- The Next Day
Setting: General Hospital
(The hospital was extremely busy today. However, Robin was grateful for the “busyness.” She didn’t see either Patrick or Noah even once… and for the first time, she was actually grateful for that. So grateful… that she decided this afternoon, she was going to ask Alan if she could take a half day. Brenda scolded her for a good hour last night after listening to her sob uncontrollably about not taking better care of herself… and she was right. Robin wasn’t a stupid person – she knew she was run down. She already lost Patrick for helping Noah and Brenda attempted to gently remind her that she shouldn’t risk her health as well. And deep down, Robin knew there wasn’t much she could do for Noah anymore. This morning when she came in, she left the number of the organ contact in his inbox. If he wanted to throw his last chance at life away, he would have to do it himself without her help. Admittedly, a part of Robin wanted to speak to Noah in person to attempt to convince him to take the liver, but she was too tired to speak… so she simply wrote him a letter. A letter begging him to reconsider and if he couldn’t do it… the number to call. Robin sighs as she turns down the corridor leaving her lab. She was so tired… physically, mentally, emotionally… so tired that she didn’t even notice Jason Morgan standing right in front of her. He immediately extends his arms to break their collision.)

Jason (concerned): Robin… hey.
(Robin looks up at Jason.)
Robin: Oh Jason! I’m sorry.
Jason: It’s fine.
(Jason tilts his head and looks at her.)
Jason: Are you feeling okay?
(Robin runs the back of her head against her forehead.)
Robin: I’m okay… just a little tired.
Jason: Have you been overdoing it?
(Robin just shakes her head and looks down.)
Robin: I’ve been working on this case and…
(Robin looks back at Jason.)
Robin: And it got too personal.
(Jason sighs. He just looks back at Robin.)
Jason: For you that must be easy. (pauses) You care too much.
Robin: Well, this was more than usual. It was like I was living and breathing this case.
Jason: And what happened?
Robin: The patient decided to give up... and I was left breathing this case alone.
(Jason didn’t know what to say. He was actually surprised that Robin was revealing as much as she was to him.)
Jason: That must be hard for you.
Robin (sighs): Yeah, it is.
(Jason notices the dark circles under Robin’s eyes.)
Jason: Have you been getting enough sleep?
Robin: Probably not.
Jason: You do realize that it wasn’t all that long ago you were in this hospital yourself as a patient?
Robin: I know… it’s just…
Jason: Maybe Patrick can take over some of your workload.
Robin: I don’t see that happening.
Jason (thinking): You know, I can talk to Alan or Monica if you’d like.
(Robin smiles slightly and touches Jason’s arm to stop him from running toward Alan’s office. She had to admit, a part of her wanted to let him go just to imagine Alan’s face at Jason, of all people, making such an odd request.)
Robin: Jason, no… it’s fine.
Jason: Well, there has to be someone you can talk to about this. (looks at her) Maybe Patrick or Lainey.
Robin (looks down): I don’t see me and Patrick talking about… (searches for the right words) talking about anything right now.
Jason: But, I thought…
Robin: Jason, I’m fine. (looks at him) Why are you here?
(Jason simply points to his head.)
Jason: Six month check up.
(Robin’s eyes widen slightly.)
Robin: Wow! It’s been six months already.
Jason: Remember when I didn’t even know what six months felt like?
(Robin sighs as she leans against the wall. She closes her eyes for a moment.)
Robin (tiredly): The boy with no past and the girl with no future, right?
(Robin turns her head slightly in Jason’s direction without reopening her eyes.)
Robin (softly): I’m really glad that’s changed for you.
(Something changes in Robin’s face and Jason awkwardly reaches out toward her.)
Jason: Robin?
(And without any words, she slowly starts to fall to the ground, but Jason’s quickness allows him to catch her, to break her fall. His eyes widen as he looks around the hall to see if there was anyone there. It was just him and Robin. Not knowing what to do, Jason simply scoops Robin in his arms, drapes her arm around his neck then runs toward the Nurses’ Station. Liz immediately looks up with widened eyes and runs toward him.)
Liz (concerned): Jason! What happened?
