Chapter 1

Chapter 2-4

Chapter 5-7

Chapter 8-10

Chapter 11-13

Chapter 14-16

Chapter 17-20

Chapter 21-24

Chapter 25-27

Chapter 28-29

Chapter 30-31

Chapter 32-33

Chapter 34-35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

"I swear that if I had to look at one more color scheme, floral arrangement, or any other type of decoration, I would've been driven out of my mind." Kevin confessed after he and Matt had conveniently slipped out of the kitchen into the living room.

"You're telling me." Matt agreed with a laugh as Kevin leaned back on the sofa. "Who would've thought that planning a wedding would be such a complicated venture? I mean you'd think that it would be enough to say I do and live happily after."

"Oh no." Kevin insisted sitting up straighter turning to his friend.

"Planning for a wedding goes far beyond that my friend. First you have the task of booking the church, then making plans with the minister, picking out the vows you'd like to use, then you move onto working out a guest list, double checking the list to ensure that you haven't forgotten anyone even if it's someone you haven't seen in decades.

After all that is said and done, it's time to move onto decorations, music, and all the other added accessories. Of course this is just the first layer seeing as I haven't even gotten into the reception yet."

"Just what are we getting ourselves into Kevin?" Matt questioned with a laugh remembering how Lucy and Ellen had been driven into a wedding frenzy as soon as Sophie D'Amore arrived at the lighthouse.

"It's that crazy little thing called love I suppose," Kevin started listening to the sounds of excited laughter in the kitchen, "and as men our duty is to smile and nod in the appropriate places while agreeing to do whatever it takes to fulfill the feminine wedding day fantasy."

"Gosh, I never thought that Ellen would be so into this, but listen to her." Matt commented hearing the sounds from the kitchen. "I've never seen her so excited."

"Well, it's all part of living that fairy tale wedding that they've grown up to believe comes along once in a lifetime." Kevin explained in amusement thinking of how happy Lucy was at the thought of planning a sensational wedding. "It's nice to see Lucy so excited, but if it were up to me, I'd settle for something simple with an 'I do' and then I'd skip all the little steps in between and could go straight to the honeymoon."

"I know what you're saying. I suggested to Ellen that we just take off to Vegas for a quick service and then spend the honeymoon living it up, but you'd have thought that I'd asked her to get married in a barn judging by her reaction." Matt confessed with a laugh picking up one of the bride's magazines that was on the coffee table as the muffled sounds of chattering escaped from the kitchen. "I just don't get it.

Why is it that woman feel the need to be so excessive when it comes to planning a wedding?"

"I think it has to do with society and these." Kevin explained reaching for another one of Lucy's magazines and flipping through the pages. "I mean look at this stuff. How to make your Cinderella dreams come true, floral arrangements of the stars, setting the mood with the perfect color scheme. What ever happened to just coming together and saying I do because of love without the worries about all the minuscule details? Has romance become such a commercialized endeavor that the whole meaning of marriage has been somehow lost in the process?"

"I don't know. Oh listen to this one........" Matt began reading a few lines from one of the articles. "The perfect wedding starts with finding the perfect man."

"Of course," Kevin nodded as Matt continued.

"Once you've found your Prince Charming, then it's time to start making all of your dreams come true and the best way to ensure happiness is to see that your marriage gets a positive boost by planning the perfect wedding which includes all the elements of romance at it's finest starting with your decorations..." Matt trailed off rolling his eyes as he set the magazine down. "Really, how many men do you find reading these things and actually getting into this?"

"Not any that are in their right mind." Kevin replied hearing a loud thud as the kitchen door swung open.

"Monk, you'll never believe what the selection that Ms. D'Amore has in here. She even has these little party favors that look just like Sigmund." Victor called out excitedly rushing out of the kitchen, "You have to come in here and see the color schemes. There are so many too choose from and so little time."

"I rest my case." Kevin chuckled as Victor disappeared back into the kitchen. He turned to Matt who was doing his best not to laugh and nodded. "Should we take a risk and venture back in there?"

"Why not?" Matt shrugged listening to the excited voices in the kitchen. "What do we have to lose?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Marisa, what in the world are you doing here?" Scott questioned in confusion gazing into the green eyes he knew so well.

"I....." Marisa began opening her mouth to speak as Chris re-entered the room.

"Why Scott you shouldn't have." Chris called out reaching for the roses as Scott stepped into the apartment. "I appreciate the effort, but you should know that I prefer yellow roses."

"Give me a break lug head." Scott muttered pulling the flowers out of Chris's reach as he stepped into the apartment.

"Eve will be ready in a minute." Chris blurted out trying to dismiss his feeling about Scott as he turned to Marisa flashing her a smile. "Ready to embark upon the journey of a lifetime?"

"Um, I...I guess......" Marisa trailed off a bit flustered as she glanced over at Scott for a moment.

"Good, then we'll get out of here before we're late for our reservation.

I booked us dinner at this little Italian restaurant that has the most amazing view of Port Charles." Chris explained slipping into his jacket.

"I hope you like Italian food."

"Oh yeah, I do." Marisa nodded wishing that she could have a moment alone with Scott as Chris grabbed his car keys.

"Good, then you won't be disappointed." Chris added with a smile turning to face Scott once more as Eve stepped out of Chris's bathroom. "As much as I'd like to say it's been pleasant, well, you know me better."

"Scott, sorry I'm running behind." Eve called out rushing over to greet him as she noticed the flowers. "Are those for me?"

"Oh yeah," Scott nodded handing the flowers to Eve as he continued to stare in Marisa's direction.

"Thanks, I guess I'll just put these in water." Eve commented taking note of the blank stare on his face. "Scott, are you all right?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." Scott shrugged watching Chris lead Marisa out the door. "Hey Eve, what's Ramsey doing with her?"

"With who? Dr. Dupuie?" Eve replied reentering the room after she put the flowers into the vase. "You know I was asking myself the same thing earlier considering that she couldn't wait to get rid of him the last time they'd encountered one another."

"The last time?" Scott questioned curiously as Eve set the flowers on the center of the table.

"Back in the hospital." Eve added taking note of the curious expression on Scott's face. "She was his doctor when he was shot at the carnival."

"Oh, I see." Scott nodded thinking about the last time he and Marisa had encountered one another.
 
 

"You know, maybe if you're ever around Port Charles, then perhaps we could go out to dinner or something........you know, for old times sake. I just know that Serena would love to see you again." Scott added clearing his throat.

"Scott, I don't think that's a good idea." Marisa replied quickly as she ignored the voice in her heart. "I mean, so much time has gone by and I'm so busy with work right now between deadlines and patients that it just wouldn't be a good idea."

"Come on Marisa, what happened to that wild side of yours? You can't tell me that work dictates your social life now. If that's the case, then I think that dinner is just what the doctor ordered. You know I can make a mean apple pie if I'm motivated enough." Scott added with a wink. "I must say that Serena's becoming quite a little chef herself."

"Serena was always a talented little girl." Marisa smiled thinking of Serena's sweet face. "Is she still dancing?"

"Every chance she gets." Scott added brightly. "In fact, she's learned a few moves since the last time you saw her."

"I'll bet she has." Marisa replied thinking back to Serena's first dance recital.

"She's quite good in fact." Scott continued enjoying the moment as he added confidently. "I've even taught her a move or two."

"Oh yeah right Scott." Marisa laughed in amusement as she gazed at his goofy grin. "I don't think that your dancing abilities could have improved that much since the last time I saw you. In fact, you were pretty pathetic if I recall correctly....."

"Hush," he began raising his hand over her mouth as she spoke while looking around the deserted hallway, "you don't want my secret to get out, do you? It might ruin my image you know."

"You haven't changed one bit have you?" Marisa questioned teasingly as he removed his hand. "Same old Scott, huh?"

"If you mean charming in every way, then nope, I haven't changed at all." Scott added with a hint of laughter as he noticed the sparkle in her eyes. "You haven't changed much either you know, except your even more beautiful now then I remembered."

"Scott," Marisa began snapping back into reality as a few people walked past them.

"Marisa, look I know that things didn't exactly end up the way that we had planned back then because of circumstances, but we always had a lot of fun when we were together, didn't we?" Scott added nudging her slightly. "Hey, remember the last fishing trip that we went on with Serena when the two of you ganged up on me and I fell into that icy water? The looks on both of your faces when I came to surface again was priceless, but of course you weren't laughing any more when I pulled you down into the water with me."

"Scott, look it's just not a good idea." Marisa interrupted quickly as her pager went off. "It was nice seeing you, but if we tried to get together sometime, it would just be like deja vu all over again and I don't think that either one of us should go down that road again."

"Look Marisa, I know that a lot of time has gone by, but I'd really like to see you again. I promise you that I won't push you either. It's just dinner." Scott insisted not wanting another chance to pass him by as he held onto her arm. "What do you say? Dinner can't hurt anything, right?"

"Scott, as much as I'd love for us to get together again, it's just not going to happen." Marisa explained unable to accept his offer.
 

"So where are you taking me tonight?" Eve questioned interrupting his thoughts. "Scott?"

"Huh?" Scott answered snapping back to reality as he noticed Eve expectantly waiting for an answer. "Oh right."

"Are you sure everything's okay?" Eve asked sensing that something was weighing on his mind.

"Positive." Scott nodded forcing a grin as an idea formed in his mind.

"So what are you in the mood for this evening?"

"Oh anything but Chinese." Eve insisted reaching for her jacket.

"Hmm, well how do you feel about Italian food tonight?" Scott suggested quickly.

