover from her head.

Stefano gazed upon the scarred face of a women. A woman who had the clearest blue eyes he’d ever see. The scars marred her face completely, making her nearly unrecognizable, but those eyes. Stefano started to walk forward again, but she stepped back. “Rachel?” he asked.

“I used to be Rachel…a long time ago, when I was a wife and mother,” she said, barely above a whisper. “Now I’m just a ghost,” she says, raising the gun, and shooting Stefano in the chest at point blank range.

Stefano stares at her in shock, his hand grasping his chest, as pain coursed through his body. His blood slowly seeped through his fingers, and he felt the warm, sticky, wetness sliding down over his abdomen. He knew he was dying, there was no coming back from this, and while his life slipped from his body the only thing he saw was the burn scarred face of Rachel Blake.

The Woman in White slid to the floor, the gun slipping from her hand, as she sobbed. Everything after that seemed to move in slow motion. Her daughter ran into the room, screaming at the scene before her. She stared at Rachel sobbing on the floor, with the gun beside her, and then ran to Stefano, attempting to put pressure on his wound…but Rachel knew, he was already dead. Just the way she’d intended him to be.

Chapter 18

John heard the gunshot as they were approaching the Blake House, and took off running at an almost inhuman pace, closely followed by Shane, Abe, and Peter. When they reached the house they heard sobbing, and wailing from upstairs, followed by high pitched screams. John was frantic to find Marlena, taking the stairs two, sometimes three, at a time to reach the upstairs.  When he entered the room, the scene was complete chaos. 

“Bloody hell!” Shane exclaimed, as he glanced around the room. 

Stefano was lying on the floor, his hand clutched to his chest, as he bled out. His eyes were darting around the room fervently, as the life slowly drained out of them. Kristen crouched beside his bloody body crying, and screaming. Her screams were making the scene even more confusing, especially when combined with the wailing, and sobbing that the Woman in White was also engaging in. John briefly noted the gun on the floor near her knees, but ultimately his focus was on the unconscious woman in the bed.

John was by Marlena’s side in a matter of moments, checking her pulse, and picking her up into his arms. “What’s wrong with her? Why won’t she wake?” he yelled, expecting no response, but then hearing the soft, whispered, voice of the Woman in White.

“Kristen, she used ether on her…to take her away from Johnny…” Rachel said softly. “She wanted Stefano to take Marlena away! I was so scared! Kristen wanted to take the baby!”

He glanced around the room, and said, “Can someone call Mike Horton? I’m on my way to the pub right now!” He would leave the untangling of the complicated web they had walked into, for Abe and Shane to figure out. Right now his focus was his wife, and his child. 

“John that’s almost a mile away!” Abe said trying to stop him. “You can’t carry her the whole way.”

John’s mind went to the time he’d carried her in West Virginia, when her ankle was sprained, and he responded, “I’ve done it before. I can do it again. Mike has all of the medical equipment he’s been using to monitor the pregnancy at the pub. Just call him…please!” John held her body close to his, and left the room. 

Abe looked at Shane, saying, “We’re going to need backup to sort this out. Can you stay in here, and secure the crime scene, while I go call Roger? He can bring a couple other deputies with him when he comes.”

Shane nodded his head slowly, as he watched Peter push his sister to the side, and attempt to do CPR on Stefano. It wouldn’t matter, Shane could tell the man was already dead. Stefano DiMera would not be coming back this time. Shane steps forward, gently touching Peter’s shoulder, and saying, “Peter, he’s gone.”

“No! I felt his pulse, it was faint, but I swear I felt it,” he said, refusing to give up.

Shane knelt down beside Stefano’s blood covered body, and felt for a pulse. Finding none, he told Peter again, “Peter, I’m sorry, but he’s gone.”

“No!” Kristen wailed, throwing herself over Stefano’s deceased body momentarily, before turning to the Woman in White. “Why did you shoot him? Why?” she screamed, tears rolling down her face.

Rachel watched her daughter, and her son mourn the man who had destroyed so many lives, and said, “He destroyed me. He destroyed Johnny once, too. I couldn’t let him destroy Marlena.”

“Who are you?” Shane asked her gently.

“I was Rachel Blake…now I am a ghost,” she said softly, as she began to hum a lullaby to herself, and gently rock her body to and fro. 

