Chapter 10
Sean was pacing in his shipping office, he couldn't relax at all today. Robert had been fiddling with the ring box again this morning while they ate breakfast. He's had that damn ring for a while now why hasn't he asked Anna to marry him yet? They both say they are getting married so what's stopping him? Sean knew that's what's bothering him today. Sean was worried he knew what was holding Robert back and if he was right then it's his fault. Sean let out a long breath, as he ran his hand through his hair.
After another lap of his office, Sean stopped. He has to do it, he has to tell them. Sean walked around his desk and pulled a small pouch out of his top drawer. The coins inside jingled as he shook it slightly, staring at it then thrust it into his pocket. They may never forgive him but he has to tell them what really happened.
Sean knew this had to be a private conversation so it couldn't be in any of their offices. He called both Robert and Anna and asked them to meet him at Bay 'C'. He knew they were both a little sceptical about meeting him there, he had heard it in both their voices.
…
Since he was in Port Charles, Duke decided to take care of a little business first thing in the morning. Once that was done Duke went down to the court building. After talking to Anna last night he needed to know if she had been telling him the truth. He knew there were ways for her to get what she wanted but he had hoped that if he had just refused her long enough she would change her mind. He knew he should have returned her calls but he was trying to keep his two worlds apart. The one world he came from, he had been used to, Jeromes and all that goes with them were a part of that world. The danger, the threats, the drama. What had he been thinking, even sleeping with Olivia? Then there was the world here, he thought he had found true happiness with Anna. They were going to be a family with Robin and maybe they would have had a child of their own one day. Why couldn't that still be the world he got to live in, the one where he was happy?
It felt like Duke had been waiting for hours when he finally got his answer. Yes, the paperwork to end his marriage to Anna Devane is currently being processed. He thanked them for their time then turned and left the building feeling defeated. It was true, she has left him. She is free to do whatever she wants now. To be with whoever she wants. Duke didn't think he had ever felt a pain like this before. He wandered off not knowing what he should do now.
…
When Robert saw Anna walk into Bay 'C' as he got there, a feeling of dread went through him. He had gotten a bad feeling as soon as Sean said to meet here, now seeing that Anna had been asked to be here as well he was starting to worry. What was this about?
Anna heard the door open and close behind her, she looked back to see Robert enter. She knew it, this is something related to their WSB days. Sean was the only other person there and he had asked them both here, so what did he have to say.
Robert stood beside Anna, "You've got us here. What's this about?"
"I need to talk to both of you. I think you've figured out why we're talking here." Sean reached into his pocket and put his hand around the pouch. "We've all done some terrible things in our past." He looked at Robert, "It was in the line of duty but the people's lives it affected don't see it that way." He looked over at Anna, he has to tell them, no matter how they react, they need to know the truth.
Anna glanced up at Robert, a confused look in her eyes. What was Sean getting at? Robert turned his head to look at her, wondering the same thing. With an arched brow, he looked over at Sean without turning his head.
Sean knew they were already suspicious about being here, he could feel in from both of them. "There are things we can't talk about, things other people can't know. Choices that we regret but the other outcomes were not acceptable."
"I can tell this is important but so far you aren't really making much sense," Anna said, wanting him to get out whatever it was.
"There are mistakes that haunt you for years." Sean paused, closing his eyes for a moment. "Or maybe it was a choice that cost someone their life," again he looked right at Robert. He knows Robert holds onto that sole churning guilt, his choice to protect Anna had cost The Swede his life. That was the kind of guilt Sean felt. "A choice that took away everything," he now looked over at Anna.
"Get on with it, Donely." Robert was getting tired of him beating around the bush.
"I had no idea what I had actually taken away. Years later to still be seeing the aftermath. The struggle just to forgive. Oh the love was always there, from the very beginning, but forgiveness, that did not come easily. Willingness to listen, to understand." Anna took Robert's hand, this was sounding much too familiar. "I witnessed something beautiful not quite a year ago. A little family whose lives were in danger all holding each other. Safely hidden away, they held each other, finding peace in the arms of the people they love the most."
