By 
Karen and Desi

---

Chapter One

Chris Ramsey stood in the doorway of the on call room frantically searching through his locker for his jacket as he’d realized what Amy’s warning had truly meant. He thought to her harsh words earlier when he’d promised that he’d see to it that she wouldn’t get in the way of Eve’s life anymore. He wouldn’t let Amy hurt Eve. 

“It’s not for you to decide Chris,” Amy answered smugly as that sadistic smile washed over her features, “but then again I think by this time Eve should be safe from harm’s way, although you never know how those fly by night vacations can go.” 

“Excuse me?” Chris eyed her intently. 

“What? Eve didn’t tell you,” Amy replied with a half laugh, “how curious of her. Well Romeo, despite your thoughts on making my presence something of a thorn in Eve’s side while you worked your way into her life, she and Ian are taking a trip with one another, you know getting away from Port Charles and people like you and me,” Amy explained with a hearty laugh, “only this time I’m pretty sure they aren’t coming back....” 

Her words vibrated in Chris’s head as he realized that she’d had something sinister in that tone, something dark behind her voice and now as he slipped into his jacket grabbing his car keys, he realized nothing was more important than finding Eve. He had to get to her, to warn her that Amy was up to something before he was too late. 

Eve looked at the terminal behind her. She still wasn’t sure this was the right thing, but life with Ian had become anything but pleasant lately. She’d fought so hard to find a place in his heart, wanted so desperately to have the happily ever after, but now, well, now as she stood towards the gate, she realized that things weren’t headed as she’d hoped. On the way over to the airport she and Ian had gotten into another disagreement and in the midst of her anger, she decided that perhaps time away from one another would be good for them. Perhaps it would keep her in perspective as she thought about her promise to try to rethink her hasty decision for a divorce. While she’d promised him back at Harris’ complex that she would try to remember their love, she found herself doubting it more and more. Maybe they weren’t meant to be. Maybe they were just fooling themselves, she sighed as she turned towards the small jet before her. No need to worry about that now, she decided making her way to the jet determined to leave her concerns behind her...at least for a little while. 

Ian stepped into the on call room a curious expression on his face as he noted the dim lighting in the room. He took in the scent of her familiar perfume and instantly a smile washed over his features. 

“So Lambert,” Ian smiled proudly making his way across the room towards her office as he reached for a flower that had been left over from Gabby’s farewell party earlier in the month, “I see you changed your mind about your decision to leave and well I’m glad you did because this gives us time for us, time to catch up on all those little things we haven’t attended to.” he pushed the door to her office open gently, “Lambert?” 

“Over here Ian,” A voice whispered as he turned his eyes over towards the window catching a glimpse of a shadow standing before the closed blinds. His eyes wandered over her body catching a hint of her curves from beneath the black, silken negligee she’d been wearing and her dark hair was up in a bun, which Ian was sure to alleviate before this time they spend together was through. He’d had so many plans for them and as he shut the door behind him, turning the lock a smile washed over his features. 

“I was just thinking about you,” he confessed stepping in behind her as his arms slipped around her slender waist.” 

“Good, because I’ve been thinking about you too,” she confessed spinning around to kiss him as Ian caught his first glimpse of her realizing too little too late as her lips met his that this seduction was planned by none other than Amy. 

Eve sat on the small plane thinking about the journey ahead of her. A little work might be good for her, though she hated the thought of leaving Danny behind. Originally she and Ian were going to take this trip together with Danny, to attempt to make this something that the three of them could share together, but then Danny had gotten an ear infection, Ian had gotten so impossible and Eve realized being away from Ian might be just what she needed, although leaving Danny was most certainly not in her best interest. She loved him so much, and maybe in loving him she found herself more than compelled to keep things together with Ian. She’d never had a father growing up and in imagining that kind of life for her son, her heart ached. Danny deserved two parents who loved and cared for one another, who could give him the life he deserved, but then again what about the life she deserved? Ian had always promised to put her first, above all others, but somehow that promise had faded into an illusion as their time together had gone on. He’d been more interested in saving the world than keeping good on his promise to her heart and now as Eve sat on the plane awaiting her journey, she feared what may happen when she returned home to Port Charles. Would she be strong enough to give Ian the answer he was hoping for or would she finally admit once and for all that their marriage was completely over? 

