*~*Chapter 10*~*

"So why here, Chris?" Eve asked as she looked out over the village, "Why 
this part of the world?"

"Just look at this place," Chris smiled as he looked out over the village, 
"It's gorgeous.  Who wouldn't want to live here?"

"But the poverty..."

"Was heart wrenching," He admitted as he stood and made his way to the 
railing, "When I came here, the people were almost starving.  The children 
had no protection against simple illnesses.  They had no way to provide for 
themselves.  I had more money than I knew what to do with," He shook his 
head, "I always said that I'd only look out for myself, but after I left 
Port Charles, things changed for me."

"I can tell," She replied as she watched him, "So what brought you here?"

"I studied near here when I was in college on a semester exchange 
program.  I always thought the place was beautiful, but the poverty was 
horrendous.  I came back here just to vacation, but once I arrived, I felt 
the need to stay.  Two years later, here I am, still here with no desire to 
leave."

"This suits you, Chris," She noted as she watched his light smile, "It's 
good to see you happy."

His smile grew, "It was something I never really had a chance at in Port 
Charles," He shrugged as he waved to some children playing in his courtyard.

"Good afternoon, Señor," A few of the children called out as they waved to 
him.  They giggled and continued to run and play amongst the thick greenery 
of the area.

"They know English?" Eve questioned.

"I'm teaching them," Chris smiled as he watched the children play, "I'm 
trying to give them something."

"This is all so...."

"Unlike me?" He questioned with a raised eyebrow, "I know it's what you're 
thinking.  You might as well say it."

"No, that wasn't what I was thinking at all," She spoke honestly, "I was 
actually thinking that this is all so wonderful.  You're a good man, Chris 
Ramsey.  You always tried to hide it, but I always knew there was a heart 
beneath that dark exterior."

Chris shook his head with a whimsical smile, "Julie told me not to hide my 
heart from the world.  So I guess that's what I'm doing."

"She gave you some good advice.  I'm glad you decided to take it."

He looked out over the village and nodded, "So am I."

Eve watched him for a moment as he gazed out over the village below.  He 
seemed so at ease, relaxed.  He'd never been this unburdened in Port 
Charles.  He'd spent most of his time cooking up one scheme or another but 
now he seemed carefree as if he didn't have anything to worry about at all.

Chris turned and caught a glimpse of his guest.  He allowed her a brief 
smile before studying her more closely and wondering just exactly what was 
behind her eyes, "What are you thinking about?"

It took a moment for Eve to register that Chris had actually spoken, "What?"

"This place must really be getting to you.  You looked a million miles away."

"Actually," She met his eyes, "I was just thinking about how good it is to 
see you so carefree."

Chris smiled, "You like it this way, huh?"

Eve nodded, "It's nice to see you with a smile on your face."

"It's the first time in a very long time that I really feel like smiling, 
Eve.  I searched for a very long time before I found a place where I 
belong.  I feel like I have that here.  I feel as if this is where I am 
meant to be."

"It's nice to feel a sense of belonging," She paused as she wrapped her 
arms around herself, gazing out to sea, "I haven't felt that way in a long 
time."

Chris placed his hand on her shoulder, "Eve, you look upset.  What's wrong?"

She took a deep breath before she looked back to him.  She shook her head 
lightly as wisps of hair danced about her face with the breeze, "I was just 
thinking of how I knew exactly where I wanted to be in four years, but look 
at me.  I'm more lost than ever, and you have everything when you weren't 
sure where to go."

"But I had to lose everything to find my way, Eve.  I told you once before 
not to end up like me," He urged her, "I'm telling you now.  Don't lose 
everything before you figure out what's really important to you."

"I feel like I already have," Eve took a deep breath before she broke into 
tears.

Chris wrapped his arms around her, drawing her into his warm embrace.  He 
held her close to him as she sobbed lightly.

"Chris, I lost my husband and I came so close to losing my son.  Nothing is 
the way I wanted it to be.  I wanted to live a perfect life with a perfect 
family," She sobbed lightly, "But I screwed it up.  Just like I screw up 
everything in my life."

"Hey," He tipped her chin to meet her tear filled eyes, "You didn't screw 
up anything."