Sean could picture Robin asleep, her head on Anna's lap, her arms around her. Robert holding Anna close, his chin on her shoulder, stroking Robin's hair. That was the night he started to understand what he had actually taken away from them. The man that had been standing beside Sean never would have known Anna if Sean hadn't interfered.
Robert turned his body towards Anna, still holding her hand. He was rocking slightly on the balls of his feet. Anna put her free hand on his chest, he is talking about them. Sean is talking about something he did, to them. They both knew it and neither one knew if they were ready to hear what he had to say.
Sean pulled his hand out of his pocket, tossing the pouch onto a nearby crate. As it landed it opened and a few silver coins slid out. Robert and Anna instantly understood. They didn't need to see them all, to know there were thirty pieces. Betrayal. They looked at each other, then slowly turned to look at Sean.
"I am truly happy that you two have found your way back to each other but there is something I need to tell you. Something you should have known a long time ago. Well, it's something that never should have happened." Sean shook his head, hating himself a little at the moment. "I can't let you enter into another marriage with this hanging over your heads."
This was starting to worry Anna now. "What are you getting at Sean?" she asked.
"You need to know the truth. The Swede's not dead. I knew the truth, I knew it all." Sean threw his hand up in the air. "I knew about Anna, I knew you were married. I couldn't have that. I wanted my agents. I didn't care what you thought you felt about each other."
"What?" was all Robert could get out, he lowered his head, struggling to control his temper.
Anna put her hand on his shoulder and he turned his back, no longer able to look at Sean. "Why?" Anna stared at him in disbelief. "Why would you do that to us?" she demanded.
"I didn't understand how you truly felt about each other. I didn't understand the connection the two of you share. You two never should have broken up. If we hadn't interfered the two of you would still be married. Robin would have known her parents all along. I took that away. I made a deal and I made sure your marriage would end. I have always regretted that. I have watched you grow closer and closer since you came here. You two need each other. I didn't understand that. I am so sorry."
"You're sorry?" Robert asked bitterly as he turned back to his former boss. "What did you do?"
Sean had come here to tell them the truth so here it goes. "I made a deal so Anna was forced to take that last mission, the one I set you up to find out about. I wanted you to break up. I didn't want anyone hurt." As he said that, Robert touched the right side of Anna's face and looked into her eyes. Can Sean really be telling them this? Could that be true? Robert actually felt a little ill hearing this.
"You?" Anna started but she couldn't put a question together.
"I couldn't let you get married with that hanging over you. How could Robert not blame you for him sending an innocent man to his death because he couldn't let anything happen to the woman he loves?" Anna felt like he had slapped her, the sting from his comment catching her off guard. "I don't want there to be anything that could cause problems for you later. Scorpio, you hold people to a very high standard. I just wanted you to know Anna should be in a lot better standings with you."
Robert glared at the other man. "What the hell does that mean?"
"After she met you she only took one DVX assignment. She had told Faison she was done. He hated that she was refusing to work for him and was willing to make her pay as long as he got something out of the deal as well. I gave him a file he wanted and he happily agreed to do what it took to make sure you took one more assignment."
"Faison wanted to put a hit out on Robert!" Anna yelled. "He was going to kill my husband!"
"It did what I wanted. You took the assignment." Anna slapped him, hard across the cheek. After a moment he said, "I had no idea what I was taking away from you. I had no idea the kind of love you share even existed. There is a connection there that has never gone away. The two of you, whatever that is, it has always been there. I cost you more than I ever could have imagined all because I wanted you to follow the rules because I couldn't let you leave."
"You let me believe the worst of her. You let me beat myself up about what had happened, telling me I can't trust anyone. That our hearts should never lead the way. That they should never be part of the mission."
"Mission!" Anna muttered bitterly.
"I had to tell you that. I couldn't take back what I had done, I didn't know where Anna had disappeared to. You were angry but at least I still had you as an agent," Sean admitted.
