In the warehouse, Anna surveyed her handiwork. With knowing hands she fiddled with a few gears and switches while carrying on a mental dialogue with herself.

I think you need to rethink this course of action.

What's to think about? Cassandra started this. I'm just finishing it.

What would Robert think about this?

He's not here to object is he?

You really need to curb this vengeful streak of yours. It's not healthy.

You need to shut up and let her get on with it.

Anna began to hum to drown out the voices of her good and bad couselors. She muttered, "In the WSB, no one would bat an eye over this."

Robert studied his notepad. Unable to use his blackboard as his usual thinking aid, he'd resorted to the notepad. He could feel the connections that had to be in the case but he just couldn't see it at the moment. He drew a red circle around Brewster. From there, he added a line to a box labeled Gazette.

Guy entered his office leaving the door open.

"I have a few things for you to sign, Robert," said Guy.

"Hand them over." Robert scanned them quickly and began to scrawl his signature on the first one. "The sooner this is done, the sooner I am outta here."

"You're leaving early?"

"Yeah. Dad and daughter dinner tonight. Listen, Guy, I, um, may be late coming in tomorrow," said Robert. "So handle things here all right?"

Guy suppressed a smirk and said, "Sure, Robert. No worries. Why don't you take the day off?"

"That sounds like a wonderful idea!" Bettina strolled in beaming at both men. "Hello, Robert, Chief Lewis."

Lewis nodded at Bettina and left. Robert gave her a crooked grin. "To what do I owe this visit?"

"I came by to drop off some flyers for the police auxiliary holiday bash. I think it's going to be our best fundraiser yet," said Bettina.

"Last year wasn't too bad," said Robert. "The events committee always does a bang up job."

"We want to top the previous year's total and this year we just might do that," said Bettina. "We have several corporate donations on auction that will get high bids I'm sure. We're also getting cable coverage for the entire event. We're hoping to get call in bids, too."

"Cable? That's impressive."

"I've been lobbying Derek Barrington to cover the event for years and he finally said yes. It's last minute but it's for a good cause." Bettina sat on the edge of Robert's desk. She leaned across and said in a conspiratorial voice, "The coverage is attracting attention of the political sort. Our mayor will be doing the auction. And, Dan Brewster is going to be our evening's emcee."

"Dan as emcee? Is he any good?"

"People keep asking me that. Dan can be charming when he wants to be."

"He hasn't struck me as being comfortable in the spotlight. But you know him well don't you?"

"Very. My second ex-husband ran his campaign for mayor," said Bettina. "This will be a big event and will give enormous exposure to the auxilliary. With James and Dan confirmed, I'm going around taking names. "

"I'll certainly be there," said Robert.

"Fantastic! And, one more favor, for me?"

Robert chuckled, "As long as it's legal."

"Will you be my escort to the ball?" asked Bettina. "You are the police commissioner. You HAVE to be there. Why not with me? Or is the gossip about you and Anna, true? I don't want to poach."

"Um, ahem, that ah won't be a problem. That was an, um, misunderstanding," said Robert. "It will be my pleasure to be your escort. And don't worry about leaving me alone. I know you're going to be busy making sure things run smoothly."

"Nonsense! I am going to make it my personal mission to see to it that you enjoy yourself," said Bettina.

At the Seagull Bar and Grill, Bettina, in disguise, waited impatiently in a back booth for Cassandra to show. Her watch read eight thirty and still the reporter had not appeared. Bettina left the grill just before nine.

At the Brownstone's expansive parlor later that night, the ladies pored over a calendar. Different dates were color coded according to bets placed in the pool.

"If they're already house shopping then it can only mean that an announcement is coming up," said Bobbie.

"An engagement at least," added Tiffany.

"How sure are we about this?" asked Simone. "People have been speculating about them for years and nothing has happened."

"Thank you for being the voice of reason," said Frisco.

"You're such a romantic killjoy, Frisco," said Felicia. "All the evidence points to this being the right time. Sean?"

"Yes, Princess?" called out Sean from the couch where he was watching the late news with Tony.

"Tell Frisco I'm right," said Felicia.

"She's right, Frisco!"

