Anna stuffed her cosmetic case into her overnight bag and zipped the top. She set the bag at the foot of the bed and moved on to the nightstand. She picked up her glasses and phone and tucked them into her purse, then opened the drawer and took out her badge and opened it. She stood staring at it for a moment, still wondering exactly how she was going to find her new normal.

"Anna?" Robert said. He put his arms around her from behind and rested his chin on her shoulder.

She jumped. "Oh, Robert! You startled me," she said, leaning into him.

"Sorry. You were ah… deep in thought," he said. He didn't need to ask why.

"Yeah," she said, breaking free of his hold and tossing the I.D. onto the bed. She sat on the edge of the bed as she gathered a few more items and stowed them in the purse.

"Are you ready?" Robert asked when she was finished.

She rubbed her hands on her thighs and sighed. "I guess so."

He took her by the hands and pulled her to her feet and into his arms. "It's gonna be okay, love," he whispered as he hugged her.

She returned the hug, exhaling slowly as she clung to him. "Tell me that again," she said with a slight chuckle.

The hint of fear in her voice would not have been evident to anyone else, but he heard it. He could feel it in her touch. Dealing with a diagnosis in the hospital was one thing, but living with cancer in the real world was a completely different story. He leaned away to look at her and took her face in his hands. He looked deep into her eyes. "Listen to me, Anna. It's gonna be okay."

She nodded, but kept her lips pressed tightly.

"We'll figure it out," he reassured her. "Together. Remember?"

She nodded again. "Okay."

"That's my girl," he said with a grin so wide it made her smile. He kissed her on the cheek and picked up her bag. "Come on. Let's get out of here."

Later that evening, Anna sat in on the Skype session while Frisco filled Robert in on his trip to Los Angeles. She and Robert theorized for quite some time about the situation with Valentin and the new evidence regarding the resurrection of Olivia Jerome. They made no plan of attack just yet, but the bureau banter was encouraging, none the less. Afterward, Anna made a pot of tea which she and Robert shared in front of the fire. And as they chatted about Robin and Patrick and Emma and the new baby, Anna found herself feeling almost normal. She realized she hadn't thought about cancer in several hours. A new record.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Robert said.

Anna looked up and smiled at him. She put her tea cup down, then leaned back on the sofa next to him. She snuggled up next to him and reached for his hand. "I was just thinking… how good it feels to be home. And… how nice it is to have you here."

"Aw golly, Anna," Robert said in his goofiest voice.

"I mean it, Robert. You and Robin really have been the best medicine."

"I'm glad it helps," he said, squeezing her hand.

"It does help," she said. "And I want to thank you, too. For volunteering to stay here with me so that Robin could go back and present her research. You really didn't have to do that."

"I took one for the team," he said with a laugh.

"Watch it," Anna teased, giving him the eye.

"But I was happy to do it," Robert added. "For Robin. For you."

She smiled again. "Do you know what you are, Robert?"

"No, but I bet you're gonna tell me."

"Ha! I am. You're obnoxious. You're full of yourself. You're a know-it-all."

He frowned. "Anna, if you're trying to flatter me…"

"You didn't let me finish," she said. "You make me crazy, you know that?" She paused, expecting him to interrupt again. "But you were... you are… just the what I needed to get through this."

He turned sideways so that he was facing her. "I've always got your back, kid," he said.

"I know you do," she said. "And I love you for it. I love you so much."

He lovingly caressed her cheek.

The touch of his hand on her skin was warm and familiar. It was safe and comforting as always, but this time, to her surprise, it sent the slightest tingle through her body. His lips brushed her forehead in what she knew was meant to be a platonic gesture, but it too stirred things within her. She sat up abruptly and cleared her throat. She grabbed for her tea cup and took a sip.

"You all right?" Robert asked.

"Fine. I'm fine," she said. "It is getting late, though. I should get this stuff cleaned up." She stood and bent to pick up the tea tray.

"You've done enough for one day. Let me take care of it."

"I'm not frail, Robert. I have to start doing things for myself. Robin is gone and sooner or later you'll be gone too."

"You keep saying that."

"Because it's true."

"What if it's not?"

"Robert…" she rolled her eyes at him.

"I'm serious. What if I don't leave?"

Anna looked confused.

Robert took the tray out of her hands. "Sit down," he said.

Anna's stomach did a strange flip, but she sat back down and forced a calm visage.

"We've been through a lot together, haven't we?"

"Yes, we have."

"We've had our ups and downs. We've had our share of problems. We've had more than our fair share of arguments."

"Ha! Because you're pig-headed," Anna said, regaining her wits.

"Me? You're the most stubborn person I know," Robert said.

"I prefer to think of it as strong-willed," she said.

"You always have to have the last word, don't you?"

"Yes."

"Would you let me…"

"Go on."

"Thank you," he said.

"You're welcome."

He shook his head and laughed. "See! You just proved my point."

"Are you sure you have one?"

"Have what?"

"A point?"

"That you always have the last word."

"I mean other than that."

"Oh. Right. My point is… We've been through a lot. We've spent more years apart than we have together. We've had other spouses, other lovers. But when the chips are down, it always comes back to you and me."

"Robert…"

"Anna… I've been thinking a lot. About us. About the beach and the mai tais."

"Oh, my God. Robert…" Anna covered her face with her hands.

"Anna, I can't help but wonder how many more chances we're gonna get to make this work. You told me before I left for Bern that you weren't willing to wait anymore. You were ready to try again. And like an idiot, I walked away."

"You were an idiot."

"Yeah. And I can't tell you how many times I've kicked myself for that."

"Robert what are you saying?"

"I'm saying… I'm saying…"

"Spit it out, Robert."

"I'm saying that I love you, Anna. I can't make any promises and I know you can't either. All I know is that I don't want to walk away this time. So, what do you say?"

She shook her head at him, her lower lip caught in her teeth.

"Look, I know we'll have to go slow. We'll have to take things one day at a time, but—"

"Robert, I—"

"I know this is sudden. I know it's a little scary. But just think about it, will you?"

"No." She shook her head again. "I don't want to think about it," she said.

"You don't?" he said. His heart sank.

"No. You wanna know what I think?" She stood slowly and began to pace. "I think you're crazy for wanting to go down that road again."

"I think it's a great idea," he said, following her.

"I think we'd both be insane!" She stopped moving and turned to gaze into his crystal blue eyes. "And you know what else I think?"

"I'm afraid to ask."

"I think I want you to kiss me."

"Really?" he said, his eyes lit up like a kid on Christmas.

"Really," she said.

Without another word, he swept her into his arms and kissed her long and hard. Her muscles tensed, her knees went weak, and Robert had to tighten his grip to keep her on her feet.

"Are you okay?" he asked, all at once nervous, given her circumstances.

"Yes!" Anna laughed, thankful that, for the moment, her dizziness and shortness of breath had absolutely nothing to do with Polycythemia Vera.