In the police commissioner's office, a standoff was in progress between three petrified men and one irate, livid commissioner who fired volleys of verbal hellfire.

"This Carey woman has had it in for Anna for years! Why can't they just leave her alone?" ranted Robert. "There is no call for this … this muckraking GARBAGE."

"She's a public figure, Robert," said Sean.

"Not anymore. Her life and career are strictly private," Robert said. "I'm the one paid by the public to do the public's bidding. They should be taking potshots at me not her. It's not fair! If she fights back, they'll really have it in for her!"

"Let's give Anna some credit here. She handled the press beautifully during Victor's trial and everything that came after that and -" Sean began to say.

"That was a public trial. The press had a duty to report on that." Robert slapped the Gazette down hard on his desk. "This is a gross invasion of privacy and cause for slander!"

"No one reads this stuff, Robert," said Frisco. "It'll be forgotten by tomorrow."

"You want some suits at the house?" asked Lewis.

"Hell, no! Robin hates them. She says it scares away her friends." Robert ran a hand through his hair. "Robin gets enough grief at school. She doesn't need this either."

Sean sat down in the armchair. His internal radar was pinging madly. Robert's reaction was too extreme. From Anna he could expect a certain level of impulsive explosiveness but Robert was always the more level-headed and calm of the two. Something wasn't adding up. He ventured to say, "Robert, stories and innuendoes are the stuff of papers and gossips. All three of us have had our share of it. Let this slide."

With a mulish expression on his face, Robert stood up. He laid both palms flat on his desk. His eyes narrowed. In a voice laced with dangerous undercurrents, he said, "Not this time."

"Why not?" asked Sean studying Robert's body language and face.

"Because … because I can't," said Robert. "She was … was getting over Duke and the Faison business. Now this. Why can't she get a break in this town? Why can't she be happy? I want her to be happy and have a good life."

"We all do, Robert."

"You know her background. You know how much family means to her and having roots and stability," said Robert. He sat back down. "You should have seen her last night. She was so happy that … that joy was pouring out of her."

"Uh, huh," murmured Sean encouragingly. He was beginning to suspect that maybe Tiffany's theories had some basis in reality.

Robert continued, "She should be like that all the time. She was always rather impish in the early days, remember? She's so serious now. What happened to that effervescent woman that took on life with verve and style?"

"Really? Do tell more," said Frisco also taking a seat.

Sean said cagily, "When I introduced her, I remember that you couldn't take your eyes off her."

"How could I? She aimed both barrels at me the second she came in. She aimed and I … I forgot to duck."

"Anna made quite the impression eh?" asked Lewis.

"It was like facing salvation and a firing squad at the same time. The only option was surrender," said Robert. He looked around the room as if for the first time realizing where he was and who he was with. He said dismissively, "Never mind all that. Ancient history. The damage has been done. Anna must be going out of her mind. But, like you say, Sean, she's used to this shabby treatment. I'm sure she's fine. Let's get back to work."

Frisco and Lewis left leaving Sean behind deep in thought. He said, "Sounds like you and Anna had a grand time last night."

"Yeah. We rarely get a chance to just talk. That's what we did. No filters. No interruptions," said Robert. "It's good that we three can talk about the old days. Those in our line of work who can't, well, it must feel like having an arm cut off."

"I think it's the reason few agent retire early. I stayed in a lot longer than I should have. You and Anna were the exception."

"I did try to stay in but things were different once she was gone. I was different," said Robert. "It was good timing for me to leave after the Ice Princess caper."

Sean probed gently. "I think the time apart probably gave you two some perspective."

Robert's face grew concerned. "I had it easy. Anna had Robin and she managed to make a life for them all on her own. She wasn't the same woman afterwards."

"Anna's always been a strong, capable and independent woman, Robert. She's a rock."

"Even rocks can wear down."

"You think that's what wrong with her? I don't see anything amiss myself."

"Anna's got her walls up all the time, always on guard. She doesn't seem happy to me. Not in the way I know she could be."

"After the year she's had, can you blame her?"

"No, I can't. But, damn it, Sean, doesn't she deserve to be happy and to feel safe?" asked Robert. "I hated the way Faison made her fearful. The thought that one word to Robin from him could have shattered Anna's spirit infuriated me."

"He's out of our lives, my friend," said Sean. "Anna needs time. That's all. And, maybe a distraction like Brett."

Robert blinked a few times then asked, "Who?"

"Brett Madison. Is he interested or the other way around?"

"I have no idea."

Sean noted, "Brett's a good guy. Very steady, loyal. He might be good for her."

"Well, that's between the two of them, isn't it? If there is something there."

Sean gestured towards the Gazette lying on Robert's desk. "Where there's smoke, there's usually a fire kindling."

"I haven't sniffed any forest fires lately," said Robert. He glanced at his phone. "I've wasted the morning away. I better start earning my pay."

Sean said goodbye and left. As soon as the door closed, Robert lifted the phone receiver and stabbed at the keys.

Anna picked up after a few rings sounding as equally irritated as Robert. She snapped, "Yes? What do you want?"

"A minute of your time," said Robert in a casual tone.

"Thank God, it's you."

"What's all that noise I hear?"

"Mosquitoes," replied Anna. "Loud and really, really annoying ones. They won't leave!"

