Created February 14, 2000

Willoughby's men discover Cruz's lifeless body. The first man pulls a radio from his raincoat. "Doctor! We found him!"

Willoughby: "Excellent! Where are you?"

"We're about a 100 meters east of the point."

Willoughby: "Anything else going on out there?"

The second man who has been on lookout shakes his head to his partner.

"No sir, no signs of life anywhere."

FADE OUT

Willoughby reaches the men minutes later. He kneels down into the surf to place his fingers on Cruz's neck. "No visible external trauma except for this superficial wound from the arrow. Internal injuries killed him I suspect. But my next prey will offer me much more satisfaction." He grabs his radio and calls out for Leo. Receiving no response, he throws his radio and demands another one. "Leo! Answer me! If you can hear me, bring Mrs. Castillo down to the point. I have something to show her!" He laughs, patting Cruz's face. "Thank you my friend, it's been quite the experience."

Listening to them from the rocks, Quinn is unsure of what to do. Pearl joins him breathless. "Where's Eden?"

Quinn: "Willoughby called for her, but whoever he was calling didn't answer."

Pearl: "What do we do?" He looks down at his watch. It's been over an hour!"

Willoughby kneels back down to examine Cruz's shoulder. "Did either of you men do anything to his body?"

In unison, the men reply "No sir".

"What the hell happened to the arrow in.." He is cut off abruptly by an enormous explosion. Smoke and flames billow up from behind the trees.

Willoughby: "Damn!" He grabs the radio; "Leo! Leo?"

There's only static; Willoughby turns to his men, but freezes to see Pearl and Quinn step from behind the rocks with guns leveled at the three.

Pearl: "Drop your guns and step back; Quinn, get Cruz."

Keeping his gun on Willoughby, Quinn runs over to Cruz, holds open his mouth, and empties the contents of a vial down his throat. He begins to gently slap his face. "Wake up Cruz!"

Cruz's eyelids flutter and he begins to cough. "What…" His eyes focus and he stumbles to his feet. Spotting Willoughby standing with his arms raised, he spins around. "Is Eden ok?"

Willoughby smiles, "It seems as the Phoenix has risen a few moments too late!" He nods in the direction of the smoke and flames.

Pearl runs to Cruz apologetically: "There was an explosion! But he called for Eden before it happened. I'm sure she's ok!"

Willoughby starts to laugh. Quinn raises his flare gun and fires it into the sky.

Cruz is silent for a moment as the sound of Willoughby's laughter echoes over the water. He explodes and rushes towards him, tackling him into the surf.

Holding his head under the water, he starts to scream: "You better pray that she's alright man! I'm gonna make you wish you were dead!"

Pearl and Quinn exchange glances, Pearl then rushes to pull Cruz from Willoughby; "Stop! Stop it Cruz!"

FADE OUT

The blast stops Eden in her tracks. "Christina? Christina was in that..." Lost and acting on instinct, she begins to run. With no real passion or reason, she runs in desperation. Lisa trys to communicate with her, but her pleas are not heard. If anything, she runs harder, desperate to escape. Eventually, Lisa's voice is silenced.

She reaches an area of bushes in a cove, lifting up a tarp she discovers a boat, Willoughby's stash, his emergency escape. A sleek racing boat. She completely removes the cover, unties the ropes and pushes it out into the ocean. The engine starts after several tries and she leaves the island. She is driven to reach her destination. Not really knowing where it is, but positive that she must get there.

FADE OUT

Cruz releases Willoughby and he falls back into the water coughing. He stands and starts to run toward the fire. Yelling back; "Keep your eye on him man!"

Several boats are seen approaching the island. The coast guard along with CC. As the boats reach the shore, CC jumps out and runs up to Pearl. "Where are they?"

Willoughby and his men are being handcuffed and Pearl stammers. "Mr. C, we did the best we could!"

CC grabs his collar. "What are you saying?"

"The place blew up, we haven't seen Eden yet, but Cruz is looking for her now."

CC lets go of Pearl and starts to run toward the forest. Pearl follows, along with Quinn.

