Devotion

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Craig Wesley sat at his office desk thinking about his step-daughter’s current condition. Upon finding out that Chloe had leukemia, his heart was breaking at the helpless feeling he and Nancy had about the situation. While he’d tried to play it strong for Nancy’s sake, something about seeing her daughter in such a fragile state and driven her near the edge and he feared for her well being along with that of his beautiful step-daughter’s. Hearing a knock on the door, Craig looked up from the papers Nancy had been researching on leukemia and he called out to the person on the other side to enter.

“Craig,” a familiar voice began as Craig found himself face to face with old college pal, Chris Ramsey. It had been a while since these two had seen one another, and while their relationship had been based on the both of them being competitive with one another, when the times were tough, somehow Craig could count on Chris. Little did Chris know that Craig would be asking a favor of a lifetime in this meeting.

“Come on in, Chris,” Craig greeted his old friend, “have a seat.”

“You’d said it was urgent on the phone,” Chris began seeing the worry behind his friend’s features, “something about Nancy.”

“Nancy’s a bit upset right now,” Craig explained as Chris took a seat across from his desk, “it seems that Chloe, her daughter, has been diagnosed with leukemia.”

“Nancy has a daughter?” Chris questioned curiously, “but I didn’t know that you two...”

“We didn’t,” Craig admitted honestly, “the summer that Nancy spent overseas, her father forced her to give Chloe up for adoption. To make a long story short, Nancy endured a great ordeal to find her way back to Chloe and now that they have finally established a mother/daughter relationship with one another, this happens.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Chris frowned poignantly, “knowing Nancy this must be killing her.”

“It’s killing me as well, though I’m not in a position to let Nancy see that,” Craig confessed, “also I’ve also put Chloe’s case in the hands of a doctor on staff here, a Dr. Collin Murphy.”

“I haven’t heard of him,” Chris confessed watching his old friend closely, “but if there’s something you’d like me to do, I’d be more than willing...”

“Actually,” Craig began with a hint of a sigh, “there is. I know that you have a life established in Port Charles and while we haven’t been communicating as much as I’d have hoped for us in the past, I also know that you’ve been seriously underutilized at Port Charles General Hospital. I realize that it’s your home, but we have a staff position opening up here, one that you might find of interest and seeing as I happen to be Chief of Staff here at University hospital...”

“You thought you’d pull a few strings?” Chris raised a curious brow.

“Something along those lines,” Craig nodded, “although Chris, other than myself there is no one else I’d rather have overlooking Chloe’s case. I know that you’ve done some extensive research in the past at Port Charles...”

“Have you looked at my track record over there closely? I don’t know if Salem is ready for someone of my reputation,” Chris answered honestly.

“To hell with your reputation,” Craig insisted, “I’m Chief of Staff which makes people listen and I know what you can accomplish. You’re a very skilled doctor and there isn’t another person in this world I’d want helping with Chloe.”

“And this Dr. Murphy, how does he feel about all of this?”

“This isn’t a popularity contest,” Craig blurted out, “I don’t care what he thinks when it comes to my daughter’s health. As long as Chloe is getting the best care, it doesn’t matter to me who I upset as long as in the end, she’s going to pull through.”

“We both know what situations like this can become,” Chris began honestly.

“Even so, I know Chloe is in good hands with you,” Craig hesitated, “So will you consider the offer I’m laying out for you?”

“It’s a big move,” Chris confessed, “but then again I might be in need of one.”

“I know it’s asking a lot.”

“Perhaps, but at least let me see Chloe’s charts and I’ll see what I can do if anything,” Chris offered as the door to Craig’s office opened and Chris turned to see Nancy stepping inside.

“Craig, I’m worried about Chloe,” Nancy started entering the office, “she looks so tired and...Chris Ramsey?” she stopped abruptly, “it can’t be!”

“Nancy,” Chris smiled brightly as he looked to her seeing how tired she appeared to be, “you are far more beautiful than the last time I’d seen you.”

“Chris, how did you....I mean...” she stammered as he rose up from his chair and she rushed over to embrace him, “how did you get here?”

“Craig called me,” Chris explained returning her hug, “and had I known what a knock out you were, I might’ve tried to coax you into running away with me when Craig wasn’t looking.”

“Oh you flatterer,” Nancy smiled in response warming Craig’s heart as he was happy to see his wife show a hint of ease since the news of Chloe’s illness had been made public, “you haven’t changed one bit, have you?”

“Now, if I’d changed what fun would I be?” Chris teased with a hint of laughter reaching out to her, “how are you?”

“Honestly,” she sighed, “I’m fine, but it’s not me who I’m worried about. It’s my daughter Chloe...”

“I’ve told Chris about the situation,” Craig explained joining the two of him, “and I’ve asked him to come in on Chloe’s case.”

“Really?” Nancy questioned with curious eyes, “you came all the way out here to help Chloe?”

“How could I resist when I adore her mother so much,” Chris offered up with a smile, “the way I see it, if she’s anything like you, I’d be a fool not to meet this angel Craig speaks so highly of.”

“Oh you’ll just love her. She’s a wonderful girl, Chris,” Nancy began proudly, “she’s so full of life and she has the voice of an angel much like I’m sure Craig has told you. She’s an amazing young woman and for me to lose her....”

“You won’t lose her,” Craig reached out to embrace his wife, “Chris and I will do all we can to see to it that Chloe will receive the best treatment there is out there.”

“That’s a promise,” Chris finished realizing that for the first time since Eve Lambert’s death back in Port Charles he’d found reason to spring to life again, if not for himself for his dear friends in their time of turmoil. Perhaps in helping Chloe, he could make wrongs of his past right again.

Chloe lay back in her hospital bed feeling tired and achy after her last chemotherapy session. While they’d informed her that nausea and fatigue would plague her after the sessions, she hadn’t anticipated feeling this run down. Perhaps what had made it worse was that she’d been so isolated from the world. Granted Nancy paying her a visit and seeing Craig had been nice as well, but it wasn’t the same as being with her friends, who were unable to visit her at such a time. She let out a sigh as she submitted herself to the day on her own in the hospital room with only her thoughts to keep her company. Finding herself lost in a bout of self pity that she was certain she shouldn’t be having, Chloe looked to the window seeing the beauty of the summer outside, the beauties of the world that perhaps she would only be able to admire from afar as her life seemed a mere shadow of what it once was. Hearing the door open, she kept her eyes on the window anticipating another visit from a nurse when a familiar voice called out to her.

“Now what do we have here? Don’t tell me that you’re drowning in your sorrows at this moment when your thoughts should be of how irresistible I truly am,” Brady Black called out to her a devilishly handsome smile washed over his features.

She couldn’t help but laugh at his remark, “Oh you wish.”

“Come on,” Brady teased further as he crossed the room, “admit it, you have only me in your head and that I must confess is why I’m here.”

“Is that so?” Chloe sat up a bit despite her pain. She moved her fingers into her hair pushing it out of her face as she offered up a tired smile, “you know you’re not supposed to be in here. I’m not allowed visitors.”

“Under normal circumstances that would be the case, but I am no ordinary visitor,” Brady explained with a proud smile, “I am here on a medical emergency.”

“A medical emergency?” Chloe repeated with curious eyes.

“That’s correct,” Brady nodded pulling the bag out from behind his back, “you see when there is a case of unhappiness going around this hospital, they call me to lift the spirits of the patients and in your case in particular, it was a tall, but very needed order.”

“Oh I see and how is it you plan to remedy this ailment of mine?” she questioned playing along.

“With laughter of course,” he reached into the bag pulling out an obnoxious looking stuffed frog with a bright, pink tongue hanging out of his mouth, “for you milady.”

“What is this?” Chloe asked as she reached for the stuffed toy and it let out a burp, “what the....”

“There’s more,” Brady explained, “bend it’s thumb.”

“What?”

“Just do it,” Brady offered up as Chloe did as instructed and the frog belted out again.

“Hey watch it, that’s my nose picker,” the frog blurted out in a goofy voice as a laugh erupted within Chloe.

“This thing is totally obnoxious,” Chloe began in between laughs as she continued to play with the toy learning it’s other curious phrases.

“Even so it made you laugh,” Brady took a seat beside her bed, “and that is what matters.”

“Brady, I don’t know what I’m going to do with you,” She started as the frog burped once again, “but for what it’s worth, thank you. I needed this.”

“Ah, don’t thank me yet,” Brady reached into his bag again, “because I’m not finished here.”

“You’re not?” she raised a curious brow.

“Not by a long shot,” he shook his head.

“Well you wouldn’t have happened to have snuck some chocolate in there for me, would you?” she questioned curiously.

“And risk Nancy having my head on a platter,” he shook his head, “not on your life. However, Marlena did inform me that you do have a VCR in here which is why I brought you a copy of this,” he explained pulling a tape out of the bag.

“The Sound of Music,” Chloe burst out excitedly, “oh Brady, I can’t believe you did that.”

“Well, you know after a few hours of staring at the walls, I thought this might be a good enough distraction for you,” Brady explained pulling the tape out of the box, “plus it might inspire you to burst out in a song.”

“And have Nancy have my head on a platter, no thanks,” she shook her head, “but you know I wouldn’t mind if you put it on.”

“Well since you asked so nicely,” He teased getting up to go over to the television set up in her room, “and who says having ties to the Chief of Staff doesn’t have it’s perks?”

“I’d trade that for being healthy again,” Chloe confessed honestly.

“You will be,” Brady promised setting the tape up before moving in beside her, “I know in my heart you will be.”

“I wish I had your confidence,” she admitted.

“You will,” he reached for her hand protectively, “because one way or another we will fight this together and we will come out on top. That much I promise you. Now how about we watch a little of this movie before Nancy kicks me out of here?”

“You’re on, but if Nancy starts having a fit that you’re here, this is all your fault,” Chloe teased back at him.

“Isn’t it always?”

“But of course,” she laughed feeling at ease for the first time since she’d arrived at the hospital now that Brady was with her. Perhaps he was right. Maybe things would be looking up soon.

The clouds surrounded the exterior of the jet as Eve Lambert took in a soft sigh. Not bothering to look to her companion as she thought of the world she’d been taken from over the last few months, she thought of this battle that lay before her. While she’d wanted to go back to Port Charles once she’d awakened from her coma in the strange place she’d wound up in, he’d convinced her not to. He’d told her the truth about what Ian had done and in doing so, he’d also promised her that she would reunite with her precious Daniel again, but first it was time for her to start over. She had to go with him to Salem, to return to where he called home and stay until things were in order for her reunion with Daniel.

“Are you alright?” he questioned breaking her thoughts as Eve turned to look at her companion.

“I’d be lying if I said I was comfortable with all of this,” Eve confessed as he squeezed her hand, “I still don’t see why we can’t go to Port Charles.”

“Evelyn, just give me the time to do this right for you and I promise you that there will be no way Ian will keep your son from you again,” he insisted.

“I realize that, but after all this time...”

“Evelyn, no one tries to hurt a member of my family and get away with it,” he promised her his eyes filled with determination, “you do trust that, don’t you?”

“I want to, but still I find it so hard to believe that after all this time, you and I have connected, that we are....” she shook her head, “I just never imagined meeting up with my father and under such circumstances.”

“Evelyn, I know I wasn’t there for you as a child, but I am now and I promise you back in Salem, we will work on Daniel’s safe return to you,” he insisted proudly, “no one crosses a Dimera and gets away with it.”

“I’m not a Dimera,” she explained a bit uneasy with all that she’d happened upon.

“On the contrary, you are very much a Dimera,” he insisted, “in being my daughter, in being the same blood as Stefano Dimera, it brings a world that you’ve never known, but I can assure you that it will be one full of the love and happiness you deserve. You will have your child back.”

“Stefano, I appreciate what you’re doing, but you hardly know me,” Eve began again.

“You’re my daughter,” he began with a proud smile, “I need not know anymore than that to know that your happiness is my top priority,” he explained seeing the doubt behind her eyes as he anticipated his return to Salem knowing that the world was about to shatter upon his return, but more so he would reclaim his throne with his daughter at his side, knowing that this was just the beginning of the Dimera Empire all over again. He would see to it that Evelyn was protected and reunited with her son and then together as a family he would find a way to take the world by storm.

“I just want to be able to find some happiness,” Eve confessed unaware of her father’s dark purpose in his return to Salem as her thoughts lingered back to the life she’d left behind and she hoped that one day she would be able to find the happiness that had evaded her before her accident. Perhaps this second chance at life was just what she needed to get things in order. Happiness may find a way of becoming hers if she played her cards right. Only time would tell.

"I’m sure that Chloe is going to appreciate the company especially in seeing one of my favorite people," Nancy began proudly as she lead Chris and Craig down the hallway towards Chloe’s room, "You’ll be so proud of her. She’s a beautiful, young woman."

"If she’s anything like her mother, I don’t doubt that," Chris offered with a hint of a smile as he offered up a smile in Craig’s direction. Knowing how important Chloe was to the both of them, he promised himself he’d do everything in his power to help this child of Nancy’s.

As they approached the door to Chloe’s hospital room, Nancy let out a gasp finding the door open. She turned to Craig in a bit of a panic, "What is this?"

"Nancy, I’m sure it’s nothing," Craig offered up seeing the fear behind his wife’s eyes as he stepped into the room followed by Chris as Chris felt a smile tug at his lips.

"You never mentioned Chloe was a guy," Chris couldn’t help but tease as he noticed the young, blonde haired man in the hospital bed sleeping peacefully.

