Table of Contents Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 |  Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 |  Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 |

As the fair-haired couple took their marriage vows before the bubbly representative of their, um, non-secular (hey -- you come up with a word for it) beliefs, an unearthly golden glow bathed the room…sort of like [insert name of preferred deity here] was personally christening their sacred union by smashing a bottle of vintage champagne over their heads. Rafe Kovich, the wandering angel whose heavenly status changed back and forth between mortal and messenger more often than he changed his underwear, and Alison Barrington, the human girl with the chewed-up silver spoon permanently residing in her mouth, were becoming husband and wife at last.

Alison's mother, known to some as the filthy whore Elizabeth Barrington, arrived at the last moment to everyone's deep chagrin. Rafe's best friend, Dr. Ian Thornhart, the best man (and how!) at Rafe and Alison's first wedding, arrived together with lady love Lucy Coe to fill out the guest list (but not as nicely as he filled out his suit). Unfortunately still a vampire, Ian was becoming resigned to it with the help of supportive vampire slayer Lucy.

IN ANOTHER ROOM following another marriage ceremony performed by Elvira, darkness reigned…darkness and the scent of blood, as dark-to-Alison's-light Livvie Locke Morley held her recently punctured wrist to her glistening lips and wailed at her new husband, Caleb, "NOOOOOOHHHHHHHH!"

"My love, my love! What is it? What's wrong?" the smirking vampire…smirked. "Was I not gentle enough with your virgin wrist? I'm afraid that was about the only spot on your body left -- "

"No! Oh, no, Caleb, my love. You could never hurt me," Livvie smiled bravely through her tears, "It's just that I - I forgot to bring - " She paused in confusion.

"Forgot what, my love?" Caleb smirked in encouragement of his dark lovely bride.

"I - I - you know!"

"No, my love, I don't. Remember we have no secrets now. In fact I am about to share with you the biggest secret of all - which will be my own special wedding gift to you, my perfect love."

"Oh, my love! Another gift! You are too good to me! I'm not worthy, I bow at your feet!"

"Could you go a little higher?" Caleb smirked.

"I'm afraid I will have to," Livvie wailed again, "that is what I'm trying to tell you, my only love. I just realized that it's that…oh, I know we're married now but I'm too embarrassed to say it."

"Well…perhaps…I am be sensitive to changes in the atmosphere…I can help you, my shy love. Am I correct in presuming our wedding night will be a two-fer?"

Relieved she nodded, then frowned. "But that means my wish for you can't come true tonight."

Caleb smirked, "Your wish, my love? You have a wish for…moi?"

Livvie collapsed at his eager feet. "Oh, yes, Master. Tonight is our wedding night, the night when the veil between vampire physiology and human physiology was to part and allow the mingling of genes. Caleb, my love, my wish was that you were to father our child tonight…our own child of darkness…the child foretold throughout recorded western hemispheric history…the anti-Rafe."

At this bold but beautiful announcement, surprisingly, Caleb snapped his fingers and smirked. "Oh, my love. As always we are on the same page of the metaphorical script. You see, this was my secret. This is to be my wedding gift to you, my enticing hormonal bride. We will have a child."

Livvie smiled through her tears. "Oh, my love! What was I thinking? Once again I have failed you, once again I have tried to limit you to mere earthly powers! If any man can get me pregnant even while I'm riding the cotton pony, it's you, my love!"

"Er…Olivia, my love," Caleb began with a smirk. "Did I say you were going to be the bitch whelped that puppy?"

In the room of light, the space rotating around the gloriously happy newly wedded Alison Barrington Kovich suddenly lurched subtly.

Lucy poked Ian in the arm. "Ian. Isn't this just what we needed? Don't they look happy?"

Ian looked down at her. "That they do. Now when the devil will it be over?"

Lucy looked at Ian with a twinkle in her eye. "Hmmm, Christina is with Kevin tonight, I'm assuming Serena's with Scott, although I haven't seen her in months, and Danny's with Colleen. Looks like we have the house to ourselves."

"What are we waiting for, woman? Let's go!!"

Grabbing her hand, Ian guided Lucy through the crowded room. He turned back to smile at her, and accidentally bumped into someone.

"I'm sorry about that, just in a bit of a rush."

"IAN DON'T BITE ME!!!!" screeched that filthy whore Elizabeth Barrington. "I know I've done bad things, and only think of myself and I bit you because I was lonely and it would be a perfect symmetry if you'd turn the tables on me but please don't do it because I love my daughter and I'm here for her now even though I haven't had anything to do with her in the past few months since I'm so caught up in me me me but please don't bite me Ian please!"

"Dear God woman, do you need a hit of oxygen after all that? I'm not gonna bite you. Unlike you, I'm not weak. I'm still fighting, and I will continue to. You've nothing to fear from me."

"Ohhhh, what a relief!" sighed filthy whore Elizabeth. "You were always so kind and good to me. That's why I bit you. In my own twisted sense of self-justification, I think that makes sense. Hmmmmmmmm, Ian, you do look good in that suit. Can I come visit you in the cabin?"

"You keep your disgusting, pathetic claws of Ian!" yelled Lucy. "Haven't you done enough?"

"Now, now." said an exasperated Ian, extracting himself from Elizabeth's tentacles. "Go tend to your daughter."

"My daughter? I have a daughter? Oh, yeah, Abigail, or Anna, or something like that, right?

"It's ALISON, you dingbat," sighed Lucy.

"Oh, yes, Alison! She's my world. I'd do anything for her. Now, which one is she?"

Ian sighed. "Look over yonder. She's the one in the white dress, bathed in the golden light of the pure of heart."

"Right!" smiled Elizabeth. "Pure of heart, just like her mother. Hey, have you seen Chris?"

Ian looked at Lucy. "In your universe, is there a patron saint of lost causes?"

Lucy smiled. "Let's go. Oh, but first I need to talk to Rafe. He's been through so much, and he's always been there for us. Well, not really, but he's had a lot on his mind. I mean, there's the gym, there's worrying about Alison, there's Port Charles to keep safe. Come to think of it, he hasn't really done that either. And he was never really there when I was dying, and through all your struggles with your vampire curse. But he is my cousin, and I want to congratulate him."

"You're a good woman, Lucy Coe," smiled Ian. "Let's congratulate him and then go. Where is he, now?"

Lucy pointed. "Over there, bathed in the white light of the truly misguided and self important. Let's get this over with."

Hand in hand, they walked toward the light. "Congratulations, Rafe! Let me give you a big hug."

"LUCY, I'M SO GLAD YOU MADE IT!" beamed Rafe.

"Why are you yelling, man?" asked Ian, covering his ears.

"YELLING? WHO'S YELLING? I'M JUST HAVING A NORMAL CONVERSATION, LIKE I ALWAYS DO!" said Rafe.

"Oh, yeah, I forgot. It's been so long since I've seen ya." Muttered Ian.

"YEAH, IT HAS BEEN A WHILE, OLD FRIEND. HOW HAS MY BEST FRIEND BEEN?" said Rafe.

"Well, I've been fighting my curse gallantly. But it's been getting harder and harder. I completely lost it a while ago and almost gave in to my dark side. But then, at the cabin, the most miraculous thing happened. Christina-"

"HAVE YOU SEEN ALISON?" asked Rafe. "I NEED TO SEE ALISON. IT'S BEEN AT LEAST 3 MNUTES SINCE I YELLED, ER TALKED TO HER."

Lucy looked at Ian and shook her head. "We have such good friends." She turned to Rafe. "Look over there, cousin. She's by the window, bathed in that golden light of the pure."

"OH YEAH. HEY, HAVE YOU SEEN MY SUNGLASSES? WHY DON'T YOU TWO COME WITH ME. THAT WAY WE CAN ALL BASK IN THE LIGHT THAT IS ALISON."

"Let's get it over with," signed Ian.

Alison was looking out the window. Her hands clasped, she spoke, "Thank you, God, for answering my prayers today. You gave me everything. My Rafe, my friends, and this beautiful Bed and Breakfast that no one had ever heard of before. Thank you for this perfect day."

"HONEY, LOOK WHO'S HERE. IAN AND LUCY!! ISN'T IT GREAT THAT OUR FRIENDS ARE HERE FOR US!"

Alison looked out the window. "One more thing, God. Could you make some earplugs magically appear? Thanks!" She turned to Ian and Lucy. "Thank you so much for coming to our special day. It wouldn't have been the same without you."

Ian held out his arms to her. Alison fell into his hug. They embraced. "Wow! That's what it could be like with a real man!"

"WHAT?" asked Rafe.

"Don't even thing about it, sister. Now, give me a hug." Smiled Lucy. They embraced. Lucy pulled away quickly. Her knees buckled, but she quickly righted herself. Ian grabbed her. Alison was oblivious.

"I'm hungry, Honey," she said to Rafe. "What's on the buffet."

"I'VE GOT ALL YOUR FAVORITES, ALISON! MUFFINS, CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES, AND PINK LEMONADE."

Alison felt her stomach turn. "Oh, how weird. I mean, those are all my favorites, but the thought of it makes me sick. Well, let's go take a look at it. See you later, guys."

Ian turned to Lucy. "What's wrong? Are you sick? I mean, I know this has all been a little nauseating…"

Lucy held her head. "There's something wrong. The Universe has shifted. I can't put my finger on it, but bad things are ahead."

"And this is any different from any other day?" asked Ian with a smile. "Come on, let's go."

At the buffet, Rafe filled Alison's plate with sugary confections. "SWEETS FOR THE SWEET." He murmured.

Alison held her stomach. "This is all really great, honey, but it just doesn't sound good."

"WHAT CAN I GET YOU THEN? YOUR WISH IS MY COMMAND!"

Alison pondered. "You know what sounds good? A nice, juicy piece of steak, as rare as I can get it. Something I can really sink my teeth into. Oh, that sounds perfect!"

"I'M ON THE CASE! YOU JUST WAIT HERE, AND I'LL GET THAT WEIRD CONCIERGE WHO TENDS TO OUR EVERY NEED." With that, Rafe was off.

"He's so wonderful," sighed Alison. "But how weird. I don't even like steak."

Overhearing Alison, Ian shuddered involuntarily. "Hey...let's watch the "steak" talk, OK?" He muttered to himself.." Luckily, an enormous basket of chocolate chip cookies containing the overflow from the buffet table was on a stand by the door, so Ian grabbed a chocolate chip cookie on the way out. "They call that a buffet?" he muttered to himself. "I have a feeling their wedding gift may get lost in the mail…." Then with one of his lightning fast changes of moods as he swallowed the cookie, he grabbed a handful more. "Danny would like these."

"Did you say something, Ian?" Lucy asked, shaking her head slightly. "Oh, wait, my ears are OK now, they were just ringing a bit, how strange." She stopped and looked down the ornately decorated hallway. "Do you remember which way we came in? You found the way here, let's see if you can get us out."

"My super power of direction is saying….this way. One of these doors has to be the right one, but I wonder if any of them leads to an unoccupied room?" Ian teased, but only half-joking. A few cookies weren't going to hold him for long.

Lucy gave him a conspirational look. "You read my mind, Ian. All of a sudden, I'm famished - but not for food. Why don't we look around a bit, and see what we can find?"

"Lucy…..a few moments ago you looked a bit green around the gills, it's all right, I was just thinking out loud, really. Let's go home."

"I'm fine now - being alone with you has done the trick. See, you're just as good for me as I am for you. And I was wondering during the ceremony what it would be like, to, well…you know, get married in a place like this? Oh darn, that didn't come out right - "

Ian quickly swallowed the last cookie crumb.

"It sounded good to me," he said softly, pulling Lucy to him in the shadows of the empty hallway. "Let's find a place to…talk. Preferably in another wing." After an all-too-brief full body hug, they hurried on as the shadows around them seemed to deepen. Just before the wedding, Ian had discovered that in times of crisis, he had reserves of untapped powers and abilities at his command, but now they had deserted him and while not being able to overhear whether a room was empty or not constituted a crisis, he began to feel uneasy.

"Ian, I think I'm starting to change my mind about this place, " Lucy said suddenly. "It's strange, but the farther away we get from Rafe's suite, the more uncomfortable I feel, and I know it's not the same feeling I had before."

"You're right, there's something off, I'm going to take you to the car and then come back and warn Rafe."

Lucy shook his arm. "No, don't even think of doing this without me, Ian, I'm coming with you!"

Ian gave her a wry look. "Of course you are."

At the end of the hall, where the shadows were the deepest, a door opened.

"Fee fi fo fum…I smell the blood of an…Irishman," Caleb sneered. "And I'm a little insulted, slayer. You missed my wedding."

From behind Caleb, Ian and Lucy heard the sound of breaking glass and china, and then Livvie appeared, screeching "DON'T WALK OUT ON ME, DAMN YOU!" to Caleb. "You'll have to excuse my bride, she's a little upset," Caleb smirked.

Unsure as to what kind of action to take next, Ian replied, "Yeah, we can see that."

Livvie stared at him. "Oh, I supposed you and her are just eating this up, aren't you, Ian? What are you doing here, anyway, or is this just something else that Caleb kept from me? And how much did you overhear?"

Ian and Lucy looked at each other. "Livvie, we're here for Rafe and Alison's wedding. We didn't know a thing about yours, and obviously your father doesn't know either, does he?" Lucy asked.

"Yeah, like you care about my father!" Livvie retorted. "No, he doesn't know, he blew me off when I went to him for advice, and I hope you're all happy now! This - monster just betrayed me, and you're the first to know! I'll make you all pay if it's the last thing I do, and I'm going to start with Alison! Where is she???"

"Darling, please don't over-excite yourself," Caleb soothed smarmily. "You know it's not good for the….child."

"YOU BASTARD"!!! Livvie lunged for Caleb and he ducked away nimbly, forcing Livvie to stumble helplessly into the wall. She spun around. "Wherever she is, I'll find her! And when I do, I'll - "

Caleb grabbed her by arm and yanked her back "Let's finish this in private, darling" he leered. "We'll see you two later. Remember, you still have six months to send us a gift." The door slammed behind them.

Lucy pressed against Ian. "What was that?"

Ian's arm tightened protectively around her. "Evils that take leave, On their departure most of all show evil," Ian quoted pensively. "I don't know what that was. But as much as wish I didn't have to - I need to tell Rafe what just happened so he can protect Alison."

"Caleb mentioned a child," Lucy said bleakly. "A child.. But Livvie couldn't be pregnant. What child could he mean?" She shivered. "Oh my God, I'm worried about Christina. If anything happens, Kevin and his driver couldn't possibly protect her." Her anxiety was palpable, and Ian was worried about her again.

"Lucy! I'm getting you away from here - now. I'm going to put you in the car, go tell Rafe what just happened and let him deal with it, and then I'm getting you home to Christina."

Rafe raced back in the room, steak in hand. He was puppy-dog eagerish to dispense with the wedding, and jump straight into the honeymoon.

"Allison? Angel? Sweetie? Honeycakes?"

Alison walked out of the bathroom, now conveniently located in the middle of the room, her face green, and sadly for her not a really attractive shade of green either.

"I brought you your steak." Rafe held the steak out, panting for his reward.

Alison took one look at the steak, and then one look at Rafe's happy beaming oh-I-am-getting-lucky-tonight face, and the combination of both sent her right back into the bathroom.

Rafe stood there, dreams of luckiness fading with every sound of retching coming from the bathroom and then - oh joy -

Ian walked in the room.

(take a moment, savor)

Ian speaks.

(take a moment, savor)

"Look, I'm sorry to interrupt your honeymoon and all that but I think you should know Caleb and Livvie are here, and" creepy piano music cue " they are up to no good."

"They're here? Of course they're here. Where else would they be? It's my wedding day. It's supposed to be the happiest day of my life. This day - well actually like every other day - is supposed to be about me..." Loud retching noises from the bathroom. "Oh and Alison of course. And now I'll have to leave my green, I mean blushing, bride to go fight the forces of evil yet again."

"Yeah, cause you've done a really good job of that so far." Ian muttered under his breath.

"What was that?"

"I said, let's make a deal. I'll go do what I do best which is be the hero that I most assuredly am and I'll take care of Caleb . It should take me about two minutes, tops. You stick to what you do best - mope, yell, moon over your pregnant wife."

"Alison is pregnant?"

"Caught that did'ja? I was supposed to let you figure that out on your own wasn't I? Oh well, no use crying over spilled whiskey. Just think how much worse it would have been if I had told you the 'Caleb is the baby's father' part. Oops."

"Caleb? Alison?? Baby?"

"Sorry - that's gotta hurt. 6 months of storyline gone, endless discussions of how much you and Alison are in love, how happy of a family you'll be, gone and gone. Endless flashbacks of the endless discussions - gone. You missing the subtle signs like the baby's head doing a 180 during child birth - gone. Endless flashbacks of you missing the subtle signs..."

(a chorus of anonymous voices sighing "My hero")

"If it helps any, I am sure a bright boy like you would have figured it out by the time wee Damian's tail started spinning around in circles. I see you need time to digest all this so I'll just take this - " Ian picked up the steak. And on second thought a few more cookies. And some champagne. Oh and hey the kids wouldn't miss a few of those roses. Arms totally full he turned his attention back to the still, thank heavens, speechless Rafe "and my lady love and I will be on our way."

