GH Fanworks/Fanfic/Fanart: We Do It Better

[cmahorror]

Chapter 37

 

Jack winced as he felt Stephanie yank her hands out of his. “You called him?” She looked at her father. “Who is he?”

 

Jagger had been in contact with Robin off and on over the years but had not set foot back in Port Charles since Sara’s near death during the bombings at GH – it was just another pain he associated with this town. He had been aware of everything that had happened with Nikolas so he kept close tabs on the family from his office in Albany. “FBI Special Agent Jagger Cates – Albany office.”

 

Stephanie turned her glare back to Jack. “You’re an agent?”

 

“No!” Jack sighed. “I am just, I, I uh…”

 

“Jack did some work with us while he was in high school helping bust up a multi-state drug ring located in the school. He wanted emancipation and was getting push back from his foster family. I approached and convinced him to help us out and in return we helped him get his emancipation. Since then we have kept in touch.” Jagger walked over to Jack and shook his hand. “Once I found out he got into PCU I told him all about Robin, Stone and Patrick.”

 

“You knew about my family before you met me?” Stephanie couldn’t keep the hurt out of her voice. “Was it all a lie – were we a lie?”

 

Jack shook his head. “No, I meant what I said – I love you.”

 

“I asked him to keep an eye on you but he told me he had fallen in love with you and wouldn’t do it anymore. He was planning on telling you everything tonight but…” Jagger wanted to help the young man out.

 

“But my mom and Matt got kidnapped by Nikolas.” John put his arms back around his sister and held her as she started crying. “Jack – I think you need to let me and my brothers take care of Stephanie for now.”

 

“Stephanie…” Jack hated seeing her this way.

 

“Find my mom Jack.” Stephanie words were clear even as her face was buried in her brother’s chest. “I can’t think about anything else until I know she and my Uncle Matt are safe.”

 

The boys circled around Stephanie as they led her out of the room into the kitchen so they could calm her down. Jagger turned to Jack. “I am so sorry.”

 

Jack put up his hands. “Don’t – I lied to the woman I love and I have to face the consequences for that. You have to face the consequences for not telling anyone, including me, that you knew Nikolas escaped from Steinmauer.”

 

Patrick grabbed Jagger and turned him around. “Nikolas escaped?”

 

“Patrick, please try to understand…” Jagger was in the middle of trying to explain when Patrick punched him. Jagger hit the floor and rubbed his jaw as several men stopped Patrick from jumping on him.

 

“You were supposed to be her friend. You were supposed to protect her – for Stone!” Patrick struggled for a moment and then collapsed to the floor sobbing. “How could you not tell her that madman was free?”

 

“I understand how you feel but my hands were tied.” Jagger sat up and stared at Patrick. “The WSB was embarrassed that Nikolas had managed to escape. Steinmauer was supposed to be escape proof.”

 

“Then how did he escape?” Robert was upset that he and Anna weren’t notified by any of their former cohorts.

 

Jagger looked at Robert. “He worked with another prisoner – the only one who had ever escaped from Steinmauer.”

 

Anna shook her head in disbelief. “Oh my God – he's working with Faison.”

 

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

“Let me out of here!” Matt was blindfolded and tied to a chair. He had no idea where he was or what had happened to Robin. “Someone answer me now!”

 

The blindfold was ripped from his eyes and Matt needed a few moments for his vision to readjust to the lights. “Hello Dr. Hunter.” Terrell stood in front of him. “Welcome to your new home.”

 

Matt looked around at his cell and found himself flashing back to his time in prison. Terrell smiled at him. “Look familiar? I tried to make sure it would feel like home.”

 

“Look, if you want to get your revenge on me than take it but leave Robin alone.” Matt struggled with his bindings while Terrell just laughed.

 

“You think you have any control over what happens with Robin?” Terrell leaned over and stared Matt straight in the eyes. “Let me make it clear – the only reason you are still alive is to make sure that Robin does as she is told.”

 

“What is he going to do to her?” Matt was scared for his sister-in-law.

 

“You’ll see soon enough.” Terrell brought over a chair and sat down in front of Matt. He pulled something out of his pocket and smiled. “I wouldn’t worry about Robin right now.”

 

“Wait, you said you needed me alive.” Matt wasn’t sure what Terrell was planning but he knew it couldn’t be good.

 

“I am supposed to keep you alive but I also have permission to extract a little revenge on you.” Terrell’s face clouded over as his glared at Matt. “I loved her you know. I was trying to get her to leave Port Charles and Patrick behind when she was arrested.”

 

“She was arrested for trying to kill Robin. She wasn’t an innocent victim.”

 

“Patrick drove her to it!” Terrell took a deep breath. “Patrick deserves to suffer, you deserve to suffer. You both deserve to know what it is like to live without the women you love for the rest of your lives. Killing you would be too easy. I want you to live with agony of knowing you will never see your wife or child again.”

 

“What about Robin? Doesn’t she deserve to see her children again?” Matt relaxed a little knowing that Terrell wasn’t going to kill him. That meant he had time to figure out a way to get Robin and escape.

 

“And she will – after we finish getting her in the proper mindset.”

 

Horror filled Matt’s face as he realized what Nikolas and Terrell were planning. “You’re going to brainwash her.”

 

“We’re going to show Robin the error of her ways. Nikolas would never treat Robin the way Patrick treated her. He would never cheat on her or turn his back on her when she is in trouble.” Terrell leaned over and smiled at Matt. “He will treat her the way she deserves and, after she realizes that, she will be reunited with her children.”

 

“It won’t work.” Matt scowled at Terrell. “Robin will never love Nikolas.”

 

Terrell shook his head. “Yes she will.” He smiled at the little device in his hand. “Meanwhile…” Terrell took the device and touched it to Matt’s left leg. Matt instantly began convulsing as the taser did its job. Terrell removed it and let Matt recover from the shock before hovering the machine over Matt’s right leg. “I’m going to have a little fun.”

 

Smiling, Terrell touched the taser to Matt’s right leg.

[cmahorror]

Chapter 38

 

Anna watched as Jagger pulled himself off the ground. “Did he work with Faison? Is Faison with them?”

 

Jagger shook his head. “Yes, he worked with Faison but Faison didn’t escape – he’s dead.”

 

“Dead?” Anna couldn’t believe it. “How?”

 

“Pancreatic cancer. Cesar Faison drew his last breath months ago and that was when Nikolas escaped. He managed to bribe a guard and snuck out in a secret compartment in the coffin. When his daughter came to pick up Faison’s body she also took Nikolas with her.” Jagger walked over to a still fuming Patrick. “All news about Faison’s death and Nikolas’s escape was suppressed because the WSB was embarrassed by the escape. That’s why I asked Jack to keep an eye on your family – I couldn’t tell you about Nikolas’s escape but I could try and keep an eye on you.”

 

“Well that worked out well didn’t it?” Patrick practically spat the words out at Jagger. “Now my wife and brother are both missing, my children are in danger and Nikolas has all the leverage he needs to get Robin to do what he wants.” Patrick leaned against the wall, burying his head in his hands.

 

Jagger knelt down next to him. “I know you hate me right now but we need to work together to find Robin and Matt and bring them home.” He stood back up. “There is one other thing you all need to know – Matt wasn’t taken just because he was with Robin. Matt was a target.”

 

Patrick stood back up. “What do you mean a target?”

 

“Nikolas was working with a former colleague of yours, a Dr. Terrell Jackson. He had personal reasons for wanting to get revenge on Matt.”

 

“Lisa.” Awareness flooded over Patrick. “He wants to get revenge on Matt for Lisa’s death.”

 

“Yes. Jack mentioned to me that he was suspicious of the doctor so I had him investigated. It turns out that he worked with Anthony Zacchara years ago to bring Lisa out of her coma.” Jagger walked over and stood by Jack. “Once Lisa died, Dr. Jackson went back to Texas and began plotting his revenge. He had two targets - you and Matt."

 

"And the kidnapping got us both. I lose Robin and Matt loses Tara and Rylee."

 

"We found some very interesting things at his apartment including letters from Nikolas and articles about Robin and Matt. He also had a shrine set up to Lisa Niles.”

 

“Wait a second – what do you mean his apartment?” Mac was confused. “The police didn’t know until right now that Dr. Jackson was involved.”

 

“No but I had a suspicion. As soon as Jack told me Robin and Matt were missing I sent a team to Dr. Jackson’s apartment, unofficially of course, and they found all sorts of interesting things. They are going through it all to see if there are any leads as to where they took Robin and Matt.” Jagger sighed. “I really am sorry that I didn’t tell you – I had hoped it wouldn’t be necessary.”

 

“Well it was.” Patrick walked to the kitchen. “I need to check on my kids.”

 

Nathan walked over to Jagger – he and Dante had been at the house from the moment they found out Robin was missing. “What do you mean Britt claimed the body? Britt has not had anything to do with Faison or her mother for years.” Nathan’s half sister Britt had started a new life with a good man in the Hamptons. They had two beautiful children and she had a thriving medical practice. She would never risk that for a man she couldn’t even stand.

 

“Well, the guard said that Britta Westbourne picked up her father's coffin and the ID presented was for a Britta Westbourne.” Jagger picked up his phone and made a call. “Could you please send me the security footage of Nikolas Cassadine's escape?”

 

“Patrick!” Jason came running through the door looking for his best friend. He ran to Robert and Anna. “Tell me that they are wrong.”

 

“Unfortunately no – Nikolas has Robin and Matt.” Anna felt the tears come to her eyes. “Why can’t he leave her alone?”

 

Robert wrapped his arms around her. “We need to stop playing by the rules – Nikolas sure the hell isn’t.”

 

Jagger waved everyone over the computer. “Here is the footage, see if there is anything you notice that could help us.”

 

Everyone watched as a coffin appeared on screen followed by a woman with a large brim black hat on covering her face. She followed the coffin closely for a few steps and then looked up, giving the camera a full view of her face. Nathan relaxed. “That’s not my sister.”

 

Jason, however, shook his head in disappointment. “No, it’s mine.”

 

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

“Knock knock.” Emily gently knocked on the door before unlocking it and entering Robin’s room. “It is so good to see you again.”

 

“What are you doing here?” Emily had been in a private mental health facility for the past five years. Patrick and Robin had attempted to help undo some of the effects of Nikolas’s brainwashing but it was too late – the Emily Quartermaine they had known was gone forever. Jason had placed in her the facility in hopes of at least keeping her away from Nikolas but it obviously hadn’t worked.

 

“As opposed to the looney bin my brother shipped me off to?” A look of anger flashed across her face but Emily quickly pushed it back down. “Nikolas worked to free me so I could help him escape from Steinmauer and reunite with you.”

 

“But I don’t want to be with him – I want to be with Patrick and our children.” Robin was hoping that somehow she could get through to Emily. “That is my family. Matt and I just want to go home to our families.”

 

“So I know this isn’t your first wedding but I still think you should wear white.” Emily ignored Robin completely and set a stack of photos down on the bed. “These are your choices – Nikolas really outdid himself with the wedding preparations. You are going to love it!”

 

Robin sat down on the bed and shoved the photos aside. “Emily – I am married to Patrick.”

 

“Now, I know I am only the maid of honor but I was really hoping you would let me pick out my own dress for the wedding.” Emily picked up the photos and spread them out on the bed. “I was thinking a dark green or maybe a pale yellow – I mean it really is up to you.”

 

Robin sighed. “Whatever you want will be fine Emily.” There was no point in reasoning with the woman, she was too far gone.

 

Emily gave a squeal of excitement and hugged Robin close. “Thank you!” She pointed at one of the photos on the bed. “Now the great thing about this one is that you can wear it with a veil or flowers in your hair.”

 

Robin shook her head and then just listened as Emily rattled off all the ideas she had for Robin and Nikolas’s wedding.

Edited February 5, 2016 by cmahorror

[cmahorror]

Chapter 39

 

Jason walked into the living room and saw Patrick lying there on the couch watching TV. For security reasons, the entire family had moved into the Quartermaine mansion until Robin and Matt were rescued and Nikolas was put away again. “Couldn’t sleep?” It wasn't too late, a little after 11, but it had been a long day for everyone.

 

“Could you if it were Sam?” Patrick sat up and Jason sat down next to him.

 

“No, I don’t think I could.”

 

“This was supposed to be over Jason. He was supposed to be out of our lives and now…” Patrick rubbed the back of his neck with his hand. “This is all my fault.”

 

“Patrick, this is Nikolas's and Dr. Jackson’s fault.” Jason couldn’t understand where Patrick was coming from.

 

“But don’t you see – I brought Lisa into our lives. The only reason Terrell is helping Nikolas is to get revenge against me. If I hadn’t slept with Lisa and cheated on Robin then Lisa wouldn’t have gone insane and tried to kill her. Matt killed Lisa protecting Robin.” Patrick leaned over and placed his head in his hands. “One stupid mistake and the people I love are still paying for it.”

 

Jason patted Patrick on the back. “Patrick, Terrell is responsible for his actions just the same as Lisa was responsible for hers. Robin forgave you years ago for what happened with Lisa.”

 

“You cheated on mom?” Stephanie walked into the room in shock. She had been unable to sleep and had been heading into the kitchen to get a snack when she heard her dad talking. “And this guy took them to get back at you?”

 

“Steph, let me explain…” Patrick stood up but she backed away from him.

 

“How could you? I thought you loved her.” Tears filled Stephanie’s eyes as she looked at her father.

 

Patrick’s heart broke when he saw the look in his little girl’s eyes. “Stephanie, it happened a long time ago, before you and your brothers were born. I was a different man then, one who didn’t truly appreciate how lucky I was to have your mom in my life. I have spent every day since then making it up to her.”

 

“So this Lisa is the woman Uncle Matt killed?” Patrick nodded his head. Stephanie knew Matt had been in jail for accidentally killing someone but none of them knew the details – until now. “And he killed her protecting mom?”

 

“Yes.” Patrick knew there was nothing he could say at this moment to make things any easier for her.

 

“I need some air.” Stephanie turned and ran out of the room. First Jack lied to her and now she finds out that her dad cheated on her mom. The people she trusted most in her life were lying to her and she needed to get away from them for a few minutes so she could breathe.

 

“Stephanie wait!” Patrick ran after her but Stephanie was out the door and down the drive before he could get to her. Patrick watched her running to the gate and saw her push it open. “Stephanie – please let me explain.”

 

Stephanie stopped outside the gate and turned around, tears streaming down her face. “Explain what dad? How you could betray mom that way? She loves you so much.”

 

Patrick walked slowly towards her. “And I love her. Your mom and I worked hard to put that behind us and rebuild our family.” He reached out his hand to her. “Steph, it’s been over 20 years since this happened. Emma was just a baby and your mom and I have survived so much to be together. I love her and I love our life.”

 

Stephanie took his hand and allowed her dad to pull her into a hug. She cried as he held her. “I’m still mad at you.”

 

“Me too Stephanie – I will never forgive myself for doing that to your mom.” Patrick rubbed her back. “But I will bring her home to you.”

 

“Freeze!” Stephanie and Patrick turned around to see two men standing in front of them with guns. “We just want the girl.”

 

Patrick pushed Stephanie behind him. He looked at the men and heard Jason running down the drive. Acting on instinct, Patrick pushed Stephanie back. “Run! Don’t look back just get to Jason!”

 

As Stephanie ran back through the gate and towards the house Patrick put himself in between her and the two men. The men attacked, trying to get through Patrick to get to the gate but Patrick fought back with everything he had. One of the men grabbed Patrick and held his arms behind his back as the other pummeled Patrick in the side and stomach. Jason was almost to the men when they dropped Patrick and took off but not before one of the men whispered a warning to him. “This isn’t over Drake.”

 

Jason ran after the men while Stephanie cradled her now unconscious father in her arms. “Jason! He needs help.”

 

Jason pulled out his phone. “I need an ambulance at the Quartermaine mansion…”

 

“You’re going to be okay dad.” Stephanie talked to him. “You have to be.”

 

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

Robin was lying in bed when the door opened up and Terrell walked in. “Good morning Robin.”

 

Robin just rolled her eyes at the man. “Why are you doing this Terrell?”

 

“You know why Robin.” Terrell had a bag with him and he set it on the dresser. He began pulling various medical supplies out of the bag. “Your protocol is in the bathroom.”

 

“She isn’t worth this. She didn’t love you.” Robin hoped to talk some sense into him.

 

Terrell stopped what he was doing and glared at Robin. “She could have, she would have if your husband hadn’t slept with her.” Terrell walked to Robin. “Do you know why I came to Port Charles the first time?” Robin shook her head. “Because she wanted me there. She wanted to destroy yours and Patrick’s marriage. She thought that if I could get you to sleep with me than Patrick would never want to be with you again.”

 

Robin scoffed. “I should have known it was all an act – that pretending to be my friend was just a means to an end.”

 

“I truly do care about you Robin but that isn’t why I didn’t go through with it. I didn’t go through with it because I knew you and Patrick were meant to be together just like I was meant to be with Lisa.” Terrell went back to sorting his supplies. “But she was so obsessed with Patrick she couldn’t see it. If he had just left her alone, not slept with her that one time, then she could have left Port Charles and we could have had a life together. Marriage, children, what you and Patrick have; what her killer and his wife have.”

 

Terrell pulled out a vial and took out a syringe. Robin watched with mounting fear as Terrell filled the syringe. “What are you going to do?”

 

“I’m going to get my final revenge on Patrick – he took away the love of my life so I am going to take away the love of his life.” Robin ran towards the door but two guards came through it and grabbed her by the arms. “Don’t fight me Robin – it will be so much easier for you if you don’t fight me.”

 

The guards placed Robin in a chair and held her down as Terrell took the contents of the syringe and emptied it into her arm.

[cmahorror]

Chapter 40

 

“Stephanie…” Patrick moaned as he began to regain consciousness. “Run…”

 

Stephanie took her dad’s hand. “It’s okay Dad, I’m safe.”

 

Patrick opened his eyes and saw his youngest daughter sitting next to him. “Safe?”

 

“Yes, I promise.” She pushed the call button and Liz came running in. “He’s awake.”

 

“That’s great – I’ll get Tom.” Liz had no sooner left the room when Emma and Cam came running in.

 

“Dad!” Emma went to the opposite side of the bed from her sister and took her dad’s other hand. “What happened?”

 

Stephanie shook her head. “Nikolas – he’s back and he has mom again.” There was no mistaking the pure hatred in Steph's voice when she said Nikolas's name.

 

Cam put his arms around his wife as she took in the news. They had just been told that her dad was hurt, not that Nikolas was back. “Damn it! What happened?”

 

“He was working with a doctor here at the hospital, a Dr. Jackson. Apparently he was in love with the woman that Uncle Matt killed all those years ago. He took mom and Matt but we don’t know where they are.” Stephanie decided not to tell them about her dad’s affair with the woman – it didn’t matter.

 

“So Uncle Matt is missing too?” Steph nodded her head. “Is that when Dad got hurt?”

 

“No, he got hurt protecting me.” Tears filled Stephanie’s eyes. “Some men tried to kidnap me and Dad stopped them.”

 

“And I would do it again.” Patrick smiled at his girls. “Now will you consider doing what I asked and going to the safe house with Maxie, Georgie, Tara and Rylee? All of you?”

 

“No, we will stay together and get through this as a family.” Stephanie smiled at her sister and brother-in-law. “Right?”

 

Emma nodded her head. “Right.”

 

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

Robin’s head was pounding as she opened her eyes and tried to figure out what had happened to her. She sat up and laid right back down as the room around her started spinning. She closed her eyes again. What had happened to her? She fought against the pain to try and remember.

 

 

Flashback

 

“This will go much easier if you don’t fight it Robin.” Terrell nodded at the guards who were holding her down as he removed the syringe from her arm. They let go of her and Robin attempted to stand up but her legs wouldn’t work. She fell back in the chair and tried to catch her breath.

 

Robin glared at Terrell. “What did you give me?”

 

“It’s just a little concoction I came up with to help clear your mind so you can focus on what I am telling you.” Terrell grabbed a chair and sat down in front of her. “Plus a little bit of a muscle relaxant so that you don’t have so much fight in you. Nothing that will interfere with your protocol – I promise.”

 

“Why?” Robin was finding it more and more difficult to speak.

 

“Because you need to understand how lucky you are that Nikolas loves you as much as he does. We need to undo years of programming from your parents and Patrick.” Terrell reached into his bag and pulled out a folder. “Don’t worry, a rescue mission is already in progress to get your daughter Stephanie here too. It won’t be long and yours and Nikolas’s family will be reunited.”

 

“No, leave her alone.” Robin thought she said the words out loud but she couldn’t be certain of anything anymore. It felt like the words were bouncing around in her head, unable to escape.

 

Terrell smiled at her. Reaching into his bag, he pulled out a tablet and opened a file. “Let’s get started.”

 

End Flashback

 

 

Robin forced herself to open her eyes once again. Thankfully the room had stopped spinning so she pulled herself off the bed and headed to the bathroom. She looked in the medicine cabinet and found some aspirin. Running the tap water, she washed her face and then took the aspirin.

 

“What did he do to me?” Robin stared at her reflection in the mirror. “I need to see Nik…” Robin stopped herself. “No, I need to see Patrick.”

 

Robin closed her eyes again and forced herself to focus on what was important. She opened her eyes and stared at her reflection once again. “My name is Robin Scorpio-Drake. I am married to the love of my life Patrick Drake. We have five amazing children. Their names are Emma, Mal, Stephanie, RJ and our honorary son John. We are both doctors and our daughter just got married. I am Robin Scorpio-Drake and I do not love Nikolas Cassadine.” Robin smiled at herself. “I need to find my brother-in-law Matt and get us the hell out of here and home to our family.”

 

Robin took a deep breath and headed back to the bed. She wanted to get a little sleep to try and get rid of this headache. Once her headache was gone she could concentrate on figuring out a way home.

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

“You have a concussion and bruised ribs Patrick. You need to stay here for at least 24 hours for observation – you know that.” Dr. Tom Hardy was scolding the neurosurgeon as Patrick got dressed.

 

“My wife and brother are missing. Someone tried to kidnap my daughter just a few hours ago. The last place I need to be is lying in a hospital bed.” Patrick buttoned up his shirt. “Look, my CT scan is clear and Emma will be there with me. Right now I need to be with my children and working with the WSB and FBI to find Robin and Matt.”

 

Tom sighed, he knew he had lost this battle. He signed the release papers and handed them to Patrick. “Fine, but if you have even a minor headache or a dizzy spell I want you back here ASAP.”

 

Patrick nodded his head as he took the papers from the chief of staff. “Thank you Tom. I’ll let you know when we find out anything.”

 

“I take it Jason is waiting downstairs for you?” Patrick nodded. “Good – go get your wife and brother back.”

 

Patrick headed to the door. “That’s exactly what I am going to do.” Patrick pulled out his phone as soon as he left the room. “Jason? I’m on my way.”

 

He got on the elevator and pushed the button for the lobby, wincing as he moved his arm a little too quickly and pulled on his ribs. It didn’t matter – nothing mattered now but getting Robin and Matt back home.

Edited February 7, 2016 by cmahorror

[cmahorror]

Chapter 41

 

“I still say using me as bait is our best option.” Stephanie paced the living room as she tried to convince the men in her life to let her follow through on her plan. “Nikolas isn’t going to give up on having me back – let’s use it against him.”

 

Jack ran his hands through his hair and looked at her brothers and sister before finally speaking. “Over my dead body Steph.”

 

Aiden scoffed. “That’s not a bad idea.”

 

Jack stood up but Cam quickly grabbed his brother and dragged him out the room. “I’ve got this. You talk some sense into her.”

 

Jack walked over to Stephanie and took her hand. “Do you remember what you told me about your mom and how she risked her life to get Emma to safety after Nikolas kidnapped her?” Stephanie nodded. “Do you really think she would feel any differently if it is you?”

 

“I guess not but…” Stephanie’s shoulders drooped in defeat. “I just want to help bring her home.”

 

Jack pulled Stephanie into his arms, grateful that she was letting him. “I know you do.”

 

Steph sank into his familiar embrace for a moment before remembering she was mad at him. Pulling away, she walked over to her sister. “Then figure out a way to help me do it.”

 

Jack bit his lip and thought for a moment. “Maybe we can get a message to Nikolas – something that will draw him out into the open. Let me talk to Jagger and see what he thinks.”

 

“Thank you Jack.” Stephanie watched him walk out the door before turning to Emma with tears in her eyes. “He will help us – I know he will.”

 

Emma brushed Steph’s hair behind her ear. “Of course he will – he loves you.”

 

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

Aiden stumbled as Cam pushed him out the front door. “Hey man – watch it!”

 

“What the hell are you thinking?” Cam was furious with his brother. “I know you don’t like Jack. You have had a hard time accepting that he and Stephanie fell in love with each other but you were the idiot who didn’t want a commitment. Don’t blame Jack for being the man you wouldn’t be.” Cam and Emma had both come to know and really like Jack over the past few months.

 

“Of course you would take his side.” Aiden kicked at the rocks in the driveway.

 

“This isn’t about sides Aiden – it’s about what Steph needs and, right now, it is not a jealous ex-boyfriend. She is going through hell and if Jack is the one to help her through it than you need to respect that. Think about someone other than yourself.” Cam shook his head and walked back in the house to check on his wife and sister-in-law.

 

Aiden stood there fuming. He was thinking about Stephanie – he was the only one who cared about what she wanted and it was time for him to prove it.

 

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

Jack walked into Jason’s office and listened in as Jagger brought them up to date. “Their car was found here,” Jagger pointed to a spot on the map splayed out across the desk, “on the outskirts of Port Charles. Fortunately for us, traffic cameras were recently installed on the corner across from the house so we were able to get the license plate of the vehicle that they were taken in. The vehicle was found in an open field about an hour from here. From the looks of the field, it looks like they left in a helicopter. The good news is that a helicopter normally has a 300 – 400 mile radius so there is a good chance they are either the US or Canada.”

 

“Unless they took the helicopter to an airport and boarded a plane.” Patrick was still angry at Jagger and he was not even trying to hide it.

 

“I agree with Patrick.” Robert stood next to his son-in-law. “Nikolas has more resources at his disposal than before thanks to his relationship with Faison.”

 

“It would help if we knew more about Nikolas. Patrick, you have dealt with the man – what do you think he is planning?” Jagger really wanted Patrick’s help on this.

 

Patrick took a moment to clear his head and think. “He would want to be close enough to be able to grab Stephanie and get her to him as quickly as possible. I think he will concentrate his efforts on getting her.”

 

“Okay so we will put out an APB to all states and Canadian territories in a 400 mile radius.” Jagger made a circle on the map. “I also want to move Stephanie to a safe house.”

 

Jack shook his head. “That is not going to happen – Steph is being damn stubborn and refuses to leave Port Charles. She wants to be involved in the rescue.”

 

“Of course she does – stubborn as her mother.” Patrick was worried about his youngest girl. “Is she still trying to convince everyone that she should be used as bait?”

 

“Yes but I think I may have talked her out of it, at least for a few minutes. I was wondering, we know that Nikolas has spies around here so why don’t we use them to draw him out.” Jack was praying that the group would go for it – he needed to keep Stephanie safe.

 

“Like we did after the first time he kidnapped Robin.” Robert smiled at Patrick and then at Jack. Over the past few days he had found himself really coming to like Stephanie’s boyfriend. “Years ago, we used a rumor of Stephanie’s return to lead us to Nikolas. Maybe we could let it ‘slip’ that she is being moved to a safe house in a few days. Nikolas wouldn’t be able to resist going after her.”

 

Jagger nodded his head. “It could work. Alright, let’s figure out how to get the word out.”

 

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Stephanie took a walk in the rose garden and tried to just enjoy her surroundings. The house was in full chaos as they tried to figure out where Nikolas had taken her mother and she just needed a few minutes to herself to think and try to figure out what she could do to help with the rescue. Needing some quiet and to feel a connection to her mom, she had come out here. She knew her parents had been remarried in the rose garden and she certainly understood why – it was gorgeous and peaceful, especially on a cool summer evening like this one.

 

“Stephanie?” Aiden walked over to her. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”

 

“Sure but if this is about Jack – I don’t want to hear it.” Stephanie was still mad at her boyfriend but that was for them to work out – no one else needed to be involved.

 

“No this is about your mom. I know you have a plan and I want to help you with it.” Aiden stepped closer to her and held out his hand. “Let’s go find your mom.”

[cmahorror]

Chapter 42

 

Robin didn’t even try to pretend she was excited as Emily went through the wedding dresses she had brought in with her to Robin’s room. Emily, on the other hand, was thrilled to be so involved in her old friend’s wedding. “I really think you should go with off-white, something a little different from the traditional wedding dress.”

 

“Pick whatever dress you want Emily – I don’t care.” Robin stood up and stared out the window, still trying to figure out where the hell she was.

 

“Well, first we need to decide if we are going to go with a tea-length or floor-length dress?” Emily thought about it for a moment. “Floor length, definitely. You are going to be a princess and your dress should reflect that.”

 

Robin had a flashback to her aborted wedding with Nikolas and Helena’s insistence that she have a dress fit for a princess. She shivered and then sighed. “Whatever you choose will be fine Emily.”

 

Emily went through the dresses and grabbed one out. She squealed in excitement and ran over to Robin. “This is it!”

 

Robin looked at the dress and had to admit that it was gorgeous. Ivory, strapless and sleeveless with a beautiful organza skirt, it was the perfect dress for a woman about to marry a prince. The problem was that Robin didn’t want to be a princess – she wanted to be a doctor, at home with her husband and children. “It’s beautiful Emily.”

