Chapter Twenty-One: Gunning For A Showdown


Robin sat in her hospital room, alone, not knowing what to think. Through the curtains she spotted her family but she couldn't let them in yet. She needed time to figure it out and think.

She wasn't raped. 'She wasn't' she repeated but did it really change much? To get even that close to being violated from someone that you once loved so dearly and completely. She didn't know how she felt about it because she couldn't understand.

How had they gotten to this point and how would they all come out if it? She raised the blanket over her shoulders to warm herself at the cold thought that she didn't know the answer.

But there was one thing she knew. She wanted Patrick to hold her and tell her that everything would be okay. That she could put her faith in him enough believe him completely. Yet something inside her, a voice that she couldn't understand told her that this could only end badly.

She lifts up her head as a knock sounds at the door; her Uncle Mac, Chief of Police. He sits on the side of her bed.

"How are you feeling?" He asks of his niece.

"Do you really want to know the answer to that question? I feel like crap." And she did, the bruises all around her body, showing up through her hospital gown and on her face were all too much for her Uncle to bear. "But I'll be okay. The doctors say that I was lucky enough to not have broken any bones and have only minor internal injuries. They might need to run some tests but they can do that later because I need to leave."

"Robin, do you see the condition you're in. What in the world would posses you to try to leave the hospital?"

One word. "Patrick," after a moment she adds, "He needs me to be there as much as I need him," a single tear threatening to drop form her eyes, even though she tries so hard not to do this, not now. "He's sitting there in a jail cell now all because of me".

"That's what I needed to talk to you about. I need to know what happened for the police report."

She looks down, not wanting to have to relive the events of that night. "I was at the hospital earlier on and I wasn't feeling well so I decided to leave early. While I was in the locker room I saw something that had compelled me to talk to Nikolas about."

"What did you see?"

"Emily...I saw bruises on her and I had a sick feeling that he was behind it. So I left Patrick a voicemail and called Nikolas. When he came I got straight to the point and told him that what he was doing was wrong and he needed to stop. He got angry and started telling me that I was a bitch for leaving him and that I deserved to pay..." as she pauses, Mac squeezes her hand, helping her go on, "He just flew into a rage an he wouldn't stop hitting me, he wouldn't let me go. He pinned me to the floor and started taking off my clothes."

"Did he...did he rape you?"

"No," she says shaking her head fiercely, "That's when Emily and Patrick came in. He was only trying to protect me Mac. He started hitting him and Nikolas started having a seizure. It wasn't his fault Mac. You need to get him out. Nikolas is the one that deserves to be in jail."

"I'll try. But its not looking good. The PCPD attained a warrant to search Patricks old and new places of residence. We checked his emails and what he found was disturbing. Multiple emails sent to an unknown someone showing Patrick's plotting to kill Nikolas. They basically described his anger over Nikolas having Emily and described in depth how one day, some way or another, he would kill Nikolas in cold blood. Even worse we found a gun."

"But he loves me. He wouldn't be jealous of Nikolas having Emily because he has me. You have to be wrong."

"I hope we are Robin, but the evidence is stacked against him. He's looking towards 10-15 years in prison. Maybe he'll get off because we know Nikolas had a past of alcoholism an recent violence. But it all seems to be premeditated. Nikolas is still unconscious we're waiting for word of his health; If he dies, it won't look good for Patrick. Justified or not, he might not see daylight for a while."

Everything after that is a complete blur to Robin as he finally leaves and shuts the door. The possibility of losing the love of her life was too much to bear and she refused to let it happen. She had waited too long to have him back in her life and if she had to crawl out of her room and plan a prison break for him, as crazy as it might sound, she would do it. He was worth it.

Port Charles Police Department

Emily walked into the PCPD asking to see Patrick. She knew that he was out of his mind with worry in his cell and she couldn't fight the urge to try and help. And she knew that even though now wasn't the best time, they had some things they needed to talk about.

She looked up to see him walk into the visitation room, guard close at hand. His handcuff was chained to the table as the guard walked over to the far corner of the room.

