Take A Chance On Me
By Candie

Chapters 9-10

Chapter 9

- Hours Later
Setting: Robin’s Hospital Room
(It’s late in the evening. Patrick is standing by Robin’s hospital bed looking at her vitals. She’s in the hospital bed sleeping. He looks up when he hears Tony Jones walk into her room.)

Tony: How is she?
(Patrick just looks up, but doesn’t face him.)
Patrick: The combination of drugs is working to slow down the virus.
Tony: But?
Patrick: It was more successful on Ric.
Tony: Has anyone called her uncle?
Patrick: He’s talking to Alan.
Tony: Alan feels terrible about this.
(Patrick slams shut Robin’s folder.)
Patrick: He should. (looks at Tony) I warned Alan this could happen, but he ignored me because he wanted Robin to save his father.
(Tony sighs as he walks further into the hospital room.)
Tony: Do you have Robin’s research?
(Patrick gestures toward a bunch of folders on the chair next to Robin’s bed.)
Patrick: I brought it with me.
Tony: I know you probably don’t want to hear this, but… maybe you should rest yourself.
(Patrick just turns around and looks at Tony. He looks up when Mac walks into the room and heads straight toward his niece.)
Mac: I can’t believe Alan knew Robin was putting herself at risk.
(Mac sits down next to his niece and holds her hand. Tony just shakes his head then leaves the room. Mac stares down at his niece.)
Mac: Is anyone working on a cure?
Patrick: I’m working on it.
Mac (looks at Patrick): Alone?
Patrick: I called one of my friends in Pennsylvania. He’s on his way to help.
Mac: Good. (looks back at Robin) Thank you. When is she going to wake up?
Patrick: Soon.
(Patrick sits down in the corner of the room and brings Robin’s folder of research with him. Mac never takes his eyes off his niece.)
Mac: You know, the only reason I let you leave without bail that time is because you told me you knew Robin. I’d do anything for her.
Patrick: I’m not surprised.
Mac: I always knew she would be an amazing doctor. She wanted to be one for as long as I could remember. I was so proud that one of her dreams was able to come true. Do you know how many people say, "I want to do this…" or "I want to be that…" and they never do what they set out to or become who they want? But, she was different. She did.
(Patrick watches Mac lift Robin’s hand and gently kiss it.)
Mac: I still want more for her, though.
(As if on cue, there’s a slight knocking on the door and Jason and Sonny appear. Mac stares at them in shock as Patrick stands up.)
Jason: We heard that Robin…
Mac (looks at Patrick): Stay with her.
(Mac stands up and walks toward Sonny and Jason. He physically pushes both of them out of Robin’s room as Patrick sits down next to Robin’s bedside. He looks down at her hands and sighs.)
Patrick: I would probably never admit this to you while you were awake, but I liked holding your hand.
(Patrick covers Robin’s hand with his.)
Patrick: It’s so soft. (he looks down at it) You know, they say that a surgeon’s most powerful tools are their hands. That’s why I wear gloves when the temperature drops below 50, why I never took up mountain climbing. I always took such great pride in my hands… but they never felt as good as they did when I was holding yours. (pauses) Robin, I really don’t want to let you down. I promised you that I would pick up where you left off, but I’m struggling with that because I don’t want to leave where you are.
(Meanwhile outside the hospital room, Mac angrily confronts Jason and Sonny.)
Mac: What the hell do you think you’re doing?
Sonny: Liz told us about Robin.
Mac: And what? You thought you could come down here and see how she was?
Sonny: That was the idea, Mac.
Mac: Well, you thought wrong. (looks at Jason) Both of you did. You will go nowhere near my niece. Not now. And if I had anything to say about it, not ever.
Jason: Mac! Robin came back to help me; I just wanted to see if she was okay.
Mac: Oh, now you remember that she came back to help you?!?! Did you even properly thank her? Or did you just do that infamous Morgan stare? (angrily) I am so tired of the both of you! Do you realize how many times my niece almost died because of the both of you? (frustrated) Get away from me!
(The three men look up when Alan approaches them.)
Alan: Has Robin woken up yet?
(Mac turns toward Alan angrily.)
Mac: And you! You were her doctor! How could you let her treat these patients?
