Once You Love Somebody

"Oh Aunt Charlene, I'm so excited that you're here in Port Charles again," Lucy exclaimed throwing her arms around her. "I mean heaven knows that with this wedding right around the corner, I can use all the help I can get. There is just so much to do and so little time...

"Now Lucy girl, we both know that you're more than capable of running the whole show on your own as you've proven in the past," Charlene pointed out returning the hug, "but I'm happy to be here with you to share this with you. Somehow I knew that my little Lucy girl would land on her feet again finally have all her dreams coming true.

"Aunt Charlene words can't even begin to explain how right you are about this. I mean Doc," Lucy paused just letting the thought of Kevin fill her mind, "oh he just fills my heart and soul unlike any other man has and when I'm with him, I just know that all my dreams are finally coming together.

"Sounds like you've really put your heart into this one." Charlene noted seeing the sparkle in Lucy's eyes

"You have no idea Aunt Charlene. I mean with Kevin I learned so many things about myself and he taught me how to love....really love unconditionally and he makes me feel so incredibly good about myself." Lucy continued with a sigh. "Though I never thought I'd let it happen, he found a way to come inside and really fill my life with such joy that I never imagined possible in real life. I mean after all those years of hoping and praying that the right man would come along, well he did and it's as if I'd found the part of me that's been missing all of these years.

"So your frog finally turned into a prince like I told ya would happen years ago." Charlene commented seeing Lucy's eyes light up

"I'd hardly compare Kevin to a frog, but yes Aunt Charlene, I've found the man I want to spend the rest of my life with....the man with whom I want to spend every waking moment with devoting myself to." Lucy finished suddenly filled with a disturbing feeling as thoughts of never seeing Kevin again crossed her mind

"What is it Lucy?" Charlene asked taking note of Lucy's silence. "What's wrong?

"Nothing," Lucy shrugged

"Lucy, we both know that when you get that look in your eyes that it's more than nothing going on in that head of yours." Charlene insisted. "This wouldn't have anything to do with what I walked in on earlier, would it?

"Oh Aunt Charlene, I'm worried about him." Lucy confessed walking across the room. "I mean I know that Kevin means well and all, but with him going off like that so close to our wedding chasing after Ryan like this. I'm just worried. I mean I realize that Doc can hold his own and doesn't need me there with him every step of the way to hold his hand, but I'd feel better just being there with him when he needs my support because I just know how Ryan can be and when he really tries he knows all the right words to say to get Doc going and I just....

"Lucy," Charlene interrupted reaching out to her and taking Lucy's hands in her own, "I know you're worried about your man, but honey he's gonna be okay.

"My man," Lucy repeated with a smile as she thought of Kevin. "We worked so hard to make him my man to have it taken away from us now.

"He'll come back to you Lucy." Charlene assured her seeing how worried Lucy still was about his sudden departure. "True love always finds a way.

"Aunt Charlene would you stop with that already?" Lucy asked shaking her head

"You've been feeding me that line since I was a little girl dreaming about having a family of my own.

"And it's happening for you isn't it?" she responded

"Of course it's happening, but that whole true love will find a way, well, to tell you the truth you're starting to sound like Kevin's father Victor and I've gotta tell you he's got enough enthusiasm for the rest of us here, well then again, maybe you should keep going with it. Just for luck." Lucy laughed lightly trying to keep calm as she felt the babies kicking

"Sounds like a smart man that Victor," Charlene noted watching Lucy press her hand to her abdomen

"Did I hear my name being called?" Victor asked moving down the stairs and joining the two women

"Well and just WHO do we have here?" Charlene asked bringing her hands to fix her hair as she painted on a flashy white smile

"This handsome man here is Victor," Lucy began liking her arm in Victor's as she met him at the bottom of the stairs, "and he is supposed to be resting right now.

"Nonsense Lucy, you and I both know that the chances of me spending the rest of this beautiful evening locked up in my room is just pure hogwash when there are so many other intriguing possibilities for me to keep myself busy with around here in Port Charles.

Victor insisted leaning over to hug her briefly before looking over at Charlene. With a smile he stepped towards her, taking her hand in his and kissing it in a gentlemanly gesture before speaking. "And you must be Lucy's charming Aunt Charlene that I've heard all about. I can see where Lucy gets her beauty and poise from. It's a pleasure.

"Same here and if you keep up with that sweet talkin', well, I'm just gonna have to pack you up and take you back home with me," Charlene replied in a flirtatious tone smiling at Victor

"Aunt Charlene!" Lucy gasped unable to believe what she was witnessing

"Tell me Victor, do you play gin rummy?" Charlene asked batting her eyelashes

"Why it just happens to be one of my specialties next to poker of course." Victor nodded brightly looking at her for a long moment before finally releasing her hand

"Poker huh? I see I'm dealing with a gambling man here." Charlene smiled at him

"I like to live life on the edge from time to time," Victor responded with a laugh amused with her response

"Great, then later on some time when the kids are caught up in their wedding planning maybe I could interest you in a game or two since I'll be staying around for a while?

Charlene suggested tilting her head slightly meeting his gaze

"I look forward to it and I'll even bring some polka music just for such an occasion.

Victor nodded thinking about it for a moment

"Polka music? Why I just love polka music when playing gin rummy." Charlene boasted brightly

"Wonderful because I have the most exquisite collection of records up in the attic. In fact if you like I could show you some of the..." Victor started his eyes lighting up with each word he spoke

"Victor, that's a wonderful offer, but Aunt Charlene and I were about to go over some of the wedding plans together." Lucy broke in stepping towards him. "And you should be resting.

"Lucy, I know you mean well, but I'm not helpless here and you should know that I'd be more than delighted to assist in whatever wedding planning is going on here since I do have a knack for these types of things." Victor explained turning to face her. "Why back in the day I remember this little wedding I'd helped throw together last minute working with this shaman in this little tribe on the coast of India, and while the weather was less than accommodating with the summer monsoon season rolling right around the corner, we managed to pull it off and give the groom and his young bride quite a traditional wedding fitting of their native culture..

"I realize that Victor, but I also realize that Kevin would kill me if he knew that you were running around working on this wedding and not taking the time to concentrate on getting better like you should be doing......" Lucy started quickly tugging on his arm and leading him towards his room. "Really you should be resting.

"Lucy as you can see I'm quite capable of...." Victor began stopping himself after a moment remembering his plans. "Actually you're quite right. I do need to take it easy for a little while because I have some things that I need to get into later on this evening.

"Well in that case, you should rest up while you can because Ellen's on her way over and you know how crazy things can be when us girls get together." Lucy replied quickly

"With all of us talking about wedding plans, gossiping, and laughter.

"I'm fully aware of that Lucy and that's part of what I adore about spending time with you, my soon to be daughter-in-law, but say no more!" Victor insisted raising his hand in the air. "I'm just going to get myself a drink and then it's back to resting for me.

"Well I hope you do come back and join us later." Charlene added with a wave as Victor moved towards the kitchen. "We could always use a man's touch around here every now and then.

"You can count on it." Victor nodded disappearing into the kitchen as Lucy turned around to face Charlene

"What was that?" Lucy asked shaking her head in disbelief. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but were you just flirting with my soon to be father-in-law?

"Hey at my age honey, you take 'em as you can get 'em and as you can see, I'm not getting any younger." Charlene answered shrugging her shoulders trying to peek into the kitchen

"I mean did you see the cute little behind on him?

"Aunt Charlene, I don't believe you!" Lucy whispered seeing the glimmer in her Aunt's eyes. "How can you even say that about Victor? I mean he's a charming, wonderful, amazing man, but Aunt Charlene!

"Lucy it's not every day a handsome man comes around the farm." Charlene pointed out still eyeing the entrance to the kitchen. "From what you've said about him, he sounded like a real hoot and now seeing how good lookin' he is, well I just might have to find a reason to stay around a little longer visiting my favorite little girl.

"Victor's great to be around Aunt Charlene and the two of us have such fun together

Why just the other day Kevin and I were talking about....." Lucy started seeing her aunt checking out her appearance in the mirror. "Aunt Charlene he's a taken man.

"I didn't see a ring on his finger and I know from my past experience that if a man like him doesn't have a ring, then he's open territory in my book and oh how I'd love to explore some of that territory." Charlene replied quickly seeing the look of disapproval in Lucy's face. "Okay, okay. I'm just playin' around.

"You'd better be!" Lucy warned as the doorbell rang

"I'll get it!" Victor called out racing out of the kitchen towards the front door

"Victor you shouldn't be running to......" Lucy warned

"Hello," Victor started enthusiastically as he pulled open the door to find Ellen standing before him. His smile faded a bit as he opened the door wider to let her in. "Oh hi Ellen.

"Well it's great to see you too," Ellen replied seeing the disappointment in his eyes

"Oh no Ellen, it's not that I'm disappointed to see, you it's just...." Victor started to explain. "Never mind. Come on in Ellen. The ladies are inside waiting for you.

"Thank you Victor." Ellen replied entering the room and slipping out of her jacket. "Sorry I'm late. I was tied up at the hospital with a couple of disgruntled workers who decided to have a brawl in the middle of the hallway. I tell you this new round of interns is more of a hassle than I'd anticipated them being.

"That's okay Ellen, we were just getting started anyways," Lucy informed her as she pulled out one of the books Sophie had given her. "I was just about to show my Aunt Charlene some of the floral patterns we were having trouble choosing between. I still can't decide if we should go with the lavender or the pale crimson or perhaps the powder blue...

