Locked Out
By Candie

Chapters 16-20

Chapter 16

- Several Days Later
Setting: General Hospital Locker Room
(9:52 A.M. Robin had been good about timing her entrance to the locker room to never coincide with Patrick Drake. Two minutes earlier meant that he probably would’ve been changing into his scrubs for his first surgery and five minutes later he probably would’ve been back in the locker room dropping off his watch he had a habit of leaving on. It wasn’t that she hadn’t seen him since that fateful night. Robin had seen him plenty of times – in the elevator, in the research lab, even in the cafeteria… but they hadn’t been alone since that night in her apartment. They had both been very good at avoiding each other. Robin had her own reasons, as did Patrick. The next morning after his “encounter” with Robin, Epiphany had told Patrick that Lucky Spencer left his wife and rumor was because he had finally found proof that she was indeed having an affair with him. That was all Patrick needed to hear. He knew Robin was convinced that he was breaking up the Spencer marriage and didn’t want to deal with convincing her otherwise. However, that was the farthest from the truth – Robin was the one who defended him, just not to him. She had hated that Elizabeth was the focus of the latest round of the General Hospital rumor mill. Robin knew firsthand how painful that could be… she was the focus weeks ago when people started whispering about her and Patrick. And Robin wasn’t deaf; they were still whispering about them now that they haven’t been “seen” together in days. She couldn’t think about this today. Robin had a full schedule which included three consults with Noah Drake, two appointments of her own and then the Cassidine Ball in Sam’s honor tonight at Wyndemere. Robin slowly makes her way to her locker. Today was going to be one of those days, she just knew it. One of those days where everything shifted. She opens up her locker and sighs at the sight of her dress for tonight. She really didn’t feel like going to this party in Sam's honor. She wasn’t even friends with her. It would be so glaringly obvious she was only going for Nikolas and Alexis. But, she made a promise. And Robin Scorpio always keeps her promises… or at least tries to. She sighs as pulls out a pair of scrubs. There was a moment this morning she thought about changing at home to avoid the locker room, all together, but that seemed a little extreme. She had nothing to be ashamed of. Not really. Patrick was the one angry with her… and she was somewhat angry with him. It was his reputation that allowed Lucky to believe with ease that his wife was cheating on him; it was his personality that made actually talking to him so difficult at times. And it was his glare at her from across the room that made her just want to avoid him all together whenever she had seen him these last few days… well, the glare and the fact she overheard him telling Noah that she ice water for blood. Robin shakes her head. That was a nice one. Just because she wasn’t ready to “do” him on the one safe haven in her life, she was the one that was cold and frigid. Okay, Robin was angry with him too. Maybe avoidance had been a good thing. She looks down at her buttoned-down shirt and sighs as she slowly undoes each button. Each button representing another lie. Her friendship with Patrick Drake. Undone. Her relationship, term used loosely, with Patrick Drake. Completely undone. She shrugs her blouse off of her body and throws it with ease into her locker. She may have lost everything else, but at least, she still had her aim. )

Patrick (blandly): Is there a reason you’re not on the Miller case?
(Robin closes her eyes. Maybe she should’ve waited five more minutes. She turns around toward Patrick Drake with ease, not even making an attempt to cover her upper body which is only clad in her lace pink bra.)
Robin: My workload is already full.
Patrick (scoffs): That’s a load of bull and we both know it.
(Robin crosses her arms in front of her chest and looks back at him.)
Robin: Do you know my work schedule?
Patrick: Well, I do know that you’ve been avoiding me.
(Robin looks down. She didn’t have the strength to outright lie to Patrick, but she didn’t have the generosity to tell him he was right either. She looks back at him and repeats herself simply.)
Robin: I told you, my workload is already full. (softly) Besides, it’s not like you’ve been going out of your way to talk to me either.
(Patrick runs his fingers through his hair, obviously frustrated.)
Patrick: Damn it, Robin. You’re making your work personal.
(Robin grabs the top of her scrubs and throws it over her body.)
Robin: No, I’m not.
(Patrick moves toward Robin and looks down at her.)
Patrick: You are.
(Robin rolls her eyes as she reaches back into her locker.)
Robin: Maybe it’s the ice water that runs through my veins.
(Patrick stares at the back of Robin. He couldn’t believe how infuriated he was with her at that moment. Elizabeth’s drugged out husband supposedly found some miracle proof that he’s a cheating louse… and she simply believed him – no questions even asked. She didn’t even ask him what had happened between them while she was in Greece. She didn’t even expect an explanation from him. And even now… even now when things were clearly through between them and she obviously was not expecting a thing from him anymore, she still was able to kill him with her eyes. And because of that, Patrick hated her at that moment.)
Patrick: Why do you have the need to make me feel like crap for simply asking you to do your job?
(Patrick watches Robin’s entire body stiffen as she looks down. She waits a moment before turning around and when she does he can see clear tears in her eyes.)
Robin (softly): That’s… that’s not my intention.
(Robin extends her hand.)
Robin: Give me the file.
(Patrick looks back at Robin and into those eyes again.)
Patrick: What file?
Robin: The Miller file. The one you came in talking about.
(Patrick shakes his head then nods.)
Patrick: The file’s in my office.
(The truth was, he heard Robin was in the locker room and decided to finally approach her. Robin looks down between them.)
Robin: I can… I’ll come by and look at it later.
Patrick: Thank you.
(Robin slowly looks back up at him.)
Robin: Patrick, about that night in my apartment…
(Patrick looks away and locks his jaw. He had to turn away. There she goes again with the eyes. She couldn’t help it. Robin could feel her emotions bubbling over and she didn’t want them to. Not now.)
Robin (emotionally): I never meant to hurt you.
(Patrick slowly turns back toward her once he hears the pure, raw emotion in her voice.)
Robin: I promise you, Patrick… I never saw what we had as cheap… and if I made you feel that way, I’m sorry.
(Robin couldn’t look at him anymore. She looks down at her hands.)
Robin: I’m truly, truly sorry. I just… I can’t do casual, Patrick. I’m sorry… and maybe I should’ve said it differently or expressed it differently, but I can’t. I just can’t.
(Patrick releases a soft breath then moves toward her and gently lifts Robin’s face with his finger.)
Patrick (emotionally): I know.
Robin: You know?
(Patrick looks back at Robin. She simply takes his breath away. She was so vulnerable. So incredibly beautiful. He moves closer to her and slowly lowers his eyes to her lips.)
Patrick (hoarsely): God… I missed you.
(Robin releases a soft breath then parts her lips when she feels Patrick lowering his lips to hers. She sighs contently. She had missed him so much. He deepens the kiss once he feels her fingers run along the back of his neck. He had no idea in that moment how he had been able to stay away from her as long as he had. He simply missed her. There were no other words for it. He missed her and the more he kissed her, the more he realized he would always miss her if she wasn’t with him. And he realized that he had to tell her. And not to get into her bed – but to get into her heart.)
Patrick (pulling away): Robin, there’s something I have to tell you.
Robin (breathlessly): Okay.
(Robin looks back at Patrick and just as he’s about to open his mouth, the sound of his beeper fills the entire locker room. He curses slightly under his breath as he looks at the display.)
Patrick: Damn it. It’ll have to wait. I have to go. Can we meet up tonight?
Robin: I can’t.
(Robin watches Patrick’s face fall slightly.)
Robin: The Cassidine Ball is tonight at Wyndemere. (thinks for a moment) Wait! Come with me. (smiles) We can talk there.
Patrick (skeptically): Really?
Robin: It’s a party for Sam McCall and I’m not exactly her best friend, so… I’d love to have some company tonight.
Patrick: Okay, I’ll be there.
(Patrick leans in and kisses Robin quickly then starts to run of out of the locker room. Just as his hand turns the knob to leave, Robin steps forward and calls him out.)
Robin: Patrick?
(He stops short and turns around to look at her.)
Robin: I missed you too… a lot.
(He just smiles then heads out of the locker room. Robin watches him then suddenly smiles widely. He missed her. She covers her mouth laughing happily. Avoidance was definitely overrated.)

Setting: The Metro Court
(Nikolas Cassidine walks into the Metro Court dining room with his sister by his side. It was Alexis’s idea to have the ball catered by the Metro Court. Nikolas personally would rather have nothing to ever do with Carly Corinthos or Jasper Jacks ever again, but… sometimes it felt like the Metro Court was the only restaurant in this town. He had to change that. Nikolas glances toward his sister and smiles – next birthday, he’ll buy her a restaurant. Lulu notices her brother’s smile and looks back at him.)

