John and Marlena (Finally) Get a Q!

Chapter 5: ...and serious conseQuenses.

Q followed John into the hospital but stayed at a distance. John located Marlena fairly quickly and inquired as to Belle's condition. She was still waiting for Mike Horton's assessment, and she told him so. He gave her face a quick searching look and then walked away. She debated whether or not to follow him, but it became irrelevant as he walked back to her.

"What did you think you were doing leaving her with him?" He demanded angrily.

"I was only gone for a minute." Marlena defended herself.

"Well, that's all it took."

"It was an accident, John!"

"Tell that to Belle." He picked up a paper cup and squashed it in the palm of his hand. "How could you be so careless, Doc?"

"I wasn't careless." Marlena spat back. "Eugene is a friend and I trusted him. Maybe that trust was misplaced and I'm sorry for that."

"And meanwhile our girl is lying in a hospital bed." He was finding it hard to suppress his anger and worry.

"So I'm a bad mother, is that it?" Marlena's temper was rising to match John's.

"Well perhaps if you spent a bit more time with her-" John wanted to take back the word as soon as he'd blurted them out. He saw the hurt in her eyes. She couldn't trust herself to say anything and swung back to the window, folding her arms across her front. "Look, Doc-" John was interrupted by the sound of the door. They both faced Mike.

"How is she?" Marlena was the first to venture the question.

"We've reduced the pain." He offered. "Look, to be honest, she's got extensive burns right down her left side. The best thing we can do for her now is to send her across to the Burns Unit. They can ascertain the damage and determine a course of action."

"Mike, is she likely to be scarred?" John was tentative, almost as if he didn't want to know the answer.

"I can't say, John." Mike hated this part of his job, especially when they were his friends. "You did a good job getting her under cold water but she is very young and her skin is delicate. The Burns Unit will be able to give you a better idea than I can."

"Can I see her?" Marlena pleaded.

"I've got a couple of things to organize. I'll send in a nurse in a minute." He attempted a smile but seeing the anguish in their faces he left quietly. Marlena dropped heavily onto the couch and buried her face in her hands. John watched her for a moment and then busied himself pouring coffee.

*****

Laura put down the receiver. Everything was arranged. All she had to do now was find him and get him there. She walked out of her office and made her way down to the lounge where Marlena was waiting. She stopped when she saw Q sitting in a chair outside the door. The sooner this was over, the better. She straightened her jacket and curled her lips into a smile that she hoped looked friendly.

"Eugene. I heard what happened. How are you doing?"

He observed her for a moment and then narrowed his eyes. "What do you want Dr. Horton? Have you come to tell me what a bad boy I've been? I wouldn't bother."

"Not at all." His tone infuriated Laura but she had to get him to trust her. "We all make mistakes. Don't be too hard on yourself."

"Look Doctor, I know you mean well but please, I'm quite happy here wallowing in self-pity." He gestured to the door. "I think you'd be more use in there."

"That's not a very constructive way to deal with what you're feeling, Eugene." She was trying to be sympathetic, but it was exceedingly hard. He was obnoxious and arrogant, and she wondered what Marlena saw in him.

He glared at her. "I don't *feel* like being constructive. This is just another proof in point of what a wretched human being I make." He lifted his eyes to the ceiling. "Why don't you just strike me down now?"

"Okay." Laura conceded. "You don't want my help, but I did promise Marlena I'd find you somewhere else to stay. So, I think it would be best if you left them to it and came with me."

Q considered the door. "Would you allow me just a moment to apologize to Mar- to Dr. Evans?" He requested. She nodded as he stood and braced himself mentally. He knocked on the door and entered the room. He cleared his throat and they both turned their attention to him.

"Uh, I just wanted to let you both know how sorry I am." He looked down at his hands. "I know this was my fault and I..."

"Eugene," Marlena interjected in a quiet voice. "It's all right." He looked at her in surprise. Humans could be such disconcerting creatures.

"How is she?"

"She's comfortable.." Marlena faltered and Laura took the opportunity to intercede.

"Eugene." She motioned to the door. He nodded and followed her out.

"So, what's the story with ol' 'Gene there?" John questioned. "What was with that Q thing last night?"

Marlena filled her cheeks and puffed the air out. "He's a little mixed up. He didn't know who he was. He was claiming he had some kind of supernatural power."

John's expression conveyed his amazement. "But he snapped out of it right? I mean you called him Eugene there."

"Well, not entirely." Marlena could be nothing but honest with John. "He remembered that he *used* to be Eugene but he's still convinced he's part of this Q 'continuum' and that he's immortal."

"Oh God, Doc! And you invited him to stay with you?" John said exasperatedly.

Marlena stood; her face flushed with indignation. "He is my friend, and I wasn't about to leave him wandering the streets."

"So, why didn't you put him in a hotel for the night?"

"I made a judgment. And he made a mistake. A mistake John, and you'd crucify him for it." She put her hands on her hips.

"While you'd absolve him of it." John was bitter. She glared at him.

Neither of them heard the door open. Kristen cleared her throat to get their attention. Their faces were stony as they looked at her. It looked as though she wasn't going to have to do anything at all for this to be advantageous to her.

"Shawn called. I came down as soon as I heard." She faced Marlena with what she hoped appeared as compassion. "You must feel awful. Is there anything I can do for you?"

Kristen's presence was the last straw for Marlena. "Yes, there is." She scowled at Kristen. "Get out of here and leave me alone."

******

Laura steered the car up the long drive. She hadn't told Q where they were headed. The likelihood of him agreeing was pretty minimal. They'd hardly talked during the trip out. She glanced over at him and noted that his eyes were still closed. He didn't open them until they pulled up in front of the main steps.

"Where are we?" he asked.

"It's just a place to stay for a few days until everything's calmed down."

He nodded and got out of the car. Looking around him he followed Laura up to the entrance. A nurse greeted them at the door and Laura handed her the paperwork. The nurse motioned to an orderly. "Would you show Mr. Bradford to his room please Harold?" The orderly nodded and took Q by the arm.

"Just a minute." Q pulled his arm away. "What is going on here?"

"I'm sorry Eugene, but it's for your own good." Laura patted him on the arm. "You'll be fine in no time."

"But there's nothing wrong with me." Q's mind was whirring. He looked around again and suddenly he realized. "This is a loony bin. You think I'm crazy." He paused for a moment and then smiled.

"You can't do this. I know you can't." He waved his finger at her. "You need *two* signatures." His grin was triumphant.

"I *do* have two signatures." Laura was quietly regretful. Q's grin was replaced by a look of uncertainty and then a pained expression.

"Marlena?" He asked disbelievingly.