CHAPTER 4

Maybe this isn't such a good idea.

Yes, it is.

But what if he doesn't want to see me?

You'll just have to take a chance.

But I don't know if I can.

Isn't love worth the risk?

Wait a minute – did I just think the word love?

Robin stared out the window of the taxi as an inner monologue ran through her head. The lights of Port Charles blurred by as the car made its way towards Patrick's apartment. Robin suddenly had the urge to yell at the driver to turn back around, but she forced herself to remain silent. She really wanted to see him, with his hair sticking out in every direction as it always does, and the sexy smirk he always has on. She wanted to hear his low voice, and the smooth way he talks when he's flirting or taunting her. She wanted to reach out and touch him, feeling his body tower over her, and take in the unique scent of him. Feel his chest rise and fall as he breathes. Hear his heart thumping in tune with hers. Taste the softness of his lips... the salt of his skin. She wanted him to be inside her – both physically and mentally.

The car suddenly jerked to a halt, jarring Robin from her thoughts. She realized that she had reached her destination. Taking a deep breath, she reminded herself it was now or never. Pulling a crisp twenty dollar bill out of her purse, she handed it to the driver and told him to keep the change as she stepped out onto the sidewalk. She couldn't wait any longer. A feeling of anxiousness and excitement flooded her senses as she walked up the steps of the stoop, faintly hearing the taxi speed away.

She paused for a moment before reaching out to dial his apartment number on the keypad, but before she could press the send button, the door opened and an old man walked out. He held the door open for her, so she smiled and mumbled a thank you before walking into the foyer.

A rush of heat greeted her as she walked farther into the building, admiring the magnificent surroundings. For a small town like Port Charles, it was quite fancy. Even her apartment wasn't as nice.

Robin pressed the elevator button. It wasn't too late; she could still turn back.

The elevator doors slid open. Robin hesitated.

No. She had come this far. She wasn't backing down.

She stepped inside the empty elevator and pressed the button for the fifth floor. After the doors closed, she pulled out her compact mirror and began smoothing down her hair. Then she reapplied her lip gloss and sprayed a light flowery perfume on herself. As she popped a breath mint, the doors opened, revealing a splendidly-decorated and warmly-lit hallway.

Striding out, she glanced at the doors as she passed them by, looking for his number. Rounding a corner, laughter reached her ears. Familiar laughter.

Robin quickly rushed back around the corner, out of sight. Peeking around a rather large fake tree, she caught a glimpse fo whom the laughter belonged to.

Carly.

She should have known.

There she was, leaning against the wall all the way at the far end of the hallway, giggling. Patrick was leaning over her, his arms on each side of her. Robin couldn't make out what they were saying, but whatever it was, it was a private conversation. How private, Robin didn't want to know.

Just then, a loud ringing pierced through the air. Robin panicked as she realized that it was her cell phone. She quickly hide back behind the corner and shut it off, breathing shakily.

Did they see her?

After a few seconds of debating whether or not to sprint down the hallway as fast as she could, Robin braved herself enough to take another look.

Patrick and Carly were now walking farther down the hallway, their arms snaked around each other. He opened his door and they disappeared inside. The faint click of the door locking was heard.

Robin slowly turned around and began walking back down the hallway in the direction she had came. No longer did the hallway seem cozy and inviting. It was cold, and lonely, and unsympathetic.

The walk turned into a sprint, and a sprint into a jog. Robin needed to get as far away from here as possible. Pressing the elevator button repeatedly, she was frustrated that it wasn't opening quick enough. So she dashed towards the emergency stairwell, flying down the several flights of stairs until she pushed open the heavy door leading outside. A gust of bitter wind instantly hit her, pushing her backwards, but she had to keep moving.

Hailing a taxi, she climbed in and began to give her home address to the driver as she glanced at her cell phone. Elizabeth had been the one to call earlier.

Robin gave the driver Elizabeth's address instead. She really someone to talk to. And not just anyone – a friend. Robin didn't have many friends growing up, and it remained true to that day. In Paris she knew a few colleagues whom she had went out for drinks a handful of times, but she had never really been close to any of them. Even now, she wasn't best buddies with Elizabeth, but hopefully that could change.

Walking up to the apartment Elizabeth and Lucky shared, Robin knocked on the door and waited. Elizabeth opened the door a few moments later with Cameron in her arms. One look at Robin's face was all it took for Elizabeth to know something was wrong.

"Is everything all right?" Elizabeth worriedly asked Robin as she pulled her inside.

"Yeah, yeah. Everything's fine." Robin pulled her coat off and slumped down on the couch. "I'm just upset over something stupid."

Elizabeth placed Cameron in his crib and walked over to where Robin was, sitting down next to her.

"Honey, if something's making you this upset, it isn't stupid."

Robin sighed. "Patrick."

Elizabeth nodded understandingly. "Ahh. Say no more."

"Carly." Robin sighed again.

"Okay, now you have to tell me." Elizabeth laughed good-naturedly as she comfortingly put her hand over Robin's.

"I went out with Dominic tonight, and even though he's a great guy, I just didn't feel anything. So I had this idea – a completely idiotic idea – to go see Patrick."

"At the hospital?"

"At his apartment."

"Ooh." Elizabeth winced.

"Yeah, definitely not the best idea I've ever had." Robin leaned her head down into her hands.

"So go on." Elizabeth urged.

"Well, I got my wish. I saw Patrick. Only he wasn't alone."

"Enter Carly." Elizabeth knowingly filled in.

"They were standing there, and, I don't know... They just seemed so..."

"Together?"

"Together." Robin agreed.

There was a long moment of silence as they each cursed Patrick in their heads'. For different reasons, though: Robin cursed Patrick for making her believe that he had wanted to be with her, and Elizabeth cursed Patrick for hurting someone she cared about.

"Did they see you?" Elizabeth suddenly interrupted the stillness.

"No. I hid behind this ridiculously oversized plastic tree." Robin laughed in spite of herself. "I almost got caught though, when my cell phone went off."

"Who was calling?"

"You." Robin smiled.

Elizabeth looked sheepish. "Sorry about that."

"Don't be. That's why I decided to come over here."

"Well, I'm glad you did." Elizabeth put her arm around Robin's shoulders. "And if you ever need to vent again the next time The Jerk is acting like a, well, jerk... then you know where to find me."

"Thanks." Robin smiled, starting to feel better already. "And I'm sure he will."

Just then, Lucky walked into the living room and into the kitchen. Both Elizabeth and Robin watched as he drank milk straight from the carton, burped loudly, and then proceeded to place the milk back into the fridge. After he disappeared back into the bedroom, Elizabeth and Robin began laughing hysterically.

"Men." Elizabeth smiled, shaking her head. "Can't live with 'em, can't kill 'em, stuff their bodies' in your trunk, and tell people they went out of town."

"Amen."

TO BE CONTINUED...