Week Twenty-Five

Father Francis entered the church. John told the father that he now could not feel the real Marlena's presence inside her anymore. "I'm sorry," said Father Francis, "we should prepare ourselves for this- for the possibility that Marlena may not survive the exorcism..." John said nothing could prepare him for a possibility like that. Father Francis said they had to pray it would not happen and keep up their faith. John said he had to have proof Marlena was still there. He asked the father if there was any way of getting to her. "There might be, but it won't be easy," the father begin, "the Demon has complete control over Marlena right now. He'll do anything he can to hold on to her spirit." Kristen intervened and told the father about their attempt to contact Marlena earlier and of the Demon telling them he Marlena was gone. The father replied he thought the Demon was lying and that there was still a chance they'd get to her. John said they had to.

The Devil ordered Tony to put down the glass and look. He told Tony it didn't make him happy he tried fighting him. At that point Caroline entered. She called Tony's name, but he didn't answer her. He was in a daze. He was standing with his back to Caroline. She fluffed some cushion pillows. "Just checking on Marlena," Tony was heard saying, but it was not Tony speaking. It was the Devil talking in Tony's voice from Marlena's throat. "I'll stay here a while longer," "Tony" offered and insisted Caroline got a break. Caroline asked him if he was sure. "Tony" acknowledged. "Be very careful," she told Tony and exited the room. Tony tried turning his head away from Marlena. "Don't turn away from me!" the Devil screamed at him. "And don't fight me," he added. "I have to find a way to inflame your jealousy," the Devil went on. Tony was still dazed, just listening. "Look behind you, turn around!" he again yelled at Tony. He did, and behind him there was a blurry image of John and Kristen kissing passionately. "Look what they're doing," the Devil told him. "It makes you angry. Now will you help me?" the Devil asked. "NO!" yelled Tony, breaking out of his trance-like mode. "Damn you..." the Devil told him, surly.

Father Francis told John it would be very hard for the real Marlena to get through to them, if she was still there. Mike came in. He said he'd come with them to examine Marlena before they continued. John and Kristen exited. Mike grabbed Father Francis's arm and asked him what was wrong, as he saw anxiety on John's face. Father Francis explained John was worried, as he felt Marlena's true spirit might be gone. "Is that possible?" Mike asked. Father Francis said it was, and added they must not give up hope. Outside, Kristen told John she knew that on some level Marlena knew they were doing anything to help her. "You're right. The Marlena I know is strong. She's a survivor. I know she'd fight this Demon until we save her," John said surely.

"I don't know why you won't stop resisting me and give into your heritage?" the Devil asked Tony. "You're the son of Stefano DiMera, a man whom I'm very proud. You will follow in his footsteps. You will perpetuate evil. It's in your blood. Why don't you relax, and enjoy it? Because Evil, true evil, is a wondrous thing. There's freedom, there's power and more. Come with me, Tony. Join me on the dark side. Come with me and Join me in Hell!" Tony was trying as best he could to fight the Devil's words, but couldn't. His power failing him, he leaped in the air and fell to the floor.

Downstairs, John, Mike, Father Francis and Kristen arrived. Kristen saw the dead flowers. She told the three those were not there when they went out. They called for Caroline and asked her about it. She told them Tony brought them and was shocked to see they withered away. "Tony may be susceptible to the Demon's tricks," Father Francis warned when Caroline told them Tony was upstairs with Marlena. They hurried upstairs. Tony was lying on the floor, unconscious. "Get up, get up, Tony. The crusaders are here!" the Devil said, sensing everyone coming close. Tony didn't budge. The Devil yelled at Tony again. Everyone entered the room a minute after that. Tony was up and about, everything normal. Marlena was asleep. "She was a sleep the whole time I was with her," Tony said when Father Francis asked. Mike attended to Marlena. Caroline apologized for leaving Tony alone. The father said they had to be very careful whom they left alone with the Demon, as "the Demon senses moral faults and human weaknesses and he focuses on that, and he uses that knowledge to draw that person into his world of lies and betrayal." "That's why we can never let Stefano or anyone remotely like him in here," John said.

Mike finished checking Marlena and everyone was getting ready to continue. Kristen asked Tony why did he come over. He said he came to tell her about him helping out Carrie and Austin. "I just felt like doing something good," he said offhandedly. "Yes, well, you're a good man," Kristen told him. Father Francis stepped up to Tony and asked him to drop off a few books at St. Luke's for Father Jansen, as he forgot. Tony said he'd be glad to do it for him. The father told Kristen they were ready. Tony hugged Kristen and told her to be careful, as he didn't know what he'd do if he lost her. Kristen hugged him tightly and told him he wouldn't. He picked up the books and left. The ritual resumed. Father Francis began praying. The Devil grumbled and sighed with anguish. "Marlena, I beseech you to come out," John begged, "I know that your spirit is still in there." "Wrong," the Devil said, as Marlena opened her eyes- "Marlena doesn't live here anymore..." he said, smiling slyly at him. "Her soul is gone. Condemned to burn in hell," he said and laughed the horrible laughter again. "I don't believe it!" John yelled. "Goodbye for now," the Devil said and closed Marlena's eyes. John yelled at him to come back, but Father Francis stopped him, telling him to relax, as they couldn't go on without him controlling him emotions. Mike remarked suddenly that he couldn't let them continue the exorcism.

Tony arrived at the church. He couldn't grab the doors' handles. His hand shook and the books fell out of it.

Mike took Father Francis and John downstairs to the living room and told them Marlena's blood pressure was very high and so was her temperature. He advised it was too risky to continue right now. John remarked that with each passing minute, the Devil got a stronger hold of Marlena. Father Francis acknowledged and added that if they believed that Marlena was truly in there somewhere, they had to try their hardest to get to her. "What worries me is that we didn't see any sign that her presence is still there!" John said desperately. "Yes, I know," agreed Father Francis, "if we had some sign, it would help us with our decision." "If only there was a way she could let us know what she wants us to do," John said silently. Upstairs, Caroline placed a cold washcloth on Marlena forehead. She told Kristen Marlena was soaking wet and that they should change her. The two started unbuttoning Marlena's shirt. They suddenly halted. "Oh, my God!" Kristen said, as she and Caroline saw the words "Help Me" scratched on Marlena's stomach...

Mike told John he understood the spiritual risk, but the physical risk was just as grave. He told the two that they could lose Marlena. "How do we chose?" asked John, as Kristen came running down the stairs, summoning everyone to Marlena's bedroom. "Oh, my God!" exclaimed John as well, when he saw the inscription on Marlena's stomach. "That is the sign we've been waiting for. A sign that the Marlena we know and love is still in this possessed thing," John said and thanked God for keeping her alive and sending them this sign. John kneeled next to Marlena and told her to feel the energy he was sending her, the energy of love. He told her they would not lose sight of the fact that she was still alive, in there. He held her hand and promised her he'd save her. He told her to try very hard to squeeze his hand if she wanted them to continue with the exorcism, knowing the physical and spiritual risks. Everyone waited. Nothing happened. John asked Father Francis if Marlena could even hear them. He wasn't sure. Mike asked what if the writing was all another one of the Devil's tricks. John refused to believe it. "If only we knew for sure," John said. "Can you give us a sign, Marlena?" John asked. "I know she's there," John said. Lying in a blank, dead black void, a faint Marlena said, "John...I can hear you, I can hear you..." We finally saw that the real Marlena wasn't gone and was still there, somewhere, deep within her. She was a weak and hopeless Marlena. There was nothing around her, but blackness. She was lying in the middle of it, dressed in a long white dress, barefoot. "It's me...It's Marlena. I can hear you, John," Marlena said faintly, trying to get up. "This is a genuine message from Marlena," John told Father Francis.
The real Marlena could hear him; "It is, it is. You're right, John," she said. "I need your help. I'm alone here, I'm so afraid. My strength- he's taking it away from me. Please, you must not doubt. John, please, follow your instincts, your heart," Marlena addressed John from within her darkness.

