AFTER THE RAIN
Prologue

Off the Deep End

Marlena Evans-Black was utterly frantic. Accepting the fact that John would rather die than see her be hurt, she gave up screaming for her brand new husband to let her back into the Penthouse. She ran urgently to the door of her nearest neighbor, but there was no answer, then to several others with the same result. This was New Year's Eve, and the people who lived in her building were fairly young and she concluded that most were out celebrating. Her cell phone was inside the condo, and she didn't have the keys to her own car or John's Jeep. Marlena quickly realized the only thing left to do was take the elevator down to the lobby to use a phone to call 911 and pray for the safety of the two men she had loved most in all her life.

As she pushed the button repeatedly, willing it to open, she found herself chuckling almost unwillingly, remembering that she and John had a few teasing arguments about the efficacy of that very act.

"I know it won't make the elevator come any faster, but it gives me something to do, Doc," she remembered John saying in the most recent one, a sweet grin on his handsome face.

Her response was playfully sexy, and they both enjoyed the banter, "Oh.. if you need something to do while you're waiting, I can think of something, John... something a lot more.. rewarding than pushing a little button like that."

"Ooh, Doc.. do tell, please do tell," he had said, pulling her body toward his.

"I can do better than tell you, honey. I'll show you," she was saying, as she prepared to plant a passionate kiss...

A loud noise inside the Penthouse jolted her out of her pleasant reverie. It sounded like.. furniture being thrown down, or was it breaking glass? She prayed fervently, desperate for divine intervention, "Oh Dear God.. please keep them both safe. Be with John... help him stay calm and please Lord, keep Roman from shooting that gun." She was lost in anxious thought again the moment she finished the short prayer, while still anticipating the arrival of the elevator that would take her to the lobby where she could call Abe Carver and then await his arrival as well as that of the uniformed policemen that were sure to come along.

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John stepped away from the door, holding his hands out in the open, making it very clear that he was unarmed and offered no threat whatsoever to the man with the gun. "I don't have anything on me, Roman," he said, forcing the encroaching fear down to a manageable level.

A malevolent smile spread slowly across the ragged features of the other man's face, "I know.. that's the beauty of it, I'm in complete control here. I decide if you live or die.. you son of a bitch! You stole her away from me again!" Pointing the gun right at John's chest, he said with intense hatred, "I ought to just blow you away right here.. Wouldn't that make a great headline.. and such colorful pictures... your blood on her beautiful white carpet? The forbidden lover shot by the distraught ex-husband... I bet I could go for an insanity plea and spend a short stay in some nice cushy hospital. Yea.. I think there's a good case to be made. I mean, after all you both lied to me, you acting like you were happily married to Kristen, Doc pretending that she loved me and wanted to marry me again." Shaking his head, thinking back on it, "I gotta hand it to you.. you played the role well, John. I never suspected a thing." Furrowing his brow in disgust and bitter distress, he continued, "And Marlena.. well she deserves an academy award for her performance. She lies so well now.. You taught her that you lousy two-faced bastard! Pretending to be my friend again.. Damm you're good, Black I bought it all, every damn lie you told me!" He aimed the gun, holding it there for a long lingering moment, enjoying the opportunity to watch John's terrified reaction.

Time stopped as his wide eyes stared into the short barrel of a police issue pistol. John shuddered and closed his eyes, waiting for the inevitable impact of a bullet at point blank range. His breathing was rapid with anxiety, his heart rate skyrocketed, his blood pressure rising in time with it, and he started to sweat and tremble in the instant the gun was leveled again. He heard the sound of his own heart pounding as it slapped against the walls of his chest and acutely experienced every breath he took, thinking it might be his last. When he heard the click of the hammer being pulled back, John shut his eyes tight and braced himself, valiantly squelching the begging whimper that screamed inside him. Imagining the moment in which Marlena saw his blood covered dead body, he spoke to her in his mind, 'Oh.. God, Doc.. I'm so sorry.. this is all my fault, forgive me.'

Then, when it didn't happen, he timidly opened his eyes to see Roman break out into fits of maniacal laughter. "Ha...ha, ha.. I scared the hell out of you, didn't I? Oh, that was priceless, John... I'd pay to see you do that again.. the great hero....John Black, rescuer of damsels in distress, sweating and trembling with fear."

Still shaking noticeably, John tried to speak, but found no words at first. All he could manage to do was meet the man's eyes, showing him that he was afraid, but that the fear wouldn't break him. Finally, he spoke, his voice shaking with anxiety, "Roman... is this what you...really want, to kill me? You think.. that's going get her back.. shooting me down in cold blood.. in the middle of her living room?"

