GH Fanworks/Fanfic/Fanart: We Do It Better

[cmahorror]

Chapter 14

“I understand – next week will be fine.” Robin rolled her eyes as she finished her phone call. It had taken several days but Robin had finally been able to set up an appointment with Obrecht to talk about possibly returning to work at GH. She hung up her phone and looked out over the city skyline.

“Hey Stone.” Robin had been walking to the bridge while she had called the hospital. “I am sorry I haven’t been back for awhile but I have a really good excuse.” She leaned on the rail. “Actually, I am pretty sure you know why I haven’t been here but that is beside the point. So what is the point?”

Robin considered what she wanted to say. “I guess the point is that I just needed to take a few moments to think. I am finally feeling like I have my feet back on stable, firm ground and that the future I want, the future you wanted for me, is possible again. I am with my daughter and the man I love, no more guards or threats from the Cassadines or Jerry Jacks, and I may even be able to go back to work. So why do I feel like I am about to lose it all?”

She sighed. “I guess because every time I get this close to my happy-ever-after something happens to tear it away and I am so scared that it is going to happen again.” She wiped away a tear that fell from her eye. “How can I be sure that I won’t lose the ones I love once again?”

“You can’t.” Jason stepped out of the shadows and onto the bridge. He smiled at her. “You’re Robin.”

Robin studied the man, not sure who he was until she saw his eyes. She smiled back at him. “Jason.”

He walked over and stood next to her. “I understand I have you to thank for saving my life.”

Robin shrugged her shoulders. “You would have done the same for me.”

He placed his hands on the rail. “It’s nice that you think so but…”

She covered his left hand with her right hand and gently patted it. “You would have.”

Something about her touch felt very familiar. Jason turned to gaze at the dark haired woman standing next to him. He had a flash of her - her was hair longer, they were in a grey room and he was handcuffed to a table. He cocked his head to the side. “It’s too soon to jump.”

Robin’s head whipped around and she regarded him curiously. “You remember something?”

“I said that to you – why did I say that to you?” He was surprised that this woman had triggered something in him by just a touch.

“I think I should explain a few things to you. First off, I am HIV positive.” Robin waited to see if he would move his hand away from hers and was happy he didn’t. “That memory was from about four years ago. My viral load had become unstable and I was asking you to help me disappear but you refused to do it.”

Jason closed his eyes to try and recapture the memory but he couldn’t. “I want to remember.” He concentrated harder and a different memory came to him. “You were sitting on the rail of a bridge holding a teddy bear. You were so young.”

“I first met Jason Morgan at a bridge, one that was torn down. You had this bridge built to replace it.” Robin looked back out at the sky. “The night you are talking about – we were supposed to meet to go out to dinner but a little girl I had been visiting died of AIDS and I came out here. I stood up on the rail and you joined me and…”

“I thought you were going to jump so I grabbed you and pulled you down.” He could remember it. “You yelled at me.”

Robin shrugged her shoulders. “I was mad at the world.”

“And then I kissed you.” Jason smirked at her. “You yelled at me some more.”

She laughed. “Because you only kissed me after I told you I was HIV positive – I thought you were just looking for another thrill.”

“No, I wanted to kiss you and I knew you couldn’t contract HIV through kissing.” A sense of relief flowed through him – he was remembering things. “I have been trying for a long time to remember something, anything.”

“Maybe you just needed something to jog your memory. This bridge was always special to us and seeing me here may have helped.”

“No, it was you. I had a dream about you or a vision.” Jason sat down on the rail. “Helena had programmed me to kill Sam but I had a vision of you and you stopped me from going through with it.”

Robin shuddered. “Helena was a horrible woman.”

“I know that she kept you away from your family.” Carly had told him the whole story. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s not your fault – the important thing is that you are home with Danny and getting a second chance to be a father to Jake.” Robin smiled at him. “Make the most of the time you have been given because you never know when it might be taken away from you.”

“The same goes for you.” Jason took her hand in his and gently squeezed it. “I need to get going – I’m meeting with Sam and Danny but I would like to talk to you again. Would that be okay with you?”

Robin nodded her head. “I would like that too.” She looked at her watch. “I need to get going too – I have dinner plans with Patrick.”

“How about I walk you to your car and you can tell me more about how we met?” Jason had a strange need to make sure she was safe.

“Sounds great.” Robin walked with him off the bridge. “I’ll start with the night we first met. I was here on the bridge…”

__________________________________________________________________________________________

He watched as Jason walked Robin to her car and threw his tablet into the passenger seat. He had intended to talk to her tonight, to get her away from Patrick so that she could understand that Patrick was wrong for her, and that man had ruined it.

He started the car and headed back to the hotel. Drake was waiting for her at the house which meant he would have to wait until tomorrow, while her ex-husband was at work, before getting Robin and showing her she belonged with him.

[cmahorror]

Chapter 15

Robin opened the door to the house and was surprised to see Maxie and Emma standing in the living room waiting for her. “Hey guys – what’s going on?”

Emma just giggled and handed her mom an envelope. “This is for you mommy.”

Robin took the envelope and winked at her little girl. “Is it from you?”

“No, it’s from your secret admirer.” Emma leaned down and picked up a single red rose. “This is too.”

“My secret admirer? Hmm, I wonder who that could be?” Robin took the rose and then opened the envelope. She pulled out the piece of paper and read it out loud. “Go to where you had your first meal with the love of your life.”

“It’s a treasure hunt!” Emma jumped up and down, excited to be a part of the game. She reached down and picked up her backpack from behind the sofa. “Come on Maxie.”

“Wait – where are you going?”

“I am taking Emma to her friend’s house for a sleepover while you go and find your treasure.” Maxie took a moment to hug her cousin. “I love you. Have fun!”

“I love you too.” She leaned over and hugged Emma. “And you too. Be good and have fun tonight.”

“I will and I love you too mommy.” Emma grabbed Maxie’s hand. “Let’s go!”

Emma dragged Maxie out the door while Robin read the note one last time before heading out the door. “To the Metro Court.”

__________________________________________________________________________________________


Robin got off the elevator and walked over to the bar. “Excuse me? I was wondering…”

“Good evening Dr. Scorpio.” The bartender set a glass of champagne on the bar. “Compliments of your secret admirer.”

“Thank you.” Robin reached into her purse to give the man a tip but he waved her off.

“It has more than been taken care of ma’am.” He smiled at her again before going to take care of another customer.

Robin drank her champagne and remembered that first dinner with Patrick. He had been so arrogant, insisting on sitting with her and wanting to know why she didn’t like him. She lied and told him that she didn't hate him, she just found him mildly amusing. Denial had definitely been her friend at the time.

It was also the first time she had opened up to him – talking to him about Stone and Jason while he told her a little bit about his parents and his dad's drinking problem. They hadn’t known it at the time but it was the beginning of something special for the two of them.

Robin finished her champagne and set the glass back down on the bar. She started to get up but the bartender stopped her. “Dr. Scorpio, I am to give this to you before you leave.” He handed her another rose and note.

Robin opened up the note and read the card inside to herself.

You first kissed the love of your life here.

Robin slid the card back in the envelope and headed to the elevator.

_________________________________________________________________________________________


Robin got off the elevator and headed straight to the nurse’s desk. She knew beyond a shadow of a doubt who was holding her next clue. “Good evening Epiphany.”

“Dr. Scorpio – it is so good to see you again.” Epiphany came out from behind the nurse’s desk and hugged her tight. “You look well.”

“Thank you Epiphany - so do you.” Robin sighed as she looked around at the hustle and bustle of the hospital. “Looks like some things never change.”

Epiphany glared at Dr. Obrecht as she stormed down the hallway. “And some things do.” She turned her attention back to Robin. “Any chance we may be getting you back here on a permanent basis?”

“I have an appointment with Mien Fuhrer next week so we will see.” Robin didn’t want to get anyone’s hopes up about her returning to GH full time. “I think you might have something for me?”

“Yes I do.” Epiphany went to nurse’s desk and got out another rose and note. She handed them to Robin and smiled. “Don’t keep me in suspense – what does it say?”

Robin opened up the note and laughed. “Sorry Epiphany – this note is not for public viewing.”

Epiphany shook her head. “Good night Dr. Scorpio.”

“Good night Epiphany.” Robin waited until she was on the elevator before she read the note once more.

Go to where you first offered to ‘bang’ the love of your life.

________________________________________________________________________________________


“Dr. Scorpio?” The woman behind the bar of the Floating Rib flagged Robin down as soon as she walked in.

Robin took a seat at the bar. “Yes?”

“This is for you.” The woman set a shot of tequila, a salt shaker and a lime slice down on a napkin in front of her. “I’m supposed to tell you to lick it, slam it and suck it.”

Robin rolled her eyes but did as she was told, remembering the many nights spent here when the place was called Jake’s and Coleman kept the tequila coming for girls nights out. As soon as she was done, the woman set another rose and note on the bar. “You are one lucky woman.”

Robin smiled. “I know.”

________________________________________________________________________________________


Robin walked into the courtyard and instantly was taken back to that night almost nine years ago when her entire future changed. She read the note one more time before looking around for the next clue.

This is where we first said I love you to each other.

Robin looked around for a clue but didn’t see anything. She was looking under a bench when she heard music coming towards her. It was Cloud 9, the song Patrick had serenaded her with the night he had first told her he loved her.

She turned around to see Kelly walking towards her with her iPod held up. “This is unbelievably corny and sweet at the same time.”

Robin laughed out loud. “You just described the man perfectly.”

“Here.” Kelly handed Robin another rose and note combination. “I have a date to get to myself.”

Robin hugged her friend close. “Thank you Kelly.”

“All I want is for you to be happy. You deserve it.” Kelly pulled back. “Now go – you’re almost to the end.”

Robin took a deep breath and then opened up the final envelope.

This is where third time was the charm.

________________________________________________________________________________________


Robin stepped into the holding room and saw Patrick sitting at the table with his hands in cuffs. “Hi.”

“I bet Mac loved getting to cuff you again.” Robin sat down and took his hands in hers.

“Yeah he did.” Patrick squeezed her hands. “Robin, I love you. I have always loved and I know I always will. You are the only woman who understands me and can deal with my arrogant ass – putting me in my place when I need it. You saved my life, literally and figuratively. You have given me everything I never knew I wanted.”

Robin wiped away a tear. “And you saved me. How do you think I got through the past years? By thinking about you and Emma, remembering everything we have been through and what we have created together. Remembering all those little moments and hoping we could have them again kept me alive and sane.”

“And I threw it all away.” Patrick looked down, ashamed at the way he had behaved over the past few years.

“No, you did what you had to do to create a good life for our daughter and I love you for that. Your devotion to Emma and determination to give her the most normal life possible is the sexiest thing about you.”

He smiled at her. “Not my dimples?”

“Not even close.” She stroked his hand. “I love you and trust you more than anything and I hope you know that.”

“And I love you and trust you more than anything.” He sighed. “Robin, you are the only woman I have ever been in love with and I want to grow old with you. I want to go to Emma’s dance recitals and soccer games together. I want to sit next to you when she gets married and play with our grandchildren together. I want to be old and gray, sitting on the front porch in our rocking chairs doing the crossword puzzle together and realize that I love you more than the day we first got married.” Patrick stood up and walked around the table. He got down on one knee and pulled her engagement ring out of his scrub pocket. “I want it all and I want it all with you. Robin, will you marry me?”

Robin bit her lip and smiled at him. “With all my heart, yes.”

Patrick jumped up, slid the ring on her finger and wrapped his still cuffed hands around her waist. “I love you so much.”

Robin got on her tiptoes and kissed him. “And I love you, so much.”

She laid her head on his chest and hugged him tight. Finally, they were a family again.

Edited June 2, 2016 by cmahorror

[cmahorror]

Chapter 16

“So you are meeting with Obrecht on Thursday?” Patrick cut off a piece of french toast and fed it to Robin as they sat at their kitchen table. The couple had spent the night at the MetroCourt in the honeymoon suite, again courtesy of Carly, but Patrick had wanted to cook breakfast for her so they had checked out of the hotel early and headed home to continue celebrating their engagement.

Robin let the piece of toast melt in her mouth before answering him. “Mmm, so good.” She nodded. “Yes, I will listen to what she has to say and then I will come home and we will talk about what we want to do as a family. Your dad said we have another two weeks before we have to make a decision?”

Patrick took a bite of breakfast before feeding her again. “He got the board to up the offer too. They will include all moving expenses, housing until we find a home of our own, and a signing bonus for each of us.”

“Each of us?” Robin couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

“Robin, I am one of the top neurosurgeons in the country and you are one of top researchers in the world – even if they didn’t want us for the chief of staff positions, they would want us to be there as doctors.” He leaned over and kissed her. “I can’t wait to work with you again.”

“That part is definitely not negotiable – no matter where we end up, we will work together.” Robin took the fork from him and fed him a piece of toast. “Now we just need to decide if we go as an engaged couple or as a married one.”

“Married.” Patrick stated firmly. “I don’t want to wait to make you my wife again. No matter what we decide to do, move to Berkeley or stay here in Port Charles, I want to be married before it happens. How about next Saturday?”

“Patrick…”

“We have wasted too much time and I will not waste anymore.” He took her hand in his and kissed her ring. “What do you say we add the Drake back to your name on Saturday?”

“I say,” Robin pretended to think about it, “it’s about damn time.”

She giggled as he pulled her onto his lap and kissed her once more. “When is Emma supposed to be home?”

“Not for another two hours.” She felt his hands as they untucked her shirt and slid under it.

He smirked at her. “Fantastic.”

_______________________________________________________________________________________


He took a deep breath before he knocked on Robin’s door. He had seen Patrick leave earlier and knew that this was finally his chance to let Robin know he was here for her. Nervously, he looked around as he waited for her to open up the door.

The door swung open and Robin stared at him in shock. “You’re here.”

He smiled at her. “Yes, I’m here.”

She reached out and pulled him into the house. After taking a quick look around outside, she slammed the door shut and hugged him close. “I was beginning to think that you had forgotten all about me.”

He held her as tight as he could. “I could never forget you. I’m just sorry it took so long for me to find you.”

“It’s okay.” She looked up at him and smiled. “The important thing is that you are here now.”

“All that is left to do now is pack you and Emma up and go.” He started to pull her towards the stairs but she stopped him.

“We can’t – not yet.”

“Why not? Don’t you want to be with me?” He couldn’t keep the hurt out of his voice.

“Of course I do, more than anything, but I need to wait until I have custody of Emma. I won't be separated from her ever again.” She reached up and stroked his face. “I promise – we will be together soon.”

He leaned down to kiss her. “Soon.”

“Sir?” The woman interrupted his daydream. “Are you ready to look at the cottage?”

“Yes.” He followed the realtor into a little cottage just outside of town. He looked around at the place and smiled. It was perfect.

“As you can see it has three bedrooms, one full bath and one half bath with a shower.” She showed him around the place. “You said you were moving here with your fiancée and her daughter?”

“Yes.” He smiled as he pulled out his phone and showed her a picture of Emma and Robin that he had taken the other day when they were playing at the park. "I can't wait to start our lives together."

“When will she be here?” It was obvious that the man was very much in love with his future wife.

“Next week which means I need to get everything ready for her.” He took one last look around and smiled at the realtor. “I would like to move in as soon as possible.”

"The place is empty so you could move in tomorrow if you want." The realtor was thrilled to get rid of the place - it had been sitting empty for years.

"Perfect - I'll take it."

[cmahorror]

Chapter 17

“I really don’t know if I can do this in less than a week.” Maxie opened up her tablet and reviewed the list she had made. “I mean between the flowers and the food and the preacher and…”

Robin reached over and pushed the tablet down. “Maxie, we aren’t doing a big ceremony – just something simple here in the house.”

“Okay.” Maxie looked down at her list. “First things first – dress?”

“Emma and I went shopping yesterday. I got a beautiful blue dress and Emma got herself a cute white one.” Emma was beyond thrilled that her parents were getting remarried.

Maxie scrunched up her nose. “Blue?”

“Blue is Patrick’s favorite color.” Robin got up and opened up the closet door. She took out a garment bag and opened it up. “What do you think?”

Maxie studied the dress. It was sleeveless, dark blue and looked like it would hit Robin right at the knees. “I think it is perfect. Ooh – white roses would go perfectly with it.”

Robin zipped the bag back up. “Sounds great and I bet we can get a cake from Mike and champagne from Carly.”

“Carly?” Maxie couldn’t believe Robin would even suggest that.

“She has been bending over backwards to thank me for helping save Jason and I realized that life is too short to hold grudges.” Robin was proud of the fact that she and Carly were actually being pleasant to each other. “I’m not saying we are going to be BFFs but we are getting along.”

“Wow – I really never thought I would see the day.” Maxie shook her head and then picked back up her tablet as Robin put the dress back in the closet. “So I assume she and Sonny are on the guest list?”

“Yes along with Jason, Liz, and Epiphany.” Robin wanted to keep the guest list small. “I actually thought about asking Uncle Mac to perform the ceremony.”

“I know he would love that and it would save me from having to find a preacher.” Maxie continued making notes. “Is Patrick’s family going to be able to make it?”

“No – Noah used all his vacation time helping Matt get his conviction overturned and his license reinstated and Matt hasn’t earned any vacation time yet.” Matt had just gotten his license to practice medicine reinstated last month. He was now working with Noah and rebuilding his career. “They will be holding a reception for us later this year.”

“Does this mean you took the job in Berkeley?” Maxie couldn’t believe that Robin was telling her this way. “Because Port Charles has a lot to offer and…”

“Maxie – calm down.” Robin laughed. “I haven’t made a decision yet. Obrecht moved my meeting up to tomorrow so I will wait until I find out what GH has to offer me before any decision is made.”

“Good.” Maxie reviewed her list. “I think I have everything I need – this is going to be a beautiful wedding. I promise.”

“I believe you.” The doorbell rang and Robin got up to answer it. She opened the door and found a bouquet of wildflowers lying on the porch with a note. Robin opened it up and giggled.

“What does it say?” Maxie was looking over Robin’s shoulder and surprised to see that the note was typewritten. “Come away with me – your not-so-secret admirer.”

Robin flipped the card over and noticed an address. “His afternoon surgery must have gotten cancelled.” She put the flowers on the table. “I’d better go see what he has planned.”

“You are such a lucky woman.” Maxie hugged her cousin. “Go – I’ll get Emma from school and we’ll get started on the wedding arrangements.”

“Thanks Maxie.” Robin grabbed the card, put on her coat and headed to the door. She was ready to spend the afternoon with the man she loved.

_________________________________________________________________________________________


Patrick reviewed the chart. “Epiphany, are you still scrubbing in?”

“Of course I am.” Epiphany took the chart from him. “See you in the OR in 20 minutes?”

“I’ll be there.” Patrick turned around and ran straight into Nikolas. He glared at the man before trying to brush past him. “Excuse me.”

“Patrick wait.” Nik waited until Patrick stopped. “I was wondering if you, Robin and Emma would like to come by Wyndamere for dinner. I haven't had a chance to see Robin since she was rescued.”

Patrick looked at the man incredulously. “You have got to be kidding me. You are not going anywhere near my wife or daughter ever again. Robin was held hostage on your family compound twice and Emma was almost kidnapped under your watch by your grandmother.”

Nikolas took a deep breath. “That wasn't me, it was Helena and Jerry Jacks was the one went after Emma – my grandmother was already dead when that madman tried to take Emma and I fired my driver as soon as I found out what happened. I would never hurt Robin or Emma. I love Robin – she is one of my oldest and dearest friends.”

“Why should I believe you?” Patrick stood there seething. “You let me propose to Sam knowing that her husband was still alive and living here in Port Charles. You say you would never hurt Emma but don’t you think it hurt her to have another mother figure torn from her life?”

“You and Sam were happy – why would I destroy her happiness with you so she could try and reunite with a man who didn’t even know who she was?” Nikolas was trying his best to defend himself.

“That had nothing to do with me or Sam – it was all about the ELQ takeover and making sure you kept Jason’s shares of the stock.” Patrick wasn’t about to let Nikolas off that easy. “I want to ask you a question – did you know Helena had Robin?”

Nikolas didn’t even hesitate. “Of course not! I would have never let her keep Robin away from you and Emma.”

“How can I believe you? After all the lies you have told – why should I believe you?” Patrick didn’t even wait for a response. “I don’t want to hear it. I have a surgery to perform. Stay the hell away from me and my family Nikolas – whatever relationship you had with Robin is over.”

Patrick stormed off to the OR, making a mental note to himself to call Robin as soon as the surgery was over to give her a heads up about his conversation with Nikolas.

___________________________________________________________________________________________


Robin pulled up to the cottage and parked the car. After taking a moment to check her reflection in the rear view mirror, she got out of the car and headed into the house. “Hello?”

She shut the door behind her as she entered the cottage and noticed that fireplace was already had a fire burning in it and there was a bottle of champagne chilling on the table. “Nice.”

She heard footsteps behind her and smiled. The smile faded as she heard the voice that accompanied those steps. “Hello Robin.”

Robin turned around and backed into the mantle, staring at the man in disbelief. “Manrico?”

[cmahorror]

Chapter 18

“What are you doing here?” Robin didn’t move but she did begin looking around the cottage, trying to figure out the best escape route.

“Following through on our plan.” Manrico took Robin’s arm and led her to the table. “Please, have a seat.”

She sat down as she asked her question. “What plan?”

“Our plan.” He sat down and was surprised to see a look of confusion on her face. He poured the champagne as he reminded her. “We fake your death, escape from Jerry and then come here to get Emma.”

“Manrico, I…” Technically what he was saying was true but the plan had never included the two of them being together.

“Now we can get Emma and go start our life together.” He handed her a glass. “Did you tell her about me?”

“Uh, no, not yet. I have been concentrating on getting Patrick to trust me with her again.” Robin took a small sip of the champagne while she tried to think about her next move. “In fact, I really need to go home and tell her. Then we can arrange for the two of you to meet and get to know each other.”

She started to stand up but he put his hand on her arm and gently stopped her. “Soon – right now I just want to enjoy being with you again.”

Robin nodded her head and sat back down. “That sounds great but in order to do that I need to arrange for someone to pick up Emma from school. Why don’t I call my cousin and have her do that so we can have some more time together?”

While she waited for his answer, Robin put her hands under the table and took off her engagement ring, putting it in her jeans pocket. Manrico was obviously unstable and she was afraid of what he would do if he saw it. She took another small sip of her drink and smiled at him. “Please?”

He stood up and walked over to her. Leaning down, he kissed her cheek. “Of course – I wouldn’t want that ex-husband of yours accusing you of being unreliable and stopping you from getting custody.”

“Thank you.” Robin pulled her phone out of her pocket and dialed Maxie. She tried not to cringe as Manrico stood over her and put both his hands on her shoulders.

“Okay,” Maxie began speaking before Robin even got to say hello, “I have the flowers picked out, the champagne is ordered…”

“Maxie, I need you to do me a favor and pick up Emma from school.” Robin prayed that Maxie would remember their earlier conversation.

Maxie stopped what she was doing, confused. Robin had already asked her do that before she left to meet up with Patrick. “Robin, are you okay? Is Patrick with you?”

“No, it’s just that I ran into someone that I haven’t seen for a few weeks and we are catching up.” Robin felt Manrico kneel down beside her and knew he was listening to the call. “It’s Patrick’s night with Emma so why don’t you just take her to him and I will call you later.”

“Of course.” Maxie could hear the fear in Robin's voice as she told her lie. Maxie closed up her tablet and headed out the door and to her car. She needed to get Emma to safety immediately. “In fact, I am going to get her over to Mac’s house right now. I love you Robin and I will see you soon.”

Robin relaxed – Maxie was getting help. “I love you too.”

Maxie got in her car and called Mac. “I’m getting Emma and heading to your house – Robin is in trouble.”

