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jarlenadreams · 7 years
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Writing Prompt: Glow In The Dark Tattoo
He followed her in with a look of disbelief. For each time he said no, she just nodded and smiled.
They passed by several of their friends and family on the outing and it was driving him insane. He knew that they had been apart for months but this ... to do this on a spur of a moment decision on an outing with Hope and Kayla?
“Do they have one?” Marlena bit the inside of her cheek and just shrugged, refusing to answer until they got home.
He sat down and watched her go find his away bag. “Doc?”
She held up a hand for a moment until she found what she was looking for, shutting the light off and turning on the black light. Bringing it to him, she merely grinned. “it glows in the dark.”
This was going to be the best discovery of a tattoo game ever.
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jarlenadreams · 7 years
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Whispering Winds: Chapter 4
Author Note: Just tinkering with the timeline for the plane crash and the *false* Marlena story. Italics are for flashbacks
John was on his way back to the hospital with a change of clothes for Marlena and a little bag of treats to try to tempt her to eat. He decided to cut across Horton Town Square when a familiar voice stopped him. Trying hard to not roll his eyes at the greeting, he laid the coffees down on a nearby table and turned around to address his greatest enemy.
“And what brings you out in the daylight old man? Shouldn’t you be on fire by now?”
Stefano smiled delightedly and threw up his hands. “Is that any way to talk to an old friend?” “Well no because I’d be happy to see an old friend.” John answered and shook his head. “Stefano, I really don’t have time for this. I need to get back to the hospital and Doc.” He gestured to the items. “Ah yes, Eric … I heard about his situation. Any word?” He asked. “You must be so worried. The life of an ISA agent never is a long one and he’s got so much to live for.”
The blue eyes narrowed as he looked at the old man. “What did you do?”
“Me?” Stefano shook his head. “I can honestly and yes I do use that word with impunity on occasion when its warranted, honestly can say that I had nothing to do with his current predicament. How ever I can say that it’s a tragic shame when the sins of the parents are paid on the children.” “Come again?” Stefano looked at him. “You heard me.” *~*~*~*~*
Shane peeked in the hospital door window and saw Marlena sitting by Eric’s side and the young man was still unconscious. So he knocked softly before coming inside. “Hello there Marlena.” She turned around and nodded. “Good morning Shane, what brings you by?” “I came to see how he was. Any change?” She turned back around and took her boy’s hand once more. “No, no change. Are you here as family or as his employer?” She stroked her fingers over the top of the hand and remembered a brief time when it was once smaller than hers. “Pardon?” She looked up at the wall across from her and then to Shane. “I picked up hints and clues from being married to John. I really don’t understand why every one of the family think that I’m china and will break if I know exactly what and why they do what they do.” Shane chuckled. “They love you and would do anything to make you happy. But as for being made of china, I think you’re far from it. Been through too much with you to doubt the steel rod that runs along your spine. Especially after your last stunt with Steve and Rafe.” Marlena faintly smiled and turned around to look at him. “And you haven’t answered my question. Why are you here?” “Always the psychiatrist.” He shrugged. “I’m here as both. I have reason to believe he’s in this predicament because of something I had him do for me as a personal favor. Out of respect for you and John.” She rose out of her chair and said nothing, allowing him to continue. “Once we had word via Steve about Yo Ling going down, the ISA sent in a strike team to his compound and grab all the intel that we could. Eric was the leader of the team.” He answered to the unspoken question on her face. “What he brought back …” Marlena blinked at the change in his tone. “What about it?” Shane looked at his hands, playing with his wedding ring. “I really think that we need John here.” “Why?”
“Because I need to apologize to you both.”
*~*~*~*~* Spring 1987 The three men watched the target as she walked in the garden for the first time since her arrival, her blonde hair tied back as she moved with obvious discomfort, her injuries improving daily or so the physicians assigned to her reported while they waited for the medical records from the first clinic to arrive. The first man watched her with pride because he had finally managed to break her. Taking her to the plane and allowing her to see her beloved was too late to save her as he had been too late to save his wife from dying at Roman’s hands had managed to make her pliable. She couldn’t have her life back and death was imminent. The second man watched her with want because she was the only person who had never submitted to him. She was and had always been Roman Brady’s heart and soul. Having her here broke two ties. Hers to her former life and one of his reasons for living. The third however … well he knew the truth and the young woman in front of him fascinated him. He had trained his son well and the man he had become must have been like flame for a moth. She would be truly an asset to the organization by the time he was done. Three men attracted to the beauty and brains of the woman who was unbeknownst to everyone at that time, carrying a secret of her own.
*~*~*~*~*
Marlena texted John and asked him to meet her in her office as he left Stefano and his riddle behind. He however wasn’t expected to find a stand off between the two old friends. Marlena behind her desk and Shane near the door. He nodded at the Englishman before placing the overnight bag on the chair, the sweets and coffee on her desk and kissing her temple. “Okay I’m here, what’s going on here?” She looked at Shane and pointed. “Ask him. He started something in Eric’s room and wouldn’t continue until you got here. He said he owes us an apology. John, he sent Eric into your father’s compound. He may have gotten my son killed.”
John turned blue eyes onto his old friend and boss. “Shane?” “I didn’t say that exactly. I do however owe you both an apology based on what Eric found. He was bringing a dossier to you that you both needed to read.” He leaned against the nearby bookshelf and took a breath. “John, do you remember my brother Drew.” Marlena said nothing, lacing her fingers with John’s and listened. “Yeah, yeah I do. Why?” “Because the scam he had run .. about ..” Shane stopped, this wasn’t really how he wanted to explain this to them, especially Marlena. “The scam he had run about Doc, you can say it.” John replied, looking at Marlena who was still silent. “It turns out … it wasn’t a scam. Not a full one at least.” The Blacks both looked at him for that one. “Come again?” Shane began to pace. “She was alive and she was there. However … they had to think quickly because she..” He looked at Marlena. “You were still very sick.” Marlena let go of John and wrapped her arms around herself. “I was what?” John’s hands went to his face and pulled down before he shook his head, so much could have been changed if only he had known … if he had believed… “There was a file on a hard drive that Eric had read, it in great detail describes your ordeal Marlena from start until the end of the road at that clinic in San Christobal.” He stopped and took a breath. “Including your pregnancy.”
