Better Days
By Candie

Chapters 11-12

Chapter 11

Setting: Robin’s Apartment
(It’s later in the day. Robin walks out of her bedroom wearing a pair of jeans and a buttoned-down pink blouse. She glances at her clock in her kitchen and sighs. Patrick should arrive any minute. She runs over to her stove and checks her vegetables one last time. Everything looks good. Robin stands back and wipes her hands on her jeans while staring at her stove. She thought of everything… well, at least she hoped that she did. Robin jumps when suddenly she hears a knocking on her front door. She freezes for a moment and just stares at her front door. She had to open it. She had to, but suddenly her feet felt like they were glued to the floor. She couldn’t move. Robin curses herself slightly then shakes her head and exhales a loud breath.)

Robin: It’s just dinner.
(Robin walks directly in front of her door and stares at it one last time.)
Robin: Just dinner.
(Robin opens the door and takes another deep intake of breath at the sight of Patrick Drake staring back at her. He looked so handsome. Patrick smiles at the sight of Robin and extends his hand revealing two bottles of red wine.)
Patrick: I hope you like red.
Robin (smiles): I love it. (steps aside) Come in!

(Patrick nods and walks into Robin’s apartment, following her. He looks around her apartment and sighs somewhat. Her apartment actually did look like a home. Robin walks toward her kitchen and decides to open a bottle of wine. She needed all the help she could get tonight.)

Patrick: So, did you get enough sleep?

(With her back to him, Robin looks up and smiles as she continues pouring two glasses of wine.)

Robin: I got up around noon.
Patrick: Eleven.

(Robin turns around smiling, holding the two glasses in front of her.)

Robin: Aren’t you the early bird?

(Patrick smiles as he takes a glass from Robin.)

Patrick: What can I say? I couldn’t sleep with all the anticipation for our dinner tonight.

(Robin glances back toward her stove.)

Robin: Mmm… I hope you like what I made.

(Robin walks back over to the kitchen and opens the stove to check on her baked chicken.)

Robin: I should’ve asked you last night what you liked.

(Robin looks back at Patrick as she turns around.)

Robin: I’m kind of swinging it.

(Patrick smirks as he walks over toward her. Robin looks back up at him as he stops mere inches from her.)

Patrick: I like swinging.

(Robin’s face reddens slightly and she scoots away from him and starts walking toward her small dining room table.)

Robin: I’m sure you do.

(Robin finishes setting the table as Patrick continues to look around her apartment. Suddenly he stops then looks back at her.)

Patrick: So, where are my flowers?

(Robin winces slightly. She looks back up at Patrick.)

Robin: I didn’t throw them out.

Patrick (laughs): I would hope not.

(Robin looks down and continues fixing one of the napkins.)

Robin (mumbles): They’re in my bedroom.

(Patrick looks back at Robin. Did he hear what he just thought he heard? He walks closer to her and leans down toward her.)

Patrick: Where?

(Robin looks back at Patrick somewhat flustered.)

Robin: I put them in my bedroom last night.
Patrick (surprised): Really? (Looks at her) You liked them that much?

(Robin closes her eyes. He was such a pain! Such a big, big pain! Robin reopens her eyes and looks at him.)

Robin: They were beautiful… but you knew that.
Patrick (smiles): I’m just glad you liked them.
Robin: Well, I did.

(Robin starts walking back toward her kitchen.)

Patrick: Enough to risk thinking about me when you were in bed.

(Robin stops shortly and Patrick laughs slightly as he sits down at her dining room table. She shakes her head then pours herself another glass of red wine. Robin didn’t even realize that she had drunk an entire glass until it was gone. He was making her so nervous. She didn’t even have to turn around to see him surveying her entire apartment. He was probably eyeing the picture of her and Brenda from when they went to Monte Carlo. Robin suddenly realizes that she had a bikini on in that picture. She turns around quickly and eyes the picture on her bookcase. Maybe he didn’t see it yet. Robin attempts to nonchalantly walk over to her bookcase that Lucky so nicely put together for her, and coolly places the picture frame down. Robin jumps slightly when she suddenly feels Patrick’s hands on her shoulders. How did he get there? And does he walk on air? She didn’t even hear him approach her. Robin holds her breath slightly and Patrick leans in over shoulder.)

