Chapter 3

               ''I'm so excited, and I just can't hide it. I'm about to lose control and I think I like it...........oh yeah.'' 
               Chris Ramsey bellowed out listening to the Pointer Sisters as he pranced around his bedroom 
               clad in sweatpants and sunglasses with a comb in hand using it like a microphone as he began 
               bouncing around to the upbeat tune while Eve quietly entered the room stifling her laughter as he 
               began wiggling his bottom. 

               ''I'm so excited........'' Chris sang boldly turning around and dropping the comb immediately feeling 
               his heart ready to jump out of his chest after discovering he that he was no longer alone. Pulling 
               off his shades, he snapped at her. ''Don't you knock?'' 

               ''I did,'' Eve explained in a chuckle watching his face turn a pale red shade, ''but apparently you 
               were ‘too excited' to hear me.'' 

               ''Ha, very funny.'' Chris muttered sarcastically shutting his radio off. 

               ''So what's got you beaming this afternoon?'' Eve questioned curiously eyeing her roommate 
               carefully. ''It couldn't be because of a certain blonde with never ending legs, could it?'' 

               ''Jealous?'' Chris replied slipping into a T-shirt as Eve plopped down on his bed. 

               ''Hardly.'' Eve responded rolling her eyes as he continued tending to his appearance. 

               ''Oh face it roomy,'' Chris began moving closer to her as he threw out his flashiest grin playfully 
               knocking her backward as he retrieved a pair of socks off of his bed just a bit over her head. 
               Lingering over her a moment, he winked and positioned himself inches above her feeling her 
               breath upon his face as he smiled down at her. He stared into her eyes......the eyes he'd grown so 
               accustomed to seeing each day before finally planting a quick kiss upon her lips . ''You know you 
               want me.'' 

               ''Keep dreaming.'' she replied poking him in the chest as she shrugged off the kiss and sat up 
               once more while he moved off the bed to continue his grooming session. 

               ''So if you didn't come in here to go for a hot quickie this morning, then why are you in here?'' 
               Chris teased as she picked up another pair of socks and chucked them at him. ''Hey, you'd better 
               watch that or else I'm going to have to get mid-evil with you.'' 

               ''Mid-evil?'' Eve questioned with a laugh as she scooted back towards his pillows. ''Where'd you 
               come up with that one?'' 

               ''I don't know,'' Chris shrugged glancing at her reflection in the mirror, ''but seriously what can I do 
               for you?'' 

               ''I came to talk to you about tomorrow morning.'' Eve informed him seriously realizing that she'd 
               better just voice her concerns right away. 

               ''Uh-uh, no way.'' Chris blurted out turning to face her. ''There's no way you're backing out on me, 
               so don't even think about it.'' 

               ''Relax, I wouldn't dream of deserting you with Tracie in the middle of the wilderness together.'' 
               Eve replied with a smirk thinking of what his response would be to a situation like that. ''I could 
               only imagine the horrors you might experience if the two of you had to spend the day alone in that 
               cabin.......'' 

               ''Since you put it that way........'' Chris trailed off as ideas began to circulate in his head. ''But 
               seriously, you and Kevin are still coming right?'' 

               ''Of course we are.'' Eve nodded thinking of how hard it was for her to convince Kevin to join them 
               up at Chris's family cabin to help with renovations. 

               ''Good because I've already planned the perfect task for your lover boy.'' Chris replied with a 
               wicked smirk. ''I hope Kevin likes pigeons.'' 

               ''Chris, don't you even think about pulling anything up there or else........'' Eve started knowing that 
               Chris still had his reservations about accepting Kevin in Eve's life. 

               ''I'll be on my best behavior. Scout's honor.'' Chris insisted holding his fingers in the air. 

               ''You'd better be.'' Eve warned imagining the disaster waiting for them in the morning. 

               ''I will, now get out of here....unless of course there's something else you'd like to share with me 
               this morning.......'' Chris trailed off eyeing her mischievously as he noticed a dark cloud fall over 
               her beautiful features. ''Eve, what is it?'' 

               ''Well,'' she began hesitantly glancing up at him once more realizing that she couldn't break her 
               news to him just yet as he stood before her preparing for his date, ''never mind.'' 

