Chapter 1- 
Karen looked in the rear-view mirror, checking her make-up and hair one last time before she got out of the car. She wanted to make sure she looked perfect before surprising Frank with popcorn and a movie. When there was no answer at the door, she turned the knob and found it unlocked. 
“Frank? Are you here?” She called out, with no answer. 
She saw a suitcase in the living room and a puzzled look crossed her face. She walked through to the kitchen and noticed the light on out back. Figuring that Frank was out shooting hoops, she set the bag down on the table and headed outside. She was met by the horrible sight of Frank pressing Courtney against the garage door with their lips locked together. Her jaw hit the floor and tears brewed in her eyes. She quickly recovered from the shock and was overcome with anger. She picked up the basketball that was near her foot and hurled it at the garage door, just missing Courtney’s head. The two of them ducked and Frank spun around. 
“Hi Karen, long time no see,” Courtney said slyly. 
“You little…” Karen started, charging at Courtney. 
“Karen!” Frank jumped in front of them, “What are you…I mean, this isn’t what you…” 
“Just how stupid do you think I am, Frank? I don’t want to hear your excuses, we’re over!” She yelled, taking off his ring and throwing it at him before walking away. 
She jumped in her car and sped away, stopping when she ended up in the parking lot of the Port Charles Grille. Not knowing exactly what brought her there, she stepped inside and looked around. Seeing and empty barstool, she hopped up on it and was surprised to see who was sitting next to her when he turned in her direction. 
“Well, well, fancy meeting you here Dr. Wexler,” Chris said, sipping his martini. 
Karen just shot him a look and turned away, hoping he didn’t notice her puffy, bloodshot eyes. 
“I’ll have what he’s having,” She told the bartender. 
“You have excellent taste.” 
“Obviously not when I always seem to chose the men that end up being lying, cheating bastards!” She cursed, throwing back her martini. 
“We’re talking about Frank Scanlon here, I’m not surprised.” 
“I guess I shouldn’t be, either. I am such an idiot for thinking that he had changed! Why do I always have to be so forgiving?” 
“Because you’re one of the few people in this world who was actually born with a good heart. It’s just too bad that those jerks try and take advantage of it.” 
“Yeah, and I end up being the loser,” She stated, too annoyed to even notice his compliment, “He always ends up finding another woman and I end up alone.” 
With that, she angrily threw her glass to the floor and it shattered. Realizing what she had just did, she jumped off the stool and started picking up the pieces. A piece of glass ate into her palm. 
“Damn it!” She cursed, instantly grabbing her hand as blood covered it. 
Chris jumped down next to her and yelled for the bartender to get him some towels. 
“Are you okay?” He asked, inspecting the laceration as the bartender handed him the towels and he wrapped one around her hand, applying pressure. 
“I’m…fine,” She lied, wincing in pain, “Even though I’m going to have to buy the Quartermaines a new set of glasses.” 
“Eh, they’ll get over it. You’re going to need some stitches, this is pretty deep.” 
“I’ll take care of it,” She said, standing up.” 
“No, you’re going to let me take you to GH.” 
“Chris, I’m fine, I can handle this.” 
“Karen, you’re as white as a ghost. Let me take you to the hospital before you pass out,” He insisted. 
Karen glared at him for a minute before realizing just how much it was bothering her to see her own blood. 
“Fine, I’ll go with you,” She gave in. 
Alan looked up from the computer in time to see the ER door open and Chris walking Karen in, holding a towel to her hand, blood staining the two of them, and Karen trying not to look at it. 
“What did you do to her, Dr. Ramsey?” He asked, leading them to an empty room. 
“He didn’t do anything. I dropped a glass and cut myself picking it up.” She told him while he unwrapped the towel. 
“Oh, you’re definitely going to need stitches for this one. I’d say about 7 or so.” 
“I can do it, you can go ahead back to work, Dr. Quartermaine,” Chris offered. 
“No, it’s fine, I’ll take care of it.” 
“I don’t care who does it, but can we just get it done? I’m in a lot of pain over here!” Karen shot out. 
The two men just glared at each other and Karen spoke again. 
“Thanks Alan, but Chris can stitch me up.” 
