Eve stepped out of her car as the sunlight flooded through the crisp summer morning. Squinting 
               her eyes a bit, she noticed the seasoned cabin laid out before her realizing that it must've seen 
               better days in it's youth as Eve listened to the sounds of birds chirping in the distance. She 
               stepped underneath a pool of shade enjoying the moment as the tree leaves swayed with the 
               gentle breeze cast from the lake behind the cabin. It was almost a shame that she'd have to break 
               her news to Chris on such a beautiful day, she thought hesitantly approaching the front door. 

               "Knock, knock," Eve called out finally entering the cabin as the sounds of boards creaking 
               underneath her feet sounded throughout the room. "Hello. Chris? Tracie?" 

               "Back here," Chris's muffled voice called out to her from the opposite end of the cabin before the 
               hall permeated with the sounds of a loud screeching noise. 

               Covering her ears for a moment, Eve followed the sound taking in the dark wooden fixtures along 
               the narrow hallway. She glanced over at the photograph hanging on the wall of a beautiful young 
               woman holding a small child in her arms tightly. Eve paused for a moment admiring her 
               surroundings as the cabin grew silent once more. Eve removed her hands from her ears and 
               reached out to touch the large picture frame before her as the invasive buzzing sounded once 
               again startling her. 

               "What in the world is going on in here Ramsey?" Eve questioned pushing open the door and 
               entering the room at the back of the cabin to find Chris working with a giant floor sander. "I don't 
               believe this." 

               "Huh?" Chris questioned motioning towards his ears as she stepped over the large power cord.

               "I said I don't believe I'm seeing you working like this." Eve repeated raising her voice a bit 
               realizing he still hadn't heard a word she said. 

               "What did you say? Hold that thought." Chris questioned shutting off the sander as he turned to 
               face her. "Now, what were you saying?" 

               "I said, I don't believe this. Never in a million years did I actually believe that I'd see Chris Ramsey 
               doing manual labor." Eve confessed with a chuckle taking note of his ripped jeans and tattered 
               T-shirt. "Then again they say there's a first for everything." 

               "Ha, very funny. How do you think I spent my younger years making it to the big time?" Chris 
               added with a wink as he stepped towards her. "I'll have you know that I'm a pro when it comes to 
               this sort of thing. I just don't like to spread it around if you know what I mean." 

               "Yeah, well it's too bad that I've never seen this side of you before. Just think of all the fun we've 
               been missing out on." Eve replied in amusement as she noticed that he had already sanded half 
               the floor. "If only I would've known, then I could've put you to work around the apartment. In fact, 
               now that I think about it the kitchen could use some fixing up...." 

               "Don't push your luck Lambert. This is a one shot deal. After this day is over, we'll never bring this 
               up again." Chris warned her as it dawned on him that she was alone. Thinking back to the 
               previous evening's encounter with Kevin at the restaurant and their confrontation, he wasn't 
               surprised that Kevin hadn't had the courage to face him once more, however Chris wasn't quite 
               sure if Kevin had mentioned the incident to Eve or not. After a moment's hesitation, Chris finally 
               took the initiative to ask. "So where is Dr. Collins this morning?" 

               "He couldn't make it, but he wanted me to send you his best regards." Eve informed him sensing 
               that something was wrong as she noticed a purplish bruise just below his right cheekbone. 

               "Go figure." Chris muttered rolling his eyes as Eve moved in closer to inspect his face. 

               "Chris, what in the world happened to you last night?" Eve questioned in bewilderment reaching 
               out to touch the side of his face. "You look like you went a couple of rounds in that boxing match 
               you were watching the other night." 

               "It's nothing Eve." Chris shrugged feeling a slight sting as she pressed her finger tip against his 
               skin. "Really I'm fine." 

               "Are you sure?" She asked concerned as he took a step away from her. "I thought that you were 
               having that romantic dinner with Tracie last night. Don't tell me she did this to you." 

               "Hardly," Chris replied realizing that she had no idea what had taken place between him and 
               Kevin. He thought of saying something, but he realized that she'd be enraged if he admitted to 
               slugging Kevin, since she'd always been so quick to jump to Kevin's defense these days. He 
               knew she had a right to know about Kevin and Lucy, but he decided to postpone dropping the 
               bombshell on her for a while until he found the right way to approach the situation. After a pause 
               he let out a forced laugh and joked, "It was all a big misunderstanding. You should see the other 
               guy." 

               "Yeah, well I can only imagine. I guess this just only proves that I can't leave you alone for two 
               seconds can I Ramsey?" Eve teased with a smile letting go of the conversation as she assessed 
               their surroundings. "So where's Tracie this morning? Don't tell me that she opted to duck out of 
               this fun filled day we have ahead of us." 

               "She was here earlier, but she was called into work for another last minute assignment." Chris 
               explained with a shrug remembering Tracie's early morning exit. "You know how it is when duty 
               calls." 

               "That's too bad. I was looking forward to a day of double teaming on you like we did the other 
               night." Eve replied facing him once again with a mischievous grin. 

               "Yeah, well you're stuck working solo on me this morning, but I'll warn you before you start that my 
               bite is worse than my bark." Chris added with a nod and a wink. "Now what do you say we stop 
               talking and start fixing this place up before the morning passes us by?" 

               "I think I can handle it." Eve smiled noticing the cans of paint across the room and reaching for a 
               paint brush. "Lead the way Ramsey." 

               ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 

               Tracie listened to the muffled sounds of the police radios and the chatter of officers as she 
               stepped outside moving towards the Shady Pines asylum looking for the officer in charge of the 
               investigation, Detective Jason Ramon. Moving past a few patrolmen into the familiar corridor 
               towards Thomas Mediva's office, she was overwhelmed by a foul odor. She noticed the yellow 
               crime scene tape blocking off the doorway as she peered inside the office only to discover a 
               body lying on the ground before her in a pool of blood. 

               "Oh God," she gasped realizing that it was Dr. Mediva as she took a step back covering her 
               mouth overwhelmed by the sight before her. 

               "Ms. Richards," a voice called out as she turned to find Detective Ramon standing before her with 
               a scowl on his face, "Why am I not surprised to find you standing before me? You shouldn't be in 
               here." 

               "I couldn't find you outside for questioning." Tracie explained as he escorted her towards the exit 
               for some fresh air. 

               "So you figured that you'd come inside looking for me?" Detective Ramon finished with a hint of 
               sarcasm as he watched the reporter he'd grown accustomed to facing off with on many occasions 
               struggling to regain her composure. 