Patrick (soothingly): Relax.

(Okay, that had the opposite effect. Patrick was standing close to her… too close. Robin closes her eyes. She could faintly smell the subtle scent of his cologne and in that moment, Robin knew she would never forget that scent. It would be imprinted in her sense… just like his hands seem to be on her shoulders. She wonders for a moment why he didn’t move yet. Little did she know that Patrick was in his own state of anxiety taking in the sweet scent of her jasmine body lotion combined with her lilac shampoo and wondering how anyone could possibly smell so good? -DING- Robin jumps slightly, making Patrick jump as well. Dinner was done. Robin flies from Patrick’s grasp and runs toward her stove. He shakes his head in an attempt to clear his own thoughts and walks over to the kitchen to pour himself another glass of wine. At this rate, they’d both be drunk before dessert. Patrick drinks a rather large gulp of wine as Robin opens her stove and takes out an amazingly smelling herb-roasted chicken and potatoes. Patrick takes in a deep intake of breath and sighs.)

Patrick: You weren't kidding, huh?

(Robin looks up.)

Robin: About what?
Patrick: You really can cook.

(Robin smiles as she brings over the chicken to her dining room table. Patrick picks up the bottle of wine then walks over to the table and simply watches her as she silently prepares their meal. He felt as if he should be doing something to help her, do anything, but he couldn't move.)

Robin: My parents worked a lot growing up... so I had to learn how to cook for myself.

(Finally Robin and Patrick sit down across from one another.)

Patrick: You know, believe it or not, I might be able to give you a run for your money in the kitchen.

(Robin looks back at Patrick curiously.)

Robin: Really?
Patrick: I don't cook much now, but I can whip up a pretty decent meal.
Robin: And why don't you cook now?
Patrick: Well, it's not exactly fun cooking for one.

(Robin nods.)

Robin: True.
Patrick: Besides, I'm never home to actually eat there.

(Robin smirks as she dishes out some roasted potatoes for Patrick and herself.)

Robin: Right… because of all your hot dates.

(Patrick smirks himself while shaking his head.)

Patrick: Actually… because I have a job that's pretty demanding and the last thing on my mind when I get home is starting a meal.

(Robin looks back at Patrick.)

Robin: You still have to eat.
Patrick: I prefer sleep.

(Robin nods quietly. There's another intense silence.)

Patrick: But, if I were cooking for more than just myself, then maybe it'd motivate me.

(Robin sighs slightly then looks back at Patrick.)

Robin: Do you think we work too much?
Patrick: I think you do.

(Robin tilts her head and looks back at Patrick.)

Robin: You know, Dr. Drake, I am not at GH by myself. You are there many late nights with me.
Patrick: Yeah, but the difference is… you take the work home with you. I don't.
Robin (bluntly): I don't believe you.

(Patrick's mouth falls slightly and he can see the small smile form on her lips as she looks down at her plate.)

Robin: You might not want to admit it, but you do care more than you let on.

(Robin looks back up at him.)

Robin: I saw it firsthand.
Patrick: Robin, you weren't the norm.

(Robin laughs for a moment and shakes her head.)

Robin: That's putting it mildly.
Patrick: What do you mean?

(Robin looks back at Patrick.)

Robin: This, whatever this is, is not the norm.
Patrick: I would hope not.

(Patrick looks down as he cuts his chicken.)

Patrick: I'd hate to think you do this for all the guys.

(Robin smirks as she looks down at her plate as well. Patrick peaks up toward her as she plays with the food on her plate.)

Robin (softly): I don't.

(Robin looks up and Patrick meets her gaze.)

Patrick (quietly): I know.

(Robin and Patrick stare at one another, as if they are exchanging a silent affirmation. He smiles slightly and reaches toward her and takes her hand in his.)