“If you insist,” He shrugged, touching her hand before he left. 

Chapter 2- 
Chris finished the last stitch and taped the gauze pad onto her palm. 
“There you go, Doctor, good as new.” 
“Can you stitch up my broken heart, too?” Karen asked weakly. 
“Karen, you shouldn’t let Frank get to you. He’s not worth it.” 
“But I love him, Chris…or at least I think I do. I can’t just erase those feelings. I realize that I should have seen that he never got over Courtney, but I guess I just didn’t want to believe it.” 
“You’re not to blame here, Karen,” He said, trying to get through to her, “He’s the one that betrayed you.” 
“Don’t you understand? I’m the one that was stupid enough to let it happen! I was naïve enough to believe that Frank was over Courtney.” 
“You’re not the stupid one. Frank is for letting such a wonderful woman get away.” 
“I’m far from wonderful, Chris. If I was so great, Jagger wouldn’t have cheated on me and Joe wouldn’t have left. Now, we can add Frank to that list!” Karen argued, so angry she was beginning to shake, “I gave up Jason Quartermaine, a man that would have done anything for me, for a man who ended up cheating on me…how does that make me so wonderful?” 
“All right then, Karen, if you want to have this little pity party, then have it! I’m obviously not going to win this one,” Chris said, getting annoyed as he removed his rubber gloves. 
“Fine, go! I don’t need you…I don’t need anyone!” Karen raised her voice angrily. 
“You’re obviously right. Why don’t you go ahead and go down to Jake’s and drown your sorrows,” Chris sarcastically suggested. 
“Gee, thanks for the suggestion, Chris! I think I just might!” She yelled, jumping off the stool and grabbing her purse. 
She started for the door, but was frozen in place. Sobs overtook her body and she burst into tears. Chris shook his head, feeling horrible about the things he had just said to her. He walked up behind her and turned her around to face him. She looked up at him, her face drenched with tears and fell into his waiting arms. He held her tightly and just let her cry it out. 
“Everything’s going to be all right, Karen,” He said softly, smoothing her hair. 
“Will it really, Chris? Frank’s got Courtney now and I have nothing!” 
“You can’t just let him get away with this. He hurt you and he has to realize that there are consequences,” He told her, pausing as he thought about getting Frank back for what he did to Karen, “But enough about that for tonight. Why don’t I take you home?” 
“I don’t know if that’s such a good idea.” 
“Karen, I’m just offering to drive you home, that’s all.” 
Alan walked in the room before she could answer. He saw her tear-stained face and began to worry. 
“Did something happen here that I should know about?” He asked, glaring at Chris. 
“No, Alan, it’s fine. I guess I just couldn’t handle the pain,” She lied, holding up her bandaged hand, “I’m ready to go now, Chris. Can you please take me home?” 
Chris looked over at Alan and smirked, glad Karen took him up on the offer, and then answered her. 
“Of course I can. Right this way…” He said, taking her by her good hand and leading her out to his car. 
He walked her to her door, watching as she fumbled through her purse looking for her keys. 
‘Damn, where are they?” She cursed, her hands still shaking. 
“Let me find them,” Chris offered, putting out his hand. 
Not having the strength to argue, she gave him the purse and he quickly found the keys and opened the door. Karen turned on the lights and looked around the lonely apartment. She saw a picture of her and Frank by the phone and picked it up. She closed her eyes and let out sigh before throwing the frame to the ground where it shattered into pieces. She stood over the mess and glared down at it, starting to cry again. Chris had to fight the urge to take her in his arms again. Instead, he cracked a joke. 
“You’ve got this thing about breaking things, don’t you?” 
“You mean like my heart?” She replied, not bothering to look at him, and then finally she managed a laugh and wiped away the tears, “Frank broke it into a million pieces…just like his brother…” 
“Yeah, well those Scanlons aren’t worth the tears, Karen,” He started, thinking of his own feelings towards the brothers, “You can’t let Frank think that he ruined you. I know right now it feels like your life is a mess, but it won’t be if you don’t let it be.” 
“And just how am I supposed to do that?” She asked helplessly. 
