April 20, 2001 -- late afternoon.  Patrick walks into the cabin.  Jessie and Chris look up at him.  "Well?" Jessie says. 

"I'm sorry -- look, this last storm was one of the worst I've seen.  Sometimes the bridge can be flooded for over a week after a storm like that." Patrick says, taking off his jacket.

"Oh, well that's just great." Chris says.  "Isn't there any other way out of this hell hole?"

"There's another bridge about ten miles out, but last time I was there it was in pretty bad shape.  I doubt it's even standing at this point." Patrick says.

"Well, I'm willing to take my chances." Chris says, coughing a bit.  He stands up and takes Jessie's hand. "Come on -- we're outta here."  Jessie pulls him back.

"We're not going anywhere.  It's too risky." Jessie says.

"That cough doesn't sound very good, either." Patrick says.

"Oh, shut up!" Chris shouts.  "Nobody asked you."

"He's right." Jessie says.  "Honey, I don't want to take any chances -- now, we've got a roof over our heads for right now, as long as Patrick is willing to put up with us.  It won't be much longer -- just be patient."

"Eve doesn't have time for us to be patient -- we don't even know if she's still alive." Chris says
sadly, sitting back down.  Jessie sits down next to him.

"I'm sure Eve is fine -- she's a fighter." she says.

"She's no match for Ryan and Cooper." Chris says.

"Look -- I know you want to help your friend.  If I could get into town, I would, but -- that river is
pretty deep, and it's freezing cold -- and it's another three miles into the nearest town.  It's too
risky."  Patrick says.

"That's easy for you to say.  You obviously have no concept of what it's like to know that someone you care about might be dying and there's not a damn thing you can do for them!" Chris shouts, and starts to cough again.  Patrick looks at Chris, both with anger and sadness, and without saying a word goes into his bedroom, slamming the door behind him.

"I want you to apologize to him when he comes back out here." Jessie says adamantly.

"Apologize for what?" Chris asks.

"Oh, I don't know -- how about for being a jackass?" Jessie says.  She gets up and knocks on Patrick's door.  "Patrick -- can I come in?" she asks.  Patrick opens the door slowly.  Jessie goes into his room.  "I'm sorry." she says.

"Don't apologize for him." Patrick says.

"He didn't know." 

"That doesn't give him the right to be obnoxious." Patrick says.  "What do you see in that guy?"

"Chris is -- complicated." Jessie says.

"Well, you seem like too nice a person to be stuck with him."

"You're not the first to tell me that." Jessie says.  "Believe it or not -- you and Chris are a lot alike."

"That I doubt." Patrick says. 

"He's worried about our friend, and I don't blame him.  You have no idea how dangerous my cousin is."

"Jessie, I like you.  But your boyfriend is a first-class jerk.  I'd rebuild the damn bridge myself
if I could just to get him the hell out of here." Jessie can't help but laugh a bit.

"I know.  I wish you had met him under different circumstances -- he's really not that bad."

"I can't imagine any circumstances where he'd even be tolerable."  Patrick says, as Chris walks into the room.

"Just what the hell is going on in here?" he asks, coughing.  Jessie turns and glares at him.  Chris
sighs.

"I'm sorry." Chris says grudgingly. 

"Forget it." Patrick says.  "I'll go make us dinner."  He storms out of the room.  Jessie walks over to
Chris. 

"Can't you just try and get along?" she asks.

"Alright, fine -- but I don't want you in here alone with him."

"Jealous again?  I thought you trusted me."

"I do -- it's him I'm not too sure about." Chris says.  Jessie puts her arms around him.

"I told you -- there's nothing to worry about." she says, hugging him.  Chris begins to cough again. 
"Honey, that cough sounds bad."

"It's probably nothing -- don't worry.  Come on, let's go in the kitchen -- I'll even help cook.  See, I can be nice."  Jessie smiles.

"I know you can -- I promise, we'll be home soon.  And Eve will be fine."

"I hope so." Chris says in an unsure tone of voice.

The doorbell rings at the Lighthouse -- Lucy answers it.  Mac enters the house.  "Did you even look to see who it was?" Mac asks.

"Of course I did, but -- what's going on?"  Lucy asks.
 

"I -- I went to see Kevin a couple of days ago.  I thought about what you told me, and -- I decided to do some checking of my own."  Lucy and Mac sit down.

"You -- you think that Ryan is alive?" 

"I had my doubts, but -- Lucy, I questioned some of the people at Concord.  About Greg Cooper." Mac says.

"Cooper?  What does he have to do with any of this?" Lucy asks.

"Hopefully nothing, but I don't like how things are shaping up.  I had -- several patients tell me that
they saw Kevin visiting Cooper."

"What!  Doc never went to see him, why would he --"

"He wouldn't." Mac says.  "I -- I think it was Ryan."

"Oh my -- gosh, you think that -- Ryan and Cooper --Mac, do you know what those two could --"

"I know -- Felicia is already out of town.  And I want you and the twins to go, too.  I've already made arrangements for you, so --" 

"I am not leaving, not without my Doc!" Lucy shouts.

"Lucy -- this is serious.  I hate to say this, but --there haven't been any leads on Jessie's
disappearance.  And she disappeared the same day that Cooper escaped.  And if Cooper and Ryan are together, then --"

"No.  No, Mac, no -- Jessie is not --" Lucy says, fighting back tears.

"Ryan doesn't leave anyone behind to rat on him, Lucy.   I'm sorry.  And I have a feeling that Chris Ramsey ended up going off to look for Jessie, and -- it doesn't look good for either of them." Mac says.