"Don't mind me!" Victor called out watching the women getting wrapped up in talk of wedding planning. He closed the door watching them engage in girl talk and feeling a bit left out, he moved towards the stairs. "I'll just be upstairs reading that book Monk bought for me the other day if anyone needs anything.

Victor waited a minute for a response, but nothing was said. He moved up a couple of stairs listening to the women breaking into wedding talk and he was about to call his contact when the doorbell rang again

"I'll get it!" Victor announced spinning around and descending the stairs to open the door

"Hi Victor," Eve smiled as he greeted her

"Eve come on in." Victor replied opening the door for her as Lucy's ears instantly recognized the voice and she turned to see Eve inside the room

"What are you doing here?" Lucy asked with a sharpness in her tone

"Evelyn and I have a few things to discuss." Victor answered seeing the scowl on Eve's face and not giving her an opportunity to respond to Lucy's question

"And just what might those be?" Lucy asked stiffening as she glared at Eve

"Nothing that concerns you Lucy." Eve remarked folding her arms in front of her chest

"Why you little...." Lucy started irritated with Eve's smugness

"Actually Lucy, if you don't mind Eve and I need to get talking right away." Victor said tugging on Eve's arm and dragging her into the kitchen. "Later ladies.

"Oh," Lucy huffed watching them disappear, "there's just something about that woman that just gets me every time.

"Lucy, let it go." Ellen said seeing the anger in Lucy's eyes

"I take it that's the girl you were telling me about a while back." Charlene commented seeing how razzed Lucy was. "The one that was causing you all those problems.

"Yeah that was little Evie and every time I see her, I just want to smack that stupid expression off her face." Lucy continued with a huff

"Lucy girl, there's no need to ruffle your feathers here. Remember we have a word for girls like that back home." Charlene reminded her

"Yeah and it's called...." Lucy started

"Lucy," Ellen cut her off with a warning glance, "I think now is time for you to just take a breath and remember what's important right now starting with this wedding.

"You're right." Lucy nodded shaking the feeling off. "This wedding is too important for me to spend my time worrying about Eve Lambert.

<hr> "She should really try a different approach every now and then. It might get her further.

Eve commented after she and Victor were inside the kitchen

"She's just a little high strung about the wedding right now, but trust me it's nothing personal." Victor replied nodding for Eve to take a seat

"No, trust me Victor when it comes to Lucy and I it's always personal." Eve answered smugly sitting down

"Well it doesn't have to be and it shouldn't be that way." Victor frowned. "I realize you two have a lot of negative history with one another, but if you'd look past throwing stones at one another, you might actually see that you two have more in common than you realize.

"Me and Lucy?" Eve replied trying to suppress a laugh. "Victor I know that you mean well, but in trying to draw a connection between Lucy and me, you're really grasping at straws there.

"It's not so hard to fathom the idea." Victor explained looking at the scowl still spread across Eve's features. "Both of you have very warm hearts and do what it takes to protect the people you care about. You both have been known to go to extremes at times to have people see things your way and while you're both not willing to let certain things go, you have a knack for feeling bad about the mistakes you make.

"Victor I don't really think that now is the time...." Eve started taking in what he said

"Eve, if you didn't care, then you wouldn't be here right now and you wouldn't have gone after Lucy like you did when Ryan had her." Victor noted seeing the softness in her eyes

"I know you and Lucy spend a lot of time making each other miserable, but I think when it comes down to it, neither one of you would want to see any ill fall upon the other.

"Victor I'm here because I'm concerned about Kevin getting caught up in whatever it is that this Sophie woman has planned for him and Lucy." Eve commented looking back at him

"Of course you are Eve, but I think on some levels you know I'm right and it's not only Kevin's welfare that is on your mind," Victor paused moving over to pour them a couple of mugs of coffee, "but I won't push this right now seeing as we have more important things to discuss.

"Like Sophie D'Amore," Eve nodded as he moved over to the table. "What did you discover?

"Well I talked to a couple of my sources and your hunch about her proved to be accurate

Something about Ms. D'Amore just doesn't add up." Victor explained sitting down beside her. "It took a little digging around, but it turns up that Sophie has no record prior to about two years ago. Before that there's a paper trail of references, but my contacts went beyond the surface and discovered they're nothing more than names printed on a page.

"So she lied about her previous employment." Eve noted

"Among other things," Victor nodded, "but it goes beyond that. While Sophie D'Amore has received quite some press over the last six months, no one has been able to dig up any personal information, which makes the fact that she seemed familiar to you all the more interesting.

"I just can't place her Victor, but you're right, all of this is rather intriguing." Eve explained wishing she could recall where she'd seen Sophie before

"Well it gets better my dear." Victor smiled proud of his digging around. "I think I may have found a lead on Sophie that might be able to show us exactly what we need to know.

"What kind of lead Victor?

"Well, see, here's the thing. It's going to involve some heavy undercover work and well, I don't think I'm going to be able to do it on my own." Victor admitted with a bashful grin

"I mean in my younger years pulling off a caper like this would've been simpler and I could get in and out without being noticed, but now well unfortunately time makes it a bit more difficult for me to access the information like I used to be able to.

"Say no more Victor." Eve cut him off with a smile. "I'm in.

"Really?" he asked with a grin

"Sure why not? I mean if it'll help me place that woman and stop her from whatever it is she's up to, then I'll go for it." Eve nodded thinking it over. "Besides I could use a little adventure to keep my mind off of things.

"Off of your roommate." Victor noted seeing the surprise in Eve's face

"Victor how did you.....?" Eve started dumbfounded

"It wasn't hard to pick up on back at the hospital." Victor explained seeing the shock in her face as she opened her mouth to speak. "Don't say another word Eve. You don't have to explain yourself to me and it's honestly none of my business.

"I...." Eve started completely baffled that Victor had picked up on her feelings for Chris before she had. "How in the world.....

"It's written all over your face every time you two are in a room together. I first saw it in Canada and then again the other day you were in my room talking when you thought I was asleep. The interaction between the two of you was quite touching and I didn't want to interrupt, so I faked sleeping." Victor admitted with a laugh. "I must say though he's a lucky man to have someone like yourself in his life worrying about him, but rest assured Kevin won't let anything happen to him. He'll come back to you.

"Yeah well I'm sure he will," Eve nodded shifting the conversation. "Now back to this undercover work we're going to be doing.

"Well I should warn you now, it does involve a certain element of danger," Victor explained seeing the way her eyes lit up, "but somehow in your case that doesn't look like it's going to pose much of a problem now is it?"<hr> "You were supposed to make a left off that exit ramp there," Chris Ramsey noted with a grumble watching Scott disregard one of his directions yet again for the fifth time in the past ten minutes. "What is your problem Baldwin?

"I know a short cut," Scott explained keeping his eyes on the road

"A short cut?" Chris repeated with a look of disgust. "Do you honestly have any idea where your going as everyone who takes a short cut usually ends up going the long way around something? Tell me Scott do you do everything with the same blind arrogance that you use in driving?

"Chris, if Scott says he knows where we're going, then we'll have to trust that." Kevin added breaking his period of silence long enough to cut between the bickering that had been going on for the last half an hour. "We have to trust in the fact that Scott knows where he's going.

"Yeah like we should trust in the fact that Scott has a knack for letting down those who need him," Chris added with a trace of bitterness

"Well at least I don't lie and cheat to get what I want out of life like you do you little weasel," Scott started feeling his patience running thin. "I don't have to resort to those tactics to get some kind of notice from people.

"Really? How long has that been going on? A week perhaps?" Chris replied with a short laugh. "Because the last time I checked the Scott Baldwin I knew of didn't exactly have a spotless, upstanding reputation.

"That's enough," Kevin snapped, "honestly I feel like I'm dealing with pre-schoolers here.

"I can't help it that Ramsey can't shut his yap long enough to make it through this drive without giving everyone a headache." Scott added smugly

"Why did we have to let him drive again?" Chris asked looking into the back seat at Kevin

"Because it's my car you windbag and I have the good sense to toss you to the curb if you don't zip it." Scott added gruffly

"So what are you threatening me now Baldwin?" Chris asked with a glare. "Because if that's what you're doing, I have to warn you that you're making a huge mistake here.....

"What are you of all people going to do to me Ramsey? Dig up some dirty little secret from my past and try to use it to destroy me?" Scott laughed lightly. "If you even try I'll squash you like the little cockroach you are.

"Don't push my limits Baldwin." Chris replied with a sneer. "You know if it wasn't for the fact that Marisa is out there with some madman, I'd have no problem taking you on right now.

"Chris I think we all need to just sit back and relax here." Kevin commented not wanting things to get ugly as the possibility of running into his brother consumed his thoughts

"Right now we need to be working with one another rather than against each other.

"Well we wouldn't even have to be doing this if Baldwin would've owned up to his responsibility to begin with rather than driving Marisa out of town like he did." Chris commented

"She left because of her father. Not because of me." Scott shot back. "Regardless of whatever trumped up story you have about me in your mind Chris, I care about Marisa more than you could possibly understand in being such a heartless bastard......

"Yeah you cared about her so much that you bailed on her at a time when she needed you the most." Chris laughed sourly. "Some great caring guy you turned out to be.