“By remembering just what he did to you! Did you forget that he plotted to break up you and Joe so that he could have you all to himself? Or that he watched you through a telescope?” Chris reminded her angrily. 
“That was because of DL-56, which you gave him! And besides, it’s not like I haven’t made any mistakes…” Karen remembered sadly. 
“But Karen, you’ve always remained a good person. Now, I’ll admit it, Scanlon wasn’t a bad guy before the fall, and the DL-56 did change him, but you have to keep telling yourself that this isn’t the same Frank you grew up with!” 
“He had a thing for Courtney even before the DL-56. I don’t think he’s ever really gotten over her, even after she moved to Greece and got married,” Karen admitted to herself, shaking her head, “I mean, she was his brother’s girlfriend! There had to have really been something there for him to go behind Joe’s back and sleep with her.” 
“Which is why he had no problem going behind your back to be with her.” 
“Do you think he enjoyed cheating on me? Do you think it turned him on to know that I was completely oblivious to how much he loved Courtney?” She asked tearfully. 
“I’m sorry, Karen, but I wouldn’t put it past him.” 
“Gee, I sure have a talent for attracting jerks!” 
She picked up the vase on her table and threw it to the floor. 
“There you go again, breaking things! Does it really make you feel better?” 
Karen stared at him for a moment before remembering there was a picture of her and Frank on top of the TV. She hurled it against the wall and watched it shatter. 
“Yes, actually, it does!” 
Chris attempted to stifle a laugh, but burst out anyways. Karen tried to look sad, but followed in his laughter. 
“I didn’t realize you had such a violent streak in you, Wexler. I kinda like it,” He smiled slyly. 
“Well, there’s a lot you don’t know about me…that most people don’t know about me…but that’s going to change! I’m tired of always being so perfect and forgiving!” Karen decided 
She had let so many men, so many people, just walk all over her and she vowed that it wasn’t going to happen again. 
“That’s the spirit! I knew you’d come around.” 
“Thank you for being there for me tonight, Chris. You helped me see that I was wasting time feeling sorry for myself. Well, tomorrow, Frank’s going to meet the new Karen Wexler!” 
“Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned!” Chris smirked. 
“Damn straight!” She agreed, falling back onto the couch, “He’s not going to get away with what he did to me…I refuse to let him see how much he hurt me. I won’t give him the satisfaction,” She said, repeating what Chris had said earlier. 
“”That’s my girl!” He smiled, playfully punching her on the arm, “Well, I should get home and let you sleep. You going to be okay?” 
“Thanks to you. I really appreciate everything…” 
“Don’t mention it, it was my pleasure. Take care of that hand,” He said, leaving. 
Karen yawned and spread out across the couch. She was too tired to even bother to make sense of all that happened that night. Instead, she just closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep. 

Frank and Courtney were making breakfast in the kitchen at the Scanlon house when the doorbell rang. 
“I’ll get it,” He said, kissing her before he went to the front door. 
He opened it to find a cheery, smiling Karen on the other side. 
“Karen! I was hoping you’d come by so I could explain…” 
“Don’t waste your breath, Frank, I don’t want to hear it!” 
“But I just wanted to…” He was interrupted by her raising up her hand. 
“Look, Frank, you clearly never really loved me. You only thought you did so you could try to get over Courtney. I finally see that now and I’m glad you found your way back to each other so that we can stop living the lie that we were creating!” 
Frank was taken aback by how strangely calm she was being. He couldn’t figure out why she was acting so nonchalantly. 
“Courtney means nothing to me,” Frank protested. 
“Oh save it, Frank! I’m not as stupid as you seem to think I am.” 
“Karen…” 
“Just tell me the truth, Frank. Be honest for a change!” 
“All right, you want to hear the truth? I never stopped loving Courtney! I tried, I really did, but I just couldn’t do it! But you have to believe that I really did care about you, Karen.” 
“You know what? We wouldn’t have lasted long, anyway. I could only take your clinginess for so long.” 
“I was not clingy!” Frank stammered, shocked by her sudden backbone. 
“It’s okay, Frank, you’ve moved on and so have I,” She lied, unable to believe what she was about to say. 
“What are you talking about?” 
