At approximately 9:11 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time, September 11, 2001, the world went into shock when terrorists highjacked four separate planes. Two crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City, one crashed into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and another failed to reach it's destination, which was thought to be Camp David, and crashed into a wooded area in Pennsylvania. The tragedy resulted in the September 16 Emmy awards being rescheduled to October 6 (the day the U.S. began bombing Afghanistan), and again being postponed.

Within minutes of the September 11, 2001 disaster, Robert called his father in New York and his mother in Pennsylvania, relieved that they were both okay. Next, he called Deborah to make sure that she and Indio were doing all right and then he called numerous friends.

He purposely waited until he had all his other calls out of the way before phoning Calista. He wanted to have as much time as they needed to comfort one another. Quietly, he'd listened to her weep and try to make sense of such a senseless act of hatred. His heart ached because he wasn't able to hold her. Their closeness at that moment made them both realize the intimate bond that still connected them.

Life slowly got back to normal during the next month. And, the Emmys were held on November 4, 2001, although for security reasons the location had been changed from the Shrine Auditorium to the smaller Schubert Theater. Since his nomination, Robert had called Calista several times, asking her to accompany him. Her answer was always the same. Surprisingly, Robert didn't win, and not as surprisingly, neither did Calista, although both had been outstanding during the season and were deserving of an Emmy.

The following Thursday, November 8, 2001, Robert was back on the set of Ally McBeal on a semi part-time basis. He was signed for several guest appearances and only scheduled thus far to appear in a limited number of episodes, mostly to finish out the season and series.

His presence on the set was top secret. David was not planning to release any news to the press about re-signing Robert until the end of January or beginning February 2002, just in time for March sweeps. And, he had let it be known, from wardrobe assistant to cast members, that jobs were in the balance for anyone leaking the news that Robert was back filming. Robert knew little about the storyline, except that he was definitely scheduled to be in the series' finale.

There had been a great many cast changes. Some regulars were gone and Peter had cut back on his appearances. Many new faces were on the set. Jon Bon Jovi had been signed to appear in nine episodes as Robert's replacement as the love interest in Ally's life and was due to begin filming in a few weeks. Robert wasn't quite sure just how David planned to work his magic, but he'd heard that he and Bon Jovi would have some scenes together, a few which would include Calista, and that these episodes were set to air sometime in 2002 when the show resumed after the airing of the mid-season replacement, Emma Brody.

He was slightly nervous, not knowing how he would be received by the rest of the cast. However, his fears were unfounded because everyone embraced him and welcomed him back as though nothing had happened, and he was exceedingly thankful for their graciousness.

Robert's first stop was David Kelley's office. David stood, "Welcome back, Robert," he smiled genuinely, "we've all missed you around here."

"David ..."

"Hey, not necessary. We're all just happy you're okay and all the legal stuff's behind you. You feeling all right? Ready to get back to work?"

"Actually, I'm looking forward to being busy," Robert acknowledged.

"Well," David continued, "we're gonna take it very slow, Robert. Don't want you to feel like the walls are closing in on you. I've already done the scripts through January and thought we'd have you film only two or three scenes a week until you feel you're ready for more. And, then Larry's reunion with Ally will be the first episode to air after the mid-season replacement, gearing up for March sweeps. This okay with you?"

"Hey, whatever you think's okay with me," Robert answered earnestly. "Uh .. did I hear you say you've already got the scripts written through January? Like they say, David, you really are a genius."

"The credit doesn't belong to me," David said, "Larry and Ally just sort of write themselves, you know?"

Robert smiled.

"It's already Thursday, and Monday you and Calista will be on location for a few days at the Malibu airport - with 6:00 a.m. starts. So, why don't you go pick up a .. um .. how are we getting you to the studio by the way? You need a limo?"

"Actually, David, they're trusting me to get here and back by myself. So, if it's all the same, I'd just as soon drive." He shrugged, "The freedom ... ya know."

David nodded as there was a knock on the door. Bill D'Elia popped his head in and grinned. He rushed over to Robert and gave him a bear hug. "God it's good to see you, Rob. You ready to knock ‘em dead?"

