The Affair

The Ball Winds Down

Rebecca found a small table in the corner…no one was sitting there. It was perfect; exactly what she needed. Her mind was still trying to comprehend everything she witnessed. John and Marlena…together…and by the looks of it tonight wasn’t the first time. How long had this been going on? Who would have thought the proper Dr. Marlena Evers would have an affair? There had to be more to it. Marlena didn’t seem like the type of woman who would engage in a casual relationship and neither did John. They were people who took commitment in relationships seriously. And if that’s true…then where did that leave her. How did she fit in John’s life? Deep down she already knew the answer…there was no place for her in his life. But was she willing to settle for that? She already knew the answer to that question…No she wasn’t! She wanted John Borne. And Marlena be damned…now that she knew the truth…she was on an even playing field. He would be hers…sooner or later. She would make him forget all about Marlena. Having made up her mind, Rebecca headed back towards their table.

One and a half glasses of wine later Marlena finally made it back to the table. Mickey and Maggie were sitting down talking. She pulled up a chair and sat down praying they didn’t know anything or noticed anything different about her.

John wandered around the ballroom searching for any clue to the person who saw him and Marlena together. He knew it was a long shot but still he had to try. It was his fault someone saw them together. If he hadn’t insisted she meet him everything would have been fine. Somehow he would make it up to her…this he swore to himself. Realizing it was useless to continue searching for some unknown person he headed back to the table…but first a quick stop at the bar. No more club soda…this called for tequila – straight.

As Rebecca approached the table she saw Marlena was already there…John was no where in sight. Oh well…let the games begin. She sat down at the table leaving an empty chair between her and Marlena.

Marlena was surprised to see Rebecca alone, “Where’s everybody else?”

It took Rebecca a minute before she realized the last time Marlena saw her she was leaving with Roman, Abe and Bo. “Actually, they didn’t really need me so I left.” She watched Marlena closely to see her reaction to her announcement.

If she was expecting some kind of reaction from Marlena she was disappointed. “Good for you. You didn’t let work interfere with your night out.” If she appeared cool, calm and collected on the outside it was definitely a façade. She was a nervous wreck wondering who saw her and John together.

She was good…Rebecca had to admit that. If she hadn’t witnessed Marlena and John having what she could only describe as amazing s*x just a few minutes ago she would have never believed it. Score one point for you she thought…now let’s turn it up a notch. “I seem to keep losing my date. You haven’t seen John by any chance…I mean when you were walking around the ballroom.” Let’s see if you can get out of this one.

“I know right after you left he said he was going to walk around for a bit. The thing about John is…he’s not one to sit around…he’s always on the go…he’s a take charge guy. He’s been like that ever since I’ve know him.”

Rebecca sat back in her chair. So far she wasn’t getting anywhere with Marlena…she seemed to answer her question without really answering it. She could have been a lawyer. “Well I guess you would know him best…I mean after all you were married to him. I hope I’m not getting too personal.” She knew damn well she was.

“It’s not like it’s a secret. We were married to each other…he was a father to my children…he still considers them his children. One thing you have to know about John is he’s a very giving person, very loyal and when he loves he loves with every fiber of his being.”

Maggie sat back and listened to the exchange between Marlena and Rebecca. Rebecca was fishing for information on John and Marlena was answering her questions without really answering her. If she had any doubts about Marlena’s feelings for John…she didn’t have them any longer. Marlena was still in love with John. And speaking of the devil…perfect timing.

John was surprised to see Rebecca already sitting at the table. He sat next to her…in the chair on the left…not the one next to Marlena. “I’m sorry…I thought you would still be busy…have you been waiting long?”

Not a hair out of place…not a trace of Marlena on him. He was unbelievable. She almost thought she imagined the whole thing…but she knew better. “I was just telling Marlena they didn’t need me, but by the time I got back to the table you were already gone.”

“I can’t sit still for too long…I had to stretch my legs. I’m really sorry.” He really did feel bad for abandoning her…but not for being with Marlena. She was the love of his life.