"I didn't know she was pregnant." Scott remarked shaking his head. "I don't need to explain myself to you.

"That's right. Scott Baldwin doesn't have to give answers to anyone because he's above that." Chris snapped back

"That's enough you two!" Kevin spoke again raising his voice. "I'm tired of this bickering between the two of you. You're starting to sound worse than Eve and Lucy when they get together.

"Yeah well if your psycho nutcase brother didn't have a knack for returning from the dead time and time again, you wouldn't have to be listening to this right now." Chris growled back at Kevin

"We're not sure that it's even Ryan who has her." Kevin said wanting to believe that his worst fears weren't coming true all over again

"Yeah well for your sake I hope it's not your brother, but if it is and he's done anything to my son....." Scott started the rage building in his voice. "Well let's just say this time around he's not going to get the chance to raise from the grave yet again.

"Scott I just don't see how Ryan could've cheated death yet again." Kevin began as Scott pulled off onto the long winding drive ahead of him

"Well then I guess time will tell won't it." Scott replied as they stopped in front of a small cottage in the middle of a wooded area

"This is it?" Chris asked looking over the place for a moment

"Yep, this is her parent's place." Scott nodded feeling his throat grow dry hoping that Marisa would be inside and there would be nothing to worry about. "We're going to go inside and get our answers here.

Kevin sat in the back seat of the car for a long moment before finally opening the door dreading whatever lay ahead of him. He looked around noticing the squad car in front of the house and his heart pounded in his chest

"Looks like we didn't arrive a moment too soon." Chris commented opening his door and moving out into the woods

"I don't like the looks of this." Scott admitted looking over at the house and feeling his heart sink as thoughts of Marisa and TJ filled his mind

Kevin drew in a breath suddenly feeling something he'd been too head strong to admit up until now. This was starting to feel like deja vu and as he moved away from the car, he was afraid to discover the truth behind the cabin before him. He stepped two feet from the vehicle when Marisa stormed out of the cottage her face twisted with anger and fear as she approached Kevin throwing her fists wildly at him

"Where is he you bastard?" she screamed throwing her fists into his chest catching him off guard. "Where the hell is my son? What did you do to him?

"Marisa," Kevin started trying to catch his breath as she continued her assault on him

"You son of a...." She cried out in a rage pounding on him. "How could you take him from me? Where's TJ?

"He doesn't have him Marisa," Scott explained reaching out to her and pulling her away from Kevin

"The hell he doesn't!" Marisa shouted trying to break free. "Scott, he took off with our on earlier this morning and I haven't seen him since.

"You mean he took TJ?" Chris questioned stepping towards her. "How long ago?

"A few hours ago." Marisa explained turning to Kevin. "What did you do with him? Where is my baby Kevin?

"Marisa, I didn't take him." Kevin explained feeling his heart breaking for her

"You lie!" Marisa shouted moving towards him again as Scott pulled her to him. "Scott let go of me!

"Marisa, I'm so sorry...." Kevin started not knowing what to say at this point

"Well if you didn't take him then...." Chris trailed off

"What's going on here?" Marisa asked with tears streaming down her face turning to Scott. She drew in another shallow breath feeling her body shake with anger

"Scott....our son is missing.

"Marisa," Scott began wiping at her tears and cupping her face in his hands, "listen to me.

"Scott, our baby is missing." she sobbed unable to come to grips with the situation

"Kevin was with us earlier and....

"It wasn't Kevin." Scott explained trying to remain calm for her

"Scott now are you calling me crazy?" she asked angrily

"Marisa, remember when you and I first came into contact in the hospital before? When Chris was shot?" Scott asked never breaking eye contact with her as she nodded. "Well we were all there because of Ryan Chamberlain, Kevin's twin brother.

"Ryan Chamberlain? Your twin brother?" she asked looking to him

"Identical," Kevin nodded shamefully

"No," she shook her head thinking back. "That's not possible. That horrible man died not too long ago.

"I'm afraid not," Kevin added as he and Chris locked gazes. "If you believed you were with me this morning then this is proof that Ryan is alive.

"And if Ryan's still alive, he's out for revenge." Chris finished glancing over at Marisa and seeing the fear in her eyes

"But he has my little boy.....my little baby...." Marisa cried harder. "Oh God!

"Listen to me," Scott started pulling her into a hug. "We're going to find our son and bring him back to us. I promise you that.

"Scott, but he's out there with a madman and he's not used to having his mother with him.

Marisa continued gasping for air as she cried harder. Scott pulled her into his arms tighter

"We're going to find him Marisa. We just have to." Scott said closing his eyes and holding her close to him as his worst fears felt as if they were all coming true

"But Scott, we're talking about a madman having our son here," Marisa protested with tears in her eyes as Kevin grew silent. "There's no telling what can happen to our son."<hr> "How much further do we have to go Kevin?" TJ questioned from the back seat of the car as Ryan drove down the road

"Not much further TJ," Ryan tried to assure him. "Now why don't you play with that video game I picked up for you?

"Kevin, I don't want to play the video game. I want my mommy." TJ pouted tossing the game aside. "Where is she?

"She has things to do right now TJ." Ryan explained watching the small child pouting in the back seat

"I want her!" TJ said kicking his heels into the seat. "I want my mommy!

"TJ quit with the yelling!" Ryan snapped back at him unable to believe how unappreciative the small boy was after he'd made that pit stop to pick him up a couple of toys. "Play with what I bought you.

"I want my mommy!" he protested

"Well she's not going to be here for a while, so just get used to it." Ryan snapped back seeing the frown on his face. He softened his tone a bit. "TJ, you and I are going to have fun together, so why don't you just try to enjoy that?

"I want my mommy," TJ repeated with tears filling up his eyes as he started to cry

"Where is my mommy?

"Don't cry TJ." Ryan urged hating to see the small boy in pain. "TJ, I promise you that you'll quit thinking about her once we get to where we're going.

"No, that's not true.

"It is TJ. I promise I'm taking you to a place where you can have anything you want....do anything you want without fear of anyone telling you what do to. Wouldn't you like that? To be able to live your life like you want to without being bossed around?" Ryan questioned thinking about how much he would've loved someone to offer him that as a child. "Most kids aren't as lucky as your are TJ. You're being given the world in the palm of your hands.

"I don't want the world. I want my MOMMY!" TJ shouted tossing the video game into the front seat of the car towards Ryan's head

"Damn it!" Ryan cursed swerving the car slightly as the game impacted with the windshield. Feeling his anger boil, he raised his voice to a darkened sinister scream

"Now you listen here TJ. You and I are going to be together for quite some time and I'm not going to put up with this behavior. Do you hear me?

Unable to contain his tears spilling from his eyes, TJ nodded knowing even at his small age that he'd pushed the wrong button in Ryan. He sobbed harder as he curled up into a ball on the seat nodding that he understood

"Good, I'm glad we understand each other now." Ryan smiled humming a tune to himself as he looked at the small child. "Don't worry TJ. You and I are going to have so much fun together. I promise you that."<hr> Lucy finished thumbing through one of the suggested color schemes for the wedding when she heard the phone ringing. She rushed over to the phone picking it up wondering if it was Victor after he'd disappeared earlier after Eve's arrival

"Victor," Lucy called out his name in a bit of a panic wondering where he could be

"No Lucy, it's me." Kevin began hearing her tone. "Is something wrong?

"No, um, I just thought maybe you'd be Victor as he kind of slipped out of here earlier.

Lucy confessed deciding to tell Kevin the truth instead of masking it from him

"Wait a second. Victor's missing?" Kevin questioned feeling things grow from bad to worse

"He took off with Eve a little while ago. She showed up to talk with him, but then the two must've slipped out the back while none of us were paying attention." Lucy explained with a sigh. "I told him to rest, but you know how stubborn he can be. Plus with Little Evie lurking around.....I just knew she was up to some kind of trouble and I can only imagine what she's dragging Victor into right now...

"Lucy, I wouldn't worry too much." Kevin replied distracted by his thoughts of Ryan as he moved further outside of Marisa's parents place drawing in a breath. "Eve's a doctor and I'm sure she won't let him get into anything she knows he can't handle.

"I understand that but still..." Lucy started sensing something in his voice. "Doc, what is it?

"Lucy...." Kevin started with hesitation in his voice

"Doc, did you find Marisa?" she asked her voice full of concern

"Yes we did." Kevin paused slightly

"Then everything was okay and this was all a big misunderstanding after all?" Lucy questioned still sensing something was wrong

"It's not that simple Lucy. TJ's missing." Kevin blurted out sadly

"TJ? You mean her son?" Lucy replied letting it sink in. "Scott's son?

"That's right Lucy. Marisa was at breakfast when he was taken." Kevin explained. "When Ryan took him.

"When Ryan took him....." she trailed off unable to believe her ears. "Doc, you can't be serious. He can't be...

"He's alive Lucy. He's very much alive in fact," Kevin admitted feeling torn up inside as he spoke the words

"Doc, how is that possible?

"I don't know Lucy, but it's true. He's alive and he had their son and God only knows where they are now." Kevin sighed thinking about the pain in Marisa's eyes when she'd attacked him earlier

"Oh my God. Poor Marisa. Poor Scott." Lucy commented thinking about the situation

"Doc, I don't believe this. I mean to think that Ryan is still out there somewhere....

