The Affair

The Hospital

Laura was barely in her parking spot in the hospital garage before Marlena was getting out of the car. She had to run to catch up with her. “Wait a minute.”

Marlena kept walking…almost running to the elevator.

Laura grabbed her by the arm and held on to her, “Listen to me…you have to calm down. You don’t know what to expect.” She was not letting go.

Marlena spoke more harshly than she intended, “It’s John…something’s happened to him.”

“How do you know?”

“I just know…I felt him calling my name.”

She knew better than to question her friend’s intuition…especially right now. “That’s all the more reason for you to calm down. You can’t just barge in there.”

“Listen to me…I was with him this morning before he left. Roman called and said he needed his help. I didn’t want him to go…I had a bad feeling…but you know John.”

“I do know John…and that’s why I know he’s going to be fine. Just take a deep breath…and then we’ll go in…okay?” She squeezed her hand.

“Okay,” she took two calming breaths. “Let’s go.”

Bo was pacing back and forth while Abe was on the phone. He didn’t understand…why was John there? They’d been setup…that much was obvious…but who and why? Before he could try and unravel the mystery Marlena and Laura walked into the emergency room.

She saw Bo first…his shirt covered in blood…her knees buckled at the sight of him…it was only divine intervention that kept her upright. “Bo what happened?”

Because his main concern had been Roman and John he forgot he was covered in blood. “I don’t know…we were on a stakeout and…” before he could finish the emergency doctor came out…he was new to the staff.

“Doctor Evers, Horton what are you doing here?” Clearly he had no idea Marlena was married to Roman.

Laura intervened on behalf of Marlena, “Roman is Marlena’s…uh Dr. Evers’ husband and John Borne is her ex-husband.

They stood in front of the doctor waiting for news…any news…he could give them. And because he was new and didn’t understand the complexities of all the relationships he stated he wouldn’t give any news on John’s condition unless they were family…that is until Marlena spoke up.

“Listen Dr…I’m sorry what’s your name?”

“It’s Dr. Singer and as I was…”

He didn’t have a chance to finish his sentence before Marlena interrupted him again. “Dr. Singer listen to me…we are John Borne’s family…I’m his ex-wife and we’re” she included everyone standing there in the emergency room, “all he has except for his son who’s barely one year old. NOW either tell me what I want to know or I’ll read his chart for myself. Do I make myself clear?”

He was clearly unnerved. No one…especially a colleague, had ever spoken to him that way. “Okay here’s what I know…” he looked over his notes, “your ex-husband sustained a shoulder wound…nothing life threatening…but your husband’s injuries are more critical…we won’t know more until tomorrow.”

Marlena didn’t know how to react.

Before she could truly grasp the gravity of the situation, Dr. Singer spoke again, “Wait…I’m sorry…that’s wrong. It’s your husband that has the shoulder wound and Mr. Borne that’s in critical condition. I looked…”

He never got a chance to finish…Marlena fainted. She was in a safe place…all she wanted was to sleep…everything would go away…it was all a dream…no a nightmare. Slowly reality began to creep into her subconscious…she wasn’t home in her bed…she was at the hospital…someone had been hurt…JOHN!!!! Her eyes popped open only to find herself lying on the couch in the Doctor’s Lounge. “What happened?”

Laura answered her question, “You fainted…you’re at the hospital…what do you remember?”

“John and Roman were shot…but I can’t remember the specifics.” She took Laura’s hand. “Tell me.”

It was only Laura in the lounge with her. Everyone else was gone. Even though they were alone she stilled leaned in and spoke quietly. “Roman has a shoulder wound nothing life threatening but John is a different story.”

Tears began to roll down her face. “Tell me…how bad is it?”

Laura continued, “He was shot twice…the first bullet entered his shoulder…nothing serious but the second shot is the one they’re worried about…the second bullet” there was no easy way to say it, “the second bullet was a head wound.”

Marlena stared at her…all the color draining from her face…not sure she heard her correctly, “What did you say?”

“Listen to me…you have to remain calm….promise me.”

“Please…I promise….just tell me.”

Laura took a deep breath before she began. “The second bullet is the problem. There’s some swelling around the brain…which has caused John to lapse into…”

Marlena finished her sentence, “a coma. He’s in a coma…Oh God…tell me his prognosis.”

