Chapter 4

Kevin was waiting for Eve to come downstairs to go to dinner. He knew he had a few minutes, and he decided to listen to some music. Eyeing his CD collection, he noticed a few out of place. Eve must have been listening to them. Putting them back, he actually considered telling Eve to make sure she put them back where she found them. Then he shook his head. He knew what she would say. After she gave him that look she gave him whenever she thought he was doing something strange. This need to have everything in order was his problem, not hers. So he'd just put them back and not say a word about it.

Eve finally arrived, and she put her arms around him. ''Where are we going?''

''I was thinking about the Outback. It's been a while since I've been there.''

''Sounds good to me.'' She kissed him.

When they arrived at the Outback, Eve was not thrilled to see Lucy sitting by herself at the bar. Lucy had gone there to see Felicia, and she shared Eve's sentiment when she saw Kevin and Eve walk in the door. But her curiosity got the better of her, and she tried to watch them inconspicuously, wondering where things stood with them that Kevin was calling her.

Felicia seated Kevin and Eve and walked back to Lucy. ''So, what are you and Scott going to do about this guy?'' Lucy had been telling Felicia about DV's attempts to crush the Serina line. Lucy watched Kevin kiss Eve while he held her hand and lost all train of thought. It occurred to her that Kevin might be playing games. While she really didn't want to believe he was capable, the evidence was there. Tears came to her eyes, and she became furious with herself. Before Felicia could repeat herself, Lucy stood up and walked casually to the office. Confused, Felicia followed her. After shutting the door, she turned to Lucy.

''What's going on? I thought you were okay with this. What about you and Scott?''

''I don't know. I don't know about anything anymore. You know what? I wish he hadn't called me.'' She hadn't meant to say it, but it was too late. Felicia pounced on it.

''He called you? When?''

''It doesn't matter. I don't understand what he wants, but he's not going to tear my heart out again! I can't take it.'' Tears slid down her face and she shrugged. ''I can't take it again.''

Felicia was angry with Kevin, and she started for the door. ''Felicia, stop! Don't say anything. Please.''

''Why not? He calls you, I don't know what he said, but it was enough to rattle you when you saw him with Eve. What is he up to?''

''I'll find out. Just don't say anything to him. Or her. Not until I know for sure what I'm going to do.'' Wiping her eyes, she stood. ''Besides, if he is playing a game with me, you know me well enough to know I want to be the one to blow him out of the water.''

''Can I be there to watch at least?''

Lucy finally smiled. ''If I decide to do anything drastic, I promise you'll have a front row seat.''

Laughing, they went back out to the bar. As they crossed the floor, they both glanced Kevin's way, almost at the same time. Smiling, they both nodded to him, but their smiles were not what Kevin would term warm.

Not knowing what he'd done this time, Kevin looked at Eve, who thought it was because of her. ''Face it, Kevin, Lucy will hate me until the day she dies. Felicia isn't too wild about me, either.''

''You did what you thought you had to do. How many times do I have to tell you?''

''I ruined Felicia's wedding, too. I don't think she'll ever forgive me for that, anymore than Lucy will.''

Kevin hadn't really had a chance to talk to Felicia since the wedding. He didn't know how she felt about what had happened. ''I'll make it a point to stop by this week and talk to her. When Lucy isn't around. You may be right. She and Lucy got close because of Mac and me. I hoped she'd understand. She acted like she did that day.''

During the time Kevin and Eve were there, Felicia and Lucy had a few drinks. They laughed and took turns playing the jukebox in the corner. Fortunately, Eve's back was to the bar, so she missed the fact that Lucy would occasionally, more often the more she drank, glare over at Kevin. Kevin didn't draw attention to it, more to avoid a confrontation between the two women more than any other reason. He'd honestly thought they were through with all her temper tantrums about what had happened. Especially since she'd appeared to be happy with Scott. Maybe there was trouble there. Of course, with Lucy, that was usually the case. He thought about that. ‘Not bitter are we?' went through his mind. He thought HE was through with all that. Making it a point to pay strict attention to Eve, he tried to finish dinner and pay the check as quickly as he could without drawing attention to himself.

Mac arrived and waved to Kevin before sitting at the bar, watching Felicia and Lucy, who weren't drunk, but had enough to be having a very good time together. On either side of Mac, they proceeded to try to get him to dance with them. Mac finally noticed the way Lucy was trying to sneak glares at Kevin and looked over at him. Kevin met Mac's stare and shrugged. Something was definitely under Lucy's skin when it came to Kevin, but neither man could even begin to guess what it was. Understanding Kevin's predicament, Mac made sure he was given his bill as soon as they finished their dinner so Kevin could leave before Lucy became obvious to Eve.


