Take A Chance On Me
By Candie

Chapters 31-32

Chapter 31

- The Next Day
Setting: Robin & Patrick’s Bedroom at the Penthouse
(It’s a beautiful May morning. The sun is shining brightly through the large windows of their bedroom. Patrick groggily turns over in his sleep after an amazing night of sleep. Robin had talked to Brenda for about an hour and then returned upstairs. She was surprised to find Patrick still awake. She thought for sure he would’ve been knocked out, but he was wide awake, simply waiting for her. Once she settled back in next to him, Patrick turned off the light and they simply fell asleep in each other’s arms. Now it was morning and Patrick slowly reaches next to him. His eyes burst open. She wasn’t there. Patrick slowly sits up then sees a folded piece of paper on her pillow. He opens it.)

Patrick (reading): Good morning, sleepyhead. I went to GH early to talk to Alan. I made a fresh pot of coffee and some muffins. Make sure you eat some! See you later. Robin…
(Patrick smiles slightly as he refolds the note and places it next to him on his nightstand. He looks around his bedroom and sighs as he tiredly rubs his face. This was now the bedroom he shared with a woman. He looks to right of him and can still see the creases of where Robin slept next to him. Her pillow still faintly smelled of her shampoo; her robe was folded neatly on her side of the bed; she even left her day planner on her nightstand. Robin was everywhere in this room. Patrick stands up slowly and begins to walk down the hallway toward the bathroom while running his fingers through his rumpled hair. He opens the door to the bathroom and sees more of Robin. Her toothbrush rested perfectly next to his; her shower gels all sat in a cabinet next to their towels. Patrick looks at his reflection in the mirror as he rests his two hands on the sink underneath him.)
Patrick: One morning alone and you already miss her. Man, you are a goner.
(He laughs as he shakes his head then washes his face.) 

Setting: Alan’s Office at General Hospital
(Alan is sitting behind his desk and looks up when he hears the sound of a slight knocking then Robin Scorpio walking through his door. He smiles widely.)

Alan: Robin! What a pleasant surprise!
Robin: Is this a bad time?
Alan: For you? Never. Come in!
(Robin smiles, then sits down slowly in front of Alan’s desk.)
Alan: How are you feeling?
Robin: Good.
Alan: I took a peak at your last blood workups. They looked good, Robin – simply amazing.
(Robin smiles as she pushes back her hair.)
Robin: I’ve been trying to take the best care of myself as possible.
Alan: And it shows. You look absolutely radiant.
Robin: Thank you.
Alan: So, what brought you here? I’m sure it wasn’t to discuss how great you look.
Robin: Well, actually it kind of is.
(Alan looks a little taken back as Robin laughs.)
Robin: Maybe not like that. (sighs) Do you remember that day you found me in the hospital chapel?
Alan: How could I forget? (simply) You broke my heart.
Robin (emotionally): Alan…
Alan: That was the day I realized just how bad my son had hurt you.
(Robin looks down at her hands silently.)
Alan: And I realized how much I wanted you to move on… no matter how much I wanted things to work out between you and Jason.
Robin: I have, Alan. (looks up at him) I have moved on and I found love again. (pauses) Alan, I found someone who makes me laugh and who makes me want to wake up every morning. I found someone who loves me for me and doesn’t want to change who I am… he doesn’t want me to live by his rules. He just wants me to be me.
Alan: He sounds like an amazing guy.
Robin: He is.
Alan: Well, when can I meet him?
Robin: That’s the thing… you already know him.
(Alan just stares back at Robin confused.)
Robin: Alan, I’m in love with Patrick Drake.
(Alan’s eyes widen then he slowly nods.)
Alan: Wow! Dr. Drake? I can’t say that I’m completely shocked. You two seemed pretty inseparable these last few months. (shakes his head) I just thought it was professional camaraderie.
(Robin leans in slightly.)
Robin: It was more than that. 
Alan: Wow! (looks at her) You waited to tell me. (pauses) For you to speak of him the way you do, you must’ve been involved for a while.
Robin: Alan…
Alan: When you were sick, I saw the way Patrick handled your case. He took it personally. I honestly thought he was fighting for you as a friend, a colleague.
Robin: I wasn’t…
Alan: Just let me finish, Robin. I know why you kept this from me. There were two reasons. One, I don’t particularly like co-workers dating, as hypocritical as that may be considering who my wife is. (Robin looks down) And the fact that you thought I was still holding on to you and Jason. (she looks back at him) You didn’t want to shatter my dreams.
Robin (softly): Alan…
Alan: Robin, all I want is happiness for you. If it’s with Patrick Drake… then I am happy for you. (pauses) And about the hospital policy on coworkers dating… it’s an old-fashioned rule. I think it can be bent for you and Dr. Drake.
Robin (smiles): Thank you, Alan.
Alan: And please don’t be afraid to come to me. Yes, Robin I am your supervisor, but first and foremost I am always your friend. (genuinely) I only want the best for you, Robin.

