Dominica was a very poor, primitive, mountainous island, with thick, lush jungles and an active volcano. It had no luxury hotels and very few modern amenities. It's untouched beauty made it a favorite for cruise ships, whose captains constantly warned all disembarking passengers not to throw coins in the water for the local children who sat around the pier on concrete pilings waiting, ready and willing to dive for money of any denomination. Although some ignored the ship's warning, the coin tossing practice was heartily discouraged because it was dangerous and many children had died while diving for the money their families so desperately needed only to provide the tourists a selfish source of entertainment.

During their two and a half weeks on the island, Robert and Calista were grateful for the long days of filming because they'd actually been able to forget the awful events from home. In fact, they'd been having a ball. They'd opted to do many of their own stunts, which ranged from driving a jeep recklessly down a steep forested hillside to riding a waterfall 45 feet down into a not so deep pool at the bottom. The film was a silly, romantic, spy, dramedy, about a husband and wife who accidentally uncover a Chinese espionage ring operating covertly in the Caribbean and Italy. Their characters were now being chased by the bad guys which "chase" was somewhat reminiscent of 'Romancing the Stone,' and included many comedic scenes with hilarious dialogue. They knew the film wasn't likely to garner either of them any award nominations, but they were having fun and they'd realized almost from the beginning that the movie was gonna be a box office bonanza.

They also finished reading David Kelley's Ally/Larry script and Robert called him and gave him the heads up to contact their agents and get negotiations under way. The one thing they'd known from the beginning was that they loved working together.

Two days before they left Dominica for St. Lucia (another tropical and lush island in the same chain) Robert received an e-mail from Richard Golden advising that he'd finished a first rough draft of the ‘Saints' screenplay. Golden requested their itinerary so he could send the draft by courier. Robert complied and then e-mailed Detective Craiger for the 10th time since they'd been gone and waited for a response. Craiger's reply was the same as the last time - Gunderson, the thug who'd survived the incident with Calista, was still in a coma and the prognosis for his recovery wasn't good. And, worst of all, the police still had no leads as far as Goldblum was concerned.

They were only in St. Lucia four days and the many luscious beaches on the island served as a fantastic backdrop for several high speed boat pursuits and Robert and Calista having their characters bound and thrown into the clear, blue waters, and forced to make a breathtaking (literally and figuratively) underwater escape.

Their second day of filming they took advantage of a few hours off to laze on the beach with the kids. One of the crew was acting as a lifeguard for Indio who was trying to teach himself how to body surf. Cally was laying preciously nude on a blanket under an umbrella protecting her from the sun. And Liam was trying diligently and patiently to construct a sand castle, without much luck. Several times when part of his castle wall tumbled, Liam mumbled a very discouraged but discernable "chit!" Robert tried not to laugh but he couldn't help it. Quickly, he faked a grimace and then grinned impishly at Calista as she shook her head in mock exasperation and stuck her tongue out at him.

Several minutes later, two very voluptuous women walked by in extremely skimpy bathing suits. Liam glanced up at them and raised his eyebrows. Then, innocently, he said to Robert, "hot bissus, huh daddy?"

This time Robert really cracked up and grabbed his shirt to throw over his face. Lifting the bottom part of his shirt, he looked sheepishly at Calista out of the corner of his eye to find her glaring at him.

"Hot biscuits?" she asked incredulously. It was a term Robert used when referring to a woman's large breasts. "See? Didn't I tell you he hears and repeats everything you say?" she exclaimed.

Robert pulled his shirt down and threw it on the blanket. Then he had to cover his face with his hands because he was still laughing.

"It's not funny, Robert," she said trying not to laugh herself.

"Yeah, it is," he mumbled through his fingers.

"I thought with you and Indio, I only had two Roberts to contend with. But, heaven help me," she groaned, "now, I've got three."

"But, it's just more of me to love, sweetie," Robert pouted angelically.

"Yeah?" she acknowledged, "That's only if it doesn't kill me first."