Patrick: I'm glad we're doing this.
Robin (looking down at their hands): Whatever this is.
Patrick: It could be whatever you allow it to be.

(Robin looks back at Patrick and slowly removes her hand from his.)

Robin: Why is it all up to me?
Patrick: It’s not all on you.
Robin: But, a big part of it is?

(Patrick hesitates for a moment and tries to find the right words.)

Patrick: Robin, I can’t force you to feel certain things.

(A somewhat annoyed Robin lowers her napkin next to her plate and looks back at Patrick.)

Robin: By “things,” what are you referring to?

(Robin quickly stands up and walks over to her sink.)

Robin: So, let me get this straight… because I didn’t pounce on you last night, you just assume that I don’t feel “things.”

(Patrick closes his eyes as he leans back on the chair he’s sitting on.)

Patrick (frustrated): I didn’t mean it like that.
Robin (shakes her head): Right.

(Robin turns around and looks at Patrick.)

Robin: You know, I don’t just casually sleep around, Patrick. If you’re looking for a quick fix or someone to scratch an itch for you, then maybe you should go to someone else’s house for dinner. 

(Patrick opens his mouth to protest, but Robin doesn’t even give him a chance as she starts the next part of her rant.)

Robin: And you know what? If you thought that you’re getting lucky tonight, you were sorely mistaken.

(Patrick plays with the napkin resting on his plate.)

Patrick (barely above a whisper): I wasn’t… my mind wasn’t going there, Robin.

(Robin walks over to Patrick and looks at him.)

Robin: And before you tell me how I shouldn’t let my HIV control my life, this has nothing to do with the HIV and everything to do with who you are and who I am. (strongly) I would never give my body to someone, unless it meant something… (looks down) and I was certain that it would mean something to them too.

(Patrick just shakes his head.)

Patrick: How did we get here?

(Patrick looks up at Robin from his chair.)

Patrick: Do you have any idea how hard it has been for me not to kiss you? (she looks away) No, look at me, Robin. I won’t let you dismiss this as another slick come-on. (she looks back at him) I have showed inordinate amounts of self-restraint here. 

(Robin closes her eyes and sighs. Patrick reaches toward Robin and takes both of her hands in his. He simply looks up at her, even though she refuses to look at him.)

Patrick: I’m not going to lie to you. Yes, Robin… I do want you. I can think of at least twenty instances when I wanted to grab you and that’s just from tonight. Is it a physical thing? Yes, I won’t lie.

(Robin’s eyes shoot open and she tries to remove her hands from his, but he won’t let her.)

Patrick: But it’s more than that, Robin! And you know that! (pauses) You know that, Robin. I’m putting myself out there… way out there. 

(Robin’s eyes soften slightly.)

Patrick: And I was referring to your feelings when I said that I can’t force you to feel certain “things.” 

(Robin just looks back at Patrick.)

Robin: You don’t think I feel anything for you?

(Now it’s Patrick’s turn to look away. Robin sighs as she kneels down in front of him, still holding his hands.)

Robin: You honestly don’t think I feel a thing for you?

(Patrick doesn’t respond. Robin slowly raises her hand and gently turns his face, to look at her.)

Robin: Look at me. (pauses) Give me your hand.

(Robin takes Patrick’s hand and places it on top of her heart.)

Robin: Do you feel that? Do you feel my heart practically beating out of my chest? (looks at him) You do this to me, Patrick. This isn’t me feeling nothing. (genuinely) This is me feeling out of control. I can’t contain what I feel for you and it drives me crazy. 

Patrick: Robin…

Robin: No, if you want to hear this… fine. (takes a deep breath) I want you too, Patrick. 

