Kate arrived home shortly after 5:00 only to find a message on her phone.

"Kate, its Roman. I wont be home tonight. Call my cell or the office if your need anything. Bye"
Kate thought nothing of the message at first but two days later when she had not heard from Roman at all she called John to see if Marlena had been around lately. This only led Kate to the answer no. Kate and John being worried about them decided to get together at the station and see what kind of information they could get.
"Bo, are you sure you don't know where Roman and Marlena are?"
"I'm positive John now stop asking."
"Alright alright. Thanks anyway Bo."
"No prob. If I hear anything I'll let you know."

At this time Marlena and Roman were out in the sun set beaches of the Camen Islands. Each with a drink at their side they made small talk with each other.
"So, what are you going to do when we get back." asked Marlena
"Nothing doc, I'm gonna let the letter do the talking."
"What letter?"
"I left Kate a letter telling her that If and when I returned that we would no longer be a couple and that she would be free to be with whom she wanted. Even if that means John."

"Roman don't you think thats a little harsh?"
"Yeah but there really were no other words for it. Besides what are you going to tell John."
"I'm not sure yet. But right now that doesn't really matter."
"Well its does I mean we are going home tomorrow."
"I know, I know. I guess I'll tell him that I'm in love with you."
"Doc you know you can't tell him that. He'll go after me."

"I don't care Roman. I want to be with you not John."
The conversation was left at that. Back in Salem Kate and John had returned to Kate's office where she found the letter that Roman had written her explaining where he'd gone and with who. Also explaining how it would be unlikely that the two would be an item when he returned. Not too much later the phone rang.
"Hello"
"Kate, its Roman. Look I know you probably don't want to speak to me right now but I have to tell you this."
"It's ok Roman. You don't have to tell me anything I understand."
"You do?"
"Yes"
"You and Marlena want to be to-- together."
"Yes, your right."
"Ask him if Marlena is there I'd liek to speak to her."John whispered.
"Ah, Roman is Marlena there with you? John would like to speak to her."
"Of course just one moment."
Each hands the phone over.
"Hi"
"Hi"
"Now Marlena are you sure you want to do this?"
"John I've never been more sure of this in my entire life."
"Ok, then I'll have my things shipped out before you get home."
"Oh, ok I guess."
"Ya, well I wont keep you long. Say hi to Roman for me."
"Sure will."
"Good bye Marlena."
"By John."
Hanging up the phone John and Marlena had the feeling both come over that they had just made the biggest mistakes in their lives.

"How about we get out of her Kate. I need some fresh air."
"Ok."
Kate followed John.

It was a few days later when Roman and Marlena returned. John and Kate had finally made the assumption that they were meant to be and had been going out in public frequently brushing off the hear say about what had gone on. It wasn't until they ran into Roman and Marlena that they really felt what they had lost. Both longer for the other the departed on their separate ways. Hours,days,weeks, months and minutes had gone by. Each couple going their own way managing things fine on their own. It was about January when Roman decided that he was going to 'pop' the question to Marlena once and for all and for enternity.

"Doc, you home?"
"I'm in the kitchen Roman"
"Why don't you go put something a little more fancy on?"
"Oh, what for?"
"I'm taking you out for dinner at the Penthouse Grill."
"Ooooh well just give me a few minutes and I'll be ready."
"Ok"

Within and few minutes they were on their way to the Penthouse Grill. When they arrived a swift glance was taken around the room . Roman spotted John and Kate in a nice embrace dancing. He asked the host to try and not to seat them too close to each other since they had not been talking for quite some time. He tried his best but the closest he got was across the room from them. Marlena and Roman sat down to a nice chicken dinner. About half way through Roman decided to get down on his knee and propose to Marlena. At that time Kate peered over and to her surprise she saw Roman producing a beautiful ring to Marlena. Within a few seconds Kate was sprawled on the floor. She had passed out from what they thought was being to hot but when she came to and they asked what was wrong she simpley said."What did she say?"
"What do you mean what did she say?" asked John
"Marlena, I saw John proposing to Marlena...What did she say?"
"I said yes." Marlena said soflty checking Kates pulse.
Kates pulse quickly slowed down again as she fainted once more.
"Kate, Kate I know you can here me. Come on Kate wake up."

A few hours later Kate awoke in the hospital hooked up to all sorts of machines. John and Roman were in the room with her.
"Kate" Roman said.
"You ok? You gave us all quite a scare"
"Hmm I think I'm ok...where's John?"
"I'm here Kate don't you worry."
Kate put a faint smile on her face.
'I'm gonna go gets some coffee do you want any Roman?"
"No thanks."
"K I'll be back."
"Roman.."
"Shh Kate save yourself."
"I know I have to but I just need to know."
"To know what?"
"Why?"
"Why did I ask Marlena to marry me? I asked because I'm in love with her and always have been."
"That's all I wanted to know."

A few days late Kate was out of the hospital looking great as usual. John and her were having dinner at home when she asked him what he thought of the two getting married. John simpley replied that it was their choice and when the time was right they would be married too one day.This made Kate smile knowing that there was still something out there for her and John. Three weeks later invitations were sent out to the friends and family of Marlena and Roman to attend this joyus occasion. Kate and John recieved theirs and quickly returned saying that they would be attending. And on the day Marlena and Kate ran into each other. Marlena asked Kate to be her maid of honour just like she had been for her. Kate did not refuse this offer. She took it as an opportunity to get things back on track with her and Marlena. As each day neared closer and closer to the actual day it seemed like Marlena and Kate had never been so close in their long friendship. But this one little thing could have made everything go wrong. It wasn't between Marlena and Kate. It was between Roman and Bo. Roman had a falling out with his brother, also his best man and now he needed someone to fill his place. Who was next in line? It was John Black. The one person who Roman thought he'd never turn to again in his time of need. Roman left a message on his phone.
"John its Roman if you could call me I have something important to ask you."