The following evening they returned to the office with exhilaration and triumph pumping through their veins.

"Yes, we did it!" Robert crowed, rubbing his hands together and chuckling to himself as he shed his jacket and hung it on the coat rack before turning and helping Anna off with her own coat.

"I told you Mrs. Montgomery was the key!" Anna exclaimed. She twirled, her dress flowing around her, unable to contain her euphoria at the successful resolution of another major case.

Her eyes were bright and shining and Robert grinned at the excitement that radiated from his partner's whole being. "That you did," he agreed, basking in her joy. "But just remember whose idea was it to search her house for the papers."

Anna laughed. "Ah, but just remember who it was who found them," she replied sweetly.

His expression lit in genuine admiration. "You are the only person I know who would have thought to look for them in that fake antique vase."

"One of the many benefits of my vast experience," she said with false modesty.

"Thanks to your ill-advised past as a fence," he reminded her.

Anna merely shrugged. "Well, I was right, wasn't I?" she replied with a twinkle.

The smile on her face more than a little bit smug, but he didn't have the heart to complain. "That you were, my dear," he said instead, turning momentarily serious as he gazed at her in sincere and heartfelt appreciation. She was truly magnificent, in every way. "I have never had a better partner. Ever."

Anna beamed as she always did in response to praise from Robert, like a flower blossoming in the summer sun. "You've always brought out the best in me," she breathed. Being with Robert always made her feel amazing, inspired – like she could do six impossible things before breakfast. If was as if his simple presence made her come alive…

"Maybe…maybe that's because I've always seen it. There is no one like you, Anna Devane. No one."

He raised her hands to his lips, brushing a kiss against her knuckles with a gentle reverence that brought tears of happiness springing to her eyes.

"Let's go celebrate," he proposed, his eyes alight with eagerness as the triumphal feeling welled up in him once more. "Anything you want."

She bit her lip and clasped her hands together under her chin in delight at the offer, swept up by his infectious enthusiasm. "Anything?"

Robert threw out his arms expansively. "Anything. Champagne, caviar – you name it."

Anna only had to consider for a moment, certain of what she wanted – and just as certain that Robert wasn't going to like it. "I want to go tell Sean that we're back together. I want both of us to go." She faced him with a level gaze as he sputtered in disbelief. "Listen, Robert, I've forgiven him for what happened in Paris. I think it's time you forgave him, too."

"Are you crazy?" He stared at her, dumbfounded. "In case you've forgotten, Donely is the one who broke up our marriage in the first place."

"I know," Anna agreed. "But he's also the one who said he'd made a terrible mistake. Who said we belonged together. If it hadn't been for him we wouldn't be back together now."

He gazed at her, saying nothing.

"He helped me find the courage to go after what I wanted," she added. She reached up to stroke his cheek lightly with the tips of her fingers. "Who I wanted. Come on. What do you think?"

Robert regarded her with a look on his face that said she had clearly lost her mind. "I think it's the worst idea you've ever had." He grimaced before capturing her hand in his. "All right, let's go."

They stood together in the foyer outside the penthouse, hand in hand. Anna glanced sidelong at her reluctant companion. "Ready?"

"Not really," he replied grumpily, but she could tell from the look on his face that his sourness was mostly a pose. At least she hoped that was the case. Sean had been Robert's best friend for years, and she knew that neither of them would be truly happy until they'd patched things up between them. But as stubborn as they both were, it was evident they were going to need a little help.

She gave his hand a squeeze. "It's going to be fine," she assured him as she reached out to ring the bell.

A moment later the door opened and the statuesque figure of Tiffany Hill stood framed in the entry. "Well, look who's here," she said, motioning them aside with an expansive gesture.

"Well, hello you two," Sean said as they entered the living area. His expression was warm and welcoming but there was a distinct note of wariness in his voice.

"Hi Tiffany, hi Sean." Anna greeted them both with a broad smile. Beside her Robert said nothing and she watched with interest as he and Sean carefully sized each other up.

"Hey buddy," Sean extended the overture again. "It's good to see you."

"Sean." Robert's voice was neutral, carefully detached.

"I gotta say you're looking great. I take it your chest's fully healed now?"

Robert nodded, but his reserve didn't break. "Yeah, it's fine, thanks."

"So, what brings you here this fine evening?" Tiffany asked brightly into the silence that followed.

Anna glanced at Robert. The quick look was all she needed to know that she would have to be the one who took the initiative. She cleared her throat. "We have something we wanted to tell you." She caught her lip between her teeth as a sudden onrush of giddy delight swept over her at the reminder of the news she was about to share.

