~ Chapter 4 ~

John seethed as he observed the lighthearted rapport between Marlena and Alex. A taste like bile, sharp and bitter, rose in his throat, as jealousy surged within him.

Damn, she looks so comfortable with that quack.

He was about to storm across the room to free his wife from Alex's grasp when a gentle hand on his arm stopped him.

"Slow down, John," Kate admonished him. "If you rush out there, ready to pick a fight, you'll just push her into defending him. Be strategic. Stick to the plan."

Knowing that his impatience and anger could ruin everything, John worked to calm himself. Drawing comfort from Kate's touch, he managed to regain some measure of control over his emotions.

From the terrace, Alex caught sight of movement out of the corner of his eye.

"John's back, and he's brought a guest," he informed Marlena in a whisper.

Her mood darkened instantly.

I was having such a good time. How dare John spoil it?

Noticing her stormy countenance, Alex leaned over and reached for her hand.

"Relax. You don't need to spend much time with him if you don't want to. I'll just tell him we have a session scheduled."

Relief flowed through her. Alex always knew precisely the right thing to say or do to make her feel better. She entwined her fingers with his, drawing strength from both his solid grip, and the warmth of his skin. As the duo moved inside, John's disapproving scowl caused Marlena's irritation to flare. She wondered what nasty words he would have for Alex this time. Honestly, his refusal to be barely more than civil to her psychiatrist was grating on her last nerve.

The stubborn set of her jaw did not go unnoticed, and John quickly swallowed the impolite remarks he'd been about to direct Alex's way. Sensing her ex-fiancé's distress, Kate took charge of the situation.

"Hello, Marlena. You're looking well this morning."

I have amnesia, not some physical disease. Why wouldn't I look well?

"Thank you," Marlena responded coolly, her face a study in blankness.

Having dispensed with the customary pleasantries, Kate turned her attention to Alex.

"Dr. North, might I have a moment of your time?" she queried in her most flirtatious tone.

Sensing Marlena stiffen, Alex caught her gaze and surreptitiously winked at her. He was rewarded with a smile, and a loosening of her grip on his hand.

"Why certainly, Ms. Roberts. Shall we sit down?" he suggested, leading her to the sofa.

"Please, call me Kate."

Kate positioned herself beside Alex, who now appeared to be completely in her thrall. Observing their interaction, a weight settled in the pit of Marlena's stomach, and she thought she might be sick. As the feeling intensified, she quickly identified its cause. She was jealous! While she'd been indifferent to Kate touching John, and to the couple's seeming closeness, seeing the woman cozying up to Alex was definitely bringing out the green-eyed monster in her. She tried, vainly, to listen in on their conversation, but she was too far away, and John was talking to her at the same time. Reluctantly, she shifted her focus.

"So, Doc, what do you think?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't quite hear you."

John bit his tongue. He realized that she was concentrating on Alex, rather than on him, which was why his question hadn't registered.

Thank goodness it looks like Kate is getting somewhere with the guy. Soon, Doc will see her therapist for the untrustworthy snake he really is.

"I wanted to know if you'd have dinner with me tonight," he repeated.

"I… I… umm…" Marlena stuttered, her eyes darting towards Alex in the hope that he would rescue her.

No such luck.

She gritted her teeth as she noted that Kate had moved as close to Alex as was physically possible.

"I'm not sure if I'll be up to it," she answered, trying to put John off without being overly blunt. "Can I let you know later?"

John forced a smile to his face.

"Sure, Doc. No problem."

As he walked to the kitchen to get himself a drink of water, he cursed softly. This scheme he and Kate had cooked up had better work, or he wouldn't be responsible for his actions where Dr. North was concerned.

Across the room, Alex did his level best to hide his growing amusement. Kate was so transparent, it was laughable. If she and John thought that he would give up on Marlena simply because Kate batted her lashes seductively at him, they'd severely underestimated both him, and the bond that he and Marlena shared. Thinking about the woman he loved made him lift his head to search her out. He caught her staring at him, a mixture of pain and – dare he even say it? – jealousy written all over her lovely features. The germ of an idea began to sprout in his fertile brain. Maybe, if he played along with Kate, Marlena's latent feelings for him would resurface. It was worth a try.

"Now, Kate, about that dinner you mentioned…"