Robin fastened the tiny barrette then tried to smooth down a wayward lock of Olivia’s hair. It refused to cooperate and continued to stick straight out no matter how much Robin fussed with it. Parker stepped into the doorway. His hand was raised to rap on the doorjamb but he paused to watch as Robin continued her struggle. Both mother and daughter looked ready to cry. Isabella sat nearby watching. Her eyes were huge as she watched in awed silence as her mother obsessed over her sister’s hair.

"Damn it!" Robin cried in frustration as she threw down the brush and covered her face with her hands. Her bottom lip sticking out in a pout, Olivia’s eyes immediately filled with tears. Parker hurried across the room to pick her up before she started to cry. He reached for the baby, brushing Robin aside. Robin glared angrily at him as he bounced Olivia in his arms.

"She looks fine," Parker said before Robin could protest. "They both look fine. Quit fussing and go get yourself ready or we’re going to be late." He stared pointedly at her disheveled appearance. She still wore her pajamas and robe and her hair was falling out of the clip it had hastily been pulled up in. Instead of the angry reaction he expected, Robin turned away pulling her robe more securely around her. thin frame.

"I’m not going," she said quietly. Parker’s mouth tightened into a thin line. He watched Robin pick up Isabella and stand her up on the changing table. She nervously readjusted the baby’s headband then began brushing imaginary wrinkles from the little girl’s dress. Robin carefully avoided his eyes.

"I can’t believe you’re letting these people intimidate you."

"I’m not. I just think it’ll be easier if I’m not there."

"Easier for who?"

"Everyone."

"I see," he said finally. He hated the insecure, withdrawn person Robin had become over the past week. He wanted her to scream and yell and throw things and tell somebody – anybody – to go to hell. Apparently, that’s not going to happen any time soon. He took in the twins’ purple velvet dresses with their lace trim and satin sashes.

"Were the girls planning on paying a visit to the Queen after seeing the Quartermaines?" Robin’s head snapped up. At least I got her attention.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"It means, you’ve got them dressed like their visiting royalty instead of family." Robin spun back to Isabella to fuss over the baby’s hair.

"I want them to look nice. It’s their first visit." Parker shook his head and sighed. Robin heard him and glared at him again. "What? Is there something wrong with that?"

"No…but it’s wrong for the girls to see their mother acting crazy like this." Robin looked like he had slapped her. Parker realized that he must have hit on something big but had no idea what or why it upset her so much.

"You think I’m crazy?" Robin asked faintly.

"No! That’s not what I said," he backpedaled.

"You just said you thought I was acting crazy." The pain and fear in her eyes was almost too much to bear but Parker forced himself to hold her gaze.

"Obviously, that was the wrong thing to say. I didn’t mean you were literally nuts. I just meant you’re letting this visit get to you. Now the Quartermaines, from what little I’ve seen (and read, he added mentally), they’re all certifiable. But they’re going to love Olivia and Isabella even if you send them over there dressed in potato sacks." Robin looked away again.

"You don’t have to prove anything to those people. You did what you had to – " He gave up when Robin abruptly handed Isabella to him.

"You’d better go. I don’t want you to be late." Robin turned and left. He heard her quietly close her bedroom door. She had left without even kissing her daughters goodbye, something he had never seen her do, no matter how tired or overworked or preoccupied she was.

Parker looked from one tiny face to the other. His guilt increased when he saw the trust in the twins’ big brown eyes. Olivia and Isabella watched him intently as if they expected him to fix the mess he had helped create. The problem was that he had no idea what he had done wrong, let alone how to fix it.

*****

Justus Ward strolled into the study at the Quartermaine mansion. He grinned when he heard Edward barking orders to Reginald and Sally the maid. Sally hurried past him. Reginald rolled his eyes at Justus on his way out of the room.

"Well, it looks like you’re feeling better," Justus said with a smile.

"It’s about time you showed up! Where the hell have you been?" Justus was unperturbed by Edward’s outburst.

"I thought you knew I was in Chicago speaking at a conference."

"Hmph! Your grandfather practically dies and you’re too busy with business to come see him in the hospital!"

"Edward, I thought you’d be proud of me…putting business before personal matters," Justus replied with a sly grin.

"Family always comes first young man. And don’t you forget it!" Edward said severely, shaking his finger at his grandson like a wayward child.

"Yes, sir," Justus chuckled. "So what’s got you all riled up today? ELQ stocks drop an eighth of a point?"

"Bite your tongue!"

"Cook quit again?"

"No! That blasted woman is still lording over the kitchen like her own little kingdom! One of these days – "

"Lila cut you off?" Justus asked with a glint in his eye.

"Now see here! Some things are not to be discussed in public! Didn’t Mary Mae teach you any manners?" Justus held up his hands in surrender and laughed.

"All right, all right, calm down. You know this is why you had that heart attack. You always get all fired up over every little thing. How are you feeling?"