"She’s anything but a guy," Nancy began with a puzzled expression as her eyes fell upon Brady Black laying on Chloe’s hospital bed with the television on as the Sound of Music filled the air surrounding them. She looked to Craig in confusion, "How did he get in here? I thought that Chloe wasn’t to see anyone and now that he’s here, where in the world is Chloe?"

"I’m right here, Nancy," Chloe groaned making her way out of the private bathroom in the corner of the room, "I just needed a moment."

"Thank heavens you’re here," Nancy rushed over to her daughter, "I was so afraid you’d snuck out of here."

"Well you know the chemotherapy just makes me want to run circles around the hospital, but my enthusiasm and appreciation of this room just overwhelmed me to the point I couldn’t leave," Chloe offered up with a hint of sarcasm as Chris exchanged looks with Craig.

"Who are you?" She questioned curiously as her eyes fell upon the handsome, young doctor.

"This is Dr. Ramsey," Craig introduced him, "he’s an old friend of mine that I’ve asked to take a look at your case."

"Another doctor," Chloe groaned, "Craig, don’t you think we have enough of them around here for me?"

"Chris is the best," Nancy added with a smile as she touched Chloe‘s long hair patting it a bit, "and you know I only want the best for you, don’t you?"

"I realize that, but I don’t want you all making a fuss," Chloe explained as Brady rolled over in her bed snuggling up with the toy he’d given her.

"I was driving myself crazy in here," Chloe explained motioning towards Brady, "he decided to pay me a visit to see that I was taking it easy."

"Looks like Brady took taking it easy to another level all together there," Craig couldn’t help but teased as Brady stirred a bit and sat up with groggy eyes upon realizing he’d had an audience.

"Hi," he began unable to think of anything else to say as he felt the stares upon him, "I’ll bet you’re all wondering what I’m doing here."

"I think it’s painfully obvious, Brady," Chloe replied moving in beside him as she sat down on her bed again with a proud smile, "and we’re not fooling anyone. It’s time we told them the truth about all of this. I think Craig and Nancy need to know what’s really going on between us."

"That’s right," Chloe nodded proudly linking her arm in Brady’s, "you see Brady and I have decided that since I’m stuck here for a while he and I were going to make our way down to the children’s ward later and serenade them."

"But of course we are and this," she motioned towards the television, "this was just motivation for the two of us."

"Chloe, you know you shouldn’t be overdoing it given your condition," Nancy began as she was interrupted by a loud burp and Chloe let out a laugh.

"What was that?" Craig questioned curiously as Chloe pulled out the frog from beneath her.

"Meet Crazy," She explained patting her frog, "Brady gave him to me." "It’s very," Nancy wrinkled her nose unable to come up with the right word as she looked it over.

"Unique," Chris added stepping forward as he extended his hand out to Chloe, "it’s a pleasure to meet you Chloe, and Brady," Chris turned his eyes to the young man who sat beside Chloe, "well I’ll be damned."

"I needed a change of pace," Chris explained with a smile shaking his head, "you know I should’ve recognized that snore of yours although I must confess that the last time I saw you, you weren’t a day over seven."

"You two know one another?" Chloe inquired curiously as she joined in the conversation.

"Chris here is my cousin actually," Brady confessed, "although he’s more like a big kid if you ask me."

"Cousin? Really?" Nancy piped in looking over to Chris, "I didn’t realize you were related to anyone here in Salem."

"My mother was an Alamain," Chris explained simply, "some years back I’d discovered a bit more about my mother’s background before Henry and I happened to realize there were a few of us out there still when John and Brady paid me a visit."

"It’s been so long," Brady confessed, "I can’t believe you’re here in Salem. I thought you were in New York last I’d checked."

"Well you know the times change and I heard that there was someone special out here that was in need of my assistance, so here I am," Chris offered up with a hint of a smile looking over at Chloe, "and I do hope that you don’t hold the fact that I’m Brady’s cousin against me."

"I’ll try not to," Chloe offered up with a tiny laugh, "it’s a pleasure to meet you Chris."

"You too," Chris agreed surprised by this turnabout as he looked over to Craig and Nancy, "perhaps we should give them a few minutes together."

"Nancy, I’m fine," Chloe explained simply, "Brady and I are just watching television. I’ll be fine."

"Just don’t make it too long," Nancy warned as she moved in to give Chloe a quick kiss on the forehead.

"We won’t," Chloe waved as the trio left the room and she let out a sigh, "Finally some peace and quiet."

"I’m sure Nancy meant well," Brady offered up watching the tired expression on her face, "she only wants what’s best for you."

"I realize that, but I just don’t know how much more of this I can take," Chloe confessed with a sigh, "I’ve been doing all I could to stay positive, but with her always coming in here, it only reminds me why I’m here to begin with."

"You’re here to get better," Brady squeezed her hand, "and you will get better Chloe."

"How can you be so confident about things?" she questioned lacing their fingers together.

"Because I know you and I know you’re a fighter," Brady explained firmly, "you won’t give up and if you even think about it, I’ll be here every step of the way to remind you why you shouldn’t dare even let that thought linger."

"With a cheerleading squad like you, I don’t need to think anything but up," she confessed as Brady looked over to the bouquet across the room.

"Flowers huh?" he questioned getting up off of the bed and inspecting them, "looks like someone else beat me to trying to cheer you up. Belle must’ve decided to send something in after all instead of testing the wrath of Nancy."

"Oh I see," Brady touched one of the soft flowers before turning around to offer up a soft smile, "that was nice of him."

"I thought so," Chloe confessed sensing something behind his eyes as he crossed her room.

"So you and Phillip," Brady questioned as he looked out the window out into the morning as he thought of his feelings for Chloe and how he’d waited so long holding them inside, "does this mean that you two are.....?"

"Are you?" he questioned unable to look at her as he feared he’d reveal what was burning in his heart for her.

"No, we aren’t," Chloe sighed, "things seemed to be picking up for us, but right now, well now I need to focus on getting my life together again."

"That you do," Brady agreed putting on a smile as he stepped in towards her, "of course I think you should start by taking good care of those vocal cords since it seems we have a concert coming up in our near future."

"I’ll hold you to that," Chloe began tapping the bed beside her, "of course you know I think we should discuss the program more in depth seeing as our audience will demand a bit more than those back on the pond when we were ice skating not so long ago."

"Well I hope you are all brushed up on your show tunes for the younger crowd then," Brady teased further as she snuggled in against him.

"I think we can wing it," she replied settling into the warmth of him as he kept his arm around her and the two turned their attention back to the television again lost in the moment of being together.

"You’d never mentioned that you were part of the Salem elite?" Craig questioned his friend as they stood at the nurse’s station with one another finishing up their conversation.

"In all my years of knowing you, I never realized that you were an Alamain," Craig shook his head, "oh how that would’ve changed things."

"Not really," Chris shrugged, "my mother’s family disowned her when she married my lowlife of a father, so really there was no point in broadcasting it. I didn’t think much of it until John and Brady found me a while ago."

"So my asking you here wasn’t the only weighing factor in your arrival, was it?" Craig inquired curiously.

"I had a lot of reasons for leaving Port Charles," Chris confessed with a sigh, "it just all panned out that my roads lead me here." "With a trail of women no doubt kicking and screaming up a storm," Craig teased.

"No, my ex-wife passed away," Chris explained poignantly, "and the woman after that, well let’s just say the great love of my life is probably catching up with my wife from beyond the grave comparing notes on how I should’ve started working to improve my life sooner."

"Ever the optimist I see," Craig shook his head, "you know while we haven’t kept up to date with one another as often as we might've liked, if you need anything, you do realize that you can count on me, right?"

"Craig, if you’re hoping to get some kind of heartfelt confession about my time in Port Charles beyond what you just managed to weasel out of me, you’re going to have to pay me more than you’re offering," Chris teased back changing the direction of the conversation, "I’m not an open book."

"You never were," Craig frowned slightly, "though while Nancy found it mysterious and exciting, I found it irritating as hell." "You weren’t saying that back in our college days when you and I ruled the campus," Chris reminded him, "like the time you and I played that prank on the first year med students when they were in their first hands on course...."

"Who could forget the look on that girl’s face when you leapt up from that table right before that blonde was about to give you an introduction to her scalpel..." Craig chuckled in amusement.

"Yeah well at least I got out of there in time as opposed to some people who spent the rest of the semester walking on eggshells in an attempt to keep from getting booted from the program."

"Well if my best friend hadn’t been such a snake," Craig began with a hearty laugh as Collin Murphy approached the two of them.

"Ah yes, Collin, that I was," Craig nodded in Chris’ direction, "I’d like to introduce you to one of the new members of our staff here at University Hospital, Dr. Chris Ramsey. Chris, this is Dr. Collin Murphy, the man whom you’ll be working with closely on Chloe’s case."

"Is that so?" Collin questioned with a surprised look, "I didn’t realize you’d be bringing someone else in on this." "Her oncologist proposed we bring in one of the best and I have complete faith in Dr. Ramsey," Craig offered up with a smile, "besides I know if he screws up Nancy will have his head."

"Speaking of Nancy, I told her I’d meet her in my office five minutes ago," Craig noted the time, "I trust you’ll give me a call when you get settled in."

"Of course and I’ll go over Chloe’s charts tonight so that I’ll be ready in the morning to get started in on this," Chris promised his friend as Craig said his good-byes to the two doctors. Chris looked to the file in his hand as Collin cleared his throat demanding Chris’ attention.

"Dr. Chris Ramsey," Collin repeated curiously, "of Port Charles Hospital in New York?"

"That’s right," Chris nodded turning his attention back to the Irish doctor beside him.

"I should hope so," Collin glared at him, "as your reputation speaks for itself Dr. Ramsey."

"Rest assured that my reputation holds my many merits that clearly a man of your position should take note of," Chris offered up confidently, "you could learn a thing or two by working with me."

"Such as sloppy research methods or perhaps how to wipe out an innocent group of patrons at restaurant without them seeing it coming," Collin challenged his eyes narrowing at Chris, "oh I do know all about you and your reputation Dr. Ramsey and rest assured that I won’t let you or your misguided ego interfere with my patient. Is that understood?"

"What I understand is that Dr. Wesley called me in on Chloe’s case and I intend to give it my full attention," Chris offered up firmly.

"Much like you did with poor Mario?" Collin challenged as the two were interrupted by a tall, slender blonde.

"There you are," she approached the duo as her eyes darted from Collin to Chris, "what seems to be the hold up?"

"I was just taking a moment to confer with our new doctor on staff," Collin explained glaring at Chris as he moved in closer to Nicole bringing his arm around her.

"Doctor huh?" her eyes lit up as she looked Chris over sizing him up with a smile as she involuntarily licked her lips.

"That’s right," Chris smiled extending his hand out to Collin Murphy’s beautiful companion, "Chris Ramsey at your service."

"Nicole Walker," she accepted his hand with a smile, "and you can service me anytime."

"I think we should be getting to dinner Nicole," Collin decided firmly as his hold on her constricted.

"Well if you aren’t finished here, I can just wait..." Nicole kept her eyes on Chris.

"For now," Chris nodded in agreement, "but I anticipate we’ll finish this in the morning."

"I didn’t expect anything less from you," Chris added turning his eyes towards Nicole as he offered up a confident, flirty grin, "it was a pleasure meeting you Ms. Walker." "Nicole," She offered up with a seductive smile extending her hand to his once again, "and the pleasure is all mine," she finished giving him one last look as Collin directed her to the elevators and Chris let out a tiny laugh realizing that Salem might be the place to have a little fun at after all especially if he was going to have to deal with the likes of Collin Murphy. He might have to take a moment to prove to the Irish Doctor just what it took to be number one as Chris Ramsey never settled for second best. It wasn’t in his nature.

Eve Lambert stood in the center of her room feeling herself nothing more than a stranger in this place. She thought to the words her room and as she looked around the lavish place she’d found herself in, she couldn’t help but feel like an outsider in this place of luxury. Stefano had assured her that she’d fit right in, but after their plane had landed they’d made a very low profile return to his home, to his mansion where they’d been greeted by two of his servants. Now as she looked at the mural on the wall across from her, a frown tugged upon her lips as she’d always wondered what it would be like to be in a place like this, but now that she’d found herself in this situation, she’d wondered why it felt so strange.

Lost in her thoughts, Eve failed to hear the knock at the door as Stefano popped his head into the room seeing her admiring the mural, "It’s incredible, isn’t it?"

"Indeed it is," Eve agreed casting a glance over in his direction as he entered the room watching her intently.

"And the room? I trust it’s to your liking?" he questioned with a curious expression.

"It’s wonderful of course, but still you really didn’t have to do this," Eve began with a sigh.

"Of course I did Evelyn," He reached out to take her arm, "soon you’ll realize that nothing comes above family for me and you’ll realize just how much the word father means to me. I realize that we missed a great many years together, but I intend to do my best to make up for that, starting from this moment on," Stefano explained proudly, "now while I didn’t prepare you for this entirely, your brother is downstairs and is very eager to meet you."

"I’d mentioned your siblings briefly," Stefano nodded, "and I think it’s time you become better acquainted with the rest of your family and soon you’ll see just what it means to be a Dimera." "I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to that," Eve confessed accepting his arm as she looked around the room once again.

"In time you will," Stefano promised as he lead her out of the room determined to let his daughter live in the world of paradise he’d created for his children. Soon she would know what it meant to be a Dimera and his empire would soon flourish once again as it always should’ve been.

