Take A Chance On Me
By Candie

Chapters 25-26

Chapter 25

Setting: Kelly’s Diner
(Robin walks down the stairs of Kelly’s in a simple black dress holding a small box. She smiles immediately at the sight of Ric, Alexis, Molly and Kristina having dinner at one of the corner tables. Ric sees her first and waves toward her. She walks over to the table smiling as she puts on her winter coat.)

Robin: Hey guys. Having a night out on the town?
Alexis: Trying to.
(Robin kneels down and looks at Kristina.)
Robin: Did you try the chicken tenders in the shape of stars?
(Kristina nods.)
Robin: Those are my favorite.
Ric: Mine too.
(Robin looks up at Ric and laughs. She then looks at Molly.)
Robin: And how is the youngest Lansing doing?
Ric: Molly is doing beautifully.
Alexis: And getting bigger by the day.
(Robin runs her hand over Molly’s head as she stands up.)
Robin: Bigger is good. She looks amazing. (looks at them) You all do.
(Alexis smiles toward Robin.)
Alexis: Speaking of amazing, you look pretty nice yourself. 
Ric: Going somewhere?
Robin: Today is Georgie’s 18th birthday. My uncle is throwing a dinner party for her.
Ric: Wow! Eighteen! I remember when I was eighteen.
Robin (laughs): So do I.
(Just then, Patrick Drake walks through the doors of Kelly’s and Alexis smirks.)
Alexis: I bet he remembers what it was like to be eighteen.
(Robin laughs as Patrick walks toward them. He looks at Alexis, Ric and their family.)
Patrick: Hello.
Alexis: Hello, Dr. Drake.
(Patrick looks at Robin.)
Patrick: Am I early?
Robin (smiles): You’re on time. I just got distracted by these beautiful little girls.
Ric (smiles): Don’t feel bad… it happens to me on a daily basis.
(Robin smiles back. She really liked Alexis and Ric. They just seemed to fit so well together as a couple. She saw that immediately during the train crash when Ric helped Robin deliver Molly. They received strength from one another. And that was defining component of any couple. Robin was certain of that. She looks up when she suddenly feels Patrick’s hand on the small of her back. He leans in toward her ear.)
Patrick: Do we need to pick up anything?
(Robin shakes her head then looks at Patrick.)
Robin: No, we’re good. (looks at Alexis and Ric) Have a great night.
Alexis: Thank you – you too.
(Alexis and Ric watch Robin and Patrick leave Kelly’s. Ric looks at Alexis.)
Ric: Did you get the impression they were involved or was that just me?
Alexis: No, I picked something up too.
Ric: Hmm… that’s nice.
Alexis: He’s not a criminal.
Ric: And she’s not some cheap medical assistant he picked up on the elevator.
Alexis: Well, there might be a chance for them yet.
(Ric smiles. Meanwhile outside of Kelly’s, Patrick and Robin start walking down the docks together.)
Patrick: You look very nice tonight.
Robin (smiles): What? You think I only dress up for you?
Patrick (laughs): As long as… (Patrick peaks under Robin’s scarf) what’s underneath that is just for me.
Robin (laughs): I don’t know what scares me more… that you actually think that line would work on me or that you would actually think of that line in the first place.
Patrick: But, did it work?
Robin (laughs): No!
Patrick: Not at all?
Robin (changes the subject): How’s your father?
Patrick: Sober.
Robin: I noticed that. (seriously) He’s okay, though?
Patrick: He’s good. He’s staying at the Metro Court.
Robin: You know, if you want to spend the evening with him… you don’t have to come with me to Georgie’s dinner.
Patrick (smiles): You’re trying to back out of this!
Robin (laughs): No, I’m not!
Patrick: This is a big step; I see that! 
Robin: Big step? How?
Patrick: You’re bringing me home to your family… that’s big.
Robin: I already know your dad! And you know my uncle! You met my mom!
Patrick: Yeah, but now I will be in your childhood home. I will be sitting at a table with all of the people that know your deepest and darkest secrets.
(Robin snaps her head and looks at Patrick.)
Robin: You’re trying to freak me out! (smiles) Not happening. (points at him) You, my dear surgical genius of a boyfriend, should be the one shaking in his scrubs. My uncle is going to give you the third degree. He’s probably already run three background checks on you; knows every single person you ever dated and dumped; he probably knows about that test you cheated on in the third grade. You will have no secrets tonight, my friend. (simply) I was just trying to give you an out.
(Patrick stops and pulls Robin toward him. He looks down at her.)
Patrick: No secrets?
Robin (smiling): Not a single one.
Patrick: Wow!
Robin: I know. (smiling) Scared yet?
Patrick: Not in the least. But, I do have a question.
Robin: How many exits there are?
Patrick: If I’ll have no secrets tonight, how will your uncle react when he realizes that I have been waiting all day to get you back to my Penthouse tonight and have my way with you?
(Robin’s face reddens.)
Robin: Oh.
(Patrick laughs as he pulls her hand.)
Patrick: Come on… don’t want to keep the Scorpio’s waiting.