"Sounds good." Eve agreed as he helped her into her jacket.

"Great, because I know the perfect place." Scott smiled as the two headed off to dinner.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"So tell me more about yourself," Chris insisted interrupting Marisa's thoughts as they sat together in the dimly lit restaurant.

"What's to tell?" Marisa shrugged directing her attention to Chris. "I lived in Canada most of my life up until I transferred to a hospital here in the states."

"What about outside of work?" Chris questioned noticing how her green eyes sparkled in the dim lighting. "I've learned from experience that every beautiful woman has a tale to tell."

"Not me." Marisa blushed reaching across the table to take Chris's hand in her own. "Tell me more about you."

"Don't you think we covered just about everything in my drunken state last night?" Chris countered flashing her a mischievous grin. "Of course I'd like to apologize now just in case I said anything incriminating about myself. I don't usually pour my heart out to strangers like that."

"Well, other than the fact that you confessed to being responsible for a string of unsolved murders here in Port Charles, I'd have to say there wasn't anything too incriminating." Marisa teased noticing the solemn expression on his face. "Chris I was kidding about that. Please don't tell me there's reason for me to be concerned."

"Gotcha." Chris replied with a grin taking note of the relieved expression on her face.

"So tell me, what's the story with you and Eve?" Marisa questioned curiously taking a sip of her champagne.

"Eve?" Chris began in confusion shaking his head. "When we're in the romantic setting alone like this, why do you want to talk about Eve?"

"Well, I couldn't help but notice the bond between the two of you back at the hospital when she stayed at your bedside night and day." Marisa explained watching him closely trying to read his expressions. "I guess that I just assumed that the two of you were together."

"Really?" Chris questioned in amazement before quickly covering. "Oh that's funny because we get that all the time."

"That's interesting." Marisa nodded noticing Chris shift in his seat a bit.

"Well, Eve and I...we're very close." Chris explained with a shrug remembering the kiss the two of them had shared back at the hospital.

"Honestly I view her more like a sister than anything else. We look out for each other.......kind of like family."

"I see." Marisa smiled noticing his cheeks turn a pale crimson shade as she tried to read his cool poker face. "So does that explain that little display between you and her date tonight?"

"Her date? Oh Scott." Chris muttered as a frown crossed his lips.

"That man's caused her nothing but trouble."

"How so?" Marisa questioned curious to hear more.

"Well, a while ago, he and Eve were quite serious almost to the point it was sickening." Chris began explaining to her as he thought back, "In fact, for a while Eve was convinced that he was the one true love of her life."

"Really? So she and Scott were that close huh?" Marisa inquired taking in what Chris was saying to her.

"I think Eve was more serious about it than Scott was because in the end, he dumped her flat on her butt without giving it a second thought and I was left to pick up the pieces." Chris remarked bitterly remembering how Eve's heart had been broken in two. "I'm telling you he's a jerk."

"That doesn't sound like Scott to me." Marisa commented thinking it over.

"Yeah, well don't let him fool you." Chris added as his anger came to the surface. "Underneath that charming exterior you witnessed tonight lies a man who's only out for himself. I just wish that Eve could see that before she gets her hopes up again about him."

"So what happened to make Scott treat Eve so coldly?" Marisa wondered out loud thinking of the Scott that she'd grown to know so well back in Canada.

"It's a long, complicated story that I'd rather not get into." Chris insisted quickly shifting the focus of the conversation on her. "You know, enough about Scott and Eve. I'd much rather talk about you tonight."

"There's really not that much to tell." Marisa sighed leaning back in her chair. "I'm rather boring."

"Oh I doubt that." Chris insisted probing a bit further as he fished for a conversation opener. "So tell me, what made you decide to relocate to Port Charles?"

"Monica Quartermaine and I go back a few years." Marisa explained remembering how Monica had finally convinced her to take the job at General Hospital. "Plus, it was a good opportunity for me."

"Well, I think it'll be great to have you on staff. In fact, I can give you a list of a few patients and staff members who could use one of your etiquette lessons." Chris chuckled remembering the lashing he'd received during his time as her patient.

"I don't usually lose my cool with my patients like that." Marisa blushed thinking back for a moment. "I suppose I came down pretty hard on you didn't I?"

"Ah, it's okay. I like a woman who can put me in my place." Chris added grinning brightly listening to the soft music playing in the background as he extended out his hand. "Would you care to dance?"

"Why I'd love to." Marisa smiled accepting his offer as he moved around the table to help her out of her chair.

"Well, well what a surprise." A voice called out from behind as the Marisa turned to find Scott and Eve standing behind them.

"Who would've thought that we'd all end up at the same restaurant? Talk about irony." Eve questioned with a smile looking Chris over for a moment.

"Who'd have thought?" Scott chuckled directing his attention to Marisa as he spoke. "So have you two ordered dinner yet?"

"No, not yet, but Chris says that the food is incredible in this place."

Marisa nodded turning to Chris.

"Oh it is. In fact, just a few weeks ago Chris and I were here and we had the most amazing.....oh what was it again? " Eve questioned turning to Chris.

"Chicken parmesan." Chris replied quickly surprised to see Eve and Scott standing before him.

"That's right and let me tell you it was amazing." Eve continued explaining to her realizing that she hadn't introduced Marisa to Scott.

"Oh by the way, Marisa Dupuie, this is Scott Baldwin. Scott, this is Marisa Dupuie."

"Actually we've met before." Scott added taking Marisa's hand in his.

"It's nice to see you again."

"Likewise." Marisa nodded quickly drawing back her hand before looking away.

"You know, since you haven't ordered yet, then perhaps we could all have dinner together." Scott suggested eagerly never taking his eyes off of Marisa.

"What?" Eve questioned unable to believe what she'd just heard.

"Well, it is one of Dr. Dupuie's first nights on the town in Port Charles, and I just thought that we should show her a good time." Scott explained to Eve with a smile. "I'm sure that she and Chris wouldn't mind the company."

"Actually we were about to go out on the dance floor." Chris replied still holding onto Marisa's hand tightly.

"Well, hey no one's stopping you." Scott insisted waving his hands in the air. "You just go out and have a good time and I'll get one of the waiters to bring a couple of chairs over here so that we can all have dinner together once you return."

"Scott, I'm not so sure that's a good idea." Eve began still bewildered by Scott's suggestion. "I think that Chris and Marisa would probably prefer to be alone. Isn't that right?"

"Really, it's no problem." Marisa replied with a smile. "Unless of course you have any objections Chris."

"Of course not." Chris muttered glaring as Scott signaled for a waiter to bring over a couple of chairs. "Take a seat."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I don't think that I've ever seen Matt or Kevin make such a quick exit like that." Ellen commented leaning back on the sofa as she and Lucy thumbed through some of the catalogs Sophie D'Amore left behind for them. "You'd think we were asking them to do all the work judging by the twisted expressions on their faces."

"Yeah, well Doc's going to be involved in this wedding whether he likes it or not." Lucy added patting her stomach lightly as she glanced over a few dress patterns. "You know, I'm almost afraid to pick one of these out because knowing my luck once it's finished and the big day arrives, I'll be too fat into fit into the dress. I mean just look at me."

"Oh come on Lucy. It's can't be that bad." Ellen chuckled in amusement. "In fact, I'd have to admit that pregnancy suits you well.

You look incredible."

"You really think so?" Lucy questioned thinking it over. "I feel incredible Ellen. In fact for the first time in my life I feel as if it's finally going to happen for me. All my hopes and dreams about starting a family are finally coming true and this time nothing's going to stand in my way."

"That's wonderful news Lucy. It's good to see both you and Kevin so happy with one another." Ellen commented changing the subject for a moment. "So other than plotting with Matt for ways to get out of all the wedding planning, how's Kevin doing lately?"

"He's still very upset about Ryan's death." Lucy confessed remembering Kevin's response to Ryan's letter. "On some level, he feels responsible for Ryan's downfall and no matter how hard I try to convince him that it wasn't his fault, he just can't seem to shake that feeling of guilt that he's been harboring all these years."

"And Victor? How's he dealing with this?" Ellen questioned curiously.

"He hasn't said much about it since we arrived back home." Lucy replied thinking of Victor's behavior. "It's as if he's trying to block out that it ever took place and of course Kevin won't bring it up considering the all the hurt that still remains inside of him. Sometimes I wish that the two of them would just sit down and talk this over, but at the same time I'm not sure either of them is ready for that. I just wish there was an easy way in this situation."

"Well, don't push the issue. I'm sure they'll come around when the time is right." Ellen suggested taking note of the frown upon Lucy's face.

"Hey, don't worry about it. The two of them appear to be getting along fine especially with the twins on their way."

"Oh Victor's been wonderful." Lucy admitted with a smile. "I don't know what I'd do without him here, but I still can't help but be concerned about him."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Victor Collins entered the cabin on Jasmine Island as he did every night carefully closing the door behind him as he made his way into the living room ready to lose himself in the memories for a few moments. He noticed the photo album on the sofa where he'd left it the previous evening still opened to the page containing the pictures from his fishing expedition with his boys. Picking up the book, he placed it into his lap feeling the tears forming in his eyes as he traced the outline of the fading photograph.

"I'm so sorry." Victor whispered choking back tears as he stared into the child's bright eyes staring back at him. "I never meant for this to happen to any of us."

Victor found himself lost in another time and place as he consumed himself with thoughts of his children. Thoughts of what he could've done to change the course of history and how when he had a second chance, he'd buckled in to fear. Thinking back to the evening at the lighthouse and planning for Kevin's wedding, Victor felt a pang of guilt in his chest knowing that there was so much he'd allowed to get out of hand as he heard the front door open.

