Chapter 7

Robert woke up with Anna's head on his chest, she'd been restless but she had finally slept. Robert had watched her sleep for some time before finally letting himself drift off as well. Oh how he loved this woman, more then anything he wanted to keep her safe, she had been hurt too much already.

Anna knew Robert was already awake when she woke up but she didn't want to move. Maybe they could they stay like this all day, she didn't want to deal with anything or anyone today. Then Anna smiled, was she really thinking about spending the day in bed with Robert? She moved her hand along his bare chest, glad he'd taken his shirt off last night. Robert started stroking her back, then he tugged her top up to expose her back. His touch was so gentle, she wanted his hands on her. She wanted him. Robert lifted her chin with his other hand, he found her lips and kiss her softly. Robert was being so tender, and it just made her want him more. She moved closer to him, and the kiss intensified. After their talk last night she felt so close to him and wanted him completely.

Robert wanted to tear off her clothes, but he also wanted to make her feel cherished because she was. He was willing to wait to be with her, but something told him the wait might be over. She responded to his every touch and he could feel the hunger in her kiss, and it was driving him crazy with desire. She had removed her skirt at some time during the night, so he ran his hand down her bare thigh then gently pulled her leg across him, she went with it and was now straddling him and he held her close against him. The passion growing in their kiss. They had opened up to each other, now they both needed the other to share their passion.

What is that noise she thought? Then Anna realized her phone was ringing. Can't this wait, who would be calling her anyway? Whoever it was called right back when they didn't get an answer the first time. Finally pulling herself away from Robert, "Where is that damned thing?" Grabbing the phone off the nightstand Anna answered without looking to see who it was. "Is this important?"

"Well good morning to you too," it was Robin on the other end.

"Sorry sweety. Hi, it's just, um, I didn't sleep well last night."

"Is it dad, did he have another nightmare?" Robin sounded concerned.

"No he's fine, it was my turn for soul-baring last night," Anna admitted.

"Oh, is everything OK?" Robin asked.

"Yes, of course, it is. Why were you calling, it must have been important?" As she talked Robert's caressed her bare skin.

Robin noticed Anna's impatientness. "Oh right, Uncle Mac is worried about dad, he was trying to call him last night then again this morning but his phone is off, I told him you would have called if something had happened," Robin told her.

"He's fine," then Anna asked Robert "where's your phone?"

"Off downstairs, I didn't want to be disturbed while we talked," he told her.

"He turned it off," Anna passed on.

"Um yeah, I can hear him quite well. Getting carried away?" Robin joked.

"Trying."

"Mom!"

With a laugh, "You asked, tell Mac we're both fine. Talk to you later, bye"

"Bye," then they ended the call. Robert was grinning and Anna couldn't help but smile back.

"Are you trying to scar her, assuming I know what carried away means?" Robert said with a knowing grin.

"If she's going to keep asking I get to have fun bugging her," Anna grinned back.

"Oh is that all that was, because it sure felt like we were trying to get carried away," teased Robert.

"Make love to me Robert."

He hadn't expected her to say that, "Are you sure?"

"Yes"

When he kissed her everything else slipped away and there was only them in the world. They both needed this, to give themselves completely to each other. They removed what clothes were left, Robert let his hands roam over her body. There were a few places where he found a scar that hadn't been there before, and he would kiss each one as he found them. They took their time, caressing, touching tenderly. Soft moans of pleasure escaping their lips as they pleasured one another. They moved together so naturally, still knowing the other so well. Robert made sure she was very satisfied before they climaxed together, he knew he never wanted to be with another woman. After they laid intertwined, Anna knew this was where she belonged. Robert was always the one she should have been with. He had made her feel so loved, every touch had conveyed his love for her.

"That was amazing, I love you too," Anna told him.

"I didn't say it yet,"

Anna smiled at him "Yes you did, said it, showed me, made me feel it,"

"I do love you, Anna," Robert told her anyway. "Can I tell you something?"

"You can tell me anything, after the last few days you shouldn't have to ask."

