[Ellen is standing in her apartment, looking through a book, when she hears a knock at the door. She opens the door and sees Matt.]

Ellen: Matt! What are you doing here?

Matt: I'm sorry to barge in like this, Ellen.

[Matt wheels in and Ellen shuts the door.]

Ellen: That's all right.

Matt: I just had nowhere else to go.

Ellen: I said it's O.K. Matt, what's wrong?

Matt: Uh . . . Remember the people I said I was hiding from?

Ellen: Yes.

Matt: They found me.

[Later Ellen walks into the living room as Matt is hanging up the phone.]

Ellen: Did you reach him?

Matt: Yeah, he's coming to pick me up.

Ellen: You look overjoyed.

Matt: He's my handler. I don't particularly care for the guy.

Ellen: So what happens next?

Matt: Oh, a new name, a fresh new start . . .

Ellen: Just like that?

Matt: When you blow your cover, you gotta move fast, Ellen.

Ellen: It's just all so inhumane. I mean, you've got a life here.

Matt: Those Marshals were killed trying to protect that life. It's better to settle me somewhere new before more people get hurt.

Ellen: Where will you go?

[Matt gives her a withering look.]

Ellen: I'm sorry, that was a stupid question. Even if you knew, you couldn't tell me.

Matt: I left the hospital without saying goodbye to everyone.

Ellen: Is that why you came here? To ask me to say your goodbyes?

Matt: No. I came here because you know the truth. And I didn't want you to worry when I disappeared.

Ellen: Of course I will worry.

Matt: I also came back to tell you that . . . well . . . it's been amazing getting to know you.

[Later, Matt and Ellen are sitting in front of the fire.]

Matt: You know what my favorite part was about working with you?

Ellen: I'm afraid to ask.

Matt: You were just as hard on me as you were with all the interns.

Ellen: You're welcome . . . I think.

Matt: You were just right. No pity, no deference, you rode me just as hard as you rode all the others.

Ellen: Just doing my job.

Matt: Well, you do it well. Too bad it was all for nothing.

Ellen: Don't say that.

Matt: I can't practice medicine any more, Ellen.

Ellen: But you have to. You are a great doctor.

Matt: I'm a doctor who uses a wheelchair. I will be identified in about two months, ground up, and used for fish food. I have to give it up.

Ellen: Matt, you have gone through so much to be a doctor. What will you do?

Matt: I don't know. I haven't had to change my identity since before med school.

Ellen: I hope that this is the last time that you have to be moved.

Matt: They don't even let you take any photographs with you. It's like a deal with the devil: your life, in exchange for all the details that make your life worthwhile . . . places, things, people.

Ellen: I would hate to make that choice.

Matt: I'm having that same problem.

Ellen: I'm going to miss you.

Matt: Me too.

Matt: You know . . . why did we waste so much time? I mean, we are over before we even got a chance to start. U.S. Marshals are going to come to your door any second, and you still can't admit what was happening between us.

Ellen: If there had been anything happening, what would be the point of bringing it up now?

Matt: Maybe because it's your last chance, and it would mean the world to me to hear you say it.

Ellen: I just don't think that getting into all of that would do either of us any good.

Matt: Well I'm sorry to drag you into it, then. [He hands Ellen a piece of paper.] Here's a phone number to call in case you feel threatened in any way.

Ellen: Oh, don't worry about me, I'll be fine.

Matt: Oh, I know. You're a tough lady.

[She gives him a look, then quickly gets up and goes to the mantle to grab a notebook and pen. Suddenly she is all business.]

Ellen: Is there anything that you need to tell me about your cases?

Matt: No, since my time off, most of my patients are being handled by other doctors, so . . . Oh, but there is that one, the kid Keith, the spinal cord injury. Uh . . . tell him that I said that life will be good again, someday . . . soon.

Ellen: Of course. Uh . . . is there anything else?

Matt: Your hands are shaking.

Ellen [laughing nervously]: Well, as usual, your diagnostic skills are excellent, doctor.

Matt: What is it?

