Chapter 23

"Dr. Drake." Mac walked into the chaos with his hazmat gear on. "How is she?"

"She's doing okay – we have her on fever reducers and IV fluids. Because of her HIV status I have her in a private room and, for now, I am limiting her visitors but you can go see her." Patrick and Mac had become friendly ever since his brother began dating Mac's daughter. "Are Rylee and Michelle okay – I promised her they were."

"Yes, they are coming over to my place and staying with Maxie and Georgie." So far his two younger daughters were healthy and he had every intention of keeping them that way. "They are under strict orders to stay as far away from here as possible."

"Good." Matt and Robin had both told him about Maxie's heart transplant – the hospital was the last place she needed to be.

"What the hell are we dealing with Drake?" It had been four hours since the first patient had been admitted and Mac wanted to get a better idea about what they were dealing with.

"We have a total of 22 patients now – all with the same symptoms. It's presenting as a flu virus but there is something off in the blood work." Patrick had been able to review several of the cases, including Robin's, and the results were like nothing he had ever seen. "We have been trying Tamiflu but it will be at least 24 hours before we can see if it is having any effect."

"You may as well stop it now – it won't." Both men turned around to see a man walking towards them with a mask on but no other protective gear. "This isn't your typical flu."

Patrick stared curiously at the man – his eyes looked familiar. Meanwhile Mac straightened up and walked over to the man. He stared him straight in the eyes and punched him. "You son of a bitch!"

Patrick jumped into action and grabbed Mac, pulling him off the man. "Mac, what the hell are you doing?"

Mac ignored him. "You want to tell me why the hell you have been playing dead for the last 25 years?"

The man rubbed his jaw but never attempted to defend himself. "I had my reasons."

"Reasons? My God Robert, do you have any idea what you did to her?" Mac was trying not to punch him again.

"Robert?" Patrick looked at Mac and then back at the man in the mask. "As in Robin's father?"

"Yes Dr. Drake – as in Robin's father. I am also the representative from the MRA sent here to help you out." Robert had been able to check in on his daughter from time to time and knew that Patrick Drake was a friend of his little girl's. "And let's keep the anger in check until after the crisis is over."

Patrick fell back against the wall in shock as Mac continued to rant. "We will deal with anger right now Robert."

"You mean the would've, could've, should've?"

Mac shook his head. "Is that what you think I'm about? How about thanks for raising my daughter Mac?"

Robert stepped forward and stared at his brother with full sincerity. "Thanks for raising my daughter Mac.

"I was in over my head Robert, this amazing girl looking to me for answers. Half the time I got it wrong and the other half I screwed it up."

Robert tried not to act affected by his brother's words. "I'm not going to try and make excuses but I had a few circumstances that were beyond my control."

"You'll just never get it through your thick skull. When you died, you gave me a life, you and your buddy Frisco Jones, and it was my privilege to raise those girls. I've got a real family Robert, what do you have?" He didn't wait for an answer. "You know what, you don't have to apologize to me, apologize to your daughter, Robin. Remember her?"

Mac stalked away, leaving Robert alone with Patrick. "So Dr. Drake…"

"Stay away from her." Patrick glared at Robert. "You can help me with anything we need to know about this epidemic but you stay the hell away from her. The shock of seeing you may do more damage to her immune system and I will not have it."

Robert was surprised by the pure venom in the man's voice. His sources had said that Patrick and Robin were good friends but it was obviously much more than that. "Look Drake, I haven't been able to see my daughter in person in years and I know you don't understand why but I have always loved her and wanted the best for her. I know that she is sick and…"

"Then respect my decision." Patrick ran his gloved hand through his hair. "I believe that you love her so do what is best for her and stay away for a little bit longer. You've been gone for 25 years, what's a few more days?"

Robert considered what the man was saying. As much as he hated to admit, the cocky surgeon was right. What was important right now was finding the cure for the virus. "Fine – let's go meet with Dr. Quartermaine and I will tell you everything I know about the influenza strain we are dealing with and exactly why the medicines you have on hand won't work to combat it."

Patrick was practically running down the hall as he spoke with Robert. "What the hell are we dealing with?"

"It's a manmade virus concocted by a group called Cryllium. They are a medical research think tank with connections to the Cassadine family. I believe that Lulu Falconeri was purposely infected along with Emily Cassadine." Emily had been brought in with the first wave of patients. "All patients can be traced back to having contact with either one of them today."

"Why infect Emily?" Her husband, Nikolas, was a Cassadine prince.

"Nikolas separated from the family years ago, a real disappointment to his grandmother Helena. Emily was never her choice of a wife for him." Robert had had many dealings with the Cassadine family over the years and was well aware of Helena's feelings towards Emily.

Patrick stopped in front of Alan's office. "Is there an antidote?"

Robert sighed. "Not that I am aware of."

"And our best researcher is one of the patients – damn it." Patrick took a moment to glare at Robert. "You got here fast, did you know that it was coming?"

Robert considered lying but decided the truth was more prudent. "I was on my way here because I got some intel that Helena was releasing the virus and that she was targeting Port Charles."

"And you didn't think to warn Robin?" Patrick couldn't believe what he was hearing. "You know that she is…"

"HIV positive, yes." Robert interrupted. "I had hoped that I would get here before the virus was released."

Patrick knocked on Alan's door. "Well that didn't happen, did it?" He reached for the knob but leveled Robert with one last glare. "If she dies," he got choked up for a moment but quickly recovered, "you will wish you had died 25 years ago – I'll make sure of it."

Robert nodded his head in understanding. "Trust me Drake, if she dies you won't need to do anything to me – I'll do it to myself."

Patrick nodded his head, opened the door and led Robert into Alan's office. They could fight later, now it was time to find a cure for this disease.