DVD #1A Roman calls Marlena’s office and makes an appointment as Jeff Patrick. Marlena and Don argue about her refusal for police protection. She is completely exhausted and doesn’t want to discuss it anymore. There is security at the hospital and a guard at her building door. He wants a guard on her apartment door. She has to protect her patients who would be frightened by additional security and they are already dealing with fears.

Gretchen shows in Mr. Patrick. She questions the doctor who referred him as she doesn’t know that doctor. She begins questioning him if that is a medical doctor, does he have a medical problem? How old is he? Roman gets annoyed at her questioning and quickly jumps into the set up that he hurt his wife. He wants to stop and and he asks her for her help. He tells her women are trouble for him, they make him do things he doesn’t want to do.

He continues to act the part of a psycho killer. He is trying to prove to Marlena that she is too trusting and is in danger by refusing police protection. He takes the pretense pretty far, even to the point of bringing out a scarf and twisting it between his hands. He holds a scarf and threatens her with it. She screams and Don bursts in and slugs Roman, knocking him down. Roman drops the act and says he is impressed that a guy with a desk job has that good of a punch.

Don soon realizes who he is and is ticked at Roman for scaring her so badly. Roman tells him he was just trying to prove a point about how easy it was for him to just walk in off the street. He introduces himself to her as Detective Roman Brady. He tells her she has been stupid for refusing police protection and he hopes now she has gotten the message. Don is livid and wants to know how far Roman planned on going, was he going to wrap the scarf around her neck? Roman admits maybe he went too far but he has some long range plans for Marlena and wants to keep her alive!

Roman apologizes to her and says he is sorry if he went too far and calls her “Doc” for the first time. He tells her she needs protection 24/7 and he is going to arrange for a guard. She continues to refuse and tells them both to shut up and listen to her. She demands to know if Don was in on this little charade? She asks Roman if he knows how annoying he is? She warns Roman that he was lucky as she could have blown his head off if she had a gun in her drawer, though she says he deserve to be shot.

He yells back that he deals in cold hard facts! When her secretary left, Marlena was alone in the office. He points out that if he came up with that little game that the Strangler could think of it as well. She throws him out of her office and tells him that she will be sending him a bill. Suddenly the phone rings and it is the strangler who tells Marlena, “That love can solve everything” and he wants her to remember that. Roman is thrilled at the new information. Don and Marlena are puzzled as they didn’t hear anything. Roman heard background music.

Don takes Marlena home. After he leaves, Roman arrives at her door bearing a sleeping bag. She tells him to get out! He says he isn’t going anywhere and will be there all night as she needs constant protection. She tries to throw him out repeatedly and tells him that he is crazy. He tells her not to worry about him, that he brought his own food.

The next morning Roman is sound asleep on the floor with his sleeping bag when Don arrives at the door. Marlena hesitates but Don insists on coming in and tells her it is important. Don is shocked to see Roman sleeping on the floor and demands to know what is going on there? She tells Don that she won’t have this and she wants Roman out of his apartment. She reports that he has been there all night as she refused a guard on her door, so he refused to leave.

She tells him that he was there all night and wants him out of her apartment. Marlena says she has been hearing this fool for weeks (pointing to Roman), how this great detective will solve the Strangler case. Roman wakes up and says he isn’t leaving until she allows him to put a guard outside her door. If she continues to refuse, then he will be staying again tonight and every night until she comes to her senses. She asks Don if he is going to let Roman get away with this? Roman complains about how hard her floor is as he stretches his back.

Roman hints about breakfast and coffee, she tells him to go to a cafe as she isn’t spending her day off cooking. He pulls out a hot plate and his K-rations. She heads off to the kitchen to make herself some eggs, bacon, toast, and coffee. She warns them by the time she is done, she wants them both gone! After she walks out, Roman observes that he can see why Don divorce her as she is a grump in the morning. Don asks him to tell him what is going on with all of the fun and games.

Roman walks over to the door and asks him to look at the lock on her door. Don observes it has been jimmied. Roman reports he noticed it last night and that is why he insisted on staying. Don admits he did get uptight seeing Roman there. Roman reminds him the lady is no longer his wife and comments that Don is remarried. Don asks if he has been checking up on him? Roman admits that as an ex husband, he had to check Don out. He says that Don has to be some kind of clown to walk out on a lady with the kinda of legs the doc has!

Marlena comes back with a plate of food and practically drools as she pours a cup of coffee. She tells him that is for him, her tray is in the kitchen. He teases that he didn’t know that lady doctors could cook. She tells him he would be surprised what a lady doctor can do. He asks her if she is going to eat alone in the kitchen. She hesitates and he tells her they can share the newspaper and they don’t even have to talk.

He pretends to be sorry about probably ruining her reputation by spending the night. He continues by asking if all of her ex-husbands come over in the morning to check up on her? She says she only has one ex. He comments that Don is still in love with her which is why he is showing up to check on her. She informs him that Don is remarried, and asks if any part of her life is going to remain private.

He compliments her on the meal and says she isn’t too liberated to cook for a man. He comments about her excellent biscuits. She admits they are from a bakery. She says she was making breakfast for herself and he is after all a guest in her home. He snarks, “uninvited”. She says the least she can do is feed him after he spent the night.

Maggie arrives, and Marlena awkwardly answers the door to find Mickey with her. Mickey is surprised to see Roman there. He picks up his sleeping bag and says he didn’t have a chance to put it away, after having spent the night (deliberately to embarrass her). He says he is going to take a shower, and Marlena snarks for him to just make himself at home. Roman drops the teasing, and tells sternly tells them that her new lock had been tampered with and that is why he insisted on spending the night. He takes off to shower. Mickey warns her that he doesn’t want to find her with a scarf around her neck. She admits to Maggie that man in the bathroom has turned her world upside down.

After Roman comes out of the bathroom, Marlena gets a call from the strangler. Roman motions for her to keep him on the line. He tells her that he is disappointed in her as she had a man stay over last night. He tells her that she is a tramp like all the other women he has killed. Roman tells Mickey that he isn’t going to let her out of her sight as this guy wants to kill her first chance he gets.

Later that night the phone rings, Marlena comes out in her pink nighty to answer it. She hands the phone to a shirtless Roman as it is for him. After he hangs up, he tells Marlena that the strangler got to another girl but she is still alive. He is heading to the hospital.

Don meets with Liz as he received her message. He asks her if she still wants to go through with the play acting divorce and she says yes. He warns her once they take that step they can’t pull back. She says she is sure. He asks her why they can’t talk. She says perhaps all the lines of communication were cut on New Year’s Eve. He says when he kissed Marlena? He comments on the midnight passion she shared with the count (she points out she is still married to him and consider it a wifely duty).

He thought they had a happy marriage until the European connection entered the picture (referring to Tony). She tells him that she wants children but he doesn’t. She observes because of DJ, the child he had with Marlena that died. She tells him that is over, and that doesn’t mean that he can’t have another child. She is through with anger and resentment. They were just kidding themselves, they didn’t have that much of a good thing going.

Marlena sits with a drunk Don. She wants to help him as she knows how much he is hurting. He just wants to be left alone. She offers him to join her and Roman for a cup of coffee, they are going to go over some patient files. He says breaking up with someone never gets any easier. Marlena tells him that Roman has left and she will drive him home. She reminds him that the new DA (Don himself) has some very strict drunk driving laws. She tells him that Roman insisted. He comments that he is a good guy. He asks if Roman is giving her a hard time or is getting out of line? She says no, he has been a perfect gentleman.

Another night, Don and a detective Hastings asks Roman for his badge. He has no choice since David Banning escaped, and Roman is on a one week suspension until the department hearing (short scene, nothing around David’s arrest/capture is included).

Marlena talking to an upset Marie. She asks her to wait in her office. Scene cuts into Marlena with Alice in her office and she reminds Roman that he forgot to give her those files. He teasingly suggests that maybe they should talk about why he has become so forgetful. Alice doesn’t think he needs a doctor to analyze that, he just wants an excuse to see Marlena and it worked. He jokes about being caught with his hand in the cookie jar, and she gets a fond smile on her face, and says that somethings never change. Marlena tells her that she is an incorrigible matchmaker. She needs to see her in her office as Marie is there and she is upset about something to do with Alex. In her office, Marlena asks if she has talked to Alex. She needs to be honest with him about their relationship and not tolerate any game playing.

