Arriving back at the apartment, Chris escorted Julie inside and smiled, "How does it feel to be home, Mrs. Ramsey?"

"It feels...great!" Julie said looking around.   She had been to Chris' apartment a couple times before and it was strange to think she'd be calling it home now. It was even more strange to think that she was married to a man she had so much to learn about...but I loved him, so she felt it was justified. "I'm starving, do you have anything to eat?"

"Of course I do. I'm brilliant in the kitchen, although that's not the only room that I'm talented in," Chris winked at her before kissing her quickly, "What would you like to eat, dear?' 

"Anything but macaroni and cheese. That's all they ever fed us," she replied, smiling. As we walked into the kitchen she looked at him, studying his face. Something was wrong, she could feel it though she shrugged it off assuming it was only her mind trying to destroy a good moment in her life, “Actually Chris now that I think about it,” she paused thinking about her newfound freedom, “I know this is going to sound crazy, but I left that chocolate you bought for me out in the car.”

“The chocolate?” he asked curiously.

“Yeah the stuff you brought into Ferncliff not so long ago,” she answered sheepishly, “I couldn't bring myself to eat it there, so I kept it kind of as a memento of what I had waiting on the other side for me.”

“You did?” he asked surprised as she nodded.

“Yeah,” she smiled, “it was one of the ties that I’d actually had to the outside world there.  It was really important to me.”

“In that case, we’ll get it after dinner,” he decided watching her face drop slightly before he reached for his jacket, “on second thought, I’ll be right back.”

“I’ll be here,” she smiled watching him leave the apartment as she looked around trying to find a way to believe that this was home.  She looked around at the various bookshelves, at his pictures up on the desk, at what made this a home for Chris. 

Julie ran her fingers over a few of the trinkets on his desk when she noticed a picture from their wedding day.  She lifted it from the desk top and held it for a moment finding a smile form upon her lips as she thought of how wonderful it was going to be having her freedom again.  She closed her eyes for a moment realizing that not even a few months ago could she have imagined that life would be this good for her.  Having a home, a family and her freedom was something she’d never anticipated, but somehow Chris had changed that for her.  He was bringing her life again.

Julie opened her eyes after a moment of reflection and she couldn’t help but let out the smile that she was holding on the inside as she thought about her future with Chris.  Setting down the picture on the desk top, her eyes traveled further across the slight clutter to find another distinct photograph propped up on his desk, only this time it didn’t bring forth the same warm and fuzzy feelings.

“Eve,” she said tightly as her eyes scanned the photograph of Chris and Eve toasting martinis together.  She looked around the apartment for a moment before casually dropping the frame into the garbage can next to the desk, “Whoops,” she said with an air of sarcasm as she noticed the blinking light on the answering machine.  She looked around for a moment or so wondering if she should just leave it for Chris, but then again, it was her home now.

“And as Chris said,” she began completing her thoughts as she pressed the button on the machine to playback the message, “what’s mine is yours.” With that she stood back hearing the sounds of heavy breathing for a moment as she groaned slightly, “God Chris, what kind of perverts do you communicate with,” she moved to stop the message when she heard a familiar voice.

"Chris....if you're there please pick up...." Eve's voice pleaded followed by some kind of muffled sound as the reception grew bad on the other end of the line obviously and the machine clicked off.

“I wonder what that's about,” Julie shrugged running her finger over the playback button once again before she looked over to the trash bin, “On second thought,” she smiled lightly pressing the erase button, “it’s really better this way,” she decided with a chuckle realizing that she wouldn’t let Eve screw things up for her yet again.  She’d done that long enough and now it was time for her to have what was rightfully hers without any interference.

“What’s better?” Chris asked walking into the room and dusting off his jacket as he saw Julie over by the answering machine.

“I am now that you’re back,” Julie smiled brightly walking over to his arms, “now what do you say we get started on that dinner here?”