"I know Lucy. I still can't quite believe it myself. I saw them take the body away." Kevin admitted feeling his chest sink as he thought about his brother being alive

"Doc....it just doesn't make any sense. In fact," she started boldly, "I'm coming out there.

"No!" Kevin replied

"Doc, I'm not going to let you go through this alone. You just tell me where you are and I'm going to get out there as fast as possible to help you with this." Lucy insisted hearing the pain in his voice. "This is too much for you to take on by yourself.

"Lucy there is no way that I'm letting you get involved in any of this. Now that I know Ryan's out there again, there's no way I'm going to allow you to put yourself in the line of fire like this. It's too risky." Kevin insisted not wanting her to get caught up in any of this

"Doc, you need me and I'm not going to just sit here when this is obviously something that we need to do together." Lucy argued

"Lucy, if you come out here and Ryan is here, it'll only be allowing yourself to be put in more danger down the road. I don't want you coming out here under any circumstances

Do you understand?" he asked

"Doc, I can't just let you carry all this weight on your own when....

"Lucy, now listen to me. I want you to stay right there with Victor and Charlene while I'm gone." Kevin insisted. "The last thing I want to happen is to have you get caught up in any of this madness especially with the twins on the way. It's too risky for you to jeopardize their health and your own right now.

"But Kevin I can't very well leave you alone...." she protested

"You don't have a choice Lucy because as soon as we hang up, I'm calling Mac and having him place a guard at the house so that Ryan doesn't have the opportunity to go after you or Victor. Do you hear me?" Kevin explained worried about her

"But Doc, you can't go this alone. We both know that." Lucy said her voice full of concern

"Well it's too risky to have it any other way." Kevin reminded her feeling his heart sink

"Promise me you won't try to come out here.

"Doc, you know that I can't.....

"Promise me Lucy." Kevin repeated

"Doc I....." she started before giving a reluctant sigh. "Okay I promise.

"You'd better mean that Lucy," he said

"I do," she nodded feeling tears in her eyes hating to be away from him. "Just....just be careful.

"I will." he promised. "Oh and Lucy?

"Yes Doc?" she questioned with tears in her eyes

"I love you." He said wanting to hold her voice for as long as possible before hanging up and getting back to business

"I love you too Kevin." she replied tearfully. "And Doc, don't you dare make me a widow before our wedding.

"I would never do that to you Lucy. I promised you that I'd be coming back and I intend to follow through on that promise." he said hopefully. "Nothing will keep us apart...not Ryan, nor any other disaster that comes our way.

"You mean that?" she asked with a sniffle

"With all that I am, I mean that Lucy." he replied wishing he could hold her as he heard her voice on the other end of the line. "I'll do everything in my power to come back to you Lucy.

<hr> Chris Ramsey walked into the kitchen seeing Marisa looking out the window into the back yard lost in her thoughts. He moved in towards her sensing her pain as he heard the muffled sounds of her cries

"Hey," Chris spoke up softly placing a hand on her shoulder not knowing what to do to try to ease her pain

"You know he used to play in that tree out there?" Marisa spoke sounding lost with each word she spoke. "I used to wonder what his fascination with it was, but he just loved it

The way his eyes lit up when he was over by that tree just getting into the mud and the weeds.

"We're going to find him Marisa." Chris offered giving her shoulder a squeeze

"Are we Chris?" she asked turning around to face him. "He's with a madman right now

Who's to say we'll ever see him again?

"We have to remain positive about this. Ryan can't hide out forever." Chris offered again not really knowing what to say

"Chris, he's a serial murderer." Marisa reminded him angrily. "He's killed so many women Chris and to think that he had my little boy....

"Yes I realize that, but if you think about it, he's never gone after children. Given his record, I don't think TJ is in any immediate danger." Chris pointed out realizing what a jerk he must've sounded like as she looked at him in horror

"My son is at the mercy of a serial killer and you're dictating his history." she snapped back breaking into a fit of tears as Chris pulled her into his arms

"We're going to find him. I promise you that. Scott, Kevin, and I won't rest until he's back in your arms again." Chris assured her running his fingers through her hair. "You have my word on that.

"Chris, you can't promise anything at a time like this. For all we know my son could be dead." Marisa cried harder. "He has to be so scared and frightened right now. He's never been away from me like this before and he must be so confused.

"We're going to bring him back to your Marisa and Ryan's going to pay for what he's done." Chris insisted holding her tighter as her tears fell harder

"My baby needs me right now Chris. I can feel it." Marisa sobbed unable to shake the feeling that TJ was in terrible danger

"Marisa," Chris started as Scott entered the room after talking with the police officers about TJ's disappearance. Without a word Scott and Chris locked gazes and Scot approached them touching Marisa's back lightly

"Marisa," he spoke feeling his heart break in two as he touched her

"Any luck?" she questioned hopefully turning around to face him as Chris released her

"Nothing," Scott replied shaking his head sadly. "I'm so sorry.

"No.....no this can't be." she cried harder as Scott took her into his arms holding her as if he'd never let go as they shared the grief about their missing son. "Scott we can't lose him now.

"We're not going to lose him Marisa. Not when he just walked into my life." he assured her as Chris took a step back opting to leave the two of them alone for a while

Chris headed out back looking out at the trees thinking about everything that had happened. He wanted to help so much, yet at the same time, he thought back to Eve's begging him not to leave

"Maybe she was right," Chris shrugged thinking about how he seemed out of place in this whole scenario. He could see Scott and Marisa holding one another through the kitchen window and he felt his heart sank. Trying not to let it get to him, he reached for his cell phone deciding he should warn Eve about the danger of Ryan since she'd been a target of his before. As the phone rang, he waited until the machine picked up

"Where could she be?" he questioned noting the time as he hung up the phone

"Chris," Kevin called out to him interrupting his thoughts

"Yeah?" Chris replied putting his phone away

"Could you help me with something over here?" Kevin asked nodding over to the car

"Sure of course," Chris nodded trying to quit feeling sorry for himself and push himself to do what he set out to do in bringing Marisa's son back to her

<hr> Eve stepped out of her car turning to Victor unable to believe the sight laid out before her

She took on last glance at the get up he'd coerced her to wearing starting with the blood red lipstick down to the tight black leather pant suit he'd picked out for her. She turned to look at him stepping out of the car in his similar black attire

"Ready for this?" Victor questioned slipping into his dark sunglasses as he looked over to the Club Noir. He noticed the apprehension in her features as he looked at her approvingly. "Eve you look perfect for this caper.

"Victor, I just don't know. I feel like cat woman about to enter the lion's den," she admitted looking to the whip at her side, "and this.....remind me again what this is for.

"For show Eve," Victor insisted with a small laugh noting her uneasiness. "Trust me things look more frightening on the outside, but once we're in we'll meet with my contact and get the information as soon as we can.

"Victor, I just don't know about this whole underground Goth....." Eve started to protest as Victor walked along side of her placing his hand over her shoulder

"Eve tonight this will work as you're Lena and I'm Vic, just your average thrill seeking and fun loving married couple to the outside world." Victor teased with a wink as they approached the door listening to the sounds of the music booming from inside

"And once we're in?" Eve asked linking her arm in his as they approached the bouncer to the club

"Once we make contact with Drake, just let me do all the talking and follow my lead.

Victor suggested standing taller

"Vic and Lena," Eve repeated looking over at him. "What would Kevin say if he knew we were doing this right now? Hell, what would Mary think about this? I hardly think either one would approve given your condition.

"Well then I guess it's good for us that neither one of them is here to disapprove." Victor noted as they stood before the bouncer

"Hold on." The bouncer replied stopping them

"Is there a problem?" Victor asked softly. "We were just heading inside.

"I haven't seen you around here before." the man noted eyeing Victor

"I've been here plenty of times." Victor replied nodding slightly to the list the man was holding

"Yes? Is that so?" he asked looking them over skeptically. "Can I help you?

"I have a meeting with Drake," Victor spoke in a cool, even tone

"And you are?" he questioned his eyes roaming over Eve's body as she leaned into Victor running her nails along his arm slightly

"Vic and Lena Raven." Victor explained watching the man scan the paper in his hand. "I hope this won't be a problem.

"I was so hoping we wouldn't run into trouble tonight Vic," Eve piped in looking to the bouncer who stole another look in her direction before nodding to the list

"Okay you're all clear." the man replied eyeing Eve once more as they stepped into the entrance and Eve drew in a breath shocked by the sights laid out before her

"That was close," Eve commented listening to the enigmatic, mystical echoes of the music flooding off of the walls. She glanced around seeing things she hadn't even imagined possible as they walked around the dark club. She gazed over at a man standing by the bar looking relatively dark as they passed by and he blew out a fire ball in their direction causing her to jump

"Relax Lena," Victor spoke softly drawing his arm around her waist as if to remind her of their purpose for being here

"Sorry, I don't mean to be so jumpy." Eve apologized regaining her composure and moving on further into the club

"It's understandable. You're not used to this kind of lifestyle and believe me it takes time to desensitize yourself from the things you'll see in here," Victor commented looking over to the fetish act taking place on stage as they spoke. "Now why don't you just do your best to block out as much as you can and try to stay focused?

