Chapter 19 
Tracie Richards entered the front doors of the hospital thinking about her encounter with Ryan earlier in the week. No matter how many times she'd tried to dismiss the feeling that had over taken her when she came into contact with that man, she couldn't shake a word of their exchange. She closed her eyes for a moment unwilling to think about what was happening to her. As time went on, she couldn't think straight, she couldn't work, couldn't sleep, barely ate and all she knew was she needed to talk to someone she could trust...someone she could count on. 
''Matt,'' she called out noticing he'd moved out into the corridor, ''Matt wait up!'' ''Tracie, hey I'd tried calling you the other night.'' Matt greeted her with a smile. ''Ellen and I were having dinner with her mother and we thought that maybe you and Garcia might've been interested in joining us, but when I called I didn't get any response. Your machine must not be working again.'' ''Sorry,'' Tracie began apologetically shifting her gaze to the floor, ''I've just been a bit preoccupied with work and everything that's been going on lately.'' ''Are you sure that's all?'' Matt questioned taking note of how pale she looked. ''Tracie, what is it?'' ''Eric, I'm in trouble,'' Tracie began with a sigh looking to him desperately. 

''What kind of trouble Tracie?'' Matt asked noticing the tears in her eyes. He glanced around the corridor nodding for her to follow him into one of the empty patient rooms. 

''What's going on?'' ''Eric, I don't know where to start,'' Tracie began feeling completely flustered as she began to pace the room. ''You know I thought I'd had it all figured out when I came to town. A new job, a new start, perhaps even a new life here in Port Charles......'' ''I know Tracie. You and I both worked so hard to overcome the horrors of our past.'' Matt replied watching her inner struggle as she turned towards the window looking out at the earth below. ''Please, tell me what's going on Tracie and you know if I can help you in any way, I promise you I will.'' ''I'm beyond help at this point.'' Tracie explained sadly shaking her head as she tried to blink back tears. ''Look at me. I'm a wreak and it's my own fault. I can't work or sleep anymore and as time goes on, I find myself slipping again.'' ''Tracie, I don't understand.'' Matt began unclear on what was eating away at her. ''Is this about Chris Ramsey being back in town again because if it is, I can assure you that he's not worth your tears. Men like him aren't worth the air they breath and you can do so much better like with Garcia. He seems to be a good guy.'' ''Alex is a wonderful man.'' Tracie replied with a sniffle. ''He's everything that I ever could've hoped for and just being with him makes me feel like a better person.'' ''So what's the problem then?'' Matt questioned in confusion suddenly struck with an eerie feeling. 

''Everything and nothing all at that same time.'' Tracie explained softly looking out the window unable to meet his gaze. ''I was just thinking about everything that's taken place recently. You know with the return of Kevin Collins to Port Charles after I found him in the back seat of my car and how both he and Eve nearly died....'' ''So this does get back to Ramsey.'' Matt commented moving towards her. ''You've been thinking about how your bringing Kevin back changed everything for you.'' ''No, yes, maybe, oh Eric I don't know.'' Tracie replied turning around to face him with sad eyes. ''It just seems like everything as I once knew it has completely come unhinged again and I don't know how to bring it back together again.'' ''Tracie, you've overcome so much in the past to get to this point, far worse than this situation with Ramsey and you've come out a better person.'' Matt pointed out as she slumped down in a chair. ''You've proven time and time again that you won't let anyone break your spirit and you've become stronger because of it.'' ''Have I? Have I really?'' Tracie questioned looking back at him. ''If that's so true, then why do I feel like everything is unraveling right before me and there's nothing that I can do to stop it?'' ''Tracie, I don't understand what could've brought all of this on. You seemed to be doing so well recently and now, well, I just don't see what could've sparked the change other than Ramsey.'' Matt replied with a hint of anger in his voice. ''I knew that he was going to hurt you down the road and I swear that if he's the cause of your pain....'' ''Eric, it's not Chris.'' Tracie explained reaching out to him, ''I've been spending a lot of time down at the jail house lately working on a story.'' ''A story has done this to you?'' Matt questioned disbelieving what she was saying. 

''Yes a story.'' Tracie nodded wiping at her face. ''I've been working with Ryan Chamberlain.'' ''Tracie have you gone mad? Why would you put yourself into that kind of situation when you know all that he's capable of?'' Matt asked shaking his head disapprovingly. ''What were you thinking?'' ''I was trying to get the job done and discover the truth.'' Tracie explained throwing her hands in the air. 

''Well the truth is that man is a psychopath Tracie.'' Matt pointed out watching her cry harder. ''What is it? What aren't you telling me?'' ''He knows Eric.'' Tracie informed him unable to contain herself as she met his gaze. ''I don't know how he found out, but he knows.'' ''Knows what?'' Matt asked confused by her strange behavior as he reached out to hug her. 

''He knows about Clint and Lisa and he's made it quite clear that if I don't cooperate, he'll expose me to the rest of the world.'' Tracie sobbed unable to control herself as she cried on Matt's shoulder. 

''That's not possible.'' Matt replied shocked by her statement. ''You and I both know that. 

There were measures taken to ensure no one would know about that Tracie. It just isn't possible.'' ''I know it's not possible, but it's true. He knows and he'll stop at nothing to see to it that he has me exactly where he wants me.'' Tracie explained holding onto him tighter as all her fears rushed to the surface. 

''You know Eve, I don't think that coming back to work at a time like this is such a good idea with everything that's been happening in our lives.'' Chris protested as he and Eve stepped into the elevator. He pushed the elevator stop button and stood before her looking her over disapprovingly. 

''Chris, I'm not going to sit home like a lost little puppy dog just waiting for the world to pass me by. I have patients to see and responsibilities to take care of and I won't neglect them.'' Eve replied reaching out to press another button as the elevator car moved once again. 

''Eve really, I don't believe you're thinking clearly about this.'' Chris insisted stopping the elevator car once more and standing in front of the controls. ''What's a couple more days of rest and relaxation going to do?'' ''It's going to drive me insane Chris.'' Eve remarked meeting his gaze. ''You and I both know that being cooped up like that in the apartment is not my idea of a good time unless it's a voluntary action between the two of us to have martini night, not because I'm waiting around like a sitting duck afraid of the world around me. Chris, I'm not afraid anymore.'' ''Eve I don't doubt that, but whoever broke into our place earlier in the week was trying to leave us a message--one that's too clear to ignore.'' Chris pointed out placing his hands on her shoulders firmly. ''Eve I've gone through too much to be with you to lose you now.'' ''You aren't going to lose me Chris.'' Eve replied meeting his gaze as she reached out to touch his cheek softly. ''You should know by now that I'm exactly where I want to be and nothing is going to change that unless you continue to try locking me away, then I might be forced to become hostile.'' ''Eve I'm only looking out for your best interest and you can't blame me for caring about you.'' Chris explained feeling himself melting at her touch as he gazed into her beautiful brown eyes. 

''I don't blame you one bit and Chris I love you even more for everything that you're trying to do, but honestly, I can fend off the hordes with the best of them.'' Eve spoke up leaning towards him. 

''Yes Eve, but even hordes have a way of gaining the upper hand from time to time.'' Chris replied feeling her breath upon his as she moved into him. 

''Not this time,'' Eve whispered pulling him to her in a fierce, pounding kiss rendering Chris powerless as he instinctively wrapped his arms around her. 

''Do you have any idea what you do to me?'' Chris questioned after they'd breathlessly parted. 

''I might have some idea.'' Eve smiled moving in to kiss him again as her hands wandered over the elevator's control panel and she started the elevator again. 

''Hey, you're not playing fair.'' Chris replied as the elevator door pulled open and she stepped out onto her floor. 

''Don't worry I'll make it up to you later tonight.'' Eve waved as the elevator doors closed and she turned down the hall ready to get a jump start at the work ahead of her for the day when she heard her name called out over the intercom. 

''Dr. Lambert, you have a telephone call at the nurse's station. Dr. Lambert report to the nurse's station.'' the voice rang out as Eve moved towards the nurse's station greeting the nurse with a smile. 

''Good morning Maggie,'' Eve smiled setting her charts down as she reached for the phone. ''How are you today?'' ''Just fine.'' she answered brightly as Eve picked up the receiver. ''It's line one Dr. 

Lambert.'' ''Thank you.'' Eve replied pushing the button for the call. ''Hello Dr. Lambert speaking. 

How may I help you?'' ''Darling, it's so good to hear your voice again and to think for a while I was afraid that you'd disappeared on me.'' Ryan's voice filled the other end of the line. 

''What do you want?'' Eve questioned tightening her grip on the phone as Maggie walked away leaving her alone. 

''Does a man have to have a reason to call the woman he loves?'' Ryan questioned taking note of the apprehension in her tone. ''Come on Eve, you can't tell me that you haven't thought of me.'' ''Only in your dreams Ryan.'' Eve answered bitterly feeling her fingers tighten around the receiver. 

''Now Eve, honestly, you can't tell me that you're willing to throw away what we have together with so much riding on our futures.'' Ryan began with a sigh. ''I truly believed that what we had was so much more special than that.'' ''There you're wrong Ryan because I think it's about time for you to get it through your head that what you thought we had was nothing but a lie.'' Eve explained angrily. 

''Whatever twisted fantasies you have about the two of us can go straight to hell with you for all I care.'' ''Eve you have no idea how much it hurts to have you say that to me after all we'd been through together.'' Ryan replied with a hint of sadness in his voice. ''And to think of all the love we'd made......'' ''I don't love you and never will, so get it through your head.'' Eve shot back raising her voice a bit. ''And Ryan don't ever call me again.'' ''Eve, now come on. Why you wouldn't believe what I'm holding in my hand right now.'' Ryan continued on ignoring her display. ''It's your engagement ring. Remember how happy you were the day I'd given it to you? How you'd cried tears of joy because all of your hopes and dreams were finally coming true.'' ''Ryan now I'm only going to say this once and hopefully you'll get this through your head because I won't give you the opportunity for a repeat performance here.'' Eve began menacingly into the phone. ''I'm fully aware of everything you tried to do to Kevin and I and I will do everything in my power to bring you down completely and make you pay for what you've done. As for your ring, well, you can choke on it for all I care because I'm through with listening to you and your nonsense.'' ''My, my, you are bitter, aren't you?'' Ryan responded with a chuckle hearing the dial tone on the other end of the line. 

After Eve slammed down the receiver on the phone, she looked up at the eyes on her in the lobby. Without a second thought, she dialed another phone number unable to get Ryan's voice out of her head. 

''Hello,'' Victor's voice rang out on the other end of the line. 

''Victor, hey it's Eve.'' she began trying not to let the shakiness in her tone shine through. 

''Eve, h-how are you?'' Victor questioned a bit puzzled to hear her voice on the other end of the line. 

''I'm doing all right considering the way things are going lately.'' Eve explained still not clear herself why she'd called Victor. ''Were you busy?'' ''Not really. I was just watching Sigmund for a while for Monk and Lucy while they were.....'' Victor trailed off stopping mid-sentence. ''Never mind.'' ''No Victor, it's okay....really.'' Eve tried to assure him realizing that they hadn't had much contact since he's left with Mary for Greece. ''Listen Victor I can't really get too detailed right now, but I'm working right now and if you could meet me here at the hospital in say a half an hour, I'd really appreciate it.'' ''Sure Eve,'' Victor nodded sensing the urgency in her tone, ''I'll be there shortly.'' ''Thank you Victor.'' Eve replied gratefully. 

''You're welcome Eve.'' Victor answered as Eve hung up the phone and directed her attention back to the charts in front of her vowing not to let Ryan get to her. 

''So as you can see, the hospital is quite advanced in the area of study and research in the field,'' Monica Quartermaine explained rounding the corner to see Chris Ramsey exiting a patients room, ''and speak of the devil. Here he is now. Dr. Ramsey.'' Chris froze in his tracks hearing the sound of her voice instantly recognizing it. Drawing in a breath, he slowly turned to face Dr. Quartermaine wondering just what kind of trouble lay around the corner as he pasted his best smile on his face only to discover she wasn't alone. 

''Dad?'' Chris questioned in disbelief seeing his father side by side with Monica Quartermaine. ''What are you doing here?'' ''See Monica I told you that he never just starts with a friendly hello.'' Henry laughed in amusement looking back at his son. ''It's good to see you too son.'' ''I don't understand. I thought that you were.....'' Chris trailed off unclear on what was taking place before him as he turned to Dr. Quartermaine seeking an answer. 

''I was just giving your father the routine tour of the hospital,'' Monica explained smiling at Henry briefly before redirecting her attention to Chris, ''and I must admit it's been a delightful experience and a pleasure.'' ''Why Monica, the pleasure is all mine.'' Henry replied with a smile reaching out to kiss her hand as he pager sounded. 

''Well it looks like duty calls and since I'm sure you're in good hands, I'll leave you two to talk.'' Monica explained nodding at Chris before darting off down the hallway. 

''Care to explain what in the world that was about?'' Chris questioned with a huff. 

''What what was about Chris?'' Henry replied innocently looking back at his son. ''Surely I would've thought that you'd be pleased to see your old man again. You know you really should work on your form when we encounter one another. I raised you to have better manners then.....'' ''You know what I mean. What were you doing hanging out with my boss acting all chummy?'' Chris asked cutting through the pleasantries. 

''Well if you must know, I was just taking a tour of the hospital to get a feel for things.'' Henry explained briefly. 

''Yeah I caught that part, but now I'd like you to speed into the reason what you were doing that in the first place.'' Chris insisted as a couple of nurse's passed by catching his father's eye. Clearing his throat, Chris looked at his father expectantly. ''Well?'' ''Chris, if you'd just learn to relax a little, then maybe I'd have enough time to give you the answers you're searching for.'' Henry replied shaking his head after a moment. ''Tell me is that girlfriend of yours working this afternoon because if she is, then the three of us could go down to that new French restaurant down the road for a bite to eat.'' ''Spare me dad and just tell me what you're doing here.'' Chris snapped cutting him off. ''I swear if you're doing anything to endanger my job here in any way, then....'' ''Relax Chris. I was just scoping out my investment.'' Henry explained with a sigh. ''You know maybe you should take one of those stress management classes. I've heard that they've been known to work wonders for those people who...'' ''What do you mean your investment?'' Chris questioned in horror cutting him off once again. ''What have you gotten yourself into this time?'' ''Nothing out of the ordinary.'' Henry shrugged walking down the hall with Chris following behind. ''I just worked out a deal that was in the making for quite some time with Stefan Cassadine and you know despite the stories I've heard about him and his personal life, I'd found him to be a rather interesting sort. A true business man in every aspect of the word and I found our dealings to be rather enjoyable.'' ''What dealings Henry? What are you up to this time?'' Chris questioned feeling his heart pounding in his chest. ''What did you do?'' ''Nothing really except for buying some stock in the hospital and finding a place for myself on the board.'' Henry explained with a bright smile. ''You know at first there was a bit of concern about my impartiality given our situation and our relationship with you being my son and all, but I quickly assured the other board members that I wouldn't let the fact that Dr. Chris Ramsey, one of General Hospital's most talented surgeons, is my son get in the way of my ability to make objective and productive decisions around here.'' ''You mean to tell me that you're on the hospital board?'' Chris questioned in disbelief as his father nodded. ''Dad, how could you do something like this to me? What? Getting involved with Vivian and nearly destroying my life wasn't enough for you and now you've come back to complete the bang up job you started years ago?'' ''Chris, you know I would've thought you'd express a bit more enthusiasm for what just took place here.'' Henry replied with a frown. ''You have no idea how hard it was for me to work out this deal in the first place....'' ''Well, you shouldn't have bothered because you're the last person I want here right now.'' Chris snapped angrily. ''You should've just stayed buried underneath that rock you'd crawled under months ago.'' ''You don't mean that.'' Henry began to protest looking Chris over intently. 

''Funny thing dad is this time I do.'' Chris replied taking off down the hallway angrily. 
 
 

Eve sat in the on call room thinking about the morning's turn of events. She could still feel Ryan's voice on the other end of the line it was making her sick to her stomach. She couldn't believe that he had tried to get her to jump back into their old life again after all the havoc he'd wreaked upon everyone with nearly killing her and Kevin. She realized that she was really starting to get stressed out lately the phone call and the pressure she was getting from the media as she tossed her paper cup aside and walked out of the room to clear her thoughts. 

''Hey you a penny for your thoughts,'' Scott called out walking up from behind her and catching her by surprise. 

''What are you doing here?'' she asked him her eyes narrowing at him as she thought of their last encounter. 

''Gee...thanks for the hello Eve.'' Scott replied looking at her for a moment. ''I was kind of hoping for a 'hey Scott, how's it going' or 'it's good to see you too'.'' ''Yeah well don't hold your breath.'' Eve said crossing her arms in front of her chest. 

''Eve, don't tell me that you're still upset with me for taking the case.'' Scott began realizing it was pointless to argue with her. ''Look, I'm not going to bother with you. I was just looking for Karen because we were going to have lunch together this afternoon, and I can see that obviously I'm not someone you want to talk to right now, so I'll just be on my way....'' ''Wait!'' Eve called out to him as he turned to leave. ''Scott, I'm sorry. I guess that I'm just not feeling too well today. I think it all boils down to the fact that didn't sleep much last night.'' ''Me neither.'' Scott replied turning to face her. ''I guess we've both had a lot on our minds lately.'' ''Probably the same thing no doubt.'' Eve added noticing how tired he looked. ''You know Scott you should really take better care of yourself because to be quite honest with you, the last thing I want to do is have you in here as one of my patients considering who you're defending in this upcoming trial.'' ''Now Eve, we're not going to go back to that again, are we?'' Scott questioned shaking his head. ''I know that we're never going to see eye to eye on this....'' ''You're right about that.'' Eve nodded folding her arms in front of her chest. ''You have no idea what you're getting yourself into with that madman Scott and I realize that for some reason beyond my imagination you're still compelled to dive into this case.'' ''Eve please, can we just agree to disagree?'' Scott questioned with a pleading look not wanting to get into this with Eve yet again. 

''Fine,'' Eve replied grudgingly, ''whatever you think is best.'' ''Eve, look there's a lot that you don't understand.....'' Scott started shaking his head. 

''Never mind. Look if there's anything I can do to make this easier.'' ''Short of removing yourself from the case?'' Eve questioned raising an eyebrow. 

''You know I can't do that Eve.'' Scott explained briefly. 

''In that case, there's nothing that you can do for me.'' Eve answered boldly pausing for a moment. ''No Scott, now that you brought it up, you can do something for me after all.'' ''What's that?'' Scott questioned looking at her curiously. 

''You can tell your client to leave me the hell alone and if he ever tries to call me again, I'll consider it harassment and have that charge tacked onto the rest of them.'' Eve explained with anger raging in her eyes. ''Do I make myself clear?'' ''Ryan called you?'' Scott repeated blankly. ''Today?'' ''Yep, about a half an hour ago and the last thing I want to deal with above everything else that's been going on around here, is him.'' Eve informed him with a hiss. ''Is that understood?'' ''Completely.'' Scott nodded watching her take off down the hallway in the opposite direction. 

''Hey Ellen, have you seen Eve lately?'' Chris asked walking into the lobby after he'd finished with his latest patient. ''I kind of wanted to talk to her.'' ''I haven't seen her in a while, but the last time I noticed her she was talking to Scott over by the on call room.'' Ellen informed him looking up from her charts and noticing the expression on his face. ''Are you okay?'' ''Yeah, I'm just great Ellen.'' Chris remarked shaking his head. ''No actually Ellen, I'm not okay. I'm having one of those days. You know the ones where you think you've got it all figured out, then something just sneaks up on you and catches you off guard?'' ''Gee, I've never had anything like that happen to me.'' Ellen answered smugly looking back at him. 

''Yeah I know Ellen, I've made your life miserable.'' Chris replied in frustration. ''You don't have to remind me.'' ''Chris, I wasn't going to say anything about.....'' Ellen started sensing that something was truly bothering him. 

''It's okay Ellen. I've got work to do, but if you see Eve, can you let her know that I'm looking for her and it's important?'' Chris questioned tucking his charts under his arm. 

''Sure, no problem Chris.'' Ellen replied as he darted off down the hallway. 

''Scott, hey what are you doing here?'' Victor called out approaching him as he stepped off of the elevator. 

''I was looking for my daughter, but no one has seemed to have been able to locate her.'' Scott explained scanning the hallway. 

''Well maybe you should have her paged.'' Victor suggested noticing how flustered Scott looked. 

''You know Victor, that's not a half bad idea.'' Scott nodded moving back towards the nurse's station. 

''Charlie was telling me about what's going on between the two of you.'' Victor called out chasing after Scott. 

''Yeah I'll bet she did.'' Scott muttered under his breath. 

''No really Scott,'' Victor continued keeping up the pace, ''I know that you two don't exactly see eye to eye on this, but I really feel that you're going to do a great job on this despite Charlie's words of protest.'' ''Listen Victor, I'd really like to chat with you some more, but I have to find Karen because after our lunch I have to go to the police station to try and piece things together for my pre-hearing on Thursday thanks to Charlie there.'' Scott explained turning around to face him. 

''I know that she appears to be a thorn in your side Scott, but she means well. She truly does.'' Victor added in Charlie's defense. 

''Yeah well, you can tell her that I don't back down easily and I intend to see this through and that's a promise.'' Scott explained clenching his fists tightly as he moved towards the nurse's station. 

''She truly means well Scott and if you'd just give her a chance, I'm sure the two of you could somehow come to terms on this.'' Victor began noticing Chris in the distance. 

''Gee, why am I not surprised to see you here Scott?'' Chris began glaring at Scott. ''What did you come around looking for some way to harass Eve about your client?'' ''Gee Ramsey, how are you?'' Scott mumbled looking in the other direction not wanting to deal with Chris. 

''I was fine until I saw you here.'' Chris snapped at him angrily. ''What are you trying to pull Scott?'' ''I was here visiting my daughter not that it's any of your concern.'' Scott explained looking back at him. 

''And also to harass Eve no doubt.'' Chris added smugly. 

''Save it Ramsey. I'm not in the mood for this so back off.'' Scott replied turning to the nurse on duty. ''Could you have Dr. Wexler paged please?'' ''Of course,'' she nodded. 

''Why don't you just leave her alone Scott?'' Chris asked growing angrier by the second. 

''Hasn't she endured enough?'' ''Ramsey, you need to just lay off.'' Scott warned trying not to lose his cool. 

''Why don't you just let her be happy and move on with her life while you get yourself buried in this little game of yours? Now that I think about it, how does Lucy feel about you being the top crusader on the save Ryan Chamberlain cause?'' Chris asked as his voice grew louder. 

''Chris, I think you'd better calm down.'' Victor spoke up breaking his long silence. 

