Old Farmhouse
Franjo Curic stepped out of his car and warily approached the old farmhouse situated next to the Villa Scorpio property. It was being renovated in the dead of winter. One half of the house was newly painted. Its window gleamed as they looked out over the front yard. The other side of the house was broken down and devoid of paint. The front door opened and Anna beckoned him in.
Inside, the rooms were bright and airy. The soft sounds of gurgling streams and quiet raindrops were audible and soothed his jangled nerves. He followed Anna to the back of the house past a plain but well-appointed kitchen and a cozy living room.
"Therese just woke up from her nap," said Anna.
"I'm here for ... for her. Only her," said Franjo.
"I understand." She stopped at a close door. "Therese is not sedated or drugged as she was at the Foundation. Her emotions are very much on the surface all the time. I have to warn you to keep yourself under control when you're with her. She picks up on our emotions. So if you're angry, she'll become agitated."
Franjo nodded. "I will remain calm."
"You read the records I gave you and the notes on her care now?"
"Yes. I confess I didn't understand it. I won't believe it all until I see her," said Franjo. "Will she know who I am?"
Anna shrugged. "Million dollar question." She opened the door and stepped in with Franjo at her heels. "
Inside, Raine led Therese from the window where they had been watching the squirrels and birds outside. Raine said in her clear melodious voice, "Therese, you have a visitor. See."
Therese faced Franjo but did not take a step towards him. Therese returned the smile that Anna gave to her. Brother and sister searched each other's faces.
Franjo looked for recognition in the bright eyes of a child. "Therese?"
Therese cocked her head on hearing her voice but said nothing.
Raine instructed. "She's not afraid of you. That's a very good sign. Step closer and hold out your hand."
Franjo did so. He held his breath as Therese tentatively touched his hand. As their hands touched, Therese's expression changed from contentment to stricken puzzlement. Her eyes misted. Suddenly, she turned and ran to her bed. She grunted and screamed as she pulled at the duvet, blankets and pillows.
"She's never done this before," said Raine.
"What do we do?" asked Anna.
"I ... I tried to remain calm," said Franjo.
The tempest subsided as quickly as it started. Therese sat down on the heap of bed linens on the floor. She covered her face. Her chest heaved with soft sobs. Raine knelt in front of her and enfolded her in an embrace. She rocked Therese gently.
Raine said, "She must have remembered something when she saw you. She's normally very happy unless she has a memory. When she does have one, her emotions get the better of her."
"She will be like this each time she sees me?" asked Franjo.
"I don't know," said Raine. "She can't tell us what she feels or wants. We have to learn to understand her better through trial and error. That's all we can do."
Franjo knelt by his sister. He whispered, "I'm sorry."
Anna added, "She didn't reject you. That's very positive."
Franjo began to speak in their native tongue. Therese looked at him as a child would look at something new that had caught their attention.
"Try a song or a rhyme," urged Raine.
Franjo thought for a minute before attempting to recite and half sing a childhood rhyme. Therese's reaction was instantaneous. She beamed at him and hummed along.
Franjo took hold of Therese's hands and pulled her gently to her feet while repeating the rhyme several times. Therese swung her arms out and spun in a circle laughing. Franjo smiled back even as he wiped a tear away.
Anna's eyes glanced at the one way mirror on the wall behind which she knew Robert, Shane and Lars watched. She left the Curics to their reunion under Raine's careful watch.
In the hallway, she waited for Robert to leave the observation room. Together they walked to the living room to await Franjo.
"That went better than expected," said Anna.
"He hasn't seen me yet," said Robert. "I thought for sure she'd recognize him."
"That's the amnesia drug effect. It's very thorough. At least she feels comfortable with him. Trusts him instinctively. That's all we have to work with really. Instinct. Hers and ours."
Robert leaned against the fireplace mantel. "The worst thing is ... is that she'll never get better."
