Summary: They say there's a thin line between love and hate. Patrick and Robin explore how thin it really is.
Author's Notes: I tried to capture the spirit of Robin and Patrick accurately. It has a bit of humor, romance, and drama all mixed in together. Hope you all like it.
THE DANCE WE DO
"Say it."
"No."
"Say it!"
"No!"
"Stop being so stubborn and just say it already!"
The argument of two of the best doctors in the Port Charles General Hospital echoed down the deserted hallways. Some various staff members around the nurses' station sighed in annoyance. They were at it again. Everybody knew Drs. Patrick Drake and Robin Scorpio detested each other and bickered every time they crossed each others' path. It made for some interesting entertainment at times, but it was getting old. Everybody wished that they would just get along for once so everyone could work in peace. Especially on a night like this, when it was surprisingly slow and the staff was trying to enjoy the rare calmness it offered.
"Fine." Robin spit out coldly as she walked up to the nurses' station and slammed her remaining patient files onto the table. She then stopped dead in her tracks and sharply turned around.
Patrick was following close behind her the whole time as she sprinted down the hall and toward the nurses' station, and so when she stopped suddenly and turned to face him, he ended up crashing into her.
Patrick took a step back while Robin composed herself. She couldn't let him see that being so close in his proximity affected her.
"Okay, so... you were right. I was wrong. Happy now?" Robin grudgingly admitted while looking at everything except him. She knew that if she looked up at him, she would see that cocky smirk of his. And then she would be tempted to smack him... again.
"Hmm..." Patrick pretended to think while leaning against the nurses' station, fully enjoying watching Robin get her panties in a twist. "I don't think that's going to be good enough."
Robin glared at him while mentally threatening him bodily harm. She hoped he would get the message and leave her alone before she acted out on that impulse to kick him in the place which did most his thinking.
Patrick knew exactly what Robin was thinking, and while he feared for his safety, he couldn't help but continue to push her buttons. After all, it was too much fun getting her all riled up. One of these days she was going to have to release all that pent-up frustration, and while she could make good on the violence vibes she was sending, he hoped it would manifest itself in a more pleasurable manner. One that involved him.
"Fine, Dr. Drake. You are a golden god. I worship the ground you walk on. Please, Oh Great One, allow me to breathe the same air as you. Maybe I'll catch some of your genius and be able to go to an ivy league school and become a doctor too." Robin's voice dripped with sarcasm as she acted all dramatic, like a soap opera actress. She then snapped her fingers as if realization hit her. "Oh wait! I already did that!"
Patrick laughed as she made her way behind the station. He leaned over the counter and grinned.
"So you do want me. Why don't you just admit it?"
"Gee, you got me there Patrick. I want you. I want you bad. Take me now. Oh baby, yeah baby." Robin said impassively while flipping through the mountains of paperwork on the counter in front of her.
Suddenly an arm swept all of the papers to the floor. Robin's head snapped up in shock. Patrick was leaning farther over the desk, his arms on both sides of her and his face mere inches from her own. He saw the surprise in her eyes and decided to take advantage of the fact that she was speechless. He grinned while boring his eyes into hers.
"Well, if you insist..." He seductively murmured as he watched her blush slightly.
Robin snapped to her senses as she saw his smile get wider. She tore her eyes away from his piercing gaze and attempted to compose herself. She silently repeated the mantra she always did when her thoughts of Patrick drifted into the gutter and she was about to do something impulsively stupid, like kiss him: Don't do it! Don't do it! Don't do it! For the love of god, don't do it!
"Don't do what?" Patrick asked, confusion evident as he cocked his head to the side.
Oh no. Did she just say that out loud?
"Uhh... Don't do, um... nothing." Robin stuttered while feeling herself blush again. She quickly leaned down to hastily pick up the papers strewn all over the floor.
Patrick leaned down as well and helped her gather the remaining files, intently watching her as she avoided his stare. It was obvious he had some kind of effect on her. He was loving every moment of this.
And then their hands touched while they both reached for the last sheet of paper. And when she didn't pull away, he saw it as the perfect moment to make his move. He leaned in closer, and closer. His lips just barely grazed hers when...
THWACK!
Robin's head collided with the counter of the nurses' station when she jumped up. She immediately put her hand to her head and winced in pain. She slowly stood up and walked away without a word, disappearing into one of the exam rooms to search for an ice pack.
Patrick followed, trying not to laugh. But when Robin turned around and glared at him, he stopped. He could tell she really was in pain, and he instantly switched into doctor mode. He strode over to one of the cabinets and opened it, revealing a small refrigerator, and grabbed an ice pack.
Robin sat down on the exam table and put her head into her hands. Her head hurt like hell, but not nearly as much as her ego. She was beyond humiliated, and wanted nothing more than to retreat back to her apartment and climb into a bubble bath with a glass of wine, forgetting all about this little incident.
Patrick sensed she was embarrassed, but didn't say a word. He just gently placed the ice pack on her forehead, examining for any bruises.
"Do you feel alright? Any confusion, blurred vision, vertigo?" He asked seriously, and she thought she heard genuine concern in his voice.
"No, just a little headache. I'll be fine." She assured him while looking up at him.