"Healthy as a horse. Not a damn thing wrong with me. Those blasted doctors just like to run up your bill conducting every test under the sun, making you stay in the hospital days longer than you need to. Why anyone with any common sense at all would’ve known I didn’t need to stay that long."

"I heard that Edward," Monica said as she walked into the room. "Hello, Justus. How was your conference?"

"It was fine. How’s the baby doing with all of this excitement?" he asked referring to her pregnancy.

"Oh, he or she seems to be hanging in there. The baby might as well get used to it now. It won’t be such a shock later." Monica and Justus and smiled but Edward scowled.

"Speaking of babies…they’re late!" Monica frowned at him.

"They’re not late, Edward. It’s only 9:45. Robin said they’d be here at ten," she said as Alan entered the room.

"Well, hasn’t she ever heard of being early?"

"Father, please. The way you’ve been acting you should be grateful she wants anything to do with this family!" Alan scolded.

"Robin’s coming over?" Justus asked. He was surprised she would willingly subject herself to the Quartermaines en masse>.

"Father has been pestering, demanding, badgering and guilting her into bringing the twins for a visit since his heart attack," Alan explained. He gave his father a shrewd look. " I’m still not convinced he wasn’t faking." Edward crossed his arms and pouted.

"I haven’t seen Robin in ages. Can I stay or is this a private visit?"

"No, please stay. I’m sure Robin would like to see you, too. Ned’s coming. And Emily. And Mother, of course."

"What about AJ? Or Jason?" Monica and Alan exchanged an uneasy glance.

"Jason wasn’t invited," Monica said. "I don’t know if AJ will be here or not."

"Well, maybe I’ll stick around," Justus said. "Robin might need a friendly face."

*****

"So are you going to wake up today?"

Silence.

"I really wish you’d wake up."

Silence.

"Isn’t it getting boring having to listen to me go on and on and on…? I’m starting to bore myself."

Silence.

"Don’t you want to wake up and tell me to shut up?"

Silence.

Anna sighed. There was no response of any kind from Alexandra. No movement, no sound…nothing. Seven days had passed since the shooting. Alexandra had yet to regain consciousness. Anna closed her eyes and rolled her head on her shoulders to loosen the stiff muscles in her neck. She had been sitting with her sister for over an hour hoping for some sign that Alex knew she was there, that she would be all right. Monica and Dr. Greenman kept telling her it might take days – or even weeks – for Alex to gain the strength to do something so small as open her eyes. Her body had been through hell between the shooting and the surgeries that followed.

"Alexandra, please," Anna begged. Her plea was answered only by the beeps and hums of the machines that maintained Alexandra’s body. "God, you’re so stubborn! Why do you have to be so stubborn? Can’t you just open your bloody eyes? Or squeeze my hand? Anything?"

More silence.

"No. Fine. Be that way. I sneak in here to see you and you can’t even answer me. That’s great, Alexandra. Really. Thanks."

Anna leaned her elbows on the bed railing and put her head in her hands. Edmund had been adamant about keeping her away from her sister. He thought Alex would be safer if Anna kept her distance. Anna had agreed to his face but, while he visited Dimitri, she sneaked in to visit Alexandra. Luckily for her, he kept a fairly routine schedule. For all of the good it does, she thought tiredly.

Between her visits to the hospital, fussing over Robert with his injured shoulder, worrying about Robin’s fragile mental state, helping to care for her granddaughters, worrying about Faison’s next move, plotting her own next move with Frisco and Robert, searching for more information about Avery, and worrying about Sean’s visit to Charlotte, Anna was exhausted. She folded her arms on the railing and laid her head on them wanting to rest her eyes for a moment.

"What are you doing here?" an angry voice demanded. Anna shot up out of the chair so fast she got dizzy and had to sit back down. She blinked stupidly at Edmund as she tried to get her bearings.

"What?"

"What are you doing in here?" he repeated. "I thought I told you to stay away." She bit her tongue to stifle the angry reply that was trying to burst out. Anna decided she was finished sneaking around. She forced herself to remain calm and slowly stood, running a hand through her hair to straighten it.

"What does it look like? I came to see my sister. I must have dozed off."

"I told you – "

"I don’t care." Edmund’s eyes narrowed in anger. "Alexandra is my sister. Mine, not yours. And, I can see her if I bloody well want to. This sneaking around nonsense is ridiculous. I’m going to visit her whether you like it or not so you might as well get used to it."

"Is that so? Well, Alex is my sister-in-law. She’s family. I have the right – no, the obligation to protect her."

"That’s where you and I differ. Alex isn’t an obligation to me. She’s my sister," Anna retorted.

"You know what I meant! She isn’t safe when you’re around!" Anna crossed her arms.

"Why not?"

"Excuse me?"

"Why do you feel Alexandra isn’t safe around me?" Edmund put his hands on his hips and gave her an incredulous look.

"Why? You have to ask me why?"

"Yes."

"She got shot in your kitchen two seconds after meeting you for the first time and almost died! Is that a good enough reason for you?" Anna opened her mouth to reply but was stopped by the nurse that came crashing through the door.