"We don't know for certain that she won't get better," said Anna sitting on the couch.
"You know what I mean. She's existing not living life. Therese would have hated it. It's not right."
Anna sensed Robert's growing anger. "Stop beating on yourself. What happened to her wasn't your fault, Robert."
"Yes, it was," came Franjo's voice. He stood in the archway leading into the room. "You used her like you used me. All of us. When you were done, she was expendable."
Robert protested, "No! It was never like that with-"
"You have my gratitude for saving her. When I can, I will take her with me. Take her back home," said Franjo. "Don't try to stop me."
"Of course not," said Anna. "She'll need care and-"
"Soon I will have the means to provide for her in every way," said Franjo. "I did learn my lessons well, didn't I, teacher?"
"You were one of the best," said Robert. "She's happy here, Franjo. She has professional care and-"
"And you?" scoffed Franjo.
"I won't let anything happen to her," vowed Robert.
"I believe you but I don't trust you," replied Franjo.
"Trust me then," said Anna.
Franjo shook his head. "I want to but you and him are different sides of the same coin. I will take care of what is mine - my family. That is our way."
"We're happy to take care of her until you're able to. You can visit any time," said Anna.
"Thank you." Franjo looked at Anna and Robert then said. "I want to ... to make things even with us." He began to button his coat. "I was the one who broke into the Scorpio house and tied the young lady in a chair."
"That was you?" asked Anna. "Why? You've been here all this time?"
"It was a job. I was ordered to secure any evidence of contact from your daughter Robin," said Franjo. "And to watch those she could contact."
Anna's eyes narrowed to slits. "Charlotte."
"I do not know any Charlotte."
"Then who did you work for?"
"The Foundation."
"You took the answering machine tape. Was there something on there?" asked Robert in a carefully neutral tone.
"Yes. She left a message."
"What message?" asked Robert. "I know you listened to it. I can see it in your eyes."
"She was asking for help. Help to be found and saved," said Franjo.
Anna bowed her head. "We could have found Robin much sooner."
"She rescued herself. Very resourceful."
"How do you know that?" snapped Robert.
"I have my sources, too," said Franjo. "Information for information. We are even." He looked at Anna. "Shall I call the telephone number you gave me prior to my visits?"
"Yes, that would be sufficient," said Anna.
"Why are you still in town? Who do you work for?" asked Robert.
Franjo turned to leave.
"Answer the question!" demanded Robert.
"Someone who is honest about who and what they are. Unlike others I know." Franjo strode to the front door and left.
"He's up to his ears in something! I KNOW he is!"
"Leave it be, Robert."
"I would if he was across the Atlantic Ocean but he's here in our backyard. I trained him. I know what he's capable of," said Robert. "Don't sit there and tell me that he's not setting off alarm bells in YOUR head!"
"The alarms are loud and clear. He's a new connection to ... in the mega-cloud of connections in my head. Satisfied?"
"He knows more than he's letting on," said Robert. "Let me work on him. Maybe I can turn him."
"The man wants nothing to do with you. Or me for that matter," said Anna. "He's staying in the background. Unless he does something public, what can you do? We have so much on our agendas already. Concentrate on that."
"I'm not writing him off."
"Fine." Anna rubbed at her temple. "I need an aspirin."
"Let's do something guaranteed to lift our spirits," suggested Robert.
"Which would be?"
"Playing with our grandchild and adding to the list of why she's utterly perfect," said Robert.
Anna laughed. "I can go for that. Lead on, grandpa!"
"After that, I want to see Ava. How is she holding up?"
"She's not," answered Anna quietly. "She's shattered and trying to be strong for Ivan and Nina. I've put in a query to Andre. For Constantine's ashes, if possible."
"We just won a battle in a long war. Why do I feel like the loser?" asked Robert.
"I can't see it as winning or losing. You shouldn't either."
"How should I see it?"
"Trying to make the world, our corner of it, a better place," said Anna.
