Patrick is rushed into a trauma room in the ER, both Chris and Jessie at his side. ''He's lost a lot of blood, we need as much O-neg as we can get down here.'' Chris barks at the staff. 

''A positive.'' Jessie says. 

''What?'' Chris asks. 

''He's A positive -- it's on his ID card in his wallet.'' Jessie says. 

''A positive -- that's my blood type, I'm A positive. Jess, stay with him, I'm gonna go give blood, he's lost so much and --'' 

''You can't.'' Jessie says. 

''What do you mean I can't? I'm his brother, and we're the same blood type, and --'' 

''Chris -- you were shot, and the wound was treated in an un-sterile environment. You CAN'T donate blood -- not to Patrick, or anyone else.'' Jessie reminds him, as Chris watches sadly as the trauma team works on Patrick to get him stabilized. 

''What the hell is taking so damn long? Are they gonna get a surgeon in here some time within the next WEEK, or is everyone too damned busy to care that my brother is lying here DYING?'' Chris shouts, just as Dr. Boardman enters the room. 

''All right, Ramsey -- OUT!'' Dr. Boardman orders him. 

''Dr. Boardman -- he's lost quite a bit of blood, and we're having a hard time getting him stabilized. I'm willing to assist if you --'' 

''Ramsey -- I'm not gonna say it again. You're too close to the situation, and I don't need or want you in here hovering and annoying me while I'm trying to save a man's life. So you can either get OUT, or go look for a new job tomorrow. Your choice.'' Boardman remarks, as he starts to examine Patrick. Chris slowly walks out of the room, and stands outside the doors, peering inside. 

''I'm sorry, Patrick -- I'm so sorry.'' Chris says quietly to himself. 

Chris paces in the waiting room of the ER. Jessie comes out of the trauma room. ''Jess -- how is he? He's gonna be okay, right?'' Chris asks worriedly. 

''They're taking him up to surgery right now -- it's too soon to tell anything.'' Jessie says, a sad look on her face. Chris walks over to Jessie and touches her forehead softly. 

''You need to get checked out, you were unconscious for quite awhile.'' Jessie pushes his hand away. 

''Don't touch me.'' she says in an angry tone. 

''Jessie, I -- I'm sorry. This wasn't supposed to happen.'' 

''Well it did. And you can't take it back. You had another woman in our home -- in our BED -- and you expected to be able to just pretend like it never happened and it would go away.'' 

''I never slept with her, Jess. I want you to know that.'' 

''Oh, like that matters now.'' 

''I made a mistake -- a really bad mistake -- hey, what was I supposed to do? Say ‘Hey Jessie, you know your new best friend Kim -- well I had a little one night stand with her while you were off in Europe looking for your missing cousin because I was mad at you. Hope you don't mind.' Would have been able to get past that?'' 

''Well now we'll never know, will we?'' Jessie replies coldly. 

''Jess -- I really need you right now.'' Chris says, practically begging. 

''Well that's too bad. Because the last place on earth I want to be right now is with you.'' 

''Jess -- you don't mean that.'' 

''One of my best friends is in extremely critical condition and fighting for his life right now -- and it's YOUR fault.'' 

''And he's my BROTHER!'' 

''Oh, like you care!'' Jessie says. ''You were so cruel to Patrick -- and all he ever wanted to do was be your FRIEND! And now all of a sudden you want a relationship with him? Why? Is the guilt too much for you, Chris?'' 

''No, it's not that at all. Patrick and I -- we were just starting to ---'' 

''You know, you can save your sob story for someone who gives a damn. I have a headache, and I'm not in the mood to listen to you.'' 

''Okay -- okay, but just let me check you out, alright? I want you to have a CT scan done, and --'' Chris begins, trying to get close to Jessie again, but she pushes him away. 

''I'll ask Ellen to do it -- I don't want you anywhere near me right now.'' Jessie replies, and storms off in anger. 

Eve enters the ER -- she runs into Ellen. ''Eve -- I paged you over thirty minutes ago, didn't you hear it?'' Ellen asks. 

''I was busy with patients -- I'm sorry Ellen. What did you need?'' Eve asks. 

''I don't need anything -- I paged you because -- Eve, Patrick was hurt. He was brought into the ER not too long ago.'' Ellen tells her. 

''What? Oh my god Ellen, where is he? Is he okay?'' Eve asks, very worried. 