"What am I gonna tell Doc?  I mean, he doesn't have much family left, and Jessie --"

"Which is why you need to get out of town.  Lucy --it's what Kevin wants.  And he's right -- you're not safe here.  Nobody is." 

"I want to see him -- just one more time, to say goodbye, until I can --"

"There isn't time for that." Mac says.  "Go pack for you and the twins -- I've got an officer coming to pick you up in an hour."

"Where are we going?" Lucy asks.

"I'm not telling you that -- I don't want anyone to find out where you are."  Lucy is quiet.  "Hey --
we'll find him.  And you'll be back home soon.  I promise."

"Please, tell Doc that -- I love him, so very very much, and -- I'm so sorry I didn't believe him at
first."  Lucy says.
 

"He knows -- but I'll tell him anyway.  It'll be alright, Lucy -- Ryan Chamberlain isn't going to get
away with it this time.  Not if I can help it." Mac says.

Greg leans up against a tree, trying to catch his breath.  "Just an hour break, that's all I want." he
says.

"We don't have time -- we just took a break a few hours ago.  For all we know, they could be back in Port Charles by now.  We need to find them and get rid of them." Ryan says.

"Come on -- that storm was terrible.  They're probably dead already."

"Until I see a body, I can't take that chance.  We've come too far to mess up now -- get moving!" Ryan shouts, and they continue making their way through the woods.

April 21, 2001 -- morning.  Mac enters the visiting room at Ferncliffe, where Kevin is waiting.  "Is she gone?" Kevin asks.

"She and the twins left last night.  They're safe." Mac says.

"Thank God." Kevin says. 

"Kevin -- I need to tell you something.  It's not good." Mac pauses for a moment.  "Ryan was visiting Cooper at Concord -- we have witnesses.  They're patients, but -- too many of them agree on the story.  It's gotta be the truth."

"My god -- those two together --" Kevin begins.

"There's more.  Cooper escaped -- the same day that Jessie disappeared.  And then a few days later, Chris Ramsey disappears.  Kevin, I -- I think Jessie --"

"I know." Kevin says sadly, burying his head in his hands as he sits down.  "You don't think she's alive, do you?"

"You know Ryan." Mac says.  "I'm sorry.  Ramsey probably went off looking for her, and found -- I don't hold out much hope for him, either.  We'll keep looking, but --"

"She didn't deserve this, Mac." Kevin says.  "I want you to find him -- he is NOT going to destroy my family."

"We're -- keeping this all top secret for now.  I don't want to get the whole town in a panic.  I'll
tell you as soon as I know anything.  Until then --just don't say anything to anyone."

"I won't." Kevin says.  Mac gets up to leave.  "Mac --" Kevin begins.  Mac turns around.   "Thank you for believing me."

"Part of me wishes you were wrong." Mac says.

"Me too." Kevin replies.  Mac leaves.  Kevin is taken up to his room.  He paces around for a few minutes, looks out the window, then turns around and glances at a photo of Lucy and the twins.  He picks up the photo and stares at it for a few minutes.  "You bastard!" Kevin shouts, throwing the photo across the room.

April 21, 2001 -- late morning.  Chris and Jessie enter Patrick's cabin.  "Honey, come on, let's sit
down." Jessie says, her arm around Chris as she leads him back into the house.  Chris coughs a bit.

"I'm fine." he says in a tired voice.  "I think I just need a nap."

"Yeah, that's a good idea." Jessie says, as she helps Chris lie back on the couch.  Patrick comes out of the kitchen.

"What's going on?" he asks.

"He's not feeling good.  He almost passed out while we were outside." Jessie says worriedly.

"She's exaggerating, I just got a little dizzy.  I'm fine, I'm just tired."  Chris says, and he coughs once
again.

"You've been coughing like that since yesterday." Patrick says, and he gets his medical bag and goes
over to Chris.  Chris tries to push him away.

"Don't touch me, you quack!" Chris says. 

"Honey, please -- let Patrick take a look at you." Jessie says.  Chris sighs in disgust as Patrick starts
to check his vitals. 

"You've got a fever again." Patrick says.  "Your lungs don't sound too good -- I think you might be
developing pneumonia."

"Give me that." Chris says, grabbing Patrick's stethoscope and listening to his own breathing.  He
puts the stethoscope down and sighs.

"Patrick, we've gotta get him out of here, he needs to get to a hospital." Jessie says worriedly.

"I'll be fine, Jess." Chris says, squeezing her hand, and he leans back and closes his eyes.  Patrick gets up.

"Where are you going?" Jessie asks.

"I'm gonna get help -- he's not gonna make it if we don't get him to a hospital before his fever gets any higher and his lungs fill up with fluid.  Just have him drink plenty of fluids and try to keep his fever down -- I'll be back as soon as I can." 

"But the bridge is still out, and --" Jessie begins.

"Then I'll find some other way.  We can't afford to wait any longer." Patrick says, and he leaves.  Chris opens his eyes and looks up at Jessie.

"How high is my fever?" he asks.  Jessie checks his temperature again.

"101.7." she replies, getting a worried look on her face.  She brushes his hair from his eyes.  "I
shouldn't have had you go outside so soon.  We should have waited another day before --"

"Jess -- stop." Chris says.  "This isn't your fault."

"You just rest, alright?  Patrick will find a way --we'll be home soon."

"I hope you're right." Chris whispers, and he closes his eyes and drifts off to sleep.

April 22, 2004 -- early afternoon.  Jessie looks up as she hears the sound of a helicopter landing nearby.  Two paramedics race into the cabin, followed by Patrick.  "How is he?" Patrick asks.