Lulu: What’s got you so happy?
Nikolas: What? I can’t smile.
Lulu (sighs): I guess, I’m not use to you actually being my “happy” brother.
(Just as Lulu says that, Jasper Jacks appears from behind them.)
Jax: Are you here to go over the menu?
(Lulu and Nikolas’s eyes both widen at the sight of Jax.)
Nikolas: Uh… Alexis told me I would be dealing with your assistant.
Jax: Who has the flu. (simply) It’s either me or nothing.
Lulu: In that case, I opt for burgers from Kelly’s. Sam likes red meat, right?
(Jax looks at Lulu.)
Jax: All you have to do is tell us how many waiters you’ll need tonight and it takes all of three minutes to look at a menu. You’ll be out of here in ten minutes, tops.
(Lulu sighs loudly as Nikolas reaches for the menu releasing a held breath. Jax clears his throat awkwardly and steps back slightly letting them have their privacy. He looks up when suddenly Dillon Hornsby flies through the entrance of Metro Court looking for Lulu.)
Dillon: Lulu! Thank God I found you!
(Lulu spins toward Dillon.)
Lulu: Where’s the fire?
Dillon: You were right.
Lulu (smiles): Can you narrow it down? I’m always right.
Dillon (exasperated): Lulu, listen to me! You were right about your brother and those pictures.
(Lulu’s eyes widen as she leans in toward Dillon.)
Lulu (in a hushed tone): He didn’t pay the private eye?
Dillon: Your dad’s friend, Waldo, is an amazing sleuth! I’m talking, big-time high-budget movie caper-type sleuth!
Lulu: Dillon! Plain English – who paid the private eye?
Dillon: It was a woman with blonde hair, in her mid thirties. She paid him on the docks.
Lulu: And he found this out how?
Dillon: Cameras on the docks. Waldo knew a friend who knew a friend who owns warehouse 51. We thought it was a long-shot, but lo’ and behold… there they were. The dates and times matched up. It was the private eye your brother said he hired giving the pictures to a woman during your third night in Greece.
Lulu: And Waldo couldn’t see the woman?
Dillon: Her face was blocked.
(Lulu looks around the Metro Court and suddenly sees Carly at the entranceway.)
Lulu: I’m sure it was.
(Dillon turns around and follows Lulu’s gaze.)
Dillon: You don’t think…
Lulu: Watch this!
(Lulu spins around and looks at Jax.)
Lulu: Hey Jax, do you and cousin Carly have plans tonight?
(Nikolas’s head flies up from the menu.)
Jax (laughs): Cousin Carly?
Lulu: Well, Carly’s been bonding so much with my brother, I figured I might as well start getting to know her better.
(Lulu spins around and waves toward Carly.)
Lulu: Come here, cous!
(Carly turns around and looks behind her. Nikolas leans in toward Dillon.)
Nikolas: What is my sister doing? I do NOT want John’s kidnappers at my house tonight!
(Dillon just leans in and looks at Nikolas.)
Dillon: Just trust her.
(Carly slowly walks over to the bar and looks back at Lulu.)
Carly (curiously): Lulu?
Lulu: You know, I was thinking… we’re all family, right? I mean, you seem to have made sort of peace with Lucky. (looks at her) And he tells me how you’ve been really helping him out as of late.
(Jax looks at Carly as well. She had been hanging around Lucky much more than before.)
Lulu: He would want you there tonight, cousin.
(Carly simply smiles then looks at Jax.)
Carly: Well, we accept.
Jax (sighs): Carly…
(Carly shrugs her shoulders.)
Carly: It’s a family event. My mom is going. (looks at Lulu) Everyone will be there, right?
Lulu: Oh yeah… everyone. Lucky, his wife, Patrick, Robin, Alexis and her family. (bitingly) You’ll fit right in, no?
(Nikolas stands up abruptly.)
Nikolas: The menu is fine. We have to go.
(Nikolas grabs his sister’s elbow as they walk out of the Metro Court.)
Nikolas: What was that about?
Lulu: Just trust me.
Nikolas (annoyed): I don’t want to hear it right now, Lulu! (Yells) You just invited two kidnappers into my home!
(Lulu closes her eyes and sighs as Nikolas storms out of the Metro Court. Dillon turns his head and looks at his friend.)
Dillon: You couldn’t think of another way to save one brother without seriously pissing off the other?
Lulu (looks at Dillon): Dillon, this is the second time Carly’s wrecked the life of someone I love – first John and now Lucky. It ends tonight. I am going to expose her for what she is – in front of everyone. She wants to wreck lives. (simply) She hasn’t even begun to see what a wreck looks like. (looks at him) Are you in or not?
(Dillon sighs as he shrugs his shoulders.)
Dillon: Do I have a choice?
(Lulu hugs Dillon then pulls him toward the entrance of the Metro Court. Meanwhile, inside the dining room, Jax is standing behind the bar when he notices Carly talking to the head waiter. He watches them curiously. She was up to something. And Jax was certain it had to do with John. The last thing Jax wanted to do was cause more trouble for John’s wellbeing. He knew Carly’s intentions had to be good, but he couldn’t let her go through with whatever she had planned. Suddenly Jax notices Carly hand the waiter an envelope then make her way toward the other side of the dining room. He waits for several minutes for Carly to finally disappear then slowly moves toward the waiter.)
Jax: Hey, can I ask you what Mrs. Corinthos just gave you?
(The waiter starts to protest, but Jax simply raises his hand.)
Jax: Do I need to remind you that you work for both me and Mrs. Corinthos?
(The young waiter simply shakes his head then releases a held breath.)
Waiter: She asked me not to tell you.
Jax: Does it have to do with the Cassidine party tonight at Wyndemere?
Waiter: If I tell you…
Jax: Look, whatever it is she is paying you, I’ll give you double.
(The waiter looks back at Jax. It was pure stupidity on Carly’s part to hire a full-time PCU student. The guy was literally foaming at the mouth at the idea of earning more money.)
Waiter: Double?
Jax: Triple. Just tell me.
Waiter: She wanted me to get Dr. Patrick Drake and Nurse Elizabeth Spencer alone in one of the bedrooms at Wyndemere and have Dr. Scorpio walk in on them.
(He wasn’t expecting that. All color leaves Jax’s face as he stares back at the young waiter. He couldn’t be telling the truth. Carly couldn’t be that cruel. Without thinking, Jax grabs the envelope that Carly gave the young waiter moments earlier and opens it. He finds three notes cards –addressed to Robin, Liz and Patrick… and each one reading “Meet me upstairs.” Jax shakes his head. This couldn’t be true. He turns his head and sees Carly looking back at him from the entrance. She smiles at him proudly then waves. And in that moment, Jax knew what he had to do. He smiles and waves back at his fiancée. And just like that… everything he had thought to be true came into question – was Carly setting up Robin for heartbreak? Was Patrick really cheating on her with Liz, like he had originally thought? Either way, he was going to find out. The choices became simple – protect his good friend from hurtful lies made up by Carly or find out for himself the truth about Patrick and Liz… and tell his good friend himself without the humiliation. Either way, he was going to do everything he could to protect Robin.)

Chapter 17

- Hours Later
Setting: General Hospital Locker Room
(It’s later in the day. Robin Scorpio runs into the locker room. Her last consult ran much longer than it should have. She was already about an hour late for Sam’s party at Wyndemere. She moves toward her locker and swings it open. It was time to look absolutely gorgeous in a hospital locker room. She looks up when Maxie suddenly appears next to her.)

Robin: Hey Maxie.
Maxie: Weren’t you supposed to be at that party for Sam?
Robin: I’m on my way there now. (sighs) I’m late.
(Robin reaches into her locker and takes out the dress Brenda sent her from Italy. It was a breathtaking black backless dress made of a thin material that looked as if it were custom made for Robin.)
Maxie: I saw Dr. Drake leaving here earlier in a suit. (smiles) He looked nice.
(Robin smiles as she turns toward Maxie.)
Robin: Really?
Maxie: Gorgeous.
(Robin turns back toward her locker and slips the dress over her body.)
Maxie: So, are you two on speaking terms again?
(Robin smiles as she turns toward her younger cousin.)
Robin: You could say that.
Maxie: That’s what I thought.
Robin (laughs): Wait! How did you know?
Maxie: His mood finally improved. I’ve never seen such a grumpy doctor.
(Robin laughs again as she reaches into her locker for her makeup bag.)
Robin: I was supposed to meet him at Wyndemere. He probably wants to kill me for making him go to this thing and then not even showing up.
Maxie: He’s a doctor, so I’m sure he understands that it goes with the job.
Robin (sighs): I hope.
(Robin sits down on the bench and bends down to put on her shoes. She looks up as does Maxie when the sound of the locker room door opening behind them fills the room. It was Jax. Robin stands up with widened eyes. He was soaked to the bone. Robin had heard that intense thunderstorms were supposed to travel through Port Charles, but didn’t know if they had approached them yet. Looking at Jax, they obviously had.)
Robin (shocked): Jax! What are you doing here?
(Jax wipes the rain from his face and looks directly at Robin.)
Jax: There’s something you need to know about Patrick Drake.

