Week Seven

(A side note: When the summary says, "said the Devil", "remarked the Devil," etc, it means that Marlena is speaking in the altered voice, with the Devil in her. He speaks from her throat. If the case is different, it is explained. Like if the both of them are in one room- one Marlena and one Devil, etc.)

Since something was wrong with Marlena's blood tests, Mike decided to drew some more. He entered Marlena's room and Nancy, the nurse took more blood. She told Mike she gave Marlena a sedative and Mike wondered why was it that Marlena didn't fall a sleep. Marlena told him she felt something inside of her made her stay awake. Mike ordered Nancy to give Marlena some more sedative. He exited the room and met Lexie. He told her Marlena's red cells count was very low and so, she turned anemic. Lexie said she'd go look up similar cases in the hospital archive. Suddenly they heard Marlena screaming "No" in her room. She was grabbing Nancy at the wrist, since Nancy tried giving her the sedative. Mike rushed inside and released Nancy from Marlena's clutch. Marlena passed out and Nancy asked Mike how could an anemic woman have her in an iron clutch.

Meanwhile, Lexie met Jonah at the computer room and they started looking up old cases.

Kristen came running out from Father Francis's room. "The room turned ice cold and there was an odor- a foul odor," she told John, scared as hell. She told him there was a strange and bizarre presence in the room. They reentered the room. It was still cold and dark. They approached the father and he pointed behind them. The black figure with red eyes was standing there, but as the two turned, he was gone and the lights returned and the room's temperature was normal again.

At Celeste's hotel room, Stefano couldn't get over Marlena's strength. Celeste started laying out the tarot cards, telling Stefano they would tell them. For once, Stefano asked Celeste what did they say and didn't mock her. Celeste read the cards and became horrified. When Stefano asked Celeste what was it, she replied, "You don't need to know, Stefano."

Marlena's veins collapsed. Mike said she needed an urgent transfusion. Since the veins collapsed, she needed to go into the OR, for a cut-down. Carrie arrived and Mike told her about Marlena's condition. Marlena was rushed into OR. Mike met up with John and Kristen and gave them an update. Stefano dressed as a doctor (in green scrubs) entered Marlena's room and scribbled something on her patient's chart.

John told Kristen there was a powerful force that connected everyone to everything. He assured her he believed her about claiming not being at his loft and about the presence in Father Francis's room. Mike approached them and Nancy brought him the chart, asking him about some note in it. The note said, "At times, Patient's eyes appear yellow" (That was what Stefano added, of course). Mike said he didn't write that down and wondered who did and what it was.

John entered the chapel room. He prayed to God, asking him to help Marlena. He then asked him if it was Marlena that Gabe talked about. He yelled, asking God to show him what to do. Kristen entered the chapel, too. She told John she was very afraid, not only for Marlena, but also for them all. They lit a candle. "If there's a force out there that's out to get me and the ones I care about..." John remarked. "It's a powerful force," added Kristen. "Bottom line is- which one of us is stronger...?" John concluded. They exited the chapel and then the candle they lit blew out...

As Carrie, Sami and Austin arrived to the hospital, Lexie and John found a similar case. They called Mike and told him years ago there was a man with low red cells count, but he claimed he was a vampire. Lexie remarked that case was obviously psychosomatic and supernatural, "But there's nothing supernatural about Marlena's case," she added.

Stefano returned to the hotel. Celeste asked him why was he dressed like a doctor and he told her about going to see Marlena. He said something was terribly wrong. Celeste said, "Believe me, Stefano when I tell you...It's Evil." Stefano sighed and said, "For the first time in my life, I'm experiencing a strange and foreign emotion- fear."

Marlena came out of surgery. Mike got the report. He read it and became puzzled. John asked him what was it and Mike told him the transfusion didn't work at all- Marlena's red cells count dropped even more.

After getting an update from Mike, Sami entered Marlena's room. Nancy the nurse was there. Sami told her she and her mother were very close and that she was so worried about her. Nancy exited the room. Suddenly the evil voice was heard, saying "hypocrite". Sami turned to Marlena and looked at her. Marlena's eyes were open and she looked at her (her eyes were normal, not green). Sami ran out of the room. John and Mike saw her running out. "What is happening here?" asked John. Mike promised him he'd get to the bottom of it.

Kristen visited Father Francis again. She asked him who could help. He pointed at a sheet of paper and a pen. Kristen brought it to him. His hand shaking, Father Francis wrote on it: "Only you & God", leaving Kristen perplexed.

Two days later, Marlena was still unconscious, and Mike was at a total loss. He told John that if Marlena didn't show signs of improvement soon, they could lose her. He suggested John called Shawn, Caroline, Carrie and Sami. John held Marlena's hand and told her people needed and loved her. He kissed her on the forehead. The Devil remarked silently inside Marlena's head, "There's nothing you can do for her, priest! She's mine, she's mine!" John exited the room to call the family, as Marlena softly cried out, "Help...me...Help...me..."

Later, everyone except Sami (who was busy sleeping with Lucas) were at Marlena's bedside. Carrie said she'd go call Sami, as Marlena dreamed of the time she gave Sami a pendant for her seventeen birthday. Everyone then exited the room and Marlena dreamed that everyone is at her bedside and as they exit, she cries out to them to help her, but they don't hear her. The black figure with red eyes appeared in the room.

John entered Marlena's room. He sat next to her, as she opened her eyes. She was dazed and confused. She slowly and abruptly told John she was sorry she hurt the people she loved and especially Sami to whom she was very mean. John told her she was sick for a long time and so, he thought she was just confused. Marlena closed her eyes and passed out again. John left the room. Meanwhile, Shawn and Caroline were at the chapel, praying for Marlena, reciting verses from the Book of Psalms. As they recited, Marlena awakened and her eyes turned green.

A bit later, John entered Marlena's room again. She opened her eyes and seemed fine. He called Mike and he asked her how was she feeling. Marlena replied she felt fine. Her cheeks were rosy and her eyes not glossy. She was fine. Mike checked her out and told John everything was normal. He was shocked at the sudden change and didn't know how it occurred. Shawn and Caroline entered the room and Caroline said she knew how it happened-prayers. "God came through for you," she told the attentive Marlena. "He always does. Good can always overcome anything bad." Marlena listened, as she suddenly shivered slightly and the black figure with red eyes' reflection appeared in the heart monitor, angrily saying, "That's what you think. You might have won this time, but I'm not finished with Marlena, and nothing, not even your prayers will be able to save her next time!"

A bit later, Mike and John were talking outside the room. Mike still couldn't get over Marlena's recovery. As he told John he wanted Marlena to stay another night, Marlena came out all dressed ready to go home. Mike told her he wanted her to stay for additional tests, but Marlena insisted people and her family needed her. Mike replied he didn't like it, but he'd sign her out.

Kristen came downstairs and saw a list of Salem towing companies. She asked Tony if he was calling around town, checking out her story. Tony replied he did. He added it wasn't confirmed. They started talking about their marriage and they both remarked they lied to each other. Then, Kristen recalled what Father Francis wrote and told Tony she had to see the father.

Kristen entered Father Francis's room. She told him she needed to understand what he wrote to her and asked him if he meant, "we need to root-out whatever evil there's within ourselves and eradicate it. Because only when we do that are we able to fight the evil that is outside." Father Francis nodded his head, yes. Kristen thanked the father, kissed him and exited the room.

John entered the room after her. He told the father too that he felt that people that are close to him somehow were involved in all the strange occurrences lately. He also told him he had a hunch he (the father) can help him understand it all. The heart monitor then started to go crazy. John panicked and asked the father what was it. Behind John, stood Marlena... John called Mike and he checked out the father. Marlena exited the room to get a crash-cart and Father Francis calmed down. He addressed Marlena inside his head, saying, "Be on the guard, Marlena. The danger is far from over. It's just begun. Your soul is at stake and everyone you care about, too. Heaven helps you..."

Kristen went to the chapel room and prayed to God; "Part of me feels I don't deserve your forgiveness, but I'm still asking for it, anyway. I was unfaithful and even though at the time I thought I was free, the fact remains I betrayed my marriage vows. It's going to hurt my husband so deeply. I know that's no excuse, but I love John so much. Because even if it was not intentional, infidelity is a sin...So what do I do now? This is been going around and around in my head for months and I realize the only way is the truth."

John brought Marlena home. He told her he'd go over to the church to do some work and Marlena remarked she saw it meant a lot to him and he replied it was surprisingly so. He left. Marlena slipped into something comfortable and went downstairs. After she exited her bedroom, the black figure with red eyes appeared in it.

John arrived at St. Luke's. He prayed to God, to tell him if loving and badly wanting Kristen is right. He asked God for a sign, as a strong white light came from behind. He turned and in the midst of this light, stood Gabe, all dressed in white.

Kristen arrived home and told her husband they had to talk. She said she needed to confess. She told Tony about her affair with John. She was very apologetic and kept telling Tony she never stopped loving him. She went upstairs, as meanwhile Tony reminisced of happier times with her. She came down with suitcases and told Tony she was leaving. Before leaving, she also confessed about taking birth-control pills. She again apologized and turned to leave, but Tony called her and made a moving speech about love, hate, deceit and truth. He forgave Kristen and told her he loved her. Kristen was blissfully happy. She thanked Tony and hugged him, reminding him how much she loved him. Tony suggested they take a second honeymoon, but Kristen had another idea.