"I'll ask her again," said John. "Squeeze my hand if you want us to continue with the exorcism, Doc," John said. Marlena was now standing up. She reached her hand up in the air. "I'll try, I'll try," she said. She couldn't, though. Marlena's hand didn't budge. "You're stronger than I thought, Marlena," the Devil was suddenly heard telling the real Marlena, in her gloominess. "It must be that bond you have with John, but I'll break that bond and I'll break it for good," he promised her. "No! No! Don't! Please, don't!" Marlena begged him. "You'll never escape your fate, Marlena, and if you try, if you try to contact John again, your last brief moments of life, would be torment beyond anything you can imagine!" "John!" Marlena yelled out to him. "There's no use fighting me!" the Devil said, as Marlena disappeared into the blackness.
"I felt something!" said John. "Are you trying to reach me, Doc?" "Yes, yes, John!" Marlena said vehemently. "Keep the exorcism going, it's my only hope!" And suddenly, Marlena opened her eyes. They were the usual almost white Devil's eyes. "Marlena can't hear you, priest," the Devil tried to discourage John. "She's locked inside. So are you and if you try to save her soul, he body will die and you will damn her to hell for all eternity," the Devil said. A bit later, John told Kristen he knew Marlena had sent that sign. He told her he knew the Devil wanted them to be afraid, so they'd stop the exorcism, but he knew Marlena still had the strength and wanted them to save her. He marched inside and told Father Francis and Mike they would continue the ritual. Father Francis agreed and went to prepare. The Devil prepared, as well. "You all had fair warning. You'll have no one to blame but yourselves for what is going to happen next," he said ominously. "I am talking to Marlena!" John yelled. "I know that you are still in there and I will save you!" he added. Suddenly Marlena started convoluting and the heart monitor started going crazy. "Her blood pressure is too high! She could have a stroke!" Mike announced and rushed to attend to Marlena.

At home, Tony was deep in thoughts. Charles, his driver, came in and asked Mr. D. if he wanted some tea. Tony didn't hear him. When he snapped out of it, Charles asked him if he thought of Mrs. D. Tony acknowledged and Charles asked him if he felt she was again being unfaithful to him. Tony said he didn't and asked Charles for that cup of tea. He approached the mirror and again, saw John and Kristen making love in it.

Mike managed to calm Marlena down. "It's all my fault," John blamed himself. Father Francis told him to remain faithful to his choice and put his faith in the healing power of God. "Dear God, please don't let her die. Please, give us the chance to save her," John prayed to God.

"Kristen loves me," Tony assured himself, "she wouldn't put me through this kind of pain again." "Yes, she would, Tony," the Devil was heard saying to Tony. "Kristen betrays you all the time. Even when she's with you, she's thinking of John," the Devil went on. "Why are you saying these things to me? Who are you?!" Tony demanded. Peter and Laura came in and asked Tony what was wrong, as he yelled out "Why?".

Mike warned Father Francis and John of the grave results the exorcism could resolve in. "How grave?" John asked. "If you continue the exorcism, Marlena could die," Mike warned. "We can't continue the exorcism," John said. Father Francis assured John God's power was so strong, he could save both body and soul. "The decision is much yours then mine," Father Francis told him and assured him he'd stand by him. Inside the room, the Devil addressed John in Marlena's mind, telling him he would destroy him, especially now that he (John) had a new enemy.

"Tony? Are you O.K.?" Peter asked. Tony snapped out of it and greeted the two. Laura excused herself aside and Peter sat down next to Tony. He handed him a paper bag with stuff that connected him to Stefano, of which he wanted to get rid off. Among the things, was a small pistol. He gave it to Tony and told him to get rid of it, along with the rest of the things.

Kristen and John retired to John's loft. There, John told Kristen she was giving him strength during the exorcism. He thanked her. Kristen told him that's what friends are for and added she was glad they managed to become such good friends and stay that way.

At Tony's, Laura returned to the room. She came to talk to Tony about expending the Mental Health Clinic at UH. She saw Tony was preoccupied while she talked to him. He told her about his strange dreams and images with Kristen in them. He didn't elaborate on them. She asked Tony if he felt Kristen was still unfaithful to him. Tony said he knew she wasn't. Laura warned him not to keep things bottled up inside, saying that her inability to handle infidelity put her in a sanatorium. Tony assured her it was nothing, so Laura got up and headed for the door. Before leaving, she told Tony he could call her up anytime and talk to her. Tony thanked her and she left.

At John's, he and Kristen were playing with Brady and Belle. John told Kristen he knew little Belle was missing her mother. He also said he knew Marlena loved Belle dearly. He said Belle had given him the answer- "We're gonna continue this exorcism, Kristen. We're gonna continue with it as soon as possible."

Later, the exorcism continued. John was praying loudly above Marlena. Marlena shatteringly swayed from side to side. Caroline couldn't watch. She covered her face with her hands. John continued praying. Everyone joined in. Marlena abruptly stopped. "No!" the Devil said. "John, John, save me," the real Marlena said. This time she did actually talk and John and everyone could hear her. "I'm here, Doc," John assured. "No! You can't have her! She's mine! She's mine!!!" the Devil yelled. "We will save Marlena!" John retorted. "No! I have a plan that's taking form even now!" the Devil yelled as he started saying the strange words again- "Behema (beast in Hebrew), Abadon (doom in Hebrew), Inymichy Malo (have no idea what those words mean, not Hebrew), Sav Nasav - Kav La Kav (Hebrew words from the Bible associated to damnation and chaos)." A sleeping Tony heard the words, too. "Tony, Tony," the Devil addressed him. Tony opened his eyes. "Who are you? What do you want?" asked Tony. "I want you to kill John," the Devil told Tony. "Kill John, Kill John..." he repeated. Tony abruptly sat up, alarmed. "What happened?" he asked himself. He suddenly noticed the pistol Peter had given him in his hand. "Where did I get this gun?" he asked. "What is going on with me?"

Celeste was lying out her tarot cards again at her hotel room, as Stefano was telling her he had to see Marlena. Celeste assured him John would not give up on saving Marlena. He said he couldn't count on John and headed for the door, saying he'd go see Marlena right now. Celeste stopped him before he exited- "You can't go there. Something terrible is about to happen at Marlena's." Stefano told Celeste there was noting more terrible than Marlena fighting for her life and her soul. "The cards- they are showing danger," Celeste told him. "The cards..." said Stefano and angrily threw them all off the table. "The hell with the cards and their silly predictions!" he yelled. "I beg of you," Celeste said, "read the cards! They have predicted everything that has happened!" Stefano told Celeste he loved Marlena and had to find out if she was getting better. He left the room. Celeste promised him things would get much worse if he went over to Marlena's.

The lights in Marlena's apartment began flickering. Caroline was downstairs praying. Mike came downstairs from Marlena's bedroom and told her the Demon seemed to have gone dormant. He told her Father Francis had said he thought the Demon was up to something again. Caroline remarked they had to get rid of that Demon before he did any more damage. Mike agreed. He said he'd pray for that to happen. He told Caroline he had to go to the hospital to get medical supplies for Marlena and left. The phone rang. It was Stefano. He begged Caroline to let him know how Marlena was doing. "I have a right to know," he said. Caroline hung up on him, telling him he was the reason this was going on! Stefano hung up as well and told Celeste he didn't care and that he was going over to see Marlena. Celeste stopped him and begged him not to go, telling him he was susceptible to the power of the Evil one. He asked her not to worry because he had love for Marlena and that would fight any evil. He left, leaving a very worried Celeste behind.

Mike spotted Stefano at the hospital. Stefano walked up to him and begged him to tell him how Marlena was doing. He told him, too, that he loved Marlena. He asked Mike to let him see her. Mike called him a liar and told him never to come close to her again, if he knew what was good for him. Stefano told him he wouldn't be threatened by the likes of him. Mike corrected him, saying he wouldn't threaten him anymore. Stefano said he had never threatened him. Mike asked him if he thought he was an idiot, as he knew he (Stefano) was the one responsible for everything. Mike walked away. A bit later, Mike was called into surgery. He told an orderly to have some supplies sent over to Dr. Evans's apartment, as he couldn't make it back there in time. Stefano was lurking behind him, hearing him say that. "Now I know exactly how I will get to Marlena," he told himself. A bit later, the deliveryman exited the hospital through a back door, carrying the supplies. Stefano surprised him and knocked him out. He picked up the supply boxes, saying he'd make these deliveries to Marlena, personally...