Setting: The Nurses’ Station
(Patrick Drake walks off the elevators holding a cup of coffee from the cafeteria. He looks up when he hears the voice of his father calling him. Patrick turns around and sees Noah running toward him.)

Noah: Patrick! I’m glad I caught you.
(Patrick looks back at his father.)
Patrick: What’s up?
Noah: It’s about Dr. Scorpio.
(That got his interest. Patrick lowers his cup of coffee onto the nurses’ station then folds his arms over his chest.)
Patrick: Okay.
Noah: I happened to take a peak at the OR schedule and I noticed that you requested Robin’s presence at both of your afternoon surgeries. Do you think I can steal her for one of mine?
Patrick: So, in other words – you want to lower the chances of my patient having a successful surgery to raise yours?
Noah: It’s not like that, Patrick.
Patrick: Then, why do you want to take Robin off of one of my cases?
Noah: I have a patient who had severe damage to their frontal lobe region and…
(Noah can tell he was losing Patrick’s attention.)
Noah: And I know that’s where Robin’s specialty lies.
Patrick: Robin has many specialties. In case you missed it, she’s well-versed in many areas
Noah: Then, let me have her.
Patrick: Why should I? She’s my…
Noah: I know you are NOT about to say, “She’s my girlfriend” like that give you carte blanche to have her on all of your cases.
Voice: Have who?
(Patrick and Noah both turn around, surprised, to see Robin smiling back at them.)
Noah: I was just asking my son if…
Patrick (interrupts him): My surgery with Peterson that you were consulting on this afternoon – you don’t have to worry about it.
Robin (surprised): Oh?
Patrick: But my dad has a case he thinks may interest you.
(Robin turns toward Noah intrigued.) 
Robin: Really?
Noah: The Albertson boy.
Robin: Yes! I read his file… 18 years old, motorcycle accident, with severe frontal lobe damage.
Noah: So, can I count you in?
Robin (smiles): I’ll be there.
Noah (sincerely): Thank you, Robin. (looks at Patrick) And thank you.
(Patrick just nods as Robin watches him curiously. Once he’s gone, Robin looks at Patrick.)
Robin: Okay, what did I walk in on?
Patrick: It was nothing.
Robin: It didn’t look like nothing.
Patrick (sighs): He just… he still gets to me at times.
(Robin smiles, then reaches for Patrick’s hand.)
Robin: As long as you make an effort.
Patrick: Sometimes it’s easier said than done.
(Robin leans in toward Patrick’s arm.)
Robin: I know.
(Patrick looks down toward her.)
Patrick: I missed you this morning.
(Robin looks up toward Patrick and smiles.)
Robin: Do you have a few minutes to talk?
Patrick: Yeah, come on…
(Patrick leads Robin to the sunroom at GH. She smiles immediately as she looks around.)
Robin: Do you remember the last time we were here?
(Patrick looks toward Robin and his mind immediately goes back to the one of their first “real” conversations.)
Patrick: Robin, I don’t want to hurt you. (Paused) But, I feel like it’s too easy to hurt you… and not because of the HIV, but because you’re waiting for me to. I mess up, Robin. I’m not perfect. I won’t always say the right thing… half the time, I don’t even know what the right thing to say is.
Robin: I don’t… (Moved closer to him) I don’t want perfection, Patrick. I’ve already been with someone that I thought was perfect and they were far from it. I don’t want a gift from the heavens. I don’t want an angel walking. (Paused) I just… I want a man. I want to get to know you as simply a man – a man with complications and intelligence who challenges me. (Emotionally) I want to be able to admit when I’m wrong without being judged or have this constant fear that I can mess up. (Tearfully) I want the chance to be like everyone else. I don’t want to be put on a pedestal. I don’t want to be anyone’s saint. I want you to think I’m a jerk, if I deserve it. I want you to call me out when I’m being rude. I need someone that when they look at me, they don’t see the HIV and treat me with “kid gloves.” (Softly) I don’t need you to be all those things, but… I just need to know that I’m not by myself here. (Emotionally) That I’m not alone feeling these things… that’s all I need from you right now.