Kristen gasped softly, looking at Peter. Peter had given up on performing CPR, realizing that there was nothing to be done for Stefano now. He stared at the woman claiming to be Rachel Blake for a moment. Her face was marred with burn scars lining her features, and varying shades of pink, but those eyes. Peter remembered those eyes, the clearest, lightest, blue eyes, he had ever known in his life. This woman, who was obviously destroyed, was his mother.

“Our mother is dead!” Kristen shouted at her. Hatred coursed through her body at the sight of this woman, and her scarred, mangled face. She’d killed her father in cold blood, and nothing could redeem her in Kristen’s heart. “She died when we were children.”

“I wanted to die. I tried to die,” Rachel said softly. “I guess G-d had other plans for me.”

“Mother?” Peter said softly, reaching for her. “Stefano said you’d died, in a car accident with our Father.”

“I was a prisoner. Stefano wanted me. He killed your father, and used my children to keep me complacent,” Rachel told Peter. “I attempted suicide, but it wasn’t successful. Stefano thought I was dead…or maybe he left me for dead.”

“You’ve been here, in Aremid, all this time?” Shane asked her.

“The Woman in White…” Kristen whispered.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

John sat in a chair beside the bed, where Marlena was lying. She had woken up earlier, as Mike was checking her, and the baby, and then drifted back off to sleep. Mike felt like the ether that Kristen had used on Marlena wouldn’t cause any serious problems. They simply had to wait until it was out of her system. She’d been asleep for hours as he watched over her. Sami had checked in a couple times, eventually returning to let him know that she was putting Belle and Brady down to bed, and would likely go to bed herself, soon after. 

Marlena started to moan in her sleep, rolling her head back, and forth on the pillow. John reached forward, touching her cheek softly, and telling her, “Whatever it is you need, Doc, I’m right here.”

Her eyes open slowly, as she searches the room for him, “John?” When her eyes finally land on him, she feels the tension leave her body. Both of them stare at each other for a moment, John’s expression radiating all of the love he has for her. “John…” Marlena says in relief, as he reaches for her hand, gripping it tightly, and releases a sigh he felt like he’d been holding for hours.

He kisses her fingers, telling her, “I was so afraid that I was never going to hear your voice again.”

Marlena started crying softly, running the tips of her fingers gently over his face, “How did I get here?” She can tell by John’s behavior that something very serious must have taken place, but the last thing she can remember is telling the Woman in White to take the diary, and run. 

“I brought you here. It’s a long story, Doc. The short version? Kristen wanted Stefano to take you away, and give her our baby,” John said with a huge sigh. “The Woman in White shot, and killed Stefano, and I brought you home.”

“Stefano’s dead?” Marlena said with a small gasp.

“Yes, and you…you put yourself in a very dangerous situation to save me…again. I don’t think I ever fully realized how much you mean to me before tonight. You risked everything for me, Lady. Nobody’s ever done that…in my whole life…nobody,” John said barely above a whisper.

Marlena continued to stare at him, as if he were the most beautiful thing she had ever seen in the world. “I will always fight for you, I love you too much not to,” she said.

“I thank G-d for saving you,” he told her, sliding into the bed beside her, and slowly stroking his gingers over her face. They lie facing each other in the bed, their fingers gently caressing each others skin along their necks, and their cheeks. 

John leans forward kissing her softly, whispering over her lips, “It feels so good to hold you again, Doc.”

“I was so scared you could die. I was desperate to help you,” she said quietly. 

John leaned up, looking her in the eyes, and said, “It’s amazing, isn’t it? Fate seemed to arrange it so we wouldn’t be here without each other. 

“I wonder why?” she whispered.

“I wonder what else fate has in store for us?” John said, running the tip of his nose along her neck, and kissing her softly behind her ear. 

Marlena gasped softly, pulling his head closer to her, and whispering in his ear, “Make love to me.”

John pulls back slightly, so he can look at her, saying, “I don’t know, Doc…”

“John, I’m fine. Nothing is wrong with me, aside from a small headache…which I’m pretty sure would go away, if you made love to your wife,” she says against his lips. Marlena ran the tip of her tongue along the seam of his lips, pressing for entry, and moaning softly.

John groaned in his throat, rolling her onto her back, and threading his fingers into her hair. “So making love, cures headaches?” John asked her, nipping lightly at her lips with his teeth.

