Chapter 37

"That's great Dr. Drake" said the realtor "I'll hold on to the deposit and then when the house closes at the end of the month, it will be cashed by the vendor. This house is a steal at this price"

Patrick smiled warmly. "I think so too. I can't wait to move in. Thanks for all your help."

"It has been a pleasure – you are by far one of my easiest clients- from showing to sale in one day."

Patrick shook his hand and pocketed all the documents he had just signed, confirming him as a homeowner.

Driving back to the MetroCourt, he felt a sudden burst of energy. As an adult he had lived month to month in apartments, not wanting to sign a lease as it was too great a commitment but now, he was putting down roots and it felt good. He had a reason or reasons to stay where he was. The impact of Andrew's suicide seemed diminished in the euphoria of his purchase.

He changed into a pair of black pants and a light grey shirt and headed back to Robin's. Though he had a healthy respect for her father and preferred him at a distance, he was pleased that she was rebuilding her relationship with him. When they were first getting to know each other, she had told him the story of her father's death and how it should be a cautionary tale for him, pushing him to seize the opportunity to reunite with his own father while he was alive. Robert had mysteriously reappeared during the encephalitis outbreak and it had sent Robin reeling. He remembered quite clearly the look of devastation on her face when he walked in to her room after Robert had announced that he was leaving again. The hurt in her eyes told him she was 13 again, losing him for a second time. She seemed to thrive more with Robert around and for that reason alone he was willing to put up with the implied threats of bodily harm.

Standing outside her apartment, he could hear soft strains of music escaping from underneath the door. He put his ear to the door and smiled as he heard Robin moving about, humming along. Putting the key in the door, he turned it and slowly opened the door. He stopped in the entrance and looked around. There were candles lit everywhere, the table was beautifully set and Robin, in a pink, strapless shift dress was dancing in the kitchen.

Patrick closed the door and snuck up behind her in the kitchen. She jumped as he wrapped his arms around her.

"Paatrick!" she said, turning around to face him.

"You're beautiful" he said, dropping a kiss on her lips. "What's the occasion?" he asked nodding his head to the living room.

"What was the last date we had?"

Patrick looked at her "Well…the Nurses Ball?"

"I was with he who shall not be named"

"Greece?"

"Carrying me out of the bar over your shoulder doesn't count"

"Hmm – last night?"

"Holding my hair is sweet but still does not count as a date."

He shrugged "Then you've got me"

"Exactly. So this is a date – our first date in dare I say almost two months" she said passing him a glass of wine. He took it and leaned against the counter, grinning at her. "What?" she asked, suddenly very self conscious.

"Have I put you and amazing together in a sentence lately?"

Her cheeks turned crimson. "Stop" she demurred.

"It's true" he whispered as he leaned in, nuzzling the side of her neck. Robin tilted her neck to the side, closing her eyes at the feel of his breath on her skin. Reaching her hand up she threaded her fingers through his hair.

"Let's skip dinner and go to bed" he said.

"Not a chance. I've got beef with gorgonzola sauce and roasted tomatoes in the oven."

"If you leave them there, we could work up an appetite."

"Or we could burn off dinner" she suggested. Patrick pursed his lips. "Are you pouting?"

"I don't pout"

"Riiight. Here, could you please bring the salad to the table?"

Patrick pecked her on the lips as he took the salad from her. "I didn't know you were an Ella fan" he said commenting on the music.

"I LOVE Ella Fitzgerald" she said from the kitchen "There's a map of the world in her voice."

Walking back to the kitchen, Patrick pulled her by her hand out into the living room. Wrapping his arms around her, they swayed to the music. Reaching behind her, he pulled her ponytail down.

"It gets in my way when I'm cooking" she said quietly.

He ran a hand through her hair. "I like it in the way."

Robin closed her eyes, putting her head on his chest and heard his heart pounding. She smiled, sure that hers was doing the same thing. They danced, glued together, until the over timer pulled them apart.

