John crossed his arms in front of him and wandered along the lake shore. There was so much that he would change if only he could have the chance to do it all over again. After that plane crash he would search for her until he had found her, however long that took. He would have found her and he never would have let her out of his arms, much less his sight ever again.

He had been so stupid to think he could replace her. In his life and in his heart, she was the only one that would ever fit the space. Roman had come back and John had just given her up, just walked away, thinking he was doing the right thing. He knew now he should have fought for her with everything he had. But like so many times he had done what he had thought was right for her and everyone else.

He thought back to the day they had said the final goodbyes to their marriage and relationship down in Chichenitza. They had just discovered that Isabella was pregnant, and everything had fallen into place. Or so they had thought. Deciding to end it then without resolving their feelings had just led to more pain and heartache for everyone, most of all, the one person he had never wanted to hurt, Marlena.

He had lost everything else and he had let her slip away along with all the other facets of his life that were so important to him. He remembered that conversation like it had been yesterday. He had not wanted to let go of her. "I don't have any memories of my own, and the one I do have I'm supposed to forget." Marlena had shaken her head softly, obviously feeling his pain. "No. Don't forget it. Just think of this as a journey, and this was a place that you stopped, along the way. And then you moved on." She had sounded so convincing, like it would all be so easy, just to forget their life and their love together and make new lives. Still, she had almost reduced him to tears when he had told her that he had loved her.
"I loved *you*..." she had whispered, tears in her eyes, "...love...you." And then that had been it. The end of their love. At least that was what they had tried to tell themselves.

John sighed and wiped away the tear that clung to his cheek. The past was the past. He couldn't keep torturing himself over things that he couldn't change. He had done some terrible things and he had hurt Marlena badly, but he knew their love was strong enough to make it past those obstacles. He just had to work out how to make Marlena see that too.

Q's chest thumped as he shook his head vehemently at Marlena's words. This was going to be even worse than he had imagined. The last thing he had wanted was for her to feel so sorry for him that she'd do this. His eyes filled with tears of humiliation and he bowed his head, desperately trying to hide his weakness from her.
"Please don't Marlena," he whispered. "That just makes it worse."
"Wha...?" Marlena looked down at his bowed head, a little confused, not yet understanding the extent of Q's insecurities. Her brow wrinkled a little. "Gene, I don't understand."

"Of course you don't," Q's laugh was harsh and self-deprecating. "I don't even understand." He took a deep breath and stared at down at her perfect hand , still gently covering his clumsy, human ones. "I told you I didn't want your pity Marlena. I never meant to burden you with this and I can't bear the thought that...." He trailed off, unable to bring to voice the words that floated awkwardly in his head.

"Oh..." Marlena looked at him, aching for his pain. She understood perfectly now. He thought she was offering herself out of pity and embarrassment. That she would sleep with him because she felt sorry for him.

Without a sound, she knelt before him on the carpeted floor.
"Gene," she looked up at his face and discovered that there were tears of his cheeks. She felt a pang as she realized that it was years since she had seen him cry. Gently she lifted her fingers to his cheeks and traced the path of his tears. "Gene, now I think it's *you* who doesn't understand." She smiled as she smoothed away the moisture. "I didn't say that out of pity or because I was embarrassed or anything else. I said it because it's the truth." She saw the confusion in his eyes as her words sank in. "Gene, when you told me that you wanted me, it made me realize something that I hadn't admitted to myself before. Not fully. It's true. I am attracted to you and I *do* want you. It's as simple as that."

Her voice sounded low and husky to Q and it twisted his heart even deeper into the knot that strangled his responses. All he could do was shake his head and moan "No." There was no way she could want him. It couldn't be possible. After an eternity of dreaming about her and worshipping her, she couldn't just tell him she wanted him. It made no sense.

Marlena continued to see the disbelief in his eyes and wondered how to get through to him, to make him see that she was telling the truth. Slowly, she edged towards him and looked at his hands, clasped below hers. She lifted her hands and gently pried his apart. His eyes begged her to just let him be, but she would not be dissuaded. She lifted his left hand gently and brought it toward her, laying his palm on the bare skin above her satin clad cleavage.
"Can you feel it?" she whispered. "Doesn't that prove that I'm telling you the truth?"

Q closed his eyes as he felt the rhythm of her heart below her skin. Despite the fact that she had only the satin nightgown on, her skin was warm, and she was infiltrating her fingers between his as she held his hand against her.