_________________________________________________________________________________________


Patrick walked over to the nurse’s station as he made additional notes on the chart. “I can’t believe he spiked a fever right as we were taking him into surgery. Monitor the patient but I want the fever gone for at least 24 hours before we reschedule.”

“Yes doctor.” Epiphany was about to say something else when she saw Robert and Anna run up to the nurse’s station. “Patrick, you have visitors.”

Patrick turned around to see his once and future in-laws standing there. One look at their faces and he knew something was wrong. “Where are they?”

“Emma is safe and at Mac’s.” Anna stepped forward to deliver the news. “We don’t know where Robin is but…”

Patrick stormed over to the elevators, Anna and Robert close at his heels. “But what Anna? Which one of your enemies has decided to use Robin as a bargaining chip this time?”

Anna flinched but Robert didn’t back down. “Look, casting blame isn’t going to bring Robin home but we are pretty sure that it is one of Jerry’s henchmen that has Robin. A guy by the name of Manrico.”

“The one who helped her escape?” Patrick was confused. “Why would he do that?”

“I called Frisco on my way over here to make sure Jacks was still in Steinmauer and he told me that all through Manrico’s debriefing he kept asking about Robin.” Robert was deputy chief of the WSB and Manrico’s entire file was being e-mailed to them as they spoke. “Apparently he developed quite the fixation on her. Frisco didn’t realize that the man had come to Port Charles or he would have warned us.”

The elevator doors opened and the trio got on. Patrick shook his head. “This damn town seems to be a beacon to people like him and the Cassadines. What do we do now?”

Robert’s answer was simple. “We bring Robin home.”

[cmahorror]

Chapter 19

“So you didn’t see where she was supposed to meet him?” Mac was gently questioning his daughter about what had happened earlier that day at Robin’s house. She had gotten Emma from school and the little girl was in the kitchen with Felicia making supper while he and Maxie waited for Patrick, Anna and Robert to arrive.

“Mac, I barely looked at it.” Maxie was kicking herself for not getting more information out of Robin before she had left. “I’m sorry.”

Mac pulled her into a hug. “It’s okay sweetheart – you didn’t know.”

“But I should have demanded that she tell me – I should have known that something was off about that damn note. It was typed and Patrick wrote all his notes – I should have realized that it wasn’t him and stopped her from going.” Maxie stood up and began pacing the room. “She doesn’t deserve this Mac. Who is this guy?”

“Manrico Voltorre.” Robert walked into the room followed closely by Anna and Patrick. “He was Jerry Jacks right hand man and developed a crush on Robin.”

“It’s more than a crush if he kidnapped her.” Patrick still couldn’t believe this was happening again. “Where is Emma?”

“She is in the kitchen with my mom – she thinks that Robin is out getting her a present for the wedding.” Maxie was glad that her natural ability to lie had come in handy. “I’ll pick up a necklace and some earrings for her after you bring Robin home.”

Anna’s phone went off and she smiled as she read the text that accompanied the ring tone. “Which may be very soon. Jordan was able to track down Robin’s phone through the GPS chip in it – we have an address.”

“Where is it?” Patrick didn’t want to be separated from Robin for even a night.

“Just outside of town, it looks like in the woods. Probably a cabin or a cottage out there.” Anna shoved the phone back into her pocket. “We will meet up with Dante, Nathan and Jordan at the PCPD and head out from there.”

Mac grabbed his jacket. “Maxie – you stay here with your mom and Emma. I will let you know as soon as we know anything.” He looked at Patrick as headed to the front door. “Let’s go get our girl.”

________________________________________________________________________________________


Robin sat in her chair at the table and watched as Manrico made them supper. He had turned on his mp3 player and the final duet from Il trovatore played as he chopped up the vegetables. “So is this your favorite opera?”

“Yes, the music is almost transcendent. My mother played it for me from the time I was a baby and explained to me the story. She told me that it is the purest expression of true love – Leonora's decision to kill herself to be with Manrico in death rather than live to marry another man.” He slid the cut up vegetables to the side of the cutting board and began slicing up the meat. He pointed the knife at Robin. “Everyone deserves that kind of love.”

Robin tried to remain calm as she slipped her phone out of her pocket and began texting under the table. She knew that Maxie had contacted everyone to get the rescue party going, they just needed to know where to go. She looked down and typed: cottage rt 76.

She was just about to hit send when the table flipped over and the phone was knocked out of her hand. She looked up at Manrico who stood there fuming. He took his foot and stomped down hard on her phone, sending pieces flying as it was destroyed by his boot. “What do you think you are doing?”

“I just wanted to check on Emma.” Robin stared at the pieces of her phone on the ground. "You didn't have to do that."

Manrico walked over to the pieces, picked them up and shook his head. “I want to believe you Robin but you have already lied to me today.”

Robin swallowed. “What do you mean?”

“I have been keeping a close eye on you. I know exactly what you have been doing since you returned to Port Charles.” He walked over to a bag on the counter and pulled out some rope with his left hand, keeping the knife pointed at her with his right. “Please just sit still – I don’t want to accidentally cut you.”

“What are you going to do?” She was trying to keep the fear out of her voice but it wasn’t working.

He walked behind her. “Please put your hands behind your back Robin.” She didn’t move and he gently placed the knife blade against her neck. “Please Robin.”

Robin placed her hands behind her back and felt the rope tighten around her wrists before he looped it once around her waist and then her legs, binding her to the chair. “Manrico, what are you going to do?”

He walked back over to the stove and began putting the meat and vegetables in the pan. “First I am going to finish making dinner.”

“And then?” Robin hoped that he would give her parents enough time to find her.

He shook his head as if he couldn’t believe the question. “We eat.” He stirred the ingredients in the pan. “Then we will discuss the fact that you reunited with your ex-husband. I understand that you did it for Emma’s sake but it’s time for us to start our lives together. That’s why I bought this place, so we can be close to her father.”

“Then maybe we could go and get her? Or I could call my cousin and have her bring Emma to us.” Robin needed to either get Manrico to Port Charles or let someone know where she was.

He turned around and studied Robin closely. “Let’s eat first and then we can discuss when we bring Emma home.” He plated the food and brought it over to her. He pulled up a chair and sat down in front of her. Picking up the fork, he placed the dinner he had made on it and held it up to Robin’s mouth. “Buon appetito.”

[cmahorror]

Chapter 20

“They are in a cottage about a mile from here.” Robert relayed the information to Patrick, Mac and Anna that he had just gotten from Dante. “We are going to park a little ways from the place and advance on foot.”

“Who else is helping us?” Patrick had only seen one car.

“Just Dante.” He saw the anger rise in the doctor’s eyes and quickly explained. “Technically Robin isn’t missing – she has only been gone a few hours and she left the house willingly.”

“Because she thought she was meeting me Robert.” Patrick ran his hands through his hair and tried to calm down. “She would have never gone if she had known he was waiting there for her.”

“I know but we cannot prove it and the police need proof. Lucky for you – we don’t.” Robert got a twinkle in his eye as he started the car. “It’s time to end this.”

__________________________________________________________________________________


“So the first thing we need to discuss is your relationship with Patrick.” Manrico was cleaning up the dishes from supper as he spoke. “I understand that you will need to stay in contact with him for Emma’s sake but I think that is all you should discuss – anything else might give him the wrong idea.”

“And what idea is that?” Robin had decided to not humor the man – her family would be here soon to help free her. “That I love him and want to spend the rest of my life with him? Because that is exactly what I want.”

He turned around – a look of hurt filling his face. “What about the plans we made?”

Robin’s face turned to stone. “The only plans we made were for me to escape Jerry and get back here to my daughter. That’s it.”

“You know how much you mean to me Robin.” He knelt down in front of her.

“And you know that I am in love with Patrick.” She flinched as he reached up and stroked her face. “I have never lied to you about that.”

“But he doesn’t deserve you. He let Helena and Jerry take you. He divorced you and took another woman into his bed while you were being tortured.” His hand moved from her face to her neck and the caressing her shoulder. “I would never let that happen to you. I will protect you Robin.”

Robin squirmed under his touch. She looked away from him and her gaze turned to the living room window. A pair of familiar eyes appeared through the glass and Robin relaxed. She turned back to Manrico, her eyes still cold. “You and I will never be together.”

“Yes we will.” Furious at her words, he grabbed her by the neck and kissed her.

________________________________________________________________________________________


Patrick felt the fury build as he watched the man grab his tied up fiancée and kiss her. “Mac, we need to get in there now.”

Mac held Patrick back. He hated the scene that was unfolding in front of him just as much as Patrick did but he knew that Robin had seen him and would react accordingly. Robert and Anna were making their way to the back of the house while Dante prepared to bust in the front door with Mac and Patrick right behind him. “Just wait, it’s almost over.”

_________________________________________________________________________________________


Anna worked quickly to unlock the back door to the cottage. Robert kept guard over her shoulder, making sure that no one was sneaking up on them. “Come on Anna, Emma could have picked that lock by now.”

“If I wanted your opinion, I would ask for it.” Anna heard the final tumbler click into place and slowly turned the handle. “I want to end this as much as you do. Our daughter deserves her happy ending.”

“Which I’m beginning to believe will never happen if she stays here in Port Charles.” Robin had mentioned the job in Berkeley to both them and Mac.

Anna nodded her head as they entered the house. As much as she would miss Emma and Robin, she was inclined to agree with him. “We can discuss that later – right now we need to get Robin away from this madman.”

“Words we say way too often.” Robert listened closely and nodded down the hallway. “They are this way.”

___________________________________________________________________________________________


Manrico pulled back and smiled at Robin. “I know we can be happy together – just give us a chance.”

She smiled back at him. “Come here.”

He closed his eyes and moved back towards her for another kiss when he felt something strike him in the forehead. Opening his eyes, he saw the mark on Robin’s forehead and the tears in her eyes from the obvious pain the headbutt she had given him had caused her. Anger overwhelmed him and he slapped her hard across the face, knocking Robin and her chair to the ground.

Moments later the front door flew open and gunfire filled the cottage.

[Lbrtales]

In case anyone is looking for stories featuring Robert, Anna, Sean, Robin and the rest of the spies, here are some to check out.

Latebloomingrose Fanfiction

There are 2 series running. The Seasons series is set in the 1990s beginning with the completed Another Season - an alternate way for Anna and Robert to have reconnected instead of the Valentines Massacre plot. The series has more of a fun, mystery du jour air to it. No Faison in this series. 

The Scorpio Intel series is present day starting with the completed The Telltale Lie which begins where Night Shift 2 ended with Anna visiting Robert in Switzerland. A package delivery arouses Anna's curiosity which leads to the unraveling of the Scorpios' Lost Years - Anna's kidnapping by Faison, the tanker explosion, Anna's amnesia and Robert's black ops time period. This series is grittier, more realistic action and always dramatic. 

[cmahorror]

Chapter 21

“Robin!” Patrick followed Mac and Dante into the cabin and ran to his ex-wife’s side. Robin lay unconscious on the floor, still tied to the chair. He looked at Mac. “Help me get her loose.”

Dante pulled a pocket knife out of his pocket and handed it to Patrick. Working quickly, Patrick cut the rope off of Robin and laid her on the floor. He saw a bruise forming on her forehead from where she had head butted Manrico and another bruise on her cheek from where he had struck her. “Come on Robin.”

“How is she?” Mac knelt down next to Patrick as the doctor inspected his niece.

“She may have a concussion – I won’t know anything until I can get her to the hospital and get her checked out.” He turned to Dante. “Get me an ambulance here now!”

“You really need to start saying please.” The voice was weak but it was definitely Robin’s.

Patrick relaxed a little bit as she woke up. “Welcome back. How are you feeling?”

“Got a headache.” She started to sit up but got dizzy. She closed her eyes for a moment to try and regain her balance.

“That’s what you get for using your head as a weapon.” Patrick pulled her into his arms and held her close.

“I’m a Scorpio – we’re a hard headed bunch.” Robin opened her eyes once more and smiled at her uncle. “Right Mac?”

“Damn straight.” Mac took Robin’s hand in his and squeezed it tight.

Robert joined his brother. “Dante is outside calling Jordan but he said the ambulance is on the way.”

Robin looked up at her father and saw her mother standing behind him. “No ambulance.”

“You are going to the hospital in the ambulance and getting a CT and a full workup – that is not negotiable.” Patrick kissed the top of her head and rubbed her back. “We haven’t come this far to lose you now.”

Robin knew she was fighting a losing battle. “Fine.” She looked at her father. “Where is Manrico?” The last thing she remembered was him hitting her.

Robert gave Anna a sideways glance before answering his daughter. “Manrico won’t be a problem anymore.”

Anna saw the look in her daughter’s eyes. “He was going to attack you and we had to stop him.”

“He’s dead?”

“Yes sweetheart.” Robert had fired the fatal shot. The man had been reaching for a knife as Robert and Anna entered the room and Robert wasn’t taking any chances with Robin’s life.

Robin nodded her head, a mixture of emotions running through her. Despite her parents chosen line of work, Robin had always been and always would be a healer – the loss of any life would always be upsetting to her. However, Manrico had not been mentally stable and the danger he posed to her and her family was something she could not ignore. She, Emma and Patrick were safer now that he was gone and she did feel a twinge of relief at the realization. “I understand.”

Sirens filled the air and Robin covered her ears – they hurt her head. The sirens shut off and less than a minute later the paramedics came in and began treating Robin. “Dr. Scorpio, we need to take you to the hospital to get checked out.”

Robin didn’t even get a chance to answer him before Patrick picked her up in his arms and set her down on the cot. “I’m going with her.”

They medic began securing her to the cot. “Of course Dr. Drake.”

Patrick turned back to the group assembled at the cottage. “I’ll see you all at the hospital.”

“We’ll be there as soon as we get everything wrapped up here.” Anna took a short walk over to the cot and hugged her little girl. “You do what the doctors say. I love you.”

“I love you too mom.”

“Ma’am, we need to go.” The men moved the cot out of the cottage, Patrick holding Robin’s hand as they left the building.

Anna turned back to the men. “Let’s get this over with boys – I want to spend some time with our girl.”

[cmahorror]

Chapter 22

Robin knocked on Obrecht’s door and listened for permission to enter. “Komm herein.”

Robin rolled her eyes. “Learn English already.” Robin stepped into the room and politely stood in the doorway.

“Dr. Scorpio-Drake, you are a few minutes late.” Obrecht stood up to close the door.

“Well I was a patient and just got my release papers a few minutes ago.” Robin pointed at the bandage on her forehead. “I came straight from my room.” After a full workup, Robin had been kept in the hospital overnight for observation but her CT scans were clear and Marucci had seen no reason why she shouldn't be released.

“I can see that.” Obrecht shut the door and went back to her desk. “So, what have you been up to?”

“A little of this, a little of that.” Robin shook her head, she didn’t believe for a second that Obrecht wasn’t well aware of Robin’s recent imprisonment. “I was kidnapped and forced to be the in-house doctor for Helena Cassadine and Jerry Jacks.”

Obrecht looked down at her desk and began shuffling through some paperwork. “Yes, I believe I did hear something about that regrettable business.”

“You must have let your subscription to the Legion of Doom newsletter lapse.” Robin couldn’t resist being a little snarky to the woman.

Leisel let the comment go. “Surely you didn’t come here to relive old times.”

Robin took a deep breath. “No, I want to talk to you about returning to General Hospital.”

_______________________________________________________________________________________


Patrick ran down the hall, hoping to get to the meeting to stop Robin from accepting any offer Obrecht had extended. His father had contacted him and the offer to both Patrick and Robin for the co-Chiefs of Staff position in Berkeley had been upped once more and, after last night, Patrick was going to suggest that they take it.

He would always have a soft spot in his heart for Port Charles, it was where he had met the love of his life, become a father and reconnected with his own father. It had also brought Matt into his life, the brother he had never thought he had wanted but there had also been years of pain and heartache. His wife had been kidnapped three times in the past four years, all by people who regularly came to this town. He had lost a son and thought he had lost his wife, both by violent means. It was time for him and Robin to start over and Port Charles was the last place they needed to be when they did it.

Robin’s head turned when her once and future husband burst through the office door. Obrecht glared at the man. “What do you want?”

Patrick took his place by Robin’s side. “I just wanted to see how things were going.” He kept his voice calm, trying not to let his true feelings become apparent.

Obrecht walked over to the shut the door once more as she spoke. “It’s just a shame that Dr. Scorpio-Drake cannot understand the current situation.”

Even though Patrick wanted Robin to turn down the job he was still offended by her words. “And what situation is that?”

“We would be happy to have Dr. Scorpio-Drake back on staff.”

“But…” Patrick knew that there was more to the story than Obrecht was saying.

Robin turned to him. “But I would have to take a cut in pay.”

He was incredulous. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“I don’t kid Dr. Drake.” Obrecht didn’t understand the couple’s feelings. “This hospital is on an austerity budget and new hires are not making what they once were.”

“She’s a proven asset not a new hire.”

“Who has barely graced us with her presence in four years.”

Patrick couldn’t believe how easy Obrecht was making it for him and Robin to walk away from GH. “Because she was kidnapped and held hostage, something you know all about since you were one of the people who kidnapped her.”

“Please Dr. Drake, water under the bridge. The hospital cannot be held responsible for the vagrancies of the doctor’s personal lives.”

“That’s not all – Obrecht also said that there will be no research.”

Patrick was absolutely dumbstruck at how truly short-sighted Obrecht was being. “Do you understand what you are doing here? She is a genius doctor – she would take this hospital to the next level.”

“My offer stands.” Obrecht headed to the office door. “If you think you can find something better, feel free to look.” She opened the door. “Now, if you don’t mind – I have other things to do. Please let me know by the end of the week what your decision is.”

Patrick smirked at her. “Don’t worry – you’ll have your answer by the end of the day.”

Robin heard the tone in his voice and realized that he had heard from his father again. “Yes you will.”

They left the Obrecht’s office and headed to Patrick’s. They were no sooner in the door when she turned to her fiancée and smiled. “Noah?”

“Yep – they upped our starting salaries and the bonus.” Patrick led her to the couch and sat down with her. “This is your decision – if you want to stay here and work at GH, I will understand but I think we need a new start as a family. Someplace without all the bad memories and constant reminders of the hell we have been through.”

Robin considered what he was saying. “I think you are right – we need to leave Port Charles and the mobs and the spies and the Cassadines behind us. This is a great opportunity for both of us and we have family out there. Besides – I want to see the look on Obrecht’s face when she realizes that she has just lost the best neurosurgeon in the country.”

“Hey, we just did what she said – found something better.” Patrick stood up and locked the door. “But before we leave, I do want one more consult at GH.”

Robin winked at him. “Get over here Dr. Drake.”

[cmahorror]

Chapter 23

“Alright Dad, I’ll let Robin know.” Patrick was finishing accepting the offer from Noah. “I love you too and we will see you soon.”

“Let Robin know what?” Robin was packing up some of Patrick’s belongings from the office while listening to his conversation. After making love in his office for the last time, the couple had decided to visit the supply closet to find a couple of boxes for his things but had been sidetracked by old memories and had one more quick consult in there for old times sake.

“Apparently there is a problem with staffing at the hospital and they need us to start ASAP. The board got the funding but we will have to start in two days or the deal expires and we will have to find new jobs.” Noah hated putting the couple in that position but he had an obligation to his current employer.

“But they gave us until the end of the week to make our decision.” Robin was confused by this change of events.

“Yes but one of their research physicians quit without warning and one of the benefits of hiring us was getting a world class researcher to help with consults as well as doing their duties as co-chief of staff.” Patrick understood the urgency. “They already have temporary housing set up for us.”

“But we haven’t even told Emma yet.” Robin hated blindsiding her little girl this way.

“Emma will go wherever you go.” Patrick had no doubts that their daughter would be surprised but the move would be good for her. “Plus we’ll promise to get her a puppy and let her help pick out the new house.”

“We need to tell my parents and Mac.” The adults may be harder hit by their decision than anyone.

“They knew we were considering it.” Patrick pulled Robin into his arms and held her close. “This is a new start for us and I think everyone knows it is the best move.”

“I know.” Robin put a few more things in the box and looked around his office. “I think that’s it. Should we go tell Obrecht the good news?”

“What good news?” Patrick had left his office door open while they packed up their things and Liesel stood in the doorway. “Why are you packing up your things?”

“We took your advice – we found something better.” Robin leaned into Patrick as she smiled at Obrecht. “We leave Port Charles for good tomorrow.”

Obrecht walked into the office and shook her head. “You may be leaving Port Charles but Dr. Drake is under contract and I am sure the board will have no problems suing him for breach if he leaves.”

“There is just one small problem with that Dr. O.” Patrick knew she hated that nickname. “My contract expired at the beginning of December. I took a 30-day extension while I considered my options but that extension ended today. I am free to work wherever I choose and I choose to work with my wife.”

Obrecht glared at the couple. “Very well, well I hope it is worth losing your seniority here at General Hospital. Please keep in mind that we will not hold your position open for you. If you leave, you will come back as a new hire."

Patrick couldn't help but laugh a little at the woman. "I am well aware of that."

"Then I guess there is nothing else to say but goodbye. Hopefully you will treat your new Chief of Staff better than you have treated me.”

Robin’s smile grew. “Trust me, we will.”

“Well, if that is all, good luck to you both.” Obrecht spat the words at them as she turned on her heel and left the room.

Robin turned around in Patrick’s arms and began giggling. “That was a lot more fun than I had thought it would be.”

Patrick kissed her. “Yes it was. Let’s get girl from school and head home – we have some packing to do.”

________________________________________________________________________________________


“I don’t understand.” Emma stood by the couch and took off her coat. “Why did you get me from school early?”

Robin sat down on the couch and patted the cushion. “Sit down baby.” She waited for Emma and Patrick to both join her before continuing. “You know how daddy and I have been talking to you about maybe going to work in California with Grandpa Noah and Uncle Matt?”

Emma nodded her head. “Yes, you said you would talk to that mean woman daddy works with and see if you could work with daddy first. Did you talk to her?”

“Yes baby and she was not really nice about my coming back to work there.” Robin looked at Patrick who jumped in.

“The truth is that your mommy and I think that we need a new start away from Port Charles.” Patrick really wanted Emma to understand.

“Is this because mommy got hurt last night?” Anna had worked with the police to keep what happened with Manrico out of the press. Emma had been told that Robin was in a minor accident but was doing fine.

Patrick decided to be as honest with his daughter as possible. “Partly, yes, but we also want to spend some time with Grandpa Noah and Uncle Matt. Plus, this new job is a really good opportunity for me and mommy.”

Emma took a moment to think about what her parents were saying. “But what about Grandma Anna and Uncle Mac?”

“They will come to see us all the time and we will visit them too.” Robin hugged Emma. “Do you know that Grandma Anna used to live in London and we still saw her at least once or twice a year? If we could do that when she in another country, imagine how many visits we can do when we are just across the coast from each other. And Uncle Mac will definitely be out to visit. Georgie is in Seattle so he can see both of you in one trip.”

“Disneyland is in California, right?” Emma had begun doing research when her parents first talked to her about the job offer.

“Yes.” Patrick laughed.

“When would we have to leave?”

“Well, they need us to start as soon as possible so we would have to fly out tomorrow night so mommy and I can start work in two days.” The hospital had first class tickets for the family on one of the last flights out tomorrow night. Patrick smiled at Robin. “The movers will pack everything up this weekend and send our stuff and cars to California for us.”

“But what about the wedding?” Emma wanted her parents married again as soon as possible.

“We can do it in California…” Robin began to explain but Emma cut her off.

“No, you are getting married in Port Charles.” Emma jumped off the couch and picked up her mom’s phone. “We’ll just have to do it tomorrow.”

“Emma, there is just not enough time.” Robin loved that her daughter was so insistent on reuniting her parents but Robin wasn’t certain that they had the time to put together a wedding.