Although he couldn't stop grinning, he shrugged, "Okay, okay, I'll watch it from now on." He raised his arms in surrender, "Promise."

She shook her head in exasperation but started giggling. "God, men are such neanderthals. Evolution's clearly lost on you."

"Me?" he asked innocently, "or all of us in general?"

"Don't push your luck," she warned him playfully.

The night before they left St. Lucia was Monday, November 11, Calista's birthday, and the cast and crew, along with many island extras, threw her a fantastic beach party, complete with huge bonfire, roasted pig ... the works. Indio and Liam cracked everyone up by doing their own version of a calypso dance they'd learned from one of the island inhabitants. Both were at their silliest. Also with the help of an islander, Indio had crafted a beautiful ankle bracelet for Calista made up of the tiniest and most exquisitely colored shells she'd ever seen.

Since the day she'd put it on, Calista had not taken off the necklace which was home to the tiny gold key Robert had given her on her birthday last year (she'd given Robert its twin for his birthday which he also wore around his neck.) As she fingered it, she told Indio, "Next to this key, your bracelet is the most thoughtful and beautiful present I've ever gotten ... and I'll treasure it forever." Indio beamed as she let him fasten it around her ankle.

While preparing for bed that night, Robert came up behind Calista and bit her lovingly on the shoulder. "Besides me," he asked sexily, "what would you like most for your birthday?"

She turned and put her arms around his neck. Remembering the Sting episode of Ally McBeal in Season 4, she smiled and said in a seductive tone, "Oh, big talker tonight?"

Robert immediately picked up on it. "That's right," he grinned sweetly. Then he added adoringly, "I love you Calista Downey. Happy birthday."

"Hmm," she murmured as she kissed him.

"Okay," Robert smirked, "besides .... THAT ... what else would you like for your birthday?"

"Well," she said chewing on her bottom lip, "that's a toughie, since everything I need to make me happy is right here .... except, of course," she added wrinkling her nose, "it would be nice to be able to spend Thanksgiving with our families."

Robert gave her a silly, lopsided grin.

"What?" she asked.

He waved a piece of paper in front of her face.

Her mouth opened wide in unexpected delight when she read the travel itinerary he was holding. "Oh, Robert! You didn't! I don't believe it!"

"Yep," he said smugly. "Dad's involved in a project and can't get away, but your folks, your brother and his wife, and my mother and sister are all meeting us in Aruba for turkey day."

"How'd you know that's what I'd want?" she asked sweetly.

"I live with you, remember?" he grinned. Pulling out another piece of paper from his pocket, he said, "And, that's not all. They're all joining us in Italy for Christmas, too."

She kissed him passionately. "I love you."

"I know," he smiled sweetly.

Their living quarters in Dominica had not provided them any privacy for weeks. In comparison, their suite accommodations in St. Lucia were almost splendorous - two bathrooms and, most importantly, separate bedrooms.

Taking her in his arms, he blew gently in her ear. His voice was husky and low, "What with the long days and all the cramped quarters lately, it's been a long time since we've danced. You haven't forgotten our song, have you?"

"Hmm," she purred, "can you hum a few bars?"

He kissed her eyes and then her neck, "I can do better than that," he whispered, "This big talker can sing you the whole damn song, plus a few extra verses."

"Well, what are you waiting for, then?" she asked dreamily, "shut up and sing to me." And he did - twice.

As the set was shutting down the following afternoon preparing to leave for Grenada and ultimately Aruba, an unexpected guest arrived. A production assistant hunted Robert down to let him know a Richard Golden was there to see him.

When Robert shook the stranger's hand, he admitted, somewhat confused, "This is a surprise. I was expecting a courier, but not a personal visit."

"Well," Golden said, "I wanted to meet you so I thought I'd deliver it myself."

