Chapter Ten:
"There needs to be a connection," Brittany said as she and Robin looked over the research. "The strong and healthy adults are getting kicked in the gut and those with weakened systems aren't, with the exception of the children."
Robin was quiet as she thought of something.
"Did you give Natalie the other dose?" she asked.
Brittany nodded.
"We did, but she hasn't improved yet."
Maxie ran in and Robin and Brittany jumped.
"What is it? What happened?"
"Nothing. Matt won't wake up and I don't understand why you can't just give him the meds you gave me. What the hell are you waiting for?"
Robin sighed.
"It's not that simple. It took me a long time to make the serum the first time and Matt helped me tweak the formula before we gave it to you. We are doing all we can."
Maxie crossed her arms.
"I know, but they need to get better."
Brittany was working through the conversation and she looked up at Robin.
"We need to use a protease inhibitor," she said and Robin met her gaze.
"You want to give them HIV meds?"
Brittany wiped her face and her tears.
"I think there might be something in the meds that is giving us protection. I checked the HIV wing and none of the patients have been affected by this. I don't know what else to do, but my husband my little girl are fighting for their lives and I need to try anything."
Maxie looked at them.
"You are going to give them HIV meds? Will that hurt them?"
Robin went about figuring out the chemical mixture and Brittany shook her head.
"It might give them what they need to fight whatever this is."
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A little while later, Robin sat in the room with Patrick after he had been given the new drug. He was moved into a private room and so was Matt. Tommy was moved to the room with Natalie and all of the women were with them.
Robin smoothed his hair off his forehead and leaned in to kiss his cheek. She held his hand in hers and just watched him.
She tried to be strong. In front of Maxie and Emma and everyone since she came back, she put on a brave front. She didn't dwell on what had happened because it was over and she survived.
But with Patrick, she could let her guard down and slowly but surely, she was coming to terms with what almost two years in captivity had done to her psyche. He pushed her on her issues and he helped her feel her strength. He held her when she cried and she felt it was okay to be vulnerable. He was the man of her dreams and she found herself more in love with him now than the day they were married.
So how could it come to this? Was it her destiny to come home to watch him die? Was that truly what she was meant for?
"I love you so much," she said softly as she kissed his fingers. "I need you to wake up and tell me it will be okay. I need you to hold me and love me and help me see all the good in this world."
She watched as the machines beeped and he lay so silent and still.
"You know, I spent a lot of time talking to you when I was in that lab all alone. Sometimes it was just my thoughts, but sometimes I would say your side of the conversation, too. You agreed with me much of the time, but sometimes, you were the voice of reason," she smiled as she spoke to him. "I was close to giving up. I didn't think I could fight any longer and I was so lonely. It's weird, because a lot of people who think they know me would think I like being alone. I don't blame them, because that's kind of who I've always been. I'm quiet and I think it's because I don't trust that people have my best interests at heart. I don't want to get hurt and that's what's happened in the past."
She put his hand down and wiped her eyes before she stroked his cheeks.
"You challenged me to break out of those walls. You found the woman I was hiding inside and you made her feel beautiful and valued. I don't think you know just how much you saved me. You are all of my reasons, Patrick. You have to fight to come back to me."
"Robin?" his deep voice startled her and she leaned in closer.
"I'm here. Can you look at me?"
He opened his eyes and they were dull and lifeless.
"You should leave," he said softly.
"No, I should be with my husband."
"Emma needs you healthy."
Her heart broke at his words.
"Emma needs both of her parents healthy. You will get better and we will go home together."
He took a shaky breath and his chin quivered.
"She likes to read a book in the bathtub," he began.
"Patrick, please stop."
"She has your temper and my flirting, so it's hard to argue with her," he continued.
"Baby please don't do this," she cried and kissed his fingers. "You're going to be fine."
He stroked her cheek with his finger and he smiled enough so a dimple appeared.
"I can't believe you came back to me."
She leaned in and kissed him softly before she pressed her forehead to his.
"I didn't fight my way back here for you to leave me. You need to fight this, Patrick. You can't give up on us. This isn't the way our lives are meant to end. We were going to have another child and build our house and take our trips. You have to fight for that. You have to believe in me and know I can help you."
He fought to stay awake and she held his gaze as he spoke.
"I love you, beyond reason," he said and closed his eyes.
She lay down next to him and rested her head on his chest.
"Please help him," she said to the quiet of the room. "Please let him be okay," she sobbed as she held him.
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It had been two days and the serum had been effective for many of the patients. Tommy and Matt had steadily improved and many of the children were coming around. Robin had been working with Brittany to duplicate the medication as quickly as possible.