"You're the last woman I made love to,"

"Oh, Robert I have a hard time believing that."

"I mean it. Yes, there were some sexual encounters after you had moved on but I was selfish. I was only looking for the release, I never stuck around, never got involved. It still felt like I was cheating on you. The last time I was a giving lover I was with you."

Anna didn't know what to say. "You said some, really nothing serious?

"Yes really, when I was in a really dark place and needed to feel like I was still human, but I would just felt cheap and dirty after. There were cases where I had to romance a few ladies, but even then I never tried to take them to bed."

"So what was that little game with Holly all about?" Anna asked.

"That was about one-upping Spencer, a competition," Robert admitted.

"Did I tell you I got those jewels," Anna said proudly.

"What? How on earth did you manage that?"

"When you dropped me off at the airport I didn't leave right away, I waited around to catch a flight on a chartered cargo plane. Holly sure was surprised when she saw me, even more so when I took the jewels and parachuted out of the plane," Anna told him smiling proudly.

"You didn't?" Robert was laughing with delight.

"Oh yes, I did."

"Come here you," Robert pulled her closer and kissed her just as her phone rang again.

Unhappily Anna picked up her phone then cuddled back in, it was Robin again, "Hello sweety."

"Hi, mom, sorry to bother you again. Can you please get dad to turn his phone on Uncle Mac is driving me nuts," Robin told her.

"Oh right, I forgot about that. Do you know what he wants?"

"I can ask him he's right here."

"Give me the phone," Robert said.

"On he's still that close then?" Robin said before Anna handed her phone to Robert.

"Yes, I am. Hi, sweetheart put Uncle Mac on the phone please."

She agreed and handed him the phone, "Hi Robby, I've been trying to call you, why's your phone still off?" Mac asked.

"Robin told us that earlier. I had more important things to handle here than talking to anyone on the phone." Robert told him.

"I needed to make sure Alcazar hadn't gotten his hands on you. You pick great people to piss off," said Mac.

"I just helped a woman get herself and her unborn child away from a dangerous situation. I wasn't trying to make enemies," Robert told him.

"Can you and Anna stay where you are for a couple days?" Mac asked.

"I think we have enough food for a couple days," Anna nodded they did, "yeah. Why what's going on?"

"I got a tip that he's called in a few men to get information out of you. I want a chance to pick them up before you come back here," Mac explained.

"Alcazar has brought in some heavies to come after me?" Robert was repeating it for Anna's benefit.

"Yeah, so stay put. Can I get a hint as to where you are, you know in case I want you to stay there longer and you need more supplies?"

"Yeah, piano lessons, and only the person that understands that can come here." Robert insisted.

"Piano lessons, what does that mean? Oh, never mind that smile says she already knows. Oh and Robby turn your phone back on will you mate," Mac handed the phone back to Robin.

"Hi dad, don't worry I'll leave you two alone for the next couple days, just let me know if you need anything. Can I talk to mom again?" she asked. Robert said bye then handed Anna the phone. "Sorry about calling again, I figured if dad's phone was still off you didn't want to be disturbed, but Uncle Mac just wasn't having it."

"Don't worry about it," Anna told her.

"I want to have a good long chat when I see you next. Enjoy yourselves. Bye, mom."

After saying goodbye Anna hung up. "I'm just going to make that call you already know I need to." While she was on the phone Robert went and got them something to eat. Robert got some strawberries out and washed them. Then he made some toast and poured them some juice. He even turned on his phone before heading back upstairs, leaving the phone where it had been, Mac just wanted it turned on. Anna had just finished her call when he came back into the room. "Well, I'm off the Alcazar case," Anna said when he came in.

"They took you off the case?"

"Yeah, they felt that I could be targeted as well as you, Alcazar already thinks I'm working with you. I asked to be put on leave because I have some important personal business I'm working on here."

"Did they agree?" Robert asked, then put down the tray and joined her on the bed.

"Yes, after I explained the commissioner here was the one that made me aware of the threat to you and possible myself. So now I have time to spend with Robin, maybe I can catch up with some old friends. Oh, maybe I can find a hobby to keep myself busy." Anna told him.