“Yes we do.” Emma searched through her mom’s contacts and called up her cousin. “You are getting married tomorrow or my name isn’t Emma Grace Scorpio-Drake!”

[cmahorror]

Chapter 24

Robin opened the front door and smiled at the assembled group on her front porch. “Thank you for coming over so quickly. Come in.”

She stood back and let her parents, Mac and Felicia walk in. Mac was the last one through the door and hugged Robin. “Hello sweetheart – what was so important that we had to come over right away? Does it have something to do with the wedding because I will have you know that I am fully ordained and ready to go.”

Robin laughed at her uncle. “Well the wedding is part of it. Everyone have a seat please.” She walked over to the chair at the far end of the room and sat down in Patrick’s lap.

“Where’s Emma?” Anna looked around for their granddaughter, surprised the little girl wasn’t waiting for them at the door.

“She’s out with Maxie doing some last minute things for the wedding.” Robin looked at Patrick. “Which is why you are here – we have moved up the wedding to tomorrow.”

Anna exchanged knowing looks with Robert and Mac. “Is there any particular reason why?”

“Robin and I have accepted the positions in Berkeley. Obrecht’s offer to Robin was insulting to say the least and we need a new start.” Patrick put his arms around Robin, holding her close to him. “Someplace away from the drama of the last five years. A new home, new jobs and even a new puppy for Emma.”

Silence filled the room for a few minutes while the news sank in. Finally, Robert looked at Anna and Mac and then turned to his daughter. “What do you need us to do?”

“You’re not upset?” Robin had expected more of a fight.

“We will miss having you guys here in Port Charles but after everything that has happened, we understand why this is a good move for you.” Anna smiled at Robin. “Besides you will only be one short flight away.”

“Yeah, it’s not like I have to change planes three times to see you like I did when you lived in Paris.” Mac grinned at his niece.

Robin shook her head. “Never going let that go, are you?”

“Not on your life.” Mac stood up and walked over to the couple. Robin stood up and he hugged her close. “I want you to be happy and safe Robin. We will miss you and Emma like crazy but we support your decision.”

Patrick stood up behind his fiancée and feigned a look of hurt. “What about me?”

Mac rolled his eyes. “You too Drake, I guess.” He held out his hand and waited for Patrick to shake it. “You better take good care of my girls and remember that me and her parents are only a flight away.”

“Robin and Emma are my world Mac – I will do anything and everything I can to make sure we have a safe, normal life.” Patrick understood where Mac’s hesitation came from – he had let Robin down too many times to count over the past 10 years but he was going to spend the rest of his life proving how much he loved her.

Felicia walked over to them. “So what can we do?”

Robin shook her head. “You need to ask Maxie. I was told that all I needed to do was put on my dress and show up.”

“Then let’s call my daughter and get the show on the road.” Felicia hugged Robin. “I am so happy for you – you are finally getting your happy ending.”

Robin wrapped Patrick’s arms tight around her and smiled. “Yes I am.”

__________________________________________________________________________________________


Robin went over her checklist one more time. “The movers will be here this weekend to pack up all the furniture and get the cars. Mac and Felicia will be here to help them and make sure everything is done right.”

“And we have our bags packed for the flight tomorrow.” Patrick walked over to her and kissed her neck. “Maxie has everything ready for the wedding.”

“Great idea telling people that this is was our going away party – that way we can surprise them.” Patrick and Robin decided to keep things as low key as possible – a formal going away dinner with a surprise wedding seemed to be a way to do that.

“Well I do love surprises – like what did you pack in your bag for our wedding night?” He had let Robin pack their bags for the trip out.

“Good things come to he who waits - you will find out tomorrow night.” Robin was still checking off items on the list. “What time is everyone going to be here tomorrow?”

“Not until noon,” Patrick took the tablet from her hand and set it down on the dresser, “which means we have time in the morning to double check the list. Right now I want to spend some time with my beautiful once and future wife.”

Robin let him lead her to the bed. “I can’t believe that this is our last night in this house.” She laid down with him on the bed. “We have had some good times here.”

Patrick laid down next to her and propped his head up on his hand. “And some really bad times. I still remember coming here for the first time after the lab explosion – I still couldn’t believe you were gone. I saw you everywhere.” He reached over and gently stroked her hair. “In our bedroom, the living room, the shower…”

“The shower?” Robin rolled over and gently stroked his face.

“We have a lot of good memories in that shower. The next place definitely has to have a shower big enough for two.” He leaned over a kissed her. “I love you Robin, so much, and I will spend the rest of my life proving that to you.”

“You need to do me a favor – this is our new start so let’s not dwell on the past. We need to concentrate on our future and leave this baggage behind in Port Charles.” He nodded in agreement and Robin kissed him once more. “You know what I am thinking?”

He leaned back over and kissed her neck. “What?”

“I’m thinking that our temporary housing may not have a shower built for two so this may be our last chance to take a shower together for a while.” Robin got off the bed and headed to their bathroom. “Care to join me?”

Patrick didn’t need to be asked twice – he jumped off the bed and joined Robin in the bathroom.

[cmahorror]

Chapter 25

The doorbell rang and Emma came running out of the kitchen. “I got it!” She opened up the door and saw Liz and Epiphany standing there. “Come in.”

The two nurses walked in and were surprised to see chairs set up, a runner on the floor and flowers everywhere. Liz looked at Epiphany in surprise. “Did you know…”

“No, I did not.” Epiphany looked down at the little girl she helped deliver seven years ago. “Emma, what is going on?”

“It’s a wedding!” The little girl giggled happily as she told them the news. “Mommy and Daddy are getting married.”

“That’s wonderful!” Liz was thrilled her friends had found their way back to each other.

“Yes it is.” Patrick walked into the room and smiled at his daughter. “I think Maxie needs your help in the kitchen.”

“Yes Daddy.”

Emma ran off towards the kitchen while Patrick gave the women his best smirk. “Ladies, may I take your coats?”

“Don’t you look nice Dr. Drake – no tuxedo this time?” Epiphany handed Patrick her coat as she looked him up and down. Patrick was dressed in a simple dress shirt and jacket, no tie.

“We are going a little less formal.” He hugged the older woman. “Thank you for coming.”

“I haven’t missed any of your weddings yet.” Epiphany laughed. “Now where is the beautiful wife-to-be of yours?”

“She is in our room and I know she would love to see you.” Patrick pointed to the stairs. “Upstairs, door at the end of the hall.”

Epiphany didn’t need to be told twice. “Then I better go check on Dr. Scorpio. Are you coming Liz?”

Liz handed Patrick her coat and shook her head. “I’ll be up in a minute – I want to talk to Patrick first.”

Epiphany nodded her head in understanding. While Patrick and Robin had been finding their way back to each other, Liz had lost her fiancée. Sam had figured out that Liz knew all along that Jake was Jason and had exposed the nurse. Jason couldn’t forgive her betrayal, the fact that she had kept him from his family, and had left her.

Liz waited until Epiphany was headed up the stairs before she spoke again. “First of all, congratulations to you and Robin both. Not only on the marriage but also on the new jobs.”

“Thank you.” Patrick took a step forward. “I heard about you and Jason – I’m sorry.”

“No, I’m the one who’s sorry." Liz took a deep breath and began her apology. "Patrick, I need you to know that if I thought for even a second that Jason was connected to Robin staying away…”

“I know Liz.” Despite everything the woman had done recently, she was still one of his first friends when he came to Port Charles. Her support through the years, especially when he thought Robin was dead, was something he would never forget. “That is why I invited you today. If I thought for even one second that you knew about what was going on with Robin, I would never forgive you.”

“And I would understand completely. It would be the least that I deserved.” Tears came to Liz’s eyes. “I knew that Nikolas knew the truth but I didn’t even suspect that it involved Robin. And I shouldn’t have encouraged you to propose to Sam – that was my own insecurity pushing you to do something you clearly weren’t ready for.”

“Look, in the end I made the decision to propose on my own. Would I have proposed if I had known Jason was alive – absolutely not. The only thing that bothers me is how you could let Emma get close to Sam when you knew that she was going to leave me once the truth came out.” Patrick was glad Emma had her mom back but she had gotten close to Sam and now, like Sabrina, Sam was out of her life. “Emma didn’t deserve that Liz.”

Liz’s tears spilled over onto her cheeks. “No, she is amazing little girl and I should have never let that happen. I should have told the truth the moment I found out but you and Sam seemed so happy and I truly thought that Robin was happy in Paris, I guess I let myself be convinced that it was the right decision.”

Patrick knew Liz well enough to know that she often made bad choices for what she thought were the right reasons. Besides, he knew she was already paying a high price for her deception. Jason had left her and most of the town hated her for her participation in the cover up. He changed the subject. “How is Jake doing?”

Liz smiled at him. “Adjusting – I have arranged for him to start seeing a therapist and I am getting me and the boys into family counseling. I even talked to Lucky the other night and he is going to come home so that he can attend some sessions with us. I am doing what I should have been doing instead of trying to hang on to a man that wasn’t mine to begin with – taking care of my boys.”

“That’s great Liz.” Both of them were surprised to hear Jason’s voice come from the kitchen doorway.

Patrick leaned over and hugged Liz. “I have to check on Robin.” He turned to Jason and shook his hand. “Thank you for coming – it means a lot to Robin to have you here.”

“I owe her – she saved my life.” He put his hands in his pockets and looked around the room. “The place looks nice.”

“Yeah, Emma and Maxie did a great job.” Patrick heard the door. “I need to get that but please have a seat – we will start in a few minutes.”

Patrick opened the front door to let in Mac and Felicia while Jason talked to Liz for a minute. “How are the boys doing?”

“Okay – we are figuring it out. How is Danny?”

“He is great.” His smile filled his face. “Sam and I took him to the zoo the other day and he absolutely loved the penguins.”

Liz tried not to sound upset. “You and Sam?”

“Yes, we thought it would be good for Danny to have some time with both of his parents.” Jason didn't remember much but there was something comfortable about being with her and Danny.

“That’s great.” Liz sighed. “I’m going to go check on the bride – see if she needs anything. I’ll see you around.”

Jason nodded his head. “I’ll see if Maxie needs me to run any last minute errands. See you Liz.”

[cmahorror]

Chapter 26

“Now I feel silly.” Carly sat down in her chair next to Sonny and pouted.

“Why?” Sonny was thrilled that Robin was getting a new start. He had to agree with everyone that leaving Port Charles was in Robin and her family’s best interest. She deserved a new life with the man she loved and her daughter. Carly and Robin had even managed to become civil to each other and Robin was leaving town on her own terms for once.

“The cake Sonny. It says ‘Bon Voyage’.” Carly continued to pout while her husband rolled his eyes.

“So?”

“So that really isn’t appropriate for a wedding.” She crossed her arms. “If I had known that they were getting married I could have arranged for an actual wedding cake.”

“Actually,” Jason sat down next to Carly, “Bon Voyage works too. It means good journey and marriage is a journey.” There was limited seating in the room and the only other open space in the room was next to Liz so Jason had picked the lesser of two evils.

“See – it works.” Sonny leaned over and kissed his wife on the cheek. “Now just enjoy the wedding.”

Patrick stood in the front of the room with Mac, anxiously waiting for Robin. “Thank you again Mac for doing this for us.”

Mac smiled at Patrick. “I would do anything for my girls Patrick, you know that.”

“I know…”

“Let me finish.” Mac’s gaze turned steely for just a moment. “You have been granted another chance with my niece and it doesn’t matter if you are across town or the country – you hurt her again and you will have me to deal with. Understand?”

Patrick swallowed. “Yes sir.”

Mac smiled. “Good.” He slapped Patrick on the back. “Now let’s get you married.”

Patrick turned around to see Emma standing in the doorway with a little basket in her hands. She smiled at her dad and began walking towards him, slowly tossing out flower petals as she made her way down the runner. She reached her dad and hugged him and then took a seat in the front row. Patrick turned his attention back to the doorway, smiling as Robin appeared with her parents standing behind her.

“You ready to do this luv?” Robert took her right arm while Anna took her left.

“More than ready.” Robin smiled at Patrick and began making her way to him. It took less than a minute for her to join him in front of her uncle. “Hi.”

“Hi.” Patrick smiled at the beautiful woman standing before him. She was breathtaking in her dark blue dress with her hair down. He reached up and tucked a wayward strand behind her ear. “You look beautiful.”

Robin giggled. “You don’t look so bad yourself.” She handed her bouquet to her mother who took it and Robert and sat down next to their granddaughter.

Patrick took her hands in his and looked at Mac. “Let’s get married.”

“Family and friends, we are gathered here today to witness the reuniting in marriage of Robin and Patrick.” Mac smiled at niece. “Let’s keep this short and sweet since you guys have a flight to catch. Robin and Patrick, I understand you have written your own vows.”

Patrick nodded. “For most of my life I didn’t believe in second chances. I had a lot of important people in my life that left so when the opportunity came to give or get a second chance, I let it go, whether I didn’t believe the other person deserved or I deserved it. But I got to have a second chance with you.”

Robin interrupted, laughing. “A third.”

“A third and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. Robin, you make me want to be a better person, you make me want to be a better man, you make me want to be a better father and I can’t imagine my life without you. I love you so much, I love you more than I can say.”

Robin wiped away a tear. “Okay, my turn. All that time that I spent away, you know I had to live on my memory about the time that we fell in love and our first wedding.”

Emma interrupted this time. “And the second.”

Everyone laughed as Robin continued. “I would try to imagine you in the morning with your hair all messed up and how you would read to Emma in your monster voice and how you would cheat at board games.”

Patrick shrugged his shoulders. “Eh.”

“And how we would just cuddle together on the couch and watch scary movies. I would think about that all the time and it would seem like the memory would just slip further and further away and, now that I’m here, and I’m back I can see in every single detail how lucky I am.” She took a handkerchief and wiped the tears off her face. “And now that you and Emma and I are back together, all that other stuff, that’s the memory.”

Everyone wiped away their tears as Mac continued on with the ceremony. “Patrick, do you take Robin to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, forsaking all others, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, through good times and bad, as long as you both shall live?”

Patrick tightened his grip on Robin’s hand. “I do.”

Mac turned to Robin. “Robin, do you take Patrick to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, forsaking all others, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, through good times and bad, as long as you both shall live?”

Robin bit her lip and smiled at Patrick. “Yes, I do.”

“May we have the rings?”

A panicked look filled Maxie’s face. “Oh my God, I forgot the rings.”

“I didn’t.” Patrick turned to Felicia who handed him the rings. “New rings for a new life.”

Mac nodded his head, grateful that the doctor had thought about it. “Patrick, repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed.”

Patrick slid the ring on Robin’s finger as he said the words. “With this ring, I thee wed.”

Mac turned to Robin. “Robin, repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed.”

Robin took the ring and slowly slid it onto Patrick’s finger. “With this ring, I thee wed.”

Mac proudly finished the ceremony. “By the powers vested in me by the internet, I now pronounce you husband and wife.”

The words were barely out of his mouth and Patrick had Robin in his arms. Moving slowly, savoring every moment, Patrick once again kissed his bride.

Edited June 18, 2016 by cmahorror

[cmahorror]

Chapter 27

Everyone mingled around the table eating after Robin, Emma and Patrick had cut the cake. Patrick and Robin were toasted with champagne while Emma joined in with sparkling cider.

Robin felt a hand on her arm and turned to see Sonny sitting there in his wheelchair. “Congratulations.”

She leaned over and hugged him. “Thank you and you too. I hope you and Carly are happy together.” She still couldn’t believe that she truly felt that way but she did.

Sonny took a moment to just stare at the woman standing before him – so different and yet still the same as she was when he first met her as a teenager years ago. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you since you got back, to see how you are doing. How is your viral load?”

Robin shook her head at him. She expected him to ask her about her status. “Still undetectable – Helena needed me healthy so I could work for her. Jerry on the other hand could not have cared less. If Mac, my parents and Patrick hadn’t come when they did…”

“But they did.” He took her hands in his. “They did and you are back where you belong – with your husband and daughter. I just wish you weren’t leaving home so soon after getting back.”

“Sonny, Patrick and Emma are my home, not Port Charles.”

“I get it.” Sonny let go of her hands and backed up his chair a few feet. He waited for Robin to follow him before speaking again, a little softer this time. “Since I didn’t know this was a wedding and I didn’t bring a gift for you, how about I arrange for something to happen to Jerry? Give you the gift of peace.”

Robin rolled her eyes. Sadly, some things would never change and Sonny’s mobster life was one of those things. “I took an oath to save lives and that includes having anyone die on my behalf. What happened with Manrico was unfortunate but happened because he was armed and threatening me. Jerry is in a maximum security prison with no assets, no one to turn to and no way of hurting me. Let the law handle him.”

Sonny nodded his head. “Fine but if you ever change your mind, just ask. It would give me great pleasure to rid the world of that sadistic son of a bitch once and for all.”

“I am asking you, as a gift to me, to let the WSB and Frisco take care of Jerry.” Robin felt Patrick put his arms around her. “Did you get enough cake?”

“More than enough.” He rocked her just a little bit as he regarded Sonny. He had heard Sonny’s offer and was proud of his wife for turning him down. He hated Jerry more than Sonny did but he and Robin were dedicated to saving lives. “I just wanted to remind you that the car will be here in two hours to get us.”

“Yeah doc, can’t believe you are leaving me in the middle of my recovery.” Sonny was attempting to joke but it fell flat.

“You’ll be fine Sonny and besides, I go where Robin goes. I am not letting her get away from me again.” He kissed the back of his wife’s head.

“That is because you are a smart man.” Sonny sighed. “We should get going but give me a call sometime and let me know how you are doing, okay?”

Robin nodded her head. “I will and let me know when Michael’s baby comes.”

Sonny plastered a smile on his face as he regarded his old friend. There was no need to tell Robin that the baby wasn’t Michael’s. “I will.”

Carly walked over and stood behind Sonny. “Max is here with the car.” She smiled at the newlyweds. “Congratulations and good luck with everything in California.”

“Thank you Carly.” Robin gave the couple one last smile as they turned to leave. “One goodbye down.”

________________________________________________________________________________________


“Liz? Are you leaving?” Robin saw Liz sneak off to the hallway to grab her and Epiphany’s coats.

“Yeah, I’m going to take Epiphany home and then enjoy a quiet evening at home alone since Grams has the boys.” Liz hugged Robin. “I am so happy for you and I want you to know that if I had had even a clue that Helena…”

“I know Liz.” Patrick had come to Robin after his talk with Liz and discussed it briefly with her. Robin understood enough from the conversation how truly sorry Liz was for her recent behavior. “I can’t say that I am happy about what you did or can even understand why you did it but I also know you are doing what you can to fix it. Concentrating on the boys is a good start.”

“I think so too.” Liz was relieved that Robin didn’t just rip into her.

“And who knows, maybe you and Lucky can see what happens when he comes back to town.” Robin had always believed that Lucky was Liz’s soulmate – not Jason.

“I don’t know – right now I am concentrating on me and my boys but if you and Patrick can find your way back to each other, maybe we can too.” Liz and Lucky had been talking on the phone quite a lot lately. Lucky had always kept in constant contact with the boys but now they talked after the boys went to bed.

Liz had one more question she needed answered. “Have you talked to Nikolas at all?”

Robin shook her head. “Patrick and him had it out the other day and Patrick made it very clear that he was not to come anywhere near me again.”

“How does that make you feel?” Liz knew how close Robin and Nikolas had been over the years. “The man did help save you from Jerry a few years ago.”

“Yes but that man, the one who helped save me from Jerry, that man would have never done what Nikolas has been doing. I mean, stealing ELQ from the Quartermaines and lying about Jason being alive – the Nikolas I knew would never have done that.” Robin shook her head sadly. “As much as I don’t want to believe it, I can’t help but think that Nikolas knew what Helena was doing and chose to ignore it.”

“I am so sorry Robin.” Liz started to cry again. “If I had known…”

Robin hugged her old friend again. “I know Liz.”

“Would you two stop all this blubbering?” Epiphany walked over and smiled at the two women. “She is moving to California not Timbuktu.”

Robin laughed before favoring Epiphany with a quick hug. “What are you going to do without Patrick there to harass you every day?”

“He wasn’t much fun after you left anyhow.” Epiphany smiled at the young doctor. “I am so glad I didn’t have to break your neck.”

“Me too.” Robin looked back at Patrick who was talking to her father. “Thank you for putting up with us for all those years.”

“Well it was never boring. Now you take that wonderful husband and amazing daughter and enjoy your new life together. You’ve earned it.” Epiphany kissed Robin on the cheek then turned to Liz. “Now let’s go – I’ve got a bottle of wine and a good book waiting at home for me.”

“Yes ma’am.” Liz saluted the older nurse and threw Robin one last smile. “I love you and I will talk to you soon.”

“Love you too."

Edited June 21, 2016 by cmahorror

[cmahorror]

Chapter 28

Jason threw on his jacket and was headed for the door when he heard a familiar voice call to him. “Jason, wait a second.”

Robin kissed Patrick on the cheek before joining Jason at the front door. “You weren’t going to leave without saying goodbye were you?”

“I just,” he looked back at Robin’s family putting away the chairs, “you need to get going to the airport and…”

“I’m glad you came.” She reached up and impulsively hugged him. “Even if you don’t remember why, it means a lot to me that you were here.”

He smiled at her shyly. “I was glad to be here for you too.” Reaching down, he took her hand. “You look amazingly happy.”

“I am amazingly happy.” She sighed. “And I want you to be too. I understand that you and Sam have been spending some time together.”

“Yes and it has been very nice.”

“Any old feelings resurfacing?” Robin winked jokingly at him.

Jason’s heart stopped as he stared at the beautiful woman before him. “A few but I’ll figure it out.” The truth was that he recently had recovered memories of both Robin and Sam and both had brought out feelings in him that he needed to sort through. “Now promise me that you will have a great life in California with your husband and daughter.”

“That’s the plan.” Robin gave him one last smile. “And you promise that if you have a memory that you need help with or if you are ever out my way that you will call?”

“I promise.” Jason leaned down and gave Robin a gentle kiss on her forehead. “Goodbye Robin.”

“Goodbye Jason.”


_______________________________________________________________________________________



“I’m not ready to do this.” Mac held Robin close as he slowly rocked her in his arms. “I just got you back and I am already saying goodbye again.”

“Uncle Mac, I’m only going to be a flight away if you want to see me and we still have the phone and skype and…”

“And it’s not the same.” He pulled back and shook his head. “Don’t get me wrong, I truly believe that this is the right move for you and Emma.”

“And Patrick.” Robin shook her head at her uncle.

“And Patrick.” Mac added grudgingly. “But that doesn’t change the fact that I have had either you or Emma here in Port Charles with me every day for the last ten years and I am going to miss you both a lot more than I could ever say.”

“We are going to miss you too.” Robin felt tears coming to her eyes once more. Mac, more than anyone, had been there for her and her family through the years and taking Emma away from him was hard on her.

“You are more than I could have ever wanted or hoped for. You pushed me, forcing me to grow up and be the man I never thought I could be.” He looked at Patrick. “Seems that Patrick and I do have something in common after all.”

Robin wiped away a tear. “More than one thing.”

“That’s debatable – anyway, because of you, I had the confidence to be a father to Maxie and Georgie. You and Emma are two of the best things in my life and it doesn’t matter how far away you are, one phone call and I will be at your side – no questions asked.” Mac kissed Robin’s cheek and hugged her one last time. “I love you sweetheart.”

“I love you too Mac.” She heard a familiar set of footsteps come up behind her and instinctively leaned back into the waiting arms of her husband. “You will have to come out when we get our new house to make sure everything is up to your standards.”

“Count on it.” Mac stuck out his hand. “Patrick, take care of my girls.”

Patrick shook it. “I will Mac – I promise.”

