One Temple Court - Donely Penthouse

Sean looked over to make sure that Tiffany was sound asleep before slipping out of bed. He peered into Belle's room. She was asleep, too. Inside his study with the door locked, From a false bottom in his middle drawer, he took out the dossier of the Minerva Project and began to read every word on every page. No skimming this time.

"I have to know this cold," said Sean under his breath.

A few minutes later, a soft knock came at the door. A voice from beyond the door called out "Daddy?"

Sean put the dossier away. He opened the door. "Sweetheart, you should be sleeping."

"I went to get water and saw your light on," said Belle. "You're supposed to be working less, aren't you?"

Sean put an arm around Belle and led her back to her bedroom. "Just reading some documents. Hardly work." He tucked the coverlet around his daughter on the bed. "People my age don't need so much sleep. But, teenagers do. I can't believe I have a gorgeous teen daughter. And, don't say you're not a looker because you are just like your mama. You're just not vain about it."

"I want people to like me for me not for my looks," said Belle. "Or my money."

"Yeah, true friends are the hardest things to find. Once you have them, don't let them go, ever," said Sean.

"I won't, Daddy."

Sean kissed Belle's forehead.

Belle gave Sean a quick hug and said, "I'm glad we moved back here,"

"You're happy here?"

"Yes, very," said Belle.

"And very busy," said Sean.

Belle sighed. "Oh, Daddy, I like helping out. I do! Don't worry about it."

"It's my prerogative to worry and your mother's," said Sean. "Sweetheart, we want so much for you. I age years when you … you go around with Andrew."

"He won't let anything happen to me," said Belle. "He's got guards all the time. When I'm here, your security is on the job. What could happen?"

"I don't want to think that anything could happen," said Sean. "Instead of analyzing data or fiddling with radio systems, you should be enjoying school, your friends, your activities."

"Two out of three isn't bad," said Belle.

"Two?"

"Friends and activities."

"You don't like the school? It's the best in the area."

"It's my classmates. I haven't found one regular person at all," said Belle. "Can't I just go to public school?"

"They're not safe enough."

"Robin did when she was my age. I know enough self defense to get out of trouble," said Belle. "And, all my activities are off school property so I'm actually only spending a few hours at school on a daily basis. I'll keep my calendar updated all the time so you and Mama can check up on me. SIMON knows where I am 24/7!"

Sean chuckled. "Been building your case, have you?"

"You taught me to always be sure of my facts. Do my research. So, when can I switch?" asked Belle.

"What about your friends there?"

"I have none."

"None? You said you have friends here. Where are they?"

"Outside of school. Andrew, Maxie, the team, the Drakes, Bobbie. Lots of people."

"Belle, I've asked you to not … not be seen with the team or Andrew too much. Association can be dangerous for you."

"They're my friends. I'm not giving them up. It's not like they're … they're axe murderers, hit men or gangsters," said Belle.

"Their lifestyle is all about danger." Sean studied Belle's determined expression and backpedaled. "All right, we'll talk about the school over breakfast."

"And my friends?"

"Can you promise me that you'll be more careful and no more outlandish schemes. Think before you commit to anything."

"I promise."

Sean turned off the lamp and shut Belle's door. He sagged against the wall and rubbed a hand over his face. "I'm going to do everything in my power to keep you safe whether you like it or not, sweetheart."

Sean resumed his studying of the document committing as much to memory as he could. With Robin safe, his hands weren't tied anymore. He could go into his investigation with one less thing hovering over him. That left a few dozen things still to juggle in mid-air.

Airborne

Anna strode down the aisle checking on everyone. Mac dozed while Dianara worked on her laptop. Maxie, Felicia and Holly were chatting quietly. Nestor and Nyssa tag teamed the analysis of the images and videos they had taken of the boat and the other team's shoe prints. Nestor had succumbed to exhaustion and was softly snoring away. Headphones on, Jackie was typing madly at her laptop. Robert was in the back with Dimitri. Alex tended to Andrew's cuts and bruises in the bedroom.

Vincent dozed leaning his head against the window. Jack lay curled on the seat in between. Robin in the aisle seat looked up as Anna passed. Opened in her hand was her passport. "Mom?"

"Yes, Robin?"

"What was she like? Dr. Robin Scorpio-Drake I mean? Saying that feels so … wrong to me," said Robin. "But she looks like me and she fooled everyone. Would my life have turned out like hers?"

"Robin, I don't know if you're ready for all this. Are you?" asked Anna.

"I don't have a choice. I have to know," said Robin. "Is this life here in this passport her life the way she would have wanted or in some twisted way was this what I would have … settled for?"

Anna took Robin by the hand and led her towards the back where they wouldn't disturb anyone sleeping. They took seats side by side. "What do mean settled for?"

