Chapter 2
It had been four days since Holly had come over and interrupted her coffee date with Robert, now all anyone could talk about was the fact Holly was back from the dead and that she must be here to reconnect with Robert. Kate had seen that first meeting and wasn't really sure that was why she's here but wasn't telling anyone anything different. She hadn't talked to Robert since then either and wasn't really sure what was going on now, she had gone out with Shep a couple times now and was surprised that she'd had a good time. Kate didn't think there was ever going to be anything between her and Shep but it was a nice distraction. She now knew she had been right to end things with Robert, his life, his past was more then she felt she could handle, no matter how she felt for him. Now that he has a wife walking around Port Charles she was happy to be away from all of that. She was on her way to the club from Kelly's and had some time to kill so was out walking on the docks when she saw Robert and Holly talking.
"I only really need to know two things and then there is one thing I need from you," Robert told her, he was trying to sound calm.
Kate couldn't help but think Holly looked a little upset, then she heard her ask, "What do you want to know?"
"Why didn't you tell me you were alive?"
"Did it matter to you?"
"Holly that is not an answer, and of course it mattered." Robert didn't think she believed him but didn't really care either, "Fine, then what are you doing here now?"
"I came back for you. I was angry before you were always here, for Anna for Robin, I still love you, Robert."
"You still love me? That's rich."
"I was in a coma what did you want me to do?"
"Yeah for six months, it's been years." Holly just stared at him, "You left me, remember. Oh you needed space but actually you hated my job, you hated that I was gone."
"Oh, it was your job? Right! You were here for months on end with your precious Anna."
"There were things that needed my attention here my friends needed my help."
"These things, these friends, you mean Anna."
"Robin called me because her mother was in danger, I stayed until that mess was taken care of."
"Yes and you came back to Australia, but you couldn't get back here fast enough," Holly shot back.
"I got assignments that sent me different places and yes one required me to be here, besides I had already been told you were dead when I came back."
"To protect Anna I'm sure," Holly said bitterly.
"It was Sean actually, top ranking WSB agents were being targeted and he was next on the hit list."
Holly hadn't known any of this but that didn't change how she felt. "I'm sure you enjoyed your nights with Anna."
"My nights on her couch you mean," Robert corrected. "We were all in danger and I was not going to let anything happen to Robin. I had just gotten back here, back to Robin and we sent her to Italy to keep her safe. It tore me apart having to send her away."
Holly hardly heard anything he said about Robin, "The couch, of course, because Anna would never invite you into her bed," she accused snidely.
"No, she wouldn't. It's a shame you can't say the same about your ex," he said angerly.
Holly was shocked, "What do you mean by that?"
"Singapore!" Robert waited for her to answer but she just stared at him. "Don't play dumb Holly. While you were sending me love notes, you were screwing my married friend." Holly's face dropped. "That's right I knew. I knew about the baby too!"
"Robert, I..."
"When your doctor's office called to confirm your appointment I was a little confused, not that you were pregnant but that you were four months pregnant. I'd been on the wrong side of the planet to be the father."
"Robert I don't know what to say."
Robert had held this all inside for far too long, "Luke!" he yelled, "Luke Spencer! I married you when you were pregnant with his child so you could stay in this country. You lost that baby but we fell in love. I was never unfaithful not once. Yes there were conversations that could have lead to more, there were moments but Anna and I never crossed that line," Robert paused, he was having trouble controlling his anger. "You and Spencer were both married! I won't tell Laura because I can't stand the thought of causing her the pain I went through."
Holly was even more confused now, "How did you know it was Luke's?"
"I have certain skills remember. I know how to find things out," he told her bitterly. "When you left needing space I assumed it was so you could have your child in secrete hoping I would never know about it." Robert pulled papers out of the envelope he was holding, "I've already signed them, you can read them over but I want a divorce."
"I'll read them and bring them to your office once they're signed."
As Robert walked away Kate wondered how many times Holly had accused him of being in love with Anna. She clearly had been a problem in their relationship as well. Even if that was true Kate knew he could use a friend right now. She went back to the club to make a call. "Hello Anna, I think Robert could really use a someone to talk to right now."
"Kate? What happened did you two have another fight."
"No, I think we've moved past that. I just overheard him and Holly, they got into quite the argument."
"Do you know where he went?"
"He walked off down the docks."