"Dinner's ready" Robin said, bounding to the kitchen.

"Do you need me to do anything?"

"Besides me?" she said under her breath.

"Pardon?" Patrick asked.

"Nothing – nope, just have a seat."

Patrick sat down as Robin came out carrying two plates. His eyes widened as he saw the plate in front of him. "You? You did this?"

"I'm not just a genius in the lab you know" she teased.

Patrick thought of telling her about the house but in the end decided he wanted to surprise her with his news. Their conversation flowed easily and they were both reminded that when they were apart, this – the easy talks, the quiet comfort of each other's company – was something they had missed as much as anything else.

Putting his fork down on his plate, he looked at Robin lovingly. "I think that might be the best meal I've ever had."

"Are you trying to butter me up?" she asked.

"Is it working?"

Robin got up from her chair and walking over to him, sat down on his lap. "You don't need to butter me up" she said huskily, kissing the corner of his mouth. Patrick opened his mouth slightly as she moved to the other corner. Patrick threaded his fingers through her hair, his tongue darting out and licking her lips. Robin moved her head and began to kiss him along his jaw line, dragging her tongue over where she had just kissed. Patrick ran his thumbs down either side of her neck, leaving his hands to rest on her shoulders.

Robin began to slowly unbutton his shirt, pushing it back over his shoulders. Reaching behind her, she dipped two fingers in his wine glass and brought them to his mouth. He sucked on them greedily while fumbling with the zipper on the back of her dress. Her dress gave way and Patrick grinned appreciatively at the lack of bra. He gently cupped her breasts, letting them rest fully in his hands. He circled her nipples with his thumbs feeling them harden under his touch. Robin's breath became ragged as she arched into his hands. Dipping his head, he took one of her breasts in his mouth, lathering it in kisses. Pulling away, he gently blew on it, sending shivers through Robin's body.

Shifting underneath her, Robin could feel the evidence of his growing arousal. Pushing against him she moved her hips in slow, rhythmic circles, causing Patrick to breathe in sharply. Reaching behind him, he pushed the dishes out of the way before lifting her to sit on the table. Robin bit her lip to keep from crying out as he bent his head and dropped kisses over her white lace panties. Her legs parted a little wider and she swallowed thickly as he traced his hands up her inner thighs.

"God Robin, I love the way you feel" he said, hooking his fingers around her panties and slowly pulling them from her hips and down her legs.

He tossed them on top of her dress. Standing up, he cupped her face as he kissed her fiercely. Robin had to pull away just to catch her breath. Her hands traveled down his chest, tracing across his abs before grabbing hold of his waistband. She tried to concentrate on his belt buckle as he moved to her other breast. He pushed his hips into her. Leaning back on the table, Robin wrapped her legs around his hips and ground against him through his pants.

Pulling her up, he walked them over to the couch with her still wrapped around him, her mouth assaulting his neck and shoulders. The feel of her breath on his skin was like electricity coursing through him. He lay them down as Robin's hand deftly unzipped his pants and reaching inside took hold of his arousal.

"God – you are so hard" she hissed.

Patrick leaned back allowing her to stroke him. He swallowed thickly as her thumb traced circles over his sensitive head. Unable to take anymore, Patrick undid the button on his pants and pushed them over his hips while Robin continued to stroke him.

"Aaahhh" he exclaimed as she moved her hand in semi-circles up and down his length.

He gently pulled her hand away to step out of his pants. Picking them up, he pulled a condom from his wallet and left it on the table. He nestled between her legs, spreading them further apart as he nipped at the silky flesh of thighs. He teasingly ran a finger over her opening, slipping it in before pulling it out quickly. Robin moaned and tried to move her hips in search of his fingers. He repeated it again causing a growl from Robin. Slowly, he slid two fingers in and moved them around. He dropped leisurely, deliberate kisses on her hips while she continued to ride his hand. Feeling her tighten, he removed his hand and kissed his way up her body. He circled her navel with his tongue.