Robert figured Golden to be about his age, but he looked older due to the fact that he was taller and heavier. He had light brown hair, faded blue eyes, and a graying beard. His complexion was sallow - Robert thought he looked weather-beaten. Although he seemed likable enough, Golden's eyes were distant and hard to read.

"I wish you'd checked before coming," Robert said, "because unfortunately I don't have a lot of time. We're getting ready to leave in a little while for another location."

"Oh, that's all right," Golden said, "I thought if we could just spend an hour going over my draft, I'd take a few days R&R here and work on it some more."

Robert glanced at his watch. "I'm afraid I can only spare you half that ... I really have a plane to catch."

"Well, shall we get started, then?" Golden asked.

"Um ... okay," Robert replied, a little annoyed by the man's arrogance, "just let me tell my wife where I am."

Calista was also surprised. "He just showed up? Just like that?"

"Shit, apparently so," Robert acknowledged. Then, hitting himself on the head he looked around to see if any of the kids were within earshot and was relieved to find they weren't. He said with a contrite grin, "Sorry honey, I forgot."

She gave him a menacing look.

"Baby, I said I'm sorry." He kissed her and asked sweetly, "Am I forgiven?"

"Someday that's not gonna work," she grinned, "then what'ya gonna do?"

He smirked and gave her another quick kiss. "See what you do to me? I forgot all about Golden."

She hit him on the arm.

Robert chuckled. "Well, since he's here, I guess I can spare him 30 minutes. We'll be in the hotel bar, honey, if you need me." As he was leaving, he turned and apologized, "Sorry to stick you with the last minute packing, sweetheart. Can you handle it by yourself?"

She smirked, "When have you ever helped pack?"

Grinning, he shrugged.

"Oh, go on, get out of here," she laughed, "I'll just have to expand Maria's duties."

Walking out the door, Robert called back to her in his best Arnold Schwarzeneger accent, "I'll be back!"

After briefly scanning Golden's draft, Robert had to admit he was impressed. "How is it I'd never heard of you before my dad gave me your name?"

Golden took out an ornate cigarette case and, opening it, held it out to Robert. "Smoke?" he asked.

Instinctively, Robert reached for a cigarette, then changed his mind. "Hmm. No thanks. I'm trying to quit."

Shrugging, Golden closed the case without taking one himself and put it back in his pocket. "Well, to answer your question, you know what they say about show business, it's about being in the right place at the right time ... and knowing the right people. I've never been in any of those positions ... until your father."

Robert looked at his watch and stood. "Look, I've really gotta run. But, I like what I see. Tighten it up a bit and send it on to me."

Golden got up and shook his hand. "I'll do that." He added, "I have your itinerary."

"Yeah," Robert nodded. "Well, it was nice meeting you. I'll look forward to getting your second draft. And, I'll .. um .. keep in touch. We can talk about contract issues later, if that's okay with you."

"Fine by me," Golden replied.

"Talk to you later then," Robert said, waving to him over his shoulder as he walked toward the elevator.

"Well?" Calista asked when Robert got back to their room.

"He's good ...," he said.

"But?"

He playfully frowned at her, "How'd you know there was a but."

"I live with you, too, remember?" she grinned.

Robert thought a minute and scratched his head. "I don't know," he ventured, " ... he's an odd bird ... and pretty damned arrogant for a no-name. Wish you'd met him ... so you could give me your uncanny, intuitive take on the guy."

"He's just a playwright, Robert," she said, "it's not like he proposed." Then, she looked at him teasingly and raised her eyebrows, "Or, did he?"

With a smirk, he nodded and said dryly, "He wants me to be the mother of his children. Told me I have beautiful eyes."

"Well, at least he's not blind," she wisecracked.

A knock on the door interrupted their banter. It was the bellboy for their bags.

It took them only an hour to fly to Grenada where they spent 12 days. Then on Sunday, November 24, they flew to Aruba, which turned out to be Calista's least favorite island in the southern Caribbean chain. In comparison to the lushness of the other islands, Aruba was akin to a Caribbean desert. And, it was also overrun by tiny lizards, or gekko's, and they soon discovered they couldn't sit outside for five minutes without having lizards crawling up their legs, on their chairs and across their table.

