April 10, 2001 -- morning.

Chris awakens, and sits up, looking around the room, his head pounding and feeling a bit dizzy.  He turns and sees Jessie lying next to him in the bed, and immediately turns his attention to her.  "Jess," he says, brushing the hair from her eyes.  "Baby, wake up." he says, kissing her on the forehead, and Jessie starts to stir.  "That's it, honey." 

"Where are we?" Jessie says groggily.

"I wish I knew." Chris says, pulling her close.  "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I -- what did he give me?" Jessie asks.

"I don't know -- you're not allergic to anything, are you?"

"No, I -- I just don't do well with sedatives, it takes me forever to wake up from them." Jessie says,
still very groggy.

"Well, you just rest then -- I'll make sure you're okay." Chris says, kissing her forehead and wrapping his arms around her tightly.  Jessie looks up at him.

"How's your head?" she asks.

"Hurts like hell." Chris says.  "You hit me, didn't you?"

"I thought you were Ryan or Greg -- I'm sorry." Jessie says.

"It's okay.  You can make it up to me later." Chris says.  "Besides -- I'm the one who's sorry.  You were right about Kevin."

"You said he's in jail." Jessie says.

"Yeah, the DNA from the skin they found under Eve's fingernails matched his, but -- now it all makes sense.  It was Ryan -- identical twins have identical DNA."

"We've gotta get back there.  Chris, nobody knows that Ryan is alive except us and -- how is Eve?"

"She's still in a coma." Chris says sadly.  "And I'm sure Ryan won't let her live to ID him if he has
anything to say about it.  And how the hell did he hook up with Greg Cooper?"

"I don't know." Jessie says, yawning a bit.  "But we've gotta get out of here."

"I know -- but, uh -- that could be a problem." Chris says, looking down and noting that each of them has one of their ankles cuffed to the bedpost. 

"Well, at least that's more comfortable than having your arms tied up." Jessie says.  "And they do let us get up once in awhile." 

"Oh gee, that makes me feel better -- having a couple of lunatics control my every move."

"Don't worry -- I'll figure out a way out.  Uncle Victor taught me how to pick any lock out there." 
Jessie says, starting to drift back off to sleep.

"How the hell would Victor know how to do that?" Chris asks.

"You can't tell anyone this, but -- Uncle Victor used to be a SPY." Jessie says, closing her eyes as she rests her head on Chris' chest.  Chris just laughs and kisses Jessie on the cheek.

"Honey, I think that sedative did a lot more than just make you sleepy.  So why don't you just close your eyes and rest and I'll think of something to get us out of this mess."  Ryan and Greg enter the room.

"Awww, isn't this sweet?" Ryan comments.  "You know, I think I was wrong -- you two make an adorable couple!  I, uh -- hope the new accommodations suit you."

"Go to hell." Chris says.

"Now, that's no way to treat your hosts -- especially since we were kind enough to let the two of you stay together and all.  I mean, we can give you separate rooms if you like." Ryan says.

"I'm not leaving her." Chris says.

"Listen, bro -- I've gotta run back to Port Charles and take care of some -- personal business.  So I'm counting on you to keep an eye on these two while I'm gone." Ryan says.

"No problem.  They won't be going anywhere." Greg says.

"Good.  I've got a certain patient that I need to visit -- if you know what I mean." Ryan says, and
Chris gets an angry look on his face.

"You'll never get away with this, Collins!" Chris shouts.

"Actually, it's Chamberlain -- and -- I already have." Ryan says, and he leaves. 

Lucy enters the visiting room at the Port Charles jail.  Kevin goes to hug her.  "I knew you'd be here." he says.  "I guess it pays to know people -- they don't usually let the prisoners have visits like this, but Mac said it was okay."

"Of course he did -- because he knows you're innocent." Lucy says.

"You still believe that?" Kevin asks.

"I believe in you.  I -- I went to see Eve this morning, and -- you could never, ever hurt her that
way.  Not my Doc." 

"Thank you." Kevin whispers, not wanting to let go of Lucy for a minute.  "How are the twins?"

"They're fine -- they've been spending a lot of time with their grandpa Victor." Lucy says.

"I'm sure he's thrilled." Kevin says.  "So -- any news?"