"I did," She said firmly, "I even screwed up what I had with you.  You were 
my best friend in the world, and I lost our connection.  It was my fault."

"Eve, it was no one's fault," He assured her, "It was just time and space 
put between us."

"Please tell me that it's not too late for us," She looked into his eyes, 
"Please tell me that I haven't lost my second chance with you."

Chris felt the pain in her voice and saw it standing raw and radiating in 
her eyes.  He slipped his arms around her and squeezed her to him in a 
tight embrace, hoping to soothe the ache within her heart.  He closed his 
eyes as he tenderly slipped his fingers through her hair before whispering, 
"You haven't lost me, Eve.  You could never truly lose me."
 

Chris stood outside the guest room, wondering if Eve had pulled herself 
together.  She'd held onto him for a few moments while her sobs had 
overwhelmed her.  Afterwards, she'd apologized profusely for being out of 
control before excusing herself to her room.  It was apparent to him that 
more had happened to Eve during their missing years than she had revealed.

He tapped lightly upon the door and listened closely.  He had hoped that 
she would feel comfortable enough to confide in him, but instead she had 
only retreated.  Since seeing her tears, he had resolved to gain her trust 
once again in hopes of helping her heal her pain.

"Eve," He called out her name with a soft tone, hoping to invite a response 
from her.  He could hear muffled sobs before a rustling of fabric 
followed.  A moment later, the door opened and Eve forced a smile.

"I'm sorry I fell apart on you like that," Eve spoke as she took a deep 
breath, "I think I'm just tired.  Must be all the traveling I've done over 
the last few days."

He looked on skeptically but sensed her need to disguise her pain.  He 
nodded, "Probably, but since you're here, you should be able to rest."

"I hope so," She nodded.

"Dinner's almost ready.  Why don't you freshen up and then join me downstairs?"

"I'd love to," She sniffled briefly before stepping back into her room.

Chris took a deep breath as he turned and walked downstairs.  He had hoped 
that she could at least tell him the truth about what was wrong with 
her.  Obviously her pain was so deeply personal that she couldn't bare to 
speak of it aloud.  Somehow he would have to find a way to help her release 
that pain and come to terms with herself.  He had to deal with all of his 
pain and maybe he'd learned something that could help Eve with her own pain.

As Chris stepped into the sitting room, he spotted his business manager, 
Vincent O'Donnell, entering through the main entrance.  He stopped and 
waved towards the other man, "Come in, Vincent.  Let's have a drink."

"I think you're going to need one," Vincent spoke as he stepped into the 
sitting room, his briefcase in hand.

"That does not sound encouraging," Chris began mixing martinis at the bar.

"The Universal Timber Corporation is at it again."

"Why won't they give up?" He groaned as he poured the mixture into two 
glasses, "What is it this time?"

"They've offered twice the amount for the land than they did last time."

"No deal," Chris said firmly as he turned and extended the glass towards 
Vincent, "I'm not giving up the land or the village....for any amount of 
money, Vincent."

"They're threatening to ask for arbitration."

"Let them.  And then we'll go to court and prove that they've intimidated 
and manhandled all the natives from their land.  I won't let them win, 
Vincent.  I won't let them destroy these people's world."

"I know how you feel about this, Chris."

"Then go back and tell them that they can have this part of the country 
when hell freezes over."

"Chris, this is a lot of money."

"Not everything in the world is about money, Vincent," Chris paused and 
looked to his drink, "Besides, money I have.  It's peace of mind that I'm 
most interested in right now.  Just go back and make sure that I can keep 
that."

Vincent nodded as he sipped the martini Chris had given him, "Anything else 
you want from me?"

"Yes," Chris looked back to his drink, "I need you to do some digging 
around for me.  I need all the information you can possibly find on Doctor 
Ian Thornhart."

"Any particular reason?"

"Let's just say that I'm interested in keeping him from harming people I 
care about."

"I see," Vincent spoke as Eve stepped into the room.  He eyed her closely 
as a soft summer dress danced around her curvy frame, "I see."

"Hmm," Chris smiled as he extended his hand to Eve, "Dr. Eve Lambert, I'd 
like you to meet my business manager, Vincent O'Donnell."