 

“Now we need to decide on whether we are doing a veil or flowers?” Emily looked at Robin for an answer.

 

“Emily, I cannot be any clearer – I don’t care.” Robin looked back out the window at various landmarks to see if any of them seemed familiar. “The only people excited about this wedding are you and Nikolas so why don’t the two of you get married and let me and Matt get back to our lives.”

 

Emily flinched at Robin’s words. She spoke softly as she responded to Robin. “Because he doesn’t love me.”

 

Robin felt horrible – Emily was just as much a victim of Nikolas’s obsession as anyone. “Emily, I’m sorry.” She reached over and took the woman’s hand in hers. “You have done a wonderful job of planning this wedding.”

 

Emily instantly bounced back into planning mode. “Thank you! Now I think you should do flowers, maybe a circle of them with a veil attached?” She studied the dress and then shook her head. “I am so silly – it has to be a tiara. You are going to be a princess after all.”

 

Emily ran to the door. “I know that Nikolas has to have something we can use in the family jewels. I will go talk to him while you put on the dress for the fitting. Be right back.” Emily left the room, careful to lock the door behind her.

 

Robin picked up the dress and sighed. Like it or not, she had to play along. Matt’s life was far more important than her pride. Slowly, she began undressing so she could put on her wedding dress.

 

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

“How are you doing today Dr. Hunter?” Matt got up from his got slowly, still sore from the previous day’s session with Terrell, as Nikolas walked into the room.

 

“About as well as can be expected after Dr. Jackson spent hours torturing me yesterday.” Matt finally made it to a full standing position and glared at Nikolas. “What do you want?”

 

Nikolas smiled at him. “To the point – I like that. I am here to make sure that your tuxedo fits.”

 

“Tuxedo for what?” Matt was certain he already knew the answer but he needed to hear it from Nikolas himself.

 

“For mine and Robin’s wedding.” Nikolas waved at the door and a man came in with a garment bag. “It’s the day after tomorrow and it would mean a lot to her if you were there.”

 

Matt couldn't believe what he was hearing. “There is one small hitch in your wedding plans Nikolas – she is already married to my brother.” Patrick had told Matt about Nikolas’s obsession but he had never seen it in action.

 

“As I said, the wedding is the day after tomorrow.” Nikolas walked to the door. “You will not be receiving any visits from Terrell as long as you behave yourself and do what you are told.” He turned to the gentleman holding the garment bag. “Please make sure Dr. Hunter’s tuxedo fits him. If he causes you any problems you can call in Dr. Jackson in to assist you.”

 

Matt clinched his fists in an attempt to control his anger. As much as he hated it, right now he had to play along. This wedding may be the only shot he had to grab Robin and help her escape from Nikolas.

 

______________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

Jason, Jack, John, Patrick, Robert, Mac and Anna were going over their plans in Jason’s office when they heard a knock on the door. Jack opened it and was surprised to see Stephanie standing there. “What can we do for you Steph?”

 

Stephanie smiled at Jack. “I’ve changed my mind.”

 

Jack opened up the door further and gestured Stephanie in. “Changed your mind about what?”

 

Stephanie walked over and hugged her dad. “About the safe house – maybe I should go.”

 

Patrick smiled at Steph. “Really?”

 

“Really dad.” Stephanie buried her head in his chest and hugged her father even tighter. “Jack said something to me last night about what mom would want and, after thinking about it all night, I realized he was right so I will go to the safe house.”

 

Jack watched Steph suspiciously – something was not right here. He thought for a minute and smiled at his girlfriend. “Great – I’ll take you there first thing in the morning.”

 

“No Jack – you need to stay here and help find my mom. Aiden has already offered to take me and I think it’s a great idea. We just need to know where we are going.” Stephanie still wouldn’t look at him.

 

“I see what is going on here.” Jack sighed. “You and Aiden are planning to sneak off and find Nikolas.”

 

“No I…”

 

“Please Stephanie, I know you too well.” Jack walked over and took her chin in his hand, gently turning her towards him. “I know that Aiden would do anything to help you, even if it is the wrong thing. You both think that you can handle Nikolas but you can’t. What do you think is going to happen when he gets you?”

 

Realizing she was busted, Stephanie sighed. “I could talk to him, maybe get him to listen to some reason.”

 

John interrupted her. “I tried that years ago Steph and it didn’t work.” He walked over and took Steph’s hand in his. “You cannot reason with an insane man.”

 

John pulled his little sister over to the couch and sat down with her. “Here is what will happen if he gets you – he will expect you to be the adoring little girl he last

saw, not the strong and independent woman you are. He will want you to be happy to see him and want to be in a family with him and your mom.” John shook his head. “He will want you to see him as your father.”

 

“But he’s not.” Patrick couldn’t help but feel a little relief at her words. “I have one dad and that's not Nikolas.”

 

“But Nikolas doesn’t see it that way.” John hugged Stephanie. “Trust me, I wish there was something we could do to get through to him but it just isn’t possible. All we can do now is save your mom and Matt and protect you. Let us do that.”

 

Stephanie sighed in resignation. “Fine.” She stood up and headed to the door. “I’ll be in my room – let me know when you hear anything.”

 

She left the room and the group looked at each other in silence for a minute. Anna finally spoke up. “That was easy.”

 

Mac nodded his head. “Too easy – we need to put an extra guard on her. I don’t think she is done trying to find her mom and rescue her from Nikolas.”

[cmahorror]

Chapter 43

 

“Steph, can I come in?” Emma knocked on the door to her sister’s room.

 

Stephanie opened the door and smiled at her big sister. “If the thug watching me will let you.”

 

The guard rolled his eyes and looked at Emma. “Please spend some time with your sister and assure that I am here to protect her – not hold her prisoner.”

 

“I’ll try.” Emma entered the room and shut the door behind her. “He’s just doing his job Steph.”

 

“I know.” Stephanie flopped down on the bed. “And I know I shouldn’t have tried to pull one over on everyone but I hate feeling helpless. I want to find mom and bring her home. I want Nikolas to know that he is not my father and that that will never change. I want our family back together.”

 

“Oh Steph, I know you do but there is a right way to go about it and a wrong way. Letting yourself get kidnapped is the wrong way.” Emma sat down next to her sister and hugged her. “You have to know that.”

 

“I guess I do.” Steph conceded. She took a moment and then asked her sister a question. “Em, do you know anything about a Lisa Niles?”

 

Emma pulled away from her sister. “Where did you hear that name?”

 

“I overheard Dad and Jason talking the other night and…”

 

“That’s why you ran off.” Things were becoming clearer to Emma now. She considered what she should say. “I don’t remember Lisa, I was just a baby when all that happened.”

 

“But you know what went on?”

 

“Not until Dr. Jackson showed up at GH.” Seeing the confused look on Steph’s face, Emma explained. “You know how the rumor mill works at GH. Dr. Jackson was around during the whole Lisa debacle and was apparently showing some interest in mom. When he came back, some comments were made about dad having, uh, had a slight indiscretion with another doctor on staff and Dr. Jackson taking advantage of it to try and date her.”

 

“Did you ask dad about it?” Stephanie wasn’t sure how much Emma knew.

 

“No, I asked mom. She told me that Lisa was a psychopath who dad dated in college. Mom and dad were having some issues and dad made a mistake one night while mom was in Africa.” Emma felt tears come to her eyes as she remembered when her mom had told her the story – there was still pain in her eyes when she talked about Lisa. “Anyway, Lisa went completely insane and tried to kill mom. She even tried to infect dad with HIV.”

 

Stephanie couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “What? How?”

 

“She tied mom up and took blood from her. She was going to inject dad with it.” Emma shuddered at the thought of her mom’s greatest fear coming to life right in front of her eyes. “Mom stopped her. They fought and Lisa got away. Later she was found dead…”

 

“And it turned out that Uncle Matt had killed her to protect mom.” Stephanie bit her lip and looked at her sister. “Is that it?”

 

“Yeah – that’s it.” Emma wiped her eyes. “Mom and dad worked hard to rebuild their marriage and their lives. They love each other and us more than anything.”

 

“I know it’s just, finding out that dad cheated on mom…”

 

“I get it – it was a shock to me too but that was over 20 years ago and mom and dad both made their peace with it. Don’t make dad pay for it again.” Emma took her sister’s hand in hers and squeezed it.

 

“I won’t.” Stephanie wiped her eyes.

 

After a minute Emma smiled at her sister. “Hey, I have an idea – why don’t we go down to the lake and take a swim?” Emma stood up. “It’s a hot day outside and I bet the lake is the perfect temperature.”

 

Steph threw herself back on the bed. “I don’t know Em, it’s awfully hot out there.”

 

“Which is why it is a perfect day for a swim. We can pack some lunch and spend the day getting tan.” Emma held out her hand. “We can even see if boys would like to join us although they are in the middle of a massive gaming session.”

 

Stephanie laughed. “Zombies or war?”

 

“Actually the war against zombies.” Both girls laughed at their brothers. “We should also give our guards a chance to change. I doubt they want to be out there in three piece suits.”

 

“Sounds good – meet you in the kitchen in 20 minutes?” Stephanie was already headed to the dresser to get out her swimming suit.

 

“Sounds good.” Emma headed out the door to begin gathering things for their day out.

 

________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

“This was the best idea Em.” Stephanie and Emma both were laying out on the dock after having swam for a little bit and eating lunch. “I can’t believe that the boys are missing this.”

 

Emma laughed. “Nothing comes between men and their video games. I have always been grateful that Cam isn’t a gamer.”

 

“No, he prefers a real gun. Do you two ever go shooting together?” Stephanie was happy to have a distraction from her mom and Matt’s kidnapping.

 

“We went once and,” Emma smiled thinking about it, “never again. It doesn’t do a cop’s ego much good when his girlfriend is a better shot than he is.”

 

It was Stephanie’s turn to laugh. “I bet it doesn’t. Where is Cam?”

 

“He is down at the station talking with Dante. He can’t be put on the case since his mother-in-law is one of the victims but he is getting his leave extended so he can help everyone here with the search.” Emma’s pride in her husband was clear as she spoke. “How are things with Jack?”

 

“I’m waiting until mom comes home before I make…” Stephanie was cut off by a sharp pain in her back.

 

Emma saw her sister fall forward. She caught her and felt a dart in the middle of Steph’s back. She pulled it out and set the girl down on her towel. “Steph?” She looked for the guards and saw that they were both on the ground.

 

“Help!” She barely got the word out before a dart hit her in the chest and a sudden darkness took over her vision.

[ulkis]

parody

BRYAN GETS JEALOUS

FRANK

Jane you'll be amazing

Everyone will be gazing

At you come emmy night

Finally you will be in that emmy spotlight

With this story about an important social issue

You'll make everyone need a tissue

BRYAN

um what's going on

Frank I thought that was our song

FRANK

I'm talking 2017 for Jane

Don't worry 2016 is your lane

BRYAN

I just thought you said I was the best

With a better chance than all the rest

FRANK

yeah cause your category is the least competition

Not cause you're the best cook in the kitchen

BRYAN

this chick is so ancient

She looks like something rotting in my basement

Is she even a chick

It's hard to tell I can't pick

The identity of her sex

Does she have boobs or pecs

Not that I want to check up close

That would add to my woes

But in that case if we can't tell her gender

How are you even gonna send her

To the emmys when you don't even know

Into which category she should go

FRANK

Bryan that's not nice

I've told you more than twice

You're not the only actor here

Now say sorry are we clear

BRYAN

you know I have no clue

How to count higher than two

JANE

frank, it's alright

Young man, you must not put so much stock

Into what is at this point pretty much a crock

it's not important that award, that glory

But your talent and the story

BRYAN (whispers to Frank)

I think the old lady-dude-man is losing his mind

Maybe escorting whoever she is from the building would be kind

JANE

I think I can find the door

How did we ever manage without you before?

FRANK sighs

MICHAEL EASTON

hey Frank I'm back

BRYAN

who are you and why would Frank care

Of you and your status I'm unaware

MICHAEL

I'm Michal Easton. Remember? I played Kiki's dad

BRYAN

I thought you were fired

I liked the screentime I aquired

Because of it

The story was a hit

MICHAEL frank hired me back

BRYAN

frank how could you do this!

I barely get enough screentime as it is!

And by the way we're in a musical bitch!

You'd better sing with your best pitch!

MICHAEL

singing is so much effort and sweat

I'm already nervous on the set

I'm already out of my comfort zone

Playing my 4th role of a clone

BRYAN

a clone! Will it get you am emmy, the highest prize?

MICHEAL

kid, I'm just glad Frank has given me 85 tries

BRYAN

whatever that means, but just know, this is how it goes

Don't step on my dreams or my toes!

[cmahorror]

Chapter 44

 

“Explain to me why we are doing this again?” RJ pouted as the boys made their way down to the lake.

 

“Because it is a beautiful day outside and our sisters asked us to join them.” John shook his head at the youngest member of the family. “Besides, you had already lost 6 games.”

 

“I was getting better.” RJ’s pout quickly turned into a look of concern as they got near the lake. “Where are they? Did they head back up to the house?”

 

Mal began inspecting the area and quickly found the guards unconscious in the grass. He looked at John and RJ. “RJ, go get dad. John, help me look for the girls.”

 

RJ was in great shape thanks to baseball and was back at the house in less than minute. He burst into the house and began yelling. “Dad! Jason!”

 

Patrick and Jason came running out into the hall. “RJ – what is it?”

 

“The girls, we went to the lake to join them for a swim and the guards were on the ground and they were missing.” RJ suddenly realized what had probably happened and began to cry. “I should have gone with them. We all should have gone with them…”

 

Patrick pulled his son into hug and comforted him while Jason got on his phone. “Then I have no doubt that you would be missing too. Go upstairs and lock yourself in your room.”

 

RJ wiped his face and ran up the stairs. “You have to stop him dad. This has to end.”

 

Patrick nodded his head. “I will. Go.”

 

A guard followed RJ up the stairs as Jason got off the phone. “The rest of the guards are headed to the lake and the police are on their way here. Let’s go.”

 

Patrick and Jason ran down to find the boys scouring the area for even the slightest trace of the girls. The picnic basket and their towels were still on the dock. Patrick and Jason got closer and noticed a small dart lying on one of the towels. “They drugged them.” Patrick shook his head and looked at Jason incredulously. “They shot my daughters with tranquilizer darts like they were animals and took them.”

 

Jason grabbed Patrick and pulled him into a tight hug as Mal and John came running over. “We are going to get them back. Nikolas had to have made a mistake and we will take advantage of it.”

 

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

Emma yawned and stretched as she tried to wake up. She finally opened her eyes and jumped off the bed. “What happened?”

 

She didn’t have time to answer the question before the door to her room opened and Dr. Jackson came strolling in, carrying his medical bag. “Good afternoon Dr. Scorpio-Drake. How are you feeling?”

 

“You.” The contempt Emma felt for the man flowed from her lips. “I should have known you and Nikolas were behind this. Where is he?”

 

“Nikolas is reuniting with his daughter.” Terrell pulled out his stethoscope and blood pressure cuff. “Now I need to check your vitals.”

 

“Fine.” Emma sat on the edge of the bed and allowed Terrell to do his exam.

 

He finished and smiled at Emma. “You are in perfect health – but that isn’t really surprising considering who your mother is.”

 

“And my father.” Emma noticed that Terrell flinched at she said it. “I take it you are not my dad’s biggest fan? Is that why you are helping Nikolas?”

 

“Your father destroyed the woman I love and then his brother killed her.” Terrell threw the blood pressure cuff into his bag.

 

“Lisa.” It wasn’t that great a shock given what she had learned from her mother. “The woman that tried to kill my mother and put me in danger several times?” Emma hadn’t told Stephanie about the car accident or the fact that Lisa had burned down their Uncle Mac’s house.

 

“Your father drove her to it.” Terrell was getting upset about the way Emma was talking about Lisa.

 

“The woman was insane – no one drove her to trying to use my mother’s blood as a weapon against my father.” Emma didn’t even try to hide her anger. “She was trying to kill my mom when she was stopped by my uncle.”

 

“Your uncle murdered her in cold blood and got away with it.” Terrell turned back around and glared at her. “Fortunately, I am getting to fix the mistakes the courts made years ago.”

 

Emma stood up and marched over to him. “What are you doing to my uncle?”

 

Terrell stared Emma straight in the eyes. “Nothing too bad – yet. Of course, your uncle’s health is completely under your mother’s control. If she does as she is told, he will remain healthy. If not…”

 

“That’s blackmail.” Emma looked at the man, horrified at what he was suggesting. “She would never let anyone be hurt because of her.”

 

“Which is fortunate for your uncle.” Terrell headed out the door. “See you tomorrow Emma.”

 

________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

Stephanie was trying to open the window to her room when she heard the door open. Moving quickly, she threw herself on the bed and waited for whoever was coming in to see her. The door opened wide but no one entered. “Hello?”

 

She got up and started walking towards the door when a large figure filled the doorway. She stopped and tried to get a good look at their face. “Who’s there?”

 

The figure stepped through the doorway and Stephanie gasped. Nikolas smiled at her. “Hello Stephanie. Welcome home.”

[cmahorror]

Chapter 45

 

Stephanie swallowed hard. “Nikolas.”

 

“I think you should call me dad.” Nikolas took a step forward.

 

Stephanie took a step back, shaking her head. “No I won’t because you are not my dad. My dad is Dr. Patrick Drake.” A look of pain crossed Nikolas’s face but Stephanie didn’t care. She had no intention of feeding his delusions.

 

“I never want to hear that bastard’s name again. He stole you from me.”

 

“He saved me from you.” Stephanie had heard the story from both her mom and John. “Your obsession with mom put me in danger and my dad made sure that I was protected from you. You kidnapped my mom multiple times and my sister,” Steph stopped, “where’s Emma?”

 

“Emma is in her room resting.”

 

“You kidnapped her again?” She was yelling but she didn’t care. “She just got back from her honeymoon. She should be going to work and spending time with her husband – not being held captive by a madman.”

 

Nikolas was getting angry – this was not the reunion he had been expecting. “Stephanie, you need to calm down.”

 

“Don’t tell me what I need to do.” She stared him dead in the eyes. “You are not my father.”

 

Nikolas backed away, hurt by Stephanie’s reaction. “I know you feel that way now but that will change. I promise you, you will know me as your father.”

 

He slammed the door behind him as he left, furious with Stephanie’s response to him. He would have his family back no matter what it took.

 

________________________________________________________________________________________________


Aiden was watching TV when he heard a pounding on his door. He opened it to find a seething Jack on the other side. He grabbed Aiden by the shirt and shoved him against the wall. “Where is he?”

 

“Where is who?” Aiden was surprised when he saw Cam standing behind Jack looking just a mad.

 

Jack rolled his eyes. “Nikolas – you need to tell us how you got in contact with him.”

 

Confusion filled Aiden’s face. “Why the hell would I know where he is?”

 

“Because you told him where to find Stephanie. She asked you to help her get in contact with him…” Jack was doing his best not to punch Steph’s ex.

 

“No!” Aiden looked at Cam. “I was going to but Steph called me earlier today and told me she had changed her mind – that she was going to stay at the Quartermaines and find another way to help with the search.”

 

Jack glared at Aiden. “I swear to God if you are lying to me…”

 

“I’m not.” He looked at his brother one more time. “No, not Steph…”

 

Cam nodded his head as Jack released the boy. “He took Emma and Stephanie earlier today.”

 

“Cam, I am so sorry. I swear I had nothing to do with this. I wasn’t thrilled with Stephanie wanting to contact Nikolas in the first place.”

 

Jack shook his head at the Aiden. “Then why were you going to help her?”

 

“Because it was what she wanted to do and I wanted her to know I supported her decision.” Aiden had no problem defending his decision.

 

“Sometimes what you want isn’t the best thing for you.” Cam saw a lot of their grandfather Luke in Aiden at this moment. “Sometimes you need the people who love you to step in and stop you from doing something stupid.”

 

Aiden was hit hard by his brother’s words. “I can see that now. Is there anything I can do to help find them?”

 

Jack was already heading out the door. “If you hear from Stephanie – let us know. Don’t go off on your own or try to play hero. You tell us so we can save Stephanie, Emma and Robin.” He looked at Cam. “Let’s go.”

 

Aiden grabbed his brother as he turned to leave. “Cam…”

 

“I’ll be at the Quartermaines. I can’t go home until…” Cam got choked up thinking about his missing wife. “Mom knows. She might feel better having you visit for a few days.”

 

“I’ll go over right now.” Aiden hugged Cam before he left the apartment. “She’s coming home Cam. They all are.”

 

“I know.” Cam hugged his brother back before heading back to the Quartermaine mansion to continue the search for his missing wife.

 

____________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

"Do you believe him?" Jagger and Jack were standing outside, taking a few minutes to catch up after Jack's trip to see Aiden.

 

Jack nodded his head. "Yes, he may be impulsive and a bit foolish but he is also honest. He seemed upset by the news that Emma and Stephanie were kidnapped."

 

"Maybe because his sister-in-law was taken too." Jagger wasn't completely convinced of Aiden's innocence. "He's feeling guilty because it was just supposed to be Stephanie."

 

"Trust me Jagger, I would love to have a reason to blame Aiden for this but I can't. The truth is that the Drakes tend to hole up here when there is trouble. It is really not that big of a stretch that Nikolas figured it out. It's the middle of summer and hot out - the lake is a logical place to stake out."

 

Jagger sighed. "I guess you have a point there." He looked at his young friend. "How are you doing?"

 

Jack scoffed at the question. "My girlfriend, her sister and her mother have been kidnapped by a madman who just happens to Steph's biological father. How do you think I am doing?"

 

"Sorry, stupid question." Jagger started to say something else but Jack was already walking away. "Jack..."

 

"Just find them Jagger. You owe us all that." Jack turned around and walked back into the mansion.

Edited February 13, 2016 by cmahorror

[cmahorror]

Chapter 46

 

Patrick sat at the dining room table, drinking coffee and trying to focus. It had been a day and a half since the girls were abducted and he was barely sleeping, just enough to help him function. The caffeine was needed to be alert just in case a lead was found.

 

He heard the front door slam open and Jason came running into the room. Patrick could tell that Jason was excited as soon as he walked in the door. “Jason?”

 

“We have a lead.” Jason laid down a map. “The cameras on the south side of the estate, by the lake, caught the car as it was leaving. We got a license plate number. The car was found at a local airstrip that had only one flight leave the other evening. It was headed to a small airstrip in Canada.”

 

“Canada?” Patrick couldn’t believe his girls and Robin were that far away.

 

“Yes – we checked the records we had on file for Nikolas and Faison and discovered that Faison owned a small island near Manitoulin Island in the Georgian Bay. It’s about 4 hours from here by air.” Jason was thrilled that they had figured out where Nikolas was hiding out.

 

“Close enough to get to by helicopter?” Patrick felt hopeful for the first time in a week.

 

“Yes.” Jason smiled at his old friend. “There is an old airstrip about a mile from the Bay and then we can take a boat to the island. Tell everyone to get ready – we leave for the airport in 30 minutes.”

 

Patrick jumped out of the chair and headed upstairs to get John and Cam – it was time to bring the women they loved home.

 

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

Emily came bounding into Robin’s room, not even attempting to hide her excitement. “Are you ready Robin?”

 

Robin sat on the bed and took her pills. “Ready for what?”

 

“For the wedding – in 5 hours you will be Princess Robin Cassadine.” Emily squealed with delight and clapped her hands. “We have so much to do before you walk down the aisle.”

 

Robin tried her best to hide her absolute disgust at having to marry Nikolas. She had been locked in this room since she was brought here. She had been unable to get to Matt so they could escape and she was not leaving her brother-in-law behind. “We have plenty of time Emily and you have done a wonderful job of getting everything set up. I appreciate it.”

 

“That’s what the matron of honor is for.” Emily got a sly look on her face. “And I have a surprise for you.”

 

Robin’s heart began to beat faster. “Surprise?”

 

“You’ll see at the ceremony – I can’t wait!” Emily went to the closet and checked to make sure the dress was still there, along with Robin’s shoes. “Great, the dress is ready and Nikolas got the tiara to me so I will give it to the hairdresser before she does your hair. Why don’t you get some rest and I will be back in a couple of hours with lunch and to help you get ready.”

 

Robin forced a smile. “Sounds great – what would I do without you Em?”

 

Emily beamed at the comment. “I’ll see you in a little while.” She hurried out the door, making sure that the guard locked it behind her, and headed to her next stop.

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

Emma paced the floor as she tried to figure out what was going on. She had not seen anyone since she was brought here the other day except the guards and that was only at meal time. She had numerous books to read and that had kept her from going completely crazy.

 

She walked over to the window and, once again, tried to figure out where she was using the tricks her grandparents had taught her. She had not seen any geographic markers but, given the view and what she knew of Nikolas, Emma was almost certain they were on an island somewhere. She assumed her mom, uncle and sister were nearby, probably in the same building, but she couldn’t help them if she didn’t get out herself.

 

The door opened and Emma was shocked to Emily come through it. “Hi Emma! It’s been a long time.”

 

“Where is my family?” Emma didn’t have the patience to deal with the insane woman today.

 

“That wasn’t very polite.” Emma glared at her so Emily just moved on. “You will be seeing your family later today.” Emily nodded at the guard who came in with a garment bag and set it on the bed. “You will need to wear this and there are shoes in the bag. Someone will be here to get you at 1:30.”

 

“Get me for what?” Emma knew she didn’t have a choice but to go to whatever Nikolas was planning but she at least wanted a heads up on what she was walking into.

 

“See you later!” Emily ignored Emma’s last question and left the room.

 

The guard shut the door and Emma opened up the bag to discover a very nice green floral print dress with matching shoes in it. “What the hell is going on?”

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

“Stephanie?” Emily walked into the youngest girl’s room and smiled at the pouting figure by the window.

 

“Who else would it be?” Steph had been given the heads up by her father that Emily was working with Nikolas so she wasn’t surprised to see her standing in her room.

 

Emily’s smile never faltered. “Of course you are Stephanie – I see so much of your father in you.”

 

Stephanie felt anger swell in her for what seemed like the tenth time in the past day and a half. “I look like my mom and I act like my dad – Patrick Drake.”

 

Emily shook her head. “You have your mother’s eyes but your hair is just like Nikolas’s and…”

 

“I don’t want to hear it. All I want to hear is that you and Nikolas have come to your senses and you are going to let me, my mom, my sister and Uncle Matt go home.” Stephanie continued to stare out the window.

 

“You are home Stephanie.” Emily knew Nikolas had been having a difficult time with his youngest child. “Your father wants to know if there is anything we could bring you to make you more comfortable.”

 

“How about 4 one-way tickets home?” Steph finally looked at Emily. “Because my home is in Port Charles with my mom Robin, my father Patrick and my brothers and sister – not here.”

 

Emily shook her head. “So stubborn, just like your mother.” Nikolas had told Emily that he had had supper with Stephanie the night before and the girl had refused to even acknowledge him. Emily knew it was killing him that Steph was treating him that way. “I have something for you – a gift from your father.”

 

“I don’t want it.” Steph stared out the window once more.

 

“What if I told you that you will be able to see your family if you accept this gift?” Stephanie turned around and Emily smiled at her. “I thought that might get your attention.” She motioned to the guard and he entered the room with another garment bag. “I will be back to get you after lunch and then you will get to see your family, so long as you are dressed properly of course.”

 

“Don’t worry – I will be.” Hopefully the Scorpio-Drakes would be able to figure out a way to escape once they were together.

 

“Good – see you in a little bit.” Emily left the room.

 

Stephanie slowly made her way over to the bed, almost scared to open the bag. She took a deep breath and slowly eased down the zipper to reveal a gorgeous green floral print dress. “What the hell are we going to?”

[cmahorror]

Chapter 47

 

Stephanie was staring at herself in the mirror when the door opened up and Nikolas waltzed in. “Stephanie – you look beautiful.”

 

Steph wasn’t sure that she agreed with Nikolas. She preferred her hair down but the hairdresser had told her that Nikolas had insisted on an updo befitting a princess. Steph had rolled her eyes at the comment but let the woman do her job. The dress hit her in between her knees and ankles, an awkward length on her short body and was a size too big so it hung oddly on her small frame. “What is this all about?”

 

“You’ll see soon enough but first, I wanted some time alone with you.” He sat down at the table in her room. “Please join me.” Stephanie briefly considered ignoring his request but her need for answers won out and she sat down with him.

 

“I wanted to show you something.” He pulled out a picture and smiled at it before setting it down on the table and sliding it over to her. “This is us right after you were born.”

 

Stephanie looked at the picture curiously. Nikolas was smiling widely at the baby he held in his arms. “I look so small.”

 

“You were – 6lbs, 5 oz, 17 inches long. Really not surprising considering who your mom is.” Nikolas hoped that this was a sign that Stephanie’s walls were finally breaking down. “You can keep it if you want.”

 

“No thank you.” Steph pushed the photo back to Nikolas. “But if you have any of me and John together, I would like to have those.”

 

Nikolas was disappointed but not surprised – she and her brother had always been close. “Of course.” He smiled at her. “How is your brother?”

 

“Doing very well. He started dating a friend of Emma’s after the wedding.” Stephanie didn’t smile as she conveyed the information.