“I’ll hold you to that.” Mac smiled at his wife. “Felicia, we need to get going.”

Felicia handed Mac his coat. “I know dear.” She pulled Robin into a hug. “If you need anything, anything at all, you just call and we will be there for you. I love you.”

Robin hugged her aunt back. “I love you too.”

“Maxie? Are you riding with us?” Felicia watched her daughter talking to Emma.

“Yes Mom, be right there.” Maxie turned back to Emma. “Now, you promise to wear the outfit I picked out for you for the first day of school?”

“I promise.” Emma gave her cousin a hug. “Thank you for helping mommy and daddy get married today.”

“It was my pleasure. I will see you soon.” Maxie walked over to Robin and Patrick. “You take good care of my cousins – they deserve the best.”

“And I will make sure they get it.” Patrick briefly released his hold on Robin to hug Maxie and Felicia goodbye. “Thank you for everything – not just today but for the past ten years. I honestly don’t know what we would have done without you here to help us. You have always been one of mine and Robin’s biggest supporters and I truly appreciate it. When I thought Robin was dead, you were there by mine and Emma’s sides and made sure we knew we weren’t alone. I will never be able to repay you for everything you have done for us.”

Mac got choked up at the man’s pronouncement. True, Patrick had let Robin down in many major ways over the years but he had also loved Robin in a way no man ever had. His love for Robin and his complete devastation when he thought she was dead was something Mac would never forget. “We’re family – it’s what we do. Now, we are going to head out but I expect you to text me and let me know that you made it out there in one piece.”

“I will.” Robin hugged Maxie. “Thank you for everything. I love you.”

“I love you too.” Maxie smiled at Robin one last time before turning to her parents. “Alright, enough with the mushy stuff – they have a plane to catch. Let’s go.”

Robin let Patrick wrap his arms around her as she watched Mac, Felicia and Maxie leave the house. “I’m going to miss them.”

“I know you will but we still have two goodbyes left before we can leave.” Patrick turned her around in his arms. “Are you ready?”

“Not even close but it’s time.” Robin kissed Patrick and then headed over to say goodbye to her parents.

[HeatLifer]

Yay, all caught up with the fic and I love it! Great job. :) So much better than the show.

[cmahorror]

Chapter 29

“You know, there are flights leaving the Port Charles airport every hour so you don’t have to take this one.” Robert winked at his daughter as he tried to convince her to stay a little longer. As much as he knew that this was a good move for Robin and her family, he wasn’t quite ready to say goodbye. “We could maybe go have a drink…”

“Dad, this is the last flight we can take and still get a decent night’s sleep before work.” Robin shook her head at him. “Plus Noah and Matt are picking us up at the airport for a late dinner when we get there. They wanted to do something special for us since they couldn’t make it to the wedding.”

“But…”

“Dad, I love you and I know you love me.” Robin took her father’s hands in hers. “I know this is hard on you but, let’s be honest, you are going to be leaving for an assignment with Frisco next week and it’s not like it is any harder for you to get to Berkeley.”

“That’s true but it’s a lot easier when my whole family is in one town.” Robert squeezed Robin’s hands.

“I’d say we’re worth the special trip.” Robin pulled her father into a hug. “Thank you for saving me.”

“Hopefully I will never have to do that again.” Robert hugged her close. “I am going to miss you kid. You are, without a doubt, the best thing I have ever done. I love you Robin.”

“I love you too Daddy.” Robin kissed his cheek and hugged him once more. As much as she loved her father, the knowledge that he would be leaving town soon made this goodbye much easier than the one she was going to have with her mom. She looked over her father’s shoulder and saw Anna sitting with Emma in a chair while handing Emma an envelope.

“What is this grandma?” Emma hadn’t expected any gifts today.

“Open it.” Anna smiled as her granddaughter opened up the envelope and pulled out a plane ticket. “That is for you to come and visit me this summer. I already talked to your mom and dad and they thought it would be a great idea.”

Emma stared at the ticket in disbelief. “Really grandma?”

“Yes.” Anna couldn’t help but get a little teary as she said goodbye to the little girl. She reached over and tucked a wayward strand of hair behind Emma’s ear. “Promise that you will use it?”

Emma threw her arms around her grandma and hugged her close. “Of course I will. I love you.”

“I love you too Emma.” Anna pulled away and smiled at the little girl.

“Emma, you need to get your bag for the plane from your bedroom.” Patrick walked over with his coat on and Emma’s in his hand. He handed it to his daughter. “We have to leave in just a little bit.”

“Yes daddy.” Emma kissed her grandma. “Thank you Grandma Anna.”

“You are most welcome.” Anna stood up and looked at Patrick. “I guess this is almost it.”

“Yes it is.” He favored his mother-in-law with a smile. “I want to thank you for everything you’ve done for me, Emma and Robin. Even when Robin wasn’t here you still treated me like a member of the family.”

“That’s because you are family.” Anna hugged Patrick. “Now, you let me know if there is anything you need.”

Patrick smiled at Robin as she helped Emma on with her coat. “Thank you but I already have everything I need.”

Anna let go of Patrick and turned around to her daughter. She didn’t even try to fight the tears as they came to her eyes. She grabbed Robin and pulled her into a tight hug. “I don’t think I can do this – let you go again.”

Robin began to cry as she held her mom. “I know it’s hard but we are only a flight away and we will call you at least once a week – I promise.”

“But I just got you back.” Anna was still kicking herself for not seeing how much trouble Robin was in these past two years. “I wanted to spend some time with you and Emma going shopping or maybe getting manicures or…”

“And we can do that when you visit us in California.” Robin finally managed to pull away from her mother and smiled at her. “Which better be as soon as possible. I should be able to find us a new house in no time flat and I could use your help decorating.”

“You know they still make great Kevlar curtains.” Anna laughed as she remembered trying to help get Robin’s apartment ready for her when she was pregnant with Emma.

“The good news is that we won’t need them in Berkeley.” Robin wiped away her tears. “But we will need you to come and celebrate our new home with us. Promise me that you’ll do that.”

“I promise. I love you Robin.” Anna took Robin’s hand in hers and gently traced three letters on her palm. “L-U-V.”

Robin took her mother’s hand and did the same. “L-U-V.”

Patrick looked at his watch and sighed. He hated to do interrupt this moment but they needed to get going. “Robin...”

Robin nodded her head. “I know.”

Anna stepped back into her ex-husband’s arms and allowed him to hold her close. “Call us as soon as you land.”

“We will.” Robin smiled at her parents one last time before following her husband and daughter to the door.

“Take care of our girls Drake.” Robert stared Patrick down as he spoke. “We will be out to see you in a few weeks.”

Patrick nodded his head. “Looking forward to it sir.”

They heard the taxi honk its horn and Patrick bent down and picked up the small suitcase that contained their clothes for the next few days – everything else was being shipped over the weekend. Emma picked up her mother’s bouquet and the family headed to the door. Emma took one last look at her grandparents. “See you soon!”

Both Anna and Robert waved to them as they walked out the door. Patrick followed Robin and Emma out the door and shut it behind him. He saw Robin bend over and help Emma get her hat straight on her head. “Ready to go?”

“Yes – I can’t wait to see to Grandpa Noah and Uncle Matt.” She stood up and put herself between her parents, slipping an arm through each parent’s arm.

Patrick picked up their suitcase and smiled at Robin. “Ready for a new adventure?”

Robin smiled back at him as they headed to the cab. “Absolutely - let’s go.”


The End

[cmahorror]

I debated posting this because this is old school Scrubs - 2007 after the whole Nik/Robin fake romance story. It is a little on the soapy side and definitely alternative universe but I am working on a couple of other stories and this will fill the void until they are completed.

As long as people are still reading I will keep posting.

Enjoy!
Cristina

 

Prologue

She was standing at the hub, completely absorbed in her chart. Her hair was half pulled back in a barrette, her dark brown mane flowing over her shoulders and down her back.

He loved seeing her this way, so concerned about her patient and their treatment that a bomb could go off and she wouldn’t even notice. Her dedication to her work and her compassion for her patients were both parts of what made Robin Scorpio who she is. And she was the woman he loved.

The elevator door opened and he watched him come over to her. He stood over her like he owned her. He hated that man so much.

“Come on Sunshine, its quitting time. I’ve got Schezwan Beef and pot stickers ordered and ready to pick up on the way home but it will be cold if we don’t hurry.” He gently took the chart from her hands and turned her around to look at him. “You can’t do anything for Mr. Thomas until you get the lab work back anyway. Let’s go home.”

“I guess I can come over for a little bit.” Patrick rolled his eyes. She smiled at him. “If you’re really good, I might even stay the night.”

“Oh, I am better than good and you know it.”

Robin laughed, grabbed his hand and dragged him to the elevator. “Then I guess we need to get headed to your place.”

He watched them get on the elevator and as the doors closed he saw her get on her toes and kiss him. He was a patient man, he could wait for her.



Chapter 1

“Patrick, can we not discuss this right now." Robin was running around the apartment in a mad frenzy, searching for her shoes. "We need to get to the hospital and we are already running late. Where is my other shoe?”

He finished buckling up his belt as he answered her. “You know, we wouldn’t be late if you lived here with me. Your shoes would be in the closet right where you could find them…”

“Found it!” She slipped the shoe on and walked over to him. “I love you, but can we please have this argument…”

“Civil discussion.” Patrick interrupted.

“Fine, civil discussion after work? We really need to get going.” She smiled at him and gave him a quick kiss before heading to the front door.

Patrick sighed. Following Robin out the door, he took one last look around the apartment. One way or another, she was moving back in.

_______________________________________________________________________________

“Hello Liz.” Robin greeted her friend as she and Patrick approached the nurse’s station.

Liz smiled at the couple. “Hello Robin and Patrick, how are you two doing today?”

“We’re here.” Robin grumbled. The car ride over to GH had been an unpleasant one to say the least. Patrick just wouldn’t let the whole moving in together issue drop and it was driving Robin crazy. He maintained his stance that it made sense for the two of them to live together. Sure, he had made a mistake by running off with Pete to Vegas but he had owned up to it. Besides, after everything they had been through, he couldn’t stand her not being with him.

The truth was that he blamed himself for her being shot. In Patrick’s mind, if he hadn’t gone to Vegas with Pete one day after she had moved in, she wouldn’t have gotten drunk and arrested. She wouldn’t have been still upset the next day when he got the inconclusive HIV test result. They were both still emotionally raw from the night before and went back to their old standbys – she lectured and gave an ultimatum and he got defensive and obstinate.

His refusal to get another test was the final straw that pushed her away from him and their place. It sent her to the Metro Court that night, the night that she was shot and almost died. He would never forgive himself for that and he vowed to spend the rest of his life making it up to her.

“Okay, well I think your day is about to get better. These came for you just a little bit ago.” Liz pointed to a bouquet of daisies that sat on the desk.

“Patrick!" Robin happily picked up the flowers and smelled them. "You know bribery doesn’t work, but I appreciate the effort.”

“Uh, Robin, those aren’t from me." Patrick walked over and studied the flowers. "I’d send gardenias or roses.”

“Oh,” Robin said, a little disappointed. “You know they are probably from my mom. She just left on a mission and with everything that has happened I’m sure she just wanted to let me know she is thinking of me.” Robin searched the flowers and pulled out a card. Patrick watched as Robin’s face went from happy to uncertain and even a little scared.

“Robin, what does it say?” Their fight was instantly forgotten. Something on that card had upset her.

“Good things come to he who waits.”

“What the hell does that mean?!" Patrick turned her around so she was looking at him. "Robin?”

Robin took a deep breath and thought for a moment. All of sudden she relaxed. “You know, I bet this is just a patient who decided to send me a thank you gift. After all, my protocols do take time to work.”

“Really? Is the card signed?” Patrick wasn’t buying it.

“Well no, it is actually typed but that doesn’t mean anything…”

“I don’t like this. Jerry is still out there; your parents are international spies with a lot of enemies and let’s not forget your relationship with Jason and Sonny.”

“Patrick, I really think you are overreacting. It’s just some daisies, no big deal. I’m going to do some paperwork and I will see you in surgery in 2 hours.” Robin got on her toes, gave Patrick a quick kiss, grabbed her flowers and headed towards her office.

“Overreacting my ass.” Patrick pulled out his cell phone. “Hey, it’s me. We need to talk about Robin. I think something may be wrong.”

_______________________________________________________________________________

He watched her reaction to the flowers. He watched her kiss Drake. But then he watched her pick up the flowers, his flowers, and take them with her to her office.

But mostly, he just watched her.

“We’ll be together soon." He thought to himself. "All good things…”

Edited July 3, 2016 by cmahorror

[cmahorror]

Chapter 2

Robin sat at her desk and stared at the card she had gotten with the flowers. While she would never admit it to Patrick, she was very bothered by it. Something just felt off with the whole thing. She briefly thought of contacting her mom and dad or Uncle Mac but quickly dismissed it. After all, it was just one bouquet of flowers and a basically harmless note. No, she would just concentrate on her work and drop the flowers off later at the children’s desk. The kids would love the daisies.

Robin settled into her work. Twenty minutes later she was reviewing lab results for a patient that she was consulting on when she heard a knock on her door.

“Come in.”

Mac walked into the room. “You really should ask who it is before you invite them in.”

Robin sighed and smiled up at him. “Uncle Mac! What a nice surprise – what brings you here today?”

“What, can’t an uncle stop by to see his favorite niece for no reason?”

“I’m you only niece and he can but I have a feeling that there is something else going on here.” Robin caught Mac glancing at the flowers and quickly realized the true reason for his visit. “Patrick called you, didn’t he? Unbelievable!”

“Now, he was just concerned. I mean, come on Robin, flowers arrive for you with a cryptic note and no signature and you expect him not to worry? He loves you.”

“And I am not going to apologize for caring about what happens to you.” Patrick walked through the door prepared for a fight. “We have been through too much for me to risk anything else happening to you. The slightest hint that you could possibly be in danger, I am bringing in reinforcements.”

Robin rolled her eyes. On the one hand, she was proud of her independence and her ability to take care of herself but, on the other hand, she did enjoy having someone who worried and cared about her. She had been on her own for years in Paris and taken good care of herself but it had been lonely. Coming back to Port Charles had brought her more peace and happiness than she had ever known, even with everything that had happened.

Since coming back she had almost died twice, once in the epidemic and once after being shot. She had been held hostage by a madman twice. She had been threatened by Lorenzo Alcazar. All of that in less than two years and yet she couldn’t be happier and the reason for that was simple – Patrick.

He had awakened feelings in her she didn’t even know existed. Through everything he had been the constant by her side. He loved her. He was the love of her life.

Stone was her first love and she would never forget him.

Jason was the love that helped usher her from a teenager to a woman. They had made amends after she returned and she was grateful that they could get along but she was no longer in love with him. Plus he was the reason she had met Patrick.

The truth was that even though she had come back to save Jason, Patrick ended up saving her.

She was only half listening to the two men talk about what was going on, but she had heard enough to know how to stop the conversation. “Fine, I give up. Uncle Mac, here is the card. They are from a local shop so at least it will give you something to go on. But I will tell you both again, I really do not think there is anything to worry about.”

“I don’t believe you. Robin, I saw your face when you opened that card. I know you and you certainly did not look unaffected.” Patrick was growing frustrated.

“Alright, maybe it does bother me a little bit. Uncle Mac, take the card and investigate. Patrick, I’m off at 6. You can pick me up here and go with me to the children’s ward. We’ll drop the flowers off to share with the kids. And since I do not feel like arguing with you, I will come to your place tonight since I am sure you do not want to let me out of your sight. Happy?”

Both men nodded their heads in agreement. Whether she liked it or not, they were going to do everything they could to protect her.

__________________________________________________________________________

He was hiding in the supply closet by her office at six and watched as Drake picked her up. She had his flowers in her hand. He was thrilled until he heard her say that it would only take a moment to drop the flowers off at the children’s ward and then they could head home.

She was giving them away – how could she do that! It was all Drake’s fault. She would have kept them but he wouldn’t let her. Well, it didn’t matter. It was time to move on to the next step in the plan.

[cmahorror]

Chapter 3

Three Weeks Later

It was ‘A Night of Romance at the MetroCourt’, a benefit for the new Children’s Wing at GH. Wine, roses, candles and a DJ playing love songs all night long. Patrick thought it was the perfect way to spend some time with the woman he loved. These past few weeks had been a little stressful because of the “flower incident” but there had been no further contact by her secret admirer and Robin was hoping that Patrick and Mac would finally let it go. Tonight was about them and nothing else.

Robin smiled over the candles at Patrick. Since the “flower incident” he had been especially insistent about her moving back in to the apartment and she was finally going to give in. The fact was that she did think of the place as her home and she had come to realize it was silly for her to not take the final step. She loved him and wanted to be with him. It was as simple as that.

“What is that look for Scorpio?” Patrick knew she had something on her mind.

“Yes.”

Patrick raised his eyebrows and looked at her. It took him a second but it suddenly dawned on him. “Yes?”

“Yes, I’ll move back in.”

Patrick jumped up from his chair and circled around the table. She was finally coming back home. He picked up a giggling Robin and swung her around, kissing her. “About damn time.”

“Hey, patience is a virtue.”

“I have never claimed to be a virtuous man.”

Robin laughed. “That is true. But you are my man and I wouldn’t have you any other way.”

Patrick felt relaxed for the first time in weeks. Patrick and Mac had been taking turns watching over her while Mac investigated the flowers. Mac had tried but he had been unable to get any information about who sent them and had reluctantly agreed with Robin that maybe this was just an isolated incident or maybe even a case of mistaken identity.

He smiled and stared into her eyes. “Would you care to dance?”

“Why Dr. Drake, I thought you’d never ask.” Robin took his hand and walked out to the dance floor with him as ‘Our Love is Here to Stay’ came on. “Did you plan that?”

“Nope, that is called fate, babe.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, really.” He kissed again and then she put her head on his chest and began to slowly sway with him to the music. Out in the dance floor, they just held each other and swayed to the rhythm. No fancy dance moves or dips, just two lovers enjoying the moment.

The DJ’s voice came on just as the song ended. “This next song is a dedication to Robin.”

Robin smiled at Patrick. “Aww, you are so sweet.”

Patrick looked confused. “Robin, I didn’t request anything.”

“Then who…”

Her question was cutoff as the song started.

Every breath you take
Every move you make
Every bond you break
Every step you take
I'll be watching you.

Patrick grabbed Robin’s hand and ran up to the DJ booth.

Every single day
Every word you say
Every game you play
Every night you stay
I'll be watching you.

“Who requested this song?” Patrick was practically shouting at the man as Robin stood there shell shocked.

Oh can't you see
You belong to me?
How my poor heart aches with every step you take.

Every move you make
Every vow you break
Every smile you fake
Every claim you stake
I'll be watching you.

“Dude, it was sitting here when I got back from my break.”

“Can we have the request slip please?”

“Sure, here you go.” The DJ handed the piece of paper to Patrick. He opened it and saw that, once again, the note was typewritten.

“Damn it! Ok, Robin, we need to go. We can call your Uncle on the way but it doesn’t feel safe here anymore.”

Robin didn’t even try to argue. She just nodded her head, took Patrick’s hand and left with him. The song followed them out as they left.

Every move you make
Every vow you break
Every smile you fake
Every claim you stake
I'll be watching you.

Every move you make
Every vow you break
Every smile you fake
Every claim you stake
I'll be watching you...

Song - Every Breath You Take by The Police (I know I used the song in one of my other stories but I find it an extremely creepy, stalker song (my apologies to Sting) that I would never want dedicated to me and it fits the story.)

[OnceSane]

IIRC, Sting meant it as a stalker song and was surprised (dismayed?) to find out people were using it as "their song". 

[cmahorror]

Chapter 4

“What do you mean there’s nothing you can do Mac? Someone is stalking your niece – don’t you even care?” Patrick was furious. As soon as they had left the MetroCourt, Patrick and Robin met up with Mac at the station. The car ride over had been quiet. Robin was still in shock that this was happening and Patrick was furious at himself for letting his guard down.

“Of course I care but all I have are two typed notes, a bouquet of daisies and a song. There are no leads and no outright threats. The flowers were bought with cash and the video camera at the shop was broken so we don’t have a face or name. You said yourself the DJ didn’t see who left the note and both notes were typed with no name or fingerprints. What do you want me to do?” Mac was as frustrated as Patrick. He could feel it in his gut that Robin was in danger but he had absolutely nothing to go on.

Robin watched as two of the most important men in her life racked their brains trying to figure out what they could do to protect her. And she was scared. Patrick had hit a sore spot for her few weeks ago when he mentioned all the people who could possibly target her. She had lived with an underlying fear of being separated from the ones she loved since she was a little girl. First, it was watching her Grandmother be killed by Grant Putnam. Then she saw Duke almost die in the warehouse explosion followed by her parents “dying” in the boat explosion. The people she loved were constantly in danger of being taken away from her by circumstances beyond her control and she couldn’t lose Patrick too.

“What about guards? Can we get people to watch her?”

Robin’s head snapped up at Patrick’s question. “No!”

Patrick was shocked at his girlfriend’s interruption. “Robin, there is someone out there who is watching you…”

“And you think that having more people watching me is the answer?” Patrick squeezed the back of his neck with his hand. “One of the things I hated most about when I was with Jason was being under constant guard. I need to be able to breathe and I can’t do that if I am under constant surveillance.”

Robin stood up and looked at both men. “I love you both very much. Patrick, I am moving in with you so you will be able to watch over me at home. We will let the hospital know that there is a possible threat to security so they can keep an extra eye out for me. I really do think that is all we need to do at this time. If something else happens, I promise to agree to any additional security measures you want. Fair enough?”

Both men knew that they had lost the battle but the war was far from over. Patrick took Robin’s hand in his. “Fine, for now. Mac, you okay with this?”

Mac nodded his assent. “For now. But if anything else happens I expect a phone call immediately so I can get my guys on it.”

Robin walked over and hugged her Uncle. “Deal." She then took Patrick's hand. "So Dr. Drake, you ready to go home?”

For the first time since they had heard that damn song tonight, Patrick smiled.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

He had watched her get into Drake’s car after leaving the Metro Court and followed them to the police station. She looked like she was scared and that was not his intention. He meant it as a sign of his devotion, that he would always be there watching over her. Drake must have convinced her it meant something else. The sooner he got her away from Drake, the better off they would be.

[cmahorror]

Chapter 5

Robin stood at the Nurse’s Hub arguing with Patrick. It had been two weeks since the song at the Metro Court and things had been going well since she moved back in to their place. Dr. Ford, in a rare moment of understanding, had agreed to keep them on the same schedule for the time being so that Patrick could keep a closer eye on Robin. It had been working well until tonight.

They were getting ready to sign out for the night when Patrick’s pager went off. Calling the ER he had discovered that he was needed on a head injury, car versus tree. In all probability it was going to be a long surgery. Patrick wanted Robin to stay and scrub in with him but she was exhausted and wanted to head home for the night. “Absolutely not Robin, you are not going home alone. If you don’t want to scrub in, fine but then you can stay here and wait in my office. There’s a couch, you can lie down and get some rest and then we can go home together.”

Robin rolled her eyes at him. “This is ridiculous. We are 10 minutes from home – why should I sleep on the couch in your office when we have a perfectly comfortable bed at home? Hell, the couch with its 7 points of comfort is far preferable to the lumpy couch in your office.”

“But I don’t want you there alone and I certainly do not want you leaving here this late at night by yourself.” Patrick was about to call Mac and have him throw Robin into protective custody when a familiar voice interrupted their conversation.

“I could take her home.” Jason surprised both of them. He had been visiting Emily and walked into the fight Patrick and Robin were having. Patrick had gotten together with him and Nikolas after the incident at the Metro Court and told them about Robin’s stalker. Both men were using their contacts to try and help Mac and Patrick figure out who was doing this.

