CHAPTER 6
Robin stepped out of shower and dried herself off, wrapping a silk robe around her body. Her hair was dripping wet and her skin damp, but she didn't mind. It was an unusually warm day for February, especially in upstate New York. Walking out of the bathroom, she debated about what to do today. It was a rare occurrence that she had a whole day off, being the workaholic that she was. But she admitted that it was a good thing, seeing as she had overexhausted herself ever since she arrived back in Port Charles.
Robin picked up the cordless on the coffee table and began dialing Maxie's cell number, hoping that her cousin wasn't too busy with her boyfriend Jesse to hang out. Georgie wasn't an option since it was a school day, and Elizabeth had a double shift at the hospital. Hearing the busy signal on Maxie's phone, Robin wished she knew more people to call.
Giving up, Robin hung up the phone and sank down to the sofa. She resigned herself to a day of errands. Which isn't such a bad thing. She told herself. She really could use the time to catch up on laundry and grocery shopping.
The doorbell suddenly rang, jarring Robin from her mental list of chores. She didn't bother moving at first, confused as to who would be at her apartment this early. She hoped it wasn't her annoying landlord, or the sleazy guy across the hall who always stared at her.
Curiosity got the better of her before long, so she padded barefoot across the hardwood floor towards the door. Peering through the peephole, Robin frowned. She didn't see anyone. Only a flash of green.
She unlocked the door and cracked it open slowly. There, leaning against the doorframe with an evil grin, was Patrick Drake.
Robin shrieked and quickly tried to shut the door, but he managed prevent that by sticking his foot inside.
Robin sighed, deciding to just let him come in, figuring that this confrontation would happen sooner or later. Better that it be in the privacy of her apartment, then in the middle of the hospital.
Without a word, Robin opened the door wide and stepped aside, gesturing for him to enter. Despite the fact that she had given plenty of room, he brushed against her as he walked past. She caught a whiff of his cologne, and combined with his nearness, she felt dizzy.
Damn. She thought. Even with neon green hair, he is still hot.
He didn't say one word. He just casually strode around her living room, studying the unfamiliar surroundings as if trying to gain more insight into the inner workings of her mind.
Finally he plopped down on the sofa, putting his feet up on the coffee table while leaning back and folding his hands behind his head.
"Gee, make yourself at home." Robin muttered, pushing his feet off the expensive glass table.
While she'd never admit it to him, it secretly thrilled her to have him look so comfortable in her home. He acted like he'd been there a million times before. Almost as if he lived there with her.
She shook her head, stopping her train of thought before it went any further. She sat down on the opposite end of the sofa, which wasn't that far from him since it was rather small. She waited for him to speak, but he just stared at her with that smirk of his.
He seemed calm. Almost too calm. Shouldn't he be yelling at her, or at least glaring?
She had a feeling he was up to something. If he wasn't the type to get mad, then he must have a plan to get even.
"What?" Robin finally asked, breaking the silent staring contest they seemed to be having.
"Nothing. I'm just waiting for you." Patrick replied nonchalantly, shrugging.
"What are you talking about?"
"We agreed on a date yesterday. Only thing is, you disappeared before I could take you out." He explained. "I wonder if it is in any way connected to my hair turning green."
Robin felt guilt and remorse churning in the pit of her stomach, but she pushed it down.
"What makes you think I have anything to do with it?" She asked as innocently as she could muster, glancing up towards his hair.
"Well, let's see..." He pretended to ponder, leaning in towards her. "You have more motive than any other woman at the hospital."
"You can't be serious." She snorted. "I think every woman at the hospital has a motive. Scratch that: I think every woman in Port Charles has a motive."
"Now that's not true." Patrick leaned in closer. "I've given those women satisfaction. They have no reason to resent me."
Robin didn't have a comeback, so she simply scoffed, raising an eyebrow. He really was unbelievable.
"Which brings me to the reason why I'm here." He continued, letting his gaze travel down her bathrobe-clad body. "I could give you satisfaction as well. You already have my attention; you didn't need to put dye in my shampoo to get it."
"Is that why you think I did it?" Robin blurted.
Oh no. Busted.
Patrick's eyes gleamed. "So you admit it."
"Fine." She sighed, sinking back into the cushions of the sofa.
"But even you have to admit it is perfectly understandable considering the misconception I was laboring under." She rushed out in one breath.
"My hair is green, Robin."
Robin stifled a laugh at that. "Yes, and I'm sorry about that."
Patrick quirked an eyebrow in doubt, making him look oddly like a leprechaun. Of course, this made her laugh even more.
Patrick crossed his arms in front of him, trying to appear serious, but even he couldn't completely stop the small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. It was nice to see her laugh, even if it was at his expense.
"I'm sorry. I really am." She said once the urge to laugh died down a little. "It was completely immature and totally out of line. I don't know what came over me."
"Oh, I know exactly what came over you." He seductively murmured. "You thought I'd look good with green hair. You probably have a fantasy involving punk guys. If you'd like, I could dress up as Sid Vicious."
