Eve Lambert opened her eyes noticing that she had herself bunched up underneath her blankets feeling her
body still overcome with chills despite the hot July morning.  Letting out a yawn and peeling the blankets
off, Eve rolled over in bed trying to coerce herself back to sleep after spending most of the night awake. 

After her strange nightmare she'd been unable to become comfortable with her surroundings, so she ended
up talking with Chris for the remainder of the evening.  She closed her eyes remembering that in her insomnia she'd managed to have a long conversation with Chris about everything ranging from card tricks to life at the hospital, yet she still couldn't shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong..something that she just couldn't bring herself to remember. 

With a frustrated moan she pulled her pillow over her head hoping to get over her restlessness when she heard the sounds of rustling outside her door.  Popping her head out from underneath the pillow, Eve crept out of bed following the sounds noticing them grow louder with each movement she made as her chest tightened with a seemingly irrational fear. 

"This is crazy," she thought to herself as she moved towards the door.  She couldn't understand what it was
about the clanging noises that worried her, but upon hearing a loud thud right outside her room, she jumped
a bit reaching for the closest thing she could find to protect herself as she picked up one of her shoes from
next to her dresser.  Opening the door,  Eve drew in a breath and was prepared for the worst when a suitcase
fell to the floor at her feet.

"Sorry about that," Chris apologized peeking out from the other side of the door.  With an apologetic smile,
he bent over picking up the suitcase and clearing her entry way into the living room.

"What on Earth are you doing Ramsey?" Eve questioned noticing the bags scattered around the apartment. 
"This place looks like a tornado just ran through it. Don't tell me you were planning on moving out on me
without telling me first."

"On the contrary my dear, these are yours."  Chris explained carrying one of the bags out towards the
front door.  "I took the liberty of packing a few of your things while you were sleeping.  I hope you don't
mind."

"My bags?  Oh God Chris, don't tell me that you're still upset about me keeping you up late last night. 
After four rolled around, you seemed just as wired as I was."  Eve remarked a bit puzzled before moving into
the kitchen and pouring herself a cup of coffee.

"Nope, I'm not tired of you yet Lambert.  Although I think I could've done without you beating the pants
off of me in that last round of poker."  Chris smiled at her setting the bag down and approaching her once
again.  "Actually to tell you the truth, I just thought that you and I could use a vacation.  You know some time to help you get back on your feet again."

"A vacation?"  Eve questioned curiously noticing there were about five bags in front of the door.  "Today?"

"Sure, why not?" Chris shrugged rubbing his hands together for a moment as he assessed the apartment. 
"I think we deserve it."

"Just what kind of vacation do you have in mind Ramsey?"  Eve questioned curiously.

"Oh I don't know, how about an all expense paid vacation up north to Casa de Ramsey?"  Chris questioned
wondering if the name would ring a bell as he noticed the blank stare upon her face.  "My family has a
secluded cabin up north and I just thought it might be a nice place for you to get some of that much deserved
peace and quiet you've been lacking around here."

"All expense paid huh?  What's the catch?"  Eve questioned skeptically.

"Relax.  There's no catch.  It's beautiful Eve.  Right on the lake and it's private enough that no one will
bother you."  Chris explained hoping to trigger a memory in her.  "We have been there once before."

"Have we?"  Eve asked curiously struggling to remember.

"Yes, we have."  Chris nodded closing his eyes for a moment remembering the last time they were there at
the cabin.

"Well, in that case, I don't see the harm in it, if you say we've been there before and I enjoyed it." 
Eve decided thinking it over for a moment before glancing back up at him.  "I did enjoy it right?"

"You loved it." Chris informed her with a smile feeling his pulse quicken at the memory.  "It's quiet
enough to give you a break from the everyday hustle and bustle of the city, yet offers enough of a warm
atmosphere in between the lake and some of the sights up there to keep you from being bored out of your
mind.   Besides, I thought the two of us have more than earned a break from this place.  You said you
always wanted to try out the rustic life when you felt daring enough."

"Well, that was before I became so accustomed to this exquisite penthouse,"   Eve smiled thinking about how
some time away might do her good, "but not that you've mentioned it, life on the wild side might be
interesting for a change."

"That's a girl."  Chris beamed thinking about his combination of reasons for taking Eve away.  "Now why
don't you go in your room, get dressed and pull together whatever it is that I've forgotten?"

"All right, but I warn you now Ramsey, if we get all the way up there and I find out there isn't running
water or electricity I'll force you to turn the car around immediately and bring me home."  Eve explained
solemnly heading back towards her room.

"It's a deal Lambert."  Chris nodded watching her slip into her room as he turned on the television for a
moment to check the out weather for the afternoon when a picture of Ryan Chamberlain flashed up on the
screen.  With a glare on his face, Chris turned the power off on the television thinking of the hatred he
carried for the man who'd hurt Eve so deeply.

"Never again will I let you hurt her.  Never." Chris promised himself silently before directing his attention back towards Eve's room.  "Come on Lambert.  We haven't got all day here."

Scott Baldwin stepped off the elevator and into the crowded hallway of the hospital determined to find
Lucy after the phone call he'd received from Mary earlier in the morning explaining that Kevin was
hospitalized again.  Making his way through the hall and trying to fight off the feeling of exhaustion that
accompanied him after his night of inner turmoil, he tried to focus on the moment, but found himself
slipping back in time to the thoughts that had robbed him of a good night's sleep.  With each step he took, 
he felt a thousand thoughts running through his mind ranging from his encounter with Ryan to Lucy's
informal break up with him only a day earlier. 

While Scott was raging with various emotions, he knew where his place was and seeing Lucy slumped over in
the chair in the corner of the room only reaffirmed that.

"Lucy," Scott called out still raging with various emotions, yet he instantly knew where his place was
and seeing Lucy slumped over in the chair in the corner of the room only reaffirmed that.  He moved
over towards her as she looked up at him with a tear streaked face,  "what happened?"

"Scott, it was horrible."  Lucy began unable to control the sadness rushing through her as he pulled
her into his arms for a hug.  "Kevin and I were just at the lighthouse talking to one another about the
future and then without any warning he collapsed. Ellen's in there with him right now, but I'm so afraid
Scott.  I can't lose him again.  I just can't."

"I'm sure everything is going to be just fine Lucy." Scott tried assuring her holding her closer to him
feeling his heart break as she cried for Kevin.  Pulling back, he touched the side of her face wiping
at a few stray tears as he gazed into her beautiful eyes wanting so desperately to alleviate her pain. 
Kissing her forehead lightly, he spoke to her in a soft, soothing tone.  "Kevin's going to pull through."

"Scott, I want to believe that so desperately, and Ellen seemed so convinced the other day that the DL-56
was making a difference in him, but last night her and Matt claimed that the latest test results show otherwise."  Lucy continued with a sniffled remembering the painful news she'd received earlier. "They said they weren't able to catch it earlier because Kevin was responding so well to the drug initially, but for some reason, his body is rejecting it now.  I just don't understand how this could happen."

"There has to be a way for him to come through this Lucy."  Scott insisted thinking about Kevin's
reappearance to Port Charles after being held hostage for so many months.  "You know Lucy, I can say for a
fact that Kevin Collins would never give up on life...not with you in it.  Think of all the man went through to come back to you Lucy.  He wouldn't dare give you up without a fight.  Even I know that." 

"Damn Ryan!" Lucy cursed in anger clenching her fists tightly.  "If only I could've looked beyond my hatred
for Eve and seen that it wasn't really Kevin all these months.  If only, I could've just listened to my heart
instead of sitting back and doing nothing.  If only I could've opened my eyes......"

"Lucy, how many times do we have to go over this?" Scott questioned grabbing her shoulders as she drifted
off into regret.  "You had no idea what was going on. None of us did."

"But I should've Scott.  I should've seen all of this months ago.  The truth was right before my eyes, and I
kept feeling as if something was wrong, but I kept dismissing it saying it was because Kevin just didn't
love me anymore...that I'd hurt him beyond repair, but that wasn't how it was."  Lucy continued choked up on
tears.  "He was the one still in love with me all these months...still needing me, but I wasn't strong enough to feel him.  I wasn't strong enough to sense that he was in danger needing me more than he ever has in his life.  I let him down."

"No, Lucy now listen to me." Scott insisted reaching for her chin as he forced her to look into his tired
eyes.  "You're not to blame for any of this.  Ryan Chamberlain was the one who created this madness and I
refuse to let you beat yourself up for something you can't control.  Never in a million years did any of us
expect this to happen, but it did and now we're going to find a way to work through this together.  Do you
hear me?"

"It's just not fair Scott."  Lucy sobbed into his chest.  "That monster gets to live his life carefree
while Doc fights for his life.  It just isn't right."

"Ryan will get what's coming to him someday Lucy." Scott tried assuring her as he held her tighter.  "The
courts will see to that."

"Scott, I want to believe that but somehow I get the feeling that man is going to get off even after all
he's done."  Lucy confessed thinking about what Victor had mentioned to her about his visit to the jail the
previous evening.  "He's so damn clever that he'll find a way to evade punishment.  He always does." 

"The man is ill Lucy." Scott insisted remembering his encounter with Ryan.

"Yeah well sick or not, I hope they throw the book at him."  Lucy snapped in a rage clenching her fists
tightly as she looked up at Scott. 

"Lucy," Scott began realizing he should tell her about being assigned Ryan's case.

"You know what else burns me even more?" Lucy started seething with anger pulling away from Scott as he
looked at her blankly.  "That someone actually has the balls to represent Ryan after all he's done.  Victor
told me that Ryan's been assigned one of the best attorneys in Port Charles."

"Did he mention who it was?"  Scott questioned curiously noticing how upset she was.

"No, he didn't say, but when I find out, I'd like to give that person a piece of my mind."  Lucy insisted
with a huff.  "What kind of moral-less, cold-hearted, ignorant person would defend a monster like that?"

"Lucy, you do realize that when the courts appoint you to the case, you don't really have a choice in your
clientele from time to time."  Scott pointed out hoping she would calm down.

"It doesn't matter.  Any man who would take this case court appointed or not is a horrible human being
especially if Ryan is allowed to roam free again." Lucy informed him matter of fact noticing the strange
look on his face as she drew in a breath.  "Pal, what is it?  Did I say something wrong?"

"Nah, I understand you're upset." Scott replied quickly dismissing the thoughts racing through his
mind.  "Come on.  Why don't you let me buy you a cup of coffee and then we can come back to check on
Kevin?"

"I really don't want to leave Doc like this just in case Ellen comes out....." Lucy started to protest as
Scott took her hand in his.  "Well I really shouldn't.  Oh, all right, but only for a couple of minutes."

Kevin Collins felt his heavy eyelids open while his eyes strained to focus in on his surroundings.  His head was throbbing in agony after the blow he'd received upon impact with the floor at the lighthouse earlier.  Seeing a shadowy figure hovering above him, Kevin let out a soft moan before Ellen came into focus.

"Where am I?"  Kevin questioned seeking answers from his friend as the sounds of various machinery filled
the air.  "Where's Lucy?"

"Just try to take it easy Kevin.  Lucy's out in the hall."  Ellen instructed noticing how he'd started to
fidget around.  "Everything's going to be okay. You're at the hospital."

"The hospital?" Kevin repeated in confusion.  "What am I doing back here?"

"You collapsed back at the lighthouse and we needed to run a few more tests on you."  Ellen explained softly
noticing how pale he was.

"More tests?" Kevin questioned with a half grin before speaking up light-heartedly.  "You just can't seem to
get enough of me, can you?" 

"Nah, never."  Ellen smiled back down at him noticing him clench his teeth as she running her fingers through his knotted hair.  She observed him closely taking note of how pale he looked lying before her in the hospital bed.  "I couldn't ever get tired of my favorite patient."

"Your favorite patient, huh?  Well, that's news to me." Kevin questioned raising an eyebrow as a half grin came to his lips.  "You'd better watch who you say that to, other wise people are going to think that we've got a little side thing going at the rate we keep seeing one another in close quarters like this."

"Yeah, well if you wouldn't keep giving me reasons to have you come back in here to see me Kevin, then there
wouldn't be room for rumors to be flying around." Ellen teased back with a smile wishing there was more she could do for him.

"Ah Ellen, you know I just can't control myself when I'm surrounded by such grace and intelligence." Kevin
chuckled with a cough as he looked up at her.  "Of course seeing that Matt's not around, you'll do for now."

"Why you..." Ellen smiled at his humorous attempt as a tear formed in corner of her eye. 

"How long Ellen?" Kevin questioned cutting her off as he felt a sharp pain run throughout his chest.

"How long?" Ellen repeated locking gazes with him.

"Ellen, please just be straight with me."  Kevin insisted seriously knowing by her demeanor that something was terribly wrong as he pushed all teasing aside. 

"I don't know Kevin."  Ellen explained drawing in a breath as a tear escaped her eye. 

"Ball park Ellen." Kevin urged sensing her hesitancy.  "What do I have months?  Weeks?  Days?"

"I'm not sure Kevin.  It could be as long as two months....maybe less."  Ellen started trying to pull
herself back together as she looked at her friend.  She noticed the dark cloud over Kevin's features after
she'd broke the terrible news to him hoping to find some reasoning behind why all of this was happening. 
"Matt and I were both so certain that you were doing so well on your new treatment, but something went
wrong.  I'm so sorry."

"Does Lucy know?" Kevin questioned trying not to let his emotions get the best of him.

"She knows that your body has become immune to the DL-56, but I haven't told her about the severity of
your situation."  Ellen informed him solemnly.

"Then don't."  Kevin insisted with a hint of urgency in his voice.

"Kevin, she's going to see that something's terribly wrong with you.  I can't just go out into the lobby
and tell her nothing."  Ellen replied at his request.  "She saw what happened to you tonight and it nearly
tore her apart."

"That's why I don't want you to tell her I'm dying Ellen."  Kevin explained trying to hide the emotion in
his voice.  "I love Lucy more than life itself, but I can't hurt her like this.  I don't want her to know
that I'm dying."

Tracie Richards came out of the humid July morning entering the police station and feeling her stomach tied in knots as anticipation ate away at her insides.   She scanned the area for a moment secretly dreading her latest assignment as she searched the room for someone to speak with.  Drawing in a breath, she approached the petite young officer working behind the desk.

"Excuse me," Tracie began clearing her throat as the officer looked up at her a moment later.

"May I help you with something?"  The officer questioned removing her glasses and inspecting Tracie
carefully.  "Why aren't you that reporter Tracie Roberts.....?"

"Richards," Tracie nodded correcting her, "and yes I am her."

"I thought so." the officer nodded as her seemingly cheery features were replaced with a scowl.  "What may
I do for you this morning?"

"I'm here to see a prisoner."  Tracie began a bit uneasily trying not to let her mixed feelings about
this visit shine through.

"And just who might the prisoner be?" The officer questioned as a loud crashing sound filled the room
from behind.  Turning around, Tracie noticed a woman wearing a shirt blue spandex dress struggling to break
out of an officer's grasp as he escorted her into the lobby.

"You can't hold me here.  I haven't done anything wrong."  The woman shouted in a rage.  "I'm innocent."

"That's what they all say." The officer commented snidely releasing her for a moment as she began
kicking her legs out wildly.  Tracie took in this scene for a moment watching the woman causing such a
scene in the middle of the busy police station until the woman threw out one sharp kick into the officer's
shin causing him to let out a piercing groan. 

"Why you......" the officer yelled as another officer moved over to assist him.

"Now what were you saying before?" the officer behind the counter questioned looking away from the situation
taking place as if it hadn't phased her. 

"I'm here to see a prisoner this morning.  A Mr. Ryan Chamberlain."  Tracie explained drawing in a breath. 
"I believe my boss called here earlier to confirm the interview."

"I'm afraid I can't let you back there to see him."  The officer shook her head in refusal.  "Given the
nature of that prisoner's previous history, the Commissioner has placed strict orders for no one to
get back there to talk to him other than his attorney and family.  Your boss should be well aware of
that..."

"You don't understand.  I have an appointment set up for this afternoon...." Tracie began to explain
cutting her off.

"As I said before Ms. Richards, the only people allowed back there are Mr. Chamberlain's attorney and
family.   Not anyone else, not the towns people, not the press and certainly that includes you."  The
officer replied shortly reaching for her glasses once more before turning away.  "Now if you'll excuse me, I
have work to do."

"Wait a second!" Tracie insisted reaching out across the counter to grab the officer before she walked
away.  "If you just check with your supervisor, you'll see that I have clearance to be back there.  In fact,
let me talk to Detective Garcia."

"He's not in this afternoon, now if you'll excuse me." The officer replied leaving the area as Tracie stood
in the center of the lobby looking around the station for a way inside.  Noticing the officers across the
room still fighting with the unruly prisoner dragging her away, Tracie noticed that one of them had dropped
their clearance key into the prison block.  Moving towards the spot where the card was lying on the
ground, Tracie scanned the room before picking it up and moving towards the door placing the card into the
lock as the door swung open.  Stepping inside of the dark hallway, Tracie noticed a young officer sitting
at a desk before her. 

"May I help you with something?" the officer questioned looking up at her in surprise as he eyed
her up and down appreciatively.

"Yes, I'm here to see a client of mine a Mr. Ryan Chamberlain.  The officer at the desk just let me
inside."  Tracie explained flashing him a brilliant smile and holding up her briefcase hoping the officer
didn't recognize her.

"Ah, you must be the new court appointed attorney." the officer nodded obviously impressed with her as he
began jotting a couple notes down on his log.  "I hate to do this, but I'm going to need to see some
identification."

"Of course," Tracie nodded reaching into her purse and looking for the fake ID she'd used in the past on some
of her stories knowing that it would come into handy once again.  Finding the tiny plastic ID, she handed
it to the officer.  "I hope this works."

"Of course Ms. Smith." the officer replied with a smile.  "I'll have him brought into interrogation room
three for you.  That's right down the hall to your left and if you need anything else....anything at all,
then don't be afraid to holler on down for me."

"Thank you.  I'll keep that in mind." Tracie nodded drawing in a breath as she stepped down the hallway
realizing that this was too easy.

"Ah Miss," the officer called out to her.

"Yes?" Tracie questioned turning around to face him suddenly afraid that he was going to kick her out of
the jail.

"You forgot your license." the officer explained holding it out to her.

"Oh how silly of me."  Tracie replied trying to hide her relief.  "Thank you." 

Eve sat in the passenger seat of Chris' car thinking over the proposition that he had just given her as the
two of them had pulled over on a hill overlooking the crystal blue lake.  She gazed into his enchanting eyes
feeling something she hadn't quite felt before and found herself struggling to find a way to refuse his
plea for her to try something new and adventurous.  She felt her face grow flushed as she thought his
offer over in her head realizing the more time she spent with Chris, the more something was happening
inside of her...something she couldn't quite understand just yet.  With a sigh, she turned to look
out at the rolling tides once more.

