CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT 

Scott arose to the sounds of pounding on his front door as he set his bottle aside and rubbed his tired eyes. He pulled himself up and tried to collect himself as he scratched his head and opened the door to find Eve standing before him. 

“We need to talk,” Eve announced stepping into the room as she looked around the firehouse, “God, what have you done to this place?” 

“The maid was off this week,” Scott grumbled as he watched her, “anything in particular that you wanted to talk about here Eve?” 

“You should really look into getting some of this cleaned up before someone gets hurt,” Eve remarked before turning to face him again. 

“I trust in your being here, you’ve come to some kind of decision,” Scott noted watching her closely. 

“I have,” she nodded, “and while it wasn’t easy for me to come up with this here as I spent most of the night weighing the options in my mind, I realized that there is only one alternative.” 

“And what might that be?” 

“I have to help Kevin,” she decided firmly as she met his eyes, “as much as I hate the idea of seeing Ryan again, I hate it more so thinking that I did nothing when my friend died. That isn’t fair to Kevin or Lucy here.” 

“So you’re going to do the procedure?” He questioned a bit surprised. 

“Did I have another choice in the matter?” 

“There’s always a choice Eve,” Scott explained as she drew in a breath, “you’re sure?” 

“Scott, I need to do this,” she drew in a breath, “if not for Kevin, for my own piece of mind.” 

“Eve, I know what kind of decision this must’ve been for you,” Scott started. 

“Don’t thank me yet Scott as we still have a long way to go here,” Eve cut him off, “now you’d mentioned something about the details of this procedure being at the lighthouse right?” 

“According to Ryan, but we both know how reliable he is,” Scott reminded her. 

“Oh I know only too well, but this time, well this time around I don’t think he’s lying about that,” Eve said behind gritted teeth, “he has too much power in this one to just walk away and toy with us here.” 

“He’s not walking anywhere Eve,” Scott said seeing the look on her face, “he’s not going to be near you anymore than necessary.” 

“Good because there’s no telling what I’ll do if he crosses any lines there with me,” Eve confessed with a frown, “there’s no guarantee that I won’t kill him once he serves his purpose in helping Kevin.” 

“I won’t hold it against you,” Scott remarked remembering Ryan’s warning that he’d better not be taken out during the procedure, “although I will let you know if the authorities decide to take action, you already have a first class lawyer.” 

“Imagine that,” Eve half smiled, “now what do you say the two of us take a trip over to the lighthouse together?” 

“What does Ramsey think of all of this?” 

“Who said I asked him Scott?” Eve replied with a shrug trying to dismiss the fact she’d spent the night without Chris, “I’m a big girl and I don’t let anyone tell me what to do. You should know that by now.” 

“You make it hard to forget Eve.” 

“Good because I’ll keep reminding you of that as time goes on,” she insisted, “now let’s get going.” 

“Eve, wait there’s one more thing,” Scott reached out to her grabbing her arm slightly as he turned her to face him, “about our trip to the lighthouse.” 

“Yes?” 

“Eve, we can’t tell Lucy what we’re doing there. We just need to find the papers and get out of there without letting her know what’s going on.” 

“Okay back up a second. Are you telling me that I’m not supposed to clue Lucy into what’s happening with the man she loves?” 

“That’s exactly what I’m saying. Ryan insisted that we keep her in the dark until he’s ready....” 

“To hell with what Ryan insisted. IF this is going to be done, Lucy has a right to know Scott. You can’t keep this from her especially when we go hunting around her home. She's not stupid there. She’s smart enough to see something is going on.” 

“Eve....” Scott started in protest. 

“Besides Ryan may have told you that, but he didn’t express that to me and you know how well I listen,” She said moving over to open the front door, “let’s go. In fact, I’ll drive.” 
 
 

Chris sat at the end of the bar not quite sure what he was doing here at this hour. Perhaps he was trying to sober up after his night out on the town....his night of mistakes. He closed his eyes and drew in a breath trying to forget where he’d been, what he’d done and most of all how horrible he felt about never returning home. He thought of Eve and what she must’ve gone through wondering where he was. Then again perhaps it hadn’t even crossed her mind....maybe she hadn’t even noticed where he’d been. 

He sighed as he took a long sip of his steaming coffee feeling it burn all the way down as he noticed the sounds of the door to the Recovery Room open and Karen walked in. She approached the bar and waited for Mike to finish with one of the customers when she looked over to Chris noting his appearance. 

“You look like hell,” she said bluntly. 

“Yeah well no one asked you,” he grumbled. 

“Let me guess. Eve kicked you out for being your usual charming self,” she muttered. 

“You don’t know the first thing about me Karen, so why don't you stop while you’re ahead,” he suggested sipping his coffee again. 

“Fine, have it your way,” she looked back over to Mike as he approached and she gave her breakfast order, “to go please.” 

“It’ll be right up Karen,” he nodded. 

“Thanks Mike,” she replied turning her attention back to Chris, “so are you going to just sit there like that all morning or are you going to open up?” 

“Not to you,” he replied simply. 

“That’s too bad considering that I thought you’d be ecstatic about your appointment with Eve this afternoon,” she shrugged, “oh well not that it’s any of my business anyways.” 

“What appointment?” 

“With Dr. Neumann,” Karen replied eyeing him, “oh come on. You’ve been bragging to half the staff all week that we were going to be blessed with the ultrasound pictures of the newest edition to the Ramsey family and Eve’s been going on non-stop about all the planning you two were working on for the nursery.” 

“She said all that huh?” 

“And more,” Karen nodded as she took a seat beside him, “but somehow I get the feeling you’re not too happy right now.” 

“If you think I’m going to open up about something the longer you sit here Karen, well you can just think again,” he spoke dryly, “I’m not biting.” 

“I never anticipated you doing that and I'd much rather you didn't.” 

“Good just so we have it straight,” he nodded as he heard the door open again and he looked over to see his father walking in through the door pulling off his scarf as he noticed Chris, “Just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse,” Chris grumbled. 

“I’ve been looking for you,” Henry announced moving over along side of him. 

“Yeah well take a number Henry.” 

“What’s wrong with you?” Henry frowned taking a look at his son. “I called the apartment last night to talk to you and Evelyn said you’d been missing.” 

“Well surprise. I’m found,” Chris replied not bothering to give his father a second look. 

“I can see that, though you look like you’ve been hiding under that rock for a few weeks now judging by your appearance,” Henry noted. 

“Don’t worry Henry. I’ll try to keep my appearance from tarnishing your reputation at the hospital,” Chris rolled his eyes as he nudged Karen, “Karen, this is my father Saint Ramsey.” 

“Chris, I don’t know what’s gotten in to you.” 

“Since when have you cared Henry. I’m damn near broke. There’s nothing you can get from me, so why don’t you just move on?” 

“Chris, you’re my son.” 

“Yeah and that has meant so much in the past,” Chris replied turning to his father, “Give me a break old man.” 

“I’m not going to let you destroy yourself here.” 

“Maybe I should leave,” Karen spoke standing up, “I can see you two need some time alone.” 

“No Karen. Why don’t you stay? That way you can find a reason to analyze me later on once you see just how screwed up the Ramsey genetics are. Hell, maybe you can take this back with you to the hospital and you can warn Eve to get out of it before it’s too late...that is if she isn’t already packing.” 

“She’s worried about you son,” Henry interrupted. 

“Quit calling me that!” Chris snapped at him as he stood up, “it’s not like it’s ever mattered to you in the past.” 

“What are you doing? I mean really what are you doing here?” Henry asked with a dismayed expression as Chris reached out to Karen slinging his arm around her with an arrogant grin. 

“What does it look like?” Chris asked moving over to nuzzle Karen’s neck, “I’m busy.” 

“The hell you are,” she said pushing him away slightly. 

“Come on Karen. You wanted to know what made me tick. Now here’s your chance,” Chris remarked reaching out to her again and pulling her close to him, “don’t tell me I frighten you now.” 

“More like appall me,” she replied pushing away from him slightly. 

“Come on baby you know you like me,” Chris winked at her before he leaned in to kiss her roughly. 

Karen felt him push his lips to hers and she backhanded him with a resounding thud as Mike re-entered the room in time to witness the scene before him. 

“Here’s your order Karen,” Mike said holding out the bag as she pushed away from Chris and accepted it. 

“Thanks Mike,” she replied giving Chris a glare before walking out of the bar disgusted. 

“Well, that was fun,” Chris chuckled lightly feeling the bitter sting on his cheek as he turned to Mike, “how about a martini?” 

“The bar’s closed this early Chris,” Mike remarked gruffly walking away. 

“What are you doing Chris?” Henry asked watching Chris sit upon the bar stool. 

“You know what they say. Like father, like son.” 

“Chris, we both know this isn’t the life you want,” Henry sighed pulling his jacket off of his shoulders and taking a seat beside him, “You’re better than this.” 

“Oh come on Henry. I’m the product you made me out to be,” Chris laughed bitterly, “the man who loves no one and does what he can to make it to the top regardless of who he steps on to get there.” 

“Is that what you think I want for you?” Henry asked with a frown. 

“Don’t play the ever doting father now. The ‘I love you son’ speech won’t be any more sincere than it was when you were kicking the hell out of me for busting up your cons.” 

“I realize that I made mistakes Chris,” Henry started with a pained sigh, “but there are a lot of things about me that you don’t know.” 

“More felony charges you’re evading yet again?” 

“I’m being serious Chris.” 

“So am I Henry,” Chris looked to him, “you’re not one to lecture me on who I should be as you sure as hell aren’t a model citizen here.” 

“I never claimed to be, but I thought you’d learn from my mistakes,” Henry frowned, “Evelyn is a good woman.” 

“Is she now?” Chris questioned with a raised brow, “I’ll bet you wasted no time in going over to my apartment to find out just how good she was as soon as you knew I wasn’t around. Let me guess. You gave her a shoulder to cry on and a chance to see what she was missing in being with me.” 

“I wouldn’t do that Chris.” 

“It never stopped you before Henry,” Chris remarked bitterly, “tell me. What line did you use to get Eve into bed? I mean she’s not into the con like the others were, but I’m sure you could’ve found an angle. I’ll bet it was a good one to get her to feel as though she couldn’t live without you, right?” 

“I didn’t go over there.” 

“The hell you didn’t.” 

“Chris, this isn’t like Vivian.” 

“Isn’t it though? I mean isn’t it all the same to you? Henry Ramsey gets what he wants regardless of who gets hurt in the process? I mean to hell with human decency or even the concept of love. Just as long as the big pay off takes place, forget about the rest.” 

“Chris, Evelyn is nothing like Vivian is.” 

“And since when would you be such an expert on Eve? Before or after you nailed her last night?” 

“Evelyn loves you and she wants to have your child,” Henry reminded him, “which is what you wanted.” 

“What do you know about my wants?” Chris asked dryly. 

“I love you son,” Henry spoke softly. 

“Yeah it shows more and more each day,” Chris frowned, “why the hell did you even bother coming back in my life now? I don’t need you.” 

“Chris.....” 

“Come to think of it, I don’t even want to bother talking to you right now,” Chris decided throwing a couple of dollar bills on the counter top. 

“Chris, I’m truly sorry that you were hurt in all of this.” 

“If that was the case, things would be different wouldn’t they?” Chris asked disgusted, “Tell me something. Did you and Vivian cook this up to have an excuse to kick me down yet again?” 

“Chris we never intended upon hurting you when we fell in love with one another....” 

“Love? Is that what you call your relationship?” Chris couldn’t help but laugh bitterly as he put on his jacket, “if that’s what you think it is, maybe you should ask your loving fiancee where she was last night. She sure didn’t have a problem going to someone else when she wasn’t getting the thrill she felt she so richly deserved,” Chris threw him an icy smile, “but then again she was always such a tiger in bed. I knew she’d be bored with you easily.” 

“You didn’t,” Henry shook his head, “you wouldn’t.” 

“Wouldn’t I?” Chris questioned, “You know that they say. Turn about is fair play, but then again, we Ramseys never did play fair did we?” 

“Chris.....” Henry started still a bit bewildered. 

“Do me a favor Henry. Just stay the hell out of my life,” Chris warned before stepping out of the Recovery Room and heading over to his shift. 
 
 

“So I was thinking,” Ellen began with a smile as she crossed her office moving in closer to Matt, “maybe this weekend you and I should take that long overdue vacation you’d been trying to tempt me with.” 

“Am I hearing you right?” Matt couldn’t help but smile as he watched her seductive grin, “are you finally starting to succumb to my charms here Dr. Burgess?” 

“I might be,” Ellen answered with a soft grin, “Granted there is quite a bit of work to be done around here at the hospital, but for you, well I might be able to take the time off.” 

“You’d do that for me,” Matt teased lightly before reaching out to her and drawing her close to him. 

“I’d do a great many things for you Dr. Harmon,” Ellen confessed lightly as she leaned down to kiss him, “you inspire me.” 

“Funny thing,” Matt grinned as they parted, “you do the same for me.” 

“Then I suppose we’re a good set,” Ellen decided giving him another kiss, “after all what was that you were telling me earlier about all work and no play? Something about how I should give a moment to just enjoy the moment?” 

“I think we could get much more in depth with that conversation say over coffee?” Matt suggested with a smile, “that is of course if you’re interested in taking a break now.” 

“Hmm, I suppose I might be able to swing it there,” Ellen decided slipping her pager into her pocket, “a coffee could be good for me.” 

“I knew I could persuade you,” Matt replied as he heard a tapping on the door to Ellen’s office and he looked to her with a slight frown, “no, this is not happening.” 

“I told you this would happen when we decided to be irresponsible,” Ellen couldn’t help but let out a light laugh as she approached the door, “spontaneity just seems to have no place in my life.” 

“We’re going to change that,” Matt promised as Ellen opened the door to reveal Tracie standing on the other side. 

“Tracie,” Ellen greeted her, “come on in. Matt and I were just about to go for some coffee downstairs, but you’re more than welcome to join us.” 

“Actually,” Tracie took in a breath, “I was hoping to have a few words with Matt,” she shifted her eyes to her cousin before finishing, “alone.” 

Matt noticed the darkness behind her usually carefree eyes and he turned his gaze to Ellen once more, “Could I meet you downstairs in a few minutes?” 

“What if we postpone the coffee break?” Ellen suggested looking between the two of them, “I have a few patients I wouldn’t mind checking in on and you two look like you could use a moment.” 

“Thank you,” Tracie smiled in response as Ellen walked to the door closing it as she exited to give them some privacy. 

“What’s wrong Tracie?” Matt questioned watching her cross the room. 

“Matt, I’m not even sure where to begin on this one,” Tracie confessed finding herself lost in her thoughts as she took a seat on the sofa in the corner of the room. She turned her eyes to his and let out a heavy sigh, “How do you do it?” 

“Do what?” Matt asked lightly. 

“Rise above it? I mean look at you. You’ve found love, happiness and here you are doing all you can to keep from looking back.” 

“It’s not as easy as it looks, but with the right people to support you, it is possible,” Matt informed her. 

“I’m starting to doubt that Matt,” Tracie confessed rubbing her arms for a moment, “I mean look at me. I can’t even stand on my own without coming to you for guidance.” 

“There’s nothing wrong with that,” Matt replied watching her for a long moment, “yet somehow I have a feeling that this ties into what we talked about before.” 

“Matt, I’ve done some horrible things here,” Tracie confessed turning her eyes away from him, “I mean for so long I believed the right course of action would be to just ignore the past and move on, but now, well the more I look at it, the more I keep being sunk into it...” 

“It’s over Tracie,” Matt insisted noticing her head hang down slightly, “it’s the past.” 

“It’s not,” she argued looking to him, “Matt, just when it was all coming together, I lost it.” 

“What’s really going on?” Matt asked tightly thinking about his brief talk with Ryan, “What has he done now?” 

“Nothing more than before,” Tracie replied watching him, “but he knows the truth and it’s only a matter of time before he springs it on the world.” 

“No one is going to believe a man like Ryan Chamberlain. Nothing he says will hold any weight around here,” Matt informed her with a frown. 

“Matt, trust me. Once he says something, people could start sniffing around and they’re bound to discover what happened. They’ll know what we did,” Tracie explained feeling a bit shaky as she looked to her cousin, “for so long he had the threat of Alex over my head, but now that Alex is gone, well my true concern lies in...” 