“Sir, I’m afraid you can’t go through there,” the security guard began as Chris tried to make his way beyond the gate. 

“Look, I need to see my friend. She’s in trouble,” Chris explained desperately, “I have to get to her.” 

“Look pal,” The guard frowned at him, “I need to know more than that.” 

“I thought you people were supposed to be on alert around here,” Chris huffed. 

“We are, but with people like you,” the guard waved towards the other one across the way. 

“What seems to be the problem?” the second guard asked as his eyes fell upon Chris, “why Dr. Ramsey,” the man frowned.

“You know this punk?” the first guard questioned. 

“Yeah as a matter of fact I do,” he nodded, “this louse here murdered my cousin Mario.” 

“Mario? I don’t know a Mario,” Chris began. 

“Of course you don’t because he was insignificant to someone like you,” the guard glared at him, “but his death ruined his family’s life once that virus was let out in his restaurant.” 

“Restaurant,” Chris blinked back, “Oh you mean Mario's.” 

“That’s right, and you were the one who ended that for him.” 

“I wasn’t behind the virus,” Chris shook his head, ‘Look I don’t have time for this. MY friend is on a plane out there and i need to find her.” 

“What you need is a ticket and if you don’t have one, you don’t have access,” the angry guard glared at him, “now I strongly suggest you get out of here before we have to have you pulled away.” 

“Aren’t you listening?” Chris huffed back at him, “a woman’s life might be in danger.” 

“And you’re the one to save her?” 

“Yes, as a matter of fact I am,” Chris nodded. 

“Now why do I seriously believe that,” the guard argued nodding to his partner, “I think it’s time to get him out of here.” 

“No, I’m not going anywhere,” Chris struggled with the guard as the man pulled him into his arms deciding to remove him from the airport. 

“Dr. Lambert, are you ready for takeoff,” The pilot questioned stepping out to find Eve seated before him. 

“Of course,” she smiled at him her fingers digging in to her seat as she thought of what good a vacation might do for her. She closed her eyes hearing the humming of the plane’s engine as she was lost in her thoughts. A soft smile washed over her as she began to recall Danny’s smiling face. That alone was something that would warm her heart in this time they spent apart. 

“No, no,” she heard a voice cry out as the plane began to move, “no....” I repeated as she looked out her window noticing a man desperately reaching out to the plane. Her eyes widened as she realized someone was making a great deal of noise from outside. She pressed the button beside her to speak with the pilot, “is something wrong?” 

“Someone is trying to stop the plane from taking off,” he explained, “he claims to be your husband.” 

Eve sighed realizing an escape was out of the question, “Then let him board before we go,” she reluctantly agreed. 

“Will do,” the pilot decided as Eve took in a breath anticipating another tense moment with Ian, but as she took in the scent of the cologne that filled the compartment she was in, she rose from her seat in surprise as Chris stepped in before her. 

“Eve, we have to get you out of here. You can’t leave,” Chris explained reaching to her, “Eve, we have to go right now.” 

“Chris what are you doing here? How did you.....?” she started as he tugged at her urging her towards the front of the plane. 

“Eve, we don’t have time for this. We have to go now before we,” he was stopped as a sudden jolt rocked through the plane causing her to stumble forward into his arms, “what was that?” 
“That,” she pushed into his chest before easing her way over to her seat once again and placing her seatbelt around her, “was my plane taking off,” Eve eyed him skeptically, “now the question is WHAT are you doing on it?” 

“Eve you don’t belong here. We don’t belong here and I think that it would be best if you and I got off this thing.” 

“Chris, I don’t understand.” 

“It’s Amy. Eve, she did something. She’s trying to do something to you and Ian and you need to get out of here before.....” he watched as the plane moved into the air speeding over the water that lay beyond the airport, “Eve, we have to get this thing down right now.” 

“Chris, you’re scaring me.” 