"I wish they would give us one tiny little hint of what's going on," said Tiffany.

"They've been around Kellys a lot more as a family," said Ruby.

"Notice anything different?"

"Nothing out of the ordinary. Maybe a little bit different body language. They lean towards each other more I think," said Ruby.

"I think it's completely romantic," declared Bobby. "And about time."

"What do you think? June wedding?" asked Felicia. Her pen was poised over the calendar. "I have dibs on June 6th."

The rest of the ladies scribbled their guesses and bets on the calendar.

"Oh, boy!" cried out Tony. "Ah, ladies, you NEED to see THIS!"

"What's going on?" asked Tiffany coming over.

"Is THAT who I think it IS?" asked Bobbie sitting down next to Tony.

Sean narrowed his eyes and tried to catch every word of the announcer's report. On the screen was shown pictures of various patrons going into Port Charles' poshest restaurant - Le Ronde.

"The surprise of the evening was the appearance of State Attorney Brett Madison and his date, our lovely lady of mystery, Anna Devane Lavery." The picture changed to a smiling Brett and Anna who posed for the photographers before they entered Le Ronde. They seemed the epitome of chic elegance and sophistication.

"Wow, Anna looks gorgeous!" Frisco let out a wolf whistle.

"Girl went all out," said Bobbie. "Damn!"

"They make a good-looking couple!" exclaimed Ruby.

"Look at those diamonds on her ears and that choker," said Felicia. "That dress is perfect on her."

"Wait a minute. Who is Anna going with?" asked Simone. "Was Cassandra right about the Triangle?"

Tiffany looked at Sean. "You said that Robert had an epiphany!"

"He did. I .. I thought he did," said Sean.

"Brett's had a lot of flowers delivered to the office," said Felicia.

"Maybe, Anna's testing the waters," said Sean.

"Stepping out on Robert you mean," said Tiffany.

"They're not engaged, honey!"

"I meant that this is exactly what the press is going to make of this," said Tiffany. "I mean if they wanted things to … to die down this was not the way to do it."

"But the pool … " began Bobbie.

"Is still on," declared Tiffany.

Tony pointed at the television. "The evidence says different."

Tiffany glared at Tony. "All that tells me is that there's another horse in the field. My money is on Robert."

At the Donely penthouse, Robin and Robert were watching, too. Robert's gaze hardly left the screen.

Robin studied the images for her own reasons. "That must be a new dress. I don't remember Mom wearing it. She looks great!"

"Yeah, she does," agreed Robert. "Dressed to the nines."

"It's good that Mom is getting out. I don't think Uncle Duke would have liked Mom to … to not, you know, get married again."

"Uh, huh."

"This is helping your cover, right, Dad?" asked Robin. "A … a smokescreen?"

"I suppose you could see it that way."

"Gosh, I'm going to be asked so many questions at school tomorrow. What do I say?"

Robert didn't seem to hear his daughter.

"Dad?"

"Hmm? Yeah?"

"What should I tell people if they ask?"

"About this?" Robert cleared his throat. "Why say anything?"

"Dad! This is what the Gazette was writing about. A triangle between you, Mom and Mr. Madison."

"A triangle? I don't think so."

"Well, I know that it's all fake but people will think it's real. Mom's really convincing."

"Oh, yeah, she is that." Robert drained his gin and tonic. He stood up to get another.

"So, what do I say?"

"Ah, say that … that they went out. End of story."

"What if they ask if I like Mr. Madison? If I've met him?"

"Have you met him?"

"No but he's been sending flowers to the house."

He spilled a little gin on the bar countertap. "He has?"

Robin nodded. "Sometimes Mom's brought home the flowers he sent to the office."

"Does she?"

"She loves to have fresh flowers around the house."

"I … I forgot about that," said Robert. "She likes bubble baths, too. What else have I … forgotten?"

Robin burbled on practicing different answers to questions. In the meantime, Robert flipped the channels. More than one local news channel had the same report - Anna Lavery out on the town with Brett Madison.

Before midnight, the elevator to Robert's penthouse opened. Anna stepped out. Friday trotted over and got a pat on the head.

