In every heart there is a room
A sanctuary safe and strong

 June 2006

General Hospital: Locker Room

Robin Scorpio’s courage nearly faltered when she came across Patrick Drake hovering over a blonde nurse, flashing that charming smile–the dimple winking in his cheek. She nearly turned and walked away but that would be the easy thing and Robin was through taking the easy route.

“Patrick?” Robin spoke up. “I’m sorry to interrupt–”

“Then don’t,” Patrick said flatly without even glancing in her direction.

“It’s important,” Robin tried again. “Please.”

Patrick sighed and rolled his head before leveling an impatient glare in her direction. “Is it about a patient? An upcoming surgery?”

“No,” Robin admitted, “but–”

“Then we have nothing to discuss.” Patrick dismissed her and turned his attention back to the nurse.

“You know, why don’t we do this later?” the nurse remarked with a sympathetic smile to Robin. After all, everyone in the hospital knew that the two had crashed and burned a few weeks ago. It couldn’t be easy having to walk around knowing that everyone knew Patrick Drake had dumped you.

She slipped away from Patrick and left the locker room, the door swinging gently shut. Patrick exhaled slowly and shoved his hands in the pockets of his jeans. “You happy now?” he demanded.

Without warning, Robin burst into tears–a mortifying moment for her and a very panicked one for him.

“I’m sorry,” he said uncomfortably. “There’s–there’s no reason to get all upset.”

Robin sniffled and took a deep breath, trying to regain her composure. “I’m sorry–that’s–it’s been happening a lot and it’s stupid and it doesn’t even have to be about anything–” she shook her head. “Look, I just–I have to tell you something, okay?”

His eyes narrowed. “What?” Patrick leaned against the locker. “Didn’t you give up all rights to lecture me?”

“This–” Robin felt hysteria bubbling in her throat again. Oh, God, please let me get through this, she thought desperately. “I just–I had an appointment with Alan–”

Patrick snapped straight up and alarm replaced the look of impatience. “What? Are you sick? What’s wrong?”

“I’m not–” Robin shook her head. “I’m not sick. I almost wish I were but…” She closed her eyes. “Patrick, I’m pregnant.”

The color slowly drained from his face and suddenly, he knew he wasn’t going to be able stand much longer. Patrick sat on the bench and stared at her. “Pregnant,” he repeated.

“I’m s-sorry.” Robin bit her lip. “I–you–you have to get tested, Patrick. Right now. Because if I’m pregnant, there’s a risk–”

“Yeah, okay. I’ll do that.” That was the furthest thing from his mind though he was sure it would be top priority for her. “I don’t understand–we used–we were safe.” He shook his head. “Are you sure? Is Alan sure?”

“We ran the tests a few times. I insisted.” Robin wrapped her arms around herself. “It’s yours,” she found herself saying lamely. “I just–I don’t know if you thought it might not–”

“Well of course the baby’s mine,” Patrick spared her an irritated look. “I’m not an idiot, Robin.” He clenched his hands into fists when he realized they were trembling. “I can’t–I can’t do this right now.”

She had expected that, had played this scene out a thousand times in her head in the time it had taken her to walk from the Chief of Staff’s office to the locker room this morning. And every single scenario ended with Patrick walking away from her.

“I don’t–I don’t need anything,” Robin said quietly. “I just–I thought you should know. Because you need to get tested and–you don’t have to do anything, Patrick, okay? I know that–” she broke off and looked at the floor. “Look, I have to–I have to go tell my uncle, okay? So…I’ll just–I’ll walk away first.”

Her hand was on the handle of the door when he realized her intentions and he was up and off the bench before she could open the door. “Wait–just wait a second–” He grabbed her elbow but she yanked out of his grasp and stepped back.

“I know–I know that you don’t want kids and you don’t want responsibility and that’s okay, I mean, I’m not asking you to do anything. I don’t need–”

“Robin, you can’t dump this on me and expect me to have all the answers,” Patrick interrupted. “I need a second to process, a second–a second to think, okay?”

“You can have all the time you need,” Robin said stiffly. “I have to go tell my family, okay?”

“Robin–” Patrick began but she ducked under his arm and fled the locker room. She heard him calling her name but she ignored it and stepped onto an elevator. He caught up to her just as the elevator doors slid closed.

0

I spoke to you in cautious tones
You answered me with no pretense
And still I feel I said too much
My silence is my self defense

June 21, 2006

Scorpio-Jones House: Front Porch

Felicia Scorpio-Jones opened the door and found Robin standing on the porch, hugging herself and looking like she’d lost her puppy. “What’s wrong?” she demanded, always fiercely maternal towards this girl she’d watched grow into a woman.

Robin smiled faintly. “Is Uncle Mac here?”

“No, he’s at the station–” Felicia put a hand on Robin’s arm and gently pulled her into the house–Robin was too tired to resist. “Honey, you know I don’t like being kept in the dark. What’s going on?”

“I just…I need to talk to…” Robin closed her eyes. “I’m pregnant.”

Felicia’s hands dropped to her side and she frowned at Robin. “Come again?”

“I’m pregnant, I’m going to have a baby,” Robin clarified. “I need–I have to tell Uncle Mac.”

“Right, of course. You’re going to sit down first and you’re going to let me feed you because you look like a brisk wind is going to sweep you away.” Felicia steered Robin into the kitchen where she directed Robin to sit down. “Now, I want to know everything because I have a feeling you’ll need back up when you tell Mac.”

Robin nodded and rubbed her arms. She felt so cold. “Well, there’s not much to tell. When Patrick and I were together, we slept together once.” She flushed. “Well, I only spent the night at his place once but well we didn’t–it was more than once–”

Felicia coughed delicately. “Yes, I believe I get the picture.”

“We used protection and I thought–” she swallowed hard. “I don’t know what happened, you know I’m careful. I’m anal about this stuff, Felicia.”

“Of course honey.” Felicia set a plate of dried fruit and crackers in front of Robin. “Eat.”

Robin chewed on a piece of apple just to make Felicia happy but didn’t even register the taste as it slid down her throat. “Anyway, I thought we were moving too fast and I didn’t…I pulled back and it didn’t happen again. And then we had that stupid fight–” Tears blotted her vision and Robin swiped angrily at her eyes. “I’m so tired of crying.”

“Well, your hormones are going to be acting up for a while so I’d get used to that,” Felicia said sympathetically.

“And I haven’t even really talked to him since about anything more than a patient or a consult. I was feeling sick and tired so I thought maybe something was wrong with me–that maybe my T cell level was changing so I asked Alan to run some tests and…I found out this morning that I’m pregnant. And I could have infected Patrick.”

“Oh, honey…” Felicia sat back. “Are you going to tell him?”

“I already did,” Robin admitted softly. “I went straight from Alan’s office to find him. I mean…I know what’s going to happen and I know how he feels about children and commitment but…I just…he had to know–if only to get tested.”

“Of course,” Felicia sighed and rubbed her mouth. “And what happened when you told him?”

“He said he couldn’t handle this right now, that he needed some time to process but I know how he really feels. He hates me, Felicia and he probably has every reason too, especially now since I might have infected him–”

“Honey, honey–Patrick has a lot of flaws.” Felicia paused. “And I mean, a lot of flaws. But I honestly don’t believe for one second he’d ever blame you. He’s a doctor, he went into this relationship with open eyes and open ears and he knew all the risks. I know you know in your heart that he wouldn’t hate for you for it.”

“He never wanted kids,” Robin said. She sniffled and wiped her eyes with the napkin Felicia had given her. “He’s said it a thousand times–he doesn’t want a family, he didn’t want to be tied down and I told him that I didn’t need for him to do anything, that I wasn’t going to ask for him. I know he’s not going to want the baby–”

“Hold it, did he say that?” Felicia asked.

“No, but come on, Felicia.” Robin closed her eyes. “I’m not going to let myself hope for a miraculous happy ending to this scenario, there isn’t one. I’m having a baby–one that I might have already infected with the virus and I’m going to raise it alone. That’s reality and anything is else is just a fantasy.”

“No matter what happens with Patrick,” Felicia reached out and took Robin’s hand in hers. “You are not alone and you will never be alone, is that understood?”

“Yeah.” Robin sniffled again. “Can you call Uncle Mac and ask him to come home?”

“Sure.” Felicia patted Robin’s arm and stood.

General Hospital: On Call Room

Patrick flopped onto the bunk and rolled onto his back to stare at the fabric of the bunk on top of him.

He’d had two surgeries and a consult since the encounter with Robin in the locker room and had been running on auto since the elevator doors had closed. He’d had to shut himself off and concentrating on getting from one moment to the next.

But now–when he had a moment to himself–he found himself going back to that moment–with Robin looking up him, terrified and Patrick not having anything to say that would make things better.

Pregnant. She was pregnant and quite clearly didn’t expect him to step up and didn’t intend to demand it. No, that wouldn’t be her style. She wouldn’t beg or grovel for him to help–to be a father. She might be disappointed that he wouldn’t, but she’d never ask him to do something like that. And a year ago–with a different woman and in a different place, that might have happened and Robin would be correct.

But things were different now and he wasn’t that guy anymore and he wanted to take that look out of her eyes and surprise her with being exactly what she needed. The only trouble was that Patrick had never been able to correctly gleam what Robin needed or even wanted and he didn’t think that would magically start happening now that the situation had turned critical.

The on call room door slid open and Noah Drake stepped in. He closed the door behind him and leaned against it. “Elizabeth Spencer said that she saw you come in here like something awful had happened. She was concerned.”

Patrick chuckled, the sound was bitter and almost harsh. “I don’t know that it’s awful but it’s certainly something all right.”

“I know I’m not going to win any Father of the Year awards any time soon but I’d like to help if something’s bothering you,” Noah remarked.

Patrick sighed and swung himself into a seated position. He kept his head low, his arms dangling over his knees. “Yeah, sure. You can’t make things any worse than they already are.”

“You’re probably wrong about that but I suppose we could give it a try.” Noah crossed his arms. “So what’s up?”

“Robin came to see me in the locker room,” Patrick said. “We haven’t spoken about anything more than patients in the last six weeks so I tried to brush her off, tried to dismiss her.”

Noah frowned. “It wasn’t about a patient?”

“No.” Patrick scrubbed his hands over his face. “She said that she’d just been to see Alan Quartermaine, that he’d run some tests…”

Noah straightened. “She’s sick?” he demanded. “Is it serious?”

“About as serious as it gets,” Patrick sighed. “She’s pregnant, Dad.”

The chart in Noah’s arms slid to the ground with a clatter. “You–” he cleared his throat. “With a baby?” He shook his head. “Strike that. How–Patrick–how could this happen?”

“Before you ask, of course we were careful,” Patrick replied. He stood and paced the tiny room. “I’ve never met someone who was more anal about safe sex than Robin. But you know, the only thing that’s one hundred percent is abstinence.”

“Of course.” Noah exhaled slowly. “She must be out of her mind right now. Worried about the baby, worried about you. Where is she?”