"Wait a minute!" Ian turned back around, darn so close.." How do you know all of this? Is it because you're a vampire? Because you're connected to someone who is connected to the universe? Because - "

"I know, because I am - Ian." And knowing that explained it all, Ian walked out of the room, as manly as he could with pink roses sticking straight out of his hair.

It was time, Ian thought, candy, roses, champagne, oh and yes, steak in hand. It was way past time actually - to go a wooin'

By the time he his the parking lot, he was all but running. Racing ahead with intense (oh yes) purpose, petals following him wherever he went he made a beeline for his car to find his woman -- not there. No Lucy. No sign of Lucy. And Ian knew without looking, knew because his heart knew, she was gone. Lucy had vanished into thin air.

Meanwhile, back in the Lighthouse (finally) a shirtless Kevin looked in vain for a shirt...."I know one was here just a few minutes ago..."

No knock, no warning, just Livvie standing right in front of him, tears already streaming down her cheeks, woe-oh-woe-is-me written all over her face (literally, so the very slow viewers could pick up on the fact that she was upset.)

"Livvie! I am so happy to see you." Shirtless Kevin beamed. "Look, I'm walking - and I did it all on my own and - "

"What does that have to do with me? I mean, other than the fact that I was the one who crippled you but of course that wasn't my fault because nothing ever is and sides we both know who the important person here is and it sure as hell isn't you." Livvie ranted , "Look at me. I'm upset. I've got my woe-oh-woe-is-me face on. The crocodile tears are flowing. Can't you see that?"

"Sure I can. You haven't blinded me." Kevin carefully took a few steps back. "Yet. Okay, what have you done to make yourself so unhappy that is all somebody else's - probably Alison's - fault this time?"

Livvie began her story, her words running together until all Kevin could here is "me." He stopped counting after Livvie used the word for the three thousandth and eighth time.

Livvie stopped to take a breath, and Kevin took his one and only opportunity to jump in. "Well, gee honey that all sounds really bad and all but it's my bedtime so -" Kevin opened the door.

"What? You are throwing me out? Me, the person the world revolves around when it isn't revolving around me and Caleb? Where will I go? What will I do? Who will I blame it on?"

"This is going to be a hard concept for you to grasp so I am going to speak really slowly. You are an adult. You are - now this is the extremely difficult part so listen very carefully - you are responsible for your own actions. Actions have consequences. Go deal." Kevin pushed his daughter out the door. "Don't forget to write every once in a while."

There was some cursing and yelling, and then some more, and just when Kevin began to worry that Christina might wake up and hear her there was the sound of the bat - er - his daughter flying away. And then without knocking, without warning, and having driven about 50 miles in 3 minutes tops, there was Ian. Kevin looked at Ian, Ian looked at Kevin and together they asked...

"What have you done with Lucy?"

As Lucy watched Ian disappear into the old bed-and-breakfast, she sighed impatiently. She could still hear the faint sounds of retching and a toilet flushing as she climbed into the car and slammed the door. Ian was just going to have to learn that she did not wait well. Not well at all. She slumped a little lower into the passenger seat and stared idly out the window at the trees that edged the property. Suddenly, she sat upright, squinting a bit and leaning forward.

"Now what the heck is that?" she asked into the gathering night.

A shimmering glow, as if of a lantern held aloft, bobbed and weaved between the slender trunks. Unable to simply sit and watch, Lucy scrambled out of the car and hurried into the woods.

"What have I done with Lucy?" they asked, again in unison. Ian and Kevin stared at each other like two wary stallions vying for the same mare. Ian suddenly did a double-take, realizing that Kevin was standing on his own two feet, unaided by any devices.

"You're standing!" Ian exclaimed.

"Ya think?" Kevin rolled his eyes in that supercilious way that Ian detested. "Hey, sorry," Kevin muttered. "Yeah, I've been walking for a few days now. I'd have thought Lucy would've told you." Again with the not-so-subtle barbs.

"We've been a wee bit busy with other matters," Ian retorted. Staring at the goosebumps rising over Kevin's arms, he added, "And it's nearly November - put some clothes on, man!" Ian strode to the big double closet in the living room of the lighthouse, and yanked open the doors. "Here, this ought to suit." He pulled out a tweedy sweater and tossed it at Kevin, who caught it as it sailed through the air. As Kevin pulled the sweater over his head, Ian stared at the closet doors. He and Eve had huddled in this same closet once, as a woman from Social Services pondered the custodial fate of baby Daniel. Feeling the anger rising up in him again for the many injustices done to him at the hands of Dr. Collins, Ian struggled to keep his features placid and serene. The issue tonight was Lucy's fate, not Daniel's.

Ian squared his shoulders, and turned and faced Kevin. "When was the last time you saw her?" he queried.

"I haven't seen her today at all," Kevin replied. "You should be able to keep track of her better than this, don't you think?"

Ian repressed the urge to take Kevin by the throat and shake him until his teeth rattled. "I left her at the car for five minutes, and when I got back to her, she was gone," Ian said, keeping his fisted hand at his side by sheer force, rather than smashing it into that smug face.

"Oh, well, there was your mistake," Kevin said with a small laugh. "Lucy doesn't DO waiting. Not ever."

"Fine. If you hear from her, tell her I'm looking for her," Ian said as he turned on his heel and stalked out of the lighthouse. If he stayed one more minute, he was absolutely sure he was going to put a hurt on Kevin, and didn't want to known for bullying a handicapped man.

"Sure will, Ian. Have nice night!" Kevin called out to the retreating back. He chuckled to himself. He just couldn't resist baiting Ian, even if it was childish and petty. He shut the door on the now moonlit evening.

Lucy tripped and caught herself against an old oak's thick trunk. Her six-inch stilettos were clearly not created for walking in forested areas, and she was beginning to regret following the light out into the night. No matter how fast she walked, it seemed she couldn't catch up to it and find out what was making the eerie glow.

"OK, that's enough. I've had enough!" Lucy shouted her defiance to the beloved universe that had apparently let her astray this night. "I'm going back to the car. I think it was high heels that killed the cat," she muttered, "not curiosity!" She made an about-face, planning to head straight back to her car, but suddenly realized that she was hopelessly turned around, and didn't have a clue which way was "home." She half-walked, half-staggered a few more steps, then nearly fell into a small clearing in the woods.

Almost perfectly round, the little glen was already occupied by a small gnome of a man. He had coppery hair mixed with silver upon which a wool cap was jauntily perched. He had a tiny fire lit and was stirring something in a little pot over the coals. His coat and trousers were of matching heather-green, and his black boots sported silver buckles in the shape of Celtic knots.

"Took you long enough, lass," the old man growled around a pipe clenched tightly in his teeth. He plucked the pipe from his mouth with his left hand as his right continued to stir the contents of the pot. "The tea's done." The Irish accent was broad and intense, much more noticeable than Ian's ever was, even in extremis.

Tea? Tea? Surely he was joking. The diminutive man pulled out two battered tin cups from the breast pocket of his ancient coat, and blew in them as if to remove dust lingering in them. Lucy took a few cautious steps toward the man, drawn to him despite her misgivings at encountering so preposterous a personage. "Who are you?" she asked almost belligerently.

"Who am I? Who do you think I am, lass?" the elderly gent peered over his glasses at her, and she could've sworn she saw him wink.

"I think you're…" she trailed off. She absolutely refused to utter the ridiculous notion that had just come into her head.

The tiny old man's roar nearly knocked her off her feet. "A leprechaun? You think I'm a leprechaun?!" The volume of his voice continued to rise, and his last words were a frightening blast. "HAVE YOU NO RESPECT FOR YOUR ELDERS?!?"

Lucy stammered in confusion, "But I didn't say anything at all. How could you possibly know what I was thinking?" But the man had turned his back on her, and sat, apparently completely affronted. "I'm sorry," she said gently, and reached out to touch him on the shoulder. "Truly, I'm very sorry. I didn't mean to offend you. Who are you?"

The old man sat for a few minutes in stony silence, and then his shoulders relaxed slowly, and he turned back to face the woman who looked so beseechingly at him.

"Who I am isn't important," the man said gruffly. "The message I have for ye is what is important. I know where the answer that ye seek - that HE seeks - can be found."

"He? Answer? What?" Lucy's head swirled in confusion.

"The Thornhart lad, ye daft woman! I know where he can find the healing that he longs for!" Sparks practically flew from the old man's eyes as he willed her to understand his message.

"You know where Ian can find a cure to this… curse?" Lucy repeated? "Please, oh, please, you have to tell me, I'll do anything, honestly, just anything to help him. He's been so strong, so wonderful and strong and patient but I know he really needs to find a cure, and if I can bring that cure for him…"

"ENOUGH!" The old man's bellow stopped her babbling dead in its tracks. "Jayzus, woman, you'd talk the stubborn from a mule."

Lucy's mouth gaped open, flapped a few times, and then closed. Patience, she thought. I need to find some patience.

The old man seemed to take forever as he reached into his breast pocket, pulled out a soft leather pouch, and began reloading his pipe. He tamped the tobacco down gently, and finally lit the pipe. The pungent smell of cherry-flavored smoke wafted towards her, tickling her nose.

"You must take him home," the old man said, as he blew a smoke ring toward her.

"Home?" Lucy queried. Home? What did that mean?

"His home," the man replied. "Ireland. The Old Ones know how to help him. They never let one of their own go wanting."

"Old ones? You mean the faeries? The Sidhe-folk?" Lucy asked incredulously.

"Yes," the man answered. "Just take him home."

Lucy began to pace the small clearing, trying to figure out how she was going to convince Ian to go to Ireland in the midst of all this turmoil in his life. Wait a minute. One of their own? What did that mean?

As she turned back to interrogate the old man further, she was brought up short in astonishment. Not only was the old man gone, but there was no trace of a fire, the tea, the cups, or the smoke. No evidence whatsoever that he'd ever been there. He'd utterly and completely vanished.

Lucy looked around for the small man, and called out to him, "Hey, I have more questions? Where are you?" Even as she yelled, she knew that he wouldn't answer, and that he was gone.

"I guess the real question is if I believe what I just saw. Or did I 'see' anything. Maybe it was a figment of my imagination. We have been searching for a cure for such a long time, maybe I'm hallucinating the answer," Lucy said with a deep sigh. "But I know that the Universe has the answer to everything, if I just listen hard enough."

With that she sat down on the grass to think. "I need to find my way back to Ian, and I don't know where that is. But Ian can find me-he's done it before. I just have to let him know where I am. I'll concentrate all my energy on Ian and will him to find me." With that Lucy closed her eyes and summoned her best memories of Ian-Ian in the shower, Ian in the bath, and Ian in the bed, on the couch, on the floor-powerful images of their love.

Ian was driving in his car aimlessly. He didn't know where to look for Lucy, now that he knew Kevin hadn't kidnapped her again. He was calming from the anger he felt toward Kevin, and the feeling was replaced with apprehension for Lucy. Somewhere deep inside he felt-he knew-that Lucy's disappearance was supernatural in origin. His wild ride to the Lighthouse was just his reaction to Kevin, and had nothing to do with his instincts. If he was going to find Lucy, he had to trust his instincts now, and hope that he wouldn't give in to his dark side.

He needed to do something, so he checked all of the places she frequented-the house, the gym, and the park, even the mall, but he knew he wouldn't find her in any of those places. He sat down on a park bench and held his head in his hands as he started thinking of Lucy and seeing her in their most intimate moments. Suddenly, he felt a rush of certainty and ran for the car, as he knew where he'd find her.

Lucy sat alone in the circle of trees and waited for Ian to find her. She felt a change in the Universe and knew that her message had been received and that Ian was coming to save her once again-and she hoped that her news would save him, too.

Ian drove up to the bed and breakfast, and barely noticed the commotion going on inside. There was crashing and yelling, lights going on and off, and blasts of bright light punctuating the darkness. When he heard a woman's scream, the natural-born hero almost ran in to save her-but then he reminded himself that the mayhem was caused by the people inside, and that they had brought this on themselves. His best course was to stay as far away as possible. With that he turned away and concentrated on Lucy. He could feel her closer now, and willed himself to follow his instincts to find her.

As he entered the clearing, Lucy smiled and said, "What took you so long? I do not like to wait!"

Ian laughed back at her, "So I've been told recently."

Lucy got up and carefully walked over to Ian. "Woman, I've warned you about traipsing around the woods in those heels. Do ya think you'll listen to me next time?" He asked.

Lucy laughed as she tripped and fell into his arms, "But I wear them so that you can rescue me-and they're Jimmy Choos! I have some good news for you, and a little trip to plan."

"Shopping in New York with Serena? You've finally realized that you can leave me safely?" Ian asked with a smile.

"No, you handsome strapping man. A trip to Ireland, so that I can see your home."

"Why? We can't leave now, I've got to keep working with Chris on a cure."

"I met the cutest little man here, who told me that we need to visit Ireland so that the Sidhe-folk can help us find a cure." And with that she told him about her evening of adventure and the message for Ian.

The scientist in Ian disbelieved at first, but Lucy was able to convince the poet in him to accept it at face value. After all they had seen in Port Charles, why would it be so hard to believe that the Sidhe were real and willing to help Ian become the man he once was. As for them curing "one of their own", Lucy decided to keep that piece of information to herself for the time being.

While Lucy and Ian spent some time expressing their love for each other, hell had literally broken loose in the Bed & Breakfast.

"I'm gonna kill you, you Angel Humping, Vampire screwing, muffin making tramp!!!" Livvie screeched, as she dove for Allison. Rafe stepped in front of Alison and held Livvie back.

"Hey, aren't you going to defend my honor Rafe?" Alison asked, batting her eyelashes. "Did you hear her make fun of my muffin making?"

"WELL BUNNYLIPS, I WAS GONNA DEFEND YOU ABOUT THE VAMPIRE SCREWING PART, BUT IF IT'S THE MUFFINS YOU WANT, IT'S MUFFINS YOU'LL GET." Rafe started to back Livvie up against the wall as Alison mumbled, "Can't really defend my honor when it's true."

"WHAT WAS THAT, DEAR HEART?" Rafe asked, in his annoyingly loud tone.

"Nothing sweetcheeks, nothing at all."

"Nothing!!! This little witch slept with my vampire hottie and now she's spawning his demon seed!!!" Livvie declared, while trying to scratch Rafes eyes out.

Rafe stopped suddenly and turned to stare at Alison. "PLEASE , PUPPY WHUPPY, TELL ME IT ISN'T SO!!!"

Caleb, who had been lurking in the shadows, enters the fray. "Ah, but you see my stupid arch nemesis, it is so, and as I am evil by nature I must rub it in over and over and over again."

Rafes eyes begin to water as he stares disbelieving at Alison. "HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME!! HOW COULD YOU BREAK MY POOR LITTLE ANGEL HEART LIKE THIS?"

Alison runs to her angel baby and drops at his feet. "Please don't leave me!! It was all Livvies fault. She made a wish on that awful 99 cent store ring that Caleb had and we ended up having wacky monkey sex before either of us knew what was happening!!! Tell him Caleb!!"

Caleb steps forward and takes Alisons hand. "I cannot do that mylove!! It was such a beautiful moment between us and I will treasure it forever. Do you think we should rename THE BARN, the Shack of Love?"

Rafes eyes got as big as saucers as he once again turns to Alison, stretched out at his feet. "THE BARN!!! NOOOOOOOOOOO." Drop kicking Alison, Rafe runs from the room. Alison begins to cry her eyes out, for all of about 3 seconds and then turns on Caleb.

"I'll never forgive you for this, you evil evil.....oh never mind!!! I can't think of anything right now!!." Alison turns and stomps out of the room. Caleb turns to Livvie.

"So, ya wanta go see a movie or something?"

Livvie gives him the evil eye. "Oh, go spawn with the muffin queen. I'm outta here!!" As she leaves the room, Elizabeth, the nasty whore enters.

"I was out walking in the woods, and I could have sworn I saw the Lucky Charms guy. Oh well, what's up in here?"

"Nothing much. By the way, you're gonna be a Grandma. Ain't life grand?" Caleb exits the room with his usual feminine flair and the vile whore passes out. 

"Gee, I wonder where everyone is?" Jamal asks as he and Imani enter the B and B. "I swear this is where the wedding was taking place."

"Guess we arrived a bit late. Hey, if we are gonna get a room, we better ask them if this place takes wolf/dog hybrids."

Overhead, we hear the roar of plane engines as Ireland Air flies toward its destination........

If there were ever two people any less concerned about where they were going at any moment (much less where they were going to end up) they had to be Lucy Coe and Ian Thornhart. Lucy simply let the universe be her guide while Ian simply tried to stay one step ahead of it. But, either way, they were on their way to Ireland.