John couldn't understand where Gabe came from and where the light came from. Gabe told John he came to help him. He told him he knew he was in love with a woman and added she was in serious danger. When John asked from whom, Gabe told him from him, explaining John was putting Kristen in moral danger, as she was married. John told Gabe she'd get an annulment. "You're wrong, God has an other plan for you," said Gabe. He told John he was in for a big disappointment. He advised John to get ready because if he didn't "something terrible will happen- someone you love deeply will die..."

Mike visited with Marlena, telling her to stop taking the tranquilizers she was taking. He told her he had a special remedy for her and in came Belle and Brady, along with Gina. Marlena rejoiced and sat down to play with the kids.

Gabe told John to get ready in every way, especially spiritually. John turned his back to Gabe and looked at the altar. When he turned back, Gabe was walking in to the light, as he and the light vanished into thin air, leaving John puzzled.

Stefano and Celeste were at his penthouse (the one next to Marlena's). Stefano told Celeste he was afraid for Marlena. He said she was in danger and Celeste told him he couldn't do anything about it. Stefano insisted he'd be by Marlena's side and protect her. He told Celeste Marlena would be his that night.

Mike, Gina and the kids left. John arrived to Marlena's and handed her a bouquet of orchids. There was no card attached and John remarked he'd never seen such orchids. Marlena recalled her mystery dream man (Stefano) and silently remarked, "I have..." John left Marlena to rest and exited the room, shutting off the lights. Marlena lay in her bed, as the black figure with red eyes appeared in the room, again.

Stefano told Celeste he was going in and opened the secret door to Marlena's closet. He then tried to open the closet doors, but they were closed. Inside the room, Marlena rose up, eyes green. The Devil remarked, "You can't have her, Stefano. She's mine!" He laughed the diabolical laugh again, as Stefano banged on the doors, trying to open them.

Kristen and Tony arrived to St. Luke's to renew their wedding vows, happy as larks. A door slammed behind them and they thought it was the priest, but John approached them, dressed in his priest robes.

Marlena dressed in her Desecrator outfit. Stefano kept banging on the doors. "I have an important mission tonight," said the Devil. "That priest is out to destroy me, but I'll destroy him first," he added, opening a drawer and taking out a "Brady Fish Market" matchbook. Sniffing the matches, the Devil repeated, "I'll destroy him...and his house..."

 Week Eight

Stefano kept trying to open the doors, as Marlena finished getting dressed. As Marlena stepped out, Stefano managed to open the doors. Celeste followed him in. He wondered why he couldn't open the doors, as he saw nothing blocking them. He asked Celeste if she heard the growl noises that came from the room, but she just replied, "There is evil in this room, Stefano." Stefano said they had to find Marlena.

Kristen asked John what was he doing at the church. He explained he was called in, since a couple wanted to renew their wedding vows. Tony said it was they and preceded asking John if it was awkward for him, explaining Kristen told him about their previous relationship. John answered it wouldn't be and they approached the altar. Tony said they'd like to say their own vows and told Kristen how much he loved her. Outside, green-eyed Marlena arrived. She wedged shut the door with an ax. Then she placed brushwood near the door and started pouring gasoline around...

Stefano and Celeste arrived to the pier, in hopes of finding Marlena there. Stefano remarked he thought Marlena would remember and explained to Celeste he took Marlena there and combined her one with the moon (Adventure Three, 'DockLand' - see previous page). He also told Celeste something went wrong with his plan, as he knew that Marlena would be ready that night to be his. Celeste told Stefano she warned him about his plans, stating he was facing a more powerful force than his own, but Stefano remained adamant it was he who was stronger. Suddenly he smelled smoke.

Marlena lit another match and throw it in to the blazing fire. The fire started consuming the brushes Marlena had placed around the door and then the door itself. Inside the church, Kristen finished reciting her vow to Tony, as Tony said that all that was left now was the church's blessing. He asked John for his blessing, as John spotted fire though the windows and cried out the church was on fire. Outside, stood Marlena with her arms up in the air, a smile of triumph spread on her face. "You won't get out now, priest. Those doors won't budge," said the Devil. "I'll destroy God's house and everything in it!" he added.

Stefano and Celeste arrived to the burning church. Stefano ordered Celeste to go call the fire squad. Celeste hurried to call, as Stefano remarked he smelled gasoline. "Who would do this?" he asked, as he saw a smiling, green-eyed Marlena lurking in the bushes...

Inside the church, Tony and John tried opening the doors, but the doors didn't budge. The smoke got worse and worse and they started coughing. John tore off his priest robes and deep them in holy water giving the cloths to Tony and Kristen to breathe through. In a near by restaurant, Sami spotted the fire and alerted Bo, Austin, Lucas, Billie, Peter and Carrie, who were there at the time. They all rushed to the church. Celeste tried grabbing Stefano away, telling him that if he was seen, he would be thrown in jail, but Stefano insisted he had to check Marlena. "Marlena?" asked Celeste, as she saw her hiding in the bushes. "Look at her, what is she doing her? She's smiling! She seems to be enjoying this," said Celeste, aghast. She managed to grab Stefano aside, just as everyone arrived. Amazed at the church burning, everyone stood looking, as suddenly Peter heard Tony and John yelling for help. They told Lucas to go get the hose that was there. He got it and Bo ordered him to wet him and Peter down, so they could get to the burning doors, without getting hurt. They yelled to John they were coming. They approached the doors and managed to remove the ax from the doors' handles. Kristen and Tony and John came running out. Luckily, they weren't hurt. Stefano and Celeste fled the scene.

After he caught his breath and relaxed, John told Bo he knew that who ever done this, wanted to kill the people inside and somehow he felt the reason why revolved around him. Bo said it had to be the Desecrator. John thanked Peter for saving his life and said he'd go see Marlena.

Still possessed, Marlena arrived home. Enraged, the Devil said, "Damn them! My plan didn't quite worked out tonight. I will not let that happen again! I will not let God win! God will not be able to help John Black the next time we meet..."

At the church, Billie was said she and Bo wouldn't be able to get married at St. Luke's now and even more sorry for the people that lost their place to pray. Carrie said she'd go tell her grandparents. Tony magnanimously said he'd pay for the church's renovations.

John arrived to Marlena's. She didn't answer the door, as she was sound a sleep. John woke her up and told her about the church. "Oh, no," said Marlena shocked. Stefano was hiding inside the closet, eavesdropping. "Why are you lying, Marlena?" he asked. He didn't understand why Marlena didn't tell John she was at the church. "I will get the answer," he promised himself.

Two days later, John was asking God for help at his loft, as suddenly he heard the door opening. He turned and saw someone enter the loft. He jumped onto him and grabbed him, but the man yelled, "It's me, Gabe!" John asked what was he doing there and Gabe replied he'd come to help. He told John God wanted him to strengthen himself for the battle. John yelled he'd already lost the battle. Gabe replied he knew about Kristen, but added he didn't mean her. He told John his prayers were answered and that God had a role for him to play. John got more and more exasperated, so he called Abe, telling him some "nut" broke into his place, asking him to come over. Gabe kept talking about the battle, remarking the enemy is strong and powerful. John asked if it was Stefano, but Gabe assured him it was someone much stronger and powerful that anyone he'd ever encountered.

Marlena was uneasy in her sleep, as Celeste watched her from the closet. She went back to the apartment and told Stefano Marlena was sleeping restlessly. When Stefano asked why was that, Celeste said she thought Marlena's conscience was bothering her. When Stefano asked about what, Celeste told him she thought Marlena set the fire to St. Luke's. "No, not Marlena!" stated Stefano determinedly. Celeste gave Stefano the facts: Marlena was at the church when it burned down and didn't reveal herself, nor did she offer any help and when John told her about the fire, she acted as though she didn't know what was going on. Stefano again stated Marlena couldn't. "Stefano, it is your passion for her that makes you blind," said Celeste. Touching Stefano's cheek, she told him Marlena wasn't the woman for him, she was. Stefano kissed her hands and told her that whatever they had he treasured, but that was long ago.

In her bedroom, Marlena kept tossing and turning in her sleep, as she was dreaming of her setting fire to St. Luke's.

Gabe asked John for some water and John directed him to the kitchen. Abe arrived and asked John what it was. John stood with his back to the kitchen and told Abe to book that guy, pointing behind him. Abe looked, but there no one was there. John was amazed. He told Abe the guy was very weird. He then told Abe he was thinking of leaving town, as he thought the Desecrator was after him.

Marlena woke up in a startle. She didn't understand why she had dreamed she was setting fire to the church. Meanwhile, everyone (Alice, Mike, Gina, Mickey, Billie and Bo and Kristen and Tony) arrived to the Pub, ready to start cleaning up St. Luke's. Caroline called Marlena and asked her to come over to the Pub and be with people she loved. Marlena replied that was a good idea and got ready. She started brushing her hair in front of the mirror, all the time thinking about her dream. She tried analyzing it and gathered that she felt guilty because she couldn't figure out the Desecrator case. Stefano and Celeste eavesdropped from within the closet. Marlena started walking towards the bedroom door and as she reached it, the Devil entered her again and her eyes turned green, as she laughed again. Stefano asked Celeste if she heard that gruffly noise. They entered Marlena's bedroom and Stefano told Celeste they would follow Marlena.