[Ellen reaches forward and grabs both of his hands as she slowly moves off the couch to kneel in front of his chair. She reaches up and touches his cheek with her hand, and then, stifling a sob, begins to kiss him passionately. Finally they break apart and stare into each other's eyes.]

Ellen: I haven't kissed anyone like that in a long time.

Matt: Neither have I.

Ellen [shaking her head]: You don't have to say that.

Matt: It's hard to get close to somebody when you know you might have to leave.

Ellen: It's hard to get close to someone when you know they might' leave you.

Matt: You just found out about my status, so . . . what stopped you before?

Ellen: There are lots of ways for someone to leave you.

[Matt is gently kissing her forehead when there is a loud knock at the door.]

Ellen: Do you want me to get it?

Matt: You be careful.

[Ellen dries her eyes, stands up, and walks over to the door.]

Ellen [calling through the door]: Who is it?

Marshal: Federal Marshal Harris.

[Ellen goes up to the door and peers through the peephole.]

Ellen: The badge looks real.

Matt: Is he a tall, droopy looking guy?

Ellen: Yes.

Matt: Let him in.

[Ellen opens the door and two men walk in, holding up their badges.]

Marshal Harris: We don't mean to alarm you, Ma'am, but we need to speak to this man in private.

Ellen: Yes, of course.

Matt: She already knows.

Marshal Harris: You broke your cover?

Matt: If it wasn't for her, I'd be dead, so skip the lecture, pal, huh?

Marshal #2: We have to move you out of Port Charles tonight.

Matt: Yeah, I know the drill. Don't look back or you'll turn into a pillar of salt, right? [whispering to Ellen] This is it, Ellen.

Marshal Harris: Now, Dr. Harmon.

[Ellen hands Matt his coat, and puts her hand to her mouth because she is starting to cry. As Matt wheels toward the Marshals, she calls out to him.]

Ellen: Wait a minute. [She goes over to her desk and returns to Matt carrying a small leather case.] You can't bring any pictures with you, but can you take this? [She unzips the case and hands it to Matt.]

Matt [voice breaking]: This is your chief resident pen. I mean it belonged to Dr. Falk.

Ellen: Well, you were the one who encouraged me to keep it after David died.

Matt: I remember, but, uh, this is very important to you, Ellen, I think you should keep it.

Ellen: It is important to me, and that's why I want you to have it.

[Marshal Harris puts his hand on Matt's shoulder.]

Marshal Harris: Let's go, Harmon.

Matt: I'm not leaving.

Marshal Harris: That's ridiculous. We're talking about your life.

Matt: That's right, we are. I'm staying.

Marshal #2: The program only works with 100% cooperation. You'll be tying our hands.

Matt: I'm aware of that.

Marhsal Harris: You'll be out from under our umbrella. They know where you are. They'll kill you.

Matt: Well, I'm willing to take that chance, then. I'm so weary of running. There are things here that I care about. [He turns around and looks pointedly at Ellen.]

Ellen: Don't. Don't do this. I don't want you to.

[Ellen sits down, and Matt wheels over to face her.]

Ellen: You can't stay in Port Charles.

Matt: Why not?

Ellen: They'll kill you.

Matt: Well, I want to take that chance.

Ellen: How dare you? How dare you?

Matt [surprised]: Are you angry?

Ellen: You have spent the last eight months with people who are fighting for their lives. How dare you give up yours so easily? Dying young is not romantic. Believe me, I know. I've seen it up
close.

Matt: I'm being extremely selfish, then. Staying here is going to put you and everyone around me in danger.

Ellen: I don't want you to consider me.

Matt: How can I not?

[Ellen bows her head, and Matt turns to face the Marshals.]

Matt: I'll go.

Marshal Harris: This program requires your full commitment. Indecision is deadly.

Matt: You have my commitment. Could you wait for me outside, please?

Marshal #2 [checking his watch]: Don't take too long. [The Marshals leave, and Matt turns back to face Ellen.]

Matt: I won't forget you.

Ellen: I hope that you find . . . love . . . and peace.

[Matt wheels to the door, hangs his head for a moment, and turns back to look at Ellen. Then he wheels out, shutting the door behind him.] (Submitted by Rena)