Robert shook his head in disbelief as he ran his hand across his face. The Swede isn't dead. Anna had only had to take that last mission because Sean set it up. He was floored by this information. He turned and walked away from the other two.
Anna watched him then turned back to Sean. She put her fist to her mouth then pointed at Sean, "Do you understand the pain you put us through?"
"I had a child, for years," Robert was walking towards Sean now. "Seven years I didn't know I was a father!"
"I'm sorry. I was a selfish bastard and destroyed your family."
Robert shook his head, he couldn't listen to this any longer. "What right did you have?" He was really struggling not to hit the man in front of him. Robert glared at Sean as he clenched his fists. "It's our life!" Robert was too upset to stay here any longer, he turned and left the warehouse.
Anna was left standing there, her hands over her mouth. Slowly sliding them down her face, "I don't even know what to say to you."
"I'm so sorry, Anna."
She held up her hand, "Don't! Just don't!"
He lowered his head, staying quiet for a moment. "I want you to have the chance I took away from you. You needed to know the truth." Anna nodded then turned and left as well. She had heard him out but now she didn't even know what to think. For ten years he had kept that secret from them. Ten years, Anna thought as she walked off down the docks.
...
When Anna got home that evening she was still lost in thought. So much was going through her head now, she had no idea how long she had walked for then slowly she had made her way back to her car. She checked the time as she walked into the kitchen, it was just after seven. Olin was tidying as Robin worked on her homework. "Hi," Anna walked over and hugged Robin and kissed the top of her head. "Did your father call today?"
"No, I don't think so."
Anna looked over at Olin, "Nope, the Commish hasn't checked in today."
"Alright." She hadn't really expected him to have called.
"Did you eat? I have a plate ready for you." Olin told her.
"Yeah, I should eat something," Anna said, then sat down at the table. Robin looked over at Olin, who waved her hand, as if to say, let it go for now. It wasn't hard to tell that there was something on Anna's mind but neither of them wanted to ask what it was. When Anna's supper was warmed up Robin brought it over for her then they left her alone.
Anna absentmindedly ate the food in front of her. It was close to eight when she got up and went up to her room. She went and had a long shower, still unable to accept what Sean had told them earlier. Could her and Robert have been together all this time? She was out of the shower, drying her hair when she decided to call Robert. She called Sean's penthouse and Tiffany answered. "Hi Tiff, is Robert there?"
"No, he hasn't been here all evening."
"Oh, I guess a case must have him working late." Anna didn't think that was what it was at all but didn't want to let on something might be off. "Is Sean there?"
"He's in some kind of mood and is hardly talking to me. I can get him," Tiffany offered.
"No, that's alright. It can wait until tomorrow." Anna didn't have anything to say to Sean.
"I will let Robert know you called."
"Thanks, Tiff. Talk to you later, bye." Anna hung up, she was not in the mood to make conversation. Still feeling so confused she got ready for bed. It didn't surprise her that she hadn't heard from Robert, he'd be feeling the same way she is and he might still be wandering trying to make sense of what Sean had admitted.
...
When Anna got to the office the following day she was glad to hear Sean wasn't going to be in today. She wasn't ready to face him, she didn't know what she would even say to him. After talking to Felicia briefly she went into her office, hopefully, Robert will call or pop over sometime today. She hadn't slept all that well the night before and she just wanted to know he was alright. It would just help her feel a little more at ease.
Anna didn't know if she was going to actually get any work done today but she wanted to try. Maybe it would distract her from what's been going on in her head. Anna decided to try calling Robert, he should be at the station by now. That was what she needed, she just needed to talk to him.
…
Robert woke up late, he knew he should be at the office already but it had been close to three in the morning when he had gotten here. He stretched and looked around, sleeping on the couch in their offices wasn't how he thought he'd spend his first night in their house but he just couldn't go back to his place last night.
He was fairly certain Anna and Robin already would have left for the day so he walked out into the living room. "Olin," he called, not wanting to startle the poor woman if she was here.
