Take A Chance On Me
By Candie

Chapters 7-8

Chapter 7

- Hours Later
Setting: GH Research Lab
(It’s several hours later. Robin and Patrick have been at GH now for over 6 hours and at least twenty more patients were admitted in that short period of time. Patrick opens the door to the research lab and finds Robin exactly where he left her two hours ago. She’s staring down at a group of various blood workups and test results. He walks over behind her and leans over her shoulder.)

Patrick: Did you get any further?
Robin: Not as far as I’d like.
Patrick: What can I do to help?
(Patrick sits down next to her.)
Robin: Look at these two blood work-ups. This one belongs to Edward Quartermaine and this one belongs to Morgan Corinthos. You would think that there should be extreme differences, considering one is of an older man and the other is of a child, but they’re not all that different.
(Patrick looks at the blood work-ups and nods.)
Patrick: You’re right. That is strange.
(Patrick looks over at Robin and sees her writing furiously on a notepad. She was so dedicated and looked so serious. Patrick scoots over a little closer to her.)
Patrick: So, I’m assuming I can’t persuade you into taking a break?
(Robin turns and looks at Patrick.)
Robin: I can’t take a break yet.
Patrick: Do you at least want to take a walk? You need some fresh air, Robin.
(Robin looks at Patrick ready to object.)
Patrick: It’ll refresh your brain cells.
Robin: Fine. A little fresh air.
Patrick: Just a little. (extends his hand) Let’s go.
(Robin takes Patrick’s hand. He quickly picks up their winter coats then leads her out of the research lab and toward the staircase. She stops immediately and looks at him.)
Robin: Do you actually think I’m going to make out with you in a staircase during a time like this?
(Patrick smiles widely and looks at Robin.)
Patrick: And you accuse me of having a one-track mind? Just follow me.
(Robin follows Patrick as they walk up the stairs of General Hospital. Finally, they reach the roof of the hospital. She sighs once they are out in the cold late January air. He looks at Robin and smiles.)
Patrick: Good idea?
Robin (breathes): Perfect idea.
(Patrick hands Robin her winter coat and she quickly puts it on then rubs her arms. He watches 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 extends her hands) Hands of steel. (looks at him) On the inside, a bundle of nerves.
Patrick: What are you afraid of?
Robin: Letting these people down.
(Robin looks down at her feet.)
Robin: I came back to Port Charles to save Jason. (she looks at him) And it seemed so fitting, you know? That all the work I did for these last seven or so years could save his life. It made it all worth it, but then my drug treatment failed him. (pauses) It’s easier to help people you don’t know, but down in that hospital… Edward Quartermaine is dying, Ric Lansing is barely breathing on his own, Sonny’s son is getting worse by the hour. I know I’m not God. I can’t control whatever fate has in store for them, but I have to believe that I can make a difference.
Patrick: And you don’t think you even working on a treatment for them is enough?
Robin: It wasn’t enough for Jason.
Patrick: But then you found me. (simply) You know what all this should teach you?
(Robin looks back at Patrick.)
Robin: What?
Patrick: That we’re a good team. Where you leave off, I’ll pick up… and where I have shortcomings, you will overcompensate.
(Robin laughs.)
Robin: Did I hear you actually admit that you may have shortcomings?
Patrick: They’re few and far-between, but everyone has them. Look, at the Manny Ruiz surgery… you knew what to do.
Robin (sighs): Fitting, isn’t it? I can help save Manny Ruiz, but struggle with Ric Lansing or Edward Quartermaine?
Patrick: Medicine doesn’t know right or wrong; it doesn’t know good or bad. (she just looks back at him) The worst things could happen to the best people… life isn’t fair sometimes.
(Robin nods then walks off slightly. Patrick lets her have a few moments of silence by herself then moves toward her.)
Patrick: What were you just thinking?
Robin: I don’t want Alexis to lose the man she loves.
Patrick: Because of what happened with your first boyfriend?
Robin: With Stone, it was different. (turns her head to look at him) We knew he was dying. (sighs) That is the one thing about HIV… it at least gives you some time to prepare for it, if you’re lucky. (simply) I was actually thinking of my mom. About a month before I returned to Port Charles, I went to London and spent the weekend with her. One night after we went to sleep, I heard this noise coming from her bedroom and I had no idea what it was… so I walked toward it. She was crying. (her eyes fill with tears) I’ve seen my mom cry on maybe five or so occasions, but she was full-out crying and I didn’t know what to do. I mean, my mom, I hope one day you get the chance to meet her, is so tough and so strong… that it just… it rocked me to see her vulnerable. Her room was so dark I could barely see her, but she was sobbing and just as I was about to say something, the moonlight in her room shone just a certain way… and I saw it. She was holding a picture of my dad. (emotionally sighs) And my heart just broke.
(Robin wipes her eyes and looks up to stop the tears from flowing.)
Robin: She still misses him. (looks at Patrick) And there’s nothing I could ever do or say to make her miss him less…
Patrick: What do you think made her think about him?
Robin: She said it was me. When I turned to leave, she heard me and … she said that I just happened to have said something earlier that night that reminded her of him. (pauses) They lost each other so suddenly; they didn’t have time to say "goodbye." (shakes her head) I can’t imagine not being able to say "goodbye" to the man you love.
(Patrick raises his hand and uses his thumb to wipe away a stray tear from his own eyes and nods.)
Patrick (breathes): Yeah, you are just filled with positive thoughts tonight.
(Robin laughs through her tears and smiles.)
Robin: I know… I’m sorry.
Patrick: No, it’s fine. (looks at her) It really is.
Robin: My mom must be on my mind because I just spoke to her.
Patrick: That’s right… she called when you kicked me out of your room.
Robin: I told her about you.
Patrick (smiles): Now, there’s a positive thought. (leans in) What did you say?
Robin: That I met this really arrogant, brilliant doctor that thinks he is God’s gift to women.
Patrick (trying to hide his smile): And what did she say?
(Robin turns toward Patrick and looks up at him as she raises her arms around his neck.)
Robin: That I might’ve just finally met my match.
Patrick: Did I tell you mothers usually love me?
(Robin rolls her eyes as Patrick leans in to kiss her.)
Patrick: They do.
(Robin smiles as Patrick finally kisses her. He slowly pulls away still looking at her.)
Patrick: But not as much as their daughters.