"OK, I'll go find him. Thanks, Kate." Anna left her office right after she hung up, it had to have been quite the argument for Kate to have called her. If he was on the docks she was pretty sure she knew where he'd be by now. Sure enough, he was right where she'd expected, he was sitting on a crate looking out at the water. They had both spent many hours here thinking. "Penny for your thoughts."
Robert turned and smiled, "How did you know I needed you?"
"I have my ways," she said with a smile. "Kate called me actually. She said she heard you and Holly arguing."
"And she called you," he looked at her questioningly. "Oh, Anna I don't even know where to start on this one. I gave Holly the divorce papers she said she'll drop them off at the office after she's read them over and signed them."
"That couldn't have been what you were arguing about, she walking away from your marriage and let you think she was dead for close to four years." Anna came and leaned on the same crate he was sitting on.
"No that was just how I ended it," he admitted. He took a moment the asked, "Kate heard Holly and me?"
"Yeah, I don't know what she heard but she said it was quite the argument."
"I think I'll have to find out what she heard and ask her not to repeat it."
"What were you talking about?" Anna knew he would only tell her if he wanted to.
"The other day I mentioned that it was worse at the end then I would let on to." He looked at Anna and nodded, "I have never told anyone this. Holly didn't even know that I knew." He took a deep breath, "She was pregnant when she was believed to have died." Anna gasped, "That's not the kicker. It wasn't my baby."
"Robert! You aren't serious. Holly was unfaithful?"
"It's hard to impregnate someone when you're celibate in Port Charles and you think they're in Australia." Robert brought his hand to his face and rubbed his forehead. "She accused us of having an affair again while we were talking today. I didn't even mean to say it and I can't even remember exactly what she said. It was something about you inviting me into your bed, and I shot back with you never would but the same couldn't be said about her ex."
Anna thought about what he had just told her, "You mean," Anna paused, "wait she was with?"
"Luke, if Kate heard that part I don't want it getting around. If he has told Laura or if she finds out on her own that's their business but I don't want it coming from me. They still have family here and that isn't how Laura should find out if she doesn't already know, I don't want her to hurt like I did."
"Doesn't she deserve to know?"
"Anna when Duke told you about him and Olivia wasn't it better that he was honest, that he was the one that told you? I don't want Laura getting a phone call and someone telling her something like this. Besides she might already know and maybe they've moved past it, to bring it up now would just cause more pain."
Anna patted his leg, "You're a good man Scorpio. You're right I wouldn't want to get a phone call telling me that." Anna left her hand on his leg not really paying attention to what she was doing. "Is that why you never said anything, you didn't want to deal with that pain again?"
"Yeah, if no one knew it was kind of like it never happen."
"You could have talked to someone about it."
"It was just easier to leave it in the past."
"Oh, Robert I am so sorry."
"It's not your fault you have nothing to be sorry for." When he squeezed her hand that was still on his leg Anna realized she had been rubbing his leg. "Do you know if Kate was at the club? I think we should go talk to her then I'm taking you out to dinner?"
"I think she was." Then Robert brought her hand to his lips and kissed it, he was still holding her hand when he got up and they walk away. As they walked together Anna found herself repeating, he needs a friend, he needs a friend in her head. Ever since Sean told them he set them up to end their marriage she had found herself wondering what if a lot, thinking about him in a way she hadn't let herself do in years. He and Kate had just broken up, now Holly was back from the dead, he needed her friendship right now that's all.
Kate was a little surprised when Robert and Anna came in together, the club wasn't actually open yet but she didn't really think that was why they were there, she did notice Robert's hand was on her lower back as they came through the door. Anna stopped to talked to Angel and Robert walked toward Kate, "Can I have a quick word with you?" he asked. Kate nodded and lead him over to one of the tables. "First, thank you for calling Anna, I needed to talk to someone. She said you overheard Holly and me."
"I wasn't trying to eavesdrop, I was on my way here and I heard the two of you," Kate explained.
Robert looked down at his hands then back at her, "I don't know what you heard, but until today no one knew about what was brought up at the end of our conversation."
"You mean the infidelity."
"Yes. Kate, I know the names probably mean nothing to you but Luke and Laura both still have family here. It was years ago and maybe Laura already knows, maybe she doesn't but I don't want it getting back to her that her husband cheated because of me. I'm close to both of them and I don't want to cause her any pain."
"You're close to the man who slept with your wife?"
