April 28, 2001 -- late morning.  At Chris' apartment, Jessie comes of the bedroom and finds Chris in the kitchen, cooking.  "Just what do you think you're doing?" Jessie asks.

"Making you breakfast.  Actually, I should be making you lunch, as late as it is." Chris says,
putting his arm around her and kissing her on the cheek. 

"Chris, you just got out of the hospital, you shouldn't be doing this.  Now go sit down, I'll finish." Jessie says, trying to lead him out of the kitchen.

"I'm fine." Chris says.  "You worry too much.  Now come on -- there's a ton of food in here, let's just enjoy it.  Besides -- I don't think you've gotten a good night's sleep since this whole ordeal began.  I figured letting you sleep in and surprising you with breakfast was the least I could do."

"You're a sweetheart." Jessie says, kissing him. 

"Just don't tell anyone, okay?" Chris teases.  They have breakfast, and afterward Chris sits down on the couch, and Jessie sits next to him.  Chris grabs her and pulls her into an intense, passionate kiss.  "You have no idea how much I've missed doing that."

"I've missed it too." Jessie whispers.  Chris lies back on the couch, pulls Jessie on top of him and
starts to kiss her on the neck, and begins unbuttoning her blouse.  After a few minutes, Jessie pulls away.  "Honey -- I don't think we should be doing this."  Chris sits up in frustration.

"Why not?" he asks.

"You're still recovering -- you're supposed to be taking it easy, not --" Chris interrupts her by kissing her on the lips, hard.

"I told you -- I'm fine.  I couldn't ask for better medicine than this."  Chris kisses her again.  "Tell
me you don't want to -- I dare you." he teases. Jessie kisses him back, and starts to remove his shirt.  After a few minutes, the doorbell rings.  Chris leans back, frustrated.  "Go away!" he shouts.

"Chris, it could be important." Jessie says, getting up and fixing her disheveled hair and blouse a bit. 
She answers the door -- it's Patrick.

"Oh, this is a big surprise." Chris says  sarcastically.  "What now, you want to borrow my car?"

"I just wanted to return this." Patrick says, handing him his suit.  "Thank you."

"Did you get the job?" Jessie asks.

"Yes and no." Patrick says.  "I mean, I prefer research, but I do have quite a bit of experience in
patient care in the ER, and Dr. Quartermaine says they're kind of understaffed right now there -- so
I'll be working in the lab part-time and in the ER part-time."

"That's great!" Jessie says, hugging him. 

"I suppose -- I'm just not big on dealing with the patients that much -- I hate watching people suffer."  Patrick says.

"Well gee, maybe you should consider a different profession then -- you know, I hear that the mall is
hiring." Chris remarks.

"Chris, stop it!" Jessie says.  "Well, I can't wait to work with you -- I'm usually in the OR, but I work at least one ER shift a week, so I'm sure our paths will cross."

"Not to mention the fact that he's still living in your house." Chris says, not at all pleased.

"I meant on a professional level." Jessie says.

"Oh -- so, on what level is it that you're sharing the same address?  Care to fill me in?" Chris asks.
 

"I better go."  Patrick says, heading for the door.  "I'll see you later, Jessie." he says, and leaves.

"Do you have to be like that?" Jessie asks, glaring at Chris.

"Like WHAT?"

"You know like what.  There is no reason whatsoever for you to be jealous of Patrick."

"Then prove it.  Let him find his own place to live.  I mean, so the guy's had it rough the past few years.  That's not your problem.  Why do you care?"

"I'm trying to be nice." Jessie says. 

"Oh, that's right, I forgot -- Jessica Collins, the poster child for kindness and generosity.  I bet you
were a girl scout too, huh?" 

"You know, maybe you should try it sometime, instead of wasting all of your energy being so  damned cynical and judgmental.  Then maybe you wouldn't be the town pariah." Jessie remarks.

"Oh, is that what I am?" Chris asks.  "Thanks a lot, Jessie.  Tell me how you <i>really</i> feel."  Chris gets up and starts to walk away.

"I didn't mean it like that." Jessie says, moving toward him. 

"And just how DID you mean it then?" Chris asks, heading toward the bedroom. 

"Chris --"

"You know, all of a sudden I'm tired -- I'm gonna go lie down for awhile.  Why don't you go see what you  can do to help out your latest charity case, since that seems to be your top priority at the moment."  Chris goes into the bedroom and slams the door behind him.

Mac arrives at the lighthouse, and Ryan lets him in. "Hey, mate." Mac says.  "Getting all settled in
again?"

"I'm -- trying." Ryan says, trying to hide his displeasure at Mac's appearance.  "So -- is Felicia back home yet?"

"No way." Mac says.  "I'm not letting her anywhere near Port Charles until that maniac brother of yours is caught."

"Mac -- do you have to be so hard on him?" Ryan asks.

"Kevin, in the past several months he's tried to make you believe that you were having a breakdown, framed you for attempted murder, and kidnaped your cousin. And you want me to feel sorry for the guy?"