"Doesn't sound very satisfying to me."
"You're spoiled. You can't be saving the world every other year. But you're too much of the hero to not keep trying." Anna took Robert by the hand. "Let's go see the reason for everything we're doing. That will keep you going."
Wyndhams Department Store
"Slow down, child! You are running me off my feet!" cried out Tiffany attempting to follow Belle as she rapidly weaved through the racks of dresses.
"I don't see anything here I like, Mama," said Belle.
"How could you tell? You're barely looking them over."
Belle snapped. "They don't have what I need. I mean like."
A gauzy salmon pink number caught Tiffany's eye. "Oh, this one, sweetie pie. This one would set off your eyes and hair."
Belle took the dress out of her mother's grasp and returned it to the rack. "Not that one."
"You don't like the style? The cut?"
Belle looked at her watch. Was it her or was time running too fast today? "Ugh! Let's go to the Megaplex."
Tiffany huffed. "We've gone through four stores. We better find something there."
"Tif?" called out a voice. "Is that you?"
"Felicia?" responded Tiffany. She waved a hand in the air.
Felicia and a bag-laden Frisco greeted the Donelys. "What are you two doing here?"
"Getting some things for Belle's dance," said Tiffany. "How about you two?"
"Killing time," said Frisco.
"Don't mind him. He's bored," said Felicia. "We're doing some shopping for Bobbie and Maxie. With their schedules they have barely time to breathe."
"Nothing wrong with keeping busy, honey," said Frisco.
Felicia glared at her husband. "YOU are supposed to be de-compressing, relaxing. You are not cooperating with the program."
"I'm trying, honey. Really I am," said Frisco. "I still have boxes of my old stuff to go through and-"
"No way! You are not touching anything remotely you-know-what connected. At least not yet," said Felicia.
"I'm retired. Quits with the Bureau. Nothing is luring me back."
Felicia and Tiffany shared a look. Tiffany said, "Felicia is right. You need time to get the WSB drug out of your system."
"I need to do something. Anything," said Frisco. "Does Sean need help at the office?"
"Weren't you going to speak to the cadets at the Police Academy?" asked Tiffany.
"I was but Robert put it on the Must-Not-Do list in the first few months," said Frisco. "It's like having a drill sergeant looking over my shoulder."
"Going cold turkey is for your own good," said Felicia. "You should have the least amount of reminders of the WSB and law enforcement. Reverse immersion." She smiled as an idea came to her. "Listen, let's go for a long walk by the waterfront in the Asian Quarter. They've made a lot of changes there."
"Now you're talking," said Frisco. He looked at Tiffany and Belle. "Want to join us?"
Tiffany shuddered. "In this weather? It's all yours."
"We have to keep shopping," said Belle. "Come on, Mama. Please."
"You are so bossy! Where do you get it from?" asked Tiffany.
They each bade goodbye and went their separate ways.
Synaptics Lab, General Hospital
Patrick typed in his log-in password for the fourth time. The computer displayed an error message: Final attempt is a failure. Account will be unavailable for the next twenty-four hours.
He groaned. "Why do they have to be so efficient?"
Monica looked over his shoulder. "Can you get a new log in?"
"Anna's put in new security rules. I might not be given one. But I may have another connection that will work." Patrick took out his phone and pressed the number for Andrew. "Hey, favorite brother-in-law, I need help."
In his car exiting the highway, Andrew pressed the volume switch. "I have given you the family discount at DigiMaze. Was the plasma television not big enough? You need more speakers?"
"When I get to it, it's going to be the centerpiece of my man cave. The entire house is going to rock when I hook it all together. I was calling about something else," said Patrick. "You know that Matt used SIMON to analyze a sample, right?"
"Yes. I was aware of it," said Andrew. He was acutely aware of Robin sitting on the passenger side listening to every word.
