The thought of working with Grant to resolve this case was appealing to Robert on many levels. First, they were both well-trained agents, which would be needed to outwit Sean, albeit Grant had only recently used his training for good instead of evil. He also needed someone he could trust more than the uneasy alliance he had made with Anna. He just couldn't trust her not to switch sides again. Second, obviously Jimmy Lee was not the only one that had an obsession with "the good life." What demon consumed Sean to jeopardize his reputation as a well-respected former bureau chief, not to mention a great friend and mentor, to stoop to grand theft larceny? One that had international implications to boot? He was glad Grant was already in Sean's confidence, if only as a co-conspirator, not one of the inner circle. And, as he was Alan's partner in the hospital ship venture, he might be able to obtain information on Jimmy Lee without arousing suspicion as Alan was usually clueless that he was being pumped for info. He was expecting Grant anytime now to discuss strategy over pizza and beer.
Holly awoke from a fitful sleep in which she had a recurring nightmare. Temporarily disoriented, she shook her head to clear the cobwebs. Even after a week since being kidnapped, she still had no clue where she was. She was in a dilapidated, railway car chained to a seat, while being held by two men. At least one of them treated her more kindly than the other. She tried to figure out where she was taken. She felt she was still in Port Charles, as the drive here didn't take that long, but she was in a wooded area nowhere near the rail station. Remembering the dream that haunted her, even in her waking hours, she felt a deep sense of despair. She was standing on the banks of a raging river. On the other bank she could see Robert, and heard him calling her name. She cried out to him that she needed him. He told her he would come to her as soon as he could get a bridge built. But regardless of how hard he tried, he was not able to span the gulf which separated them, which grew wider despite all his vain attempts. She knew he would never reach her. "Oh, Robert, I do need you! I pray you'll find me. I know that I asked that you not follow me, but I realize now that you exist in every fiber of my being. Come to me, my love," she sobbed uncontrollably.
"Thanks again, mate. I'm looking forward to finishing this treasure business. This is a good plan. I'm sure we can make it work," Robert told Grant as he was leaving. "No problem, Robert. I know with everything that has happened in my life these past few years, that people still don't trust that I've actually changed. Thanks for believing in me. I want to prove to the world that Andrei Chernin no longer exists. Then, I can get on with the rest of my life." Robert and Grant had a very productive strategy session tonight. While he felt sure that they'd be able to successfully corner Sean and Jimmy Lee, he was less hopeful he'd be reunited with Holly. Was Sean right? Did he just imagine smelling her perfume because the pain he felt was so fresh? He really didn't think so, but his mind could have been playing tricks on him. His body ached from missing her so. He thought he'd never again experience the despair he felt after she'd been kidnapped by the DVX, he was wrong. This feeling was ten times worse.
Feeling totally dejected and defeated, he was in the process of turning out the lights to go to bed, when the doorbell rang. He was not prepared to see who was on the other side when he opened the door. "Anna," he said coldly. "What are you doing here this late at night?" "Robert, can I come in? I need to talk to you." "You and I have nothing to say to one another outside this damn treasure hunt. Are you coming to twist the knife, Anna?" "No, Robert. I am truly sorry about you and Holly. You must believe that." "I can't believe a word out of your mouth. You came to Port Charles with the express purpose of destroying my marriage. Well, congratulations! You've succeeded! Just don't expect me to crawl into your bed. Framing Holly with those stolen statues didn't work. Instead of cutting your losses and crawling back under that rock you slithered from, you stayed. You had to know I would have buried the memory of those events seven years ago, that I'd never want to remember how you used me and an innocent man died." "Robert, I told you, they would have killed you if I didn't cooperate." "Well at least for that I can be grateful. I would have never experienced the love I had with Holly if you hadn't." Anna winced at his words, spoken as from a dead man. She had never seen anyone, least of all Robert, so empty. "I'll be so relieved to get this mess behind me so I can get out of this town and try to find a place I can start over. I'll never have to see you or think about you ever again." Robert said, flatly. "Robert, that's why I had to see you, that may not be possible. There's something you need to know." "Anna, I already told you, I don't want to see you ever again!" Robert exploded. "What makes you think that there would be ANYTHING that could make me ever want to be near you?" "We have a daughter."