(Patrick moved closer to Robin and looked down at her.)
Patrick: You’re not. (Pushed her hair off her shoulder) You’re not alone in any of this. Robin, I’ve been trying to get your attention. That’s all I’ve wanted since I met you, but none of my classic tricks worked on you. So, I resorted to old-fashioned jealousy… I could care less about Emily Quartermaine. The bar room brawl was the most exciting part of the entire night. And Carly Corinthos… she’s a joke, a walking joke. (Looked at her) Robin, I want you. Bad attitude and all.
(And then they kissed. It was their second kiss – an intentional one, a reciprocal one. In the present moment, Robin smiles as she looks toward Patrick.)
Robin: You’re remembering that kiss, aren’t you?
(Patrick turns toward Robin and looks at her.)
Patrick: Amongst other things. (pushes a strand of her hair back) So, did you speak to Alan?
(Robin takes Patrick’s hand in hers and looks up at him.)
Robin: He knows everything.
Patrick: Everything?
Robin: I was just completely honest with him.
Patrick: So, am I getting my walking papers later today?
Robin (smiles): Now, why would he fire you?
Patrick: Well, he would never fire his favorite doctor – Dr. Angelic Scorpio.
Robin (laughs): Oh, and he would be quick to fire you? Come on! (smiling) We’re both going nowhere.
(Patrick laughs as he wraps his arms around Robin’s waist and looks down at her.)
Patrick: Oh, I can think of a few places we can go.
(Robin laughs as Patrick kisses her neck and she pushes him away softly.)
Robin: We’re at work!
Patrick: And our boss knows that we’re dating.
Robin: So, you think you can grope me now in the hallway?
Patrick: Hmmm… groping in hallways… I like the way that sounds.
(Robin backs away from Patrick laughing.)
Robin: I am officially walking away from you.
Patrick (smiling): You won’t be able to stay away.
Robin: You’re not that irresistible.
(Patrick walks toward Robin laughing as she continues to back away from him.)
Patrick: That’s not what you said last night.
(Robin opens her mouth in shock while laughing.)
Robin: Oh, is this why you wanted me to tell Alan about us? So, you can go back to teasing me at work?
(Patrick finally corners her.)
Patrick: Oh, but this type of teasing is so much more fun.
(Robin leans on the wall behind her and looks up at Patrick.)
Robin (softly): And dangerous.
(Patrick stares down at Robin.)
Patrick: I really did miss you this morning.
(Robin looks back up at Patrick.)
Robin: I hated leaving you. I was watching you sleep. (smiles) You sleep so soundly.
(Patrick pushes back a strand of her hair.)
Patrick: If I think you’re next to me.
(Robin bites her bottom lip as she looks back at Patrick. She was right – this was really dangerous.)
Robin (awkwardly): Patrick, I should check on some of my patients.
Patrick: So… can we try the Metro Court for dinner again?
Robin: If we make it through dinner.
Patrick: I don’t think we can even make it through this conversation.
Robin: Oh, I can.
Patrick: You think so?
Robin: I know so.
Patrick: Really?
Robin: Really.
(Patrick leans in closer to her until he’s mere inches from her.)
Patrick: You still think so?
(Robin just stares back at Patrick then moves toward him until her lips practically graze his. Just as Patrick closes his eyes, Robin scoots underneath him laughing then smiles.)
Robin: Haha! Told you I can control myself.
(Patrick smiles then grabs Robin’s hand and pulls her toward him.)
Patrick: Too bad I can’t.
(Robin opens her mouth to protest, but Patrick silences her with a passionate kiss. She closes her eyes and just fully gives into Patrick – anything else would’ve been a futile attempt. Thank goodness Alan officially knew they were dating.)