"How's Robin?" He immediately asked, anxious.

"She's okay, I think, she didn't want anyone to see her."

Damn, he can't help but think. She needs me to be there for her and I promised I always would. But instead I landed myself in jail.

"Do you know when I can get out? They're not telling me anything," The one question she didn't really want him to ask because she knew he wouldn't like the answer.

"The seizure that Nikolas had didn't seem to be bad but he's unconscious and we don't know if he'll make it .And the emails and gun they found in your penthouse are making the case against you even worse."

"What?" he askes, sincerely without a clue as to what she was referring too.

"You really don't know what I'm talking about? The emails that you wrote plotting to kill Nikolas were all found. That along with a gun, unlocked in your sock drawer. We've all known eachother all our lives and I knew you didn't like him Patrick but I never understood how much you hated him until I heard. I guess you saw his true colors before all of us did."

"Listen Em. I didn't write any of those emails, I didn't plan what happened that night, and it isn't my gun. You know that I would never jeaoparidize Isabelle's safety by having something like that in the house. You have to believe me."

She searches his face to see if he's lying.

"Your telling the truth aren't you? Well than I'm sorry Patrick but if your convicted you might not get out of here for at least ten years. Longer if Nikolas dies."

He is speechless for a second, unable to fathom spending years of his life behind bars without seeing Robin's beautiful face each day, feeling her love.

"You know, you think I'd regret it. What I did but I don't. He deserved it. I just don't get what Robin was doing there and why they were fighting." He pauses to see Emily's head hang in guilt. "What's wrong Em?"

"It was because of me...Robin saw- she saw my bruises." He gives her a questioning glance until she continues, "This wasn't the first that Nikolas let out his anger. He's been hurting me for weeks." She lifts up her sleeve to show him just one of her bruises and he realizes the reason for the light gone in her eyes.

"Oh, Em," he manages to muster, giving her a one handed hug from across the small table, "are you okay, is the baby okay?"

"The baby's fine, really Patrick...but there's a lot more to it that I haven't told you. I just got tangled up in the lies and the shattered dreams that we could have been happy together. And even after I got over the past it was just too hard to tell the truth. I don't know how to say this...The child that I'm carrying isn't yours Patrick. It's Nikolas'."

"Why couldn't you just tell me?" He asks slowly, processing it all. It had took so much time to get used to the fact that in a few months he would be a father and he'd be able to love a little child of his own. And now, all of it was gone. A little piece of his heart was wrenched away from him and it hurt. It really hurt.

"I don't know. But I'm sorry. You can't know how much I mean that." She walks out of the room and with one last glance she gets a small look into his heart. His world was spinning too fast for him and he couldn't stop the blows from coming. He was going to need sometime to think about it, and sadly he'd have all the time he could get.

An hour later Ric Lansing walks into Patrick's cell confidently to see him laying in bed, staring at the wall. He springs up at his voice.

"You're a lucky man, Dr. Drake. Even with Alexis' opposition I've gotten you released until your trial date. Nikolas is stabilized so the judge had some confidence to let you go seeing the circumstances. All you need to do is sign a paper on your way out."

"Thanks Ric. I owe you." Patrick gets released and minutes later he reaches the hospital. Passing by Robin's room, he looks through the window to see her alone, curled up to the side. He knew she missed him just as much as he did. He pulls open the door.

"Patrick," he wraps her into a huge hug, lightly making sure not to cause her anymore harm as he displayed his affection through soft kisses. Inadvertently for a split second, she backs away and retreats inside herself, instantly regretting it.

"I didn't mean to Patrick. It's just, so much has happened lately. With what happened with Nikolas, the emails tellling the world that you wanted Emily and have been plotting to kill Nikolas with that gun, its all just been too much. I just need time to let it sink in."

"I never sent those emails Robin. I love you and only you. Thats not something new that sprung up out of nowhere. I've always felt that way, it just took me some time to admit it. And its okay if you can't believe me right now or if your not ready to trust me. Whatever you need, whatever you're going through I'll be right here by your side if you want me to. I love you Robin and that's not going to change."