Robert listened and caught enough words to piece together a picture he didn't like one bit. "Insects with press credentials?"

"Lots and lots," said Anna. "I need to get out of here before I kill someone."

"I'll send over a uniform to disperse them."

"No, don't do that. It's more ammunition for them. That is the last thing we want." Anna sighed.

"Yeah, I suppose you're right," said Robert. "How are you getting out?"

"Can I borrow your grappling hook?"

Robert smiled. "Anytime, luv. You're sure there's nothing more I can do?"

"I'd best ignore them. Starve them of comments and drama and they'll leave."

"What are you doing now?"

"Besides hiding out with my door locked and covering my ears, nothing. I can't concentrate with the noise."

"I'll keep you company then. Help you ignore the gnats hovering 'round there."

"I don't want to keep you from work, Robert."

"Lewis runs this place just fine. Some days I think he'd prefer I didn't show up."

Anna giggled. "You do have a tendency to, um, disrupt Guy's routine."

"A little unexpected excitement keeps the department sharp." Robert cleared his throat. "Speaking of excitement, about Brett and you, is there something there?"

"Maybe a little spark but that's all," admitted Anna.

"I don't want our masquerade to rain on Brett's parade."

"There's no parade to rain on. Not even a marching band."

"You'll let me know when the trumpet section starts up so I can get out of the way?"

"You wouldn't have a problem with my dating Brett?" Hastily, Anna added, "If I do that is."

Robert took his time answering. "I know I was a little overbearing when it came to you and Duke but … but I felt I had cause. I don't feel that way with Brett. Which is not to say that if he broke your heart that I wouldn't see him in the hospital for a week."

"He's always been straightforward."

"I just want you to be happy. If that means Brett, then so be it."

"I want the same for you, Robert."

"You and Robin going to start hand-picking my dates?"

Anna laughed. "No! You don't need our help for that."

"Maybe I do. My social calendar is pretty lacking in that area these days," said Robert.

"Ditto. What a pair we are," observed Anna wryly. "I'd never have pegged myself for this sort of life."

"What? Sane and alive?"

"Having a family and being settled in one place, I mean," said Anna. "I always dreamed of excitement and adventure at every turn."

"We still have that now and again. The odd kidnapping, death threat, bombing, wall to wall excitement in old Port Chuck." Robert's voice grew soft and contemplative. "Remember, on the flight back to Paris, we talked about having a family? How many girls? How many boys? A spread somewhere to muck about in."

Anna's response was slow to come. "Our dream."

"It's sort of come true. We have a wonderful daughter. We live in a great place. We're still in each other's lives in a way. You watch my back and I watch yours."

"I meddle in your life and you return the favor," said Anna.

"Admit it, Devane, we both need the occasional kick in the pants. Who better to give it to you than me?"

"It's a good thing I can't stay mad at you for very long, Scorpio."

"I've got some really good friends but family is better," Robert paused and added in a raspy voice, "I don't ever want to lose it. I need my girls around."

In a choked voice, Anna replied back, "You're stuck with us. No matter what. I promise."

Port Charles Gazette

Social columnist Cassandra Carey smirked as she watched her editor Ted Van Dyne review her copy for the next edition. He hadn't said a word but she could see his lips moving. He read the piece twice.

"I don't know about this one, Cass. It's risky," said Ted.

"We're sold out of the latest edition, aren't we? This one will be even bigger."

"Yeah, a bigger lawsuit."

"That's not Anna's style," replied Cassandra dismissively. "Besides, everything there is from legitimate sources."

"Ah, how did you get her WSB records?"

"I lucked out on that one. By chance, the WSB released records for her years of service. Heavily redacted but still lots of meat," crowed Cassandra. "I love the Freedom Of Information Act."

"I want to pass this by legal first just to make sure especially about this stuff about being a fence. You got THIS verified?" asked Ted.

"Straight from another fence who she consulted during the time of the Aquarius Diamond. Those guys KNOW Anna Devane," said Cassandra. "I could see the stories in their eyes, Ted, but I couldn't make them talk other than to confirm that she DID do business as a fence a long time ago. She can refute all she likes but facts are facts."

"I'd remember Olivia Jerome if I were you," advised Ted.

"Ted, this aura of mystery has to be contrived. No woman is that deep. I'm doing a public service here."

"Scorpio is going to eviscerate this paper. He can make our life miserable."

"And prove, once and for all, that he's not the objective public servant where his ex-wife is concerned. How much of the police budget was used up during the Snowman investigation? Carlin tried to do a piece on that and he was muzzled from high up in the food chain," said Cassandra. "Anna's had Robert on a string for years. Dozens of people saw her drag the him into the conservatory, Ted. They left no doubt what they were up to. They were necking like two teenagers in the dark."

"Two former spouses decide to indulge in some fringe benefits of their previously wedded state. Is that news?" asked Ted.

"It's of interest to Port Charles society. Love triangles sell papers. You know that better than I do. This has it all - public interest, sex, scandal, gossip galore."

Ted sat back in his chair and looked hard at her. "Cassandra, what's driving this crusade? You've always been curious about Anna but never to this degree. What agenda are you following?"

"Just doing my job, Ted. People don't think of me as a journalist but I have the degree to prove it." Cassandra replied with conviction. "I have the instincts to spot a story. Scorpio and Devane? There's a story there and I want it."