“You should be scared, Eve. Amy did something to this plane.” 

“She told you that?” 

“No, but I have this feeling.” 

“You came here because of a feeling?” she eyed him confused. 

“She said something, well not directly, but something that worried me,” Chris shook his head, “We don’t have time to talk about this,” he turned towards the cockpit, “I have to get the pilot to put this thing down.” 

“But.....” she trailed off as Chris left her alone with her confusion. A few moments later he returned his face as white as a ghost as Eve questioned, “Chris, what is it? What’s wrong? What did the pilot say?” 

“Nothing,” Chris admitted bringing his hand through his hair. 

“Did you tell them your suspicions? I'm sure they thought you were insane.” 

“Perhaps they would’ve,” he hesitated, “if they’d been there to hear it.” 

“What?” she blinked back in surprise. 

“Eve, the pilot is gone.” 

“What do you mean the pilot is gone?” she jumped up from her seat. 

“He’s gone and now it’s just you and me,” Chris replied suddenly overwhelmed with a horrible, sinking feeling that he and Eve had just started to fall into Amy’s revenge after all. 

“Amy, what are you doing in here?’ Ian questioned her as he tried to pull away from her very warm and inviting embrace she held upon him. 

“Waiting for you,” Amy offered up to him as she refused to move from Ian’s nearness, “I had a feeling you’d be coming back alone tonight.” 

“Why would you think that?” Ian asked, wondering how Amy intuitive nature had known he and Eve didn’t leave together after all. 

“Just a lucky guess on my part, I suppose,” Amy shrugged her shoulders slightly, which caused her black negligee to slide enticingly down further upon her body and exposing more of herself to Ian’s view, “knowing all of the problems you and Eve have faced with one another lately. When you told me you had made amends with her and you both were leaving town together, I had to wonder how long it would last before you two ended up fighting with each other again.” 

“Oh Amy,” Ian sighed, “I don’t know how things have gotten so far off track with Eve and I. We can’t seem to get anything right, can’t seem to make a connection…” 

“Ian, I’m so sorry,” Amy tried to sympathize with him, to get him to feel like she understood where he was coming from with his frustration, “I know I haven’t helped much in your situation, only added more problems to your life.” 

“You’re not the problem,” Ian wearily replied, “Eve and I were having problems long before you came to town.” 

“Well if it is a connection you want, I’d be more than willing to oblige you,” Amy gave him a seductive smile as she pulled the pins from her hair and let her hair cascade down all around her shoulders. 

“Amy, I don’t think…” 

“Shh, don’t think, just feel,” Amy touched Ian’s lips with her fingers softly, she could feel the heat emanating from his full lips and longed to taste them for herself, “I only have a few days left, so please give me a wonderful memory of making love to you to 
take with me.” 

“Amy, we can’t do this,” Ian struggled with his conscience. Things had been so tense with Eve these past few months, all they ever did was fight with one another anymore and he was so tired of it, tired and lonely. Here Amy stood, looking beautiful, offering herself up to him with no strings attached whatsoever. What a dilemma he faced, he had feelings for Amy, that much he was sure of, and here she was begging for him to make love to her. Knowing he had thought of what would happen if he only reached out to touch her, granted he had not be physically unfaithful to Eve where Amy was concerned, but emotionally he had already made love to Amy in his mind after the day Amy had admitted to him she had wanted to have a passionate affair with him. 

“Please Ian, I’m begging you,” Amy earnestly pleaded with him, “all I want is one night alone with you. To be able to feel your strong body next to mine, I swear I’ll never breathe a word of this one night to anyone. I promise to take this secret with me to my deathbed, so to speak, no one will ever find out about this night from me.” 

Ian’s resolve to keep Amy at arm’s length was fading fast, “We shouldn’t…” 

“Please Ian, “ Amy begged him as the tears filled her eyes and threatened to fall. 