"Well, he is my twin, Mac." Ryan says.  Ryan pauses for a moment.  "I guess you're right."

"Well, I just wanted to see how you were doing.  As soon as I have any leads, I'll let you know."

"Thanks." Ryan says.

"Hey -- what about Lucy?"

"What about her?"

"Is she coming home?" Mac asks.

"I don't know if that's such a good idea -- I mean, I don't want to put her and the kids at risk.  She
should probably stay where she is for now."

"Yeah -- you know, I can arrange for the two of you to see each other if you want -- you could probably use a nice weekend getaway, and --"

"Thanks Mac -- but I think I'll stay put for now.  I want to be here when they find him."

"Okay -- well, if you change your mind."

"I'll let you know."  Ryan says.  Mac leaves. "That'll be a cold day in hell." Ryan says to himself
after Mac is gone.  He glances at a photo of Kevin, Lucy, and the twins.  "No, Lucy, you need to stay right where you are -- for now.  I'll deal with you later." he says, smiling wickedly.

"Here you go -- dinner is served." Greg says, handing Kevin a paper bag with a sandwich in it and taking the gag out of his mouth.

"How do I know it's not poisoned?" Kevin asks.

"You don't." Greg replies.

"You're never gonna get away with this." Kevin says. Greg is silent.  After a few minutes, Kevin speaks up again.  "He's taking advantage of you."

"What's your problem now?" Greg asks.

"Ryan -- he's just using you.  And why not -- you've got money, and the same cunning ability he has.  He's using you to further HIS agenda, and what happens to you when he's done?"

"Ryan's given me a chance at a new life -- as soon as he has his plastic surgery, he can complete his plan of stepping into your life, and I'll be free to start one of my own.  Somewhere where nobody knows me."

"You really think that's gonna happen?" Kevin asks. "I know my brother -- he's two steps ahead of you at all times.  You'll never be free of him.  You'll be lucky if he even lets you <i>live</i> in the end.  You know, I thought you would be smart enough to realize that, but --"

"Just SHUT UP, COLLINS!" Greg shouts, grabbing his gun and pointing it at him.  "I know what you're doing -- I've been to dozens of shrinks in my life, I know the drill inside and out.  And you're wrong -- Ryan and I are partners.  We have been, since the first day he found out about me.  He's the brother I really wanted -- you don't even come close."

"Look -- just let me go.  And I'll see to it that you have the best doctors in the world helping you -- you can trust me.  Ryan only cares about Ryan -- and sooner or later you're gonna find that out for
yourself the hard way if you don't listen to me now."

"I'll take my chances, bro." Greg says.  "And you aren't going anywhere."

May 4, 2001 -- Chris opens the door to his apartment, helping Eve slowly make her way into the room.  "Well -- welcome home." Chris says, as they make their way to the couch.  "Easy -- there you go." Chris says as he helps Eve sit down. 

"Thanks." Eve says quietly.

"Hey -- good to see you back." Jessie says, coming out of Eve's bedroom.  "I got your old room all ready for you and everything.  I'm glad you're home."

"Me too." Eve says.

"So -- can I get you anything?" Chris asks.

"You know, I've been dying for one of your martinis." Eve teases.

"Well, unfortunately, I don't think those go very well with the meds you're on right now -- maybe in a couple of weeks.  How about some water or juice instead?" Chris says.

"You're no fun." Eve says.

"Well, that's the price you pay for having a doctor for a roommate." Chris says.

"Eve, Chris and I decided that if you want us to arrange our schedules so that one of us is always here until --" Jessie begins.

"Come on, you guys, I really don't need a babysitter. Besides, you've got Igor out there guarding the door at all times -- what could possibly happen to me?" Eve asks.

"Eve, we just want you to feel safe.  Besides -- I think it might be a good idea for -- other reasons,
too." Chris says, glancing over at Jessie.  Jessie rolls her eyes.

"Just ignore him, Eve.  Look, it's up to you.  If you want one of us to be here, we'll make it happen. 
Okay?"  Jessie says.

"Thanks." Eve says, and the phone rings.  Chris answers it. 

"Hello?  Oh -- yeah, just a minute." Chris turns to Jessie.  "I'll be right back out, it's a patient
consult, my briefcase is in the other room." he says, and goes into the bedroom.  Eve looks at Jessie.

"What's up with him?" Eve asks.

"He's got this idiotic idea in his head that I'm hot for this new doctor."

"Well -- are you?" Eve teases.

"No!" Jessie shouts.  "Eve, we met him while we were trying to find our way home -- this poor guy had lost his wife and was so distraught he was living in this run-down shack in the woods.  He's a brilliant doctor, Eve -- he saved Chris' life.  I convinced him to come to Port Charles and try to make a new start of things."

"And that's it?" Eve asks.

"Well, he's staying with me until he can get his finances in order, and --"

"Oh, so that's the problem.  Come on, Jessie, you know all about Chris' trust issues -- did you really think this wouldn't bother him?"

