"John, what the hell happened to you?" Bo asked as John walked into Abe's office.
"Let's just say I had a little run in with your nephew." John explained sitting down in a chair.
"Oh no, what has Eric done now?" Bo asked taking some ice out of Abe's refrigerator and handing it to John.
"Let's just say that he isn't too happy about Marlena and I being together." John said putting the ice on his face. "I just don't get it Bo. I know that he wants Roman and Doc to be together again, but I thought that I meant something to him too."
"John, he's just confused right now." Bo explained to him. "He doesn't know how to feel about everything that's going on."
"I keep telling myself that Bo, but I just keep finding it harder and harder not to lose my patience with him." John informed him. "I love him like he was my own son. Hell, I raised him like he was my own."
"I'm sure that Eric remembers how you took care of him John." Bo said sitting down next to him. "I know that he still loves you like he did when he thought that you were his father."
"Yeah, well I thought so too until today." John sighed as his face grew numb from the ice. "I just don't get it though. On Christmas morning he came over with Doc, me, and the kids and he was fine. We all laughed and celebrated together. I really thought that he had gotten rid of his anger and then today out of the blue he hauls off and hits me. I just don't understand it Bo."
"I don't know what to tell you man." Bo said understanding John's frustration. "I guess that Eric is just going to need time to figure things out for himself. Soon he will realize that you and Marlena belong together, and then he will calm down."
"I don't know about that Bo." John said thinking about the rage in Eric's eye. "I don't know if he's ever going to be able to get past the fact that Roman and Doc will never be together again."
"He'll come around." Bo insisted hopefully. "Deep down he's a good kid."
"I know that Bo." John said thinking it over. "I just hope that he calms down soon before the stress of everything takes it's toll on Marlena."
Marlena woke up in a hospital bed and wondered how she had made it out of her office. She looked around and realized that she must have passed out in her office.
"Thank God you're alright Marlena." Carrie said as soon as she saw Marlena's eyes open.
"What happened Carrie?" Marlena asked suddenly drawing a blank.
"Mike and I came in to talk to you after we ran into Eric and you were passed out on the floor." Carrie informed her. "I was really worried about you."
"Eric was angry with me." Marlena said remembering the fight she had with Eric. "Is he here?"
"No, he left before we came to see you." Carrie explained to her.
"I need to talk to him." Marlena began trying to sit up.
"He'll be just fine Marlena." Carrie insisted gently pushing her back down on the bed. "You need some rest."
"I need to talk to him Carrie." Marlena pleaded with her. "He was so angry with me when he left the office."
"Marlena, you need to relax." Carrie explained to her. "Mike and I found you passed out on the floor and we're really worried about you so Mike is running tests right now to find out what the problem is."
"Carrie, I'm fine." Marlena insisted trying once more to sit up as she was overcome by dizziness.
"Lay down Marlena." Carrie said staring her down. "You look like you're going to pass out again."
"I'll be okay Carrie." Marlena said laying back down as she began to feel lightheaded. "I think that all of the stress of everything is just getting to me."
"I'm going to call John and have him come over here." Carrie said turning away.
"Don't Carrie." Marlena called out to her. "Please don't call him."
"Marlena, he would want to be here to with you right now." Carrie explained to her. "He loves you and he would want to help you out."
"Carrie, I don't think that would be a good idea right now. John is already so worried about me that I'm afraid if he knew that I passed out it would only put him on edge more than he already is." Marlena explained to her. "He's been so stressed out lately with not being able to be at home with me and the kids. I don't want to add to his worries about something so silly."
"Marlena, you passed out in your office with no reasonable explanation. I don't think that is a matter that should be taken lightly." Carrie insisted taking her hand. "John needs to know about what happened."
"Alright Carrie," Marlena sighed giving in, "but could you wait for Mike to get the test results back before you call him?"
"Fine," Carrie reluctantly answered as she noticed how pale Marlena looked. "Would you like something to drink? Maybe some orange juice?"
"That sounds great." Marlena smiled weakly. "I'd love some."
"Okay I'll go get you some then." Carrie said leaving her alone.
"What's wrong with you Marlena?" Marlena asked herself as she thought about the days events. "You need to relax or your going to give yourself a nervous breakdown."
"Marlena," Mike said coming into the room with her charts, "how are you feeling?"
"Better Mike." she smiled eager to hear what he had to say. "Did you find out why I fainted in my office?"
"Yes I did Marlena." he said seriously sitting down on the corner of her bed.
"Well?" she asked trying to read his facial expression.
"I think that you and I need to have a serious talk about what I found." Mike said looking at her.
