A-Ache
It almost hurt her physically to watch this man she had both loved and hated with equal passion appear to be so weak now. Robert Scorpio had been a lot of things but never weak. Not once. She knocked softly on the door and he opened his eyes. She could see the same faint smile she had witnessed for years. That was better. That was just a little bit better.
"Anna," Robert spoke. "Well you're a site for sore eyes. Come here luv."
She tried to bite back the emotions that welled inside her aching heart but they all came spilling out when she hugged him.
"I never thought I'd see the day when a little thing like cancer could beat you," Anna said. "I didn't think anything could beat the great Robert Scorpio."
"Who said it has," he whispered.
"Then why did I have to find out from our daughter," she questioned? "Didn't you think I would want to be here for you?"
"I didn't want to burden you Anna. You have your own life now. One that I'm not a part of."
"That's bull shit Scorpio," she snapped. "You'll always be a part of my life and you know it. You're Robin's father. You're my friend. Just because we didn't end up together doesn't mean I don't still think about all those adventures we went on…all the love…everything."
"I think about them too Luv…It's what gets me through all the bad times. You'll always be the best thing I ever did…you and Robin."
"Likewise," she said, reaching out her hand. Their fingers laced together in a gesture of support and Anna couldn't help but notice how cold and clammy Robert's hand was.
"Are you sure I can't get you anything," she asked? "Anything at all."
"I could use some ice cubes," he said. She smiled as she reached for the cup. "You want to do this yourself or should I
help you?"
"I can do it," he snapped. He was still a stubborn man. He might have given a little but he would never give enough as to appear helpless. She couldn't blame him really.
"I don't want to lose you," Anna admitted. "You fight this. You fight to survive. You don't get to die on us yet. You hear me Scorpio. You don't get to die."
"I'll do the best I can," Robert admitted. He would give anything to be able to give her that definitive promise but they both knew he couldn't. This was the best he could offer her.