"By the end, it wasn't a perfect marriage, I was away too often. Holly had actually dated him first, I won't try to justify it or explain it. All I know is when I found out she was pregnant I knew I couldn't be the father, and because of who I am I investigated and found out who she had been with. I didn't even have time to try and figure it all out in my head before she left claiming she needed time to think, then she apparently died." He looked down at his hands again. "I was working for the WSB again, plus I was here a lot. I guess the marriage fell apart. It's in the past and I want it to stay there."
"I understand Robert, and I won't repeat anything I heard outside or what you've just told me."
"Thank you, Kate. I should let you get back to work, I know you're opening soon." He got up and joined Anna, he talked to Angel for a few minutes then they left together. As they walked out the door he asked, "Did you want to change before we go for dinner, and where did you want to go?"
"Why don't we just go to Kelly's tonight, no need to change."
"Are you sure?" Anna smiled and nodded. "Well alright but I will have to take you out again soon somewhere you might want to get dressed up a little for. You have been so great to me lately, and I really do appreciate it." She smiled at him as they walked away.
...
Holly was back in her room sitting on her bed, she had read over the divorce papers Robert gave her three times now and it was all very straightforward. She had a pen in her hand but still hadn't signed them. She was about to put the pen down for the ninth time but instead, she signed the papers. Maybe she should just give him what he wants. Had she really thought she could just show up here out of the blue and he would welcome her back with open arms. That he would just accept that she had been gone but is back now and not want an explanation. She could have come looking for him when she came out of the coma. She could have contacted him, she's known where he was but the truth of it was she hadn't wanted to.
Had she fallen out of love with Robert before she'd had the affair, or had she been with Luke because she was sure he was having an affair with Anna? She still couldn't believe Robert had known about her affair with Luke, about the baby. She knew it had been a boy but he was given up for adoption while she was still in the hospital but at least the baby had survived the crash.
Holly got up and put the divorce papers back in the envelope they had been in, she would drop them off tomorrow. Maybe she could try talking to Robert again when she drops them off. She wasn't sure what she wanted to say but knew they needed to talk. She had thought about going out tonight but after today all she wanted to do was hide away in her room.
...
"Why don't you come in for a drink?" Anna offered after they'd eaten. It was still fairly early and she was a little worried about him just heading home and being alone. "Robin's over at a friend's and Olin's gone for the night, we can sit and talk some more if you want."
"I think I'm going to take a raincheck. I think I need to be alone for a while just process everything going on in my head."
"OK, but if you want to talk later give me a call or come over. I worry about you out there all by yourself with everything that happened today. I can't even imagine what's going on in your head tonight."
"I will keep that in mind. I had kept that tucked away for so long, now it's screaming in my head, my wife cheated on me with one of my best friends." Robert was about to turn to leave, "Yeah I see what you mean maybe I should stay for a drink." Then Robert followed Anna inside, he could see himself being very angry tonight.
"Did you want a drink?"
"I'm not sure, I don't think I need the caffeine from coffee and booze might not be the best tonight either, or I'll spending another night on your couch."
Anna looked at him, "I don't mind," then smiled realizing just how true that was, she liked when he was here. "We'll just sit maybe find something on TV to watch, we can talk if you want to."
"TV seems like a good idea, and I don't think I want to talk about it anymore." They went and sat on the couch together and Robert found something to watch, again they were sitting right beside each other. They found a sitcom and when that was over they watched the new. Not much had been happening in Port Charles so there were a few fluff pieces but nothing all that interesting. "I don't know what I'd do without you, Anna." She had her head resting on his shoulder again and his arm was around her shoulder.
"You'd be a mess," she said and smiled up at him.
He smiled, "Yeah you're probably right." When their eyes meet Robert felt an urge to kiss her, they held each other gaze for a moment then Anna sat up a little she was now facing him more directly, he slowly reached up and touched her cheek, she didn't look away. He had been thinking about kissing her a lot lately so he started to lean in closer, all of the sudden he heard the front door close.
"Hi mom, I'm home." Robert brought his hand down and he and Anna both looked over at Robin. "Oh, hi dad I thought that was your car out front."
"Hi, sweetheart. Yeah, I just needed to talk to your mom some this evening. How was your day?"
"Fine," Robin came and sat down beside Robert, "How are you doing?"
"I've had better weeks, but I'm getting through. I don't want you worrying about me alright, I've got your mom for that."