"I thought he trusted me more than that.  And besides, I'm here every night and --"

"Jessie, Chris doesn't trust anyone -- what you see as 'being nice', Chris sees as a threat to what is probably the first real relationship he's had in years -- maybe ever.  Look, I know I'm the last person in the world who should be giving out relationship advice, but -- Chris really loves you.  If he didn't, he wouldn't be acting like an idiot about this guy."

"Eve, he lives with you and I'm not all paranoid that you guys are sneaking around behind my back." 

"You're not Chris -- look, I'm sure he'll get over it.  But maybe you should back off on your friendship with +-- what's his name?" 

"Patrick." Jessie says.

"Just kind of pay less attention to Patrick for awhile.  He'll probably be a lot more understanding
than Chris will."

"That's an understatement." Jessie says.  The doorbell rings -- Jessie opens it.

"Kevin." Jessie says.  She turns to the guard.  "It's okay -- he can come in."

"But isn't he the --" the guard begins.

"I'm a twin." Ryan replies.  "Happens all the time."  Ryan enters the room.  "Eve -- I wanted to see how you were --" Suddenly Eve begins to shake with fear.

"You stay away from me!" she screams. 

"Eve, it's Kevin, he's not gonna --" Jessie begins.

"No -- go away!  Don't touch me!" Eve screams.  Chris comes running into the room.

"What's going on here?" he asks, and sits down next to Eve, pulling her close.

"I just wanted to see how she was.  Eve -- I'm sorry for what Ryan did to you.  I heard you were released today, and I just wanted to --" Ryan begins.

"Make him leave, Chris -- make him go away!" Eve says, in tears.

"I think you should go -- you're upsetting her." Chris says.

"I'm sorry -- I'll leave." Ryan says.  "Eve, if you ever need anything, just --"

"Kevin -- let's go out in the hall." Jessie says, and they leave the apartment. 

"I'm sorry about that -- I felt really bad about what Ryan did, and --"

"I know -- it's just that you look exactly like him, and --"

"It was a bad idea.  So, how have you been?"

"Fine.  Kevin, I'm really sorry I haven't been in touch a lot since we got back, but -- well, Chris was
sick, and -- how are you holding up?"

"Oh, I'm doing great.  Anything beats that hellhole padded room I was in." 

"You probably miss Lucy, don't you."

"Yeah, I guess so." Ryan says.

"I talked to her yesterday on the phone -- she's kind of worried about you.  In fact, I was gonna come by later and see how --"

"Why is she worried about me?  I'm fine." 

"Are you sure?  Kevin, I don't know how to say this, but --"

"But what?" 

"But you seem -- I don't know -- different." Jessie says.

"Well, being locked up for something you didn't do kind of does that to you.  I promise, I'm okay.  I'll be a lot better when this whole nightmare is over." 

"All of us will.  I know the police are doing everything they can to find Ryan." 

"Well, good luck to them." Ryan says.

"What's that mean?" Jessie asks.

"Well, I mean -- I know my brother.  He's always on top of things.  He's a hard one to outsmart."

"Well, I managed to." 

"Yeah, you did." Ryan says, trying to hide his anger. 
 

"Well, you call me if you need anything, okay?  I hope you can get back to a normal life soon." Jessie says.

"That's all I want." Ryan says.  Jessie hugs him and goes back into the apartment, just as Chris is coming out of Eve's room. 

"Is she okay?" Jessie asks.

"Yeah -- I had to give her a sedative, she just wouldn't calm down." Chris says.  "Jessie -- I don't
want Kevin over here.  I mean, I know he's your cousin and he didn't do anything, but -- I can only imagine what kind of memories seeing him brought back to Eve. And until she's able to cope with all of this --"

"I know.  I can't imagine what she went through -- is she going to counseling?"

"She's been talking to Dr. Richardson -- but she's still not 100% ready to deal with --"

"Of course not.  I'll tell Kevin that I know he means well, but -- he should stay away for now."

"Thanks." Chris says.  "I've gotta go to the hospital for a few hours, you'll stay here with her, right?"

"Of course." Jessie says.  Chris gets up to leave.  "Chris --" Jessie says as he reaches the door.  Chris turns around.  "I love you." she says.

"I'll see you later." Chris says, and leaves. 

Ryan pulls into the driveway at the lighthouse.  He gets out of the car, and someone taps him on the
shoulder.  Ryan turns around, startled.  "Hey, it's just me, bro." Greg says.

"What the hell are you doing here?  You're supposed to be keeping an eye on you-know-who." Ryan says angrily.

"He's fine -- he's not going anywhere.  Look, something has been bothering me lately, and --"

"What?" Ryan asks in a disgusted tone.

"What's gonna happen to me after all of this?"

"Excuse me?" 

"You're not gonna have me locked up again, are you?" Greg asks.

"Don't tell me that my shrink brother has been filling your head with paranoid delusions.  Look, you just do your job -- everything will work out the way it's supposed to in the end." 