"No -- but, while I was visiting Eve, I -- I saw her hand move.  The nurse said it was just a reflex, but I think that --"

"The nurse is probably right." Kevin says.  "But I really hope she's not.  Eve is the only hope I have of ever getting out of here."  Mac enters the room. 

"I just got a phone call -- Eve is starting to come around." Mac says.  Lucy's eyes light up.

"See -- oh Doc, you're gonna be coming home tonight!"  Lucy says, wrapping her arms tightly around him.

"Let's just hope Eve is able to talk." Mac says.

"She will if I have to squeeze the words out of her myself." Lucy says.  "Could I -- go down there?"

"Well, you can't be in the room during questioning, but -- I guess you could wait outside.  Taggart's on his way there, you can meet up with him."  Mac says.

"Doc I'm gonna go -- and then I'm gonna come back here and take you home with me." Lucy says, giving him a kiss.

"I hope so." Kevin says, getting a big smile on his face.

"You just be ready -- you'll be home tonight, I promise." Lucy says, and she leaves.

Taggart enters Eve's hospital room.  "Has she said anything?" he asks the nurses.

"No, she's -- she's still been going in and out of consciousness.  You can wait for awhile if you like."
the nurse says.

"Thank you." Taggart says, and he goes over and stands by Eve's bed, noting the severity of her injuries.  "Collins is a psychopath." he says to himself.  After a few minutes, he notices Eve starting to stir.  "Dr. Lambert -- can you hear me?" Eve barely opens her eyes.  "Dr. Lambert -- who did this to you?"  Eve struggles to speak.

"Kevin." she finally whispers.

"Are you sure?" Taggart asks.  Still barely conscious, Eve tries to speak again.

"Kevin." she whispers once more.  Taggart sighs as he starts to walk out of the room.  He runs into Lucy as he's leaving the room.

"What did she say?  My Doc can go home now, right?"  Lucy asks anxiously.

"Your ‘Doc' is about to face twenty to life." Taggart says smugly.

"What!" Lucy shouts.

"Dr. Lambert talked, alright -- said it was Kevin who attacked her.  I'm on my way to file my report."  Lucy grabs him.

"No!  That is a LIE -- now you get back in there and --"

"Mrs. Collins, we have the victim found on your property, DNA evidence pointing directly at your
hubby, and now a positive ID from the victim.  You do the math." Taggart says, and he leaves.

"No." Lucy says, in tears.  She starts to go into Eve's room.

"I'm sorry, no visitors this time." the nurse says.

"No, you don't understand, I have to talk to her, because --"

"Dr. Lambert is in no condition to talk to anyone -- I was pushing it letting the police in here.  Now you can either leave on your own, or I'll call security." the nurse says.

"Fine.  I'll go." Lucy says, and she leaves.  The nurse goes back into Eve's room, and checks her IV. 

"Kevin." Eve continues to whisper softly. 

"Dr. Lambert, it's okay.  You're in the hospital, you're safe now.  He won't hurt you again." the nurse tells her.  Suddenly the door opens.

"We've got a code blue down the hall, we need you in there, stat!" the other nurse says, and Eve's nurse races out the door.  Lying in her bed, Eve begins to whisper once again, with nobody in the room to hear her.

"Warn -- Kevin -- Ryan -- alive."

Chris is sitting up, struggling with a small pocket knife to unlock the cuffs that have him chained up,
but the tip is too big.  "That's not gonna work." he hears Jessie say, and turns around.

"Hey, sleepyhead -- feeling better?" he asks, moving back up toward Jessie and kissing her on the lips.

"Yeah." Jessie says.  "Here, give me that."  She takes the knife from Chris, and starts to try to unlock the cuffs.  "See -- THIS is how you do it." she says, and proceeds to pick the lock easily.  "Too bad I didn't have this at the Lighthouse, I'd have been out of there in no time."  Chris just stares at her, stunned.  "Aw, don't feel bad honey -- I'm sure you'll do something heroic soon enough."

"Very funny." Chris says.  "Well, now what?"

"Well, getting the hell OUT of here sounds like a plan to me." Jessie suggests.

"Jess, we don't know where we are, and we've got Frick out there guarding the door with Frack on
his way back anytime now."

"Yeah, you're right -- and they've got my gun, too."

"YOUR gun?" Chris asks.

"Yeah, I've been carrying one for years -- Ryan must have swiped it from my purse after he knocked me out."