He pulled away.
"Please don't do this to me Marlena," he said soberly. "It's not exactly fair."
"I don't want to be fair." Marlena leant forward so that her face was just inches away from his. "What I want is for you to make love to me."

Her words, in little more than a breathy murmur, send a shockwave of lust though him. He wanted her so badly that he could barely stand it and she was scant inches away from him.
"I want to make you happy," she mouthed softly. "Let me make you happy."

Q could do nothing but swallow and look at her. Her face was flushed, her eyes glittering, and she genuinely seemed to mean what she said. Although maybe, he reflected, it was because he wanted to believe that she was genuine. His desire for her had so bewildered his thoughts that he didn't know what to do. He knew what he *should* do was to get up and walk out of the room and let her come to her senses. But she was now leaning on his knees, smiling at him with that enigmatic air and he couldn't move. It was as though with her gaze she had transfixed him.

"No arguments?" she grinned wickedly. "Well this is a much better state of affairs." Q took in a breath to speak but she winked at him and he was lost. She put her index finger to her lips and kissed it and then sealed his lips with the merest touch.

It came unexpectedly when she pushed him back onto the bed and by the time he had struggled back up, he realized, Marlena had relieved him of his boxers shorts.
"Marlena, no!" There was almost terror in his eyes as he realized what she intended to do.
"It's alright sweetheart," she smiled playfully. "I promise I'll be gentle."
Q, in a last, desperate gesture tried to push her away, but she was too quick for him. Before he could move again, she reached out and took him in her hands. He tried again, but with less strength and will, as she closed her fingers around him and squeezed almost imperceptibly. She smiled as she heard his capitulating groan.

Edging even closer, she began to move her fingers up and down, exploring the feel of him and enjoying the novelty of a new lover. She felt him tense as she bent her head and gently took him into her mouth and then she heard another groan explode from his lips as she tasted him with her tongue, reveling in the sweet warmth of him.

Q leaned back on the bed slightly, supporting himself with his hands as the exquisite sensations washed over him. He couldn't even begin to dare to think that this was actually happening. He could actually think about very little at all as he gasped for breath, Marlena moving further down, exploring and experimenting with her lips and tongue, driving him close to insanity with every movement.

Slowly she pulled away, barely grazing him with her teeth, exposing the moist flesh to the cool night air. He shivered as she withdrew totally and then looked up at him with a touch of amusement.
"Do you want me to stop?" she teased with a smile and a gleam in her eyes. Q swallowed and shook his head slowly. "I didn't think so," she grinned.

His breathing became ragged as she began to play her tongue around him and down his length. He closed his eyes and leant his head back and succumbed to the sensations as she found her way back up and circled him with her tongue. He moaned as she took him into her mouth again and began to suck at him ever so gently, gliding down and back up, building a slow but steady rhythm.

Q couldn't believe Marlena was doing this. He had always held her high on a pedestal and he never would have imagined that she would enjoy or even want to do this. For him of all people. He figured he had to be just about the luckiest guy in the universe right now. He was past worrying about her reasons, she had obviously been determined, and he was in no position to stop her now.

Her deliberateness and seeming expertise alluded to the fact that she was very experienced at what she was doing and every movement she made sent him further towards the edge, challenging his self-control. She was using her lips, tongue and occasionally her teeth to torment him as she continued to work her magic on his body, his responses almost automatic as he began to move with her. He had never thought that sex could feel this incredibly divine, but this was beyond nothing he had even imagined.

Marlena looked up and Q and noted the expression on his face. She didn't want this all to be over too quickly, she had far more in store for him, so she slowed her movements and then finally withdrew once again. She watched him open his eyes in surprise and frustration. She smiled at him and deliberately pushed the straps of her nightgown off her shoulders. Pushing herself off the floor, she hitched the skirt of her nightgown up slightly and moved forward until she was straddling Q's thighs. Catching his eyes with a sultry glance from below her lashes, she lowered herself until she was sitting on his knees.

She could sense his nervousness as she shimmied forward slightly and she determined to show him that there was no reason to be nervous. He was as much a part of this as she was. With a small smile, she leaned forward and pulled his hands off the bed so that he had to sit upright to balance himself. With that small movement, Q found himself pressed up against Marlena, so close he could feel her warmth emanating through the skimpy nightdress. Marlena brought his hands around behind her and pressed them against the back of her hips. Q's eyes widened as she let his hands go and snaked hers around his neck so that he was sure she must be able to feel the way his heart was hammering in his chest.

