Holly woke from another fitful night of sleep, the same dream taunting, torturing her. However, the dream had subtly shifted over the last few days. While it still depicted Robert trying to reach her, his attempts seemed less intense, less focused, and he appeared to be easily distracted. Did he "know" she had been kidnapped again? Was he searching for her as he had implied he would during their last meeting? In the past, he had always given her time and space whenever she requested it. Was that what he was doing now? She certainly hoped so, and at the same time, she hoped their deep connection with each other, would give him the sense that something was just not right. On the other hand, she knew his commitment, determination, and sense of honor to see cases to their conclusion, often were the cause of much of the tension in their marriage. She now understood, to some extent, how Luke felt betrayed when he came back from the mountains and found her married to Robert. He had felt that there had been a hidden agenda behind Robert's motives, instead of accepting the truth. Was that what she was ascribing to Robert's decision to hide the truth about his marriage to Anna, and the fallout in the wake of it? Hers and Robert's marriage had always been based on trust. Could she trust him now? She once told him that she didn't want his decisions where Luke was concerned to taint his position as police commissioner. Did he truly want to protect her from his shame and guilt and not taint their marriage? She so wanted to believe that. Memories of the conversation they had before their first time together came flooding in.
Flashback:
After Holly accused Robert of sleeping with Connie, and his admission that was his original intention, she asked him, "Well, why didn't you?" "Hasn't it dawned on you by now that I couldn't because of the way I feel about you? Look, I can't just turn my feelings on and off. I've tried. We share a roof here, and a name. I'd like to make it more if you'd let me. Give me a chance." "Ahh…" "No more words. Let's dance." He leads her into his arms and dances with her, while "I've Got You Under My Skin" plays softly in the background. After several small kisses on her cheek, he lifts her head as he lowers his lips to hers. She, in turn, wraps her arms around his neck and kisses him back. "I tried to tell you so many times before how I felt." "I know. I couldn't listen..." "I love you. I love you in a way I've never loved any other woman before. I want to take care of you, and I want to be with you, always. I want you to love me, without any guilt, or shame." He kisses her again. "You want to know why I kissed you when I came back? I kissed you because I finally realized that I had to put the past behind me; to get on with my life. I freed myself up on that mountain...left a big part of me behind, but I knew I had found someone who could give me back what I had lost. So I came back to you." "Then you do want...me?" "Yes, oh yes, I want you."
She remembered the sincere look of love in his eyes that night, and countless others since. He was always gentle with her and always allowed her to set the pace of their relationship. She didn't doubt the sincerity of those words then. Could she believe them now? Was it really that simple? She hoped she'd have the opportunity to find out.
She was shaken from her reverie when Marty entered the Pullman car with an armful of groceries. Prescott, who had thankfully been standing guard outside, also entered. "Did you get enough food to last? We'll be pulling out in a couple of days, and we have a tight schedule. Sean wants to meet us there by the end of next week." "Yeah, I got plenty." Holly, trying to pinpoint a location, asked, "Where are we going?" "Shut up!" Prescott barked. "If you weren't snooping, you wouldn't even be here! Don't think you'll be able to get word to your husband. He doesn't know where to look for you, and if and when he does figure it out, we'll be long gone." Holly was pretty shaken up by his gruff manner, and started crying softly. Marty was upset by his behavior toward her and began arguing with Prescott regarding his treatment toward her. Holly noticed his defense of her and tucked that away hoping she may use that to her advantage if an opportunity presented itself. She knew time was running out. If she was still in Port Charles, as she suspected she was, she would have to find clues as to her location. She had an idea of how to send an SOS, but that depended on using all her senses and timing to carry it off.