Once You Love Somebody

Kevin Collins sat in the middle of the courtroom lost in thoughts of Lucy as the court began it's recess. As the seconds dragged on for what felt like hours, he began to think back to a time when he and Lucy had been together and seemingly happy with one another. It seemed that no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't shake the feeling that she desperately needed him now more than ever.

"But she has Scott now." Kevin reminded himself silently as images of Lucy making love to Scott in Florida flooded his mind.

"Paging Dr. Collins. Dr. Kevin Collins." Eve called out waving her hand in front of his face as he snapped back into the reality of his surroundings. "You look about a million miles away right now."

"Try a couple thousand." Kevin replied with a sigh as he looked around the half empty courtroom. "What are they waiting for?"

"It's lunch time Kevin." Eve explained to him as she noticed the guard eyeing her closely. "You know I'm surprised the judge allowed me to come out here and sit with you considering the way I've been treated like a criminal this past week. You'd think that they'd have thrown me in full security shackles at this point."

"Well, maybe they're realizing that there's no possible way you could've killed all those people after all." Kevin suggested hopefully as he watched her expression.

"Fat chance Kevin." Eve huffed with a sarcastic laugh. "You really must've been out of it during the testimonies that took place today."

"I'm sorry Eve, really I am." Kevin apologized shaking his head. "I really meant to be supportive today, but my mind just can't focus on the trial right now."

"You're thinking about Lucy, aren't you?" Eve questioned taking note of the sadness in his eyes.

"Every second of the day." Kevin confessed closing his eyes and picturing Lucy's face. "She's the first thing that I think of when I wake up each morning and the last thing I think of when I go to sleep at night."

"You still love her very much, don't you?" Eve questioned realizing that she needn't ask because the truth was evident in Kevin's face.

"More than I've ever loved anyone in my life, but I feel as if my heart has betrayed me." Kevin continued staring off into space.

"Because Lucy slept with Scott." Eve finished reaching out to take Kevin's hand.

"It goes beyond that Eve. It's like the more I think about it, the more I doubt the love Lucy and I shared. I almost feel like a fool for trying to compete with the madness that she and Scott create when they're together. It's just so damn frustrating to see........." Kevin explained facing her with a frown. "I'm sorry. I'm sure listening to my problems is the last thing you need right now."

"No Kevin, it's okay." Eve assured him quickly. "You're my friend and I'll always be here for you whenever you need me."

"Thanks Eve." Kevin began looking at the time. "And to make it up to you, what do you say I run over to the deli down the road and pick us up some lunch?"

"Kevin, that would be wonderful, but Chris is already picking up lunch for me." Eve explained to him as Chris re-entered the courtroom carrying two brown paper bags. "I'm sorry."

"That's okay." Kevin shrugged standing up and checking the time. "Actually, I think that I should probably run over to GH for a few minutes and see how Serena's operation went."

"Please sent her my love and tell her how much I miss her." Eve insisted as Chris took a seat next to her.

"I will." Kevin replied with a wave as he left the courtroom unable to get rid of the sinking feeling in his chest.

Scott Baldwin checked the time realizing that Lucy was supposed to be meeting him in Serena's room about ten minutes ago. He wondered what she had gotten into this time considering that she knew how important it was that he get to the courthouse on time for his afternoon testimony. He realized that he was going to have to leave soon, but looking at a sleeping Serena kept him there for a few more moments.

"Karen," Scott called out seeing his daughter down the hall.

"Hey Scott," Karen began walking towards her father. "How's Serena doing?"

"She's sleeping right now." Scott explained looking at his little angel knowing how wonderful it was for her to have her eyesight back again. "She's so happy."

"I'm so glad that her cornea transplant went off without any problems." Karen said stepping into the room further to look at her little sister.

"So am I." Scott replied realizing how much Serena reminded him of Dominique. "She's quite a little fighter. So brave."

"Yes she is." Karen agreed looking at Scott and sensing something was on his mind. "What's wrong?"

"Am I that easy to read?" Scott questioned with a frown as he checked the time once more. "I have to go down to the courthouse to testify today and Lucy was supposed to be her about fifteen minutes ago to stay with Serena while I'm gone, but as usual Lucy is running late."

"I can stay with her for a while if you'd like." Karen suggested realizing that time with Serena would be good for her.

"Are you sure? I know how busy things are around here for you." Scott answered taking her hand in his.

"Of course I'm sure. There's no place where I'd rather be than with my sister right now." Karen assured him as he reached for his jacket. "Good luck today."

"Thanks, but I think Eve is going to need it more than me." Scott insisted wearily as he walked into the hall ready to leave for the courthouse.

"Hey Scott, I'm glad I found you." Matt called out approaching him.

"Matt, how's it going?" Scott questioned realizing that he was pressed for time.

"Not well actually." Matt confessed seriously. "Ellen and I were on our way over to the courthouse, but she got tied up with Lucy."

"So that's where she is." Scott replied realizing that Lucy must've been busy chatting away. "She's always yapping about something lately."

"You don't understand Scott." Matt insisted seriously. "Lucy passed out a while ago and Ellen is in with her right now."

"What?" Scott questioned in disbelief. "When did this happen?"

"About fifteen minutes ago, but look I need your help to try to get a hold of Kevin. I called his cell phone and tried paging him, but nothing seems to be working. I think it's important for him to be with her right now." Matt continued watching Scott closely.