John and Abe arrived to the Pub. Before entering Abe persuaded John to stay in Salem and fight this fight he (John) said was good verses evil. He asked John what would happen if all this evil would continue after he'd left- "Who would protect your loved ones then?" John decided to stick around. They entered the Pub and John told Caroline about Gabe's last visit with him. Caroline jokingly said Gabe must be his guardian angel. A bit later, Marlena arrived to the Pub. Tony stepped outside to talk to his architect and Stefano and Celeste, who were following Marlena, approached him. Stefano asked him to keep an eye on Marlena. He also asked him how he and Kristen were doing and rejoiced to hear they had renewed their vows at the church. He asked Tony if he told Kristen about switching her birth-control pills and Tony answered he didn't. Stefano told him that was good, assuring him his secret was safe with him, as he wanted Tony to continue to DiMera dynasty. Inside the Pub, John announced he'd donate a 15th century holy statue the Alamain family has to St. Luke's church, as many of the holy statues were destroyed in the fire. Everyone rejoiced and commended John. John then grabbed Abe aside and told him that he donated the statue in order to set a trap for the Desecrator, explaining that once the Desecrator would read in the papers that the statue was at St. Luke's, he would probably come over to desecrate it. Marlena approached John then, asking him to tell her about the statue. Outside, Stefano told Celeste they would go to find out the truth about Marlena. "O.K., Stefano, but I doubt if you're going to like it," remarked Celeste silently to herself.

John told Marlena that many people used to commit pilgrimage to the statue, since it was known for its healing powers. John then told Marlena she shouldn't over do it and asked her to go home. Marlena agreed and left the Pub, green-eyed...

Stefano and Celeste arrived to Marlena's bedroom. Stefano looked at the closet's doors and couldn't understand why he wasn't able to open them that night. He asked Celeste to start looking for something that would prove Marlena wasn't the one that set the fire (huh?). Celeste came across a locked drawer in Marlena's chest of drawers. Stefano picked the lock with a nail file. Inside they found chloroform, gloves reeking of gasoline and matches. "Do you need anymore proof?" asked Celeste. Stefano couldn't understand why would Marlena so this. "There's Evil around her," explained Celeste, asking Stefano to keep away from Marlena.

The next day, everyone was at the church cleaning up. The statue John donated was placed there already. Abe told John he'd have some of his guys situated strategically around the church, but John told Abe he wanted no one there but himself.

Marlena arrived to the hospital. The nurse reminded her of a patient she had to see later, during the evening. Laura approached Marlena and asked her how was she doing and if she was still having gaps in time. Marlena replied she had them less frequently. Mike approached Laura about Jennifer and they left (Jennifer had a bad fever after passing out in the snow, driving back from Chicago; When Jack hid in her car). Later, Marlena arrived to the Pub and sat with Caroline. Caroline mentioned Sami's name and Marlena became saddened. Caroline apologized and started talking about having faith in God and all, as Marlena became agitated by it and said she had a patient and got up. At that point, John arrived with Abe. He saw Marlena and talked to her for a second. Before Marlena left, she told John "good-luck tonight" and he asked her with what. Marlena replied with the cleaning up. John thanked her and Abe asked him if he told Marlena about setting a trap for the Desecrator and he replied he didn't, as he didn't want Marlena to exert herself with it.

Later, John unlocked the doors of St. Luke's and hid in a back room, peeping through the cracked door, waiting for the Desecrator. Marlena in her Desecrator attire entered the church. She silently approached the statue and touched it. John came out of the room, yelling at the "guy" to get "his" hands of the statue. Marlena then turned quickly and tried escaping, but John grabbed her. They started fighting. John managed to remove the cape from Marlena's head and became astound when he saw Marlena's face under it...

Week Nine

In his penthouse, Stefano was thinking of Marlena at the site of the burning church, as Celeste approached him. "Stefano," Celeste said in her usual tone, when she realized he was thinking of Marlena. "She's evil," Celeste said, but Stefano refused to believe that. Celeste went on telling Stefano a greater power had Marlena now. Stefano told her to stop her jealous ramblings, but Celeste replied she had consulted her cards again and everything was coming together-- "Marlena is the Desecrator." "No, no, not Marlena!" replied Stefano. Celeste again told him he was too in love with her to see the truth. She handed him the paper in which there was an article about John donating the statue and Stefano realized John did so to set a trap for the Desecrator.

John let go of Marlena and apologized for grabbing her, explaining he thought she was the Desecrator. He sat her down, and Marlena remained silent, not saying a word. John asked what she was doing at the church and if he'd hurt her, but Marlena didn't answer and just sat, her face expressionless. John got up to call Mike at UH to come pick up Marlena. He turned his back to Marlena, and as her eyes turned green, she got up and stood behind John, strangling him. John gasped for air, as outside Abe arrived with Mike. Abe told Mike that even though John told him he wanted no one but himself there that night, he wanted to be there, in case of trouble. Suddenly, they heard a noise. They rushed inside and saw someone attacking John. Mike produced a syringe from his bag and stuck it in the attacker's arm. The attacker fell to the floor. John took a big breath. Abe kneeled next to the passed out person and as he turned the person, he was shocked and amazed to see it was Marlena. The three of them didn't understand what was going on. "She tried to kill you," said Abe, still shocked. John couldn't believe Marlena would do such a thing. Stefano and Celeste appeared lurking in the shadows, observing. Amazed, Stefano looked at the passed out Marlena. "Hell has taken over your goddess," Celeste told Stefano. Abe told John they had to take Marlena to prison, but John told him not to treat Marlena like a criminal and asked him to take Marlena to her place. Abe agreed.

Later, Laura and Mike, John and Abe were in Marlena's bedroom. They still couldn't understand what had happened and why. Abe started searching the room. He looked inside the closet and on the other side, a worried Celeste told Stefano that if the secret door was found, they would go to jail. Abe didn't find anything in the closet and kept looking. He came across the locked drawer in the chest of drawers. He produced a small key from his coat-pocket and held it up. When John asked him where he found it, Abe reminded him they had found that in the church after the saint statue was desecrated. John recalled the incident and Abe inserted the key into the slot. The key turned and the drawer was open. "I think we have just found the Desecrator," remarked Abe when he saw the incriminating gloves, chloroform and matches inside. John became amazed, perplexed and disappointed. Mike and Laura left and John took Abe outside the room, where he told him once Marlena awakened, he'd have to arrest her. Meanwhile, Stefano entered the bedroom and took Marlena in his arms. "What are you doing? Are you crazy, Stefano?" asked Celeste. "John would tear the house down looking for her," she added. "I will fight the Devil himself to make Marlena safe!" stated a determined Stefano. A horrified Celeste was about to reply, as suddenly the windows blew open by a strong, strong wind that sent a fright into Stefano and Celeste's hearts.

Three days later, Carrie arrived at Marlena's apartment to get her advice about Austin. Abe opened the door and Carrie asked him what was wrong. Upstairs, Caroline and John were watching the sleeping Marlena. John didn't believe Marlena was the Desecrator and told Caroline he thought she was set up. Abe and Carrie arrived and John assured Carrie everything would be alright, so she left. Abe reminded John he would probably have to arrest Marlena. Abe told him they'd wait and see what the lab report said and left to get it.

In Stefano's penthouse, Celeste begged him to leave town, but Stefano again told Celeste they would not leave without Marlena. He stated he wouldn't let anything or anyone harm Marlena. He then sat down and forged a letter from Marlena to John, which said Marlena was leaving Salem for good. Meanwhile, Abe and DA Pat Hamilton arrived at Marlena's with the lab report, which made it clear Marlena was the Desecrator. Pat told John they had to put Marlena under arrest, but John begged her to let Marlena spend the night in her home and tomorrow, when she awakens, he would bring her in. Pat agreed and left, not before making it clear to John he had to vouch for Marlena. John said he would. Meanwhile, Stefano entered Marlena's room. He picked her up and placed the note on her next to bed dresser. He took Marlena to his apartment.

Celeste worriedly told Stefano he couldn't take Marlena. Stefano stated he would take care of Marlena and make her well. "Evil goes with her," told Celeste to Stefano, but he again blamed her of being jealous and believing in silly superstitions. He told her Marlena was not a violent and aggressive woman. Celeste hushed, but warned Stefano to be careful, reminding him how Marlena choked him not long ago. Stefano reassured Celeste and put on his coat. He told Celeste he was going to make sure the police did not find Marlena. Celeste started putting on her coat, too, but Stefano ordered her to stay at the apartment, and take care of Marlena. "No, Stefano, I'm frightened of her!" cried out Celeste. Stefano told her to stop acting like a child and left.

John was kneeling near St. Luke's, praying to God, asking him to send help. He got up and a boy he knew named Kevin appeared. John asked him how he and his mom were doing, as apparently, the kid's father passed away not long ago. The kid replied they were doing O.K. and left. Gabe suddenly appeared again. John said, "you again...?" "I come when you ask, John," replied Gabe. Then a sound of a car hitting someone was heard and John ran to the side, crying out Kevin's name.