- Hours Later
Setting: The Nurses’ Station at GH
(Elizabeth Webber is behind the station filing some of the last few admittance forms from the last two hours. She hasn’t been able to keep up with the number of forms. She looks up when Lucky approaches the desk. She sighs tiredly.)

Liz: Hey.
(Lucky leans over the desk and kisses her.)
Lucky: So, I’m assuming it’s out of the question to ask if you’re coming home?
Liz: Lucky, this is insane! I’ve never seen anything like this at GH.
Lucky: I heard about Ric. How is he?
Liz: He’s getting better. Robin came up with this one combination of drugs that has seemed to help out Ric. (sighs) It’s strange… this virus, or whatever it is, it attacks children and the elderly in a different way than adults. I was in the lab an hour ago with Robin and she was showing me their blood work-ups… it’s the most bizarre thing I’ve ever seen.
Lucky: Is it a good idea for Robin to be working on this?
Liz: I don’t know. (pauses) I don’t think it’s the best option, but at the same time… I think it’s our only option right now. Alan called the CDC, but no one’s come yet. And honestly, Lucky… Robin is brilliant. She immediately thought of a potential treatment just by looking at Ric and his blood work-ups. And now he’s breathing on his own. When he came in here hours ago, he couldn’t even talk.
Lucky: It seems like Robin is the Lansing’s guardian angel… delivering Molly and now this.
Liz (sighs): I just hope she’s able to save Edward and Morgan. They’re in the worst shape right now.

Setting: Ric’s Hospital Room
(Robin just finished examining Ric as Patrick looked on with Alexis. Alexis thanked Robin profusely then immediately went back to her husband. Once she was complete, Robin walks out of the hospital room with Patrick by her side. He looks at her.)