"Oh, really that's what you'll be doing. So am I an old friend, or maybe this hobby you're interested in?" Robert played alone.

"Well you are old," Anna told him playfully.

"I didn't hear any complaints earlier." Robert put his arms around her and laid back taking her with him. "As for hobbies I can think of fun ways to pass the time," then he kissed her.

"Oh, I'm sure you can. What did you find for us to eat?"

"I looked through the cupboards but I could find the ingredients for your famous breakfast in bed. So I thought I could feed you strawberries instead," he told her.

"Oh no, I was looking forwards to sardines and maple syrup," Anna said and they both laughed remembering the disgusting meal she had made for him while they were hiding out, and he'd pushed her out of the bed and said he wanted breakfast in bed. "Can I ask you something?"

"Like you told me earlier, you shouldn't have to ask. You can ask me anything."

Anna looked at him but didn't speak right away, she realized she was a little embarrassed by what she was going to say. "It never really crossed my mind tell you brought up that morning, but what would have happened if Duke hadn't walked in when he did?"

"You mean if we had been left all alone in a secluded cabin? Kind of like we are now, in bed with hardly any clothes on. I know there were thoughts going through my mind while I was trying to make you eat that nasty concoction. It was still innocent when he walked in but I'm not sure how much longer it would have stayed that way," Robert admitted. Over the years he had been tempted by her many times.

"It wasn't just me then. I wouldn't have admitted this back then, but if you had kissed me," Anna paused. "Duke would have walked in on a much different situation."

They talked while they ate, remembering some of the more interesting situations they'd found themselves in. After they'd finished eating they got up and had a shower together. When Robert suggested a walk down by the lake Anna agreed happily. It was going to be just them for the next two day and she was looking forward to every minute of it.

As the days past they talked more. Together they could talk about what they had lost, and what could have been. The fear they shared that at some point Faison could reappear in their life, they didn't believe for a minute he was dead. These were emotional conversations, but they weren't as draining as the first few had been. They were both able to give more details about what they had gone through. Anna told him all about Alex, and how their aunt had kidnapped her at birth. How she had been brainwashing Alex to replace Anna for years and how her aunt had actually been the one that she was in danger from when she was in Pine Valley. She also talked about the struggle she went through when she had tried to remember her life, then having to deal with all the pain that came with her memories. As happy as she had been to get her memory back, the pain that came with it had nearly broken her. Anna remembered the amazing life she had, her family and how happy they had been, then it was gone. The baby she lost while a prisoner, and how she had never even gotten to be excited, only scared for its safety and then the baby was gone as well. She explained how her emotions were almost out of control while she tried to accept everything she had remembered. Anna had to ask about Holly and if she and Robert were finally properly divorced. Robert has assured her they were, it was one of the first things he had talked to her about and insisted she signed the papers in front of him this time. When Robert told her about some of the things he had done, she was shocked. Like he had said the worst missions hadn't been for the WSB at all. They would lend him out to other organizations that requested his skills, and he would have to go along with it. On those missions, he knew there had been lots of collateral damage. They just wanted quick results and they didn't care who was hurt, Robert knew innocent life had been lost. Anna was sure that was why it had affected him so badly. Robert told her more about his injuries and the recovery he had gone through, he wouldn't have been able to swim if those agents hadn't pulled him out of the water. Robert told her part of the reason he had joined the medical rescue service was because of Robin, but he also did it as a way to pay for all the lives he had taken. When it all got too be too much they would go for walks, the sound of the waves or the peace and quiet of the woods clearing their minds. Their nights were spent making love.

...

"When did Robin say she was going to be coming out here today?" Robert asked as he looking in the fridge.

"She should be here anytime, I asked her to bring us something from Kelly's," Anna answered.

"Good, there's not much left here." Then Robert took her hand and lead Anna over to the couch. "I know a great way to pass the time."

"I bet you do," then Anna kissed him. "I'm not sure I want this to be over yet. What's the next step when we leave here?"

