In the Blue Room, Doctor Tom Hardy placed the used syringe on the table beside him. No longer in a straitjacket, Andrew sat calm and attentive between Robert and Anna. Tom did another examination of his eyes. Monica, Sean and Alex stood to the side watching.

"Noah and I are still worried about seizures," said Monica. She nodded at Alex. "We're closely mimicking the same course of treatment that Alex did on Anna. It seems to be working to stabilize you, Andrew, as far as your physical symptoms. Mentally and emotionally is another story."

"You can't cure that with a magic pill, Doctor Quartermaine," said Andrew softly.

"Not right away but we can work together towards a cure while giving you ways to ... to control your conditioning on your own," said Tom. "It won't be easy but if you're motivated-"

"I am." Andrew looked at Robert, Alex then Anna. "I want Faison out of my head and my life. I KNOW that I do. If I say I don't, then it's not me talking."

"What's next?" asked Robert.

"After the service, I want to have a long session with Andrew if he's up to it," said Tom. "And, may I suggest, that Andrew be placed in a calming atmosphere." He looked around the room. "This is a little too, um, busy. Too tempting for him."

"Ah, I see," said Anna. She looked at her son. "You are quarantined to the Villa starting now."

"Mum, please, I ... I have so much to do and-"

"You've been doing TOO much," said Anna in a no-nonsense tone. "You need a break and Tom agrees. A break you will have."

Andrew tried again. "Operation Searchlight is at a-"

"Is rolling along," said Robert. "I know you want to help find Robin, son, but your health is even more important than that."

"But I'm the only one who-"

"And you have to remember that what you do affects many, many people." Robert looked hard at Andrew relaying the subtext of a message he could not say out loud. "They can't afford to have you put out of commssion again. I'm putting my fatherly foot down on this one."

Andrew breathed in deeply then let it out in a rush. "I understand, sir."

"Since Tom will be treating you, I think this is too far to drive for him. Why not move into your place in the Donely building, Andrew?" Anna said. "It's close to the hospital and the Megaplex."

"Ah, the security, um, I haven't finished hiring a staff," said Sean uncertainly.

"Not a problem, Sean. I'll take care of Andrew's security. I'll coordinate everything. You won't have to do a thing," replied Anna.

"If ... if you're sure," said Sean weakly.

"I'm getting tired of being blindsided. Security is my responsibility. I'm going to be positively rabid and unreasonable about it," Anna said.

"A new environment is the best for now," said Tom. "You know I've been hearing a lot about your new building, Sean. I need a place to stay. I might look into it."

Sean smiled. "It's all Tiffany's doing believe me. She's going to rename it as 1 Temple Court once it opens for business. Ask Maxie for a tour, Tom. Give her the commission."

"I will. Thanks," Tom said.

Giles' voice came from the doorway. "Everyone, it's time. They're ready on the hill."

A light rain had begun to fall as the minister finished the graveside service. Everyone filed past the burial spot saying their farewells, tossing a flower or a handful of earth. The last ones were all family.

Standing between Dianara and Maxie, Mac knelt and threw a white lily into the grave. He said softly, "Farewell, niece. My heart can't tell you apart from Robin. That's the way it will always be." He slowly got to his feet and put an arm around Maxie. "This better be the last for a long, long time. I can't take another one."

With a bundled Emma in one arm, his father Noah on his left and brother Matt on his right, Patrick bravely threw in handfuls of earth. His lips formed words but no speech as he knelt. After a few minutes, he rose and said, "This is a good spot. She'll like it here."

"There will be a stone bench put in to the side when the weather is better," said Andrew.

"And flowers around the headstone," said Anna. "Come summer, it's going to be beautiful and peaceful.

She and Robert stood by the grave giving each other the support they each badly needed. Anna said very softly, "Robert and I will do our best for Emma and for Patrick. We'll watch out for them. I promise you that she will know her mother, Eve. I'll find out who you are and I'll tell her and ..."

Robert added the words that Anna could not, "You won't be forgotten. We won't let that happen."

In little groups, people picked their way down the cleared trail from the hilltop to the Villa. It was a mixture of immediate family, invited guests and various members of the security team. Noah and Matt walked on either side of an unsteady Patrick. Sean held Tiffany close. Eve's former roommates and close friends Doctors Kelly Lee and Lainey WInters comforted each other. Bobbie, Monica and Tom walked side by side talking softly and sometimes eyeing the troubled family members with concerned glances.