Pointing the gun threateningly again, he said, "No...but at least you won't ever have her! You won't have in your arms or in your BED!! That fact will keep me warm at night for a long time, John," he said with fierce resentment, the gun aimed toward a much lower target.

Closing his eyes briefly, John labored to shut down the overwhelming fear of being shot and helplessly bleeding to death at Roman's feet, dying without ever saying goodbye to the woman he loved with all his heart. Dwelling on that possibility was unbearable. Keeping his hands in plain sight, hoping it would help his cause, John confronted the man gently, "Will it, Roman, will it really? Look, I know you're hurt and angry. Please believe me, we never meant for anything like that to happen. We couldn't tell you the truth because of your medical condition. The doctors advised us to wait, so we did." John was decidedly calm in the face of the other man's severe agitation.

Roman laughed with bitter sarcasm, saying, "Right.. but you couldn't wait to sleep together, so you snuck around behind my back again! Yea.. there's always a reason for you to lie, isn't there? There's always some grand excuse, some way to shift the blame when your lies are exposed. I don't care why because it doesn't stop the pain.. It won't make these pictures in my head go away.. images of you... with her. DAMN YOU! I HATE YOU! and I want you to suffer for what you've done to me, John. You stole her from me once before and now you think you've done it again, don't you? You even have the ring this time.. Well, you'll never be with her like that again, John.. because you are going to die! Take off the ring.. NOW!!" he shouted, pointing the gun directly at John's chest again.

The willing hostage glanced apprehensively at his wedding band, afraid to die, yet not wanting to do what was demanded of him. He had made a promise to Marlena and that ring represented his solemn vows to her. Folding his left hand protectively within the right one, he firmly refused, taking it a step further to challenge his assailant, "No.. I'm not going to do it, Roman. You'll have to kill me to get it." His eyes were narrow with anger as he stared the gunman down, daring him to do it.

"Okay.." Roman said casually as he fired the pistol without warning, the bullet grazing the muscles in John's right arm just above the elbow. It stung and started bleeding significantly and he was stunned. John's gaze was automatically directed to the source of pain, and his left hand moved instinctively to cover the half-inch deep groove made by the bullet. Roman slowly approached, observing as the man groaned and clamped his left hand over the bloody flesh, trying not to fall over from the sudden change in his equilibrium. Snatching John's bloody left hand away from the wound, Roman quickly but roughly pulled the ring off John's finger, then shoved him forcefully in the chest, causing him to lose his balance and fall backward over the coffee table, landing hard on the injured arm.

"There... that was easy. Now.. you want to challenge me again, John, " the abuser said proudly, holding the ring out for John to see it, contemplating throwing it off the balcony a few feet away.

Struggling to rise, John confronted his ex-friend about his behavior, "Oh, Roman.. come on.. this is crazy.. you don't want to do this. You are a man of the law, a cop... doesn't that mean anything to you anymore?" John asked, hoping to appeal to something beyond the man's drunken rage toward his rival for Marlena's affections. There was something else too, something different in his eyes.. but John couldn't place it.

Roman fired back verbally with immense frustration, "No... nothing does, without Doc! I don't care what happens to me.. but I do care what happens to you. I want to watch you suffer, I want to see you beg for your life, John." He aimed the gun again, this time planning to hit a different target. Speaking derisively he demanded information this time, "Which knee did you hurt in that warehouse.. you know when you and Doc shared that near death experience and you.. *bonded* again... Which one, John?" he demanded angrily, waving the gun around.

John fought back the fear and answered honestly, "The right one... it was the right one. Roman.. please don't do this!" he pleaded anxiously, as much for Marlena and Roman as for himself. It would destroy her to see his body riddled with bullet wounds, his blood poured out like water all over her home. John's breathing was growing more rapid with each threatening gesture and he battled to keep the tears at bay as he fought for emotional control.

The gunman only laughed maliciously at the clear indications of fear his victim was exhibiting. Then, he was caustic, "You're so scared, aren't you.. do I see tears in your eyes? Poor Johnny.. no one to rescue you. I'll do whatever I damn well please, you have no control here!" He played with the clip, taking it in and out, over and over again walking around the Penthouse like a lion stalking its prey, making John wonder with trepidation when and where the next shot would come. After making John sweat for a long while, he suddenly put the clip back in, locked it into place and fired at John's leg. Again, he shot with amazing precision for someone who appeared to be impaired by alcohol, just grazing his rival's knee, slicing into the flesh just above the knee cap. It was fully meant to incapacitate and cause tremendous pain, but not threaten his victim's life. The impact made John lose control of his body, sending him sprawling to the floor again. 