“I don’t know,” Patrick shrugged helplessly. “She just told me that she was pregnant, that I need to be tested and that she wasn’t asking for me for anything. And then she left. I couldn’t catch up with her.” He rested his forehead against the wall. “She thinks I’m this deadbeat loser that can’t even take care of my responsibilities.”

“I’m sure her opinion isn’t that bad,” Noah murmured. “Patrick…what are you going to do?”

“I’ve never made it a secret that I didn’t plan on kids, on a family.” Patrick shook his head. “I know where Robin would have got the idea that I wouldn’t step up because I’ve all but told her that a thousand times in all the months we’ve known each other. But…it’s a reality now and I can’t…I’m going to be a father. I can’t keep thinking about how I didn’t want this to be my life, that’s not fair to anyone. Especially to a kid.” He dragged his fingers through his hair, making it stand even more up on end. “I’m going to do exactly what you and Mom would expect me to do, the right thing.”

“Uh huh,” Noah nodded. “Which would be?”

“I’m going to convince Robin to marry me and we’re going to raise our child.” Patrick met Noah’s eyes. “What else can I do?”

Scorpio-Jones House: Living Room

When Mac burst through the front door a mere ten minutes after Felicia had asked for him to come home immediately, he found Felicia seated nervously on the sofa and his niece at the fireplace, staring at a photo of herself with her parents, taken shortly before their supposed “deaths”.

“What’s wrong?” Mac demanded. “What’s going on?”

“Uncle Mac…” Robin sighed. “You must have broke every speed limit getting here.”

“I’m the commissioner. I just put the lights on,” Mac said. “Robin…” his eyes flicked to Felicia before moving back to his niece. “Is…are you okay?”

“I’m okay as I’m going to be,” Robin said honestly. “Uncle Mac, you should probably sit down.”

Mac crossed his arms and squared his shoulders. “I’m fine where I am. Are you in trouble? Do I need to call Robert or Anna?”

“You still think I’m eleven,” Robin sighed with a sad smile. “You know how much I love that about you, Uncle Mac? That no matter where I go, how much I change or what I do, you’re always going to see me as a little girl in pigtails that needs your protection.”

“Before I was worried, now you’re scaring me. Robin…”

“I’m pregnant, Uncle Mac,” Robin said. She twisted her fingers together and her smile grew just a little. “I’m going to have a baby.”

“I changed my mind,” Mac said after a long moment. “I’m going to sit down.”

“It’s wonderful news,” Felicia nodded. “We’ll celebrate it, of course. I’ll get Luke to rent us the Haunted Star because I’m not setting foot at the Metro Court.”

“Of course it’s good news,” Mac said. “But Robin…there are questions I want to ask but I’m not sure how to.”

“Then let me just answer them for you.” Robin kneeled in front of her uncle and took her hands in his. “Yes, Patrick is the father and yes, there is a chance that he was infected. Yes, I’ve told him. And no, I don’t know what comes next.”

Mac’s eyes narrowed. “If he thinks he’s just going to get off without taking any responsibility…”

“He doesn’t,” Felicia jumped in over Robin’s small sound of protest. “Your niece has her mind up how Dr. Drake is going to handle this situation and isn’t allowing for any other scenario. I imagine Robin gave him all of five seconds to process things before walking out.”

“Well…that’s true,” Robin admitted. “But–Uncle Mac, I don’t know what Patrick’s going to want or going to do but I’m not…I won’t force his hand, okay? I don’t want him to do anything he doesn’t want to do because it’ll just make him resent me and our baby. Please tell me you understand.”

“I don’t like it, but it’s not my life.” Mac leaned forward and kissed Robin’s forehead. “Whatever you need, sweetheart. You know I’ll do whatever you need me to do.”

“Good.” Robin stood and slid her hands into the back pockets of her slacks. “Because I need you to call my dad and ask him to come for a visit. And I don’t want you to tell him why, okay?”

+1

But if my silence made you leave
Then that would be my worst mistake
So I will share this room with you
And you can have this heart to break

June 22, 2006

General Hospital: Nurse’s Station

Mac Scorpio stepped up to the counter and waited for Elizabeth Spencer to finish with a fellow nurse before turning her attention to him. “Hey, Mac,” she said warmly. “What can I do for you?”

“I need to have Patrick Drake paged,” Mac told her. “Can you do that for me?”

“Sure…” Elizabeth drawled. She flashed him a curious look before lifting the receiver. “Dr. Patrick Drake, please report to the fourth floor nurse’s station. Dr. Patrick Drake.” She set the receiver back down. “Do you…need anyone else?”

“No, just Dr. Drake. Thanks, Liz.” Mac gestured towards the small cluster of chairs and couches to the right. “I’ll wait over here.”

Five minutes later, Patrick stepped up to the desk. “Liz, you paged me?”

“Uh, yeah.” Elizabeth pointed to where Mac was calmly standing between the couch and chair, his arms crossed and his face impassive. “Commissioner Scorpio needed to speak with you.”

Patrick glanced over at Robin’s uncle before looking back at the clearly intrigued nurse. “Thanks. I think. Have…have you seen Robin yet today?”

“No, she actually called in sick.” Elizabeth picked up a chart. “I think she said something about taking a short leave of absence, maybe to go see her mother. But I’m not sure.”

“Right.” Patrick took a deep breath before crossing the short distance between himself and Mac. “You wanted to see me?”

“Robin might not have mentioned this to you, but I raised her after we thought her parents were killed. She was about thirteen, fourteen at the time and mostly grown but I finished the job. She’s like a daughter to me.” Mac’s genial tone didn’t mask the disgust he clearly had for the doctor and it only deepened the more Mac talked. “I’ve watched her get hurt more than once by a man who clearly didn’t appreciate the jewel that she is and I’ve watched her walk around for the last few weeks like someone had ripped her guts out so you can imagine just how pissed off I am right now.”

“I’ve got a pretty good idea. Commissioner,” Patrick coughed. “I’m not sure what Robin’s told you–”

“She’s told me enough.” Mac’s eyes narrowed. “Now, I’m willing to give you the benefit of the doubt because I know that Robin doesn’t tend to make the same mistakes twice. Now, she’s going to handle this however she sees fit, she’s a grown woman and she’s been making her own decisions for quite some time. However, if you step out of line, just once…” Mac leaned towards him. “I want you to know that I’ll be watching you.”

Patrick swallowed. “If I could just–Commissioner, Robin gave me about ten seconds to take in the news before she walked out. I’m sorry that I didn’t have the answers that she needed right then, I’m not even sure I have them now. But I know that I have a responsibility to Robin and to our child and I intend to take care of them both.”

“My niece deserves to be more than a responsibility, Dr. Drake,” Mac all but snarled.

“That’s not–” Patrick let out an impatient breath. “There’s nothing I’m going to say right now that’s going to stop you from wishing you could break me into little pieces, is there?”

Mac considered that for a long moment. “No, no there’s really not. It’s good that you plan on stepping up but you might want to inform Robin since she’s made up her mind about moving back to Paris to be with her mother for the duration of the pregnancy.”

Patrick’s jaw clenched. “That is not going to happen. She might hate me, but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s my child, too and I have a right to be a part of this. If she thinks she’s going to shut me out and not even give me a shot at this, she’s got another thing coming.”

He stormed away and Mac nodded. “That ought to do it,” he murmured. He stepped back over to the nurse’s station. “Thanks for your help, Liz.”

“Ah…Mac…” Elizabeth crossed her arms on the desk and leaned forward. “You and Patrick…you were speaking somewhat loudly and you should know that well…” she coughed. “It should be said that certain people might have overheard, including half the nursing staff. Robin should be warned.”

“She’ll have my head for interfering,” Mac sighed. “But he needed to be set straight.”

“Oh, I don’t think he did.” Elizabeth twirled a pen in her fingers. “If there’s anything I know about Patrick Drake, it’s that he takes his responsibilities as a surgeon very seriously. I imagine that translates to other parts of his life. Is Robin…” she hesitated. “Is Robin happy about the baby?”

“Part of her is,” Mac admitted. “But the other part…”

“Is scared to death.” Elizabeth smiled faintly. “Well, tell her congratulations and if she needs anything, just to let me know.”

Robin’s Apartment: Living Room

“I’m excited to see you, too, Mom.” Robin sighed and tucked her legs underneath her. “I’m just waiting to hear when Dad will be able to come to Port Charles for a quick visit before I set my plans. There’s something I have to tell you both but it’s better in person…no, it’s nothing bad. It’s just–its news that’s better face to face. No, I’m not going–”

“Robin!”

Robin’s head jerked at the loud pounding on her door coupled with the call of her name. “Mom…I have to go.”

She hung up and bit her lip, wondering if she could hide in her bedroom and continue avoiding Patrick. She really wasn’t ready for this.

“Open the damn door!” Patrick pounded again. “Don’t make me open it for you!”

She narrowed her eyes and strode towards the door. She threw open the locks and yanked the door open. “Will you be quiet? Do you want to get arrested?” Robin demanded.

Patrick ignored her and stormed into the apartment, whirling around to stab a finger at her. “If you think for one second that I’m going to let you get on a plane with my child, you’d better think again.”

Robin blinked. “What are you–how did you?” She closed the door and pressed her forehead against the cool wood. “My uncle talked to you.”

“Yeah, and it’s a good thing he did. Were you planning to tell me you were running away?” Patrick demanded. “Or were you just going to disappear and never tell me?”

“I’m not–” Robin bit her lip. “I’m not going right away. My father’s coming to Port Charles so I can tell him. I wasn’t going to just disappear without talking to you.”

“Well, I’m thrilled to hear that,” Patrick retorted, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “You’re not going at all.”

Robin bristled. “Look, this might be a novelty for you but I’m making this easy on everyone involved if I just go stay with my mom until the baby is born. By then…” she took a deep breath. “By then, we’ll know if the virus…” she broke off and looked away.

“That’s what this is about?” Patrick asked. “You think that I won’t want to be a part of the baby’s life if he tests positive? Jesus, Robin…” he turned away and rubbed his hands over his face, devastated by the clear lack of faith she had in him.

“It’s a possibility that we….that I have to think about,” Robin said quietly. “I mean, the odds are against it but…it’s possible. And it’s possible the baby wouldn’t have the same luck I’ve had with my protocol. He could die within a few years, he could develop AIDS and die and then you would really hate me and I’d hate myself so you know, I’m sorry if I just want to make this easy on you and me and my family–”

“How is dealing with this by yourself going to make this easier?” Patrick replied sharply. “I can’t believe you think so little of me that it would matter whether our child tested positive or not.”

“You might like to think it doesn’t matter, but that’s because it’s a hypothetical theory, it’s not reality but as soon as it becomes real–”

Patrick reached for her, gripped her shoulders tightly. “Look at me, Robin. Look at me, damn it!”