               "What the hell happened in there Ramon?" Tracie questioned taking a moment to catch her 
               breath before switching into reporter mode once again. 

               "That is for my officers and I to figure out." Ramon answered quickly lowering the volume on his 
               radio before glancing her over. "You shouldn't be here." 

               "I was working on a story here Ramon." Tracie added hoping that would increase his probability 
               of releasing information to her. 

               "So I've been informed and from what I was told your editor pulled you off of the story, so you have 
               no reason to be snooping around here. Do I make myself clear?" Ramon answered coolly as he 
               abruptly walked away. 

               "Damn it." Tracie cursed realizing that she needed to get back into the asylum in the hopes of 
               discovering more about Dr. Mediva's untimely death. 

               "Ms. Richards," A voice called out to her as she noticed a young officer approaching her. "Tracie 
               Richards?" 

               "Yes?" she questioned hoping that Detective Ramon hadn't sent the officer over to escort her off 
               of the property. 

               "Hi, my name is Officer Davis........Bart......." the young officer explained bashfully as he eyed her 
               over curiously. "I'm your biggest fan. I've read all of you articles since the Brazilian drug lord 
               expose and I think you're incredible." 

               "Thank you. I'm very flattered." Tracie replied cocking her head to the side slightly realizing she'd 
               just found her way back into the asylum. "I didn't realize my work was read in these parts." 

               "Oh you're a legend around here." Bart added with a goofy grin as he shook her hand. "It's an 
               honor to meet you." 

               "The honor is all mine Officer Davis......Bart." she replied with a laugh flashing him one of her killer 
               smiles. 

               "So tell me Miss Richards. What are you doing in our neck of the woods?" He questioned taking 
               note of her long legs as he very obviously scanned her up and down. 

               "Actually I'm working on a story about crime scenes and the officers who work them. The only 
               problem is that my escort on this case, hasn't arrived yet." she explained with a frown extending 
               her arm out and placing her hand upon his shoulder. "Surely a strong attractive gentleman like 
               yourself would be willing to help me out." 

               "I don't know ma'am.......I'm not sure that would be such a good idea." Bart replied a bit nervously 
               as she fluttered her eyelashes at him. "Detective Ramon wouldn't like it if I brought you in there. It's 
               awfully graphic for a beautiful woman like yourself." 

               "Oh come on Bart, he wouldn't mind if you gave me a sneak peek." Tracie insisted nudging him 
               slightly. "Besides, wouldn't you like the world to know what a hard working, attractive, law man you 
               really are?" 

               "Well, I suppose one peek couldn't hurt anything." he replied finally giving in as he led her towards 
               the front door and stepped aside. "After you." 

               ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 

               Kevin Collins hid in the shrubbery shaking profusely while watching the authorities move about in 
               the distance. He felt the morning air upon his half naked body as he sat frozen in place next to the 
               thorn bush fearing for his life while holding the dirty scalpel in hand. He drew in the fresh air 
               realizing that he would never again let them take away his newfound freedom no matter what the 
               cost. Feeling his head throb as the sunlight invaded his eyes, he tried to will himself to move, but 
               was his legs felt heavy and lifeless as he felt another blackout taking control of him. 

               "What are you doing here?" Kevin had questioned fearfully from his broken mattress as Thomas 
               Mediva unlocked the door to his cell entering with a tray in hand. "No, no more injections." 

               "Shh......." Thomas had instructed moving towards Kevin as he curled up into a ball trying to avoid 
               another painful injection. 

               "Stay away from me!" Kevin cried out knocking the tray out of Thomas's hand as he fell to the floor 
               crashing hard. 

               "Ryan, please........." Thomas began shakily as Kevin crawled around on his hands and knees 
               searching for a way out. Feeling the pounding once more, Kevin dropped his head to the ground 
               huffing wildly as he gasped for air. "Ryan........" 

               "I'm not Ryan." Kevin moaned in agony clenching the foot of his bed as he felt the sharp object 
               beneath his fingers. 

               "Just calm down and let me........" Thomas insisted as Kevin grasped the object clinging onto it for 
               dear life. 

               "No! Don't you dare come near me!" Kevin yelled jumping to his feet suddenly feeling his heart 
               pound with adrenaline as he stared the man down. 

               "Just let me explain." Thomas began fearfully as Kevin lurched at him pulling him into a choke 
               hold. "You don't understand." 

               "Oh I understand everything perfectly and I promise you one thing...." Kevin replied vehemently as 
               he pressed the scalpel to Thomas's neck. ".....nothing is going to stand in my way to 
               freedom..........especially you." 

               Kevin reopened his eyes feeling himself overcome with fear knowing how much was riding on his 
               escape. He knew that he'd have to pull himself together if he was to ever make it to Port Charles 
               alive. He noticed a few cars parked in the distance about thirty yards away, and he struggled to 
               find the strength to move forward knowing that an opportunity like this wouldn't arise once again. 

               ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 

               "Lucy, what are you doing here this morning?" Ryan questioned opening the front door to the 
               lighthouse only to discover Lucy standing before him wearing a yellow form fitting dress with a 
               matching bag in hand. 

               "Gee Doc, you look surprised to see me." Lucy commented tilting her head to the side as she 
               took note of his chest peeking out of the top part of his navy blue robe. 

               "I am surprised to see you." he admitted feeling the morning chill upon his bare toes as he eyed 
               her approvingly. 

               "I thought you might need a pick me up after the way things ended last night." Lucy explained with 
               a smile taking note of the surprised look upon his face as he remained silent. "May I come in?" 

               "Oh of course." Ryan replied with a nod shaking out of his trance as he opened the door a bit 
               wider and Lucy breezed on by capturing his full attention with each move she made. "My, my you 
               know how to work a room, don't you Lucy?" 

               "What was that?" she questioned turning around to face him as she tossed her hair over her 
               shoulder. 

               "I was just said that having you in here just brightens up the room." Ryan recovered watching her 
               assess the place. 

               "Gosh it's been so long since I've been over here Doc." Lucy sighed taking note of the new 
               decorations before reaching for the tiny race car on the mantle with a puzzled look upon her face. 
               "What's this?" 

               "A friend gave it to me." Ryan replied removing the car from her hands and setting it back on the 
               mantle. "So why was it you felt the need to come over here again?" 

               "I was worried about you considering the state you were in after your brawl with Chris Ramsey last 
               night." Lucy explained reaching out to touch his face as she noticed his black eye. "Plus I wanted 
               to say thank you again for defending my honor like you did last night." 