Roman is waiting as Alice and Marie leave. They discuss the strangler case. Roman says he is very familiar with all of his files and does not think any of them fit. Can she say the same thing about her files? He thinks one of her patients might be the strangler. She trips over his feet and winds up in his arms. They make dinner plans at her place and he offers to bring the wine as they both gaze into each other’s eyes.

Don is trying to get information about one of Marlena’s patients from Valerie. He is frustrated with Marlena and Valerie trying to protect patients as it is putting Marlena in danger. Valerie assures him that her and Marlena are going through the files and if they find anything, they will let the police. He notices a file on the desk and when he picks it up, Valerie reacts. Don immediately gets suspicious as Valerie covers and says that this is a confidential file for Eugene Bradford. He observes that she got really jumpy when he picked up this particular patient’s file. He asks if this could be the strangler and she also suspects it but is too worried about protecting his privacy. He warns her again she is putting Marlena’s life in danger.

A livid Don barges into Marlena’s as she is enjoying her evening with Roman. He snarks isn’t this cozy referring to Roman. She says not exactly when Don barges in like a wounded bull. Roman gets up and says that sounds like Don has some information. He reports that he just came from Valerie Grant’s place and she was looking over some files. He says there was one she was interested in, Eugene Bradford. He points out that she jumped two feet when he picked up that particular file. She says he was a patient for a very short time a few years ago and brushes it off.

Roman reminds her that they have a deal that if she finds anything in any of those files, that she is supposed to tell him. Don observes that seems that both her and Valerie are concerned about Eugene Bradford. She reports they haven’t come up with anything definite yet. Marlena says that she treated Eugene for a very short time. She refuses to turn a patient over to the police until she is sure he has something to do with the strangler case. Don observes that both Marlena and Valerie are worried about Eugene. He questions her qualifications to be an investigator. She says if he is done with his questions that she has a dinner to get to and invites Don to stay to change the subject. He is about to leave and then whirls around and takes off his coat and says he will stay.

As the three of them share the dinner table, Valerie calls and says she has some news for Marlena about their man in the file. Marlena cuts her off as she has dinner guests. Valerie says she will call her later. When Marlena rejoins them, they know that she is withholding information. They both comment that they can listen to the wire tape. They know it was Valerie and Marlena shut it down to hide information from them. Roman reminds her that they are just trying to protect her.

Marlena accuses them of conspiring against her. Don points out that this is deadly serious as they are dealing with a mentally disturbed killer who could snuff her like that if they get careless and she is lucky to still be alive! Marlena says that there is nothing she can do as she can’t violate her patient’s trust. Don has had it and leaves in a huff. He asks Roman to talk to the lady about the bad people out there. Marlena is sorry she spoiled the dinner and asks Don not to leave like this. He tells her that he is okay. He kisses her on the check as Roman watches.

Skips a bit into a scene where Roman is demanding to know about her patient, Eugene Bradford, that she is so interested in. Her co-worker defends that they have just been going through some of Marlena’s patient files. He very sternly warns her that if she even thinks about playing amateur detective without checking with him or Abe, that he will run her in on so many charges. He yells, “Do you understand me?”

As soon as Roman walks away, Marlena tells her friend that if Eugene is the killer that she has to turn him over to the police but first she has to be sure. She then listens to a tape of Eugene talking about his wife. Marlena turns the tape off and says that she will never forget that session, he cried in her arms.

Marlena has to be sure that Eugene is the strangler and decides to go to his apartment. Her co-worker tells her that she can’t go that it is too dangerous, he could be the strangler and threatens to call Roman. Marlena reminds her of patient confidentiality and repeats that she has to be sure. Valerie warns her that he could be the strangler.

Marlena shows up at Eugene’s door but he won’t let her in. He cracks the door and creepily says he will meet her in the park across the street. In the park, Eugene creeps up behind her, holding his hands tight to a scarf around his next. He sits down next to her and wants to know what she wants. He tells her that his wife is dead, but he didn’t mean to kill her. She asks if he would like to talk about his wife? He said that he tried to call her a couple of times, hoping she could help before it got too late. He tells her it is too late, that he has done some things. He couldn’t let her into the apartment as he had newspaper clippings on the wall to remind him of the things he has done. She asks him to tell her what is wrong?

He says that some things are so terrible, that he can’t talk about them. He hears sirens and says he can’t go back to that place, it has bars there. He grabs her and tells her that she has to stop him from doing terrible things. He has a scarf in his hands, and says he doesn’t want to hurt her. She says they should go back to her office where it is warn. He says he can’t go there, and tells her that he doesn’t want to hurt another woman.

She starts dropping things out of her purse. He pulls a knife on her and takes her to an apartment and tells her that they were very happy there. He hides every time he hears a siren. She asks him to tell her about the terrible things he did. He picks her up and says he has to carry her over the threshold, he just wants to remember how it was. She plays along but says she doesn’t remember a lot of it and asks him to help her remember. He talks about how happy they were together. She asks him why he got so angry at her? What did she say (playing along as his wife).

He tells her they can talk for weeks as this place has been all boarded up, every since she died. Marlena tries to jump up, but he grabs her and forces her to sit back down. He says he is sorry if he hurt her. He says that his wife was the only woman that he ever loved. He wants to talk about the other women as he can’t keep track of all the women he has killed. She looks at him in terror. He rambles that he doesn’t remember doing it, but reads it in the paper in the morning. She asks why he believes he killed them if he didn’t know them. He says he killed them just like he killed her.

She wakes up and finds herself tied to a chair when he returns with food, a nightgown and slippers as he wants her to be comfortable while they are together. She asks how long they will be together? He says until he knows if she is his friend or his foe. She shakily assures him that she is his friend. He eerily says that is what his wife said as he was strangling her. He is surprised that there is no mention of Marlena being missing. Marlena is shocked when she reads the morning newspaper about Abe being shot.

He starts losing his grip and shakes her as he demands to know if she is working with the cops. He declares that she isn’t his friend at all. He gets the idea that should have some money and grabs her purse. He becomes irate that she doesn’t have anything in her purse, she pleads that she just grabbed the wrong purse. He briefly chokes her but lets her go. She tells him that she doesn’t think he is the killer, as if he was he would have had a scarf around her neck and she would be dead by now.

Instead, he went out and bought her food and presents. She starts pushing him and trying to punch him, telling him to go ahead and kill her. She tells him again that she doesn’t think he is the strangler, and reminds him that he doesn’t remember killing those other women. She complains it is stuffy in there and reminds him that he liked to walk in the park with his wife. She asks to go to the park. He thinks it is a set up, that there are cops in the park. She points out that if she had been working with the police, that they never would have let him leave with her.

He looks out the window and sees someone approaching. He grabs her and pulls her into a closet in the other room and keeps her quiet. He turns on her and demands to know if she sent the cops there. She cries that no patient files are confidential. She points out that her patients will be missing her and wants to contact the hospital. He is not buying it.

She tries again to get him to let her call the hospital, that she truly wants to help him. If she calls and tells them that she needs a few days off, that she is really tired. He can listen in. He finally agrees that she can call her receptionist. He holds the knife at her throat while she is on the phone. Kayla answers the phone and tells her that the whole town is looking for her. She asks if someone is listening to Marlena’s call, and Marlena agrees as she asks her to cancel all of her appointments for a few days. Eugene takes the phone and slams it down.

She asks to make another phone call to her foster son, Johnny. She knows Eugene would never hurt a child and she just needs to reassure Johnny, who has abandonment issues. He allows her to call but there is no answer.

She asks if she can try to call Johnny again? He agrees. When Joshua answers, he wants to know where she is. He quickly figures out that someone is with her, her “friend”. She asks him to tell Johnny that she will take him to “the market” as a clue.

Eugene is holding the nightgown and says that she hasn’t worn the pretty things he bought her. She calmly says it is too cold for that. He ask her if he should make a big fire and she eagerly says yes. He gets annoyed that she is setting up so someone would see the smoke and come find her. She reminds him that she called the hospital and told them she wouldn’t be in for a few days, so they aren’t worried and no one is looking for her. He wants her to put the things on that he bought her, and says he is fixing dinner and he wants her to get dressed first.

Roman and Don are watching Eugene’s place with binoculars as they know he is holding Marlena hostage. Roman is impressed that Marlena managed to clue them in on where she is with the two phone calls. Roman spots a door to the basement and plans on trying to enter Eugene’s that way.

Marlena has put on the nightgown and robe and Eugene is very pleased and says how great she looks. She reminds him of his wife. He says his wife was frightened of him all the time and he didn’t know why as he loved her. He strokes her shoulder and says they will have a nice dinner by candlelight. He tells Marlena that if his wife hadn’t been such a tramp, that he wouldn’t have had to kill her.