“In what Tracie?” 

“In you Eric,” she answered dropping the whole Matt routine as she looked to him, “you’ve started a new life for yourself here. You have something wonderful in Ellen and if someone was to discover what you did to protect me. What we did...” 

“No one is going to find out,” Matt insisted tightly as he thought of his cousin’s turmoil, “This isn’t anyone’s business.” 

“And Ellen?” 

“She doesn’t need to know about that,” Matt sighed lightly. 

“I don’t want you to lose her. She‘s a good person with a kind heart,” Tracie decided as he reached out to take her hand, “you’ve worked so hard to get things in order for one of my mistakes to come back and haunt you.” 

“I don’t regret what happened with that monster Tracie and if I were back in that situation, I’d do it all again to keep you from harm’s way,” Matt confessed squeezing her hand, “that man deserved what he got for what he tried to do to you.” 

“But it wasn’t your mess and even now, it’s not your fault that I’m wrapped up in this with Ryan...” Tracie pulled away from his grasp. 

“What’s he doing to you?” Matt asked curiously, “you keep telling me what he has over you, but what is he trying to do in order to keep things buried?” 

“Things I can’t even begin to speak about. I’ve betrayed so many trusts,” Tracie sighed, “I feel like that strong woman I used to be is gone and I’m just let with what I was before Marcello was in my life.” 

“Marcello didn’t deserve you,” Matt spoke tightly as he reached out to her turning her eyes to his, “Marcello was asking for it when he decided to treat you that way. He knew what would happen should he try to harm a Mancusi and he learned the hard way,” Matt explained emotionlessly. 

“Eric, you never should’ve been put in that position. You fought your whole life to avoid that kind of involvement in the family, but then I thrust you into it.” 

“You didn’t ask me to. I did it because it was right,” Matt reminded her. 

“And now?”

“Now,” Matt sighed, “we find a way to end this before Ryan tries to bury us here.” 

“And Ellen?” she asked again, “You can’t keep her in the dark here. Should Ryan try to find a way to get to her.” 

“You’re right,” Matt nodded in response, “I know you’re right and I’m going to find a way to tell her. She deserves nothing less than the truth,” he paused, “I just hope that at the end, she can still find it in her to stay with me...that she can look past what I once was and she can still see the man that I want to be with her.” 
 
 

“Stay with me Doc,” Lucy whispered soothingly as she pressed the damp cloth to his forehead, “don’t you dare leave me just yet.” 

She looked at him thinking about the restless night they’d had with one another and she wondered if she’d be strong enough to keep fighting for the both him. He was so tired and as minutes passed on, he looked so fragile. She heard a ringing at the door and she pulled herself up to see who was there. 

“Oh no,” she said seeing Scott and Eve standing on the other side of the door, “I think you two have done far enough damage.” 

“Lucy, we need to talk,” Scott began as Lucy started to close the door. 

“You’re not welcome here Scott.” 

“Lucy wait,” Eve instructed placing her foot in the way to keep Lucy from closing the door, “we need to talk to you. It’s about Kevin.” 

“Just leave Eve and if you’re smart you’ll stay away from Scott too. He’s nothing be a mean, spiteful, vindictive traitor.” 

“That’s it,” Scott announced pushing the door open as he stepped inside the lighthouse, “we’re here to talk whether you like it or not.” 

“Scott, how many times do we have to do this?” 

“As many as it takes to drill it into your head what’s going on here.” 

“I know perfectly what’s going on with....” 

“Lucy, we’re here to help Kevin,” Eve cut her off as she saw Lucy ready to go on the attack, “Ryan informed Scott that there’s a way to help Kevin, but we need to find something of his here before it’s too late.” 

“What are you talking about Eve?” 

“There’s a cure Lucy,” Eve explained simply, “or rather Ryan claims that there is and he sent Scott here to find it so that we can help Kevin.” 

“Is this some kind of joke?” Lucy questioned lightly. 

“Lucy, it’s no joke,” Scott shook his head, “not when something so serious is involved here.” 

“But.....” she turned to Eve, “how do you know he’s not lying?” 

“I don’t,” Eve said as her eyes drifted to Kevin, “but are we really willing to risk it seeing what there is to lose?” 

Lucy looked back to Kevin feeling her heart sink before she glanced over to Eve, “You’d better not be trying to pull something over on me here Evie.” 

“Trust me this time Lucy,” Eve said turning to Scott, “where did he say it was?” 

“In one of the closets.” 

“I’ll go search for it,” Eve decided after a moment leaving Scott and Lucy alone. 

“Pal are you going to explain this to me here?” Lucy asked turning to face him. 

“In time, but not now,” he replied lightly, “I think we have more important issues to attend to.” 

“Not so fast,” Lucy started tugging on his arm, “I think you and I have a whole lot of clearing up that needs to be done before you just walk in her like this and....” 

“Found it!” Eve announced holding up a file folder in her hand as she approached the duo. 

“Where was it?” Scott asked looking away from Lucy. 

“Under the box of photographs of Ryan and I,” Eve said feeling a coldness surround her as Kevin began to moan. 

“Doc,” Lucy rushed over to his side forgetting about Scott and Eve, “are you okay?” 

“Lucy......Lucy what’s going on?” he asked weakly. 

“Scott and Eve are here. They want to help you,” she explained softly stroking his forehead lightly. 

“Does it look feasible?” Scott questioned tearing his eyes from Kevin and Lucy. 

“It looks like something we might be able to do,” Eve replied looking to Scott and noticing the way he was watching Lucy closely, “and it’s not nearly as innovative as Ryan lead us to believe it was.” 

“So you can help Kevin?” Scott questioned as he watched Lucy holding Kevin close. 

“I’m sure going to try,” she nodded stepping forward, “Lucy, Kevin, I think it would be best if we get this started immediately.” 

“Get what started?” Kevin asked weakly. 

“We need to get him to the hospital,” Eve explained looking to Scott, “why don’t you get the car ready? I‘ll just call Ellen and alert her to set things in motion for Kevin‘s arrival.” 

“Of course,” he nodded moving towards the doors. 

“No!” Kevin protested trying to sit up, “no hospitals.” 

“Kevin, it’s the only way,” Scott informed him, “we have to let Eve here do this procedure.” 

“I said no hospitals,” Kevin repeated. 

“Doc, they just want to help....” Lucy began. 

“Lucy, please I don’t want to spend my days in a hospital where I just fade away. I just want to be with you and.....” 

“We’re going to see to it that you’re back on your feet again in tip top shape,” Lucy explained caressing his cheek, “Eve and Scott are going to help me bring you back to yourself again.” 

“Lucy, I don’t know if that’s even possible....” Kevin coughed. 

“It’s very possible Doc and what about your promise to me to never quit fighting? Did you lie to me?” Lucy asked sternly. 

“No,” he shook his head, “never.” 

“Good then, you listen here bub and you listen well, we’re going to do whatever Evie says we need to do to help you here,” Lucy explained. 

“Lucy..” he started to protest then let out a sigh, “alright, I’m leaving myself in your hands here.” 

“I promise you Doc, we’re going to find a way to pull through this somehow.” 

Scott entered the lighthouse once again, “Ready?” 

“Ready as we’ll ever be,” Lucy explained with a nod hoping that this would be enough as she and Scott moved Kevin up from the couch. 
 
 

Ryan sat in his jail cell playing with the yo-yo one of the other inmates had snuck into his cell. He watched as the tiny spark inside of it seemed to take on a life of it’s own. In the circling motion, it became almost lifelike as he spiraled and sparked on the inside. He heard a noise and continued to dangle the yo-yo around without a second thought. 

“Today must be your lucky day,” the guard said approaching his cell as he opened it up. 

“Every day is my lucky day,” Ryan explained smoothly, “I’m a very lucky man.” 

“You’ll have your day, but for now,” the guard began stepping aside to reveal Charlotte beside him. 

“I’m getting you out of here,” she explained firmly as the officer cuffed him, “Mac Scorpio just okayed us transporting you over to the hospital.” 

“Mac?” Ryan smiled a slightly twisted grin, “my that is a surprise considering. Who’d have thought that after all this time dear Mac would be the one to grant me my freedom? In fact, perhaps I should send him a little thank you there for getting the ball rolling on this one, though I must confess Mac always did have a soft spot for me.” 

“This isn’t freedom yet Ryan. You know why we’re doing this,” she reminded him. 

“Ah yes, how is dear old Kev?” He chuckled lightly, “not too torn up I hope.” 

She shot him a scathing look, “You’re going to save his life.” 

“Of course,” Ryan smiled coolly, “after all what kind of example would I set for future generations should I let my own brother die? It’s absolutely shameless.” 

“You’re doing the right thing,” she replied finding herself believing it above all else as she looked to Ryan. 

“That’s a first,” Ryan chuckled in amusement, “a shrink actually telling me that I’m doing the right thing. Then again, seeing as she’s in love with my brother, I suppose this isn’t about professionalism here.” 

“My feelings for and about Kevin have no impact upon what happens in our sessions,” she answered tightly. 

“Of course it doesn’t,” Ryan smiled wickedly as he stepped towards her before extending his arms out to the guards for the shackles, “but then again, I should tell you, I’m much better than the original. Just ask Lucy or Eve. They’ll tell you I’m twice the man Kevin is,” Ryan laughed again, “although ironically enough after today Kevin and I will be one in the same again. Together at last.” 
 
 

Ellen stepped off the elevator after receiving Eve’s phone page about Kevin. She rushed down the hallway ready and eager to get the OR ready for Kevin when she noticed Matt up ahead. 

“Ellen, I’ve been looking for you,” he started with an uneasiness in his voice as he looked to her. 

“Matt, I’m glad you’re here. I can use the extra hands.” 

“Ellen, I need to talk with you,” Matt cleared his throat, “there’s something we need to talk about. Something that I...” 

“Matt, I promise we can do this later, but Eve just called. She, Lucy and Scott are bringing Kevin over for surgery.” 

“Surgery?” Matt repeated, “Ellen, I thought you said that he was beyond surgery...” 

“Well I thought he was, but Eve discovered another procedure and from what she’s given me over the phone it might work.” 

“And just what might that be?” Matt questioned. 

“It involves Ryan,” Ellen started as they made her way down the hall, “I promise I’ll fill you in on all the details as we go, but right now we have to have everything ready for Kevin’s arrival. This can’t wait.” 

“Alright,” Matt sighed, “after you,” he answered thinking about his discussion with Tracie. Somehow, some way he’d have to tell Ellen the truth and soon. 
 
 

Chris arrived at the hospital trying to get his head on straight as he began searching for Eve. He had gone through so much in the last twenty four hours and right now above all else he needed to speak with her, to try to find some clarity about their situation. He thought back to being at the bar with Vivian and he cringed. Damn her and his father for coming back into his life just when things were getting together. He and Eve had it all and he nearly threw it away because of his rage for his father. Winding around the corner of the hall, he sped up in the hopes of getting a hold of Eve before it was time for their appointment with Dr. Neumann. 

“Chris,” Tracie’s voice called out to him as he rounded the corner of the hall, “hey how are you?” 

“Tracie,” he stopped as she stood before him, “hi.” 

“Is something wrong?” she questioned looking him over. 

“Actually I need to talk to Eve,” he admitted. 

“Everything okay?” 

“No, not really,” he answered honestly, “but I think I need to work on that.” 

“Anything I can help with?” 

“I’d rather not discuss it,” Chris confessed as he stepped forward. 

“Chris, wait a second,” Tracie urged reaching for his arm, “look I know you and Eve have been having problems and yes I know that you and I fell apart after you and Eve..” 

“Tracie, I really don’t want to get into this with you,” he reminded her. 

“Chris, I know you don’t, but I need to say this. Whatever’s going on, whatever it is,” she hesitated, “well don’t just let go of what you have. You went to great lengths to get her in your life and I’d hate to see you lose that. I know what she means to you.” 

“Tracie, you don’t have to...” 

“I know that,” she nodded, “but someone has to get you in line Ramsey,” she sighed, “whatever is happening, just know that it can be fixed.” 

“I want to believe that,” he admitted. 

“Then do it Chris,” Tracie reached out to him, “there’s no sense in letting real love slip away from you. It’s not worth the pain that follows.” 

“Why are you saying all of this?” 

“Because you’re my friend and because I want you to be happy,” Tracie answered, “that’s all I’ve ever wanted for you.” 

“Even after everything you are still the sweetest person I know.” 

“I’m far from it Chris, but thanks for the thought.” 

“You are amazing,” he reached out to hug her, “I’m lucky to have had you in my life.” 

“Damn right you are,” she forced a smile, “now go find Eve and fix what’s wrong.” 

“I will,” he agreed with a smile, “in fact I know what I must do.” 
 
 

The elevator doors opened as Kevin was rushed in on a gurney. Ellen greeted Scott, Lucy and Eve in the hall and she looked over to Eve. 

“What are we looking at here?” 

“He’s all ready to go,” Eve answered as Kevin lay weakly before them, “we can’t afford to wait any longer. Where’s Ryan?” 

“He was transferred down the hall just a few minutes ago,” Ellen answered as Matt moved in to help. 

“You can’t let anything happen to him Ellen,” Lucy pleaded as she clung to Kevin holding his hand tightly. 

“I’ll be fine Lucy,” Kevin breathed staggering a bit as his eyelids fluttered. 

“Don’t you even think about leaving me Doc,” Lucy insisted as they wheeled him down the hallway. 

“And face the wrath of Lucy Coe?” he half smiled, “I wouldn’t dream of it.” 

“I love you Doc,” she said as she reached out to touch his cheek. 

“I love you too Lucy,” Kevin answered as she leaned down to kiss him once more. 

“We’re ready,” Matt called out. 

“I’ll go take care of Ryan,” Eve announced, “what room did you say he was in Ellen?” 

“Room three,” Ellen answered looking to Kevin, “we’re going to get you through this.” 

“You’d better or else you’re going to have to face Lucy,” Kevin half laughed despite his weakness. 

“I wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of a Lucy hissy fit,” Ellen offered lightly though her mind was focused on the task at hand as she knew how much was riding on the procedure. 

“That is the worst thing to endure,” Kevin teased as he looked to Lucy. 

“I highly resent that,” she hissed squeezing Kevin’s hand, “I’m just smart enough not to let you go.” 

“I’m not planning on leaving Lucy,” Kevin offered. 

“You’d better not. We have a whole life and family ahead of us Doc,” she reminded him as Ellen cleared her throat. 

“It’s time Lucy.” 

“I know,” Lucy replied as a tear slipped past her cheek, “I love you Doc.” 

“I love you,” Kevin called out to her as Ellen had him taken into the OR. 

Lucy stood frozen in the hallway as she watched the man of her dreams being taken away from her. She felt a hand on her shoulder as Scott reached out to her squeezing her lightly as he remained in silence. She turned to face her pal finding a great many emotions rushing through her, but as their eyes met the only thing that escaped from her were the tears that she’d held inside, the fear that she could lose the one man who’d ever truly loved her in spite of herself. 

“He’s going to be okay,” Scott whispered pulling her into an embrace, “we have to believe that.” 

“I know,” Lucy sniffled as she held onto Scott hoping that fate hadn’t taken away the one thing that had meant the world to her. She couldn’t lose Kevin. 

Chapter Twenty Nine 

Eve took in a breath as she stared at the door in front of her. She drew in a breath hoping to find the strength inside of her as her heart was racing. Placing her hand over her abdomen thoughtlessly, she drew in another sigh as she nodded to the guard alerting him that she was ready. He nodded as he unlocked the door and Eve stepped inside to find Ryan seated upon the table waiting for her. 

“Darling,” he smiled brightly as she moved forward, “it’s been a long time.” 

“Not long enough,” Eve answered sharply. 

“How is our little one doing?” Ryan questioned curiously as he looked over at her. 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, but I strongly suggest you keep your mouth shut while I do this,” she nodded towards the guards as she noted the handcuffs Ryan was wearing. Cautiously she moved forward. 

“What no kiss?” Ryan frowned, “Damn and I was just thinking about how much you enjoyed them.” 

“Don’t flatter yourself Ryan,” Eve answered tightly as she stepped over to one of the cabinets to prep for the procedure. 