               ''No Eve, there's something on your mind.'' Chris urged moving in towards her once again. ''Come 
               on, tell me.'' 

               ''Well, Chris I was thinking.'' Eve started once more noticing the concern in his face as she 
               approached her. Forcing a grin, she stood up and punched his shoulder lightly. ''I just wanted to 
               say that I'm sure Tracie will love where you're taking her tonight.'' 

               ''I sure hope so. Now, if that's all, I have to finish getting ready or I'll be late picking up Tracie.'' 
               Chris ordered playfully shooing her out of his room. 

               -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

               Ryan Chamberlain glanced around the lighthouse sipping on his brandy as he thought of the 
               upcoming anniversary of his year in the life of Kevin Collins. Suppressing a laugh, he had to hand 
               it to himself for being so smooth when stepping into the life he'd grown so very accustomed to 
               over the past eleven months. Spreading his arms across the entire length of the love seat, he 
               assessed his living room thinking of the changes still needed around the lighthouse. 

               ''Victor has to go.'' Ryan thought to himself realizing that his father would soon be returning from 
               his extended vacation with Mary Scanlin. Thinking of Victor's meddling in the past to bring Kevin 
               and Lucy back together along with the way Victor had abandoned him as a child, he realized he'd 
               enjoy disposing of his tiresome father. 

               ''But onto more important things.'' Ryan whispered reaching for his phone as he dialed Thomas 
               Mediva's private line. 

               ''Hello.'' Thomas answered in a rushed tone picking up after the fourth ring. 

               ''What took you so long?'' Ryan questioned in annoyance as he gazed at the blazing fire before 
               him. 

               ''Dr. Collins,'' Thomas replied apologetically, ''I was on the other line, so it took me a while to...'' 

               ''No matter.'' Ryan muttered shaking his head as he checked the time. ''How is he this morning?'' 

               ''He's getting worse.'' Thomas explained with a note of hesitation. ''He seems to be losing touch 
               with reality.'' 

               ''Well, what did you expect?'' Ryan laughed in amusement as he remembered his last encounter 
               with Kevin. ''He's been locked up from the world for quite some time.'' 

               ''I know, but he hasn't said a word in about a week. Usually he makes some attempt for 
               communication with me even though you've instructed for me to remain as silent as possible 
               around him. Plus, he's refused to eat anything during the last two days.'' Thomas continued 
               thinking of the dying man under his care. ''I'm not sure if he'll be around for your next visit with 
               him.'' 

               ''Oh he'll be around.'' Ryan continued thinking of his latest plans for Kevin. ''Just cut back on the 
               injections for a day or so and I'll be by to see him as scheduled.'' 

               ''Yes sir.'' Thomas replied feeling a twinge of guilt as he thought of the suffering man. 

               ''Good.'' Ryan grinned as he thought of his pathetic brother. Reaching across the back of the 
               couch, Ryan pulled the small bottle of Rohypnol he'd been saving off of the table top ''Oh and 
               Thomas, if you get a chance, I give you permission to tell him that I'll be bringing him a very 
               special surprise this time....one he'll never forget'' 

               --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

               Lucy sprayed a bit of perfume on her pulse points as she thought of the meeting ahead of her. 
               Casting her eyes upon the picture of Scott and Serena sitting on her desk top, she felt a pang of 
               guilt in her stomach. When Scott had tried to convince her to take off with him and Serena to 
               Canada for the weekend, she had declined saying that paperwork would be keeping her tied up, 
               but the truth of the matter was that she didn't want to break his heart. 

               ''I don't feel right leaving you alone like this.'' Scott had said when she'd told him the news over 
               their lunch at the Port Charles Grill. 

               ''Scott, I promise to follow doctor's orders and rest up while you're gone.'' She'd assured him 
               hoping that he wouldn't push the issue any more than he already had. 

               ''Lucy, it's just that I'm concerned about your condition after that little fainting spell at the beach the 
               other day.'' Scott had continued with concern in his voice. 

               ''Scott, Ellen assured me that it was just due to overexposure to the sun. We did spend the entire 
               day at the beach you know?'' she'd insisted flashing him a brilliant smile as she gave his hand a 
               squeeze and stared at him with those eyes she knew he couldn't resist. ''Just trust me. I'll be fine.'' 