Stefano and Eve slowly descended the winding staircase of the Dimera mansion together and made their way into what appeared to be a huge library filled with all sorts of books lining the shelves of the massive bookcases that surrounded the walls of the room. Eve noted the furnishings of the room were also elaborate in scale to the other rooms she had already seen in her short time at the mansion and she marveled at the layout of this room also. It was simply amazing to her to be in such opulent settings considering her meager upbringings as a child to now be considered to be a member of such an elite family.

They came upon a very attractive looking dark haired gentleman sitting in a leather wing backed chair who seemed rather intent on reading at book at the moment. “Tony,” Stefano began as he announced his and Eve’s presence to him after they approached his side, “I want to introduce you to your sister Evelyn.”

Tony closed the book he was reading and arose from the chair that he sat in giving them both a warm smile. Tony came over to stand with them and gently took Eve’s hand to place a kiss upon it, “May I say that this is an honor to be finally able to make your acquaintance Evelyn. Father has told me so much about you already.”

“Thank you Tony,” Eve replied with a small smile, slightly taken back from the instant acceptance this man had bestowed upon her. This new found knowledge of family coming from these two men who both claimed to be members of her family was causing her mind to reel as she tried to grasp all the things that were happening in her life over these past few months since her accident.

“My joy would be even greater if only Alexandria could have been here to share in this moment with us to welcome the newest addition of our family into the fold,” Stefano commented with a deep sigh of regret as he thought of his other daughter who had just suffered a nervous breakdown after Bo and Hope had reclaimed their son Isaac from Lexie.

“Father, I’m sure that Lexie will be overjoyed when she gets the news that she has a sister,” Tony pointed out to Stefano, “maybe some good news is just what she needs right now.”

“You’re right my son, we must never give up hope,” Stefano added, giving both of his children a bittersweet smile until his attention was diverted by the maid Leona who had discreetly knocked on the door.

“Mr. Dimera, I’m sorry to interrupt you, but there is an important call for you from Mr. Walters on your personal telephone line in your office.”

“Thank you Leona,” Stefano said as he turned his attention back to Tony and Eve. “If you will both please excuse me I have to take this call immediately because I’ve been expecting it for quite some time now. I shall return shortly after I take care of this pressing business matter. I hope you will take this opportunity to become better acquainted with one another.”

“Nothing would please me more,” Tony assured his father as Stefano quickly left the room. Tony took Eve by the hand and led her to a sofa that was situated in the middle of the room. “Leona, would you please get me and my sister some coffee.”

“How I have looked forward to this day,” Tony began as Eve settled herself on the sofa and looked over her brother more closely, “to be able to get to know you.”

“I’m still not sure how all of this came about,” Eve started off uncertainly, “this is so hard to comprehend.”

“Evelyn, you’ve had a rough couple of months,” Tony reminded her, “but now that you’re here with me and Father, I can assure you that things will only get better for you from now on.”

“You may call me Eve,” she said in return, the formality of being called by her given name was yet another thing Eve was not used to hearing from most people.

“Eve it is then,” Tony smiled his dark eyes twinkling with amusement over her last comment to him as Leona brought in a silver tray into the room and proceeded to pour them both some coffee to drink.

“You don’t have to serve me,” Eve told Leona as the maid handed her a cup of coffee in a very delicate looking china cup, “I can do it myself.”

“No Miss Evelyn,” Leona replied softly as she handed Tony his coffee also “this is my job to serve you and all of your family, a job I take great pride in doing.”

“No offence taken,” Leona replied to Eve as she turned to Tony to address him. “Master Tony if there is anything else you require please let me know.”

“You’re welcome sir,” she replied taking her leave so Tony and Eve could talk to one another in private.

“I take it you’re used to doing things for yourself,” Tony noted after Leona was gone.
“I’m not used to such grandeur,” Eve honestly admitted to Tony as she looked around the room, “and I’m unaccustomed to having servants waiting on me.”

“You have no idea of the world you’ve been brought back to, do you?” Tony questioned Eve as he took a sip of his coffee then put the cup down on the table that was placed nearby the couch.

“Not much,” Eve shook her head, “I had only been awake for a couple of days trying to figure out what had happened to me when your father came to me to tell me this incredible story about all of us and now here I am in Salem wondering how this is all possible.”

“Stefano is your father too,” Tony corrected Eve, “I know this is hard to believe considering the ordeal you have went though, but rest assured you are a Dimera, there’s no doubting the evidence.”

“How long have you two known about me?” Eve asked Tony as she placed her empty cup on the table beside his. “Why come to me now wanting me to take my place in this family after all this time, bringing me into a family I never even knew existed?”

“After your accident there was no other choice,” Tony explained patiently, “Father had to make sure you would live and he took you to the best doctors in the world to bring you back to life.”

“The doctors at GH could have saved me,” Eve argued with him, “I’ve worked alongside them for years and trusted them completely and for Stefano to whisk me away from my home, my child…”

“Are you still finding it so hard to believe that your husband was the one who orchestrated this accident you found yourself to be in?”

“I don’t know,” Eve sank back further into the sofa with a sigh, “from what Stefano has told me, it doesn’t look like there could be any other explanation than that, but how could Ian have done that to me? He told me time and time again how much he loved me, how much he needed me to trust him that we were meant to be together for an eternity.”

“Maybe it’s time for you to see that you’ve put your trust into the wrong man,” Tony told Eve as he took her hand, “that you’ve given your love to someone who obviously had other objectives in mind for you than what you originally thought.”

“I admit that things don’t add up now that I’ve had time to ponder over what Stefano has revealed to me, but that still doesn’t answer how long you’ve both known about me and failed to let me in on this knowledge that I’m part of your family.”

“It’s complicated,” Tony began, “and Stefano thought he was doing the best thing for you by staying out of your life.”

“If family is so important to him like he says it is, then why not contact me?”

“From what our father says is that he has only known about your existence for a few years,” Tony shrugged his shoulders, “and he only told me about you after he had taken you to Switzerland for you to recuperate. Do you realize how close you came to dying?”

“I’m a doctor,” Eve replied wearily, “of course I realized the extent of my injuries after I had a chance to look over my chart when one of the nurses accidentally left it in the room when she was suddenly called away. I know how close I came to dying, but if Stefano had known about me for that amount of time, why didn’t he make his presence known sooner to me?”

“Our father is one of the most powerful and richest men in the world,” Tony stated to Eve as he looked down to his family ring that was upon his finger and twisted it slightly before continuing on, “and from what he told me is that when he found out about you that you had already established a name for yourself in being a doctor, made a life for yourself and he felt it wasn’t fair to you to sweep into your life at the time and turn it upside down with the knowledge that he was your father.”

“He should have told me sooner, I have thought my entire life that my dad didn’t want me and now I see the man I blamed for walking out on me when I was a child wasn’t even the man who was my father,” Eve started to rise from the couch when Tony clasped her hand.

“Believe me it wasn’t intentional on Stefano’s part,” Tony did his best to explain the situation to Eve so that she would understand better Stefano’s reasons for doing what he had chosen to do concerning Eve. “He told me had he known that he was your father when you were a child he would have taken you with him to raise, but seeing that you were already a grown woman by the time he found out himself, he thought you wouldn’t want the intrusion of him and that is why he kept tabs on you from afar.”

“I don’t know what to believe,” Eve confessed to Tony. “I guess my question to you is why bother to come into my life now?”

“Stefano had to see that you were given the best care possible and he had no other choice but to take you away from Port Charles after the attempt was placed upon your life, to reveal to you that you were indeed a Dimera.”

“I just want my son back,” Eve said as a tear fell down upon her cheek, “I want my life back.”

“Eve you have to trust me and Stefano, you will get your son back,” Tony wiped the tear from her cheek; “no one hurts a Dimera and gets away with it. You have my solemn vow that we are going to do everything in our power to make those responsible for what happened to you pay dearly. You will get justice, but you have to be patient and go along with what father has planned out.”

“I promise with everything I am,” Tony vowed to Eve, “you’ll see in time that being a Dimera has it’s advantages, ones you’ve never even dreamed were possible.”

“Well it’s becoming more apparent to me as time goes on,” Eve grudgingly agreed giving Tony a smile.

“You haven’t seen anything yet,” Tony returned her smile with one of his own as they continued talking with each other until well on into the afternoon hours.

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Chris sat at the end of the bar at the Blue Note drowning his sorrows in this martini that suffered in comparison to those he could conjure up on his own, but now as his thoughts lingered back to days gone by. He’d decided had he been able to whip up a good batch of martinis in his place, he might never stop drinking them and given the seriousness of Chloe’s condition, that might not be the best idea. With a sigh, he took one last sip of his martini before setting it down on the counter top to brace himself as he reached into his pocket feeling the tiny box that was within. He pulled it out slowly almost tempted to keep it within his pocket, but as he held it out on top of the polished bar, he realized he needed a moment to be reminded of his misery. If nothing else, getting lost in the past would keep him alive in some way.

Aching for days gone by, Chris closed his eyes thinking to the smile that once melted his heart, of the woman whom had reached him in ways he’d only dreamed about as he was haunted by the memory of Eve. Not a day passed by when she wasn’t surrounding him, overtaking his thoughts as he recalled losing her to the fateful accident back in Port Charles. She had been the one woman he’d wanted to share his life with, to spend his days growing old with and now as she was in another place, he still longed for her, to see her smile as his nights grew cold.

Thinking back to the night he’d proposed to her, Chris wished that he could return to that moment, back to that place where he and Eve had been together at the cabin with one another. He would’ve seen to it that he had been honest with her, that he’d been able to tell her just how much he’d needed her in his life, just how much he loved her, but alas his fear had overtaken him and the moment had passed him by. Now as he sat alone at the bar in Salem holding the engagement ring he’d bought for her, he felt the emptiness that losing her had brought to his heart and it seemed as though he pleaded for a way to join her once again somehow.

“Hey handsome,” a voice called out interrupting his thoughts as he looked over his shoulder to see Nicole standing beside him.

Quickly Chris tucked the engagement ring back into his pocket hiding it from her eyes as he forced a confident grin, “Nicole, what a surprise.”

“A pleasant one at that,” Nicole motioned to the bar stool beside him, “you alone?”

“Not anymore it seems,” he motioned for her to join him as he looked her over for a moment, “so tell me something, what are you doing here?”

“I thought I’d get myself a good martini,” she explained nodding towards his drink, “and I see I wasn’t alone in the thought.”

“There’s never a good reason to pass up a good martini,” Chris offered up sipping his drink momentarily.

“Exactly,” Nicole replied watching him lower the glass as she reached out to him bringing her hand over his as a smile crossed over her cunning features and she withdrew the glass from his hand opting to take a sip of his drink. Chris watched her as her hungry eyes focused on him and as she lowered the glass she licked her lips seductively, “nothing like perfection.”

“I’d hardly consider this the perfect martini,” Chris watched her set the glass down on top of the bar, “but of course there is only one perfect martini.”

“Oh and where might I find that?” Nicole raised a curious brow.

“Back in my hotel room when I make it,” Chris explained confidently.

“Really?” she flashed him a flirty smile, “is that an offer?”

“Is that what you were looking for?” Chris countered back at her before looking around, “although I must confess I don’t believe that your boyfriend would approve.”

“Boyfriend?” she questioned with a playful laugh, “Oh you mean Collin,” she leaned in towards him placing her hand on his leg, “well I’ve got news for you, something you might rather enjoy about Collin.”

“And what might that be?” Chris leaned in towards her with her coaxing.

“He’s not my boyfriend,” she whispered with a coy smile, “I don’t have a boyfriend.”

“Really?” Chris mused as she was pouring out the flirting full force, “a beautiful woman like yourself doesn’t have a boyfriend?”

“That’s right,” Nicole nodded, “I’m still looking for Mr. Right,” she paused drawing her tongue over her lower lip for a moment, “or perhaps just Mr. Right Now if you’re interested.”

“I don’t think Collin would appreciate that very much,” Chris reminded her with a playful expression as he thought of Dr. Murphy’s reaction upon discovering that Chris had taken the liberty of ‘charming’ Nicole for the evening.

“It isn’t up to Collin, now is it?” Nicole massaged his leg gently, “so what do you say about that martini back at your place? Are you up for it?”

“You wouldn’t believe all the things I’m up for,” Chris offered up as he thought back to his reason for arriving in Salem, “but unfortunately tonight isn’t martini night for me. I have a few things to look over for the morning, so I‘m afraid I have to cut things short tonight.”

“That’s too bad,” Nicole frowned leaning back a bit in her seat as she crossed her legs once more, “but if you decide you’re ever in the mood to share that perfect martini with me,” she reached inside her purse withdrawing a business card and handing it to him, “give me a call.”

“Next time it’s happy hour,” he glanced at her card before offering up a smile, “I’ll be sure to do that, Nicole.”

“See that you do,” she rose from the bar stool beside him before stepping in closer to place a quick, teasing kiss on his lips. Drawing back she wiped at the lipstick traces on his lips before offering up a flirty smile, “because I can assure you that you’ll be very, very happy during that time we’ll spend together.”

“I don’t doubt that at all,” Chris mused watching her walk away as he tried to focus on what had brought him to Salem. Paying his tab, he got up from the bar determined to brush up on Chloe’s files for the morning as Nancy and Craig were counting on him.

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“Craig, I still don’t feel right about this,” Nancy sighed as she sat in her husband’s office taking a moment away from the computer she’d been using to research Chloe’s condition, “every time that phone rings I find myself terrified all over again.”

