John and Marlena (Finally) Get a Q!

Chapter 131 - Set-ups

Marlena put the phone down on the table and turned to Q, her eyes wide.

"They think they know where he is."

"Stefano?" He looked surprised.

"They got a tip-off.... a tip-off about a warehouse down on Shaw Street." Her hands were shaking as she steadied herself on the table. "Oh G*d, Gene they have no idea what they're walking into."

"Marlena, they never have before, and they've come out all right." He moved towards her, concerned at the sudden pallor of her skin.

"But that was before." Marlena's fear clutched at her insides. "You said he's getting more powerful right? That he's somehow feeding on the hatred and fear? Well Gene, they're going to go down there and direct all that hatred and fear right *at* him." She let out a long slow breath, trying to stop the shaking which permeated her body and her voice.

"C'mon Marlena, they know what they're doing." He took her arm and made her face him. "This could be a good thing you know. They could put him out of commission for a while."

"Do you really think that's possible?" she was skeptical. Since when had anybody been able to put Stefano out of commission? Q sighed and looked away from her, unable to withstand the scrutiny of her expressive eyes. "I didn't think so," she said softly.

"Well maybe whomever tipped them off got it wrong?" he suggested hopefully.

"No, John said it was someone reliable. He really thinks they can get Stefano this time." She tightened her lips and pulled her arm away from his grip.

"Marlena..."

"Gene, you have to go down there," her golden hair bounced against her shoulders echoing the gold that flashed in her eyes as she turned around. "You're the only one that knows how to deal with Stefano." The plea was unmistakable even if it was formed in the guise of an order. "You need to go down there and make sure they don't walk into a trap."

"No Marlena, I can't leave you here alone." He looked incredulous that she should even suggest such a thing. "Especially not if Stefano is on the loose."

"If he is in Salem, then he's most likely down at the waterfront like the informant said," she argued hotly. "I'll be okay, but if something happens to John...." Her eyes glazed with the prospect of losing John again. "*Please* Gene."

"Marlena, I *can't* go," he told her firmly. It was simply a ridiculous idea. "John will have my guts for garters if I leave you alone here, unprotected. And if anything were to happen to you, *I* could never forgive myself." He shook his head with certainty. "I'm sorry, but I just can't do it."

"*Fine*, then *I'll* go," Marlena replied angrily as she pushed by him to collect her coat.

"Oh no you don't," he caught her arm, his fingers cutting into the tender flesh as he pulled her up. "You aren't going anywhere."

"What, am I under house arrest now?" She was furious with him, knowing every second she wasted, John, Roman and Abe were walking into danger. "Eugene, if someone doesn't stop them they're going to get themselves *killed*!"

"Marlena, I'm only trying to put your safety first," he replied frustratedly.

"And I'm only trying to stop the man I love from getting hurt," her eyes glistened hazel through a mist of tears as she pulled away from him angrily. "So, if you're not going down there, *I* am."

She was frightened and desperate and she wasn't even thinking straight, Q knew that. And he also knew how stubborn she was. She wasn't about to let go of this idea and keeping her at the penthouse could prove to be no mean feat, as determined as she was.