After another peaceful night, the chief arrived at the hut with Maya and their breakfast, "I trust that you are feeling well, Ian?"

Ian embraced his friend warmly, "I am… thank you for all that you have done for us… I have no words…"

"No words are necessary, Ian. I am only sorry that we were not completely truthful with you before you drank the herbs," the chief replied.

"It wouldn't have mattered… I would have still chosen that path… and Lucy would have agreed. There is nothing to apologize for. But now I need your help… there are others… others in Port Charles like me… we need to take the cure to them," Ian said.

The chief shook his head, "Ian… I explained before that no one has survived the cure you were given… except you. There is very little from Tirama that will help the others…"

"But chief… I can't go back… cured… and then tell the others that they have no hope… there has to be something we can do…" Ian said passionately. Lucy sat beside him knowing that all they had been through would be for nothing if he had to live with the guilt of being the only person cured of vampirism.

"Ian… do you remember that your coming to Tirama was foretold?" the chief asked.

"Aye… you did say that," Ian answered.

"There is a reason that you are a healer in the outside world as you are a healer on Tirama… and you have used our methods of healing with the ones you have learned in your world. Now you are the only one to have ever survived the herb. No one in Port Charles would be able to, but you do not need that herb any longer."

Ian sat quietly for a moment and realization dawned on his face, "I understand… I am the cure now."

"Exactly," the chief said with a smile.

Lucy looked from one man to the other, "I don't understand. How can Ian be the cure?"

Ian smiled broadly as he explained, "You see… Ramsey and me… we already know that it's a virus that infects the blood that caused me to be a vampire. Something in the vampire's bite transmits the virus… and your slayer blood is a temporary antidote… but we couldn't develop a permanent one. The combination of the lethal herb, the healing waters of the island, and the morca created a cure for me. But now that I'm cured… my blood contains the antibody that can save the others!"

"But Ian… you're just one man… if you give them all of your blood… you'll die!" Lucy answered.

"That is where Tirama can help, Lucy," the chief replied. "Just as our herbs and water assisted Ian in overcoming his affliction, it can help to develop an antidote for the others when mixed with blood."

"Ironic, isn't it?" Ian said, "Blood is the answer to this damnable curse… when blood is what it is all about!"

"Our people are already preparing a shipment of the herbs and water that you will need. It will be sent by air express to General Hospital as soon as you are ready to depart. I believe that it should be sent to the attention of Dr. Chris Ramsey?" said the chief.

"Aye… Ramsey and I will create the antidote in the lab. The hard part will be in curing those that don't want to be cured."

"Caleb and Livvie…" Lucy whispered.

"Aye… there's no healing until they're cured…" Ian said.

"… or dead," Lucy finished.

"No… that won't work, Lucy," Ian replied. "How many times have we killed Caleb? Three? Four? No… for this to work… we have to make him a man… and make sure that he stays that way. It was the plan that you and Rafe and I worked out before… that's what we'll have to do."

"How?" Lucy asked. "It's not like they'll trust either one of us… and once they see that you're cured they'll be on their guard."

"Kevin… he has so much to gain… Victor, Frank, Mary and Livvie… they're all vampires," Ian reminded her.

"I know… I still can't believe that Victor did that to Mary… he and Frank carry so much guilt…" Lucy mused.

"But Kevin carries the most guilt of them all… he'll help us because that will help his family… and he was kind to me when I was… all those years ago…" Ian paused.

"…he was a good man then. I wonder what happened to him in that lifetime." Lucy said aloud.

"He loved you then, Lucy… you do know that?" Ian said with a tinge of irritation.

"Yes… he loved me then… and he loves me now… but I love you, Ian Thornhart… and I always have… you two will just have to find a way to get along," Lucy said with a smile.

"Aye… and curing his family should help that along, don't you think?" Ian said grinning back at her.

"Yes, it will," she replied with a kiss. "Uh… chief… um… about our… marriage…"

"Yes, Lucy?" the chief queried.

"Is it… is it… legal?" Lucy asked.

While Ian laughed, the chief remained serious in his reply, "It is a legal marriage on Tirama Island."

Lucy looked startled and slapped Ian's arm, "On Tirama… but… we… we… live in the United States. We need to have a… legal… marriage there."

Ian continued to laugh, "Lucy… Lucy… Lucy… these islands are protectorates of the United States… remember? No passports required? The chief arranged to have the proper paperwork filed while we were… uh… otherwise occupied."

"You mean?" she said with wide eyes.

"Yes, Lucy. All the paperwork has been filed and you have a marriage license that is legal in the United States… but I thought you were going to marry again when the ordeal had passed," the chief pointed out.

"You know what? I've had enough of weddings… I just want to be married now…" Lucy said smiling. She looked to Ian her expression turning serious, "Is that okay with you?"

"It's more than okay with me, Mrs. Thornhart. Or do you prefer Coe? Or is it to be Coe-Thornhart? As long as it's wife…" Ian said pulling her close.

"Uh… actually… you know what? I think… I think… I like the sound of Lucy Thornhart… and if we cure all the vampires, there won't be any need of a slayer… so Rafe can have the family name… I… I think I'll take yours," Lucy decided with her usual circular logic.

Ian's physical condition improved quickly and he was ever mindful that it was still their honeymoon. Maya and the chief offered to continue watching the children to give Ian and Lucy a couple more days of privacy for him to gain strength… and to discuss all that they had experienced. Even though their journey had been accomplished in only hours… it had been a life changing event for them both. They spent time together sleeping, swimming, making love and discussing all the wonders of their past lives together.

"Are you sorry?" Lucy asked Ian softly as they sat on the beach waiting for the sunrise.

"About what?" Ian asked her in confusion.

"Eve? I mean… you… you had this… connection… throughout time… and now it's… I don't know… we've changed it…" Lucy answered hesitantly.

"Are you still wondering how I can love you both?" Ian asked gently.

"Look… I don't have any reason to be jealous," Lucy answered indignantly before dropping her eyes and whispering, "… but I am."

"And I will always feel some measure of jealousy for the connection you have with Kevin… but I know that it is me you will always choose… in this life," he said as he kissed her, "and the next," and kissed her again, "and the next," as he kissed her long and lingeringly.

Ian continued as he held Lucy close in his arms, "Did you not notice that we are the only constants? I saw others that I have known… Lambert, Ariana, Kevin… they were there in some lives… but only briefly… you, wife… you are always with me… and always love me… as I always love you. From the first moment I saw you in Port Charles… we began the journey of this life towards each other…"

"… and Kevin and Eve and the others were there to help us find our way," Lucy sighed.

"Oh… I don't know about that…" Ian said with a laugh.

Lucy giggled in reply, "I'd rather not think about it any other way, if you don't mind, husband."

"Aye… and your husband is feeling quite neglected… I mean you haven't kissed me… in… oh… at least a minute… you know… and I need something… right here…" he laughed as he placed a finger on his mouth and it was quickly replaced by Lucy's lips. They were totally absorbed in each other, and made love once again as the sun appeared above the horizon.