"It took you long enough to get here tonight Victor." a voice called out as Victor looked up from his book struggling to keep himself together.

"I almost thought you weren't going to make it."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Dinner was fantastic." Marisa announced leaning back in her chair a bit.

"Are you sure you're not up for dessert?" Eve replied nodding at her plate of rich chocolate dessert. "You should really try this."

"Ugh, I can't even think about eating another bite." Marisa explained watching Eve hold a forkful of the chocolate in the air.

"Neither can I," Chris agreed taking delight in watching Eve taking a bite of her dessert, "but Eve here, well let me tell you, she never misses her dessert."

"What can I say?" Eve began placing her fork on her plate for a moment. "I'm a sucker for sweets. Scott, you have to try this."

"Really, I don't think I could eat another bite." Scott insisted as Eve placed a forkful of her dessert in front of his mouth.

"Come on Scott. Just try it." Eve urged as he reluctantly took a bite.

"See I told you it was good."

"It's not bad." Scott agreed swallowing the bite Eve had given him as he glanced over at Marisa catching a glimpse of jealousy in her eyes before she turned away.

"So Marisa, tell me. How long are you planning on staying in Port Charles?" Eve questioned eager to hear more about Marisa's stay in Port Charles.

"Actually, she's taken a job on staff at the hospital." Chris replied before Marisa had a chance to respond.

"Really, now that's interesting." Eve added as her fork suddenly slipped out of her hand onto the floor causing a thud on the way down as it hit the edge of the table. "Whoops."

"Here you can have mine. I had an extra one." Chris insisted reaching across the table to hand her his fork.

"Thanks, but I think I'm finished with this anyways." Eve smiled graciously accepting the fork.

"So Marisa, you're planning on staying here permanently, huh?" Scott questioned leaning forward in his chair a bit. "That's quite a surprise."

"A pleasant one I'd say." Chris added turning his attention back to Marisa. "What do you say we go have that dance now?"

"That sounds like a wonderful idea." Marisa agreed with a nod as Chris's pager went off.

"Great. What timing." Chris muttered checking the number. "I'm sorry, but I have to take this. Would you excuse me for a minute?"

"Of course." Marisa nodded watching Chris make a hasty retreat as she directed her attention to back Scott and Eve. "So what are you two up to this evening?"

"Well, other than dinner, we hadn't really discussed......" Eve explained suddenly struck with a sick feeling.

"Eve, are you all right?" Marisa questioned noticing the color drain from Eve's face.

"Oh yeah, I'm fine." Eve shrugged looking down at her half finished dessert. "I must've just eaten this too fast."

"Are you sure? You look a little pale." Marisa insisted looking Eve over closely.

"She's right. You do look like you're feeling a little under the weather."

Scott added in concern reaching out to her. "Maybe I should take you home."

"Really, I'm fine." Eve insisted suddenly overcome with another sick feeling as she leapt out of her chair. "On second thought, I'll be right back."

"She doesn't look too good." Marisa added watching Eve dash across the crowded restaurant. "Perhaps I should go after her."

"I'm sure she'll be fine." Scott replied as Eve disappeared out of sight.

"So, care to tell me why you wouldn't even consider going out to dinner with me, but you're on a date with a weasel like Chris Ramsey."

"Excuse me?" Marisa began caught off guard by his remark.

"I'm just curious, did you ever plan on letting me know you were in Port Charles or were you hoping that we wouldn't be crossing paths with one another?" Scott questioned bitterly allowing his emotions to get the best of him.

"Scott, would you just relax?" Marisa questioned wishing that he'd keep his voice down.

"Relax?" Scott laughed raising his voice a bit. "I asked you if you'd be interested in having dinner with me if you ever came to town, but you said it was out of the question, yet here you are here in Port Charles and with Chris Ramsey of all people."

"I don't think that's any of your business Scott." Marisa snapped back at him irritably. "Besides, I don't see why you're so bent out of shape.

It's not like we're together anymore and besides, you're here on a date with Eve. Remember?"

"It's not a date." Scott insisted feeling his jealousy take over his emotions. "It's just dinner."

"Really? Does Eve know that because from the looks of things it appeared to be a date to me?" Marisa questioned curiously.

"Of course she knows that Marisa....." Scott continued shaking his head realizing that she was changing the subject. "This isn't about Eve though. It's about you and me."

"No Scott, it's not about you and me. It's about you because if you recall correctly we both agreed that it was over a long time ago."

Marisa pointed out matter of fact as she stared into his intense eyes, "Remember?"

"Marisa....." Scott began as Chris returned to the table.

"Sorry about the interruption, and I hate to do this, but we're going to have to cut our date short tonight. That was the hospital and they need me down there as soon as possible." Chris explained reaching for his jacket as he noticed Scott alone. "Hey, where's Eve?"

"She made a trip to the ladies room." Scott replied turning to Chris.

"She's been gone a while. I think I'm going to check on her before we leave." Marisa added getting up from her chair. "Just give me a minute."

"No problem." Chris agreed as she took off towards the ladies room.

"So tell me Ramsey. How long have the two of you been seeing one another?" Scott questioned as Chris took his seat.

"Why do you care Baldwin?" Chris answered shortly realizing that Scott Baldwin was the last person he wanted to be alone with. "So tell me, why exactly did you bring Eve here tonight?"

"What are you talking about?" Scott replied glaring at him.

"You heard me earlier when I'd mentioned that I was bringing Marisa here, and then you magically show up inviting yourself to have dinner with the two of us." Chris pointed out scratching the side of his face as he thought it over. "Why is that?"

"Chris, I think Eve needs to get to the hospital." Marisa interrupted approaching the table with a very worn out looking Eve at her side.

"She doesn't look good at all. I think it may be food poisoning."

"That's not necessary Marisa." Eve insisted forcing a weak grin as her legs began to feel like jello. "I'm fine. Really."

"Eve, you look terrible." Scott added getting up from his chair and moving to her side. "Come on. I'm getting you out of here."

"No. I'll take her over to the hospital with me." Chris replied moving to the other side of her as she took a step away from Scott.

"Really, I'm fine. Now if you all would stop fussing over me......." Eve started losing her balance and falling back into Chris's arms.

"The heck you are. I'm taking you with me and that's final." Chris insisted still holding her close to him as he turned to Marisa.

"Just go. I'll call a cab." Marisa urged realizing that Eve would probably need to be checked out.

"I can't just leave you." Chris began as Eve let out a moan.

"I'll take her home." Scott added realizing how awful Eve looked as Chris let out a reluctant sigh.

"Marisa, I'm really sorry about this." Chris began putting his arm around Eve as she leaned into him.

"Really, don't worry about it. Just go." Marisa insisted watching him lead Eve out of the restaurant. 

"Tell me Kevin Collins, are you trying to make late nights part of our daily routine before we have to?" Lucy questioned walking into the living room and noticing him laying back on the sofa. "You know, correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought that I was the one who was supposed to be up all night with unusual cravings and sleeplessness."

"Lucy, I didn't realize you were still awake." Kevin replied turning his head to look her over.

"How could I not be with all of that tossing and turning you were doing in bed?" Lucy questioned moving towards him.

"I'm sorry about that. I tried to keep from waking you." Kevin apologized gazing up at her with solemn eyes. "I was just worried about Victor after he left like that earlier. Plus, I starting having this strange dream."

"You should've talked to me about it." Lucy began looking him over carefully. "You know how good I am at deciphering those things."

"Oh Lucy, not even I can decipher this one." Kevin sighed closing his eyes for a moment as the jumbled blur of colors and vivid movements filled his mind. "It's just so hard to explain."

"Try me." Lucy challenged taking a seat beside him on the couch. "I think I'm up to the challenge. What was it about?"

"I'm not quite sure," Kevin explained looking up at her though the thick darkness, "but it just brought along one of those feelings."

"Oh those feelings." Lucy nodded following him closely. "I know all about those yucky feelings you get Dr. Collins and I must admit that while I don't like the thought of you having them, I'm prepared to deal with them now."

"Is that so?" Kevin inquired noticing the sparkle in her eyes as she nodded.

"That's right." Lucy agreed flashing him a bright smile. "After all, you don't get to where I am without knowing how to deal with those negative feelings that you have from time to time. You could say that over the years I've acquired a knack for nipping them in the bud so to speak."

"I see." Kevin nodded feeling his mood lighten as he sat in awe of Lucy's strength.

"In fact," she added brightly, "I think I have the perfect method for alleviating those thoughts and feeling from your body."

"Oh yeah, what's that?" Kevin questioned raising an eyebrow curiously as a devious smile crossed his lips.

"Well, it's quite simple Doc. You need something else to focus your energy on." Lucy explained getting up off of the couch.

"Lucy, where are you going?" Kevin questioned in confusion as she rushed up the stairs.

"Lucy? You know if your idea of therapy is to leave me sit alone on the couch, I don't know if I'll be able to make it through the night. In fact, I was hoping that you're solution involved a good dose of old fashioned TLC."

"Oh shush you big baby." she ordered making her way down the stair case holding a large, white book in her arms. "You know that I wouldn't leave you alone in your time of need especially when I've got something this important to show you."

"What's that?" Kevin questioned as she plopped the book down on the coffee table bringing about a loud thud as she opened the thick cover.

"This is only the world's most comprehensive list of baby names." Lucy explained thumbing through the pages for a moment before directing her attention to Kevin.