He slid his hands over the warm satin, exploring her curves as he studied her face with his eyes. Everything about her was perfect. He wanted to feel every single inch of her body against him and he felt as if he could stare into her eyes forever and never feel bored. In return, Marlena was sweeping his face with her own eyes. The way he was looking at her made her shiver with delight. It was as though in one moment he could uncover all her secrets with his penetrating stare.

They sat that way for several moments, just drinking each other in, both amazed to find themselves entranced in a moment they had thought would never happen. Then Marlena broke the moment and gently swept her lips past Q's. The graze of her lips left Q's tingling and wanting more. Sliding his hands up her back, he pulled her even closer so that her breasts were crushed against his chest. One hand carried on upwards, gliding over the freckled skin of her back and then up over the nape of her neck, causing her to inhale deeply. Finally his fingers wove themselves deeply into her blonde tresses and he kissed her. He was gentle at first, but the feeling of her hand exploring his back made him lust for her even more.

The feeling of Eugene's lips on hers made the desire explode inside Marlena. She wanted him so badly that she wasn't sure that she could wait for him to take the lead. Q moaned against her mouth as he felt her fingernails rake not quite so gently across his back. She surprised him once again as her tongue slipped tentatively into his mouth, tempting him to experience even more of her. He eagerly took up the invitation, deepening the kiss, sliding his tongue against hers, making her tremble as he sent sparks shooting through her body.

Finally Marlena broke off the deeply passionate kiss, gasping for breath.
"Oh my!" she exclaimed. Q regarded her for a moment, her face reddened as she panted.
"Are you sure this is what you really want?" he asked solemnly. Marlena's face was serious as her breathing slowed slightly. She looked at him for several moments, realizing idly, that where his eyes had been brown before, now they were almost green. "Marlena?"
"Hmm?" She was shaken out of her musings by his voice and the concern in his eyes. "Oh, I'm sorry, what was the question?" Her mind was working ahead of her body and she had totally lost track of what he was asking her.
"I said are you sure this is what you want?" Q asked, a tremor invading his voice as he feared she was suddenly coming to her senses.
"Oh.." Marlena's laugh bubbled out of her throat. "Why you silly. Of course I want this." She suddenly became serious as she lifted her index finger and began to trace his lips. Her eyelids lowered slightly and she looked up at him from under her lashes. "I can't think of anything right now which I want more." She leaned forward until her mouth was right next to his ear. "Make love to me Gene," she whispered breathily.

Q groaned as she caught his earlobe between her teeth and began to suck on it as she rubbed herself up against him, feeling his hardness between them. She lifted her knees and squeezed Q's hips between them as she began to work his way down his neck, alternately kissing and sucking at the soft skin there. She felt Q's hands slide down her back and cup her rear. A tentative squeeze made her inhale.
"Mmmm..." she murmered. "I like that." Her hands skimmed down his back in return, but instead of travelling further down, she gathered the hem of Q's tee-shirt in her hands and pulled it upwards. Q lifted his arms obligingly and the tee-shirt was discarded on the floor with the boxers.

Marlena smiled and ran her hands over Q's chest, brushing his nipples with her thumbs as she did. She felt Q's reaction to the small movement and smiled.
"And obviously, *you* like that." She kissed him and then pulled back from him and bent her head to kiss his chest. Q could hardly breathe as she teased him, biting him gently and flicking her tongue across his nipple.

Deciding it wasn't fair to let her do all the work, his hands found the outside of her thighs and began to slide upwards, relishing the feeling of her curves beneath his broad hands. He ran his palms over her buttocks, giving her a squeeze that elicited a moan from Marlena that vibrated against his chest. His fingers followed the roundness of her hips up to where they merged in a sweeping curve into her small waist. Her skin was warm and he felt her breaths grow more shallow as he explored the small of her back and drew his hands round to the front of her.

He paused as he reached her breasts, almost too nervous to go any farther. Marlena, feeling him hesitate, looked up at him. Wordlessly, she reached down to where the white satin spilled over his arms and in one movement she pulled the nightgown over her head and discarded it on the floor. Then she covered Q's hands with hers and slid them upwards. For a moment Q could do nothing but gaze at her breathlessly. She was even more beautiful than he had ever imagined and she deserved everything he could ever give her and more. At that moment he determined devote himself to giving her as much pleasure as she had ever known. And then some.