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jarlenadreams · 7 years
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Whispering Winds: Chapter 3
Stefano DiMera hung up the phone and sat back into his oversized leather chair, his fingers moving reflectively into a temple under his chin as he regarded the information from the caller on the phone and waited for the visitor who had been announced just before phone call to be allowed in.
Reaching for the remote, he muted the song and refused to get up from his chair as Orpheus appeared.
“It’s been quite awhile.” Stefano spoke after he took a moment to enjoy his nearby glass of brandy. “I’d say I’ve missed you but can’t miss what you thought was dead.” “What can I say. For someone who was trained by you. He was a terrible shot.” Stefano was about to address that but was cut off by Orpheus. “But we both know the real reason why I’ve been hidden away all these years. Two reasons were rather well hidden by you and that ranting bag of rags that passed himself off as that rambling prophet of doom. The other well … you had to have a fall guy.” He leaned forward to examine the chess board and picked up the Queen before looking up at the older man. “You could have told them the truth … let them have the agony of learning you had won and that he could have had them back then, but he chose that Colville woman over them. But you kept your mouth shut, you let him have her instead. And he didn’t say a word either. He chose to die rather than tell them. What loyalty you inspire Stefano.” He threw the Queen into the fire before drawing his gun. “Tell me … do you even appreciate it?” *~*~*~*~* John turned his attention away from the glass in the room door and looked at Daniel. “Any word?”
“I’m afraid not. We’re still waiting for the results John.” Kayla cut in. “John, he’s always had heart issues that went way back since he was an infant. He could very well have been having trouble before he came home. I’m waiting for Shane to get me his last ISA sanctioned physical for additional information.” He turned back and watched Marlena, her head bowed in prayer as she held her boy’s hand in her own. *~*~*~*~* “Do I appreciate it?” Stefano replied with a chuckle and a shake of his head, more in that moment looking every inch of a demented Santa. “Why would I appreciate it when it’s either give it or I’ll destroy you?” “She’s never given it. Neither has John and yet here they both still stand.” Orpheus replied. “Tell me … is it because of those little dividends you hold that they’ve never paid for their crimes?” Stefano didn’t answer. “Do they know?” Orpheus raised his voice. “Does he know that not a drop of DiMera blood courses through his veins or that precious little creature that you call your grandson’s veins. How much did you have to pay them to say Thomas was a DiMera?” He fired into the wainscoting. “Answer me.” “Or what, you’ll keep me from them?” Stefano growled. “I’m not Marlena and this is not then. I can have you erased without a thought. Or perhaps I’ll give them the ammo to kill you. John has motive more than me.” “Oh really and what would that be?”
Did you really not think I’d hear about your little move in Europe?” Stefano chuckled, waving away the guard who came at the sound of the gunshot. “Eric Brady is in ICU and they think he just may not last the night.” Before the other man could continue, Stefano smiled. “The last time Marlena thought that someone had taken one person she loved away, she injected him with a toxic combination of drugs that left him a living corpse for all intents and purposes.” He smiled. “How did that work out for you? Any lingering side effects?” *~*~*~*~* “Baby, lets go for a walk. I’ll buy you a coffee and some fresh air.” He leaned down to kiss the top of her hair, but she shook her head. “What if he wakes up and we’re not here?” Roman spoke from his spot by the window. “I have my cell, I’ll text you the moment he does.” John rubbed her shoulders and kept his eyes on her. “This reminds me of a lifetime ago. A tow headed stubborn pain in my side comatose and refusing to wake up. Every night I’d sit by her bedside and tell her of what she missed and that I loved her.” Marlena blushed and John continued. “Every day I would do the same until it actually took Abraham to tell me that she wouldn’t want that for me. That she knew me better than anyone and knew she would want me to live my life and make her proud of me.”
“And what happened?” Roman asked. John straightened and pointed at the person in the chair, who shook her head. “She woke up after I was very tired and frustrated and let her have it with both barrels.” He smiled. “Long story short. Eric’s part her. He’ll fight with all he has and then some. But we can’t sit here 24-7 and get sick ourselves. We can pace each other if we have to.” *~*~*~*~* “Here’s the deal, you’re going to help me bring down Salem once and for all. You’re going to help me end John, Marlena and the rest of the sanctimonious do gooders.” “Or what?” “I tell them what you helped me do to her.” Stefano grinned. “They know I’ve never laid a hand on her. The same alas cannot be said for either of you. He’s dead, can’t defend himself against the accusations and John can’t fight a ghost. But you … as I said … I can tell them what you’ve done and maybe get a little breathing space off of me from them.”
~*~*~*~*~ Abby was swaying side to side with a drowsy Thomas as she kept one eye on her husband. “The plane is on time. Relax will you, it’s not like she’s never seen your ugly mug before.” “That’s not what you called it last night.” Chad replied and checked his watch once more. “However it is the first time she’ll have met her sister in law and her new nephew.” “So apparently then face time will not have counted.” The voice behind him made Abby grin and Chad’s blue eyes grow huge. “You’re finally here!” He turned and engulfed her in a hug, nearly knocking off the glasses from her face. “Okay .. can’t breathe .. let go.” Chad burst out laughing. “Not on your life. It’s not every day that I get to introduce my twin to her nephew …” “And wife, yes I heard.” She slipped the glasses off and smiled. “Hi I’m Evan, it’s finally nice to meet you.” Abby grinned right back. “He really has no idea does he?” As they walked out, Evan admiring her nephew, the girls burst out laughing at Chad trying to keep up.
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jarlenadreams · 7 years
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Writing Prompt: Two Famous Parents
“Hey Doc?” John came around the corner and froze at the sight of his wife with her hand to her mouth as she stood just out of sight of the living room. He was about to ask what was wrong when she gestured for him to be quiet and he heard Claire mid rant to her mother.