''Why should I Victor?'' Chris remarked continuing his attack on Scott. ''You know, your presence around here isn't really wanted right now.'' ''Chris, you have no idea what you're talking about and as I see it, I have every right to coming around as I so choose.'' Scott explained watching Chris carefully. 

''You know Scott, I don't really like you much and I'd appreciate it if you would just leave all of us alone.'' Chris began unaware of the crowd they were attracting. 

''Look I don't know what's come over you since the last time I saw you, but I think that you should calm down.'' Scott explained hoping that Chris would lower his voice. 

''Everyone is under a tremendous amount of stress right now and the last thing anyone needs to hear is you yelling out here.'' ''I'll give you stress.'' Chris muttered punching Scott in the jaw. 

''What's going on here?'' Eve asked walking out into the lobby and finding Scott grabbing onto Chris's shirt in a frenzy. 

''Eve,'' Chris began as Scott released him. 

''Scott, what's going on out here?'' Eve asked noticing that there was blood by his lip. 

''What happened?'' ''Ask your boyfriend here.'' Scott remarked smugly taking a Kleenex off of the counter top and wiping the blood away from his face. 

''What happened Chris?'' Eve asked turning to face him. 

''I think that he's a little upset right now.'' Scott explained as calmly as possible as he looked at Chris. 

''Go to hell Scott.'' Chris yelled back at him. 

''Chris,'' Eve began looking around the lobby, ''we are in the middle of a hospital. I don't think this is the right time or place for you to be carrying on like this.'' ''Fine.'' Chris said backing away from her and Scott. ''We can talk about this after he leaves.'' ''Chris,'' she started as he walked down the hall and she turned to Scott. 

''Eve I.....'' Scott began noticing all eyes were on him. 

''Save it.'' Eve replied chasing after Chris and following him into the lounge. 

''What the hell happened out there?'' Eve asked walking into the lounge and slamming the door. 

''Hey Eve, you shouldn't be slamming doors. It's a hospital after all.'' Chris remarked sarcastically. 

''Don't you start with me Chris.'' Eve snapped at him. ''What were you trying to prove out there in the lobby?'' ''I'm tired of Scott Baldwin coming around all of the time with his high and mighty attitude when in reality he's just causing more harm than good in helping Ryan.'' Chris explained in frustration. 

''Chris you know there's nothing we can do about what choices Scott makes.'' Eve replied reaching out to him. ''All we can do is control our actions.'' ''I know, but it just makes me so damn angry Eve.'' Chris explained wrapping his arms around her. ''Just the mention of Ryan makes my blood boil.'' ''As does mine,'' Eve informed him softly hugging him, ''but we can't let him get to us. 

Okay?'' ''Okay,'' Chris nodded taking in a breath. 

''Okay, I give Ramsey.'' Eve began pulling back. ''What else is going on that you aren't telling me about?'' ''You know me so well,'' Chris sighed thinking about his encounter with his father a short while earlier. ''I ran into Monica Quartermaine earlier and you'll never guess who's become her latest tag along.'' ''Who?'' Eve questioned puzzled by his twisted expression. 

''My father.'' Chris explained with a huff. 

''Your father? How is that possible?'' Eve asked in confusion. ''I thought that he was up at the cabin with Vivian.'' ''Yeah so did I, but apparently invading our time alone together wasn't enough for him. 

He obviously needed to step in and take control of more aspects of my life.'' Chris explained as his pager went off. ''That's OR.'' ''Then you'd better go.'' Eve replied giving him a quick kiss sensing his disdain. ''Chris later on tonight you and I will talk about this, okay?'' ''Okay. You know you're about the only high point of my days lately,'' Chris nodded feeling his pager go off again, ''I'm coming already. Geez!'' ''I love you,'' Eve spoke up giving his hand a squeeze. 

''I love you too.'' Chris smiled kissing her forehead before walking out the door. 
 
 

''Why hello beautiful,'' A voice called out as Ellen looked up to find Matt before her grinning from ear to ear. 

''What are you so happy about at this moment Dr. Harmon?'' Ellen questioned curiously setting her work aside for the moment. 

''It's all an act.'' Matt confessed moving in towards her as his smile disappeared. ''Actually right now, I feel like I've got the weight of the world on my shoulders, but seeing you just seems to make everything else disappear.'' ''Is that so?'' Ellen asked with a smile. 

''That it is.'' Matt nodded in agreement reaching out to her. ''You know you just have this tranquil effect on me which just makes the world seem like sunshine and roses around me.'' ''Okay, I give.'' Ellen replied eyeing him intently. ''What's on your mind Matt?'' ''I wouldn't even know where to start,'' Matt sighed thinking back to his talk with Tracie. 

''How about the beginning? That always works for me.'' Ellen suggested sensing something was wrong. 

''Ellen, I don't even know how to get into this without....'' Matt started noticing Victor in the distance. ''It can wait.'' ''Hey Ellen, Matt, have either one of you seen Eve?'' Victor questioned approaching them with a smile. 

''That seems to be the question of the hour.'' Ellen replied with a smile setting down her pen. ''How are you doing Victor?'' ''Oh I'm doing better now that Monk and Lucy are home.'' Victor explained briefly checking the time once more instantly distracted as he thought about talking with Eve. 

''If you're looking for Eve, I think that she's trying to calm down after the fight Scott and Chris broke into earlier.'' Matt explained to briefly nodding towards the lounge. 

''You know you'd think that those two would grow up and start acting like adults sooner rather than later.'' Ellen added with a sigh. 

''Tell me about it.'' Victor nodded in agreement. ''I think when Chris and Scott get into a room, they don't really need a reason to let loose and tear one another apart. It just comes naturally.'' ''Isn't that the truth?'' Ellen replied looking up at Victor for a moment. 

''Well I can't blame Scott for feeling that way. I've often found myself in the same position.'' Matt added only to result in a jab from Ellen. ''Well, it's the truth.'' ''I think that I'm going to talk to Eve alone for a minute.'' Victor explained to them. ''She wanted to talk to me anyways.'' ''Alright and hey tell her if she needs it, she can borrow my pepper spray to take the two of them out of commission if need be.'' Ellen tease turning her focus back to Matt once again. 

''I'll do that.'' Victor nodded with a laugh moving into the lounge and pushing open the door ''Eve, are you in here? Hello?'' Victor walked into the lounge not seeing Eve and looked around deciding that maybe Eve must've stepped out for a moment when Ellen wasn't looking. He was about to return to the front desk and leave her a note when he stumbled over something on the floor. 

''What the...'' Victor began realizing that it was Eve lying on the floor. 

''Now what were you going to tell me?'' Ellen questioned curiously hearing Victor call out to her and Matt. 

''Matt, Ellen, get in here fast.'' Victor instructed popping his head out of the room. 

''What's wrong Victor?'' Matt asked following him into the room and seeing Eve. ''Oh no.'' ''What happened to her?'' Victor asked him worried about Eve. 

''I don't know.'' Ellen said rushing to Eve's side and checking for a pulse. 

''Is she going to be alright?'' Victor questioned taking a step back and letting Matt and Ellen go to work. 
 
 

''Lucy, you didn't have to come with me to the hospital for my session with Gail.'' Kevin explained looking back at her as they stood together outside of Gail's office. 

''I know Doc, but I just thought that I'd get to spend a few more minutes with you on the way over and besides,'' Lucy began with a smirk, ''I thought that while you were in your session that maybe I'd head on over to Dr. Neuman's office and talk about your little proposal from the other day.'' ''My little proposal huh?'' Kevin replied noticing the way her eyes lit up. 

''Uh-huh,'' Lucy nodded placing her hand on the center of his chest, ''that is unless of course you're having second thoughts about going through with this.'' ''Me have second thoughts?'' Kevin commented shaking his head with a laugh, ''And risk facing the wrath of Lucy Coe? Not a chance.'' ''Good because I was not going to let you back down from this one because I just know that you and I are going to do this and come out successful.'' Lucy urged unable to contain her excitement about the situation. ''We're going to have the most beautiful son or daughter and I can just feel the vibe that this time around it's going to work.'' ''Lucy I hope you're right,'' Kevin began with a frown thinking about what he'd started as he pressed a hand to her face, ''I just don't want you to get your hopes up just yet though considering that we still are going to have to work at this and there aren't any guarantees.'' ''Doc, I'm fully aware at the challenges that are ahead of us with us trying to get pregnant and all, but the way I see it, we've come so far already and overcame so much that I just know in my heart that this time it's going to happen.'' Lucy insisted hopefully wrapping her arms around him. ''You and I are going to have this family even if it's the last thing we do together.'' ''It'll be the best thing we do together.'' Kevin replied sensing a sadness in her eyes as he gazed down at her. ''I love you Lucy.'' ''I love you too Doc,'' Lucy smiled up at him trying her best not to cry as she looked into him. Forcing a smile she poked at his ribs lightly, ''and don't you ever forget that.'' ''How could I when you keep drilling it in?'' Kevin teased lightly holding her closer to him. 

''Did I ever tell you how much I love to see you smile just like this?'' ''Not recently.'' Lucy replied looking up at him. 

''Well, I have to admit Lucy looking at that beautiful smile just takes my breath away and melts my heart.'' Kevin continued touching her face softly. ''Seeing you so happy just makes me want to push myself further even more.'' ''We will see this through Doc and come out winners in this.'' Lucy informed him solemnly as their lips met in a kiss as they stood outside Gail's office holding one another. 
 
 

''So anyways Gail, thank you for offering to take care of Serena while I do this.'' Scott explained getting up from his chair and gathering his things to head over to the police station after his lunch with Karen. ''The last thing I want for her right now is to get thrown into the mix with all this craziness going on. I don't want her hurt by any of this and I just think that the best thing for her is to have her stay with you and Lee at least until the initial buzz blows over.'' ''You're not going to reconsider this are you Scotty?'' Gail questioned worried about what this was doing to him. ''I still don't see why you're going to bury yourself into this case knowing what kind of backlash this could have on you and everyone around you.'' ''Gail, you and I both know first hand that sometimes in life we're given a task that doesn't seem to fit into our model of things, but we have to do it, even grudgingly so in order to see that the job is done right.'' Scott explained turning to her still unable to let her know the reasoning behind his decision. 

''Still Scott, I'm sure if you spoke to the judge, I believe they would find someone else for this, someone a bit more detached from the whole scenario.'' Gail suggested getting up from her desk. ''I'm sure there's some way to get around this.'' ''I told you Gail. I don't want to get around this.'' Scott replied in frustration looking to her. ''I've made up my mind about this and nothing is going to change my decision short of Judge Wilson throwing me off this case because of that over ambitious psychiatrist who's out to get me.'' ''Scotty, she may have a point about your level of involvement.'' Gail pointed out honestly. 

''From a professional level, I can't understand why you'd allow yourself to be part of something like this.'' ''Yes well from a professional level, I can understand completely why I would.'' Scott answered shortly trying not to vent his frustrations. ''I just want to do my job and I wish everyone would just quit trying to prevent me from doing that.'' ''Scott.....'' Gail started to protest. 

''Look I'm running late Gail, just tell me are you going to be able to look after Serena or what?'' Scott questioned feeling his patience running thin. 

''Oh course I can Scotty, but I just wish that you'd think about this further before getting ready for battle.'' Gail explained softening her tone. ''I just don't want to see you get hurt.'' ''It's not me you should be worried about.'' Scott informed her firmly. ''I'll come out on top of this. I always do.'' ''I only wish I believed that.'' Gail confessed opening the door to her office. ''As for Serena, I'll be finished here around five thirty this afternoon.'' ''Great, then I'll bring her over around six after I pick her up from ballet.'' Scott explained stepping out into hall to discover Kevin and Lucy in each other's arms. 

''Scott I....'' Gail began walking after him only to discover him frozen in place watching Kevin and Lucy's exchange as they separated aware of their audience. 

''Pal,'' Lucy smiled at Scott as she and Kevin parted, ''hey.'' ''Lucy,'' Scott nodded casting a glance over at Kevin and already seeing how tired Kevin looked around his eyes. 

''Scott,'' Kevin began with a nod. 

''Hey Kevin,'' Scott replied uneasily before turning to Gail, ''so I'll talk to you later.'' ''Of course,'' Gail nodded sensing Scott's uneasiness with the situation as he took off down the hallway. Trying not to let her concerns about Scott cloud her mind, she turned to Kevin. ''How are you feeling this afternoon Kevin?'' ''Better than I have in a long time,'' Kevin answered turning to Lucy giving her one last kiss good-bye. ''I'll meet up with you after I'm finished here.'' ''Okay, I'll be right here when your session's over.'' Lucy replied squeezing his hand lightly before watching him disappear into Gail's office. 
 
 

Eve woke up and turned around to discover that she was laying on one of the hospital beds and wondered how she had ended up in there after being in the lounge. She looked around and realized that she must have blacked out earlier as she turned to see a friendly face above her. 

''Thank God you're alright.'' Victor said softly as soon as he noticed Eve's eyes opening. 

''What happened?'' Eve asked suddenly drawing a blank as she let out a groan feeling an ache in her head. 

''I came into the lounge talk to you after you'd taken off to check on Chris, but when I entered the lounge, I found you out cold on the floor.'' Victor informed her with some concern in his voice. ''I was really worried about you when I found you like that and judging by that lump on your forehead, I'd have to say you took a nasty fall.'' ''I was going over a few of my patient notes for the day when I remember reaching for my cup of coffee and hearing a noise behind me, but after that I don't remember much.'' Eve confessed shaking her head slightly straining to recall what happened. ''I remember talking to Chris before he left to go to the OR, but beyond that, it's a blur. Speaking of Chris, is he around?'' ''No, he was still in surgery the last time Matt checked in on him to tell him about you.'' Victor explained to her noticing that she began to stir about. ''Eve you should just try resting for a little while.'' ''Victor I have things that I need to do.'' Eve began trying to sit up. 

''What you need to do is lay back down and get some rest.'' Victor insisted gently pushing her back down on the bed and looking her over. ''You know Eve, I always did admire your dedication to things, but really you shouldn't have come back to work so soon like this especially when you've been through so much.'' ''What was I supposed to do Victor? Sit at home and let the four walls of my living room drive me crazy?'' Eve questioned with a hint of sarcasm feeling a pain near her left temple. 

''Ah, I'm sorry. I don't mean to be so cranky. It's just I hate to be on the receiving end of patient care here. Plus when I'm at home alone like that it gives me time to think and when I start doing that, it all escalates into what I should've done and what I shouldn't have done. When I'm alone I start to think about what part I played in all of this.'' ''I know Eve and I understand that, but what I also understand is that you need to relax.'' Victor explained to her as she sank back into the pillow. ''When Matt and I found you laid out on the floor like that we were really worried about you.'' ''Victor, I'm fine. I probably just lost my footing or something when I was reaching for my coffee. I've been known to trip over my own two feet every now and then even though it's not something I'm proud of.'' Eve insisted trying once more to sit up as she was overcome by dizziness. 

''Lay down Eve.'' Victor ordered staring her down. ''You look like you're going to pass out again.'' ''I'll be okay Victor.'' Eve insisted laying back down as she began to feel light headed and a sting ran through her. 

''Yeah sure you will Eve.'' Victor replied noticing how pale she looked. ''Listen, why don't the two of us talk about whatever it was you wanted to see me about earlier? You never did say what you wanted.'' ''I called you because I received a phone call from Ryan.'' Eve explained looking up at him. ''He called to check up on me. Kind of his way of reminding me that he hasn't forgotten about us.'' ''He called you here?'' Victor questioned in disbelief. ''How is that possible?'' ''The way they allow the inmates to use the phones in those jails all the time is beyond me, but all that matters is that he called me earlier and he's as determined as ever to make me believe we're destined to be together.'' Eve sighed closing her eyes and sinking into the pain in her head. ''I just get the feeling that he's up to something Victor and judging by the sound in his voice, I don't think he's willing to let go of whatever it is, he's holding onto just yet.'' ''I....I don't know what to say.'' Victor stammered thinking about his son. 

''What can you say Victor? Ryan's going to do what he wants to do and in calling me, he was letting me know that in his mind this is far from over.'' Eve explained shaking her head. ''I just wish this whole thing would end soon.'' ''That makes two of us.'' Victor admitted softly reaching out to take her hand in his and give it a squeeze. ''I'm sorry you had to be put into this situation Eve.'' ''Victor, I put myself into this situation and it's about time that I started owning up to it no matter how badly I just want to push it aside.'' Eve confessed clenching her fists. ''Had I not broken up Kevin and Lucy's wedding, then none of this would've happened. Even you can't deny that.'' ''Now Eve....'' Victor started after a moment's hesitation, ''while what you did was a catalyst in all of this, Ryan would've found a way to destroy Kevin somehow. I just wish that you didn't have to become another one of his pawns as well. I know how much you cared about him at one time....'' ''I feel sorry for him more so than anything else.'' Eve spoke softly thinking about everything that had happened. ''Granted, I'm furious that I allowed myself to partake in such a horrible scandal and I'm angry that so many people were hurt and the fact that I almost lost my life in all of this, doesn't help the situation either.'' ''Eve, I wish things were different.'' Victor explained turning away not wanting her to see the pain in his face as he thought of his son's disastrous actions. 

''So do I Victor, but maybe everything worked out for the best.'' Eve sighed reopening her eyes. ''After all Kevin and Lucy found their way back to one another, right?'' ''Yes they did.'' Victor nodded thinking about his talk with Kevin and Lucy about Kevin's fading health. ''Hopefully they'll be able to stay together now.'' ''What do you mean Victor?'' Eve questioned looking up at him in confusion. 

''Nothing Eve,'' Victor shrugged forcing a smile hoping not to give too much away since he'd agreed to keep the truth about Kevin a secret. ''Just wishful thinking I suppose. I'm very happy they're together again.'' ''At least that's one thing positive that came out at the end of this.'' Eve commented closing her eyes once more feeling another pain rush through her. ''I'm just sorry that they had their happiness ripped away from one another.'' ''So am I, but hopefully now that they've been reunited fate will bring them a new start.'' Victor added hopefully thinking about his son's return. 
 
 

Standing alone in the hallway, Lucy drew in a breath thinking about Kevin and their plans for the future together. After a moment, she noticed Scott standing by the elevator still waiting for it. Quickly, she approached him watching the elevator doors slid open as Charlie Dubois stepped off coming in direct line of Scott. 

''Well, what do we have here?'' Charlie questioned with a sneer. 

''I was just leaving.'' Scott replied stepping towards the elevator. 

''It's a good thing because you have a lot of things that you should be working on right now rather than hanging out here.'' Charlie said as he walked away from her. ''Thursday's going to come faster than you'd anticipated and when it does, you'd better be ready for what I'm going to throw out at you.'' ''What is this with you?'' Scott questioned in disbelief turning around to face her as the elevator doors closed. ''Some kind of game that you feel you're destined to win?'' ''It's not a game Scott.'' Charlie replied standing taller as he got into her face. ''I'd hardly consider dealing with a man's life and his fate a game.'' ''Yeah well you could've fooled me considering every time I see you, you're always issuing some kind of challenge to me as if we're engaged in some kind of war with one another.'' Scott grumbled at her shaking his head. ''Seriously what is it about me that makes you want to attack every time you see me?'' ''Maybe it's because I know what you're capable of.'' Charlie responded fiercely. ''I haven't forgotten the way that I found you the other night outside that bar or the way you had no problems with drowning your sorrows in your tequila completely neglecting your responsibilities because life was just too much for you.'' ''That's completely irrelevant to this case and you know it.'' Scott snapped back at her in a rage. ''What I do in my free time has no bearing on this case.'' ''It does when my patient is put at a risk because of your irrational behavior.'' Charlie informed him sharply. ''Tell me Scott. When I talked to you the other night you carried on about how only you could save Kevin Collins life. What was that all about?'' ''That is none of your business.'' Scott muttered pushing the elevator button hoping to dismiss her questioning. 

''On the contrary Scott, I think it's within my every boundary to know the answer to that question because I have a feeling that somehow it has bearing on your decision to take this case.'' Charlie shot back reaching out to him and seizing his arm. 

''You know what is your problem?'' Lucy cut in approaching the two of them as she glared at Charlie. ''First you come over to the lighthouse completely uninvited and without warning and now you're sitting her in the middle of the hospital attacking Scott for no reason. You know Charlie, if I were you, I'd probably reconsider my methods for making friends around here because at this rate you're going, I've gotta tell you girl, you're not doing too well.'' ''Lucy, this doesn't concern you.'' Scott started watching Lucy jump to his defense. 

''The hell it doesn't.'' Lucy replied shaking her head in disbelief. ''First this woman shows up at my home out of nowhere and starts pawing all over Doc and now she's here attacking you. I think it's about time she starts giving out some answers.'' ''You want answers Lucy?'' Charlie snapped back angrily. ''Then ask your pal here what this is all about.'' ''Scott?'' Lucy questioned in confusion turning back to Scott as he shot a glare at Charlie. 

''Go on Scott. You were so quick to defend your position to me, so why don't you just jump on in and tell Lucy why you're suited for this case?'' Charlie spoke up almost daring him to speak. ''Really I'm sure she'd be only too interested to hear why Scott Baldwin is the best man for the job. Aren't you going to tell her about the case? I'm sure she'd love to hear all about it.'' ''What case?'' Lucy questioned in confusion looking between the both of them as a silence fell over the group. ''Would someone like to tell me what's going on here?'' ''Why Lucy it's quite simple really,'' Charlie began sensing Scott's hesitance, ''Scott here was just giving me his input on Ryan's case.'' ''Oh is that so?'' Lucy replied standing taller as she began to wave her hands around in the air frantically. ''Well I'll have you know that Scott here feels just as strongly about Ryan as I do and he wants that man behind bars just as badly if not more than most of the citizens here in Port Charles.'' ''My thoughts exactly and Lucy, I'd just like to thank you for reaffirming them. See you in court Scott,'' Charlie answered smugly throwing one last glare at Scott before darting off down the hall. 

''What was that all about?'' Lucy asked in confusion noticing the color drain from his face. 

''Scott? Well?'' 
 
 

''You know Eve, it's been a while and I think that I'm going to have Chris paged down here when he's finished in the OR.'' Victor announced seeing that she was still in pain. 

