Chateau Garnier
"This isn't exactly the third honeymoon I had in mind," said Robert as he and Anna stood on opposite sides of the bed. Each was packing a suitcase or duffle bag.
"We can do something when we're both home whenever that is," said Anna. "Maybe go away to the mountains for a few days. Mountains or the sea?"
"As long as we're together that's all that matters to me," said Robert. "This is it. One last push with everything we've got."
Anna sighed. For a brief second there was a flash of uncharacteristic fear in her eyes. "It has to work."
"It will," said Robert. "Have to say I'm glad you're heading home."
"Out of the action and the firing line you mean."
"Naturally. You'll have Sean, Mac, Felicia, Frisco and Dia around. That eases my mind a lot regarding Faison's reaction."
"What more can he do that he hasn't already?"
"I'm going to shove him into a corner. I'm going to do whatever I have to to keep him in that corner," said Robert. He zipped his duffel bag and put it on the floor before sitting down on the edge of the bed. "But things happens. Things I may not be able to control. You have a little time to think and plan. Strategize with Sean and Frisco. Turn the Villa into a real fortress. I don't care what you do as long as everyone I love stays safe."
"I don't want you to worry about us. That's my job. You need to focus on what you need to do. Jacques told me that your moral compass wouldn't allow you to be the Scarecrow. How are you coping being Abelard?"
Robert grinned and said, "Easy. I tossed the hero cape out the window yesterday."
Robert's jaunty manner did not fool Anna. She could see the sadness in his eyes. Anna knelt in front of him. She caressed his face. "You're a hero to me and to the children. Who cares what everyone else thinks?"
Robert's expression turned serious. "This … this is harder than I thought it would be."
"I can see that." Anna took one of hands into hers and squeezed. "I can see your pain."
"It was … was easy before when everything was on paper or happening far away," said Robert. "Intimidating and threatening people is one thing but making decisions knowing that … that I'd probably signed their death warrant is something else. Not just one person but … maybe … too many."
"Abelard is making those decisions not you," said Anna. "I guess this is too personal to distance yourself from."
"Yeah. I've tried the compartment trick and that's not working. Maybe I'll feel less if I adjust my compass to be more flexible like yours and Sean's."
"No. Don't do that."
"It's worked for you two."
"Mine works right because I've adapted it to listen to my heart. That's the way I like it. But you and I know how imperfect it can be."
"And Sean's compass?"
"I think he built his own version a long time ago. It works for him. Only Sean knows what rules it follows," said Anna. "Please don't lose who you really are deep inside, Robert."
Robert snorted. "Oh, Anna, pieces of me chipped away when I started doing Black Ops jobs for the Bureau. What's left isn't worth much. I don't know how you tolerate me sometimes."
"That goes both ways." Anna looked earnestly at her husband. "Listen, when all this is done, we're going to pick up all the scattered pieces and put you back together. The pain will stop."
Robert pushed a strand of loose hair behind Anna's ear. "You're welcome to try."
"For now, you have to be Abelard in your heart and in your head," said Anna. "There's no two ways about it. You're either in or out, on or off. You have be on your game out there. All the time. No letting up or relaxing. Robert Scorpio doesn't exist in that world."
"I shall take to heart all your sage advice. I consider you the family expert in maintaining a role."
"A very dubious distinction," said Anna. She sighed. "I can't escape that part of my life can I?" She rose and sat down on the bed next to Robert.
"Open mouth and insert foot. I'm sorry for bringing it up. It doesn't mean what it used to anymore."
"I think I've gotten overly sensitive about it," said Anna. "It happened so long ago. It shouldn't bother me but it does."
"Because on some level, you enjoyed it. You had to use everything you had to keep the role going and to fool Faison and the rest of the DVX," said Robert. "That had to be a thrill."
Anna grinned. "It WAS. The ultimate adrenalin rush. The only thing better was when I held Robin for the first time. I decided to change then and there."
Robert teased, "I don't know about completely changing."
"What do you mean?"
"You created the persona of Luv to be your interface with Robin."
"That was necessary. She was a … a buffer. I couldn't risk anyone knowing a connection between me and Robin, could I?"
"You kept it going for six or seven years. And, you had a scar. Let's see that's Luv blonde wig and all, Anna Devane scarred dealer and fence extraordinaire and under all that was my Anna. Admit it! Multiple personas is your drug of choice."
Anna laughed. She returned to her packing. "You are being ridiculous!"
"Didn't you find it difficult juggling all those different personalities and roles for years?" asked Robert in all seriousness. "I've only got the one and it's really hard for me. What's the trick?"
"There isn't one," said Anna. She was silent for a few seconds before adding, "I maintained the roles I did because I had to. Maybe, I just have a personality that makes it easy to slip in and out of roles."
"I'm going to be stuck with Abelard until I find a replacement. Does it get easier over time?"