Kevin died in John's arms. Tears streaming down John's face, he got angry with God, yelling and asking why did the good, like the kid's father and Isabella die and the evil people go on and win. He yelled that if that was God's justice, he didn't want anything to do with him. Gabe told John he mustn't say that, trying to explain to him God's plan is not understood sometimes, but it has a purpose. John called Gabe a kook, as Gabe kneeled down by John and touched Kevin on his forehead. Kevin they came to life and smiled at John. John couldn't believe what had just occurred. Kevin got up and went home. John asked Gabe who was he. Gabe just told him to go to Marlena, as she was in great danger, a great, great one. John rushed away. "I pray you pass the test you were chosen for, John," Gabe addressed John after he left.

Celeste laid out her cards and saw nothing but Evil in them. The lights started flickering suddenly. A horrified Celeste got up and ran to the door, but the door slammed shut and the lock turned. Then the piano started moving and almost crushed Celeste, but she moved away just in time. She fell to the floor, as suddenly she heard an evil gruff voice saying, "turn around". Celeste turned her head and saw Marlena floating in the air, looking at her with dead green eyes.

Stefano arrived at a pier. Four people wearing hoods stood there, waiting for him. Stefano told the four they knew what to do, telling them to go around the country and introduce themselves as Marlena Evans. He then approached the first person and removed the hood. A woman looking exactly like Marlena was under it, looking at Stefano. The remaining three were also three Marlena look-a-likes. Stefano smiled and remarked now John wouldn't find the real Marlena.

John quickly arrived at Marlena's, telling Caroline someone told him Marlena was in trouble. They hurried to her room, but Marlena was no where to be found. John found the note next to the bed and told Caroline there's no point in searching the apartment, as Marlena left town.

"I know who you are!" cried out a terrified Celeste. "Then you should have left when you had the chance," replied the Devil. "You have been enough of a nuisance to me, Celeste," added the Devil, as Marlena lifted her arms up in the air and Celeste was thrown in the air, her head banging against the sofa. She passed out on the spot. "Anyone who tries to stop me will suffer the same fate," said the Devil, laughing maniacally again.

Stefano arrived back home and found the passed out Celeste. He awakened her and she desperately clung to him, scared to death. "There was horror here," she told Stefano, anxiously. "She was the horror," Celeste added pointing at the sleeping Marlena. She told Stefano about Marlena floating in mid air, about Marlena talking in a voice not her own and about Marlena sending a force that shot through her (Celeste), making her unconscious. "You are imagining this, Celeste," said Stefano, unbelieving. "What you are describing here is not humanly possible," he added. "You're right!" cried out Celeste-- "Marlena is Possessed by the Devil!"

It was Bo and Billie's wedding day and Bo arrived at Marlena's to remind Abe he was his best man. John was also there. They told him about them thinking Marlena was the Desecrator and about Marlena disappearing. They asked him not to tell Carrie and Sami and Bo asked to help, but John told him to go get hitched. Bo left and then Abe looked at the note Marlena supposedly left again. He told John it was too neat, explaining a person in a hurry doesn't write a note so neatly. He said Marlena might have been kidnapped and blamed John for it. John told him that was stupid. Abe questioned him about his whereabouts at the time Marlena disappeared and John told him about Gabe, Kevin and the miracle Gabe performed. Abe had a hard time believing John and told him the kid was probably not dead and just breathing slowly and shallowly and so, it appeared he was dead. "I know what I saw," stated John firmly, making it clear to Abe he was not going to stand and argue with him.

Stefano noticed the half-empty bottle of wine that was on the table. He asked Celeste if she had been dipping into her "voodoo juice" again. Celeste insisted she was telling the truth. She told him that all of the Desecration acts were Marlena's work. "Why would she commit such crimes?" asked a disbelieving Stefano. "Because she is possessed by the Devil!" answered Celeste. Stefano asked how could that be. "You, Stefano, you are to blame. You wanted her to be your Queen of the Night," said Celeste disdainfully. "You are the one to open Marlena's soul to this invasion. You wanted her body, now, the Devil has her soul..." Stefano said that was all fantasies and told Celeste it was the drink talking. "Be warned, Stefano. There is an evil force that has been unleashed against us!" said Celeste warningly and frightfully. Stefano said he had things to take care of and left. After he did, Celeste approached Marlena slowly, telling her she would fight her, although she was scared and aware there might be death waiting for her, but she'd fight, she promised Marlena. "I must save my own soul, and undo what Stefano has done..."

The Puzzle Box: About a month before, Alice was cleaning out the attic. She found many things of Tom's. She decided to give a few to each member of the family. She came across a beautifully carved wooden box, which was a Puzzle Box, hence, had a special tricky way of opening it. She recalled only Tom and Hope had known how to open it. In another attempt to prove Gina was Hope, Alice gave the Puzzle Box to Gina, telling the family that if Gina managed to open it, that would mean she was Hope. Gina worked on it and couldn't open it. Nearing the wedding day, Alice got anxious, wanting Gina to hurry solve the box, since Bo and Billie's wedding must be stopped, and she didn't want to stop it again. Alice and Maggie met at Salem Place. Alice told Maggie she asked Gina to join them. When Gina arrived, Alice asked her to work on the box some more before the wedding, if she had the time. Gina said she'd try and left. Celeste left the apartment and arrived to Salem Place. She eavesdropped on Alice telling Maggie Gina had to open the box and the wedding must be stopped. "No, that is exactly what the demon in Marlena wants," realized Celeste, and hurried to stop Gina from opening the box.

At Stefano's penthouse, Marlena awakened with green eyes.

Everyone started arriving at the newly decorated St. Luke's. Tony spotted Stefano near by and approached him. Stefano thanked him for keeping an eye on Marlena and told him now everything was in order. John was inside the church, along with everyone. He addressed God, asking him where was Marlena. He also asked God why did he have a bad feeling about the wedding...Stefano arrived home and was amazed to see that Celeste and Marlena weren't there.

Gina arrived to John's. She got dressed and since she had a few minutes, sat down to work on the Puzzle Box. Celeste arrived to John and stuck her ear against the door. As Gina finally managed to open the box, on the other side of the door, Celeste came up with an idea how to stop Gina from doing just that.

John told Billie it was time. A nervous Billie started to walk towards the aisle. At her building, possessed Marlena came downstairs to street level. "No happily ever after for anyone. There will be no happy endings for anyone today!" promised himself the Devil.

Week Ten

In the alley, newspapers and garbage flung back and forth due to a strong wind. Possessed Marlena was still there. She grabbed a newspaper in which there was an article about Billie and Bo's wedding. The caption read: "St. Luke's Restored in Time for Wedding - Good Triumphs Over Evil". The Devil got enraged and crumpled the newspaper. "To the church," he said, as a blind beggar lady bumped into her. "Move!" ordered the Devil, talking to the lady in the distorted, evil voice. The lady grabbed Marlena by the arm and offered her the coat she was wearing. "Why would you give it to me? I'm a stranger to you," replied Marlena. The lady told her she felt she was very troubled and full of misery, and so, needed the coat more than she did. "You're a foul," stated Marlena. "God gave me wisdom and peace of mind," retorted the lady. "God also gave you blindness and poverty," added Marlena. The lady replied God gave her love, saying, "Love is the light of the world and kindness paves the road to happiness."

At the church, Bo told the same to Billie, as his vow to her. Bo and Billie stepped up to the altar with Shawn D. and lighted candles.

At John's, Gina managed to open one side of the Puzzle Box, as the phone rang. Gina picked it up and it was a friend of Carrie's, reminding Gina about the wedding, on Carrie's behalf. Gina thanked the person and hung up. On the other side of the door, Celeste removed a handkerchief from her cell phone and flipped it shut. She hid as Gina rushed outside. Celeste broke into John's place and searched for the Box. When she found it, she rejoiced, as she felt that the damage that Evil had done, would now be undone.

At the church, Bo and Billie exchanged rings, as Celeste threw the Puzzle Box into the garbage bin behind the building. She went upstairs, as Marlena walked in. Her eyes were normal, as suddenly the Devil entered her body and her eyes turned green. "No! Leave me alone!" screamed Marlena inside her head. The Devil left her and her eyes turned normal. "Who are you?" she asked aloud. "Leave me alone! I am a good person. I believe in love, kindness and goodness," stated Marlena weakly-- "I won't let you win!"

Celeste arrived to the penthouse and Stefano started questioning her as to where Marlena was and where she was. Celeste answered she had no idea where Marlena were, as when she left, Marlena was still unconscious. She told Stefano about the Puzzle Box and her throwing it away, again stating it was what the Devil wanted, but Stefano hushed her again and wouldn't hear of her ramblings of Evil, and yelled at her they had to find Marlena before the police did.

Marlena tried fighting the Devil off, but he entered her body again, telling her she would not win! He then left her again and Marlena wondered why was she in the alley and how she had gotten there. The Devil entered her body yet again and said, "You won't win, Marlena! I'm in control and I have important work for you to do!" as he laughed again inside her head.

Everyone arrived at the "Penthouse Grill" for the reception. A cop told Abe and John Marlena was spotted at Miami and Des Moines. Stefano and Celeste arrived, since Celeste told Stefano every instinct in her body told her to come here.