He starts reminiscing about the nightgown his wife was wearing the night he killed her, and it looks very much like the one she is wearing. She tries to open the shutters on the windows, he grabs her and accuses her of trying to ruin his evening. He says they are going to have a nice steak dinner and then he has plans for her afterwards, big plans. He tells her about strangling his wife. She distracts him and tries to make a break for the door. He grabs her before she can escape.

He grabs her before she can escape. He yells at her that he doesn’t want to use that knife and they are going to have a nice quiet dinner whether she likes it or not. She tells him that they have to talk. He slams on the table and demands she eat her dinner. She shakily tells him that he can’t bring back his wife by pretending she is her. She tells him about her son, that she is all she has.

Meanwhile, Roman is climbing up through a trap door. Eugene tells her he is sorry and that she doesn’t have to eat the food if she doesn’t want to. He is sorry about a lot of things. He says that she isn’t like his wife, and begs her to tell him that she isn’t going to be like his wife. She wants her to tell him that everything is going to be beautiful and he wants to take her upstairs. Eugene wants her to eat her dinner as he made it special just for her. The phone rings, and Roman bursts in with his gun drawn and sweeps her into his arm while he holds Eugene at gunpoint.The phone rings distracting Eugene, and Roman bursts in with his gun drawn and sweeps her into his arm while he holds Eugene at gunpoint.

Next scene is at the PD, is Marlena defending that Eugene wasn’t trying to hurt her. Don is annoyed that she wasn’t more frightened by a man who held her at knife point. Roman is just relieved that they caught the strangler. Marlena isn’t so sure. She agrees that he killed his wife, but she isn’t so sure that he killed the other women. She thinks he built this fantasy world of being the strangler because he feels guilty about his wife’s death. Roman says he just works with evidence and he has plenty on Eugene. She points out that Eugene is disturbed but he had plenty of opportunity to kill her and he didn’t.

Next, Eugene taunts Marlena about how he strangled a woman in front of Roman and Don. He gives up a piece of evidence that was not released to the public, that only the killer would know. Gwen is his defense attorney and tries to stop him from confessing.

Roman goes over the evidence against Eugene with Marlena as Don listens in. As the evidence piles up, Marlena finally admits that perhaps he could be the strangler and she is glad to be alive. She asks if this means she can have the guard pulled off her door and he agrees. She is thrilled as Roman declares the women of Salem are now on their own. Don still offers to take her home but she insists she is going to enjoy her new found freedom and drive herself home!

Marlena receives a flower delivery of two bouquets of flowers. One is from Don with a note telling her that he will be picking her up at 8:00 and he will not take no for an answer. She also receives flowers from Roman, also saying that catching the killer deserves a celebration and he will pick her up at 8:00. She calls Don and starts to turn him down but he says he will see her at 8:00 and tells her that he won’t take no for an answer. He hangs up and won’t pick up the phone when she calls back.

Next she calls Roman and thanks him for the lovely flowers. She says she wanted to talk to him about tonight. He says that is a surprise and he will be there in an hour and hangs up. Don shows up first and tells her that she looks incredible. She is glowing and shares that she is feeling incredible. She says she just wishes he had called to see if she was free tonight. He sees the other bouquet of flowers and then the doorbell rings and Roman enters and sees Don and says, “Oops”.

Roman asks whose flowers arrived first? She says they arrived at the same time. She jokes with the that she has always wanted a threesome. Don takes a clue and takes off. Roman asks if he is messing up her life? She says that her and Don are divorced and they will have a wonderful evening. She points out the chilled champagne.

At dinner, she tells him that he looks adorable in his tie. She asks him if they can go dancing later. He is glad that Eugene has helped by confessing. She continues to tell him that she doesn’t think Eugene is the strangler. His confession was just too smooth. She points out all the time she spent with Eugene and he didn’t try to kill her. He offers to continue to camp out on her floor again if she is still nervous about it. She is not that nervous! Roman comments on the sparks flying between Don and Gwen, sitting at another table.

When he takes her home, she asks if he would like a nightcap. He tells her he has an early day tomorrow. Before he leaves, she puts on some music and asks him to dance. They dance as she tells him that this is her favorite song. She starts giggling that she can’t remember the name of it, they continue dancing and staring into each other’s eyes, close but no kiss.

After Roman leaves, Don appears at her door. He says he was worried about her and wanted to make sure she got home okay. She raves about her evening with Roman and drinking champagne. They dance for a moment and looks like they are going to kiss and then she passes out in his arms. He lays her down on the coach and kisses her forehead.

They dance as she tells him that this is her favorite song. She starts giggling that she can’t remember the name of it, they continue dancing and staring into each other’s eyes, close but no kiss. After Roman leaves, Don appears at her door. He says he was worried about her and wanted to make sure she got home okay. She raves about her evening with Roman and drinking champagne. They dance for a moment and looks like they are going to kiss and then she passes out in his arms. He lays her down on the coach and kisses her forehead.

Alice invites Marlena to Jake & Jessica’s engagement party. She isn’t sure she should go. Alice says she knows that Marlena doesn’t think they are ready for the commitment. Maggie comes in to talk to Marlena about Sarah.

Neil arrives after Marlena called to see him. She tells him that Maggie thinks they should fight for the baby. Neil says he knows as he is up to his neck in hot water from the people who were supposed to get the baby. Marlena wants to know why he didn’t tell her? She was the one who approved of Maggie for the surrogate mother program.

Evan (played by Lane Davies!) arrives next in her office about Maggie’s baby. She realizes he knows all about this too. He says that he also knows whose Sarah’s father is, it is him! Marlena says what happens if Maggie finds out? He says that Mickey knows and is trying to keep it from her. Marlena says she doesn’t want to know any of this. Neil told him that Maggie wanted Marlena to interview the adoptive parents. Marlena asks what she is suppose to tell Maggie? she points out that Maggie thinks her baby is going to a happily married couple, and he should have dropped out when his wife died.

Neil runs into Marlena and Evan in the hallway and excitedly tells them that Stefano is donating a PET scanner.

Marlena talks with Maggie & Mickey. Maggie wants to know what she has found out about the adoptive parents as Mickey looks somberly at Marlena. She tells Maggie that she met the adoptive father and he is a very fine man and he really wants the baby.

Don enters her office and tells her about Alex Marshall being voted into the hospital board. He then tells her about Stefano donating the PET scanner, though she already knows. They make plans to go to dinner and discuss hospital business.

At the restaurant, Marlena is surprised to see Marie and Neil having dinner. She says that couldn’t possibly be Marie (she had been a nun). She observes that Marie is stunning! She says that she is the prettiest girl in the place. Don says he isn’t so sure about that. When she looks at him, he says that just because he pays her a compliment doesn’t mean he wants to take her to bed.

Marlena talks to a very upset Lee, and she tells her she feels like it is the end of the world for both of them. Marlena offers to listen as it will help her feel better. She tells Marlena that Renee is not her little sister but her daughter.

Next, skips ahead to Marlena visiting Eugene in a maximum security room. Roman promises he can’t get to there and Roman will be waiting right outside. Roman also reminds her they have a lunch date afterwards. Eugene is very relieved to see her. He tells her he isn’t feeling very good and that is why he wanted to talk to her. He tells her Gwen (his attorney) isn’t as easy to talk to as Marlena is. He wants to tell her something, he has done something awful that is making him feel terrible.

Marlena points out that all the time they were in the house together, that he never tired to hurt her. She offers that he can tell her anything, and he can tell her what is making him feel so awful. He tells her about a girl, a tramp, and he wanted to take that smile off her face. He tells her that Renee deserved to die. Marlena asks him if because she flirted with men that she deserved to die. She then points out that Renee didn’t die. Eugene says she should have.

She wants to know why he wanted to see her. He wants her to help him remember. He knows he has done these things but he can’t remember doing them. Marlena tries to get him to talk to his attorney, to tell her anything he can remember as Gwen is there to help him just like Marlena. She promises to come back to see him. Afterwards, Roman asks if she still has doubts that he is the strangler? She reminds him that she can’t tell him anything that was discussed. He seems disappointed when she says that she will come back to see Eugene.