"Where is she?" Scott questioned in a panic.

"She's in the examining room with Ellen." Matt explained watching Scott race off down the hall. "Where are you going?"

Lucy woke up realizing that she was in a small white examining room. She noticed a light flashing into her eyes as Ellen came into focus. She could feel her head throbbing from the impact she had encountered in the fall as she tried to move about on the examining table.

"Don't move Lucy." Ellen insisted glancing her friend over. "How are you feeling?"

"My head hurts a little bit, but I think that I'll be okay if I just........." Lucy began trying to sit up as dizziness filled her head. "Whoa that's a doozy."

"That's what I thought Lucy. I'm worried about you." Ellen continued helping her lay back down. "Lucy, I'd like to run a few tests on you to make sure that you're alright."

"Ellen, I'm fine really." Lucy began with a shrug. "I have to go see Serena. I promised Scott that I'd watch her while he was at the trial today. He's going to be so angry that I didn't show up on time."

"Well Scott will just have to answer to me when he gets upset Lucy because I'm not letting you go anywhere until I run some tests on you." Ellen explained seriously. "After the nightmare you have just gone through, there's no way that you're getting out of this examining room without a thorough check up."

"Ellen, I'll be fine really. In fact, back at the mansion, I got a bump on my head there too and look I'm fine." Lucy insisted trying to show Ellen that she was alright.

"I don't buy it Lucy and as your doctor and friend I'm making you stay right here." Ellen insisted sternly looking at her. "No arguments."

"But....." Lucy began to protest.

"No buts." Ellen said writing down a few notes on Lucy's condition. "Now you're going to do something very unlike Lucy Coe and be quiet for a couple of minutes while I have them run some blood tests on you."

"Kevin, thank God I found you!" Matt called out as Kevin stepped off of the elevator.

"What is it?" Kevin asked curiously turning to face Matt.

"Lucy passed out a while ago and she's in the examining room with Ellen." Matt explained quickly.

"What happened?" Kevin questioned following Matt down the hall towards Lucy's room.

"I don't know. Apparently she was talking to Ellen and she just passed out." Matt continued as they reached the examining room door and Scott rushed out of the room coming face to face with Kevin.

"Scott," Kevin said glaring at him.

"Kevin," Scott muttered turning to face Matt. "Where the hell is she?"

"Who?" Matt questioned in confusion.

"Lucy, you nitwit." Scott informed him with a scowl. "I went in there, but there's no sign of her or Ellen."

"I thought they were in there." Matt began with a shrug. "Perhaps Ellen took her down to the lab."

"I'm going to go look for her." Kevin announced turning towards the lab.

"The hell you are." Scott shouted grabbing onto Kevin's arm. "You're not going anywhere."

"Scott I strongly suggest that you remove your hand from me immediately." Kevin ordered trying to remain calm as his hate for Scott began to surface.

"Look, if you think that you can just waltz back into Lucy's life after pushing her aside like you did, then you'd better think twice because I'm not going to let you put her through that anymore." Scott explained protectively still holding onto Kevin's jacket. "You're probably the reason she passed out today. She's been so worried about your feelings that she's gone and made herself sick."

"I'm the one responsible?" Kevin questioned in disbelief.

"That's right." Scott insisted shaking his head. "How can you believe that you have any right to her after walking out on her like you did?"

"So this is how it's going to be." Kevin responded shaking his arm loose. "Scott, since we're on the subject, maybe I should bring up the the fact that I'm not the one who left Lucy when she needed me the most. I was there for her when she went through her depression about you taking Serena away from her. I was the one who listened to her cry and I was the one who mended her broken heart."

"Well, aren't you special?" Scott muttered sarcastically. "Hey look on the bright side though, now Lucy can be happy because we're together again. She doesn't need to be around a pretentious stuffed shirt like you any longer now that she's got a real man by her side."

"A real man wouldn't have abandoned her like you did Scott. At least I had a reason for walking out on our wedding and even after that, I never shut her out like you did for all those years." Kevin answered in a rage.

"Why I ought to..........." Scott shouted lurching towards Kevin as he raised his fists.

"That's enough!" Ellen shouted moving in between the two of them. "I won't have this going on in the hospital."

"Ellen," Kevin began directing his attention towards Ellen. "How's Lucy?"

"She's resting." Ellen explained eyeing both men carefully.

"I need to see her." Scott insisted pushing Kevin aside as he got up in Ellen's face.

"I'm afraid that it's not possible right now." Ellen said shifting her gaze between both men. "Right now the last thing Lucy needs is to be upset."

"Please Ellen, tell me what happened. I want to see her." Kevin started needing to see Lucy.

"I'm not allowing her to have any visitors right now especially you two. As for her condition, we'll know more when the lab results come back." Ellen finished sternly. "Now if you two are going to carry on like children, then I suggest that you take it outside because this is a hospital."

"You're right Ellen." Kevin said shaking his head and glaring at Scott. "He's not worth it."

"Yeah, well I've got to get down to the courthouse anyways Mr. Shrinky-dink." Scott piped up turning to Ellen. "Will you please let me know when you hear anything about Lucy's condition?"

"Of course. I'll be sure to call the both of you." Ellen responded as she watched both men head off down the halls in opposite directions.