Patrick: Robin, that’s amazing.
Robin: He looks good, right?
Patrick: He did a complete turnaround.
Robin (sighs): So, the combination we worked on seems to work on adult cases… but it hasn’t helped Morgan or Edward.
Patrick: It’s their immune systems. They’re not as strong. They’re more susceptible to the virus.
Robin (simply): Like I would be.
(Patrick pauses and Robin looks back at him.)
Robin: Patrick, I just want you to know that I have been listening to you. I do know that I am at risk… and I put myself at risk every time I examine Ric or check on Edward and Morgan.
(Patrick looks down between them.)
Robin: I’m not trying to prove anything.
(Patrick looks back up at her.)
Patrick: I know. (sighs) So, if we’re going to keep you healthy… that means you need some sleep.
Robin: I can’t go home.
Patrick: No, but you can go to the lounge.
Robin (makes a face): And sleep in bunk beds?
Patrick: Dr. Scorpio, I never knew you were a snob!
(Robin opens her mouth in shock as Patrick pulls her toward the doctor’s lounge which had bunk beds for the doctors.)
Robin: I am no such thing!
(Once they’re in the room, Patrick looks at her.)
Patrick: Just sleep for an hour or two.
Robin: Patrick, once I close my eyes, I’ll be out.
Patrick: Not if I wake you up.
Robin: What? Are you just going to watch me sleep?
Patrick (laughs): No! I have a few books I could read… or I could look at your research and see if I can think of anything.
(An embarrassed Robin looks down feeling her cheeks redden slightly. Patrick is forced to smile himself.)
Patrick: Although… I could use a nap myself. (looks at the bunk beds) If you think that lower bunk could fit two.
(Robin shakes her head tiredly then walks over to the lower bunk. She sits down on it and sighs.)
Robin: That pillow does look good.
Patrick: Just close your eyes. I’ll be here. I’ll wake you up, if anything happens.
Robin: Promise?
Patrick: Promise.
Robin: Okay.
(Robin lies down on the lower bunk. Patrick sits down on the floor, next to her, bringing a bunch of file folders with him. He opens the top one immediately. Robin turns on her side and watches him quietly. It was amazing the difference a few days can make. It was only a few mere days ago that her and Patrick were playing a unique game of "cat and mouse." Maybe they are still playing it, but this is a different version; a gentler version. She liked this one a lot. Robin was staring at him and she knew that she shouldn’t be. She was supposed to be sleeping and she bugged him about watching her… and here she was – she couldn’t take her eyes off him. And as if he read her mind, Patrick simply looks up from his folder looking straight ahead.)
Patrick: Unless you can sleep with your eyes open, I don’t think you’re resting.
(Robin blushes slightly then lies on her back. Patrick turns and looks at her. He smiles as he watches her embarrassedly cover her face.)
Patrick: If you want to watch me, you can.
(Robin lowers her hands and looks at him directly.)
Robin: I just need a few minutes to fall asleep. I don’t fall asleep on command, you know.
Patrick: Riiiiight.
(Patrick reaches toward Robin and pushes a strand of her hair back.)
Patrick: Maybe you never had the right person lying next to you.
Robin: Really? (smirks) So, you have been known to put women to sleep?
(Patrick laughs.)
Patrick: You’re cute, Scorpio.
(Robin closes her eyes smiling.)
Robin: Maybe if you’re lucky, I’ll dream of you. You know, some believe that the last thing you do before going to sleep influences your dreams.
Patrick: Really?
(Robin still has her eyes closed.)
Robin: Yep.
Patrick: Well, in that case…
(Patrick leaps and reaches toward Robin and kisses her hard on the mouth. Her eyes jolt open and in that moment, she debated whether she should push him away. Oh, the hell with it! Robin closes her eyes and pulls him closer while deepening the kiss and running her fingers through his wavy hair. He smiles as he allows his hands to slowly leave her face and run down the sides of her body. She felt so soft. So good and warm. She can hear him moan softly as she delicately runs her fingers along his shoulders. He did want her. These were not kisses of pity. Pity kisses never felt like this. Robin smiles as he slowly pulls away from her, out of breath a bit.)
Patrick: You know, you’re not a bad kisser. (smirks) A little more practice and I think you’ll be up to speed.
Robin (smiling): And let me guess… you’ll train me.
Patrick: I did become a doctor to help mankind.
Robin: You did help me. (closes her eyes) Now, I can go to sleep.
(Patrick sits next to her on the bed and smiles, shaking his head. He couldn’t believe it, but he actually fell for the good doctor Scorpio. He didn’t know exactly when it happened, but she got him – hook, line and sinker. He gently kisses Robin’s forehead then sits down next to the bunk again and goes back to his reading. He looks up slightly when he feels Robin’s hand softly touch his neck. He turns around and sees that she is indeed sleeping. She just needed to know he was still there. And he was.)

Chapter 8

- A Few Days Later
Setting: General Hospital
(It’s days later. Ric has been released from GH and Robin’s combination of drugs that she developed has been able to help adult cases, but Morgan and Edward as well as other children and senior citizens of Port Charles are still fighting this virus. At General Hospital, Robin is running up from the lab looking for Patrick. She had Morgan’s latest test results and since he was Morgan’s doctor, she wanted to give them to him as soon as possible. She immediately heads toward the Nurses’ Station and finds Liz.)

