Chapter Six - Let the Games Begin

"...and so then I decided that medical school was the best place for me." Emily finished what she was saying and looked up at her date, Dr. Patrick Drake. But, to her dismay, he was not paying the least bit of attention to what she was saying. He was looking in her direction, but she realized that his attention was focused elsewhere. Over her shoulder. Emily snuck a look over her shoulder and realized that Liz was sitting at a table behind them. Liz gave her a questioning look and Emily mouthed that she would talk to her later. Then Liz pointed to the bar and Emily followed Patrick's gaze to where Robin was at the bar talking on Mike's telephone. Emily had known that Robin and Patrick worked closely together on Jason's surgery, but she had no idea that there was something more between them.

Turning back around, Emily said, "Patrick?" No response. "Patrick?"

Patrick tore his eyes away from Robin and looked back at Emily. "Hmmm?"

Emily smiled a strained smile and said, "I don't feel like I have your full attention. Is something on your mind?" Or someone? she wondered.

Patrick shook his head and recovered quickly, saying, "No. I was just reading the specials board above the bar. I haven't been here yet and was wondering what they had."

Emily nodded, but obviously didn't believe him. "So then I guess you noticed Robin Scorpio standing over there by the bar."

"Um...oh, yeah. There she is." Patrick said, pretending to notice Robin for the first time. "Do you know her?"

"Sure. She dated my brother for a long time. I was a lot younger then and things were complicated between Jason and the family, but I always liked her."

"What happened between them?" Patrick asked, looking at Robin again.

"Which time?" Emily chuckled. "The first time Robin wanted Jason to quit working for Sonny and he refused, so she left for school. But they got back together and then Carly came into the picture. She is a troublemaker by nature and she really started to meddle in Robin and Jason's relationship. To make a long story short, Jason believed that Robin had betrayed him and pushed her away. She took her cue and left for Paris." Emily looked up at Patrick and narrowed her eyes, "Why?"

Patrick shook his head. "No reason. She's just a little difficult to get to know, so I was just wondering what made her tick."

"She's..." Emily began.

"HIV+." Patrick finished for her. "I know." Casting one last look at Robin, Patrick finally looked down at his menu and said, "Shall we order?"

Over at the table behind them, Robin returned to Liz shaking her head. "Is Maxie okay?" Liz asked, referring to the phone call Robin had received from her cousin.

"Wardrobe crisis." Robin grinned, sitting back down in front of her friend. "Apparently she has a big date with Jessie at the Metro Court and had absolutely nothing "grown up" to wear. She wanted to know if she could go over to my apartment and raid my closet."

"Ah, to be nineteen again." Liz mused.

"Actually, nineteen wasn't all that great for me." Robin said, rolling her eyes. "I'll stay the age I am, thank you."

"I don't think he likes her." Liz said suddenly.

"Jessie?" Robin asked, confused. "He's crazy about Maxie..."

"Not Jessie." Liz whispered. "Patrick. I don't think he likes Emily. He doesn't look like he's paying any attention to her at all."

"Will you stop watching them." Robin hissed, leaning over the table closer to Liz. "That's none of our business."

"He doesn't like her." Liz repeated, shaking her head. "He's not even close to looking at her the way I've seen him look at you. He's not interested."

"Can we just get out of here?" Robin asked, taking out her wallet and throwing some money down on the table.

"I have an idea. Follow my lead." Liz grinned and stood up. But instead of heading for the door, she headed right for Patrick and Emily's table. "Hey guys." She greeted them cheerily.

Emily looked up at Liz and smiled. "Hi Elizabeth. You know Patrick Drake, don't you?"

Patrick and Liz exchanged a knowing look before Patrick said, "We've met."

Ignoring his tone, Liz continued talking. "Robin and I were just taking the edge off a long week with some ice cream. Are you two doing the same thing?"

Emily began to answer, but Patrick said loudly, "Actually, the charming Ms. Quartermaine and I are on a date."

Emily looked strangely over at Patrick and then said quickly, "Would you two care to join us for dinner?"

Liz shook her head and pulled Robin closer to the table. "Actually, we just decided that ice cream wasn't quite what we needed to put this past week in the proper prospective. So, we're going to meet Lucky and Jax over at Metro Court for drinks." Robin gave Liz a questioning look as she continued talking, "That Jasper Jacks can lift any woman's spirits with his good looks and sexy accent. Plus he's such a decent guy...for a millionaire." Liz looked right at Patrick when she said that, but Patrick was busy looking at Robin. Robin, meanwhile, was looking out the front window. But Liz would not be deterred. "Now, I'm a happily married woman, but my girl Robin here is in for a very eventful evening."

Emily smiled, a confused look still on her face. "Well, have fun."

"Don't worry," Liz said, herding Robin out the door, "we will." She turned back to wink at Patrick and gave him her best You Just Blew It look.

Outside of Kelly's, Robin turned on Liz. "What do you think you are doing?"

"Showing Dr. Arrogant that two can play his little game. Just wait." Liz said, taking Robin's arm and heading for home. "The thought of you having drinks with the rich and handsome Jasper Jacks , in the hotel he owns, will completely ruin Patrick's evening."