Take A Chance On Me
By Candie

Chapters 13-14

Chapter 13

Setting: Robin’s Room at Kelly’s
(Robin is standing in front of Patrick confused in only her robe still fresh from her bath that Patrick drew for her.)

Robin: You want to stop what?
Patrick: We need to eat.
(Patrick tries to rush off, but Robin gently grabs his wrist to stop him.)
Robin (softly): No… wait.
(Patrick stops.)
Robin: Talk to me, please.
(Patrick turns and looks back at Robin.)
Robin: Tell me, please… what do you want to stop? Me kissing you? This? Us? What?
(Patrick’s eyes soften as he looks back at Robin. He sighs then pulls her toward her bed. They sit down facing each other. Patrick takes a deep breath then looks at her.)
Patrick: What did Michael say about me?
Robin (confused): Michael McBain? Nothing. (Thinking) Just that I should thank you and that you were very driven to save me.
(Patrick nods then looks back at Robin.)
Patrick: And that’s all?
Robin: Was there something else he should’ve told me?
Patrick: Robin, I’m not very good at this.
Robin: I don’t think I understand. What’s “this?”
Patrick: Being the boyfriend… whatever I am to you. (Frankly) Robin, I’m the “one-night stand.” (Honestly) And with you, it’s not like that. It never was. From the very beginning, it was different.
Robin: How?
Patrick: I admit, at first you were an obnoxious challenge and maybe… just maybe I wanted to prove a point. (She smiles) But you turned into something, someone, more and I want to honor that.
Robin: You don’t think you are?
Patrick (shakes his head): I don’t know.
Robin: Patrick, I don’t feel like one of your conquests. I mean… if you were just in it for sex, we would’ve been done months ago. (Simply) We probably never would’ve even started, after… after you found out I had HIV.
(Patrick looks down.)
Robin: Patrick, the HIV changes things. I’m used to it. I’ve had to get use to it. You’re not. (Pauses) And you still don’t have to be.
(Patrick looks back up at Robin.)
Patrick: What do you mean?
Robin: I’m… I’m giving you an “out.” It’s not too late.
Patrick (angrily): An “out?” You think that’s what I want an “out?” (Annoyed) You think I worked my ass off to save your life to receive an “out?”
Robin: No, I just meant…
Patrick: I know what you meant, Robin… and I find it insulting.
Robin (frustrated): I’m not trying to insult you. I’m trying to give you options.
Patrick: Options? Robin, do you hear yourself? What options are you giving me?
Robin: I’m just saying that – living with HIV is hard, okay? But being with someone living with HIV can be even harder.
Patrick: Why? (Annoyed) Because I’d have to put on a condom?
Robin: This isn’t just about sex, Patrick! I wish it was, but that is a big part of it. (Pauses) If we… if we go further and you choose to take that risk, not that I’m saying you would, but… (Sighs) we’d have to be careful… so very careful and…
Patrick: Robin, I am a doctor. I know how to protect myself from HIV. And trust me, I know how dangerous HIV is… but right now I am more afraid of risking something else. Robin, I’ve never loved another woman besides my mother; I’ve never even cared about another woman besides my mother. (She simply freezes) And that’s what makes me nervous… that’s what makes me want to run out this door and never look back.
Robin (softly): Patrick…
Patrick: I watched my father while my mother was sick. He was out of control, Robin. He would’ve sold his soul to heal my mother. (Shakes his head) Actually… he did sell his soul – he just didn’t get what was promised to him. (Looks at her) Robin, I found myself becoming my father when you were sick. I would’ve done anything to save you and… I don’t know how I feel about that. (Sighs) Robin, I just made you a bath!
(Robin is forced to laugh a bit then looks back at him.)
Robin: Hey…
(Patrick looks away and she pulls his hands to get his attention and he looks back at her reluctantly.)
Robin: Hey… look, if it makes you feel any better – this is new to me too. When I met you… Patrick, I gave up on love. I was done with it and more honestly, it was done with me. (Looks down at her hands) I got really hurt in the past. Really hurt. And I swore, I promised myself that I would never give someone else that power over me again. (Pauses) And it worked. No one ever dared to get that close to try. (Looks at him) Until you. You kept pushing and you didn’t stop. (Simply) And I don’t want you to stop now either.
Patrick (reluctantly): I’m not. (Sighs) Robin, I’m way past stopping… and you know that! (Smiles) You knew that.
Robin (smiling): Yeah. (Leans in) But YOU needed to know that.
(Patrick stares at Robin then leans in slowly toward her and kisses her tenderly. She smiles as he gently touches her face then deepens the kiss. Robin could get lost in his kisses… she slowly pulls away from him and looks at him.)
Robin: Did you make us lunch?
Patrick: Yes! I completely forgot! (Stands up) And it’s a good one too!
(Patrick runs toward the kitchen and picks up two plates.)\
Patrick: Seasoned grilled chicken and shrimp salad.
(Robin walks over to the table and sits down.)