She closed her eyes for a long moment before opening them and meeting his turbulent gaze. “I couldn’t bear for you to look at me and know that I signed our child’s death warrant,” she said softly. “Please…just let me go. If the baby tests negative, then we can revisit this and talk about joint custody–”

“The hell with that.” His voice was quiet, yet held an undertone of cold contempt. “The hell with you taking off and disappearing for the next eight months because you think I might reject our child and you. That’s not going to happen.”

“Oh really?” Robin challenged. “I’d love to hear how you think this is going to play out.”

“That’s easy.” Patrick released her and stepped back, his expression suddenly shuttered. “We’re going to do the responsible thing–the only thing for people like us–who were raised by people who taught us better.”

A knot formed in her stomach as Robin could almost hear the rest of his statement before he finished.

“We’re going to get married and we’re going to raise the baby together.”

0

And this is why my eyes are closed
It’s just as well for all I’ve seen
And so it goes, and so it goes
And you’re the only one who knows

June 22, 2006

Robin’s Apartment: Living Room

“We’re going to get married and we’re going to raise the baby together.”

“I’m sorry,” Robin said scathingly, “did I suddenly wake up in the 1950s?”

“Don’t be difficult about this, Robin,” Patrick retorted. “You know it’s the best solution.”

“Solution, responsibility, right thing…” Robin threw her hands up in the air. “It’s amazing that I can keep myself from launching into your arms!”

“I could throttle you, I really could!” Patrick gave a grunt of frustration and whirled away from her. “You’re deliberately making this worse than it has to be. You’re pregnant, the baby is mine, I don’t understand why this has to be such a drawn out argument!”

“Maybe because we drive each other crazy,” Robin spat. She closed her eyes and shook her head. “C’mon, Patrick. Be reasonable. We can’t go more than five minutes without jumping down each other’s throats. How could we raise a child together, much less get married?”

“We haven’t really argued since we broke up,” Patrick pointed out. “And before…” he shrugged. “It always seemed like, you know, foreplay.”

Robin’s eyes bulged. “Are you kidding me? That–” she waved her arms, clearly on the edge of hysterics. “That was your idea of foreplay?”

“Well, nothing else was working!” Patrick exploded. “You drive me up the wall, Scorpio. What else was I supposed to do except argue with you?”

“Oh my God,” Robin moaned. She pressed the heel of her hand against her eyes. “I can’t believe we’re even having this conversation. This is so bizarre.” She started to laugh. “I can’t believe that Dr. Patrick Drake is actually standing in my living room and demanding we get married.”

Patrick glared at her. “I’m glad this is so amusing for you,” he said contemptuously.

“Oh, come on. You can’t be serious,” Robin scoffed. “If I were to agree to marry you, you’d back pedal so fast, my head would spin. Well, excuse me if I’m just going to skip that portion of the program.”

“If you’re so sure that’ll happen, why don’t you just agree?” Patrick demanded. “Go ahead, I dare you.”

“I’m also not an idiot. Do you think for one second that I would seriously consider marrying you?” Robin replied. “That I would promise to love and honor and cherish a man I barely like and don’t even trust because he has some strange idea that we should do the right thing? Do you honestly believe that I would agree to that?”

“I cannot believe you still think that I slept with that nurse,” Patrick countered. “I have explained a thousand times that I didn’t. I have left messages, I sent you flowers, for Christ’s sake and even the nurse swears it didn’t happen.”

“I know what I saw,” Robin said firmly. “And it just proves that I’m an idiot for even briefly thinking we had a future together. Not that you ever wanted one, you were always so quick to assure me that it was just for fun.” She planted her hands on her hips and glared at him. “Well, let me put this as succinctly as possible–I would rather marry Manny Ruiz than you!”

“Do you think I woke up yesterday morning and decided that hey, I’d like to be insulted and degraded every single day for the rest of my life?” Patrick said hotly. “That it was my dream to marry a woman who thinks the dirt beneath her feet is better than me? That I really want to spend my life with someone who doesn’t trust me and thinks that everything her brain damaged ex-boyfriend did to her is going to happen again with me? Well, I’m sorry to inform you, but it really wasn’t my fantasy for the perfect life either, Robin, but none of that can matter anymore!”

“Oh, so a baby is supposed to magically make all our problems disappear?” Robin demanded.

“No, but a baby is supposed to matter more than our own egos and problems!” Patrick shouted. “You can’t possibly be this stupid!”

“Well, excuse me for not automatically buying that you’re all ready to be Father of the Year considering that you’ve told me that you’d rather have your eyes gouged out than be a dad!” Robin shrieked.

A timid knock broke the heavy tension between the pair and Robin pushed past him, swiping at her eyes as she pulled the door open. A concerned Elizabeth stood in the hallway. “I–uh–heard you arguing from the elevator.”

“We’re in the middle of something right now,” Patrick said rudely. “Can you come back later?”

Elizabeth took a look at Robin’s tear ravaged face and then at Patrick’s angry expression before slowly shaking her head. “No, I don’t think I will.”

“What?” Patrick frowned.

“Come here for a second,” Elizabeth crooked a finger at him. “We need to talk.”

“Liz, this really isn’t the time–” Patrick began.

“Now,” Elizabeth said firmly. “I may be little but I’m stronger than I look and I will drag you into this hallway if I have to.”

Patrick exhaled slowly and followed Elizabeth into the hallway, closing the door behind them. “Look, this really isn’t any of your business–”

“No, but guess what? Robin’s one of my friends and I like to think after the epidemic and everything we’ve been through, that we are too,” Elizabeth said. “Now I don’t pretend that I know the whole story but I have to tell you that whatever it is you’re trying to accomplish here tonight is not going to happen if you keep at it right now.”

“How do you know?” Patrick demanded.

“Because she’s upset and she’s crying and she’s pregnant. She really doesn’t need any extra stress, Patrick, and from what I heard from the elevator, you are both about to say some things that you’re not going to be able to take back. Is that really what you want?”

Patrick looked away or a long moment. “No,” he said. “I’ll go.” He hesitated. “I didn’t…I don’t want to hurt her, Elizabeth. I just want to do what’s best.”

“I understand that and I’m sure Robin will too. Good bye,” Elizabeth said, nodding towards the elevator.

Patrick waited for a moment but finally stormed down the hallway and jabbed the button for the elevator. “I’m going but I want you to tell her that I’m not backing off. I have rights here, too, and just because she thinks I did something that I didn’t, it doesn’t take that away.”

When the elevator doors slid closed, Elizabeth sighed and went back into Robin’s apartment where she found her friend sitting tensely in an arm chair. “Hey, sweetie.”

“Is he gone?” Robin demanded. She tapped her fingers against her thigh. “I can’t believe he came over here demanding we get married.”

Elizabeth closed the door and frowned. “Dr. Patrick Drake proposed marriage? I somehow can’t picture that.”

“Oh, it wasn’t a proposal,” Robin said scathingly. “It was an order and it was mixed in the middle of words like right thing and responsibility. Can you believe he was insulted that I turned him down?”

“Absolutely,” Elizabeth said. She perched on the edge of the coffee table in front of Robin. “So, I want to say congratulations but I’m not sure if you want to hear it.”

“Of course I do.” Robin sighed. “I just–I’ve been on emotional overload for the last two days. I haven’t even really sat down to think about what happens later–after Patrick and I deal with this initial shock.”

“Well, you should.” Elizabeth squeezed her hands. “Because the thought of all the wonderful things that are going to come from this–that’s what’s going to get you through this initial crap. Cameron is the best thing in my life and you’re going to hold your child one day and feel the same way–that everything in your life–the good, the bad and the absolutely horrible–it was all worth it if it brought you to that moment.”

“But what if the baby tests positive for HIV…” Robin sighed. “I know the risks are low, I’m not even sure what the exact percentages are but I know the odds are on our side but…I don’t…I don’t know…”

“You’re not afraid of how you’ll feel, but how Patrick will feel,” Elizabeth said quietly. “If he’ll resent you.”

“How could he not?” Robin asked. “A small child with HIV…he’ll be so limited. Having to take medications every single day, having to spend his whole life being careful of who he’s with, what he does…” She closed her eyes. “I remember how Patrick used to look at Noah, remembering the way that Noah trashed his life after his wife died…” she swallowed. “I don’t want him to look at me like that. Ever.”

“I know,” Elizabeth sighed. “And there’s no way to assure that it won’t happen. I personally think that Patrick is a better person than that and I don’t think it will but people always like to think the best of everyone.”

“Exactly.” Robin sniffled. “I thought…I could go to Paris and have the baby and wait to find out.. So maybe if he tests positive, Patrick can have the option of not…” Her voice broke. “And maybe if he doesn’t see the baby grow and develop…”

“I’m sorry, Robin. I understand what you’re saying and part of me totally understands but it’s wrong,” Elizabeth said firmly. “You can’t take this away from him. Whatever he did or said or whatever happened between the two of you, he deserves the chance to be this baby’s father. You can’t punish him now for something he might never do. It’s not fair.”

“I’m such a hypocrite,” Robin sniffled. “I made such a huge deal about Michael’s paternity and how AJ should know and be a part of Michael’s life and here I am, wanting to do the same thing Carly–”

“No, no–see Carly slept with someone, didn’t know who the father was and then when she found out, she drugged the poor guy to make him think he’d fallen off the wagon and then she lied to him about the paternity and destroyed a lot of people in the process. You are nothing like Carly, Robin,” Elizabeth assured her. “You want to protect everyone but yourself. Going to Paris protects Patrick, or so you think and it protects the baby from the possible rejection by his father. But you’d be the one who’d have to deal without Patrick’s support and I think you might need it.”

“I’d have my mother and I’d have Brenda,” Robin shrugged.

“And they’re wonderful,” Elizabeth nodded. “But Patrick is the father of your child. Lucky is wonderful to Cameron and I know I’m blessed that he loves him so much but there are moments when I remember Zander and I’m sorry that he never met his child. Zander had a lot of trouble and his life ended horribly, but he was a good friend to me and he could have been so much more. I know he would have been a wonderful father and if things had been different, he would have supported me through my pregnancy, even if we were never more than friends. Don’t take that chance away from Patrick and don’t cheat yourself of that either.”

0

Oh, she takes care of herself
She can wait if she wants
She’s ahead of her time
Oh, and she never gives out
And she never gives in
She just changes her mind

June 23, 2006

General Hospital Operating Theater: Scrub Room

Patrick stepped over to the sink and stripped off his rubber gloves, tossing them into the trash next to the counter. He started to wash up and looked to Elizabeth who was washing up in the sink next to him. “I’m glad you took me up on the advice about becoming an OR nurse.”

“Well, you’re right–it is challenging and it’s better money,” Elizabeth said. She flashed a smile at him. “Even if you were just hitting on me.”

Patrick grinned back at her out of reflex but there was none of his usual charm or warmth evident. Elizabeth sighed and wiped her hands on a towel. “Have you see Robin or talked to her?”

“No.” He shrugged and started towards the door of the hallway before turning back. “You were…you were right. Last night–about me leaving.”