At her hotel room, Celeste laid her cards out again. "Oh, no! Oh, God! I must warn Stefano! He can not go there. The cards- they are never wrong!" she exclaimed worriedly, after drawing some card and placing it on the bed, next to the others. She picked it up. It was the Death Card. "This card- it means someone is going to die!"

Week Twenty-Six

After another short break, Father Francis continued with the chine of prayers. Marlena looked very weak, so they stopped again. They wondered why it seemed there was no effect on Marlena at all. The phone rang and Kristen picked it up. It was Tony, inquiring when would she be back. He also told her he loved her. Kristen just told him she'd be late again. The Devil of course, listened in on the conversation. "She didn't say she loved you back, Tony," the Devil addressed him. Again, Tony heard the inexplicable voice talking to him. "John is standing right beside her. Remember your hatred for John, Tony," the Devil added and Tony hung up.

"This, this is a sign of which I've been fearing so long," a horrified Celeste said, picking up the Death Card. "I must warn Stefano," she said and hurried out. At the alley behind the hospital, Stefano hid away the knocked out delivery man, stripped him of his clothes, wore them, picked up the boxes and got into the delivery truck.

Father Francis felt weak. He said they should take advantage of every break and gather up their strength. He remarked he felt the next battle would be a crucial one and so, they'd need all their energy and strength. John wondered what was going on. He said the Devil had cut off the electricity in Marlena's apartment, had gone dormant and added their prayers seemed to not arouse him. Why weren't they getting to him? Father Francis said things are not always as they appear to be. This calm, could be the calm before the storm. He again advised everyone to hush and go to rest. Kristen suggested they'd go eat something. Caroline told Kristen and John to go outside and relax. "Tony, it's time," the Devil addressed Tony from Marlena's bedroom. "It's time to kill John. He's with her now, he's with your wife. This man who makes you sick with jealousy. This man you hate- kill him and all your troubles will be over. Kill John Black! The priest who can destroy me!" At home, Tony heard those words. He was standing in front of the mirror again, seeing the image of John and Kristen making love in it, again. Enraged, he slammed his hand across the mirror.

A frantic Celeste came running into Brady Pub, where Kristen and John were having dinner:
Celeste: "John Black, it is in your hands now. It's going to take place tonight."
John: "Celeste, we don't have time for this, you want to make some sense?"
Celeste: "Please, listen to me. I have this terrible foreboding feeling about Marlena."
John: "Really? Where did you get this foreboding? What's your source?"
Celeste: "It was revealed to me through the cards."
Kristen: "Your cards?"
Celeste: "Tarot. It is a very, very clear message."
John: "You know, Celeste. After all that you have done, after all the people that you have put through so much pain, and now you want us to believe in tarot cards? Is that it?"
Celeste: "I am speaking of the future here!"
Kristen: "Which you see in your cards?"
Celeste: "I have the gift. It would do you well not to ignore it."
John: "Yes, maybe you're right. Maybe you can foresee the future. Maybe your prophecy is true, but on the other hand, maybe it's some kind of trick. Your source of knowledge originates in evil."
Celeste: "No, no..."
John: "And I don't want to have anything to do with it." He moved aside.
Celeste: "Now, Kristen, listen to me. Maybe I am not as holy and as righteous as he is, but I know the truth. This will happen."
Kristen: "What will happen?"
Celeste: "A terrible thing will take place tonight."

Father Francis kneeled next to Marlena and prayed. He got up and took a drink of water. He placed his hand on his chest, as though there was something wrong with his heart. He took a pill. "I have seen my future, priest," the Devil told him, smiling contently. "I will eventually triumph." "No!" Father Francis retorted, "I will not accept your version of the future. I know the source of the greatest power of all it is good and he will ultimately triumph." The Devil told him that God would not win this battle, for this woman's soul. He warned the father he had a few tricks up his sleeves and a few friends he would not recognize. Downstairs, Tony phoned and Caroline picked up the phone. He asked where Kristen was. She told him she was out with John, for dinner. He hung up angrily. Again, the image of the two making love swept through his mind. He opened a drawer and took out the pistol. "What on earth has happened to Tony?" Caroline asked herself at Marlena's. Outside, in the hall, Stefano, dressed in the deliveryman's uniform, arrived.

Celeste tried, but John didn't want to listen to her. She said perhaps Stefano would believe her and trailed off. After she exited, Kristen told John Celeste really believed in the cards. He said he didn't. They both told each other they looked exhausted. Again, John told Kristen she had been amazing through all of this. He took her hand in his and told her he adored her. At that exact moment, Tony arrived outside and saw the two through the window...

Caroline opened the door for the deliveryman. Stefano didn't speak. Caroline called for Father Francis and turned her back to Stefano. She didn't saw it was he. She went upstairs to check on Father Francis. Stefano was left alone. "Soon, Marlena, we'll be together again," he said.

Kristen and John left the Pub. Tony followed them. At Marlena's, Father Francis picked up a glass of water that suddenly dropped to the floor. Caroline entered the room. She asked him what that noise was and he explained about the glass. He wondered if it was another devilish trick. He warned Caroline to be on the guard. Marlena opened her eyes and the Devil smiled his famous smile to them. "That demonic smile," Caroline got aggravated. The father asked Caroline to clean the mess up for him. He took another drink of water. Caroline finished cleaning up and told him they'd go downstairs to have a good cup of tea. They exited Marlena's bedroom, and from the room next to it, emerged Stefano.

"Kill John Black. Kill him!" the Devil ordered Tony, who was just a few steps behind Kristen and John, on their way to Marlena's. Kristen suddenly stopped. "I have this strange feeling," she told John. "Maybe Celeste is right. It's getting to me," she added. John told her to forget about her. "Kill John. Kill!" the Devil ordered Tony. Tony raised his arm and pointed the gun at John. He slightly pulled the trigger. "Shut! Pull the trigger!" ordered the Devil, as Stefano entered Marlena's bedroom. "Marlena? My God!" he said, seeing the tied up Marlena. "Stefano, thank God," said Marlena in her own voice. Her eyes were shut, so Stefano couldn't see the Devil's whitish eyes. "Please, darling, untie me from these ropes," Marlena begged him. He was reluctant at first. "Please, hurry!" "All right," he said and untied Marlena. "Thank you!" Marlena said. Stefano picked her off the bed and hugged her. "You fool!!!" the Devil screamed at him, pushing Stefano away from Marlena. "You have interfered for the last time!" he yelled at a very frightened Stefano. "Marlena?" asked Stefano, as Marlena turned into a horrible creature of hell (Actually, the same one Isabella turned into. How cheap of Days) and growled hideously at him.

Kristen told John that although Celeste worked for Stefano and that he was responsible for everything that went on, she (Celeste) was a very spiritual person. "She was right about the scholars, John. What if she's right about this? What if someone is going to die tonight?" Kristen confronted him with the question. Behind them, Tony was still holding up the gun, pointing it at John. He kept squeezing the trigger, but then took down his hand and hid behind a car. His footsteps made noises. "What was that?" asked Kristen, turning back. She saw nothing. John went to check it out. Celeste arrived just in time and saw Tony hold the gun. She quickly drew him aside, without being seen.

Father Francis and Caroline heard noises from Marlena's bedroom. They hurried up there, but the door was jammed again. Mike arrived and helped them with the door. It still wouldn't budge. Inside, the hideous creature kept growling at Stefano. "The Devil was not exorcised. It was all a trick!" said Stefano to the creature. "I will not let you take Marlena from me!" he added. He told him his love for Marlena would help them prevail. He told him to give it up. He told the Devil to bring Marlena back to those who loved her. "She is mine, Demon! Demon! Mine, not yours!" he yelled. The creature then turned back to Marlena and she attacked him. She picked him up in the air and tossed him from one side of the room to the other. The fight went on, Stefano being tossed about the room. After a few times, Stefano managed to push Marlena against the wall, but the Devil was stronger. The room became one big mess. At last, they found themselves fighting on the edge of Marlena's terrace. Marlena picked Stefano and threw him off the terrace. Stefano landed right next to John and Kristen, who were downstairs.

