Better Days
By Candie

Chapters 1-2

Premise: It had been a long few weeks in the city of Port Charles. The entire town had just been through a viral epidemic that reunited and tore families apart, made strangers into friends and some friends into lovers. After several excruciating weeks, it seemed like the virus that paralyzed the entire city of Port Charles was finally under control. The talented staff at GH was able to create a cure that healed majority of the citizens. Unfortunately, the cure did not save everyone. The residents of Port Charles had to say “goodbye” to Tony Jones. And that was more painful than anyone could’ve imagined and just when the pain seemed to be unbearable, Robin Scorpio was the last to fall prey to encephalitis. The irony was too much for many to even comprehend. The woman that worked so hard to save the lives of practically the entire town now needed a whole new cure for herself. The irony, however, brought the town together as Robert Scorpio paired up with his old friend Luke Spencer to find a cure in their own way; and Patrick Drake and his father both finally found a cause they could agree on – saving the life of Robin Scorpio. Their hard work all paid off. Robin Scorpio was saved and she came back to life with a newfound appreciation of all that was around her, including the people around her. After weeks of chaos, there seemed to finally be a sense of normalcy settling back into the city of Port Charles. However, looks could often be deceiving.

Chapter 1

Setting: Robin’s Hospital Room

(It’s an early March morning. Robin is sitting in her hospital room by herself flipping through a magazine. She was officially bored. It’s been a whole two days since she was given the “cure” and already she couldn’t wait to be released. These last few days in the hospital had taken a lot out of her. So much of it seemed to be a blur – probably because she was in and out of consciousness. That had to be the strangest experience of Robin’s life. She felt as if she had lost complete days of her life. She would wake up and see Mac there, close her eyes then find Patrick and Noah looking over her when she reopened them, then close them again and find Jason or Sonny surprisingly there. She didn’t remember what words were said, from her or anyone else. She just remembers their presence in and out of her room. Robin sighs while shaking her head. She didn’t like that too much. She could only imagine what she said in delirium. Robin looks up when the door to her room opens revealing Elizabeth Spencer.)



Robin: Hey Liz!

Liz: It’s nice to see you up and about.

Robin (laughs): Real up and about… just reading a magazine.

Liz: Well, that’s all you should be doing right now.

(Elizabeth walks over to the side of Robin’s bed and reads her vitals.)

Liz: A doctors should be in here soon to administer your next dose of medication.

Robin: Hey Liz…

(Elizabeth looks back at Robin.)

Liz: Yeah?

Robin (concerned): How’s Lucky doing?

Liz (smiles): Much better. Thank you. He was released a few days ago.

Robin: And why aren’t you with him?

Liz: Because we’re still short-handed and… Lucky would kill me if I let anything happen to you.

(Robin looks down as Liz sits down next to her bed.)

Liz: You know, you had a lot of people worried about you.

Robin: I don’t… (Looks at her) I don’t remember much of it.

Liz: You were in an out of consciousness a lot. 

Robin: And a little delirious?

Liz: A little.

Robin: So, how much did I embarrass myself?

Liz: None at all. (Simply) Robin, you were just scared.

(Robin exhales a large breath as she shakes her head.)

Robin: You know, Patrick told me more than once to leave GH when my father announced the quarantine.

Liz (laughs): Oh, I know!

Robin (surprised): You do?

Liz: He told anyone that could hear him, how you dared to defy him.

(Robin laughs slightly.)

Liz: Him and Jason had it out a bit.

Robin: They did?

Liz: Patrick swears that he had you almost on the elevator when Jason beckoned you to save Sam.

(Robin rolls her eyes slightly.)

Robin: If it wasn’t for Sam, I would’ve stayed to help someone else.

Liz: I know you would’ve and I told both of them that.

Robin: Did it help?

Liz: What do you think?

(Robin just smiles. She pauses for a moment, then looks back at Liz.)

Robin: I remember Patrick being here a lot.