“That man won’t hurt you again,” Craig promised his wife, “and when we see to it Chloe is well, I promise you he’ll pay for what he did to you.”

“Craig, I just wanted to forget, to make it go away,” Nancy confessed painfully, “but now that this is happening to Chloe, I have to wonder if this was something I did, something I did wrong in my life to make this happen to her. If only I could take her place....”

“Nancy, we’re going to do everything in our power to help her,” Craig stepped over beside his wife, “I hope you realize that.”

“I do, but at the same time I’m so afraid,” she blurted out unable to contain her tears as her heart ached.

“He won’t hurt you again, Nancy,” Craig promised his wife hating to see her in so much pain, “we’ll find a way to get through this together.”

“I know,” she nodded, “but still after all these years of holding it all in. Even now, I don’t want Chloe to know about that monster, about that man who damn near destroyed my life. After the horrible, ugly thing he did to me, I don’t want him to find a way to hurt my little girl. I’ve tried so hard to protect her and now...”

“Nancy, he won’t hurt her or you,” Craig answered stiffly, “I meant what I said. When I get my hands on him after we find out if he can help Chloe or not, he’s a dead man.”

“Craig...”

“Don’t try to tell me otherwise,” Craig cut her off, “after how he hurt you, he’s going to have to answer to me and with Chris around, he’s in double the trouble he might’ve been in because we both care about you and won’t let him hurt you or Chloe again.”

“It seems strange with having Chris here,” Nancy confessed with a half smile, “then again you two did always take on the world together.”

“And we’re going to do it again when it comes to saving our little girl,” Craig hugged her closer, “while that bastard may have raped you, in my heart Chloe is my daughter and she’ll always be my daughter.”

“Oh Craig,” Nancy hugged him tightly, “I just love her so much and seeing her in all this pain...”

“I know Nancy,” Craig whispered trying to ease her pain, “but somehow, some way we’re going to get through this. Chloe will find the strength to make it through this as will we and when everything is said and done, we’re going to watch our daughter become a star because you know she’s destined for greatness Nancy.”

“That she is,” Nancy agreed, “my baby girl will find a way to have her dreams come true. I won’t stop until that happens for her, Craig.”

“It will,” he promised hoping that they’d find a way to help Chloe as so much was depending on her getting well again.

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Brady felt a smile tug at his lips as he turned his head slightly to find Chloe nestled in against him sleeping peacefully. Without a second thought, he moved his fingers to her hair gently brushing it from her face as he realized how angelic she looked in her slumber. She was beautiful, far more beautiful than anyone he’d ever seen and as she finally allowed herself a moment of rest, she seemed almost at peace, almost carefree as she was lost in her dream world.

“Sleep well my angel,” he whispered squeezing her gently as her hand fanned out over the center of his chest keeping him close as her head fell upon his shoulder enjoying the warmth his body provided her as she napped. Closing his eyes he felt himself at peace as he fell into a beautiful dream of Chloe.

“May I have this dance?” he questioned as he extended his arm out to her, the beauty of her smile capturing him, reaching out to his very soul as she welcomed the invitation.

“For you but of course,” she replied happily accepting his offer as she rose from her seat, causing the long, crimson gown she was wearing to cascade around her body in a whirlwind of color. Her face was ever so beautiful as her eyes were focused upon him, lost in the magic of the moment as he held her.

The music began in a slow waltz as they made their way out into the crowded ballroom. The others seemed to step aside as Brady lead her front and center of the room. A hush fell over the crowd as the music played it’s solid, steady rhythm.

“Brady, why isn’t anyone dancing?” Chloe questioned with wide eyed curiosity as he held her.

“Because milady, tonight is about you, my beautiful diva in the making,” he teased with a hint of a smile and a glimmer in his eye as his hold on her constricted, “this night is for you and only you.”

“But why?” she questioned feeling as though all eyes were on her as he kept her close to him.

“Because you’ve earned it,” Brady confessed his fingers tapering off over her waist as he dipped her much to her surprise.

As Chloe pulled herself up their eyes met once more as his palm brushed over her cheek tenderly sweeping the dark wisp of hair away from her face as she felt a chill rush through her followed by a warmth that filled her heart as she leaned into his touch. Their eyes remained fixed upon one another as a comfortable silence overcame the two of them. Feeling the warmth of his breath just above hers, Chloe tilted her head up as the warmth of his breath swept over her lips teasing them gently as her pulse quickened, her heart raced with anticipation as her eyes closed and she felt his lips slowly descend towards hers as she welcomed the kiss he was offering her.

“Brady,” she murmured caught up in the rapture that the feel of his lips so near hers had created as she felt his mouth sweep over hers in a tender kiss.

*******

“Oh Brady,” Chloe whispered faintly as Brady opened his eyes feeling her still beside him. He looked up as he felt Chloe over him and a questioned look crossed over his features as she opened her eyes a tender smile pressing over her lips.

“Chloe?” he questioned a bit surprised as she touched his face before bending down to kiss him gently awakening him from the dream he was in as he realized that his dreams were suddenly coming to life with this one, magical kiss offered to him by Chloe Lane. Bringing his arms around her as he still held her close, he returned her kiss feeling the tenderness behind it as his fingers slipped into her hair. Savoring the moment between them, he felt her hand press over his chest, feeling the strong, steady pattern of his heart beating as their kiss deepened and he found himself swept up in the magic of Chloe Lane. Slowly, he felt her pull back from the kiss, a tired smile crossing over her lovely features as she snuggled in above him losing herself to the feel of his arms as she closed her eyes again and smiled.

“Thank you for being here with me, Brady,” she whispered with a tiny yawn as she seemed to return to that dream state he too had seemingly been in moments earlier before she kissed him. Now as he held her, thinking about the kiss they’d shared, he realized sleep was out of the question as he thought of what it had felt like to hold her, to have her kiss him, but at the same time the poignant realization hit him that regardless of how wonderful it had been, she was dreaming and that had to be what inspired the kiss. Surely when she awakened in the morning, the kiss would be nothing more than an afterthought to her, nothing more than a figment of a dream, if that and while he would recall the moment between them, perhaps that would be the only place it would remain alive: in his heart.

Watching her as she slept peacefully over him, he pressed his fingers through her long, dark hair as he gently kissed her forehead vowing not to let his feelings for her get in the way of their friendship as he whispered the words he was certain he’d never have the courage to say to her in her waking hour, “I love you Chloe.”

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“Tony, Evelyn, I apologize for being gone so long, but after the call I received earlier it seems like I’m going to have to go out of town for a few days on business,” Stefano explained as he entered the library to find Tony and Eve deeply embroiled in conversation with each other.

“Nothing at the moment,” Stefano shook his head and then placed his arm around Eve after she had gotten up from her spot on the couch, “although I would like to ask you to look after your sister during my absence.”

“I’d love to do just that,” Tony agreed to Stefano’s request, “since Eve and I are hitting it off so wonderfully.”

“I’m so thankful to hear that,” Stefano beamed at them both, “I want my children to get along with one another.”

“I don’t think you’ll have to worry about Tony and I fighting while you are gone,” Eve cast a devious glance in Tony’s direction since he had filled her afternoon full of laughter as he had told her various tales of some of his life’s adventures, making Eve laugh for the first time in a very long time.

“She’ll be in good hands,” Tony reassured his father, “I’ve really enjoyed her company and the conversation that we’ve shared this afternoon.”

“Tony while I’ve enjoyed our conversation immensely too,” Eve tried to stifle a yawn, “I think I need to go take a nap since my strength isn’t back up to full speed yet.”

“You take care of yourself, my beautiful daughter,” Stefano leaned over to kiss Eve on the cheek as she turned to go upstairs, “I look forward to seeing you when I return home.”

“I do too,” Eve replied with a smile, surprised to realize that she meant what she had told Stefano when he had kissed her goodbye, she lingered on the steps for a moment looking back at Stefano and Tony as they talked with one another before she headed back to the room she was staying in.

Stefano noted Eve going in the direction of her room and his voice grew serious, “Tony, please promise me that she will be safe in your care. I’ve just gotten my daughter back into my life and want to make sure that no harm comes to her ever again.”

“Good then, I won’t worry about her safety while I’m out of the country knowing you’ll be here to protect her,” Stefano replied as he looked to his watch.

“You’re going out of the country? I thought you would stay around here a while longer since you just returned to Salem,” Tony inquired with some interest.

“I’m needed in Ireland,” Stefano answered his son, “it seems there is some new information concerning Evelyn’s husband that I need to get hold of if I want to make the man pay for what he tried to do to my daughter.”

“Does Colin not have any information on this Ian Thornhart since it appears to me that they may have run in the same circles during their youth? I thought Murphy would be of more help to you here since he was in charge of operations in Ireland until he came to Salem,” Tony frowned slightly as he crossed his arms in front of him, “then again I’m starting to wonder what good use the doctor has been to us lately.”

“ I don’t have time to worry about Colin at the moment,” Stefano replied, “just remember to remind the man not to give away his true identity to anyone in Salem because I don’t have time to take care of the fallout that could occur if the Brady’s or the Black’s find out what Colin’s true mission is here in Salem. I think it would probably be for the best if we don't ask him any questions about Thornhart until I return from this trip to Ireland to see if my sources check out on what they are telling me.”

“I’ll make sure he doesn’t pose any kind of problem,” Tony said confidently.

“Thank you son,” Stefano clasped Tony’s hand and pulled him into a hug, “You’ve put my mind at ease.”

“Don’t worry Father,” Tony said quietly as Stefano walked out of the room to get his things ready to leave, “I’ve got everything under control.”

Eve awoke from her nap and stretched her arms out above her head thankful that her dreams had been peaceful for a change instead of her having to face the nightmares which had plagued her ever since she had came out of the coma. Wondering what time it was she looked over to the nightstand and realized she had slept much longer than she had originally intended to since the clock revealed it was already way past midnight.

She looked down at her rumpled clothes she had been wearing earlier on in the day and decided that dinner was out of the question so maybe she would just take a shower and get into something a little bit more comfortable and continue resting if she could. She knew if she wanted to get back her strength she was going to have to take care of herself since the accident had drained her of her vitality along with her appetite. She walked into the bathroom, took off her clothes and got into the shower. The hot water streamed over body as she tried to clear her mind of everything that had happened to her over the past year, but try as hard as she could, she couldn’t stop thinking about her past.

Eve got out of the shower and dried herself off, noting some of the scars that now were on her body due to the wreck she had been in. At least they were not as noticeable as they had been when she had first come to she mused to herself as she slipped into a nightgown, robe and slippers from the vast wardrobe that Stefano had provided her with when she had come to the mansion. When she had first saw all the beautiful clothes and accessories that Stefano had bought for her she had told him she couldn’t possibly accept such extravagant gifts from him but he had insisted telling her that nothing was too good for his daughter.

Eve sat down at the vanity and looked at her reflection in the mirror, feeling almost like a stranger to herself as she examined the woman staring back at her. Needing to get away from the reflection of her saddened eyes, she got up from the chair and went to the French doors in her bedroom that led to the balcony. She opened the doors and walked over to view the night sky longing for her child. The ache she felt in her heart from being apart from Daniel never seemed to leave her. The waiting was driving her crazy because she wanted nothing more than to be reunited with her child, but Stefano had told her she must be patient if she wanted all of what was truly hers.

Being patient had never been a strong suit of hers, Eve thought to herself as a slight breeze blew over her form and she clutched the robe around herself tighter to ward off the chill of the night air. She thought back to her conversation she’d had with Tony this afternoon and his words to her, “Maybe it’s time for you to see that you’ve put your trust into the wrong man…”

Evidentially she must have trusted Ian when she shouldn’t have considering where she was at this point in time in her life. Never in her wildest dreams could she have imagined having her life turned upside down like it had been. Nothing was what it seemed to be anymore and it was just a struggle for her to keep her sanity some days. She wanted to go home, back to Port Charles, but that was not an option for her until Stefano found out the truth surrounding her accident.

Eve wondered about the people she had left behind and if they missed her as bad as she missed them. Now not knowing if some of the people she had cared about had set up a plan to cause her demise was causing her mind to be even more troubled than ever. Eve let her thoughts wander back to the many times when Chris had tried to tell her that something was off about Amy and Ian. Looking back she wished she had paid more attention to what Chris had said instead of arguing with him about things concerning her husband. Chris had tried so hard to make her look beyond what she was seeing and she didn’t want to face the reality of what her friend had been trying to tell her.

Ever since she had met Chris Ramsey, he had always managed to bring forth some kind of emotion from her whether it be good or bad depending on the circumstances they faced at the moment. When she thought of all the times they had shared with one another a sad smile came over her face and she realized how much she had missed her best friend too. Eve wished she could talk to Chris, to let him know that she was alive and well, but Stefano had insisted no one in Port Charles should know that she had escaped death until the timing was right. That being the case she would have to keep the secret of being alive away from the ones who had meant so much to her even if it tore her apart to do so because she was becoming as determined as Stefano was in getting to the bottom of who tried to kill her. No one was going to try to take away all her hopes and dreams for her future and get away with it. No one at all.

Brady Black turned down the music upon hearing a knock at his door. Reaching for the small white towel laid out beside his bottle of water, he wiped the sweat from his brow as he made his way across his apartment to open the front door finding his younger sister Belle standing before him with a frown upon her otherwise beautiful features.

