Chapter 15

"Ladies and gentlemen, I want to thank you for attending this benefit for the Stone Cates Memorial AIDS Wing." Alan waited for everyone to finish applauding before he finished speaking. "For the first time ever, we are going to auction off dances. We have five lovely ladies who have agreed to participate, each representing a different part of our hospital. First, from the General Hospital board, Carly Jacks." There was a smattering of polite applause as Carly stepped onto the stage.

Alan then introduced the next volunteer for the auction. "From the PCU nursing program, Michelle Soltini." Robin hugged her daughter before the young woman walked onto the stage and stood next to Carly. The applause for her was much louder than for Carly and Michael happily led it.

Alan continued on with the introductions. "Maxie Jones from the volunteer program." Matt whistled as his girlfriend climbed up on stage. "Senior OR nurse Elizabeth Spencer." Lucky and Patrick both cheered her on. "And finally Dr. Robin Soltini."

Robin climbed up on the stage as the whole crowd went wild. Robin's connection to the Nurse's Ball went back to the very first one and her speech after Stone's death was something no one would ever forget. The fact that she was here, twenty years after her initial diagnosis, was proof that HIV did not have to be a death sentence.

"This is how this will work – there will be five dances. Highest bid wins the dance but you cannot dance with the same woman more than once – we want to give everyone a chance." Alan winked at the audience and all the guests last. "Let's begin with Mrs. Jacks."

Alan started the auction and Jax won a dance with his wife for a hundred dollars. Patrick got the first dance with Michelle for $200, Lucky with Liz for $150, Matt with Maxie for $201 and Keith paid $200 for the chance to dance with his date. After they danced, the women returned to the stage for the next round of bidding.

The second round had Carly with her son Morgan, Michelle dancing with Michael, Patrick with Liz, AJ with Maxie and Lucky stealing in for a dance with Robin. The song for the second dance ended and everyone came back up on the stage for the third round of bidding. This time Carly danced with Max, Michelle and AJ danced together, Matt took Liz for a spin around the floor while his brother danced with Maxie. Alan took advantage of a brief lull in bidding to steal away Robin for a dance.

"Alright folks, dance four." Robin looked out into the crowd and saw Patrick straighten his tie. He winked at her and waited for Alan to continue. "First off, Mrs. Jacks." Everyone stood there, unsure of what to do. Carly did not have many friends thanks to her schemes and the three men who would actually bid on her already had. Alan cleared his throat. Finally Keith decided to bite the bullet. "Fifty dollars."

No one else bid so Keith walked over and offered his hand to a clearly offended Carly. She rolled her eyes and stepped off the stage. The rest of the bidding went smoother as Lucky got the chance to dance with Michelle, AJ got Liz, and Michael bid on, and won, a dance with his old friend Maxie. Alan was just about to announce the bidding to start for Robin when Patrick's voice cut through the air. "I bid one thousand dollars for Robin."

Robin shook her head in disbelief while Alan declared Patrick the winner of the dance. Patrick walked over and held his hand out to her. "Shall we?"

Robin took his hand and let him lead her out onto the floor. "Patrick…"

"I promised you a dance Robin." He slid his hand around her waist and pulled her close. "You are still a perfect fit."

The music started up and, before she had a chance to respond, he swept her across the floor to the song he had requested the DJ to settled into his arms as she recognized the song, Whenever You Come Around by Vince Gill. The beautiful melody perfectly matched the words about a man unable to reveal his feelings to the woman he loved. It was Patrick's declaration of his feelings for her and she was left breathless by his public declaration.

Suddenly, they were the only two people in the room. It was almost like the world disappeared as he twirled her out and back into his embrace once again. Neither one noticed the nasty glares being thrown their way by another couple on the floor or the man who entered the ballroom and stood in the back, just watching them dance.

As the song ended, Patrick dipped Robin down in his arms and slowly brought her back up, reliving the final moments of their first dance together years ago. He took one last look at her and then leaned over and kissed Robin on the forehead. She was left speechless as he reluctantly led her back to the stage for the last dance.

Alan helped Robin back onto the stage and was getting ready to speak when the man who had just joined the party spoke. "Ten thousand dollars for the next dance with Dr. Soltini."