“Robin’s in a difficult place right now. You should let her come to you and just another piece of advice, Dr. Drake?” Elizabeth raised an eyebrow. “The words marriage and responsibility should never be paired together, okay?”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Patrick told her as he pushed open the door and stopped when he saw Robin standing across the hall. She wore a pair of faded jeans and a pale blue tank top. Her eyes were red and her hair was pulled back into a limp ponytail, pieces of it curling over her ears.

“We should probably talk,” she said softly. “If you’re not–I mean, if you have a second.”

For a moment, he thought he would tell her no–that he was busy and she’d have to wait. But it was only a fleeting thought and it passed quickly. “Yeah,” Patrick agreed. He took her elbow and steered her to an empty operating room.

The corners of her lips curved into a small smile. “Déjà vu.” When Patrick said nothing, the smile faded and she cleared her throat. “I’m sorry. I don’t think I’ve handled this the right way–”

“There’s nothing to apologize for,” Patrick cut her off. “This–it all came out of left field and I don’t think either one of us is proud of what’s happened so far.”

“It was never that I thought you wouldn’t step up,” Robin said. “I mean, I was worried that you might not want to and that would make you resent me and the baby but I knew in the end, you would. I just didn’t want you to do it out of obligation.”

After a long moment, Patrick finally let out a breath. He didn’t realize how much he needed for her to tell him that she’d known he’d do the right thing–that she’d had faith in him. “I’m not sure how I feel about this yet. I’ve spent the last decade of my life telling myself a family–kids–that it wasn’t part of the plan.”

“I know and I’ve done the same thing. I was also worried about how you’d feel if the baby tested positive,” Robin admitted in a low voice. “Even with all the treatments available, there’s no cure and–”

“Robin, you’re not telling me anything I don’t already know,” he interrupted. “That’s why you were going to Paris?”

She nodded miserably. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have–kids get sick all the time, you know?” Tears pricked the corner of her eyes. “With HIV, it just takes one sickness and I don’t know if I could live with myself if something I did killed my child and I can’t imagine you’d be too thrilled with me–”

“Hey, hey….” Patrick gripped her shoulders. “Robin, the chances of the baby even testing positive are so small–”

“But it does happen,” Robin said softly. “And it’s a reality that I–we–can’t ignore.” She shook her head. “But we can’t think about that right now, I guess.”

“Right.” Patrick shifted and left his hands fall to his side. “I still think we should get married and raise the baby together. Maybe it’s old fashioned–”

“Maybe?” Robin scoffed. “Patrick, we’re not getting married, okay? It would be a horrible mistake and we’d drive each other crazy.” She let her head fall back and took a deep breath before looking at him again. “I’m not going to Paris, and I think we should talk about what comes next.”

Deciding to table the issue of marriage for later, Patrick nodded. “Okay, so do you have a doctor’s appointment?”

“Yeah.” Robin sighed. “I have an appointment with Dr. Lee in about twenty minutes.” She looked at her hands for a long moment before asking shyly, “Did you…did you want to come?”

“Yes,” Patrick drew out. “But I have another surgery in about fifteen. I’d reschedule but–”

“No, no–” Robin waved him off. “It’s just a preliminary one anyway. Alan ran the tests so I haven’t even been to see anyone else yet. I can–I can schedule the next one against your surgery schedule though.”

“Good,” Patrick nodded. “Because I do want to be involved, Robin. Thank you for not–for not shutting me out.”

“Thank you for wanting to be involved.” Robin hesitated. “I know things didn’t work out between us but I hope that we can be friends–for the baby’s sake,” she added.

“Of course,” Patrick smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “For the baby’s sake.”

General Hospital: Nurse’s Station

“Did you hear?” Emily Quartermaine whispered as she stepped up next to Elizabeth.

“About what?” Elizabeth asked absently as she made her final notes on the surgery she’d been in earlier.

“Robin’s pregnant?” Emily prompted. “And according to the grape vine, Patrick’s the father.”

Elizabeth snorted. “I like how they add that part like it was ever in question. Robin’s not Carly after all.”

“I’m sorry, did I miss something?” Carly Corinthos demanded as she approached the counter. Her eyes sparked at the chance to duel with Elizabeth. “Have you got a problem with me?”

“Not today, Carly, but why don’t you check back in tomorrow and we’ll see?” Elizabeth suggested.

A nurse came over then and giggled to Emily. “I can’t believe this! He’s too sexy to be a dad!”

Emily coughed and attempted to steer the nurse away from the counter but Carly’s attention was caught. “Who’s too sexy?” she demanded.

“Dr. Drake,” the nurse giggled again. “He’s knocked up his ex-girlfriend, poor guy. Though it was bound to happen with the way he gets around. I’m surprised this is the first time.”

Emily sighed and Elizabeth just closed her eyes. “Sandy, go away.”

The nurse, Sandy, frowned. “Why? What’s wrong?”

“Little Miss Priss is pregnant?” Carly laced her fingers together and tapped on the desk. “Is she insane?”

“Should you really be asking that?” Emily asked pointedly.

“Go find a hotel room, Mrs. Smith,” Carly shot back. “Oh wait…” her lips quirked into a feral grin. “That was your name once, wasn’t it? Sonny always did have bad taste.”

Emily slapped the medical chart down. “That was three months ago, Carly, let it go.”

“Oh, never mind–” Carly dismissed the intern away. “That’s not important anymore. I can’t believe she’s going to be that irresponsible.”

“Again, I have to say, it’s interesting hearing this from you,” Emily said.

“Carly, look, you obviously have a point to make and we all know what it is, so can we just skip the latest episode of Carly’s An Insensitive Twisted Bitch?” Elizabeth asked.

“Hey, I’m not the one who’s going around spreading my disease,” Carly snapped. “Robin should know better–”

“You know, I’m so happy that I came at this particular moment.” A cultured, smooth voice spoke up from behind Carly and all three women turned their attention to the fashionably dressed brunette woman who had exited the elevators in time to hear Carly’s hateful remarks.

“Who are you?” Carly demanded.

“You know, that looks like–” Emily began.

“This is not going to end well for Carly,” Elizabeth said.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t think we’ve met.” The woman slammed her fist in Carly’s face and Carly went sprawling. “I’m Anna, Robin’s mother.”

Emily grinned. “I’ve been waiting a decade to see that.”

General Hospital: Dr. Lee’s Office

Dr. Kelly Lee sat across from Robin and nervously tapped her nails against the surface of her desk. “Robin, I respect your work as a doctor and I think you’re a very nice person.”

Robin frowned. “Well, thank you–”

“But I can’t be your doctor during this pregnancy,” Kelly continued. “I just–I’m not comfortable.”

“I don’t understand.” Robin shook her head. “Why would you be uncomfortable–” she broke off and clenched her fingers in her lap. “You’re going to be one of those disapproving people,” she said softly.

“I just–I don’t think you should take the risk,” Kelly said quietly. “I know the statistics and the treatments, but the risk is always there and I don’t agree with any woman who goes through with a pregnancy knowing that you could infect them with the virus. I can’t, in good conscience, be your doctor and feel this way.”

“Well, thank you for being up front and candid.” Robin stood. “I’ll just have to find another doctor.”

“Robin–” Kelly stood as well. “I am sorry but I can’t help the way I feel. I think it’s irresponsible to take that kind of chance with a child’s life.”

Robin nodded and numbly exited the office.

0

Where is the moment we need at the most
You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost
They tell me your blue skies fade to grey
They tell me your passion’s gone away
And I don’t need no carryin’ on

June 23, 2006

General Hospital: Nurse’s Station

Anna Devane stepped over a fuming Carly. “Hello, I was looking for Robin.”

“She’s…” Elizabeth hesitated, remembering that Anna didn’t yet know Robin’s news. “Let me page her for you.” She reached for the phone.

Carly got to her feet. “I will have you arrested,” she snarled, holding her sore jaw.

Emily snorted. “You obviously don’t know your Port Charles history, Carly. Anna Devane is not only a former commissioner but her brother-in-law happens to be Mac.”

“Mom?”

Robin’s soft voice broke through the heavy tension at the counter and Anna immediately forgot about the blonde bimbo at the appearance of her obviously upset daughter. “Robin!” She hurried over and enveloped her in a deep hug. “If I hadn’t had a layover in London, I would have been here sooner.”

“What…what are you doing here at all?” Robin asked confused. “I was supposed to call you back and–”

“And when I didn’t hear from you within two hours, I called Mac who suggested I might want to pay a visit to Port Charles. I went to the airport and I’ve been on a plane all night and most of the morning.” Anna stepped back. “Perhaps you might want to tell me exactly what’s going on.”

Robin sighed and flicked her eyes towards the trio of women at the nurse’s station. Carly was rubbing her jaw and muttering under her breath while Emily and Elizabeth were snickering. “What did you do to Carly, Mom?”

“I slugged her. Don’t change the subject, Robin,” Anna lectured.

“We should probably–” Robin rubbed her eyes. “Let me talk to Elizabeth for a second and we can go to Uncle Mac’s. I don’t–I don’t really want to get into this here.”

“Robin, it’s not…” Anna hesitated. “It’s not something really awful? You’re all right?”

“I’m fine,” Robin assured her. She kissed her mother on the cheek. “Wait here a second.”

She approached the nurse’s station and paused in front of Carly. “Is there something you wanted to say to me?”

Carly hesitated, met Anna’s amused expression and then shook her head. “No, I think I’m done here.” She did her best to walk to the elevators with her head held high but the red spot on her jaw marred the act.

“Your mother is my hero,” Emily sighed with a happy smile. “I knew there was a reason Anna Devane was missed in Port Charles.”

Robin flashed her a faint smile before looking at Elizabeth. “When is Dr. Meadows coming back?”

“She’s still in rehab for a few more months,” Elizabeth informed her. “Dr. Lee’s taking over her cases–she didn’t have any room for you?”

“You could say that,” Robin sighed. “Is there anyone else available?”

“Let me make some calls and get some recommendations,” Elizabeth said. “Go tell your mom the great news, okay?” As Robin started to walk away, Elizabeth called after her. “Hey–you’ll call me later about this morning, right?”

“Sure and Liz…your advice last night? It was exactly what I needed,” Robin told her.

Elizabeth grinned. “You get that, Em? Make sure you tell Lucky that my advice actually worked this time.”

“Uh huh,” Emily nodded seriously. “Every once in a while, you do manage to get one right. I figure you’re due again in about two years.”

“I will throw this pen at you,” Elizabeth threatened.

General Hospital: Locker Room

It was another three hours before Patrick finished his surgery. He was off the clock and decided he’d track Robin down to see how the appointment went.

Elizabeth was rummaging through her purse when he entered the locker room. “Hey, Liz–Robin’s not still hanging around the hospital is she?”

“Nope,” Elizabeth replied. “She was supposed to see Dr. Lee, but her mom showed up–” her eyes sparkled–“Anna totally slugged Carly. Highlight of my year, by the way and Robin took her back to her uncle’s house to tell her the, ah, news.”