As they flew on into the night Ian wondered privately if they were going on a wild goose chase. It was hard not to have second thoughts. He knew Lucy was convinced that a benevolent universe existed and perhaps she really had met a representative of it in the bodily shape of the little man bearing the message for him. Based on his experience being the universe's favorite whipping boy, however, Ian feared that by going to Ireland he was simply going right from the frying pan and into the fire. Once he set foot on Irish soil again, wouldn't the heroic spirit of his mystical homeland instantly try to reject the un-wholesome foreign body he'd become, in the same way a strong, healthy body would muster all its forces to battle the invasion of a harmful virus?

He was glad Lucy was asleep. Maybe by the time she awoke, he'd have his features arranged in a more optimistic expression (not that that would probably fool her for long)…she looked so peaceful and before Ian knew it, even though he no longer had a physical need for sleep, his hazel eyes were closing against the dimmed lights of the jet cabin and his mind was filled with confused dreams. When he next saw daylight, it was accompanied by the stir of fellow passengers gathering their belongings, the pilot's inar-ticulate announcements of weather and time on the ground…and an internal anticipation Ian was loathe to acknowledge, rising in his heart. Homecoming tended to do that to man…even a reluctant homecoming.

Beside him, a wide-awake Lucy seemed to share his anticipation. "This is it, Ian!" she declared excitedly. "Why didn't I think of this before? For goodness' sakes, you're Irish - you have magic running in your very veins, you're descended from world experts in blessings and curses, I can't believe the universe had to send somebody to re-mind me!"

"Wait," Ian interrupted, "Lucy, I'm not a…a Druid if that's what you're think-ing. Let's not assume we're going to find any answers here or that if we do, they'll be answers we want to hear."

"I love you more than anything in the world and you know I'd know if I were guiding you in the wrong direction. You believe in me, don't you, Ian?" she tried to reas-sure him.

"Always. You know I do. It's the rest of the world I have trouble trusting."

Ian's qualms were pushed aside once their flight was on the ground. Disembarking, going through Customs, and renting a car took all his effort and attention. Ending a trip was such a wearisome process, but it was strange -- if not suspicious -- how the normal obstacles seemed to melt before them. Even Lucy deferred completely to him and meekly let him handle everything. Finally, bags stowed in the boot of the luxurious Mercedes se-dan they'd been inexplicably upgraded to from the very basic Toyota Ian had requested, they were two people setting off on a quest with nothing to follow except perhaps their noses.

They held no debate about which direction to go. They weren't likely to get very lost in Ireland; no matter which road they took went there was bound to be a bed and break-fast at the end of it, so, buoyed by the ease with which they're arrived from the States to this point, Ian uncharacteristically decided to give fate free rein. Instead of attempting to outguess Lucy's universe, he would steer according to the whims of destiny, i.e. which traffic light turned green first, which motorway exit ramp arrived first, and/or which pub he spotted first along the road when he developed a thirst.

In this haphazard but, Ian hoped, inspired way, Ian and Lucy drove out of Dublin Airport, headed southwest to County Kildare and found themselves taking the by road beneath the sign pointing to Saint Brigid's Flame, Holy Well and Cathedral. Saint Brigid, the Christian co-opter of the most ancient and revered goddess or Ireland, associated with fire, birth, poetry, and healing….

In this timeless place, the recipient of countless pilgrims' footsteps, Ian and Lucy each instinctively chose a different path to wander in the cool Irish air. It felt good to stretch their legs, and Lucy was lured to an oak tree growing near the cathedral. It was not an old tree but its age was not important; its roots seemed to draw power from the venerable ground, a power that flowed up through its trunk and into its branches and was dissemi-nated into the air like a precious mist from the tip of the tiniest twigs.

Wrapping her arms around herself but not from cold, Lucy soaked in the atmosphere. I may be a Kovich, she thought, but I'm willing to bet there's an O'Coe in here somewhere too! When she felt the need at last to seek out Ian, Lucy turned to go.

"Ooph!" Next thing she knew, she had run into something lower than her eye level, something that was also protesting loudly, something like…a little girl. Lucy forgot the pain in her own shin and sunk to her knees to beg forgiveness from the sobbing Irish sprite with long reddish-gold curls and eyes that looked like hazel behind their glaze of tears. "I'm so sorry, honey, I didn't see you - I'm just a big tall old clumsy American, you know, and I wasn't looking where I was going, which is something you should al-ways do, except I don't so please tell me I didn't hurt you? Where are your mommy and daddy?"

The little girl just looked at Lucy and wailed like a banshee, and Lucy began to won-der if she were really all that hurt -- tall as she was, Lucy was no heavyweight champion -- or if it was for dramatic effect. Just as she was about to march the child back to the visitor center, hopefully before she got arrested for child abuse, Lucy was inexpressibly relieved to see Ian loping in her direction. He had an irresistible way with children, espe-cially with girl children, and he'd have this one smiling in no time. "Boy, am I ever glad to see you!" she called.

To Lucy's shock, Ian pulled up short in front of her and stared at her as if he'd never seen her before in his life. "Who are you?" he asked in surprise before stooping down and throwing his arms open. But they couldn't be meant for Lucy. For one thing, she wasn't that short, and for another, the little girl instantly detached herself from Lucy and hurled herself into them.

"Da! Da! She stepped on me!" The little girl chattered excitedly, sounding half indignant and half pleased.

"Oh gosh, I'm so sorry, I love children, I have two girls of my own and I would feel so awful if I hurt your daughter," Lucy babbled. "It's just that I was so startled to see you, you see you look exactly like the man I'm with that I just wasn't looking where I stepped - "

Suddenly the little girl giggled. "I was a baby bunny, and you didn't see me 'cause I di'n't want you to! It worked, Daddy, it worked!"

The Ian look-alike smiled indulgently at her. "That it did, but next time be something a bit bigger, all right, sweetheart?"

Not being in the process of raising two girls for nothing, Lucy now got what was going on and felt as if she had one mystery solved, at least. "Ohhh, I get it now, and I'm just not used to Irish wildlife, you know, we don't have baby bunnies running around during the day where I come from, so I'll be more careful here in Ireland, I promise!"

"That's OK," the little girl said solemnly. "Ev'rybody can't see bunnies."

I must be slipping, maybe I'm just not used to the Irish air, thought Lucy. Aloud, she said softly, "I know exactly what you mean." The child was so appealing, she reminded Lucy a bit of Christina, but an Irish version of Christina, with a reddish tint to her hair and her father's eyes - eyes just like -

Slowly the man straightened to his full height, the child in his arms now eye level with Lucy. Lucy wanted to sink through the ground in chagrin. And she realized that though this man bore an amazing resemblance to Ian, he obviously wasn't, and there was a more significant distinction than the authentically Irish looking tweed jacket he wore, his slightly longer, curlier hair, or the small gold hoop in his left ear. Even this brief contact was enough for Lucy to observe a more relaxed and carefree air that she hadn't seen in Ian for almost as long as she could remember. But could there be another such ruggedly handsome man as Ian on the planet? And if there were, how could she be so lucky as to have discovered both of them?

Taking a deep breath, Lucy picked up where she left off. "It was a silly mistake, I know, and I hope this doesn't sound rude, but honestly, you look so much like the man I'm here with that it's unbelievable. He's around here somewhere, you've just got to meet him." She felt like an idiot, but just how many other men could there be in this world that were as ruggedly handsome as Ian Thornhart?

The man smiled. "Hey, no harm done, I'll take your word for it. But you sound like a Yank to me."

"Oh, I am, but the man in my life is Irish, too, and I know he's mentioned that his family came from this area, and he had a brother…..Oh. My. God. Now I know who you are. You're Patrick."

Patrick, for of course it was he, smiled and gently set the little girl on her feet. He stuck out his right hand. "Patrick Thornhart, at your service. The 'he' must be my older brother Ian. And you are…?"

"Lucy Coe," Lucy replied, shaking Patrick's hand. "And this must be your daughter?"

"Yes, this is Aisling," Patrick said, a note of tenderness in his voice - a voice that Lucy couldn't help but notice was very similar to Ian's, but again, an Ian without the weight of the world on his shoulders.

"What a lovely name," Lucy said softly.

"Thank you. It means a dream," Aisling said proudly.

Patrick laughed. "Ah, we should never have told her that," he joked. "But if you don't mind my asking - where is Ian, and what are you two doing in my garden, so to speak?"

"Well….we just needed some magic, so we hopped on the first plane to Ireland. There's a healing well here too, isn't there? I - I think Ian might have gone down to it. But I'm really not sure why we ended up here exactly - Ian did all the driving - but it does feel a little magical, don't you think? So you live nearby?"

"Not too far, "Patrick answered. "I bring Aisling here sometimes to work off her energy when Margaret needs some peace and quiet. I have a bit of fondness for St. Brigid myself - she was a patroness of poetry."

"And also of healing," a voice said from behind Patrick. Ian. Lucy had been so fascinated with Patrick and Aisling that she couldn't believe she hadn't been aware of Ian coming up behind them.

"Sorry to have wandered off, Lucy. I see you're in good hands." I should have known, Ian wondered to himself. Where else would I be more likely to run into Patrick?"Patrick," he acknowledged.

"Ian," Patrick nodded.

Men! Lucy thought disgustedly. Even the deepest, most sensitive of them knew how to keep their deepest feelings to themselves. Maybe they were the most expert at it.

"Uncle Ian! Uncle Ian!! Where's Danny?" Aisling squealed, charging the short distance across the grass to her uncle, who crouched down to her level and hugged her close. "Hello, Aisling. I'm sorry I didn't bring Danny with me this time. But he sends you his love."

"I've got an idea," Patrick interrupted. "You two must be exhausted, and it's past tea. I don't know what your plans are, but you're more than welcome to have dinner with us and stay the night. I'd just need to call Margaret on my mobile to let her know." He pulled a phone out of his inside jacket pocket, and began to dial.

Ian and Lucy exchanged glances and at Lucy's hopeful look, Ian nodded. "All right, dinner would be fine, but we don't want to put you out. We're staying in Dublin. Why don't we meet at a pub somewhere?"

Patrick shook his head. "Pubs aren't good just now - hang on." Ian and Lucy turned aside so as to not overhear his conversation, and Ian took the moment to say, "Thanks for not saying anything, Lucy. But I know exactly what you're thinking. If this isn't the universe at work, I don't know what is." Lucy squeezed his hand. "You know me so well."

"All right, it's all set," said Patrick. "Margaret is dying to see you and I'm under strict orders to bring you both home with me."

"Must be fate," Ian muttered. 

Lucy was enchanted with Patrick and Margaret's house the instant she saw it. Built of mellow stone with multi colored roses trellised around the red front door, it looked almost like a storybook house. When Margaret greeted them at the door, Lucy saw immediately why Patrick had said that pubs were out. Margaret was pregnant - very pregnant. But she didn't stand on ceremony any more than her husband did, although she'd obviously gotten a strong hint to not pry, and she laughingly threw her arms around Ian as well as she could.

Ian kissed her on the cheek. "Another Thornhart on the way, I see?" he said lightly.

"Don't brothers tell each other anything?" Marty lamented in mock dismay. "Yes, I'm due in a couple of months - and Aisling is thrilled that it's a boy. I am too, of course."

"Congratulations, that's so wonderful," Lucy said. "And you're so lucky," she said under her breath, trying to imagine what it would be like to be carrying Ian's child, a combination of her and Ian….and seeing Margaret, she realized that except for Aisling's hazel eyes whereas Margaret's eyes were dark blue, Aisling was the spitting image of her mother complete with delicate features and long wavy strawberry blonde hair.

Ian then introduced Lucy, and from then on, she never wanted the evening to end. Just being around Patrick and his Margaret, she could almost believe anything was possible - such happiness just had to be catching. If Lucy had known all the impossible obstacles they had overcome to be together, she would have been even more captivated by the life they had made together. She didn't know any of that, but she recognized magic when she saw it, and their house was full of magic. It was so perfect - Patrick was a writer, and Margaret (when she was able to) was a doctor. And obviously they were each other's worlds, with a place blissfully made for their children. It was almost enough to make Lucy forget why they were there.

Ian was relaxed - or at least as relaxed as he could be. If anyone on the planet could understand his anguish, it would probably be Patrick, but he and Patrick had never been very good at sharing each other's anguish. Maybe someday….in the meantime, he would try to take this experience for what it was, a shallow dip into the past, with maybe a brief but meaningful detour to the similar future he was struggling so hard to reach for himself and Lucy. Lucy's leprechaun and holy wells notwithstanding, if that's what this trip had been meant to show him, it had worked. He was more determined than ever to get back to Port Charles and chain Chris down if he had to in order to come up with a cure.

After tea and whiskey and talk in front of the fireplace in the lounge after dinner, Ian put his glass down regretfully. "Patrick, this evening has been more enjoyable than you know, but I'm afraid we've got to drive back to Dublin tonight to catch the first flight back tomorrow. And Margaret needs her rest."

Marty sighed too. "Well, I won't argue with you there, but I wish you could stay longer, both of you."

Just then Aisling padded into the room from the hallway and climbed up into her mother's lap, catching them all by surprise.

"Mommy, Mommy, I had a bad dream about the baby," she announced, sounding strangely calm, to Lucy's surprise.

Marty and Patrick's eyes met. "Sweetie, the baby is fine," Marty said soothingly.

"No, not our baby," her daughter answered vehemently. She pointed to Ian. "I had a dream about a lady who was holding some pink flowers like ours! She said she had something for Uncle Ian!"

Patrick picked her up. "Say goodnight to Uncle Ian and Lucy, sweetheart."

The drowsiness that had started to creep over Lucy was now gone. She didn't know why she was making a connection between the leprechaun illusion she'd experienced in Port Charles, and the words of a little girl she'd just met today, but the universe was trying to tell her something, she just knew it - she just didn't know what. Wordlessly she hugged the little girl goodbye, meeting Ian's glance over the top of Aisling's head. 

Chris raised an eyebrow as Ian entered the on call room. "So, Alison and Rafe get married, and you and Lucy go on a honeymoon to Ireland?" he jibed.

"I see the hospital gravevine is as efficient as ever!" Ian retorted. But before Chris could utter another sarcastic comment, Ian headed him off. "Sorry, Ramsey. Thanks for taking over for me, I'll buy you a beer later, all right? Right now I'm a little preoccupied - "

Chris looked at Ian thoughtfully. "You have that 'it's time to experiment on me' look, Thornhart. What's up?"

Ian went over the to counter and poured himself a cup of coffee. "I don't know," he admitted. "That's just it. I thought Lucy was taking me on a wild goose chase to Ireland, that all the answers I needed were right here in Port Charles. I still think that. But….something….happened in Ireland. I'm just not sure what. Do you believe in signs?"

"After the past year? After Tess? After you? After….well, not much would surprise me about anything." He sighed.

Ian gazed at Chris meditatively. He had seen a side of manipulative, sardonic Chris that few others knew. But before Ian could continue, Alison burst into the room. "Ian - I heard you were back and I really need to talk to you about something - " she stopped, noticing Chris. He stood and gathered up the charts he'd been reading. "No problem. I can take the hint. Does Lucy need to know about this?" he joked, as he left the room.

"What's wrong, Alison?" Ian asked. "I haven't had a chance to talk to Rafe, did something else happen after the wedding?"

Alison bit her lip. "No, it happened before the wedding. I mean….it might have happened, I don't know, that's why I need you. Oh, Ian, if what I'm afraid of did happen, then everything Rafe and I have worked so hard for has just been destroyed, and you're the only one who can help us. But Rafe doesn't know I'm here, things are bad enough already."

"Whoa, slow down." Ian put his hands on Alison's shoulders and guided her to the sofa. She was so agitated she barely noticed. "All right, let's start with what are you afraid of and what can I do?"Ian asked.

Alison looked down at the floor. "OK, I'm going to just go for it here. You're a doctor, I have to trust that, so here goes. I need a pregnancy test - a really, really accurate one. I'm pregnant, and I need to know exactly how pregnant I am - well, you know what I mean."

"How far along?" Ian asked, trying to hide his astonishment.

"Yes, exactly how many weeks pregnant I am. You can do that, can't you?" Alison asked hopefully.

"Ye-es. But why me?" Ian asked. Then he noticed that she was wearing a pink floral patterned shirt and flashed back to Aisling.

"Why me?" murmured Ian again, his eyes lost in the patterns of Alison's shirt. What did Aisling say about her dream? There was always something magical about that child, a kind of vision about her. "How could Alison have something for me?" he thought to himself.

"Ian, I've never told you this, but I've always looked up to you. You've been more of a father to me than my father ever was. You've always looked out for me, even with all that you've been through," Alison burst onto tears.

Ian instinctively moved to hold her. "Now, there, there lass," he said quietly. He patted her back, his eyes still mesmerized by the pattern of her shirt. This close, the pattern seemed to blur. "She's right, Ian," a voice deep within him said. "The girl was right. Alison has something for you."

Alison buried herself into Ian. In his warm embrace, she felt safe, and the weeks of guilt and worry finally broke through her reserve. She began to sob uncontrollably. "It's so awful, Ian," she said between sobs. I've had no one to talk to, and now this!"

