Chapter 12

After Robert left Anna decided to go for a walk she had a lot on her mind. It felt good to know that there were a few answers about what Cabot and Alex had done to her but there were still other questions that she knew still needed answers. She had plans to meet Felicia and Bobbie in a while at Kelly's but wanted to clear her head some before that. As she walked so saw someone else walking towards her that she knew was dealing with a lot at the moment because of their twin. "Hello, Kevin."

"Anna, hi."

"You look like you could use a friend."

"I don't know how many of those I have left."

"Well from one person who's twin is making their life very complicated to another. I know I could use someone to talk to that might understand even just a little."

Kevin gave her a little smile, "That's right, I did hear a little bit about that. I don't know if it's the same. I wanted to help my brother but instead, I got people killed."

"I also understand doing things for the people you love even if it's not the best idea. You know Kevin, in an odd way we're connected because of Cabot and what he did."

"This Dr. Cabot had something to do with why we all ended up temporally blind. Had you ever met him?"

"Apparently yes but I don't remember the first time we met. You met with him at least once right?"

"Yeah, he approached me about a research project but I wasn't interested." He noticed how Anna was looking at him. "That might not have been the only time I met him right?"

Anna shrugged a little, "Ryan was involved with the DVX for all those years. What if there was more to the request to meet you than just talking about his research?"

Kevin looked at her, considering what she had just said. "You think that they could have done something to me without me knowing."

"I now know that there are 4 memories of missions Alex did that I believed I had carried out," Anna told him.

"How did you figure that out?"

"It helps that I know a few people that can still find out about old cases. Robert found them and we were able to determine that three of the four I thought I had carried out I couldn't have because of when they happened and the forth was the one that Alex told me about. I guess I could have done that one but I feel like Alex told me that one just she wasn't technically lying to me."

"And you had no idea this was done to you?"

"None, I don't even know when it was done."

"I don't think I have any of Ryan's memories. We lead very different lives, I think I would know if there was a part of his life suddenly in my head and out of place."

"No covert spy ops that might just fade into another so you don't notice a few extra," Anna offered with a smile.

"No, I miss that day in medical school."

"Kevin, what if they tried to extract your memories and give them to Ryan without your knowledge?"

"Why?"

"If you can get intel from an enemy spy without them knowing you're doing it that would change the spy."

"Yeah, I hadn't even thought about it that way," Kevin admitted.

"Hear me out. I'm patient 1, Alex is 2. You and Ryan are 3 and 4. Drew and Jason 5 and 6. With me, they put memories in my head without me knowing. They did it so completely with Drew they took his memory all away and then replaced them with Jason's. What if you and Ryan we're the second step, see if they could remove memories and not have the person know."

Kevin considered what she has said, "So it was an ongoing experiment that you and I were unwilling participants in? Wouldn't I have blank spaces if they took them? Wouldn't it be like I remember going to summer camp but then there was nothing until Christmas break."

"I don't know. Alex remembered what they had planted in my head as well. So I don't know that they would have to wipe that memory out of your head to give it to Ryan. Jason retained his memory."

"I wonder if that was how Ryan was able to slip into my life so easily, how he knew certain things."

"Anything is possible, he had everyone believing he was you for months and the people he didn't think he could fool he distanced himself from, like Laura."

"Thank god for that. The entire time I was locked up I was so worried that she would figure it out and he would kill her." Anna put her hand on his shoulder. "I don't know what's going to happen between her and I now, but at least her and Lulu are alright."

"Only time will tell."

Kevin smiled and gave her a little nod, "So do you think it was only those few missions that Alex did, that they planted in your head?"

Anna took a moment to answer, "I don't know. I'm starting to believe that there is at least one more. That's what's on my mind because if I'm right then I think I really hurt someone that I have already hurt too many times in the past. If I'm right about this memory he's been holding onto this pain for over a year and hasn't said a word to me about it."

"I get the feeling when you say he you don't mean Finn."

"No, as far as I know, I haven't hurt Finn yet, not like this anyway." Kevin nodded understandingly. "I should be going I'm meeting a few friends at Kelly's. If you want to talk about anything you can come to me. We are kind of dealing with similar things. Thanks to our twins our lives are both full of uncertainty."

"Thank you, Anna. I'll keep that in mind."

...

Anna walked into Kelly's and smiled Bobbie and Felicia were there waiting. "Hi, sorry I'm late I was just talking to Kevin. He's feeling very alone and I know how that can feel." She looked at Felicia, "We don't have to talk about any of that." Then she joined them at their table.

"Good because I actually want to hear about Sean and how he is."

"How was your visit?" Bobbie asked.

"Good, for the most part. Sean at least knew he knew us most of the time. We got to have some fun reminiscing with him, telling Ann about the old days. Mornings are kind of iffy, he didn't always know us first thing in the morning so we would just kind of stay out of sight until around noon. We went for walks or out for breakfast just to give them time alone."

"Was he that bad in the morning?" Felicia asked.

"Confused, Sean knows what's happening and I think that scares him. He got very angry at Robert two mornings in a row. We're not really sure why but Robert Tiff and I all kind of feel he's worried about losing his family and saw Robert as someone that might take them away."

"So that was why he was angry?"Felicia asked.

"We think so. Oh, and it was easiest for us to let him believe Robert and I are still together. I don't know but he might ask you about Frisco and why you're there with Mac instead."

"OK," Felicia let that sink in, "I did say I wanted to know what to expect, so thank you." They talked a little longer about her trip then Bobbie started telling them about preparations for the Nurses Ball. Then they moved on to talking about their families. As they were talking Finn came in and joined them. He didn't say much, just sat and listened to them.

