Chapter 5

Robert pulled away in shock. "Laura! What are you doing?"

Laura rubbed her hands up his chest seductively. She asked, "What does it look like I was doing?"

"Love, you are in the process of getting a divorce."

"So..."

Robert held her wrists in his grasp to stop her rubbing his chest. He replied, "So, you still love this man. Love, I will not take advantage of your broken heart."

"I want you to help me forget, Robert. Please. Hearing you talk about seeing me smile... it, it made me feel loved for the first time since I came home to Port Charles from France," said Laura begging Robert with her eyes.

"Laura..."

"Please. I just want the pain to go away... Even if only for a little while," whispered Laura.

Robert tenderly kissed Laura's lips. He desperately wanted to make her pain go away. God knows he has wanted to be intimate with her for almost forty years, but every time one of them was free, the other was with someone else. He loved everything about her since seeing her at Edward Quartermaine's office when she was just eighteen. The full blonde hair, the bluest eyes the color of a clear ocean, and the smile that could light up the darkest of rooms. Like he told Spencer earlier, Laura will always be the one that got away.

Robert gently cradled Laura's face in his hands. "Love, I will stand by your side through this whole ordeal. I promise I won't go off on any missions and leave you stranded. I will be the best friend you deserve, but, Laura, I will not allow you to do something you will regret. You still love Collins. I know you do. I can see it in your eyes. Sleeping with me would take away the heartbreak for a moment, but it will come back. I don't want to take that step with you while your heart belongs with someone else, Love. You are too special for me to let you do that."

Laura became frustrated. All she wanted was to escape the agony she was currently in. Kevin broke her heart and she wants to pretend like he never existed. Laura wants to just sleep with someone to just through that in Kevin's face. Laura wants to show Kevin that he means nothing to her. And Robert was standing right here. Why won't he help her? Laura harshly pulled away from his grasp and groaned. She exclaimed, "Ugh! Robert, I'm not asking for a marriage proposal. I just want you to help me forget him. Help me forget he ever had a hold on my heart!"

Robert shook his head. He could tell she is hurting. She puts on a brave front for so long, but soon it cracks. "Love, I won't do it. Find someone else, but it won't be me."

Tears were forming in Laura's eyes and she bit her lip in an effort to stop them from falling. The heartbreak was so unbearable. She hasn't felt this way in a long time. Kevin was different than all the men she has ever loved, and yet he has broken her heart just as badly. Laura collapsed to her knees in sobs. "It just hurts so bad. Seeing him with Ava. He brags about their relationship! He's so cold and distant. He promised me, Robert! He promised me that he would never, ever break my heart! And I just want the pain to go away. Here you are, being so nice and kind. You made me feel so loved and important. I just wanted to be with you... to forget him."

Robert kneeled next to her and ran his hand in light circles on her back to comfort Laura. He replied, "I know. I know."

Laura wiped her falling tears with her pajama shirt sleeve and sniffled. "Do you hate me?"

Robert grimly smiled. "No. I could never."

Laura looked at Robert incredulously. "How? I was about to use you when all you have been is a good friend. I don't deserve you, Robert Scorpio."

Robert pulled Laura against his chest as the leaned against the front door. The stretched their legs out and sighed. "Darlin, I'd do anything for you when I know you mean it. I knew you didn't mean what you were asking me to do and I knew you would regret it. If we ever do get together sometime in this lifetime, trust me, it is not something I want you to regret."

Laura elbowed him in the chest and giggled. "You will forever be a tease."

The following morning, Spencer walked down the stairs expecting Laura to have his cereal and bowl waiting for him like she always does before school; but to his surprise, it wasn't there. What he did find was his grandmother and Agent Scorpio cuddled on the sofa fast asleep. Spencer thought that after his talk with Robert last night that Robert only wanted to remain friends with his grandmother. Now, here they are cuddled on the couch. As furious and disappointed Spencer is in Kevin's recent behavior, he knows that Kevin is still important to Laura (and him). How his grandmother could just move on so quickly just baffles Spencer. He marched over to the couch and gently shook Laura's shoulder. He said, "Grandmother. Grandmother. I have school in 30 minutes. You have to take me."

Laura began blinking at the sound of Spencer's voice. She opened her eyes fully and surveyed her surroundings. She was laying on her green couch wrapped in Robert Scorpio's arms with her grandson standing above her looking down at her with confusion and almost hurt in his eyes. "Spencer? What time is it?" she asked.

"It's seven in the morning. We have to leave in no more than ten minutes... Grandmother, what are you doing sleeping on the couch with Agent Scorpio in your and Kevin's apartment?"