Patrick shook his head. “It doesn’t change the fact that she will be home alone and it could be hours before I get there.”

“Hey, I am standing right here and can speak for myself! Jason can take me home. I promise I will call you when I get home and bolt the door behind me.” Robin hated it when they talked about her like she wasn’t even there. “You’re still at least 30 minutes from being in the OR and that will give Jason plenty of time to get me home. Ok?”

Patrick was not happy but he knew better than to push it. He knew Jason would never let anything happen to Robin so she would get home safe. “It’ll do. I don’t hear from you in 20 minutes, I call Mac and send in the Calvary.”

Robin smiled. “Deal.” She kissed him goodbye. “Be brilliant. Jason, let’s go.”

Patrick watched Robin walk to the elevator with Jason. A year ago the sight would have driven him insane but he knew that Robin was in love with him. Jason was her past, he was her future. Making sure his phone was on he headed to the office to review the CT scans and figure out the best procedure for his patient.

Edited July 9, 2016 by cmahorror

[cmahorror]

Chapter 6

Robin woke up but was still groggy. She had slept hard and hadn’t even heard Patrick come in after his surgery. Stretching she realized her bra was still on and she was in a camisole top and pajama bottoms. She didn’t even remember changing last night. It was a little odd but she really couldn’t remember much after she took her pills. She took a moment to try and remember what happened last night. She came home, took her pills, sat down on the couch in her scrubs with a glass of wine and started reading a new article in JAMA about a drug trial a colleague had recently completed. Then…

She looked at Patrick, snoring away next to her. How sweet – he must have found her sleeping on the couch and brought her to bed after changing her clothes. She leaned down and kissed him.

Patrick woke up and smiled at her. “What was that for?”

She giggled. “For showing amazing self control.”

Patrick rubbed his eyes. “Ok, kind of lost here.”

“Well, you didn’t even take off my bra and underwear last night when you changed me." She playfully swatted him on the chest. "Amazing restraint there.”

Patrick shot up in bed. “What are you talking about? Robin, you were in bed in your pjs when I got home last night.”

“No I wasn’t – I was on the couch, I must have fallen asleep…”

He took her hands in his and stared into her eyes. “Robin, think. What do you remember?”

“I came home, bolted the door, and called you. I poured myself a glass of water for my pills and a glass of wine to sip while I read the article. I pulled out my pill box.” She stopped for a moment and got a strange look on her face. “One of my pills was missing. I didn’t think anything of it, I just went to the bathroom cabinet and got another one from the bottle. I took my pills and then sat down on the couch with the wine and my magazine. I finished the wine and was halfway through the article when, I guess I fell asleep.”

He took a deep breath. “Did you change clothes?”

“No, I was comfortable in my scrubs so I just left them on.” Robin suddenly felt sick to her stomach. It hit her hard that whoever was stalking her had not only been in their apartment, he had drugged her and touched her without her consent. He may have shown restraint by leaving her underclothes on but that didn’t change a damn thing. He had invaded her and Patrick’s home. He had taken away her sanctuary.

Patrick got up and picked up his phone. “Mac, you need to get over here now and bring a team with you. That bastard was here last night.”

Robin could hear Mac yelling over the phone.

“Damn it Mac, you think I am not beating myself up over this as it is? I think he drugged her and I am taking her to the hospital to get checked out while you go over this place with a fine tooth comb. There is a wine glass on the ottoman in the living room and I suggest you check it for some kind of sleeping pill.” Patrick sat down on the bed next to Robin and put his arms around her. She couldn’t hear what Mac said next, just Patrick’s response. “No Mac, I don’t think so.” He looked at Robin. Realizing what he was asking Robin shook her head no. “She was fully dressed when she woke up and still wearing all her underclothes. I think he just wanted her to know he was here.”

He hugged Robin even tighter. This son a bitch may not have taken full advantage of her, but he had still violated her and their home. “Look at me – I am going to take you to the hospital and get you checked out. We need to make sure that he didn’t do anything to you.” Robin’s eyes filled with tears. “I also want to do a blood draw so we can find out what he drugged you with and make sure it didn’t cause problems with your meds.”

Robin nodded her head. Patrick got dressed and then grabbed some sweats and old t-shirt of his for her to wear after her exam – he was sure the police would want the clothes she was wearing. He took Robin’s hand as they headed to the hospital. When they got to the door he turned her around so she was facing him and looked into her eyes. “No matter what Robin, I love you. Nothing will ever change that.”

Robin smiled back at him. “I know, but it is still good to hear it. I love you too. Shall we?”

They walked out the door hand in hand and headed to the hospital. Patrick didn’t bother locking the door. What was the point? The police were on their way and the locked door hadn’t protected Robin. But then again, neither had he.

Guilt consumed him as they got on the elevator. On the ride down he pulled her into his arms and held on to her tighter than he had ever held on to anything in his entire life. He kissed the top of her head while she leaned into his chest. She was his life now and nothing was going to come between them again.

[cmahorror]

Chapter 7

Robin and Patrick got off the elevator on the 10th floor and headed straight for Epiphany and Dr. Kelly Lee who were waiting for them at the nurse’s hub. Patrick had called ahead and spoken to Epiphany and they had agreed that for Robin’s security they would bypass the emergency room and admit her under an alias to be examined and have her blood drawn. Mac had sent a forensics unit to the apartment and met them at the hospital along with Detectives Spencer and Cruz. Mac only wanted people he trusted involved on this case and they were 2 of the best people he had.

“Robin, I have an exam room set up. Why don’t you come with me and you three can stand guard outside her door.” Kelly was worried to death about her friend but trying to keep calm. She had been friends with Robin for almost 2 years and knew how strong she was but one look at Robin’s face and she knew that Robin was scared out of her mind. Kelly prayed she could give her good news.

“Kelly, I want to be with her.” Patrick had his arms wrapped around Robin, his chin resting on her head and his arms wrapped around her shoulders. Robin had her hands on his arms, leaning into him.

“I understand Patrick but for her sake I need you to please let me and Epiphany take care of her and then you can come in with her while we go over the results if that is what she wants.”

Robin reluctantly pulled away from Patrick. “She’s right. The sooner I get this over with the sooner we can catch this son of a bitch.” She turned around and looked at him. “I’ll be ok. Kelly will let you know as soon as we are done and you can hold my hand while Epiphany draws my blood.”

“You’re not fooling me; I know you are just trying to make me feel important.”

“You are important. I love you.”

He gave her a quick kiss to her forehead before letting her go. “And I love you.”

The group headed down the hallway to Room 1025. Robin went into the room with Kelly and Epiphany while the guys waited outside. Patrick immediately began pacing back and forth in front of the door. Mac stopped him and put his hand on Patrick’s shoulder.

“Patrick…”

“What Mac?” Patrick interrupted. “You want to tell me how much I failed her. How this is all my fault? You think I don’t know that?”

Mac shook his head. He had no doubts that Patrick was beating himself up about what had happened. He prayed, for all their sakes, that this bastard had not hurt Robin in any way. “I don’t blame you. I just wanted to tell you what my team has discovered so far.”

“There is no sign of forced entry, so the assumption is that this person had a key to the apartment. Who has keys besides you and Robin?”

“No one but the building superintendent, Biff. Biff had an issue with me when I first moved in but I performed the surgery that saved his life. It was actually the surgery that pulled me away from the Metro Court the night that Robin was shot.”

Mac nodded his head. He remembered that night all too well. Robin had been shot and would have died if not for the hot headed young neurosurgeon standing before him. He had risked being shot just to try and get to Robin, to save her. Using intern Emily Quartermaine’s burgeoning surgery skills, he had talked her through the procedure by phone and saved Robin's life. Then Dr. Ford had come and threatened Patrick with loss of his license and, when that didn’t work, used Robin and her dedication to their patients to get him to come to GH and perform the surgery. Patrick ran straight back to Robin as soon as surgery was done.

“So he wouldn’t have a reason to break in. Is there any time yours or Robin’s keys are out of your sight?”

“Well, we put them in our lockers during surgery, not a lot of room in scrubs for keys. Other than that, they stay in my pocket or on the table by the front door at our apartment. You’ll have to ask Robin if she leaves them in her office or anyplace else.”

Mac nodded. He knew that there were no cameras in the locker room and if someone wanted to break into a locker it wouldn’t be that difficult. He was about to tell Patrick this when Kelly came out of the room.

“All done. Robin is putting on the clothes you guys brought with her so that, Mac, you can take the clothes she was wearing with you to the police station. She also wanted me to tell you that she is fine – he didn’t do anything to her.” Both men sighed in relief. “Patrick, why don’t you go on in – she wants to see you.”

“Thank you Kelly.”

Mac looked at Kelly. “Now, tell me the truth.”

“The truth is she is scared, not just for herself, but for Patrick as well. You know as well as I do that when Robin is scared, she runs and pushes away the people she loves. She said something in there about protecting Patrick.”

Mac immediately got what Kelly was saying. He needed to move quickly if he wanted to save Robin, not only from her stalker but from herself.

[cmahorror]

Chapter 8

Epiphany was getting Robin ready for the blood draw as Patrick came in the room.

“Hey, you were supposed to wait for me!” He smiled at her as he crossed the room and sat down on the bed with her. Robin leaned up so that Patrick could slide in behind her and wrap his arms around her.

“Calm down Drake Jr., I was just getting everything ready.” These two might as well be her kids, Epiphany loved them that much. She had watched them fall in love over the past almost 2 years and she was rooting for them to make it through this latest obstacle.

She drew the blood samples and placed the gauze and tape over the draw site. “I’ll push a rush on these. Why don’t you two just sit back and get some rest? Mac is guarding the door and you know no one is getting through that door unless he lets them through.”

Robin smiled and just relaxed into Patrick’s arms, her head on his chest as his chin rested on it. They just laid there in silence for a long time. Both of them closed their eyes and enjoyed it.

“Be quiet.”

Robin’s eyes snapped open. “I didn’t say anything.”

“You didn’t have to – I can hear you thinking. And the answer is no – whatever we need to do, we will do together. I will not be separated from you again.”

“How do you know that that was what I was thinking?”

“Because I know you. You think that since this guy is stalking you he may do something to me and if you aren't with me, I will be safe. But it doesn’t matter because I won’t let you leave me. Mac has already contacted the WSB and they are tracking down your parents. The locksmith is changing the locks on my door and your Uncle Mac is having a security system installed tomorrow. You are also getting your own personal guard.”

Robin began to protest but Patrick cut her off. “You agreed that if something else happened you would get a guard. Well, something most certainly happened.”

Patrick shifted in the bed so he could look Robin in the eyes. “If you haven’t noticed, we are better together than apart. We have faced so much together and come out stronger for it – from the epidemic to chasing your father in Markham to my HIV scare, all the way through the fake romance with Nikolas. Hell, even in the hospital day to day, our work together is far more successful than apart. So we will do what works – figure this out together.”

Robin smiled at him and nodded her head. Leaning her head back, she kissed him and then laid her head back on his chest. He was right. She would stay with him and they would fight this together.

Edited July 15, 2016 by cmahorror

[cmahorror]

Chapter 9

He had slept soundly and happily. Last night had been perfect, his first night with Robin.

It was divine intervention. Weeks ago he had broken into Drake’s locker and gotten a wax impression of his key to the apartment. He had the key made in anticipation of last night. It had stayed in his pocket along with the ground up sleep pill he kept there for when she was finally alone. Mac and Drake had not left her alone at all so when he heard Drake and her fighting about her going home by herself, he knew he finally had his chance.

He had been watching them through the skylight for weeks and knew her routine. The pills she took from the weekly medicine sorter in the kitchen. The glass of water she drank with her pills. The glass of wine she indulged in after she took her pills. The fact that she kept her pill bottles in the bathroom to refill the sorter once a week, always on Sunday night. Watching as the two of them read or watched TV, sometimes making love on that damned couch. He needed to know her routine. It was important that she know how well he knows her.

He rushed to her apartment and quickly took one of her pills from her medicine container on the counter and then hid in the bedroom. He watched her pour her glasses of wine and water and notice the missing pill. She headed to the bathroom and he darted over and added the sleeping pill to her wine. He just made it back to the bedroom before she came in, took her pills, grabbed her wine and a magazine and sat down on the couch. He waited as her eyes started closing and then she was out. He knew by the way her chest moved up and down when she was in a deep sleep. This was his chance.

He walked over to the couch and tenderly removed the magazine from her hands. He sat down on the couch and just stared at her. She was so beautiful. Her dark hair was pulled messily back in a ponytail. He gently pulled it out and let it flow down her shoulders. He then spent a few minutes just running his hands through it. He went back to the bedroom and pulled out the clothes he wanted to dress her in. The dark green camisole and black pj pants were simple but looked amazing on her.

He went back into the living room and carried her into the bedroom. He gently laid her down on the bed and slowly removed her scrubs. It took all his restraint not to touch her the way he wanted to but he wanted their first time together to be something they both remembered and cherished. For now, it was enough to just look at her.

He realized that time was growing short so he reluctantly dressed her and kissed her goodbye. He could not wait for the day when he would lay down next to her and sleep with her by his side. It wouldn’t be much longer now. Everything was falling into place.

He left through the front door and didn’t worry about leaving fingerprints. He wasn’t some stranger off the street, why he had been a guest in their home just this week. Why wouldn’t his prints be there?

[ulkis]

I commented this about the episode today

Finn's full name sounds like it should be a magic phrase that whisks whoever says into another dimension. Especially when it's Sonny.*

*Sonny would be whisked away to a place where people would actually react to him the way actual humans beings would react to anyone who's done the things Sonny has done to them.

Riddled with errors, probably, sorry. Also starts out weird and then gets less so. And then back again. :)

*

Carly was walking up to Sonny and Carly when she saw something that made her think she was losing it. As she entered the Metro Court restaurant, she saw Finn and Sonny talking at the bar. As she walked up to them, Sonny disappeared right into thin air.

Carly ran up to Finn.

"Please tell me that you've been here alone the whole time," said Carly.

Finn merely twitched.

"Please tell me you just did a magic trick," said Carly.

"Well it wasn't me who did the magic trick," said Finn. "I was cursed. Whoever says my name gets sucked into another dimension."

"What?" said Carly. "Finn, you better re-check those drugs you're taking."

"It's true," said Finn.

"Or not!" said Hayden, running up to Finn and Carly, Tracy right behind her. "We know the truth Finn! You're really a drug addict, you don't actually need it!"

"You bastard!" Carly smacked him in the face.

"But I do need it! Don't you see? I need it to deal with the pain of this curse!"

"What curse?" asked Tracy.

Finn re-explained. 

"Let's just put aside the fact you're insane, or possibly have brain worms of your own," said Tracy. "How did this even come up?"

After Finn was done, Tracy turned to the bartender. "A drink for everyone in the room!" 

"You bitch!" said Carly. "Anyway, it doesn't matter, because it's not true. I'll find out what you did to him," Carly sneered at Finn. 

"Can I please have a gin and tonic," said Finn to the bartender.

"You just said this curse gave you pain!" said Carly. 

"In general," said Finn. "Sometimes it's okay."

"Oh, what am I saying? You don't have any pain from this curse, because there's no curse!"

Tracy leaned on the bar and smiled. "They why don't you say Dr. Finn's full name outloud, Carly?"

"Because . . . because . . . " Carly stuttered, and then walked away. "Get the hell out of my restaurant," she said to Finn. She turned to Tracy. "And you, you get out as soon as you're done paying." She stomped away.

Tracy tapped on a glass. "Announcement everyone! Sonny Corinthos may have officially left all of our lives for good."

There were some "whoos!", Finn among them.

"Why do you dislike Sonny Corinthos?" asked Hayden, sipping her drink. 

"I didn't," said Finn. "But Tracy hated him, so what the hell, why not join in?"

But there were many people hadn't joined in.

"But Sonny saved the governor's daughter!"

"Our town fireworks! He paid for them! They were so beautiful!"

"He's donated so many wings to the hospital!"

"Wow," said Finn, listening to all the laments. "I'm starting to feel pretty bad after all. I think I need my drug. You got it, right?"

Hayden's nasty stare echoed Tracy's, who had turned back to the bar.

"Jesus," muttered Tracy. "Wherever you are Sonny, I hope it's like hell, if not the place itself."

----

Sonny blinked, making sure nothing was in his eyes. He must have zoned out or something, because it seemed like Finn disappeared from the bar. Well, that was weird, but then the man was weird in general, he supposed.

He looked around. Not only had Dr. Finn gone, but so had most of the people at the bar. A couple of people at the tables were trying to look like they weren't actually doing that. Well, he was used to that. He got up, deciding he would maybe have a stroll on the docks and see how Kristina's boyfriend was doing. On his way out, he ran into Carly, who looked extra preoccupied. "Hey, anything on your mind? New, I mean?" Carly shook her head. "No, nothing new," she said absently. "Okay, well then I'll see you at home," he said, kissing her cheek. "See you," she said absently. 

On the docks was where he realized something was . . . off. He was walking along the docks when he ran into Olivia. "Hey, Olivia," he said. She gave him a terse nod and took a step away without speaking. Confused, he grabbed her arm and stopped her. "What's going on with you?"

"What?" she asked, apparently confused herself. 

"I say hello, you don't say anything back? Have I done something lately to piss you off?"

She stared at him. "Is this a joke, Sonny? It's not very funny. Let go of my arm, please."

"No, seriously, what did I do?" asked Sonny.

"This really isn't funny," said Olivia. 

"I didn't want to tell anyone, but I - uh, hit my head the other week and I'm kinda having memory lapses," said Sonny.

"Dante didn't say anything," Olivia said hesitantly.

"I didn't tell him," Sonny said.

Olivia still stared at him like she didn't believe him.

"Just indulge me, please."

Olivia sighed. "Sonny, I'm mad at you for the same reason I've been mad at you for the past 6 years. Or do you not remember shooting Dante either?"

"You're at mad at me for shooting Dante?" repeated Sonny, wonderingly. He let go of her arm.

"You really didn't remember shooting him?" Olivia said, unnerved. 

"No, I do remember - I just. You're still mad about it? That's so long ago now!"

"This must be a joke," Olivia said. 

"You haven't said anything about at all recently! When did this anger . . . I don't know, resurface?"

"Sonny, I've barely said two words to you ever since," Olivia explained. "The only reason I give you the time of day is because I don't want to make it hard for Dante."

"That . . . you . . . " Sonny was still trying to take it in. "Don't you blame yourself at all? You could have stopped it!"

"I know that!" said Olivia, heatedly. "All the more reason not to forgive you! It would be like letting myself off the hook too!"

"Olivia, you can't stay mad forever."

"Are you telling me what to do?" said Olivia, angry. 

"No, I'm just . . . " Sonny threw his hands out a bit. "I guess I hit my head harder than I thought."

"No kidding." Olivia stood waiting with folded arms. "Can I go now?"

"Yeah," said Sonny. "Can I just ask though - tell me you at least treat Julian this way, too."

"Julian?" said Olivia.

"Yeah, Julian Jerome." 

"Why would I have anything to do with Julian freaking Jerome?"

"Well, that's what I say, but he is the father of your other son."

Olivia shook her head. "Sonny, I'd go back to the doctor if I were you and ask him to look at your head again. Ned Ashton is Leo's dad. Why would I ever sleep with another mobster ever again?" With that, she walked away.

Sonny turned around, dazed. He kept walking and realized his coffee stand wasn't there only when he had gone long past the spot where it should have been.

*

"Thanks for meeting me on such short notice," said Sonny.

Dante shrugged and sipped his coffee. "No trouble."

"This is gonna sound crazy . . . "

Dante leaned back in his chair. "Will it?" in a tone of voice that said he didn't expect anything different. Sonny tried to squash his slight irritation. 

"Yeah, it will," said Sonny. "I hit my head and I'm having some memory lapses."

"Uh . . . huh," said Dante. "Well. It doesn't sound crazy - but I guess it is unexpected. What things did you conveniently forget?"

"Well, that your mom hates me, for one."

Dante sighed. "She doesn't hate you."

"It kinda seemed like it . . . "

Dante waved a hand in dismissal. "Since when do you care so much what my mom thinks of you, Sonny?"

"I mean . . . I care, you know? Just because we don't see each other that much anymore doesn't mean I don't care. Anyway, I had wanted to know . . . can you tell me who else hates me?"

Dante opened his mouth, trying to think of what to say. "Uuuuh . . . that's a pretty long list Sonny, I really don't know if I have that kind of time."

"No, I mean, who you know, among my friends, my family, do any of them hate me?"

"On any given day? I can't answer that either."

Sonny made a rolling gesture with his hands. "You know, consistently. Carly seemed to like me still."

Dante held his hands up. "Whatever's going on there is between you, Carly, and God."

"I didn't notice her not wearing her ring, anyway . . . we are married, yeah?"

"Yeah," said Dante. 

"This was our . . . what number wedding?"

"Wow, Sonny, you sure you should be outta the hospital? It was wedding number 5," he said, a tiny bit of disdain for the fact in his voice.

That disdain caused Sonny to test out the waters a bit. "Well, some wives are more forgiving than others. You're lucky."

Dante's shoulders stiffened. Ah, so he did still have an affair. With somebody, if not the cousin. "Yeah, I am. Lucky Lulu forgave me, lucky I've survived a couple of bullets."

"Do you shove that in my face every time you get a problem with me?"

Dante smiled derisively. "Shove it? In your face?"

It was Sonny's turn to hold up his hands. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, please don't angry."

Dante looked at him suspiciously, then nodded. "I don't 'shove' it in your face. Just when you bring up my affair to remind me that I'm not perfect. You're not subtle, Sonny."

"You're right," said Sonny. "I'm sorry."

"Although I'm within my rights to shove it in whenever I want."

Sonny wanted to ask why Dante even talked to him then, but he needed answers, and didn't want to try Dante's temper. If this was the way Dante was, he didn't want to imagine how his other kids were. Especially Michael. Speaking of . . . 

He took a deep breath. "And . . . Michael? Does he hate me, after I killed AJ?"

"Wow, Sonny, seriously, you should go to the hospital," said Dante. 

"I will," said Sonny. "Please, just tell me."

"Well first, you didn't kill AJ Quartermaine. You almost did though," said Dante.

"Almost?" 

"The bullet didn't kill him. You're only not in prison because Michael literally got down on his knees and begged him not to press charges."

"That bastard," cursed Sonny.

"You're not AJ Quartermaine's father, Sonny," said Dante quietly. "That's what it took for him to see that Michael really didn't want you to go to prison."

"So I suppose AJ is still out and about?" Sonny asked. The thought made his gut churn.

"Yeah, but not in Port Charles, so you don't have to worry about running into him." Dante took another sip of his coffee. "Michael said otherwise you two would kill each other."

Something in Sonny's chest unclenched. Michael didn't hate him. That was something.

"Michael has always known what you're capable of," said Dante. "And he knows AJ hates you just as much. Well, now I'm glad you came to me first," Dante sighed. "He's forgiven you, but you're not supposed to bring it up. Ever."

"And AJ? How does he deal with the fact that Michael still loves me?" 

"I couldn't say, I don't know the man."

A thought occurred to Sonny. "Hey! At least this means, if I didn't kill AJ, it means I didn't sleep with Ava!"

Dante frowned. "It does?"

"Yeah! It does!"

"Does it mean you and Ava took a walk on the yellow brick road instead? Cause that's what it sounds like while you were passed out."

"Something like that," said Sonny vaguely.

"Well I hate to tell you this," said Dante, "but you also still detoured into sex here in Kansas. Sorry."

Sonny groaned. "Damn it. So does this mean Morgan hates me?"

"Morgan's fine with you." said Dante. "It's you that has the problem with him."

"I could never have a problem with Morgan!" replied Sonny vehemently. "I don't have problems with *any* of my children!"

Dante raised his eyebrows. "Fine, you have one with what he's doing."