At the alley, the beggar lady searched the garbage bins and came across the Puzzle Box Celeste had thrown away. She took it and held it in her lap.

Possessed Marlena arrived to the Titan Building and entered the elevator, pressing the top button marked "Penthouse Grill". Billie and Bo had already left for the boat. Gina and Alice also left for John's loft. When they arrived there, they looked for the Puzzle Box, but couldn't find it...

John and Abe discussed Marlena being spotted in four different places in the country. As John said he had the strangest feeling something was about to happen, Marlena stepped out of the elevator and walked into the center of the room, stark naked...

Everyone at the reception, including Celeste and Stefano who were watching from afar, couldn't believe what was happening. Laura and Mike arrived and immediately attended to Marlena. Marlena seemed dazed. She didn't say anything and just stood there, looking expressionlessly at everyone. John draped her with a tablecloth and Mike and Laura sat her down and examined her. Marlena closed her eyes and became numbed. She was unresponsive. As Mike and Laura said they had to take her to hospital, DA Pat Hamilton arrived and said Marlena was going no where, but jail. The guests hummed in surprise. Caroline asked why and Pat announced that all evidences showed that Marlena was the Desecrator! Shock and dismay attacked everyone. Mike, Laura and Abe and John argued with Pat, saying Marlena needed hospitalization. After short deliberation, Pat agreed. Stefano tried to approach Marlena, but Celeste stopped him, saying he would be arrested. He said they were going to the hospital. Celeste asked him what for and he said he needed to know what was wrong with Marlena and when he did, he would take her away for her to get well. "He'll stop you, Stefano," Celeste said. "John? He'll never stop me," replied Stefano, but Celeste assured him she wasn't meaning John, but the Devil himself. John lifted Marlena in his arms and carried her out. Everyone followed him to the hospital.

At the hospital, Mike and Laura immediately attended to Marlena. DA Pat Hamilton told Abe she wanted a guard at Marlena's door. Inevitably, he agreed. John was perplexed and couldn't understand what was going on at all. Tony unexpectedly saw Stefano and Celeste in the stairway and approached them. He suddenly started to realize what was going on with Stefano concerning Marlena, as Stefano had asked him to keep an eye on her and now he was there. He asked his father what was he planning for Marlena, but he didn't led up. When he asked Celeste, she faithfully kept quiet.

A cop named Chuck arrived and told Abe he was stationed to guard Dr. Evans. He said he was happy he had been picked, as Dr. Evans was a friend of his. He explained he worked under Roman for a long while and that Roman saved his life. He also told them Marlena saved his marriage when he and his wife came to her for advice. He took his spot at Marlena's room's doorstep, as inside, Marlena opened a pair of green eyes...

Since they were already at the hospital, Kristen told Tony she'd go look in on Father Francis and ask him about Marlena. In his room, Father Francis was very agitated. He clung to his nurse's arm and told her in a weak and trembling voice, "It's starting. Save her...Save her, before it's too late..." The Father of course, referred to Marlena, but the nurse didn't know that and just asked the father to relax. She exited the room, as Father Francis softly remarked, "The evil one has come." A moment later, Kristen entered his room. He was very upset, and before Kristen could ask him anything, he started pointing to his right at a picture. Kristen looked but there was nothing there.

The test results came back and again Mike was at a total loss. He told everyone he didn't know what was wrong with Marlena, as the tests told them nothing. John asked him to keep getting to the bottom of this. Mike assured him he would try his best.

Kristen and Tony returned home. Kristen told Tony she couldn't understand what was Father Francis trying to tell her. She added something strange was going on, bringing up the woman who looked like her that was at John's loft. Since it was their anniversary, Tony asked his wife to forget about all that and make the best of the rest of the evening. Kristen smiled and agreed. Tony presented her with a lavish gift and uncorked a bottle of champagne.

Stefano and Celeste appeared next to Marlena's room in green surgeon scrubs. Stefano told Celeste they had to find out what was wrong with Marlena, risky as it might be.

Marlena looked through the door porthole. She saw the guard standing there. Still green-eyed, she smiled and deliberately dropped the telephone that was near the bed. Chuck came running in and asked Marlena what was it. She told him she just wanted a glass of water, in her normal voice. He went to the stand in front of her bed and poured her a glass of water. As he approached to give it to her, Marlena grabbed him from behind, twisting his arm and grabbing a hold of his gun. She started choking him, as he cried out, "Dr. Evans, it's me, Chuck!" Marlena suddenly loosened her grip a bit, and Chuck turned to her. They started fighting for the gun. As Chuck suddenly noticed Marlena's green eyes and stared into them, Marlena lowered her hand and the gun went off.

Pat was again insisting Marlena would be arrested, as everyone heard the shot. They hurried to the room and found Chuck and Marlena on the floor. Marlena was unconscious and Chuck in shock. Mike and Laura revived him and he told Abe that Dr. Evans had jumped him and fought him for the gun, with incredible strength. Abe removed the gun from Marlena's clutch and placed it on the dresser opposite Marlena's bed. Pat yelled she wanted Marlena arrested immediately, as she was dangerous. Outside the room, Caroline fetched Sami and told her about the shooting, relaxing her Marlena wasn't shot. She asked her to go home and phone Eric. Sami left. Shawn took Carrie aside and told her Marlena was the Desecrator. Mike and Laura were totally clueless as to what was happening to Marlena. They left the room, as Marlena opened her eyes and stared at the gun on the dresser across from her. The gun started moving on its own. Pat, Abe and John were near the door, continuing their debate about Marlena being arrested, as suddenly they turned and saw Marlena with the gun staring at them. "How did she get the gun?" asked an incredulous Pat. Before anyone answered, Marlena in her own voice (but still green eyes) ordered Pat and Abe outside. They obeyed and she ordered John to draw the curtain. He did. Marlena's expression was vague and far away, her eyes half-shut. John told her it was he, but Marlena didn't respond. Pointing the gun at him, the Devil in Marlena told her to shoot John. Abe knocked on the door and popped his head in. He told John they had to disarm Marlena. He whispered to Pat to call Lt. Hank Dawson at the PD, a sharpshooter. She moved aside and placed the call.

A moment later, Lt. Dawson was there, ready to shoot on order. John whispered to Abe he'd take care of Marlena. Abe agreed, as Pat told Abe she objected his way of handling the situation. Abe simply and irately replied, "tough!" Pat withdrew and Abe closed the door. At the hallway, Abe got upset with Pat, ordering her to get out, or he'd have her arrested for interfering in a police matter. Pat was shocked, but left.

Inside the room, drama reached another high-point:
John: "Doc, it's me, John. Can you hear me?"
The Devil (speaking inside Marlena's head): "She hears you and hears me. Kill him! Kill the priest!"

John: "Give me the gun, Doc. [he steps closer to her]. No one's gonna hurt you, we wanna help you, please give me the gun." The Devil: "What are you waiting for? Kill him, get rid of him for good." Marlena: "No! Go away, John, please leave!" The Devil: "He isn't leaving on his own. He isn't going anymore. That's the problem, that's why you have to kill him." Marlena: "No! Somebody help me. Please, help me." The Devil: "It's too late, no one can help you now, Doc. You're mine!" [laughing] Marlena: "What do you want from me?" The Devil: "I thought I made that obvious; I want your immortal soul!" Marlena: "No!!!"

The Devil: "Don't fight me, Marlena. You can't win! Kill the priest, shoot him! Shoot him! Shoot him!" [Marlena squeezes the trigger].
John: "Please, Doc, give me the gun..."
The Devil: "Shoot him! Shoot him!"
Then, the gun went off again.

Abe pulled the bullet out of the wall. Apparently, Marlena shot to the right of John and missed him. She was now again unconscious and Mike put her to bed. John stated he'd stay with Doc. Abe told him he got real lucky, but John said it wasn't luck, as he had the most powerful sense Marlena was fighting something. When Abe asked what, John answered, "her illness." Mike told them he gave Marlena a double dose of sedative and the two exited the room. Mike scribbled something on Marlena's chart, tucked the blanket under her chin and exited the room. The sound of the Devil's laughing satisfactorily echoed around the room...

Two days later, John sat next to the passed out Marlena, thinking back to the time he caught her in St. Luke's. Mike entered just as Marlena came to. She asked the two what was she doing in the hospital and they answered she was there since the previous day. Marlena didn't remember a thing. Marlena could gather from John's face something was wrong and demanded to know what was wrong. John told her of all that she had done- shooting Chuck and appearing nude at the "Penthouse Grill". Marlena was amazed. Marlena asked Mike if she could have a tumor, as evidently, one may act out crazily if one has a tumor in the head. Mike said he'd schedule a brain scan for her. He exited and Marlena clung to John, thanking him for not giving up on her, asking his forgiveness. John hugged her, as Marlena started crying. "I'm afraid, I'm afraid," wept Marlena in John's arms.

Kristen visited with Father Francis. She told him about Marlena, and again Father Francis tried telling her something, but wasn't able to talk. He just mumbled as usual. Kristen told him they'd talk when he felt better, saying they'd go over this whole thing, since the first day he arrived in Salem. Suddenly, the father's eyes lit up. Kristen deduced he had something to do with it. She asked him to squeeze her hand if he and the research he was conducting were connected to Marlena. She picked up his hand and the father weakly squeezed it.