"We both worry about you, dad. I still can't believe Holly is alive, other kids keep asking me about it and it so annoying. I guess everyone is speculating if you'll stay with Kate or go back to Holly and want me to give them the inside scope. People I never talk to are coming up to me and say things like, my mom was wondering. It's so annoying."
"Why do they care?" he asked. "What are you telling them?"
"That I don't know and it's none of their business."
"Good, but for your ears only, I don't think there's a future for Kate and I. When she broke off the engagement I think that was really the end. As for Holly I gave her divorce papers earlier today, I am not interested in starting up with her again."
"OK, I won't tell anyone that but it is nice to know. Of course when that is out there then the kids with single mom's will start asking about you again. You know dad everyone seems to think you're quite the catch."
"Maybe I'm not meant to be caught. That might be part of my problem."
"Maybe, or maybe you're just not dating the right woman, you need someone that really understands you and what you do," she told him and glanced at her mom. "I have to call Lisa." Robin gave him a quick hug and kiss on the cheek then got up and left her parents alone. As she walked to her room she couldn't help but wonder what she had just walked in on. She felt like she interrupted them as soon as she came in. If the other two women were out of the picture maybe her dad would finally see the woman that he's meant to be with has been right in front of him all along.
After he'd heard Robin's door close Robert looked at Anna again, she was now a little further from him she had shifted slightly when Robin had sat down. Was she feeling the things he was, why was he feeling this pull towards her lately? Why couldn't he stop thinking about her? "I think I should be going, I need to spend some time alone."
"Alright," Anna agreed. "Call me later if you need to talk." He gave her a quick peck on the cheek then got up and left. Anna watched him leave then put her head in her hands. There was no denying what had almost happened, that look when their eyes meet, she hadn't seen that look in years. She got up and decide to go soak in the bath for a while before bed.
...
When Anna got to the office Sean told her he was going to go on a little trip he wanted to get some answers about where Holly had been and why she was reported to have died in a plane crash. He already had his bag packed and his plane left in just over an hour. "Keep an eye on our old buddy while I'm gone alright."
"I will. Keep me posted," Sean said he would then left her office.
He had just left when Felicia came in, "You have an appointment in half an hour." Anna asked if it was a new client. "Well I don't think it's a client, she wants to talk to you so she made an appointment."
Anna looked up at her assuming she knew who it had to be, "Are you telling me I have to sit here and talk to Holly. Why would you let her make an appointment?"
"It not Holly, it's Kate."
"Kate? Why wouldn't she just come talk to me?"
"I think she wanted to make sure you had to be here, it sounded like she really wants to talk to you."
"Alright is there any new cases that need my attention? I could use a bit of a distraction."
"No nothing really, Sean wrapped up the things he was working on before he left. I think everyone is to busy enjoying this beautiful summer to have problems."
"Yeah, Robert was saying Lewis is basically covering everything at the station by himself so he has nothing to keep himself busy either. Why don't you sit we can chat since there's nothing else to do," Anna suggested.
"I think I will," Felicia said with a smile then sat down and they started talking about the baby that was on the way. It was so exciting that Frisco and Felicia were going to be parents. They were still talking and laughing when Kate got there. "Oh, hello Kate let me get out of here. I'll make sure you aren't bothered," then Felicia got up and left.
"Hi Kate, have a sit. I must admit I'm not really sure why you didn't just come down and talk to me."
"I wanted to make sure you were going to be here." Kate sat down in the chair Felicia had just left. "I really want to talk to you but I'm not sure you'll tell me anything."
"If this is about a case then I won't, if this is about P.K. Sinclair I'm not sure I can."
"Then it's good that it's neither." Since she had mentioned him Kate's curiosity got the better of her, "Robert told me he was the man that broke up your marriage."
"It wasn't as simple as that but he had a very large part in it as well as another man and a bad choice that I had made before I even met Robert."
"So you didn't cheat on him?"
"On Robert? No, of course not! He was the first man I ever loved and I was going to spent the rest of my life with him. As soon as we left the WSB we were going to get a little place to raise a family but I guess it was all just a dream because the choice I had made came to light and shattered everything. I was left scared and alone. Then I found out I was pregnant and to keep both my baby and Robert safe I hide the fact I had a child."
"I've never heard either of you talk about your marriage, and why it ended."
