CHAPTER 1

Things have been pretty strained between Robin and Patrick, ever since Lisa's arrived. Patrick is beginning to miss his wild, partying days and Lisa is reminding him of all that he's missing. Patrick just arrived home from work after having completed a six hour surgery for a Brachial Plexus injury, with Lisa assisting.

Lisa was amazing, Patrick mused. She understood the need for surgery and fully supported his decision to do so, unlike Robin, who fought him on everything just for the sake of argument. Robin was not a risk taker, in her treatment of patients and their love life. Patrick used to believe that their combative nature, in the beginning, added to their passion, but now he realizes it was the chase that attracted him not the combativeness.

Patrick wasn't used to being turned down. Let's face it, he was the total package. Looks, brains and confidence (sometimes confused with arrogance). In college, there wasn't anyone he couldn't have although Lisa proved to be one of his greatest challenges. She defied the usual chick rules, as far as Patrick was concerned. She could have meaningless sex and walk away with zero expectations and even less interest in the man than when she had taken him to bed.

That was the hardest for Patrick to cope with. He had taken her to the same restaurant that he taken all the others too, laced several innuendos throughout their dinner conversation and she seemed receptive. When he suggested cocktails at his place, she let him know that it would be unnecessary because she knew exactly what she wanted. Patrick blamed her bluntness on the wine she had for dinner. Before they could even make it into the apartment, both were halfway undressed. He ended up taking her right then and there on the floor.

When he woke the next morning, she was gone. No note, no nothing. When he saw her the next day, she acted as if nothing happened. Patrick thought maybe she regretted it, but his ego said otherwise. He momentarily thought that maybe he was an inadequate lover, but quickly scoffed at the idea. Three days she ignored him and on the fourth day, when he was beginning to feel like he has obsessed over their night together, she surprised him by taking him in the janitor's closet in between their clinical rotations.

Their game of cat and mouse lasted months, through relationships with others and only ended because Lisa accepted a more prestigious residency at Cedar Sinai while Patrick opted to stay at John Hopkins.

As Patrick slowly opened the door, he momentarily hoped that Robin had already put Emma to bed and was waiting to greet him, the way a wife should greet her husband. On the couch, he found Robin sleep, wearing a pair of his old tattered sweats, with her hair pulled in a loose bun.

She looked peaceful but it wasn't an image that turned him on. He never understood the appeal for her to wear his clothes, there was nothing attractive about it. In fact, it detracted away from her feminine features in his opinion. He walked over to the couch and slowly jostled her

"Robin, Robin" he said as he shook her shoulder

Her eyes opened, brown eyes sparkling. "Patrick?" Robin asked, sleep apparent in her voice

"Hey Beautiful" he responded while caressing the side of her face

Robin smiled as she stretched on the couch. "What time is it?" She asked looking around

"Late". Patrick replied. He skillfully maneuvered his hands underneath the large offending garment, while simultaneously kissing her neck/ He felt her arch against him and began to apply more pressure to his kisses as he gently kneaded her breasts. He slowly moved his hand down her stomach, carefully approaching his desired location. His fingertips played with the lace on her panties, just as he slid his hand in, he heard the familiar hesitation.

"Um Patrick….."

Patrick pushed himself off of Robin and stood up

"Dammit Robin! I don't understand you. We're married, not dead. What's so wrong with me wanting to express my love to you?"

Robin hoped off the couch, anger flashing in her eyes

"I don't know, here's a suggestion, how about you express how you feel with your words instead of your dick" She spat back at him

"You're impossible!" He yelled as he headed back out the door, slamming it loudly enough to wake Emma on his way out. Robin looked at the door exasperated and then turned and walked up the steps slowly to soothe Emma.