“Oh!…It cures mine,” she says, sliding her hand up under his shirt, and raking her fingernails softly over the skin of his chest.

John’s fingers begin nimbly unfastening the buttons of her satin pajama top, slowly revealing her breasts to him. His hand cups one, bringing it up to his mouth, while his tongue languidly glides over the turgid flesh of her nipple. “Fuck, Doc, you taste so good,” he moaned, before his mouth engulfed her breast sucking deeply. 

Marlena cried out when John slipped his hand into her pajama bottoms, and began flicking, and rubbing her clit. They hadn’t made love in months, since John had been locked in his cell, and Peter had restricted visitors in there as well. Marlena’s body felt as if it would combust from the desire he was creating. She started frantically pushing at her pants, saying, “Take them off. Take them off.”

John pulled her pants from her body, and simply enjoyed the site of Marlena spread open for him, with only her pajama top on. He scrambled to remove his shirt, and pants, as his hand spread over the growing roundness of her belly. John looked at her in awe, saying softly, “I’ve never been with you during a pregnancy…and with Belle…”

Marlena touched his face, “I wish we’d know the truth, maybe things would have turned out differently. Maybe you would have had the chance to experience my pregnancy with Belle…”

“You’re beautiful, Doc. To see your body growing with our child…it turns me on so much,” he groaned, pushing his cock into her hip. “C’mere, baby,” he mumbled as he rolled Marlena onto her side, pulling her back up against his chest, and sliding his dick between her legs. She was already so wet already, that the glide caused them both to moan. 

John pulled out, and slid back in a couple times, bumping her clit in the process. “John, please, oh, G-d please…”

Lifting her leg gently, and pulling it back over his thigh, he slid into her hot, moist center. The pleasure was so overwhelming, he leaned forward, biting her shoulder roughly. Marlena cried out in passion, her head falling back onto his shoulder as he pulled her closer, and began ricking his hips in the tight confines of her body. His arms wrapped around her body, and his hands cupped her abdomen, where their child grew. Within minutes they were both overcome. Marlena’s body began to ripple, and pull at his cock when she reached her climax, causing John to soon follow.

As they lay there, their bodies entwined, Marlena whispered, “I love you so much. When you were with Kristen…well, I thought it was too late for us.”

“Doc, it’s never too late, because I never stopped loving you,” he replied. 

Chapter 19

John woke early the next morning to a solid rap on the door. Marlena moaned softly, rubbing her face in his neck, and mumbling, “Who is it?”

“I don’t know,” John said rolling out of bed and grabbing his robe from the back of the desk chair. “I’ll send them away.”

John walked to the door, opening it to find Micky standing there, looking slightly disheveled, as if he hadn’t slept all night. “John,” he said. “I’m sorry to wake you so early, but there have been some developments overnight. A different judge, Judge Boggs, is calling court into session at 9:00 am.”

John runs his fingers through his hair roughly, saying, “A different judge? Okay, what time is right now?”

“Around 7:30, I just wanted to make sure that you were aware, and present,” Micky told him.

“Yeah, yeah,” John mumbled, while fighting back a yawn. “We’ll be there.” He watched Micky walk away, toward his own room down the hall.

He felt the heat of Marlena’s hand travel up his back, and over his shoulder, before she began speaking softly, “Do you think it’s good news?”

“I have no idea, but Micky didn’t give the impression that it was bad news,” John told her, turning around and wrapping his arms around her. “I guess I need to get showered.”

“You know, we could get ready faster, if we showered together,” Marlena said, softly kissing his neck.

“Yeah, and we could wash each other’s backs,” John said, untying the belt to her robe, and slipping it from her shoulders.

“Maybe while we’re in there, I could give you a rub down…you know, because you’ve been so tense,” she said, sliding her hands along his chest inside his robe.

“You going to help me relax, baby?” John asked her, pulling her hips up against his. 

She leaned forward, licked over his nipple, and then looked up at him, and nodded her head, saying, “If you need to relax.”

“Fuck, yes,” he growled, before pulling her into the bathroom with him.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

John, Marlena, and Sami entered the courtroom promptly at 8:50 am. Lexie had agreed to watch Brady and Belle for the morning, so that Marlena could be there to support John, and to give Sami a break. Sami was only just realizing how much work children were on a long term basis. As soon as John saw Micky, he had questions, “Do you know why a different judge was assigned to the case?”