"It took you long enough," Belle groaned as she made her way into his apartment, "what were you doing?"

"Working out," he explained watching her make herself at home in his place, "I’m sure you’ve heard of it."

"Of course I have, but you know now is not the time for you to be working out when you and I have such plans ahead of us," she explained seating herself on his sofa as she looked over at him, "you know you should really get yourself cleaned up before I have to tell everyone what a slob my big brother is."

"Like you’re one to talk Tink," Brady teased, "I remember all too well what your room looks like."

"That’s right," she nodded, "I told Shawn we’d meet him over at the Pub in half an hour and..."

"Whoa, hold on a second. Shawn? Why would you invite him out with us after everything that you two have gone through together?"

"Brady, look Shawn and I are working to repair the damage that was done in our relationship and I can assure you that he’s a good guy," Belle defended her boyfriend once again.

"Look Brady, today was his idea, not mine," Belle explained, "and we’re doing this for Chloe so...."

"Yes Chloe," Belle nodded, "you know the girl you’re so desperately in love with."

"You may as well have the other day when you told me how you felt about her," Belle teased lightly, "and I think it’s wonderful Brady. I truly do."

"Yes, but you want more. We both know that and when I see you two together, I’m telling you. You’re soul mates."

"Belle, I don’t see how any of this is going to help Chloe by you telling me how great she and I would be together," Brady sighed.

"Well this part isn’t, but I like teasing you," she rose from the sofa, "and besides that I wanted to get you motivated to get going on our adventure this morning."

"I don’t know. That all depends," Brady shot her a scathing look, "does tickle torture make you uneasy?"

"Okay I get it," she raised her hands in the air in defeat, "this is my cue to shut up now and I will just as soon as you get your butt into the shower because I hate to say this, but Brady," she wrinkled her nose in a teasing fashion, "you stink."

"I guess that means you’re looking for a big, bear hug from your brother this morning," he reached out to her lifting her in his arms and picking her up off of the ground as she let out a squeal.

"Oh Brady, don’t you dare," she cried out hitting his chest lightly, "let me down. Come on I’m going to smell as bad as you do if you don’t let go of me."

"Oh Belle," he shook his head as he set her back down on the floor, "what am I going to do with my perfect little sister?"

"Of course you could also take some time to love Chloe as well," she watched him turn around to give her a look before disappearing into the bathroom to get cleaned up. She heard the water of the shower turn on and she thumbed through one of the newspapers Brady had laying around until she finally heard the water turn off again and Brady called out to her from the bathroom.

"You know, Tink, you’ll never believe who I ran into yesterday," Brady spoke out to her as Belle tossed the newspaper aside.

"Who’s that?" she questioned making her way into her brother’s kitchen to check out what he had in the fridge.

"Chris," Brady explained popping his head out of the bathroom door to see his sister looking in his fridge, "what are you doing?"

"Seeing if you have anything in here that isn’t growing mold on it?" she wrinkled her nose before finding a bottle of orange juice and pulling it out to check the expiration date.

"Hey don’t drink all of that since I just picked that up yesterday," Brady warned as he returned to the bathroom.

"Don’t worry I won’t drink it all," Belle promised as she opened the bottle taking a long swig from it before starting to return it to the refrigerator before reconsidering and taking another drink from the bottle.

"So as I was saying before you so rudely interrupted me, I was at the hospital visiting Chloe and I ran into Chris," Brady explained as Belle walked over to the doorway watching her brother finishing up brushing his teeth.

"Chris who?" Belle questioned taking another sip of the juice before tossing the empty bottle into the trash bin beside Brady.

"Hey I told you not to drink it all," Brady shot her a look before shaking his head, "you owe me now."

"You’re on," he agreed as he ran a comb through his damp hair, "so anyways I ran into Chris and he’s staying in Salem now. It seems he’s working with Craig on Chloe’s case."

"You know Chris, Belle," he looked to his sister seeing the blank expression on her features, "remember the ‘he’s too cute to be our cousin Chris’ that we met a few years back?"

"That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you," he nodded again, "apparently he and Craig are pals and Craig called him in to help Chloe."

"I have no idea," Brady shrugged, "I didn’t get a chance to talk to him too long as I was with Chloe and he had a few things to take care of."

"That is so cool," Belle mused, "our cousin is in Salem working to save Chloe’s life. That’s wonderful news."

"Yeah I’m sure that’s the only reason you’re excited to have him around," he gave her a look, "considering when you were younger you followed him around like a lost, little puppy dog."

"Oh come on, Brady," Belle defended, "I was just a child back then. I looked up to him."

"More like you wished he wasn’t your cousin as you thought he was your knight in shining armor."

"He was nice and fun to be around," Belle explained with a soft smile, "when we went to the theme park with him, he protected me from the Frankenstein monster there."

"Thus winning a permanent place in your hall of fame," Brady laughed lightly, "Belle, you are so easy with people sometimes."

"What I mean is someone treats you nicely one time and they suddenly become your hero from that moment on."

"That’s not true," she argued, "but still even you have to admit that Chris is a lot of fun."

"Oh he’s great," Brady agreed, "but then again I didn’t ask him to marry me like some people."

"Brady, I was five years old," Belle squealed at him, "I didn’t know the difference and if you recall before that I was always going to marry dad."

"I remember that," Brady shook his head, "and now you think that Shawn is the one..."

"We’re moving past that Brady," she explained firmly, "and you have to accept that."

"Even so it’s none of your business," she insisted giving him a look, "now come on and hurry up. We have work to do if we’re going to get everything done in time to meet up with Shawn and go visit Chloe."

"I’m hurrying," Brady gave her a look, "if you give me a minute I’ll finish getting dressed and then we can go."

"Fine a minute it is, but no more than that," she insisted waving her hand at him, "now go."

"Yes drill sergeant," he saluted her before going into his room with a tiny laugh realizing when his sister was determined about something she wasn’t going to stop pushing until she had things her way, which of course was a Black family trait that was bound to get her in trouble one day, but for now he decided to comply to her demands as he wondered what she and Shawn had planned for Chloe.

<hr>
“Did you rest well?” Tony asked Eve as she entered into the breakfast room looking refreshed from the night’s sleep she had gotten.

“As a matter of fact I did,” Eve answered with a smile as she sat down at the table looking at the spread set out before her.

“I didn’t know what you would like for breakfast so I just told Leona to whip us up a little bit of everything,” Tony said noticing how wide Eve’s eyes were at the enormous display of food that was sitting in various dishes for her to choose what she wanted to eat from.

“That was very thoughtful of you Tony,” Eve said as she picked up a muffin and started to tear it apart and take a bite of it, “and this is heavenly.”

“I’m glad you like it,” Tony replied with a grin, “Leona is a great cook and she can make almost anything you’d like.”

“That’s good to know although I’d like to go out on the town one night with my dashing brother because I feel like I’ve missed out on so much since the accident happened,” Eve gave Tony a hopeful look as she made her wish known aloud to him

“Eve, I don’t know if that is such a good idea,” Tony began as Leona came into the room followed closely on her heels by Colin Murphy.

“Mr. Dimera, I told this gentleman that you had informed me you were not to be disturbed during breakfast,” Leona looked curtly at Colin who ignored her by coming in right behind her.

“Tony, I had to come by to see you,” Colin pushed his way on into the room then stopped when he realized Tony was not alone in the room. “I’m sorry I didn’t realize you had company.”

“Now you do, so you can just turn around and leave,” Tony frowned at Colin and waved with his hand for him to exit the room.

“You’re not even going to introduce me to your companion?” Colin raised a brow to Tony after he gave Eve a leisurely look over from where he stood.

“No, now get out of here because you are disturbing our breakfast together,” Tony ordered Colin as Eve gave her brother a curious look at the sudden change in his behavior.

“Tony, how rude,” Eve spoke out much to Tony’s chagrin at not wanting Eve to be around the likes of Colin Murphy.

“My thoughts exactly,” Colin joined in with Eve and walked over next to her and extended his hand out for her to shake. “I’m Colin Murphy and you are?”

“None of your business who she is,” Tony jumped up from his chair and took Colin by the arm and escorted him out of the breakfast room into the foyer before Eve had a chance to tell Colin her name.

“Tony, what is wrong with you?” Colin asked mildly irritated at Tony for ushering him out of the room before he had a chance to find out who that dark haired beauty was with Tony.

“You do not come barging into my home when it has already been mentioned to you that I wasn’t seeing anyone this morning and furthermore if you do it again you won’t like what happens to you the next time you decide to ignore my wishes,” Tony warned Colin as he opened the door for him to leave.

“We need to talk,” Colin tried once more to get Tony to let him stay but saw it was a losing battle.

“I’ll let you know when we need to have a conversation, not the other way around, so until then Ciao!” Tony hissed at Colin as he shoved him out the door and slammed it in his face.

“Damn,” Colin muttered under his breath, hating that Tony threw him out of the mansion when they really needed to discuss some issues and even more so with the thoughts of who that woman was that had the audacity to speak up against Tony Dimera. Well one thing Colin always liked was a challenge and now he was determined he would find out exactly who the mystery woman was that Tony seemed so reluctant to introduce him to this morning.

“Tony, what was that all about?” Eve asked Tony when he returned to the room.

“I apologize Eve, but you don’t want to know that particular person,” Tony told her as he sat back down and started to eat his breakfast as if nothing out of the ordinary had taken place.

“I like to make my own judgments concerning people instead of having them dictated to me,” Eve informed Tony directly.

“Hardly,” Eve scoffed at Tony, “I just wondered why you were so hell bent on ushering him out of here without even introducing us.”
“You need to know that our family has a lot of enemies and you have to be careful of whom you put your trust into,” Tony explained to Eve.

“Considering what has happened to me over the past few months, I’m more than aware of that,” Eve argued with him, “but Tony I can’t be locked away from the world for the rest of my life. If I am exiled from ever going out into the world anymore then I’ll just go crazy.”

“I want you to be cautious,” Tony came over and took Eve by the hand, “we’re just starting to get to know one another and I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

“Tony, I appreciate that sentiment and for all you and Stefano have done for me,” Eve said to him, “but can’t we please go out somewhere tonight? As much as I have enjoyed being here I need to get out if only for a little while.”

“Okay,” Tony reluctantly agreed, “I’ll take you out for dinner tonight, but only if you promise to behave yourself.”

“I promise,” Eve flashed Tony a big smile and leaned over to kiss his cheek. “Thank you Tony, we’ll have so much fun tonight.” Then she got up and exited the room, anticipating something for the first time in a long time as she headed up to her bedroom to pick out the perfect outfit to wear.

“I’ll probably live to regret this,” Tony sighed watching his sister go as he started in on the work he had to accomplish before this day was over.

“So do you really think this idea is going to work?” Brady questioned as he looked over at his sister and Shawn.

“Of course it will Brady,” Belle offered brightly, “we’re going to have Chloe smiling in no time.”

“And back on her feet again too,” Shawn added hopeful, “I think this is just what she needs.”

“You’re right,” Brady decided, “though I still feel a little funny about this.”

“Trust me, she’ll love it,” Belle confessed with a bright smile as she looked to her brother.

“Actually, I promised Gran I’d stop by and check in on her for a moment,” Shawn confessed looking at the time, “we were supposed to meet up later to plan a few things for my parents.”

“Oh well in that case, why don’t we go see her for a minute? You don’t mind, do you Brady?” Belle looked at him.

“No you go ahead. I’ll just go visit Chloe.”

“No you can’t. Not yet. We should all go together so that our surprise will work out,” Belle interrupted.

“Fine, then I’ll go visit Chris,” Brady decided, “but don’t take too long.”

“We won’t,” Belle gave him a quick hug before taking off with Shawn to find his grandmother.

“Well I guess it’s time to pay my cousin a visit,” Brady decided making his way down the hallway as he wondered how Chloe would like the surprise Belle and Shawn had cooked up for her.

Nicole Walker sauntered off of the elevator a bright smile over her lips as she thought of the evening she’d spend talking to the ever handsome doctor Ramsey. While she was certain that Colin wouldn’t be in this morning at the hospital, she had other notions of someone she’d like to spend some more time with. Adjusting the thin strap of her tiny blue and yellow floral print slip dress, she approached the receptionist area finding Sami Brady seated at her desk doing some paper work. As Nicole’s heels clicked on the floor, Sami looked up at her before rolling her eyes.

“Look what the cat dragged in,” Sami groaned setting her work aside as she opted to take this moment to put a dig in at Nicole.

“Gee and here I thought they had a thing against letting idiots work in the hospital, but clearly that was a fictitious rumor seeing as you’re working here still.”

“Bite me Nicole,” Sami rolled her eyes, “what brings you here? Did Victor have a heart attack after you tried to play house with him again?”

“You’re just jealous because you don’t have it in you to have a man like Victor Kiriakis look your way. You wouldn’t know how to land a man if you tried Sami,” Nicole tossed out at her, “besides Victor and I are history.”

“Ah yes because he tossed you out of his house,” Sami remarked snidely, “so tell me who is the flavor of the week? Colin Murphy in between his moments of lusting after Jennifer Horton?”

“Gee Sami, I didn’t realize you had such an interest in my love life, but then again seeing as my brother wants nothing to do with you now a days, I can see how you’d have a lot of free time on your hands especially after Austin left you at the altar and all....”

“For your information I happen to be involved in a very stimulating relationship,” Sami offered up.

“With what? Your imaginary playmate?”