He grinned at her mischievously as , not moving his hands, he leant in to kiss her. As his lips touched hers, Marlena felt as though her whole body was on fire. She had never experienced such intense sensual arousal, it was almost as though every nerve in her body was responding to the way he pressed his lips against hers and the insistent exploration of his tongue as it searched out hers.

She gasped for breath as he broke off the kiss, wide-eyed with surprise. His assault began anew as he ran his hands lovingly over her breasts, massaging her hardened nipples with the pads of his thumbs.
"Oh!" she exclaimed as she threw her head back and pressed her lips together, trying to muffle her cries. The feeling was exquisite and almost excruciating. It was as though there were hands all over her body, searching out all her secrets, finding all her most tender spots and gently teasing and exciting them. She felt the burning moisture of Q's mouth on her neck, biting and sucking unrelentingly at her skin.

Q could feel her beginning to pant - her chest rising and falling under his mouth as he kissed a wet path down to her breasts. She began to moan loudly as he circled her nipple with his tongue, sending such a barrage of sensations through her body that she began to squirm. Just as a precaution, Q waved his hand, creating a seal around the room so that no noise they made would wake the children.

He continued to play with her nipples using his tongue and teeth while his hands explored the rest of her body. For Marlena it was as though with his hands and mouth he had brought her to the brink and was just holding her there until he was ready. However, she was more than ready and she wanted him desperately.

Gaining some composure, although she was still panting, she lifted her head and wriggled on Gene's lap. Q could feel the dampness between her legs and knew what she wanted. He lifted his head and looked at her face. Her bangs were damp against her forehead and her eyes were glazed with lust. He was panting almost as much as she, as she leaned forward, pressing her breasts against his chest.
"Oh god I want you," she groaned. "I want you inside me."
"Your wish..." Q smiled as he kissed the side of her cheek tenderly.

Almost without effort, he lifted her off his lap slightly and carried her forward. Marlena whimpered as he slowly slid into her, until she was pressed right up against him. Instinctively, for she was running on little more than instinct now, Marlena lifted her legs and wrapped them around Eugene's waist as he began to thrust into her.

Marlena felt like she wasn't even on the same plane of existence anymore. All she could feel was Q moving inside her, but it was like he was totally inside her, somehow their two beings incorporating into one. She felt like she was floating, but at the same time there was an intenseness to the sensations that was beyond anything she had ever experienced.

Q felt her moving with him, encouraging him to quicken his pace, giving her even more pleasure. Her thighs tensed as she rocked, squeezing his hips. Her moaning was getting louder as they moved and Q gasped as he felt her teeth graze his shoulder in an effort to muffle her cries.
"Oh Marlena," he whispered into her ear, "let me hear you sweetheart. I want to hear you." Marlena lifted her head slightly.
"The children...." she managed to get out between breaths.
"The children won't hear anything." Q assured her. "Just you and me. That's all." He brushed the damp hair back from her face and stared at her red and bruised lips.

Before he could do anything, Marlena's hand slid rapidly up his neck and into the short hair at the back of his neck. She pulled him to her and delved her tongue between his lips as though she couldn't get enough. Q wasn't complaining as he joined the hungry, crushing kiss, both desperate for even more of each other.

Finally, they came up for air, both still reaching for short kisses between heavy breaths. Marlena broke the pattern nibbling at Gene's lower lip before moving across his cheek to his ear. Q felt both of her arms move around his neck as she began rubbing herself against him. The sublime feeling was only increased as he felt Marlena's tongue playing with his ear, moving in time with his thrusts.

It wasn't long before he couldn't help but pick up the pace, and as he did, Marlena began to moan softly in his ear. The sound of her voice and the pressure of her thighs on his hips was driving him wild and his hands found their way to her rear again, pulling her even closer. As he began to drive even deeper into her Marlena found herself struggling for breath in between the uncontrollable cries that emerged from her throat.
"Oh Gene..." she gasped, "Oh Gene. Oh *god*, oh, oh, .."

Her cries became unintelligible as she threw her head back, her arms still clasped behind Q's neck. Q watched her for a moment as he continued to move within her, the most exquisite feeling he had ever known. He wanted this to last just a moment longer.