 

“Yes, Patty. I actually helped her dad out a little bit before she was born. Threatened to pull my funding from GH if the chief of staff didn’t have her admitted.” Nikolas had been receiving treatment for a brain tumor and had overheard Dr. Ford refusing to treat Patty’s mother Angie. Nikolas had responded to the situation immediately.

 

Stephanie had heard this story before from her parents. “I know, but my dad was the one who got Joe a job and medical insurance so that Patty could be born at GH. That’s why she was named after my dad, not you.” Steph watched Nikolas cringe but she didn’t care. “And my mom and dad both worked with my Uncle Mac to make sure that Joe was given probation – not you.”

 

Nikolas began squeezing his fists under the table, trying to control his anger. He took a deep breath and continued. “And his work? I understand he recently got Cassadine Industries involved in racing?”

 

“Yes, Mal is the driving the car John is sponsoring. Our dad was the one who really helped John see the potential benefits in sponsoring a car. You know he calls my dad Pops, right?” Steph was enjoying getting underneath Nikolas skin. “He said my dad is the closest thing to a real father he’s ever had.”

 

“Because Patrick stole you two from me!” Nikolas finally exploded, unable to contain his anger anymore. “He stole my wife from me at the altar and you and your brother from me by locking me away in a nuthouse. But that changes today. Today we will finally become the family we always should have been.”

 

Nikolas stood up and walked to the corner of the room while Stephanie sat there in shock. He was far more unstable than she could have guessed. “What do you mean…?” Stephanie looked at her dress again. “Oh my God – you can’t be serious?”

 

Nikolas walked over to Stephanie and held out his arm. “It’s time to go to the ballroom. Emma and Matt are waiting for us and your mom will be down shortly.”

 

Stephanie briefly considered telling him no but decided it was wiser to comply. Soon she would be with her family again and then they could work on escaping from Nikolas and his sick plans for them and her mother.

 

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

Robert sat across from Patrick on the Quartermaine jet as they flew into Canada. “How are you doing?”

 

“This has to end Robert.” Patrick didn’t look at his father-in-law, just kept staring out the window. Another 15 minutes and they would be on the ground and headed to the island. “He can’t keep destroying our lives every few years the way Faison did with you and Anna.”

 

“Agreed – that’s why you will leave Nikolas to me, Jason and Anna. You and everybody else just concentrate on getting the girls and Matt out of there.” Robert had already discussed this very issue with his ex-wife and the former mobster earlier. Nikolas had been given one too many chances to escape justice and that ended today.

 

“Dad?” RJ sat down next to his Grandpa. “Are you sure that I can’t come with you?”

 

“Absolutely not.” Patrick looked at his youngest boy and shook his head. The only reason RJ and Mal were on this plane was because both boys had sworn that they would track down Nikolas themselves if Patrick even attempted to ship the off to a safe house. “We agreed that you would wait here on the plane for us to return with your mother, sisters and uncle.”

 

“But Mal and I are both great shots…” RJ still felt guilty about not stopping Nikolas from grabbing the girls.

 

“Yes you are but your mother would kill me if anything happened to you under my watch.” Patrick gave his son a small smile. “Can you imagine the kind of lectures we would get if either one of you got so much as a scratch today?”

 

RJ couldn’t help but laugh. “Mom does love to lecture.”

 

“Yes she does so let’s not give her any more material for a new one.” Patrick placed his hand on his son’s shoulder. “You and Mal will stay here on the plane with your guards.”

 

“But Dad…”

 

“We already have plenty of people going to the island.” Patrick pointed at the small army they had amassed getting ready in the back of the plane. Jason, Jack and Jagger were going over their weapons while Cam, Nathan, Mac, and Anna reviewed the layout of the island and house they had managed to dig up. Lucky was also on board the plane; he had still been in town when Robin was kidnapped and immediately offered his help in finding his old friend and her daughters. In addition, there were 10 personal guards hired by Jason to assist in the rescue operation. “You and your brother are staying here, end of story.”

 

“And if you try to get off this plane,” Robert smiled at his grandson, “I will personally tie you up and you know you cannot get out of my knots. Understood?”

 

RJ sighed. He knew his grandpa wouldn’t hesitate to follow through on his threat. “Fine, but you promise to bring them all back safely?”

 

“I promise.” Robert looked at Patrick.

 

Patrick nodded his head. “We both promise.”

 

The pilot’s voice came over the loudspeaker. “Everybody please fasten their seat belts – we will be landing in 10 minutes.”

 

“RJ, sit down and buckle up please.” Patrick watched as his son did as he was told and then turned his attention back to the window, watching as the clouds disappeared and the ground came into view. It wouldn’t be much longer and they would rescue his family and be rid of Nikolas for good.

Edited February 15, 2016 by cmahorror

[cmahorror]

Chapter 48

 

Stephanie broke away from Nikolas the second she saw her sister and uncle together in the ballroom. She hugged them both, excited to be with her family again. “Are you guys okay?”

 

Emma nodded. “I’m fine – just not quite sure what is going on.”

 

Steph looked at Matt and realized he had figured it out. “Matt…”

 

She didn’t get another word out before Nikolas walked up to the small group. “I am so happy you can be here to share in this day with us. Now girls, if you will stand over there,” Nikolas pointed to a stand at the front of the room with a bunch of flowers, “and Matt, will you have a seat,” he pointed to a chair in the middle of the room, “so we can get started.”

 

“Started with…” Emma was cut off by Steph dragging her to the spot Nikolas had indicated.

 

Steph whispered in Emma’s ear. “He’s completely insane. We need to be careful – just remember that none of this is real.”

 

“None of what?” Emma looked at Steph and realized that they were wearing matching dresses. “That son of a bitch. We have to stop this.”

 

Suddenly the sound of music filled the air. The door to the ballroom opened up and Emily walked towards the girls in a dress similar to the theirs. Nikolas joined her and soon was escorting her with a wide smile on his face. They reached the girls and Emily stood with them while Nikolas took his place on the opposite side of the stand. A man came out and stood between them holding a bible in his hands.

 

The music changed to a wedding march and Robin appeared in the doorway, Terrell escorting her into the room. A look of shock washed over her face as she saw her daughters standing next to Emily. She instantly ran to them, completely ignoring Emily and Nikolas. “Emma, Stephanie.” Tears came from all three women as they hugged. “What are you doing here?”

 

“Nikolas,” Stephanie made a point of calling him by his first name, “kidnapped us. He had the crazy idea that bringing me here would change my mind about who my father is. He was wrong, of course.”

 

Robin smiled at her strong-willed little girl – so much like her and Patrick, despite her DNA. She turned around, furious at Nikolas. “How dare you kidnap my girls!”

 

“I wanted them here to celebrate with us.” Nikolas nodded and a guard stepped up behind Matt and pointed a gun at the doctor’s head. Nikolas held out his hand. “We can discuss this after the ceremony.”

 

Robin shook her head, gave her girls one last hug and then took Nikolas’s hand, joining him at the altar. The man looked at them and smiled. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today…”

 

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

Patrick’s impatience was eating away at him as they made their way into the house. The group had made short work of the guards on the grounds and surrounding the entrances and now they were trying to figure out where everyone was being held.

 

A guard just inside the door raised his gun but he didn’t even get a shot off before Jagger had the man disarmed on the ground. “Where are they?”

 

The guard was so shocked by the turn of events he didn’t even have time to think of a lie. “The ballroom.”

 

“Thank you.” Robert reached over and punched the guard out. He looked at the group. “Shall we dance?”

 

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

“Do you Nikolas, take this woman, Robin, to be your lawfully wedded wife?” The man looked at Nikolas as he asked the question.

 

“I do.” Nikolas held Robin’s hand so tight she felt like it might break.

 

He turned to Robin. “And do you Robin…”

 

Before he could finish the question, the doors flung open and Patrick answered it for her. "No, she doesn't." The rescue team ran in, making quick work of the guards. Nikolas pulled Robin into his arms, his arm practically crushing her throat, while the girls and Matt ran to the team.

 

Stephanie and Emma hugged their father tight. Emma then let go and ran to her husband while Steph kept a tight hold on her dad. “Are you okay – he didn’t hurt you, did he?”

 

“No Daddy, I promise I’m okay.” She looked into the throng of people and saw Jack. “Get mom away from him.” She ran to Jack as Patrick looked at his brother. “And you, are you okay?”

 

“May need a couple of days off to recover from all the fun I’ve had here but,” he smiled at Patrick, “I’m fine. Go get your wife and let’s go home.” Matt stepped behind the armed men, smart enough to know when he should step back and let the professionals take over.

 

“It’s over Nikolas – let her go.” An overwhelming sense of déjà vu filled Patrick as he stared at the scene before him. He took a step forward. “Robin…”

 

“I love you Patrick.” Robin’s tears were soaking Nikolas’s tuxedo as he held her in place.

 

“No! You stole my life Patrick. You stole Robin, Mal, John and Stephanie.” Nikolas glared at his two children. “It’s time I take something back.” Nikolas gave a little nod and Terrell pulled two guns from his tux and handed one to Nikolas. He pointed the gun at Robin’s head. “We are leaving.”

 

Robert stepped forward, gun drawn. “Like hell you are. My daughter is going home to her husband and family.”

 

Nikolas looked to his left and right and saw that the exits were blocked. He thought about it and made a decision. He began to back away from everyone. “No, Robin is going wherever I go.”

 

Patrick looked behind the man and saw that there was a balcony overlooking the water and instantly figured out what Nikolas’s plan was. "Stop!"

 

He wasn’t the only one. Emily began crying. “Nikolas, no.”

 

“It’s the only way.” He pulled Robin to the balcony while Robert kept his gun trained on the man.

 

“Don’t even think about it Cassadine. Be smart and let my daughter go.” Robert wanted to pull the trigger but the risk was too great. Nikolas’s finger was firmly planted on the trigger and Robert had no doubts that he would shoot Robin rather than let her return to her husband.

 

Robin guessed what was happening and made a decision. She gathered her courage and grabbed the gun barrel in her hand, shoving it up towards the ceiling while driving her elbow into Nikolas’s side. Shocked by the sudden move, he pulled the trigger and a piece of ceiling fell down and hit Emily in the head, knocking her out.

 

The group rushed forward while Robin continued to fight with Nikolas but the two were too close to the balcony. She lost balance briefly and Nikolas took advantage of it to pull them both over the edge.

 

Patrick watched in horror as his wife fell over the edge of the balcony, unable to reach her in time to stop it. “Robin!”

Edited February 16, 2016 by cmahorror

[cmahorror]

Chapter 49

 

Robin had never been so grateful for her parents training in her life. Once she realized that Nikolas was pushing them over the edge, Robin began to plan a way not to fall. Within seconds she had grabbed onto the rail as Nikolas pulled them over it. Holding tight, she used every ounce of strength she had to hold on to it. “Patrick!”

 

Patrick appeared at the rail and grabbed Robin’s hand. He started to pull her up but her weight suddenly tripled as Nikolas began pulling himself up from the bottom ledge of the balcony and grabbed Robin by the legs. “She’s coming with me.”

 

Patrick was about to yell for more help when John, Jack and Robert came running over. Robert trained his gun on Nikolas while Jack and John helped Patrick keep Robin from falling. “Let her go Nikolas. Grab onto the rail or I will shoot you.” Robert already had the gun cocked and ready to go.

 

Nikolas glared at Robert. “I will never let her go.”

 

Robert shook his head. “Wrong answer.” He pulled the trigger and Nikolas was hit in the right shoulder. His right arm released its hold on Robin due to the shot. Patrick and the boys took advantage to pull Robin back over the railing as Nikolas fell from the balcony and hit the rocks below.

 

Patrick began examining Robin. “Are you okay? He didn’t hurt you?”

 

“No, I’m fine.” Robin grabbed her husband and pulled him into a kiss. “I love you, so much.”

 

“And I love you, so much.” Patrick kissed her again as John walked over to the couple.

 

Robin turned to her oldest boy. “John, your father…”

 

“My father is standing right next to you.” He looked back at Robert who nodded his head. “Nikolas is dead.”

 

“John, I am so sorry.” Robin reached over and hugged John close.

 

“It wasn’t your fault. He was trying to kill you and he obviously wanted to die. At least now we can all finally live in peace.” John hugged Robin. He then reached over and pulled Patrick into a hug as well. “I’m going to go call the plane and let the boys know everyone is safe.”

 

“The boys?” Robin glared at Patrick.

 

“I made them swear to stay on the plane.” Patrick put his arms around his wife. “Let’s go see our girls.”

 

The couple had not even taken a step before shots rang out once more. They rushed into find Terrell lying on the ground in a pool of blood and Matt standing over the body with a gun in his hand.

 

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

“Matt, you need to calm down.” Patrick had taken the gun from Matt’s hand and sat his brother down in a chair. “What happened?”

 

Matt still didn’t talk so Cam spoke up. “He stopped Terrell from killing Emma.”

 

“What!” Patrick was furious.

 

Matt nodded. “He grabbed Emma and began dragging her out of the room with a gun in her side. He said that Nikolas had robbed him of his revenge on me but taking Emma would be his revenge on you.” Matt looked at his brother. “I couldn’t let him do it.”

 

Cam held Emma close. “Matt grabbed my gun. Emma elbowed Terrell in the stomach and ran away. Terrell raised his gun and…”

 

“I fired.” Matt’s eyes filled with tears. “I had to save her.”

 

“Just like you saved me all those years ago.” Robin kneeled down and took Matt’s hands in hers. “You saved my little girl, your niece, and we are so grateful.”

 

Matt reached over and hugged Robin, still in shock about what he had done. “I had to…”

 

“Matt, look at me.” Robin waited until Matt’s eyes were on hers. “You saved Emma’s life. Terrell would have killed her. You didn’t have any other choice.”

 

Matt nodded before collapsing off the chair and into Robin’s arms, crying hard. Patrick joined them on the floor and hugged his brother. “We will get through this together.”

 

Jack put his arms around Stephanie and held her close. “How are you?”

 

“I’m fine.” Jack look at her, not quite believing what she was saying. “Really I am. I know I should feel some sense of loss but how can you miss something you never had? I have my dad here, safe and sound. Nikolas was just my genetic donor – nothing more. The people I am worried about are John and Matt.”

 

John heard his little sister and tried to reassure her. “I’m fine.” Stephanie's look said she didn’t believe him. “Really. The man I loved, my father, died years ago. This man was just a monster in his body. I am just glad that you, Emma and Mom are okay.”

 

Stephanie hugged her brother tight. “I love you John.”

 

“I love you too Steph.” He rubbed his neck and smiled at her. “What do you say we get you guys changed and back to the plane – I am pretty sure that our brothers are going crazy waiting to see you.”

 

Robin looked down at her dress. “I do want to get out of this thing.”

 

Robin started heading towards the room where she was kept and Patrick started following her. “Let’s go. Cam you take Emma and John, you take Steph.”

 

Both men nodded and Robin stopped walking. “Patrick, I’ll be okay…”

 

“You are not leaving my sight.” He nodded to Mac who went to Matt’s side and start talking to the doctor. Patrick took Robin in his arms. “Mac has a unique way of comforting someone and I am certain that, after a few minutes with him, Matt will feel a million times better.”

 

Robin looked over at her brother-in-law and uncle and saw Matt’s mood was already changing. “You’re right. Let’s get me the hell out of this dress.”

 

“I love it when you say that.” Patrick kissed her again and Robin gave a little giggle.

 

“Down boy – there be plenty of time for that when we get home.” Robin turned around and the couple walked down the hall.

 

“Now you’re right – we have all the time in the world.” Patrick took Robin's hand and walked her back to the room so she could change. She would change clothes and they would leave this island, and Nikolas, behind for good.

[cmahorror]

Epilogue

 

Patrick sat on the couch watching the race. “Now, you have to watch turn 3 because it is easy to lose control…”

 

“Patrick Noah Drake!” Robin yelled at her husband from the kitchen. “You get in here and explain yourself now!”

 

Patrick stood up and walked into the kitchen. “Yes sunshine?”

 

Robin glared at him. “Don’t sunshine me. What do you have to say about this?”

 

Patrick looked at the table and at the two little faces covered in chocolate ice cream staring back at him. “What? Ice cream is loaded with calcium.”

 

“It is also loaded with sugar.” Robin pulled out the wet wipes and handed them to Patrick, taking the third child from his arms. “You are going to clean up your grandsons and then explain to their mother that you loaded them up on sugar.”

 

“But Robin…”

 

“No.” Robin cuddled the little girl with dark brown hair and chocolate eyes in her arms. “You need to get PJ and Mac all cleaned up while I give Anna her bath.”

 

Patrick walked over to the twins but not before stopping to give Robin a kiss. “Alright Grandma, I’ll take care of it.”

 

Robin shook her head at him and laughed before taking their granddaughter upstairs for her bath. Patrick leaned down and began cleaning up the boys. “Now you got me in trouble with Grandma Robin.”

 

“Sorry Grandpa Patrick.” Patrick John, called PJ for short, looked up earnestly at his grandpa. Malcolm, his little brother by 15 minutes, nodded his head in agreement. Both of the boys were the spitting image of their mother Emma, right down the famous Drake dimple.

 

“It’s okay but you both should really get a bath before mommy and daddy are here to get you.” Cam and Emma were out shopping for the next member of the family, a little girl due in less than a month. “What do you say – should we join your cousin and Grandma Robin in the tub?”

 

Both boys jumped off their chairs. “Yeah!” The three year olds ran up the stairs as Patrick walked quickly behind them. He watched the boys burst into the bathroom and heard Robin laughing as she helped them into the tub.

 

“No splashing and I will get out the soap crayons.” Robin reached into a cabinet and pulled out the bath toys. “Remember Anna is only one so you need to be careful.”

 

“Yes Grandma.” Little Mac took the crayons from Robin. “Thanks Grandma – you’re the best!”

 

“Thank you.” Mac leaned over the tub and Robin happily gave him a kiss. ”Now be careful and share with Anna and your brother.”

 

Patrick sat down behind Robin and held her close. She may not remember what today was, or maybe she chose not to say anything, but he did – it was the fifth anniversary of Nikolas’s death. He smiled at little Anna as she happily splashed in the tub with her cousins – a lot had happened in those five years.

 

John and Stephanie had made a point of going through all of Nikolas’s things before they left the island so that they could have pictures of their years together before Patrick and Robin had rescued her. They had also found various bank accounts and a will that left everything that Nikolas had gotten from Faison to Steph and John. Without any discussion or fanfare they donated every cent to the Stone Cates Memorial AIDS wing.

 

John had Nikolas’s body cremated and the ashes spread at Wyndamere. A small ceremony was held and Robin even spoke at it, choosing to remember the dear friend she had once known and not the madman who had held her hostage on numerous occasions. It was a solemn event but one that was needed if the family was finally going to put Nikolas and all that he had done to them in the past.

 

A year and a half after being rescued from Nikolas, Emma and Cam announced that they were expecting. Robin was thrilled to be a grandma while Patrick took a little getting used to the idea. After a few laps around the track and one minor accident, Patrick finally got how lucky he and Robin were to be able to enjoy this next adventure in life side by side. The twins birth was one of the happiest days of their lives and the boys and Emma came through it with flying colors.

 

Then there was little Anna Angela Vine, their granddaughter thanks to John and Patty. The couple married three years ago and, a little over a year ago, Anna was born. Tiny and strong, she was the apple of her Grandpa Patrick’s eye and he couldn’t wait to teach her all about racing and hockey, just the same as the boys.

 

But along with the joys come the sorrows and the family suffered a huge loss not long after little Anna’s birth when Robert passed away in his sleep. Robin was devastated, almost inconsolable, and Patrick was her shoulder to lean on. He understood the pain of losing a parent and did everything he could to remind her that she would always carry her father with her. Anna had moved back to the states and was staying close to them so she could spend her remaining years being the best grandma and great-grandma in the world.

 

“How soon until Steph gets here?” Stephanie was coming by with Maxie to go over her wedding plans. Jack had proposed to Stephanie right after he had graduated from med school and she hadn’t even hesitated to say yes. Now he was in the middle of his residency at General Hospital in Orthopedics while Steph was a second year law student. If all went well, she would begin studying for the bar right after their honeymoon.

 

“They should be here anytime now.” Robin smiled at her husband. “Did you get the tickets for the race?”

 

“Mal sent them to me yesterday and RJ can’t wait to get to the track. He said it will be a great way to celebrate his graduation.” Just like his sisters before him, RJ was getting ready to graduate from college early. He was graduating with honors from Harvard and had been accepted to Johns Hopkins for medical school. He couldn’t wait to prove himself in the OR.

 

“Tell him to slow down – he hasn’t graduated yet.” Robin sighed and looked at Patrick. “Can you believe our baby is graduating college?”

 

“Our baby is almost 21 years old – it was bound to happen.” Patrick shook his head at her. “Just means that we are closer to having one more doctor in the family.”

 

“That reminds me – did you talk to Mal about taking at least one online course?” Robin was firmly convinced that Mal needed a fallback in case something happened to his racing career. Although Mal was steadily becoming one of the top drivers in the country, one bad accident could end his career and Robin wanted him to have something else to do.

 

“He and John have agreed that he should take a couple of business courses so that Mal can take over the racing team if necessary.” Patrick loved his wife’s concern for their children. “Happy?”

 

“I’d be happier if he wasn’t behind the wheel going 200 miles per hour but, yes, that makes me happy.” Robin leaned back and kissed Patrick. “You make me happy.”

 

Suddenly a splash of water hit the couple and they heard Anna giggle. Robin grabbed a towel and wrapped the little girl up in it. “Alright – I think you are done. Let’s get your PJs on while Grandpa Patrick gets your cousins cleaned up.”

 

The little girl smiled at Patrick and held out her arms. “Pa pa.” It was the closest to Grandpa Patrick she had gotten.

 

“That’s right baby girl.” He gave the little girl a kiss on the cheek and handed her back to Robin. “Be good for grandma.”

 

Anna burrowed into the towel and snuggled against Robin’s chest. A look of complete contentment filled Robin’s face. There were days she still couldn’t believe that she was so blessed. “Of course she will – she’s grandma’s girl.”

 

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

“Thanks again Mom, we really needed a night out.” John hugged Robin as Patty carried a sleeping Anna out to the car.

 

Patrick shook John’s hand. “Never a problem, you know that. Besides, I love teaching my girls about racing.”

 

John laughed. “I know you do Pops. I will see you guys Sunday at the race?”

 

“RJ and your dad will be there – I will be helping with your sister’s wedding plans.” Robin still had a hard time watching Mal race. “I love you.”

 

“Love you too.” John ran out to the car to drive his wife and daughter home.

 

Robin shut and locked the door before turning to her husband. “Well Dr. Drake, I think we had a successful evening with our grandchildren.”

 

“Yeah, except for Emma wanting to kill me for feeding them ice cream.” Patrick walked over and put his arms around his wife. “But all in all, another successful operation for the Scorpio-Drake team.”

 

He leaned down to kiss her. Robin wrapped her arms around his neck and was pleasantly surprised when Patrick reached down and picked her up into his arms. She began giggling. “Patrick!”

 

“Come on, we always celebrate after a successful operation.” Patrick kissed Robin again, this time with all the passion he could muster. “I love you, so much.”

 

“And I love you, so much.” Robin kissed her husband once more as he carried her upstairs to their bedroom. Even though it had been a long day, the couple was more than ready for another long night.

 

The End

Edited February 18, 2016 by cmahorror

[cmahorror]

People are still reading, so I'll keep posting. This one is another way they could have gone with Robin's return (shocking, I know lol). This starts right about the time that Anna went to visit Robin and was told she was in China. I got so pissed off about that I wrote this.

 

I am also working on a story about the Scorpio-Drakes in Berkeley.

 

Enjoy!

Cristina

 

 

Chapter One

 

Anna stood in front of the building and debated whether or not she should even attempt to see Robin. Her little girl was there to recover from her PTSD and maybe seeing Anna would cause a setback. After a few more moments of debate, Anna knocked on the door.

 

She waited for a minute and, when no one answered, knocked a little louder. Her instincts started kicking in and she began pounding on the door. “Robin?”

 

The door finally opened and Anna was shocked to see a short, older, surly looking woman standing before her. “May I help you?”

 

“I’m sorry – I must have the wrong address.” Anna turned to go but the woman stopped her.

 

The woman stopped her. “Are you Miss Devane?”

 

Anna turned back around. “How do you know…”

 

“You daughter has pictures of you up all around the apartment.” The woman held out her hand but never smiled. “I am Miss Danvers, Dr. Scorpio’s maid.”

 

“Pleased to meet you.” Anna shook the woman’s hand. “I was in town for a business meeting and was hoping to visit with her while I was here.”

 

“I’m afraid that will not be possible. Dr. Scorpio is in China for a medical conference and won’t be back until late next week. I’ll tell her you stopped by.” The woman shut the door before Anna could say another word and Anna heard the lock click into place.

 

Anna walked away shaking her head. Robin was in China? If she was feeling better, why wasn’t she trying to speak with her daughter? Maybe Robin knew about Sam and had decided to let the little girl have a life free from the drama she suffered as a child. Anna had to admit that Sam and Patrick could provide Emma with a safe and stable life.

 

She turned back to look at the beautiful two-story brownstone her daughter now lived in. At least Robin was someplace safe and working again – she would try and contact Robin again later. She pulled out her phone and looked at the picture of Robin and Emma on it. She smiled at the picture and then put it away – she had a meeting to get to and then it was home to Port Charles.

 

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

Robin pounded on the window trying desperately to get her mother’s attention. “Mom! Mom!” Robin couldn’t believe it when she saw her mother turn and start to leave. “Mom!”

 

She saw her mother look back at the building and felt a brief surge of hope. That brief flicker of hope was quickly torn away as Anna turned back around and walked away from the apartment. Tears burst from Robin’s eyes. “No! Mom - don’t go! I’m here! Help me!”

 

Robin wiped her eyes and saw that her mother was no longer in sight. She turned around and fell back against the wall, slowly sliding down it, collapsing in tears. She was so distraught that she didn’t hear the door open.

 

“Did you really think she was here to save you?” Miss Danvers walked in to the room with a tray in her hand smiling at Robin. “Or that your pathetic attempts to get her attention would work? This entire room is soundproof, even the window.”

 

Robin glared at the woman Helena had hired as her keeper. “My mother is one the best spies in the world. Do you really think a lame cover story is going to keep her away from me?”

 

“You severely overestimate the people you love. Your mother truly believes that you rather would go to China for a medical conference than spend any time with the daughter you adore. Your ex-husband hasn’t even wondered why you haven’t contacted them, he is too busy building a new life with your ex-boyfriend’s widow. It seems your faith in the people you love is severely misplaced.” Miss Danvers prepared her syringe. “Now, it is time for your shot.”

 

Robin shook her head. “No.”

 

“We need to keep you on schedule. Don’t make me bring in the guards. They enjoy holding you down way too much.” Miss Danvers kept her attention focused on Robin and waited for her response.

 

Robin took a moment to look at the bruises on her wrists from the last time she refused to take her shot. She sighed in resignation and laid down on the bed. “Just get it over with.”

 

“Thank you Robin.” Miss Danvers administered the shot and went back to the tray. “See how much better everything goes when you cooperate?”

 

Robin refused to look at her. “When am I headed back to the lab?”

 

“Anxious to continue your research?”

 

“Hardly, but Helena promised to let me speak to someone I love if she could see some progress in my work.” Robin hated what she was doing but she was hoping to get a message to Mac or her father with this call.

 

“Helena is checking on your research as we speak. You will see her shortly.” Miss Danvers picked up the tray and headed out of the room, careful to lock the door behind her. Dr. Scorpio was a little too dangerous to take any chances with.

 

Robin heard the lock click into place. She took one last look at the window before collapsing into tears once again.

[Lillybee]

Mrs Danvers is such a great name for Robin's captor.

[cmahorror]

Chapter 2

 

“And you just left?” Mac stared incredulously at his ex-sister-in-law. “Some strange woman you have never met before says that Robin is in China and you take her word for it?”

 

“Mac I…” Anna had thought he would be thrilled at the news that Robin was back working.

 

Felicia watched the scene unfolding before her and kept quiet. She, like Mac, was unable to believe what Anna had said. She was also worried that Mac’s head was going to explode in anger. Mac didn’t let Anna finish her sentence. “You didn’t do anything. I just found out that you and Drake talked to her last year and she said she was broken and moving to Paris.”

 

“Mac, we told you she moved to Paris.”

 

“You told me she moved there to work!” Mac took a few deep breaths. “You didn’t tell me that my girl, the child that I raised, told you that she was hurting. She needed me. You let me think that she was choosing her work over Emma. You let her think that I didn’t care about her.”

 

“She never would think that.” Anna looked at Felicia and then back at Mac. “She knows you love her.”

 

“Well I’m glad one of us does.” Mac was beyond angry at this point.

 

“That’s not fair. I love my daughter.” Anna glared at Mac but he didn’t back down.

 

“I’m sure you do, just not enough to ever put her first.” Anna flinched at Mac’s comment. “I raised her and I have been here with her through almost everything since the day you and Robert faked your deaths, and the only reason I wasn’t there for her last year is because I didn’t know what was going on.”

 

“Mac, I understand you are angry but I spoke with Robin and she assured me that she needed time to heal and get treatment for her PTSD. The fact that she is back at work is a sign that she is getting better.”

 

Mac shook his head. “Do you even know your daughter? Her priority was, is, and always will be Emma – her health and safety. The only reason she would ever stay away from that little girl is because that was the only way to keep her safe. I have no doubts that she has some issues from being held captive and maybe she really did get treatment for it but she certainly wouldn’t get better and make the first thing she did a trip to China – she would be here with Emma.”