She places her hand in his, "I believe you and I love you too," they pause for a moment, "but I've been thinking about tonight for a while. I can't believe that Nikolas would do everything that he did to all of us. It just doesn't feel right. What if the psycho/ murderer or whatever is behind this. Brainwashing him into thinking we're his enemies."

"Maybe. But people can change for the worst Robin. Maybe it was just Nikolas' stress or drinking that led him to it. Even if he wakes up out of his coma, who knows if we'll ever find out the motives for his behaviour. And to think that he'll be raising what should have been my child. I won't let him anywhere near that child."

"Slow down. What?"

"He's the father of Emily's child. I just found out today."

"I'm so sorry. I know how much you loved it already."

"Me too. I didn't realize how attached I was getting to a child I hadn't even met until I found out that I wouldn't be its father. And the fact that I loved it, gave it a piece of my heart, makes it hurt all the more. But it's okay; or it will be. I have all the family I need, you and Isabelle." A realization strikes him, "I bet she's worried."

"She's fine. Our parents took her out for a night of fun to make sure that she wouldn't notice anything was wrong. I made sure they told her that Patty and Robbie went on a little trip and would be back soon. And that they love her very much."

"Thank God."

They're silent for a while, just happy to be together as they let the reality of it all sinks in.

"You know I'm starting to realize something more and more with everyday."

"What?"

"When my world's spinning out of control and I feel like I'm losing it; one thing's the same. You're always here for me. You're always the one who knows exactly how I feel and your always there to slow it all down. How'd I get lucky enough to have you?"

"I should be asking myself the same thing. You're amazing Robin, completely amazing."

Emily's House

Days later, Robin, Patrick, Emily, and Lucky sat around the living room deep in thought. They had decided that if the police couldn't catch the psycho that was after them they would take things into their own hands.

"How do we even know this freak's still out there? We haven't seen any sign of him for a while. Maybe we're all overreacting."

"Overreacting? Don't tell me that you don't feel it. Those eyes on you, at all times of the day. Don't say that you don't know we're all being watched and sooner or later he or she or whatever the hell that psycho is, will strike and hurt us all over again. Who knows, maybe he already has." Emily lets out.

"What do you mean?" Lucky asks as he puts an arm around her, letting her know he was there for her.

"I think she's trying to say that maybe the murderer had something to do with Nikolas losing his mind and doing what he did. For all we know, maybe it wasn't the drinking, maybe he was drugged. He probably framed Patrick too."

"Robin I'm glad you believe in me but don't stand up for that low life bastard. He knew exactly what he was doing and-"

"Don't talk about my brother like that Drake."

"It needs to be said," Patrick shot right back, "the murderer did horrible things. Terrorized us, burned down the cabin, killed Elizabeth but we can't blame him for everything."

The room goes silent. All of them contemplating the facts once again. Lucky remained indignant; knowing that his brother was innocent because he knew who the killer was: Elizabeth.

The loud shrill of the phone's ring broke through the silence and startles them all out of their thoughts. They simply stare at it for a second until Robin picks up the receiver.

"Hello," she hears heavy breathing on the other end as the hairs on the back of her neck stand up and she knows exactly who's on the other end. "What do you want with us? Why are you doing this?" She yells into the phone as the others stare on. Patrick is close at her side.

"You know exactly what I want, dear Robin. And I'm getting it tonight. I want all of you to meet me at the graveyard at midnight. I have business to settle with everyone one of you. I'm warning you now that if one person misses the meeting or decides to involve police, blood will be shed."

She hangs up the phone, Robin still in shock of the prospect of tonight silent pulled by Patrick into a comforting hug.

"What did he say?" Emily asked quietly.

"He used a voice morpher. He told us to meet him midnight at the graveyard and warned us that anyone stopped him from getting what he wanted someone would die."

"We're not going." Emily insisted.
"No. If that cold-blooded freak wants a showdown, he's sure as hell going to get one hell of a fight. This madness is ending tonight." And with the last word, Patrick walks out of the house as they all go they're separate ways to prepare for what was happening next.