Her eyes were closed and her cries increased in volume as her lover brought her to a height she had never even dreamed of. Q couldn't get enough of her face, her body, her pure sensuality. But her cries had him so aroused that he knew this was it. He pulled her to him as he drove into her with all his effort. He felt her fall over the edge into her orgasm, her back arching and her body tensing as she began to cry his name over and over. She was so loud she was almost screaming and her absolute abandonment sent Q his own incredible climax, his cries muffled against her creamy skin.

The blissful feelings seemed to go on forever as they continued to move against each other, but finally their cries quieted and their movements slowed to a halt. Marlena collapsed against Q with a satisfied sigh, unable to move for several minutes thanks to her exhaustion. Q wrapped his arms around her and lifted one hand to pull her long blonde hair behind her shoulders. Unable to resist, he kissed her shoulder. Marlena lifted her head and looked at Q with an almost shy smile.
"That was...." she paused, lost for a description. "How do you *do* that?" she asked, lifting her hand wearily to wipe the moisture from his forehead.

"I think I remember telling you once that I was impotent...," Q grinned and clicked his fingers, "No that's not right." He pretended to think for a moment.
"Stop being silly!" Marlena giggled as she brushed at him with her hand.
"AH! That's right! *Omnipotent*. How could I forget?" Q laughed with her.

He felt her shiver against him as their bodies cooled, and he pulled over the cotton blanket from the end of the bed and draped it around her shoulders.
"Hmmm. Whatever it was, it was wonderful." Marlena murmered dreamily.
"You're wonderful," Q whispered into her hair.
"Me?" Marlena laughed.
"Yes you." Q smiled and kissed her forehead.
"Well, I think *you're* wonderful." Marlena reached up and planted a gentle kiss on his lips. "My Mr. Wonderful." She sighed and slipped her arms around his neck again and then lay her head on his shoulder as they sat contentedly together, luxuriating in the warm lustre of their lovemaking.

John found a bench and sat down, pulling his jacket closer round him. This had to be the coldest time of the morning and he could feel the frigid breeze coming from a northern direction. He rubbed his hands together and smiled unexpectedly as he thought of Belle again. To him she was the most beautiful little girl in the world, and he adored her so much that it almost hurt.

She always knew how to cheer him. A wink, a kiss or a giggle always smoothed away his pain and she could clear the clouds from his mood like a gentle breeze bringing the sunshine. Of course a result of this fracture in his relationship with Marlena was that he hadn't seen nearly enough of his children lately. That was as much his fault as it was anyone's, he knew that. He had been so busy burying himself in his work that he had told himself that he just didn't have the time to give them.

In some ways that was true, but he also knew that it was because every time he saw the children, they reminded them of exactly how much he had lost and it hurt too much to put himself through that over and over. He propped his elbows on his knees and dropped his chin into his hands with a sigh. His conscience told him he was being nothing but a big coward. His children needed him and he couldn't keep running away because of the mistakes he had made. He couldn't keep on hurting them because he was afraid of hurting himself.

And besides, the last few times he had spoken to Marlena it had looked like maybe she was softening. It was just that it had been so long now, and he had tried so hard to prove to her that he was honest in his intentions and emotions. And still he seemed to be making such little headway.

John took in a deep breath and then exhaled, the warm air frosting in the moonlight. He had promised to do whatever it took, however long it took. He couldn't get discouraged now. One day, he didn't care how long in the distance it was, as long as it happened, he would make Marlena Evans his wife.

Marlena shifted a little uncomfortably as she realized her legs had gone to sleep.
"Ow," she cursed under her breath and winced as she tried to pull her feet from where they were crossed behind Eugene, off of the bed. Eugene saw that she was in difficulty, and supporting her with his hands, he stood up, carrying her with him.

Marlena smiled at him.
"Do you always know what I'm thinking?" she asked.
"Uh-uh." Q grinned and shook his head. "If I did, I don't think you would have had to seduce in me quite such a..." he paused and lifted his eyebrows, "a *brazen* fashion."
"Oh, you would have spoiled all my fun huh?" Marlena returned his banter.
"I hardly think so." Q dropped a soft kiss on her lips and then turned around as Marlena sighed.
"No, I think you're right." She smiled lazily as he leaned over and gently laid her on top of the rumpled comforter.