Anna looked up at Kate, "I guess with this Sinclair mess it's been on my mind a lot. Then recently we found out there was a lot more behind what happened then either of us knew at the time and it's just a lot to try and piece together."
"What could an author do that was so dangerous?"
"Robert really didn't tell you anything, did he? He wasn't an author when I knew him, he was a very dangerous man that has ruined many lives and didn't care what happened to anyone else as long as he got what he wanted. Please, can we not talk about him."
"Sorry of course, that wasn't what I wanted to talk about anyway." Kate cleared her throat before continuing, "I think of you as a friend and I want to ask you something but I don't want you to take it the wrong way." Anna nodded so Kate continued, "While I was listening to Robert and Holly yesterday I got the impression that you were a problem for their relationship as well. Were you trying to break them up or come between them?"
Anna put her head in her hands then exhaled. When she was ready to answer she looked back up at Kate. "I had not seen Robert since he walked out of my hospital room having just told me he wanted a divorce. I was living in New York and saw an article about him getting some award in the city. Even though he had told me he never wanted to see me again I had to see him."
"To tell him about Robin."
"No, she didn't even know I was her mother. I still loved him so much and just had to try and make him understand what had happened and why I had done what I had done. I came here, I met Holly and after I'd seen them together I knew he loved her, after a little time I realized I just wanted him to be happy. Once he understood what had happened and why, we were able to become friends."
"Why did Holly make it seem like the two of you had something going on then?" Kate asked.
"Robert was about to join her in Australia when a little girl showed up at his house, that was how he met Robin. He walked into his house and there she was standing there. When I found out she was missing and couldn't find her I came to Robert for help. He put the pieces together very quickly, and then we set out to find out who had taken her only to bring her to the man she didn't even know was her father. His departure from Port Charles was delayed for months, I think Holly understood that he wouldn't leave until he knew his daughter was safe."
"Why would she be in danger? Why couldn't she know who her parents were?" These had been questions she had wanted to ask Robert before but never had.
"As a child of not one but two WSB agents, the DVX would have loved to have gotten their hands on her. After the truth came out we've had to hide her away to protect her more than once."
"So if Holly understood why would she think you and Robert were,"
"Having an affair," Anna finished for her. "After Robert had joined Holly in Austraila Robin overheard some men threaten me. I was police chief at the time so she did the only thing that made sense to her, she called her daddy, the hero who could protect her mom. Of course, he came back and was here for a rather long time, I now know there were problems when he went back to Australia. It wasn't long after that he had a WSB assignment that brought him back here and he hasn't left since."
"Do you know what those problems were?"
"Kate that's between Robert and Holly. You overheard things he had never told a single soul until yesterday." Kate was still looking at her, hoping for some kind of answer. Anna leaned back and ran her hand through her hair, "He spent too much time with me, he was too busy trying to protect me, sound familiar?" Anna echoed the things Kate had said to Robert not all that long ago.
"That he tells you things he doesn't tell anyone else," Kate added. She shook her head then smiled slightly, "Why can't either of you see it? Why won't you admit that there is never going to be anyone more important to either of you than the other one?"
"What I did, he might be my friend but," Anna shook her head slightly then put her head in her hands again.
"Then you're blind and he's stupid," Kate told her matter of factly.
Anna looked up and smiled, "Sorry, what?"
"You're blind if you think he doesn't love you and doesn't think about you. He's stupid if he's going to let a mistake you made years ago keep him from what is going to make him truly happy." Kate got up to leave, "Anna you're the one that will make him happy the one he's meant to be with," then she left. As Kate left Anna's office she knew she was right, Robert and Anna really should be together. It had become so obvious they still had feelings for each other, that they loved each other but for whatever reason, they wouldn't admit it.
...
Robert was pacing in his office there was nothing at work that needed his attention, Guy has this place running like a well-oiled machine. He had to find something to do, there was so much going on in his head and none of it had anything to do with police work. It was already late afternoon and Holly had still not dropped off the divorce papers, was she really going to fight him on this? He just wanted a clean break, why should they still be legally married? Then there was a knock at his door, he went and opened it quickly hoping for any type of distraction. "Katie hi, come in." He closed the door behind her, "What brings you down here?" he asked as he went and sat at his desk.
"We never did finish that talk and I think we need to finish it."