Robin: Mmm… it smells amazing.
Patrick: It’s the dressing. (Sits down across from her) It’s an old Drake family recipe.
(Robin looks up at him and he smiles.)
Patrick: Don’t worry – it has no liquor in it.
Robin: How do you know that I didn’t want a little bit of a buzz?
Patrick: Not off salad dressing, trust me. (Pours dressing on their salads) My mom use to make this dressing every night.
Robin: Did you have a normal childhood?
Patrick: As normal as you could with a brilliant neurosurgeon for a father. Dad was very dedicated to his job. I wished he would’ve spent a little more time at home with us… but my mom understood.
Robin: Did you?
Patrick: Understand? Most of the time, but there were times that I just wanted my father to be home.
Robin: I can relate. My parents, both, had jobs that had them traveling all over the world. And I loved them and admired them so much. I mean, they were out there fighting the good fight, saving lives… but sometimes I just wished they would save me… if that makes sense.
Patrick: Complete.
(Robin starts to eat her salad.)
Robin: Are you ever afraid you’ll end up like your dad?
(Patrick nods.)
Patrick: Every day. You?
Robin: Some people say I already am, but I never feared it. (Sighs) I have a habit of being very blunt.
Patrick: Really? I haven’t noticed.
Robin: Ha, ha! (Smiles) Anyway… my dad – he was also very blunt… very truthful.
Patrick: And your mom?!?! She’s tough.
Robin (laughing): See! I told you!
Patrick: Did you know she punched Jason Morgan almost to the ground?
Robin (shocked): No way!
Patrick: There is no love lost there, huh?
Robin: My mom actually never met Jason before.
Patrick: Nice introduction.
Robin: What happened?
Patrick (hesitates): Uh… he wanted to see you and she stopped him.
Robin (curiously): Jason came to see me at the hospital?
(Patrick pauses then looks back at Robin.)
Patrick: Would you have wanted to see him?
Robin (surprised): He wasn’t allowed to?
Patrick: You needed a stress-free zone.
Robin: Yeah, but… (Pauses) It wouldn’t have been a big deal.
(Patrick just quietly nods.)
Patrick: Okay.
(Robin notices the change in Patrick’s demeanor and slowly places her fork down.)
Robin: Can we just get something out in the open?
(Patrick looks up nonchalantly.)
Patrick: Sure.
Robin (clearly): I don’t love Jason. I’m not in love with him.
(Patrick shuffles slightly.)
Robin: I care about him, yes. I’ll always care about Jason, but I don’t want to be with him.
Patrick: Because he’s with Sam?
Robin; No… because he’s not who I want to be with.
Patrick: Robin, you flew across the country to save him.
Robin: Because I owed Jason. (Sighs) Or at least, I thought I did. Jason helped me see a future after Stone died. It didn’t seem right, no matter what happened between us, that he wouldn’t have one.
Patrick: I don’t get it, Robin. The guy seems like a jerk.
Robin (bluntly): He is… at times.
Patrick: And yet… you still care about him?
Robin (clearly): Care – not love. (Looks at him) I am over him, Patrick. I promise you that. I would never start anything with you, if I still felt anything like that for him.
Patrick: I believe you.
Robin: But?
Patrick: He’s still a jerk, Robin. I don’t get it.
Robin (lightly): Well, there’s only one jerk I am interested in and that’s the one sitting across from me.
(Patrick smirks as he looks down.)
Robin (softly): Hey…
(Robin reaches toward him and he looks up.)
Robin: You’re the only person I want to be with … and you’re the only person, besides my mom and uncle Mac, who I wanted to see in the hospital. If I wanted to see Jason, I would’ve asked to. (Simply) You saved my life, Patrick. I will never forget that.
Patrick: I wasn’t selfless, Robin. I did it as much for me as I did for you. (Sighs) Okay… so, I’ll admit it – it use to bother me to see you around Jason and I hated knowing that you came back to save him.
Robin (simply): Came back to save Jason? Yes. Stayed here for Jason? No. (Looks at him) I stayed here for my future; not for my past.
Patrick: I knew that.
Robin (smiles): And I met this really brilliant… yet arrogant doctor who just… (Simply) well, Paris suddenly seemed very boring.
Patrick: Funny… I left my thriving career at my hospital for a similar reason.
Robin: Hmmm…
(Robin leans over the table and reaches toward Patrick. She kisses him quickly then sits back down.)
Robin: Now stop talking to me, so I can eat this amazing salad.
Patrick (laughs): Okay.
(Patrick watches Robin as she eats the salad in front of her. She really had no idea how beautiful she truly was. Her hair fell softly around her face and that robe seemed thinner by the moment. She looks up at him smiling.)
Robin: You’re not hungry?
Patrick: Oh, I’m ravenous.
Robin: Then eat!
Patrick: I will.
(Patrick simply watches Robin again as she looks down at the plate in front of her. Suddenly, he begins talking.)
Patrick: So, do you consider me your boyfriend?
(Robin’s head shoots up and he knew that he would get a reaction out of her with that one. He is actually pretty pleased with himself as her cheeks reddened. He loved that he could get under skin.)

