by KayKay716

Robert eased open the door to his bedroom, tiptoed to the walk-in closet and started looking through his dress shirts, turning them on the rack so as not to disturb Holly. He slid a medium blue solid off its hanger and slipped it on, then grabbed a pair of charcoal gray slacks and stepped into them.

He found a matching suit jacket and eased it off its hanger, then shut the closet door while facing her. Good; she was still sleeping soundly. He grinned and shook his head. What do you know? He wasn't dreaming. Holly was alive and well and in his bed, wearing his pajamas. Who would have thought that possible even a few days ago?

He went over to his dresser, picked out a navy patterned tie and a pair of socks, laid them on the bed and sat down gently. Holly only stirred long enough to turn on her side. He wanted to kiss her on the cheek but settled for reaching over and brushing a strand of blondish brown hair off her forehead.

The image of her sitting on the lounger at the Quartermaines' boathouse when he entered the other night popped into his head as he put on his socks and shoes. That was like a dream. He still didn't know how he'd managed those few steps over to her; maybe some otherworldly force had propelled him. Overcome with the memory, he reached for her hand and kissed it softly. She sighed, smiled and tightened her fingers around his, her eyes still closed.

"Morning," she whispered.

"Sleep ok?" he asked. She nodded.

"I'm gonna go to the coffee shop and bring you back some breakfast, ok?" he said. "For whenever you're ready."

"Mm hmm. Thanks."

He started to get up, but she reached for his hand and brushed the back of it against her face. Another memory descended on him: Her doing the same in their bed one morning over 40 years ago. My God, he thought. Here we are again, already.

"Back soon, love," he said, patting her hand and letting go.

By the time he got back, Holly was fully awake and sitting in the living room, scrolling through his iPad. "We have here, café au lait and a fresh blossom," he said, handing her the bag and takeout cup.

"You remembered," she said, beaming.

"Everything," he replied. "Look, I've got to go. Anna's arraignment is soon."

"Not looking like that you're not," she said.

"Huh?"

She sat him down on the coffee table by his lapels and started loosening the knot on his tie, trying to straighten it. "C'mon," he said. "You've been in town less than what? Twenty-four hours? And you're trying to fix me already?"

"After all this time, you still haven't learned how to tie a tie properly," she said. "Honestly, Robert Scorpio, you're hopeless."

"I was," he said, staring at her. "Not anymore."

She let go of the tie and placed her hands on his chest. His heartbeat roared in his ears as he tilted his head and leaned in to kiss her, floored for the millionth time at the pull they had on each other. She opened her mouth, and he found her tongue.

What had it been — 10 years since they last saw each other? The old hurts and the longing melted away, until it was just the two of them floating on this sweet slice of time, full to the brim with love and heading in the same direction for the moment.

He reached for the top button on her (his) pajama top and fumbled with it. She leaned back and their lips parted. "Later, darling," she whispered.

"Mm?"

"After the arraignment."

"Promise?"

She stroked his cheek. "Mm hmm," she said.

"Ok."

"I'll get dressed and come with you." She stood and headed for his room.

After the arraignment, they trudged back to Robert's place, discouraged. The judge denied bail for Anna, which lessened the possibility that Robert would be able to keep her out of Pentonville Penitentiary — a dangerous prospect, given her status as police commissioner of Port Charles.

"Carly said my room should be ready in an hour," Holly said, sinking into his couch.

"No rush," Robert replied, distracted. He sat on the armchair and loosened his tie. "I'm exhausted. My brain stopped working hours ago."

"Get some sleep," she said. "I can take the couch this time."

He looked down, paused and glanced at her. "Would you…um?" He nodded his head toward his bedroom. Holly raised her eyebrows.

"Just to sleep — honest," Robert said. "I'll only toss and turn otherwise."

Holly nodded, stood and took off her jacket. "I'll need to borrow a t-shirt," she said.

"Go ahead," he said. "Plenty in the dresser." She headed for his room while he untied his shoes, took off his suit jacket and laid it on the armchair. How should this part go? He didn't want to make the wrong move, but he wasn't sure what the right one was, given the limited space, their history and everything else.

Holly left the bedroom and headed for the bathroom. "Your turn," she called.

He went in, grabbed a pair of pajama pants from his dresser and changed in the walk-in closet, just in case. Then he crawled into bed and lay on his back, staring at the ceiling.

Holly entered; he stole a glance at her as she padded over to the other side of the bed. You lucky bastard, he thought.

She turned back the covers and slid over to him. He wrapped his arms around her, and they kissed softly. She eased herself away and laid her fingertips on his face.

"Sleep first, darling," she whispered.

"Mm." He turned on his side. She kissed his forehead and slipped an arm around his middle. He sighed; he'd be out in no time now.

When he woke up, groggy but grateful for the rest, the buttery light of afternoon had morphed into the light blue of evening. He sat up, picked up his phone and glanced at it: 6:56 p.m.

Once she wakes up, we can talk about dinner, he thought. He glanced back at her. But goddamn. He laid back down, pulled her close and began kissing her neck. She shivered and groaned.

"How about now, love?" he asked.

She turned onto her back and raised her arms. He climbed on top of her and they kissed deeply. Screw dinner, he thought as he eased a hand under her shirt.