''He's in surgery, Eve. I thought you might want to see him before he --'' 

''Before he what? Ellen, what happened to him? You have to tell me, please!'' Eve begs, tears forming in her eyes. 

''He was shot, Eve. And he's lost a lot of blood. It's really touch and go right now -- but Dr. Boardman is an excellent surgeon, and --'' 

''How was he SHOT? I just talked to him an hour ago -- he was fine, he was on his way to Chris' place, and --'' 

''And apparently that's where it happened. That new nurse, Kim -- turns out she was a real psycho, with some sort of hang-up on Chris, and --'' Ellen doesn't even finish her sentence, when Eve storms out of the room. She goes out into the waiting room. She sees Chris sitting in there, a worried look on his face. He looks up and sees Eve. 

''Eve --- there you are, Ellen tried to page you, and --'' Chris begins, standing up. Eve walks right over to him and slaps him across the face. 

''You lousy, rotten BASTARD!'' Eve shouts. ''How could you DO this to him?'' 

''Eve, I didn't mean for it to happen --'' 

''No, you never mean for it to happen. You never mean for anything to happen, do you Chris? But it always does. This is YOUR fault. You and your lies -- if Patrick dies, it's all your fault! I'll never forgive you for this, Ramsey -- NEVER!'' Eve shouts at him. 

Several hours later, Kevin knocks on the door at Jessie's house. No answer. ''Jessie, are you in there? Jessie, come on, you've really got me worried here -- open the door or I'm gonna have to break it down.'' Kevin calls out. Finally the door opens -- Jessie stands on the other side of it, wearing an old t-shirt, jeans, no make-up, looking like someone who hasn't slept in days, her face red from crying. ''Oh, thank god!'' Kevin says, hugging her. ''We got the first flight here -- are you okay?'' he asks. Jessie doesn't say a word, and just shakes her head no, then starts to cry. Kevin pulls her close. ''Shhh. It's okay -- come on, lets go sit down.'' Kevin says, and he leads her to the couch. ''What happened?'' 

''You were right.'' Jessie says quietly. 

''About what?'' Kevin asks. 

''Everything. I never thought he'd do something like this to me -- I thought he loved me.'' 

''What did he do, Jessie? What did Chris do to you? Did he hurt you?'' 

''He lied to me. For months. He had another woman here while I was in Europe with you, and -- she tried to kill us both. It turns out she was very unstable. And then Patrick walked in on the whole thing and -- he got shot.'' 

''Is he okay?'' Kevin asks. 

''I -- I don't know. Ellen is supposed to call me when he gets out of surgery --- it's bee hours now. That can't be good.'' Jessie pauses for a moment. ''I trusted him, Kevin. I was sure he was the one. How could I be wrong about that? He was my soulmate, Kevin -- I was sure of it. But he wouldn't do this to me if he was, would he?'' 

''No -- he wouldn't.'' Kevin says, clearly VERY angry with Chris. ''Where is he now?'' 

''I don't know. I don't care. I don't want to see him right now.'' 

''Do you want to come and stay with Lucy and I for a few days?'' Kevin offers. Jessie shakes her head no. 

''I just want to be alone.'' 

''Well, I don't want you to be alone. I'm gonna insist that you come stay at the Lighthouse.'' 

''Ellen was -- gonna come over and stay the night. I got a mild concussion and she didn't want me at home by myself.'' 

''Well, we'll just call and tell her that you're staying with us. Why don't you go pack a bag with a few days' worth of things? I'll wait out here.'' 

''Okay.'' Jessie says quietly, and goes into the other room. Kevin sits on the couch, fuming. 

''Ramsey, you lousy bastard. You are gonna be SO sorry.'' Kevin says to himself. 

Both Eve and Chris are in the waiting room, neither one speaking to the other. Eve's face is red from crying the entire time. Dr. Boardman comes out into the room. They both look up at him. ''Dr. Boardman -- how is he?'' Chris asks. 

''Well, once we were able to get the bleeding under control, everything was fine. He had to have several transfusions though. Right now he's serious, but stable. The bullet passed through part of his small intestine, and we had to remove about a foot of it and resection it off. There was also some bruising to his liver and one of his kidneys from the impact. That should heal on its own in time. Barring any further complications -- he'll be out of commission for awhile, but I expect a full recovery.'' Dr. Boardman tells them. 

''I want to see him.'' Chris says. 