Chapter 5


In the meantime, Ryan's next stop was Ferncliff. As Kevin, it was easy to get in to see Julie Devlin. The guards on duty knew him, and didn't pay attention when he only pretended to sign in. He only saw one orderly when he requested Julie be brought to the visiting room. When Julie saw him, she smiled. ''Kevin. I thought you wouldn't be back for a few days.''

''Changed my mind.'' He smiled. Now to really start something.

''I'm glad. I missed you already. I don't really trust anyone here.''

''I understand that. You never know who's your friend in a place like this.''

She gave him a strange look. ''That sounds strange, coming from you.''

''Well, I'm in a strange mood.'' He laughed. ''I've been thinking about you. I want to know why you want me to help you.'' ''I thought I already told you. Only you can understand me. You know what I'm talking about.''

Julie tried to figure out what Kevin was getting at. The last time she seen him, he'd seemed satisfied with her explanation. ''Why?'' Ryan was intrigued. This girl was running some kind of game. He wondered if Kevin was on to her.

''Because you know what it's like to do things that you don't understand you're doing. I don't understand what you're looking for. We've had this conversation before.''

''Well, why don't you tell me the truth this time?''

Julie was shocked. How much did Kevin think he knew? ''I don't know what you're talking about.''

Ryan grinned. Julie was suprised. That meant Kevin didn't suspect a thing. ''If you don't want to cut to the chase and tell me what this is really about, I'm walking out that door, and I'm not coming back.''

Julie had no idea that her buttons were being pushed by a master. But she did know that if Kevin figured out what was going on, she'd never get out of there. Touching her ‘baby', she yawned. ''I'm getting really tired, I don't know what you want, but I really need to get back to my room. I don't feel very good.'' ''Convenient.'' He had to let her go. It would blow everything if he caused a scene here. Kevin would find out he'd been here, but he wouldn't find out today.

As Julie started to leave the room, Ryan grabbed her arm. ''Just remember, little girl, that this game was not invented by you, and it has been perfected in a league you've only dreamt of being in. Sometimes it takes one to know one. ''

The look in Ryan's eyes actually scared Julie, but she didn't let him see that. Instead, anger flashed in her eyes. ''I don't know who you think you are, but you're supposed to be helping me. If this is how you help people, no wonder you don't have a license.''

He let go of her arm and she practically ran from the room. Ryan laughed. Kevin was going to pay for that. Leaving as quickly and as quietly as he could, he made contact with as few people as possible. No sense in tripping his hand too early.


Chapter 6


The next morning, Lucy looked at the clock on her desk. Since she'd arrived at the office, she was still undecided as to if she was going to meet Kevin or not. She alternated between hurt that he might be playing some game, and anger that he might be setting her up for a fall. Add guilt over not telling Scott, and a small genuine hope that Kevin might be telling her the truth, and Lucy didn't know which way to turn by 11AM.

Finally she sighed. She was going. All along, the whole time she was arguing with herself, deep down, she'd known all along she was going.

So at noon, she stepped into the diner. Kevin stood and smiled at her. Suddenly, she thought about last night and by the time she reached him, she was furious. ''I want to know what the hell is going on. Now!''

Ryan tensed. ''What?''

''Last night? The Outback?''

Every muscle in Ryan's body tensed. She must have run into Kevin. What had happened? It took every bit of self-restraint he possessed to not grab her and run out the door. Had she blown the whole thing?

She took his lack of reply to be an admission of guilt. ''What am I to you? Is this a game to you? If you are so confused, then why are you still so cozy with Eve? Why don't you tell me what's really going on?''

She'd seen Kevin with Eve. But had she said anything? ''Lucy, what do you want me to say? Am I just supposed to walk away from Eve, give up everything I have, for a woman I'm A. not sure even cares about me, or B. I'm not sure I can trust?''

That worked. The pain flashed across Lucy's face and she sat down. Ryan almost smiled. God she was easy. ''Do you want to know what I want, Lucy? I want to know that you still love me, that you want to be with me. At least you are willing to try.'' Standing, she tried to walk away from him again. Blocking her, he backed her up to sit down at the booth, sliding in and facing her. ''What is it going to be, Lucy?'' Leaning in, he waited for her answer. Little did she know that her answer would decide if he would allow her to go home that night.

She was trying not to cry. ''Where are you coming from, Kevin? You know I still love you. Are you trying to hurt me for a reason? How am I supposed to feel when you call me out of the blue, tell me you think you might have made a mistake, then I see you kissing Eve like everything's fine, and staring at me like I've lost my mind. I mean-''

Ryan kissed her. He had to shut her up or he was going to slap her. How had Kevin put up with her incessant babbling without killing her? When she returned his kiss, he pulled away from her, holding her face. ''I love you, Lucy. I want to be with you. But I can't trust you, and until you can prove to me I can trust you, I can't commit to being with you.''