"It's nice to meet you," Eve smiled at Vincent as she joined Chris.

"Here.  Have a martini," Chris spoke as he placed a glass into her hand.

"Thank you," Eve took the martini and sipped it while Chris shook Vincent's 
hand in farewell.  As Vincent left, Eve turned to Chris and met his eyes, 
"I want to apologize again for earlier."

"Don't," Chris said softly as he touched her cheek, sweeping a wisp of hair 
from her cheek, "Don't even think about it.  You'll be okay here.  I'll 
take care of you."

"I feel safe here," She admitted softly.

"Good, that's what I want for you."

"Pardón," Sofía spoke as she stepped into the sitting room, "Dinner is served."

"It looks like you arrived just in the nick of time," Chris smiled as he 
took Eve's glass and placed it on the nearby table.  He offered his arm to 
her, "Let's go to dinner."

Eve smiled as she slipped her arm into his and allowed him to escort her to 
dinner.

*~*Chapter 12*~*

Chris escorted Eve to the table, pulling out her chair and smiling as she sat down.  He stepped around the candlelit table and smiled to himself.  Apparently Sofía had gone all out when she prepared the table for dinner.  The setting was set to be romantic, intimate.  The food was set perfectly while the candlelight danced with shadows across the table.  He took his seat and gazed down the table with a smile to his guest.

Eve glanced down the table at her host, seeing the rather amused smile on his features.  He found the romantic setting humorous.  If she hadn't been looking down the table at Chris Ramsey, this would have been one of the most romantic moments of her life.  The candle light, the soft oceanside breeze, the soft music playing in the background.  But it was Chris Ramsey sitting down the table for him, and this could not be construed as anything except a simple dinner between old friends.

Still, it was nice to have some semblance of romance before her.  It had been years since she'd experienced romance.  Flowers, music, fine wine, candle light.  She smiled as she watched the light of a candle dance before her.  She braced her chin upon the table and gazed down the table to her companion, wondering what thoughts might be going through his mischevious mind at this very moment.

He matched her pose, bracing himself upon his elbow as he cast a smile her way, "What do you think of our setting?"

She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear before folding her hands before her, "Is this suppose to be some sort of hint?"

"Hint?" He asked as he followed her movements closely.

"You wouldn't be trying to romance me so that you could seduce me later, would you?" She asked, trying to hide her playful smile.

"Eve, if I were going to seduce you, I'd go about it in a completely different way."

"Such as?" 

"I'd whisk you away to a private yacht in the middle of the ocean, have a string quartet play music for us while we eat the finest gourmet food money can buy and drink the world's finest champagne.  I'd lead you in a moonlight dance while the ocean provided us with the perfect background music, and then I'd take you aside and tell you to wish upon a star.  Then I'd do everything in my power to make that wish come true for you."

Eve found herself lost in his gentle wooing, forgeting for a moment who she was fondling with her eyes.  She took a deep breath as she forced herself to look away from him.  She sipped her glass of wine before looking back to him, "You think you're very suave, don't you?"

He drew a small pattern upon the embroidered table cloth before him, "No, I guess I've just let the romantic in me take new life."

"You've never had a romantic bone in your body," She pointed out, watching him closely.

"You'd be surprised to learn just how much of my personality you never knew," Chris spoke honestly as he met her eyes, "There's a lot you don't know about me, Eve, but you just might learn if you hang around long enough."

"Are you telling me that you've grown since you left Port Charles?"

"I'm telling you that there are parts of me that you never knew," He looked to the food before him, "Parts of me that I always kept hidden from the world.  Since I left Port Charles, I've taken a lot of time to examine myself and my life.  I don't hide any more."

"Then why the mask when I first arrived?" 

"It's called protection.  I deal with dangerous people.  If I want to venture out in public without my mask, it's safer if they don't know what I look like.  If they don't know who you are, they can't eliminate you."

"Eliminate you?  Are you saying that your life is in danger?" Eve searched his face, "Have you been threatened?"

Chris looked to his guest and met her eyes, "Let's just say that there are people who would be thrilled if I was no longer around."