"Yeah, right," Robert retorted. "Hey, it's great to see you, too, Bill. To tell the truth, I had no idea how much I'd miss everyone around here."

"Well, I gotta run," Bill said, "but, I'm directing you and Calista on Monday and, frankly, my mouth is already watering just thinking about it."

This made Robert chuckle.

"I think there's a lady down the hall who's dying to see you," David said. "So go make your rounds, I'll see you next week."

As Robert started down the hallway, Vonda Shepard came around the corner. Her face registered genuine delight and she ran over to him, "Oh my God, Robert," she said and started to cry. He hugged her tightly. "I've missed your sweet face so much, Robert. God it's good to have you back."

"It's great to see you, too. Um .. Vonda .. you know don't you that ... that .."

"Hey, that's yesterday. We have to go on from here, right?"

"Right."

"I love you, Robert. I'm just thankful that we're gonna be working together again."

"Me, too," he smiled.

"Well, I've gotta run. But, I'll see you soon?"

"Count on it."

Robert walked across to Pam Wisne's office and her door was slightly ajar. He pushed it open and stood there with a stupid grin on his face.

Pam looked up and immediately smiled and slowly shook her head. She got up and walked over to him and put her arms around him, and he squeezed her hard. "You're a sight for sore eyes," she said.

"You, too," Robert replied.

She pushed him out to arm's length, "You little shit. I oughta kick your butt from here to San Diego."

Robert couldn't help but laugh. He adored Pam. She never minced words.

"Seriously," she said, "you look good. Are you?"

"Yeah. I feel great."

"Glad to hear it. Well, get out of here then - you've got better things to do than lollygag with me all day. Go get settled in."

"Uh ... where am I bunking these days? Robert asked.

"You're a star, aren't you," she said teasingly, "your old digs are waiting for you."

He smiled. "Thanks. I'll see you soon?"

"Wild horses and all that ..." Pam said.

Robert looked around him longingly, "Ah ..."

"I think she's in her trailer."

"Thanks again."

Robert approached Calista's trailer anxiously. He'd seen her several days earlier when he'd paid her a surprise visit. And, they'd finally talked about their relationship and several other important issues. Even so, Robert was nervous. He knocked lightly and heard her say, "Come in."

He opened the door slowly and said apprehensively, "You mean that?"

She smiled, rather timidly, "You know me better than that Downey. I don't say anything I don't mean."

"This is true," he acknowledged. "You okay?"

"Yeah. You?"

"Yeah."

Just then Robert heard giggling coming from the corner of Calista's dressing room and turned to see Liam. "Oh, my god," Robert exclaimed, "I wondered what was missing the other day. I can't believe he's so big!"

At the sound of his voice, Liam came crawling as fast as he could and grabbed hold of Robert's leg and pulled himself up, grinning.

Robert bent down and picked him up and gave him a big kiss. "Hey, buddy, how you doin'?"

Liam responded with a wet, mouthy kiss, and started patting Robert's face, drooling all over his chin, stammering, "da da da da." Liam gave Robert another slobbery kiss and squealed in delight. Robert raised him up and put him on his shoulders and within two seconds Liam's hands had Robert's hair looking like he'd gotten caught in a tornado. Robert directed his eyes upward. "I think he remembers me," he said with delight.

"Seems so," Calista said grinning. Her heart warmed to see Robert and Liam together. Robert had always been good with him and they'd shared something special before Robert's April arrest. "Looks like he missed you."

"Me, too," Robert finally muttered as Liam's hands were twisting his face into ghoulish contortions. Through lips that Liam was stretching to the limit, Robert managed to say, "Hey, we're at the Malibu airport starting Monday. How ‘bout I pick you up and we ride together? I'll even bring coffee."

Robert looked so comical that Calista couldn't control her laughter. "Robert ...."

"I know. I know. We said .. just friends," he conceded, "but, we also said we'd see how things went - for something more - maybe - down the road. That's gonna be real hard to do, you know, if we don't even see each other. Come on, Cal, it's just a ride. I'll be good, I promise."

