Port Charles 1987

It had been a whirlwind of activity since Robert had returned to Port Charles. On his first day back he had learned that Anna was done with Duke that she had resigned from the police force and was going to become a private detective. While he had told Anna and Sean about Holly's death and that he was back with the WSB. Robert had also told them about the case that brought him back. Sean was on the DVX hit list and Robert needed a cover while he worked the case. Neither Sean or Anna were going to let him do this on his own so they insisted they would help him, which was just what he had expected. That first day it was agreed that Robert and Anna would go into business together and open a P.I. office, the perfect cover for their investigation. When he got back to Port Charles Robert had wanted to be close to his friends and family, Robin and Anna. Clearly, life had more in mind and it looked like the next big adventure was just beginning.

It wasn't long before Robert and Anna had some office space and had opened their P.I. firm for business. The fact that Duke had come to them for help protecting Camellia hadn't sat well with Anna. No matter what Duke said she believed he was involved with Camellia. They had broken up but Duke was trying to convince Anna to take him back but was spending a lot of his time with Camellia. The fact Anna had walked in and found them in an embrace when they were alone at the cabin hadn't don't much to help her believe Duke when he said there was nothing going on between them.

It soon became clear that Robert and Anna could be in danger as well as Sean so while they worked on this case Robert and Anna agreed that Robin had to be somewhere safe. After some discussion, they agreed that Robin would go to Italy with Felimena once school was done.

While all this was happening Frisco had decided to join the WSB. They could all see this wasn't really what Felicia wanted but she wouldn't stand in his way. Robert and Anna had talked a little about whether they thought Frisco and Felicia's marriage would survive the demands of a career with the WSB. They both hoped it would but without having to say it out loud they both knew the other one wasn't all that convinced it could. It turned out that Frisco and Robin would be leaving Port Charles at about the same time so there was a going away party thrown for them both.

...

Robert sat on Anna's couch, they had sent Robin and Filomena to Italy earlier that week. He hated that she had to leave so soon after he had returned but he knew it was the best way to keep her safe. Robert had already had a few drinks, now his mind wandered back to how he had been with Holly over the last while before her death. He knew he was distancing himself from her but still wasn't sure why. He would leave her behind and go on some WSB mission and he'd done that too often. That last time why hadn't he taken the time to listen to her? Holly had told him she was leaving to think about their future, but instead of staying and working on their problems he went on his assignment. He didn't notice Anna at first but he looked up when he sensed someone watching him.

"I know that can't all be about Robin leaving," Anna said when he looked up at her. She poured herself a drink then brought the bottle over with her and joined him. That night they sat and talked about what they had both lost. Anna found she could open up to Robert about what Duke had put her through. How hurt she felt by him. While Robert could tell her about how he felt like he had let Holly down. It was nice having someone to talk to about all of this Robert thought. He missed talking to Anna, there was something about being around her. He also knew there was still a spark between them and he was sure it wouldn't take much to make it a flame again. They've talked a few times about what could have been. Sometimes they may have been too open about their feelings. This wasn't the time to think about that though. Tonight it was just nice to have someone to talk to. There was a threat out there and getting all of this other stuff out should help them both concentrate on what they are going to be facing.

After a few drinks, Anna looked at Robert, "I was a good cop, you know that."

"Yes, I do."

"You wouldn't have suggested me to replace you if you didn't."

"You're the best," he agreed.

"Duke cost me my career. His mob ties, the ones you warned me about, I know. No one believed I wasn't somehow involved in all of that. I was going to leave Port Charles because of it. Did I tell you that?"

"Yes, you did. I'm glad you stayed."

"You just like that I let you sleep on my couch," she teased.

"Well yes, but that's not all. Anna, you were right not to let him chase you out of Port Chuck. Now we have our PI office, even if it is a cover. Who else would I have gone into business with?"

"Sean maybe."

"No that wouldn't be the same, besides he's not as much fun to look at. I like watching you leave my office."

Anna smiled, she liked when he flirted with her. "Robert do you think Frisco and Felicia's marriage will survive him being in the WSB?" she asked changing the direction of the conversation.

"I hope so Anna, but I just don't know."

"Yeah me either. What were you thinking about when I came in?"

Robert sighed, "I was trying to figure out why I was distancing myself from Holly, I wouldn't admit it before but I was. It was like I had checked out of our marriage emotionally."

"But you still loved her."

"Yes but maybe not like I used to. Nothing had changed but something had," Robert told her. "I was torn, I wanted to be on assignment with the WSB. I wanted to be here with Robin," and you he thought to himself. "Holly was moving down on my list of priorities. She deserved better then what I was giving her."

Later that night since Robin was gone he had been upgraded to her bed from the couch. He lay awake staring at the ceiling. After their talk, Robert thought about what they had both said. As soon as he had known the truth about Anna and why she couldn't walk away from that last assignment for the DVX, a part of him had wanted her back. The love they had shared had been so powerful but he was married to Holly and he did love her so he stayed with her. The last time he was in Port Charles he had watched Duke and Anna's relationship. Anna did seem to love him, even if he was a twat. Now he had destroyed her reputation but Robert got the feeling Anna still had feelings for Duke. Why did he feel so protective of her? He didn't like seeing them together but he knew he would have to accept that Anna will have relationships with other men. Eventually, he fell asleep.

...

Days passed and Robert and Anna worked on figuring out who was behind the threat to Sean and them since they were on that same hit list. They had a few leads but really weren't that much closer to finding the answers. One afternoon Robert was in his office when Duke showed up looking for Anna. He looked up, the first thought that popped into his head was, this man is an ass, but he believed Anna may still have feelings for him.

"I need to talk to Anna," Duke demanded.

"She isn't here at the moment."

Duke glared at Robert, clearly, he wasn't going to tell him the truth so he asked again. "Where is Anna? I need to talk to her."

"I told you she isn't here."

"And I don't believe you," Duke shot back.

"What are you doing here anyway?" Robert asked as he got up to open the door to her office to prove she wasn't there.

"I came here to talk to Anna, it's none of your business."

"Maybe not but I'm going to tell you something anyway. If you think coming here and ordering her to listen to you or take you back is going to work then you don't know Anna at all. You ruined her reputation! She was proud of what she did and you cost her that. Can you wrap your tiny brain around that? You say you still love her. That's nice but it doesn't change the facts."

"Oh, so I should just walk away. You'd like that, then you could move right in and get her back for yourself," Duke accused.

"This goes against my better judgement to tell you this but I think she still has feelings for you. If you keep trying to force her to take you back it will never happen. Give her time to think. You hurt her personally and professionally."

Duke was a little confused as to why Robert would be telling him this. He might be right though. "Do you have any other advice?"

"No!" Robert couldn't believe he had just told Duke that, like hell was he going to give him any more help getting Anna back.

"Well thank you for the little bit of advice," then Duke left.

Before Duke could use Robert's advice there was another attempt made on Camellia's life and they went on the run again. Duke felt he didn't have any other choice and contacted Victor Jerome for help.