“Her mom is in town?” Patrick sighed. “Well, as long as it’s not her father, she doesn’t need that.” He frowned. “So she never saw the doctor?”

“No, that’s the weirdest thing–she wanted a recommendation for another doctor but it’s not like Dr. Lee is overloaded with patients so I can’t imagine what’s going on there.” Elizabeth shrugged. “Did your conversation go well this morning?”

“It went,” Patrick pulled his jeans out of his locker and changed quickly. “She’s not going to Paris.”

“Good.” Elizabeth nodded. “Though I don’t think she would have.”

Kelly Lee entered the locker room and seemed to hesitate when she saw Patrick and Elizabeth. “Hey,” she said quietly before ducking her head and going for a locker.

“Kelly, should I start referring new patients to a different doctor?” Elizabeth asked. “Do you have too many?”

“Uh, no.” Kelly fidgeted. “No, my case load is fine, actually.”

“Oh.” Elizabeth shot Patrick a confused look. “Robin must be confused then–should I call her and tell her that she can reschedule?”

“No, Robin–she understands why I can’t be her doctor for this,” Kelly shot Patrick a nervous look and he straightened, beginning to understand.

“Then maybe you can explain it to me,” Patrick folded his arms. “And don’t cite patient-doctor confidentiality because Robin’s not your patient.”

Kelly sighed. “Patrick, I respect Robin as a doctor and you, too, of course. But I can’t–” she shrugged. “It’s irresponsible to me that she’s going through with this pregnancy.”

Elizabeth’s cheeks flamed and she opened her mouth to give Kelly Lee the verbal thrashing she so richly deserved. Patrick held up a hand. “Down, Sparky, I’ll handle this.”

“I’d just like to tell you how fortunate you are to be a woman because I would love to put you through a wall,” Patrick said in a quiet tone that reminded Elizabeth of Jason oddly–because he didn’t have to raise his voice to be dangerous either. “But I’ll settle for reporting you to the Chief of Staff.”

Kelly bristled. “Turning away patients is not against policy.”

“No, but I imagine they want would want it noted somewhere that one of their doctors refused to treat a patient on the basis of their medical condition which I’m pretty sure won’t be good for you when Dr. Meadows comes back from rehab and they decide whether or not to keep you on.”

“Okay–I’ll treat Robin,” Kelly sighed. “But–”

“No, you mistake me. That wasn’t a threat, that wasn’t blackmail. I wouldn’t want you within thirty feet of Robin or our child. I was telling you exactly what was going to happen.” Patrick pulled his keys out of his locker. “And if I ever hear you spouting off to Robin or to anyone else about how she might be irresponsible for going through with this pregnancy, I will make an exception in your case and put you through that wall.”

He stalked out of the locker room and Elizabeth smirked at Kelly Lee. “You pissed off the wrong surgeon about the wrong patient. You have no idea how close Robin is to Alan and Monica Quartermaine.”

Scorpio-Jones House: Living Room

“Wow,” Georgie said, her eyes wide. “I’m going to be an aunt?”

“Good God,” Mac groaned. “She’s married at seventeen and an aunt at eighteen. At this rate, she’ll be a grandmother at thirty.”

“Hey,” Georgie crossed her arms. “You signed the consent forms.”

“Oh don’t worry,” Felicia smirked. “I haven’t forgotten that.” She flicked Mac in her arm and he flinched and glared at her.

“He,” Mac jerked a thumb at Dillon, “was supposed to die!”

“Hey!” Dillon, Maxie and Georgie said in unison.

“When’s the baby due?” Felicia asked, hoping to get off the topic of her youngest child’s premature marriage. “I want to call Luke about renting the Haunted Star for a party.”

“There will be no Luke involved,” Mac snarled.

“The baby is due next January,” Robin said, with a weak smile. “And I like Luke, Uncle Mac. Can’t we just leave the past in the past?”

Because her eyes were so sad and her posture so defeated, Mac sighed and put an arm around her shoulders, curling her into his side. “Sure thing, Princess.” He looked to Anna. “You’ve been quiet.”

“Well, it’s just that I look way too young to have a grandchild,” Anna said. She sat on the other side of her daughter. “Is this something that you really want?”

“Of course,” Robin said, confused. “Why?”

“Then why do you look so sad, luv?” Anna asked.

“Because there will be certain people who don’t agree with my decision to have the baby,” Robin confessed quietly. “And there is the possibility that Patrick is…” she swallowed. “That he was…”

“Was he tested yet?” Felicia asked.

“I don’t know. I mean, I told him he has to be and he said he would be but I didn’t ask him this morning when I saw him.” Robin sighed and sat back against the couch. Something occurred to her and she sat right back up. “Uh, Mom?”

“Yes, darling?”

“I…Dad’s going to be coming to Port Charles when he gets a chance–so I can tell him in person. I know you haven’t been able to track him down since you found out he was alive–”

“Your father is coming here?” Anna raised an eyebrow. “Well, then I am supremely grateful that I’m staying on indefinitely.”

“Oh, this is going to be so much fun to watch,” Maxie sighed.

Robin’s cell phone began to ring and she pulled it out of her purse. When she saw Patrick’s name on the screen, she stood and excused herself to kitchen. “Patrick?”

“Hey–I know you’re with your family and your mom and all that but I just–I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

Robin frowned. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Robin…” Patrick hesitated, “I saw Dr. Lee in the locker room.”

“Oh.” Robin sat at the kitchen table and put her head in her hands. “I’m so sorry that you have to hear things like that–”

“You’re sorry?” Patrick repeated. “Robin, it doesn’t bother me. People are small-minded and they think they know everything there is to know but it bothers me that you hear it because I know it makes you feel bad. And I just you to know that I took care of it.”

Robin’s eyes widened. “You took care of it? What does that mean?”

“I’m letting Alan Quartermaine know that he has a doctor on staff that’s refusing to treat patients on the basis of a preexisting condition. It’ll go in her file and when the time comes to review her contract, it won’t be renewed.” Patrick paused. “I also told her that if I ever heard her talking like that again–to you or anyone else, I’d put her through a wall.”

“Patrick…” Robin couldn’t help but laugh a little. “You’re a little scary, do you know that?”

“That’s what Liz told me.” There was another pause. “How did, ah, your mother take it?”

“She’s taking it fine. I’m glad she’s here even if she will end up killing my father when he shows up–” The phone was taken from her hand at that point and Anna put to her own ear.

“Dr. Drake, I presume?”

“Mother,” Robin whispered, horrified. “Give that back–”

“Uh, yes,” Patrick said, a slightly confused. “Is this…?”

“Anna Devane, Robin’s mother. I hear that you’re the father of my grandchild,” Anna said bluntly. Robin put her head on the table, beyond mortified.

“Yes, yes, I am.”

“We’ll have to have dinner together–the three of us. And if I let Robert live, I’m sure he’ll want a little one on one time with you as well.”

Patrick coughed. “Yes, well–“

“I’m not sure if Robin has ever mentioned this, but I have a certain profession that allows me to get away with certain things if I so choose–if you get my meaning.”

“I think I do.”

“Mom!” Robin hissed, making a grab for the phone. “Will you not threaten to kill him?”

“I’m just giving him the facts, sweetheart. I’m sure your Dr. Drake appreciates candor.” Anna turned her attention back to the phone. “It was nice to hear your voice, Dr. Drake. It’s a nice voice.”

“So I’ve been told,” Patrick replied automatically and Anna ginned.

“I’m going to be taking Robin back into the front room to finish our conversation, good bye Dr. Drake.” Anna closed the phone and handed it to her daughter. “Oh, he’s a smooth one. If his looks are as good as his voice, it’s no surprise you’re knocked up.”

“Mother!”

0

I know you’re only protecting yourself
I know you’re thinking of somebody else
Someone who hurt you
But I’m not above
Making up for the love
You’ve been denying you could ever feel

June 24, 2006

General Hospital: Nurse’s Station

“My last performance review,” Emily sighed happily as she put away her last chart of the day. “Thank God.”

“Well, if someone hadn’t taken a month off, possibly someone would have been done in May like all the other med students,” Elizabeth mused. She frowned when her pen ran out of ink and started rooting for a new one. “So I’m thinking this weekend–Friday night–since you’re single and Lucky’s working, we can take Robin out. She could use the downtime.”

“And since I won’t have to be studying, I can actually go,” Emily said.

“And you won’t be needing to leave early to go study,” Elizabeth smirked. “Since school is over.”

“That is so over with, Elizabeth,” Emily rolled her eyes. “So, I want to hear from your lips how the scene in the locker room really went down because some people have Patrick tackling you to keep you from going at Kelly Lee and others have Kelly running from the room after Patrick made her cry.”

“The people at this hospital should have better things to do than gossip,” Elizabeth grumbled. “I wish Patrick had had to hold me back but before I could even open my mouth to tear Kelly a new one, Patrick had it all taken care of. That is one doctor you do not want to piss off.” She finally found a new pen. “Oh, so I was calling around for recommendations for Robin’s new doctor when I remembered–duh! I called Steven to see if he was interested in taking her case.”

“Steven’s a pediatrics doctor,” Emily frowned. “Why would he take Robin’s case?”

“Well, he went to med school for both pediatrics and obstetrics but he spent the first few years focusing on pediatrics but one of his patients at the hospital here last year was a baby with HIV and it made Steven want to concentrate on obstetrics more and he actually specializes in HIV pregnancies now. Robin would be like his fifth patient.” Elizabeth grinned. “So Steven’s agreeable and I’m sure Robin will be so I just have to run it past her. It’s a win win situation. She gets a fabulous doctor and I get my brother back in town for a while.”

Robin’s Apartment: Living Room

“Now, I want to know everything there is to know about Dr. Patrick Drake,” Anna said as she sat next to Robin on the sofa.

Robin shrugged. “There’s not much to tell. He moved to town not long before Christmas. We started dating in April and we broke up in May.”

“Don’t bull shit me, darling,” Anna said briskly. “I’m your mother and I know better.”

“Okay…” Robin exhaled slowly. “Patrick came to GH to perform surgery on Jason and Alan offered him a staff position. He moved here before Christmas and he…I guess you could call him a bit of a player. He never seemed to really stick to one woman but it was never serious.”

“So far I’m not impressed,” Anna mused. “Continue please.”

“He flirted with me,” Robin couldn’t stop the small smile that spread across her face. “And he didn’t stop even after he found out I had HIV. We had dinner a few times, there were a few misunderstandings regarding a certain blonde that I believed you slugged today. His father got sick and needed a liver transplant–Noah refused because his drinking had caused it and he didn’t think he deserved one. It tore Patrick apart and he even went behind his back to get him on the transplant list.”

“Okay, my opinion has been upgraded marginally.”