Mac and Dianara comforted Maxie. Halfway to the Villa, Mac looked back and said goodbye in his heart one more time. His heart ached for all his girls. He'd always tried to be a good father. Regret clawed at his spirit. As he had watched the coffin being lowered into the ground, he had not been able to shake the imagery evoked by Robert's words on the boat heading to Spoon Island.

That Robin is being held somewhere? Or ... or she's lying in some unmarked grave as if she didn't matter to anyone?

Mac felt as if he'd left Robin behind. It was a feeling he loathed. He said under his breath, "We'll find you, sweetheart. Scorpios take care of their own. I promise."

Anna and Robert held hands as they solemnly made their way back to the Villa. Behind them, Dimitri carried Viktor in one arm and held Alex with the other. For all of them, sorrow bowed their shoulders while a steadfast purpose hardened their resolve. They would find those responsible for robbing Eve and Robin of their true lives and futures. It was a charge that they could never relinquish or ignore. Ever.

Andrew brought up the rear. He had been the last to throw a flower into the grave. As he had done so, he had made a silent vow to Eve that he would do all he could in his lifetime and beyond to safeguard her daughter's future. It was a vow that would haunt him for the rest of his life.

In the living room, Sean sat down on the sofa. He'd made it through the service - barely. His legs trembled. His chest felt heavy. He felt ill and showed it. Tiffany brought him a glass of water from the kitchen.

Tiffany wrapped her hands around the glass. "Here, honey, drink it slowly." She sat down next to him and rubbed his back. "It was hard for all of us but it's over now. Take it easy."

"I'll be fine. Just give me a minute." Sean gulped the water gratefully.

"Take the day off. Stay home and rest," urged Tiffany.

"I'm fine," repeated Sean.

"You've been pushing yourself hard. You're all flushed."

Sean growled, "I'm fine I said. Leave off!"

"Sean!" exclaimed Tiffany more surprised by his tone than hurt.

Sean was immediately contrite. "Baby, I'm sorry." He leaned back against the sofa and pulled his wife to him. He stroked her upper arm. "I didn't mean that."

"Something IS wrong and you won't tell me what it is," said Tiffany.

"It's been a rollercoaster the last few months. I'm tired."

"You toss and turn all night. You're in and out at all hours. Taking walks on the docks and who knows what else. I just know something is eating at you," said Tiffany. "I'm here. Let me help."

Sean sighed. "It's work, honey, that's all. I want the PR firm to get off on the right foot."

"You have a bunch of people running that place. Delegate!"

Sean took another sip of water. "Is that what you do? This is only temporary. You know I like to charge hard at the beginning of a project. You're the same. We want to make sure that things are done right."

Tiffany patted Sean's chest. "I thought you were going to start taking it easy. Boston PD took a lot out of you. And, hush, don't tell me it didn't. Those last two cases were beyond bad."

"And still unsolved," said Sean. His eyes took on a clouded expression as he remembered his last cases as police chief in Beantown. Closure for the victims' families would likely never be possible.

"You did your best. The entire department did."

"I was the wrong man for the job. I should have realized that sooner."

"The killings stopped. That's no little thing."

"I should have brought in the big guys."

"You tried. You practically begged the WSB to participate. Who slammed the door in your face? Ross that's who!" said Tiffany. "Ingrates!"

"Not their jurisdiction. I knew it was a long shot."

"Bunch of snooty bureaucrats!" Tiffany shook her head. "We're home now and surrounded by our friends. I want to forget Boston ever happened."

"Me, too, baby," said Sean.

"Will you promise me that once this museum exhibit fuss is over that you'll rest up?" said Tiffany.

"Promise."

"One more thing. I can't solve the problems of the world but I'm here to listen," said Tiffany gently prodding. "Whenever you're ready to talk."

Sean tightened his arm around her. "I love you for that. I love everything about you. I always will. Everything I do is for you and Belle."

"You spoil her rotten," said Tiffany.

"I spoil you a little bit, too. Don't I?"

"You have your moments," said Tiffany. "I love you. I love our life together. And, don't forget, it's your turn to plan our anniversary getaway."