Shortly after their arrival, Robert had laughed, "At least we'll have plenty of condiments to go with Thanksgiving dinner."

"Yeah, well thank goodness we're only here for a week. Indio delights in seeing how many he can stuff in his pockets to scare me to death, and Liam screams hysterically every time he sees one."

Their families arrived on Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Calista's folks really liked Robert's mom and sister, and vice versa. They all had a wonderful visit and holiday, then on Saturday, it was time for their families to leave and Robert and Calista to prepare to fly to Italy the following day. They said their farewells, acknowledging they'd see each other at Christmas time.

They checked into their hotel in Capri, Italy about 8:00 p.m., Sunday night, December 1, 2002. Capri was their longest location stay. They were scheduled to be there for six weeks and then move to Sorrento for the last 10 days of filming. Production was shutting down for eight days over the Christmas and New Year holidays, and the film's wrap up was estimated to be the last week in January 2003, barring no unknown delays.

"Oh, my God," Calista said the minute they entered their hotel suite, "I absolutely adore Capri. Maybe we should buy a villa and spend all our vacations here."

"I thought it was the Caribbean that had stolen your heart," Robert reminded her.

"Hmm. Yeah," she smiled. "Barbados. Maybe we should buy a place there, too." She looked adoringly at the infant seat which held their daughter.

At two months, Cally was very aware of everything going on around her and was undoubtedly the happiest baby Calista had ever seen. She'd thought that Liam had been a joy, but Cally had such an incredibly sweet and good natured disposition that, invariably, whenever anyone talked to her, they were met with a wide grin and a happy gurgle. And, Cally's legs were vigorously and perpetually in motion. Robert joked that they could hook her up to a generator and never have to pay another electric bill. Cally was definitely a "daddy's" girl and, conversely, she had Robert wrapped around her little finger.

"Yep. I'll always have a very special affection for Barbados," Calista sighed.

Robert bent down and kissed the top of his daughter's head, "Hear that, Princess? I think mommy likes the Christmas present I gave her last year." He looked at Calista and winked, "Who knows, maybe we'll develop a very special affection for Capri, too."

Calista treated him to a seductive smile, "Well, ya never know. Anything's possible."

They were enjoying themselves immensely filming and taking in the delightful enchantment of Capri.

Maria brought the children to the set each day. Usually, she left Liam and Indio in a day care facility where they had other children to play with and kept Cally with her. Robert and Calista had all three children with them when either or both had free time during the day.

Calista was very proud of Robert because she knew he'd religiously attended the studio's 12-step program at every location. He didn't always tell her where he was going but she knew that sometimes he attended meetings at 6:00 in the morning or late at night so as not to disrupt filming or family time. And, she also knew those weekly meetings were something he never missed.

They had stayed in constant contact with Detective Craiger but nothing had changed. Gunderson was holding on but still in a coma, and the police still had no leads on Goldblum.

During several of their rare days off, they'd toured Capri and Calista was surprised to find many charming villas nestled into the foothills. Several of them were for sale and Calista had talked Robert into snooping around with her. She'd fallen in love with one in particular and Robert knew that she'd secretly gone back to visit it several times without him. Although the villa was extremely spacious, with eight bedrooms, it still managed to convey a warm, homey, feeling. French doors from almost every room on the main floor opened onto a terrace that stretched the length of the house and from the terrace there was a breathtaking and endless view of nothing but water.

Calista was looking forward to their families arriving on December 20 and knew her mother would fall in love with the area.

They'd been in Capri almost two weeks when, one night after the children were down for the night, Robert found Calista on the hotel terrace dreamily listening to American oldies on one of the local radio stations. He snuck up behind her and gently kissed her ear. "May I have this dance?" he asked sweetly.

