Thank You For Being My Person

She did not know how long she had been standing on the waterfront or where her tears ended and the rain began but she did know when a pair of familiar arms lifted her off the ground and carried her away. The next thing she remembers is sitting in the living room, wrapped in a blanket with him handing her a cup of tea.

"Talk to me Luv," he whispers.

A couple seconds go by as she sips the tea. Finally, she turns to him and smiles.

"Why do you always show up when I don't know I need you?"

"Are my ears deceiving me? Did Anna Devane just admit that she needed someone?"

"Shut up. You aren't just anyone."

"Still doesn't answer my question. What were you doing out there all alone in the rain? You scared the hell out of me."

"Really? I didn't think anyone would notice."

"I notice," he said simply. "What did that bastard do to you? If he's hurt you, I swear to God, I will …"

She put a finger to his lips to stop his tirade and she smiled. Of course, Robert would notice. He noticed everything where she was concerned.

"I don't need you fighting my battles you know?"

"Doesn't mean I won't be there to fight them with you."

She pauses as she looks into his understanding eyes. Why did she feel more at home with him than she ever did with Finn?

"Do you think this is my penance Robert? For keeping Robin away from you for so long?"

He pulls her against his chest, kissing her hair as he holds her close. "You don't deserve this Luv. Things were a lot different back then. You did the best you could with the hand you were dealt."

"But you missed so many years of Robin's life. Important years. "

"Anna, you did not keep me away from Robin to be spiteful. You were trying to save her life. We have been over this sweetheart. I have forgiven you. Robin has forgiven you. Maybe it is time that you forgive yourself."

"So it is not wrong for me to think that what Hayden did was different? Am I being a hypocrite Robert? Do I have a right to question her after what I have done?"

"Whatever that woman has said to you, just forget it. The situations are not the same. You are a brilliant, beautiful woman who makes the lives of everyone around her just better. Don't let the assumptions of people who do not know you, make you forget how truly remarkable you are."

"You always know just what I need to hear Scorpio."

"That's because I listen to you."

He did not need to tell her that Finn did not listen to her; she was beginning to see that all on her own.

"Why are you so good to me Robert? After all the hurt I put you through, why are you still here?"

He takes a deep breath as he brushes the hair back from her face. "How do you not know? After all these years, how can you not see that I will always be the man in love with you?"

"Oh Robert."

"You asked."

There is sadness in his eyes as he says it, as if he expects her to look at him with pity. She does none of that. He wipes the tears on her face with his thumb and takes both her cheeks in his hands.

"I love you Anna Devane. I will always be here for you. Always."

He kisses her softly and tenderly at first, but it quickly turns heated as she parts her lips and his tongue plunges into her mouth. She had not kissed him in years but somehow as her fingers run through his hair and his arms wrap around her, she feels as if they had never stopped kissing. She wants to pull him closer but she knows it would not be right. She was hurting now. She would never forgive herself if she hurt him too.

"I just wanted you to know that if you ever figure out that Finn is all wrong for you, there is still someone out there that thinks you are pretty incredible. No pressure. Just think about that will you. You are everything to me Annie. Everything."

"Robert?"

"Yeah Luv?"

"I think you are pretty incredible too. I do not tell you that enough but you are. "

He smiles back at her as he walks out of the room. When he comes back with a pair of sweats and a T-Shirt, she knows what he is offering. If she were smart, she would leave now…except it was raining and she was tired and she really did not feel like facing Finn right now. Not after what just happened with Robert.

She took the clothes from him and stood up. She kisses the top of his head and smiles. "Thank you for being my person Robert."

"Always."

He knew what that meant and for now, it was enough. Robert went into the bedroom to change himself and when she came back, she slid in next to him on the couch and he turned on the TV.

"What do you want to watch," Anna asked.

"You pick," he said, as he handed her the remote. "You're the one who needs cheering up."

She pauses only slightly as she takes his hand into his and smiles.

"I love you too Robert," she whispers. "Always."

"I know."

They both knew it was all they could manage for the moment. She put her head on his shoulder as they settled in for the night. He felt like the luckiest man in the world. For the next few hours they watched old movies, and laughed endlessly. Robert did not know what time it was when she fell asleep in his arms, but he did not have the heart to wake her. He kisses her head and shuts out the light. He had his whole world right there in his arms.

The End