She laughed again as she watched Liam pulling Robert's eyebrows up and down. "It's not that. I'm sure it's safe to accept a ride with someone who can withstand Liam's punishment. But, don't you have to have an escort?"

Robert growled playfully and pulled Liam over his shoulder upside down and then swung him around making airplane noises. "I've got ankle jewelry, remember?" he said, "plus, they've extended the leash a little - testing me, I guess."

Liam began squealing loudly in delight.

"Hey, you two," Calista warned, "I'm sure there's someone trying to work around here."

"Oops," Robert said. Setting Liam on the floor, he said to him with a fake snarl, "Hey, buddy, I can't take you anywhere. It's only been five minutes and you've already got me in trouble with the warden." Liam grinned, blowing happy bubbles of spit.

"So, what've you got planned for the rest of the day?" Calista asked him.

"Oh, well, first I've gotta pick up a script."

Calista raised her eyebrows in mock surprise. "Why Downey, I thought most of your directors hoped you wouldn't read scripts in advance. Better yet, I thought they preferred it if you didn't even know what they said."

"Ha....ha," he replied sarcastically. "Seriously," he asked softly, "are we ... gonna ... love each other again?"

Calista's eyes locked onto his, "I guess we'll have to wait and see what David has in store for us," she answered softly.

"You know what I mean," he said, not wavering from her gaze. They held an intent look without Calista responding. Robert knew they'd talked about this at length a few days earlier and, wisely, changed the subject, "Hey, what're the chances they put a piano back in my dressing room?"

"Hm. I don't know," Calista smirked. Then she confessed, "Actually, David had the crew do it the minute he knew you were coming back."

There was a quick rap on the door, "You're wanted on the set, Ms. Flockhart."

"Be right there," she answered, "I'm just gonna drop Liam at daycare."

Robert said, "If you'll trust me, how about letting him spend a couple hours with me?"

"Are you sure you're up to that kind of punishment so soon?" she laughed.

A fleeting look of sadness passed across his face, "Yeah, well, ya know, punishment comes in all sizes."

"Robert, I'm sor ..."

"Hey, no need," Robert interrupted. "I'm fine. Really. Forget it."

She studied his face and it was clear that he wasn't fine, but she knew better than to push him. And, she wasn't even going near the subject of the blonde or whether he'd resolved things with her. She figured time would tell. "Well," she smirked, "if you're sure you really wanna watch him. There's too many four and five year old's in daycare anyway, so I'm sure he'll welcome spending time with someone closer his own age."

Robert growled at her and made a strangling gesture with his hands. Looking down at Liam, he said, "We take that as a compliment, don't we, sprout?" He picked Liam up under his arm like a football and said, "Okay, buddy, let's go make spit balloons together." And, as he and Liam walked out the door, he turned and gave Calista a haughty look.

She yelled after them, "Robert, don't forget, he's gonna be ready for a nap soon." But, she was sure her words had fallen on deaf ears.

Three hours later, Calista was just about to enter Robert's dressing room, when she heard him at the piano. She opened the door a crack and peeked in. Liam was sitting on Robert's lap clapping his hands. Robert kissed him on top of the head and said, "Let's sing a song for mommy, okay?" Liam twisted his head around and, looking up, he gave Robert a toothy grin. Robert kissed him again and started to play and sing:

She's got a way about her
I don't know what it is
But I know that I can't live without her

She's got a way of pleasin'
I don't know what it is
But there doesn't have to be a reason
Anyway

Liam squealed and helped Robert with a few chords on the piano. Robert laughed and continued:

She's got a smile that heals me
I don't know why it is
But I have to laugh when she reveals me

She's got a way of talkin'
I don't know what it is
But it lifts me up when we are walkin'
Anywhere

She comes to me when I'm feelin' down
Inspires me without a sound
She touches me and I get turned around

Robert stopped and softly spoke the next words of the song to Liam, ‘She's got a way of showin' how I make her feel ... and ... I find the strength to keep on goin'. She's got a light around her ... and everywhere she goes a million dreams of love surround her ... everywhere.'

