CH. 21

Fifteen minutes later, Robin found herself on stage just about to wrap up her speech, "So I'd like to implore all of you tonight to donate what you can to this important cause. You have given hope not only to me but to so many other people. Before I finish up tonight, I also wanted to give my greatest thanks to Brenda Barrett, and Michael and Kristina Corinthos. They have made this event not only a success but a reality and hopefully we can continue raising the much needed funds to find a cure for HIV really soon. Brenda, Michael, Kristina, please stand up so everyone in this room can recognize all your hard work."

The three stood up as the applause grew louder in the room. He didn't know what took over him but Michael found himself headed towards the stage. He looked at Robin and whispered something in her ear as the crowd began to murmur amongst themselves.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Robin asked with great concern.

"I think it's about time that I did so, don't you?" Michael replied as she gave him a reassuring smile and handed him the microphone.

Sonny and Jason were alarmed as Brenda looked to the two men. She held onto Sonny's hand, "He's going to be okay. I think it's important that he does this."

Ethan looked to Kristina, "What's going on?"

Kristina just smiled nervously, "I have an idea but let's see what he has to say."

Michael looked out onto the crowd and he slowly took a breath. " Thank you for coming out tonight and supporting this cause. In the last few months, I've learned more about this virus and what it has done to so many people. One of those people being me."

The secret was out as he saw the faces of the guests who were all surprised by the news. He began to continue, " Yes, that's right I'm HIV positive. I am thankful for people like Dr. Robin Scorpio for helping me deal with this disease early on but most importantly for giving me hope. When I was first diagnosed I was filled with fear. I'm only 19, this isn't supposed to happen to me. The sad reality is that it did happen to me. But after reading more about this, and from the wonderful doctors at General Hospital I have hope that we will find a cure in my lifetime. I once was afraid but now I'm filled with the knowledge because of the fine staff at General Hospital but most importantly to my family and friends who've supported me during this. Where I once saw this diagnosis as a death sentence, I have faith that with more research we will find a cure for this. So, thank you to everyone of you who've donated and I hope you all have a wonderful night."

The crowd stood up and began to applause as Michael gives the microphone to Lucy. He looks to Robin who gives him a tight embrace. He looks out to the crowd and smiles as he sees Sonny, Brenda, Jason and Kristina standing in applause. He scanned the room to see his grandmother Monica, Dante, and Lulu also applauding. It didn't go unnoticed that his mother was not among them, which was not a big surprise to him whatsoever.

Backstage and away from all the numerous faces and murmurs, Robin looks at Michael. "So how are you feeling?"

He gives her a big smile, "Relieved."

"I had no idea you were going to do that." Jason states as approaches the two.

"Either did I. But I guess seeing Robin do it and knowing how much my family has supported me, made me realize there was nothing to be afraid of."

"Except for the fact you didn't tell your mother, Michael." Carly stated angrily. "How come I had to hear it in a room full of strangers?" She looks to Robin, "You put him up to this didn't you?"

Michael's tone gets a bit louder as he steps towards Robin as if to protect her from his mother, "She had nothing to do with this."

Carly glares back at her son and spews out, "Then why didn't you tell me?"

"You don't think I wanted to tell you?" he exclaims. "I've been wanting to tell you for months now but I saw how you treated Robin or when I even brought up the subject of HIV. You were never going to understand."

"You didn't give me a chance, Michael." She yells back.

Michael simply looks at his mother and whispers, "And if I did tell you? What would you have done?

Carly's tears begin to fall down her cheek, "I would have tried to understand because you are my son."

He shakes his head in anger, "Really? It was only an hour ago that you said you were proud of me but didn't understand why I thought this was important. "

"That's not fair Michael. You didn't even give me a chance." She retorts.

"Like the way you've given Robin a chance?" he asks.

Carly glares at Robin as she speaks, "This has nothing to do with her."

"That's what you don't understand mom. This has to do with her. You've put her through hell not only because of me but because of her HIV status. I saw how you treated Robin because of her status, and I was afraid of what you'd think of me. "

"What kind of lies did you tell my kid Robin? Huh, tell me."

Jason responds, "That's enough Carly."

Carly rolls her eyes, "Great you've got Jason and now my son defending you."

Robin just looks at her and decides not even get into it with her. She knew it was a waste of time and energy.

