Chapter 1

It had been a horrible couple of days for Anna Devane. The discovery of Duke's lies about working with Sonny to take down Julian drained her senses and her strength. Their confrontation in her office had sent her reeling. She did love him but she again found herself in another compromising position because of his weaknesses. She wrestled all night with thoughts of what to do. Could she walk away from him after just getting him back again and did she really have any choice in the matter? She had to admit their relationship and marriage all those years ago was anything but sublime. The only time they were truly happy for any length of time was right after their marriage. She didn't know if she wanted to go back to that life again. The constant lies, the cheating, the manipulation. It was all too much then and she doesn't want to deal with it now. Plus there was another problem she was wrestling with, her growing attraction to Robert. It was keeping her up at night. The feelings were stronger than they have been even in years and she knew it was because of all the time they had spent together in the last few months looking for Robin. If she was really honest with herself, she was in hell the months before that when he was in a coma. She thought about him everyday thinking she was going to lose him again.

"Hey what's with the long face?" Robert asked walking through the door. Anna looked up to see his smiling face and she realized she was very happy to see it. "Hi, tell me you have good news for me."

"No, nothing. I reached out to contacts and no one had any clue how Obreght was released and how she got this appointment. It's a dead end for now, but I'm not giving up yet. How's our daughter handling it?"

"Not well, she's going all Devane-Scorpio on us, I think she's plotting something." Anna said with a chuckle. Robert managed a small smile but didn't like the sound of that. He also suspected that there was something else going on with Anna. "What's going on Anna, you look very stressed and I have a feeling its more than just Robin." Anna considered brushing him off, but for some reason she couldn't help herself. As in their past, any problems or issues she had she could always count on Robert as a sounding board. Granted he was never impartial as far as Duke was concerned, but she always knew she could count on him for help. She told him the whole story and to her surprise he did give her an impartial assessment of course laced with a bit of sarcasm and arrogance. Oddly, she felt almost disappointed that Robert didn't exhibit some jealousy or resentment toward Duke. This disturbed her greatly, because it opened other questions for her that she did not know the answers to right now. She realized in the past few months working closely together again that she had missed him in her life. They had a brutal past filled with loss and regret but she also knew the times they were together were the best of her life. She had decided long ago that she needed to put those times in the back of her mind due to the pain they caused her knowing that she was at fault for the destruction of both their marriages. They had both moved on to different lives and to her dismay she felt they could never go back again. "Come on let's get out of here and grab some dinner, my treat of course." Robert stated grabbing her hand. She found herself thrilled at the prospect of spending a normal evening with him after everything that's happened over the last few months. "Sounds like a plan, let's go." She said smiling up at him. "I'm so glad you're here." She said walking up to him and wrapping her arms around his waist. "Me too, I'm sorry you have to go through this." Robert said kissing the top of her head. She hugged him harder. They stood in other's embrace for several moments. But then it hit her, the buried feelings, the memories, the love, the intense attraction. It all came flooding back as if someone was playing home movies of her life and all she could see was this man's face. It was surreal. She wanted to stop, to pull back but she couldn't, she held on tighter. Robert, being Robert, sensed a sudden shift in the room, but he didn't dare assume. He waited her out. She stepped back still holding on to his waist and they looked into each other's eyes. Robert was frozen in place. He recognized that look instantly and it scared the hell out of him. He did the only thing he could do since he couldn't trust himself. "Ready?" he hoarsely croaked out. That snapped Anna out of her trance instantly. "What am I doing, what is happening?" she thought to herself. She recovered quickly and said "Yes let's go." But in the back of her mind, in that brief moment she knew she saw the same feelings reflected in Robert's eyes.