Chapter 14

Setting: Robin’s Room at Kelly’s
(Robin is sitting across from Patrick with her jaw dropped slightly.)

Robin: My…
Patrick: Boyfriend?
Robin: You know, the hospital has a policy about doctors dating.
Patrick (laughs): Oh now… you’re worried about hospital policy.
Robin: I’m not… I’m just saying…
Patrick: I can be very discrete.
(Robin bites her bottom lip and moves slightly closer to him.)
Robin: I bet. (Clears her throat) Do you… do you think of me as your girlfriend?
Patrick: Oh, I’ve been thinking of you as many things.
(Robin rolls her eyes as Patrick stands up and walks over to her. He leans down and kisses her neck softly.)
Patrick: Should I tell you all the ways?
Robin: Oh, I can just imagine.
Patrick: So, what’s your answer?
(Robin turns fully and kisses Patrick. He smiles as she slowly moves her arms around his neck and moves closer to him. He picks her up slowly forcing her to stand up with him and feels her body through the thin robe she was still wearing. Robin pulls away slowly and smiles.)
Robin: There’s my answer.
Patrick: And hospital policy?
Robin: I can be discrete too.
(Robin laughs loudly as Patrick leans in and kisses her neck again. She looks up slightly when the sound of a knock on her door fills the room. Robin pulls away and looks at Patrick.)
Robin: I should get that.
Patrick: No one knows you’re home.
Robin: Yeah right.
(Robin walks away from Patrick and heads toward her door opens it. She looks taken back to see Georgie and Maxie standing in front of her.)
Maxie: SURPRISE!
(Robin forces a smile.)
Robin: It is!
Georgie: Can we come in???
(Robin turns around and looks at Patrick then back at Georgie.)
Robin: Of course! Come in!
(Robin steps aside as Georgie and Maxie come in with their arms filled with balloons and flowers. Maxie stops short at the sight of Patrick standing in the corner of the room with his arms crossed in front of his chest, not looking particularly happy to see them.)
Maxie: We’re interrupting.
Robin: No!
Patrick (dryly): Of course not!
Georgie: We can come back.
Robin: No, no! Come in! I just have to get dressed.
(Robin grabs a pair of jeans and blouse then runs into her bathroom. Once they’re alone, Patrick looks at the two young girls.)
Patrick (uncomfortably): You girls have good timing. Real good timing. (Sighs) I have some calls to return. Tell Robin I’ll catch her later.
(Georgie and Maxie watch Patrick leave then look at each other.)
Georgie: We interrupted something.
(Moments later, Robin opens the door to her bathroom and looks at Maxie and Georgie.)
Robin: Patrick left?
Maxie: We interrupted… I’m sorry.
Robin: No, don’t worry about it. (Smiles) I’m happy to see you guys. Come on… tell me how you are.
(Maxie, Robin and Georgie sit down at the table.)
Georgie: We’re good. Mac is still out with your mom… so we thought we would drop by and see how you were.
Robin: Thank you. I appreciate it. I really do.
Maxie: So, what can we do with you?
Robin (thinking): You know what I would love to do? Get some fresh air… maybe take a walk.
Maxie: And get ice cream?
Georgie: Or hot chocolates with whipped cream!
Robin: Sounds perfect! (Smiles widely) Let’s go! 
(Robin grabs her coat and scarf and the three young women run out of the room laughing. It was so great having her family back with her. The three women run down the stairs of Kelly’s. Robin smiles when she sees Dr. Michael McBain walking into the diner.)
Robin: Hey Michael.
Michael (looks around): So, this is where Patty lives?
Robin: Yep… right upstairs. (Smiles) Michael, this is Maxie and Georgie Jones.
Michael: Hey guys… so, you’re all going out?
Robin: I thought a little fresh air would be good.
Michael: It will be. Just don’t overdo it.
Robin: I won’t. (Smiles) Thanks again, Michael.