Moving quickly upon seeing his wife inching closer to hysterics, he had her back in their room.
“What’s so funny?”
“Claire wants to move. She only now gets how famous her parents are here.” Marlena burst out with the surpressed giggles which had John confused.
“If she wants to move because of Belle and Shawn? Can’t wait to see what her idea will be when she learns about you and I honey.”
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jarlenadreams · 7 years
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Whispering Winds: Chapter Two
Author note: italics are flashbacks
Winter 1986 “You may be wondering why it is that you’re here.” Orpheus stood behind the chair, regarding its occupant with disdain. “I don’t actually care what you think my dear Marlena. I however am going to tell you that you’re here only because I wish it to be this way.” Her eyes flashed fire as she tested her restraints and glared at him. “Oh is that supposed to make me tremble? It didn’t scare me in Stockholm, it won’t do you any good here.” He leaned forward and studied her with the eyes of a scientist examining a new specimen. “He’s not going to find you so we’ll make that clear straight off. However you have a role to play .. you’re going to be my children’s mother.” He shrugged and straightened up. “And if you fail in that as you’ve failed in the last three tries you’ve made to get off this island, well lets just say I’ve got three incentives back in Salem to make sure my rules get across that clever brain of yours. I’ll save *him* for your final attempt.” As he left her sitting in the dark, she tried hard to focus her breathing and calm down. He had no way of knowing how she fought hard every night against her childhood traumas. Of how Roman kept her sane when they got too much. “Oh Roman, please find me… get me out of here.” She prayed silently, her mantra of late.
There were times when Serena could remember her. The blonde woman who haunted her dreams when anyone would ask of what her childhood had been like. Her hazel eyes were always kind as she would cuddle them at night when their nightmares woke them screaming. She’d laugh with them over small childish jokes and just unlike their father … would *listen* She hadn’t thought of her in years, not since their Aunt Olivia had taken them away from the island and refused to talk of that time whenever she and her brother would ask of the woman or of their father. “He got what he deserved.” Was all that Olivia would mention of her ex-brother in law. Serena grew up the spitting image of her mother, except for her hair. Which was the only clue that the woman raising her was related to them. When she was 21, she came into her inheritance and she decided to follow her talent of photography and journalism into a career that allowed her to travel. But it was also the year that she learnt that Aunt Olivia, despite her best efforts hadn’t run them far enough. Olivia had died in a car crash two days after Serena’s birthday and once her brother had heard the will and what was his, Serena was left alone and defenseless. It had started with the sense of someone following her, then to calls that would drop. Friends telling her that she had a secret admirer. To which she would reply that she’d rather he’d reveal himself and become an *un* secret one because it was getting on her nerves. No matter where she’d go, he’d follow … just enough to let her know he was there. A benevolent force that had an ex start referring to her as Christine as in the Phantom of the Opera because nobody was too close for too long.
Until the ISA Agent came along and then the calls started again. She tried to ignore them, then came the emails, she’d delete them and she’d fought her urge to tell him of what was going on. That inner voice would tell her not to.. that maybe Eric would run away. But with each day, the doubts would fade just a little because the agent wouldn’t run. He was with her, so much so that he wanted her to come to Salem. That he introduced her to his older sister and wanted her to finally meet his mother and step-father. Serena was always finding excuses until the day at Carrie and Austin’s. When she saw the photograph taken just before the couple had left Salem the last time. It was of them of course. But on either side of the other couple was a dark haired man, who Carrie explained was their step-father John Black. Serena of course nodded. “And this is my step-mother Marlena, Eric’s mom.” Carrie replied, her fingers resting over the image of the beautiful woman who raised her as her own. Unaware of the reaction the image had on the other woman, Carrie continued to talk about Marlena, each word confirming that need in Serena to go with Eric to Salem. *~*~*~*~* Kimberly Brady Donovan came strolling up to stand beside the man who she once thought was her biological brother and smiled as she saw who had his undivided attention, the blonde who was on the dance floor with Brady, her unmistakable laugh sailing over the music. “Somethings never change.” She raised an eyebrow as he blinked and grinned once he recognized the voice. “Well hello there.”
Kimberly pffthed. “You’re losing your touch. That took five seconds longer than the last time we were together like this.” They hugged and turned the attention back to Marlena.
Any more developments that I should know about going into this now that we’re here?” She asked, watching him closely. It was one of the family’s more well known secrets that if you wanted to know the status of the Blacks relationship, watch the body language. Words could lie, but between those two … it was all about what wasn’t spoken. His eyebrow went up and she held up her hand. “It stays between us. I just don’t want to go into her session unprepared here John. She’s only told me so much and its so fragmented.” “It’s fragmented because I don’t think to be honest, she’s even got a clue of what it all means."
“You should have seen her.” They both turned around to see Paul come up to them. “Dad, her reaction when he started to talk to her.” He explained what he had seen, originally choosing not to say something because he thought perhaps he was seeing things under the influence of the medication he was given. “What changed your mind son?” He looked at his father and shook his head. “Her free hand. She had never let go of the gun once but the hand she was using to check on me. Well it was like a claw or a fist. In all the brief time I’ve known her. I’ve never seen her like that. She was petrified.” *~*~*~*~*~* Brady was just putting Marlena back on her feet when she felt a hand on her shoulder, she was about to say for John to wait his turn when she heard one of her heart’s voices call out. “Brother mine, you’ve had this dance. Now it’s my turn.”
She turned around and as she drank in her son, her smile was reflected in Eric’s own. “Hi Mama.” Anything further he was about to say faded as his face blanked out and he crumpled to the floor.
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jarlenadreams · 7 years
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Writing Prompt: Colorful
In all the years of marriage and of him knowing the woman who was sitting cross legged on the bed, John had never heard her laugh this hard before.
“Doc, are you alright?”
That sent her off worse, earning an eyebrow raise from the man who was now reconsidering taking back his proposal.
