Take A Chance On Me
By Candie

Chapters 11-12

Chapter 11

Setting: The Research Lab at GH
(It’s late in the evening. Patrick is blaring some of his favorite opera overtures that he usually saved for what he knew would be intense surgeries. He has been working with Michael McBain and David Hayward now for several hours. As Michael requested, Patrick asked Robin about the formula that she had crossed out in her notes. He just finished filling in David and Michael on her reasons and they made sense, but… David, being David Hayward, didn’t want to give up yet on her work.)

David: I like where she was going with this. (looks at Michael) Look at Quartermaine’s latest vitals. This proposed concoction would help him.
Michael: But Robin said that this formula did nothing for the complications seen in the patient’s lungs.
(Patrick walks away and starts thinking. He hears them talking and he hears the music blending in with their voices then suddenly stops. He turns toward them.)
Patrick: Guaifenesin.
Michael: What?
Patrick: Guaifenesin.
David: Of course! Guaifenesin is a systemic expectorant.
Michael (nods): Which means it has properties that will loosen and thin mucus.
(Michael runs over to Patrick and kisses his forehead.)
Michael: Second year med school project! You’re a genius, Patty! A friggin’ genius!
David (impressed): Not bad.
(Patrick looks at David.)
Patrick: Can you make it?
David: Can I make it? There’s no drug I can’t make.
(David immediately starts concocting his mix while Michael walks over to Patrick.)
Michael: Can it be? Someone with an even bigger ego that you!
Patrick (excited): I have to tell, Robin.
(Patrick starts to run out of the room, but Michael tugs on his arm.)
Michael: Don’t you want to wait until we know for certain Dr. Hayward can create this?
(David looks up from his test tubes.)
David: Go tell them. And don’t forget to include that I am about to save Robin Scorpio’s life.
Michael: You’ve definitely met your match.

Setting: Robin’s Hospital Room
(Liz is standing over Robin’s bed. She gently places an oxygen mask on Robin then looks down at her.)

Liz: This is only until your lungs clear up.
(Robin nods. She knows that she’s not supposed to speak much. Anna and Mac stand in the corner of the room frozen. They hated seeing Robin limited in any way.)
Liz: If you need anything, just page me. Okay?
(Robin nods again then Liz turns around to leave. Mac and Anna both thank her then rush back to Robin’s side. Anna watches her daughter.)
Anna: This is just a small setback, Luv.
Robin (raspy): I’m getting worse; I can feel it.
Mac: Don’t think that, Robin. Don’t even think that for a moment.
(Before Robin can respond, the door to the hospital room opens. Patrick freezes at the sight of the oxygen mask on Robin then attempts to act as nonchalantly as possible. He walks into the room smiling.)
Patrick: How’s the patient?
Anna: She’s doing good, right? (looks at Robin) Right?
(Robin lowers the mask briefly.)
Robin (raspy): Can I speak to Patrick in private?
Anna: We’ll be right outside.
Mac: Right outside.
(Anna and Mac leave as Patrick moves back to the side of Robin’s bed. He watches as she places the oxygen mask back on her face. He looks down at her and smirks.)
Patrick: The lengths you’ll go to not to kiss me.
(Robin just looks back up at Patrick. And for the first time sees fear in her eyes.)
Patrick (quickly): Don’t! Don’t start getting scared on me, Scorpio.
Robin (raspy): I’m getting worse.
Patrick: We figured out the missing drug… in your formula… the missing drug.
(Robin looks back at Patrick confused.)
Patrick: Guaifenesin.
(Patrick watches Robin’s eyes soften in recognition then she slowly removes the oxygen mask.)
Robin: You’re right.
(Patrick takes her hand and moves the oxygen mask back.)
Patrick: I know. (looks at her) We’re going to save you, Robin.
Robin (raspy): How… how did you figure it out?
Patrick: Listening to some good music and with the help of two other pretty decent doctors. (she looks at him) Okay… pretty amazing doctors. Your mom asked David Hayward to help and I got help from an old med school friend.
Robin (raspy): When… when will I start the treatment?
(Patrick looks up when the door opens revealing Dr. David Hayward holding a vial of medication.)
Patrick: Looks like now.
David: Hey Robin. Long time, no see. (smiles) Are you ready to be saved?
(Robin glances up at Patrick and sees him trying not to laugh. Patrick definitely met his match when it comes to arrogance.)