Jason: I don’t know… we were talking and all of a sudden, she collapsed.
Liz: Stay right here!
(Elizabeth looks around the hospital and suddenly sees Patrick and Noah having yet again another screaming match in the waiting area, oblivious to their surroundings. She runs toward them.)
Liz (frantically): Dr. Drake!
(Patrick keeps his eyes focused on his father.)
Patrick: We’re in the middle of something right now.
(Liz steps in between Patrick and Noah.)
Liz: Well, then continue it later.
(Patrick narrows his eyes angrily and glares down at Liz, just as Noah turns his head and sees Jason carrying Robin’s lifeless body.)
Noah: Oh my God! What happened to Robin?
(Patrick’s head spins around as all the air leaves his lungs.)
Liz: That’s why I came over! She was talking to Jason and collapsed. I don’t know what…
(Before Liz could finish her sentence, both Noah and Patrick were running over to Jason. Patrick touches Robin’s face then looks back at Jason.)
Patrick (coldly): What did you do to her?
Jason (just as coldly): Me?!? I got the impression it was you and her being overworked on some case!
(Liz walks over to the three men.)
Liz: Okay… arguing over Robin’s body is not helping her right now. So, why don’t we bring her to an empty exam room?
Patrick: Fine, I’ll carry her.
(Jason just ignores Patrick and looks at Liz.)
Jason: Which room?
Liz: Follow me.
(Liz glares at Patrick then walks in front of Jason. He follows her silently carrying Robin as Patrick and Noah follow them. Once in the exam room, Jason slowly lowers Robin’s body onto the bed and she opens her eyes groggily as her arm falls from his neck.)
Robin (groggily): Jason?
(Jason sits down next to her as Patrick watches from the foot of the bed seething with intense anger. He watches as Jason pushes back Robin’s hair gently while looking down at her. He starts to step forward, but Noah stops him.)
Jason: Hey… are you okay?
(Robin turns her head and realizes that she’s in a hospital room. She immediately tries to sit up, but Jason gently stops her. Patrick clenches his fists in rage as Noah looks over at his son. Robin suddenly notices both Noah and Patrick in her hospital room as well. She locks eyes with Patrick and he steps forward. She slowly turns her head and looks at Liz.)
Robin: What happened?
Jason: We were talking and you collapsed.
(Patrick walks over to the hospital bed and physically stands in front of Jason. Liz glances at Noah. This was getting uncomfortably intense.)
Patrick: How are you feeling?
(Robin lies back down and stares at the ceiling. Anything to not look at Patrick right now.)
Robin: Fine.
Patrick: Did you hit your head when you fell?
(Jason peaks over Patrick’s shoulder.)
Jason: I was with her… you could ask me.
(Patrick clears his throat then turns and looks at Jason.)
Patrick: Fine! Did Robin hit her head?
Jason: No. I caught her.
(At that Liz had to stifle the gasp that escaped her mouth. Not only did Jason Morgan rescue Robin – he caught her! The look on Patrick Drake’s face was priceless. She just wished that Robin would turn her head, so she could see it as well. Suddenly Noah steps forward.)
Noah: I think Robin has a case of exhaustion.
(Patrick shifts his glare from Jason to his father. He hated them both equally right now.)
Patrick: Gee Dad… you think?
(At that, Robin closes her eyes and suddenly Liz notices for the first time tears falling from her eyes. She quickly moves next to Robin’s bed and stands in between the bed and Patrick and Jason.)
Liz: If that’s the case… I think you all should leave.
(Patrick turns around and looks at Liz.)
Patrick: Excuse me? Did I miss when you got your medical degree?
Liz: Your father diagnosed Robin and what she needs now is rest, correct?
Patrick: You don’t get to dismiss me from a patient’s room, NURSE Spencer.
(Robin finally speaks.)
Robin: I’m not a patient.
(Robin angrily wipes the fallen tears from her cheeks and for the first time Jason, Noah and Patrick notice her glassy eyes. She sits up slowly.)
Robin: I’m a doctor. And I’m going home.
(Robin swings her legs off of the bed as Liz moves toward her.)
