Chapter 38

"I cannot believe how rude you were to him." Robin rolled her eyes as she unlocked her front door.

"Rude? The guy was flirting with you while you were on a date with another man." Patrick stood his ground. At least the waiter hadn't ruined their night together.

Their date had been wonderful. The food was great and the conversation had flowed easily. The truth was that to an outsider who didn't know any better, they looked like they had been together for years, their connection was that strong. After dinner they had taken a walk down by the docks while Robin filled him in on some of Port Charles's more colorful moments in history. They sat on a bench and just enjoyed each other's company until Robin made the decision that it was time to head home and relieve her father from his babysitting duties.

"He was telling us the specials, not slipping me his phone number." She pulled the key from the lock and turned around to find Patrick right behind her. She took a deep breath. "And I wouldn't have noticed anyway because the only man I could see was you."

He nodded his head as his hand reached up and around her neck, gently caressing the back of her head as he pulled her closer. "Good answer."

"I thought so." She tilted her head up and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer.

A moment later their lips met and they kissed for the second time in their lives. Intense didn't even begin to describe it as they finally gave in to every emotion they had been fighting for the past two months. After several minutes they stopped and took a breath.

Robin was breathing heavily. "Wow."

"You said it." Patrick had never experienced a kiss like that in his life. Robin brought out a passion and tenderness in him he never even knew he was capable of.

"Do you want to come inside?" Robin saw the lustful look in his eyes. "For a drink?"

He leaned down to kiss her again. It was quick but still full of passion. "Yes."

Robin reached for the doorknob but the door flew open and Robert stood there glaring at the couple. "You coming in or what?"

"Hi Dad." Robin grabbed Patrick's hand as she entered the house. "Was Rylee good for you tonight?"

"Yes." He followed the couple into the living room. "She crashed out a couple of hours ago."

"And you got Michelle's message?" Michael had surprised Michelle with a night away in New York City for their anniversary and Robin had told her to go. Her daughter had been through so much heartache and pain; she deserved a night of fun.

It was Robert's turn to roll his eyes. "That her boyfriend whisked her away for the night? Yeah I got it."

"Good." Robin sat down on the couch with Patrick right by her side. "Thank you again for watching Ry tonight."

"Not a problem." He sat down in the recliner and leaned back. "Did you two have a good night?"

Patrick put his arm around Robin. "Yes sir."

"Good, good." He smiled at Patrick. "Would you like a cup of coffee before you hit the road?"

"Dad!" Robin had been relaxing into her date's embrace but her father's comment made her sit up straight.

"What?" Robert sat back. "I'm trying to be nice but maybe that isn't the right tactic with your date here so I'll be blunt – what are your intentions towards my daughter?"

Robin stood up. "Okay, you have now officially crossed the line."

"I think that I have every right to ask exactly what Dr. Kildare here has planned for you. After all, he isn't exactly known for his faithfulness." Robert glared at Patrick. "My little girl deserves better than how you have treated the other women in your life."

Robin's hand slapped her forehead. "This is not happening."

Patrick took Robin's other hand and pulled her back down on the couch. "You're right but Robin is different than any other woman I have ever had in my life. My feelings for her have been there for years and I have no intention of hurting her."

"Well the road to hell is paved with good intentions so I hardly see that as a mark in your favor." Robert leaned over and stared Patrick straight in the eyes. "Robin is special and deserves more than good intentions."

Robin had had enough. She stood up once more and smiled down at Patrick. "Would you mind excusing my father and me for a few minutes?"

"But…"

"Please?" Robin pleaded with him to do this for her. "Go check on Ry for me. Make sure my father actually put her in her pjs and didn't just let her wear whatever she wanted to bed."

He kissed Robin one last time. "I'll be back in a few minutes – play nice."

Robin waited until he was out of the room before she addressed her dad. "You want to explain to me exactly why are you trying to destroy my life?"

"I am just trying to make up for lost time."

