Chapter Thirteen:
"How are you? I can't believe you didn't call me yesterday." Elizabeth was sitting in Robin's classroom the next morning, trying to get the details of her day with Patrick. "You look amazing, by the way."
Robin smiled. She felt amazing. It was almost as if the attack never happened. How could one person have such an amazing effect of her? She looked at Elizabeth. "I feel great, Elizabeth. I don't know how to explain it, but it's like after the attack, I was at my lowest and in just a short amount of time, my life is better than it has ever been."
Elizabeth was so happy for her friend. "Patrick seems to be a great guy. I might have to have a talk with him, though."
Robin rolled her eyes. "Thanks mom, but I think I'm good," she sat down on a desk and looked at her. "How are things with you and Brad? I meant to ask about that earlier."
Elizabeth smiled. "Amazing. We have been connecting so much recently and I think we might finally be on the right track."
Robin hugged her friend. "I'm so glad, sweetie. I love you both and I want you to be happy." They both looked up as students began to file in. "Talk to you later?" Robin asked.
"Lunch, my room." Elizabeth said before walking out.
"Miss Scorpio, you look really pretty today," a student said as she walked in.
"Thanks Lila." Robin said and walked back to her desk. She felt pretty, and like a teenager again. She sat down and checked her email.
Patrick talked about ancient Mesopotamia and answered the questions from his students, but his mind was miles away from the lesson. He fought the urge to call her classroom at every break he had and he tried to stop thinking about her, but it was useless. She invaded every one of his thoughts.
"Mr. Drake, where were you yesterday?" A particularly nosey 9th grader asked him.
"I had something to take care of," he said. "Did you miss me Robert?"
"Yes, the sub was mean," he said as he took his book out of his bag. "Then Mr. Smith came in and was asking us all these questions."
Patrick looked at him. "What do you mean? What did Mr. Smith want?"
Robert was painstakingly setting out his materials and Patrick sighed. "Robert, what did Mr. Smith want?"
"Oh, he wanted to know something about why you weren't here and then he asked us about Miss Scorpio I think." Robert turned to talk to a friend who came in.
Patrick was confused. Tony taught special education and had no reason to talk to his sub about anything. If he had a question about a student, he should have come to him, not a sub. Why was he questioning the kids about Robin? He made a mental note to check on that, but the bell rang and his next class began.
Robin sat at her desk after her last class and closed her eyes for a minute. It had been a long day and she was exhausted. She was also excited to see Patrick. She began to gather her work to take home when she heard someone at her door. She looked up and smiled. "Hi Tony," she said, hoping this would be quick. "What can I do for you?" Robin asked politely, still gathering her things.
"Where were you yesterday?" Tony asked as he walked into the room and closed the door.
It wasn't a friendly tone, it was more accusatory. Robin looked up at him, her fear beginning to creep in. "Excuse me? Why is it any of your business where I was? Is there something you need?"
Tony walked closer to her. "I see you are feeling okay, so you weren't sick."
"Tony, I would appreciate it if you left." Robin said, feeling a bit like she was cornered. She picked up her phone to call for help and he walked over and shoved the phone away from her, the entire piece crashing to the floor. Robin stood there for a minute, trying to decide what to do. He was between her and the only exit and she knew she had no chance at escaping with him standing there. "Tony, I need you to let me leave now. We can talk another time," she walked around her desk and he moved to grab her by the arm, holding her roughly. She struggled to get away from him but he tightened his grasp.
"Miss Scorpio," the door opened and Lila walked into the room. Tony stood next to Robin and tightened his grip on her.
"Lila, now isn't a great time." Robin said, trying to keep her voice steady. She wracked her brain to think of a way to get her to help, but she didn't want to risk Lila's safety.
"Oh, is everything okay?" The astute teen asked her.
Robin smiled. "Yes, I know you needed to get your paper back on Ibsen's "A Doll's house," so I dropped it off in Mr. Drake's room. You can go there and ask him for it, okay? I'll talk to you later," she said, praying the teen would understand the message.
"Okay, see you tomorrow." Lila said and reluctantly turned and left.
"Good job," Tony said and leaned in and kissed her cheek. He got angry when a tear fell down her face. "I wouldn't have to do it this way if you had given me a chance."
"Tony, please let me go. You aren't going to get out of here with me, so just stop. I won't tell anyone about this," she said.
"What about your new man? What will he think about this? I worked with you for 5 years, Robin. I asked you out over and over again and you always said no. He is here for a month and he is already in your house." Tony sneered.
"Are you watching my house? Do you know where I live? What is wrong with you?" she was scared and angry.
"Shut up and do as I say," he said and smacked her face.
Patrick was milling around his office waiting for Robin to come by. She had told him to wait there and she would come by after her meeting with a student. He was still trying to figure out what was going on with Tony. He knew it was possible that Robert was mistaken, but he still couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to it. He remembered how Tony had hung on Robin that first time he had seen her and how it was obvious she wasn't interested. He looked up as someone walked into his room.