"Mmmm," she unwrapped her limbs from around him and stretched. "I still can't quite believe this happened." She pulled him close to her as he lay down. "I never expected it to happen."
"You should try it from this angle," Eugene grinned like a little boy at Christmas. "Here I've been, thinking about you, dreaming about you for years, but never imagining that there could even possibly be a chance that you would even look at me twice. And suddenly I'm here with you and we've just made this incredible love. It's totally unbelievable!"
"Oh Gene," Marlena ran two fingers down the side of his face, following the hollow of his cheek down to his lips. She played her fingers thoughtfully over them for a moment before she spoke again. "I'm sorry I never knew. I'm sorry if I made it awkward for you."
"I didn't *want* you to know." He looked up at the ceiling as he spoke. "We have had a wonderful friendship Marlena. And I knew that was only what you thought of me. A good friend. I didn't want to risk that for some pipe dream."
"Some pipe dream alright," Marlena giggled as she cuddle, up to him. "I know you're right, I just hate the thought that I ever caused you any pain." Eugene drew her into his arms and she nuzzled his neck, feeling the vibrations as he spoke.
"Never any pain," he said as Marlena began to kiss his throat. "Intense *frustration* maybe. But never pain....Ow!"

Marlena looked up at him with wide-eyes, trying to suppress her chuckle as he recovered from the bite she had just given him. His eyes narrowed for a moment and then Marlena shrieked with laughter as he rolled her over and began his own offensive on her neck.

John made his way back to the jeep which sat as an immobile watcher over it's owner's meditations. He climbed into the vehicle and turned the key in the ignition, the dash coming to a harshly luminous life. John sat back in his seat and stared blankly into the distance as the radio began to hum.

The last time he had seen Marlena he had been taking the children to the zoo. It had been just over a week ago, but it seemed like forever. But every detain, every little movement, was etched in his memory. He had stood behind her and she had visibly shivered. He still had the same effect on her as she had on him, it was quite obvious. But that didn't mean she was ready to forgive him.

John sighed as the soothing music swirled around him, filling the car with dulcet tones and familiar sentiments. I took your love for granted, thought luck was always on my side. I turned around too late and you were gone. He looked to the east. The sky was not yet lightening. There would still be two hours before sunrise.

So give me one more chance, darlin', if you care for me. He turned the key and the engine caught. Let me win your love, cos you were always there, for me. The jeep backed away from the lake and turned onto the road.

If you care for me,
be there for me.

Eugene stopped for breath and looked at Marlena.
"Are you *sure* you aren't going to regret this in the morning?" he asked again in another moment of self-doubt. Marlena smiled, understanding his nervousness and wondering if she wouldn't be feeling the same way if the situation was reversed. Tenderly she reached out and ran her fingers over the creases, scribed into his forehead.
"It *is* the morning sweetheart," she whispered as she tried to wipe away his worry. "I'm not going to regret this. I know what I am doing and I'm loving every moment of it." She pressed herself close to him. "I can't wait to wake up with you."
"We have to go to sleep first," Q grinned impishly.
"We do?" Marlena smiled innocently as one hand crept up the inside of Gene's thigh.

Q caught her hand away before she could make him any more impatient than he already was. Pinning it above her head with his right hand, he rolled her partially onto her back, and brought his mouth within inches of hers.
"Are you trying to tempt me Dr. Evans?" He lifted his eyebrows with the slightest hint of a smile.
Marlena swallowed, her heart hammering in her chest and tremors running through her body, suddenly and completely aroused by what this man could do to her with his eyes and silky smooth voice.
"Would I do that?" she whispered with a tantalizing smile.
"Oh yes, I think you would." Without moving his eyes from her face, Eugene began to run his hand lightly up the outside of Marlena's thigh and over her hip. It graduated over her slightly rounded stomach and slid up and over her heavy breasts until his fingers came to rest at the hollow of her throat.

"I don't think you *need* tempting Mr. Bradford," Marlena whispered thickly. "You seem to be doing fine without my help."
"Oh no," Q ran his hand up her arm to where he held her lightly with his other hand, his fingers meshed with hers, "you see, every time I look at you I'm tempted. I just can't help it." He raked her body with his eyes as if to emphasize what he was saying.
"You're insatiable." The sexy laugh welled in Marlena's throat.
"I have a lot of time to make up," Eugene replied with a secretive smile before he ducked his head to the side of her throat.

Marlena's return was lost in a moan as Gene began to feast on her soft skin, working his way up until he found her ear. Taking her earlobe in his mouth, he began to play with it, sucking and working his tongue around it until Marlena began to wriggle. She could feel his hot, moist breath against the side of her face and she gasped for breath as she felt the hot moisture around and in her ear.