''No! Don't Victor.'' Eve called out snapping her eyelids open. ''He's dealing with enough today in between his father's arrival and his fight with Scott. Please don't call him yet.'' ''Eve, he would want to be here to with you right now.'' Victor explained to her. ''He loves you and he would want to help you out.'' ''Victor, I just don't think that would be a good idea right now. Chris is already so worried about me that I'm afraid if he knew that I wound up here in this hospital bed it would only put him on edge more than he already is.'' Eve explained to him remembering how high strung he was about his father's arrival in town. ''He's been so stressed out lately with not being able to protect me from Ryan in the first place and with the reporters nagging him not to mention his father reappearing in his life after a period of not being around, it might be too much and I don't want to add to his worries about something so silly as this.'' ''Eve, you collapsed in the lounge with no reasonable explanation. I don't think that is a matter that should be taken lightly.'' Victor insisted taking her hand. ''Chris needs to know about what happened.'' ''So he can tell me 'I told you so' about not coming back to work just yet?'' Eve questioned shaking her head in protest. ''No way!'' ''Eve, come on. He's not going to tell you that.'' Victor urged seeing how against this she was. ''If anything he's going to be concerned about you and you can't blame him for that.'' ''I know Victor, but it's just that....,'' Eve sighed shaking her head lightly, ''...well, could we at least wait for Matt to get my test results back before you page him and have him unnecessarily running around ready to tear everyone's heads off because the pressure is getting to him?'' ''Fine,'' Victor reluctantly answered as she noticed how pale Eve looked. ''Would you like something to drink? Maybe some orange juice? I could run down the hall to the vending machine or maybe go down the the cafeteria.'' ''That sounds great Victor.'' Eve smiled weakly. ''I'd love some.'' ''Okay I'll go get you some then. You just stay here.'' Victor said leaving her alone. 

''I will.'' Eve nodded easing back into the pillow as she thought about the days events. 

''You need to relax or your going to give yourself a nervous breakdown.'' ''Eve hey you're awake.'' Matt said coming into the room with her charts, ''How are you feeling?'' ''How do I look?'' she questioned with a smile turning to look at him. 

''You want me to honestly answer that?'' Matt replied with a twisted grin. 

''With that answer, I'll have to go for door number two.'' Eve smiled pulling herself up a bit. 

''Good choice, but seriously Eve, how are you feeling right now?'' Matt questioned again. 

''Better than I was five minutes ago Matt.'' she confessed eager to hear what he had to say. 

''Did you find out why I blacked out like that?'' ''I think I might have Eve.'' he said seriously moving towards the corner of her bed. 

''Well?'' she asked trying to read his facial expression. ''Don't tell me it's an after effect of this whole amnesia thing, because I don't honestly think that I can start tripping out with all this work laid out ahead of me this week. Why I have two patients in post-op to check on and another in......'' ''Eve I think that you and I need to have a serious talk about what happened back in the lounge.'' Matt cut in looking at her. 

''So how are you doing with everything Kevin?'' Gail questioned leaning back in her seat and looking at him. 

''Well, I won't try to sugar coat it and tell you that everything is going great because we both know what something like this could take out of a person, but at the same time I feel different somehow. Not that immense feeling of despair that was consuming me when I'd first discovered the truth about my condition. It's more so like relief and hope.'' Kevin explained looking back at her. ''I know that hope is almost a mystical thing when you take a moment and sit back to think about it analytically, but being with Lucy, it just fills each and every breath I take with a new life and makes this fight more worth while.'' ''So I take it you told Lucy the news.'' Gail commented. 

''Initially I'd planned on keeping it from her as we discussed last time I was at the hospital, but when the two of us were away something transpired between us and I feel as if a new door was opened in our relationship.'' Kevin explained thinking back to when he finally broke the news to Lucy. ''Granted, she wasn't very appreciative of being on the receiving end of the news of my decaying mortality, but after a while we talked things through and it's brought us closer than I'd anticipated and while I still have my fears about what is ahead of me, it softens the blow knowing that Lucy will be here with me every step of the way.'' ''And after...'' Gail added watching the sadness set in over his features. ''Kevin, what's really going on in your mind right now?'' ''I'm not even clear on it myself.'' Kevin admitted with a sigh. ''I know that questioning the past is supposed to lead us to some insight to the future, but Gail, I've seen my future and it frightens me to think that at any moment, this could be the end and there isn't a thing I can do about it.'' ''That's understandable Kevin.'' Gail nodded seeing the tension in his face. 

''But it's not fair Gail.'' Kevin explained slamming his fists into the arms on the chair as he stood up. ''I realize that life is not meant to be fair, but I was supposed to have forever with her once I came back to Port Charles, not sitting here counting my minutes like this and with Ryan.........'' ''What about Ryan?'' Gail questioned taking note of his silence. 

''It makes me so damn angry that he can be out there....that he was able to live my life for so long and take everything away from me, yet now that he's locked away, he's still going to be here long after I am. You have no idea how it feels to have your own flesh and blood set out to destroy you and take away everything that was once yours.'' Kevin answered hating the words himself. ''When Ryan moved in on my life, not only did he take away my very existence, but even now he takes a little away each day and it infuriates me. You have no idea how badly I want to go over to that jail house and make him feel the pain that I'm feeling right now or how many nights I dream about our next encounter with one another and the many ways in which I'll seek my vengeance upon him.'' ''Kevin your rage is understandable, but just because you're having these feelings doesn't mean you're going to act upon them.'' Gail pointed out noticing his hands were shaking. 

''But what if I do? I mean what if something happens again and I just snap like a twig and am unable to withstrain myself? Then what?'' Kevin questioned horrified by the thoughts raging in his mind as he tried to calm himself down and take his seat once more. ''I'm just afraid of what I might do at this point.'' ''I thought you wanted to start over again with Lucy and attempt starting a family.'' Gail added thinking about their opening conversation. ''We're the two of you working towards that together?'' ''Yes we are and believe me there's nothing I want more, but when I think about Lucy and our child left alone after I'm gone, free to be the prey of Ryan or anyone like him, it sparks something in me...that inner desire to want to protect them and be there for them, but then like a slap in the face it hits me and I realize that I'm not going to be able to do that.'' 

''Scott, what was she talking about?'' Lucy questioned again puzzled by his reaction to her question as the color drained from his face. ''Scott?'' ''Lucy did you ever find out what she was doing at the lighthouse the other day?'' Scott questioned snapping back to reality as he looked at her. 

''Yeah apparently she and Doc go way back with one another,'' Lucy explained rolling her eyes briefly and shaking her head, ''but you never answered my question.'' ''So let me get this straight. She and Kevin are close?'' Scott asked thinking it over for a moment. 

''Used to be close.'' Lucy nodded sensing something in his eyes as he took in her words. 

''Scott Baldwin, what is it?'' ''Huh, oh...um, listen Lucy, I'd really like to talk to you about this, but I have to get back to.....'' Scott started stepping away and hoping to avoid this conversation. 

''Oh no you don't Pal!'' Lucy called out grabbing his arm and pulling him towards her. 

''There's no way you're walking away like this without telling me what on earth is going on with that woman.'' ''Lucy look there's a lot about this thing with Charlie that we need to go into, but right now I just don't think........'' Scott stammered looking around the hallway unable to meet her gaze. 

''You're keeping something from me Scott. I can see that.'' Lucy replied taking note of his uneasiness. ''Please......tell me. What is it?'' ''Lucy, there's no easy way to get into this,'' Scott began his eyes wandering around the hallway as he nodded for her to follow him into the lounge. ''Look Lucy, before you say anything, promise me that you'll give me a chance to explain myself here.'' ''Scott, are you in some kind of trouble?'' Lucy questioned in confusion shaking her head. 

''I swear if it has anything to do with that woman, I'll personally rip her head off and....'' ''Lucy please,'' Scott started taking in a breath as he looked back into her puzzled eyes, ''what I'm about to say is really important and I need to do this the right way before I end up saying the wrong thing and....'' ''Scott, whatever it is, you know you can tell me anything.'' Lucy assured him giving his hands a squeeze. ''We've been through a lot together Pal and I'd like to think that at the very least you can trust me to be here for you.'' ''I know that Lucy, but what I have to tell you, I know you're not going to like it at all and there's honestly no easy way to break this to you.'' Scott started hesitantly. 

''Why don't I like the sounds of this?'' Lucy asked as her smile faded. ''Scott?'' ''Lucy this is about Ryan's upcoming case.'' Scott began taking in a breath. ''You see I'm........'' ''........and today in the news the wait continues for a trial date to be set in the case of the people versus Ryan Chamberlain....'' the television screen blurted out interrupting Scott's statement. 

''Speak of the devil.'' Lucy added feeling chills run down her spine redirecting her attention to the images flashing of Ryan on screen. ''To think of all the horrors that man has put Doc and I through all this time, it just makes me sick.'' ''Maybe we should do this somewhere else,'' Scott suggested suddenly on edge as he reached for Lucy's arm as the hordes of reporters swarmed around Ryan as he was being transferred to the county jail. 

''Would you just look at him all smug and lacking remorse for what he's done? Just the thought of that man being able to be kept out of prison makes my skin crawl.'' Lucy started angrily clenching her fists. ''And to think, someone actually has the audacity to represent him in all of this. It makes you wonder how some people can sleep at night knowing they are working with such scum and the likes of people of his nature. 

''Lucy really I think we should.....'' Scott started suddenly horrified by the next scene flashed before him. 

''Scott, what are they doing at your place?'' Lucy questioned in bewilderment watching Scott step out of the front door. ''Scott.......'' ''Lucy I.....'' Scott started to explain realizing it was too late. 

''.......when asked about this upcoming case, defense attorney Scott Baldwin refused to give a statement at this time......'' ''Mr. Baldwin, Mr. Baldwin......'' voices called out to him as Scott watched the screen wishing he hadn't brought Lucy into the lounge. 

''No comment,'' Scott's image blurted out leading Serena out of the firehouse and into a car before the picture changed and Scott was greeted by a thick silence. 

''Lucy,'' he began faintly reaching out to her. ''Lucy please.......say something.'' ''How could you?'' Lucy questioned in disbelief taking a step backwards as she looked at him. 

''Lucy I can explain.'' Scott began stepping towards her. 

''No, this can't be happening.'' Lucy continued unable to come to terms with what she'd seen. ''Scott, why in the world would those reporters be hounding you and Serena like that because we both know that is just not possible.'' ''Lucy please, just let me say.....'' Scott started reaching out to her. 

''Say it's not true Scott!'' Lucy ordered meeting his gaze. ''Tell me there's been some kind of mistake and you're not the one defending that man. Say it!'' ''I can't Lucy.'' Scott confessed unable to look at her a second more. ''I'm sorry.'' ''No, oh no, no, no, no!'' Lucy shouted angrily. ''No Scott Baldwin. You are not defending that man.'' ''I'm sorry Lucy, but I have to.'' Scott explained fighting to suppress the agony tearing away at his insides. ''I have no choice.'' ''You always have a choice Scott and I want you to march your butt back to whoever is in charge of this nonsense and tell them that you refuse to go through with this.'' Lucy ordered boldly clenching her fists. ''You tell them that you won't represent that monster.'' ''I can't do that Lucy. It's beyond my control at this point.'' Scott continued hoping to find some way to win her over as he touched her shoulder. ''Lucy please understand...'' ''Scott that man is a murderer!'' Lucy snapped pushing his hands off of her as angry tears filled her eyes. ''Than man tried to destroy so many people Scott. He took Doc away from me and turned my life upside down and now for you to even consider helping him in any way, it's just beyond my imagination and I won't stand for it Scott. Why to even think about you raising a finger to help him, it just makes me.....wait a second. That's what you and Charlie were arguing about, wasn't it?'' ''Lucy, before you go off the deep end, I just think that......'' Scott cut in hoping to get a word edge wise. 

''She wants you off this case.'' Lucy concluded piecing it together. ''It only makes sense seeing how gung ho she is about saving Ryan's skin, but you....you don't fit into the puzzle because you despise Ryan Chamberlain and she knows it. That's why she was screaming at you. Right? Scott, I'm right aren't I?'' ''Yes Lucy you were right.'' Scott snapped back in defeat. ''Charlie wants me off of this case because she doesn't think I'll be qualified to represent Ryan without being biased.'' ''Well, there you go. There's your reason to back away from all of this Scott.'' Lucy insisted shaking her head. ''Granted, I really didn't like that woman to begin with, but thankfully she's given you a reason to get out of this. You just give in and tell them that you can't be unbiased and you won't represent that madman.'' ''Lucy I can't do that.'' Scott explained softly. 

''Can't or won't Scott?'' Lucy questioned blankly feeling tears burning in her eyes as she saw where Scott stood in all of this. Trying to fight the build up of emotions from within, she felt her knees grow shaky and her throat tighten as she spoke up again. ''Scott, he's may be locked up, but he's killing Doc. He's taking away my one chance for happiness in this world........my only chance for happiness and I can't sit back and let him get away with this. You can't help him weasel out of his punishment like this.....you just can't.'' ''Lucy I promised to see this through with Ryan and that's what I intend to do.'' Scott answered standing taller and glancing over at her. 

''You can't mean that Pal. You just can't.'' Lucy insisted stepping towards him and looking into his eyes. ''Please Scott, don't do this......for me.'' ''I've made up my mind Lucy.'' Scott said firmly noticing the look on her face as his heart grew heavy. 

''Scott Baldwin, I've never asked you for anything this important in my life, but I'm begging you, please don't do this. If you ever cared about me at all, then you'll walk away from this and refuse to give that man the chance to ruin my life again.'' Lucy continued seeing he was unaffected by her words. Angrily, she lashed out at him throwing her fists at him in a rage. ''Scott, he's killing Kevin. With every moment, Kevin comes closer to the edge and to have you sit here not doing a damn thing about this, it's just not right.'' ''Lucy.......'' Scott started feeling the impact of her fists into his chest. 

''Of all the low down, dirty, horrible things you could've done Scott,'' Lucy started now sobbing as her anger mounted, ''to let him get away with doing this to Kevin. Why Scott? Why?'' ''Lucy, I'm doing this for you.'' Scott spoke up seizing her arms. ''For what we had together and for the way I feel about you.'' ''No Scott, there you're wrong.'' Lucy snapped back pulling away. ''You're doing this for you because you hate the fact that Doc and I are back together. You're angry with me for leaving you like I did and this is your way of trying to get at me.'' ''Lucy, do you honestly believe that I would do something like this to hurt you?'' Scott questioned in disbelief knowing it was her anger talking, but at the same time hurting none the less. 

''I didn't used to, but now.......well, I don't know anymore.'' Lucy answered sharply taking a step back as her eyes narrowed. ''It's the only possible explaination for you doing this for Ryan, a man whom you despise.'' ''Lucy I love you,'' Scott insisted sincerely reaching out to her, ''you're my best friend and I would never hurt you. Don't you know that by now?'' ''Then drop this case right now. Tell me that this isn't worth our friendship and I'll take back every horrible rotten thing I've just said about you.'' Lucy instructed firmly. 

''I won't do that Lucy and you know that.'' Scott answered wanting so desperately to tell her the truth when he realized that it would only cause more harm than good. Changing his tone and his approach, he looked at her. ''You're right Lucy. You're right about everything.'' ''What?'' she questioned blankly surprised by his response. 

''I hate the fact that you and Kevin are back together and it just tears me up inside that you left me without giving any consideration to what I might feel about all of this or how I might be effected by what it's like to lose you. Maybe this is my way of getting even with you for hurting me like you did.'' Scott lied realizing the best thing he could do right now would be push her away even though his heart wanted so desperately to be honest with her. ''I'm going to see this thing through to the end with Ryan and as for you and Kevin, well you're not my concern anymore and the best thing you can do is just stay far away from me.'' ''Scott......'' Lucy started again. 

''I mean it Lucy. I'm going to see this thing through and nothing you say or do will stop me, so just get out of here.'' Scott responded coldly turning away from her as tears formed in his eyes. ''I want to do this.'' ''Fine Scott, but I just hope that when everything is said and done, you've finally gotten everything you've hoped to accomplish by doing this.'' Lucy answered hurt by what he was saying as she left the room with tears flooding down her face. 

''So do I Lucy.'' Scott whispered choked up on emptiness as he let his best friend walk away from him in so much pain. ''So do I.'' 

Chapter 21
Chris Ramsey finished up in the OR and walked out of the room patting himself on the back for a job well done on the assist he did with Monica Quartermaine. Now cleaning up, he moved over to the sink and heard the door swing open again. 
"Well done Dr. Ramsey." Monica commented moving over next to him and turning on the sink. "I must admit that I was very impressed with your work back there and from what I’ve seen lately, you’ve truly grown as a surgeon." 

"Why thank you Dr. Quartermaine." Chris nodded with a smile. "That means a lot coming from you." 

"Well, it’s the truth Dr. Ramsey and despite some of the former pretenses we’ve found ourselves working under I truly feel that you’re an asset to this hospital." Monica continued sincerely. "In fact I’m looking very forward to seeing more of your work in the future and having us work together." 

"I look forward to that." Chris agreed drying up and turning his back to her as his grin widened. 

"Oh and Dr. Ramsey," Monica called out as Christ turned to leave. 

"Yes?" He questioned facing her once more. 

"I presume you’ll be joining your father at our dinner party tomorrow night?" Monica questioned curiously. 

"Dinner party?" Chris repeated blankly. 

"I take it he didn’t mention it to you yet." Monica noted with a smile. "It’s nothing too formal or too big, but occasionally we put on a quasi-celebration when something beneficial happens to the hospital and your father’s arrival has been just that. I do hope you will be joining us tomorrow night since your father is the guest of honor." 

"Of course," Chris nodded suddenly struck with an overwhelming sense of confusion. 

"Good, then I’ll see you tomorrow around six thirty." Monica smiled turning her attention back to what she was doing as Chris walked out of the room. 

"What have you done this time Henry?" Chris questioned leaning up against the door thinking about his conversation with Monica. "A dinner party?" 

Ellen Burgess walked into the lounge thinking about what happened to Eve earlier when she looked around the room. She noticed a few papers scattered along the floor and bent over to pick them up seeing as they looked important. 

"Eve must’ve dropped these." Ellen commented noticing they were a patient’s file. As she picked up the various pages, she noticed something shiny underneath the table. 

"What’s this?" Ellen questioned reaching out underneath the table and pulling out the silvery bracelet holding it up in the air. She scrutinized it for a moment watching it sparkle underneath the hospital lighting and with a puzzled expression was about to tuck it into her pocket when she heard the lounge door swing open. 

"Oh Ellen," Matt called out noticing Ellen knelt over on the floor, "hi." 

"Matt," Ellen smiled moving to her feet again. 

"Is everything all right?" Matt questioned seeing some papers still spread around the floor. 

"Are you okay?" 

"Oh yeah, I’m fine. I think these are Eve’s." Ellen explained setting the bracelet on the table and moving to pick up the rest of the papers. "Speaking of which, how is she doing with everything?" 

"I think she’s doing well enough considering the blow she’s just been given." Matt confessed with a sigh. "Actually after she left the examining room like that, I’m a bit worried about her Ellen. She was pretty upset about everything." 

"What’s got her so upset right now Matt?" Ellen asked concerned for her friend. "Does it have to do with the fact that you believe someone knocked her out earlier?" 

"I think that’s part of it Ellen, but maybe you should talk to her just to make sure she’s okay with everything." Matt explained seeing the puzzled expression on Ellen’s face. 

"Normally I wouldn’t have asked you to check up on Eve like this, but she was really upset." 

"Matt, what’s going on?" Ellen questioned instantly puzzled by his tone. 

"I can’t really tell you that Ellen, but I assure you that Eve needs a friend right now and given the circumstances, I just don’t think that I make the cut." Matt sighed remembering Eve’s mixed emotions when he gave her the news. "It’s more your area of expertise and I just feel that if you went by to see her that it might help her gain some perspective. Plus I have some business of my own to attend to this afternoon once my shift is up." 

"What kind of business Matt?" Ellen questioned taking note of the dark expression on his face. She waved her hand out in the air hoping to capture his attention. "Matt?" 

"It’s nothing to worry about Ellen." Matt explained snapping out of his daze. "I just want to take care of a couple things after work and I promise I’ll fill you in on more later. Just tell me that you’ll check in with Eve before she signs out if you get a free moment." 

"Matt," Ellen started about to probe him for more information, but reluctantly gave in, "allright, I’ll do my best." 

"Thanks darling. I knew that I could count on you." Matt said giving her a quick kiss as his pager went off. "I have to go." 

"Okay, we’ll talk later." Ellen agreed following giving Matt another kiss before following him out into the hall. 

Kevin stepped out into the hallway after his session with Gail had ended eager to push his feelings about his brother aside while looking around for Lucy as they’d planned on earlier. 

He thought about his hopes of starting a family with Lucy and instantly his eyes lit up remembering her excitement as he’d expected to find Lucy waiting for him. 

"Hmm, she must’ve got caught up in Dr. Neuman’s office." Kevin shrugged not seeing her in the nearly empty corridor. He thought about her excitement in this trying to have a child together and a smile crossed his lips. Somehow being able to be with Lucy again was giving him the inner strength to keep this fight alive inside of him. 

Kevin leaned up against the wall checking the time and doing his best to patiently wait for Lucy when he noticed Eve walking down the hallway rather abruptly. Stepping forward he realized this was the first time he’d seen her since that fateful day at the church when his life had been turned upside down, yet he felt compelled to say something to her as he’d knew of what Ryan had done to her as well. 

"Eve," Kevin called out to her as she brushed past him not even aware of his presence. 

Eve heard the familiar voice call out to her and she stood frozen in her tracks hoping she’d just imagined it, but again he spoke out her name and she drew in a breath turning around to face him. 

"How did you......?" She started trying to contain herself as she turned around to discover Kevin standing before her. At first she found herself paralyzed with fear as the image of Ryan stood before her clear as day, but at a second glance, she noticed how pale and thin he appeared to be and it dawned on her that this shadow of a man before her was Kevin. 

"Oh Kevin. For a moment I thought....." 

"That I was Ryan." Kevin completed taking a step towards her sensing her relief. "No, he’s locked away where he should be and if all goes the way it should, he’ll never be allowed out like this again, let alone in the halls of this hospital." 

"I couldn’t agree more." Eve replied looking him over momentarily seeing scars healing near his jaw from obvious abuse as he stepped underneath the light. She could feel herself effected by his presence still despite the fact she was certain he was Kevin. Her hands were a bit shaky as she spoke up again. "H-how are you Kevin?" 

"I’m okay Eve," He started not quite clear on what to say as he looked her over sensing her uneasiness. "You?" 

"I’m......I’m fine." Eve answered stammering a bit as the distance between them closed and she found herself overcome with an anxious feeling. 

"He really did a number on you, didn’t he Eve?" Kevin questioned seeing the tension in her face as he took a step back sensing her uncomfortable attitude. 

"It was nothing compared to what he did to you and Lucy, Kevin." Eve responded seeing how tired his brown eyes looked as she glanced back at him thinking about the year’s turn of events. "Kevin, I’m so sorry....." 

"Eve, it’s okay." Kevin insisted cutting her off abruptly seeing her struggle for the right words. 

"No Kevin, it’s not okay." Eve continued with tears in her eyes as the impact of everything hit her like a ton of bricks, "I never should’ve interrupted the happiest day of your life by bursting into your wedding with those pictures. If only I’d taken a moment to think about where it would lead and how so many things would change like they did....." 