"Come on Eve.  I promise you that you're going to love what I have planned for you." Chris insisted touching
her shoulder with his right hand sensing her hesitancy.  "You trust me don't you?"

"Of course I trust you Chris," Eve started turning to look into his eyes once more as she smiled weakly,
"but is the blindfold really necessary?  I mean, just the idea seems a little......uh, I don't know....a
little strange I suppose."

"I guess you don't have to wear it," Chris began glancing down at the black satin sash he was holding
in his free hand, "but that would take half the fun out of it.  Besides I thought you were up for a little
adventure this afternoon."

"Fine.  I'll wear it, but I'm warning you, if anything happens to me like I trip and crack my neck, then
you're going to have to deal with me." Eve reluctantly agreed moving in closer to Chris as she watched his
face light up.

"I promise that I'll patch you up in the even something like that happens, but I can assure you Eve,
you won't regret this." Chris announced eagerly tying the silken material around her head. 

"You keep saying that so much that it's making me start to worry." she confessed to him as she felt the
satin pressed up against her face.

"Just trust me." he insisted as his fingers knotted the smooth material. "How's that feel?"

"It's okay I guess." she answered leaning back into her seat again as she let out a sigh. 

"You know, the reason I'm doing this is because I read in a psychology journal that when people don't have
access to one of their senses such as vision, their other senses become more acute and everything that is
familiar becomes a new experience for them." Chris began explaining to her as his fingers touched the
soft skin of her arm for a moment as he looked her over in admiration wanting so desperately to tell her
his love he'd been keeping locked inside.

"Oh, so this is research?" Eve responded with a small laugh feeling tingling sensations running throughout
her body at his touch.

"Something like that." Chris whispered in her ear remembering how much he'd enjoyed nibbling on it not
so long ago.  Unable to control himself, he reached out to touch the side of her face, caressing her
smooth skin for a moment before tightening the knot in the back of the scarf. 

"Chris, weren't we going somewhere before?" Eve breathed feeling her body responding vividly to his
touch.

"I was just making sure this thing wasn't going to fall off." Chris explained moving back and helping her
fasten her seat belt.  When he finished making sure she was locked into her seat, he started up the
engine.  "We're on our way."

Eve listened to the sounds of the wind rolling by as they drove along the country roads.  She was suddenly
aware of the ticking noises that her watch was making with each passing second as the smell of Chris'
cologne began to circulate throughout the truck. Within a matter of seconds the sound of the rolling
tides in the distance caught her attention and she listened to their rhythmic sounds as she felt the
sun's rays flooding upon her though the window.  She shortly found herself lost in the idea of being alone
on the beach with Chris when she heard the engine shut off. 

Chris watched Eve in awe as she remained silent taking in the things that small cab of the truck had offered
to her.  He wondered what thoughts were running through her mind as he pulled the keys out from the
ignition.  He sat still for a moment as she rested her head upon the warm glass of the window.  After a few
moments of staring at her intently, he decided to put the second part of his plan into action as he opened
his door.

"Chris, where are we going?" Eve questioned hearing him shut the door and walk around the car to her side.
 "Chris?"

"I'm right here." He answered opening her door and gazing her over lovingly as he extended his hand out
to her.  "Just take my hand and we'll be on our way."

"Chris, suddenly I'm not so sure about this." Eve confessed feeling him take hold of her hand.  "What if
I really do trip and fall."

"You aren't going to fall Lambert." Chris assured her as he gave her hand a gentle squeeze.  "Trust me, I'm
not going to let anything happen to you."

"Still what if....." Eve began to protest once again as Chris cut her off.

"Would you just quite whining and just relax?" Chris suggested wondering if this was a good idea seeing how
hesitant Eve still was at this point.  "Lambert you should know by now that I'm never going to let
anything happen to you."

"Alright." she agreed realizing that she would be safe in his arms as he helped her out of the car.  She
stood on the ground and listened as he shut the door behind her.

"Ready?" he asked as she felt his warm breath upon the back of her neck.

"Ready as I'll ever be." she announced as he took her hand and led her forward on the hard ground.

"Okay, I'm warning you now, the ground may be a little unsteady here," he explained as they moved along, "and
if you feel like you're going to slip, then just grab onto my arm.  Alright?"

"Chris, I can't see your arm." Eve pointed out as she felt the sun's warmth radiate around her and realized
that they were still outside somewhere.

"You'll know where I am." he assured her as they stopped moving.  "We've reached our first
destination."

"Where are we?" Eve asked curiously turning her head in the direction of his voice.

"You tell me." He insisted taking a step back and smiling as he watched her trying to figure out where
they were.

Eve listened to the sounds around her realizing that the roll of the tides was still very strong in the
background, but not close enough for them to be on the beach.  She listened to the sounds of birds overhead
and she wondered where he had taken her exactly.  She was about to speak up when she was overcome with the sweet intoxicating smell around her.

"I smell flowers." she announced with a smile on her face.  "Are we in a garden?"

"Oh you're good at this game." Chris laughed pulling one of the delicate flowers off of the bush and
placing it in her hand.

"It feels so soft Chris." Eve commented rubbing her fingers across the fragile bud.  "It's a rose petal."

"That's right." Chris said watching her face light up.  "Are you sure that you haven't played this game
before?"

"Positive.  What's next?" Eve laughed eagerly awaiting the next challenge that Chris had for her. 

"Come this way my dear." Chris insisted extending his arm out to lead her forward through the garden to
their next destination.  As they continued walking along the pathway he found himself becoming more
intrigued by her curiosity as she started naming off the different things that she smelled as they moved
along.  "Eve, you aren't supposed to be telling me anything yet."

"I'm sorry, but this is really amazing." Eve explained feeling her sense of smell being heightened.  "You'll
have to try it sometime Chris."

"I'll keep that in mind." Chris nodded realizing that they were close to their next destination.  "Okay,
this time around, you're going to have to lean on me a little bit more than last time."

"Oh, I like the sound of this." Eve thought out loud feeling Chris wrapped his arms around her and led her
over to something in front of her.  She felt his hand guide hers along the large, textured object in front
of her as she tried to figure out what it was.  "Is it a rock?"

"Nope." Chris laughed as her hands moved along the edges of the gray marble before her.  "I don't think
that you'll be able to figure this one out that easily, so why don't you just do me a favor and let me
help you sit down?"

"This isn't a chair." Eve said still feeling the top of the object.  "What is it?"

"It's a bench so to speak." Chris explained helping her into a seating position.  "Now that we're here,
why don't you kick off those sandals?"

"Why?" Eve questioned curiously.

"Because I said so." Chris replied with a smirk kicking off his own shoes.

"Gee, what a great reason." Eve remarked sarcastically kicking off her sandals.

"I thought so." Chris chuckled in amusement helping her stand back up on the grass.  "How's that?"

"It tickles." she giggles feeling the tiny blades of grass come in between her toes.  "I haven't been
barefoot in the grass since I was a kid."

"Are you feeling like a kid again?" Chris questioned curiously. 

"Nah, I'm having more fun than I did when I was a child." Eve laughed wiggling her toes as she moved
along listening to the sounds around her.

"I'm warning you that the first step here is going to feel a bit awkward, but don't worry."  Chris explained
to her as he turned around to face her.

"Chris," she began as he led her forward and cool sensations began to flood through her feet.  "Oh my
God, is this................?"

"I'll be right back." Chris whispered leaving her alone as her toes adjusted to the water moving in
around them.

"Chris, wait you can't leave me like this." Eve started to protest reaching out into the air as the
water chilled her feet.  "Chris?"

Eve listened to the sounds around her and realized that the tide sounded closer than it had before, yet
distant enough for her to come to the conclusion that she wasn't standing in the lake, but perhaps a small
creek that had channeled off from it.  She was about to call out for Chris again when the smooth sounds of
saxophone playing filled her ears along with the sounds of splashing from close behind her. 

"Chris, where are you?" she smiled turning around in the direction of the sound and feeling the sand in
between her toes as she began to lose footing.

"Whoa," he called out grabbing her before she took an unintentional dive into the water, "I don't want you
to do that."

Eve held onto Chris' muscular body tightly as he wrapped his arms around her.  She could feel his warm
breath against her face as she pressed herself up against him and felt the water shifting against her
feet.  She tilted her head upward slightly feeling his breath upon her.

"Oh Eve," Chris breathed holding her so close to him unable to fight what he was feeling a moment longer as
he pressed his lips down upon hers.

A bit surprised, Eve felt his mouth against hers but she found herself easing into the kiss reciprocating
it as his hands slipped around her slender waist.  Without a second thought, she brought her arms around
his neck and pulled him closer still to her as she took in each tender movement his mouth made along with
hers as the slow music played around the two of them.

"It sounds like they're playing our song." he whispered out of breath once they had parted from
their kiss.  Thinking of the way Eve had just responded to him, Chris drew her in nearer putting his
heart out on the line once more as he spoke up unclear of her response.  "May I have this dance?"

"I'd be honored to dance with you." she smiled feeling him pull her closer to him as she rested her head
against his strong chest.  She closed her eyes underneath her blindfold and listened to the sounds of
the world around them as she realized that when she was in Chris arms, everything else was suddenly
blocked from her senses.

"Thank you for this Chris." Eve breathed listening to the sound of his heart beating as they moved together
in the cool water. 

"No Eve, thank you." Chris whispered as the soft music played in the background as the sun began to set
around them. 

"Kevin, you can't just keep this from her."  Ellen protested not wanting to keep this news from her
friend.  "Lucy's going to see what's happening to you in here.  She loves you Kevin."

"I know she loves me and God knows I love her, but I can't stand to allow her to watch me rot away in here
like this right before her eyes unless......" Kevin trailed off as an idea popped into his head.

"Unless what Kevin?" Ellen questioned puzzled by the look on his face.

"Ellen, I want you to release me."  Kevin insisted with a hint of urgency in his voice.

"Kevin I can't do that.  There's still so much that we need to go over and....."  Ellen started to explain to
him.

"Ellen, both of us know you've done all you can to help me and there's nothing more you can do."  Kevin
replied stoically.  "Right now all I can do is spend the remainder of my life making the most of it.  I
need to tell Lucy under my own terms...to be with her out of this place giving her all that I can in the
time I had left and I'm asking you to let me do that."

"Kevin, you and I both know your chances for survival are better here in the hospital than out on your own."
 Ellen insisted trying to persuade him to rethink his decision.

"Ellen, I don't want to spend my last days in the hospital like this even if it means extending my life
for a couple days.  I've been locked up long enough and the last thing I want to do is leave this world a
prisoner once again."  Kevin insisted realizing this was his only option.

"Kevin, I can't just release you now like this.  We both know what could happen if I do that."  Ellen
protested thinking over his proposal 

"Ellen, I'm willing to take that risk.  Let's face it, I've been in and out of this hospital for trying to
regain my strength and the only thing that's happened is I've gotten worse." Kevin explained in frustration
thinking about his current situation.  "You and I are medical professionals, we're trained to deal with this
kind of thing, but Lucy, well, she is in no position to watch me here in this hospital bed just withering
away to nothing.  I can't do that to her."

"Kevin, but if you stay here a while longer and we discover that there's a chance....." Ellen started
trying to be hopeful even though all her tests had proved otherwise.

"Ellen, there is no chance.  We both know that and I've accepted it."  Kevin interrupted raising his
voice a bit as the words sank in. 

"Kevin, in my professional opinion releasing you would be cause more harm than good right now."  Ellen
insisted trying to dissuade him from his desire to leave.

"Have you ever had to go through this before Ellen?"  Kevin snapped at her hastily feeling discouraged. 
"Have you ever witnessed what it's like to watch the person you love more than life itself look at you as
if your going to fall apart at any second?  Have you ever witnessed what it's been like for patients who've
had family members that have so been afraid to touch the person the wrong way because you were stuck in one
of these damned hospital beds?  Ellen, I've seen it a thousand times over and it's miserable for everyone
involved."

"Kevin, it doesn't have to be like that." Ellen started.

"Ellen, if I stay here, I'll start to feel like a burden to Lucy and I don't want that."  Kevin explained sadly thinking it over.  "While I may be rapidly depleting physically, my mind is still very much in tact and if I stay much longer, I'll drive myself crazy.  I can already feel myself slipping over the edge." 

"Lucy is here at the hospital because she loves you very much Kevin.  She wouldn't ever feel that way
about you." Ellen reminded him quickly. 

"I know that Lucy loves me, but what do I have to offer her from inside here?" Kevin questioned looking
down at the confinement of the hospital bed.  "At least on the outside I'll have a chance to be with her
doing the things we'd always dreamed about doing before it's too late." Kevin explained with tears in
his eyes reaching out to Ellen and taking her hand in his.  "Please Ellen, do me this one favor." 

"Victor, I've been looking all over for you for the past hour."  Mary announced stepping out onto the
balcony to find him looking down at the world below. "I was starting to worry about you."

"I just needed some time to think on my own."  Victor explained turning around to face her.  "Any word on
Monk?"

"Ellen's still in there with him."  Mary informed him wrapping her arms around his waist.  "I suppose no
news in this case could be taken as good news."

"It's just not fair Mary."  Victor sighed returning his gaze to the world below.  "Why is it that my son
is being punished for the sins of the past?  My sins....."

"Victor this isn't your fault."  Mary insisted bringing her head down on his shoulder and holding him
tighter.  "You can't blame yourself for this."

"If only I could've seen that it was Ryan.  What kind of father can't tell the difference between his sons?"
 Victor questioned closing his eyes for a moment thinking back to his encounter with Ryan.  "He had no
remorse about this either."

"Ryan?"  Mary questioned realizing what Victor must've been talking about.  "What did he have to say when you
went to see him?"

"First he refused to see me telling me how I'd failed him always choosing Kevin over him, but I wouldn't
bend.  I tried to reason with him......tried to get him to see the horror of what he'd done, but he blamed
me for backing out on him as a child.  He claimed that I had no business giving him a lecture on how he
handled his problems in life seeing as I chose to run away from mine and in a way he's right Mary.  I did
run away from my problems."  Victor explained holding onto the iron railing on the balcony looking at a
father and son playing football in the park across the street.  "I was so afraid of Melanie that I just
walked out on him never thinking about the consequences of my actions or how it could drive Ryan
into this."

"Victor, that was so long ago and back then things were different than they are now.  So much has
changed.......you have changed."  Mary whispered kissing his cheek softly.  "You are a good hearted man
and I know you never would've done anything to hurt anyone intentionally.  You thought you were doing
right by Kevin by getting him out of there and I know if there was a way you would've tried to get Ryan out
of there as well."

"I should've tried harder Mary.  If I would've tried then he never would've been so malevolent towards the
world.  He never would've done this to Kevin and all those lives he destroyed would be back to the way they
were."  Victor sighed slumping over slightly feeling Ryan's final words hit him like a ton of bricks as the
world transformed from the cool July morning to the darkened jail cell at the Port Charles Police
Department.

"You're the poorest excuse of a father I've ever seen Victor and when my time comes I would never treat my
child the way you treated me."  Ryan shot out at him in anger as the guards came to take him back to his
cell.  "Unlike you I would love and cherish my child like you never did showing him or her all that a
father should be."

"Ryan please......." Victor had started wanting to reach out to his son even after all he'd done.

"In my eyes, my father is dead and that's where he'll always be in my mind Victor.  Cold and dead.........."
Ryan's words circled in Victor's mind piercing him like a dagger as tears fell from his eyes.

"Victor, oh Victor......" Mary began holding him closer to her as he broke down in her arms. 

"Hey Chamberlain, how does it feel to be back where you belong?" Officer Thompson asked walking over to
check on Ryan in his jail cell.  "Chamberlain?"

"Not now." Ryan said waving his hand in the air without looking away from his chess board.  "I'm
busy."

"You know," Officer Thompson began again, "as soon as you have your hearing, I'm sure that the judge is
going to ship you off to a maximum security prison where you won't have the luxury of playing chess all
day.  You're going to burn for killing those cops Chamberlain."

"Are you finished?" Ryan questioned looking up from his game.  "Because if you are, I'm getting rather
tired of listening to your meaningless banter."

"Yeah I'm finished." Officer Thompson laughed tapping on the bars to Ryan's jail cell, "You'd better get
used to these because you'll be here for a long time."
 

"You imbecile." Ryan blurted out as he was alone again.  "If I didn't have bigger things to deal with,
then I would have had you taken care of for all of the disrespect you've given me."

Ryan looked back down at his chess board and a smile spread across his face.  He realized that soon he
would be out of jail and he would be ready to work on his master plan.  He laughed as he thought about how
going to jail was only a minor setback and in the long run killing those officers would help him more than he
ever could've imagined.  Soon he would be ready to more than ready to pick up right where he left off. 

"Hey Chamberlain," Officer Thompson called out returning to the cell, "I hate to spoil your game, but
you have a visitor."

"Is that so?"  Ryan questioned perking up at bit as Officer Thompson unlocked his cell.

"Yeah, your lawyer is here to see you...not that it will do you any good in the long run."  Officer
Thompson muttered sarcastically moving in towards Ryan.  "You've got ten minutes."

"Aren't you generous?" Ryan muttered setting his chess piece down as Officer Thompson slapped the cuffs on
him and lead Ryan towards the interrogation room

Ryan followed the guard into the room half expecting to find Scott there trying to give him another lecture
on owning up to his actions and how he was going to burn in hell.  Rolling his eyes at the thought, Ryan
was pleasantly surprised to find the attractive blonde woman sitting at the far end of the table scattering a
few papers around.

"If you need anything, just call for me." Officer Thompson's voice rang out to the person in the room as
he left Ryan with his visitor.

"Well hello, I was told my lawyer was here, but last time I checked he didn't look half as beautiful as you
do." Ryan smiled instantly recognizing her as the guard left the room, "I know you.  You're Chris
Ramsey's girlfriend."

"Tracie Richards." she said meeting his icy stare as he took a seat across from her.

"Ah yes, Tracie." he nodded looking her up and down. "So tell me Tracie, what are you doing here this
afternoon?  Surely, Chris hasn't sent you here to fight his battles for him."

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, but this isn't about Chris." Tracie replied sitting up straighter pulling
out her tape recorder and setting him on the table. "This is about a story I'm working on."

"Ah, that's right.  You're a reporter." Ryan nodded in remembrance reaching across the table to seize her
hand.  "I don't think we'll be needing that recorder just yet."

"All right," Tracie replied feeling icy chills run down her spine as he released her.

"So tell me Tracie, what on earth possessed you to do a story on a madman like myself?  Surely, you've heard
of all I'm accused of doing."  Ryan questioned leaning back in his seat.  "That must've been enough to give
you second thoughts about coming here today, unless of course you're the kind of woman who gets off on this
kind of thing."