Grabbing unsuccessfully at the table leg to ease himself down sent picture frames and glass vases crashing to the floor all around him. Ignoring the splintered fragments that made tiny cuts all over the exposed skin of his hands, arms and head as he descended awkwardly to the carpet in front of the couch, John clutched at his wounded leg and cried out in agony. "Roman.. Oh God.. this is so sick! Stop, please stop this madness, and think about what you're doing here!" John pleaded desperately.

"I'll stop when I want to stop, when I think you've suffered enough and I don't think you have, not yet." Roman approached the fallen figure of his enemy and took advantage of his weakness, kicking him in the leg the bullet had just ripped open, eliciting another groan of pain.

Clutching the injured limb and fighting off the encroaching unconsciousness, John cried out another apology, "OH! Oh God... I'm sorry, Roman.. I'm sorry we lied.. Please... don't make Marlena see me.. all torn up! If you have to.. kill me, just get it overwith. You don't want her to come in here and see me in a bloody mess, do you? Roman, I know you love her and you wouldn't want that for her!" The pain was intense, and he wished someone could save him from further suffering, but if that were not to be, he wanted to protect Marlena. His best chance at that was to appeal to the part of Roman that truly loved her.

John's comments about Marlena were starting to penetrate the alcohol induced rage, "No.. I don't, you're right, John. I have a much better fate in mind for you. I'm going to make you disappear into thin air. Just like magic!" he exclaimed, snapping his fingers and smiling with malevolent glee, reminiscent of Stefano Dimera. In that instant John was transported back in time. He was Stefano's prisoner, at the mercy of a madman's fancy, his body being tortured, his mind ravaged for some sick purpose he didn't understand. He turned to his Lord in desperate prayer, 'God.. please... help me... but if you can't, if it's my time.. just.. don't let Doc.. see me.. torn up and bloody. If I have to die.. please don't let them ever find my body.. I don't want her to see it.' Tears welled up in his eyes and fell without warning. John was prepared to go home to meet his Lord if that were what fate held in store, and yet he was afraid, afraid of the pain, afraid of the moment of passing. As he laid there weeping softly, his beleaguered body fighting off shock, awaiting the next move of his vicious captor, John felt a sense of peace come over him. 'Have faith my son.. for I am with you,' he heard a quiet voice saying. God was speaking to his anguished spirit, lending comfort in the most frightening of times.

Roman made a move toward the phone, stepping out of earshot, dialing a number he had memorized for all the wrong reasons. When the person answered, he said, "Don't talk, just listen.. We seem to have a mutual goal. I have what you want most in all the world. Would you like to have it in your hands tonight? All you have to do is send some men here to the penthouse immediately and I'll cover your tracks. I'm guessing that we have only another ten or fifteen minutes before the police show up at the door, so you better make it fast and you better come by air." Roman hung up the phone as he walked back across the room, and stared down at the injured man he had once called friend, thinking how strange it was that he cared nothing for the physical pain the man was suffering at the moment. He watched with morbid fascination as John groaned and tried unsuccessfully to stop the bleeding in two different places. Knowing he needed to do something else to control his hostage, Roman decided to cause emotional pain too. "John, you're never going to see Marlena again, is there anything you want me to tell her for you?" he taunted.

"What are you... going to.. do with me?" John asked fearfully with rapid tearful breaths, in spite of his desire to remain strong.

Roman laughed again, relishing the fear and anxiety he saw, loving the power he wielded over his enemy's life and emotions. "What do you think? I'm giving you to the person you belong with, the person who wants you, though I don't have any idea why. I'm turning you over to the other woman who *thinks* she loves you. You'll have a good life, John.. once you give in to your fate. You'll never be coming back to Salem though, so I thought I might help you out with your goodbyes, since you don't have much time. "

"Tell her, I love her and that she made me the happiest man on the planet when she said the wedding vows to me tonight, when she looked me in the eye and said I do, and kissed me. That was the best I've ever felt and when we.. made love afterward I felt complete, I felt whole. You tell her that, won't you?" John wanted to rub it in now.. to make the other man hurt for what he was doing.

Ignoring the baiting tone, Roman said somewhat pleasantly, "You know what...I think we'll just skip that part. I'll tell her you decided that you really loved Kristen and went back with her because you realized that Marlena and I belong together, that I was the man she truly loved and you stepped aside so she could be happy. She'll buy that..."