Ian's hands were now tracing the pattern of her shirt. He knew Alison was saying something, but he couldn't quite make it out. "She has something for you, Ian," said the voice within. "All you have to do is take it. Just take it."

Alison pulled herself away from Ian. The distance she put between them seemed to break the trance Ian had fallen into. He cleared his throat and tried to focus. "Now, lass, a pregnancy is a good thing. I mean, it's a little early in the marriage, but you and Rafe-"

"That's just it, Ian! The baby might not be Rafe's! I need to know when I conceived, so I can know whose baby I have."

Ian was stunned. For a moment he forgot he was a doctor. "I don't understand, Alison. How can it not be Rafe's baby?"

"You know that stupid ring that everyone was fighting about. Oh my God, that seems so long ago," Now that Alison was talking, she couldn't stop. "Why couldn't we have just left well enough alone? But noooo, Rafe had to be the big hero, and get that stupid ring. Why? Why couldn't he have left things alone? But he goes to hell trying to find out the secrets of it, and I lost him. Ian, I thought he was gone forever! So I went to our barn, and tried to bring him back. And then Caleb was there and, well, we were kind of friends, and he helped me. But then Livvie went and made a wish on that STUPID ring. I don't know what happened, but something just came over us. We couldn't stop it, Ian! It wasn't my fault; it was stronger than me. And we," her voice fell to a whisper, "made love."

Ian took a step back. "You and Caleb? And this baby could be Caleb's?"

"It wasn't our fault!!! It was that stupid ring!! You know the power it has," Alison sobbed.

"Oh, yes, I know about powers beyond our control," murmured Ian. He pulled at his shirt. The collar seemed to be getting tighter. "All right, then. We can't be worrying about things we don't know. The more we worry, the bigger the obstacle can seem to be. The thing to do is to find out. And then we'll go from there. We'll do some tests. I'll just need to draw some blood."

He moved over to the table to get a syringe. The room began to sway around him. "Get a grip, man. You can do this," he said to himself. He looked over at Alison, who had taken a seat. She was wiping away her tears, her legs swinging anxiously. In this light, she looked like a little girl worried about her first day of school. Ian had always had a soft spot for Alison. With all the neglect and lack of love in her childhood, she still always embraced the good in life. When things were at their bleakest, she still saw light at the end of the tunnel. She had always made a stand against the darkness, and had always fought the powers it had contained. Until now. "She has something for you, Ian."

Ian tried to busy himself preparing the syringe. But the voice would not let go.

"Think about it, boy-o. Everyone gives in to their dark side. Livvie, Elizabeth, Kevin, the list goes on and on. And now Alison. Little Alison, pure of heart and strong of will. She says it was because of the ring, but is that really why? Come on, boy-o, you've been fighting for nigh on a year now, and she caves in a moment. Gives ya pause now, don't it? Maybe, just maybe, it's because there's no reason to fight. Maybe it's because it's our nature to give into what's natural, what's pleasurable. Look at her, boy-o, asking for your help again. You've always been there to help her, and her little man. And what have they done for you? Nothing that's what. You've been here fighting the good fight, helping others, always sacrificing. Aren't ya the least bit tired of it? Don't ya just want to….let go...just rest...just give in. Go to her now, boy-o, she's got something for you. She's got what you need."

The voice within was getting stronger. And it seemed to be making sense. What had anyone done for him? Wait, there's Lucy! Lucy could help him. But Lucy wasn't here to calm the demon inside of him. He was so tired...and so hungry. What was it worth to keep fighting when there was no fight left in the town?

Ian shook his head violently. Things seemed a little more clear. "This won't hurt a bit."

Ian stared at the test results. This could not be possible. Alison was indeed pregnant. But…..

The room was getting hot. He tried to concentrate on the lab reports in front of him, but he kept losing his focus. "Keep it together, man," he breathed. A child by Caleb? With Alison? Nothing was making any sense. Why was this happening? How was this possible? How could he stop it?

"Why should you stop it, boy-o? You know what you need. Why do you need to always be the hero? All you have to do is just let go. Give in to the darkness. Feel the power it holds. I'll help ya. Just let me take control for awhile. Just rest. Just let go."

Ian stumbled out of the lab. Slowly he made his way to where Alison lay waiting. It would be so easy. He had never felt more tired, yet more exhilarated. Everyone has given in. Everyone. Why not just...this...once...?

"Because I am a MAN," he yelled, unaware of the power of his voice. "And I will keep fighting. With all my heart. With all my strength. Until I breathe the last breath within me, I will keep fighting. You may have the rest of Port Charles, but you'll not have me!"

"Ummm, okay, big guy," said Chris, who had heard the ruckus and come to investigate. "Not that I was particularly wanting you, but..."

"Ramsey! You are a friend to me. I need your help. Help me get to my locker. I need a little…something. While I'm, um, detained, I need you to look at this chart."

"Making your diagnosis for you again, old man?" said Chris with a smile. The sarcasm masked the true concern he was feeling for his friend.

"Gotta make you feel useful for something, I guess," muttered Ian. "Can you come with me now?"

Alison checked her watch. It had only been around ½ hour, but it seemed like a lifetime had passed since Ian had left her. What could be taking so long? "It'll be fine. This is all a sick twisted joke concocted by sick twisted people. Ian will come back and tell me I've been worrying for nothing."

The door opened, and Ian emerged, looking a little disheveled and haggard. For a moment, she pulled back, but then she looked into his eyes, and saw the kindness within. "Ian, I'm so glad you're back! Please, tell me. What's going on?"

Ian cleared his throat. "Alison, you are pregnant. And the fetus you carry is 4 weeks old."

"NOOOOOOO! It can't be true!! I can't be-"

"Alison, listen to me. It's true. The child you carry is Caleb's. I wish I could take that away from you, lass, but you can't argue with the tests. Now, I need to talk to you. I showed the test to Ramsey..."

"Chris? NO!!!!"

"Now, he may not be your favorite person, but he's the best we researcher we have. And we're going to need some help. Alison, you need to sit down and listen to me. We need to talk about what's happening with the baby."

Ian held the weeping girl as she sobbed against his broad chest. He had more to tell her, but he knew she wouldn't - couldn't - hear him, not until she had vented some of the shock and guilt she was feeling.

"No, Ian, please, tell me it isn't true. Tell me this is not Caleb's child!" Alison pulled her tear-streaked face away from him and looked with pleading into his eyes. Ian sighed. Perhaps it would be best to get it all out in the open.

"Alison, I can't tell you who the father is. I can tell you that by blood tests alone, the hormone levels say the pregnancy is about 4 weeks along. But I have more to tell you." Ian stopped, took a deep breath, and braced himself for the emotional tumult that was sure to follow his next pronouncement.

"But the ultrasound says the baby is about midway through the 2nd trimester, or 20 weeks along." By the confused look on her face, Ian was sure she didn't understand the importance of his words.

"But… Ian, which one is right? The ultrasound or the blood tests?" Alison's voice was pleadingly hopeful.

"They both are, Alison. Wait, let me explain," he said as he laid a fingertip across her lips, which had parted to begin a barrage of questions, he was sure. "This is no ordinary pregnancy, Alison. Vampires, as a rule, cannot sire nor bear children. But I do believe this is Caleb's child. While the pregnancy is only 4 weeks along, the baby's development is nearly halfway finished. That little bulge under your wedding dress," he said gently, as he patted her tummy, "isn't an excess of Ben and Jerry's and leftover Halloween candy. That's your child - an extraordinary child - who likely may be born next month, if his previous development was any indication."

"And," he prayed silently, "perhaps it may be my salvation, as well."

The plane trip across the pond and back had Lucy so discombobulated that she had completely lost track of all time. Her body said it was time to sleep, so she curled herself into a little ball on the on-call room couch and, with a deep sigh, slipped into slumber.

She could smell the warm scent of the grass in the late afternoon sun as it warmed beneath her feet, and the soft sound of crickets chirping filled the air with a pulse that matched the one that beat at the base of his throat. She watched him, a small, secret smile playing over her face, as she realized that this great gentle giant of a man now was hers for eternity. The ring he'd placed on her finger moments earlier was a sweet surety of his love for her, as hers was for him. It seemed that the world was held poised in this one moment of perfect peace, perfect serenity, perfect joy, and time waited for her to take another breath to start its onward march. Her eyes wandered from the pulse marking the beat of his heart, upward past the strong curve of his jaw, past the full, sweetly smiling lips, the strongly jutting bridge of his powerful nose and finally settled on the hazel pools of love that stared back at her, half in powerful hunger, half in satisfied contentment. Those eyes! They filled her with a rising heat while at the same time they quenched her every desire. She would never, as long as she lived, tire of looking into those unbelievable eyes.

The moment held, suspended, for another endless second, and then she finally came back to reality and heard the minister utter those most welcome of words, "You may kiss your bride, Ian." His right hand reached out, cupped the back of her head, and pulled her into his strong embrace. Softly, feather-like, his lower lip brushed against hers, exquisite in its tenderness, then more urgently, his mouth came down upon hers, warmly parting lips tasting her even as she yielded to the seeking tongue. Both his hands held her face as he pulled back slightly, gently stroking her cheek with his thumb. "You're beautiful, Mrs. Thornhart!" his passionate whisper sent a shivery thrill up her spine as his lips rejoined hers once more.

Alison had no memory of walking to the park after Ian had given her the news. It was definitely Caleb's child she was carrying, and the child was too far developed to end the pregnancy in abortion. At the rate it was developing, by the time she actually arranged to have any such procedure, the child would likely be able to survive on its own, anyway. His own. Ian had given her that little piece of information, too - she was carrying a boy.

Alison sat on the bench, hugging herself and rocking, while inwardly she was howling in furious dismay. How had this happened? How had the "perfect love" she had with Rafe gone so wrong? How had this happened to her? Wasn't she ever going to be entitled to one single moment of happiness?

The tears spilled out of her again. It seemed that's all she'd been able to do for the past year, cry and weep and wail and marinate in self-pity, and it absolutely infuriated her. While she sat and wept angrily, a pair of arms surrounded her, pushing aside the darkness that threatened to engulf her utterly.

Across the small clearing, Livvie's eyes glowed green with an unearthly light as she watched Caleb pull Alison close and comfort her.

As she answered his passionate kiss, Lucy smiled at her new husband, and opened her eyes to gaze into his once more. The dull fluorescent light of the call room made her squint, and the rapid transition from the midsummer glen of her dream to the sterile hospital office in the real world made her wince in disgust.

"Lucy?" Ian said softly. "Are you ok?"

"Fine, I'm fine," Lucy shook her head to clear it.

"I have news, Lucy, news that might change things!" Ian's delight was palpable, and he bounced on the bed like a little boy. "It might change everything!"

The full moon rose over the sleepy town of Port Charles, and a long howl sounded a lonely cry into the night.

So fixated was Livvie on the tramp with her husband that except for the weird shiver it gave her she didn't even notice the mating call of the werewolf.

It was time for both Alison and the brat she was carrying to die.

It took Alison a moment, in her shock and grief, to realize the arms around her didn't belong to Rafe - but just as soon as she did she pushed Caleb away. Inside of her, she felt her baby move - kick - for the first time.

"Get away from me. In fact, don't ever come near me again."

"Hormones acting up my love?" Caleb looked down at Alison's stomach, which had noticeably grown in the last few hours. "Right on schedule I see." Caleb touched Alison's stomach, and the baby kicked again. "See? He knows who his father is."

"This baby is my baby, not yours." Alison could feel her fighting spirit, the one that had driven her until Rafe's smothering love had - well smothered it. It felt good, it felt right. For the first time in forever, even with the demon child (and Alison wasn't kidding herself, that was what this child was) growing inside her, or maybe because of him, Alison felt strong. She wasn't going to be Caleb's victim anymore. "You disgust me. You and the silly games you play with Livvie, not caring who gets hurt. I'm not going to be part of it anymore. My child will never even know that he has a beast for a father."

Caleb went from charming to dangerous in a heartbeat. "You won't keep me from my child. Until after my son is born - you belong to me. In fact, you belong to me until I say otherwise."

Alison simply laughed. "Has anyone ever told you those fangs look pretty darn silly?"

Caleb grabbed her arm, his delicately frail male ego wounded by Alison's words. "This ends now."

"Wow."

"Yes 'wow' but it's not a hundred percent sure thing," Ian was beginning to get a tad worried, what if he was giving Lucy false hope?

"My dream wasn't a dream at all was it? It was a premonition. You're going to be cured and we're going to be a family and everything we've always wanted, we're going to have. I mean, I feel bad for Alison and all, having Satan's child can't be easy but - that baby is going to be our little miracle."

"What's this about a dream?"

"I'll tell you all about it later. Far better yet, I'll let you reenact it later. But first, you have to find Chris and see what he thinks about this and don't even hide it, I know you're dying to talk this over with him and I'm going to pick up Christina and Danny and we'll have dinner waiting for you when you come home." Lucy kissed him, softly but thoroughly, thinking how very lucky of a woman she was that her fate and Ian's had intertwined. "And, may I add my friend, hope looks very good on you."

"Actually that's fear not hope - did you say something about cooking dinner?"

Lucy hit Ian with her purse. "I didn't say I was cooking. You'd better behave or no reenactments for you."

"And they say nothing ever stays the same." Ian and Lucy turned to see Kevin watching them. "Lucy, do you have a moment, I have a - proposition for you." Yes, he was well aware that was the word that would bother Ian the most, which is why he used it. Ian may have won the lady fair, but Kevin had to have some fun. "Ian."

"Kevin." Ian nodded in his direction.

"Well, now that you two have bonded, what can I do for you Kevin?"

"I'm going to go see Chris about the little project we were just talking about." Ian said to Lucy. "See you at home."

Ian and Lucy said their goodbyes, well not so much 'said' as kissed their goodbyes, while Kevin decided to study the toes of his shoes.....maybe it was time to get out the polish....maybe he could simply scuff the rest of the shoe up and make it the same scuffy color.....maybe it was time to check out Payless....surely they weren't still kissing?....they were........maybe he needed...

"Okay Kevin, you can look up now. He's gone. And what can I do for you?"

"Ian have a new breakthrough?"

"And that's your business - how?" Lucy asked, as they headed to the couch by the nurses' station.

"Victor."

"He's not worse, is he?"

"Victor's taken Frank in and they're out of town, mainly because they don't trust themselves around others - not everyone is as strong as Ian is, or can fight so long and so hard. I'm worried for him, I know he's terrified of letting the dark side in again, scared that he'll turn into Ryan, or to be painfully honest, into me. I've already lost my daughter to this. I want to believe that I won't have to lose my father as well."

"Tell Victor that I love him and to hold on. When I know something for sure, he'll know it too. Is that what you came to talk to me about?"

"Well part of it. How's your fund-raising skills?"

"Uh-oh. That's a scary opener for a conversation."

"Did I mention Serena told me yesterday that she has a boyfriend?"

"Serena? A boyfriend? Who? When?" Lucy was yanking out her cellphone. "Why didn't Scott call me?"

"Because it's not true, I was just giving you an example of a scarier opener for a conversation."

"You are going to die, painfully and soon." Lucy flipped her cell phone off.

"Well, then consider this my last request. I've talked to Alan about reopening the clinic -"

"That's a great idea. That clinic meant a lot to Ian, he is going to be so happy. "

"And about me running it."

"Maybe not that happy."

"I know that I'm not exactly Mr. Popularity around here, and I know I only have myself to blame for that. But I've had a lot of time to think while I was recovering from the accident, and I know there are parts of my life I'll never get back. I'll never work as a psychiatrist again, I've lost my daughter and I've lost you."

"You still have me Kevin, and you always will. Not in the same way as before, but I make an awesome best friend, if I don't say so myself."

"I remember. But back to the fascinating subject of me, - " Kevin and Lucy shared a smile - "I want to make a difference. And there are people in this town with - let's call them 'special problems.' Problems this hospital is ill-equipped to deal with. This clinic could help those people, as well as help those without insurance, people with no other places to go and difficult choices to make. The only thing that we need at this point is the funding to reopen the doors. And a few doctors that will work for free wouldn't hurt either."

"Which is where I come in, but it can't be a ball. It has to be something new, something that will get people's attention." Lucy stood up, picking up her purse and shrugging on her jacket "Maybe a fashion show, or some special kind of raffle. A contest of some kind - "

"Does this means you'll do it?"

"You knew before you asked me that I wouldn't say no."

"I did, I admit it. It'll be good to be doing something useful again, something that will help others. And Christina already has plans to decorate my office for me. I don't mind so much the pink Barbie desk, but the purple chair with the little rugrats on them is just downright scary."

"Mixing and matching, that's my girl. So from one old friend to another, where does love fit into all these new plans you are making?" Yeah, yeah, yeah curiosity killed the cat. Like that had ever stopped her before. And that was definitely not a jealous twinge Lucy felt when she thought of Kevin falling in love again. Definitely. Not.

"Oh no, I'm through with love. Besides, with my luck and this town if I did fall in love with someone new she'd probably turn out to be a vampire - or a witch - or maybe a mermaid."

