John and Marlena (Finally) Get a Q!

Chapter 71 - The Question

Her cat-like eyes flashed as she pulled him aside.

"Just be quiet and listen," she hissed. "There is a group of us that are willing to help you. But you have to play the role."

"I don't understand...." Q appeared confused.

"We don't agree with the Continuum's insistence that you mend this 'so-called' ruptured time-line." She smiled a sly and flirty smile. "There are those among the Continuum that admire you Q, your willingness to stand up for what you believe in. We want to help you; we do not want to see your efforts lost." Her face took on a serious cast. "There is only so much we can do, but we believe if you can get back to Earth, we can shield your true intentions. If you are willing to leave, we can hide you, and the woman if you choose, wherever you wish to go."

"Why?" Q looked at the woman with curiosity. "Why would you do this for me?"

"Because we like you Q," she smiled, showing a row of beautifully white teeth. "You've piqued our interest, and that's not so easy to do. And besides," her look became personal, "I can't believe *anybody* deserves to be stuck with this John Black person."

Q looked mildly surprised at that comment, but his attention was captured by more important matters.

"What if I say that I only want to return to do what the Continuum asks of me?" his manner was uneasy.

"That is your decision of course." She shrugged her slim shoulders. "But we will not be able to help you if you fail again. Do you really think you will be able to keep away from *her*?" She looked disbelieving. When Q did not answer, she smiled maliciously. "I thought not."

"If I agree," Q said suddenly, eyeing the group of Qs that stood to the side of them, talking amongst themselves. "If I agree, what would I have to do?"

"Be convincing," her lilting voice was oddly calming. "You want to go back because you realize you have a task to do. Make them believe you, we will do the rest."

Q looked at her for a moment. She reminded him of a lioness, beautiful but deceptively dangerous. He wasn't sure if he could trust her, but he guessed that at this moment, he had no choice. As he turned to agree, a ripple passed through the Continuum. It was a ripple of energy, of light and sound, and of knowledge. Suddenly, he felt like an outsider in his own home. Except that it wasn't his home anymore. Not if he made the decision she was asking him to make.

She looked at him, a smirk on her face.

"We may not have too much convincing to do," she flipped the short blonde bob with a shake of her head. "Your answer?" Q silently nodded his head. He would give up anything to get back to Marlena.

******

Marlena counted the rickety steps down to the pier as she trod them. Shivering, she looked out over the murky water, wrapping her arms around her to ward off the chill. The water lapped at the old wooden piles, a comfortingly familiar sound. It was a sound and a place that evoked old memories, memories with Roman, and John, and with Eugene. Even with Don.

Too many memories. She had too much of her past tied up with this place. So many good things had happened, but so many bad things too. Sometimes she just wondered if it would be best to leave Salem, to go somewhere new and start again. Somewhere where she wasn't haunted by the memories and the mistakes she had made.

"Marlena?" a familiar voice made her turn.

"Oh Abe, hi." She managed a small smile. "How are you?"

"I could ask you the same thing." His gaze was piercing and she turned away.