Chapter One

Robert runs his fingers through his hair as he looks between Finn's text message and the file in his hands. The ring in his pocket suddenly feels heavier now. He wishes he had never heard the name Hamilton Finn.

"Penny for your thoughts," Mac says as he fills his brother's coffee cup.

"I think I'm going to need something a little stronger than that," Robert answers.

"Must be serious."

"Life changing."

Without another word, Mac motions for the waiter to bring them a pitcher of beer. He sits across from his brother and waits him out. When the beer arrives, they both take a sip and Robert finally speaks again.

"What would you do if the woman you lo—care about, was about to make a really big mistake? Would you tell her the truth, even if it could potentially mess things up for her again?"

"So this is about Anna then," Mac concludes.

"This is a hypothetical question Malcolm," he states.

"Oh Boy. You really have it bad for her, don't you?"

"We weren't talking about me. Can you just answer the question please?"

Mac takes a deep breath and a sip of his beer before he regards his brother. "Is this something that could potentially hurt her?"

"I am afraid that it is."

"Alright then I think you already know the answer to that question. Robby, whatever is going on between you two right now does not matter enough that you would even consider keeping her in the dark about something this important. You love her. You want her to be happy. But we both know that sometimes you have to make tough choices for the people you love."

"Who said anything about love?"

"You did…You caught yourself mid-sentence but you are forgetting who you are speaking to. I was around for part two of this little dance you two like to do. You have unfinished business with her. If you want my advice, I would warn you not to sit on this for too long. We both know how Anna hates secrets."

"I'm not the one keeping them from her."

"No but you know someone who is. Isn't that the same difference?"

Mac rose from the table and put his hand on his brother's shoulder. Robert put his head in his hands.

"I know this is weighing heavily on you. You either need to tell her or find a way to get Finn to tell her."

"How did you…"

"Who else would you be worried was going to hurt her? You are a good man Robby. After all this time, you are still tying yourself up in knots over her. Maybe you ought to ask yourself why?"

Robert says nothing so Mac leaves Robert to his thoughts and his beer. Robert knows there is only one thing he can do. He has to talk to Finn. If he is going to tell Anna the truth, he needs to know all of the details. Pulling out his phone, he stares at the message on the screen once more.

"You have something of mine."

Robert sighs heavily as he sends out a message of his own. "So do you."

He could have worded it a thousand different ways and probably should have but the truth was that he was tired of pretending. Anna might be living with Finn now but she was always going to be his. It was not his ego talking…It was the truth. Anna Devane would always be Robert's girl.

Robert lays the files on the table in his hotel room as he waits for Finn's call. He thinks about calling Anna just so he can hear her voice but knows she would be able to tell something was bothering him so he replaces the receiver. Anna will know everything soon enough.

When the phone rings not one minute later, he chuckles to himself. The man was so predictable.

"What can I do for you Doc," he says into his cell phone. His fingers tap impatiently against the case as he waits him out. He knows he will not mention the text message.

"I want what's mine," Finn states.

Bingo…

"Well so do I Doc so I guess that leaves us at an impasse."

"Look, Scorpio…"

"That's Agent Scorpio to you…and I'm not saying you can't have it…You know where I live. Come and get it."

"Robert…"

"Are you saying your time is more valuable than mine?" He challenges.

"Of course not."

"Good. Then you will man- up and meet me here in my hotel room in thirty minutes. Unless, of course, you are saying that Anna simply is not worth the effort…And if that is the case, then you have already lost her. "

Robert clicks the phone off and turns his attention back to the file. He could have his fun with Finn but at the end of the day, he is also the one who gets to go home to her. He gets to kiss her; make love to her…everything that used to belong to him.

"I miss you Annie," he admits to himself. "I miss you so much that it hurts."

He goes to the mini- bar and pours himself a glass of whiskey. He needed something strong to take the edge off.

"This is for you Luv…Everything is always for you."

All that remained for Robert to do now was wait. Finn has one chance to prove himself to him…If he fails then he just might have to hurt him. For Anna's sake, he hopes he chooses right. He does not look forward to having to hurt her with the truth. He never did.