Mike, Father Francis and Caroline managed to open the door. They found a trashed room and Marlena, lying unconscious on the floor. Downstairs, at street level, John and Kristen approached Stefano. They rolled him over and saw it was he. Kristen was shocked. John said he was still alive, as the trees broke his fall.

Celeste took Tony to her hotel. She asked him what was he going to do with that gun. Tony didn't reply. He was still in his trance like mode. She asked him not to leave the room until she found Stefano. After she exited, Tony broke out of his trance. "I don't want to hurt anyone," he told himself. He couldn't understand what was going on with his strange dreams and blackouts. He was so frustrated.

"Father? It's Kristen. Your little girl," Kristen said to Stefano. John called an ambulance. Abe arrived and told them he heard someone fell from a building. John told him it was Stefano. They wondered what happened. They deduced he tried getting to Marlena. Mike arrived, as the hospital informed him what happened. He attended to Stefano. He told John Marlena was asleep right now. Abe started questioning John if Marlena had something to do with Stefano's fall. He could sense there was something up with Marlena. The paramedics arrived and took Stefano into the ambulance. Kristen asked John to come with her to the hospital. She was very upset. Abe demanded John told him what was going on. Abe accompanied him and Kristen to the hospital. "Why did this happen, John?" asked Kristen.

Caroline and Father Francis wondered whom Marlena fought with and how she got out of her restrains. Father Francis cut himself on a piece of glass. Caroline attended to him. Caroline asked him to go rest for a while. He exited the room and took some more of his heart medication. Marlena awakened and the Devil asked Caroline for a glass of water. He tried working on the restrains, trying to break loose of them. "Soon I'll be free to continue my reign of terror," he told himself. "Stefano was just the beginning, but he's not the only one who will die tonight..."

Mike, Kristen and John and the wounded Stefano arrived at UH. Stefano was taken away. Kristen was still shocked and upset. "I thought I hated him, but seeing him lying on the floor, bleeding...These images from my childhood came to me...His my father..." she said sobbingly. They wondered if the Devil pushed Stefano off the terrace. Abe arrived and John asked him to hold off on investigating Marlena for now. Abe asked him what did he know. John asked him to trust him on this one and let him talk to Marlena first. Abe agreed and John left for Marlena's. After he left Abe got a call from the DA office informing him they knew about the incident and that they were on their way to investigate.

Celeste came back to her room. She told Tony, who was still there, she couldn't find Stefano. Tony still didn't talk. Celeste suggested some music and turned on the radio. A news bulletin about Stefano's falling was heard. Celeste was shocked. "Oh, no!" she was horrified. At the same time, John arrived at Marlena's and informed Caroline about Stefano's falling. She told him they heard a horrible struggle going on there. Caroline asked how could Stefano get past them. John said they'd find out, but fist he had other things to find out. He approached Marlena and told the Devil to wake up and talk to him. "I know Stefano didn't fall, he was pushed by you," he told they Devil, "I want to know why." The Devil told him to guess. "You want Marlena to go to jail, that way the exorcism can't go on," John deduced. "Precisely," agreed the Devil. "Why are you so shocked?" the Devil asked Caroline and John, "you both want Stefano dead for years." "We certainly don't condone murder," Caroline said. "When Stefano dies, Marlena will be convicted of murder," the Devil explained. "You pushed Stefano, not the real Marlena," Caroline retorted. "Yes, yes, yes, Caroline," the Devil said disdainfully, "but I did it in Marlena's body, didn't I? So, Marlena would go to jail and that would stop the exorcism and then, her soul will be mine forever." John promised him he'd find a way to stop this. "No body can stop me!" the Devil promised him. John marched angrily out the room. He came back to the hospital and told Kristen the Demon did push Stefano off the terrace, explaining why he did that. He said Abe would hold off the investigation as long as he could. Stefano was wheeled in on his way to the OR. Tony and Celeste came in. Tony suddenly halted, seeing John and Kristen together again. "See, Tony? They're together again," the Devil told him again. "Like always, John took your wife and he must die for it! John must die!" he said.

Abe met Pat Hamilton from the DA office at Marlena's. She informed him that if there were sufficient evidence proving Marlena threw Stefano off her terrace, she would be put in jail. Caroline greeted them at the door and begged Abe to buy them sometime. She explained she couldn't tell him what was going on before speaking with John. They leave after Pat persuades her Marlena is ill. The Devil is enraged Pat was leaving. He couldn't wait until Marlena was thrown into jail. He becomes more enraged when he listens in on what's going on at UH; Mike agrees to operate on Stefano. In retaliation, he cuts off the power at the hospital. Kristen is worried, as it might effect Stefano's health, with the operation. John and her pray together and the power comes back on. The Devil damned John. He decided to deal with him once and for all and drew Tony to Marlena's bedroom. There, he told him he could not ignore that it's Stefano's blood that runs threw his body. He told him to give in to it and deal with John the only way he knew how. Tony felt helpless again.

After leaving Marlena's, Tony decided to avoid being with Kristen and John, since it bothered him how he was acting when around the two together. He decided to go to St. Luke's for answers. "I need answers," Tony addressed God in front of the church. "I'll give you the answers," a voice was heard saying to Tony, as someone placed a hand on Tony's shoulder. Tony turned around. It was Curtis again. Only now he didn't look as he did when he had appeared in front of Marlena. He seemed livelier. Eyes not red and rosy cheeks, not faint white. Tony told him he looked familiar. He asked him who he was. Curtis told him it wasn't important. He told him he was there to give his advice. "Don't fight your dark side," Curtis told him. Tony tried bypassing him and entering the church, but Curtis blocked his way. "Own up to your heritage," Curtis told him. "I am good and decent," Tony said, adding he'd never be like his father.

Stefano was rushed into OR. Lexie assisted. Lexie came out of the OR to check on Kristen. Pat Hamilton arrived in the meanwhile. Lexie said Stefano had major injuries. "Is Stefano going to die?" Pat asked. Celeste approached them. "It could go either way," Lexie said, meaning Stefano could either live or die. John told Kristen they had to keep Pat Hamilton away from Marlena, because if Doc went to jail, the Demon would have complete control over her. Abe approached them and John begged him not to go after Marlena. Abe told them all the evidence showed Stefano was pushed from Marlena's apartment. Pat approached them after getting off her cell phone. She asked Abe if he got the court order. John told Pat Marlena was too ill to be questioned or visited. Pat said she didn't buy that excuse and took the court order from Abe's hand. She said they were going over to Dr. Evans' to talk to her and this time, she'd get answers. "What do we do?" Kristen asked John.

At home, Caroline filled in Father Francis about what happened exactly. Father Francis said any break in the exorcism strengths the Demon's hold over Marlena (Then why are you taking so many tea breaks?). "It's too late, priest," the Devil told him, "my plan is already in motion. Marlena's going to jail and that way not anyone, not you, not John, can ever get near me again."

Gina was inside the church praying. Curtis sensed her coming and walked away. She approached Tony and asked him what was wrong. He said he wasn't sure. She advised him to pray and left. Curtis came back and told him not to listen to Gina. "You work for Stefano, Tony realized. "I used to," Curtis replied. "Oh, my God," Tony suddenly said. "Why didn't I realize it sooner?" he asked himself, "It's one of father's sick jokes. The answer for this is not in the church, but in the hospital, I'll face my father and find out why he's playing mind games with me." Tony walked away. "You won't get your answers from Stefano," Curtis yelled at him, "he's not the one leading you toward Evil. It's my master, the Evil one. He has big plans for you, Tony!" Tony hurried off, as Curtis laughed maniacally.

Lexie came out of the OR again. Celeste approached her and asked her what was taking so long. Lexie was very cold towards her and excused herself aside.