"I vote mermaid. That way you and Siggy can both have a new friend."

"Gee thanks. And by the way, there is one other way you can help. Doctors are needed for the clinic, and since you are very close to one of them - "

"Nope. No can do. If you want Ian to work with you in the clinic, you are just going to have to ask him yourself."

"Please don't make me ask him. Please. Will it help if I make with the pleading eyes?"

"Sorry pal. And now, I've got to run. I have a fund-raiser to plan." Lucy took Kevin's hand in hers, giving it a reassuring squeeze "Don't close your eyes to the possibility of love, maybe the lady of your dreams is right around the corner." Lucy said as she stepped into the elevator.

It was a nice thought, but Kevin doubted it. Especially since the lady of his dreams just left him to go to the man of hers. Well, he had two choices. He could go back to the Lighthouse, that cold dreary, lonely place he called a home. Or he could check out the clinic, maybe go through some old files, knock a few cobwebs away.

Actually there was no choice at all to be made . . . 

"I'm giving you to a count of three to let go of my arm, or you will seriously wish you had."

"Gee, I'm shaking in my boots."

"Well you've just blown in bub. No count of three for you." Alison brought up her knee very sharply, hitting squarely right where Caleb's brains lived, when Caleb let go of her arm in shock, Alison shoved him. As Caleb began to fall flat on his face, he heard the sound of clapping.

Ian was still clapping when he reached Alison, stopping only long enough to pull her into a hug. "Well-done little one." He looked down at a now completely furious Caleb. "Whatever you are thinking of doing, don't. Actually, scratch that. Try it. I'm ready to end this, tonight and now. Man enough to take me up on my offer?"

Kevin opened the doors to the clinic. A woman stood there, just standing in the dark room, standing as if she was waiting for someone - waiting for him.

"What the -?"

"I need you . . . " and she landed with a thud on the floor. Kevin realized a second too late that he probably should have tried to catch her, cause man that had to hurt.

Kevin rushed over to the woman's side. With only a dim light coming through the grimy windows, he couldn't see her very well. He checked her pulse and her breathing, but she didn't seem to be in distress. He couldn't tell if she had tripped over something and knocked herself out, or if she had fainted. 

Caleb was unable to even answer Ian's taunts. Much as he would have liked to hurt the big, brawny man and the petite blonde in his arms, he couldn't stand the pain he was feeling in his groin and stomach…all he could do was to groan in agony. Ian laughed as Caleb lie there and he and Alison walked away with their laughter echoing back to Caleb.

Caleb thought to himself, "I'll make you pay for this, both of you. I will not allow this to continue."

When Ian and Alison had stopped laughing, Ian was suddenly very serious. He stopped walking and turned Alison around to face him.

With his hands on her shoulders, he explained why he was walking in the park looking for her, "I was worried about ya, and now I see that I was right to be. We need to take care of you…someplace safe. You can't be walking around in the park like this, it isn't safe for you…or for the babe."

"I'm perfectly fine, you saw that for yourself. I don't need anyone to take care of me," Alison retorted indignantly.

"You did a great job back there, and I'm so glad to see the real Alison peeking out from behind those lovely blue eyes. But Caleb isn't going to back off, and he's not the only one I'm worried about. That little vixen he married has been trying to kill you for a couple of years now-and that was before you got pregnant with his child. How do you think she'll react to all this, especially seein' as how that devil wants you to move in with him?"

"I know, but I've got Rafe…," Alison's voice trailed off as she remembered Rafe's recent behavior.

"Aye, you're married to him, but how is he taking all of this? If I know Rafe, he's so wrapped up in his feelings that he's completely forgotten about yours. I bet he's been beating at that punching bag day and night, hasn't he?"

Alison nodded to Ian as she looked at him with tear-filled eyes. She couldn't even answer, although he face was a little paler than it had been a few minutes before.

"Now, lass, don't cry. Rafe'll come around, he really does love you, he's just a little slower than most. In the meantime, why don't you come back to Lucy's house with me? You know that we love you, and we'll take care of you. You'll still have a slayer, and a doctor, and a vampire that can take on Caleb or Livvie or the both of them if needs be. You'll be safer with us than with Rafe, and it will only be for a short time." Ian said as he took her hand and started walking towards the gym.

Livvie was following them in the shadows, thinking that she would get her chance soon. But Ian could sense her presence and put his arm around Alison to keep her close and out of harm's way.

Meanwhile, Chris was working in the lab. After his conversation with Ian, he had started right to work. Although he would never admit it, he enjoyed working with Ian, and loved the challenge. This demon child just might lead to the breakthrough that he'd been looking for his entire career. As he peered into the microscope, he heard someone enter the lab.

"Ian, come here, you're not going to believe what I'm seeing in this blood sample!" When Ian didn't answer, he looked up---his face became red and he yelled, "You!"

Ian and Alison entered the gym and found it empty, except for Rafe who was pounding on the punching bag as predicted. Rafe yelled loudly, "We're closed, come back tomorrow!"

Alison just let out a small sob, and ran upstairs to the apartment to pack her suitcase.

"Are ye daft, man?" Ian yelled at Rafe. "Can't you see that she's in pain? This isn't about you!"

Rafe yelled back, "You don't understand this at all Ian! She slept with my greatest enemy and now she's carrying his child! The child we were supposed to have together! How can I live with that? Even if I can forgive her, how can I live with Caleb's demon spawn?"

Ian sat down on a chair and spoke softly to Rafe, "How can you not forgive her, when you love her so much. Look and me and Lucy…is there any love more improbable than ours? The slayer and the vampire….a more unlikely pair there never was. But love each other we do, and that means forgiving each other, and caring for each other…MORE THAN WE CARE ABOUT OURSELVES! Get yourself together, man. If you love Alison even a tenth as much as I love Lucy you should look at her pain, not yours!" Although not yelling, Ian's voice had gotten stronger and more emphatic with each word, in the hope of getting through Rafe's dim-witted anger.

"I don't see as how this situation is any different than the one you found yourself in couple of years ago. It seems to me that you slept with, AND MARRIED, Alison's greatest enemy…and for a while thought that you had sired her child. Did Alison abandon you? Did she blame you for what happened? Or did she offer her love to you in spite of what you and Livvie did? I know…I know…you lost your memory and didn't know who you were or what you were doing. Do you think Alison could help what happened? You know the power of the damnable ring! Why are you blaming Alison like it's her fault?" By now Ian was shouting at Rafe, who was looking back at him in total confusion.

"I love her, but it's different, you know it's different." Rafe stammered

Ian just shook his head and softened his voice, "I'm taking Alison home to Lucy. We'll take care of her and keep her safe. When you've come to your senses you can visit her there, but until then stay away. She does not need you to make her more unhappy…she needs to be surrounded by love." He walked up the stairs to help Alison finish packing.

Kevin knew that he needed to get the woman out of the clinic and into the hospital to be checked out. As he started to stand up, he heard her moan a little. He turned is head, and she said, "Kevin, is that you? I've been waiting such a long time."

As he heard Ian and Alison depart the premises as if he no longer existed, Rafe finished taking his frustration out on the patient punching bag with a final, mighty wallop. "Take that, Caleb!" he muttered. Predictably the punching bag swung back into place, none the worse for wear and ready for even more abuse. Only problem was, it would hurt Rafe more to inflict it than the bag to suffer it. Which seemed to be a pretty good reverse metaphor for his life lately, Rafe thought piteously. Alison had had sex with his worst enemy, and nobody gave a shit about his feelings on the subject. Even Ian - his supposed best friend - was being just as obtuse as the punching bag….

"Do you have another pair of boxing gloves handy, Rafe? I'd like to take a swing at that thing myself."

Looking up in surprise, Rafe saw Livvie step from the shadows. Fuck. This was all he needed: Livvie's spiteful little presence to suck the rest of the spirit from his body. But Rafe found himself unable to summon the hostility he normally harbored toward her. Instead he tossed his gloves to her. "Here. Help yourself. Go ahead and knock yourself out. But it doesn't help."

Livvie let the gloves fall to the floor. "On second thought, I don't want to spoil my manicure. Not that it matters what my nails look like since I won't be posing for any honeymoon photos any time soon. And from the looks of things neither will you. I just saw Ian take off with Alison."

"Ian's performing another rescue," Rafe said bitterly. "Alison this time. How about that, huh? Well, he's better equipped for it than I am. So what are you doing here, Livvie, instead of sticking to them like glue? After all, where Caleb Junior goes, Caleb senior is sure to follow, right?"

Livvie glared at him. "I should have known you'd be a prick about this, Rafe. But let me ask you something. Why do you think I'm here?"

Rafe laughed mirthlessly. "To cause trouble, naturally. Do you ever do anything else, Livvie?"

She moved in for the kill, giving him a close-up of her sly but determined expression. "You know, Rafe, sometimes you're not as dumb as you look. That's right. I'm going to stir up a world of trouble. Care to join me?"

His conscience stirred. "Come on, Livvie. Things are bad enough already without you making them worse."

"Oh, yeah? You think things can't get worse all on their own? What about when Alison has the baby - are you ready for her and Caleb to bond over it and form the perfect little family? Or do you want to help me do something about it, now?"

The words conjured up an unspeakable image in his mind's eye that made Rafe launch a right hook at the punching bag. His aim was distracted and the blow glanced off instead of connecting. Was it always going to be that way?

"Well, Rafe?" Livvie prodded relentlessly.

Despairing, the former angel turned to the vamp. "What did you have in mind?"

Moving faster than he would have thought possible just a day or two before, Kevin reached forward and flipped the light switch so he could see exactly whom he was supporting on his arm, using strength he also wouldn't have believed himself capable of so soon either. Adrenaline, no doubt…the mysterious woman's voice had sounded eerily familiar…so familiar it filled him with instant recognition at the same time it sent shivers down his spine, because it sounded like her, but…it just couldn't be.

Steering the woman over to the row of welded-together plastic chairs that served as the waiting area, Kevin lowered her into a seat, and took one himself. It was only good manners, not the need to get off his feet before he passed out in shock. They were in Port Charles, which knew few if any limitations on time or space, living or undead. His own daughter was a vampire. His father was one too, and his stepbrother. His second ex-wife was a vampire slayer. So what was so special about his first ex-wife coming back from the dead?

"Welcome back, Eve," Kevin said softly, "from wherever you've been."

Big fat tears brimmed in Eve's eyes and rolled down her cheeks. "God, Kevin. It's so good to see you again," she sobbed. "God, I can't believe I made it all the way from…from…." She wailed even louder.

"Heaven?" Kevin prompted, momentarily tuning Eve out and indulging in a blissful memory of his lost young angel Paige.

Like a virago Eve suddenly turned on Kevin. "Heaven?" she spat. "I haven't been in heaven, Kevin. I've been in hell. Hell! And nobody came to help me! Nobody even cared if I was alive!"

"Eve…I can see you're alive now, but listen to me," he began earnestly, "everybody believed you were dead, and with good reason! Your body was brought to the hospital after your fatal car wreck. I saw it with my own two eyes. Ian grieved over it. We went to your funeral!"

"Well, that's just great, Kevin. It didn't occur to anybody, not even my grieving husband, that they were all looking at a great big set-up?" Abruptly Eve stood up and paced back and forth, giving Kevin a chance to absorb her meaning.

"Set-up?" Kevin repeated, looking up at her in disbelief. "You've got to explain that one to me, Eve. It looked very real."

"Well, gee. While you've all been having a high old time getting on with your lives in Port Charles after apparently burying a fake of me, I've been trying to escape from Caleb's fortress of arrogance in Transylvania." Eve burst into tears again and sat down again.

Gently, Kevin took Eve's hand between his own. "We obviously need to have a long talk about everything that's happened to you. And this is not the place to do it. I want to take you home to the lighthouse with me. But first, tell me why did you come here, Eve? Did you think Ian would be here? Have you seen him? Have you seen anyone else yet?"

Eve raised her tortured gaze to Kevin's face. "I'd rather not go to the lighthouse, if you don't mind, Kevin. I couldn't bear to watch you and Lucy in all your domestic glory. Because in answer to your questions, yes, I've seen 'anyone else.' I went to the hospital. I saw Ian leave with Alison. Sure didn't take him long to get over me, did it? Then I opened a door to what I hoped was a good dark private place to go in and have a cry, but Chris was behind it and I wasn't up to facing him and his taunts so soon, so I slammed the door shut oh him before he could say anything, and then I wandered over here to the clinic. I hoped I might find Karen."

Kevin let out a long, low, mournful whistle. "Come on, Eve. Let's go to the lighthouse. You and I have a lot of catching up to do. Don't worry. I'm the only one calling it home anymore."

Belatedly, too belatedly, Chris ran to the door of the lab, threw it open, craning his neck to view the entire corridor. He realized his jaw was still hanging open when he tried to enunciate a second word with his lips, a more personal word than the "you" that was all he'd been able to manage before. It came out in a strangled gasp. "Eve?" But the corridor was empty.

He muttered to himself. "Get a grip, Ramsey. Just because everybody else in this town is two olives short of a martini doesn't mean you have to start seeing things." So someone had lost her way or gotten her room number mixed up and entered the lab by mistake. Someone who looked just like Eve…why wouldn't his nasty subconscious dredge up the polar opposite to what was currently passing for the woman in his life, to taunt him? He once might have had a former call girl buxom brunette doctor, and now he had Liz, a marrying-for-money skeletal blonde leech who'd set her sights on him to help her assuage her bad-mother guilt.

Which led him back to Alison. Shaking his head, Chris returned to his lab table and forced himself to peer into the microscope where the drop of Alison's blood smeared on the slide was giving up its secrets. Nope, he hadn't been mistaken. There was something very, very, very interesting about it. How soon could he get Alison - and Ian - back here for more tests?

She stood in the shadows and watched as Kevin escorted "Eve" out of the hospital. How could this have happened? She had to find a way to fix this before anyone found out, otherwise there would be hell to pay!!

"I hope the guest room is comfortable enough for you Alison." Lucy said as the brought in a tray of Earl Grey tea and scones. "We moved Danny into our room and Christina is pretty quiet so I don't think she'll disturb you."

"The room is great Lucy." Alison told her. "I'm not sure how much rest I'll get. This whole situation just has me freaked out, to say the least."

"Well, I don't want you to worry about a thing sweetie. Ian is here to help with anything that happens. You are in very very good hands." Lucy set the tray down on the table. "I think you should eat something. You need to keep up your strength."

"I'll try, but this um...baby..has my stomach doing flip flops. I'm not sure I can keep anything down."

"Try the tea, it may help. I have to go check on Danny. I'll just be a few minutes." Lucy turned and left the room. Alison sat down and stared at the tray, but she had to turn away before she lost her......lost what? She couldn't remember the last time she had eaten. Even thinking about food made her gag. Alison started to reach for a cup of tea when suddenly out of nowhere a pain so unbearable hit her and she fell to the floor.

"This place never changes. You really should get out and buy some new furniture Kevin." Eve prattled on incessantly. Kevin started to wonder if he had done the right thing bringing her here. What the hell, his life could use a little shake up about now. What else did he have to do.

"So you say that Caleb was holding you captive?" Kevin asked, trying to change the subject from draperies and crown molding.

"Yes. I don't remember much, but I do remember waking up in a cold dark room with nothing around but a bunch of silk curtains hanging from the ceiling. Speaking of which, you really should try Pottery Barn. They have really great wall treatments." Eve continued her survey of the lighthouse, her eyes seeming to glaze over as she spoke.

"Fine, but back to Caleb." Kevin took a breath. "How do you know it was him that was holding you? Did he come by and visit you?"

"I'm not sure. I seem to recall a man with long hair but he kept himself hidden in the shadows. I just assumed it was Caleb." Eve plopped herself down on the couch and looked up at Kevin. "So, where is my lawfully wedded husband anyway? Probably taken up with some two bit tramp by now I would think."

"Hey, Lucy is a lot of things but she is not a..." He never finished his sentence because he had to cover his ears from the loud screech that eminated from Eves pie hole.

"LUCY!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!"

Jamal and Imani sat under the large oak tree, shivering from the cold.

"I'm really sorry Jamal. I really thought I had this whole changing into a wolf thing under control. There has to be some motel around here that takes animals."

"Don't worry about it, dawg...I mean, huh honey pie, we'll find somewhere to stay. If not, maybe I could just suck someone dry and we can steal their house for the night."

Damn, why was it so hard to get out of the hospital? She was almost positive that Kevin would take Eve to the lighthouse and if she could ever get past all these people, she could get there. Chris had almost spotted her when he had suddenly popped out of the on call room. Luckily she had been able to duck into a broom closet, but now she was stuck. If Colleen would just stop talking to the cute orderly right outside the doorway she could leave. I mean, really how many ways were there to tell a guy his butt looked hot in scrubs!!!! Ah, finally they were leaving. Now was her chance. Slowly, she pulled open the door and moved into the hallway. Moving as fast as she could, she made her way to the door that led out of the hospital...and ran smack into a wall. As she stumbled back and looked up, she realized it wasn't a wall. Oh man, could this day get any better?