- The Next Day
Setting: Robin’s Hospital
(It’s very early in the morning. The sun is shining through the windows of Robin’s hospital room. Anna is sleeping on one side of her daughter while Mac sleeps on the other side of his niece. During the night, Patrick Drake came in to check on Robin and see how the new medication was working. He thought he would sit for a moment in the corner and just rest. He then thought that he could perhaps rest his eyes as well. However, his "rest" actually became a nap. During the night, Doctors McBain and Hayward checked on Robin as well as the other patients. Thankfully, the medication seemed to be working as they had hoped. Robin’s breathing was becoming clearer and stronger by the hour. Michael had to laugh at the sight of his old buddy from college sleeping on a chair. He knew the moment Patrick called him that this case was personal for him, but didn’t press on it. Patrick called needing help and Michael merely came as requested. It is morning now and Michael McBain opens the door to Robin’s room again. He quietly walks toward the machines next to her bed to get a reading. He makes some notes in Robin’s chart then smiles when he sees the young woman slowly waking up. She looks surprised to see a doctor she didn’t know next to her. Michael steps forward smiling.)

Michael (whispers): I’m Michael McBain, Patrick’s old friend from med school.
(Robin nods remembering Patrick telling her that he got some additional help. Michael continues whispering to not awaken the other guests in Robin’s room.)
Michael (whispers): Your vitals look pretty amazing.
Robin: I feel a lot better.
Michael (smiles): I would say you look a lot better, but this is the first time I met you.
Robin (whispers): Thank you for coming.
Michael: Patty asked.
(Robin looks back at Michael smirking.)
Robin: Patty?
(And as if on cue, Patrick leaps to his feet and runs toward Robin’s bed as Mac and Anna also lift their heads.)
Anna (concerned): How is she?
Mac (concerned): The new medication. Is it working?
(Michael turns and looks at them.)
Michael: Robin seems to be doing much better, but I would like to examine her in private for a moment.
Patrick (steps forward): I could do that.
Michael: I’m sure you could, but I was here first.
(Patrick glares at Michael as Robin looks down and smirks a bit. Anna looks back at Michael.)
Anna: But, it’s working?
Michael: It seems to be working just like we hoped.
Mac (sighs): Thank God.
Michael: Would you mind just giving us a moment?
Patrick: I’m serious. I can do this.
Michael: I’m sure you can, but can you also maybe wash up?
(An annoyed Patrick stares at his old friend then looks at Robin.)
Patrick: I’ll be back later.
(Anna kisses her daughter’s head then walks out of her room with Mac and Patrick. Once they’re alone, Robin looks up at Patrick.)
Robin: So, why did you really want to examine me?
(Michael smiles as he sits down next to Robin’s bed.)
Michael: Did you see that look on Patrick’s face? That look was priceless.
(Michael reaches toward Robin and gently takes the oxygen mask off of her face.)
Michael: I don’t think you’ll be needing this. Your lungs sound really good.
Robin: They feel really good. It’s like night and day.
Michael: It was your drug.
Robin: And you guys.
Michael: You have to thank Patrick. He didn’t give up.
Robin (looks down at her hands): He’s an amazing doctor.
Michael: You know… I’ve known him for years and I’ve seen him take on many cases that were impossible, but I’ve never seen him as driven as I did these last few days. (she looks up at him) He wanted to save you. No… correction – he NEEDED to save you.
Robin (smiles): I heard you call him Patty.
Michael (laughs): He hates that nickname. And he’d hate even more that I told you that. (smiles widely) So with that, I give you FULL permission to use it.
(Robin smiles as Michael stands up and taps her leg.)
Michael: Keep up the good breathing. I’ll let the troops know how good you’re doing.
(Robin watches Michael leave and laughs slightly.)
Robin: Patty… I have to remember that.

Setting: The Waiting Area at GH
(Patrick Drake is standing at the Nurses’ Station talking to Elizabeth Webber. Meanwhile, the elevator doors open revealing Mac and Anna holding cups of coffee. From the opposite side of the hospital, Mac notices Sonny and Jason walking toward Robin’s room.)