He was sincere in his apology and she knew it. John was not the type of man to intentionally hurt someone…he was a complicated man. She knew he would never purposely hurt someone…yet he was having an affair with another man’s wife. But if she was honest with herself…it was much more than an affair. She had no doubt John was in love with Marlena…he probably never stopped loving her. But if she had her way…he would fall in love with her…she knew it wouldn’t be easy but she was a patient woman.

Before anyone else could say anything, Roman, Abe and Bo followed closely by Hope and Lexie walked up to the table and sat down.

Roman kissed Marlena on the cheek, “I’m sorry Doc. I didn’t think we would be that long.”

“It’s ok Roman…I know how you get when it comes to your job.”

Rebecca remained quiet. There were so many things she really wanted to say but couldn’t…at least not now. Of course Marlena didn’t mind…she was too busy making love with John. She turned and took a good look at Marlena. What the hell was this woman’s secret? She had not one but two men in love with her. Her husband was apologizing to her for working and she was off in another room with her lover. No one knew what was going on between them but her…that much was obvious. Roman didn’t have a clue and maybe that might just work to her advantage. She would have to wait and see.

“Doc I really hate to do this but I think we should call it night. I have a big day tomorrow.”

Marlena looked at him strangely. Tomorrow was Saturday; he hardly ever worked on the weekend unless it was an emergency. “Roman it’s the weekend.”

“I know Doc but I have to…in fact we’ll all be at the station bright and early.”

Hope looked at Bo, “So I guess this means we’re leaving too Boaty.”

“I’m sorry fancy face but it can’t be helped.”

Lexie stood up, “Let’s go Abe…I know this means us too. Good night everyone.” Abe and Lexie left together.

Roman and Marlena, Bo and Hope all stood at the same time. They said their goodnights and left the table leaving John and Rebecca and Mickey and Maggie. Mickey looked at his watch and signaled to Maggie…it was past their bed time. They left leaving John and Rebecca the only two left at the table.

John was ready to call it a night. He wanted to go home and go to bed…the last few days had taken a toll on him. The good thing was he and Marlena had begun to find their way back to one another. That was the most important thing to him and because of that maybe tonight he would get a good night sleep instead of tossing and turning. It was time to go. He stood up. “Well Rebecca I guess we can call it a night too.”

She was disappointed…she wasn’t ready to leave especially since Marlena was already gone. But she didn’t want to seem difficult. All she had to do was be smart and slowly worm her way into his heart. “I’m ready when you are.” On the way home she would try to get to commit to seeing her again…tomorrow if at all possible. They stood and walked to the door.

No one sitting at that table knew that was the last night they would all be together like that. Things were about to change in a big way…and some things would never be the same again.

The Next Day

Roman had been at the station for several hours. He left so early it was still dark outside and now hours later he, Abe and Bo were still arguing over the plan. The problem was they didn’t have a choice…it was non-negotiable. He had to make them see that…this was there only lead. “You know we don’t have a choice. We may never get this chance again. Can you live with the consequences if we do nothing?”

Abe and Bo looked at one another. They knew he was right…but they also knew it was dangerous…too many unknown variables. Bo spoke first, “Roman the only way Abe and I will agree to this is if we’re your backup.” He held his hand before Roman could say anything. “Either we’re you’re backup or you don’t do this. And we’ll just have to live with the consequences.”

Abe nodded his head in agreement. “That’s the deal buddy…take it or leave it…it’s up to you.”

Roman knew they meant it…and the truth was he was glad they would be his backup. He trusted them with his life. “Okay, you win…now lets make this work…we don’t have much time left.”

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By the time Marlena woke the next morning Roman was already gone. She had no idea what time he left. In fact she barely remembered undressing and falling asleep. Wine had that effect on her and even though she only had about two glasses all together that was two glasses too many. She wasn’t a big drinker…never had been. The kids spent the night with Shawn and Caroline…she would pick them up later. It was 9:00 am. If she hurried she could at John’s loft by 10.

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John rolled over and looked at the clock. It was after 9. He rarely slept in but last night was the first good night of sleep he had in a while. Marlena would be over soon. They had a lot to talk about. She was his whole life. He closed his eyes once more. Thirty minutes later he jumped out of bed. He couldn’t believe he dozed off again. She would be here soon. He needed to shave and take a shower.