Ian stared in disbelief at the woman who stood before him. "Amy?"

Throwing on her best smile, she looked him dead in the eyes and said, "Hey Ian. How ya been?"

Lucy entered the living room and saw Alison lying on the floor. "Alison! Oh my God!!". As she bent down to check on her, Alison shot up and grabbed Lucy by the throat and threw her across the room. Alison rose to her feet and stared at the unconcious woman, her eyes glowing a bright green. "Never, ever touch me. I am the breeder of the Vampire King!!"

Amy looked exactly the same as she had the moment she'd bid him goodbye in her hotel room. It took a lot to surprise him anymore, but this did. It angered him, too. When had heavenly intervention ever helped him?

"How have I been? Well, I would think you of all people would be able to know," Ian said slowly. "But while I believe in hell, I'm having a very hard time believing in heaven."

"I guess I was a little flippant, huh?" Amy said apologetically. "I don't blame you for the way you feel, Ian. I don't really understand the way things work any better than you do. I just follow orders, and I'm still kind of new at this. Remember my boss, Ed? He gave me a, I guess you'd call it a final exam and I'm supposed to be keeping an eye on somebody."

"Ed? I remember him. I never really understood the way that worked. The way things are now - so many people gone - Karen gone, Eve gone - and you're back? Let me ask you something, Amy. What are you doing here?" Ian knew he couldn't afford to let his rage get the better of him again, but seeing Amy brought back so many memories, on so many levels….

Amy took Ian's arm and drew him aside into the shadows of the inner doorway.

"Look, you weren't supposed to see me, Ian, nobody was. I just kind of….ended up at the wrong place. I was supposed to be with….never mind. I've got to go find - them - now - or I'll never hear the end of it from Ed," she said quickly.

"Amy, please - you said I helped you before. Since you're here, I need your help now - " Ian began urgently.

"I'm sorry, but that's not why I'm here. Maybe someday…Goodbye again, friend," she said sadly. Oh, Ian, I would have sold my soul to spend eternity with you Amy added under her breath as she vanished before his eyes.

Ian bowed his head. He couldn't even begin to figure this one out. But whatever it meant - he would find out soon enough. Since he was already at the hospital, he decided to go back and tell Chris the latest before he went home to tell Lucy and Alison. 

At Alison's cry, Lucy's slayer consciousness took over. Cautiously she rose to her feet, holding out her arm towards Alison in her slayer stance.

"I don't care what you're carrying inside you, you are still Alison! And I won't let it hurt you, or me, or anyone else, do you understand?" she said forcefully, slowly advancing towards Alison, whose eyes rolled back in her head as her knees buckled and she went down.

All of Lucy's senses were on high alert, but this was Alison, sweet Alison lying there on the floor in a crumpled heap, moaning, and Lucy's motherly instincts took over. She rushed to her side as Alison rocked back and forth on the floor.

"Oh Lucy….what just happened?! I feel so SICK, I can't believe it! I've never felt so nauseous in my life. Ohhhhhh!" She clutched her midsection again.

Lucy pushed Alison's hair out of her face. "Alison….I think, I hope, maybe you're just experiencing some major duty morning sickness…." Her mind raced. She had no idea what to do now. What did this mean? And what if it happened again? She had to call Ian. Whatever was inside of Alison had to come out.

The doorbell rang, and when Lucy and Alison remained immobilized on the floor, the ringing turned to pounding and yelling.

"Lucy!!!! Alison!!!! It's me, Rafe!!!! Let me in!!!!"

Lucy and Alison looked at each other. 

"Calm down, Eve," Kevin said evenly. He was beginning to remember one of the reasons why their marriage had gone downhill almost immediately after the wedding. "One thing both of us should have learned by now is that appearances can be deceiving. But one thing I know is true, God help us. Ian and Lucy love each other and you have to accept it or you'll never recover from your ordeal. I'll help you, Eve. How did you get back to Port Charles, anyway?"

"I don't know, Kevin! One minute I was in my cell screaming my lungs out, and the next minute, I was in the clinic with you!" Eve's eyes opened wider than Kevin would have thought humanly possible. "Did I have a nervous breakdown or something?"

"No….you didn't have a nervous breakdown, Eve," he said assuredly. "But I think somebody else might be in line for one."

"Kevin - I need a martini big time, will you take me back to the on call room?" Eve asked abruptly. "I know where Chris keeps all the fixings!"

Neither one of them heard the sigh of relief from behind them. 

"Amy, you came too close for comfort that time!" yelled Ed, pounding his fist on the table. "You let Eve get away from Chris and if you mess up one more case like this, I'm going to bust you down to conscience patrol!"

Amy flinched. "I'm sorry, Boss, I only took my eye off her for a moment. But everything is OK now," she said meekly. "She's going to be in the right place. I promise." 

"Ian, man, am I glad to see you," Chris said as Ian entered the room. "I just got some amazing results from the latest sample I tested."

"I could use some good news right now," Ian said. "Or anything to take my mind off of what just happened. Chris, I just saw Amy."

Chris shrugged. "I can top that. I just saw...nah, couldn't be."

“Come on Aly, let me in. I need to talk to you.” Rafe was still pounding on the door, Alison stood, still shook up by whatever had happened to her. Inside her, her baby was kicking like crazy. She was being silly, it was Rafe. Rafe, the love of her life, the man she had just married. Why was she just standing there?

Alison took a few unenthusiastic steps toward the door, but Lucy stopped her. “You’re in no shape to talk to Rafe right now, go in my room and lie down. I’ll tell Rafe to come back tomorrow.”

Lucy didn’t want to admit it to Alison, but a thousand alarm bells were going off all around her. Something was wrong with Alison - or rather. the baby she was carrying. And something was off with Rafe too. Suddenly she wasn’t so sure Alison moving in was such a great idea, everything felt unsafe, as if the ground the house was built on had somehow turned to quicksand. “I just don’t want you to overtire yourself. It’s not good for you or the baby.”

“I think I will lie down.” Alison replied, hating herself for not wanting to see Rafe. “Tell Rafe I’ll see him tomorrow and - I love him.”

“Will do.” Lucy waited until Alison was safely out of sight before opening the door. “Hello cousin.”

“Where’s my wife?” Rafe demanded, in his usual two octaves too high voice. “I demand to see her, now.”

By the time Eve arrived at the on call room with Kevin, she began to realize she probably made a mistake. The more she tried to get Kevin to feel sorry for her, and he used to be such an easy touch, the more he seemed to withdraw from her. She should have stayed at the Lighthouse, where all their memories were stored. If she didn’t play her cards any better than she had so far, she was going to end up alone. And Eve didn’t do alone.

“Okay martinis wasn’t it? Well I am no Ramsey but I spent hours in a bar with Mac, I think I can fake my way through mixing one or two.”

“That would be heavenly.” Eve replied, and then it was there again, the feeling she had ever since she had arrived here, the feeling of being watched. “You are so nice to me Kevin, but then you always were. I’ve always felt that we had this connection, and now Ian has apparently forgotten all about his great love for me and has fallen under the influence of that little flooz - er Lucy. Maybe we found each other tonight for a reason. Maybe we’ve been given a second chance to be happy together. Wouldn’t that be great?”

“Great?” Kevin could think of a thousand other words to use, hell on earth seemed to be the most apt at the moment. “Eve - “

It couldn’t have been Eve. She was dead, gone. How many martinis had he drunk in her memory? He was just overly tired, that was all.

“When was the last time you’ve gotten any sleep?” Ian asked him, almost as if were reading his mind which was a scary thought in and of itself. “Because not that you were ever any great beauty Ramsey, but you’re looking terrible.”

“Thanks. You do realize that I am doing this for you right? And out of the goodness of my heart I might add.” Chris replied, as he began to empty the contents of the test tube.

“That, and because you have no life.”

“Excuse me, I have Elizabeth.”

“Which explains why you are putting all the hours in here.” Ian watched Chris as he looked at the sample through the microscope. “Tell me - good or bad, just tell me.”

“You are so going to owe me. You are going to owe me the rest of your soon-to-be mortal life.” Chris stood back with a smile. “Take a look for yourself.”

“Really? It worked? You’re not just pulling my -“ A woman screamed, loud. “Did you hear that?”

“I’m about to deliver a Chris-created miracle right to you, and you’re playing games?”

Another scream and Ian realized two things - the scream wasn’t in the room it was in his head. And the second - the person screaming was Lucy.

Chris stood in amazement, looking at the empty space where Ian stood just a few seconds before. “Vampires.” Chris mumbled, as he bent over the sample one more time. This was it. It was it. He was absolutely sure. This was the cure.

Why then did he get the sudden feeling he was missing one very vital ingredient?

Just an hour more, and it would be time to go home. It was late, the patients were asleep except cranky Mr. Linden in room 602 who rang the nurses’ station every five minutes. Walking back from his room for the fifth time that night, Colleen didn’t see Caleb until it was too late.

She would have screamed, had he not covered her mouth with his hands.

“Miss me?”

“I’m working Caleb. I can’t talk to you now.”

“Oh I think you will. In fact, if you ever want to see her again, I know that you will. But maybe you don’t care what happens to her since you haven’t yet done what I asked you to do.”

“You know that I do.” Colleen took a few steps more away from Caleb, and he took a few steps toward her. Awkward steps. “Why are you walking so funny?”

“Never mind that.” Caleb was pretty much literally growling. Colleen could really use Ian right about now. “Do you want her back or don’t you?”

“You know that I do but - the clinic isn’t even open yet Caleb. I can’t work there if it’s not open. I’m trying to do as you asked I really am - “

“Good. Kevin is in that room right there and now is a good time as any. Remember darling, the life of someone you love depends on you getting this job, so you’d better hope Kevin likes you half as much as you assured me he does.” Caleb gave Colleen a push toward the on-call room.

Colleen took deep breath, trying to steady her very unsteady hands. She could hear voices inside as she reached for the door knob . . .

“I really appreciate everything you’ve been through Eve, I really do. And I am so glad you’re back, but I just don’t feel that way about you anymore.” Tears were welling up in Eve’s eyes and Kevin could tell she was about two seconds from wailing. “It’s not you Eve, we both know it never is - it’s me. I am in love with someone else.”

“Who? Lucy? Surely you’re not that pathetic Kevin that you are still panting over her. Not when I am here, willing to forgive you and take you back.”

“No not Lucy. It’s somebody else. Her name is - “

Colleen walked in, when she saw Eve sitting there, calmly sipping a martini she froze.

“Colleen.” Kevin grabbed the still frozen Colleen, kissing her so intensely that Colleen forgot all about Eve, all about Caleb. Even a ll about why she so desperately needed to talk to Kevin. Wow, boy oh boy, that man could kiss.

“Eve, I think you know my fiancé. Colleen look . . . ” It was a good thing Kevin was holding her arm, cause Colleen’s legs were about as steady as jell-O. “Eve’s back. Isn’t that great?”

From behind them, a sound of glass crashing. Kevin turned around to find Chris standing there, whiter than a sheet. “Oh. My. God.”

“Nope, but close.” Eve slithered around Kevin and threw her arms around Chris’ neck. ”I’ve come home to you Chris. Isn’t it great?”

Deep in the forest, she followed the trail. Blood. She could smell it. Not quite human, it had a slight tang of some other creature, but it was still her prey. Her tireless legs carried her as she ran through the night. There. He’d turned there. Easily, she changed her course.

Suddenly, the trail ran cold. She stopped abruptly and began to pace, casting about in ever-widening circles, searching for the scent once more. Her tongue lolled in almost comical confusion. Where had he gone? Where was he? She howled once more at the full moon, this time in frustration. Unthinkable! Her prey had escaped.

Her howl ended in a sudden choking noise as he dropped onto her back and wrestled her to the ground, his red eyes blazing in the velvet night. Jamal knew she couldn’t hurt him, not now - or ever. But he knew he had to stop Amani from taking another life tonight. She turned in his arms, paws scrabbling at his chest, her slavering jaws seeking a death-hold. Even as her teeth sank into his neck, his fangs reached her own carotids. Locked in this obscene embrace, they’d reached a stalemate.

“Iiiiiiiiiiiaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan!” Lucy screamed for the second time. He had to hear her, he simply had to. She crouched over Alison, frantically searching for a pulse in the nearly lifeless girl. Alison appeared to be made of porcelain, lying on Lucy’s guestroom floor in utter stillness, her face pale in the moonlight shining through the window.

Less than half an hour ago, Lucy had turned away a very insistent Rafe. Now she wished she hadn’t - at least he could've called an ambulance for her. After shutting the door in his face, she’d brewed a cup of herbal tea to take up to Alison. Instead of exchanging goodnights with the pretty blonde, she was now kneeling on the floor, hoping that Alison still lived.

Lucy rolled the pale woman onto her back, and gasped with amazement. In place of the tiny bulge she’d had earlier in the night, there was full nine-month belly. And the inhabitant was apparently quite unhappy, Lucy thought, as she watched the mound roil and heave.

Lucy closed her eyes, and once more sent a silent scream into the universe: “Ian!”

When she opened her eyes, there in front of her stood Ian, his eyes red and blazing, prepared for battle. Lucy blinked, then found her voice. “It’s about damn time, Ian! You’ve got to help Alison!”

“Jesus, Mary and Joseph, woman! The way you were screaming, I thought you were dyin’!” Ian’s near-panic was palpable in the room.

“I’m not dying, but I think Alison is! Ian, don’t just stand there – do something!” Lucy’s voice ended in a wail.

Ian shook his head slightly as if to clear it, and the glow in his eyes slowly softened. He knelt down and quickly assessed the girl. Pulse, slow and sluggish. Breathing, rapid and shallow. His practiced hands wove a complicated dance across her belly. Head down, buttocks anterior. And a strong contraction began just as he finished the Leopold’s maneuver, determining the baby’s position.

Ian gathered the still-unconscious Alison into his arms and stood up easily. He leaned forward, kissed Lucy softly but thoroughly on the lips, and said “Come to the hospital – I’m taking her there. Find Chris. I’ll be with him.”

Lucy blinked in astonishment. She knew it was possible, but she’d never seen Ian do it before. There was only empty space where he’d been one second earlier. She ran down the stairs, scooped up her purse and keys, and rushed for the door. “Vampires!” Lucy echoed Chris’ assessment as she ran into the night.

Chris stared into the microscope, watching as the antibodies clustered in Ian’s blood, engulfing the foreign proteins that were the hallmark of a vampire’s blood. Eating them up. Eliminating them. If he could collect enough of Alison’s antibodies, he could inject them into Ian, and they would free Ian of his curse.

It was Alison’s pregnancy that made it all possible. Her own body was fighting off the vampire elements released by the baby into her blood stream - fighting off those proteins by making antibodies. Unfortunately, or perhaps it was fortunate, those antibodies would likely be attacking Caleb’s child, as well. Chris shuddered at the thought of the war going on inside of Alison, the war between vampire child and human immune system.

He flipped the switch off on the microscope, and then gathered up the slides he’d made with Alison’s blood. Whistling to himself, Chris walked the short distance between the lab and the on-call room, and entered through the back door. He could hear familiar voices coming from the room – Kevin’s, Colleen’s, and.... No, it simply couldn’t be. He rounded the corner, and dropped the slides in shock when he saw her. It was her – it was Eve.

“Oh. My. God.” Chris could feel the blood drain from his face. He was sure he was going to pass out.

“Nope, but close.” Eve propped him up as she slid her arms around his neck. ”I’ve come home to you Chris. Isn’t it great?”

“But… how is this possible? It’s just…” Chris stammered, and staggered back a step or two. This couldn’t be happening. It was just impossible.

“Chris!” Chris jerked in shock, and bashed his forehead into the side of Eve’s head when Ian barked his name.

Rubbing his head, Chris turned. “Shit, Ian, what the hell’s the matter with you? You almost gave me a concussion! You ever heard of knocking?”

“Ye’ve got to have brains to get a concussion, boyo,” Ian's tease came automatically. Then Ian's voice turned serious. “She’s about to give birth, Chris. We’ve got to do something now, while we still can. Once the babe’s born, she’ll stop producing the antibodies, and my one chance will be gone.”

Chris peeled back one of Alison’s eyelids, and flashed his penlight in her pupil. “But if we don’t let her deliver, she could die, Ian.”

“Then get the pheresis machine in here now! We can filter out her antibodies while she’s in labor!” Ian’s mind was racing for a solution, any solution, that would allow him to get his own cure and still let Alison live.

“Ian, I don’t know if there’s time for that. She’s in a coma now. We’ve got to deliver the child! Ian… Ian. Ian!” Chris reached out and grabbed Ian’s shoulder, giving it a shake.

But Ian had frozen in shock. He’d finally looked around at the other people standing in the room. Kevin. Colleen. And Eve.

The door opened once more, and Lucy entered, shoving in a reluctant Amy. “Ian, look who I found!” As she peered around the woman in front of her, Lucy’s mouth formed a perfect “Oh!” in astonishment.

From a distance, the observer smiled. The circle was now complete. Everything was going according to plan.