Liz: He worked closely on your case with his father. (Simply) I think you might’ve reunited the Drake family… at least for a little while. (Looks at her) Have you seen Patrick since you’ve wakened up?

(Robin looks down and shakes her head.)

Robin: No.

Liz: Well, you’ve been sleeping a lot. (Looks at her) I’m sure that you’ll get to see him later.

Robin: No… I know that he has other patients and…

Liz: Robin, Patrick worked hard to save your life for a reason. (Smiles) Even if it was just to say, “I told you so.”



Setting: The Hospital Lounge

(Patrick Drake is sitting on the lower bunk with his head in his hands. He looks as if he’s aged at least five years. He doesn’t even know how long he had been sitting there. All he remembered was Alan ordering him to get some sleep and now it must’ve been hours later. He couldn’t sleep, but he didn’t want to move either. Patrick couldn’t stop thinking about how close Robin came to death. Yes, she was alive; she was breathing on her own, but Patrick felt like he was the one now gasping for air. He looks up when the door to the lounge opens revealing Noah Drake.)



Noah: Alan said you were in here.

(Patrick stands up quickly.)

Patrick: Is it Robin?

Noah: Yes.

(Noah watches his son’s entire face fall and he quickly re-gathers his thoughts.)

Noah: No, but it’s good. All good. These are her latest blood workups.

(Patrick reaches toward the file and looks down at it.)

Patrick: Her viral load is undetectable.

Noah: Your recommended cocktail worked.

Patrick: And her T-cells are back up.

Noah: Just like we had hoped.

(Patrick looks back at his father.)

Patrick: This is really good.

Noah: I know.

Patrick: Have you told her yet?

Noah: Well, I thought you might want to do the honor since you worked the hardest on this.

(Patrick shakes his head and hands his father back her chart.)

Patrick: No, you go.

(Noah watches his son curiously as he sits back down on the lower bunk.)

Noah: You missing the chance to brag about your excellence? (Smirks) Don’t tell me you’re getting sick now.

(Patrick glares up at his father.)

Patrick: Do you really think that’s funny, given what we’ve all just been through?

Noah: No, but it got your attention. 

(Noah pulls a chair from the desk and sits down directly across from his son.)

Noah: What is wrong with you, Patrick?

(Patrick shakes his head staring down at the floor.)

Patrick: I told her to leave.

Noah: Robin? I know we’ve been through this already. She would’ve just come back on her own.

(Patrick looks back at his father.)

Patrick: She should’ve listened to me.

Noah: Should’ve? Yes. But, she didn’t. (Sighs) Look, I’ve known Dr. Scorpio now for about 3 and ½ months and the woman that found me in a seedy New York City bar doesn’t play by the rules. She doesn’t do what anyone tells her to. (Looks at him) Patrick, that’s not who she is.

(Patrick stands up quickly and runs his hands through his hair.)

Patrick (angrily): Well, THIS isn’t who I am! 

(Noah looks up at his son and his eyes follow him.)

Patrick: THIS became personal! And I swore that I would never take any case personal!

(Noah looks down. He suddenly knew what this was all about.)

Patrick: Robin almost died! She almost died and it should’ve never gotten that close.

(Noah stands up slowly then stands in front of his son.)

Noah: Patrick, Robin is a colleague, a friend. It wasn’t unnatural to care.

Patrick: It made me weak.

Noah: It made you save her life.

(Patrick shakes his head.)

Noah: You saved her life, Patrick. 

(Patrick looks back at his father.)

Patrick: It became personal.

Noah: And it made you a better doctor… except for now when you’re afraid to even go into her room when she’s awake.

(Patrick looks away.)

Noah: Patrick, I made your mother’s case personal, but I didn’t get to reap the rewards of it. You do! 

(Suddenly Noah feels a surge of anger soar through his blood. He didn’t exactly know why, but he was becoming furious at his son.)