 

“I’m sorry you feel the way you do.” Anna walked to the door. “I do love my daughter, no matter what you may think.”

 

“Anna wait,” she turned around to look at him, “does Robert know any of this?”

 

“No – he has had his hands full with a special assignment Frisco sent him on.” Anna walked out the door.

 

Mac glared at the shutting door and pulled out his phone. “Robert, it’s Mac. Call me back as soon as you get this. I think Robin is in trouble.”

 

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

“Well Dr. Scorpio – your progress is quite impressive indeed.” Helena smiled at Robin as she was escorted into the lab. “I was worried that you would be hesitant to work on this project.”

 

“You really didn’t give me a choice.” Robin sat down at her computer and logged on. “As you can see I am making a lot of progress in getting the protocol…”

 

Helena interrupted her. “I don’t care how you get to the end result; just that you get there.” Helena walked to the door. “I had a colleague review your notes and they were very impressed; so impressed that I have a little surprise for you.”

 

Robin watched nervously as Helena opened the door. “I told you I would let you speak to a loved one and I am a woman of my word.”

 

Robin watched as a man walked through the door. “Nikolas?”

 

Nikolas walked over to Robin and hugged her tight. “It is so good to see you again.” He turned to Helena. “Could you leave us alone please?”

 

“Certainly – you two have fun catching up.” Helena walked out the door and shut it tight behind her.

 

Robin looked at Nikolas pleadingly. “You have to help me get out of here.”

 

Nikolas smiled at her and gently rubbed her cheek. “I will – the minute you finish the protocol.”

 

She shook her head as tears filled her eyes. Robin tried to pull away but Nikolas held her close. “You know what she’s being doing to me?”

 

“The protocol is for her and me both. I have some wonderful plans for my future and I would like one of my best friends to share in it with me.” Nikolas smiled at her. “You have helped me through so much and I am trying to do the same for you. You deserve better than some cheating doctor who didn’t even notice that you were hurt and begging for help.”

 

Nikolas stroked Robin’s cheek, wiping away a tear. “You know he found out that Victor caused the accident that killed Gabriel and he still didn’t try to find you. All he cared about was Sam and what the revelation did to her.”

 

“Why would it affect Sam?” Robin was confused.

 

“Because it came out that the whole reason you were gone was to save Jason and Patrick hadn’t told her that. She felt a little betrayed but she got over it. She still doesn’t know that he never wanted you to save Jason – that he was perfectly content to let Jason die and never know his son or come back home to Sam. Fortunately you have a much stronger moral fiber than your ex-husband.” Nikolas had been planning what he would say to Robin for weeks – he needed her on his side.

 

“And me – did you know what your grandmother was doing to me?” Robin studied his face closely.

 

“Not until a few months ago and I am not in a position to stop her. All I could do was course correct her a little bit.” Nikolas dropped his hands and took Robin’s hands in his.

 

“What do you mean course correct her?” Robin didn’t pull away, she was still in shock about Nikolas’s involvement.

 

“That doesn’t matter now. All that matters is finishing the protocol so we can go home.” Nikolas smiled at her. “Trust me – I am looking out for you.”

 

“Home?” Nikolas smiled at the hope in her eyes.

 

“Yes and I will explain it all to you after you finish the protocol.” Nikolas kissed Robin on the cheek. “I promise – I will bring you home to Emma.” He stood up and headed to the door. “I am heading back to Port Charles but I will be back when you are done to take you home. Good bye Robin.”

 

Robin watched Nikolas leave as confusion overwhelmed her. Nikolas seemed like he truly wanted to get her home but still he was letting his grandmother keep her prisoner. Granted, Nikolas had never had as much power as his grandmother but he could let her parents know what was really going on.

 

She turned back to her computer and began to work on the protocol. As much as she hated it, finishing this protocol may be the only thing that got her home to her daughter so that's what she would do, as well as an antidote so she could counter the effects.

 

Robin began putting together the protocol while, once again, wondering why Helena wanted it created. A formula to mess with a person's memory was certainly nothing new but the specificity of the project's parameters were what was most confusing. Helena wanted to make sure the person's original memories were still accessible to the person using the protocol without making the subject aware of them. It was a dangerous and extremely difficult balancing act but Robin was just about ready for human testing.

 

She was just scared to see who the test subject would be.

Edited February 21, 2016 by cmahorror

[cmahorror]

Chapter 3

 

Four months later

 

Patrick walked into Wyndamere with a new nurse from the hospital by his side. Jessie was a young blonde who had a serious crush on the good doctor. She looked around in awe at the stately manor. “So you know this Prince Cassadine?”

 

“Yes, he was an old friend of my ex-wife’s.” Patrick led her into the ballroom. “I’m going to go get a drink – do you want anything?”

 

“A glass of white wine would be wonderful. Thank you Dr. Drake.” She smiled softly at her date.

 

“Please, call me Patrick.” He flashed his dimples at her and then headed to the bar. “Scotch on the rocks and a glass of white wine.” He turned back around to survey the crowd and sighed. He saw a lot of friends and colleagues, people he had know for years, and yet he felt completely alone, even though he was here with someone. The woman he had brought with him tonight was pretty and sweet but he already knew there wouldn’t be a second date. He didn’t do second dates anymore – it wasn’t worth it.

 

Three months ago the truth had come out that Jake was actually Jason. Sam had left Patrick within days of finding out to be with her husband and to help him try to regain his memory. Patrick had understood of course and was actually jealous that she barely even hesitated to go back to Jason. It made him feel even guiltier for making Robin wait for him after her return from the dead.

 

Not that it mattered anymore. Robin and him were done. After the truth about Jason had come out Patrick had tried to get in touch with Robin to figure out why she had lied to him about Jason's death but she never returned his calls or e-mails. He knew she was doing better, Anna had told him about Robin’s trip to China, so why wasn’t she at least trying to get in touch with her daughter?

 

He decided it didn’t matter. Patrick and Emma were happy together and she didn’t need a mother anyhow. He was capable of taking care of his little girl all by himself and falling in love again just wasn’t an option anymore. No, it was best if he went back to the way he was before Robin. Date but don’t get serious and no one meets Emma - ever. He would raise his little girl by himself.

 

“Here you go Jessie.” Patrick handed her the glass and took a drink of his. “I hope you are having a good time.”

 

“The best Patrick – thank you. Would you care to dance?” She set her glass down on a table in anticipation but Patrick shook his head.

 

“Not right now but maybe later.” Patrick was about to say something else when he heard a familiar voice call his name.

 

“Patrick?” Sam walked up on Jason’s arm. “How are you doing?”

 

“I’m doing well. And you?” Patrick remained polite to his ex and her husband. “Getting your memories back?”

 

“Nothing from the time in the clinic but I have remembered some older ones.” Jason didn’t want anyone to know that the first memories he had recovered were of being with Robin, immediately followed by memories of his time as Jason Quartermaine.

 

“That’s good.” Patrick was hoping that Jason might have a little insight into what happened to Robin at the clinic so he could try to understand why she hadn’t contacted her daughter in over a year.

 

Alfred rang a bell to get everyone’s attention. “Ladies and gentleman, your host.”

 

Everyone turned to see Nikolas standing on the staircase with a glass of champagne in his hand. “I want to thank everyone for coming tonight to my benefit for the Stone Cates AIDS wing. HIV is a cause near and dear to my heart and I appreciate all your donations and support.” A short round of applause broke out and Nikolas waited for it to die down before continuing his speech. “I am also pleased to announce the two newest members of the Cassadine Industries Research and Development team. First we have the new Assistant Director of R & D, Matt Hunter.”

 

Patrick looked on in shock as his brother came down the stairs. Matt smiled and shook Nikolas’s hand before joining the crowd. He was so concentrated on Matt that he failed to notice the other person coming down the stairs. Nikolas began speaking again as the woman took her place next to him. “And, as the new Director of R & D, Robin Scorpio.”

 

Patrick looked on in shock as Nikolas took Robin’s hand in his and gently kissed it. She leaned over and whispered something in his ear and he laughed. “Of course dear – sorry, Robin Scorpio-Cassadine, my beautiful wife.”

[cmahorror]

Chapter 4

 

“Matt!” Patrick ran over to his brother and pulled him into a tight hug. “I can’t believe you are here.”

 

Matt didn’t hug him back. “Of course not – it’s not like you visited me often enough to even know I was released.”

 

Patrick felt like he had been punched in the gut. Between being a single parent and working like crazy at the hospital, he hadn’t made it to the prison for a visit in almost four months. “Matt, I wasn’t ignoring you but…”

 

“How is Emma? I know Robin is anxious to see her now that she has completed her therapy.” Matt watched happily as Robin was warmly greeted by the staff at GH before turning back to Patrick.

 

“Her therapy?” Patrick was confused.

 

“Yes, her therapy.” Nikolas walked up to Patrick. “After I rescued Robin, I got her into a secure facility so she could have intensive therapy to help her manage her PTSD.”

 

Patrick shook his head. “What the hell is going on? Robin was living in Paris the last I heard and going to medical conferences all around the world.”

 

Matt glared at his brother. “Yeah, cause Robin would rather go to a medical conference than spend time with her daughter.”

 

Nikolas placed a hand on Matt’s shoulder to calm him down. “Robin was being held hostage by my grandmother in Paris. She has been there ever since she left Port Charles.”

 

Patrick’s legs went out from under him and he sat down on a chair. “No – she was working again. Her housekeeper…”

 

“You mean her keeper, Miss Danvers?” Patrick nodded as he recognized the name from one of his and Anna’s conversations. “She was lying. Robin told me about this. Anna came to visit Robin in Paris. You know that she saw her mother and pounded on a window, screaming for Anna to help her. Do you know what it did to Robin to watch Anna walk away without even questioning what she was told?”

 

“Oh my God.” Patrick felt absolutely sick. Robin hadn’t been avoiding him – she had been a victim once again and he had done nothing to help her.

 

“I found out where Robin was and saved her. I got her to a clinic in Switzerland where she could be kept safe and get the treatment she needed to come home and be with her daughter.” He smiled at Matt. “I found out that Matt was being released so I came to Port Charles and offered him a chance to work with Robin. Needless to say, he jumped at it.”

 

Matt smiled back at Nikolas. “Nikolas knew I had lost my license due to the incident with Lisa so he offered me a chance to get my license back if I came to work with him and Robin. I accepted and my license was reinstated last week.”

 

“I was happy to do it. You are a brilliant doctor and it would be a shame to let that knowledge go to waste.” Patrick didn’t know what was worse – that Nikolas had married Robin or that he had become Matt’s savior. “He was even best man at our wedding although we will be having a second one in a few months for our friends and family. Robin is really hoping that Emma will be her maid of honor.”

 

Patrick’s head was swimming with all the revelations that had been thrown at him. “Emma…”

 

“Yes, we need to discuss getting together with her so we can explain that her mother did not choose to leave her – that she was kidnapped and kept away from her. Emma deserves the chance to be with her mother.” Nikolas’s smile turned to a glare as he looked from Matt to Patrick. “I hope you don’t intend on stopping Robin from spending time with her.”

 

“Of course not, I’m just trying to wrap my head around everything I have learned.” Patrick put his head down, unable to look at anyone. “I need to go home, to see Emma. Nikolas, could you please find someone to escort my date home?”

 

“Of course Patrick. I’ll expect to hear from you tomorrow so we can get mother and daughter back together as soon as possible.” Nikolas waved over a guard. “Please escort the young lady who Dr. Drake came here with back home and explain that Dr. Drake had a family emergency to take care of.”

 

The man nodded and headed over to Jessie. “Thank you Nikolas.” Patrick stood up and began to move towards Robin but Nikolas grabbed his arm, stopping him.

 

“No – not tonight.” Patrick glared at him but Nikolas didn’t back down. “You and Anna both ignored her cries for help. She needed you both to see how much pain she was in and you both ignored her. Mac, Robert, Maxie – they are more than welcome in my home at anytime to visit but not you or her mother. Not until she decides she is ready to talk to you about more than custody arrangements for Emma.”

 

Patrick looked at Robin again and finally caught her eye. The look she gave him was like a shot to his heart – it was full of anger, pain and yet still a little love. She hadn’t looked at him that way since the night she found out about his one night stand with Lisa Niles. “Fine but this isn’t over – not by a long shot.”

 

“Let me make one thing clear – Robin is my wife and I will do everything in my power to protect her from anyone who might hurt her. That includes you and Anna.” Nikolas released his grip on Patrick’s arm. “I will call you in the morning to set up the meeting.”

 

Nikolas and Matt then walked away together to join Robin as she greeted their guests. Patrick cringed as Robin happily wrapped her arms around her husband and gave him a big kiss. Unable to take it anymore, he stormed out of the ballroom and headed to the launch. He needed air, to get away from what he was seeing, to try and sort out in his mind what had just happened.

 

One thing was clear – he had once again failed Robin and this time he may not be able to make it right.

Edited February 24, 2016 by cmahorror

[HeatLifer]

I get so happy when you update with a new chapter! Just wanted you to know I'm always reading even though I'm a terrible reviewer. :P

[cmahorror]

Thank you HeatLifer, I appreciate it!

 

 

Chapter 5

 

“Morning daddy.” Emma ran into the kitchen and hugged her dad. “Did you have fun at the party last night?”

 

Patrick smiled at Emma. “It was interesting. Come here baby girl – we need to talk.” Patrick sat down on a chair at the table and patted the seat next to him.

 

Emma sat down and looked at her dad. “What’s wrong?”

 

Patrick gave her a sad grin. “I got some news last night and I wanted to share it with you. Your mom is home.”

 

Emma jumped up and immediately began calling for Robin. “Mommy!”

 

“No, Emma I don’t mean here – I mean back in Port Charles with Nikolas.” Patrick saw the little girl’s lower lip go out in a pout as she stomped her way back to her chair. “Let me explain.”

 

The lip began to tremble. “Doesn’t she want to see me?”

 

“Of course she does but I need to explain to you why she has been gone.” Patrick took a deep breath before he started, gathering up courage. “Your mom didn’t want to be gone.”

 

“But you said…”

 

“I know what I said but I was wrong. The bad people took her from us again and made her tell me that she wanted to be gone but she really didn’t.” Patrick was trying to be as vague as possible – he didn’t know the details yet anyhow. “I didn’t know until I saw her last night.”

 

“But you said she was in her own bed in Paris and was happy. You said…”

 

“I know what I said Em but I was wrong.” Patrick felt like he was failing miserably in explaining this. “Your mom has never stopped loving you or wanting to be with you but the bad people kept her away from you.”

 

“You didn’t know?” Patrick shook his head. “Why not?”

 

He was caught completely off-guard by the question. “What do you mean why not?”

 

“Why didn’t you know? I thought you loved her.” Emma was truly confused. “You said when you love someone you know what they are thinking. That’s how you know when I am lying to you.”

 

Patrick stuttered. “That, that’s different…”

 

“No it’s not – mommy was lying and you love her.” Emma stood up. “Why didn’t you know she was lying?”

 

He reached out for his little girl. “Emma…”

 

“No!” Emma pulled away. “I want my mommy!” She turned away from Patrick and ran to her room. He followed close behind and was shocked when she slammed her bedroom door shut behind her.

 

“Em, please talk to me.” Patrick was begging his little girl to understand what was going on.

 

“I want to see my mommy!” Emma refused to open the door and Patrick decided not to push it.

 

“I’ll get her here right now.” Patrick got his phone out of his jeans pocket and called Nikolas. “Could you please bring Robin here? Emma wants to see her.”

 

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

“Where is she?” Robin ran into the living room of her old house with Nikolas and glared at her ex-husband.

 

“Her room – she says she only wants to talk to you.” Patrick was heartbroken about this turn of events even though he understood why Emma was acting the way she was.

 

Robin turned to Nikolas. “I’ll be right back.” She walked away from her husband and headed up the stairs to Emma’s room. She lightly knocked on the door and spoke her daughter’s name. “Emma?”

 

The door opened up instantly and Emma stood before her. “Mommy?”

 

Robin knelt down and smiled at Emma. “Yes baby, it’s me. I’m home.”

 

Emma jumped on her mom and hugged her close, tears falling from her eyes. “I missed you so much mommy.”

 

Robin began crying too. “Oh baby girl, I have missed you so much. I love you.”

 

“I love you too mommy.” Robin fell back so she was sitting on the floor and Emma crawled into her lap. “Did the bad people hurt you?”

 

“Every day that I am away from you hurts me but other than that, no, they didn’t hurt me.” Robin slowly began rocking the little girl.

 

“Good. Are you coming home?” Emma wanted to be with her mom again.

 

“I am going to stay at Nikolas’s house.” Robin was debating how to tell her daughter about her marriage. “Would like you to stay with us there?”

 

Emma nodded against her mom’s chest. “I want to be with you mommy.”

 

“Then you will be.” Robin kissed the top of Emma’s head. “Why don’t you go play in your room while I talk to Daddy?” Emma nodded and gave her mom one last kiss. “I’ll be back to get you in just a few minutes – I love you Em.”

 

“Love you too mommy.” Emma went back into her room while Robin headed back downstairs to talk to her ex-husband.

 

________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

Nikolas and Patrick stood in uncomfortable silence while they waited for Robin to come back downstairs. Patrick finally broke it. “When did you get married?”

 

“A month ago.”

 

“While she was still in treatment for her PTSD?” Patrick couldn’t imagine any therapist okaying a life changing decision like that in the middle of therapy.

 

Nikolas ignored Patrick’s incredulous tone. “Yes.”

 

“So you flew Matt out to Switzerland to be best man at your wedding?” Something about this whole scenario wasn’t making sense. “Wouldn’t that be against the rules of his probation?”

 

“Who said anything about probation?” Nikolas smiled at Robin as she came back downstairs. “How did it go?”

 

“Great.” Robin’s smile filled her face. She turned to Patrick. “She wants to come and spend some time with me at Wyndamere.”

 

“Of course, we can work out a visitation schedule…”

 

“No, she wants to come with me today.” Robin was trying to be as kind as possible – she knew this was difficult for him. “Patrick, I was forced to stay away from my daughter for years – please don’t make me lose one more day.”

 

Patrick saw the tears forming in Robin’s eyes as she made her request and knew what his answer had to be. “Of course she can. We can work out the custody arrangement some other time.”

 

Robin smiled at him for the first time since she had arrived at his house. “Thank you.” She turned to Nikolas. “I’m going to go get Emma.”

 

Nikolas kissed Robin on the cheek and smiled at her. “I’ll see you both in a minute.” Nikolas watched Robin bound up the stairs and then turned back to Patrick. “Thank you.”

 

“It’s what’s best for Emma.” The men stood in silence again until Robin and Emma returned to join them. “Ready to go?”

 

“You bet.”

 

Emma headed towards the door but Robin stopped her. “Emma, you need to say goodbye to your dad.”

 

Emma ran over to her dad and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. “Bye daddy.” She then turned and ran out of the house, Nikolas right behind her. Robin looked at Patrick. “I’ll talk to her – I’ll help her understand that you didn’t know…”

 

“But I should have Robin.” He saw the hurt look on her face. “I should have known you were in trouble.”

 

“Should haves don’t matter anymore. All that matters is Emma and making sure she knows that she has two parents that love her and want to protect her.” Robin headed towards the door. “I will have Emma call you tonight. Goodbye Patrick.”

 

Patrick watched as the only woman he had ever been in love with walked out the door and away from him once again.

[cmahorror]

Chapter 6

 

“Thank you again Uncle Mac for helping me get Emma off to school.” Robin and Mac walked into the living room at Wyndamere arm in arm. “She was having a hard time leaving my side.”

 

“No thanks are necessary – that little girl is just as stubborn as her mother and sometimes another, more stubborn person is needed to get the job done.” He sat down on the couch next to Robin and smiled at her. “It is so good to have you home. You know, as soon as I found out what was going on I tried to track down to your dad to get him on the case.”

 

“You did?” Robin poured her uncle some coffee as he visited her at Wyndamere.

 

“As soon as I found out about what had happened but the bureau has been backstopping and refused to tell me anything about his assignment or get a message to him. I’m sorry.” Mac smiled sadly at his niece.

 

Robin shook her head. “It’s okay – I’m used to it. Remember when I was pregnant with Emma? He didn’t even find out until I was almost six months along. It just means the world to me that you knew something was wrong and tried to find me.” Tears filled her eyes but she quickly brushed them away.

 

“Well I did try. I went to that apartment in Paris but I got the same brush off as Anna only I was told you were in Africa instead of China.” Mac had left only days after Anna’s visit.

 

“And by then they had moved me to another lab in Paris.” Robin reached over and patted her uncle’s hand. “Thank you for trying to find me; for not believing that I would just walk out on Emma.”

 

“Of course I didn’t.” Mac was relieved to have Robin home again. “I just wish I had known sooner what was going on. Maybe I could have found you before…”

 

“Mac, don’t start. Nikolas is my husband and I love him.” Robin knew Mac wasn’t happy about their marriage but he needed to accept it. “At least you didn’t have to force Nikolas to marry me.”

 

“Yeah, I’m still regretting locking you and Patrick in the damn interrogation room.” Mac was furious with Patrick and Anna. “If I hadn’t pushed you into marrying him then maybe…”

 

“Regrets aren’t doing any of us any good. I could regret getting on that plane with Victor but I didn’t have a choice and Jason wouldn’t be alive and with his son. I could regret not leaving with Patrick when he showed up at the clinic but he had already decided to divorce me and it was the only way I could protect him and Emma.” Robin’s tears started flowing down her cheeks. “I could regret not fighting harder to escape Helena but I didn’t want to risk her retaliating by hurting someone I loved.”

 

Mac quickly gathered Robin in his arms and held her close. “I know that everything you did, you did to protect us.”

 

Robin nodded as her tears began wetting her uncle’s shirt. “I did – especially after Victor killed Patrick’s son. I couldn’t, not after…”

 

Mac sighed – Gabriel. Mac had completely forgotten about Patrick’s son who was killed in the accident Victor had arranged. “You are not responsible for that little boy’s death.”

 

“That’s what my therapist said too but…”

 

“No buts – Victor and Rafe are to blame, not you.” Mac rubbed her back. “I know you feel responsible, but you’re not.”

 

“But I didn’t come home. If I had come home, maybe things would be different.” Robin couldn’t help but still blame herself for the little boy’s death.

 

“You couldn’t come home. Victor wasn’t about to let you go – even Patrick figured that out eventually.” Mac remembered Anna telling him about Victor’s part in Robin’s leaving.

 

“Then why didn’t he come looking for me after he found out the truth about the accident? Why did he assume the worst about me?” She began crying even harder. “Why didn’t he love me?”

 

“I do love you.” Both of them looked up to see Patrick standing in the doorway holding Emma’s backpack. “Emma forgot this when you left the other day. I thought she might need it for school.”

 

Mac stood up and walked over to him. After a moment’s silence he took the book bag from Patrick and smiled back at his niece. “I’ll take it to her. I will see you tonight at dinner.” He turned around and glared at Patrick. “You upset her any more than she already is and you will have me to deal with.”

 

Patrick just nodded. Mac had every right to hate him, as did Robin, but he needed to at least try to talk to her. He waited until Mac had left and began walking towards Robin. “Robin…”

 

She stood up and instantly began to clean up the dishes. “I know, we need to discuss the custody arrangement. I know you have primary custody of Emma but I would like to…”

 

Patrick took her hand and stopped it from picking up the coffee cup. “Robin, that is not why I am here.” Robin looked at him strangely. “Well, not the only reason. I did have Alexis start work on new papers giving us joint custody. I was thinking that, since we live in the same town, we might just switch weeks.”

 

“Sounds fair.” Robin noticed he hadn’t let go of her hand so she pulled it from his grasp. “Thank you.” Robin looked at the clock. “I need to get going – I am going to spend the time Emma is in school at the office and then finish up my workday here at Wyndamere, after I pick her up so, if you don’t mind?”

 

Patrick turned around to leave and stopped. “You know what – I do mind.”

 

“What?”

 

“I mind. I mind because there is something I need to say.” Patrick turned around and focused on Robin. “I’m sorry.”

 

Robin shook her head in disbelief. Did he really think that all it would take to fix things between them was shared custody and an apology? “I really do need to go.”

 

Robin started to push past him to get to the front door but Patrick grabbed her arm and stopped her. He found himself unable to speak – it was the first time he had touched her since her return and it felt wonderful. Reacting instinctively, he reached down and tucked a wayward piece of hair behind her ear. Their eyes were locked on each other and both could see that the passion and love for each other was still there. Patrick started to lean down towards her, his mouth closing in on hers, and was shocked to feel her hand hit his cheek.

 

“No Patrick – you do not get to do this to me.” Robin backed away from him, her tears returning. “You divorced me. I asked, no, I begged you to wait, to try and understand but you didn’t.”

 

“Robin I…”

 

“I am married. I have a husband and we are building a new life together.” Robin wiped the tears from her face. “You need to go and if you need to fix a relationship – why don’t you concentrate on your brother?”

 

“I would love to, I just don’t know how to get in touch with him.”

 

“You’re taking Emma to dinner tomorrow night, right?” Patrick nodded his head. It had taken a lot of convincing from Robin, but Emma had accepted that her dad wasn’t in any way to blame for her mom being gone. “Matt is staying here so I would suggest you come by early to see him.”

 

Patrick shook his head. Nikolas was stealing his whole damn life – first his wife and now his brother. He needed to figure out how to get them back, starting with his brother. “Thank you – I will do that. May I walk you down to the launch?”

 

Robin knew that she really had no excuse not to walk down to the launch with so she sighed and nodded her head. “Let’s go.”

[cmahorror]

Chapter 7

 

Patrick sat in Kevin’s office, nervously twiddling his thumbs. “Thank you for seeing me on such short notice – I really do appreciate it.”

 

“Of course Patrick.” Kevin leaned back in his chair. “So do you need a consult?”

 

Patrick shifted uncomfortably in his chair. “No, I actually wanted to see you as a patient.”

 

Kevin was surprised and his was sure his face reflected that. “Did something happen? Did you lose a patient?”

 

“This isn’t work-related. I’m sure you have heard by now that Robin is back in Port Charles and that she is married to Nikolas Cassadine.” Patrick waited for Kevin to nod his head before continuing. “What you may not know is that, even though I told everyone she was in Paris working, she was really being held hostage by Helena Cassadine.”

 

Kevin took a moment to think about what Patrick was saying. “Did you know?”

 

“No.” Patrick shook his head as tears filled his eyes. “Looking back it is obvious but I, Kevin, I didn’t see it at the time.” He paused as he wiped the tears away. “I turned away from her and left her to them. She told me she was broken and I didn’t even try to find her.”

 

“She told you she was broken?” Kevin couldn’t believe those words came out of Robin’s mouth.

 

“She said that she couldn’t give Emma the kind of life she deserved but she knew I could.” Patrick was now haunted by that call and the visit to the clinic before that. He had been replaying those incidents in his mind constantly, wondering how he could have been so blind as to not see the pain and fear in Robin’s eyes and actions. “Then there is the fact that I didn’t even know that my brother was let out of prison. I have let some of the people I love most in the world down and I need to know why I did it. Why I was too blind to see what they were going through.”

 

Kevin thought about it. “What do you hope to get out of therapy?”

 

Patrick thought about it only briefly before giving Kevin a one-word answer. “Forgiveness.”

 

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

Robin walked with Monica down the hall at GH, trying not to look too nervous. As Cassadine Industries/ELQ liaison with GH, she was expected to come to the hospital and make sure that their money was being spent correctly but she wasn’t ready to run into Patrick again after their meeting this morning.

 

The walk to the launch had been very quiet and Robin had been happy to reach the pier and her car. She said goodbye to Patrick before heading off to the office for a brief meeting with Matt. The way things were set up, Matt would handle more of the day to day operations while Robin was overseeing the spending and which projects they would pursue. She had also warned Matt that Patrick was coming over the next night and she encouraged him to speak to his brother. Matt was still hurt about Patrick’s not even knowing about his release from prison and his pain, just like Robin’s was not going to go away overnight.

 

“As you can see, things really are not that much different than they were when you were here before.”

 

“Except Obrecht is no longer Chief of Staff.” Robin had felt better about taking on the liaison position once she had learned that Liesel was no longer employed there.

 

“Thank God we were finally able to get rid of that woman. I am only interim chief but I know you will work with the board to help them find a proper replacement.” Monica was planning to retire as soon as a new chief was hired and properly trained.

 

“You are irreplaceable Monica, you know that. So, do you have any decent candidates?” Robin and Monica stopped in the lounge and sat down on the couch.

 

“Several very good candidates: Dr. Collins, Dr. Marucci, Patrick…”

 

Robin interrupted. “Patrick?”

 

“Yes – he threw his hat in the ring a couple of weeks ago and, I must say that he is one of the leading candidates.” Monica watched Robin’s reaction carefully.

 

“Patrick was a wonderful chief of staff and I know he would still be great in the position. I think he is a great candidate.” Robin was about to say something else when she saw the door to Kevin’s office open and Patrick walked out. His eyes were red and it was obvious he had been crying.

 

A part of Robin wanted to run over and pull him into her arms, assure him that it was all going to be okay. She wanted to tell him that she understood why he didn’t see what was going on with her and that she forgave him but she just couldn’t – not yet. She was still too raw from her experience. Still…

 

“Monica, would you please excuse me? I have some things to take care of before I leave and I know you are busy.” Robin watched as Patrick headed towards his office. “I will see you again next week?”