"Hmm," she smiled, "let me check my dance card." She picked up the hotel menu and her mouth opened wide in pleasant surprise. "Well, how about that?" she grinned at him, "all my dances seem to be reserved just for you."

He gave her a playful smirk, "They better be."

Standing, she moved naturally and smoothly into his arms just as a meaningful and familiar song began to play. "Oh, my God, Robert," she whispered, "who would've thought we'd hear this song in Italy?"

He kissed her. "Guess fate just knows where to find us," he replied softly.

As the song flooded the air and they started to dance, Calista began to cry.

For once in my life
I have someone who needs me
Someone I've needed so long
For once unafraid
I can go where life leads me
And somehow I know I'll be strong

Robert grinned at her. "Is there anything that doesn't make you cry?" he asked lovingly.

She rubbed her nose on his neck. "I guess not."

For once I can touch
What my heart used to dream of
Long before I knew
Someone warm like you
Could make my dreams come true
For once in my life
I won't let sorrow hurt me
Not like it's hurt me before, oh
For once I've got someone
I know won't desert me
'Cause I'm not alone anymore

Moving closer against him, her eyes sparkled. "Do you know how special this song is to me?" she asked.

"If your tears are any indication," he grinned, scrunching up his nose, "I think I have a pretty good idea."

For once I can say
This is mine, you can't take it
As long as I've got love I know I can make it
For once in my life
I've got someone who needs me

Another slow song began to play and they continued to dance. Calista nestled her face against his neck. "You know," she said softly, "I was lost the minute we met."

"You sure as hell fought it long enough," he whispered in her ear.

She leaned her head back and smiled at him, "That's because it scared the hell out of me. I was in awe of you and your brilliance, but the last thing in the world I wanted to do was fall in love with you. Even though David never said anything, I think by his scripts he knew from the beginning what I wouldn't even admit to myself."

Robert's eyes burned into hers. "And, when I met you, you terrified me. You were so ... so indescribably beautiful .. and talented ... with the most delightful sense of humor of anyone I'd ever met .. and so together ... so in control. I thought, don't even set yourself up for this one, Downey, this is a lady who wouldn't even look twice at someone with your history. But, by the time I'd discovered how real, loyal, loving, warm, funny, not to mention how incredibly bright and intelligent, you were, I was in way over my head. All I could think was, I've got to have this woman."

"Yeah, don't kid me," she said coyly, "it was the challenge you loved. The chase."

"Well," he grinned, "I admit that part was fun ... but exasperating ... you were bound and determined you were never gonna let me catch you. Right?"

Calista smirked without saying anything.

"I knew it," he laughed and quickly became serious, "But, then I did everything I could to fuck it up so it would never happen, didn't I? With all the other things going on in my life, I just wasn't emotionally equipped ... or grown up enough ... to handle it ... my feelings for you. The saddest thing is, knowing how I was back then, if you'd kept rejecting me, I probably would've just moved onto the next milkshake, like you said once, and convinced myself that I was happy with what I had. And, that would've been the biggest crime of all, because until you, I didn't even know what happy was."

"Maybe we both have a lot to be thankful for," she whispered with her lips against his. "That no matter what we did or didn't do, there was always some force leading us back to each other."

He kissed her and murmured, "Hm hmm. And, for us to be here, now, like this, that's one helluva powerful force." Smiling, he said, "Maybe this means we're really ahead of the game after all. Because if something that dynamic is working to keep us together, nothing can tear us apart."

"Promise?"

His eyes glistened with love, "Promise."

They were still holding each other, swaying back and forth.

"Robert?" she purred sweetly.

"What, sweetheart?"

"The station's gone off the air," she said softly in his ear. "There's no music."

Grinning, he asked, "Since when have we needed music to dance?"

Closing her eyes, she rubbed her forehead across his lips and whispered, "I want to dance with you all night ... and for the rest of my life."

"It's a good thing," he said huskily, "because I'm never gonna let you go."