“I say it sounds like a plan,” Chris agreed as she took his hand and he tried to dismiss his lingering thoughts about Eve as something felt horrible off.  Though he knew what he must do, he had this nagging feeling that somehow someone was going to end up hurt one way or the other.

Ryan ran out after Eve, "You're never going to get away from me, Eve. I know this place better than you do! I'm going to find you!" he said still trying to catch up to her.

Eve had a steady lead and could hear the water pounding on the shoreline when suddenly she stumbled upon a stone and toppled down the hill.  She could feel her body ache as she fell down the incline and landed on top of a pile of rocks.  She tried to ignore the pain as she pulled herself up feeling as if she'd sprained her ankle as she moved forward at a slower pace searching for a place to hide.

Ryan heard her tumble and he grinned, "Did it hurt, Eve?" he asked running after her and making his way slowly down the incline, "Come on, Eve. I can make it all better if you'll just let me. Give up and I'll make all the pain go away, baby!" 

Eve made her way over to a cavern and collapsed at the entrance trying her best  to remain quiet as she pulled herself inside barely able to crawl around as pain shot up her leg.  She hid in the shadows hoping that somehow Ryan would pass her  by as hot tears burned down her cheeks.

Ryan walked along slowly and silently, trying to hear anything from her.  He couldn't hear her. Where had she gone?  He walked up to one of the old caverns and took a quick peak inside but didn't see her.  He turned around and looked back towards the incline, "Where are you, Eve? Let me help you." 

Eve listened to his voice softening a bit as he tried to lure her into giving herself away. The pain was excruciating, but she remained silent hoping that he would give up and return to the lighthouse opting to forget about her.  Her eyes were burning and her vision blurred as she leaned up against the cavern wall hoping to stay hidden in the shadows.

"Eve, we both know you're around here somewhere. Just give it up, woman!" Ryan  shouted trying to listen for her and not hearing anything. 

Eve could hear his frustration as her heart pounded in her chest loudly.  She closed her eyes praying that it wouldn't give her away, that she'd finally been able to escape from the madness she'd found herself in hours earlier.  She knew that now all she had to do was wait for him to leave and then she was free at last....free to go on with her life without fear of him. Now hearing his footsteps outside of the cavern, she laid back staying as quiet as possible.

"Eve!" Ryan shouted, "Don't make me call Chris and tell him to come over here. I'd hate to have to take all this rage out on the man that you were going to leave me for. I mean, I'm known for my talents with the ladies, but I'm sure that I could make Chris beg for his life as well." 

Eve listened to his words and as soon as he mentioned Chris, her heart pounded wildly.  She listened to the desperation in his tone knowing that he intended to follow through on his threat. 

"No," Eve whispered faintly realizing that she couldn't let him hurt Chris no matter how badly she wanted to escape. If anything happened to Chris, she knew she wouldn't be able to live with herself as her own fears escalated.  She remained frozen for a moment more wondering if this was a bluff, but knowing better.  She wanted to hide like this forever, and not care, but then the thought of Ryan hurting Chris terrified her more than what he was going to do to her. Reluctantly she pulled herself into a sitting position now crying as she crawled forward a bit closer to giving up. 

Ryan grinned as he heard something, "Have I gotten your attention now, Eve? Do
you see just what lengths I will go to in order to get what I want? I will make Chris wish that he's never met you. When I'm done with him, he'll curse the day you were born. So why don't you just let me know where you are and we'll save lover boy the pain?"

Eve thought about it for a moment knowing that even if she'd be able to make it to safety in her weakened condition that Ryan would get a hold of Chris first and with the way he'd been able to escape death without anyone knowing of his existence, then she knew he'd surely disappear with Chris and she couldn't let that happen. Weakly, she moved forwards wanting so badly to stay hidden, but she couldn't allow him to get to Chris.

"I'm over here." Eve spoke up tearfully moving out into the night knowing she'd just sealed her fate.

"Ah, I'm glad you've come to your sense, baby," Ryan said with a sinister grin as he walked over to her, seeing the tracks of tears down her face. "You must be in exquisite pain. Where does it hurt? I'll get you fixed right up now that you've seen the light." 