Setting: Patrick’s Room at Kelly’s
(Patrick’s room was similar to Robin’s but in many ways… completely different. It wasn’t as warm; where Robin had pictures of family and friends, he had pictures of cities he visited. Patrick is going through his laundry when there’s a knocking on his door. Thinking it’s probably Robin, he opens it up smirking. His smirk immediately fades once he sees it’s Dr. Michael McBain.)

Patrick: Michael.
Michael: Did you miss me?
Patrick (dryly): Terribly.
(Patrick walks back into his room as Michael follows him.)
Michael: I saw the beautiful Dr. Scorpio leaving.
(Patrick looks up briefly.)
Michael: I have to admit... I think you may have finally found some taste in women.
(Patrick turns around and looks at his old friend.)
Patrick: And I already almost blew it.
Michael: Oh, this should be good.
(Michael walks over to Patrick’s refrigerator and opens it. He takes out two beers. He hands one to Patrick then sits down across from him at his small table.)
Michael: So, want to tell me what happened?
Patrick: I brought up her ex.
Michael (nods): Oh.
Patrick: I shouldn’t have.
Michael: How long has it been since they dated?
Patrick: Years, but it’s not that. She came back to save his life.
Michael: Yeah, but wanting someone to live is completely different than loving them.
Patrick: I watched her with him. She still cares for him.
Michael: And that bothers you?
Patrick: Well, when I get involved with someone I’d like to know that I am the only person they want.
Michael: Look, I’ve talked to Robin and it seems like she’s an honest person. If she tells you she’s over her ex, then I’m sure she is.
Patrick (quietly): He hurt her.
Michael: And she’s holding back?
(Patrick just quietly nods.)
Michael: When I first met Marcie, she was getting over the loss of her boyfriend. They were deeply in love when he died. She was good at pulling away. It took a while, but I got her to open up.
Patrick (sighs): Please don’t take offense in this, but I’m up against a living, breathing man.
Michael: A living, breathing man that Robin doesn’t want. (Looks at him) Come on, Patrick – let’s be honest. You’re not afraid of Robin wanting her ex-boyfriend, you’re afraid because you want her. You want her more than you’ve ever wanted anyone and you see something in her that you’ve never seen in anyone. And what freaks you out the most is that she sees something in you that no one else ever has. (Simply) Patrick, you have to put yourself out there. Look, we all come with baggage and we both know that yours is pretty heavy.
(Patrick runs his hands through his hair.)
Michael: You have always been a “love ‘em and leave ‘em” type. I get the feeling that won’t fly with Dr. Scorpio. Are you ready for that?
(Patrick just looks up at Michael.)
Patrick: I was thinking that I was getting too old for one night stands.
Michael (laughs): You crack me up; you really do.
Patrick: And why is that?
Michael: You finally met a woman that makes you want to settle down and grow up. It’s nice, Patty.
Patrick (sarcastically): Yeah, it’s beautiful.
Michael: Patrick, listen to me – enjoy it. If Robin freezes up, show her a good time. (Sighs) You never had a problem getting into a woman’s bed… (Smiles) it’ll be fun to see you try to get into someone’s heart.

