Outside of Marlena's Penthouse door, Gina paused and checked the contents of her purse. She felt assured upon seeing the vial, Time for Phase 2, John. Gina closed her purse and knocked on the door. She waited a beat before the door was answered-and it was John. "John, hello! I was told that Greta was here." Gina wasn't really told such a thing, since she had never bothering asking around first. But she did know how much her daughter favored John. Not as much as I, however.
"She went out shopping with Doc." John uneasily replied.
Gina gave a fake frown, "Oh, well…" Gina paused, but noticed the funny look John had given her. "Is something wrong, John?"
"I'm not sure why…but I strongly want to suggest that you stay and wait for her here." John stepped back, allowing Gina to enter. As she walked past him, she held a secretive smile-knowing what caused those sudden strong urges.
"If you insist." Gina went along with her innocent act.
He snapped at her, "I do." John followed behind her, puzzled by not only desperately convincing her to stay, but also for frantically snapping at her.
Gina noticed his now cold cup of coffee setting on the table in front of the couch. He's probably had enough coffee, so perhaps I should suggest a round of tea. She took herself up on that suggestion. Gina whirled around to face him, "Perhaps we should have some tea while we wait?" With a nod from John, Gina moved off into the kitchen. After a glance over her shoulder before moving through the swinging kitchen door, Gina noticed John settling back onto the couch.
Being alone in the kitchen gave Gina the perfect opportunity to slip more of the serum into John's tea-after it was made. As she unnecessarily stirred his tea, she just had to smile to herself. I need to thank Rolf once again for this favor and I must let him know how effective this serum was. John is already leaning in favor of OUR love. And soon…Marlena won't matter at all to him.
Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard John's voice, "You need any help in there, Gina?"
"No, I'm just setting the cups on a tray to bring out." She called back. Now she had to quickly find a tray to back up her words. And what luck for her, for there was a tray on the counter next to the sink-it just needed to be dried off.
"I was beginning to think you got lost in the small kitchen." John joked as she emerged through the swinging door.
She chuckled and set the tray in front of them. Gina took hers quickly, forcing John to take the spiked drink. She took a sip and nodded, "Not bad." John followed suit and took a sip of his tea. And again-much like with the champagne only nights ago-John felt it tasted fine, but there was that odd sensation.
He put a hand to his head, "I think I got the bad part."
In concern, Gina set her cup down and moved to sit next to him on the couch. "Is it a headache? Here…let me…" Without consent, Gina gently placed her fingers on his temple and massaged him much like she did months ago. In moments, he was like putty in her hands. Her elation rose as she realized that he was leaning in to her. "John…?"
"Shhh, this feels good." He mumbled. His eyes opened and again she saw the passion that was only for her and no one else. John finally stopped her when he put his hands on hers-causing her to think that she had overstepped boundaries and she had simply fantasized the last couple minutes. She was alarmed when he pulled her to him, "That helped, but a kiss oughta seal the deal, Gina." Unsure of the situation at first, her timid kiss grew with bravery and soon they frantically grappled each other. She heard John mumble about taking her right here, right now. But she convinced him to take her to bed. Without warning, he possessively scooped her up and scrambled up the steps.
Shawn-D had reached the Salem Inn, mentally reciting the room number Greta had told him that she shared with Lily. As he entered the building, he had bumped into Aldo. Shawn-D stumbled back but remained on his feet and noticed Rita and Vincente behind Aldo.
Aldo looked surprised, "Well now…" He remembered Shawn-D from meeting him with Gina at Salem Place a few days ago. "…funny seeing you again." He folded his arms, "If you're looking for Princess Gina, she's not here."
Shawn-D shook his head, "I was on my way to see Greta."
"Didja hear that, Aldo?!" Rita teased. "This punk wants to see the Princess' daughter!"
"I don't think the Princess would approve a street rat like you." Aldo stared hard at Shawn-D.
But Shawn-D held his ground, "Actually, she has. AND she's allowed me be Greta's date for the party tomorrow night."
"Is that so?" Vincente then stepped forward. He purposely shouldered Shawn-D as he walked by. Rita and Aldo followed, not even bothering to hide their laughter.
Shawn-D glared as they walked off. He shook his head and reminded himself to just ignore them. Shawn-D turned and continued on to Greta's room.
It was late afternoon when Greta and Marlena returned to the Penthouse. While Marlena shut the door, Greta edged forward to set their bags on the couch. Marlena looked around, "John?"
"Maybe he went out." Greta suggested when there was no answer.
Marlena set her keys on the side table, "He didn't leave a note." She proceeded toward the kitchen, "He's probably in the kitchen and just didn't hear me."
"I'll check upstairs." Greta saw Marlena nod in consent, so she headed up the steps. As she walked down the hallway, she called out, "Father John?!"
She saw soft light pouring out from the bedroom, so she pushed the half open door fully open. Immediately, she froze in her tracks. She stared in shock upon seeing John and her mother wrapped up in each others arms, sleeping. Greta quickly shut the door and hurried to her mothers' side.
Gina felt herself being shaken and her eyes snapped open. When she saw that it was her daughter, she smiled. But Greta wasn't returning the smile. "Greta, what are you doing here?"
"I could ask you that, Mom." Greta replied and then shook her head, "But there's no time. Marlena could be in here any minute now. You have to get out!" Quickly, Greta handed her mother a robe. "I'll go distract her." Greta then left the room.
Despite her reluctance to leave the bed, Gina did so and hurried to dress. "It's too soon to reveal your return to me, John…" She walked around to his side of the bed and ran her fingers through his hair. He remained asleep. She kissed him fully on the lips in a silent goodbye, causing him to absently murmur her name and turn over. "See you tomorrow." She stood up and tip-toed from the room.
At the top of the stairs, Gina saw her daughter was true to her words. Marlena was distracted enough for her to sneak to the door and leave. Gina briefly waited in the hallway before Greta joined her.
"What were you doing, Mother?" Greta didn't sound happy.
Gina reached and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her daughters' ear, "I thought you would be happy to see us back together."
Greta frowned, "I don't understand! I thought John didn't remember us that way."
Gina continued to smile, and she tugged at Greta's hand, "Come with me…I have much to explain to you!"