"Okay," Eve nodded feeling as if she was about to crawl out of her skin as a man with multiple body piercings walked by her giving her a second look and she inched towards Victor

"I think I see Drake." Victor noted taking her hand in his and leading her across the club

"Where?" Eve asked letting loose of the distractions as she followed Victor

"Over there." he pointed to the man sitting across the room at a table elevated above the rest of the club patrons. He was dressed in darkened attire with his face almost ghastly white. His was wearing darkened glasses and long black hair was cast over his shoulders as he spoke to the blonde woman beside him

"That's your contact?" Eve questioned slightly confused as Victor nodded leading her over to the table

"That's right," Victor replied as they stood before the table looking down at the man. He looked up from his guest when he noticed Victor standing before him

"Vic," he spoke in a cool, darkened, raspy tone as glanced over at Eve. "Who's your friend?

"This is Lena," Victor explained watching Drake extend his white hand out to Eve, who reluctantly accepted

"Don't fret Lena, I seldom bite, but then of course I'm not always presented with a tasty morsel like yourself." Drake informed her pressing his lips to her skin as Eve took note of this sharpened teeth which gave the illusion of vampirism in him. She tried not to be distracted as she looked at his face instantly recognizing something familiar about the man

"It's a pleasure," Eve replied smoothly trying to place the man as he released her hands taking off his sunglasses to look her over

"The pleasure is all mine," he replied his dark eyes meeting hers when she nearly lost her breath seeing the eyes almost identical to Matt Harmon before her. Before she could catch her breath, he turned to Victor. "You did well with this one Vic. Sit down.

Victor nodded and did so accordingly nodding for Eve to follow. She took a seat just looking over the man's face seeing the uncanny resemblance as the two began to engage in conversation

"So I hear you've been digging around into Sophie D'Amore haven't you Vic?" Drake questioned smoothly motioning for the woman beside him to leave the three of them alone. She nodded planting a firm kiss on his lips before removing herself from the table

Drake licked his lips slightly as he watched her walk away before turning his attention back to Victor

"That's correct," Victor nodded removing his own glasses to look at the man

"I see and now the question is Vic, how much is the information worth to you?" Drake questioned his eyes lingering over to Eve. "I hope you've brought some enticing incentive over to the bargaining table with you, as I believe you know my policies on giving away freebies.

"I'm fully aware of your policy Drake," Victor commented

"Good," Drake smiled again revealing his sharpened canines as he reached out to brush his fingers against the smoothness of Eve's cheek. He looked into her eyes obviously impressed as he leaned over towards her breathing on her skin, "then I presume you had a special gift in mind for me this evening.

"That I did," Victor replied watching Drake move his lips in towards Eve's neck attempting to taste her skin as Victor drew her back protectively, "but Lena, she's not the offering. She's with me.

"That's too bad," Drake frowned leaning back in his seat. "I was just thinking about what a savory delicacy she'd make later on tonight.

"Keep dreaming moron," Eve replied with her usual sarcastic tone as she glared at him not really caring what information he had at this point in time

"Well, I can see you've got yourself a wild one on your hands now Vic and I must admit that taming them is the most rewarding part of the process." Drake smiled in response reaching out to her once again. Quickly he reached for her wrist snapping it into his hand as he looked into her. "Such a sharp tongue. I like that in a woman.

"Go to hell," Eve shot back at him pulling her arm away

"Have you ever tried it Lena? Given yourself to the dark side and seen what lays on the other side when you let go of inhibitions and expectations the world has for you?" He asked his eyes fixed on her as a wicked smile crossed over his lips. "When you finally break down all of your barriers and find yourself with your true animal self without any constraints from society and what the world expects you to be? It's truly a remarkable sight although I must admit that the first time it happens, it can have one of two effects on a person. They either love it, feeling a perfect ease with who they've become, or they hate it, thus giving in and crossing over to the brink of insanity, but either way once it happens, they never go back.

Eve felt icy chills down her spine as his eyes moved through her invading her comfort zone as she shifted in her seat slightly. She turned to Victor unwilling to take another moment of this man's sadistic charm as she looked to Victor

"Are we finished with the games Drake?" Victor questioned breaking the thick silence in the air

"For now," he shrugged giving Eve a dismissive look before turning to Victor, "so what did you bring for me?

"Something you've wanted for a long time," Victor commented reaching into his leather jacket and pulling out a black velvet box

"It that what I think it is?" Drake questioned his pointed eyes widening as he looked to the box laid out on the table

"Why don't you take a look?" Victor suggested sliding it across the table for inspection

Drake picked up the box rubbing his fingers across the velvet slowly caressing it as it is was a brand new lover as Eve watched curiously. Finally his smile widened and he opened the top of the box to reveal a glimmering CD beneath. He held it between his fingers pulling out the protective plastic case inside

"It's magnificent Vic," Drake breathed letting the black light reflect on the CD

"I thought you might approve." Victor noted seeing the look of wonder in Eve's eyes

"And I trust it has all the codes on it?" Drake questioned curiously

"That it does, but if you feel the need, have one of your men check it out," Victor nodded to one of Drake's bodyguards to come over. "You'll find that it lives up to be far beyond your expectations.

"Indeed I hope so," Drake nodded handing over the box to one of his guards. "Lock this up in the vault until I can come back to .

"Yes sir," the man nodded accepting the box

"That's all," Drake nodded dismissing him before turning back to Victor, "now that we have that out of the way, what do you say we get back to business?

"I couldn't agree more," Victor agreed with a smile, "in fact I welcome nothing more. So why don't we start with you telling me everything you know about Sophie D'Amore?

"I hope you have a while because I promise you Vic, it's a real page turner." Drake replied with a devilish grin as he began to reveal his tale.<hr>Lucy sat at the lighthouse peering out the window occasionally to see the guard posted at the door. With a frown she moved around the lighthouse wondering when Aunt Charlene would be back from her shopping expedition. She'd asked Lucy to go, but at the time Lucy was too wrapped up in thoughts of Kevin to leave. Now she wished that she had in order to avoid all this stress she was feeling. She pressed her hands to her abdomen as she heard the bell ring and she rushed to the door

"Lucy," Sophie smiled on the other side of the door

"Oh Sophie, hello." Lucy replied letting her inside. "Come on in. You know I didn't realize we were supposed to meet tonight.

"Actually we weren't, but I was in the neighborhood and I thought I'd pay you a visit. Are you busy?" Sophie asked looking around

"No, not really. Come on in." Lucy nodded closing the door behind her. "I should warn you though, I'm not really in the mood to go over the wedding plans right now if you don't mind. It's been kind of a crazy day around here and I just can't concentrate right now on things.

"Anything you'd like to talk about Lucy?" Sophie asked with concern in her tone

"It wouldn't do any good." Lucy shrugged thinking about her phone call from Kevin

"You never know that. I've found that talking sometimes can be very therapeutic." Sophie explained watching her closely. "It might help if you're willing to give it a try.

"I wouldn't even know where to start." Lucy admitted hearing her stomach rumble slightly

"Well, why don't you just take your time and let me take you out to dinner?" Sophie suggested. "I can see you could use a break from being locked up in here.

"I don't know," Lucy shrugged with a frown, "I was kind of hoping that Doc would call me back later tonight and maybe I should stick around.

"Lucy, I'm sure Kevin will try calling again if he misses you." she offered in response

"Come on. I promise I won't be too long with dinner. Just an hour to give you a break from being inside here.

"Well....." Lucy started hesitantly before the rumble of her stomach took over. "Okay, but only for an hour.

"Now that's the idea." Sophie smiled

"Just give me a second." Lucy said reaching for her jacket and jotting down a brief note for Aunt Charlene. "Okay I'm ready.

"Good," Sophie smiled brightly

"So where are we going?" Lucy questioned slipping into her jacket

"See that's the thing Lucy. I've got a surprise planned for you tonight," Sophie replied with a grin, "and I have a feeling that you're going to like it very much.

"Why is that?" Lucy asked curiously as they walked to Sophie's car

"Because I can tell you're kind of woman who likes adventure." Sophie noted. "As for where we're going you'll just have to wait and see."<hr> "I can't believe I didn't see it before," Eve cursed herself as she and Victor left the club. "I knew that I'd seen her somewhere before, but it never clicked on who she was.

"I just wish I'd picked up on it sooner myself." Victor replied overcome with a sense of panic as they moved into Eve's car

"Victor, look I don't know much about the history between that man and Lucy here, but I do know enough about Angel to know that she's volatile when need be." Eve commented thinking about what Drake had informed them back in the club. "I just can't believe that I couldn't come up with it on my own sooner when it was right in front of me like that

When she was introduced as Sophie, that's what threw me, but now, now I remember her quite clearly.

"Eve you had no idea and it's been a long time since your college years." Victor said reaching for the cell phone in his pocket

"Who are you calling Victor?" Eve asked driving back towards Port Charles

"We have to notify Lucy before Angel has an opportunity to strike against her." Victor explained hearing the phone ring

"Hello," Charlene answered

"Charlene, is Lucy there?" Victor asked trying not to panic

"Nope, sorry Victor. You just missed her." Charlene replied with a smile. "You know I got things ready for our big card game if you ever come back here.

"Do you know where she went?" Victor questioned cutting her off

"Well, no, but she was already gone when I got back." Charlene replied confused by his tone. "Victor, what's wrong?

"Did she leave a note or anything?" Victor asked exchanging glances with Eve

"Well, I didn't really look, but maybe she.....oh, now that you mention it, there is one.

