Chapter 36

It had been four days since Sam and Felicia left on their girls' trip. They doubted anyone in Port Charles was wondering where they were yet. Today they had all decided to go for a walk through the woods. It really was beautiful out here and if all they did was hide in the cabin that might draw attention to them that they didn't want. Felicia and Frisco held hands as they walked along the little path they knew led toward the river. Sam a short distance ahead of them.

"I wonder how long we will be out here?" Sam asked looking back at them.

"I get the feeling whatever is happening, once it starts it won't take long to play out," Frisco told her.

"And you really have no idea who was here before us?" Felicia asked as she leaned in a little closer.

"No, all I can guess is that it's someone Sean is helping or working with. That's really about all I know."

"Okay, we'll let it rest." Felicia knew he didn't know more than that. As they turned the next bend the sun was hitting the water just right and they were greeted by the most beautiful view. The river cuts through the landscape. The sound of wildlife near the water going about their day. It was absolutely breathtaking.

Sam pauses letting Frisco and Felicia caught up with her. "I understand why whoever it was, chose this area to hide out in. Who wouldn't want to enjoy the wonder of nature if they have to be away from their life?" Sam had been a police officer for some time now. She didn't need the same type of excitement Frisco did. The need that had led him to join the WSB. She liked serving the people of Port Charles, keeping them safe. Being here solidified that in her, helping people by keeping them hidden is about all the excitement she needed. Knowing someone could show up and threaten them was not something that was easy to put out of one's mind. Walking into dangerous situations was one thing. Not knowing when the danger was going to come, only that it would, was completely different.

"It wasn't just for its beauty, there are a lot of places around here to watch while remaining unseen. As much as they were hoping to lead people here, they wanted to have a good idea about what was happening" Frisco looked over at Sam. "I know it's WSB related. Off the books but that level of operation." Frisco then shrugged.

"You know this is rather serious, it must be killing you to not know more," Felicia noted, holding his arm.

"The fact I know we are an important part of the plan and that requires us all to be left in the dark is actually oddly comforting," Frisco admitted. Working for the WSB has taught him that you didn't always need to have all the information to be an important part of the team.

They agreed to take a break by the river and sat taking in the peacefulness of their surroundings and some water then started on their way back. Their route was taking them up a hill now and they would travel along a hiking path to get back to their cabin.

About an hour into their walk, Sam stopped suddenly. "Hey, look at those cars." She pointed down to the road that ran along beside them but thirty feet down the slop.

"What about them?" Frisco asked stepping up beside her.

"I saw those same two cars travelling together yesterday. They seemed to be driving around aimlessly but I also thought they could be sightseers. Them being back today, I think they might be looking for someone."

"I'd have to agree." Above the road how they are, they doubted the people in the car could really see them and if they did, it is a hiking trail.

"They were coming from the direction of our cabin," Felicia added.

"Do you think we had visitors?"

"If we did or we didn't I bet we'll be seeing those cars again," Frisco concluded as they watched the cars drive off.

They started walking again, talking about what they saw along the way but none of them seemed to want to discuss if they had been found already. The tension in the air no one mentioned. When they did get close to the cabin Frisco signalled to Sam and they both drew their weapons. There was no need to take chances. When they got to the door Frisco went first. Using an old WSB trick he knew no one had been inside and relaxed a little. He put away his gun and Sam followed suit.

"We better all be on our toes now. Just be aware of what's going on around you when you're outside."

"We know what cars to keep an eye out for," Felicia said. She knew they would try to make sure she wasn't worried.

"Do you have to report in?" Sam asked.

"What would I tell them? We saw some cars, Sam saw them yesterday too but we weren't even close to the cabin at the time."

"Whoever sent us here should know," Sam thought out loud.

"They don't need to know this. If we actually make contact then I will send word to Sean," Frisco told them.

"Well, there's no point standing around. I worked up an appetite on our walk," Felicia said as she moved further inside.

"Yeah, let's whip up some lunch," Sam agreed. There was no reason to worry about people showing up, they aren't the people they are looking for. If anyone starts asking questions there's nothing to tell them. There was no reason not to enjoy this little vacation they are on. Talking happily they put the cars out of their minds.

…

The sun washed over him, stretched on a sun chair Dr. Leisl Obreckt checked Faison's shoulder wound. It was not healing as she would hope but there were no signs of infection he would just have a long road of physiotherapy ahead of him. She knew he could be a stubborn man, it remained to be seen if that would help in this situation. Leisl hoped it would give him the drive to heal.

"You need to take better care. You want to use this arm, so you will need to do the work I have told you."

"I understand, now stop fussing over me."

"Fine." He was in one of his moods so there was no point trying to talk to him at them moment. This Anna Devane will destroy him. His need for her will not end until he has her again. Even then he wasn't happy, she wanted nothing to do with him during their time together. When will he see that there is a woman that loves him right in front of him?

"I will return later with your medication and then we will have lunch together." Liesl turned to leave just as one of the earn boys returned. She knew Faison was still looking for that woman. With a huff she left, he will ruin his life because of her.

"It's about time you showed up! What have you found out?"

"There are three individuals staying at the cabin we believe is the one rented by Malcome Scorpio. I have not gotten a good look at their faces personally. The women look similar but have different coloured hair. The male is tall, with blonde hair and a goatee again I have not gotten a good look at his face."

"Why is that Franklin? I thought I made myself clear."

"You did sir. My job was to watch the cabin from a distance for three days. I observed them coming and going. I know the man runs early. I know they all like taking walks through the woods around their cabin. I can give you a reasonably good description of them and they have no idea I was ever there watching them. I was not the guy that was meant to make contact. I was not the one tasked with identifying them. I did my job, sir."