"I want to hear your side of things Ryan." Tracie explained noticing the crooked grin upon his face.

"My side huh?" He questioned with a laugh eyeing her skeptically.  "Surely you didn't come all this way
taking such risks by posing as my lawyer just to hear my side."

"Whatever it takes to get the job done."  Tracie pointed out unbending as she felt his eyes run through
her. 

"I like that answer."  Ryan remarked obviously impressed with her.

"I'm here because I'm interested in giving you a chance to speak your mind and tell the world what this
has been like for you." Tracie continued to explain to him.

"For me, huh?"  Ryan repeated curiously leaning in towards her.  "Tell me Tracie, how long has he been
sleeping with her?"

"Excuse me?" she questioned in bewilderment as he let out a low piercing laugh.

"Oh come on.  Don't pretend you don't know what's going on here."  Ryan answered in amusement.  "We all
know where Dr. Chris Ramsey's loyalties have been this entire time, don't we?"

"Look, I'm not here to talk about Chris Ramsey or anyone else other than you."  Tracie insisted sternly
meeting his icy stare.  "Now are you interested in telling your side of things or not?"

"Tell me Tracie, how long were you going to sit back putting up with him day in and day out knowing how he
was obsessing over Eve?  Surely, we both know why you're here and it has nothing to do with my side of
things."  Ryan answered coldly seizing her wrist.  "You're here because you wanted to see first hand what
you've done."

"What are you talking about?"  Tracie questioned meeting his glare.

"You're kicking yourself in the butt right now because you brought Kevin back and you lost Chris, aren't
you?"  Ryan questioned tightening his grip on her wrist.  "You're here trying to prove you did the right
and moral thing by assisting in my downfall, aren't you?"

"You're crazy."  Tracie shot back at him fiercely.

"I've been hearing that a lot lately now that you've mentioned it."  Ryan chuckled in amusement leaning in
across the table and touching a lock of her golden hair.  "I'll tell you one thing though.  No matter
what you're feeling about the situation right now, it's far from over and you can tell your little
boyfriend that.  I refuse to let him win."

"Let go of me."  Tracie warned him after a moment.

"And if I don't?"  Ryan questioned taking note of Tracie's silence as he held onto her wrist.  "What
seems to be the problem Ms. Richards?  Cat got your tongue?" 

"Let go of me or else."  Tracie repeated keeping her voice level as she pulled away from Ryan.

"Feisty.  I like them like that."  Ryan replied in amusement as the interrogation room doors opened and
Detective Alex Garcia stepped inside.

"Is everything all right in here?"  Alex questioned looking them over closely.

"Alex," Tracie replied nearly jumping out of her seat as he stepped towards her.

"Tracie," he nodded turning to the guard at the doorway.  "Take Mr. Chamberlain back to his cell."

"Good-bye Tracie."  Ryan smiled as the guard guided him towards the exit.  "We'll have to do this again
sometime and maybe we'll even get to that interview."

"Alex," Tracie started after Ryan had been taken away.  Reaching out to him, she noticed the look on his
face, "I can explain."

"Just what the hell do you think you're doing here?"  He snapped at her angrily.

Eve was still blindfolded as she secured her hold on Chris as he carried her in his arms.  She let out a
sigh as she felt his warm breath upon her as he moved along.  Pressing her head against his chest allowing
herself to enjoy the journey ahead of them, her mind was filled with images of making love to Chris as
things started coming back to her piece by piece. 

Eve was about to speak up when she realized that they were no longer outside as she heard the sounds of a
door slamming shut behind them and the temperature dramatically changed around her.  She began feel the
warmth blowing out of a vent above the two of them as Chris moved deeper inside the room.

"Chris, where are we going?" Eve asked curiously as she listened to the sounds of his feet moving along
the floor.

"Upstairs so hold on." he answered quickly as she held onto him tighter.

"You know, I can walk upstairs on my own if you'd just let me." she explained to him matter of fact as he
climbed upward.

"Not with that blindfold you can't." he insisted realizing he had a few more steps to go.  "You could
barely stand up in the water earlier."

"We could always take the blindfold off now." she suggested brightly as Chris reached the top of the
staircase.

"I wouldn't dream of it." Chris answered her as he carried her into the room at the end of the hallway. 
"Don't worry.  We're almost there Eve."

Eve listened to the smooth sounds of music playing in the background as Chris set her upon a soft cushion. 
She heard him fussing with things across the room as she sat waiting for him to return to her side with her
next challenge.  She wondered what his big surprise was as she eagerly anticipated his next move.

Chris looked at Eve as she sat motionless before him unaware of what he was about to do next.  He could see
she was having some kind of breakthrough, but he was afraid of pushing her too much fearing what could
happen if he didn't play his cards right.  He looked in the mirror at his reflection realizing that this
was the moment he had been rehearsing for quite some time.  He drew in a deep breath and suddenly felt his
nerves getting the best of him again.  He began unbuttoning the top of his shirt as he thought about
how he was going to finish what he had worked so hard to make happen.  Glancing over at Eve's beautiful
reflection through the large mirror and he tried convincing himself that he shouldn't be anxious about
what he  was going to do.  He found himself lost in the thought of holding her close to him as he ran
through the words over again in his head.

"You can do this.  She is your everything and you have to let her know how you feel." Chris thought to
himself as he drew in a deep breath and turned to face Eve once more.

"Chris, are you still in here?" Eve questioned in concern realizing that the room had grown unusually
silent as the music stopped playing.

"I'm right here Eve.  I just needed a second to make sure everything was perfect." he whispered leaning
down before her as he took in every contour of her angelic face.

"And?" she asked turning her head in the direction of her voice.

"It is." he responded lowering himself to the floor as he looked up at her.

"I thought you left me for a moment." she confessed extending her arm out to touch him as he brought her
hand to his lips. She felt Chris delicately kiss her fingers before placing the palm of her hand against
his face.

"I would never leave you Eve." Chris reminded her as he closed his eyes for a moment before speaking up
again.  "You know, I have to admit that I've been dreaming about this for a while now.  I had hoped that
we could share this moment together for so long, but then so much happened and things didn't exactly work
out like I'd hoped.  I guess what I'm trying to say is that........"

"Chris?" Eve called out taking note of his silence as she swept her hand across his facial features as she
felt his muscles tensing up.  She sensed that there was more to this game than he had been letting on all
day and she waited for him to reveal what was on his mind. 

"Eve, before I take the blindfold off you there is one last thing that I want you to feel.  Can you do that
for me?" Chris asked sensing the confusion she must've been feeling by his previous pause.

"Of course." she nodded stroking his cheek with her index finger. 

"All right, then give me your hand." Chris insisted as she placed her free hand out into the air before her. 
He took in another breath before digging into his pockets for the object he had been waiting to give to
her.  He reached out to take her hand in his for a moment before he placed the small box in her hand.

"What is this?" she questioned feeling the soft velvety object in her hand.

"Just feel it." Chris instructed her as he observed her touching the box with both hands.  "Any ideas?"

"None.  Wait a second." Eve gasped feeling what appeared to be an opening in the object.  She pulled
the sides away from one another and felt something cold and metallic pressed up against her fingers a
bit.  "Is it some kind of box with something in it?"

"Here, let me help you with that." Chris suggested taking hold of the box and pulling out the gift he had
inside for her.  He reached for her hand and she felt him slipping something upon her finger.  He admired
the fit for a second before looking up at her deciding that it was now time to take the blindfold off of her.
 "I don't think you'll be needing this anymore."

Eve looked around the large exquisite bedroom decorated with various works of art inspired by
Mediterranean architecture as her eyes began to focus.  She noticed elegance that filled the room as she
gazed over the beautiful oak furnishings.   Her eyes scanned each end of the room, taking note of the oak
canopy bed covered by a plush gold and ivory comforter.  Within a matter of seconds, her eyes had
fully adjusted to the lighting in the room as she noticed a small fireplace in the corner of the room.

Are you okay Eve?" Chris questioned worried that he may have had her blindfolded too long.

"Everything is slowly coming into focus." Eve explained shifting her gaze from the fireplace to look
into his sparking brown eyes.

"I hope you like your surprise." he spoke up still holding her hand in his own.

"Chris, it's beautiful." Eve gasped in awe looking at the sapphire diamond shaped ring upon her finger. 

"It was my mother's." Chris explained to her as he looked into her dazzling eyes.  "My father gave this
to her a long time ago.  It was kind of a symbol of the love they had together before she died and now
it's a symbol of the love I feel for you."

"Chris, I don't know what to say." Eve began thinking of the feeling behind the gift he had given her. 

"It's just a token of my affection for you.  I know you don't really remember much about how I feel for
you Eve, but I want you to have this." Chris continued wondering if she would feel that he was pushing her
faster than she was ready to be pushed as she remained speechless.  Feeling his heart pounding with fear, he
looked her over for a moment wondering if he'd made a mistake.

"Thank you so much Chris.  I love it."  She whispered admiring the ring's beauty for a moment before locking
eyes with Chris.  With tears in her eyes, she threw her arms around him. 

"Eve, I know that you don't remember what happened between us before and I've tried to respect that
giving you time to piece things together, but I can't imagine spending another day of my life without having
you by my side loving you.  In my life I've dealt with losing those whom I loved the most and I don't want to
ever go through that again especially not with you...not after I waited so long for us to discover
how we felt about one another." Chris continued sincerely as he placed her hand over his heart.  "I
know that I might be moving too fast with all of this considering that you're still trying to piece things
together, but the one thing that I know for sure is that the way I feel about you can't be wrong.  You
fill my days and nights with a new breath of life and I'm not asking you to give up life as you know it, but I just want you to know that there is no other person in this world that I'd rather share my life with."

"Chris," Eve started hoping to get a word in edge wise.

"Eve please, let me finish." Chris insisted bringing his finger to her lips and silencing her.  "I need to
say all of this."

"All right," Eve nodded silently.

"Eve, with you I feel things that I never dreamed possible before and I know in my heart that you're the
one for me." Chris explained caressing the side of her face.  "I just hope you don't think that I'm pushing
you or trying to rush your memories back faster than you're ready, it's just that after last night Eve, I
realized that I can't lose you again."

"Chris, you aren't pushing me at all.  While I don't remember everything that's happened between us, some
of it has been coming back to me and well," Eve began shaking her head as she looked down at his face, "I
know what you are feeling and I feel the same way about you.  For me it's as if I've gone through my
entire life asleep until you opened my eyes to all that was waiting for me.  When I'm with you like I am
tonight I feel complete." 

"From this moment on I want to dedicate myself to fulfilling your every need, wish, and fantasy.  I'll
make this solemn promise you do my best to make your every dream come true and to be patient no matter how
long it takes until you have your memories back." Chris explained kissing her hand lightly yet never
allowing his eyes to stray from the connection the two of them had as he looked into her soul.

"Chris, every passing second I'm drawn into the love you give me and it's a feeling that I don't ever want
to let go of." Eve replied as he pulled her close and held her in his arms.  Closing her eyes, Eve was
reminded of the last time they were together in a similar situation together.  "I know that last time I
made a mistake leaving you after we made love and I'm sorry for that Chris.  I don't remember why I left,
but I know now that I should've stayed.  I should've been honest about the way I felt having your arms
around me."

"You remember us making love?" Chris questioned in surprise as she nodded her head.

"Clear as day." Eve admitted softly with a smile.  "It came back to me when we were dancing.  At first I
wasn't sure it was real or not, but now I know."

"Oh Eve, I need you so much." Chris breathed taking in the scent of her auburn hair as he enveloped her in
his arms.

"And I've never needed you more than I do at this moment." Eve replied pulling back to look into his
soulful eyes as she pressed her lips to his in a tender union.  She placed her mouth against his in a
slow exaggerated kiss sealing their love for one another.  "Make love to me again Chris.  I want to
remember it all this time."

"Eve?  Are you sure?" Chris questioned pulling back from their kiss as she nodded pulling him into another
kiss.

Without a word Chris swept Eve into his arms and carried her over to the soft canopy.  He carefully
placed her down as her head sunk into the large feather pillows beneath her.  She watched as Chris
slowly removed his shirt keeping his eyes focused upon her with each movement he made.  He lazily tossed his
blue shirt across the room as Eve brought herself forward to pull him down to meet her lips.  The two
embraced tenderly as Chris joined Eve's side.

Eve felt Chris' strong arms around her as she began running her fingers across his muscular chest hoping
to savor the familiarity as she began causing a reaction in him.  Feeling their need for one another
intensified, Eve looked into his eyes knowing that no more words needed to be spoken as they held onto each
other.  She placed a tender kiss upon his lips as she proceeded to shift her torso above his as she
concentrated on the man that she loved beneath her.  She brought his hands up to her body as they worked
together to remove her candy apple red T-shirt.  She placed his hands around her waist as he became enticed
with what she was offering him.

"Oh Eve, you're so beautiful." Chris whispered admiringly gazing at Eve as his hands explored the
sensuous contour of her back.  She reached for his right hand and drew it near to her mouth where she
placed soft kisses upon each digit.  Chris closed his eyes and found himself lost in the feel of her touch
as she lowered herself to take in each inch of his enticing chest.  He drew in a breath felt his body
heating up against hers and his breath shortened at the feel of Eve's erotic kisses. 

Eve watched his face closely noticing the intensity of the reaction she was getting from him with each
movement she made.  She continued to captivate Chris for a few moments until she felt his strong hands upon
her shoulders urging her to look into his eyes.  His desire grew into a need as he pulled her up to him and
he enfolded her in his arms pressing his heated lips to hers as the fire across the room began to flicker
and crackle as if in rhythm with the two lovers as they became one.

"Damn it Scott!  This waiting is killing me." Lucy snapped running her fingers through her hair's thick
tresses.  "I need to be with Doc!"

"When Ellen's finished in there with him, I'm sure she'll let you know, so why don't you take a seat over
here?"  Scott suggested slumping down into on of the chairs.  "Surely there's no point in getting all bent
out of shape just yet and blowing hot air around."

"You're right Pal.  I'm only making it worse for myself."  Lucy decided taking a seat beside Scott. 
Reaching for his hand, she gave it a squeeze.  "Thank you for being here with me."

"There's no place I'd rather be Lucy."  Scott assured her holding her hand tighter.  "I just want to see you
happy."

"I want to see you happy too Pal and it means a lot to me that you're here considering the circumstances." 
Lucy continued thinking of how hard this must be for Scott.

"Lucy, I meant what I said before.  I only want the best for you and if you feel that it's Kevin, then so
be it."  Scott explained pulling her into a hug trying his best to sound convincing. 

"Oh Scott," Lucy said hugging him tighter as tears rushed down her face.  "I love Doc so much.  We've
fought too long and too hard for us to be together."

"You two will be together Luce." Scott said as she sobbed on his shoulder.  "God wouldn't take him away
from you like that."

"He needs me right now Scott.  I can feel it."  Lucy cried into his chest feeling her heart fill with
sadness.  "Something's terribly wrong with Doc."

"Lucy, please don't jump to conclusions just yet.  You said it yourself that Kevin seemed to be doing better
this morning." Scott reminded her as he held her tightly.

"Yes, but what if I was wrong and he's not doing better?  Then what Scott?"  She questioned terrified
at the thought of losing Kevin.

"Then we get through this together." Scott explained noticing Ellen down the hallway.

"Lucy," Ellen called out to her.

"Ellen, what is it?  How is Kevin?" Lucy asked instantly jumping to her feet.

"He was awake when I left his room a little while ago." Ellen explained with a soft smile.

"Then he's all right?" Lucy asked feeling her heart pounding in her chest.  "Can I see him now?" 

"Sure Lucy, but I warn you that he's really wiped out." Ellen explained to Lucy as she thought about her
conversation with Kevin.  "He's eager to talk to you."

"Then I won't make him wait any longer."  Lucy decided turning to Scott.  "Thank you again for being here
with me."

"I meant what I said Lucy.  I only want to see you happy."  Scott replied giving her a quick kiss on the
forehead.  "Tell Kevin I said hello."

"I will."  Lucy nodded taking off in the direction of Kevin's room. 

"So Ellen, how bad is it?"  Scott questioned turning to face Ellen sensing something more was going on. 
"What's the prognosis?"

"Scott, you know I'm not allowed to go over my patients records with you."  Ellen reminded him
quickly trying not to let any emotion slip through in her voice.

"Thanks Ellen."  Scott nodded locking gazes with her for a moment seeing the truth in her eyes before
turning away.

"For what?"  Ellen questioned in confusion.

"For giving me the answer I needed."  Scott explained quickly.  "Tell Lucy I'll call her later."

"Where are you going?"  Ellen inquired.

"I have something I have to do."  Scott replied realizing there was somewhere else he needed to be
immediately.

"Alex please," Tracie urged following him out into the lobby sensing his anger as he refused to say anything
to her, "I can explain everything if you just give me a chance."

"Really?  That's interesting that you mention that because I'd really like to know just what the hell you
thought you were trying to pull by supplying a fake identification to one of my officers in an attempt to
sneak into the cell block to meet with a deranged murderer.  Please Tracie, enlighten me.  I'd love to
hear it."  Alex snapped angrily crossing his arms out in front of his chest awaiting her response.

"Alex, look it's not as bad as you're making it sound."  Tracie spoke up in her defense.  "It's more
of a misunderstanding."

"Really, that's funny because the way I see it, you've broken a couple of laws this afternoon already and if
I wasn't in such a giving mood, I could throw your butt in jail."  Alex shot back at her in anger.

"Alex please," Tracie began reaching out to touch his shoulder as he shrugged her hand away.

"What were you thinking?  You could've gotten yourself killed in there."  Alex continued authoritatively. 
"You don't know this man's history, but I can tell you from experience what he's done to women like yourself,
and it isn't pretty."

"So that's what this is about?"  Tracie questioned fighting to suppress a smile as she eyed him
carefully.  "You were worried about me, weren't you?"

"Of course I was worried about you, but that's not why I'm so upset."  Alex explained unbending as he looked
her over.  "You broke the law in my police station."

"Not to mention that I put myself in the line of danger without you there to protect me."  Tracie added
fighting to suppress the amusement she was getting out of this confrontation.

"That's not it at all Tracie."  Alex replied feeling his heart skip a beat at the nearness of her.

"No?"  Tracie questioned stepping towards him. "Correct me if I'm wrong Alex, but I think that part
of the reason you're so upset is because you like me."

"Tracie, my personal feelings for you have nothing to do with what you did here today."  Alex replied
loosening his stance as she reached out to touch the side of his face.  "You were wrong to deceive my
officer into letting you back there."

"I see." Tracie nodded with a smirk inching towards him.

"Tracie, I mean it.  You have to leave the detective work to me just like I leave the reporter stuff to
you."  Alex explained feeling her breath upon his face as she leaned up against him.