 

“Sounds wonderful and Robin, I know you are working for Nikolas now,” Monica still hated Robin's husband for stealing ELQ out from under her family, “but should something change, we would love to have you back on staff. Maybe even as chief of staff?”

 

Robin shook her head. “I’m not interested in working 80 hour weeks anymore – that’s time away from my daughter. Maybe after Emma goes to college but not now.” Robin and Monica stood up. “I’ll see you later.”

 

Monica hugged Robin. “It is so good to have you home. I’ll see you later.”

 

Robin nodded at Monica and turned her attention back to the hallway Patrick had disappeared down. She thought about it for only a second before she grabbed her purse and made her way to Patrick’s office.

[cmahorror]

Chapter 8

 

Robin paused outside of Patrick’s office door. She took a deep breath and knocked on the door. Almost immediately she heard Patrick invite her in. Robin opened the door and entered his office for the first time in several years. “Hi.”

 

Patrick was shocked but happy to see Robin coming into the room. “Hi. Sit down, please.” Patrick stood up and sat down on the couch and Robin sat down next to him. “What are you doing at GH? Coming back to work?”

 

Robin shook her head. “No, I am the liaison between Cassadine Industries and the GH Board. Just making sure the money is being spent correctly.”

 

“Of course.” Patrick couldn’t believe how nervous he was.

 

Robin decided to jump right in. “Are you okay? I saw you leaving Kevin’s office and…”

 

“I’m as okay as I am going to be right now.”

 

“Did you lose a patient? You looked upset and I can tell you’ve been crying.”

 

Patrick’s guilt overwhelmed him. She had figured out that something was wrong with him and immediately come to help him; he had ignored every sign that something was wrong with her and turned his back to her. “No, I am seeing Kevin so I can try to figure out why I made the decisions I did. Why I ignored everything I know about you and didn’t try to find you. Why I backed away from Matt and...”

 

“Patrick,” Robin reached over and grabbed her hand, “you made some mistakes but so did I.”

 

“But Matt didn’t.” Patrick felt the tears coming again. “My brother needed me and I wasn’t there. I didn’t even know that he was released from prison.”

 

Robin rubbed his hand. “Matt is upset but he still loves you.”

 

“What has he told you?” Patrick needed to know if he was going to try and fix his relationship with his brother.

 

“Matt said that your visits, at first, were pretty consistent. After you got involved with Sabrina they became more sporadic.” Patrick began thinking about the past few years. “He started to wonder how much he really meant to you. The visits went from at least once a month to every few months and then 3 or 4 times a year. He said the last few times you visited you were completely distracted and barely listened to a word he said.”

 

“I didn't think I behaved that badly but I guess I did.” Shame overwhelmed him. “Sam and I were having problems and then we broke up. I didn’t want to burden him with my troubles but I did want to see him. I should have waited until I was in a better state of mind or just pushed aside my own petty problems and thought about him first. I really messed up, didn’t I?”

 

“You can fix this.” Robin smiled at him. “Matt loves you – you’re his big brother. Show him the man I know you can be and you two will be close again in no time.”

 

Patrick squeezed Robin’s hand and stared her straight in the eyes. “Thank you.” He took a deep breath. “And what about us? Is there any way to fix that?”

 

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Nikolas walked down through the catacombs with a spring in his step – things were going better than he had ever expected. Matt had completely rejected Patrick and Robin was everything he hoped she would be.

 

He felt a little guilty for the decision to use the protocol on Robin but he needed a strong and brilliant woman by his side if he were going to truly become the leader he planned to be. He loved Robin, he always had, and she was the perfect person to create his new empire with but her love for Patrick would have been a problem once they got back to Port Charles. Fortunately, Robin was a woman of honor and would never break her marriage vows – a fact Nikolas was counting on.

 

Besides, he was protecting Robin. Helena had wanted to sell the highly sought after doctor off to the highest bidder - Robin was worth millions. Nikolas wanted to protect Robin and convinced his grandmother that Robin’s gifts in the lab were far more valuable than what Helena could get by selling her. Helena had agreed provided she was the one to implant the new memories – she wanted Nikolas to know that she could end his plans whenever she wanted to.

 

He entered the lab he had had installed into the catacombs and approached the doctor. “How are things going?”

 

“Wonderful – I must say that the subjects you provided me with are both doing well.” Dr. Brines was reviewing the latest test results on Matt and Robin. “No sign that the original memories are coming back or that they are having any negative effects from the protocol. When can I do my next exam?”

 

“Tonight – Emma will be out with her dad.” Matt had been a little trickier because Nikolas wanted him to remember the visits but he wanted them to seem less than friendly. Patrick would be suspicious if Matt suddenly insisted that his big brother had never visited him but seeming distracted and uncaring while visiting Matt, that would certainly not be that unusual for the great Dr. Drake. “I’ll make the arrangements.”

 

“And you are making sure that they are getting the correct dosages?” Brines looked up from his papers. “With Robin’s situation…”

 

“I have been very careful to make sure the correct dosages are submitted to the correct people every night. I am not taking any chances with Robin.” Nikolas was offended that the man would suggest it.

 

“Good. I will see you tonight.” Brines went back to his notes.

 

Nikolas left the lab and headed back out to the cliffs, taking in the rolling sea for a few minutes. Everything was exactly the way he wanted it – he just needed to make sure that it stayed that way.

[cmahorror]

Chapter 9

 

“Patrick, I…”

 

“I wasn’t talking about us getting back together romantically – I will respect your marriage.” Patrick saw Robin relax. “But I miss my best friend and I want to have her back, if at all possible.”

 

Robin couldn’t help but tear up. “I want that too but I don’t know…”

 

“Give me a chance to be the man I should have been. Tell me what happened. You don’t have to tell me all of it once, maybe just a little bit at a time but I think it will help both of us if you tell someone you know about what has been going on for the past 2 years.” Patrick prayed he was getting through to her. “Try just telling me about Victor.”

 

Robin considered what he was asking her to do. Opening these old wounds would be painful and she wasn’t sure it would change anything but she also wanted him to know what had happened. Maybe then they could finally get past her ‘decision’ to save Jason. “Okay.”

 

Patrick put up his hand. “Wait a second.” He walked over to the door and locked it. He then pulled out his phone and made a call. “Epiphany? It’s Dr. Drake. Could you please sign me out for the day? I know it’s not your job but I would really appreciate it. Thanks.” He sat back down on the couch. “Go ahead.”

 

Robin was appreciative of his taking the time to make sure they weren’t disturbed before she started. “Thank you.” She took a deep breath and began speaking. “I think a part of me knew from the moment Victor approached me that he was only giving me the illusion of choice about whether or not to leave with him. Victor confirmed it after we got to the clinic. He told me that, if I hadn’t agreed, another accident would have happened except that, this time, it would have been you and it wouldn’t have been staged.”

 

Patrick’s heart sank into his stomach – of course she was protecting him. Robin didn't look at him as she continued telling her story. “Victor said it pleased him that I had eventually agreed to go although he was still upset that you knew why I was leaving. He wasn't worried, he was certain that you wouldn’t tell my mom or Mac what was going on because he knew you would protect me.” Robin was attempting to maintain control. “I thought about trying to get a message to you so you could get Emma and yourself to a safe house but I was always being watched. I thought that as long as I did as I was told, you two were safe.”

 

Patrick was confused. “Then why cause the car accident?”

 

“A show of his power – he wanted me to know what the consequences would be if I stepped out of line. His version of a pre-emptive strike.” Robin’s tears began flowing steadily at this point. “And then he wouldn’t…,” she began stuttering, “he, after the accident, I wanted to come home so badly and be with you, be there for you and Emma.”

 

“I know you did. God Robin, I am so sorry.” With those words spoken, Patrick finally did what he should have done that day in the clinic – he wrapped his arms around Robin and held her close. She cried in his arms for a few minutes as he stroked her back and attempted to make her feel safe and loved.

 

“I thought you might hate me.” Robin was still sobbing but her tears were slowing down.

 

“I could never hate you. I hate myself for being so damn blind but I have never and could never hate you.” He kissed the top of her head and began rocking her gently.

 

“But I am the reason Gabriel is dead.” Robin tears didn’t stop. “If I hadn’t gone with him…”

 

“Then Victor would have kidnapped you and possibly me and Emma. The man was not going to stop and I think I knew that even back then.” Patrick wasn’t just making excuses for Robin’s decision, he truly felt that way. “As for Gabriel, his death is on Rafe and Victor – not you. You weren’t trying to escape or get a message out and, even if you were, you were being held hostage by a madman. You had every right to try and get away from him. I’m just sorry that I didn’t see how scared you were that day I found you in the clinic.”

 

Robin nodded her head. She still couldn’t look at Patrick but she could feel his sincerity in his voice. “Me too.”

 

Patrick continued. “You weren’t really looking at me – you were looking all around, almost like you were searching for something. I don’t know why I believed you when you said that you weren’t being held against your will – it so obvious you were lying and scared.”

 

“You were upset. Patrick, your son had died and all you knew was I wasn’t there to help you through it. You were convinced that I put my work over you.” Robin knew she had to take a little responsibility for lying to Patrick about the situation, even if it was for his and Emma’s own goods.

 

“Doesn’t excuse the fact that I know you better than almost anyone and I should have known that that was a lie and you were in trouble. I was selfish and let my own feelings blind me to what you were going through.” Patrick shook his head as tears appeared in his eyes. “I’m sorry Robin.”

 

“I’m sorry too, Patrick.” Robin reached up and gently wiped away a stray tear that had escaped from his eye. “I think that is all I can handle today.”

 

“Okay. Thank you for telling me the truth. We need to be honest with each other from now on if we hope to be friends again.”

 

“Agreed.” Robin wiped her cheeks and, reluctantly, pulled herself out of his arms and stood up. “But it’s a two-way street. I may have some questions for you and I do expect you to answer them honestly. Not today, but someday soon.” Patrick nodded. “Well, I will see you tonight when you pick up Emma. Goodbye Patrick.”

 

Patrick smiled at his ex-wife. “Goodbye Robin.”

[cmahorror]

Chapter 10

 

Robin was reading through a proposal for a grant when she heard the door to her office open. “I said I didn’t want to be disturbed.”

 

“Not even for your mom?” Anna sauntered in, smiling at her daughter. “Hello Robin.”

 

Robin shook her head in disbelief. She had already had an emotionally draining day thanks to Patrick; she didn’t have it in her to deal with her mother as well. “I’m busy.” She picked up another proposal and focused her attention on it.

 

“Come on Robin, at least let me explain…”

 

“Explain?” Robin couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “I defended you. I told them that you would never believe the lies that Miss Danvers told you.”

 

Anna took a step forward. “I know you are upset with me right now.”

 

“Upset?” Robin dropped the proposal and began rubbing her forehead. She felt a headache coming on. “Do you know that I saw you that day?”

 

“What?” Anna felt sick to her stomach.

 

“Yeah – I was right above you, pounding on a window, screaming for you to help me.” Robin had been certain she didn’t have any tears left after her talk with Patrick but she was wrong. “You walked away. You left me.”

 

“Sweetheart…”

 

“No!” Robin angrily wiped at her tears. “I told you I was broken and you just let me walk away without a single concern. You encouraged my husband and daughter to move on without me, without even thinking that something might be wrong with the situation. You believed that I would abandon my child the way you abandoned me.”

 

Anna was upset at first but now she was offended. “I didn’t abandon you. I did what I had to do to protect you.”

 

“I have been hearing the line from you for years and I just don’t believe it anymore. You were having a blast running around overthrowing governments and capturing the bad guys. It was certainly a hell of lot more fun than diapers and midnight feedings or parent-teacher conferences and recitals.” Robin could see the hurt her words were causing but she was too upset to care. “You dumped me right after I was born – stopping in when you decided you had some free time.”

 

“That is not what happened.” Anna couldn’t believe Robin was saying these things to her. “Your father and I, our jobs would have put you in terrible danger and I was trying to protect you. It might have been a mistake but it came from love. Never doubt that I do love you.”

 

Robin stood up. “I don’t doubt that you love me. But you proved that you don’t really know me when you believed that I would rather go to some medical conference than be with my little girl. I’m not like you – I would never choose my work over my child.”

 

“I spoke to you on the phone – you told me you needed to do this.” Anna needed to defend herself. “And what about all those trips to Africa for AIDS awareness and research?”

 

“You mean the research that could help save my life? You’re right – how selfish of me.” Robin was at a breaking point. “How selfish to want to take a week or two out of my life to help thousands of people?”

 

“That’s not what I meant.” Anna was floundering now.

 

“No – you’re right. The fact that I would go on a two week trip certainly supports the fact that I would completely abandon my daughter for over a year. Yes, the daughter I fought so hard to have and come back home to - yeah, it certainly makes perfect sense that I would just leave her and not bother to call or even send her a letter for over a year.” Robin’s voice was thick with sarcasm. “You know me so well.”

 

Anna didn’t know what to say. She was still collecting her thoughts when the door opened and Nikolas came in. “Robin, we need to get going…” He stopped speaking when he saw Anna standing there. “Miss Devane.”

 

“Nikolas.” Anna was too stunned by Robin’s attack to say much of anything.

 

Nikolas walked over to Robin and put his arms around her. “Are you okay?”

 

Robin nodded her head and buried her face in Nikolas’s chest. He glared at Anna. “You need to leave.”

 

“But…”

 

“You have upset my wife and you need to leave or I will call security.” Nikolas rubbed Robin’s back as he spoke.

 

Anna hesitated but decided to give in. “Of course. I will call you later so we can talk and find a way to work through this.” Anna headed for the door but turned around one last time before she left. “I do love you Robin.”

 

Robin didn’t respond, just kept her face buried in her husband’s chest as Anna left the room. Nikolas waited until the door shut before he walked Robin over to the sofa. He sat down with her and held her close. “Are you okay?”

 

“Yes, just an emotionally draining day. First Patrick and now…”

 

Nikolas interrupted her. “Wait – Patrick?” Robin nodded as she wiped her face. “When did you see Patrick?”

 

“At the hospital. He was coming out of Kevin’s office and he looked upset so I went to talk to him.” Robin sniffled a little. “I had to make sure he was okay.”

 

“Of course you did.” Nikolas pulled back and smiled at her. “What happened?”

 

“I think it was good that I saw him – we had a chance to talk about a few things.” Robin smiled at Nikolas. “I told him about what happened with Victor. He actually listened and didn’t judge, didn’t try to justify his actions, just was there for me. He apologized for not seeing I was in trouble. I think it was a good start.”

 

“A good start?” Nikolas raised his eyebrows at her.

 

Robin shook her head. “Not like that but if we are going to be good parents than we need to trust each other. I think today was a good start to rebuilding that trust.”

 

“Good – whatever makes you happy will make me happy.” Nikolas kissed her. “Ready to go home – Matt is waiting in the car.”

 

Robin stood up. “I am. Emma should be home soon and I could really use a hug from my little girl.”

 

“Then let’s go home.” Nikolas took Robin’s hand and led her out of her office.

[cmahorror]

Chapter 11

 

“I’m not saying you have to forgive him but at least talk to him.” Robin found herself arguing with her second stubborn Drake that day and it was getting frustrating. “He feels horrible about what happened and he really wants the chance to tell you that.”

 

“Why are you suddenly defending my brother? You have just as much, if not more, reason to be upset with him.” Matt couldn’t believe Robin was defending Patrick. “Right Nikolas?”

 

Nikolas shook his head. “I respect my wife and her opinion. If she feels it will do you good to speak to your brother then maybe you should do it.”

 

Matt sighed. “Fine – but only for a few minutes. When we will he be here?”

 

“He is picking up Emma at 6 but I told him to come a few minutes early to give you two a chance to talk.” Robin smiled at her ex-brother-in-law. “Please try not to be too hostile when you talk to him – give him a chance to apologize.”

 

Matt rolled eyes but eventually nodded his head. “I’ll try.”

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

“Dr. Drake is here to see Miss Emma.” Alfred led Patrick into the living room.

 

“I’ll let Robin and Emma know he is here.” Matt stood up and walked over to his brother. “Patrick.”

 

“Matt – may I speak to you for a minute?” Patrick’s normally steady hands were shaking.

 

“Of course.” Matt sat back down on the couch and gestured to a chair. “Have a seat.”

 

“I don’t even know where to begin.” Patrick ran his hands through his hair. “I let you down. I should have spent more time with you and less time worried about my relationship with Sam.” Patrick stared his brother straight in the eyes. “I am truly sorry for what I did. You’re my brother and I do love you even if I am lousy at showing it sometimes.”

 

Matt nodded his head and stood back up. “Great, problem solved. Let me go get Emma…”

 

“Matt,” Patrick stood up and blocked his brother’s path, “I don’t expect absolution or even for you to want to see me for a while but I need you to know that I am doing everything I can to try and understand why I behaved the way I did. I know I am a selfish bastard but I do love you and Robin and Emma and I will find a way to prove that to you.”

 

Matt stared at his brother, finally seeing that there was real remorse in Patrick’s eyes. “What are you doing?”

 

“I am starting to see Kevin Collins. I actually had my first session today.” Patrick felt no need to hide that he was seeing a psychiatrist.

 

“That’s good.” Matt was relieved that Robin was right about Patrick trying to make things right. “Kevin is a great doctor.”

 

“Yes he is. We have already talked about the ways I let you down.” Tears filled Patrick’s eyes. “I had no idea that you thought I didn’t want to visit you. I loved visiting you but it killed me to see you in there knowing it was all my fault.”

 

“Hey – it wasn’t your fault that I killed Lisa.” Matt was mad at his brother but not enough to blame him for Matt’s decision to stop Lisa.

 

“I brought her into our lives. If it weren’t for me you would have never spent all those years in prison. You and Maxie would be together and having the life you should have had.” Patrick’s guilt overwhelmed him. “Robin almost died several times because of that woman. She killed people – all so she could get me.”

 

Matt was beginning to realize that Patrick still carried a lot more guilt over Lisa than anyone even suspected. “Patrick, you made one mistake but Lisa made the decision to stalk and terrorize you and Robin. She is dead because she was trying to hurt Robin – end of story.”

 

“But…”

 

“But nothing.” Matt shook his head. “Maybe Robin’s right – maybe we do need to talk.”

 

They were interrupted by Emma running down the stairs. “Daddy!” Emma jumped into her dad’s arms and hugged him close.

 

“Hey baby girl.” Patrick relaxed for the first time since he walked into the house. “I am so glad to see you.”

 

“I thought you were going to tell me when you got here.” She pouted at her father.

 

Patrick laughed. “Well, I was coming to get you but I wanted to talk to Uncle Matt first.”

 

Emma smiled at Matt. “Are you coming to supper with us?”

 

Matt smiled at his niece. His brother may have many faults but his love for his daughter was not one of them. Matt had been there the day Emma was born and helped Patrick realize that he didn’t have to be like their father – that Patrick could be the dad his little girl needed no matter what. Seeing the two of them together, he knew he had been right. “I don’t want to intrude.”

 

“You could never intrude. We aren’t having anything special, just burgers and shakes, but we would love it if you joined us.” Patrick really hoped that Matt would agree.

 

“Please?” Emma smiled brightly at her Uncle.

 

“Well, when you put it that way, how can I refuse?” Matt laughed as Emma squealed in delight. “Let me get my jacket and we’ll head out.”

 

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

Robin walked into Nikolas and hers bedroom and smiled at him. He put down his tablet and smiled back. “How’s our girl? Finally calmed down from her exciting night out with her dad and uncle?”

 

Robin slid into bed and leaned on Nikolas. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close. “She finally passed out in the middle of the second story. She is so happy to have her uncle back. And to get to spend a night out with him and her dad? She was in heaven. Thank you for getting Matt released early.”

 

“I wish I could say that my reasons were purely altruistic but the truth is that Matt is a great doctor and I needed him to help you and turn the Research and Development division around. The fact that it makes you and Emma happy is just a wonderful bonus for me.” Nikolas took his tablet off his lap and turned towards Robin. “How are you really doing? You were kind of quiet during supper.”

 

“I know but Mac was so excited to talk about his visit with Georgie I could hardly get a word in edgewise.” Robin knew what Nikolas was really asking. “I’m glad that Patrick is getting help and working on figuring out why he behaved the way he did but it is not going to change things for us. I am married to you and I love you.”

 

She felt Nikolas relax as she spoke. Nikolas turned her face up until she was staring him straight in the eyes. “I love you too. I just don’t want you to forget what he did.”

 

“I won’t, I can’t. I know who saved me and brought me back to my little girl. It was you and I will be forever grateful for that.” Robin leaned up and kissed him. “I’m not going anywhere Nikolas.”

 

“I know.” Nikolas kissed her again and leaned her back into bed.

 

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Hours later, Nikolas eased himself out of bed, careful not to wake Robin. He walked down the hall and made a call. “Drake has decided to make things right with Robin and Matt – we need to increase the dosage.”

 

“I’m not sure that is the right move.” Dr. Brines couldn’t believe that Nikolas had woken him up for this. “Increasing the dosage is not going to do anything right now but increase the chances of an adverse reaction. I will do an exam in the morning on both of them and see if their memories are holding. If so, than we continue with everything as is; if not we can consider upping the dosage. Fair enough?”

 

Nikolas grunted in frustration. “Fine. I’ll make the arrangements.” He hung up the phone and tried to regain control of his emotions.

 

He had always known that Patrick would be the wild card in their return to Port Charles. He had hoped that Patrick’s wounded pride and ego would keep him away from Robin. He knew Patrick was back to his womanizing ways and figured he would be fine with Robin having moved on as well. How wrong Nikolas had been.

 

Patrick felt guilt and anger over his inability to see the trouble Robin had been in. Instead of seeing this as a chance to date more, Emma would be with Robin half the time after all, Patrick had decided to take that time to go into therapy and rebuild his relationship with his brother and ex-wife. He wasn’t as concerned about Matt, even if their relationship was rebuilt his memories had only been altered a little bit, not enough to cause any concerns.

 

Robin’s memory, however, had undergone some major changes and that was far more dangerous to him and his plans. If Robin’s real memories came back, he could lose almost everything.

 

But they wouldn’t come back – Nikolas would make sure of it. Calm once again, Nikolas went back into their room and climbed back into bed with Robin. He wrapped his arms around her tight and smiled as he fell back to sleep.

Edited March 2, 2016 by cmahorror

[HeatLifer]

THIS SCRUBS VID IS BEYOND EPIC. CRYING AND EATING WHITE CHOCOLATE.

[cmahorror]

Chapter 12

 

“I still think it’s silly to have to do these regular check-ups – I’m fine.” Robin pouted as she sat on the exam table.

 

Dr. Brines just smiled at her. “I have explained this to you before – you went through a harrowing ordeal and we just need to make sure you aren’t having any issues with your PTSD. Especially since…”

 

“I know.” Robin shook her head. She laid down on the exam room bed and closed her eyes, used to the procedure by now. “Let’s just get this over with – I have a dozen proposals waiting on my desk and I want to get at least half of them reviewed before I leave for the day.”

 

“Alright.” Dr. Brines pulled out the tape recorder from his lab coat pocket and pushed play.

 

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

“Dr. Drake, Dr. Patrick Drake – please report to the 10th floor nurse’s desk.” Patrick shook his head as he heard the page go out. His only surgery had been cancelled for the day and he had hoped to go home and just think – to try to figure why he had given up on his marriage.

 

He walked up to Epiphany and smiled that famous Drake smile. “You rang?”

 

“I don’t want you – he does.” Epiphany pointed to the waiting room couches and Patrick saw Nikolas standing there.

 

“Great.” The last person Patrick wanted to see was Robin’s new husband. “What can I do for you Mr. Cassadine?”

 

“I was hoping we could talk about Robin. I understand that you and she had a talk yesterday.” Nikolas was taking a chance doing this but he needed to keep Patrick away from Robin.

 

“Yes but it really doesn’t have anything to do with you. Now if you’ll excuse me…” Patrick began heading back to his office but Nikolas was right behind him.

 

“Actually it had everything to do with me. Robin is my wife and I will not have her upset.” Nikolas almost ran into Patrick’s back as the doctor stopped suddenly.

 

“What do you mean upset? She was fine when she left here yesterday.” Patrick thought he and Robin had left things on a good note.

 

“Well you know Robin, always trying to protect the people she cares about.” Nikolas saw that they were in front of Patrick’s office. “Maybe we could talk about this in your office?”

 

Patrick stood there for a moment before opening the door. Nikolas walked through the door and sat down in a chair in front of Patrick’s desk. Patrick took a moment to calm himself before shutting the door and sitting down at his desk. “I would never hurt Robin.”

 

“Your actions over the past few years say otherwise.” Nikolas stared Patrick straight in the eyes. “Let me make myself clear – Robin and I are building a new life together. I understand that you will need to be in contact with each other because of Emma but you really don’t need to speak to her about anything else.”

 

Patrick didn’t like the way this conversation was going at all. “Does Robin know you are here speaking to me on her behalf?”

 

Nikolas smirked at Patrick. “No, but it is my job to look out for her. Robin has a soft spot for you, even after everything you did to her, and I would hate to see it taken advantage of.”

 

Patrick couldn’t help but scoff at Nikolas’s words. “I’m sorry but I don’t think that I am the one taking advantage of Robin.” Patrick could tell that he was pissing Nikolas off. He smirked right back at Nikolas. “You know Robin came to me; I didn’t approach her and I would never even attempt to take advantage of her.”

 

“Nevertheless, you seem to be Robin’s blind spot.” Nikolas was not going to back down.

 

“And?” Patrick was getting a kick out of pushing Nikolas’s buttons. “Are you afraid that Robin will come to the realization that she made a rash decision and married you not because she loves you but because she was grateful for your help in rescuing her?”

 

“Hardly.” Nikolas stood up. “Robin and I have loved each other for years, before you ever entered the picture. We have more than just a history together, we have a future.”

 

“Robin and I have a child together. She and I will always be connected because of Emma.” Patrick stood up, refusing to be cowed by the man. “You can’t change that – no matter how much you want to.”

 

Nikolas shook his head. “Robin and I are building a life together. You need to respect that and keep your distance. Allow Robin to have the life she deserves after the years of hell she has been through. Work through whatever you need to but don’t lean on her to do it – Robin has enough pain of her own to deal with, she doesn’t need yours too.”

 

“What are you so afraid of Nikolas – that Robin will leave you for me?” Patrick couldn’t help being defensive.

 

“Robin isn’t going anywhere – I know that.” Nikolas headed to the door. “Goodbye Dr. Drake.”

 

Patrick watched the door shut behind Nikolas and sat back down at his desk. Nikolas was threatened by him, that much was obvious. The question was – why?

 

Patrick thought about it for a few minutes and made a call. “Could we please meet? It’s about Robin."

Edited March 4, 2016 by cmahorror

[cmahorror]

Chapter 13

 

Patrick sat down at a table in the Haunted Star with two beers in his hands. He set one down in front of his guest while he took a drink from his. “Thank you for meeting me – I really appreciate it.”

 

“Make it fast Drake.” Mac was still angry at Patrick and Anna for not having told him the trouble Robin was in. “You said this was about Robin?”

 

“I think something is wrong with her.”

 

Mac shook his head. “Now you think something is wrong with her?” Mac glared at the man sitting across from him. “Where was all this concern when she was missing for the past two years?”

 

“Look Mac, I know I screwed up but I am trying to make it right.” Patrick understood Mac’s hostility but he really was the only one who could help Robin right now. Robin refused to see Anna and Robert was off on a mission. “You can hate me all you want but that doesn’t change the fact that something is very wrong with how she came back to Port Charles. You can’t really think this marriage is a good idea?”

 

Mac wouldn’t admit it but he had the same doubts about Robin’s marriage that Patrick did. “They’ve been friends for a long time. He did rescue her.”

 

“From his grandmother – don’t you think that is a little suspicious?” Patrick didn’t believe the story Nikolas was trying to sell. “The guy Robin knew years ago is not the man Robin is living with now and you know it.”

 

Mac took a big drink from his beer. “Say I agree with you – that there is something else going on with Robin’s return – what do you want me to do about it?”

 

Patrick couldn’t help but get a little smile on his face. Finally, he had help. “Talk to her. Ask her questions about her time with her therapist and the wedding, see if anything feels off. You know Robin better than anyone so you will be able to tell if she is lying.”

 

“And you? What will you be doing?” Mac had no issue with spending time with Robin and doing a little reconnaissance but he wasn’t sure how Patrick would be involved.

 

“I am currently seeing Kevin to try and figure out why I acted the way I did after Robin left. After my first session, Robin and I had a talk about what happened with Victor. I plan to continue to talk to Robin after each session.” Mac gave Patrick a curious look. “I want her to know she can trust me and believe in me again. She needs to know that Nikolas is not her only option – that she does not have to stay with him if she doesn’t want to.”

 

“What if she does love him?” Mac didn’t believe it but wanted to see what Patrick’s reaction would be. “Maybe this is the real thing?”

 

“If she truly loves him than I will be proud to co-parent Emma with her and let her live happily ever after with Nikolas but I don’t believe that is the case.” Patrick took another drink of his beer. “I can’t explain it but something is just off – Matt being flown out of the country just to witness the wedding? Robin’s therapist being okay with her making a life changing decision while she is in recovery? And Robin loves being a doctor and her bedside manner is legendary, why would she take a job where she is pushing paperwork instead of helping patients? It just doesn’t make sense.”

 

Mac finished his beer and stood up. “I hate to admit it but you are right. I will talk to Robin and let you know if anything seems off.”