"Why do you need to carry a -- nevermind, you can tell me later.  Any brilliant suggestions?"

"Actually -- yeah, I've got an idea.  How good are you at lying?"  Jessie asks.

"You NEED to ask?  I've got a degree in it." Chris says.

"Good.  Get ready to give the performance of a lifetime then."

Lucy arrives at the police station and goes right into Mac's office.  "I take it you heard." Mac says.

"Mac -- there has to be some sort of mistake -- Doc wouldn't do this, he --"

"Lucy -- as much as I hate to do this -- I have to face the possibility that Kevin is -- Lucy maybe he
blocked it out."

"No!  It's not possible!"

"Lucy, you know as well as I do that it IS possible --especially given his history."  Mac pauses for a
moment.  "I -- I want you to think about something."

"What?" Lucy asks, shaking.

"Having him transferred to Ferncliffe."

"No -- no, I won't do that, he --"

"He's not gonna get the help he needs here.  This is better for him.  Lucy, think about it.  He'll be
getting psychiatric treatment.  And once Eve starts to recover -- maybe we can talk her into dropping the charges, as long as he remains under psychiatric care until he's declared competent."

"We can't just say he's incompetent, he has to have an evaluation to see if --"

"And they'll do that once he gets to Ferncliffe.  Lucy -- you know this is the best thing to do.  Hey -- I know this has to be hard, but -- you can't argue with all the evidence."  Lucy is quiet for a moment.

"He was doing so well." Lucy says, trying to fight back tears.  "For six years -- why now?  We
have two little babies at home, and everything has been so wonderful for us, and now --"

"I'm sorry, Lucy, I really am.  Do you want me to tell him, or --"

"No -- I'll tell him.  Can you -- give us some time alone?" Lucy asks.

"Sure." Mac says, and they leave his office.

"Cooper!" Chris shouts -- Greg enters, glaring at him.
 

"What the hell do you want?" Greg asks. 

"What did you give her?" Chris asks, looking at Jessie, who is lying on the bed next to Chris very
still.

"Same thing I gave you -- she just needs to sleep it off."

"She's been sleeping it off all day, and I've barely been able to get her to wake up for more than a couple of minutes at a time.  And the past half-hour she hasn't even opened her eyes -- and her pulse is starting to get more rapid."

"Yeah, right -- how stupid do I look Ramsey?  This is just some lame trick of yours to try and catch me off guard." Greg says, and starts to leave the room.

"Cooper, you better do something right now!  If anything happens to her I'll personally break your
scrawny little neck in half."   Greg rolls his eyes.  "Get me whatever medical equipment you have -- NOW!"

"Shut up, Ramsey -- I'll check her myself." Greg says.  "I could have been a damn good doctor, you know."  Greg sits down on the edge of the bed and checks Jessie's pulse.  "It sounds fine -- so what's the problem?"

"This!" Jessie says, as she jerks up her knee and hits Cooper right in the groin, and as he jumps back, stunned, she quickly takes the cuffs she's been hiding under her leg and places one end on Cooper's wrist and the other around the bedpost.  "Gosh -- you really ARE as dumb as you look!" Jessie says, as she and Chris race for the door.  "I need to find my gun." Jessie says.

"There's no time for that." Chris says, grabbing her hand.  "Let's just get out of here."  They head for
the door, and when they open it, the find Ryan standing in the doorway. 

"Well, well, well -- what have we here?  I leave for a few minutes and all heck breaks loose.  Now, we just can't HAVE that, can we?" Ryan says, grabbing Jessie's arm and forcefully pulling her back into the house.  He sees the gun lying on a table and picks it up.

"Leave her alone." Chris says.

"Oh, I'm not gonna hurt her.  Well, not YET -- and not physically, anyway.  You see, I've just decided that keeping you alive is a REALLY bad idea.  You two never should have tried to escape.  I'm afraid you'll have to be punished.  YOU --" he says, looking at Chris, "Will just have to die.  And YOU," he turns to Jessie, "Get to watch.  Now let's see -- should I take him out
in one quick blow, or should I just do it slowly --you know, a shot to the arm, a shot to the leg, one to the abdomen -- make him really suffer."

"You're a monster!" Jessie shouts, trying to fight back tears.

