Chapter 10

"Do you hear ... the waters ... whispering?" Anna repeated.

"Stop this or I will." said Alex firmly.

"I can't. I mustn't. Let me try something different." Robert leaned closer to her. His voice became gentler but firm. "Anna, back away from the door."

The tension left her body. Panting, she slumped in the chair like a string-less marionette.

"We need to relax again. While I count to 3, I want you to breath in."

"1-2-3" Robert began the relaxation technique again. "Now hold your breath. 1-2-3. Good. Breathe out now. 1-2-3."

Once Anna was calm, he resumed coaxing her to open the door.

"You're at the door. You're not alone. I'm with you."

"Do you know who I am?"

"Robert."

"That's right, Anna. Do you trust me?"

Anna's smile was bright as the sun. "Yes. I do."

Robert took one of her hands into his own. "We're a good team."

"The best."

"I'm here with you now. Can you feel my hand?"

"Yes."

"Good. Now, open the door."

"I can't. She won't let me."

"Together we'll open the door. I'm right there with you holding your hand. We're stronger together aren't we?"

"Always."

"Good. Open the door. Push against it."

"I'm trying."

"Remember, I'm right here ... with you. Keep trying."

Her body stiffened. Her face contorted in effort then pain.

Anna turned the knob and stepped inside.

###

It was their bedroom. At that moment Robert came in and closed the door behind him. The lock clicked into place. Robert lifted the phone receiver off its cradle and left it lying beside the phone.

"Not taking any chances on interruptions, Robert?"

"Nada. Zip. This Eckert case has me all distracted. But right now, right now, I need to focus exclusively on my wife."

"This wife likes what she's hearing so far." Anna sat on the end of the bed brushing her long dark hair.

Robert knelt in front of her and leaned against the bed, a hand on either side of her. His eyes looked into hers. Her breath hitched. Robert bent slightly and kissed her. Anna's lips parted to taste him. Her tongue glided upon his lips as she leaned unresisting into his solid body. She felt the familiar surge of warmth they always generated together start again. She slid her arms around his neck and she lost herself in a mindless kiss.

Reluctantly, he broke the kiss. "You've been distracted all day."

"Have I kindled your curiosity?

"Along with other things. What's going on with the spy who loves me?"

"The answer is going to cost you." She teased.

Robert cradled her face with his gentle hands. He kissed her lightly once and twice running his tongue over her lips, down her neck, kissing the hollow at the base of her throat. He could feel her trembling underneath him. "I need to make love to you for an entire week. Two weeks may be enough."

His hand drifted to the opening in her dressing gown. Lazily, his eyes never leaving hers, he parted her dressing gown. His hand not so accidentally brushed against her breast. Naturally, her breast fit snugly in his hand. Her back arched in invitation. He responded by rubbing his thumb across her nipple. She shuddered at his touch. Her hands pressed hard against his shoulders.

"What's the big secret?" He kissed the tops of her breasts.

She gasped. "The what?"

Confident hands slid her gown off her shoulders. He whispered just behind her ear. "The reason for your distraction."

She bent back towards the bed pulling him with her. "We're having a baby."

His head shot up. "What?"

"You heard me. Now, finish what you started."

Eager hands undid buttons and clasps and generally took care of any obstacles to feeling skin against skin.

###

A soft smile played on Anna's face. "You're going to be a daddy. Experience it from the first for the first time."

A flash of pain crossed Robert's face. "That was the plan."

"You want a boy but you won't say so."

"Anna, that was a memory from a long time ago. It can't hurt you anymore."

"No more pain." said Anna.

"You're in the present again." Robert placed the poem in her hand again. "I want you to read the poem. You will remember more memories. They can't hurt you. They have NO power over you. Do you understand?"

"No power. I understand." Anna began to read.

They all watched her closely.

"It is there that from one second to the next, In the inviolate darkness. I anticipate once more the fascinating rift occuring. The one and only rift In the facade and in my heart. The closer I come to you." Her voice faded away on the last syllable. Her body began to shake.

"I can't let him know ... hide, must hide." Anna's voice faded in and out as her mind experiened a stream of memories. "No, you lie. Holly is ... dead. I love Robert ... Robin ... most important thing." Her voice softened became coquettish. "You always wanted a family with me, didn't you?"

Robert swallowed hard. "The memory cascade has begun. I don't know everything that happened between Anna and Faison. I guess we're about to find out."

A/N: A short chapter to end the week. Thank you for your comments. They are appreciated far more than you know? And they do help make the story better.