Chapter 32

Setting: Metro Court
(It’s later in the evening. Patrick Drake is sitting at the bar waiting for his girlfriend. Both of their shifts were supposed to end at the same time, but at the last minute she got called into another consult. Patrick sighs. The price of being with a brilliant doctor. He glances at his watch. Robin should be here any moment. And she was. Patrick looks up suddenly and smiles at the sight of his girlfriend. She’s at the entrance of the dining room talking to, her friend, Jax. He must’ve caught her first in the lobby. Patrick watches her as she laughs then hugs her old friend. Jax starts to walk back toward the lobby and she starts to walk toward the dining room, but gets stopped by a young man. Patrick lowers his drink on the bar then walks toward her. Robin sees Patrick and smiles awkwardly then looks back at the young man talking to her.)

Robin: Oh look! Here is my boyfriend now!
(The young man looks toward Patrick.)
Man: Hey… I’m sorry, man. I had no idea she had a boyfriend.
Patrick (coldly): Well, she does.
(Robin looks back at Patrick and shakes her head slightly. The young man looks back at her.)
Man: Have a good night… and you do look beautiful.
(Robin smiles, then looks back at Patrick once they’re alone.)
Robin: He was harmless.
Patrick: He was hitting on you!
Robin: Well, Patrick he had no way of knowing that I was meeting my boyfriend.
(Patrick just looks at her.)
Patrick: Looking the way you look, he knew you weren’t alone… either you had a boyfriend here or someone waiting for you at home. Trust me, he knew.
(Robin suddenly smiles.)
Robin: I guess if anyone would know about that, it would be you.
(Patrick smiles as he looks back at her.)
Patrick: And what is that supposed to mean?
Robin: You were the king of flirting.
(Patrick leans in and kisses Robin’s cheek.)
Patrick: That was my old life.
(Patrick touches the small of Robin’s back and leads her to their table. Once they’re seated, he looks across the table at her.)
Patrick: You do look beautiful tonight.
(Robin smiles as she looks down at her menu, blushing slightly.)
Patrick (laughs): And you still get embarrassed when I tell you that.
(Robin looks back at him.)
Robin: Well, it’s just… strange, you know?
Patrick: But, I mean it. It’s not just a pickup line… well, it never was with you.
(Robin just simply smiles.)
Robin: Oh come on! You threw some pretty big pickup lines at me.
Patrick (laughing): Wait! From my memory, my pickup lines were simply “when will you go out with me?” and “can you please smile more?” I was pretty straight forward with you.
Robin: Maybe.
Patrick: Definitely.
(Both smiling, Robin and Patrick look at their menus. They look up when suddenly there is a sound of a clearing throat above them. It’s Carly.)
Carly: I hate to interrupt.
Patrick: I’m sure.
Carly (looks at Patrick): It’s just that I heard that your father was back in town.
Patrick: You heard correct.
Carly: And he’s working at GH?
Patrick: Yes.
Carly: Is he hanging around my mother?
Patrick: I don’t have a copy of my father’s social calendar with me.
Carly: Your father is a drunk, Patrick.
