Chapter 12

"Do you know what I don't understand?" Robert asked he was in his office with Sean and Anna. "If all Price wanted to know was whether or not Faison was Sinclair, why take you and Holly and beat up Barry so badly?"

"That's been bothering me as well," Sean concerned. "Anna you said he never asked you anything while you were his prisoner, right?"

"Right, I only saw him when he came to get patched up by Holly after the day he abducted me. I could tell Holly was afraid of what he would do if she didn't help him. What did she say about the night he took her?"

"She said he showed up and was extremely angry because she still hadn't been able to talk to me. Holly swears the only thing she was expected to find out about was Faison." Robert paused, "There still has to be more to this though."

"I think the only reason he came to see me was to take me because he never asked me about anything. I know the truth as well. Robert, I'm starting to think this has more to do with you then we first thought," she said.

"Anna has a point. Price must have known all three of us worked for the WSB. Why is he so focused on you?"

"I don't know anything about the guy, or what he would have against me."

"Have we gotten that report about his training?" Anna asked. They needed to find him more than they needed to understand his motives.

"Oh right," Sean picked up a folder and handed it to Robert. "He was skilled in wilderness survival when he joined the DVX. They expanded that training, he speciality was holding and rescuing prisoners in secluded areas. It is very possible he is still out in those woods. If he doesn't want to be found, he won't be." Anna came over and started reading the file with him.

"Do you think he would have stuck around Port Charles?" Anna asked.

"I think we have to assume he has. He wanted to know about Faison and hasn't gotten his answers yet so I don't think we've seen the last of him."

Sean thought about what Robert had said, "Yeah, he's out there but what is he planning?"

"That is the question of the day," said Robert. They spent the rest of the afternoon trying to work out what Price was planning.

...

These local cops were a joke, he had easily led them on a wild goose chase three nights ago and has been able to stay out of sight every time they've come looking for him. The fact they had taken all of his things out of the cabin was a problem but he could deal with that. The one thing he hadn't counted on was someone moving in and taking Eve and the woman that reminded him of Lynda. He was sure that had to have been Scorpio, Eve had told him a lot about him and he's an enemy agent. Liam has to get Eve back she wasn't safe as long as the WSB had her. Liam moved from his hiding spot the cops had been in here earlier looking for him so he figured he better move now before they came back to look for him again.

...

Guy came into Robert's office, "Hey boss, Barry Durban has regained consciousness and is asking to talk to you."

Robert looked at Sean and Anna, "I should go talk to him, Anna are you coming with me or is Sean talking you home?"

"I can get home by myself," Anna said with a smile. She knows Robert just wanted to make sure she's safe so she wasn't going to make a big deal of this right now. "Actually, I think I want to go with you."

"Yeah OK, Sean are you joining us?"

"No, you and Anna will seem less threatening than when you and I have talked to him. Let me know what he tells you though. Any information could be useful."

"Alright, we should get over there then," Robert got up and he and Anna left.

When they got to the hospital they saw Holly waiting outside of Barry's room. "Hello Holly, we heard he's awake."

"Yeah, I was actually waiting for you to arrive, don't push him too hard."

"I won't, he requested that I come here," Robert put his hand on Anna's back and they walked into Barry's room together. Barry looked at them as they entered and smiled weakly. "Hello, you look better than the last time I saw you," Robert said.

"I feel a lot better even if it doesn't really look like that. Anna, I'm glad you're alright."

"I was very worried about you after I saw Price. It's good that you're feeling better," Anna said.

"I was told you wanted to talk to me. Did you remember something that you wanted to tell me?" Robert asked stepping closer to the bed.

"You need to know that Liam really isn't himself anymore. I remember him yelling about you when he was beating on me."

"About me? Why? I don't know why he's so interested in me."

"Robert he kept saying you killed her. He was so angry and would say, Scorpio killed her, as he was hitting me."

Robert and Anna exchanged looks, "Who does he think I killed? His sister? That was what this was all about wasn't it, revenge for his sister?"

"Yes, but I don't know who he was talking about." Barry closed his eyes and took a few breaths, "He's so angry and I've never seen him like this before. Look what he did me, I've known him for fifteen years but the man that came into my motel room wasn't the man I know," he said sounding upset.

Robert could tell he still needed rest, "I don't want you to overdo it today, is there anything else you can think of that I need to know? If not I think we'll be going, let you recover."

"That was it, I just need to make sure you understood he's dangerous and for some reason, he's blaming you for something."

"Thank you, Barry. We'll let you rest now," Robert said then they left his room. Holly was still in the hall, Miller was close by as well. Robert nodded at him before going over to talk to Holly. "Can I ask you a few questions?"

Holly noticed that Anna had walked over to talk to Miller, "Yes, what can I help you with?"

"Can I assume Price was not in the habit of hitting you?"

Holly could see the concern in his eyes. "No. The last couple times I saw him before he took me he was very angry about me not being able to talk to you. I had never been afraid of him until he showed up at my room very early one morning. The night he took me was the first time he'd ever hit me."