Abe, Pat and John arrived to Marlena. John tried stopping her from speaking with Marlena, but Pat said this was a criminal investigation, as someone tried killing Stefano DiMera. "Marlena did not try to kill Stefano," John said. Pat said everyone knows Marlena hates Stefano and added she had motive and opportunity. She demanded to question her. She promised them Marlena was going to jail. She asked Abe to take her to Marlena's bedroom and they started up the stairs. "How do we stop them?" John asked. "There is only one way," Caroline advised, "tell them the truth. You have to tell them Marlena is possessed." Meanwhile, at the hospital, Stefano was taken out of OR. "Stefano..." Celeste murmured softly, hovering above him, as he was wheeled away.

John stopped Abe and Pat from entering Marlena's bedroom. He told them he'd tell them everything that was going on inside that bedroom and then, they'd understand it all. "What I am about to tell you is going to sound unbelievable, but it is the truth," John warned the two. "Marlena is possessed," he declared. "Possessed?" asked Pat. "Possessed," repeated John, "by the Devil." Pat broke out in laughter. Kristen told her it was the truth. Caroline said she didn't believe it at first, too, but it was true. "The thing inside that bed, is not Marlena," John went on. "Somebody, please, help me," Marlena's voice was suddenly heard coming from the bedroom. Pat and Abe hurried inside and found the tied Marlena. Pat was shocked. Marlena closed her eyes. "Please help me," Marlena begged Abe. He told her it was O.K. and asked her to open her eyes. Marlena said her eyes were too sensitive to the light. "Don't listen to him, it's the Devil," John said, "if she were to open her eyes right now, you'd know she's possessed!" he took a step closer. Abe stopped him. "They've all gone crazy," Marlena said. Pat was shocked. "What have you done to this poor woman? I'm putting you all under arrest! We can start with unlawful detainment and physical abuse!" Pat told them.

At the hospital, Mike told Celeste only time would tell, when she asked him about Stefano. She wanted to come into his room, but Mike told her immediate family only. "But I am closer to him then anyone else in his family," she told Mike. Lexie arrived and told Mike it was O.K., and to let Celeste into Stefano's room. Celeste thanked her. Tony arrived and joined Celeste in his father's room. He was anxious to get the answers to the questions he had.

Marlena asked Pat for sunglasses, saying her eyes were very sensitive, as they kept her in the dark so long. Although Kristen yelled at Pat Marlena wants glass to hide her white eyes, Pat placed the shades on Marlena's nose and untied her. John got frantic, "There's no telling what the Devil would do if you untie Marlena!" he screamed and started at Pat's direction, but Abe stopped him. "Hand cuff him again if he tries to get near me," Pat instructed Abe. She untied Marlena. She was free. "Don't worry you're safe now," Pat said. "How is Stefano?" Marlena asked. Pat asked her what did she know about him. "It was awful," she said, "John pushed him off the terrace." "So that's why you didn't want the police talking to her!" Pat said. Kristen came to John's defense, saying John was with her on the street, when Stefano fell. Marlena accused them of being lovers and that was why Kristen was lying. "That's not true! She's lying to you!" Kristen said. Pat let Marlena off the bed and said that as soon as Marlena was safely out of there, she'd be back and would demand answers about this. John stopped the two. "I'll prove to you Marlena is possessed!" he said and held up a vial of holy water, explaining what it dies to a possessed person's skin. "Watch!" he ordered and threw the water on Marlena's hand. It burnt her hand and red stripes appeared on it. The Devil didn't scream, though. Pat looked at Marlena's hands and saw the stripes. She was not convinced, saying those marks could have been there before, a result of what ever they had been doing to Marlena. She helped Marlena at the direction of the door. John stopped her again. He held up a crucifix and placed it on Pat's palm. "How does that feel? Hot or cold?" he asked her. "Cold," Pat replied. "Remember that," John said, "because this cross will prove you're holding the Devil and not Marlena!" He marched towards Marlena. John asked Marlena if she was afraid of the cross. She replied she wasn't. "Why don't you touch it, then?" John asked her. "I'm tired of being prosecuted," she said and asked Pat to please take her out of there. John grabbed Marlena hand and placed the cross on it. Steam started appearing. "See what's happening?" John asked Pat and Abe, "crucifix cold to the touch, but it burns her skin!" The Devil couldn't hold on any longer. He let out a roaring hideous scream. The shades came off and Marlena's whitish eyes were exposed for all to see. Pat and Abe were shocked.

At the hospital, Tony told Celeste he thought Stefano was playing with him. Celeste told him Stefano wouldn't do that. He told her about the strange man that came to him, that knew so much about him, that said he had worked for Stefano. Celeste was puzzled. Tony said he had to have some answers from his father. Celeste remarked there was so much evil in Salem right now and that that could be the cause to his troubles. Tony was sure the cause was his father. Stefano grumbled. He started to wake up. He opened his eyes and looked at Celeste and Tony. "Who are you...?" he asked...

Marlena was now tied up again. Caroline and Father Francis were with her. The father asked Caroline for tea and she exited the room. In the hall, Pat and Abe were still shocked and confused, asking John and Kristen why Marlena. John said he didn't have the answer, but that he did know that Marlena was now fighting for her life and her soul. Father Francis kneeled next to Marlena. The Devil again chanted the strange Hebrew words. Outside the room, Kristen and John told Pat and Abe they had to keep this a secret. Pat aid she wouldn't tell anyone. Abe asked John if he could help Marlena. John said that with Father Francis's guidance, he could. Inside the room, Father Francis took out his heart medication. Marlena looked at it and it leaped from the father's hand. The father fell to the floor and started crawling at it. The Devil told the father his heart would give up before he ever got there. Father Francis stopped crawling and collapsed.

"Please, tell me, where am I. What happened to me?" Stefano asked, barely able to speak, breathing deeply. "Darling, you had an accident. You're in the hospital," Celeste explained. "Who are you?" Stefano again asked. Stefano didn't know her. Mike came in with Lexie. Celeste asked Mike if this amnesia was temporary or not. Mike said he wasn't sure. Mike asked Stefano if he knew him, but he didn't. "I don't know any of you," he said. Everyone, except Celeste seemed skeptical to believe Stefano suffered from amnesia. Celeste told Stefano he was pushed off a terrace, Marlena's terrace, but Stefano remembered nothing. "I don't believe him," Tony outburst. Mike asked Stefano if he knew his name. He didn't. "You're name is Stefano," Celeste informed him. "That is not my name," Stefano said oddly, adding he didn't know what his name was. He complained he couldn't feel his leg. Mike told him it was in a cast. Stefano closed his eyes and fell asleep again. Everyone went out of the room. Tony turned around and gave his father a disbelieving look.

Caroline came back with the tea. John got the door for her. They saw Father Francis on the floor. He was still breathing, with a slow pulse. "You did this! You tried to kill him!" Kristen couldn't control herself. Marlena smiled triumphantly to her. "You think I'd let this go by without punishing somebody?" the Devil asked, holding up Marlena's burnt hand. Kristen leaped at Marlena, attempting to strike her, but John grabbed her, telling her that was just what the Devil wanted. Kristen calmed down. She kneeled next to Father Francis and begged God not to let him die. The Devil kept smiling to himself.

John and Kristen arrived to the hospital with the paramedics and Father Francis. Kristen asked John if he realized the father was now too weak to continue with the exorcism. "I'm afraid you're right," John said. She told him they had to go with it, in order to save Marlena. John agreed and stepped aside to go phone the Bishop and ask him to find a replacement for Father Francis. Kristen stopped him and told him that could take weeks and Marlena was already too weak. She made it clear for him- "There's only one man for this job," she told him. John said he wasn't sure he could do this on his one. "This is what Gabe meant," she said, "your angel. When he said you had this horrific battle to face." "But he didn't say I'd win!" John countered. "It doesn't matter. This is your destiny," Kristen said. "I'd finish the exorcism and if God's willing, I'd save Marlena's soul," John said surely.

