Chapter 13

Robin knocked on Marcus's office door. "Marcus?"

Marcus yelled out to her. "Come in."

Robin opened the door and started to enter but stopped. "I'm sorry, I didn't know you had company."

A sandy haired man sat in the chair opposite Marcus, his back to the door. Marcus smiled at her, taking in the sight of Robin in the green dress he had picked out for her. "It's okay. We're going to be longer than I expected so why don't you go ahead to the casino and I will meet you there."

Tonight was a benefit for the pediatric wing at the Haunted Star. Marcus had decided Robin was ready to face the citizens of Port Charles for a night, as long as he was by her side of course, but this meeting was taking longer than he thought.

Robin hesitated. "Are you sure?"

"Of course I am. You have been doing wonderful for the past week – I trust you will behave. I shouldn't be very far behind you and Nikolas will be there. Please sit with him."

"Okay – I'll see you there in just a little while."

Robin closed the door and Marcus turned back to his guest. "As I told Helena, everything is under control here. There was no reason for you to check up on us."

Jerry smiled at the man. "Yes, I see that little Robin is listening to you but that does not change the fact that we need to move up the timeline and I am here to make certain that happens. I will be staying at Wyndamere but please do not let anyone know I am here – there are quite a few people who love to put me in jail."

"Then I suggest you stay out of sight – I have made too much progress with Robin to have you take ruin it now." Marcus stood up and walked to the door. "I assume Helena told Nikolas you are coming?"

"Yes, the dear boy has a room set up for me on the opposite side of the house from you and Robin." Jerry pulled on the hat he was carrying, effectively hiding his hair and put on a pair of glasses. "I will see you at home later."

Robin walked into the Haunted Star, clutching her purse close to her and looking around for Nikolas. Her nerves were working overtime and she was unsure where to step or what to do.

Patrick noticed her standing on the steps and walked over, careful to make sure she could see him. "Robin?" She smiled at him and he smiled back. "I'm so glad you came. Are you by yourself?"

Robin looked around again and then back at her ex-husband. "Marcus was still with a patient and Nikolas was supposed to meet me here but I don't see him."

He was about to make a comment about her being let out alone but Patrick bit it back. He was trying to be supportive and that would immediately put her on the defensive. "Would you like a drink? I have a spot at the bar with a couple of stools and enough room for two."

He put out his hand and, after a moment's hesitation, she took it, followed him to the bar and took the seat next to him. Patrick signaled the bartender. "A glass of your house red please."

Robin smiled at him. "Thank you. Where's Sam?"

"She said she might make it later – this really isn't her thing." The truth was that he really hadn't spoken to Sam in weeks. He had been busy at the hospital and she was working on a case. "Emma is at her slumber party, right?"

Robin laughed. "Yes. She was so excited to spend the weekend with her friends." She took a sip of wine. "How is your patient doing – the one with the frontal tumor?"

"Very well, thanks to you." Robin looked at him curiously. "I reviewed some files from similar patients you developed protocols for and was able to figure out a treatment for my patient."

"Wait, you figured out a drug protocol for your patient? What happened to cut first, questions later?"

"Hey, don't be so surprised. You always were the best influence on me." Patrick raised his glass and clinked it with Robin's. "Before you I wouldn't have even considered using a drug protocol but now it's always on my mind when I review patient files."

Robin felt tears come to her eyes as she noted the sincerity in his eyes. "I'm glad to hear that but you have to know that I never wanted to change you."

"That's not what I meant. You didn't change me, you just helped me see that there was more than one way to handle a situation and I will be forever grateful to you for it. Although I have to admit that I can't wait to be able to actually work with you again. Any idea when you might start consulting?"

Robin shook her head. "No, I'm still trying to get back into the swing of things and I needed to take a few days off last week but I am hoping soon."

His guilt overwhelmed him and Patrick gently took Robin's hands in his. "I am so sorry for last week, the stunt I pulled with the elevator. Robin I would never purposely scare you. It was a stupid thing to do and I hope you can forgive me."

"Patrick, I know you weren't trying to scare me and yes, I can forgive you. Just don't do it again, please."

"I promise not to do anything like that to you again. All I want to do is help you Robin, to finally be the man you need." Robin smiled at him and Patrick let go of her hands. "You ready for a little roulette?"

Robin didn't have a chance to respond when they heard gun fire going off and saw four men in masks enter the casino. "Nobody move – this is a robbery!"

Patrick instinctively put himself in front of Robin, taking her hands in his and pulling her against his back to shield her. "It's okay Robin, just stay behind me. I'll protect you."