Charlene replied picking up the piece of paper."What does it say?" he asked

"It says here that she took off for dinner with that Sophie girl for a while but it doesn't say where...." Charlene started

"That's what I was afraid of. Charlene I'll call you back." Victor replied hanging up the phone and looking to Eve

"Well?" she asked

"We need to find her. She's with Angel." Victor informed her feeling the color draining from his face

"Where did they go?" Eve asked

"I don't know, but the longer she's' with her, the worse off she could be." Victor noted suddenly afraid that they were too late.<hr>"So where were we going again?" Lucy asked watching them drive past the Port Charles city limits. "I thought you said we were going to have a simple dinner.

"Oh we are Lucy." Sophie nodded driving along

"Well I'd just as soon assumed it would be something like the Grille." Lucy commented looking back at town. "I was thinking that we could get something there and then go back to the lighthouse for a while.

"Lucy," Sophie spoke up in an agitated tone, "would you just do me a favor and quit asking so many damn questions?

"What?" Lucy asked shocked

"You heard me Lucy." She snapped back. "Just for once, shut up! I've really grown tired of listening to the sounds of your voice.

"Sophie I don't understand....." Lucy started as Sophie pulled the car over on the shoulder of the road

"No, you wouldn't would you?" she asked pulling out the gun she'd been holding all this time, "But I'm sure it'll get clearer as time goes on.

"Sophie?" Lucy questioned staring at the barrel of the gun

"You know Lucy, this was supposed to be so very simple, but you just couldn't keep your mouth shut and quit asking so many stupid questions." Sophie continued with a groan

"Ryan was right about you, but boy is he going to be surprised when he sees the job I've done. He told me it was going to be so much harder, but this was so easy.....almost too easy.

"Ryan?" Lucy repeated confused

"Yes Ryan. He's going to be so very happy when he sees what I've brought home for him tonight." Sophie chortled impressed with herself as she saw the confusion in Lucy's eyes

"I've waited so very long to get you like this....to have you afraid and see that dumbfounded look on your face, and thanks to Ryan, this moment has finally been made possible for me. Sweet victory I tell you.

"You and Ryan?" Lucy repeated letting it all sink in. "But why? Why would you do something like that?

"Well it's quite simple Lucy." Sophie laughed. "Not only did I find Ryan in the midst of my sorrow and mourning, but he turned out to be one of my greatest pals and confidants down the road and his idea to frame Eve Lambert, was truly remarkable, but then again most of his ideas are.

"You mean you worked with Ryan murdering those......oh God." Lucy gasped shocked to see the woman transform before her into a monster she'd never imagined possible

"Oh the murdering was so simple Lucy, but the fun part, well the fun part came in getting close to you, which by the way, you made oh so easy for me." Sophie continued with an evil laugh looking at her. "And to think all those nights I'd dreamt about this moment, about destroying you for everything you did to my father. For the ways in which you and your precious Kevin worked together to bring him down before he had his final exit from the world.

"Your father?" Lucy repeated blankly looking back at her

"Yes my father Lucy. You know he wasn't the most upstanding citizen in Port Charles, but he was my father none the less." Sophie snapped back at her angrily. "I realize you weren't the one who killed him, but what you did to him before his final exit was just as bad, and for that I'm going to make you suffer. I'll see to it that all the wrongs of the past are made right when I take care of those who tormented my father. I'll see to it that his death wasn't in vain by destroying those who made his life hell. Starting with you and your precious Dr. Collins...

"Sophie I have no idea what you're talking about." Lucy replied watching her wave the gun at her

"Well then let me clue you in Lucy as we haven't been properly introduced." she said with a wicked grin. "Lucy Coe, I'm not Sophie D'Amore, but rather Angel Smith.

"Angel Smith?" Lucy repeated blankly. "As in....

"That's right Lucy. I'm Damian's little girl and if you thought you had problems with my father before, well that was only the beginning of your nightmare." she said holding her finger over the trigger

"No." Lucy replied shaking her head

"Oh yes Lucy," Angel laughed lightly, "and from now on we're going to play this my way starting from this moment on and believe me by the time Ryan and I are through with you and Kevin, you'll both wish you were never born."

Chapter 35
''You're never going to get away with this,'' Lucy warned struggling with her bondage as she glared at Angel.

''Oh but I have Lucy. That's the best part about all of this. No one has any clue about what's happened here and when this is over, I'm going to be savoring this victory more than you know.''

''Choking on it is more like it because I WILL get out of here,'' Lucy warned as Angel stepped in closer.

''Trust me Lucy, Ryan's going to be so pleased when he sees the package that I've brought back here for him,'' Angel grinned checking the ropes on Lucy as she took a step back waving the gun in the air at her. ''It's so perfect isn't it? Almost too perfect if you ask me.''

''Why are you doing this?'' Lucy asked still completely shaken by the woman who'd once been her friend and now was transformed into something horrible right before her eyes.

''Don't you know by now? Lucy, I thought we discussed this. My motivation was purely revenge......no big surprise tactic here. Just revenge, hatred and retribution....all common responses to losing a loved one. Wouldn't you agree?'' Angel chuckled in amusement.

''You don't want to be doing this Angel. I understand you're grieving about losing your father but....'' Lucy started.

''Don't tell me how to feel Lucy because you know nothing about me. You are oblivious to the world outside of Lucy and there's no point in trying to pretend otherwise. I know what kind of woman you are and I also know that when you leave this world no one is going to miss you except for your precious Doc, but soon even he won't be around to mourn for you.''

''What are you talking about?'' Lucy asked in a panic struggling to break free of the ropes.

''Oh come on. You didn't think Ryan wanted to meet up with Kevin to chat about the good ole days did you? Ryan's looking for something more.....something a bit more rewarding and I think by my having you he's going to get just that. It was almost too easy really.''

''You're crazy.'' Lucy snapped back at her.

''Crazy huh?'' she chuckled in amusement, ''well yes I suppose on some level one could perceive me as being insane but I'd like to think of myself as a step above the rest.....always looking out for my best interest. Daddy would be proud, wouldn't you agree?''

''You're not going to get away with this.'' Lucy started feeling a bit tired as she felt a twitch in her abdomen.

''Now see there's the beauty of this. I already have. No one knows who I am nor will they ever find out and you, well, no one really knows where to find you either and it looks like they never will at this point in time.'' she grinned wickedly. ''You know you really should relax Lucy. All this worrying is doing a number on your complexion.''

''Why you...'' Lucy started hearing a car in the distance as Angel moved over to peer out the window excitedly.

''Company!'' she exclaimed throwing open the front door.

''Honey I'm home,'' Ryan beamed coming through the door as she threw her arms around him lovingly.

''I've missed you baby,'' Angel replied giving him a big kiss as she wrapped her arms around him tighter.

''Well good to hear it because I have a surprise for you,'' Ryan smiled in response.

''Good because I have a surprise for you as well.'' Angel beamed thinking about her capture of Lucy.

''Hmm......well then we can share and I'll show you mine if you promise to show me yours.'' Ryan grinned.

''Agreed,'' she nodded as Ryan turned and motioned for TJ to walk inside.

''Angel, I'd like you to meet TJ.''

''A kid? You brought back a kid?'' Angel asked with a frown. ''What the hell?''

Ryan's smile faded as he looked at her. ''Watch your mouth around our son.''

''Our son? Oh no, if you think that we're playing mommy and daddy to this little brat, you're sadly mistaken,'' Angel glared at him watching TJ's small eyes grow wide. ''This is some kind of sick joke isn't it?''

''It's no joke,'' Ryan answered coolly turning to TJ, ''Son why don't you go outside and get your video game that I bought you?''

''All right,'' he nodded innocently rushing off to the car as Ryan turned to face Angel.

''Now about this attitude of yours, it needs improving.'' Ryan scolded her.

''My attitude? You have to be kidding me Ryan. I've been working my butt off to bring you destiny on a platter and what is this latest stunt? Your attempt at finding happiness by playing kindergarten family?'' she snapped.

''TJ is staying Angel, so you'd better get used to it. He's mine now.'' Ryan answered flatly as his patience wore thin.

''Yeah well before you get too content on playing house here with little TJ, perhaps you should see the grand prize I have waiting for you. It might change your mind about being in the family setting,'' Angel explained cracking open the door to reveal Lucy on the other side. ''Surprise!''

''Lucy,'' He spoke as his jaw dropped seeing her sitting before him in the chair.

''You son of--'' Lucy started as Angel shut the door quickly.

''What is she doing here?'' Ryan asked.

''I thought you might be surprised.''

''Surprised, oh that's an understatement,'' Ryan began seizing her arms. ''What were you thinking?''

''What was I thinking? Ryan, I was getting closer to what was rightfully ours,'' Angel frowned. ''I thought that maybe just maybe you'd be happy that I brought her here. Maybe even a little thank you would be in order.''

''A thank you,'' Ryan laughed obviously unimpressed, ''Do you have any idea what you've just done here?''

''Yeah I did you a favor by bringing her here. Now you can have Kevin on a platter.'' she answered.

''These were supposed to be my rules Angel. Not yours,'' He said sharply dragging her across the room.

''You're hurting me Ryan!''

''Good, maybe it'll get you thinking again. This wasn't the plan we discussed....not by a long shot. You were supposed to follow the plans.''

''Well I got bored Ryan, and obviously you weren't thinking straight in bringing a little brat here,'' she snapped back angrily.

''He's not a brat!'' Ryan growled at her. ''And he's staying.''