Liz: Not by yourself. Let me just call Lucky… he’ll take you home.
Robin: I’m fine.
Liz: No, you’re not. If you’re passing out from exhaustion, you are not okay.
(Liz looks at Robin directly.)
Liz: When I saw you the other day, I… Robin, you didn’t listen to me then… please listen to me now.
Robin: I’m fine.
Liz: Should I call Mac?
Jason: I could take Robin home.
Patrick (angrily): Oh like hell you are!
Noah: I can take her home. I have to drop by my room at the Metro Court for something.
(Robin looks back at Noah and just looks at him. For a moment, she wonders if he already made the call. She jumps from her thoughts when she hears Patrick again.)
Patrick: I’m taking her home.
Liz: Look, right now – Robin needs to rest and I honestly believe that none of you will let her do that. (sighs) I’m calling Lucky.
(Patrick closes his eyes then looks at Robin.)
Patrick: Robin…
(Robin slowly raises her eyes and looks back at Patrick.)
Patrick (softly): I can take you home.
(Robin just quietly nods. Liz looks from Patrick to Robin.)
Liz: Are you sure?
Robin: I’m sure.
Liz: Okay… then everyone else could leave the room.
(Noah stares at Robin and shakes his head. He was responsible for this. His eyes find his son’s and in that moment, he knew that Patrick knew that as well. Noah is the first to leave the room. The next should be Jason. Should be. But he wasn’t moving. Robin looks back at Jason.)
Robin: Jason, thank you.
Jason: Robin…
(Jason moves back toward her bed and looks at her. He carefully kneels down in front of her and whispers so softly that she can only hear him.)
Jason: You know that you do have a future, right?
(Robin looks down at her hands.)
Jason: Whatever happened… it didn’t take that away from you.
(Robin looks back at Jason. Of all people… why did she have to collapse in front of him?)
Robin (softly): I know.
Jason: And I was serious about Alan and Monica.
(That made her laugh. Patrick glares at them again.)
Patrick: I have to take her home.
Jason (stands up): I know. (looks at her) That offer does stand.
(Robin shakes her head.)
Robin: I can fight my own battles, thank you.
Jason: I know you can. (simply) Feel better, Robin.
(Robin nods appreciatively as Jason leaves the hospital room. Patrick stares at Robin and notices that she hasn’t once returned the gaze yet. Liz steps forward.)
Liz: If you need me to call Lucky, just let me know.
Robin: Thank you, Liz.
(Liz smiles one last time then leaves the hospital room, leaving just Patrick and Robin. He quietly sits down next to her on the hospital bed.)
Patrick: I don’t know what to say.
Robin (softly): You don’t have to say anything. You can just take me home.
Patrick: My father did this to you.
(Robin turns her head and finally looks at Patrick.)
Robin: No, I did this to myself. I pushed myself too far. I wanted to save Noah so badly that I forgot to save myself. That’s what happened. It wasn’t his fault. It was mine.
Patrick: How about mine for not noticing?
Robin: You did. You told me more than once that I was overdoing it. I just didn’t hear you… or I did and just didn’t listen.
Patrick: You were helping my father.
Robin: I should’ve been smarter.
Patrick: He told me about his liver counts. (looks down at his hands) Robin, you’ve been saving his life.
Robin: Been trying. (simply) Can you please take me home now?
(Patrick nods then stands up. He extends his hand and she takes it. He stares back at her and finally finds the words he needed to say.)
Patrick: I’m sorry about leaving you on the roof last night.
(Robin just nods quietly.)
Robin (softly): Nothing between us was a lie, I promise. My feelings for you are as real as anything I’ve ever felt. I promise you that.
Patrick: Robin, I hate that you didn’t tell me about my dad, but I get it… he left you with little choice. And I know how he is… he’s stubborn, speaks before he thinks and he’s a jerk. (sighs) Much like me. But, I don’t want to let what happened with my dad to touch us.
(Patrick leans down and tenderly kisses Robin’s forehead. She sighs as she wraps her arms around Patrick’s waist and holds him close to her. She could hear his strong heartbeat against her. Robin closes her eyes at the soothing sound and lets it calm her fears and thoughts. She suddenly feels Patrick’s lips on the top of her head.)