"For whom?" Greg asks.

"You know, if I didn't know any better, I'd swear that you were starting to not trust me." Ryan says.

"I just want to be sure that I'm not gonna lose out in the end here." 

"I promise -- I'll take care of you.  Now get back to keeping an eye on our guest." 

"You're sure you're gonna get away with this?" Greg asks.

"Of course I'm sure -- I was a bit concerned about our friend Dr. Lambert -- but I just got back from paying her a visit.  She's so paranoid that even if she DID identify me, nobody would believe her.  It's working out just as I planned.  Of course, there IS the problem of my brother being enough of a boob to actually befriend that moron Police Commissioner, but he's just a minor  annoyance.  I can handle him if necessary."

"What about Lucy?" Greg asks.

"Lucy is safely tucked away in some unknown hiding place, to protect her and the twins from yours truly.  And that's just how it's gonna stay.  The last thing I need is my brother's nosy wife figuring out the truth -- she needs to stay out of town until I can arrange to be away for a few months and have that plastic surgery."

"And then what?" 

"I haven't decided yet.  But I am NOT gonna let that babbling bimbo Lucy ruin my plans.  Honestly, my brother has the lousiest taste in women." Ryan remarks.  "Now go on -- get back to Kevin.  And don't come here again unless I ask you to."

"Okay -- but you better keep your word, bro.  I don't like being lied to."

"Now that hurts.  I've been called a lot of things -- but I'm no liar." Ryan says.  Greg leaves, and Ryan walks to the front door and opens it.  Closing the door behind him, he looks up, stunned.

"Doc!  You're home!" Lucy says, running up to Ryan and hugging him tightly.
 
 

"Lucy -- what are you doing here?" Ryan asks, pulling away from Lucy.

"Doc -- aren't you glad to see me?" Lucy asks, puzzled.

"Yeah, of course, I just -- I just thought you'd be safer where you were." Ryan says nervously.

"I know, but -- well, you just haven't sounded like yourself on the phone since you've been back, and -- I've missed you and I just wanted to come home.  And I'm not gonna let that sick, nasty brother of yours keep up apart anymore."

"Lucy -- I know you mean well, but I really wish you'd have stayed away."  Ryan says, walking to the other end of the room, his back to Lucy.

"Doc -- look at me." Lucy says, walking up behind him and putting her arm on his shoulder.  "I can't stay away from you Doc, you know that.  We've lost so much time because of --"

"Lucy, I'm not up for this right now.  And I won't be until all of this is over and Ryan is found.  So
please -- go back where you were -- where you'll be safe." Ryan says.

"No.  Kevin -- what's going on?" Lucy asks, worried.

"I said I don't want you here right now, Lucy!" Ryan shouts.  One of the babies starts to cry from
upstairs. 

"Doc -- you know that Dom is a light sleeper -- you don't have to shout." Lucy says, going upstairs.  She comes back down with Dominique in her arms.  "Here -- somebody has missed her daddy." Lucy says.  Dominique's face lights up at the sight of Ryan, and she immediately reaches out for him.

"She -- she wants me to hold her." Ryan says, surprised.

"Of course she does -- you know how much of a daddy's girl she is." Lucy says.  Ryan takes Dominique in his arms. 

"My god -- she's adorable." Ryan says, smiling at the little girl. 

"You act like you've never seen her before." Lucy says, puzzled.

"I mean -- she's grown so much in the past month.  She gets more and more beautiful every day -- just like her mom." Ryan says, totally enamored by Dominique.  "But Lucy -- you really can't stay here.  I'm sorry if I seem angry, but -- I just want you to be safe."

"I'm safe with you, Doc." Lucy says, wrapping her arms around Ryan.  She suddenly pulls away.

"What's wrong?" Ryan asks.

"Nothing, I just -- I just got a strange feeling, that's all.  Doc -- are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm fine, I -- I've just been under a lot of stress lately.  And I don't need to add worry about your
safety to the list of everything else.  Please, Lucy -- go back."

"No, Doc.  Now, I know that you think you need to protect us, but -- I'm not gonna leave you here all alone.  You're stuck with me, mister -- whether you like it or not." Lucy says adamantly.

May 7, 2001 -- Patrick is behind the desk in the ER. Chris comes walking up.  "Reardon, did you do that blood workup I asked for this morning?" Chris asks angrily.

"I did that over three hours ago." Patrick says.

"Well then where the hell is it?" Chris asks.  Patrick pulls out a file.

"Ever think of looking in the chart, where it should be?" Patrick asks, handing him the file.

"Thanks." Chris says grudgingly.

"Chris, I've -- been meaning to ask you something. Did you ever live in Cincinnati?" Patrick asks.  Chris gives him a suspicious look.

"What, are you doing a background check on me now?" Chris asks.

"No, I just -- I was just curious."

"Well, it's none of your damn business." Chris says.  Dr. Boardman comes over to the desk. 