Beside her Robert nodded encouragingly as he wrapped one arm around her and drew her flush against his side.

She laid a hand on his chest, gazing up at him with shining eyes, and then turned to address their audience. "Robert and I are back together," she said, feeling almost shy as she spoke the words aloud for the first time.

Tiffany threw up her hands in excitement. "That's great!" she exclaimed.

Sean's grin was wide. "I can't tell you how delighted I am for you both," he said with heartfelt sincerity. "You deserve all the happiness in the world."

"Thanks," Robert replied, this time sounding as if he meant it.

"We wanted you to be the first to know," Anna added as Sean drew her into a bear hug.

Tiffany took advantage of the opening to wrap her hands around Robert's arm and pull him into the middle of the room for a private word. "This is the best news I've heard all week." Her gaze was bright and eager as she leaned in close, a journalist with the scent of a story. "Tell me everything," she demanded.

With a quirk of his lips at her enthusiasm Robert filled her in on their encounter with Roger Barrett and all that had happened since.

By the time he finished Tiffany's eyes were sparkling and her expression joyous. "It's about time you two saw how perfect you are for each other and how much you belong together," she said with a decisive sniff.

Robert grinned at the conviction in her voice. Then he shook his head, a look of wonder stealing across his face. "I'll tell you something, Tiff. For the first time in almost ten years I feel complete again. I feel whole."

"Well, you deserve it, darling," Tiffany smiled as she enveloped him in a warm hug.

Across the room Sean regarded Anna thoughtfully. "I don't think I've ever seen you look so happy, Ms. Devane."

A smile as bright as the sun bulldozed its way across her face. "I don't think I've ever been so happy."

"How's Duke taking it?" he asked. "I presume he knows."

"Yes," Anna nodded. She took a quick peek over her shoulder to make sure Robert was out of earshot. "And, um, he's not taking it very well, I'm afraid."

Sean frowned. "He giving you any trouble?"

"Not directly. But he calls every day, and sends flowers, even though I've told him over and over again to stop. I even went to see him – to try to explain – but it didn't seem to make any difference."

"I see." Sean considered himself to be a genial enough guy, not one to be disapproving or make snap judgments about people, and he'd tried hard to accept Duke's presence in their lives out of loyalty to Anna. But he'd never been convinced that the mercurial nightclub owner was right for her – not even after he'd saved Robert's life from Bert Ramsey's goons. There was just something about him that was off.

Now, it seemed, his opinion had been justified, and he was glad he no longer had to be friendly with the man for Anna's sake.

Anna inclined her head in Robert's direction. "I'm a bit worried about what he's gonna do. He's been incredibly patient about it so far, but Duke – he just won't give up."

Sean gazed over her head at Robert for a moment, considering, then nodded decisively and smiled down at Anna. "I want you to put him out of your mind." His face hardened. "You let me worry about Lavery."

"No, it's all right, Sean," Anna began to object, but was interrupted by Robert and Tiffany rejoining them.

"Well, this is certainly a momentous occasion," Tiffany gushed as the four came together. "I think we should have a celebration!"

"Sounds perfect to me," Sean added, rubbing his hands together in anticipation.

Anna found herself blushing at their evident joy. "I really don't think that's necessary," she demurred, feeling suddenly self-conscious, but as she did so she snuck a glance at Robert's face and saw at once that the wariness hadn't completely left his expression. Evidently he and Sean were going to need a little time alone to fully lay their differences to rest. Changing her mind in a trice she turned to Tiffany. "But, you know, it would be kind of nice. Maybe this weekend?" she suggested, laying a hand on the taller woman's elbow and gently guiding her over towards the picture window to start making plans, leaving the two men alone behind them.

Sean followed Anna with his eyes. "That is one happy woman over there," he noted.

Robert nodded as a broad smile stole across his face without his permission, relaxing the lingering lines of tension in his expression. "I'm telling you, Sean, I'm one happy man."

Sean nodded. "Well, you deserve it," he replied. His eyes flicked once again to Anna. "You both do," he added, his voice ringing with deep sincerity.

Robert looked at him closely. "You know, I actually think you mean that."

"I do. I really do." He hesitated for a moment before continuing, "And for what it's worth, I'm sorry. If I could do it all again –"

"Forget it," Robert interrupted with a sharp shake of his head. "Anna and I have found each other again, and…well, in the end I guess that's all that matters."

"I couldn't agree more. Congratulations, my friend," he added, holding out his hand and shaking Robert's firmly.

"Thanks." Robert paused for a moment, drawing a breath deep with satisfaction, and then queried, "How are things with you and Tiff?"