Roman listens to another call from the strangler. After Jake hangs up, Roman reassures her as she is shaking. She cries that he is everywhere. He calls into the PD to see if the call was traced. While he waits, she tells him that the strangler knows every move she makes. He tells her he is sorry that he said he was leaving (those earlier scenes not included). Marlena was afraid he was really going to. She is shaking, with tears in her eyes as she admits that she doesn’t want him to go. He tells her he likes the sound of that.

The storm rages on outside and as thunder strikes, she jumps and looks out the window. Roman tells her there is no way the strangler is out there as the nearest phone is 8 blocks away and he didn’t hear any sign of street noise on the call. An irritated Roman hangs up with the PD tired of waiting, and tells them to call him back. As Marlena continues to jump with every flash of lightening and thunder, Roman invites her to come closer to him.

She walks into his arms and holds on for dear life almost hyperventilating. He tells her there is nothing to be afraid of with the storm and suspects she has been afraid of storms since she was a kid. He leans in and almost kisses her. He pulls away and says oh no she almost had him! He teases her that he is sleeping alone tonight with his teddy bear.

Roman gets a call from PD informing Roman that this latest call came from within the hospital. , He calls Kayla, worried about her, and tells her to get security if she is alone at the desk. When he tells Marlena that he is headed to the hospital, she begs him to take her with him. He realizes she is finally realizing the risk she is facing. He reminds her that he has been staying in her apartment to keep her alive. He needs her to stick like glue to him and if he gives her an order that she needs to obey him. She agrees and he tells her that wasn’t so tough. He says with a little practice she might like agreeing with him.

Marlena and Roman arrive at her office and find the broken mirror with writing, "Help Me, Please Help Me". She thinks that the strangler remember attacking Renee and that is his cry for help. She then realizes that perhaps he heard the tape. Roman says maybe when Gretchen & Dana came back in to get the tape that they scared him off and he must have hidden in the closet. Then run out after they left. Roman checks the closet just to be sure.

Still in Marlena's office, she muses to Roman if she made a mistake about Renee tonight, about her going out with David, Jessica, Jake tonight. She says Jake seems like a pretty considerate fellow. Roman says he never did finish his dinner at Doug's place and asks how she feels about making a poor starving homicide cop dinner? She laughs that he will do anything to get her mind off this case. They head home and he says she needs a shot of Brandy to help her sleep and tells her it is the doctor's order. He promises her that them working together they will find this guy. She just doesn't want anyone else to die. She jumps when he comes up behind her and puts his arms around her.

Arriving back at Marlena’s, Roman insists that she have a shot of brandy, “doctor’s orders”. She observes that he likes giving orders. Roman admits that he is almost glad about the phone call tonight as got her to act like a woman in danger and not the capable doc. She says she just doesn’t want anyone else to die. He comes up behind her and puts his arms around her and she jumps again as he reassures her.

Kayla, Gwen, Marlena and ? are in a hot tub/jacuzzi. The ladies are laughing and talking and splashing. Roman and Don walk in wearing a towel, no shirts.

Later, Lee calls Marlena at the hospital desperate to talk to her and she can’t allow Renee to spend one more night in this house. Marlena asks if Lee can meet with her without upsetting Stefano.

Marlena meets Roman at the PD. He teases her about his dream of walking in on naked women (referring to a couple of the ladies in the hot tub without clothes). He refers to his younger brother as Marcu Aurelis. She makes a date with Roman. She tells him that they told her at the hospital that he wanted her, insert Roman’s suggestive comments. He reminds her that he is still working on the case and needs her help.

He needs a witness to wrap up the case against Eugene Bradford. He wants her to hypnotize Renee to see if she can remember anything and identify her attacker. Marlena says absolutely not, she wouldn’t put Renee through remembering that. Roman points out that it might clear Eugene if Renee remembers something that exonerates him. He then suggests that perhaps Renee is having such difficulty getting back into the real world as possibly she is remembering something subconsciously that would frighten her if she was to remember it consciously, someone she knows perhaps?

Marlena meets with doctor from hospital where he treated Eugene for almost a year. He tells her that he doesn’t think Eugene is capable of the kind of violence he has been accused of. She says that he kidnapped her and held her hostage and threatened her. He tells her that Eugene would threaten to report nurses but never followed through on any threat. He thinks it was his need for love that finally sent him over the edge. He doesn’t believe that he killed his wife, that he did it for attention and this is why he realized him. He informs her that when he hypnotized Eugene that he couldn’t remember strangler her, and said no that he didn’t kill her that he woke up the next morning to find her dead.

Roman arrives at Marlena’s house dressed in costume to pick her up for a party. Her hair and make up are done for her costume, which he hopes is something sexy. She assures him it is. She changes the subject and asks him what they are going to do about what Eugene’s former psychiatrist said? He asks if it is impossible for Eugene to lie under hypnosis (that he didn’t kill his wife or anyone else). Marlena assures him it is not possible for him to have lied while hypnotized. He asks if she really believes the strangler is still out walking the streets? She is sure of it.

Marlena comes out in her costume, a low cut form fitting gown. He asks who she is supposed to be? She laughs, “The Bride of Frankenstein!” He walks up to her and tells her that she looks good enough to kiss and starts to lean in to kiss her and the door bell rings. He stops her from answering the door and tells her that she isn’t home as he holds her close, very close. The door bell continues to chime impatiently. She pulls away and answers the door to find Don in the very same costume as Roman! She tells Don that she has a date with Roman, and invites him to go with them. Roman invites Don to bring the car around, “James!”

They arrive at the packed party with the whole town in costume. There is a musical performance with lots of crowd shots. Mary walks out to get the accounting books. The party continues with a video of a murder mystery with clues. Mary is in the lead role and tells them that someone is out to kill her. This video is transposed with scenes of Jake in a Phantom of the Opera mask as he chases her outside. Danny continues in the video narration with crowd interaction (they have scripts!) like “Rocky Horror Picture Show”. Alex asks a few people if they have seen Mary? He reports she went out to her car awhile ago and hasn’t returned.

Outside as Mary is trying to run in her heels, she falls on the stairs as the strangler comes upon her. This is transposed with cheesy scenes from their home movie mystery. A concerned Alex tells Roman and Don that they can’t find Mary. He is concerned that she hadn’t come back from going out to her car. The guys head out to look for her. When they arrive at her car, they find her car keys dropped by the car. Roman sends Alex back inside and tells him to call the PD. He warns Alex not to panic everyone. Roman and Don search for her calling out her name. Don finds Mary’s shoe. Don reports that Mary isn’t in the alley.

Roman climbs up on a roof to search for her, and calls out her name, telling her it is safe. Transposed again with the home mystery movie and everyone inside watching. Alex calls the PD and tells them it is an emergency. He repots that Mary Anderson has disappeared and they need all available police units to search for her.

Outside, strangler is still stalking Mary. She throws her shoe in the opposite direction as the strangler is approaching and runs. The guys continue to run around calling for her. She cowers against a building in the dark, too afraid to call out. The strangler finds her and begins to strangler her. These scenes transposed with the murder mystery movie which is showing scenes of Mary being strangled at the same time.

Skips ahead to Marlena calling Valerie and tells her that Mary was attacked. She doesn’t want Abe to get excited (he is in the hospital). She tells him that Mary was found under the bridge, hurt but not killed. Eugene is exonerated as he is in jail. Don comes in wearing a civil war costume. Marlena hands him a drink and says she knows that it had to be rough out there. Ends abruptly.

Another day, Jake calls Marlena and tells her that Jessica was just there and is “Angel”. He tells her that Angel may not show up for her therapy session, but begs Marlena if she does to get rid of Angel and bring Jessica back. Next, Marlena is talking to Jessica and Jake in her office. Scene cuts out after he leaves.

Roman and Don enter her office as her escorts. They report that she did it, Eugene is being sent to a psychiatric center. They admit that she was right about Eugene and that the evidence she presented resulted in Eugene being released from prison. Roman agrees that he isn’t the Salem Strangler. Marlena suggests that what if he didn’t kill his wife. Don suggests that maybe the strangler killed her. Jake calls with his voice disguised as the strangler and warns that if she doesn’t watch her step she will be the next victim. She looks at the guys in shock.

Don & Marlena talking and when he says something about Roman, she asks him not to start with her and she changes the subject. A clean cut Eugene comes in and says hello to Don, who is surprised that Eugene remembers him. Eugene tells him no hard feelings over trying to prosecute him for his wife’s murder.

Roman checks in with the PD. Marlena says she thought they were taking the night off. He says yes but if he doesn’t show up to work for a few days, that they will know where to find him. As they are heading out, Jake calls and suggests that Marlena might want to be there when Jessica gets home and has to face all of these people.