               Now gazing at her reflection before her, Lucy tried to dismiss thoughts of deceiving Scott from her 
               mind. She had intended upon telling him the truth about her dinner plans with Kevin for the 
               evening, but remembering how hurt he had been when she'd mentioned Kevin's name in the past, 
               she decided not to say a word. Thinking of how sweet Scott had been lately, she didn't want to 
               upset him in any way. 

               Lucy closed her eyes remembering the sound of Kevin's voice when he'd called her earlier in the 
               week and requested that they meet with one another. She'd heard that hint of desperation in his 
               voice that she knew oh too well, and realized that she couldn't refuse his dinner offer. He had 
               sounded so sincere about wanting to see her again and realizing how much she did in fact miss 
               him, she'd accepted happily. 

               After promising that they could get together for old times sake, Lucy had realized that she needed 
               to see Kevin now more than ever. She thought of her day at the beach and how frightened she'd 
               been for Kevin during the seconds before passing out. She couldn't help but wonder if perhaps he 
               was feeling the same emotions she'd been struck with lately as the one year anniversary of their 
               almost wedding rapidly approached. Thinking back onto what might've been before Eve had 
               walked in with those photographs for Kevin, Lucy realized that this dinner was perhaps her 
               second chance to make things right once and for all. 

               Pulling the photograph out of her top drawer, Lucy thought of another time not quite a year ago 
               when she and Kevin had been planning their future together.....when all the world seemed right 
               and their love was to last forever. Tracing the outline of Kevin's features through the cool glass 
               confinement of the picture frame, she allowed herself to listen to the voices in her heart saying that 
               she couldn't let go of Kevin quite yet.......not like this. She knew that he had moved on with Eve, but 
               deep in her heart, she could feel that his love for her was still going strong as her own love for him 
               came closer to the surface with each passing moment of the day. 

               ''You have to be honest with him tonight Lucy.'' she informed herself as she took on last look at her 
               reflection thinking back to their goodbyes after the whole Greg Cooper incident. Realizing that 
               they had both copped out in a sense that time when they both tried to push forward with their lives, 
               ignoring the bond that had held them together for so long. Drawing in a deep breath, Lucy put on 
               her best poker face realizing how much was riding on her night with Kevin. ''I just pray you don't let 
               this opportunity pass you by.'' 

               ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

               Ryan looked around the apartment making sure that everything was in place for his departure as 
               he directed his attention to the sound of the bell ringing signaling someone was at the front door. 
               He reached for his suitcase carefully slipping the bottle of drugs he'd use on his next victim later in 
               the evening. With a laugh, he approached the door expecting to see the cab driver standing 
               before him, but he was greeted by Eve, who threw her arms around him in a hug as she playfully 
               kissed his lips. 

               ''Hey sexy, I missed you.'' Eve called out brightly smiling at him when she noticed his bag in hand. 
               With a frown on her face, she took a step back and noticed the other pieces of luggage behind 
               him. ''Going somewhere?'' 

               ''I have to go out of town this weekend for a lecture.'' Ryan explained setting the bag down as he 
               drew her nearer to him wrapping his arms around her as he engulfed her lips in a kiss. ''I'm sorry.'' 

               ''I thought we'd spend the weekend together. We agreed to help Chris and Tracie with the cabin, 
               remember?'' Eve insisted realizing that he was backing out on her. ''Kevin, I promised Chris 
               weeks ago that we would do this.'' 

               ''I'm sorry Eve. It slipped my mind, and if I would've realized that this convention was scheduled for 
               the same weekend, I never would have agreed.'' Ryan replied with a frown as he moved in to 
               nibble on her neck. ''Can't you tell Chris we'll have to reschedule?'' 

               ''He was set on us helping this weekend Kevin.'' Eve started with a soft moan still a bit upset with 
               him as he continued to kiss her neck. ''Now I'm going to feel like an idiot spending the day alone 
               with him and Tracie like that.'' 

               ''So don't go.'' Ryan shrugged pulling away from her. ''If you don't feel like doing it, then just tell him 
               that you don't want to.'' 

