She opens the door slowly and sees him lying on the couch with a pillow and a blanket. The television is on, but his arm is across his eyes. She comes through the door fully and just looks at him while he still doesn't notice her.
"What are you doing?" she asks suddenly and with an accusatory tone that he at first doesn't pick up on until he sees her face.
"I'm giving you space as per your request." He replies.
"That's not what I mean. What are you up to Robert? And don't even try to lie to me." She says still standing at the end of the couch, not approaching him. Now it's his turn to be stunned. He has no idea what she's talking about and is in no mood to try to guess what he's done wrong this time.
"Anna, just tell me what you're talking about, I'm too tired to play twenty questions." He says sitting up and rubbing his face with both hands.
He's so infuriating she thinks to herself. His first defense has always been condescension and dismissal.
"Fine, then I just want the truth. Are you involved in something that you are not telling me about and is there a chance that you will not be back?"
He takes his hands away from his face and looks at her like she's lost her mind. "What? What are you talking about?"
For the first time she sees his face and she sees the deep sadness reflected in his eyes. She thinks she may have misread the situation once again.
"Robert, I just want to know that when you walk through that door tomorrow, that it won't be the last time we see you."
He is now even more confused. He just left her upstairs less than 30 minutes ago, what could possibly have happened since then?
"Love, I honestly have no idea what you're talking about, nothing has happened since I last saw you." He says with sarcasm and a chuckle.
"Robert, STOP. This isn't funny, what is going on?" She says with seriousness and emotion. He realizes that she is very upset and he knows she deserves better than his sarcasm.
"Anna, I don't know what's going on in that beautiful head of yours but I can tell you nothing is going on with me that you don't know about. And to answer your question, yes I am coming back home as soon as this is all over, I promise you that." He says. There is intense sadness in his voice and in the way that he looks at her. She knows now she did jump to conclusions and didn't give him the benefit of the doubt again.
"I'm sorry." She says in defeat.
"For what? Anna, what's going on?" He asks still confused by the whole conversation.
"Nothing, nothing. Let's forget it. This is the one and only time when you are allowed to blame my hormones. Deal?" She says sitting next to him on the couch trying desperately to fix the mood she has created over the last hour.
He laughs slightly, "I'll take that deal. Seriously though its not you, its this whole horrible situation. Are you okay? Stupid question to ask I know with everything going on, but I need to know Anna. Just say the word and I'm not doing this." He asks gently grabbing her hand. With her outburst before in the living room and the strange conversation they just had he is beginning to wonder if maybe the stress is getting too much for her.
"Robert, I'm not going to lie to you. I hate this whole wretched situation. I hate that you have to leave our home tomorrow and it doesn't matter if you're five miles away or five hundred miles, I hate it. I hate that our family is once again in danger and that we have to have armed guards around the clock. I hate that you won't be able to kiss our children goodnight and that you won't be lying next to me at night for the foreseeable future. But I know this has to be done. We have to end this all once and for all. I love our family with all my heart Robert and I'm desperately in love with you. But please respect me enough to not hide things from me. I don't want to waste another moment tonight arguing." She says as she places her hands on his face and kisses him gently.
"I love you Anna. I promise you with everything I am, I'm not hiding anything from you. Please believe that." He says as if trying to convince her. "I know." She responds on a whisper.
Donely Penthouse, Port Charles 10:45 PM
"Luke. Is something wrong?" Sean asks seeing Luke standing at his door at the late hour.
"Mind if I come in?"
Sean steps aside to let him in.
"Listen, I'll make this quick but I want you to hear me out first before you say anything." Luke says turning to look at Sean. "This plan that you have all concocted using Robert to get to Holly is not going to work and I'll tell you why. She's not going to buy it. There is no way she is going to believe that Robert would forgive her for what she has done to him and his family. She knows, like I do, that he does not forgive betrayals especially when it endangers people he cares about. She is not going to confide anything to him. Sure she might buy that he is interested in her again and will take advantage of that, but she will not reveal what she has done. She will continue to lie to keep him in her life and to keep him close to her, but that's it and you know it as well as I do."
Sean bows his head because he knows and has somehow always known that Luke is right about this and that this whole plan was a pipe dream. A bad plan that could turn deadly if Holly is backed into a corner and realizes she has been played. He remembers Tiffany's description of her reaction to Anna a couple of weeks ago in the restaurant.
