A lot has changed at the Los Angeles Memorial hospital. Julia has left town and two exchange doctors from Europe joined the team. Gregory and Grace's relationship is in for a rocky ride. And someone from the past steps back into his life.
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Gregory approached the wine rack on his kitchen counter and glanced at his small wine collection. He selected a bottle and proceeded to open the cabinet doors to retrieve two wine glasses. Pouring the wine, he made his way over to Grace, who was seated at the counter in jeans and an oversized sweater, her blonde hair tied back in a ponytail. With a smile, he handed her a glass of wine.
"Thank you," Grace replied, returning the smile.
"Do you happen to enjoy chicken cordon bleu?" Gregory inquired.
"Oh, absolutely. I love it," she responded enthusiastically.
Gregory retrieved some defrosted chicken from the refrigerator and placed it on the cutting board on the counter. He then grabbed a kitchen knife from the knife block. "I may not be the greatest cook, but I've nearly perfected my chicken cordon bleu recipe. Would you mind grabbing some cheese and ham from the fridge?"
"Of course," Grace agreed, hopping off her chair and heading towards the refrigerator.
"Oh, and I'll need eggs and flour too," Gregory reminded her.
"Sure thing. Is there anything else I can assist you with?" Grace offered.
"Not really, but if you don't mind, you can break the eggs and whisk them for me," Gregory suggested.
"I'd be happy to help," she replied, sitting back down at the counter with a bowl and a box of eggs in front of her. "How many eggs should I use?"
"I believe two should suffice," Gregory answered.
"Are you certain?" Grace questioned.
"Make it three," he decided.
Okay." She shifted her focus to the knife in Gregory's hands and observed as he began cutting the chicken fillets in half. Suddenly, Gregory transformed into Jeremy and the chicken on the counter transformed into a body part of someone he had just killed and was preparing to slice into pieces.
"You enjoy this, don't you? The things I can do to you. Mmmh, so good."
Grace gasped audibly and glanced at the knife in Gregory's hands, alarmed. "Grace?"
He turned to look at her. "Jeremy, no..."
She stared at him in terror, fear evident on her face and in her eyes. "Grace, are you okay?"
"Don't hurt me, please, don't hurt me."
Gregory furrowed his brow. "I..." He moved closer to her out of concern, then recoiled when he attempted to touch her.
"Don't! Just... Just take me home, please."
*****
Gregory parked his BMW in front of the townhouse where Grace recently moved in and switched off the engine. She looked out the window and let out a sob. "What's wrong Grace? Did I do something to upset you?"