“Do you want to .. to .. try this again?” She asked, gasping for air. “Did you or did you not fall asleep while watching Ari?”
“No I did not.”
Without missing a beat, Marlena handed him the mirror.
“You’ve never looked so colorful m’love.”
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jarlenadreams · 7 years
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Whispering Winds: Chapter One
Eric checked his watch once more before turning back around to check the list of flights before he moved to the window. After a few moments of watching the plane, he then chose to sit down in the bank of seats after noticing he had about an hour more to go before he could board. Finding a socket that he could plug into as he surfed the internet to kill time, he set up his laptop and scrolled through his list of contacts before finding who he wanted and began to type his email. Subject: Vacation!! Yes, this means what you think it means…. You, you lucky people get the blessing of my arrival home in 24 hours, 26 if my flight is delayed. I am tired of backpacking through Europe and being the roving photojournalist and am really looking forward to Gram’s chowder. (yes Gram, that’s a hint I’ve not eaten properly in months and no Mom, I don’t need a check up) I need to find a place to bunk so I’ll leave that to you guys to decide to fight to the death over who gets to keep me and in the famous phrase out of Allie’s book she’s reading … may the odds be ever in your favor (see, I did listen little niece when you facetimed me) Love ya’s Eric. He spell-checked it twice to humor that little voice in his head that sounded suspiciously like Dr. Marlena Evans, known more informally as his mother before hitting send. He only had screwed up once but it was enough to not forget his mother was a stickler about certain things. Closing down the email browser, he chuckled at the image on his desktop, a photo of his girlfriend and himself, his arms wrapped around her as they both grinned at his sister Carrie, who had sworn she would keep his girlfriend a surprise until he was able to get home to Salem and tell their mother when they were all together. “It’s not that she wouldn’t understand Carrie.” He replied as he sat across from her and Austin at the café in Paris. “Because Mom has the biggest heart of any one that I know. But rather…” “It’s the fact that she’s a bit out of your league?” He nodded. “Exactly.” Eric looked at it once more, smiled at the redhead in the photo and shut it. Not paying attention as he packed the laptop back into the bag at the figure approaching him, who seemed to bang into him accidentally. The other man’s hand coming to shake his in apology but looking horrified as his ring nicked the inside of Eric’s finger. “At least let me get you a coffee or something to eat as an apology?” He grinned and shook his head. “I’m good. Accidents happen all the time. Have a good day.” Orpheus nodded, a faint grin on his face as he walked away from the younger man and continued on to his flight, pausing only to remove the ring from his finger, the toxin on the tiny needle more than having done its job. Hearing the ping of his smart phone, he withdrew it from the outer pocket of his leather jacket and read the message, a frown appearing as he took the significance of the message in. “You’ve always been a coward. Leaving me to see this through….” *~*~*~*~*
Hey pretty lady?” John’s hand fell away as he came in the doorway of Marlena’s office and he caught her lost in thought, her fingers idly resting against the metal blinds that were opened to allow the sun in. “Doc?” Getting no response from her, he came in and called her name once more before coming around the desk and lightly touching her shoulder. She didn’t turn around, that lovely smile that was just for him on her face at the moment of recognizing him as she always did when she came out of her thoughts. But rather, this time her whole demeanour was different. “I know him … “ She stopped, correcting herself with a shake of her blonde head. “knew him.” Thinking that someone they knew had passed away, John asked quietly who she meant. He had no clue at all what was going to come out of her mouth next, or how it was going to take his breath away. “Knew who Doc?” “Your father… I’ve met him before. But the thing is John …” She finally did turn around and he could see the unshed tears in her eyes before her hands made the futile swipe to keep them at bay. “I don’t know how.” He blinked and wrapped his arms around her out of instinct. “I … I think I need your help John.” *~*~*~*~* Arriving home at the townhouse, John allowed her to go past him, watching her drop her computer and work bags beside the desk as she headed to change out of her work clothes before going to the couch himself and grabbing the cordless phone and making a call. “Hey it’s me. Do you have a minute?” Steven Johnson, known to the world at large as Patch, merely shook his head with a grin. “When don’t I have a moment? Kayla’s doing a late shift at work and hell if I know where my son is.” “Probably with his cousins.” John replied. “Yeah probably.” He chuckled. “But something tells me that Joey isn’t the reason for the call. What’s up?” John grinned. “No, as much as I like the kid, he isn’t but I need my partner to answer a question before I bother to call the Governor.” “You’re afraid to deal with Kim?” “Time differences don’t make for a happy Kim when I wake her up to get him.” John agreed. “You should know best of all what it’s like to wake up a Brady before they’re good and bloody ready, People have died for less mistakes.” They both laughed and Steve nudged him again about what he needed him to do. “When you and Rafe oversaw the clean up of the hideout … did the Salem PD happen to leave a clean up list of what was taken out?” Patch paused. “Anything specific?” “Like a laptop or a hard drive? Steve stopped what it was that he was fidgeting with, a look of concern on his face as he listened intently at what wasn’t been said out loud, once an ISA agent … *always* an ISA agent. “What’s brought that on man?” John glanced at the doorway leading off the living room to see if she was there, taking a moment to try and collect his thoughts on best how to answer that loaded question. Steve went to the obvious person for what he thought was John’s concern. “Is it Paul, is he still showing effects?” Closing his eyes a moment, John’s eyebrow rose as he exhaled slowly. His hand went to pinch the small of his nose and glanced again to make sure his love wasn’t in earshot as he brought his partner into the loop. “No it’s … it’s not Paul.” John answered. “It’s Doc.”
