It's Never Too Late

Chapter 4 - Be That For You

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In a world that's changing everyday

No nothing ever stays the same

When you need a rock that'll never move

Baby, I'll be that for you

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The snow was falling briskly outside as Marlena made her way back towards the pub, and she pulled her coat tighter to keep out the chill. She'd left John that morning more confused than ever about where she stood with him. Their soft kisses in the early morning hours were all she could think about. Soft caresses of skin, gentle whimpers, and whispered words. Over and over again in her mind she could hear John say - you taste just like I remember. Her muscles wouldn't stop trembling. What did it mean? She reached up, touching her bottom lip. It was still swollen and tender. That slight twinge of pain brought a smile to her face. She wasn't imagining what had happened between them. It hadn't been a dream. They hadn't talked about it. Instead, they'd fallen back asleep, and when they woke the following morning it was because Sara had brought down his breakfast. Marlena had scrambled up from the cot in surprise, and John had followed her.

"Oh!" she said breathlessly, trying to smooth down her hair. "What time is it?"

Sarah smiled, thinking the two of them were cute together, "It's just a little before eight o'clock."

"Doc," John said softly. "Doc, it's fine."

"It's not fine," she remembered saying. "It's not. You're trying to fix your relationship with Kristen, and here I am–"

He'd reached out, touching her face softly, " – We'll talk, Doc. Later." He glanced at Sara, noticing that she was trying to seem as if she wasn't paying attention. Leaning closer to Marlena, he stared into her eyes, making sure she was paying attention, and he whispered, "We'll talk."

His simple whispered words had set her heart to beating furiously again. "Okay."

She stared up at the hazy sky, closing her eyes as the soft snowflakes landed on her heated skin. There hadn't been many words, and if there had, she was afraid of what she might have said. Marlena hadn't realized a week ago that she would ever be able to fall more deeply in love with John than she was, and yet, in the last few days she had somehow managed to. She touched her mouth again with a soft smile.

"I hope you're fucking happy, you bitch," Kristen hissed venomously from behind her.

Marlena opened her eyes, and turned around slowly. Kristen stood there staring at her with anger filled green eyes, filling with tears. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"He needs you. He's so alone," Kristen mocked, wiping at her cheeks furiously. She felt duped and lied to. "I went to see John... last night, as a matter of fact, but he wasn't alone. He was with you! He was telling you about how our love wasn't strong enough... and you! You didn't say one thing to defend it!"

Marlena sighed softly, "I was allowing John to express his feelings. I was being a friend. We're just friends. Nothing more."

Kristen trembled with rage. The perfect Dr. Marlena Evans was a backstabbing bitch. "Some fucking friend you were. I hate you. You think you can have him, but he loves me. He loves me!"

She stood there feeling the icy snow melt against her skin, and she watched Kristen storm off. Her conversation with John the night before had done more to put a wedge between him and Kristen. She hadn't intended for that to happen. But he kissed you. Marlena blinked her eyes several times, realizing that there were snowflakes in her lashes. John may have kissed her, but he hadn't told her he was giving up on Kristen. Their kisses were simply comfort. John had needed her, and she'd been there for him. That was all. It had been the same situation at Maison Blanche, and she couldn't fool herself into hoping that it was more.