               ''I can't do that to Chris. He's my best friend and I gave him my word.'' Eve pouted wishing that 
               Kevin would stay home with her. ''Besides, you promised you'd be there with me when I told him 
               the news.'' 

               ''You still haven't told him, huh?'' Ryan questioned wondering why Eve had kept on stalling. 

               ''Kevin, it isn't the kind of thing that you bring up over dinner one night. It's just that Chris and I are 
               so close that I don't want to hurt him......'' Eve continued a bit uneasily as she glanced up at Ryan. 
               ''You see, Chris and I haven't had time to discuss things together much lately and......'' 

               ''You aren't having second thoughts about this, are you Eve?'' Ryan questioned a bit worried as 
               she avoided eye contact with him. ''Eve?'' 

               ''Kevin, it's just that this is going to change everything for me.'' Eve explained struck with a sick 
               feeling in the pit of her stomach as she glanced up at his expectant eyes. ''I'm just realizing what 
               this means to both of us and Kevin it just seems like such a drastic change.....'' 

               ''You know I love you Eve.'' Ryan urged poking at her for a moment before taking her hand in his. 
               ''Hey, you do know that, don't you?'' 

               ''I know,'' Eve agreed with a sigh. ''I just wish that you were there with me to break it to Chris.'' 

               ''I'm sorry Eve, but I'm sure that you can handle it.'' He began taking her hand in his and giving her 
               puppy dog eyes for a moment. ''Do you forgive me?'' 

               ''Of course I forgive you Kevin.'' Eve sighed melting as she gazed up at him. ''It's not your fault that 
               you're such a dedicated doctor.'' 

               ''Work isn't the only thing I'm dedicated to Eve.'' Ryan informed her pressing his mouth to hers still 
               sensing her frustration. ''You're still mad, aren't you?'' 

               ''I'm not mad at you Kevin. I'm just disappointed......that's all.'' Eve replied sadly as they broke 
               away from one another and she trailed her index finger down the center of his chest. ''It's just that 
               you'd mentioned something about a quiet, candlelight dinner for two, and some seductive 
               music........perhaps even a long, hot bubble bath after we spent the day with Chris and Tracie......'' 

               ''Oh Eve, don't make it any worse that it already is for me.'' Ryan sighed running his hands along 
               her torso as he gazed into her eyes. ''I promise you that once I return back from this trip, you and I 
               will have the rest of our lives to enjoy every inch of one another. In fact, now that you're here, 
               perhaps you and I should spend some quality time during my last few minutes home.'' 

               ''Mmmm.......I like the sound of that.'' Eve moaned pushing the door shut behind her with her foot 
               as Ryan swept her up into his arms. 

               -------------------------------------------------------------------- 

               ''I can't believe that we finally have a moment alone together after all this time.'' Tracie sighed as 
               Chris opened the car door and helped her out into the parking lot. ''It seems like an eternity since 
               I've seen you.'' 

               ''You're telling me.'' Chris agreed pulling her towards him as his lips brushed against hers. ''Three 
               days and I was starting to go through withdrawals.'' 

               ''Withdrawals?'' Tracie questioned raising an eyebrow as she kissed the tip of his nose. ''Is that 
               some kind of implication you're making about us here?'' 

               ''You're addictive,'' Chris whispered tracing the outline of her features with his index finger before 
               letting it linger upon her lips for a moment, ''but as I always say, if it feels good for you, chances 
               are it probably is.'' 

               ''That's a very dangerous outlook on life Dr. Ramsey.'' Tracie replied kissing his finger tip as she 
               took his hand in hers. 

               ''I like to live on the edge from time to time.'' Chris informed her as they approached the 
               restaurant's entrance. ''Variety is the spice of my life.'' 

               ''Is that why you drove me all the way out to the middle of nowhere for dinner tonight?'' Tracie 
               questioned taking note of the elegance of the building before them. 

               ''Well, I have to do something to hold your interest considering the kind of life you've led with all 
               that work you've done in Paris, Rome, and wherever else you've been in the last couple of years. 
               It's a wonder that I haven't bored you yet.'' Chris replied opening the front door for her as she 
               stood before him. ''Actually, I have a confession to make. Eve and I stumbled upon this place a 
               while ago when we'd decided to venture out of Port Charles for a while. She'd mentioned that 
               you'd be sure to love it, so here we are.'' 