“I see you look tired. You really should be resting given your current condition love,” Ryan mused as his eyes followed her, “I’d hate to think something could happen to our child. Given your little mishap in the past with your son I‘d hate to think that something along the same lines would come about for our child.” 

“I said shut up,” Eve snapped at him as the guard shot Ryan a glare. 

“What’s wrong Eve? The truth hurt?” Ryan mused seeing the anger burn behind her eyes, “it’s too bad that you keep denying our destiny together. We could’ve been magic Eve, pure and simple magic if you’d only allowed yourself to be free with me. What we had was real.” 

“We had nothing,” Eve answered turning to face him as she went back to work, “what you believe we had was only a thing in your mind.” 

“Was it?” he raised a brow as she rolled up his sleeve revealing the flesh on his arm, “was that all it was?” 

“You believe what you want to believe Ryan, but I’m fully aware of the truth,” Eve answered harshly as his wrists pressed in towards her and he placed his palm over her abdomen drawing forth a gasp from her. 

“The truth is evident growing inside you Eve,” Ryan gazed into her dark eyes, “the proof of our love evolves as time moves on and soon there will be living, breathing proof of how right we are together. Even your little lover boy can’t deny that. He knows the truth about us which is why he is trying to keep me away.” 

“You leave Chris out of this,” Eve answered tightly, “and my child as well. Chris and I don’t want you coming near our family.” 

“It’s my family Eve,” Ryan hissed at her, “my child and I won’t let you take that away from me. Even you can’t deny the truth.” 

“We’re done here,” Eve snapped as she finished with the injection, “I’ll have a nurse come in here and finish the job up.” 

“We’re a long way from finished Eve,“ Ryan warned reaching out to her as she let out another whimper, “I‘m far from through with you and you can keep denying it, but you know that your destiny is with me.” 

“Let go of me,” she answered sharply as the door opened and Matt entered the room with a guard beside him. 

“Having a problem Eve?” Matt raised a brow as he looked over to Ryan. 

“We were just finished in here,” Eve shook herself from Ryan’s grasp as a dark, cryptic smile grew over Ryan’s features. 

“I’ll get him ready for transport,” Matt suggested seeing the tension behind Eve’s eyes. 

“Alright,” Eve nodded, “I’ll let Ellen know we’re on our way.” 

“She’s in the OR with Kevin,” Matt replied as Eve stepped away from Ryan. 

“See you later love,” Ryan called out to Eve with a playful laugh before he looked to Matt once more, “Well Mancusi, long time no see. Come here again to talk about your past or perhaps your future?” Ryan raised a brow, “I mean I’d love to get into it with you, but I am about to go into surgery. Speaking of which I take it Ellen is assisting?” 

“Ryan, you’re lucky that you’re here to begin with because if it wasn’t for Kevin,” Matt replied tightly as he approached Ryan. 

“What you’d have to resort to some more primitive tactics to release yourself from the truth like you‘ve done in the past? Afraid I might get a word in with Ellen?” 

“You have no power over me,” Matt answered tightly. 

“That’s not what your actions were saying at the jail house the other day,” Ryan answered smugly, “come to think of it, I don’t think Tracie feels that way about it either.” 

“I warned you...” 

“Is that a threat?” Ryan mused as he looked to the guard standing by the door, “Oh guard are you getting all of this?” 

“Ryan, I strongly suggest you shut your mouth and do what you’re here to do or else....” Matt lowered his voice. 

“Or else what? I won’t wake up from surgery?” Ryan mused as he inched in closer to Matt, “well here’s the fun part about all this, you’re going to want me to wake up.” 

“And why is that?” 

“Because if I don’t, Ellen’s going to be on the receiving end of a nice little package I had made up especially for her and trust me,” he smiled wickedly, “you don’t want that. Not by a long shot,” with an arrogant smile he turned his eyes towards the orderly who’d entered the room, “I’m ready when you are.” 

“Get him out of here,” Matt ordered as the others transported Ryan down to the OR. He took in a breath realizing that while he’d like nothing more than to see Ryan burn for all he’d done, there was no way he could let Ryan be the one to tell Ellen the truth. He’d have to find a way to break it to her first even if it meant keeping Ryan Chamberlain alive. 
 
 

“Can I get you a coffee or anything?” Scott questioned placing his hand on Lucy’s shoulder. 

“It wouldn’t do any good,” Lucy admitted taking in a breath as she thought of Kevin inside the operating room, “you said they just brought Ryan in there, right?” 

“Karen had mentioned that a few minutes ago,” Scott nodded. 

“Pal, why didn’t you tell me that Ryan could save him? Why not bring this to light sooner?” 

“I couldn’t.” 

“What do you mean you couldn’t?” 

“It’s long and complicated. I didn’t know how to tell you Lucy,” Scott sighed, “all of a sudden everything that had ever made sense didn’t.” 

“But Pal...” Lucy began at a loss, “all this time I thought you’d represented him to spite me, to hurt me for Kevin....” 

“It was easier to let you think that,” Scott admitted, “in doing that I was able to carry the weight of your hatred better than the idea of having let you down again like before.” 

“Scott, you didn’t let me down before, we just grew apart,” Lucy reached out to touch his cheek, “you are still one of my very best friends and I‘ll always love you for that. You and Serena mean the world to me.” 

“As you do for us, which is why I knew I couldn’t let this go with Kevin,” Scott admitted, “I just hope we didn’t wait too long.” 

“I couldn’t bear the thought of losing him,” Lucy sighed as she looked back towards the door once again, “not after everything we’ve gone through to get to where we are together. Our dreams are so close to becoming a reality.” 

“They still can be,” Scott offered hopefully as Charlotte rushed into the waiting room. 

“Any word on Kevin?” she questioned out of breath as Lucy tuned to face her. 

“Nothing yet,” Scott shook his head. 

“But Ryan’s in there now correct?” she questioned. 

“What are you doing here?” Lucy questioned as her eyes narrowed. 

“I’m concerned about Kevin,” Charlotte answered sharply. 

“You have no business being here especially after the little part you’ve been playing with Ryan....” 

“Ryan is Kevin’s brother. Obviously he does care about Kevin to be here,” she responded. 

“Ryan doesn’t care about anyone but himself. The only reason he’s here doing this for Kevin is because he’s hoping to gain something out of it.” 

“Lucy, you don’t know the first thing about Ryan or his relationship with Kevin.” 

“Like you do you little.....” Lucy snapped at her. 

“Okay, break it up,” Scott urged stepping between them, “Kevin wouldn’t want to have you two going at it like this.” 

“I was fine before she showed up,” Lucy reminded him. 

“I’m not leaving Lucy, so just get used to it.” 

“Over my dead body are you staying here,” Lucy hissed at her. 

“If that’s the way it’s gotta be then so be it,” Charlotte stood taller. 

“Okay, enough of this,” Scott reached out to Charlotte slipping his arm with hers, “We’re taking a walk.” 

“What do you think you’re doing?” Charlotte gave him a look as he began to lead her down the hall. 

“I’ll be back in a few minutes Lucy,” Scott informed her as he looked to Charlotte, “you’re coming with me.” 

“I’m not going to walk away when Kevin is in surgery,” she objected. 

“And the last thing you need to be doing is upsetting Lucy.” 

“She started it. All I did was walk into the waiting room and the last time I checked that wasn’t a crime.” 

“No it wasn’t, but driving your friend’s fiancee to distraction like that isn’t an optimal idea either.” 

“Lucy got worked up all on her own. I haven’t done anything,” she objected. 

“Look, I don’t care what it is that went down between the two of you, but what I do know is that the last thing she needs is to be arguing with anyone especially when she’s worried out of her mind.” 

“Since when did you jump into the role of Lucy’s protector? Or did you never leave?” she raised a brow as she shrugged out of his hold, “I’m going back to check on Kevin.” 

“No you aren’t,” Scott reached out to her again, “in fact the way I see it, you and I have some unfinished business to take care of.” 

“Such as?” 

“Such as you being here in Port Charles to begin with,” Scott reminded her. 

“I’m doing my job,” she answered sharply. 

“Funny how your job lead you to your ex-lover’s identical twin brother. Shouldn‘t there be some kind of ethical consideration that would‘ve been taken before you agreed to treat him?” 

“Don’t give me a lecture on ethics Scott because given your track record, you are the last to judge,” she attempted to walk away. 

“Perhaps, but also given my track record, I’m able to spot a scam a mile away when I see one coming on, so tell me Charlotte, what exactly are you doing here in Port Charles?” 
 
 

Lucy wrapped her arms around herself lightly as the chill rose in the air surrounding her. She took a step forward pacing herself as she thought of Kevin laying on the operating table. Since his return things had been so uncertain, yet she’d always held onto hope. Even when Kevin was ready to accept defeat she was pulling for the cosmic forces of the universe to find them an answer, to give them hope and now they had it. They had a chance at starting over, at rekindling the magic she’d hoped to share this lifetime with him and it came in the form of Ryan. While she’d tried not to dwell on that fact, it remained and she cringed at the mere thought. Ryan was the one who’d torn up things for them, but now as she stood waiting for word on her Doc she realized it was Ryan that held the key to Kevin’s recovery. He had Kevin’s life in his hands and while Lucy despised the man more than anything she’d ever known, she also realized that without him, she’d lost the one precious thing that meant more to her than life itself. Instinctively she placed her hand over her abdomen as she thought about Kevin and prayed they would have their happily ever after. 

“You look perplexed,” A voice rose above her thoughts as she turned to see Henry Ramsey standing behind her, “anything I can help with?” 

“I wish,” She half smiled, “I’m just waiting to hear news.” 

“On Dr. Collins?” he questioned curiously. 

“How did you know?” she asked giving him a sideways look. 

“Word travels fast around this place,” he shrugged, “and having a seat on the board helps to get you in the circle of gossip I suppose.” 

“I see,” she sighed. 

“So have you heard anything thus far?” 

“Not yet,” she shook her head, “but I suppose in this case no news would be good news.” 

“Perhaps, but it doesn’t ease the obvious tension,” he noted watching her features tight with tension, “maybe you should try sitting down.” 

“I can’t relax,” she shook her head, “not while he’s in there and I’m out here.” 

“I’m sure that Kevin would want you to take it easy right now,” Henry offered reaching out to her. 

She withdrew from his touch as she shook her head, “You’re probably right as Doc’s always trying to dote on me but I have far too much nervous energy right about now. I just can’t think straight with him and there and me out here. I keep thinking about our wedding we’d talked about, our family, the nursery we were going to work on, our happily ever after...” 

“....which I’m sure you’ll have when this is through,” Henry offered sympathetically, “but you know you should be taking it easy before you work yourself in to a frenzy.” 

“What are you? My father now?” she gave him a look. 

He watched her for a moment before he sighed, “Someone needs to get you to relax and since I’m the only one here....” 

“I’m fine really,” she insisted as she felt a bit queasy. 

“No you aren’t,” he argued as she wavered a bit and he reached out to her, “come on. You’re sitting down.” 

“I’m just a bit light headed since I didn’t eat anything earlier,” she tried to shrug it off. 

“Perhaps we should work on getting something into your system then,” Henry suggested reaching out to her, “I noticed a vending machine not too far from here.” 

“I’m fine really,” Lucy sighed, “I know I should be on the up and up now that I’m eating for two and all...” 

“Two?” he repeated curiously, “are you saying that your hopes panned out?” 

“Did they ever,” Lucy nodded with a proud smile, “Doc and I are pregnant.” 

“Really?” he asked as his eyes lit up, “so parents to be then?” 

“That’s right,” she offered up, “Doc and I have so much ahead of us.” 

“More reason for him to keep fighting,” Henry sighed, “nothing like a parent’s love for their child.” 

“This child is everything to Doc and I,” Lucy admitted placing her hand over her abdomen protectively, “we waited so long for this moment to arrive and I intend on being able to see it all the way through with Doc.” 

“And he makes you happy?” 

“Happier than I’ve ever been,” she nodded in response, “I mean I’ve had a lot of things in my life, but never really had a sense of family. I mean sure I had my Aunt Charlene, but it’s not really the same. Not that I’m complaining or anything, but when it gets down to it, there are just some things you look for growing up, like stability and a family, parents that love you...” 

“I’m sure your parents would be very proud of where you’ve come to,” he offered up with a smile. 

“Like you are with Chris?” 

“Christopher has exceeded my expectations for him and I’m very proud of him,” Henry nodded, “even though he can’t quite say the same about me.” 

“Every child goes through a phase when they hate their parents,” she offered lightly. 

“Perhaps, but in Christopher’s case, he’s rather justified in his hatred for me,” he sighed, “I’ve spent most of my years avoiding responsibility and in turn have been nothing short of a horrible father and role model.” 

“I’m sure that’s not the case,” Lucy offered up sympathetically as she reached for his hand, “Everyone makes mistakes, believe me I know, but it’s the trying to change that really matters. I was at an all time low making mistake after mistake when I met Kevin, but he helped me see that I could rise above my past and become the woman I always wanted to be. I’m grateful that he did that for me because my life has been so rewarding ever since.” 

“Sounds like Kevin has been good for you,” Henry smiled at her. 

“I love him with all my heart,” she nodded in response, “I’d be lost without him.” 

“Hopefully you won’t have to deal with that as he seems very important to you,” Henry offered, “I hope that he’ll find a way to pull through this.” 

“So do I,” Lucy nodded in response. 

“I’ll wish for the best. In fact, I think I’m going to start saying a few prayers of my own here hoping the universe is listening,” Henry offered up with a light smile. 

“The universe works in mysterious ways,” Lucy replied, “but I think this time that it’s going to turn out for us. I just know it.” 
 
 

“So did you two set a date yet?” Colleen questioned curiously as she walked around the counter to the nurse’s station seeing Karen and Joe whispering to one another. 

“As a matter of fact,” Joe boasted proudly, “we have.” 

“Really?” Colleen mused. 

“Joe,” Karen gave him a look, “I thought you said we weren’t going to tell anyone yet until we talked to our parents and Frank.” 

“Well we can, but right now I don’t care if we share it with the world because I love you Wexler,” Joe announced drawing her into his arms proudly, “even if it’s your fault we ended up back here working again.” 

“I can’t help it if we’re popular,” Karen laughed lightly as she stepped up to kiss Joe tenderly. 

“Well, who wouldn’t want you around when you’re so radiant and bubbly all of the time?” Joe smiled as he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, “I mean I just can’t seem to get enough of you.” 

“Good because I’m never letting you go Scanlon,” Karen promised as she kissed him once again. As they parted she cast a glance over his shoulder at Chris approaching in the distance. 

“Karen, what is it?” Joe questioned as he noticed the direction of her gaze, “Ramsey..” he spoke Chris’ name tightly. 

“Let it go Joe,” Karen tugged on his arm, “he’s just upset.” 

“Yeah well I’ll show him upset to be kidding on my fiancee like that,” Joe stepped towards Chris. 

“Joe,” she tugged on his arm, “I decked him so rest assured that Chris has felt the weight of the consequence associated with his actions. He doesn’t need another reminder from you pounding his face in. However what he does need is a friend.” 

“I can’t believe you’re saying that,” Joe looked to her in disbelief, “Karen, are you feeling okay?” 

“Joe, Eve is pregnant and he loves her very much,” Karen reminded him, “the last thing he was trying to do was move in on me.” 

“Then why did he kiss you?” 

“I don’t know, but I get the feeling it had to do with his father,” she sighed, “in fact,” she stepped forward, “I’m going to go talk to him.” 

“No, you aren’t,” he tugged on her arm. 

“Joe, I’ll be fine,” she gave him a look, “besides with you standing right here I seriously doubt he’s going to pull any funny stuff and if he does,” she smiled lightly, “well you can jump in and be my Neanderthal hero.” 

“Karen...” he sighed accepting defeat, “fine, but don’t think I’m happy about this.” 

“I won’t, but know that I love you anyways,” she kissed him briefly before she approached Chris with a frown, “Cool down yet?” 

“Karen, about before at the Recovery Room,” Chris began taking in a breath. 

“Chris, I understand, well actually, I don’t, but I don’t want to relive the moment either, okay?” 

“Fair enough,” he nodded, “but for what it’s worth, I apologize. I don’t know what overcame me.” 

“Neither do I, but right now that’s not important,” Karen agreed, “I take it you’re looking for Eve.” 

“Yeah, have you seen her? I went to Dr. Neumann’s office to check in for our appointment and she wasn’t there.” 