 

“Thanks Mac.”

 

“Don’t thank me – I’m doing this for Robin, not you.” Mac shook his head as he looked at Patrick. “Why couldn’t you have been this concerned about her when she went missing?”

 

“Mac, I…”

 

“Forget it – I don’t want to hear it.” Mac wasn’t even close to forgiving Patrick or Anna for not noticing Robin was in danger. “Just remember, whatever hell she went through over the past years is just as much yours and Anna’s faults as it is Helena’s. If you hurt Robin again, you will have me to deal with.”

 

Mac slammed his empty bottle down on the table and stalked out of the bar. Patrick thought about going after him to plead his case but realized he didn’t have a leg to stand on. Mac was right – he had to shoulder some of the blame for what Robin had went through but he was going to do everything he could to make it up to her.

 

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

Robin yawned as she tried to finish her book but she could barely keep her eyes open. She finally gave up and set the book down on the nightstand. She was just about to lay down when she heard the door open.

 

Nikolas shook his head at her. “Hey, you were supposed to wait for me.”

 

Robin laughed. “I’m tired.”

 

“Well I guess you don’t want the tea I brought up for you?” Nikolas jokingly took the mug he was holding and started heading for the door but Robin stopped him.

 

“Stop it – of course I want it. Couldn’t go to bed without my nightly tea, could I?” Robin took the mug from him and drank. “What did you say this is called again?”

 

“Cubby wubby something.” Nikolas laughed as he watched Robin finish the cup.

 

“Seems a little sweeter tonight – did you add in something different?” Robin set the now empty cup down on the night stand next to her book.

 

“No, they must have changed the recipe. Do you not like it?” Nikolas was worried that Robin might not want her nightly tea anymore.

 

“Of course not – I love it. Can we go to bed now?” Robin laid down and patted the pillow next her.

 

Nikolas climbed onto the bed and gave Robin a kiss. “Certainly – we have a big day tomorrow with the presentation and the board meeting.”

 

“Are you ready?” Robin rolled over and Nikolas wrapped his arms around her, placing his chin on the top of her head.

 

“Yes and I don’t even have to ask if you are. I just wish you didn’t have to go to GH to do it.” Nikolas wanted to keep Robin as far away from Patrick as possible.

 

“Monica is very receptive to the work I am doing and the ideas I have. Hopefully we can get some federal funding for the hospital and the Stone Cates AIDS Wing. That will reduce the stress on Cassadine Industries and ELQ and free up some funds for additional research projects.” Robin was proud of the work she was doing. It wasn’t the same as working with patients directly but at least she was still helping people.

 

“I know and it was all the brainchild of my beautiful wife.” Nikolas kissed the back of her head and slid his hands down to her stomach, pulling Robin closer. “I love you Robin.”

 

“I love you too.” Robin closed her eyes and quickly drifted off to sleep.

Edited March 6, 2016 by cmahorror

[cmahorror]

Chapter 14

 

“Ready for a break?” Mac knocked on Robin’s office door and walked in holding a raspberry smoothie and a bag of cookies. “I thought you could use a little sustenance.”

 

“You always know just what I need.” Robin stood up and hugged her uncle. “I have to leave in a few minutes but a snack so my stomach isn’t rumbling during my presentation is perfect. Thank you.”

 

Robin sat down on her couch and Mac joined her. He smiled as she happily dug into the cookies. “Hey, I wanted to ask you if you had any pictures from the wedding.”

 

“Uh, we, uh, we actually didn’t have any pictures taken. It was just a small ceremony with a judge in his office.” Robin was caught off guard by the question.

 

“Oh, well tell me about the ceremony. You better not have let him sneak the word obey into the vows.” Mac could see that Robin was trying to avoid this line of questioning but he wasn’t going to let it go easily.

 

“Of course not.” Robin took another bite of her cookie.

 

“Did you wear white or go with something different since it wasn’t your first wedding? Did you carry a bouquet?” Mac decided to ask her about the details, hoping to get a feel for what happened the day Robin married Nikolas.

 

Robin closed her eyes and thought. “The dress was light blue and I carried daisies.” Robin took a drink of her smoothie. “I really need to get going but can we continue this conversation later? Maybe at dinner with Nikolas tonight?”

 

“Sure but I need to go to the hospital and pick up a prescription for Felicia so I can drive you over.” Mac stood up and held out his hand. “Ready?”

 

Robin took his hand and smiled at him. “Let’s go.”

 

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

“Robin, I must admit that I am very impressed with the additional sources of funding you have found.” Monica walked with Robin down the hall of GH after the board meeting. “I hope you will work with us on the proposals.”

 

“Of course I will Monica.” Robin stopped for a moment and took a deep breath.

 

“Robin? Are you okay?” Monica had known Robin almost her entire life and considered her almost like a daughter. She was concerned that Robin may be pushing herself following her return to Port Charles. “When was the last time you saw your doctor?”

 

“I’m fine – I think Uncle Mac may have given me a bad cookie.” Robin straightened back up and stepped back, hitting a wall.

 

The wall spoke. “Watch it there Scorpio – those heels are a killer.”

 

Robin turned around to see Patrick standing there with Matt by his side. The two men had started spending some time together, trying to rebuild their relationship. “Hi guys.” She turned to Monica. “I will call you after I have had a chance to review the websites and started working on the proposals – a week at most.”

 

Monica smiled at her – it was obvious that Robin wanted to talk to her ex-husband. “Of course – I will talk to you later.” She smiled at the brothers. “Doctors.”

 

Matt looked at Patrick and then turned his attention to Monica. “I actually wanted to talk to you about possibly doing a shift or two a week at the hospital – do you have a minute?”

 

“Of course I do. My office is actually right here.” Monica opened the door. “After you Dr. Hunter.”

 

Matt smiled at Patrick. “I’ll be right back.”

 

“Any chance that you might want to consider doing the same?” Patrick looked at Robin hopefully. “We could really use you here.”

 

“Patrick I just don’t think that is a good idea right now.” Robin took a deep breath and winced. The pain in her stomach wasn’t getting any better.

 

“Robin, are you okay?” Patrick placed his hand on Robin’s forehead – no fever. “What’s wrong?”

 

“Nothing.” Robin was about to say something else when a pain ripped through her abdomen and she began to collapse to the floor.

 

“Robin!” Patrick caught Robin before she hit the floor and picked her up in his arms. Matt and Monica came running out of the office.

 

“What happened?” Matt could see that Robin was in a lot of pain and followed Patrick as he ran to the elevator.

 

“I don’t know – we were talking and suddenly she screamed out in pain. Monica, tell the ER we are on our way down.” Patrick held Robin close as he carried her onto the elevator, Matt climbing on after them. He looked at her and saw tears and pain covering her face. “It’s going to be okay Robin. We’re going to get you help.”

 

“It hurts.” Robin’s crying increased with her pain. “It’s hurts so much.” She looked at Matt. “Nikolas…”

 

“I’ll call him right away Robin.”

 

The elevator doors opened and a cot was waiting for them as they stepped off it. Patrick placed Robin on it and watched helplessly as the orderlies pushed her into an exam room and shut the door.

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

Mac made his way through the ER and found Patrick. “What the hell happened?”

 

Patrick looked up at Mac with a tear streaked face. “I don’t know – one minute we were talking and the next she was collapsing in my arms. She was so scared and in so much pain and there was nothing I could do to make it better.”

 

Mac could see that Patrick was hurting for his niece so he took pity on him. “Is she alone in there?”

 

Patrick shook his head. “Nikolas and Matt are in there with her. I, I am just waiting here to make sure she is okay.”

 

Patrick was about to say something else when a body slammed into him plowing him into the wall. “What did you do to her?”

 

Patrick was shocked – Nikolas was attacking him and he had no idea why. “I didn’t do anything – we were talking and she collapsed.”

 

Mac and Matt pulled Nikolas off of Patrick. Mac tried to calm the man down. “Patrick would never purposely hurt Robin. Come on Nikolas, you know that.”

 

Patrick could see the fury in Nikolas’s eyes. “What is wrong with her? Please Nikolas, is she going to be okay?”

 

Nikolas didn’t get a chance to answer before Dr. Kelly Lee came up to him. “Mr. Cassadine, we need to discuss with Robin what we have to do now."

 

Nikolas looked at the doctor and his anger was replaced with pain and tears. “Of course, whatever Robin needs.” He followed Kelly into the exam room without saying another word to the man he had just attacked.

 

Patrick collapsed to the floor as he finally figured out what had just happened. Fresh tears filled his eyes as he looked at Matt who simply nodded his head. Mac looked at both men. “What is going on – what happened to my niece?”

 

“She was pregnant Mac.” Patrick stood back up and looked Mac straight in the eyes. “She was pregnant and she just lost the baby.”

[cmahorror]

Chapter 15

 

Nikolas watched as Robin slept following the D & C. It had been a long, horrible day and he knew she needed as much rest as possible so she could heal and they could mourn together. Their child was gone – killed by Robin’s bastard of an ex-husband.

 

He took Robin’s hand in his and kissed it. This wasn’t supposed to happen and he was regretting coming back to Port Charles. If he hadn’t brought Robin home she wouldn’t have lost the baby. He was trying to build a new family, a new life, with Robin. This child was just the first step. Between the baby and Robin working at Cassadine Industries he had complete control of their future and had also managed to keep Helena happy.

 

Originally Helena had wanted to use Robin to have Stavros and Lulu’s child but he had interceded and convinced her that she could find a better surrogate for her beloved son’s embryo. Since Robin was already getting the hormone injections to prepare for the pregnancy, he had an embryo created using his sample and Robin’s egg and it was implanted into her. As soon as it was verified that the implantation had taken and Robin was pregnant he had begun the next step of his plan and began working on bringing Robin home to Emma. As far as Robin was concerned, Nikolas was her hero and he intended to stay that way.

 

Robin shifted in her sleep and moaned, obviously uncomfortable. Nikolas pushed the button on her morphine pump and watched as she stopped moving and fell back into a deep sleep. Nikolas leaned over and kissed Robin on the forehead. “It’s alright Robin. We will have our baby but not before I make Patrick pay for killing this one.”

 

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

Mac sat down next to Patrick, this time being the one to buy the beers. “I thought you could use this.”

 

“I am so sorry Mac.” Patrick had thought he couldn’t feel any guiltier about what he had done to Robin. He was wrong. “I swear I wasn’t badgering her…”

 

“Patrick, I talked to Monica and she said that Robin was already having pains before she talked to you. Whatever happened today was not your fault.” Mac took a long swig from his beer. “Maybe this is for the best – the last thing Robin needs is to have a permanent connection to Nikolas and the Cassadine family.”

 

Patrick couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “Mac, she lost her child today.”

 

“Yes and I am upset for her and I will do everything in my power to help her through it but I also know that something isn’t right about this whole situation. I talked to Robin before she came to the hospital today.”

 

“And…” Patrick was curious about what Mac had found out.

 

“And then I talked to Matt a little while later – I wanted details about the wedding.” Mac took another long drink on the bottle. “You know, neither one of them was very forthcoming about the wedding and a few things didn’t match up.”

 

Patrick took a drink of his beer. “What do you mean didn’t match up?”

 

“Like Robin said she was wearing a blue dress while Matt said it was white. Or that she said she was carrying daisies but Matt said daffodils.” Mac was really bothered by the discrepancies in their memories.

 

“No offense but Matt is a guy – he probably doesn’t know the difference between a daisy and a daffodil.” Patrick could see what Mac was hinting at but he refused to get his hopes up.

 

“And the color of the dress? How about the fact that neither one of them gave me any details until I forced the issue or that there is not a single picture from their wedding day?” Mac took another long drink. “You were right – something is very wrong with this situation.”

 

“So what do we do now?” Patrick was glad that at least one positive thing had happened today.

 

“I am going to have a little talk with the father of my granddaughter and see if he can track down their marriage license. I am also going to redouble my efforts to find Robert. He needs to be home and helping his daughter, not off on some mission.” Mac finished his beer. “I also sent Anna over to see Robin.”

 

“Why?” Patrick didn’t think that that was a good idea - Robin was still furious with Anna.

 

“Because Anna has been through what Robin is going through right now. She can help her daughter in a way that neither one of us can and she owes it to Robin.” Mac remembered hearing about Anna’s miscarriage after the elevator crash. “I called her and she is on her way to see Robin right now. Meanwhile, talk to your brother and see if you can get more details about what he remembers from the wedding.”

 

“Mac, I don’t know what to say…”

 

“This isn’t about you – it’s about Robin. Just work with me to help figure out what is going on.” Mac set his now empty bottle down on the table. “After we do that, then we can figure out what you can do to fix things with my niece.” Despite everything, Mac knew Patrick still loved Robin. “I will talk to you later.”

 

Patrick took another drink of his beer and stood up, leaving the half empty bottle on the table. He followed Mac out of the bar and to his car. Somehow, someway they were going to save Robin from Nikolas and his plans for her.

 

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

“Damn it Nikolas my daughter needs me and I will be here for her.” Anna stood outside Robin’s hospital room fighting with her son-in-law.

 

“Where was this concern when she was missing?” Nikolas had no intention of letting Anna anywhere near Robin if he could help it.

 

“Mom?” Robin called out from her bed.

 

Anna pushed past Nikolas and ran to her daughter’s side. She pulled Robin into her arms and held her close. “It’s okay – I’m here and we will get through this together.”

 

Until that moment Robin hadn’t realized how much she needed and missed her mother. Sure, they had a lot of things to work through but right now Robin needed to be with the one person who could understand what she was going through. Robin began crying, choking out words in between the tears. “It hurts Mom, it hurts so much.”

 

Anna cried along with Robin. “I know it does sweetheart.” She stroked her little girl’s hair as she rocked her gently on the bed. “But it will get better, it will never go away but it will get better. And until it does get better I will be here by your side to help you through it. I love you sweetheart.”

 

“I love you too Mom.” Robin continued to cry, not even noticing Nikolas as he left the room.

 

Nikolas stood outside the room and considered what his next move would be. Robin would still be able to work and Kelly had assured them that they could try for another child as soon as Robin had healed. Everything was still in place and running like clockwork which meant that he had plenty of free time to plan his revenge against Patrick.

[cmahorror]

Chapter 16

 

Patrick had waited for hours until Robin was alone before he finally snuck into her hospital room. He watched her as she slept for a few minutes before he set the single red rose he had brought her down on the bed next to her. Unable to resist, he leaned down and kissed her forehead before turning to leave the room.

 

“Patrick?”

 

Patrick turned around and smiled at his ex-wife. “I wasn’t trying to wake you.”

 

Robin gave him a weak smile. “I know you weren’t. Why don’t you stay for a few minutes?”

 

Patrick nodded his head and walked back over to Robin’s bed, sitting down in the chair next to it. He took Robin’s hand in his. “Robin, I am so sorry. If I had anything…”

 

“You didn’t.” Robin’s eyes filled with tears. “I don’t know what happened but I do know that it wasn’t your fault.” She patted his hand. “So, have you had any more sessions with Kevin?”

 

“Robin…” The last thing Patrick wanted to do was burden Robin with his problems.

 

“Please Patrick – I need to think about something else and they say the best way to forget about your problems is to listen to someone else’s so talk.” She wiped her eyes. “Any major breakthroughs?”

 

Patrick took a deep breath. “We talked about Gabriel and the fact that I almost killed Rafe because of the accident.”

 

“Patrick you would never…”

 

“I almost did. Just like I almost let Jason die after the lab explosion. I literally held their lives in my hands and I considered ending them. Rafe for killing Gabriel and Jason for being alive when you weren’t.” It still shocked Patrick that he would even consider taking another person’s life no matter what the reason.

 

“Why didn’t you?” Robin was genuinely curious - she had spent her life with people, like her parents and Jason, who would have chosen to kill under those circumstances.

 

“With Rafe, I wanted him to face the consequences of his actions.” Patrick couldn’t look at Robin while he talked about this, it would kill him if she looked disgusted at his thoughts.

 

“And Jason?”

 

Patrick finally looked at her again. “You – you stopped me or at least a vision of you.” Robin could no longer hold her tears at bay. “I saw you telling me that I needed to save him. You always were the better part of me, my conscience. I listened to that part of me and saved his life.”

 

“Thank you for listening.” Robin wiped away her tears. “Can I ask you a question?”

 

“Of course you can.” Patrick patted her hand. “What do you want to know?”

 

“Why Sam?” There was mixture of curiosity and hurt in Robin’s voice. “Of all the women in this town to get involved with after me, why her? Why the wife of the man I was trying to save?”

 

Patrick ran his hands through his hair as he thought about his answer. “Part of it was exactly that – you left to save Jason. Even though it was the right thing to do, I still felt like you were choosing him over me.”

 

“Patrick, that’s not what happened.” Robin couldn’t believe they were still having the same conversation after all this time.

 

“And I finally get it. You had to save his life and it wasn’t because it was Jason, it didn’t matter who it was, you couldn’t let someone suffer the way you did. Plus you really didn’t have a choice and I recognize that now.” Patrick felt like he had made some real breakthroughs over the past few sessions. “But Sam was Jason’s wife and I guess I felt like if I couldn’t be with you then at least I could be with someone who shared a connection with you and the reason you left. Sam was Jason’s wife – it was the closest I could get to being with you.”

 

Patrick carefully considered his next words. “In addition, she was there for me and helped me through a terrible time in my life. Helping me figure out who ordered the accident that killed Gabriel and dealing with his death – I needed someone by my side and, through no fault of your own, you couldn’t be there.”

 

“And you fell in love with her.” Robin could see how tracking down Gabriel’s killer could bring him and Sam together.

 

“No.” Patrick shook his head. “I loved Sam but I have only been in love with one woman in my life and that is you Robin.”

 

Robin felt like her heart had literally stopped at his words. “Patrick, you don’t have to say this to make me feel better.”

 

“I’m not.” Patrick leaned down and gently kissed Robin’s hand. “I think I kept trying to make new relationships with these women who looked like you because I didn’t want to be like my father and turn my back on everything we had created. I thought that if I went through the motions then maybe I could make myself feel for them what I feel for you. I was wrong. What we have is special and unique and I was a fool to let it go.”

 

Robin started to cry even more. His words were exactly what she had wanted to hear and yet it hurt so much that they were coming now, after their chance had disappeared. “Patrick…”

 

“Don’t say anything Robin.” Patrick let go of Robin’s hand, leaned over and gave her a soft kiss on the lips. “I love you and I know you still love me and that’s enough.”

 

Robin didn’t know what to say so she said nothing. She just watched as Patrick walked to the door. He turned around and gave her one last smirk. “At least that’s enough for now.”

[cmahorror]

Chapter 17

 

“How’s my girl doing?” Anna smoothed down the blankets on Robin’s bed as her daughter sat up reading a book. Anna had moved in to Wyndamere temporarily to help Robin recover from her miscarriage.

 

“I’m fine mom.” Robin smiled at Anna. “Thank you for being here.”

 

“I’m where I should be.” Anna sat down next to her. “Where I should have been all along. Robin I am so sorry.”

 

“It’s not your fault that I lost the baby.” Tears briefly filled Robin’s eyes but she blinked them back. “Dr. Brines said that he thinks it was a genetic anomaly and the baby never would have made it to term.”

 

“I understand that but what I am sorry for is has nothing to do with the baby. I let you down, so many times, and I can’t even begin to make up for it.” Anna started to weep just a little bit. “I should have known you would never willingly leave Emma, not after you fought so hard to get back to her. I should have demanded that the housekeeper or whatever the hell she was let me in that house or at least done some investigating of her claims. I should have…”

 

Robin took Anna’s hand. “Mom, there is no point in should haves. Weren’t you the one who said you don’t believe in regrets?”

 

“But you needed me and I wasn’t there, once again. Seems to be a pattern with me – you are in trouble and I let you down. I wasn’t there for you with Stone and the HIV diagnosis, when you were shot, when Victor took you…” Anna couldn’t believe the many ways she had disappointed her little girl. “All those times you needed me and I wasn’t there.”

 

“But you’re here now.” Robin had had some time to think in the hospital. “And when Patrick was stuck with that needle and we thought he might have contracted HIV – you helped me through it. Or how about when I was pregnant with Emma and fighting with Patrick? Or when Emma was born and I almost died?”

 

Robin squeezed her mom’s hands. “You brought me home to my family. You found me when everyone else thought I was dead.”

 

“That was your father, not me. Your father was the one who found you and told me you were alive.” Anna felt no need to sugarcoat the truth. “I was encouraging Patrick to move on, not only after we believed you were dead but with Sam. I made a horrible mistake by ignoring the signs that you were obviously in distress and I see no need to pretend otherwise.”

 

Robin wiped Anna’s tears away. “Mom, we can’t change the past just learn from it. Life is too short to hold grudges, losing the baby has taught me that. I want to start over today with a clean slate – no more talk about should haves. If we go down that road than there are several things I should have done. I should have tried harder to get a message to you and Patrick. I should have contacted you the moment Nikolas rescued me so you could go after Helena. I should have done something.”

 

“You were doing what you had to do to protect your daughter and I would have done the same thing.” Anna hugged Robin close. “This is a new beginning for us, all of us and we need to grasp it with both hands and take full advantage of it. I love you Robin.”

 

“I love you too Mom.”

 

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

Kelly knocked on the door to Patrick’s office holding a file folder in her hands. “Patrick, may I come in?”

 

“Of course.” He looked at the obstetrician’s face – she looked worried. “Kelly, what’s wrong? Is it Robin?”

 

Kelly sat down and handed the folder to Patrick. “Robin’s care was given back to her primary care physician but I managed to get a copy of her lab results before all her records were removed.”

 

“What do you mean removed?” Patrick was confused – medical records were supposed to stay in the system for at least seven years.

 

“I mean that all of Robin’s medical records from her miscarriage are gone – expunged from the system.” Kelly didn’t understand it either. She stood up. “I think Nikolas is hiding something and I am pretty sure it has to do with Robin and why she lost this baby. I didn’t see anything that stood out but I was hoping that you could look into it. Maybe you see something that I don’t.”

 

Patrick nodded his head but was only half listening at that point – he was already pouring over the file. “Thanks Kelly.”

 

Kelly shook her head and smiled – Patrick loved Robin beyond all reason and Kelly had known that for years. She had been by the couple’s side through their many ups and downs and she knew that somehow, someway, they would find their way back to each other.

 

Patrick didn’t even notice as Kelly shut the door. He picked up his phone and made a call. “Mac, I need you to get down here. I just got some information that may help us figure out what is going on with Robin.”

 

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

“How could you let this happen?” Nikolas was screaming at Dr. Brines.

 

Brines shook his head. “I told you not to increase Robin’s dosage but you didn’t listen.”

 

“It wasn’t the dosage it was Drake! He was badgering her and the stress caused her to miscarry.” Nikolas would not believe that his actions had led to his child’s death.

 

Brines realized that there was no reasoning with Nikolas – he had decided that Patrick Drake was responsible Robin’s miscarriage and nothing Brines said would change that. “You got all the medical records from Robin’s stay?”

 

Nikolas nodded. “I had the records expunged from the hospital computers and added to yours.”

 

“Thank you. I will review the records and see if I can prevent this from happening next time. I assume there will be a next time?” Brines had no doubt that Nikolas had every intention of continuing with his plans of a family with Robin.

 

“Of course there will be – four weeks from today.” Nikolas had had multiple embryos created while Robin was being held by Helena. Along with Spencer, they were the future of the Cassadines.

 

“Yes Mr. Cassadine.” Brines turned back to his computer. “I have files to review.”

 

Nikolas shook his head – the man was bordering on insubordination. “I can think of at least a dozen other doctors who can do what I am asking – don’t forget that.”

 

“And don’t forget that Robin trusts me and you need her to trust her doctor if you want your plans to come to fruition.” Brines glared at Nikolas. “Besides, I work for Helena – not you. If you have a problem with my work, talk to her.”

 

Nikolas took a few deep breaths to calm himself before answering the man. “Maybe I will.”

[cmahorror]

Chapter 18

 

“I just don’t think this is a good idea Robin.” Nikolas watched his wife as she put on her tennis shoes. “You have only been out of the hospital for a couple of weeks and…”

 

“Nikolas – I need to get out of the house.” Robin walked over and put her arms around his neck. “I love you but I need a little time to not think about what happened. A girl’s night out is just the answer.” Kelly had invited Robin, Maxie and Anna out to join her and Epiphany for karaoke at the Floating Rib.

 

“At least let me come with you and watch out for you.” Nikolas really did not want to let Robin out of his sight for the night.

 

Robin shook her head. “Kind of defeats the purpose of a girl’s night out if my husband is with us. Anyway, my mom can drink any man under the table and do you think that she is going to let anything happen to me – especially now?” Anna had made a point of taking care of Robin’s every need over the past weeks – a fact that had annoyed Nikolas to no end.

 

“Of course not.” Nikolas knew he was not going to win this battle. “But I insist that you take the car and have the driver bring you home. And I don’t want you staying out too late – you are still recovering.”

 

“I love that you worry but don’t – I swear I will be careful.” She gave Nikolas a soft kiss and then turned around and headed out the door. “I will see you when I get home.”

 

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

“To girl’s night out!” Kelly raised up her bottle of beer and smiled as the four women with her raised their glasses to join her.

 

Robin took a drink of her beer. “I needed this. I love Nikolas but he has been driving me crazy ever since…” Instead of finishing the sentence she took another sip of her beer. “Anyway, it’s good to be out of the house for a few hours.”

 

“It’s good to have you out of the house and back in society.” Epiphany nudged the young woman. “We miss seeing you at GH.”

 

Robin shook her head. “I will be there next week for the board meeting.”“That’s not what I meant and you know it.” Epiphany looked at the doorway just in time to see Patrick walk in. “And I am not the only one who misses you.”

 

Patrick smiled at the women before walking over to the man running the karaoke. Kelly smiled at Robin. “Looks like someone is singing tonight.”

 

“Not surprising – he’s done it before.” Robin didn’t tell anyone but she had known Patrick was going to be here tonight – he had told her the other day while they were talking on the phone. They had been talking at least once a day since her release from the hospital, discussing Emma and his therapy sessions. Patrick had made a number of breakthroughs and had shared each and every one with Robin. Slowly but surely, they were regaining their trust in each other.

 

Anna watched the couple closely and noticed the sparks flying. Mac hadn’t forgiven Anna yet for her actions in Paris but he was working with her to try and get Robin away from Nikolas. So far they had not been able to come up with anything concrete but, thanks to Frisco and the WSB, Robin’s test results were being reviewed by one of the top hematologists in the world. “Did you know Patrick would be here tonight?”

 

Robin shrugged her shoulders. “Matt said something about the two of them grabbing a beer.” She saw Matt walk in and waved to him as he made his way to his brother’s table. “See.”

 

Anna noticed that Robin was trying to distract her and decided to play along. She turned to the brothers. “It looks like they have patched things up.”

 

“Working on it – Patrick has made so much progress in therapy. He is still the same Patrick I fell in love with, egotistical and confident, but he is becoming more aware of how his actions affect other people.” There was no mistaking the pride in Robin’s voice as she spoke about her ex-husband and the work he was doing in therapy. “He has also realized that his past with his parents and his fear of getting hurt and left behind led to him to act the way he did to my leaving and Matt’s imprisonment. Turns out that we both have abandonment issues – who knew?”

 

All four women looked at Robin but she was staring at Patrick. Patrick stared right back. Their gaze stayed that way until the DJ’s voice came over the speakers. “Welcome to karaoke night at the Floating Rib. Our first victim is Maxie Jones.”

 

Maxie squealed with delight and jumped up to sing. The women laughed and danced in their chairs as Maxie sang "All About That Bass”. She ended the song with a bow and jumped off the stage to thunderous applause. The evening continued that way, people getting up and singing, the crowd dancing and clapping along.

 

Two hours later the women were starting on their fourth round of drinks when the DJ announced the next singer. “Could we please get Patrick up here?”

 

Patrick smiled at Matt and then headed up to the stage. He took the microphone and stared Robin straight in the eyes as he began to sing.

 

 

I always thought you were the best,
I guess I always will
I always thought that we were blessed,
And I feel that way still
Sometimes we took the hard road but we always saw it through

If I had only one friend left I'd want it to be you

 

 

Patrick stepped off the stage and began walking towards Robin’s table, never taking his gaze off of her.

 

 

Sometimes the world was on our side
Sometimes it wasn't fair
Sometimes it gave a helping hand
Sometimes we didn't care
'Cause when we were together it made the dream come true

If I had only one friend left I'd want it to be you

 

 

Robin couldn’t stop the tears that began falling down her cheeks.

 

 

Someone who understands me
And knows me inside out
Helps keep me together
And believes without a doubt,
That I could move a mountain
Someone to tell it to

If I had only one friend left I'd want it to be you

 

 

Patrick was almost to their table. Robin smiled at him and bit her lip.

 

 

Someone who understands me
And knows me inside out
And helps keep me together
And believes without a doubt
That I could move a mountain
Someone to tell it to

 

 

Patrick kneeled down in front of Robin and took her hand in his.

 

 

If I had only one friend left I'd want it to be you

 

 

The crowd’s applause was almost deafening but Patrick didn’t notice. He gave Robin one last smile, kissed her hand and headed back to join his brother for another drink.

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

Nikolas stood outside the bar fuming. He had watched Patrick’s pathetic attempt to win back Robin and he was furious. He had known it was a mistake to let Robin come out by herself and now he had proof.

