Chapter 12

A short time later…

John and Abe are still at Marlena's townhouse trying to figure out where Stefano may have taken her. Abe finishes up his phone call as John waits for him to hang up to find out who he was speaking to. Once Abe finishes his call, John asks him who it was.

"Who was that you were talking to Abe?" John asks.

"It was Shane from the ISA; he says he thinks he may have a lead on where Stefano took Marlena. He's going to call back when he has more information." Abe explains.

"That's a start and we finally have some good news."

Abe nods.

"Yes. Let's start looking around the house for clues; fingerprints, anything." Abe tells John.

John nods.

"Good idea. I'll begin looking in here."

Abe nods.

"Okay, I'll start looking in the kitchen and if you find anything, let me know."

"I will, buddy." John says as he begins to look for clues in the living room.

Abe begins his search in the kitchen.

Meanwhile…

Marlena and Belle continue to enjoy each other's company. Marlena wonders if John has discovered she is missing yet and if he has begun to look for her and Belle. Marlena then worries that John may not even know she's missing and is not even looking for her and Belle at all.

"What if Belle and I are stuck here for the rest of our lives? What if we never get out of here?" Marlena thinks to herself.

The unlocking and opening of the door breaks Marlena from her thoughts as she looks up to see Ruby coming in.

Marlena acknowledges her as she approaches the bed.

"Hello, Ruby. Are you here to take Belle to bed?"

Ruby nods.

"Yes, it's past Belle's bedtime. I'm going to give her a bath and read her a story."

Marlena nods.

"I am able to give my daughter a bath and read to her, Ruby."

Ruby nods as she picks up Belle.

"I know you are, but Stefano has asked me to take really good care of your little girl, he wants only the best for her. And for you."

Marlena glares at Ruby.

"The best for us?"

Ruby nods.

"Yes."

"The best thing for us is to get out of here and go home. Go home to San Francisco. To be in our own house, in our own bed. That's what I want and that's what I want for Belle."

Ruby nods.

"I understand, Dr. Evans, I really do but that's just not possible. But I will talk to Mr. DiMera and see if he will allow you out of this room. Maybe allow you to take a walk outside in the garden or something."

Marlena's face lights up.

"You would do that for me and my daughter?"

Ruby nods.

"Of course, I would. Like I said, I'm here to take care of both of you. You can trust me to do that."

Marlena nods.

"As a matter of fact, I do trust you even though you work for Stefano. You have taken good care of me and my daughter and have been so nice to the both of us as well."

Ruby gives Marlena a slight smile. Belle looks down at her mother as she lays her head on Ruby's shoulder, showing signs of sleepiness.

Marlena stands up to give Belle a kiss and snuggles before Ruby takes her away for the night.

"Good night, sweet girl and I will see you in the morning. Sweet dreams."

"Night, mommy." Belle manages to say right as she lets out a big yawn.

"I better go get this one ready for bed. Good night, Dr. Evans." Ruby says as she turns on her heels to leave.

"Good night, Ruby."

Ruby nods as the door closes behind her and Marlena hears the lock click soon after.

Marlena decides to take a shower as she hopes it will help her relax. She walks over to the dresser and takes out some underthings as well as pajamas. She heads to the bathroom and sets her things on the bathroom counter as she turns on the water in the bathtub. She adjusts it to a temperature that's comfortable for her and then turns on the shower. She closes the curtain to the shower as she takes off her clothes and then steps into the shower. She closes the curtain behind her as she steps under the showerhead. As soon as the spray hits her, she can already feel the stress melting away. This is exactly what she needed and before long she feels herself really begin to relax. Probably the most relaxed she has felt since being brought here. She lets the water hit her for a little longer before she begins to wash her hair. As she washes her hair, her eyes close as her thoughts drift to John as she is imagining him in the shower with her…

Meanwhile…

John and Abe have been searching Marlena's house for clues to where Stefano may have taken her. As Abe searches the kitchen, he notices a white rag on the floor next to the phone. Abe takes one of the vinyl gloves out of the pouch in his bag and puts it on. He reaches down and picks up the rag. As soon as he picks it up, he notices the strong scent of ether.

"This must be how she was knocked out so she could be taken." Abe says to himself. He stands up still holding the ether-soaked rag in his gloved hand. He calls out for John.

"John! I found something!"

John rushes into the kitchen to find out what Abe discovered.

"What did you find, Abe?" John asks.

Abe holds up the ether-soaked rag.

John reacts by coughing and then covering his nose and mouth with his hand.

"Ether! They drugged her with ether before kidnapping her!"

Abe nods.

"Yes, I'm afraid so, John."

"Of course, she was drugged, there was no way she would go with a stranger willingly and Stefano knew that. That's how he has been able to kidnap her in the past. I can only imagine what was going through her mind, when it was happening, Abe. She must have been so scared."

Abe puts his arm around John's shoulder to comfort him.

"I know, partner. I know. We're going to find her, no matter what it takes, we're going to find her." Abe reassures him.

John nods.

"I know, Abe. I know."

Abe pats John on the back before placing the ether-soaked rag in a plastic bag. He puts it in the pocket of his jacket. Just as he and John are about to do more searching, Abe's phone rings.

To be continued…