Caroline checked her watch and relaxed when she saw that her altercation with Monica didn't make her late for her appointment. She knocked on the door and was told to come in promptly. One of the two doctors rose the other motioned her in.

"Miss. Spencer, please come in."

Caroline smiled warmly at both of them. She knew they were confused about the way she set up the appointment and couldn't tell why.

"Thank you, Dr. Harmon." Then she turned to the other person and smiled again.

"Dr. Lambert. Thank you both for taking the time to meet with me."

"Please have a seat."

Caroline sat down and saw they were a little suspicious and slightly on edge. It was understandable. Matt Harmon's true identity came out a less than a year ago. The son of the late Chicago mobster, Mancusi. Eve Lambert had her own ties to the mob. They had to think something was up for Jason Morgan's girlfriend to make an appointment. She got right to it.

"I know both of you are wondering why I requested an appointment like this."

He nodded and answered on guard.

"It is irregular."

"I am in need of a physician and have particular requirements. That is why I selected both of you. I thought it would be easier to present my situation at once then let you decide and either or both of you could get back to me with your decision."

"We are on staff at this hospital. We do not work outside the hospital."

She did not smile at his warning or response. They both thought she was recruiting for Jason's special needs.

"But you both see private patients here in the hospital don't you? That was my understanding."

She gave them a bone and some crumbs. Now they'd feel bad about insulting both her intelligence and Jason's skills. It worked. Right after they showed relief, they showed embarrassment. Helps.

"Yes, we do. Are you ill or do you simply want to secure a primary physician?"

"No, I am not ill. Nor am I the potential patient..."

Before she got another word out they both tensed up. She still had an elementary school principal to see later. She didn't have time for this.

"Perhaps if I am able actually to tell you my situation you will feel less anxious or suspicious of my motives and we can move this appointment along."

Busted. They blushed. Dr. Lambert had the grace or audacity to laugh at herself.

"We're sorry. Please go ahead."

"Thank you. We have three children at home. An 18 year old, a 7 year old and an 14 month old. All three of them will need to see a doctor from time to time. The first two need immunization and physicals for school in two weeks. The other is due for a check up soon."

They have no clue where the first two came from but assume the third is their son.

"Either of us could treat the 18 year old but neither of us are pediatricians. I'm sure you're aware of that."

"Yes, but that's where the special circumstances come into play. The 7 year old is my little brother. The teenager is my boyfriend's little sister. The 14 month old is our son."

They make eye contact none too discreetly wondering why Emily Quartermaine is living with them, let alone Lucas. Then they consider that Bobbie is on leave.

"We're not following you."

She's tired of the game.

"Yes, you are but you want me to say it. We need a doctor who can be a doctor first and last. Most importantly, we need a doctor for our kids who can't be gotten to. And I think you both understand that. I need to trust that when Emily speaks to her physician about anything an 18 year old girl needs to speak with a physician about that it isn't used against her later. We need to be sure that the care is not compromised for the other two because that doctor is in a position to be compromised by an outside entity. I'm not here for anything other than securing a doctor who is above reproach."

She gave it all to them and waited while they did what they needed to do with it. Harmon has more reason to question her. She understands and accepts that.

"Why us?"

"Do we do it like that Dr. Harmon?"

He didn't say anything so she nodded.

"If Vincent Mancusi couldn't get to you I'm wondering if anyone else could."

He blanched. No one was supposed to know that. No one knew he entered the witness protection program at 18 hiding from his father. Only that the man was his father now that he was dead.

Then she turned to Eve Lambert not letting him ask her what she knew.

"Do we need to do it like that?"

Eve laughed again. She liked her.

"Nope. I heard you."

Matt looks to Eve questioningly.

"I wasn't always a doctor. Let it go. You've obviously been hiding a heck of a lot more than your family tree or you wouldn't have reacted like that to what she said."

He doesn't looked pleased with that at all. In fact, he's a little annoyed. Eve turns back to Caroline,

"What's the catch?"

"None. We make appointments like everybody else. We pay for services just like everybody else. We sit in those crappy waiting room chairs reading those out of date magazines while you guys hang out in the doctor's lounge or where ever you are keeping us waiting for an extra 15 minutes in those crappy hard chairs like everybody else."

Then she laughed at her own joke. Eve nodded and turned to Matt. He was looking at Caroline.

"What happens if you don't like the care or treatment?"

"Then we sue you just like everybody else.

Seriously, Dr. Harmon, I did not mean to put you on the spot. I set up this appointment jointly so that you both heard what I had to say at the same time. I also didn't want either of you to feel pressured in any way. Obviously, I missed the mark on that and I'm sorry."

"What happens if either or both of us say no?"

"Then I search outside the hospital for someone who is willing to treat our kids."

They both catch that she uses my or our when referring to all three of them and wonder what that's all about. They really wonder where Bobbie is considering everything that happened recently.

"Where is Lucas' mother?"

"Our mother is on leave of absence out of town. I have custody and power of attorney while she's gone."