               ''Good old Eve. Always there to help her poor roommate out with romantic suggestions.'' Tracie 
               began with a hint of sarcasm leaning in close to him as they stood waiting for the Madrid. ''Let me 
               clue you in on a little secret Chris.'' 

               ''What's that?'' Chris questioned curiously feeling her hand slip underneath the lapels of his jacket 
               as she inched towards him. 

               ''I appreciate the whole wine and dine pre-seduction scene you had Eve help you set up tonight, 
               but all you had to do was ask and I'm yours.'' Tracie winked as the maitre'd led them to your table. 

               ''You're evil, you know that?'' Chris questioned as he helped her into her chair. ''You just love to 
               tease me, don't you?'' 

               ''I just like to keep you on the edge of your seat.'' Tracie confessed sliding into her chair as Chris 
               moved into his. ''After all, like you said, we have to do something to keep the fire alive between us 
               especially after the week we've had.'' 

               ''You mean the one I've spent at home alone while you've been off chasing your big story?'' Chris 
               questioned raising an eyebrow as the waiter arrived with their champagne. ''For all I know you 
               could've been off on a romantic interlude with one of those power players you seem to rub elbows 
               with every so often.'' 

               ''Hardly. I can assure you that this assignment was nothing to write home about when it came to 
               socializing with handsome men.'' Tracie muttered rolling her eyes as she thought of her expedition 
               to the asylum. ''If only I could've had more time to work on the story before the plug was pulled, 
               there's no telling what I could've discovered. Avery said it isn't worth pursueing....'' 

               ''Well, there's always next time.'' Chris added remembering her frustration when she'd come up 
               empty handed after receiving such a hot tip. 

               ''Yeah I suppose, but I still have a feeling about this one. I don't think that I'm ready to give up just 
               yet.'' Tracie shrugged remembering the mysterious Thomas Mediva before changing the subject. 
               ''So getting back to what we were talking about before. You were worried that you may have had 
               competition this time around, huh?'' 

               ''Nah, I wasn't worried about competition. I was just trying to protect my interests.'' Chris explained 
               teasingly with a wink. 

               ''Your best interests I hope.'' Tracie added with a nod. ''Actually, I'm the one who should've been 
               concerned protecting my interests during my time away.'' 

               ''Why's that?'' Chris questioned taking a sip of his champagne. 

               ''Because you're the one spending all your time with the ever charming Eve Lambert.'' Tracie 
               explained watching his expression closely as he let out a light chuckle. 

               ''Eve?'' Chris repeated with a laugh. ''You must be joking right?'' 

               ''Come on Chris. You can't tell me that living that apartment with such a beautiful woman day in 
               and day out doesn't have an effect on you.'' Tracie continued with a sudden interest as she took 
               note of Chris's uneasiness. ''Come on.......be honest now.'' 

               ''Tracie, why would you even ask such a thing........?'' Chris started not sure of how to respond as 
               she continued. 

               ''You can't say that the thought of sharing more than the rent with her hasn't crossed your mind 
               more than once or twice.'' Tracie blurted out as her insecurities about the situation came to 
               surface. ''You can't tell me that the two of you have never......'' 

               ''I can't believe we're having this conversation.'' Chris replied shaking his head in disbelief before 
               taking her hand in his, ''Tracie, yes Eve is my roommate as well as my best friend, but it ends 
               there.'' 

               ''I've seen the way that she looks at you Chris.'' Tracie added remembering the last time the three 
               of them had spent an evening together. ''Even the way that she laughed at your stupid jokes the 
               other night or the way she jumped up to dab the mustard off your face when we were all together 
               during the game......'' 

               ''Tracie please. Eve is practically attached to Kevin Collins hip. I hardly see her anymore.'' Chris 
               insisted realizing that their conversation was throwing him a curve that he wasn't quite ready for. 
               ''For all I know, she's having the time of her life with Dr. Death.'' 

               ''And if she wasn't?'' Tracie questioned watching him squirm a bit in his seat. ''What would you do 
               then Chris?'' 

               ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

               Lucy entered the restaurant listening to sounds of the soft music playing in the background as she 
               waited for Kevin to appear before her. She cast a glance at her reflection as her elegant black 
               dress sparkled under the glass chandelier. 

               ''Lucy, I'm glad you made it.'' he called out approaching her from behind. ''You look breath taking.'' 

               ''Thanks Doc.'' she smiled turning around to face him as he extended his arm out to her. 

               ''Our table is waiting.'' he explained as she graciously accepted his lead as they moved toward 
               their table on the balcony. ''I thought you might enjoy the view from up here.'' 

               ''It's amazing Kevin.'' Lucy replied as they reached their secluded spot away from the rest of the 
               customers. ''Where did you ever find this place?'' 

               ''A friend of mine recommended it a while ago.'' he explained helping her into her seat pausing a 
               moment to smell her sweet perfume. ''Mmmm........Lucy, you smell nice.'' 

               ''Thank you.'' Lucy responded flashing him a dazzling smile as she tilted her head to the side to 
               look into his brown eyes for a moment. 

               ''I took it upon myself to order dinner already.'' he began clearing his throat as he moved to his 
               seat across the table from her. ''I hope you enjoy it.'' 

               ''Doc, I know you have incredible taste.'' Lucy nodding approvingly as he handed her a glass of 
               champagne. ''So tell me Kevin, what did you want to discuss?'' 

               ''I've been thinking about you a lot lately Lucy,'' he began drawing in a breath as he brought his 
               hands to the table top intertwining his fingers nervously as he spoke. ''Do you realize how long it's 
               been since you and I have shared a moment alone like this?'' 

               ''Too long if you ask me.'' Lucy blurted out as their gazes locked for a moment. Suddenly feeling 
               chills run down her spine, Lucy was struck with the same feeling that had been haunting her for 
               months. ''Kevin I..........'' 

               ''Lucy,'' he interrupted quickly seizing her hand in his own as the music played softly on the dance 
               floor below, ''we have many things to discuss this evening, but first, may I have this dance?'' 

               ''Of course. I'd be honored.'' she agreed with a smile as he led her down the long winding 
               staircase to the ballroom floor. 

               -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

               Thomas Mediva checked the clock only to discover it was eight thirty. Leaning back in his chair he 
               thought of Ryan Chamberlain rotting away in the basement cell feeling a sense of guilt eating 
               away at him as he thought of the hell the man had been through over the past eleven months. He 
               knew that the suffering wouldn't last much longer, but he still felt as if he was single handedly 
               responsible for the poor man's condition. 

               Knowing that Dr. Collins wouldn't be pleased to learn of his sudden change of heart towards 
               Ryan, Thomas locked his office door eager to find a way to ease his mind and only coming up 
               with one solution. He quickly thought of the beautiful young woman he'd allowed inside of the 
               asylum earlier in the week. She'd claimed to be interested in employment, but Thomas couldn't 
               shake the feeling that she was from the IRS ready to discover his hidden financial dealings. He'd 
               quickly pushed her out of the asylum hoping that she wouldn't encounter his deepest, darkest 
               secret, but something inside of him made him realize that harboring a criminal such as Ryan 
               Chamberlain was the last thing he needed to deal with. Reaching for the key to the cell inside of 
               his pocket, he drew in a deep breath ready to unleash the horror he'd concealed for the past 
               eleven months as he set his mind to letting ‘Ryan' free. 

               ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

               ''Tracie please,'' Chris started once more realizing that he'd had just about enough of the 
               conversation. ''Why don't we just put this aside for the night and just enjoy one another? Would you
               care to dance?''

               ''Of course.'' Tracie agreed reluctantly giving in as Chris held his hand out to escort her to the 
               dance floor. Nestling against Chris's chest, Tracie allowed herself to let go of her petty 
               insecurities for while as she felt Chris's strong arms around here. 

               ''See now this is more like it.'' Chris whispered into her ear as he held her close. Closing his eyes 
               for a moment he found comfort from the feel of holding her near. 

               ''Chris, I'm sorry.'' Tracie spoke up finally after a few minutes of silence as the dance floor filled 
               around them. ''I'm just cranky about the way things have been going at work lately.'' 

