Marlena *Confessional* - February 2004

[There is a blur and the sound of clicking. The blur resolves into the figure of Marlena Evans Black who sits down on the sand. She looks happy and tanned and even more beautiful than when we saw her last.]

Hi. Remember me? If anyone's still out there.... [sighs] Bob left a while ago. He got pulled off and sent to... Thailand maybe? Anyway, that's beside the point. We're still here. John and the children and me. Shane and Laura too. We see them from time to time - they've built a lovely little home in the underground bunker on the other side of the island.

[smiles happily] Sometimes we think about going back to Salem, but really, we have everything we want here. At least Langan can't get to us here.... [Looks slightly concerned.] I hope our friends and family back home don't miss us too much. [Brightens] Sami, I miss you honey, I hope you've given up on Austin at last.

[Wraps her arms around herself and stares out over the water.] I do wonder why they left us here. If it is Langan's doing. [With an ironic smile] Brady seems to think we've slipped into an alternate universe. Sometimes I wonder if he's right. [Laughs] Sounds crazy doesn't it? About as likely as me becoming a serial killer.

[Shakes head, slightly confused] Where did *that* come from?

[Laughs again. It's a light carefree laugh, a laugh of someone at peace. Mostly.] Anyway, we're happy, the children are growing every day and this is a wonderful place to live. It's always summer here, can you believe that? [Smile falls away and a little frown replaces it.] It's just a little strange that we're still here I suppose....

[John ambles into view, shirtless and toned. He calls to Marlena and she turns and smiles at him, her eyes sparkling. He comes over and drops onto the sand beside her].

John: [Lays a passionate kiss on her] Hey baby. I was wondering where you had gotten to. Whatchya doin'??

[Wraps her arms around him with a sunny smile.] Nothing important. It's not like anybody will see this - I just thought for posterity, so that they would know we are still alive.... [chuckles] ....so if Langan has any imposters in Salem pretending to be us, they'll know it's *not* us....

John: [Tucks her sun-drenched golden hair behind her ear] You really want them to know we're here? [Laughs] They might come looking for us and then I'd have to start sharing you again. [Drops his head to slide his lips over her neck. Mumbles.] Don't wanna do that....

[Eyes closing] Oh... [they flicker open again and she gasps] Oh my! Yes, mmmm, I quite see what you mean...

[John moves, sending her sprawling to the sand and there is a glimpse of his hand on her thigh as the camera begins to topple. The feed goes black.]
confessed by Marlena at 5:08 AM

Marlena - Confessional

[The camera pans the serenely peaceful camp of the remaining survivors. The air is broken by a childish giggle in the distance and a roar of laughter from what sounds like John. The camera slowly zooms in on Marlena, who is lying alone on a blanket in the sand. She appears to be reading one of Laura's books.]

Bob, you know spying on me from a distance isn't exactly a good way to get on my right side.

Bob: [grinning as he trudges down to the beach] Sorry, blondie. 'Though I didn't know I *had* to get on your right side.

[Shrugs.] Hey, I'm unstable, unpredictable. Who knows when I could turn on you. [A tiny smile twitches at the corner of her lips.]

Bob: [Quirks one eyebrow and scratches his bushy beard.] Are you still worried about that? Does it look like any of us here really care?

Not really. [Puts down the book and rolls over onto her side. The little sweater she has draped over her shoulders falls away.] Maybe people back at home might. [Sighs] I'm more worried about it happening again.

Bob: [Snickers.] C'mon blondie. You needed to kick that twerp that was pretending to be Brady's ass. You didn't have the courage to do it yourself and then he pushed you too far. I personally liked Grace. She added a bit of colour and challenge to this island.

[Laughs.] Oh and I don't, is that it?

Bob: [Grins lewdly at her.] Oh yeah, you add colour all right blondie. But Grace went out and got what she wanted. You're just a little more predictable, that's all.

[Raises her eyebrows.] Predictable, or boring. [Pauses.] At least I don't tie people up and drug and torture them I guess. [Shudders slightly.]

Bob: Uh.... does Laura hold that against you?

[Looks at him speculatively.] She *says* she doesn't.

Bob: Then she doesn't. If there's one thing I've learnt about that lady, she doesn't say what she doesn't mean. [Marlena pauses and he carries on.] She loves you. She wanted desperately to help you. And I think she considered Grace a challenge of her skills. She did a good job with her too.

[Nods thoughtfully.] I guess I'll need to talk to her about helping me once we get back to Salem.

John: [Swoops out of the undergrowth and down onto the blanket beside Marlena.] That's enough serious talk from you, young lady. No thoughts of going back to Salem. Not until we have to, you hear me?

[Giggles as he slides his hand across her stomach.] I hear you. But, y'know -

John: [Pulls her to him and slides his lips up over her neck to her jaw and then flicks his tongue softly across her earlobe.] No buts, baby [He grins as he slides his hand down over her hip and grabs a handful of her behind.] Unless it's yours of course.

[Laughing.] John!

John: [His smile broadens if that's at all possible.] What? [looks up at Bob.] If you'll excuse us Bob, we have important things to be attending to.

[John climbs to his feet and scoops Marlena up in his arms and begins purposefully in the direction of the Horton cabin. Marlena thinks briefly about arguing but decides against it as she fastens her arms around his neck and starts kissing his jaw. He laughs.] Hey, baby.

Hey. [She plants another moist kiss close to his ear.]

John: What's up with this? [Looks at her as he reaches the threshold of the cabin.] I'm not saying that I don't like it, mind you.

[Smiles up at him seductively.] Just trying a little 'go out and get what I want' on for size.

John: [His eyes gleaming.] Does that mean you want *me*?

[Laughter is deep and throaty.] Always baby, always.

John: [Grins.] That's what I like to hear. [Kisses her as he kicks the door open and stumbles blindly for the bed. Dropping to the bed with her, he allows his hand to slide up her thigh and under her shorts. He hears her gasp and feels her tug at the buttons on his shirt....]

I don't want to waste any more time.... [Rips open his shirt, the buttons flying in all directions. Quickly she wrenches it from his shoulders and John struggles out of it. He leans over her, his lips hovering just above hers as he stares into her eyes. His hands roam her body as she shivers slightly. Finally, he brushes the strap of her tank top from her shoulder and begins covering her flesh with tiny warm kisses. Marlena moans softly but then almost immediately after, she catches John offguard as she flips him onto his back and straddles his stomach.]

John: [Looking her up and down.] Is this the new improved you again?

[With a lush smile.] Why? Do you like it?

John: [His lips barely containing the smile that threatens.] Well, why don't you show me what other tricks you have up your sleeve, baby, and then I'll tell you.

[Smirking as she leans over him.] Honey, no sleeves. [She sits up and pulls off her top in a single, smooth movement.] What you see is what you get.
John: [His eyes widening.] Mmmm, is that a promise Doc?.

[Laughing as she leans over and kisses him.] No baby, it's threat. You're not going to be able to walk after I've finished with you....
confessed by Marlena at 9:45 PM