I've Loved You Before

Chapter 21 - Willow

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I'm like the water when your ship rolled in that night

Rough on the surface but you cut through like a knife

And if it was an open/shut case

I never would have known from the look on your face

Lost in your current like a priceless wine

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1982

Marlena stared at the man across the table at her, and then rubbed at the muscles in her neck with growing frustration. He was so obnoxious. She wasn't sure how much more she could take. Don was trying to be the protector she didn't need or want. Liz was blaming her for her crumbling marriage, even though Don's infidelity was the only way Liz had gotten him to begin with. Insecurity was born of truth, and Liz knew that Don was straying back towards his ex wife. Instead of blaming Don, Liz blamed Marlena for causing him to stray. If that weren't enough, Marlena couldn't get her appointment with Mr. Patrick the day before out of her mind. Roman Brady had managed to trigger every fear she had in the span of an hour, and at that moment he was sitting across from her with a smug look on his face while he poured himself some morning coffee. He'd done what he came to do. She was alive, and the sun was up, so he could leave.

"You know," Roman said, rubbing his face. "My jaw still hurts."

He was referencing the punch that Don had landed in her office the day before. "Of course it does. It should."

"It was so nice of you to make us breakfast," he said, ignoring her blatant rudeness.

"You weren't really invited," she replied. "You just happen to be here."

"That's right. I wasn't... hey, thanks a lot for the use of the bathroom, Doc. You're, uh, all heart," he told her with a smirk.

She barely spared him a glance before she started pouring her own mug of coffee. He was trying to be nice to her, but she wasn't feeling very receptive. He was probably used to being a complete ass all of the time, and then flashing a charming smile to get away with whatever nonsense he'd been up to. She pitied his mother. She likely spent his childhood pulling her own hair out.

He lifted his cup to her, and said, "You know I can't start the day right without a good cup of coffee."

"Hmmm." She stared at him for a moment. "Drink up."

He took a long sip, and then laughed. Eyeing the food on the table he said, "I don't want to impose."

She raised her eyebrow at him. "Eat up. I have a tray of my own in the kitchen."

"You're kidding?" he replied in disbelief. "That looks good enough to eat."

"Well, I couldn't very well let a man spend the night at my apartment, and let him eat breakfast out of a tin can. Now could I?" She folded the newspaper she was holding, and tucked it under her arm as she brushed a piece of hair behind her ear.

"You're full of surprises, you know that?" He barely paused before he crossed his arms over his chest and said, "I didn't think that lady doctors knew how to cook."

Marlena stared at him wondering how he even survived. It was no wonder some woman hadn't killed him yet with all of his sexist rhetoric. Lacking humor, she told him, "You'd be surprised what lady doctors can do."