“I’m thinking it may have something to do with the ISA’s case against Stefano for corruption. Now that he’s deceased, they may have moved forward on that, but I can’t be sure,” Micky told him. “If they did, Judge Walker may have been removed.”

“I reckon that would be a good thing, at any rate,” John said softly.

“That it would, John,” Micky said. He glanced at Marlena, sitting in the chair next to Sami, the small curve of her pregnancy becoming more evident. “How is Marlena doing this morning?”

“She’s doing fine. Still tired, I think, but Mike says that the ether Kristen used, won’t have any long term effects on Marlena or the baby.”

“That’s good, that’s good,” Micky said softly, noticing that Peter, looking downtrodden, and exhausted had also just entered the courtroom, as the bailiff called for everyone to rise.

Judge Boggs was a small, middle aged woman, with large rimmed glasses. She looked around the courtroom for a moment before she began, “I was called late last evening by the Governor, who informed me that I would be taking over this case. I spent my night, and my early morning reviewing this case, and I find that there are some serious concerns. The first being Mr. Blake’s appointment as special prosecutor.” She turned directly to Peter, saying, “My condolences, Mr. Blake for your father’s passing. I apologize for having you in here so early, and while you are still grieving; however, your appointment as special prosecutor was unethical, and a direct conflict of interest. You have been removed from the case, and you may leave the court room.”

“Your Honor, I was appointed, because I want justice for Tony DiMera!” Peter said, rising to his feet, and trying to argue with Judge Boggs.

“You are the brother of the deceased. Your father has had a vendetta against Mr. Black for more than ten years. That is a direct conflict of interest. You never should have been appointed as special prosecutor. Now leave my courtroom,” Judge Boggs told him.

Marlena and Sami stared at each other in shock, as Peter gathered his things into his brief case, and left the courtroom. Sami leaned towards her mother, whispering, “What does this mean about Dad’s case?”

Marlena was just as confused as Sami was. She shook her head at Sami, saying, “I have no idea.”

“Another issue I have been handling regarding this case was the blatant, and willful disruption of the integrity of the possible impending ruling by Judge Walker. Stefano DiMera, now deceased, was blackmailing the Judge in this case. That judge has been removed from this as well,” Judge Boggs said with little formality. “Due to those factors, I have declared a mistrial in the case of The People vs. John Black.”

The courtroom erupted in gasps, followed by fervent talking, before Judge Boggs called everyone back to order. “A mistrial does not mean that the case is over. If the state believes there is enough evidence to proceed the charges may be brought again. However, before I make that decision, I believe Mr. Horton would like to present his findings to the court for record,” she said looking at Micky.

“Thank you, Your Honor. We have reason to believe that John Black was framed for the murder of Anthony DiMera, by none other, then Anthony Dimera, himself. Tony hated John Black. He hated him, because his wife, Kristen Blake DiMera, had left him for Mr. Black. We propose that when Tony was given his terminal diagnosis of a rare blood disorder, he decided to end his own life prematurely, and carry out the ultimate revenge, framing John Black for his murder. The evidence against Mr. Black was near perfect. Some might say it was too perfect,” Micky said addressing the judge. He then walked towards the table for the defense, and began to line up the evidence. Micky first placed the spring loaded box on the table. “In the sitting room where Tony was shot was a hollow box, made to look like a set of books, with bookends, inside was a spring loaded mechanism designed to hold a .45. No other weapon would fit inside. Anthony DiMera was shot by a nickel plated .45 belonging to John Black. The trigger pen for the mechanism was found on Tony’s body,” Micky said, laying the pen beside the box. “Inside the fire place was a remnant of a cotton glove, which tested positive for gunpowder residue, and Anthony DiMera’s DNA,” Micky continued, placing a plastic bag on the table. “Ultimately, though, the most convincing piece of evidence in John Black’s defense, is the diary kept by Anthony DiMera, himself, in which he details the plan for his suicide, and how he is going to frame Mr. Black for his murder. I believe you have copies of all the forensics reports, and Anthony Dimera’s medical records, Judge Boggs?”

“I do, and I have had a chance to look them over,” she said. “Have you gotten the fingerprint report for the diary?”

“It should be arriving momentarily,” Micky tells the judge. 

“As soon as I get a chance to look that report over, I’ll be able to render my decision,” Judge Boggs said. “We’ll recess until 1:00 pm.”