"Where'd you get something like this?" Kevin questioned scooting in for a better look.

"Ellen and I picked it up at the new bookstore while you and Matt were out on your little rendezvous avoiding all of the pre-wedding planning." Lucy explained turning one of the crisp pages. "What do you think of the name Adriana for a girl in the event that we have a girl......?"

"That sounds wonderful." Kevin replied blankly staring up at the ceiling.

"You're not even listening to me, are you?" Lucy pouted turning to face him once again.

"You're still thinking about Victor, aren't you?"

"No, not at all." Kevin shrugged forcing a grin as he directed his attention back to the book once more. "I'm completely focused on you."

"Yeah right." Lucy replied unconvinced as she stared into his eyes. "Let me clue you in on a little secret bub, I know you probably better than you know yourself."

"Then you know that I hate it when you call me bub." Kevin replied with a sneer as he wrinkled his nose.

"Bub, bub, bubby." She continued poking at his ribs.

"Lucy, I mean it." Kevin began in a warning tone as he flipping the pages of the book as he pointed to a word on the page before him. "Now this looks like an interesting name.

What do you think?"

"Prudence? Kevin, if I didn't know better, I'd say you were trying to change the subject on me." Lucy replied eyeing him closely.

"Is it that obvious? Perhaps I should try another more subtle tactic." Kevin questioned moving in for kiss.

"Not so fast Doc." Lucy announced poking her finger in the center of his chest.

"That's it, you're going to pay for that." Kevin announced in a menacing tone as he drew her in for a kiss.

"Mmmm....now that's just the kind of thing I don't mind paying for." Lucy purred as she snuggled in next to him. Feeling Kevin's arms wrapped around her, she rested her head on his chest listening to his heart beating. "So Doc, tell me. How much longer are you going to keep me in the dark about what's on your mind?"

"Lucy, right now you're the only thing on my mind." Kevin explained tilting his head slightly.

"Somehow I don't believe that." Lucy added skeptically reaching out to the book on the table.

"I think that you need to take a break from this book and give your fiancee some long overdue attention." Kevin decided tightening his grip on her before she was able to wiggle out of his arms. "In fact, the more that I think about it the more that I realize that perhaps the best therapy is to hold you in my arms. Doctor's orders."

"Doctor's orders huh?" she questioned raising an eyebrow as he gazed at her with a lost puppy dog look.

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"Mary, what are you doing here?" Victor questioned alarmed by her presence as he closed the photo album in his lap.

"Saving you from yourself Victor Collins." She explained moving over to his side and taking a seat on the couch. "What in the world are you doing to yourself?"

"Mary, you shouldn't be here." Victor replied turning away as she took a seat next to him.

"I don't want you to see me like this. Not now."

"Victor Collins, I'm not going anywhere." Mary insisted placing her hand on his knee. "I can't sit back and watch you tear yourself apart like this."

"You really shouldn't be here Mary." Victor repeated still concealing his face from her trying to keep his emotions under control. "I need to be alone."

"Right now that is the last thing you need and I'm not leaving until the two of us are able to start working this out together." Mary replied unbending noting his trembling fingers.

"Don't shut me out Victor. Not when it's something this important."

"Mary, I don't want to keep you in the dark, but I can't give you the answers you deserve."

Victor explained sadly lowering his head as he spoke.

"Victor, I didn't come here to pry you for answers. I came here tonight because I care about you. I'm concerned about the man I love and I can't just sit back doing nothing while he tears himself apart."

"How did you know I would be here?" Victor questioned blinking back tears of shame unable to face her.

"I didn't.....at least not at first, but after a while I started to worry since you haven't been returning my phone calls." Mary explained wishing she could alleviate his pain. "I hate to say this, but I was so concerned about you after hearing what happened at that carnival with Ryan and when you didn't contact me, well, I thought I'd lost you. I was so afraid that you'd sunken into this dark place and just as I expected here you are beating yourself up."

"Mary........." Victor trailed off not knowing what to say as hot tears escaped his eyes.

"Why tonight? Why did you come here?"

"What better time then the present?" Mary questioned taking his hand in hers and giving it a squeeze. "When I'd called the lighthouse tonight, Kevin had mentioned that you were on your way over to see me and at first I was a bit confused, but then I pieced it together. I knew about your strong ties to this place and I had a feeling that you'd return here, but I'd had no idea that you'd be in this much agony. I have to admit though at first I was starting to believe that you'd lost interest in us especially because of the way you've been keeping your distance."

"Oh Mary, I could never lose interest in you. You are everything to me." Victor tried assuring her as he turned to face her with blood shot eyes. "I'd never stop loving you."

"Then why won't you let me in?" Mary questioned in confusion reaching out to wipe a tear from his cheek. "Why won't you show me the vulnerable, frightened man I see behind those sad eyes?"

"The only man you'll find behind these tired old eyes, is a horrid one who walked on his child decades ago." Victor replied pulling away from her and moving across the room towards the fireplace. "All you'll see is a man who destroyed an innocent life in order to save himself."

"No Victor, there you're wrong." Mary insisted getting up after him. "That's the last thing I would ever see when I look at you. Right now I see a compassionate, loving father who tried his best to do what was right even if it wasn't the easiest decision in the world to make. Victor, no parent would ever want to be faced with that kind of decision that you had to make, but you did what you had to at the time to save Kevin."

"It goes beyond that Mary. There's so much more to the story than meets the eye," Victor replied tearfully staring at his reflection in the mirror, "and I've hurt so many people by my actions or lack there of them."

"Victor, you made a mistake, but at the time you felt it was your only choice. You can't continue to rip yourself apart over something that happened so long ago." Mary insisted reaching out to touch his shoulder. "I know well enough that you're wondering what you would've done if you had a second chance to do things again, but you can't dwell on the past. You need to move forward and try to see each day as a second chance at life."

"That's just it Mary. I already had my second chance and I blew it." Victor snapped clenching his fists in frustration as he closed his eyes.

"I'm not following." Mary replied in confusion urging him to look at her. "Victor please."

"I want nothing more than to let you in, but it's just so complicated. The web of lies and all of it's entanglements....." Victor continued turning to face her with tears filling up in his eyes.

"Victor, I love you and nothing is ever going to change that." Mary insisted unable to hold back the sorrow she was feeling as the man she loved fell apart before her. "Whatever it is that you're holding inside, you need to get it out and I promise that whatever it is, we're going to get through this together. Please don't be afraid to let me in."

"I've hurt so many people Mary that I can't even bear to look at my own reflection anymore." Victor continued now sobbing as Mary pulled him into an embrace. "How could I do it Mary? How could I help destroy so many lives?"

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"Hey Roomy, I brought you an extra blanket." Chris explained entering the cold hospital room as he noticed Eve tucked underneath the thin, white sheet. "I thought you might need something warmer to get you through the night."

"Thanks Chris." Eve replied weakly as Chris covered her up before pulling a chair over to her bedside.

"How are you feeling?" Chris questioned taking note of how pale she looked.

"Terrible." Eve groaned turning her head to get a better look at him.

"You know Eve," Chris began scooting in closer to her after he'd been seated, "there are better ways to capture my attention then to have your stomach pumped."

"Ugh, please don't remind me." Eve muttered thinking back to her arrival at the hospital.

"Hey, the worst is all over now." Chris assured her reaching out to brush her hair out of her eyes.

"I know." Eve whispered bringing her hand up to his before forcing a weak smile. "I guess that shows me to watch what I order for dessert."

"Hey, how could you have known you would've gotten food poisoning? Guess that gives a whole new meaning to the phrase 'death by chocolate'." Chris joked giving her hand a squeeze. "But seriously I'm surprised that Baldwin hasn't come in here yet complaining of aches and pains."

"Oh that's right. I hope that doesn't happen." Eve replied remembered how she'd shared her dessert with Scott as she closed her eyes for a moment. "He only had one small bite that I forced him to have. Oh I wish that I hadn't done that."

"Hey, if he comes in with food poisoning, you have my solemn promise that I'll be first in line to pump his stomach." Chris added with a mischievous grin only to be greeted with an unamused glare as Eve reopened her eyes. "But seriously, my main concern for the evening is you."

"Chris, I'm so sorry that I ruined your date with Marisa." Eve explained feeling her eyelids grow heavy. "You must think that I'm such a jerk."

"No, not any more than usual." Chris teased noticing her exhaustion. "Actually, I was on my way over here anyways. Besides, I couldn't leave you in the hands of any other doctor on staff. You deserve to have nothing but the best."

"No I don't," Eve insisted shaking her head as she faced him once more, "but I'm glad that I did."

"Thanks I appreciate that." Chris smiled moving in closer to her bedside. "So tell me Dr.

Lambert, why aren't you resting yet?"

"I'm not tired." Eve insisted as her eyelids fluttered.

"Liar." Chris replied standing up to tuck her in once more. "Now get some rest?"

"Chris, if you're on duty why are you wasting your time with me?" Eve questioned gazing up at him as he continued fixing her blankets. "I'm sure there are many beautiful patients just dying to get some of your attention right now."

"Well, they're just going to have to wait because I'm on my break and there's no better way for me to spend my time, than with you buddy." Chris replied with a smile after he'd finished tucking her in. "Besides, no one else appreciates all my ill fated attempts at humor like you do."

"I love your jokes Chris. Good or bad there all the same to me." Eve mumbled closing her eyes as she let out an exaggerated yawn.

"Thanks I'll have to keep that in mind the next time you accuse me of being too corny."

