The MetroCourt Hotel, Port Charles

"So what are you going to do?" Anna asked softly. The setting sun had given a warm glow to the room. The light filtered through the window and it was reflected in her dark eyes, eyes that he knew were searching his face for signs of what he was thinking and feeling. She was trying to read him.

Finn looked at her. He almost couldn't bear the look in her eyes, so full of compassion and concern. There was something else there too that he couldn't describe, almost a sadness that seemed rooted somewhere deep in her soul. What was he going to do, she was asking him? What was there to do? His mind was reeling, caught somewhere between the present and the past but a pair of brown eyes, shining like gemstones, had brought him straight back to earth. At this moment all he wanted was to remove that heartbreaking sadness from them. He wanted her eyes to smile again. Her hand was still in his, fitted perfectly in his palm and he squeezed it in, what he hoped was, a reassuring way

"Listen, I don't need to do anything right now. There is no more to really say about it today. Thank you for being here with me. What I want to do is forget about the letter for a moment and just be with you. I want to focus on us."

He touched her hair then moved it aside so he could clasp the back of her neck. He pulled her to him, wanting to kiss her lips into a smile, but Anna placed her hand on his chest and turned her face away ever so slightly.

"What is it?" He pulled back in surprise. Anna patted her hand gently over his heart, she could feel it beating under her fingertips before she turned and took a step away. Her eyes fell on the bed. Earlier at the hospital, she had delighted in the idea of taking him back to this room and using her body to sooth away the difficulties of his day. But then Curtis had arrived with Hayden's letter and now that seemed unwise. She quickly turned and moved to look at Roxy, warming herself in the terrarium. How Anna wished for a moment she could be like her, oblivious to everything other than the small narrow life she lived, insulated from the harshness of the world.

She could feel him watching her. Anna desperately needed to avoid his gaze, but then her eyes were again on the white piece of paper lined with Hayden's feelings and her request for him to join her in Rome on the Via Veneto. A request, the significance of which Anna knew too well. Once, years ago she had inserted herself back in Robert's life, unwelcome and unbidden. Yes, the circumstances had been different but his world had been shaken nonetheless and once the dust had cleared Robin's existence had shattered it anew. She had been selfish, not thinking of Holly or the life he had built. All she had wanted was for Robert to listen to her, to understand her choices, to understand what she had done out of love. Hayden was asking Finn for the same chance.

"Finn, you have had a difficult day. Between the school presentation and this letter, your mind must be in a hundred different places right now. And I don't want to be another distraction."

"What are you talking about? You are not a distraction."

"I am if I keep you from really considering Hayden's words. You loved her, you should think about what she said. Like I said before, I'm not threatened by it." She willed her eyes to not betray her. She picked up the letter. If felt thin and fragile in her hands. She found it ironic that something so delicate could push through their bubble like a wrecking ball.

"Finn, I think I know what this moment is like for you. I wouldn't be fair for me to stand here and command your attention when your time should be spent honestly examining your feelings. To that end, I think it makes sense that we place a little bit of distance between us. Just temporarily. I am going to be busy over the next few days with my matron of honor duties and that should give you some time to process Hayden's request. Maybe by the wedding, you will have some clarity."

"Anna, I don't understand…"

"Finn I care about you but I don't want us to be together just because we both had a bad day." She turned and looked him directly in the eye and she saw him flinch ever so slightly at her choice of words. She instantly regretted it and reached out her hand to him. He folded her hands in his and she squeezed them reassuringly.

"I'm going to leave you alone for a bit. We have Jordan and Curtis's bachelorette and bachelor party later so I'll see you there, yeah? And remember, you have to be a gracious loser when we beat you, ok?" She ran her hand down the side of his cheek and placed a wide smile on her face hoping it would set him at ease. It seemed to work because he smiled back.

"We'll see about that."

"Alright then. I'll see you later." Anna winked and gave a little chuckle. Finn ran a hand through his hair and nodded. He grasped the handle and opened the door for her.

"I'll see you later, Anna."

She gathered her coat and her purse and reached to touch his face once more before she walked out. Finn stood looking at the closed door long after she had gone.