Faison watched him as he spoke, "You are correct. Go on." He wasn't sure if he liked that this man was so frank, then he chuckled to himself. He had done exactly what was asked of him and seemed to have no problem throwing others under the bus. That is something he admired in an employee.

"So far I have not seen any other people come to that cabin."

"These walks they are taking, could they be looking to see if people are watching them? What are they doing on their walks?"

"I have only observed some of that, they have cameras and do take a lot of pictures. Maybe they are nature lovers, maybe that's just what they want people to think."

"I like how you think." Faison leaned forward a little more. "So you are not willing to rule out these walks as say perimeter checks?"

"I would not. At this time I have no reason to believe that is not what they are doing."

"You are a suspicious person. I like that quality. You are not easily taken advantage of."

"You are correct, sir. I believe I am not easily fooled."

"That's good. What do the others have to report?"

"I wouldn't know, sir. I stayed in the bush for three days and other than stopping to shower and change I came right here to report in."

"Thank you, go find yourself a room and have a rest. Tomorrow, I will tell you what I want you to do next."

Franklin turned and left, a night's sleep in a bed sounded wonderful. Faison watched him walk away, he will be a useful man in the coming weeks.

…

When there was a knock at the door followed by the flash of the lights Alex knew Mac was there to visit. She had to admit the fact the lights were worked into a secondary doorbell made it wonderful. If it was not the bell then the lights she knew not to answer the door and to make no noise. Mac had explained it was for a friend of his that had stayed here for a few months.

She still peeked through the peephole before opening the door. "Hi, Mac. Come in."

He was carrying a takeout bag and whatever it was smelt wonderful. "Hi, I thought you might be hungry."

"I am, is that from downstairs?"

"No, the kitchen isn't open yet. No one else is even in the building. It's not uncommon for me to come in lock myself away in my office and work on the books. This is a BLT and fries from Kelly's."

"Oh, we had some chilli from there the first night we were in Port Charles. It was as good as Robert said it would be. Anna talked about the BLTs and cheese fries."

"I did not get those, next time I guess."

"Okay, I am holding you to that." Alex smiled at him as they walked over to the table and then sat down. "Do you have news? Has anything happened yet?"

"We believe that Faison has people in the area now but so far they haven't made contact with our people or they would have contacted Sean." Mac was pulling their food out as he spoke. "We know it won't be long and once they know they are being watched the next phase starts."

"Which is?"

"We want Faison to come back here. We want him on our turf and on our terms. He is not getting away this time."

"So there is another plan already in the works?"

"Of course. There is one large plan that is full of all these other little shorter plans and so far they keep falling into place as we need. The way Sean Robert and Anna can work out these plans so quickly and put them into action is crazy to watch. No wonder they are such good spies."

"I can just imagine. I spent three weeks with Anna and Robert. Their minds work in ways mine does not."

"I haven't known Anna that long but she is such a perfect match for my big brother. All I want is for them to finally be able to come home so we can all get back to our lives. I want to get to know my family, and that includes you now, Alex."

"It does?" Alex smiled, "I say we spent whatever time you were planning on staying here getting to know each other better."

Mac smiled back, "I think that's a great idea and it's better than thinking about all that other stuff."

"It's impossible to not worry then. I'm not the only one struggling with that?" Alex asked. Every kept happening so quickly. Alex sometimes felt like she was just getting dragged along and had to try and figure it out along the way.

"No, I'm worried all the time too. What if someone comes after Robin? What if something happens and Robby and Anna have to go on the run again? What would that do to Robin?"

"Hey, Mac. We aren't talking about all of that remember."

He looked up and saw her smiling at him. They are getting to know each other this evening. "You're right. Let's eat before these fries get any colder."

…

Turning away from the window before she let herself look outside, Anna let out a sigh. They were both tired of waiting. Being home but not being home was worse than they thought it was going to be. Robert appeared and wrapped his arms around her. "It won't be much longer."

"Until that man is after me once again. Even if he strikes in the wrong place knowing he is coming after me again." A chill ran through her and Robert pulled her tighter. "I hate that man."

"I know you do." Robert planted a kiss on her forehead. "He is never taking you away from me again."

"I can't lose you, either. Robert, we have to stop him this time. I can't go through this again." Her arms were around him tight now, not wanting to let him go.

"We will. I promise you, we end it this time." Robert stroked her hair. "I have the love of my life back I am not letting anyone keep us apart ever again." He leaned in and kissed her tenderly.

"Neither will I. My love," she stroked his cheek, "my family together. I want whatever comes next for us. I want all this behind us, once and for all."

"It will be. Anna, we are the unstoppable team of Scorpio and Devane," he lowered his voice, "Devane's a Scorpio now, I might add. No one is keeping us down."

"No one." Her arms went around his neck as she smiled up at him. "There isn't much to do but I do know a great way to pass the time."

"Oh, do you? Do tell." Grinning, he ran his hand down her back.

"It is something we are very good at but never get tired of."

"I think I know what you mean. Sex. I do enjoy sex."

"I know you do and you know I do."

Robert bit his lower lip, "Take me to bed."

"You don't have to ask me twice." Taking his hand Anna led him away as they both started to giggle.

…

Was it a nervous energy they were all feeling? Everyone involved seemed to understand that this could shift into high gear at any moment but that until that time comes, there's nothing much else they can do but wait.

A/N: Thank you to all that are reading. If you are enjoying this or want to leave a little feedback feel free. I enjoy getting reviews and hearing from those of you going on these journeys with me. :)