Chapter 20

Micky turns to John with a huge smile on his face, “This is good news, John. Very good news!” Micky was fulling expecting that the forensics report would be John’s salvation. He’d also made sure to have it verified, on rush, by three separate labs, because with DiMera’s involved that was the best rule of thumb. 

“What do you think the chances are that Judge Boggs drops the charges completely?” John asked him quietly, giving a sideways glance to Marlena and Sami talking nearby.

“If the report has Tony’s fingerprints, and if the handwriting analysis says it’s his handwriting…well, John, I think this could all be over,” Micky told him, patting him on the shoulder with another smile. “It’s not a guarantee, mind you, but it’s a possibility. I mean, this whole case has been so tampered with, who really knows what is truth and what is fabrication at this point. I think having another trial, after this debacle, would likely have you acquitted anyway, simply because this case was so corrupt.”

John was beyond relieved. They had been here for months, since before Christmas, it would only be fitting that this joke of a trial be over on April 1st. He had mentioned it to Marlena earlier, that Stefano had decided to die at midnight on April fools Day. How ironic really. Of course, John thought, depending on the judge’s ruling in the next few hours, the joke could be on him. Only time would tell. He stepped over to Marlena, touching her shoulder softly, and saying, “I brought something for you.”

“You did?” she asked him, gazing upon his face, her hazel eyes sparkling with happiness.

“I did,” he said, reaching into his pocket, and pulling out their wedding rings. Handing his to Marlena, and taking hers in his hand, he reached for her, placing her wedding band back on her finger where it belonged. Marlena touched her ring softly, and looked up at John with tears in her eyes.

She reached for his hand, and gently slid his ring on his finger, saying, “You’re my whole heart.”

John was transported to the day of their wedding, more than four months ago, when Marlena had told him the same thing, so he replied in kind, “You’re my whole heart, too, Doc.”

Their moment was interrupted by Sami squealing in glee. “Oh, my G-d, it was like you just got married all over again! That was so sweet!” Sami gushed in her normal fashion, spontaneously hugging both of her parents. “Can I tell Carrie and Eric now? Oh! Can we tell Belle and Brady? They are going to be so excited. Can we tell them about the baby?”

Marlena started laughing, touching her daughters face gently, and realizing exactly how much Sami was like her namesake, before running her palm over her ever expanding abdomen. “I think, Sami, everyone would know soon enough. So yes, you may tell the world,” Marlena told her.

“I’ve got to go find Uncle Bo and Hope!” she said hurriedly.

John stepped closer to his wife, threading his fingers through hers over the swell of their child, “I love you, Dr. Evans.”

“That sounds like an interesting start to an evening at home. Keep that one filed away, Sailor,” Marlena said, pulling his mouth to hers, and kissing him softly.

“Really? I can definitely make that interesting. A little doctor fantasy, huh? Is a couch involved?” he whispered in her ear, as she took his hand to walk out of the courthouse.

Leaning over to whisper, so that only John could hear, Marlena told him, “Definitely a couch…and maybe… a desk.” John moaned roughly in the back of his throat, as Marlena laughed again. 

They stepped out of the courthouse doors to be blinded by the early morning sunlight. It exceedingly bright, making it hard for their eyes to adjust due to the glare off of the thin layer of snow that had fallen the night before. It was crowded as family, friends, and locals milled about discussing the newest developments in the case. John turned to Micky, saying, “I think Marlena and I are going to go rest a little bit more, since we didn’t get much sleep last night. If anything comes up, I’ll be in our room at the pub.”

“That fine,” Micky said trying to hold back his own yawn. He actually been up the whole night before, and gotten no sleep, in his frantic attempt to get all of the evidence and reports together for Judge Boggs. A rest my do him some good, as well. “I might do the same,” he said.

Deputy Helms, and John both saw the movement, off to the side of the crowd, before anyone else. A body moving towards Marlena at a rapid pace, the sun glaring off the silver barrel of a gun drawn to fire. John moved on instinct, without any thought but Marlena and his baby, throwing his body in front of his wife, and pushing her into Micky, while almost instantaneously a bullet ripped through his body. John lie on the ground bleeding into the snow, while Marlena screamed for help, as Deputy Helms shot the assailant, Kristen DiMera, straight through the heart.