“She’s in surgery.” 

“Surgery, what happened?” Chris gasped, “is she alright? The baby...is there something...” 

“Chris, it’s not the baby,” Karen cut him off, “in fact it’s not Eve at all. Eve’s just fine. She’s operating right now in fact.” 

“Operating where,” Chris questioned seeing the uneasiness behind her eyes, “Karen, what’s going on?” 

“She’s got Ryan in there,” Karen explained calmly, “Kevin was brought in and they were doing some kind of experimental transfusion procedure or something. I didn’t get the specifics.” 

“What do you mean experimental and why was Eve put on the case?” he raised his voice. 

“Ryan requested her from what I’ve gathered, but Matt and Ellen are in there with her. 

“Where is she now?” Chris frowned. 

“In surgery still, but Chris you can’t just barge in there while they’re operating,” Karen reached out to him as he took a step back. 

“Just watch me,” Chris announced as he turned down the hallway determined to end the nightmare with Ryan Chamberlain once and for all. 
 
 

“What I’m doing here in Port Charles is none of your concern, although I would think that the answer would be fairly obvious to someone like yourself,” Charlotte hissed at him as she shrugged out of his touch, “now let go of me.” 

“Not until you let me in on whatever scam it is you’re running here,” Scott announced, “I know that you didn’t come here out of the kindness of your heart and I expect some answers from you.” 

“Kevin is my friend,” she defended. 

“Yeah I got that and your ex too from what I’ve been told,” Scott gave her a look, “what is it you’re really after Dr. Dubois.” 

“I’m not going to explain myself to you. You have no business questioning me.” 

“Is that so?” 

“That’s right,” she insisted sharply. 

“Then maybe we should get into your little unfortunate incident that took place back in Baltimore.” 

“That is completely irrelevant and you know it.” 

“Do I?” 

“What are you trying to prove Scott? You can’t be man enough for Lucy so you have to take it out on me?” 

“My relationship with Lucy has nothing to do with this discussion between us.” 

“Doesn’t it though? I mean isn’t this what it’s all about? Your inability to keep Lucy happy so you’re lashing out at me in the hopes of returning to her good graces?” 

“You think you know so much about my life Doctor, but in all honesty you don’t know a thing.” 

“Don’t I?” she raised a curious brow, “I mean you hardly are a closed case here. There are a great many things that could be said about you.” 

“Such as?” 

“Such as if you don’t get out of my way Scott, I’ll consider this harassment.” 

“Consider it what you want sweetheart, but I’m not moving,” Scott insisted firmly, “and neither are you until I get the answers I’m looking for.” 

“Don’t push me Scott.” 

“I haven’t even started yet,” he leaned in closer to her, “I’m just warming up.” 

“Is that a threat?” 

“You take it like you want doll,” he gave her a look as she placed her hands on her hips firmly. 

“You don’t frighten me,” She offered up. 

“Really, well that wasn’t my intention, however I will get answers out of you and if you came here with some agenda...” he began. 

“Scott,” Karen called out to her father interrupting as she noted the tension in the air, “is this a bad time?” 

“No, not at all,” Charlotte took a step back as Scott released her, “We were just about finished here.” 

“Far from it,” Scott hissed back at her. 

“If this is a bad time,” Karen began again. 

“No it’s fine,” Scott turned his eyes towards his daughter despite his lingering curiosity about Charlotte, “is something wrong?” 

“Not wrong really,” Karen turned to glance at Joe who’d been standing patiently beside her, “actually Joe and I wanted to talk to you about something well, rather important.” 

“I see,” Scott gave her a curious look, “and what might that be?” 

“Well,” Karen glanced at Joe once more before a smile spread over her features and she looked back to her father, “we set a date.” 

“For what?” Scott replied blankly. 

“For our wedding silly,” she half laughed, “Joe and I decided we’re ready to get things out in the open. We decided on May fifteenth.” 

“May fifteenth,” Scott repeated, “isn’t that rather soon?” 

“Well yes, but we’ve waited our whole lives for this and we’re sure,” she explained reaching for Joe’s hand as she gave it a squeeze. 

“I’ve waited forever for this,” Joe confessed with a smile. 

“You’d better be good to her,” Scott warned. 

“Karen’s my world,” Joe answered honestly, “I love her with all that I am and I won’t ever hurt her. You have my word on that.” 

“I’d better have a whole lot more than that,” Scott insisted as he noticed that Charlotte has slipped away from the group. 

“Scott, enough. Joe and I are happy,” Karen broke through his thoughts, “can’t you just be happy for us?” 

“I’m happy for you,” he replied reaching out to hug Karen, “that’s all I’ve ever wanted for you...just to be happy.” 
 
 

Victor entered the waiting room and noted Lucy before his eyes with a man seated beside her, “Have you heard any word yet?” 

“Nothing,” Lucy shook her head in response, “not a one.” 

“I was hoping we’d have heard something by now,” Victor sighed thinking about his two sons as he paced around the room, “I mean generally you’d hear something after all this time right?” 

“I have a feeling that things will turn out for the best,” Henry offered up sympathetically, “there are the finest surgeons in PC working on your sons.” 

“My sons,” Victor sighed thinking about Ryan as his gaze drifted to Henry once again, “and you are?” 

“Victor, this is Henry Ramsey, Chris’ father,” Lucy explained cautiously as Victor looked the man over. 

“Really?” Victor responded with a curious look, “is that so?” 

“I take it you know my son,” Henry nodded. 

“He’s rather notorious around here,” Victor admitted with a nod extending his hand to shake Henry’s hand, “so you could say.” 

“I hope that’s not as negative as it sounds because I’d like to think my children progressed further than their old man,” Henry offered with a light smile as he glanced over at Lucy. 

“What father wouldn’t,” Victor nodded in agreement as his gaze shifted to the opening door before him. Ellen stepped out as Lucy instantly rushed over to her. 

“Ellen, what’s going on? What’s happening?” 

Ellen took a sigh before she looked to her dear friend, “The procedure was a success,” she blurted out seeing the look of relief wash over Lucy’s features, “they’re taking Kevin into recovery as we speak.” 

“Then everything’s fine?” 

“More than fine Lucy,” Ellen nodded, “just as long as all goes well, I think Kevin is up for a complete recovery.” 

“I don’t believe this,” Lucy replied tearfully as she reached out to embrace Victor, “the universe works in so many ways.” 

“Thank God,” Victor hugged her as Lucy shifted out of his arms and back to look at Ellen. 

“Can I see him? Ellen, I need to be with Doc,” Lucy urged desperately, “please let me see him.” 

“Lucy, you know that you’re not supposed to go back there,” Ellen stopped herself then sighed, “Alright, I’ll let you back there, but not for long.” 

“Fair enough,” Lucy nodded, “thank you so much for not giving up Ellen.” 

“I only did my job and it panned out,” Ellen answered modestly, “but I’m so glad it did. Kevin is far too good a man to be taken from this world just yet especially when he has a woman who loves him like you do.” 

“Thank you so much. I can’t even begin to tell you how grateful I am,” Lucy sniffled as she was overwhelmed by excitement. 

“I’ll have you make it up to me sometime...just not over fish guts,” Ellen teased lightly, “now why don’t I take you back there?” 

“Alright,” Lucy looked to Victor, “would you like to join me?” 

“Lucy, right now I think it would be best if you come alone,” Ellen interrupted. 

“Oh well....” 

“It’s okay Lucy,” Victor nodded in response, “you go see Monk. I’ll come in after you have your time with him.” 

“Are you sure?” she asked. 

“Positive, go on. Monk’s waiting for you,” Victor urged with a smile as he hugged Lucy, “let him know we all love him.” 

“I will,” she agreed as she looked back to Henry, “Thank you for listening.” 

“It was my pleasure,” he offered with a light smile, “see I told you it was all going to work out.” 

“I guess I should listen more to the universe huh?” 

“It can’t go wrong when someone with your heart is counting on it so much,” Henry offered with a half smile as he reached out as if he was going to touch her, “I wish you the best Lucy.” 

“I appreciate that,” she smiled in response as she glanced back over at Ellen, “I’m ready now.” 

“Alright,” Ellen nodded, “Then I’ll take you back there,” she decided as Matt entered the waiting room. After a moment Lucy and Ellen slipped behind the doors. 

“Matt,” Victor approached him, “can I ask you a question?” 

“Of course,” Matt nodded. 

“You were part of the team in their correct?” 

“Ellen and Eve did most of the work,” he confided, “but yes I was in there.” 

“Ellen told me about Kevin,” Victor lowered his voice after a moment, “but I was wondering...” 

“About Ryan?” 

“Yes,” he nodded shamefully, “how is he?” 

“He seems to be doing just fine,” Matt answered, “granted he’s done a lot of things to a lot of people, but this thing he did for Kevin...well...I’m glad he could help Kevin.” 

“So he’s going to be okay,” Victor questioned cautiously. 

“Victor, don’t take this the wrong way, but Ryan doesn’t seem like the kind of man that would fade out on the world surrounding him when he’s got so much hanging over everyone’s heads.” 

“Where is he now?” 

“Eve’s having him transported to recovery.” 

“May I see him?” 

“I don’t know if it’s a good idea given your condition,” Matt sighed, “but if you must...” 

“Thank you Matt. I‘ll just go tell Mary the news and then we can be on our way down there,” Victor sighed wondering how he could face his estranged son. 
 
 

Eve stepped forward as the orderlies exited the room leaving her to the silence. Her eyes were fixed on Ryan’s still form beneath the blanket as she took in a breath keeping her gaze upon him. She stepped forward placing her hand over her abdomen protectively as she found her heart racing in her chest. Watching him in such a state made her think about the moments when he’d been good to her. As he slept he seemed so peaceful, genuine even as her mind was filled with memories of him trying to murder her. Feeling a chill over take her she stepped in aside him as her eyes narrowed at the IV in his arm. Her gaze shifted past him to the assortments of syringes across the way. How easy it would be for her to rid him from her life once and for all. All the pain and torment would be over and she would be free, free at last to have her life again. She reached out to touch his face feeling the warmth of him as she cringed at contact. 

“I won’t let you destroy me,” she mouthed as her dark eyes swirled with a mixture of emotions, “I’ve worked too hard to find happiness in my life and it’s because of you that my happiness has been taken from me,” she withdrew her palm from his cheek as her breath caught in her throat, “I was so stupid to ever to believe in you, to trust in you, to even think you were someone I could love,” she half laughed, “as if you were even capable of the word, as if I was before Chris.” 

Eve paused as the pounding of her heart controlled her movements. Her eyes filled up with tears as she glared at him, “You really did find a way to win though didn’t you? You couldn’t just let go after you tried to take me away. You wouldn’t stop until I lost Chris, well I lost him Ryan,” Eve snapped at him, “I lost the only man I’ve ever truly loved, the only man who’s ever truly loved me for me and it’s all because I was foolish enough to be involved with you. Chris could’ve given me the world, but I guess a person like me isn’t entitled to that, are they Ryan? You just wouldn’t be satisfied until I was destroyed,” she leaned in closer to him as her voice took on a more menacing tone, “you weren’t going to be happy until you ruined me, were you?” 

Ryan lay in stillness as she paused almost expecting a response from him. She noted his smug expression even in his slumber as her blood boiled. 

“You may have found a way to hurt me, to take it all away from me, but I will not let you do that to my child, just like I wouldn’t allow you to take Kevin from Lucy. You might think you’ve won Ryan, but this will end starting now,” she stood tall as her gaze shifted to the syringes once more. 

Eve walked across the room slowly in subtle calculated movements as she lifted a syringe from the counter. Her gaze turned back to Ryan as she thought of his previous threats. From where he was in that moment, it would be easy for Eve to erase him from her life, from the world surrounding her and in this moment nothing felt more right than the idea of ridding the world of Ryan Chamberlain. It was the only way to be free. It was the only way he’d never harm her again. She stepped forward feeling her fear overpower her as she contemplated the step she was about to take. There would be no turning back from this moment on and she knew that should she follow through her life would change. Stopping mid-step she thought about the weight of her actions. 

Changing her life. Was she really ready for that? Eve let out a dry, sarcastic laugh as she realized at this point there wasn’t much left to cling onto. She had her job, her career she’d worked so hard for, but as long as she was in Port Charles, she’d have unpleasant memories of what might’ve been. Seeing Chris and knowing the pain she’d caused him would be devastating as she thought of all he’d endured because of her actions. She was going to hurt the man she loved more than anything if she continued on this way, and with a heaviness she realized that Port Charles would no longer be where she belonged. 

Eve would have to leave it all behind to start over again. It was the only way and if she was truly going to leave it all behind, she was going to make sure that Ryan Chamberlain didn’t have the chance to follow this time. He wouldn’t chase her again. She would never run from him, never keep hiding in the shadows in fear of a man like she’d done in the past. She was no longer going to allow herself to be a victim. Ryan would never hurt her again. 

“It’s over Ryan,” she announced as she raised the syringe to his IV line and she found herself ready to take destiny into her own hands. 
 
 

“Tracie, what are you doing here still?” Matt questioned as he found her circling the halls. 

“I couldn’t go back to the apartment,” she confessed, “not until I had word on how the procedure went.” 

“It was a success,” he answered. 

“And Ryan?” 

“He’s alive...unfortunately.” 

“I know what this must’ve had to do to you,” she began. 

“I don’t like the position he’s put you in, but I’m first and foremost a doctor,” he sighed, “that’s who I am and my personal feelings are of no relevance when I am at that operating table.” 

“And Eve? How did she hold up?” 

“Like a pro,” Matt confided, “she and Ellen did an amazing job.” 

“And Ellen?” 

“What about Ellen? I told you she was amazing in there.” 

“You know that’s not what I’m talking about,” her eyes met his, “did you tell her about our discussions.” 

“I haven’t had a chance yet,” he sighed, “this all kind of fell upon us, but I am going to tell her.” 

“I never meant to complicate your life,” she sniffled as she reached for his hand. 

“I know you didn’t,” he gave her hand a reassuring squeeze, “and truth be told, I know you never wanted things to get out of hand like they did, but in retrospect I wouldn’t have changed the way thing happened in his demise. Clint got what was coming to him. However if I could’ve, I would’ve changed what he did to you.” 

“I survived. That’s all that mattered, but now we have to make sure that my past doesn’t destroy your future. You love Ellen and she loves you. A love like that isn’t something that should just be tossed aside as though it’s nothing.” 

“No one is tossing anything aside,” Matt sighed, “yes I know Ellen is a very moral person, but given the circumstances I don’t think she’d pass judgment.” 

“But what about you? You’ve had this over your shoulders for so long?” 

“Tracie, I’m still learning how to deal with my skeletons and perhaps they’ll never be out of mind, however, I will find a way to one day rise above this. I have to try as do you.” 

“I know,” she nodded, “I keep saying that.” 

“Then start believing it,” he squeezed his hand, “Everything is going to turn out for the best.” 

“You really believe that?” 

“I know that,” he nodded in response hoping there was some truth behind his words, “I have to keep believing.” 

“Matt,” Victor’s voice called out interrupting the moment as Matt shifted his gaze to Victor, “I spoke with Mary and I’m ready to see my son now.”

“Of course,” Matt looked to Tracie. 

“Go on, we can talk later,” she offered with a smile. 

“You sure?” 

“Positive,” she nodded, “I’ll be fine. I’ll probably just get myself a cappuccino and then settle in with a good romance novel later.” 

“Are you sure?” 

“Positive, go on.” she nodded in agreement. 

“Alright,” he looked to Victor, “ready when you are.” 
 
 

Ellen stepped into the on call room feeling the tension run through her shoulders as she noted Chris Ramsey inside searching through his locker furiously. She gave him a curious look before speaking up, “May I help you with something?” 

“I think I lost something,” he answered tossing things around the room. 

“Might I remind you that this isn’t your bedroom Dr. Ramsey,” she offered up in a dry tone. 

“I realize that Dr. Burgess,” he addressed her in a formal tone, “but right now this is a matter of life and death.” 

“Isn’t it always for us in this place?” she questioned as his hand slipped into the locker once again. 

“Found it,” he grasped the tiny box before stuffing it into his pocket. He quickly rounded up his things before he faced her once again, “I take it you’re finished with Kevin Collins and his psycho brother?” 