"Eve I know Ryan sent them to you in time for you to stop the wedding. He was banking on the fact that Lucy didn’t tell me the truth and that I’d be horrified by what you showed me." Kevin explained sympathetically seeing how torn up she appeared to be as she grew silent "It was all part of his plan to get rid of me." 

"So he told you?" Eve questioned breaking the thick silence in the air. 

"It was one of the many things he taunted me with when I was held captive in that institution. He liked to brag about his conquests and successes along the way. Somehow it gave him an inner strength." Kevin explained as he looked at the floor for a moment suddenly overcome with uneasiness. "To him it was a way to feed on his narcissism and let me know who was in control." 

"Then I take it he told you everything that happened while you were locked away." Eve started struck with a sick feeling thinking of the past she’d shared with Ryan. 

"I’m afraid so Eve. One thing about Ryan was that he always liked to stretch out every detail as much as possible hoping to relay every sensation, every feeling locked behind his madness." Kevin nodded meeting her gaze once more sympathetically thinking about what his brother had done to her. "I’m just sorry that he violated you like that under the ruse of it being us together. I mean to have you believe all these months that the two of us were....." 

"Kevin, you don’t need to explain. I’ve relived it a million times over in my head already and," Eve started cutting him off not wanting to think about it after her talk with Matt. 

She anxiously bit on her lower lip forcing herself not to dwell on the past as she took in another breath, "I never should’ve allowed it to happen, but I did and now the best thing I can do is try to move forward with my life and not look back." 

"That would be best for all of us Eve," Kevin nodded in agreement at a loss as he saw the sadness in her eyes, "but sometimes it’s not as easy as it would outwardly seem. 

Sometimes the scars are too deep to bury inside." 

"Yeah well, you know Kevin, like I said, I’m moving forward and if it’s any consolation, I’m truly happy that you and Lucy found your way back to one another after this horrible ordeal. I mean that sincerely." Eve began feeling a lump form in her throat as she promised herself that she wouldn’t cry. "Despite the heated past between Lucy and me, I truly believe that you two belong together and I’m sorry I interfered with that." 

"Thank you Eve." Kevin nodded taking in her words. "That means a lot to me." 

"Yeah well, listen Kevin, I’d love to continue this conversation we’re having, but I really have to get back to a patient." Eve started uneasily shifting on her feet a bit as she nodded down the hallway. She glanced back at him momentarily feeling her chest tighten with each passing second they stood together. "She is um, having a hard time with a few things right now and I’m concerned about the amount of stress she’s receiving on a mental level." 

"Nothing too serious I hope." Kevin commented taking note of the shakiness in Eve’s voice. "Eve, is there anything I can do?" 

"No Kevin, really." Eve answered shaking her head slightly. "Actually it’s just one of these instances where she was just a young girl involved in an abusive relationship." 

"The worst kind." Kevin commented looking back at her seeing sadness in her eyes. "And this patient of yours? She’s pretty shaken up I take it." 

"Yeah well it turns out that things almost had a tragic ending and I really need to focus my attention on her recovery," Eve continued looking away for a moment, "and to make matters worse, I get to be the one to break horrible news to her and I just don’t know how I’m going to be able to go through with it." 

"Perhaps I could help you with this situation." Kevin suggested as she glanced up at him again. "Maybe I could help you make this easier on her." 

"I don’t think it’s going to happen Kevin." Eve answered shaking her head. "Right now I get to go into my patient’s room and tell her that just when she thought the nightmare was over, that the monster who’d been tormenting her for weeks was finally gone from her life for good isn’t that far away and that he’s never going to fully disappear...that a part of him is going to continue on in her for the rest of her life and I don’t quite know how to break it to her at such an inopportune moment in time." 

"Emotional scars are the hardest to heal." Kevin commented noticing her lip was quivering as she spoke. "Eve...what is it?" 

"I’m sorry Kevin, I’m just so wrapped up in this right now that I can’t quite concentrate on anything else at the moment." Eve insisted tightening her grip on the charts in hand. "It’s nothing personal, but really I need to get back to work." 

"Yeah, I understand." Kevin replied with a nod watching her turn around and walk a couple steps away. Unable to let things go like this, he called out to her. "Eve?" 

"Yes?" she questioned turning around to face him once again. 

"Look despite everything that’s happened over the past year, I still consider you a friend and if you need to talk about this thing with Ryan or anything else for that matter," Kevin began sincerely, "please don’t hesitate to come to me. I’m always here if you need me." 

"I know Kevin," Eve nodded feeling tears forming in her eyes as she forced a smile trying to dismiss what she’d been feeling all afternoon, "thank you." 

"You’re welcome," Kevin smiled watching her turn around once more. "Oh and Eve whatever you say, just try to reassure her she’s not alone." 

"What?" Eve questioned in confusion. 

"Your patient, just let her know that no matter what the outcome is on everything or how alone she may feel that she has people to turn to.....friends who care about her if need be." Kevin continued hopefully noticing the blank stare on her face. "Sometimes just the thoughts of loved ones can be enough to make a person strong. Loved ones have quite a profound effect on a person when the times are hard and it can become one of the most important in pulling through any tragedy that comes your way." 

"I’ll keep that in mind Kevin," Eve replied with a nod thinking it over, "thanks again." 

Tracie walked off the hospital elevator after realizing that she’d forgotten her purse after her conversation with Matt. As she moved down the hall, she thought about her talk with Matt and tried to forget about her confrontation with Ryan. She realized that getting out wasn’t going to be as easy as she had anticipated even after her talk with Matt. She had planned on cutting off the ties once she’d given Matt a brief overview of what had been going on, but as time went on she had a feeling that things were only going to get more complicated from this point on. She stopped herself midway through the hallway and thought about her latest visit with Ryan. 

"I said it’s over Ryan. I did what you wanted me to do and now I don’t owe you anymore. 

Not that I did to begin with in the first place." Tracie asserted in a whisper as he reached through the bars and grabbed her wrist firmly. "I don’t want to be a part of any of this any longer. You made your request and I refuse to do anything else for you." 

"It’s over when I say it’s over. Do you understand me?" He asked squeezing her arm tightly as she met his cold stare. "Don’t think that one little favor is going to get you off the hook because I will have no trouble taking you down with me and believe me, nothing will give me greater pleasure than to crush you if I have to, but hopefully things won’t come to that." 

"I don’t want to do this anymore and the more I think about it, the more I realize that your threats don’t hold any weight in my life." she insisted trying not to let him see how afraid she was of him. "You can’t hurt me Ryan." 

"You really are starting to believe that aren’t you?" Ryan questioned with a laugh. "You mean to tell me that Dudley Do Right and the other stiffs around here are going to understand why you did what you had to do? Oh Tracie that’s a good one, and to think everyone believes I’m delusional." 

"Enough," Tracie snapped pulling her arm back as he tightened his grip on her. "It’s over Ryan." 

"After all we’ve shared with one another so far, you’re ready to walk out on this relationship just like that huh?" Ryan continued squeezing her arm tighter as his smile faded and a scowl covered his twisted features. "Listen here. After everything that’s happened, you owe me and you are going to help me make sure that everything goes off smoothly. Do you understand? You have no choices here Tracie. None!" 

"Damn you Ryan. Why are you doing this to me?" Tracie cursed thinking about how she had worked hard to turn her life around only to have someone like Ryan tear it apart again. "I have to tell Alex the truth about my past and my involvement with you before it destroys everything that I have going for me." Tracie rounded the corner and checked her watch once more. She realized that she was more than a half an hour late in meeting Alex and she realized that she would have some serious explaining to do if she was to find a way to pull herself out of this mess. She could feel her stomach twisting and turning as she wondered how she was going to break the news to Alex about her past. 

"Just tell him the truth Tracie. He has to understand." she whispered to herself as she saw Alex walking towards her. "Alex, what are you doing here?" 

"Tracie," Alex began seriously approaching her. 

"Sorry that I’m late in meeting you at Mario’s but I was a little tied up in traffic, not to mention that I forgot my purse here earlier when I was visiting Matt." she began taking in a deep breath. 

"Never mind that." Alex said shaking his head. "I just discovered something that is going to change a lot of things and it’s important that we talk about it now." 

"Alex, before you say another word, there is something that I have to tell you." Tracie began taking in a deep breath as she prepared to tell him about her involvement with Ryan. 

"Don’t say another word." Alex replied bringing his finger up to her lips as his fixed stone expression transformed to a smile. "Nothing can be more important at this moment than what I have to tell you right now." 

"Alright," Tracie agreed as he brushed his hand across her left cheek. 

"You asked what I was doing here at the hospital, well I’m going to give you that answer." he explained quickly looking at her. "Apparently this morning Ryan Chamberlain made a move towards Dr. Lambert and called her." 

"You’re here because Ryan called Eve?" Tracie questioned in confusion. 

"Well, not exactly." Alex explained shaking his head. "I was here on one of my routine calls when Eve informed me about the phone call and also announced that she’s going to testify for the prosecution about her time being held hostage. Apparently Ryan gave her quite an earful and she’s ready to put him away for good." 

"So that’s what you’re all excited about?" Tracie asked softening her tone. 

"I know it’s not exactly what I’m sure you were expecting, but do you know what this means?" he began with a pleased smile. "The sooner we’re able to wrap up this case, the sooner life will go back to normal and that man will be transported far away from Port Charles leaving me to deal with the more important things in my life." 

"Like?" Tracie questioned softly. 

"Like this thing happening between us." he explained gazing down at her. "Granted, I hate how things came about, but the only good thing that’s come out of this case is that we found our way to one another. I suppose in a strange sort of way, Ryan played into this, didn’t he?" 

"I suppose he did," Tracie nodded as he pulled her into an excited hug. 

"What a thought?" he teased looking back at her. "Now what do you say we head off to Mario’s to celebrate now?" 

"You know, I’d love to Alex, but I forgot my purse here and I needed to get a word in with Matt while he’s still around," Tracie began hesitantly, "how about we just meet for dinner at my place tonight? Maybe I’ll whip up something special....." 

"Or how about I treat you to some old fashioned Italian cooking?" Garcia suggested with a wink. "I must confess that buried beneath this suave bachelor exterior there lies a gourmet chef just waiting to express himself." 

"In that case, dinner at your place it is." Tracie nodded with a smile, "I’ll see you later. 

Say around seven?" 

"Seven it is." He nodded with a wave taking off down the hall as Tracie watched him go feeling a sinking sensation in her chest knowing that she didn’t have the heart to tell him the truth. 
 
 

"Eve," Chris questioned hanging his jacket up by the door as he stepped into the apartment. "Eve, are you here?" 

"I’ll be out in a minute Chris." she called out to him from the bathroom. "Just have a seat and I’ll be right out." 

"I’m glad I caught you here at the apartment because I went down to see you once my shift was up, but Amy Vinning mentioned that you left earlier than you’d anticipated when we’d talked to one another in the morning." Chris started moving over to the bar and mixing a couple of martinis. "You know Eve, I’ve gotta tell you I’ve had one hell of a day and my time with Dr. Quartermaine turned out to be quite the opposite of what I’d been anticipating." 

"What were you saying?" Eve asked walking out of the bathroom. 

"I was just getting into the details of my day," Chris explained looking at her closely and pouring their drinks, "I was saying that things really turned out much differently than I’d anticipated them being when we last spoke to one another." 

"Tell me about it." Eve commented watching him fill the first martini glass and hold it out to her. 

"To you my dear," Chris smiled handing her the glass. 

"Thanks Chris," Eve replied accepting the glass for a moment before setting it down on top of the bar, "but actually I’m not really in a martini mood if you don’t mind." 

"Okay now I know something’s wrong." Chris commented setting his own drink down and taking her hand in his before leading her to the couch. "Spill it Lambert." 

"Well, I don’t know where to start Chris," Eve started taking in a breath, "I guess that I should start by saying you were right. I shouldn’t have gone into work like that today after everything that’s been happening." 

"I take it something more was involved in your decision to leave work early huh?" Chris questioned giving her hand a squeeze while reaching for his drink with his free hand. 

"You know Eve, I knew you weren’t ready to go back just yet, but that doesn’t mean that you won’t be soon. I know you’ve hated sitting around with nothing to occupy your mind, but once you’re on your feet again you’ll be busy working round the clock wishing for time off like this." 

"I know," Eve nodded growing silent once more as she looked to the floor. 

"What is it Eve? What aren’t you telling me?" Chris questioned with concerned lifting her chin up to meet his gaze. "Why do I sense you’re holding back on me?" 

"You know me so well Chris." Eve sighed seeing the concern in his eyes. 

"Your right I do, so are you going to spill it or what?" Chris questioned with an expectant stare. "Well?" 

"There’s a couple things we need to talk about starting with the fact that Ryan called me today at the hospital Chris." Eve blurted out with a hint of disgust. "I don’t know how he knew I’d be there, but after we went our separate ways and a bit before your fight with Scott the was a call waiting for me at the nurse’s station." 

"That bastard." Chris snapped angrily clenching his fingers around the glass tightly as it shattered in his hand. "Damn it!" 

"Chris let me look at that." Eve insisted surprised by his reaction as glass went flying all over the sofa. She reached for his hand seeing a piece of glass stuck in the center of his palm before she moved to pull it out. "Chris, you’re bleeding." 

"Wonderful," Chris muttered watching her get up and move for the first aid kit to repair his hand, "so what did he want Eve?" 

"To go through his usual song and dance about how we were meant to be together." Eve explained moving in beside him after he’d picked up the pieces of glass. She reached out for his hand cleaning it out before starting to bandage it up. 

"When is that sicko going to get it through his head that you’re not ever going to be his?" Chris questioned angrily as Eve struggled to keep him still. 

"Chris we both know he’s delusional and nothing he can do will intimidate me again, okay?" Eve began hoping to calm him down as she thought of what she’d intended upon saying to him. "Please just try to relax." 

"Look Eve, I don’t want that psycho harassing you at work like that and now that I think about it, I’m going to get on the phone with the police department right now and tell them if that man calls you at work or home again that I will personally slap a lawsuit on them faster than....." Chris started ranting as Eve covered his lips. 

"Chris, look I’m sorry that I brought it up." Eve replied releasing him as their eyes met. "I didn’t want to upset you." 

"It’s not you that I’m upset about Eve. It’s that man and the way he’s tried to manipulate everyone the way he has." Chris spoke up with a fierce tone. "I knew I should’ve killed him when I had the chance. I was so close to doing it and if I’d only followed through...." 

"Chris, don’t say that." Eve insisted shaking her head as she reached out to him. "That’s the last thing either one of us should be thinking about right now." 

"You’re right Eve." Chris agreed shaking off the angry feeling burning inside of him as he kissed her forehead lightly. "Now what else was it that you wanted to tell me?" 

"I don’t know if it’s a good time right now." Eve confessed watching him closely. "Maybe we should change the subject for a while." 

"Perhaps," Chris replied with a grin, "you know I’ve been thinking about this moment all day. About what it would be like to come home to you like this knowing that you’d be here like this." 

"Just like this huh?" Eve smiled as he pulled her into his lap. 

"Yeah," he replied slowly letting his anger go as he smiled giving her kiss. "And you know what else?" 

"What?" she asked seeing the smile that crept on his face. 

"What do you say to us having a quiet little dinner tonight together without any distractions like we planned on earlier." he began as Eve wrapped her arms around him. 

"Well, the thought does sound enticing." Eve decided letting her thoughts about what was weighing on her mind slip away from her. "We could go to the Grille like we’d talked about earlier." 

"We can?" he asked as she kissed him again. 

"Uh-huh." she said looking into his eyes. 

"There’s a problem with that." he said looking at her. 

"What?" she asked confused. 

"I already canceled our dinner reservations." he explained to her. "After the way the day had started, I figured that the best thing we could do was lock the outside world away instead of getting out into the thick of it." 

"That’s alright Chris." she said smiling brightly. "I’ll just make dinner tonight." 

"That could be dangerous Eve." he joked thinking about her cooking. "Maybe you’d better leave the cooking to me." 

"Hey, that’s mean." she said hitting him playfully. "Besides, I want tonight to be special." 

"It will be Eve." he said kissing her again. "I love your cooking." 

"You’re a bad liar Ramsey," she grinned at him as he started to frown, "but I love you anyways." 

"I love you too and now that I think about it, perhaps we should just skip to dessert." he said pulling her tighter to him and giving her a long, passionate kiss. 

"Chris," Eve began as she broke away from their kiss. 

"What?" he asked mesmerized by her beauty. 

"Even though there’s nothing I’d like more than to stay here in your arms making love to you, I have to tell you something Chris." she said turning suddenly serious. 

"What is it Eve?" he asked curiously running his fingers along her shoulders. 

"I’ve been thinking all day about how to tell you this," she started feeling her face grow flushed at the thought of what had been weighing on her mind, "and it’s important that I get this out Chris." 

"Chamberlain, you’ve got another visitor." the guard called out approaching Ryan’s cell. 

"Hmm....why am I not surprised?" Ryan thought to himself wondering if Tracie had come back to discuss the details of their arrangement once again. Getting up off of his cot, he placed his hands out expectantly ready for the necessary preparations in getting cuffed before leaving his cell. 

"Don’t get your hopes up. You’re not going anywhere." A voice called out as Ryan turned to see Matt approaching his cell as the guard disappeared. 

"Well, Dr. Harmon, this is a surprise." Ryan spoke up with a twisted expression looking Matt over. "You know I do believe that you really aren’t supposed to be back here." 

"Funny thing about having friends in high places." Matt began seriously moving towards Ryan. "You’re often given access to things that the average person isn’t open to." 

"I see." Ryan noted realizing that this was more than a simple social call. Taking a seat on the edge of his cot, he glanced Matt over. "To what do I owe this honor?" 

"I think we both know why I’m here Ryan." Matt started menacingly. 

"No honestly Dr. Harmon, I have no clue as to why you’d be taking time out of your busy schedule at the hospital to come see little old me, though I have to tell you that I’m truly flattered that you care enough about our friendship to come down here and pay me a visit." Ryan started with an air of forced friendliness seeing how it seemed to enrage Matt. 

"Leave her alone Ryan." Matt warned sternly moving towards the bars. 

"What ever are you talking about Matt?" Ryan questioned innocently shaking his head. 

"Oh my...this is all starting to make sense now. You’re here on Tracie’s behalf now aren’t you?" 

"She’s not part of what you’ve tried to suck her into and I won’t allow you to threaten her anymore." Matt continued with traces of anger in his voice. "She won’t be another one of your pawns." 

"Hmm, not that I’m admitting to any kind of connection with that dear cousin of yours, but if I was involved with her how could you, Dr. Harmon, the upstanding resident surgeon on staff at GH, one of Port Charles golden boys stop me? Hmm? With excessive force? Or perhaps you’d sink back into your not so forgotten Mancusi lifestyle and transform yourself into something horrific just like your father all in an attempt to bring me now? Now wouldn’t that be interesting to see?" 

"Now you listen here. I have no problem in destroying you Ryan and if you continue to push Tracie’s buttons, I will." Matt spoke up sharply. 

"Is that a threat Dr. Harmon because if it is, I’m sure your precious Ellen would love to hear all about what you and your sweet little cousin found yourselves wrapped up in not so long ago." Ryan cut in fiercely taking note of Matt’s surprised expression. "What you thought that I only held the key to the skeleton’s in Tracie’s closet? Now come on Matt, we both know to be an effective business man in today’s world, you have to have all the information on all of your enemies and not just the big ones. You didn’t really think I’d just stop digging once I’d heard Tracie’s awful tale of lies and betrayal." 

"What kind of person are you that you get off on other people’s pain?" Matt questioned feeling his jaw clench as he glared at Ryan. 

"I’m a survivor and I always come out on top one way or the other." Ryan answered bluntly getting up off of the bed. "Tell me Matt, how would Ellen feel knowing that you helped Tracie dear cover up something so horrific? I’d bet she’d be completely appalled when she discovered what lengths you two went to in order to protect her little secret." 

"If you go near Ellen or Tracie again, I swear that I’ll...." Matt started firmly. 

"You’ll what? Destroy me?" Ryan questioned obviously unimpressed with him as he stepped back into his cell. "Been there, done that Matt and I’ve got to tell you that as time goes on it’s becoming more and more unoriginal. Just once I’d like someone to come up with something clever, something to really have an impact on me, but alas, I haven’t found anyone who’d give me that menacing kind of threat that just brings chills to a person’s soul." 

"Well Ryan, I’ve gotta tell you that I’m not a man of many words, but when it really counts, it’s not my words that you should be afraid of, it’s my actions." Matt warned him menacingly. 

"Those sound like fighting words," Ryan smiled in amusement, "and I’ve got to tell you Matt that I could use a good adversary these days since my brother seems to have fizzled out on me. Poor guy, and to think I actually believed that Kevy would have it in him to be a worthy component. You on the other hand, well, you just might be the challenge I’ve been looking for, at least while I’m cooped up like this." 

"Don’t start something you can’t finish Ryan." Matt warned. 

"Oh believe me Matt, when I start something, I always follow through and when everything is said and done, nothing will keep me from taking what’s mine." Ryan snapped back in a detached tone. "My advice to you is to butt out before this little act of nobility on your part backfires in your face." 

"Why doesn’t this look promising?" Chris asked noticing that Eve seemed somehow distracted as she paused. 

"Chris, you have to promise me that you won’t freak out when I tell you this." Eve started uneasily as their eyes met. 

"Uh-oh." Chris said eyeing her carefully. "Why don’t I like the sound of that?" 

"Don’t worry Chris. I’m going to try to keep this as painless as possible although I’m not quite clear on how to say this." Eve began taking a deep breath as she searched for the right words. "I do think that you need to sit down for this though." 

"Well, that’s not a problem right now is it?" He asked staring into her brown eyes as he wrapped his arms around her. "Alright you have my full attention Eve. What’s on your mind?" 

"Chris," she said taking his hand in hers, "I just wanted to let you know that I’m...well, I had this little accident earlier in the lounge..." 

"And you passed out." Chris finished looking back at her noticing the surprised look on her face. 

"How did you know?" Eve questioned blankly. 

"I kept getting these outrageous pages and then ran into Victor after my surgery with Monica and he sort of spilled all to me." Chris confessed honestly reaching out to touch her face. "I know that you’ve been on edge lately and you already know that you need to take it easy, so I figured I’d spare you the sermon." 

"Thank you Chris. I truly appreciate that, but I think that before we get into my stress level, I need to talk to you about something else." Eve began again feeling her finger tips grow numb as she spoke looking into his concerned eyes. "Geez...this is a really strange moment. I’ve been thinking about how I was going to tell you this all day and now it’s not coming out right." 

"Maybe I can help you out." he said pulling her to him and giving her a slow, tender kiss. 