"Yeah, you're right -- I'll just do it in one shot and get it over with." Ryan says, as Chris remains
standing by the open door.

"Chris, just run!" Jessie shouts.

"No way, I'm not leaving without you." Chris says.

"Don't you just love these Dudley-Do-Right types?" Ryan says in a taunting tone, then pulls back the
trigger on the gun.

"NO!" Jessie shouts, using every ounce of strength she has to overpower Ryan.  She pulls his arm down as the gun goes off -- a bullet hits Chris in the left leg, and he cries out in pain.  Jessie and Ryan fall to the floor in a struggle for the gun, as Chris watches in fear.

"You don't know who you're dealing with, little girl." Ryan says, as Jessie refuses to loosen her grip and continues to put up resistance.

"I think that statement should be in reverse." Jessie says, as she is finally able to get ahold of the gun.  She sits up, pointing it straight at Ryan, and turns briefly to look over at Chris, who is sitting on the floor leaning up against the wall, clearly in pain. Ryan looks up at Jessie.

"Go ahead -- I dare you." Ryan says.  Jessie aims the gun at Ryan's head, her hand shaking.  Suddenly she turns it, shooting him twice in the arm, and backs off slowly.  She slowly makes her way over to Chris.

"Can you walk?" she asks.

"Yeah, I think so." Chris says, as Jessie helps him stand up. 

"You're not gonna go far!" Ryan shouts, grabbing his arm in pain.  "You don't even know where you're at!"  Jessie and Chris ignore him as they start to run away.

 They go for several miles, and stop -- Chris practically collapses to the ground and leans up
against a tree.  "Oh baby -- does it hurt bad?" Jessie asks.

"Now that you mention it -- yeah, pretty much." Chris says.  "Why didn't you just kill him, Jess?"

"I can't kill anyone -- not even Ryan.  Let me see that pocket knife." Jessie says, and Chris reaches
into his pocket for it, wincing in pain, and hands it to Jessie.  She cuts away at his pants and checks his wound.  "Dammit!" she says.

"What?" Chris asks.

"There's no exit wound, the bullet is still in there. I've gotta get it out somehow." 

"You can't -- it's not sterile." Chris says.

"It's okay -- I'll start a fire, and I'll sterilize your knife that way."  Chris doesn't look too
thrilled.  "Honey, what other choice do we have?  That bullet has to come out.  You just rest here -- I'll be right back, okay?" 

"I'm not going anywhere." Chris says.  Jessie goes off looking for some wood to start a fire, as something for them to eat.  She comes back about a half hour later with some wood and some berries. 

"Here, honey -- eat these." Jessie says.

"How do you know they're safe?" Chris asks.

"My parents and I traveled all over the place, we camped hundreds of times -- they're safe.  I know what I'm doing."

"Good, that makes one of us." Chris says.  "I'd kill for a nice hot shower and a martini right now."

"I'll make you a whole pitcher of them when we get home.  Right now we have to get this bullet out of your leg."  Jessie starts a fire and sterilizes the knife she has.  "This is gonna hurt baby, I'm sorry. 
I'll be careful -- I want to do this before it gets too dark."

"Can I sue you if it doesn't work?" Chris jokes.  Jessie just kisses him on the forehead. 

"I'll be as quick as I can." Jessie says, and begins to try and take the bullet out.   Chris cries out
loudly in pain.  "Hold still sweetie -- I'm sorry."  Jessie finally gets the bullet out, and looks up to
see that Chris has passed out from the pain.  She cuts off part of her sweater and uses it as a tourniquet to put pressure on the wound to stop the bleeding, then sits down next to Chris and gently lowers his head into her lap and runs her fingers through his hair.  A few minutes later, Chris starts to awaken.  "Hey." Jessie says.  Chris looks up at her.

"Hey." he whispers.  "Did you get it out?" he asks.

"Yeah." Jessie says.  "It must have hurt pretty bad --you passed out." Jessie says. 

"Well, there goes my image as a shining example of machismo." he says, sitting up a bit.  Jessie laughs softly.

"How do you feel?" she asks.

"Well, considering I've been knocked out, drugged, and shot in the last 36 hours -- actually, I feel like hell." Chris says, now sitting up again and resting his head on Jessie's shoulder.

"Why don't you lay back down and sleep -- we should be okay here tonight.  Hopefully you'll be feeling better by morning, we can start moving again then."