"Chris, if you're in danger..."

"Eve, let's not discuss business right now," He lifted his wine glass, "You're on vacation.  You should relax," He pasued, "In fact, why don't I take you on a tour of the country side tomorrow?  I can give you a tour of the area like no one else."

Eve paused with a smile, "Nice subject change."

"It worked, didn't it?" Chris grinned slightly before Sofía rushed into the room.

"Señor, come quickly," Sofía spoke quickly as she fidgeted, "Marta....her baby is coming."

Chris stood quickly, "Eve, I've got to go help deliver this baby."

"I'm coming with you," Eve declared quickly, watching as Chris nodded in agreement before the doctors rushed out the door to face their emergency. 

Chris drove his range rover down the dusty road, weaving through the jungle 
passes quickly.  The light from the headlights barely reaching ahead 
through the dense green foilage lining the roadway.  The darkness was 
barely penetrable though Chris drove like a wild man down the dirt road.

"Chris, if you don't slow down, we won't be able to help any one," Eve 
warned as she shifted in her seat.

"Don't worry.  I've been to this home a hundred times," Chris explained 
coolly as he made a sharp turn down a narrower path.

"Where exactly is this any way?" Eve questioned, tightening her seat belt a 
bit.

"Marta and Hector Aznar.  Maria is eight and a half months pregnant with 
her first child.  I told her to wait until the contractions were fairly 
close together before she sent for me."

"So this should be a quick birth," Eve nodded as suddenly a small cottage 
appeared before them on the road.

Chris stopped the car quickly, leaving a cloud of dust in their wake.  He 
leapt out of the range rover and grabbed his medical bag of supplies from 
the back.  He started towards the house where a fidgeting Hector met them 
at the door.

"Señor, she's very much pain.  No is normal," Hector blurted quickly 
shifting on his feet as a scream erupted from inside.

"It's okay, Hector.  Let's go see if we can help your child come into the 
world," Chris smiled as he introduced Eve, "This is my friend, Señora 
Lambert.   She's a doctor also."

Eve looked to Hector and smiled, "You must be thrilled about your first 
child coming into the world."

"Sí," Hector escorted them into the living room.

Marta lay back on the sofa, holding her back and wincing in severe pain, 
"Doctor, doctor....."

"Shhh," Chris soothed her softly as he touched her cheek, "Estoy aquí."

Marta looked to him as her tears slipped down her cheek, "Mi babé."

"Shh, tu babé va a ser bien," Chris spoke softly as he looked around to 
Hector, "Help me get her into the bedroom."

Hector nodded as he slipped his arm around his wife as she got to her 
feet.  She wobbled slightly before leaning on Chris and her husband.  The 
two men escorted her into the bedroom and helped her to sit on the edge of 
the bed.

"Hector, I want you to sit behind her and help brace her up," Chris advised 
as he looked to Eve, "Do you think you can help?"

"What do you want me to do, Doctor?" Eve quipped as she stood beside him, 
forcing a smile.

"How about just supporting Marta," Chris rolled his eyes as he snapped a 
pair of latex gloves into place and looked to Marta, "The baby is very close."

"Sí, sí," Marta gasped, "Ay," She gripped the quilt beneath her and lay 
back on Hector, a scream erupting from the throat.

Eve looked around for a moment before grabbing a small towel from nearby 
and dabbing the beads of sweat from Marta's forehead.  She remembered all 
too well the pain of giving birth, but she also knew that once Marta held 
her child in her arms, the pain would be forgotten.  If only she could get 
through labor and bare the pain of bringing her child into the world.

"Doctor...ahora," Marta screamed as she looked to Chris.

"Sí, now, ahora," Chris nodded as he moved to get a better view of the 
crowning baby, "Push, Marta."

"I am!" Marta screamed as she huffed and groaned.

"I can see your baby's head, Marta.  Push," Chris urged as he readjusted 
his gloves, "Push."

Marta screamed again as she squeezed Hector's hand.  Hector held onto Marta 
closely while she pushed again.  As her cry ended, another soft cry erupted 
into the room.

Eve moved around the couple and smiled as Chris held the newborn baby in 
his hands.  He held the baby as he looked to the new parents, "It's a boy."