Marlena was taking off her jewelry and putting it away in the pretty inlaid box that John had gotten her from their last trip to Italy when she spotted that god forsaken medallion peeping out from under her pretty baubles. Reaching for it, she remembered a conversation that she and John had had in the clinic on San Christobal about being led to something .. shivering at that thought, she put the coin down and checked the clock on John’s side of the bed. Doing a quick mental count, she reached for her laptop and earphones. Hoping that she would catch her in. John wasn’t the only member of the family hesitant to call Kimmy when she was overseas. *~*~*~*~*~* John came to bed and found Marlena sitting cross legged in the middle of the bed, her earphones dangling around her neck, laptop on her lap and her scribbling furiously on the note pad beside her. “What’s all this?” He asked quizzically as he took in the familiar sight of his beloved wife hard at it after a consult with Kimberly. Coming around the side of the bed, he propped himself on his pillows and watched the scholar at work. “Do you remember when I came home all those years ago?” She asked, never breaking her train of thought as she continued to scribble. John’s hand shot out to still the pen. “Doc?” “I’m serious here. Do you remember when I came home. We were in your office and I offered to help you in investigating how I got home and we started at the beginning with how you were so sure I was allowed to go on my merry way?” John nodded, it was still a sore spot in his heart about how things had gone. How the primitive side of him wanted to keep her with him, but the logical side … well it led them apart and back together again so many times since. “John, I don’t know how … and I don’t know why … but I’m getting really convinced that your father was one of the people who held me.” He looked at his bandaged hands and then back at her. “What brought that on?" The fact she was able to repeat exactly what he had said to her in a language that John knew she didn’t and couldn’t speak before hand, was proof enough as he reached out and took her tiny hand in his own. “John, I think we need help… *I* need help.” John brought her hand to his lips, feeling a little more worried with each passing heartbeat that he was starting to think he could hear in his ears. “I shouldn’t have let him bite that pill."
~*~*~*~*~* The hit should have been so easy, in and out. Lord only knew the number of times he had undertaken one of these over the years, but only in hind sight was Eduardo Hernandez able to say that the target had thrown him off and he had to think fast on his feet. His gun was drawn, he was right on top of the target and yet the man in front of him was *not* the target, but he knew him very well. Winterthorne’s motto was not death before disloyalty for nothing. “Failure is not an option and yet here I am in front of one of the only two who failed me as a brother.”
Orpheus merely smirked up at him. It had been surprisingly easy to get into Salem. Under the very radar of the two men who destroyed his world all those years ago. With a well-placed bribe here and there to various people including the target of Hernandez’s rage upon his arrival, he replaced the other man and it was all it took. They started fighting in the back, Orpheus’s weight was enough to throw Ed’s aim off target, taking out the driver and knocking everyone else out. Orpheus soon had his arm across his enemy’s throat as he smirked, the emotion not reaching his eyes as he tilted his head. “Death before disloyalty… I wonder why you’ve never lived up to that yet. Lord only knows how you’ve managed to mess this up. But you won’t tell anyone. Because this will all fall on you.” He cocked the gun and fired ...
~*~*~*~* “I’m not feverish, I’m fine but I’m telling you that yes I think I need you to call in favors.” And that was exactly how John knew she was scared senseless. They had been at loggerheads over his involvement with the ISA over the past few weeks. Now she was willing for him to do this? Marlena batted her hands at him to get him to stop the conversation and moved to go put her laptop away as she heard the cell phone on John’s side go off. “I think that’s for you Sailor.” “Don’t think that this is over.” John muttered. “You can speak a language that I’ve never heard you speak in all these years. We are going to figure this out.” He hit select and went out of the room. Marlena turned back around as he shook his head with a smile. “That was Brady.” Their boy was always a sore spot within her man’s heart. So many mistakes and yet they were trying to rebuild their relationship. If not for Brady himself, but for the tiny infant who stole his grandfather’s heart. “And?” She came to him and smiled back at him. “What did the prodigal son of ours have to say JB?” “I’m going to be his best man.” Marlena burst out laughing at his reaction, thinking he was joking, but soon grew serious. “You do realize you’re going to have to stand beside him as he says his vows to her right? Can you do that for him?” John shrugged slightly. “If I want to see my son and his boy .. I may not like Theresa Donovan, but I can be fair. She has grown up around them. Our grandson is good for her.” “And you can put what she did in the past? Because I look at her and sometimes I think I can’t. We lost so much time because of her actions.” He smiled, cupping her face in his hands before he leaned in and kissed her slowly but very oh so very thoroughly. Studying her dazed expression, John grinned. “But we’re making up for that and more. I can move past. But I have not forgotten.” This time the phone that rang was hers and John turned her around with a laugh and a smack to her shapely ass as he pushed her forward. “Go answer that, I need to get changed, we’re going to TBD to their par..par..” “Engagement Party.” Marlena merrily replied to his groan of disgust and answered the phone. *~*~*~*~* Brady hugged his brother and stepped back. "You owe me." Eric grinned. "So I can chalk this up to jet lag. Time zones are a bitch." "Well we're glad to share our night with you cousin." Theresa smiled sweetly, surprising both men before flouncing off to find her friend Anne. Eric looked dazed and pointed at her. "Who is that again?" "Motherhood." Brady offered lamely. "Or the incredibly shiny ring on her hand." The boys burst out laughing until Brady noticed Eric wasn't looking right. "Are you alright?" He nodded. "Must have just been a bug I picked up on the flight." "Where's the lady you were bringing with you?" Eric rolled his eyes. "Who *didn't* Carrie tell?" "Our mother." Brady grinned cheerfully. Eric blinked and went behind the bar to get a bottle of water. "The redhead over there. Her name is Serena... Serena Mason."
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jarlenadreams · 7 years
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Whispering Winds Prologue
Author note: inspired by the Orpheus return and Marlena’s missing years.
That voice...
Marlena had been attending to an unconscious Paul and froze in place as she listened to the old man taunt her husband, why in the hell did it sound familiar ..
“So this is your wife?” He crept up closer on them. “The beautiful Doctor, you should be very proud … she risked her life to save yours.”
She tried to focus on her step son, but noticed her hands were shaking and she turned back to the other men, her hazel eyes narrowing as she tried to place the voice. Being a psychiatrist, she was good with names and faces, but this one … she was drawing a blank and like her husband … like John, she hated blanks.
“Who are you?” she asked, thanking fate that while her hands now in fists were unseen by everyone, especially John who knew the tell mannerism that she was scared, the fear didn’t carry to her voice.