"Dr. Reardon -- I have something to say to you." Dr. Boardman says, as Chris watches with a smug grin on his face. 

"Yes?" Patrick says nervously.

"I just wanted to tell you how impressed I was with your quick diagnosis of that seizure that came into the ER last night.  You probably saved her life -- I've been around this place for quite some time, and that was one of the most impressive diagnoses I've ever seen.  Have you ever considered surgery?"  Chris' smug grin turns to a look of disgust.

"Thanks, but -- I'm only in the ER until they can fit me in full-time in research.  That's what I'm best at.  But I appreciate the vote of confidence." Patrick
says.

"Well, I wish the rest of the staff was half as knowledgeable as you.  If you ever change your mind -- just let me know." Dr. Boardman says, and he leaves.  Patrick takes a stack of files off the desk and walks off.  A few minutes later, Jessie comes by.

"Chris, you need to learn to write more legibly -- would you mind telling me just what this dosage is
supposed to be?" Jessie asks him, showing him a patient's chart.

"Aren't you supposed to know how to decipher a doctor's handwriting by now.  You know, we don't have time to jot everything down all nice and neat like you'd want us to." Chris snaps. 

"What is your problem?" Jessie asks.  Chris sighs.

"I'm sorry." Chris says.  "I'm sick of it, Jess.  Ever since that log cabin lab geek has come on board, he's managed to do a royal snow job on half the staff!  For cryin' out loud, he's even got Boardman running around acting like the guy is the greatest medical mind of the century.  When in reality he's no better than anyone else on the staff."  Chris says angrily.

"You mean, like you."  Jessie says.

"I've worked my butt off to get some respect around this place, and Reardon has everyone fawning all over him in what, five minutes time?  You know, just once I'd like to see him screw something up.  At least prove that he's actually human for a change."

"Chris -- you're an excellent doctor.  You just need to work on your penmanship." Jessie teases.  "Don't worry about what people think of Patrick.  That has nothing to do with you."

"Yes it does, Jess -- everyone knows that he's staying at your place.  How do you think that makes ME look, huh?  People around here would just love it if you were to dump me for him -- hell, they'd probably throw a party."

"That's not gonna happen." Jessie says, wrapping her arms around him.  Just then, Jessie's pager goes off.  "Well, I've gotta go -- I'll see you later."  Jessie kisses him on the cheek and leaves.

"You're damn right it's not gonna happen -- not if I have anything to say about it." Chris says to himself.

May 8, 2001 -- Chris comes barging into the oncall room.  "You know, I've just about HAD it with you, Reardon!" he shouts at Patrick, who is taking a break.  "Who the hell gave you the right to change the dosage on my patient's chart?"

"The dosage you gave was too high -- I'm sure it was just an accidental oversight on your part, and I thought I'd --"

"You thought what?  Thanks to you, Boardman figured out that you had taken it upon yourself to make the correction on MY patient's record, and he chewed me out for a half hour about it.  You know, if you had just bothered to come and tell me about it, I could have handled it myself.  I had already turned in my patient report, and it didn't take long for Boardman to figure out that you were the one who caught the error, not me.  Thanks a lot."

"I'm sorry -- look, at the other hospital we did this kind of thing all the time -- I'm always very precise when I look at patient records, and --"

"And I'm not.  If you had just told me about it, I could have changed it, and Boardman wouldn't have chewed me out.  I guess all of us aren't as perfect as you are, huh?" Chris says angrily.

"I never said I was perfect."

"Well, you sure as hell act like it.  Next time don't do me any favors."

"Chris, I'm sorry -- I didn't mean to get you in trouble."

"Oh, would you stop with the 'Mr. Nice Guy' act -- you may have been able to fool the rest of the idiots on staff -- but I'm not buying it."

"Do I count among those 'idiots', Chris?" Jessie asks, standing in the doorway.

"Jess -- you know I didn't mean that --"

"You know, I'm sick of watching you act like such a jerk.  Patrick hasn't done a thing to you, and you treat him like he's evil incarnate."

"Why doesn't it surprise me that you're taking his side?" Chris asks angrily, and leaves.  Patrick sits
down and sighs. 

"I don't know what I'm thinking.  He's never gonna accept me." Patrick says.

"I'm sorry, Patrick -- Chris just has this crazy idea that you're trying to steal me away from him.  It's
not his fault -- he had it really rough growing up, his father taught him never to trust anyone -- and
he's never really gotten over that."

"And me living at your place doesn't help any -- I've been looking for an apartment, I should be out of your house by the end of the week.  And I just got a check for some of the royalties from a few pharmaceutical companies -- I had been donating all of it to research, but -- I started keeping some of it again as soon as I moved here.  So I can pay you back what I owe you for the money you loaned me for clothes and everything."

"I told you, don't worry about it." Jessie says.

"I pay my debts, Jessie -- and I don't want to interfere with your relationship with Chris.  He
already hates me enough.  I don't want it to get any worse."  Patrick pauses for a moment.  "I just can't help but wonder how much of this is my fault -- if there was something I could have done to --"

"Done what?  Patrick, I told you -- Chris is only acting the way his father taught him to." 