"I'd like nothing better than to just stay out here with you. We're together again but I don't know what comes next," Robert told her. Their conversation was interrupted when they heard the bell. "I bet that's our kid." Then he got up to answer the door. "Hello sweety," he greeted her and took the bags out of her hands, "There's a lot of food here."

"Hi dad, yeah there is, don't worry your lunch is in the car I just couldn't carry it all." Anna walked over to Robin, "Hi mom," then they hugged.

"Hi, sweetheart."

Robert put down the bags then headed for the door again, "Where are you going?" Robin asked.

"To get the rest of the stuff from your car," he told her.

"Not yet," then Robin went over and gave him a big hug, "I love you, daddy,"

His heart melted, Robert never thought he would hear her say that again, he hugged her a little tighter, "I love you more," then he let her go.

"I can't believe it's still here," Robin looked over at the piano she had spent so many hours at.

"Yeah, Kate said she does come here once in a while. I'm starving I'll be right back," then Robert left them alone.

"You two look happy, I take it things are going well,"

"Yeah, they are. We have talked about so much. I had no idea how much I needed to talk to someone as well," Anna admitted.

Robin was going to tell Anna she can always talk to her, but then she realized there are things a mother just can say to their child, and there are things Anna Devane can only tell Robert Scorpio. "How's dad doing with his anger?"

"The only time he started to lose his temper was the night I was answering his questions about what I had gone through while we were apart, I don't blame him either. If you had been in his shoes you would have lost it too."

"What had you told him?" Robin asked.

"That stays between him and I, it's our pain to share," Anna told her.

That sounded very sad and she could see the pain in her mom's eyes. Robin knew her parents and this was their way of protecting themselves from more pain, "OK, lots of long talks what else has been going on?"

"When it gets too be too much we go walking, it's so peaceful out here. Let's get some plates he's not going to stay out there all day you know, besides he'll give us time to talk later."

As if on cue Robert came back in with their lunch. "Let's eat."

"So why did you bring so much other food, are we still under house arrest?" Anna asked

"Actually Uncle Mac does want you to stay here for a little longer," Robin told them.

"Was he annoyed that I only wanted you to come out here?" Robert asked.

"No, I think he understood. We both know you two have been dealing with some very personal subjects. Besides it was like you gave him a mission to figure out what piano lessons meant," Robin said with a smile. "Every time he's talked to me, he's tried to get that information out of me," this made Robert smile.

"Why does he want us to stay put?" Anna asked.

"Alcazar. The fact that neither of you has been seen and Mac picked up one of Alcazar's men, it has really set him off. It was Sonny that told me you two should stay away for now, and Mac agrees. Sonny's going to try and get things under control again. Don't start dad, I know you don't approve of him, but Sonny is doing this for me because he cares and doesn't want me to lose either of you again."

"OK, I just don't want people hurt." Robert knew Sonny and Robin had both loved Stone and had gone through that loss together. He might not agree with the man's career choose but Sonny did care about Robin. They continued talking while they ate, Robin was so happy it felt so right getting this time with them. After they had finished eating, Robert cleared the table then looked at Anna and Robin, "So is this when I take a walk so you two can talk about me?"

Robin just smiled, Anna walked over to him, "Yes it is." She walked him to the door, then put her hand on his chest, they kissed and he left.

"That was more than a friendly peck," observed Robin. "I take it there's been some progress in that department as well."

Anna just smiled at her, "Let's get comfy, then you can ask your question."

Robin and Anna sat down on the couch, and Robin turned so she was facing Anna, "So?" Since hearing them talk about how much they have always loved each other in the Markum Islands, Robin had wondered if they would ever find their way back to each other.

"Yes, there's been progress between us."

"How much? Talking about a relationship? Planning a future? Making love?" Robin asked.

"Yes, yes and yes," Anna answered.

"Is that all I get?" Robin asked with a smile.

