Part 2

Jerry entered the Recovery Room, looking around. Lucy told him that Rachel usually ate lunch there. A woman, definitely matching Lucy's description of Rachel was sitting alone at one of the tables. Not paying too much attention to her, Jerry sat at the bar. After getting the gist of what was going on from Lucy, he'd told her he'd help. But he wouldn't know exactly what he'd do until he saw Rachel. Seeing her, he didn't think trying to talk to her would work. But, even if it didn't, if she saw him around after he'd spoken to her, maybe the desired effect would still be achieved. Seeing his own reflection in the mirror, he smiled. Lucy's excitement for the game was contagious. It had been a while since he'd actually been intrigued by this kind of thing. Acting as if he'd just noticed her, he walked over to her, smiling. She ignored him.

''Hi.''

Finally she looked up at him. ''Can I help you?''

''I was just wondering what you're eating. I've never been here before, and I don't know what's edible.'' It was lame, but the idea was to pick her up. Or to make her paranoid.

''I eat here everyday, and I haven't had anything I really didn't like.'' Rachel looked at him carefully, wondering what he was really up to.

''I'm a meat and potatoes kind of man, you know? I don't know about new places.''

''I guess you're trying to tell me that you've never been here before.''

Jerry smiled. ''You caught me. A friend of mine is in the hospital, and I stopped over here to get a bite. That cafeteria food is just to much for me to deal with.''

''A friend? I'm sorry to hear that. Who?''

Suspicious already. Jerry decided to try to work on that first. ''Chloe Ashton. Hit and run.''

Rachel visibly relaxed. ''I heard about her. Sad case. If her eyesight doesn't come back soon, I may try to talk to her. See if I can help.''

‘Over my dead body' was the first thing that went through Jerry's mind, but he smiled. ''You're a doctor?''

''A psychiatrist. But don't let that scare you.'' Rachel actually looked like she was really smiling. ''Would you like to join me?'' Grinning, Jerry sat down. He wasn't about to fool himself into thinking she would be easy, but he wanted to see what she would give him to work with.

*********************

''She's very suspicious. I think I'm going to end up going with plan B. But I want to milk plan A as long as I can.'' Jerry sat on the sofa in Lucy's hotel room.

Handing him a drink, she sat down. ''Don't spook her yet. But definitely up the stakes. Run into her at GH. Chloe's still there, so you have a valid excuse for running into her.'' Lucy shook her head. ''That sounded really bad. I went by and talked to Ned earlier. I wish she wasn't still there.''

''I know, Lucy. But I do intend to run into her while I'm visiting Chloe. She mentioned talking to her. If I hadn't spoken to you, I probably would have been all for it. So for that, we owe you.''

''Don't you let her anywhere near Chloe, Jerry. The way she treated Victor was nothing more than a power play against Kevin.'' Her eyes met Jerry's and he knew she meant it. ''I won't. Believe me. I won't.''

Later that afternoon, Jerry decided it was time to find out a little more on his own. Getting into Rachel's office, he started to go through her desk drawers. Nothing. No mention of Livvy, or the factory that the phone number reached. Whatever Rachel was hiding, she wasn't trusting the lock on her office door to keep it safe. He'd have to get into her apartment sometime soon. But for now, it was time to clear out. She could appear any time now. Jerry hated to admit it to himself, but that was part of the fun.

It was only about 10 minutes after Jerry let himself out of the office that Rachel did return. It took her about 15 seconds to realize someone had been there. Checking to make sure everything was still there, she sat down and slammed her hand on the desk. ''Kevin!'' Grabbing her keys, she stood and ran out the door. It was time to put Kevin out of her life for a while.

*******************

Kevin and Eve were trying to enjoy a quiet evening at home, but the tension was so thick, neither of them knew what to say. Kevin felt like he was going through the motions with Eve, and he didn't like it. He wondered if Eve felt the same way. It scared him that the phone ringing made him feel relieved. It saved him from thinking of something to say.

*******************

It was almost midnight before Kevin returned home. Slamming the door behind him, he was suprised to find Eve still sitting on the sofa.

''Well? What did Mac want?''

He sighed. ''Rachel filed the complaint. Mac had to ask me where I was all day yesterday. Apparently, someone broke into her office, and-''

''And she told the police that you did it, right?'' Eve was instantly furious.

''She told Mac that I've been following her around Port Charles, and that I've...... I guess in a roundabout way, threatened her.''

''Mac doesn't believe her, does he?''

Kevin shook his head. ''He knows that Rachel is up to something, but he can't ignore the fact that she filed a complaint against me. At least, not if he wants to keep his job.''

''I can't believe this, Kevin. She's the one that is messing with people, and she's going to turn around and call the cops on you?''

''Eve, let it go.''

''I can't, Kevin!''

''Well, I don't want you and Lucy going after her! She's-''

''Lucy? You told her about this?''

Realizing that telling Eve that Lucy knew was a mistake, Kevin sighed. ''Yes, Eve, I told Lucy. It's no big deal. Except she got as angry as you are, and she intends to do something about it. Which is precisely why I don't want you going after Rachel, too.''

''What is Lucy going to do?''

''I don't know. But I don't think I'm going to like it.''

Eve stared at Kevin. It was obvious to her how much he cared about Lucy, just from the tone of his voice. ''I'm going out for a while. I'll be back.'' Standing, she walked out the door before Kevin could ask her where she was going.

********************

Scott's car was in the driveway, and she parked behind him. When she'd left the lighthouse, Eve hadn't decided where she was going. It suprised her to find out she was headed for the firehouse.

Scott opened the door, and smiled when he saw her.

''I have no idea why I'm here, I just got in the car and drove.''

''Here I thought you came to see me. What was I thinking?''

Laughing, Scott stood back so she could walk past him. ''What happened?''

''You. Actually, you, Kevin, and Lucy.'' She shrugged. ''I don't get it, I thought this was over. I thought everyone was happy.''

''You're referring to me and Lucy, right?'' Scott shook his head. ''Eve, look, Lucy and I finally realized why we couldn't make it work before. Why it couldn't be different this time. We're best friends, but we can't be together.'' Running his hands through his hair, he flopped on the sofa. ''Lucy was running from the way Kevin made her feel, I saw the opportunity to relive the days Lucy and I had together before. I don't think either of us saw it that way at the time, but that's what it boiled down to.''

''And you're okay with that?''

His eyes met hers, and she couldn't look away. ''Yeah. I'm okay with it. Lucy and I go way back, and we're best friends. I think we really do love each other. But we're not IN love, you know? We both saw a family, and we thought that was enough. But it wasn't. For either of us.''

''What about Lucy and Kevin?''

''Lucy and Kevin? What about them? Don't tell me she's going after him. I really didn't expect that.''

Eve laughed. ''Actually, she's not going after him.'' Then she began to cry. ''I think Kevin's going after her.''

Moving to sit beside her, Scott pulled her into his arms. ''I'm not going to lie to you, Eve. I knew they have.... something between them. I don't know what it is, but it's as strong as whatever is between Lucy and me. Different.'' Scott was quick to add. ''I know I didn't have with her what he did. Or what I had with you.''

Staring at Scott in shock, Eve felt him inching closer to her. ''Maybe they're both right. I mean, we thought we were right now. Maybe back then we were right, and just didn't know it.'' Before she could lose her nerve, she kissed him.

For a moment, Scott was shocked. Then, pulling her to him, he returned her kiss.

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