“Wha…how…Eve?” gasped Lucy.

“YOU!” Screeched Eve. “First Scott, then Kevin, and now Ian! What is it about you that has this compulsion to sleep with all of my men?”

“Where have I heard that argument before?” muttered Kevin. He looked over at Colleen. She had been the perfect diversion to get Eve’s paws off him. But there was something about that kiss…

Meanwhile, the catfight raged on in earnest. Lucy had recovered from the shock of seeing her nemesis back in the flesh, and was now battle ready. “I don’t care what rock you crawled out from under, you have no right to attack me! Why don’t you just go back to hell where you belong!”

“You know what hell is? Hell is seeing your floozy face again! Listen, sister, I may have been out of the picture for awhile, but I know what’s mine! And you keep taking it! Oh, you couldn’t wait until I was gone, could you? How long did it take you to bed down another of my husbands?”

“Oh… why… you… if you weren’t already dead I’d kill you!”

Ian looked at the melay in front of him. There was Eve, the mother of his child. There stood Lucy, the woman who had taught him to love again. What in God’s name was happening here? From the bed Ian had laid her on, Alison moaned. The sound of suffering pulled Ian back. He looked around for Chris, but he had disappeared.

“For the love of God, women, can’t you see what’s happening here? We’ll have plenty of time to straighten this…thing out, but Alison’s in trouble, and we have to help her!”

“Oh my God, Alison!” Lucy ran to the unconscious girl. “Ian, what’s happening to Alison?”

“She’s in full labor, there’s no stopping it.” Ian looked around wildly. Where the hell was Ramsey? He looked down at Alison. Here was his one chance at a cure. But at what cost?

Chris ran back to the room pushing the pheresis machine. If there were any chance to save his friend, he would do it. “Let’s get this thing going, STAT!” he yelled. “There’s not much time!”

Rafe slammed open the door at the Elixir. As he walked to the bar, the crowd around him parted. Rafe smiled bitterly to himself. At least this vampire throng had some respect for him and his status as the town’s savior. If only Alison would. He pulled his tiny frame up to the barstool. Tonight was his night. The town would have to fend for itself without him to save it from destruction. “Strawberry Daiquiri, straight up,” he yelled.

Jack smiled as he poured the sticky pink drink into a glass. “Listen, cowboy, sure you’re ready for the strong stuff?”

“Shut up and keep pouring.”

Jack carried the glass over to the slayer. He put down the glass, and turned green. “Um, dude, when exactly was the last time you showered?”

“I don’t know, couple of days ago. I’ve been really busy.”

“Oh, yeah, the newlywed,” said Jack, taking a few subtle steps away. “I’m sorry I missed it. Hey, where’s your beautiful bride?”

Visions of betrayal swam through Rafe’s clouded brain. Caleb and Alison in the barn. Together. Doing things he’d only dreamed of. Laughing at him. “She’s over at Ian and Lucy’s house.” Probably getting it on with Ian, too. Ian. His best friend. The man he was always there for, even if he was weak enough to become a lowly vampire. They’d all betrayed him. He alone had saved this miserable town, risked his life time and time again, and this is how they reward him.

Jack looked over at Rafe. From his expression, and his odor, it was pretty obvious that Alison wasn’t over at Lucy’s for tea and cookies. “Man, you leave Port Charles for a few days and the whole thing changes,” he muttered to himself.

A cold wind blew through the Elixir, sending a chill through the undead. The door flew open, and in descended Livvie. “You’ve been a bad boy, Rafe. I send you to do a simple task, and you can’t even do that right. Where the hell is Alison?”

“She didn’t want to see me,” whimpered Rafe.

Livvie sighed. “Never send a child to do a real job. You stay here, Rafe, I’ll take care of everything.”

Over at the cash register Jack pretended to count his money. “Guess not everything changes. The question is, what to do about it?”

Eve surveyed the chaos surrounding her. All of this concern, and none of it for her! Lucy was stroking Alison’s hair, while Chris and Ian were frantically setting up the pheresis machine. Colleen and Kevin were checking the inventory in the supply closet. Amy, that miserable busybody, was sitting silently in the corner, her eyes fixed on Eve. Slowly, she shook her head at Eve, a gentle smile on her face. Damn that angel, if she blabbed it was all over.

She looked at all the men that she had loved; or used; or loved to use, and considered her options. No, now was not the time. But soon. It was best to make a clean exit and live to fight another day. Slowly she crept to the door, and turned the knob.

Ian and Chris pulled back for a quick conference. “Everything’s set up, Ian,” said Chris. “There’s not much time, we’ve got to get Alison to the operating room for a c-section now. Her time’s running out.”

“Do you think we have enough—" Ian’s question was cut off by piercing scream.

“The door, it’s locked!” screamed Eve. “We’re trapped!”

“But Alison! We need to get her to the operating room!” Ian and Chris looked at each other in desperation.

“I think I have a solution,” said Amy quietly.

Ian whirled around. He’d forgotten about Amy. She looked at him, a serene smile on her face. “It’s why I’m here, Ian. I can help.”

“Tsk, tsk, tsk,” came a low voice. The voice was eerily soothing, like a snake seducing its prey. From the shadow, a dark figure emerged. “Now why would you want to do that, little angel?” murmured James. “That’s hardly sporting of you. In fact, it would just ruin my little party. And I’ve spent so much time planning it.”

"James!!" Lucy exclaimed. "But you're dead!"

"Lucy, this is Port Charles, why are you surprised?" Kevin asked sarcastically.

"Everyone calm down." Amy took a step toward James. "He can't do anything to anyone in this room. He doesn't have the power, yet."

"My, my, such confidence. You really think Eddy boy will save you from me?" James snarled.

"I don't need Ed to intervene on my behalf. I do quite well on my own or are you forgetting who my father was?" A look crossed Amys face that made those around her take a step back. " I grew up surrounded by evil. Your pathetic threats are laughable at best."

James hesitated for a fraction of a second, unseen by anyone but Amy. He had to get what he had come for so he could rid himself of her annoying presence. "I've come for Eve. She and I have an agreement, don't we my girl."

Eve shrank back and pulled Kevin in front of her. "Don't let him take me!!" she shrieked.

Amy turned on Eve. "Shut up. He's not taking you anywhere, even though I wouldn't shed a tear if he did. Just do what I tell you from now on and we both may survive this, so to speak."

Ian looked over his shoulder. "If someone is gonna do something, do it now or I bloody will. We need to get Alison up to the O.R. and we are wastin time here!!"

Amy walked over and opened the door. "Go, I'll take care of the rest."

Ian picked up Alison and started for the door. He turned to Amy, nodding his thanks and gave one last glance over at Eve. Ian really had no idea what he was supposed to be feeling right now, but he couldn't face all this until he cured himself. Motioning for Lucy and Chris to follow him with the equipment, the three left the room with Alison. Suddenly the door slammed before anyone else could leave.

"Enough!!" James shouted. "Give me what I came here for or no one else leaves this room alive!!"

Amy sighed, Eve whimpered in the corner and Kevin and Colleen just looked at each other in confusion.

"Another round, barkeep!" Rafe slurred, his head rolling around like a bobble head dog.

Jack grabbed the pitcher of Margueritas and poured another glass. "Man, a drunk slayer is not a pretty sight. Drink up, bubba, cause that is your last one."

"Awwww, come on ole buddy Jack, take pity on me. You'd thinkkkk that finding out you're wifffe got her ssself knocked up by a vampire would gggrant you unlim....ited accccesss to the boozzeee." Rafe slipped halfway off his barstool and sloshed half his drink.

"Damn it Rafe, I just clea.....what did you just say?"

"Alllissssonnn, my sweet innocccent bride, is having the son of ssssssssatan. Isn't life a bbitch!!." Those were the last words out of his mouth before his head slammed into the bar.

Jack threw down his towel and took off out the door. He had to track down Livvie. If he knew anything, it was that she was out for blood and there was no doubt that it was Alisons.

"Ian, what can I do?" Lucy asked as she stood there feeling helpless.

"Come up here and hold her head in case she wakes up. You might want to keep those slayer senses sharp. If this baby makes an appearance before we're ready, we may need you more than you know."
Ian glanced up and gave her a weak smile, mopping the sweat from his forehead. "Damn it, where is Chris with that sample!!"

"Calm down, Ian. You need to be a doctor right now. I know you can do this. I believe in you." Lucy reached over and touched his arm, trying to reassure him.

Ian looked up at Lucy and felt a sense of peace wash over him. "I love you, ya know."

"I know." Lucy said, not doubting it for a minute. They both turned as Chris came through the door.

"Alright kiddies, it's now or never. Everybody ready?" Chris looked from Ian to Lucy as they both nodded.

"Well,as they say in the WWE, let's get it on."

Amy and James stood facing off against each other, neither one giving an inch.

"You have no power here, James. Unless Eve fails to do what she came down here for, you have no claim on her soul and you know it." Amy reminded him. "Now be gone, before someone drops a house on you!!" Amy glanced at Kevin and Colleen standing in the corner. "I've always wanted to say that."

James eyed Amy for a moment and then turned his attention to Eve. "You may be safe for now, but I will have what rightfully belongs to me." He turned to the others with an evil grin. "She is a pitiful creature and really quite inept for the task that has been put before her. Once again, I will be victorious. Now I shall take me leave of the lot of you, but I will return." James suddenly vanished before the eyes of the occupants in the room.

"Pompous blowhard." Amy muttered. God, this was a thankless job. She sometimes wondered if it was all worth it, but then she thought of Ian and Lucy and what they would have when this was all over and decided that it would be, hopefully.

'You, get over here." Amy watched as Eve scampered over and sat in the chair, her bottom lip stuck out in a pout. "Now, why don't you two go see if Ian and Chris need any help. Eve and I have a few things we need to get straight."

Kevin and Colleen started for the door. Kevin stopped and turned around. "One question. Is she really alive?"

"Well, as of right now, she's as alive as Paige, Casey and I were last time we were here." Amy looked up at the ceiling for a moment and then back down. "I can't really explain it all right now. Let's just say this is all about second chances and leave it at that."

Colleen reached out and took Kevins arm. "Come on, let's go see if we can help with Alison."

When they were gone, Amy turned her attention back to Eve and said, "You are in such deep shit!!"

Caleb watched from the shadows as Livvie came out of Lucys house. She did not look happy. Well, let her sulk, he thought, because she would not find Alison. He knew exactly where she was and he planned on being there when his heir was brought into the world, ready and waiting to rule the underworld.

Eve looked rebelliously up at Amy. “Nobody told me heaven would be such a drag! And I loved my life! I had Ian - Danny - a job I loved, and friends, and it was taken all away from me just like that, and for what? How come everybody gets to come back to life but me?”

“Your life wasn’t taken away from you ‘just like that,’” Amy replied sternly. “You know that, Eve. You know that was your destiny and you agreed to it before your spirit ever came back to earth as Eve Lambert.” In amazement, Amy watched Eve’s lower lip jut out so far it threatened to dislocate her jaw.

“It’s all your fault, you bitch. If it weren’t for you, Ian would have been with me when my car hit that patch of ice and we would have gone out together for once! We’re supposed to be soulmates, dammit.”

Amy sighed in exasperation. “When are you going to get it through your head, Eve? It was your karma to leave this lifetime then, not Ian’s. You really need to forget about that soulmate crap.”

“Ha, you’re just jealous because you could never get Ian in the sack with you, you dried-up sour old maid. Not that it would have have mattered if he did. Did I ever tell you about the morca? That proved that Ian and I - “

“That morca was some bad shit, man,” Amy interrupted. “All it proved was you have some heavy karma to scrub off. Remember those orphans your carriage ran over in Paris because you were in such a hurry to meet your latest lover?”

Scowling, Eve said, “That was over 150 years ago! Besides, I suffered! I ended up getting shot to death in that life!”

“That was a lesson you had to learn from the life before that one, and you still haven’t learned anything, Eve. Even this last time, you chose to leave the earth plane the way you did, in an auto accident, and to leave the pleasures of motherhood behind, to experience what it was like to be harmed in the way you’d harmed others. Obviously it didn’t teach you a thing since the instant my back was turned you were conniving with James to get your life right back.”

Eve sniffed vigorously enough to vacuum the room. “And no thanks to you, Amy, by the time I finally did get here, I find out Ian is hitting the sheets with my worst enemy again!”

“Ian is still alive,” Amy said quietly, “and he’s fulfilling karma of his own. You can’t stop that process, and you can’t use Kevin to stop it either. And you especially can’t make any deals with James to do it, without being called to account.”

Jame’s velvety voice suddenly insinuated its way deep into Eve’s consciousness. Remember, my dear. You’ll have all those voluptuous, delicious corporeal sensations to re-experience. The warmth of a man’s touch on your skin, the man of your choice, igniting your poor numbed senses into the blazing glories of passion they so long to enjoy again…the cold fire of an icy martini sliding down your deprived throat, all those bodily, earthly pleasures you still crave yours for the taking. You’ll have the satisfaction of vanquishing your foes to gloat over. Don’t listen to that killjoy Amy. Stick to our plan, Eve - bring me Ian. With Ian I’ll rule all levels of the universe. And you’ll be right by my, er, by Ian’s side, my lovely, smart Eve.

“Ohhhh…yessss…I…can, Amy!” Eve dramatically drew out her words for emphasis. “I can do whatever I want! What the hell do you know about getting your way with a man anyway, you withered old prune? The only man you ever had shot you to death.”

Amy’s eyes narrowed ominously. “That does it!” Instantaneously, she was at Eve’s side, grabbing her by the arm, jerking her to her feet, and forcing her arm behind her back before Eve could struggle or utter a word of protest. “Let’s pay a little unscheduled visit to Ed before I conveniently forget I’m a career conditional angel now.”

“Alison! Alison! My baby! Kevin! Have you seen her?” Elizabeth came careering around the corner, almost colliding with Kevin and Colleen outside the on-call room. “I dropped into Elixir for a Cosmopolitan and found my new son-in-law there all by himself. I couldn’t get anything out of him, he was three sheets to the wind - and Alison’s not answering her cell!”

Although his first impulse was to deny it, Kevin realized he couldn’t keep a mother, even a mother as erratic as Elizabeth, from knowledge of her daughter’s whereabouts at a time like this. Under his breath, he said quickly to Colleen, “Go on after them. I’ll catch up.” Then, facing Elizabeth, Kevin managed to hide his own anxiety and summon his most soothing bedside manner. “Alison’s here at GH, Elizabeth,” he reassured her, “and don’t worry, she’s safe. She’s in good hands, the very best hands she could be in right now.”

“In good hands?!” Elizabeth repeated shrilly. “Has something happened to Alison?! Oh my poor baby - Kevin, she can’t be sick now, the line of designer sweat suits is almost ready to show her - !”

Not for the first time, Kevin wanted to knock some sense into Elizabeth’s vacuous blonde head. But he supposed it would have been a wasted effort since the industrial-strength pale yellow dye she used on her hair must have long since leached into and reduced her brains to scrambled eggs. And even if the brain of Alison’s lunatic mother hadn’t been far beyond the abilities of even Sigmund Freud himself to sort out therapeutically, Kevin was GoodKevin again and no longer resorting to violence. BadKevin was in the past. Wasn’t he? Kevin took a deep breath and prepared to tell Liz that Alison was in labor.

Instead, the words issuing from Kevin’s lips were, “The last time I saw Alison, she was with Lucy and Ian. I think they were discussing, er, hospital equipment. You couldn’t reach her because Alison wouldn’t have had her cell phone turned on in the hospital.”

This caused Elizabeth to look even more baffled, until apparently a few hardy neurons fired weakly and a faint glimmer of awareness lit her features. “Oh, I’ll bet they’re planning a benefit for the hospital at the gym!” A possible opportunity to hog the spotlight never failed to escape Liz’s notice. “Thanks, Kevin! Now I’d better run - I need to see of Chri-I mean, Georges is available for an appearance, make sure those outfits are ready in time, and --”

“Yes, Elizabeth, why don’t you do that? If I see Alison I’ll tell her you were here. I’m late for an appointment now myself.”

Without further ado, Kevin turned to walk away, but Liz clutched at his sleeve. “Wait, Kevin! If Chri-Georges can’t make it - will you be my escort?”

Colleen stood at the entrance to the delivery room, her hands clenched into tight balls of guilty tension. She knew she should prepare to assist Ian and Chris for the delivery of Alison’s child. She was an experienced obstetrics nurse while neither of them was an ob-gyn, and it was obviously going to be a very difficult birth, for more reasons than the highly disturbing one that the baby’s gestation period had been less than a hamster’s. Colleen could see Ian and Chris were frantic. All her instincts urged her to rush forward and take charge.

But she just stood there. Because if she did what she’d been trained to do, she might then have to then do what she’d been threatened into doing. She just hadn’t thought it would happen so soon… A wave of cold, dank air assaulted Colleen from behind. She shivered and shuddered at the same time. A hand as strong and unfeeling as steel clamped down on her shoulder.