"Oh right, I had kind of forgotten about that. I guess it's been a while since we met for coffee." He looked up at her, "Kate, I'm not sure the things I wanted to talk about matter now," he admitted.
"What had you wanted to talk about?"
"Us, but I've realized there isn't an us anymore," Kate slowly nodded her head in agreement. "I hope we can still be friends Katie."
"I'd like that," she told him with a smile.
"Kate I need to explain something to you. I know I was spending too much time with Anna and Robin, that I should have been with you more. That being said I couldn't let anything happened to either of them, you have to understand that."
"I do understand the need to keep them safe, look what happened to Sean and Frisco." They had both been shot when that crazy woman had tried to kill Robin.
Robert nodded, glad she understood that. "We found something out that neither Anna or I knew before," as he said this he saw Kate adjust in her chair. He took a deep breathe then continued, "When I left Anna I thought she had betrayed me, but when she came back into my life I found out she had actually done it to save my life. What we found out was that there were two men that used us, that set out to destroy us or our marriage at least."
"You don't have to tell me this," Kate could see this was hard for him to talk about.
"Yes, I do. I believe I owe you the truth, at least what I can tell you. Anna was forced to do something, and I was set up to find out about it. Anna was badly injured that night and because I wouldn't forgive her I demanded a divorce then left her in the hospital."
"You left her because of what you thought she'd done. Then she went into hiding and had Robin."
Robert just nodded, "I couldn't tell you before, I was so confused about everything going on in my head. You said I had been saying Anna's name in my sleep, that I said San Ramo as well. I had just found out the truth, being told that a life I had once wanted so much could have been a reality was a lot to process."
"Yeah, I guess that would be a lot to deal with." Kate was surprised he was telling her any of this actually. They had agreed that their relationship was over but it was nice that he was telling her about this. First Anna now Robert, they care about her feeling and neither one had wanted Kate to be hurt by what had gone on. Their connection to each other is still very strong and now to find out they could have had a real chance to be together, of course, he would be thinking about it. He's going to need a push to go after what's right in front of him as well.
Robert wasn't sure if he needed to tell her anything else about that so he changed the subject. "Kate about the cottage, I've been looking for somewhere else to live. That's your place and you should still be able to practice there if you want."
"Robert you love it out there, besides I now have a club I can practice in whenever I want."
"Loved," he corrected, "besides I think I should be closer to the action."
Kate thought about what he had said and knew he was telling her the truth about how he felt about the cottage. "There's the apartment above the club. It's close, there are two bedrooms, better for when Robin sleeps over," Kate suggested.
"I don't think that's a good idea."
"Of course it is. It's furnished you can just pack up your belongs and move there. I have no connection to the place other than the fact that I own the building. Robert, I really mean it, you should move into the penthouse."
Robert was thinking about it, she was right it is nice and close to everything. "Are you really sure? It wouldn't be weird me living there?"
"Are you worried that I might see you taking other women up there?"
The thought hadn't even crossed his mind, he slowly shook his head, "Uh, um no. I hadn't meant that at all. I really just meant because we broke up."
Kate smiled, she believed him, "So do we have a deal?"
"As long as you're OK with me living there?"
"I am, I wouldn't have suggested it otherwise. Besides now I still have a tenant just in a different location. You can move in whenever you want."
"Oh is that how it works, you just like the income?" They smiled at each other, "Alright, I think we have a deal. Thank you, Katie."
She got up to leave before she opened the door she turned to him, "Robert, as long as it's Anna going up there with you I'm OK with that kind of female guest," then she left. Robert watched her leave, had she really just said that? Had she just told him to go after a relationship with Anna? He stared after her for a while just wondering about what she had said. Then he got up and started straightening his desk he might as well call it a day. He should go to the cottage and start packing he may even move into the penthouse tonight. He looked at his watch, it was just after five so he left.
...
"I told you I need to talk to dad, why can't we go out there?" Robin yelled.
"What is so important that you can't just call him?"
"Why are you being so difficult, mother?" They just stared at each other, "Fine I'll call him." Then Robin turned and went to her room, she wanted to get her parents together again. She was sure she'd interrupted something the other night. Robin wasn't sure what had been going on but they had been very close to each other, maybe she was just hoping she saw more then what was really going on. Either way, she knew they should be together, they're both single now and they're perfect for each other.