Chapter 3
Talking in your sleep

Lucy sat in the hospital bed realizing the only thing left to do was think about things and that was the last thing she wanted to do in her seemingly restless condition. She knew that she was going to have to start concentrating on the future soon enough, but she couldn't quite pull herself together enough to get into that frame of mind at the moment. She reached for the television remote control and turned up the volume only to catch the middle of a report about the General Homicide murders. A picture of Kevin flashed across the screen as the report continued and Lucy shut the television off.

"It's no use." she said turning over on her side as the image of Kevin stayed in her mind as she closed her eyes trying to fight the tears forming. "It wasn't supposed to be like this for us Kevin. I'm so sorry......one thing just kind of led to another and then poof. I just wish that there was something I could do to change all of this."

"Lucy," A familiar voice called out to her as she opened her eyes and saw Victor standing before her.

"Victor, what are you doing here?" Lucy questioned as he leaned down to hug her.

"I brought Serena over a couple of get well presents and while I was with her Mary came into the room and told me that you were admitted earlier today. What happened Lucy?" Victor questioned in concern as he took a seat on the chair next to her bed.

"I honestly don't know Victor." Lucy confessed shaking her head. "One minute Ellen and I were chatting away and then the next thing I remember was leaving her office to go see Serena. After that, everything was a blur until I woke up in an examining room."

"You haven't been resting well, have you?" Victor questioned noticing the dark circles under her eyes.

"Is it that obvious?" Lucy responded with a half smile.

"You know Monk hasn't been sleeping much lately either." Victor informed her with a hopeful smile. "Maybe the two of you should get together to find some way to cure that problem you both seem to be having. Perhaps I could set up dinner for the three of us sometime and you could bring Sigmund over since the place has been so empty without you both and........"

"Oh Victor, you know there's nothing more that I would like to do than sit with Kevin and talk about things, but it just doesn't look like it's going to happen anytime in the near future." Lucy replied sadly taking his hand in hers. "Thank you for trying though."

"Monk will want to talk to you once he sees how you're feeling about everything." Victor insisted not willing to give up on getting Lucy and Kevin back together for good. "We both miss you terribly."

"Victor, right now I think that Kevin and I both need time to figure things out. After what I did in Florida, I don't think that Kevin is going to want to take me back." Lucy explained thinking about all the events that had taken place during the last week.

"But Monk loves you and you love him Lucy. When two people love one another, they'll always find a way into one another's arms." Victor explained with tears in his eyes. "We all make mistakes, believe me, I've made many of them, but when it comes to matters of the heart, you can't give up on love without a second thought. I know if you and Monk try, then you can work everything out."

"Victor I........" Lucy began as they were interrupted.

"Hello, it's good to see you awake Lucy." Ellen smiled entering the room and noticing Victor. "Oh hello."

"So is everything alright?" Lucy questioned before Victor could reply to Ellen's greeting.

"The first set of tests confirmed what I was suspecting." Ellen explained with a frown as she glanced over her chart. "You're undernourished Lucy."

"What?" Lucy asked in confusion. "Are you saying that I passed out because I need a good meal? But of course that would make sense since I hadn't eaten very much when I was stuck in that awful place with Scott."

"In that case, we're taking you out for a steak dinner." Victor suggested brightly. "I know the perfect restaurant...."

"Steak? Well, I don't know about that Victor, but I could go for some good Italian food right now. Maybe some pasta with thick tomato sauce or perhaps an alfredo maybe. I just think that is should be something with lots of goodies along with it...maybe something a bit elegant or fun." Lucy continued sitting up in her bed and scanning the room.

"I have a brilliant idea." Victor insisted helping her up. "We can go to that new restaurant in town, you know the one that gives you the little bib to keep you from getting your shirt dirty. You know, the one who has those little umbrellas in their drinks."

"Oh I just love those little umbrellas." Lucy agreed with a smile as she started to stand up. "Ellen, have you seen my shoes around here?"

"Lucy, you're not going anywhere." Ellen informed her seriously.

"What do you mean I'm not going anywhere?" Lucy questioned in confusion. "You said that I'm just in need of a good meal, so I don't see what the problem is. Victor will see to it that I'm well taken care of tonight. Believe me, if anyone can find a way to make you eat it's Victor. He just makes you eat and eat and eat of course not to the point where you get fat or anything, but...."

"Lucy, I want to run a couple more tests on you and I think it would be best if you stay here overnight just to be safe. I think it would be best considering all that you've been through over the past week." Ellen continued watching Lucy's expression sink. "Trust me, it'll only be for tonight. That way I can see what I'm dealing with."

"But Ellen, I have more important things to take care of like seeing Serena and feeding Sigmund." Lucy began to protest. "Poor Sigmund must be thinking that I've abandoned him completely since I've been gone so much lately. He's going to be so upset because his mommy and daddy have paid him so little attention. I just know being alone in that hotel room is killing him and the last thing I want is a dead duck. I must go see Sigmund."

"I'm sure you're duck will be fine." Ellen insisted moving towards her. "Now why don't you just lay back and try to relax for a while?"

"Ellen," Lucy started as Ellen reached in her pocket for a needle. "What's that for?"

"I'm giving you something to help you sleep better because God knows you won't do it on your own right now." Ellen explained injecting the IV as she spoke. "I'm going to see to it that you have your long overdue rest."