(Patrick just stares back at Robin, with their joined hands over heart. Both don’t utter a word. Robin slowly raises her other free hand reaching for him and pulls him down toward her. She stares at his lips. Was she really doing this? Was she really going to kiss Patrick? Yes, she was! Robin eagerly raises her mouth to his and slams her lips against his. Patrick sighs slightly as he opens his mouth, allowing Robin complete access to him. He wanted her so much. Patrick lowers his hands to Robin’s waist and pulls her closer to him, allowing her to deepen the kiss as she raises her arms and places them around his neck. Patrick had never felt anything like this before. He wanted to feel every single part of her. Patrick slowly runs his hands along her back and he can hear her moan subtlety against his mouth… and that just made him want her more. She was so vulnerable in his arms… so vulnerable yet so passionate. He had never been with anyone like this; felt like this with anyone. Patrick wanted her so much. He deepens the kiss while pulling her even closer. This was their first kiss. Their first perfect kiss… so perfect until there’s a loud sound of knocking. Robin leaps to her feet at the loud sound, as if it crashed her back to reality. Patrick stares back at her, breathing heavily, watching Robin inhaling and exhaling just as deeply as him. That was intense; too intense for a first kiss. The knocking continues. Robin looks back at Patrick nervously.)

Robin: I should probably get that.

(Still sitting at her dining room table, Patrick reaches toward Robin’s hands as she starts to walk toward the door.)

Patrick: No…

(Robin moved too fast. She was out of his grasp and already at her front door. She takes a deep breath then opens her door. Robin’s eyes widen when she sees Elizabeth Spencer standing in front of her holding up two plastic white bags.)

Liz: In the mood for some Chinese?

(Patrick Drake’s head whips around. It could not be Elizabeth Spencer! Was she intentionally trying to ruin his love life?!?!)

Chapter 12

Setting: Robin’s Apartment
(Robin is staring back at Elizabeth Spencer with widened eyes as she stands in front of her holding up two plastic white bags.)