"Mr. Drake? My name is Lila and Ms. Scorpio told me to come to you and get my paper." The teenager said.
Patrick smiled at her. "Are you sure? I don't have your paper. Maybe you misunderstood?"
Lila shook her head and Patrick could see she was upset. "No, I think something is wrong. Mr. Smith was in the room with her and she seemed to be acting really strange. She told me to come and get my Ibsen paper from you, but we read Ibsen months ago." Lila began to cry as she continued. "I really think something might be wrong."
Patrick called Robin's room and got no answer. He tried her cell phone and still got nothing. He made his way to her room with Lila close behind. "Can you tell me exactly what she said?"
Lila was getting increasingly upset as she ran to keep up with him, her legs no match for his 6 foot frame. "She said the paper was from "A Doll's House" and I think she meant that as a clue."
Patrick turned to look at her as they walked. "What is it about?" he thought maybe Robin was trying to relay a message to him.
Lila wiped her tears. "A man who treats his wife like a doll. He doesn't like her to do anything if it isn't for him."
Patrick got to the room and opened the door. The desks were overturned, but there was no sign of her or Tony. Lila screamed and Patrick turned to look at her. "It's okay, everything will be okay. Can you call your mom to come get you?"
Lila wiped her face. "I'm 16. I drive to school."
"I would like for you to call her anyway," he tried to remain calm for her sake, but his heart was racing. He picked up his cell phone and dialed 911 and then school security. He walked over to her desk and felt sick. There were definite signs of a struggle and she was nowhere to be seen. What was he going to do? This was right under his nose and he didn't see it.
Chapter Fourteen:
Patrick stood in her classroom while the police looked all over. He was wracking his brain, trying to figure out where Tony took her. He walked to the officer. "What can I do?" he asked him.
"Nothing sir, you should probably go home and wait for us to call you if we find anything." The officer said.
Patrick shook his head. "I'm not going anywhere."
The officer turned around as more personnel came into the room. The Principal and the school police came in and Patrick walked to them. He filled them in on what he knew. He didn't know how much she had told them about the attack. The principal shook his head. "I feel like this is all my fault."
Patrick looked at him. "Why would you think that?"
"We have had some complaints about Tony, but nothing that warranted any formal action. I never thought he would do something like this. Robin is like a daughter to me. I can't believe this has happened." The older gentleman said.
Patrick felt his anxiety rising to the surface. He turned when a loud commotion came into the room. He heard an officer say they found something. He followed them out into the hall, despite them telling him to stay back. They made their way down to the custodian's closet. He heard the custodian telling them he had gone into the closet to get supplies and found her. Patrick ran to the door and saw her, lying on the ground, unconscious, the police around her. He went to her but the police held him back.
"Stop, this is a crime scene." They said.
"No, that's Robin and she needs me," he moved to her and the officers let him by while they waited for the paramedics. He sat down next to her and saw the bruise on her forehead from where he must have hit her. He prayed that nothing more had been done. She moaned a little and he took her hand in his. "Robin? Can you look at me?"
She opened her eyes and saw him there. "Patrick?" she asked in a confused voice.
"That's right, I'm here. You're okay," he said and the paramedics came in to help her. He stepped back as they worked on her.
It seemed like an eternity for him before they moved and he could see that she was okay. She held a bandage to her head and they were talking to her as she sat up on a chair. She looked at him and her eyes filled with tears. He moved closer to her and the officers backed away for a minute. He stood tentatively in front of her, not sure what she needed. He felt his heart wanting to burst as he longed to just hold her and make it okay. "Are you okay?" he asked softly.
She looked at him and nodded almost imperceptibly. She let her tears fall and he didn't care what was right, he leaned in and took her in his arms. She leaned her head on his shoulder and just tried to breathe. He was safe and he was comfort. She leaned back and he touched her face, looking into her eyes.
"Excuse me ma'am, but we should get you to the hospital." The paramedic said as he secured the bandage to her forehead.
Robin spoke for the first time. "No, please, I'm okay. I just want to go home. I just have a bump on my head."
The officer stepped up to them. "No, you can't go home until this guy is caught. We have searched the building but he hasn't been found. It is likely he will try to find you, so it would be safer if you went to the hospital."
Robin was adamant. "I don't want to go to the hospital, please."
The officer sighed. "Is there somewhere else you can go where you will be safe?"
"She can stay with me," Patrick said and stood next to her.
The officer looked at Robin. "Is that okay with you?"
Robin nodded. "Yes, thank you."
"Okay, but we will put an officer in front of your house for protection." The officer said.
Patrick looked at her. "Can I take her home now?"
The cop nodded and Patrick helped her to stand up and walk out.
"I need to feed Toots," she said through her tears.
"We will stop and get her. She can come to my house, too," he said as he got into the car.
She looked out the window and they drove in silence. They stopped at her house and gathered a few things and the cat and Patrick took them to his house. There was already a police car out front and they checked in with the officer. They walked into the house and Toots went right to the window and perched, looking out. Robin just stood in the doorway after he locked the door.