"What is going on in here?" she demanded. "I can hear you out in the hall." Edmund and Anna guiltily looked away. "I want both of you out of here now! Dr. Marick needs her rest. She doesn’t need to hear you two bickering."

"She started it," Edmund muttered.

"Oh, how childish are you?" Anna exclaimed.

"I don’t want her in here," Edmund told the nurse as he pointed at Anna.

"You don’t have any say – "

"Stop it!" the nurse hissed. She looked at Edmund. "Mr. Grey, we’ve had this discussion. If Dr. Marick’s sister wants to visit her then she can." Over the nurse’s shoulder, Anna gave Edmund a smug smile. The nurse turned to Anna.

"However, Mrs. Scorpio, I think you should continue to visit your sister when Mr. Grey isn’t here." Now it was Edmund’s turn to smirk. Before Anna could come up with another argument, the nurse walked over to the bed.

"Dr. Marick? Alexandra? Are you awake?" Anna and Edmund rushed over to the bed, each taking a side and crowding in as close as they could. The nurse stepped back in exasperation. Edmund took Alexandra’s hand, and Anna did the same on her side.

"Alex?"

"Alexandra? Can you hear me?"

"Alex?" Edmund grinned when he saw Alexandra wearily open her eyes. She tried to speak but there was still a tube in her throat to help her breath.

"Ssh. Don’t try to talk." Alex ignored him and kept trying to say something. She squeezed her sister’s hand. Anna leaned down closer.

"What is it?" she asked. Alex tried again and this time, Anna understood the words her sister was mouthing. Anna began to laugh and cry at the same time. Edmund looked on confused.

"What did she say?"

"She said shut up."

*****

"Jason! Open up!" Inside his apartment, Jason put his head in his hands, willing Gina to go away. Maybe if I pretend I’m not home, she’ll give up. Another round of loud knocks dispelled that thought.

"I know you’re in there!" Jason dropped his hands and leaned back on the couch with his eyes closed. Why did I ever like her? There’s nothing likeable about her. She obnoxious. And annoying. And – 

"C’mon Jason, open the door!" He was fairly certain her persistence wasn’t one of the traits that drew him to her as a friend. The pounding at the door started again even louder than before. He waited tiredly for the noise to stop but it didn’t. He put his hands over his ears.

"I can keep this up all day you know!" Gina called through the door. Determined to wait her out, Jason got up and began to pace.

Out in the hall, Gina kept knocking. She knew eventually the noise would get to him and he would let her in, if only to get some peace and quiet. She heard the door to Sonny’s penthouse open behind her. She turned to see Carly storm past the guard stationed there.

"What the hell are you doing?" Carly shouted. Inside the apartment, Jason groaned. Just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse…

"What does it look like, Carly?" Gina asked sweetly as she continued pounding on the door.

"It looks like you’re bothering Jason and he obviously doesn’t want anything to do with you." Gina merely smiled at the other woman’s possessiveness.

"Don’t you wish." Gina noticed Carly was still wearing her robe. "Why don’t you go back to bed and butt out?"

"How dare you! You little – "

"You’d better be careful, Carly. You might accidentally step into the sunlight and burst into flame."

"That’s it, honey. You’re out of here! Sonny owns this building and I –"

"Carly!" Carly stopped mid-tirade as Jason flung open the door. "Just…." Jason sighed in disgust. "Just…butt out!" He pulled Gina inside and shut the door in Carly’s face. He heard her squeal of rage then a loud bang as she slammed her way back into her own apartment. He leaned against the door, already exhausted.

"Now was that so hard?" Gina asked as she tossed her coat on the desk. She ignored his lack of response. She noticed he had not bothered to replace any of the furniture he had destroyed. The patio lounge chair still sat by the fireplace where she left it. It had been joined by a small table and two chairs from the balcony. Otherwise, the room was devoid of other furnishing.

"What do you want, Gina?" Jason asked wearily.

"Lots of things. A glass of juice would be nice for starters." When he didn’t move, she went into the kitchen. Jason realized he wasn’t going to get rid of her any time soon. He sat at the table waiting. She returned with two glasses of orange juice. After setting one glass in front of Jason, she sat down across from him.

"What?"

"You’ve been avoiding me for a solid week. What’s the deal?"

"Nothing." Gina snorted in disbelief.

"Yeah right. I haven’t seen you since you abandoned me in the hospital cafeteria. Where’d you go? You didn’t get into trouble, did you?" Jason reluctantly told her about breaking into Alan’s office to read Robin’s medical files. Gina was worried when he said he got caught, then amazed when Jason told her about his discussion with his father. She couldn’t believe Alan would betray Robin’s confidence, even to his son.

"So what have you been doing all week?"

"Thinking mostly."

"About what?" Jason sighed.

"My daughters. And Robin. And, I’ve been thinking about what I should do." Gina bit her lip.

"What did you decide?" she asked quietly.

