Blurred Lines

Chapter 35 - Back To You

February 18, 1993

Salem University Hospital

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Took you like a shot

Thought that I could chase you with the cold evening

Let a couple years water down how I'm feeling about you

And every time we talk

Every single word built up to this moment

And I gotta convince myself I don't want it

Even though I do

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The elevator doors opened, and Marlena ran off, almost colliding with Mike Horton. He stared down at her with a wide smile, "Whoa! Where are you going so fast?"

"Carrie's here," she said. "She was attacked after work. Abe called me."

Tom Horton came around the corner, "Marlena, she's this way. Follow me."

Relief coursed through her body, and she barely spared Mike a backwards glance, as she turned on her heel following Tom back around the corner. Breathlessly she asked, "Is she okay? Are the police still here?"

"Abe was with her, but after he finished questioning her, he left just as John was arriving," Tom told her, stopping outside of Carrie's hospital room. "John's with her now."

Marlena stopped in her tracks, closing her eyes briefly. Could she face him? She hadn't seen him in weeks, and she wasn't sure she was ready. "Thank you, Tom. I just need a moment."

The cold wind blowing up off of the lake made Marlena shiver. John wrapped his arm around her, pulling her into the shelter of his shoulder, "Come here, Doc."

Another tear slipped from her eye, and she wiped at it roughly. What was going to happen to them? The night before had been everything she wanted, but in the harsh light of morning she almost regretted it.

"We'll figure this out," he whispered in her ear as the ferry neared the pier. "I need some time... to speak with Isabella, but we'll figure it out."

She couldn't say anything, but she turned into his embrace, and rested her cheek on his chest. Her hands slipped inside his jacket, and she breathed him in. It seemed too easy. She was afraid to hope.

She stood outside Carrie's door, and looked through the small window. John was seated on a stool next to Carrie's bed. Her hand rested in his, while his other hand brushed stray strands of blonde hair away from her sleeping face. Marlena took a deep breath. Could she do this? Could she go in that room, and focus only on Carrie? Because ignoring her pain was going to be the real issue.

"Doc, please," John pleaded. "I just need some time. Don't give up on me."

"You said that a week ago, John!" Marlena cried into the telephone. He was making excuses and she was tired of excuses. "I don't understand! I thought when we were at the cabin you'd decided–"

"--I haven't changed my mind! It's just that Victor is ill, and Isabella is upset–"

"--When, John?" Marlena felt herself dying day by day. "When will it ever be the right time?"