"Okay, I promise from this moment on, I'll leave the detective work up to you."  Tracie agreed bringing her
arms around his neck.  "Does that make you feel better?"

"Much," Alex nodded noticing the looks that they were receiving from a few of the officers in the
department, "Tracie, what are you doing?"

"I'm waiting for you to kiss me or do I have to go find another prisoner to talk to in order to get a
rise out of you?"  Tracie questioned with a smirk as he drew her in nearer to him.

"It's too late for that."  Alex grinned lowering himself to kiss her sweet lips only to be greeted by a
couple of hoots from the other officers watching.  Pulling back abruptly, Alex struggled to regain his
composure unable to believe he'd just kissed her like that.

"Why did you stop?"  Tracie questioned in confusion.  "That was nice."

"I don't think that this is the right place for us to continue this um, this conversation."  Alex explained
listening to the chuckles around them.  "The last thing we need is to become the topic of locker room
gossip around here."

"Who cares?  I'm the queen of the press remember?" Tracie smiled moving in towards Alex again when a
familiar voice filled the air.

"There you are.  I've been waiting in the car for about an hour now wondering what in the world happened
to you."  Frank called out approaching the two of them.  "You know, it wouldn't have been so bad in
there if you would've just left your keys in the car, but no, you couldn't do that and to make matters
worse, I would've headed on home, but I left my keys back on your dresser in your bedroom this morning..."

"You two spent the night together?"  Alex questioned watching the exchange between Tracie and Frank.

"Well, yes, but Alex, I can explain."  Tracie began watching him stiffen before her.

"Don't bother. " Alex replied spinning around on his heel and taking off across the room.  "I have work to
do."

"Alex wait."  Tracie called out to him again listening to the door slam as he entered his office.

"Did I miss something here?"  Frank questioned looking from Alex's office back to Tracie.

"Seems to be the story of your life Frank."  Tracie muttered darting out of the room with a huff.

"No!" Eve cried out waking up in a cold sweat as she realized that she was unable to take in air fast
enough.  She drew in a deep breath while pressing the thick comforter against her as visions began to flood
through her head.  She could hear her heart beating rapidly as the nightmare began to replay in her mind. 
She tried to convince herself that it was only a dream, but it had appeared too terrifying to be that
simple.

"Eve, what is it?" Chris asked reaching out to her after he had been awakened by her scream .  He wrapped
his arms around her realizing that she had been startled by the feel of his touch.  "Eve?"

"Oh God," she sobbed holding onto Chris with all her might as she tried to convince herself that she needed
to relax before she hyperventilated.

"Eve, what's going on?" Chris asked in confusion as she clung to him in desperation.

"It was horrible Chris." she cried into his chest as she felt his strong arms around her.  "You were so far
away and you couldn't find me."

"Eve, honey you had another nightmare." he explained trying to calm her down.  "It was only a dream." 

"Chris," she began touching him as tears streamed down her face, "I kept calling to you, but you never came. 
I was so afraid that I was never going to see you again."

"It was just a dream Eve." Chris tried to assure her as he began to rock her gently in his arms.  "That's
all it was.  Just a dream...nothing more."

"No Chris, it was more than that." she insisted in between breaths as she looked into his concerned eyes.
 "I kept calling for you, but he said that wouldn't let me see you ever again."

"Who Eve?" Chris asked holding her tighter in his arms.

"I don't know." she cried as she began to break down once more. 

"Shh......." he whispered in her ear as he continued to rock her.  He listened to her sobs and began
running his fingers through her damp sweat soaked hair hoping to convince her that her dream was just that
knowing all too well what she was remembering.  "Everything is going to be all right Eve.  I'm here
now."

"I was so frightened and no matter how hard I tried to get to you I couldn't." Eve continued as her sobs
began to soften.  "I needed you so much and I couldn't bring you back to them no matter how hard I tried."

"Eve," Chris began realizing that she was slowly slipping back into her nightmare again, "I'm right
here with you and I'm not going anywhere."

"What's happening to me Chris?  Why am I having these nightmares like this?" she questioned as he noticed
her lip quivering with each word she spoke.  "They just feel so real."

"I promise you that I'm going to be right here with you." Chris replied as she held onto his arms for
support as she began to calm down a bit.  "I promise that I'll never let go of you for the rest of the
night."

"Please don't." Eve sniffled leaning into Chris as her eyelids grew heavy.  "I need you here with me."

"Shh................Eve I'm right by your side where I'll always be." Chris whispered in her ear realizing
that she had eventually drifted back off to sleep again in his arms.  He carefully lowered himself back
onto his pillow making sure that Eve was comfortable as her arms remained locked around his body as if she
was still afraid to let go of him.  Chris closed his eyes for a moment feel exhaustion setting in, but
realizing that he wouldn't be able to sleep knowing that soon Eve would remember the horrors she'd
experienced and he feared for what would happen when that time came.   Deciding that he'd better stay alert
until he was sure that she was all right and wouldn't be awakened by another memory, Chris noticed that
Eve's breathing pattern had slowed down to a normal rate and her grip on him loosened as she snuggled up
against him.  He continued to run his fingers through her hair until he gradually dozed off with his arms
wrapped around her protectively vowing never to let Ryan hurt her again. 

"My I must be popular today.  To what do I owe this honor Scott?"  Ryan questioned finding Scott waiting
for him in the interrogation room.

"Look I don't know what kind of sick game you're playing you bastard, but I'm not going to help you
hurt anyone else.  Do you hear me?" Scott shouted looking back at Ryan.

"Scott, Scott, Scott." Ryan sighed shaking his head.  "You drove over here just to say that.  For a moment
there, I thought you were really coming around."

"Coming around?"  Scott replied with a dry laugh.  "Nothing's going to change my feelings towards you
Ryan."

"Nothing you say?"  Ryan questioned curiously.  "You know I'd hardly consider this proper conduct for our
business arrangement.  In fact I'd have to say that you really are in need of an attitude adjustment
Scott.  It's just all wrong."

"You're the one that's wrong."  Scott snapped moving towards him in a rage.  "I won't sit back defending
you and let you continually ruin my life and the lives of those I care about!!"

"Ruined your life?  Hah!" Ryan laughed at him in amusement.  "Scott, I brought your life back to you. 
It's my blood and sweat that brought Lucy back to you in the first place.  If it wasn't for me, the two of
you never would've had a second chance together, or are you forgetting that?"

"What kind of twisted game are you playing now Ryan?"  Scott asked in anger as he raised his fist in the air.
 

"You can hit me if you like Scott," Ryan replied calmly amused as the rage built inside of Scott, "but
it won't take away any of the pain that was caused by the real enemy."

"What are you talking about?" Scott questioned swinging his fist into the air away from Ryan. 

"I'm not the enemy.  I'm not the one that took Lucy away from you..." Ryan smiled arrogantly.  "...Kevin
did and if you give me a few minutes to explain myself, I can help you find the solutions to all of
your problems."

"Why should I even listen to you?" Scott questioned still holding his fist in the air.  "You are the one
responsible for all the pain Lucy is going through right now."

"Ahh Scott...." Ryan grinned moving towards Scott.  "that's where our business relationship comes into
play.  You see I have something you want desperately, or at least I think you may want it.  I've been known
to be wrong from time to time."

"What are you talking about?" Scott asked wearily as Ryan inched toward him.  "Back off!!!"

"Listen to me Scott." Ryan began inching closer still.  "I can give you everything you've ever wanted if
you're willing to just hear me out."

"Spare me!"  Scott replied sarcastically looking at Ryan.

"I admired the fight you had when we first met and now you're being reduced to this because of a temporary
roadblock on the path to happiness.  I can help you regain that happiness again  Scott.  We both know that
you want Lucy and I offer you a way back into her heart although it does have it's price." Ryan
continued watching Scott's expression.  "The Scott Baldwin I knew would've fought to the death to help
those he cared about if he had to."

"I don't think that you heard me before Ryan." Scott insisted glaring at him.  "I'm not interested in
whatever cockamamie scheme you've got running around in the twisted mind of yours."

"What I'm offering you Scott, is a chance to get back everything that you lost.  All you have to do is hear
me out.  I don't think I'm asking too much.  What do you say?"  Ryan responded to him calmly. 

"The day that I fall for another one of your manipulations, is the day that they start building igloos in hell!!" Scott yelled moving towards the door wondering why he'd driven over to see Ryan in the first place.

"Fine leave then, but I warn you now, if you walk out of this room, you'll never know what it would've been
like to give the ultimate gift to Lucy by saving Kevin's life." Ryan shrugged taking a seat in a chair and letting out a sigh.

"What did you just say?"  Scott questioned turning around to face him.

"I said that I'm offering you the solution to all of your problems.  Here's the deal, if you agree to quit
with this holier than thou attitude, and work on preparing the best defense possible for my upcoming
hearing, then I guarantee to help you in saving my brother's life."  Ryan explained realizing he'd perked
an interest in Scott.  "Don't look so surprised Baldwin.  I know my brother is dying and it's only a
matter of time before he's no more than a distant memory, but if you help me, then that all changes."

"Why should I believe a word you're saying?"  Scott asked eyeing Ryan carefully trying to see if he was
bluffing.

"Because deep down you know it's the truth.  I'm the only one alive that knows how to cure Kevin before
it's too late, but to do so, I'm going to need some incentive."  Ryan explained with a sly grin.  "Tell me
Scott.  Now does my proposal sound a bit more intriguing or is your fury for me so strong that
you're willing to disregard Lucy's happiness?"

"This is insanity."  Scott muttered heading towards the door once again.

"Then again, perhaps this has nothing to do with your hatred for me and everything to do with your feelings
for Lucy."  Ryan called out to him boldly.  "Come to think about it, there's probably nothing you'd rather
than to see my brother laid out on a cold slab of marble, which I must confess sounds a bit appealing to
me, but then again, I'm not the upstanding citizen that you are Scott.  Now that I've told you what I
want out of this, the rest of the deal is up to you."

"There is no deal Ryan."  Scott snapped at him in anger. 

"Well, either way it's up to you, but rest assured whatever decision you make Scott, my brother's life
hangs in your hands.  Remember that."  Ryan called out as the guard opened the door and Scott stepped out
into the hallway. 

Lucy stepped into Kevin's room after Ellen had finished his examination and found him fast asleep in the hospital bed.  Deciding not to disturb him, Lucy took a seat at his bedside where she'd spent most of the night and morning just watching him stir about restlessly from time to time.  Feeling her own eyelids weighing down, she let out a yawn thinking about how much she loved him as she drifted off to sleep.  Hours later Lucy was awakened by the sounds of an orderly in the hallway and turned to Kevin seeing him sleeping peacefully before her.
 
"Good afternoon Doc." Lucy smiled leaning over in her chair to kiss Kevin as she noticed him start to stir
in the hospital bed before her.  
 
"Good afternoon?" Kevin questioned curiously looking around the room.  "What time is it?"
 
"It's three-thirty." Lucy explained looking down at her watch briefly before reaching out to stroke the
side of his face happy to see that some of his color had returned as she looked down at him.
 
"I must've drifted off after Ellen left last night." Kevin explained looking up at her in confusion. 
"Lucy, did you sleep there all night?" 
 
"Yes, I did." she answered taking his hand in hers.  
 
"You slept in that chair?" he asked noticing the blanket covering her legs.  "That had to be the most
uncomfortable place in the world to sleep."
 
"I'm always comfortable when I'm by your side Doc." Lucy smiled moving in for a kiss trying not to think
of the horrors she'd experienced watching him struggling with himself after he'd passed out at the
lighthouse.  
 
"In that case," Kevin began pulling her down towards him guiding her arms around his muscular neck, "why
don't you hop in here with me?"
 
"Why Dr. Collins," Lucy smiled looking down at him, "you're feeling much better this afternoon, aren't
you?"
 
"Why don't you come over here and find out for yourself?" he teased pulling his lips to meet hers in
a passionate embrace.
 
"OOPS." Ellen's voice called out from behind as Kevin and Lucy were about to get lost in each other's kiss. 
"I'm sorry.  I'll come back later."
 
"Ellen," Kevin called out disappointed to find out that he was no longer alone with Lucy, "hey, I didn't
hear you come in here."
 
"I didn't mean to interrupt you two Kevin, but I wanted to check on you." Ellen explained a bit
embarrassed for intruding on their moment.
 
"That's quite all right." Lucy smiled grabbing a hold of Kevin's hand.  "Do you have any good news for us?"
 
"Well?" Kevin questioned nervously wondering if Ellen was in fact going to keep up with her end of the
bargain they'd agreed upon earlier together.
 
"Actually," Ellen began after a moment's hesitancy, "I just might.  Kevin and I had a word about his
condition last night and we mutually agreed that him going home is the best thing for everyone right now."
 
"Are you serious?" Lucy questioned beaming with energy as she reached over to hug Kevin.  "Doc, you're coming home."
 
"That's wonderful news Lucy." Kevin agreed with a smile locking gazes with Ellen silently thanking her
for what she'd just done.
 
"So Doc is really coming home?" Lucy questioned making sure that she'd heard Ellen correctly.  "This isn't
just some attempt to get my hopes up and then crush them into a million itty-bitty pieces because Ellen I
warn you now I can't take something like that after all we've been through."
 
"I'm being serious here Lucy.  I'm releasing Kevin this afternoon." Ellen replied opening Kevin's charts
before turning to him.  "Everything we discussed is in order Kevin, and I've called the pharmacy about
changing your dosage on the medication like we'd discussed, so now all you have to do is get some
rest."
 
"Thank you Ellen." Kevin replied with silent understanding as Lucy wrapped her arms around him.
 
"This is so great Doc.  Now we can get you home and get you back to your old self again."  Lucy started
excitedly reaching for his things on top of the table.  "I'll help you get ready to leave and then we can
just...."
 
"Actually, I would like to have a few words with Kevin if you don't mind." Ellen explained noticing how happy
Kevin and Lucy looked together as she avoided eye contact with Lucy fearing that her friend might read
the truth in her eyes.  
 
"By all means Ellen, I'm all yours." Kevin replied flashing Ellen a goofy grin as Lucy nudged him.
 
"Hey bub, don't you dare start offering yourself to other women in the hopes of making me jealous because
I'll have none of that."  Lucy started in a menacing tone.  "You're all mine."
 
"Hmm, well, how about if I only offer myself to Ellen?" Kevin questioned with a chuckle.
 
"Well, I suppose if Matt can live with it, then so can I," Lucy teased cracking a smile at his last remark, 
"but you'd better not forget who loves you baby."
 
"I'd never do that Lucy.  I only have eyes for you." Kevin nodded in agreement as Lucy stood up excitedly. 
"Why don't you go tell Victor the news so he stops worrying about me and goes home?  He could use some
rest right now."
 
"All right Doc.  I'll go tell him the news while you finish up with Ellen in here." Lucy replied kissing
his forehead before turning to Ellen and giving her a hug.  "Thank you Ellen."
 
"You're welcome Lucy." Ellen replied returning the hug as Lucy pranced out of the room excitedly.
 
"Thanks are truly in order." Kevin spoke up as soon as Lucy left the room.
 
"Kevin, I still have my reservations about this....." Ellen began to protest.
 
"This means the world to me Ellen and being able to spend these last days with Lucy is more than I
could've asked for."  Kevin explained gratefully as he sat up in bed reaching for his shirt on the table top.
 

"I understand that Kevin, and that's why I'm granting your request, but don't do something stupid out there
and make me regret this decision." Ellen started after a moment's hesitation.  "I want to keep you around as
long as possible and by you running off and chancing things....."
 
"Ellen, you truly are an amazing woman, and I'm very thankful that our paths crossed if even for a brief
period of my life."  Kevin explained solemnly cutting her off as he looked up at her.  "You've always been a
wonderful friend to me and what you're doing for Lucy and I, oh God Ellen, words can't even begin to
describe the depths of my gratitude for what you're doing for me."
 
"I just wish I could do more." Ellen replied trying to fight the tears in her eyes as Kevin pulled her into
an embrace.
 
"You've already done so much Ellen."  Kevin whispered in her ear feeling her hot tears fall upon his
shoulder as he fought to suppress his own filling up in his eyes.  "Thank you."

Tick....tick....tick......the clock's clicking noises filled the air as Scott paced the long sidewalk outside the jail house.  Now standing a few yards in front of the threshold to the entrance, he turned around heading down towards the waterfront feeling everything as if it was hanging by a thread in balance as he took a seat on the bench contemplating his options.  

It had been over twenty four hours since Ryan had proposed his absurd proposition and now the options
were laid out on the table: defend Ryan and save Kevin, or walk away and Kevin dies...plain and simple.
 Plain and simple if there weren't any emotional factors involved, but the problem eating away most as
Scott was the fact that it was the emotional element involved in his decision.  Never before was he faced
with such a choice that would impact so many lives...never before did he have the power to impact
so much and never in his life could he have ever wished this horrible weight on his shoulders upon
anyone...not even his worst enemy.
 
It was completely unethical for him to even consider accepting such an agreement considering the
circumstances surrounding the situation, yet he was compelled to agree to Ryan's terms knowing what a
choice would mean to Lucy.  He closed his eyes thinking back to his talk with Lucy a day earlier at
the hospital when she'd been in tears at the prospect of losing Kevin.  She would hate him for taking on the
case, but if she knew the horrible truth, she'd hate him more for not trying to do all that he possibly
could to help heal Kevin.  
 
While he'd hated to see her so much in love with another man after all they'd been through over the
past year of their lives together, what got to him more was the fact that he hated to see her cry and in
so much pain surrounding the idea that Kevin would be ripped away from her life again.  He knew what that
kind of loss would do to Lucy and he wasn't quite sure he would be able to live with himself knowing that he
could've prevented her losing Kevin, yet at the same time, he knew he would lose Lucy forever if Kevin
lived.  Lucy and Kevin would be free to love one another and he would be all alone again without the
one thing that had been his driving force for almost a year.
 
"Don't think like that Scott."  he warned himself finding his mind slipping back into the dark place it
had wandered into during the time since Kevin had first been discovered.  He couldn't allow himself to
think about his needs during this time, otherwise he would do something that could be...... 
 
"No, I won't think about it."  Scott decided shaking his head in disbelief as he looked back at the others
stepping into and out of the courthouse letting out a sigh.  While there would by so much to gain in
defending Ryan, there was also the chance that he could be bluffing in which case everyone could wind up
a loser and all his efforts would be in vain.  Either way it was a losing battle and one Scott just wasn't
up for.   
 
Casting a glance back at the jail house again, Scott began walking along the pier seeking some type of
solution to his problems when he noticed the bar up ahead.  Deciding to toss his worries aside for the
time being, he headed on in through the front doors to the aged Pub and took a seat on the
barstool before him.
 