"Un hijó," Hector gushed with happiness as he kissed his wife's temple, 
"Nuestro hijó."

"He's beautiful," Eve smiled as she watched Chris examine the baby thoroughly.

"He's very healthy," Chris explained as he looked to Marta.  He placed the 
child into his mother's arms and looked to the happy parents, 
"Congratulations."

"Mi hijó," Marta smiled tearfully as she lay tiredly against her husband, 
"Es muy bonito."

Chris looked to Eve for a moment and smiled as they watched the happy 
parents admiring their son.  Eve returned his smile before moving to stand 
beside him nearby.

"Good work, Doctor," Eve smiled as she crossed her arms and watched the new 
parents.

"She did all the work," Chris spoke softly as he watched Hector and Marta, 
"I had a very tiny part in it all."

Eve looked to Chris, seeing the true doctor within him shining 
through.  She'd always known he had a soft side, and he had sometimes shown 
her that part of himself.  When she'd been lucky enough to see through all 
his declarations of heartlessness, she'd been able to see a man whose heart 
knew no bounds.  She could see that in him now as he gazed upon the new 
parents.  His awe of their momentary bliss was obvious and oddly touching 
to her more than the scene before them.

Chris stepped forward to examine Marta and her son once more.  He placed 
the newborn child in Eve's arms for a moment before he and Hector assisted 
Marta into the bed.  Afterward, Marta asked for the return of her 
child.  Eve tenderly placed the baby into his mother's arms and smiled.

After settling both of their patients and extending their congratulations 
to the proud father, the two doctors made their way back to their 
vehicle.  Silence dominated their ride back to the hilltop villa.  Eve 
spent her moments thinking about Chris and just how different he was from 
what she'd observed him to be in Port Charles.  He was calm, decisive, warm 
with personality, enveloping in his community.  He was seemingly a 
different man, but at the same time, she knew this to be the Chris that had 
hidden himself from the world.  Chris had spoken of heartbreak in his life 
before his arrival in Port Charles and used said heartbreak as his excuse 
for keeping people out of his life.  On several occasions, Eve had been 
fortunate enough to see that Chris wanted to break down his walls, but he 
was afraid of the pain that he might expose himself to.

Eve turned and gazed at the man she had once considered her best 
friend.  How could she not see that he only wanted to love and be loved in 
return?  She knew how.  She had been too involved in her own life, too 
involved in trying to find her own happiness and not giving a damn about 
what anyone else was going through.  As she watched Chris drive, she 
considered what kind of friend she had really been to him.  The more she 
considered their friendship, the more she felt as if she hadn't been the 
sort of friend a man like Chris deserved.

As they arrived at the villa, Eve stepped out of the range rover slowly and 
felt the cool breeze from the ocean engulf her.  She closed the door before 
stepping out into the driveway and inhaling the sweet scent of the night 
blooming flowers.  Her hair danced about her face gently as she closed her 
eyes and enjoyed the gentle peace of the moment.

Chris leaned against the range rover, slipping his hands into his 
pockets.  He watched Eve and felt an old twinge of longing within his heart.

"Beautiful," Chris said softly as he watched her.

She turned to face him slowly and smiled, "Yes it is, isn't it?"

"The view is rather nice," He said softly before he stepped forward, "But I 
was talking about you," He paused, wondering what had provoked the honest 
admission from him.

Eve's eyes widened as she watched him, taken aback by his words.  She 
allowed a soft smile to touch her features, "Thank you."

Chris looked towards the house before looking back to her, "We should call 
it a night if I'm going to give you a tour of the countryside tomorrow."

Eve nodded before she started towards the house.  She paused and looked 
back to him.  She flashed him a smile before speaking, "I'm glad you let me 
stay, Chris.  This feels right," She studied him closely, "It feels more 
right than anything has in a very long time."

Chris returned her smile as he watched her walk back into the house.  He 
felt the perfect feeling of the situation just as Eve had described, but he 
would never be able to share what he felt for her.  He would never be able 
to share just how perfect it felt to be with her and to share her smiles 
again.  He would never be able to share just how much loved her.