“When the liver we thought would work wasn’t viable, Patrick donated part of his liver and…” Robin hesitated, remembering that particular event. “We nearly lost him on the table and then from an infection after the surgery. And Noah was furious because he’d denied the living donor transplant because he was worried something would happen to Patrick. Not to mention that we’d both gone behind his back to do the transplant at all.” Robin looked away. “But Patrick recovered and we started…we decided we wanted to try…that we would see where it could go.”

“Sounds like the beginning of a beautiful relationship.” Anna patted Robin’s knee. “What’d he do to screw that up?”

“It was fine for a while. We…we were having fun together and I was happy. We…I wanted to take it slow after that one night and he seemed okay with that but I…I made a mistake, and I didn’t trust him. And we’re better off as friends,” Robin finished, lamely.

“Uh huh.” Anna tapped her chin. “No, I don’t think that quite covers it, luv, finish it out.”

“Fine,” Robin sighed. “I saw a woman leaving his apartment and I overreacted and he was angry that I thought he’d cheat on me and I was angry that–I don’t even know why I was angry. He told me she was a nurse from his last hospital that was in town for a conference. She’d stopped by to…” Robin coughed, “…to catch up. Patrick said he explained to her that he was seeing someone and that was the end of it. I chose not to believe him, he continued to explain and he even sent flowers but I told him that I didn’t trust him and that it was over and he decided I was right and now here we are.”

“It sounds like you believe him now,” Anna observed. “And your wording–you chose not to believe him. So did he cheat or not?”

“Probably not,” Robin admitted. “But we’re better off as friends. The relationship was getting serious and it’s for the best that we don’t–that we keep it friendly.” Restless, she stood and crossed to the large bay windows that overlooked the harbor. “Patrick didn’t sign on for my insecurity and other things that come as part of my life. He’s got a brilliant career ahead of him and he doesn’t need me dragging him down.”

“Oh, my God.” Anna stood and stalked over to her daughter. “This is not the girl I raised. What is wrong with you?” she demanded.

“Nothing. Mom…” Robin bit her lip. “Whether I like it or not, people look at you differently when you have HIV. They assume you got it because you were either a drug addict or a slut. There are certain assumptions made and I don’t…I don’t want people to look at Patrick that way.”

“Oh, honey…” Anna embraced her daughter tightly and then kissed Robin’s forehead. “You’re an idiot.”

“Hey!” Robin folded her arms across her chest. “That’s not fair.”

“I understand where you’re coming from, Robin, I do. And I think that there are some cruel people in this world but you do not get to make that decision for Patrick.” Anna squared her shoulders. “Now, I think it’s quite clear that you and your Dr. Drake need to have a discussion and since I would like to meet him, I will drive you to his apartment.”

“Mom, no–”

“Don’t argue, Robin. Mother knows best.”

Patrick’s Apartment: Living Room

Patrick had just opened a bottle of beer when there was a brisk knock at his door. He set the bottle on the table next to the sofa before opening the door.

Robin stood behind a much taller brunette who strode in and took a quick look around the apartment before turning her attention back on Patrick. “Dr. Patrick Drake, I imagine?”

“Yeah…” Patrick drawled. He shot a questioning look at Robin who looked away. “Ms. Devane?”

Anna smiled at him. “Aren’t you a smart one?” She pinched his cheek. “And you are just as cute in person. Good to know. All right, I’ve got what I came for. Robin, dear, call me when you need a ride home.” She strode out of the apartment.

“Wait, Mom–” Robin called after her but Anna just smiled and got on the elevator with a little wave.

Patrick closed the door behind Robin’s mother. “So that’s the famous Anna Devane. She doesn’t look that scary.”

“Looks can be deceiving,” Robin murmured. “I’m sorry about this–we were at my apartment talking and she decided that I had to come over and talk to you and well, once Mom gets an idea into her head, she tends to steamroll right over you.”

“It’s fine.” Patrick shrugged. “Did you want something to drink? To eat?” He started towards the kitchen.

“No, I ah…” Robin took a deep breath. “Patrick, I wanted to tell you that I never…I never actually believed you slept with that nurse.”

Patrick stopped, turned and just stared at her.

“I just, ah, I thought…” Robin let out an impatient breath. “We were getting serious and I was nervous and I didn’t…I used it as an excuse to break up with you,” she admitted.

“Are you…” Patrick drove his fingers through his hair. “Are you kidding me?”

“No,” Robin sighed. She wrapped her arms around herself. “Look, Patrick–maybe you didn’t hear the whispers around the hospital but I did and there is still an attitude about HIV and the people who have it.”

“What does that have to do with us?” Patrick demanded. He needed a drink. He grabbed the bottle from the table and took a long gulp. “What the hell, Robin.”

“It has to do with what people think of you,” Robin explained. She twisted her fingers together. “You’re not going to be on staff at the hospital forever. I mean, come on, Patrick. You and I both know that you’re headed for bigger and better things. You’re already one of the most respected surgeons in the state. In another few years, that’s going to be the country and I want that for you and it won’t happen if…” she trailed off and looked away.

Patrick exhaled slowly and really hoped for the patience he would need not to take her by the shoulders and just shake her. After a long moment, he finally spoke. “I can’t say that I don’t know what you mean because you weren’t the only one who heard what people said. And I appreciate the concern you have for my career, but my skills speak for themselves and I’m going to make a name for myself, regardless of who’s at my side. But you know what really pisses me off Robin?”

“What?” Robin asked quietly.

“That you didn’t talk to me about this like an adult. We could have worked this out. Instead, you put the blame on me. And I’m sorry, but I can’t forgive that.”

Robin nodded. “I accept that. I just…it was time to tell you the truth and I thought you should know.” She bit her lip. “I’ll call my mom from the lobby for a ride–”

“I’ll take you home,” Patrick interrupted. He took his keys from the table and headed for the door. He never once looked her in the eye.

0

I couldn’t tell you why she felt that way,
She felt it everyday.
And I couldn’t help her,
I just watched her make the same mistakes again.

June 25, 2006

General Hospital: Cafeteria

Elizabeth set her tray down across from Patrick. “You know, the entire hospital has me either beating that crap out of Kelly Lee or you making her cry.” Patrick remained silent but Elizabeth soldiered on. She’d seen his face during a surgery that morning and he was in a mood that she had decided to prod him out of. She wasn’t sure why, but she liked this arrogant idiot sitting across from her and had made it her mission to make sure he didn’t screw up too much with Robin. “It amazes how the whole situation even got out since there were only the three of us in there. I don’t really mind people thinking I’m mean enough to take her on–it gives me a certain reputation, don’t you think?”

Patrick was still silent for another long moment before looking up. “The stuff people were saying about Robin and me when we were together, did you hear it too?”

Elizabeth sighed in relief. Finally! He would talk! “Yeah. Some people weren’t particularly subtle about it. I mean, a board member even told Robin directly that she could ruin your career. I heard that and I reported it to Alan, but there was nothing he could do–”

“Someone said that junk to Robin personally?” Patrick interrupted. “A board member?”

“Yeah,” she admitted. “Robin didn’t want me to tell you and there wasn’t really much you could do except get arrested for assault, anyway.” She frowned. “Why?”

“Robin told me that was the real reason she broke things off. Not that she actually thought I cheated on her with that nurse–”

“Nurse?” Elizabeth raised her eyebrows. “What nurse?”

Patrick paused. “Robin didn’t tell you? She tells you everything.”

“I know,” Elizabeth said, a little disgruntled. “I can’t believe she didn’t tell me about the nurse. The only thing she ever said to me about the whole thing is that you were both better off.” She shrugged. “I don’t like to push so I dropped it.”

Patrick shot her a disbelieving look. “You’re the queen of pushing and nagging.”

“You, yes. You irritate me and if I don’t jump in, God knows what you’ll screw up on your own,” Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “I’m not going to bug Robin when she’s clearly upset.”

“I’m touched that you care so much,” Patrick said dryly.

“I know you meant that sarcastically but I will choose to believe otherwise,” Elizabeth sniffed.

“I told her last night that I couldn’t forgive her for thinking I cheated on her with some random nurse and for making that decision about my career for me but I didn’t know that someone–a board member had told that she was ruining my career.” Patrick exhaled slowly and leaned forward. “From now, I need you to tell me if you hear anyone saying anything to Robin or about Robin and me or the baby, okay?”

Elizabeth hesitated. “Patrick, I don’t think that’s a good idea. I mean, Robin has enough problems just knowing there’s that kind of gossip running around and now with the baby, it’s gotten more vicious and don’t you think you’re both better served if you’re not getting hauled off to jail twice a day?”

Patrick stilled. “What about the baby?” he demanded. When Elizabeth looked away, he slapped his hand on the table. “Liz, come on. If this was Cameron, you’d want to know too.”

“Well, all right. It goes back to when you guys broke up,” Elizabeth sighed. “Robin didn’t tell anyone other than Emily and I that it was her idea and she didn’t tell anyone why so the general consensus was that you got tired of her and broke up with her. And now that Robin’s pregnant, they think she’s either faking to get you back or did it on purpose to trap you and those who think the latter think she’s doing a cruel thing by intentionally infecting you and maybe the baby.”

Patrick said nothing but a muscle in his jaw ticked and Elizabeth was suddenly glad to be on the other side of the table. “Patrick, I’m sorry–”

“You should have told me what they were saying,” he said finally. “Because it’s only going to get worse when they find out we’re getting married.”

Elizabeth blinked. “Wait, what? The last time I checked, Robin said no. She never said a thing about changing her mind.” She frowned. “Clearly we have a pattern here. I’m going to have to speak to her about this.”

“She did say no, but I haven’t given up. I know all the reasons we shouldn’t but there are a lot of reasons we should, too.” He moved to stand but Elizabeth put a hand out to stop him.

“For what it’s worth, those people who know you and know Robin, they’re not saying anything. It’s the idiots who’ve never met either one of you and just consider it another topic for the hospital grapevine. People who love and respect you know that this baby was unexpected, that you didn’t get tired of Robin and more importantly, they know that you’re both crazy about each other and are just too stubborn–”

“I care about Robin,” Patrick interrupted. “But if she cared about me at all, she would have trusted me to make my own decisions about my career. I appreciate your advice, Liz.”

He walked away and Elizabeth wondered how someone that brilliant in the operating room could be such an idiot when it came to anything else.

Kelly’s: Courtyard

“If it isn’t my favorite doctor.”

Robin paused at the door to Kelly’s and smiled when she saw Noah sitting towards the back of the outside eating area. “You better not let Patrick hear you say that.”

Noah waved her over. “Come sit down. We haven’t had a chance to talk since Patrick told me.”

Robin sobered and reluctantly joined Patrick’s father for lunch. “Are you mad?” she asked softly.

Noah set his iced tea down and frowned at her. “Mad about what? That my son is having a baby with a woman I love and admire? Someone I consider part of my family?”

“No, that he might get sick,” Robin traced the table top. “You can’t tell me that hasn’t crossed your mind.”

