Chapter Four

Her head slammed into the watery grave once more, her breathing excruciatingly painful. With every second that passed, her lungs burned, her heart slowed down and every muscle in her ached in desperation. She could see his face even when she felt trapped in a world where there was only darkness and no means for escape.

When she could not breathe, she felt his strength telling her to keep fighting against the current. When she thought for sure that she would rather die than face another form of torture, she would hear his voice telling her how much he loves her. She focused on his handsome face every time her tormentor tried to pull her under…It was the only thing that kept her fighting against almost insurmountable odds.

"Robert," she cried. "I'm sorry Scorpio. Please…Please do not hate me. I love you so much."

The man grabbed a handful of her hair and roughly pulled her from the bucket of water.

"Who do you love," he demanded. She knew what he expected but she refused to give it to him.

"Robert. I am in love with Robert. You hear me Faison. It is Robert. Always Robert."

She spit in his face in an act of defiance. She knew why she was here. It was not just because the man was insane…It was because she refused to be turned.

"Why must you fight me Anna," he demanded, brushing his hand against her cheek. She bit him and he responded by slapping her across the face.

"Do you feel like a man now," she screamed. "You'll never be a man. You most certainly will never be the man I love. You could never be Robert. You are a monster."

"You will show some respect," he retorts, throwing her roughly against the wall. She did not care.

"I will never be your victim. You can do your worst, but I will never be your informant. I will never be your anything."

"We'll see about that," he retorts, as he comes menacingly towards her.

She jolts up in bed, sweat streaming down her cheeks, her screams deafening.

For a moment, she is unsure where she is and then his arms come around her and he is rubbing her back and telling her that she is safe now.

"You had a nightmare," he says. "Do you want to talk about it?"

She nods her head so he just holds her. He knows what she was dreaming about and he wants so badly to take her pain away. He knows he can't.

"I hope you know you can talk to me Luv."

"I know," she whispers. "I am just not ready yet."

"I can accept that," he says.

They sit in silence for a few more minutes, Anna's head upon his shoulder. When she stops shaking, she pulls away from him and the doctor walks in.

"How is she," Robert asks.

"Physically she is going to be okay. Most of her injuries are superficial. It's the emotional damage that will take some time."

"What does that mean," Anna questions.

"You have some symptoms of PTSD. I am going to give you something that will help you feel less anxiety but I need you to promise that you will see someone. I cannot release you if you do not. This is serious. "

"Fine," she snaps. "If it will get me out of this damn bed, I don't have much of a choice."

"I'll go see about those release papers," the doctor states as he leaves the room.

There is silence after the doctor steps out but then Robert takes her hand into his. "Please don't fight me on this Luv. I need to know that you are taking care of yourself. I am not going to let you do this by yourself okay. I will be there whenever you need me. "

"Robert I…I can't okay. I do not have anywhere to go that does not remind me of you. You have another wife…another woman who is counting on you. I understand that but…what about my heart. How am I supposed to do this without you? You have been the center of my world since the first time I laid eyes on you…I just…I need a little time okay. Can you do that? Can you give me a little space to figure out how I am supposed to do this? I have spent seven years in captivity…I am not even sure what being free feels like anymore."

"I wish I could make this better for you…for us. Would you at least consider coming back with me to Port Charles? The thought that I could get you back after seven long years of thinking you were dead… and then to have you disappear from my life completely…Please don't do this Anna…don't shut me out. I might not have any clue what I am going to do about you and Holly but I need you in my life. I need to be able to see you and know that you are safe and alive. If you cannot do it for me then please…do it for yourself. How am I supposed to know what to do about my feelings for you, if you are not around to figure it out with?"

"I'm not even sure what that means Robert."

"I don't either okay. I am confused about so many things right now. I just know that I cannot imagine you not being a part of my life in some way. Please Anna. Don't go away again."

She grasps his hand and wipes the tears away from his face with her thumb. "I could never deny you anything. You are my greatest weakness and my greatest strength Robert Scorpio. If you want me to come to Port Charles with you…I can do that. I am just not sure what I can give you beyond that."

"That is fair. Maybe we can figure it out together."

"Maybe," she says. "After you talk to Holly. "

"How am I supposed to make her understand Anna? It was hard enough making you understand."

"If she loves you as much as I do then she will. If she does not understand then maybe she is not who you are meant to be with. Trust your heart Robert. Its what led you to me and I am sure to Holly. You know that I love you Scorpio. You just have to figure out what's right for you."

She kisses his cheek and smiles at him. "Let's go home Robert. "

He takes her hand in his and together they walk out the door. He does not know what the future holds for them romantically but he does know that what he has dreamed about for seven years finally came true...Anna...His Anna...Is Alive. Everything else pales in comparison to the relief of knowing that she survived.