"Oh, no! I'm never going to top the last one."

"You're a clever man. I'm sure you'll find a way, darlin'."

"Anyone see Robbie around?" asked Mac coming into the living room behind Dianara.

"He's with Anna," said Tiffany. "Where's Maxie?"

"In the EMZ with Andrew and Emma. I thought Anna goes overboard. Have you seen that place?" Mac glanced in the direction of the master bedroom. "I'll wait for Robbie. I want to go with him to the airport. The department should be able to survive for a few hours without me."

"See, Sean, that's called delegating," teased Tiffany."

"I hear ya," chuckled Sean.

"I wish I didn't have to go to the Bureau tomorrow," said Dianara. "I'd be more useful in Europe searching."

"Never use everything on the first sally," said Sean.

"Keep some forces behind as backup and reserve," Dianara added finishing one of the WSB's operational strategies.

"That's coldblooded to me," said Mac taking his place by his future wife. "Why not bring everything to bear and win the battle decisively?"

"And lose the war because you're out of manpower, ammunition and supplies," said Sean in a matter-of-fact voice.

Mac looked directly at Sean. "Are we in a war?"

"We have to assume we are," replied the veteran spymaster.

"It's starting to feel like we're under siege," said Tiffany. "Take care of one thing and ten more things pop up."

"A battle is about speed and strength but a war is won by stamina, intelligence and guile," said Sean. "Robert's got the pieces in the field. He's going to join them. That leaves Anna to run the game. It could be a long campaign of attrition."

"Is it a spy thing or are you all ... immune or something?" asked Mac with some frustration. "You're so cool and unhurried. I want to DO something. Anything. Right now."

Dianara lay her head on his shoulder. "We ARE doing something. We're resting, gathering information and organizing. When the call to action comes, and it will, we'll be ready."

"The calm is deceptive. We're churning and fretting on the inside as much as you are, Mac," said Sean. "Personally, I'm envisioning wrapping my hands around the neck of the person responsible. It's like an endless video loop in my head."

"We've looked over journals, analyzed footage, racked my brain for any bits that I could remember. There has to be something else I can do?" asked Mac. "I can resign tomorrow and join Robbie on the other side of the pond."

"Don't do that. You're needed here," said Dianara.

"I can look up my old merchant marine contacts in Italy, France, Hong Kong and lots of places. I can watch his back. What can I do here?"

"Staying behind is just as important," insisted Dianara. "There's the Cassadine case that's still open. God knows where Helena is."

"She's probably run off to Greece and out of American jurisdiction. I don't think she's going anywhere for a while," replied Mac. "I can't touch her. My hands are tied."

"Not if her people turn witness. She's denying any involvement or connection with them. Tilt her hired guns to your way of thinking. Then you can finally get real evidence against her," said Dianara. "I thought you wanted to get back at the Cassadines for what happened to your parents?"

"I do!" replied Mac hotly. "But Robin is more important. She's out there. Maybe she's lost hope. She's all alone. Defenseless."

Sean closed his eyes. His body tensed. He fought for calm and control. He could not give in to despair at his predicament and Robin's possible fate.

"Robb'ies strung tight and ready to snap. I can feel it. Anna's putting on a good front until you look in her eyes and ... " Mac's voice trailed off.

Dianara weaved her hand into Mac's hand. "Robin will be found. We can't lose hope before we begin."

Robert held Anna in his arms as they stood in their bedroom. She rested her face on his chest and wound her arms around his waist. She could hear his heartbeat. He stroked her hair.

"You be careful. Call me if ... when you find something," said Anna.

Robert inhaled trying to memorize her scent and the feel of her body pressed against him. "It's early days and the trail is cold. The Foundation lead could be nothing."

"Or it could be the break we need."

"You and Mac are chomping at the bit to get out there and look but don't forget that this is a marathon not a sprint, luv," said Robert. "The team is there doing the legwork for us. We have to let them do their job."

"I know that. The agent side of me knows that."

"And the mother side?" asked Robert gently.

"Wants to tear every country apart until I find her," Anna said. "Having Andrew and Emma nearby is wonderful but it's not enough. I hurt. Everywhere. And so do you. You're not fooling me with this cool and collected demeanor."