Marlena points out that she spent the night with Joshua when her car broke down and reminds him that he is a friend of hers. Marlena refuses to come to the Horton’s. She doesn’t think the marriage is a good idea, the timing isn’t right and she doesn’t want to show up and have people think she does approve of it. He says, “Thanks for nothing” and hangs up. Roman asks if she is sure about not going to that party. She responds that she is. So he declares nothing but fun and games tonight.

They play arcade games and have pizza. He loves coming in there after a tough day and blow up some tanks as they laugh. They both turn somber and he says it is hard to forget about Eugene. She finally tells him that he should look into his wife’s death a little more closely. He has and the strangler started killing after Eugene was released from the mental hospital.

Back at her place, he wants her to admit that she has been there before and played arcade games before! She agrees that the arcade games do take your mind off your troubles, but then complains about having a sore back. He sits her down and starts massaging her shoulders. She ask him where he learned how to do that. He laughs that it was while working vice. The doorbell rings and once again Don interrupts. He wants to know if she has listened to her messages. He reports that the evidence against Eugene has been piling up. The first woman killed worked at the facility where Eugene was at, and she had an affair with a married doctor. Marlena says this is all circumstantial.

Another day, Roman complains about the type of cheese she put in his omelette. She is trying to get him to listen to her, Eugene saw the car that the strangler drove. He clarifies that he saw a car driven by a man that followed his wife home the night she was strangled. Roman says that isn’t proof. He understands that she is sure Eugene didn’t kill his wife.

Mickey calls and says that he has a problem for both her and Roman. Melissa has run away from school and he needs Roman to put out an APB on her.

Jumps ahead to Roman and Marlena dancing. He is in a suit and tie, and she is very glamorous in a sparkling dress. He says that they came there to talk. He calls her “legs”. He shares that with him sleeping on her floor, he has a certain vantage point and the name fits. She says that while the commissioner is insisting that he stay at her place until the strangler is caught that he should move into her bedroom. She knows how uncomfortable it is for him to sleep on that hard floor. She says she would feel a lot better if he would sleep in the bedroom. He reminds her of the night they put Eugene behind bars and thought everyone was safe. He asks when she came up with this idea for him to sleep in her bedroom. She answers that when she realized that it might take awhile to catch the strangler and he would be sleeping on her floor.

They head home and she offers to tuck him in. He thinks he is sleeping with her in her bed and promises her that this will be a night to remember. She takes him into Johnny’s room. She tells him with Johnny gone, this will be perfect! He is so disappointed.

Dvd #1B He asks if this is really where she wants him to sleep? She is looking at one of the biggest fools she has ever met. He thought she was inviting him into her bedroom. She laughs that he thought she was wining and dining him and planning on seducing him.

He gets mad over her little game and tells her he isn’t going to come anywhere near her. She denies that she was playing any game. The doorbell rings again and it is Kayla bearing a box that Mrs. Brady packed for him. He shares that she always does that when he is on stake out. Marlena laughs at the little Teddy Bear included. Marlena looks forward to meeting the rest of the Brady family.

Skips ahead - Marlena comes into his room and finds a shirtless Roman holding his teddy bear. She asked if he wanted some Irish Stew. She admits that she now knows why he isn’t married. With a mother like he has, he doesn’t need to get married as his mom takes care of him.

Next, they are arguing about him staying there on the assignment. He says he doesn’t know how long he will be imposing on her. She interrupts him and tells him that he isn’t imposing, that she has enjoyed having him there. She just doesn’t like people knowing that she is frightened. (scene cuts off).

On a stormy night, Marlena paces in her bedroom on a dark stormy night during a thunderstorm. Roman is tossing and turning as well. Marlena buzzes him on the phone and urgently asks him if he heard that noise? It was a thud. He says he doesn’t know but he will check it out. He asks if she is afraid. He says he will be right in there as soon as he does something about the way he is not dressed.

She squeals as he enters her room, obviously feeling jumpy. She asks him to go check the living room as she is sure she heard a noise. He admits that he couldn’t sleep and he made the noise so she would call him. She asks why he did that? He says he thinks she knows, and that they should have a talk about what is happening between them. She says nothing has happened. He quips, “Well then we should have a talk about that!”

He brings in the big panda bear that he was snuggling with. She asks him what is happening with us? He says well they have both been bossing each other around. He admits that he came in like a tough cop and he was going to call all of the shots. She agrees that they have both been fools. She jumps on him playing at being a tough cop? She says she can talk to a patient and sort things through and figure out what makes someone tick. But she can’t tell him how she feels right now. He says maybe because they don’t have anything in common.

He says he is a cop with a high school education. She says they are talking about their feelings, not their education. He points out that he likes arcade games and pizza. She says she had fun tonight. He continues that he likes beer, well so does she. He continues that he likes bowling. She says she does too and why do they never go bowling. He says he likes to jump out of airplanes without a parachute. She says that could be intriguing. He wants to know why she is going to be so damned agreeable.

He is getting upset and says he will stay there until they catch the strangler and then he is out of there and they can forget everything that has happened. Frustrated, she loudly declares, “Nothing has happened!” She accuses him of trying to reject her before she rejects him. He apologizes and says that he has put her on a pedastal. She tells him it is very lonely on a pedestal. She would rather have him yelling at her and fighting with her as he is relating to her as a human being. He asks if he has been a jerk. She says no, they just don’t know what to say to each other. She laughs they have been acting like silly kids. They are just afraid. He asks her how they are going to go on living like this without something happening as they look into each other’s eyes.

Jake sneaks into Tony’s via the tunnel and listens in as her and Tony talk in front of the fire, waiting for his moment. When she is alone in her room, Jake attacks Renee. She is able to get free long enough to scream. He runs off as everyone in the house comes running.

The next morning, Roman is yelling at someone on the phone. He can’t believe the only clue they have is that silk scarf. They have no sign of forced entry, another young girl was attacked. Roman believed that he had hope that Renee would remember her attacker, but she has left town and Stefano doesn’t know where she is.

They argue over how many towels she uses and the nylons she leaves all over the bathroom. He calls her “legs” again and tells her that he would appreciate it. He would like to return to their talk from the night before. He is there on official business and technically she is his employee as she is helping him on the case. He says he can’t get mixed up with her under circumstances like that, so they have to do something. She suggests they focus on their life outside of the house. He laughs should they go bird watching, bowling league. She quips back, “Or parachuting without a parachute.” She then suggests they date other people.

Another stormy night, Roman calls and demands to know if she has her front door double locked. She assures him it is. He says he is leaving to come home and take a quick shower before he picks up his date. He wants to know how sexy her dress is for her date that night with Neil. He wants to know if she thinks them dating other people will work? He will have to take a lot of cold showers.

Lee shows up and Marlena and they talk about Renee. She admits that she is afraid that Stephano will seduce his daughter away from her. Renee says that they need to find Renee as soon as possible, she is worried about her being alone with Tony who is her half brother!

Neil shows up at Marlena’s, and she teasing calls him a sexy man. He asks why she suddenly called him up to go out with him after all the years he has been after her. Roman makes faces as Marlena talks about being out all night with Neil. Marlena suggests that Roman say hello to Dana for them and says he can have the place to himself tonight since she will be out with Neil.

Neil & Marlena at dinner. He asks when she is going to tell him the real reason she asked her to dinner. He guesses that it was too make Roman jealous. He can see how they feel about each other all over their faces. Roman walks in with beautiful Dana on his arm. As Neil stares at the beauty, Marlena snarks she didn’t realize Dana was quite that blond. Neil makes catty growls over that comment. As Roman & Dana laugh and Marlena keeps looking over her shoulder at him. She tells Neil she is ready to leave. He asks his place or hers and she looks taken aback. She says they can’t go to her place as Roman will be there. He comments that looks like he might take her up on the offer to invite Dana back to the apartment after dinner. She suggests that they take a drive out by the lake.

Neil comments that Roman has been good for her as he senses a thaw in the lady doctor. Jake & Jessica stop by their table. Jake comments on Roman not letting Marlena out of his sight. Neil comments about Jake’s possessiveness and he doesn’t trust that. He sees her more with Joshua.

When Neil brings Marlena home, he asks if doesn’t she think Roman might be in there with Dana. Of course they interrupt them on the couch together. Neil offers to take Dana home. Roman teases him about behaving himself so he doesn’t have to challenge him to a duel.