Calista couldn't help but smile at the tender scene taking place inside Robert's dressing room. The last year had definitely taken a toll on Robert. The lines on his handsome, lean face had deepened, as had the creases around his mouth, which was the most sensuous Calista had ever seen. And, his dark hair had lightened slightly from the summer sun and streaked by more than a few strands of gray. But, his magnificent, dark brown eyes still bared his soul. Although he was only about three inches taller than Calista's 5' 5" stature, she fit perfectly in his arms, and to her he was a giant. She wondered if he would ever really know the depth of her feeling for him.

Calista knew she loved Robert more than any man she'd ever known, but she also knew that he represented more risk than anyone she'd ever met. Her heart hurt just thinking of what life had been, and might be again, without him.

Robert continued half singing and half talking to Liam, ‘She comes to me when I'm feelin' down, inspires me without a sound, she touches me and I get turned around.' He looked down at the little guy on his lap and smiled, "She does, you know. You're mommy's my angel." He began to sing:

She's got a smile that heals me
I don't know why it is
But I have to laugh when she reveals me

She's got a way about her
I don't know what it is
But I know that I can't live without her
...Anyway

In Robert's best falsetto, he sang, ‘La la la la, la la la la, anyway, la la la, anyway,' and howled with laughter as Liam started screeching along with him.

Unable to resist any longer, Calista entered the room, "Hey, guys."

Robert's face lit up as she walked into the room. "Hey," he smiled.

"Did you two manage to stay out of trouble while I was gone?"

"Well," Robert shrugged, "I did. But, before I could stop him, Liam put super glue all over Pam's phone, scattered marbles on the floor of the editing room - which, I might add, will probably bring about a vast improvement in that department - then he turned a couple of white mice loose in the lady's room, and ... "

"Wow, he was a busy boy. Thought you were supposed to be watchin' him."

"What can I say, he was just too fast for me, mom. But, hey, I managed to corner him before he could plant those explosives he'd hidden in his diaper bag."

"Oh, my hero," she grinned.

"And, yes, before you ask, he took a nap. In fact, we both did."

Calista looked at him with raised eyebrows. Robert nodded in reply and fluttered his eyelashes.

"Okay, sweetie," she said to Liam, "ready to go home?"

"Thought you'd never ask," Robert answered dryly.

She rolled her eyes and walked over to retrieve Liam from Robert's lap. As she leaned down, their hands brushed against each other and Robert reached out and took hold of hers. Their eyes conveyed many unspoken words before she slowly removed her hand and lifted Liam.

"Sorry," he said with a shy smile, "it's just that I've missed touching you. And, yes, I know, I've got nobody to blame but myself."

"I wasn't going to say that," she said.

"Yes, you were," he grinned.

"Yeah, you're right," she laughed. "Uh, Robert, you'll be all right .. I mean .."

"I'll be okay. Don't worry. I'm just gonna go home .. er .. if that's what you can call rehab, and spend my time ‘not' looking at the script and ‘not' memorizing my lines so I'll be totally ‘un'prepared on Monday." He gave her a sweet smile.

"Oh, well, that's a load off my mind," she wisecracked.

"Um .. I couldn't talk you into getting ‘un'together this weekend so we could ‘not' rehearse our lines, could I?"

"‘Un'questionably, no," she countered.

"Why, ya got a date?" he asked, knowing Sunday was her birthday.

"No, not that it's any business of yours," she smiled coyly.

Laughing, he asked, "Hey, you know I had to try. See ya Monday morning?"

"Could I stop you?"

"Not a chance." Robert had been waiting more than six months to see Calista again on a more normal basis. He'd missed seeing her every day more than he'd imagined possible, and the next three days were going to seem like an eternity. Gratefully, he looked forward to the weekend of additional group he'd signed up for, as well as the individual sessions he'd scheduled with Warren Boyd, his counselor and the head of the rehab center where he was staying. Warren had had a long history of drug addiction before he'd been able to turn his life around. Robert related to him and, most of all, he trusted him. So, Robert hadn't argued when Warren thought it best that he have a strong support system in place to begin his transition back into the frenzied life of Hollywood.

More importantly to Robert was the fact that he'd managed to finesse Calista into revealing that she didn't have plans with anyone else on Sunday.