"Thank god -- his -- his fever is up to about 104.6, and his lungs are even more filled with fluid -- I
think he's gonna need to be intubated and his lungs drained." Jessie says.  "I tried to keep his fever
down, but it just kept getting higher and he's been having trouble breathing -- it all happened so fast." she says, fighting back tears.

"His immune system wasn't strong enough to fight off another infection without antibiotics -- don't worry though, they'll take good care of him." Patrick says. "These guys will airlift him to the nearest hospital."

"Where is that?" Jessie asks.

"Port Charles." one of the paramedics says.  Jessie gets a smile of relief on her face.

"That's where we're from!" Jessie says.  She takes Chris' hand and runs her other hand through his hair.  "We're going home, baby.  We're going home."  Jessie looks up at the EMTs.  "Take us to General Hospital --we both work there."  She turns to Patrick as the paramedics tend to Chris.  "Come with us."

"I can't." Patrick says.

"Patrick -- you should go back.  Don't hide out here anymore -- you wife would want you to live again." Jessie says.

"I -- I can't do it, Jessie.  I just can't."

"If you change your mind -- I work at General Hospital in Port Charles.  I'll --- I'll come back to see you, once Chris is better."

"You don't have to do --"

"Yeah I do.  I owe you a lot." Jessie says.  She walks over to Patrick and gives him a hug.  "Think about what I said." she says, and leaves.   Patrick watches as the helicopter lifts off.  He goes back into his cabin, and sits down, taking his medical equipment into his hands and staring at it for a few minutes. He sets it down and sighs.

Upon arriving at the hospital, Chris is rushed into the ER at GH, with Jessie by his side.  "Baby, I'm
right here." Jessie says, just as Ellen enters the room.

"Jessie!" Ellen shouts, and pulls Jessie into a hug.  "Oh my god -- are you alright?  Everyone's been
worried sick about you."

"I'm fine -- Chris, he has pneumonia.  We need to start him on antibiotics, and get his fever down --
the EMT's got an IV started en route, and they inserted a breathing tube to drain his lungs."

"How did this happen?" Ellen asks.

"It's a long story.  Ellen, is Kevin -- is he still in jail?"

"Kevin is -- he's in Ferncliffe.  He -- Jessie, I don't know how to tell you this, but -- Kevin is the
one who attacked --"

"Ellen -- it was Ryan." Jessie says. 

"What?" 

"Ryan, he -- he did this." Jessie says.  "It's a long story -- the police should be here, I need to go talk to them.  Please, make sure Chris is okay.  The EMT's have his history, they'll bring you up to date." Jessie says.

"Okay -- I'll take good care of him." Ellen says.  Jessie leaves, and goes out into the lobby.  Mac is
waiting there. 

"My god -- you're -- you're alive." Mac says.

"I guess I am." Jessie says.  "Where's Kevin?  Did you let him out?"

"I can't do that." Mac says.

"But it was Ryan -- Kevin is innocent!" Jessie shouts.

"I know -- but it's not that simple.  Kevin has to be declared competent by a court -- this is out of my hands now, Jessie.  I'm doing my best to get a competency hearing for him as soon as possible.  Once that happens -- he'll be free to go."

"Where's Lucy?" Jessie asks.

"She and the twins are safe -- they're out of town, I can't tell anyone where." Mac says.

"Good." Jessie says.  "He's evil, Mac -- him and that Greg Cooper -- you don't know what they're capable of."

"Oh, I'm afraid I do." Mac says.  "I've got an APB out on both of them."

"Is there any word on Eve Lambert?" Jessie asks.

"I understand she's doing better, but -- she's not saying anything.  The doctors say she's kind of,
semi-catatonic.  I'm wondering if Ryan got to her."

"I think he did." Jessie says.  "I'll go see her in a bit.  I need to go be with Chris now." 

"How is he?" Mac asks.

"I don't know.  He's pretty sick.  It's all their fault -- if anything happens to him, it's all their
fault." Jessie says.

Mac enters the waiting room at Ferncliffe.  Kevin comes in a few minutes later.  "We found Jessie." Mac says.  Kevin gets a look of worry on his face.

"Mac -- she's not --"

"She's alive.  She's fine." Mac says.  Kevin breathes a sigh of relief.  "She's at the hospital -- Ramsey was with her, he's not doing quite as well."

"It was Ryan, wasn't it?" Kevin asks.

"And Cooper.  I don't know how they managed to get away, but --"

"Jessie's pretty resourceful.  Thank god she's alright." Kevin says. 

"I'm doing my best to get a competency hearing set for you.  You'll be out of here in no time." Mac says.

"Thanks -- make sure you put a guard on Jessie too, alright?" 

"It's already done.  We'll find him, Kevin.  He's not gonna get away with it this time." Mac says.

Jessie enters Chris' room in ICU.  Ellen is in there with him.  "How is he?" Jessie asks Ellen.

"We're treating him with some pretty strong doses of antibiotics right now -- we'll know more once his fever breaks, but -- I've been going over his chart --I don't know how he made it this long without antibiotics." Ellen says. 

"We -- we had some help.  Someone who -- knew some things.  He gave Chris an herbal mixture that he thought might help.  It -- didn't hurt him, did it?"

"No, it -- it probably saved his life." Ellen says.  "Whoever this person is that helped you -- they knew what they were doing.  How are you -- did you get yourself checked out?"

"Yeah, I'm -- okay." Jessie says, sitting down on the edge of Chris' bed.  She strokes his cheek gently.  "He's so pale.  Poor baby." she says.  "How long will you need to keep the breathing tube in?"