“I’ve managed to find the perfect man. He doesn’t judge me, or take me for granted, or follow me around like a puppy dog!” She shot at him. 
“What? Who?” Frank demanded, feeling jealous all of a sudden. 
“Chris,” She smirked before spinning on her heels and walking out the door, leaving Frank dumbfounded. 

Courtney entered the living room, seeing Frank standing by the door with his jaw practically hitting the floor. 
“Who was at the door, Frank?” 
“Uh…Karen…” He managed to stutter. 
“Karen? Did you tell her about us?” Courtney smirked. 
“I couldn’t…she wouldn’t let me get a word in. She seemed to know everything. What did you tell her?” 
“As much as I would have loved to be the one to tell Karen that there was no way you could ever get over me, I didn’t!” 
“I guess it didn’t help that she saw us in the backyard…” 
“Little Karen will just have to get over it. She can find her own man, because you’re mine,” She stated, kissing him. 
“Oh, she already has! “That obnoxious slime Chris Ramsey!” Frank said angrily. 
“Karen and Chris? I never thought I’d hear their names mentioned in the same sentence!” Courtney laughed. 
“Yeah, well I don’t buy it, she has to be lying. She has always hated Chris, especially after he stole DL-56 and used me as his human guinea pig.” 
“Frank, why would she lie about something like this and use Chris off all people as the leading man? I mean, if she had said she was dating that hottie Ned Ashton, then you’d know she was lying!” 
“She’s doing it to hurt me! Why else would she say she was involved with the man I despise?” 
“You shouldn’t care, Frank! You have me, forget about Karen!” 
“I do love you, Courtney,” He said, kissing her, “But I still care about Karen and no woman deserves to be with that scum.” 
“Karen’s not so perfect, herself. I say they deserve each other.” 
“Karen is sweet and caring and Chris is a manipulative jerk, they have nothing in common!” 
“Sure they do, they’re both pathetic losers! Forget about Karen, Frank. Lets just focus on us and getting our family back together,” Courtney insisted, wrapping her arms around his neck. 
“Sounds good to me,” He smiled, getting lost in her seductive eyes, “Shall we take this to the bedroom?” 
“I was wondering when you’d suggest that.” 
He kissed her neck softly, making a mental note to worry about Karen later as he picked her up and carried her up the stairs. 
 

Chris was sitting on the couch in the on-call room reading a magazine when Karen walked in. She stopped in her tracks when she saw him. 
“Hey Ms. Destructive, how’s the hand?” 
“Huh? Oh, my hand…it’s fine…um, Chris can you do me a huge favor?” She asked nervously. 
“Depends, how much are you paying me?” He smirked. 
“I’m being serious! I need you to help me out here.” 
“Oh, I get it, you want me to get rid of all those pictures of Frank in your apartment, right?” 
“I kinda took care of that when I smashed them, remember?” 
“Like I could forget. Okay, what can I do for you?” 
“Pretend to be my boyfriend…” Karen laughed uneasily. 
“Your what?” Chris asked, caught off guard. 
“I sorta told Frank that I had moved on…with you,” She said, biting her lip. 
“I bet Frank went ballistic!” Chris started to laugh, “Um, he isn’t going to try to beat me up again, is he?” He asked, remembering his last experience with Frank. 
“You know what, forget I asked,” Karen shook her head, walking over to the coffee pot. 
Chris jumped up from the couch and grabbed her hand to stop her. 
“Wait, I’ll help you, I’ll pretend to be your boyfriend. Frank deserves to pay after what he did to you.” 
“Ouch! Thanks Chris, I really appreciate this,” She smiled, holding her hand in pain. 
“Oh, I’m so sorry, I forgot about your hand! Being your boyfriend, I should probably kiss it and make it better, huh?” Hr grinned, taking her hand to his lips and kissing it softly as Eve walked through the door. 
“My, my, are you making a pass at Karen, Chris?” 
Karen blushed and stood there quietly. 
“We’re way past that, Eve,” He said confidently, wrapping his arms around Karen’s waist. 
“Whoa, I think someone spiked my coffee! Does the name Frank Scanlon ring a bell?” Eve asked Karen with curiosity. 