FADE OUT

Cruz is wandering among the scorched trees. Screaming for Eden every few steps. Eventually the smoke and hopelessness begin to take its toll, and he falls down to the ground in resignation. "Baby, I know you're alive. Where are you?"

FADE OUT

CC rushes into the house, followed closely by Pearl and Quinn. He turns to them, "Search the house!" Pearl and Quinn take off in different directions, leaving CC alone. He clasps his hands together and begins a silent prayer.

Suddenly a diminutive voice comes from behind him and he spins around.

"Where's Dr. Will?"

Standing in the doorway is a small child, with long raven black hair, almond colored skin and pale green eyes, she appears to be no more than 6 or 7.

CC stammers; "Chr-Christina?"

A faint smile appears on her lips. "I know you. You're Mommy's daddy."

CC smiles as tears well in his eyes, he drops to his knees. His arms outstretched, "Yes, yes baby. I'm your grandfather!"

Christina hesitantly steps toward CC, then breaks into a run. She hugs him around his neck tightly, but then pulls back to face him. "Is Mommy with you?"

FADE OUT

Cruz continues to wander through the forest. The damage to the area was minimal due to the earlier rain. He stumbles across Leo lying on a path and pulls him up. "Wake up man!"

Leo takes a moment to acclimate himself and starts to struggle. Cruz lays on top of him with his arm pinned under his chin. "Where's my wife?"

"You're choking me!"

"Where's Eden?" Cruz bears down harder on his neck.

"I don't know! I was taking her to the shelter and she smashed me in the head with something!"

Cruz eases up on his grip; "She wasn't in the shed when it blew up?"

Leo: "Only if she was an idiot. She knew it was wired to blow. But, hey, she did think her kid was in there!"

Cruz grabs him by the collar and slams him into the dirt. "Was Christina in the shed?"

"No, but that's what Willoughby told her."

Cruz stands up, dragging Leo up with him. "Take me to my daughter!"

FADE OUT

Leo and Cruz enter the house, CC is standing with a couple of the Coast Guard. Cruz shoves Leo toward the uniformed men. They take him and leave the room. CC walks quietly over to Cruz.

Cruz: "Is Eden here?"

CC: "You didn't find her."

Cruz: "Mr. C, I know she's on this island… She's not dead. I didn't find anything to prove she was."

CC lays his hand on Cruz's shoulder. "I know son. I know she's ok. We'll find her." Giggling is heard from the corridor, "There is someone here I think you should meet."

Cruz turns around as Pearl runs in from the foyer with Christina riding piggyback on his shoulders.

Pearl stops, embarrassed, he lowers Christina to the floor. "Hi Cruzie, I thought it would make this little lady feel better to go for a ride."

Christina steps from behind Pearl, studying Cruz carefully.

Tears begin to well in Cruz's eyes, his hand covering his mouth. He slowly lowers himself to the floor.

Christina walks cautiously past Cruz to a chair behind him. She tenderly picks up a teddy bear and walks back to him.

Offering the bear to Cruz, she speaks demurely: "Poppa?"

"Christina?"

She nods and shyly steps closer. Cruz engulfs her in his arms, crying. "Hello Baby!"

He pulls back from her and she lays her tiny hand on his face. "Why are you crying?"

Cruz wipes the tears from his face. "I'm, I'm just so happy to see you."

Christina smiles as she holds up her bear. "Moma told me that this was your bear, when you were a little boy. I knew when I ever saw you; I'd give it back to you. It's yours now."

Cruz smiles broadly. "Thank you Darlin'!" He takes the bear and kisses it. "Hello Ocito! You look a lot better than the last time I saw you!"

Christina giggles

"Your Moma told you about me?"

"She told me about you sometimes. When she was real sad. And when she talked about you, she didn't seem too sad anymore."

Cruz hugs her again, then encloses her small face in his hands. "I was sad too, I'm so glad Mommy had you to watch after her."

"Where's Mommy?" Christina looks around the room.

Cruz wipes the tears away again, then turns around to look at CC.