"Oh look who's here," Bobbie said with a big grin and stood up. "Hi, I like getting to see you more lately."

"I like seeing you too," Robert said as he gave her a hug. "Run away with me and we can see each other all the time."

Bobbie smiled up at him still in his arms, "We are both single but how can I love a man that's always going off the save the world?" she asked with a big smile.

"You telling me no?"

Bobbie was grinning as she stepped out of their hug, "I am."

"Devane and the Scot had the tango but we'll always have disco," he told her with a grin.

"My disco king, I will always be your queen." Robert put his hand on Anna's shoulder, gave it a little squeeze, then pulled up a chair and sat down beside Felicia, "You look wonderful," he leaned in and kissed Felicia's cheek.

"Hi Robert, how is my favourite brother-in-law?"

"I'm good. Wait aren't I your only brother-in-law?"

Felicia smiled, "That is true, but you're still my favourite."

"Oh good," he smiled back at her, putting his arm around her. "What are we up to?"

"You and Finn have now both crashed our girl talk."

"Oh, girl talk really? Like what, men? We can't talk about Finn he's right there. My brother, is he being good? No, I know we can talk about Bobbie and her many admirers," he said with a big grin making the women all laugh.

"My many admirers are waiting for me out there somewhere and I think I should be leaving, maybe I'll pump into one." Bobbie stood up and put her hand on Robert's shoulder, "You are taking me out at least once while you're here."

"With pleasure." Bobbie leaned in and kissed his cheek. "Bye," she said to them all then left.

They talked a little longer and Finn couldn't help notice that these women all seemed to just love Robert and how he would flirt just a little with them all.

Eventually, Felicia checked the time, "I actually should be leaving now as well."

Robert looked at the other two, "Well I'm sure you don't want me here, I guess I'll take off as well. I kept her away from you long enough."

"Robert, can you wait just a little?" Anna asked.

He looked over at her, maybe there was more to talk about from this morning. "Sure Luv." He turned back to Felicia, "Tell Mac to give me a call."

"I will see you all later," then she left as well.

Finn didn't understand why Robert felt the need to call her that in front of him. "Was this something you two need to talk about alone?" he asked.

"No, I just needed Robert to hear this as well." Anna took a deep breath, "I didn't get to tell you this yet but this morning Robert and I were able to determine there are at least four of Alex's memories that I have." Finn nodded then looked over at Robert, fine he had known they were going to be talking this morning. "I think there is at least one more," she continued glancing at Robert wondering if he might already know what she means. "There were memories that didn't fit into my personal timeline so that's how we were able to determine they weren't mine."

"Alright, like what kind of things?" Finn asked.

"Missions similar to the one Alex told me about."

"So nothing life-changing, that's good right. You were just an early test subject then."

"Let her get it out," Robert said understanding Anna was struggling a bit to tell them what she was thinking.

"Not what Robert was able to discover, they weren't. This one is different."

"Oh, so you have a specific memory in mind?" Finn asked.

"I do. Um, I think I believe something that can't be true."

"What is it?" Finn pressured her.

Anna looked down at her hands then back up at them, "What if I'm wrong about being," she looked at Robert, "Peter's mom?"

"Why would you think that? You told me that was your darkest secret." Finn reached out for her hand, "Anna do you really believe that? You have been trying to build a relationship with him now you're suggesting that he might not be your son."

"I had no idea what memories were hers and a few missions don't mean anything. It was her sight we were threatening to keep from her. If that's all it was wouldn't Alex have just told me about them with no fuss?"

"Yeah but Anna you talking about your son."

"Am I?" she pulled her hand away from his.

"When you told me about that I could tell it was very hard for you."

"I know."

"Anna think about what you're saying."

"Would you let her speak? Can't you see this is hard for her to even consider?" Robert cut in.

"Oh, that's right because you know her so well."

"He's right. I have held onto this secret for a long time," Anna said quietly.

"Yeah, since Peter was born."

"Finn you have to let me get this out."

"Do you really think that could be something Alex would have done?" Finn asked. "What could even make you think that?"

Anna was quiet for a full minute, both men watching her as she looked down trying to figure out what to say next. "Harbour bells," she said quietly. Robert touched her hand and she glanced up at him. He could see the sadness in her eyes but understood what she had just told him. That was all the explanation he needed and he nodded that he understood.

"What? What does that even mean?"

"It means I have my reasons to feel this way. Finn, can you just accept that?" she looked over at him.

Looking into her eyes he could tell just how hard this was for her. "Yeah, alright. So now what you just go up to him and say hey you might not be my kid?"

"I will handle it and you can be sure I will be more eloquent than that."

"Why did you tell us now? Shouldn't this be something you talk to Peter about?"

"Wow, you are dumb. She struggled just to tell us about this and you think she can just walk up to that man and say hey let's go get matching DNA test, see happens."

"You know I am really tired of you," Finn started.

"What? Calling you out on your stupidity. Anna, I know this isn't easy and you realizing that this is a possibility is a lot to deal with. I'm around if you need to talk. Oh, don't forget Robin and our grandkids will be here in three days." Robert patted her hand then stood up and left he knew he had to give them time to talk. Anna smiled and watched him leave. Robert had wanted to pull her into his arms and let her know he's here for her but she is with Finn and he was sitting right there. Hopefully, he's at least smart enough to do what Anna needs from him now Robert thought as he walked away.