"One trip each to Paris and London. Nowhere else exotic not even Canada or Mexico. It's so suburban and normal. Go to school, have a career, settle down and get married. Did she have kids?" asked Robin.

Anna took a deep breath and said, "Yes. She and Patrick have an adorable baby girl named Emma Grace."

Robin's eyes narrowed. "You and Dad have a grandchild then."

"We think of Emma as our grandchild, blood or not. We love her all the same," said Anna. "And when you have your children that will be more kids to love."

"Don't get your hopes up on that, Mom," said Robin.

"You don't want kids?"

"I don't know what I want or what I feel. I'm off balance and I need to be centered I think," said Robin. "Being in Paris opened my eyes to other options. Yeah, I wanted a career but I wanted to have adventure, too. Do exciting things."

"Being a doctor can be exciting."

"I thought it was at first but I had to be realistic. I'm HIV positive. My contact with patients has to be limited no matter what my viral load is," said Robin. "That's why I opted to intern at a research lab instead of a hospital. Most of the doctors in the course were going for hospitals. Me? I wanted to work in a different environment."

"Yeah, find what suits you. Is it research then?"

"Yes and no. It's the puzzles of finding out why things don't work chemically speaking that's challenging in a lab. But, I also like the forensic aspect of the work. Reverse engineering something successfully," said Robin. "Medical forensics was one field I was thinking of switching to. I could do the research and analysis and leave the guns and bullets to the cops."

"You could still do that. It's not too late."

"The only thing I know is that I want to help perfect the antidote. Alex told me about the blocker pill. Maybe with a little more work, an antidote is possible," said Robin. "After that, I don't know, maybe travel or a different career outside of medicine."

"Whatever you want is fine by me and your father," said Anna.

"And if I wanted to live elsewhere, far away, with a new identity?"

Anna took Robin's hands in hers. "You don't have the option of not being our child or ever being too far from our heart. I could care less how the world knows you. We want you to be happy and safe. That's all."

"Really, Mom?"

"I would prefer that you live with us, around us, for the rest of our lives but it's your life. Obviously, you can take of yourself. You don't need us. Not anymore." Anna blinked back tears. "We didn't do a very good job of keeping you safe and um, I can't-"

"It's not your fault, Mom," said Robin. "I don't blame you or Dad. What happened to me was a … a total fluke."

"And if Faison wasn't our enemy none of this stuff would have happened," said Anna. "That's true and undeniable."

"It happened. It's over," said Robin. "I forgive you and Dad. Why can't you forgive yourself?" Robin wrapped her arms around Anna. "I love you, Mom, no matter what."

Anna returned the hug and they sat quietly for a time. They didn't see Robert saunter over. He joined in the group hug.

After the broke apart, Robert said, "What's going on with the water works?"

"Just going over some things," said Anna dabbing at her eyes.

"You tell her about my plans?" asked Robert.

"What plans?" asked Robin.

"Back home, we live on a huge farm. I bought the properties on either side of us for their buffer, ahem, investment potential. Pick the one you like best and it's yours," said Robert. "You'll have privacy but your retired parents can visit now and then. Works for everyone."

Anna and Robin exchanged looks. Robin said, "That sounds wonderful, Dad, um, I can't make a decision right now."

"Not a problem. The houses on the properties need a thorough renovation to make them habitable. Plenty of room at the house," said Robert. "Patrick and Emma are-oh, forget I said that."

"I told her about Emma."

"Grandpa Robert? I can't wrap my head around that concept just yet."

"You have got to see him in action," said Anna.

"I'll have you know that I've got the diaper thing mastered. Your brother though needs some practice. Too squeamish," said Robert. "Now, feeding, I'm getting that down, too."

Anna smiled. "Your father imported a Swedish bottle temperature device for Grandpa feeding time."

"It's tough to know when the formula is at the right temperature. Women may be born with some inbuilt, on the wrist thermometer but fathers and grandfathers are not," said Robert. "I'm not taking chances on scalding her. I mean the kid screams like a banshee when something's not to her liking. The things I have to do to get her to stop crying."

"Super spy grandpa, oh my god," said Robin. "You're right, Mom. I have to see this with my own eyes."

Manhattan, New York City

Connie Townley didn't bother checking who was at the door. She knew very well who it was. He was an hour late. She flicked through the series of electronic locks and opened the door. Breathless, Frisco came in.

"The twentieth floor, Connie?" asked Frisco.

"You're supposed to be in great shape, Frisco," said Connie. "I climb those stairs every day. C'mon into the kitchen. I've got a sandwich and soup ready for you. Give me your report between bites and coffee."

Frisco sat down and began to eat. After a few minutes he began his report. "We did find the DAT tapes at Tim's house and a clue that led us to the boat. Dia found a data disc or DVD I think. Before we could leave, we got company."

"That part worries me," said Connie.