Chapter 21

John found himself standing on Pier 29. The sound of the buoys clanging, and the bells on the fishing vessels competed with the sounds of the lapping river water against the pilings. The smell was familiar, river and fish. The smell was like coming home for John. When his life began, or what he remembered of it beginning, the pier had been his comfort, and the smells of the riverbank brought it all back. This is also the place where Marlena returned to him after being gone for five years, and the place where he told her, once again, that he loved her, after Isabella’s death. He hears footsteps behind him, before he heard her speak, “Sometimes when you were upset or frustrated, I knew I could come down here, and find you. It was always the place you went when you were feeling introspective, but it’s also special to you for another reason.”

John froze at the sound of her voice. A voice he hadn’t heard since after Marlena’s possession. He turned slowly, saying, “Isabella.”

“Hello, John,” she said softly, gazing up at him. “How are you?”

John continued to stare at her in awe, and then asked her very quietly, “Am I dead? G-d, please tell me I’m not dead.”

“No, you’re alive, although you have a long fight ahead of you,” she said. 

“Why am I here?” he said looking around. “Marlena must be so scared.”

“You need to rest. Reflect. Contemplate,” Isabella said with a small smile. “Come, let’s sit,” she told him walking towards a bench. “This pier is very special to you.”

“This pier…” John starts to speak, but his voice gets choked with emotion. He sits on the bench next to Isabella, staring out across the water, “This pier is everything. When I first came to Salem as the Pawn, I had no idea who I was, or even where I came from. The feeling inside me was one of complete loss, but I didn’t know what I’d lost. The sounds would draw me in. The bustling work sounds of cranes moving to and fro, and crates being lifted. The sounds of the buoys…”

“There are other reasons that this pier is important, John,” she said, turning to face him, and touching his arm softly.

“Yes,” was all he said in response, still gazing upon the river.

“Tell me about Marlena,” she said.

“Why?” he wanted to know. “I’m confused.”

“You don’t want to hurt me. I understand,” she said, “but John, I already know. This is for you.”

“When I was the Pawn, and later when I was John Black, I would sometimes come here with her, or run into her here. Her smile was amazing. It was as if everything was new, because I had nothing to compare it to. The way the light reflected off of her eyes, the sound of her laughter overlaid with the slapping of the waves against the wharf, the way the smell of the river would mix with her perfume…it all created this perfect…I don’t know – but it was perfect…” he said trailing off.

“You know she loved you,” Isabella told him.

John turned to look at her slowly, unsure of what she meant.

“She loved you when you were John Black,” Isabella clarified.

“She loved me when I learned I was Roman, she loves me now, as John Black, but…” John didn’t finish his sentence, because he wasn’t sure what he was getting at. Maybe it was because he’d always felt that she didn’t open her heart to him, until she thought he was Roman.

“When you were John Black…she loved you. She’s loved you almost from the beginning,” Isabella said. “She’s even loved you since the end.”

“The end?”

“Do you remember your final goodbye? In the chapel at the hospital?” Isabella asked him. “When she was pregnant with your daughter.”

“Yes…it…hurt. G-d it hurt so bad. I’d lost so much, and then to lose her too…and a baby I wanted so badly to be mine,” John said with silent tears falling from his eyes. “A baby that was mine.”

“She’s your soul mate,” she told him softly.

“Soul mate?” John scoffed. “Then what were you, Izzy B? Because I loved you with everything I had.”

“You did. I never lacked for love when I was with you John, don’t ever doubt that, but a soul mate…well that is a bond that is wholly different. How did you feel when you met her?”

“I couldn’t get her off of my mind. The sound of her voice, the gaze of her eyes, the feel of her fingers brushing across mine. I thought I was going crazy. I thought maybe I was obsessed,” he told her, uncomfortable, because he’d never talked about Marlena with Isabella. 

“You were drawn to her in a way that was almost spiritual,” Isabella told him. “That doesn’t mean you loved me less. Did you ever wonder why she never dated after Roman divorced her?”

John sat there, quietly for a moment, thinking about what Isabella said. Marlena had been alone since the truth came out about Belle’s paternity. She had been alone for years. Why had it never occurred to him? Did he expect her to stay unconnected? How would he have reacted of she had moved on with someone else? “I never thought about it. Maybe I still considered her mine, because the thought of her with someone else destroys me,” he whispered.

“The thought of being with anyone besides you, destroys her,” Isabella whispered. “So she’d rather be alone.”