Chris smiled watching her fight to stay awake. "Quit fighting it and get some rest, would you?"

"I will, but I just want you to know......" Eve began in between yawns. "I just want you to know that right now there's no one that I'd, aahh, that I'd rather have taking care of me than you."

"I'm glad to hear that." Chris replied watching her curl up underneath the blankets as he leaned down to kiss her forehead. "Good night Eve."

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"At least let me drive you home." Scott pleaded as Marisa reached for her purse.

"What's the point Scott? I'm perfectly capable of getting myself a cab." Marisa replied brushing past him as she headed for the exit.

"Marisa, wait. I think that you and I should talk for a minute." Scott urged chasing her out the front door. "At least hear me out before you walk away."

"Fine. You've got five minutes." Marisa decided folding her arms out in front of her chest.

"Five minutes? That's what I've been reduced to? Five minutes of your time?" Scott questioned in bewilderment. "What kind of talk am I supposed to have with you in only five minutes?"

"I don't know, but I'm sure you'll think of something. You always do." Marisa replied tapping her foot impatiently. "Well?"

"Well, what?" Scott questioned caught off guard by her cold attitude. "Why are you acting like this?"

"Acting like what Scott?" Marisa replied gazing him over. "Did you expect me to welcome you with open arms after you'd intruded upon my date like that?"

"Your date? Oh come on Marisa, you and I both know that Chris Ramsey isn't your type.

Any idiot could figure that one out." Scott muttered with a hollow laugh. "We both know how you feel about guys like that."

"Guys like what Scott?" Marisa questioned curiously.

"You know liars, schemers, cheats...the list goes on and on with that man." Scott added with conviction. "The guy's a jerk."

"Funny thing Scott." Marisa began with a sharp laugh. "He said the same thing about you."

"Yeah, but the difference is....well....that may have been true about me at one point in time, but you know me better than that." Scott replied flashing her his goofy grin as he moved in to whisper in her ear. "A lot better than that if I recall correctly."

"Scott," Marisa responded feeling a blush take over her face.

"I knew it." Scott called out with a pleased smile. "I knew you still had a thing for me.

Admit it....you still kind of like me. There's just something about me that you can't get out of your system."

"Hello, collaso ego." Marisa replied rolling her eyes.

"Yep, it's written all over your face." Scott continued walking in a circle around her as he began assessing her. "Actually, the more that I look at you, the more it shows."

"Scott please. Don't do this." Marisa started taking note of the serious look upon his face.

"Oh boy, do you have it bad." Scott decided resuming his stance in front of her after his observation. "It shows all the way from the way your tapping your foot down to that cute little twitch in the corner of your mouth that you get when you're nervous about something."

"It's doesn't twitch when I'm nervous." Marisa responded crossing her arms in front of her chest.

"Of course it's does. It's okay though because it goes along with that crease in your brow when you're trying your hardest to keep from telling me what's really on your mind." Scott added confidently closing the gap between them. "You know you should quit trying to fight it so hard and just admit that you were just as jealous as I was tonight when you saw me with Eve."

"Oh please Scott. You're giving yourself way too much credit here. Need I remind you that it's been over for a long time?" Marisa muttered rolling her eyes for a moment.

"That may be true, but the fire is still very alive in your eyes and tonight proved that."

Scott continued pushing the issue as she turned away from him. "Admit it, even after all the time we've been apart, there's still something burning from within."

"Not even a spark." Marisa replied staring him down feeling her heart pound in her chest.

"Oh yeah? Is that so?" Scott questioned eyeing her curiously.

"That's right." Marisa nodded realizing that Scott wasn't buying into a word she said as he reached out catching her off guard as he pulled her into an intense embrace bringing his heated lips to her.

"Oh yeah, tell me there's definitely not a spark there now. I dare you." Scott replied sarcastically breaking away from the kiss noticing that she was breathless. "Well, I'm waiting?"

"I've got to go." Marisa replied catching her breath as she rushed out of the restaurant flagging down the first cab she'd encountered.

"Marisa wait!" Scott called out chasing into the night after her as he watched the cab move down the road. "Damn it!"

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After Victor's sobs had died down, Mary guided him over to the couch still holding him close to her after they'd been seated. She ran her fingers through his thinning hair as he stared up at the ceiling blankly after his tears had dried. She noticed the agony creasing his brow as she held onto him.

"Victor please," she urged running her finger along his right cheek bone.

"All right, but I'm warning you now that after this is all over, you may have a different opinion of me." Victor reluctantly agreed gazing up at Mary's loving eyes wishing that he didn't have to say what had been plaguing his mind for months.

"I love you Victor Collins and nothing in this world is ever going to change that. Do you understand me?" Mary questioned bringing her hand underneath his chin before lowering herself to kiss him.

"I love you too Mary." Victor replied suddenly choked up with emotion as he drifted off to another time and place. "I don't even know where to start."

"Why don't you start from the beginning?" Mary suggested feeling him shift about uneasily.

"All right," Victor began drawing in a deep breath as he closed his eyes. "Seeing that you already know some of the horrid details of my marriage, I'll skip past those dreadful years leading up to when I was forced to flee the country. In fact, I suppose you could say that this all really begins about fifteen years ago when Monk had hired a private investigator to search for Ryan. At the time, he'd been so determined to find his missing half, but I knew of what Ryan had become and I did my best to discourage Monk's search, but he was so persistent until finally the news arrived that Ryan had been located."

"So, that's when Kevin discovered that Ryan was living here in Port Charles?" Mary questioned waiting for him to continue.

"Not exactly." Victor replied gazing up at her for a moment. "I knew how badly Kevin wanted to be reunited with Ryan, but I just couldn't allow it....not after all the time that had gone by, so when the private investigator came around with word on Ryan, I paid him to destroy it telling Kevin that Ryan hadn't been located. I knew at the time that it wasn't the right thing to do, but I had no other choice.....I couldn't let Kevin discover the truth about his brother. You see, even as a child Ryan was so spiteful......especially when it came to Kevin and through out the years, I'd received word on him growing up from a contact of mine, and I'd known of what he'd become. Granted he wasn't a serial murderer at that point in time, but I knew what he was capable of........what he would be willing to do to Kevin if the two ever came into contact with one another.....if only I would've gone after him myself instead of ignoring his existence....perhaps things could've been different."

"Oh Victor, you can't torture yourself over this." Mary added taking note of the tears in his eyes.

"Mary, I knew the evil he was capable of, but I didn't stop him. I just couldn't bring myself to turn him in. No matter how man times I tried to do the right thing, I was reminded of how I abandoned him.......something that will haunt me the rest of my life."

Victor continued choked up with emotion. "When he came to me, I promised that I'd never hurt him again, but like before I failed."

"When he came to you?" Mary repeated in confusion. "Victor, when did Ryan come to you?"

"Shortly after I was placed in the institution." Victor explained with a sigh drawing in a shallow breath. "You see, after I'd done all that I could to keep Monk from finding Ryan, I began to feel the strain from hiding the truth from my son. Eventually I drove myself over the edge and I lost touch with the world around me. Monk had tried on so many occasions to pull me out of the black hole I'd been sucked into, but the pain was just too strong and I was left oblivious to the world around me."

"And that's when Kevin decided to search for Ryan again?" Mary questioned as Victor replied with a nod.

"He was convinced that he could make up for all the time he'd lost after everything that happened......that if he could just make contact with Ryan and reach him, that Ryan would change and become the man Kevin had hoped he'd become, but unfortunately we all know how that turned out." Victor continued blinking back tears.

"So Kevin remained here in Port Charles hoping to help Ryan?" Mary inquired wiping away a single tear running down his cheek.

"He wanted to help bring me back to where I was, but things looked so hopeless that he felt saving Ryan was the best option." Victor continued poignantly feeling his tired hands trembling. "At that point in my life, I'd given up all hope feeling as if I'd lost both of my sons once Monk was gone and word came back to me about Ryan's death. I'd tuned out of my life with no hope of getting it back until a few years ago when I'd received an unexpected visitor. When he arrived, I thought it was Monk at first, but even in my drugged state, I knew it was him. I knew he'd come back to settle things with me......."

"Who came back?" Mary questioned blankly as Victor feel into a deep silence. "Victor?"

"Ryan," Victor explained in a low, raspy tone, "and from that moment on, I knew that I'd been given a second chance with my son and nothing was going to stop me from making things right. I had no other choice Mary, and now so many lives have been destroyed."

"Good morning," Eve called out with a yawn opening her eyes to find Chris hunched up in the chair beside her hospital bed.

"Huh? What? What time is it?" Chris questioned as his eyes popped wide open.

"I'm not sure." Eve explained sitting up straighter in her bed as she assessed his wrinkled suit. "Chris, did you stay in here all night after I'd fallen asleep?"

"Not all night. I had a few more rounds to go on, but as soon as I was off my shift, I had to come in and checked on you." He answered stretching out his legs and letting out a yawn. "I must've drifted off without realizing it."

"Chris, you should've gone home." Eve decided extending her arm out to place her hand on his knee. "As you can see, I'm just fine."

"I couldn't leave you alone Eve....not when you needed me." Chris continued bringing his large hand over hers. "Seeing you like this made me realize so many things about our relationship."

"Me too Chris." Eve nodded wating for him to go on.

"It scared me last night Eve." Chris confessed clearing his throat. "I....I just couldn't bear the thought of losing you."

"Chris, that's exactly how I felt when you were shot, but then you came back to me." Eve replied giving his hand a squeeze. "I was so frightened, and I realized that I don't ever want to feel that way again."