"I have another sample that must be analyzed. The life of a patient depends on an answer. I tried logging into SIMON but it doesn't like my account," explained Patrick. "Can you get me a new account? Even a temporary one?"
"Not exactly," said Andrew.
"What do you mean not exactly?" asked Patrick.
"The sample and testing is related to an ongoing police investigation. We have to be ... careful. Make no mistakes."
"Matt can run the analysis. He's done it before. We just need access."
Knowing what he knew about the PCPD's concerns about the new boutique drug called Fly, Andrew made an instant decision. "I'm close to the hospital. I'll be there in a few minutes. Wait for me."
Robin shook her head and mouthed, "I can't go there."
Andrew mouthed back. "I can explain. Wait."
"Great! We're up in the lab."
"Please be certain that the rear maintenance elevator is unoccupied. I do not want to advertise my presence if possible," said Andrew.
"Done," said Monica. "Come in through staff parking. I'll let the gate guard know to pass you in."
Robin's eyes widened at hearing the older woman's voice.
Andrew ended the call. He looked at his sister. "You're in disguise. No one will recognize you besides those in the know. It's a small risk. Besides, if what I suspect is true, then your expertise with Compound X and its variants will be invaluable."
Andrew began a quick but thorough summary of Matt Hunter's finding regarding Compound X and Fly. "You might be able to see things that no one else will notice." He noted Robin's worried expression. "You have to meet Patrick at some point. Why not now?"
The Emma Merriment Zone (EMZ), Villa Scorpio
Sitting on the sofa with Emma between him and Anna, Robert twirled the red glittery ball and stars mobile just out of Emma's eager grasp. Emma's happy gurgles quieted. "She's giving me the look, Anna."
Anna smiled at Emma's obvious displeasure. "Of course she is. You're keeping her toy away from her."
"It's the same look you and Robin get."
"And it's usually aimed at you. Give her the toy."
He waved the mobile in front of Emma as a bullfighter would wave a red flag at a snorting bull. "She REALLY wants this. See that! She's trying to roll over."
"That is determination. Be glad she can't crawl yet. Let alone walk."
"Um, she's screwing up her face," noted Robert. "She's gonna cry. Just like a woman to resort to tears."
Anna sent an incredulous look at her husband. "That is the most sexist thing I've ever heard!"
"It's a fact. And this proves it's genetic." Robert lowered the mobile as Emma's face grew more contorted.
"I have never used tears to get what I want."
"You have even more potent weapons at your disposal. Tears are redundant."
BURP!
Emma smiled and returned to gurgling happily. Her hands latched onto the mobile with a ferocious grip.
"Oh, she needed burping." Anna cooed at her grandchild. "You're not a crier are you? Of course not."
"I think I've just been manipulated," said Robert looking from granddaughter to grandmother. He gave the mobile a tug but Emma was not letting go of her prize.
The wall panels that disguised the entrance to Command and Control slid open. Genji walked over to them.
"Dianara and Mac have checked in. They're on their way home from the airport," said Genji. "And we have a situation at the front gates that require your attention."
"Reporters?" asked Robert. "Ignore them unless they start taking too many pictures."
"Not reporters. Defectors."
"What? Who?" asked Anna.
"All the members of Andrew's DVX security team based in Port Charles," said Genji. "They were told to come here by Ivan. They want asylum."
Anna groaned. "You have to be joking!"
Robert smiled. "This is one way to solve our manpower problems, Anna."
"This is NOT the way."
"They're trained and very desperate. It's perfect! We'll have all that room at the old farmhouse once it's done."
"And what do we know about them? They have to go through the new screening process. No exceptions," said Anna. "Genji, contact the State Department and-"
"That's going to be a problem," said Genji. "They are all named as part of Hans Reinhardt's renegade group. State may have to turn them over."
"We can't let that happen. It would be a death sentence," said Robert. "They have to stay in hiding. With us."
"Wait a minute. If they're here, who's watching Andrew?" asked Anna.