Later Marlena enters a darkened room (wearing that full length pink nightie). She sees Roman’s silhouette in the window from behind and screams. He takes her into his arms and she holds on tight. He tells her he wouldn’t leave her alone here for even a minute with the maniac on the loose. He asks if she doesn’t know who he feels about her? He holds her head in his hands and slowly leans in and kisses her (first kiss?).

She pulls away and turns a light on. He says they better talk, as this isn’t going to work out. She asks if he is moving out. He says he can’t do that, and dating other people isn’t the answer because he still has to come back here to her. She says she is not emotionally ready to go to bed with a man simply because she feels like it. He is encouraged to hear she does feel like it, as he stands behind her with his hands on her shoulders leaning in towards her, his head touching her head. She reports that she does not have ice water running through her veins. He leans in and touches his head to the back of hers and says he is starting to believe that. She startles and pulls away from him. She asks what about Dana? He tells her that he could date a different woman every night but it won’t make a difference as he wants her. He asks what they are going to do about?

Next, she comes out in her robe with a plate of sandwiches. He accuses her of stalling and takes the sandwich from her and puts it back on the plate. She asks isn’t he hungry? He responds, “not for food”. He sits her down next to her on the couch to talk, and she jumps up to sit across from him. He asks if she is afraid he will bite? She admits to him making her nervous. He can’t believe she is actually admitting that he shakes her up. She does not admit to that!

He says she doesn’t have to, that her response to his kiss said it all. She says yes all right, she enjoyed it. He knows it. She tells him they have to stop this. He knows it, while they are living and working together it is very complicated. He promises that he could never take her to bed just once, she isn’t the kind of woman a man treats casually. He tells her that he feels a lot of things about her but casual isn’t one of them. She wants to know if he has any suggestions. He tells her that she doesn’t want to know what his suggestions are.

She says they need a third party with an objective opinion. She gets the idea that them being alone together is causing this and the solution is for her to get a roommate. He tells her she is afraid that she does want him. She says she is trying to find a solution and she thinks this is a good idea. He asks if he gets to interview the lady. She snarks, who says the roommate will be a lady? Marlena calls Valerie who turns her down as she has a lease.

Roman points out that a roommate will have to sleep sometime and this will leave Roman tossing and turning in his bed, and her tossing and turning in hers. He tells her they wil have time when they are alone, times like this. He pulls her into his arms and kisses her soundly as the storm knocks out the lights. She is so entranced with his kisses, she isn’t responding to the outside storm at all. When she is putty in his arms, he pulls away saying he will not be responsible for what could happen. Abe calls interrupting telling him he needs his help at the casino and a relieved Roman agrees to come help. After he hangs up, he asks her to get dressed and go with him as he can’t leave her alone in the darkened apartment with no electricity.

Roman and Marlena arrive at the club and Roman takes Julie off to question her. Valerie asks Marlena what that phone call was all about. She says she doesn’t really want to talk about it in public but suggests that Valerie might be able to figure out what is going on. Marlena is in a rather precarious situation as the police commissioner has ordered him to stay at her place until the strangler is caught. She begs for Valerie’s help in finding a roommate.

Later, Roman and Marlena and Abe and Valerie are back at Marlena’s. Roman reports that everyone has an alibi except Joshua. Roman asks why Jake is always so well covered when it comes to an alibi and Joshua never is. Eugene arrives at Marlena’s office and Roman takes off. Scene cuts out.

Later, Roman and Marlena walk into her place and Marlena answers Eugene’s phone call. He tells her he has been having a feeling about evidence being buried in the park. He asks her to get Brady to go searching. Scene cuts out.

Marlena brings Roman a beer and sits across from him, keeping her distance. He tells her that he isn’t going to go walking around any park, no matter how she tries to bribe him. She tells him he is exasperating and he responds that she is so beautiful when she is angry. He accuses her of not wanting to be alone with him in the apartment as it got too warm in here last night! She asks if he is going to the park with her and he says no. Then she threatens to go by herself and grabs her coat. He tells her he can’t go out there alone with the manic running around.

At the park, Roman tells her this search in the park is ridiculous. Marlena admits that she was eager to come to the park as she didn’t want to be alone with him in the apartment. She tells him not to be so smug. Roman comments on Eugene saying they were crazy about each other (that scene wasn’t included). Roman holds her from behind and tells her it is a beautiful moonlit night. She comments that she isn’t safe with him anywhere as he nuzzles her hair. He apologizes and pulls away. She trips and lands in his arms and he kisses her again. He softly tells her that he has always liked dependent females. She says she is NOT a dependent female.

Her shoe has fallen into a hole. Roman bends down and sees fresh dirt disturbed and begins digging and finds a key with a tag on it. It says, “Marlena”. He won’t tell her what it says, so she grabs it from him and when she sees her name, she pauses, stunned. She says that Eugene was right about everything. Roman says it is almost like Eugene is psychic. H He doesn’t like the looks of this, as looks like the one dropped out of Joshua’s pocket a couple of weeks ago that said “Horton’s” on it. (Not included, they stop at Shenanigan’s and see Jake with caked mud on his sneakers and he says he went through the park.)

Back at her place, Roman promises new locks in the morning. He would like to try a moat with alligators this time. Marlena keeps remembering what Roman tells her about this guy being human and he will make a mistake. Roman knows she is scared and he admits that she is too. She observes that it could be someone they see every day. He doesn’t know what to do with the evidence that Eugene led them to, but the commissioner would laugh him out of the office with psychic revelations from a mental patient.

Roman takes off her coat and suggests they have a glass of wine and talk about the other things that happened in the park (referring to their kissing). The phone starts to ring and he laughs that she makes him hear bells. Cuts out, we don’t see her answer the phone.

Scene skips ahead to Marlena telling Roman that they had to be at the Horton’s in half an hour. He calls out to her that her plan didn’t work. He says that within a few minutes they will be standing together with a baby between them. She is puzzled, but he says that thinking about her and children gives him ideas. He mentions when she told him about DJ and cried (that scene not included). He comments on Don turning down being the baby’s godfather as he wouldn’t be able to due to grief over DJ’s death. She has to go change for the party, and he laughingly offers to help her.

She comes out in a blue dress and he tells her that she looks nice. She isn’t sure what a godmother would wear. He asks her if she is sure she wants to go through with this (worried that this day will bring up her own grief over her baby’s death). She says she couldn’t let Maggie down for the world and she thinks it might be nice to be a godmother. He is impressed with her strength and tells her that she is one terrific lady. He teases if she left him one dry towel.

He then sweetly tells her that she looks really good and looks into her eyes. Entranced she reminds him not to start that they have to be at the Horton’s in half an hour. He asks if when all of this is over, if she will miss him? She laughs that she might miss him a tiny little bit. He sits next to her and puts his arm around her shoulders. She tells him to go get changed. Cut to the baby’s christening very briefly though cuts out.

Lee arrives to see Marlena and tells her about a confrontation with Stefano. She got very angry with Liz, sure that she knew where Tony and Renee were. Stefano was annoyed with her and sent her back to the house with his driver. She is afraid of Stefano as when he is furious, he can be deadly. Marlena asks if Stefano has been cruel to her. She says no but she never disobeyed him before. She tells Marlena about Stefano’s criminal activity in Europe. She worries about what he might do to these good people here in Salem.

Marlena brings her tea, Lee is desperate to keep Renee away from Tony. Scene cuts out. Marlena warns her that Renee is a lot safer away from being here in Salem. She warns Lee that if she puts out a reward for Renee’s return that the strangler will head right for her. Marlena tries to reassure her that Tony cares for her and knows how fragile she is right now and she doesn’t think he will take advantage of her.

Marie asks what annoys Marlena so much about Roman Brady? She confides how sloppy he is and Marie laughs. Marlena asks Marie to move in with her. She smiles and tells Marlena congratulations! She is delighted that Marlena is so drawn to Roman that she needs a roommate to cool things off. Marie’s advice is to enjoy it. Marlena thought Marie would take her seriously and understand. Marie does and tells her that she has been much too uptight about sex and she lost Alex because of it. Marlena tells her that she is going to go out of her mind if she doesn’t get some resolution with this Roman thing. Marie tells her she can’t as her and Jessica are bonding. Marie recommends that she start enjoying what she has under her very own roof!

Marlena calls the PD looking for Roman. When he finally enters, she asks where he has been as he didn’t come home last night. Exhausted he collapses on the couch, having not slept at all. She tells him that he should have called her. He tells her that she sounds like a policeman’s wife and he is beginning to like it. She made breakfast for him and his eggs are getting cold. Doorbell rings, he says he has Don to come over. Cut to them talking over breakfast. Roman fills them in on finding where Tony and Renee were at. They stole another car and found the blonde wig that Renee was wearing.

