Author's Note: Another visit to the days of vintage GH. This story opens in the early fall of 1987. Robert has returned to Port Charles after Holly's 'death' as the acting head of the WSB. With the help of Sean, Duke, and Felicia, Robert and Anna prevent former WSB agent Elena Parsons and her cronies from blowing up a US government defense installation near Mount Rushmore. However, Elena and several of her men escape and return to New York with our heroes in hot pursuit. Meanwhile, Anna and Duke have gotten engaged and Robert has moved out of her apartment to give them more space. But what if circumstances provide an opportunity for Robert and Anna to get back together?

The telephone rang shrilly. The late afternoon sun was filtering through Anna Devane's front window and bathing the living room in soft golden hues. Up until that moment it had been a drowsy Saturday afternoon. Duke and Robin were in the kitchen helping Philomena bake cookies while Anna lounged on the couch, trying not to think about how empty the house felt since Robert had moved out two mornings ago. Even though he was staying with Sean just downtown, and even though it was wonderful to have Duke around more of the time, somehow she was still feeling his absence keenly.

The phone continued to ring with relentless insistence. With a sigh Anna rose and went to the side table to pick up the receiver. "Hello?"

Sean's voice rumbled down the line. "Anna, I need your help," he said without preamble. "Robert's in trouble."

Anna blinked, her senses snapping to alertness. "Trouble, how?" She'd just seen him last night. Today he was in New York City on his way to arrest – "Elena?"

Sean's concern carried clearly across the airwaves. "I think so, yeah. He called just now from her townhouse. Said it looked like she left in a hurry. Next thing I heard gunshots –"

"What?" Anna's voice rose dangerously as panic swept through her.

"What is it?" she vaguely heard Duke say behind her, but she had no attention to spare for him right now.

"Then I heard a cry, and the line went dead."

Anna licked her lips, her heart thudding. "Ambush?"

Sean exhaled as if the mere thought of it pained him. "Maybe."

Adrenaline surged through Anna. "When's the next flight –"

"In an hour. I've booked two seats. Pick you up in ten minutes."

The line went dead and Anna put down her receiver in shock.

"What is it?" said Duke as he came into the living room. "What's going on?"

"I don't know, I don't know," replied Anna in distraction. She was already making a mental list of things she needed to bring with her to New York. Starting with her gun. "Sean said Robert might have been shot –"

"What?"

"He called Sean from Elena's townhouse. Robert said it was empty but then Sean heard gunshots," Anna explained over her shoulder as she hurried over to the desk against the far wall. She unlocked the bottom drawer and pulled out her automatic and ammo box. As she turned back Duke loomed over her and she absently sidestepped him, her head full of worries and plans.

He stopped her with his hands on her arms. "I'm coming with you."

"He should never have gone alone in the first place!" she blazed at him, suddenly furious. Last night Robert had come to tell her he was going to New York City after Elena. When she had proposed to go with him as backup Duke had refused her point blank, and against her better judgment she had allowed him and Robert to convince her to stay. How wrong they had all been. If anything had happened to Robert…

"I should have been there – " Unable to finish the thought, she pulled from his grasp and headed for the bedroom.

"I'm coming with you," he repeated as he followed her through the doorway. "I've helped before, I can help again."

"Fine." She didn't have time to argue with him, not with Robert's life hanging in the balance. "Just hurry." She flung an overnight bag onto the bed and began to pack.

Eight minutes later they were on their way to the airport.

To be continued…