               "It was nothing Lucy." Ryan shrugged as she ran her fingers along the side of his face. 

               "Oh no Doc, it was very noble of you to stick up for me like that." Lucy continued with an 
               affectionate sigh as he reached for her hand and kissed it. "Oh it was so gallant to see you going 
               head to head with him......all over me. In fact, now that I think about it, I'm suddenly reminded of that 
               time at Luke's when you beat the pulp out of Damian Smith. Remember Doc?" 

               "Of course." Ryan nodded forcing a grin as she continued speaking about a hundred words a 
               minute. "How could I forget?" 

               "He was so hurtful just saying all those awful things about me, but before I could let him get to 
               me....well, he did get to me a little, but I mean before I let him really get to me, there you were 
               ready to jump up to my defense and eager to remove him from the situation." Lucy rambled on 
               thinking back to the moment in time when Kevin had shown her just how dashing he could be 
               when it came to her. "The way you just tossed him onto the bar and laid into him.......oh Doc, my 
               heart was pounding with adrenaline and everyone in the bar stood still in wonder......watching you. 
               You were amazing." 

               "So you were attracted to my reckless side, huh?" Ryan questioned trying to envision his brother 
               engaging in a brawl with anyone. 

               "Oh Doc, you were ravishing." Lucy insisted as her face lit up. 

               "Well, I couldn't let Damian Smith bad mouth you, now could I?" Ryan added moving to pour 
               himself a drink from his mini bar. 

               "Of course not Doc." Lucy agreed sinking into the cushiony couch scanning the room intently. "You 
               always were there for me when I needed you." 

               "Here you are." Ryan replied handing her a glass of wine. 

               "Thank you." Lucy smiled reaching for the glass as she gazed intently into Kevin's brown eyes 
               suddenly struck with a strange sense of unfamiliarity. 

               "It's my pleasure." he nodded thinking of his plans for Lucy as she lifted her glass in the air. "To 
               the good times." 

               "The best of times." Lucy agreed watching Kevin bring his drink to his lips preparing to take a sip 
               as she swiped the glass from his hands. "No." 

               "What are you doing?" Ryan questioned in bewilderment as she moved off of the couch holding 
               his drink. 

               "I can't let you do this Kevin." Lucy insisted dashing into the kitchen as Ryan listened to the 
               sounds of the faucet running. 

               "Why did you do that?" Ryan inquired as soon as Lucy returned from the kitchen. 

               "Doc, don't tell me that Chris hit you so hard last night that you've forgotten that you don't drink red 
               wine." Lucy continued shaking her head as she eyed him carefully trying to read the blank 
               expression on his face. 

               "Oh, of course not. How could I forget?" Ryan replied with a half smile as Lucy moved across the 
               room reaching for the wine bottle. "Eve must've brought it over the other night." 

               "Well, that just figures. I should've known that little Evie wouldn't be aware of what happened with 
               Grace seeing as it was one of those moments that you'd only share with......." Lucy began ready to 
               dispose of the bottle when she was struck with an eerie feeling. 

               "Lucy?" Ryan asked noticing the color drain from her face as she stood before him. 

               "Kevin, I just had a terrible thought." Lucy explained turning around to face him once again as her 
               heart pounded. "The last time that I'd seen you reach for a glass of red wine was when......" 

               "When what Lucy?" Ryan questioned realizing that the fearful expression on Lucy's face as she 
               stared at him. 

               "When Ryan showed up at my apartment pretending to be you..............." She trailed off in horror. 

               ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 

               "Watch your head." Chris warned helping Eve up the cracked wooden ladder into the secluded 
               tree house. Extending his arm out for her, Chris took Eve's hand in his own and hoisted her up 
               into the center of his childhood retreat. "The ceiling's a bit low, but don't worry there's plenty of 
               room for the both of us in here.." 

               "Wow, this is incredible." Eve remarked in awe as she glanced over the small table and chairs 
               scattered around the tiny area. She noticed colorful pictures mounted on the walls next to a box of 
               toys. "Look at this place. I feel like a kid who just stumbled upon their very own hiding spot." 

               "When I was younger I used to spend most of my weekends up here pretending that I was in 
               control of all you could see out there. The trees, the lake.....it was all a part of my magical 
               kingdom." Chris added as she moved towards the clear Plexiglas window to get a view at the 
               world below them. He positioned himself on the floor and gazed out another window feeling the 
               coolness of the breeze outside striking the Plexiglas. "Of course back then it seemed like a lot 
               more out there than it does now, but back then I also believed the world was at my mercy." 

               "Back then? When was that? Two weeks ago?" Eve teased taking a seat on the wooden floor 
               across from him. 

               "Don't I wish." Chris replied with a smile as he picked up one of the small toy boxes and opened it 
               only to discover a bunch of forgotten items. "You know, now that I think about it, my weekends 
               here were probably the best times of my life." 

               "Sounds like you and your Aunt Maggie were very close." Eve commented watching Chris pull out 
               a package of twinkees and opening them. 

               "Want one?" Chris questioned pulling out one of the spongy treats and holding it towards her. 

               "Ugh, God no." Eve replied wrinkling her nose in disgust. "You probably have no idea how long 
               that thing's been up here do you?" 

               "Oh come on, you and I both know these things have a shelf life longer than we do." Chris 
               shrugged taking a bite of the cream filled cake before responding to her question. "Actually Aunt 
               Maggie was the most amazing woman I'd ever met. When I was growing up there were so many 
               times that I'd felt alienated at home especially after my mother's death, but Aunt Maggie always 
               found a way to remind me just how special I actually was. Did you know that she would drive into 
               town every weekend just to pick me up so that we could spend time here fishing or roughing it in 
               the tree house here? 

               "Sounds like you were her favorite." Eve added watching Chris' face light up as he spoke of his 
               deceased aunt. "I'll bet that's why she left you this place." 

               "It goes beyond that Eve. This place holds so many memories for me." Chris sighed reaching into 
               the box once more and pulling out a few more items until he came across a tiny gold barrette and 
               a smile spread across his face. "In fact, I'll have you know that I had my first kiss in this very spot." 

               "Oh yeah?" Eve questioned raising her eyebrow as Chris examined the barrette appreciatively. "It 
               must've been special." 

               "It was." Chris added making eye contact with her for a moment before directing his attention to 
               the shiny object in his hand. "Her name was Becky Sue and she was the most beautiful girl I'd 
               ever seen in my life with her long, dark pig tails and sparkling blue eyes. She was nine at the time 
               and I was seven." 