(Patrick’s eyes just widen slightly.)
Robin (offended): Hey!
Carly: And I don’t want that around my mother!
Robin: Carly, you have no right to talk that way about Noah!
(Carly snaps her head and looks at Robin.)
Carly: Is he not a drunk? Was he not drinking moments before YOU wanted him to perform surgery on Jason’s brain?
Robin: Noah is a brilliant surgeon.
Carly: Brilliant, but drunk.
Robin: Why are you so hateful?
Carly: And why do you need to be right so badly? Because WE all know that the only reason you’re defending Noah is because you’re the one that brought him back to this town!
(Robin stands up angrily.)
Robin (passionately): That is not true! (looks at her) Noah Drake is a brilliant doctor! He has been working so hard to get his life back on track.
(Patrick finally stands up and tugs on Robin’s arm.)
Patrick: You don’t have to defend him, Robin.
Robin: NO! Carly, of all people, has no right to ever judge anyone!
Carly: Robin, just shut up! This doesn’t concern you!
Patrick (looks at her): And my father doesn’t concern you! (pauses) And don’t ever talk like that to Robin again.
Carly: Please don’t protect the angelic one over here.
Patrick (coldly): And don’t give me reason to!
Carly: Didn’t I warn you about her?!?!
(Robin rolls her eyes and shakes her head.)
Patrick: Carly, please walk away.
(Carly just stomps her foot then leaves. Once they’re alone, Patrick looks at Robin.)
Patrick: You’re okay, right?
(Robin sits back down and Patrick does as well.)
Robin: Me? I’m fine. Are you?
Patrick: She’s unbelievable.
Robin: Carly is just… she has no right to talk that way about Noah.
Patrick: You defended him more than I did.
Robin: Well, that’s because he’s your father. (leans in) Patrick, Noah hurt you – I get it. And I know that every time you see him, you see that hurt… that betrayal. But whenever I see him, all I see is the man that brought the man I love into this world and into my life. (Patrick looks down) I’ll always defend him, for that alone. (pauses) He gave me you, Patrick.
(Patrick finally looks back up at Robin as he reaches for her hand.)
Patrick: I love you, Robin.
(There’s an intense silence as they simply stare at one another until Patrick breaks it.)
Patrick: And I love you even more for defending my father.
Robin: I had to.
(Robin lifts their joined hands and kisses his hand. Afterward, she raises her eyes and looks at him.)
Robin: So, do you think we’ll ever properly get through a meal at the Metro Court?
Patrick: No.
(Patrick stands up.)
Patrick: Because we’re leaving.
Robin (curiously): Leaving?
(Patrick takes Robin’s hand and she stands up as well.)
Patrick: It’s a beautiful early summer night. We’re going to enjoy it. 
Robin: And we can’t do that here?
Patrick: Not the way I want to. (smiles) Are you up for it?
Robin: With you? Let’s go!
(Patrick grabs Robin’s hand and they run out of the dining room of the Metro Court. She couldn’t wait to see where he was taking her to.)

Setting: The Port Charles Park
(It’s a beautiful night. Summer was definitely in the air. Robin is hysterically laughing as Patrick drags by her the hand into the Port Charles Park.)