She was desperate.
Patrick wasn't responding.
Robin sat by his bed and took the cool washcloth, placing it on his chest. His fever wasn't breaking and she was out of options. Her fear was suffocating, but she held it together. She had to.
He had been in and out of consciousness, talking a struggle.
"Hey, any change?" Matt walked in with the assistance of Maxie. He wore a robe and although weak, his color was much better.
"No," Robin wiped her eyes. "But he'll get better, he just needs a little more time."
Maxie walked to Robin and hugged her.
"How are you holding up? You haven't been back very long and you need to watch your own health."
Robin nodded and shrugged.
"I'm fine. Whoever did this meant for me to be okay. I think they wanted me to suffer; maybe all of us to suffer, I don't know. I just need for Patrick to wake up. I'll be okay if he wakes up."
There was a knock at the door and they looked over as Brittany came in with Natalie. The little redhead looked so much better and Brittany smiled at her, encouraging her.
"I was wondering if I could talk to Emma's daddy for a minute," she asked Robin. "I know he's sleeping, but I need to tell him something."
Robin knelt down and took the little girl's hands in her own.
"That would be very nice. How are you feeling?"
"I'm okay. My parts are working better," she smiled shyly.
Robin hugged her and nodded.
"That's the best news."
Brittany squeezed Robin's hand and walked her daughter to Patrick's bedside. She stepped back with the other adults.
"Thank you for letting her say hello. Natalie has a special way sometimes with people. She saved me many times when I was critical. I've learned never to deny her a request to visit," Brittany smiled.
"If she can help, I'm all for it," Robin said and sat down, her body screaming at her.
"When was the last time you ate something?"
"I had a cracker with my meds," she said, her tears coming again.
Brittany looked at Matt and Maxie.
"Do you think we can get some food here for Robin?"
Maxie nodded and took Matt's arm.
"We'll be right back."
"I need to go help make more of the medication," Robin said tearfully.
"Tommy is working on it. He is overseeing some of the other doctors in duplicating everything. You need to be here with your husband and let us help you."
"Thank you," she said and Brittany hugged her. Robin was so grateful for her new friends.
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Natalie climbed onto the side of the bed and looked at Patrick. She put her hand on his arm and smiled.
"I know you don't really know me, but Emma is my friend and I need to tell you something. When I was playing at your house a few days ago, Emma told me a little bit about what a fun daddy you are. She told me she was so very sad when her mommy was gone and you made her smile every day. She also made me feel like she really likes me and that was even after she found out I'm not like everyone else. I have a lot of problems and lots of kids make fun of me but Emma was so nice and I think it's because she has you for a daddy. You're a nice man and Emma needs you. I think it's time you got better so Emma is happy and we can play. If you want, when you wake up, I'll bring Tramp by for a visit. He always helps me when I'm in the hospital."
Natalie jumped off the bed and walked to Patrick's face. She took her small hand and touched his shoulder before she walked to Robin.
"I think he's going to be fine. You are a very good mommy," she said and hugged Robin.
Brittany smiled lovingly at her daughter and Robin was choked up.
"That's the nicest thing anyone has said to me," she said sincerely.
"It's the truth. Mommy always tells me if there is something you want to say, you should say it."
"Natalie, I think we should go back to your room and rest a little, okay?" Brittany said.
"Okay. Do I have to have my insides cleaned again?"
Robin looked at Brittany who mouthed dialysis.
"We're going to check on that. Come on mini red."
Robin thanked them again and watched them leave.
She was so happy Emma liked Natalie and she hoped the little girl would get better. She walked to Patrick and sat down, taking his hand. She jumped when he squeezed her hand back.
"Patrick?"
His beautiful brown eyes opened and he looked at her, really looked at her.
"What happened?" he asked.
She cupped his face in her hands and her tears fell unabated.
"Apparently you needed a lot of beauty sleep," she said as she smiled.
He looked around and she checked his vitals, his face much cooler.
"How do you feel?"
"Tired, but okay," he said. "How long was I out?"
"Three days," she said as she wiped her eyes.
"What? Oh my God," he said as he felt his face and the beard he was growing.
"It's okay. You're going to be okay now," she leaned in and stroked his cheeks.
"I love you so much," he said as he reached to touch her face.
"I love you, too. You really scared me," she said.
"You saved my life," he said.
"No, a lot of us worked together."
"No, your love saved me. I felt it. I felt you here with me."
She was overcome with love for him and she had no words.
"Come here," he said softly.
She lay down in his arms and he held her for the first time in days. Alone, with him, she allowed her fear to come out. She cried in relief and she finally let herself relax just a little.
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