John walked out of Marlena's room and across Father Francis's. Kristen bumped into him and asked him to come with her to Father Francis's office and try translating the scrolls he read when he suffered the stroke, since she knew they had the answer to Marlena's condition. John was reluctant at first, but Kristen persuaded him to come.

As Marlena had the brain scan and other painful tests, John and Kristen arrived at Father Francis's study. The power was still off, so they lit candles. It was dead cold in the place. They found the scrolls and tried translating them, but John didn't remember nothing of the days he learned this. He was also reluctant to believe there was anything supernatural about Marlena's condition, explaining Mike thought it was a tumor and would come up with a reasonable solution. Kristen tried to convince John there was evilly supernatural about Marlena, saying that even if the tumor made her temporary crazy, no crazy person would cuff a woman to an altar, strip her naked and draw satanical pentagrams on her body, unless there was something evil about them. John nodded his head, but still felt there was a reasonable, medical explanation for Marlena's condition. Suddenly Kristen smelled the same foul odor she smelled in Father Francis's room that time when she felt the presence. She told John that what ever they were looking for was there now- "something evil," she said.

The tests were finished and Mike got the results back. Marlena didn't have a tumor, of course and the tests told him nothing...He still could not determine what was wrong with Marlena.

Kristen kept telling John over and over again the supernatural catch people unexpectedly in life, for good or for evil. John was still reluctant to accept that was the case with Doc. Suddenly a noise came from behind them. They turned and saw the scrolls had caught fire. John quickly removed his coat and put out the fire, by banging it over the flames, but it was too late, the scrolls were destroyed. Kristen asked John if now he believed her, telling him that the evil had destroyed the scrolls. John showed her the tipped-over candlestick and said it just fell over and the scrolls caught the flames of it. "I don't feel any air moving in here," said Kristen. John agreed, but came up with a million reasonable explanations- air from the ventilation shaft, a pocket of air from the door. Kristen told him that if he didn't believe her, maybe he'd believe Father Francis. "If Marlena was under some sort of evil influence, he'd know," stated Kristen. She took some holy water and crossed herself. She told John a little divine help wouldn't hurt and he did the same.

Father Francis heard Mike talking about Marlena with a nurse. "You won't be able to help her, Dr. Horton," he said to himself, adding, "but I can." Weakly and shakily he got up. He approached a wooden box he had on a stand and produced a small bottle with holy water in it. As he slowly walked down the hall towards Marlena's room, he said, "This holy water will cast out the demon inside Marlena..."

In her room, Marlena was resting comfortably. She abruptly sat up as he heard someone calling her name. Father Francis arrived at her door. "No! Leave me alone!" cried out Marlena. Then, as she turned to the door, her eyes were green again, as she looked hatefully at Father Francis on the other side of the door. "You're not going to destroy me, priest!" said the Devil- "Because I'll destroy you first!"

Week Eleven

John and Kristen arrived at the hospital, with John still reluctant to believe Marlena was under the influence of an evil force. Kristen asked him to just hear what Father Francis had to say. They went to his room, but the father wasn't there.

Father Francis entered Marlena's room. Marlena pretended to be sleeping. "There is a demon in you, my child, but I'll save you," said Father Francis, as he stepped closer to Marlena. "You're too late, priest," said the Devil as Marlena suddenly rose up. Father Francis uncorked the little bottle of holy water. Marlena lifted her hand up in the air, and the bottle suddenly dropped to the floor. "You are the only one who can tell John and Kristen about me, but I won't let you!"

Kristen and John alerted Mike and they searched for the father. Inside Marlena's room, Father Francis crawled toward the bottle on the floor. The water hadn't slipped out. He got up, as Marlena lifted her hands up in a protective gesture, as she acquired a frightened expression on her face. With his last strength, Father Francis cried out, "Be gone, Satan!" and cast the holy water onto Marlena. The Devil let out a hideous scream. Marlena looked at the palm of her hands in horror. She then lifted them in the air, shooting a force through Father Francis that sent him flying across the room, just like Celeste was.

John and Kristen heard the scream and rushed into Marlena's room. When they entered, Marlena was in her bed and seemed to be sleeping. John then saw Father Francis on the floor, passed out. He and Kristen kneeled beside him. "Where did he get the power to get here?" asked John. "From his faith," answered Kristen. Mike came in and attended to the father. He wondered why would the father come to Marlena's room, as Kristen answered Marlena needed him, but didn't elaborate. Mike got a gurney and the father was wheeled out. Kristen told John it was Marlena who attacked the father, but John had a hard time believing that. Kristen told him they came to see the father about Marlena and found him passed out in her room, stressing that was no coincidence. Mike checked Marlena and saw nothing wrong. He told them he gave Marlena a double dosage of sedative and so, she couldn't have gotten out of bed. Kristen told John there are powers more powerful than sedatives. They exited the room and started to Father Francis's room.

Kristen asked the father to open his eyes if he could hear her and he did. John asked him if there was some force controlling Marlena. The father tried speaking but couldn't. Inside his head, he screamed, "Yes! Yes! It's Satan!" He did however managed to mumble slowly the words "holy water", leaving John and Kristen wondering what he meant.

A nurse named Sandy asked Mike to come into Marlena's room for a sec. He did and she showed him Marlena's palms. He checked them. There were red strips across them. Mike said they seemed like burns. "How did she burn herself?" asked Nancy. "If I know that, Nancy, I'd know what was wrong with her," answered Mike. They exited the room to get burn-ointment. Marlena opened her green eyes, as the Devil said, "You will never get the answer, Dr. Horton. Not before I destroy the priest, John Black and Marlena's soul..."

The next day, John and Kristen were checking with Mike about Marlena, as they heard a scream coming from Marlena's room. They hurried in. Marlena lifted her hands up to them and horrified, she asked what happened to them. John looked at them amazed as well, remarking it looked like burns. Mike replied those were burns, adding he had no idea how Marlena got them. Kristen took John outside, as Mike bandaged Marlena's hands. She told John she wanted them to go to police HQ, to see if there was anything new about the scrolls (they had sent them to the lab to see if something could be salvage from them). They left, as inside the room once she was alone, Marlena opened her green eyes, as the Devil worried "they" were too close to finding the truth. A bit later, DA Pat Hamilton arrived and started yelling she wanted Marlena arrested, again. Mike debated back he couldn't release Marlena. The Devil listened to the conversation and got even more worried. He said he couldn't complete his work from a jail cell. He said he needed to take advantage of something that would want to help Marlena.

"Marlena needs me," said Stefano suddenly to Celeste in his apartment. Celeste told him Marlena didn't want anything to do with him. She said that if he tried approaching her, two things would happen: the first, he'd be arrested, if seen, and the second, Marlena would spit in his face. She begged him to leave Salem, saying Salem was cursed.

Kristen and John returned to the hospital after there was nothing new about the scrolls. They joined the debate with Pat. Pat reached Marlena's doorstep and ordered the guard there to arrest Marlena. She and the guard rushed inside and the man tried cuffing Marlena, as she suddenly convoluted and let out a little gasp. Mike immediately attended to her. He managed to "save" her, as the nurse placed an oxygen mask on Marlena's nose. Mike stepped outside and told everyone he managed to save Marlena, adding she could have died. Pat stated she wasn't leaving until Marlena was arrested. John stepped in and said he'd like to have his facts straight when he went to the media- "Salem's DA is allowing her overwhelming ambition to jeopardize the life of a well-known and well respected woman of this community? If you have no compassion for a woman like Marlena, I can imagine what kind of justice the average citizen can expect out of you!" Pat hushed and left, not before saying she wanted a guard post at Marlena's doorstep 24 hours a day. Everyone commended John. After speaking with Bo in Salem Place, Tony arrived at the hospital. Tony had told Bo that having a reminder of his past in town, meaning Gina, could be hazardous to his marriage. Bo had gathered Tony was talking out of personal experience, with Stefano being the reminder of the past in his marriage (and we know that caused problems for him and Kristen). Tony got an update from Kristen as he suddenly saw Celeste near by. He heard her talking to Stefano on the cell phone and started following her.

Near Marlena, Mike was telling John and Kristen he didn't know what caused Marlena's heart attack. He was puzzled as ever. They exited the room, as Marlena opened her eyes and the Devil said, "I need to get someone to help Marlena. There's only one man for the job. My old friend, Stefano DiMera..."

Tony followed Celeste to Stefano's apartment. He was shocked to see it was the one next to Marlena's. He burst in and asked Celeste what the hell was going on, and why did his father had an apartment next to Marlena's. "Marlena lives in this building?" Celeste tried to act surprised, but Tony didn't buy that and demanded the truth. Celeste told Tony about Stefano's obsession with Marlena. She also told him about Evil causing Marlena's illness and Stefano luring it into Salem.

Mike gave Marlena a pair of sunglasses when she came to, as she complained her eyes were getting sensitive to the light. After Mike left, wearing his usual green scrubs disguise, Stefano sneaked into Marlena's room. Marlena turned to him and he asked her if she knew who he was. "You're Stefano," answered Marlena calmly. Stefano was ecstatic to see Marlena didn't fear him or got upset. Marlena asked him to help her. Stefano replied he'd do anything for her. When Marlena asked him would he, he swore on his immortal soul he would...To keep Stefano satisfied, Marlena told him how special he was to her. She talked fondly of how they connected when they danced at Maison Blanche. Stefano smiled blissfully. She asked him to take her away from the hospital. This is all, of course, was a part of the Devil's ploy.