               "Oooh, an older woman. I should've known." Eve cooed with a smile as Chris continued. 

               "Yeah well Becky Sue was special Eve." Chris insisted running his fingers along the cool object. 
               "Her freckles and her smile......oh she just took my breath away. Becky Sue and I spent a lot of 
               time together that summer and as the days went on, my crush on her intensified, but I hadn't found 
               the never to reveal my feelings to her until one fateful summer afternoon when the neighborhood 
               kinds were playing a game of hide and seek. We both snuck up here each hoping to avoid being 
               found and just the mere thought of being alone with her had my heart pounding in my chest so 
               hard that I thought it would burst if I didn't tell her how I felt about her." 

               "So what happened?" Eve questioned leaning forward a bit in interest hanging on Chris's every 
               word as the two locked gazes. 

               "Well, I was about to open my mouth to tell her everything, or at least give out some indication 
               about how much I adored her, but in that final instant when opportunity arose, I choked up unable 
               to speak the words." Chris confessed with a sigh as once more his eyes cast upon the object he 
               was holding. 

               "Oh no," Eve gasped picturing the scene in her head as Chris paused, "that must've been 
               horrible." 

               "It was. You have no idea how it feels to be so close to someone you care so much about and be 
               unable to reveal your true feelings for them." Chris trailed off in silence as it dawned on him how 
               close to home this conversation was to his present situation as he looked at Eve trying to remind 
               himself of Becky Sue. "Anyways, there I was ready to beat my heart and soul to her, eager to 
               pledge my undying devotion, yet I couldn't find the words to say. I was so embarrassed that I 
               couldn't tell her the truth that I turned away hoping she hadn't noticed how ridiculous I looked 
               standing there with my mouth hanging open like an idiot." 

               "But she did notice, didn't she?" Eve questioned placing her hand upon his knee waiting to hear 
               the rest of his tale. 

               "She read me like a book," Chris confessed placing his hand on top of hers as they locked gazes 
               once again, "and before I knew it, she leaned over and kissed me. It happened so quickly that for 
               a while I wasn't sure if it had actually happened, but before she pulled away, she reached for the 
               barrette in her hair and handed it to me as a reminder of what had taken place." 

               "That's it?" Eve questioned wide eyed as Chris released her hand. "Didn't she say anything?" 

               "Nothing." Chris shrugged leaning back against the wall as he thought it over. "Eventually the 
               other kids found us and we went about our business as if it had never taken place even though I 
               still had this as a reminder. I never did get a chance to say anything more to her either because 
               she moved out of town about a week later and I never saw her again." 

               "How sad." Eve commented watching Chris closely as she realized this was the first time he'd 
               really opened up about a girl from his past. "No wonder you're so jaded about love. Your first kiss 
               was your first heartbreak." 

               "Oh come on Eve, I was seven years old. I could hardly consider it a life altering experience 
               because the first girl I kissed moved away." Chris responded gazing up at her once more as a sly 
               grin crossed his lips. "It was pretty amazing though. So, what about you?" 

               "What about me?" Eve questioned shaking her head. 

               "Well, I've been sitting here pouring my heart out about life here growing up and Becky Sue. It's 
               only fair that you say something now too." Chris explained shifting his position on the floor as he 
               noticed Eve struggling to think of a story. "What about your first kiss?" 

               "My first kiss?" Eve questioned with a chuckle as she racked her brain. "Ah, now that's hard." 

               "Oh come on, you know you remember it." Chris urged nudging her slightly as he watched her 
               face light up. 

               "Well actually," Eve began with a laugh as she spoke up, "mine wasn't anything like yours. I was in 
               third grade at the time and during that part of my life I was more of a tomboy then anything else. In 
               fact, I'd go so far as to say that boys were the farthest thing from my mind.......unless of course I 
               was to play ball with them." 

               "Why am I not surprised?" Chris questioned in amusement as she continued. 

               "Anyways," Eve went on ignoring his comment, "one day I'd been walking home from school with 
               my friend Jake discussing strategies for an upcoming kick ball game us neighborhood kids were 
               playing the following afternoon when he'd suggested that we use a new technique he'd picked up 
               over the last couple of days. Of course I was all ears and open to his suggestion seeing as kick 
               ball was probably my favorite thing to do at that point in time, and as I waited to hear his 
               suggestion, he pulled me to him placing his tongue in my mouth." 

               "Smooth little fellow." Chris replied in amusement. 

               "Yeah, well I didn't think so when I knocked him on his butt." Eve added with a laugh as Chris' jaw 
               dropped. 

               "You didn't." Chris gasped in shock. 

               "You bet I did." Eve nodded in remembrance. "Poor kid didn't know it was coming when I decked 
               him." 

               "So you were a heartbreaker even back then, huh?" Chris questioned eyeing her closely. 

               "I wasn't a heartbreaker........I just didn't appreciate what he did to me." Eve explained taking note 
               of Chris' look of skepticism. "I was eight years old for God's sake. At that point in time, the thought 
               of liking a boy hadn't crossed my mind let alone having one French kiss me. It was mortifying." 

               "For you or for him? You can't blame the kid for trying." Chris stated sitting up straighter as Eve's 
               smile widened. "Oh admit it roomy. You liked it." 

               "I did not." She insisted crossing her arms in front of her chest as he continued to stare her down. 
               "Okay, well maybe a little, but that still didn't give him the right to kiss me without asking 
               permission first." 

               "Sure," Chris nodded laying down on the ground for a moment as he sat in awe of her realizing 
               how happy she looked. 

               "What?" Eve questioned in confusion noticing the goofy grin on his face. "What is it?" 

               "Nothing." Chris shrugged feeling his heart pound in his chest as he took a moment to memorize 
               her features. "I was just thinking about how long it's been since I've seen you look almost happy 
               and relaxed." 

               "Are you implying that I'm a grouch?" Eve questioned as Chris sat up once more and scooted 
               towards her. 

               "Not at all, but I was just thinking about how long it's been since the two of us did this." Chris 
               continued inching towards her as he took another bite of his twinkee. "You know it's been fun 
               swapping stories about our childhood and just enjoying each other's company." 

               "Well, if I recall correctly, the last time we tried this, you nearly bit my head off for being too 
               invasive." Eve reminded him thinking back to their special dinner almost a year ago when he'd 
               tried cheering her up before Kevin and Lucy's non-wedding. "In fact, you told me it was none of my 
               concern." 