"But........." Lucy started with a yawn as she leaned back into her pillow.

"See it's working already." Ellen smiled pleased to see that Lucy wasn't fighting the sleep. "I'll come back and check on you in a little while, okay?"

"Alright," Lucy yawned as Ellen left the room and she turned to Victor. "What am I going to do now?"

"Don't worry Lucy." Victor insisted helpfully as he squeezed her hand. "I'll go over to the hotel and bring Sigmund back to the Lighthouse for tonight. That way you know he's well taken care of."

"Victor, that's so sweet." Lucy whispered as her heavy eyelids began to droop shut. "You've always been so good to me and I just wanted to say.........I just wanted to say............boy this stuff really works, doesn't it?"

"I'll bring you back some dinner later since I know how horrible this hospital food is." Victor explained watching her fight to keep her eyes open.

"Thank you Victor." Lucy sighed looking up at him in her sleepy state. "Thank you for always being here for me."

"You're like a daughter to me Lucy and I'll always be here for you." Victor reminded her as she slipped into her slumber.

Kevin sat in his office looking over some patient files and trying to move on with his work for the day. It was his first day back after being reinstated to the hospital again by the board. He had been so busy lately with the General Homicide murders, that he was rather surprised that the board and given him his position back at the hospital with so little warning. He decided that he was eager to push his problems aside and focus on his work now, but all he could think about was Lucy.

With a sigh Kevin set down the folder he was holding and his eyes drifted to the couch sitting across the room. He closed his eyes and thought back to the many hours he and Lucy had spent together in his office. Images of Lucy began to flood his mind as he thought back to the times she had tried to seduce him into making love to her in his office, but he had refused because of the issues he had been dealing with at the time.

"Make love to me Kevin." Lucy's voice rang out through his head.

"What I wouldn't give to go back to that moment in time." Kevin whispered opening his eyes half expecting to see Lucy on the couch waiting for him as he noticed nothing but emptiness on the couch. "Back then we had to work through Damian and my memories of Grace, yet it seems like nothing compared to what we're going through now."

"You've got to quit living in the past Kevin. That's what's making this so hard for you." Kevin reminded himself as he tried to focus his attention on the pile of work waiting for him. He decided that he couldn't stay in that office any longer so he set his folder aside and stepped out into the hallway heading towards Lucy's hospital room.

When he reached Lucy's room, Kevin glanced through the window and found her sleeping in the bed. Without a second thought, he stepped into the room and moved over towards her bed noticing her pale face and tousled hair. He stood over her sleeping figure and watched her eyelids fluttering as it was apparent to him that she was dreaming.

"I wonder what's going through your head right now Lucy." Kevin whispered stroking her soft hair as she slept. He felt his heart pounding in his chest as he reached for her hand and captured it in his own the feel of her soft skin brought back feelings that Kevin had been trying to bury for quite some time.

Overcome by emotion, Kevin took a seat next to Lucy and silently admired her as she rested in her bed. He had to fight back the urge to take her in his arms as he listened to her breathing softly as she remained tucked under her blankets. He gazed over her admiringly as he realized how much he hated to see her looking so helpless. He wished that there could've been some way that he could help her to regain her strength as she looked exhausted before him.

"Oh Lucy, how did we get to this point?" Kevin questioned touching the side of her face as he spoke to her. "If only I could've listened to you on our wedding day and heard you out before I stormed off like that. You know we'd be married now and starting a family of our own instead of all being torn apart like this."

Kevin paused half expecting Lucy to respond as she remained motionless before him. He watched her eyelids fluttering as she quietly snored.

"Oh who am I kidding?" Kevin questioned in frustration pulling away from Lucy and standing up. "Scott Baldwin would've come between us eventually because he was such a big part of your past. It's just that I know if I could've showed you how much I cared then maybe you wouldn't have had to turn to Scott. Maybe we could've worked through the unresolved issues between the two of you and then we could've moved forward with our future."

Kevin began to pace the room feeling his palms sweating as a lump formed in his throat. He glanced over at Lucy as his eyes glazed over with sadness.

"Oh Lucy, I keep telling myself to cut my losses and move on, but every time I try I realize that life without you is the worst possible life for me. I'm afraid that I'll never be able to move on, but what scares me more is the thought of moving on with my life. I need you Lucy like I need to breath. Without you it's like I'm drowning in murky waters and I can't seem to pull myself to the surface no matter how hard I try." Kevin began turning away from her as he struggled to keep himself together as his palms quivered with each word he spoke. "Lucy, I need you like I've never needed anyone in my life before. You're love has pulled me through so many dark shadows I found myself in and I can see myself regressing without you by my side. There's just an emptiness in my heart that I can't live with any longer. Lucy, I love you and I need you in my life."

"Please don't leave me." Lucy whispered catching Kevin off guard as he turned to find her talking in her sleep. "Please, please don't leave me alone again."

"I'm right here." Kevin replied rushing over to her side as he reached for her hand and took it in his. "I'm here now Lucy."

"I'm so scared." she whimpered jerking her head a bit. "I can't do this alone."

"Lucy, you're not alone." Kevin whispered wondering if he should try to awaken her from her dream.

"Everything is just closing in around me. Please...........please I need you." Lucy cried out as her eyelids began to flutter wildly.

"Lucy, wake up." Kevin insisted nudging her as she began to breath harder. "Lucy!"