Setting: Wyndemere
(It’s a torrential night in Port Charles. The ball for Sam has been underway now for about an hour and a half. So far, it had been the perfect night. Sam was formally introduced as the latest addition to the Cassidine family. Patrick Drake had never seen anything like it. He thought it was quite bizarre actually, but decided not to question it out loud. He sighs as he takes another gulp of his drink. )

Bobbie: Robin’s still not here yet, huh?
(Patrick looks up at the sound of Bobbie’s voice.)
Patrick: She was consulting on a case, but I thought she’d be here by now.
Bobbie: I’m sure she’s on her way.
(Bobbie sighs as she looks around the ballroom. She was slightly surprised to see how many people turned out for Sam’s gala. Alan Quartermaine was with his wife in one corner of the room with Mac Scorpio while Bobbie’s own daughter Carly managed to work her way into a conversation with Lainey Winters. Bobbie shakes her head. She had no idea how she managed that. Carly had told her that she was attending the ball with Jax, but he was nowhere to be seen. Come to think of it, neither was Lulu Spencer. Bobbie looks up when Nikolas approaches her smiling.)
Nikolas: Thank you so much for coming tonight, Bobbie.
(Bobbie smiles as she gently touches Nikolas’s shoulder.)
Bobbie: You know, I would do anything for you, Nikolas.
(Bobbie and Nikolas had a unique relationship. They weren’t really ever friends, but he did think back to the time when Bobbie was married to Stefan with great fondness. She had brought some life into this dark house with Lucas. Nikolas had hoped to regain that again now with John.)
Bobbie: How’s Lucky doing?
Nikolas (sighs): I think he needs to talk to his wife.
(Bobbie simply nods. She watches Nikolas’s eyes darken slightly as he suddenly realizes Patrick Drake’s next to her.)
Nikolas (to Patrick): I’m assuming you aren’t here on your own. Where’s Robin?
(Patrick clears his throat.)
Patrick: She’s meeting me here.
(Nikolas represses the urge to kick Patrick out when suddenly he hears Carly’s voice behind him.)
Carly: Nikolas, this is a great party.
Nikolas: Carly, just get out of my face. (Angrily) Eat my food, drink my alcohol… but don’t talk to me.
(Carly locks her jaw and glares back at Nikolas. He is about to say something back to her when suddenly he catches Dillon Hornsby walking by them.)
Nikolas: Dillon! Have you seen my sister?
(Dillon pauses for a moment. He looks directly at Carly then back at Nikolas.)
Dillon: She had some errands to run first.
(Nikolas waves his hand in annoyance and leaves them. It was bad enough that Lulu invited his son’s kidnapper to his house, she wasn’t even here. Once he’s gone, Dillon turns toward Patrick and smiles.)
Dillon: So, your date stood you up too?
(Patrick laughs and Carly is about to say something when a waiter walks over to them holding a package.)
Waiter: Mrs. Corinthos, this was just delivered for you.
(Carly looks back at the waiter curiously then opens the package. She can feel Dillon, Patrick and her mother’s eyes on her as she tears open the brown wrapping. Her face is one of great confusion when she sees a copy of Othello in her hands.)
Carly: What is this?
Bobbie: It looks like there’s a note.
(Bobbie reaches for the small note card and reads it aloud.)
Bobbie: It’s from Jax. (reading) Sorry I couldn’t make it. Perhaps you can catch up on your reading… Jax.
(Bobbie looks back at Carly curiously.)
Bobbie (laughs): Are you getting into Shakespeare, Carly?
Carly (scoffs): I haven’t read Shakespeare a day in my life.
Patrick: Can’t say I’m shocked, there. Can I see this for a moment?
(Patrick takes the book and opens it.)
Patrick: It looks like Jax highlighted a few passages.
(Patrick begins to read a loud as Dillon, Bobbie and Carly look on.)
Patrick: He hath a person and a smooth dispose
To be suspected, framed to make women false.
The Moor is of a free and open nature
That thinks men honest but that seem to be so,
And will as tenderly be led by th’ nose as asses are.
(Patrick flips through the book then stops at another passage.)
Patrick (reading aloud): O beware, my lord, of Jealousy!
It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock
The meat it feeds on. That cuckold lives in bliss
Who, certain of his fate, loves not his wronger;
But O, what damned minutes tells he o’er
Who dotes, yet doubts; suspects, yet strongly loves!
(Patrick closes the book and throws it back toward Carly. Dillon turns his attention toward her as well.)
Dillon: It seems like Jax thinks you could learn something from this.
(Carly just shakes her head as the loud sound of thunder crashes outside of Wyndemere.)
Carly (rolls her eyes): I’m sure…
(Dillon thinks for a moment back to Lulu and her accusations against Carly. She was Iago. He looks at Patrick. Lulu told him how Robin had defended Patrick so unconditionally. She truly didn’t believe anything was going on between him and Elizabeth. Dillon turns his attention back to Carly. Lulu was right – she got to Lucky somehow. It was quite simple – she was Iago. And Jax knew it.)

Setting: The General Hospital Parking Lot
(Downpour. That’s the one word that could describe the rain as it fell on the city of Port Charles. It was moments like this that Robin was glad that GH had an indoor parking garage. After Jax found her in the General Hospital Locker Room, he asked to speak to her in private about Patrick. When she explained that she was already late for the party at Wyndemere, Jax implored her to listen to him before leaving. He knew that Carly had some plan in motion for Robin tonight and she had to know about it before walking in on it, so Jax followed and finally blurted it out when they approached her car.)