"What can I get for you?"  The bartender questioned approaching him.  After a moment the bartender's face
lit up and he smiled.  "Scotty Baldwin.  Hey, how's it going?  I haven't seen you round these parts in quite
some time."
 
"Oh yeah Jerome. Hey long time." Scott replied instantly recognizing the bartender from years ago.  
 
"You're telling me.  Why just the other day my mother and I were discussing how you changed my life during
the trial." Jerome continued with a hint of admiration in his voice.  "If you hadn't been so convincing, then
I'd probably have spent the better half of my life behind bars for those ridiculous B & E charges.  I owe
my life to "
 
"Hey, I was just doing my job."  Scott replied with a shrug thinking it over.
 
"Well, either way, having you as my attorney turned my life around and for that, I'll be eternally grateful."
 Jerome insisted brightly wiping down the bar for a moment.  "You were the only one who believed in me at
a time in my life when the world was ready to condemn me."
 
"I did what I felt was right." Scott added thinking back to the trial.  "I knew that you weren't going to
become a menace to society and that locking you up was only going to cause more harm than good in the long
run."
 
"See that's what put me a step above the rest.  You fought for me tooth and nail to ensure that I wouldn't
suffer for one mistake I made." Jerome continued with a smile.  "You know, you're not like the other lawyers
I've encountered Scott, you do what you do because you want to see justice served not because you want your
pockets lined."
 
"Yeah, well don't tell anyone I went soft on you that once."  Scott started thinking about how ambitious
he'd been when he'd first started out, but then he flashed back to his last encounter with Ryan and it
sent chills down his spine.
 
"So what can I get for you tonight Scott?" Jerome questioned interrupting Scott's thoughts.
 
"Huh, oh um, I'll take the usual."  With a crease in his brow, he slumped over in his stool and let out a
sigh.
 
"Let me guess.  Two shots of tequila coming right up." Jerome replied knowingly pouring Scott his drinks. 
"So tell me Scotty, what brings you slumming over here after all this time?"
 
"It's a long complicated story....one I'd rather not get into over tequila and old memories."  Scott
explained reaching for the first shot glass and feeling the liquid burn his throat on the way down.
 

   "Hey last I'd heard you and that lady friend of yours started some fashion line together.  I knew it didn't
      have such a great start with all those crazy stories flying around, but man I was just in the store with my
      girlfriend the other day and some of the things that have come out in that line were just incredible on
      her." Jerome continued oblivious to the fact Scott wasn't really in the mood for chit chat.  "That Lucy
      Coe was sure some looker now that I think about it. How'd you get to be so lucky?"
       
      "Luck would have nothing to do with it." Scott mumbled under his breath thinking of Lucy for a moment. 
      "Lucy's just one of those women that add so much to  your world with just a smile.....just a glance and
      your heart is gone."
       
      "Hey, I didn't mean to bring you down." Jerome apologized sensing Scott's cool disposition.
       
      "I just have a lot on my mind."  Scott explained reaching for his wallet and pulling out a bill.
       
      "Save it Baldwin.  It's on the house." Jerome replied tending to another customer.
       
      "Somehow it always ends up like this, doesn't it? Just the two of us." Scott murmured under his breath
      raising the glass to his lips feeling 
       

 
      "So then everything is taken care of?" Kevin questioned signing the last of his release forms as he
      turned to Matt.
       
      "I did what you requested Kevin, but please remember what Ellen told you about taking it easy." Matt warned noticing Lucy approaching in the distance.  "I know how much she means to you, but I also know how much you mean to her and if anything goes wrong...."
       
      "Not a word." Kevin instructed turning around to face Lucy with a smile.  "Hey beautiful."
       
      "Hey Doc, I talked to Victor and Mary and they said
      that they're more than willing to meet us back home at
      the lighthouse after we leave here." Lucy explained
      wrapping her arms around Kevin excitedly.  "I can't
      believe that after all this time this is really
      happening for us Doc."
       
      "It's a dream come true for me Lucy." Kevin replied
      holding her close to him as he noticed Ellen
      approaching from down the hall.
       
      "You aren't gone yet?" Ellen teased walking over to
      Kevin, Lucy, and Matt.  "I would've thought that you'd
      be long gone by the look on your face when I said
      you'd be free to go."
       
      "I'll be home where I belong soon enough..." Kevin
      smiled looking at Lucy for a moment happy to have her
      in his arms.  "I'm glad to be getting out of here
      since I already spend too much time at this place."
       
      "You don't like being a patient huh Kevin?" Ellen
      questioned hoping to make light of the situation
      despite her reservations about allowing Kevin to leave
      the hospital.
       
      "No way." Kevin replied wrinkling his nose.  "I'd
      rather be the doctor anyday."  
       
      "Then I suppose it looks like everything is all set."
      Ellen spoke up approaching the happy couple as her
      gaze met Kevin's.  "I called in your prescription a
      little while ago and it'll be ready in about five
      minutes."
       
      "Great...oh and thanks a bunch." Kevin nodded briefly.
       
      "Just remember to take it easy." Matt warned
      exchanging glances with Ellen for a moment.
       
      "I will Matt." he agreed turning to Lucy.   "Are you
      ready to go?"
       
      "Absolutely.  We'll see you two later." she smiled
      grabbing a hold of Kevin's hand firmly.  "Lead the way
      Doc."
       
      "After you my lady." Kevin responded as the walked
      down the hall together
       
      "Bye Matt.  Bye Ellen." Lucy waved as she and Kevin
      took off towards the elevator.
       
      "She has no idea what he has in store for her, does
      she?" Matt asked Ellen after a moment.
       
      "Not a clue." Ellen responded still unable to shake
      the feeling eating away at her.
       
      "Ellen, you're doing the right thing." Matt spoke up
      sensing her unspoken concern.  "Kevin wanted this time
      with Lucy and you were perfectly within your
      boundaries to allow this."
       
      "Then why does it feel so horrible Matt?" Ellen
      questioned with a wrinkled brow.  "Why do I feel like
      I've just signed that man's death certificate?"
       
      "Ellen, he seemed to be doing all right just now."
      Matt pointed out hoping to ease her mind.
       
      "Yes Matt, but we both know the severity of the
      situation at hand." Ellen added with a sigh.  "I'm
      sorry, I don't mean to dwell on this, but I just can't
      help feeling the way I do right now."
       
      "And I understand that Ellen." Matt nodded reaching
      for her hand.  "You made the right decision and I hope
      that if the roles were reversed and I only had a short
      time left that someone would do the same thing for
      us."
       
      "Matt, I can't bear the thought of losing you." Ellen
      replied squeezing his hand in her own as she fought
      the tears forming in her eyes.  "I don't know what I'd
      do if we were in a situation like that."
       
      "Well, don't worry about it Ellen, because if that
      time ever came you and I would probably do the same
      thing Kevin is doing with Lucy and that's live out the
      rest of our time together to the fullest it can be." 
      Matt explained kissing her hand lightly.  "I love you
      Ellen."
       
      "I love you too Matt." Ellen sniffled feeling herself
      overcome with emotion as she touched his face.  "I
      don't ever want to lose you."
       
      "As long as I have a say in the matter, you won't ever
      have to worry about it." Matt replied with a nod
      checking the time.  "What do you say you and I call it
      a day since our shifts are almost over and head on out
      for a coffee Dr. Burgess?"
       
      "I say you're on." Ellen nodded with a smile doing her
      best to put her concerns and fears for Kevin and Lucy
      aside as she concentrated on spending time with the
      man she loved.

      "Alex, come on talk to me." Tracie urged maneuvering
      her way past the crowded room after she'd spotted Alex
      Garcia across the banquet hall.
       
      "I'm on duty Tracie." Alex explained brushing few a
      couple of patrons in the restaurant area.
       
      "Alex, please just give me a minute to explain all of
      this and I'm sure you'll see...." Tracie insisted
      following him across the room.  
       
      "See what Tracie?" Alex questioned turning around and
      facing her.  "That you and Frank Scanlon are pretty
      hot and heavy with one another?  It doesn't take an
      idiot to see that you're obviously interested in him. 
      I should've picked up on it the other day at the gym,
      but I suppose as usual when you're around I was too
      distracted to hone into it."
       
      "Alex, nothing is going on between Frank and I."
      Tracie insisted taking a firm hold on his sleeve. 
      "Yes, Frank and I were together in the past, but trust
      me, I'd have more feelings for my dog than I would
      Frank at this point in my life."
       
      "Really?" Alex questioned skeptically.
       
      "Yes, really." Tracie replied with a smile seeing the
      crease in his brow fading.  "Frank stayed over the
      other night because we're still friends and we
      talked."
       
      "Talked?" Alex repeated feeling his face grow flushed
      as he gazed into her crystal blue eyes.
       
      "Yeah, we talked..actually held an intelligent
      conversation, which I suppose is hard to believe with
      Frank, but that's all that happened.  All that was
      exchanged between Frank and I were words.  People
      still do that you know." Tracie chuckled lightly
      reaching into her purse.  "Still hate me?"
       
      "I don't hate you." Alex explained as she held his
      pager in hand.
       
      "Really?" Tracie questioned moving in closer to him as
      they stood in the lobby together.
       
      "Yes really." Alex nodded taking his pager as their
      fingers brushed up against one another.  Without a
      word, he laced his fingers with Tracie's both holding
      the pager as he found himself spellbound by her smile
      completely captivated by the nearness of her.
       
      "So am I forgiven?" Tracie questioned tilting her head
      upward slightly as he smiled down at her.
       
      "I think we can work on something." Alex replied
      softly easing himself into her personal space
      anticipating another kiss with her like he'd
      remembered from before when he felt his hand
      vibrating.  A bit surprised, he jumped away as Tracie
      fought to suppress a giggle.  "It's work."
       
      "I figured," Tracie nodded understanding as he gazed
      back at her frozen in place, "I'm not going anywhere. 
      You can call them back."
       
      "Oh, yeah right." he smiled reaching into his jacket
      pocket and pulling out his cell phone.  "Garcia
      here...yeah, uh-huh.....at Chris Ramsey's apartment? 
      Okay......I'm right on my way."
       
      "Alex, what's going on?" Tracie questioned as he hung
      up the phone.
       
      "I have to go check out a break in." Alex explained
      putting his phone back into his pocket.  "I hate to do
      this, but can we continue this later?"
       
      "Why don't you take me with you?" Tracie suggested
      hopefully wondering just what kind of break in had
      taken place over at Chris' place.
       
      "Tracie, I don't know....." he replied hesitantly.
       
      "Alex, you may as well take me with you because if you
      don't, I'll probably end up on the doorstep a short
      while later." She explained seriously as he let out a
      reluctant sigh.
       
      "Oh, all right, but I'm warning you now, if you tamper
      with anything in any way, I'll have no choice, but to
      bust you." Alex replied pulling his car keys out of
      his jacket as they moved towards the exit. 
      "Understood?"
       
      "Completely." Tracie nodded as the moved out into the
      sunny afternoon.

          "If there were no words
           No way to speak
                      I would still hear you
           If there were no tears
           No way to feel inside
           I'd still feel for you

           And even if the sun refused to shine
           Even if romance ran out of rhyme
           You would still have my heart until the end of
      time
           You're all I need, my love, my Valentine..."

       
      "Oh Doc," Lucy began looking into his eyes as he
      pulled her closer to him, "I missed you so much."
       
      "I missed you too ." he whispered as she laid her head
      upon his chest.

          All of my life
          I have been waiting for
         All you give to me
         You've opened my eyes
         And showed me how to love unselfishly

         I've dreamed of this a thousand times before
         But in my dreams I couldn't love you more
         I will give you my heart
         Until the end of time...
         You're all I need, my love, my Valentine

         And even if the sun refused to shine
         Even if romance ran out of rhyme
         You would still have my heart until the end of time
         'Cause all I need is you, my Valentine
         You're all I need, my love, my Valentine......."

       
      "Lucy, I want to dedicate the rest of my life to
      making you happy." he explained softly touching her
      cheek as he took in the moment to capture her features
      so that he could remember the feel of her in his arms
      forever.  "I promise you that I'll never let anyone
      hurt us again."
       

         
        "Lucy, I know how much you LOVE surprises, so I
      thought
       that I would make you hunt around a little bit for
      your gift.  This key here   unlocks the cabinet over
      by the table that holds the first part of your gift."
 

       
      "Just what do you have planned Doc?" Lucy wondered
      getting up and walking over to the large oak cabinet
      and opening it to reveal a thick white robe with a
      small white bathing suit next to it.  Attached to the
      robe was a note that read: "Wear these." 
       
      "Doc said to meet him outside and the note says to put
      these on, but it's the middle of the night..." Lucy
      began suddenly getting an idea as a wicked smile
      crossed her lips.

      Kevin sat patiently waiting by the hot spring in the
      secluded backyard feeling the night wind picking up as
      he shivered from underneath his black robe.  He pulled
      a pill out of his pocket and swallowed it wondering
      how long it would take Lucy to find him sitting
      outside waiting for her.  He put his pill bottle back
      into his pocket and hoped that Lucy would arrive soon
      before he became victim to the evening chill.
       
      "Hi Doc," Lucy's voice carried out through the night
      air as she watched him shivering next to the hot
      spring.
       
      "Lucy, you look fantastic." Kevin gasped noticing how
      beautiful she looked in the soft white robe.  "I was
      afraid that you wouldn't come out here."
       
      "And miss out on a hot spring in the middle of night
      after hearing so many raves about them in these
      parts." she laughed watching the steam rise up above
      the water.  "Never."
       
      "So how does the suit fit?" Kevin asked glancing her
      over.  "I picked it out myself in one of those
      catalogs you left for me to look through in the
      hospital and then I sent Ellen on a shopping
      expedition for it."
       
      "I don't know." Lucy replied shedding her robe to
      reveal her bare flesh.  "It's back in the cabin."
       
      "Oh..." Kevin muttered not able to find a word to say
      as he took in the sight of her before him.
       
      "Are you going to join me?" Lucy teased as she
      carefully stepped into the water.  "Or are you going
      to sit there and stare at me all night?"
       
      "Um...um...I didn't think that..." Kevin replied
      unable to take his eyes off of her.  "I guess I wasn't
      expecting you to come out here quite like that and now
      that you have, well...."
       
      "Kevin," Lucy whispered moving over to the side where
      he was sitting, "why don't you come in here and help
      me heat things up?"
       
      "No problem Lucy." he replied jumping into the water
      still dressed in his robe.
         

Chapter 15

 "Now come on son, is that any way to greet your old man?" Henry smiled back at Chris before turning to Eve
with a smile.  "Aren't you going to introduce me to
your company? Hi, I'm Henry Ramsey."

 "She doesn't care." Chris replied stepping in between
his father and Eve.
 "Christopher, please lighten up." Henry instructed
shaking his head disapprovingly before extending his
hand out to Eve.  "It's a pleasure to meet you
Miss....?" 
 "Lambert." Eve replied as he leaned forward to kiss
her hand.  "Eve Lambert."
 "Why Evelyn what a beautiful name." Henry remarked
with a smile.  "It's a pleasure to meet you."
 "What the hell do you want?" Chris repeated watching
his father interact with Eve.
 "Now Christopher, please show a little respect.  I'm
trying to get acquainted with your lady friend here."
Henry smiled trying to dismiss his son's cool behavior
as he nodded towards Eve with a wink.  "He doesn't
always have the best manners now does he?  I have to
confess that he gets some of his less than savory
behaviors from his mother's side of the family."
 "What exactly are you doing here Henry?"  Chris
questioned in anger as he felt his heart pounding in
his chest.  "You're not exactly someone I was
expecting to see around these parts especially not
this time of year when there are so many other places
that would serve your interests better."
 "Son I could ask you the same thing, but I think it's
quite obvious." Henry replied looking Eve up and down
approvingly.  "I must admit you still have excellent
taste son.  She's much more exquisite than that blonde
waitress you picked up when you were living back home.
 You remember her don't you son from your wilder
years?  You know the one that landed you a night in
jail because of that incident with..."
 "I thought that the last time we spoke you clearly
stated that you were supposed to be out of the country
on business." Chris spoke shaking his head in
disbelief as he looked at the woman sitting at the
table.  "Is this the kind of business that you had to
attend to?"
 "It's not exactly what it looks like Christopher."
Henry explained looking back at the slender brunette
woman seated behind him.  "You remember Vivian, don't
you?"
 "Of course I remember Vivian." Chris snapped still
glaring at Henry.  "Does anyone know that you're
here?"
 "As a matter of fact my secretary does.  She tried
calling you at your apartment to let you know that I'd
be in the area in case our paths crossed, but
apparently you were too preoccupied to return her
messages and with good reason I presume." Henry
replied matter of fact his eyes wandering Eve over
once more before he nodded to his guest seeing Chris
was shaken by her presence.  "Don't look so shocked
son.  Vivian and I are dear old friends and surely the
least you can do is offer her a warm welcome."
 "Hello darling.  It's good to see you again." Vivian
spoke up with a thick accent shifting her gaze to
Chris after clearing her throat.  She glanced over to
Eve for a moment before redirecting her attention to
Chris.  "Your father was just teaching me about the
fine art of French cuisine."
 "Yeah, I'll bet he was Vivian." Chris remarked coolly
glaring at her for a brief moment.
 "Vivian's quite an amazing student." Henry smiled
placing his arms around the woman's shoulders as she
stood up to embrace him.
 "It's because I have such a wonderful instructor
here." Vivian insisted playfully running her nails
along the center of his chest before looking back at
Chris with a smirk.  "You know, you could learn a
thing or two from your old man here Christopher."
 "Hey, who are you calling an old man?" Henry smirked
tapping the tip of her nose.
 "I didn't mean it that way dear." Vivian replied with
a pout forming on her full red lips.  "I was merely
making reference to all the oh so enlightening
experience you have in you area of expertise.  You
just have this way about you that makes everything
seem like it's a job well done and it's more of an art
form with you."
 "An art form eh?" Henry questioned embracing her as
Eve noticed Chris had stiffened in his stance.
 "Well this is just great, but you two don't belong
here." Chris pointed out when he noticed a banging
sound coming from the kitchen door.  "Wonderful, who
else could be dropping in?"
 "Dr. Ramsey, I need to speak with you for a moment. 
It's quite urgent that we have a word with one another
immediately." the man next door began as Chris opened
the door coming face to face with him.
 "Great just when I thought things couldn't get worse,
the neighbors come over to complain.  You may as well
come in and join the party." Chris muttered under his
breath opening the door a bit noticing the man's wife
coming up the walk.
 "Is everything all right in there?" The woman
questioned shaking his head in confusion as she nodded
behind her.  "There are about five fire trucks in the
driveway at the moment in time and Earl and I thought
that there might be a problem inside.  Didn't we
Earl?"
 "Fire trucks?" Henry questioned stepping away from
Vivian and turning to Chris.  "What's going on here
Christopher?"
 "We thought that the cabin was on fire." Eve spoke up
moving alongside of Chris protectively taking note of
the new guests.  "Listen I'll just go tell them it was
a false alarm."
 "Wait Eve.  I'll go with you." Chris announced
passing by Henry coolly as he led Eve out into the
cool summer afternoon.