At another part of the hospital, Tony was asking Mike if Stefano's amnesia was genuine. Mike said it could be and asked Tony what he thought Stefano was faking it. Tony didn't know. "He's not faking, I'm sure of it," Celeste intervened, stepping up to them. Mike said Stefano suffered major blows to the head and that could cause neurological disorders, temporary or permanent. Celeste was horrified to think Stefano would be paralyzed forever. Mike said they couldn't do much until they knew what caused the paralysis and the amnesia. He moved away to attend to patients. Tony said he hoped Stefano would regain his memory, as he needed answers. Celeste again told him it was not Stefano who was responsible for his condition, but the evil force in Marlena. "Oh, really?" Tony asked, "why would she do this to me?" "The Devil gives no reasons," Celeste explained. "You have to be on the guard, Tony," she warned and went back to Stefano.

Caroline lighted a candle in Marlena's bedroom and prayed to the light of it. The Devil was very pleased Father Francis was in the hospital. "So, the exorcism is over!" he told himself happily. The Devil again addressed Tony. "Your feelings about John and Kristen are founded in truth," he told him. "Don't fight what you believe. Thy have betrayed you!" "Not my Kristen," Tony said to himself. John gave Kristen a hug for comfort. Tony saw them...The image of them making love again popped in his head, along with the one of him holding the pistol. "Don't let them get away with that," the Devil told him. "Remember, you are the son of Stefano DiMera, whomever betrays you, must be punished," he told Tony. To himself, the Devil added it wouldn't be long now before Tony would be under his complete power. Caroline entered the room (Guess she went out without us noticing). "The good nurse, Caroline," the Devil greeted her. "Tell me, dear, how is Father Francis?" he asked. "Still alive, thank God," Caroline said. "Alive...well, all right," he sounded disappointed, "but at least the exorcism is over." "Oh, no, it's not!" Caroline promised him, "John would move heaven and earth to save Marlena." The Devil promised Caroline he would use John's love for Marlena to his advantage, then he's have Marlena's soul and John's.

"There's Tony," Kristen suddenly noticed him above John's shoulder. She approached him. Tony told her about Stefano's amnesia. She was shocked. John approached them and told them Father Francis's condition was stabilized. Tony asked how did this affect the exorcism. John said he'd finish it and said they should go over to Marlena's right now and continue. Kristen told Tony she loved him and left with John.

Abe entered Stefano's room with Lexie. He came to question Celeste. He asked her why did Stefano come to Marlena. Celeste replied he came to save Marlena. Lexie didn't understand. Abe didn't want her to know about Marlena, so said it was just Stefano's double-talk and asked her for a moment alone with Celeste. Lexie exited the room and Celeste gathered Abe knew about Marlena. He said he didn't want Lexie involved. Mike entered the room again and gave Celeste a bag with Stefano's things. She opened it and took out a some red book, yelling, "This is the proof!" "What proof?" Abe asked. "This proved that Stefano had no intention of hurting Marlena," she said, explaining Stefano had told her he had something to ward off the Evil with. "It is a missal. It was given to Stefano by his mother when he was a child," she said. Abe accepted it as proof, after reading the inscription- "To my darling son, Stefano. With the Lord on your side, you can conquer all." He took the missal with him and left the room with Mike. Celeste approached Stefano told him not only Abe got his proof, but she, too. The truth of how much he really loved Marlena.

John, Kristen and Caroline marched confidently into Marlena's bedroom. "We're here to continue the exorcism," John announced to the Devil. "All be yourself?" the Devil asked John. "I'm not afraid of you, Demon. We're gonna save Marlena's soul through the pure power of love and there's not a damned thing you can do about it!" he assured the Devil. They prepared for the ritual. John asked for a few minutes alone with Marlena. Kristen and Caroline exited the room and John told God he felt he was with him and begged for his help. The Devil told him he was wasting his time. "Father in heaven, help me drive this Demon away from Marlena's soul," John said, looking straight at Marlena. "You want me, don't you, John?" Marlena said in her own voice. "Remember the passion we felt, John? It was consuming..." the Devil went own in Marlena's voice, tempting John. John saw him and Marlena making love in his mind.

At the hospital, Lexie told Abe she'd like to pop in to see Marlena. Abe said that wasn't such a good idea, as Marlena was again "acting irrationally." Lexie asked if she was again committing desecration acts, but Abe said she was just verbally attacking John and Kristen, claiming they were lovers. "That's awful," Lexie said, "it would be horrible if word got out Kristen and John were lovers," she said hypothetically, but the passing by Tony didn't grasp it that way..."Oh, my God," he said, "it's true. Kristen is sleeping with John again..."

The Devil kept tempting John. Still talking in Marlena's voice, he reminded John how good it felt, when they made love. John was trying to fight the words. It was pretty hard for him. "I won't listen to you," he said. "You're not Marlena and I'm not breaking my vows!" he said. "It's all right, it's right," Marlena said, "come to me, take me," and Marlena's clothes were again ripped away from her, exposing her naked body to John.

Week Twenty-Seven

Caroline and Kristen were outside Marlena's bedroom discussing all the terrible things the Devil had done to people, when Tony suddenly arrived. He told Kristen he had to talk to her. Inside, the Devil returned to speaking in his own voice to John- "You love Marlena. You love this body," he told John. "I'll admit it," John said, "I do want Marlena."

Kristen got worried, thinking there was something wrong with Stefano or Father Francis, but Tony assured her nothing had changed and said he just came because he had a feeling he was going to lose her. Kristen hugged him and assured him that would not happen, as she loved him and their relationship was stronger than ever. Tony said the exorcism had made him a bit depressed and anxious. He was worried for Kristen. "John protects me, you know that," she told him, trying to reassure him, but gaining the opposite, of course. Tony made a face. "You do realize I'm just helping? The burden of this is on John's shoulders," she explained. She told him John needed her more than ever now that he was performing the ritual on his own. She gave him another hug and Tony told her to go get ready to continue with the exorcism.

"I was just being honest about my feelings, but I'm staying true to my vows," John told the Devil, after he invited him, in Marlena's voice again, to come and get him. "I know what you are and what you're after and I know I can resist you," he added. He also added he got strength from God. The Devil didn't led up, as he kept telling John how much he loved Marlena and her body. "I can give her back to you," the Devil suddenly said. John was confused, "Without a fight? You'd never do that." "Come and lay next to me. Take me, John," Marlena said. "You don't know how much I wanted you," the Devil went on, tempting John. Kristen entered the room and seeing Marlena's bare body quickly covered it with the blanket. "Thanks," John said, "I was just about to do that." Kristen told him she just got this amazing feeling he needed her and that was why she came in to the room. "God sent you up here so that the Devil could see our strength," John explained. They both looked at Marlena and promised the Devil they would cast him out of Marlena. The Devil, of course, told them he wouldn't count on that.

Laura took a walk on the pier. She bumped into Tony. She asked him if he was still having those strange dreams. Tony acknowledged. He told Laura his imagination was running wild, as he saw images of Kristen and John making love. He added this violence suddenly appeared. He was at a loss, as he didn't know why those images were coming to him. "I seem to be facing my dark side right now," he said, "I didn't realize I could be so ruthless." Laura remarked it was good he was aware. Tony replied he wasn't sure that was good enough, as he did have Stefano's blood in him. "Are you saying you believe evil is hereditary?" Laura asked, incredulous. "I don't know," Tony answered. "There's a lot of goodness inside of me," he went on, "yet these images of John and Kristen...Maybe I should just ignore them." Laura advised against it and told him to confront the situation. "What if they are having an affair?" he asked. He asked Laura to help him overcome these destructive feelings. "I'm here for you," Laura told him. "I know John and Kristen are not having an affair," Tony concluded.

"You really love Marlena, don't you?" the Devil inquired John. "Now, when you say 'love', you really mean lust, don't you? Isn't that what you're counting on to destroy me with?" John replied. "It's not going to happen," John said, telling the Devil his love for Marlena is pure and blessed by God and that that love would help him destroy him. He told the Devil he wasn't afraid of him or his tricks. The Devil assured him he would be. Kristen suggested a break and they left the room.