Robin (laughing): Patrick, where are we going?
Patrick: Come on!
(Robin and Patrick finally stop in front of the playground. She looks at him.)
Robin: You’re joking, right?
Patrick: My favorite thing about the summer when I was a kid… getting the chance to go to the park.
(Patrick points toward the monkey bars.)
Patrick: No one could swing on the monkey bars like I could.
(Robin moves next to Patrick and wraps her arms around his waist.)
Robin: Too bad you’re too tall for them now.
(Patrick laughs as he turns toward her.)
Patrick: But, you’re not! (picks her up) Come on!
Robin: Aaaahh!!
(Robin squeals as Patrick carries her toward the monkey bars.)
Robin: If you think I’m going to hang upside down so you can see my underwear, you are so wrong.
Patrick: Just tell me… do they have flowers?
(Robin laughs as she swings for a moment while kicking off her shoes.)
Robin: You’re just going to have to wait and see.
(Patrick takes Robin in his arms then carries her toward the swings. He gently places her on one of the swings then sits on the other. She looks at him.)
Robin: Can I say something without you thinking I’m really cheesy?
Patrick: Well, I don’t know if that’s possible.
(Robin moves her swing closer to Patrick’s.)
Robin: I’m really glad I found you.
Patrick (laughs): Naked and all?
(Robin laughs as she looks down.)
Robin: I still cannot believe how we met.
Patrick: Like I said… it’ll be a great story some day.
(Robin looks back at Patrick.)
Robin: That story shouldn’t be repeated.
Patrick: It’s all about first impressions.
Robin (smiles): So, what was yours of me?
Patrick: Pushy. (She laughs) Bossy. (She nods) You definitely stood up for what you believed in and wanted.
Robin: My first impression of you – naked.
(They both laugh.)
Robin (seriously): Bold, confidant… (trails off) You just seemed to be the complete opposite of me.
Patrick: Hey…
(Patrick lifts her chin and looks at her.)
Patrick: All of those qualities you have – your shyness, the way you blush when I look at you a certain way, the way blood rushes to your cheeks the moment I touch you… I fell in love with you because of all that. (sincerely) You are unlike any woman I’ve ever known or been with. 
Robin: You are pretty unique yourself.
Patrick: Does that scare you?
Robin: Sometimes. I don’t know how to handle you, Patrick. You keep me on my toes. You challenge me like no one else ever has. (looks down) And you make me feel things I can’t even put into words.
(Patrick smiles as Robin looks back at him.)
Robin: You make me feel complete. 
(Patrick moves closer to Robin.)
Robin: For the last few years… I always felt like something was missing. Even when I was at my happiest, there was always something missing. (laughs) I had no idea what was missing was in the form of an egotistical surgeon. (seriously) You awakened something in me and now that it’s awake… I don’t want it to ever fade.
Patrick: You don’t have to worry about that, ever. (gently touches her face) I am not about to let you go.
(Robin smiles as Patrick leans in and kisses her tenderly. She can feel his hand caressing her face. She really did love him. She loved him so much that it surprised her. And scared her, slightly. Robin’s eyes open slightly when she feels Patrick pulling away from her. She laughs when she suddenly sees him flying on his swing. Robin just watches him in amazement and shakes her head. He was definitely not like any other person she ever met.)

- Hours Later
Setting: Robin & Patrick’s Bedroom at the Penthouse
(It’s late in the evening. Patrick is sitting up in bed going through one of his patient’s files. He looks up from his file when Robin walks into their bedroom wearing, only, one of his pajama tops. He immediately smiles while placing the folder he was reading next to him.)

Patrick: You know what the best thing about living together is?
(Robin looks back at Patrick curiously as he reaches out to her and helps her onto the bed.)
Robin (smiles): What?
Patrick: The money we could save on pajamas.
(Robin laughs as she nestles underneath the covers.)
Patrick: Think about it – I just wear the bottoms and you wear the tops. It’s the perfect situation.
Robin: Not to mention that your tops are so big on me, they practically look like night gowns on me.
(Robin lies down and closes her eyes. Patrick simply watches her for a moment then leans down next to her.)
Patrick: And the front buttons…
(Robin opens her eyes and looks at Patrick smirking as he unbuttons the top button.)
Patrick: Allow perfect access.
(Robin covers her face embarrassed as Patrick hangs his head on her shoulder and starts laughing himself.)
Robin: Those lines… man.
(Patrick lies down next to Robin and wraps his arm around her.)
Patrick: That was a good one.
Robin: Whatever.
(Robin turns onto her side and Patrick instinctively nestles behind her. He leans in toward her ear.)
Patrick: Did it work… even a little?
(Robin opens her eyes and smiles. Without any words, Robin turns over and kisses Patrick passionately. He smiles somewhat taken back then brings Robin’s body on top of his and lets his hands run through her hair. Slowly, she pulls away and sits up. Robin looks down at him smiling.)
Robin: Now, what were you saying about these buttons?

to be continued...

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