Sonny groaned again. "Do I want to know?"

"Probably not, but I'll tell you: he's still with Ava."

"What! You said I still slept with her!"

"Well, like you alluded earlier, some people are more forgiving than others."

"But - she had my baby! Who has custody of Avery?"

"Wow! You really don't remember! This is awesome! Now I'm REALLY glad you called me first. I get to be the one to tell you all this! This is too fun." Dante smiled in anticipation.

"I thought you hated to tell me this," retorted Sonny grumpily.

"That was before I realized you really don't remember. Well, Sonny, it turns out, Ava *didn't* have your baby. We thought she was, but it turns out Avery is really Morgan's daughter."

"How did it come out that Morgan was really the father?"

"The same person who started the lie," said Dante. "5 time wife Carly. She and Ava were having a fight over Avery and Ava was saying something about Carly having no connection to Avery and Carly said she damn well did, she was Avery's grandmother. Turns out she had arranged for the original test to be switched."

"Oh, God, Carly." He put his head in his hands. That made him wonder - had Carly done the same thing back in his world? Or before everyone got poisoned with water toxin again, or whatever the hell was going on?

"Was I angry at her?" Sonny asked, face still covered.

"What do you think?" Dante said gleefully.

"Well, I suppose we're past it," he mused.

"Like I said, that's all between you and Carly. I wouldn't know."

"How are she and Morgan?"

Dante gestured so-so with his hand. "I think he's mostly over it. It's you guys who bother him. He never brings Ava around with him, but you guys still him shit."

"Oh, you can't tell me you approve of him sleeping with Ava Jerome!"

"I don't, but I'm not his father, and not even his father can stop him," said Dante. "He doesn't care what I think that much."

"Well what about Julian?" asked Sonny. 

"Prison," said Dante. 

"Is Ava running the show?"

"Couldn't say to you either way, whether I knew or not," said Dante. "Far as I know, no."

"Well at least Julian's in prison," Sonny mumbled. "Alexis, was she married to him?"

"Yup. Divorced now."

"Does she speak to me?"

Dante laughed. "Restraining order."

"Oh. Kristina?"

"You talk, once in a while."

"Jason?" 

"He's dead, Sonny," Dante said gently.

"Right, now I remember." Sonny paused.

"Us?"

"We're here talking, aren't we?"

Sonny shrugged. "Well?"

Dante sighed. "I think 'talking' is an extraordinary thing, considering how we began."

"How we *began* was we got along great, even though you were undercover and I was your mark," pointed out Sonny.

Dante looked at him with pity. Sonny got irritated. "Sonny, I did like you. I do like you. But like you said, I was undercover. I wasn't always liking what you did, same as now."

"Do you ever call me 'dad'?" 

Dante laughed again, this time softly. "Did I call you that in Oz?"

"Not all the time," Sonny admitted. 

"I think I've called you 'dad' twice," said Dante. 

That reminded Sonny - "Ned," he said quickly. "You don't call *him* dad, do you?"

Dante looked amused. "No. I like him though. Sorry."

Sonny gave a grunt of dismissal. 

"Speaking of him, we're supposed to go to dinner with him and my mom soon." Dante stood up.

"Hey, you know, in Oz," Sonny started, "Lulu gave me a world's best grandpa mug. She still gave me one here, right . . . ?"

This time, Dante gave a full out belly laugh. "She gave you a mug that said 'mug for grandpa to drink his shit coffee from'".

"You're kidding," said Sonny.

"No," said Dante. "You actually always drink from it though."

*

Sonny came home unsure whether he wanted Carly there or not. Carly had seemed a bit distracted at the hotel, but maybe that's because she thought he was still mad at her. Well, maybe he was a bit mad at her - especially if his version of Carly had the same secret and was still hiding it - although that didn't really make sense, *this* Carly wasn't still hiding it - this was getting a little confusing . . .

His train of thought stopped when the saw Carly on the couch reading her tablet. "Hey," he said. He went over to her, sat down, and kissed her cheek. "Everything okay between us?"

"You tell me," Carly said, without looking up.

"Yeah, it is," he said, lightly encircling her wrist with his hand.

Carly up looked finally and gave a little smile. "I'm glad."

"I had a nice talk with Dante today," he said. All things considered, it really had been.

"That's good," said Carly absently. "I'm glad for you. It's always nice when he deigns to treat you without too much condescension."

"You two get in a fight?" asked Sonny. 

"No," said Carly.

"Then why the remark?"

"Well come on Sonny, what do you want me to do, throw a parade?"

"No, I just want to know what's the matter, maybe I can smooth it over."

"No, Sonny, you can never smooth over that Dante got Michael sent to prison," Carly said, her jaw tensing. "You know that. So can you drop it? I'm glad you had a nice talk, but I don't need to hear the details."

"You can't . . . still be . . . "

"You know what, even if I weren't, I can still be mad at him for new things," snapped Carly. "He thinks he's polite, but it's crystal clear he doesn't like me. If I can see it, so can Michael. Always hinting to Michael that I'm a bad mother to him and Morgan. 'Oh, I'm sure your mother means well, but she's not as holy as Olivia, my not-so-Virgin Mother.' And meanwhile, he barely blinks at Ava and Morgan huddled away. He SAYS he's talked to Morgan, but what good is that? If he really cared, he'd have her arrested for something! Anything!"

"Morgan would know, that would only drive him away," said Sonny. "Dante knows that."

"Morgan would never believe his perfect big brother to trump up charges," Carly said bitterly. "He could get away with it. It's one thing to have an affair with his wife's cousin, even though he bragged up and down he could never sink as low as that, but no one could believe he'd trump up charges!"

"You could," Sonny pointed out.

"I could," said Carly, "but that's because I'm the only one he hasn't got snowed. One of the few, anyway. But everyone else, no. But does he do it? No. He doesn't care about his niece being raised by that woman, just his own Quartermaine brother. He and Kristina are just alike. She might be even worse than Dante. 

"And you know, you know," she started to say, giving Sonny the distinct impression they had had this conversation many times before, "I don't hate Kristina. She's a nice kid underneath it all. But if she's not careful the stick will be lodged up her ass as permanently as it is up Alexis'."

"What's Michael doing, anyway?" 

"Oh, you know it isn't time for the monthly phone call yet," said Carly. 

"Does he stay away that often?" asked Sonny. 

"From me," said Carly. "Why, is he talking to you? It's so typical. You're the one who shot the bastard, and it's me he's angrier at."

"No, he hasn't called me," said Sonny quietly. Dante hadn't said anything about Michael keeping his distance. But then, that was before he realized Sonny was serious about not knowing things. All he said was that Michael had begged AJ to keep Sonny out of prison. When Dante said that Michael had forgiven him, Sonny had automatically assumed he and Michael had had been talking. He supposed not.

"I'm sorry," Carly said, in a rote way. "I'm just frustrated because I am dealing with this crazy guy at the hotel, he keeps having demands for his stupid service lizard."

"Is his name Finn?" asked Sonny. 

Carly looked at him sharply. "Yeah. How'd you know?"

"I heard Tracy Quartermaine mention his name."

Carly muttered something uncomplimentary about Tracy. 

"Can you give me his room number?" asked Sonny. "I wanna talk to the guy."

"You think there's something wrong with him?" asked Carly.

"No no, nothing to do with business," said Sonny, reassuring her. "I'll tell you later. I've just heard some stuff about him. I'd like to check it out."

*

"Can I help you?" asked Dr Finn when he opened the door.

Sonny looked at him curiously. "Hi, I'm Sonny Corinthos, Carly's husband. You've met her a couple of times, I think."

"Is this about the lizard?" asked the doctor. "She told me it was alright! She didn't have to send you over!"

"No, no, nothing to do with the lizard," said Sonny. "I just wanted to talk to you about, uh, some science stuff."

"Really? You?" asked Finn. 

"Yeah, you don't think I could do that?" 

"Not like me," said Finn.

"Well that's why I want to talk to you," said Sonny.

Finn didn't look too thrilled but he opened the door and held out his arm for Sonny to come in.

"Look, do you think you can explain something to me?" Sonny sat down in one of the chairs in the room, and Finn followed suit. "We were sitting at the bar on the main floor, and we were talking, and then you disappeared and then after that everything just turned bizarre. Did that happen for you too?"

"It's hard to tell, Mr Corinthos. I find "bizarre" to be the natural state of things," said Finn.

"People were acting differently," said Sonny. 

"How so?" asked Finn.

"Well, before they liked me, and now, well, they don't hate me, but everyone seems to hold me at arm's length," said Sonny.

"I would think that's how most people would treat a, er, coffee importer of your stature," said Finn.

"Not my family, not my friends," said Sonny.

"Maybe you just never noticed before," suggested Finn.

"I can tell!" Sonny insisted.

"Well what was our exact conversation?"

"I don't know, we were talking and then I said your name and then you disappeared."

Finn paused. "You said my name?"

"Yeah," said Sonny.

"How?" 

"What do you mean how, I said it. Hamilto - "

"Don't say it!" said Finn. "You see, my name has a curse on it. Anyone besides me who says it is sent to another dimension. The curse was given to me by the - "

"Yeah yeah," said Sonny. "So why not say your name now? Won't it send me back?"

"No," said Finn. "You have to press Roxy up against your mouth and nose. If you had listened to the origin story of my curse, you would have known that by now. Why do you think I have a lizard with me?"

"Oh. Okay. Well, that doesn't seem so bad," said Sonny, ignoring Finn's chastisements.

"For two hours," added Finn.

The lizard didn't smell as bad as he thought. The lizard's eyes staring at him for two hours was pretty creepy, though.

*

Sonny had assumed he'd be sent back to the bar. He wasn't. He was standing in Finn's room, holding the lizard.

Finn came out of the bathroom. "Ah, you must have been sent back by another version of me."

"Uh, yeah," said Sonny, dumping the lizard on the floor. "I'm not gonna get sick, am I?"

"Not from Roxy," said Finn, testily. "Now please leave. And come back with my drugs."

"Uh, sure," Sonny muttered to himself. "No problem."

As he entered the restaurant, he saw Tracy Quartermaine slumped across the bar. "Well, he returns," she announced, a bit drunkenly, it seemed. "The hero of the hour. Savior of gubernatorial offspring!"

Some people, missing the sarcasm, cheered, although also somewhat drunkenly, it being near midnight.

"You want me to drive you home, Tracy?" asked Sonny.

"Save your heroics for someone else," Tracy said. "Feel free to pay for the cab, though."

He did.

*

Does Sonny learn anything? Probably not. :)

Edited July 19, 2016 by ulkis

[cmahorror]

Chapter 10

Mac entered Robin’s room slowly, not wanting to wake her. It didn’t matter - they were both wide awake and waved Mac in.

“Forensics has finished processing the apartment. We need to know who has been in the apartment in the past few weeks so we can rule out their fingerprints.”

“Well, we had a few people over for little welcome home party I threw for Robin.” Robin rolled her eyes. She had thought it was silly but Patrick had insisted. “My Dad, Liz, Lucky, Epiphany, Pete, Lainey, Cruz, Kelly and Dr. Ian Devlin.”

“I don’t know him.”

“New plastic surgeon – I actually have known him off and on for years. We used to compete with each other when it came to women.” Patrick caught a dirty look from Mac. “That was a long time ago. I am most definitely a one woman man now.”

“You’d better be Drake.” Robin glared up at Patrick.

“You bet – you’re stuck with me Scorpio.” Patrick leaned over and kissed his girlfriend as Epiphany walked in with Dr. Lee.

“Take it to the supply closet.”

“Hey, we are off duty and in a private room.”

Kelly laughed. “Like that matters. Anyway, you blood work looks good. Everything is stable and your viral load is still undetectable. But there were traces of the sedative Eszopiclone in your system.”

Patrick looked at Mac. Mac nodded his head. “That matches the residue we found in the wine glass.”

“So what now?” Patrick wasn’t sure what to do now.

Kelly spoke up. “I want to keep you here for at least 24 hours.” Robin started to protest but Kelly put up her hand and stopped her. “You are my patient and I think it is in your best interest. I want to make sure all the sleeping pill is out of your system and that your viral load remains undetectable.”

Mac jumped in. “I will post a guard outside your door and this will give Patrick and I some time to get the extra security set up at your place. Plus, I am hoping that by that time we will have found your parents so they can come and help.”

There was an air of uncertainty that hung in the room. While these measures may protect Robin, the only way to keep her completely safe was to catch this guy before he got to her and everyone in that room knew it.

They also all knew that Robin was getting increasingly frustrated. In her head she knew what everyone was saying was right and in her best interest but the loss of her freedom and control was getting to her.

Robin suddenly jumped off the bed. “Wait a second – I have an idea.” She was going to regain control of the situation.

Patrick got a nervous look on his face. “Robin, what are you thinking?”

“I’m thinking why should I change my life for this guy?” Robin began pacing back and forth across the room. “Uncle Mac, no guard on my room tonight and Patrick, you go home.”

Patrick exploded. “Like hell! Robin, we had a deal…”

“I know, but I think I have a way to end this tonight.” Robin got more excited as she put the plan together in her head and everyone watched her. “This guy is watching us – he knows I am here. So why don’t we use that?”

Even though he knew the answer, Mac still asked the question that was lingering in the air. “What are you saying Robin?”

Robin smiled for the first time in hours. “We'll set a trap for the rat – using me as bait.”

[cmahorror]

Chapter 11

“No, Robin. Absolutely not!” Patrick couldn’t believe her. Using herself as bait was not an option.

“It may be the only way to catch him. If he thinks I am by myself, he may make a move and we can get him.”

“And what if he manages to hurt you or take you away?”

“Look, just because the guard won’t be on my door doesn’t mean I won’t be protected. Uncle Mac can have someone undercover watching my room.” Robin sat back on the bed and took Patrick’s hands in hers. “You will be at the apartment getting everything ready for my return. I am hoping that with you gone and no guards, this guy will do something stupid and we can turn the tables on him. Mac, please help me out here.”

Mac was torn. Part of him wanted to lock Robin in a room and hide her away from the world until this maniac was caught but the other part of him realized that Robin had a point. “Look Patrick, I know that you want to protect Robin, I do too, but she may have a point. The hospital has security cameras everywhere and I will have several people undercover watching the door. The windows don’t open and because there is only one door it is easy to guard.”

Patrick couldn’t believe it. He was counting on Mac to back him up, not agree with Robin’s crazy plan. He looked Robin straight in the eyes. “I can’t lose you. I don’t think I am strong enough to handle it.”

Robin smiled and stroked his cheek. “You are never going to lose me. But what kind of life can we have if we are constantly looking over our shoulders? Next to the PCPD lock up, this is probably one of the safest places I can be until you get the apartment secured. Plus, you get to be all alpha male and set up the apartment to protect your woman.”

Patrick gave a small, sad laugh. “Robin…”

“I know you love me and want to protect me and you can do that by getting our home in order.” He smiled when she said our home.

“I hate this.”

“I know.”

He kissed her and pulled her into his arms. “Okay Mac, let’s do it.”

____________________________________________________________________

An hour later the only person still in Robin’s room was Mac. Patrick had reluctantly left after Robin had sent him to check on a patient’s drug therapy.

She gave Mac a small smile after he left. “I love the man, but the hovering was starting to drive me a little crazy.”

Mac smiled back at his niece. He knew there was something she wanted to ask him. Robin looked up at him at with tears in her eyes. “Mac, please tell me there will be a guard on Patrick as well. I think that whoever this is might use him to get to me.”

“I already have someone following him here at the hospital and someone else watching the apartment.” He sat down in the chair next to Robin's bed and looked her straight in the eyes. “I won’t let anything happen to him, I promise.”

Robin relaxed a little bit. “Thank you." She yawned. "Well, I think I am going to lay down and get some rest. I love you Uncle Mac.”

Mac kissed her on her forehead and walked to the door. “I love you too kiddo. Try and get a little sleep.”

_______________________________________________________________________

He had to laugh as he watched Mac leave her room. Did they really think he would fall for that? Did they really expect him to believe that the overprotective Mac and Drake would let her be unguarded after his visit last night? Just because there wasn’t a guard at the door didn’t mean she wasn’t being watched.

No, no …his plan was already in motion and he was going to follow it to the letter. For now he would be quiet and continue to be a “friend” to Drake, a man he never could stand. It was the only way to stay close to her.

[cmahorror]

Chapter 12

Robin was disappointed. Her plan should have worked and yet her stalker didn’t make a move on her all night at the hospital. In addition, she spent the night away from Patrick for no reason.

There was nothing she could do about it now but at least she was being discharged and headed home. Patrick had worked with her Uncle Mac to get a rush put on the security system and it was being installed as she waited. New locks had been installed including a dual bolt lock. There would also be guards on her at all times. What Patrick didn’t know was that he also had a guard for when she wasn’t around. Mac was able to put the guard on him for one night but manpower was short and she was the target so she had called in a favor to Jason and he had agreed so long as she agreed to extra security for herself.

“Good morning Dr. Scorpio.”

Robin rolled her eyes as Ian walked into her room. She did not care for the man at all, no matter how brilliant a plastic surgeon he was. The man chased after almost anything that wore a skirt and had hit on her quite a bit for awhile until Patrick made it clear she was off limits. Even still, he gave her the creeps.

“What are you doing here Ian?”

“I heard a rumor that the most beautiful researcher in the states had been admitted and wanted to make sure that you were doing okay? Hate to think that my old buddy dropped the ball with his lady.”

Patrick walked in and quickly inserted himself into the conversation. “I didn’t Ian. Robin’s fine – just a little exhausted from working so hard.” They had decided as a group to keep the real reason Robin was admitted under wraps for now. Only those closest to Robin knew the truth. He walked over to the bed and sat down next to his girlfriend.

Ian looked at them questioningly. “Then why the fake name?”

“Because you know how it is when one of us is in here – no rest because everyone wants to stop by and check on you. Robin needed uninterrupted rest last night. Hey, I didn’t even stay here.”

“Wow – you actually let her out of your sight for a night. Shocking.” Ian started to walk to the bed. “Well, I have rounds to go on – just wanted to make sure you were feeling better.”

“She is. I’ll talk to you later; I’ve got to get my girl home.” Patrick hugged Robin close, effectively dismissing Ian.

“Alright, see you later.” Ian left the couple alone.

“Hey, he’s your friend.”

“I know but I don’t want to see anyone but you right now.” Patrick kissed Robin hello. “I missed you last night.”

“I missed you too.”

Patrick noticed that Robin was not quite as happy as he had hoped. “Hey, what’s wrong?”

“I’m just disappointed. I really thought my plan would work.”

“I know but we will just have to come up with something else. Something that doesn’t put you in the line of fire.” Secretly, Patrick was a little relieved the plan hadn’t worked. He was hoping this would eliminate Robin’s desire to use herself as bait to catch this guy. He wanted this guy caught but not at Robin’s expense.

______________________________________________________________________________________


Patrick and Robin walked up to the nurse’s hub hand in hand.

“Dr. Scorpio – it’s great to see you out of that bed.” Epiphany was happy that Robin was being released. Patrick had called at least 10 times since she came on duty 3 hours ago, so she could finally get some peace. “Now maybe your boyfriend here can stop annoying me and concentrate on taking care of you at home.”

“You know you love me.” Patrick smiled and gave her the full dimple.

“You know that doesn’t work on me.” Epiphany smiled in spite of herself. “Anyway, here are you messages.” She handed Patrick a stack of papers. “And here are yours.” She began to hand the other stack to Robin until Patrick grabbed them too.

“Uh uh, you are on leave until Thursday, Dr. Lee’s orders, which means I will take care of your messages.” Robin attempted to pout but her heart wasn’t in it. After everything that had happened, she was looking forward to a couple of days off.

“Fine, but no cutting into any of my patients without my consent.”

“Deal.” Patrick began going through the messages when he stopped all of a sudden and dropped all but the one he was holding. “Damn it.”

“Patrick, what is it?”

He handed her the typewritten note that had been stuck in with her phone messages.

Did you honestly think I would fall for that?

[cmahorror]

Chapter 13

Patrick and Robin arrived home after dropping the note off to Mac. The new security system was installed and Robin blushed as she saw the code Patrick had chosen – 052906. The first time they had made love. “The alarm company told me to pick out something no one would guess but meant something to us.”

“It’s perfect. I know I will never forget that date - it was the date you changed my life." She smiled at him. "I spent so much time fighting my feelings for you and I was miserable. Then, we made love and…”

Patrick interrupted. “Both our lives changed. I spent months trying to convince myself that it was only sex but it wasn’t. It was the first time I had ever made love and my life has not been the same since. Through everything the one constant has been that I love you, so much.”

“And I love you, so much.”

“Now, you go take a bath and I am going to make us something to eat.”

“I’m not in the mood for French toast.” Robin smiled at Patrick as he bolted the doors and set the alarm.

“Ha, ha. Your Uncle dropped off a pan of lasagna earlier and I have a brand new bottle of red wine to drink with it. All I have to do is stick it in the oven.”

“Ah – that makes a little more sense. Well then I am going to jump in the tub and you, Dr. Drake, can bring me in a glass of wine.”

“Your wish is my command.” He gave her a quick kiss on the forehead. “Now be gone, go take your bath.”

45 minutes later Robin came out of the bathroom. She felt better than she had in days, relaxed and ready for a quiet night with her boyfriend. Dressed in a pair of yoga pants and a tank top, she strolled into the living room.

Lit candles filled the room and Patrick stood there in a pair of jeans and a dress shirt, holding a single red rose and looking as handsome as ever. “We have another 15 minutes until dinner is ready.” Patrick walked over to her and handed her the rose.

“Thank you.”

“Dr. Scorpio, would you care to dance?”

Robin smiled. “Dr. Drake, I would love to dance.”

Patrick took Robin’s hand and walked her to the middle of the room. “I think I may have found the perfect song for us.” He pushed play on the cd player and then he took her in his arms.

“Should I be scared?”

“Of me, never. Just listen and dance with me.”


We've been together now for such a long time
Through every trial, we'd ever care to go
When I look back, I almost can't believe it
We're not the same people that we used to know

With all the years behind me spent pretending
I didn't need someone like you around
It makes it even harder to imagine
The life I'd be livin', if I hadn't found

Someone to hold me, the way that you do
Someone who needs me, the way I need you
Someone to show me, a way that is true
Someone to love me, the way that I love you


Robin laid her head on his chest. He was right, this was the perfect song for them.


When there was no one left for me to turn to
When all the world I knew was fallin' down
Oh, there were times, I could not face the mornin'
But everything's changed since the day that I found

Someone to hold me, the way that you do
Someone who needs me, the way I need you
Someone to show me, a way that is true
Someone to love me, the way that I love you

Come on, come on, come on, come on, now

Someone to hold me, the way that you do
Someone who needs me, the way I need you
Someone to show me, a way that is true
Someone to love me


Robin looked at Patrick and wrapped her arms around his neck. He leaned down and kissed her.


Yes, someone to hold me, the way that you do
Someone who needs me, the way I need you
Someone to show me, a way that is true
Someone who loves me, the way that I love you


Patrick picked Robin up in his arms and began to walk with her to the bedroom.

“Patrick, wait – the oven!”

“I may have ‘forgotten’ to turn on the oven.”

Robin threw back her head and laughed. “Good, cause the only thing I am hungry for right now is you.” She began kissing him again as they headed to their bedroom.

Song: Someone by The Rembrandts

Edited July 31, 2016 by cmahorror

[cmahorror]

Chapter 14

“Enough Pete! I told you, for now we are staying close to home. I just don’t want to take any chances with Robin right now.” He was seriously getting frustrated with his best friend. Patrick had explained to him numerous times why guys night out was now guys night in.

“Ok man, relax! I know Dr. Sourpuss is going through a rough time but you have a guard on her so I would think that would help you relax enough so you can go out with your friend for a few beers.”