Her mom was right Robin didn't have a reason to see her father, she wanted them to talk some more, to see each other. Really see each other. Was it wrong that she wanted them to be a real family, Robin didn't think so. She picked up the phone in her room and called Robert. After she hung up she rushed back into the living room. "Mom!" she yelled, Anna rushed out of the kitchen, "Dad's moving."
"What? Where? Robin, what are you talking about?" Anna looked shocked.
Robin liked that response, her mom didn't want her father going anywhere. "He's moving out of the cottage, and into the penthouse above Delafield's"
Anna was even more confused now, "He's moving into the penthouse?"
"Yeah apparently he was talking to Kate about moving out of the cottage and she told him that the penthouse was empty. Dad said Kate insisted that if he was serious about moving so she could have her cottage back then she had to at least make sure he had somewhere to live."
"The way you were yelling I thought you meant moving away."
Robin tried to keep herself from smiling, "No mom I was just excited. This means he's a lot closer, I can even go over there some evening and I wouldn't have to bother you or Olin for a ride."
"Oh OK. There's even a spare room there for you. Did you talk to him about whatever you needed to?"
"Um, no but it can wait. I'm going to call some friends." Anna watched her walk away, teenagers she thought and smiled she's still got a few months before Robin even is a teenager. Anna shook her head before sitting down on the couch.
...
"Is there really nothing that needs my attention? I could really use something to do."
Guy looked at Robert and smiled, "You should be happy, maybe take some time off."
"I need to be busy not have more time on my hands, Guy."
Guy Lewis was sitting across from Robert at his desk, "That's all the reports that needed your signature. Is this because of the lady problems you've been having?"
"What lady problems are these?"
"Um, I just meant it must be a lot to deal with, you and Katherine breaking up then Holly showing up here not dead. I know I wouldn't want to be in your shoes."
"Speaking of Holly, she hasn't stopped in and dropped off any papers has she?"
"No, not that I know about."
"I can't believe she's going to fight me on this. I just want a clean break, dissolve the marriage then we can just go back to the lives we were living."
"I thought you gave her those papers a few days ago. She still hasn't signed them?"
"No, I just want it dealt with. She better not be thinking I want to try and rebuild a relationship."
"That isn't something you'd be interested in?" Guy asked. The guys in the squad room had all been talking about the bosses personal life a lot lately, speculating who he's going to end up with.
"No, that is not going to happen." Robert looked around on his desk, "Here you need to file this, it's just a change of address form." Robert then handed the paper to Guy.
He looked it over then back at Robert, "So you're moving in above Delafield's, is this to be closer to a certain blonde?"
"You're full of questions today," Robert said and looked up at Guy. "It's actually to give her back some of her space. I don't want to stay out at the cottage any longer and she offered the penthouse as a kind of transfer of my lease. I'm closer to the station this way as well, it just made sense." Guy realized it doesn't sound like Robert's pursuing a relationship with either of the women the men have all been speculating about. Guy was sure there was going to be some very disappointed people when they finally hear about this. Guy listened to them but didn't share the information he would get. There was a knock at Robert's door Guy got up to answer it, Anna walked in. "Hi," Robert smiled at her, "Guy if that's all just make sure that form gets filled."
"I'll take care of it right now. Hi Anna, bye Anna," then Guy left them alone.
He hadn't seen her since he had almost kissed her, "What brings you down here today?"
"Oh a couple things, Robin told me you're moving."
"Yeah I packed up everything last night, I'll take it all over to the penthouse tonight and that's me moved. It was time to get out of the cottage."
Anna could understand why he wanted a change, "Had you been planning this for a while, you never said anything."
"No it just came up yesterday, I mentioned I wanted to move and Kate offered up the penthouse, she said the only connection she had to is that she happened to own the building." Anna had sat down where Guy had been sitting but Robert wanted to go over and give her a kiss as a greeting, a hug at the very least. Why couldn't he stop thinking like this about her?
"I take it that means you two are completely done then."
"Yeah, it's better this way I think. There were problems that were always going to be problems so we had to let go."
"What about Holly, has she signed the papers yet?" Anna asked.
"If she has she hasn't brought them to me." Robert got up and walked around his desk, "I'm not trying to trick her or cheat her out of anything I just want to legally end a marriage that ended years ago."
"You want to be free to live your life and not be held back by this, it makes sense." Anna stood up wanting to be closer to him, "Is there a reason she might not want to sign them?"
