John and Marlena (Finally) Get a Q!

Chapter 72 - Peril

John climbed the steps to the roof of the loft and closed the door behind him. Then silently, he sat down, watching the clouds scudder restlessly across the spring sky. He ran his fingers through his cropped black hair and sighed. This was all he needed, after the stress of moving Kristen into the loft and keeping the truth from Marlena. All he needed was her accusing him of giving up.

"I wasn't the one that gave up this time Doc," he said quietly, his eyes reddening. She really thought that little of him? Thought he'd take Kristen back just because he thought he couldn't have her? Obviously, that *was* what she thought. It just showed how little she knew him.

About as little as he knew her, he supposed. He didn't understand her anymore. One moment she was playing coy, pretending not to understand and the next she was trying to blame him.

Her biting words rang in his ears. It's really none of your business what I do in my bedroom anymore, *is* it? You rather gave that right away when you took Kristen back into your life. He scratched his beard in vexation. Something about that wasn't quite right. Something was out of place, but his mind was too chaotic and exhausted to be able to pick it up.

"John?" Kristen's voice roused him from his contemplation.

"What?" his voice was short and snippy.

"What are you doing out here baby, you'll catch your death of cold," she came towards him from the doorway, her posture denoting her concern.

"I'm fine," John shrugged her hand off his shoulder in irritation and stood up.

"You don't *look* fine," Kristen raised her eyebrows. "Has something happened John?"

"No," John shook his head, avoiding her eyes. "But I have to go out. I'll be back later."

He didn't even acknowledge her as he left, and Kristen fumed as she watched him go. Whatever it was, she would lay money on the fact that it had to do with Marlena. Still, she considered with a smile, his foul mood could only mean that whatever it was, it would probably end up working in her favor once John had gotten over his fit of pique. She was glad that Peter had warned her about the confrontation between Mike and John at the hospital. It was his impression that whatever was going on had involved Marlena and he had warned her to be vigilant.

She had taken the information to heart and had decided to 'remind' John from time to time that he really couldn't have Marlena anymore. And it had seemed her mention of Marlena and Eugene this morning had produced the desired effect. She was going to have to work to keep John's attention on her and away from Marlena, but she knew she could do it. With a satisfied smile, she rubbed her protruding belly.

"We've got your dad just where we want him, haven't we baby."

With a satisfied smile, she made her way back down the stairs.

******

"It's all right," Eugene drew Marlena into his arms, her finding tears and her guilt unbearable. She looked up at him, her eyes red and contrite.

"No Eugene, it's *not* all right." She shook her head emphatically. "It's not all right at all." She began to cry again. "I'm so sorry, I never meant to hurt you."

"I know that." Strands of her hair were sticking to the moisture on her cheek, and he pushed them away gently with his fingers.

"We could," she searched his face desperately, "maybe you could stay here, they.... they wouldn't have to know."

"They'd know," he said gently as he took her hand. "Besides," his eyes held a sheen of sadness as he spoke again. "I can't lie to you Marlena; I do love you. But," he shrugged painfully, "*you* love John, and he's the one you need to be with now."