They ate, they drank and more than anything they laughed. She painfully realized she hasn't laughed like this in such a longtime. She was pretty sure she also giggled, which she didn't think she has done since she was in her 30s. "What are your plans Robert? Do you plan on staying in Port Charles for a while or do you have another assignment lined up?" She asked this question with a sudden fear of the answer. She didn't want him to leave and she was not afraid to admit that. They just got their daughter back and for the first time in a long time, she had her family back in one place. "Well, funny you should ask. I received another call today from the WSB and I have been put on a 6 month leave because of the coma. I will have to pass the physical in 6 months to be activated again. To be honest, I'm not too disappointed. I was hoping Robin would want me around for a little while." Robert said sheepishly. "Of course she will Robert, she adores you and so does that grandchild of ours. It would make them very happy if you stayed in town for a while." She said, hoping somehow that she was convincing him to stay. "It would also make me happy if you stuck around for a while." She surprised him as well as her herself with that admission. He smiled at her and tried to make light of the situation even though he was thrilled by her declaration much to his own surprise. "Well it's settled then." He said as he clinked his wine glass with hers. The rest of the evening was spent reminiscing about their lives together and apart. They talked and learned more about each other in those few hours then they had since they were married over 22 years ago. Even their time in the lab didn't allow them to open up to each other so freely. They were more concerned with getting out and finding Robin. They both came to the realization that even though they were together only a short time over the last 36 years, those times were the best of their lives regardless of all the danger, the pain and the eventual loss. As the evening was winding down Robert realized he had to clear the air with Anna and apologize for abandoning her after Robin's death. It was the lowest point in his life and he was utterly ashamed with how he handled it. "Anna, I want to apologize. I was a coward. It was the one moment in our life together where you needed me the most and I let you down. Can you ever forgive me for that? I will absolutely understand if you can't, but I need to know." Anna was taken aback by his vulnerability. It's a side of him that is rarely seen if at all by anyone but her and their daughter. But she thought he deserved an honest answer and knew he would see right through it if she didn't give that to him. "Robert, I have to admit for a long time I was angry and resented you. I needed you by my side and you were not there. I felt so alone. But as time went by I realized we were both in unchartered territory and we both handled the situation uncharacteristically and with a little self-destruction and desperation built in. "Spencer." Robert said that one word reading Anna's thoughts as usual. "Yeah. I didn't realize it at the time, but I guess Luke was your substitution. He was there for me at her funeral and for a long time after that. We leaned on each other while we recovered from our demons. You know you both are so much alike in many ways that it didn't seem wrong at the time. But in hindsight I guess I wanted so much for Luke to be.." She stopped herself realizing what she was revealing. It was too much, it was all too much. Robert instantly picked up on it but decided to let it go. "Robert it's not a matter of forgiveness, you don't need to be forgiven. Please know that I understood and I still understand. Besides that's all water under the bridge now. We have our wonderful daughter back and if it wasn't for you she wouldn't be here with us now." She was being completely honest with him. "Thank you." That was all he could say.

He walked her to her suite as they talked about his plans for putting down some roots in town. She laughed when he asked if they could get adjoining suites. He decided tomorrow that he would look into getting a temporary room at the MetroCourt. As they approached her door, instant awkwardness set in for both of them. They both knew that things had been revealed today and old feelings were starting to reemerge or at least existing feelings were coming to the surface again and it scared the hell out of both of them. "Listen if you need to vent again, call me okay?" She nodded and smiled. "What are you going to do about Lavery?" Anna thought for a moment. "Honestly I have no idea, I really don't. But I do know I don't want to go back to that life again so something's got to give." Robert paused for a moment and then said, "Just be true to yourself Anna, follow your heart, it will work out." He wanted her to be happy, he knew that as well as he knew his own name. If Lavery made her happy then so be it. "Thank you Robert and thank you for tonight. I had a wonderful time and I don't think I've laughed that much in well years." She leaned in to him to give him a kiss on the cheek, but she suddenly stopped inches from his face. It was surreal as they both looked into each other's eyes. This time however, neither stopped what happened next. Neither knew who moved first, but the next thing they knew their lips were touching and lingering. It started out slow and hesitant, but when they both pulled back for a brief second and looked at each other again they both then lunged for each other at the same time. It was a desperate and frantic kiss as they couldn't get enough of each other. Anna's was grasping at Robert's coat to pull him closer as Robert was backing her up against her hotel room door. As Robert's hands wandered down from Anna's waist to her ass, it suddenly hit him that they had to stop as this was getting out of control fast. He didn't know what was happening and after the wonderful evening they had together, coming to terms with their past he didn't want to ruin it all. He reluctantly pulled back grasping for air staring into her beautiful face. That look of desire and happiness is something he quickly realized was the thing he missed the most in his life right now. Anna was equally shocked at what just happened. What was she doing? Duke? Why was this happening now? All these questions raced through her mind while she realized she was still grasping tightly to Roberts jacket. "Anna, I'm sorry. I don't know what just happened here. I know you're vulnerable right now, I apologize." He rambled out. "Robert, shut up please. I'm not vulnerable, I knew what I was doing." She said she didn't want him to take this all on himself and make her feel even guiltier then she already was. They looked at each other and then both broke out into laughter because the tension was so high. "What was that?" Anna asked. "I have no idea, maybe it's all the adrenaline of the past few months finally crashing down. Or maybe you just find find me irresistible as usual." Robert quipped. "Oh yeah, that's it." Anna shot back. She was so grateful he was trying to lighten the mood "Look, its late we had a few tonight, it happens. I hope it doesn't make it weird between us since I plan on sticking around for a while." Robert asked sincerely. "No of course not besides you're right it happens." Anna replied. "Okay then, I'm gonna go. Please besides what just happened don't hesitate to call me okay." Robert said as he pressed the elevator down button. "Thank you Robert, I definitely will." With that the elevator door opened and he stepped inside both giving each other one last glance.