John fought the pain, focusing on the anger, "No she won't, Roman.. she knows I don't love Kristen any more, that I'll never love Kristen. Marlena loves ME, Roman and there is nothing you can do to change that fact! You can send me off with Kristen or hand me over to Stefano or torture me to death yourself, but you can't make her love you! FACE IT!"

"Shut up, John, YOU JUST SHUT UP!!" Roman yelled commandingly, raising his gun and shoving it hard into the space between John's neck and collarbone.

John, who was laboring to sit up when the latest action was taken, cringed and groaned again, fearing for his life, but kept at it, "Oh.. so, I'm getting to you, aren't I? Roman.. I really am sorry for what happened, I'm sorry Kristen lied to you when she found you, and I'm sorry we went along with it and pretended we were only friends, but you were sick and we only did what the doctors said was right."

He couldn't allow himself to accept that they had good motives, not if he were to keep on hurting his rival. "No.. it was wrong. I don't believe you. You did it so you could be together behind my back. I think you like the idea of forbidden passion. The danger of being discovered.. Well you've got the danger part right. You are in serious trouble here, John."

John miraculously made it to a sitting position and confronted the gunman one time too many, "Roman.. you're just lying to yourself, thinking that she'll love you again, if you kill me or let Kristen take me someplace. She married me, Roman. She's prepared to spend her life with me... not you. We started that life together tonight and you can't change that reality no matter what you do! She won't ever love you again, not the way you want her to.. Stop fooling yourself!"

Roman's alcohol induced jealous rage flared out of control, and he threw a back handed blow with the pistol leading the way, smashing the right side of John's head and neck with brutality. Blood gushed out of the wound, before John even went down and out; there was one haunting groan after which the wounded man lay still and silent. "No.. you're wrong, John! She WILL love me again!" he shouted as he stood over the unconscious bloody figure of a man he'd once called friend.  

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Marlena made it down into the lobby and was able to reach Abe, who was in a squad car and on the radio within minutes. "Oh, my God, Marlena!" was all he had said to her before leaving the New Year's Bash at Titan, with several others in tow. Bo, Hope, and Lexie, tagging along to help out in any way they could.

As the small group raced out of the restaurant and rode the elevator down to the Titan lobby, Abe told them the horrifying news. "That was Marlena.. she and John were married in secret tonight and somehow Roman showed up at the bed and breakfast where they went afterward. He saw them together and rushed out of there. John tried to stop him from driving away, but Roman slugged John, breaking his nose. Marlena took John to the hospital for treatment and then they went back to the Penthouse. When they got there, Roman was there and he had a gun. As soon as he saw what was happening, John shoved Marlena out the door and locked it behind her. He's in there alone with Roman, who is very drunk and very angry. Marlena believes that Roman is out of control with jealous rage and might kill John."

"Oh my God.. Abe. That's not like Roman at all!" said Hope worriedly, wondering what could make Roman become so violent.

Bo agreed, "Yea, I knew he'd be hurt and angry if he found out, but to pull a gun and threaten John's life? My God, we have to stop him!" said Bo, afraid for both men he loved as brothers.

Lexie added her two cents, "Oh, Abe.. this could end in a terrible tragedy... I'm so afraid for all of them. Thank God, John forced Marlena to leave."

Abe nodded grimly, but agreed, frightened for the lives of his two best friends, "Yea.. he's so brave, Lexie... I pray he can get Roman to calm down and give up the gun before anyone gets hurt."  

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  There was a sudden knock at the window on the balcony. It was one of Stefano's people dressed all in black. When Roman opened the doors, he saw another henchman. After he assisted them in dragging John toward the french doors, they quickly placed the harness around the victim's unconscious form, preparing to send him into the air toward the awaiting helicopter. Just as John's limp body was lifted a few feet off the ground, there was a tremendous crash at the front door, and in fell Bo, Abe, and several uniformed officers. The lawmen were on their feet in seconds, rushing toward the balcony with guns drawn. "Stop right there, Roman.. all of you, release him from that harness, RIGHT NOW!" Abe commanded forcefully.

Roman knew his chance was lost, and he and the henchmen did exactly as they were told. Bo looked at his brother with incredulous disgust, like he suddenly realized that he never knew him and Hope glared angrily at her former brother-in-law as well, while Abe leveled the gun on him. "Drop it, Roman.. drop it now and put your hands up!" Again, Roman complied immediately without a sound, realizing that he had no other choice if he valued his life. While the uniforms apprehended the henchmen, and Abe handled Roman, Bo, Hope and Lexie cautiously unhooked the harness from around John's battered body and carried him very carefully to the couch, so as not to further aggravate his injuries. By this time, Marlena was there too and she raced to his side, crying with an odd combination of fear and relief when she saw that he was alive but seriously wounded.