Liz: In the mood for some Chinese?
(Patrick Drake’s head whips around as Robin just stares back at her friend, not knowing what to say.)
Liz: Look Robin… I feel really bad about what happened with Patrick.
(Suddenly Patrick appears behind Robin and looks at Elizabeth.)
Patrick: As you should.
(Elizabeth’s eyes widen at the sight of Patrick Drake standing in Robin’s apartment. Elizabeth’s eyes scan from an embarrassed Robin back to a somewhat annoyed Patrick… who on closer examination is wearing Robin’s lipstick. Elizabeth backs up slightly and looks at Robin.)
Liz: I interrupted something, didn’t I?
Patrick (annoyed): Give the nurse a gold star!
(Robin glares back at Patrick then looks at Liz.)
Robin: Ignore him.
Liz: No, I’m interrupting and I’m sorry… I should’ve called first. 
(Liz looks past Robin and Patrick and sees a set table with dinner on it.)
Liz: You’re in the middle of something.
Robin: Liz… no.
(Liz smiles as she touches Robin’s arm.)
Liz: Robin… yes. (looks at her) I’ll call you later?
(Robin looks down somewhat embarrassed.)
Liz (smiles): Or you can call me?
(Robin looks back at Liz.)
Robin: Okay.
(Liz looks back at Patrick.)
Liz: Sorry to interrupt your evening.
(Patrick just glares back at Liz. She has to laugh slightly. Robin closes her eyes embarrassed as Liz smiles one last time then disappears with her Chinese food. Robin stares at her empty hallway as Patrick simply stares at her back.)
Patrick: Robin?
(Robin turns around and looks at Patrick as she closes her door. They just stare back at one another in silence for an intense moment until he steps toward her.)
Patrick: Robin…
(Robin smiles slightly and reaches toward him.)
Robin: Do you still want to see my world?
(Patrick nods.)
Patrick: I’d love to.
Robin: Good.
(Robin takes Patrick’s hand and leads him back toward her living room. She stops at her bookcase and looks at the picture of her and Brenda that she had previously faced down because they’re in bikinis in Monte Carlo. She just shakes her head then picks up the picture of her and Brenda. She shows it to Patrick.)
Robin: This is, my best friend, Brenda.
(Patrick admires the picture… well, more admires the sight of Robin in a white bikini. He had to get her on that weekend getaway. Patrick didn’t even notice the woman next to Robin in the photo until she points at her.)
Robin: She lives in Italy.
(Patrick just nods as Robin reaches for another photo. It’s one of her and her mother.)
Robin: And that’s my mom.
(Patrick takes the photo from Robin’s hands and looks down at it. He nods.)
Patrick: I can see the resemblance.
Robin: Really?
Patrick: You may not want to hear this, but after seeing your dad… you’re the perfect combination of the both of them.
(Robin doesn’t say anything, but takes the photo back from Patrick. She quietly places it back on the bookcase.)
Patrick: Have you heard from your dad?
Robin (quietly): He’s gone.
Patrick: You don’t have a picture of him.
(Patrick picks up a picture of Robin and her uncle.)
Patrick: Here’s you and your uncle. 
(Robin turns and looks at Patrick. He’s looking down at the picture of Robin and her uncle. She sighs softly.)
Patrick: You use to have a picture of your dad on your bookcase before he came back, didn’t you?
(Robin takes the picture of her and her uncle from Patrick’s hands and places it back on her bookcase. She stares at the picture of her and Mac.)
Robin: Two. (looks down) I had two pictures of him.
(Without any words, nothing left to say, Patrick simply rests his hand on Robin’s shoulder and she stares straight ahead. Her eyes find an empty spot on her bookcase and she focuses on it.)
Robin: I know I should probably put one back.
Patrick: No one can tell you how or what to feel.
(Robin finally smiles, turns around and fully looks back at Patrick, with her back to her bookcase.)
Robin (smirks): Except for you.
(Patrick smiles himself.)
Patrick: What does that mean?
(Robin smiles and softly places her hand on Patrick’s chest.)
Robin: That was some kiss back there.
(Patrick smiles as he nods.)
Patrick: Yes, that was.
Robin: And it probably should’ve happened sooner.
(Patrick smiles wider and he wraps one of his arms around Robin’s waist.)
Patrick: Really?
(Robin blushes slightly and covers her face with her free hand.)
Patrick: No, no, no… no backing off.
(Patrick uncovers Robin’s face and looks back at her.)
Patrick: You wanted to kiss me sooner?
(Robin just looks back at Patrick.)
Robin (embarrassed): What do you think?
Patrick: Then, why didn’t you? I was always ready, willing and most certainly able.
(Robin looks away.)
Robin (trails off): I…
(Patrick lowers his gaze a little, so he can look at her at the same eye-level. He gently tilts her face toward his and looks at her.)
Patrick: I don’t care… as long as you eventually came around. (smiles) You’re a good kisser.
(Robin rolls her eyes and shakes her head.)
Robin: Whatever.
Patrick (smiles): And a good cook.
(Robin’s mouth falls and she leaps slightly.)
Robin: My goodness! Our dinner! It’s probably cold.
(Robin runs past Patrick straight toward her dining room table. She looks down at their two plates.)
Robin: I hope you like microwaved chicken. 
(Patrick smiles as he walks back over to Robin.)
Patrick: One of my favorites.