Robin rolled her eyes at the two men. “That’s it! Patrick, please take this man out to Jake’s so I can stop listening to his incessant whining.”

Pete glared at Robin then he smiled. “Yeah Doc, get me out of your girlfriends hair.”

Patrick looked at both of them and ran his hands through his hair. He kept hoping that someday Pete and Robin would get along but that was obviously not going to be today.

“Fine, one beer.” He looked at Robin. “I assume you still have one of Jason’s men watching me?”

Robin attempted to look shocked but then decided against it. Instead, she used his own words against him. “I am not going to apologize for caring about what happens to you. But no, something big went down at the docks a few days ago and Jason needed the manpower. Plus, he was convinced that whoever is after me has no interest in you.”

“I could have told him that.”

“So go – have a beer with Pete and get him out of my hair. I’ll set the alarm as soon as you leave and bolt the door. Plus, I am pretty sure that there is still at least one guard out there watching over me.”

Patrick knew that Pete was an excuse to get him out of the apartment. Robin had been patient but the reality was that she had not been alone in over two weeks, not since she got out of the hospital. When she was home, he was there. When she went out, it was either with him or one of their very few trusted associates. Mac and Patrick did most of the guarding duties but Jason and Nikolas had helped out a few times and even Pete had stepped in to help once when a surgery had run long and Nikolas had a board meeting.

“I take it Jolene is busy tonight?” Patrick knew Pete had been seeing a nursing student at the hospital for a few months now – practically a lifetime for Pete.

“Well, I think we have decided to take a step back and re-evaluate our relationship.”

“Meaning you couldn’t commit and she told you to take a hike.” Patrick had hoped that seeing him happy and in a committed relationship with Robin would rub off on Pete and help him settle down with the pretty student.

“Well, not all of us can find someone like Robin.”

Robin looked suspiciously at Pete. “That was uncharacteristically sweet of you Pete.”

“Sweet enough to let Patrick out for a few hours.”

“Of course! I should have known better.” Robin started to storm off to their bedroom. “Take him out for a beer before I strangle him.”

Patrick glared at his friend. “Thank you! Robin…” He quickly ran after her.

“I’m not mad. He’s just being Pete. But an hour away isn’t going to hurt either one of us. After all, absence does make the heart grow fonder.”

Patrick groaned. He was nervous about leaving her but he knew she needed a little space. “One hour, one hour and then I will be back.”

Robin smiled at him. “I love you. Now go have fun with your friend and if you want to stay out a little longer just let me know.”

Patrick kissed her and walked back to the living room. “Grab your coat Pete, we’re going out.” He took one last look at Robin. “I love you too and I am not getting on the elevator until I hear the bolt slide into place.”

Robin shook her head and followed him into the living room.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Two hours later

Robin had dozed off on the couch. She rubbed her eyes and looked around the apartment and then picked up her phone. She was confused by the time. Patrick had texted her over an hour ago to say he was on his way home but it didn’t look like he was there.

“Patrick?”

Suddenly her phone rang. It was the hospital – he must have gotten called in.

“Hello?”

Liz cut right to the chase. “Robin, Lucky is on his way to get you. You need to come to the ER right away.”

“What is going on?” Robin was scared by Liz’s tone – something was very wrong.

“It’s Patrick." Liz sighed. "Robin, he was found unconscious in the alley behind Jake’s. It appears that Patrick was jumped in the alley and beaten up.”

Edited August 1, 2016 by cmahorror

[cmahorror]

Chapter 15

“Liz, how is he?”

The brunette nurse was surprised how fast her ex-husband had managed to get Robin to the hospital. “He is being examined right now. I really don’t know anything yet but you can go in as soon as they are done.”

“I don’t understand – what happened?”

“It’s my fault.” Pete came up behind Robin. She turned around and glared at him.

“What do you mean it’s your fault?”

Pete took a deep breath. “I was hitting on this girl at Jake’s and it turned out her boyfriend was nearby shooting pool. He didn’t care for some of the things I said. He made a few threats and, well, I took off while Patrick was in the bathroom. I texted him and told him what happened but when I didn’t hear back from him I went back. That’s when I found him. I was freaking out but luckily Dr. Devlin was there and heard me yelling for help. He helped me control the bleeding until the ambulance got there.”

“Bleeding! Where was he bleeding from?”

“His nose and mouth, he looked like he took a few blows there.” Robin looked pained and Pete quickly stepped over and took her hand. “I’m sure he’ll be fine. It’ll take more than a couple of punches to take Dr. Drake out of the game.”

Robin didn’t pull away for a minute. She knew how much Pete cared about Patrick and she also knew he wasn’t responsible for what happened. “It’s not your fault. You didn’t do this to him. If anything, it’s my fault.”

Lucky instantly jumped in. “No it’s not.”

“How can you say that Lucky? We all know who did this, that bastard who has been stalking me! He did exactly what I was afraid of – he hurt Patrick to get to me.” Robin sat down in a chair and began sobbing. Liz sat down by her and held her.

Lucky knelt down in front of Robin. “Robin, this could just be a random mugging. And even if it is your stalker, it is still not your fault. This is all on that bastard who has been terrorizing you for months, you understand me?” Robin nodded her head, but was not very convincing.

Mac walked into the ER and immediately ran to Robin. “Any news yet?”

“I can answer that.” Dr. Lee walked out from Patrick’s room. All doctors on staff occasionally worked the ER and tonight Kelly just happened to be there. “He has some bruised ribs and some surface cuts and bruises but nothing that needs stitches and nothing broken. I am ordering a CT since he was unconscious when he was brought in but he came to a few minutes ago and is asking for his girlfriend.” She smiled at Robin.

Robin relaxed a little bit. “How long does he need to stay here?”

“I’m going to keep him here overnight but, as long as his CT is clear, I see no reason he can’t go home tomorrow. You want to go spend some time with him before they take him down to get the CT done?”

Robin smiled. “Thank you, Kelly.” She turned to the group with her. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

[cmahorror]

Chapter 16

It had already been a long night by the time Patrick was settled into a room on the 10th floor. Robin insisted that Mac and Lucky go back to the PCPD to begin sorting through everything regarding Patrick’s attack. Both were nervous to leave her alone. No matter what she said, they knew that Robin was blaming herself for the attack.

Ian had popped in to check on them briefly before he left for the night. Robin thanked him for his help but didn’t invite him to sit down and wait with her for Patrick to wake up. Patrick had been sleeping since coming back from his CT and she was not in the mood for company. As soon as he left, she laid her head down her head on Patrick's bed.

She had been laying there for a few minutes when she felt his fingers start stroking her hair. “Hey beautiful.”

Robin lifted her head and leaned her head into his hand. Patrick smiled at her. His head was pounding but he didn’t care. Robin was with him and that meant she was safe. To him, that was all that mattered.

“Hey yourself.” Tears filled Robin’s eyes. “I am so sorry.”

“For what? Robin, this isn’t your fault.”

“But I insisted you go out tonight. Even if it wasn’t my stalker, you still were in the line of fire because of me. Thank God your CT came back clear. If anything ever happened to you…”

Patrick softly rubbed her cheek. He looked her straight in the eyes. “Stop – this is just a case of me being in the wrong place at the wrong time. It is not your fault and I will not let you beat yourself up over this, ok?” He was hoping his words would be enough to placate her until they got home.

“But…”

“No buts. I am going to be fine and I want you to concentrate on that. How about you think about something else?”

“Like what?”

“Well, how about how you still owe me a real sponge bath?” Robin looked up at him and smiled. “After all, the last time I was a patient, your bathing technique was rather lacking.”

“If I remember correctly, you needed the cold bath. But maybe I could get Epiphany in here to show me the proper bathing technique.” Robin giggled. “I think I still have the pictures somewhere.”

“Now there’s my girl.” He took her hand in his and watched her closely. She was exhausted. “I love you but you need to get some rest.”

“I am not leaving you alone.”

“I’m not saying that. I was thinking you could share my bed with me.” He smiled at her and then looked around the room. “Did you bring your purse?”

Robin quickly realized what he was asking – did she have her meds. “I was so worried about you that I didn’t grab anything. Damn it!”

“Robin it’s okay, Lucky can take you back to the apartment…”

“He’s not here. I sent him and Mac back to the station to work on your case.”

“What about your guard?”

Robin looked at him sheepishly. “I sent him home.”

Patrick couldn’t believe it. “Robin!”

“I was planning on staying here with you until Uncle Mac picked us up in the morning. I didn’t see the need for the poor guy to sit around and watch me watch you sleep.”

Patrick groaned and laid his head back against the pillow. “I know it makes sense but what are we going to do now?”

Pete’s head popped in the door. “Hey, sorry to interrupt. Just wanted to let you know that I am going to head home and wondered if you needed anything.”

Patrick’s pounding head got worse with Pete’s arrival. He really didn’t want a fight. “Thanks but there’s nothing I can think of right now.”

“Actually Pete,” Robin jumped in “do you think you can give me a ride back to the apartment? I forgot a few things when I ran out earlier and I need them if I am going to come back and keep Dr. Drake out of trouble.”

Pete laughed. “Of course I can.”

Patrick was shocked. “What is going on here? How long was I out again?”

Robin gave him a dirty look. “Hey, I can play nice once in a while.” She sat down on the bed with him. “We both care about you and want you to get better. I think we can handle twenty minutes in the car together.”

“She’s right Patrick. I promise, I will take good care of her. You won’t have to worry about her as long as she’s with me.”

Robin kissed Patrick and then headed for the door. “Get some more rest and before you know it, I’ll be back to tuck you in for the night. Ready to go Pete?”

“Let’s go!”

[cmahorror]

Chapter 17

Lucky and Mac reviewed the photos and the evidence collected from the crime scene. So far they had come up with no suspects and no leads.

“Patrick doesn’t remember anything?” Mac was hoping that he had missed something in Patrick’s statement that could lead them to his attacker.

“No. He said he went out to look for Pete and then he was hit from behind. Dr. Lee said it wasn’t unusual with head injuries for the person to have temporary memory loss. Hopefully he will remember more as he recovers.”

“I just feel so useless.” Lucky watched Mac pace the floor. “I know as well as you do that Patrick was attacked by Robin’s stalker. I haven’t been able to protect her and now the man she loves is lying in a hospital bed because I haven’t caught this guy. I am letting her down.”

Lucky knew how Mac felt but they couldn’t wallow in defeat. They would figure this out. For Robin’s sake, they had to. “Let’s start from the beginning and go through everything again. Somewhere in here there is a clue to who is doing this and we will find it.”

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Patrick lay in bed and tried to sleep but his head was still pounding like crazy.

“How are you feeling Drake Junior?”

Patrick smiled as Epiphany walked in the door. “I didn’t think you were on duty tonight.”

“I’m not but Nurse Webber thought I would want to know that you were in the hospital." She shook her head as she looked down at him. "And she was right. So, how are you feeling?”

“Sore and my head is pounding but other than that I’m doing fine.”

“And the lovely Dr. Scorpio, where is she? I figured I was in for a rerun of a few weeks ago when she was in the hospital and you wouldn’t let the poor girl rest.”

“Robin went home to pick up a few things and then she will be back here to keep me company.”

Epiphany was livid. “You let her go home by herself!”

“No, of course not. My friend Pete took her home and is bringing her right back.”

“Hm, mm – ok. I’m going to go check on some pain meds for you. Maybe then you will leave Dr. Scorpio alone to get some rest when she gets back.”

Patrick half bowed to Epiphany. “Thank you.”

10 minutes later Patrick had had his meds and started nodding off, waiting for Robin and Pete to return.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

“Thanks again Pete.” They had just gotten to the apartment and Robin was starting to gather up things to take back with her to the hospital.

“Not a problem. Anything I can do to help?”

She shook her head. “Nope. I’m going to grab some clothes for Patrick, some aspirin and my meds and we should be good to go.”

“Aspirin?”

“Yeah, I am getting a headache.” Robin headed to the bathroom and gathered her pills and the aspirin. She then went into their bedroom and pulled out his grey sweat pants and an old t-shirt. No underwear, he could go commando tonight she thought with a smile.

She threw everything in a bag and walked into the living room. Pete was standing there with an opened bottle of water for her. “I thought you could use this to take your aspirin and then bring it with you to the hospital.”

She took the bottle and drank half of it along with the aspirin. “I’m beginning to think I have misjudged you.”

He laughed. “No, just caught me at a weak moment. Come on, let’s go. Can’t keep the love of your life waiting.”

“No we cannot.” Robin and Pete headed out the door and down to his car. They got in and headed back to the hospital. Sitting in the passenger seat, Robin began rubbing her eyes.

Pete studied her closely. “Tired?”

“I guess the day is just catching up with me.” Robin suddenly was exhausted.

“Why don’t you close your eyes and take a little catnap on our way back to the hospital?” Robin didn’t answer. “Robin?”

Pete looked over at Robin. Her eyes were closed and she wasn’t answering him. He pulled over to side of the road and checked on her. “Robin, hey Robin – can you hear me?” She still didn’t respond.

Pete reached into the bag Robin had with her and pulled out her cell phone. Smiling, he rolled down his window and threw the phone out it.

Five minutes later, he took the first exit out of Port Charles.

[cmahorror]

Chapter 18

After taking his pain medication, Patrick dozed off but it was a restless sleep. He was having a nightmare where Robin was being taken away from him. He kept chasing after her but she was always just out of reach. And there was a voice, one he knew but couldn’t quite place. Then he was in the alley behind Jake’s. Something hit him in the back of his head and he went down, hitting the ground hard. Two fists pounded at him and he couldn’t even open his eyes and focus on the assailant. But he had heard his voice.

Patrick shook awake, realizing with horror whose voice it was. He grabbed his phone and called Mac.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

“Lucky, maybe we are looking at the break in wrong. We have been assuming this was a stranger but maybe it was someone they know. Besides you and Cruz, who else was at the welcome home party for Robin?”

Lucky thought for a moment. “That Ian guy and Pete.”

“Let’s run background checks on them both. Better safe than sorry.” Mac noticed that his phone was vibrating on the table. The caller ID said it was Patrick. “Shouldn’t you be resting?”

“Mac, you need to put out an APB for Pete Marquez now! He has Robin.” Patrick was frantic – he was so blind. He had handed Robin right over to him.

Mac's heart dropped into his stomach. “Patrick, what are you talking about?”

Patrick ran his hand through his hair. “It was him – he was the one who attacked me outside of Jake’s. I think he was just trying to get me out of the way so he could grab her.”

“Lucky, forget the background check - put out an APB on Pete." Mac turned his attention back to his phone. "Where is Robin right now?”

“She went home to get her meds and a few things other things and I, Mac I didn’t realize." Patrick was near tears. "Pete offered to take her home. Damn it Mac, we have to find them!”

Mac’s heart dropped into his stomach. “Lucky, try Robin’s phone!”

Lucky called Robin from his cell phone. It rang 8 times and then went to voicemail. “She didn’t answer Mac.” Lucky was scared but also pissed off. That son of a bitch had fooled them all. “I’m going to use the GPS on her phone to track her.”

“You do that.” He spoke to Patrick. “This isn’t your fault, none of us suspected he was dangerous. How long ago did they leave?”

Patrick looked at the clock on the wall. “A little over an hour ago, Epiphany gave me my pain medication and I dozed off waiting for them to come back.”

Mac was trying to keep his cool. “Do you have any idea where he might have taken her?”

“No. Mac I’m on my way over.”

“Patrick, you need to stay at the hospital. Robin will kill me if anything happens to you. We have the search started and I will let you know what is going on.” Mac rubbed his hand through his hair and tried to steady his voice. “I will bring our girl home safe and sound. You need to make sure you’re healthy for when she gets home.” Mac hung up hoping that Patrick would listen to him.

Patrick stared at the phone for a few seconds after Mac hung up and then he grabbed the water pitcher from his table and threw it across the room. This couldn't be happening.

Patrick took a deep breath and then pushed the nurse call button. He needed scrubs and he needed them now. Mac wanted him to sit around and wait but that wasn't going to happen.

No, Patrick was going to bring Robin home, even if he had to kill Pete to do it.

[cmahorror]

Chapter 19

Pete hadn’t felt this good in years. Sure, Patrick thought he and Pete were friends but the reality was that Pete had never really been able to stand the arrogant jerk. When they met in college, he used Patrick to help him with the ladies. They were both dogs were no interest in commitment and the arrangement worked well for him. Together, the women never stood a chance.

They had gone their separate ways after college but still kept in touch, the way you do with that brother you can’t stand but still put up with for the family’s sake. Meet up once in a while, have a few good times and laughs and then go awhile without talking. When they had both ended up in Port Charles, Pete had figured that they could go back to their prowling ways. Then Patrick told him about Robin.

Robin was just a wrench in the plans at first. Pete saw her as an obstacle. He needed Patrick single so that the two of them could run through all the pretty young women in the city. He made a concentrated effort to separate them, playing on Patrick’s fears and insecurities and it almost worked. He had pushed it too far with the strippers in Vegas, but he still might have gotten through to Patrick if the ‘irritating doctor’ hadn’t gotten herself arrested.

Pete laughed out loud to himself. Robin was an unexpected surprise. During the Metro Court disaster he had visited Patrick and listened to the way he spoke of Robin and the effect she had on his life. Sure, she was beautiful, intelligent and brave but there was something else there – an underlying strength that had impressed Pete. To be honest, he started to fall in love with her that night.

Then, after she recovered, she dumped Patrick for the prince. He couldn’t believe it – she seemed the kind of woman to devote herself to her love and yet she shattered Patrick without a second thought. Maybe she wasn’t the woman he thought she was. It wasn’t until a month later that he discovered that he was right – she was even better.

There were very few who knew the truth about what happened at Wyndemere, but Pete was one of them. Robin had given up everything, including her freedom, for the man she loved. Just when he thought he couldn’t love her more, she proved him wrong. That was one of the things he loved most about her – her ability to constantly surprise him.

He knew he had to act quickly. She deserved better than Drake. Pete could be everything she needed and wanted, he just needed a chance. Since Drake wasn’t going to bow out gracefully, he needed to create his own chances. It was all about letting her know that he could be that man for her, that Drake could not protect her and take care of her.

It was a stroke of luck that Robin had forgotten her meds. He had known that she would send Mac and Lucky to PCPD to investigate the attack on Drake; just like he had known she would want to stay at the hospital and would dismiss the guard. His plan was just to grab her while Drake was passed out on pain meds. He had swiped some chloroform from the supply closet during one of his visits to Jolene. He’d been carrying it around in his car, along with some more crushed up sleeping pills, waiting for the moment he could use it.

Then Robin had asked him to drive her home. It had thrown him for a brief loop but he realized that this was fate. She was in his car with him and he took her to pick up her things. When she got out of the car, he had grabbed the sleeping pills and thought of how he could use them. If not them, then he would use the chloroform when they got back in the car but she had told him she had a headache. While she went and got her things together, he put a little of the powdered pills in her bottle of water. It couldn’t have gone any better.

He looked over at his Robin, his sleeping beauty next to him. “Don’t worry dear – we’re almost home.”

[ulkis]

Dr. Finn's speech from 8/19:

"Where was I? Hmm. G.A. Series serum 3-9-1, compound six, human trial. Ground control to major tom. Azkaban. Dash of Humpty Dumpty. Tests of the latest cure iteration of the disease in the rate of cellular regeneration. This compound has proven to be the most promising yet. Sounds good, right, Reiko? I'm one step closer to saving everyone that's got this thing. I don't know who else could have it besides me, because I haven't even bothered to go and look for other people who might have it, but I'll publish a note on craigslist as soon as I'm done fixing myself. I just couldn't save you.

Of course, that had nothing to do with this disease and the fact a minion of the Empire got you confused with General Rieekan of the Rebel Alliance. Idiot. So, Reiko. It's time to be realistic. And I know you always liked "optimistic Finn" best, although how would you know who that was because he died the moment I settled for you, but you always said it, so let's just go with that you always liked it . . .  but...time is running out.

"Disease is progressing de-- despite the meds. Who would have guessed getting illegal drugs wouldn't've done anything? If I don't figure something out, I'm gonna be joining you. Which... I don't know. Would that be such a bad thing? I've made provisions for Roxy. She's gonna be the most pampered bearded dragon in the world. I don't have a lot. That's mostly your fault, because I've been spending money to try to get rid of this disease that I'm pretty sure you gave me, and to top it all off, you pretty much left me all alone in this world. God, what am I saying, of course it would be a bad thing if I joined you. I was way outta your league. That's like saying it would be better if I joined Rafe. Er, I mean some random kid who did drugs that I totally never knew. Oh, don't say that. Hayden doesn't count. There's nothing between her and me. I mean... you see, Hayden, she did some things, you know, and, uh, she -- she's looking for redemption. I'm not a fool. She took me on as a project. She'll fail, because she could never figure out the inner workings of a complex man like me, but it was nice of her to try. Maybe. Really, she should have the sense to know she'll never be able to comprehend me and just not bother me at all."

--

(Fine, this may have been actually what he said, but there's little difference really:

"Where was I? Hmm. G.A. Series serum 3-9-1, compound six, human trial. Tests of the latest cure iteration yidsase in the rate of cellular regeneration. This compound has proven to be the most promising yet. Sounds good, right, Reiko? I'm one step closer to saving everyone that's got this thing. I just couldn't save you. So, Reiko. It's time to be realistic. 
And I know you always liked "optimistic Finn" best, but...time is running out. Disease is progressing de-- despite the meds. If I don't figure something out, I'm gonna be joining you. Which... I don't know. Would that be such a bad thing? I've made provisions for Roxy. She's gonna be the most pampered bearded dragon in the world. I don't have a lot. Pretty much left me all alone in this world. Oh, don't say that. Hayden doesn't count. There's nothing between her and me. I mean... you see, Hayden, she did some things, you know, and, uh, she -- she's looking for redemption. I'm not a fool. She took me on as a project.")

Edited August 19, 2016 by ulkis

[cmahorror]

Chapter 20

“Have you found her? Where is she Mac?”

Mac shook his head as his niece’s boyfriend charged in to the station. “I thought I told you to stay at the hospital.” As much as he hated it, he wasn’t surprised when Patrick showed up. Robin was missing, kidnapped by the man Patrick had thought was his best friend. Patrick was motivated by not only love but guilt and anger. He had unknowingly handed the woman he loved right over to her stalker and he would not rest until she was home, safe and sound.

What surprised Mac was that Epiphany was right behind him. She had driven Patrick to the police station as soon as he had told her what happened. She spent the entire drive trying to convince Drake Junior that this was not his fault. None of them had any idea what Pete was doing and beating himself up was not going to help them find Robin.

“We found her phone. It was in the road about 3 blocks from your place. Her pills are gone so we’re pretty sure she at least a few doses.” Patrick sighed in relief. He was worried about that. “Patrick, he wants her alive and healthy – that will buy us the time we need to find her.” Mac was trying to reassure him as best he could. “Since you are here anyway, let me ask you a few questions. Do you have any idea where he may have taken her? Does he have any family within driving distance?”

Patrick shook his head. He had been thinking about this since he figured out Pete had taken her. “No, no place comes to mind. Pete was an only child, like me. His parents died when we were in college, a car accident, so he doesn’t have any family left. He moved from town to town taking temporary teaching assignments until he got the job at PCU. As far as friends go, I am really the only one he has, well had.”

Mac nodded his head. This was exactly what the background check had revealed but he had hoped Patrick would have a little more insight into the situation. “What about his behavior lately? Anything unusual, anything that made you feel uneasy?”

“No, he would antagonize Robin every chance he got. The only time he was nice to her was when he wanted to get me out of the house. In fact, the only time I saw the two of them get along with each other was tonight right before he took Robin.” Patrick’s eyes filled up with tears as he remembered Pete walking out the door with Robin. Why hadn’t he seen it?