"Oh God!" she cried out opening her eyelids as Kevin pulled her into his arms tightly.

Lucy began to sob holding onto him as Kevin whispered comforting words into her ear unsure of what had caused this sudden outburst within her. He closed his eyes getting lost in the feel of holding her in his arms when she suddenly spoke the words that struck like a dagger into his heart.

"Oh Scott, I'm scared. Don't leave me again. I need you." she sighed leaning back into her bed still asleep as Kevin released her in shock as his heart broke in two as he realized she was dreaming of Scott.

Chapter 4
Enter Luke

Lucy Coe woke up to the sunlight flooding in her hospital room and the sounds of laughter ringing in her ears. As her eyes focused upon her surroundings, she noticed Serena and Scott sitting in the corner of her room with a box of crayons and a coloring book on the table before them as Scott tickled Serena.

"Stop it daddy! You're going to wake up Lucy if you keep tickling me." Serena warned him as he tickled her side. "Daddy, we have to be quieter."

"Too late for that." Lucy smiled watching Serena's face light up as she turned around to look at Lucy.

"Lucy!" Serena cried out hopping down off of Scott's lap and rushing into Lucy's arms. "You're finally awake! I've been dying to talk to you."

"Oh Serena," Lucy smiled exchanging glances with Scott as she held her tighter. "I've missed you so much. It feels like you've grown up so much since the last time I've seen you."

"You only saw me yesterday." Serena giggled looking up at Lucy with bright eyes. "Of course now it's my turn to look at you."

"Oh my gosh that's right." Lucy gasped as Serena smiled brightly. "Your cornea transplant."

"It went off perfectly." Scott explained as Lucy touched the side of Serena's face. "My perfect little angel."

"I owe it all to you and daddy. If you hadn't come back home when you did, then I don't know if I would be able to see again." Serena explained innocently. "I owe it all to God and mommy for bringing you both back to me."

"Serena, there is no other place in this world that your daddy and I would rather be than with you honey." Lucy insisted brushing her fingers through Serena's soft white blonde hair. "In fact, your daddy and I were determined that no matter what, we would make it back to you in time."

"I just knew that you two wouldn't let me down." Serena cheered hugging Lucy again before smiling brightly as she took Lucy's hand in hers. "Of course, I need to thank Kevin too for going to look for you both. He really loves you Lucy."

"Yes I know." Lucy replied quietly as she gazed up at Scott who was staring at her uneasily as Serena continued to talk.

"Now that I can see again, then maybe you and Kevin will have the wedding that you didn't have before." Serena suggested brightly as her face lit up with joy. "This time I'll be able to see everything and I just know it'll be great. Please say you'll marry him now. Please Lucy."

"Serena, you know I think I see Grandma out in the hall." Scott spoke up sensing the tension in Lucy's face as he picked his daughter up into his arms. "Why don't we go say hello to her for a few minutes and let Lucy rest?"

"But dad, there is so much that Lucy and I have to catch up on." Serena insisted looking down at Lucy. "Isn't that right?"

"Of course it is," Lucy responded with tears in her eyes as she reached for Serena's tiny hand, "but why don't you say hello to your grandma since I know how happy she'll be to see you. We can talk later on over some frozen yogurt or something, okay?"

"Yogurt? With sprinkles on top?" Serena questioned wide eyed.

"Of course Serena. With lots of sprinkles and a cherry on top." Lucy added as Scott carried Serena out into the hall.

Kevin walked out into the kitchen in his blue robe ready to read the morning paper and fix himself a cappuccino when he heard the familiar sounds of quacking in the distance. At first he thought it was his mind playing tricks on him, but the more he strained to listen to the sounds above his cappuccino maker, the more vivid they became. He moved in towards the living room and his eyes grew widened as he was greeted with the sight of Sigmund sitting on top of the coffee table munching on some fresh fruit that had been placed out before him.

"I don't believe this." Kevin muttered moving alongside of Sigmund as the duck began quacking away. "How did you get here?"

Sigmund waddled over towards Kevin and quacked as he looked up at him. Kevin gazed around the room searching for signs of Lucy as he took an excited Sigmund into his arms.

"Lucy?" Kevin questioned in confusion as he moved around the living room expecting her to come out at any minute. Suddenly he thought of checking Lucy's old exercise room to see if she had returned to the lighthouse. "Lucy, where are you?"

Kevin set Sigmund back down on the coffee table and began searching the rooms expecting to find Lucy there waiting to talk with him about everything that had happened. He paused for a moment and remembered the last time he had seen her in the hospital and she had called out Scott's name. He had felt so hurt that even in her dreams she was reaching out to Scott and not him, but he had to try to remind himself that Sigmund was here at the lighthouse and not at Scott's place, so that had to mean something.

"Oh Monk, good morning." Victor smiled as Kevin walked back into the room giving up on his search.

"Victor, was Lucy here earlier?" Kevin questioned watching Victor feed Sigmund.

"No, as far as I know, she's still in the hospital Monk." Victor replied looking up at his son's confused face.

"How did Sigmund get here then?" Kevin questioned listening to the duck quacking.

"I brought him over late last night." Victor explained feeding Sigmund the rest of his half eaten piece of toast. "Lucy was worried that he might be lonely in her hotel suite, so I offered to take care of him for her."