"Jess, we don't even know where we're going." Chris says.

"We'll figure things out.  Get some sleep, you need to rest." Jessie says.  Chris somewhat reluctantly lays his head back down in Jessie's lap and closes his eyes, as Jessie continues to lean back against the tree and drifts off to sleep herself.

"Well?" Kevin says, a smile on his face as Lucy enters the room.  "Are we going home."

"Come here, you." Lucy says, wrapping her arms around Kevin.

"Oh, Lucy -- I just want to go home with you tonight and lie in bed and hold you.  I love you so much." Kevin whispers, kissing her on the neck.

"I love you too, Doc." Lucy says.  "You know -- you can tell me anything, right?"

"Of course." Kevin says.  "But how about we wait till we get home?"

"Doc, we're -- you're not going home." Lucy says, her voice starting to break up.  Kevin backs away from her, and looks up at her, stunned.

"What are you talking about?" 

"Doc, the DNA, and -- Eve said you --"

"No.  No, Lucy, no, I DIDN'T DO IT!" Kevin shouts.

"Doc, maybe you -- maybe you just don't remember, you know -- maybe you blocked it out, and -- Doc, I just want you to get help, so you can come home.  I love you so much Doc, and I just want --"

"Lucy, for God's sake, it wasn't me!" Kevin shouts, pounding his fist on the table.  Two officers, along with Mac, enter the room.  The officers grab Kevin's hands and handcuff them.

"I'm sorry." Lucy says.  "You're going to Ferncliffe, and then you can --"

"No -- Lucy, please, I'm innocent, you have to believe me --"

"I love you Doc -- I'll come and see you every day, I promise, and you'll get better and better and --"

"No.  Mac, come on -- you know me.  I'm innocent." Kevin says.

"I'm sorry mate.  It's out of my hands." Mac says.

"No!  Lucy!" Kevin shouts, as the officers take him away.  Lucy is in tears, and Mac walks over to her and pulls her into a hug to comfort her.

"I'm sorry Lucy." Mac says.  "I'm really sorry."

April 11, 2001 -- morning. 

Jessie wakes up and looksaround her -- Chris is lying with his head in her lap, asleep.  Jessie brushes his hair from his eyes and then puts her hand up to his neck, checking his pulse. Chris opens his eyes and looks up at her.

"Am I still alive?" he asks jokingly.

"Looks that way." Jessie says.  "How are you feeling?"

"Hungry, thirsty, my leg is killing me -- you?" Chris says, sitting up.

"I'm sure there's gotta be a stream or something not too far from here.  I'll see if I can find us some
water, and get us more of those berries to eat."

"I'll go with you." Chris says, beginning to stand up.

"Honey, no, you stay here and take it easy.  I'll get us something to eat and drink, so you can get a little of your strength back, and then we can keep moving." Jessie kisses him on the lips.  "I'll be right back." she says, and leaves.  She comes back a while later with food and some water for them.  They eat what Jessie has found, and then Jessie gets up and starts to look around, as Chris remains sitting on the ground, glancing down at his wounded leg.  "What's that look?" Jessie asks, seeing the pouty look on Chris' face.

"I was supposed to be the one rescuing you.  And look at us -- this mess is all my fault.  You were about to get out on your own until I showed up."

"Hey -- I'm glad you showed up.  Even if you're not quite superhero material." Jessie teases.  "We'll get out of this, and get back home to Port Charles."

"Do you have ANY idea where we are?" Chris asks.

"Not exactly -- but I know we can't be far.  Obviously there has to be a town nearby, if Cooper's family has a cabin out here.  We just need to find it."

"That could take days, Jess -- I don't know how far I can go." Chris says.

"As long as we have access to water, we'll be fine --and I'll stop as often as you need to.   Now are you ready to go?" 

"Yeah, I guess."

"Good. Come on -- let's get home."  Jessie says, and they start to make their way through the woods.

Lucy arrives at Ferncliffe, and goes into the office of Dr. Timothy Browne, Kevin's court-appointed
psychiatrist at the facility.  "Mrs. Collins --please, have a seat." Dr. Browne says.  Lucy sits
down.

"When can I see him?" Lucy asks.

"I'm afraid that's not possible right now." Dr. Browne says.

"But -- but I told Doc that I'd be here today, and --I have to see him.  Please." 