“Hardly,” Sami rolled her eyes, “I’m seeing a man of character, a man who puts all others in Salem to shame with his class and charisma.”

“Right and I’m a virgin,” Nicole rolled her eyes, “I’ll believe that when I see it.”

“What was it you wanted again Nicole?” Sami shot back at her.

“I was hoping you could tell me where Colin was.”

“He’s not in, but somehow I get the feeling you already knew that unless of course he dumped you too without bothering to let you in on it,” Sami offered with a wicked smile.

“On the contrary Colin and I are still going very strong with one another which is more than I can say for you and your imaginary playmate.”

“Look Nicole unlike some people like yourself who sleep their way to the top, I have work to do so if you don’t mind...”

“Actually I do mind,” Nicole insisted, “I was wondering if you could tell me where Dr. Ramsey’s office is.”

“Dr. Who?” Sami questioned curiously.

“Dr. Ramsey. He’s new in town. He’s a tall, handsome, intelligent doctor,” Nicole shook her head, “then again it explains why he hasn’t crossed paths with you yet.”

“If he was all those things, he wouldn’t bother spending his time with you,” Sami shot back at her, “so to answer your question I don’t have the first clue where you’d find him, but if I do happen to encounter him I’ll make a point to tell him just what a tramp you are Nicole.”

“Don’t bother,” Nicole glared at her, “I’ll find him myself. You’ve been useless like always. Have fun with your imaginary lover Sami. At least when this one runs away from you, you’ll have no one to blame but yourself, then again that’s always the case now isn’t it?”

“Go to hell,” Sami shot back at her watching Nicole walk away as Sami thought about her plans for Tony Dimera. He didn’t know it yet, but soon, very soon he would be under her spell and Samantha Brady would have everything she’d ever wanted. It was just a matter of time.

Chloe let out a sigh as she looked out the window in her hospital room seeing a group of children play in the courtyard below. They all looked so happy lost in their little world of joy, not thinking about what the world outside their game held in store for their futures. Chloe sighed as she thought of her childhood realizing that a great many days of happiness had been taken from her as she moved from foster home to foster home. It had made her so bitter that at times she’d wished she’d been taken from her life, taken away from the miserable world she’d been in, but now as she thought of her illness and what it was doing to her, she wished she’d not had thoughts of leaving the world around her. When she’d first found herself reunited with Nancy, she’d been so bitter, so angry for Nancy giving her up, but now as she thought of how far they’d come with one another, she wanted more than anything to have a second chance. She wanted to live her life to the fullest without worrying about what the next day held for her if she’d made it that far.

As Chloe found herself lost in her thoughts she touched the window wishing she was like the children outside feeling as though the world was full of promise and happiness as she heard footsteps from behind her. Turning around, she found Dr. Ramsey standing behind her.

“Hey Chloe,” he smiled at her, “how’s everything going?”

“Oh you know I’m on the top of the world,” Chloe offered up with a shrug, “I was just contemplating a break from this place, but I thought the IV might give me away.”

“Just a little bit, though you know I’ve heard stranger things have happened around her,” Chris teased her, “although if you left Craig might have my head and that wouldn’t be a good thing. I could see him now, not to mention Nancy who’d probably be ready to lynch me for letting you go.”

“She’d have a mob after me and I wouldn’t get very far,” she agreed with a sigh, “so I guess I’m stuck here.”

“Gee, I must be losing my touch,” Chris teased lightly.

“Why’s that?” she asked curiously.

“Well most women wouldn’t want to run away from me,” Chris thought it over, “then again maybe this is just par for the course, but I really had hoped you wouldn’t be one who was eager to get as far away from me as possible.”

“You chase women away?” Chloe eyed him skeptically, “now why do I seriously doubt that?”

“You’d be surprised,” He offered up, “but hey what do you say you let me help you and I promise not to scare you away.”

“You don’t scare me,” Chloe explained determined, “none of this really scares me, just frustrates the hell out of me.”

“I can understand that. I won’t pretend that I know what you’re going through, but I can promise you that I’ll do everything in my power to help you through this, to find a way to help you.”

“Now you sound like your cousin,” Chloe moved over to her bed as a soft smile tugged on her lips.

“Don’t tell me Brady’s an old softie now,” Chris mused with a smile.

“He has his moments,” Chloe confessed, “but he’s a good friend. I don’t know what I’d do without him.”

“Well it’s good to know someone feels that way about him,” Chris teased further, “no really he’s a good kid with a good heart.”

“He’s the best friend I’ve ever known,” Chloe confessed as she thought of the time she spent with Brady, “I’m lucky to have found him in my life.”

“It looks like you’re both pretty lucky,” Chris noted as he began his exam.

“We are,” she glanced over towards the roses Phillip had sent her and she let out a sigh, “I just wish life wasn’t so complicated.”

“You and me both, but hey look on the bright side, we’re not going to stop until you’re ready to get out of here and fill a stadium or an opera house.”

“So Nancy told you about me huh? That I sing?”

“Well I’ve heard a few things about it. Brady mentioned a couple things the other day in passing and he spoke rather highly of you.”

“That would be a first. He’s always telling me to put more heart into it. That if I add a bit more emotion I could be a diva,” Chloe half laughed as she turned her eyes away from the roses, “he’s always teasing me like that.”

“Well guys tend to do that with the woman they love,” Chris offered up.

“Oh it’s not like that,” Chloe began surprised, “I mean we’re friends and all but...”

“I’d just assumed from the other day when you two were together,” Chris shook his head, “never mind.”

“No, it’s okay,” Chloe urged, “I mean he’s wonderful...amazing really, but well I haven’t exactly been cooperative with men in my life.”

“Men huh? So there are a few of them chasing you around?”

“Well there’s Phillip,” she explained motioning to the flowers.

“Mr. Red Roses huh? So what’s the story with him?”

“You sure do ask a lot for being a doctor,” Chloe gave him a look.

“I’m a curious kind of guy.”

“I can see that,” she half laughed feeling herself at ease with him, “he’s someone I used to love, someone who meant a great deal to me....”

“But not anymore?”

“No, yes, I mean I don’t know. I’ll always care about him, but things have changed. I don’t quite see him in the way that I used to not like....”

“Like what?”

“Like nothing,” she shrugged, “never mind.”

“Like Brady?” Chris raised a curious brow.

“I never said that,” Chloe reminded him.

“You didn’t have to but hey don’t worry this will stay with us,” Chris offered up, “though if you do like the guy why not let him know? It’s obvious he cares about you very much.”

“I know he does,” Chloe smiled realizing he’d managed to do some blood work on her through the duration of their conversation without her realizing it.

“I see that too. Look I’ll run this down to the lab and we’ll get them right on it,” Chris promised her with a smile, “if you need anything, you know where to find me.”

“I know,” she offered watching him leave as she thought about their conversation wondering if perhaps he was right about Brady. Perhaps she did feel something that ran much deeper than friendship for him.

Sami noted the time as she realized her concentration was anything but what it should’ve been after her encounter with Nicole Walker. She found that woman so damned infuriating and she’d be sure to deal with her later, but first she had other plans in mind. Grabbing her jacket, she signed out for the day as a smile swept over her beautiful features. She was ready to put her plan in action and even if Tony didn’t realize it now, he would soon see just how good of friends they would be with one another. Tony Dimera would soon realize that Sami Brady was the best thing for him in Salem now that the world was against him. Once she’d won over Tony, the world was hers for the taking. She would have everything she’d ever wanted. With that thought in mind, she left her little desk space and made her way towards the elevators ready to put phase two of her plans into action over at the Dimera Mansion.

Chris finished up his visit with Chloe and headed towards his office finding his cousin standing outside the door awaiting his arrival. Tucking the charts beneath his arm, he looked to Brady greeting him with a smile, “Brady, what can I do for you?”

“Dad wanted you to have the welcome wagon, but Belle got a bit distracted when we had breakfast with her boyfriend,” Brady explained as Chris opened the door to his office standing aside him to let Brady enter as well. Brady looked around the office curiously, “you know you’d think that since you’re Craig’s friend, he’d give you something more to work with.”

“Well being the new guy, I don’t get much of a choice,” Chris shrugged making his way over to his desk, “though I’m not complaining.”

“Well you should,” Brady urged, “after all you should see Marlena’s office, that’s a nice one.”

“Marlena’s office huh?” Chris mused with a smile looking at the pile up of papers on his desk, “how is Marlena doing?”

“Other than being driven crazy by my father, she’s good,” Brady replied making his way to the chair across from the desk.

“Surprisingly good,” Brady admitted, “for a while it was touch and go, but now we’ve reached an understanding.”

“That’s always a plus,” Chris noted taking a seat, “the last time I saw you I believe you were ready to set her closet on fire in protest to her role in John’s life.”

“Well that feels like a lifetime ago,” Brady shrugged, “besides you wouldn’t believe how things change over the years.”

“Believe me I would,” Chris confessed with a sigh, “I’m the first one to tell you how things can transform right before your eyes without warning.”

“Something like that,” Chris nodded looking to his cousin closely, “so tell me something, since I know that you aren’t here solely to extend that welcome wagon of yours, what brings you here?”

“Other than the idea of seeing my favorite cousin,” Brady offered with a smile.

“This wouldn’t have anything to do with my being your girlfriend’s doctor, would it?” Chris questioned with a curious smile.

“My girlfriend?” Brady repeated with an almost surprised expression, “oh you mean Chloe, well, you see, she’s not…….I mean she and I aren’t…..” Brady stammered a bit before blurting out further, “she’s not my girlfriend.”

“You could’ve fooled me,” Chris offered up reading his cousin’s reaction, “from the way I found you two together the other day….”

“It looked like two people who were rather comfortable with one another, perhaps two people who have a certain kinship with one another?”

“Okay so maybe it’s exactly like that,” Brady shrugged before explaining further, “Chloe is probably the best friend I’ve ever had and I’m worried about her.”

“With good reason,” Chris admitted with a sigh, “she’s got a long, hard road ahead of her.”

“I’m doing the best that I can and I won’t give up fighting for her, though from the short time I’ve spent with her, I can see that Chloe is quite a fighter herself.”

“That she is,” Brady nodded in agreement, “Chloe is amazing truly. She’s the strongest woman I’ve ever known, well other than my mother, but as you know I didn’t really get a chance to know my mother other than hearsay, but I think she’s be pretty impressed with Chloe.”

“Much like her son is I’m sure,” Chris added noting the expression on Brady’s features, “you know Chloe is very lucky to have a guy like you in her corner.”

“I’d do anything for her,” Brady confessed honestly, “I wish that there was something more I can do for her. I was tested to be a donor, but we both know the chances of that happening….”

“You know Brady having you spending time with her has helped her a lot. I could see that from the way she talks about you,” Chris hesitated before continuing, “you know Brady while I realize it’s none of my business, I think that maybe now you should tell her whatever it is that’s been on your mind. It might just be the thing she needs at a time like this.”

“Brady, let me let you in on a little secret,” Chris sighed running his fingers through his hair as he reached into his desk pulling out the small box that he’d kept with him. He handed it over to his cousin as Brady eyed him curiously.

“That’s not just any ring,” Chris explained getting up from the chair as he crossed the room towards the tiny window in his office, “that ring was to be the ring that sealed the promise and hope I’d harbored all these years. That was the engagement ring for the woman I loved. She had that same fighter spirit and she never accepted defeat, a woman who truthfully was a lot like Chloe.”

“So why do I get the feeling things didn’t turn out on a positive note?” Brady watched him closely.

“Because they didn’t,” Chris sighed turning to face his cousin as he crossed the room collecting the ring, “I don’t tell just anyone this story and maybe I should stop before I start.”

“Her name was Eve,” Chris confessed poignantly, “We met during my internship at Port Charles General Hospital and she was incredible. Feisty, strong willed, independent and she was one hell of a fighter. She had a mouth on her and she didn’t take anything from anyone,” Chris recalled with a smile, “I loved her from the start and we were constantly at one another’s throats to the point that every one of the other interns could see the spark between us. To make a long story short, she turned out not only to be the woman of my dreams, but she was my best friend. I shared more with her than I’d ever shared with anyone in my life and it was that knowledge of what I felt for her that kept me silent for so long. You see I loved having her as a friend and I was afraid if I revealed my heart to her, if I’d shown her how much I loved her, that she would run away in fear and leave me to live a life without her. I’d tried so hard to work up the courage time and time again to tell her just how much she meant to me, yet every time the moment happened upon us I reasoned with myself that the timing just wasn’t right, that I could put it off for one day more because being her friend was just the thing that would tide me over until the day I could reveal my heart to her.”

“She died,” Chris confessed painfully, “she was in a car accident back in Port Charles and we lost her. I never was able to share with her what she meant to me and before I knew it she was gone. Sure she and I had moments between us when flirting lead to something more, but I never was able to share those words with her, never able to reveal just what it was that she meant to me and now that she’s gone, well I wish I’d had the courage that I have now. If I’d just told her the truth then maybe just maybe she’d be here with me now. Maybe I wouldn’t be carrying this ring around with me as a painful reminder as it would be on her finger and we’d be happy together.”

“Man, that’s horrible,” Brady shook his head, “I can’t even begin to imagine how you must feel.”

“And I hope you don’t have to know it first hand,” Chris offered up as he noted the fear behind Brady’s eyes.

“Chris, what are you trying to say? Are you telling me that you believe Chloe is going to die?” Brady questioned fearfully.