"I agree, but what other choice do we have at this point? The Cartel and the families involved in this entire operation are in hiding, she is the only one that we have access to who can lead us to them right now and we are running out of time if we haven't already. The reading of the Faison's will is scheduled for a month from today, if we don't flush them out before then, the entire Scorpio family is as good as dead." Sean states, trying not to raise his voice.
"I know, but I also know something you don't, something that no one else knows." Luke says noticing the expression on Sean's face continues to remain neutral. "Go on." Sean says as both men continue to stand facing each other.
Luke turns from Sean's scrutiny as he gathers himself to reveal his best kept secret to date.
"About five years ago, I ran into Holly in Singapore. It was a very desperate time in my life, I was on the run from Frank Smith trying to get my family out of South America. I was injured pretty badly and well Holly took care of me and basically nursed me back to health. I'm not proud of this Sean, it's a period of my life I want to forget actually. I'm sure I don't need to explain what happened between us but it happened and I can't change it." He finally turns to look at Sean who has not said a word. Sean's face still does not reveal what he's thinking and its unsettles Luke to some degree.
"The reason I am telling you this is because Holly did confide in me and did reveal some information that in retrospect now is vital to what you all have been trying to figure out. In total we had spent about three weeks together, most of the time I was recuperating and not really coherent, but I do remember her telling me that her life was a mess and that she could never go back to what she once had. I had asked her about Robert and their marriage, their life in Australia. She told me that she had made bad decisions and bad mistakes that she could not ever take back and that Robert would never forgive her for what she has done and for what she was involved with at that time. She begged me to promise her to not reveal to anyone where she was and that I had seen her, she said her life depended on it. I promised her Sean and in making that promise, I betrayed the best friend I ever had." He pauses to gather himself to continue.
"After returning to the States with Laura and Lucky some months later and after our lives had settled down, I had finally contacted Robert. He told me about Holly's death in a plane crash, but I knew the timeline didn't gel but I never revealed anything to him. Whatever she was involved with at that time, was strong enough to keep her from Robert and destroy their marriage. That alone spoke volumes to me and does more so now. I don't know if she is a willing participant in any of this Sean, but I do know she will never reveal anything to Robert now or ever."
Sean sits down heavily after Luke finishes his last sentence. He knows this wasn't easy for him to do, but he also knows for him to reveal something like this he must take his warnings seriously. He doesn't know Luke very well, but he does know that they are more alike than they are with Robert or even Frisco for that matter. With both, everything is black or white, right or wrong. There is no grey area when it comes to ethics and morality. With him and Luke and even Anna, ethics can become a casualty at certain times.
"I have another plan and I think it will work." Luke says suddenly. Luke proceeds to detail his plan to Sean. "Can you do it?" Sean asks.
"Yes, she has confided in me before many times and I think more than anything she needs to feel someone is in her corner." Luke says.
"What about Robert? She's in love with him, there is no doubt about that, she wants him back and I believe at all costs. How does that figure in all of this?" Sean asks.
"I don't think that plays into this. If I know her and I'm pretty sure I do, she needs someone to confide in and if I can convince her that Robert will forgive her regardless of everything, we might be able to not only keep her from harming his family, but also get her to reveal the information we need before anything happens." Luke responds.
"I wish you told me this sooner, you know that Robert plans to check into a hotel tomorrow." Sean says. Luke is surprised.
"So does this mean you agree with my plan?" He asks Sean.
"Yes, what choice do I have? Honestly I was less than convinced Robert could pull this off and I was not at all thrilled with him leaving his family unprotected and vulnerable." He responds.
"Call him now"
"Now? Luke it's almost midnight."
"Call his private line, knowing him he is probably pacing the floors anyway and there's a good chance he'll hear it. I don't want him to leave that house tomorrow. With the Cassadines involved, no one is safe, especially with hundreds of millions at stake here." Luke responds.
"He's going to want a full explanation before he changes any plan." Sean adds.
"Too bad, he's going to have to accept the abridged version for now."
Scorpio House, Port Charles 11:50PM
She awakens to find him sitting up on the edge of the bed. In the moonlight she can sense from his posture that he is too distressed and anxious to sleep. When they were making love, he was very emotional, and it bothered her greatly because on some level she believes he thinks he might not come back. She reaches out her hand and caresses the small of his back.
"Robert, you need to sleep." She says quietly.
"I will Love, don't worry." He says turning to caress her arm. "Go back to sleep Anna, I'm just going downstairs for something to drink." He says leaning over to give her a gentle kiss.