"Mrs. Collins -- your husband hasn't said a word since he was brought here.  Now I need to find some way to get through to him -- and right now, seeing you might distract him and harm his chances of recovery."

"Dr. Browne -- we have two little babies at home.  I just want him to know that -- how long do you think it'll be, before I can see him?" Lucy asks.

"That's up to him." Dr. Browne says.

"Can you -- give him these?" Lucy asks, handing him some photos of herself and the twins. 

"Of course." Dr. Browne says.  "I'll keep you posted on his progress.  I'm going to see him right now."

"Thank you." Lucy says.  She gets up and leaves the office, and closes the door behind her.  "Oh, Doc." she says.  "I'm so sorry."

Dr. Browne walks into Kevin's room -- he's standing up, looking out the barred windows.  "Dr. Collins." he says.  Kevin doesn't turn around, he just continues to look out the window.  "Your wife was here just a little while ago."  Kevin starts to turn around.  "I told her it would be better if you didn't have visitors right now -- she left these for you."  He hands Kevin the photos, he looks down at them, and sets them down on his nightstand.  "So -- is there anything on your mind that you'd like to talk about today?"

"Is there any word on Eve Lambert?" Kevin finally asks.

"I'm not sure, but -- I can find out if you like.   I understand that you and Dr. Lambert know each other very well."

"I didn't attack her." Kevin says.  "I don't belong here."

"Dr. Collins -- nobody here is accusing you of anything.  And you know as well as I do that you won't be held accountable for what happened when you weren't mentally aware of what was going on if we can prove that --"

"Did you not hear me?  I DIDN'T ATTACK EVE LAMBERT!!!!!!!" Kevin shouts.

"I know that you don't believe you did -- and on some level, you're right, but --"

"Get out of here." Kevin says. 

"Dr. Collins -- I've been appointed by the court to monitor your condition, and report back to therm
whether not you're --"

"Whether or not I'm competent?  My name is Kevin Collins, my wife is Lucy Coe Collins, I have two children, Dominique and Daniel, it's April of 2001, I live in Port Charles, New York, I'm the chief of psychiatry at General Hospital there, and I did NOT in any way, shape, or form, cause any harm, physical or otherwise, to Dr. Eve Lambert.  Is that competent enough for you?"

"You're obviously not ready to start -- I'll leave you alone for now." Dr. Browne says, and he leaves.  Kevin lies down on his bed, and picks up one of the photos of Lucy with the twins and looks at it sadly.

"Ouch!  Be more careful, would you!" Ryan says, as Greg checks the wound on his arm and re-bandages it. "This is all your fault -- what the hell kind of idiot lets a woman get the better of him?"

"She caught me off guard." Greg says.

"Well, don't BE off guard." Ryan says.  "What if they get back to Port Charles?  Everyone will know about us."

"They'll never make it back there -- they don't have the slightest clue how to get back into town."

"You better be right." Ryan says.  "You're sure nobody will find us here?"

"Nobody even knows that my folks own this place -- my dad keeps it to get away from my mom when she starts to get on his nerves.  And they're on a cruise right now.  Oh, I'm sure there's a big manhunt out for me, but -- not here."

"Better not be." Ryan says.  He turns on the television set to watch the news. 

"Dr. Lambert is still listed in critical condition at General Hospital.  She was, however, able to give a
positive ID on her attacker last night." Ryan listens nervously as the reporter continues.  "As suspected, Dr. Kevin Collins, the Chief of Psychiatry, has been charged with the crime, and taken to Ferncliffe to undergo psychiatric care.  In other related news, two staff members of General Hospital, Dr. Christopher Ramsey, and a nurse, Jessica Collins, who is also a cousin to Dr. Kevin Collins, have been missing for over 24 hours.  If anyone has any news regarding their whereabouts, please contact the Port Charles Police Department."  Ryan turns and looks at Greg.

"Well, I'll be damned -- Eve named Kevin as her attacker -- I wonder what that's all about." Ryan
says.  "You know, I almost feel sorry for him --locked up in that padded room, everyone thinking he's crazy --- maybe I should pay him a visit.  Boy, that'd really make him thing he was losing it."

"Aren't you gonna -- you know, finish her off?" Greg asks.