Marlena finds an agitated Eugene waiting for her in her office. He has had an impression that he thinks is important. He saw a young girl being strangled. He tells her this impression is different as it isn’t going to happen in Salem. He couldn’t recognize the girl. Marlena calls Abe and he is snarky about Gene’s visions. Of course the strangler will kill again as long as he is on the loose. She invites Abe to come over to her office and talk to Eugene himself.

Abe comes over and listens to Eugene. He points out to Marlena that there is nothing he can do with this info without knowing how it is or the location, just some vague location out of town. He doesn’t know who the girl is, though Marlena thinks that means that the strangler is following Renee out of town. Eugene gets a flash and tells them he knows where she is at a hotel with the name of Oakwood or Greenwood, something like that. Abe calls the information in to start searching for the hotel.

Abe questions Eugene about the night Eugene’s wife was killed and tries to prompt his memory of what he may have scene to identify the killer. All he comes up with is that the guy was tall. After Eugene leaves, Abe can’t believe they are so desperate that they are following up on psychic leads. Marlena still hopes that Eugene will remember something from that night that will be more helpful.

Neil teases Marlena that he hasn’t heard from her since their date last week. He questions Marlena about her relationship with Roman. She insists that nothing is going on. He then questions her need for a roommate. She says it is for propriety. He offers to be her roommate and says he is clean in the bathroom. She does not appear interested in his offer. Abe interrupts by calling with a report that they have several leads of matching hotel names and he is going to have officers check it out.

Brief scene between Jake and Marlena. She turns her back on him and he reaches into his pocket. As she turns around, he pulls out a handkerchief. She tells him that her door is always open to him.

Marlena is in bed thinking of Roman, dreaming of him coming to her as she lays in bed, taking off his robe and sliding in under the covers to kiss her awake. She wakes up from her intense dream and stares at the door, longing for him. He is meanwhile tossing in his own bed. He dreams of her coming to him and getting in bed with him, kissing him. He wakes up declaring he needs a very very cold shower. He lays in bed holding his teddy bear, as Marlena paces alone in her bedroom. She grabs a book and loudly drops it on the floor. She stares at the door, hoping Roman will come running into her room.

He calls her on the phone and tells her that he heard a loud thump. She suggests that maybe he should check it out. He finds her sitting up in bed and her book laying on the floor next to the door. He thinks this is the source of the clunk he heard. He jokes about her reusing his tactic and then suggests that she apologize for using such a cheap and obvious ploy. She says she will if he will bring her robe. He holds it up and entices her to come and get it. He slips her robe on and then he kisses her sweetly.

She listens as he sings in her shower. When he comes out wearing only a towel, she pretends to be reading the newspaper. He knows he shouldn’t be in her room like this, all wet and half dressed. He isn’t leaving until she tells him that she has to. She offers him coffee and he tells her there is only one thing he wants, and takes her in his arms to kiss her. The phone rings and he pulls away telling her he is expecting a call from Abe. They arrange to meet with information about the key manufacturer.

Next Marlena comes in to hear Roman barking orders. He wants a map of Salem and wants all the locations of murders and homes of victims on the map. He makes call after call giving additional orders, he wants his office off limits to everyone but authorized personal who are working on the case. She wants to talk to him and he interrupts her and says he has to keep his mind on business and can’t allow her to distract him.

Later back home, Roman comes into her room and tells her that he will drop her off at the hospital and if he can’t pick her up that he will have one of the guys pick her up. She is very abrupt in her responses and he realizes she is mad at him. He asks her to quit with the attitude and asks her what is wrong with her? One minute she is saying she needs a roommate and then the next she is sitting around here half naked being ticked off at him because he is trying to do his job. He says that one of them has to exercise some self control. She declares she is controlled and he makes a crack about being willing to jump into bed with him. He reminds her that she called him in there this morning. She cooly says she is sorry to inconvenience him and needs to get to work and walks out.

When they arrive at the hospital, they run into Jake on the way in. He tells her that he has no hard feelings about Jessica. He has good news to share, he got a job at the hospital. He quit his job at Body Connection as he didn’t think it was a good idea to continue to work with Joshua. After he walks off, Roman doesn’t really buy his forgiving air. Next they run into Abe, and Roman tells her that he hopes she has a good day. She stops him and apologizes for this morning. She says it was very foolish and childish of her to refuse to talk to him in the car on their way over. She knows he is just trying to do his job. After she leaves, Abe kinda smirks at him and Roman tells him not to get any ideas.

Another sleepless night for Marlena, she wakes up and puts some music on. She has a fantasy of about Roman holding her face in his hands and her kissing his fingers. He kisses her tenderly and carries her away. Meanwhile, Roman is also unable to sleep and is tossing and turning. He thinks of Marlena in front of a fire and them kissing as she slips his robe off his shoulder. He then removes her towel and brings her in for another kiss, interesting that his fantasy is a bit more graphic than hers.

When she can’t sleep, she goes out to the living room. He soon follows dressed to go out. He invites her to go with him but tells her to questions! Abe calls and tells him that he thinks that Liz made contact with Tony tonight. Roman says he will talk to her in the morning. Marlena wants to know where they are going? He tells her it is some place special and he has never taken anyone else there before.

They arrive down on the docks and he holds her in his arms as the sun comes up. She says she loves having breakfast at 4:00 in the morning. He shares that there is something very beautiful about a sunrise. He admits that he has been coming here since he was a kid. She says it makes her feel very close to him, that he is sharing this with her. He kisses her tenderly and they hold onto each other tightly, wrapped up in each other’s arms. He continues kissing her and tells her that she is really getting to him. He warns her they better do something about finding that roommate today as he can’t take much more of this, as he continues kissing her.

Gwen and Don are at Marlena’s as she checks out the apartment. Kayla arrives bearing a box of Roman’s laundry from his mom. Gwen laughs at the idea of his mom doing his laundry. Then Gwen and Don head out and Gwen says she will let Marlena know about moving in. When they are alone, Kayla says that mom and pop aren’t too happy with the idea of Roman possibly resigning and they blame Marlena.

After they leave, Roman laments that in 4 1/2 weeks that he won’t have Marlena as an employee anymore. Roman gets a call notifying him that Jake has disappeared. Roman asks her to lock the door and tells her he will put a guard on the door. Marlena stops him before he leaves and kisses him soundly before he heads off to work.

An exhausted Roman asking Jake to come down to the PD an complains how hard it was to track Jake down. He claims he slept in his car last night. Marlena lectures Roman about his need for breakfast. She is not taking no for an answer and says she has even made time to go over case profile with him.

At the cafeteria, she asks him if he has made any progress on the Strangler case. He says yes but everything he has is so scattered that he can’t even form a pattern. She cheers him on and he jokes that she is his fan club. He asks her if she has a fan club? She says if she does that Jake is not a member. She asks if he is really going to bring Jake into the PD for questioning one more time.

He shares that something new has come up about Jake and he does not yet know if it is significant. He warns Marlena that he can’t go into the evidence until he knows whether or not it is important. She agrees and he is surprised by her understanding. He asks what happened to the bossiest lady in Salem? She observes that he is under enough pressure right now but after the strangler is caught that Roman should watch out.

Tom approaches and lets Marlena know that her two week vacation has been approved for the middle of the month (May). After Tom leaves, Roman is surprised that she is taking time off. She tells him that she had to take the time off or wait for another year. She hints that it is never fun to take a vacation alone.

Next at the PD, Roman apologizes for keeping her waiting but he has to talk to Jake. He is worried about her taking a vacation alone but offers that if the strangler isn’t caught that he will provide her protection though they are both hoping it will be all over. He observes that he won’t have to stay at her place while she is gone. Though she says that if Gwen decides to move in that Roman would have to stay as the strangler still has keys. He says no way he wants to stay with that “barracuda” for two weeks!

Jake walks in and asks if this is why Roman is trying to railroad him as he doesn’t like his attorney? Marlena reassures Jake that this was more about Gwen on a personal level not as his attorney. Gwen soon arrives and asks Abe what this is all about, as Marlena makes her excuses to leave. Gwen tells Marlena that she hasn’t made any decision yet about moving in but she will call her soon.