That sort of makes sense but they don't hear everything in it. They know they aren't getting anymore either.

"Emily Quartermaine's parents work in this hospital. Her father is the Chief of Staff—our boss. Her mother is head of cardiology."

"And?"

"They could find her a doctor. One with more experience than either of us. Not that we aren't qualified."

"I'm not getting into any specifics. Work with me and see if you can follow this because I know you can. She does not live with her parents, she lives with us. If you are unwilling or unable to take her on as a patient that is fine. You both simply have to tell me so I can move on to the next thing on my list for the day."

He couldn't help it,

"What's that?"

"Elementary school principal. I'm not looking forward to going to that one but its better than the thing after that."

Now they're intrigued by her domestic trials.

"And what comes after that?"

"T-ball practice sign ups, trying to talk my way out of car pool, and helping Emily pick her fall classes since she keeps changing her mind. Somewhere after that I have to do the phone tree list for Mommy and Me since I'm a group leader and that sucks."

They just stared at her. That was more than domestic and didn't fit with the image. Or what anyone at the hospital says about her. Dr. Lambert's been sitting quietly for a few minutes but something didn't add up so she turns to the others,

"I have to step out for just a moment, I'll be right back."

No discreet get away for her since Matt asks,

"Where are you going?"

"The bathroom if you must know!"

That got a blush and a laugh.

"Sorry."

Caroline didn't say anything to him. She knows what he's thinking and doesn't want to go there. She's in Jason mode right now. Yes or no. His problems or questions aren't her's.

"What do you know?"

"If I knew something you didn't want me to know and I was trying to pretend like I didn't know, why would I answer the question? Better yet, would you expect me to admit it?"

The logic threw him.

"Huh?"

"Your business is not my business. I happen to know it and that's one of the reasons I thought you would be a good choice. You're a doctor with special credentials. I'm looking for a doctor with special credentials."

"And my choice doesn't make you suspect of my—actions in the future?"

"Pasts. Everyone has a past. Everyone has a present. Which do you think is more healthy to live in? Which do you think someone would benefit from more? I don't want anyone from either side of the fence getting to these kids. One side, I'm pretty sure you wouldn't bend to. The other, I have to take your Hippocratic oath on faith and believe that you adhere to doctor patient privilege."

"Its difficult not to be cautious."

"Its detrimental not to be cautious."

"True. Its just that I've never been approached for these reasons or in this way."

"I'm a progressive kind of woman."

Then she laughed at his expression.

"We'll wrap this up when Dr. Lambert returns and you two can get back to your day."

Just as she said that Dr. Lambert steps back into the room.

"Matt, do you have anymore questions for Miss. Spencer?"

He's thinking she's ready to end it so he plays along.

"No. She just finished saying we could wrap up when you got back."

"Ok, well I need some time with Miss. Spencer so—get out."

She laughed at his expression.

"Kidding, but its my office so I'm still kicking you out since you said you didn't have anything else."

"Eve?"

"Yes?"

"What are you doing?"

"Taking a few minutes with Miss. Spencer."

That was all he was going to get and he saw that. Not having the faintest idea what was going on, he nodded then repositioned his wheelchair and left. Caroline was waiting for this. As soon as he was gone Eve walked over to the door and peeked out to be sure he was gone. Then she reached into her pocket and pulled out an electronic counter surveillance device holding it up for Caroline to see before setting it on the table. Caroline nodded reached into her pocket and pulled out one of her own. She followed the same motions and the doctor setting it right next to Eve's then sat back and waited.

They both looked at each other and smiled. Eve looked at her carefully before speaking.

"I thought that was you but I only caught a brief glimpse. It wasn't until the kidnaping that I saw your face and was sure."

Caroline just looked at her. That was a statement not a question. She didn't confirm or deny those. She didn't confirm or deny questions either.

"Give me the bottom line."

"I'll do it. I was going to say that awhile ago."

"Why didn't you?"

"Because I had to check a couple of things out to be sure I was seeing what I thought I've been seeing over the summer."

"And?"

"I'm sure."

"And?"

"What do I care? My hypocrisy only goes so far."

Caroline cracked up laughing at that.

"Ok, so I can schedule an appointment for Lucas and Emily this week? They have to do it before classes start."

"Sure. Call me directly with Michael. My secretary won't understand. Plus, I've got to go over to peds and grab some of the baby equipment for my office."

"Rusty?"

Eve didn't pretend not to understand the question.

"Nope."

Neither woman said anything for several moments as they just looked at each other carefully then nodded their understanding.

"Ok, do you need guards inside the exam room when I'm with the little ones?"

"Do I?"

"This is me being accommodating. It is rare and you will not see it in the future. I'm being nice for company since we haven't officially started our doctor parent relationship. Take advantage of it while it lasts."

They both smile.

"Just giving you a hard time. Not when I bring them in. Not unless something comes up, you'll know. Problem? "

"Nope."

"Ok, I really do have to go to the principal's office."

"How do you find the time to do all that stuff and more?"

"Didn't you get the memo? I'm super woman."