Patrick: I love you, Robin.

Chapter 22

Setting: Robin’s Apartment
(The car ride back to Robin’s apartment was excruciatingly silent. Patrick hadn’t meant to blurt out that he loved her in that way, at the hospital of all places after she collapsed from exhaustion. He wasn’t sure how he expected to tell her... maybe on vacation or maybe in bed. Robin stared out the window of his passenger seat in complete silence for the entire car ride. She didn’t know what to say. Robin just sat in silence and watched the town of Port Charles pass her by. And in those moments, Robin watched her entire life play in front of her. They drove by the park where she kissed Stone for the first time, the road that led to the bridge she met Jason at and finally they stopped at her apartment. Robin stared straight ahead as Patrick simply stopped the car then walked over to the passenger side and opened the door for her. He extends his hand toward Robin and she takes it while never taking her eyes off of him. He carefully helps her from the car and guides her toward her apartment. Once inside her apartment, Patrick just watched her as she walked into her home. He needed her to say something… anything at all. He told her that he loved her. LOVED HER. And all she did was nod then walked toward her hospital room door and asked again to be taken home. He listened to her and brought her home. Now that they’re in her apartment, Robin just looks around then checks her messages as Patrick quietly watches her, willing her to say something… anything. She walks over to her kitchen and puts a pot of water on to make some tea. Patrick just watches her in silence. Robin’s hands were shaking. He walks over to her and gently covers her shaking hands. She looks back up at Patrick.)

Robin (nervously): Want some tea?
Patrick (looks at her): No… I want you to talk to me. You haven’t said anything to me since we left the hospital.
(Robin looks down at her hands. She turns off her teapot. She didn’t really want tea.)
Patrick: But, I know you need to rest… so rest and we could have this conversation later. I’ll wait for you to wake up.
(Robin looks back at Patrick.)
Robin: Yeah, I need to rest.
(Robin starts walking toward her bedroom. She stops in front of her door and lowers her eyes.)
Robin: But, maybe we can still talk.
(Robin turns around and extends her hand toward Patrick. He walks toward her, takes her hand then follows her into her bedroom. He suddenly realized that he had never been in Robin’s bedroom. It looked like Robin. Except for the bed… it was a mess. It was covered completely with medical journals, folders and handwritten notes. Robin catches Patrick’s gaze and smiles slightly.)
Robin: Guess you weren’t so wrong about my bed covered with research notes.
(Patrick sighs as he looks down at all the contents on her bed. It was all the work she was doing on his father’s case. He picks up one paper at a time and looks down at them.)
Patrick: It amazes me how smart you are, Robin.
(Robin shakes her head as she tries to clear her bed.)
Robin: I was just trying to help a patient.
(Patrick’s eyes notice his Def Leppard T-shirt lying next to her pillow and smiles slightly. He gently touches Robin’s elbow and she turns around and looks at him.)
Patrick: Not just any patient. It was my dad, Robin. (looks at her) And I should’ve thanked you.
Robin (quietly): No…
(Patrick moves toward Robin as she pulls down her blanket. She looks back at him.)
Patrick: My father hurt me. (pauses) And for a brief moment, he wanted to live… I can’t blame him for turning to you. I can’t think of anyone else I would turn to.
Robin: I wanted him to tell you.
Patrick: And you believed he would.
(Patrick sighs as he sits down on Robin’s bed. She slowly sits down next to him.)
Patrick: I’m use to my father’s disappointments. If I had to choose one word to sum up our relationship, it would be that – disappointment. I can live with them, Robin. I know how to, innately.
(Patrick finally turns his head and looks at Robin. He pushes back a strand of her hair.)
Patrick: But, you shouldn’t have to. When he rejected the liver, he rejected everything you did for him. He rejected you. (sighs) And he disappointed you, Robin… and if that wasn’t bad enough, I disappointed you.
(Robin just shakes her head.)
Patrick: Last night I was no better than him.
(Robin looks back at Patrick. He stares down at his hands.)