"I’m leaving," he said bluntly. Gina’s eyebrows raised in surprise. That was the last thing she expected to hear. "Robin doesn’t want me and the twins don’t need me. They don’t even know me. My life…my lifestyle would put them all in danger," he added.

"So you’re just giving up on your kids?"

"If you want to call it that," Jason replied angrily. There was a long silence between them.

"So am I," Gina said very softly.

"So are you what? What are you talking about?"

"I’m giving up on my kid." Gina held his piercing gaze as she gathered the courage to tell him. "I’m pregnant, Jason. But I’m not keeping the baby. I’m going to give it up for adoption." Jason found himself at a loss for words.

"Gina… How did this happen? When? Who?" Gina mouth turned up in a wry grin.

"Remember that visiting professor I told you about? The smart, sexy, handsome, oh-so-wonderful Dr. Ken Jacobs? Turns out he’s not so wonderful."

"Does he know?" Gina nodded. "How’d he take it?"

"He was not thrilled. Neither was his wife."

"He’s married?"

"Yeah. Guess that little fact slipped his mind."

"Is there anything I can do? Like kill this jerk?"

"Nope. I’m fine."

"Gina, are you sure about this? You’d make a great mother."

"No!" Gina exclaimed with a self-depreciating laugh. She shook her head. "No, I wouldn’t. Jason, I have had the three worst examples of parents. My real mother dumped her kids in favor of the guy of the week and never looked back. She doesn’t even know her youngest son is dead. And she probably couldn’t care less. My adopted parents were just trying to fix their marriage and impress their friends at the country club by adopting a poor little orphan girl. I don’t know how to be a parent and I don’t want to be one. Ever.

"But Jason, you…you’re a good father. You want to be a father. You’ve been given a second chance to be a part of your daughters’ lives. Don’t throw it away. And no matter how mad Robin is, she’s still Robin. She’ll be fair if you’re honest and sincere with her. I believe you two can work something out if you try." She held up her hand when Jason started to speak. "Let me finish. As for your job, you know Sonny will help you get out. All you have to do is ask." Gina stood and walked around the small table to stand beside him.

"I’m going to go. You’ve got a lot to think about. Before you do anything drastic come talk to me first, okay? Please?" Jason nodded absently. "And, go talk to Robin." He stood and took her in his arms.

"Thanks for putting up with me," he whispered.

"Thanks for not freaking out on me," she whispered back.

"Take care of yourself."

"You, too." She kissed his cheek, grabbed her coat and left before she started to cry.

*****

His jaw clenched in anger and frustration, Sean glared at the woman as she sat down across the table from him. Even in handcuffs and prison grays, Charlotte Devane maintained her smug, superior air. She sat smirking at him as if she knew some great secret. So far, Charlotte had yet to answer any of his questions honestly and simply ignored most of them. Sean was grateful Anna hadn’t come. She probably would have choked her mother by now.

"Why Mr. Donely, what a surprise! I didn’t expect to see you today. I thought you would have gone home by now," Charlotte said with a smile.

"No such luck, Charlotte. For either one of us, he thought bitterly. "So are you going to cut the crap and talk to me today or do we have to keep playing this game?"

"Vulgar language won’t get you anywhere, Mr. Donely. And besides, I like this little game we’ve been playing. It helps pass the time." She enjoyed seeing the small blood vessel under his eye jump when he got angry. Sean sat silently glaring at her while she curiously looked him over.

"Tell me, Mr. Donely, have you ever slept with my daughter?" The little blood vessel began jumping wildly.

"What?"

"Don’t look so surprised. You’re quite an attractive man. Anna seems to prefer older, attractive, powerful men. I just wondered if she’d ever – "

"No!" Sean’s voice carried the threat of death but Charlotte’s smile grew wider.

"Hmm. Maybe she’s not as intelligent as everyone seems to think." Sean’s next words were clipped in anger.

"As I’ve said before, I didn’t come here to talk to you about Anna. I – "

"Didn’t you? You wanted to know if I tried to kill her? Isn’t that right?"

"Yes."

"Well then, let’s talk about Anna."

"No."

"Why not?"

"I came here to discuss whether or not you tried to have your daughters killed. Not to discuss Anna’s personal life with you."

"I doubt there’s much that you could tell me that I didn’t already know anyway," Charlotte said loftily. Her arrogant tone infuriated Sean. After six days of trying to extract any information from her, he was ready to choke her himself. At first, he thought he could handle her. Even he could admit that Anna could act just like this. She in fact, had acted very much like her mother years ago. Arrogant, stubborn…bitchy. But this was Anna’s worst magnified by a hundred. Hell, a thousand. Maybe I’m just getting too old for this. Charlotte’s voice snapped him back to present.

"I’ll make you a deal."

"I told you…no deals. You’re not getting out of here Charlotte."

"Did I mention anything about getting out of here? I’ll answer all of your questions…but I’ll only to talk to one person." Sean felt a sense of dread. He thought he knew what she was going to say but had to ask anyway.

"Who?"