"Oh, I see." Kevin replied in disappointment as he grabbed his newspaper and slumped down in the chair next to the couch.

"You know Monk," Victor began interrupting Kevin from reading, "you might feel better if you go on over to the hospital and talk to her."

"There's nothing left to say Victor." Kevin insisted looking at his father. "She and I are finished."

"How can you say that? Especially in front of Sigmund." Victor gasped pulling the duck into his arms. "You'll break his poor heart if he hears that kind of talk out of you."

"Now you're starting to sound like Lucy." Kevin muttered rolling his eyes and tossing the newspaper aside.

"Maybe then you'll pay attention to what I have to say." Victor insisted quickly. "Monk, you know how much you love her and how much she loves you. You two need each other and I just know if you go to the hospital and see her, then you'll realize how much you two need to be together now."

"Victor, I did go see her already." Kevin responded in irritation. "In case you forgot, I start back up at work this week. I went over to the hospital to get things organized and I saw her for a little while."

"And what happened?" Victor asked curiously. "Did you give her a chance to talk about things with you?"

"She was sleeping Victor and then she had a dream about Scott." Kevin snapped standing up and walking towards the kitchen.

"Scott? Are you sure?" Victor asked in confusion.

"I'm positive Victor." Kevin replied shaking his head. "She called out his name and said how much she needed him."

"Did you ask her about it?" Victor questioned curiously.

"Oh right, like I was going to stick around for her to wake up and say, "Gee Lucy, I need to know what exactly was running through your head a few minutes ago when you called out to Scott." I don't think that I could've stuck around to take another blow to my ego like that."

"Monk, you never know what she was dreaming about..........." Victor started trying to calm Kevin down.

"I don't want to either." Kevin snapped walking down the hall and slamming the door behind him as he reached his room. A few minutes later Kevin returned to the living room now dressed as he reached for his coat.

"Monk where are you going?" Victor questioned concerned by his son's behavior.

"I need time to think." Kevin replied walking out the front door and slamming it so hard that a picture fell off of the wall behind him.

"This doesn't look good Sigmund." Victor said looking at the duck still sitting on the table top. "It doesn't look good at all."

Scott returned alone to see Lucy after talking to Gail for a few minutes about Serena's condition. As he entered the room, he stood next to her bed as the two of them locked gazes without saying a word. Finally Scott broke their silence and spoke up.

"I'm sorry about that back there with Serena." Scott said uneasily taking a seat next to Lucy's bed. "I just couldn't tell her that we........"

"Oh, I understand." Lucy began shaking her head. "Right now I think Serena is the last person who should know that we.........well you know."

"Right........right. I agree with you completely." Scott insisted clearing his throat as he gazed over Lucy. "So how are you feeling? How's the bump on your head?"

"I'm a bit tired, but I guess that's to be expected after the fall I took." Lucy sighed forcing a nervous smile. "You know I had the strangest dream."

"Why doesn't that surprise me?" Scott chuckled leaning in closer to her bed as he listened to her.

"It was so awful Scott. We were all together, you know Kevin, you, me, and we were trapped in a cave like the one you and I were stuck inside of in Florida and we were searching to find our way out, but I ended up taking a wrong turn and I was alone. No matter how hard I tried to find you all, I just kept getting even further back into the cave." Lucy explained remembering her dream.

"Then what happened?" Scott questioned touching her soft hair.

"Just when I was about to give up completely, you found me." Lucy explained locking gazes with him.

"Maybe that was a sign Lucy." Scott suggested with a goofy grin. "I was the one that found you so maybe that means that you and I......."

"You know, Ellen says that this is all due to a lack of nourishment or something, which isn't surprising considering that all we had in the jungle was that can of whatever it was." Lucy interrupted looking away as she changed the subject.

"Yeah, but at least it was food." Scott reminded her as he leaned in closer to her bed.

"Hey, it was my first time cooking in a while. Come to think of it, that was one of the only times I've cooked, except for Doc of course when I went out of my way to make him this horrible breakfast which he ate up only because he didn't want to hurt my feelings." Lucy laughed thinking back as she looked into Scott's eyes. "I'm just glad that I didn't kill you with my cooking."

"I wasn't too worried about it Lucy." Scott whispered moving towards her as he swept her soft hair out of her face with his fingers. "In fact, when you set your mind on something, you usually do it quite well."

"Well, I've learned from the best of them....." Lucy began as she realized Scott's face was only inches away from hers. "Scott I think that we should talk about......."

"Lucy," he whispered leaning in ready to kiss her as the door opened.

"Excuse me," Ellen spoke up realizing what she had just interrupted.

"Ellen, how are you this morning?" Lucy gasped in shock as Scott moved away from her.

"Good, and you?" Ellen questioned eyeing Scott closely as he gazed out the window to avoid eye contact with her.

"I've been better." Lucy admitted with a half smile. "Please tell me you have good news for me."

"Well, I haven't gotten all your lab results back yet, but it looks like you're going to be able to leave this morning." Ellen explained to her. "I want you to try to take it easy though."

"Oh I will." Lucy responded brightly looking up at Scott. "I can go home."

"That's wonderful Lucy." Scott replied giving her a quick hug as he glanced over at Ellen. "How soon can we get her out of this joint?"

