John and Marlena (Finally) Get a Q!

Chapter 133 - Double Trouble

Gathering Marlena up in his arms, John kissed her lightly.

"Don't worry sweetheart, it'll be okay. The baby is going to be just fine, I promise."

"I'm frightened John," the tears were evidence enough of that as she tightened her arms around his neck. The baby wasn't due for another two months. This was too early.

"I know you are sweetheart, but I'm going to get you to the hospital and you're going to be just fine, okay?" He sounded more composed than he felt. He had this odd knack of being cool in a crisis while inside he was churning with panic. But somehow, when people, especially his family, were depending on him, he could manage to do just about anything to make sure they were all right.

"Okay." She nodded, taking strength from his calm.

"Take a deep breath Doc. Just take a deep breath and count to ten. I'm going to get you to the hospital right away."

He carried Marlena through the living room, not even able to look at Kristen as he passed by her. What she had done here was unbelievably despicable. And he didn't care what she said about his contribution to her insecurity. Nothing *made* a person take another life. It was a conscious decision, cold, calculating and *evil*.

Pausing at the door he looked to Q.

"Eugene?"

"John, she'll be okay, just-"

Another contraction gripped Marlena's abdomen and she groaned loudly, clutching her stomach. At the same time, there was a knock at the door.

"Mom? *Mom*, is that you?" Sami's voice sounded through the door and John could detect a frantic edge creeping into it. He tried to turn the door handle but found that it was locked and he backed away to allow Eugene to unlock and open it.

"Samantha," he didn't have time to waste explaining this situation to his daughter. "Your mother is going into labor. I need your help."

"Oh my G*d, Mom!!" Sami's wide cerulean eyes took in Marlena's disheveled state along with the bloodied cut on her arm and she blanched. "John, what the hell is going on here?"

"Look, I'll explain it all to you at the hospital, okay? Right now, we have to hurry." John felt the contraction subside as Marlena relaxed, trembling in his arms. "Eugene, stay here with Kristen until Abe arrives, will you?"

"Of course," Q nodded, though he wasn't entirely sure that it was a wise idea to leave him alone with the woman. But there weren't any other options right now. "I'll follow you later."

"Right," John turned back to Sami. "Samantha, I need you to go and find Lucie and tell her to take the children to the pub for the night. I don't want them coming back here and they certainly can't go to the loft. Not under *any* circumstances, do you hear me?"

"Yep," Sami nodded knowing better than to ask any more questions. "Do you want me to tell Granma and Granpa about Mom?"

"Sure thing peanut," John nodded and frowned as he felt Marlena tense in his arms again. "We have to go," he looked at Q intently and Q nodded. "I'll see you there."

John stepped through the doorway and Q shut the door behind them so that they were shielded from Kristen and Sami's view. Then the world around John and Marlena dissolved.

******

"John? *John*!" Roman was almost frantic as he heard John tell Eugene that they had to go to the hospital. "Oh sh*t!"

"What's wrong buddy?" Abe's worried face appeared in the doorway. He had on latex gloves that were stained scarlet with the blood of the dead woman and he was holding a crime scene bag in one hand.