FADE OUT

CC has left the island to take Christina to the yacht. Quinn enters the study where Cruz is finishing giving a report to the men from the Coast Guard. He greets him. "Find anything?"

"Not a clue, but there are men all over the island looking for her. "

"I know in my heart she's alright, but where the hell is she?"

Quinn: "Where's everybody?"

"I asked CC to take Christina off the island. Sophia can take care of her." He pauses, "She asked me where her Mommy was."

"What did you tell her."

Cruz sighs; "I told her I was going to get Mommy and bring her back to her." He pauses for a moment, thinking; "I'm gonna go back to that cave.." Cruz wrings his hands and looks down surprised. "Where's my ring?"

"Did you have it on all along?"

Feeling his pockets, "I didn't take it off, but…" He stops as he feels an object in his pocket. "I guess I did.." Reaching in his pocket, he pulls out the ring Eden had placed in his pocket.

Holding the ring up to his face. "Oh my God! It's Eden's ring! How the hell?…"

Quinn: "What? Why do you have Eden's ring?"

Cruz: "She left it, she must have taken mine. God! Did she find me on the beach? Does she think I'm dead?"

Quinn: "I knew I should have stayed with you. I shouldn't have followed Willoughby's men."

Cruz: "What were the odds that she'd be out on that beach? What's going through her mind? Where'd she go? Oh Baby, I'm so sorry!"

Suddenly Pearl bursts into the room. "Cruzie! Willoughby had a boat on the island and it's gone!"

Cruz: "What are you talking about?"

Pearl: "One of his men told me his two escape plans to get off the island, there's a chopper and a speedboat!"

Cruz: "Eden's never flown a helicopter, she wouldn't have taken it."

Pearl: "Yeah, anyway it's still here. But, the boat? It's gone Pal."

"She took the boat? She's alive!" Cruz kisses the ring, then hugs Pearl. "Tell Mr. C, I'm taking the chopper, Go back to Santa Barbara with Christina!"

Pearl: "Where are you going?"

Cruz stops and turns, "I don't know.. But I will… I will know."

FADE OUT

The Inn is deserted; a huge sign is posted that the inn is closed for renovations. Eden wanders past the sign, emotionless she walks aimlessly.

Lisa: Well, when you've gotten tired of this zombie routine, let me know.

Flying the helicopter into Santa Barbara, Cruz becomes lost in the memory of the last night he and Eden shared in the cave. Reminiscing about their wedding, talking about the children. He pulls her ring out from his pocket once more. "Where did you go baby?"

FADE OUT

Eden stands at the cliffs overlooking the ocean.

Lisa: "Don't tell me you're thinking about jumping."

Eden screams: "Shut up! Leave me alone. You have made my life miserable. You ruined my life!"

Lisa laughs, "I ruined your life? I saved your life!"

Eden: "If it weren't for you, Cruz would be…"

Lisa: "Alive?"

Eden holds her hand to her chest and crumples to the ground. "Oh my God. He's de.. He's.."

Lisa: "He's dead Eden. I know you loved him, I really do feel bad."

"Shut up!" Eden holds her hands to her ears screaming, "LEAVE ME ALONE!"

Her cries echo over the rocks, she holds her head until she's sure Lisa's voice has gone. Her screams broken only by her sobs.

FADE OUT

Cruz lands the helicopter in Santa Barbara. Having called Mason ahead of time, he is greeted by him at the heli-pad.

Mason hugs him tightly. "It's great to see you! Have you figured out where Eden may have gone."

"I know she's close Mason. I know she's safe." He pulls out Eden's ring, enclosing it tightly in his fist.

"Here in Santa Barbara?"

Cruz pauses, thinking. "No.. Not here in Santa Barbara."

"Where?"

"Mason, do you have your car here?"

"Sure!"

"Can I take it? Can you catch a ride? I really need your car man."

Mason hands him his keys. "Here, it's yours!" Cruz takes the keys and runs; Mason speaks to himself, "Actually, I'm driving Julia's car today, but I'm sure she won't mind." Then with a realization, he starts to chase after Cruz… "Cruz, let me show you where it's parked!"

