Chapter Two

The breath had left Julian's body at the sight of Eve, so long denied him. He stood with one hand on the doorknob, his other hand reaching toward her in a pleading gesture.

Eve stared at him, drinking in his appearance. He looked older, his hair now grey/silver, but somehow even more distinguished. His hazel eyes were the same, but she could see the underlying sadness thay lay in them.Yes, he was her Julian, impeccably dressed in a blue suit, handsome as ever...only he never really was hers. He had never told her he loved her, only wanted a mistress....

"Eve," he said again, as he closed the door. He approached her slowly, searching her eyes for a sign of affection. He knew he had hurt her badly, and he had prayed for a chance to see her again, to make it right between them. "I wanted to see you for so long, my darling--" Eve held up her hand to ward him off. "Please Eve," he pleaded, seeing tears well up in her beautiful eyes.

She stood up, grasping the chair for support. "Julian, what are you doing here?" she asked shakily. "You were in Boston....why are you here in Harmony? WHY?" she cried, unnerved that her past was here staring her in the face."I asked you why are you here?"

He moved closer to her, his heart aching at the panic in her voice. Eve's eyes widened as he towered over her, but she stood frozen to the spot."I have been here many years, Eve--I moved here after my divorce from Ivy.I'm on the board of directors for the hospital. I didn't know you were here." He inhaled deeply. "But I am so glad to see you...it's been a long time."

"Not long enough," Eve panted, for Julian was looking at her so tenderly, she was breathless."I see your marriage didn't work out, did you Did you tell her you wanted a mistress on the side?"she snarled, wanting to hurt him as he had hurt her."Love doesn't mean much to a Crane, does it?Like father like son."

"Father is dead, Eve. He no longer has any power over me," he informed her, squaring his shoulders.

"You still don't understand Julian. You chose the Crane power over me. It doesn't matter that Alastair is dead--you chose your path long ago where I was concerned," Eve said harshly, ignoring the hurt look on Julian's handsome features. "When I left, I decided to make something of my life, rather than continue to be a blues singer in clubs, always waiting for that big break. I went back to school, and got loans and grants to help me pay for medical school. I am finally someone that I can be proud of, not just Julian Crane's bed partner--I'm free of you!" she declared, defiantly holding her chin up.

"You know how I cared for you, Eve," he replied, wincing as Eve closed her eyes, not wanting to look at him." I wanted you with me forever."

"Not as an equal, Julian. As a plaything."

"You know I really loved you, don't you?" Julian asked, raising his hand to her face, only to have Eve slap it away, a look of fear in her eyes."Eve, please--"

"NO, Julian! You will not do this to me again!" she hissed, tears in her eyes, just as Dr. Walter opened the door to the office."Not again!"

Dr. Walter looked from one tell tale face to the other."Did I interrupt something?"