"They must have had a tracer on the car. That's how they followed us. Had to be," said Frisco. "We had to shoot our way out and then separate. Dia brought everything to Port Charles. She got there fine. I made sure Chase got on his plane."

"You had to have been under some kind of surveillance," said Connie.

"I swear that there was no one tailing me. I think they got my car's signal and that's how they found me. I was driving to the new safe house when I noticed the tail," said Frisco. "Got to an empty warehouse district and took care of them."

"Description and status?"

"Amateurs. At the most hit men for hire. No finesse at all," said Frisco. "I left them unconscious and tied to a light pole. I have their phones and wallets." He began to empty his pockets.

Connie looked through a few of them. "Definitely locals. Run them through the computers tomorrow."

"Not at HQ, Connie."

"Why not?"

"Because … because I think Tim suspected that the office was compromised in some way."

"He would have told me, Frisco."

"Maybe he didn't have time." Frisco got off the kitchen stool and began to pace. "TIm went through elaborate measures to hide this … this disc. It wasn't easy to find. The phrase he used was something that only someone who knew him would be able to decipher. The lady's gems sparkle in the sun forever. That's not obvious. He didn't tell you anything about this. Why? Because he had to keep it a secret. He couldn't trust anyone while he was getting evidence."

Connie put her coffee down. "Repeat that phrase again."

"Tim's? The lady's gems sparkle in the sun forever. Sparkle refers to his boat. The gems indicate something valuable. Dia found it in light fixture as in the sun's light."

"Almost right," said Connie looking thoughtful.

"You think it means something different?"

"I do. It's too much of a coincidence though," said Connie. "The Gems is the nickname of Chase Masters' group formally known as The Gemini Group."

"I suppose it could be read like that."

"No supposing. The dots connect. Here's why," said Connie. "Chase mentioned that he came here to see about talking to Tim about some systems design work for the Gems. What if Tim had already done some preliminary work and didn't like what he was discovering?"

"And he left the evidence behind to be found? Is that why he was killed?"

"If the Gems were responsible for Tim's murder, there won't be a rock big enough for them to hide under," said Connie. "There's something else. Chase is very eager to have access to the Babbage Protocol?"

"No way!"

"He's persistent and Ross is letting him work for it," said Connie.

"What's the price?"

"Infiltration at a high level of the DVX. It was the most impossible mission I could think of."

"And?"

"He said he would take it on. If successful, his group gets two permanent connections into our main system and all that it comes with including Babbage."

"It's beyond impossible," said Frisco. "You have to be a known quantity for decades to be admitted beyond a certain level. Most of the top level DVX operatives rose through the ranks or got in via inheritance of one sort or another. They all know each other. No one walks into it just like that."

"He was extremely confident of success, Frisco. I don't think Chase is a man to take a risk recklessly. He's supposed to give Ross and me an update and a possible timetable in a few days."

"Ross is supporting him?"

"All the way. Typical Ross maneuvers," said Connie. "I gave Chase a summer time period to execute his operation."

"Why the summer?"

"It's the time that I calculate the chaos to begin at DVX central command," said Connie. "We get some reports but nothing beats on the site information. An internal operative would be useful. I don't deny I'd like one."

"Chase can't be trusted. He tried to recruit me."

"Did he?"

"Yeah, waved a lot of dollar signs," said Frisco.

"I guess he didn't read your file very deeply."

"Or he thinks I could be bought so cheaply," said Frisco. "I don't like people who think like that."

"Same here," said Connie. "Tim, Chase and Babbage have to be connected. When can Robert's people analyze those items?"

"When they get back from Vladivostok probably."

"What?"

Frisco chortled. "Yes! I am not the only one out of the loop. They went to get Robin and they have her."

"Oh, gods, that's great. Robert must be so happy to get her back."

"I'm happy they're no longer on war footing. When it comes to their kids, Anna and Robert are laser-focused. Obstacle meet laser. I'd be the same," said Frisco. "The staff at the Villa is short-handed with nearly everyone injured. Dia's with the family. So, I want to go to Port Charles and do the analysis myself. After I resign, you could still use me as a consultant."

"No can do,"

"I've done my last jobs. I babysat Chase. I got a good lead on why Tim was killed."

"I wasn't talking about your assignments. I can't let you resign, Frisco. Not yet."

"You promised, Connie."

"I know I did and I had every intention of taking your resignation."

"I told Felicia. She's … we've got plans. I can't do this to her. I can't put her second. Not this time!"

"I need someone I can trust at HQ. You're the best option I have."

"There are other agents who-"

"But very few that Ross can't kick around or intimidate," said Connie. "Don't you see? We have a problem at HQ. Who's the mole that Dia says is there? And what about Tim's secret project? What's Chase's real agenda? I need your help to find the answers. Together we can protect each other and find out. What do you say?"