"Did that help you think of the words?" 

"Actually, it did." she started taking his hand in hers. "Chris what I have to tell you is that I’m..." 

"Yes?" he asked brushing his finger lightly against her cheek. 

"I guess what I’m trying to say is that..." Eve began as his cell phone started ringing. 

"It never fails." he said looking at her. "I won’t answer it." 

"No, you better answer it." she insisted looking at him reassuringly. "It might be important." 

"Eve, that doesn’t matter if you need to talk to me." he informed her with a smile. "You’re number one priority in my life at this moment." 

"Go ahead and answer the phone." she assured him with a smile. "I’m not going anywhere. I can tell you what I need to tell you when your finished with the phone call." 

"Alright." Chris reluctantly agreed taking the phone out of his pocket. "Hello." Eve sat back closing her eyes for a moment thinking about what she was going to tell Chris. Her hands were nearly shaking from the tension running throughout her body. She could feel her heart pounding in his chest as she watched him on the phone not really paying attention to was he was saying as she watched his lips. 

"Okay thank you," Chris finished hanging up the phone and tucking it into his pocket again, "Eve you’ll never believe who that was." 

"Who?" she questioned noticing the smile on his face. 

"Dr. Quartermaine’s personal secretary calling to remind me about the dinner party at the Quartermaine mansion tomorrow evening." Chris informed her with a shrug. "Nothing too important." 

"Dinner at the Quartermaine mansion?" Eve repeated slightly puzzled nudging him slightly. "You?" 

"That’s right Lambert." Chris replied proudly polishing off his shirt. "You’re now looking at one of the members of the hospital elite around here." 

"Okay, who did you bribe to get an invitation?" Eve asked skeptically. 

"Ye of little faith." Chris chuckled shaking his head. "What? You doubt my abilities that much? You don’t think it’s possible for me to have impressed Monica Quartermaine so much this afternoon with my fine surgical skills that she wants to have me over for dinner?" 

"No Chris, I think you’re a wonderful surgeon, but given your history at the hospital, I just can’t see the Quartermaine’s opening their home to you at the drop of the hat." Eve confessed reading his face carefully. "So tell me Chris, who are you blackmailing now?" 

"Geez Eve, thanks for the vote of confidence." Chris grumbled shaking his head in disbelief. "I’ll have you know that this time around it’s completely legitimate and if you’re nice to me I might even consider taking you with me tomorrow night." 

"Really? You’d think about taking little old me with you to mix it up with the swells?" Eve questioned with a hint of sarcasm. "Oh great one, please tell me what I have to do to be given such an honor." 

"Well, first you can stop with the sarcasm Eve. Normally I adore your witty side, but right now it makes you look rather glib." Chris explained pulling her into his lap once more. "Actually to tell you the truth tomorrow’s festivities are in honor of my dear old dad." 

"What?" Eve asked in confusion. "The Quartermaine’s are throwing a dinner party in your father’s honor?" 

"That’s right." Chris nodded rolling his eyes slightly. "Apparently my father thought it would be a good investment to work his way onto the board at General Hospital." 

"Your father’s on the hospital board?" Eve repeated taking in what he was saying. 

"Yeah, that’s what I was going to tell you when I was paged earlier. He struck up some kind of deal with Stefan Cassadine and now Henry Ramsey is just yet another addition to the hospital elite." Chris continued thinking back to his confrontation with his father. 

"How do you feel about that Chris?" Eve questioned curiously. 

"I honestly don’t know Eve. Given my father’s history, I get the distinct feeling that he’s up to something again and this is ultimately another one of his schemes, although I don’t quite see why he’d hit up the hospital when there are so many other more profit making outlets. Something’s going on which I suppose this once again reflects the unwavering faith we Ramsey’s have in one another." Chris frowned pondering the thought for a moment. "I suppose whatever it is he’s getting himself into, it’s best if I keep a close eye on him before this comes back to haunt me." 

"Which means that tomorrow night you’re going to be going to the Quartermaine’s purely for the sole purpose of keeping a watch on your father?" Eve questioned raising an eyebrow. 

"Okay, I admit that my motivation for going to a party hosted by the hospital’s chief of staff is a bit less than altruistic and isn’t solely based on what my father is up to." Chris admitted wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close. "You realize that this could be the start of a new life for us if things go well tomorrow Eve. We could have everything you and I have ever wanted. Money, power, prestige.......the list goes on and on." 

"Just don’t jump into this for the wrong reasons." Eve responded hesitantly pressing up against his chest and just enjoying the feel of his arms around her. 

"Now Eve, you know me better than that." Chris insisted reaching out to her and kissing her softly. "While all that other stuff sounds appealing, you should know that I’m holding everything I could ever want right here in my arms." 

"You really mean that?" Eve questioned looking up at him. 

"Of course I mean that," Chris answered honestly as a twisted smirk crossed his features, "but the money, power and perks along the way would be nice." 

"You’re terrible." Eve announced swatting him lightly. 

"I know, but you still find me irresistible anyways." Chris remarked with a confident grin. 

"So what if I do?" Eve asked raising an eyebrow curiously. "Is there a problem with that?" 

"You’ll hear no complaints out of this man." Chris confessed with a grin touching the side of her face. "Now what was it you wanted to tell me before?" 

"Ah, it’s not really important right now." Eve shrugged forcing a smile as she kissed him lightly. "In fact right now I think I’d rather take the time to celebrate your social climb and explore exactly what it is about you Chris Ramsey that causes me to lose all rational thought when I’m with you." 

"Hmm.....could it be my irresistible smile of maybe my suave personality or maybe my unique charisma when it comes to getting exactly what I want out of life?" Chris questioned reaching over the sofa to grab her untouched martini. "I think a toast is in order." 

"Okay," Eve nodded accepting the glass. 

"To us," Chris started with a broad smile, "may the future bring us everything we’ve ever hoped for and then some." 

"To us," Eve agreed sipping her martini deciding to put things off a little while longer. 
 
 

Kevin checked the time once more wondering what was holding Lucy up as he took off down the hallway towards Dr. Neuman’s office when he noticed her coming out of the ladies room wiping at her face slightly. 

"I was wondering if you’d leave me hanging long." Kevin called out to her as she spun around on her heel to face him. 

"Doc, I...." Lucy started realizing that she was horribly late as their eyes met. "I’m so sorry about not meeting you outside Gail’s office like we’d planned on earlier. I guess that one thing kind of led to another and before you know it, here I was aimlessly roaming the halls of the hospital here and I suppose I just kind of went off in my own little world, zig zagging around the hospital hoping to find some kind of purpose and reasoning behind my little walk here...." 

"Lucy what’s wrong?" Kevin questioned stepping towards her and noticing her tear streaked face. "What happened?" 

"Doc, it was horrible." Lucy confessed sinking into his arms instantly as he held her close to him. He felt her sobs upon his chest and he tightened his grasp on her. 

"Oh Lucy, is this about your visit with Dr. Neuman?" Kevin asked instantly feeling his heart sink by the powerful feelings of sorrow he sensed raging through her. "Things didn’t go well, did they? Lucy if I had known that suggesting that we have a child would only end up bringing you more grief, then I never would’ve brought it up to begin with. Just the thought of putting you through any unnecessary stress makes me angry with myself. I should’ve thought before I...." 

"It’s not about Dr. Neuman, Kevin." Lucy insisted shaking her head tearfully looking up at him. "I didn’t make it to her office." 

"Didn’t make it?" Kevin questioned in confusion. "Lucy, I don’t understand. If you didn’t make it to Dr. Neuman’s office, then what are these tears about?" 

"Kevin, it’s just so complicated." Lucy began taking in a breath as she pressed her head up against his chest thinking about her confrontation with Scott. "You know when you think that everything is just going right for you and things just kind of come together the way you’d hope for.....kind of like when you’re in a garden and you see that one perfect rose growing for so long and then finally when it’s in bloom, you see it and decide that you have to have it because it’s a symbolism of everything that you’ve been wishing and hoping for. It has this kind of clarity about it and with it’s tiny red buds just looking at you with the sunshine flooding down upon it, you just know that you have to have it because once you do nothing will go wrong because you’ve found the perfect rose...." 

"Okay Lucy, you’ve lost me." Kevin explained cutting her off abruptly as she went into a tizzy. "Why don’t you just tell me what’s going on?" 

"That’s what I’m trying to do Doc." Lucy insisted shaking her head. "It’s like with that rose you find happiness and everything beautiful, but when you pick it, you see there are thorns there and they usually end up cutting you and leaving you with this awful wound that takes forever to heal and though it seems like it’s just a small little cut, it just tears your heart out knowing that something that was once so precious can hurt so bad." 

"Okay Lucy if this isn’t about seeing Dr. Neuman, then who else could’ve gotten you this upset?" Kevin questioned meeting her eyes knowingly. "Scott." 

"I just ran into him in the hallway a while ago," Lucy explained hearing his uneasiness after mentioning his name, "and everything seemed to be fine. Well no, on second thought it really wasn’t fine because that psychiatrist friend of yours was really tearing into him." 

"Charlie? What was she doing talking to Scott Baldwin?" Kevin questioned shaking his head. 

"Well apparently they were discussing your brother’s upcoming case...more so screaming about it." Lucy continued with a sniffle as Kevin wiped at her cheek. "It turns out that not only is your little hussy of an ex-girlfriend....." 

"She’s not a hussy and I’d like it if you referred to her as my friend rather than my ex- girlfriend Lucy." Kevin interjected pointedly. 

"Whatever," Lucy replied rolling her eyes briefly, "The point is not only is she on the save Ryan bandwagon, but apparently Scott’s picked up and joined the crusade." 

"Scott? Helping Ryan?" Kevin questioned blankly thinking about what she’d said. "How is that possible?" 

"That’s what I keep asking myself Kevin and to tell you the truth, that one’s got me stumped too." Lucy admitted with a huff. "And to think of everything he and I have been through together over the years, for him to go off and throw out this slap in the face like this, it just isn’t right. In fact it’s just down right horrible....." 

"Lucy, now just calm down for a second." Kevin instructed seeing how upset she was getting. "Why don’t you just take a breath and start from the beginning or at least from what Scott’s explanation was in all of this." 

"That’s just it Doc. That’s the part that doesn’t make sense." Lucy continued pacing the hallway, "All this time Scott has been supportive of the two of us getting back together and saying that he wants to see me happy again, but now he’s done a complete one eighty here. Now he’s claiming that in helping Ryan it’s his way of overcoming his grief about he and I going our separate ways." 

"And you don’t buy that?" Kevin asked watching her clenching her fists. 

"I don’t know what I believe Kevin." Lucy confessed turning to face him once more. "He specifically told me that he understood that we belonged together and he wished us nothing but the best, but now his tune has changed and he’s being so cold to me. I tried to reason with him about what it would be like for him to take Ryan’s case, but he just wouldn’t listen to me." 

"Well were you actually trying to reason with him, or tearing his head off about not seeing things your way Lucy?" Kevin questioned looking at her introspectively. 

"I was not," Lucy began raising her voice as she noticed a few stares she was receiving from others around them. Stepping forward she softened her tone, "I was not tearing his head off or screaming at him for that matter." 

"Lucy," Kevin started knowingly. 

"Okay so maybe I was screaming a teeny little bit, but he had it coming for offering to take on your brother’s case like this without even thinking about what Ryan has done to all of us. What he’s doing to you right now as your health starts to fade...." Lucy continued with tears in her eyes. 

"Lucy, Scott has no idea I’m dying," Kevin pointed out softly wiping a tear from her face, "and the way it sounds to me, he didn’t really have a choice in the matter. I’m sure that he had to be assigned Ryan’s case or else he wouldn’t be taking it." 

"Doc, have you heard a word I’ve just said?" Lucy questioned in disbelief shaking her head. "Scott took this case out of spite and jealousy because he just can’t stand the thought of us together again." 

"Lucy, now come on and think about this for a second. While Scott and I don’t see eye to eye on things especially where you’re concerned, something about this seems a little off to me." Kevin explained honestly thinking about what she’d told him. "I know him well enough to know that he wouldn’t go out of his way to intentionally rip your heart out especially after what you did for him with bringing Serena into the world." 

"Yes Kevin, but I never hurt him like this before." Lucy pointed out softly. "The look on his face when he told me that he didn’t care about me anymore and that I wasn’t his problem or even how he told me to just go away...." 

"Defense mechanisms I’m sure." Kevin added pointedly. "Lucy, I didn’t have to be there to get a feel for what happened between you and Scott. More than likely you read this wrong and there’s something missing from your perception of things." 

"Kevin, I was there and I saw his eyes when he spoke to me...." Lucy insisted shaking her head. "He was so upset." 

"Lucy, I’m sure emotions were raging high between the two of you and while I can’t believe I’m saying this, I think you should give Scott a break here." Kevin started unable to believe what had just come out of his mouth. "Obviously there’s a good reason why Scott was compelled to take this case and I’m sure it has nothing to do with jealousy even if Scott was hurting about what happened. He’s not the kind of man to take his personal feelings to work with him." 

"Then you don’t know him half as well as you think Doc." Lucy cut him off shaking her head. "Scott is the kind of guy who acts first and thinks later. He’s impulse and action especially when his emotions are concerned." 

"Yes Lucy, but I don’t honestly believe that he’d be so enraged that he’d jump into defending my brother just out of spite." Kevin pointed out seriously. "Maybe if you’d just give him a chance to tell his side of things before tearing him to shreds you might be surprised at what’s really there. Wouldn’t you agree?" 

"You’re right Doc. I should’ve listened to what he had to say before I jumped all over him." Lucy admitted with a sigh thinking it over. "He did seem like there was something more he wanted to say, but when I accused him of jealousy then that’s when things took a turn for the worse." 

"So you brought up jealousy and Scott just agreed that was his reason?" Kevin questioned as she nodded silently. "Then after Scott admitted that you were right and then you backed off?" 

"Something like that." Lucy answered meeting his gaze. "You think he was just trying to somehow pacify me by agreeing with me on this?" 

"People have been known to use that tactic in order to get you to calm down at times." Kevin pointed out running his finger across her cheekbone. "All I’m saying is that before you go into a frenzy about how Scott’s betrayed you, maybe you should sit back and think about this objectively." 

"You’re right Doc." Lucy agreed tilting her head into his touch. "How can you always be so right about things like this Doc?" 

"It comes from years of practice." Kevin confessed pulling her into an embrace. 

"You’re quite good at it Doc and I think I’m going to take your suggestion and have a word with Scott about this again when my emotions aren’t raging so high." Lucy concluded holding him close to her. "You know you never cease to amaze me Doc. You have this way about you to transform everything from chaotic to this type of tranquillity. I mean even when things are stacked against us and I think I’m so close to losing my mind, there you are always ready to show me things in a new light and make me see my worries and concerns with a new clarity that I never would’ve thought of before you helped me to see it." 

"I just merely point out another view of what you know is already there Lucy." Kevin explained to her lifting her chin to meet his gaze. 

"Doc I know this sounds crazy, but I’ve missed this between us for so long. I’ve missed the way that you know me inside and out and always keep me from losing myself or losing sight of what truly matters in life," Lucy confessed reaching out to him, "and I have to admit that I love you more in this moment than I think that I have ever loved you in my life if that’s even possible." 

"You know Lucy, it’s been your love and strength that have helped me pull through these rough times that seem to accompany the chaotic occurrences otherwise known as my family." Kevin replied brushing the hair from her eyes. "It’s your love that’s kept me alive. 

Our relationship is the one thing that I have always been able to count on even when times looked their bleakest." 

"Oh Doc," Lucy started with tears in her eyes. 

"Lucy for so long I thought that I would never be able to control myself when my life started to unravel before, but your love gave me the strength to move forward and let go of the hate I was feeling. And then when I discovered the truth about my condition, I thought that I wouldn’t be able to hold it together for sure, but you were there through it all. You kept me believing that everything was going to be all right and as time goes on, I’m starting to believe that together we’re really going to make it and bring out the best in one another." 

"We already do that Doc." Lucy explained with a heart felt smile. "We’re each other’s missing half and our souls were meant to be together forever." 

"I love you with all my heart Lucy Coe." Kevin whispered pressing his lips to hers in a kiss before giving her a quick squeeze. He pulled back with a twinkle in his eye and a warm feeling in his heart. "Lucy, let’s go home." 
 

Kevin awakened feeling the moonlight creeping in through the bedroom window as he gently rolled Lucy over on the mattress careful not to awaken her as he stepped out of bed. He looked to the sky seeing it was a full moon as his heart pounded in his chest and the heaviness of his dream lingered on his mind. It was the same dream he'd had over and over again about losing it all and even now after he'd convinced himself it was only a dream, he still felt traces of it eating away at him. 

''Doc?'' Lucy's voice called out cutting through the thick silence as she slipped into her robe moving towards him. 

''I didn't mean to awaken you.'' Kevin spoke faintly still looking out into the night. ''I was just feeling restless and I thought that I'd take a moment to look at the stars.'' ''The stars huh?'' Lucy repeated wrapping her arms around his torso. 

''It's been a long time since I've just taken a moment to appreciate something so simple yet so extraordinary.'' Kevin sighed turning around to face her. ''I suppose when you begin coming to terms with the laws of nature, you start to realize just how precious every little nightfall or day break can be.'' ''You have no idea how true that is Doc,'' Lucy responded softly creeping up on her toes to place a soft kiss on his lips. ''That's the way I feel every time the two of us are here like this together.'' ''I just want to do everything right Lucy.'' Kevin explained placing his hands on her shoulders and rubbing them slightly. ''I don't want to leave with any regrets.'' ''As long as we continue to love one another like we have been just like this, I don't think anything will be a regret,'' Lucy started as her eyes twinkled in the soft lighting in the room. ''In fact, stay right here, I have an idea.'' ''Lucy?'' Kevin questioned watching her disappear into the other room and return seconds later with his jacket in hand. 

''Come on Doc.'' Lucy urged handing him his jacket as she slipped into her own. 

''Where do you think we're going at this hour?'' Kevin questioned as she took his hand in hers giving it a squeeze. 

''You trust me don't you?'' Lucy questioned meeting his gaze. 

''With everything I have.'' Kevin responded brushing his finger up against her cheek lightly. 

''Good,'' she smiled pressing a kiss into the palm of his hand before leading him out of the bedroom and out through the back door of the lighthouse into the night. 

Kevin followed Lucy listening to the sounds of the crashing tide in the distance as the winds picked up a bit on this chilled autumn evening. He laced his fingers in hers as they sloped down the hill towards the shoreline a couple hundred yards from the lighthouse until Lucy stopped abruptly turning to face him. 

''Here we are Doc,'' Lucy began in a whisper feeling the chilled air slip through her jacket as she looked up at Kevin. 

''Here we are,'' Kevin agreed reaching out to touch the vision before him as their eyes met in that same familiar gaze lingering with emotion and passion. He reached out to touch her trying to prove to himself that this wasn't just another one of his dreams that had haunted him for nearly a year, that he had in fact been reunited with the woman he loved once more. 

''Do you remember this place Doc?'' Lucy questioned softly. 

''How could I forget Lucy?'' Kevin responded feeling as though not a moment had passed since their last encounter in this very spot together. ''The moonlight in your eyes, the soft winds floating through your hair, the warmth of holding you in my arms, it's not something that I'd be likely to forget Lucy.'' ''The last time we were here, we were planning for our wedding,'' Lucy started sinking back into the memory as he wisped a strand of hair from her eyes, ''and now....'' ''Here we are again full circle.'' Kevin finished tracing her face with his index finger. ''Last time we were here, we were talking about our wedding and what our future held in store for us and here we are again looking forward to the future still only this time we now see just how precious the present is.'' ''Precious and wonderful Doc.'' Lucy added with a soft grin leaning into him. 

''Indeed it is Lucy,'' Kevin agreed as she nestled into his chest and he held her closer. He closed his eyes listening to the tide coming in as they moved together to the rhythm of night's magical tune underneath the moonlight world above them. 
 
 

Eve turned over in her bed opening her eyes and finding the soft white rose carefully placed on the pillow beside her. Reaching out she took it in her fingers, bringing it to her face to take in it's sweet scent as she sat upright in her bed glancing over the note beside her. 

''Until tonight,'' it read as she smiled setting it back down. 

''Until tonight Chris,'' Eve spoke up softly before swinging her legs over the side of the bed seeing that it was ten thirty and realizing that she must've slept in longer than she'd anticipated. Rolling out of bed, she stood up, carefully setting the flower down on her dresser before moving over to her closet to pull out her things before her shower. Upon opening her closet door, she leaned up against the wall closing her eyes for a brief moment thinking about the previous evening she and Chris had spent together before her thoughts were suddenly filled with another disturbing image. 

''What we have, it's forever Eve,'' Ryan's voice filled her mind as she flashed back to the two of them together not so long ago. She opened her eyes trying to block out the memory as it replayed in her mind over again and she was back in that cold, darkened room helpless as he brushed his thick fingers to her cheek caressing it before issuing his menacing promise. ''I'll never let you go. Not now, not ever.'' ''No, I won't let you get to me Ryan. I won't let you or anyone else destroy my future.'' Eve whispered snapping out of her daze as she turned back to her closet pulling out a couple things. She stopped for a moment looking at her reflection staring back at her on the mirrored closet doors before her mind fell back into the previous afternoon at the hospital. 

''Eve I think that you and I need to have a serious talk about what happened back in the lounge.'' Matt cut in looking at her. 

''Why don't I like the sound of this Matt?'' Eve questioned wearily sitting up on the hospital bed. ''What is it?'' ''We need to talk about your stress level Eve....'' Matt started looking at her. 

''Look Matt, before you tell me how this was stress related and how I should be taking it easier instead of just jumping back into work like this, I just want you to know that I'm trying to take care of it.'' Eve explained before he could say another word. 

''That was a nasty bump you got on your head Eve.'' Matt commented cutting in on her. 

''It looks like someone came up on your from behind to tell you the truth.'' ''It feels like it Matt. I know I should've been more careful and I realize that in between my brush with amnesia and everything surrounding the upcoming trial that I haven't had time to take care of my complete recovery.'' Eve started meeting his penetrating stare for a moment before continuing. ''I know that's not an excuse to neglect myself, but I couldn't just sit home and do nothing. Getting back to work here was something that I knew would just help me regain my focus and I just thought that.....'' ''Yes, I'm well aware of that Eve, but...'' he began as she cut him off again. 

''Matt, I promise that I'll take better care of myself. Just don't make me go back to staying at home because right now that's the last thing I want to do.'' she said interrupting him. 

''Look, I know that it doesn't look good that I collapsed in the lounge like that and I'll bet that it's the stress that caused my equilibrium to be off like that. Right?'' ''Well, yes I believe that was part of it Eve, but...'' Matt began again as she continued to ramble on. 