 

He stormed back to his car and got in. “Take me back to the launch.” Pulling out his phone, he made a call. “I want you to take care of a problem for me.”

 

Song: One Friend by Dan Seals

[cmahorror]

Chapter 19

 

Robin slammed the door to the car behind her and stormed towards the hospital. Nikolas jumped out of the other side of the car and ran to her. “Robin wait!”

 

Robin kept walking. “No – this is ridiculous.” The couple had been fighting off and on since the night she had gone to the Floating Rib two weeks ago. “I have told you time and time again that I have to talk to Patrick – he is Emma’s father.”

 

“And I have told you that he is trying to win you back. You are my wife and I will not have you…” Nikolas didn’t get another word out before Robin suddenly stopped

and glared at him.

 

“I’m sorry – you won’t have me? You won’t have me doing what?”

 

Nikolas quickly backtracked. “I’m sorry what I meant to say was I am worried that Patrick is leaning on you too much. I worry that you might get overwhelmed and I don’t want to see anything happen to you.” Nikolas wrapped his arm around her and stared Robin straight in the eyes. “I love you Robin and it would kill me if anything ever happened to you.”

 

Robin softened. “And I love you. I married you and I take my marriage vows seriously. Patrick will always be a part of my life but that is because he is Emma’s father. If he wasn’t, we wouldn’t talk at all.”

 

“You’re right. I’m sorry, I guess I am still a little insecure about Patrick. I mean, I heard from several people about him singing to you at karaoke.” Robin still didn’t know that Nikolas had actually witnessed the event. “I can’t do that for you.”

 

“You don’t need to sing to me – you show your love in other ways, like bringing me my tea every night. It’s little things like that that mean so much to me.” Robin gave him a soft kiss. “Now you need to get to Wyndamere and make sure the house is secured – the storm coming through looks a little rough.”

 

“I could wait for you.” Nikolas had seen the weather reports and worried that Robin wouldn’t be able to get back to Spoon Island before the severe thunderstorms hit. There was even a tornado warning out.

 

“That’s silly. You go home and arrange for a nice romantic dinner for two. Maybe even a little candle light?” Robin gave him another kiss. “I’ll call the driver when I am ready to leave.”

 

Reluctantly, Nikolas let Robin go. “Alright – I’ll see you in a little bit. Love you.”

 

Robin smiled at him and before turning around and heading into the hospital for her meeting with Monica.

 

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

Nikolas watched Robin go into the hospital and ordered the driver to leave before pulling out his phone. “Is it done? Good.”

 

Nikolas hadn’t been sure exactly how his was going to get Patrick out of his and Robin’s life until he heard about the storm coming. He needed it to look like an accident and he needed it to happen soon. Matt was living with his brother now and Robin and Patrick talked every day thanks to Emma. He couldn't risk Patrick finding out what had happened all those months ago - not after all the progress he had made.

 

The truth was that Patrick had been a thorn in his side since the day they had come back to Port Charles and it was time to remove that thorn permanently.

 

________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

“Damn it.” Robin poured the contents of her purse on the nurse’s and searched through it in vain. “Damn it, damn it, damn it.”

 

Patrick couldn’t help but laugh at her. “Something wrong sunshine?”

 

Robin glared at him. “Yes, I can’t find my phone. I could have sworn that I put it in my purse before I left home but now it's not there. I don’t have my car and I was supposed to call Nikolas’s driver when I was done with my meeting.”

 

“Don’t you have the number memorized?” Patrick knew Robin’s memory was great.

 

“No, Nikolas put it in my phone as a speed dial so I never saw it. I’ll just call Nikolas…”

 

Patrick cut her off. “How about I take you home? I need to stop and check on a patient just outside of town but I could drop you off before?”

 

“Or I could go with you?” Robin missed working with patients. “Consider it a one-time consult?”

 

Patrick smiled at her. “I would love that. I’ll run and get the file while you get everything put back in your purse and we can head out in just a few minutes.”

 

______________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

“He was so sweet.” Robin sat in the passenger side of Patrick’s car practically beaming. This consult had been the highlight of the past month. She loved working with patients and this 91-yr-old patient was an especially fun man to start back with.

 

“He was flirting with you.” Patrick laughed. Mr. Collins was one of his favorite patients. The man had an inoperable tumor but the mass wasn’t spreading at the moment and, with Robin’s treatment, chances are that it wouldn’t ever. He looked over at Robin and winked. “Though I can’t say I blame him.”

 

“What? Are you jealous Dr. Drake?” Robin couldn’t help but flirt with Patrick just a little bit. This moment felt normal and right.

 

“Of course I am Dr. Scorpio.” Patrick laughed as he down-shifted the car. The rains were getting heavier and the curves in this wooded area were definitely getting slick. “I can’t believe this rain. Is Emma at Mac’s already?”

 

“Yes, he picked her up from school and took her straight home. She texted me a little while ago to let me know that they were settled in with popcorn, pizza and movies for the night.” Robin laughed.

 

“That’s great.” Patrick loved how close Emma was with Robin’s family. He really didn’t have anyone besides Matt. “Have you talked to Matt lately? I’m not driving him crazy, am I?” Matt had moved in with Patrick a few days ago so that they could work on their relationship.

 

“No, he said that he is enjoying staying with you. Nikolas and I meet him for coffee in my office every day to go over the projects we are currently working on.” Robin looked at the speedometer. “Patrick, I don’t want to complain but aren’t you going a little fast for the rain? Shouldn't you slow down a little?”

 

Patrick was trying to remain calm. “I, uh, I’m trying Robin.” Patrick hit the brake but nothing happened. “Robin, it’s not working.” He watched as the speedometer continued to climb.

 

Robin watched in horror as the car sped towards a curve in the road. No matter how good a driver Patrick was there was no way he could maneuver the curve at the speed they going. “Patrick!”

 

Patrick pulled on the parking brake in a last ditch attempt to stop the car but nothing happened. He grabbed Robin’s hand and they held on to each other tight as the car flew off the curve and into the woods.

[cmahorror]

Chapter 20

 

Patrick felt something wet dripping onto his cheek. He opened his eyes and rubbed his face. “What happened?”

 

He looked at the cracked windshield in front of him and instantly it all came back – the brakes wouldn’t work and the car went over the side of the road into the woods. He was holding Robin’s hand and…

 

“Robin?” Patrick looked to his right and saw Robin, still unconscious, in the seat next to him. “Come on babe, wake up for me.” He managed to get his seat belt undone and leaned over to check on his ex-wife. He did a quick field exam and didn’t see anything wrong – some scrapes and they both would have bruises from their seat belts but nothing life threatening.

 

He got out of the car and was shocked to see that car was not completely destroyed. Since Patrick hadn’t tried to turn into the curve the car had gone straight down the embankment until it hit a tree. It was totaled, there was no doubt of that, but it hadn’t rolled over and both airbags had deployed. All in all, they were one very lucky couple.

 

Patrick’s trunk was open so he grabbed his gym bag and medical kit before going over to Robin’s side of the car. He opened the door and undid Robin’s seat belt. “Come on babe, talk to me.” Patrick was worried she might have a closed head injury. He didn’t see any cracks in the passenger side window so chances were she didn’t hit her head but he couldn’t be certain until he was able to give Robin a better exam.

 

One thing was certain – he needed to get her out of the car and someplace warm. He reached in to pick her up and noticed that the area around them reeked of gasoline. He heard thunder and saw lightning strike a tree, making a horrible noise as the lightning set the tree on fire. Patrick moved quickly, grabbing Robin and the bags and running away as fast as he could.

 

He had just made it down the hill when he heard a loud explosion. He turned around to see his car burst into flames but a sudden downpour quickly knocked them down. Soaked to the bone and carrying an unconscious Robin in his arms, Patrick searched for shelter in the woods.

 

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Epiphany was trying to get the filing done at the nurse’s desk when she heard a phone ringing. “Really?” She moved a few charts and saw a phone buried underneath them. “Hello?”

 

“Who is this?” Nikolas knew that the person he was speaking to wasn’t Robin.

 

“Epiphany Johnson – who is this?” She didn’t appreciate being snapped at.

 

“This is Nikolas Cassadine. Why are you answering Robin’s phone?” Robin should have been home an hour ago and the water was almost impassable at this point. In a few minutes the launch would not be able to be out in the storm.

 

Epiphany shook her head. As much as she loved her job, she was no fan of the hospital’s main benefactor. “I do not know. I found her phone here on the counter under some charts.”

 

"Do you know where she is?" Nikolas was getting worried.

 

“No, she left about an hour ago with Dr. Drake.” Epiphany took a little bit of pleasure in telling Nikolas that – it was obvious to her that Robin was not over her ex-husband at all. “I need to go back to work. I will hold Robin’s phone here for her to pick up when she comes back.”

 

Epiphany hung up the phone and Nikolas immediately called down to the launch. “I need to get to Port Charles ASAP!”

 

“Sorry sir but there is no way we can take the launch out in this weather.” The captain looked out at the waters as the waves crashed high against the shore. “We wouldn’t make it five feet.”

 

Nikolas hung up the phone and stared at a picture on the mantle of Robin and him. He took a deep breath and said a silent prayer that she had not gotten into Patrick’s car with him.

 

________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

Patrick was beginning to give up hope of finding shelter when he saw a small shack in the middle of the trees. He began running, anxious to get Robin into shelter and give her a more thorough exam. He reached for the door handle and turned it. To his surprise, it opened right up. “Thank God!”

 

Patrick carried Robin over the threshold of a dirty one room cabin. There was no light switch but he could see a bed in the little room thanks to the moonlight pouring through the window. He carefully set Robin down on the bed, opened up his medical kit and did a more extensive exam. Her pupils were equal and reactive and her pulse was normal. Once he was convinced that Robin did not have any internal bleeding or serious injuries, he went about trying to see if there was anything he could use to help warm them both up.

 

He searched the drawers and found some candles and matches. He lit them and set them up around the room, finally giving him a clear view of where they were. It was basically a shack without any modern conveniences. There was a fireplace but no firewood in the room which meant that a fire was not possible – any wood taken from outside would be too wet to catch. He opened the hope chest at the end of the bed and found a beautiful quilt.

 

Patrick shivered and realized that he had to do something to get him and Robin warmed up. He walked over to her and shook his head. “Sorry babe but I have to get us both out of these wet clothes if we are going to get warmed up.”

 

Moving slowly, Patrick undressed his ex-wife, carefully removing the soaking wet clothes from her body and hanging them up around the room to dry. Once he was done with her, he undressed himself and then laid down on the bed with her, wrapping the quilt tightly around them and pulling her close to him. He gently kissed the back of her wet hair and snuggled in close to her, eventually falling asleep with Robin tight in his arms.

[cmahorror]

Chapter 21

 

Robin sighed as she felt Patrick’s arms tighten around her. Burrowing in just a little closer, she gently rubbed his arms. “Good morning.”

 

“Morning.” Patrick kissed the top of her head. “How are you feeling?”

 

Suddenly everything came back to Robin and she sat up in the bed. “Oh my God!” She winced in pain.

 

Patrick sat up and quickly began to check on her. “Are you okay? Where does it hurt?”

 

“I’m okay – my shoulder hurts from the seat belt but I’m okay.” Robin looked around the shack. “Where are we?”

 

“I don’t know. After the crash I stumbled around the woods with you for quite awhile.” Patrick gently pushed a lock of hair behind her ear. “I found this place – it’s not much but it will do.”

 

Robin looked under the quilt that was covering them and then at him nervously. “I’m naked and you are only half dressed.”

 

Patrick had woken up in the middle of the night and thrown on his now dried pants. “Our clothes were drenched and you were freezing.”

 

“Body heat.” Robin couldn’t help but smile at him. “That’s a new one for you Drake.”

 

Patrick smirked at her. “Hey, you’re a doctor – you know that was the only option I had.”

 

Robin smiled and then got serious again. “Do you think anyone knows where we are?” Robin was looking out the window and could see they were deep in the woods.

 

“No, I don’t think so. I was seeing Mr. Collins kind of off the books.” Robin raised her eyebrows at him. “He couldn’t afford to see me on a weekly basis like he needed to so I started going over to his place once a week to see him there. No one knows about it since I’m not billing for it.”

 

Robin wasn’t surprised – she and Patrick had performed a number of surgeries for patients without insurance at GH, directly defying orders issued by the late Chief of Staff Russell Ford. Robin was one of the few people who knew that behind Patrick’s rock star persona was a heart of pure gold. “I can see why – he is a wonderful man.”

 

“Anyhow – no one knew we were going over there tonight and there were no rails on the curve…” Patrick was remembering the accident.

 

“No skid marks since the brakes weren’t working.” Robin’s years spent with her parents and uncle taught her quite a few things.

 

“The car exploded after we got out of it and my phone was still in there so…” Patrick shook his head.

 

“So they can’t track us.” Robin thought for a moment. “Did you grab my purse?”

 

“Yes, so we do have your protocol.” Patrick was well aware how important that was. He looked at his watch. “You still have another two hours before you need to take your pills but we don’t have any food so you’ll have to take it on an empty stomach. Unless you see a machete in here – then maybe you could cook us some snake.”

 

Robin gave him a weak laugh. “No, I don’t see one.”

 

“I also have my gym bag so we have a couple of bottles of water and my medical kit.” Patrick was happy to have at least some basic medical supplies and a little clean water.

 

“Don’t you usually have some extra clothes in there?”

 

“Unfortunately, the gym bag was not waterproof. My clothes are hanging up alongside of yours.” Patrick could almost see the wheels turning in Robin’s head as she considered their situation. “Robin…”

 

“We’re going to die out here – aren’t we?” Robin looked at Patrick with tears in her eyes. She knew as well as Patrick did that it would be too dangerous to venture out into the woods when they had no clue where they were. At least they had shelter and, once the rains let up, they could try and maybe find some food. It was safer to stay in the cabin but without food and a supply of fresh water they wouldn't last long.

 

“I wish I could say it’s not a possibility but, yeah, we could. I am going to do everything in power to make sure it doesn’t happen but…” Patrick reached up and gently cupped Robin’s face in his hands, “but just in case we don’t, I need to say this: I have never stopped loving you. I want to be with you and only you.”

 

“Patrick…” Robin began to interrupt but Patrick stopped her with a kiss.

 

Pulling away he smiled at her. “You are my heart, my life. Everything good in my life has come from you. I am a better doctor because of the compassion you taught me. I am a father to the most wonderful little girl in the world, something that never would have happened without you. I have a relationship with my brother because you convinced me to fight for it. I have always been in love with you Robin and I will always be in love with you." He kissed her again. "Can you honestly tell me that you are in love with Nikolas? That he makes you feel the way I make you feel?”

 

Tears flowed down Robin’s cheeks as she shook her head. “I love him but I’m not in love with him.”

 

“That’s all I wanted to hear.” Patrick kissed her again. “We are here together for a reason Robin.”

 

“Patrick,” Robin found her resolve disappearing with every kiss.

 

“If we are going to die than I want to be with you when it happens.” Patrick wrapped his arms around her tight and pulled her close. “Can you tell me you want to be anywhere else with anyone else right now?”

 

Robin couldn’t stop herself. Reaching up, she pulled Patrick’s mouth down to hers. “You are the reason for so much good in my life too. Not just our daughter but our entire lives together. You haven't changed - you have just become the man I always knew you could be. Strong, kind, caring, loving, compassionate, a wonderful father and amazing husband. You are right, I’m still in love with you too and if I die, I can’t think of a better place to spend my last moments than in your arms.”

 

That was all Patrick needed to hear. He pulled the quilt off of Robin and covered them both up with it as he laid her back down on the bed.

[cmahorror]

Chapter 22

 

“It’s been almost three days!” Nikolas was in the police station screaming at Nathan. “Where are they?”

 

Nathan shook his head. He had been on the case since Doctors Drake and Scorpio had disappeared from General Hospital and Nikolas had bothering him for almost every minute of those three days. “We are doing everything we can to find them but there just aren’t any leads. We have no idea if they are in danger or just went away for a trip together.”

 

“Robin would never leave me and she certainly would never disappear for three days without contacting her daughter - not after all she has been through.” Nikolas stepped towards Nathan but Dante came up and pulled his brother-in-law back.

 

“Hey, I know you are frustrated but back off.” Dante dragged Nikolas into the interrogation room. “We are doing everything we can to find Robin and Patrick but they didn’t exactly leave us a trail of breadcrumbs to follow.”

 

Nikolas sat down and rubbed his neck. “I know but I just feel so…”

 

They were interrupted by Nathan. “We have something.”

 

“What is it?” Dante was hoping for a good lead – he wasn’t sure how much longer he could keep Nikolas at bay.

 

“A gentleman by the name of Mr. Collins called in. He lives just outside of the city limits by the woods and he said Robin and Patrick came to visit him right before they disappeared.”

 

“Why didn’t he call in before?” Nikolas had made sure that Robin’s face was everywhere – TV, radio and the newspapers.

 

“Man is 91-yrs old, doesn’t have a TV or computer and their pictures just went into the newspapers today. As soon as he saw Patrick was missing he called us – apparently he is one of Drake’s patients and Drake was out there for an unofficial house call.” Nathan set his notepad down on the table. “This is his address – I thought I’d head out and take his statement.”

 

“I’ll go with you.” Dante looked at Nikolas who was busy texting on his phone. “What are you doing?”

 

“Sending out a search party. My men are going to search the woods while you talk to this Mr. Collins.” Nikolas got up out of the chair and headed to the door. “I’ll call you when I find her.”

 

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

Patrick tried to ignore the pain in his belly as he checked on Robin. He had made a couple of trips out of the cabin to try and find food and water for them but he had been almost completely unsuccessful. They had made the bottles of water last until this morning and found some berries but nothing even close to a full meal. Robin had been able to take her protocol but she had had some difficulties keeping it down. He was hoping she had kept enough of them down to avoid a major hit to her immune system.

 

He laid down on the bed next to her and pulled her into his arms. “Hey babe, you got to hold on. Someone is going to find us and we will go home together.” Patrick was getting worried. They were both running fevers but his wasn’t near as high Robin’s and she hadn’t said anything since this morning. “You know, I think that it’s kind of appropriate that we made love for the first time since you came back at a cabin – it reminds me of that first time at Jax’s cabin. It was raining and we stumbled upon the cabin by accident, just like the other night. You were and still are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen and when we made love I knew that I would love you for the rest of my life. It may have taken me a while to admit it but the feelings were still there.”

 

Patrick waited for a response but none came. “It’s okay sunshine, you get your rest. Soon we will be back home with Emma. You’ll divorce Nikolas and we will be a family again.” Robin and him had had a long talk after the second time they made love and decided it was time to end her marriage to Nikolas. She loved Patrick and wanted to be with him - it wasn’t fair to stay with Nikolas when she was in love with another man.

 

Patrick kissed Robin’s cheek and felt himself drifting off. He managed to tell Robin he loved her before he finally passed out.

 

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

“Sir – there is a shack over there.” Nikolas and his guards had found the place where Patrick’s car had gone off the road. The head of Nikolas’s team had noticed the broken branches on the trees by the curve and they had followed the trail of broken tree limbs to Patrick’s burned out car. Thankfully, no bodies were in the vehicle. It was the head guard who had figured out the path Patrick and Robin had taken while fleeing the burning automobile.

 

Nikolas ran towards the shack and flung open the door. “Robin!” He looked around the room and saw two bodies lying on the bed. He ran over to the bed and pulled Patrick off Robin. His guards came running in after him and joined him at the bed. He picked up Robin off the bed. “She’s burning up.”

 

One of the guards checked on Patrick. “He is too sir.”

 

Nikolas was already at the door. He briefly considered leaving Patrick there but knew it was in his best interest to save him – Patrick would owe Nikolas for saving his life. “Let’s get them to General Hospital.”

[Chairperson Meow]

This is for HeatLifer and all the other future fans of Dr. Michael Easton. I call this "A Doctor With No Chill"

Carly Benson Quartermaine Corinthos Corinthos Alchazar Corinthos Jax Corinthos rushed into the 10th floor General Hospital doors. She pushed passed a couple of orderlies, nurses, patients, and janitors. It didn't matter. Her beloved, heroic husband and coffee importer Sonny Corinthos was shot saving their son, Morgan Corinthos from a tree. God! Why couldn't Morgan be more like Michael, her oldest son? Why was Morgan always doing idiotic things like sleeping with his girlfriend's mom or getting stuck in trees?

"Carly? Dr. Michael Easton has Sonny in surgery now," Felix, the gay nurse said. Carly body checked her friend because she really didn't need advice, and he wasn't dating her brother, hot doctor Lucas Jones any longer. She was glad he'd moved on to hotter doctor Griffin Monroe. She was even happier that they'd all gotten hair makeovers. Except for Sonny and Morgan. Corinthos' never had good hair. Suddenly, Carly was met up with a bored looking doctor with great hair. What was his secret? And how was Sonny?

"Oh. Dr Michael Easton! Tell me how Sonny is!" She exclaimed.

"Your husband is a mobster. He gets shot every February. Get the hell out of my OR!" He replied, bored.

"I am Carly Corinthos. I own the Metro Court. My mom is a nurse. I don't have to leave,"she replied.

"Yeah," Morgan chimed in behind them, "We own this town."

"Weren't you in a tree?" Dr Micheal Easton replied.

Carly was shocked. She intended to barge into the room. That doctor didn't even want to be there. He was just doing it for the money. Morgan began yelling about how things weren't fair. Carly ignored him and tried to call Michael. He didn't answer. Life was so unfair. In a flash, Lulu strolled in.

"Dr. Michael Easton! Why haven't you called me?" She cried out.

"Eh some mob dude got shot," he responded, "Some moron got stuck in a tree."

"But I have a dress. I have candles! Embryos!" She cooed, "Romance!"

"Okay,"he said.

Morgan jumped up, "Dammit! If someone doesn't pay attention to me, I'll kill myself! "

Dr. Michael Easton looked at him, "Okay."

Sonny sat up in his room, "Goddammit, Morgan, shut the hell up!"

Carly grabbed her phone and called Dr Patrick Drake. "I'm sorry, but the number you have dialed is no longer in service. "

[cmahorror]

Chapter 23

 

“Robin.” Patrick’s voice was soft as he said her name. He slowly began opening his eyes. “Robin?”

 

“Hey bro, welcome back.” Matt pushed the call button as he sat by Patrick’s side. “You really had me worried there.”

 

“Water?” Patrick was trying to figure out where he was as Matt grabbed a pitcher and poured him a glass of water. Matt gently put the straw to Patrick’s lips and held it while his brother took a drink. “Thanks.”

 

“Not a problem.” Matt smiled at Patrick as Monica Quartermaine entered the room with Epiphany right behind her.

 

“Welcome back Dr. Drake.” Epiphany smiled at the doctor. “Boy, you need to watch that speeding.”

 

Patrick ignored her. “Where’s Robin? Is she okay?”

 

“Robin is fine.” Monica was trying to gently reassure the man. “Right now I am more worried about you. That was quite a crash you were in – there was nothing left of the car. You and Robin were lucky to get out of there alive.”

 

Patrick closed his eyes. “How long have I been out?”

 

“A few days – you were both unconscious and running high fevers when Nikolas found you.” Monica read the chart. “Severe dehydration – a little bit longer and you may not have made it.”

 

“The cops are going to want to talk to you about the accident.” Matt took a deep breath. “There are some inconsistencies with the crash scene.”

 

“My brakes failed – I tried to stop but I couldn’t.” Tears filled Patrick’s eyes as he looked at his brother. “Is she really okay?”

 

“Yes – Nikolas and Dr. Brines are taking good care of her.” Matt patted Patrick’s hand then stood up. “In fact, I am going to call them and let them know that you are awake.”

 

“Why not just go down to Robin’s room?” Patrick asked as Matt picked up his coffee cup and threw it away.

 

“Because, against my advice, Nikolas and Dr. Brines decided to take Robin back to Wyndamere and treat her there.” Monica made a final note in Patrick’s chart. “Your fever is gone. We will get some blood work and, if that looks good, I see no reason I can’t release you tomorrow.”

 

Matt headed out into the hallway as soon as Monica was done talking to make the call. “Patrick’s awake and doing great.”

 

“That’s wonderful Matt.” Nikolas was watching Robin’s room on the monitor. “So, coffee tomorrow morning at the office?”

 

“That can be arranged – I like the stuff you bring in much better than the coffee here at the hospital. Thanks again for bringing it to me while I sat by Patrick’s bedside.” Nikolas had made a point of checking on Matt and Patrick every day since Patrick was rescued.

 

Nikolas saw that Robin was beginning to wake up. “I need to get going but I will tell Robin the good news. See you tomorrow Matt.”

 

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

“Patrick?” Robin slowly opened her eyes and patted the arms holding her.

 

Nikolas pretended not to hear her. He just held her a little tighter and waited for her to get her bearings.

 

“Ugh,” Robin’s shoulder was killing her and her mouth was dry. She was finally able to clearly focus on the room she was in. She was at home. “Nikolas?”

 

“You’re awake!” Nikolas quickly turned Robin towards him and kissed her. “Don’t ever do that to me again.”

 

“Do what?” Robin closed her eyes and thought. “I was in the car with Patrick and,” her eyes flew open, “we crashed.”

 

“Yes – you were helping Patrick with a patient and he crashed the car on the way home. You were both severely dehydrated when I found you.” He reached over and began running his hands through her hair. “You have been unconscious for days.”

 

“Patrick?” Something felt off and Robin just couldn’t quite put her finger on it.

 

“At GH – he is fine by the way. Getting plenty of fluids and rest.” Nikolas’s voice remained steady and calm.

 

“Emma?” Robin was worried that the accident had scared her little girl.

 

“Staying with her grandma and having a blast.” Anna had moved back to her room in the Metro Court the day after the incident at The Floating Rib. “She’ll be home soon enough.”

 

“Why am I here and not at the hospital?” Robin could feel the IV in her hand.

 

“Dr. Brines thought it would be beneficial for you to recover at home.” Nikolas gently stroked her hair. “I was so scared when you disappeared and when I found you unconscious in that cabin,” he shook his head, “I don’t know what I would do if I ever lost you Robin. I love you.”

 

Robin tried to remember what happened in the cabin and cringed as a sharp pain filled her head. “Oh my God!”

 

“Robin!” Nikolas held her as she began crying. “Dr. Brines – get in here now!”

 

Brines rushed in, syringe in hand. He quickly injected it into her IV and waited until she calmed down until he asked her some questions. “What happened?”

 

“I don’t know – we were talking about the accident and when Nikolas found me at the cabin,” Robin cringed again as another wave of pain hit her.

 

“Alright, I am going to give you something else to help with the pain.” Brines left the room and ran back in only a moment later with another syringe. “Here we go Robin.”

 

Robin felt a slight burn as the medicine entered her system and then relief as the pressure in her head started to subside. Slowly she began to drift back off to sleep, Nikolas holding her tight in his arms.

[HeatLifer]

Carly grabbed her phone and called Dr Patrick Drake. "I'm sorry, but the number you have dialed is no longer in service."

This ending is as epic as "The Sixth Sense."

[Chairperson Meow]

This ending is as epic as "The Sixth Sense."

Thanks. I might write another one someday about Dr. Michael Easton meets Valerie Spencer and the PCPD and stuff.

[cmahorror]

Chapter 24

 

“Patrick you need to calm down.” Mac sat in Patrick’s living room with the man, trying to get him to listen to reason. “Robin is healthy and that is the important thing.”

 

Patrick ran his hands through his hair. “You don’t understand Mac – two weeks ago Robin and I were planning our future - her getting divorced from Nikolas and moving back in with me and now she won’t even see me. Something is not right.”

 

Mac tried again to explain the situation to Patrick. “You were both severely dehydrated and running fevers. There is no telling what you may have imagined her saying in that situation.”

 

“I didn’t imagine us making love.” Patrick was desperate to get Mac on his side. “I remember it as clear as day.”

 

“But Robin doesn’t and she was far worse off than you were. I know you would never knowingly trick Robin into doing,” Mac paused, this was still his little girl they were talking about, “that but the reality is that she does not remember it happening.”

 

“Mac, Robin was completely lucid for the first day and a half. I’m telling you that Nikolas and that doctor did something to her.” Patrick sighed. “Did you ever get the report back from the hematologist?”

 

“Frisco said we should have it within the next few weeks – he wants to make sure he has covered every angle.” Mac placed his hand on Patrick’s shoulder. “Look, I’m not saying I don’t believe you – I’m just saying that we do not have any proof and we will need proof if we are going to get her away from Nikolas.”

 

Patrick put his hands in his head and thought for a moment. Suddenly he stood up and ran to the door. Mac followed him. “What do you think you are doing?”

 

“I’m getting my life back.” Patrick slammed the door and headed to his car – it was time to pay a visit to Wyndamere.

 

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

“Open the damn door.” Patrick pounded on the front door at Wyndamere for about the twentieth time. He was hoping that Robin would open the door but he was certain that Nikolas would never allow it.

 

He was right. “What the hell do you think you are doing Drake?” Nikolas flung open the door and blocked Patrick from entering. “Emma is spending the night at her friend’s house.”

 

“I’m not here to see Emma, I’m here to see Robin. You can’t keep her locked away in here forever Nikolas.” Patrick began to push past Nikolas but stopped when he heard her voice.

 

“Patrick?” Robin was wearing her robe and walked into the front entryway. “What are you doing here?”

 

Patrick instantly relaxed when he saw that she looked healthy. “Robin, please tell him that I can come in.”