“The procedure is over,” she nodded. 

“And?” 

“All is well,” she answered. 

“On all accounts,” Chris frowned slightly, “never mind. Don’t answer that. Have you seen Eve?” 

“Last I’d seen she was down in recovery,” Ellen answered as Chris stepped towards the door. 

“Thanks.” 

“Chris, wait a second,” Ellen called out to him, “look I know it’s not any of my business here, but with Eve,” she hesitated, “if you two have something, you shouldn’t let it go so easily.” 

“Ellen, you’re right it’s none of your business,” he cut back sharply. 

“Look I could say a lot of things about you considering what you’ve done to Tracie or even Matt and I, but instead of giving you a lecture on how to be a better human being, I’ll give you one on what it means to lose someone who means the world to you. I’ve been in that place and I can tell you from experience it’s a very painful thing to endure especially when you realize that your window of opportunity has ended. There’s no going back when it’s all said and done and the person is gone from your life.” 

“Is there a point to this?” 

“Yes there is Dr. Ramsey. While you might not take what I say into consideration, you might want to think about how your actions could effect your future. Is your pride really worth sacrificing the one thing that holds meaning in your life?” 

“Ellen...” Chris opened his mouth to argue before stopping himself, “for what it’s worth...thanks....” 

“Yeah, for what it’s worth, you’re welcome,” she nodded in response as she took in a sigh. 

“No I really mean that,” Chris offered up, “you helped me get something into perspective.” 

“That would be a first.” 

“Well don’t tell anyone that I actually considered listening to you,” Chris answered with a light smile, “it might ruin my stellar reputation.” 

“We wouldn’t want that,” Ellen rolled her eyes behind a smirk, “now go do what you have to Dr. Ramsey.” 

“I will,” Chris nodded in response, “thanks Ellen.” 

“No problem,” she answered as he left the room and she pondered what had just transpired between them. Never had she imagined having a human conversation with Chris Ramsey, but as they said there was always a first for everything. As she stepped towards her office, the on call room door opened and Colleen stepped inside. 

“Dr. Burgess,” Colleen called for her extending out a large brown envelope, “this just arrived for you.” 

“What is it?” Ellen questioned reaching for the package curiously. 

“I don’t know, but the delivery person said it was urgent, that you needed to get it right away.” 

“Is that so?” Ellen looked it over, “well thank you.”” 

“You’re welcome,” Colleen answered taking a step back before leaving Ellen along once more. 

“I wonder what this could be about,” she shrugged tearing into the package eager to get a look at it’s contents. 
 
 

Scott entered Luke’s feeling the weight of the world on his shoulders as he wondered what had possessed him into coming to such a place. He really had no business being in a place like this now when other things were weighing on his mind, but in the same respect he had to lose himself. He sat down at the bar ordering a scotch as he thought about how hard he’d worked to overcome this part of his life. All of his work was going down the drain as his eyes were fixed on the glass before him. Reaching for it, he gulped down the liquid feeling it burn his throat as he thought about what he’d done. So Ryan had held true to his word, he’d helped Kevin and while Lucy had found out about it, Scott still had to live up to his obligation. An obligation that was bound to drive him mad, he thought to himself as he ordered another round. 

“Get me one too,” a voice called out above the music as Tracie took a seat beside him. 

“Fancy meeting you here stranger,” he gave her a look, “somehow you didn’t strike me as being the Luke’s kind of crowd.” 

“Neither did you,” she confessed as she glanced him over, “but here we are.” 

“So we are,” Scott nodded as he reached for his drink. 

“You’d better keep these coming,” Tracie instructed the bartender as she looked back to Scott, “it’s been a rough night.” 

“Tell me about it,” Scott sighed, “somehow I thought you’d be out with your numbskull cop boyfriend instead of in a place like this.” 

“Didn’t you hear the latest?” Tracie laughed sarcastically, “another one bites the dust?” 

“Dare I ask?” 

“First Chris, then Alex,” she sighed downing her drink, “I’m a jinx.” 

“You’re young. You’ve got a lot of time to screw up. Just look at me,” Scott offered. 

“Oh no I’m far more gone than you,” she sighed, “and thanks to Ryan it’s going to be a slippery slope downhill.” 

“Tell me about it,” he lifted his glass, “to being in hell.” 

“And burning for all eternity,” she agreed with a sigh as their glasses tapped and she downed her drink hoping to avoid the pain associated with the past. 
 
 

Lucy stepped into Kevin’s room and she found him sleeping before her. Her eyes misted over with tears as her heart pounded. She approached him thinking about everything that had happened in their lives, everything that had gotten them to this point in time. They were finally free. They were to be together at last with no more threats over their head. They were going to be a family, the one thing she’d truly desired all her life. 

“Oh Doc,” she mouthed as she took a seat beside his bed, “I love you so much,” She whispered running her fingers through his hair as she watched him lay still before her, “I told you we had so much to hope for ahead of us. The future is ours Doc. Do you hear me? We have it all now,” she leaned down to kiss him, “we have our little one on the way, each other and a lifetime full of love and happiness and I promise you Doc from this moment on we are never, ever going to take anything for granted. We are going to live our lives to the fullest and keep on living as time goes on. I love you so very much and I’m never, ever going to let you slip away from me again. Do you hear me? Even if you try, I’m not going to let you get rid of me because we are meant to be. We belong together and no one in this world is going to take this from us. We are truly each other’s destiny,” she reached for his hand bringing it to her lips in a tender kiss as she noticed his fingers curling around her, “I love you,” she whispered leaning down to kiss his forehead as she realized the future was no longer a dark cloud hanging over them. They were about to have it all at last. 
 
 

Henry Ramsey stood outside the hospital room listening to Lucy’s words to Kevin as his heart swelled over. He stepped aside giving them their time together as a warmth filled his heart. He sighed as he reached into his pocket withdrawing the black and white photograph once more. He touched the tiny face before him as her pig tails shaped her face. He’d failed as a father, made more mistakes than any man should’ve been allowed to make, but alas he wouldn’t allow happiness to evade his children like he’d done in the past. He had to make things right. Tucking the photograph in his pocket, he thought back to Christopher. He had to find a way to correct all the damage that had been done, but beyond that he had to find a way to own up to his greatest mistake. First he must correct things with his son and then....he shook the thought. He’d find a way to make things right. He just had to. 

Chapter Thirty 

Eve’s eyes narrowed as she looked over at Ryan. Taking in a breath, she leaned forward ready to end the insanity once and for all as her heart raced in her chest. She moved in closer to Ryan trying to work up the determination to end the fear he’d instilled in her. She wouldn’t allow him to hurt her child and if it meant his life expiring, then so be it. Raising the syringe to the IV line she prayed for forgiveness as she pressed the needle into the IV line. 

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” A voice interrupted as she withdrew the needle turning around in a gasp. She blinked back as she saw Chris standing in the doorway watching her. He stepped forward as she remained silent frozen with fear. His gaze was fixed on hers as he bridged the distance between them, “he’s not worth it. He’s not worth any of this.” 

“Chris,” She spoke up her voice quivering at the tears pooled in her dark eyes, “wh-what are you doing here?” 

“Saving you from the biggest mistake of your life,” he answered reaching out to touch her shoulder, “Eve, I know you’re afraid. Believe me, I too, would like nothing more than to see that son of a bitch burn for what he did to you, but what I also know is in your heart. I know that you could never live with yourself if you broke your oath in killing him,” Chris glanced over at Ryan briefly before his gaze shifted back to Eve, “he’s not worth giving up your life.” 

“My life is already over,” Eve answered as a tear slipped past her face, “as long as he’s alive, then I don’t have a life.” 

“No Eve,” he shook his head as he moved in closer, “that’s not true. You have a life,” he paused as he caressed her cheek gently, “with me.” 

“Chris, but I thought.....” she stammered a bit as she watched him closely. 

“Eve, I was a fool and I know that now,” Chris blurted out catching her tears with his thumb and brushing them from her cheek, “I made so many mistakes with us by not being open, but Eve the truth is regardless of what I may have said or done, I love you. I’ve loved you for so long and I don’t think I could ever be without you in my life. I know that I don’t have a right to ask you this, but please Eve, don’t give Ryan the satisfaction of winning. Don’t let him take our dream away from us.” 

“Can’t you see it’s already slipped away?” she sobbed. 

“No Eve,” he reached out for her drawing her shaking form into his arms, “Can’t you see it’s only just begun?” 

“Does that mean...” she questioned glancing up at him. 

“I love you Eve,” Chris insisted tilting her to meet his concerned gaze, “I’ve always loved you and I don’t want to lose you now when we’re so close to having it all.” 

“What about the baby....” 

“The baby is what we need in our lives Eve,” he smiled at her, “our baby and I swear to you with all that I am Ryan Chamberlain will not get a chance to hurt you or our baby. In fact I’ll go a step further and though I can’t believe I’m saying this, well, I can assure you that Ryan will get what’s coming to him, but not by our hands. All in due time, he’ll be the recipient of turnabout, but for now, I want to focus on us...on our new beginnings...” 

“I want that,” she sniffled as he held her in an embrace, “oh how I want that Chris.” 

“Me too,” he squeezed her closer as she was overcome by her tears, “more than you can imagine.” 

“I’m so sorry Chris,” she offered up behind muffled sobs, “I’m so sorry for everything.” 

“You don’t have anything to be sorry for Eve. You haven’t done anything wrong. I was the one who’d acted foolishly, but no more. I promise you that we’ll work through this together. There are so many things I need to tell you, things that we need to sit down and talk about, but first we have to leave this place, to get away from here so that we can get our heads together.” 

“I want that Chris,” she nodded once more, “I want us to have some time together just the two of us.” 

“Then let’s do that,” he insisted lacing his fingers with hers, “let’s go do that together,” he urged wrapping his arm around her as they stepped out of the room. Glancing back over his shoulder, he watched Ryan for a moment realizing that Ryan would get it one day and not even know when it was coming. Chris would make certain of that. 
 
 

Ellen sat at her desk feeling her chest tighten as her eyes fell upon the page before her. She shook her head as she tried to absorb the information before her. This was just too horrifying for her. This couldn’t be true. She tossed the pages aside unable to dismiss the images she’d taken in through the photographs. There was a knock at the door as Ellen nearly jumped out of her chair. Quickly gathering up the pages, she shoved the envelope into her desk as the door opened. 

“Have a minute?” Matt questioned peering into the room. 

“Actually,” she started uneasily, “I just had something I needed to work on down in the ER.” 

“Can it wait a minute?” Matt urged moving into the office, “there’s something we need to talk about.” 

“Matt,” she hesitated before her mind flashed back to the photographs and she let out a sigh, “what is it?” 

“Ellen, we need to talk,” he cleared his throat again, “there’s something very important that we need to discuss with one another, something we need to talk about.” 

“You’re right we do,” Ellen nodded in response, “there’s something we do need to discuss with one another, but I think it‘s going to take more than just a few minutes to cover it all.” 

“You’re right,” he nodded in agreement, “this is something we really do need to sit down and discuss in depth with one another.” 

“Somehow by the look on your face I can see that Matt, and I too, would like some time alone,” she sighed rubbing her tense neck, “but as I said Monica wanted to see me.” 

“How about after?” 

“After,” she repeated, “Well I don’t know how long that’s going to be.” 

“My shift is up in about an hour. If it takes longer for you, then I’ll just wait here,” he suggested. 

“Alright,” she nodded in response as their eyes connected once more. 

“You look upset,” Matt noted watching her closely. 

“I’ll be alright,” she answered quickly as he moved towards her. 

“But you’re not now are you?” 

“I just need to focus on what I have to do,” she insisted stepping away from him, “I hope you can understand that.” 

“I do,” he answered with a nod, “but know that I’m here Ellen.” 

“I know that and I appreciate it more than you know,” she replied with a half smile before she slipped out of her office wondering how she was going to hold herself together after the information she’d been given. She’d been ready to face a great many things, but this, this wasn’t something she was going to be able to take lightly. This was something she couldn’t just slip out of her mind. It would have to be dealt with. 
 
 

“So tell me hot shot, why exactly did you come down here again?” Tracie questioned circling the rim of her glass with her index finger. 

“Because as you said before,” Scott offered with a grim expression, “this is considered hell and you and I are it’s newest habitants,” he finished off his glass, “another round please.” 

“What did we do to deserve this,” Tracie shrugged as she thought it over for a moment, “hell I know what I did, but what about you?” 

“Where should I start?” Scott gave her a look, “I’m as bad as they come.” 

“I sincerely doubt that,” she leaned in towards him as they were seated in a corner booth together. 

“Then I guess you haven’t been paying attention to your gossip lately,” Scott gave her a curious look, “either that or dating a low life like Ramsey did something to your brain,” he half laughed, “then again after being with guy like him, I suppose it’s bound to make everyone else look good.” 

“Be nice,” she warned in a slur, “I’ll have you know that Chris is a great guy.” 

“Now I’m certain he brainwashed you,” Scott laughed in mild amusement, “no woman in her right mind would admit to that.” 

“Eve thinks he’s perfect,” Tracie groaned sarcastically. 

“Exactly my point,” Scott answered. 

“You know Scott, if the wrong person heard your smugness like that they’d think you were envious,” she gave him a look. 

“Of a snake like Ramsey?” 

“Well, you and Eve were an item a while ago....” 

“Ah so you have kept up with the gossip,” he tossed her a half grin, “I am impressed.” 

“It’s not hard to figure out when half this town revolves around Eve Lambert,” She rolled her eyes. 

“Now who’s the bitter one,” he noted seeing the pain behind her eyes, “Chris really worked a number on you, didn’t he?” 

“No, it’s not Chris really,” she shrugged, “I guess it’s just a bit of everything. I’m tired of being around the wrong people, you know? I mean so many times I thought I’d finally got my act together, yet here I am drowning my sorrows away in a bottle of gin.” 

“It could be worse,” Scott offered up, “oh hell who am I trying to kid? This is about as low as it gets.” 

“Having Ryan Chamberlain pull your strings while the world around you is held accountable for your mistakes.” 

“Ryan Chamberlain?” he repeated curiously, “you know you’d never mentioned why it was that you were working for him.” 

“I never said I was working for him.” 

“The implication was there,” he mused as his eyes connected with hers, “what does he have on you?” 

“Why do you think he has something?” she raised a brow. 

“Because other than that I would see no reason for a beautiful woman like yourself to get involved with a snake like that.” 

“I found Kevin locked away in a sanitarium basement,” Tracie offered up, “what more would he need to target me?” 

“There’s something you’re not mentioning,” Scott searched her eyes, “yeah it’s there. I can sense it.” 

“Since when did you start playing psychic?” 

“I’m not the psychic,” he looked away, “that was more Lucy’s thing.” 

“Lucy,” she repeated, “you two were really happy together weren’t you?” 

“I thought we were,” he sighed. 

“Until I brought Kevin back,” she frowned slightly, “I guess I changed everyone’s lives around here huh?” 

“It wasn’t your doing,” Scott offered, “you weren’t behind it.” 

“No, but I didn’t prevent any of the backlash either.” 

“What Ryan did wasn’t your fault,” he sighed, “it was beyond us all.” 

“Do you really believe that?” 

“Of course I do,” he shrugged. 

“Then why are you here making yourself miserable,” she questioned curiously as she watched him finish off his drink. 

“Why are you?” he asked looking back to her. 

“Because I know I hurt so many people with my actions, myself included,” she sighed, “my choices led me to where I am and there’s nothing I can do to make up for it.” 

“That’s not true,” Scott sighed, “you have a long way to go.” 

“Believe me Scott, I think I’m near the end,” she glanced over at him, “maybe we both are.” 

“Perhaps,” he nodded as their eyes connected, “perhaps we’re beyond redemption.” 

“You’re probably right,” she leaned in closer to him as her pain left her with an empty feeling, “but in a way we both lost similar things in this. You lost Lucy...” 

“...and you lost Chris,” he finished as he reached out to brush a strand of hair from her face. 

“I’m so tired of being alone,” she admitted as the tears swelled in her eyes, “I’m so tired of carrying the weight of this on my own.” 

“Then don’t hold it in,” he urged cupping her face in his hands, “maybe it’s time you opened yourself up.” 

“I don’t want to hurt anymore,” She answered reaching out to bring her palm over this chest as her eyes were fixed upon his lips. 