Robin (angrily): What do you mean Carly wanted me to walk in on Liz and Patrick?
Jax: Robin…
(Robin spun around suddenly not caring if she was raising her voice.)
Jax: She’s still in pain over John.
Robin (angrily): Don’t tell me that, Jax!
Jax: Just hear me out…
Robin: Are you seriously going to defend her to me right now? Seriously?!?! (Infuriated) Forget her sick, twisted plans of revenge on me; she is breaking up an innocent man’s marriage! Her own cousin’s marriage! Please tell me that you see some fault in that! Please!
(Jax looks down and shakes his head.)
Jax: I do.
(Jax reaches toward Robin and takes the car keys from her hands.)
Jax: You are too angry to drive.
(Robin stares back at Jax.)
Jax: And we need to warn Lucky.
(Robin shakes her head as Jax opens up her passenger door.)
Robin: Well, we know that Carly won’t set anything up until I arrive.
(Robin throws her body onto the seat and shakes her head angrily.)
Robin: That bitch!
(Robin turns her head and looks at Jax as he starts her car.)
Robin: How did you find this out?
Jax: I’ll tell you on the way.
(And with that, Jax pulls out of the General Hospital parking lot. Robin’s eyes widen somewhat when she sees just how heavy it is raining. She knew that thunderstorms were approaching Port Charles, but she never thought they would be this intense. Robin and Jax could barely see the road in front of them as they made their way toward town.)
Robin: So, after everything you told me… do you think Carly is the one that hired the private investigator Lucky used?
(Jax keeps his eyes on the road as he sighs.)
Jax: I’m waiting for a cell phone call to confirm it.
(Robin closes her eyes and leans back on the seat.)
Robin: I cannot believe she did this.
Jax: She’s hurting.
Robin: No, she’s a bitch. (She looks at Jax) Carly has been waiting for years to get back at me for supposedly ruining her life with Jason and she finally found not only a way, but an excuse to do so. This has nothing to do with John, Jax. Don’t even think for a moment that this is about her missing John. If she truly missed that baby, she’d make an effort to be with her own family – not help tear apart another one.
(Jax didn’t even know how to respond. Carly was the woman he loved; the woman he wanted to spend the rest his life with. He couldn’t believe that she would be that cruel to someone.)
Jax: Carly may have been wrong, but maybe Patrick Drake isn’t the man you thought he was either.
(Robin spins her head toward Jax.)
Robin (angrily): And what is that supposed to mean?
Jax: Carly may have paid the private investigator, but she didn’t force them into those situations.
(Robin shakes her head and rolls her eyes. Jax was so blind when it came to Carly. And it infuriated her. Not because it was Carly, that was an issue all in itself. She was angry, because Jax wasn’t always like this. The Jasper Jacks she met ten years ago was confident, he was cocky, he was never led around by his nose. He was a real man. Robin turns her head again and looks at Jax.)
Robin (softly): What happened to you?
(Jax turns his head for a moment, looks at Robin then looks back at the road.)
Jax: What do you mean?
Robin: This isn’t who you are. You’re not the Jasper Jacks I knew. The Jax I met would never let Carly get away with the crap she does.
Jax: And you think you’re the Robin Scorpio I knew? You are settling with Patrick Drake. He has told you more than once that he doesn’t want a relationship with you. He has flirted with several women, including Carly, right in front of you. You’re settling.
(Robin looks back at Jax.)
Jax: And the Robin I knew didn’t settle.
Robin: And the Jax I knew wasn’t fooled.
(There’s an intense silence between the two old friends as they start to drive across the Port Charles Bridge. Jax keeps his eyes on the road and is the first one to break the silence between them.)
Jax: I don’t like this, Robin. I don’t like fighting with you. I don’t like how this feels.
(Robin sighs softly and turns toward her old friend.)
Jax: I love you, Robin. I always will. Carly may be the woman I am in love with right now, but you…
(Jax reaches toward Robin and takes her hand in his.)
Jax: You are my friend forever.
(Robin sighs softly as she wipes her eyes with her free hand.)
Robin (emotionally): I love you too, Jax. (Pauses) We’ll be okay, right?
(Jax lifts their joined hands and kisses hers.)
Jax: We’re already okay. We’ll figure out this mess and it’ll be dealt with. I promise.
(Robin nods then sighs. She jumps slightly when the sound of Jax’s cell phone fills the entire car.)
Jax: It’s my contact.
(Jax reaches for his phone and quickly slips the earpiece in his ear.)
Jax: Jasper Jacks.
(Robin watches Jax carefully as he continues to maneuver along the bridge. She can tell that whatever Jax is hearing is not what he wanted to. Robin turns her head and looks out of the window. She could barely see mere inches in front of her. The rain was coming down so hard. It was fitting that the weather would be so tumultuous for the conclusion of this all. Robin takes a deep breath then releases it when Jax shuts off his phone. She turns back toward him. Jax looked truly hurt.)
Robin: What happened?
Jax: We have to get to Wyndemere.
(Robin can feel Jax suddenly accelerate the car. She turns toward him with somewhat widened eyes.)
Robin: Jax, slow down.
Jax: The pictures… the ones taken at the Metro Court…
(Robin was the first to notice the bright, flashing lights approaching them. Jax had somehow started moving them toward the other lane. Robin’s eyes widen immediately as she cries out Jax’s name. He turns his head in her direction then follows her gaze. There were bright lights heading in their direction. Jax tries to maneuver their car to avoid a collision, but he does so with too much force and within mere seconds, Robin’s car drives through the guard rail of the Port Charles Bridge and descends into the river underneath it. Silence. There was complete stillness in the Port Charles air except for the sounds of distant thunder and a loud crash which proceeded it. The other pair of bright lights that had blinded Jax comes to a complete halt. And Jason Morgan slowly removes himself from his motorcycle and runs toward the railing. He looks down at the black water underneath him and absently runs his hands over his face. He could barely see anything. The rain was coming down too hard; his vision was too blurred. Jason narrows his eyes trying to make out anything and then he finally does. It was a license plate. Recognition washes over him. It was Robin’s license plate. She was down there. He suddenly couldn’t breathe. Robin was down there.)

Chapter 18

nursing a glass of gin. He didn’t even know why he was drinking this stuff. He hated it. It was just that he suddenly felt a wash of coldness radiate through his body and thought the alcohol could warm him up. He couldn’t describe this new feeling that washed over his body; he was just certain that he didn’t like it. Patrick looks up when Nikolas Cassidine walks into the ballroom and asks the band to lower their music so that he could make an announcement. All eyes turn on him as Nikolas makes his way to the center of the ballroom.)