“It hurt her, didn’t it?” he asked softly. “Watching me move on.”

“It did, but she loved you. She loved you so much, that she would hurt to see you happy,” Isabella said. “In my time on Earth, I wasn’t so gracious.” John was immediately hit with a memory that didn’t belong to him. A memory that belonged to Isabella. Isabella arguing with Marlena, and telling her to let John go. 

Isabella stood across from Marlena, staring at her in anger, and said, “Your very good at playing innocent, but then, I guess you’ve had a lot of practice haven’t you?”

“Look, either say what’s going on, or you can stand here, and talk to yourself,” Marlena told her.

“Or what? You’re going to walk away? That’s your style isn’t it? You disappear, and then you come back, and act as if your hands aren’t dirty,” Isabella said in a haughty way.

“I’m not going to stand here, and be insulted by you. If you have a point, it’s time to make it,” Marlena replied, preparing to turn around, and walk out on this conversation.

“You’re leading John on. I want you to leave him alone.”

“Excuse me?”

“That’s right. Your husband is back. You don’t need John as well…” Isabella said.

John sat for a moment, in silence. “You made it sound like her being gone for five years was her fault. It wasn’t. That must have hurt her, for you to say that,” John told her softly.

“It did. She loved you, and she couldn’t let you go. I didn’t understand at the time, exactly how much she loved you,” she said, “but I’m on a different plane now. I see things as they are…as they were. As soon as I died, your souls drifted back to each other, because your soul mates. Watching you with me, it broke her heart every time, but she loved you like no other, and your happiness became her happiness. Just as your sadness is also her sadness.”

John looked around, soaking in the peace of the setting one last time, “I can’t stay here. I need to go back.”

Isabella reached out, touching his face softly, and staring at him for a moment, “Tell her she’s an amazing mother to my son. This is your second chance, John. Love her the way she’s been waiting to be loved…”

John heard the slow beeping of machines, and the humming of the central ventilation system. It was suddenly bright, even though his eyes were closed. He was momentarily confused…until he remembered. Kristen. He’d been shot, he felt the pain lance across his chest as he shifted in the bed. Where was Marlena? His heart rate picked up as panic began to take over, and the machines attached to his body responded in kind. His eyes flew open, and darted about the room frantically trying to figure out where he was. The hospital. He was in a hospital room. 

He started to calm as the door to his room opened slowly, revealing Marlena, speaking in soft tones, distracted by a conversation with Sami as she entered his room. John thought she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. Before she had the chance to notice he was awake, he said softly, “Hey, Doc.”

Chapter 22 – Epilogue

John had been in a medically induced coma for over a month, following surgery to repair his heart, after being shot in the chest. According to Marlena, he’d barely survived. Had the bullet been any larger, he most certainly would have. As it stood, Kristen had used a small pistol. The kind usually used by trained assassins, but being a DiMera, that wouldn’t have been hard to obtain. During that time Judge Boggs had decided that the evidence collected by Shane, Abe, and Micky was sufficient enough to create reasonable doubt, and dropped all charges. John was a free man.

Marlena had spent the last month by his side almost constantly. Everyone around her made sure that she rested, ate regularly, and took shifts sitting by his side. Marlena insisted that friends, and family sat with him, talking, singing, or just touching him, so that he knew someone was always with him. She believed that it was important to John’s recovery to know that he was cherished, and cared for, and while John had no recollection of any of the time he was in a coma, he was very humbled to learn that he was so loved. 

Sami and Lucas became the proud parents of a baby boy in the middle of August, naming him Jonathan Roman Roberts. Sami had worked hard to get her GED, and was planning to start college in the spring. They’d gotten a small two bedroom apartment together, and had the support of both of their families to help them adjust to being new parents at such a young age. Carrie and Austin helped out as much as they could, and were excited to be the newly minted G-dparents. 

Marlena gave birth to her own baby boy, almost two weeks to the day, after Sami had Jonathan. She and John named their son Abraham Michael Black, after Abe and Micky. They’d given a lot of thought to the name, and they felt that neither one of them would have gotten out of Aremid whole without the love, faith and support of those two people. 

The day Marlena gave birth, she looked at John and said, “I can’t believe we’re doing this. I can’t believe we’re starting over again.”

John touched her face lightly with his fingertips, kissing her softly on the lips and whispered to her, “It’s never too late.”