Setting: Scorpio-Jones Residence
(The house is in utter chaos. Maxie is hanging up signs that read “Happy 18th Birthday, Georgie” while Jesse finishes blowing up the remaining balloons. Dillon was in the kitchen with Georgie helping Felicia ice the cake. Georgie did not want a surprise party. All she wanted for her 18th birthday was a quiet dinner with her loved ones; Mac and Felicia happily complied inviting only Dillon and Maxie, of course, Jesse, Lucas and Robin. Mac had hoped that Robin was bringing Patrick. He wanted to get to know him better. There were a few things Mac regretted from his past with Robin and one of them was not trying harder to be involved in her relationship with Jason. Yes, he knew that she was an independent woman and he couldn’t have stopped her from being with Jason or loving him, but he could’ve been a bigger presence. And truth be told, he didn’t like fighting with Jason all the time. In his ideal world, he’d love to actually like the man his niece was involved with. Mac sighs as he glances at the clock. Maybe this time he might be able to. Felicia looks up when she hears her oldest daughter yell something from the living room.)

Maxie: Will someone get the door?
(Mac walks out of the kitchen and looks at Maxie, who is standing on a ladder, then toward Jesse, who is still busy blowing up balloons then finally toward Lucas, who is flipping through their options for music – no one could get the door? Mac shakes his head then walks toward the door. He smiles widely once he sees Robin and Patrick.)
Mac (smiles): Robin!
(Maxie looks toward the door and gestures toward Jesse.)
Maxie: You’d think it’s his birthday with that smile.
(Jesse looks toward the door then back at Maxie.)
Jesse: She means a lot to him, huh?
(Jesse helps Maxie down the ladder.)
Maxie: You have no idea!
(Maxie smiles, as Robin walks over to her and hugs her tightly.)
Maxie: I’m so glad you’re here!
(Jesse steps forward and shakes Patrick’s hand.)
Jesse: I’m Jesse.
Patrick (nods): Patrick.
(Robin looks at Patrick then Maxie.)
Robin: You met Patrick, right?
(Maxie smiles widely.)
Maxie: But, I can meet him again. (smiling) Hi, I’m Maxie Jones.
Patrick: Nice to meet you. (smiles) So, where is the birthday girl?
Dillon: Here she is!
(Everyone claps as Dillon drags an embarrassed Georgie from the kitchen.)
Georgie: I hate birthday parties.
Robin: No way! (hugs her) Come here!
(Robin hugs Georgie tightly. Over Robin’s shoulder, Georgie notices Patrick Drake. She leans in toward Robin’s ear.)
Georgie: You brought Dr. Hottie? Maybe this party won’t be that bad.
(Robin laughs as she pulls away from Georgie.)
Robin: Aren’t you funny? (looks at Dillon) Hey Dillon.
Dillon: Hello Robin. (looks at her) You look very nice tonight.
Robin (surprised): Oh! Thank you.
(Georgie and Patrick both look at Dillon curiously. He stumbles a bit seeing their reaction.)
Dillon: I’m just use to seeing Robin looking like a doctor.
Maxie (laughing): And what does she look like now?
Georgie (lightly): I don’t think I want to know.
(Robin laughs as she moves next to Dillon.)
Robin: Hey… he was just being nice to his elders.
Georgie: Whatever, Mrs. Robinson.
(Robin laughs as Georgie takes Dillon’s hand and walks over to the couch. Patrick moves next to Robin and looks down at her.)
Patrick (lightly): So, that’s why you didn’t want me to join you.
Robin (smiling): What can I say? I thought the perfect way to celebrate Georgie’s birthday would be steal her boyfriend.
(Suddenly, they all look up when Felicia walks out of the kitchen holding a platter filled with food.)
Felicia: Dinner is ready!
Maxie: Good! I am starving!
(Patrick watches in amazement as each member of the Scorpio-Jones clan runs to what seems to be assigned seats. Robin, realizing her rudeness, pats the seat next to her. Once he sits down between her and Maxie, Robin leans in toward Patrick.)
Robin: That seat is always reserved for the new boyfriend.
(Maxie leans in on the other side of him.)
Maxie: Thanks to you, Jesse is finally able to move down toward the end.
(Jesse waves at them from the other side of the table.)
Patrick: I don’t get it. Why is this seat so special?
(And before either girl can respond, Mac walks over to the table and plops down directly across from Patrick. He smiles politely at the young doctor.)
Mac: Hi Patrick! I’m so glad you’re sitting there! It’ll allow us to talk without screaming over everyone.
(Robin laughs under her breath as Georgie kicks her laughing as well. Dillon and Jesse look at each other with grateful nods that it’s not them anymore. Patrick glances at Robin and she just smiles. He’s about to say something when he feels Robin’s hand on his leg. He takes a deep breath then leans in toward Mac, ready for what seems to be an intense discussion.)
Patrick: So Commissioner Scorpio, how’s work?