"His lungs are in pretty bad shape -- at least until tomorrow." Ellen says.  "You look exhausted -- why don't you go and get some rest.  The nurses here will take care of him.  I'll make sure they let you know if there's any change in his condition."

"I'm staying with him." Jessie says.  "I'll be fine."

"Alright -- there's a guard outside the door.  You just get some rest.  I'm glad you're okay." Ellen
says, and leaves.  Jessie kisses Chris on the forehead, and carefully curls up next to him in his
bed.

Ryan and Greg continue making their way through the woods, when Greg sees a cabin off in the distance.  "Ryan -- look over there!" Greg says.

"I think we may have just hit paydirt." Ryan says, grinning.  They make their way over to the cabin and enter.  They look around the room, and see a doctors bag lying on the table by the couch.  Ryan walks over to it and picks it up.  "They were here -- I know it." Ryan says.  At the same time, Patrick is in the bedroom, and he hears Ryan and Greg out in the living room. 

"You think they're still here?" Greg asks.

"Well, there's only one way to find out." Ryan says.  Patrick nervously climbs out the window, just as Ryan and Greg make their way into the bedroom.  They look around the room.  Ryan opens the closet door and looks inside.  "Somebody's here." Ryan says, as Patrick watches them from outside.  He accidentally brushes up against a bush, and Ryan turns around.  "Somebody's
out there." Ryan says, and he and Greg head toward the window . . . . . . 

Patrick ducks behind a bush as Greg looks out the window.  "I don't see anyone." Greg says.

"Of course not, you moron!  They're probably hiding somewhere.  Go find them -- those two need to be eliminated, now!" Ryan says adamantly.

"You know -- I've about had it up to HERE with your insults, bro!  You think you can do this on your own -- be my guest.  I don't need you -- in fact, you're the one who needs me!"  Ryan
grabs Greg's neck as he starts to walk off.

"Do you know how easy it would be for me to kill you right now?" Ryan says.  Greg reaches up and grabs Ryan's neck.

"Ditto." Greg says in a strained voice.  Both men release their grips on one another.  "Face it --
you've met your match." 

"Maybe." Ryan says grudgingly.  "Well, what the hell are we waiting for?  They're obviously not here --let's go find them and take care of them."  Ryan and Greg leave, as Patrick runs off, getting a head start, trying to make it into town before they do.

April 23, 2001 -- morning.  Jessie enters Eve's hospital room.  Eve is asleep; Jessie sits down next to her.  "Eve," she whispers, "I'm sorry I haven't been here." Eve wakes up and opens her eyes.  She looks up at Jessie, and gets a look of shock on her face.  "Hi." Jessie says.  "Everyone says you haven't said much -- that's not like you."

"I --" Eve begins, then stops.

"It's okay.  You're safe now.  He won't hurt you again.  I know it was Ryan."  Eve starts to tremble,
and her heart begins to race.  "Shhhh -- calm down.  Eve, there are guards outside your room.  Nobody will get in here that doesn't belong here."

"Chris." she says quietly.  "He'll hurt -- Chris."

"Chris is gonna be alright." Jessie says.  "He's sick right now, but -- he'll get better.  I'll bring him by
to see you when he's felling better, okay?"  Eve nods her head yes.  "I talked to your doctor -- you'll be out of here in no time."  Eve is quiet again.  "I know you're scared -- but you're safe, I promise."

"I thought -- it was Kevin.  I'm sorry." Eve says, crying.

"We all make mistakes." Jessie says. 

"Kevin -- in jail." Eve says.

"Actually, he's in Ferncliffe.  Mac Scorpio is doing everything he can to get a competency hearing
scheduled for him as soon as possible.  Then he can go home."

"This is -- my fault." Eve says.

"No, it's not -- it's Ryan's fault.  Don't blame yourself."  Jessie pauses for a moment.  "I need to
get back to Chris.  He's in ICU right now." Eve looks up at her, worried.  "He has pneumonia -- he's gonna be alright, though. It's a long story, I'll tell you all about it later.  You just get better, okay?"  Jessie leaves.

"Come on Albert, you know I'm good for the money." Patrick says to the restaurant owner. 

"I know what you've got -- nothin'!  You know how it works, Pat -- you want something, you've gotta earn it!" the man says, handing Patrick a broom.  Patrick tosses it to the ground.

"It'll take me at least a week to earn enough for that bus ticket -- I don't have that much time.  I
swear, I'll pay you back, with interest -- come on, you've known me for two years now.  Have I ever gone back on my word to you?"

"Why can't you just call these friends of yours and warn them?" Albert asks.

"Because, I -- I just need to go there, okay."  Patrick pauses for a moment.  "I'm coming back. 
Please -- here, you can even hold on to this."  Patrick takes off his wedding ring.  "You know I
wouldn't take this off if it wasn't important.  Are you gonna help me or not?"  Albert sighs.

"Alright, fine -- keep the ring." he says.  He opens up his cash register and takes out some money, handing it to Patrick.  "You owe me TWO weeks of work for this when you get back, is that clear?"

"Thanks -- you have no idea how much I appreciate this." Patrick says, taking the money and rushing out the door.

Jessie is sitting in Chris' room, and he starts to open his eyes.  Jessie squeezes his hand.  "Hey -- I'm
right here, Chris." she says.  Chris looks up at her. "We're home, baby -- we're home now."

"Eve -- okay?" Chris asks in a whisper of a voice.