               "Yeah, well I'm a changed man now Eve." Chris added with a note of sincerity in his voice. "In fact 
               at this moment in time, I'd tell you just about anything you've ever wanted to know about me." 

               "Anything?" Eve questioned turning her head and coming to the realization that they were 
               separated by a mere couple of inches. 

               "Anything." Chris repeated in a whisper wanting to press his lips to hers taking in the feel of her 
               soft, sweet mouth if only for a moment. 

               "Chris," Eve began reaching out to touch the side of his face near his lower lip. 

               "Eve," Chris breathed wondering if his moment had arrived as she pulled away showing him the 
               white cream filling she'd swiped off the side of his mouth. 

               "You had some of this right there." she explained with a nod looking for something to wipe her 
               finger on. 

               "Thanks." Chris replied in a whisper reaching for her finger and slipping it into his mouth to lick off 
               the cream filling. 

               "Chris," Eve called out frozen in place as she gazed into his eyes shocked by his sudden 
               movement before she decided to shake it off," we probably should get back inside and finish up 
               our work in the cabin." 

               "Yeah, you're right." Chris agreed moving in the opposite direction realizing that it was pointless 
               to reveal his feelings for Eve seeing as she appeared to show no interest in reciprocating them. 
               "After you." 

               ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 

               Tracie followed Bart into the darkened basement overwhelmed with the musty odor as she heard 
               Detective Ramon's distinctive voice in the area above them. She listened to the footsteps of the 
               other officers in the area, but kept on moving hoping to find some clue into Thomas Mediva's 
               mysterious death before Detective Ramon discovered her snooping around. 

               "Bart, are you there?" A voice called out startling Tracie as she realized it was his radio. 

               "Yeah," Bart replied speaking into the small black box in hand. 

               "Where are you?" the voice on the other end questioned. 

               "I'm in the basement checking things out." Bart explained flashing another one of his teethy grins 
               at Tracie. 

               "Well, you're needed up here pronto." the voice shot back in irritation. 

               "10-4." Bart answered placing the small radio into his belt as he turned to Tracie. "I'll be right 
               back. Don't you move." 

               "Okay, I'll be right here waiting." she replied with a wave as she watched him head back towards 
               the stairs. 

               "Stay there." he insisted facing her as he moved up the stairway nearly stumbling over his own 
               two feet. 

               "Alrighty," she giggled playfully until he disappeared out of sight. With a sigh, she pulled her
               flashlight out of her purse and moved forward, eager to get a better look around her bizarre 
               surroundings before her dopey escort returned. 

               "Let's just see what you were hiding down here Dr. Mediva." Tracie thought out loud as she 
               moved down the windowless hall taking note of the prison like cells surrounding her. She 
               imagined what it must've been like for any patient that had been unfortunate enough to be stuck in 
               this hellish environment for any length of time without any contact from the would around them. 

               "Get a hold of yourself Tracie." She whispered to herself reaching the end of the hall and noticing 
               the open cell before her. She took a closer look realizing that this cell had been different from the 
               others as she noticed the pile of newspaper clippings on the floor. Bending over, she sorted 
               through the papers realizing that there was one constant face upon each picture in her 
               hand.......the face of Lucy Coe. Taking note of the silver tray on the floor, she reached underneath 
               the bed pulling out what appeared to be a damaged VCR tape. 

               "Ms. Richards," Bart called out causing her to jump as she turned to face him. 

               "Bart," she replied hiding the tape and clippings behind her back as she smiled at him. 

               "It told you to wait for me by the stairs." he insisted taking note of the frightened look upon her 
               face. 

               "I just thought I'd move ahead to see if I found anything significant." she explained slipping her 
               finds into her large purse hoping he wouldn't notice. 

               "Yeah, well Detective Ramon informed me that you're not supposed to be in here regardless of 
               the story you're working on." he continued seriously as she moved out of the cell. "I hate to be 
               rude, but I think that you'd better leave now." 

               "You're right. I don't want you to get into trouble over me." Tracie agreed clenching her purse 
               tightly as she moved past him. "Thanks for your time." 

               ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 

               "What would make you think of such a thing Lucy?" Ryan questioned practically jumping out of his 
               seat as he snatched the bottle from her hand. 

               "I don't know. Up until now I'd forgotten it, but I guess that seeing that glass just reminded me of 
               him." Lucy replied with a shudder thinking back to one of her last encounters with Ryan 
               Chamberlain. "God, that night was so frightening Doc." 

               "It's over now Lucy." Ryan assured her pulling her into a hug silently cursing himself for being so 
               careless in front of Lucy Coe, the woman who knew Kevin better than anyone in the world. 

               "Doc, you should've seen how persistent he was that night. He was ready to jump into bed with 
               me and if Luke hadn't arrived when he did, then there's no telling what would've happened to me." 
               Lucy continued on suddenly struck with the ghost of Ryan as she brought her hand to her chest 
               playing with the necklace she was wearing. "And to think that for a moment I believed that he was 
               you........" 

               "Lucy, Ryan is dead and I think it would be best for all of us if we keep it that way." Ryan insisted 
               urging her to look into his eyes as he softened his tone. "I don't want to even think about that whole 
               ordeal we went through." 

               "Kevin, it's just so hard for me to believe that you could've been related to someone so blatantly 
               evil." Lucy continued enjoying the feel of his arms around her as he led her towards the couch. 

               "Here--you just sit down and let me get you something to relax your nerves." Ryan suggested 
               setting the wine bottle aside as he stepped towards the mini-bar. "You know Lucy, I hate to think 
               about those terrible times we had to endure together in the past, but I do believe that we had to go 
               through them to evolve into the people we are today. Wouldn't you agree?" 

               "I suppose." Lucy nodded sinking back into the soft couch cushions as Ryan poured their drinks. 

               "I mean think about it," he continued with his back to her as he reached for the small bottle he'd 
               kept behind the bar, "a person goes through life gaining insight from the world around them as 
               they learn to cope. Some would say that it has to do with birth order or fate, but I believe that one 
               makes their own destiny." 

               "I think that karma plays a bit into it as well." Lucy added listening to the hollow tone of Ryan's 
               voice as he stirred their martini's. 

               "Karma?" Ryan chuckled in amusement turning to face her as the last of the drug had dissolved in 
               her glass. "Lucy, one man's good life could in turn be another man's hell so to speak if a person is 
               living on blind faith alone. Life is about opportunities and how you choose to seize them. A wise 
               man once told me that life was like a poker game." 