"Then from this moment on, you're stuck with me babe." Chris added with a wink pulling up a brown paper bag off of the table next to him and handing it to her. "In fact, I have a surprise for you. Now they won't be as good as the ones you brought for me when I was in the hospital because they're from the cafeteria downstairs, but I thought that you might enjoy one of these."

"Garlic bagels?" Eve questioned in surprise throwing her arms around Chris excitedly.

"Oh thank you."

"You're welcome." he chuckled as she pulled him in closer to her.

"You're the best Chris." Eve insisted tilting her head back to gaze into his twinkling eyes.

"No Eve, you're the best." Chris replied in a whisper as he closed the gap between them pressing his lips to hers in a soft, soothing motion. "I love you."

"I......I love you too." Eve blurted out unable to believe the words had just escaped from her as she brought him in for another kiss.

"That's just what I've always wanted to hear Dr. Lambert......." Chris trailed off breaking away from her.

"Dr. Lambert? Dr. Lambert...it's time for your medication. Dr. Lambert?" A voice called out as Eve opened her eyes to find a nurse standing before her.

"Chris?" Eve questioned slowly adjusting to her surroundings. "Chris?"

"Dr. Ramsey suggested that you take these to settle your stomach." the nurse explained handing Eve a couple of pills and a cup of water as Eve realized that she must've been dreaming. "Are you feeling okay Dr. Lambert? You look a bit flushed."

"I'm fine." Eve replied swallowing her pills before taking a swig of the water.

"Are you sure?" the nurse questioned skeptically. "Perhaps I could have one of the doctors on staff come in and check on you."

"No thanks. Really, I'm fine." Eve insisted shaking her head. "In fact, if you don't mind, I'd really like to just go home. Is there any way you could find out when my release papers will be ready?"

"Of course." the nurse nodded exiting the room as Eve sank back into the bed thinking about her strange dream.

"Me and Chris?" She questioned remembering the way she'd kissed him in her dream and how she'd declared her love to him as she thought out loud. "Now I'm having dreams about Ramsey. Gosh, I must've been sicker than I thought last night."

"Hey beautiful," a familiar voice called out as Eve looked up to find Scott holding a bouquet of lilacs in front of her.

"Scott, they're beautiful." she smiled accepting the flowers. "You shouldn't have."

"Yeah, well it was the only thing I could come up with on such short notice. Actually, to tell you the truth, I think the people at the flower shop have me down by my first name at this point after all the things I've ordered this week." Scott explained shifting on his feet nervously. "So how's that little stomach thing?"

"Better." Eve replied leaning back into her pillow. "How are you feeling?"

"Oh all right. I ran into Ramsey in the hall earlier and he said that it was food poisoning.

Must not have been dinner last night seeing that no one else ended up in here." Scott decided pacing around the room.

"You can sit down you know." Eve chuckled watching his jittery movements as he moved about.

"Oh right," he nodded taking a seat beside her. "So how are you doing?"

"I thought we already covered that one." Eve answered taking note of the crease in his brow as he looked down at the floor. "Scott, what is it that you're not telling me?"

"Huh? What do you mean?" Scott questioned cracking his knuckles as they locked gazes for a brief moment.

"Well, you come in here with flowers and within a matter of seconds you've transformed into this ball of nerves before me. What seems to be on your mind?" Eve questioned shifting positions on the bed.

"Oh Eve, look, you're a really great girl and all." Scott began clearing his throat as he spoke. "You know I care about you a lot.......probably more than you'll ever know...."

"Hold on." Eve interrupted sitting up straighter. "Why am I suddenly getting this feeling of deja vu here?"

"Eve, I know this probably isn't the best timing, but last night when you and I went out to dinner, well, even though we had a decent time, it almost seemed as if we were just going through the motions........" Scott trailed off trying to find the right words as he glanced up at her once more. "What you and I have together, well, it's something special and you've done so many things for me in the past......"

".....but it's not enough to build a future for us together." Eve finished knowing where the conversation was leading as she noticed the tortured expression on his face.

"I'm sorry Eve. I really tried to give us another chance..........you're a wonderful girl and any man would be lucky to be with you........" Scott began searching for something to say.

"Scott, you don't have to do this." Eve insisted with a weak smile reaching out to squeeze his hand. "I understand where you're coming from with this one."

"You do?" Scott questioned in confusion taking note of the look on her face.

"Yes, I do." she nodded feeling a breath of relief take over her. "I felt it too last night and perhaps my getting food poisoning was just the kind of sign we needed to see that it wasn't meant to be."

"I'm not following." Scott replied in confusion taking note of Eve's expression.

"It's kind of hard to explain right now, but I think you're right about us. We were trying to force something that just isn't there anymore." Eve decided knowing that she was doing the right things. "Scott, part of me will always love you and I hope that this won't change the friendship that you and I have with one another, but I'll understand if you need some time to distance yourself."

"Are you kidding? Serena would kill me if you quit coming around." Scott replied with a smile as he reached out to nudge her chin. "You're a good egg Eve."

"You're not so bad yourself Baldwin." Eve laughed nudging him back.

"Friends?" Scott questioned reading her features one last time.

"Always," Eve replied pulling him in for a hug.

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Checking the address one more time as he stepped off of the elevator, Chris Ramsey tucked the small piece of paper that he'd written Marisa's address on back into his pocket.

He'd managed to discover her home address while sorting through some papers at work and decided to pay her a surprise visit for breakfast. Upon reaching the end of the hall, he knocked on the apartment door letting the aroma of the freshly brewed coffee and doughnuts he'd picked up on the way over invade his senses. After a moment of silence Chris heard muffled sounds coming from the other side of the door and he fixed his jacket.

"Just a minute." A voice explained from the other side of the door as Chris heard the locks being undone from inside.

"Hey beautiful, I hope you're hungry because I brought the best doughnuts in all of Port Charles." Chris called out throwing out one of his best looks of seduction as the door popped open only to reveal nothing but the air before him. A bit confused Chris's smile faded and he peered into the apartment.

"May I help you?" A soft voice called out as Chris glanced down to find a small, blonde child no more than three years old standing before him wearing tiny red overalls and a blue T-shirt with a toy truck in hand. After a moment of silence the boy dropped his toy and crossed his arms in front of his chest looking up at Chris expectantly with innocent blue eyes. "Well?"

"I'm sorry. I must've gotten the wrong address buddy." Chris explained with a smile noticing the displeased look on the child's face.

"Of course you did." the boy muttered shaking his head in disapproval. "Now I'm going to miss Blue's Clues. Thanks a lot."

"Hey don't sweat it little man." Chris replied in amusement. "In fact, I'll bet if you hurry up, you'll be able to catch the end of the show."

"That's not the point." the boy responded as another more familiar sound came from inside the apartment.

"Thomas James, how many times do I have to tell you not to open the front door without someone in the room with you?" Marisa called out rushing over to the small child and kneeling down next to him. "You know what can happen if you open the door to strangers."

"I'm sorry, but you were in the bathroom and I just thought it might be important." the boy explained with tears in his eyes as he turned to face her.

"Just don't let it happen again." Marisa ordered scooping the child up in her arms and turning to her guest as the color drained from her face. "Chris........what.....what are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same thing." Chris replied noticing the way that the boy was clinging to her.

"I live here." Marisa explained a bit flustered as the boy began to move about. "Thomas James."

"I want to watch Blue's Clues." the child began to protest.

"Is this a bad time?" Chris questioned watching the boy race across the room to the television set.

"No, not at all. Come on in." Marisa replied struggling with the wiggling child. "TJ, I mean it."

"Blue's Clue! Blue's Clues!" TJ chanted kicking his feet wildly.

"Hey calm down little man." Chris called out to the small child as he reached into his bag pulling out a doughnut. "If you promise to behave yourself, and if it's okay with her, then I'll let you have one of these."

"Really?" TJ questioned wide eyed as he turned to Marisa. "Can I? Can I?"

"Oh all right." she gave in releasing him as Chris handed him the doughnut.

"Thanks man." TJ smiled taking a bite of his doughnut before dashing off to sit in front of the television once more.

"Ah, to be young again. Cute kid." Chris chuckled watching the child make himself comfortable in the center of the room. After a moment, Chris directed his attention back to Marisa to explain his presence. "I found your address at work and thought that I'd drop by to make it up to you for the rotten evening you had last night."

"It wasn't rotten." Marisa replied sweeping her hair out of her face.

"Well, it was a far cry from the typical night on the town with Chris Ramsey." he continued listening to the sounds of the television from across the room.

"You mean there's more?" Marisa questioned curiously.

"Lots more." Chris nodded reaching out to her. "In fact, I was hoping that I'd be able to show you some more this morning, but since you're baby-sitting, I suppose it's going to have to wait a while."

"Chris," Marisa began pulling away from him, "I'm not baby-sitting."

"Okay, now you've lost me." Chris answered with a grin.

"Chris," Marisa started drawing in a breath, "TJ is my son."

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"Dr. Kevin Collins. You're needed in the nursery." Lucy called out from on top of the ladder as she finished the final touches of her decorating.

"I'm on my way dear." Kevin announced entering the room with a couple of stuffed animals in hand as he noticed her on the ladder. "Lucy, what in the world are you doing?"

"I'm just looking for a place to hang this little musical mobile." Lucy explained pointing across the room. "Maybe it should go over there."

"Get down from that ladder." Kevin ordered scooping her into his arms. "What were you thinking?"

"Doc, I'm pregnant not helpless." Lucy reminded him with a frown.

