The Affair

Big News

Roman was heading back to Marlena when he ran into Bo and Abe. “Any word yet? Do we know where he is?”

Bo spoke first, “No. It’s like he fell off the face of the earth.”

“I want him found damnit. I want to know what the hell is going on.”

“I know buddy…we all want answers…starting with why John was there.”

“Speaking of John…is there any change?”

Abe shook his head, “No…no change. Still in a coma but stable for now.”

“I guess that better than the alternative. Look I’m going to check on Marlena…come get me if there’s any word.”

“Will do. How’s Marlena,” Bo asked. “Is she alright?”

“She seems to be okay. Mike is running tests just to be on the safe side. Look I need to get back to her…find me when you have something.” He left them standing together.

******************************************

She’d been lying quietly by herself ever since Laura left…her thoughts completely focused on John. He was her life. She needed to see him…if only to hold his hand and let him know she was waiting for him to come back to her. He promised her he would and she was holding him to that promise. She couldn’t imagine her life without John in it…besides her children he was the most important person. All she needed was the go ahead from Mike…and hopefully he was on his way with good news.

The door opened and Roman walked in. She was so lost in her thoughts she didn’t realize he was in the room until he sat down on her bed.

“Doc where’s Laura? I thought she was staying with you.”

“I sent her to find Mike. I’m ready to get out of here.” Now that she was fully aware of her surroundings she noticed all the blood on Roman’s shirt. “Roman you should be the one in this hospital bed…not me.” The guilt she felt was overwhelming. The entire time her thoughts had been on John and not Roman…her husband.

“Doc it looks worse than it actually is.”

“You’re just trying to make me feel better.” It wasn’t helping…she still felt awful.

“Seriously, it’s just a flesh wound…through and through.” He moved his arm back and forth to illustrate it wasn’t that big a deal but she saw him wince in pain.

“Roman, flesh wound or not…it’s a big deal.”

“Doc, the doctor says it’ll hurt for a few days but I’ll make a full recovery…no loss of mobility…I’m fine. Although he did say…”

“Say what…what aren’t you telling me?” Now she was concerned…he was keeping something from her.

Roman smiled, “Relax Doc, he said I probably shouldn’t do any chores around the house for about a month or two.”

She laughed, “Nice try.” It felt good to have an easy conversation between them…nothing forced…like it used to be between them…before…she didn’t finish her thought. There he was again…always John….he was always just below the surface. The same question everyone wanted to know the answer to was the one she was about to ask. “Roman, why was John there? It’s not like he’s a cop. What was he doing there?”

“Marlena, that’s the million dollar question. And until he wakes up to tell us, we won’t have an answer. I have no idea why he was there. I was surprised to see him but before we could talk all hell broke loose.”

Speaking more to herself than Roman she said aloud, “That doesn’t make any sense.”

“I know…that’s what we’re all trying to figure out.”

Marlena remained quiet. She needed to think this through. Something was definitely wrong. She was right next to John when Roman called and said he needed his help. And now Roman was saying he had no idea why John was there. John had been certain it was Roman on the phone asking for his help. What was going on? Oh, God, what if this was the same person who saw her and John last night? She didn’t know what to do. Should she say something or should she keep quiet. What if her silence helped whoever shot John and Roman gets away? What if the two things were merely a coincidence and had nothing to do with one another? She had too many questions and no answers. Another question came to mind…one that caused her to turn deathly pale. What if someone was out to hurt her family…everyone she loved? The children…what about the children?

Roman noticed the change in Marlena’s pallor immediately. “Doc what’s wrong?”

She could barely speak, “The children…where are they? Are they safe?”

He tried to make his voice as soothing as possible. “Doc, mom and pop checked them out of school. I didn’t want them hearing about this from anyone else. They’re fine.”

She was relieved but still concerned. “Are they safe?” If someone was out to harm her family she wanted her children protected.

“Doc, they’re safe. No one is going to hurt them. This has nothing to do with them. This has to do with that case I’m working on.”

It still didn’t make any sense to her. Why was John there? He had nothing to do with Roman’s case.