"Eve is doing better -- you can see her, as soon as you're a little stronger."  Jessie reaches for a
pitcher of water next to the bed and carefully pours a glass.  She puts a straw in it and holds it up to
Chris' mouth.  "Here -- drink this."  She eases Chris'head up a bit as he drinks the water.  "We had a tube down your throat to drain your lungs from all of the fluid.  We just took it out about an hour ago, I'm sure your throat is probably pretty dry."  Chris nods his head yes.  "Is that better?"

"Better." Chris whispers. 

"Everyone knows, about Ryan, and Greg -- the police are looking for them.  There are guards all over the place here, we're safe." 

"Are you alright?" he asks.

"I'm okay." 

"I -- Jess --" Chris begins, finding it hard to talk.

"Shhhh.  Don't try to talk -- just rest.  You're gonna be okay.  We're home now, and we're safe.  We started you on some pretty strong antibiotics, your fever is breaking, and you're doing fine.  You should be out of ICU in a day or two -- I just want you to close your eyes and rest right now.  We can talk later, okay?"  Jessie climbs into the bed with him, and wraps her arms around him.  Chris immediately rests his head on her shoulder.  Jessie brushes his hair aside and softly kisses him on the cheek.  "Everything's okay now, baby.  I'm right here."  Chris closes his eyes and drifts off to sleep in Jessie's arms. 

Ryan and Greg enter the small diner.  The owner looks up at them.  "We're closed." he says.

"Oh, that's okay -- we didn't come in here for food, anyway." Ryan says.  Greg shoves his way past Albert into the kitchen.

"Hey, you can't go in there!" Albert shouts.  Greg comes back out carrying a large knife.

"I'm sorry, did you say something?" Greg says.  He grabs Albert from behind and puts a knife up to his throat.  "Open the cash register." he says.

"I -- I don't have much money here." Albert says nervously.

"Just do it!" Greg shouts.  He shoves Albert forward, and the man opens the cash register.  Greg carefully grabs the cash out of it, as Ryan comes up and takes the knife from Greg, still holding it to Albert's neck."

"Please -- I -- I won't tell anyone, I swear -- if you'll just let me --" Albert begins.

"Sorry -- first rule of thumb -- never leave witnesses." Ryan says.  He plunges the knife into the
man's neck, and he and Greg exit through the back door.  "You got those disguises?" Ryan asks Greg?"

"Got ‘em right here." Greg says, pulling out wigs from his bag.  "Let's see when the next bus leaves."

"Port Charles, here we come!" Ryan says, grinning as he puts on his wig.

"What the hell do you MEAN, three days?!" Kevin shouts at Mac.

"Kevin, I'm sorry, but my hands are tied.  The judge that's been in charge of your case is out of town for three days, and there's no way anyone else will touch this hearing.  If there were anything else I could do, I would, but --"

"This is INSANE, Mac -- I don't belong here!"

"I know that -- but the only thing we have proof of is that you didn't attack Eve Lambert.  That still isn't enough to declare you competent -- you need to have a hearing for that.  Given your past, the judge -- well, he was pretty adamant about this.  He didn't want to see you released on some technicality.  This has to go through him."

"So I'm stuck in this hell hole for three more days?  I can't take it in here, Mac -- being away from Lucy and my kids -- I want to be with them."

"You will be.  As soon as you're released, I've arranged for you to meet up with Lucy.  I figured you
wouldn't want her coming back to Port Charles until Ryan is caught."

"No, I don't." Kevin says.  "Mac -- what if for some reason, the judge still thinks that I --"

"There's no reason he would.  You'll be out of here in three days, mate.  I promise." Mac insists.

Patrick paces as he waits at the bus station.  He approaches the ticket counter.  "What's taking so
long?" he asks.

"They need to repair a tire -- shouldn't be but a few more minutes." the girl at the window says.  Finally, a boarding call is made, and Patrick gets on the bus. Several minutes later, Ryan and Greg enter the station.  They approach the counter.

"We need two tickets to Port Charles." Ryan says, handing her the money.

"I'm sorry, our next bus doesn't leave until tomorrow morning." the girl says.

"What do you mean?  They just did a final boarding call!" Greg says.

"That bus just pulled out -- you can try to catch it, but --" Ryan grabs the tickets from the girl, and he and Greg race outside, chasing after the bus.  The bus driver sees them, and starts to stop.  Patrick, who is sitting in the front row, notices them as well, and sees right past their disguises. 

"No -- don't stop!" Patrick says.

"Those two look like they want a ride, and it's not full, so --" the bus driver begins.

"I'm begging you --- you don't want them on this bus.  I know those guys, they're trouble.  Keep going." Patrick says.  The bus driver reluctantly agrees, and takes off.

"Dammit!  Now what?" Greg asks.

"I guess we're stuck hitchhiking.  Let's go -- one way or another, we're getting back to Port Charles --tonight!" Ryan says.

April 24, 2001 -- morning.  Patrick races through the entrance doors of General Hospital, and goes up to the first patient floor, where he approaches the Nurses Station.  "Excuse me -- I'm looking for a nurse that works here.  I don't know her last name, but -- her first name is Jessie.  She's about 5'6", shoulder length brown hair." Patrick says to the nurse behind the desk.

"Um -- you probably mean Jessie Collins." the nurse says, looking Patrick up and down unsurely.  "She's probably in Dr. Ramsey's room in ICU."

"What floor is that?" Patrick asks.

"Fifth." the nurse says.  "But you can't --" she begins, but Patrick takes off.  He makes his way up to
ICU, and checks all of the names on the doors, until he comes across one marked Christopher Ramsey.  There is a guard standing outside the door.  Patrick makes his way toward the room. 

"Hey, you can't go in there!" the guard says, but Patrick shoves him aside and enters Chris' room. 
Jessie looks up at him as the door opens, the guard following quickly behind.  He grabs Patrick as he enters.