(Robin places his plate into the microwave. Patrick just watches her silently.)
Patrick: This is awkward for you, isn’t it?
Robin: What?
Patrick: Having me here in your apartment… kissing me in your apartment.
(Robin watches Patrick’s plate go around and round in her microwave.)
Robin: I don’t know if awkward is the right word.
Patrick: Then what word would you choose?
Robin: Different.
(Robin removes Patrick’s plate from the microwave then turns around and hands it to him.)
Robin: You’re different… so different from me.
(Patrick sits down at her table and looks down at his plate as Robin heats up her own food.)
Patrick: Because I sleep around?
(Robin stares at the microwave in silence and cringes slightly.)
Patrick: That is how I am different, right? 
(Robin shakes her head.)
Robin: I wasn’t actually thinking in such crude terms, but yes… I was referring to your experience.
(Robin takes her food from the microwave and sits down across from him. Patrick looks back at her. She picks up her glass and takes a large gulp of wine.)
Patrick: How many men have you slept with?
(Robin almost chokes on her wine as her eyes widen and she looks back at Patrick.)
Robin: I…
Patrick: It’s just a number, Robin. Do you want to know how many women I’ve slept with?
Robin: Not necessarily.
Patrick: Good… because that shouldn’t matter. When we sleep together, it’ll only us in that bed – not Jason, not anyone I’ve ever been with.
(Robin lowers her wine glass then looks back at Patrick.)
Robin: How did you know I slept with Jason?
Patrick: I know, trust me. 
(Patrick takes a gulp of wine himself.)
Patrick: A man knows, trust me.
Robin: So, is it like a vibe I give off?
Patrick: The vibe came from Jason, not you… don’t worry.
(Robin smirks slightly as she looks down at her plate.)
Patrick: And he’d be an even bigger idiot, if he didn’t get you in bed at least once.
(Robin bursts out laughing as she looks back at Patrick.)
Robin: Okay… this conversation has taken a really awkward turn.
Patrick: I know you have a past, Robin… as do I. (sighs) How about this? I won’t hold yours against you, if you don’t hold mine against me.
Robin: Okay, there’s a big difference between your past and mine. Jason and I broke up years ago… you were probably with someone just days ago.
Patrick (dryly): Yeah, I was all for the locker room quickies during the encephalitis outbreak.
Robin: Patrick…
Patrick: Give me some credit, here, Robin.
Robin: Fine. (she lowers her napkin to her lap) It’s my turn to be crude – when’s the last time you had sex?
Patrick (smirks): Trying to gauge the likelihood of me trying something with you tonight? 
Robin: You’re trying to prove a point to me… prove it. The last time you had sex was…
Patrick: You won’t like the answer.
(Robin looks down at her lap. Just like she thought… he was just with someone else and here he was trying to romance her, taking her to blues clubs and…)
Patrick: The day I met you.
(Robin’s eyes widen and she looks up speechless. Patrick can tell that he completely caught her off-guard with his answer. He was slightly pleased by that.)
Patrick: Guess I can keep my pants on, huh?
(Robin takes another large gulp of red wine and Patrick laughs slightly. She lowers the glass and looks back at him.)
Robin: I owe you an apology then.
Patrick: No, you don’t. (looks at her) You only thought what I wanted you to.
Robin (smiles): True.
Patrick: So, are you going to show me the rest of your apartment?
(Robin laughs.)
Robin: What? You want to see my cold, lonely sheets?
(Patrick laughs himself. He enjoyed this. He simply enjoyed her company, even when it got too heavy. He simply enjoyed her.)
Patrick: Well, I’d like to do more than see them.
Robin: Well, that particular part of the tour isn’t open right now.
Patrick: Oh, it’s under construction?
Robin: Intense construction.
Patrick: I can find a hard hat, I’m sure.
(Robin blushes slightly as she stands up. He looks back at Robin eagerly, thinking she changed her mind. He’s ready to leap to his feet until she opens her refrigerator revealing strawberries and whipped cream.)
Patrick: I am LOVING the way you’re thinking right now, Scorpio.
Robin: This isn’t my thinking… it’s my Uncle’s.
Patrick: I’ll be sure to thank the commissioner when I see him.
(Patrick stands up and takes Robin’s hand. He starts walking toward her bedroom. She jerks him back and shakes her head.)
Robin: This is your dessert – not me.
(Patrick blushes slightly as he turns toward Robin.)
Patrick: I knew that.
Robin: Sure you did. (laughs) Down, boy!
(Patrick moves back toward Robin. He takes the strawberries from her hands and places them on the table next to them. He simply touches her waist with one hand and touches the side of her neck with his other while looking down at her.)
Patrick: I can’t even have a small taste?
Robin (smiles): A small one?
Patrick: Itsy-bitsy.
(Robin laughs as Patrick lowers his mouth toward hers. They’re just barely touching and he can hear her take a deep intake of breath. Man, he wanted her. That sound alone made him want her. Patrick grabs the nape of her neck and crashes his mouth onto hers. She was absolutely right – they should’ve been doing this sooner.)

to be continued...

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