“I’m not saying that Brady, not by a long shot, but what I am telling you is that you should remember to live for the moment one day at a time. I’m not saying to be reckless, but what I am telling you is that you shouldn’t put off something that means so much to you,” Chris paused looking to his cousin, “I hope you get what I’m saying.”

“I think I do,” Brady nodded as there was a knock at the door, “and maybe you’re right. Maybe it is time I do something.”

“Dr. Ramsey,” a nurse interrupted as she entered his office, “these are from the lab.”

“Thank you,” Chris looked over to Brady, “I need to take a look at these.”

“I understand,” Brady nodded as he moved towards the door, “oh and Chris?”

“I just hope it helped,” Chris smiled in response as he watched his cousin leave his office as he wondered if Brady would take his advice and follow his heart.

“Knock, knock,” Chris heard a voice interrupt his thoughts as he looked up to find Nicole Walker standing in his doorway, “I hope you aren’t too busy,” she smiled at him.

“Actually I was just in the middle of some work here,” Chris explained hesitantly.

“I promise I won‘t make too much noise,” Nicole closed the door behind her, “unless of course you ask me to.”

“I don’t think that’ll be the case right now,” Chris looked her over noting the way she was attempting to get him to notice her with her seductive smile, “so what brings you here, Nicole?”

“I was just in the neighborhood and I thought maybe I’d take you up on that offer to have that martini,” Nicole explained brightly.

“Nicole, I’m working,” Chris reminded her as he motioned towards the pile up of papers on his desk, “I have a lot to do.”

“So why not take a break?”

“Nicole, I appreciate that offer, but....”

“But nothing,” She rose from the seat she’d been in. Slowly she made her way around his desk reaching out to his tie and playing with it lightly, “of course we could just skip the martinis and go back to your hotel room for a little afternoon delight.”

“You’re direct, aren’t you?” Chris couldn’t help but smile as he watched the mischief burning behind her eyes.

“I don’t see a point in beating around the bush,” Nicole offered up with a grin, “after all when I see what I want, I just go for it.”

“And what about Colin?”

“What about him?” she shrugged tugging on his tie again and drawing him nearer, “I don’t see him right now, do you?”

“Nicole, what is it you’re looking for?”

“A good time,” She offered up at him, “aren’t you?”

“That all depends,” Chris eyed her intently as he wondered what kind of game she was playing with him.

“On what?” she asked moving her lips just beneath his.

“On what’s in it for me,” he whispered bringing his arm around her slender waist playing along with her game as he wondered what she was up to.

“Pleasure,” she ran her fingers down his chest, “nothing but pure pleasure if you’re interested.”

“I might be,” Chris mused with a soft grin seeing she was silently daring him to kiss her as he pulled back a bit, “but as I said before I need to know what’s in it for me.”

“Anything you want,” she ran her nails over the lapels of his jacket, “anything at all is yours for the taking and from what I can see about you there could be something you want. A risk taker like yourself....”

“Who said I’m a risk taker?” he raised a curious brow.

“Colin isn’t the only one who’s done a little homework. I asked around.”

“Around where?”

“Here and there,” Nicole explained as he released her, “Granted the rumor mill doesn't know much yet, but I’m working on it and when I get started I won’t stop until I know all your secret desires Dr. Ramsey.”

“Is that so?” he questioned with a hint of a smile, “well I must tell you I’m a bit of a simple man.”

“Now you hardly strike me as that,” Nicole shook her head, “you have a way about you, something that makes me believe you’re rather complicated.”

“You’d be surprised at how simple I like my life to be,” Chris offered up as he pulled away from her, “complications don’t arouse me like they used to.”

“That’s because you haven’t found the right one yet, but we’ll work on it,” she offered up watching him move around his desk towards his chair, “so what do you say? Have lunch with me.”

“It’s too early for me to take off for lunch,” Chris explained leaning back in his chair as she moved around his desk standing before him before making her way onto his lap with a soft smile as she made herself comfortable.

“Then have brunch with me Chris,” she whispered maneuvering herself in his lap comfortably without much effort from him.

“Enjoying yourself,” he questioned feeling her move in on him as a smile swept over her features.

“I’m getting there,” she shifted in his lap a bit as she reached for his hands placing them on her waist again, “so what do you say?”

“I say...” Chris started as the door opened and Craig walked in finding him and Nicole in such a tentative position.

“Chris...I don’t mean to interrupt,” Craig apologized as he looked at his pal, “I didn’t realize you were busy.”

“Ms. Walker and I were just about finished in here,” Chris kept his eyes on Nicole, “weren’t we?”

“For now,” she slid off of his lap, “but I expect to finish this discussion later.”

“If you’re lucky it just might happen,” Chris offered up watching her make her way out of his office as she did her best to try to capture his full attention.

Once Nicole had left the office Craig turned to him his face full of confusion, “Want to explain that to me?”

“If you can explain it to me, then we’ll both be on to something here,” Chris mused with a laugh.

“She’s trouble you know,” Craig offered up.

“Trouble does seem to follow me,” Chris shrugged, “But for what it’s worth I’m not interested.”

“You say that now,” Craig shot him a look.

“That’s not the kind of trouble I need, though it might be fun for a little while” Chris informed him as he noted the serious look upon his friend’s features, “so what brings you here?”

“I heard you did another blood panel on Chloe.”

“I did and I should get it back shortly,” Chris replied, “something wrong?”

“Oh you bet there’s something wrong,” Craig nodded, “I can't just sit here doing nothing while Chloe is getting weaker. After my talk with Nancy I’ve decided that now is time for action. I’m going to find the son of a bitch that raped Nancy and then when he’s helped Chloe I’m going to kill him and you‘re going to help me do it.”

Brady looked to the door to Chloe’s room wondering if he could make this move as he thought of Chris’ words. Chris was right. He shouldn’t waste his time with Chloe when it was so precious. With that in mind he took in a deep breath ready to make the biggest confession of his life as he realized that he needed to tell Chloe what was in his heart. He just hoped that she felt it too.

Brady took in a breath as he reached out to open the door to Chloe's hospital room. Feeling his heart leap in his chest he anticipated his words as he heard a voice on the other side of the door.

"So I see you got my flowers," he distinctively heard Phillip say from inside Chloe's room.

"Yes, I did," Chloe answered as Brady felt his heart sink, "and they're beautiful."

"Not nearly as beautiful as you are," Phillip offered as Brady closed the door realizing that now was not the time to reveal his heart to Chloe. Turning towards the hall he ran into his sister and Shawn.

"There you are," Belle began looking at him closely, "Shawn and I were afraid we'd lost you."

"I went down to talk to Chris," Brady explained lightly, "he was working so I thought I'd pay him a visit."

"Really? Well that's great that you were able to talk to him. I'm sure he'll stop by while we're here visiting Chloe and we can all catch up."

"Actually I don't know if that's such a good idea. I mean our idea about doing that thing for Chloe was nice, but right now she's with Phillip."

"So," Belle shook her head, "he can come with us too. I don't see why he can't."

"Belle, I don't know if this is such a good idea," Brady began again feeling his nerve slipping away from him.

“Brady, I just know Chloe will love it. I’m sure she’ll be as excited as I was about the idea we had,” Belle watched his features closely as she noted a distance behind his eyes.

“I think Chloe will be thrilled about it too,” Shawn added breaking his silence as he stepped into the conversation, “besides you were the one with all the ideas after Belle and I told you what we had in mind.”

“I know, but maybe now’s not that time to do it...” Brady shrugged.

“Actually I think that now is the best time. You said it yourself that Chloe needed a pick me up so why not give it a try? It can’t hurt,” Shawn offered up optimistically.

“Actually Shawn, why don’t you go up ahead,” Belle suggested as her eyes scrutinized Brady thoroughly, “I want to have a talk with my brother for a second.”

“I thought we agreed that the three of us would do this together,” Shawn half frowned as Belle shot him a look.

“Shawn, we’ll be there in a second,” Belle spoke up in a soft tone hoping he’d catch on to the urgency to have a moment alone with Brady as he met her eyes giving a nod.

“Alright, I’ll be in there with Chloe and Phil. I’ll let them know you’ll be in there in a second,” he offered up still unsure what he was missing, but he opted not to argue with her.

“Thanks we’ll only be a minute,” Belle tipped up on her toes to give him a quick kiss.

“I’ll be waiting for you,” Shawn smiled at her before making his way towards Chloe’s hospital room.

Once Shawn had cleared out of the hallway Belle reached for Brady’s arm tugging him along the corridor until they were out of ear shot from anyone else. She gave him a harsh look before frowning, “What’s going on Brady?”

“I told you Belle,” Brady began.

“No you didn’t, but let me take a stab at this one. You tell me if I’m wrong here. You heard Chloe with Phillip so you’re taking the easy way out and avoiding a confrontation.”

“It’s not a confrontation,” Brady argued, “Phil and I called a truce for Chloe’s sake.”

“But that doesn’t mean you’re happy about it,” she noted how he looked away from her, “I know you have feelings for Chloe and so does Phillip and it bothers you.”

“I’m not threatened by Phil,” Brady rolled his eyes, “Belle you’re really grasping at straws here.”

“I don’t think so. I think you’re afraid of walking in there and finding out that Chloe and Phillip are back together again.”

“She wouldn’t do that,” Brady shook his head.

“Then why are you so insecure about things right now?” she eyed him intently, “Brady, there’s no other reason why you’d stall on seeing her since I know how much you’ve wanted to.”

“Belle, I’m not going to have this conversation with you,” Brady turned to walk away as she tugged on his arm.

“Yes you are Brady Black,” she blurted out her voice firm, “you're going to march back in there and talk to Chloe. Even if you’re feeling like sulking because Phillip is visiting her, you're still going to go in there and pretend it doesn’t bother you. You’re going to flash her that handsome smile of yours and you’re going to forget about the fact that you almost walked out on the one person who means more to you than most everyone else.”

“Belle....”

“Don’t Belle me,” she cut him off, “this isn’t up for negotiation. You’re coming with me into Chloe’s room and that’s that. If you even think about giving me an argument on this, I swear I’ll beat you into a bloody pulp.”

“You’ll beat me?” Brady raised a curious brow.

“That’s right, I’ll beat you up big time, and if you think I can’t do it, then just try to leave,” she challenged with a hint of seriousness in her tone, “in fact I’ll go a step further. If you don’t go with me, Chloe will be getting a gift from me consisting of your baby photos even the ones Marlena swore stayed within the immediate family.”

“You wouldn’t,” Brady watched a wicked smile playing over his little sister’s place.

“Don’t tempt me, Brady,” she pulled him towards Chloe’s room.

“You do realize this is blackmail,” Brady insisted giving her a glare.

“I know and I’m proud of it,” Belle insisted dragging him along with her as they reached Chloe’s room leaving no room for escape for Brady.

Brady took in a deep breath trying not to think about what he’d almost walked into moments earlier when he’d wanted to reveal his heart to Chloe. As Belle opened the door to Chloe’s hospital room, Brady felt her laughter cloud over his senses. The warmth of her smile was the first thing that caught his attention as he looked over to her hospital bed finding Shawn standing beside her. She turned her eyes towards the doorway upon it’s opening and she smiled towards Brady causing his heart to stir as she waved over to him and Belle.

“Hey you two,” Chloe greeted them with a cheerful smile, “Shawn was telling me about his little encounter with the coffee grinder at the pub,” she let out another laugh again, “that must’ve been one heck of a time trying to explain it to his grandparents.”

“It wasn’t so bad explaining it as it was cleaning up,” Belle offered up in response to the tale Shawn shared with Chloe, “his grandparents were very understanding since we agreed to clean the mess up, but I swear even after a dozen showers I still smell like coffee.”

“That’s too funny,” Chloe laughed again trying to get the image in her mind as she looked to Brady and smiled, “Brady, I’m glad you’re here. I was just thinking about calling you.”

“You were?” Brady raised a curious smile as he stepped forward.

“Yes I was,” She nodded, “Chris was in here earlier and the two of us had a little talk.”

“Really,” Brady tried to keep his voice even.

“That’s right,” she nodded with a hint of a teasing grin, “and we had quite a talk about you.”

“Is that so?” Belle looked to Chloe with curious eyes.

“That’s right,” Chloe nodded, “he had a lot to say.”

“Who’s Chris?” Phillip broke his silence as he crossed over from the window he’d been standing by in an attempt to join in on the conversation.

“He’s Chloe’s doctor,” Brady explained simply not bothering to look in Phillip’s direction.

“And our cousin,” Belle added with a smile, “our very handsome cousin,” Belle hesitated and turned to Chloe, “he’s still good looking, right?”

“Are you kidding me?” Chloe’s eyes widened, “Good looking doesn’t even begin to cover it. He’s an Adonis. I had no idea that the Black family was full of so many handsome men.”

“Well you know I thought the good looks always ran on the Kirakis side myself,” Phillip added stepping in closer beside Belle, “I’m sure this Chris guy can’t touch my good looks and sparkling personality.”

“Oh god,” Belle groaned, “Get over yourself Phillip.”

“Hey what can I say? When you're good, you’re good.”

“No ego right?” Belle shook her head.

“Admit it Belle, you think I’m cute,” Phillip flashed her a teasing grin before turning to Chloe, “don’t you think?”

“Of course you are Phillip,” Chloe agreed wholeheartedly, “but Chris has that something going for him. That well, he has that handsome yet mysterious thing going.”

“Mysterious and handsome?” Shawn raised a curious brow, “Chloe, I had no idea being in the hospital would be cause for you to get a roving eye.”

