Chapter 32

Being able to throw herself back into school was exactly what Robin needed. It had been a week since she had come back and now she had things, other than her parents, to concentrate on. No one was talking about her parents' deaths and that made it easier. The fact she had a bodyguard seemed to be accepted by the kids in school, it happened so often in the recent past it was second nature at this point.

At the moment, dance was what she missed but that was starting again soon. Robin always felt so free when she gave herself to the music and let it flow through her movements. Even just dancing around in her room or the living room for that matter. Things just felt better in her life now. The shadow that has been over her since the beginning of the year may be lifting. There is a new start on the horizon. She needed to find her way there now.

Robin let herself go, swaying to a tune only she could hear. In her mind's eye, she was on a stage, the audience entranced by her movements. Her parents were there, watching, waiting to cheer for her. They believe in her, she has always felt that. Robin danced about her room, feeling free, feeling alive.

When she stopped there was a smile on her face. She opened her eyes to see the smiling faces of her parents. Robin walked over and picked up the picture of them cuddled together, smiling happily. It will be wonderful when they are here, and maybe they will even be home by the time there is another big dance recital.

Robin fell back on her bed, the picture still in her hands, grateful to be home. Most of her friends accepted that she needed a break and that was why she had been out of town. The fact she might still be in danger wasn't lost on them, they just didn't talk about it. Her circle of friends had all met Ronda now and agreed that if someone had to be around she was better than some of the previous people charged with the assignment.

She looked at the picture again, "Soon you both will be home and everything will go back to normal. I just want our life together to start again." She let out a sigh, please let them come home soon.

…

"Why does he go running so early?" Alex asked. They were starting their days early now that they were staying in this cabin.

"He can run without the wig this early. The fake goatee isn't a problem but he gets too hot with the wig on."

"Oh okay. Does he usually run in the morning?"

"Not usually. He works out at the station normally. Beating on unexpecting rookies is a great way to stay in shape," Anna told her with a grin.

"What?" Alex asked with a laugh.

"When I was chief it was that I was a woman that shocked them when I would kick their butts. Robert has been commissioner for a while now and new recruits don't always know his past and think taking down the commish will be easy. I think there were three of them last time. He agitated his shoulder a little that time but that lead to some fun that evening. It even gave me an excuse to get his shirt off. We weren't back together yet but we were shortly after." Anna was grinning ear to ear thinking back to that night.

"Oh yes, you did tell me a little about that night." Alex took a sip of her coffee. "How long before the next part of this plan happens?"

"Well, there are arrangements being made and I think within the next few days that should be all in place."

"Then what?"

"Then we go into action. You will be safe the entire time."

Alex grinned at her, "I know, I'm not worried about me."

"That's good. What are you worried about?"

"You! You and Robert. What if something happens? What happens to Robin then? What if something goes wrong?"

"Alex, nothing is going to happen to us. We are in hiding so that doesn't happen."

"Then why are you going to risk going back to Port Charles?"

"We want to go home, to do that we need to stop Faison."

"And he will go there looking for any clues of your whereabouts."

"Exactly."

"I understand it but I guess I'm still worried. I don't want to lose my sister, I just found out about her. I want time to become annoying, someone you argue with about silly things."

"I want that too." Smiling Anna took her hand, "I won't lie. Yes, there could be dangerous situations. We are dealing with a dangerous individual that wants to take me prisoner. If I were to go willingly and agree to never leave his side he would leave my family alone. I would have to give up my freedom and sacrifice everything I love to protect them. I would be alive and they would be safe but what kind of life is that? I would be a prisoner. I would have to live the rest of my life with a man that took everything I love away because he thinks I belong with him."

"That will never happen!" Neither of them had heard Robert enter when he returned from his run.

"No it won't," Alex agreed. "I understand why you have to do what you're planning." She squeezed Anna's hand. "I get it."

"Thank you."

Anna had explained what would be happening in the next week or so as the next part of their plan plays out. Alex wanted to understand but her fear would creep in and make it hard to think of anything except the danger. Hearing the pain and sadness in Anna's voice as she spoke. The pain and fear in Robert's. She had gotten to know them both a lot better during their time together. Helping Robert with his memory, watching them together, and having long chats with Anna over cups of tea. Robert joining for a cuppa always made the conversation more entertaining. All of that made Alex feel like she knew them. She knew what they were fighting for.

Besides, being out here was really relaxing. They had even been left a decent camera and lots of film and were enjoying taking pictures on their nature walks. Alex understood that they were also doing perimeter checks on those walks but it was never obvious. The few people they would see, now just waved or offered a hello in passing, having talked to them earlier about their vacation plans. The locals were interested but not overly curious about the people that rented the cabins near their little slice of paradise.

Looking up from her thoughts Alex saw Robert give Anna a little kiss then turn to go have a shower. When Anna turned back in her direction Alex started to speak. "You could go home and have a happy home for a while but you would always be looking over your shoulder waiting for him to come. Knowing there will come a day he tries to take you away again and there's no way of knowing who could be hurt when that time comes."

Anna wrapped her arms around herself, "Obsession tells him he has the right to what he wants. My family's life and happiness is what the cost would be if we don't stop him now."

"Well, then I say let's get this plan in gear."

Walking over, Anna gave Alex a hug that was quickly returned. "I know how stressful all of this must be for you. It won't be much longer now, then the fireworks and hopefully the end to all of this."

"Here's hoping."

"Alright we better get ready for the day, we are looking much too twin-like at the moment."

"You're right." Then they both turned, heading for their rooms to get ready for the day.

…

Mac knocked and walked into the Commissioner's office. "Hey, Sean. Anything new happening?"

"Nothing new but I'm happy to report pieces are moving into position."

"Why won't you tell me how they are planning to get back into Port Charles? I deserve to know what's going on."