"I never said you were helpless, but at the same time I don't want you taking any unnecessary risks like climbing on ladders." Kevin explained setting her down.

"Would you quit being such a worry wort?" Lucy questioned dashing across the room eager to finish her decorating.

"Lucy, I mean it." Kevin urged reaching out to her. "You've been on your feet most of the morning and I think it's time for you to relax for a little while."

"Just a few more minutes." Lucy replied reaching out for a decoration.

"Lucy....." Kevin began in a warning tone.

"All right, I'll stop." she replied still holding onto the decoration only to be greeted with a disapproving stare. Finally she set it back down on the table top. "There are you satisfied?"

"Completely." Kevin smiled planting a soft kiss on the tip of her nose as they heard the front door open. "Ah, Victor's back. You know, you'd think he'd at least warn us before he decides to disappear on us like that."

"I'm sure he was just enjoying some time alone with Mary." Lucy blurted out with a puzzled expression taking note of the concern in Kevin's face as she remembered his sleepless night.

"There's only one way to find out." Kevin decided taking her hand and leading her out into the hallway. "Victor, oh Victor. Where are you?"

"Kevin, you don't have to shout. I'm sure he can hear you just fine." Lucy giggled as they entered the living room to find a very tired looking Victor and Mary standing before them.

"What's wrong?" Kevin questioned instantly tensing up as he looked into his father's eyes.

"Go on Victor." Mary urged holding his hand. "Tell him what you told me."

"What's going on?" Lucy questioned in confusion taking note of the tension filling the air.

"Lucy dear, why don't you and I go into the kitchen and let these two have a moment alone?" Mary suggested quickly sensing the need for privacy between the two men.

"All right." Lucy reluctantly agreed turning to Kevin. "You know where to find me if you need me. I love you."

"I love you too." Kevin replied giving her a quick kiss before directing his attention to his father. "Well?"

"Monk, there's something you need to know," Victor began after a moment's hesitation, "and it can't wait another minute." 

Chapter 31 
Lucy Coe paced around the kitchen unable to calm her nerves as she glanced back to the door leading out into the living room. Stepping towards the sink, she poured herself a glass of water sipping it slowly before moving towards the door once again.

"Lucy, you're going to wear a hole in the linoleum." Mary informed her noticing how worry stricken Lucy appeared to be. "Why don't you try to give yourself a break and sit down for a few minutes?"

"I can't sit down Mary. I'm too wired to rest right now and with Kevin and Victor in there talking, I'm a bit on edge." Lucy confessed moving around the kitchen again before glancing over at Mary, who was seated at the table. "So tell me Mary, what is this all about?"

"Victor needs to tell Kevin a few things." Mary explained not wanting to get too detailed because it wasn't her place to break the news to Lucy.

"Why do I get this terrible, yucky feeling that whatever it is Victor has to tell Doc, he's not going to like it and this is just going to cause more conflict in our lives?" Lucy questioned more so to herself than anything else. "I just get this horrible feeling like there's bad charma surrounding us and that Doc needs me right now more than ever."

"Lucy, I can assure you that things will come together soon enough."

Mary tried assuring her hoping Kevin wouldn't react too strongly to Victor's news. "Please, why don't you just take a seat and we can talk about the wedding?"

"The wedding?" Lucy questioned instantly perking up at the word.

"Yes, the wedding." Mary nodded with a smile. "Victor's been telling me that you and Kevin are planning to go all out this time around."

"Well, I wouldn't say we were going all out, but it is pretty amazing.

Doc and I have convinced Matt and Ellen to go in for a double wedding with us. Granted, the last time we tried this with Mac and Felicia, it didn't work out so well, but this time Doc and I have vowed that nothing, and I do mean absolutely nothing, will keep us from becoming Dr. Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Collins." Lucy smiled taking a seat beside Mary as thoughts of the upcoming wedding ran through her mind. "In fact I've hired this most amazing wedding coordinator.

Perhaps you've heard of her. Her name is Sophie D'Amore and she is truly a genius, and of course the best part about all of this is that she's agreed to help us put this wedding on for next to nothing."

"Sophie D'Amore?" Mary repeated in astonishment. "Why I was just reading an article about her the other day in one of the fashion magazines where they were showcasing some of the weddings she's done in the past. She's done quite some beautiful work."

"Oh I know," Lucy nodded in agreement, "Why just the other day, she, Ellen, and I sat down laying out the skeleton plans for the wedding and you should've seen all the amazing things she has planned for our special day. It was right out of a dream I tell you Mary."

"That sounds wonderful." Mary nodded taking note of Lucy's enthusiasm.

"Oh it was, in fact......" Lucy started suddenly feeling a sharp pain run through her.

"Lucy?" Mary questioned noticing Lucy bring her hand up to her abdomen. "What's wrong? What is it?"

"I....I don't know." Lucy replied feeling the pain shoot through her again as she drew in a breath trying not to panic. "It feels like a bit of indigestion I think."

"Are you sure?" Mary asked watching her face closely as Lucy closed her eyes for a moment trying to keep her breath steady.

"Uh-huh." Lucy nodded as the feeling passed and she looked over at Mary. "These two just like to let me know on a daily basis that they're around."

"Yeah, well wait until they're out for good." Mary laughed lightly.

"Why once Frank and Joe came into my life, there hasn't been a quiet moment since."

"I look forward to the craziness that being a parent brings." Lucy explained in a soft voice lightly massaging her stomach. "Doc and I can't think of anything we want more."

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"How could you not tell me about this?" Kevin Collins questioned in astonishment looking at the tired old man before him. "Victor, how could you keep this from me all these months?"

"I didn't have a choice Monk. I thought I was doing the right thing."

Victor explained with his eyes full of tears and his voice choked up with emotion. "I just thought that if I kept things quiet, then maybe, just maybe they would iron themselves out."

"Iron themselves out?" Kevin repeated as the color drained from his face. "Victor, you knew all these months that Ryan was still alive and you didn't bother to tell me about it. After the nightmare that had been taking place here in Port Charles with the General Homicide murders, it never once occurred to you before now to mention to me that my psychotic brother could be roaming the streets of Port Charles aimlessly killing it's citizens."

"Monk, I didn't want to believe it was Ryan myself." Victor insisted thinking back to the first time his son had come to him back in the institution. "You have to understand that when Ryan came to me, I was in a state of confusion. I thought he was you at first. Monk you have to believe that and by the time I realized it was him, I wasn't sure of anything in my life. I didn't know my own name from day to day let alone being able to decipher between reality and fantasy. I was so heartbroken about losing my sons that I almost believed I'd made up those encounters with Ryan."

"But you knew he was alive when the murders were taking place?"

Kevin asked already seeing the answer in his father's eyes. "Damn it Victor! Why didn't you tell me?"

"Monk, I made a promise." Victor explained sadly. "Ryan begged me to keep his secret just that saying that he'd changed and how he'd started his life over again. He wanted to start over with a clean slate and who was I to keep him from having that? Monk, I wanted so desperately to believe that he'd changed. I wanted to feel as if my son had come around...as if he could live a normal life for once......a life that I couldn't give him when he was younger....a life he deserved."

"Victor, he killed innocent people and tried to frame Eve for the murders. What does that tell you?" Kevin questioned in bewilderment.

"Hell, I even drove myself crazy all this time thinking that this was all my fault for writing that damned book....believing if I could just take back those words on the page, it would make everything all right."

"Monk, I never meant for this to get out of hand. You have to believe me when I say that." Victor pleaded with him seeing his son's anger rage before him. "I was just doing what I thought was best."

"What you thought was best?" Kevin repeated in astonishment.

"Victor, you single handedly allowed a serial murderer to walk the streets of Port Charles. Do you realize how many lives were lost because of your silence? How many lives could've been lost? Victor, Ryan nearly killed Lucy and I not to mention your unborn grandchildren. How does that sit with you?"

"I hate it Monk!" Victor snapped back unable to tolerate the yelling a moment longer. "Don't you think I've thought about what this was doing to everyone? Don't you think there were times that I just wanted to break down and tell you that Ryan was alive? Don't you think I've thought about what my silence has done? Kevin, I was trying to protect my child something I should've done years ago, but wasn't man enough to do."

"Victor, what happened all those years ago wasn't your fault." Kevin started seeing how upset his father was.

"Yes it was. If I was only man enough to save him from your mother.

If I only could've stood my ground against her, then I could've saved both of my sons," Victor insisted clenching his fists tightly, "but I couldn't do it. I was weak and I failed. I failed as a husband and as a father."

"Victor........" Kevin started softening his tone as years of anguish flowed out from his father.

"Monk, when I caught wind of Ryan being alive, I saw it as my second chance...my second chance to make up for the abandonment. I thought that if I could just show him that I loved him and try to support him that maybe, just maybe he'd change, and he could live a normal life. I wasn't ready to admit to myself that my son could be pure evil. I just thought that if I could show him that I loved him, that it would make everything all right, but in those moments up at the carnival I knew. I knew that no matter what I did, no matter how hard I tried to love him, I couldn't break through that wall of his. I couldn't let him see that if he just reached out to someone, that he wouldn't be alone any longer."

"Victor, I just wish you would've told me. You shouldn't have had to go through this alone." Kevin replied watching his father slump down on the sofa tearfully. "Trust me, I know what you're feeling."

"I tried so hard Monk..." Victor sobbed burying his face in his hands.

"I just wanted him to see how much I loved him...."

"We all tried Victor, but it just wasn't enough." Kevin explained moving towards his father feeling his heart break at his father's pain.