“He’s my father.” She nearly gave herself whiplash as she turned to her husband, a look of absolute confusion on her delicate features as she shot back a comment of “What?"
At her confusion Yo Ling merely smirked, his expression a mockery of his son’s famous mannerism as he raised an eyebrow at her question.
He bowed merrily at her and muttered something softly to her under his breath in Chinese, watching her reaction closely before smiling once more. “I didn’t think you’d remember Doc..” John growled a warning shot at the other man and he finished his sentence. “ Doctor and you’ll remember only when it’s too late.”
Protective as always of her, John went for his father and they began to spar verbally, Steve and Rafe started moving, guns drawn on the other men, to cover the two Blacks on the ground.
Marlena was having flashes, oblivious to everything as Steve, Rafe and John went for the man who had terrorized their families. Memories of the plane going down, the clinic were like fireworks behind her closed eyes as a worried Paul reached out to lay a hand on her arm.
The memory of her screaming at something unseen all but faded away as she heard the old man taunt John about going out on his own terms. Her hazel eyes widened as she looked up hearing him repeat that there was always a choice and she screamed “He’s got a poisoned capsule!”
The others watched helplessly as John sank to the ground, cradling the man who gave him life, muttering repeatedly that he owed him answers.
Paul studied his step-mother and as Steve helped him to his feet, said to the other man. “I don’t think he’s the only one…
*~*~*~*~*~*
John came out of Paul’s room and found that Marlena was nowhere to be seen. He wasn’t worried, after years of being involved with the pretty shrink, he knew that more than likely, she was in her office or doing a quick consult with someone.
He was walking towards the nursing station when Maxine spotted him and chuckled at the unspoken question she had seen many times in the dark blue eyes coming towards her. “She wasn’t feeling well, she’s gone to lie down in her office until you were ready to go home.” John tilted his head in silent thank you as he headed down the hall to find his wayward wife. He knew that he shouldn’t be angry at her for taking the unnecessary risk in his eyes about coming after him. Heaven and Salem knew beyond question that the beautiful blonde was a magnet at times for trouble never failing to find her, but yet ..
Yet there was this nagging fear that had been in the back of his head that started when Yo Ling targeted her because of him that made him beyond furious. Because she *knew* the risks and yet every time without fail, she always followed him into dangers. Because she loved him without question, without fail, without logic of thought.
“I could have lost you Doc.”
John for most if not all of their life together had this doubt in regards to her that he didn’t deserve her or the devotion that their love inspired in her that had kept her nearly always believing in him, even when he didn’t in himself. Rounding the corner, he didn’t knock but rather just went inside and found her fast asleep, her fist pressed against her cheek, the obvious only to him tell that his woman, the brave and virtuous and oh so esteemed psychiatrist was scared out of her lovely mind.
John could still count on one hand the number of times, in all the times they had together or separately been in enough trouble, that she had been absolutely terrified enough to ball her hands up into fists.
Her fist …
As his brows furrowed at the gesture, he knelt down beside her and gently shook her.
“Hey pretty lady, it’s time to go … “ When she didn’t respond, he looked closer and saw the tear streaks.
“Doc, it’s time to go…”
She was oblivious, murmuring in her sleep that she was sorry, she wouldn’t do it again, just please don’t take them .. don’t hurt them because she didn’t know, she would do better.
John paused, listening to her plaintive cries and grew concerned.
Marlena’s missing years were forbidden to talk about, one of the few topics in their life together that she had made absolutely without question crystal clear that she would never ever talk to anyone, including her husband about again. She was adamant that she was fine with not knowing after the mess of finding out John wasn’t Roman Brady while chasing it down the first time and the second time had her nearly dying after following a false lead a few years before that had the Blacks chasing down children that belonged to Roman and Kate. “I’ve seen what chasing ghosts did to you, hell I nearly died myself John. I can’t do it. I want to just be happy with you and our children and grandchildren.”
He saw the determination in her hazel eyes and knew better. She had always been the compass by which he based his choices for the most part. If she wanted it left, then it was to be left. Making a mental note to talk to Rafe and Steve to see if something had happened to her while they were rescuing he and Paul, John drew up a chair and began to wait her out. *~*~*~*~* Shane Donovan was sitting at his desk when there was a knock at his office door. Minimizing the file on his computer screen, he called out to the person on the other side to come in. The younger agent was someone that the head of the ISA had his eye on since the younger man chased his cousins around the Brady Christmas tree when he was 8.
Shane’s instincts were never more right about someone as they were about Eric Brady. Roman’s son, John’s step-son and instincts honed by watching and learning from the best. It was however the expression on his face that had Shane stopping what he was about to say as he studied his nephew, for it was one that was never seen on either man, but rather a well known feature of Eric’s mother, yet another example of the knowledge sources available to the young operative. “Why did you send me into that?” He asked Shane as he handed him the USB stick. “Of all the times to put me in the middle of something that I REALLY didn’t want to be involved in. You know…” Shane held up his hand. “I couldn’t be there and I knew that of all people, you’d be the best person to protect the family’s privacy.” Eric stood at the window, arms behind his back in military stance as he called over his shoulder. “If you knew all this time about this, you could have told her.” “You’ve been around your mother long enough to know that she didn’t want to probe her past further than what she and John had learnt a few years ago. Nearly dying makes things very clear." Eric turned around and came to sit across from his chief. “You sent me into that lunatic’s compound and asked me to hack into his computer. How am I supposed to sit here and tell my mother that it wasn’t Stefano really who had her all that time? That in fact it was a triad of the worst men known to my family who had her?” Shane was about to speak when Eric cut him off. “We both know how John feels about her, he’ll go rogue. You know that. He gets … possessive of her since the whole mess with Stefano and his last attempt of changing him into the Pawn.” “I’m aware of that Eric.” Shane countered. “However, with what you found on his hard drives … they both need to know about what really happened in 1986 after Orpheus took her from Salem." “And his ties to both of my fathers.” Eric added as he gathered up the dossier from his boss and headed out the door. “Guess I’ll see you in Salem soon then. Good luck Uncle Shane.”
