John and Marlena (Finally) Get a Q!

Chapter 70 - Old Demons and New Heartache

John gazed into space, a little disoriented. He had slept maybe an hour of the night before, after trying to convince Kristen, in vain that he should sleep in the spare room. His only relief had been at dawn when he had slipped out of bed and headed downstairs. Now, on his fifth or sixth cup of coffee, he was waiting for Peter to come and pick up Kristen.

He had forgotten, until Kristen told him this morning that they went monthly to lay flowers on the memorial of their mother. Today was that day and as much as John felt guilty for it, he thanked God that he could have a couple of hours of solitude.

Opening the drawer of his desk, he pulled out a carefully hidden picture of Marlena and Belle. Propping the frame up on the desk in front of him, he stared at it. He was so lost in the curve of Marlena's cheek that he didn't hear Kristen come up behind him.

"Whatchya got there, honey?" she poked him teasingly in the ribs, and he almost lost his coffee.

"Kristen!" he felt like he was on the verge of exploding, but he bit back his anger. That wouldn't help now. "It's just an old photo," he muttered quickly.

"Oh," her response was measured as he turned from the photo. "I guess you miss Belle and Brady huh? You know honey, we should have them over to stay for a while." She grinned wickedly. "I'm sure Marlena and Eugene would appreciate the privacy."

"Excuse me?" John's face darkened.

"Well, you know," Kristen pulled on her coat and looped a scarf around her neck as she spoke. "Now that they're *together*, so to speak." She grinned excitedly unable to resist the urge to rub salt in the wound. John needed to realize that he could not, and never would have Marlena. "I saw them at the Penthouse Grill you know. While you were away. Gosh," she crossed her arms in front of her. "They looked *so* happy and in love. I don't think either of them saw anyone else in the whole restaurant. I don't think I've *ever* seen Marlena that contented. You know, I wouldn't be surprised if we hear wedding bells for those two soon."

She sidled up to a stunned John and slipped her arms around his neck.

"I'm so happy for them," she kissed his inert lips, feeling his tension beneath her ungainly body. "I hope they're as happy as we are." She looked at John inquisitively. "Don't you honey?" John's attention snapped back to her.

"Huh?"

"I hope that Marlena and Eugene are as happy as we are. Don't you?" she repeated patiently. John looked at her thoughtfully for a moment, his eyebrows raised.

"Yeah," he nodded his head. "Yeah, I do."

******

It is beyond comprehension. There is neither linear time, nor the physical concept of space. It has no dimensions. It just *is*. There is no possible beginning, no conceivable end, and no boundaries. And within, defying all laws of energy and universal constants, the Q exists, as one and as many that make up the one.

It was here that Q was brought to stand before the rest of the assembled continuum, Q2 at his back.

"Well Q," a Q appeared before him, in human form. Now that Q was possessed of a mortal body, they found they had little choice but to bring proceedings down to his level. "You're back."

"Through no volition of my own," Q said angrily, shrugging Q2's hand from his shoulder.

"You would do well to show a little humility Q," a disembodied voice warned from nearby.

The Q in front of him, an older man with long, white hair pursed his lips as he sank into a chair.

"You have caused us much consternation," he said, his voice gravelly with age. "You made a deal with the continuum Q, and you breached your end of the bargain."