During the month of December 1998, viewers were introduced to the "new Ellen," portrayed by Marie Alise Recasner. From what we've seen of Ms. Recasner this month, it appears as though she will have few problems with the role. The chemistry between Ellen Burgess and Matt Harmon seems intact, and while we haven't seen any love scenes, we have been treated to some tender and loving exchanges between the two. As far as looks go, Marie Alise Recasner's Ellen and Mitch Longley's Matt certainly make a gorgeous-to-look-at couple onscreen. Viewers and supporters look forward to a long-promised front-burner storyline for Ellen and Matt early in the new year.

In early December, Matt's nemesis, Chris Ramsey, attempts to experiment with his unapproved drug, DL-56, by incorporating into it a strain of flu that appeared in Port Charles. This experiment results in a virulent form of DL-56, for which there was no known cure. The virus is unleashed upon the community of Port Charles through an accident at Mario's Restaurant, when Frank Scanlon drops a vial of the contaminated DL-56 and it breaks open. One-by one, residents begin appearing in the General Hospital Emergency Room for treatment. Ellen Burgess eventually has to quarantine that part of the hospital, and she informs the government disease control agency about the new strain of flu.

Matt and Karen learn of the problems occurring in the emergency room, and they sneak past the quarantine guards, don environmental protection suits, and offer their help to Ellen and the other doctors in the ER. Soon, Ellen herself comes down with the deadly virus, and her condition worsens by the day. Matt and Karen begin the task of recreating the original experiments with DL-56 so that they attempt to create a vaccine for the flu. They learn of Chris Ramsey's deals with supplying the illegal drug to Frank Scanlon and the part that he played in developing the deadly virus. Chris gets the virus and becomes delirious. Against the advice of some of the other resident doctors, Matt gives Chris a dose of adrenaline to revive him long enough so that he can tell them where his lab notes are. Matt and Karen are successful with the new vaccine, which miraculously cures the sick patients under their care. Chris Ramsey is censured by the hospital board, and he is stripped of his professional privileges at General Hospital.

As the year ends, we see Matt and Ellen preparing a Christmas party for the patients under their care. Matt has learned how to say "Merry Christmas" in twenty-one languages, and he has provided some presents for the patients. He presents Ellen with a candelabra for their celebration of the African-American holiday, Kwanzaa. Ellen is very touched by Matt's thoughtfulness, and she kisses him. Just as they are wondering who will play Santa Claus for the patients, Santa steps out of the elevator. It turns out that "Santa" is really Chris Ramsey, who states that he wants to try to make up for his transgressions by bringing some happiness to the patients. Matt doubts his sincerity, but Ellen allows him to complete his mission.

When I Saw Your Face

All of my life, I have searched for peace and love
but always finding hurt, harm and confusion.
I was a young man, looking for what young men dream of,
someone to think that they are special.
I never found my someone until I was much older
and after life had taught me a thing or two.
It was then that I saw your face.

I had my share of ups and downs,
When I thought that life was against me,
I found a friend in you.
You gave me a reason to believe again, to smile again
and even though you hid behind this wall of yours
to keep me away, I knew the reason why.
I knew that you were just a scared little girl inside
who hasn't learned that I'll never hurt you,
that I only want to ease your hurt.
That you need me as much as I need you
and together we're unstoppable!
I realized this, when I saw your face.

I can see it in your eyes, it shows when you look into mine,
how very much you need me, how very much you care.
You'll never know how much your warm smile cheers my lonely soul inside.
I ache for the touch of your hand on mine and just a quiet smile from you
will soothe my broken heart, if you only tell me how much I mean to you.
It all started when I saw your beautiful face that day.

And then I knew that I would NEVER be the same!
I know that this is crazy to even be in love with you, because you are my boss,
we have no future, this I know is true
but if loving you is wrong, I will have to learn to live without being right
'cause you hold the key to my heart and I love you with all of my might!
They say that I'm just a fool and that you will never look my way,
but I'll make you mine one day.

Now that all is said and done and we have shared what only two hearts can,
who is the happiest one of all?
I am that happy man!
It happened when I saw your face.

- by D.S.-