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Karen lay beside her husband, sleep having eluded her most of the night. She had told Chris the truth. She did love him and she loved the family they had together. She wouldn't change their relationship for anything in the world, but that truth hadn't included that seeing Jagger had put her on edge.
Coming face to face with her ex-husband for the first time in years had caused Karen to lose track of time. He was still just as handsome as he had been the last time she'd seen him. When he'd flashed his patented smile at her, she couldn't help but feel her heart flutter the way it once had only for him.
After leaving Jagger at the elevator, Karen had reminded herself with every step towards Alan's office that Jagger was her past. She had also felt guilt pangs along the way, feeling that just by allowing herself to remember the love she'd once had for Jagger she had somehow betrayed Chris.
She snuggled into Chris' warm body now, wanting him to know how much she loved him and only him. She eased her hand over his heart, feeling his heart beating steadily. She pressed her lips to his cheek and felt his arms slip around her, securing her tightly to his body.
"You didn't get much sleep last night," Chris said softly as he opened his eyes and looked over her face.
"Did I keep you awake?" She asked anxiously.
"You know, you can talk to me," He said as he evaded her question, lightly touching her cheek, "Karen, I know you're upset."
She frowned as she lay against him, snuggling into his warm form, "Seeing him just really caught me off guard."
"Did it stir up old feelings?"
Karen raised her head to meet his eyes, "I'm not in love with him any more."
"That wasn't what I meant," He assured her softly, "I was wondering if it upset you after all this time to finally see him again....especially after all the communication through the mail."
"When I saw Jagger, the first thing through my mind was why is he back here. He was so deep into his police work in San Francisco that I never got to see him, and now he suddenly shows up back in Port Charles years after we divorced. It just surprised me, especially when he wanted to speak to me so badly."
"And yet you didn't make time to speak with him," Chris spoke softly.
"I didn't have time," She said softly, "This is my life now. I get to make decisions about my life based on how I want things to be. I wanted to get home to be with you and Natalie. He lost his chance to have my time a long time ago when we were married. He didn't want my time then. He can't have it now."
Chris gently swept Karen against him and eased her to her back. He lay above her and lightly traced her cheeks, "I love you, Karen. I don't want you to think that you can't share what you're feeling with me."
"I just don't want you to ever think that I don't love you, Chris," She explained as she looked up into his eyes.
"I know that you love me, Karen," He said softly, "Jagger was a part of your life a long time ago. Things have changed. You've changed. Jagger doesn't concern me," He touched her cheek with soft caress with the back of his fingers, "You're the one I worry about. I'm afraid you're going to let his presence stress you out."
"You think I'm stressing over this?" She asked sheepishly.
"You didn't sleep last night. I can tell that you're feeling the stress of his arrival, but you don't have to worry about him, Karen. If he really wants what is best for you, he's going to see that we have it all right here with our family."
Karen smiled, "I knew I fell in love with you for a good reason."
Chris smiled as he lowered his lips to hers, kissing her tenderly, "You love me for all sorts of good reasons."
She laughed softly, "You're right. I do."
He kissed her once more, "I've got to get ready for work."
She pouted softly as she kissed him again, "Do we really have to?"
"I'm afraid so," He reminded her before kissing her again.
"Then I guess we should," She sighed as Chris rolled out of bed.
"I've got to get a shower," He started towards the bathroom before stopping and turning towards her, "Care to join me?"
Karen grinned as she stepped towards him, "I thought you'd never ask."
Karen wrapped her arms around him before Chris swept her up into his arms, causing a burst of giggles from her. Their prior conversation about stress was quickly fading as a memory.
Frank stepped into Kelly's and ordered a cup of coffee. He stood at the counter, tapping his fingers against the worn top. He sank into a nearby stool and waited while the waitress retrieve a cup of coffee for him.
"Hi," Jagger said as he sank into a nearby stool, "Good morning."
"Good morning to you too. Didn't think I'd see you again so soon."
"Same here," Jagger extended his hand, "I'm Jagger Cates."
"Frank Scanlon," Frank introduced himself while shaking Jagger's hand, "You were asking about Karen, right?"
Jagger nodded, "She's my ex-wife."
"And why the questions about her husband?"
"I haven't seen her for a while. I was just wondering about her life now."
"And you weren't worried about her?" Frank questioned.
"Should I be?"
"Since she's married to Chris Ramsey," Frank nodded, "You'd better be worried about her. There's no telling what kind of trouble he could get her into."
"You really have a poor opinion of this guy," Jagger pointed out.
"I have every reason to," Frank watched Jagger for a moment, "He kept me addicted to drugs so he could use me as his personal lab rat."
"He did what?" Jagger questioned, "Did you turn him in once you were clean?"