Noah: Patrick, Robin is alive – and you saved her life! It was your dedication, your beliefs and hopes that brought her back. If you were man enough to save her, be man enough to go into her room and tell her you did.

(Noah shoves Robin’s folder into Patrick’s chest and storms out of the lounge. Once he’s alone, Patrick looks back down at the folder now resting in his hands. He closes his eyes. Robin was alive.)



Setting: Robin’s Hospital Room

(Robin is sitting in her bed with her Uncle Mac by her bedside. He was holding her hand firmly as she listened to him intently.)



Mac: I have never been so scared for someone in my entire life.

Robin (smiles): Uncle Mac, I am fine.

(Mac just sighs as he looks back at his niece.)

Mac: Now, you are.

Robin: You don’t have to worry about me. (Simply) I knew the risks going in and…

Mac: Just promise me that you’ll take care of yourself.

Robin: I promise you.

(Robin looks down at their joined hands.)

Robin: So… has my father been around?

Mac: Yes.

(Robin looks back at her uncle.)

Robin: When is he leaving?

Mac: I don’t know. He helped find the cure with Luke.

Robin: I know. Noah told me when I woke up.

Mac: He has been in your room to check on you, but you’ve been sleeping. (Sighs) Robin, I’ve… I’ve been trying to think of the words that would make this easier for you.

(Robin raises her hand and softly wipes a tear from her uncle’s cheek.)

Robin: I know you have.

Mac (softly): Robin… you have every right to be angry. 

Robin: We both do. He was your brother and he left you with a kid to raise.

Mac: A beautiful girl that was an honor to raise. (Looks at her) You are an amazement to watch. He missed out, Robin – not me… so don’t ever think I have any regrets.

(Robin releases a rather large breath.)

Robin: The moment I saw him, my heart exploded. It was like every wish and dream I ever had for as long as I could remember suddenly came true. (Covers her face) I just get so angry when I think about it. (Emotionally) But, he’s my father and I do love him. I just… I don’t like him right now.

Mac: Just tell me… what can I do?

Robin: Uncle Mac, I love you so much. You’ve done everything for me… so much that I can’t ever imagine facing anything without you. (Looks at him) You’re my strength, Uncle Mac. (Smiles) And I’ll always know that.

Mac (tenderly): Can I tell you again how happy I am that you’re okay?

Robin (smiles): You can tell me whatever you like.

Mac: I hope you know that no matter what happens, I’ll always be here for you. 

Robin: I know. (Smiles) That is one thing, Uncle Mac that I have never doubted.

(Mac sighs as he pulls Robin toward him and hugs her tightly. They both look up when the sound of the hospital door opening jars them.)

Patrick: Oh, I’m sorry… I can come back.

(Robin looks toward the door with widened eyes.)

Robin: No, don’t! Stay. I want to see you!

Chapter 2

Setting: Robin’s Hospital Room

(Patrick stands in the doorway staring at Robin in her hospital bed as Mac stands up quietly and looks down at his niece.)



Mac: I’ll let Dr. Drake examine you. I’ll go check on Maxie and Georgie. (Kisses her forehead) I’ll be back.

(Robin smiles as Mac walks back toward the door. He stops and looks at Patrick.)

Mac: Thank you again, Dr. Drake for saving my niece.

(Patrick just nods then looks down. Robin stares at him. He looked tired.)

Robin (softly): Patrick?

(Patrick finally looks up at Robin.)

Robin: Am I still contagious?

Patrick: No.

Robin (smiles): Then, why are you standing by the door?

Patrick: Sorry.

(Patrick walks closer toward Robin’s hospital bed. He looks at her vitals in silence then opens up her folder and looks down at it.)

Patrick (reading): I have some good news for you. Your viral load seems to be lowering back to what it was and your T-cells seem to be increasing back to where they were, before you were struck with encephalitis.

Robin: Okay. (Looks at him) That’s good, right?

(Patrick looks up from the folder and toward Robin.)