Mac (angrily): You’ve got to be joking!
(Anna looks at her brother-in-law.)
Anna: Mac, what is it?
Mac (annoyed): Morgan and Corinthos. They’re walking toward Robin’s room again.
(Patrick walks toward Mac and Anna.)
Patrick: I’ll handle this.
(Anna looks at Patrick and gently touches his chest to stop him.)
Anna: No, let me.
(Anna hands Patrick her cup of coffee.)
Anna: Can you please hold this for me?
(Anna hands Patrick her cup of coffee and walks toward Sonny and Jason. Mac looks at the young doctor.)
Mac: This is not good.
Patrick (looks at him): What?
Mac: Anna hasn’t slept solidly in a few days. (simply) And she does not do well on lack of sleep.
(The two men curiously follow Anna as she walks toward Sonny and Jason. She smiles politely toward them as she jumps in front of them preventing them from going into Robin’s room.)
Anna (smiling): Hello!
(Jason and Sonny awkwardly look at each other.)
Anna: I don’t think we’ve ever been formally introduced. (smiles) I’m Anna Devane, Robin’s mother.
(Sonny nods sighing.)
Sonny: Hey. It’s nice to meet you.
Anna (smiles): I’m sure it is. (she turns toward Jason) And you must be Jason!
(Jason awkwardly stares back at Anna.)
Jason: Uh… how is she?
Anna: You know, the last time I saw you… you were a little boy. (pauses) My! You’ve grown!
(Mac looks at Patrick as he breaks off a piece of his Danish.)
Mac: This is going to be so good.
Patrick: Am I missing something?
Mac: Just watch. I know Anna well… trust me, this will be worth the price of admission.
(Jason stares back at Anna. She was smiling so politely at him, but there was something in her eyes. Something that didn’t match her smile.)
Anna (smiling): So, my daughter came back to save your life, right? (lightly) Train crashes, psychopaths and all, right? (looks at him) Well, you look like you’re all healed, are you?
(Jason nods while rubbing his chin.)
Jason: Yeah, I’m doing better.
Anna: Good.
(Then in one swift move, Anna punches Jason square in the jaw without one hint of what was coming. Patrick’s mouth gapes open as Mac practically chokes on his Danish and Sonny stands next to Jason in shock. Jason holds his jaw as he looks back at Anna speechless as she shakes her hand to take the sting out of it.)
Anna (sternly): Now, stay the HELL AWAY FROM MY DAUGHTER! (looks at Sonny) Both of you!
(And with that, Anna simply turns around and storms back into her daughter’s room. At the sight of her mom, Robin looks up from her bed and smiles widely.)
Robin (happily): Hey!
(Anna smiles genuinely toward her daughter and then sits down next to her.)
Anna: You look so good, Luv.
Robin: I thought I heard some noise out there. Is everything okay?
Anna: I think two guys started walking toward a part of the hospital they weren’t allowed to be in.
Robin: Because of the virus?
Anna: Something like that. (smiles) I rather talk about you!
(Robin rolls her eyes.)
Robin: Not too much to say.
Anna: But, you’re feeling better?
Robin: Lots better.
Anna: So, I’ve been spending some time with Dr. Drake.
Robin: Uh-oh. And what do you think?
Anna: I like him. (smiles) I think I like him a lot.
(Meanwhile outside Robin’s room, Patrick walks toward Jason trying with all his might to hold back his laughter.)
Patrick: Would you like me to take a look at your jaw?
(Jason glares back at Patrick.)
Jason: I’m fine.
(Patrick walks past Jason and Sonny then heads toward the doctor’s lounge. Mac looks at Jason and Sonny then shrugs as he takes another bite of his Danish.)
Mac: And I was just thinking of getting a restraining order.

Chapter 12

- Several Days Later
Setting: General Hospital
(The craziness in the hospital has been subdued greatly. The treatment that Patrick, David and Michael developed with Robin’s notes as a guide was able to cure the remaining patients. Morgan Corinthos officially went home today which was a good thing because Mac was getting tired of seeing Jason and Sonny on a daily basis while visiting Robin. He did, however, get pleasure out of seeing Jason and remembering his face when Anna punched him. Mac would pay to see that again. Things were slowly getting back to normal. Robin was supposed to be released today from GH. Mac couldn’t wait to just get her back home in her old room. He opens the door to Robin’s hospital room smiling and looks taken back to see Robin dressed and already packing a bag. She looks up at him and smiles.)