Nikolas: There is no need for concern, but the launch has been shut down because of the weather. So, until the launch is reopened… there will be no one leaving or entering Spoon Island.
(Patrick grunts as he slams his glass down onto the bar. No wonder Robin wasn’t there. Patrick sighs as he reaches into his suit jacket and takes out his cell phone. He quickly dials in Robin’s cell phone and is somewhat surprised when it goes straight to her voicemail.)
Patrick: Well, Dr. Scorpio, I’ve heard of avoidance, but this is extreme even for you… pulling in favors from Mother Nature all so that you won’t have to face what I have to tell you. (Smiles) Shame on you, Dr. Scorpio. (Pauses) Call me when you get this message. Let me know where you want to meet up and I’ll be there.
(Patrick closes his cell phone and looks up when Dillon Hornsby approaches the bar.)
Dillon: So, it looks like we’re stranded here.
(Patrick sighs.)
Patrick: It looks that way. (Looks at him) So, where is Lulu tonight?
(Dillon sighs loudly and shakes his head.)
Dillon: You don’t even want to know.
(Patrick suddenly looks at the younger man next to him.)
Patrick: Hey… Robin isn’t with Lulu, right? She hasn’t enlisted her in some wild goose chase again, has she?
Dillon: No. I honestly think Robin just couldn’t get the launch because of the weather.
(Patrick nods then looks around the room. He should’ve waited for Robin at the hospital and he was going to, but then Noah asked him to escort Bobbie since he got called into an emergency surgery. Good deeds weren’t all they were cracked up to be. Patrick’s attention is suddenly diverted to across the room. Carly is talking rather loudly to Bobbie.)
Carly: What do you mean the launch is shut down? (Upset) Jax was on his way to meet me!
Bobbie (calmly): Carly, Jax is probably on the docks waiting for the launch to reopen. He’s not the only one who isn’t here.
Carly: Great! So, he’s probably stuck with Robin and Lulu?!?! (Angrily) That’s great, mom! Thanks!
(Bobbie sighs as she looks around the room. Leaving Carly, she walks toward Alan and Monica.)
Bobbie: Never a dull moment on Spoon Island, huh?
Alan: And I didn’t even want to come.
Monica: Sam was like a part of our family, Alan. We owed it to her to show our support.
(Alan rolls his eyes.)
Alan: I still rather be home right now.
Monica: You are sounding more and more like Edward.
(Bobbie laughs as she shakes her head at her two oldest friends. Her attention is suddenly brought to the corner of the room. She notices Lucky Spencer descending then stairs coming from the upper level of Wyndemere. He immediately locks eyes with his wife. Nikolas had told him that Elizabeth was downstairs and was waiting to see him. From across the room, Carly sees this and is about to stop Lucky from walking toward Liz when Dillon suddenly appears in front of her.)
Dillon: How about a dance?
Carly (appalled): With you?
Dillon: It looks like I’m the only person that is actually talking to you tonight, so it’s me or nothing.
(Carly rolls her eyes as Dillon grabs her and brings her out to the ballroom. Lulu would so owe him for this. Elizabeth looks up as her husband finally approaches her.)
Liz: Lucky.
(Lucky looks down silently between them.)
Lucky: How’s Cameron?
Liz (softly): Lucky, we miss you.
(Lucky finally looks back at his wife.)
Lucky: I didn’t know you were coming tonight.
Liz: I wasn’t sure if I was, but then Lulu convinced me that I should.
Lucky (surprised): Lulu?
Liz: I know… I’m not exactly at the top of her list right now. She told me to fight for you. (Pauses) And she told me to be honest with you.
(Lucky continues to look back at his wife.)
Liz: I’ve let you down. I know that.
Lucky: Liz, if our marriage isn’t enough for you, then…
Liz (emotionally): But it is!
Lucky: Then, why do you turn to Patrick? Why do you turn to Jason?
Liz: You know that Jason and I are friends, Lucky.
Lucky: No, I know that you use to have a crush on him. You don’t think I remember that? (She looks away) And you don’t think I see the way you look at Patrick?
(Liz looks back at Lucky.)
Liz: I can promise you, Lucky. There is nothing going on with me and Patrick.
Lucky: Because of you? Or him?
(Liz takes a deep breath then releases it.)
Liz: I love you… and only you.
(Lucky is about to say something when his cell phone suddenly rings. He answers it.)
Lucky: Hey.
Lulu: Lucky, it’s me.
Lucky: Lulu! Where are you? Nikolas has been looking all over for you.
Lulu: It’s a long story, but I’m with Dad. I needed his help with something. Lucky, look you trust me, right?
Lucky (rolls his eyes): Of course, I do.
Lulu: Lucky, Carly is playing you.
Lucky: What are you talking about?
Lulu: I wanted to come to Wyndemere and tell you myself, but I can’t… the launch is shut down. Look, just listen to me – I know that Carly got you that private investigator who took those pictures for you. The one of Elizabeth and Patrick at Metro Court… Carly set up the dinner. She made it look like one of their patients, Marie Donahue, wanted to thank them with dinner. Lucky, listen to me – Marie Donahue did not pay for their dinner. Dad helped me track her down. She had no idea where the Metro Court was. She’s a ninety year old seamstress who rarely leaves her house.
(Lucky clutches his cell phone.)
Lulu: Lucky, are you hearing me? Elizabeth did not cheat on you with Patrick while we were in Greece.
Lucky (coldly): Have you told Robin?
Lulu: I can’t reach her. Look, Lucky my reception really sucks… but please do not let Carly feed you any more lies. She is out to hurt Robin and she’s using you as a means to an end.
Lucky: You are going to tell Robin, right?
Lulu: Of course.
Lucky: If you see her before I do, please tell her I’m sorry.
Lulu: I will. But, listen to me – Carly has been feeding you lies. Do you hear me?
(Lucky suddenly scans the room and finds Carly dancing with Dillon. He locks eyes with her.)
Lucky: I hear you.
(Lucky closes his cell phone then looks at his wife.)
Lucky: There’s something I have to take care of.
(Elizabeth notices the change in Lucky’s demeanor.)
Liz: Lucky, what is it?
(Lucky ignores Liz and walks toward the center of the ballroom and without any words or warning, grabs Carly by the elbow.)
Carly (shocked): Lucky, what’s wrong with you?
Lucky: We need to catch up, cousin!
(Elizabeth watches somewhat concerned as Lucky forcibly guides Carly out onto the balcony of Wyndemere by her elbow. Carly cannot even hear the music surrounding them once she’s outside. The rain is pouring heavily around them, but Lucky doesn’t care. He’s numb. He stands firmly in front of the doors leading to the ballroom as the rains pummels them.)
Carly (yells): What are you doing!?!? Lucky, it’s pouring!
(Lucky grabs Carly by her arms and shakes her forcefully.)
Lucky: Do I look like an idiot to you?
Carly: What? What are you talking about?
Lucky: Am I your puppet?
Carly: Puppet? Lucky, what in the world are you talking about?
(And with great force, Lucky shoves Carly and she falls back slightly.)
Lucky (yells): THE LIES, CARLY! ALL OF THE LIES!
(Carly just stares back at Lucky. She had to get away from him. The rain was coming down harder and she knew that she was becoming soaked to the bone. She was staring back at Lucky. He didn’t even seem to notice the rain. His mind was somewhere else completely.)
Carly: I never lied to you, Lucky.
Lucky: You knew I was vulnerable! You knew that I had suspicions that my wife had something going on with Patrick Drake and you fed into those suspicions!
(Carly moves toward Lucky.)
Carly (passionately): Lucky! Those pictures were real! I didn’t fake those! I couldn’t!
Lucky: Then, who is Marie Donahue?
(Carly steps back slightly and takes a deep intake of breath.)
Carly: Lucky, I have never heard of that woman in my life.
(Lucky slowly moves toward Carly until she is cornered into a corner of the balcony.)
Lucky: You used me, Carly. You hurt me. You hurt my family – my wife and my child. (Looks at her) And you hurt Robin.
(Carly stares back at Lucky. She suddenly couldn’t find her voice. Looking back at Lucky and into his eyes suddenly reminded her of how Sonny would look before going off the deep end. And it was in that moment, Carly actually feared her life.)
Carly (softly): I didn’t fake the pictures.
(Lucky’s eyes darken once again and he raises his hands to grab her just as the doors of the balcony fly open revealing Liz.)
Liz: Lucky! Stop!
(Hearing his wife’s voice, Lucky backs away from his cousin and raises his hands in defeat. He stares back at Carly as he moves closer toward his wife.)
Lucky: You will pay for this, Carly.
(Carly just stares back at Lucky as he leaves the balcony with Elizabeth. She had to leave this island. Carly takes a deep breath and smoothes back her now soaked hair. She walks back into the ballroom and finds several eyes on her. She looks down at herself and sees that her red gown is completely soaked through. Carly clears her throat then walks toward her mother.)
Bobbie: Carly… what’s going on?
Carly: Mom, I have to leave.
Bobbie: The launch is shut down. No one is leaving Spoon Island.
(Bobbie wraps her arm around Carly.)
Bobbie: Come on, let’s get you some dry clothes.
(Bobbie looks around the room and finally finds Sam. At least she didn’t hate her daughter, completely.)
Bobbie: Sam, do you know where we could find some dry clothes that Carly could borrow?
(Sam looks at Carly curiously then back at Bobbie.)
Sam: Sure… come with me. I think Nikolas mentioned that he still has some of Emily’s old things upstairs.
(Carly silently follows Sam up the stairs of Wyndemere. Once they’re alone, Sam turns her head and looks at Carly.)
Sam: What mess did you get yourself into now, Carly?
(Carly starts to speak, but then Sam holds up her hand.)
Sam: You know what? On second thought, as long as it doesn’t involve Jason… I don’t care.
(And with that, Sam continues up the stairs and toward the room where Nikolas previously mentioned during a tour of the house that some of Emily’s things were still in storage. Sam still couldn’t believe this house was partly hers too. It was insane to think of how she grew up with barely anything and was now part of such a financially stable family that owned islands and mansions. Her life had changed so much in the last few months. And all of those changes probably wouldn’t have happened if she were with Jason. Sam sighs. She still missed Jason so much… so much that she found herself wishing for the impossible. Like she thought he might’ve showed up at Wyndemere tonight to see her. He didn’t. And now all she could do to help Jason was help his best friend – a woman she didn’t even like. Sam jumps from her thoughts when Carly reappears in a simple white dress.)
Sam: All good?
(Carly just nods then follows Sam back down to the lower level of Wyndemere. The music is still blaring and couples were still dancing. It was the perfect night. And it was all for her. Sam smiles widely. In the distance the sound of the rain and thunder were getting louder, but nothing would ruin this night for her. Her attention is suddenly turned toward Alan Quartermaine. He was on his cell phone and walking toward the bar to hear the other person better.)
Alan: Noah, I can barely hear you.
(Patrick looks up as Alan approaches him with Monica following close behind at the bar holding his cell phone struggling to hear the person on the other end.)
Noah (louder): Alan, we need you and Monica back at GH stat!
Alan: Noah, the launch is shut down because of the weather. We can’t leave Spoon Island.
Noah: Alan, please find a way.
Alan: Noah, what is it?
Noah: Alan, there was a car accident. Your son just called it in.
Alan (concerned): Jason?
(Monica clutches onto Alan’s arm as Patrick looks up and rolls his eyes slightly. He shakes his head –probably Jason got shot again.)
Alan: Is he okay?
Noah: He wasn’t in the accident. (Pauses) It was Robin.
Alan (softly): What?
Noah: He didn’t give details… just the location.
Alan: Where is she?
Noah: Her car crashed into the Port Charles River.
(Monica watches the cell phone fall from Alan’s hands. She reaches for the phone as Alan quickly scans the room for Nikolas then finds him. He had to get them off this forsaken island.)
Monica: Noah, it’s Monica. What happened to Jason?
Noah: Jason is fine. Alan will explain everything to you. (Pauses) Monica, is my son there?
(Monica looks next to her. Patrick was looking down at his cell phone smiling widely at whatever he was looking at.)
Monica: He’s right here.
Noah: Can I speak to him?
Monica (nervously): Sure.
(Monica moves toward Patrick and softly taps him on the shoulder then extends the cell phone toward him.)
Monica: It’s your father.
(Patrick sighs as he takes the phone from Monica.)
Patrick: I am not saving the mobster’s life for a second time. I saved him once, that’s enough.
Noah (softly): Patrick…
Patrick: Besides, I am stranded in this throwback to the Addam’s family house and when I finally get out of here, I have other plans and they don’t consist of saving the local mobster.
Noah: Patrick!
Patrick: What?
(Noah takes a deep breath.)
Noah: It’s not Jason. He’s not the one who is hurt.
Patrick: Okay, then who is it? No matter who it is, I’m not exactly going anywhere right now. Unless you want my brilliance over the phone, there is nothing I can do for you.
Noah: Son… it’s Robin.

Chapter 19

Believe it or not, weeks ago I decided that this was where I wanted to take this story. And I knew that I wanted this one particular part of the story to happen and how I wanted it to happen, so what started happening was that I kept writing the story aiming for this scene, if it makes sense.