Patrick: That’s very good.

Robin (confused): Then, why are you acting so… indifferent?

(Patrick looks back at Robin and shakes his head. He wishes that he could have some indifference. He’s been praying for some indifference when it came to Robin.)

Patrick: I’m not indifferent, Robin. I came here as soon as my father dropped off your results.

Robin (concerned): How is Noah feeling?

Patrick: My father?

Robin: Well, before this virus attacked Port Charles, he was diagnosed with liver disease and…

(Patrick shakes his head.)

Patrick: You’re joking right now, right?

Robin (confused): What?

Patrick: You just missed death by an inch and you’re concerned about my father’s health? (Angrily) Where was all this concern for your own health?

Robin (taken back): Patrick, I…

(Patrick looks back at Robin with his hands on hips as he looks down at her, days without sleep having finally caught up with him.)

Patrick: Do you even remember the Hippocratic Oath you vowed to?

(Robin tries to figure out where Patrick’s anger is coming from.)

Robin: Of course, I do! 

Patrick: And the part of the oath that asks you to vow to prevent disease whenever you can?

Robin: Can you just cut to the chase, Patrick, and say what you’ve obviously been waiting for days to say to me?

Patrick: You could’ve prevented this from ever happening to you! You selfishly put yourself at risk with no thought to the people that care about you. No thought to your uncle who would sit at your beside praying for you every night; no thought to your father who would make deals with the devil to help find a vaccine for you; no thought to the medical staff here that would work to their own demise to save you. (Angrily) You gave no thought at all!

(A hurt Robin looks back at Patrick.)

Robin (hurt): Wow.

(Robin’s eyes fill with tears as she looks down at her hands.)

Robin: So, is this why you really worked so hard to save my life?

(Robin wipes her eyes as she looks back at Patrick.)

Robin: I knew that you questioned my ideals as a doctor, but I never thought you… (Hurt) I am sorry that you don’t understand why I would risk my life to help others. (Emotionally) I am sorry that you find it so offensive that I wanted to try to.

(Patrick knew he went too far. He knew it the moment she looked back up at him. Patrick sits down next to Robin’s bed and looks at her.)

Patrick: I don’t. (Pauses) I don’t find it offensive. Robin, I don’t find anything about you offensive. (Flustered) Don’t you see… I could’ve given a damn about Sonny, Sam or Nikolas getting better – but I warned you this could happen! (Pauses) I wanted you away from all of this. 

(Robin lowers her eyes.)

Patrick: Robin, it killed me to watch you get sicker and sicker by the minute and to know that I couldn’t work fast enough. It was like all my knowledge, all of my brilliance was worthless. (Pauses) And I don’t like feeling worthless. It’s not something I’m good at… maybe the only thing I’m not.

Robin (looks at him): I’m sorry.

(Robin and Patrick both look at each other in silence.)

Robin: I’m sorry that I scared you and everyone else that worked to save me. (Softly) I’m really sorry.

Patrick: And I’m sorry. (Shakes his head) I didn’t save you to just yell at you.

(Robin finally smiles slightly.)

Robin: Sure.

Patrick: It’s just been a long few days.

(Robin reaches toward Patrick and touches his face. She smiles at the scruffiness of it. When was the last time he shaved?)

Robin: I can tell.

(Patrick catches his breath slightly at the feel of Robin’s hand on his face. That was the first time she ever touched him. The one time he had tried to touch her face, she slapped him. Patrick smiles slightly at that memory, as Robin lowers her hand.)

Robin: I do appreciate everything you did for me, Patrick. I don’t… I don’t remember a lot, but I remember knowing you were here.

Patrick: I tried to be. 

Robin: Liz mentioned that you and Jason fought a bit.

Patrick: He’s a jerk. (Sighs) The more I get to know him, the less I feel like I should’ve saved him.