Laura untangled herself from Robert and left him sleeping on the couch. She pulled the blanked over him and ran a hand tenderly through his hair. She doesn't deserve him as her friend. He stayed up with her all night allowing her to express all of her thoughts about Kevin and his complete personality change. He held her as she cried over her broken heart. Laura knows she repeats the same dialogue about how Kevin is not acting like himself and how her heart is broken. Robert Scorpio never rubbed her as an emotional man, but watching him take care of her the last couple of days, and especially last night, Laura realized that she could trust him to hold her up during this difficult, emotional time.

"Let me brush my teeth and wash my face. Grab a breakfast bar this morning for the ride and we'll go," replied Laura walking up the stairs to her bedroom. At the top of the stairs she turned around and said, "And we will talk about Robert and I on the way to school."

Spencer nodded and once Laura was out of sight, he stared at a sleeping Robert. He whispered, "Agent Scorpio, if you hurt my grandmother, prepare to die."

Once they were out the door and in the car, Spencer looked at his grandmother and questioned, "So, what's going on between you and the spy?"

Laura, watching the road in front of her replied, "Nothing. Honestly, Honey, he is just a friend. I was really sad last night."

"About Kevin?"

Laura bit her lip attempting to hold back tears that were about to fall. "Yeah. About Kevin."

Spencer frowned and put his hand gently atop Laura's shoulder, as to not distract her driving. "Me too, Grandmother. Me too."

Laura said, "I know you are. He was important to us, huh?"

"I know he was your husband and he means more to you, but he was like a real grandfather to me. Not having him home and acting like his normal self...It just hurts."

"Honey, I know Kevin meant a lot to you. Just because he was my husband doesn't mean you shouldn't have feelings on his personality switch."

"It's like an evil twin replaced him," said Spencer looking at the trees passing by outside the window.

"I know. That's what I told Robert last night," replied Laura continuing her drive.

Robert woke up about ten minutes after Spencer and Laura left. After his talk with Laura last night, he wants to get to the bottom of Kevin's personality switch for her. He loves her, but she doesn't belong with him. She belongs with Kevin, the Kevin who treated her with love and respect. He pulled out his phone and called his colleagues at the WSB. "Hey, it's Scorpio. I need you to give me access to Ferncliffe Mental Infirmary in Port Charles, New York." "No, I need access to see every patient room throughout the facility." "Make a fake I.D. Jesus! How did you even get this job?" "I also need a file pulled up on Doctor Kevin Collins. He is a psychiatrist there." "Something fishy is going on here and I'm going to get to the bottom of it." "Thanks. How long until I'll get the badge and access?" "A week?! I need it sooner than a week, Jack!" "Two days. That's better. Can I have the file on Kevin Collins today?" "Great. I'll check my email in an hour. Thanks."

Something fishy was going on with Kevin Collins and last night, Laura said something that made a light bulb go off in his mind.

7 hours ago

"I just don't understand how Kevin could go from the loving, gentle, empathetic man I married to this cold hearted, cheating bastard. I just don't know what happened to him," said a crying Laura wrapped in Robert's arms on the couch.

"I don't know, Love. He is stupid for letting you go. It's like he lost his mind. Maybe you are right for getting him committed after all," replied Robert kissing the top of Laura's head.

"It's like an evil twin took his place."

Robert's mind started to reel. "Could that be possible?"

Laura shook her head. "No. Ryan's dead and Kevin doesn't have a triplet."

"Are you sure that Ryan is dead? You know first hand that evil always comes back, Love. Hello! Helena! Stavros! Faison! Ring any bells?"

Laura giggled. "I know. I know. They said no body was ever recovered, but how could it? He had to have been burned to a crisp in the fun house fire. Kevin assured Felicia he was dead. He wouldn't lie to her. Not about Ryan."

"Alright. I believe you," said Robert with a gleam in his eye and an idea in his head.

Present Time

Robert wandered around the living room of Laura's apartment. She still had some pictures up of her and Kevin. He picked up the picture on wall ledge by her front door. It was a black and white photo of what he presumed to be their wedding day. She looked so happy with him. He hasn't seen her smile that way since 1981. Laura is right. This man in this photo wouldn't do this to her. Kevin was the one for her and Robert is going to do anything to bring him back to her. If his intuition is correct, Kevin will be back with Laura sooner rather than later.

Robert walked over to the desk and pulled a note pad out of the top drawer. Robert wrote Laura a note that said he would call her later and that she is the strongest person he knows. "I'm going to fix this for you, Laura, or die trying," said Robert to an empty apartment.

Robert was sitting at the bar at the Metro Court reading the file the WSB sent him on Kevin Collins. The file also included information on his twin brother, Ryan Chamberlain, and the crimes he committed. Robert usually doesn't feel in touch with his emotions besides when he's with Robin or his grandchildren, but reading about Ryan and Kevin's abuse by their mother made Robert feel for the twins. The character description of Ryan is matching the current characteristics of the Kevin walking around. Robert was in the middle of reading about Ryan's crimes in Texas and meeting Felicia when he heard Carly say, "Robert! Where's Laura? Recently, the two of you have been tied at the hip."