"It -- it's okay, I know him." Jessie says.  "He can come in."  The guard nods his head and closes the door.

"How is he?" Patrick asks, moving closer to Chris' bedside.

"He's been sleeping a lot.  Poor baby, he's just so weak from everything that's happened to him. Let's go out in the hall, I don't want to wake him up." Jessie says.  They leave the room and stand outside of it.  "What are you doing here?"

"I  -- I had to find you.  Jessie, they -- two men came by my place, they were pretty creepy.  They were looking for you.  I, uh -- I knew they were trouble, so I snuck out the window and -- they heard me, and I knew if I didn't get out of there that -- I didn't know how to contact you, I didn't even know your last name, but I remembered you worked at General Hospital here, so --"

"It's Collins." Jessie says. 

"I know, I -- the nurse told me.  Mine is -- Reardon, by the way.  And Chris, his is -- Ramsey, right?" Patrick asks.

"Yeah." Jessie says. 

"I'm glad you're okay -- I just had to get here and tell you what happened."  Patrick says.

"I'm glad you're okay, too -- Ryan and Greg are insane, God only knows what they would have done to you if you hadn't gotten out of there."

"Jessie, they're -- I saw them at the bus station, as the bus was leaving.  They were trying to catch up to it.  They're on their way back here."

"Oh god -- Patrick, you need to stay here, you need protection -- they'll be after you now, too."

"They don't even know me -- I don't think they even saw me."

"That doesn't matter -- you can't go back there, it's dangerous.  You can stay at my place.  There's plenty of security at my house, and I'll have my Uncle Victor take you there."

"Jessie, I didn't come here to stay, I just wanted to warn you about --"

"You could have found a way to call me for that.  You thought about what I said, didn't you?"  Patrick looks down.

"Maybe." he says.  "It's been so long -- I don't even know if I can still --"

"You're a good doctor, Patrick -- and our research lab is really short-handed.  I'll arrange for
you to meet with Dr. Quartermaine if you want me to."

"Jessie, look at me.  I barely have any money, I have nowhere to live -- how can I even GO to an interview, I haven't owned a suit in years, and --"

"You can borrow one from Chris, he's got enough suits for an army."

"I told you, I don't -- I don't know if I can do it.  It's been such a long time." Patrick says.

"One of my best friends treated Chris when he was brought in.  She said you saved his life.  We need doctors like you, Patrick.   Don't worry about money -- I told you, you can stay at my place, and once you get your finances in order, you can find a place of your own."  Patrick is quiet.  "Patrick -- you should be working again.  You need to move on with your life.   Hey -- you know you want to.  You wouldn't have come out here if you didn't."

"I've -- been thinking about what you said." Patrick says.  "But I just don't know."

"I do." Jessie says.  "See -- there was a reason you met me.  I'm supposed to help you get your life back.  You don't want to argue with fate, do you?"

"You actually believe in that nonsense?" 

"Absolutely." Jessie says.  "I'm glad you came here." she says, and she gives him a hug, just as Chris
starts to wake up.  He watches them through the open window that looks out of his room.  "I should get back in there with Chris."  Jessie turns to the guard.  "Call my Uncle Victor -- have him take Patrick over to my place."  The guard nods, and Jessie turns back to Patrick.  "If you go in my room, Chris has some of his clothes in my closet, you can wear those.  I'll talk to Dr. Quartermaine later today, and we'll go from there."

"What if it doesn't work out -- it really has been a long time, and --"

"It'll work out.  I'll be by later today and I'll let you know what she said.  Just have faith." Jessie
says, and she goes back into Chris' room.  Chris is sitting up in his bed, glaring at her.

"This is starting to become a habit." Chris says in a disgusted tone.

"Hey, you -- did you have a nice nap?" Jessie asks, sitting down on the edge of his bed.

"Yeah, till I woke up -- what was he doing here?" Chris asks.

"Ryan and Greg were at his place -- he came to warn us."

"Hasn't he ever heard of a phone?  Oh, wait -- no, he hasn't." Chris remarks.

"It's not just that.  Patrick wants to go back to work -- I said I'd set up an appointment for him." Jessie says.

"Here?" Chris asks. 

"Of course here, where else?" Jessie says.  "I'm having Uncle Victor take him over to my place until
--"

"Your place?" Chris asks.

"Patrick is gonna stay with me -- just for awhile. You don't mind, do you?"  Jessie asks.

"Jessie --"

"Hey -- you just put that little green-eyed monster back in his cave where he belongs.  Besides, I'm gonna be staying with you, at least until you're well."

"Well, I'll make sure I have a long recovery then --because there's no way in hell you're living under the same roof with that guy."

"Oh, well this is just GREAT!" Ryan shouts, throwing a newspaper down to the ground as he and Greg wander around the docks.  "Everyone knows about us -- there's a full-scale manhunt going on, and we're the targets. Dammit!"

"So -- now what?" Greg asks.  Ryan pauses for a moment.

"We don't have any other choice.  The second part of our plan just got put into motion -- now." Ryan says.

"You don't mean -- we'll never get away with that. Not yet.  Not until after you --"

"We don't have a choice.  I'll have to pull it off somehow." Ryan says. 

"If you blow this, Ryan --"

"You need to have more faith in me, bro -- there's nothing I can't do once I put my mind to it.  Kevin will NOT win this time!  I'll see him in HELL first!" Ryan shouts.

April 26, 2001 -- late afternoon.  "Hey -- you up for a visitor?" Jessie asks, entering Eve's room.  Chris follows behind her, dressed in a pair of pajamas and a robe. 