"Yes, Patrick, that's exactly it." Robin sarcastically fawned over him. "Now you know my deepest, darkest secret. I have a thing for men who look like the belong on the box of Lucky Charms."
"So you took it upon yourself to make me look as ridiculous as possible, in hopes of repelling other women and keeping me all for yourself?"
"You're seeing this from the wrong angle." Robin laughed. "St. Patrick's Day is coming up next month. I think green hair is the perfect way to show your Irish spirit."
For emphasis, Robin raised her fist in the air. "Go Irish."
"Well that would be super, if I was Irish to begin with." Patrick explained slowly, as if speaking to a small child.
Robin burst out laughing, while Patrick watched her with amusement. He loved seeing her like this – so relaxed and carefree. It was a nice change from the oh-so-serious Dr. Sourpuss he knew at work. She really was beautiful, and he suspected she didn't know how much.
"Well, maybe you did help me out." He smiled. "Now I can get past the bouncers in punk clubs around here."
"Yes, because there's just so many of them in Port Charles." She smiled up at him.
"Well, when I find one, I'll bring you along with me. We'll make a perfect couple – me with my green hair, and you with your nose ring."
Robin's heart fluttered when he said the words 'we' and 'couple'. She then felt stupid, because she knew he was only joking around.
Without realizing it, Robin had moved closer to Patrick, and they were now only inches away from each other. She saw his eyes travel downwards, and suddenly realized her clothing. Or rather, lack thereof.
Robin wrapped her bathrobe tighter around herself, trying to cover herself up as best as she could. She suddenly felt too exposed, despite the fact that she had been with Patrick for over fifteen minutes.
Jumping off the sofa, she practically sprinted into her bedroom and began rummaging through her dresser drawers. Just as she picked out her usual ensemble of professional-looking clothing, she heard Patrick's voice from the living room.
"Wear something comfortable and casual. You'll need it for where we're going."
Robin poked her head out of her room. "We are not going anywhere."
"Oh yes we are. You promised me a date, and I am a firm believer in keeping promises."
An hour later, Robin found herself standing in front of a paintball park. It was located in an outdoor clearing in small town fair not that far from Port Charles. Robin wondered how Patrick found about this place, since she always thought he'd be the type to wine and dine women in fancy restaurants as he talked about how brilliant of a doctor he was. She never thought in a million years that he'd do something so... so fun.
"Ready?" He asked her, smiling wickedly as he put on his goggles.
Robin zipped up the white suit the employees had given her to protect her clothes, although it really wouldn't matter if she got paint all over them anyway. She was wearing the jeans and tank top Patrick had picked out for her earlier after he ushered her into her bathroom to change.
Patrick was wearing jeans and a tee-shirt, with a white suit over it as well. He had gone paintballing with friends in the past, but never in February because it was usually too cold. But today was so beautiful, and he wanted to take advantage of the lovely weather. He saw it as the perfect opportunity to spend time with Robin, knowing she didn't get out much. He wanted to get to know her better, and show her a good time, before the harsh cold winds of winter settled upon the town once more.
"Ready." Robin answered, her hand already on one of the paint-filled balloons in a bag tied around her waist.
"On the count of three." Patrick faced-off with Robin. "One. Two. Thr–,"
Before he could even finish counting, Robin took off running, dodging around the many large haystacks placed around the paintball area.
Patrick began firing his balloons with the expertise of an ex-little-leaguer, but she was too quick. She ducked behind one of the haystacks, her hand on a balloon of her own. She slowly rose to peek over the top, but he was no where in sight. She then snuck around the hay, scanning the park like an undercover spy.
All of a sudden, a blast of cold paint pelted her face, and she wiped away red paint from her goggles. Laughing, she hurled her balloon at Patrick, who was not that far away from her. He tried running towards a haystack near him, but he wasn't quick enough. Blue paint splattered all over the chest of his white suit.
They continued throwing paint balloons at each other while running around the park, occasionally taunting the other, or collapsing in a fit of hysterical laughter at the sight of the other covered in paint. Patrick was particularly amused at the sight of Robin covered in yellow, much like Big Bird from Sesame Street.
After an hour, the two called a truce and walked in companionable silence towards the exit. Once they took off their suits and washed their faces, they made their way towards his car. Just as they were about to reach it, Patrick gently grabbed Robin's arm, pulling her towards him.
"Do you mind if I take a picture?" He asked, smiling.
"Why? I'm a mess." She laughed, wrinkling up her nose. "My hair's multi-colored with paint, I'm all sweaty, and I'm pretty sure I smell like a barn."
"You're beautiful." He whispered while brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear, and he meant it.
Robin simply nodded, too moved by his simple words and light touch to say anything.
Patrick pulled out his cell phone from his pocket and leaned in close to her, snapping a picture of them using the camera feature. He wanted to remember this very moment. He wanted a memento of the very moment he knew he was meant to spent the rest of his life with this woman. The moment when he felt his heart overflow with pure happiness after years of it being hollow and void. The moment when he felt heaven and earth move, and knew without a doubt, that there was order and meaning to the universe. The moment he fell in love.
TO BE CONTINUED...