Seeing Amy’s tears were more than Ian could stand, knowing he was the cause of them. He placed his hands on her waist and pulled her against him, slowly his lips descended until she could feel his warm breath on her mouth. Ian’s mouth covered hers, softly at first, then more fiercely as he felt the desire being released from both of them wanting one another these past few months. One night couldn’t hurt he desperately tried to reason to himself, he knew there would be no turning back from his actions but he seemed helpless to control his raging emotions that Amy brought up in him at the present moment. Plus, given the fact he knew Eve wouldn’t return for a few days since she had told him in no uncertain terms she needed to get away from everything to clear her head, he knew Eve wouldn’t catch he and Amy together. He decided then and there that he would give Amy her one night of passion if that were what she truly wanted from him. 

As Amy felt Ian give into her pleas for him to make love to her, her mind began to swirl with the delicious stirrings of revenge’s fire coming to life within her grasp. Soon they would all see the havoc she had caused and she knew for sure she, the daughter who had loved him so, would avenge her father’s death and she would be the one to rain down destruction on the people who had brought about his untimely demise. This feeling was heady, so powerful, she mused to herself as it rushed through her body, she knew by this time tomorrow Ian Thornhart’s world would be completely destroyed when her task was done here on earth. 

Amy pressed her hands against Ian’s muscular chest, feeling the strength of him beneath her touch, slowly she slid her palms up further to alleviate him of his shirt, tossing it carelessly aside as she drug him down to the floor with her as her plans came to life more vividly than she had ever dreamed possible. 

“Chris, you must be joking,” Eve started uneasily as she noted the expression on his face, “oh God, please say you’re joking.” 

“Eve, if I said Ian and I were golf buddies, or that I am pleased that you two are still together, sick as it may be in blurting that out,” he cringed slightly, “well, I’d be joking, but seeing as we’re in this plane, just the two of us with no one flying this thing as our lives hang in balance, well I don’t think I’m joking. This is anything but a laughing matter.” 

“Oh boy,” Eve stepped forward as Chris reached out to her drawing her into his arms. 

“Where do you think you’re going?” he asked seeing the determination behind her eyes. 

“I’m getting to the bottom of this,” she explained matter of fact. 

“And how do you propose you go about doing that? By sending us to the bottom of the ocean with your curiosity on this matter?” he raised a curious brow. 

“Chris, we can’t just let the plane coast here,” Eve reminded him, “someone has to fly this thing.” 

“Don’t you think I realize that,” Chris frowned, “but don’t think for a second that I’m putting my life in your hands,” he released her, “I’ll do it.” 

“Excuse me?” 

“I’ll fly the plane,” Chris announced determined, “I’ll be the one to do it.” 

“Chris, you’ve got to be kidding, right?” Eve gave him a look, “you don’t know how to fly a plane.” 

“Maybe not, but judging by the difference in our daily driving records, I’d say we were clearly in better hands if I take charge,” Chris turned back into the cockpit. 

“You’re the one who racked up the speeding tickets,” Eve reminded him, “I only had one or two fender benders.” 

“Try half a dozen at least,” Chris shot her a look, “just because you can bat your eyes at an officer and have it erased doesn’t mean I forget that easily.” 

“Chris, there aren’t any planes around here for me to run into,” Eve looked around at the great beyond in front of them as he positioned himself in the pilot’s seat. 

“Maybe not, but going by the same theory, it won’t matter if I’m doing five over up here,” he teased back looking at the control panel hoping that somehow all the blinking lights would somehow make sense to him soon. 

“Ramsey, why should I trust you with my life?” Eve questioned moving in beside him as she strained to keep the fear from showing in her tone. 

“Because I’ve never let you down before and I’d do anything to ensure you’re safe,” Chris reached for her hand briefly, “don’t you know that by now?” he questioned brushing his finger against her palm gently. 

“Chris,” she opened her mouth to speak as he withdrew his hand from hers almost as swiftly as he’d placed it there, “so in trying to keep me safe, does that include jumping onto pilot-less planes in the hopes of impressing me?” 

“Well that speeding bullet thing never came up,” Chris teased back, “or that train bearing down on you....” 

“Somehow I have a feeling that might’ve been a bit easier to get out of,” Eve remarked watching him play with the controls a bit, “are you sure you know what you’re doing?” she asked as a button began to blink after he’d pushed it. 