Patrick: I never thought I could hurt you the way I did last night. It was like I could hear what I was saying, but I couldn’t stop the words flying from my mouth.
Robin (softly): You were angry.
(Patrick looks back at Robin.)
Patrick: And that makes it right?
Robin: I kept something huge from you. Your reaction was justifiable. I got it, Patrick. I expected it. (sighs) It may not have made it easier to hear, but I knew it would come.
Patrick: Well, I wish you would’ve been wrong for once. (touches her face) When I saw Jason carrying you this morning… Robin, my heart stopped. I felt like I couldn’t breathe. I can’t lose you, Robin.
(Robin shakes her head.)
Robin: Even after I kept something so huge from you? (looks down at her hands) You’re letting me off way too easy.
Patrick (simply): Because I’m not throwing you out of my life? (she looks at him) I’m not Jason, Robin. (pauses) I don’t pretend to be perfect… so how could I expect that from you? I just wish I could’ve been a better man for you when you need me to step up.
(Patrick looks down.)
Robin: Patrick, when I am with you… there is never a question in my mind that you are a human, breathing man. (simply) You are the definition of a man to me. You are strong, so very capable, beautiful on the inside and outside.
(Robin raises her hand and gently strokes his neck as Patrick continues to stare at his feet.)
Robin: You are passionate… about your work, your beliefs… about me.
(Patrick finally looks back at Robin.)
Robin: I feel your passion, Patrick. (takes his hand) That’s what makes you a man.
(Patrick looks down at their hands.)
Patrick: And not that I love you? (looks back at her) It may not have come out the way I would’ve wanted it to… but, it’s there.
(Robin looks down again.)
Robin: Do you remember the first thing I said to you when we met?
(Patrick has to smile remembering how they met. Robin raises her eyes and sees Patrick smirk. She shakes her head.)
Robin: Should I take that as a "no?"
(Patrick kisses Robin’s hand then looks back at her.)
Patrick: You said to "finish it up and make it fast."
(Robin closes her eyes and laughs. She shakes her head and looks back at him.)
Robin: Okay… and right after that?
(Patrick nods and looks down. His eyes change slightly as they soften.)
Patrick: You said that you needed a miracle and I was it.
(Robin smiles.)
Robin: I was right. (he looks back at her) You are my miracle, Patrick. The miracle I didn’t even know I was hoping for or wanted. I thought I was done with love; that I didn’t need it to be happy. I was wrong. I needed love. I needed you. (simply) I love you too, Patrick. I’ve been falling in love with you longer than you know.
(Patrick releases a held breath then leans in and tenderly kisses Robin again and again. She smiles under his kisses and pulls him toward her. She missed him so much. They were apart for one night and it felt like a lifetime. Patrick softly moans as they fall back on Robin’s bed. He can feel her hands run along his back then pushing off his blazer as she moves her kisses to his neck… his chin. He wanted her so much. So very much… but not like this. Slowly and carefully, Patrick lifts his body from hers. Robin opens her eyes slightly dazed.)
Robin: What… you don’t want to?
(Patrick leans down and kisses Robin’s forehead and looks back at her.)
Patrick: More than you know. (clears his throat) Much more than you know, but…
(Patrick looks down at his shirt and realizes that Robin unbuttoned the entire thing. He looks back at her.)
Patrick (smirking): How did you do that?
(Robin just smiles.)
Patrick: You’re good.
(Robin reaches toward him.)
Robin: And that’s just one of my many talents…
(Patrick closes his eyes.)
Patrick: I can imagine. (he looks at her) But, I’m not Sonny Corinthos.
(Robin bursts out laughing.)
Robin (confused): What?
Patrick: Didn’t you hear the rumors about him taking Emily home after she was diagnosed with exhaustion?
Robin: I don’t listen to hospital gossip.
Patrick: Yes, you do… and you were probably just as disgusted about that as I was.
Robin (smirks): You disgusted? I doubt that.
Patrick: As a doctor… not as a man.
(Robin covers her face.)
Robin: That’s more like the Patrick I know.
(Patrick uncovers Robin’s face and looks at her.)
Patrick: I want you to rest.