“Patrick mentioned it when he told me. That you had basically blurted out the news, told him to get tested and that told him you didn’t need anything.” Noah set his napkin aside and leaned forward. “Robin, if it weren’t for you, my son and I would never have worked things out. I would have died of cirrhosis in some bar somewhere and Patrick might never have known. I will always be grateful to you for that.”

“I didn’t do anything,” Robin shook her head. “I just brought you guys back into the same hospital. Patrick pushed you into rehab and you made the decision to get sober.”

“And you pushed him into giving a damn, Robin. I’m not stupid. And if it eases your mind, Patrick has been tested and he should be hearing back about the results any time now. But it doesn’t matter to him and it doesn’t matter to me.”

“If he tests positive, you’ll both change your mind,” Robin murmured.

“Let’s not talk about that,” Noah shook his head. “Let’s talk about my grandchild. When are you due?”

“January,” Robin said. “But Alan mentioned that the baby might come early and if we do a C-section, we’d probably schedule it for before Christmas.” She smiled and rested her hand on her abdomen. “I haven’t seen another doctor yet, but Elizabeth Spencer is recommending her brother Steven. He’s supposed to specialize in HIV pregnancies.”

“Steven Webber,” Noah nodded. “His name came up when I was doing some research on this after Patrick told me. He’s new to the field.”

“But he’s not to Port Charles and I trust Liz’s opinion.”

“Oh, so do I. You know, I heard about Dr. Lee,” Noah said. “And I told Alan that he ought to fire her outright but Alan mentioned I might be biased.”

“She’s entitled to her opinion,” Robin shrugged.

“As person, but not as a doctor.” Noah shook his head. “There’s no excuse for that kind of behavior and she’s lucky I wasn’t the one in the locker room or I might not have been as restrained as Patrick.”

Robin laughed. “Yeah, I think you and my mother might have that in common. When I told her, she wanted to go down and punch her but I told her that Patrick had taken care of it. It endeared him to her, by the way.”

“Well at least one member of your family likes me,” Patrick said from behind her. Robin turned and bit her lip when she saw him standing just beyond the table. “Hey…I was supposed to meet my dad.”

“I–” Robin began.

“I’m sorry, Patrick, I saw her and I wanted to ask her about the baby,” Noah said without a trace of apology. “A holiday baby–that’s something special. A good way to start the new year.”

There were an awkward pause and finally Robin started to stand. “I’ll just let you have your lunch–”

“No, stay. I already ate anyway.” Patrick took the chair between them. “There’s something I wanted to tell you.”

“Maybe I should–” Noah started.

“No, I have to tell you something, too.” Patrick looked back at Robin. “You should have told me it was a board member who said something to your face. I wouldn’t…I would have understood more last night.”

Robin bit her lip and Noah straightened. “What’s this?” he demanded.

“It’s nothing,” Robin started.

“Someone on the board–Elizabeth refuses to tell me who–told Robin that she was ruining my career by being in a relationship with me,” Patrick informed his father.

“Elizabeth shouldn’t have said anything at all,” Robin huffed.

“You should have and the next time, some narrow-minded idiot says anything about you, the baby or you and me, I want you to tell me,” Patrick instructed.

“Right,” Robin rolled her eyes.

“He’s right, Robin, you should let him take care of it,” Noah told her. “You don’t need the extra stress.”

“Do I look like some princess in an ivory tower that needs to be protected from the real world?” Robin asked, offended.

Patrick and Noah traded glances before speaking in unison. “Yes.”

“Men,” Robin said, disgusted.

“And I want you to tell me if you hear anything either,” Patrick told his father. “I want to end this before the baby is born.”

“Should I tell you before or after I kick their ass?” Noah asked.

“Noah, don’t be ridiculous. Patrick, you’re being overbearing–”

“It’s up to you,” Patrick answered his father before looking back at Robin. “I’m protecting my family, Robin. And we both know if the situation was reversed, you’d do the same.”

Robin sighed. “Yeah, I guess, but it’s not reversed and it’s like you don’t think I’m strong enough to take care of myself.”

“I think you’re plenty strong,” Patrick replied. “But there’s nothing wrong with asking for help.” He leaned closer to her and Noah didn’t even pretend that he wasn’t eavesdropping. “You and I still have a lot to discuss. Especially–”

“I thought we agreed that wasn’t a viable solution,” Robin hissed.

“You agreed, I tabled it. We’re going to talk about it Robin, but I think we both need a few days to let things settle.” Patrick sat back and waved at the waitress to come take Robin’s order.

Since the moment Patrick had mentioned marriage, she’d been adamant in her refusal but his attitude and his actions over the last few days was beginning to erode her carefully built wall of immunity.

She just hoped he didn’t find a way to destroy it entirely.

0

Can you help me I’m bent
I’m so scared that I’ll never
Get put back together
You’re breaking me in
And this is how we will end
With you and me bent

June 26, 2006

General Hospital: Nurse’s Station

Robin stepped up to the nurse’s station and leveled an irritated stare at her best friend. “This whole thing about you being mine and Patrick’s friend was destined to backfire on me.”

Elizabeth flushed guiltily. “He played the Cam card, Robin. You know I don’t think straight when people do that. It’s dirty pool.”

“Uh huh,” Robin murmured. “And the board member?”

“Hey, Patrick deserves to know stuff like that.” Elizabeth shrugged. “Look, I’m sorry, Robin and I hope you’re not really mad at me but if Patrick is going to be a part of this baby’s life, he deserves to know what people are saying.”

“Fine,” Robin sighed. “I’m not even that mad. I’m starting to feel like maybe Patrick wants this baby.”

“I knew he had it in him. He’s going to be like Jason in that way–never gave one thought about being a father and he’ll turn out to be better than you ever would have expected,” Elizabeth said.

“Yeah, Jason was really good with Michael. It’s a shame he never had children of his own,” Robin sighed. “But I think you’re right. So, since we’re on the subject of good parenting, I need Steven’s contact info.”

“Sure thing.” Elizabeth dug in her pocket for the slip of paper she’d written her brother’s information down. “I sure hope you agree to be his patient. It’d be nice to see Steven again and he’s really excited about the line of work he’s in.”

“Well, I did some research and even though he’s new to the field, he’s had a lot of success. You really can’t go wrong with that.” Robin put the contact information in her pocket. “I’ll be back at work next week. I just needed these few days.”

“Oh, completely understandable. How are you feeling otherwise?” Elizabeth asked. “I know for the first few weeks when I was pregnant with Cam, I felt like a Mack truck hit me.”

Robin sighed. “Well, I’ve been so caught up in other aspects of this that I haven’t really been able to separate the physical stuff from the emotional stuff though I bet that’s why I feel like crying so much.”

“You should try to get some sleep,” Elizabeth advised. “The more you fight it, the more embarrassing it’s going to be when you just conk out. You could be sitting at dinner and pass out — or worse, in a public place.”

“I’ll call you later,” Robin said with a smile. “Thanks for the number.”

Scorpio-Jones House: Living Room

Anna pulled open the door and smiled broadly. “Dr. Drake, it’s so nice of you to come so quickly.”

“Ah, well, you said it was important.” Patrick stepped into the Scorpio house and looked around. “Where’s Robin? Is something wrong?”

“Nothing at all.” Anna gestured for Patrick to take a seat on the sofa. “I thought we should have a chance to speak.”

Patrick glanced at Robin’s mother a bit nervously. “What about?”

“My favorite topic of course,” Anna waited for Patrick to seat himself before sitting in the adjacent arm chair. She crossed her legs at the ankle and smiled at him. “All things that will happen to you if you hurt my daughter.”

He coughed. “I’m sorry?”

“Robin is my daughter and I spent the most important part of her life with amnesia. I never had the chance to get to know either of the men who came before you. I’m sure I wouldn’t have had a problem with Stone. All indications are that he loved her and they were happy together. However, if I had had some face time with Jason Morgan, I assure you things would have turned out differently.” Anna leaned towards him. “Now, you’re very cute and I think that you’re well aware of that. And the problem I’m having is that I’ve heard some very disheartening things about you.”

“From Robin, no doubt,” Patrick muttered.

Anna pretended not to hear him. “Now, there’s nothing wrong with dating a few girls until you find the right one. The only thing I want to be assured of is that you don’t plan on letting anyone come between you and my grandchild. I know that you and Robin aren’t together–”

“Ms. Devane,” Patrick held up a hand. “I don’t plan on there being anyone to come between us. I’m going to ask Robin to marry me.”

Anna sat back and arched an eyebrow. “I thought you already had. And that she turned you down.”

“I didn’t ask, I kind of…” Patrick shrugged. “I was raised in a two-parent home. That’s the only family I know. I want to give our child the best of what I had, Ms. Devane and I know that part of Robin understands that.”

“All right,” Anna said slowly. “That’s very admirable. But a marriage of convenience is not at all what I had in mind for Robin. She’s had a lot of loss and tragedy in her short life and I would really like to prevent that so if you’re doing this because you think it’s the right thing to do–”

“It is the right thing to do,” Patrick cut in. “But it’s not about obligation. And it’s not about responsibility although those are part of it. It’s about our baby and giving him or her the best chance at life that we can and I think that’s a two-parent home and not being shuffled back and forth.”

“You can say it,” Anna remarked. “You want the opposite of what Robin had growing up. Two parents from the start to the finish. And believe me, that’s what I want for Robin. But I also want her happy. And I’m not sure if you can achieve both.”

“I care about Robin,” Patrick assured her. “I can’t–I can’t speak for her and believe me, I wouldn’t attempt to. But I care about her and I’m not going to let anyone, including myself, hurt her.”

“And if you do, just remember that she has two parents who love her.” Anna smiled. “And know many ways to make things look like an accident.”

The front door opened and Mac entered. He narrowed his eyes as he took in the scene between his sister-in-law and his niece’s…whatever. “Robin is not going to approve of this, Anna.”

Anna waved him away. “Robin’s not an idiot. If she thought I wasn’t going to make sure Dr. Drake’s intentions were good, then she’s obviously not thinking clearly.” She smirked at Mac. “Besides, I believe you had your turn with young Dr. Drake.”

Mac shifted before looking at Patrick. “She’s not as scary as she likes to think.”

“And Mac’s not as good at bluffing as he likes to think,” Anna replied. “Have you heard from Robert? Do you know when he’s supposed to arrive?”

“Ah, the first week of July.” Mac scratched his neck. “When are you heading back to Paris? Soon, right?”

“Oh, not until I see my darling husband.” Anna looked at Patrick. “Because we are unfortunately still married. Although I think he might be technically married to Holly. So it’s actually possible my marriage to David wasn’t invalid.”

“A mistake but maybe not invalid,” Mac muttered.

Patrick’s pager beeped and he tried not to let his relief show. Robin’s relatives clearly cared for her and he was more than assured that if something were to make Robin very unhappy, he would probably not live to make right.

“I, ah, I have to go to the hospital.” Patrick stood and looked between the two of them before hurrying out.