Olin walked out of the kitchen, "Oh hey, Commish. When did you get here?"
"Very early this morning. I just wanted to let you know I'm here. I'm heading up to have a shower, before getting ready for work."
Olin took in Robert's rumbled appearance, it was clear he had slept in his clothes. "Do you want me to make you breakfast?"
"Oh, that would be great. Thanks, Olin." Then he went up the stairs, Olin walked over and peeked into the office. There were a pillow and blanket folded and piled on the couch. She wasn't sure what was going on but she didn't think Anna knew Robert was here, she hadn't said anything if she did.
After the shower Robert felt a little better, he hadn't really slept much but at least he got some rest. He went and got one of the suits he had there already. As he got dressed he started thinking about what had happened the day before. About what Sean had told them. The anger he had felt the day before was still there but it wasn't the strongest emotion now. Loss, terrible loss was what he now felt. Standing in their bedroom, well what will be their bedroom it finally really hit him. This is what Sean took away from them. He was standing in the middle of their bedroom, in their house but it wasn't theirs yet. It should be, but Sean had taken the last ten years away from them.
No, he can't start thinking like that again, he has to focus, get on with the day. Maybe stop by to see Anna on his way to the office. He checked his watch, well maybe it will be later that afternoon that he stops in to see her. He'll call her when he gets to the office.
…
Robert hadn't been at the office when she had called and Anna had stepped out when he had called her but it made Anna feel better just knowing he had called. When she had talked to Olin, she had told Anna about seeing Robert that morning. The fact he had been at their place last night was what had made her relax the most. Robert might still be upset but at least he had somewhere to stay, she wondered what time he had gotten there. It must have been late if he hadn't bothered waking her.
There wasn't much keeping her busy this afternoon now that she had wrapped up the case she had been working on so she told Felicia she was going to leave a little early today. Anna thought a walk to clear her head on her way to see Robert was just the thing she needed. As she walked Anna let her mind wander, she wanted to think about what was happening now, not what Sean had done. They are getting ready to have a life together, very soon that will be their life. A new baby on the way, a wedding. She was smiling thinking about getting to watch Robert with their baby.
"Anna."
Hearing her name Anna slowly looked over to who had spoken, it took a moment for her to come back to reality. "Duke," she said, sounding a little surprised. " I wasn't expecting to see you."
"I haven't gone back to the city yet. Can we talk?"
She wanted to talk to Robert, that was where she was headed. "Yes, I have a few minutes."
"I know that you weren't lying the other day. I know we are divorced now."
"Yes, we are."
"Anna, I love you. I want to be with you."
"Then you should have made different choices. No that's not it either. It never should have happened." As she was speaking Duke watched her face, it was like she was working out a puzzle, realizing things as she spoke. "We never would have met."
"What are you saying? Now you wish you'd never met me?"
"I mean, I shouldn't have been single. I might have been at that policemen's ball. We might have ended up here, who knows." As she spoke Anna started to drift into her own thoughts. "We could have ended up anywhere."
Duke grabbed her arm. "What are you talking about?"
"We found out something yesterday." Again she got caught up in her thoughts, a smile formed on her lips as she thought about what could have been.
"Anna!" He shook her by the arm slightly.
She looked back at him then pulled her arm free, "What?"
"You aren't making much sense today."
"I have a lot on my mind. I am actually on my way somewhere."
"Anna, I want to talk to you."
"About what? I left you, our marriage is over and I am moving on with my life. I know you aren't happy about that because that is not what you wanted but that's the way it is."
"I know we could make it work between us if you would just give me a chance."
"No, we couldn't. Duke, I think I knew it wasn't going to work between us even before I asked for the separation. I think I knew I wanted something different."
"Someone different," he said bitterly.
"I guess that's correct." She looked at Duke and could tell he was annoyed but she didn't care today. "I wanted what was taken away. I wanted what should have always been."
"You told me some of what happened then. He walked out on you, what's to stop him from doing that this time? I would never leave you."
