Chapter 8

"Answer me Matt – who the hell is this doctor and what is he doing with Robin?"

Matt couldn't help but smirk at his brother. This was actually perfect timing – Robin was in the kitchen and could hear every word they were saying. It was time to get his brother to admit that he was in love with her.

Matt had been hesitant at first when Maxie had suggested that Robin would be perfect for his brother until he saw the two of them together for the first time. They had been going over a patient file at the nurse's hub and they stood as close together as they could without actually touching. Patrick watched Robin and listened closely to every word she said. At one point she was pointing out something to him on the paperwork and he leaned over, his chin almost resting on her shoulder, and neither one seemed the least bit uncomfortable despite the fact that they were standing in the middle of the floor where anyone could see them.

That one moment had gotten Matt on board with the coupling. He had spent the last month watching them at the hospital and during various outings they had taken together. They had gone out to Jake's several times, several business dinners together as friends and even had a Sunday bowling outing with Rylee while Michelle crammed for a test. Patrick was a natural with the little girl and she quickly grew to love the man she called Uncle Patrick. Matt may not have known his brother that long but he recognized a man in love and Patrick was in love with Robin.

"Patrick, why do you care who Robin is with?" Matt was hoping his brother would finally open up to him.

"Because she's a member of my department and I need to know if she is going to be busy working on another surgery when I need her."

"Sorry but I don't buy it." Matt sat down on the couch. "Try again."

"Robin doesn't know all the doctors around here and what if he is a quack – he could damage her reputation and, by extension, General Hospital's." That excuse sounded lamer out loud then it had in his head.

Matt rolled his eyes. "Strike two."

Patrick sat down next to his brother. "Look, she has been through so much over the years and I would hate to see some guy try to take advantage of her."

"I think Robin can take care of herself." Matt could not believe how far into denial his brother was.

"Let's face it Matt, she's a widowed grandma – someone needs to look out for her." Patrick ran his hand through his hair. "I mean, the kind of guy that would be interested in…"

"Thank you for your concern but I can take care of myself." Robin walked out the kitchen door with Maxie right behind her.

A look of pure horror crossed Patrick's face – he hadn't meant what he had just said, he had only been trying to get Matt to back off. He glared at his brother. "You were the handsome doctor."

Matt just nodded his head.

Patrick stood up. "Robin, I…"

"Matt, I need to get going but I would appreciate it if you would keep me updated on how your patient is doing and if the protocol is working." Robin had foolishly let herself hope for a few minutes that Patrick was interested in her as something other than a co-worker. She needed to save face and get out of there before the hurt she was feeling surfaced.

She hugged her cousin. "I will see you at the ball this weekend."

Maxie gave Patrick a death stare over Robin's shoulder as she hugged her cousin. "You bet."

Robin turned around and walked to the door. She opened it and finally looked at Patrick. "Good night Dr. Drake."

"Robin." Patrick didn't know what else to say so he kept silent as she shut the door behind her.

Maxie walked over to her boyfriend. "I'm going to bed – let me know when he is gone."

"Maxie, don't be that way." Patrick knew that she had every right to be mad at him but he didn't want Matt caught in the middle.

"Good night Dr. Drake." Maxie stormed off to the bedroom and Matt shuddered as he heard their bedroom door slam shut.

"I'm going to have a fun night." He glared at his brother. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

"Me!" Patrick stood up and began pacing once again. "Why didn't you tell me Robin was here?"

"Because, foolish me, I thought you might finally get out of your own damn way and admit that you care about her." Matt stood up and got in his brother's face. "I didn't think you would be so stupid as to deny what you feel to me."

"Damn it Matt, you don't understand."

"Understand what?" Both men were yelling at this point but neither one cared. "That a great woman cares about you and you treated her like crap!"

"No!" Patrick was getting more and more agitated.

"Then explain it to me Patrick! Why the hell would you pretend you don't care about her?" Matt was upset that he had, indirectly, been a party to hurting Robin. "Or maybe you really don't care about her?"

"Don't you ever question my feelings for Robin." Patrick's voice took on an almost menacing tone.

"What feelings – pity, sympathy?" Matt practically spat his words at him. "She deserves more than that."

"Don't you think I know that?" Patrick stared his brother straight in the eyes. "Why do you think I am trying to fight this? She deserves so much better than a playboy who has slept with half the women in Port Charles." He sounded almost defeated. "Robin is special and she deserves better than me."

Patrick headed to the front door. "You want to know how I feel? I love her. I have been in love with Robin for fifteen years but I have never been and I will never be good enough for her."

Matt walked over and stopped his brother from leaving. "The only person who believes that is you Patrick. I don't think that, Maxie doesn't think that and I know for a fact Robin doesn't."

"She doesn't?" Patrick thought about what Matt was saying and shook his head. "Well she's wrong – I just need to prove it to her."

Matt didn't like the way Patrick was talking. "Patrick, what are you going to do?"

"Don't worry Matt, you'll find out soon enough." Patrick stepped out the door and headed to his car. He got in and opened up his phone. He dialed an old familiar number and waited for the woman to pick up his call. "Hey, how would you like to attend the Nurse's Ball with me?"