Laura took hold of her friend’s hand…squeezing it tightly…trying to reassure her John would be fine. “It depends….the next few days are critical. He could make a full recovery with no complications or…” She left the rest of sentence unspoken. There was no need to finish. “We just have to wait and see.”

Marlena couldn’t believe what she was hearing. This was not happening. “I have to see him…he has to know I’m here.”

“Marlena…you can’t…no one can.”

“Oh God…Boaty…does Victor know yet….has someone called him?”

“Bo has already called Victor. He’s on his way here.” Laura knew it wouldn’t be long before people would come in to check on Marlena. She had to make sure Marlena was ready to face everyone…especially Roman. “Marlena…listen to me…you have to be very careful right now. I know it’s going to be hard but you have to reign in your emotions. Are you listening to me?”

She nodded her head but said nothing.

“I know you’re worried about John, BUT, you can’t let your emotions run wild…if you do than you’ll cause Roman and everyone else to become suspicious. This is not what you want…this is not how you want Roman to find out about you and John.”

“I know you’re right but it’s so hard…I have to know what’s going on. Can you please find out any information on John’s condition?” She sat up slowly.

“Of course I will…I’ll be right back.” Laura walked to the door and turned just before she left. “Are you going to be okay? I mean here, by yourself.”

“I’ll be fine…just hurry.”

Just as Laura was leaving Marlena let out a small moan and fell back onto the couch. As Laura rushed to her side she heard a code blue being called in trauma two…it was John.

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

It was dark and hazy. She couldn’t see anything clearly. Where was she? Nothing looked familiar to her. Off in the distance she could see a small speck of light. She headed towards it. As she got closer to the light she could see the outline of someone standing there…just outside the light. For some reason she wasn’t afraid…in fact just the opposite. Whoever it was made her happy.

Finally she was close enough to see him…John. She called to him. He turned to her and smiled that beautiful smile of his.

“Doc, I didn’t want to leave without telling you I love you.”

“Leave…where are you going?”

“Doc, it’s my time…it’s time for me to go.” He turned away from her.

“No,” she screamed. “You have to stay here…you can’t leave.” She threw her arms around and held him close to her.

“Doc, its okay…everything is going to be okay. I promise.”

She wasn’t letting go. “You can’t leave me…do you hear me? You can’t leave me…and what about Boaty? Who’s going to take care of him if you leave?”

“Marlena…it’s my time…I have to go.” He began to pull away from her.

“Then I’m going with you.” She began to walk towards the light.

“NO! It’s not your time. You have to stay.”

“Then stay with me. Either stay with me here or I’m going with you.” She meant it…she would leave with him.

He loved her with all his heart just as she loved him. He tried one more time. “Doc…please…”

“Promise me you’ll stay. I’m not leaving without you. Promise me.”

It wasn’t time for her…he would never allow her to sacrifice her life for him. There was only one thing to do. “I promise.”

“Don’t leave me…ever…” Marlena took his hand and they slowly walked back into the darkness…away from the light.

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

“Doc…Doc…open your eyes. It’s me…Roman.”

She was saying something he couldn’t quite make out. He listened closely. She was afraid. What was she saying?

Her voice became stronger…she repeated the same thing over and over. “Don’t leave me…don’t leave me…don’t…”

He gently brushed a piece of hair from her face and kissed her forehead. “It’s okay Doc. I’m alright…I’m not going anywhere.”

Her eyes opened slowly. She was in a state of confusion. Where was she? The last thing she remembered was being in the Doctor’s Lounge. What happened? “Where am I?”

“It’s alright Doc, you’re in a hospital room…you fainted.”

“Roman,” it was Laura, “I think you ought to let everyone know she’s fine. I’ll stay with her until you come back.” She didn’t want Marlena to say anything until she was fully aware of the situation and her surroundings.

“Doc, if you want me to stay…I will.”

“No…I’m fine…besides Laura will be here.”

He leaned over to kiss her goodbye. “I’ll be back as soon as I can…I promise.”

The minute the door closed behind him, Laura rushed to her side. “Marlena you scared the hell out of me.”

“What happened…I don’t remember?” She tried to sit up and for the first time noticed she was hooked up to an IV.