Mac attempted to reassure the young doctor. “Patrick, he is a very smart man. He made sure you didn’t suspect a thing – why would you think that a man who told you that Robin is the worst thing to happen to you, why would you think that man was her stalker?”

In his head he knew Mac was right but Patrick wasn’t thinking with his head right now – he was thinking with his heart. He had brought Pete into their world and now Pete had taken Patrick’s entire life. He could handle losing anything else but losing her would destroy him.

Patrick started thinking of ways to help his girlfriend. “Mac, any luck on finding Anna and Robert?” Robin’s parents had not been there for her so many times and it upset him but they may be his best shot at getting her back. Once they found out Robin had been kidnapped, they would stop at nothing to find her and Pete.

“No, the WSB is back stopping big time. Whatever case they are on, they are so deep under cover that no one can get in touch with them.”

Patrick took a moment to think about the other resources at his disposal. He looked at Mac. “Did you call Jason?”

“Why would I call Jason?”

“Because he will help find her. He owes her and it’s about time he repaid his debt.” Patrick pulled out his phone and called Jason. “We need to talk.”

Mac wanted to argue but Patrick was right. The reality was that Mac was hindered by procedure; he had to follow everything down to the letter so that when they caught Marquez there would be no way he could get out of prison. But Jason didn’t and wouldn’t play by rules, especially not where Robin is concerned. As long as Mac didn’t know about it, he could claim plausible deniability when Marquez was brought to justice.

To bring Robin home safe, Mac would do whatever it takes, even if it meant working with Jason.

Edited August 20, 2016 by cmahorror

[cmahorror]

Chapter 21

Robin woke up with a killer headache in their bedroom. At least at first glance it looked like their bedroom. As she began to focus she realized several key differences.

There were no windows. Patrick and Robin had a wonderful view of Port Charles from their bedroom and she thought of many hours spent in his arms, watching the sun rise after making love all night. She smiled briefly, thinking of how good it felt lying naked against him, his chin on the top of her head, her back to his chest with his arms wrapped around her so tight she didn’t need a blanket – he had kept her warm.

There was something else missing – there were no traces of Patrick in this room. None of his stuff was on the dresser. Not one miniature race car, not his cologne, not even his comb. Their pictures were gone too. The one of them at Luke and Laura’s wedding had sat on the dresser and on the wall had hung a picture of her and Patrick with his dad. They had taken it at her welcome home party and she had copies made for Noah and Patrick.

Noah had left a few days after the party to work with Doctors Without Borders in Africa and had been unreachable since he left. All three doctors knew it might be awhile before they got to see each other again so Robin gave Noah a copy of the picture before he left. After they got home from driving Noah to the airport, she had given Patrick a framed copy and she had insisted on hanging it in their bedroom. But now it was gone.

Then Robin looked at the door. Patrick’s t-shirt wasn’t there. He always kept one of his old t-shirts hanging there, for her to wear when she got up in the middle of night. Patrick didn’t see the point to wearing clothes in their apartment when they were alone but she felt better being at least a little covered up when she wandered through the apartment. So they came up with a compromise - she would wear one of his shirts. They were long enough to be like a nightgown on her so she felt a little less exposed. Plus, he loved to see her in his shirts - he said she looked damn sexy in his shirts.

Robin got up and tried the door. It was locked. There was a bolt on the door and the key side was her side which meant that she wasn’t going anywhere unless she could find her lock picking kit. She began looking around the room for her purse. Hopefully whoever took her hadn’t figured out she carried a lock picking kit around with her.

It took her a good 10 minutes but she finally found her purse pushed into the back of a dresser drawer. Thankfully her lock picking kit was still there. Working quickly, Robin unlocked the dead bolt and quietly crept out of the room. She found herself in a long hallway. There were no windows but there was another door at the end of it. She could see a low light coming from the crack at the bottom of the door.

She reached the door, turned the handle and found that it was unlocked. She slowly opened the door and entered the room.

While the room she had been in was an almost exact replica of her bedroom, this room looked nothing like her living room. This was more like a warehouse, sparse and with very little furniture in it. There were candles everywhere. In the middle of the room was a table set for dinner with a single red rose on one of the paper plates. There were two other doors in the room, one to the left and one directly across from her. Robin began walking to the one in front of her, creeping as quietly as she could towards it.

She was halfway through the room when the other door opened and someone quickly grabbed her from behind. She struggled but he held her arms tight to her side and she decided to conserve her energy. She knew she would need it.

He sighed as he held her tight. Leaning down, he whispered in her ear.

“Welcome home Robin.”

[cmahorror]

Chapter 22

Robin couldn’t believe it. Pete! Pete was her stalker. This didn’t make any sense at all.

He held her tight, relishing this moment. “I wasn’t sure how long you would be sleeping so supper isn’t quite ready yet.” Reaching into her front pocket he retrieved her lock picking kit. “God, you have no idea how sexy it is that you know how to pick locks but you don’t need these anymore.”

Robin cringed at his touch. He kept his chin on her neck, whispering in her ear while smelling her hair. She kept quiet, she needed to get her bearings and keep her head on straight. Her only hope for getting out of this in one piece was to be alert and in control. By now Patrick and Mac knew she had been kidnapped and she could only hope that they have figured out that Pete was the one behind it.

Keeping her in his grasp, he slowly moved Robin over to the table. After a quick kiss to her neck, Pete set her down in the chair in front of the place setting with the rose. He moved his left hand down her left arm and guided it towards the arm of the chair. Robin suddenly felt metal and realized Pete had just handcuffed her to the chair.

He slowly ran his hands up and down her arms and spoke softly into her ear. “I understand that you are scared but you don’t need to be. I would never hurt you. I could never hurt you.” After one more quick kiss to the top of her head, Pete moved around the other side of the table. “I needed to get you alone so that you could understand how I feel. All this time, it has been killing me watching you with Patrick. He doesn’t deserve you.”

Pete walked over to the door he had just come out of. “I have to get supper together and dispose of these.” He held her lock picking kit in his hand. “I’m sorry about the handcuffs but it will take a little while before I can trust you not to try and run away. It will come in time, I promise you. Now, we have all the time in the world together.” He gave her one last smile and disappeared behind the door.

Robin sat at the table in shock. She looked around for something she could use as a weapon but there were no utensils on the table. Pete came out with two paper plates filled with pizza and set them down on the table. He retreated back to the kitchen and returned with two Styrofoam cups filled with red wine. They ate in silence and she realized he had thought of almost everything.

“Thank you for supper. Is there any chance I might get a fork for my pizza please?”

He smiled at her. He wasn’t surprised that she tried to get something to use against him but it wasn’t going to happen. “Sorry Robin, we have to work up to utensils. Trust will have to be earned. Until then we have plenty of things we can eat that do not require a knife or fork. I will go get your pills now that you have some food in your stomach so you can take them.”

Robin nodded at him. This was not going to be easy. Pete had thought this out very well. He set the pill container down and watched her take them. Normally, she was nervous about taking her protocol in front of someone but she was hoping that Pete would be bothered by it or maybe even let her go once he figured she was more trouble than she was worth. Instead he just smiled at her lovingly.

After she finished her protocol she ate a few more bites of pizza and sipped a little of the wine. She didn’t want to, she wanted to be in control, but she knew he expected her to at least drink a little with supper. She was just about ready to tell Pete she was done when she felt drowsy again. Shocked, she realized that Pete had drugged her again.

“Sorry dear but I need to clean up and get you back to our room.” Robin cringed as she realized he expected them to sleep together. He noticed. “Don’t worry, I know how important making love is to you and I would never force you to do anything you aren’t ready for. I want it to be right for both of us.” He smiled at her. “I could have done something the night I put you to bed but I didn’t because I want our first time together to be special and something we both enjoy.”

For some reason, Robin believed him and that gave her a little bit of hope that she just may get out of this in one piece. After she passed out Pete took off the handcuffs and carried her to their bed. He laid her on the bed and just watched her. He stayed that way for over an hour before he finally fell into the best sleep he’d ever had in his life.

[cmahorror]

Chapter 23

Patrick hadn’t slept at all. His conversation with Jason had been simple and to the point. Pete Marquez, an English professor at PCU had been behind Robin’s stalking and had now kidnapped her. Jason assured Patrick that all his manpower, especially Spinelli, would be spent on getting Robin back. Within an hour Spinelli had hacked into the PCU personnel records and was gathering all the information he could on Pete.

While Jason was doing this, Mac and Lucky were able to obtain warrants to search Pete’s office and his apartment. By 9 am the morning after Pete took off with Robin, they were in searching his apartment.

Patrick had insisted on coming with them and neither man wanted to stop him. The truth was they wanted to keep an eye on him. Mac was concerned for Patrick’s health after the beating and Lucky was worried that Pete may decide to eliminate Patrick permanently. Both of them knew Robin would expect them to protect Patrick and they had no intention of letting her down.

They entered the place and found a perfectly serviceable but impersonal space. None of the furniture matched, there were no photos anywhere and no personal items. The first bedroom was the same, just a bed and a dresser but nothing to suggest anyone had a life in there. Hotel rooms had more personality. The bathroom trash gave them one piece of evidence – an empty prescription bottle for Eszopiclone, the same drug found in Robin’s system the night she was drugged at their apartment.

The men had begun to think coming to Pete’s apartment was a dead end until they opened the door to the 2nd bedroom.

“Oh my God Mac.” Patrick stared in horror at what lay before them. The room was covered in pictures of Robin. Robin with Patrick at the hospital, in her car, out with friends and, worse of all, in their apartment. Some were taken from the building across the street and some from their skylight. Tears filled his eyes as he saw one section of a wall was dedicated just to pictures of Robin sleeping. He reached out to touch one of them but Mac stopped him.

“Patrick, they are evidence.” The man understood Patrick’s impulse but he needed to make sure none of the evidence was disturbed. Patrick nodded and pulled his hand away. All of a sudden he heard Lucky shout out.

“That son of a bitch!” He was standing and staring at the opposite wall from Mac and Patrick. Both men rushed over and saw what had Lucky so upset – this wall had pictures of Patrick and Robin making love. There were pictures of them in their bed and various places around their apartment, anywhere there was a window. There was only one consistent thing about each picture, Patrick’s face was scratched out.

“Mac, I’m sorry.” Mac put up his hand to stop Patrick from talking.

“You have nothing to be sorry for. You and my niece are adults who love each other and live together.”

Patrick ran his hand through his hair. “Still, it’s one thing to know it happens and another thing entirely to see it.”

“The only person who needs to be sorry is Pete Marquez. He did this, he invaded yours and Robins privacy.” Mac turned away from the wall and looked at Patrick. “It’s also clear that you are a target. Do you think he would use you to get Robin to comply?”

Patrick shook his head. “I just don’t know Mac. If you had asked me yesterday I would have said no, absolutely not. But now I’m beginning to think that I never knew him at all.”

They heard a scuffle coming from the living room. “This is a crime scene – you can’t come in.”

“The Commissioner will want to see me.”

Lucky recognized Jason’s voice. “It’s okay, let him in. He’s a, uh, consultant on this case.”

Jason walked into the bedroom and came to a dead stop. Even though he was in love with Sam now, Robin would always hold a special place in his heart and seeing this sick shrine to her upset him greatly. He walked over to Mac and Patrick and was about to talk when he noticed what the pictures on the wall behind them were.

“What the hell!” Jason looked Mac straight in the eyes. “You won’t have to worry about this bastard going to trial because I am going to kill him first.”

“Morgan, you may not want to say something like that in front of a room full of cops.” Lowering his voice so that only Jason and Patrick could hear him, “But it’s good to know we are all on the same page.”

There was brief silence and then Patrick spoke. “Have you been able to find out anything?”

“Nothing yet. Pete’s credit cards haven’t been used since yesterday afternoon, he cleaned out his back accounts yesterday, this apartment is a rental and his car is paid off. We haven’t found any property purchased in his name in the past 6 months. We also looked under his mother’s maiden name just in case but nothing has come up yet. Sonny has Max and Milo out questioning people around your apartment to see if they saw anything.” Jason took a breath. He had wanted to bring them better news. “Patrick, can you give me anything else to go on. Any aliases he might have used in the past, fake names or any names he might have used to purchase property with?”

Mac looked questioningly at Jason. “What are you getting at?”

“Well I know sometimes people will set up a dummy corporation to launder money. Why couldn’t Pete have done the same thing to cover his tracks?”

“That’s actually not a bad idea.” Patrick agreed. “Pete is an English professor. Could you get a list of all corporate names set up in the past year in New York – there may be something that catches my eye?”

“I’ll get Spinelli right on it.” He looked at Patrick. “We’re going to get her back.”

“I know.” Patrick took a deep breath and looked around the room. “And then we will make him pay.”

[ulkis]

Found this in an old e-mail. Unfinished "Lucky come back to town because he hears Liz is dating Franco" fic.

*

The doorbell rang and Lulu looked at Dante, confused. It was Saturday afternoon, but they weren't expecting anyone. Dante got up to the door and opened it. 

 

"Holy crap," he said. "Lucky, why didn't you tell us you were coming back?" Dante said. "Sorry, everything's still a mess - "

 

Lulu ran up and hugged him. Lucky hugged her back, but still didn't say anything. He took a quick look around. "Cute house."

 

"Thanks," Dante said dryly. 

 

Lulu pulled back from him and looked up at him, but still held on to his forearms. "Something wrong?"

 

"Yes," said Lucky.

 

"Of course there is," said Dante.

 

"I mean, it's not an emergency," said Lucky. "I was talking to mom and she said  . . . Elizabeth is dating Franco?!"

 

Dante and Lulu looked at each other.

 

"Well?" said Lucky. "Is it true?"

 

"I mean, they've been seen together," said Dante, holding his arms out to his sides. "But I mean no one knows the whole story."

 

"Huh," Lucky muttered. He sagged back in the chair he had sat down in. "I was hoping it was some lie mom told me to get me back to Port Charles."

 

"Mom shouldn't need to lie to get you back to Port Charles," Lulu said under her breath.

 

"I don't disagree," said Lucky.

 

"You acknowledging you're being ridiculous by staying away doesn't make it any better," Lulu replied. 

 

"Oooo-kay," said Dante, stepping in before it could turn into major sibling squabble. "Is that all you wanted from us? Maybe you want to hang out with your nephew, who you've never actually met in person?"

 

"Where is he, anyway?" Lucky said, looking around. 

 

"At a party," said Lulu. "But it'll end in an hour or so."

 

"Yeah, I'd like that," said Lucky. "But . . . I don't understand. Hasn't anyone said anything to Liz?"

 

"What are WE gonna say?" asked Dante. "She won't listen to us."

 

"Hell, did she listen to you when you said to tell all about Jason?" said Lulu.

 

"No," admitted Lucky. 

 

"Well maybe she would have if you stayed . . . " 

 

"Oh God," Lucky sighed. "If only Nikolas were around. Then we could tag-team her about it."

 

"Uh . . . " said Dante. Lucky glared at him.

 

"Sorry, sorry," apologized Dante, holding his hands up. "Sounds funny, is all . . . "

 

"Yeah, what's up with that?" asked Lulu, folding her arms. "You come back here cause Elizabeth MIGHT be dating Franco, but not for Nikolas' death?"

 

Lucky scoffed. "First of all, he died in Greece, so why would I come to Port Charles if that's where he died, and secondly, he's not dead and he's holed up somewhere. If he stays away for a year, then MAYBE he's actually dead." He looked up at Dante. "I was thought dead for about a year before I came back. That's my standard."

 

"Uh-huh . . . " said Dante.

 

"But do I have any right to interfere?" said Lucky. "After what I've done?"

 

"Yeah, they're your kids!" said Lulu. "You're an idiot!"

 

"What she means is," said Dante, "go to Elizabeth and talk to her."

 

"Go and talk to her, IDIOT," corrected Lulu.

 

"Who am I to criticize her?" asked Lucky? "Or even Franco? After all . . . the darkness inside me . . . "

 

Both Dante and Lulu groaned.

 

"How to put this without insulting you . . . " said Dante.

 

"Oh for fuck's sake, Dante," said Lulu. "Insult him." She turned to Lucky. "Lucky, you got a lot of bullshit going on but whatever it is, it's not enough to keep you away from your kids, and no offense, but Franco is way worse than you. Franco is an evil murderer psycho who tied me to a fucking bomb. Do you want to do that to me?"

 

"Only sometimes," Lucky muttered. 

 

Lulu rolled her eyes. "HE'S WORSE THAN YOU. YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT DARKNESS IS."

 

Lucky and Dante stared at her. 

 

"See?" Dante said, half-smiling. He pointed at her. "She should know."

 

"Oh trust me," said Lucky. "I still remember the time you said I should have gotten shot instead of Dante."

 

"Well . . . you did let me believe that it was your fault!" She looked accusingly at him. "Another of your bullshit it's-all-my-fault moments."

 

"You said that?" asked Dante. He put his arm around Lulu. "That's kinda sweet baby. You know, in a completely cruel to your brother way."

 

"I admitted that to you!" said Lulu.

 

"Did you? I don't remember," said Dante. "Sorry for not paying attention?"

 

"Anyway," Lucky interrupted. He continued in a faked absentminded tone, "she also once said she'd forget about me long before she forgot about Johnny."

 

"Hmm," said Dante. "Less sweet. But still, since I'm here and he's not, she was lying." 

 

"Um. Sorry everyone?" said Lulu. 

 

"But seriously, you guys don't understand . . . "

 

"No, we understand," said Dante. "It's the same kind of bullshit that Sonny peddles to himself. Blah blah darkness I can't change blah blah."

 

"Wow," said Lucky. "You missed your career as an orator."

 

"And you are missing the chance to be with your kids, and your . . . Elizabeth, and your wife and your family and us. We miss you Lucky."

 

"Sometimes," Lulu said, mimicking Lucky's earlier comment. 

 

"So go to Elizabeth's house and kick the fucking psychopath out," ordered Dante.

*

Edited September 4, 2016 by ulkis

[cmahorror]

Chapter 24

Three days. Robin had been with Pete for three days and was feeling that she may not be as close to being rescued as she had hoped.

Three times a day for the past three days he had taken her into the other room and they had eaten together. Twice a day he made sure she took her protocol so she would stay on schedule. Once a day he took her to the bathroom and let her take a shower. He was a gentleman though and left her alone to undress and dress. Other than when he was making their meals, he was right by her side.

She had earned the right to sleep unencumbered on their second night together. He told her that tonight she would be given a plastic fork for dinner – fried chicken and mashed potatoes. She was quickly earning his trust. She couldn’t make a move yet, she was laying the ground work for her escape right now. Every time she was brought into the main room she took a few moments to memorize a different part of the room and try to find a weakness.

Meal time had become very interesting. Pete took to complaining about Patrick constantly, she guessed hoping that she would realize what an egotistical jerk Patrick truly was and how lucky she was that Pete had saved her from the heartbreak Patrick was destined to give her. Granted, Patrick was egotistical and could be a jerk but he was also the love of her life. She had no doubts that at this very moment he was doing everything he could to find her and bring her home. Her job was to stay safe and healthy until he could rescue her or she could find a way out.

To keep her busy, Pete had brought her books to read. Being an English professor, he had a great love for the written word. Among the authors he had chosen were Stephen King, Shakespeare and Sue Grafton. All things she had read and enjoyed in the past. At least it kept her mind off of Patrick for a little bit, until today. Today, when she reached into the box of books, she pulled out Jaws.

She held back the tears as best she could as she remembered discussing this book with Patrick. She had been taking care of him at her apartment while he recovered from strep throat. His fever was gone, so she cuddled up with him on the couch and he told her the story of how, one time when he sick as a kid, his mother had bought Jaws for him and taken out all the sex scenes before giving him the book. He told the story with such love and joy, it was clear that it was a very important memory and it meant a lot that he was sharing it with her. It was one of her favorite memories of them.

She put the book by her side of the bed and then picked up The Stand. It felt like a sign from Patrick. She was certain he was working with Mac and Jason to find her. The trio were working together to track down and destroy a predator, her own great white shark – Pete. And in the end, they would win too. She just hoped it didn’t cost her anyone she loved.

Edited September 4, 2016 by cmahorror

[teenj12]

Recently made a fanvid for the Davis Girls (my favorite GH family), and I thought I'd post it here as well:

[Melgaypet]

Ugh. So I wrote the first chapter of stupid, plotless, lame, fluffy fic, because it wouldn't leave my head. I blame ulkis.

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12147259/1/Three-Daughters

ETA: And now it's finished! Good, with that nonsense done, maybe I can concentrate on other things. Oh, and thank you, jennifer6973.

Edited September 13, 2016 by Melgaypet

[jennifer6973]

that was pretty good.

[cmahorror]

Chapter 25

It had been over 3 days since Pete walked out of the hospital with Robin and destroyed Patrick’s life. It was driving him crazy not knowing where she was and how she was doing. Did she still have enough of her medicine? Was she someplace where she would be kept safe from infection? He remembered hearing about when Tony Jones had kidnapped her and Michael. She developed pneumonia and if Jason hadn’t found her when he did she would have died. Tony had been a doctor and she had almost died in his care. What could a damn English teacher do if she got sick?

Mac had hit a dead end with all legal avenues. It was almost like Pete and Robin had fallen off the face of the earth. Pete had resigned from his post at PCU 2 days before he took Robin and his office had already been cleared out before he took Robin. His last paycheck was still in the Accounting Department awaiting Pete’s instructions. The PCPD had put a trace on it so that if Pete did request it, they could maybe get a lead on where he is.

Patrick was counting on Jason and Spinelli to help him find Robin. They were coming by his and Robin’s apartment in a few minutes with the list of corporations formed in the last 6 months in New York. It was a far lengthier list than anyone had expected but Patrick was praying that something on that list would stand out to him.

Patrick sat down on the couch and closed his eyes. He remembered fighting with Robin over this very couch. She had bought it as a present for him when he first moved into the place since he refused to have any real furniture or decorate. He sent it back and then reordered it. It was never about the couch, it was about trying to figure out where they were as a couple. Were they ready to move in together or not?

“You have to try the 7 points of comfort.” He laughed at the memory. That was the main selling point she had used to try and convince him to get the couch. He fought her so hard but eventually realized that she was right and bought every piece of furniture she suggested. He also realized that it would never be home to him unless she was there. So he fought to get her to move in with him. It was great, for one day.

Then he listened to Pete. He kicked the ottoman, her ottoman, in frustration and it fell over. Jason began pounding at the door. “Patrick! Patrick, are you okay?”

Patrick let out a little laugh and answered. “Just a little temper tantrum. I’m coming.” After righting the ottoman he opened the door and let the men in. He sat back down on the couch while Jason and Spinelli both took a chair.

“Well, do you have the list?” Patrick didn’t have time for pleasantries. Robin was still missing and this was the best lead they had.

Jason understood. “Spinelli, give him the list.”

Spinelli handed over a packet of papers. It looked to be at least 20 pages long. Patrick took the list and immediately started studying it. He was going to take his time – if he went too fast he may miss something. “This is going to take a while, I want to be careful. There’s beer in the fridge and I can order in some food.”

“How about Mr. Changs?” Spinelli had no idea how that one little question would affect Patrick.

“No!” Spinelli jumped. Patrick took a deep breath. “I’m sorry it’s just that Robin and I always order from there. I just want to wait for her to get home before I eat there again.”

“How about some pizza? There’s a new place that opened up last week I’ve been wanting to try.”

Patrick looked at Jason and smiled. “You know, I think that is a good idea. Why don’t you order whatever you want and, Spinelli, why don’t you grab us each a beer?” Patrick felt guilty for scaring the kid and wanted to help him relax a little bit.

“Thank you, Dr. Drake.” Spinelli gave him a little smile and headed to the kitchen while Jason ordered the pizza and Patrick started going through the list.

Edited September 23, 2016 by cmahorror