Dreamlover as performed by Mariah Carey

The sign in front of him said, "First Annual University Hospital Talent Show!"

Featuring many of Salem's men and women of medicine, including the host of the hottest new radio show in the tri-state area, "Talk with the Doc", Marlena Evans. Join Chief of Staff Craig Wesley and his wife Nancy in their laudable efforts to further the worthy cause of Habitat for Humanity.

He felt a hand on a shoulder at the same time as he heard a familiar voice, "Hmm... well, at least it's a chance to see her, John... it'll have to be enough for now, buddy."

He jumped, having been lost in a sad reverie, wondering whether he should stay. "Geez, Abe... you scared the heck out of me... How long have you been standing there?"

"Long enough to realize you've decided that you're going to be in the audience when Marlena performs her number."

He shrugged nervously, uncertain of his place in anyone's life at this point, let alone Marlena's. "Maybe.... she wouldn't like it, you know..."

Choking back a laugh, Abe confronted that sentiment, "Since when has *that* stopped you?"

He winced.... "Ouch... "

"It should cause you *some* pain... you hurt her so badly, John. You hurt all of us, everybody who loves you."

"I know.... and you can't know how much I regret my actions, Abe... I just wish...."

"What..... you wish what, John?"

"That she'd give me another chance."

"She might.. you never know... " With a wry smile he added a slight jab at his friend, partly to gauge his progress in accepting the separation.. "Look at the bright side... at least she doesn't leave every time you walk into a room... you have to admit... that's progress..."

"Very funny..." John said with a tired sigh, "..but I don't see it happening anytime soon."

"Maybe you both need some more time to think things through... to figure out a way to start over."

"Partner... I've done everything I know to do... I've sent her cards and flowers, candy, gifts.... I've stayed away, I've been around.... Tell me, Abe... what *else* can I do!"

"Nothing, John... you have to do nothing... let her go.... maybe she'll come back to you."

"Easy to say..."

"If you love her.... you'll think of what's best for *her* Isn't that what the whole thing boils down to, John? You withheld the truth and decided what was best for everyone else?"

He nodded, glancing away, hating the condemnation he saw in everyone's eyes. It was well deserved, nonetheless hard to take, but he answered honestly, "Yea... I guess so.... I'll uh.. see you around... I've got to make myself scarce until the lights go down... don't want anybody telling Doc I'm here... I *have* to see her... you'll grant me that, won't you, Abe?" he asked, praying Abe wouldn't mention it to anyone who would make a beeline to Marlena backstage.

Seeing the desperation in his best friend's moist eyes, Abe gave him a reassuring smile and said, "Sure... enjoy the show, John...."

Relief flooded his heart. He hadn't realized until that moment, just how very much he needed to lay eyes on the woman he loved. "Thank you so much, Abe.. you too... I heard Lexie's in it... going to do a Janet Jackson routine.."

"Yea... it should be.....interesting."

"Yea... see you later."

With a pat on the shoulder, Abe gave his best wishes, "Good luck John... whatever happens... I hope you and Marlena can find some happiness again."

"Thanks, it means a lot. I really am sorry for what I did.... to everybody."

With his hand still on John's right shoulder, Abe finished the conversation with a simple comment, "I know you are, John."

Before John knew it, the lights were coming up on the stage and the emcees, Nancy and Craig were standing there introducing the first act.... Marlena Evans, conspicuously dropping the Black, MD.... star of her very own radio show which had already been syndicated in markets all over the tri-state area.

She was a shining star, no doubt about it....

Out she came, dressed all in black leather.... the pants and waist length jacket snuggly hugging her amazingly shapely curves. She was stunning at 50 plus... her golden silky hair long and gleaming under the stage lights, her hazel eyes glistening like gold in the summer sun....

God, she was far and away the most incredibly beautiful woman he'd ever laid eyes on, the most wonderful person he'd ever known, and he'd lost her because of his own stupidity and selfishness.

'What a FOOL I was! Dammit, Black what were you thinking?'

"You weren't... you weren't thinking at all. You were operating out of fear... and because of that you lost the best thing that ever happened to you!"

He watched her move to the steady beat of the music, not hearing the words at first... it was awe inspiring... what a body she still had.....

She had so much energy, she wasn't even breathing hard. It was glaringly apparent that the separation wasn't affecting her in the same way. Even with the increasing demands placed on her time by the show... he'd heard she'd been working out... which had the result of making her leaner, sexier, the combination increasing her confidence in every way. Marlena was growing, she was blooming in a way she couldn't when she was with him....

She didn't need him like he needed her.... God, how it hurt to admit... The question lurked....Was he holding her back....

Finally, his attention was fully captured when she actually started singing.... or was it that he just hadn't noticed? Her voice projected all the way into the back of the concert hall, where the spotlight suddenly shined on him.... the audience turning toward the bright beam to stare at him as she belted out the words meant for his ears. She planned it, having known he wouldn't be able to resist the temptation to show up.

Their eyes met across a distance that seemed oceans wide.... and locked on tight. She willed him to hear her.... and for once, to absorb her meaning.

Then she turned away from him and sang to the audience. But the spotlight didn't move... and the silhouette of a broken man made woeful shadows on the wall behind him... his head down, his mournful tears falling on new carpet.

He thought the show was over, that she'd said all there was to say with the searing look in her eyes and her choice of songs. Marlena was telling him that he was NOT her dream lover, not any more. She was moving on to find someone else...

When at last he composed himself and gathered the strength to turn and walk away, having memorized her face, her hair, her body in black leather, he couldn't help but notice that there was a screen coming down out of the ceiling. In another moment, a series of images appeared, playing in time with the music.

Pictures of the two of them over the years. Their first wedding ceremony, moments of great joy in love and friendship.... the second courtship, their second wedding... times with their sweet little children.

Images of love and laughter, of smiles and toasts and cheers....

A microphone dropped down in front of him... He stammered out a response to what he thought she meant, "Doc.... are you saying that you...are you telling me that.... "

She was weeping openly when she replied, pointing to the montage on the screen above her head... "John... I want you back... I want the man I fell in love with all those years ago...

I want my Dreamlover to come home..... do you know where he went?"

He nodded as tears formed behind bright blue eyes... "He's right here... I'm here, Doc... and I'm never leaving again... I promise!"

He ran down the aisle and jumped on stage while she sang the chorus one more time. Taking the woman he loved firmly in his arms, he danced with her, as tears leaked out of two pairs of joyful eyes.....

He sang the last couple of lines with her, hoping she understood that he would do whatever it took to become that man again. Never again would he lie to her.... Never again would he do anything to jeopardize their love. It was a blessing and he would treasure it as the gift it was, from this day forward.