"That never should have happened," she said with a smug look. She knows it's true if they had been left alone, Anna knows she and Robert would still be together.
He grabbed her by the arms, "You are acting like none of it matters. You think this time it will be perfect." He shook her as he spoke, his face right in her. "He will hurt you again. He will leave you!" Suddenly Duke was pulled away from Anna. The fist that connected with his chin sent him to the ground.
"Do not touch her!" Robert glared down at the other man. "Never touch her again!" Anna was now beside him, touching his chest. Robert looked over at her and all the anger he was feeling towards Lavery faded away. "They took you away last time, no one takes this away ever again."
Anna touched his face and smiled up at him, "We would still have been together, I know we would have been." He nodded then leaned in and they kissed tenderly.
Robert was surprised when he was hit hard in the side, Anna stumbled slightly but he kept her from falling. It had felt more like a shoulder than a fist. He looked over and Duke was standing there ready for a fight. "You think you can just take my place in her life? I am not giving up on our marriage." The anger in his eyes, Robert knew Duke wanted to fight him.
"The marriage is over!" Anna insisted.
"No! Scorpio does not just get to decide he wants you back so you run off with him." Seeing them kiss had set him off, he wanted to hurt Robert now.
Robert stepped closer to Duke. "You only got to know her because some bastards took away our life together!"
"What is that supposed to mean?" Duke puffed out his chest ready for the fight.
"It means our marriage never should have ended. It means we never should have gotten a divorce. It means you never would have met my wife, never mind have any kind of relationship with her."
Scorpio is now sounding like Anna had before he showed up, what are they talking about? "You're nuts, now you want to change the past. Make-believe you and Anna have been together all this time," Duke accused. Oh, how he wanted to punch that man square in the face.
"I'm not pretending anything. I'm stating facts. Two bastards destroyed our marriage. We never should have been apart and you never would have met Anna!" Duke took a swing at him but Robert saw it coming and blocked it. "I don't want to fight you!" As upset as Robert is, he knew Duke was not the man he was angry at. Duke should be mad at him but Duke really should not be pushing him today.
"Well, I want to hit you," Duke shot back.
"You're not the one I'm mad at." Again Duke took a swing, Robert mostly blocked it and Duke lightly hit him in the side. "Lavery, don't do this."
Duke lunged at Robert, they stumbled backwards then slammed into a wall. Robert grunting as the air was knocked out of him. Duke connected with his chin when he took a swing this time. Robert quickly blocked the next punch then pushed Duke away from him. Anna was yelling for Duke to stop but he wouldn't. He launched himself at Robert again, this time he was met by a fist to the gut, doubling over. An uppercut stood him up again as blood came from his split lip.
"What the hell is going on here?"
Without even thinking about it, Robert stepped over and punched him hard. Sending the man to the ground, blood already coming out of his nose. Robert glared at him, rage on his face, then he turned and walked away.
Anna stared after him, then turned to the other two men, both of which had blood on their faces. She pointed at Duke, "He did not want to fight you. You asked for it." Then she turned to Sean who was slowly standing up. "You!" she pointed, "You deserve a lot more."
"Anna, I'm sorry. How is he, how are you?"
"I think he's angry! This right here, this fight. That was the first time I've seen him since he walked out yesterday."
"I'm sorry Anna, I truly am."
"Save it." Then Anna turned and walked off in the direction that Robert had gone.
Duke had no idea what was going on. It seemed like both Anna and Robert were angry at Sean. Were Anna and Robert fighting as well? They had kissed but Anna said he walked out, had they gotten into a fight? No, they were both talking about how they should have always been together. What was going on here? Duke looked over at Sean who was wiping the blood off his face. What had he done to them? Could there be a way for him to win Anna back if she is fighting with Robert?
"If I was you, I wouldn't try starting any fights with Robert anytime soon. It's not you, he wants to hurt so don't push him or he will." Then Sean turned and walked away as well leaving Duke there wondering what was going on.