Chapter 26

- Hours Later
Setting: Outside of Patrick’s Penthouse 
(It’s later in the night. Robin and Patrick walk off the elevator hysterically laughing as he holds her close to him.)

Robin (laughing): No! The best line of the night was when Uncle Mac asked what your intentions were.
Patrick (laughing): And I spit out my water? Yeah, that was a GREAT moment.
(Robin raises her gloved hand and wipes the tears from laughter from her eyes.)
Robin (laughing): Wait… what about when Uncle Mac pulled out the folder and acted like that was a background check he ran on you?
(Patrick shakes his head still laughing.)
Patrick (laughing): Or when he took the glass I was drinking from for finger prints.
(Robin and Patrick fall into another fit of laughter as they walk toward the door of his Penthouse. Once they approach his door, Patrick turns and looks down at Robin. He pushes back a strand of her hair.)
Patrick: I had a really good time tonight.
Robin (smiles): Really?
Patrick: Veiled threats and all. 
(Robin smiles even wider as Patrick leans down and kisses her tenderly. She slowly raises her hands and touches his face gently as he deepens the kiss. For that moment, he had forgotten where they were… but was quickly reminded when the sound a ringing cell phone surrounds them. They pull apart slowly from one another. Robin looks at Patrick.)
Robin: It’s me.
(Robin opens her phone.)
Robin: Hello? Hey Liz. (pauses) Oh okay. (looks at Patrick) Sure… I can come in. I’ll see you soon.
(Robin closes her cell phone and looks back at Patrick.)
Robin: I’m sorry.
Patrick: Are they shorthanded?
Robin: No, it’s the McNeil case.
Patrick (thinks): The older guy?
Robin: He’s having some complications. (sighs) I’m starting to think you might’ve been right about surgery.
Patrick: No, you were right. His body is too unstable for surgery. He wouldn’t have survived.
Robin (sighs): Well, I don’t know if he’s surviving my drug treatment either.
(Patrick leans in and kisses her.)
Patrick: You’re doing the best you can. (looks at her) Want me to drive you to GH?
Robin: It’s late… I can call a cab.
(Patrick looks at her like she’s crazy.)
Patrick: Yeah, like I’m going to let that happen. (extends his hand) Come on.
(Robin smiles as Patrick wraps his arm around her waist and guides her toward the elevator.)

Setting: Scorpio-Jones Residence
(It’s later in the evening. Mac is sitting on the couch reading some book Robin brought him from Paris. He looks up when Georgie appears in front of him in his pajamas.)

Georgie: Am I interrupting?
Mac: Are you kidding? You are welcome distraction. (closes the book) I was about to question my intelligence for the thousandth time.
(Georgie smiles as she sits down next to Mac. She faces him.)
Mac: What’s up?
Georgie: I just wanted to thank you for the dinner tonight.
Mac: Oh, you’re welcome, Georgie.
Georgie: It was nice to have everyone here – you, mom, Maxie, Robin… it was like we were a family again. And I missed that.
Mac (looks down): Me too.
Georgie (gently): I even missed watching someone else’s boyfriend get the infamous Commissioner Scorpio treatment.
(Mac looks up smiling.)
Mac: I wasn’t too hard on Dr. Drake.
Georgie: No, but you were funny. Very funny.
Mac: Do you think Robin and Patrick found the humor in it?
Georgie: Honestly? I think so. He’s a good sport, huh?
Mac (sighs): Better than Jason; I’ll tell you that much.
Georgie (hesitates): Did you ever blame Jason for Robin not being in Port Charles?
Mac: What makes you ask that?
Georgie: It’s just… tonight, it felt so right, you know? Robin was like the sophisticated big sister who brings home a gorgeous boyfriend we can all drool over while you were the overprotective guard dog. (sighs) I’m probably not making sense, but for the last few years it always felt like something was missing in this house. Maybe it was mom going back and forth to Texas; maybe it was Maxie going from good kid to bad kid and back; maybe it was me just growing up… but I missed the life we use to have here.
(Mac quietly nods.)
Georgie: It just felt like tonight for the first time… everything was in place.
Mac: It did, didn’t it?
Georgie: And I just wanted to thank you.
Mac (surprised): Thank me?
Georgie: You were the glue that kept us all together for all these years. (hugs him) Thank you for the best birthday gift I could’ve ever asked for.