When I thought of this portion, there was this one song that kept coming to my mind. It's called "In the Deep" from Bird York and was a a part of the Crash Soundtrack (amazing movie, btw). So, the next update really is sort of a stand-alone part of the story... but continues the story and finally lets you somewhat know how Robin is doing.

I thought I would include the song in case you wanted to hear my inspiration In The Deep

Again, I really hope you enjoy this update and I probably won't be able to update again until a little bit later in the week. I'll actually know better tomorrow once I see my new syllabus, LOL!

~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**

In the Deep…

Darkness. Complete and utter darkness.

Robin Scorpio can distinctively remember the happiest moments of her life.

Playing with her mother’s hair as a young child, finding out that she was Robert Scorpio’s daughter, eating lemon ices with Frisco and Felicia, watching really bad late night movies with Sean and Tiffany in their Penthouse, introducing herself to Mac, her sweet sixteen birthday party with Brenda, making love to Stone for the very first time, laughing with Ned and Lois, working with Justus Ward on his campaign, building sand castles on the beach with Jason in Montauk, making friends at Yale, finding out her HIV protocol was working, her first glimpse of the Eiffel tower at night, hearing Nikolas read Laura’s note to her with his newfound voice, following Edmund Grey to Pine Valley to find her mother, eating gelato with Brenda under the bright Italian sky, getting her first article published, hearing Tony Jones’ voice for the first time in years asking for help, walking into Patrick Drake’s O.R. room, seeing her father for the first time in years, saving Noah Drake’s life, throwing back tequila shots with her friends, killing a snake with a machete, being in the same room as both of her parents, making love to Patrick Drake… simply feeling alive.

These were the moments she’d always remember. These are the moments that she prayed she would hold onto in the darkness.

These moments were her light throughout all the darkness.

Thought you had all the answers to rest your heart upon.
But something happens,
Don't see it coming,
Now you can't stop yourself.

Now you're out there swimming... in the deep.
In the deep.

Instinct. Survival.

Robin Scorpio knew that her survival instincts eventually had to kick in. They had to. She was a Scorpio. Well, part Scorpio and Devane her mother would remind her politely.

But, she simply waited. She waited for those instincts to kick in. She never questioned how long it took for one’s brain to distinguish and choose between fight or flight. Perhaps it was because she often chose flight more than fight.

That wasn’t entirely fair. Robin Scorpio had her fair amounts of fight instincts. She fought for Stone. And she’s fought to live almost ten years with HIV. She’s fought to regain some sort of relationship with her father. She actually fought to maintain several of the relationships in her life, including the one developing with Patrick Drake.

But she also chose flight more than once. She ran from Jason when his job became too much. She ran from Port Charles when the truth became too much. And ultimately she began to run from Patrick when who he was became too much… but something always stopped her from fleeing from him completely.

Perhaps Patrick Drake brought out her fight instinct.

She needed to fight. Robin Scorpio felt her entire body being thrown around as her small car flew through the guard rail. The noise was deafening. It was too much. Their silent screams combined with the crushing metal, pummeling rain and… the voices. And she heard it all. It was too loud to ignore.

“Hold on, Robin.”

Instinctively, Robin used one hand to block her face from the flying debris while the other reached for Jasper Jacks. He held onto her much smaller one as they plummeted into the dark water underneath them.

Crash. Impact.

Life keeps tumbling your heart in circles till you... let go.
Till you shed your pride, and you climb to heaven and you throw yourself off.

Now you're out there spinning... in the deep.
In the deep.
In the deep.
In the deep.

Silence. Deafening silence.

There were no longer sounds – only feelings. And once the feelings became too much, the pain sneaked in. Sharp, shooting pain. Her arms ached, her legs, her head… her head was throbbing.

She ached.

“It's too hard. I'm sick of being brave and strong and left behind. I'm sick of trying to find a point to every day. I run as hard and as fast as I can, like one of those hamsters on one of those wheels and you look down and you're in the same damn place! Why do you wake up in the morning?”

“I guess because I open my eyes.”

She just had to open her eyes. Jason once told her it was that simple.

Robin knew she had to open her eyes. It seemed so simple. She did it every morning when she woke up. It was a simple task; one that she never took for granted. She knew the gift that opening her eyes truly was.

This moment, however, was different from all the others. She was scared.

Robin could feel a sudden burst of warmth running down her face. It blended in soothingly with the cold water which was now enveloping her.

And she found this newfound warmth soothing. It was lulling.

Robin could feel herself falling, sailing away from Jax’s hand. She didn’t want to leave him. He had never left her. Not after she told AJ the truth about Michael; not after his relationship fell apart with Brenda; not even after she told Nikolas the truth about John.

Jax was one of her best friends… and he was slipping away.

“The happiest days are ahead of you, Robin.” He once told her on the docks. “I’d bet money on that. And we both know that I always win.”

The happiest days were ahead of her. Robin had to hold onto that. She wanted to be happy again; so badly she wanted to be happy again.

But, to be happy… she had to live.

“I’m not afraid to live. I understand that my life is a gift every single day and I try to make it worthwhile.”

Robin told Patrick that once. Everyday was a gift. She believed that. She wasn’t afraid to live and see what that gift was.

So, it all went back to survival. That, and the biggest choice she had to make – fight or flight.

And now you're out there spinning...
And now you're out there spinning...
In the deep.
In the deep.
In the deep.

And the silence or your secrets,
Well, raise a worry hand.
Well, you can pin yourself back together to who you thought you were.
Now you're out there livin'...
In the deep.
In the deep.
In the deep.

Coldness.

It was so cold. Robin could the feel the cold now seep through her body. Nothing was protecting her from the coldness now. Not her car. Not Jax.

She was in the river… falling, sinking… She was alone.

“ROBIN!”

She can hear him calling her. It sounded so funny hearing her name from his lips again. He was the man she once loved so much. She once thought she would die hearing her name escape from his lips. It was once the sweetest sound in the world to her.

“ROBIN!” “Answer me!”

She use to give him anything he wanted. All he ever had to do was the say the word. He wanted her love – she’d give it. He wanted her unconditional devotion – handed it right over. He wanted her loyalty – no one could sway her to another position. He wanted her body completely – she offered it to him. She was completely, unconditionally his. Whatever his heart desired, she would hand him.

“ROBIN!” “Can you hear me?”

And she once felt like she could tell him anything. Robin spent nights confiding in him. It didn’t do her much good in the end, did it? Him knowing her fears didn’t stop him from making them worse.

“ROBIN!”

His voice was so close to her. And she could hear it getting closer. She didn’t understand why he was there. It didn’t make sense. She was with Jax and was on her way to see Patrick.

Patrick.

Robin really wanted to see Patrick tonight. She suddenly remembered that he wanted to tell her something. She could feel it was something important. She had no idea what it was, but she knew it was something that he was struggling to tell her.

He finally admitted that he missed her today. She missed him too. She missed him now. She missed his warmth. Now all she could feel was coldness. And she was so cold.

“ROBIN!”

His voice was louder. He always had such a strong voice. It use to amaze her how a man that rarely spoke could do so at such a great volume if he chose to. He could do almost anything if he chose to. She always did appreciate that about him.

Maybe that was why she came back to Port Charles to save him. It was his potential. He always had such great potential.

She had potential too.

Mac once told her to “soar” because he truly believed she could. Mac never lost faith in her. He would probably expect her to open her eyes right now.

She never wanted to disappoint Mac.

In the deep...
Now you're out there spinning...
Now you're out there swimming...
Now you're out there spinning...

Pressure.

She couldn’t do it. She tried so hard to open her eyes. She couldn’t do it. It was too cold. Too hard. She didn’t want to give up. She swore to try again. In just a few more moments, she’d try again.

She’d be brave; she’d be strong; she’d be everything that everyone always told her she was… and she’d open her eyes.

“ROBIN!”

He sounded so incredibly close… because he was.

Jason finally sees her body falling deeper in the water. He took another deep breath then dived in toward her. She seemed so small in that moment, so light.

It was pure instinct that had him dive into the Port Charles River to find her. Jason couldn’t explain it. He realized it was her car and the next thing he knew, he was shrugging off his leather jacket while calling General Hospital on his cell phone. He hadn’t even waited for a proper response before he dove in. He just simply gave the facts.

“Robin Scorpio’s car just went over the Port Charles Bridge. We’re three miles from the southern end.”

Now he found her. It still amazed him how light she was and how such a huge spirit could fit into a small body.

He knew from his export business there was a small alcove underneath the bridge that he could bring them to until help arrived. He just didn’t know if she could wait that long. The water was frigid cold, the rain was still pouring down on top of them, she was bleeding from her head, she was unconscious… but she was alive.