               "A poker game?" Lucy repeated as he handed her the drink. "How so?" 

               "Well, you see it's quite simple." he explained eager to reveal his philosophy. "Ten percent of the 
               game is the cards you're dealt, and the other ninety percent is how you play the game. If you know 
               how to play your cards right without giving the other players any indication of just what you hold in 
               your hand, the possibilities are endless." 

               "I didn't know you'd become such a card shark." Lucy teased trailing her finger along the rim of 
               her glass as she spoke. 

               "There's a lot that you don't know about me Lucy." Ryan countered extending his arm out along the 
               back of the couch. 

               "Like?" she inquired raising an eyebrow at him. 

               "Like how I'm going to play the game." he responded moving in to pace a soft kiss on the side of 
               her neck. 

               "Doc," she breathed feeling his lips upon her skin as she closed her eyes. 

               "Lucy, you're an intriguing woman." Ryan whispered in her ear noticing that she hadn't taken a sip 
               of her drink as he pulled back. 

               "Kevin?" she questioned in confusion as he moved away. 

               "Why don't you finish your drink before we pick up again?" he suggested taking a swig of his 
               martini. 

               "Now that's not fair Kevin." She insisted placing her glass on the table eyeing him playfully as she 
               moved in for a kiss. "You kiss me like that, then you expect me to concentrate on something as 
               trivial as a drink. I don't think so." 

               "Lucy please," Ryan urged turning his head away in the nick of time. 

               "What is it?" she questioned caught off guard by his sudden retreat. "Kevin, am I reading this 
               wrong? I know that you and I have to talk about things, but one minute you're telling me we should 
               take things slowly, then the next you're kissing me.......then you turn away.....I just don't get it. Kevin, 
               if you haven't figured it out, I still have feelings for you and up until a moment ago, I thought you had 
               feelings for me too." 

               "Lucy, just humor me." he insisted reaching for her hand and placing it over his heart. "You and I 
               have the rest of the day to explore what we feel for one another." 

               "You know, I hate to bring his up Kevin, but now that I've thought about it, we do have that whole 
               Scott and Eve issue to deal with as well." Lucy started realizing that she couldn't ignore that angle 
               any longer as her feelings for Kevin grew with each passing moment. 

               "All in good time Lucy. All in good time." Ryan nodded raising his glass in the air. "To us." 

               "To us." she agreed touching her glass with his as she took a sip. 

               ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 

               "It's so beautiful out there." Eve sighed looking out at the soft amber rays in the distance as the 
               world outside of the cabin slowly fell to it's slumber. "Look at the way that those clouds fill the air 
               around the setting sun. It's breathtaking Chris. You should check this out." 

               "Some people search their whole lives waiting for a moment like this." Chris replied getting up 
               from the small porch swing and wrapping his arms around Eve's shoulders thankful that they'd 
               been able to finish up most of the work around the cabin. 

               "It's amazing." Eve added melting against Chris feeling the tension run throughout her body after a 
               long, hard day of working as the sun slowly faded out of sight before her. 

               "You're amazing Eve." Chris whispered in her ear realizing he couldn't ask for a more perfect 
               moment as he held onto her tighter. 

               "No, I'm not." Eve laughed tilting her head up to look at his tired face. "After all, I'd hardly consider 
               ripping down wallpaper and painting anything to get too excited about. Anyone could've done 
               what I've done tonight." 

               "That's just it Eve. I wouldn't want to be here with just anyone." Chris confessed spinning her 
               around to face him as he pressed his lips to hers. "In fact, there's no one I'd rather be with than 
               you." 

               "Chris," Eve began breathlessly breaking away from the kiss as the final moments of light 
               disappeared without a trace and were replaced by the night sky. 

               "Eve, no one else could do what you've done for me tonight and right now all I can think about is 
               how badly I want to make love to you." Chris explained noticing the fear in her eyes as he brushed 
               his hand lightly across her exposed neckline. Sensing that she would need a bit of persuading, he 
               leaned forward to kiss her once more. 

               "We can't be doing this......." Eve started abruptly breaking away from his kiss as the desire 
               mounted in his eyes. 

               "Why? Because of Kevin or Tracie?" Chris questioned sensing that he was getting to her as he 
               continued. "Eve, if you haven't noticed, you and I are the only ones here tonight. We don't have 
               anyone but each other so we can put the whole world aside along with it's set of expectations for 
               us. We can be what we're meant to be.......just a man and a woman coming together in the most 
               natural way as it should be." 

               "Chris.............you're not just any man.........you're Chris.......my best friend......my....." Eve trailed off 
               suddenly overcome with emotion as his fingers slipped underneath her thin T- shirt tracing her 
               curves. 

               "I want you Eve." Chris continued bringing her to him as she fought to keep their growing 
               attraction under control. Feeling her resolve slipping away, Eve cocked her head back slightly to 
               expose her neck as Chris pressed his hot lips to her taking in the feel of the soft skin he'd 
               admired from afar. 

               "Wait!" Eve insisted snapping back into reality as he reached out to touch her once more. 

               "I have feelings for you Eve and no matter how hard I want to pretend that they aren't there, they 
               are and I think that you have feelings for me too." he repeated looking at her closely. "The two of 
               us have had a very strained relationship since Kevin Collins walked into your life, but that kiss just 
               proved that there's something going on between us that we just can't walk away from." 

               "Chris just stop............" Eve trailed off realizing how big of a mistake she had just made kissing 
               him like she did. "Something like this would just complicate things for us......." 

               "Then let's complicate things Eve. It's better than keeping it inside of playing games with one 
               another." Chris replied with conviction as he reached out to her once again. 

               "Chris, I'm not playing games with you. This thing that's happening with us......it's wrong." She 
               informed him too upset to admit what was really bothering her as she thought about her vow to 
               break her news to him. 

               "Why is that? Because you love Kevin Collins?" Chris questioned in astonishment. "Eve, he's not 
               the guy for you and from what I can see you're not happy." 

               "How would you know?" she questioned frozen in place as she stared him down intently. 

               "Eve, the guy's a jerk." Chris blurted out unable to hold back the truth any longer. "I saw him last 
               night with Lucy Coe. In fact, your boyfriend was the one who did this to my face." 

               "No. You're lying. Kevin wouldn't do that Chris." Eve shot back shaking her head in disbelief. "He's 
               out of town on a medical conference." 

               "Is that what he told you?" Chris questioned with a laugh. "What a crock." 