"What do you want to hear? That we don't know what happens next. That we're both terrified that this will all be ripped away from us again. That I have never physically felt love like he makes me feel it. He cherishes me and is the most giving lover I have ever been with and it keeps getting better," Anna hadn't meant to say all of that but it was too late to take it back.

Looking a little shocked, "Um, I guess I should have been happy with your first answer." Robin smiled, "I'm so happy for you two. Not that I want any more details, but yeah mom."

"What about you and your man, how's Patrick?" Anna asked.

"Patrick is great, I knew what I was getting into with him, his reputation. Since he was exposed to AIDS he's different, now I know I'm the only one he's seeing and I feel like we're getting closer." Robin told her. "What do you want to happen next with you and dad?"

"I want happily ever after, but we know how that goes. I love him so much, I can't stand the idea of losing him again," Anna admitted. "We've had this conversation a few time now. It was why we were both worried about making this physical again. He'd told me that if we had to just be friends that would be fine as long as he had me in his life, and I felt exactly the same way. Then we'd touch, sparks would fly and then one of us would have to put the breaks on."

"Mom, it's not like either of you to admit to fear."

"That was the cause of his nightmare. He felt like he had me back in his life, and then he started dreaming of me being taken away." Anna gasped, "They started after that night by the lake, it all did."

"What night by what lake?" Robin asked not sure if Anna was really talking to her at this point.

"The first night we were completely alone, we weren't far from here. I left town shortly after, and that was when Mac saw him lose his temper, when I got back he gave me the key to this place. No strings attached this was just going to be a place we could go to when it all got to be too much." Anna paused, "That night we both ended up here and fell asleep here on the couch. It was after that his nightmares started. The closer we got the worse his fear got." Anna covered her mouth, "Oh don't repeat that he'd hate it if you knew he was afraid of anything."

Robin just smiled, "Mom I think I already knew he's afraid of losing you."

Robert was down by the lake, there was a smile on his face as he wondered what they might be saying about him. They had always been so close, and it had always made him happy to know Robin felt she could tell Anna anything. As he walked he could picture his little girl playing in the water, Robin had loved coming out here. Today she had not only said she loved him, she had called him daddy. Is it possible she has forgiven him? Robert wasn't sure how long they wanted to be alone but it had been close to an hour and he wanted to spend some time with Robin before she had to leave. When he got close to the cottage he could hear the piano. He peaked in the window, Robin was sitting at the piano, she'd laugh each time she made a mistake. He went to the door clearly they're finished their talk. "The neighbors are going to think Katie's lost her touch," he joked as he entered

"Dad, it's been years."

"I figured it had, I saw you laughing at the mistake as I passed the window." He sat on the couch beside Anna, and she moved closer and snuggled up against him. This was exactly why Robert only wanted Robin knowing where they were. It might be selfish but at this moment he had his family all to himself. They both watched as Robin continued trying to remember some of the songs she had known.

Robin had planned on spending the entire day with them, she had even planned the dinner she would make for them. While she got to work in the kitchen her parents sat at the counter, helping when she asked, but mostly just staying out of her way. They chatted and made jokes, Robin couldn't deny how great it was to have this time with them. Her parents were in love, they were all together in the same house laughing having a good time, just like she remembered in those amazing months before she lost them, then it hit her. She didn't know why but suddenly she was scared this was all going to be taken away. That's what they are both felling. She put down the knife she was using and walked over to her parents, "I just felt that fear too, like this is too good to be true and.."

"Shh, we understand," Anna told her, they both put their arms around her and hugged her.

"K you two, I want to tell you my theory." Robert began, "We are all a little gun shy here. I am loving every minute of you being here Robin, but you're right it feels too good. The problem is we have come to expect when good things happen to us it can't last. Not this time, this time we get to be happy. I never thought I would have you both back in my life but here you are. I'm not making promises I'm not going to challenge fate. We're happy and that's enough. Oh yeah and I'm not marrying your mother this time."

Anna smiled and leaned into him, "Doesn't he say the most romantic things?"

Robin was about to go back to cooking but stopped and she looked from her mother to her father then back. "You two are serious."