"I'm barely holding on," admited Robert. "If Elena has her, I swear I'll-"

"You swear to call me in time to get there." Anna looked directly at Robert. "I'm going to finish off some loose ends here. I'll be ready when you call."

"It could be a while."

"Once I'm done here, the rest of the team will be ready to join the operation. I've got feelers out to my old networks. Andre is asking around. We'll hear something. I know it."

"Anna, please-"

Anna broke out of Robert's embrace. "Don't! Don't tell me to be realistic. Nothing about this is realistic."

"We'll be no good to anyone if we're both burnt out at the same time!" Robert explained. "When you were taken by Putnam, I ... I drove myself to the very, very edge of my endurance. I wasn't thinking clearly enough. I missed clues. Clues that could have led me to finding you sooner. I was a basket case in every way."

"Like I was when Robin went missing in the Asian Quarter."

"Multiple that by a factor of ten."

"I want to scream all the time. But I have to pretend that I'm out of my head with grief instead and all the while be in complete control and run things properly. It's madness!"

Robert put a hand on both her shoulders from behind. "For a while until we get something definite you have to hang on."

A sob caught in her throat. "It's been so long. What if she's gone, too?"

"Robin's not a little girl. They took her for a reason. They went through the bother of arranging for a double. I have to believe that ... that she's alive somewhere."

"I keep remembering the last time I saw her." Anna took hold of Robert's hands and pulled his arms around her like the sleeves of a sweater. Robert squeezed her to him. "She was so happy and so alive. Her life was ahead of her, Robert."

"She's strong, clever and resourceful. Best of all, she's a survivor." Robert lowered his voice for her ears alone. His voice was gravelly with emotion. "We would know in our hearts and our guts if our girl was gone. Really gone. We have to believe that we'll see her again. We have to believe."

"It's the fear. It's choking me. Drowning me."

"Think. Don't feel. Shut off the emotion," demanded Robert.

"I can't! I can't!" Tears freely coursed down her cheek. She was on the edge of hysteria. "My child is not an assignment. How can I be objective?"

"You have to be!" yelled Robert.

"You're asking for too much," said Anna.

He moved to stand in front of her. Tenderly, he wiped at the tears on her face. "I have to go and do something or go berserk here. I don't have the strength or the patience to keep the situation under control. I can barely manage myself. It's your turn, Anna, to be the strong one. Stronger, tougher and colder than you've ever been."

Anna let out a shuddering breath but said nothing. She held Robert's gaze.

Robert continued, "No one is going to look harder or longer for our baby than us. We've taken turns like equal partners all our lives together. We always have. When one falters, the other picks him or her up and sets them in the right direction again. But, Anna, we're only two people. We have to pace ourselves and be smart in directing our teams and using our resources. One of us, you, have to make the decisions."

"I know ... you're right," said Anna haltingly. She was slowly regaining her composure. "It's so hard to think straight."

"I know it is," said Robert soothingly. "If you want to change places and be the one out there instead, fine, you can go and I'll stay."

Anna shook her head. "You have all the contacts in the field. I have to be here. Deal with things. Close up shop." She grabbed a handful of Robert's shirt. "You promise me the minute, the second, you have something, you'll call me. I need to be there."

"You will be."

"Of course, if you run into trouble, I'll be there anyway." Anna took a deep breath. Her face was becoming calm and centered.

Robert took Anna's hands in his. "Women's lib. It'll be your turn to rescue me." He placed a kiss on each hand. "Be strong, Anna. For all of us."

Anna wound her arms around his neck. "I've got your back, Scorpio."

Robert grinned knowing that Anna had recovered her mental and emotional equilibrium and would be fine. "One of these days we're going to have peace and quiet. Some quality time to just be Bobby and Annie."

Anna said wistfully, "Someday."

Robert nuzzled her. He rained sweet kisses on her lips, cheeks and the side of her neck. She held him tight. She closed her eyes shutting everything else out of her mind except this one moment.

Too soon they broke apart. A last glance. A final nod.

"Bobbie and Annie back in the closet," said Anna.

"It's only temporary." Robert shouldered his duffel bag.

Anna walked to the door with him. She touched his sleeve. "Robert?"

"Yes?"

Anna touched his cheek. "You're leaving me behind again."

"I could never wander very far from you," answered Robert.

Anna straightened his coat collar. "I'll have the mai tais ready."