"Anna, of course. I want to see my daughter. Tell her if she wants to ask me something, she’ll have to come here and ask me herself." Charlotte paused with a malicious half-smile on her face as she watched the conflicting emotions of anger and despair cross Sean’s face. "You don’t have to answer me now. I’ll let you think about it."

*****

Anna was on her way home. The nurse and Dr. Greenman finally kicked both Anna and Edmund out of Alexandra’s room. The doctor didn’t want Alex to overdo it and, since they wouldn’t quit asking her questions – and arguing with each other – he ordered them out so Alex could get her rest.

Anna was exhausted but beaming. She was practically floating between the WSB agents that accompanied her as they stepped off of the elevator in the parking garage. For the first time in a week, she felt like everything might be all right. She was even ready to call Sean home from England. To hell with Charlotte. We don’t need her specifically. There are other ways of finding out if she was behind this. No need feeding her ego by giving her personal attention. Wait until she hears that Alexandra is improving. I’ll have to tell Sean to pass that on to the old witch.

"Anna." Her heart skipped a beat when she heard his voice. Drawing their guns, the two agents spun toward him. She took several quick breaths to calm herself before turning to face him. Faison strolled toward her unfazed by the guns pointed at him. He held a cigar in one hand and a bouquet of flowers in the other. He casually walked within inches of the barrels of the guns. "I had hoped to find you here."

Chapter 36

A split second after the doorbell rang, Edward began shouting for Reginald.

"Reginald! Where is that worthless – "

"Edward!" Lila scolded. Edward made a face.

"Reginald!"

"I have ears!" Reggie snapped from the foyer as he opened the door. He was surprised to see Parker standing on the stoop holding the twins. The enormous red-headed Agent Joe Shannon stood behind Parker carrying the stroller and looking uncomfortable. Reginald stared at them in confusion before waving the two agents inside. Then, the butler stood waiting with the door open, craning his neck to see outside.

"Um, where’s Robin?" he asked when he saw no one else was coming.

"Sick," Parker replied flatly. His tone left no doubt that the subject of Robin was not up for discussion.

"Reginald! Show them in already!" Parker’s eyes narrowed slightly but his face betrayed none of the anger and frustration he was feeling. Reginald looked apologetic as he ushered the group into the study.

"It’s about time! You’re late!" Edward barked.

"Edward…" Monica warned with a look that could kill. Alan glared at his father, then forced a smile on his face. He wasn’t sure he liked seeing his granddaughters so comfortable in Parker’s arms. It seemed to Alan that Parker was always around Robin and the twins. It made him worry for Jason who wanted so badly to be a part of his daughters’ lives.

Parker carefully sized up each Quartermaine as introductions were made. He hadn’t expected Justus to be there. From what he had read, it seemed Edward’s oldest grandson had little to do with the Quartermaines. Parker also knew that Justus used to work for Sonny Corinthos and he therefore considered him untrustworthy. Parker immediately decided that he liked Lila and judged Ned to be at least "approaching normal". He was neutral when it came to the Drs. Quartermaine although Robin seemed to like them both, particularly Alan. Parker grudgingly admitted that, from what he had seen, Alan was a good doctor and appeared to genuinely care about Robin. Even before he knew about Olivia and Isabella. Parker noted Emily’s absence as well as AJ’s. He wondered why Emily had chosen not to come meet her nieces. He supposed it might be out of loyalty to her brother, Jason.

"Well, where is she?" Edward growled impatiently, interrupting Parker’s train of thought. Parker wanted to ignore the question but everyone was looking at him expectantly. Hoping it would seem more sympathetic, he directed the answer he had rehearsed to Lila.

"Robin asked me to apologize. She wasn’t feeling well and didn’t want to give anything to Mr. Quartermaine so soon after he came home from the hospital," he lied smoothly. He didn’t expect the worry he saw in their eyes.

"It’s nothing serious, I hope," Lila said. Parker mentally kicked himself; he had forgotten that Robin was HIV positive. Of course they’re worried, you idiot. They’re probably still afraid the girls are infected. Or will become infected.

"No. I, uh, I think she’s just tired." Parker quickly changed the subject by introducing Lila to her great-granddaughters. Soon the Quartermaines were arguing with each other as they tried to get their hands on one of the twins. Parker bit his tongue as he thought again that Robin owed him big time for sending him into the lion’s den alone.

*****

Robin sat huddled in the chair in her room scribbling furiously in her diary. She was desperately trying to get a grip on her out of control emotions but Parker’s words kept ringing in her ears. It’s wrong for the girls to see their mother acting crazy like this. Acting crazy. She stopped writing and closed her eyes as if to block out the memory. She let out the breath she’d been holding in a long, shaky sigh and looked at what she had written. She knew in her heart that he didn’t mean he actually thought she was insane but she couldn’t make her head believe it. Parker was pushy and bossy and arrogant and he could be a royal jerk but he wasn’t cruel. Not like Gerard, her mind whispered. Of course, now that he had said it, all she could think of was Gerard and his threats. She couldn’t get his voice out of her head. All of the awful things he said. She remembered every word of it.

