John and Marlena (Finally) Get a Q!

Chapter 107 - Nuances

Kristen sat on the sofa with a scowl on her face as she watched Maya cleaning the kitchen counter. G*d, she loathed that woman already. After how many days?

Every time she turned around, she found the nurse's velvety eyes boring into her, detailing her every move as she made it. And Lord forbid she wanted to go out. Apparently, that was a federal crime because at this rate she hadn't been able to get past the door without being waylaid by her erstwhile jailer.

Her lips twisted into a sneer as the raven-haired woman turned her back and rinsed the cloth in the sink. Kristen bet St. Marlena would just *love* Maya. The two had so much in common after all. Neither had a life to speak of and what little they did have was spent trying to make *her* life a misery.

With a martyred sigh, she pulled a plastic bag towards her and pulled out the newest pile of baby clothes that had arrived from one of the numerous catalogue orders she had made. Maybe if she ignored the nurse, the witch would forget she was there and go and pluck her nose hairs or something. One could always hope.

Her itemizing of the clothes was suspended as she heard the soft thud of John's feet as they hit the stairs on the way down. Turning around, she saw him pulling on a t-shirt over his freshly showered torso and her heart jumped as she saw his chest. She just wanted to be able to run her hands over that beautifully defined chest, to have him kiss her like he used to and call her baby.

But right now, he was like a stranger. He hardly even looked her, much less touched her. And he slept in the spare room, saying that it was for the safety of the baby that she needed to sleep well. And so, she slept, alone and unsure. Because if he wanted to be with her, why did his every look, every movement say that he did not want to be anywhere near her?

Marlena Evans, her mind screamed at her like a demented banshee. You know he loves Marlena. He's always loved Marlena. You are only here now because of the baby, because he's afraid of losing it. He couldn't care less if he lost you.

"Hi honey," she said carefully, not allowing the inner mayhem she felt to spill over into her words.

"Hi Kristen," he answered abstractedly as he passed her on his way to the coffee machine.

He had not slept well after making it home and falling into the spare bed. Every time he had closed his eyes, he had been haunted by the visions from his dreams. Visions that reminded him all too succinctly of what he had seen that night. Visions that his mind seemed to embellish of its own accord until he had no choice but to open his eyes in order to banish the demons.

"You were home awfully late last night baby," Kristen had pushed herself off the couch and was moving up behind him. Her words were quiet, but they were barbed with suspicion and provocation. "I got up at 1am and you weren't anywhere to be seen."

John poured himself a lukewarm coffee and turned around to face the lanky blonde.

"Sorry 'bout that, baby," he said without a hint of guile, "I had a business dinner that went very late. By the time I thought about calling you, it was too late, and I thought you'd probably be in bed."

"You should have called anyway John," Kristen pouted. "You know how I worry."

"I know, honey," he managed a smile as he caught her hand in his. Just the feel of her skin made his crawl and he wondered how he ever could have loved this scheming reptile. "I'm sorry, I promise I will do in future." He held her to him, grimacing as Maya caught his glance and rolled her almond-colored eyes.

The pungent aroma of Kristen's perfume invaded his nostrils as she pressed herself close to him, snaking her arms around his waist as he tried to keep from sneezing. She moved her lips close to his ear and blew gently.