“Sure,” Chris shrugged, “I mean why not? I’ve played Alien Space Invaders versus the Martini Master before so how hard can it be....” 

“The Martini Master?” Eve gave him a look, “you’ve got to be kidding me? There honestly isn’t a game called that.” 

“There is now,” Chris remarked proudly. 

“Since when?” 

“Since I invested stock in the company and had one of the designers make me a demo game,” Chris explained with a smile, “and believe me I’ve earned that Martini Master title.” 

“And in this Martini Master game you’ve created, you are aware of the controls on a small jet plane?” 

“An alien death flying machine, but hey,” he shrugged, “close enough.” 

“Close enough?” Eve shook her head in disbelief, “Ramsey, are you completely nuts?” 

“Only if it’s pecans,” Chris remarked. 

“What are you talking about?” 

“If I’m nuts, I think I’d like to be pecans or maybe almonds,” Chris teased further. 

“How can you joke at a time like this? Here we are in the middle of, gosh, where are we....” 

“In the air,” Chris offered. 

“I got that far and you’re making jokes about this,” Eve glared at him. 

“Would you rather I tell you about my dreams of you?” he glanced over at her. 

“I’ll pass for now,” Eve turned to scan the control panel as she heard some sounds from before her. Reaching over to what appeared to be a radio she spoke into it, “Hello, anyone....anyone can you hear me? We’re in trouble....hello....” her sounds were cut short as the radio made a popping sound and there was a smoke rising from it followed by a spark that caused her to jump dropping the piece in her hand with a thud. 

“Well, that did us good,” Chris groaned. 

“I was trying to get us help,” Eve glanced over at him once again as he seemed a bit more at ease behind the equipment, “Hey you look like you’re warming up to this baby.” 

“Autopilot,” Chris explained proudly, “see I told you video games would teach me a thing or two.” 

“You really do have a lot of time on your hands, don’t you Ramsey,” Eve half questioned as she watched him taking control of the situation. 

“Well, you know since you moved out life hasn’t been quite the same. It’s just not been nearly as fun, but I’m working on it,” Chris continued, “I was actually thinking when Danny was old enough maybe he’d like to come over and be my buddy seeing as his mother is too good for me now.”

“I’m not too good for you,” Eve rolled her eyes. 

“Oh admit it married life keeps you away from me.” 

“Chris, it’s not about married life,” Eve sighed, “I’ve just been busy.” 

“Yeah, worrying about that two timing husband of yours.” 

“Chris, Ian is a good man.” 

“Why is that again? Because he makes you cry or maybe it’s because he liked to sleep with other women, remind me?” Chris cut back. 

“Ramsey, you just don’t understand,” Eve defended. 

“Then make me understand, Eve. Make me understand why someone as incredible as you is with someone like that.” 

“Chris, you don’t know Ian like I do,” Eve started once more. 

“Eve, I know him well enough to know that he doesn’t deserve you, that you wouldn’t have been put in danger like this if it hadn’t been for him,” Chris continued, “he’s the one constantly putting you at risk.” 

“Ian didn’t have anything to do with this plane missing it’s pilot,” Eve defended. 

“Think about it, Eve. You were supposed to leave with him, just a family thing and he backed out on you....” 

“I asked him to stay home, Chris.” 

“Why?” 

“I’d rather not get into that.” 

“No, let’s do so because I think it’s time we talked about this.” 

“My marriage is none of your business.” 

“You’re my friend and if some jerk is two-timing you, it’s my business.” 

“Chris, Ian and I have problems, but it’s none of your concern.” 

“Well apparently it is when his little mistress is trying to kill the only friend I’ve ever known,” Chris blurted out. 

“Chris, if you’re trying to imply that Amy and Ian....” 

“Think about it Eve. Amy tells me that you’re going to vanish forever, though she left me thinking I’d find you and Ian together, yet when I get here to warn you, well Ian’s not around and you’re here all alone without Daniel. You do the math.” 

“Chris, Daniel has an ear infection,” Eve looked ahead of them, “and besides I wouldn’t want him to witness this right now.” 