This woman needs to learn to mind her own damn business. "She had a couple board meetings at the hospital. So, I am solo today," replied Robert with gritted teeth.

"I hope she doesn't run into Kevin... I can't believe what he did to her. Sleeping with Ava behind her back. I didn't even know Kevin spoke to Ava."

"Yeah. He's a douche bag."

Carly nodded and said, "But it's weird. He's not acting like himself at all. I mean, I know I'm not everyone's favorite person, but the man who treated me at Ferncliffe is a completely different man walking around today. It's so odd."

Robert perked up. "How so?"

"He was so kind and gentle while I was in Ferncliffe. He made sure I wasn't given harsh drugs. We played cards everyday. He talked about Laura all the time. You could tell by his voice and his eyes that he was in love with her... And I know I annoyed him with my constant pestering about the patient next to me, but when I asked him about it recently, he practically blew up at me," responded Carly while she was cleaning shot glasses.

Robert asked, "What do you mean, a mystery patient?"

"Well, the patient next to me was trying to communicate with me using Morse Code. He knocked "SOS" a couple times. I don't think he's supposed to be there. When I first asked Kevin, he told me that the patient was very dangerous and that he is taking care of him. But, when I asked him recently, he blew up at me and told me to forget about it. I mean, I know I can be persistent and annoying, but the Kevin we all know would never have lost it on me."

"That's interesting. Did he ever tell you the patient's name?"

Carly's eyebrows met in confusion. Why does he want to know all of this? "Umm. Yeah. Spinelli, my friend and tech guru, he was able to find out that the patient in the room next to me has a name of Wilson. I don't know if that is the first or last name. But it's a name, right?"

"Yeah. A name is better than nothing... Um it's been nice talking to you Carly. I'll send your best to Laura. Nice restaurant. Keep up the good work," replied Robert as he quickly paid for his scotch and walked towards the elevator.

Carly shook her head. "Man, what is up with him?"

In the elevator, Robert opened up his file and was looking over the Ryan Chamberlain section. His heart stopped when he saw Todd Wilson under Ryan's aliases. "Laura, your husband still loves you. He's probably just drooling in a padded sell right now. And Ryan, you better watch out. I'm onto you."

Laura texted Robert letting him know that she was meeting with Alexis to finalize the paper work to commit Kevin to Ferncliffe. The sooner he gets evaluated the sooner her mind will be at rest. This may not give her a husband again, but it might fix Kevin. At this point, Laura doesn't care if this won't fix her marriage, but she wants to help Kevin. Something about him changed and she wants to help him. Alexis walked into her office breaking Laura out of her thoughts. "Hello, Laura. Sorry for keeping you waiting. I had to take a late lunch because of a busy morning."

"It's fine. Don't worry about it."

Alexis sat down and began pulling out Laura and Kevin's file. She smiled and said, "Great. So, I drew up the papers to commit Kevin. Just read them over and sign at the bottom of the last two pages. Once you do, we will schedule a time and day for a cop, a psychiatrist, and a Ferncliffe orderly to retrieve Kevin and take him to Ferncliffe for an evaluation." Alexis slid the packet across the glass desk and handed Laura a pen. "Take your time. If you have any questions, just ask."

Laura nodded and began to put her purse on the floor next to her chair but stopped when she felt her phone vibrating. She ignored it but it began vibrating again. She dug into her purse and pulled it out. Robert was calling her. Laura was perplexed. She had already texted him regarding her meeting with Alexis and he never calls or more than once. This must be important. "Excuse me, one second," Laura told Alexis and she stepped outside into the hallway to answer the phone. "Robert, you called me more than once in a one minute time interval. What's wrong?"

"You can't sign those papers," replied Robert.

Laura scoffed. "Why? You told me last night that you agreed that I was doing the right thing."

"You just can't, Love. He's isn't your responsibility any more."

"Robert, I love him. I have to help him."

"Love, I... I... trust me. Don't sign those papers."

"Why, Robert? I need a reason or I pick up the pen."

"Love..."

"I mean it, Robert. Give me a reason. I'm not a child. I can handle whatever you tell me. Now, tell me."

Robert took a deep breath and said, "The man walking around is not Kevin. It's Ryan. He's alive."

Laura's jaw dropped.

Author's Note:

So, I write my stories off the top of my head. I usually have a path I want to follow, but I often just write these chapters as the ideas come to me. After reading some of your reviews, the consensus is that a lot you do not want Robert and Laura romantically involved. So, I changed the path of the story. The main idea of this story will remain intact, but the way it comes together has changed. I hope you still stick with me and this story. Thanks!