 "Thank you for agreeing to having dinner with me."
Charlie smiled following Scott inside the restaurant
and out from the afternoon.  "I was afraid that I'd
have to spend my time all by my lonesome."
 "It's my pleasure and besides the last thing I could
allow is for a beautiful woman like yourself to spend
the rest of the day by yourself.  So tell me Charlie,
are you here on business or pleasure?" Scott
questioned eyeing her curiously after they were seated
at a corner booth at the Port Charles Grille.
 "A little bit of both hopefully." Charlie confessed
with a smile as the waiter approached the two of them.
 "I guess it all depends on where the day takes me and
from what I've seen it looks like I'm off to a good
start...except for my car dying and all."
 "Well they say everything happens for a reason.  Of
course it's up to whether or not you choose to believe
it." Scott replied shaking his head at the thought as
the waiter stood before them.  
 "What can I get for the both of you this afternoon?"
the waiter questioned smiling at Charlie.
 "The gentleman would prefer a tequila on the rocks
and I'll have a mineral water for starters." Charlie
smiled as the waiter took off to get their drinks.  
 "Make it a double." Scott added watching the waiter
leave.
 "I hope you don't mind my taking the initiative to
order for you." she smiled lightly looking back at
Scott.
   "No, not at all.  Tequila is fine for now." Scott
replied thinking it over for a moment.  "Although how
did you know I was a tequila man?"
 "Well, I just assumed.  You just seemed to have that
tequila look about you." Charlie explained as their
drinks arrived.  She reached for her glass taking a
sip before eyeing him closely.  "Am I right?"
 "Why yes actually given the day it's been you are."
Scott nodded obviously impressed picking up his glass.
  "So what else can you tell me about myself?" 
 "Hmm......well from what I've seen so far, I'd have
to say that you were not an auto mechanic." Charlie
observed with a smile.  "Not that I don't appreciate
all the effort and hard work that went into what you
did for me today, but just judging by your reaction, I
could tell you probably haven't spent that much time
underneath the hood of a car."
 "True," Scott nodded finishing off his drink.  
 "I thought so which leads me to believe that you're
more of a man that likes to live life blurring the
edges and crossing a few lines along the way." Charlie
continued trying to read his expression as he leaned
back in his seat.  "I'd say that you have a very
reckless side about you that often leads to into
trouble, yet part of you craves stability.  You need
something to feed on your wild side from time to time,
yet you also hold a certain sense of responsibility
where family is concerned.  Am I getting warm?"
 "Perhaps," Scott replied leaning in towards her
meeting her gaze.
 "Oh I think I'm getting much warmer." Charlie
announced leaning towards him with a spark in her
voice.  "I can see by the twinkle in your eye that I'm
onto something.  The question is now, what side of you
is taking control at this moment in time? 
Responsibility or recklessness?"
 "Both could be equally challenging and both come with
dire consequences." Scott pointed out thinking about
what had driven him out to the bar in the first place.
 "Yes, but you strike me as a man who ignores
consequence and works on impulse most of the time."
Charlie suggested raising an eyebrow.  "Somehow I get
that feeling about you."
 "Impulse can lead to destruction if not properly
channeled out.  You do realize that?" Scott pointed
out leaning back in his seat.  "Besides you're wrong
about me."
 "How so?" Charlie questioned reaching for her mineral
water.
 "I'm not all action and impulse.  Sometimes I give
things a second thought and think things through."
Scott smirked shaking his head.  "It's been known to
happen once or twice."
 "I see." Charlie nodded with a smile.  "So you never
did tell me Mr. Baldwin, exactly what kind of work are
you in?"  
 "I thought you were going to tell me more about
myself." Scott replied with a grin.
 "I didn't realize our games were going to extend
through out the rest of our time together." Charlie
replied with a grin sipping her drink.
 "Well, it's been an interesting way to pass the time
so far," Scott decided smiling at her, "but since
we're stopping with the guessing games momentarily, I
might as well just tell you.  I'm a lawyer."
 "Gee, why did I see that one coming?" Charlie
questioned with a smile.  "I should've known from that
dark brooding look in your face."
 "Dark?" Scott repeated with a wink.  "Most women
chalk it up as charisma."
 "And charming too I see." Charlie noted with a laugh.
 "Tell me is there no end to the wonder of Scott
Baldwin?"
 "None that's been discovered yet." Scott remarked
with a chuckle as he signaled for the waiter to bring
him another drink.
 "Maybe you should slow down on those." Charlie urged
noticing the row of empty glasses along the table top.
 "Maybe I should, but ah, who's really paying
attention?" Scott replied knocking over one of the
glasses.  "Besides it's a way of my actively going
through the thinking process." 
 "I see," Charlie smiled making herself more
comfortable in her seat, "and that's why you look so
conflicted."
 "Conflicted?" Scott repeated curiously.
 "Don't try to deny it.  I saw it all over your face
the moment you stepped out of that bar." Charlie
confessed tapping her long finger nails on the table
top.  "Something's troubling you though you're trying
to act as though I haven't tapped into it."
 "Is that so?" Scott questioned finishing off his
drink.
 "Yes it is and I'd even be willing to go a step
further and guess that whatever it is troubling you is
woman related." Charlie pointed out confidently.  "Am
I right?"
 "Not really," Scott shrugged.
 "But I'm not entirely off now though am I?" Charlie
questioned probing further.  "Let me guess you fell in
love with some amazing woman and before you knew it
she swept you under her spell letting you drift into
the sea of love only to stomp your heart out at the
most inopportune moment and leave you all alone."
 "The woman is only a small part of the big picture." 
Scott confessed with a sigh.  "Have you ever found
yourself in a position where the choices you made had
the potential to effect so many others around you?"
 "You mean like making a corporate decision?" Charlie
questioned.
 "Not necessarily, but it's more like a decision where
either choice you make is a lose-lose situation."
Scott continued unable to keep it in much longer as he
looked at her.  "You see I find myself in a place
where I'd never anticipated I'd be.  Usually when I'm
asked upon to make a choice, I just follow my gut
instincts and go for the gusto."
 "But this time you're not quite sure that your gut
instincts are the ones you should truly follow."
Charlie finished with a nod.  "It sounds to me like
you've found yourself in a situation where your reason
and logic appear to be taking over which makes you
quite uncomfortable."
 "Very uncomfortable indeed," Scott replied signaling
for the waiter to bring him another drink.
 "So let me get this straight, you make a choice of
what you feel is right for you or what is right for
everyone else involved." Charlie continued watching
him closely.  
 "That just about sums it up." Scott explained
lightly.  "At this point I've lost about everything
that I thought was a sure thing in my life and now I'm
faced with a choice that I don't want to make and to
make matters worse there's no way of seeing if I'm
doing the right thing or not."
 "They say in life there are no guarantees." Charlie
pointed out softening her voice a bit as she looked at
him.  
 "I realize that, but in either scenario, I stand to
lose quite a bit." Scott explained briefly glancing
over at the empty glass before him.
 "Ah, so now here's the part where we get back to the
woman in this story." Charlie noted watching him
closely.  
 "The woman." Scott repeated with a forced laugh.  "Ah
yes the woman."
 "She must be someone pretty special to have you this
upset." Charlie added watching the sadness wash over
his features.
 "Yes she is." Scott nodded solemnly.  "She's wild and
free like an untamed creature.  She's passion and fury
yet love and virtue wrapped into one."
 "Sounds like she's had a pretty profound effect on
you." Charlie noted after a moment.  "Your wife?"
 "Wife?  Nah," Scott replied shrugging his shoulders,
"she almost was though.  We were engaged at the time
that I lost her."
 "To another man?" Charlie questioned curiously.
 "To the love of her life." Scott explained locking
gazes with her for a brief moment.  
 "How can you be so sure about that?" Charlie inquired
watching the crease in his brow.
 "Because they found their way back to one another. 
You see a while ago fate...more like circumstances
beyond their control ripped them apart from one
another and after a year of lies and deception, the
truth finally emerged and they came together once
more." Scott explained with a sigh.
 "Hence leaving you in the dark and slumming here."
Charlie noted running her finger along the rim of her
glass.
 "Something like that." Scott nodded looking at her
once more.  "The thing about it is that this goes
beyond my losing Lucy.  You see she's my best friend
in the whole world and I'd do anything to see to it
that she was happy."
 "Even letting her go." Charlie finished taking note
of the sadness in his eyes.
 "Even letting her go." Scott repeated shaking his
head feeling a bit flustered.  "She and Kevin, see
they had their chance at happiness, but if was ripped
away from them and now, well they have a chance to
make up for the time they lost....."
 "So you're going to do the noble thing and back
down?" Charlie finished listening to his tale.  
 "What choice do I have?" Scott questioned softly.  
 "You could fight for her especially if that's what's
tearing you apart." Charlie suggested hopefully.
 "No, this isn't what's tearing me apart.  It's
knowing that her happiness lies in my hands."  Scott
explained taking note of the confused look on her
face.  "You see right now her future with Kevin is
being ripped away with each minute I sit here doing
nothing."
 "How so?" Charlie questioned.
 "He's dying." Scott added blankly.   "He's dying and
there's not a damn thing anyone can do about
it......well at least not anyone but me."
 "How can you keep him from dying?" Charlie questioned
a bit puzzled.
 "By doing something that I don't want to do." Scott
sighed looking at her.  "As I mentioned previously
it's a no win situation."
 "So you're trying to put her happiness ahead of your
own."  Charlie finished taking in what he was saying.
 "Yes, but it goes beyond that.  It's almost as if I
have to make a deal with the devil and sell my soul
before I can see to it that Lucy won't experience the
kind of pain I have and even after the deal is done,
there's still no guarantee that it won't fall apart." 
Scott explained shaking his head.  "They say however
that in life everyone finds their one true love and
well, I believe that's true."
 "And Lucy was yours?" Charlie questioned softly.
 "No, I love Lucy dearly, but she wasn't my soul
mate." Scott confessed feeling the depth of his sorrow
emerge.
 "So there was another?" Charlie asked.
 "She was an amazing woman and she had this way of
making everything in the world right with just a
smile." Scott explained feeling his eyes mist over. 
"It's like when she was here life was so much simpler.
 All I had to do was look into her eyes and see what I
had to do.  Somehow she just knew what was right and
had a way of making you see things the way they should
be.  I just wish she was here right now, then this
wouldn't be so hard for me."
 "Sounds like she was a wonderful woman." Charlie
noted watching Scott shift in his seat uneasily as he
spoke.
 "Yeah she was the greatest and I loved her more than
I think I'd ever loved another person in my life.  She
taught me how to become everything I'd never imagined
I'd become and helped me turn my life around.  For
that I owe her everything." Scott explained as his
thoughts drifted to Dominique.  He found himself lost
in the moment back in time briefly before he cleared
his throat.  "Anyways it just makes life difficult for
me right now without having her around to talk to."
 "I can understand that Scott," Charlie nodded softly,
 "but I'm sure whatever happens, a man like you will
make the right decision when push comes to shove."
 "Yeah well I wish that I had the same confidence in
myself about this." Scott sight closing his eyes for a
moment before dismissing his thoughts.  "What do you
say we order something to eat?  I'm starving."
 "Sounds like a plan." Charlie nodded signaling for
the waiter.
   

 Kevin Collins drew in a labored breath feeling
himself coming down from the heavens after the intense
experience he and Lucy had just shared together after
all this time of being apart.  Closing his eyes, he
silently willed his pounding heart to calm itself as
he held the woman he loved more than life itself in
his arms cherishing every second he'd been given with
her.
 "Doc, that was amazing." Lucy began snuggling in
against Kevin as the winds picked up outside of the
cabin.  Repositioning herself to look up at his tired
yet handsome face, she could see the exhaustion in his
eyes as she kissed his chest lightly.  After a moment,
she sank into him listening to the rhythmic sounds of
heart beat feeling for the first time in over a year
completely at ease.
 "I love you." Kevin whispered faintly holding her
close to him as his breathing slowly returned to
normal after the indescribable experience they'd just
shared together.  "Holding you like this was all that
I ever wanted and more than I ever could've hoped
for."
 "I love you too Doc." Lucy replied wanting to savor
every last second of their time spent alone together. 
"Being with you again is like the dream I'd been
having since the day we parted only this time it's
really happening and I'm really in your arms again." 
 "For so long I thought of what it would be like if we
ever found ourselves in this moment again, but after a
while I began to lose hope of finding my way back to
you."  Kevin confessed softly running his fingers
through her hair.
 "For a while I lost hope of us being together too."
Lucy confessed thinking back to the year she'd been
through.  "When I thought of all the times we came so
close to one another, but were so far apart, well, it
broke my heart in two.  Of course back then it was
really Ryan and not you.  I should've known Kevin and
I'm sorry that it didn't come to me sooner."
 "Lucy we can't live our lives in regret." Kevin spoke
up reaching out and cupping her face in his large
hands.  "If we do that then we're going to miss out on
what we have together and where we are, and I love you
too much to do that."
 "Kevin I just wish I would've been more in tune with
the way things were." Lucy confessed feeling her eyes
mist over as Kevin wiped away a single tear that had
fallen down her face.  "When I think of all those
times I saw you with Eve...."
 "But it wasn't me Lucy." Kevin insisted looking into
her sad eyes.
 "I know Kevin, but to think that I could've ended
this sooner if I'd only listened to that gut instinct
in me." Lucy started with a sigh.  "I just thank God
that fate brought us back together again and I promise
Kevin Collins that from this moment on, I will never
take what we have for granted or try to shut off those
inner feelings that I get when it comes to being with
you."
 "Just being able to show you how much I love you Lucy
is all that I could ever hope for." Kevin sighed
thinking about his condition and the little time he
had left with Lucy.  He pulled her in closer to him
trying to memorize every sensation, every touch not
wanting to let go of it ever.
 "Doc I swear to you that I'll be up front about
everything with you so that we never have to go
through any unnecessary pain and we won't lose sight
of what's important in our lives."  Lucy whispered
spooning her body against his feeling the warmth
emanating between them as Kevin fought with himself
thinking about the secret he'd been keeping from her.
 "I promise you Lucy that I'm going to do what I feel
is best for us in my heart." Kevin explained
struggling with his raging emotions from within hating
that after their long separation, fate was slowly
ripping them from one another yet again.  "I don't
ever want you to feel the kind of pain you had to
experience when I walked out on you on our wedding
day."
 "As long as I have you with me Doc, then I know that
everything will work out for the best." Lucy assured
him feeling her eyelids grow heavy as the sounds of
his breathing filled her ears and the weight of
exhaustion finally began to settle in on her.  Within
a matter of moments she was sleeping soundly as Kevin
caressed her soft skin unable to dismiss the thoughts
raging in his mind.
 "The last thing I could bear is us being apart
again," Kevin spoke up faintly feeling the hot tears
falling from his eyes as his heart sank.  Shaking his
head, he tried not to let the thoughts of his sinking
mortality consume him, but despite his efforts his
heart flooded with sorrow knowing that at any moment
it all could be over and everything he'd worked so
hard to come back to could be gone with a blink of an
eye.