''The hell he is!''

Lucy could hear the voices growing louder as Ryan and Angel fought and she struggled to break free from her ropes. With Ryan and Angel distracted now would be her chance for escape and as she listened to the anger in Ryan's voice, she knew it was only a matter of time before he went after Kevin again and she had to get away.

''Come on,'' Lucy pleaded twisting her wrists as she heard a sound at the door and she stopped to see two big blue eyes looking at her.

''Is something wrong?'' the small boy asked stepping inside watching her in confusion. ''What are you doing?''

''I'm......I'm.....'' Lucy trailed off looking at the boy wondering where he'd come from as he held a toy truck in his hand. He stepped in closer to her looking her over in wonder for a moment as his eyes trailed over her. He moved in close to her and pressed a hand to her abdomen innocently.

''Baby,'' he spoke looking up at her awaiting a response.

''Yes, I'm having a baby. Two babies actually'' Lucy nodded seeing the confusion on the small boy's face.

''Two babies?'' he repeated with excitement in his face. ''Wow.''

''It is pretty amazing,'' she agreed looking at him as she wondered where Ryan had found him, but as she looked at him she knew the boy couldn't belong to Ryan though there was a familiarity to him. Then it hit her. ''TJ?'' she questioned.

''You know my name?'' He asked in astonishment looking her over. ''How?''

''I'm friends with your mommy,'' Lucy explained looking at the small boy as it dawned in on her, ''and your daddy.''

''You know my daddy too?'' he asked. ''Do you know where they are right now? I miss my mommy and I want her to come get me. Is she coming to get me?''

''Oh TJ,'' Lucy started, ''I'll bet we could find your mommy together if you help me get out of here?''

''What are you doing in here? Playing a game?''

''Sort of, but I don't want to play anymore,'' Lucy nodded watching him.

''I can understand that. I have lots of games too now, but I just want to go home,'' he said with a slight grin. ''You're pretty.''

''Thank you TJ,'' she smiled in return seeing Scott's son realizing how beautiful of a child he was. The longer she looked at him, the more she saw that he had Scott's smile. ''Do you think maybe we could get out of here and go look for your mommy together? Would you like that?''

He nodded in response.

''Okay TJ, then can you help me get out of this?'' she asked as he nodded stepping towards her to touch the ropes.

''Okay,'' he nodded.

''Good TJ,'' she said taking a breath as the door swung open and Ryan stepped inside.

''Well what do we have here?'' Ryan questioned glaring at Lucy as he pulled TJ back.

''I told you the brat was going to be trouble,'' Angel sneered stepping into the room.

''Shut up Angel,'' Ryan warned looking to TJ and touching his small face. ''Son you don't want to do that.''

''Why not?'' TJ asked.

''Because she's not a nice lady TJ. She's trying to keep you away from your mommy and we can't let her do that, can we?''

''But she said that.....'' TJ started in confusion.

''She was lying to you TJ, but you trust me right,'' Ryan asked the small child. After a moment TJ nodded, ''that's a good boy,'' Ryan said messing his hair slightly, ''now why don't you go play your game and I'll be there in a minute?''

''Okay,'' TJ replied giving Lucy one last look before disappearing.

Ryan turned to Lucy with an anger behind his dark eyes, ''Nice try Lucy, but you're not going anywhere.''

''You can't keep me here Ryan,'' Lucy snapped at him.

''Oh I can, and I will,'' Ryan chuckled in amusement.

''Kevin will find me,'' Lucy glared at him.

''Oh Lucy I'm banking on that,'' Ryan laughed lightly closing the doors behind him as he left the room and she started to struggle with the ropes again afraid of what Ryan had planned.

''I just can't believe he's out there,'' Marisa sighed holding her son's teddy bear in her arms as she looked out the window overcome with fear. ''I mean he's just a little boy Scott. What happens if Ryan hurts him? What's going to happen to our son?''

''Marisa, I promise you, we're going to find him,'' Scott replied wrapping his arms around her.

''Scott, how can you be so sure? You said yourself that Ryan faked being dead for so many years. What if he goes into hiding and takes our son and is never seen again?''

''We'll find him Marisa,'' Scott answered firmly, ''I know that in the past I wasn't there for him when you both needed me, but,'' He said turning her to face him, ''there's no way that I'm going to miss out on any of this now. I want to be a part of our son's life and yours Marisa.''

''Scott.....''

''Marisa, I know that I made mistakes in the past and walking away from you and allowing you to disappear out of my life was probably one of the biggest ones of all,'' he said touching her cheek, ''I've spent my whole life doing things without thinking about the consequences, but for some reason, we've found our way back to one another and I won't let our son get caught up in this nightmare.''

''He already is Scott,'' Marisa replied with tears in her eyes, ''Scott I'm so afraid. He's never been away from me before like this and I just know he has to be terrified.''

''We're going to find him,'' Scott said holding her tightly as she began to sob in his arms.

''So what's our next move Victor?'' Eve questioned as Victor drove along the road frantically.

''I'm not really sure yet Eve, but we have to find Lucy and Angel, and I think I might have an idea on where to do just that.'' Victor said with a frown, ''I just hope that lead of mine that I got isn't off.''

''Victor, if she's truly who we believe her to be, then Lucy's in some major trouble here,'' Eve said feeling a chill in the air.

''I realize that Eve and that's why we have to find her and fast.''

''What about Kevin?'' Eve questioned thinking it over. ''Do you think that we should perhaps give Kevin a call and let him know what's going on?''

''Monk's going through so much right now in helping Scott look for his son, especially now that Ryan's resurfaced, but,'' Victor frowned, ''he's probably going to want to know about what's going on with Lucy.''

''I know he will Victor,'' Eve agreed looking out the window thinking about the manhunt for Ryan, ''Why don't you call him and fill him in?''

''I'm dreading this,'' Victor frowned as he reached for his cell phone, ''I don't know how Monk is going to take this...any of it.''

Going out into the back yard, Kevin let the fresh evening air fill his lungs as he thought of Ryan running around somewhere with Scott and Marisa's son. He knew that it would only be a matter of time before things spun out of control, but how long would that be, he wondered to himself.

As he stepped through the back yard looking at the tire swing, his phone rang. He pulled it out of his pocket half expecting it to be Lucy, when another familiar voice caught him off guard.

''Hey Kev,'' Ryan spoke coolly.

''Ryan,''

''Long time, eh? You know bro, I've missed you,'' Ryan spoke evenly.

''Where are you?''

''Tisk, tisk, now you know that we can't just blurt that one out just yet. Where's the fun in that?'' Ryan asked dryly.

''Ryan, listen to me. I want to help you,'' Kevin said changing his approach.

''Like you've helped me in the past Kevin? Oh I think not.'' Ryan snapped sourly, ''The last time you wanted to answer my cry for help, I ended up with a bullet in the chest and speaking of which, I still owe dear old dad for that.''

''Then what are you looking for?'' Kevin asked thinking about small TJ.

''Hmm.......now that's an interesting question seeing as there are a lot of things I know you're looking for right now, some of which you aren't even aware that are lost.''

''What are you talking about?''

''How about that beautiful fiancee of yours? You know Kev, I've gotta admit for being so beautiful, Lucy sure is trusting and not to bright these days. I mean to fall into my hands again, it's truly a tragedy. You'd think that over time she'd get smarter, but alas, she's still the same old Lucy dumb as ever.''

''You're bluffing,'' Kevin shot back feeling as if icy water was coursing through his veins.

''Kevin, we both know better than that and if you look within yourself you'll see that I'm telling the truth here.''

''Where is she?''

''Now Kevin, we both know it's not that simple here,'' Ryan responded with a sigh, ''first you have to do a few things for me.''

''What things?''

''We need to meet.....'' Ryan spoke with a sinister tone, ''but we're going to do it my way so that there aren't any mix-ups this time. Understood?''

''I'm listening,'' Kevin replied feeling the night air fill his lungs as he prepared to make a deal with the devil.

Chris walked into the living room with two mugs of coffee in hand ready to try to ease some of Marisa's tension and fear as he stopped in the doorway seeing her in Scott's arms.

''We're going to find him Marisa,'' Scott spoke again holding her tighter against him as she sobbed in his arms.

Chris stood in the doorway watching their moment and feeling like an outsider as he witness Scott press a kiss on Marisa's forehead. Silently, he turned away from the living room and went back into the kitchen to dump the mug of coffee down the sink drain. He frowned as he looked out into the back yard.

''Maybe Eve was right. Maybe I shouldn't be here,'' he said his thoughts lingering back to his final moments with Eve. How they'd come so close to something, yet remained so far. He reached for his cell phone and started dialing the apartment. Half-way through he stopped himself, ''What am I doing?'' he asked hanging up the phone. ''A lot of good it would do in being honest with Eve now. What good will it do?''

With that Chris stepped out of the kitchen into the night as he thought about his life and everything that had been happening since the beginning of the General Homicide nightmare.

''You're about five minutes too late Victor,'' Kevin sighed as he looked around the yard. ''Ryan just contacted me.''

''He contacted you?''

''Yes,'' Kevin replied with a frown, ''he wants to meet.''

''Where?''

''Victor I'm not dragging you into this any further than you already are,'' Kevin began to protest.

''Monk, he's not working alone. He's working with Sophie D'Amore or rather Angel Smith,'' Victor explained briefly.