 

Robin shook her head. “Nikolas, please let Patrick come in – it’s obvious that he has something very important to talk to me about.”

 

Nikolas glared at Patrick but stepped aside. “Fine – do you want me to stay with you?”

 

Robin rolled her eyes – his jealously over Patrick never failed to annoy her. “I’ll be fine. Go call Spencer and get the arrangements for his return home set up. I’m sure we won’t be long.” Nikolas walked over and kissed Robin on the cheek before stomping off to his office.

 

Robin headed into the living room with Patrick close behind her. He closed the door and smiled at her. “Great – now we can talk. Have you told him?”

 

“Told who what?” Robin watched her ex-husband closely, unsure of what he was talking about.

 

“Told Nikolas that you want a divorce.”

 

Patrick did not get the response he thought he would. “Patrick, I have no idea what you are talking about. Why would I divorce Nikolas? I love him.”

 

“But you are in love with me Robin. We talked about this at the cabin.” Patrick walked over and took Robin by the arms. “Right after we made love.”

 

Robin pulled away. “I don’t know what you are talking about Patrick…”

 

“Damn it Robin, we made love! We admitted that we are still in love with each other and then we made love.” Patrick walked over and pulled her close. “I held you just like this.” He ran his hands through her hair as he whispered in her ear. “And I kissed you here.” He placed a soft kiss on her neck and enjoyed the slight involuntary shiver that was Robin’s response. “And then I kissed you like this.”

 

Patrick captured Robin’s lips with his and kissed her with all the passion he felt for her. Robin responded and couldn’t stop herself from wrapping her arms around his back and pulling him close. It was almost as if Robin had no control over her body – it was doing what it wanted and it wanted Patrick.

 

After a minute Robin was finally able to regain control and pushed Patrick away. “What the hell was that?”

 

“That was just a taste of what we did in that cabin.” Patrick smiled at her. “And you remember – don’t you?”

 

Robin shook her head and then the pain started. “No!” She grabbed her head and began to sink to the floor.

 

Patrick was just about to grab her when Nikolas burst through the doors and picked Robin up in his arms. “What did you do to her?”

 

“I asked her about what happened in the cabin. Why can’t she remember?” Patrick made a move towards Robin but Nikolas pulled away.

 

“Don’t touch her! You’ve done enough already.” Nikolas began whispering in Robin’s ear as she sobbed softly. “It’s okay. I’ve got you and you’re okay.” He saw Alfred in the doorway. “Get Dr. Brines in here now. Tell him she needs a sedative.”

 

Less than a minute later Brines came running in and helped Nikolas lay Robin down on the couch. Nikolas held her as Brines administered the shot. In no time Robin was sleeping soundly. Nikolas looked at Brines. “Take her to our room – I need to deal with our guest.”

 

Patrick hadn’t felt that helpless in years. “What the hell did you do to her?”

 

“Robin has had a relapse of her PTSD since the accident. Dr. Brines is working on helping her through it but for now we need to control her stress which is why I am limiting her visitors to Mac and Emma.” Nikolas walked towards the door. “I am asking you to please leave.”

 

“There is more to this than you are telling me and I will figure it out.” Patrick glared at Nikolas one last time. “I’m leaving for now but I will be back for her and soon – that’s a promise.”

 

Nikolas slammed the door and took a moment to think about his next move. An idea popped into his head and he made a call. “Dante, it’s Nikolas. How do I get a restraining order?”

[cmahorror]

Chapter 25

 

“And the papers will be served today?” Nikolas was talking to someone on the phone when Dr. Brines walked in. He held up his finger to let the doctor know his conversation was almost done. “Good. I will talk to you later.”

 

“I take it things are going the way you want them to.” Brines was well aware of the fact that Nikolas had not only requested a restraining order against Patrick, he had also filed for full custody of Emma on Robin’s behalf. Of course, Robin didn’t know any of this but Patrick’s stunt last week had put Nikolas on the offensive.

 

“Yes. Drake won’t know what hit him.” Nikolas wanted Patrick out of the way in the worst way. Trying to kill the man had put Robin in danger so Nikolas had decided to go a different route and legally separate Robin and Emma from the man.

 

Brines shook his head as he sat down in the chair to talk to the man. Helena had flown in as soon as she found out about the accident and had personally seen to Robin’s latest round of memory changes and had asked for a bonus: Robin would get severe headaches if she even attempted to remember what happened after the accident - her price to pay for betraying Nikolas. It was cruel but Brines had gotten used to it. “I have the results of Robin’s latest blood test.”

 

“Is there a problem?” Nikolas was trying to figure out his next move.

 

“I wouldn’t call it a problem but we need to plan our next steps carefully.” Brines took a deep breath. “We don’t want a repeat of what happened before.”

 

“You don’t mean…” Nikolas stared at the man.

 

“Yes, Robin is pregnant.” Brines had thought Nikolas would be thrilled but instead Nikolas stood up, walked over to the bar, grabbed a glass off it and threw it into the fireplace.

 

Nikolas took a few deep breaths and a smile slowly grew across his face. “Dr. Brines, I need you to do something for me.”

 

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

“I have a delivery for a Dr. Drake.” A man in a three-piece suit walked over to the nurse’s station with an envelope in hand.

 

Patrick had been working on a chart at the hub and spoke while barely looking at the man. “I’m Dr. Drake.”

 

“Dr. Patrick Drake?”

 

“Yes.” Patrick finally looked up from his chart.

 

“Good.” He handed the envelope to Patrick. “You have been served.”

 

“Served with what?” Patrick tore open the envelope. “What are these?”

 

The man rolled his eyes. “Talk to your lawyer – I just deliver them.”

 

Patrick immediately got on the phone and made a call. “I need your help as soon as possible.

 

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

“One is a restraining order instructing you to keep at least 100 feet away from Robin Scorpio-Cassadine at all times.” Diane reviewed the paperwork. “The second is a temporary custody order giving full physical custody of Emma Grace Scorpio-Drake to Robin Scorpio-Cassadine and the third is a summons to appear in court to determine the permanent placement of Emma Grace Scorpio-Drake.”

 

“How can he do this?” Patrick couldn’t believe that Nikolas was trying to take his daughter.

 

“The restraining order is based on an incident that supposedly happened at Wyndamere last week. Nikolas is claiming that you yelled at your ex-wife and then grabbed her and kissed her. She pushed you away but you refused to leave. Nikolas says that he came into the room and found Robin upset and in pain and that she had to be sedated. After Robin was taken to her room, Nikolas told you to leave. He says that you finally left but you said as you left, and I quote, that you would be back for her and soon.” Diane looked at Patrick. “Are you denying this happened?”

 

Patrick looked at Mac, who had accompanied him to Diane’s office. “It wasn't like that.”

 

“In what way is this report wrong?” Diane stared Patrick straight in the eyes. “Did you yell at your ex-wife and force her to kiss you?”

 

“I was trying to get her to remember what happened between us at the cabin.” Patrick ran his hands through his hair. “He is messing with her mind and I was hoping that…”

 

Mac put his hands on the doctor’s shoulder. “Patrick, we need to be smart about this.” He looked at Diane. “What do we do now?”

 

“You need to stay away from your ex-wife. I have no doubts that Nikolas will have you arrested if you go anywhere near her.” Diane was matter of fact about what Patrick needed to do.

 

“And Emma? What is the basis for taking her from my custody?” Patrick didn’t want to lose his little girl.

 

“They are claiming that the car accident you and Robin were in was an attempt on your life – probably from a scorned lover, another Lisa Niles. The claim is that Nikolas and Robin can keep Emma safe and you can’t.” Diane read through the papers. “It says here that you are claiming that the brakes were not working which is why you crashed.”

 

“Yes, but…”

 

“Then I am afraid you will have to relinquish custody of Emma to Nikolas and Robin for the time being.” Diane smiled at him. “I am sure Dr. Scorpio will be more than willing to arrange visitation with Emma but, until I can get the restraining order rescinded, you will have to play by the rules. Doing so proves that you are willing to work with the couple and respect their marriage.”

 

Patrick was simmering with rage. “Are you kidding me?” He stood up and began pacing the floor. “I am supposed to just hand over my wife and daughter to that man!”

 

“Dr. Drake, losing your temper will not help this situation in the least.” Diane could see Patrick’s short fuse was going to be an issue. She turned to Mac. “Would you be able to be the intermediary for Patrick and Robin?”

 

“Yes.” Mac was willing to help out in any way possible.

 

“Perfect.” Diane stood up. “Why don’t you let me work on your objection to the restraining order and file a motion for joint custody while Mac works on arranging visits with Emma?”

 

Mac stood up and gently guided Patrick to the door. “I’ll take care of it – thanks Diane.” Patrick started to say something but Mac stopped him. “We’ll be waiting for your call.”

 

Mac pushed Patrick out the door and to the car. As soon as they were in the car Mac turned to Patrick. “We need to be smart.”

 

“But Mac…”

 

“Patrick, trust me. You need to do what Diane said – play by the rules and keep away from Robin. I will arrange for you to see Emma as much as possible.” Mac started the car. “It’s going to be okay Patrick. We will figure out what is going on and we will get Robin and Emma home.”

[ulkis]

in honor of easton's first day back:

 

BRYAN GETS JEALOUS

 

FRANK

Jane you'll be amazing
Everyone will be gazing
At you come emmy night
Finally you will be in that emmy spotlight
With this story about an important social issue
You'll make everyone need a tissue

 

BRYAN

um what's going on
Frank I thought that was our song

 

FRANK

I'm talking 2017 for Jane
Don't worry 2016 is your lane

 

BRYAN

I just thought you said I was the best
With a better chance than all the rest

 

FRANK

yeah cause your category is the least competition
Not cause you're the best cook in the kitchen

 

BRYAN

this chick is so ancient
She looks like something rotting in my basement
Is she even a chick
It's hard to tell I can't pick
The identity of her sex
Does she have boobs or pecs
Not that I want to check up close
That would add to my woes
But in that case if we can't tell her gender
How are you even gonna send her
To the emmys when you don't even know
Into which category she should go

 

FRANK

Bryan that's not nice
I've told you more than twice
You're not the only actor here
Now say sorry are we clear

 

BRYAN

you know I have no clue
How to count higher than two

 

JANE

frank, it's alright

Young man, you must not put so much stock
Into what is at this point pretty much a crock
it's not important that award, that glory
But your talent and the story

 

BRYAN (whispers to Frank)

I think the old lady-dude-man is losing his mind
Maybe escorting whoever she is from the building would be kind

 

JANE

I think I can find the door
How did we ever manage without you before?

 

FRANK sighs

 

MICHAEL EASTON

hey Frank I'm back

 

BRYAN

who are you and why would Frank care
Of you and your status I'm unaware

 

MICHAEL

I'm Michal Easton. Remember? I played Kiki's dad

 

BRYAN

I thought you were fired
I liked the screentime I aquired
Because of it
The story was a hit

 

MICHAEL frank hired me back

 

BRYAN

frank how could you do this!
I barely get enough screentime as it is!
And by the way we're in a musical bitch!
You'd better sing with your best pitch!

 

MICHAEL

singing is so much effort and sweat
I'm already nervous on the set
I'm already out of my comfort zone
Playing my 4th role of a clone

 

BRYAN

a clone! Will it get you an emmy, the highest prize?

 

MICHEAL

kid, I'm just glad Frank has given me 85 tries

 

BRYAN

whatever that means, but just know, this is how it goes
Don't step on my dreams or my toes!

 

bonus song. credit goes partly to BC, who actually said/wrote a couple of lines

 

SOAPS IN DEPTH RANKING

 

KELLY
Dear soaps in depth
are you smoking meth
how is my man Bryan Craig not one of your top 5 actors...
He's the only one with the it factor
none of these guys
even come close to his size
my man
he has it all
my man
he's almost 6 feet tall
my man
he almost won an emmy twice
my man
he's almost worth any price
my man
he has almost a full head of hair
my man
not that I care
me and my man
we will always be a pair anywhere
he almost didn't propose
cause his money supply reached new lows
but then he found a new supply
and only almost 10 people nearly did die
from that cream we sold
hey how did he know what he almost sowed
they didn't say
but that's okay
cause he's my man

 

BRYAN

Hey thanks baby for the support
but you don't need to talk to that sort
soaps in depth thanks for the sweet comment
haters can get bent
I know where I stand
in a spot most grand
no rank will change that
because to me fate did grant
my girl

 

my girl
she looks in magazines for my face
my girl
wanting to admire my beauty and grace
my girl
when she sees I got the short stick
my girl
she'll take on SID Dick
my girl
she'll go to twitter
my girl
she shows she's not a quitter
my girl
she also defends the poor and the needy
my girl
will shame you if you drive purple cars that are seedy

 

KELLY/BRYAN
So you'd better watch out
what you say to my man/girl
or we'll give you a shout
we'll run you out of twitter town
and give you a nice pounding down

Edited March 21, 2016 by ulkis

[cmahorror]

Chapter 26

 

“You are looking so much better Robin.” Mac hugged his niece tight and sat down next to her on the couch. “Maybe you could escape for an afternoon and come over to the house for lunch with me and Felicia?”

 

Robin rubbed her belly. “Please don’t mention food. My stomach still isn’t quite recovered from being lost in the woods for three days.” She smiled at him. “But maybe in a few weeks – I would love to see Felicia and Maxie.”

 

“Don’t forget baby Georgie.” Mac pulled out his phone and proudly showed off the latest photo he had of his granddaughter. “Now that the judge has agreed to joint custody, we are getting to spend more time with her.”

 

Robin took the phone from Mac. “She is so beautiful. You are the best grandpa that little girl could ask for.”

 

“Thank you. Now, is Emma almost ready to go? I know Patrick is anxious to see her.” It had been four weeks since Emma had moved in to Wyndamere and Mac was running the ‘Emma Express’ three times a week, making sure the little girl got plenty of time with her dad.

 

“Yes.” Robin handed Mac back his phone. “Mac, thank you for doing this. I just can’t be around Patrick right now – it’s too hard.”

 

“Robin, why is it so hard?” Mac took Robin’s hand in his. “Please, I want to help you but I can’t if you don’t tell me what is going on.”

 

Robin looked away from her uncle as she spoke. “It’s just, I, I can’t remember everything that happened out there. Patrick is insisting that we made love, that I cheated on my husband and Mac, that’s just not me. I would never do to Nikolas what Patrick did to me. I remember Patrick taking care of me and telling me we would be okay but making love – no, I am almost positive we didn’t.”

 

“Then why is Patrick insisting it happened?” For some reason, Mac believed Patrick’s version of what happened in that cabin.

 

“I don’t know. We were both delirious with fever but Nikolas and his guards told me we were fully clothed and unconscious when we were found – I have no reason to doubt that.” Robin rubbed her belly. “I have more important things to worry about and I need to concentrate on my children, not Patrick.”

 

Mac’s attention was caught at the word children. “Robin…”

 

“Uncle Mac!” Emma ran into the room and jumped into her uncle’s lap. “Are you ready?”

 

“Of course I am.” Mac was about to say something when Nikolas walked into the room.

 

“You weren’t going to leave without saying goodbye, were you?” Nikolas bent down and Emma rushed into his arms. He stood up and hugged her tight. “I’m going to miss you but you have fun with your dad this weekend, okay?”

 

Emma kissed Nikolas on the cheek and then climbed down from his arms and grabbed Mac by the hand. “I will.” She gave her mom a kiss and pulled Mac to the door. “Love you, bye.”

 

Robin laughed as Emma dragged their uncle through the door. “Love you too!”

 

Nikolas sat down next to Robin and pulled her close, laying them both back on the couch. “You doing okay?”

 

“I’m tired but good.” Robin closed her eyes. “I think I’m ready for a nap.”

 

Nikolas adjusted the two of them until they were comfortable. “Then let’s take one together.” He kissed the top of her head. “I love you Robin.”

 

“I love you too.”

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

“Daddy!” Emma ran through the front door and jumped on the couch. She climbed up in Patrick’s lap and gave her dad a big kiss hello. “I missed you.”

 

“I missed you too baby girl.” Being away from Emma was killing him. As much as he loved Robin, he loved their little girl even more and only being able to see her a couple of times a week was very difficult. “You being good for your mommy?”

 

“Yes, I even made her toast the other morning when she was sick.” Emma was proud that she had been able to help her mom. “She said it was the best toast she ever had.”

 

Patrick looked at Mac and then back at Emma. “Mommy was sick?”

 

“Yeah she said she felt better that afternoon and we even played checkers.” Emma scrunched up her face. “But I don’t think she is better.”

 

“Why do you say that?” Patrick was pretty sure he knew the answer but he needed to ask anyway.

 

“Because she was still sick the next morning. Is she going to be okay?” Emma knew he mom had to take medicine twice a day.

 

“I’m sure she will be fine. Why don’t you go to your room and unpack while I say goodbye to Mac?” Patrick hugged her one last time and waited until she was up the stairs before turning to Mac. “Mac, is she…”

 

“I don’t know.” Mac sat down next to Patrick. “She didn’t say she was but I think she is.”

 

“Mac, if she is pregnant…”

 

“Then there is a good chance this is your child – I know. The problem is that Robin still does not remember what happened in that cabin.” Mac knew Patrick was frustrated but they needed to be careful – Robin’s miscarriage was only a few months ago and he didn’t think she could handle losing another baby. “But then again, she and Matt both don’t really remember this so-called wedding. Something is going on with her and I don’t know what it is. Quite frankly, I think we need help.”

 

“Have you had any luck getting in touch with Robert – we really need him here to help us.” Patrick appreciated Mac’s assistance but Robert had far better connections than Mac did – connections that would help get Robin away from Nikolas.

 

“No and I am beginning to get concerned. No one has heard from him in months, not even Holly, and Anna has had no luck with the WSB. I’m beginning to think that they have no clue where he is and just don’t want to admit it.” Mac knew he needed his big brother’s help with the Cassadines.

 

“So Frisco has no clue where he is?” Patrick was getting suspicious. “Maybe Nikolas has something to do with it – after all, Robert disappeared right around the time Robin reappeared.”

 

“Could be – it’s not like the Cassadines don’t have a vendetta against Robert.” Mac stood up. “I’m going to call Anna and have her see if she can get information on Robert’s last assignment. You enjoy your time with your daughter and I will call you as soon as I know anything.”

 

Patrick led Mac to the door and was still standing there when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned around and saw Matt standing there. “When did you get home?”

 

“A little while ago – I was in the kitchen when Mac came in.” Matt looked at his brother for a minute and then spoke. “I think we need to talk.”

 

“Of course – what can I do for you?” Patrick sat down in the chair while Matt took the couch.

 

“You said you visited me at the prison and you tried to concentrate on me and my problems.” Matt had been bothered by Mac’s comment about his not remembering the wedding. “Do you remember mentioning Maxie to me or Sam?”

 

Patrick shook his head. “Why would we talk about them? Matt, I was only worried about you and how you were doing. I may have mentioned them in passing but…”

 

“But that’s not how I remember it.” Matt shook his head. “I have been picking up shifts at the hospital so I haven’t been in the office as much. I haven’t seen Nikolas in almost a week and, I don’t know, I keep having these dreams about my time in prison and our visits and they don’t seem to quite match my memories.” He looked at Patrick. “Does that make any sense?”

 

“It may.” Patrick thought about it. “Would you let me do a blood draw and send the results to a hematologist at the WSB? He is reviewing Robin’s records as well.”

 

Matt thought about it for a moment. “Do you think Nikolas did something to me and Robin?”

 

“I don’t know but it doesn’t hurt to find out.” Patrick reached over and patted Matt on the shoulder. “I love you and I want to do everything I can to help you. Please let me help you.”

 

Matt nodded. “Let’s do this.”

Edited March 22, 2016 by cmahorror

[cmahorror]

Chapter 27

 

Robin was pacing Nikolas’s office. “How could you do this without talking to me first?”

 

“I did it for us.” Nikolas took Robin by the hand and guided her to a chair. “Please calm down – it’s not good for you or the baby to get this upset." Robin glared at him. "I just want you to hear what I have to say.” Robin sat down but was still furious.

 

Nikolas had managed to keep Robin in the dark about the restraining order against Patrick and the custody suit but a visit from Mac had brought everything to light.

 

 

Flashback

 

“Did you have fun with Daddy?” Robin hugged Emma tight as Mac brought her back from a visit with Patrick.

 

“Yes! Can I have a snack?” Emma loved the chef’s brownies and was hoping that she had made some while Emma was gone.

 

Robin knew exactly what her daughter wanted and laughed. “One and that’s all. Say thank you to Uncle Mac.”

 

Emma hugged Mac. “Thank you!”

 

Mac laughed as she took off running towards the kitchen. “I take it that there are brownies in the kitchen?”

 

“Yes.” Robin walked over to her uncle and hugged him. “Thank you again for helping with getting Emma back and forth to Patrick but I think I will go myself next time – I need to talk to him.”

 

Mac nodded his head. “Just make sure that your lawyer knows – I don’t want Patrick to get in trouble.”

 

Robin shook her head in confusion. “Why would he get in trouble?”

 

Mac watched his niece carefully and realized she had no clue what was going on. “Robin, there is a restraining order against Patrick. He is forbidden for coming within a 100 feet of you.”

 

“There must a mistake. I would never…” Robin realized what had happened. “Oh my God, Nikolas.”

 

“You didn’t know?” Mac couldn’t understand how Nikolas had managed to get the courts to agree with his filings without Robin’s permission.

 

“When he first found me, Mac, I was a mess." Tears filled Robin eyes. "Nikolas suggested giving him power of attorney so I wouldn’t have to worry about anything while I was recovering and I just never changed it.” Robin couldn’t believe Nikolas had done this. “Is there anything else?”

 

Mac hated being the one to tell her but she deserved to know what Nikolas had been up to. “He filed for temporary full custody of Emma until a case could be heard for you two to be awarded permanent full custody. You didn’t know?”

 

“No,” Robin felt like she had been punched in the gut, “Nikolas said that Patrick wanted me to have more time with her.”

 

“Robin…”

 

“Tell Patrick that I will take care of this tonight.” The fury in Robin’s eyes surprised Mac – Robin did not get truly angry easily. “Thank you for telling me what was going on. I love you Uncle Mac.”

 

Mac hugged Robin tight. “I love you too.”

 

End Flashback

 

 

“Robin, Patrick has been delusional since the accident. He is convinced that the two of you had some illicit affair and were going to run off and leave me.” Nikolas knelt in front of her chair and held her hands in his. “And when I found out about our baby, I knew he was going to try and steal our child from us.”

 

Robin started to protest. “But he can’t…”

 

“But he could try and I was worried that the stress would cause you to have another miscarriage. I couldn’t stand it if you lost this baby.” He kissed her hand. “Not when I could protect the both of you.”

 

“I appreciate that you wanted to protect us but this was not the way to do it. I am going to change the power of attorney – from now on it will only be in effect if I am physically unable to make a decision. Then I am having the restraining order revoked and pulling the request for full custody.” Robin shook her head at her husband. “It is best for Emma if her father and I are on good terms – the joint custody arrangement was working fine before and it will work fine again.”

 

Nikolas was going to argue with her but realized that it was in his best interest to back off. He stood up. “Whatever you want. I guess I just overreacted - between what happened with the accident and losing the baby, I was scared. But I can see now that I was wrong and we will contact the attorney first thing in the morning and get it all fixed.” He held his hand out to her. “I’m sorry and I will never do anything like that again.”

 

Robin took his hand and stood up. “Thank you. I am going to go tuck Emma into bed and then go to sleep – I’m exhausted.”

 

“And I will be up with your tea in a little bit.” Nikolas hugged her.

 

Robin hugged him back. “I can’t believe that the doctor insisted on me cutting back to a half a cup at bedtime – there’s no caffeine in it.”

 

“But there are other herbs in it and we don’t want to take any chances with you or the baby.” Nikolas kissed her forehead and smiled at her. “I’ll see you in a few minutes. I love you.”

 

“Love you too.”

 

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

Patrick smiled for the first time since Mac had taken Emma back to Wyndamere. “Really Mac, Robin didn’t know a thing about any of it?”

 

“Nope - in fact she was furious when she found out.” Mac sat down on the couch and took a drink of his beer. “By this time tomorrow the case will be withdrawn and the restraining order rescinded.”

 

Patrick sat down next to him. “This is great news. She really wants to see me?”

 

“Yes, she said she had something she wanted to talk you about.” Mac was certain that he knew what Robin was going to bring up.

 

“The baby?” Patrick had no doubts that Robin was pregnant with his child.

 

“That would be my guess.” He leaned over on his knees and looked at Patrick with concern. “Patrick, you need to be calm and not try to convince Robin that this is your child. Any stress could be bad for her and the baby. We have seven months to get this straightened out – let’s use it to our advantage.”

 

Patrick ran his hands through his hair. “I hate this Mac. I missed the first few months of Robin’s pregnancy with Emma because of my own stubbornness and fears and now I am going to miss out on this child’s because of Nikolas.”

 

“Patrick, you were there for the last part of the pregnancy – even after I arrested you.” He saw Patrick smile again and continued. “You were by her side through every moment of that labor and barely left her side after she developed that clotting disorder. I know this isn’t ideal but if we are smart then, hopefully, by the time Robin enters her third trimester we will have her away from Nikolas and back here at home with you.”

 

“I hope so Mac.” Patrick took a drink of his beer. “I really do.”

[cmahorror]

Chapter 28

 

Patrick was sitting on his couch reading the hematologist’s toxicology report and trying to see what was going on with Robin and Matt. Unfortunately, Matt had not been taking drinks from Nikolas for almost a week when the blood draw was done so whatever Nikolas had been giving Matt was now gone from Matt’s system. Matt’s memories about Patrick’s visits to the prison were becoming clearer and much more favorable to his brother.

 

“Have you found anything?” Matt sat down on the couch after handing Patrick a bottle of water.

 

“Not in your report – I think whatever Nikolas was dosing you with is gone.” Patrick took a long drink of water. “The good news is that your memories should keep coming back.”

 

“Well, that is great news but it doesn’t help us with figuring out what has been going on with Robin.” Last week Matt had quit working for Cassadine Industries and went back to GH full time. It had been two weeks since Matt had had his blood drawn and Matt’s return to work had freed up Patrick’s schedule so he could concentrate on freeing Robin and their children from Nikolas. “What does her report say?”

 

“Well I think I may have figured out what caused her to miscarry.” Patrick handed the file to his brother. “There was propranolol in Robin’s system.”

 

“Wait – why was Robin taking propranolol?” Matt didn’t see a need for the medication given Robin’s medical history. “Did she have a history of high blood pressure?”

 

“No – Robin’s health, except for the HIV, has always been excellent and I checked her current list of medications in her chart. There was not a single beta-blocker listed.” Patrick ran his hands through his hair. “And that doesn’t explain the traces of rhopynal in her system as well.”

 

“Wait – Robin was dosed with the ‘date-rape’ drug?” Matt shook his head. “Why would anyone pair these two things together?”

 

“I don’t know but throw in her HIV meds and I think the combination overloaded her system and caused the miscarriage. I just can’t prove it.” Patrick hated that Nikolas had done this to her and he didn’t stop it.

 

“So what now?” Matt put the file down on the coffee table. “Nikolas is keeping Robin locked up in Wyndamere so we can’t get anywhere near her to do another blood draw and see if he is still drugging her.” Matt leaned back in the chair. “I shouldn’t have quit working for Nikolas – I should have stayed there and kept an eye on her.”

 

“No.” Patrick shook his head. “Look, if you hadn’t broken away from Nikolas then you wouldn’t be getting your memories back, you wouldn’t be back at the hospital saving lives, Nikolas would still be drugging you and you would still be just another pawn in his game – the same as Robin.”

 

“I guess so but…

 

“No buts – you are safe. We got you away from Nikolas and we will get Robin, Emma and the baby away from him too.” Patrick rubbed his eyes. “I have to get work, pulling the night shift tonight, but I will be home in the morning and we can talk about it so more then. Why don’t you review that blood work and see if you notice anything I missed.”

 

Matt laughed. “Are you saying that the great Dr. Drake might have missed something?”

 

“I’m saying two doctors are better than one.” Patrick stood up and headed to the door. “I will see you in the morning.”

 

Matt waited until Patrick left and then picked up his phone. “Nikolas, it’s Matt. There’s something I want to talk to you about.”

 

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

Robin was sleeping soundly when Nikolas came in and laid down beside her in their bed. A little while ago she had been talking to Nikolas, trying to figure out exactly when the baby was conceived, when she was struck with another headache. Brines had sedated her and put her to bed while Nikolas dealt with Matt.

 

He positioned himself so he was staring right into Robin’s face and then reached over and started to slowly run his hands through her hair. “It’s going to be okay Robin. I don’t care that this isn’t our child, I already love it more than anything.” The second Brines had told him that Robin was pregnant he knew it wasn’t his baby – he and Robin hadn’t made love since the miscarriage.

 

Nikolas continued to stroke her hair. “I know you would never cheat on me, never do to me what Drake did to you. I know he forced himself on you in that cabin and created this child but you will never have to remember that. He doesn’t deserve to raise this child or Emma. He is a monster who murdered our child and then took advantage of your injuries to…”

 

He stopped stroking Robin’s hair and pulled her to him. Wrapping his arms around her tight, he whispered softly to her. “I promise you, on the soul of our lost child, that Patrick Drake will never know that this is his child. I will protect it and you from him for as long as there is a breath left in my body.” He kissed her forehead and closed his eyes. “Patrick killed our child but he will never get the chance to hurt this one.”