Post by Tammy on Aug 17, 2006 13:19:44 GMT -5
Marlena and Sami rushed into the hospital room and saw Roman lying on the bed… his leg elevated on a stack of pillows. Sami rushed over to his side, “Daddy…oh my god daddy are you okay?” Roman met her gaze with a slight smile, “I am fine peanut…it is nothing to serious. I wish the doctors hadn’t worried all of you.” Marlena stepped around Sami and into Roman’s line of site. Worry creased her brow, “Roman are you really okay?” He nodded, “I am fine Doc. I was shot twice in the leg…which means I will be on crutches for a few months. Nothing to worry about.” Both Marlena and Sami breathed a collective sigh of relief. Fear suddenly pierced Marlena’s heart, “What about John…was he hurt?” Roman shook his head, “No Doc… last I saw of him he was fine. He was a little shaken up but that is all.” Marlena felt the weight lift from her shoulders….and anger over took her again. Marlena fought to keep her composure but was loosing the battle. Something was not right about this whole situation and she was determined to find out what EXACTLY was going on. “Roman since you are okay…I have to ask you…what the HELL is going on?” Roman shook his head and spoke wearily, “I’m…I’m not sure what you mean Doc.” Marlena let out and exasperated sigh, “Don’t give me that Roman! There are things about this so called ‘mission” that you and John are keeping from me!” He shrugged his shoulders, “Like what Marlena?” She glared at him, “Like for instance…why was I under the impression that Bo was going with the two of you on this trip…when Hope just informed me that he is out of town?” Roman shrugged yet again, “How am I supposed to know…I wasn’t the one that gave you that impression.” Marlena’s rage took over, “Don’t be flip with me Roman.” Marlena paced the room and then walked to the foot of his bed…her hands gripping the rail so hard that her knuckles were turning white, “Alright then tell me this…how in gods name did you get SHOT if you and John were having a simple meeting?” Roman sighed and was about to speak when Marlena stopped him, “Tell me the truth Roman! I am sick and tired of all of you treating me like I am going to fall apart! I want the TRUTH and I want all of it right now!” Roman held his hands up to stop her tirade. “Okay…okay! The truth…John and I were at a meeting…but it wasn’t exactly a simple or productive one. We were called to met with some ISA agents down on the docks.” That was all he said and Marlena began to get inpatient. “Why Roman?” He huffed, “They wanted to tell us that…that they decided that our plan to rescue the boys was no longer a viable option. They said it wasn’t fool proof and they would not be able to carry it out.” Sami began to get impatient as well, “And what…you disagreed and they shot you?” What aren’t you telling us dad?” He glared at her and then he continued, “No Sami. John began to argue with them that the plan was a good one and that their was no reason why we shouldn’t carry it out. He got all pissed off and told them that there was no time to spare…and that he wasn’t going to sit around and wait for them while the people he loves are in danger. Well in the middle of this argument…two men came out of no where and started shooting…but I was the only one hit.” Marlena gasped, “Are you sure…no one else was injured?” Roman nodded, “That is the thing Doc…it was as if these men were aiming directly for me.” A blank expression took over Marlena’s face while she processed the information…but Sami’s mind was in full gear. She turned to Roman, “Now I know that I am not a cop by any means…but I have enough police officers and ISA agents in my family to know a thing or two…and to me…this sounds like a setup!” Marlena’s head snapped up and glanced at them, “A setup…Roman this makes no sense. Why would someone want to set you and John up?” Roman shook his head, “Not us Marlena…John! This was a setup for John.” Marlena held her tears at bay. She ran her hands through her hair stopping to take handfuls into her grasp. Her world seemed to be spinning out of control and any moment now it was going to fly off it axis. She took yet another deep breath to calm herself, “Roman…this is not making any sense. Who would want to set John up and what do they think they will gain from it? I want the whole truth Roman!” “Doc…who ever shot me wanted me out of the way. You see the last meeting we had with the ISA we held at the police station. But as standard ISA procedure…they did a sweep of the office…and when they did…they found a listening device planted in the room. That is why we meet on the pier today…and that is why they called off the mission…because our plan was compromised. Who ever planted that bug knew that the ISA would call off the mission…but they also knew…” Sami gasped, “They also knew…that John wouldn’t wait.” Roman nodded, “Exactly! We are positive that the people that shot me today…did it on purpose so I would be laid up…leaving John…” Marlena wiped the tears from her eyes, “Leaving John all alone.” Sami walked over to her mother and hugged her fiercely turning to Roman. “Dad…I am assuming that who ever did all of this are the same people that are holding the guys hostage right?” Roman nodded blankly. “Then it seems to me that these people know John fairly well…does that mean…does that mean that you know WHO has the guys?” Roman glanced away from Marlena’s crying form and nodded. Marlena swiped at her tears fiercely, “You do? How long have you known…and who is it?” Roman shook his head, “Marlena…it really isn’t my place…” “Bullshit Roman! You and John had no right to keep this from me. In case you have forgotten I have a son over there…not to mention your son, my son-in-law, your nephew and the father of OUR grandson! I want to know WHO is holding them hostage and how long you have known it!” He grunted in frustration, “ALRIGHT! We have known for a few months now okay.” Marlena gritted her teeth, “A few MONTHS? Oh…my…who is it Roman? Who has the guys? Who is setting my husband up…So help me god if…” Roman had finally met his breaking point, “TONY…okay…TONY has them!” Marlena stumbled back from the bed as though the wind had been knocked out of her. She slowly stumbled over to the chair and sat down, cradling her head in her hands…with tears pouring down her face. She shook her head as her mind raced. It all makes sense now. Why John was so determined to go on this mission no matter how often I begged and pleaded with him not to. This whole thing was about Tony getting his revenge on John. What better way to do that then taking our son hostage. He knows that John would risk his life to save him and the others. He wanted John alone and vulnerable …” Her tears had since dried and were replaced with anger and worry. Her eyes shot daggers at Roman. “Where is he Roman?” He hunched his shoulders, “Who?” Marlena walked up to the side of the bed , “Who…John that’s who!” “How am I supposed to know. I was a little busy being shot Marlena…it didn’t cross my mind to baby sit your husband.” That set off her ire.” Bull… John put you up to this.” She waived her arms around signaling to Roman lying in the bed. “I mean come on…you were shot in the leg for gods sake…it isn’t as if you were knocking on deaths door! You had them call the pub and tell us you were shot and not give any specifics KNOWING that we would come rushing down here to see if you were alright! Which would give John time to leave without giving me time to catch up with him and stop him!” She leaned closer and grabbed Roman by the front of his hospital gown. Sami came over and tried to pull her off of him but she wouldn’t budge. “So help me GOD Roman…if I don’t catch up with him and he goes over there and walks right into Tony’s trap….you better be prepared. Because I am going to come back here and BREAK your other leg!” Sami gasped, “MOM!” Marlena shoved Roman back onto the bed and stormed out of the room. Sami panicked and looked at Roman, “Oh god…I have to go and catch her before she does something that she will regret.” Sami kissed her father hastily on the cheek and ran after Marlena…leaving Roman there regretting that he ever opened his mouth…and cursing John for putting him in this position!