''He's still in recovery -- they'll be moving him to ICU shortly, and you can see him then.'' Dr. Boardman says. 

''Like hell.'' Eve says. ''You're not going anywhere near him.'' 

''I'm his BROTHER. Last time I checked, when it comes to visitors in ICU, blood relatives took precedence over girlfriends with no family ties to the patient.'' Chris remarks. 

''I LOVE Patrick! Which is more than I can say for YOU! You barely gave a damn about him -- and now all of a sudden you're filled with this urge for ‘brotherly love'. Well, I don't buy it. You just want to ease your guilty conscience.'' Eve tells him. ''Dr. Boardman -- I want to see Patrick. He needs me to be there for him.'' 

''Dr. Lambert -- I'm sorry, but Dr. Ramsey is right -- he's the next of kin -- it's his call, not mine.'' Dr. Boardman says, and he walks away. Eve turns to Chris, tears streaming down her face. 

''If you think you're gonna keep me out of his room, you're out of your mind. I'm going to be in there with him -- and there's NOTHING you can do to stop me.'' Eve says. 

''Okay.'' Chris says quietly. 

''What?'' Eve says. 

''You're right -- Patrick needs you a lot more than he does me. I just want what's best for my brother. You should be the one with him. I'll come by and see him later.'' Chris says, and walks away, as Eve stands there, stunned. 

Jessie and Kevin arrive at the Lighthouse. ''Lucy -- can you get the guest room ready for Jessie, she'll be staying with us for awhile.'' Kevin says while he enters. 

''Oh, Jessie -- we just KNEW something was wrong, so -- what happened?'' Lucy asks, hugging Jessie. 

''I really don't want to talk about it right now -- I'm tired, I just want to go to bed.'' Jessie says. 

''Well, let me get the room ready -- let's go upstairs. We can talk tomorrow.'' Lucy says. 

''Jessie, I'm probably gonna come and wake you up every few hours, just to make sure you're okay.'' Kevin says. 

''Fine.'' Jessie says, and she and Lucy head upstairs. Kevin hesitates for a moment, then puts his jacket back on and head out the door. 

Eve sits at Patrick's bedside, watching him as he sleeps. Patrick starts to stir, opening his eyes. ''Hey -- Patrick, it's me, Eve. Honey, can you squeeze my hand?'' Eve says, trying to fight back tears as she holds Patrick's hand. He squeezes it softly. ''You're in the hospital. You're in ICU, you had surgery. And you're gonna be alright.'' Patrick looks up at Eve. 

''Chris -- and Jessie --'' Patrick begins to say weakly. 

''They're okay. Don't you worry about them -- they're fine, it's all over now. Right now what's important is you -- getting you better. Patrick -- I don't know what I'd do if I lost you.'' Eve says, touching his face softly. 

''Sorry about -- those labs you wanted. I don't -- think I can get to them today.'' Patrick jokes, and Eve smiles. 

''It's okay -- you're forgiven this time.'' Eve tells him. ''How are you feeling?'' 

''Not -- that great.'' 

''Well, you'll be better in no time. I'll make sure of it.'' 

''Eve --- I need to see -- Chris.'' 

''Right now you just need to rest. You can have visitors later. Well, except for me -- unless you don't -- want me to stay.'' Patrick grabs her hand. 

''I -- want you to stay.'' he whispers. ''I love you.'' 

''Oh, I love you too. I know things have been -- well, they've been kind of strange for us lately. But that's gonna change, Patrick. From now on it'll be different.'' Patrick smiles. ''You just rest now -- I'll be right here.'' Eve kisses him on the forehead as Patrick drifts off to sleep. 

Chris stands outside Patrick's room in ICU, watching him and Eve with a sad look on his face. Suddenly, someone taps him on the shoulder. Chris turns around. ''Give me one good reason why I shouldn't wring your scrawny little neck right now.'' Kevin says, glaring at Chris with fire in his eyes. 

''Here's one -- because if you do, I'll tell the police what you did to me last month, and you'll be going to jail.'' Chris says smugly. 

''You know, it would almost be worth it.'' Kevin says. 

''I'm not in the mood for a lecture right now, so save your breath if that's what you're here for.'' Chris tells him. 

''Well, that's too damn bad. I warned you a long time ago Chris -- don't you ever, EVER, hurt my cousin. Well guess what -- you did. And now you'll have to deal with ME.'' 