Robin: Hmmm… but think of it this way, if you didn’t save Jason, you would’ve never met me. (Smiles) Doesn’t that just make it all worthwhile now?

(Patrick just looks back at Robin; if only she knew, just how worth it, it was.)

Patrick: Oh yeah…

(Robin smiles as she looks back at Patrick.)

Robin: You are going home soon, right? You must be exhausted.

Patrick: I’ve rested in the lounge.

Robin: On a bunk bed? That must not be comfortable.

Patrick (smirks): It’s not, but I’ve slept in worse places.

Robin (rolls her eyes): I’m sure you have.

(Patrick and Robin simply look at each other.)

Robin (sincerely): Patrick, I’m serious… thank you.

Patrick: For what? Doing my job?

Robin: For going above and beyond; for thinking of my well-being; for sitting by my bedside; for… being a brilliant doctor. Thank you.

(Patrick looks back at Robin and smirks.)

Patrick: So, I’m brilliant?

Robin: I guess… I mean…

(Before Robin can finish her thought, the door to her hospital room opens with Jason Morgan appearing.)

Robin: Jason?

(Jason looks from Patrick to Robin.)

Jason: Can I speak to you?

(Patrick stands up.)

Patrick: She needs her rest.

Jason: I won’t stay long.

(Patrick shakes his head and walks toward Jason.)

Patrick: Didn’t her uncle ask you not to come back?

Jason: That was when Robin was unconscious and couldn’t make her decisions; she can now.

Patrick: And you are so certain that she’d choose you. (Shakes his head) And they call me arrogant.

(Robin peaks her head to see what’s going on.)

Robin: Uh… is there something going on that I should know about?

Patrick: Jason has five minutes. We need to limit your visitors.

(Patrick storms out of the room. Jason watches him then looks back at Robin. He walks toward her bed.)

Jason: Are you feeling better?

Robin: Much.

(There’s an awkward silence. Jason looks down at his hands.)

Jason: Robin, I’m sorry.

Robin: For what?

(Jason looks back at her.)

Jason: I shouldn’t have asked you to stay at GH.

Robin: Jason, I would’ve stayed if you called me back or not.

Jason: Yeah, but I shouldn’t have been the one to stop you from leaving. I should’ve known that you were putting yourself in danger by being here. I should’ve told you to leave.

Robin: I’m not your concern anymore, Jason. It’s not your job to put me first. You were thinking about Sam.

Jason: But, I should’ve been thinking about you too.

Robin: Jason, you didn’t do anything wrong.

Jason (looks down): You scared a lot of people.

Robin (looks at him): Including you? 

Jason (looks at her): Including me. Robin, no matter what happened between us… I still need you to be okay.

(Before Robin can respond, Patrick and Noah Drake walk through her hospital door.)

Patrick: Your five minutes are up.

(Jason turns around slightly annoyed.)

Noah: Sorry to interrupt.

Jason (annoyed): Sure.

(Jason stands up and looks at Robin.)

Jason: I’m glad you’re feeling better. If you need anything, just let me know.

(Robin awkwardly smiles as Jason leaves. Once he’s gone, Patrick looks back at Robin.)

Patrick: My dad wanted to see you.

Robin: Well, he knows how much I love his company.

(Robin has to smile slightly, as Noah steps forward. Patrick was so transparent.)

Noah: Actually… I could’ve waited until you were alone.

Patrick: It was just Jason.

Noah (looks at Patrick): Just Jason?

Patrick: I’m sure he can find something else to occupy his time, like chasing a primate or something.

(Robin smirks while looking down. One thing she was certain of – Patrick did not grow any admiration for Jason over the last few weeks. Noah sighs as he sits down next to Robin’s bed. She glances up at Patrick, who’s on the other side of the room.)

Patrick: I’ll just be checking your charts. Don’t mind me.

(Robin smiles. She looks back at Noah.)

Robin: How are you feeling?

Noah: I’m fine. I’m more concerned about you. How are you?