"Hey you." Chris says.  He walks over to Eve's bedside and sits down on the edge of the bed, and hugs her. "Feeling better?"  Eve nods her head yes.

"Jessie said -- you were sick." Eve says.

"I'm fine." Chris says.  "I'm getting sprung tomorrow, but -- I have a feeling that she won't let me out of the apartment for a few days, so I thought I'd stop by today.  You just hurry up and get yourself back home."

"Do I still have one?" Eve asks.

"Of course you do -- and you better get well quick, you're gonna need that paycheck.  I don't give out room and board for free, you know."  Eve shows a bit of a smile.  "There, that's what I like to see.  I'm glad you're alright."

"Will you stay for awhile?" Eve asks.

"Sure." Chris says.

"Well, I'll let you two have some time to yourselves -- they're really short-handed in the OR today, and I said I'd help out.  You -- don't stay here too long, you need to rest, too." Jessie tells Chris.

"Yes ma'am." Chris says, and Jessie leaves.  "Kevin's hearing is tomorrow -- I thought you'd want to know.  He should be released then."

"I've hurt so many people." Eve says.

"You didn't hurt anyone -- this was all Ryan.  And he's gonna pay for it.  I promise." Chris says.

That evening, Kevin tosses and turns in his bed at Ferncliffe.  Suddenly the door to his room opens. 
"Dr. Collins -- time for your medication." the man says.

"What?" Kevin says, reaching for a light, but it won't go on.  "I haven't been taking anything since --"

"Change of plans." the man says, and he injects a needle into Kevin's arm.

April 27, 2001 -- morning.  Patrick paces nervously in Jessie's kitchen, wearing a suit.  Jessie comes out of her bedroom and sees him.  She looks him up and down.  "Wow -- look at you!  I didn't realize you were so handsome."

"Yeah, well I thought the beard was a bit much -- do I look okay?"

"You look fine -- if I weren't already in love with Chris, I just might --"

"Oh, come on." Patrick says, and Jessie laughs.  The phone rings, and Jessie answers it.  "Hello?"  Jessie sighs.  "I already told you, he's fine.  No, he doesn't have any more money to send this
month -- you already sponged your quota for the next THREE months off of him, Henry -- don't push your luck.  And cut out the phoney concern act -- nobody's buying it." Jessie says, hanging up the phone in disgust.  "Jerk!" she shouts.

"Not a friend, I'm guessing." Patrick says.

"Chris' father.  He wants money -- that's the only time he ever calls him.   I made the mistake of giving him MY number one time when Chris was here making dinner and he called for him at the hospital -- now he won't leave ME alone.  Poor Chris -- to be stuck with that jerk for a father."

"Did you call him -- Henry?" Patrick asks.

"Yeah -- Henry Ramsey.  Con artist extraordinaire." Jessie says.  "Well, I need to run some errands --Chris is coming home today, and I want to plan a surprise for him at his apartment tonight.  Good luck today." Jessie says, giving him a hug. 

"Thanks." Patrick says, and Jessie leaves.  Patrick makes his way into the living room, and sits down on the couch, thinking back to a day a long time ago . .
. . . . . . 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~FLASHBACK to July 15, 1983 --
Patrick stands on the doorstep of a rundown house in Cincinnati, Ohio -- he knocks on the door.  A young boy, about fourteen years old, answers -- he holds a little girl, no more than four years old, in his arms.  "Excuse me -- is this where Henry Ramsey lives?"
Patrick asks.

"Who wants to know?" the boy asks in return.

"Are you his son?" Patrick asks.

"Maybe." the boy replies, glaring at him.  A man in his late 30's comes up behind him.

"Whatever you're selling, we don't want any." the man says to Patrick.  "Go on boy, get out of here!" the man says to his son, and the young boy leaves the room with the little girl still in his arms, glaring at Patrick the whole time.

"I'm not selling anything -- are you Henry Ramsey?" Patrick asks.

"That depends -- who are you?" Henry asks.

"I'm -- your son." Patrick says.  Henry laughs.

"Listen, I already got enough damn kids, I don't need another one.  Who sent you here?"

"Do you remember a girl named -- Jenny Mitchell?"  Henry looks stunned.

"Jenny?  God, I haven't thought about her in years -- she was my first, you know." he
remembers fondly.  "What about her?"

"She's -- my mother.  She gave me up -- for adoption.  I found out she died, two years ago, and -- she named you as my father."  Patrick can't help but notice the resemblance between him and Henry, and tries not to stare.  "We -- look a lot alike."  Henry looks Patrick
up and down, noting that he appears to be well off. 

"Son!" Henry says, pulling him into a hug.  "I'll be damned.  Who'd have guessed -- me and Jenny.  I wish she'd have told me." 

"I'm sure she had her reasons." Patrick says.

"So -- you live around here?" Henry asks.

"No, I --- just came here to meet you."

"That's real nice.  Say, you -- wouldn't happen to have a couple grand you could loan your old man, would you?"

"You want money from me?" Patrick asks, shocked.

"Yeah, well, you can see I'm not quite living in a castle here.  I just lost my job not too long ago, and -- I'd pay you back, I swear.  Come on -- you wouldn't let your old man down now, would you?"

"I -- I have to go." Patrick says, very uncomfortable.

"Come on -- wait!" Henry shouts.

"I shouldn't have come here -- I'm sorry." Patrick says, leaving as quickly as he can.

"Ungrateful BRAT!" Henry shouts, as Patrick gets in his car and pulls away.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Patrick glances at a photo of Chris and Jessie that sits on one of the end tables.  "My god -- it can't
be." he says to himself.