Anna tossed and turned all night. The thoughts of what happened with Robert filled her brain on a continuous loop. Despite Robert's assertion that it was just one of those things, she knew they were both kidding themselves. She painfully admitted to herself that if Robert had not stopped she doesn't think she would have. And that scared the hell out of her. She loved Duke, she was committed to giving this relationship a chance. She had convinced herself that this was what she most wanted for her future. But was she kidding herself? Was it something she wanted because she believed this was her only option? Since Robert's cancer scare 6 years ago, he has not expressed the slightest interest in resuming any relationship with her and it took her a longtime to get over his leaving her in that hospital room. She vowed she would never again make herself vulnerable to him again, but here they are again. But was she assuming he was interested? Maybe it was just the heat of the moment type of thing. She struggled all night going back and forth until her alarm clock rang for work. She wearily got up and dressed for the office.

Robert's night was not much better. He knew the instant their lips touched that he has been kidding himself all these years. When he was with her, he was home and there was no place he would rather be, but did she feel the same? He was not at all sure about that. She was with Duke now and he knew she loved him. He did come to a decision that he would not pursue the situation, if this was something she wanted, she would have to make the first move.

Four days passed by slowly for both of them. Both constantly reliving what happened in front of Anna's hotel room door and neither knowing how to approach the other to break the ice. It was Valentine's Day which made the situation all that much worse. Robert was able to secure a suite at the Metro Court as well, but he insured that his room was in a separate wing and separated by as many floors as possible from Anna's suite. He had planned a quiet night after spending the day with Robin and her family. He had several security consultant position interviews lined up for the following day so he figured he would spend the night studying the company profiles and security status. However, considering the significance of the holiday in his and Anna's relationship his mind often wandered back to that fateful night 23 years ago. Anna found herself in the same predicament while trying to focus heavily on her job, the Carly Jacks disappearance and the impending mob war as well as Duke's involvement. Suddenly there was a knock on Anna's door and there was Duke standing there with a bouquet of roses. Much her surprise she found herself slightly annoyed. "What's all this about?" She asked without getting up from her desk. "I came with a peace offering hoping we can come to some sort of understanding about our situation." Duke replied with confidence. "Duke, I thought I made myself perfectly clear the other day that given my job, there can't be a compromise. I understand more than anyone what you're going through and I know that you feel you need to do this, but I can't jeopardize my life or my job for what you are trying to accomplish." With that Duke seemed a little annoyed. He thought that maybe the last few days would have softened her resolve, but it only seemed to have strengthened it. He could not understand why she would place her job over their relationship or his need to rectify a situation that ruined their lives 25 years ago. He regretted his next sentence the second he said it. "Well can't you find another way to make a living?" Anna was instantly angered by that. "Are you seriously asking me this question? You want me quit my job so that you can exact revenge on Julian Jerome?" "If that means we stay together and get past this stalemate, then yes." Duke replied with conviction. Anna was angry, but more than anything she was disappointed. The man she loves is asking her to change who she is. "I'm sorry Duke, but that's not going to happen. So now we find ourselves in an impossible situation. I love you, but I can't turn a blind eye to this." She replied. "Just give me a few weeks, this war is about to come to a head. I know that this will all end soon. Don't turn me away." Anna found that she couldn't. She owed it to him after everything he had been through to give him a chance. "Okay, you have a month and that's it. If you're not out of this, we're through. Can I make myself any clearer?" Duke was thrilled. He walked up to her and pulled her into his arms and kissed her. Anna felt herself tense and almost resist his embrace. It alarmed her. She loved him, she wanted to make it work. Duke also felt the slight resistance, but didn't press it. He figured it was her resistance to what he was asking her to do. Anna knew immediately it was something else entirely. "So I'll see you later at the Metro Court, I booked us a table." Duke asked. "Sure I'll see you there." Anna replied as she then watched him leave the office.

Anna and Duke's dinner went as well as both expected. There was still tension, but it somewhat dissipated as the night went on. Anna felt that she needed to commit to this relationship she wanted it to succeed but for some reason when the night was coming to a close she found herself making excuses to Duke so that he wouldn't spend the night. She stated she wasn't ready yet despite their reconciliation that day. Most of that was true, but she also knew it was much more than that. As she lay in her bed, Anna found her mind drifting back to what happened with Robert only days before. It frightened her. She did not understand why all of a sudden she could not get him out of her mind after all these years. Why did that one kiss change everything for her and now her relationship with Duke? As she was with Duke tonight, she realized that since they reunited last year Anna has felt something was missing in this relationship. They used to have so much passion for each other when they were married. Of course things change, they both had been through so much over the last two decades and they were much older now. She had convinced herself that all of it was normal and she shouldn't expect fireworks like it was all those years ago. However, since her encounter with Robert, she knew there was much more to it. That one kiss she shared with Robert made it crystal clear that intense desire mixed with intense love never dissipates. She immediately recognized that night the fact her desire and yes her love for him had not dissipated. With all of their issues, problems and hang ups, she and Robert still had an intense love and desire for each other. What does this all mean? Is she putting too much meaning on one kiss? She was more confused than ever.