“Oh, he’s lovely, isn’t he?” Anna said with a sigh. “He’s going to break her heart.”

“If she doesn’t break his first,” Mac replied. “They’re enough to drive a man to drink. You weren’t here for the first few rounds between the two of them. I’m amazed they’re still alive. The only people I’ve seen with a relationship like this are you and Robert.”

“Oh, that bodes well,” Anna rolled her eyes.

General Hospital: Alan’s Office

“Patrick, thanks for coming so quickly.” Alan stood and shook his hand. “I know you must be anxious for these results.”

Patrick took a seat in front of Alan’s desk and shook his head. “No, but I know Robin is. She’s…she was upset by the possibility.”

“Of course.” Alan sat down and reached for the folder that held the results of Patrick’s HIV test. “I was the one that had to tell her that she had tested positive. It was one of the most difficult moments of my entire career. I’m just glad I don’t have to do that again.”

“So you mean…”

“You tested negative,” Alan confirmed. “You’ll have to be tested again in six months and to be on the safe side, six months after that. But the test was negative.”

Patrick exhaled slowly. “Good. That’s–that’s one less thing for Robin to worry about. With the baby and everything. Thank you, Dr. Quartermaine, for handling this personally.”

“I would do nothing less for Robin Scorpio. You may not realize this, Dr. Drake, but the entire town has watched Robin grow up. She’s very dear to nearly everyone who knows her. I would be extremely careful with her.”

“Yeah…I just had this conversation with Robin’s mother and uncle,” Patrick nodded. “I get the picture–I hurt her and no one ever finds my body.”

“Well, I would have just pulled some strings to get you fired but that works.” Alan waited a moment and then grinned when Patrick’s faced paled. “You’re going to have to work on that sense of humor, Patrick. You’re going to need it–especially if you have a daughter.”

It was good Robin had so many people who cared about her, Patrick decided as he shook Alan’s hand and left the office. Support from friends and family would be very handy. But he wouldn’t mind if people would lay off the death threats.

Robin was loitering in the hall outside Alan’s office. “Ah, Alan called and said–the results were in.” She hesitated. “Do you mind?”

“No…I was just coming to find you. It was negative, Robin,” Patrick told her. “I’ll have to get tested twice more but the chances were already low.”

Robin nodded. “Stone tested negative once,” she said quietly. “And then three years later, he tested positive. I guess…it’s just a matter of luck.” She tucked her hair behind her ears. “Patrick–”

“Tomorrow night,” he interrupted. “I think we should talk about–about everything tomorrow night. I’ll pick you up at seven.”

“Okay,” Robin nodded. “I’m glad–I’m glad the tests came out negative. I mean, I’m still worried about the next two tests–but you’re right. The chances were low to begin with so this is good news.”

“Definitely.” Patrick stepped towards her. “So, tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow,” Robin agreed and was startled when he kissed her cheek before leaving to start his shift.

0

So I would choose to be with you
That’s if the choice were mine to make
But you can make decisions too
And you can have this heart to break

June 27, 2006

Kelly’s: Courtyard

“So when are you going to ask her again?” Elizabeth reached across the table and stole one of Patrick’s fries. He smacked her hand.

“No stealing food,” he told her. “You should have ordered fries.”

“I wanted chili,” Elizabeth said as though it clearly explained why she had finished her chili and then proceeded to mooch at least half of Patrick’s French fries. “You’re avoiding the question.”

“And you’re nagging again. How does Lucky put up with that?” Patrick grumbled. He took a long gulp of his soda. “And how did you end up inviting yourself out on my lunch break?”

“First of all, I do not nag. I gently prod,” Elizabeth remarked, offended. “And Lucky’s blinded by love, you jackass. And I did not invite myself, you asked me for advice about Robin and I told you I was too hungry to talk and you said you’d buy me lunch.” She sat back in her chair. “Jackass.”

“Yes, I’m going to ask her again,” Patrick answered. “And before you ask, yes, I’m taking your advice.” He shifted. “I’ll make it a better proposal this time.”

“One knee would probably do the trick,” Elizabeth mused as she slid another one of Patrick’s fries away from him. “I bet Robin would never be able to resist the great Patrick Drake on one knee.”

“I am not getting down on one knee, not even for Robin,” Patrick said, indignantly. “For one thing, it’s humiliating and for another, it insinuates that this is a romantic thing and we both know that Robin doesn’t feel that way.”

“We don’t know anything,” Elizabeth replied. She indicated to the waitress Penny that they would need another plate of fries. “You’re a man, so naturally, you don’t pick up on women’s signals–”

“Hey, I am the master of picking up signals,” Patrick cut in.

Elizabeth snorted. “Please. You know when a woman wants to go to bed and possibly when she wants you to pick her up. When I say signals, I mean subtle ones, you moron. Now, as I was saying, everyone in the hospital knows that you and Robin are crazy for each other. Her family knows it, your father knows it, I know it, and it’s no big secret except to the two of you.”

“Well, its clear the rest of you are all insane,” Patrick replied shortly. “Because Robin doesn’t think I’m much better than something she scraped off the ground.”

“To be fair, you haven’t exactly acted like you aren’t,” Elizabeth pointed out. “The whole debacle with Carly–”

“Do we really have to bring that up?” Patrick sighed.

“Absolutely, because I think it’s funny and because you look like the idiot in that situation and I don’t think that happens to you nearly enough. My advice to you–”

“Oh, you have advice? I’m shocked.”

“I will throw this fry at you,” Elizabeth threatened.

“Good, it’ll be back with all its buddies.”

“My advice,” Elizabeth stressed through clench teeth, “is to be honest with her and don’t hold anything back. Robin will appreciate that.”

Patrick shrugged but he knew that she was right. Honesty had always been a plus with Robin and he supposed it would at least be a good place to start. He looked over at Elizabeth who was thanking Penny for the plate of fries she set in front of the nurse. “You know who you remind me of?”

“Who’s that?” Elizabeth asked, reaching for the ketchup.

“The little sister I always knew I never wanted,” Patrick admitted. “You’re a pain in the ass but I do appreciate how much you’ve done for me and for Robin. You’re probably the reason we still talk to each other at all.”

Elizabeth sighed and set the ketchup down. “Well, you’re the other older brother I always knew I never wanted,” she said with a smile. “Where are you taking Robin tonight?”

“About that…”

Vista Point

Robin wrapped her fingers around the rail that surrounded the observation deck and looked out over the blinking lights of the city below. “Why did you bring me here?”

Patrick stood a few feet behind her, his hands on in the pockets of his jeans. “Liz recommended it. I thought we should have this discussion in a place that has no real memories for either one of us and that’s hard because you grew up here but Liz said it was built after you moved away.”

Robin exhaled slowly. “And what discussion is this that we’re having?” She turned to face him. “If this is another rehash of–”

Patrick held up a hand. “Can you just hear me out before you refuse again? And I promise this will be the last you hear about it if you do refuse.” She hesitated and he took a step towards her. “Please.”

“Okay,” Robin reluctantly agreed.

Patrick moved past her and gripped the rail, not meeting her eyes. “I’m not going to insult your intelligence by pretending that I wanted to have a family. You know better and I know better. I didn’t want it but I’m beginning to realize now why that is.”

“And why is that?” Robin asked, prepared to hear speech about commitments and how they really weren’t his thing.

“Because I saw what having a family, having people that you love so much…what that can do to you,” Patrick said and she frowned in confusion. “My mother loved my father more than herself and I know that he felt the same way about her. That kind of love…when it’s taken from you the way my mother was taken…it destroyed my father and it destroyed my family. I never wanted to have that happen to me so I decided I wasn’t interested. Marriage, kids, the little picket fence in the suburbs, not in the cards.”

“Patrick–” Robin began.

“You promised to hear me out,” he reminded her and she closed her mouth. “Now that you’re pregnant and being a father isn’t some distant non-possibility but a very real reality, I’m actually…” he met her eyes. “I’m looking forward to it, if you can believe that. Because no matter how badly my father took my mother’s death, I know that she loved him and I know that she loved me. And anything that creates that kind of love can’t be bad.”

Robin bit her lip and looked down, hoping that he was finished. She could feel herself beginning to weak, begin to reconsider that maybe…

“I told you that so that when I ask you to marry me, you’ll know I’m not doing it out of obligation or because it’s the way my parents raised me. I’m doing it because I already love this baby,” Patrick said in a quiet voice. He was now unable to meet her eyes and was back to looking out over the city. “And I want the best for my child–our child. And the best I can give him is a family. A home where his parents live together and raise him together, where he’s not shuffled back and forth between homes and his parents fight all the time. I want to give our child the best of what I grew up with.”

He cleared his throat. “I know all the reasons why we shouldn’t get married, Robin and I’m not saying we should forget them or pretend they never existed but the problems between us shouldn’t stop us from giving our best to our baby. The rest of it, we can work on it. I can try not to be such a jackass and maybe you could try trusting me a little but–”

“I grew up with two parents who weren’t together for the majority of my life,” Robin cut in softly. “And for the first seven years, I didn’t even know they were my parents. They did the best they could and I was happy most of the time but a part of me did wish that we could be a family. They were taken from me not long after they did get remarried but that short time was so wonderful and I wish things had been different.” She exhaled slowly. “I always promised myself that I wouldn’t be like that–that I wouldn’t have children until I was married to the person I would spend the rest of my life with.”

Sensing the tide had turned in his favor, Patrick took a small velvet box from his back pocket and cleared his throat again–trying to speak over the lump that had formed. “This was my, ah, mother’s. She left it to me in her will.” He closed the distance between them. “And until I met you, I never thought I’d have any use for it.”

Robin looked up at him, startled by the choice of wording but she was quite simply at a loss for words when Patrick did the unthinkable–and bent down on one knee to open the box, revealing a delicate band of gold encrusted with diamonds and a sapphire.

“I should take a picture of this,” Robin said thickly, her eyes lush with tears. “No one will ever believe it happened.”

“They will when I tell them you kept talking through the big moment,” Patrick said with a smirk. “Now let me finish this so I can stop feeling like an ass.” He took a deep breath. “Robin Scorpio, will you marry me and ruin the dreams of women across the country?”

“I–” Robin thought of all the objections she had and all the reasons why she should say no but she remembered her promise to her self once upon time and looked down at Patrick’s expectant face. All the reasons in the world to say no didn’t have a chance against the one reason she should say yes.

She loved Patrick Drake.

“Yes,” Robin agreed, softly. “I will marry you.” Some of the tension bled from his shoulders and he took the ring from the box and slid it onto her finger. He kept her hand in his as he stood.

“I knew it’d be a perfect fit,” he said. “My mother wasn’t much bigger than you either.” He paused for a moment. “I’m going to screw up a lot, Robin. It’s not realistic to think that I’m never going to make a mistake or hurt you, but I’ll never do it on purpose.”

“Well, I’m probably going to screw up a lot, too,” Robin admitted. “Nobody’s perfect.”

“Well, no,” Patrick grinned, “but I come close.”

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