               "Just stop this. Jealousy doesn't suit you Ramsey." Eve snapped darting off towards the door. "In 
               fact, I think it's about time for me to leave." 

               "Jealousy? Who said anything about jealousy Eve?" Chris questioned in disbelief following her 
               across the room as he continued. "I was merely telling you the truth about your precious Dr. 
               Collins and you chalk it up as jealousy." 

               "Just stop Chris. We both know you only said that because of what just happened between us." 
               Eve snapped at him realizing that he the was wearing on her patience as he grabbed her arm. 

               "No Eve, it's the truth. We both know that I don't like Kevin, but this isn't about what I feel about 
               him. I know what I saw and I'm not going to sugar coat your little romance for you." Chris explained 
               seizing her tightly. 

               "Get your hands off of me Chris!" Eve insisted raising her voice a level above what she had 
               intended as a stunned Chris stared at her blankly. "Look, I know that you think that Kevin is just 
               rebounding with me right now, and no matter how many times we have this conversation you're 
               just not going to see it my way, are you? Chris I know that you might find this hard to believe, but I 
               enjoy his company. 

               "Eve, the man has a dark cloud hanging over him everywhere he goes and I'm afraid that he's 
               going to suck you down into it if you let him." Chris spoke up quickly. "Last night we was clinging 
               onto Lucy Coe like a cheap suit." 

               "Look Chris, I don't know why we have to keep going over this again. Kevin is a wonder man and 
               he treats me like a princess." Eve added glaring at him as sparks flew between them. 

               "Never mind the fact that he's head over heels in love with Lucy Coe." Chris shot at her in anger 
               as she cringed. "No matter how bad you want to keep denying it to yourself Eve, it's the truth. He's 
               in love with Lucy and no matter what goes on between the two of you or how many promises he 
               makes, that fact still remains. Last night proved that." 

               "Lucy is old news Chris." Eve replied clenching her fists thinking of the last time she'd been with 
               Kevin. "What Kevin and I have is special." 

               "Eve, think about it. Lucy's with Scott right now, but if she wasn't you know where Kevin would be 
               and it isn't with you." Chris snapped with a sarcastic laugh. "Face it Eve, you're their rebound 
               material and it's a matter of time before Kevin dumps you on your butt like Baldwin did." 

               "Why you........." Eve began slapping him in the face as he fell backward upon impact. She 
               watched him regain his composure as he glanced up at her from the floor. "Damn it Chris. Now 
               look what you've made me do." 

               Without waiting for a response from Chris, Eve spun on her heel determined to make it out to her 
               car eager to leave the evening's events behind her. She closed her eyes trying to ignore the pain 
               in her throbbing fist as she thought of the tension between she and Chris ever since she'd started 
               dating Kevin Collins. She never would've imagined that Chris of all people would be giving her 
               such a hard time once she'd finally found happiness, but there he was forcing her to look at things 
               in a way she'd been trying to avoid for months. 

               "Ugh," Eve groaned throwing open the front door and heading towards her car only to discover 
               that she'd left her keys on the kitchen table back in the cabin. Hearing Chris grumbling 
               obscenities in the other room. Eve reentered the cabin and headed off towards the kitchen eager 
               to make a quick exit. 

               "Eve wait." Chris called out entering the kitchen as she searched for her keys. "You can't just run 
               away like this." 

               "Just who do you think you are talking to me like that?" Eve questioned in anger reaching for her 
               keys as she glared at him. 

               "We're going to finish this." Chris explained seething as he remembered his purpose for bringing 
               up Kevin. "I just don't want to see you get hurt Eve." 

               "Chris, I don't want to hear another word about Kevin." Eve shot back in anger as he stood before 
               her blocking her exit. 

               "No! We're going to have this out once and for all Eve." Chris insisted standing his ground as she 
               pushed her hand firmly into his chest in an unsuccessful effort to shove him out of her way. "You 
               can try all you want, but I'm not moving until we finish this." 

               "Get out of my way Chris!" Eve snapped punching him in the stomach as he buckled over before 
               her with a groan. "I warned you." 

               "No!" Chris argued reaching out to her as she walked past him. Without a moment's hesitation, he 
               swung her against the wall, knocking the wind out of her as she stared at him blankly obviously 
               shocked by his sudden response. 

               "Is this what you want Eve?" Chris questioned noticing her trembling lips as he pressed his body 
               tightly up against hers as the tension filled the room around them. "Is this the only way that I'm 
               going to get you to listen to a word I have to say? Is this what you want from me?" 

               Before Eve had a chance to respond, Chris brought his right hand around the back of her neck, 
               seizing her mouth in his as he placed a forceful kiss upon her releasing all of the pent up 
               frustration and emotions he'd been feeling inside sing the day he'd first laid eyes upon her. 
               Plunging his tongue into her mouth to capture her sweetness, Chris found himself powerless as 
               he felt her responding to him with the same passionate intensity, until he felt a sharp pain on his 
               foot as Eve stomped on it. 

               "You jerk." Eve snapped struggling with her emotions as she remained against the wall struggling 
               to make sense of what had just taken place as Chris released her trying to pull together every 
               ounce of dignity he had left. 

               "Not so fast Ramsey." Eve insisted feeling her heart pound as she pulled him back into the 
               kitchen. "You're not going to barge in here like a maniac then leave this easily. It doesn't work that 
               way." 

               "What do you want from me Eve?" Chris questioned as his anger came to the surface once 
               again. "You don't want to listen to a word I say, and I can't stand to see you make a fool of yourself 
               once again while Kevin Collins does all that he can to hurt you." 

               "What happens between Kevin and I is none of your business Chris." Eve reminded him quickly 
               as she found herself caught up in the moment and felt her stomach tied in knots. 

               "Yeah, well, you know what Eve? I don't care anymore." Chris shouted at her angrily. "I tried 
               looking out for you, but I just don't care to subject myself to this abuse any longer. Live your life and 
               be miserable. That's fine with me. I won't bother you anymore." 

               "Chris........" Eve began yanking at his T-shirt as she pulled him to her pressing her mouth to his 
               as the sounds of soft rain tapped against the kitchen windows. Falling off balance, Chris smacked 
               the wall as Eve continued to kiss him not allowing a moment of hasty words to come between 
               them as she ran her hand up his outer thigh. 

               "No." Chris whispered breaking away from the kiss as he pulled Eve to him forcing her to look 
               into his eyes now burning with desire. "We're going to do this my way from now on." 