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jarlenadreams · 7 years
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Drabble: I remember
I watch her as she paces across the room, her hands in constant motion as if in their small way, expressing what she is unable to say. At least say to me. Since we asked her to help the woman Bo loves, I could see her slipping away from me and yet, while looking me in the eye, she consistently told me that nothing was wrong. Foolishly I believed. I remember a time when I would love to watch her sleeping, contented and sated in my arms, her skin the most delicate of pale pinks, her hair a golden frame for the beauty that was all mine. Now, I dread this time of night, for her screams tear my soul apart. What god had put together, let no man put asunder, yet with one horrible lie, my world is now in shards, that I wish I had enough courage to grab and plunge into my heart to stop it from beating. For I would end it all, to bring back the life into my lady's eyes. I have sworn to her that I would never betray her, promised her that I would never. Safe in the fool's gold that my mind was, but yet I have. By forces that I had denied were possible, I was allowed to be physically and mentally, by a siren call reaching for me from my past. My body answered the call, shattering the sanctity of what my vows to my cherished wife had meant in the tiny gold band. Everything was torn away thanks to Stefano's play toys, while yet the woman who held my life in her hands, worried for me and would have given HER life to keep me safe, did all she could to find me. I shake my head as she has finally fallen asleep, crying for what we had and could have had. Leaning over, I gently graze my lips over her skin, remembering all the times in love and desire that I had done that before. That small gesture sets her off again, unable to let go of the demons that were put in her mind, thanks to the lie like a silken kiss, whispers and rustles in her head. I remember what I had wanted this to all be, that I could make her see that I, or the part of me that loves her completely had never betrayed my lady. Like a nightmare that a child knows is there and can't convince anyone, my other self took control. I hoped that she would understand and could forgive. I forgot just what time and my other mistakes had done to the lady who loved me most. There had been a time when she loved me without hesitation, and I clung to that like a lifeline. She had made me so much more than what I was and felt that I had been, she made life bearable for me. She guided me, helped me and above all, simply just loved me. I remember the pawn, the Cop, the family, the nothingness. I remember falling in love, that first uncertain but perfect night and every night with her since. My Angel, My Love, My Friend. Somewhere along the way, John Black the hunter and assassin became the follower. Not that I mind, for any man would give his life to have someone as quiet, compassionate and wise as my love. No matter what the cost to her, she followed and never judged. She stayed by my side even when I was lost and confused. As we lay in bed one night, quietly listening as our heartbeats mingled and created their own magic, I asked her a question that until that point had danced in my head. Why? She rolled over in my arms and smiled so brightly that I was convinced that she had all the starlight captured in that smile. "For we're soulmates, because I remember and I love you. I will never leave. For the fates have said that we're meant to be in each others lives and to be lying in bed, contentedly in each others arms for a lifetime and nothing less." I remember that and weep for it now. So from having faced the future as equals, we're now at odds. But as the sunrise brings a new day, I sit guard with one tiny but certain thought. Because we're soul mates, Because I remember the joy in her eyes as she came to stand beside me on our wedding day. Because I remember the promises that the man I am now, didn't break. And above all, as I watch her finally surrender to the peace of sleep, the most important of all. Because I love her and I remember.
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jarlenadreams · 7 years
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Montage: God Help The Outcasts
Author Note: Song is by Bette Midler
I don't know if you can hear me, Or if you're even there. I don't know if you will listen to a humble prayer. You once listened to me, or so I believed when I thought I was protected by your grace. When to me as the saying goes, ignorance truly had been my bliss, my shield and salvation. Before the demons that whispered insidiously inside my brain took control over me and made me weak. They tell me I am just an outcast. I shouldn't speak to you. Still, I see your face and wonder, Were you once an outcast, too? I once had everything, now sitting here in St. Luke’s with nothing. All I wanted was to protect my family from what I had done while out of control, yet they all now hate me and look at me with such disgust that I want to fall to my knees and rip out my eyes, to forever block out the sight. God help the outcasts, Hungry from birth. Show them the mercy They don't find on Earth. I can still remember the wonder I felt when I had “learnt” that I was one of your chosen. The mysticism and grace. For once I felt that I belonged and outside of losing Marlena, the truth that I wasn’t yours hurt me most. The lost and forgotten, They look to you still. God help the outcasts, Or nobody will. I wonder if that was what drew Stefano to me. The belief that I was an outcast, no family, no name. I’ll never ask him. Never will give him the satisfaction of hearing me ask him why me. I ask for nothing, I can get by, But I know so many Less lucky than I. They never had the family, the memories and love that I did. While I was Roman and then as I was John. But the security blanket being taken away as quickly as it was, means that my fall from grace hurt more. God help the outcasts, The poor and downtrod. I thought we all were The children of God. I will try to make up for what I have done. Hoping that in time, Marlena will see me. She has allowed me though to see the children. As I said to Kristen once, the one thing Marlena would never deny me is seeing our children. She’s not tried to taint their hearts and minds against me. I don't know if there's a reason Why some are blessed, some not. Why the few you seem to favor, They fear us, flee us, Try not to see us. I keep waiting for someone to tell me to get out of here, that I was not worthy to be in your house. But if not allowed here, where else can I find some state of mind that is not cloudy and full of pain? God help the outcasts, The tattered, the torn. Seeking an answer to why they were born. Winds of misfortune Have blown them about. You made the outcasts, Don’t cast them out. The poor and unlucky, The weak and the odd. I thought we all were The children of God.