"That's what I mean." Patrick says.  Jessie sits down next to him.  "Jessie -- remember when I told you about being adopted, and I went to find my birth father?"

"Yeah.  Why?" Jessie asks.

"My birth father's name is -- Henry Ramsey.  I -- met him in Cincinnati and -- when I went there, this boy answered the door, he was about 14 at the time, I was 19, and --"

"Oh my god.  Chris is your brother?" Jessie asks, stunned.

"I -- I think so." Patrick says.  "I mean, there can't be that many Henry Ramseys in the world that match the description of Chris' father so closely.  I tried to ask Chris if he ever lived in Cincinnati, but he just --"

"He did.  When he was a teenager." Jessie says. "Patrick, you have to tell him."

"I can't do that right now.  He hates me.  I walked away from Henry Ramsey the minute I realized what kind of a lowlife he was.  I didn't even think about what I could have done for those kids -- maybe I could have -- I don't know, I -- I could have done something."

"You were young, that thought didn't even cross your mind back then.  It's not your fault."  Jessie studies his face closely.  "You know, I never noticed it before -- you really do resemble him quite a bit."

"I know." Patrick says.  "You know, I always wondered what it would be like to have a brother or a sister -- and I finally get one, and he hates my guts."

"Maybe if I talked to him --"

"No, Jessie, you can't tell him -- I want to be the one to do that.  When the time is right."

"And when will that be?" Jessie asks.

"I don't know.  At this point -- maybe never." Patrick
says.

"Doc -- aren't you gonna come to bed?" Lucy says, entering the study downstairs, where Ryan is sitting at the computer.  Lucy is dressed in a red teddy, and makes a very seductive entrance.

"Not right now -- I'm busy." Ryan says, ignoring her.

"Doc -- you know, we haven't even made love since -- well, since all of this began.  And the kids are both asleep, and --" Lucy begins, running her hands up and down his shoulders.  "Lucy, just -- stop it, okay!" Ryan says.

"I -- Doc, what is wrong with you?  You act like you don't even want me anymore." Lucy says.  She then glances at the computer screen.  "Plastic surgeons?  Doc, what are you doing?"  Ryan is growing angrier.

"Look, this is none of your concern -- just go to bed!" Ryan shouts.

"Kevin -- what are you talking to me this way?  It's like you're a -- different person.  I mean, if I
didn't know any better, I'd swear that --" Ryan interrupts her before she can say another word.

"I'm sorry." he says, trying to remain calm.  "I just -- I'm trying to figure out what Ryan's next move
might be.  I'm thinking he might want to change the way he looks.  I'm trying to compile a list of plastic surgeons that he might have contacted. I figure it's worth a shot." Ryan says, trying to cover his nervousness.

"Doc, you should let the police handle this."

"He's my brother -- I know how he thinks better than anyone.  I have to do this, Lucy -- I can't let him hurt anyone else.  Now please -- just go to bed.  Okay?"

"Okay.  Goodnight, Doc." Lucy says, glancing back and watching him with a puzzled look on her face.

"You -- should have stayed where you were Lucy.  I will NOT let you ruin this for me!" Ryan says to himself.

May 9, 2001 -- morning.  Ryan enters the warehouse where Kevin is being held.  "Excuse me, but -- I'd like a moment lone with my brother." Ryan tells Greg.  Greg leaves.  Ryan takes the gag out of Kevin's mouth.  "Well, I hate to tell you this, but -- we have a problem." 

"You're just now figuring that out?" Kevin asks.

"It seems that your adoring little wife didn't have enough brains to stay in hiding where she belongs. 
And I'm having a heck of a time convincing her to get the hell out of town." Ryan says.  "Now -- what should I do about this?"

"If you hurt her --" Kevin begins.

"Oh, would you relax -- I never said I'd do anything to her.  I just want her to go away.  So -- tell me -- how can I get Lucy to dump you?"

"Lucy would never leave me.  She's gonna figure it out, Ryan.  She's gonna figure out that you're
pretending to be me, and she's gonna go straight to Mac, and you're gonna rot in jail."

"I won't even let her get anywhere near me.  It's driving her nuts.  Boy, you must have one hell of a
good time with that one -- just curious, which your room is your favorite?  I mean, just in case --"

"If lay a HAND on her, I'll --" Kevin shouts angrily.

"Oh, come on, I'm just teasing.  Get a sense of humor already -- you think I'd actually want her?  Well, maybe if she were a blonde, but -- I'd have to put a gag on her, even then that incessant yammering would really get on my nerves.  I don't know how you put up with it."  Ryan pauses for a moment.  "Hey, that's it -- you know, sometimes I amaze myself at how brilliant I am." he says.

"That makes one of us." Kevin says.  "What are you gonna do to her?"

"I told you -- I'm not gonna do anything to her -- literally.  And if that doesn't work -- I'll just kill her." Ryan says matter-of-factly, and then leaves.