In the deep.
In the deep.
In the deep.
In the deep...

Robin Scorpio was alive.

Because she chose to fight.

Chapter 20

Since I have to stay up and do some reading for my class, I thought I'd take a quick break and write an update. I had this in my head for most of the day and had to get it down...

Anyway, here it is...

Setting: Wyndemere
(Patrick Drake stares down at Alan Quartermaine’s phone in his hands. His hands. They were shaking. His perfect, infallible hands were shaking. He hears someone calling his name next to him. He shakes his head. He wanted to tell the person to shut up, but he couldn’t even move his eyes from his hands. He couldn’t even get his hands to stop shaking. His head finally shoots up when someone’s hands cover his own. It was Alan.)

Alan: You spoke to your father?
(Patrick stares back at Alan simply willing words to come out of his mouth. He couldn’t say anything.)
Alan: I spoke to Nikolas. He has an emergency boat that can get us back into town. The problem is it only takes one passenger at a time.
(Patrick finally opens his mouth.)
Patrick: Then, I have to go.
Alan: I understand why you’d want to, but you can’t.
Patrick: I’m a doctor! (Emotionally) I could help her!
Alan: I’m sure you could.
(Alan takes a deep breath then looks at Patrick.)
Alan: Just hear me out. Your specialty is head trauma. Your father is already at GH. Robin may need a cardiologist.
(Patrick takes another deep breath.)
Alan: Her body may be in shock when she arrives at GH from the temperature of the water.
(Patrick can’t even understand what Alan is saying at this point. His lips continue to move. He hears words like hypothermia, shock, heart beat, pulse and cardiovascular. Patrick simply nods and glances toward the exit. Monica was already leaving.)
Patrick: I want to go next.
Alan: Her uncle should be with her.
Patrick (emotionally): Alan, I am a doctor! (Yells) I will swim across this river if I have to, but I am going to get to General Hospital to be with her!
(Alan closes his eyes and nods.)
Alan: I spoke to Nikolas. You will go after Mac, I promise.
(Patrick just nods and then watches as Mac and Bobbie move toward the exit of Wyndemere. He looks up when Nikolas moves toward him.)
Nikolas: Patrick…
Patrick: Nikolas, I need to get off this island.
Nikolas: I know. We’re moving as fast as we can with the emergency boats.
Patrick (angrily): To hell with the emergency boats, Nikolas! Open up the launch!
Nikolas: Do you understand how treacherous the waters are tonight?
(Patrick scoffs loudly.)
Patrick (yells): Do I understand?!?! (Looks at him) Nikolas, Robin is IN those waters! Trust me, I understand!
(Nikolas runs his hands through his hair then looks back at Patrick.)
Nikolas: Okay, but you’re not going alone. I’m going with you.
(Patrick rubs his face tiredly.)
Patrick: Fine! Fine! I’ll do whatever you want; I just need to get OFF this island!
(Nikolas looks around the ballroom then finally sees Alexis. He runs toward her.)
Nikolas: Alexis, I have to get to General Hospital. Will you watch John for me?
Alexis (in a hushed tone): Of course. Nikolas, what is going on?
Nikolas: Robin’s been in a car accident. (Frustrated) The launch is closed down and the emergency boats can only take one at a time.
Alexis: And where are you going?
Nikolas: Patrick and I are going to take the launch across.
Alexis: You just said that it was shut down.
Nikolas: It’s my launch. Patrick and I will get across to the mainland and then once the storm lets up, I will send word to reopen it.
Alexis: Nikolas…
Nikolas: Robin is one of my best friends. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t have my son.
(Nikolas shakes his head.)
Nikolas: Alexis, I don’t know what I’ll do if something happens to her.
Alexis: Where is she now?
Nikolas: I don’t know. All we know is that Jason called in the accident before going into the river to try to save her himself.
Alexis: Jason?
(Alexis turns her head and sees Carly and Sam talking in a corner. She looks back at Nikolas.)
Alexis: Okay, I will do everything in my power to keep this from Carly. The last thing you need at the hospital is a hysterical Carly crying over Jason if there is even the slightest possibility he is hurt.
Nikolas: Fine… just keep her away from John.
Alexis: I will guard him with my life, I promise.
Nikolas: And Sam… are you going to tell her about Jason?
Alexis: She’ll find out soon enough. This is her night. She should enjoy it as much as she can. (Pauses) Just call me as soon as you know anything.
Nikolas: I will. (Sighs) Thank you, Alexis.
(Nikolas quickly hugs Alexis then runs back in the direction of an impatient Patrick. Patrick looks up at Nikolas as he closes his cell phone.)
Patrick (aggravated): I can’t get through to the hospital.
Nikolas: The phone lines are probably down on the island because of the weather. (Looks at him) Are you ready?
Patrick: Let’s go.
(Carly watches curiously as Nikolas and Patrick run out of Wyndemere. She looks over toward Sam.)
Carly: What do you think that’s about?
Sam: Nikolas and Patrick? They don’t have much in common. I don’t know.
Carly: Hmm…
(Carly opens her purse and takes out her cell phone. She looks at the blank display and sighs.)
Carly: Jax was supposed to call me.
Sam: I think I heard Nikolas say some of the lines are down because of the weather. I’m sure once the launch reopens, he’ll be here.
(Carly looks back at Sam and sighs loudly. She knew that Lucky was somewhere around here wanting to literally kill her. And she wanted a chance to explain herself to Jax before he showed up and saw Lucky chewing her out again)
Carly: Look, I don’t feel comfortable staying here.
Sam: It’s pouring outside, Carly. (Annoyed) Just get a drink or something and sit down.
(Just as Carly is about to walk over to the bar, she notices Elizabeth and Emily run toward Lucky. It’s obvious that they tell him something that surprises him. She watches curiously as the three of them run out after Nikolas and Patrick. Emily, Elizabeth and Lucky run out of Wyndemere, not even minding the torrential downpour around them, and catch Patrick and Nikolas just as they’re about to approach the launch.)
Lucky (yells): Drake!
(Patrick stops short and turns around as does Nikolas. Both men take a deep breath. The last thing Nikolas needed was for Lucky to start going off about those pictures again. He’s about to say something but stops when Lucky walks toward them with a sincere look of concern.)
Lucky: We’re going with you on the launch.
Nikolas: The water is extremely dangerous.
Lucky (strongly): We don’t care. Robin is our friend.
Liz: We need to be there for her.
Emily: Nikolas, please.
(Patrick looks impatiently back and forth between them.)
Patrick: Look, discussing this is wasting time. (Strongly) Either they’re in or they’re out… but decide right now.
Nikolas: Fine! Let’s go.

Setting: General Hospital
(There are some nights that seem like they will never end… as if time has simply stopped. Noah Drake was having one of those nights. The moment he heard about Robin’s car accident, all he could do was wait for her to be wheeled into General Hospital. And he hated it. Noah couldn’t explain it, but he hadn’t felt this powerless since his wife was sick. Robin meant more to him than he ever realized. She saved not only his life, but also the relationship between him and his son. And now he couldn’t imagine her being hurt or even worse, not being here at all. Noah had the entire medical staff waiting for Robin’s arrival, no matter what shape she was in. He looks up when suddenly Epiphany runs quickly toward him.)