FADE OUT

Eden is alone. Wandering about the inn and the grounds, she waits. Memories flood in and out. Memories of Cruz. Memories of their wedding. No visits from Amelia, no reminders of the Captain. Even Lisa is gone. She is alone. She waits.

FADE OUT

Cruz drives Julia's Jaguar screaming through the curves. An urgency forcing him to maniacal speeds along the treacherous road. Storm clouds are moving in and he glances down to the radio trying to find a weather report. A Little Bit of Heaven" comes on as the radio scans the channels. Magically, the next station is playing "If I Believed". He finds it impossible to stop the scanning and numerous stations sail by, each playing a song special to Eden and Cruz. "Moonlight in Your Eyes", "Shelter from the Storm", "My Funny Valentine", "Read My Mind", "Groovy Kind of Love", "Hello" and finally "The Change in Me." Suddenly the radio stops on a weather report, where the DJ announces hurricane warnings for the area. Then the radio goes dead.

Cruz fidgets with the buttons, but abandons the radio after hitting lose gravel on the side of the road.

He smiles as he approaches the road sign ahead of him: "I'm coming Eden!"

The Jag sails past the sign which states simply: "Pebble Creek--50 miles".

FADE OUT

Eden is standing on the balcony, looking down to the area where she and Cruz pledged their love. Remembering every moment of the ceremony. She is oblivious to the storm clouds moving in. Losing herself deeper and deeper in her memories.

She turns to see Cruz standing behind her, both in white sweaters, they begin to dance, but it's only a memory of the last time they danced there, she discovers that Cruz is not in her arms, and she's dancing alone. She stops and buries her face in her hands. Sighing heavily, she questions her sanity. There's no Lisa to respond. Truly alone, she returns to her memories for solace.

Placing her hands on the railing, she looks back down to the grounds. Again, Cruz is standing there. Looking up to her. "Eden!"

She closes her eyes, and smiles meekly, whispering; "I love you, you'll never leave me will you?"

Leaving her eyes closed for several minutes, she hears Cruz calling to her. She opens her eyes to discover Cruz standing beside her. "Baby! I'm so glad I found you!"

She smiles at him demurely, no other emotion registering on her face.

Cruz reaches for her and she steps back frightened. "No!"

He steps closer again and she backs away, terror in her eyes; "Eden! What's wrong?"

Eden's face softens as she gazes at Cruz; the terror has gone and she cautiously reaches her hand to touch his jacket. Stroking the leather, she speaks softly: "You feel so real."

Cruz hesitantly raises his hands and gently lays them on her arms. "I am real baby. I'm real and I'm here!"

Eden doesn't answer; she reaches her trembling fingers to touch his face. Smiling, "I can smell you, I can touch you."

Cruz: "Eden, listen to me. God, I love you so much, I'm so sorry! I wasn't dead! I never meant for you to see that!" He reaches up to gently stroke her cheek. A tear falls from her eye. He leans in to lightly kiss her lips.

Eden closes her eyes and gasps, opening her eyes again. "Cruz?" Laying her hands on his face. "Please tell me this isn't a dream."

"Oh, It is a dream baby. Our dream. But I'm real, you're real. We've found Christina! It's all over." They embrace tightly, "I'll never leave you baby."

She pulls back: "Oh Cruz! I'm so sorry. I just left the island, I didn't know where I was going, why I did anything I did! I'm so sorry I left you."

"Shhh! I'm glad you left, you stayed safe! All that matters is that you're here, you're ok. I love you more than my life Eden!"

"Oh, I love you!"

They kiss passionately, then Cruz lifts her up, holding her in his arms. A clap of thunder is heard in the distance; "Let's find shelter from the storm, turn out the lights and find a little bit of heaven."

Eden runs her hands through his hair, they kiss again and she smiles broadly; "Just a little bit?"

Cruz: "OK!" He smiles devilishly; "A whole lot!"

Wouldn't you agree? Baby you and me got a groovy kind of love.