"Was no need. He lost the money, he was suspended from the hospital, and lost his lucrative deal with a pharmaceutical company. He still deserves to pay though," Frank sighed.
"You're a better man than I am. I would have found some way to make the bastard pay."
"I haven't given up hope that one day karma will come back to get him. Somehow, he'll get what he deserves."
"He's got more now than he deserves. He's got Karen and her baby," Jagger frowned, "How could she get involved with someone like that?"
"I happen to think he somehow conned her into marrying him. I don't know all the ins and outs of their relationship, and to be honest, I don't think I want to. Whatever is going on with them, I'd prefer not to be in the middle of it."
Jagger nodded, "Unfortunately for Chris Ramsey, I'm about to get right in the middle of it."
Eve sat in the on-call room, reading over a magazine when Joe stepped inside. He flashed her a quick smile as he moved towards the coffee machine.
"How's everything with you, Dr. Lambert Collins?" Joe asked as he poured himself a mug full of steaming coffee.
"Everything is good, Dr. Scanlon," Eve replied as she closed her magazine, "How's the party planning going?"
"Well, between Gabi and Mom, all the details fell into place pretty quickly. All I have to do is show up."
"And be your charming handsome self, right?" She teased, "Is everyone on the guest list?"
"I'll assume you're asking about Frank, right?" When Joe saw her nod, he continued, "Yeah, he's invited. Mom wouldn't let me pass him over, though I'd really he rather not show up."
"Karen and Chris are planning to be there," She pointed out.
"I know, and I want them to be there. After everything that has happened, it's weird, but I actually kind of consider them friends," He shrugged, "I'm a little afraid of what will happen when I get them all in the same room together, but hopefully, Frank won't cause a scene."
"I hope it turns out to be a beautiful night for both you and for Gabi," Eve smiled, "So have you guys started talking about the wedding?"
"A little," Joe smiled, "It's going to be huge. Gabi has a huge family, and my side isn't exactly small. We've been thinking about St. Luke's Cathedral for the wedding and having the reception at the PC Grille. All that's just in the talking stages yet. We haven't even gotten through the engagement party yet."
"Trust me. The time will fly by and you won't even remember having any space between getting engaged and getting married," Eve warned.
"Being in love with Gabi and seeing how I don't even notice time now," Joe shrugged with a smile, "I can see how that could happen."
"You're really happy, aren't you?"
"I didn't think I could be after the way things ended with Courtney, but Gabi brought new life to me. She has a strength of spirit and a heart that is so pure," He paused, "She's everything I could want, and she does make me very happy."
"I'm so glad that she does," She assured him with a smile, "You deserve happiness."
"Thank you, Eve," Joe smiled, "It's nice to know what real happiness is all about for a change."
"I hope it lasts for you," Eve patted him on the shoulder gently before exiting the on call room to return to work.
Chris walked through the doors of GH and immediately groaned as he spotted Frank Scanlon standing at the admissions desk. He took a deep breath and decided that he would attempt to take the high road, ignoring Frank and his presence. He held his head high and walked by but not before he heard Frank speak up.
"Trying to slither through without anyone noticing, Ramsey?" Frank asked as he stared at Chris.
Chris turned on his heel and nailed Frank with a stiff stare, "Scanlon, what are you doing here? We don't treat the criminally insane around here."
"That's obvious by your presence," Frank shook his head, "How's your wife?"
"My wife is absolutely none of your business," Chris made his way around the desk, "And why are you here any way?"
"That is none of your business," Frank retorted before he walked by, "Why don't you just find something constructive to do or would that be too difficult for your reptilian brain to grasp?"
"You know, Scanlon, you need to find a better way to spend your time. Some of us have real jobs," Chris snapped his fingers, "Wait....you shot your chance at a real job, didn't you?"
"That is all your fault, Ramsey. You destroyed my life," Frank raised his voice, "You're the one who ruined everything for me."
Chris shook his head, "You absolutely refuse to see what you've done to yourself, don't you? You won't take any responsibility for what you've done."
"What I've done?" Frank shook his head, "You tried everything in your power to ruin me."
"You did that all by yourself," Chris shrugged as he began to walk away.
Frank grabbed Chris' arm, "Not so fast."
"Gentlemen!" Alan spoke loudly as he intervened, "This is a hospital. If you want to fight, you can go outside."
"There's no fight here," Chris shrugged out of Frank's grasp, "I have work to do," He finished as he started up the stairs.
Alan turned to Frank with an unfriendly look, "And you?"
Frank took a deep breath, "I was just leaving," He finished before he turned and left General Hospital.
Jagger peaked from around the corner, knowing that Chris Ramsey was going to be a more difficult problem than he'd originally planned for.