Outside, Kristen kept trying to convince John something evil had a hold of Marlena. He said she might be right, explaining it was probably Stefano's doing. Kristen told him he was grasping at straws. She told him he believed in the supernatural, since he believed Gabe revived Kevin when he died. She told him the fight Gabe meant was the one against evil, the one to save Marlena. John was still reluctant to accept all that. They stepped inside Marlena's room and Stefano turned his back to them and got up. Marlena said he was just a technician and as they stepped inside, he stepped out. Kristen asked Marlena if she wanted a priest to come and see her, so that he could bless her. Marlena replied she'd love to see Father Francis again ("So that I can destroy him for good," added the Devil inside Marlena's head). Kristen said he was too sick to move. She asked her if she wanted her to call Father Jansen, but Marlena said no, adding she had John. They exited the room to let her rest. As Kristen was surprised, she asked John, "Marlena sees you as a priest?!" John nodded his head, saying Marlena saw him as a friend.

Stefano arrived home and was surprised to see Tony there. Tony asked why was he trying to get Marlena, stating Marlena loathed him. Stefano replied they shared great love and passion. Tony remarked Celeste told him Marlena was under an evil influence. Stefano as usual, told him not to listen to her superstition nonsense. Tony simply replied he didn't want Kristen to find out he was seeing him (Stefano) and left angrily. Celeste sat down and starting laying out her tarot card again. Stefano yelled at her to put those away, remarking everything was normal with Marlena. "A woman who desecrates a church is normal to you?" asked him Celeste. Stefano again told her all of her silly allegations of evil were a result of her being jealous of Marlena. He told her Marlena asked him for his help and didn't send him away. Celeste was shocked. He told her Marlena even protected him when John and Kristen came in and she didn't give him away. "Why? Because she loves me," said Stefano heartily. Celeste warned him Marlena could not be trusted. Not now! But Stefano wouldn't hear a word and kept floating on his cloud nine.

Jamie entered Marlena's room and Marlena asked her to get Sami, as she'd like to talk to her. Jamie went outside and told Sami. As Sami entered her mother's room, Marlena put on the sunglasses to hid her green eyes and told Sami they had a lot to talk about.

Marlena asked Sami to tell her what was bothering her. After Marlena told her she was her baby and that she loved her, Sami told her about her feelings for Austin. She told her mom she wasn't sure how Austin felt for her. Sami leveled with her mom and confided in her she had slept with Austin. Marlena didn't react harshly and Sami was surprised to see her mom wasn't lecturing her. In stead, Marlena told her that a person didn't have many chances for happiness in life and that if she felt strongly about Austin she should "go for it". Sami was again surprised her mom didn't talk about Carrie and told her Carrie and Austin belonged together. Marlena told her she could help her. She told her to go to Austin tonight and not talk to him, but show him how she felt about him. Sami got the picture. She thanked her mom, hugged her and exited the room. "You're a foul, Sami Brady," said the Devil. Sami rushed to Austin's apartment.

A few moments later, Carrie arrived and asked Marlena for her advice about Austin. Marlena told her they belonged together. Carrie said Austin didn't want to talk to her. Marlena told her not to give up on a man she loved so much. She advised her to go over to his place, tonight and push him until he talked to her. Carrie became rejuvenated and full of hope. She thanked Marlena, hugged her and left for Austin's apartment. The same time, Sami arrived to Austin's, stripped herself naked and planted herself in his bad. When Austin arrived home, he was shocked to see her. A moment later, Carrie arrived at his doorstep. At the hospital room, Marlena laid happily on her bed, a smile spread on her face, as the Devil laughed contentedly.

What's going on so far (up through week 11 in possession)

Here's the position of each character up to this point:

• Marlena knows something has a hold of her. She doesn't know exactly what, but she knows it's bad, and tries fighting it off, but that thing is stronger than she is. She is now 100% possessed and the Devil is with her all the time. When people visit her the sun glasses hide his green eyes and she speaks in her own voice, but it the Devil that put the words in her mouth.
• The Devil wants John and Father Francis killed off so they won't disturb him with his work.
• DA Pat Hamilton wants Marlena arrested for the crimes she committed.
• The Devil can't have Marlena in jail, so he decides to use Stefano.
• As part of the Devil's plan, Marlena acts nicely to Stefano and he believe that is the real Marlena that has fallen in love with him, too. For him, she's not in the trance she was in when he came to her at nights. He thinks she really wants him, but the Devil makes Marlena act that way, so that Stefano would help Marlena avert going to prison.
• Mike has no idea what's wrong with Marlena. All his tests come back negative and he has no idea what medically makes Marlena act and be the way she is.
• Kristen feels there's an evil force controlling Marlena. So she gathered from Father Francis. She tries to convince John of this, but he believes Stefano is behind Marlena's way of acting.
• Tony knows his father has the apartment next to Marlena's and knows Stefano is in love with Marlena. He also was told by Celeste Marlena was under the influence of an evil force.
• Father Francis knows the Devil has Marlena, but he is unable to talk and tell anyone, but still tries to warn everyone and help Marlena, as best he can.

Celeste knows Marlena is evil and possessed by the Devil and tries to convince Stefano of that and of staying away from Marlena, but he is so in love with Marlena that he blames Celeste of being jealous and doesn't listen to her.

Week Twelve

At John's, Gina asked him how was Marlena doing. He told her the doctors still didn't know what was wrong with her. He told her about Kristen's suspicions of an evil force and added he didn't believe that, but believed the evil force that had a hold of Marlena was Stefano.

Stefano and Celeste were in Marlena's bedroom. Stefano seemed to be millions miles away. Celeste asked him if he was thinking of Marlena. He nodded his head. Celeste again tried to warn him about her, but he wouldn't hear a word. He exited through the closet. "You have Stefano under your spell," Celeste addressed Marlena. "Who else will fall under your curse?" she asked, as at Marlena's room, a nurse told her how nice her daughters, Carrie and Sami, are. Marlena acknowledged and the Devil added inside Marlena's head that if the two followed Marlena's advice, their lives would be a living hell just like Marlena's was.

Gina asked John if it were really possible it was Stefano behind Marlena's weird acting. He answered it might be and added he thought Stefano drugged Marlena into acting the way she did. When Gina asked how come the drugs didn't show up in the tests, John suggested they were some kind of exotic drugs or something like that that is hard to detect. John asked her about her catching the thief at Salem Place (she ran after a man who snatched a lady's bag and caught him and became Salem's new heroine). That suddenly gave him an idea. He said he wasn't objective during all of this, because it was Doc and stated he'd stay objective from now on and treat this as a regular police investigation. He phoned Mike and asked him if he could come over and ask Marlena a few questions. Since Marlena was awake, he agreed. He told Marlena John was coming. The Devil got anxious, but promised himself Father Black wouldn't destroy him.

John arrived at the hospital and started questioning Marlena. He asked her why did Father Francis came to her room, but "I don't know," answered Marlena calmly. He asked her did she remember desecrating the church and shooting Chuck, but she didn't. He asked her how did she get those burns on her hands, but "I don't know", again. (The Devil is now controlling her, and answers in her voice, of course). Suddenly Marlena let out a small gasp, but John and Mike didn't notice it. It was the "good" Marlena trying to overcome the Devil inside of her, since the Devil remarked, "I won't let the good Marlena come out and tell them." The good Marlena didn't win apparently, as she kept answering John with "I don't know" etc. Mike asked John to finish, since Marlena was tired. John thanks Doc and left. Mike exited, too and Marlena smiled to herself. Jamie came in with flowers that were delivered and Marlena asked her for the phone. She said she wanted to call Belle. Since Mike said no calls, Jamie was reluctant to let Marlena use the phone, but Marlena promised her it would be their "little secret", so Jamie handed it to her. Marlena dialed Stefano and he answered. She made it look like she talking to Belle, so that Jamie wouldn't suspect anything. After a moment, Jamie exited the room and Stefano was so happy Marlena called him. He promised her she would not go to jail and that he would save her. Marlena hung up and again smiled to herself.

Celeste asked Stefano if that was Marlena. When he answered positively, she asked him how did Marlena know his private number. "I must have given it to her," he said offhandedly. Celeste told him that if he had, he would have remembered, adding, "Marlena knows things no other mortal does." "There you go again," stated Stefano, but Celeste wouldn't lead up. "She is neither mortal or human. She is Evil incarnate and before this thing is over, Stefano, she will destroy you! What no man has done, this woman would!" Stefano dismissed Celeste's words and stated he loved Marlena and would help her.

Stefano appeared in Marlena's room in the usual green scrubs. Again, the Devil made Marlena act so happy to see him. He buttered him up, by having Marlena tell him things like- "I'm so happy you're here", "you're really here. I thought I was dreaming..." But when she said she trusted him, Stefano rejoiced the most, saying he waited so long to hear her say so. The Devil had Stefano completely as his pawn now. Stefano told Marlena he'd help her and stop anyone in their way. He left the room to make plans, as the pleased Devil said, "I knew I could count on you, Stefano, to kill John Black for me... "

Carrie knocked on Austin's door. He opened it and asked Carrie to talk to her later. After she left, he told Sami it was over between them, and added there was nothing between them to begin with, as he thought he was making love to Carrie when he slept with her. Sami got offended and left the apartment heartbroken, deciding to leave town. She said good bye to Jamie and headed to the train station.