Robin: Hey Uncle Mac. 
Mac: Are you discharged already?
Robin: Patrick is just getting the papers filed.
Mac: Oh. (looks around) Where’s your mom?
Robin: She’s in the cafeteria.
Mac: Oh good. (walks toward her) So, I spoke to Georgie and she said that she’d be more than happy to help you out when you first come home.
(Robin stops packing and looks up at Mac.)
Robin: What?
Mac: You’ll probably need a little assistance.
Robin: Uncle Mac, I’m fine.
Mac: Okay… well she’ll be around if you SHOULD need her.
Robin: Uh… Uncle Mac, I don’t know how to break this to you, but…
(Patrick opens the door to Robin’s room wearing jeans and a sweater. He was obviously not “on duty.”)
Patrick: Are you ready to head out?
(Mac looks at Patrick then back at Robin.)
Mac: You’re not seriously considering going back to your room above Kelly’s?
Robin: Uncle Mac, I’ll be fine. (she walks toward him) I am fine.
(Mac looks down at Robin wanting to protest so badly.)
Robin: I am a doctor, Uncle Mac.
(Patrick steps forward.)
Patrick: And my room is right next door, if that helps.
(Mac turns around and looks at Patrick. Up until that point, he really liked Patrick… but he saw the way he was looking at his niece. He looks back at Robin.)
Mac: But, don’t you want to spend some time with your mom before she goes home?
Robin (smiles): And I will. I will visit you and Mom… and you can come check up on me, but… I just need to get back to my normal life. Does that make sense?
Mac: Yes, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it.
(Mac sighs and hugs Robin.)
Mac: Come here!
(Anna opens the door to Robin’s room smiling.)
Anna: How happy am I that I will never have to drink that brown fluid that the cafeteria calls coffee again?!?!
Patrick: Oh, you get use it.
Anna: I doubt that. 
(Anna looks at Robin and Mac hugging then looks at Patrick.)
Anna: He found she’s not going back to his house, huh?
Patrick: Yep.
Anna: Poor Mac.
(Anna walks over to Mac and Robin.)
Anna: Okay! (they pull apart) So, you’re going back to Kelly’s with Patrick, right?
Robin (nods): Right.
Anna (looks at Mac): And Mac and I… (smiles) Mac is going to give me a tour of Port Charles.
Mac: I’m what?
Anna: Come on! I’ve been gone for over a decade! I’m sure some things have changed.
Mac: And you want me to show you?
Anna: It could be fun.
Mac: Since when?
Anna: Fine… I’ll pay for lunch.
(Mac thinks about it for a moment then nods.)
Mac: Okay then.
Anna: Good! It’s decided!
(Anna looks at Robin and smiles emotionally.)
Anna: I am so happy you’re okay. (pushes back Robin’s hair and looks at her) I love you, sweetie. Be careful. Take it easy and…
Robin: I’m fine.
Anna (looks at Patrick): Make sure she goes directly to her room.
(Patrick looks at Robin and smirks.)
Patrick: I can guarantee that.
(Robin blushes slightly while looking down. Anna looks back at him then Mac.)
Anna: Okay… let’s go.
(Anna leaves Robin’s room with Mac. Once they’re gone, Patrick walks toward Robin and looks down at her.)
Patrick: You’re a free woman.
Robin: I cannot wait to get out of this hospital!
(Patrick wraps his arms around her waist and looks down at her.)
Patrick: And I am off a whole three days!
Robin: And what are you going to do with all that time?
Patrick: Well, I thought maybe I could work on my bedside manner.
Robin: Oh.
(Patrick laughs at the slight blush that appears on Robin’s face then looks back at her.)
Patrick: Actually, I just want to remember what life was like before this virus interrupted it.
Robin: Patrick, I don’t know how I can thank you.
Patrick: I do. (simply) Just keep getting better.
Robin (smiles): That I can handle.
Patrick (pushes back her hair): What do you say – we get out of here?
Robin (laughs): I thought you’d never ask.
(Patrick reaches toward Robin’s hospital bed, picks up her bags then extends his other hand toward her. She pauses for a moment and her eyes look down at it. He wanted to hold her hand. Robin smiles, then takes his hand. He smiles toward her then they leave the hospital room.)