“Even so, Eve, Ian has him and if you never returned, he’d keep him away from you,” Chris continued on, “Eve, think about it here. Ian and Amy have been thick as thieves lately and yet here you are on this plane by yourself while he’s back in Port Charles with Amy, who most certainly had an agenda where you’re concerned.” 

“Chris, there’s no way that Ian would try to kill me and especially not with Amy’s help,” Eve objected as his words began to sink in further, “and besides, I’m not alone anymore, am I?” 

“Only because I came here to rescue you,” Chris prompted. 

“Which I still don’t understand. How did you know Amy was planning this?” 

“Call it a gut feeling.” 

“You don’t have gut feelings, Ramsey.” 

“I do too and usually I’m right about them.” 

“I sincerely doubt that.” 

“Eve, I knew you were in trouble, just like you know when I'm in over my head,” Chris reminded her, “despite where we’ve been in our lives with one another, no one else can read me like you do and you know though you hate to admit it that no one else can read you like me.” 

“That’s so far from the truth...” she shook her head. 

“Eve, right now I know you’re scared. You’re trying to avoid it by fighting with me, but you’re afraid of what happens if I’m right. You’re thinking about Daniel and what it’ll mean if we don’t figure out how to get this plane down safely. You’re thinking about all the things you should’ve said and how if you could do it all over again, you’d find a way to get me and my insight off this plane so you wouldn‘t have to deal with it.” 

“There you’re wrong, Chris,” Eve confessed reaching over to take his hand, “I’m glad you’re with me even though I wish we weren’t here because well, despite everything else, I know you’ll find a way out of this for us somehow because you don’t accept defeat.” 

“Never,” He offered with a proud smile, “and I’d never let you down as long as it was in my hands.” 

“Maybe it’s not anymore,” she sighed closing her eyes and thinking about Daniel as he squeezed her hand again. 

“Have a little faith in me beautiful. I mean hey so far so good. We haven’t hit anything or swooped out of the sky.” 

“But you don’t even know what you’re doing, where we’re going.....” 

“Maybe not, but I’m certain that we’re going to make it out of this and one day this will be a truly amusing story we share with our grandchildren.” 

“Grandchildren?” Eve raised a brow noting the softness in his tone. 

“Well maybe yours since I’ll be the swinging bachelor at eighty-six with my eighteen year old fiancee.” 

“Ugh, you never change, do you?” Eve groaned in response. 

“I’d become an honest man if you agreed to run away with me,” Chris winked. 

“You couldn’t handle me Ramsey,” Eve teased lightly. 

“Just bet me,” Chris dared. 

“Oh come on, Chris. You know it’s not really me your interested in. You‘re just feeding into your ego.” 

“See now, there’ your wrong, Eve,” Chris turned his eyes in her direction, “you’re everything I’ve ever wanted and to me you’re the most incredible woman I’ve ever known.” 

“Chris, you don’t have to kiss up just to make me feel comfortable that you’re flying this thing. I can see you’re doing a good job.” 

“Even so Eve, you should know,” he squeezed her hand once more, “I love you.” 

“I love you too,” she smiled returning the squeeze, “it’s hard not to.” 

“No, Eve, I’m serious,” Chris’ voice shifted as he laced their fingers with one another, “I love you, really truly love you and a part of me always have and I know that that same part of me always will. I love you, Eve Lambert from now until forev....” his words were interrupted by the firm, quivering of the cockpit as they were surrounded by a turbulence unlike anything Eve had experienced before. 

“Chris, what’s happening?” her voice questioned shaky as the plane jerked violently. 

“I don’t know,” he replied struggling to keep himself in control of the plane, but it was dropping altitude too fast, too frantic for him to regain control, “Hold on.” 

“We’re going down!” Eve exclaimed with terror as the plane took a dive into the deep, blue world beneath them. Eve realized that there would be no avoiding a crash as the plane collided with the ocean’s surface skimming the top violently before dropping deep beneath the crystal waters as the impact suddenly caused Eve’s world to fade to black.