Eve adjusted her khaki capri pants before she turned in the mirror, 
admiring her figure.  She had spent a lot of time this morning to find just 
the right outfit to accompany Chris on this little trek over the country 
side.  She'd swept her hair up into a quick pony tail and looked at herself 
in the mirror once more.

What was she doing?  It was just a day out with Chris.  Chris, the man 
she'd thought of as her best friend, the man she'd felt the least 
intimidated by, the man she felt safe with.  Chris, the man who had told 
her she was beautiful last night and looked at her in a way she'd never 
seen before.

After Chris had made his sudden declaration, Eve had retired to her room 
while struggling against her speeding heart.  She collapsed upon her bed 
and stared at the ceiling, trying to rationalize what was happening inside 
her head.  There were so many questions racing through her head that she 
drifted to sleep while trying to answer simply a few of them.

Staring at herself in the mirror, she realized that she hadn't really 
answered any of the questions that were haunting her.  What was this odd 
feeling of being drawn to Chris?  Was it the mystery he personified in his 
current lifestyle?  Or was it something simpler?  Was it the same 
connection that she'd always felt with Chris that was now drawing her back 
towards him?  Or was there another reason?

She groaned before she turned and picked up a small knapsack.  She packed 
her camera, several rolls of film, a first aid kit, and an extra 
shirt.  After having Danny, she'd learned to be prepared for any 
eventuality.  She loved to let whims guide her actions, but motherhood had 
taught her to be thoroughly prepared for anything.

Eve stepped out of her room and walked down the hall, finding Chris 
standing near the door.  He wore a loose white button down shirt which was 
only buttoned halfway and tucked into his blue jeans.  His jeans curved 
over fine male muscle before holding firmly to his hiking boots at his 
ankles.  He adjusted the strap of a knapsack on his shoulder as he turned 
and caught his first glimpse of her.  As his eyes landed upon her, Eve felt 
her breath catch in her throat.  She took a deep breath and smiled.

"Good morning," She spoke softly.

"Good morning," Chris smiled as he leaned against the doorway, "Are you 
ready for a day you're going to be talking about for years to come?"

"That's quite a lead in.  Are you going to be able to follow through?"

He grinned, "Oh don't worry, Lambert.  I'll follow through."

"So where does this tour start?"

Chris escorted Eve through the courtyard towards the garage, "First, I want 
to make a stop at Hector and Marta's.  I want to make a quick examination 
of mother and child before we start out on our trek."

"Trek?  You make it sound like a long excursion," Eve spoke as she opened 
the passenger door to the range rover.

Chris smiled, "It just might turn out that way," He teased mysteriously as 
he climbed behind the steering wheel.

Eve climbed into the vehicle beside him and watched her host as he started 
the engine.  There was a most welcome calm about him, surrounding his 
entire being and giving her a rare glimpse into his psyche.  He admired the 
roadside greenery as he drove down the winding roads, approaching the small 
home they'd visited last night.  He smiled to himself as he continued down 
the road leading Eve to wonder was invoked his response.

"Why are you smiling?" Eve asked softly, turning slightly in her seat and 
watching him.

Chris' smile widened, "I was just thinking about Marta and her baby.  It's 
nice to see couples have a happy ending."

"An ending?  Isn't birth just the beginning?"

"In some ways," He allowed, "But in others, it's the completion of the love 
and dedication of two people toward one another."

Eve smiled, "You really are a romantic.  I thought it was just something to 
catch my attention, but you really are seeing things with a brighter look 
on life."

He glanced towards Eve before turning his attention back to the road, "When 
you've reached the most dismal and lonely place a man can be, you can only 
find your way out by looking for the light."

"Have you found your way out of that lonely place?" She asked softly, 
seeing his mood turn pensive.

Chris remained silent for a moment as if he were considering the answer to 
her question, "Sometimes I believe that I have.  But then I lie in bed at 
night.  Alone.  And I realize that while my life means something now," He 
paused, "I'm still alone."

The air in the vehicle suddenly became thick with the despair in Chris' 
voice.  His tone was sad, dark, lonely.  He was surrounded by so many 
people who held him in the highest regard, and yet he was still lonely in 
his heart of hearts.