"Well, I've already started working on your release papers, so as soon as Lucy gets dressed, then we can work on getting her out of here." Ellen responded brightly as she clenched her clipboard. "I'll go finish up the paperwork and I'll see you in a few minutes then Lucy."

"Okay," Lucy smiled turning to Scott once again. "I can go home Scott."

"That's the best news I've heard in the last couple hours." Scott insisted watching Lucy's face cloud over. "What is it Lucy?"

"I don't have anyone to go home to." Lucy sighed sadly as she realized that her home was still the hotel suite.

"Of course you do Lucy. Sigmund will love to see you again and you can tell him all about our adventure. I'm sure he'd love to hear about hijackers and alligators and hopefully the suspense won't ruffle his tail feathers too much." Scott teased giving her a nudge noticing that her mood wasn't lightening up.

"I had Victor take Sigmund to the Lighthouse for the night." Lucy explained with tears in her eyes. "I'm back here in Port Charles and I'm alone again Scott."

"Lucy, I won't ever let you be alone. Do you hear me?" Scott questioned touching the side of her face and forcing her to look into his eyes. "You're not going to be alone any longer."

Kevin entered the restaurant and headed to the bar ready to rid himself of his sorrows the best way he could think possible. As the bartender approached him, he ordered a drink. Now with three empty glasses sitting before him, his depression had begun to get the best of him as his thoughts revolved around Lucy.

"Hey Doctor, funny seeing you here." Luke called out entering the room to find Kevin sitting at the barstool so early in the morning.

"Oh hi Luke." Kevin muttered as his next drink arrived.

"A little early in the morning to be getting hammered, don't you think?" Luke questioned taking a seat on the barstool next to Kevin.

"Listen Luke, I'm not in the mood to get a lecture about when is the right time to consume alcohol today especially from you." Kevin replied sourly as he downed his latest drink. "Besides, it's only seltzer water with a twist of lime."

"Ah, the hard stuff I see." Luke laughed taking a seat next to Kevin. "I see you're roughing it this morning Doctor Collins."

"You know Luke, I'm not really in a mood for small talk this morning so if you're looking for someone to shoot the breeze with figuratively, then perhaps you'd better find a more willing participant." Kevin informed him quickly as he turned his attention back to the empty glasses sitting before him.

"Actually Doc, you're the most interesting subject in this joint at the moment." Luke informed him with a smile. "Want to talk about it?"

"No!" Kevin answered point blank as he began stacking his empty glasses on the counter.

"Somehow I get the feeling this has something to do with that vixen of an ex-fiancee that you had. Am I right?" Luke questioned realizing that he wasn't getting any type of response from Kevin. "What's Lucy done this time? Has she thrown herself into some type of dangerous adventure against your better judgement? You know, I was under the impression that the two of you were going to try to patch things up with one another after the wedding fiasco that took place a while ago. I'm sure whatever she did, it has to be a good one if you're so upset. Has she gotten involved in another dangerous scheme that makes your blood boil? Come on I'm dying to hear this one."

"What hasn't Lucy done in this lifetime Luke?" Kevin questioned with a laugh. "Lucy is the most free spirited, danger loving woman I know. Her spontaneity has always kept my mind reeling for so long."

"Well, the doll definitely has spunk." Luke agreed with a laugh. "At times it made me wonder what someone as straight forward as yourself saw in someone as wild at heart as Lucy, but over time I've come to see how you two really have a knack of complementing one another in a strange sort of way that only you two are capable of doing."

"Yeah, well maybe your initial intuitions about Lucy and I were right on." Kevin insisted looking at Luke. "Perhaps Lucy and I were merely tempting fate when we tried to make our relationship work."

"Ah come on, what's life without a few ups and downs on a bumpy road?" Luke asked with a laugh. "Besides, Lucy Coe is definitely one woman who could make the rides much more enjoyable."

"And confusing." Kevin added with a frown.

"Oh come on, you have to admit that part of the reason you love her so much is because of her spunk. No other woman has what Lucy Coe does and you'd hate it if she ever changed." Luke insisted with a laugh as he watched Kevin closely. "In fact, I'd go as far as saying that her style so to speak is what keeps you going back for more."

"Yeah, I guess you're right Luke." Kevin agreed thinking about the many times he had argued with Lucy about the way she was, but how he realized that no matter what happened, he hadn't ever wanted her to stop being who she was.

"I know I'm right." Luke insisted ordering a round of drinks for the two of them.

"What can I get for you?" the bartender asked.

"Two vodkas straight up." Luke replied eyeing Kevin closely. "Better make those doubles."

"Luke, that's not necessary." Kevin insisted shaking his head in refusal as the bartender brought over their drinks.

"Of course it's necessary. So what's Lucy done this time?" Luke questioned again eager to hear what the latest news was.

"I don't even know where to begin Luke, but the worst part about all of this is that it's all my fault." Kevin began as Victor rushed into the restaurant.

"Monk, I've been looking for you everywhere." Victor insisted with a worried expression on his face. "I was hoping that you wouldn't be here like this."

"Oh Victor, what's wrong with drowning your sorrows in a couple of drinks?" Kevin questioned holding his glass in the air as he took his first sip. "Besides, Luke and I were just chatting away about the good old days, weren't we?"

"Something like that." Luke responded hearing familiar laughter as he looked up to see Lucy, Scott, and Serena walk into the restaurant together. "What the hell is she doing with him?"