"So you would say you noticed a change in him." Holly just nodded. "Holly, Barry just told me Price was saying I killed a woman. Do you have any idea what he might be talking about?"

"What, Liam was saying you killed someone?" Holly sounded confused.

"The day he beat up Barry, he kept saying Scorpio killed her. I don't know Price, and the only connection there is between us is you. Are you sure you don't know what he might have been talking about?"

"Sorry Robert, I don't have any idea what he could mean."

"Alright thank you." Robert looked over at Anna and Miller, "Is Sam replacing him again tonight?"

"Yes."

Robert nodded, "I should be going then. Good evening." Robert walked over and put his hand on Anna's back before they walked away. As Holly watched them leave she realized it didn't bother her as much as she thought it would, seeing them together.

When Robert and Anna got to her house they were glad to find out they were alone, "I've been looking forward to some alone time with you," Robert said with a smile. Then he took her hand and lead her over to the couch. "I think some unwinding cuddled up on your couch is called for."

"That sounds wonderful." They sat down and cuddled in together, after a few minutes Anna asked, "Robert why would Price think you killed someone?"

"I have no idea Luv."

"Are you sure you never had a case that he was involved in?"

"Not that I know of. I'm sure I'd never heard his name before all this started."

"Could he have you confused you with someone else?"

"Anna, I don't really want to think about that right now."

"No you're right, I'd much rather talk about us."

"I like that topic." Robert kissed her neck, "There really is an us again, I don't want to lose you again," he said as he pulled her a little closer.

"We both want this, Robert, I know we'll stay together this time. We just need a little bit of time so we can focus on our relationship." Anna turned slightly and smiled at him, "Once we've found Price I think you'll owe me at least five romantic dates."

"Is that it? I think I can come up with five romantic evenings. Should I start tonight?"

"I'm happy right where I am. Being here in your arms is all I need right now."

"Good," he kissed her cheek.

...

"Morning mom, where's dad?" Robin asks when Anna got up the next morning.

"Morning sweetheart, I assume he's at home, although he could be at the office already. Why, do you need to talk to him?" Anna noticed Robin looked a little disappointed.

"I just thought that he'd be here this morning. When I got back last night you two were asleep on the couch again."

"Yes, you made enough noise we noticed when you got back. Did you enjoy the movie?"

"Yes, but we're talking about you and dad." Anna nodded trying not to smile, Robin sounded very serious. "I'm not a little kid anymore I know what adults do."

"Oh really?" She's not even a teenager yet Anna thought, she's going to keep me on my toes.

"Yes, mother. Why didn't dad stay here last night?"

"Well, we haven't been back together all that long and neither of us is ready," Anna started.

"Don't try to tell me that. I know why I spent the other night at Uncle Sean and Aunt Tiff's."

"What your father and I do is not going to part of our morning conversation."

"Mom, I know how much you mean to each other. You've never been like other divorced couples and now that you're back together again I guess I just thought he'd be here a lot more. Staying overnight here with you."

Anna smiled, she realized Robin wasn't really being nosey, she just really wants her family together. How is it Robin is OK with the idea of Robert spending the night here when they don't feel ready for that yet? "Let's go get you some breakfast."

"Mom!"

"Give us some time, alright. We all want the same thing. Now please let's talk about something else." Robin smiled and followed Anna into the kitchen as they started talking about school starting next week.

...

Sean was in Robert's office when Anna got there. They were going over old assignments that Robert had been on with the WSB, hoping to figure out why Price thought Robert had killed someone and who that might be. They were both sure they had never heard of Liam Price before so why was he so interested in Robert?

"Good afternoon," Anna said as she entered. "Any luck finding Price yet?"

"No, they even had the K9 unit go through the woods but his scent is all over the place out there and the dogs would pick up a trail but it would end up leading back into the woods or just to a different area. He must have moved out of the area before the dogs got there," Robert answered.

"His face has been on the news for the last few days, someone is sure to see him."

"That doesn't mean they are going to report it though," Sean reminded her.

"What are you doing here Luv?"

"I needed to get out of the house. I came straight here so don't start." Anna gave him a look that told him not to argue about it.

Robert knows Anna can take care of herself but that doesn't stop him from worrying about her, especially right now. "Fine, we were just trying to figure out if I could have crossed paths with Price in the past. We really don't think there was anything though."

"I've been thinking about that maybe Barry was wrong. If he heard Price say that while he was trying to defend himself he may have heard something else," Anna offered.

"Well let's say that you're right. It still seems like Price is more interesting in Robert then just wanting to know about Faison."

"Do you think he's still in Port Charles?" Anna asked.

"There is a chance he's slipped past the roadblocks but I just feel like he's still here. Whatever he wants he hasn't gotten it yet," Robert said as he sat back.

"And whatever he wants has something to do with you, old buddy."

"Sean's right. Why force Holly to come here if it wasn't to get to you? Taking me after he already had Holly had to be about getting to you."