''You know I've been meaning to do something about that on my own, but since you're here Matt,'' she began feeling silly and growing anxious to get back to work so that she could forget about her morning. ''I think that maybe you should just write me a prescription so that I can relax a little.'' ''Eve I.....'' Matt started again as she cut him off. 

''Look Matt, normally I wouldn't bother you, but I just think that maybe I won't be so on edge all of the time especially after all the nightmares I've been having lately as things keep coming back to me like they have been. Granted I've been dealing with it all right so far, but if perhaps you prescribed a sedative, I probably wouldn't drive Chris crazy like I do half the time when I wake up in the middle of the night fighting off demons who aren't there.'' Eve explained shifting around on the hospital bed and throwing her legs over the side to get up. ''I know that I'm starting to sound like a head case Matt, but after the telephone call I received this morning, I just think that it would be.....'' ''I can't do that Eve.'' he said to her seriously. 

''Why not Matt?'' she asked confused shaking her head. ''You said yourself that my little accident was probably stress related and I'm fine now really.'' ''Eve, it's not that simple.'' he said taking in a deep breath. 
 

''If I'd only realized at the time just how right you were Matt.'' Eve sighed jumping back into the present as she heard the faint ringing of the telephone across the room. Scanning the room, she noticed her phone underneath a pile of clothing she'd tossed aside earlier and she raced over to answer it after the fourth ring. 

''Hello,'' she began breathlessly. 

''For a moment there, I'd thought I'd missed you.'' Ryan's voice cut through on the other end of the line catching her off guard as she grew silent. ''What cat got your tongue darling? Now Eve, surely you must feel something about hearing from me again. Please don't hold it in on my account.'' ''I told you not to call me ever again.'' Eve answered firmly feeling her hands shake a bit as she clenched the phone. 

''I heard what you said, but that's not what you really wanted Eve. We both know that and if you take a moment to sit back and see what's really in your heart, you'll quit with these games of yours.'' Ryan urged with a dark laugh. ''Why do you insist on fighting your destiny Eve and just admit that you and I are forever?'' Without responding, Eve hung up the phone tossing it across the room as if it was on fire as it began to ring again. She stared at it for a moment feeling her body tremble for a moment before reluctantly moving over to pick it up without saying a word. 

''Don't you dare hang up me ever again Eve!'' Ryan's voice hissed at her as she held the phone to her ear. ''I warned you a long time ago not to cross me and if you continue to keep up these silly little games of yours there's no one who's going to be able to keep you safe. If I got to you once, you know that I can do it again and this time Chris won't be able to...'' Once again Eve hung up the phone, dropping it to the floor. As if on cue it began to ring again, invading her ears as the caller refused to give up. Doing her best not to acknowledge it's ringing, she left her bedroom moving through the apartment trying to pull together some feeling of security as she scanned the place wishing that Chris were home. 

The ringing continued and Eve's heart pounded in her chest as she began silently cursing the fact that the answering machine had been destroyed in the break in. She turned to face the phone on the kitchen wall as it's piercing ring cut through the air sending chills down her spine. She looked at her hands trembling like leaves in the chilled autumn morning as she drew in a breath and stepped forward. 

''I won't let you get to me. Now you listen here...'' Eve announced firmly reaching for the phone only to be greeted by a dial tone. Letting out a relieved sigh, she set the receiver back down on the base and decided to push this aside when another noise filled the air and the doorbell rang indicating someone at the front door. 

''Who's there?'' Eve questioned wearily turning to face the apartment's entrance. 

''Delivery for a Dr. Evelyn Lambert,'' the voice on the other side of the door explained as Eve stood frozen in place. 

''From who?'' Eve asked moving to open the door just a crack as she noticed a young looking delivery man dressed in a brown uniform standing before her eyes with a large white package in his hands. He looked down at his clipboard once before he spoke again. 

''Evelyn Lambert?'' he asked eyeing her carefully. 

''Yes?'' she responded wearily wondering what he was bringing. 

''This is for you.'' he explained handing the box over to her as he held out his clipboard for her to sign a couple of forms. ''Sign here.'' ''Thank you.'' she said finishing with her signature and inspecting the large box in her hands as he handed it over to her. 

''Have a nice day.'' The delivery man called out departing down the hall after his job was finished. 

Eve closed the door after the man disappeared down the hall and carried it to the couch struck with an eerie feeling as checked to see if there were any markings on the box, but as she suspected, there were none. After a few minutes of carefully inspecting the package, curiosity got the best of her and she tore into the white box. She found a single white rose resting upon the white tissue paper hiding the rest of the contents of the box from her eyes. She lifted the delicate flower not quite sure what to expect as she took in the beautiful fragrance that it had to offer before digging any further into her package. 

Feeling her heart racing she forced herself to go on and began tearing into the rustling tissue paper to reveal the contents of the box. 

''Oh my God,'' she gasped jumping back once she'd finally uncovered the contents in the box. 

Scott tugged at his jacket pulling it tighter around his neck as he entered the small cafe and slipped into a corner booth hoping to avoid any other unsavory confrontations with any other Port Charles residents ready to lynch him. He noticed an empty booth in the corner of the room and sat down pulling out his case file and reviewing his notes hoping to find something to assure he wouldn't be ripped off Ryan's case thanks to Charlie's interference. 

''Can I get you something?'' the waitress spoke up interrupting his thoughts. 

''A coffee would be nice.'' Scott replied briefly as she disappeared behind the counter coming back seconds later to bring his drink. 

''Anything else?'' she questioned curiously looking him over for a moment. ''Hey, you're that hot shot lawyer that's been on television lately in that big twin impersonation case, aren't you?'' ''Yes I'm a lawyer and no I don't need anything else.'' Scott answered abruptly meeting her skeptical glare. 

''Okay sugar, but before I go I've gotta tell you, I hope they throw the book at your client after what he did to those people.'' she added with a huff before spinning on her heel and moving away from him. 

''You and me both.'' Scott mumbled under his breath looking over a few of his papers when he heard footsteps approaching. 

''Excuse me,'' A voice called out to him. 

''Look, I already told you I'm all set here.'' Scott snapped looking up to find Tracie standing before him. ''Oh Ms. Richards, you weren't who I was expecting.'' ''I sort of figured.'' she answered softly nodding to the empty half of the booth. ''May I sit down.'' ''Of course,'' Scott nodded watching her slide in across from him. ''So what brings you here this morning other than lukewarm coffee and horrible service?'' ''Hmm, I was wondering that myself, but then I saw you sitting over here in the corner and I thought you looked a little lonely, so I thought I'd say hi.'' Tracie explained watching him closely seeing how tired he looked. 

''Yeah well hi.'' Scott remarked reaching for his coffee and scattering his notes for a moment. 

''Are those for Ryan's case?'' Tracie questioned curiously watching him begin to toss the papers back into the folder. 

''So what if they are?'' Scott snapped back angrily looking at her. ''Is that why you came over here? To give me another lecture on how horrible I am for defending such a man given everything he's done to half the citizens of Port Charles because if it is, then let me just tell you now, there's a line of people ahead of you more than eager to do the honors Ms. Richards.'' ''No that's not why I'm here.'' she explained seeing how irritated he looked. ''Honestly.'' ''Then what is it you want Ms. Richards?'' Scott asked softening his tone a bit as he eyed her. 

''Please call me Tracie.'' she urged meeting his gaze. 

''Fine Tracie.'' Scott nodded briefly before continuing. ''Surely, you didn't come over here just because you were feeling the need to be social and just say a friendly little hello seeing as we hardly know one another.'' ''Okay I admit it Scott, my intentions aren't as simple as I'd laid them out to be when I first came over here.'' Tracie explained honestly. ''I wanted to talk with you about Ryan's case and see how you were dealing with it.'' ''Why so you could use it for one of your big headliners about how Scott Baldwin crossed over to the dark side giving up everything and everyone he's cared about to represent maniacal Ryan Chamberlain?'' Scott questioned cynically gathering his things. ''If that's the case, I think you'd better find some other way to get your gossip because I have nothing to say.'' ''Scott wait,'' she called out to him reaching across the table to grab his arm as he moved to leave, ''please.'' ''Look woman I'm not in the mood for you or any other person right now to sit here and prod me about why I'm doing such a horrible thing by doing my job.'' Scott snapped back at her shrugging out of her hold as he stood up and stepped away towards the exit. 

''Wait a second!'' Tracie called out chasing after him and cutting him off on the path to his car. 

''There's nothing more to say Ms. Richards.'' Scott answered gently pushing her aside to clear the way to his car. 

''What does he have on you Scott?'' Tracie questioned watching him walk away for a moment before stopping dead in his tracks. ''What is he holding over your head that is so important that you'd give up your life to see this through? It must be something pretty significant for you to go to such lengths like this.'' ''You don't know what you're talking about.'' Scott replied spinning around to look at her for a moment. ''I'm doing this because it's my duty as a lawyer to represent my client to the fullest of my ability.'' ''And because he has something hanging over your head.'' Tracie finished stepping towards him. ''Scott, I know that Ryan's using something to get you on his side...some piece of knowledge or hidden agenda that he'll exploit as long as he can if it means he'll get you to do what he wants.'' ''Tracie...'' Scott started trying not to react to her statement. 

''That's it isn't it?'' she questioned now more positive than ever as she looked into his eyes. 

''I've hit the nail on the head, haven't I? You're going through this hell because he's manipulating you, aren't you?'' ''That's a cockamamie story and you know it.'' Scott snapped at her stepping forward. ''I warn you Tracie, if you start running your mouth off about this nonsense, then you're only going to end up on the receiving end of...'' ''Scott that's not what I....'' Tracie started as he raised his voice in anger. 

''Look if Dr. Dubois sent you here to get me worked up before tomorrow's hearing, then you just tell her that it didn't work and it's not going to end up like she planned for. I will see this thing through and there's not a damn thing any of you can do about this. Do you hear me?'' Scott continued in a rage coming close to his breaking point. 

''I'm not working with Dr. Dubois.'' Tracie insisted reaching into her tote bag and pulling out an envelope. ''In fact, I came here to help you if I could.'' ''What is this?'' Scott questioned as she handed him the envelope. 

''It's everything you need to get Dr. Dubois to back off and drop this ridiculous claim about your personal involvement in this trial.'' Tracie explained watching his eyes scan over the papers. ''I thought it might help tomorrow when you go to see Judge Wilson. I realize that it's playing hardball, but from what I've heard about you, that won't be a problem.'' ''Are you serious about this?'' Scott questioned looking up at her. ''How in the world did you manage to dig up this dirt on her?'' ''It wasn't hard to discover that the woman had a history with Kevin Collins among other things when you know how to ask the right questions.'' Tracie informed him briefly meeting his gaze. ''It's my job to know how to find out the things everyone else doesn't want you to know.'' ''But why? Why would you give this to me now when you know what this is going to do?'' Scott asked looking at her in confusion. 

''Because I have some idea of what's going to happen if you aren't allowed to stay on for the duration of this case.'' Tracie answered zipping up her jacket and looking around the empty parking lot. ''I realize that there's more at stake than meets the eye for both of us here.'' ''For both of us?'' Scott questioned seeing her uneasiness. ''Is there something more that you're not telling me here?'' ''Let's just say I understand you more than you think I do.'' Tracie explained with a nod casting a quick glance over her shoulder. ''That information should be enough to keep you on this case for now.'' ''I don't know what to say.'' Scott began at a loss. 

''Don't say anything.'' Traice urged taking a step back. ''Just use it tomorrow if you have to and know that whatever happens, I understand what you're feeling right now.'' ''Tracie,'' he started again as she turned down the lot making her way back to her car and driving off. 
 
 
 

''Doc, have you seen my diamond earrings around here?'' Lucy called out from the top of the stairs. 

''I think they're on the dresser next to the bed next to my cuff links.'' Kevin replied stepping out into the foyer. ''Speaking of which, Lucy could you grab them when you are on your way down?'' ''No problem Doc,'' she smiled looking down at him from the top of the stairs, ''Thank you for doing this tonight.'' ''There's no thanks needed Lucy. I understand how dinner tonight at the Quartermaine mansion is important to you because of your involvement with the Nurse's Ball, but rest assured that we won't be spending the entire evening there.'' Kevin assured her looking up at her standing at the top of the stairs. ''I will manage to whisk you away before it's daybreak. Wow, you are truly a vision.'' ''And you are handsome as ever Doc.'' Lucy smiled down at him feeling her heart melt as he stood before her. ''I love you.'' ''I love you too Lucy.'' Kevin responded with a slight grin as their eyes met. 

''I know that this isn't exactly what you want to be doing, but I just think that it would be important to at least make an appearance seeing as I am chairperson for the nurse's ball and it's in everyone's best interest that I get to know the members of the board so that way when the ball rolls around everything is in order. I promise you however that once we get back here tonight, you and I will just take the time with one another alone in each other's arms like last night.'' Lucy insisted grateful that Kevin had agreed to go with her to the dinner at the Quartermaine's despite what was going on with them. 

''I don't intend to give up on living Lucy and if it means that I have to spend a few hours at Alan and Monica Quartermaine's place then so be it, just as long as at the end of the day I get the honor of being with you.'' Kevin concluded with a smile. ''Besides we do need to get out every now and then or else everyone will think we're hermits.'' ''Well we're not hermits, it's just that we have bigger plans in mind for our future right now,'' Lucy explained moving down a couple of steps and draping her arms around his neck. ''In fact, I have such a positive feeling about making this baby with you Doc. I can feel that it's going to work this time.'' ''One way or another we'll make it work.'' Kevin replied giving her a quick kiss as the tiny alarm in his pocket went off. 

''What was that?'' Lucy questioned curiously. 

''It's just a reminder for me to take my pills.'' Kevin explained drawing her nearer to him as that same look of sadness crossed her eyes that had been there since he'd told her the truth. ''Lucy, don't think about it.'' ''It's hard not to Doc.'' Lucy confessed as he lifted her chin to meet his gaze. ''Every time I think about the two of us back in that cabin, I just start to get so worried that you're going to break into another one of those....'' ''Lucy I feel fine.'' Kevin tried to assure her. ''I know that there are moments when things seem bad for me, but rest assured that this is not one of them, nor will I let it be, not when I have such positive reinforcement before me.'' ''I know Doc, but that last attack came without any warning and I just worry that...'' Lucy started shaking her head. ''You know maybe tonight wasn't such a good idea after all. I mean it's probably going to be like every other social event we've gone to in the past and it really isn't going to...'' ''Lucy...'' Kevin began opting to just cut her off with a kiss pressing his body firmly against hers until they finally broke apart leaving her breathless. With a please smile, he swept a lock of her tresses out of her face. ''I'll be just fine and as for you, well right now the only thing you should concentrate on this little one that we're going to bring into our lives down the road.'' ''Doc, there's nothing I want to focus on more than having a family with you.'' Lucy smiled feeling her heart fill with love for him. ''I want this more than you can imagine.'' ''Oh believe me Lucy, I can imagine exactly what you're feeling right now and it is going to happen for us.'' Kevin assured her with a smile. ''In fact, I have to admit that right now I feel as if I could keep trying until we get this right.'' ''Is that supposed to be some kind of subtle hint to persuade me to stay home from the dinner party,'' Lucy questioned draping her arms around his neck, ''because if it is, I'm more than open to the suggestion.'' ''Really?'' Kevin smiled closing the gap between them. 

''Yes really...'' Lucy added as he began lowering his lips to hers once again before she heard the ringing of the bell at the front door and pulled back. 

''Victor!'' they spoke in unison with a laugh as Kevin glanced over at the door. 

''I had a feeling that he was going to be early, but I didn't realize that he'd be this early.'' Lucy insisted taking note of the time. ''Doc, I'm not even anywhere near being ready for tonight.'' ''You look fine, but why don't you just go up there and finish while I stall him a bit?'' Kevin suggested watching her race up the stairs. ''And Lucy don't forget about my cufflinks.'' ''No problem Doc.'' she yelled down at him loudly as Kevin shook his head walking over to the door. 

''You know if you arrived any earlier, you were going to make Lucy a nervous wre....'' Kevin stopped himself mid-sentence seeing Charlie standing before him. ''Charlie, hi I, um, I thought you were Victor. I mean I can see you're not Victor, but I just wasn't expecting you.'' ''Oh well, I can see that.'' Charlie answered nodding to his tux as she looked him over. 

''Pretty sharp Collins.'' ''Why thank you,'' He smiled opening the door for her. ''Please come in.'' ''Thanks,'' she replied stepping inside, ''I was just in the neighborhood and I got to thinking about our visit the other day and well, somehow I ended up here. Silly I know, but when I was here, I didn't feel homesick like I had been before our paths crossed.'' ''It's not silly at all,'' Kevin assured her when a loud piercing scream cut through the air from upstairs. 

''What was that?'' Charlie questioned listening to the blood curdling cry as Kevin dashed towards the stairs. 

''Lucy!'' He called out to her in a panic as she appeared at the top of the stairs racing down to him in a panic. 

''Doc, Doc you have to come up here right away!'' Lucy explained, her face filled with worry and concern. ''You have to help him before something happens to him. I know in the past he's digested many things, but I'm not so sure that this time it's going to happen. 

In fact, when I found him he sounded like he was making that choking noise, you know that hacking sound that smoker's get when they have a really bad cough with the phlegm and that ickiness. Kevin you have to do something before our baby...'' ''Lucy, calm down.'' Kevin instructed urging her to take a breath. ''What happened?'' ''It's Sigmund.'' Lucy explained in a panic. ''I went upstairs to finish getting dressed like we'd talked about. You know me getting my ear rings and all the other necessary assessories to complete the outfit for tonight. Well everything was going on schedule like I'd hoped, but then when I was putting the finishing touches on my make up I remembered you asking for your cuff links, but then when I went back into the bedroom they weren't on the dresser anymore and Sigmund was there gagging and even though I pleaded with him to spit them out, he refused and now.....'' ''Okay Lucy, I'll go check on him.'' Kevin assured her hearing noises coming from above them as Sigmund moved about. 

''Doc don't let anything happen to our baby.'' Lucy urged watching him race up the stairs hurriedly. ''Please....'' ''Is there anything I can do to help?'' Charlie questioned breaking her silence as Lucy turned to face her. 

''What are YOU doing here?'' Lucy asked standing up taller and looking at the woman before her. 

''I came over to check on Kevin and see how things were.'' Charlie explained meeting Lucy's cold stare. ''I thought that he might like the company.'' ''Well as you can see, he's busy with family business right now and your timing, as usual I might add, is not the best.'' Lucy replied shortly turning back towards the stairs eager to go help Kevin with Sigmund. 

''Lucy wait.'' Charlie urged calling out to her. 

''What do you want?'' Lucy asked in irritation turning around as she heard Sigmund flopping around upstairs. 

''I just wanted to say....'' Charlie began as Kevin emerged at the top of the stairs with Sigmund in his arms. 

''I've got him and the cuff links just in time!'' Kevin announced before disappearing once more. 

''Good and you tell him that if he ever tries anything like that I'm going to ring his cut little neck....'' Lucy replied stopping herself before redirecting her attention to Charlie now that the crisis was over. ''As you can see, now is not a good time.'' ''Lucy, I didn't come over here to ruffle your feathers,'' Charlie began thinking about what she'd said for a moment before shaking her head. ''What I meant to say was that I thought you and I should talk about what happened yesterday at the hospital when you came across Scott and I talking to one another.'' ''There's nothing to say Chrissy,'' Lucy started. 

''It's Charlie,'' Charlie pointed out smugly. 

''Yeah whatever, like I was saying Charlie, there really isn't anything left to talk about here because I believe Scott said everything that needed to be said after you left.'' Lucy informed her pointedly. ''You made your point loud and clear yesterday and quite frankly I don't want to hear it again.'' ''Then you know why I want him off this case?'' Charlie questioned curiously. 

''I know what you were arguing about and while I may not agree with Scott's choice, you of all people have no right to say what he is or isn't capable of.'' Lucy pointed out sternly. 

''Then I take it you're not upset about him being assigned this case seeing how close the two of you were and all.'' Charile started again. 

''Look here you, my feelings about Scott taking this case are none of your business and quite frankly neither is my friendship with him.'' Lucy snapped back at her in irritation. ''In fact if I were you, I'd place my concerns elsewhere because Scott's not the kind of guy that's just going to take this laying down. He can be downright nasty when he needs to be about getting his point across.'' ''I realize that and I'm eagerly anticipating the challenge.'' Charlie informed her with a nod. 

''I have no doubt about the fight in Scott, but you and I both know that defending Ryan is not where he belongs.'' ''Yeah well I also know that Kevin is where he belongs now, so whatever this little fantasy of yours is about using Ryan to rekindle any of those lingering feelings that you're hoping Doc may have for you, I have to tell you, it's not going to work.'' Lucy insisted boldly crossing her arms in front of her chest. 

''What are you talking about Lucy?'' Charlie questioned blankly. 

''Look, I know your type Charlie and I also know that Kevin and I are very happy together and no amount of old memories are going to change that, so you can stop these little visits over here.'' Lucy continued fiercely as she heard Kevin at the top of the stairs. ''Whatever the two of you had, it's long over and by coming over here and drudging up this thing with Ryan, you're not going to win any brownie points with him, so just give it up now while you're ahead.'' ''Crisis over. It turns out that Sigmund managed to get at only one of my cuff links, but after chasing him long enough, he opted to spit it out.'' Kevin announced walking down the steps and noticing the tension in the air between the two women. ''Did I miss something here?'' ''Not really,'' Lucy shrugged forcing a smile as she looked over to Charlie, ''we were just having a little girl talk and I think I got my point across quite clear.'' ''That you did Lucy.'' Charlie nodded turning to Kevin. ''Well, I can see this was a bad time and I just remembered something I had to check on back at the hospital, but I'll call you sometime later this week Kevin.'' ''Okay,'' Kevin nodded walking her over to the door, ''thanks for stopping by.'' ''It was my pleasure,'' Charlie replied casting a glance over his shoulder and seeing Lucy glaring at her. ''Lucy,'' ''Good-bye,'' Lucy waved with a sugary sweet smile as Kevin closed the door. ''Gee, doesn't that woman have a home?'' ''Why do I get the feeling that there was more than just girl talk going on here?'' Kevin asked turning to face Lucy. 

''Hmm, I haven't the faintest idea, but if you figure it out, then let me know because as far as I saw it, that's all there was.'' Lucy shrugged turning back towards the stairs. ''I think I'm going to go check on Sigmund.'' ''Lucy,'' Kevin called out. 