"I just wish that there was some other way. Something that I could've done other than pulling that trigger." Victor explained remembering the gunshot as the sounds of Ryan's final moments filled his ears.

"You don't have the guts Victor." Ryan had laughed at him.

"You can't do this anymore Ryan." Victor had informed him shakily through the tears in his eyes. "I won't let you hurt anyone else."

"You won't shoot me. I'm your son and a father can't kill his son."

Ryan began watching Victor draw nearer. "Now Victor, you promised me that you'd help me. Don't you want to help me?"

"I've tried everything I could with you Ryan." Victor had informed him.

"It's time to get the help you need son."

"Help? Locking me up in an institution? You call that help?" Ryan had questioned bitterly glaring at Victor. "You know what those places are like. I can't go back there. It'll kill me."

"You don't have any other choices Ryan." Victor explained poignantly.

"Please let Kevin and I help you."

"Kevin. It's always about Kevin....Kevin this......Kevin that.....you always did love Kevin better than you loved me, didn't you Victor? Didn't you?" Ryan had questioned in a rage stabbing at Victor's heart with his words. "Right from the beginning it's always been about Kevin."

"Ryan, I've always loved you both." Victor had pleaded with Ryan feeling the cool metal of the gun in his hand. "You both mean the world to me Ryan."

"No Victor. There you're wrong. You'd never turn your back on Kevin. Never!" Ryan's voice rang out as the sound of a gun shot rang through Victor's ear drums snapping him back to the present time.

"Oh God, what have I done?" Victor cried out trembling with sorrow as his chest began to tighten up.

"Victor?" Kevin questioned noticing the far away look on his father's face. "Victor?"

"What have I done?" Victor repeated gasping for air as Kevin reached out to touch his father's shoulders as Victor began to clench his chest.

"Victor, Victor can you hear me?" Kevin questioned noticing the color drain from his father's face.

"Kevin, what's going on?" Lucy questioned walking out into the living room with Mary right behind her as Victor toppled to the ground.

"Victor!" Mary cried out rushing over to his side. "Oh God."

"Kevin, what happened?" Lucy questioned in a panic moving in towards Victor.

"We need to get him to the hospital right away. Call an ambulance."

Kevin explained kneeling beside his father taking his hand in his.

"Come on Victor. Don't leave me. Don't you dare leave me now."

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Eve Lambert sat on the sofa working on one of the latest crossword puzzles she'd picked up earlier in the week when she heard the front door slam and looked up to find Chris toss his jacket across the room in one swift frustrated motion before it fell to the floor with a thud. She set her crossword puzzle into her lab and looked up at him expectantly as he crossed the room.

"Rough day?" she questioned noticing him jump at the sound of her voice as he turned around to face her.

"What are you doing here?" he questioned a bit sharply noticing her wrapped up in a blanket on the couch.

"Gee, no hello or warm welcome. Not a 'it's good to see you home again Eve', but instead I get a 'what are you doing here'?" Eve muttered picking up her crossword puzzle once again. "It's great to see you too Chris."

"That's not what I meant." Chris explained softening his tone a bit as he unbuttoned the top button on his shirt taking a seat on the foot of the couch. "I just didn't expect you to be home from the hospital already seeing as I hadn't signed any release forms for you this morning."

"You couldn't keep me locked away forever Ramsey although I got the feeling that you had some ulterior motive for keeping me in the hospital." Eve smiled at him playfully.

"Yeah, it's called rest. You should try it some time." Chris added with a hint of sarcasm as he eyed her closely. "But seriously, how did you break out of there?"

"I went over your head and had Ellen sign me out." Eve informed him quickly with a smirk. "I figured I couldn't let you get used to having this place all to yourself otherwise I might come home and find my bags out on the street."

"Hmm, looks like you caught me. I was just about to raid your room and toss your things out the window." Chris teased back with a soft laugh.

"I thought so." Eve laughed lightly sinking back into the couch a bit as she let out a sigh.

"So how'd you get home Wonder Woman?" Chris questioned curiously.

"Don't tell me you found a magic carpet waiting for you around the hospital."

"Hardly." Eve explained thinking about how she'd almost had to call for a cab. "Scott brought me home."

"Scott Baldwin?" Chris repeated with a hint of anger as he got up off of the couch. "Why am I not surprised?"

"Just what is that supposed to mean?" Eve questioned watching Chris move towards the kitchen.

"I just don't get it. Why is it that Scott Baldwin keeps popping up in my life at the most inopportune moments?" Chris questioned returning to the living room with the milk carton in hand and taking a long gulp.

"No really Chris, I wasn't planning on having any of that later. Help yourself." Eve remarked sarcastically as Chris finished it off tossing the container into the trash. "Care to tell me what this is all about?"

"I just don't understand Eve." Chris huffed moving in towards her. "Is there any woman here in Port Charles that isn't or hasn't been in love with Scott Baldwin?"

"Karen," Eve replied with a chuckle as Chris crossed the room.

"Hmm, well, she's cute and she's probably up for some excitement these days considering that Joe Scanlon is a bit of a bore. Plus after the talk we had the other night, I'm sure I could sway her one way or the other into coffee or something. Maybe I should give her a call." Chris decided with a shrug as he reached for the phone dialing.

"Chris what are you doing?" Eve questioned a bit puzzled with his bizarre behavior. "Don't tell me you're honestly calling Karen."

"The thought had crossed my mind, but no." Chris muttered before hanging up the phone. "I was just checking my voice mail messages at the hospital."

"So do you care to talk about this or are you going to rant about Scott all night?" Eve questioned sitting up a bit eager to hear more.

"I just don't understand what it is you women see in him Eve. I honestly don't. I mean, what is it? His money? Why can't women just seem to keep their wits about them when he's involved?" Chris questioned with a huff as he paced around the room. "I mean take you for example, you're beautiful, intelligent, a great conversationalist, witty, charming, not to mention incredibly sexy, yet once you mention Scott's name you go all gaga and common sense takes a flying leap out the window. One minute you're fun and interesting, and then the next it's as if the only thing in the world that exists is Scott. I mean, when he dumped you, you carried on like your life was over. For God's sake Eve it was a four month relationship, yet you acted like your best friend had died. Now if I quit talking to you for a while, you probably wouldn't notice until you found yourself wound up in another crisis involving Scott not paying enough attention to you. Why is that?"

"Gee Chris, you make me sound like a mindless baffoon. I'm not that pathetic and I know for a fact that I wasn't that bad." Eve remarked locking gazes with him for a moment as he was about to speak up again. "Don't say it. Don't you dare say it!"

"Fine, but you know it's the truth." Chris added quickly thinking about his morning over at Marisa's place as he plopped down on the couch.

"You know, I just don't understand how one man could have so much pull over the female population."

"Jealous, are you?" Eve questioned moving towards him as she brought her hands down upon his shoulders giving him a light massage.

"Maybe. What if I said I was?" Chris questioned closing his eyes and letting out a long sigh as she worked out the knots in his back.

"I'd be surprised." Eve admitted still working on his shoulders feeling the tension from within him. "Why you may have done many things in the past, admitting to being jealous of someone was never one of them.

In fact, I'd even go so far to say that feelings of inadequacy cease to exist in the Chris Ramsey I know."

"Yeah, well Eve, let me clue you in on a little secret." Chris began feeling her hands travel down his spine in a firm, yet soothing motion.

"There's a lot about me that you aren't aware of."

"Somehow I'm not surprised Ramsey." Eve replied moving down his back continuing her massage as she scooted in closer to him.

"Eve, I just don't know anymore. It's like I try so hard to do the right thing, but then just when I think I'm doing it something always blows up in my face." Chris sighed still wound up about his discussion with Marisa earlier in the morning.

"You struggling to do the right thing?" Eve questioned eyeing him closely. "Okay, who are you and what in the world did you do to my roommate?"

"Eve, I'm trying to be serious here." Chris replied with a moan.

"Okay, all joking aside." Eve insisted raising her hands in the air for a moment before resuming the massage.

"I just don't understand why every time I want something, it just seems so far out of reach. Don't get me wrong, I've never been one to sit back and whine about not having what I want because well nine times out of ten I go out there and just make it happen." Chris admitted sinking back into her. "It's just those times when I see that one....the one that is just out of my reach and no matter how hard I try, I just can't seem to grasp onto it and bring it to me."

"Well, maybe if you quit trying so hard and just be honest with yourself, you might find that it'll come to you." Eve suggested bringing her arms around his chest and resting her chin on his shoulder. "So tell me Chris, what is it that you want?"

"To be happy." he sighed closing his eyes.

"Then why don't you just follow your heart and go for what you want?"

Eve questioned finally coming to terms with what she had been thinking about Chris for the past couple of days.

"You really think so?" Chris questioned opening his eyes as he looked at her.

"I know so." Eve nodded shifting positions on the couch to move in beside him.

"I should just go for it huh?" Chris asked again as Eve inched in towards him.

"Oh definitely. I think that you'll be pleasantly surprised if you do just that." Eve added hopefully smiling at Chris.

"You're right. You're absolutely right." Chris nodded with a grin getting up off the couch.

"Wh-where are you going?" Eve questioned in confusion watching Chris reach for his jacket.

"I'm going back to Marisa's place and telling her exactly how I feel about everything." Chris explained to her with a confident grin as he stepped towards the front door. "I owe myself that much. Thanks Eve."

"No problem." Eve muttered watching him leave as she sank back into the couch. "Oh Lambert, what in the world have you gotten yourself into?"