Tony returned home. Kristen phoned him from Marlena's, informing him she'd be later than she had thought, as she and John had lots of books about possession and exorcism to go through. She told him she'd be at John's going through them. Although disappointed, Tony told her he loved her and would wait for her. Kristen told him she loved him back and hung up. Tony angrily slammed the phone down.

a bit later, John and Kristen arrived to his loft. Kristen opened her purse to take some pencils out and noticed she had taken the bottle of sedatives that Mike had given her for Marlena with her. John told her to leave them out and he'd take them over to Marlena's later. Kristen left the bottle open on the desk. Near the desk, John placed two glasses of soda. Lying in her bed, Marlena again nodded her head and suddenly, two pills dropped separately into the soda glasses near them, unnoticed by John and Kristen. John picked up his glass and downed it all. He handed Kristen hers and she emptied the glass, too. Marlena smiled to herself. After going through some books, John fell asleep. Kristen remarked she was tired, too. She got up, saying she had to get home to Tony, but affected by the pill, she fell on top of the sleeping John. "Sweet dreams, baby," the Devil addressed her from Marlena's bed...

The following morning, Carrie phoned Tony and woke him up. He told her to hold on, so he'd move to the other room, not to disturb Kristen. He turned and saw she was not lying next to him. "Tony," the Devil addressed him from Marlena's bed, "you don't know where your wife is now, do you?" Tony told Carrie he'd call her later and hung up. He picked up the phone again and asked Charles if his wife was downstairs. Charles said he hadn't seen Mrs. D. all morning.

"I have a gift for you, Kristen," the Devil now addressed her from Marlena's bed, "A sweet dream I know you'd enjoy." Kristen suddenly started dreaming of John waking her up with a kiss, as they keep on kissing passionately on his couch. "You can't resist this temptation," the Devil told Kristen, adding, "when Tony finds you with John, he'd take care of that priest for good!"

Outside the Pub, Carrie told Austin Tony sounded very upset. A passing by Celeste heard that comment. "Tony is so tortured. He still thinks Stefano is to blame. But it is Evil. The very evil that has taken possession of Marlena and the same one that pushed Stefano off of her terrace," she told herself. "But why Tony? Why has this Demon brought him into this nightmare?" she wondered.

"All right, John," the Devil now addressed him, "it's your turn to have sweet dreams..." Now John had a dream that Kristen is waking him up with a kiss and they keep on kissing, although he tells her they can't do this. "Wake up. Love-birds!" the Devil ordered them. "Wake up and enjoy the pleasures of the flash," he said. "Kristen, prove to John that he is not a man of God, but a man of the world," he told her (huh?) "Prove to him that he does not have the strength, character or faith to deny his desires," he added. "Caroline?" Tony was asking, as he entered Marlena's bedroom. The Devil greeted him in Marlena's voice. "Are you looking for Kristen?" she asked. "I know you sound like Marlena, but it's the Demon. I am not talking to you," he said and turned to leave. "Tony," Marlena called for him, "the Demon has been weakened from all those prayers," the Devil tried misleading Tony. "He still has a hold on me," he kept on, talking in Marlena's voice, "but soon I'll be very free, very soon." Tony tried opening the door, but it was jammed again. "Tony, come over here," the Devil now commanded him in his own voice. Tony looked at Marlena, as the Devil told him to look into Marlena's eyes again. The Devil told him he'd be happy to show him Kristen. Tony was fighting not to look into Marlena's eyes, but eventually drew very close to her and stared into her eyes. "Tell me where my wife is," he told the Devil. "A picture is worth a thousand words," the Devil told him, telling him to look into his eyes. Tony looked and saw Kristen and John making love in the shower. "This isn't real," Tony said, "it's one of your tricks." "Go to the loft and see for yourself," the Devil told him. Caroline entered the room. Tony didn't say anything and just exited the room. "What did you do to him?" Caroline asked the Devil. Smiling, the Devil replied, "nothing." Caroline angrily exited the room. The Devil commanded John and Kristen to wake up and make their dreams come true.

John awakened first and noticed Kristen in his arms. He woke her up and they exchanged a word-less passionate look. "Hurry, Tony, go and find your beloved wife with John and then take your revenge by killing John, for me," the Devil said. Kristen noticed it was morning. She was shocked she spent the night there. John suggested coffee. Kristen was kind of groggy. So was John. John told her he had the wildest dream. Kristen said she had one, too, about him. John said he dreamt about her, too. "Were we making love?" Kristen asked. John acknowledged. Kristen panicked and said she was leaving. John stopped her and told her this was the work of Satan. "He was invading our thoughts and dreams?" Kristen was horrified. John replied the Devil was probably weakening and that he was determined to stop the exorcism. Mike phoned John and told him he was with Marlena and that she was weakening. Kristen asked if they should wait a while before resuming the exorcism, but John said they couldn't, as it made the Demon's hold on Marlena stronger. Kristen said she'd go home, shower, change and meet him at Marlena's. John told her that would take too long and offered her to shower at his place and slip into one of his sweats and then they'd go together to Marlena's. He remarked he was determined to save Marlena. Kristen told him she had lots of faith in him, but not much in herself right now, because of the dream. "If I told this to Tony, he'd feel so betrayed, John," she explained. John asked her when was the last time she dreamt of him. Kristen said it was long ago. "So why now?" John asked her. Answering for her, he added, "Because you're involved in Marlena's exorcism and the Devil will try everything in his power to stop us from saving Doc. The ploy didn't work, so there's no reason to tell Tony about this." Kristen told John he was right, it was just a dream. Downstairs, at street level, Tony arrived holding the pistol.

Later, John and Kristen exited John's building. Kristen wearing John's sweats, her hair wet. So was John's. Kristen told John she felt so guilty having that dream. John told her whatever was between them had ended long ago, so there was no reason to feel guilt. He told her not to let the Devil confuse her. He hugged her for comfort. Just then, Tony saw them. "It's all true!" he told himself.

Celeste phoned Caroline. She asked her if she saw Tony. Caroline told her he was just there, at Marlena's, adding he seemed very upset. Caroline asked Celeste why was she asking about him. Celeste apologetically hung up. Near John's, Tony held up the pistol and pointed it at John. "John must die!" the Devil told Tony, "pull the trigger. Shoot him!" "I can't!" Tony said, taking down the pistol. "Do it!" the Devil ordered. John and Kristen started walking away. "I will not do it for you!" Tony said. "You fool!" the Devil got enraged. "All right, I'll have to send you a stronger message," the Devil said and as Tony started walking down the street, he bumped into Curtis again. "If you love Kristen, you'll kill John," Curtis told him. "Kill him now!" "Stay away from me!" Tony told him. Curtis told him he should have shut John, as there were no witnesses around. "How did you know?" Tony asked him, as he suddenly spotted Celeste and told Curtis he'd better leave. Curtis made himself scares. Celeste stepped up to Tony and gave him a medal to protect him. He thanked her and Celeste left. Tony told himself that with the medal and his love for Kristen he'd overcome whatever evil there was within him. "She's with John," Curtis reappeared. "It's a trick," Tony said. "I am not doing any bidding," Tony added. "Yes?" Curtis asked, "then we'll just have to take Kristen away from you" Tony didn't reply to that comment, just told Curtis he didn't have any control over him, not anymore.

John and Kristen arrived at Marlena's. Kristen stopped him before entering Marlena's bedroom. John told her not to be afraid, as the Demon's trick didn't work. They stayed true to their vows, she to her wedding ones and he to his priestly ones. They entered Marlena's bedroom. The Devil told himself that Tony and Kristen were not so strong as they thought, adding that when he proved it, Tony would kill John for him.

Mike told John Marlena was very, very weak and that if the exorcism continued, Marlena would die. They all exited the room. Kristen said they couldn't risk losing Marlena. John said they'd lose her anyway. He wasn't going to let the Devil have her soul. "We have to rid Marlena of this evil that is sucking the life right out of her," he said. Caroline asked Mike if he couldn't do anything to strengthen Marlena, but there was nothing more he could do. Kristen said God would help them. "One way or the other, this exorcism will be over tonight," John announced determinedly. The Devil listened in on the conversation, of course, and remarked, "You're right. This exorcism will be over tonight, but there's no doubt who will win. I will not let that priest save you, Marlena."

