Chapter 32
Robin stared in disbelief at her father. "It was all a lie, wasn't it?"
"Robin…" Robert started to defend himself.
"You were alive this whole time?" She began shaking. "Was there even an explosion?"
"I need to explain what happened so that you can understand why I did what I did."
"You let me believe you were dead!" She screamed it at him, anger overwhelming every other emotion flowing through her body. "Worse, you let me believe you had been horribly murdered. Why should I listen to a word you have to say?"
Patrick slowly began to stroke Robin's back. "Maybe you should come back later when she is feeling better."
"No. I want to hear what he has to say." She looked at her mother and uncle. "Did you know he was alive?"
"Not until he showed up here after you were sick." Mac needed Robin to understand why they didn't tell her right away about her father. "We were worried that the shock would do more damage to your immune system so we decided to wait until you were well to tell you."
"Until I was sick," Robin began connecting the dots, "this was someone trying to get to you?"
"It didn't start out that way but once I showed up, yes, you became a target and I am so sorry about that." Robert took a couple of steps closer to her bed. "That is why I stayed away, I was trying to protect you."
"Really?" She didn't even attempt to hide her tears. "How much do you know about what I have been through over the past 25 years?"
Robert sighed. "I know that you are HIV positive. I remember receiving the report from the agency and just staring at it for hours. I also know that your first boyfriend died of AIDS after infecting you."
"Don't you dare stand there and judge me or my choices." She glared at him. "I loved Stone and I will not have you say anything against him. My decisions led to my HIV status."
"I know that you are a mother and a grandmother, a wonderful one at that." He took a couple more steps so he was standing next to her. "I know that you married a wonderful man who adored you and died helping other people. I know that you are an amazing doctor and a better person than I could have ever dreamed of being."
Robin leaned into Patrick, unable to stop the tears from coming. For 25 years she had prayed to see her father one last time and here he was. "Did you know about mom?"
"Yes, I bargained her safety, along with yours, into my deal." Robert sat down in a chair.
"How did I know that this would come out with you being the hero?" Robin was trying to wrap her head around this latest development in her life. "Why didn't you at least try and let me know you were alive?"
"I couldn't." Robert leaned over and tried to get Robin to look at him. "After the explosion I spent a few months in a coma. After I finally recovered, I was dragged to a WSB safe house. They had pictures of your mother lying in a hospital bed and told me about her amnesia. They had pictures of you too."
"I was twelve years old – what were they going to do? Have a sniper take me out on my way to dance class?"
"Nothing that dramatic, just kidnap you and use you as leverage because that's what you were – leverage. The daughter of a couple of suspected double agents is a great bargaining tool." He leaned back in his chair and ran his hands through his hair. "So I took the deal. I agreed to play dead and do the agency's worst assignments so that you and your mother could have new, safer lives."
"I want to believe you." Robin buried her head in Patrick's chest. "But you could have at least tried to let me know you were alive. You always had before."
"Your mother had never been blacklisted before." He had forgotten just how stubborn his daughter was. "She was slated for elimination and, no matter how crazy the woman drives me, I could never let anyone kill her."
Patrick pulled Robin onto his lap and finally intervened. "I think that is enough for today. Robin is still recovering from her illness and I don't want her to have a setback because of this conversation."
"But I need her to understand…"
"You need to give her some time to think about what you have told her." Patrick knew that Robin was trying so hard to not completely lose it while her father was in the room. "Please Robert, give her that time."
Anna walked over and kissed the top of Robin's head. "I think Dr. Drake is right. Robert, why don't we go and check on that issue Frisco was working on and come back tomorrow if that is alright with Robin."
Robin didn't say anything – just nodded her head in agreement. Patrick continued to rub her back comfortingly. "I think that would be best."
Mac came over and kissed Robin on the cheek. "If you need to talk later, just give me a call." He turned to Patrick. "I take it you are staying with her?"
"Of course." Patrick watched Robin's parents leave the room before he spoke again. "Robin, I am so sorry that I didn't tell you about your father but…"
She looked up at him, her face streaked with tears. "I understand why, even if I don't like it. I was sick and the shock could have further compromised my immune system." She laid her head back down on his chest. "I just can't believe that he is not only alive, he knew where I was and didn't even try to contact me. How could I matter so little to him?"
"Robin, he said he was protecting you and I believe him." He set his chin on top of her head and pulled her in closer to him. "I know I would stay away from you if it guaranteed your safety. I would hate every moment of it but I would do it for you."
"But…"
"Not only that but you and I both know that second chances are rare in this world. Do you know what I would give to have a second chance to even see my mother, let alone have her in my life again?" Patrick was hoping to give Robin a little perspective on the situation. "You don't have to forgive him right away but I think you would never forgive yourself if you didn't give him a chance to get to know the woman you have become."
"But he is still doing it – playing super spy. How can I risk getting to know him when I know he is just going to disappear again?" Robin felt like one of the most important men in her life had abandoned her and that wasn't going to go away overnight. "No matter what he says, he made a decision to leave me and I don't know if I can forgive that."
Patrick slowly slid down the bed, making sure that he kept her comfortable while getting them laid down. "And you don't have to make any decisions tonight."
She lifted up her head once more. "Thank you for being here and listening to me."
"Thank you for letting me." He reached over and gently caressed her cheek. "Matt and Maxie are sneaking us in some burgers from Kelly's in a little bit but I think we could both use a little rest before their visit. Just close those beautiful brown eyes and get some rest."
"You too Patrick." She laid her head back down on his chest and wrapped her arms around him. "I don't know what I would do without you here right now."
A smile crossed his face and he closed his eyes. Laying here with her felt right. "No place else I'd rather be."