Epiphany: They’re bringing her in.
(It was game time. Noah Drake runs toward the hospital entrance and takes a deep breath when he sees an entire EMT team wheeling in Robin Scorpio with Jason Morgan trailing closely behind her. He had to do this. He had to take care of her. For him. For his son. Noah takes a deep breath, loses the role of father and friend, and becomes Dr. Noah Drake.)
Noah: What do we have?
EMT: Potential head trauma, case of hypothermia, blood pressure dropping. She may have some broken bones. We can’t be certain.
(Noah nods quickly then turns toward Epiphany.)
Noah: Set up trauma room #1. I need to treat her hypothermia first.
(Noah spins around and looks at Jason. He pauses for a moment at the sight of the mobster. He almost forgot that Jason was in the river as well until he notices the soaked clothes on his body. He starts to step toward him then freezes when he notices Robin’s blood covering his shirt. Jason ignores Noah’s movements toward him then starts moving closer to Robin again.)
Jason: She’ll be okay, right?
Noah: Mr. Morgan, how long was Robin in the water for?
(Jason slowly looks up at Noah and shakes his head.)
Jason: I don’t know. I… saw her car go over and I… just jumped in. I don’t know.
(Noah releases another breath and touches Jason’s arm.)
Noah: You did good, Jason. Don’t worry about it. (Looks at Epiphany) Start first treating the hypothermia. Administer a dosage of thiamine and have a blood sugar level test taken. Also, please have someone tend to her open wounds. (Thinking) I’ll be inside in two seconds. I need to see where Monica Quartermaine is. The last thing I need right now is for Robin’s body to go into shock before I can treat her head trauma.
(Epiphany nods then directs the EMT’s where to bring Robin. Once they’re gone, Noah looks at Jason.)
Noah: And Jason, someone should check you out.
Jason: I’m fine.
Noah: You were in that water too.
Jason: I’m fine.
(Jason shifts his eyes past Noah and looks toward the trauma room where they just wheeled Robin into.)
Jason: She never woke up.
(Noah looks down and nods.)
Noah: It’s probably some sort of head trauma.
(Jason starts to say something then stops. Every fiber in his being told him that he didn’t have the right to be there. He was no longer a part of Robin’s life… but neither was she when she saved his life. Jason takes a deep breath then looks back at Noah as he runs his hand through his soaked hair.)
Jason: Do you think she should be by herself?
Noah: She won’t be. I’m going in right now. And I’ll take care of her, I promise. (Pauses) Jason, you really should get checked out.
Jason: I’m fine, Dr. Drake.
(Noah didn’t have time to argue with Jason. He had to get back to Robin.)
Noah: Look, if you’re going to stick around… at least change out of your clothes. Ask one of the nurses for some dry clothes.
(Before Jason can respond, Epiphany runs out of the trauma room looking for Noah.)
Epiphany: She’s having a seizure.
(All Jason can do is watch as Noah runs toward the trauma room Robin is in. And again time ceases to exist. He can hear Noah screaming instructions and for assistance from his medical team. Jason walks toward the trauma room then jumps back when suddenly the door flies open revealing the entire medical team with Robin.)
Jason (frantically): What’s going on?
Noah: Robin’s suffering from an intracranial hematoma. I have to operate now.
(Before Jason can even ask Noah any further questions, he disappears with Robin down the corridor of General Hospital leading toward the operating rooms. Jason is left standing there never feeling more speechless or powerless. The next moments are complete blurs to him. He remembers seeing his mother running in wearing a ball gown. She said something about being happy to see him then ran off toward the operating room. Somehow Jason found himself waiting again in the waiting area. He looks up suddenly when he hears a bunch of frenzied, loud, panicked voices. And that was when his eyes locked with Patrick Drake’s. Emily is the first to run over toward her brother. Her face immediately falls at the sight of Robin’s blood on his clothes.)
Emily (breathlessly): Jason, you have to change.
(Patrick takes a deep breath and walks over to Jason, never removing his eyes from the bright red stains covering his entire shirt. There was so much blood. Too much blood. And Patrick knew it was all Robin’s. He looks up suddenly when he sees Dr. Kelly Lee approaching them.)
Kelly: Patrick! Hey!
(Elizabeth and Lucky step forward as well.)
Liz: Kelly, where’s Robin? How is she?
(Kelly looks directly at Patrick.)
Kelly: Patrick, your father is performing surgery on her. (Pauses) Noah thinks she is suffering from an intracranial hematoma.
(Elizabeth covers her mouth in shock.)
Liz: Will she make it?
(Kelly takes a deep breath then looks down. Silence was never good.)
Emily (concerned): Kelly?
(Kelly finally looks back up at Patrick.)
Liz: Maybe Patrick should go and check on the surgery.
Kelly: Actually, he can’t.
Patrick (angrily): Like hell I can’t.
Kelly: Your father closed off the operating room only to the necessary specialists… and it’s filled to capacity.
(Emily moves slightly forward.)
Emily (softly): Is she that bad?
(When Kelly doesn’t respond, Emily turns her head and looks at Jason.)
Emily: Jase? You were with her the entire time. Was she that bad?
(Jason just shakes his head then walks away from them. He couldn’t do this with them. He couldn’t tell them what it was like to find Robin’s lifeless body in the river and then hold her while they waited for help. He couldn’t tell them what it was like to see the life literally draining from her. Patrick steps forward and looks directly at Kelly.)
Patrick: What trauma room was she in?
Kelly (confused): What?
Patrick (louder): Which one?
Kelly (awkwardly): The first one.
(And without words, Patrick storms past Kelly and walks toward the first trauma room and it was just like he thought – they didn’t clean it up yet. Patrick had the peculiar skill of being able to walk into an emergency room and just by noting which instruments were still laying out, the amount of discarded bandage wrappers were lying on the floor and the complete look of disarray that was left behind how bad a patient’s condition was. And Robin’s was bad. His eyes immediately widen at the sight of her trauma room. The on-duty nurse looks up at the sound of Patrick’s arrival in the room.)
Nurse (nervously): Uh… Dr. Drake, I was just cleaning the room up.
(Patrick clears his throat then walks over to the cabinets and pulls out a pair of latex gloves.)
Patrick: I’ll do it.
(The Nurse looks back at Patrick.)
Nurse: Excuse me?
Patrick (strongly): I’ll clean the exam room.
Nurse: If you need it for one of your patients, exam rooms 2 and 3 are still available.
Patrick (louder): I said – I’ll clean it!
(The nurse shrieks back slightly then hands Patrick a small bag to dispose of the rest of the discarded items.)
Nurse: Very well, Dr. Drake.
(Patrick closes his eyes and takes a deep breath as the young nurse runs out of the room. Alone in the trauma room, Patrick slowly reopens his eyes and looks around. Robin’s dress was lying in a corner ripped to shreds. It looked like it had to be cut off of her. They must’ve moved fast. They must’ve needed to move fast. Patrick picks up the wet, shredded garment and looks down at it in his hands. This couldn’t be happening. Not again. Patrick hears the door behind him slowly opening.)
Emily (softly): Patrick?
(Patrick, with his back to the door, finally looks up from her tattered dress.)
Patrick: Yes?
Emily: They just brought in Jasper Jacks. He was with Robin in her car. Jason didn’t even know Jax was there. After they left the scene, they swept the ocean and found Robin’s car… he was in it.
(Patrick turns around slowly and looks at Emily. Her eyes immediately fall to the torn dress in Patrick’s hands. She fights back a sob and attempts with all of her strength to not let her face display the horror she feels at seeing what once was an entire dress.)
Patrick: Is he conscious?
(Emily shakes her head.)
Emily: They just found him now. Patrick, he’s in bad shape.
(Patrick clears his throat then slowly disposes of Robin’s dress as Emily’s eyes follow his movements.)
Patrick (calmly): I’ll treat him.
(Emily reaches out toward Patrick and stops him.)
Emily: No, my father is here. He will.
(Patrick just looks back at Emily.)
Emily: I came in here to ask if you would talk to Robin’s family.
(Patrick just looks down.)
Emily: Mac is here and so is Robert. They have no idea how she is. And Liz and I… we can’t explain an intracranial hematoma the way you probably could and…
Patrick: I’ll talk to them. Let me just finish cleaning up in here.
(Emily looks around the exam room again.)
Emily: Patrick, someone else can do this.
(Patrick finally spins around and looks back at Emily.)
Patrick: Do you understand that your brother has been with Robin the entire night? He found her! He’s seen her and I haven’t! Do you understand that my father is up there performing surgery on her right now? He’s saving her life right now and I’m not! I can’t! (Points toward the disposable bins) THIS IS ALL I HAVE RIGHT NOW! SO, I NEED YOU TO STEP OFF!
(Emily moves toward Patrick and looks back at him.)
Emily (emotionally): Look! I will gladly step off after you talk to Robin’s family!
(Patrick just looks away.)
Emily: Patrick, they are scared! All they know is that the woman that they love dearly… Patrick, she’s fighting for her life! (Emotionally) You need to go out there and tell them that it’s not a losing battle.
(Patrick finally looks back at Emily.)
Emily: I can do it. I can go out there and tell Robert and Mac how brave Robin is and how strong she is. I know she is all those things, but so do you – and I think right now it will mean a hell of a lot more if it came from you – and not me.
(Patrick takes a deep breath.)
Emily: Look, maybe you weren’t the one to find Robin and maybe you aren’t the one to be up there fighting to save her life in the operating room, but you can be the one to do what she would want more than any of that – Patrick, you can be the one to take care of the people she loves.
(Patrick looks at Emily one last time then strips the gloves from his hands, throws them in the hazardous waste basket then walks out of the trauma room. He stops short when he sees Mac and Robert in the waiting area. Both men look up at him looking for answers. He could do this. Patrick takes a deep breath and walks toward them.)
Patrick: What have they already told you both?

to be continued...

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