"Congratulations, mate!" Mac says, giving Kevin a hug.  "You're a free man."

"I can't believe it -- the judge let me go." Kevin says.

"Of course he did -- now -- you've got a wife and kids to go visit." Mac says.

"Mac -- I don't know if that's a good idea." Kevin says.

"I thought you wanted to --"

"I think maybe I -- need to stay away from Lucy for awhile.  I don't want to put her in any danger." Kevin says.

"I told you, there no way anyone will find the two of you, and --"

"I need to find Ryan.  Until then, it's -- not safe for me to be anywhere near Lucy.  I need to do this on my own."

"Why the change of heart all of a sudden?  Yesterday all you could talk about was seeing your family again."

"I did some thinking last night, and -- this is for the best." Kevin says.  "If you can -- get a message
to Lucy.  Tell her what I said."

"Okay -- she's gonna be disappointed." Mac says.

"I know -- but this is how it has to be right now.  I don't have any other choice." Kevin says.

Patrick pokes his head in the door in Chris' room. "Can I come in?" he asks.  Chris just glares at him, not saying a word.  "I wanted to see how you were." 
Chris looks him up and down.

"Is that my suit?" he asks.

"Jessie said -- you wouldn't mind.  I didn't have anything to wear to an interview, and --"

"Yeah, well Jessie was wrong." Chris says.  "What do you want, huh?"

"I told you, I just wanted to see --" Patrick begins.

"Sure you did.  You feed my girlfriend some lame sob story, and presto, you're her new pet project.  Jessie has enough to think about in her life -- she doesn't need some washed up lab geek leeching onto her."

"You don't seem to give her much credit, do you?" Patrick asks.

"Jessie's a good person.  And she just eats up all that ‘poor me' stuff you've been feeding to her.  I,
however, can spot a con a mile away."

"Obviously from personal experience."

"Stay away from Jessie.  She's got better things to do with her time than to babysit you." Chris says, just as Jessie enters the room.

"Chris!" Jessie shouts, letting the door slam behind her.  She turns to Patrick.  "I'm sorry." she says.

"Forget it." Patrick says.  He starts to leave.  "I'll return the suit tomorrow." he says to Chris before he goes, then leaves the room.

"You better have it cleaned, too!" Chris shouts as Patrick leaves.  He turns and glares at Jessie. 

"I brought you some clothes to change into." Jessie says, tossing them at Chris in anger.

"Really?  Gee, you mean you haven't donated all of my stuff to some charity that supports social recluses? How considerate of you."  Jessie sighs.

"What is the big deal?  Patrick didn't have anything to wear to interview for this job at GH, and I figured he could just borrow one of your suits.  He's not keeping it, for cryin' out loud!"

"That's not the point, Jess -- first, this guy is all over you at that cabin --" Chris begins.

"Oh, here we go with that again." Jessie says, rolling her eyes.

Chris continues, ignoring her.  "You let him raid my wardrobe, and then you have the nerve to let him move in with you!  What do you need me for?"

"He needs a place to stay!" Jessie insists.

"He's never heard of a hotel?" Chris asks.

"He doesn't have any money, Chris -- once he gets back to work, he'll be able to get his own place.
 Until then, I have plenty of room at my house."

"Gee, I'm surprised you didn't just offer him my apartment while you were at it -- I mean, you're
giving away other stuff that belongs to me, why not that."

"Look -- I don't want to argue about this anymore.  Just get dressed -- we're going home."

"What, you don't want to spend the evening with your new best friend?" Chris asks.

"What is your problem with Patrick, anyway?  He saved your life, you jerk!  At the very least you
should be grateful."

"I don't trust him." Chris says.  " I want to stop and see Eve before we go."

"Fine." Jessie says, disgusted with Chris' attitude. 

"How long are you gonna be mad at me about this?" 

"Until you get a CLUE -- I'm not interested in Patrick!  Why are you finding that so hard to
believe?"

"I believe you, Jess --- it's HIM I don't trust.  He's taking advantage of you."

"Do I look stupid to you?  He's a decent guy -- and I trust him.  And I'm gonna help him, no matter what you think.  So deal with it."

"Well, I don't have to like it." Chris says.

"No -- but you need to accept it.  Can you do that?"

"I suppose." Chris says grudgingly.

"Good." Jessie says, hugging him.  "Now get dressed --and I still want you taking it easy for a few days when we get home, is that clear?"

"Does that mean I can still get some of those sponge baths you're so good at?" Chris asks, grinning.

"If you're good." Jessie teases.

"Oh, I'm better than good." Chris says, pulling her into a kiss. 

Kevin enters the lighthouse, and tosses his suitcase onto the couch.  He walks around the room, and picks up a family portrait with Lucy and the twins and looks at it for a moment.  He sits down on a chair, and puts his feet up on the coffee table.  "Ah, it's good to be home." he says, leaning back and grinning.

In an abandoned warehouse, on the waterfront, Greg Cooper enters carrying a small bag.  He turns on a flashlight and hands the bag to a man who's tied up in a corner, and loosens one of his hands.  "Here -- and don't get any bright ideas." he says, pointing a gun on his prisoner.

"You're not gonna get away with this!" Kevin shouts.  "Everyone will know!  They'll know he's not me!  Lucy will know!"

"Oh, I don't think Lucy will be a problem -- we've already taken care of that."

"What did you do to her?" Kevin asks.

"Nothing -- yet." Greg says, grinning.  "Nobody's gonna miss you, bro -- I mean, as far as they know, you're at home, where you belong.  They'll never see this coming -- not in a million years."