               ''I know. I'm getting used to your mood swings.'' Chris replied jokingly as he inched forward to kiss 
               her. ''From now on we're going to keep Port Charles and it's all of it's tawdry residents far from our 
               mind.'' 

               ''I like the sound of that.'' Tracie giggled moving in for another kiss when Chris suddenly stiffened 
               before her. ''Chris what is it?'' 

               ''I don't believe this.'' Chris started releasing Tracie as she followed his gaze across the room to a 
               couple of people who had just entered the dance floor. ''Who in the world does he think he is?'' 

               ''Chris, what are you talking about?'' Tracie questioned in confusion as Chris clenched his fists 
               tightly. 

               ''If he thinks he's going to do this to Eve, then he can think again.'' Chris snapped charging off 
               across the dance floor as Tracie frantically followed. 

               ''Chris, stop it. What's gotten into you?'' Tracie asked seizing him as she tried to grasp some type 
               of understand of the situation. 

               ''Kevin's here.'' Chris muttered with a nod as Tracie held onto him tightly. He gazed in the direction 
               of Kevin and Lucy who were close to one another dancing as if they hadn't spent a moment apart. 

               ''That's Eve's Kevin?'' Tracie questioned realizing that she hadn't ever seen Kevin before even 
               though she'd heard so much about him and the Collins family. ''Isn't that Lucy Coe with him?'' 

               ''You bet it is. I always knew that he was no good for Eve, but I just couldn't prove what a jerk he 
               was.....until now.'' Chris grumbled easing himself out of her grasp as he took off towards Kevin 
               again. 

               ''Chris, wait! What are you going to do?'' Tracie questioned yanking him off the dance floor trying 
               to calm him down. ''You can't very well go over there and beat him down.'' 

               ''You want to make a bet?'' Chris insisted seething with anger as Tracie reached out to his face 
               and forced him to look in her eyes. 

               ''Chris, there's got to be a reasonable explanation for all of this. You charging over there like a 
               mad man isn't going to accomplish anything. Do you hear me?'' Tracie questioned boldly as she 
               stared into his fury filled eyes. ''Why don't we just go back to our table so that you can pull yourself 
               together before doing something you'll regret?'' 

               ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 

               ''Kevin being here with you tonight is like a dream come true for me.'' Lucy confessed gazing up 
               into his eyes as she felt his arm slipped around her waist holding her nearer to him. ''You have no 
               idea how long I've waited for us to get a chance again to be together without any interruptions.'' 

               ''I've missed you Lucy.'' he replied tracing the outline of her lips for a moment with his index finger 
               as they moved to the music together. ''You don't know how many times I've imagined this day 
               would come. You know Lucy, a woman like you is hard to forget....especially for a man like me.'' 

               ''Kevin,'' Lucy began sensing that all the signals were there between them as she leaned forward 
               in an attempt to kiss him only to graze his cheek with her lips. Looking up at him, she wondered if 
               perhaps she had read the situation wrong. ''I'm sorry. I shouldn't have.......'' 

               ''It's not you Lucy. It's me.'' he explained realizing that allowing her one kiss would be the one 
               fateful mistake he couldn't afford to make this far along in the game. ''I just want to talk things 
               through before we jump into something neither one of us is prepared for.'' 

               ''You're right Doc.'' Lucy agreed with a nod as the music stopped playing and the air filled with 
               tension between them. 

               ''Why don't we go back to our table?'' he suggested hurriedly leading her off the dance floor. 

               ''Wait a second.'' Lucy called out feeling him tugging on her arm as he rushed ahead of her. 
               ''Doc!'' 

               ''What now Lucy?'' he questioned in annoyance as he faced her. 

               ''What is it?'' she asked in confusion almost frightened by his drastic mood swing. ''Did I do 
               something wrong?'' 

               ''No, no.........'' he trailed off taking a deep breath as he reminded himself to remain calm. ''I'm just 
               a bit too eager for dinner.'' 

               ''Well, why don't I go freshen up for a moment, and then I'll meet you back at the table?'' Lucy 
               suggested biting her lower lip anxiously as she locked gazes with him.. 