Alan: Mac, Robin is a doctor. She knew her limitations.
Mac: You’re selfish. All three of you – selfish!
(Mac storms past them and walks toward the nurses’ station. He angrily picks up the phone and calls someone. Meanwhile, Jason and Sonny look toward Alan.)
Jason: Are you going in there?
Alan: Patrick kicked me out last time I tried.
Sonny: Who the hell is Dr. Drake?
Alan: Him and Robin are close.
Sonny: Not that close. It was only a few weeks ago that I had to bail Emily out of the PCPD because of some brawl at Jake’s he got her involved in. (defiantly) I’m going in there.
(Sonny opens up the door to Robin’s hospital room. The three men freeze at the sight of Patrick looking down at Robin while tenderly pushing back her hair and still holding her hand. Sonny did feel out of place. As much as he may not have wanted to admit it, he felt out of place. And maybe Mac was right. He didn’t belong there. Sonny turns around and walks away without saying a word. Jason, with Alan by his side, watches as slowly Robin wakes up and squeezes Patrick’s hand.)
Robin (groggily): Patrick?
(Patrick looks up immediately at the sound of Robin’s voice and smiles toward her.)
Patrick: Hey Dr. Scorpio.
Robin: What happened?
Patrick: You fell for me… oh, I mean you fell into my arms.
(Robin smiles tiredly and looks up at Patrick.)
Robin: Thank you for catching me then.
(Jason quietly turns around and leaves with Alan behind him. Meanwhile, Robin tries to sit up.)
Robin: I want to sit up.
(Patrick helps her.)
Patrick: Your Uncle Mac is here.
Robin: Is he okay?
Patrick: Just worried.
Robin (looks at him): Are you okay?
Patrick: I am better now.
Robin (seriously): How’s my latest blood work-ups?
Patrick: We’re trying to fight off the destruction of your red blood-cells.
Robin: My protocol makes me anemic.
Patrick: I noticed that in your blood work.
Robin: So, I guess you learned a lot about me, huh?
Patrick: Your viral load is still undetectable. You are very healthy, Robin.
Robin: Except for this.
Patrick: We’ll figure "this" out.
(Robin nods and looks down. They both look up when Mac walks back into the hospital room. He smiles immediately at the sight of his awakened niece and runs toward her.)
Mac: Hey!
(Mac leans down and kisses Robin’s forehead.)
Mac: Welcome back to the world.
(Patrick looks at Mac then toward Robin.)
Patrick: I’m going to the lab for a little while.
Robin (looks at him): Take my files.
(Patrick picks up the folder and shows them to her.)
Patrick: Already have them. I’ll be back.
(Mac watches his niece and follows her eyes as she watches Patrick leave. Once they’re alone, Mac looks back at his niece.)
Mac: Dr. Drake seems nice.
Robin (looks back at Mac): He is.
Mac: He hasn’t left your side since you were admitted. (smiles) And he called me immediately… so I like that.
Robin: You would.
Mac: How are you feeling?
Robin: Just tired. I’ll be fine, Uncle Mac.
Mac: I know you will.
(Mac kisses Robin’s forehead. Meanwhile, Patrick Drakes walks toward the nurses’ station. He looks at Liz.)
Patrick: Has anyone been looking for me?
Liz: Anyone in particular?
Patrick: I called one of my old friends to help me with this research.
(The elevator doors open and a young man walks out of it.)
Voice: Hey Patty!
(Patrick smiles relieved as his friend walks up to him and hugs him tightly.)
Patrick: Thank you for coming.
(The young man pulls away and looks at Patrick.)
Young Man: You called, I came.
(Patrick looks at Liz.)
Patrick: Nurse Webber, this is Dr. McBain from Llanview, Pennsylvania.
(The young doctor smiles and extends his hand.)
Dr. McBain: But, you can call me Michael.
Liz: Hi Michael. Nice to meet you.
(Michael turns and looks at his old friend.)
Michael: So, want to show me to the lab?
Patrick: Thought you would never ask.
(Liz watches as the two young doctors walk toward lab. She looks up when Emily appears at the nurses’ station.)
Liz: Hey… how’s your grandfather?
(Emily pushes back her hair and sighs.)
Emily: Not good. (looks at her) How’s Robin? Jason told me that she was admitted.
Liz: She’s awake. I don’t know much more than that. Mac is with her now.
Emily: So, did he really kick out Jason and Sonny from her room?
Liz: They did hurt her, Em.
Emily: Yeah, but they still care about her.
Liz: Well, Robin needs to be in a drama-free zone right now.