"There must be but don't ask me what it is. She tried to say she still loves me. She sure has a strange way of showing it, hiding from me for years."
Anna reached up and put her hand on his shoulder, she had wanted to touch his face, "Have you found out why she actually came here? I don't believe it was to try to win you back."
Robert moved a little closer, his hand was moving up toward her back when there was another knock Anna patted his chest then turned and looked at the blackboard. "Yeah, come in," Robert called as he leaned on his desk.
Holly walked in holding an envelope, "Well isn't this cosy, I see some things never change. I hope I'm interrupting." Holly walked over and handed Robert the envelope, "Divorce papers, signed."
"I take it you've read them over and have no problems with them." He pulled them out to double check she really had signed them.
"I wouldn't have signed them if I had a problem." Holly looked over at Anna who was now standing by the other desk looking at a file that was over there. "I would like to talk to you Robert, alone."
"Anna is here to help me with a case, this isn't a good time."
"Fine, but I do need to talk to you."
"Yeah, not today," Robert told her dismissively, then walked over and opened his office door. "Thank you for bringing those papers over." Holly looked back over at Anna who was clearly trying to ignore them, she looked at Robert as she walked passed him without saying another word. He closed the door and just stood there for a moment. When he felt Anna hand on his back he wanted to turn and take her in his arms and kiss her. She's just being my friend, don't mess this up. He put his head down, "Let's go get me divorced."
Anna smiled, what would have happened if Holly hadn't shown up when she had? She was sure they were both feeling what was going on whenever they touch. He needs a friend she reminded herself, don't read more into this then that. "Is that the case I'm helping with?" she asked with a smile.
He turned to look at her with a smile, "You could be helping with the case of the missing doughnut, I just didn't want to talk to her today."
Anna slowly ran her hand across his stomach, "Nope not there, still nice and trim." Why did she have this need to touch him? "Why don't we wait a little while before taking that over to the court building make sure she isn't out there waiting to try and talk once I've left."
"Yeah, that's a good idea. The case of the lazy afternoon, what are your plans for the rest of the day?"
"I don't have anything planned, why?"
"I was thinking of taking the afternoon off there's nothing here for me to do so I thought I might do a little digging into what Holly's been up to."
"Oh didn't I tell you Sean is doing that very thing, he actually left yesterday for London. He wants to look into the accident and find out what she's been doing since she came out of the coma."
Robert smiled, "Other people would see this as odd, but my friends go out of their way to help." He hugged her, "Thank you." Anna put her arms around his waist, not wanting to let go. Again Robert was hit with a need to kiss her, he leaned back just as Anna started to look up there was another knock at his door. Anna dropped her arms and walked away from him, Robert opened his door, "What?" Anna heard the frustration in his voice.
Guy was standing there, "Sorry boss, I just saw Holly leaving but I don't know if she dropped off any papers for you."
Robert turned and walked back over to his desk, "Yeah she brought them to me, I was just going to take these over to the courthouse then I think I'm going to take the rest of the afternoon off there's nothing for me to do and this way I can get settled at my new place."
"Yeah, that's fine with me, get out of here. You should take Anna out for a late lunch," Guy suggested. He wouldn't tell any of the guys in the squad room this but if he was cheering for Robert to end up with anyone, Anna would be it. She had a way of getting through to him that no one else does and Guy always got the feeling that they could be more than friends with only a little shove in that direction.
Robert looked at Anna and smiled, "I just might do that."
...
After Robert had filed the divorce papers he did take Anna out for lunch at Kelly's. He wanted to spend time with her but wasn't sure they should be alone right now. They were just finishing when Robin came in with a couple of friends. "Hi sweety."
"Mom, dad what are you doing here?" she came over to talk to them.
"We were just having a late lunch and now I'm going to get moved in at the penthouse."
"Mom, can we go help him. I want to, please."
Anna looked at Robert, she was very aware there was something going on between them today and wanted to keep it straight in her head that Robert was leaning on her right now because of everything else going on. With Robin there it should be fine, "If you father wants our help we can go."
"Dad, you know you want us to come over, please."
"Of course I want you there. Are you and you're friends going to be here long, we were about to leave?"
"I'll come with you guys, I'll just let them know I'm helping you get settled into your new place." Robin happily wandered over to her friends and explained what she was doing. She was going to try and have her parents spend as much time together as she could, her mom and dad are perfect for each other now they just needed to realize that.