 "She loves me, she loves me not.  She loves me, she
loves me not, she loves me...." Ryan began peeling
apart the orange in hand as he sat in the corner of
his cell.  As he reached for the last piece a
dissatisfied frown crossed his features as he took a
bite of the ripened orange letting the tart juice
collide with his tongue.
 "Chamberlain, you've got company." the guard
explained unlocking his cell.
 "Company for me?  Why I'm flattered." Ryan remarked
sarcastically standing up and dusting himself off as
he approached the guard throwing him a glare.  "You
know while you're here Bart, I might suggest that you
get someone in here to change the linen and perhaps
bring in some type of floral arrangement to brighten
up the place seeing as this cell is oozing with
negative energy and that should be the last thing a
person in my frame of mind should be surrounded with. 
Why just the mere sight of this place brings the
unsought of depression and could quite potentially
bring forth homicidal thoughts to those who are unable
to contain themselves when put under pressure."
 "Look I'm not here for conversation or decorating
tips Chamberlain." the guard explained fastening a
pair of handcuffs around Ryan's wrists.
   "What no service with a smile?" Ryan questioned
taking note of the guard's labored breath.  "At least
you could put word in with the commissioner and see to
it that I at least get a mint under my pillow.  Given
the history the two of us share, I don't think that's
asking too much."
 "You're lucky you don't wind up with a razor blade
under your pillow." the guard muttered.
 "Why Officer is that some kind of threat there
because if it is, I'm afraid that I'll have to report
your unsavory behavior to one of your superiors." Ryan
began realizing it was pointless to continue this
meaningless banter with the half wit before him.  "You
know you should really consult someone about these
hostile feelings you're having."
 "Can it Chamberlain." the guard remarked securing his
restraints as he led Ryan down the hall.
 "Is this all necessary?" Ryan questioned with a sigh.
 "Really how dangerous can I be in here like this?" 
 "Zip it!" the guard snapped stopping in front of the
visitor's room and staring at Ryan expectantly. 
 "Well, aren't you pleasant today?  Tell me are you
going to open it for me or were you expecting me to
perform some amazing feat right before your eyes?"
Ryan questioned nodding towards the door before
looking down at the handcuffs he was wearing.  "I
honestly don't believe you think I'm going to be able
to pull this one off on my own."
 Silently the guard pushed the door open extending his
arm out for Ryan to move inside.  Rolling his eyes
Ryan passed by the guard to find Detective Garcia and
Tracie Richards before him.
 "Well, what is this?" Ryan questioned curiously
looking them both over.  "I take it you two came back
for an encore performance.  Tell me Ms. Richards is he
going to drag you out by your hair this time or did
Detective Garcia decide he wanted to join in the fun?"
 "We came here to talk to you about a break in that
occurred in town last night." Garcia explained as Ryan
took a seat across from him at the table.
 "A break in?" Ryan repeated in amusement.  "You came
to talk to be about a break in.  Let me guess
Detective.  You think that I had something to do with
this little break in despite the fact that for quite
some time I've been sitting in that musty old jail
cell this city have provided for me.  Please
Detective, I think you and your police force truly
overestimate all that I'm capable of."
 "So you're trying to tell me that you had nothing to
do with the vandalization of Chris Ramsey's apartment
last night?" Garcia questioned with a slight hint of
irritation.
 "Chris Ramsey's apartment?  Oh that's priceless."
Ryan chuckled in amusement.  "Let me get this
straight.  Of all the enemies that man has made during
his brief stay here in Port Charles, all you've been
able to come up with as a culprit is a man who's been
incarcerated for quite some time.  Honestly Detective,
I don't see why you'd want to waste your time and mine
on this.  Then again, I suppose it doesn't really
matter to me how long you want to keep this little
inquisition going seeing as there aren't too many
other desirable alternatives for me at this moment in
time.  Actually I find it quite amusing."
 "This isn't a joke Ryan." Garcia began slamming his
fists into the table and raising his voice a bit as
one of the guards walked into the room.
 "Detective, we need you out here for a moment." the
officer explained as Garcia turned to Tracie.
 "Tracie, maybe you should leave....." Garcia began
nodding to the door.
 "Go ahead Alex." Tracie nodded watching him leave the
room.  "I'll be fine."
 "Tell me Tracie," Ryan began looking her over, "you
don't mind if we cut through all the formalities and I
call you Tracie, right?"
 "Of course not Ryan.  Tracie's fine." she replied
meeting his gaze.
 "You know I must confess that I'm a bit puzzled right
now." Ryan continued leaning back in his chair.  
 "About?" Tracie questioned tilting her head slightly.
 "About you and the good Detective.  Granted I've come
to the realization that you're not into moderately
intelligent men seeing as Chris Ramsey is a prime
example of that, but even Chris Ramsey was more of a
worthy adversary than Dudly Do Right there." Ryan
continued shaking his head.  "A woman like you with so
much spunk about her should be out searching for more
not settling for the first schmuck that walks into her
life."
 "I'm not here to discuss my personal life with you."
Tracie remarked sitting up straighter trying not to
let her apprehension show.
 "Of course you aren't." Ryan nodded shaking his head
a bit as a thick silence passed between him.  Finally
he stood up from his chair taking note of her reaction
as he towered over her.  With a pleased smile curled
upon his lips, he noticed the fear in her eyes and
raising his hands a bit showing her his restraints. 
"Okay, you've got me Tracie.  What exactly is it you
want out of me?"
 "How about the truth?" Tracie questioned watching him
walk across the room.
 "The truth." Ryan repeated with a laugh occasionally
looking back at her.  "And what truth would that be
Ms. Richards?  The truth about how I held my brother
hostage all these months, the truth about how my
troubled childhood had driven me mad or better yet the
truth about how I managed to single handedly
orchestrate the destruction of private property?  On
second thought don't answer that Tracie.  We both know
the real reason you're in here."
   "Ryan, I know you were the one behind the break in
at Chris' apartment last night." Tracie responded
watching him intently.
 "You don't know anything Tracie and to be quite
honest with you, I don't see your purpose in being
here.  You're not a police officer, and you're not my
lawyer so I really don't see your place in all of
this."  Ryan confessed turning to face her once again.
 "I could kick you out right now since it's within my
every right and when my lawyer arrives I can tell him
that you and your boyfriend were trying to grill me
for information without my lawyer present.  You do
realize that things like that won't hold too well when
it gets down to my trial?"
 "I want to understand." Tracie explained leaning back
in her seat.  "I want to know your story and see what
it was that brought you to where you are today."
 "So you want to play my psychiatrist and come up with
some sort of feasible explanation as to why I've done
what I've done." Ryan replied scratching his head. 
"Maybe it was the result of bad parenting, a life of
abuse or better yet, perhaps it was just sheer hatred
and envy building up inside of me all these years
waiting to explode.  What would you like to hear?"
 "How about you start by telling me how you managed to
have someone break into Chris' apartment last night?"
Tracie suggested setting her purse down on the table
top.
 "Why don't we start with the real reason why you're
here Ms. Richards?" Ryan questioned his eyes falling
onto the small black purse.  "Let's just cut straight
to the point."
 "I am cutting to the point." Tracie remarked calmly.
 "I beg to differ." Ryan answered shaking his head. 
"You're not here because you're interested in
discovering my motivation for things.  You're here
because you're trying to find the fine line that
separates the two of us.  You're sitting there
struggling with yourself to come up with some type of
reason why I'm in here and you're out there walking
free.  You're wondering why what you did to regain
your life is somehow justifiable, but why what I've
done to reclaim mine is shunned by society.  Why
Tracie when it gets down to the core, you and I are
one in the same creature."
 "You don't know what you're talking about." Tracie
replied clenching her jaw tightly.
 "Oh I think I do, and don't think I'm going to judge
you.  I think they deserved everything they got.  They
had it coming to them." Ryan continued noticing the
color drain from her cheeks.  "Don't look so surprised
Tracie."
 "That's it.  I knew this was a mistake." Tracie
replied raising her hands in frustration reaching for
her purse.
 "Tell me Tracie," Ryan began watching her move from
her seat and towards the door, "how many nights did
you think about getting rid of them after what they
did to you?  Was it something that haunted you from
the moment it all began or was it a slow burning rage
just oozing around inside of you until you just
couldn't take anymore of the betrayal and the lies and
you just snapped?  Perhaps you even enjoyed the feel
of it all.  The sheer terror and delight you felt in
taking a life and when it was all over, you found
yourself craving more wanting to avenge all of those
who'd hurt you."
 "You don't know anything." Tracie replied turning to
face him her face flushed with a rage.  "You don't
know a damn thing!  You weren't there and you have no
idea what I went through."
 "Oh on the contrary Tracie, I know exactly what you
went through and that's why you're here." Ryan
remarked moving in closer to her.  "We're one in the
same and it just burns you knowing that at any moment
fate could've put you right here with me."
 "No, I'm not like you." Tracie replied shaking her
head in disbelief.
 "You don't sound so sure of yourself Tracie."  Ryan
continued closing the gap between us.  "Perhaps we
should put our heads together and come up with what
they were thinking and feeling when you finally showed
them you'd had enough...when it finally dawned on them
that you'd one upped them one last time."
 "Get away from me." Tracie instructed finding herself
paralyzed with fear as she gazed back at Ryan.
 "What's the problem Tracie?  Is it all coming back to
you now?"  Ryan questioned menacingly.  "The night,
the blood, the terror is it all flooding back to you?"
 "No," Tracie began shaking her head trying to keep
him from getting to her, "you're insane."
 "Well yes I suppose I am, but now the question
remains in this case.  If I'm insane, then what does
that make you?" Ryan questioned reaching out to her
seizing her arm tightly even with his handcuffs on. 
"Are you trying to tell me when you found out about
Eve and Chris it didn't bring it all rushing back to
you?  All the memories of betrayal and lies....the
years of the humiliation and abuse....."
 "Stop this!" Tracie snapped pressing up against the
wall firmly as she tried not to meet Ryan's cold
penetrating stare.
 "What's wrong Tracie?  Truth hurt?" Ryan questioned
bringing his right hand up to the side of her face
pressing his finger tip against her cheek.
 "Don't touch me!" Tracie shot back feeling herself
start to tremble beneath his touch.
 "Fine," Ryan replied taking a step back and
shrugging, "I'm not going to force myself upon you if
that's what you're afraid of because I'm well aware of
what you're quite capable of and I admire that about
you.  I truly do Tracie and it's just a shame that the
rest of the world isn't aware of what a cunning woman
like yourself is capable of, but hey, maybe that
boyfriend of yours would love to get word of it.  It
could make for an interesting story over a night of
wine and candle light."
 "Guard," Tracie began knocking on the door unable to
take another minute of this nonsense.
 "Just remember Tracie," Ryan started as the guard
entered the room approaching Ryan to take him back to
his cell, "I understand what it's like."
 "Come on Chamberlain.  Back to your cell." the guard
insisted leading him out of the room as Tracie fell
into her chair feeling her heart racing.  With shaky
hands, she reached inside her purse for the tape
recorder that had been in use and she pressed her hand
over the playback button. 
  "Just remember Tracie........I understand what it's
like......" Ryan's voice rang out sending chills down
her spine.
  

 "Doc?" Lucy questioned softly tapping on the bathroom
door as she listened to the labored sounds coming from
inside.
 "I'll be out in a minute Lucy." Kevin explained
hearing her through the door as he clenched his
stomach tightly closing his eyes and praying for this
spell to pass.
 "Doc, what's going on in there?" Lucy asked filled
with concern a she pressed her ear up against the
door.
 "I'm almost finished." Kevin replied feeling his face
grow hot as he broke into a sweat and fell to the
floor trying to pull together all of his strength as
he began murmuring to himself.  "Not now.....please
not now...."
 "Doc....." Lucy started, then paused for a moment
hearing the gagging noises followed by the streaming
water of the sink.  
 Kevin picked himself up from the floor and glanced
over at his reflection in the mirror seeing the strain
in his eyes as he splashed some of the running water
on his face.  He opened the bottle of mouth wash
gargling a bit as he silently made a pact with a
higher power not to let him lose this time with Lucy
just yet.  As he took a long look at himself, his
heart sank knowing that it wouldn't be long before he
was nothing more than a memory.
 "Please let me make it through this..." he whispered
hearing Lucy tap on the door once more.  
 "Doc," she called out hearing the toilet flush before
Kevin emerged looking quite pale.
 "Are you okay Doc?" she questioned reaching out to
him as he smiled weakly.
 "I'm fine Lucy.  Really." he tried to assure her
reaching for her hand and kissing it lightly.  "I just
think I'm having an adverse reaction to the medication
Ellen prescribed.  You know how that can be sometimes
when you're on a new medication and with my stomach,
well this was bound to happen."
 "Well maybe we should call Ellen then and tell her
about what's going on." Lucy suggested darting across
the darkened bedroom and reaching for the phone.
 "No!" Kevin protested reaching out to her and pulling
her close to him.  "I just think it's something that
will pass.  Really Lucy it's not anything to get too
worked up about."
 "Doc I don't think that everything is okay." Lucy
frowned looking into his deep brown eyes seeing
something masked behind their depths.  "Kevin, what's
going on?"
 "I told you Lucy.  This will pass." Kevin answered
firmly feeling his legs weakening with each passing
second before he started leading her over towards the
bed.         
 "Kevin I just don't think......" Lucy started
watching him crawl into bed underneath the thick
comforter.
 "Lucy please just let this go for tonight." Kevin
urged patting on her side of the bed.  
 With a reluctant sigh, Lucy slid underneath the
blankets next to Kevin.  She noticed that he seemed
lost in his thoughts as a dark and gloomy expression
clouded his features.  Wanting to so desperately
understand what was going on with Kevin, she   pressed
her lips to the center of his chest kissing him
lightly as her fingers gently played over a healing
scar on his left side.  She noticed he flinched at her
touch and before he could respond any further, she
moved her lips to kiss his wound gently.
 "Lucy," Kevin started taking in another breath as
vivid images of being locked away haunted his memory. 
He began to involuntarily shake as he felt a bout of
chills coming on.  Noticing the change in Kevin, Lucy
reached out to him touching his face.
 "Doc, please tell me where you are right now." Lucy
requested noticing the way his eyelids fluttered and
snapped open at the sound of her voice.  "Kevin, can
you hear me?"
 "Lucy," Kevin gasped bringing his arms around her
bracing her tightly, "oh Lucy."
 "Doc I'm right here." Lucy whispered hoping to soothe
him as she felt his body trembling with fear.  "Oh
baby.  I'm right here."  
 "Oh Lucy....." Kevin continued choked up on tears
feeling himself slipping back into that dark place
he'd found himself in so many times in the past.  He
clung to her tightly wanting to rid himself of the
sinking fear building up inside of him.
 "Talk to me Doc.  Tell me what's going on inside of
you." Lucy spoke up running her finger through his
dark hair as he buried his head in her shoulders
sobbing lightly.
 "It's so dark in here." Kevin explained holding her
tighter.  "And the sounds....the dripping above and I
feel it surrounding me.  The way it's closing in on me
and there's no avoiding it.  All I'm left to do is
fight for a way out and try to pull through, but it's
getting so hard to move on and I'm afraid that it's
not going to happen.  Like each desperate breath will
be in vain..."
 "Kevin look at me." Lucy began pulling back from him
and looking into his dark eyes finding him lost in his
thoughts.  She reached out to him pulling his chin to
meet her gaze.  "Doc come back to me.  Doc!" 

 "So Tracie, did you get what we needed?" Garcia
questioned walking into the interrogation room to find
her seated at the table staring off into space.  "Hey,
I didn't mean to take so long out there, but we had a
bit of a situation out in the lobby.  Are you okay?"
 "Huh, oh yeah Alex I'm fine." Tracie replied snapping
out of her daze as she looked up at him.  "You know
maybe we were better off to try to go talk to Chris at
the cabin like we'd initially anticipated on doing. 
In fact the more I think about it, the better the idea
sounds."
 "I thought you wanted to give talking to Ryan a try
first." Garcia replied noticing how shaken she looked.
 "I thought you wanted to see if he'd reveal anything
to you."
 "Yeah well, your instincts were dead on to begin with
Alex.  He wasn't going to tell me anything anyways and
there was no way for us to get any kind of confession
out of him." Tracie explained with a frustrated sigh.
 "Somehow I figured which was why I wanted to play
this by the book to begin with." Garcia explained
patting her on the shoulder.  "If it's any
consolation, this wouldn't have held up in court
anyways.  In fact it would've looked really bad
against the department like we were trying to force
something out of him."
 "Yeah well it was worth a try." Tracie replied
lightly.  
 "Hey are you sure nothing happened in here?" Garcia
questioned taking note of the dark expression on her
face.
 "I was just a bit shaken at the thought of what he
did to Kevin all these months." Tracie explained
feeling chills down her spine.  "When I think of all
that man went through during his time being locked
away at that asylum, it just sends chills right
through me and to think Ryan might be able to get out
of this somehow by pleading insanity."
 "Well don't worry about Tracie," Garcia replied
wrapping his arms around her, "the thing about
criminals is it always catches up to them one way or
the other."
 "You really think so?" Tracie questioned closing her
eyes for a moment.
 "I know so, now why don't you and I get out of here
and have a late dinner or something?" Garcia suggested
with a grin.  "I never did show you just what a
fantastic cook I was and I think it would be the
perfect way to make it up to you for my believing that
you and Frank Scanlon were........well.....I'd just
like to make you dinner."
 "I'd like that." Tracie smiled at him.  "What about
Chris though?"
 "I'll see to it that one of the officers call up to
the cabin and leave him a message." Garcia explained
briefly.  "I also alerted the local police about the
break in and had them put a watch out on the area the
cabin is in."
 "I see," Tracie nodded trying to dismiss the feelings
brought forth after her talk with Ryan.  "Then I
suppose everything is taken care of."
 "It would appear that way." Garcia replied as she
stood up from her chair clenching her purse tightly. 
"Are you ready to get out of here?"
 "Ready as I'll ever be." Tracie nodded shaking off
the feeling coming from within as they left the police
station together.

 Lucy rolled over in bed placing a blanket over Kevin
as she watched him sleeping next to her.  She brushed
his shaggy hair out of his eyes and just looked at him
closely wondering what thoughts must be running
through his mind as he lay beside her.  She drew in a
breath thankful that he'd finally come out of whatever
dark spot he'd found himself in earlier as he fell
into a slumber.
 "Where are you Doc?" she questioned noticing that he
was starting to stir once again.  She noticed the way
his eyes moved indicating that he was dreaming as she
caressed his cheek.  "What pictures are running
through your mind right now?  Is it Ryan or is it
something else?  Something you aren't telling me Doc. 
You know, this is probably going to sound crazy, but I
know that there's something more Kevin, but I just
haven't quite put my finger on it."
 Lucy pulled the blanket around him higher before
leaning over to kiss his forehead.  With a sigh, she
curled in beside him cradling him in her arms as her
mind raced with thoughts.
 "Whatever it is you're keeping from me Doc, I know
it's your way of protecting me, but Doc, I have to
admit to you that I don't need protecting." Lucy began
facing him as she pressed her hand to his warm cheek.
"I need you Doc and just being able to hold you again
and feel this love between us gives me the strength
for the both of us.  I just wish you'd open up to me
before this horrible sinking feeling I have inside of
me takes over and we find ourselves in this gloomy
place that I fear we're heading towards.  Doc, I love
you and I don't want you to ever lose sight of it
again.  Once I figure out what this is you're trying
so desperately to keep inside of you, I promise you
that we're going to work through this together and
defeat the monsters lurking around inside of you like
we've done in the past because our love will endure
this and come out on top.  It always has and it always
will because what we have Doc is never ending and it's
the one thing in my life that I'm absolutely certain
about and I won't lose sight of that ever again.  I
love you Kevin Collins and don't you ever forget
that." 

<hr>
 "Waiter I'd like another please." Scott called out as
the waiter passed by the table. 
 "Scott maybe you should slow down." Charlie insisted
once more realizing that whatever was going on inside
of Scott, he was slipping fast.  "Perhaps we should
take a walk or something and get some fresh air."
 "Ah, who needs fresh air when we're having such a
good time in here?" Scott questioned loudly clanging
his fork against his plate.  "Yo, waiter can we get
some kind of service over here?"
 "You know what?  I think it's time to get you out of
here before you make an unnecessary scene in here."
Charlie suggested signaling for the waiter to bring
them their check.
 "What, you aren't having fun anymore?" Scott
questioned sitting up straighter.  "Look I'm sorry if
I'm making you uncomfortable...."
 "It's not that, it's just that I don't think now is
the time for you to be here when you're mind is
obviously off somewhere else.  I just don't feel that
getting yourself drunk is always the answer to a
problem." Charlie explained getting up from her seat. 
"Come on I'm taking you out of here."
 "Already?" Scott questioned as she began tugging on
his arm.  "Why we were starting to have fun here?"
 "I think you've had enough fun for today.  In fact I
think that you should rest for a while." Charlie
explained noticing the stares they were receiving. 
"I'm taking you upstairs."
 "Upstairs?  My don't you move fast, but I have to
admit to you that I'm really not in the mood for this
sort of thing.  Don't get me wrong I find you
incredibly attractive, but......." Scott began
stumbling over his own two feet as she led him towards
the elevator.  "You know, I wasn't aware that you had
a room here."
 "Yeah well surprise you learned something new about
me tonight." Charlie replied as they made their way
into the elevator.
 "What a concept." Scott laughed lightly feeling his
head spinning a bit.  "It only makes sense after the
way I've rambled on about my life this whole time
we've been together."
 "Well it's been very educational Scott." Charlie
insisted as the elevator doors closed.
 "Did I happen to mention to you earlier that you have
really nice eyes?" Scott questioned looking at her for
a moment.  "I suppose I probably should've said
something about it seeing as the two of us are on our
way up to your hotel room."
 "No, but thank you." Charlie smiled pressing the
button to her floor.
 "And your lips....." Scott began reaching out to
touch her face.  "....the way that they're sculpted: 
their curve and their fullness..."
 "Scott, maybe you'd feel better if you just leaned up
against the wall here for a while." Charlie suggested
nudging him back slightly.
 "Only if you come with me." Scott remarked pulling
her to him and planting a sloppy kiss on her lips.
 "Scott please......" Charlie began in astonishment
moving away as the elevator doors opened.
 "I'm not so bad Charlie." Scott continued following
her out of the elevator as he began mumbling to
himself incoherently.
 "We're here." Charlie announced pulling him out of
the elevator.
 "Admit it.  You kind of like me otherwise you
wouldn't be bringing me up here." Scott commented as
she opened the door to her hotel suite.
 "I think it's a bout of insanity I'm having in
bringing you up here," Charlie began as the lock
popped open, "but at the same time I think it's good
that we got acquainted like this."
 "I have to admit that my bedside manner is much
better than you might think." Scott mumbled following
her into the room and gazing it over briefly.  "Nice
place."
 "Yeah I thought so too." Charlie replied urging him
to take a seat on the bed.
 "My aren't you persistent?" Scott questioned with a
laugh falling back into the pillows.
 "Rest up Scott.  You have a big day ahead of you
tomorrow." Charlie replied watching him sink into the
bed closing his eyes almost instantly.  After a few
moments, she listened to the sounds of his snoring
fill the air as she reached over him searching for his
wallet.  Upon finding it, she pulled it out of his
pocket and began to browse through it.
 "Isn't this sweet?" Charlie questioned discovering a
picture of Scott holding a little blonde girl. 
Reaching for the phone, she dialed the number and
waited for the person to pick up on the other end. 
"Yeah, I'm in my hotel room.  I found Scott Baldwin
exactly where you said I would and yes, he was in the
frame of mind I'd been anticipating.  He's everything
that I'd imagined he'd be down to the last detail. 
Uh-huh, oh yeah right now he's fast asleep right
before my eyes.  Sure......oh I've got my mind made up
about this and don't worry I intend to go all the way.
 That's right, I plan on following through on this one
until things are as they should be around here."