"Ryan!" Kevin shouts.  "You're gonna pay for this, Ryan!"

Chris enters the lab, where a tech is diligently working.  "Dr. Ramsey -- can I help you?" the tech
asks, smiling at him.

"Yeah, um --" Chris begins.

"Cindy." the girl says.

"That's right, Cindy -- you know, I'm ashamed of  myself, forgetting the name of a beautiful girl like
yourself.  I promise, it won't happen again." Chris says, turning on all of his charm.

"It's okay." Cindy says, blushing.

"Anyway, I was wondering -- I need these blood workup results right away, and -- do you think you could do me a big favor and go process them?  I'll wait here -- it's kind of important."

"Well -- okay, I guess I can do it this one time." she says.

"Thanks.  You're a real sweetheart." Chris says.  The girl smiles a bit, and takes the blood sample and goes into the other room.  Chris then begins to diligently search for Patrick's working pile of charts.  "Bullseye." he says to himself when he finds them.  He opens up the chart of one of Dr. Boardman's patients.  "Well, what have we here?" Chris grabs a pencil and makes a slight change on the chart.  "Good thing the old man taught me a little bit about forgery -- you never know when it's gonna come in handy." he says to himself.  "Let's see what Boardman thinks of you now, Dr.  perfect." Chris says to himself.  He quickly puts the chart back just as the lab tech re-enters the
room.

"Here you go, Dr. Ramsey." she says, handing him the results of the blood workup.

"Thanks -- you're a lifesaver." he says, and winks at her as he leaves the room.

Later that afternoon, Dr. Boardman comes storming over to the ER desk, where Patrick is standing, making some notes in a chart.  "Reardon -- what the hell is this?" he asks angrily.  Chris steps off the elevator just as the confrontation begins, and watches from the background, smiling.  "What kind of an idiot makes this kind of error?  A first-year med student would have caught this!" Boardman shouts.

"Dr. Boardman -- I -- I swear, I didn't --" Patrick begins, looking at the chart, puzzled.

"You didn't what?  You know, you're lucky I review every little detail of a chart when it comes back from the lab -- you could have put my patient in serious jeopardy because of your oversite.  And here I thought you were smarter than the average flunkee around here -- turns out you're just as clueless as anyone else."

"I'm sorry." Patrick says.

"It better not happen again -- next time you'll get written up.  I don't tolerate this kind of stupidity,
Dr. Reardon -- not from anyone." Boardman storms off.  Chris approaches Patrick.

"Gosh, and you had such a perfect no-error streak going there up until now.  Bummer." Chris says smugly.  Patrick walks off, and heads for the on-call room.  He enters the room, where Jessie is looking through Chris' locker for something, and picks up a pillow off the couch and throws it against the wall, then sits down, frustrated.

"Bad day?" Jessie asks, looking up.

"You could say that.  I just made a major flub on one of Boardman's charts -- and boy, did I hear about it."

"Oh -- hey, it happens, we all make mistakes." Jessie says.

"I don't." Patrick says.  "I'm sorry, that probably sounds really egotistical -- but I'm always on top of
things.  And I especially don't make mistakes like this one.  I don't know what happened." 

"He'll get over it." Jessie says.  "Actually, I might be the next one getting yelled at here." 

"Why?" Patrick asks.

"I borrowed the keys to one of the supply cabinets from Bobbie yesterday and said I'd give them back to her when her shift starts tonight.  I've already been chewed out by her because I lost my set, and now I can't find HERS.  I think I left them at Chris' place this morning, and I'm due in the OR in 20 minutes -- by the time I get out of there, Bobbie's shift will have started, and I'm gonna get the third degree."

"Well, I was planning on taking lunch right now -- I can run over to the apartment and see if I can find them." Patrick offers.

"Would you?  Oh, thanks so much, I owe you big time!  The guard knows you, he should let you right in -- Eve is there, but she'll probably be in her room resting."

"I won't bother her.  I'll put them in your box at the Nurses Station." 

"Thanks -- you have no idea how much I appreciate this." Jessie says.  "And don't worry about Boardman -- his bark is worse than his bite."

"That's your opinion." Patrick says, and he leaves.  Jessie leaves the oncall room, and runs into Chris in the hallway a few minutes later on her way to the OR. 
 

"Hey, aren't you working with Boardman this afternoon?" Chris asks.

"Yeah, I'm on my way there now." Jessie says.

"Well, don't be late -- Boardman's already in a mood.  I actually saw him ream into Reardon earlier.  Seems he made some kind of screw up on a patient's file -- I knew his perfect track record couldn't last."

"Chris, can't you just TRY and be nice to Patrick?" Jessie asks.

"Sorry -- I don't like the guy, Jess.  If I had my way, he wouldn't even be working here.  Well, I need to get some paperwork done before I go get Eve --  she's got an appointment this afternoon for acheckup."

"Oh, that's right, I forgot -- and I already asked --" Jessie begins.