"Enjoying herself I suppose." Kevin replied feeling his heart sink as he noticed the look of happiness on Lucy's face as she swatted at Scott playfully.

"Monk, maybe you should go talk to her." Victor suggested giving him a nudge.

"I can't Victor." Kevin replied still gazing at Lucy as their eyes locked. She stared at him intently for a brief second before turning her attention back to Scott.

"Well if you won't then I will." Luke announced getting up off of the barstool and turning back to face Kevin before he headed towards Lucy. "We'll have to do this again sometime Doc."

"What's he doing?" Victor asked curiously watching Luke's every move.

"Hey doll face," Luke called out approaching Lucy with a smile on his face.

"Luke, how are you?" Lucy questioned throwing her arms out around him as Scott remained silent.

"Oh you know, I'm surviving." Luke replied with a glimmer in his eye. "So what are you doing scrapping the bottom of the barrel Lucy?"

"Excuse me?" she questioned in confusion as Luke nodded in Scott's direction. "Oh, well, you see I just got out of the hospital and I'm......we're having lunch."

"Well, don't let me stop you from doing so." Luke replied giving her another hug as he glared at Scott for a brief second before turning his attention back to Lucy. "Listen, give me a call sometime and we'll catch up on the good old days, alright?"

"Alright," she smiled as Luke took off across the restaurant towards the back exit.

"What did he want?" Scott asked as Lucy rejoined him and Serena.

"Just to chat." Lucy shrugged directing her attention to Serena. "What do you say we find a table and eat?"

Kevin watched as Lucy, Scott, and Serena waiting for a table together. Kevin tried to divert his attention from the group, but he couldn't keep his eyes off of Lucy even though the pain of seeing her with Scott was unbearable. After a few minutes, Serena looked up and noticed Kevin and she instantly rushed over to him with a smile on her face.

"Kevin, I'm so glad to see you." Serena cried out extending her arms to give him a hug.

"I'm so glad to see you too." Kevin replied giving her a hug as he looked her over. "It's so good to see you walking around like this."

"I owe it all to daddy and Lucy coming back." Serena explained happily as she looked up at him with innocent eyes. "If they hadn't returned to be with me, then I might not have been able to see again."

"It's truly a miracle that you can see again. I just knew that your surgery would work out for you Serena." Kevin insisted with a smile as he cast his gaze up to find Lucy staring down at him.

"Hello Kevin," Lucy said in a low tone as she looked into his brown eyes.

"Lucy," Kevin replied standing up to come face to face with her.

"Our table's ready Luce." Scott interrupted noticing that Kevin was there. "Oh um, hi."

"Daddy, would you look Kevin and Victor are here. Can they join us for lunch please?" Serena asked looking up at her father and holding her hands together in a mock prayer as she looked back at Kevin. "Please say you'll join us for lunch."

"Oh Serena, that sounds wonderful, doesn't it Monk?" Victor replied with a smile as he turned to Kevin who was still engaged in a stare with Lucy.

"Please join us Kevin." Lucy insisted with a smile as she looked deep into his sad eyes sensing the pain he was going through.

"It's a sweet offer Serena," Kevin began shifting his gaze away from Lucy and looking down at the small girl as he spoke, "but I have to get over to the hospital and see a couple of patients today."

"You're working at the hospital again?" Lucy questioned curiously after Kevin's last remark.

"Yeah, the board reinstated me last weekend and I'm starting back up again little by little." Kevin explained gazing over at Lucy once again.

"Doc that's fantastic." Lucy started excitedly as she began to lean forward to hug him, but stopped herself mid-movement realizing that he probably wouldn't want her to touch him after all that had happened. She placed her hand out to his shoulder and with a sigh said, "I knew that you'd be back there soon enough. They couldn't have a better doctor working on staff there."

"Thanks Lucy." Kevin replied wanting to take her into his arms and celebrate as he noticed Scott lingering around the side of Lucy. "That means a lot to me."

"So you really can't stay?" Serena questioned sadly.

"No, I'm sorry Serena, but I promise you that sometime very soon you and I will learn how to play our song flutes. Okay?" Kevin answered lowering himself to talk to her once again.

"Okay, it's a deal." Serena replied happily giving him a hug goodbye.

"Well, then I'll see you all later. Victor, Scott........" Kevin paused looking at Lucy and feeling his heart race as he spoke. "....Lucy."

"Goodbye Kevin." she replied watching him leave as she turned to Victor. "Please say you'll join us."

"Actually, I'd better attend to a few things." Victor explained with a smile. "I just remembered there are a few repairs around the Lighthouse that need to be made this afternoon. Oh by the way Lucy, you can pick up Sigmund whenever you're ready."

"I'll stop by later tonight or in the morning." Lucy replied giving Victor a hug. "Thank you for everything."

"It's no problem at all." Victor responded noticing how agitated Scott looked. "Now go eat up. Remember it's doctor's orders."

"Okay, see you later Victor." Lucy smiled as Scott lead her towards the table.

Victor watched as Lucy, Scott, and Serena sat down to enjoy their meals. He paid his tab for the drink he had ordered and then walked outside to use the nearest pay phone.

"Luke Spencer please." Victor spoke into the phone as this thoughts came together in his head. "Hello Luke, this is Victor Collins, and I need to see you right away."