Setting: The Research Lab
(Michael McBain walks toward the desk as Patrick opens up several folders. His eyes freeze on Robin Scorpio’s file.)

Michael: This is her.
Patrick (looks at him): Who?
Michael: The woman you want me to help you save.
(Patrick looks down at the folder.)
Patrick: How can you tell?
Michael: The crease marks on the folder. (laughs) How tight were you holding it, man? (seriously) Patrick, it’s okay to admit you’re scared.
(Patrick shakes his head.)
Patrick: Not me. Never take any case personal. Never see the patient as more than a patient.
Michael: I must’ve overslept for that lecture in med school.
Patrick (looks at him): You know me, Michael. I don’t do scared. I don’t do compassion. And I definitely don’t fall in love… I barely do "like" well, remember?
Michael: Neither did I… until Marcie. There are always exceptions to the rules, Patty.
Patrick: Can you please stop calling me that?
Michael: Why? I like that name.
(Michael looks back down at the file.)
Patrick: How’s John?
Michael: Messed up. How’s your dad?
Patrick: Messed up.
Michael: Glad to see some things don’t change.
Patrick: So, do you have any ideas?
Michael: Yeah, I actually do. (looks at him) Don’t be scared, Patty… we’ll save her, I promise.

Chapter 10

- The Next Morning
Setting: Robin’s Hospital Room
(It’s early in the morning. Patrick Drake opens up the door to Robin’s room and finds a sleeping Mac next to Robin’s bed and what looks like a woman sleeping on the other side of the bed. Hearing the noise, the woman looks up and her eyes widen at the sight of the young doctor. Patrick nervously shuffles a bit.)