Eve just curled over and cried as he stood before her. The pain was so intense that she couldn't think focus on anything else.  She closed her eyes tightly and tried to block him out as she began to shake from the cold.

Ryan picked her up into his arms and began walking back toward the lighthouse.  "Didn't I tell you that it would have been easier to just give in? Didn't I warn you that it would only make things worse if you ran? Well, now you know what I was talking about, don't you?"

Eve sobbed into his chest not really listening to his words as they entered the lighthouse once more.  She was tired, frustrated, and frightened and there was no more hiding what was happening inside of her.  She looked up him with fear in her eyes seeing how pleased with himself he was. "Well, now you have me."

"Yes, I do. There was never a doubt in my mind," Ryan said as her took her into the bedroom and placed her on the bed gently. "Now, I can tell that the ankle is injured. anything else?" 

"I think that I did something to my ribs in the fall." Eve confessed feeling the pain shoot up her left side as she let go of her rage and allowed him to take care of her. "It hurts to breathe."

 Ryan tenderly placed his hands at her side, watching as she winced.  He withdrew his hand and reached up to check on a bump at her head, "You hit your head."

"You should probably take me to the hospital." Eve suggested hopefully looking up at him as she flinched. "That's probably the best place for me." 

"Nonsense," Ryan said moving his hand to her cheek, forcing her to make eye contact with him, "I'm a doctor remember. I mean, you're much older than the kids I was used to checking on, but the basics are the same." 

Eve looked away from him turning her head in the other direction as she let out a frustrated sigh knowing it was no use. "Fine, do what you must."

"You should feel lucky. If I weren't kind of partial to you way deep down, I would have left you to suffer." 

"You should've instead of threatening me with Chris." Eve replied softly looking back at him. "Speaking of which, now that I'm back here Ryan, you have to promise me that you won't hurt him." 

"On the condition that you be a good girl," Ryan said touching her cheek, "Then I'll leave your buddy alone." 

"Fine Ryan, I'll play by your rules, but only if you stay far away from him." Eve responded feeling herself cringe at his touch as she closed her eyes thinking of Chris. "But if you turn on me and hurt him in any way, I won't hesitate to finish what I started in the kitchen." 

Ryan watched her as he moved hid finger across her lip, "You shouldn't play this game," he said smoothly, "I'm the expert and right now, I'm the one holding all the cards." 

"Just because I'm down doesn't mean I'm out Ryan," Eve answered softly meeting his gaze, "you should know that about me by now, after all it's what you seem to like about me."

"You're right. I do," Ryan said with a grin, "I like matching wits with you. You've proven to be a formidable opponent. I never thought you'd be this much fun. And you're willing to push the limits further than I expected. I like that," he said with a smile. 

"And to think you wanted me to just submit earlier. What fun would you have had then," Eve began with a twisted expression thinking about the struggle they'd had with one another.  She glanced up at him again completely serious. "I meant what I said though Ryan, just because you caught a glimpse of my caring side and mistook it for being weak, don't think that I will stop when it comes to protecting those I care about."

"I want you to know that I own you, Eve. You're nothing without me," Ryan said caressing her cheek, "Like I said, Chris will be safe as long as you cooperate with me. Push me just a little bit and Chris is the one that will be suffering the consequences while you sit back and watch." 

Eve felt her skin crawl at his touch and just the idea of having to endure any more of it nearly drove her mad, but then her thoughts drifted back to Chris and she choked back on the words forming at the back of her throat and bit her tongue knowing that she would have to endure this if it meant Ryan would leave Chris alone. "All right," she nodded slowly, "I understand."

Ryan watched her and knew that she hated him. She was probably being truthful when she said she could go through with killing him if given the opportunity again.  He just had to be sure that she didn't have that opportunity.  He smiled as he leaned forward and kissed her, knowing that she hated that too. As he pulled away and licked his lips he grinned, "And look at that. Sealed with a kiss." 