''Don't Lucy me. I didn't do anything.'' she responded meeting his knowing stare. ''Okay, so maybe I told her just to back off a teeny tiny bit, but you can't blame me when that woman seems to just show up at the most inopportune moments and just invite herself over her unannounced.'' ''Gee, I can't think of anyone else who would do something like that.'' Kevin added with a smirk shaking his head in disbelief. ''Lucy, when are you going to get it through your head that Charlie and I are just friends, nothing more?'' ''I understand that Doc and I've gotta tell you that it's not my head that needs getting through to. It's that woman who needs to understand what's going on here.'' Lucy insisted firmly. ''I think the sooner she sees that you and I are together, then she'll get over this little fixation she has with you.'' ''She's not fixated on me Lucy. She's merely trying to keep in contact with an old friend.'' Kevin pointed out approaching her. ''She's new in town and she's just trying to get used to everything.'' ''Kevin, don't make excuses for her. She's just trying to get used to being around you again.'' Lucy continued with a huff as he pulled her into an embrace. 

''Lucy would you just stop with the wild accusations about her and just let it go?'' Kevin urged in frustration. ''This isn't worth you getting so worked up over.'' ''Yes Kevin, I understand that you believe that, but she keeps coming over all the time wanting all your attention and......'' Lucy started as he cut her off. 

''Well, then she's going to have to wait on that because right now the only woman I want to be around giving all my attention to is you plain and simple.'' Kevin informed her seriously unable to believe how jealous she was over Charlie. 

''Really?'' Lucy questioned looking up at him. 

''Yes really, and you know now that I think about it, I think that Sigmund's little incident upstairs warrants reason enough for us to be late to that dinner party tonight. I mean we wouldn't want to leave him all alone and at risk for another accident so soon. Wouldn't you agree?'' Kevin suggested placing a light trail of kisses along her neckline. 

''Oh definitely,'' Lucy nodded in agreement tilting her head back slightly and whispering, ''Poor Sigmund our precious little baby.'' ''Poor, poor Sigmund,'' Kevin repeated working his way back to her lips again and smiling. 

Chapter 23 
"Eve, sorry I'm late. I was stuck in traffic after my shift ran over." Chris called out stepping into the apartment and setting his jacket over the back of the couch before noticing the sweet smells coming from the kitchen. Curiously, he stepped towards the kitchen and noticed brownies sitting on the counter top. With a smile he reached for one popping it into his mouth before speaking up. 

"Wow Eve, did you make these?" Chris questioned grabbing for another one and placing it into his mouth. "They're actually pretty good. I'm impressed with what you've done with your free time and I must confess that if this is the kind of things I'm going to come home to after a hard day of work, I'll have to keep coming home late. Eve, hey are you here?" 

"You don't have to scream and yes I have to agree those turned out pretty well for my first real attempt at baking in while." Eve commented as he turned around to find her standing before him in the entrance way wearing a jade colored cocktail dress as she spun around before him. "Well, you like?" 

"You look breath taking." Chris started his eyes feasting in on her appreciatively. It almost makes me want to forget about that party tonight all together, well almost." 

"Thank you Chris. Coming from you that's a compliment," Eve smiled in response stepping towards him and motioning to the emerald jewelry she was wearing, "I thought it was a bit much when I got your package earlier. I was surprised to say the least considering this must've cost you a small fortune, but I do appreciate everything." 

"You look beautiful." Chris insisted stuffing the rest of his second brownie into his mouth before drawing her into his arms. He finished with his bite, then looked at her curiously. 

"What package?" 

"Oh come on Ramsey. Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about." Eve urged nudging him slightly as their eyes met. "The least you can do is admit to that fact that you have great taste." 

"Okay, I'll admit to that openly, but I still have no idea what you're talking about." Chris informed her honestly. 

"You're serious, aren't you?" Eve questioned taking a step back. "But the card inside the box said it was from you. It had your name on it and a white rose, so I just assumed that the dress and the jewels were...." 

"What card Eve? What are you talking about?" Chris asked watching her disappear into her bedroom and return seconds later with a white rose and a card in hand. 

"This," Eve explained handing over the card. "It came in the package with the dress and the jewels. Right here is your note and your signature." 

"It says my name all right," Chris began reading over the brief romantic note as their eyes met, "and while I'd love to take credit for such a beautiful creation, it wasn't from me." 

"Chris, don't joke around about something like this." Eve urged noticing his poker face. 

"You know you can admit to doing something nice for a change. I promise I won't leak it to the rest of the world that you're a softy every now and then." 

"I would in this case, but it wasn't me." Chris insisted looking at the note once more. 

"But if it wasn't you, then....." Eve trailed off in horror remembering her phone call from Ryan. 

"Eve, what is it?" Chris asked noticing the color drain from her face. 

"I think that I'm going to change." Eve insisted pulling off her ear rings and abruptly moving back towards her room. 

"Eve wait!" Chris urged reaching out to her and stopping her in her tracks. "You look beautiful. Don't change." 

"Chris, if this wasn't from you, then I don't want to even think about who could've sent this to me..." Eve started suddenly feeling sick to her stomach. 

"Then don't think about it Eve." Chris insisted turning her to face him. "You went through all this trouble to get ready for tonight and I'd hate for you to start all over again considering that we're already behind schedule. Please don't change." 

"But....." Eve began looking back into his brown eyes staring back at her. 

"Look Eve, whoever sent you this obviously went through a lot of trouble to see to it that you thought it was from me, so why don't we do them a favor and pretend it was?" Chris suggested seeing the concern in her eyes. "Think we can do that?" 

"Chris, I don't really like the idea of....." Eve trailed off realizing how neurotic she was sounding, "oh okay I'll wear this." 

"Good, now just give me a few minutes to take a quick shower and change and then we can leave." Chris explained giving her a quick kiss on the forehead. 

"Okay," Eve nodded watching him disappear into the bathroom as she face the mirror looking at her reflection as her hands played over the soft velvet material. 

"It can't be from you Ryan, or could it?" Eve asked hearing the faint ringing sound of the phone across the room. 

<hr> 

"Remind me again what I'm doing here tonight and why I let you talk me into this." Scott insisted tugging at his collar as he looked around the room filling up with people. 

"Because we agreed that we weren't going to let you bury yourself inside your house and shut yourself off from the outside world." Laura Spencer pointed out noticing the stares they were getting from others in the room. "Besides, after what you told me earlier, I think that you being alone is the worst thing for you right now and something like this would be good for you." 

"I'm supposed to be working on my case Laura," Scott reminded her. 

"I understand that, but if I left you to sit home after that saddening story you told me, then I don't think I'd be able to live with myself." Laura explained giving him a heartfelt glance. 

"Laura, I know your heart is in the right place, but you can't tell anyone what I told you about this case." Scott insisted turning to her. 

"Scotty you should know by now that I would never to that to you." Laura answered honestly thinking of how she'd encountered Scott alone in the park when she'd taken Lulu out for a while. He's seemed so distant and sad which caused her great concern until she finally approached him on the subject and he spilled everything to her. "This is hard enough on you and I'm not going to make this any harder than it is especially after you're doing me this favor tonight although I do wish you'd reconsider your decision to keep the truth from Lucy." 

"Laura, you know I'm in the middle of a deadlock right now." Scott informed her looking around the room to make sure that no one was listening to their conversation. "First I have to make it through tomorrow's pre-hearing and even if I'm able to see this through, then there still aren't any guarantees." 

"You think he's bluffing, don't you?" Laura asked softly looking into his blue eyes. 

"I don't know what to think anymore Laura except that if I break down and tell Lucy my reasoning behind all of this, she's liable to get her hopes up and that would be just the time when Ryan decides to double cross me." Scott insisted thinking about his deal with Ryan. 

"So you'd rather have Lucy angry with you thinking that you're doing this because you're angry?" Laura questioned shaking her head lightly. "Scotty, you do realize that you're playing a very risky game right now." 

"I know Laura, but seeing as Kevin's life depends on it, I don't see any other choice in the matter." Scott said reaching across the bar for another glass of champagne. "I just think that the fewer people that know about this, the better and if it means Lucy hates me right now for what I'm doing, then I'll have to live with that. I'd rather her be furious with me for this rather than having her be devastated because I made a promise that I just couldn't follow through on." 

"You truly are a remarkable man." Laura replied giving his hand a squeeze. "Despite what anyone tells you during the course of this trial, you have a heart of gold beneath that rugged exterior." 

"Yeah well don't let anyone else know just what a push over I can be." Scott smiled returning the squeeze. "I'm just glad that you coerced me into opening up about this." 

"Well, we did always have that kind of connection, even after everything that has happened between us." Laura added fondly, a smile on her face. "I'm just grateful that we're able to remain friends." 

"Always Laura, although I still don't see why you brought me here with you tonight." 

Scott pointed out scanning the room. "It's not like I have anything in common with any of these stuffed shirts and this isn't going to do much for your reputation by being here with me you know." 

"Like I've been doing so much with my reputation over the past months. I think that I've generated enough talk alone with my twisted personal life that people will hardly be shocked to see us together like this." Laura smiled turning to him. "Besides Scott, I won't let you dig yourself so deep in this that you lose sight of everything else that matters in your life. I refuse to let you slip into that dark hole you fought so hard to pull yourself out of. Plus Lulu loved the idea of a slumber party with Serena. It's been a long time since she's had anyone close to her age around that she could spend time with and she needs to have that from time to time." 

"Serena did look like she was enjoying the idea of being a junior baby-sitter." Scott smiled thinking back with a laugh. "I only worry about the messes we'll find when we get back after this dinner. Serena tends to take on this whole nurturing thing far beyond most children her age. You know going all out with story time, snacks, finger painting..." 

"She's a beautiful child Scott." Laura informed him honestly. "She's a wonderful little girl." 

"She's the key to my heart and she's what keeps me going day in and day out." Scott added thinking about his little girl. "She's my everything Laura and I just don't want her to grow up thinking that her father never followed through on something. When she's older I want her to look back on her life and say that she was proud of her father because when push came to shove, he did his best and tried for the most part to do the right thing when it really mattered." 

"I think she already knows that Scott." Laura nodded briefly noticing the others stirring around the room. "So what do you say you and I mingle?" 

"Must we?" Scott asked grudgingly as his eyes drift to the entrance to the dining room. "I don't believe this. What is she doing here?" 

"What?" Laura asked following his gaze to discover Luke standing in the door way with a vibrant young woman at his side smiling brightly. She watched as Luke led the woman across the room boldly ignoring the looks they were getting. She looked at Luke closely realizing that he was the last person she'd anticipated on seeing at this moment. Finally pulling herself together enough to speak, she turned to Scott seeing his surprised reaction as well. "Scott do you know that woman?" 

"As a matter of fact I do Laura," Scott replied shaking his head in disbelief as his anger began to churn inside of him just by watching Luke interact with Charlie, "it's none other than Dr. Dubois." 

<hr> 

"Can you believe this Eve?" Chris asked slinging his arm around her as they stepped through the doors. "Who'd have thought that we'd end up here tonight? Not that I didn't think it wasn't possible, but..." 

"Of course not," Eve nodded with a chuckle, "you've always had such high hopes." 

"Our high hopes." Chris reminded her pulling her to face him. "After tonight, everything's going to change for us." 

"I know Chris," Eve smiled hearing someone call out to him. 

"Dr. Ramsey, Dr. Lambert," Monica approached them, "it's good to see you both here tonight." 

"It's good to be here Dr. Quartermaine," Chris replied brightly leading Eve across the room. 

"You have a beautiful home," Eve added with a smile. 

"Please call me Monica and thank you," she smiled at them. "Actually your father and I were just talking about you Dr. Ramsey." 

"All good I hope." Chris smirked looking around the room. "So where is the old man?" 

"I'll take you to him. Follow me." Monica suggested looking at the two of them. 

"Excuse me," Eve spoke up suddenly feeling a bit queasy, "um, where's the powder room?" 

"It's down the hall and to the left." Monica explained seeing that Eve looked a bit pale. 

"Are you okay?" 

"Oh I'm fine." Eve smiled turning to Chris. "I'll be right back." 

"Are you sure?" Chris questioned with concern thinking about her accident the previous day. 

"Positive." Eve nodded looking at the both of them. "I'll catch up with you in a little while." 

"Okay," Chris replied turning to Monica and extending his arm. "Lead the way." 

"With pleasure Dr. Ramsey," Monica agreed accepting his arm. 

Eve watched them walk away for a moment before moving down the hall into the powder room trying to fight the queasy feeling in her stomach. Quickly moving inside she looked at her reflection once again finding that same tension and edginess in her features. 

"Not now please," she whispered to herself leaning forward a bit and closing her eyes when she heard a soft tapping on the door. 

"Oh I'm sorry. I didn't think anyone was in here," A familiar voice spoke up as Eve turned to see Vivian standing before her. "Why Evelyn, what a pleasure to see you here again." 

"Vivian hi." Eve responded quickly pulling herself together. "What a surprise to see you here." 

"Well, you know how Henry is when it comes to these sort of things. He's always taking me from one place to the next so that he can work his charm." Vivian explained watching her closely. "Is everything okay dear?" 

"Oh yeah, I just came in to touch up my lipstick." Eve answered turning back to the mirror and pulling out the tube of lipstick from her purse. Trying to steady it in her hands, she gazed at her reflection and began to apply it to her lips. 

"Dear you look just fine." Vivian commented taking note of her shakiness as she stepped in beside her. "In fact, you look truly remarkable tonight. It's no wonder Christopher brought you here to spend the evening by his side. He was always notorious for having a beautiful woman on his arm." 

"Is that so?" Eve questioned putting her lipstick away as she noticed Vivian watching her. 

"Oh of course. Why I can think of countless affairs where Chris arrived at these type of galas with a beautiful woman, sometimes one on each arm, as long as it helped his cause." 

Vivian continued shaking her head. "Not that I'm saying you're here to help his cause in any way because I don't believe that Chris has any ulterior motives for being here tonight, but then again you know how he and his father can be when they have their minds on getting something from someone. They won't stop until they acquire their goals." 

"Goals?" Eve repeated in confusion. "I think you're mistaken. Chris is only here tonight because the Quartermaine's were giving this dinner for his father's instatement to the hospital board." 

"Is that what he told you?" Vivian questioned with a laugh. "Oh that boy is slipping as time goes on. Darling let me tell you something about Henry and Christopher Ramsey. 

There's always an underlying motive behind everything they do together and once they have their minds set on what they want, they go for the attack and don't stop until they're victorious giving complete disregard to those who get in their way." 

"You speak like your some kind of expert on them." Eve commented skeptically closing her purse. "For a friend of Henry's, I must confess that you make them sound like they're tyrants." 

"I suppose that's one way of looking at it, but it's just a word of advice from someone who knows both of them intimately...very intimately," Vivian finished reaching into her purse, "With both Henry and Christopher, nothing is as it seems and it's usually when you get comfortable with them, that's when they throw you a curve ball and you realize you're out. 

I'd just watch myself if I were you because the way I see it, Henry's back to rebuild the bond he lost with his son and he won't let anything get in the way and I do mean anything." 

<hr> 

"See I told you that we had nothing to worry about," Kevin insisted helping Lucy with her wrap as the two of them entered the dinner party to discover other guests still mingling in the foyer. 

"I guess this is one instance when it was all right to be fashionably late." Lucy agreed turning to look at Kevin with a bright smile. "I, for one, am happy that we took that little detour along the way. It was a rather eye opening experience for all parties involved." 

"Yeah well that was only a brief interlude of things to come," Kevin promised her seeing delight wash over her features. 

"I was wondering if you two were going to show up tonight." A voice called out interrupting them as they noticed Monica Quartermaine approaching. 

"And miss something like this?" Lucy smiled standing up straighter. "Never." 

"Good Lucy, I'm glad you have that attitude tonight because there is someone I'd like you to meet." Monica explained looking over at Kevin briefly. "Kevin, it's good to see you out again." 

"Good to see you Monica." Kevin nodded placing his arm around Lucy as he noticed the look of concern on Monica's face as she looked at him. He was expecting some of the usual questions about Ryan and his time being locked away, but Monica seemed to have opted not to bring up the subject as she redirected her focus to Lucy. 

"Anyways Lucy, as I was saying before, there's someone I'd like you to meet." Monica explained leading them across the room. "He's our newest member of the board and he has quite a few ideas about this year's Nurse's Ball. He happened to catch a glimpse of last year's show and he's just been dying to speak with you all night about sharing some of his fund raising ideas." 

"Great, I'm always open to use any suggestions that anyone is willing to give out about helping the cause." Lucy replied as they entered the ball room full of guests. 

"Excellent, because I feel that Henry will be quite an asset to this cause not to mention the hospital. Speaking of which, there's the man of honor now." Monica added signaling to a man across the room. "Henry!" 

"Monica dear," Henry smiled moving away from the bar over to her, "I was wondering when I'd get a word in with you this evening. Your home is truly amazing and I was just going to comment on all the wonderful things you put together for tonight." 

"Well thank you Henry," Monica smiled turning to Lucy. "Henry Ramsey, I'd like you to meet Lucy Coe." 

"Ah Lucy Coe," Henry replied turning to face Lucy, "I've heard many things about you tonight." 

"Well if you're smart, you won't believe half of them." Lucy teased as he reached for her hand giving it a light peck. 

"They were all good of course," Henry noted looking her over appreciatively, "although I must confess that while I'd heard rumors of your grace and charisma, no one mentioned just how beautiful or charming you were in person." 

"Why thank you," Lucy replied her smile widening as Kevin cleared his throat. "Oh Henry, this is Kevin. Dr. Kevin Collins." 

"It's a pleasure to meet you Dr. Collins." Henry began extending his hand out to Kevin's. 

"Likewise." Kevin nodded shaking his hand firmly. "Henry Ramsey, you say? As in Chris Ramsey?" 

"Yes, that's right," Henry laughed lightly, "Christopher is my son." 

"Chris is your son?" Lucy questioned with wide eyes. 

"Yes, and I'm quite proud of him." Henry added with a smile taking note of the surprised expression on Lucy's face. "From what Monica's told me, he's made quite a few contributions at this hospital in his short time here in Port Charles." 

"That's an understatement." Kevin mumbled under his breath thinking about everything he'd heard about Chris over the past few months as Lucy shot a warning glance at him to remain silent. 

"So tell me Henry, what exactly are your intentions?" Lucy asked curiously opting to ignore Kevin's comment. 

"Well, Ms Coe, I have big plans for you and I so what do you say we go over to get a drink Ms. Coe and the two of us can talk business together?" Henry suggested holding his arm to her before looking back at Kevin. "That is unless of course Dr. Collins has an objection." 

"Actually I do," Kevin began standing firm beside Lucy. 

"Well, I..." Lucy started turning to Kevin seeing the unamused expression on his face by Henry's suggestion, "Kevin and I just arrived, so we'd like to mingle a bit, but perhaps later I'll take you up on that offer." 

"I'll hold you to that Lucy." Henry nodded casting one last look at her before walking off across the room to talk to a couple others. 

"Why do I get the feeling that man is as slimy as his son?" Kevin asked watching Henry move about working the crowd. 

"Kevin, he's just an investor." Lucy replied her eyes still on Henry. "They all have that air about them when it gets down to it. It's like a prerequisite for the type." 

"Yes I understand that, but I just get this vibe about him...." Kevin started noticing the look Lucy was giving him. "What?" 

"You're jealous Doc." Lucy chuckled in amusement. 

"Hardly," Kevin muttered shaking his head, "I was merely pointing out that there's something about that man that just doesn't sit right with me." 

"Probably the fact that he's related to Chris Ramsey." Lucy added watching him closely. 

"Doc, I know you're not a big fan of Chris Ramsey's, but I do want to remind you that if it wasn't for him, then you might not be standing here with me right now like this. I mean in his own way, he sort of saved us both by bringing you home from Jasmine Island and by interrupting my dinner with Ryan that night." 

"I know Lucy and I appreciate what he did for me, but that doesn't mean that I have to trust him or any member of his family." Kevin reminded her briefly as he looked back to Henry. 

"Yes Kevin, I understand and respect that, but tonight's not about trust, it's about the greater good for the hospital and if that man's going to bring it about, then who are we to judge him?" Lucy questioned taking his hand and leading him across the room. "Come on. 

I think they're just about ready to get things started." 

"After you," Kevin nodded following her lead. 

"Well, well, well," A voice called out to them causing Lucy to stop dead in her tracks. 

"Look at what we have here darlin'." 

"Luke Spencer!" Lucy exclaimed turning around to see him standing before her with that confident grin she hadn't seen in so long. Without a word, she rushed over to hug him. 

"What are you doing here?" 

"You didn't think I'd miss out on something like this considering you know just how much the Quartermaine's just love me and all." Luke responded with a sly grin noticing Kevin. 

"Hey Dr. Kev. Good to see you again." 

"Likewise Luke," Kevin nodded stepping forward. 

"Hey you don't mind if I steal her for a few do you?" Luke questioned looking at Kevin. 

"She and I have a few things to catch up on and I just know how you detest when we discuss business in front of you." 

"Business?" Lucy repeated curiously turning to Kevin with a pleasing look. 

"Oh by all means Luke, go right ahead." Kevin replied in defeat looking off in the distance for a moment. "I'm going to go get a drink, so she's all yours, but just for the moment." 

"Doc, are you sure?" Lucy asked reaching out to him. 

"I'm just going to go get a drink, but I warn you whatever it is you two are getting into, it better not involve you putting yourself in harm's way or I swear you both are going to have to answer to me." Kevin explained briefly kissing her forehead before walking off. "I love you." 

"I love you too," Lucy smiled watching him leave. 

"He hasn't changed a bit has he?" Luke asked interrupting her thoughts as she turned to face him. 

"It is great to see you." Lucy added looking him over, "but seriously Luke, how on earth did you weasel an invitation to this party?" 

"Actually I'm just a tag along." Luke confessed with a chuckle. "You really think I'd be given an invite to this place? Sure, I can see Edward now coming over for drinks and just tossing one out my way. That'll be the day." 

"Then you must be here with Laura." Lucy deduced with a smile. "You know I just knew it would be a matter of time before the two of you found your way back to one another. 

You both have been so stubborn, but I had a feeling that sooner or later, she'd come back to her senses and see that what you two have together is just too precious to let go of like Doc and I here." 

"Actually doll, you're wrong again. She's here with him." Luke nodded casting a glance over at Scott and Laura. "Looks like she just won't allow herself to quit slumming these days." 

"Laura's here with Scott?" Lucy questioned a bit puzzled as she looked at the two of them together. "What on earth are they doing here together?" 

"My sentiments exactly." Luke added shaking his head. "First she shacks up with that thing and now she's here with....." 

"Watch it Luke! You know I love you, but Scott is still my friend." Lucy pointed out still watching him interact with Laura before turning back to Luke. "I just don't understand why he'd be here tonight of all places, but then again, I'm asking myself the same question about you. Now why are you here again?" 

"I'm keeping an eye on a potential problem and doing an old friend a favor in the process." 

Luke explained his eyes moving across the room. 

"An old friend, huh?" Lucy questioned curiously. "This wouldn't have anything to do with that business you mentioned before now would it?" 