Before she could say anything else, Mike and Laura walked in.

Marlena perked up, “So Mike when can I leave?”

He walked over to her and stood next to her bed. Laura was right behind him. “Well, if your pressure is normal I think you can go home…that is if you promise to take it easy.”

“I promise.”

Roman spoke up, “What about the tests you ran? Did they come back normal?

“Actually they…” he felt his mother poke him in the side, “Marlena is fine. You don’t have to worry.” There…he did as his mother asked and he told the truth. She was fine. Now, if you let me examine my patient…I think she can leave right away.”

Before anyone could leave the room the door opened. It was Bo and Abe and it didn’t look like they had good news. Both men walked over to Marlena and kissed her cheek. Bo turned to Roman and said, “I hate to do this right now but we need to talk.”

Roman could tell by the urgency is his voice it was important. However, if Marlena was being discharged he wanted to take her home.

Marlena could see Bo really needed to talk to him and that Roman was torn between staying with her and talking to Bo. She was fine…Laura could get her home…besides she wanted to see John. “Roman…go. I’ll be fine. Laura’s here.”

“Doc, are you sure? I can stay if you want. Bo and Abe can handle whatever it is.”

“Roman you and I both know you’re not going to be satisfied unless you’re with them and if this has to do with whoever shot you and John then you need to go. You need to find out what’s going on.”

Abe offered his opinion, “I hate to do this to you but she’s right. We really need you.”

Even though he didn’t want to leave her side he knew he had to go with them. If they had a lead they needed to jump on it as soon as possible. And so he agreed to leave with them, “Alright…let’s go.” He leaned in and kissed Marlena goodbye. “I’ll call you later.”

She grabbed his hand as he was getting ready to leave, “Roman…be careful.”

“You know I will.” He smiled and left with Bo and Abe.

Mike was ready to get down to business. “Mom if you just step outside I’ll be done in a minute.”

“She doesn’t have leave. Your mom is my oldest and dearest friend. Besides she’s a doctor…she knows what you’re going to do.”

“Marlena,” Mike began, “I haven’t told you everything yet.”

“Whadda you mean?”

**************************************

The minute they stepped out of Marlena’s room Roman spoke, “Did you find him?”

“We did but he can’t help us.”

“He’ll talk to me.”

Bo said nothing…it was Abe’s turn, “He can’t. He’s dead. His body was found a little while ago.”

“Damnit! He was the only one who had answers. We’re back to square one.”

Bo tried to calm his brother down. “You mean besides John…he might be able to tell us why he was there.”

“Maybe…but right now he’s in a coma and no one knows how long he’ll be like that. Days, weeks, months…it’s hard to say. Well there’s nothing I can do about that but I can find out who killed our only lead. Let’s get back to the station.”

“I was hoping you would say that.”

They all left together. None of them realized how big this case would become and the shooting was only the beginning of things to come. It was about to get a lot harder.

*****************************************

Laura spoke up, “Maybe I should leave…I’ll be right outside the door.” She began to walk out of the room.

“Wait…I want you here. Whatever Mike has to say…I want you here.”

“You’re sure.”

“I’m positive. So what didn’t you tell me?”

“Before I get to that let me check your blood pressure and your heart rate.”

Now she was nervous…what could be wrong with her.

When he finished he said, “Well your pressure is slightly elevated but that’s probably just stress.”

“Mike if you don’t tell me what’s going on right now…I’m going to explode.”

He looked at his mother and then Marlena. “Marlena I ran the usual blood tests and they were all negative.”

“I know…that’s what you said while Roman was here…they were all normal.”

“But I also ran one more…actually it was my mother’s idea and that one isn’t negative…it’s positive.”

She was clueless. What was he talking about? “What test?”

“Marlena…you’re pregnant.”

“You’re wrong…I can’t be pregnant. Run the test again. There’s been a mistake.”

“Marlena, I ran the test myself…I ran it twice just to be sure. You’re pregnant…no doubt about it.”

Laura intervened, “Mike, can you give us a moment?”