Bulls eye. He was glad he'd done so much research on them. This trust thing was going to come in handy. It worked on her better than puppet strings. Looking totally crushed, Lucy stared at the table. When she finally replied, her voice was barely a whisper. ''What do I have to do to prove it to you?''

Leaning over to her, he whispered in her ear. ''Be with me, I need to believe in you. In your love.''

Her face showed confusion, and he almost panicked. ''I mean, are you willing to leave Scott? Are you willing to try to build a new life with me? Do you love me?''

''Kevin, I've told you a million times I would do anything for you. Why are you asking me this now? What's going on?''

Ryan almost had pity for the hopeful look in her eyes. God help her, she really loved his brother. She'd really blown everything he'd ever heard about her out of the water. The question was, did she love Kevin enough to leave Scott for him?

''Let's get out of here. I want to be alone with you.'' Ryan pulled her to her feet and out the door.

Lucy let him drag her out into the parking lot. ''Where are we going?''

''Jasmine Island.''

''What?'' The tone of her voice scared Ryan again. The island was the safest place to take her. No chance of anyone seeing them, and if she turned out to be too much trouble, or realized what was really going on, he could deal with her there

. ''Think about it. Are you ready for everyone in Port Charles to find out about us? If we go anywhere else, someone could see us.''

''What if I don't care if anyone sees us?''

''Are you-'' Taking a deep breath, he calmed his voice. ''Are you ready to give up Scott?''

''You know it's much more complicated than that.''

''Then follow me to the island. We need to talk.'' Talking to her was the last thing he wanted to do, but Kevin wouldn't exactly take her to a cheap motel and tear her short little dress off. Which was the only thing Ryan wanted to do with her at that moment.

Finally, she nodded. ''Okay.''

All the way to the island, Lucy wasn't sure what she hoped for. Was she ready to trust him? Was she ready to sleep with him? That was where she thought this was headed if they were on the island alone. The thought of being with him again had a very mixed effect on her. It was what she wanted, but not like this. Not while she was still living with Scott. She felt she owed it to Scott to tell him what was going on. But what if she told Scott and Kevin changed his mind? God that sounded as horrible as it felt.

Ryan was having a few thoughts of his own. He was very close to panicking. This was going to be the test. He'd thought about all the excuses he could use if he did something that sent up a red flag. If he could pull this off, along with her dress, her- Shaking his head, he stopped himself. This kind of thinking would definitely get him in trouble. She would be his if he played his cards right. She was so in love with Kevin, she would do anything to get him back. That was the key.

Chapter 7

When they reached the island, Ryan opened the door for her and followed her inside. Looking around, she sat on the sofa.

''Well?''

''Are you in a hurry?''

''Kevin, I do have to go home at some point. Scott will be looking for me. If he calls the office, he'll-''

''You need to make up your mind, Lucy. Do you want to see where this is going to go or not? Do you think you might want to be with me? Can I believe what you said earlier?''

When in doubt, pull out the trump card. The trust thing again. Once again, it worked. Lucy's eyes filled with tears and she looked at the ground.

Without another word, Ryan went to the kitchen and pulled a bottle of Chardonnay out of the refrigerator. He personally hated the stuff, but Kevin liked it. And the red wine had given him away before. It wouldn't this time.

Back out in the living room, he handed her the glass. Sitting next to her, he took her hand. ''You want to know where I'm coming from. So I'll tell you as best I can. I miss you.''

He couldn't help himself. Touching her hair, he inched closer to her. She tensed, but didn't pull away from him.

Ryan's mind was racing. This was Kevin's woman he was trying to seduce. She belonged to him, and Ryan was about to take her. His fingers were trembling as they brushed her cheek and down her neck. The thought of how easily her neck would snap in his hand almost pushed him over the edge. He struggled to get himself under control.

Just as nervous as he was, but for different reasons, Lucy drank her wine quickly. When she put her glass down, he was smiling at her strangely. ''What are you thinking about?''

''You. Me. Where we're going.'' Pulling her to him, he kissed her. Returning his kiss, she leaned back on the sofa. Everything she'd felt since the day he'd left her came back to her. When she felt his hands caressing her breasts, she pulled away. ''I can't. Not like this.''

''What?!'' He screamed at her, and she jumped.

Standing, she faced him. ''What's wrong with you?''

''What's wrong with me?'' Panic set in. What could he say to her that wouldn't make her more paranoid than she already was? ''What's wrong with me is that I bear my soul to you, and you won't even tell me what you're thinking. You act like you want me, then you pull away from me. What am I supposed to be thinking?''