"Yes, that's part of not challenging fate," Robert said.

"We say I do, and it crashes and burns, literally," Anna added.

"That is a very good point." Robin picked up her glass, "Here's to being happy." They pick up their glasses and toast with her.

That evening they talked about Robin, Robert had facts about the time he'd missed with her, but it was nice to hear it from her, to get some details. Robin happily shared her memories with them, what had been important to her, the big moments, the heartbreaks. She told them of how they had both come to her when Stone was dying. She knew it was just in her mind but it had felt like they really were there with her just for a little while.

"You never told me that before," Anna said.

"No I guess I hadn't," Robin agreed. Everything that was going on with Patrick had brought that time more clearly into her mind.

When it was time for Robin to leave she couldn't believe how happy she felt, she called Patrick and they made plans to meet at Jake's for a drink. He was already there when she arrived, when Robin saw him she walked over and kissed him where he sat. "Well hello," he said, then looked more closely at her. There was a joy about her, where ever she had been all day must have been just what she needed. "Do I get to know where you've been because it seems to have had quite the effect on you."

Robin sat down across from him, "I can't say where, but I can tell you who I was with."

"OK, who were you with?"

"My parents," Robin said with a smile.

"You spent the day with them, together, and you come back looking like you are on cloud nine?" Patrick asked not sure he could believe it.

"Yes, it was so great. Just the three of us like when we were a real family, just before I lost them."

"Have you been drinking? You spent the day with them and it was wonderful? They take great joy in annoying each other, how was that fun?" Patrick wondered.

Robin couldn't help but smile, "They have always argued, and annoyed each other, and loved each other. It just what they do."

"So you're immune, that's what you're telling me," Patrick joked.

"Well yes, because I come before their fights, but it wasn't like that today." Before Robin could continue she heard her uncle's voice.

"Hi Robin, Patrick. So how are they?" Mac asked as he joined them at their table.

"They're great. Mom didn't go into details but she seems to think they've figured out the root cause. Oh, and they'll stay put for now too." Robin told Mac. Patrick just stared at them, he had noticed since her parents had returned Robin had started talking like this more. Patrick knew Mac understood what she had just told him, but he was just more confused about what was going on.

"That's good. Um piano lessons?" Mac asked with a smile.

Robin smiled back, "It's still there, I even tried playing a little."

"OK." Mac had to try. "So Anna doesn't want to kill him yet?" Mac asked

Robin just looked at him. "Do you not know them at all? Why do you think I didn't want you to bother them the other day?"

Mac thought for a moment, then it hit him, "Oh. That's why he didn't turn his phone back on."

"Yeah,"

"Did you knew about this already?" Mac asked.

"Well no, but mom had let on to the possibility it might," Robin told him.

"Um sorry, not all of us speak Scorpio, can I know what you two are talking about?" Patrick interrupted.

"My parents and why I had such a great day with them," Robin told him.

"No, that was just a bunch of vague statements."

"Anna has been helping Robby deal with his anger issues and they have made real progress. There's still a threat to them so they are going to stay in hiding a while longer, Robin still won't tell me where they are and they're back together," Mac clarified.

"So is there an english to Scorpio book I can get my hands on? If I'm going to be around all of you I'll need all the help I can get," said Patrick.

"You'll just have to pick it up as you go," Robin told him with a smile. "Uncle Mac they are so happy, I can tell they've dealt with a lot. Even mom, she told me there were things she could only have told dad. I forgot how much they need each other."

"That's great. Patrick, please don't tell anyone what you've heard. There is a real threat and if anyone knew they could get to Robby by going after Anna."

"I understand Mac, I've heard enough about them to know how they work," Patrick reassured him.

As they talked they hadn't noticed the man sitting at the bar, he wasn't close enough to hear their conversation but he was interested in them. Occasionally he would look towards the door as if waiting for someone when Mac left he pulled his phone out. "I've located their daughter and she was just with the brother... I haven't seen either of them yet... I've only been here a couple hours I'll find them." then he ended the call and left Jake's.