Carly smirks, "Of course you're not going to say anything, you're just perfect Saint Robin."

Michael turns to his mother, "I told you earlier if you're not interested in tonight, then you shouldn't be here. I suggest you leave now."

Carly stares shocked at her son's continued defiance. She wanted to create an even bigger scene, but what was the point. There was no way their issues would be resolved overnight. She takes a deep breath as she looks at all three of them. She attempts to keep her composure, "We're not done Michael. We still need to talk."

Michael, Robin and Jason watch as Carly walks away. Robin takes a step closer to Michael, "Maybe you should go after your mom and talk it through?"

He shakes his head in stubbornness, "How can you say that after everything she's done to you?"

Jason smiles as he answers, "Because that's Robin. Look while its out in the open, maybe you should go and try and talk to your mom about this. No time like the present."

Michael sighs, "I don't want this event to be ruined."

"It's not going to be ruined, Michael. It's already a success and if this night means trying to connect with your mother on some level, then maybe you should try and do that?" Robin comments.

"How is it that you can still encourage me to talk to my mom after everything she has done to you?" he asks.

Robin replies, "Look, your mother and I will…well we'll never be the best of friends. But she is your mother and if there is anyway that your relationship can be salvaged you should try to make an effort. Maybe you're the one person who can convince her that this disease is just not other people's problems. You're finally going to be able to put a face to this disease, and that might be the one thing that makes her realize how important this is."

Michael relents, "Fine. You do realize I'm only doing this because of the two of you? I'd rather not talk to my mom right now but you two make a point, so that is why I'm going to do what you ask. "

Jason and Robin laugh. Jason gives Michael a hug, "Well I'm glad that we can talk some sense into you."

Michael looks at the both of them, "Thank you."

"For what?" Jason asks.

"For taking care of me all this time and not hating me for ruining your lives." He says. He looks at the both of them, "You know if it weren't for me you two would probably be together. "

Robin and Jason look at each other awkwardly as they can see how the guilt is affecting Michael. "You know what I'm saying is true."

"Michael, you are not responsible for what went on between me and Robin. I made choices that I live with everyday."

"Yes choices that you probably regret." Michael replies back.

"Michael, where is this guilt coming from?" Robin asks softly.

"Jason lost Jake and you and Patrick aren't happy. That could have been all avoided. I saw the old photos of you two together and well Brenda, Sonny and even Mike have told me stories. It's my fault." Michael expresses.

"Whoa, that's a lot to take on. Michael none of this is your fault."

Robin continues, "Jason's right. None of what has happened to either of us is your fault."

"But if it weren't…"

Robin cut him off, "Michael, no one knows what the future holds. I never imagined some of the things that happened to me good or bad, but I can't and I don't blame anyone for where I am today. Even if you weren't around, there was never ever a guarantee that Jason and I would be together. And it would be really ignorant of me to blame whatever unhappiness I may have right now on you. That's the thing about life, it can take you to some places you would never imagine. But you make decisions and sometimes they are the right one's and sometime's they can be the wrong ones. But we learn from our mistakes and realize that one's happiness is in one's own hands. So this place that Jason and I are in. It's not always going to be like this and most importantly it's not your fault. I'll get to a happy place again. I know that. I have faith in that because life isn't always about being miserable. But life has it's up's and downs. Just like now for you and being HIV. I promise it won't always be that way for you. You'll experience joy as well. "

Jason looks her and smiles thinking about how even today, she's still teaching him things. She was full of wisdom beyond her years. Jason tries to lighten the mood a bit, "You know you should listen to her. She is a doctor and well she did go to Yale. She's really super smart."

Michael laughs at the comment. He looks to them both, "You know I may have never said it, but I'm really glad to have the both of you in my life."

Jason gives the man a hug, "Well, I'm glad that you're in my life as well."

Robin steps closer and replies, "And that goes for me too."

Michael steps back and clears his throat, "Okay well that was a bit deep for the Nurses Ball. Thanks again. I better go track my mom down."

Robin and Jason say good-bye to Michael and watch him leave. Jason turns his attention back to Robin, "So I guess I didn't need to rescue you."

She smiles back at him, "Not this time. But you know it's nice to know that I have you around just in case."

He reaches out and gently caresses her face, "You'll always have me, Robin."

She blushes at the remark and takes a deep breath. "We probably should head out to the ball. I'm sure my uncle is looking for me."