"I don't know -- I think maybe I'll pay Evie a visit soon -- something's up with her, otherwise everyone would be out looking for me.  I think I could have a little more fun with her alive for awhile." Ryan says, grinning.

April 12, 2001 -- early evening. 

Chris sits down and leans up against a large rock as he and Jessie stop at a small stream they've found to get something to drink.  Jessie brings him some water, and he drinks it, making a face.  "Ugh -- remind me never to complain again about the slop they serve in the hospital cafeteria -- I'd actually love some of their mystery meat right about now."

"I know baby, I'm hungry too -- I'm sure we'll find some sign of life around here soon."

"Jess, we've been at this for a day and a half -- I think.  We still don't know where the hell we are --
we could be miles from anything resembling the civilized world."

"Are you always so pessimistic?" Jessie asks.

"Only when I haven't eaten a real meal in a couple of days because I'm lost in the woods, and my leg hurts like hell cause I have psychopaths shooting me-- why the hell do you need a gun, anyway?"

"I have a right to defend myself." Jessie says.

"Yeah, you're obsessed with it -- you know all these self-defense techniques, and now I find out you're packing heat -- any other little secrets you'd like to share with me that might be important for your significant other to know?"  Jessie sighs and sits down next to him.

"My mom was killed when I was fourteen -- she was murdered.   I saw it happen."  Chris becomes quiet.

"Baby, I'm sorry." Chris says, taking her hand.

"Ever since then, I've just -- wanted to be able to protect myself.  So I learned self-defense.  And as
soon as I was old enough, I got a gun and learned how to use it.  I'm sorry this happened -- I never wanted you to end up getting hurt."

"Just -- never mind me and my big mouth, okay.  This isn't your fault.  I'm just tired and hungry and -- I just want to get home."

"Me too." Jessie says, and she kisses him on the cheek.  She then suddenly takes her hand and feels his cheek and forehead. 

"What?" Chris asks.

"Are you feeling alright?" Jessie asks.

"No worse than I was the last time you asked me --why?"

"You're a little bit warm."

"Oh, great -- I'm probably getting an infection from this damn gunshot wound." Chris says.  "Just what we need -- can things possibly get any worse?" Just as Chris says that, he looks up and notices the clouds getting dark.

"Yeah, I think they could." Jessie says, looking up as well.

April 13, 2001 -- Kevin lies in his bed at Ferncliffe, dreaming.  He's running through a maze of mirrors, and Lucy is calling out to him.  "Doc!" she cries.  "Doc, where are you?"

"I'm right here Lucy." Kevin calls out. 

"Doc!"  Lucy calls out, as Kevin watches her run into someone else's arms.

"Lucy!" Kevin calls out.

"I knew you'd find me." Lucy says, hugging the other man.  Kevin watches them. 

"Lucy, I'm right here!" Kevin calls out.  The man turns around.

"Too late, bro.  She's mine now." Ryan says, grinning, holding Lucy close.  Kevin watches as a fire suddenly engulfs them. 

"Lucy!  NO!"  Kevin shouts, and he jolts himself awake. 

April 14, 2001 -- morning.  Ryan is dressed in a disguise of a dark wig and a moustache -- he enters the ICU at General Hospital.  He arrives at Eve's room -- nobody is in there with her.   He walks up to Eve's bed and stands over it.  Eve opens her eyes and looks up at him.  "Don't worry -- it's just me." Ryan says, grinning, as he removes the fake moustache.  "I hear you haven't said much to anyone, Evie -- cat got your tongue?"  Eve starts to reach for the call button. "Not a smart idea -- do you recognize this?"  Ryan holds up Chris' pager, which he took from his car. "You see -- I'm not working alone.  Does the name Greg Cooper ring a bell?"  Eve gets a look of fear in her
eyes.  "Thought so.  And obviously you know who this belongs to.  Boy, it'd be a shame if anything were to happen to Dr. Ramsey -- but I'm afraid that if anything happens to ME, well -- Greg is under strict orders to do whatever necessary.  You see Eve, at first I was thinking that it might be a good idea to just kill you and get it over with, but -- well, I have a better idea now.  See, you somehow managed to ID my twin brother as the one who put you here.  I'm sure you didn't mean to, but -- well, lucky me. Anyhoo, I think that it might be a good idea for you to just stick to that story -- otherwise, your friend Dr. Ramsey will be pushing up daisies.  Oh, did I mention that his little girlfriend, my favorite little cousin, is with him as well?  See, I'm being generous and letting you live -- but only if you do me this tiny little favor.  If you don't, well -- both you AND your friends won't live to see the end of the month.  You take care of yourself, Evie." Ryan says, and he
leaves.

