A/N: With apologies for Monday's completely unplanned posting hiatus. The laptop was out for repair. Thankfully, it's been fixed, which means a return to our regularly scheduled programming…

~ Chapter 35 ~

Marlena's breathing had returned to normal, but she was still shaking. The memory, although fleeting, had upset her greatly, and had not yet released its hold on her emotions. Frank, moving to her side, placed a protective arm around her. She leaned against his solid frame gratefully.

"Relax, Marlena. You're in your own home, safe and sound. These are just memories. They're not happening in the here and now."

His voice was deep and soothing, and she let it wash over her. Once her trembling had eased, she lifted her face. Frank was staring at her, compassion radiating from his every pore. She offered him a tremulous smile.

"I know it's just a memory, but it was so… unsettling."

"You mentioned hearing voices. Can you identify them?"

Several minutes passed as Marlena searched her mind. Finally, she gave a regretful shake of her head.

"I'm drawing a blank. They're not at all familiar to me. One thing I know for sure, though. Whoever they belong to mean me harm."

"You're certain of that?"

"Oh, yes. They're trying to convince me of something. Something I don't believe…" She groaned in frustration. "It's so close. If only…"

A shadow crossed her face.

"Wait! I can hear them. They're telling me…"

She gasped in horror, and her eyes filled with tears.

The room was dark. She was frightened and disoriented, and she was finding it difficult to focus. She must've been drugged, she realized, as she fought to control her mounting panic.

She had no idea where she was. The last thing she remembered, she'd been walking across the parking lot outside the medical building, heading towards her car. Her day had included a full patient load, and she was looking forward to the dinner Alex had promised her. She was rummaging in her purse for her keys and then… nothing – until she'd regained consciousness in this strange place, woozy and alone. One thing was desperately clear. She had to escape. Scanning the room, she noted that there was only one exit. Probably guarded, she thought to herself, the futility of her situation sinking in, and reducing her to tears.

The sound of approaching footsteps caused her heart to beat like a trip-hammer. Wiping the wetness from her cheeks, she inhaled deeply, in an attempt to steady her nerves. Two shadowy figures entered the room. In the sliver of light supplied by the partially open door, she discerned that one was tall and the other slightly shorter, but their features were indistinguishable. In an instant, blackness enveloped her once more, but it was temporary. Much to her surprise, a soft glow suddenly illuminated the space.

She was stunned by what she saw. Instead of the bleak surroundings she was expecting, she found herself in something that resembled a doctor's waiting area. Chairs lined the walls, and magazines littered the small end tables. A large window looked out on what appeared to be a rather nondescript hallway.

Although her mind was a jumble of questions, she assumed that her wisest course of action would be to stay silent, and wait for the men to speak. Before long, her patience was rewarded.

"We apologize for the… um… unorthodox methods we used to get you here," the taller one began. "We simply weren't sure you'd come with us voluntarily."

"What do you want?"

In an effort to mask her fear, she adopted a hostile tone. Taken aback, the shorter man attempted to mollify her.

"We… ah… have news for you. News you need to hear."

Sensing that they were being tentative with her gave her a measure of courage, and she pushed harder for answers.

"And you had to kidnap me and bring me to a strange place to hear this news because…?"

The men exchanged glances.

"We… that is… it was expected that you wouldn't react well."

"Why not? What is it?" She didn't bother concealing her impatience.

"Um… Can we get you some coffee? Tea?"

"No. This isn't a social occasion. You kidnapped me," she reiterated. "I want to know why. If you can't tell me, find someone who can."

She'd obviously given them the out that they were hoping for. Both men made a beeline for the door, and she was, once again, alone. Moments later, yet another stranger entered. This one was tall, with dark hair that was peppered with grey, and steely blue eyes.

"I understand you have some questions, Dr. Evans."

She found his condescending attitude infuriating.

"Of course, I have questions. I don't know where I am, or why I'm here. You, or your associates, apparently have news for me that you presume I'll handle poorly, but no one has seen fit to give me any details. How would you feel if you were in my shoes?"

"Very frustrated, I'm sure."

"So? What's the big news I couldn't hear at home, or at my office?"

"It's about your fiancé…"

"Alex? Has something happened? Is he hurt? Where is he?" In her panic, the words tumbled out in a torrent.

"You won't be seeing him anymore."

"What?!"

"You heard me. Dr. North has left the country. He wanted me to let you know that the engagement is off."

Marlena's mouth hung open in shock. She could barely breathe.

"Alex would never do such a thing. We love each other. We're going to be married in the fall…" Her voice trailed off, as a single tear trickled down her cheek.

"I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but Alex never loved you. He simply wanted a companion to help him get through med school. You fit the bill."

"Noooooooo!"

The cry that escaped her was so raw, so anguished, that the man flinched. The barest hint of sympathy flashed across his face, but he quickly composed himself so that, when Marlena looked up, his piercing blue eyes were devoid of emotion.

"I don't believe you!"

"What reason would I have to lie?"

"I don't know, but what you're saying can't be true. Alex loves me."

"No, he doesn't. It was all an act. And the sooner you can accept that, the better."

"I'll never accept it. Never," she repeated emphatically.

"Then we have nothing further to discuss. My men will take you home."

She had no desire to go anywhere with the mysterious men, but she had no choice. Once they'd blindfolded her and ushered her into the rear seat of a car, she settled back and drew numerous deep breaths. The small degree of control that she'd managed to exert while she'd been captive vanished, and tears began to stream down her face. This was all a colossal mistake. The stranger was lying. He had to be.

'He never loved you.' The words echoed in her brain and made her heart ache. This wasn't right. Any of it. If Alex truly was gone, he'd been forced into it somehow. And, as great, gulping sobs wracked her body, she promised herself that she'd get to the bottom of his disappearance – if it was the last thing she ever did.

Coming back to the present, she felt wetness on her cheeks, and she reached for a tissue to wipe them dry. The depth of her pain was clearly visible, and Frank placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"What is it, Marlena? What have you remembered?"

The priest's lilting brogue calmed her, and she found herself able to articulate the horror of what she'd just relived.

"The man – yes, it was a man – said that Alex didn't love me anymore, that he never had, and that he was just using me. It was awful!"

"I agree, it would be very difficult for you to hear those things, but you know in your heart that this man was not telling the truth, right?"

"Of course! You yourself have told me how often Alex used to talk about me."

"Yes, he did, and that's what you should focus on. Much that was painful occurred in your past, but it's more than offset by the deep and abiding love you and Alex shared then, and continue to share today."

She smiled her agreement.

"You've experienced a tremendous breakthrough this afternoon, and I believe it would be unwise to push yourself any further. Let's take a break," Frank suggested.

"I'd like that."

The session had been far more draining than any she'd undergone previously, no doubt due to the distressing nature of the memories she'd dredged up. She felt the need to disclose what she'd recalled to Alex, but she wasn't sure what the correct protocol was, now that he was no longer her therapist.

"Father…"

"Please, call me Frank."

"Alright, Frank. Can I discuss what I've remembered with Alex?"

He paused to consider before replying.

"Yes, I think so. Just don't go asking him to fill in the gaps."

"I won't. We've been over that. I know the rules."

"Good. Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to go up to my room to make some notes."

"Please let me know if there's anything you need."

"I will."

As she watched him head up the stairs, she breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, she was making progress. With a little luck, she could soon give herself to Alex completely, and without reservation.