Robin: I can rest afterward.
(Patrick closes his eyes. Robin was making this hard on him. He reaches for his T-shirt and throws it toward her.)
Patrick: Change.
(Robin smiles as she catches the faded old T-shirt,)
Patrick: You’ll sleep and I’ll…
(Patrick looks next to Robin and sees the piles of papers.)
Patrick: I’ll read about my father’s case.
(Robin sits up slowly and kisses Patrick’s shoulder.)
Robin: Whatever he decides… whatever happens… I’ll be here, I promise.
(Patrick turns and looks at Robin.)
Patrick (simply): I know.
(Patrick pushes back Robin’s hair.)
Patrick: I can’t help my father right now… but I can help you. (kisses her forehead) So, let me try.
(Robin silently nods then stands up. Patrick lowers Robin’s blankets revealing her bed. He smirks as he touches her sheets.)
Patrick: Not as cold as I thought.
(Robin laughs as she hits Patrick’s arm. He looks back at her.)
Patrick: But, they’ll be warmer later.
(Robin rolls her eyes as she undresses to change into Patrick’s shirt. He turns around and freezes for a moment at the sight of her.)
Patrick: Much warmer.
(Robin lowers the Def Leppard shirt onto her body and slowly moves toward Patrick. She raises her arms around his neck as she looks up at him.)
Robin: I love you, Dr. Drake.
(Patrick simply closes his eyes then feels Robin’s lips softly press against his. She felt so incredibly warm and alive in his arms. Robin slowly pulls away and looks at him.)
Robin: And you really don’t have to stay with me.
Patrick: No, I do. (kisses her forehead) And not just for you.
(Robin sighs as she pulls away from Patrick and nods. He watches her crawl into her bed and moments later, he sits down on the other side of the bed. Patrick looks down at the mounts of paper and shakes his head. How he could ever be angry with her for trying to save his father? He’d never know. He turns his head and watches as Robin slowly closes her eyes. She needed to rest. He watches her for a moment then turns his attention back to the first folder. He opens it. It was all of Robin’s handwritten notes. She was so precise… so dedicated. He always knew Robin was an amazing doctor but seeing pages upon pages of notes, formulas, treatments and diets for Noah just made him realize it even more. And made him even more enraged that Noah rejected the liver. Patrick stops suddenly when he sees his own name on one of the pages. His eyes lower. It simply read, "asked Noah once again to tell Patrick about treatment. He refused. Didn’t want to argue… so I contacted organ transplant agency about moving Noah’s name up again. Just waiting to hear back." Patrick sighs. He shifts through the documents then stops at a picture of him and Robin from the Holiday party at GH. He didn’t even remember it being taken. They must not have been aware of the camera. They were obliviously snacking on the holiday cookies as he leaned over her. Patrick smiles. He must’ve been teasing her about something. He can see the slight smirk on Robin’s face and the devilish gleam in his eyes. Patrick stares at the photo. He was probably falling in love with her back then, but just didn’t know it. He taps on the picture.)
Patrick: You’ll be a goner, Drake.
(Patrick places the folder back then suddenly feels Robin’s arm drape around his waist. He looks down at her. She was sleeping so peacefully. Patrick gently places his hand on top of her arm and runs his thumb along her soft skin. His eyes travel along her body and he shakes his head. It wasn’t easy being a gentleman. He feels Robin stir slightly in her sleep as a small smile appears across her face.)
Robin (sleepily): Patrick…
(Patrick smiles proudly as he looks down at the folder in his hands.)
Patrick (softly): I’m here.
(And he would be… until she woke up, he’d be there waiting for her.)

Setting: The Bar at the Metro Court
(Noah is sitting at the bar drinking a glass of club soda with lime. He looks down at Robin’s letter for the hundredth time. It was almost fitting that he ended up here to make the biggest decision of his life. Would he live his life to live longer? Or would he just live his life to die? Noah sighs tiredly then reaches into his pocket for his cell phone. He dials in the number Robin left for him then places the phone to his ear.)

Noah: This is Dr. Drake calling about the liver about to be transplanted to General Hospital. Yes. I made a decision.