“Sure mom, I have to check on a few patients. Call me if you need me.” Just as he reached the door he stopped, turned around and said, “Congratulations.”

As soon as the door closed, Marlena said, “I can’t be pregnant.”

Laura moved closer to Marlena and took her hand, “Honey there’s only way you couldn’t be pregnant and I’m sure that’s not the case.”

“But it doesn’t make sense. After all these years I get pregnant. Once the twins reached a certain age I figured I was done…I always wanted more children but I was happy to have the twins and Carrie. How did this happen?”

“Marlena…you’re a doctor…you know how this happened.”

“I know how it happened I just don’t know HOW IT HAPPENED? Does that make any sense?” “After all this time…I just figured the twins were the only children I was ever going to have.” She couldn’t believe she was going to have a baby.

“I’m sure I already know the answer but I still have to ask the question. Is it John’s baby?”

The thought of it being John’s baby erased any doubts she had. “It’s his…it’s John’s baby.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure…I’ve only been with one man…John. Roman and I haven’t been together for a while.”

“That’s what I thought. Are you happy?”

“I’m beyond happy…more like ecstatic. I’m having John’s baby…I’ve always wanted his baby.” She suddenly sat up. “I have to tell him…he has to know. Can you help me with this IV.”

“Marlena…wait…calm down. You just can’t barge into his room.”

Marlena was determined to see him. “I almost lost him today…twice.”

“I understand that but you just can’t march in there. We don’t even know if they’ve moved him to ICU yet. Stay here…I’ll find out. Wait until I get back.”

She knew Laura was right but it didn’t help to ease her mind. As she lay back in bed, her hands slowly drifted towards her stomach and settled there. Inside of her was a life…a life she and John created with their love. This would be a day she would remember for the rest of her life…the day she found out she was having his baby and also the day she almost lost him forever. As soon as she told him about the baby she knew he would begin to fight as hard as he could to get back to her…to them. Their baby would give him the strength he needed. He would come back to her…to them…she knew it in her heart. And with that realization, all the anxiety she felt was suddenly gone and replaced by feelings of intense love for him and their baby.

****************************************

“Mr. Borne…can you open your eyes. Mr. Borne if you can hear me, open your eyes.”

Someone was calling his name but he was just too tired to answer. The darkness was so comforting…so warm. It was like a warm blanket covering him on a cold winter night. Never before in his life did he feel so tired. All he wanted to do was sleep. He didn’t know where he was but wherever it was he felt safe.

“Move him up to ICU and page me if there’s any change in his condition.”

***************************************

Laura found Dr. Singer just as he was leaving John. After getting a complete update on John’s condition she headed back to Marlena. The news wasn’t all bad…but she was afraid Marlena wouldn’t see it that way.

By the look on her face, Marlena could tell the news about John wasn’t good. “What’s wrong? Tell me.”

Laura pushed the chair closer to her bed and sat down. Before she began speaking she held Marlena’s hand. Instead of giving Marlena reassurance Laura’s gesture scared her. “Laura, please, tell me.”

“John’s in a coma. He’s been moved to ICU. Dr. Singer isn’t sure when he’ll come out of it. It could be days, weeks, months…” She didn’t bother to finish her sentence.

“What about brain damage…will he have any brain damage?”

”Right now…they don’t think so but there’s no way to know for sure until he wakes up.”

“Can I see him?”

“After your earlier outburst I reassured Dr. Singer that if you were allowed to see him you would remain calm. But you only have fifteen minutes. Not a minute longer.”

“I’ll take whatever he gives me.” She squeezed Laura’s hand, “Thank you for everything you’ve done. I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have you.”

“That’s why I’m here.”

The door opened and in walked a nurse. “Dr. Horton…Dr. Evers…are you feeling better?”

Marlena was somewhat embarrassed by all the fuss made over her. The only thing she wanted to do was see John. “I’m much better, thank you. Do you know when I’ll be able to leave?”

“That’s why I’m here. If your pressure is normal you can leave…if not you’re an overnight guest.”