She watches him as he grabs his robe and opens the door to their room. She sees the tension in him and knows the idea of leaving tomorrow is tearing him up inside but doesn't know how to make it easier for him. She sighs as she lies back against the pillow. As he descends to the bottom of the stairs, he hears the faint ring of the phone coming from the office. He knows immediately it's his secure line and heads for the office.
"Scorpio." He says as he answers.
"Robert its Sean, I have Luke here with me."
"What's wrong?"
"Robert, We have some new information that sheds a different light on everything. We will tell you all of it tomorrow, so don't ask any questions. The plan has changed regarding Holly. Based on this new information, you moving out is no longer necessary." Sean states bracing himself for the reply.
"What new information? What the hell is going on Sean?" Robert demands as quietly as he can.
"Robert, just trust us for tonight. We will contact you tomorrow, just listen to me for once and don't leave tomorrow." Robert is silent as he processes what Sean is telling him and not telling him.
"Is my family in immediate danger Sean? You have to tell me now."
"No, the threat level has not changed Robert. If it was anything like that, I would tell you immediately, you know that." Sean answers truthfully.
"Okay, okay. First thing tomorrow though, and I mean first thing." Robert says hanging up the phone. He hates being in the dark about anything. Sean and Luke, now there's an unholy alliance, he thinks.
"Who was that?" He hears suddenly from behind him and nearly jumps out of skin.
"I'm going to have to put a bell on you." He says turning to look at her. She smiles very faintly and waits for his answer. He momentarily debates telling her the complete truth, but decides it would be for the best.
"It was Sean, he and Luke came across some new information tonight and apparently it seems the plan regarding Holly has changed as a result." He states in a monotone voice looking away from her as he processes this information as well.
"What does that mean?" She asks equally confused.
"Not really sure as far as the big picture, they said they would fill me in on the details tomorrow. But he did state that my leaving tomorrow is no longer necessary." He says looking at her with a slight smile. She sighs and closes her eyes briefly as if a huge weight has been taken off her shoulders. She knows that this new development could mean more trouble but knowing he will not be leaving their home tomorrow has brought her instant relief.
He sees and feels her reaction and for the first time since hanging up with Sean he allows himself to feel the relief as well.
"Sean and Luke working together and agreeing on something, not sure how I feel about that." He says with a slight chuckle.
"True, how scared should we be?" Anna says matching his smile.
"Not sure yet, we'll find out tomorrow when I talk to them first thing." Her smiles fades.
"You mean when WE talk to them."
"Anna, please." He says walking past her in frustration.
"Robert, this is not up for debate and for the hundredth time I might add. This is my family too and you promised not to shut me out." She states pointing her finger at him.
Sensing that she is primed for a knock-down drag out about this, he relents.
"Fine, alright. Tomorrow it is then. But I can't and will not promise anything past that. All my senses are on alert here and as I relieved as I am about not being under pressure to leave here tomorrow, something is telling me that this new development, whatever it is, brings more bad news." He says facing her and putting his hands in the pockets of his robe.
"I'm sure that whatever it is Robert, we will handle it together. It's when we do things on our own that we get into trouble. I have learned that lesson the hard way, haven't you by now?" She says walking to stand in front of him. He sighs heavily.
"You're right I know. However my overwhelming instinct to protect you constantly clouds my thinking. We always are at our best when we work together and among other things." He says with a wiggle of his eyebrows.
"Yes we are the best when we do things together." She says as she walks into his outstretched arms.
Donnelly Penthouse, 8am
Sean answers the door and invites Robert and Anna in. Luke is already sitting on the coach. Luke and Sean tell them both everything that has happened the past 5 years. Robert once again is near a meltdown as he hears this. He lashes out at Luke.
"When the fuck were you going to tell me all this. You have known she has been alive all this time?" Robert barks at him.
"No, I did not. When you told me the other day, I was shocked. I never thought the timelines gelled, But I just figured she died immediately after Singapore, because when I saw her in Singapore she never mentioned a plane crash. She just told me your marriage dissolved because of well….." Luke says looking at Anna. Robert controls his temper and sits next Anna. She takes hold of his hand knowing he has been betrayed again and she is not sure how he is going to handle this.
"So what's this plan of yours anyway?" Anna asks trying to get past this and get to the point of all of it.