Eve reached out to him, placing her hand lightly upon his shoulder to draw 
his attention.  When he glanced in her direction, she spoke candidly, 
"You're not alone, Chris.  Not any more."

He flashed a polite concilatory smile before he turned the range rover down 
the path leading towards the Aznar home.  He engaged the parking brake and 
switched off the engine before he disembarked and met Hector in the 
yard.  Hector smiled brightly as he met Chris halfway with an abundance of 
excitement.

Eve watched the two men have a lengthy discussion in Spanish.  She could 
only understand a few words every now and then, but she could tell that 
Hector was enjoying his reign as a proud father.  She watched Chris smile 
in response, his demeanor very at ease with Hector.  She stepped by the men 
and looked out at the jungle around them, taking in the beautiful landscape 
before she heard the sounds of the newborn's soft crying.

She made her way to the door of the cottage and peaked inside.  Marta sat 
on the sofa, singing a lullabye in Spanish to her child while gently 
rocking him.  The crying subsided slowly as the child was soothed by his 
mother's soft touch and voice.  Eve watched Marta who seemed very 
comfortable holding the baby.  It was as if she had been born to hold 
children and to soothe them.  The scene before her was the most beautiful 
she'd ever witnessed.

It seemed almost like a lifetime ago when she had held Daniel in her arms 
the way Marta was now holding her newborn.  The hours passed by so slowly 
when holding her child.  Watching Daniel sleep had been comforting to her 
so many times in the past and even now, she enjoyed sneaking into his room 
at night and watching him dream the night away.

Chris touched her shoulder gently, looking beyond her towards Marta, "It's 
really sweet, isn't it?"

"Yes, it is," Eve spoke softly as she glanced back to him, "I remember how 
wonderful holding Daniel was.  It must be the same for Marta now."

"I'm sure it is," He smiled before making his way beside Marta and taking a 
look at the sleeping baby in her arms.

Eve watched as Chris examined mother and child.  He spoke to Marta with 
soft smiles while proceeding with light touches.  Marta replied with smiles 
and soft laughter while the scene before her inspired a bright smile within 
Eve.  She could see the trust inherent between patient and doctor, but she 
saw more than that.  She saw a friendship that was obvious as they 
continued to speak, all their attention focused upon the baby in Marta's arms.

Chris finished his visit with the family before he escorted Eve back to the 
vehicle.  He smiled as he climbed behind the steering wheel, "Both patients 
seem to be doing very well."

"I could tell," Eve smiled as she turned and watched him, "How long have 
you known them?"

"Since I first came to this area," He drove back down the winding roads, "I 
met Hector when I came here the first time.  I was in college, and he was 
working as our translator.  When I came back, he helped me find my way around."

"And you feel comfortable with him, don't you?"

"Yes, I do," Chris admitted before pulling down what looked like an 
abandoned road.

Eve turned her attention towards the road and stiffened in her seat, 
"Chris, where exactly are we going?"

"We're going to the end of this road."

"You call this a road?" She twisted in her seat, "It's barely a pathway."

"Are you nervous?" He asked with a sly grin, "Don't tell me that a little 
trail like this makes you nervous."

"Nervous?  Who said anything about being nervous?" She squirmed a bit more 
in her seat.

Chris grinned before stopping suddenly in the road.  He looked to Eve and 
smiled, "End of the road.  Literally."

Eve slowly got out of the vehicle and stepped towards the front of the 
range rover.  She paused as she stepped around the front of the vehicle and 
glanced down.  The valley fell before her eyes, lush green tree tops 
bounding before her.  She turned slowly and spotted Chris as he stepped 
around the vehicle.  He smiled as he leaned against the top of the hood, 
"So, what do you think?"

"I think I'm glad the brakes work," She said as she looked back over the 
valley.

Chris chuckled softly as he extended his hand to her, "Come on.  We have a 
long walk ahead of us."

Eve took his hand and smiled as she secured the knapsack on her 
shoulder.  She followed Chris, knowing that whatever he had planned for 
them it would be nothing short of an adventure.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Chapter 1-4	Chapter 5-9	Chapter 10-14	Chapter 15-19
Chapter 20-23