"Asked what?" Chris asks.

"Nevermind -- I'll see you later." Jessie says.  Chris leaves, and Jessie watches him as he gets on the
elevator.  She pauses for a moment, and thinks back to a conversation she recently had with Chris.

"You know, just once I'd like to see him screw something up.  At least prove that he's actually human for a change." Jessie recalls Chris saying to her.

"Oh, Chris -- you didn't." she says to herself, and sighs.

Ryan enters the Lighthouse, where Lucy is looking at some paperwork in the living room.  "Doc -- what are you doing home so early?" Lucy asks.

"I had a couple of patients cancel -- thought I'd come home for lunch." Ryan says.
 

"Oh -- well, you're just in time to help me out -- you know, I mentioned earlier about finding some new office space for Jacks, and I've been talking to some agents about property and I think I have it narrowed down to about five places -- Doc, are you listening to me?"  His back toward Lucy, Ryan rolls his eyes and then turns around. 

"Lucy, I really don't have time to do this.  Whatever you decide will be fine, I'm sure." Ryan says.

"Okay, but -- you've always wanted to help me make these kind of choices before and --"

"Lucy -- I don't care about your stupid company right now!" Ryan shouts, and goes into the study, slamming the door.  "I don't know how I'm gonna last much longer without strangling her." he says to himself.  A few minutes later, Lucy enters the room.

"Doc -- I think we need to talk.  You know, ever since I got back home you've been acting really, really strange and -- well, I know how you feel about my psychic ability and all but -- I can't help but get this nasty vibe that there's something not right about you.  And it really has me scared Doc, because -- well, it's been almost a week since I've been home and you don't even want to touch me -- it's like you don't even find me attractive anymore."  Ryan sighs.

"Lucy, it's not that -- it's just that -- I'm almost embarrassed to tell you." Ryan says.

"Doc, there's nothing you can say that you should be embarrassed about." Lucy says.

"Yes there is -- it's about -- I can't, Lucy." Ryan says.

"You can't what?  Doc, I know that this whole icky mess with Ryan has you upset, but you know that I know plenty of ways to make you -- forget about things." Lucy says, putting her arms around Ryan.  Ryan pulls away.

"That's just it, Lucy -- I can't." Ryan says, feigning embarrassment.

"What do you mean you -- oh, Doc.  You don't mean --"

"I'm afraid so.  That's why I've been avoiding you.  It's kind of embarrassing -- I guess this whole ordeal has really affected me and --"

"Doc, it's okay.  I mean, these things happen -- I've heard.  Well, it's never happened to ME, but --"

"Lucy -- I just need you to back off for awhile, okay?  Please?" Ryan asks.

"Okay.  Okay, but -- you know, I'm right here if --"

"I know." Ryan says.  They hear one of the babies crying from upstairs.  "I'll go take care of her."
Ryan says.  He grins and breathes a sigh of relief as he leaves the room, then heads upstairs and finds Dominique standing up in her crib.  She smiles happily as Ryan approaches.  "Well, hello there young lady -- you want your daddy, don't you?"  The baby begins to laugh playfully.  "Yes you do -- you know, I bet you haven't done much traveling, have you?  Well, we're gonna have to do something about that.  I'm gonna be taking a long vacation pretty soon -- I was planning on going alone, but -- I think it would be so much fun to have you along with me.  You are such a sweet
little girl.  Yes you are." Ryan continues as Dominique laughs.  "And we are gonna be really happy
together, you and me -- you know, I've always wanted a little girl just like you."

"Da!" Dominique shouts, tugging at Ryan's hair.

"That's right -- I'm your daddy.  And nobody's ever gonna take you away from me."

Patrick steps off the elevator in Chris' building. "Dr. Reardon -- can I help you?" the guard asks, as
Patrick approaches the door to Chris' apartment.

"Hey Quinn -- would you mind letting me in for a second?  Jessie left some keys here, and I told her
I'd swing by and look for them."

"Sure, no problem." the guard says, opening the door for Patrick, and he enters the apartment.  Patrick looks on the coffee table for Jessie's keys.  Eve enters the room, as Patrick's back is to her.  She nervously makes her way to the kitchen counter, trying not to make a sound, and picks up a knife.

"Who are you?" Eve asks, moving closer to Patrick and pointing the knife straight at him.

"I -- I'm a friend of --" Patrick begins nervously, trying to get Eve to calm down.

"Don't come any closer.  What do you want?"  Eve asks, clearly terrified.

"I -- I came to get Jessie's keys.  She left them here, and I was on a break, and --"

"What did you do to the guard?" Eve asks nervously.

"Nothing, he -- he knows me.  Look, I'm not gonna hurt you, I just want Jessie's keys so I can take them back to her."  He glances at the counter near where Eve is standing and sees them.  "They're right there on the counter and --" Patrick begins, slowly reaching for the keys.

"I said STAY AWAY FROM ME!" Eve screams, and plunges the knife into Patrick's shoulder.