Setting: Kelly’s Diner
(It’s a beautiful February afternoon. Robin walks into Kelly’s Diner with Patrick by her side. She looks up at him.)

Robin: I never thought I’d be so happy to see the inside of Kelly’s.
Patrick: I bet.
(Patrick looks at Mike and they lock eyes. He then looks at Robin.)
Patrick: Why don’t you go catch up with Mike? He was real worried about you.
Robin (confused): Oh! Sure!
Patrick: I’ll bring your stuff upstairs.
(Robin smiles and watches curiously as Patrick disappears up the stairs of Kelly’s. Once he’s gone, she walks over to the counter and sits down in front of Mike.)
Mike: Hey sweetie. How are you feeling?
Robin: I’m getting there.
Mike: Well, you had everyone that cares about you a little nervous.
Robin (smiles): I’m sorry, Mike.
Mike: No need to apologize. (smiles) Just don’t let it happen again! (looks at her) So, can I offer you any food?
Robin: Definitely! But, first I think I want to go upstairs and find out what happened to Patrick.
(Robin hops off the stool in front of Mike. He smiles widely.)
Mike (nonchalantly): You don’t trust him?
(Robin freezes for a moment and Mike can immediately tell that he said something wrong. He looks back at her.)
Mike: Robin, I didn’t…
Robin: No… you didn’t say anything wrong. You asked a good question. (sighs) The word ‘trust’ just makes me a little edgy.
Mike: Patrick isn’t Jason.
(Robin just nods then looks down.)
Mike: And you don’t have to treat him like he’ll turn out to be.
(Robin looks up at Mike and sighs.)
Robin: It’s hard, you know? Letting someone in. I’m getting better at it… at least, I’m trying to.
Mike: Well, if it makes you feel any better… that man upstairs was a wreck when you were sick. He cares for you, Robin; I don’t know if that helps you trust him, but I hope that it helps you realize that you someday could.
Robin: Maybe someday is closer than we think. (smiles) See you later, Mike.
(Mike smiles as he watches Robin walk up the stairs of Kelly’s. She sighs as she approaches the door to her room. She starts to dig in her purse for her keys then notices that her door is already open. She looks at it curiously then slowly walks into the room and stops short at the sight of her entire room lit in candles.)
Robin: What is this?
(Patrick walks out of the bathroom.)
Patrick: When my mom was sick, she was in and out of the hospital more times than we could keep track of. The one thing she would always do the moment she came home was take a long bath. She said it helped her forget what the hospital smelled like… felt like. It’s not the same for doctors – we’re saving lives; the patients are sometimes losing theirs… they have different memories. (sighs) Anyway, I just thought…
(A truly touched Robin walks over to Patrick and looks at him.)
Robin: Who are you? And what have you done to the man I met naked on a OR table?
(Patrick smiles widely.)
Patrick: So, you have been thinking about that? (happily) I knew it!
(Robin rolls her eyes.)
Robin: He’s back.
(Patrick laughs.)
Patrick: I never left. (looks at her) So, the bath?
(Robin looks toward the bathroom then back at him.)
Robin: And while I’m taking this bath, you will be…
Patrick: Well, I checked out the tub and I don’t think it’s big enough for two.
(Robin clears her throat as her face reddens.)
Patrick: But your stove does work… so I thought I’d make us lunch.
Robin: Patrick, I don’t know what to say.
Patrick: Thank you always works.
Robin (genuinely touched): Thank you.
Patrick: Okay… go.
(Robin looks at Patrick for a moment then walks into her bathroom. She stops at the sight of the bathtub. It was beautiful. The whole room was surrounded with candles and Patrick had to have made the most inviting bath she had ever seen. Robin shakes her head then slowly undresses then steps into the bathtub. From the kitchen, Patrick glances at the door of the bathroom when he hears the splashing of the water then goes back to making two grilled chicken salads. He smirks somewhat while looking down and cutting up various vegetables. Moments later, he looks up when he hears Robin’s voice from the other room.)
Robin: I could get so use to this.
Patrick: Well… don’t. This was a one time shot, Scorpio.
Robin: Says you now. (Smiling) I might be able to convince you otherwise.