               Without another word, Chris swept Eve into his arms and carried her into the other room as the 
               world around them slowly washed away in the pouring rain as they found themselves fall to the 
               couch touching and holding each other as if they would never let go. Eve felt all the pent up 
               aggression that she had been holding inside flow out of her as she melted against Chris' touch. 
               She realized in that moment that she couldn't bear to be apart from him for another second as 
               Chris' mouth began to explore the curve of her neck. She reached her arms out around his body 
               and pulled him to her as if she'd never let go. She felt the raging muscles of his body as her hands 
               traveled along his torso knowing that there was no turning back from this moment on if she didn't 
               speak up. 

               "All I've ever wanted to do was be able to hold you in my arms like this and feel this close." Chris 
               whispered slipping out of his T-shirt and drawing in a breath as he felt her heated skin against his. 
               "Everything about the two of us feels so perfect." 

               "Just for tonight." she whispered reaching out to him as Chris feverishly caressed her newly 
               exposed skin. 

               "Just for tonight." Chris agreed vowing to savor the moment as the realization set in that for the 
               evening his fantasies would all come true. 

               ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 

               "Doc, I'm sorry about the martini. It was rather clumsy of me," Lucy explained feeling a bit fatigued 
               as Ryan swabbed at the spill on the couch cushion. 

               "No harm done." Ryan replied dabbing the spot a bit as he glanced up at Lucy who's head was 
               tipped back slightly. 

               "I don't know why, but suddenly I don't feel so well." She confessed feeling her eyelids grow heavy 
               as Ryan moved along side of her. 

               "Maybe you should lie down for a bit." Ryan suggested sitting on the arm of the chair as he pulled 
               her hair away from her face. 

               "No, no pooh, I'm find. I just need to focus." she insisted with a weak smile as he continued to 
               stroke her hair. "Now where were we?" 

               "Right about here." Ryan smiled lowering himself to place a full, hard kiss upon her lips. 

               "Kevin," Lucy gasped pulling back abruptly as he hovered over her. 

               "Shh......" Ryan urged climbing in over her on the chair as he pressed his mouth to hers once 
               again with more intensity. 

               "Wait".......she insisted feeling him tugging at her skirt a bit as his hand crept up her thigh. "Kevin, I 
               mean it." 

               "Don't fight it Lucy. You don't know how long I've waited for this." Ryan whispered in a raspy tone 
               as he continued to paw at her. 

               "Stop it!" She snapped in anger trying to put distance between them as she stared into his cold, 
               dark eyes sensing that something was terribly wrong. "Kevin, I thought you wanted to take it slow 
               so that we could work things through." 

               "I guess I just can't control myself when you're around." Ryan replied closing in to devour her neck 
               hungrily. "You're such a sensual woman Lucy Coe." 

               "Kevin............" Lucy trailed off weakening for a moment until she was hit with another feeling of 
               light headedness. "No! Don't!" 

               "No?" Ryan repeated a bit irritated as she pushed him away from her. 

               "I..........I can't. Not like this." Lucy explained struggling to keep from falling over as she stood 
               before him. "I just can't." 

               "But Lucy........." Ryan started unwilling to let her slip away again as he pulled her to him forcing 
               himself upon her as they stood together in the middle of the room. 

               "Kevin, I mean it." Lucy demanded struggling to break free of his strong hold as they were 
               interrupted by the sound of the front door opening. 

               "Oh I'm terribly sorry." Victor apologized realizing he had just made the mistake of walking in upon 
               an intimate moment his son was having. He was about to head for his room to put his suitcase 
               away when he realized the woman next to Kevin was Lucy. "Oh my, I don't believe it. Lucy." 

               "Victor, boy am I glad to see you." She called out grateful to see him standing before them as she 
               brushed past Kevin happily throwing her arms around Victor. 

               "It's wonderful to see you around here too." Victor responded taking note of the scowl on Kevin's 
               face. "You know I can leave you two alone for a while if you'd like......" 

               "No!" Lucy added quickly leading Victor towards the couch. "I mean, please stay and visit with us. 
               We'd love to hear all about your trip to Greece." 

               "Oh no, really. I'll just go upstairs and unpack so that you two can......" Victor refused shaking his 
               head. 

               "No please stay Victor." Ryan muttered forcing a grin realizing that the opportunity to make him 
               move had passed as Lucy locked gazes with him for a brief moment. "Enlighten us." 

               "Well, if you insist." Victor nodded eager to relived the details of his wonderful trip with Mary. 

               ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 

               Tracie stepped out into the rain, holding her umbrella in one hand and the video tape in the other 
               as she headed towards her green Jeep Grand Cherokee. She held onto the black tape closely 
               after having quickly viewed it inside the back room of the department store she'd just left. She was 
               curious as to why the interview from the Baldwin/Coe press conference had been buried 
               underneath the dirty bed in the asylum along with clippings of Lucy Coe. 

               "Whatever this means, Lucy Coe must be involved somehow...." Tracie thought to herself as she 
               pressed her remote keyless entry. ".......But how?" 

               Tracie quickly opened the driver side door and tossed the tape onto the front passenger seat as 
               she shook out her umbrella before hopping into her seat. Glancing into her rearview mirror, she 
               brushed her now soaked bangs out of her face. With a sigh, she gave up on trying to work on 
               fixing her appearance as she turned the key in the ignition debating whether or not she should try 
               to call Chris to see if he was still at the cabin. Picking up her cell phone, she dialed his number 
               only to be greeted with an out of area message. 

               "Don't say I didn't try Ramsey." she muttered hanging up her phone and wrinkling her nose in 
               disgust as she felt the obtrusive scent of the asylum still lingering upon her clothing and 
               overwhelming her. Cracking her window a bit as she pulled over to remove her jacket, Tracie 
               vowed to take a shower as soon as she got home to rid herself of the offensive odor when she 
               suddenly felt a hand clasp over her mouth. 

               "Don't say a word. I'm going to release my hand, but I'm warning you now.......one sudden move 
               and I'll slit your throat. Do you understand?" a raspy voice ordered as she felt a cold, blunt object 
               upon her neck. She tried to shift her position to get a better glimpse of the man holding onto her. 
               Averting her eyes towards the rearview mirror, she found herself in contact with a cold, dark stare 
               as she nodded in understanding. "Good." 

               "Who are you?" she questioned in a whisper still feeling the blade pressed against her skin. "My 
               purse is in the backseat if you're looking for money." 

               "What did I tell you?" he shot back in anger noticing that she was looking at him through her mirror 
               as he reached forward to smash it with his fist. "Just drive."