Robin shuddered at the memories. Do it again and I’ll have you declared incompetent, Robin. I’ll have you institutionalized. Of course that would mean I would have to raise those lovely little girls all by myself. Then I could do whatever I wanted with them… If you say one word about this, I’ll tell them all you’re crazy, Robin. I’ll have you committed to some nice, quiet asylum as far away from here as possible and you’ll never see your children again… Be careful, Robin. If anyone sees you behaving like this, they’ll think you’re insane. You’d have to be not to want all that I give you. People might even start to think you’re an unfit mother… Threatening to lock her away in a mental institution had been one of Gerard’s favorite – and most effective – taunts after she learned he was working for Faison. It never failed to keep her in line because she knew how easily he could follow through with his threats and the thought of being forced to leave her innocent, helpless babies in his care horrified her.

God, what’s wrong with me. I thought I was past this. I was past this. Before we came back to Port Charles. Robin stopped writing again. She looked at what she had just written and knew it was a lie. Being reunited with her parents had eased her anxiety. Her parents had always made her feel special, safe and loved. Now she knew that all the while her fears were simply hiding, waiting to rush out and yell "Surprise Robin! Did you miss us?"

She knew she could talk to Dr. Kevin Collins. Or Gail Baldwin. But they know me. They’ll say the same things everybody else does. "Robin you’re such a sweet person. Such a good student. So gosh darn considerate of others." They don’t know its all a lie. They don’t know me any better than anyone else does. I’m selfish and needy and so full of rage sometimes it scares me. But I can’t march into Kevin’s office and tell him that. He’d slap me in the psych ward until that nice, sweet, studious, obedient little angel returned. Robin Scorpio isn’t allowed to be depressed. Robin Scorpio isn’t allowed to be angry. Robin Scorpio isn’t allowed to feel sorry for herself. After all, I should be happy just to be alive, right? I guess it makes everyone feel better about themselves if the pitiful little girl with AIDS can be so sickeningly positive and cheerful.

Robin stopped again, appalled by what she had written. The people she was cursing hadn’t yelled and screamed when she came back. Most of them anyway. With a few exceptions, they hadn’t accused her of being an awful person or a bad mother. She knew there were people she could count on. Don’t you mean people to take care of you? When are you going to learn to take care of yourself, Robin? Or were you waiting for someone like Gerard to come along and pick you up off the floor again? She wanted to tune that thought out but knew it was true. She had stayed with Jason after he asked her to lie for him, after she had almost been killed twice, after he allowed Carly to move in, because she needed him to take care of her. She stayed with Gerard even after she began to have doubts about him. She hated to be alone so she put herself in situations where she got hurt. Before, it didn’t matter but now she had children to think of.

She put her pen down, the diary forgotten in her lap. She stared out the window remembering how foolish she had been. Gerard saw through her better than anyone and used it to his advantage. One particular instance that occurred shortly after she moved in with him kept popping into her head.

Robin frowned at her reflection as she smoothed the dress over her stomach. She was barely four months pregnant but already her tummy was beginning to bulge as the twins grew. The long, pale gray dress Gerard bought her was exquisite but Robin thought she looked like a beached whale; short, dumpy and wholly unattractive. Then there was the matter of her hair. She was letting it grow at Gerard’s request and it had reached that in-between point where it was difficult to control.

She studied herself critically in the mirror. The beautiful dress pooched out with her ever-expanding stomach. Her hair looked like a hairsprayed helmet. Her face was too pale and gaunt from her recent problem with what Gerard had dubbed "morning, noon and night sickness". She had dark circles under her eyes that the silvery fabric of the dress seemed to accentuate. There were still bruises on the insides of her elbows from the IVs she’d been subjected to in the hospital and red marks on her arms from the injections of vitamins she now needed daily. Robin realized there was no possible way she could attend the party.

Gerard walked in on her as she was removing the diamond necklace he had given her when she was finally released from the hospital. He came to stand behind her and put his hands on her shoulders.

"Robin, what are doing? Don’t you like your gift?"

"Of course I like it. It’s beautiful. Everything you buy me is perfect but…" His eyes were boring into hers from the mirror so she looked down.

"But what?"

"I don’t feel well. I can’t go with you tonight," she lied.

"Haven’t you been taking your medication?" She heard the concern in his voice and felt terrible for worrying him. She had become so dehydrated and malnourished from vomiting all of the time that she had to spend a week in the hospital. She had been released only three days earlier with medication to control her nausea and the hated vitamin supplements. Gerard had been wonderful. He got her the best doctors and refused to leave her side during the day. The nurses had to kick him out of her room at night. Robin knew it was sinking to a new low to use her illness as an excuse but she didn’t want to embarrass him in front of his friends and clients.