Patrick: I’d like to see you try… seriously, you can try all you want.
(Robin rolls her eyes as she sinks lower into the tub.)
Robin (relaxed): It feels so good to be home.
Patrick: I have to admit, it does feel pretty good to not be at GH.
(Robin inhales the scent of the salad Patrick is making and then the dressing.)
Robin: Mmm… what are you making?
Patrick: You’ll find out soon enough.
Robin: Whatever it is… it smells amazing.
Patrick: Are you hungry?
Robin: Now, I am.
(Robin sits up and starts to get out of the bath. She stops immediately once she notices that her robe is gone from the back of her bathroom door as well as every single towel from her bathroom. Patrick can hear the sound of her standing up then stopping. He smirks knowing full-well that he purposely removed her robe and the towels.)
Robin: Uh… Patrick, where is my robe? (Looks around) And all my towels?
Patrick (innocently): Oh, I must’ve moved them by mistake.
(Patrick walks toward the door smiling while holding her robe and two towels.)
Patrick: I can bring them into you.
(Robin leaps in front of the door to block it from opening.)
Robin: You are NOT coming in here!
Patrick: Come on, Robin! I’m a doctor – you don’t have anything I never saw before.
Robin: Well, on me you haven’t!
(Patrick stops on the side of the door and looks toward it.)
Patrick: So, what do you suggest I do?
(Robin looks around her bathroom thinking then looks back toward the door.)
Robin: Cover your eyes.
Patrick (laughs): What?
Robin: I’ll open the door and you’ll come in here with your eyes closed.
Patrick: I can fall flat on my face.
Robin: Well… it’s either that or I become a prune. You’re not seeing me naked.
Patrick: Fine.
Robin: Are your eyes closed?
Patrick: Squeezed tight.
Robin: And your hands are covering them?
Patrick (laughing): Oh come on!
Robin: I’m not joking.
(Patrick covers his eyes with one hand while the other holds her robe and towel.)
Patrick: Okay… I can’t see a thing.
(Robin pauses then opens the door to the bathroom slowly. She hides behind the door and peaks from behind it then smiles at the sight of Patrick covering his eyes.)
Patrick: Are you there?
Robin: Okay… move a little bit closer.
(Patrick walks slowly toward her and Robin moves from behind the door. He extends his arm to give her the robe and towel and she jumps slightly once his hands get a little closer to her.)
Robin: Hey! Watch where you’re reaching, buddy!
Patrick: I can’t really watch when I can’t even see.
(Robin takes the robe and towel from his hands.)
Robin: I’m sure.
(Robin walks back into the bathroom and dries herself off then throws on her robe. Meanwhile Patrick stands in front of the door with his eyes still closed and arms folded over his chest.)
Patrick: Can I open my eyes yet?
(Robin looks toward him and smiles. She quietly walks toward him then takes his arms from the front of his chest and wraps them around her body. She looks up at him tenderly.)
Robin (softly): Now, you can.
(Patrick opens his eyes and looks down at Robin. She looked absolutely beautiful. Her entire face was glowing and her hair was held up by a simple clip. She smiles as he looks back at her.)
Robin: Thank you for my robe.
(Patrick just stares back at Robin as he holds her in his arms.)
Robin (laughs): What?
(Patrick blinks then looks at her.)
Patrick: Do you realize that all that’s standing between us is that thin piece of cloth you call a robe?
Robin (embarrassed): Oh. (Diverts her gaze) Should I change?
Patrick: No, I am a mature adult. I can control myself.
(Robin laughs as she looks back at him.)
Robin: If you say so. (Bites her bottom lip) Can I just… can I just do one thing before we eat?
Patrick: What?
(Robin reaches up toward Patrick and slowly stands on her tiptoes. She looks at him directly.)
Robin: I am no longer contagious and I just need to get this out of the way.
(Patrick smiles as Robin kisses him fully on the mouth. He pulls her closer to him and takes her in fully – the scent of her, the feel of her… the very essence of her. This wasn’t good. He had to stop this before he lost total control. Patrick moves his hands toward her face and slowly pulls away from her. She looks back at him bewildered.)
Robin: What?
Patrick: Robin, we have to stop this.

to be continued...

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