“Then don’t think about it,” Scott offered up, “just escape.” 

“Escape,” she repeated as his arm slipped around her waist drawing her closer to him in the booth as she felt the heat of him beside her, “we both need that.” 

“It’s long past overdue,” he nodded in response wanting nothing more than to dull his senses as he captured her mouth in a desperate kiss. He found himself longing to lose the pain he’d experienced as she wrapped her arms around him returning his kisses with the same heated fervor. 

“Let’s get out of here Scott,” she urged as her palm moved over his chest massaging the warm muscles of his chest as his hands explored her curves beneath the table. She let out a soft moan against his mouth as they parted, “what do you say?” 

“Relocation sounds like a good idea right about now,” he agreed with a labored breath as they parted briefly. He reached for her hand tossing some money on the table top to pay for their drinks before he led her out of the restaurant. 

Silently the two made their way out of Luke’s into the parking lot. Scott looked over to Tracie wondering what they were doing as he reached out to her again drawing her into his arms. Granted they hardly knew one another, but in having someone to hold, it almost filled the void he’d had lately. 

“My place or yours?” she questioned softly as she squeezed him to her. 

“I don’t think either one of us should be driving right now,” Scott answered honestly in a slurred tone as she devoured his mouth again. 

“You’re probably right,” she agreed with a nod as she waved for a cab nearby, “and I don’t want to wait too long. Let’s go,” she directed as the cab pulled up before them. 

“Where to?” the cab driver asked as Scott got into the backseat of the cab and Tracie crawled in upon his lab kissing him hungrily as her fingers threaded through his hair. 

“The Port Charles hotel,” Scott replied in between kisses as his hands slipped around her waist and he was determined to lose himself in something other than his misery for the evening. 
 
 
 
 

Victor took in a heavy sigh as he approached Ryan’s hospital room. The last time he’d seen his son, there had been so much anger, and as Victor thought it over, who could blame Ryan. He’d felt abandoned and alone for so long and Victor’s overwhelming guilt wouldn’t leave him as he drew back the curtain and stepped inside the room Ryan was in. He slowly crossed the room as his heart sank. His son looked so innocent, so quiet and relaxed as he lay before him. Victor moved in closer reaching out to his son. 

“Why did things go so wrong for us,” Victor questioned behind a mask of tears as he watched his son sleeping before him, “I know I’ve made so many mistakes, but I love you Ryan. I’ve always loved you and if I could’ve gone back and changed things, I would’ve fought harder. I would’ve tried to bring you with us too. That was my biggest mistake,” Victor’s tears overtook him, “I never should’ve left you with her.” 

A moan rose in Ryan as Victor looked down at his son. He moved back slightly as Ryan’s eyes fluttered open. 

“Wh-what time is it?” Ryan’s voice questioned in a low groan. 

“It’s late,” Victor offered up as he noted the tiredness behind his son’s eyes. 

“Eve....where’s Eve?” 

“She’s gone son,” Victor answered softly as he watched Ryan. 

“No,” Ryan shook his head, “she’s here. You’re lying.” 

“Ryan she left a while ago.” 

“You lie,” Ryan hissed at Victor as he came to, “you’ve always been a liar.” 

“Son, I just want to help you.” 

“To help me? Just like you and Kevin helped me before?” Ryan glared at him, “you’re just as guilty as she was. You left and offered me up to her.” 

“No son,” Victor shook his head, “it wasn’t my fault.” 

“It was all your fault. You and Kevin did nothing to help me,” Ryan hissed, “nothing and so I learned to help myself.” 

“Ryan, I know I made a mistake in leaving, but Monk had nothing to do with...” 

“He didn’t stop you. He spent so long wanting to get inside my world, inside my head and when he learned of the tortures I’d endured, he left, he just walked away and left me to die just like you.” 

“Ryan if I could’ve changed things...” 

“You had what you wanted. You had your golden boy. You had your precious Monk,” he answered bitterly before letting out an ironic laugh, “however it’s amazing how the tables do turn. You’ve blasted my existence for so long because I was the tainted one, the tarnished son, but now it’s because of me that your favorite lives and thrives.” 

“Ryan, there was never a favorite.” 

“Wasn’t there? Wasn’t that why you left me to die when you took Kevin and ran?” 

“That was a mistake.” 

“Far greater than you know,” Ryan met his father’s sad eyes, “as far as I’m concerned you’re dead to me. You’ve been dead to me for a long time.” 

“Don’t say that,” Victor started painfully. 

“Why? Because it hurts? Because it makes you feel worthless? Well, put yourself in my shoes, to have been left behind, to have been exposed to that monster. Well, you did that to me Victor. You made the choice for me.” 

“I’m sorry.....” Victor sobbed. 

“Sorry,” Ryan repeated, “as though that makes up for it. Your sorrys mean nothing to me Victor...not a damn thing. As far as I’m concerned you were never man enough to be a father. You never deserved the privilege because you weren’t ready to take on what being a man meant.” 

“I’m sorry I failed you,” Victor answered poignantly. 

“I don’t need you anymore,” Ryan replied, “I have my family and soon I’ll do what I can to leave your evil behind.” 

“Ryan, you need help.” 

“I have all I need in Eve,” Ryan insisted with a twisted grin, “she and I are going to be parents. We have a future together and she’ll see that.” 

“Ryan, what you need is to get treatment, to have someone help you deal with what’s been done to you....” 

“What I need is Eve,” Ryan hissed at him, “and my son or daughter. I’m going to be a father Victor and no one is going to take that away from me. I’m going to be the man that you weren’t. I’m going to love my child and show the world that they were wrong about Ryan Chamberlain. I can be the man that you never were and I will have my happily ever after with or without your help.” 

“Ryan, this is for your own good. You’re going to have the best treatment.” 

“I have the best in Eve and my family,” Ryan’s eyes narrowed, “and if Eve doesn’t agree, well then she’ll have to be dealt with, but no one is going to deny my right to be a father.” 

“Ryan please.....” 

“Get out,” Ryan hissed at Victor, “I have no use for you old man.” 

“You don’t mean that.” 

“Don’t I? You walked out on my life, so why would you dare think you had a place back in it again? You have your precious Kev, so enjoy it while it lasts. Your Monk was saved because of me, because of your tainted one. Remember that as you go to him, that because of my evil, my blood, your son has another chance at life. As far as Kevin is concerned I hold all the power in my hands because it was me who gave him the chance. I am the one who controlled his fate and I won’t let anyone take that power away from me again,” he smiled a twisted smirk, “I will have what’s rightfully mine.” 

“Ryan, what you need is help.” 

“What I need is rest and you aren’t helping that,” Ryan shot him a glare, “Get out.” 

“Son...” 

“I’m not your son. My father is dead and you are just a poor, pitiful excuse of an old man,” Ryan glared at him, “you mean nothing to me. Do you hear me? Nothing!” Ryan finished bitterly, “now get out.” 

“Ryan....” Victor started despite his pain, “I know you’re hurting...” 

“You have no idea just how much I’ve endured, but soon you’ll know the pain. You’ll know the ache,” Ryan promised him as Victor stepped out of the room. 

Victor closed the door behind him finding himself overcome with emotions as he thought of his son’s hateful words. Ryan was right. Victor had failed as a father and now Ryan hated him. It was his own fault. He’d failed his son and now he was to suffer for not taking the responsibility of being a father. 

“Victor,” Mary called out to him as she approached him, “there you are.” 

“Mary,” he met her eyes briefly, “what are you doing here?” 

“Checking on you,” she frowned slightly, “Victor, I’m worried about you.” 

“I’m fine,” he sighed. 

“No you aren’t,” she shook her head, “I can see that. What happened?” 

“Nothing,” he shrugged, “at least not nothing new.” 

“You’re thinking about Ryan, aren’t you?” Mary frowned again, “Victor, you can’t blame yourself for what he’s done.” 

“Can’t I?” 

“It wasn’t your fault.” 

“On the contrary, this was entirely in my hands,” Victor sighed, “It’s because of what I didn’t do to protect him that I nearly lost both my sons.” 

“But you didn’t.” 

“They’re both alive and they are both going to be taken care of.” 

“How?” 

“Kevin has Lucy and Ryan will get the help he needs.” 

“Behind bars?” 

“He’s going to have doctors treating him....” 

“For the crimes his father inflicted upon him by not walking away.” 

“Victor, don’t do this. Don’t let your guilt take you away,” she reached for his face, “Ryan made the choices on his own. He decided to kill because of what he chose, not because of you.” 

“If I’d only taken him...” 

“You did what you thought was right at the time.” 

“But it was wrong....so very wrong,” Victor trembled as she reached out to embrace him, “and I failed them both. I let them both down.” 

“Victor, you can’t live in the past.” 

“It’s just so hard to think forward after all that’s happened...” 

“Even so,” Mary hugged him tighter, “you have to stay strong. Despite what’s happened, both your boys need you. I need you and together we’ll fight for our family. We’ll get Ryan the help he needs.” 

“He doesn’t want my help.” 

“Maybe not, but he’ll come around and when he does, I know you’re going to stand up and be the kind of father he needs. Victor, I know you’ll find a way to help your son.” 

“Why do you have so much faith in that?” 

“Because I know you and your heart Victor,” Mary confided, “I see the love you have for your boys and it’s going to make them both stronger.” 

“I wish I had your faith.” 

“You will,” Mary hugged him, “just don’t give up.” 

“I’m trying,” Victor sighed as he squeezed her, “I’m really trying. I just hope it’s not too late.” 
 

“Hey Stranger,” Felicia’s voice cut through the silence in Kevin’s hospital room as she noted Lucy sitting behind Kevin’s bed with his hand in hers. 

“Felicia,” Lucy rubbed her tired eyes as she tipped her head up to gaze over at her friend, “what are you doing here?” 

“Checking in on you,” Felicia answered, “and I see I didn’t come a moment too soon. Lucy, you look exhausted.” 

“I am,” Lucy stretched a bit as she sat up straighter. 

“Then why don’t you rest?” 

“I need to be here for Doc,” Lucy answered lightly as Felicia moved in closer to her, “He needs me right now.” 

“What Kevin needs is for you to get some rest,” Felicia nodded towards her once more, “you and that baby.” 

“The baby,” Lucy placed her hand over her abdomen, “is doing fine. Right now the only place this little one wants to be is with his daddy.” 

“His?” Felicia gave her a curious look, “do you know something the rest of us don’t?” 

“Call it a feeling,” Lucy couldn’t help but smile, “I haven’t talked to Dr. Neumann yet, but you know how it is being pregnant.” 

“Don’t I ever,” Felicia smiled as she took a seat beside Lucy, “but I’m so glad you get to experience the feeling.” 

“So am I,” Lucy answered, “I honestly never imagined this day would come for us.” 

“I knew it would,” Felicia admitted, “what you and Kevin have,” she smiled, “it’s amazing. The kind of stuff that dreams are made of.” 

“Like you and Mac?” 

“Oh Mac and I have our share of troubles, but you and Kevin,” Felicia smiled, “you struck the jackpot with this one.” 

“And to think he and I fought it so hard,” Lucy couldn’t help but smile. 

“You fought it?” Felicia gave her a curious look, “more like you fought me.” 

“I did not,” Lucy objected. 

“Lucy, dare I recount the great many times you shoved your way into the lighthouse determined to pry me away from Kevin,” Felicia chuckled, “I swear sometimes I found it most irritating, but even more so that Kevin found it enchanting.” 

“That’s because Doc is a man of great character,” Lucy boasted. 

“That he is,” Felicia nodded, “which is why I’m glad we still have him around.” 

“So am I,” Lucy confessed, “I don’t know where I’d be without him.” 

“You’re not going to have to worry about that again,” Felicia replied earnestly, “Mac promised me that he’s going to do all that he can to keep Kevin safe whatever the cost.” 

“What do you mean?” 

“He’s not going to let Ryan get away this time. That man has tortured us all enough,” Felicia answered. 

“He has, but right now my focus is on Doc and getting him well again,” Lucy looked over at Kevin as he slept, “no one is going to take him from me again.” 

“Lucy, I know you’re determined, but you have to think about...” Felicia started. 

“I’m thinking about all there is to think about,” Lucy insisted, “and as my friend surely you understand that.” 

“Of course I do, but....” Felicia began as the door opened. 

“Lucy,” Karen stepped inside, “am I interrupting?” 

“No, not at all,” Lucy offered up a smile, “how are you?” 

“I’m okay,” Karen smiled slightly, “actually I came to talk to you about that thing you set up with Ellen. She just went off duty, but she asked me to touch base with you. I hope you don’t mind.” 

“Of course not,” Lucy nodded in response, “I just want this done as soon as possible.” 

“I realize that Lucy, but normally we wouldn’t,” Karen started. 

“I think this time an exception is in order,” Lucy gave her a pointed look. 

“Has Kevin awakened yet?” Karen asked. 

“Not yet, but I’m certain he will by the time you return.” 

“How can you be so convinced Lucy seeing as he just....” Karen started. 

“Look Karen I know you’re a doctor and you have all this medical stuff to fall back upon, but trust me when I say the universe has it so that Doc will wake up by the time you return. I’m certain of it, but if you aren’t willing to do what Ellen asked, then I could easily call up Alan Quartermaine, my second favorite ex-husband, and have him...” 

“That won’t be necessary Lucy,” Karen answered stiffly, “I’ll get right on it.” 

“Good,” Lucy responded shortly as Karen stepped towards the door. Felicia gave Lucy a look as Lucy opened her mouth to speak again, “Karen?” 

“Yes?” Karen turned to face her. 

“Look, I realize that I just came off as a bitch, but this is really important,” Lucy began apologizing, “after all Doc’s been through....” 

“We’ve all been through a lot Lucy,” Karen answered stiffly, “my father included.” 

“I know that,” Lucy nodded, “and I’m sorry. I never meant for things to turn out like they did.” 

“I’m sure you didn’t,” Karen answered clearing her throat, “well I’ll get right on your request.” 

“Thank you Karen,” Lucy offered up, “I appreciate it more than you know.” 

“I might have some idea,” Karen nodded once more, “anything to help Kevin,” she finished before leaving. 

“What was that all about Lucy?” Felicia gave her a look. 

“She is upset about what happened with Scott and I don’t blame her after the way I was with him, but I didn’t know,” Lucy sighed, “I just didn’t know, but now I can’t think about the past. Just the future and Doc is what the future holds for me,” she explained taking Kevin’s hand in hers, “we’re a family now.” 
 
 

Karen exhaled a breath as she closed the door behind her. Dealing with Lucy was something she shouldn’t have gotten so upset about. She was a doctor and doctors weren’t supposed to let their personal feelings intrude upon their work. She had vowed not to get herself wrapped up in the midst of her father’s romantic troubles, but when she’d seem him so low over the last few weeks, it had gotten her thinking. 

“You look a million miles away,” Joe’s voice rang out to her, “what’s wrong?” 

“I was just thinking about my dad,” Karen sighed. 

“About Scott?” 

“That’s right,” she nodded, “I mean I know that it’s none of my business about him and Lucy, but he’s so miserable Joe. They’ve all been so miserable.”

“Karen, no one planned on all of this happening,” he pointed out. 

“But it did Joe and look where everyone is now,” she sighed, “I mean if you think about it, what in this world works anymore?” 

“Karen, you can’t think negative about things.” 

“Joe, look at my family. Hell, look at our lives. Frank is miserable. He and Julie had their outs and him and Courtney....” 

“Aren’t our problem,” he reminded her, “we need to focus on us.” 

“I know that, but I can’t stop thinking about my father and what he must be going through. Scott had such high hopes of a life with Lucy.” 

“Your father and Lucy both knew what they were getting into. From what I’ve heard they have a lot of history with one another and this is just par for the course,” Joe wrapped his arm around her, “they were like fire and ice.” 

“Still they thought love was going to last...” 

“Karen, is that what you’re afraid of? Our love not lasting?” 

“Joe, there are so many examples. Even Jagger and I....” 

“Jagger is a fool Karen and he had no idea what he was letting go of,” Joe insisted, “even now I think about what a mistake he made. In a way I want to kill the guy for hurting you so badly, but in another way, I feel as if it was a good thing because it brought us together.” 

“Yeah it did,” Karen nodded. 