John asked Bo to meet him at Marlena's. He did. There, John presented him with a thick file he had on Stefano. He told him they were going to find out what was going on here. They went up to the bedroom and searched it, but found nothing. John had a hunch they were missing something.

Stefano arrived home and told Celeste about his plan to take Marlena out of the country. He said he'd stop anyone in his way. "You see how she affects you?" asked him a concerned Celeste. Stefano promised her he was speaking for himself. He stated anyone who'd try to interfere with his plans, we'd be long gone, even John Black. "But he is a priest, a man of God," said Celeste. "That it one taboo I thought you'd never break, Stefano," she added, even more concerned. "When I love, I love completely," retorted Stefano. He started for the secret door and told Celeste he'd go get some things for Marlena, for the way.

At the hospital room, the Devil was very, very pleased. "Yes, kill him. Kill the priest," he addressed Stefano.

A drug dealer tried selling drugs to Shawn D. outside the Pub. Gina phoned Billie and asked her to get Bo. Kristen was there at the time. She told Billie she'd go tell Bo at Marlena's and Billie would go to Gina.

Celeste grabbed a hold of Stefano's arm a minute before he unlocked the secret door. She told him that his obsession for Marlena had made him careless, adding that if he kept that up, John would find him and the consequences would be terrible. Stefano agreed, but told Celeste they would be for John Black, not for him, as if John tried to interfere, he'd strangle him with his own two hands!

John told Bo he felt Stefano was still alive and stated that he'd kill him if he were responsible for Marlena's behavior. Bo asked him how could he talk about murder. John asked back how could he defend Stefano as a Brady. Bo replied he didn't, saying Stefano caused the family a lot of grief and "no wonder Sami turned out so screwed up." He apologized, but John told him that was right, as all Stefano's toying with the Brady's made Sami the way she was. He said he blamed Stefano for everything. Seeing how upset John was, Bo told him, "Stefano has taken a lot from you, don't let him take your soul..." Then he told him, rather ordered, to go out to the terrace and take a break. John did and Bo went downstairs. There he told himself that if Stefano was in love with Marlena, in some twisted sort of way, that all had to start when Marlena seduced him at Maison Blanche, in order to save him (John).

Meanwhile, Kristen arrived and told Bo about the drug dealer. Bo hurried to the Pub. Upstairs, Stefano opened the closet's door and stepped inside. Celeste told him he didn't even check to see there was no one in the apartment. Stefano hushed her and closed the doors on her. Kristen started up the stairs to Marlena's bedroom. On the terrace, John kept dwelling over Stefano. Stefano sniffed Marlena's robes and addressed her, telling her just the thought of her made him quiver. "John...?" cried out Kristen. "Kristen!" cried out Stefano. He looked behind him and saw John on the terrace.

Kristen entered Marlena's bedroom, as John came in from the terrace. Stefano was hiding in the bathroom. Kristen told him about Bo leaving and asked him what was he looking for. He replied he was working on some theory. He stated he didn't want to fight with her over it. "You think my father is responsible for all this, right?" asked him Kristen. He replied it was more logical than her supernatural theory. Kristen remarked Stefano was probably dead. "The Phoenix raises from the ashes," said John knowingly. Kristen said her father wouldn't come to Salem even if he were alive. John said Stefano was vile and that he and him have a fight coming on, and at the end of it only one man would survive and that wouldn't be Stefano. Stefano was eavesdropping from the bathroom. Kristen told John he was a priest and couldn't talk of such violence. "Who kept that information to himself and then dropped the bomb?" asked her John, telling her that ended any chance they had together. Kristen acknowledged that, but told John it was over, in the past. John asked her if she'd go talk to Stefano if she knew where he was. Kristen answered positively, saying she wanted to ask him about Gina and why had he kept her at Maison Blanche. She remarked she couldn't believe how Stefano had fooled her. How she couldn't see just how vile and corrupted he really was, how he kept that hidden from her. John said Stefano was evil. Kristen replied that even if he was, he was not the one responsible for Marlena's situation. John said here was where it all began- Marlena's dreams, the furniture moving. It was Stefano, he was sure of it. "How would he get in?" asked Kristen, reminding John of Marlena's complicated security system. John retorted Stefano was capable for a lot of things, amazing things. Kristen told John they'd go down for some tea before searching. John agreed and they left the room. Stefano came out of the bathroom and sorrowfully cried out, "Kristen...Kristen..." In the hallway, John remembered he left the file in the room and headed back. Stefano quickly entered the closet, just as John entered, the doors closed. "Wait a second!" said John. "There's someone in the armoire." He approached the closet and opened it. He saw nothing, and then started banging on the panels. On the other side, Celeste got worried. Stefano signaled her to keep quiet. Stefano approached a chest he had near by and took a small pistol out of it...

John banged on the panels awhile, but didn't find a thing. "It's solid, there's a wall behind it," he said. "I could have sworn I saw the doors move," he added. He suggested they go over to file again. Kristen asked him to forget about Stefano, but John simply stated, "Stefano and I have one last confrontation and in the end there'll be one man standing, and that man is not gonna be Stefano." On the other side of the closet, Stefano heard those ominous words.

Two days later, Mike told John that the latest blood tests showed Marlena's red cells count was down again. John asked him if there were any trace of an exotic drug in Marlena's system, which he could trace to Stefano. Inside Marlena's room, the Devil listened to the conversation and damned John promising him he'd be dead by the end of the day if he would try stopping Stefano taking Marlena away from the hospital. Mike told John that a person in Marlena's condition shouldn't even be alive normally. Abe arrived and told John he checked all the locks in Marlena's penthouse and there was no sign someone tampered with them. John was sure Stefano found a way of getting into the apartment. Abe reminded John of the complex security system Marlena had, telling him only he and Marlena had the security number. Mike's heart twitched as he heard this.

Stefano arrived at the hospital in his green surgeon scrubs. John told Abe it was Stefano who was responsible for Marlena's situation and entered Marlena's room. He asked her about the dreams she was having, reminding her she said the masked man had reminded her of Stefano. He asked her if it were possible those dreams were real. The Devil answered in Marlena's voice it couldn't be and that those were only dreams. John exited the room and Stefano entered it. Marlena acted happy to see him. She smiled and he told her everything was set for him to take her away that evening. She thanked him and he left. Kate arrived and entered Marlena's room. She sat next to Marlena and they talked. Marlena sensed Kate was upset by something. Kate told her it was Vivian and that she was suspicious she was up to her old tricks again. Marlena asked Kate to tell her about it, maybe she could help, "and with any luck, I could make your life more miserable than you ever dreamed possible," added the Devil inside Marlena's head. Kate told Marlena about Vivian and Marlena advised her to find something that would prove Vivian was up to something. Apparently, Kate had told Marlena that the only thing Vivian had brought from her house was her desk, which had a lock on it (Vivian hid her and Victor's marriage certificate in there). Marlena reminded Kate of that and told Kate Vivian probably had something to hide. Kate acknowledged and left for her home.

His guilty conscience was bothering him too much, so Mike approached John and Abe and told them he had something to tell them about the security code. Stefano was aside, hearing this.

Stefano arrived home and worriedly told Celeste Mike was about to tell John and Abe about him giving away Marlena's security code. He said he managed to buy some time and ordered Celeste to call Mike up and remind him what would happen if he crossed them. Celeste refused doing so, saying, "My soul will be damned for ever if I help the Demon." Stefano got angry with her, but Celeste wouldn't change her mind, she would not help the Devil! Stefano said he'd phone mike himself and picked up the phone. Disguising his voice, he asked for Dr. Horton and Mike got on the phone. Stefano told him that if he didn't keep his word, a bus filled with children in the Middle East would go up in the air.

Kristen visited with Father Francis. He wasn't able to talk, as usual, but Kristen somehow communicated with him. When John entered the room later, Kristen told him Father Francis conveyed to her only prayer would help Marlena now, but John was still as sure as ever it was Stefano responsible for Marlena's condition.

After Kate left, the Devil rejoiced he was alone at last, as Kristen entered Marlena's room. The Devil decided to "play dead". Kristen kneeled down beside Marlena's bed, took out a rosary, crossed herself and started saying her prayer- "In the name of the Father, the Son and of the Holy Spirit..." Marlena opened her eyes wide open. Kristen kept praying, as the Devil cried out inside Marlena's head that Kristen's words were debilitating his power. Kristen finished her prayer and approached Marlena. She placed the rosary on her shoulder and blessed her. "No! It burns!" cried out the Devil. "Stop it, damn you! Go away!" he screamed. Kristen turned to leave, but then turned back and placed the rosary on the pillow, next to Marlena's head. Marlena opened her eyes even wider and looked at the cross dangling above her head with dismay. "No! No!" yelled out the weakening Devil.

Continued on next page

Thanks to Tzach Ben-Jossef for writing this story. Thanks to Stacy for providing some pics for this page.

Return to the Classic Storylines page

Return to my Days Page