Sean sighs knowing how much this revelation has hurt Robert, but he says, "Luke feels that he can get through to Holly and that she will take him into her confidence like she has before. We think the charade of you and Anna being at odds so quickly will not work. She is not a stupid woman as you know. However Luke will use her feelings for you against her and give her an indication that all might not be swell in your marriage and he will volunteer to help her out. We think she is in love with Robert but is more in love with the money. That maybe because of the families or because of her own wants. We just don't know yet." Sean finishes.
He can see the instant relief that appears on Anna's face. Robert has not revealed anything yet one way or the other. "Ok. I think it's a good plan. Lets just get this over with so I, we can get on with our lives." Anna responds. They continue to talk for an hour after. Robert and Anna agree not to appear in public together too often. Robert states as soon as Luke starts to execute his plan, he wants his brother to distance himself from Holly. He doesn't want to risk Holly taking any vengeance against him. They all agree.
When Robert and Anna go to leave, Luke takes Robert aside. "I know its too soon, but I hope we can get past this. We have been through worse." Luke says recalling and reminding Robert what he came back to in 1983. Robert realizes he's right on some level although very different situations. "We will get past it." He says to him without a side.
After leaving Sean's they went home and told Robin that Robert would not be leaving and she was completely thrilled. In fact she hugged Robert so tightly that they were both a little startled at her reaction. They realized that she was more worried and upset about him leaving than she let on. Anna had tears in her eyes looking at the two of them realizing how much they have put their daughter through over the course of her life.
By late afternoon, Robert and Anna decide to go out for a walk on the docks. They need some time alone to process everything. They walk along the docks and stand at the pier they have both visited many times over the years. They are holding hands as they look out onto the water.
"You know we'll get through this." She says looking at him wondering what his reaction is to what Luke told them this morning.
"I know that believe me. I just want this over with so we can get on with our lives." Robert says.
"Are you ok with what Luke said this morning. I know it was a shock to you." She says.
"Actually I'm more ok with it than I thought I would be. I'm so over all of it, that I really don't care what she did or has done because I have zero feelings for her except vengeance anymore. I'm more disappointed and hurt with Luke than anything else. But I'll get past it eventually. So much for trust." He says truthfully.
Although she would be afraid to admit, she is happy to hear him say that because right now she hates Holly more than she ever thought possible for what she has done to her family and what her actions have caused and could have caused.
"As long as we stick together, this will all be behind us soon. We have amazing friends and family that are helping us. Let's not forget that." She says.
"I know, believe me I know." He looks at her. Her smile is his only salvation he thinks with clarity. He kisses her sweetly. "I love you, ya know." He says.
"I know, but it's always nice to hear." She says smiling at him. She kisses him with passion.
"Ummm, hello." They hear suddenly and spring apart. "What are you doing here?" Robert asks wiping the lipstick from his mouth. "Well I was looking for you and Olin told me you were here." Frisco says smiling.
"Whats wrong?" Anna asks quickly seeing the look on his face.
Frisco sighs and says, "We just found out the will is being executed on Friday, they bumped up the timeline for some strange reason. There is no way to get you off of it. My feeling is that's why they accelerated the reading, so you would have zero time to get out of it remotely. So you will have to go into New York for the reading and disposition. I'm sure you already have a message when you get home." He says.
"We also found out that Faison has been the major source of funding for both the Cassadines and the Suttons. Without this money, they really have nothing left." Frisco says.
"You're saying is that if we can keep this money out of their hands, we have essentially annihilated them." Robert says.
"Yes that's exactly what I am saying, but its just makes the danger to you all so much worse." Frisco says.
"We have to do this then. I have to be there. I have to end this cabal once and for all." Anna says. They figured they would end up having to go, but now it's more important than ever. They have a back-up plan.
"Ok then we just execute plan b." She says.
"You know it's not as simple as that. From now until Friday, the danger is extreme for you and your family. They will want you. I have no doubt they will try to kidnap you in the next day and also attempt to kill Robert and your children. We need to execute the plan b scenario tonight." Frisco says.
They both know what that means. They will have to be separated from their children until then and Anna doesn't think she is ready for that especially with William. They both head back to the Scorpio house quickly. They call Sean and Tiffany and they come over. They tell Robin that she will be staying with them for the next few days.
When Robin goes up to pack Anna says, "I can't be separated from William he is still nursing and has not taken any formula we try to give him. I need more time." Robert knows what she is saying is true. They all look at each other. "Ok one more night, Anna that's all we can give." She agrees and goes upstairs.