"Ah there's my Luce," Luke smiled in response, "you know me so well." 

<hr> 

Eve stepped out onto the terrace thinking about her strange encounter with Vivian. 

Pressing her hands onto the ledge she closed her eyes and tried to dismiss the sinking feeling in her stomach as her mind wandered off again. 

"Rough night?" Kevin called out to her stepping out onto the terrace after seeing her alone in the moonlight. 

"Kevin," Eve nearly gasped turning around to face him. 

"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you, but I noticed you from inside and I thought maybe you could use some company." Kevin explained stepping towards her. 

"I was just getting some fresh air," Eve explained taking in a breath. 

"The night is beautiful isn't it?" Kevin commented moving in beside her near the rail as he looked at the sky. 

"It truly is." Eve nodded in agreement looking down at the word below. 

"You know night fall was something that I never realized how much I'd missed until I couldn't see the moon and stars anymore. Why I was just telling Lucy that earlier tonight before we....." Kevin started turning to see she was off in her own world. "Eve?" 

"Huh?" she questioned looking back at him shaking her head. "Oh Kevin, I'm sorry, I was just thinking and I didn't mean to.....anyways, what did you just say?" 

"It doesn't matter." Kevin answered looking at her closely. "Still thinking about your patient huh?" 

"My patient?" Eve repeated blankly before it dawned in on her. "Oh yeah, she's been on my mind a lot lately among other things." 

"How'd it go for her with everything?" Kevin asked softly seeing a sadness in her eyes. "I take it she didn't take the news too well, huh?" 

"Oh actually it didn't go as smoothly as I'd hoped it would, but I'm sure that doesn't really surprise you." Eve confessed thinking back and letting out a sigh. "I just couldn't find the right words." 

"That's understandable seeing as it was a difficult situation." Kevin added watching her closely and drawing in a breath. "So how did she finally react to the news on her pregnancy? Judging by the look in your eyes I'd have to say she's probably torn up inside now more so than ever." 

"I never said anything about her being....." Eve trailed off looking up to meet his gaze knowing that she hadn't fooled anyone as she drew in a breath. "How did you know?" 

"Just a guess I suppose. Something about your eyes and your words just stuck with me." 

Kevin answered honestly seeing the surprise in her face. "So how far along are you Eve?" 

"Just a few weeks." Eve commented looking back out into the night. 

"And I take it you haven't mentioned it to Chris yet ?" Kevin responded noting her long silence. 

"How am I going to tell him something like this, oh Chris, by the way, I'm pregnant and odds are it's Ryan's and not yours, but hey don't worry I've got it under control." Eve blurted out in frustration. "Sure Kevin, that'll go by real smoothly. I can already see him packing my bags now or going down the the prison to finish the job he'd started on your brother the last time they'd encountered one another." 

"That's a little extreme Eve. Granted I could see Chris tearing Ryan's head off, but I'd hardly anticipate Chris leaving you because of something like this." Kevin pointed out watching her for a moment. 

"I would," Eve commented clenching her fists tightly, "I have no one to blame for this, but myself and just the thought that I allowed myself to end up this way, it just...tears me up inside and I can't think clearly...." 

"Eve, I didn't mean to...." Kevin started as she began to cry. He reached out to her not knowing what else to say or do as he wrapped his arms around her. "Shh....don't cry." 

"Kevin, what am I going to do?" Eve sobbed harder into his chest unable to hold back any longer. "Just when I thought I was rid of Ryan and that he couldn't hurt me anymore, this happens. After everything he did to turn everyone's lives upside down, now he's doing it all over again and every time he calls me, it's a reminder of this situation I'm in. This horrible, horrible situation that just keeps eating at me and driving me crazy with this thing growing inside of me." 

"Eve, we're talking about an innocent child here." Kevin replied looking at her tear stained face and wiping at one of her tears. "This life growing inside of you may have started because of what you had with Ryan, but you can't take that out on this baby Eve. A child is something so precious and before you start thinking about...." 

"Kevin, I don't want to think about what I want to do in all of this because quite honestly, I just don't know what I'm going to do about any of this." Eve cut him off abruptly. "I mean what kind of idiot gets herself involved in such a stupid situation like this?" 

"You're not an idiot and I'd hardly consider this a stupid sit...." Kevin pointed out watching her frustration level rise. 

"Yes I am Kevin. If you think about it, I spent all these months acting like a hormonal teenager with your psychotic brother only to discover that I really do have feelings for Chris, and then this comes up kind of like Ryan's final way of showing me he's always going to have a hold on me." Eve started shaking her head in disbelief. "I love Chris, but to have allowed myself to be put into this situation, it makes me nothing short of a moron." 

"Eve......." Kevin started watching her move away. 

"I just can't believe that this is happening now when everything was coming around for Chris and I..." Eve trailed off in horror trying to block out the thought as she turned back to Kevin. "I just keep telling myself that this can't be happening now not when everything was coming around for me." 

"Eve, listen you need to find Chris so that you two can talk about this since it's obviously eating at you." Kevin suggested watching her walk across the terrace. "I think it would be best if you tell him before you make any rash decisions and let everything spin you out of control." 

"I can't Kevin." she insisted shaking her head. "He can't find out yet that I'm pregnant not when he has so many other things on his mind right now. I mean take tonight for instance, I'm supposed to be in there supporting him and his father, but here I am outside doing nothing, but feeling sorry for myself." 

"Eve, he has a right to know what's going on with you." Kevin informed her with a serious tone. "Granted, I know I haven't been around much thanks to my dear brother..." 

"That's exactly my point Kevin." Eve interrupted looking at him. "Your brother has ripped apart so many lives already and now to think that I could possibly be having his baby, well, it's just not something that sits well with me. I just wish I could go back in time and make this whole nightmare disappear." 

"I do too Eve, but we both know that's not possible." Kevin insisted watching her face for a moment. "Look Eve, I know this isn't my place, but from what I've seen in this brief time back here is that Chris loves you Eve and he'd want to know about this." 

"No, he can't find out about this...not yet at least. Not until I'm sure about this...not until I know for sure what I'm going to do....." she trailed off with tears in her eyes before slumping down. "Kevin, you have to promise me that you won't tell him anything about this." 

"Eve, you can't just hold something like this in. I mean pregnancy in itself can be a very trying time for a woman with all the heightened emotions and mental and physical changes that comes with it. To have to endure this alone, well, Eve trust me, if I were in his shoes, I'd want to know." Kevin continued watching her come undone before him. "Just the thought of the woman I love going through something like this alone, well, I shudder to think about it when in my heart I know that there would be nothing I'd want more than to share something so precious with the love of my life." 

"Kevin, I'm begging you as a friend not to let anyone else know about this pregnancy. The only other person who knows about this is Matt and I'd like to keep it that way for a while." Eve continued desperately trying to come up with something to calm her nerves before she went back inside. "Right now I need to come to terms with this myself and to let Chris in on what's happening, well, right now it's the last thing he needs to worry about. Please don't tell him..." 

"Eve, you know that I would never betray your trust, but I still that you should tell him that...." Kevin started once again as she sank into his arms. 

"No! I don't want you telling Chris anything about this." Eve instructed boldly taking a step back as the doors opened and Chris stepped out onto the balcony. 

"Just what do we have here?" Chris questioned skeptically looking the both of them over. 

"Well?" 

"Hello Chris," Kevin spoke as Eve quickly pulled herself together and took another step back. 

"Kevin," Chris nodded turning to Eve seeing the traces of tears on her face. 

"I'll leave you two alone and Eve, just think about what I said." Kevin announced stepping back inside closing the doors behind him. 

"What was that all about?" Chris questioned moving towards Eve as she turned to face the night sky once more. "Eve, what did he say?" 

"Nothing Chris," Eve shrugged unable to look at him. 

"Don't tell me that Eve. I can see that you've been crying even though you're trying your hardest to hide it from me," Chris insisted spinning her around to face him as his voice cracked with anger, "Was this about Ryan? Did he feel compelled to bring up horror stories for the two of you to swap with one another tonight just so he could feel better knowing that Ryan tried to destroy others too?" 

"Chris, I don't want to talk about it." Eve answered looking away and moving further across the terrace "Eve, what's going on?" Chris questioned following her out onto the terrace after she'd run out on him. He noticed her standing firm against the railing looking out onto the night below. He gently placed his palm on her shoulder and softened his tone. "Eve, what is it?" 

"It's everything." Eve responded with tears in her eyes. "It's this night. Everything is just so perfect about it. The wind, the moon, the stars up above. It's the kind of night that dreams are made of and everything should be perfect." 

"But it is Eve." Chris informed her wrapping his arms around her body. "Tonight has been a night I'll never forget and holding you in my arms like this only makes it even better." 

"Chris, don't you see what's happening here?" Eve blurted out in frustration. "Your life is becoming everything you'd hoped for it to me, and then there's me going and spoiling everything for you." 

"Eve, you lost me a while ago. What's going on?" Chris urged seeing she was nearly shaking again. "On second thought, it doesn't matter we're going home right now." 

"We can't just walk through that party and pretend as if I'm not out here doing this. If everyone sees me like this," Eve started wiping at her face, "I can't believe I'm doing this tonight of all times." 

"Look Eve, whatever this is that's going on with you, we'll wait out here until it passes and then I'll just tell everyone that you've fell under the weather and we'll leave." Chris insisted touching her cheek. "Okay?" 

"Chris this isn't going to just pass." Eve blurted out angrily. "It's never going to just pass Chris because I'm...." 

"Hey you two, I've been looking for you for quite some time now." Henry called out stepping out onto the terrace. "I'm expected to make some toast and I'd like my son and his beautiful companion by my side when I do." 

"Dad, I don't think," Chris started as Henry moved in closer to him. 

"Evelyn, you look beautiful tonight." Henry commented looking her over appreciatively. 

"That dress looks much better on you than it did just hanging in that store window I saw it in." 

"You picked out the dress?" Eve questioned in surprise looking back at him. 

"When I was passing by the boutique earlier it just called out to me and I knew Christopher would want you to have it." Henry explained looking to Chris. "I hope you don't think I was over stepping my boundaries here." 

"I just had no idea that..." Eve began letting out a relieved sigh grateful the dress hadn't been from Ryan." 

"Oh I'm sorry." he apologized briefly. "I forgot that I had them write Christopher's name on the card. I hope you don't mind son." 

"No, it's very nice." Chris commented looking over at Eve. "As for the toast, I think it's going to have to wait because Eve and I were just about to....." 

"No Chris, we can go in with him." Eve assured him. "I'm feeling better now." 

"Are you sure because I can get the car and we can...." Chris started voicing his concern for her. 

"I'll be fine." Eve nodded turning to Henry. "Well shall we?" 

"But of course," He smiled taking her arm in his before looking at his son. "Well, we haven't got all night son." 

<hr> 

Moving into the party once more Kevin was greeted by the sights and sounds of the buzzing crowd, yet his mind was clouded with thoughts of Ryan and his impact on everyone's lives. 

"Hey handsome." A voice called out as Kevin turned to see Charlie standing before him. 

"I was kind of hoping we'd run into one another tonight." 

"Charlie, what are you doing here?" Kevin asked looking her over for a moment realizing he'd seen her only a brief while ago back at the lighthouse. "I didn't expect to see you here tonight." 

"Well, it was a last minute thing." Charlie explained with a grin holding her arms out. "So how do I look Collins?" 

"Well, like always you clean up nice." Kevin answered doing his best to stay focused on their conversation. 

"What is it?" Charlie asked taking note of the distance in his eyes. "Something's on your mind." 

"Isn't that how it always is?" Kevin answered shaking it off as he focused on her. "I was just getting some fresh air while Lucy mingled." 

"I was wondering where she was." Charlie said with a shrug stepping towards him. "I suppose she's off being the life of the party somewhere since she seems to have that kind of air about her." 

"Probably," Kevin responded scanning the room for Lucy. 

"Hey what do you say you and I go for a walk or something? You look like you could use it." Charlie suggested noticing his wandering eye. "What do you say Collins?" 

"I say," Kevin began unable to locate Lucy, "sure." 

"Great, then why don't we go this way?" Charlie decided taking his arm and noticing Lucy in the distance coming towards them. "On second thought, why not this way?" 

"Um, okay." Kevin started watching her for a moment. 

"Well, what do we here?" Lucy began coming up from behind them. "There you are Doc." 

"Lucy, I'd just about given up on you." he smiled turning to face her. 

"Gee Charlie, why am I not surprised to see you here?" Lucy asked watching how close she was standing next to Kevin. 

"I guess that would have something to do with me working at the hospital now, wouldn't you agree?" Charlie responded with a cool tone. "Actually I was looking for my date, but apparently you've been monopolizing him most of the evening." 

"Your date?" Lucy asked curiously. "And who just might you be here with?" 

"Your champagne," Luke spoke up handing Charlie her glass and noticing Lucy standing before him, "Luce, hey if I knew you were standing here, I'd have brought you a drink as well I take it you've met Charlie here." 

"You could say that." Lucy nodded folding her arms in front of her chest. 

"Thanks Luke," Charlie smiled accepting her drink and linking her arm in his, "I was just telling Kevin and Lucy here about how sweet it was of you to escort me here tonight on such short notice." 

"Well, what can I say, I'm a sucker for a beautiful woman in distress." Luke replied with a flirtatious tone as he listened to the smooth Latin sounds fill the room. 

"I think they're playing our song Luke." Charlie spoke up nudging him slightly before speaking up in a low throaty tone. "Shall we?" 

"After you," Luke smiled nodding at Lucy and Kevin, "later Luce. Dr. Kev." 

"What in the world does she think she's doing here with Luke Spencer?" Kevin questioned watching them together on the dance floor. 

"How Luke can put up with someone so transparent is beyond my imagination. Why when I think of how she's just trying to dig her meat hooks into every single one of Port Charles bachelors, it just makes my skin boil and...." Lucy started looking back at Kevin and watching his eyes follow Luke and Charlie in their dance. "She's so obvious Doc. 

Why I ought to go out there and ring her neck. Can't you see what she's doing?" 

"What are you talking about Lucy?" Kevin questioned casting a glance over in the direction of the dance floor. 

"She's trying to make you jealous," Lucy huffed shaking her head in disbelief, "and even though I hate to admit it, I think it's working." 

"What are you talking about?" Kevin asked looking at her directly. 

"Think about it Doc. First she tries to move in on you directly, but then when I tell her to back off, what does she do, but show up here, where she obviously knew where we were going to be and who does she bring other than Luke Spencer, a man whom you reluctantly associate with, who's also been known at times to drive you crazy with the little adventures we find ourselves in together at times." Lucy continued in a rant. "I have to admit, the girl is good, but not good enough." 

"Lucy, this isn't a game." Kevin explained reaching out to her. "I don't really care who Charlie chooses to spend her time with." 

"But that's not what she's hoping you'll feel. Just think about the way she tried to snag you up when I wasn't around." Lucy insisted shaking her head in disbelief. "The nerve of some women." 

"Lucy how many times do I have to tell you," Kevin started with a sigh, "you know what? On second thought, while I know how much you wanted to be here tonight, what do you say we just go on home? I mean, you've said your hellos and made your introductions, but now I think it's time we get back to what we had waiting for us back at the lighthouse." 

"Sigmund?" Lucy questioned with a smile. 

"Yeah him too, but I was thinking about just spending some time with you just blocking out the rest of the world for a while. Call it selfish, but at this moment there's nothing I'd rather do than just be alone with you." Kevin explained letting out a long sigh. 

"Well Doc, I must confess there's nothing that I'd like more. I think we've seen all there is to see here for the evening." Lucy responded flatly looking at Charlie and Luke for a moment before the song ended and they walked off the dance floor. "Let's go." 

<hr> 

"I can see you're definitely making your rounds, aren't you Doctor?" Scott questioned approaching Charlie and catching her off guard. 

"Why Councilor, I can see that you're quite observant now, aren't you?" Charlie noted turning around to face him with a sugary sweet smile. 

"Yeah well from what I've seen you've been doing your homework where I'm concerned and I might add," Scott began leaning in towards her, "nice touch coming here with Luke Spencer." 

"I thought so considering this was a last minute deal for me," Charlie responded with a nod looking back at him, "so Scott what exactly is it that you wanted from me?" 

"Why don't you tell me since you're so good at this game?" Scott suggested raising an eyebrow. 

"Okay, you've got me. I'm clueless." She responded with a shrug. 

"Now come on, a smart gal like you, clueless? I don't buy it." Scott answered shaking his head. "Nah, both of us know better than to believe that." 

"Hopefully this isn't a business related conversation you're interested in having since you can obviously see that now is not the time for our usual song and dance?" Charlie pointed out looking around the room. 

"No? Funny because timing never bothered you before." Scott pointed out bluntly. "You had no problem attacking me in front of that elevator the other day." 

"I wasn't attacking you. I was merely stating my case." Charlie answered flatly scanning the room. 

"So that's what you're calling it now? Stating your case?" Scott nodded with a smile. 

"Interesting. Very interesting." 

"What do you want Scott?" Charlie asked growing impatient. "A couple of rounds before tomorrow morning?" 

"That would be interesting, but on the contrary, I was thinking more along the lines of a dance," Scott answered extending out his arm. "Shall we?" 

"Why not?" Charlie responded accepting his hand as they moved out to the ballroom floor together. 

"So tell me Charlie, who else have you been pumping for information about me?" Scott questioned pulling her close to him as they moved together. "Did Luke Spencer provide you with anything useful on me?" 

"I like to cover all my bases." Charlie answered standing firm as they turned around. 

"I can see that and I admire that about you, but I have to admit you're slipping doctor." 

Scott continued twirling her once more. 

"What ever is that supposed to mean Scott?" she asked curiously as he pulled her tight to him once again. 

"Well first of all in your little vendetta to bring me down, it never occurred to you that I'd fight back, did it?" Scott questioned innocently. "I mean you kept saying that you were ready for a fight eager to pull out all the stops, but you never really sat back and took a moment to think about the implications about what would happen if I decided to play hardball with you, did you?" 

"Whatever do you mean Councilor?" Charlie questioned innocently as Scott pulled her in closer to him locking gazes with her. 

"Tell me Charlie, why are you here tonight? For the good of the hospital or perhaps in the hopes of seeing Kevin Collins?" Scott asked curiously tightening his grasp on her. 

"I don't know what you're talking about." Charlie responded sharply. 

"No? Hmm, well that's funny because the other day when I went over to see Victor, you were quite cozy at the lighthouse. Kind of like you were right at home being there." Scott continued seeing she was bothered by his statements. "What's the problem? Am I saying something that makes you uncomfortable? Please, tell me if I'm getting to you." 

"So what if Kevin and I are friends." Charlie shot back irritably. "That has nothing to do with what's going on with us." 

"No?" Scott asked shaking his head. "See once again, there we go disagreeing on something. See the way it was laid out to me, you and Kevin were a lot more than friends and with being engaged to him before and all, you could possibly have some kind of personal investment in this down the lines that might skew Ryan's treatment one way or the other." 

"My professional life and my personal life are two different areas all together." Charlie snapped back at him trying to push away as he tightened his hold on her. 

"Really? Was that the case back in Baltimore?" Scott questioned as the music stopped and they stood frozen together. "Was it?" 

"This is ridiculous." Charlie shot back pushing off of him and turning to leave. 

"Is it?" Scott questioned seizing her arm and forcing her to look at him. 

"You have no idea what you're talking about." Charlie responded firmly glaring at him. 

"Oh I think I have a pretty good idea of what you're really like Dr. Dubois and I have to tell you, you're not the only one who does your homework." Scott added seeing that he'd struck a nerve in her. "Now you listen here, if you want to play hardball with me little girl, then I dare you step up to the plate, but I warn you that tomorrow when this pre-hearing comes up, I'll eat you alive and nothing you do will stop me from winning." 

"Is that all Scott?" Charlie asked recovering from her brief moment of surprise as her cool composure returned. 

"For now," Scott nodded seeing that she was still shaken as she stepped away, "until tomorrow Doctor." 

<hr> After the confrontation with Scott Baldwin, Charlie could feel her anger boiling as she reached into her purse pulling out her cell phone awaiting the familiar voice on the other end of the line. 

"Hello," the voice spoke up. 

"What the hell do you think you were doing?" Charlie snapped angrily stepping further out into the night as she noticed Kevin and Lucy leaving the party. 

"Having problems Charlie?" the voice laughed lightly. 

"How dare you let Scott Baldwin know about Baltimore?" Charlie asked with a hiss. 

"You were the one who asked me to come here and put pressure on him to begin with and now you're going off changing the plans on me without any warning." 

"Charlie, would you just relax? What I asked you to do was to put pressure on Scott and make sure that he was more determined than ever to be on this case, not to get him thrown off of it." the voice explained casually. 

"Look, you asked me to play hardball with him and that's what I was doing." Charlie explained briefly as a couple of guests walked by and she slipped into the garden. "You told me to pull out the stops and go full force so that's exactly what I was doing." 

"Fine, but you took it too far and I have to make Scott believe that he was in control otherwise what reason would you have for backing down at tomorrow's hearing?" the voice questioned with a laugh. "It's brilliant if you think about it." 

"Stupid if you ask me." Charlie added with a sigh. "If he starts digging again and gets into what really went on in Baltimore, this whole thing could be over for the both of us. You do realize that, don't you?" 

"Scott's not going to go digging any deeper now that he believes he has his hands on the trump card." the voice tried to assure her. 

"And Tracie Richards? What about her?" Charlie asked hearing footsteps in the distance. 

"She could be a problem as this time goes on." 

"I'll worry about Tracie and you concentrate on Scott, Lucy and Kevin." The voice informed her. "I take it you and Lucy have already come into contact with one another." 

"Oh yeah, and she's every bit as protective of Kevin as I'd anticipated, but when everything is said and done, I will be successful in this provided that you live up to your end of the bargain." Charlie explained with a wicked smirk on her face. 

"Don't worry, I intend to see this through and live up to my end of the deal." the voice continued with a sinister laugh. "Now you get back to work." 

"With pleasure," Charlie responded hanging up the phone as the footsteps drew nearer. 

"Hey, I was looking for you," Luke called out approaching her, "I saw you and Baldwin back in there and I figured he tried to run you out one way or the other." 

"Yeah well, I needed a breath of fresh air after listening to that arrogant jerk," Charlie smiled brightly tucking her phone back into her purse, "but I'm fine now. What do you say we head back inside? You know on second thought Luke, why don't we just blow this off and find something a bit more entertaining to keep up with for the rest of the evening." 

"Yeah sure, I wasn't too big on this to begin with." Luke agreed with a nod. "I'll go get the car and we can get the real party started." 

"Real fun. I like the sound of that and the way I see it, the fun is just getting started." 

Charlie smiled watching him go off into the night.