[Marlena walks along the beach, shading her eyes against the setting sun. The days seem to have faded into weeks and she is convinced that the Big Bad Ass has forgotten all about them. Not that it worries her in the slightest. Life is easy here. Somehow there is always food and there is John and her children. Her children that are the sunshine of her existence. She had almost forgotten how much she loved them until they were reunited. But there is one dark cloud hovering on that otherwise unblemished horizon. And that is the time she spent as Grace. And Laura.

She's seen very little of Laura in the last couple of weeks. Obviously Laura and Shane have come to some kind of resolution, because there has only been the occasional snatches of laughter floating from the ISA secret room between rare appearances for food or other amenities. Marlena has made herself scarce on those occasions, unable to come to terms with the snatches of memories that she harbours inside her head. Unable to face her dear friend.

Apparently she is not going to be afforded that selfish luxury any longer as Laura strides purposely down to the beach.]

Laura: [Pointedly, as she turns and stares at the water beside Marlena.] Anyone would think you've been avoiding me, Marlena. [The silence is broken only by the sound of the water as it laps towards their feet.] I'll take the silence as a confirmation then? [Sensing Marlena tense beside her, she softens.] It's not that bad you know. It's not the end of the world or anything.

[Stiltedly.] I ..... [swallows] I don't know where to start.

Laura: [Lightly.] Start what?

[Taking a deep breath, she finally turns to look at Laura.] Apologizing.

Laura:[Shrugs.] Forget it. I'm more than happy to.

Laura... [Chews slowly on her lower lip.] Shane filled me in a little... and I remember some things....

Laura: [Tightly.] And what's your point?

[Shrugs wearily as she turns back to stare at the water.] That I'm sorry. That I have no excuse. She came from somewhere inside me and I don't know how to deal with that. With the fact that I was that callous and cruel. And I hurt you.

Laura: [Ruefully.] Grace. She was certainly a piece of work. [Turns around to face Marlena and waits until Marlena meets her eyes.] She had her moments... [Breaks into a grin] I thought curling Brady's hair was a master stroke quite personally. [Marlena winces and moans slightly but Laura tugs on her hand and she finds herself dropping to the sandy beach.] No permanent damage was done. You have no reason to feel guilty. You were pushed to breaking point. And if I hadn't cared about you, I wouldn't have stuck around to let Grace torment me.

[Rolls her eyes.] Oh, thanks for the reassurance. [Stares at her hands for a moment and then back up at Laura. Hesitantly.] What was she like?

Laura: [Raises her eyebrows.] Grace? Nothing like you. [Shakes her head.] No, that's not entirely true. She did remind me of you in some ways. She was fierce in defence of someone she cared for. Of course that caring was pretty perverse in it's own right. [Smiles.] And the woman stood up for herself. She kicked some .... serious ass, I think is the term. [Looks at Marlena.] That reminded me of you. A long time ago. Before you started letting people walk all over you. [Cocks one eyebrow.] Maybe if you started letting a little Grace out every now and then you might actually enjoy yourself.

[Considers Laura's words for a moment.] Maybe you're right. Although maybe you could all do without the handcuffs and tormenting.

Laura: [Amusement colouring her words.] Maybe you should consult John before you make a definitive decision on that.

[Finally cracks a real smile and looks away. After a pause.] Thank you.

Laura: [Easily] You're welcome.

For everything...

Laura: [Nods.] I know. You would have done the same for any of your friends.

Bob: [His voice wafting across the sand as he walks towards them, holding his camera.] Good to see you two, y'know, actually talking.

[Slightly embarrassed.] Something tells me I need to apologize to you too.

Bob: [Grinning, with a wicked gleam in his eye.] Oh, no apology necessary, Blondie.

Laura: [Ignoring Marlena's sudden blush.] So, did you get in touch with the Big Bad Ass?

Bob: [Shrugs.] You know, I'm really starting to think that we got cancelled and nobody bothered to tell us.

[Laughs.] Or maybe Langan paid her off to keep us out of Salem. [Turns as she hears a sound and sees Shane and John. Belle and Brady trail behind them and scurry down to the sand to dig for buried treasure.]

John: [Sinks down in the sand next to her.] Might not be such a far-fetched idea, Doc. Shane's been trying to raise someone on the radio in the ISA room but it looks as if Langan's cut all contact. We're marooned here.

[Smiles, a mischevious glint in her own eyes.] Too bad huh? No Langan, no grown children. No Hope. Sounds like Paradise to me.

John: [Grins as he wraps his arms around her.] Oh, I like the way you think Mrs. Black.

Shane: [Laughing as Laura curls her hand around his.] Take it somewhere private you two.

Mmmmmm.... [Slides her hand over John's leg.] We might just do that.

John: [His eyes lighting up, he looks briefly up at Laura and Shane.] Take care of the kids for a couple of hours will ya? [Before they can answer, he grabs Marlena's hand and pulls her to her feet.]

Laura: [Watches them head in the direction of the Horton cabin and then turns back to Shane] Oh, great move, Guv'ner. Get us stuck with the kids for the long, warm afternoon when the sea is beckoning....

Shane: [Leans over and kisses her cheek.] If they really have forgotten about us, we have all the time in the world....

confessed by Marlena at 6:46 AM