"Your brother and Anna deserve the best opportunity to make it back here without drawing any attention to themselves. You knowing and acting like you're expecting something to happen will not help them."

"I wouldn't do anything to give them away."

"You don't know who might be watching you at the moment, who might notice you acting differently. Who that person might report back to."

"We can't risk them being found out. I understand that. What I don't understand is why I can't know the time frame of when this will all go down."

"Because if you know Robert is back here, you are going to want to see him. Trust me, we know what we're doing."

That made Mac grin, "Yeah, I know you three know what you're doing." Mac understood why there were things he wasn't being told, but that didn't mean he had to like it.

"You are doing a supply run tomorrow. You can talk to them, I know it's not what you want but for now, only a few of us can know exactly what is planned."

Mac let himself fall into one of the chairs. "I know, I get it. I just wish there was more I can do to help."

You are doing what they need right now. Once this gets rolling you will be a big part of the plan. Faison will not know what is going on."

"You better be right. So what time do we need to meet up tomorrow?"

"I figure around 9:30, there will be enough going on on the docks then so us having a meeting there can be witnessed by whoever might be watching. They shouldn't think it's anything more than us talking about helping out some friends."

"Yeah, alright."

"All you have to do is make sure you aren't followed this time. After that, you can spend the day visiting with your big brother."

Yeah, well if I'm taking the day off tomorrow I need to get some work done today. See you tomorrow morning." Mac was looking forward to this. He gets to see for himself that they are doing alright.

"Alright, see you tomorrow, Mac."

…

That evening after Robin had gone up to bed and Mac was back from the club there was a knock at the back door. Mac smiled as he went to answer it. "Hi," he said with a little grin.

"Hi yourself," Ronda said as she grinned up at him.

"Come in, can I get you a drink?"

"Sure, just some juice is fine. I'm about to pack it in for the night."

"So the WSB knows you are only watching Robin during waking hours, correct?"

"Yeah. They know the security in this place is above your average home alarm system. Besides, I kind of get the feeling they see me more as a tail that reports Robin's movement than the bodyguard I am acting as."

Mac smiled hearing her say that. Since they had returned from Finger Lakes he could see that Ronda's one mission is to protect Robin. Something had happened during their time together that bonded them and Ronda would not let anything happen to his niece. He felt silly thinking it, but that made her even more attractive. He had only met Robin a little over a year and a half ago himself and he knew he would die to protect her.

"What are you thinking about?" Ronda asked.

"Oh," Mac looked up at her. "I was just thinking how sexy actions can be. The way people act or their beliefs and morals can be just as attractive as their outer appearance."

"Wow, that's a lot for a Tuesday evening." Ronda grinned.

"Well, there are things people do and say." Mac couldn't stop staring at her lips now. He thought she was attractive at first, then the more he talked to her the more interested he was. Now he thought she might be one of the most beautiful women he has ever met. He turned to get them both a drink. Ronda took a seat at the table as he did.

This was only the third time she had come to chat before calling it a night. Each time there had been a little flirting but they also talked about what was going on. Tonight all Ronda wanted to do was kiss him. This man is sexy and charming. He is a great guy and unless she was very wrong he was interested in her. When Ronda found herself walking up to the back door she couldn't think of anything related to what was going on that she needed to tell Mac. All she wanted was to see him and spend a little time with him before heading back to her hotel room.

"What kind of things?" she asked with a little grin.

"You are a fierce woman and it is clear you can take care of yourself. It is also clear you care deeply. That you have a drive that makes you almost unstoppable."

"Almost, physical limitations like breaking bones I can't control."

"You put yourself in harm's way for the mission. You told me you saved that woman's life."

Ronda smiled, she had forgotten what all they had talked about during some of those early conversations they'd had at The Outback.

Mac reached out and took her hand, "You are an amazing woman. The fact you're beautiful just adds to the entire package."

"You think I'm beautiful?" she asked with a grin.

"I do." Mac had been thinking about Ronda a lot since they had met. It was during her time in Finger Lakes that he started having dreams about her. "I want to kiss you."

"Mac, I'm not sure if that's a good idea."

Looking into her eyes, "Why did you come here tonight?"

Ronda bit her lip wondering how to answer him. "I wanted to see you," she answered honestly.

"Nothing else?"

"No." Again she bit her lip. "Mac, I want to kiss you too but I am on assignment."

"I don't care. Robin is safe. My brother and Anna will be home soon then what? Are just going to leave?"

"I'm a WSB agent. I will get another assignment."

"You're a woman. A beautiful woman with needs, with feelings."

Ronda didn't know what to say. Looking into his eyes all she wanted to do was kiss him. This man could be the something more she has always been looking for. He sees her. He understands her. "Mac." It came out just above a whisper, then his lips brushed hers before kissing her tenderly.

He leaned back and touched her cheek. "When this is all said and done, please consider staying around Port Charles. I want to see what this can become," he whispered.

Her hand moved through his hair. She loved the feel of her fingers in his hair. "I want to see what this can be too." She looked into his eyes, they were only a few inches apart. "For right now I need to stay focused and I think you would be very distracting."

"Alright. I can accept that. Ronda, I really like you." She grinned and stood up. He followed as she moved toward the door. "Are you leaving?"

"I should, I only came here so I could see you," she admitted with a shy little grin. "I'm going to go. See you later." Ronda turned and Mac opened the door for her. "Bye."

"Good night," Mac smiled and watched her leave. As he closed the door his smile grew. Feeling great he walked through the house turned off the lights and then headed upstairs. The last few attempts at dating hadn't gone that well for him but there was something about Ronda. She wasn't like other ladies he had been attracted to and that made her very interesting add in how attracted he is to her. Mac knew he was in trouble with this one. He grinned to himself again then started getting ready for bed.