Sean smiled. "Fine, fine. After everything that happened at Mount Rushmore she's barely let me out of her sight. Not that I really mind," he added with a twinkle in his eyes.

"Good. Don't you dare lose her," Robert admonished.

Sean registered the sudden seriousness in his friend's face and voice and recognized that he was speaking from dark, bitter experience. He nodded with equal solemnity. "I have no intention of doing so."

"Glad to hear it."

"Well, that's settled then," Tiffany pronounced as she and Anna drifted back into their conversational sphere. "We'll meet at the Port Charles Grill at eight on Saturday night. We're going to invite Felicia and Bobbie and Jake to join us. I take it that's all right?" she added, looking at the two men expectantly.

Sean chuckled at her habitual readiness to take command of the situation and assume their willing participation. "Whatever you like, honey," he said.

Robert grinned at him. "That's the right answer," he noted.

"You bet it is," Tiffany replied with a saccharine sweetness that was meant to fool no one.

"Right, then," Robert said with a note of finality in his voice. He held out his hand to Anna. "Time to get a move on, sweets."

Wordlessly Anna scanned his face. His characteristic half-smile was back and she could once again detect a lurking gleam of affection in his eyes as he stood between two of his dearest friends. Mission accomplished, she thought with satisfaction, letting herself relax into him as he reached out and tucked her against his side, placing her palm flat against his chest as she felt the connection resonating between them more deeply than ever before.

Sean, for his part, looked as if a great weight had been lifted from his mind. His step was light and buoyant as he walked them to the door. "Congratulations again, you two," he said heartily. "I've never known two people who deserve happiness more. And don't worry about Lavery, all right?" he added as he clapped each of them on the shoulder with one hand. "Consider it an early wedding gift from me."

Possibly the last person Duke expected to see looming out of the chilly October fog as he opened the doors to the club to the public the following evening was the tall, well dressed figure of Sean Donely. "Jesus, man, you startled me," he said as the older man strode up behind him.

"Did I?" Sean replied.

An unexpected and ominous undercurrent of warning – even of danger – in his voice had Duke glancing at him sharply. "Is there something I can do for you?"

"Yes," Sean nodded, his face grim. He put his hands on his hips and his long coat billowed around him like a cloak. "You can leave Robert and Anna alone."

Duke drew himself up, affronted at the cheek of the man. "I don't think that's any of your business, pal," he replied with a certain acidness of his own.

"I'm making it my business, pal," Sean spat back. "Those two people are two of my oldest friends, and I don't take kindly to people interfering with their happiness."

"Oh, you don't, do you?" Duke rejoined. "What about my happiness? Anna was my –"

"I don't give a crap about your happiness," Sean interrupted, his face like stone. "Anna's made her choice, and she chose Robert."

He leaned in close as Duke started to protest. "So here's what you're gonna do, Mr. Lavery. You're gonna stay away from them. Leave the city or the whole damn country if you have to, I don't care. Just leave the two of them the hell alone."

Duke stared him down. "Or what?"

"Or I will personally make your life a living hell."

The Scot drew himself up to his full height. "Don't you dare threaten me, Donely," he warned.

Before he could take another breath Sean was looming ominously over him, suddenly looking ten feet tall and as immovable as a block of granite. "It's not a threat, my friend," he growled. "It's a guarantee."

The menace in his tone had Duke taking a step backward before he knew what was happening, suddenly instinctively aware that the man standing in front of him could rip his head from his shoulders and smile about it afterward. Feeling as if he'd just been tossed a live hand grenade primed to explode at any moment he lifted his hands in capitulation and said quietly, "All right, man, back off."

But instead of retreating Sean thrust his head at Duke. "I'll back off when you back off Anna and Robert," he gritted. "I'm not joking around here. If you don't leave them alone I'll have the WSB, the IRS, the FDA and the fucking ATF in here looking at every single piece of this club, checking out every nook and cranny, turning over every rock in this place."

"I have nothing to hide," Duke said stubbornly.

"You may think so," Sean returned, "but let me assure you they won't. They'll be all over you like a bad rash, investigating every relative, every friend, every associate you've ever had, every lousy bet and bad deal you've ever made. And if they don't find anything, I will. I guarantee it." He paused to take a breath and then added with grim finality, "So get lost, pal. Or I'll personally make your life the same nightmare you've been making Anna and Robert's."

Duke pursed his lips. He didn't doubt it for a moment. A bead of cold sweat trickled down his spine.

"Do we understand each other?" Sean pressed.

Duke nodded, the taste of defeat bitter in his mouth. "Yeah, loud and clear."