He walked to her and touched her face. "Talk to me, tell me what you need."
She looked at him and shrugged. "I'm not sure."
"Come here," He led her to the couch and she sat down. He sat down next to her and touched her forehead. "Does it hurt?"
She looked at him and shook her head. She stood up and went to go somewhere, but she turned and looked at him. "I don't know what to do."
He stood up and faced her. He knew she was holding everything in and he needed to help her. "Can you tell me what happened?"
She looked through him. "I don't know what to do," she said and slowly sank down to the ground. He caught her as she fell and he pulled her into his arms and held her as she began to cry, slowly at first, and then harder. He let her get it out and said nothing, just held her. She pulled back after a while and put her face in her hands.
"Robin, tell me what to do and I'll do it. Tell me what you need and I'll get it," he said to her, tilting her face up to look at him.
She finally looked at him and took his hand in hers. "I think I just need to be with you. Is that okay?"
He swallowed the lump in his throat. "That's more than okay."
"Good," she said. "I think I want to clean up and change my clothes. I think he is still on me."
Patrick looked at her. "Did he hurt you?" he asked gently.
She looked at him. "No, he just hit me and held my arm. I think he got scared after Lila came in and he ditched me to get away," she looked at him. "Oh, poor Lila, is she okay?"
Patrick nodded. "She saved you. She came to me and alerted me to what she thought was going on and we were able to get to you as quickly as we did."
"Good, she is a sweet girl and I didn't want her to be scared," she stood up. "Do you care if I take a bath?"
He smiled. "Of course not. Let me help you get set up," he said. He walked her into the guest room and went into the bathroom to draw the bath. She sat on the bed and pulled her suit jacket off. She took her ponytail out and let her hair fall over her shoulders. She stood up and turned to see him standing in the doorway. He smiled. "It's all ready."
She wrapped her arms around her waist. "Oh, okay."
He walked towards her. "I'll be in the other room if you need me," he turned to leave and she reached out and touched his arm. "What?" he asked softly.
"Will you stay with me? I don't want to be alone. I'll cover myself up so you don't feel uncomfortable," she said, going way out of her comfort zone, but feeling the need to be near him.
Patrick walked over to her and cupped her cheek in his hand. "There is nothing you could do that would make me feel uncomfortable."
She closed her eyes and leaned in to him, wrapping her arms around his torso. He held her to him and put his hand on her head. "I am so glad you trust me enough to stay here," he said.
She stood back and smiled. "I do trust you, Patrick. So much."
He grinned at her. "Good, then let's get you in the tub before it gets cold."
She walked into the bathroom and he waited by the door while she got undressed and got into the tub, the bubbles covering her. She told him he could come in and he did, sitting on the closed toilet seat. He smiled at her and tried not to focus on how beautiful she was. She leaned back and closed her eyes.
"Do you know how amazing you are?" he said to her.
She looked at him. "I'm no different than anyone else."
He shook his head. "That's where you're wrong," he moved and sat down next to the tub, facing her and reached for her hand. She took it in hers and he smiled at her. "You are nothing like anyone I have ever known. You have strength in buckets and you have a tenderness that makes me want to hold you forever," he looked down. "I'm sorry, but I think you are amazing and nothing you say will change that."
She was quiet for a minute. "I'm going to get out. Will you wait for me in the other room?"
He nodded and left. She watched him close the door and she exhaled. How was it that he was just what she needed to make herself feel worthwhile after such a horrible ordeal? She got out of the tub and dried herself off before putting on her sweats and a tank top. She walked out into the room and he was waiting, sitting on the bed petting Toots. She smiled as she walked over to them.
"Do you feel better?" he asked her.
"Much, thanks," she said, sitting down. Toots moved to her lap and curled up. Patrick looked at her and saw the huge bruise on her arm.
"Robin, are you sure you're okay?" he moved to touch her arm.
"He just grabbed me and held my arm for a bit, it's okay, it will heal," she said.
"None of this is okay, Robin," he sighed.
She moved closer to him and touched his face. "You know, you keep telling me how brave and how amazing I am, but I don't think I have told you just what I think of you."
He grinned. "Should I be scared?"
She shook her head and smiled. "No. You are the one who is amazing, Patrick. You stand by me when you don't have to and you act like my comfort is the most important thing to you. You look at me like I matter and when I look at you, I feel like something wonderful is possible," she traced a line to his lips. "Thank you."
He leaned in and pulled her to him and her mouth found his in a soft and inviting kiss. She initiated deeper access and he opened his mouth to allow her to explore what she felt comfortable with. She moved and pressed herself closer to him and he wrapped her in his arms. He broke the kiss and looked deep into her eyes. "I'm so glad you're okay, I don't know what I would have done if anything happened," he said, but stopped.
"Shh, I'm here and I'm okay," she smiled and pulled him to her for another kiss.