“I don’t have a roving eye,” Chloe offered up uneasily, “I mean he’s like Craig’s age, but still he does have that certain Black family quality that tends to make him very easy on the eyes, not to mention great for conversation.”

“I knew you’d like him,” Belle piped in proudly, “he’s an incredible doctor too.”

“That’s what Craig keeps telling me,” Chloe nodded, “though I think his work speaks for itself.”

“Gee and here I thought we came here for a visit and not to gush about the hot, new doctor’s on staff,” Shawn groaned, “I suddenly feel like I’m invading a girl’s night out.”

“Oh it’s not like you guys don’t sit there talking about a beautiful woman you see walking down the street,” Belle rolled her eyes, “Besides Chris is my cousin.”

“Who’s obviously perked some interest from you,” Phillip noted, “as well as Chloe.”

“Ok guys,” Chloe raised her hand in the air, “if this so called girl talk offends you, then there’s the door. You can just leave if it bothers you so much.”

“No, no I think this is good,” Shawn folded his arms in front of his chest, “it gives us insight on what you two really have on your minds.”

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” Belle laughed lightly.

“So what about you Brady,” Chloe questioned turning her eyes back to him as she noted her silence, “do you have your own two cents to add here about our girl talk?”

“I’m rather enjoying it,” Brady confessed with a hint of a smile tugging at his lips, “plus I’m also wondering what drugs Chris managed to slip you to get you thinking he’s such a catch.”

“He just has a natural flair for conversation like someone else I know,” Chloe replied with a soft smile as a loud burping noise filled the room. She turned her head to find Phillip holding Crazy the frog in his hands giving it a sideways glance.

“What in the world is this?” he asked.

“It’s my frog,” she reached for it holding it securely, “Brady gave it to me and I love it.”

“I see,” Phillip shot Brady a glare, “well you know if I’d known you were into stuffed animals, I would’ve brought you one today.”

“That’s not necessary,” she shook her head, “the roses were more than enough.”

“Well I’m glad you liked them,” Phillip began again, “I wanted them to make you happy.”

“I appreciate that, but it wasn’t necessary,” she turned her attention to Belle, “so what’s this big secret that Shawn says you have planned for me?”

“Well actually, I think I’ll let Brady tell you this one,” Belle stepped aside revealing Brady to Chloe’s curious eyes as he offered up a nervous smile wondering where to begin.

Sami had come back to work after changing her mind about going over to the Dimera mansion to see Tony this morning when her courage had failed her before she’d even halfway made it to her planned destination. She hated feeling this way about herself, thinking about her failing confidence in herself and how she’d handled matters over the past few months. She was sick and tired of being on the losing end of things and things had to start looking up for her soon. She was not a loser in love like Nicole had inferred to her that last time she had the misfortune of crossing paths with that witch.

Sami tried to make herself look busy as Brandon Walker passed by her desk so he wouldn’t be able to accuse her of staging something outrageous to catch his attention again. Sami silently fumed inside, thinking Brandon’s ego most certainly had gotten the best of him if he thought for one second that she was pining over him. She’d gotten his message loud and clear the other day when he had read her the riot act over her behavior concerning him.

Brandon was spending every free moment he had off from working at the hospital with Lexie, telling Sami he was totally committed to seeing that Lexie would fully recover from her nervous breakdown she had suffered from losing Isaac and when she was well he would be the man by her side instead of Abe Carver. Well Brandon Walker had another thing coming to him if he thought Sami Brady was going to lay down and play dead, she’d find her a man, one that was far more interesting to her than Brandon had proven himself to be lately. When she found that man Brandon would take notice of her then and the tables would turn back in her favor once more in her quest to make Brandon Walker love her once more.

Sami also wished her son Will was at home instead of visiting his grandfather in Africa with his father Lucas. Things had been so boring and tedious around Salem for her that if something didn’t happen around here soon she was sure she would wind up in the loony bin herself alongside Lexie and she definitely didn’t want to be roommates with that woman.

With an exaggerated sigh, she turned back to her work at hand until the telephone rang and she heard her mother’s voice on the other line, “Sami darling, I was wondering how you were doing?”

“Things couldn’t be better,” Sami lied to her mother, not wanting her to know how depressed she was over her life at the current moment.

“I’ve been worried about you,” Marlena conveyed to her eldest daughter, always hating how strained things seemed to be between them most of the time.

“You don’t have to waste your time worrying about me,” Sami quickly replied, “I’ve been doing fine.”

“I was hoping if you weren’t too busy that maybe we could have dinner together tonight,” Marlena suggested to Sami.

“I don’t want to be a third wheel for you and John,” Sami stated firmly to her mother.

“John has a big business meeting in the morning at Basic Black and he and Kate are going to have to work really late tonight and I thought this would be a good time for us to have a little mother and daughter time,” Marlena informed Sami, hoping her daughter wouldn’t turn down her offer for a night out on the town.

“Mom, I really have a hectic day ahead of me at work,” Sami hesitated agreeing to meet with her mother, knowing it would probably end up with them getting into an argument with one another over the direction her life had taken ever since Austin had left her at the alter.

“Please Sami,” Marlena pled with her, “I’ve missed you so much lately. It feels like I’m losing touch with you and I don’t want that to happen to us at all.”

Hearing her mother’s heartfelt plea and knowing she wouldn’t have to put up with John being there, Sami reluctantly agreed, “Okay Mom, where do you want us to meet for dinner?”

“How about getting all dressed up and going to dinner at Tuscany around seven tonight? My treat of course,” Marlena replied warmly to Sami.

“That sounds good, I’ll see you tonight,” Sami answered as she thought that maybe a night out on the town would get her out of the apartment for a change instead of her moping around waiting for Brandon to come to his senses. You never knew who would pop up at Tuscany anyway so it might just turn out to be an interesting night for her after all.

“Why don’t you just take a deep breath and start from the beginning of what inspired this rush of homicidal outbursts in you specifically today?” Chris urged seeing the anger burning behind his friend’s eyes as Craig sat across from him at the Penthouse Grille.

“Chris, I don’t really think starting from the beginning is going to help us get done what needs to be done,” Craig shifted a bit uncomfortable in his chair as he reached for his water glass once again taking another uneasy sip.

“Maybe, maybe not,” Chris shrugged, “let me be the judge of that one. What happened today?”

“All you need to know is that this bastard needs to be found so that we can take care of Chloe,” Craig answered tightly, “after that we’ll take care of him once and for all.”

“Craig, I know you’re upset, but we can’t take justice upon ourselves especially if we‘re talking what I think we‘re talking about,” Chris hesitated.

“Since when were you a law abiding citizen? Chris, I know you better than anyone and I know your sense of ethics aren’t going to put you up for a noble peace prize,” Craig leaned in closer, “all I’m saying is that when we find that man, if he happens to disappear you will back me up on that.”

“Craig, you’re willing to take this further than anything I’ve ever seen you do in your life,” Chris lowered his voice a bit, “then I’m in, but before we do anything, I want to know everything, details.”

“You’ll get them,” Craig agreed, “but for now we work on finding him once I get rid of that idiot PI that we hired. He‘s been completely useless.”

“Ah so that’s what is yanking your chain. PI troubles huh?”

“To say the least,” Craig groaned, “this guy has come up with nothing but dead ends so far.”

“I know some of the best PI’s out there,” Chris explained simply, “they’ve done work for me and they aren’t afraid to take a risk which makes them good employees. I’ll give them a call and see that this search is taken to the next level.”

“I knew I could count on you,” Craig offered up a tiny smile before sipping his water again acting as though they hadn’t been on the verge of having an open conversation about murder in such a public place. He set his glass down on the table top once again flashing Chris another smile before readjusting his tie and leaning back more casually in his seat, “so tell me about Nicole Walker?”

“What about?” Chris shrugged, ‘I think you just caught the gist of it in my office.”

“Then you don’t see yourself playing back?”

“No, not really,” Chris shook his head, “besides isn’t she attached to your other finest at the hospital Dr. Murphy?”

“With Colin, I don’t know what’s coming or going, but that’s beside the point. What is your take on Nicole?” Craig inquired further.

“Well, to be honest with you, I met someone much like Nicole back in Port Charles and it turned out to be a nightmare,” Chris sighed.

“How so?” Craig questioned.

“She was a cop and became obsessed with me,” Chris cringed in the memory, “it got ugly, very ugly. She started following me, calling me at all hours of the day and started using her police power to stalk me.”

“But that wasn’t the only reason you’re not interested in Nicole?” Craig mused with a curious expression as the waitress brought them their lunches.

“Stalking isn’t enough?” Chris asked looking down at the pasta dish before him, “what book do you live by Craig?”

“Chris, you’re avoiding the subject,” Craig watched his friend poke at his food, “why not tell me about Eve Lambert? I know it‘s something that‘s been on your mind.”

“There’s nothing to say,” Chris answered cutting at a piece of chicken that had been basted in an herb sauce. He took a bit of it before looking back at Craig, “I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Chris, I’m your best friend,” Craig argued with him, “I’ve been telling you about Chloe and what’s going on with Nancy, about the bastard that raped her. Nancy‘s still having nightmares about what he did to her. This morning she had an anxiety attack and I wasn‘t sure if she‘d pull through it other than the knowledge that she has to be strong for Chloe.”

Chris nearly choked on his food as he looked to his pal. “Craig, I thought when you said this guy was a creep, I thought maybe, well I don‘t know what I thought, but I never imagined.... How is Nancy holding up right now?”

“She said she’d be okay, but I know better,” Craig confessed painfully, “she’s afraid of seeing him after all this time, afraid of what it means to our future, to Chloe’s future. Chloe is an angel, a beautiful young woman, but when I think of what that bastard did to Nancy, taking away her...”

“I know that rape is a difficult thing and I won’t even pretend to know what you and Nancy are going through right now, but I swear to you that I’ll do whatever it takes to help you help her.”

“I appreciate that Chris,” Craig sighed rubbing his temple for a moment before letting out a sigh, “you’re a good friend.”

“I wish I could do more,” Chris reached for his glass of water.

“Now you see why I’m so upset,” Craig blurted out, his fists clenching his fists tightly, “you know why I want that man to suffer.”

“Anyone who could hurt a woman like that,” Chris sneered now realizing the depth of the pain his friends had been feeling.

“Well we’ll see to it that it will be the last time he ever has a chance to hurt Nancy,” Craig promised taking a bite of his own lunch as Chris let his gaze fall over the restaurant.

Thinking of Craig’s words, Chris felt a lingering silence hang between them. He could see that things for the Wesley family was far complicated than his own concerns about the lack of direction his life had been taking. Port Charles had turned out to be a nightmare when he’d had to bear witness to losing his best friend. He’d thought when he’d heard the news of Eve’s death that the world had ended, that everything good left this world and he’d been given the ultimate punishment for not being honest about what she meant to his heart. Now as he watched his friend in such turmoil, he realized that life wasn’t fair for anyone as not even Craig and Nancy had avoided the misery that the world often brought. Chris just sighed wishing that he could step out of his own pain in feeling so damned sorry for himself, but as he took in Craig’s grief over the helplessness he’d felt in not protecting his wife, Chris found himself lost in his own sorrow of not having been there to keep Eve from being in that accident. If only he’d kept her detained longer at the hospital. If only he’d been honest. If only.... If onlys didn’t matter anymore, he thought to himself with a painful sigh. Eve was gone and nothing would change that.

“Chris, listen I hate to cut this short, but I have to go back and check on Nancy,” Craig interrupted Chris’ thoughts, “she has a break in between her show tapings and I’d like to be there.”

“Of course,” Chris nodded as Craig rose from the table reaching into his pocket, “don’t bother. Lunch is on me.”

“Chris Ramsey buying lunch?” Craig let out a tiny laugh seemingly amused by the turnabout, “now I know you’ve changed.”

“Well, you’ll just owe me later,” Chris offered up in response as he and Craig bid each other well. Now sitting alone at the table, Chris turned his attention back to his plate. Somehow he’d lost his appetite in the course of the conversation and now as he reached for the bill, he decided he needed some air.

Chris took in a breath and walked out into the afternoon thinking about what being in Salem held for him. So far he’d connected with Craig’s family and with some of his own. He thought back to his talk with Brady in his office and he’d hoped Brady didn’t make the same mistake as he’d made with Eve. Brady and Chloe still had a fighting chance and maybe with Chris being around, he could help them find the love that had evaded him with Eve.

Lost in his thoughts of what might’ve been, Chris was roused back to the world around him by a cry out up ahead. He looked into the parkway and found a man mugging a woman. He heard the woman cry out as he rushed forward chasing after the man who’d taken her purse. Chris didn’t often welcome the role of playing hero, but the woman had a child with her and she looked like she could use the help. Racing off after the man with the purse, Chris felt his pulse quicken as the man seemed to know the parkway better than Chris. He watched as the man rushed down the pathway towards one of the slopes as Chris gained up on him. He was almost within arm’s reach when Chris stumbled on the gravel below and he found himself rolling down the steep incline. The man seemed to be caught off guard as Chris fell so much so that he didn’t realize the two of them were no longer alone as he turned to find an officer standing behind him with her gun pointed up at him.

“Freeze,” her voice shouted out in an authorative tone as she noted Chris laying on the bottom of the hill, “hey you, are you alright?”

“I’m fine,” Chris half groaned feeling only his pride wounded as he picked himself dusting off as he looked up at the officer before him unable to believe his eyes, “Eve?”