''Angel Smith? As in Damian Smith?''

''The one and only. Look Monk, I don't have time to explain, but Eve and I have a lead on where they might be hiding Lucy and we're going to check it out,'' Victor explained to him, ''we're about half an hour away from where this cabin is that we suspect they're holding Lucy and TJ at.''

''Victor, you and Eve shouldn't be....''

''Monk, I helped create this mess and I'm going to end it,'' Victor explained with a solemn tone.

''Well, not alone you two aren't,'' Kevin said firmly looking at his watch, ''look I've got some time before I'm supposed to meet Ryan and I'm coming to check out the lead with you.''

''Monk, Eve and I have it under control,'' Victor started.

''With Ryan there is no such thing as control. We both know that,'' Kevin reminded him with a frown, ''Look don't argue with me about this. I'm on my way to meet you and Eve and don't try arguing with me.''

''Fine Monk,'' Victor sighed looking over at Eve for a brief moment, ''Just be careful.''

''You too,'' Kevin agreed, ''and Victor?''

''Yes?''

''Don't make a move until I get there. I want us to be ready for Ryan this time and not the other way around.''

''I'll be careful Monk. You have my word on that,'' Victor agreed before they said their good-byes and Kevin hung up the phone and started back towards the car.

''So where are they Collins?'' Chris asked catching him off guard.

''Chris, hi.''

''Where do you think you're going?'' Chris questioned curiously.

''I have to go....well, Victor just called.''

''And he has a lead on TJ, doesn't he?'' Chris asked already knowing the answer. ''So what are we waiting for? Let's go.''

''No Chris, we're not going anywhere,'' Kevin said firmly, ''I have to do this, and on my own.''

''The hell you do. I heard your conversation. Now Ryan's got both TJ and Lucy and if Victor and Eve are on their way to meet with him, you know that I'm not just going to sit back and do nothing.''

''This isn't your battle Chris,'' Kevin explained not wanting to drag anyone else into this nightmare.

''Maybe not, but I promised Marisa that I'd help her find her son, and that's just what I intend to do,'' Chris answered firmly, ''Besides where Eve is involved it is my concern. I saved her butt once where that sicko brother of yours was concerned and I'm not going to give him an opportunity to have a repeat performance.''

''Chris we're not going to fight about this. You're not going with me,'' Kevin snapped back at him.

''Of course I am, or else I'll tell Scott and Marisa that you're going renegade on us and keeping the truth from them in an attempt to protect that psycho brother of yours,'' Chris challenged.

''You know that's not the case,'' Kevin replied.

''I know that, but I don't think at this point Baldwin's going to be too forgiving,'' Chris pointed out, ''he's a wreck as it is and hearing that you're going to contact Ryan without telling him, whew, and you thought the man had it out for me. Man, that ought to be a show in itself.''

''All right,'' Kevin reluctantly agreed, ''but you follow my lead in this understood.''

''Understood,'' Chris nodded pulling the car keys out of his pocket, ''Besides you weren't getting anywhere without these.''

''You think you're smart don't you?'' Kevin asked sarcastically.

''I pride myself on it,'' Chris answered proudly unlocking the doors as they two took off to meet with Victor and Eve.

''Yeah well don't get too cocky or else you'll land yourself in trouble like the last time,'' Kevin warned.

''The last time I wasn't aware of what I was up against, but now, well now, I know and I've got a score to settle with that brother of yours,'' Chris answered as he pressed the accelerator thinking about his last encounter with Ryan.

''Perhaps you should try to talk to Kevin,'' Marisa suggested looking up at Scott and finally pulling away. ''He seemed pretty shaken about everything that's been going on around here. And when I attacked him....''

''He understood Marisa. He knows what it's like to deal with people believing he's his psycho-nut job brother,'' Scott explained reaching out to touch her, ''but perhaps you're right. I should go talk to him and see if there have been any leads.''

''That sounds good,'' Marisa nodded as her mother walked into the room.

''Marisa, darling,''

''What is it mom?'' she asked as her mother gave both her and Scott a double take.

''I don't know if this means anything or not, but your two friends that were here with you earlier, well, I noticed that they just left.'' her mother explained.

''They left?'' Scott asked in bewilderment rushing to the window to find his car missing. ''What the.....?'' he said feeling into his pocket and realizing that the car keys were missing. ''Damn!''

''Where could they have gone Scott?'' Marisa asked walking towards him. ''You don't think.......?''

''With those two, I have no idea, but somehow I have the feeling that what ever it is, it would've been better if they hadn't left us out of the loop,'' Scott frowned, ''how long ago did they leave?''

''About ten minutes ago,'' Marisa's mother explained.

''Great,'' Scott mumbled reaching for his phone.

''What are you doing?''

''Calling Kevin,'' Scott snapped his phone shut. ''They aren't answering.'' He looked out into the night once more. ''What are you two up to Collins?''

''Now listen, I have to meet with dear Kev, for a few, but once I return I expect you to be ready for what comes next,'' Ryan informed Angel.

''Baby, I've been born ready for this moment,'' she smiled before looking to TJ and frowning, ''but what about the brat? What are we going to do with him?''

''Nothing, you just let TJ be and make sure that Lucy doesn't get out. Think you can handle that while I'm gone?''

''Of course I can Ryan, but don't expect me to like it,'' she scowled.

''And don't expect me to be pleased if I hear that you're messing up again,'' he warned walking over to TJ. ''TJ, I'll be back in a little while son. Just play your games.''

''Are you going to get my mom?'' TJ asked curiously.

''Even better,'' he said giving him a hug before returning to Angel. ''Don't screw this up.''

''Yeah whatever,'' Angel replied rolling her eyes as Ryan left. She looked to TJ and glared as he looked at her. ''Just stay away from me you little rodent.''

Lucy heard the sounds of the car going down the drive and she continued to struggle with her ropes. She was almost free when she heard the door slide open and saw TJ's wide eyes in front of her.

''TJ,'' she whispered, ''come here.''

''Can you help me find my mom?'' TJ asked curiously closing the door behind him not wanting Angel to hear him.

''You bet I can,'' Lucy nodded, ''And if you get me out of here we'll find her right away.''

''Okay,'' he said quickly working to unfasten her ropes as they fell to the ground and Lucy was released.

''Oh thank you TJ,'' Lucy replied hugging him for a moment, ''now let's get out of here.'' she said moving towards the door and plotting their next move.

Victor and Eve sat outside the cabin and watched as the car pulled out of the drive. After it vanished, Eve turned to Victor.

''So what's our next move?''

''We wait for Monk,'' Victor replied looking around.

''Victor, when is he going to get here?'' Eve asked.

''I'm not sure, but I promised we'd wait,'' Victor explained.

''Victor, you promised that you'd wait,'' Eve replied opening the car door.

''Eve, where are you going?''

''I'm going to scope things out and see if this is in fact the place,'' Eve explained.

''Eve I don't know if that's....''

''Trust me Victor, I'm just going to take a look around and if I see anything suspicious at all, I'll come back and let you know,'' Eve informed him.

''Just be careful considering what's involved here,'' Victor said noticing headlights in the distance.

''I will Victor,'' she said stepping out of the car. ''Trust me on this.''

''It's not you that I don't trust,'' Victor replied watching her dash across the lawn wondering if he should follow.

Despite the feeling weighing in her stomach, Eve approached the cabin seeing lights on inside the front room. She scooted in for a closer look when she saw her. Angel walking around the living room on a phone.

''Bingo,'' Eve said turning around to go meet Victor again when she found herself staring down a barrel of a gun.

''Hello Eve,'' Ryan smiled clicking the trigger slightly, ''long time, no see huh?''

''Ryan,'' she gasped as she stood upright and held out her hands.

Ryan looked her over for a moment taking note of her black leather outfit, ''Nice get up Eve. It's fitting,'' he frowned, ''but this spy stuff, it's not your area of expertise, but I'll try not to hold it against you. Come on.'' he said shoving her along.

''This way TJ,'' Lucy instructed stepping out of the room cautiously as she noticed Angel in the other room talking on the phone, ''come on.'' she said tugging the small child along.

''Not so fast Lucy,'' Angel snapped as Lucy reached the doorway. Lucy stopped in her tracks noticing Angel holding a knife. Tucking TJ behind her, Lucy looked around the room.

''What are you going to do with that Angel?'' Lucy asked.

''Whatever I need to do,'' Angel said stepping towards them. ''You're not going anywhere.''

''The hell I'm not,'' Lucy replied feeling her anger rise as she knocked the knife from Angel's hand and punched her clear across the jaw knocking her to the floor. Feeling her hand sting, Lucy turned to TJ, ''Let's get out of here.''

''Okay,'' He nodded still very frightened as there was a clicking sound and the front door opened. Lucy pulled TJ to her protectively and let out a breath of relief as she saw Eve standing before her.

''Oh Eve, thank god you're here. you know I honestly have to say that once again I'm very happy to see you even though, well, you look like death warmed over, but needless to say we need to get out of here,'' Lucy explained as Eve gave her an apologetic look.

''I'm sorry Lucy,'' Eve said as Ryan came into the cabin behind Eve showing her across the room, ''but this time I don't think it's as easy of an out.''

''Afraid not Eve,'' Ryan said with a twisted smile, ''looks like this time around I've got more to bargain with,'' he looked to Lucy and frowned, ''you're not going anywhere Luce, the party's just started.''