Patrick: I’m sorry I awakened you.
(The woman stands up and rubs her eyes. She walks toward him and gestures for them to speak outside the room. Patrick follows her.)
Woman: No apologies. I’m a light sleeper.
(Patrick immediately catches the British accent. He looks at the woman and studies her for a moment as she studies him.)
Woman: You wouldn’t be Patrick Drake, would you?
Patrick: And you must be Robin’s mother.
(Anna extends her hand toward Patrick.)
Anna: It’s a pleasure to meet you, Dr. Drake. I’m Anna Devane.
(Patrick shakes her hand.)
Patrick: Nice to meet you, Ms. Devane.
(Patrick watches as Anna looks down then back toward her daughter’s room.)
Patrick: She’s doing okay. She’s still breathing on her own.
Anna (looks back at him): She had a hard time last night.
Patrick: Breathing?
Anna: Robin’s breathing is usually very soft… very soothing. Last night when I got in, she was already sleeping… so I just sat by her bed and watched her. Her breathing was labored.
(Anna sees the alarm flash in Patrick’s eyes.)
Patrick: If that happens again, please page one of the doctors. Or page me, specifically. I was just in the lab.
Anna: All night?
Patrick: Robin started the groundwork on a cure, but there’s something missing that doesn’t make it as effective on all cases.
Anna: How big is the research staff?
Patrick: Right now… it’s basically me and my old friend Michael McBain.
Anna: Okay. (thinks) I know someone who may be able to help. (looks at him) How do you feel about someone who doesn’t always go by the rules?
Patrick: If it’s to save Robin… there are no rules.
(Anna smiles as she looks back at Patrick.)
Anna: I like the way you think. (looks at him) Is there a phone I could use?
Patrick: Just go to the nurses’ station.
Anna: Thanks.
(Anna starts to walk away, but Patrick calls out to her.)
Patrick: Anna… wait. Robin has no idea you’re here?
Anna: Not yet.
Patrick: Then, she’ll be happy. Very happy.
(Anna nods emotionally then walks toward the nurses’ station. Patrick looks up when the door to Robin’s room opens revealing Mac.)
Mac: Hey… Robin is up.
Patrick: Do you mind if I examine her?
Mac: I’ll get some coffee.
Patrick: Go toward the Nurses’ station first.
(Mac looks at Patrick confused then heads toward the Nurses’ station. Patrick opens the door and looks at Robin as she fidgets restlessly in her bed.)
Patrick: Are you being a good patient?
Robin (quietly): I really don’t like this, Patrick.
(Patrick sits down next to Robin. She turns her head and looks at him. She runs her hand along his usually smooth face.)
Robin: Going for the rustic look?
(Patrick uses the back of his hand to rub his face and smirks.)
Patrick: I thought it would give the appearance that I was more dedicated to the cause.
Robin (smiles): It does. (simply) And it looks good too.
Patrick: How’s your breathing today?
Robin: My chest feels a bit heavier… like I have fluid in my lungs.
Patrick: I thought that might happen. Let’s sit you up a little bit.
(Patrick helps Robin sit up then sits down next to her.)
Robin: Thank you.
Patrick: So, how have all your dreams been?
Robin (smirks): Is that a crack to all the sleeping I’ve been doing?
Patrick: I just want to make sure that you’re still dreaming of me.
Robin (closes her eyes): Then you can rest assured, Dr. Drake.
(Patrick watches Robin close her eyes.)
Patrick: You’re still tired?
Robin (opens her eyes): I don’t want to sleep anymore.
(Patrick takes Robin’s hand and looks down at it.)
Patrick: Then, stay with me for a while longer.
(Robin looks at their joined hands then back at him.)
Robin (softly): Patrick?
(Patrick finally looks at Robin and she can see the fear in his eyes as well as the determination that he wants to make it all better. His eyes were bloodshot, his face was scruffy, even his hair looked like it was missing some gel. If Robin ever doubted his feelings toward her, she didn’t have to anymore.)
Robin: When I leave this hospital, I want us to go dancing.
(That caught Patrick’s attention. He looked up laughing.)
Patrick: What?
Robin: Don’t tell me you don’t like to dance?
Patrick: Well, it’s not on my top ten list of things I’d like to do when you get out of here.
Robin: What is on that top ten list?
(Patrick just looks back at Robin and smirks. She can’t help but blush. How did he do that to her with just one single look?)
Patrick: You’ll just have to get better to find out.
(Robin smiles as she closes her eyes again. The door to Robin’s hospital room opens revealing Anna Devane and Mac Scorpio. Patrick sees them and leans down toward Robin’s ear.)
Patrick: You might want to open your eyes.
(Robin opens her eyes slowly and they immediately widen at the sight of her mother.)
Robin: Mom!
(Anna runs toward her mother and hugs her tightly.)
Anna: I came as soon as your Uncle called me.
Robin: Thank you so much for being here! (looks at her) When did you get in?
Anna: Last night, but you were sleeping… so was Mac. I just sat next to your bed and watched you.
Robin: You should’ve woken me up.
Anna: Don’t be silly.
Robin (happily): Mom, I am so happy you are here. You have no idea.
(Suddenly Robin realizes that Patrick is still in the room at her mom.)
Robin: Oh! Mom, this is Patrick Drake.
(Anna looks toward Patrick and smiles.)
Anna: We already met.
Robin (surprised): You did? (looks at him) And yet you didn’t say anything?
Patrick: Some things are still worth seeing for yourself.
(Robin smiles as Patrick stands up.)
Patrick: I’m going to go back to the lab. (looks at Robin) I’m going to order a higher dosage of dextromethorphan for your lungs.
(Robin nods and Patrick leaves the room. Once he’s gone, Anna smiles as she moves closer to her daughter.)
Anna (smiling): So, that’s Dr. Drake?
(Mac looks toward the door then back at Robin.)
Mac: Wait! You and the doctor?!?! (shakes his head) It makes sense, I guess.
Anna: He’s cute.
Robin (blushes): Mom!
Mac: He has a legal job.
Anna: Always an added bonus. (pushes Robin’s hair back) We can discuss this excruciatingly later, but right now I want to know how you’re feeling, Luv.
Robin: Just tired. Very tired.
Anna: Then, just rest.
(They look up when Liz opens the door.)
Liz: Hey Robin… I’m here to administer your extra dose of dextromethorphan.
Robin: Hey Liz.
Liz: If you need anything, I’ll be right outside. (looks at Anna) Your mom knows where to find me.
(Liz walks out of the room as Robin looks back at Anna.)
Robin: So, did everyone know you were here except for me?
Anna: I just got here… and I’m not going anywhere… so rest.
(Robin closes her eyes slowly as Anna looks back toward Mac. They silently exchanged prayers then looked back at Robin.)