“Frank who?” Karen played along, looking back at Chris. 
“Oh Karen…tell me more!” Eve insisted, taking a seat on the couch. 
“Well, Karen finally realized that she’s too good for Frank and found a better man…like me,” Chris grinned slyly. 
“Wow, Frank must be heartbroken,” Eve sighed. 
“He didn’t look so heartbroken when I found him and Courtney making out in his backyard!” Karen snapped. 
“What? I want details!” 
“There isn’t much to it, Eve. I found him with Courtney and then I found Chris,” Karen smiled, leaning into him. 
“Wait a minute…this sounds like a Ramsey scam to me…this is you’re revenge, isn’t it, Karen?” 
“C’mon Eve, can’t you tell that Karen and I are madly in love?” Chris asked, sounding hurt as he held Karen tighter. 
“I feel like I’ve entered the Twilight Zone! I don’t know what to think.” 
“Actually, you’re still in Port Charles, but it’s close enough,” Chris teased. 
“This is a scam! Please let me help, I can’t stand Frank. The man put human organs in my Chinese food!” Eve shuddered in disgust. 
“Alright, fine, you caught us,” Karen admitted, “Chris, I don’t think this is going to work. We can’t even convince Eve and she’s pretty gullible…no offense, Eve.” 
“None taken,” Eve laughed. 
“Karen, we can pull this off, especially if Eve helps,” Chris assured her, “Julie and I were able to convince those idiots at Ferncliff that we were in love and they even let us get married.” 
“You’re right, we can do this! I mean, I already told Frank that we were together, we can’t disappoint him now,” Karen decided. 
“No we can’t. We’ll teach that cheating jerk a lesson,” Chris said, hugging Karen. 
“Ooo, this is going to be so much fun!” Eve squealed. 
“Thank you guys, you’re the best,” She smiled, hugging Chris back before hugging Eve. 
“Eh, I’ll do anything if it means getting back at Scanlon…just promise me you won’t go throwing things at me if this doesn’t work. I’ve seen you when you’re angry!” Chris warned. 
Karen couldn’t help but laugh, and Eve noticed the bandage on her hand. 
“Is that how that happened?” She asked pointing. 
“I promise I’ll aim for the wall,” Karen assured him, “Yeah…I got a little carried away and smashed a glass.” 
“That’s just where you started!” Chris reminded her. 
“I don’t blame you, Karen, I’ve thrown a few glasses myself,” Eve laughed, “It’s too bad Ian isn’t here, I’m sure he’d help us out. I hate being without him for so long, but I know how dedicated he is to Doctors Without Limits and it’s only 2 more months.” 
“So Karen, what do you say we practice this kissing thing…I mean, we want to make sure it’s convincing,” Chris smirked, ignoring Eve. 
“Hey, I was talking about my husband here! The love of my life!” Eve scowled. 
“I’m sorry, Eve, but we have a lot of work to do here.” 
“Chris, don’t be rude to Eve!” Karen yelled at him. 
“I’m sorry, honey, I’ll be nice. Eve, I know you miss Ian, but he’ll be home soon and until then, you have us,” He said, trying to sound like he cared, and then looking to Karen, who nodded in approval. 
“That’s good enough. Now…I am so ready to scam with you guys!” Eve said excitedly. 
“We have a lot of work to do. It’s not going to be easy to convince people that Karen has fallen in love with me. I mean, sure I’m completely irresistible, but no one expects good, sweet, little Karen to want anything to do with me,” Chris laid out his concern. 
“That’s true, Chris, but Karen, didn’t you tell me that you were involved with Sonny Corinthos? Now, there’s a total opposite…so all we have to do is make it look like you’ve decided to take a walk on the wild side again. How about we go to Jake’s? I can mention it around Frank and Courtney and they’re bound to show up there,” Eve suggested. 
“I don’t know, Eve, that’s a part of my life I’d like to leave in the past…” Karen worried. 
“You can do it, Karen. Just remember, it’s all an act,” Chris encouraged. 
Karen thought about it for a minute, seeing the excited looks on their faces helped her to make up her mind. 
“Okay, let’s do this!” Karen decided.