Eve could feel her stomach turn as he'd kissed her and any traces of love or affection that she'd once felt for this man had been nothing more than a distant memory as she lay on the bed helplessly looking up at him knowing that for the time being she was at his mercy.  She opened her mouth to speak once again feeling another bitter phrase ready to come out when she opted to remain silent turning her head away so that he wouldn't see the tears in her eyes.

"You deserve some rest after what you've been through," Ryan smiled as he touched her cheek again. "Let me get you some ice for that ankle and some aspirin for the aches. Don't go anywhere," he smiled as he placed one handcuff around her wrist while adjoining the other to the bedpost. 

Eve listened to his footsteps as he left the room and looked at her wrist now bound to the bed.  She tugged at it momentarily hating to feel that all her control was taken away from her as she struggled with it. Closing her eyes, she couldn't help but feel as if she was going out of her mind as she lay there for the first time in her life helpless and hating every moment of it.  She thought of Chris and the words exchanged between them at the hospital as she wished that she hadn't done things the way she had. If she'd only thought twice about getting involved with Ryan to begin with, then she could've been happy with Chris.

“So this is what it’s like in a day in the life of Chris Ramsey?” Julie teased lightly as she looked around the apartment, “One could almost let go of themselves there if given plenty of opportunity.”

Chris laughed softly, trying not to think about Eve.  He wondered how she was and if she was with Kevin.  He put those thoughts out of his head and smiled at his wife, "Then just leave yourself in my capable hands." Chris

Julie watched as it seemed he randomly gathered foods together and placed them on the counter. "What are you planning to make?"

"How about I just surprise you?" Chris smiled, "But I promise it's not pasta and it has nothing to do with cheese." 

"That sounds pleasantly refreshing," Julie said, giving him a quick kiss. "I'm just going to use the bathroom, alright?"

"Sure, I'll get dinner started," Chris said watching her for a moment. 

"I love you, you know," Julie said, as she headed towards the bathroom.

 Chris watched her leave and started dinner before getting himself a martini. Thoughts of Eve popped up as he looked to his answering machine.  As if he’d discover something more than he would in letting it go, he pressed the button to hear no new messages that only reaffirmed that Eve hadn’t called him.  He wondered if he should call her and let her know he wouldn't be able to make it as he thought about Julie in the next room.  He frowned and decided that it might be best if he didn't talk to Eve just yet as he didn‘t have the answers that either of them had been looking for.  Grabbing the phone, he called the hospital leaving her a message that he wouldn't make it. 

He saw Julie coming back into as he hung up the phone, "Dinner's almost ready. It's an express version." 

"Express sounds delightfully delicious," Julie said leaning over his shoulder to get a peek at what he was making. "Were you talking to someone?"

"I was suppose to have a meeting at the hospital, but I called and canceled. I want to spend some time with my wife." 

"I'm sorry if I ruined your plans, I didn't expect I'd be let out tonight," she said, feeling bad that she had interfered.  “You know, as much as I wanted to be with you right now, I didn't want to demolish your career in the process.”

"Please don't apologize. Just another boring meeting dealing with planning about something or another. I'd rather be here with you than anywhere else, Julie," he said touching her cheek, "You didn't ruin anything. On the contrary, you made me a very happy man by completing all your hard work and coming home." 

"I just don't want to ever interfere with your plans. I know it's going to be hard on both of us in the beginning, adjusting our lives to live with one another. But it's so much more of a transition for you. I don't want you to feel smothered," she said placing her arms around his neck, "I love you, you know and I can't stand a chance to lose you."

"You're not going to lose me, Julie. You mean way too much to me. And I don't feel smothered. If anything I feel the most complete that I have in my entire life," he smiled, caressing her cheek before kissing her softly, "I love you, Julie."

"I love you too and I'm glad I can be the piece of the puzzle that makes you feel complete. I feel like a whole person when I'm with you, you don't treat me like I'm some sort of psycho or something," she said, returning his kiss.