Robin: Hey Liz… is Patrick around?
Liz: I haven’t seen him. Do you want me to page him?
Robin: Please.
(Liz pages Patrick then looks at Robin.)
Liz: Robin, what is it?
Robin: It’s Morgan. His latest test results are in and they aren’t good.
Liz: Red blood cell count still decreasing?
Robin: Rapidly. (frustrated) I don’t know what to do, Liz.
(The elevator doors open and Patrick come quickly out of them. He walks over to Robin and Liz.)
Patrick: You paged me?
Robin: Morgan’s test results.
(Robin hands Patrick Morgan’s results. He looks at them then closes his eyes.)
Patrick: Damn it!
Robin: The combination of drugs that worked on Ric is only slowing down the progression of the virus on Morgan and Edward, but it’s not stopping it.
Patrick: Okay. I’m going to tell Sonny and Carly. (shakes his head) I’ll be back.
(Robin watches Patrick walk off. Liz looks at her.)
Liz: Are you okay?
Robin: I don’t what else to do, Liz.
Liz: Robin, you are doing all you can. (looks at her) You must be exhausted, yourself. Are you sleeping enough?
Robin: I try.
Liz: Well, try hard because you’re just as important as any patient, Robin.
(Robin sighs and runs her hands through her hair. She was tired. She looks at Liz and nods.)
Robin: I’ll sit down for a few minutes in the waiting area.
Liz (smiles): Good. (points at her) I’ll be watching.
(Robin smiles, then walks over to the small couches in the waiting area. She sits down and sighs. She was more tired than she realized. Robin sits there for a few moments just collecting her thoughts. Patrick is walking back from the elevators and goes to give Liz, Morgan’s chart, but stops when he sees Robin. He looks at Liz.)
Patrick (concerned): Is she okay?
Liz: Yeah, she’s just tired. I told her to just rest for a few minutes.
(Patrick nods then walks toward Robin and sits down next to her. She opens her eyes and looks at him.)
Robin: How’s Morgan?
Patrick: As expected.
(Robin nods then looks down at her hands.)
Patrick: Robin, how are you?
(Robin doesn’t answer.)
Patrick: Honestly.
(Robin looks back at Patrick.)
Robin: I’m just tired.
(Patrick turns toward Robin fully and pushes back her hair then holds her face in his hands as he looks at her.)
Patrick: You need to go home.
Robin: I can’t.
Patrick: I’ll stay. Robin, I’ll do whatever you want… but you need to rest.
(Robin looks down as Patrick lowers his hands and touches her neck. His eyes widen suddenly.)
Patrick: Robin, you’re burning up!
(Robin looks back up at Patrick.)
Robin: I’m probably just warm from running around.
(Patrick ignores Robin and feels her head.)
Patrick: You definitely have a fever. (looks at her) How long have you been feeling like this?
Robin: Patrick, I’m just…
Patrick: How long, Robin?
Robin: Yesterday, I noticed I felt a little flushed, but…
Patrick: Yesterday? Nice diagnosis, Dr. Scorpio.
(Robin rolls her eyes as Patrick takes her hand and walks over to Liz.)
Patrick: Which exam room is free?
Liz: Number three. Why?
Patrick: You might be looking at our latest patient.
Liz (concerned): Robin?!?!
Robin: He’s overreacting.
Patrick: Let me be the judge of that.
(Liz watches as Patrick takes Robin to an empty exam room. Once in the room, Patrick closes the door and looks at Robin.)
Patrick: I’m examining you, Robin.
Robin: Patrick, this is unnecessary. I’m a doctor.
Patrick: Great! We have something in common… now get up there!
(Robin rolls her eyes then sits down on the examination table. Patrick walks over to her and immediately goes into doctor mode. She watches as he flashes bright lights in her eyes, checks her ears – all without one single word. Finally he looks at her.)
Patrick: Open your mouth.
Robin: You do have the worst bedside…
(Before Robin can finish her sentence, Patrick is already looking down her throat. He looks back at her and shakes his head angrily.)
Patrick: Damn it, Robin! I trusted you!
(An offended Robin looks back at him.)
Robin: What is that supposed to mean?
Patrick: Your glands are swollen, Robin and your throat looks like it’s on fire… don’t even try to tell me that you don’t feel that.
Robin: I thought… I was going to tell you, Patrick. I promise. I just thought it was a sore throat and it still could very well be one. (looks at him) Are you going to do the blood work?
(Patrick ignores Robin and walks over to the medical supply cabinet. He takes out what he needs then walks over to Robin. He looks at her and their eyes lock until he breaks the gaze and draws her blood. Robin looks down and watches her blood flow into the tubes. There is complete silence in the room and she looks away as Patrick places a bandage on her arm. She hears him getting ready to leave and looks up in his direction.)
Robin: I’m sorry.
(Patrick stops then walks back over to Robin.)
Patrick: Robin, whatever happens… it’s not your fault.
Robin: But, if I told you…
(Patrick lowers his head and looks at Robin directly in her eyes.)
Patrick: I will not let anything happen to you; I promise.
(Robin nods tearfully and Patrick leans in and kisses her forehead. She looks back up at him.)
Robin: Can I wait for my results in the waiting area? Someone else might need the examination room.
(Patrick nods then helps Robin down from the examination table. He holds her hand as they leave the room and Liz looks up from the Nurses’ Station. She watches Patrick squeeze Robin’s hand tighter then disappear toward the labs. Robin walks over to the waiting area and holds her head in her hands. She looks up when she hears Jason and Sam get off the elevator. This was the last thing she needed today. And of course, they walk toward her.)
Sam: Robin, do you know if they moved Morgan to another room?
(Robin looks up at them.)
Robin: I… um… I’m not on Morgan’s case.
Sam: But, you’re working on the drug treatment, right? You would know where the patients are, wouldn’t you?
(Robin was starting to lose patience with Sam.)
Robin: Dr. Drake is Morgan’s doctor.
Sam: And where is he?
Robin: He had to make a trip to the lab. (tiredly) Look if they moved Morgan, Liz would know.
(Sam looks up at Jason.)
Sam: I’m going to talk to Liz.
(Jason nods and Sam walks toward the Nurses’ Station. Jason looks at Robin. She didn’t look right. She looked pale and very tired.)
Jason: Is everything okay?
(Robin looks up at Jason.)
Robin: What?
Jason: Are you okay?
Robin: Just tired.
Jason: Have you been here ever since the outbreak?
(Robin looks down at her hands.)
Robin: Just trying to do my job.
Jason: Yeah, but… from what I heard, this is a virus that infects those with weakened immune systems.
(Robin looks back up at Jason and just looks at him.)
Jason: Maybe you shouldn’t be here.
(Robin stands up and shakes her head.)
Robin: Thank you for your concern, Jason… (annoyed) about a week into this.
(Robin starts to walk away from Jason, but stops when she sees Patrick coming from the lab. He’s holding her results. Jason turns around and sees Patrick looking in their direction. He walks toward him.)
Jason: Is it Morgan?
Patrick: I need Robin. Excuse me.
(Patrick walks past Jason and takes Robin’s hand. He immediately takes her toward the doctor’s lounge. Sam watches this from the nurses’ station then walks over to Jason.)
Sam: Did he tell you where Morgan was?
Jason: No… he just wanted Robin.