“Well, well, well,” a familiar hateful voice smirked close to her ear. “Your part in this has come sooner than I expected, Nurse Colleen. The sooner you deliver the goods I want to me, the sooner I release…her, to you to do with as you will.”

“A baby isn’t ‘goods,’ Caleb!” Colleen whispered fiercely. “Not even your baby, if any child was ever unfortunately to be born to you!”

“But you see, that is my child,” Caleb smirked. “And as it appears to have more than its fair share of big strapping guardians, each of whom trusts you implicitly, I’ll leave you to the work I chose you for. Don’t fail me. I’ve already explained the consequences.”

Colleen gasped. “Your child?!” Now all the strangeness was beginning to make sense…Chris and Ian’s urgency she still didn’t quite understand but she understood it well enough to realize it was associated with the nature of the child as much as with the welfare of Alison herself, and that somehow that nature had a potential for good that would be lost if the worst happened…. In any event the protective maternal aspect of Colleen, the powerful goddess that few ever saw, rose up within her in protest. “I won’t take a newborn innocent baby from its mother and turn it over to you!”

“You can and you will, or the one who stole my ring will suffer!” Caleb promised, adding with his usual smirk, “among others.”

And Colleen remembered her impossible dilemma. She saw no way out. Anyone in Caleb’s clutches was doomed; let the doom be upon his own child if it had to be on anyone, but still -- ! No matter what she did the doom could be upon all of them, and Colleen couldn’t hold back a sob.

“Colleen, what’s wrong?” Lucy was standing where Caleb had just been. Her voice was ragged. “Aren’t you going to go help them? Oh my god! Wait!” An expression of horror rolled over Lucy’s strained features.

Gulping, afraid to hear the answer, Colleen asked, “What’s wrong, Lucy?”

“Colleen, if you’re here, where’s Danny? And if Kevin’s here - where’s Christina?!”

A throaty snicker made them both spin around just in time to see Caleb fade into the air.

“Oh my, God, the children!” Lucy thought. She knew that she had to do something, because it seemed that everyone she loved was in some kind of danger. She didn’t know what to do, but decided that following her instincts would be the best. She had never done it before, and she didn’t know if it would work, but she had to try. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and disappeared right in front of Colleen.

Colleen watched Lucy evaporate, just as Caleb had done a few seconds before. Her mouth was open to answer Lucy’s question about Danny and Christina, but she never had the chance. Colleen decided that she wasn’t surprised by anything any more, even Lucy’s disappearing act. Too bad she didn’t get the chance to tell Lucy where the children were.

Suddenly Colleen was startled by Ian’s order, “Get over here, Colleen, Alison needs your help.” Despite her misgivings, Colleen couldn’t turn away from a patient, especially not someone she cared about. She just had to trust that Ian and Chris could handle anything that happened.

Lucy found herself in a large room, draped with silk hangings. It didn’t take but a minute for her to realize that she had followed Caleb when he left Alison’s room. She hoped that Ian was right, and that she was strong enough to handle the task she had set for herself.

Although Ian had thought she was asleep, she still remembered lying in his arms while he talked to her, “Heart of a lion,” he had said. She hoped so, because she was going to need all the strength and courage that she could muster.

She could sense Caleb’s presence, and knew that he could sense hers as well. The only thing she didn’t know was if Caleb knew it was her instead of Rafe. Even though Rafe had trained as a Slayer, he didn’t really have the intellect or cunning to be very successful. She would have to use everything she had ever done in her life if she was going to do what she knew was her destiny.

First, though, she had to find the children and get them out of there.

Ed faced Amy and Eve. He hadn’t decided what he was going to do about Eve when this was all over, but she was going to have to learn that heaven had no place for narcissistic angels.

“Good job, Amy. You did the right thing bringing her back. Although your mission isn’t over, you need to stay here and watch with me for a while,” he said.

“Eve, what am I going to do with you? Don’t think I’m not aware of the deal you made with James, and I’m half a mind to let him have you when this is all over! Maybe you’ll learn something, though, if you watch what is going to happen down there.”

Allison was laboring hard, and it was difficult to help her. The contractions seemed to come in ever-increasing waves. As of yet, they hadn’t been able to keep her calm enough to hook up the pheresis machine and Ian was losing hope that he would get this cure. He was feeling more and more out of control, and couldn't remember the last time he had fed. He just hoped that he'd have enough strength to do what needed to be done.

Ian’s main concern, though, was for Allison. He didn’t know how much more her body could take, her blood pressure was very high, and she had never fully regained consciousness. He was concerned that both mother and child would lose the battle going on inside of her.

Colleen was amazing. Once she had decided to help, she kept the doctors focused on their tasks and helped to soothe and comfort Allison as much as possible. Although the thought of Caleb’s child was repugnant, she could not abandon him or his mother.

“Doctor.” Both Chris and Ian looked at Colleen, “You might want to examine her again. It seems that she has started to push.” Chris and Ian looked at each other in alarm, as Chris found that Allison was fully dilated.

“I’m sorry, old man, but this baby is coming too damn fast. I don’t know if we can get Allison through this alive. We can try to see if there are enough antibodies after she delivers, but we don’t have any more time to hook up that infernal machine.” Ian nodded to him while they got into position for Chris to deliver the child. Between his hunger and his disappointment, he felt himself slipping into the darkness.

Lucy looked into the bag on her shoulder, and found the silver arrow. Funny, she didn’t remember putting it in there, and whispered a silent thank you to the universe. She dropped the bag on the floor, slipped off her high heels, and quietly crept through the room in search of her children.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Caleb said from behind her. “And what do you think you’re doing with that? Don’t you and that thickheaded cousin of yours ever learn? I cannot be defeated, and if you kill me, I just come back again. Anyway, don’t you remember that if I die so does Rafe?”

“I came here to get my children away from you. Your son is being born as we speak, and you don’t need Danny and Christina. Just hand them over to me and I’ll leave.” Lucy held out her free hand to Caleb. “Please?”

Caleb laughed, “You came all the way here for those brats? Since I like you, Lucy, I’ll tell you the truth.”

Lucy looked at Caleb, hoping for the truth but not really believing him. “They are with their babysitter, Carmen isn’t it, sound asleep in their cute little beds. I’ve never had them, but that is certainly an idea for the future.”

Lucy put her hand down and turned around, defeated and tears started rolling down her cheeks, “How do I get back to them? I don’t even know how I got myself here!” Caleb walked up behind her, and put an arm on her shoulders.

Lucy turned around, gritted her teeth and yelled, “Now!” to no one in particular. She took the arrow and ran it straight through his heart with all her might. Caleb gave her a stunned look, and fell into a pile of dust.

Ian felt the change in himself, but he didn’t have time to think about it. Allison was pushing with all her might as he and Chris assisted in the baby’s birth. Chris said to her, “Just one more big push, Allison, you can do it.” Allison screamed as she pushed the baby from her. A few moments later Chris introduced Allison to her beautiful blonde daughter Ian and Colleen looked on in shocked surprise.

For a few moments Lucy stood there and just let herself feel total and complete joy. And pride. And - victory. Victory. She had defeated the bad guy, she had won and she had done it all by herself. Without being anywhere near him, Lucy knew that Ian was once again whole - the curse had been lifted and he was free. The life they dreamed of for so long could finally begin.

Lucy willed herself back to the hospital, eager to share the joy with the man she loved, but the magically transporting powers seemed to be as dead as Caleb. After several fruitless attempts, Lucy reached for her handy-dandy cell phone. Her first instinct was to call Ian of course, but then she remembered Alison. He wouldn’t have his cell phone with him while he was treating a patient anyway. She hit another number on her speed dial.

“I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to get that.” Kevin had to pry Liz’s fingers off his arm one by one. “I’ll be right back with you . . . ”

Please please please let this be an emergency.

“Kevin here.”

“Hey Doc is me.“

Kevin realized that instead of being a few feet away, where she had been a mere moments before, Lucy was talking to him on the phone.

“Where are you? Why aren’t you here?”

“Because I’m here instead. Kevin, I killed Caleb.”

“You did what? When?”

“I’ll explain all the details later I promise But just know he’s dead, for good this time.”

“That’s my gir - I mean that’s great Lucy.”

Kevin looked up to see Colleen watching him. Kevin mouthed ‘Allison?’ The way that Colleen was smiling as she nodded, Kevin realized that the news was good. “Hey Lucy, hold on just a moment.” Kevin turned to Elizabeth. “Elizabeth, I’ll be right back.”

“She doesn’t know?” Colleen asked Kevin as soon as they were out of earshot.

“I thought I’d leave it up to Alison to break it to Elizabeth that she’s going to be a grandmother. It’s going to destroy the image of ‘forever young and slutty’ she’s created for herself.”

“Kevin that’s - “ Colleen could feel herself blush. “I mean, Dr. Collins.”

“Kevin. I think once two people have become engaged, they should be on a first name basis, don’t you?” They had reached the room Alison had been taken to. And Kevin realized he had totally forgotten Lucy was on the phone. “Lucy, hey, I’m sorry. I got distracted.”

“I heard.” Lucy replied, wryly. “What’s this about you being engaged to Colleen? You have some serious explaining to do my friend.”

“It’s not - it’s just - “ Kevin opened the door to find Ian standing there, talking to Chris. Behind them, Kevin could see Alison in the bed, baby in her arms, both fast asleep. Without saying anything else, Kevin handed his phone to Ian. “Lucy” was all he said as he headed over to check on Alison.

The first words Ian spoke into the phone were “My hero.”

“How did you know? That it was me I mean? Wait, first things first - how is Allison?”

“I’m not the only person you saved today Lucy. That baby is whole and free and perfect, and it’s all because of you.”

“I just wish I could be there with all of you, instead of stuck here.” Lucy kicked the big pile of dust that used to be Caleb. “Maybe you could ask Kevin to come and get me.”

“Better yet, Ramsey can handle everything here. I’ll come get you myself. I have to see you, see for myself that you are okay. Plus, I am not taking any chances - what is left of Caleb is going to get a proper burial - at sea. The first toilet I come across and down he goes. And after that, I plan to thank you properly for saving me. We’ll need to get started on that as soon as possible, it could take all night.”

Kevin, trying very hard not to watch Ian as he talked to Lucy on the phone, almost missed Colleen practically running out of the room. Without knowing why, he chased after her, catching up with her as Colleen reached the elevator.

“What’s going on? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“I can’t believe I forgot. But the excitement, with the baby and all, and taking care of Alison - I have to see the kids, see for myself that they are okay. If Caleb has hurt them, it’s all my fault. “

“Caleb’s dead Colleen, that was what Lucy was telling me on the phone. Wait a minute.” Kevin said as the elevator began it’s descent “do you mean Danny and Christina?”

“Hurry Ian, I cannot wait to begin our new life together. Who ever dreamed normal was such a beautiful word? Wait. How did Caleb know our babysitter’s name?”

“What?”

“Caleb, before I killed him he said - “ Lucy’s cell phone went dead. Puzzled, Lucy checked the battery, it was almost fully charged. “Ian?”

The room went dark.

At the hospital, the power went out.

“Damn.” Kevin cursed, as the elevator stalled. It was pitch dark.

“The elevator phone isn’t working.” Colleen reported.

“That’s okay, I’ll just call maintenance on my phone - which Ian has.” Kevin added. “I know what this is, it’s my elevator curse. Why oh why don’t I start taking the stairs?”

“So the generator should kick in any second right? I mean, we won’t be stuck here for long do you think?”

Kevin and Colleen began beating the elevator door at the same time. “Help!”

“Proud of yourself aren’t you? It’s too bad you didn’t consider the consequences of your actions, but then of course I’m not surprised. You always do act before you think.”

Lucy couldn’t see him, but she recognized the voice.

“James.”

“In the flesh, so to speak. And you can put away that little toy you have in your hand. Unlike poor Caleb here, it’s pretty useless on me, being that I am already dead and all.”

“I don’t know what rock you crawled out of, but you can just crawl right back under it. Your parlor tricks don’t scare me.” Lucy hoped her voice didn’t sound as shaky as she felt.

“Actually, I should be thanking you, what was it that man of yours called you? His hero. You’re my hero too, Lucy. Caleb is dead, all the vampires have been defanged, so there are no superheroes, or supervillains, to stand in my way. And the icing on the cake is that you finally got rid of that thorn in my side, for once and for all.”

“Caleb?”

“Haven’t you been listening? The balance of good and evil. Someone bad dies, someone good - “

“Oh, no. Rafe.”

"I fear young Rafe is no longer for this world, my dear Lucy. All is right with the universe, as I believe you would phrase it." James chided her with an obnoxious sneer.

"I won't let you take him James. Whatever deal you made will be null and void once I kill you and rid the human race of your nasty, vile presence." Lucy started toward James, but he disappeared before she got to him. When she heard his evil laugh behind her, she spun around to face him.

"You are so very naive, it is almost sad. Caleb and Rafe are nothing more than a minor blip on the map. The deal, my sweet, no longer concerns them. I am here for another purpose." James stared at her, his eyes almost glowing.

"Well, if you are here for my soul, you can just think again. I won't give up without a ......" she stopped short, suddenly realizing what James true purpose was here on earth. "Oh my God, you've come for the innocents!! You've come for Danny and Christina!!"

"Give the lady a cigar. I suppose I shouldn't have underestimated you. You're smarter than you look." James turned his back and began to walk away.

"You will never have my children. I'm sending you back to Hell!!" she screamed, running at him with the stake she used to kill Caleb. Before she reached him, he vanished.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"

"Lucy!!! Wake up!! Come back to me!!" Ian shouted, not caring who heard him.

She began to stir, her eyes fluttering open. Looking up, she saw Ians beautiful face and for an instant, everything was perfect.

"What happened? Where am I? " she asked, still a bit out of it.

"You fainted in the hallway outside of the O.R. Colleen ran in to get me and we brought you to the on call room." Ian explained.

"Lucy, please stop scaring me like that, alright?
Collen pleaded. "This look came over your face when I mentioned Danny and Christina and then you just dropped like a stone."

Lucy sat up with a start. "Oh my God, the children. We have to find them Ian. James wants their souls!!"

"Lucy, calm down. What are you talking about?" Ian asked.

"I projected myself to Calebs lair and I killed him and then James showed up and I just knew what he was after. We have to stop him!!!" She was hysterical, fighting to get off the bed.

"Caleb's dead? I'm sorry, I wish that were true Lucy, but I think I'd know if he was."

Lucy looked at him in shock. "But you told me on the phone that you were cured. You said you're vampire symptoms were gone!!!"

Ian gave her a look filled with sorrow. "I never spoke to you on the phone. You were never gone, Lucy."

"No, it couldn't have been just a dream, it felt so real!!" Closing her eyes, Lucy dropped her head in her hands.

"It will be alright, Lucy. We have another way to cure me. Chris is with Alison right now. Her and her baby are my salvation." He told her, trying to sooth her.

Shaking her head, Lucy lifted her eyes to Ian. "I pray you are right, Ian....but I still feel that what James told me, whether in a dream or not, is the honest truth and he is after Danny and Christina. He mentioned something about a deal he made. I don't know with who, but I can't shake the feeling that the children are in danger. I also don't believe they are the only ones."

Colleen, who had not left the room, spoke up. "I'm not sure this will help, but when you passed out, I sent Kevin to go get the children. He's with them right now. They are safe, Lucy."

"For the moment. I still think I should be with them." Lucy begged.

Ian took her hand and helped her stand up. "Go, be with the children and keep them safe. I will be there as soon as Chris and I see to Alison. Everything will work out, love, I promise."

Lucys heart skipped a beat as Ian smiled at her. She prayed to God he was right about all of it. He kissed her gently on the lips, gave her one last reassuring glance and headed back to the O.R.

"I believe Ian, Lucy. I know that you do to. Everything will be fine." Colleen said, trying to sooth Lucy one more time. Giving her a wink, Colleen turned and followed Ian. She had to help him and Caleb be damned. How she wished Lucys dream had been real and that she had killed that horrible creature. It would make everyones life so much better.

Lucy stood there in the hallway, watching Colleen walk away. She still could not shake the feeling that her encounter with James had been the real thing. She began to turn to go home to the kids when somewhere in her deep subconcious, a voice spoke to her.......

"All that has passed can come true, if it is your hearts desire, you just have to do as I ask. You will be everyones hero, Lucy. Caleb will be no more and it will be because of you. Hear me and obey me. Bring me the children and............stop Ian. His attempts to cure himself are futile. I am the only one that can do that. All you have to do is listen to the sound of my voice......."

Mesmerized, Lucy stood there frozen in time. The voice was getting stronger and stronger by the minute. She felt as if her head was about to explode when suddenly....

"Don't listen to him, Lucy. Fight him!!! Pull back, break free and run to your children!!! I will watch out for Ian. Do it now!!"

Amys voice finally broke through to her and she fell against the wall, her breathing coming in gasps. Pulling herself together, she gave a silent Thank You to Amy for her help and ran as fast as she could to reach her children. James would never have them, he'd have to kill her first and she so hoped that he tried!!!!

Caleb stood in the shadows, watching as Lucy ran from the hospital. One down, three more to go!!