"No, I took it. I just… I have a headache and I’m still so tired. I think you should go without me." She unconsciously smoothed the fabric over her stomach again. Gerard noticed. He always noticed everything. He unzipped the back of her dress and began sliding the thin straps off of her shoulders. Robin flinched and started to step away.

"Gerard – "

"You’re beautiful, Robin," he said cutting her off. He splayed his fingers across her stomach. "This only makes you more lovely." Robin’s eyes met his in the mirror. She realized he was on to her. She couldn’t believe he knew what a neurotic mess she was and loved her in spite of it. Gerard let the dress fall in a silver puddle on the floor then knelt to remove the rest of her clothing. Robin didn’t say a word when he picked her up and carried her to the bed.

Later, as she rushed to get ready, she noticed that her carefully arranged curls were tousled into a more relaxed style and her cheeks were flushed. Robin smiled slightly at her reflection. She decided that maybe Gerard was right; her raging hormones were getting the best of her. They would go to the party and she would "dazzle them all" as he put it.

She had dazzled one person in particular and that was when the evening began to derail. Gerard had wandered off with several men, leaving Robin alone and uncomfortable. A young man about her age – the son of one of Gerard’s business associates, she later learned – approached her. He reminded her of Nikolas so she instantly took a liking to him. He was Italian and he and Robin were soon engrossed in a discussion about Italian art, food and architecture.

Gerard was not pleased when he returned. She felt his presence before she saw him. When she turned and saw his tight-lipped glare, her smile quickly faded. Both Robin and her new friend stood as if they were guilty of carrying on a torrid affair right in front of him.

"May I speak to you, Robin?" Gerard asked angrily. He glared the other man and added pointedly, "Privately."

"Of course." He all but dragged her upstairs to an empty room, keeping a hold of her arm the whole way. He shut and locked the door behind them.

"I see you’re feeling much better," he remarked as he looked her up and down. Robin couldn’t stand the way he was looking at her. It made her skin crawl. She couldn’t understand why he was so angry. They were only talking after all.

"Gerard – "

"Suddenly I find myself not feeling well. Would you like to come along or is your new little friend going to give you a ride? He is old enough, isn’t he?" Robin didn’t miss his double entendre.

"We were just talking, Gerard."

"And it was obviously a fascinating conversation." His eyes were cold and furious. Robin didn’t know what to say to calm him down.

"He’s Italian. We were talking about Italy. That’s all," she tried to explain.

"That’s odd because he seemed very…involved in your little conversation. So did you. I don’t remember you displaying such enthusiasm for all things Italian before." Robin dropped her eyes. Gerard’s fierce jealously always put her on edge.

"I’m sorry if it upset you but you weren’t there so – "

"So naturally, you turned to the first available man," he said. Robin was stunned by his hatefulness. "Is that what I am? A replacement for Jason Morgan?"

"No! No, of course not," Robin insisted. She tried to take his hand but he turned away from her. Tears stung her eyes as she watched him stalk over to the door. She realized that he really meant to leave her there. She frantically tried to think of a way to soothe his bruised ego. She hurried across the room, grabbing his arm as he reached for the lock.

"Gerard, I – I love you." He finally turned to look at her and softened when he saw her tears. He took her in his arms. He stroked her back as he rocked her back and forth.

"You know I’m a very jealous man, Robin. You shouldn’t do things to provoke me." He felt her tentative nod against his chest. An awful smile briefly touched his lips. He kissed her forehead then pushed her away. "Let’s go home. I’ve had all of the socializing I can take for one evening."

Stupid, Robin thought as she angrily wiped tears from her face. I was just so stupid. How could I believe him? How could I let him manipulate me like that? Maybe Edward Quartermaine is right. The girls would be safer with them. She shoved that thought away as she stood and angrily threw first the pen then her diary across the room. The knock on her bedroom door startled her.

"Ms. Scorpio?" Agent Dertz called from the hall. "You have a visitor." Damn, Robin thought as she raced to the mirror. Her eyes were red and puffy, her hair was a mess, she wasn’t even dressed yet.

"Who is it?" she yelled as she hurriedly tried to tame her hair.

"Jason Morgan." Robin froze. Oh God. He’s finally decided to do it. I wonder how much he learned about what I put his daughters through. She was sure he’d found out all about Gerard and had come to take the twins away from her. She figured he had been taking his time, gathering enough ammunition to blow her out of the water.

"Ms. Scorpio? Are you all right? You said to let him in if he showed up but I can tell him to leave if you want." Robin’s hands curled into fists as she contemplated doing just that. Finally, she decided that she needed to face Jason. With her parents, Mac and Parker all out of the house, now was as good a time as any.

"Tell him…Tell him I’ll be down in a few minutes."

*****

Anna shook her head and stared at Faison with a mixture of disgust and amazement. There were no limits to his arrogance. Only he would saunter up to her, flowers in hand, with two guns aimed at him. It was the flowers that set her off. Who the hell does he think he is? Her whole demeanor changed. If Faison was looking for a fight, he’d found one. Summoning the haughty, stubborn, demanding bitch she thought she had buried years ago, she drew herself up and looked him straight in the eye. She addressed the two agents who were still pointing their guns at Faison, itching to pull the trigger.