He still held the ice pack to her head, even though she was holding it as well. There was a moment of comfortable silence between them before a knock on the door was heard. As the door opened, Patrick quickly jumped away from Robin and pretended to busy himself with a chart on the table.
A pretty blonde woman who looked to be in her early twenties entered and warmly smiled at Patrick.
"Are you ready?" She asked him sweetly.
Robin glanced over at Patrick as he nodded and placed the chart down. He then turned towards Robin.
"Well, it looks like you'll be fine. Just remember to keep some ice on it and get plenty of rest." He condescendingly said as if he didn't know her and she was just one of his dumb patients.
Robin felt the anger rise inside her. Whenever she thought she saw something in him, he goes and proves to her once again that he really is the jerk she thought he was.
"Well, thanks so much Dr. Drake. I don't know what I'd do without you." She replied sickeningly sweet.
She then hopped off the exam table and was about to leave when she got an idea and turned back around.
"Oh, and don't worry. You'll be fine as well." She said while smiling evilly at him.
Patrick looked genuinely confused. "What do you mean?"
"Well, I could see how it would hurt."
"How what would hurt?"
Robin moved closer to him. "This."
And then she proceeded to knee him in the groin.
As he doubled over and the blonde rushed to his side, Robin walked out of the room and headed for the doctor's lounge. She was going home to have that bubble bath and glass of wine of hers, and hopefully get Patrick out of her head. Obviously her old mantra wasn't working, so she'd just have to think up a different one.
She tried out a few new phrases as she left the hospital a little while later and headed to her apartment, but the feeling of Patrick's lips ever-so-slightly brushing hers kept on returning.
Just as she reached her apartment steps, she stopped. She really didn't feel like spending yet another night alone. So she kept on walking, not really aware of where she was walking to, until she hit her destination. A bar. More specifically, Coleman's bar. A place she knew she'd find people she knew hanging out. A place where she wasn't often invited by others to have a beer or shoot some pool after work. She had herself to blame for that. She distances herself from everyone for fear she'll get too close, and then have to leave them once her disease finally completes its course.
As she walked inside, feeling awkward and out of place, she in fact recognized several people. They were talking and laughing with one other, having a good time. She thought coming here would make her feel apart of the crowd, but instead it just reminded her of how alone she really was. Second thoughts started to creep up on her and she was considering leaving when a familiar voice called out to her.
Robin turned around and saw Elizabeth waving her over from a table in the back. Robin smiled and hesitantly made her way over, only to have that smile fade when she realized who else was at the table with Elizabeth.
Patrick sipped his beer and amusingly watched Robin attempt to avoid him. When he saw her look around for a place to sit, he decided to exact his revenge.
"Robin, you can sit here. Right next to me." He grinned wickedly, enjoying seeing her squirm.
Robin was hesitant, but sat down next to him anyway, seeing no other option. She knew she would come to regret it, and she was right. He knew the effect he had on her, and she knew he was using that to his advantage. It was war, and he was winning. Well, two could play that game.
"So..." Robin began, turning towards Patrick. "Where's your girlfriend?"
Patrick looked confused.
"You know, the blonde?" Robin said slowly, as if speaking to a child.
Patrick still looked confused.
"The one who came into the exam room earlier?" Robin tried again, getting more frustrated by the second. How many women was he dating?
Realization appeared to cross his features, and then he flashed his classic smug grin.
"Why? Jealous?"
Robin was about to retort something back when she realized Lucky, Elizabeth, and some other people seated around them were all listening.
"Jealous of what? The only big thing about you is your ego." She replied with a smug smile of her own as she watched his floored expression.
Elizabeth and Lucky snickered, as well as the people around them. Score one for Robin.
Patrick quickly composed himself. "Well, you wouldn't know, now would you?"
"Well, you've slept with most of the female population of Port Charles, so let's just say it's not exactly big news."
Patrick glared at her as she continued to smile. Score two for Robin.
All of a sudden, Patrick groaned.
"Oh god, we're not on this again, are we?" He said rather loudly.
Robin furrowed her brows. "What are you talking about?"
"Come on, we both know what this is about." He continued to speak loudly, his voice getting louder with every word until he was almost shouting.
Robin nervously glanced around and noticed that most of the bar was now listening to their conversation. She wasn't sure what he was up to, but she knew she didn't like it.
"Robin, if you really want me to do that thing in bed that you keep on talking about, just say so. I'll be happy to handcuff you to the bedpost and try the yawning sexual position in the Kama Sutra."
Robin's eyes widened and she stared at him flabbergasted as he shrugged and nonchalantly sipped his beer. She once again glanced around the room, and noticed everyone staring at her. Some people were even writing down the name of the position Patrick just said. She was beyond mortified, and she was determined to get him back for this.
"Okay honey, I'm so glad you agree." She said just as loudly as he had. "Why don't you come around my place tomorrow night, and we'll do just that."
Patrick had been taking a big gulp of his beer when she said that, and he spit it out all over the table when what she said registered. Was she serious? No, she was bluffing. But what if she was serious? He'll find out tomorrow night either way.
"It's a date."
TO BE CONTINUED...