"What are you doing?" she asked as she fisted his hair.

"Tattooing dirty words" he murmured against her flesh. He moved up her body, capturing her lips, his tongue in search of hers. He returned his fingers to her centre and smiled as Robin moaned his name into his mouth. "You're so sexy" he said in a low voice. He kept up his ministrations until he felt her tighten around his fingers. Once again he pulled them away.

"Patrick!" she moaned in frustration. "I was almost there"

"I know' he said evilly as he suckled on her earlobe.

He felt Robin's hands all over his body leaving a trail of heat wherever they had been. Robin's hand went to his erection and stopped when she felt his own hand over it. Closing her hand over his, she moved them at an agonizingly slow pace. Patrick began to buck against their hands, causing her to apply more pressure.

"Jesus Robin."

Sitting up, she licked at his chest. "You taste so good" she said, her hand still controlling their speed. Feeling his own stomach begin to tighten, Patrick reached for the condom and pushing Robin's hand out of the way, sheathed himself.

"Now" he panted "I need to have you right now" He leaned over top of her as Robin draped her legs over his shoulders. She was left breathless as he thrust deeply inside her.

"Take me Patrick" she said, her eyes locked on his. Patrick growled as he pushed his hips hard against her. Robin, on the brink for so long already, drowned in her climax, his name tearing from her lips. Patrick's hold body shook as his release took him over.

They collapsed on top of each other, their bodies slick with sweat. "I think I like dates with you" he said, when he was finally able to speak. Robin caressed his arms, completely lost within him. Once he was able to stand, Patrick carried Robin into the bedroom where, spent, they snuggled into each other and fell asleep.

Robin woke in the middle of the night to find the bed empty. Pulling the duvet off the bed and wrapping it around her, she walked out to the living room. Patrick was standing completely lost in thought at the window. His body was bathed in moonlight and Robin felt heat pool immediately between her legs. She chided herself for being so weak for him.

"Hey" she called to him softly. Turning his head, Robin could see his eyes wet with tears. "You okay?"

He nodded. "Yeah" he said gruffly.

Robin sat on the couch and opened the duvet. "Come sit with me"

Without hesitation, Patrick joined her on the couch, allowing their limbs to tangle under the duvet. "I'm thinking about Andrew" he said quietly.

Robin grimaced. "What are you thinking?"

He absently ran his finger through her hair. "I have two days off left and I think I'm going to fly to DC and tell Nathalie."

Robin looked at him surprise. "Are you sure?"

He nodded. "I just…she should know"

She looked at him lovingly, brushing his hair from his forehead. "Do you want me to go with you?"

"Oh Robin" he said thickly. He exhaled. "I'd be a million times braver if you were there but I think this is something that I need to do on my own." She nodded. "Do you think it's the right thing?"

Robin paused. "You know, Patrick, I don't think in a situation like this that right and wrong applies. I think it's about what's best. You know Nathalie and you know Andrew – all you can do is what's best for them."

"I'm scared" he said quietly.

She kissed his cheek. "I'll be here waiting for you when you get back. Or you can call me and I'll be on the next plane to DC"

"You'd do that for me?"

"Of course – I lo – we're a team"

Patrick rested his head against hers. "I should probably buy a ticket and pack."

"Why don't you take a shower, I'll find you a ticket on line and then we can go back to the MetroCourt together and pack a bag."

"It's the middle of the night" he said simply.

"I know but if you're not going to sleep, neither am I."

xoxoxoxoxoxo

It was after 8 by the time they had booked a ticket, packed a bag and dropped him at the airport. Robin extracted a promise that he would call when he landed, after he told her and anytime in between that he needed some support. She was exhausted and ready to crawl back into bed and sleep the morning away. But she couldn't. Something had been gnawing at her for a few weeks and there would be no sleep until she had an answer.

Sitting on the bathroom counter, she waited and watched.

The stick turned blue.

Robin laid it down beside the other five blue sticks on the counter.

"Shit."