Marlena didn’t dare make a move while her pressure was being taken. She tried one of her meditation exercises. The last thing she wanted was to spend the night in the hospital. After a torturous ten minutes, where Marlena kept perfectly still, the nurse was finally finished.

“Well what’s the verdict?”

“It’s slightly elevated but within the parameters Dr. Horton specified…so you can leave.” She began to unhook Marlena from the IV. “There are a few forms you have to sign before you leave.”

Marlena was overjoyed. “No problem.” She was already out of bed moving towards the door by the time the nurse left her room.

Laura could see her friend was anxious to see John but she needed to prepare her. Even though Marlena had seen countless people hooked up to machines with tubes running in and out of them before, it’s not the same when it’s someone you love. She stopped her before she left the room. “Marlena…wait a minute. I know you’re anxious to see him but you need to prepare yourself. He’s hooked up to a lot of machines…there are tubes all over the place.”

She understood her friend was trying to protect her but the only thing on Marlena’s mind at the moment was seeing John. “Laura I just need to see him for myself…to talk to him…to tell him about our baby.”

“I just don’t want you to be surprised when you see him…you’re under enough stress as it is…and it’s not good for you or the baby.”

At the mention of her baby, Marlena smiled. “We’ll be fine. Now let’s go.”

**************************************

They were all sitting in Roman’s office…wondering what the hell went wrong. No one was saying a word…each one deep in his own thoughts.

Abe was the first to speak, “I think it was a setup from the beginning. Think about it…Roman receives a message to meet one of his informers in an abandoned part of town…John shows up out of the blue and before we know it…shots are fired. Now we find your informer…dead…which means we don’t know who he was working for…if he was in on the setup or if he was just being used. And John’s in a coma so we can’t ask him why he was there.”

“I hate to say this,” Bo said, “but I think Abe is right…something didn’t feel right from the beginning. And if was a setup…that means someone is out to get both you and John.”

It was Roman’s turn to speak, “I’m not so sure” Before Abe or Bo could say anything Roman continued, “Wait listen to me…I do think it was a setup…I just don’t know if they’re after me. After all, they could have shot me like they shot John but all I got was a flesh wound. I think someone is playing with us.”

Abe wasn’t convinced, “Still…the point is someone is behind all of this…maybe whoever it is wants you to think that you’re not a target…that way your guard will be down.”

“I gotta agree with Abe bro, until we talk to John I think you have to be careful.”

He knew they were right…he just didn’t want to hear it. “Doc is not going to like this.”

“You know bro…you might want to consider sending the twins to Colorado to stay with Marlena’s parents and Carrie to Anna until all of this blows over. Maybe even see if Marlena would visit her parents for a while.”

“The twins and Carrie…no problem. Getting Marlena to leave is another story.”

“Not even if she thought it was for her own safety?”

“You know Marlena…what do you think?”

“I think you got a problem bro…I don’t think she’ll leave…especially after today. Both you and John were shot…one her husband…the other her ex-husband. She’s not going anywhere.”

Roman winced at the mention of John being Marlena’s ex-husband. Even though she was with him now… a part of him was still jealous, and would always be jealous, that John held a place in his wife’s heart. And even though he knew it hadn’t been their choice to fall love, it was still difficult for him to accept. But accept it he had…and there was no turning back. Somewhere deep inside of him he knew the truth…and just for a moment he said it out loud, “She’ll never leave…not now.” And just as quickly…it was gone. The moment of doubt he had about Marlena…about them…disappeared…almost as if it had never been there. Roman stood and moved towards the door. “I’m going to the Pub…the kids won’t be satisfied until they see I’m fine.”

“Uh Roman…you might want to make one stop first.”

“What are you talking about?”

“He means,” said Bo, “you might want to change your shirt. The one you have on is covered in dried blood.”

He looked down at his stained shirt. “I forgot I was still wearing it. I have a spare hanging in my locker. I’ll change down there.”

As soon as Roman left, Abe turned to Bo, “What do you think?”

“I think we have a whole new ballgame now…and I think we have to keep an eye on my brother.”

“I agree…someone is definitely playing games with us…and until we find out who and why…nobody is safe.”