Later Abe questions if Marlena is going on vacation alone with a look at Roman. Marlena wants to know why everyone asks that question? She hands Roman some travel brochures. She asks how the meeting with Jake went (not included). He muses that he wonders if good friends could become good lovers. She interrupts and shows him brochure for Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, and Cabo. He stops her and tells her that he means them.

She asks him that if he quits the force or if he catches the strangler if he would like to go on vacation with her? He asks if she is propositioning him and she says she is! He kisses her and Abe walks in and interrupts. nAbe has a letter that arrived at the PD addressed to Marlena. He opens it and it is a burned letter with a picture of Marlena. Marlena jumps and says that is from the strangler.

Marlena tells Roman that she has made her reservations for Mexico. She comments that he looks tired. She encourages him that once he catches the strangler that he can go with her to Mexico. He says that is a million years away. She tells him that she made them a special dinner and even set the table.

Marlena snaps at Gretchen when she mentions Roman. Marlena gives her instructions on covering for her vacation. She asks Gretchen to call Gwen and tell her that the offer to share her apartment is cancelled.

Marlena and Roman share a romantic candlelit dinner, and feed each other lobster in between lots of kissing. They begin undressing each other and continue kissing. He picks her up to take her to bed. They are laying in her bed, as he strokes her and kisses her and tells her that he loves her. They are about to make love when they hear and ignore the doorbell, that is until Gwen waltzes in. Marlena reluctantly leaves Roman’s side and Gwen tells her that she is taking her up on her offer to move in! Gretchen never called Gwen to rescind Marlena’s offer.

Frustrated, Roman abruptly leaves to go to the PD, she begs him not to leave. Marlena in tears shows up at the PD and asks to see Roman alone. Marlena in tears apologizes to him and says how sorry she is about how their night ended. She wanted it to be special, she was looking forward to it more than anything in a long time. She tells him that she called Gwen to cancel the roommate offer but Gretchen couldn’t reach her. Gwen had been living at her office and the landlord tossed her out, and Gwen had nowhere else to go. When Gwen saw her car, she knew that she was home. When Marlena didn’t answer the door, she was concerned and got the building manager to let her in.

Roman asks why she didn’t tell her to leave. She didn’t have the heart as Gwen didn’t have anywhere else to go. Marlena tearfully tells him that she didn’t realize things were going to go this quickly between them. He then says he is sorry too. He knows it wasn’t her fault, it was just lousy timing. She feels awful about all of this. He tells her she doesn’t look awful, but looks great! She should know by now that he never says anything that he doesn’t mean. She gets the hiccups. He asks if he can get a rain check. She says if he catches the strangler that then he can go with her to Mexico! When they arrive home, Don questions Roman as he wants to know what Roman did to make her cry. He noticed she had hiccups and that she only gets them when she has been crying.

Marie arrives at Marlena’s. Marlena complains about what a bulldog Roman is about the strangler case. Marie thinks that is a good thing. Marlena wants to talk to him about Renee’s letter. Marie asks if she thinks she left Salem? Marlena reports that is what the letter said but she hasn’t been able to reach her. Marie suggests they go over to the penthouse but Marlena says she wants to wait and have Roman go with them. She finally reaches him at the PD and she asks him to meet her at Lee’s penthouse.

While he is on the phone with her, dispatcher breaks in and says he has a call from his “sweetheart”. Marlena hangs up a bit miffed. Marie notices that she is miffed and Marlena tells her that it was from his sweetheart. Marie then questions whether or not Marlena is dumb enough to go to Mexico alone. Roman calls her back and offers to meet her at the penthouse.

Roman, Marlena and Marie head over to Tony’s penthouse. Marlena finds two envelopes addressed to Renee from Lee. Roman asks if she knows what is in the envelopes, she says she believes she does. Marlena says that if only she could find Tony and Renee. He says he will do that, and Marie is surprised how easy it makes it sound.

When they return home, they interrupt Don and Gwen making out on the couch. Marlena and Roman each leave them alone and go to their separate bedrooms. Roman is soon at her door. Roman tells her he is sorry he didn’t get back to her earlier but all hell broke loose down at the station. She is hoping for a break in the case so that Roman can go to Mexico with her. He says no but promises she will be met at the airport and that she will have a guard 24/7 whether she likes it or not.

She then questions who sweetheart is? He offers that when she gets rid of Gwen that he will tell her. She says she is trying to get rid of Gwen but it may take a couple of days. He grins at the evidence of her being jealous and says he likes it. He takes her in his arms and kisses her as someone knocks on the door. It is Gwen, and Marlena motions for him to hide in the bathroom.

Out in the living room, Don makes a comment about how crowded it is in here. Roman comes out and agrees with him. Sweetheart calls and Roman says, “I love you”. Don wants to know what the code is for? Marlena is puzzled until Roman tells her he knows where Tony and Renee are and they can head up there in the morning. They head to their bedrooms.

Roman comes back to Marlena’s bedroom and tells her that Gwen has to go. He wants to know how he found out. He admits that one of his men followed Liz up to a mountain cabin. Marlena tells him that she wants to go with him and give Renee the letters personally. She gets upset that she couldn’t talk Lee into telling Renee sooner, and admits she feels like a bit of a failure. Realizing she is upset, he calls her to come into his arms. She asks him to just hold her. He teases her that they are alone at last. She points out that Gwen will be back and he kisses her again.

The next morning, he and Marlena head up there. Marlena apologizes for getting upset last night. She pushes Roman to hurry and he wants to know what she is worried about. She tells him firmly that she can’t discuss this with him. He notices that she looks worried. She is concerned about how Renee will react when she reads the letter. He admits that he can’t get that Mexico trip off his mind. He is hoping that Renee will give him some clue about the strangler. Marlena says that Renee would have called if she had any info. Roman wants to suggest more hypnosis but Marlena doesn’t think she will be in any shape after she reads the letter. Roman is concerned that it is that bad.

Marlena is relieved to see Renee and gives her a big hug. Tony wants to know if they have caught the strangler and Roman says no. Then Tony determines that she will not be going back to Salem. Marlena tells Renee that Lee has left Salem and gives Renee the envelope from her. Marlena tells her that Lee loves Renee very much. Renee thinks that Lee is her sister. Marlena leaves her alone to read the letter. They tell her that she is her mother and Stefano is her father (making her and Tony brother and sister). They all leave her alone as she reads it. Devastated, Renee begins sobbing and they all head to Marlena’s office in Salem.

5/17 Gretchen complains to Jake that Marlena is going to fire her. Gretchen was supposed to cancel Gwen moving in with Marlena, Gretchen wasn't able to get ahold of Gwen and didn't cancel and she went ahead and moved in and Marlena isn't happy with her about it. Jake Kosicheck calls Gwen and tells her that it is very important that he needs to see her immediately. He figures that since Gwen is Dr. Evan's roommate that she will have a key to Marlena's apartment.

Jake barges into Gwen's office, and she sternly tells him she is with another client and he will have to wait outside. Jake complains to Gwen about being a suspect in the Salem Strangler murders. When Gwen is momentarily distracted, Jake steals her keys out of her purse (which is conveniently out on her desk). He makes an impression of the key, and tosses them back in her purse and suddenly leaves.

Marlena and Roman have arrived and Roman takes Renee away. Marlena tells Tony that Renee is going to need time to deal with this and she is very fragile. Poor Tony doesn't understand any of this. Tony fears for Renee's life if the strangler finds out that she is back in Salem. Marlena suggests that Tony provide protection for her but there is no way that Renee can stay with Tony.

Marlena and Renee are in Marlena's office and they talk about Stephano being her father. Tony calls and wants to see Renee. Renee takes the phone and tells him she doesn't want to see him and to stay away from him for awhile. He refuses to listen and tells her he is on his way over. Renee cries over the unfairness of the situation. Renee shows Marlena the letter and gives her permission to read it.

Back at the PCPD, Abe and Roman discuss the suspects. Roman is worried about Eugene's vision of seeing Marlena dead on the floor.

David escorts Renee out of the hospital. He offers to take her home to the DiMera’s, but she adamantly says no. Tom suggests that it would be better if she goes to the Horton family home. Marlena asks Tony to give Renee time to allow her to get over the shock of Lee’s letter. Heis frustrated that Marlena won’t tell him what was in the letter. He says that he and Renee are going to get married!

Marie comes in, concerned about seeing Marlena upset. She asks how things are going with her and Roman. She shares that she found a roommate, it is Gwen Davies. But she has made a terrible mistake and but now Gwen doesn’t have any place to go.

Meanwhile, Jake is having a fantasy of strangling Marlena.

**The End**