 "What happened out there?" Eve questioned confused by
the sudden shift in both Chris and Henry's moods as
Chris entered the bedroom closing the door behind
them.
 "You don't want to know." Chris replied pulling her
closer to him as he began to kiss her neck.
 "Chris," Eve replied leaning back slightly to look
into his face, "I'm being serious here."
 "And so am I." He answered with a smirk kissing her
once more.  "It was just the typical father son
conversations we usually have with one another. 
Nothing ground breaking or earth shattering.  We
didn't come to any type of revelations about one
another if that's what you were thinking."
 "I see, but yet you seem to have a better feeling
about things." Eve noted as he held her close to him.
 "Well I always feel better after getting a few good
jabs in at Henry Ramsey." Chris confessed lightly. 
"It's good to put him in his place from time to time
and I think we've reached a bit of an understanding on
how I feel about things."
 "Oh," Eve nodded looking him over for a moment
curiously.
 "What?" Chris questioned puzzled by her expression. 
"What is it?"
 "Nothing," Eve shrugged moving across the room and
reaching for her bag.
 "Hold it right there Lambert!" Chris instructed
seizing her.  "What was that look for?"
 "What look?" Eve questioned innocently.
 "The one you gave me just now." Chris explained
turning her around to face him.  "Okay spill it.  What
did Vivian tell you about me?"
 "Nothing really.  Why what would she have to say?"
Eve asked curiously.
 "Coming out of her mouth anything is possible." Chris
remarked sarcastically planting a kiss on her lips. 
"Just heed my warning when I say not to take anything
that woman says to heart."
 "Why do I get the feeling that there's a story there
just waiting to come out in the open?" Eve questioned
nudging him slightly.  "Come on Ramsey fess up."
 "And reveal all my dark secrets?  Not a chance."
Chris teased lightly poking her.  "What fun would I be
if I made my life an open book?"
 "I'm not asking for an open book, just a couple of
back chapters that's all." Eve explained with a hint
of seriousness.
 "Well I'd much rather make some new ones with you
rather than look back.  Besides, I don't think I'm up
to editing my life into PG-13 standards." Chris
replied with a smirk noticing the frown on her face. 
"You're not going to ease up on this are you?"
 "Nope, did you think I would?" Eve questioned with a
grin.
 "No," Chris sighed shaking his head, "I knew you
wouldn't."
 "So?" Eve inquired taking a seat on the bed.  "Spill
it Ramsey."
 "Right now?" Chris asked looking back at her.
 "What better time than the present?" Eve replied with
a smirk.  "Come on it can't be that bad."
 "You don't know the half of it." Chris explained
hearing a faint ringing sound in the distance.  He
moved towards the dresser noticing it was his cell
phone. "Oh would you look at that?  Saved by the
bell."
 "Lucky," Eve mumbled tossing a pillow at him.
 "Hello," Chris answered ducking out of harm's way
when he recognized the voice on the other line. 
"Yes.....I see.  When did this happen?  Really?"
 "Hmm...." Eve sighed leaning back into the bed
thinking about the short time she'd spent here at the
cabin with Chris when she closed her eyes.  With a
smile on her face, she remembered the previous evening
they'd spent together making love when out of no where
her thoughts were replaced by a darkness and sheer
terror.
 "No!" Eve cried out snapping her eyes open as she
found Chris standing before her.  
 "Eve, hey are you okay?" Chris questioned noticing
the quickness in her response as he'd reached out to
her.
 "I'm.....I'm fine." she stammered unsure where her
feeling of horror had come from as she looked into his
eyes.  "Chris, what is it?"
 "Eve, that was one of Port Charles finest." Chris
explained taking a seat beside her.  "Apparently there
was a break in at our apartment last night."
 "What?" Eve questioned in disbelief.  "How is that
possible?"
 "I don't know, but I think it might be a good idea if
I go back into town and check it out while you stay
here." Chris suggested overcome with a gnawing
feeling.
 "No way Ramsey.  If you're going back than I'm going
with you." Eve insisted seriously.  "There's no way
that I'm going to sit here while you deal with someone
breaking into our home."
 "Eve with the way things are in Port Charles, it
would just be best if you stayed here for a while
until....." Chris trailed off thinking about Ryan's
upcoming trial.
 "Until what Chris?" Eve questioned blankly seeing the
distance in his eyes.  "Okay Ramsey.  You've got that
look on your face again."
 "What look?" Chris questioned snapping out of his
daze.
 "The one you get everytime you're thinking about
something you'd rather not discuss with me." Eve
explained scrutinizing his features.  "You may as well
get it out now before I find out some other way. 
Chris, what is going on in Port Charles that you're
trying to desperately to keep me away from?"

 Kevin felt the cool night air beating down on him as
he stepped out into the woods.  He could feel his legs
weakly carrying him along as he moved to check out the
noise outside that had interrupted his slumber.  He
turned around the corner of the cabin when he saw a
figure that made him stop dead in his tracks. 
 "Going somewhere Kev?" Ryan asked with a smile on his
face as Kevin walked to the side of the cabin.
 "What are you doing here?" Kevin asked standing up to
him trying to pull his strength together as he faced
the man who'd single handedly destroyed his life. 
 "Surprise!  You know Kev, you can't keep a good man
down for long, or in my case a man with motivation and
knowledge of what he wants." Ryan exclaimed throwing
his arms out in the air.  "You haven't gotten rid of
me yet." 
 "This can't be happening." Kevin muttered in
disbelief shaking his head.  "I'm not going to let you
come here and tear up my life again.  I'm not going to
let you take away what Lucy and I have ever again.  I
won't let you win Ryan.  Do you hear me?"
 "Lucy will never love you when she knows what kind of
monster you are Kevin.  Why all the things you did in
your attempt to make it back to her again were
completely shameless and we both know that your past
will be too much for her to bear not to mention the
morbid future you have laid out before you." Ryan
laughed looking at Kevin shaking his head.  "Besides,
why would a woman like her want someone like you who
can't even find the strength to give her the kind of
life she truly deserves?"
 Kevin looked down and realized that he was once again
back in his darkened cell with Ryan laughing at him. 
He watched as Lucy appeared into the blackened
corridor wearing her satin pajamas as she approached
the bars.
 "Doc what's going on?" Lucy asked looking over at
Ryan.
 "You have to get out of here." Kevin insisted tugging
on her arm watching her eyes shift to Ryan.  "It's not
safe to be here with him."
 "Go on Kevin!" Ryan laughed again.  "Try to be the
hero.  Why don't you tell her the truth?  Go on I dare
you."
 "What's going on?" Lucy asked again turning to face
Kevin.
 "Go ahead and tell her Kev.  I'm sure she'd love to
know all the details of your shady past or better yet
about how you're just buying your time here until the
man upstairs decides it's time for you to kick the
bucket." Ryan insisted with a grin.
 "What is he talking about Doc?" Lucy questioned
taking a step back shaking her head.
 "Tell her all about poor little Kevy's sickness and
how you'll never be able to give her what she truly
deserves." Ryan taunted him menacingly.  "Come on Kev.
 Let her know you're about to meet your maker and
break her heart again."
 "Stop this Ryan!" Kevin shouted as Lucy backed away
from him.  "Lucy?"
 "You lied to me Kevin.  How could you?" she asked
moving towards Ryan.  "After we promised to be honest
with one another, you lied to me.  Oh Doc..."
 "See, I told you that everything that was once yours
would be mine again." Ryan smiled putting his arm
around Lucy.  "Come on sweetheart, let's leave this
thing alone."
 "Lucy wait!" Kevin cried out trying frantically to
get out of his cell, but only managing to fall out
onto the ground as he watched Lucy disappear around
the corner leaving him again.  
 "I told you that I'd get it all Kev." Ryan replied
leaning down next to Kevin.  "Thanks to me, the two of
you will never be happy, but hey look on the bright
side, Lucy and I will be sure to have lots of
beautiful children and live a long happy life together
while you get this nifty cell and the rest of eternity
to psychoanalyze just went wrong with your pathetic
existence."  

 "No!" Kevin gasped opening his eyes and feeling a
cold sweat come over his body.  "It was just a dream."
 Kevin turned his head to the left and glanced at
Lucy, who was sleeping peacefully at his side.  He
looked over at the clock and realized that even though
it was late, he knew that he wouldn't be able to get
back to sleep.  He glanced over at the phone sitting
next to his side of the bed and he quickly eyed Lucy
once more to make sure that she was sound asleep
before he began to attempt what he had in mind.  He
pulled himself up to a sitting position on the bed and
was careful to be quiet about it as Lucy rolled over
towards him.  He gently rolled her back over to her
side of the bed as he extended his hand out in the
direction of his side of the bed.  
 Once he had a grasp on the edge, he managed to lift
himself out of the bed slowly as he heard Lucy roll
over once more.  He glanced over at her now rolled up
in a ball on his side of the bed hugging onto a pillow
as she breathed softly.  One look at her peaceful face
made him realize that right now he didn't want to
burden her with the details of the horror he had just
felt during his dream.  
 He quietly pushed his way out into the small living
room of the cabin by a door wall with a view out onto
the lake.  He looked out into the dark night for a
brief second before closing his eyes and letting the
details of his dream begin to rehash in his head.
 "It was only a dream Kevin." He whispered to himself.
 "Quit thinking about it.  You are going to spend the
rest of your time with Lucy trying to make her as
happy as possible and nothing is ever going to change
that.  Ryan's not going to be able hurt anyone
anymore."
 Kevin let his last words sink into his head as he
realized that he still couldn't shake the thought the
terrible something that was beginning for him and
Lucy.  He had wanted to believe that things were going
to be alright once he'd left the hospital.  He'd even
tried to ignore the horrible truth when they'd made
love, but still he had a bad feeling that he wasn't
able to get rid of knowing that the end would soon be
near.  
 "Ryan's not here and you're not dead yet." he
reminded himself looking out onto the water as he
thought about the impact on his life by Ryan
re-emergence.  He had never thought fully about how
much his life had been shaken up until this point as
he sat watching the night slowly turn into day.  He
remembered that back in the hospital Lucy had
mentioned briefly that Ryan had been locked up shortly
after Kevin was admitted at the hospital, but she had
never said another word about it since he was
released.  Kevin thought about how the news of Ryan
impersonating him must've effected his family as
memories of the last months of his life began to churn
up a whirlwind in his head.
 "If only I could've been able to help Ryan before
things got to the point that they had reached.  If
only Lucy and I never had to end things like we did,
then I wouldn't be in this position.  If only I
wouldn't have let him get away that night at the
carnival, then things wouldn't be like this.  If
only.......enough!" Kevin ordered himself as decided
that he needed to clear his head, so he moved over to
the phone and began to dial a number.
 "Collins residence." Victor's voice spoke on the
other end as Kevin remained silent for a second
listening to the warm tone in his voice.  "Hello?  Is
anyone there?"
 "Victor?" Kevin asked with tears in his eyes as the
reality of everything hit him. 
 "Monk?" he questioned wondering why he was calling so
late at night.  "Is something wrong?"
 "No," Kevin began softly listening to his voice, "I
was just thinking about you and I thought I'd call
since Lucy was still sleeping.  That's all."
 "How are you doing son?" Victor asked sensing pain in
Kevin's strained voice.
 "I've had better days." Kevin admitted as he looked
out into the darkened earth once more. 
 "You sound upset.  Is there something that you'd like
to talk about?" Victor asked worried about him.
 "I had a dream about Ryan earlier." Kevin confessed
realizing that he had to get it out.
 "R-Ryan?" Victor choked out surprised falling into
the chair he'd been sitting in moments earlier.
 "Yeah," he sighed looking out the window once more as
the sun began to rise.  "It was kind of like
everything came rushing back to me about the past year
and I wanted to see how you were dealing with
his...........his......."
 "His deception." Victor finished sensing that Kevin
was trying to come to terms with what had happened on
his wedding night.  
 "Yes?  How are you holding up?" Kevin asked
concerned.  "I mean this has to have had some kind of
impact on you seeing as you were torn in the middle of
this with Ryan and I and the way things turned out." 
 "I'm dealing with it day by day.  Sometimes I sit
here thinking to myself if only I'd done things
differently with Ryan and just found a way to pull him
out of his nightmare, that maybe this could've been
prevented.....that maybe Melanie wouldn't have won."
Victor answered honestly feeling his eyes fill up with
tears.  "Sometimes it's hard to think that my son
turned out like this and went to such great lengths to
destroy everything in his path."
 "I'm so sorry about what happened to him Victor."
Kevin apologized recognizing the pain in his voice. 
"When I first arrived in Port Charles, I tried so hard
to reach him and I never wanted things to end this
way."
 "Neither did I son." Victor answered realizing that
he was met by a long silence from Kevin.  "Monk? Are
you alright?"
 "I just can't stop thinking about that night when I'd
thought Ryan had died.  Ryan was saying things to me
that didn't make much sense and then when he returned
at the church that day....it was as if he was a man
possessed.  Towards the end of my time being locked
away, I know that he wasn't himself as he continued to
dive into my life ripping it apart, but that last
night I saw him it was as if he knew something
that.........oh I don't know." Kevin explained to him.
 "There are so many unanswered questions and I just
wish I knew why.  I want to know why he could do this
and take away so much."
 "Well, sometimes it's best to leave things in the
past and try to move forward." Victor suggested not
wanting to re-live the horrors of the last few weeks
as he thought of his children.  "Right now, you need
to forget about Ryan and concentrate on getting back
on your feet again."
 "I'm trying Victor, but it just seems to get harder
and harder each day to see myself walking through life
again especially with things looking so glum for the
future." Kevin replied letting out a sigh thinking
about his condition.
 "You just have to keep pushing yourself Monk." Victor
insisted sensing something in his son's voice. 
"You're a fighter and I know that you won't give up. 
Soon enough you WILL be back on your feet again taking
on the world."
 "Yeah, well it's easier said than done." Kevin
replied half-heartedly wanting to change the subject
before her let Victor in on what was really eating
away at him.   "Hey, how's everyone doing back there?"
 "Sigmund's eagerly awaiting your arrival here at the
lighthouse." Victor explained lightly leaning back in
his chair.  "He's been terribly lonely without you and
Lucy here to spend time with him.  You know it's a
funny thing about Sigmund.  Despite the fact that
you've been gone for a so long, he knows when you're
not around and he gets depressed."
 "He's always been moody." Kevin noted with a smile. 
"I suppose he takes after Lucy."
 "Yeah well I won't argue with you there since I know
the duck likes to be pampered, but I think it goes
beyond that Monk." Victor confessed feeling himself
choked up on emotion.  "After all these months of
having you so far away from us, I think it's about
time for us all to pull together as a family again and
when you and Lucy come back here, we're going to work
through this."
 "Yeah I suppose we are." Kevin replied softly looking
out onto the water once again.
 "Monk, you and Lucy have the rest of your lives
together and I know with the love between the two of
you, nothing will come between what you have." Victor
continued hopefully.  "Lucy's waited a long time to
have you back in her life again and I just know that
even though it took a while destiny is in your
corner."
 "Destiny...." Kevin chortled thinking of the irony of
his situation.  "Funny thing about fate and destiny
Victor.  Just when you think that your life is winding
together again, fate has a way of letting you know
that you're nothing more than a mere pawn and that you
can be wiped out at any moment."
 "Monk......" Victor started sensing the sadness in
Kevin's voice.
 "Victor I have to go." Kevin began as a tear escaped
his eyes.  
 "Monk please," Victor started again.
 "It sounds like Lucy's waking up, but I promise we'll
call you tomorrow and I'm sure Lucy will want to have
her chat with Sigmund." Kevin replied holding the
phone tightly in his hand as his vision blurred.
 "All right Monk." Victor replied softly letting out a
yawn.
 "Well, I suppose I'll talk to you later." Kevin spoke
up again trying to contain the emotions raging within
as he moved to hang up the phone.  After a moment's
hesitance, he pressed it to his ear again.  "Victor?"
 "Yes?" Victor questioned pulling the phone up once
more.
 "I love you." Kevin replied choked up on emotion.  "I
know that I haven't found a way to express that to you
much during our time together, but I just wanted you
to know that I don't regret bringing you back into my
life again Victor and I'm just sorry it took so long
for us to come together again.  I just thought you
should know that."
 "I love you too son." Victor replied feeling a hot
tear trickle down his face.
 "Yeah well even though things weren't always their
best between us and at times you felt as if you failed
as a father, you're still number one to me and you'll
always be." Kevin continued unable to contain his
emotion any longer.  "You taught me about love and
honor and helped to make me who I am today Victor and
I thank you for that."
 "Monk...." Victor began wondering where this was
coming from.
 "I just thought you should know.  I'll call in the
morning." Kevin explained choked up on emotion as he
hung up the phone unable to contain himself a moment
longer as the anguish of his situation filled his
heart and his dread came pouring through the surface.