''Look -- I know what I did. Nobody feels worse about what happened between Jessie and I than I do. And if I could take it back -- I would in a heartbeat. I love Jessie -- hurting her was the last thing I EVER wanted to do. And on top of that, my brother is lying in there, fighting for his life, because of ME. So there's nothing you or anyone else could say that could possibly make me feel any worse than I do right now.'' 

''You know Chris, you're right -- I don't need to do anything to you. You having to live with yourself is punishment enough.'' Kevin says, and he leaves. Chris gets a look of shame and sadness on his face, and glances back into Patrick's room. 

Kevin arrives at Victor's house, and Victor lets him in. ''Monk! It's so good to see you!'' Victor says, hugging him. ''I didn't think you'd be home for a few weeks yet -- what are you doing here?'' 

''We needed to get home. Victor, I tried to get ahold of you for hours yesterday -- where were you?'' Kevin asks. 

''I -- I went to see your brother, Monk.'' Victor admits. 

''Greg? Victor, why are you going there, he really shouldn't have any visitors, he's not up for that.'' 

''I think he is. We had a wonderful conversation, Monk. I told him I'd come to visit him again. That poor boy -- he was treated so horribly by the Coopers. And I can't help but feel that -- it's my fault.'' 

''Is that what he told you? Victor, you know that Greg is deeply disturbed. And I'm afraid that whatever hopes you may have for a relationship with him -- it can't happen. I know he's on medication that's helping him, but -- I just don't want to see YOU get hurt. He's not your son, Victor -- he never can be.'' 

''I have to help him -- I promised I would. And you don't really have much say in the matter.'' 

''I guess I can't talk you out of it, can I?'' 

''No, you cannot.'' Victor replies. ''So -- why are you back so soon.'' 

''Lucy and I wanted to get back home -- we missed it. And when I called Jessie, and she was in trouble, we knew we had to --'' 

''Trouble? What kind of trouble? Is Jessie alright?'' Victor asks, concerned. 

''She's fine. No thanks to that jackass fiancee of hers -- make that EX-fiancee, I'm assuming.'' Kevin replies. 

''Chris? Oh, Chris loves Jessie, he would NEVER hurt her.'' 

''That's where you're wrong, Victor. Chris Ramsey has been trouble from the moment he set foot in this town -- and I for one will be thrilled to see him out of Jessie's life once and for all.'' Kevin tells him. 

Jessie enters the ICU area, where she sees Chris in the waiting room, looking very frazzled. He glances up at her, and she glares at him, then walks past him, not saying a word. She enters Patrick's hospital room, where Eve is still sitting by his side. ''Hey.'' Jessie whispers. ''How is he doing?'' 

''He's resting.'' Eve says, squeezing Patrick's hand. ''I think he'll be okay -- he -- he was even joking with me a little bit last night.'' 

''That's good.'' Jessie says. ''I came here to let you know that Boardman expects you to be scrubbed up and ready in ten minutes -- I wouldn't be late if I were you.'' 

''Oh, come on Jess, he knows that I've been here all night with Patrick, and --'' 

''I don't think he cares. You're on the schedule, Patrick technically isn't family, and you're expected to be there. I'm sorry -- I'm just delivering a message.'' 

''Can you stay with him while I'm gone? I don't want -- people coming in here and disturbing him, he needs his rest.'' Eve says, glancing at the door, obviously referring to Chris. 

''Sure, no problem -- I'm off today I just -- came by to check on him anyway.'' 

''Tell him I'll be back in a bit if he wakes up, okay?'' Eve says, and she reaches down and kisses Patrick softly on the forehead. 

''I will.'' Jessie tells her. Eve steps quietly out of Patrick's room, and Chris, who has been in the waiting room all night, approaches her. ''How is he? Can I see him?'' Chris asks. 

''You stay the hell away from him.'' Eve says. 

''Eve, he's my brother -- I just want to know that he's okay.'' Chris says. 

''He's fine. No thanks to you.'' 

''Eve, come on --'' 

''I have to be in surgery -- you stay away from him, Chris. He needs his rest, and he doesn't need to be bothered by the likes of you right now. He wouldn't even BE in there if it wasn't for you and your lies.'' Eve says in anger, then leaves. Chris sighs, and sits back down in the waiting area for a minute, then just gets up, tired of waiting, and enters Patrick's room. Jessie looks up at him. 

''Get out.'' she says. 

''I want to see my brother.'' 

''He's resting. Eve doesn't want you bothering him.'' Jessie says. 

