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Chapter 15
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Patrick picked up his bag of groceries, frowning and looking away. Then with the snap of his head he turned and nailed her with an intense look.

Robin felt his stare as she found her wallet, pulling out enough money to cover the total that the cashier gave her. His eyes never left her as she took her change and reached for her bag. Their hands brushed against each other as he grabbed her bag and began walking out the door.

Without a word she followed him as he walked to her car. She used the remote to unlock the door, which he opened and placed her bag inside. He finally turned to face her. "There's a lot going on right now, you know?" He pulled off his cap and ruffled his hair.

"I know, but you can't avoid me forever. We have to work together and I thought we were friends."

He looked at his feet, nodding in agreement. "I know." His eyes snapped up to meet hers. "Does anything scare you?"

"A lot of things scare me. Why?" His question shocked her, but it was the intensity of his gaze that was unnerving her more than anything. It wasn't his usual seductive study, nor was it the broodiness he had let peek through the night he had cooked her dinner and disappeared before tucking her in.

He shifted on his feet as he considered his answer. "Because you seem to sure of yourself no matter what the situation is. It's really annoying."

"Most people would say the same thing about you," she pointed out with the hint of a smile.

"If it has to do with work, yeah. If it has to do with seducing women. If I can make a joke out of it, yeah. Other stuff, not so much. There wasn't a lot of other stuff until now."

Robin was surprised by his candor. "It's ok to be scared." She wanted to fold this man who was practically twice her size into a comforting hug, but she had a feeling if she touched him now he would scurry. Or break. And that scared her more than most anything just then, even if he couldn't see it.

"It doesn't feel okay." Patrick smiled weakly.

"The surgery you're about to go through is scary. The thought that your dad still might not survive is even scarier, especially since you just got him back. How else can you be expected to feel?" Robin knew his fear had to do with more than the upcoming surgery but she also couldn't help but want to take some of the pressure off of him. And herself.

"I'm sure my father will be fine." He sighed. How did she always know when he was at his breaking point? She had let them both off the hook and redirected the discussion to a safer topic. If he wasn't so cowardly and relieved about it, he would have called her on it.

"Thanks to you."

"Thanks to the surgeons. They're doing the work, not me." He shook his head.

"They would have nothing to work with if it wasn't for you."

Smiling, he said, "Normally you're the one trying to deflate my ego, not stroke it."

"Call it a moment of weakness on my part," she teased.

"How are you feeling?" He wanted the focus off of himself. He realized that it might be the first time in his life he felt that way.

"Better. I'm getting my strength back every day."

"That's good. I shouldn't keep you out any later. It's getting cold and you still need your rest."

She nodded. She was getting tired but now that Patrick was talking to her again she was hesitant to leave, afraid that tomorrow they would be back to where they were before this chance encounter.

"Maybe I'll come by the lab tomorrow. You make better coffee than the cafeteria after all." His smile was almost shy.

She smiled back, relieved that he wasn't in the midst of a retreat. "I'll be there. I might even be nice and make you a fresh pot."

He laughed softly. "Well, have a good night."

She nodded. "Yeah you too."

Both seemed hesitant to leave but neither was willing to be the one to make the move to extend their time together. Patrick gave a quick wave as he walked to his car. He watched until Robin's car started and she drove away.