Everything they were saying was making sense, but Robert still didn't know what Price wanted with him. "Sitting here wondering isn't getting us anywhere. The only person that can give us the answer to this is Price. We just need to find him and the sooner the better."

"I know you've got your people out there working on this and I don't think there's much else I can do here today, so I'm going to leave you two to this," Sean said as he got up to leave. Robert and Anna said goodbye as he left.

Robert put his hands to his face and exhaled, Anna could tell this was starting to get to him. "I wish I knew who Price's actual target is. I've got people watching Holly and Kate, I usually know where you are and now listening to you and Sean I could be the target. What game is this guy playing?"

"I don't know darling."

Robert looked up and smiled, "What really brought you here this afternoon?" he asked as he got up and started walking toward her.

"I needed a little break from the questions your daughter has."

Robert put his arms around her, "My daughter, not ours?" he asked with a little half smile, Anna smiled back and he gave her a kiss. "What kind of questions does she have?"

"Mostly they are about us and our relationship. The one that caught me most by surprise today was why were you not there this morning?"

Robert was a little surprised as well, "She thought I'd still be on the couch because we were snuggled up when she got home."

"Oh no, she thought you would have spent the night in my bed."

Robert took her hands and pulled her towards his desk, he sat on the edge and pulled her still closer so he could put his arms around her waist. "I didn't think we were ready for that."

"That's what we had said, but clearly our daughter won't have a problem with that kind of thing. She went as far as to tell me she knows what adults do," Anna told him with a big smile.

"As much as I love waking up with you in the morning, I still feel a little strange about staying there in your bed."

"I know you do."

"It's not just Robin, that's your home the one you shared with Duke."

Anna stroked his cheek, "I know and I understand."

Robert gave her another kiss, then put his forehead against hers, "Is that the only thing my daughter was giving you a hard time about?"

"The questions about us that even we don't have answers for were the biggest reason. She also wants to go shopping soon because school starts next week." Then she smiled, "The main reason is this though, I needed a little time right here."

"Oh, she needed to see good old Bobby." Robert kissed her lovingly, "What are we doing tonight?"

"I think you should start on those romantic evenings you owe me."

"Oh really, Annie needs to be romanced?"

"Yes, she does." Robert pulled her closer and kissed her with more passion this time.

There was a knock on his door then Guy walked in, "Sorry boss." He smiled a little, happy to see that it seemed that Robert and Anna seemed to be a lot closer now. "I just wanted to give you the latest updates on Price."

Anna stepped back from Robert, "Pick you up at seven?" he asked.

"OK, see you at seven," she said with a smile and left his office.

Guy and Robert both watched her leave, "I was the only one that saw that coming, I had a feeling you and Anna would happen." Robert looked at him waiting for him to stop talking, "I guess I get a little better idea about what's really going on."

"Is there a real reason that you came in here?" hoping to change the topic.

"Right, so there has been no sign of Price. Could someone else be helping him?"

"I don't know, Holly's had police protection since she was rescued. Durban's still in the hospital and neither of them have mentioned anyone else working with them." Robert turned to go sit down again, "Whose with Holly right now, have them ask her about that? I think I'm going to go talk to Kate, see if she's noticed anything odd. He may have changed targets and both her townhouse and cottage have large wooded areas near them."

"Do you want me to call you after Miller's told me what Holly's says?"

"I have a few calls to make before I leave, but if I'm gone I should be at Delafield's"

"Alright boss," then Guy left his office.

...

Liam laughed to himself, hiding from these local cops was just too easy. It had been five days since Scorpio had rescued his prisoners while cops had kept him busy but that won't happen next time. Sure Liam hadn't expected the dogs but he'd noticed them before returning to his hideout and had just stayed away while they were there.

Now it's just a matter of time before he made his next move, he wanted it to be a surprise. Scorpio was not going to get away with this. Liam was going to make sure Scorpio came running when he takes her and that will be that last thing he ever does.

...

Before Robert had left Guy had told him as far as Holly knew she and Barry were the only two people Price knew in Port Charles but had said she wouldn't rule it out either. Holly had said she felt like she wasn't sure she could trust what she knew about him because he was behaving so out of character.

Kate was talking to Frisco when Robert arrived, "Good you're both here, I was hoping to talk to both of you."

"Hi Robert, what can we do for you?" Frisco asked.

"To start I wanted to know if you've noticed anyone strange hanging around here."

"No, it's been just the regular clientele lately," Frisco told him. As soon as Robert had someone start watching Kate he'd talked to Frisco about keeping an eye open at the club just in case. "If this guy Price is watching Kate he's not coming here to do it."

"That's good." Robert turned towards Kate, "I'm glad you're not giving me a hard time about the police protection. I really don't know who he's going to target next and I don't want anything to happen to you."

"I know that Robert."

"I talked to a few of the officers that have been watching your house, they haven't seen anything. Have you or Mary noticed anything?"

"No, it's been pretty quiet. I just hope you bring him in before he has a chance to hurt anyone else."

"Well, that's the plan. If either of you notices anything strange contact me, please." They both agreed then Robert excused himself, he had a date to get ready for.