"Put those away," she commanded.

"Mrs. Scorpio, I have…" The man faltered when she shifted her icy gaze to him.

"You’re in a hospital," Anna snapped. "Do you want to scare someone to death? Put your guns away. Now."

"But – "

"Do it!" Throwing uneasy glances at Faison who was grinning evilly, the two men reluctantly did as they were told. "Now step back."

"Mrs. Scor – "

"I said step back." The agent sighed then stepped away, gesturing to his partner to do the same.

Anna crossed her arms as Faison stepped to within an arm’s length of her.

"Are those for me?" she asked coolly, nodding toward the flowers.

"No." Her eyebrows rose in disbelief. "They’re for Alexandra," he added, destroying her self-control.

"Stay away from her!" Faison’s eyebrows rose mockingly.

"Why should I? I seem to recall enjoying Alexandra’s company quite a bit." He took a drag on his cigar as he watched her reaction. He enjoyed the way her cheeks flushed with anger.

"You’re disgusting!"

"Anna, there’s no need to be jealous," he continued in his condescending tone. "No one can ever replace you. I simply needed Alexandra to do a favor for us."

"Avery." He pretended to be surprised.

"Why yes, of course. Avery. I had no idea you knew about – "

"Stop it! Do you think I’m stupid? I know you planted those pictures for me to find. Along with thirteen butchered WSB agents. The message you left wasn’t very subtle though."

"I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about." Anna clenched her hands into fists. She was aching to knock the smug look off his face.

"Where is she?"

"Where is who?"

"Avery. What have you done with her?"

"She’s at home." He dropped his cigar and ground it out with his heel. "Waiting for her mother."

"Why didn’t you bring her here then? Her mother almost died after all. Don’t you think – "

"It’s true, Alexandra gave birth to Avery. But she’s our daughter, Anna." Anna began to shake her head. "You can do every genetic test in the world, darling. It won’t change the facts."

"You’re lying."

"No. You wanted another child. But you weren’t supposed to be able to carry one. I found a way to give you what you wanted. Without risking your health." Anna wanted desperately to believe that it was just another lie, but she knew he was capable of doing exactly what he said he’d done.

"Is that why you killed Andrew? To eliminate the competition?" Anna willed herself not to shake but her voice was becoming hoarse as her anger grew. Faison studied her face and eyes for a moment, forcing her to wait for his answer.

"I told you before, Anna. It was an accident."

"An accident that you caused!" Faison’s jaw tightened in anger at her stubborn refusal to believe him.

"You can’t blame me for a car accident. If anyone’s to blame, it’s Scorpio. He shouldn’t have been driving so fast – " Anna didn’t wait for him to finish. She slapped him as hard as she could. The sound echoed off the concrete walls of the parking garage. She waited for him to turn his head back toward her. She could tell he was furious but didn’t care.

"Don’t you ever talk about Robert to me! He’s the best thing that ever happened to me!"

"He doesn’t love you like I do."

"No. He doesn’t. He doesn’t try to hurt me by hurting the people that I love. He doesn’t try to lock me away from the rest of the world. He doesn’t try to force me to love him. Because he doesn’t have to."

"Yeah, he loves you so much he left you and married someone else," Faison replied hatefully. "How is Holly, by the way?" Anna smirked.

"You’re so jealous, you can’t stand it. I love him. Him, not you. Never you. Robert is everything you’ll never be. Handsome. Charming. Brave. Loyal. A good father. A good friend." Anna smiled wickedly. "A good lover."

She knew she should stop. She knew she was provoking him but couldn’t stop herself. It felt too good to let it all out.

"And what are you? You’re nothing. Compared to Robert, you’re less than nothing. You have no heart. No conscience. You murder children. Innocent, helpless babies and young boys who dare to talk to someone you consider property. You’re worthless. And, you are not keeping that little girl."

"Care to make a bet?" Faison asked in a deceptively quiet voice. His face was turning red with rage. His hands had begun to shake.

"Yes," Anna said confidently. "I seem to remember you like little girls a little too much."

"You certainly seemed to appreciate it at the time."

"You sick son of a – "

"Anna, you were never a child. As I recall you practically begged me – "

"Shut up!" Anna shouted. She paused to reign in her temper before continuing. "This time, you’re going to walk away with nothing. I plan on making sure you lose if it’s the last thing I do." She leaned closer and whispered, "I will never love you. No matter what you do. I love my husband. I love Robert. And I intend to stay right here in Port Charles with my family. Robert, Robin, Alex, my granddaughters….and Avery." She paused to let her words sink in then took a few steps back.

"Say goodbye to her, Faison."

"You’ll have to kill me first, darling. And we both know you can’t." Anna smirked.

"Care to make a bet?" She held his stare for several long moments before turning and walking away. The two agents hurried after her leaving Faison standing there alone.

"We’ll see, Anna. We’ll see."