John and Marlena (Finally) Get a Q!

Chapter 9: Restoration

"Mommy?" Marlena's eyes flew open as she heard her beloved daughter's voice. Her eyes dwelt for a moment as she took it all and then she diverted them to Q.

"Nothing to it." His impish grin was back, and she saw him wink at Belle. This evoked a giggle from the toddler which drew Marlena's attention back. What she saw before her was nothing but a miracle. The gauze which had been covering Belle's burns was gone and the skin was pale and smooth. Marlena pulled back the sheet and was rewarded with the sight of Belle's creamy white skin, unbroken and unblemished.

The look of amazement on her mother's face obviously amused Belle because she broke into peals of laughter. Marlena felt herself smile and then affected by the infectious nature of Belle's chuckle; she began to laugh herself. Q, feeling more than a little satisfied with himself, quietly disappeared.

The tears slid easily out of the corner of Marlena's eyes. This time though, they were tears of happiness as she lifted Belle out of the bed onto her lap. Taking a blanket from the bed, she wrapped it around the little girl and held her tightly. It wasn't until she turned around to thank Q that she realized he was gone.

"Thanks, Eugene," she whispered as she breathed in the sweetness of the body she held so close.

When the nurse came to check on Belle, she was amazed and then worried to see Dr. Evans holding the child on her lap, the two of them laughing with each other.

"Ah, Dr. Evans," she ventured, "I'm sure Dr. Brooker told you that Belle should remain in the bed." Marlena turned her head and smiled joyously at the woman.

"Yes he did, but as you can see," she drew back the blanket, "there's no need for Belle to be in the bed any longer." The nurse almost choked and stammered something about a doctor as she rushed from the room. Belle and Marlena looked at each other and began to laugh again.

When Mike arrived with Dr. Brooker, Marlena and Belle were both sitting on the bed. Belle was dressed, thanks to the clothes that had miraculously appeared in the locker. Another thanks for Gene, Marlena had noted when she had found them. The two doctors moved slowly toward the bed; their stunned amazement evident on their faces. Dr. Brooker ran his finger over Belle's rounded cheek.

"It's impossible," he murmured. Mike looked at Belle and then at Marlena. Trying to keep the disbelief from his voice he asked her if she knew what had happened.

"I'm not exactly sure Mike," Marlena answered him truthfully.

"She was like this when you came in?"

"Yes." That was a lie, but she thought they would buy that easier than they would believe the truth. Besides, the truth would only lead to trouble. For them all.

"We will have to run tests...." Dr. Brooker wasn't coping as well as Mike. He looked like he needed to sit down.

"Oh no, you won't." Marlena's voice was strong. "My daughter is fine. She is not going to be anybody's guinea pig. I'm taking her home with me. Now." Mike thought about arguing but seeing the determined look on Marlena's face, he thought again.

"Alright," he nodded. "I'll sign the discharge papers."

******

Laura tapped the pen on the desk pad. There was an ever-growing list of files on her desk, and she had purposely come to work early to get started on them before her first patient. She had, however, sat staring into space for the majority of the time she had been there. She had stopped off to see Belle on her way and it had proved to disturb her concentration no end. Every time she had tried to start on the files she had drifted away, wondering again if there could have been something she could have done to prevent this tragedy. She was saved from the files and from herself by a knock on the door.