Chris laughed, "Well I know you're not like normal people. You're in a class all by yourself, kind of like me. That makes us perfect for each other and I wouldn't have this any other way."

"As if there were any other way to have it," Julie said, smiling, "so what about that non-mac & cheese dinner you promised me?"

Chris smiled and took her to the dining table, "Dinner is served."

"Wow," Julie said, looking at the impressive spread he had laid out on the table. "How did you make all this in the short time we've been home?"

"Tricks of the trade," Chris smiled, "I won't share the secret." 

"Just fine with me," Julie  said, as she sat down, "I guess you'll be cooking a lot then Mr. 'Tricks-of-the-trade' because when I boil water, it burns," she said, smirking.

Chris laughed, "Cooking is one of my strong suits, and I actually kind of enjoy it." 

"You shouldn't talk so big of yourself quite yet, I still haven't tasted it," Julie teased.

"Hey, self-confidence is one of my personality traits that you're so fond of," Chris smiled. 

"So it is," Julie said, taking a forkful of some mashed potatoes he had made. 

'So, what's the verdict?" 

Julie waited a minute, not wanting to let on that it was delicious. "Well...it's alright..."

"Just alright?"

"Ok. So it's delicious," Julie said, smirking.

Chris smiled brightly, "Another satisfied customer." 

"So that's all I am to you? A customer?" Julie asked, keeping a straight face

"Far from it," Chris smiled, "And actually I don't think I can honestly call you a customer. How about I just tell you how glad I am that I have a satisfied wife now?" he winked at her. 

"Wife sounds so much better then 'customer.' But what about the husband? How can we make him satisfied?"

Chris smiled, "Don't tempt me." 

"Oh, and why not?"

"Once I get started you might not be able to stop me," Chris said with a wink, "Then again, you might not want to stop me." 

"I've been locked up for months upon months and you think I'd want you to stop?"

Chris smiled, "Have I told you lately that I love you?" 

"Yeah," Julie said, almost posing it as a question. What was he up to?

"Then I'm going to repeat myself by telling you again," Chris said softly before moving to kiss her. This was more difficult than he thought it would be as his thoughts kept lingering back to Eve, but here was his wife.  Rachel was right.  He had an obligation to Julie and he just hoped that Eve would understand.

Eve was about to burst into tears again when she heard Ryan approaching in the 
hallway. Pulling herself up a bit, she wiped away any traces of tears before he entered the room.

Ryan walked back into the room and placed the ice pack gingerly on her ankle while handing her the aspirin and a glass of water, "Here you go. Wouldn't want my patient to be in pain, now would I?" he asked, sitting on the bed beside her. 

Eve looked at the aspirin for a moment inspecting them closely letting him see her obvious distrust for him before she reluctantly took one.  She looked over at him almost waiting expectantly for some kind of thank you as he sat next to her. "It's not that bad." she lied not wanting him to see just how awful she felt. "It'll heal in no time and soon I'll be back on my feet again. I'm resilient you know."

"That's one of the things I like about you so much," he said with a smile before laying back on the bed, "Now that we're on the same page, you have to make a decision. How are you going to tell Chris that you can't be with him?" 

"Ryan, first of all if you plan on keeping me locked up here like this, I think the first thing on your mind should be how you're going to make the world believe that I want to throw everything away like my career." she explained not wanting to talk about Chris with him as she tried to inch over away from him on the bed until she felt a pull on her arm. "Chris should be the least of your concerns about me right now. He's not going to believe that I just decided to run away from everything because I didn't want to be with him."

"You're going to figure out a way to keep him from suspecting anything, Eve. I don't care what it takes. You'd better figure out a way, because if he sticks his nose where it doesn't belong, I'll be forced to take desperate measures to keep him from finding anything. I hope you understand how important this is." 

"I understand Ryan and I will think about it." Eve explained softly feeling the handcuff digging into her wrist a bit.  She inched further away from him. "I'll come up with something, just don't you dare go near him."