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jarlenadreams · 7 years
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Montage: Eyes of Mercy
Author note: lyrics are by Blue October
John walked into their bedroom and found Marlena curled up on the sofa, fast asleep. His heart breaking, he knelt down and brushed her hair off her face. Hush, close your eyes And I'll keep you safe "Seems like I'm forever saying sorry. But I never meant for this to happen." He searched her face, now unlined from the anger and the fear of the past few hours. Allow you to weep And sing you to sleep Covering her up, he checked the time on his watch and went to look out the window. As the rain pattered against the glass, he remembered another time when love healed a broken heart. HIS broken heart. Don't be afraid Remember I'm here She was always with him. A smile came over his face as he remembered caressing her cheek in front of a fire, answering how did he know by saying that very sentence. He moved away from the window and looked at her sleeping. Marlena was true grace in that she never pushed, only wanting the best for him. The noise in the street Will soon disappear There was something indescribable about the magic she wielded when it came to him. He chuckled as a line from a novel of Marlena's came to mind. That she truly was the better part of him. Filling out the man, polishing him as the wave over time does to the roughest stone. When the soft face of mercy Is lost behind a veil Marlena rolled over as the door closed and opened her eyes. Sitting up, she dried her eyes.
Lately the two of them became agile performers in the art of pretending. John pretending that their life and love were as before. Marlena, pretending that she didn't want to harm Hope and that the dreams of forever were still intact. I will stay with eyes open Stay here with eyes open To watch over you And take away the sadness and the fear She had left town for a few days after the revelations of just what truly had gone on, coming home only to make an announcement of her own. That while they were in the middle of the worst crisis to hit the family, there was a tiny miracle to hold on to. Hide in my arms And dream golden dreams John smiled at the memory of Marlena's announcing that sometime in July, exactly one year from their wedding, they'd have a miracle baby. Marlena smiled as she laid her hand on her stomach, the only thing she had to focus on outside of the other children. Forgetting the world Of men and machines "All children deserve to have a loving family." His voice shattered the peace she had as it came up behind her. "Doc, please let us be that for our baby." She turned around and saw him standing in the doorway, watching her with haunted eyes. When the soft eyes of mercy Are blinded by the dark She shook her head. "I can't deny you this. I know how much it hurt you when you missed Belle. But John, I can't give you all you're wanting. I can't be with you without wondering and this is NOT the situation that I need to have to deal with while I'm pregnant. So we're going to have to take it one step at a time." I will stay with eyes open Stay here with eyes open He nodded. "Okay, sounds fair." She blinked. "That was too easy." To watch over you And take away the sadness and the fear They both smiled, wondering over how things could have strayed so far and yet with smiles feel so much the same as they had ever been.
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jarlenadreams · 7 years
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Ends and Begins Again
Author note: came up with during the Orpheus storyline
John and Steve kept pace banging and yelling, trying from the outside to distract him from her, as if it could have distracted a bull from the red cape in front of it.
He had waited a long time for this moment, staring her down over the edge of a gun. Drugs couldnt have given him a better high than this.
"I should have killed you."
"You should have done a lot of things." She murmured, head down as she tried to get her breath back from hitting the desk harder than she realized.
“But yet again, you messed up, you *always* mess up and everyone else pays."
She straightened up, the cut lip forgotten as she glanced sideways, listening to the drumming before looking back at him. "You make terrible decisions and everyone else pays, the children who hate you now ... my family hate you for all of this ... when will you stop this game?"
He studied her a moment, a faint smirk on his features as he shrugged. "You really are the biggest hypocrite. You brought it all down on Salem. You never played the game I started all those years ago." He cocked the gun and shrugged. "But it ends tonight. Tell me Marlena, did you ever tell him about the life for a life decision you made on the island?"
She stayed against the bulletin board. "I dont know what you're talking about."
"Of course, Saint Marlena ... I forgot amnesia is the standard answer for your time away. The reason why *my* children hate me so much. Any bells ringing?"
"You told them a lie and when you fell, you told them another... problem is, it wasn't mine."
Before she could react, he was in her bag and downing that sedative as if it was mother's milk, her fear .. so close to the surface finally overwhelming her as he died at her feet, muttering about not giving them the satisfaction or truth as John came bursting in, his eyes widening at her lip and how she was holding her arm over her chest.
"A life for a life ..." John gathered her up carefully as if she was china, then stroked her hair before asking her what she had said under her breath. "He said a life for a life ... John, what if it was true... what if I was the reason for all of this?"
"Baby, he's just a mad man." Steve corrected him. "Was"
Marlena let them lead her from him but something inside her, deeply hidden since Stefano died came back to life... that niggling fear that maybe, just maybe she'd have to do something unthinkable again.
The Phoenix was dead ... but from the ashes something far more evil was awakened.
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jarlenadreams · 7 years
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Writing Prompt: Perfection
“You have to sleep sometime.”
John broke out with a soft chuckle as he kept his eyes on his tiny charge. He smelt the baby’s mother come in the nursery and saw her hand come into view to stroke the baby’s soft cheek.
“Wasn’t it you that told me that I wouldn’t sleep for the next oh 20 something years?”
Marlena chuckled, resting her cheek on the hand on the arm of the rocking chair. “I believe I was referring to the twins and I’m pretty sure I wasn’t off on the timeframe.”
They watched their tiny daughter completely out for the count in her daddy’s arms for what seemed like forever before John looked at her and whispered something that Marlena couldn’t quite hear, whispering back “What did you say?”
He brought up his hand and laid it against her cheek. “I said thank you for giving me a little piece of perfection.”
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jarlenadreams · 7 years
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Writing Prompt: Heart Song
It had been several hours since Dan had told him that despite the bump to her head and the lacerations around her neck, she was going to be fine.
She was asleep and John as always was standing sentry over her. He had called Belle and the boys to tell them of what had happened and left a message for Sami. The room was dark and the nurses just outside the door along with Marlena’s monitors were a subtle white noise for the international spy’s train of thought.
He held onto her hand and watched how his thumb ghosted over her skin for a few moments before speaking.
“I used to talk to god at moments like this, When I needed peace and calm. But I came to a realization Doc, that I already had that place but I broke it. I lost the key the moment I lost you. Doc, you are my world, the reason I can go and do what I do. You’re my heart song. No matter where we go and what we do together and apart, I just have to close my eyes and listen to you so I can find my way home.”
He brought her hand to his lips. “I’m in love with you and I always will be.”
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