“I spent my whole life loving you Karen,” Joe squeezed her in his arms, “and I’d be a fool to let go of you. What we have together, it’s so right.” 

“It is, isn’t it?” 

“It’s beyond right and I swear to you that we are going to last. We are going to break all the rules and beat the odds.” 

“I hope so,” she offered a light smile. 

“We will Karen,” Joe insisted, “in fact, I think I’m going to have a talk with Colleen and you can get her to go in with one of the other interns and have them do that thing with Lucy.” 

“I promised Ellen....” Karen started. 

“Ellen would understand,” Joe urged, “now come on. You need the rest.” 

“It’s not going to help anything. I’ll still be worried about my father.” 

“Even so it wouldn’t hurt to curl up in front of the fireplace with a mug of hot cocoa and me.” 

“Hmm....I might actually like that idea,” Karen half smiled. 

“Then it’s settled. Let’s go talk to Colleen and then you’re mine.” 

“There’s no place I’d rather be than in your arms,” she smiled giving herself over to Joe’s offer. 
 
 

Scott felt a smile curl over his lips as Tracie’s damp hair tickled at his chest. He closed his eyes keeping his arm draped around her as she placed tender kisses over his heated skin. 

“That was,” she whispered in between breaths as she curled in above him, “exactly what I needed.” 

“Me too,” Scott confessed constricting his arm around her as he sank back into the pillows keeping her close to him. 

“This was crazy,” Tracie admitted with an ironic laugh as her kisses tapered off over his hair dusted muscles, “I never imagined I’d wind up back at the PC hotel in bed with Scott Baldwin.” 

“Disappointed?” he raised a curious brow as he touched her cheek. 

“Hardly,” she smiled bringing her eyes up to meet his as a she felt a wash of relief run through her, “as I said it was exactly what I needed.” 

“We’ve both had a rough few weeks huh?” he questioned pulling the cool sheet against his skin as she propped herself up on her elbows to look down at him. 

“You could say that again,” she shifted herself above him before her lips met his in a tender kiss, “but somehow this was a very welcome distraction.” 

“Yes it was,” Scott admitted twirling a lock of her golden hair between his thumb and index finger, “this honestly wasn’t what I was looking for tonight either.” 

“But somehow we found one another. In the midst of tragedy, this came to life,” she offered up with a playful smile, “and did you ever come to life Scott.” 

“I wasn’t the only one,” he mused as he touched her cheek, “you’re amazing. Has anyone ever told you that?” 

“That’s the alcohol talking,” she felt a heat rise in her cheeks as she looked away. 

“No I mean it,” Scott insisted urging her to face him once more, “you’re something special.” 

“I’ll bet you tell all the girls that,” she half laughed, “I never imagined you’d get sentimental after sex,” she began nervously as she pulled away from him. 

“And I never took you for the shy kind,” he watched her sink back into the pillow beside him as he turned on his side to watch her closely, “so what does he have on you?” 

“What?” she blinked back as his eyes cast over her features. 

“Ryan,” Scott began, “granted I know what he wanted from me, but you, well you I’m still trying to figure it out....” 

“Why would you think Ryan would want anything from me,” she questioned innocently. 

“I see the look of desperation behind your eyes,” he answered reaching out to touch a silken strand of her hair, “it shows.” 

“You’re reading far too much into this,” she shifted beneath his touch. 

“Am I?” he raised a brow. 

“You are,” she nodded as she began to slip out from beneath the sheet. 

“Not so fast,” he urged slipping his arm around her as he pulled her back to the mattress, “we’re not through here.” 

“I didn’t come here to discuss Ryan Chamberlain. You know that Scott,” she met his curious eyes. 

“Even so,” Scott pressed in over her covering her body with his, “there’s more to this story then you’re letting on about.” 

“What does it matter anyways?” she questioned gazing up at him as she no longer made any attempts to move away from him, “you did what you had to do and now you’re done with him.” 

“Done with him?” he shook his head, “no I’ve just started.” 

“But Kevin’s safe,” she reminded him, “he’s going to live which means you’re off the hook.” 

“I have to defend him,” Scott insisted. 

“But I thought....” 

“I gave him my word,” Scott looked away as he eased his hold up on her. 

“Your word,” she repeated watching him move over to his side of the bed, “Scott, that man is a lunatic. You should just severe the ties while you can. Don’t worry about getting him off the hook.” 

“It’s not that easy,” Scott looked over to her, “I have to think about my daughters. They‘re bound to be effected by all of this and if I go against my word...” 

“Then they could be the recipients of his wrath,” she replied as it dawned in over her. She let out an ironic laugh, “how is it a man like that has so much power over people?” 

“It isn’t right,” Scott sighed. 

“No it’s not,” she shook her head, “someone like that shouldn’t be able to ruin so many lives.” 

“So you never told me,” Scott glanced at her again, “what is your story?” 

“Does it really matter?” she turned to face him. 

“It might if I decided to play your hero,” Scott wrapped his arm around her waist drawing her against him as a playful smile grew across his lips. 

“And who says I need rescuing?” she raised a curious brow as she noted the hint of laughter in his voice. 

“You might need someone in your corner when Ryan comes calling again,” Scott mused as his finger tips traveled over her shoulder. 

“Somehow I get the feeling you’ve got a vested interest in this,” Tracie smiled as he lowered his lips to kiss the path he’d traced with his fingers. 

“I might,” Scott breathed against the warmth of her, “but then again maybe we could help one another.” 

“Do you really want to know what he has on me?” Tracie questioned in a low moan as she felt his hands move over her. 

“If you feel you’re ready to share with a man who’s in the same position,” Scott offered slurring a bit as he rolled to his back bringing her over him. 

“I’d hardly consider it the same position Scott,” Tracie teased as her hair cascaded over her shoulders pressing against his chest. 

“What would you call it then?” 

“A mistake,” Tracie replied, “I made a mistake when I was younger and Ryan found out.” 

“What are you some kind of murderer?” Scott teased with a slight laugh as he met her mouth in a hungry kiss. 

“What if I said I was?” Tracie answered kissing him again. 

“A crime of passion,” Scott questioned in a teasing tone as he held her. 

“Some might call it that,” Tracie teased, “perhaps it was more a crime of pleasure....” 

“Somehow I get the feeling we’re about to change the subject as you’ve completely avoided the question again,” Scott kissed her again. 

“Perhaps,” she shrugged, “but does that matter now?” 

“I’ll expect the truth...eventually.” 

“And now?” she questioned as he flipped her over on the mattress before he moved over her. 

“Now we have other things to....” he felt a smile tug at his lips, “discuss.” 

“Then I saw we’d better start talking,” Tracie decided claiming his mouth again in a fiery kiss as she realized the last thing she wanted to do was spend her night talking with Scott Baldwin. Tonight was about forgetting the past and in his arms she intended to do just that. 
 
 

Ellen set the phone down as she looked over to Matt working away in her kitchen, “I told you I’d be right back in there.” 

“It’s okay,” he offered up with a smile, “I actually don’t mind spoiling you every now and then.” 

“I’ve noticed,” Ellen answered with a nod, “which leads me to the point I’m about to make here.” 

“What’s that?” 

“That you’re making me completely dependant upon you,” Ellen replied lightly, “I’m starting to wonder how I made it without you.” 

“You won’t ever have to worry about that again,” Matt offered up with a smile, “I’m here to stay.” 

“That’s very refreshing,” she stepped forward as the phone rang again, “I’ll be right back.” 

“I’ll be here,” Matt decided watching her slip away as he turned his attention back to the stir fry he’d been working on. Tonight was the night, he’d told himself. He was going to tell her the truth about his past, about what he and Tracie had talked about and she had to understand. She had to realize that part of his life was over. He reached out to the pan once more before he took a sample of the food. 
Realizing he needed more spices, Matt moved over to her spice rack. He reached out to grab some of the Cajun spice when he noted an open envelope on the counter. He glanced over to Ellen seeing her absorbed in her conversation as he began to go back to his work. He noted the post mark before crossed the room and made his way back to the stove. 

“Sorry about that,” Ellen called out to him as she hung up the phone, “where were we?” 

“You couldn’t live without me,” Matt offered with a sexy smile. 

“Ah yes,” Ellen answered, “I do remember something along those lines.” 

“Ellen actually,” he began a bit nervous as he looked to her. 

“I’ve been meaning to talk to you Matt,” Ellen started at the same time. She let out a nervous laugh, “you first.” 

“No, you first. I insist.” 

“This isn’t easy Matt,” Ellen sighed as she crossed the kitchen and picked up the envelope from the counter top, “I was in my office when I got this today.” 

“What is that?” 

“Matt, this changes everything,” Ellen started, “I mean you and I were planning for our future, but then this.....this arrived and well, it got me thinking...” 

Matt’s heart stopped as he noted the Port Charles post mark. Suddenly the brown envelope that had meant little to nothing to him became of a great importance, “Ellen, what’s inside?” 

“Something that will change our lives I’m afraid,” she looked away, “you see I thought I knew how it was going to be. I thought that I’d had this plan, this way of doing things...” 

“Ellen...” 

“Matt, please let me finish,” she said taking in a breath as her eyes misted over with tears, “I swore to myself that I wouldn’t cry. That I would be stronger than this...” 

“Ellen wait, if this is about us, there’s something I want to say,” Matt started in a panic as he thought back to Ryan’s threats, “it’s about me...about how I feel for you...” 

“That doesn’t matter now Matt,” Ellen looked to him again, “what matters is what happened in the past and we can’t change it can we?” 

“Ellen,” his heart sank as he noted the tears falling from her eyes. 

“I tried not to believe it. Tried to convince myself that it was a mistake, but it’s not. It’s real,” she sniffled, “it’s more real and I can’t change it.....” 

“Ellen I.....” Matt started. 

“He’s dead Matt,” Ellen blurted out shaking her head, “he’s gone and that isn’t going to change.” 

“Ellen, things were complicated...” Matt started in a panic. 

“Complicated? Is that how it was? I mean I understand the thing about life and death, but my god, to willingly take a life like that....” 

“Ellen....” 

“Matt, how am I going to go through this? How am I going to tell Alice?” Ellen questioned painfully, “just when things were in order.” 

“She doesn’t need to know yet...not until we work this out and we can work this out,” Matt began desperately. 

“How can we work this out Matt? My brother is dead. He and his wife have been taken from this world, taken from their son and now...now I have to be the one to face this...to keep things together....” 

“Your brother,” Matt repeated in astonishment as her words hit him, “your brother’s dead?” 

“He and his wife were gunned down in New York City late last night,” she nodded tearfully, “they were on their way to the theater.” 

“Oh Ellen,” Matt moved forward reaching out to her as she was overcome by her tears. 

“How could this happen?” she questioned letting go of her stoic side as she crumbled before him, “how could he just be gone like that? What about DeShawn? What is he going to do now? How is he going to make it without his parents? He‘s only a baby Matt.” 

“You’re sure....” Matt asked as she pulled away. 

“They want me to come ID the bodies,” Ellen admitted with a nod, “they were apparently very brutally slain, but all the evidence is pointing towards.....” she stopped herself as her tears over came her, “I have to go into New York City tonight.” 

“Not alone you aren’t,” Matt decided. 

“Matt, I have to do this.” 

“Not without me,” Matt urged. 

“But you have things with Tracie going on. I know she’s in some kind of trouble....” 

“Ellen, I love you and with you is where I belong,” He reached for her hand, “we do this together.” 

“Together,” she nodded, “this is just so wrong.” 

“I know it is,” he agreed as he reached out to her pulling her into an embrace, “I know dear, but somehow, some way we’ll get through this,” he squeezed her tighter as he found himself letting out a breath of relief despite her pain. He’d been given some time, though it was under less than favorable circumstances. Right now as she was falling apart before him, the past was of no relevance. He had to be strong for her, to protect her and he’d die to ensure that she never felt this kind of pain again. 
 
 

''Chris, what are we doing?'' Eve questioned as he led her into the darkened building. 

''Just trust me on this one.'' Chris urged noticing her hesitation to move forward as they continued along the narrow hallway, ''We're almost there.'' 

''When you'd mentioned that you had one more stop to make, I never imagined that we'd be breaking into some old abandoned warehouse,'' Eve continued straining to see through the darkness. ''You know the last thing you and I need right now is to trigger some alarm and have half of the PCPD here to arrest us.'' 

''I guarantee that won't happen Eve,'' Chris assured her with a grin. ''Besides, if they come by I'll just say it was all your idea to break in here.'' 

''Very funny,'' Eve muttered sarcastically as they stopped moving and Chris released her. Reaching out into the darkness, Eve searched for him. ''Chris, where are you?'' 

“Just stay put,” he urged as he stepped across the room making sure everything was in order. 

“Chris, I thought you said you wanted to talk...” Eve started. 

“I do,” Chris flipped on the light switch, “but first I thought we could do it in a neutral atmosphere...something to promote positive energy.” 

“Okay now I feel like you’re the one who’s talked to Lucy too long,” Eve couldn’t help but smile as she felt him step in towards her. 

“Hey now, don’t insult your host for the evening,” he watched her as he thought of all he could’ve lost in the last twenty four hours, “Open your eyes.” 

“Right now,” she questioned as she cautiously opened her eyes and the light surrounded her. She glanced around the wide area as her eyes surveyed the boxes stacked up before her eyes, “what is this?” 

“That isn’t what I want you to see,” Chris reached for her hand as he lead her across the way towards the other end of the room, “but this is.” 

“Chris,” Eve felt her jaw drop as she noted the table set up before her with little candle-like light bulbs set up in the center of a tiny table with two oversized teddy bears seated upon the matching white chairs, “what is this?” 

“This is our very first tea party as a family,” Chris announced with a smile as he slipped his arm around her shoulders, “shall we?” 

“A tea party?” she gave him a curious look. 

“Surely it couldn’t be a martini party seeing as you aren’t the only one drinking tonight,” he informed her as he gently placed his hand upon her swelled abdomen, “we wouldn’t want our little one being exposed to daddy’s martinis before it was time.” 

“Chris, why did you....I mean how did you....” Eve started at a complete loss as he lead her to one of the empty chairs at the table. 

“It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a while and when I made a few phone calls,” he smiled lightly, “I figured anything was possible. Of course I had been hoping to set this all up in the nursery, but after the night you had, I made a deal with the security guard and well, this might do us some good...to think positive about the future.” 

“The future,” Eve repeated, “a little while ago, I didn’t believe that was even possible for us.” 

“Neither did I,” Chris admitted honestly as he saw a sadness wash over her face, “but not because of you, because of what I did.” 

“Chris all you did was ask me to marry you,” Eve blurted out, “I was the one who responded so callously doubting your intentions.” 

“Eve, I didn’t do it right. I made it come off like an act of desperation rather than a warm sentiment and that’s not what we wanted,” he reached for her hand, “neither one of us dreamed of something like that which is why tonight I want to make up for what went wrong. I want to show you my heart Eve, but in doing so I’m going to open you up to a side of me, that you’ve never seen before.” 

“Chris, you’ve already seen so many sides of me,” Eve offered up with a light smile. 

“I know that, but Eve there are a lot of things about me....” he stopped himself, “I haven’t been completely honest with you, but I’m ready now.” 

“Alright,” she nodded in response, “what’s on your mind Chris?” 

“First of all I want thank you for coming here with me Eve,” Chris began nervously, “there are so many things I’d like to say right now, but as I sit here with you, I’m at a loss.” 

“Chris if this is about yesterday....” 

“No, Eve this is about a lot of things. Last night I found myself revisiting the past,” he took in a breath, “when I rushed out on you, I went to the bar. I couldn’t think straight and all I wanted to do was lose myself in my anger.” 

“Because I upset you?” 

“Because I upset me,” Chris took in a breath, “Eve, I’ve been pushing you and our family for so many reasons. I mean I lost it when I found out you’d contemplated an abortion and I never once took into consideration what you might be feeling about Ryan, nor did I think about all you’d been through. I just thought about me and what this child meant to me...” 

“I know that Chris,” Eve reached for his hand, “which is why I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t kill our baby, if this is our baby....I just couldn’t bring myself to....” 

“I know Eve,” he gazed back at her as the tears swelled in her eyes, “I know you couldn’t do it and for me to blow up at you like that was completely unjustified.” 

“I should’ve just been honest with you from the start Chris, but I was so afraid.” 