"It should. When I was playing a role, I was that role in that moment. I didn't think about the concerns of the other roles. Just be in the moment and think on your feet. That's what Sean taught me." With a flourish, Anna closed her suitcase and put it by the door. She moved to stand close to Robert. "All done. Tomorrow, I shuffle off to Calais to get Andrew from Salim's place. That leaves tonight for us."
"What do you have in mind, Mrs. Scorpio?"
"How about a … a downpayment on the honeymoon, Mr. Scorpio? Heloise told me of a local restaurant with a decent dance floor."
"Say no more. Dinner and dancing. Sounds good to me."
They kissed gently and without haste.
Robert said, "Dessert will be on me. Just so you don't forget me while we're apart."
"That will never happen," said Anna rising to her feet.
"You sure?"
Anna's answer was to move closer, raise his face upward and lean in to give him a scorching kiss. "Did you get the answer you wanted?"
Robert pulled her to him and rolled her over to lie flat on the bed beneath him. "Do we have to go out to … dance?"
Anna giggled. "It was just an idea."
Crimson Magazine Office
Maxie dropped her coat and purse on her desk and groaned. Her computer monitor was covered with Kate's Post It notes. More errands and tasks she was certain. She took off her sunglasses and groaned again as her tired eyes were assaulted by the bright office lights.
Lulu looked over, "Late night party at the Old Folk's Court?"
"Aunt Anna and Uncle Robert's wedding reception party went on and on. I know it was great. I just wish I remembered more of the party. Old people can party hard. Did you know that?"
"They got married again? This is the third time, right?" asked Lulu utterly amazed. "Something must have happened on the island."
"Senior sex? Don't go there!"
"Anna is not-"
"DON'T! PLEASE!" Maxie covered her eyes. "It's bad enough that I got a peek at the honeymoon lingerie designers are sending to Dia by the boxful. I asked to have any of them she doesn't want. You want some?"
"I don't have her goddess figure or a boyfriend but heck yes!" declared Lulu. "Speaking of boyfriends, yours was here when I opened the office."
Maxie looked panicked. "What did you tell Spinelli? You didn't tell him to come back did you?"
"I told him to call you. Are you going to break up with him or not? It's not fair to Spinelli to be on your romantic yo-yo."
"I have so much on my plate. I can't take his … his absolute unending adoration right now."
"One conversation is all it takes."
Maxie rattled on not hearing or ignoring Lulu's good advice. "I have exams to study for. And now RealDad is on his way here in about two days. I've had maybe three hours of sleep in the last four days." Maxie ran a hand through her hair. "Is my hair thinning? It's so lifeless. It's all this STRESS!"
"I told you that you were doing too much."
"It's the timing. Too much going on all at one time. It's like a test of how many balls I can juggle in the air at the same time using only one hand." Maxie sipped her double shot of espresso. "It gets worse. Mom bought a unit at the Court for her and RealDad." Maxie shuddered. "I can't avoid him now."
"You don't have to see him if you don't want to. Is there a gun to your head?" Lulu slipped another set of slides on the lightboard. "I've found the perfect cover shot of Dianara for the next issue. I just need a few more shots for the inside spread on her opening the studio. The woman hasn't aged! I hate her! How is she and Mac?"
"Globetrotting and having a marvelous time meeting Dia's family in Italy," said Maxie. "Dad was so happy on our last video call. Resigning was definitely the right decision."
"Since he's coming back, wouldn't your RealDad qualify for the police commissioner gig?"
Maxie threw a copy of Crimson at her best friend. "Take that back! Take it back!" Another magazine sailed through the air. "Never ever utter THAT again! That would be a nightmare! Seriously!"
Along the River Seine
Helena strolled along the scenic river walk gazing at the sight of Paris in the evening dusk. There was a hint of mist and it gave the streetlights an off-focus glow. The scene reminded her of the antique postcards made in the heyday of Paris when it was a center of culture, history and wealth.
She sighed as she watched people walking by. "Those halcyon days were never as idyllic as one remembers yet I miss them more and more. The days of promise so golden as to blind the senses."
Her mind receded into the past. She recalled the days of walking these same paths with Mikkos on their honeymoon. The nights of passion and heat. They had loved each other in the beginning.
"That was no bad thing," she said with a catch in her voice. She paused on the railing and watched the meandering river below. "Mikkos, I vowed I would be a good wife to you, a proper matriarch for your house. If nothing else, those vows remain sacred to me. Give me your strength tonight so I may see glory restored to our house. I promise you it shall never be tarnished again."
She stood for a time gathering her thoughts before turning away and walking back to her driver. In her mind, she visualized the Hall of the Families where the representatives gathered. She pictured herself being greeted as of old. Lastly, she imagined herself laying charges against Thanos D'Ercy. In the present, a small smile tugged at her lips.
Conclave was only a few hours away.