Setting: The Research Lab at GH
(Patrick opens the door quickly and rushes into the room. Michael McBain looks up at his old friend.)

Michael: Where’s the fire?
Patrick: Did you get any further?
(Michael sighs as Patrick sits down next to him.)
Michael: I was going through your girlfri… (catches himself) Robin’s notes and she’s smart, man.
(Patrick nods as he looks down.)
Michael: No wonder she’s got you tied in knots. (pauses) Anyway, did you look at this formula she started on this page then crossed out?
(Patrick looks over Michael’s shoulder.)
Patrick: Yeah?
Michael: Did she say why she crossed this out?
Patrick: Not that I remember.
Michael: Would you mind if I asked her about it later? Because I think she could be onto something.
Patrick: No, ask her.
Michael: Okay. (sighs) So, how is she feeling?
Patrick: She looks tired.
Michael: How long have you known her?
Patrick: Not long. Do you remember the night I called you and told you about that girl that walked in on me and…
Michael: And asked you to perform surgery on her ex-boyfriend? That’s Robin?
Patrick: That’s Robin.
(Michael looks taken back.)
Michael: I guess, love at first sight is out of the question then.
(Patrick laughs.)
Patrick: Something happened that first time I met her, though. We just… the way she came barging in that room. (laughs) I was so angry. I mean, she didn’t care what she was interrupting and she didn’t even flinch when she saw me.
Michael (dryly): Well, you’re not that impressive, Patty.
(Patrick hits his good friend in the arm.)
Patrick: But, she just stood up to me.
Michael: And no one ever stands up to "the" Patrick Drake.
Patrick: She does and she’s good at it, man. And she’s smart and she just gets it.
Michael: And yet she likes you?
Patrick (looks at him): How are things with you and Marcie again?
Michael: Back to the research.
(Meanwhile back in Robin’s room, Robin is sleeping as Anna sits next to her bed gently pushing back her daughter’s hair. Anna looks up when the door to Robin’s room opens revealing Liz.)
Liz: Ms. Devane, someone’s here to see you.
Anna: Oh yes!
(A man slowly walks in and stares at Anna. She looks back at Liz.)
Anna: Thank you, Nurse Webber.
(Anna walks toward the man and stops directly in front of him.)
Anna: You came.
Man: You said you needed an expert on concocting drugs.
Anna: And there’s no better expert than you in that field.
Man: Anna, I’d do anything for you. You know that.
Anna: Can you help save my daughter?
Man: She’s Leora’s sister. I’ll do anything to help her.
Anna (sighs): Thank you, David.
(And just like that, Dr. David Hayward was going to help save the life of his ex-wife’s daughter. Even if Robin didn’t know it – she had an all-star team working to save her life and they all swore that they would.)

to be continued...

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