“Eve, I was the one who should’ve spoken up. I should’ve let you know how I felt, but instead I ran away,” Chris turned his eyes away, “Eve before we go any further, I need to be honest with you. Last night I wasn’t alone.” 

“Wh-what do you mean?” she questioned blinking back tears. 

“When I left you, I was at the bar and then Vivian showed up,” Chris hesitated as he thought back to being in Vivian’s hotel room. 

“Oh,” Eve managed to get out as she noted the change in his posture. 

“I’m not going to lie to you Eve,” Chris fumbled as he turned his eyes towards her, “by the time she’d found me, I was pretty far gone. I was angry, bitter and ready to lose myself, to find an escape from the world....” 

“And?” Eve questioned nervously. 

“I went back to her hotel room with her Eve,” Chris blurted out, “she had this room up at the PC hotel and when I agreed to go, I just wanted to forget, to just block out any emotion I had in me, to forget about how much I loved you and how hurt I was with where we’d come with one another.” 

“So you went to her hotel room because we had a fight?” Eve questioned her voice a bit tense as she withdrew her hand from his. 

“It wasn’t like that Eve,” Chris turned to face her, “not entirely.” 

“Not entirely,” Eve blinked back as she rose from her seat, “I should’ve known. Everyone warned me, but no, no I had to prove them wrong...” 

“Eve....Eve would you just hold on a second?” 

“So did you sleep with her Chris?” Eve shot out feeling the stab of pain as she noted the sadness behind his eyes. A tear slipped down her cheek as she took in a sharp breath, “did you make love to her to hurt me?” 

“To hurt you?” Chris repeated, “Eve, do you think I’d go out of my way to hurt you?” 

“Chris, I don’t know what to believe anymore.” 

“Eve, I love you,” Chris rose from his chair, “and I have waited my whole life to find you. Once you and I were finally together, I knew that with you is where I wanted to be,” he stepped forward, “Eve, that night we made love at the cabin for the first time, that’s all it took for me. Once I’d had you in my system, I knew it was your love I would need for this lifetime.” 

“But it wasn’t enough last night, was it?” 

“Do you honestly believe that Eve?” Chris paused as he met her eyes, “do you have such little faith in me?” 

“I don’t know what I have faith in anymore Chris,” Eve answered with a sigh, “Everything I knew to be truth has turned out to be quite the contrary.” 

“Not my love for you,” Chris urged reaching out to her, “yes, Eve I’m not going to lie to you. When I went to Viv’s room, I knew what she was about. I knew what she wanted and, yes, I kissed her at the bar after she‘d dared me, but then when we got to her room, when the moment arrived and she was in the bathroom getting changed, I had your ring in my pocket,” Chris reached into his jacket, “this ring, the ring I wanted to give you to make you my wife and I realized Eve that I never, ever loved her. I never wanted or needed any woman like I need you.” 

“What are you saying Chris?” Eve stood frozen as she watched him, “are you trying to tell me that you and Vivian weren’t lovers?” 

“Vivian and I were lovers in the past Eve,” Chris met her eyes, “but last night, last night when she’d wanted to be with me, all I wanted was to be with you. I remembered how miserable and meaningless my life was before you were in it and I realize that I never, ever wanted to go back to that place again. I never wanted to live my life in that state of unrest and confusion that I was in before you.” 

“But it didn’t stop you from going back to her hotel room. Did it Chris?” 

“Eve, I thought I was in love with Vivian at one time,” he admitted openly as she began to turn away from him, “She was this amazing woman full of zest and life and I was young, so very young. I honestly believed in love and wanted to feel it in my life despite what Henry taught me. I’d fought so hard to keep the feeling from taking me over...” 

“...but you found it with Vivian,” Eve finished turning her eyes away from him as she felt her heart breaking. 

“I thought I did,” Chris softened his tone, “for a while at least. When she and I started, it was all about the game, about running the con and we were damn good at it. As long as we were on top and in the center of it all, things were going wonderful, but in those moments when I revealed my heart, it was then that Vivian revealed her true nature.” 

“How so?” Eve questioned certain she didn’t want to hear this, but unable to move away. 

“Eve, she lied to me. She lead me to believe in love, lead me to believe that someone could love me,” Chris insisted as he took in a breath, “Eve, when I was nineteen years old, just a kid, Viv and I were both working together with Henry running his cons, playing his games with one schmuck to the next. None of us were thinking beyond the big score, but then when Vivian and I took things to the next level, I fell hard,” he paused closing his eyes at the painful reminder, “but she didn’t.” 

“But you said last night....” Eve turned to face him as she noted the tension running through him. 

“Eve, Viv only wants what she can’t have,” Chris opened his eyes as he looked to her, “and she can’t have me because my heart belongs to you.” 

“But you just said....” 

“What I felt for Vivian has been long gone,” Chris admitted painfully, “any love I felt for her left the moment she killed any hope I had of a future with her.” 

“Oh?” 

“Henry had us running one of his big scores,” Chris continued lost in the memory, “we were going to break the records with this one, really make something great happen, but things changed--I changed. Viv was to seduce this man, this corporate head while Henry and I were to tap into his assets taking him for all he was worth. She was to marry him, but he just wouldn’t budge. He wasn’t ready to take the next step with her because he was smart enough not to trust her. She stopped at nothing to win him over though because Henry had convinced her that this was it, that this time we could finish the con and then just end it. Of course Viv had no intentions of ending it. She never did because it’s always been part of her game....” Chris trailed off. 

“Chris, what happened?” Eve questioned noting his silence. 

“She managed to get a proposal out of him,” Chris offered up softly as he looked over to Eve with tears in his eyes, “while she couldn’t gain his trust through her manipulations, there was one way to get him to take her as his wife--by having his child.” 

“Chris, are you saying she ended up pregnant with this man’s child to get access to his money...” 

“No Eve, what I’m saying is she was pregnant with my child, my baby,” Chris admitted painfully, “she and I had conceived a child in our time together and she was using our baby as a pawn in her game to take this guy for all he was worth. She was ready to run off with him, to marry him and gain access to his empire without even giving me a second thought.” 

“Oh Chris....” Eve took in a breath as she noted him trembling before her. 

“I went to her as soon as I found out Eve. I begged her, pleaded with her to run away with me, to marry me. I told her that while I may not have everything that the others had, that we had our love and it would keep us together, make our lives complete. I promised her that I would be a good father, that I could make it happen for us. I wanted a family Eve. I’ve wanted a family all my life and then it was so close to happening.....” he stopped himself as he was overcome with emotion. 

“What happened Chris?” Eve questioned taken in by his silence as she stepped towards him. 

“She laughed in my face,” Chris offered up with an ironic laugh, “told me I was just a kid and that I’d never meant anything to her. She told me in about a million different ways how worthless I was to her and how if I blew this con for her, she’d make sure I suffered and boy did I suffer,” he admitted painfully, “more then I ever imagined.” 

“What did she do?” 

“She made me angry Eve, so angry,” Chris looked to her, “when she turned me away and refused me, I just assumed she was afraid, terrified to back out of the con because she’d been playing the game so long. I knew that if I could just show her how things could be for us, she’d come around, that we could be a family and everything would fall into place.” 

“But it didn’t happen...” 

“No, not at all. When I left her, I went straight to our mark and I told him the truth about everything, about Vivian, about the baby and funny thing, when a man’s in such a compromising position with his fortune on the line, he tends to take note of what you have to say,” Chris took in a breath, “at the time I thought I was just doing what needed to be done in order to win back what was rightfully mine, but when I ended up doing was losing so much more. When Vivian had discovered what I’d done Eve, she lashed out at me. She came to my place determined to make me pay for turning on her. She spent over an hour screaming at me about the con that had been blown while I begged and pleaded with her to just give us a chance, to believe in our love. I got down on my knees insisting that she just give me a chance, to let me be the man I knew I could be for her, the father I wanted to be...and it was then in those final moments of my petitioning for her heart that she delivered the final blow proving that my father had been right all along, that love and life meant nothing...” he finished as he turned away from Eve, “she took it all away from me.” 

“Chris....” Eve reached out to touch his shoulder as she felt him trembling beneath her, “Chris, what happened?” 

“Vivian was so furious with me that she went a step further. Refusing me wasn’t enough for her. She had to deliver the final blow and in those last minutes we shared together at my place, she served my heart up on a platter when she took her time taunting me with the news about how she couldn’t live with herself knowing that she had a demon seed like mine inside of her, that I’d ruined things for her, so she’d be damned if she’d let me ruin someone else, especially a part of her,” Chris found a tear slipping down his cheek as Eve urged him to face her, “Eve, before she left that night she reveled in the sheer delight in crashing the walls down around me. She spent her time telling me what a waste I was, but more so how she’d ensured that I would never ever have the power to ruin her life again as she taunted me with the fact she’d taken the liberty to have our child aborted right after the con was up,” he was shaking as Eve reached out to him and took him into her arms. 

“Oh Chris, I’m so sorry,” Eve whispered as his tears fell freely upon her, “I had no idea.” 

“She took away my chance at happiness Eve,” Chris sobbed, “she killed my child and never allowed me to be the father I knew I could be. I could’ve loved that baby.” 

“I know you could’ve,” Eve squeezed him tighter, “believe me Chris, if anyone knows it, it’s me. I know what a wonderful father you’re going to be. Losing a child is the worst thing in the world especially when it’s beyond your control.” 

“All I wanted to do was be a good dad. You know be the man that Henry never was,” Chris confessed holding her tighter as his tears died down, “but after Vivian took that dream away, I vowed never to look back again, never to open myself to that kind of pain, that kind of vulnerability. I never was going to let anyone into my heart again...” he withdrew from her arms slightly as he reached out to touch her cheek, “that was until I met you Eve. I tried so hard, so very hard not to feel anything after what I’d been through, but from the moment I met you, I knew...I knew we were meant for one another. You and I had this connection....this undeniable connection and I found myself wanting to be with you more than anything. I wanted to protect you, to love you, to spend my life with you...” 

“I want to spend my life with you too Chris,” Eve answered as her own tears pooled in her eyes, “I never knew love before you and even now, now I want nothing more than to be with you, to take care of you....” 

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you the truth sooner,” Chris squeezed her again, “I’ve been punishing you for the past these few weeks and just assuming you’d just take what I’d been dishing out at you.” 

“Chris, I’ve been overly emotional and Vivian had approached me a few times,” she confided, “with everything that’s gone on with Ryan, I was so afraid of losing you that I pushed you away. I kept trying to convince myself that you’d be better off without me, that your life would be more rewarding without the trouble I brought to it.” 

“I didn’t have a life before you Eve,” Chris swept a lock of hair from her face, “I was dead inside until you stepped into my world. Before you I’d given up, I’d tossed aside any notion of love and caring, but then when you became a part of my life, Eve, I knew I could never let go. Even last night when Vivian was throwing herself on me, I knew where I wanted to be, where I was meant to be and I left. I told her to go to hell and I went back to the bar.” 

“You mean you didn’t.....” Eve stammered. 

“Eve, that woman took my life away, or so I thought, but it wasn’t until last night when she was trying to win me over again that I saw that I’d never lived until you. Eve, you are where my heart is. You are where I belong and you are all the love I’ve ever dreamed about and more,” he explained tearfully as he dropped to his knees before her hugging her tightly, “our family is everything to me. I want to be a father. I want to be the man you deserve in your life. I want to love you.” 

“Chris, you’re more than I ever could’ve dreamed of,” she answered in between sobs as she held him tightly, “Chris, I love you and I can’t imagine not having a life with you. I love you, I love you so much.” 

“Promise me that it’ll never end Eve. That somehow we can make it together.” 

“I know we can,” she ran her fingers through his hair, “Chris, I want you in my life. I want to be with you, to have our family with our child....to be your wife...” 

“You mean that?” He glanced up at her as she reached out to touch him. 

“I do,” she nodded in response, “I do Chris. I want to marry you. I want to share my life with you,” another tear slipped past as she held him in her arms, “please marry me Chris....share your life with me.” 
 
 

Lucy touched Kevin’s cheek as his eyes adjusted to the light in the room, “How are you feeling Doc?” she questioned lightly as a smile spread over his features. 

“Like the luckiest man in the world,” he offered up as he reached out to touch her. 

“I’m the luckiest woman in the world,” Lucy answered bending down to kiss him, “I love you so much Doc.” 

“I love you Lucy,” he whispered in response, “I guess you were right about the universe.” 

“Would the universe ever let us down?” she questioned tearfully. 

“Not with you fighting so hard to have it go our way,” Kevin answered through his exhaustion, “how’s...how’s Ryan?” 

“He’s still here,” Lucy answered, “Victor saw him earlier.” 

“Victor?” 

“Yes,” she nodded. 

“How is he?” 

“Victor or Ryan?” 

“Both....” Kevin sighed. 

“Victor didn’t say much and knowing Ryan I’m sure he’s up to something sinister yet again...” 

“Lucy,” Kevin started taking in a breath, “don’t think about it.” 

“I just don’t want him hurting you Doc.” 

“He is my brother,” Kevin sighed, “and he saved my life.” 

“After trying to take it from you,” she pointed out. 

“He’s confused.” 

“He knows full well what he’s doing Kevin and I’m not going to let him hurt you.” 

“He won’t do that Lucy,” Kevin looked to her, “in a way he saved me today.” 

“Yes he did, but don’t think that holds much weight with me,” Lucy insisted firmly as she tried to change the subject, “I have a surprise planned for you if you’re up to it.” 

“A surprise,” Kevin adjusted in his bed, “dare I ask?” 

“You’re going to love it,” she insisted as he moved a bit more, “but you have to be up to it Doc. Are you sure you‘re up to it?” 

“It depends,” he half smiled, “if it’s a limbo contest, you’re on your own. However if you’ve got something else in mind that involves a little less moving, I might be game for now.” 

“In that case, what if I told you, I did all the work and you just sat right there?” 

“Sounds like a good plan to me,” he smiled lightly, “what’s on your mind?” 

“It’s not so much what’s on my mind,” she signaled towards the door as Colleen came in with an ultrasound machine beside her, “but what’s on our child’s mind.” 

“Lucy,” he gave her a curious look. 

“I thought maybe we should take a look,” Lucy insisted, “to show you how happy our little one is that daddy is going to be well again.” 

“Lucy I....” Kevin began at a loss as he watched her move over to the table set up beside his bed. 

“I didn’t think you’d object,” She threw him a look, “I was just hoping you’d wake up before Colleen here and the doctor grew impatient.” 

“Us impatient,” Colleen repeated with a chuckle, “not for Dr. Collins here.” 

“You mean it’s more so that you don’t want to cross Lucy,” the intern chuckled. 

“Lucy, how did you....” Kevin began watching her get ready for the ultrasound, “when did you set this up?” 

“I didn’t actually,” Lucy explained laying back, “I mean I’d talked about the baby and then Ellen came to me. Henry Ramsey talked to her...” 

“Hold on. Back up,” Kevin gave her a look, “Henry Ramsey? As in Chris Ramsey?” 

“Yes, he’s Chris’ father, but he’s nothing like Chris,” Lucy insisted with a smile, “he’s on the board and he had a word with a few people, pulled a few strings....” 

“Why would Henry Ramsey pull strings for you?” 

“He was there for me when you were in surgery Doc. We talked and he’s really not that bad,” Lucy admitted, “he really was the one who kept telling me to believe and I kept holding on Doc,” she smiled, “and now you’re here.” 

“Lucy, I’m not leaving again,” Kevin promised as he reached for her hand. 

“I know,” Lucy answered feeling the cool gel over her abdomen as she took in a sharp breath. Her eyes met Kevin’s as a smile crossed over her features. She opened her mouth to speak to him when the sounds of the monitor took over the moment. Instantly she turned her eyes towards the screen as she noted the tiny figure before her, “Oh Doc...” she gasped in awe as she saw their child come to life right before her eyes. 

“Lucy,” he squeezed her hand as he felt himself taken in by the moment. 

“That’s our--our baby Doc,” Lucy offered up as the tears swelled in her eyes, “our child.” 

“Our child,” Kevin repeated overcome with a sense of pride and happiness as he squeezed her hand, “I love you Lucy.” 

“I love you too Doc,” Lucy answered swept away by the miracle before her as she realized her dreams of a family were finally starting to come true. She and Kevin were going to have it all very soon.