It seemed to satisfy her. ''I'm confused. I don't know if I can get my hopes up, or if I should cut my losses where you're concerned. I do love you. Do I think we can be together? You tell me! I wanted to be with you, I wanted to marry you!'' She began to cry. ''I wanted to be you wife, the mother of your children, I wanted to be your life. I wanted you to build your life with mine. You're the one who didn't want it! You're the one who walked away from me. I didn't. I begged you to stay.'' Not knowing she was really talking to Ryan, she had no idea how much danger she was in for crossing him. In anger, she grabbed his shirt and pulled him to face her. ''I did something I swore I'd never do again when I was 16 years old! I begged you! I swallowed every ounce of pride I'd ever had and I begged and pleaded. Ego? Self-respect? Forget it. I gave it all to you. And you looked me right in the eye and threw it in my face.''

As her tirade continued, Ryan was finding it harder and harder to concentrate. He wanted to hit her, choke her, anything to shut her up. Her voice was grating on his nerves, and he didn't think he could go one more minute without shutting her up forever. Next time he'd have to drug one of them. Either her to shut her up, or him so he could deal with it. If he didn't kill her this time. Then it clicked in his mind. Marriage. She'd mentioned it at least twice in the little part he'd actually listened to. ''Lucy.''

She kept going.

''Lucy!'' Finally he grabbed her arms. ''Lucy! Listen to me!'' When he jerked her body, she finally stopped and looked at him. ''You want to know where I'm headed with this? I'll tell you. Wait here. Quietly, please.'' Running up the stairs, he jerked open the drawer in the room he'd been sleeping in. Grabbing what he was looking for, he came down the stairs three at a time and faced her.

''Remember these?''

When she saw the wedding rings, she began to cry again.

''Do you remember what I said to you when I gave you this?'' He didn't want to make a mistake.

''Of course I remember! I'll never forget. It was one of the happiest days of my life.'' Gently, she touched his face. ''That's what you don't get. The happiest days I've ever had were with you. But I've also had the most miserable, lonely days of my life because of you. Can I open myself up to that again?''

His patience was beyond the breaking point. ''This is yours. I gave it to you.''

''And you took it away!''

''And it was a mistake. I admit it. Is that what you wanted? I admit it was a mistake.'' Would she ever shut up? ''I want to put this back on your finger. I want to tell everyone we're back together. But I need to know you're for real.'' He held the side of her face with his hand, his thumb very close to her windpipe. The smartest thing she could do right now would be to stay quiet. ''You have to prove to me that you want to be with me.'' He tried to make it sound like a challenge.

''How?'' Her eyes met his.

He kissed her. The ring worked like a charm. She returned his kiss without the slightest hesitation. Knowing he had the perfect carrot to dangle in front of her, he ran his hands over her body. But he couldn't sleep with her. Not yet. It was too much of a risk that she would be able to tell he wasn't Kevin.

Fortunately, she made the first move. Pulling away from him, she looked at him. ''I can't do this. Not like this. I have to tell Scott.''

Ryan almost held his breath. ''Does that mean you want to be with me?''

Crying, she nodded.

Smiling broadly, he pulled her to him and held her. His pleasure was no act. This was what he wanted. Stage one was falling into place perfectly.

Lucy couldn't believe what was happening. Kevin was here, telling her he wanted to marry her, and he loved her. For the last few months, she'd given up all hope that he would ever want to be with her again. But her heart hadn't cooperated. And here she was, with him, kissing him, making plans to be with him. He realized he wasn't home free yet. He had to make sure she stayed away from Kevin until he was ready to have Kevin find out for himself. ''Lucy, look. You need to understand something. I want to believe in you. I need you to make me. When you're ready to make the commitment, I'll make one to you. In the meantime, you don't want Scott to find out until you're ready to tell him, I don't want Evi- Eve to find out until I'm ready to tell her. I want you to promise me that you won't tell anyone until we're ready.'' Silently cursing himself for almost slipping, he stared at her.

''So we're back to that delayed gratification thing again?'' Not having any idea what she was talking about, he simply nodded.

''I guess you're right. I need time to think about this. I'm a little overwhelmed. I have to find the right way to tell Scott.'' ''So, for now, this is our secret?''

She nodded.

''I'll call you tomorrow. Okay?'' He kissed her, and was startled by the intensity with which she returned his kiss. Once again, he felt her body with his hands. This woman did have her finer points.

As soon as she left, Ryan took a long deep breath. It suprised him that she was still breathing. Talk about delayed gratification. If she'd only known how close she'd pushed him to killing her tonight. He was going to have to speed up the plan a little. He didn't want to lose control and kill her before everything fell into place.

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