- The Next Day
Setting: General Hospital
(It’s way past midnight. The hospital is eerily quiet. Robin walks past the Nurses’ Station in somewhat of a daze. Liz looks up and immediately notices that something is off in Robin’s behavior. Liz starts to walk toward her, but stops when she notices another nurse place a chart back and looks toward them.)

Liz: Hey… how is Mr. McNeil?
Nurse: We just lost him.
(Liz covers her mouth then looks back toward Robin. That’s what happened. Liz looks back at the nurse.)
Liz: What happened?
Nurse: Dr. Scorpio tried everything. Everything. It just… it wasn’t enough.
Liz: Oh my goodness.
(Liz didn’t know what to say. She turns her head and watches as Robin leans back on the couch and covers her mouth. She had to do something. Liz pauses for a moment, glances at her watch then picks up the phone and dials in Patrick’s new home number. Meanwhile at his Penthouse, Patrick is sleeping soundly in his bed. His eyes groggily open when the sound of a loud ringing phone interrupts his peaceful slumber. He sleepily looks over at the clock next to his bed – 2:12 am. That couldn’t be right. Who would be calling his house at 2 in the morning? He lazily reaches over for the phone next to his bed.)
Patrick (tiredly): Patrick Drake.
Liz: Patrick. It’s Elizabeth.
(Patrick slowly sits up in his bed groggily rubbing his eyes.)
Patrick: Is it one of my patients?
Liz (awkwardly): Uh… no.
(Patrick looks at the clock next to his bed again.)
Patrick: You do realize the time, right?
Liz (nervously): Yes… and I’m sorry. It’s just… look, I just thought you might want to know that Mr. McNeil died a few minutes ago.
(That woke him up.)
Patrick: Dr. Scorpio’s patient?
Liz (carefully): I know that you two are trying really hard to separate personal from professional, but I think Robin can use some comforting from both ends.
Patrick: I’ll be right there.
(And with that, Patrick leaps off his bed, runs down the steps of his Penthouse, grabs his coat and leaves. Liz sighs as she hangs up the phone then walks over to the waiting area. Robin looks up at her once she feels her presence.)
Robin (softly): I need some fresh air.
(Robin stands up, walks past Liz and heads toward the staircase. She walks up onto the roof of the hospital. It was freezing, but she didn’t feel the cold. Robin closes her eyes as she thinks back to the last time she was on this roof. It was when the virus that attacked Port Charles just broke out.)
Patrick: Good idea?
Robin (breathes): Perfect idea.
(Patrick handed Robin her winter coat and she quickly put it on then rubbed her arms. He watched her for a moment.)
Patrick: You’re good under pressure.
Robin: I don’t know about that.
Patrick: You’re focused.
Robin: On the outside. (she extended her hands) Hands of steel. (looked at him) On the inside, a bundle of nerves.
Patrick: What are you afraid of?
Robin: Letting these people down.
(In the present day, Robin closes her eyes and she distinctly remembers something Patrick told her that night.)
Patrick: Medicine doesn’t know right or wrong; it doesn’t know good or bad. (she just looked back at him) The worst things could happen to the best people… life isn’t fair sometimes.
(Robin reopens her eyes in the present day.)
Robin: Life isn’t fair.
(And with that, Robin allows herself to cry – full out, heartfelt, body-rattling sobs. She hated losing a patient. She hated it so much. Robin covers her face as she sobs uncontrollably. She doesn’t even hear the sound of the roof door opening or someone approaching her. Without any words, Patrick quickly removes his winter coat and places it around Robin’s body. In a simple gesture, he stands behind her and holds her tightly. Robin allows herself to cry freely in Patrick’s arms.)
Patrick (soothingly): Just let it out.
Robin (crying): I did everything. 
(Robin turns around and looks up at Patrick as tears stream down her face.)
Robin: I thought I could save him.
(Patrick’s heart broke in that moment and it reminded him of exactly why he would never get as close to his patients, as Robin does to hers.)
Patrick: I know.
Robin (upset): But, I couldn’t! I couldn’t!
(Patrick pulls Robin toward him and holds her again.)
Robin: I failed him.
(Patrick simply holds the back of Robin’s head as she sobs against his chest.)
Patrick: Ssh…