At home, Tony told himself he would not let the Devil taunt him and would fight him. Laughter was heard coming from behind him. It was Curtis again. "You can't escape me, Tony," Curtis told him, "just like you can't escape your dark side." Curtis told him not to fight it, it was who he was. "It's not who I am!!!" Tony yelled. "Just leave me alone!" he yelled at Curtis, "you're not even real!" Curtis assured him he was, just like the evil in his (Tony's) soul. Curtis went on taunting Tony, telling him they'd take Kristen away from him. Tony replied they wouldn't, as she'd fight them. "Just like she's fighting temptation now?" Curtis asked. "Kristen is sleeping with John," he announced. Pop! There came that image of John and Kristen making love into Tony's mind again. "There are illusions that the Devil has shown me before," Tony told himself. He said Kristen wouldn't be tempted. Curtis said she was before and asked Tony what made him think she wasn't being tempted again right now. "You're wrong. It's just the Devil trying to make me believe it!" Tony said. Curtis told him he was wrong. Kristen and John were together right now. Tony agreed, saying they were trying to save Marlena. "It's just an excuse," Curtis explained, "you think about them all the time, even when my master is not messing with your mind. You know there's something you can do about it." Tony told him he wouldn't push him into doing something evil. Curtis told him there was nothing evil about protecting one's own wife, from a man like John, who was masquerading as a man of God. Tony told him Kristen would not give in, no matter what John felt. "You're Tony DiMera! Fight for your wife. Don't let John make a fool out of you!" "You're right," Tony gave in, "I'm not going to let him make a fool of me, not again." Curtis was pleased. He approached the desk drawer and took the pistol out. He handed it to Tony. Tony held it in his hand and pointed it at Curtis. "Use is to kill John," Curtis told him, as Celeste came inside the room and saw Tony pointing the gun at no one. "What are you doing, Tony?" she asked him.

Mike said he'd go prep Marlena up. Caroline told John she had faith in him and again, as usual, went to make some tea. Kristen asked John if he could stand watching Marlena go through so much agony and getting weaker. John replied he didn't have a choice, as there was no one else to do the exorcism. He added God knew how much Marlena meant to them and so, he wouldn't take her away from them. Kristen remarked they should be ready for that possibility. "We are not going to lose Marlena," John declared, "we're going to save her." He entered Marlena's bedroom. Mike told him Marlena was ready. John prepared himself and asked for a moment alone with Marlena. Mike exited. John approached Marlena. He held her hand. "I know that you're in there, Doc and I know that you can hear me," he said, "I'm not going to let you go without a fight, I am going to fight this Demon, with every ounce of strength I've got. We've meant a lot to each other. You're so much a part of me. There is no way I am going to let our little girl grow up without a mother. God won't even let that happen. And we have to believe that. We have to believe that your goodness will overcome this Evil that has taken you. The Demon wants your soul, Doc, but we have God on our side and the Devil won't win!" he kissed Marlena's cheek and added, "No matter what happens here tonight, you remember that I'll always love you. I'm going to do everything I can to save you." He got up and called Kristen. "I love you, too...John..." Marlena said to herself in a faint voice.

Celeste told Tony to give her the gun. "No. I am going to kill the messenger of the Devil who's been haunting me," he said. Celeste reminded him of the medal she gave him, telling him that would protect him. "You know it won't," Curtis' voice echoed inside Tony's head, "you always feel the urge, don't you, Tony? The urge to find John Black and kill him, Tony." "I won't let you do this!" Tony said. "Give me the gun," Celeste repeated. Tony wouldn't. He said he couldn't give into this and asked Celeste to help him. He replaced the pistol in the drawer and took Celeste by the hand and asked her to follow him to a place where this darkness couldn't reach him.

Everyone was next to Marlena's bed. The Devil told John this was his last chance to save Marlena. John told him he didn't need anymore chances, as he was taking Marlena away from him that night. The Devil promised him he wouldn't win, as he was too powerful. John held up the crucifix and said, "I have the power of Goodness on my side. The Evil will be destroyed." They began. John prayed in Latin and Kristen and Caroline and Mike joined in prayers. The Devil was very agitated. As he was yelling, "You will never win!" objects in Marlena's room started falling to the floor- Pictures, pillows, chairs. The shutters started slamming back and forth. An ornamental sculpture smashed to the floor. More pictures dropped, as now, the bed started to rock from side to side. The light went off and then came back on. Chaos. Caroline lighted candles. The Devil was weakening. "I cast thee out," John proclaimed. He splashed holy water at Marlena and the Devil screamed. And suddenly, the lights came back on and everything was quiet. "John, John," Marlena said, in her own voice. "Please, stop," she begged, "I can't take anymore of this."

Tony brought Celeste to his wine cellar. He handed her a key and told her to lock him in, so he wouldn't do anything rash. Celeste asked him if he was sure, it was kind of strange. Tony said he had to be sure, as he could give into his rage at any time. "Please, lock me in," he said. Celeste agreed. Tony told her to come back for him tomorrow. Celeste asked him if he had his medal. Tony acknowledged. She told him she'd pray for him, walked to the door and locked it behind her. Tony walked around the cellar. Curtis was there, again. He again told Tony it wouldn't be that easy getting away from him. "I am not afraid of you," Tony told him. "My Master followed up on his threat," Curtis told him, "you've lost Kristen."

"Please, you've got to stop," Marlena said. Kristen said that wasn't Marlena speaking. "I know," John said. He told the Devil his tricks wouldn't work this time. Everyone exited the room. Only Kristen reminded next to Marlena. She told her she knew she was deep down, inside there. She told Marlena it was not hopeless, as they could save her. Marlena opened her eyes. "You're such a tramp," the Devil told her, "your marriage is full of deceit. Your husband lies to you." Kristen said that was not true, as Tony would never deceive her again. And then the Devil told her Tony had replaced her birth control pills with fakes...Kristen didn't believe it. Everyone returned to the room and asked Kristen what was it. Kristen said the Devil was just lying again. They got back to work. Some more holy water. The Devil shrieked. John kept praying in Latin. Marlena convoluted from side to side and then abruptly stopped. The heart monitor started beeping rapidly. "What's wrong?" John asked Mike. Mike said they had to stop, as they were losing Marlena. "She's going into cardiac arrest!" Mike announced. He told Caroline and Kristen to untie Marlena. They weren't sure, but Mike ordered them to untie Marlena. They did. Mike placed an oxygen mask on Marlena's nose, as the heart monitor kept beeping crazily. Caroline told John Marlena should have last rights. "She's not GOING TO DIE, CAROLINE!" John yelled. Caroline said they'd pray for that, but still, Marlena should be prepared. Mike busily attended to Marlena, injecting her with certain fluids. "All right," John agreed to Caroline's demand. He said God wouldn't let Marlena die and started giving Marlena last rights. John touched Marlena's forehead and said, "Hear our prayers, Father. Your son, Jesus Christ, is our way, our truth, our life. Our sister, Marlena Evans, trusts herself to you with full confidence in all your powers. May all mighty God protect you. In the name of the Father, the Son and of the Holy Spirit." "Amen" everyone joined in. "Marlena, do you renounce Satan and repent all your sins?" John asked her. John asked her to squeeze his hand as a positive answer. But Marlena didn't squeeze it. John let go of her hand and it dropped to the side of the bed. "We've failed! We've failed here," John almost got discouraged, but then grabbed Marlena's head and yelled, "Behold the sight of the cross! Be gone, yea-hostile powers. Now!" Kristen cited some verse from the prayer book. They kept praying. The heart monitor went even crazier. "We need more time!" John yelled, "I can rid her of this Demon!" "A flat line!" Mike yelled and quickly attended to Marlena. Mike activated the resuscitator (that machine that sends electrical charges into a person's body to revive him). Caroline charged the machine and Mike zapped Marlena with it. Nothing happened. Still, a flat line. He gave John something to inject into her IV. "Please, let her live," John begged of God. "I'm going to inject adrenaline straight into her heart," Mike said, "it's our only chance." He prepared the syringe and stung Marlena with it. John kneeled next to Marlena and told her she had to live. John told Doc he knew she had the strength inside of her, to live. The noise stopped. Mike shut off the machine. "It's over, John," he said.

To be continued...

Thanks to Tzach Ben-Jossef for writing this story.

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