Laura sat on the edge of the bed and kept her voice low even though they were the only two people in the room. “It’s like Roman said…you fainted. I was just about to check on John when all of sudden you fainted. Your blood pressure sky rocketed…I couldn’t revive you…so I called for help and here you are.”

“John…is he alright?” She already knew the answer but she still needed to hear the words.

“It was touch and go for a while but he seems to be stable now. The thing is…he crashed about the same time you fainted.”

Marlena visibly relaxed. Her voice was a whisper, “I knew he would keep his word…he promised me.”

“You want to tell me what you’re talking about?”

“It’s not important.” She changed the subject, “How long do I have to be hooked up to this IV?”

“I’m not sure…but I’ll find out for you. Mike is the attending physician. It probably won’t be much longer…but you should know he ordered blood work…just to be on the safe side.”

“Laura there’s nothing wrong with me…it’s just stress. The only thing the test will probably show is I’m a little anemic.”

“Then that’s what the test will show. I’ll be right back.” Laura left Marlena alone. She went directly to the lab…she wanted to make sure she talked to Mike first. She had a feeling she knew what the test results would be…in fact she was one who suggested he run one more test.

She caught up him with just as he was leaving the lab. “Mike, was I right?”

“Mom you know I can’t ethically give you that information.” His mother amazed him. How did she know?

Laura pulled him on the side. “Did you do as I asked?”

“No one knows the results but me.”

“Thank you son…I have my reasons. I also have one more favor to ask you.”

“I told you I can’t tell you.”

“No…it’s not that. When you tell Marlena…please make sure she’s alone…no one else in the room.”

“If I can’t tell you…why would I say anything in front of anybody?”

“I mean Roman…if the results are what I think they are she’s going to need some time to digest this.” It wasn’t really a lie. She would need time to absorb the news. Mike didn’t need to know the baby was John’s and not Roman’s. There was time enough for that down the road.

Mike knew it was useless to question his mother any further. She was Marlena’s best friend…she knew her better than anyone.

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

He didn’t have all the information the boss wanted but he did know the condition of John Borne and he knew that was important to the boss. After hanging around the hospital he was able to pick up bits and pieces without alarming anyone to his presence. That was his specialty… the thing he was most proud of …his ability to blend into the background. No one ever paid him any attention He dialed the number he was given, hung up and waited for the phone to ring. The boss was a fanatic when it came to secrecy and security. Exactly two minutes later the phone rang.

“What do you have for me?”

It was always the same. Strictly business…nothing else. “I have news about John Borne.”

“Tell me.”

“Apparently he was shot twice. The first was in the shoulder…through and through. The second shot was to the head. From what I could overhear he’s in a coma. It was touch and go for a while but he seems to be stable. That’s all I could hear.”

“What about Roman?”

“Flesh wound…he’s fine.”

“Did you find out anything on the other matter we discussed?”

He hated disappointing the boss…he didn’t handle disappointment well but this time it couldn’t be helped. “So far…no one’s talking and I mean no one. Who ever did this is lying low…really low.”

“I want to know who did this. Am I making myself clear?”

Sweat began to pour out of him. “Yes boss. I’ll have that information soon.”

“See that you do.”

Click. The conversation was over. He needed a drink…but he needed a clear head more. The boss wouldn’t tolerate failure much longer. He slipped on his jacket and headed back out…to the streets. Maybe he would get lucky the second time around.

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

He sat back in his chair…so John Borne was still alive. That was the good news. Who shot him and why was still an unknown. First things first…he needed to make a call.

It was her private line…there was only person who had the number…she answered on the first ring. “What’s his condition?”

“Two gunshot wounds: one to the shoulder and the more serious one is a head wound. He’s in a coma but stable.”

“Do we know who did this?”

“No…not yet…but don’t worry…we’ll know soon.” He had no doubt his employee would come through…he always did.

“This changes everything.”

“It changes nothing…in fact it may even work in our favor. There are a few things I haven’t told you about…things that will help us in the long run.”

His focus and ability to adapt to unexpected situations never ceased to amaze her. “What things?”

“Not yet…I have to work a few things out…but soon. Soon you’ll know everything. Trust me.”

“I always do.”

There was nothing left to say…they both hung up the phone.