Setting: The Doctor’s Lounge
(The lounge is empty and Patrick silently gave thanks that it was. Robin looks back at Patrick as she watches him struggle to find the words.)

Robin: You don’t have to break it to me gently, Patrick. I know what we’re dealing with.
Patrick: You’re right. Okay. Your blood work matched Ric’s when he was admitted.
(Robin nods and looks down.)
Robin: Okay.
Patrick: And I would like to admit you and run further tests.
Robin: Okay.
Patrick: And I am going to recommend that you be taken off this case.
Robin: No.
Patrick: Robin, you are a patient in this hospital now.
Robin: But, I am still a doctor.
Patrick: The dedication you showed in that lab… you need to show to getting better.
Robin: And my research?
Patrick: I’ll continue it.
(Robin looks away.)
Patrick: Do you trust me?
(Robin sighs as she looks back at him.)
Robin: It’s not about trust, Patrick.
Patrick: Do you trust me?
Robin (closes her eyes): Fine.
Patrick: Fine because you trust me? Or fine because you want to shut me up?
(Robin looks at him.)
Robin: I trust you.
Patrick (crosses his arms over his chest): That was hard for you to admit.
Robin: Are you seriously going to fight with me right now before you admit me into GH?
(Patrick catches himself and looks down.)
Patrick: No. (looks at her) No.
Robin: Thank you.
Patrick: Is there anything you need from your room at Kelly’s?
Robin: Right now? No.
Patrick: May I take you to a room and fill out the paperwork with you?
Robin (sighs): Okay.
Patrick: Do you think you can make it on your own or…
Robin (smiles): Would you offer to carry me?
Patrick: If I thought you’d let me, probably.
(Robin smiles emotionally then shakes her head.)
Robin: Just let me lean on you and I’ll be fine.
(Patrick opens his arms and Robin easily fits into it. She leans on him as they walk out of the doctor’s lounge and toward the nurses’ station. Liz looks up at them.)
Liz: Robin, are you okay?
Patrick: She will be. (pauses) But, we need to admit her.
Liz (concerned): Robin…
Robin: I’m fine. I’ll be fine.
(And just as she says that, Robin passes out into Patrick’s arms. And in that moment, it felt like the entire world stopped.)

to be continued...

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