Harborview Towers

Patrick walked up to Harborview Towers with Isabelle's hand in his and Robin by his side.

"Patty, can you set up a race car track with me tonight?"

"Are you sure you'd like the race car track instead of playing with Barbies?

"Patty, who wants to play will plastic when you can be racing a car 100 miles per hour with the track ahead of you and all the adrenaline? It'll be lots more fun."

"You know, you two are a lot more alike than you think." Robin says as she looks on at the two, admiring how alike they were inside and out. She knew that Isabelle wasn't their daughter, not by blood anyway, but in all the ways that counted they were slowly becoming a family. She secretly hoped, she admitted, that she wished their family could grow even bigger with time and they could have a child of their own some day. Either way they all loved each other, completely, and she couldn't help but want nothing less from them forever.

They had it all and in that moment they were happy. She wouldn't let that change tonight.

"Patrick, I need to pick up some papers for work. I'll see you later okay." God I hate lying to him but I have no choice. She kneels to reach Izzy's level and gives her a big hug, Patrick not long after, "Love you two. See you later."

She immediately heads down into the PCPD and seeing Robert right where she thought he'd be, pushes him into a secluded room.
"Dad, the murder has set up a meeting tonight with all of us and I need your help. I need to get wired."

Emily walks up to Patrick and Robin's penthouse, lightly knocking on the door. He opens the door and leads her to sit down.

"What's up?" He asks, sensing the obvious apprehension on her countenance.

"Nothing, I'm just really worried about tonight, so I decided to go see Jason, he lives a few doors down."

"Okay but is there something else on your mind?"

"What do you think about guns?" She blurts out, instantly regretting it.

"I don't like them. I entered a profession to help people and guns do just the opposite. But sometimes they're necessary and if I had to choose between letting someone I love be hurt or holding a gun, I'd choose the first every time. Why do you ask? You know that I didn't put that gun in here, right?"
"I know. It's just...forget it. I'm going to go see Jason now." And with that she abruptly leaves the room leaving Patrick to scratch his head at the awkward conversation.

Emily walks the few steps to Jason's room and pounds on his door. Explaining her presence with the need to talk. She bares her soul about her feelings with the murderer, Nikolas, everything, and is eventually reduced to tears from a mere hour of talking to Jason. It felt good for her to know that he was the one person that would always be there for her.

Eventually, she cries herself to sleep on the shoulder of the man that was her rock, and as always he lets her sleep on the couch as he ventures out.
As soon as he leaves she opens her eyes and gets up, walking to the flower pot, to her right. Grabbing the key under it she walks to the desk and pulls out the black safe. Opening it with a key she pulls the gun out and rolls it around in her hand.

'I don't want to have to do this', she thinks but she knows she has to go through with it. 'I'm not letting that freak hurt my friends again'. He's going to have to die.

So as the citizens of Port Charles get ready for what would be the showdown of their lives, Lucky, Emily, Patrick and Robin make mistakes and even worse decisions. They realize the stakes of what they can lose and prepare to lose it all anyway. They would fight, and they would try their best but in the end would it all matter? Could it really amount to much when they were bound to lose it all anyway. Well they would find out tonight, the end would come soon enough.

A/N: The next chapter will be the showdown and the psycho and its motives will be revealed. Oh, and had to throw in that I'm an aunt to a baby named cameran as of monday. I hope you guys are doing great and just have to thank all of you for the wonderful feedback.

talk2much13: glad you were shocked yet still like it. :)

bluejaygal: As you can tell form this chapter. Pat is still mad at her but won't let em raise her child with nik. And robin being pregnant with pat's baby. Who knows, she hasn't gotten all of those tests back.

lorilou783: nik is still far from okay but robin is getting better. I'm thinking nik needs some help too.

IlovetowriteSMP: that thing about nik would make things interesting wouldn't it. but that would be a different story. glad you thought the last few chapters were exciting even though i'm sure this wasn't one of them.

coffegurl5: Love the fact that we've been talking back and forth alot. And sorry that it might take a little more of a while for Nikolas' issues to come out.