"Threats, Eve?" Ryan asked, pulling her back towards him, "Did you forget who has all the power here, my dear?" 

"I haven't forgotten the way things stand..for now." Eve answered feeling myself cringe at his touch as his hand remained on her.

"The way they will always be, Eve," Ryan said moving his hand gently down her leg, "So, what are we going to do about this Halloween party tomorrow?" 

"We have to go Ryan or else everyone is going to be suspicious." Eve explained scooting her leg over at bit away from his touch. "After our little run in tonight, I suppose that it would be believable if I was going as a member of the living dead." she looked at him briefly. "We can't just not show up because it'll raise too many questions."

"That's right. You catch on quick," he said with a smile, "That's part of the reason I like you so much. You're smart. That's good. It'll help. Now, that also means that if you want for your precious little boy toy to live, you're going to have to cooperate and play things very very cool."

"Fine I'll play it cool if it means that Chris won't be harmed." she agreed with a nod putting a bit more distance between them. "I'll behave myself as long as you keep up your end of the deal. So what is it exactly that you have planned?"

"Now where would all the little surprises be if I told you that? I do have to keep some things from you still, especially after this little episode," Ryan said pointing to her ankle, "You know, you're kind of appealing with bandages on. Sure you won't go to the party as a mummy?" 

"Whatever Ryan," Eve replied trying not to roll her eyes at his comment, "it doesn't matter to me considering I'm not exactly going to be something to look at tomorrow night, but I'm sure you like it that way since it's a reminder of your handy work that you're so proud of here." she noticed the sharpness in her tone realizing that she didn't want to talk about it anymore and anger him. "Look, I'm getting tired. Perhaps you should call it a night and head on up to your room since you know I'm not going anywhere." she
suggested nodding to the hand cuff.

"Are you growing tired of my company, dear? I'd hate to think that you were trying to get rid of me. I had such wonderful plans for the two of us but with you in this present condition, I think they could be put on hold for a bit. But just so you know, I'm not going anywhere. I want to be right here with you." 

"Great," Eve thought to herself rolling her eyes a bit as she turned away thankful that at least she'd managed to dissuade any ideas that he might have about the two of them due to her fall. "I suppose since you've clearly stated your case here, then that's the way it's going to be with you here. If you aren't leaving however, I was wondering if you'd take this handcuff off me. I don't really see myself moving freely about in my condition tonight and if you're not leaving, I don't see the necessity in it and it's digging into my wrist."

"Okay, if I grant this request, it still comes with the same conditions. You betray me and Ramsey pays," Ryan reminded her as he released her from the handcuff. 

"How can I forget that since you keep it hanging over my head?" she questioned rubbing her wrist before sliding over on the bed to put distance between them.  She laid back still a bit uneasy at the closeness between them as she tried to force herself to get some rest. 

Ryan smiled as he watched her. She was so uncomfortable, and that just made him feel better. He watched as she tried to force herself into rest but it wasn't going to help. He was under her skin and they both knew it. 

Eve  closed her eyes tightly thinking about Ryan and the nearness of him. It was driving her crazy just realizing that at any moment he could be on her and there would be nothing she could do about it. She tried to think of something else to distract herself with as she started to think of Chris realizing that she'd probably never see him again. She remembered their kiss in the lounge and felt a sadness consume her.

Ryan moved closer to her, putting his arm around her waist and drawing her to him. She was so beautiful. 

“And she was mine, all mine,” he thought to himself, “And because she would be thinking of Ramsey, I'd have to be sure to do something about him. One way or the other, he wasn't going to come between me and Eve.”

Eve felt Ryan pull her to him and she silently felt the tears falling down her face as she cried myself to sleep thinking about Chris and dreaming of seeing him once again. She found herself getting lost in her dream of them being together when suddenly something awakened her and she realized that she was still here at the lighthouse trapped with Ryan forever and her heart broke all over again.