(After a few moments, Robin’s sobs slowly subside. There’s an eerie quiet. Finally, Patrick pulls away and looks at Robin.)
Patrick: Is it all out?
Robin (confused): What do you mean by “all”? 
Patrick: You have to let Mr. McNeil go.
Robin (upset): Patrick, my patient died tonight! 
Patrick: And you will have many more that will die in the future, but… you have to move past them.
Robin (annoyed): I’m not you, Patrick; I can’t do that.
(Robin walks away from Patrick and he simply watches her. He lets her have a few more moments to herself then walks toward her.)
Robin (quietly): I know this is a part of the job. That doesn’t mean I have to like it.
Patrick (nods): I know.
(Robin turns around and looks at Patrick.)
Robin: I’m sorry about that comment. I didn’t mean it like…
Patrick: No, you’re right… you’re not like me. You befriend your patients; you connect with them. You want to be more than their savior; you want to be their friend. 
(Robin looks down.)
Robin: And you think that’s wrong?
Patrick: I think it could get you hurt.
(Robin looks up at Patrick with her eyes filled with tears.)
Patrick: But, I also think it can make you the best possible doctor. (touches her face) You care, Robin. How can that be a bad thing?
Robin (emotionally): I just really wanted to save him.
Patrick: I know.
(There’s another awkward silence until Robin breaks it.)
Robin: How… how did you know?
Patrick: Nurse Webber called me.
Robin: So late? I’m sorry. Were you sleeping?
Patrick: Doesn’t matter.
(Robin finally smiles.)
Robin: I know how much you were looking forward to sleeping in your new king-size bed.
(Patrick smiles as well and wraps his arms around Robin’s waist as he looks back at her.)
Patrick: With you.
(Robin pauses for a moment.)
Robin: You know… I think the reason Mr. McNeil’s death hit me so hard was because we were so happy tonight, if that makes sense. We were laughing and just… living, you know? It’s sad to know he won’t get the chance to do that again.
Patrick: I know.
Robin: But… he lived a good life. I guess, that’s all you can ask for, right?
(Patrick nods then pulls Robin toward him and hugs her. She smiles slightly as she pulls away.)
Robin: Are you wearing sweat pants?
Patrick (laughing): I was sleeping when Elizabeth called.
(Robin buries her face in Patrick’s chest.)
Robin: Aww man… thank you. (looks up at him) I mean it, thank you.
(Patrick tenderly kisses the top of Robin’s head then looks at her as he pushes back her hair.)
Patrick: You’re a brilliant doctor, Robin; the most brilliant I ever met… but even your brilliance will need support from time to time. (simply) And when you need it, I’ll be here.
Robin (smiling): In your pajamas?
Patrick: In ONLY my pajamas!
(Suddenly Robin realizes that she’s wearing Patrick’s coat.)
Robin: Oh my goodness!
(Robin shakes off Patrick’s coat and attempts to hand it back to him.)
Robin: Take it!
(Patrick folds his arms over his chest.)
Patrick: I’m okay.
Robin: Yeah right. Please. For me… please.
(Patrick sighs then takes his coat from her.)
Patrick: Fine, but on one condition.
(Patrick puts his coat back on.)
Robin: And what’s that?
Patrick: You get in here…
(Robin laughs as Patrick opens his coat. She shakes her head and walks toward him then feels his arms wrap around her again. Robin sighs contently.)
Patrick: Do you have to stay to fill out paperwork?
(Robin shakes her head against Patrick’s chest.)
Robin: I filled out everything as soon as possible.
Patrick: Good. (looks at her) So, you can go home?
Robin (softly): Yeah.
Patrick: Can you come home with me?
Robin: Um… I kinda have to.
Patrick (smiles widely): Can’t get enough of me, huh?
Robin (bluntly): No, it’s not that. 
Patrick (surprised): Oh.
Robin: You drove me here, remember? I don’t exactly have a way to get home.
Patrick: Just call me your chauffeur, Madame.
(Robin smiles as she pulls away from Patrick and starts toward the exit leading back to the hospital. Just as she’s about to open the door, she turns around and looks at him.)
Robin: And I seriously cannot get enough of you, ever.
Patrick (smiling): Ever?
Robin: Let’s go… before your ego gets any bigger.
(Robin and Patrick walk into the staircase leading back to the hospital.)
Patrick: You did say “ever,” right?

to be continued...

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