Lexie started to examine him while Hope called for the ambulance. "John... can you hear me.. John?" Lexie asked.

Somewhere far away there was sound and a hand on his face, no in his hair.. then pain.. "OW!" he cried involuntarily in response to that touch, and a hand instinctively tried unsuccessfully to move toward the source of pain. The hand wouldn't do what his brain told it to and it scared him, but he couldn't hold onto the fearful thought long enough for it to fully penetrate his defenses and register in his mind.

"Honey.. it's Marlena.. can you hear me, can you see me baby? his wife asked worriedly.

That voice.. it was so familiar.. should know it.. I do.. know it.. "Doc?" he cried, struggling to open those eyes, but found he couldn't summon the energy. "Okay?" he asked, desperate to know that his bride was all right.

"Yes.. honey.. I'm fine, I'm right here." She held his hand, wanting him to feel her presence if he couldn't see her. "It's over.. John, it's all over and everybody's safe now. You just lie still until the ambulance gets here."

His voice was barely above a whisper and she had to lean over him to hear it at all, "Roman..so.. angry. I... I..tried.. ring... took...ring. " That was all he could say before he passed out again. Marlena was confused about what he meant, but suddenly realized what he was trying to say when she glanced down at John's left hand. The wedding ring was missing, and his fingers were bleeding, due to the fact that it was so roughly removed. "Oh, honey.. I'm so sorry," she said as she brought that hand to her lips and kissed it softly.

Abe was bringing Roman through the room and as he passed by, everyone stared at the offender in horrified disbelief. The whole episode was so unlike the Roman Brady they knew, and he felt disgusted with himself as his eyes met those of the people who had called him friend and family. It was as if all of a sudden he was back in reality again, like he had some sort of an out of body experience and had just returned.

As he was trying to make sense out of the vicious acts he had apparently committed, the injuries he had inflicted on John, Roman looked up to see Marlena staring at him with intense loathing and then she approached him with a deceptively calm exterior. She glared at him with extreme hatred and he wished he could die to see such utter contempt for him in her eyes. "Give me back my husband's wedding ring, NOW!" she demanded fiercely, holding out her hand.

Roman absently reached into his pocket, knowing it was there, but not quite remembering how it got there, and handed it to her without a word, suddenly feeling an overpowering sense of shame. She took it and immediately placed it back on John's hand, not really noticing that the man she loved, though semi-conscious again, didn't seem to have any response. Then, she went back to Roman and said in harsh tones, "I HATE you.. and I will always hate you for what you just did to him. You make me sick and I hope you rot in prison for the rest of your life! " As he tried to speak apologetically to her, she spit in his face, then slapped him hard, and turned away. "I will NEVER speak to you again, Roman Brady!" she shouted as he was led out the door in handcuffs. He dropped his head in despair, and tears of regret fell untouched.

John sensed more anger, and he wanted to wake up all the way, to tell her it would be okay, but he couldn't fight through the layers of darkness. He used every bit of energy he had in another attempt to open his eyes, but his efforts failed again, and he gave up the fight. In another second, she was there again; he knew from the alluring aroma of her favorite perfume, a scent he could never forget. Then, he felt something again; she was touching him lightly on the face and then there was moisture on his cheek, some hint of pressure on a hand.. he wasn't sure. Did she kiss him? Was she crying? He wanted to hold her, to speak to her and reassure her, 'Don't cry Marlena.. don't cry' he wanted to say, but he couldn't move, and he couldn't make the words go from his mind to his mouth. He was suddenly very frightened.... something was wrong, terribly wrong, but what was it? 'Help me.. somebody help me!' he screamed in his mind.

Marlena could see him struggle to speak, and hushed him. Holding his right hand in her left and smoothing a wayward strand of hair with her right, she spoke softly, "Shh, it's okay, John... don't try to talk, you rest now.. you just rest, honey. You're going to be alright, the ambulance is on the way right now."

Confusion reigned inside him; he was not aware of exactly what was happening, 'Ambulance... oh..pain, must be.. hurt.' That was all he had time for as he felt the blackness of a cloudy night sky threatening to envelope him, taking him further away from her with each passing second. 'No..don't leave me here... Doc.. don't go..please.. don't leave me!' his spirit cried in terror, as the darkness took complete control. Then there was nothing at all.

She watched her husband fade away and the next thing Marlena knew, there was a hand on her shoulder, and someone was speaking to her, "Marlena... Marlena.. didn't you hear me?"

 Chapter One

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