               ''That sounds like a wonderful plan. I'll be eagerly waiting for you.'' he replied releasing her arm as 
               he turned towards the table. 

               Ryan made his way up the long winding staircase checking the time as he reached into his suit 
               pocket for the small bottle he'd been holding onto all night long. Upon reaching the table Ryan 
               realized that the waiters had brought over a fresh bottle of champagne chilled on ice. Leaning 
               across the table, he slipped a drug into Lucy's glass before refilling it. 

               ''Now everthing's perfect.'' Ryan thought to himself as he took his seat. 

               ''Just what in the world are you trying to prove here tonight Collins?'' A voice called out startling 
               Ryan as he turned to find Chris Ramsey standing before him. ''Look, I don't know what kind of sick 
               game you're trying to play, but I won't allow you to hurt Eve like this.'' 

               ''Why Chris.......hello.'' Ryan replied calmly standing up to greet him as Chris sneered at him. 
               ''Please have a seat.'' 

               ''I wouldn't sit with you if my life depended on it.'' Chris snapped realizing that Lucy was no longer 
               presentt. ''So tell me Kevin, how long have you and Lucy been moonlighting behind Eve's back?'' 

               ''It's not what it appears to be Chris.'' Ryan began unprepared for this little intrusion upon his 
               dinner with Lucy. ''Lucy and I are merely two friends sharing an intimate dinner together........surely 
               you of all people could understand that.'' 

               ''Spare me the line of bull Collins.'' Chris replied as Lucy approached the table. ''I saw you two on 
               the dance floor a few minutes ago.'' 

               ''Chris, how lovely to see you.'' Lucy interrupted taking note of the tension in the air. ''What are you 
               doing here?'' 

               ''Lucy, I was just about to ask you the same thing.'' Chris stated turning to face her. ''Does Baldwin 
               know you're with Kevin?'' 

               ''What I do with my free time isn't anyone's business.'' Lucy added tossing her hair over her 
               shoulder as she tried to shake off Chris's icy stare. 

               ''Do you hate Eve that much Lucy that you have to be sure to have both Kevin and Scott eating out 
               of the palm of your hand?'' Chris questioned bitterly as he glanced the two of them over. 

               ''I think you'd better calm down before this gets ugly.'' Ryan interrupted stepping in front of Chris 
               ready to tear into him. 

               ''I'll show you ugly.'' Chris muttered swinging his fist wildly in the air as Ryan dodged away from the 
               blow. 

               ''Chris, stop it.'' Tracie called out returning from her phone call and taking in the scene before her 
               eyes as the two men began throwing punches at one another. 

               ''Kevin,'' Lucy cried out watching Chris shove Kevin into the table causing it to collapse as 
               everything on top of it came crashing down to the ground with an enormous thud. 

               ''Damn it!'' Ryan cursed realizing that his plans for Lucy had been destroyed as the champagne 
               spilled on the floor. ''You're going to pay for that one Ramsey.'' 

               ''Please Kevin.'' Lucy continued as a crowd formed around the two feuding men until a couple of 
               bouncers pulled them off of one another. 

               ''I'm so sorry about this.'' Tracie apologized to Lucy before directing her attention to Chris who had 
               blood running down the side of his jaw. ''What the hell were you thinking?'' 

               ''Kevin, are you alright?'' Lucy questioned moving to Ryan's side as his hatred for Chris Ramsey 
               grew with each passing moment. ''Kevin, talk to me.'' 

               ''I'm fine.'' Ryan replied watching Tracie escort Chris down the staircase for a moment before 
               directing his attention to Lucy. ''Really I am.'' 

               ''You look terrible Doc.'' Lucy admitted seeing that Chris Ramsey had done a pretty good bang up 
               job on Kevin. ''I guess this means that we'll have to put off our talk for a while, huh?'' 

               ''Lucy, I hope you realize that what just happened here shouldn't interfere with what we have 
               between us.'' Ryan started suddenly fearful that all of his hard work would be in vain. ''I had so 
               many plans for tonight........'' 

               ''They can wait until tomorrow Doc.'' Lucy insisted reaching for her car keys. ''I'm taking you 
               home.''