She was left panting as he abruptly left that point of focus and moved downwards, his mouth searching out her breasts. She fought weakly to get her hands free as Eugene teased her with his mouth. He would hover above her, barely touching her and driving her fervour even higher so that she arched her back with the hunger and frustration. And then finally he would give her what she wanted for several moments, just enough to heighten her body's responses.

A thought crossed Q's mind as he played his tongue over his body. He wasn't using his powers to arouse her this time. It was just he and her. His insecurity took over again and he wondered what she was thinking. Or more especially *who* she was thinking about. He pulled himself up the bed and studied her face, wondering what he would find when she opened her eyes. Gently he lay a delicate kiss on her lips, his heart pounding in his chest with nervousness. Marlena's lips searched out his with increasing fierceness and he found himself responding almost without conscious thought.

When the kiss ended, he pulled back, his eyes remaining closed for a long moment before he found the strength to open them. Marlena was looking up at him, her eyes glowing. And he saw in them, not John Black, as he had expected, but surprisingly, a reflection of himself.

It was in that moment that he was finally convinced that she really wanted to make love to him, not just as a means of wiping her mind momentarily of John, but because she really wanted to. The knowledge filled his heart and he couldn't help the grin that crossed his face.
"What are you smiling at?" Marlena chuckled.
"Why are you so nosy?" Gene shot back, unwilling to reveal his thoughts.
"It's a professional hazard," Marlena said as she worked her hand free from a distracted Q.
"I'm sure it is," agreed Q as he caught her hand up in his again and regarded it remembering how she had woven her fingers between his in his dream. And how he had made love to her, just with his love for her and nothing else and how she had loved it.

With his decision, he tried to pull her hand back above her head, but Marlena was having none of it. She knew what she wanted and she didn't want to wait.
"No," she commanded in a low voice as she pulled his hand down her body.

Moving her legs apart, she brought Q's hand between her thighs, sighing as she felt his fingers on her.
"See how much I want you?" she was almost pleading. Q nodded imperceptibly and then, against Marlena's expectations, slid down the bed until his mouth replaced his fingers, giving her a little of what she desired.

Marlena bit her lower lip as Eugene continued to tease her, lightly caressing her hot skin with his dancing tongue, producing even more dampness and more longing. Finally her moans made it out despite the effort to hold them in and her hips began to move in time with her partner's rhythm.

Abruptly, Q ended his sweet torture of her and moved back up until his body was covering hers. Taking each of her hands with his, he pinned them back over her head and leant down to brush his lips across hers. Marlena was left panting with frustration as he lingered over her. Q smiled and leaned down to kiss her again, this time more passionately.

Marlena was so caught up in the kiss that she was caught completely by surprise as he forcefully entered her, moving his hips until he filled her completely. She tensed for a moment and then broke the kiss with a groan of satisfaction as Q began to move within her. Each breath brought an "Mmmm.." to her lips as she began to lift her hips with Q's thrusts.

It was a different feeling to their previous lovemaking. The unreal intensity was not there, but in a way, it was better. She could feel his damp body moving against hers and she could feel the force of his desire for her, increasing hers for his. His eyes were closed and she could see the concentration on his face and it turned her on even more.

Gripping his hips between her knees with some force, she took him by surprise as she rolled him onto his back. Her hands were still entwined with his and she leaned forward on them to steady herself as she began to move astride him.

Q looked up in surprise and found his lust for her increasing tenfold as she swayed on top of him. She was watching him with a half-smile on her face as she began to increase the pressure. She squeezed his hands as she closed her eyes in concentration and began to rotate her hips as she moved. Q began to groan and his cries rose with hers in the still room.

John stepped off the elevator in silence and headed for the door. Taking out his key, he quietly inserted it in the lock and twisted it until the mechanism clicked. Holding his breath, he opened the door and stepped into the silent apartment. He closed the door behind him and quickly punched in the security code.

He stealthily climbed the stairs to the landing and stopped in each of the children's rooms to blow a kiss to the sleeping cherubs. To obsessed with his goal to notice that the door to the guest room was ajar, John stopped in front of Marlena's room and rested his hand lightly against the cool wood. The room was silent within but he had no way of knowing if she were awake or asleep.

He knew he had to take that chance.

As slowly and as quietly as he could, John twisted the door handle until it would turn no further and then taking a deep breath, he pushed the door open.