Robbie sat in the waiting room of the outreach clinic tapping his foot nervously on the floor. Something at the back of his mind niggled away at him, he didn't know if he was doing the right thing and if he was even meant to be here. He was ashamed at himself for allowing himself to believe the speculative comments of someone who was almost a complete stranger to him but the doubt that had been eating away at him day and night for three days was becoming too much to bear. He had to know but no amount of reassurance could stop him from hating himself because of what he was doing.

In his heart of hearts he tried to find the last glimmer of hope that he was Robyn's father and that none of this was necessary but he could feel himself slipping into the warm blanket of denial. In his mind he tried to think of what he would he would do if he turned out to not be Robyn's father but the thought of that tragic circumstance occurring made him feel nauseous. Part of him wanted to take up the tempting offer that absolute denial portrayed to him while another told him to grit his teeth and face the truth like a man. No matter how he tried he couldn't find the strength within him to do the latter.

Unable to turn to anyone in his time of need he was here alone to face his own foolhardy actions and razor sharp convictions. More than anything he wanted somewhere here with him, someone that would understand what was going on his head and someone that would reassure him that he was doing the right thing. He'd thought of talking to Kit but had feared being criticised by the fiery man he saw as his own son for discarding any thoughts of Robyn's feelings should the DNA test results come back negative. He'd thought of asking Sportacus for advice but was stopped by the love the man had for the woman who had put him in this situation.

Clenching his fist in momentary anger at the thought at that oh-so-innocent looking harpy he wanted to find enough fire in his belly to tell her just what he thought of her but his friendship with Sportacus meant too much to him to lose. A falling out with Sportacus would affect Robyn as well and he couldn't do that, not now. Thinking of Robyn he knew he was being selfish by being here, by putting himself before her when she was ill and needed him the most. Whether he was her father or not he had a duty to her and holding on to that thought he got up. His doubts could wait until Robyn better, they had to wait, she was more important.

Robbie was about to walk out of the clinic when the sound of someone saying his name stopped him and he turned to see who had addressed him, he was rather surprised to see Doctor Malone standing at his shoulder.

"I'm sorry to keep you waiting, Mr Rotten, would you come with me please?" Doctor Malone asked and indicated for Robbie to follow him.

"I can't. There's something I have to do."

Doctor Malone frowned and studied his reluctant patient, "Your brow is sweaty, you keep clenching and unclenching your hands and you look almost as white as my jacket. I think in that case that coming with me is more important right now."

Unable to resist any further and feeling the need to unload the burden that had placed upon him by the fear that he might not be Robyn's father, Robbie nodded and followed the doctor down the corridor to his consulting room. Sitting on a chair inside the room he watched as the doctor take a seat behind the desk in front of him.

"Now, what brings you here?"

"I need a DNA test."

"I beg your pardon?"

Robbie withered under the glare that the doctor had fixed on him, "I need a DNA test. I'm not sure if I'm Robyn's father and I was told that it's the only way to find out."

"Mr Rotten," Doctor Malone sighed and walked round his desk to perch himself on the side closest to Robbie, "What on earth has possessed you to question the legitimacy of your paternity to Robyn? Surely you have thought a great deal about this and the affects it will have on yourself and Robyn if the results should come back negative."

"I just have to know."

"Let me try this from another angle. You were left with Robyn, as I understand it, and took her in to your home. You bonded with her; you loved her and still do. She loves you and thinks of you as her father in all senses of the word. Whether you questioned your paternity then or not you treated her as your own daughter and her love for you as a daughter is unparalleled. Does that not make you her father regardless of whether you share DNA with her or not?"

"That's a good argument but the doubt I'm feeling inside won't go away and I don't know how long I can cope with this."

With an aggravated sigh Doctor Malone sat back behind his desk, "You fail to understand that DNA will have to be taken from Robyn which she will undoubtedly question. In her current state the answer may push her completely over the edge and will be detrimental to her health. As a doctor of both her body and mind I will have no part in this. I refuse to engage in any test that will harm her and yourself."

Seeing that he'd come to a dead end Robbie stood up. He thanked the doctor with a nod and walked over to the door. He was about to open it when he heard the doctor say his name. Turning round he looked at the doctor and waited to hear what the man had to say.

"Mr Rotten," the doctor began, "If you should wish to continue on this course to destroy Robyn and yourself I can call through to one of my colleagues who can arrange the tests for you."

"Thank you, doctor."

"Don't thank me. Just be mindful that if the results should prove that you're not Robyn's father that you keep it to yourself. Robyn's mental state deeply concerns me and the slightest whiff of this will damage her considerably."

Robbie nodded and turned to leave when a thought struck him. Turning back he asked, "Can I ask you something, doctor?"

"Go ahead."

"Did they clone you or something? No matter where I go you're always there."

"I wish they had cloned me. Unfortunately I have to keep the hospital, the safe house and this place pinned down all at the same time which I can assure you is no easy task."

"I hope they're paying you well for all this."

"So do I. If you'd like to go back to the waiting room I can get one of my colleagues to see you about the tests you require. Once you've sorted everything out I can drive you to the safe house if you wish to visit Robyn while you're here in town."

Once again Robbie nodded and left the room. He wanted to see Robyn but didn't know if he could face her with the knowledge of what he was about to do rested on his mind. Sitting back down in the waiting room he tapped his foot nervously on the floor.