''Since when do you and Eve decide what's best for MY family? I have more of a right to be in here than either of you Jess, and if you don't let me stay in here YOU'RE the one who's going to be thrown out.'' 

''Just when did you grow a conscience, Chris? Was it before or after you nearly got all three of us killed over your lies?'' Jessie asks angrily. 

''Hey, would you two shut up. Some people are trying to sleep here.'' Patrick says sleepily. 

''Hey. How are you doing, buddy?'' Chris asks, sitting down on the edge of his bed. 

''I'll be okay.'' Patrick whispers. ''I'm kind of thirsty.'' 

''You can have some ice chips.'' Jessie says, reaching over to the table and getting some for him. ''Eve is in surgery, she said to tell you she'll be back as soon as she can.'' 

''I'm glad you guys are okay. Jessie -- can I -- talk to Chris alone?'' Patrick asks weakly. 

''Patrick -- you really should rest. You'll have time to visit later.'' 

''I -- just want to talk to him.'' Patrick says. 

''You heard him.'' Chris tells her. 

''Fine -- I'll be outside.'' Jessie says, and leaves, glaring at Chris. 

''So -- how are you feeling?'' Chris asks. 

''About as good as I probably look.'' Patrick says. ''You two have a fight?'' 

''What do you think? She hates me, Patrick.'' 

''She's doesn't hate you. She's just upset right now. Give her time.'' 

''No, I think this is worse than just being upset. She's probably changed the locks on the house and everything. I hope the Port Charles Hotel isn't booked up.'' 

''Don't be ridiculous -- you can stay at my place.'' Patrick suggests. Chris laughs. 

''No thanks -- you don't even have a spare room.'' 

''My couch is comfortable enough -- hey, I'll probably need some help once I get out of here. You can do all the cooking --- and I won't even butt in and tell you what you're doing wrong. There's a spare set of keys in my desk.'' Chris sighs. 

''Well, since you're the only person on the planet who's currently SPEAKING to me -- I guess I'm not gonna get a better offer. But this is only temporary.'' 

''Of course -- until you and Jessie fix things.'' 

''You don't want to be stuck with me THAT long.'' Chris suggests. 

''I can talk to her.'' 

''No -- don't bother. I need to do this on my own.'' Chris pauses for a moment. ''Patrick, I'm sorry. You were right, and I'm sorry. It should be me lying here, not you.'' 

''It wasn't your fault.'' Patrick says. 

''Yes it is.'' 

''You didn't know how far off the deep end Kim was. I only wish I had recognized her sooner.'' 

''It's not your job to babysit me and fix my screw-ups.'' 

''Nobody else wanted the job -- besides, what are brothers for?'' Patrick says. Chris smiles. 

''I'm sorry for -- being such a jerk to you early on.'' 

''How about we just -- start over, huh?'' 

''I'd -- really like that.'' Chris replies. 

''So would -- I.'' Patrick says, closing his eyes and drifting off to sleep. 

''You take care of yourself and get better -- big brother.'' Chris whispers, squeezing Patrick's wrist. 

September 8, 2001 -- morning. At the Lighthouse -- Kevin is on the phone. ''Yeah, I will Mary. Look, don't worry. Victor is perfectly capable of taking care of himself. Of course, I'll call you if I hear anything. I love you too.'' Kevin hangs up the phone, a worried look on his face. 

''Doc -- what's going on?'' Lucy asks. 

''That was Mary. It's Victor, he -- he didn't come home last night.'' 

''Oh my gosh -- do you know where he was?'' 

''Yeah, he was going to see --'' Kevin stops. 

''See who?'' Lucy asks. 

''Greg. He's been going every day to see Greg.'' 

''Why on earth would he want to see that man?'' Lucy asks. 

''Guilt. Concern. I'm sure he's fine Lucy, and I'm sure there's a logical explanation for --'' just then the phone rings. Kevin goes to answer it. ''Hello? Yes, this is he. What? Are you sure? But I just -- no, I'll be there as soon as I can. Thank you.'' 

''Who was that?'' Lucy asks. 

''I have to go.'' Kevin says, trying to avoid her. 

''Kevin Collins, you spent ENOUGH time lying to me this year, and I'm not going to put up with it anymore, you hear me! Now you tell me who was on that phone right now, or I'll --'' 

''It was the sanitorium. Greg is -- missing.'' Kevin tells her.