Ryan arrives back at the cabin, and enters, dripping wet from the storm going on outside.  Greg looks up at him.  "Well?  Did you take care of her?"

"For now." Ryan says.  "You know, this is turning out to be more fun than I had hoped for.  Except for one little problem.  We need to find those two, before they make it back to town."

"It's storming like crazy out there -- how the hell are we gonna find them?  Besides, it's been days."

"Exactly.  And they haven't made it back yet.  We'd have heard it on the news if they had.  And the rain will slow them down.  This is the perfect time --let's go." Ryan says.  Greg looks reluctant.  "Hey --the sooner we find them, the sooner I can set my plan into motion, and then I can have my brother's life all to myself while he rots away in the looney bin, and you can get yourself a new life and identity in Rio.  Now let's move -- we've already let them get too far."

Later that afternoon, Lucy arrives at Ferncliffe.  Dr. Browne is waiting in the visiting room.  "Can I see him?" Lucy asks as she enters. 

"Yes, but -- Mrs. Collins, the only reason I'm allowing this is because your husband is insisting on
it.  Please understand --- his treatment hasn't even really begun.  So keep that in mind, whatever he says to you."  Someone knocks on the door, and Dr. Browne opens it.  Kevin enters.  Lucy races to hug him, and Dr. Browne separates them.  "We try to limit physical contact here -- I'll be right outside." he says, and leaves.  Ignoring what Dr. Browne said, Lucy takes Kevin's hand.

"Doc -- I'm sorry that you have to do this -- you know that everyone here just wants to help, and --"

"Lucy -- it's okay -- I understand everything now.  That's why I needed to see you." Kevin says.

"You understand what?" Lucy asks.

"I didn't attack Eve, Lucy -- but I know who did." Kevin says.  He sits down, and pulls Lucy into the chair next to him.  "Please -- I want you to promise me that no matter how crazy this sounds, you'll believe me."

"Okay, I -- I promise.  But Doc --"

"No buts.  This has to be it, Lucy."  Kevin pauses for a moment.  "When Ryan -- when he died in that fire -- we never found a body."

"Doc, there's no way Ryan could have even --"

"There has to be.  Lucy, I'm not crazy -- but Ryan is another story.  He's alive, Lucy.  Ryan is alive."

Chris stops and leans up against a tree, as rain pours down around him and Jessie.  "Honey, we have to keep going." Jessie says.

"I can't." Chris says, trying to catch his breath.  "I can't do this, Jess."

"Yes, you can.  Chris, come on -- we can't give up now."

"I just did." Chris says, sitting down.  "We're gonna die out here, Jess -- there's no way we'll survive
this storm without shelter, we'll catch pneumonia from being out here."

"Oh my God, Chris -- look!" Jessie says, her voice becoming suddenly excited.  Chris turns around, and sees a small cabin not too far from where they are.

"It's gotta be a mirage." Chris says.

"No, it's there -- come on, let's go." Jessie says, taking his hand.  They quickly make their way toward the cabin -- the door is unlocked, and they let themselves in.  Chris is shivering as Jessie closes the door behind them.    Jessie looks around the room -- it's a fully furnished living room -- Jessie grabs a blanket that is draped over the couch and wraps it around Chris.

"Honey -- I'm gonna see if there's anything for us to eat here.  I want you to sit down and take it easy." Jessie says.  Chris nods his head in agreement, and Jessie goes into another room.  She finds a kitchen area -- it's stocked with food.  Jessie breathes a sigh of relief as she prepares something for them to eat.  A few minutes later, she goes back into the main living area.  "Chris, someone must live here, I sure hope they don't mind us -- Chris!" Jessie screams, dropping what she's carrying when she sees Chris lying passed out on the floor midway between the couch and the door.  She rushes over to his side.  "Chris -- wake up, baby!" she says, checking for his vitals. "Oh god, you're burning up." she says, just as the front door opens.  Jessie looks up at the person standing in the doorway with a look of fear and worry in her eyes . . . .