Setting: The Docks
(It’s late in the evening. Robin, Maxie and Georgie are sitting on a bench facing the Port Charles River. The three young women enjoy a nice, warm cup of hot chocolate while they catch up.)

Maxie: Hot chocolate was the perfect idea, Robin.
Robin: I’m so glad that bakery off Main still makes the best cup. 
Georgie: This is sooo good!
(The three women look out into the darkness and sit in silence for a moment.)
Maxie: So, Robin what is going on with you and the hot doctor?
(Robin looks up.)
Robin: Patrick? (Smiles) You think something is going on?
Maxie: Well, we did walk in on you wearing nothing but a robe.
Robin: He drew me a bath.
Georgie: A bath?!?! Robin, that is so romantic.
(Robin snaps her head and looks at Georgie.)
Robin: It was a bath for one, Georgie.
Georgie: Still… that’s incredibly sweet.
Maxie: I’m just proud of you.
Robin (looks at Maxie): Proud of me?
Maxie: For moving on from that loser Jason.
Robin (sighs): Jason isn’t a loser.
Maxie: Robin, I remember how he treated you. (Looks at her) He was a loser, trust me.
Robin: You’ve been hanging around Uncle Mac for too long.
Georgie: Was it hard… (Robin looks at her) Hard for you to get past Jason?
Robin (honestly): Yes. (Looks at her hands) Jason and I shared a long and complicated history. It was hard… but in the end, I think I became a stronger person for it and I’m over it… and him.
Maxie: And now you’re ready to move on… with Patrick?
Robin: Yeah, I am.
(Maxie leans in smiling.)
Maxie: He’s cute, Robin.
Robin: Thank you.
Georgie: Does GH have a policy about doctors dating?
Robin: I don’t think they encourage it.
Maxie: Well, we encourage it. (Looks at Georgie) Don’t we, Georgie?
Georgie: Oh yes! We definitely encourage it!
Maxie: Robin, we just want you to be happy. If happiness means Patrick Drake, then we want you to have it… to have him.
(Robin emotionally nods.)
Robin: Thank you.
Georgie: So, you’re not going to hold back?
Robin: What makes you think I’ve been holding back?
Maxie: We know you, Robin. 
Robin: Well, then you’ll be happy to know that I haven’t been… maybe before I was, but lately I’ve been finding it harder and harder to hold back anything when it comes to Patrick Drake.

Setting: Kelly’s Diner
(Patrick and Michael are sitting at the corner table eating burgers and fries. The diner is crowded tonight.)

Patrick: So, when do you have to head back to Llanview?
Michael: Soon. I’m probably going to catch a train either tomorrow or the day after.
Patrick: You know, I hate to admit this… but it was nice having you here.
Michael (smiles): It was actually nice being here. (Laughs) It’s nice to see you happy here in Upstate, New York.
(Patrick looks up when the door to Kelly’s opens revealing Robin alone. She smiles toward him and Michael then walks over to their table. Patrick immediately notices the redness on her face.)
Patrick: How long were you outside for?
Robin: We were sitting by the docks drinking hot chocolate.
Michael: Aww… that’s a nice visual, isn’t it Patrick?
(Patrick just looks back at Michael.)
Michael: So, what happened to the two girls you left with?
Robin: They went home.
Michael: Well, then would you like to join us?
(Robin looks at Patrick.)
Robin: Well, I wouldn’t want to intrude.
Patrick: No… sit down.
(Robin sits down at the table with Patrick and Michael.)
Michael: So, how did it feel to be outside?
Robin (smiles): Amazing! It’s funny how you take little things like breathing for granted. 
Michael: So, did the experience change you?
Robin: What do you mean?
Michael: A lot of my patients after they face a near-death experience want to do things differently since they’re given a second chance.
Robin: Hmm… (Thinks) In that case, I’d like to live each day to the fullest. (Excitedly) I want to go dancing and to art exhibits, take long walks, watch the sunrise and sunset. (Simply) I want to live.
Michael (nods): Good answer. (Smiling) So, what’s first on the list of things to do?
(Robin smiles widely and looks at Patrick.)
Robin: Getting him to dance with me.

to be continued...

Close window to return home

The Romantic Garden's Site  was created, designed, and is maintained by Heather.
Copyright © The RG Site 1998. All rights reserved.