Robin: Better, thanks to your dedication and brilliance. 

Noah (smiles): Well, you knew I would move heaven and earth to save you.

Robin: And why is that?

Noah: That’s easy - you’re a keeper.

(Robin smiles curiously, as Patrick looks up from the folder he’s reading.)

Noah: You know how to get someone’s attention. That pitcher of water you dumped on my head? (They laugh) That was real nice. I like your style, Scorpio. (He leans in) And I don’t think I’m the only one.

(Robin can feel her face redden slightly as Noah leans in closer to her. Meanwhile, Patrick attempts to lean in to hear the words shared between them, but to no avail. His father was whispering to Robin! What the hell?!?!)

Noah: Patrick worked pretty hard to save your life. (Smiles) Maybe you can think of the proper way to thank him.

(Noah stands up and touches Robin’s arm.)

Noah (louder): Keep getting better. I’ll check in on you later.

(Robin smiles. Noah turns around and looks at his son. He has to smile. Patrick was so transparent. He walks toward him and Patrick looks up from his folder.)

Noah: I have to check on some patients.

(Patrick nods as his father leaves the hospital room. Once they’re alone, Robin slowly looks toward Patrick. He looks back at her.)

Patrick: My dad likes you.

Robin: I like him too.

(Patrick walks toward Robin’s bed and looks down toward her.)

Patrick: I’ve noticed. (Pauses) I think you might be able to go home soon.

Robin: Are my vitals getting stronger?

Patrick: By the hour.

(Robin looks down at her hands in silence for a moment. Patrick watches her. She was thinking. He can always tell when she was thinking. Her brow furrowed a bit and she touched her bottom lip as her mind soared. Finally, she looks back up at Patrick.)

Robin (nervously): I was thinking… maybe… when I get out of here… when I’m released… would you like to… what do you think about… (Simply) Patrick, can I buy you dinner?

(The folder Patrick was reading falls from his hands resulting in a large crash as the metal hits the floor. Robin’s eyes widen slightly as Patrick looks back at her.)

Patrick: Are you asking me out on a date?

(Robin is staring back at Patrick with her mouth slightly agape.)

Robin: What?

Patrick: A date. Are you asking me out on one?

Robin: I was thinking more just buying you dinner.

Patrick: Together… alone.

Robin: As a way to thank you.

Patrick: Well, in that case – should I invite Dr. Quartermaine, my dad, Elizabeth and Bobbie? They all worked hard to save you too. Maybe we can rent out a whole room.

(Robin waves her hand and shakes her head.)

Robin: You know what? Forget it. Maybe I’ll just buy you a gift certificate or something. Do you have a favorite store?

(Patrick’s face softens and he sits down next to her bed. He looks at her.)

Patrick: I’m just teasing you.

(Robin looks back at him.)

Patrick: After all the times I asked you out and you turned me down, did you think I would just give in on your first request? (Smirks) I had to make you squirm a bit.

Robin (laughs): Squirm? (Looks at him) First off, Patrick, this is not a request for a date. Secondly, I am in a hospital bed, here. Want to give me just a little bit of a break?

Patrick: Not in the least. (Simply) Wouldn’t want you to get soft on me, Scorpio.

(Robin just shakes her head.)

Robin: You are so unbelievable.

Patrick: Well, I hope you will hold that opinion of me… after our date.

(Patrick abruptly stands up and picks up the folder he dropped.)

Robin: Again, I never said this was a date.

Patrick: I’m going to talk to Dr. Quartermaine and see how fast we can get you released.

Robin: But…

Patrick: Oh wait, before I go… do you have a pen?

Robin (confused): What? Why?

Patrick: I have to write today’s date down. (Smiles) You asked me out.

Robin: Oh, I’ll give you something to write down.

(Patrick just laughs as he leaves Robin’s hospital room. Once she’s alone, she throws her head back on her pillow and sighs.)

Robin: This is SO not a date.

to be continued...

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