"Hey, Friday," said Anna.

A groggy voice called out from the sofa, "Anna?"

"Were you waiting up? I'm sorry. I should have called shouldn't I?"

"I wasn't waiting up," said Robert sitting up. He held up the notepad. "I was thinking."

Anna spied a tall vase of flowers on the side table. "These are lovely."

"They're new. I … mean not new in the sense that they're new plants. You know what I mean. You … uh, like them?" asked Robert. "I thought they livened up the place a little."

"They do," agreed Anna. "What were you thinking about?"

"Um, work, just … just work. That's all." Robert took in her full appearance from head to toe. The television did not do her justice. "You look, um, Robin said that you were stunning tonight."

"I couldn't very well look like a hag next to Brett could I? He has an image to maintain." Anna stretched.

"That dress is amazing on you." Robert's eyes roved over the beaded black strapless gown that draped down her body yet was pinched in at strategic points hinting at the figure underneath. The color contrasted with her pale coloring making her flawless skin seem to glow with warmth. Her hair was up and it only made her neck seem even more graceful. A ruby choker and large diamond stud earrings drew the eyes.

Anna laughed. "This? I got it in a vintage shop a long time ago. I forgot about it until I was rummaging in my closet. Thank god it was clean." She yawned. "I'm not used to late nights any more. I'm knackered."

"Would you like a hot bath? I put bubble bath out for you. An assortment to … to choose from," said Robert.

"I think I can a manage a shower and that's it tonight."

He walked with her to the spare bedroom. "The room's all ready for you."

"You are so thoughtful, Robert." Anna planted a kiss on his cheek and entered the room.

Robert turned and walked into his bedroom across the hall muttering to himself. "I'm thoughtful. That's one point Robert and 100 points Brett."

"Robert?" Anna called out.

"Yeah?"

"Could you help me with my dress? I can't take it off by myself."

Robert paused in mid walk, "Um, sure. Be … be right there."

As he entered, he found Anna standing by the bed with her back to him. She said, "Could you unzip me? Then you can go to sleep."

He leaned in close to her. His fingers found the clasp readily enough. He began to slide the zipper down. As close as he was, he breathed in her scent. It was intoxicating.

The zipper snagged. He pulled harder. It wouldn't cooperate.

"It's stuck. I think," said Robert.

"Oh, no," said Anna.

He tugged at the zipper but it was stuck tight. "It's really stuck, luv."

"I just want a shower and some sleep," groaned Anna. "I don't care how you take this off me, Robert. I really don't."

"Can you slide the dress down?"

Anna pulled down but the dress held. "Let's try up. Lift up the hem and pull the dress over my head."

"You sure?"

"I can't sleep in this can I?"

Robert got down on one knee and grabbed a handful of the gown. He began to lift the hem higher and higher. As he went, more and more of her stocking-clad legs were exposed. He throat went dry at mid-thigh. "Nice stockings."

"You like them?" asked Anna.

"W-wh-what?"

"Black with little hearts on them. I saw them at Wyndhams. Didn't you say you liked them?"

"Oh, I do," rasped Robert. The rising hem revealed another surprise. "A g-garter belt?"

"More comfortable," said Anna. "This dress is hotter than it looks. Robert, aren't your eyes supposed to be closed?"

"I have to peek to … to do this properly." Robert rose to his feet. As he did, the dress reached the ends of the garter belts.

"Lift it please. I need to get out of this thing and into bed."

"Um, right, bed." Virtuously, he looked away as he continued to pull the dress up but not before catching a glimpse of the tiny bit of lingerie she wore beneath. Her back was bare. "A shower would cool you off."

"Changed my mind. Too tired. Too much champagne." She held both arms up in the air and Robert, eyes closed, pulled the dress up and over her head. Anna stretched like a cat. Then remembering Robert was there, she pulled the coverlet up to cover herself. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Robert backed away. He didn't quite look away when he should have. He watched Anna slip into bed. "Sweet dreams and I'll see you in the morning."

"Good night, Robert," Anna called out. "There's something I wanted to tell you but I can't remember what it is."

"We'll talk tomorrow." Robert fled to his room and took a cold shower.