"Well you don't have to do it all in one night." Robin flopped back down on the couch and took off her shoes.

"Overcompensation has always been a failing of mine." Robert couldn't help but smile as she rubbed her feet once they were free from her high heels. "You see, I still see you as a little girl sitting on the living room floor eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich."

"That's very sweet and all but I am not that little girl anymore. I'm a grown woman with a daughter and a grandchild." Robin paced the floor. "I am a successful doctor who has been in love several times."

"Including Drake?" Robert raised his eyebrows at her but Robin didn't bite. "I mean are you sure that you want your first foray into dating after all this time to be the hospital heartthrob?"

"First off, Patrick is not my first foray into dating – I dated a very nice man before him."

"Please, you and Dr. Basal were just hanging around together. You never slept with him." Robert instantly regretted saying that to her.

"I'm sorry – did you just bring sex into this?"

"Well, Roger has been gone a long time and…"

"Oh my God – I am not discussing my sex life with you."

"Look, I wasn't around for Stone and besides," Robert smirked at her, "is there really anything to discuss?"

She took a few deep breaths, attempting to calm herself. "Whether there is or not has nothing to do with you. You are my father, not my therapist."

"Look, I know you are scared about falling in love again…"

"I'm not scared – just cautious and I have earned that right. I have loved three men in my life before Patrick and two died, one from AIDS and one as a hero. Excuse me if that makes me a little scared." Robin felt the tears coming but didn't try to hide them. "Not to mention that I thought my father was dead for the last 25 years."

Robert winced. "Is there any chance that you won't keep bringing that up?"

"No because it proves a point. As much as I love you, I can't depend on you. I can't trust that I won't be left behind again for another mission or…" Robin saw a look in Robert's eyes that she didn't like. She sighed heavily as she asked the question. "When do you leave?"

"It's not like that."

"When do you leave?"

"It's only for a few weeks, I swear."

Robin glared at him. "When do you leave?"

Robert sat back down in the chair, defeated. "Tomorrow."

"Same mission as mom?" Anna had told her she was leaving town in a few days for a covert mission and would be unreachable for at least a month.

"You know I can't tell you that." He shook his head, trying to deny that she had hit the nail on the head. The truth was that Robert had always been impressed by his daughter's intuition as she was usually right.

"Just try and let someone here know you are still alive." Robin stood up and headed to the front door. "Right now I want you to leave. I'm tired and I have to get up with Ry in the morning."

He followed her to the door reluctantly. "Sweetheart, I love you."

"I know you do even if you have a lousy way of showing it." She reached over and hugged her father. "I love you too."

"I will check in with you as much as possible."

"Thank you." She opened the door for him. "Take care of yourself and mom and try not to come back all beat up."

"Maybe just a little bit?" He winked at her.

Robin laughed in spite of herself. "Maybe a little bit. Good night Dad."

Robert kissed her on the forehead before heading out the door. "Good night luv."

She watched him get into his car and pull out of the driveway before shutting the door and locking it. She walked back into the living room to find Patrick sitting there with two glasses of wine. She sat down next to him and leaned on him. "I'm sure you have better things to do than..."

"The only thing I want to do is be here with you." He slid his arm around her back and held her close. "He's leaving again?"

Robin nodded her head as fresh tears filled her eyes. "Tomorrow."

Patrick laid back on the couch and pulled Robin on top of him. He gently began stroking her back. "He'll come home Robin."

"But…"

"He'll come home." He kissed the top her head and then picked up the remote. "Now what are you in the mood for Soltini?"

"Something funny." Robin sighed, feeling completely comfortable in his arms.

"I think I can do that." He turned on his side and placed her in front of him so they could both see the television easily. "Oh – Young Frankenstein!"

Robin closed her eyes and smiled. "That's perfect." Emotionally exhausted, Robin began to drift off to sleep. She always slept better in his arms. "Absolutely perfect."