PART ONE



I was on my way to work, finally going back to work, and checked my messages -- I had forgotten if I left my machine on...



"Hey! I know you, and I know what you're doing. I have information that'll destroy you -- just know that nothing you do is a secret to everyone!"



And he hung up.



I didn't recognize the voice... entirely. But I had heard it before. Somewhere, I'd heard the voice... what did he mean? What did he know? Did he know about the hustler? Did he know about the kid in Santa Barbara at the Biltmore? Did he know about me and Rebecca?



I had no idea. I saved the message. I knew this person... but who was it?



PART TWO



Janeanne looked at me like I'd returned from the dead. She yelled at me for not checking in, said Granville had almost called the police, but that my "roommate" said I was fine, just going through some personal business. Janeanne was clearly upset -- but glad to see me.



She told me Rebecca had returned my calls...all of them.



I went into my office and immediately called her back.



"Hello?"



"It's me, Rebecca. Listen, I have to talk to you. I've been going through hell, lately. I have to see you Rebecca -- can I see you?"



"Eric... Eric, no. You have to know something, Eric -- " But I interrupted.



"Rebecca, I think I'm in love with you. There's nothing you can say about this, nothing will change how I feel. I know I've been giving you mixed signals, I know I've had cold feet -- but damnit, Rebecca... I, I really want this to work between us. I want another chance with this. Ever since I met you, I've been confused, but that's, that's a good thing, don't you think? You confuse me and that's good. It makes me want you more, it makes me want to make love to you, Rebecca."



"Eric! Stop it! Eric! I know..."



"You don't... you don't know, Rebecca. How could you?"



"I know about you and Andrew, Eric. I know you're gay. I know you are living with Andrew."



PART THREE



I was in an operating room at the clinic. Finishing up. I had no idea what had happened... oh, my God. Had I had another blackout? I looked at the nurse and the intern watching me... my hands were shaking.



There, lying in front of me was Greg's friend, Mike. He was high from anesthetic -- but why? What happened?



"Beautiful work, Dr. Lewis."



I turned to my left and saw Granville. He had watched me perform the surgery -- a surgery I didn't remember a second of.



"He's a lucky man, this friend of yours, to have you work on him."



"Damage is very minimal. He's lucky, period."



"Eric?" He asked... the room was spinning. I was utterly lost. I recognized my name... I think...



"Eric. Eric, are you okay?" Granville asked.



I was not okay. Not at all.